PopaHALLics #171 "Slow Horses, Couldn't Drag Me Away"

We talk the sixth season of the spy drama "Slow Horses," an Irish haunted house movie, how magicians at Yale accidentally left the door to Hell open, and whether Dracula was just a misunderstood romantic with a thing for French perfume.

Streaming:

• "Slow Horses," Apple TV. Someone's killing off former Slough House agents, and Diana faces the music for an unauthorized covert action. Can Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) and his bumbling crew save the day?
• "East of Eden," Netflix. This sweeping limited series far surpasses the scope of the 1955 film with James Dean, which only covered the last third of John Steinbeck's novel. Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, Mike Faist, and Hoon Lee star In this more faithful adaptation from creator Zoe Kazan, the granddaughter of Elia Kazan, who directed the 1955 film.
• "Hokum," Hulu and Disney +. In this gripping horror movie with effective jump scares, An abrasive American novelist (Adam Scott, "Severance") discovers the haunted honeymoon suite at an Irish hotel is more than a folktale.
• "Dracula," Paramount + and Prime. Dracula a monster? Heck no. In this stylish French gothic horror film from Luc Besson ("La Femme Nikita," "The Fifth Element"), Vlad (Caleb Landry Jones) is a romantic hero pursuing the love of his life (Zoe Bleu) across the centuries. Some folks like a priest/scientist (Christoph Waltz) take issue with the whole bloodsucking thing.

Books:

• "Dead Beat," by Leigh Bardugo. In the action-packed conclusion to the "Ninth House" trilogy, demons flood the streets of New Haven and Yale to feast on the living. Can magician Alex Stern, who left Hell's gates open, stop them?
• "The Road to Tender Hearts," by Annie Hartnett. When eccentric old man PJ sets off on a road trip to woo his high school sweetheart, the crew accompanying him include his very reluctant daughter Sophie; his new charges, the grandchildren of his estranged brother; and a therapy cat that can predict death. A wonderful novel that is darkly comic and full of heart.

Music:

Ever hear of the Menahan Street Band? Us neither. Kate says this Brooklyn-based band consists of all-star touring and studio musicians for big-name acts. Check out their funk and soul on PopaHALLics #171 Playlist (Menahan).

PopaHALLics #170 "Little House on the Prehistoric"

Find out what happens when Anne Hathaway must battle dinosaurs ... "Little House on the Prairie" gets a reboot ... Coyote sues the ACME Corporation. Plus music by bands featuring a movie star AND movie star kids!

Theaters:

• "Coyote Vs. ACME." After years of injuring himself and NOT catching the Roadrunner with faulty products, Wile E. Coyote sues in this live-action animated comedy. Starring Will Forte, John Cena, Lana Condor, and all your Looney Tunes favorites.

Streaming:

• "The End of Oak Street," for rental. In this sci-fi thriller, a 1980s neighborhood mysteriously gets transported to a prehistoric landscape—with lots of hungry dinosaurs. Starring Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, gas-guzzling cars and questionable fashion.
• "Little House on the Prairie," Netflix. Unlike the 1970s series, the latest adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books is more realistic about the harsh frontier of Kansas and includes more diverse perspectives, such as the Ingalls family's Osage neighbors. Starring Luke Bracey, Crosby Fitzgerald, Skywalker Hughes, and Alice Halsey as Laura.
• "The Gentlemen," Netflix. In season 2 of Guy Ritchie's dark comedy crime drama, reluctant aristocrat Eddie (Theo James) changes into a ruthless criminal mastermind expanding his drug empire with the help of Susie (Kaya Scodelario).
• "Colin from Accounts," Paramount +. Three years after Gordon (Patrick Brammall) awkwardly proposed to Ashley (Harriet Dyer) at their friends' wedding in this Australian rom-com, the two have moved on to other people. But have they, really? We'll find out if these star-crossed lovers end up together, since this is the show's final season.

Books:

• "Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingall Wilder," by Caroline Fraser. This comprehensive, Pulitzer Prize-winning 2017 historical biography looks at the life of Wilder, the author of the "Little House on the Prairie" books.
• "The Dog Stars," by Peter Heller. Skip the Ridley Scott movie version and go to the source, this moving novel about love and loss, physical and emotional survival, and hope in a time when a flu pandemic has wiped out most of humanity and the survivors are scrabbling for food, shelter, etc.

Music:

Movie stars and music! Kevin Bacon and his older brother have the Bacon Brothers Band. Josh Brolin's daughter Eden and Bill Pullman's son Lewis also have a band (Atta Boy). How are they? Find out with our PopaHALLics #170 Playlist (Bacon)!

PopaHALLics #169 "Raise Your Voice"

It's time to speak up: Ted Lasso for AFC Richmond's new female soccer team; the "Ride or Die" friends for reach other; a son of 1960s radicals for himself; even a killer robot for herself (itself?). And we talk protest songs too.

