In light of The Mandalorian and Grogu (and the Disney+ Darth Maul cartoon), we (Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al) check back in with Star Wars. Is it now "just another franchise"? Does the movie meet expectations? What's the right volume of Star Wars media? Are the cartoons good? What variety of creators and genres is there room for? Should anyone bother with the books and … [Read more...] about PMP#223: What Is Star Wars Now?
Episodes
PMP#222: Lordlings of the Flies
In light of the new, well-acted and well-shot BBC/Netflix adaptation, we discuss William Golding's 1954 novel Lord of the Flies and its previous (1963, 1991) adaptations. Featuring Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al. What do we think of the updates made for this retelling? Its pacing? Its repeated close-up shots of kids' silent faces? Is this per usual obviously inferior to the … [Read more...] about PMP#222: Lordlings of the Flies
PMP#221: Streep Does Prada
We discuss the career of Meryl Streep in light of The Devil Wears Prada 2, insofar as we (Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al) have a hold of it; she's been in over 65 films! Is she really the best actor on the planet? Did Prada need a sequel? We all brought in our own experiences with her catalog, touching on Sophie's Choice, Kramer vs. Kramer, A Cry in the Dark, Adaptation, … [Read more...] about PMP#221: Streep Does Prada
PMP#220: Peaky Blinders: Gangs of Birmingham
We discuss Steven Knight's six-seasons-and-a-movie historical crime show Peaky Blinders (2013-2026), featuring Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al. Does the show live up to its initial excellence? It's got a great emotional premise (post-WWI PTSD), and there's a ridiculous amount of gravitas among the cast (especially Cillian Murphy, but he's matched by a couple of foils per … [Read more...] about PMP#220: Peaky Blinders: Gangs of Birmingham
PMP#219: Weir-ed Sci Fi: Hail Mary and The Martian
We discuss the hard sci-fi film Project Hail Mary, which along with The Martian (2015) was based on a novel by Andy Weir and adapted by Drew Goddard. Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al consider how hard we actually like our sci-fi, the directors of these films (by Lord/Miller and Ridley Scott respectively), how the books got adapted, Weir's other work (Artemis, some webcomics, … [Read more...] about PMP#219: Weir-ed Sci Fi: Hail Mary and The Martian
PMP#218: All the “Scream”-ing
We talk about the Scream meta-slasher film franchise, from the original Wes Craven (director)/Kevin Williamson (writer) 1996 debut starring Neve Campbell, and Courtney Cox to the new one (#7), still with Kevin Williamson (now directing, Wes Craven being dead), Neve Campbell, and Courtney Cox. Our discussion includes Mark, Lawrence, and Sarahlyn. (Hear Lawrence also talk about … [Read more...] about PMP#218: All the “Scream”-ing
PMP#217: Mel Brooks’ Old Comedy
In light of Judd Apatow's HBO documentary The 99-Year-Old Man, we discuss the films of Mel Brooks, which were to varying degrees formative on us (us being Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al). Does the humor of, say, History of the World, Part I hold up? Does Blazing Saddles say anything substantial about race? Are we now in any position to see how cutting-edge it was to make … [Read more...] about PMP#217: Mel Brooks’ Old Comedy
PMP#216: Oscars So Black?
In light of the now-completed black history month and the upcoming Oscars, we consider the "Oscars So White" issue that was a hot topic about a decade ago. We all tried to watch some of the Oscar-nominated films by black creators, like Twelve Years a Slave, Moonlight, Judas and the Black Messiah, Boyz in Da Hood, et al. What makes for a critically lauded drama in this … [Read more...] about PMP#216: Oscars So Black?