Streaming:

• "Ted Lasso," Apple TV. Once again Ted (Jason Sudeikis) returns across the pond to coach soccer in Richmond, this time for the new women's team. Returning are Hannah Waddingham (Rebecca), Juno Temple (Keeley), Brett Goldstein (Roy), and Brendan Hunt (Coach Beard), with Tanya Reynolds as the assistant coach passed over for the head job.
• "The Trouble with Jessica," YouTube. In this 2023 dark comedy, a couple (Shirley Henderson and Alan Tudyk) trying to sell their home hold a dinner party. The night turns into mayhem due to an uninvited guest (Indira Varma).
• "Ride or Die," Prime. Best friends Debbie (Octavia Spenser) and Judith (Hannah Waddingham) have secrets from each other in this action comedy series. Debbie hasn't read the book for her book club; Judith is an assassin.
• "Three," Kanopy. Kai''s bad day turns worse when a stranger (Eric Roberts) in a bar prophesies he will die in three days. Caleb Ruminer and Anna Grace Barlow star in this 2026 rom-com movie that veers from serious to whimsical.
• "Companion," HBO Max. In this 2025 sci-fi thriller, a weekend getaway at a remote cabin turns deadly thanks to the erratic behavior of a guest—who discovers she's a robot. Starring Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid.
• "Sneakers," streaming. In this high-tech caper, a team of renegade hackers is hired to retrieve an elusive black box. Starring Robert Redford, Sydney Poitier, Dan Aykroyd, River Phoenix, and David Strathairn.

Books:

• "Dangerous, Dirty, Violent and Young: A Fugitive Family in the Revolutionary Underground," by Zayd Ayers Dohrn. This 2026 memoir explores his childhood as the son of Weather Underground leaders, examining his parents' radical history on the run and the emotional toll of political extremism.
• "A Monster Calls," by David Ness and Siobhan Dowd. In this 2011 award-winning dark fantasy for young readers, a monster visits a boy in denial about his mother's terminal cancer. Ness wrote the book from an idea by Dowd, who died of cancer before she could start it.

Music:

Steve seeing protest singer Jesse Wells in concert inspired our PopaHALLics #169 Playlist (Protest), with protest songs old and new. We also include music by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, an old Kate favorite that she recently rediscovered.

PopaHALLics #168 "Blast(s) From the Past"

We discuss writer/director Christopher Nolan's epic take on Homer's nearly 3000-year-old poem "The Odyssey." Kate's back too, talking about old—and new—favorites she watched while recovering from surgery.

Theaters:

• "The Odyssey." Greek warrior Odyssey spends 10 hard yeasr trying to get home after the Trojan War. Plagued by the gods, or just needing GPS? Starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as his wife Penelope, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, John Leguizamo, and Charlize Therzon.

Streaming:

• "Disclosure Day," various streamers. Director Steven Spielberg returns to one of his favorite subjects with this action-packed adventure about a cybersecurity expert (Josh O'Connor) and a TV meteorologist (Emily Blunt) trying to expose the existence of alien life. A government contractor (Colin Firth) wants to silence them.
• "The Rip," Netflix. Damon and buddy Ben Affleck star in this action thriller based on real events. When a group of Miami cops discover millions in cash during a house raid, is one or more of them actually trying to steal it? With Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, and Kyle Chandler.
• "Lucky," Apple TV. When a multi-million-dollar heist goes wrong, con artist Lucky (Anya Taylor-Joy) must figure out who conned her while running for her life. This miniseries also stars Annette Benning and Timothy Olyphant.
• "Rental Family," Hulu, Disney +, YouTube. In Japan, a struggling actor (Brendan Fraser) takes an unusual gig playing stand-in roles for strangers. When he's asked to pretend to be a young girl's father, the lines between performance and reality begin to blur in this film.
• "I Will Find You," Netflix. This miniseries is based on Harlan Coben's novel. A father (Sam Worthington) imprisoned for his son's murder receives evidence suggesting his child may be alive. He escapes and seeks the truth.
• "Dublin Murders," Tubi. Two detectives (Killian Scott and Sarah Greene) investigate a young girl's murder on the outskirts of Dublin. This TV series is based on Tana French's novels "In the Woods" and "The Likeness."
• "Voicemails for Isabelle," Netflix. In this rom-com, a young woman (Zoey Deutch) copes with her sister's death by leaving voicemails for her describing her chaotic life in San Francisco. A mysterious real estate agent (Nick Robinson) unwittingly begins to receive the messages.
• "Grantchester," Passport (PBS). This British series about a clergyman investigating mysterious wrongdoings in his small village with the help of an overworked detective inspector ends with its 11th season.
• "Blast from the Past," Tubi. In this 1999 romantic comedy, Adam (Brendan Fraser) has lived his entire life in a fallout shelter. When he finally comes to the surface, he finds the nuclear apocalypse didn't occur—and meets gorgeous Eve (Alicia Silverstone).

PopaHALLics #167 "Alien in Heartland"

Five people trapped in a house during what may or may not be an alien invasion begin to suspect one of them is a shape-shifting alien. That's the "Twilight Zone"-like premise of "Alien in the Heartland," an independent film made in Indiana and available to rent or buy on Prime Video. We interview writer/director Eric Pascarelli and four of the five key actors:

• James Tackett, who plays Thomas, a retired movie propmaster still grieving the death of his wife, on the anniversary of her death.
• Tori Behny, who plays Roxy, his daughter, dealing with her own emotions about losing her mom in addition to her dad's spiraling behaviors and this crisis.
• Daisy Paroczy Hickey, who plays Thomas' sister-in-law, Kim, who chooses a very bad time to visit.
• Holly Anspaugh, who plays Ellie, who gets trapped in the house with her younger sister Johanna (Chloe Lutz). The two sisters have dealt with the deaths of their parents in very different ways.