PMP#215: Hamnet Dramatizes Shakespeare
When we don't know much about some genius playwright's life, why not make up some things based on the contents of his plays? Maybe put Shakespearean dialogue right in character's mouths, so the audience will say, "hey, I remember that line!" Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al talk through the Chloe Zhao Oscar-bait historical drama, Hamnet, and its source, the 2020 novel by … [Read more...] about PMP#215: Hamnet Dramatizes Shakespeare
PMP#214: South Park Resurgence
We're discussing Trey Parker and Matt Stone's Comedy Central show that premiered in 1997 and has just finished its politically relevant 28th season, featuring the usual crew: Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al. How can a show be so juvenile yet so apparently well thought out? Was its purest form right there in its initial shorts (from 1992 and 1995) and first season, or in the … [Read more...] about PMP#214: South Park Resurgence
PMP#213: Stranger Things Grown Familiar
The Netflix sci-fi/horror/teen series by the Duffer Brothers that started in 2016 has now finished with its sixth season, attempting to be both epic and sentimental. Who is this show actually aimed at? We talk about the initial appeal through various uneven seasons through the execution of the finale. Has the thing gone on so long that we can't make sense out of the continuity. … [Read more...] about PMP#213: Stranger Things Grown Familiar
PMP#212: Holiday Romance Films
The Hallmark Channel became famous for producing low-budget, formulaic Christmas films aimed at women, and this spread to Lifetime and Freeform, and now Netflix and other mainstream outlets have been inspired to create similar features, though with higher budgets and less conservative restrictions. Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al each watched a smattering of these and share … [Read more...] about PMP#212: Holiday Romance Films
PMP#211: Slow Horses and Predecessors
Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al discuss the Apple TV+ British spy show based on the novels of Mick Herron adapted by Will Smith (the British one), which are in turn firmly in a tradition of anti-007 books by John le Carré. Not coincidentally, Gary Oldman is the star both of Slow Horses and of the 2010 version of le Carré's Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. The point is not to … [Read more...] about PMP#211: Slow Horses and Predecessors
PMP#210: One Paul Thomas Anderson Film After Another
In light of One Battle After Another, Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al walk through the range of his films from his 1996 crime film Hard Eight through his much lauded Magnolia, Boogie Nights, Punch-Drunk Love, and There Will Be Blood and his more controversial recent ones like Licorice Pizza, The Master, The Phantom Thread, and Inherent Vice. PTA is obviously an extremely … [Read more...] about PMP#210: One Paul Thomas Anderson Film After Another
PMP#209: Alien Franchised
In light of Noah Hawley TV show Alien Earth, Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn and Al revisit the franchise through its seven films (discounting the crummy and non-canonical Alien vs. Predator films) beginning with Ridley Scott's 1979 classic. While there's plenty of sheer repetition (alien loose, killing people one by one) throughout these properties, the various filmmakers attempt … [Read more...] about PMP#209: Alien Franchised
PMP#208: An Ed Gein Halloween
It's a special two-hander where Mark and Lawrence reflect on the appeal of horror and how the new Monster: Ed Gein Netflix show has to contribute, given that it is not merely a (very loose) presentation of real events, and itself a horror drama, but also a commentary on the Hollywood properties influenced by the Ed Gein murders, including Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, … [Read more...] about PMP#208: An Ed Gein Halloween
PMP#207: Spinal Tap and Other Fake Bands
Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al watched Spinal Tap and its new sequel, and we throw these into a mix with K-Pop Demon Hunters and other films and shows involving made-for-TV (and film) bands, including We Are Lady Parts, That Thing You Do, Fear of a Black Hat, CB4, Atlanta, The Blues Brothers, The Commitments, Almost Famous, The Rutles (watch the full movie free), and The … [Read more...] about PMP#207: Spinal Tap and Other Fake Bands
PMP#206: Abbott Elementary Did Not Win an Emmy This Year, But…
For our rather late-coming back-to-school and Emmy acknowledger episode, we cover the pinnacle of the current network sitcom landscape: The six-time 2025 Emmy nominated Abbott Elementary (which has won previously), which this week begins its fifth season. Mark, Lawrence, Al and West-Philly-resident Sarahlyn discuss the show's Philly-ness and how it integrates cringe humor … [Read more...] about PMP#206: Abbott Elementary Did Not Win an Emmy This Year, But…
PMP#205: Fantastical Foursome
What do we expect out of a superhero film? Does it need overqualified dramatic actors? Does it even need a real budget? Mark, Lawrence, Sarahlyn, and Al discuss the various films modeled after Marvel's Fantastic Four comics initiated by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961. First Steps is clearly the best of them and surpassed our low expectations, with its delivery of a believable … [Read more...] about PMP#205: Fantastical Foursome
PMP#204: Naked Gun Rapid Firing
What is the state of the stream-of-gags formula that used to stand tall in the films of the Zucker Brothers (mainly Airplane) and Mel Brooks? A new generation attempts to revive that with a new Naked Gun film. How does this new effort relate to the classic films? Are these kinds of films particularly timeless? Rewatchable? Do young people appreciate this kind of thing? Mark, … [Read more...] about PMP#204: Naked Gun Rapid Firing