A fifth character in "Alien in the Heartland" is the Dr. Richard Davis House, also known as "Woodside," a historic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in Marion, Indiana. The futuristic-looking Usonian style home was constructed in 1955.

Here is the trailer for "Alien in the Heartland."

The trailer for Eric's next movie "Method to the Madness," a dramedy about a Method actor coaching basketball, just came out. It features several of these same actors.

The Fair Use Doctrine of U.S. copyright law allows for the limited unauthorized use of copyrighted material for purposes of comment and criticism.

PopaHALLics #166 "Lost and Found"

This episode's all about discovery: Finding a space villain's kidnapped son, rescued puppies and true love in NYC, a way to keep your creative spark against autism, and, yes, even creepy monsters hidden in the walls of a retirement community.

Theaters:

• "The Mandalorian & Grogu." In the latest "Star Wars" big-screen release, the masked gunfighter (Pedro Pascal) and his adorable sidekick take on a rescue mission of ... Jabba the Hutt's son?! With Signourey Weaver, Jeremy Allen White, Martin Scorsese.

Streaming:

• "The Burroughs," Netflix. The Duffer Brothers try to repeat "Stranger Things" success, only this time their heroes are an intrepid band of senior citizens dealing with supernatural goings-on. With Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, and Geena Davis. There's no long life in this retirement community: The show's already canceled after just one season.
• "Room to Move," Netflix. When an autism diagnosis sets her world spinning, dancer and choreographer Jenn Freeman tries to regain her creative center in this intimate documentary.
• "Tornado," Kanopy. In this unusual period action thriller, a Japanese teen (Koki) faces off against a scruffy band of outlaws headed by the Sugar Man (Tim Roth) and his resentful son (Jack Lowden from "Slow Horses") in Scotland in the 1790s.
• "Emma Shay," YouTube and "Holistic Emma," Instagram. Chronicles her transforming an abandoned general store into a homestead and botanical farm.
• "Kathleen Illustrated," YouTube and Instagram. This illustrator, thrifter, and creative is focused on personal expression through sustainable style and craft.

Books:

• "Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About," by Isabel Klee. In this memoir, Klee tells the story of the dogs she's rescued and her journey toward love in New York City. Her first true love is Simon, a puppy saved from the meat trade.

The Fair Use Doctrine of U.S. copyright law allows for the limited unauthorized use of copyrighted material for purposes of comment and criticism.

PopaHALLics #164 "Damaged Goods"

Damaged people make for good pop in this episode, from a Neil Diamond tribute band with trouble at the door to a widow keeping busy to cope with her son's disappearance over 30 years ago in "Remarkably Bright Creatures."

Streaming:

• "Remarkably Bright Creatures," Netflix. This movie adaptation of Shelby Van Pelt's novel stars Sally Field as a night shift aquarium worker who forms a bond with a curmudgeonly giant Pacific octopus (voiced by Alfred Molina).
• "Widow's Bay," Apple TV. A new mayor (Matthew Rhys) tries to turn his island town into a tourist destination despite its dark past in this comedy horror series. With Stephen Root and Kate O'Flynn.
• "Patience," BBC. An autistic police archivist (Ella Maisy Purvis) helps a detective inspector (Laura Fraser) solve crimes in this Belgian/British drama.
• "Song Sung Blue," Hulu. Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson star as a Neil Diamond tribute band in Milwaukee in this heartwarming movie about the trials and tribulations of their relationship.
• "Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord," Disney Plus. Animated. The horned, red and black devilish villain from "The Phantom Menace" tries to rebuild his criminal empire and woo a Jedi apprentice to the Dark Side.

Books:

• "The Twelve LIves of Alfred Hitchcock: An Anatomy of the Master of Suspense," by Edward White. This 2021 Edgar Award-winning biography explores the famed director through 12 distinct facets of his life, such as "The Voyeur," "The Entertainer," and "The Murderer."
• "Hex House," by Amy Jane Stewart. A dark feminist horror novel set in Scotland. Hex House is a magical safe haven that turns abused women into vessels of revenge.
• "Hitchcock's Blondes: The Unforgettable Women Behind the Legendary Director's Dark Obsession," by Laurence Leamer. This book covers some of the same subjects as "The Twelve Lives," but puts the women at the center of the story, with an emphasis on misbehavior (mainly Hitchcock's) and sex (mainly them).

Music:

PopaHALLics #164 Playlist (Kacey) features selections from Kacey Musgraves' new album "Middle of Nowhere," as well as Jackman and Hudson performing Neil Diamond's hits from the "Song Sung Blue" soundtrack.

The Fair Use Doctrine of U.S. copyright law allows for the limited unauthorized use of copyrighted material for purposes of comment and criticism.