Dave and Cody dive deep into House of Dynamite, Kathryn Bigelow’s nail-biting new nuclear thriller that’s equal parts technical masterpiece and moral Rorschach test. Is it brilliant minimalism—or a cinematic blue screen of death?
They also break down the possible sale of Warner Bros. Discovery, what it could mean for movie theaters, and whether James Gunn’s fledgling DCU survives a Netflix takeover.
It’s the perfect PCP blend of wit, wonder, and way-too-much coffee.
Cold Open: Dave overshares at the coffee drive-thru ☕
Pop Culture News:
Why Warner Bros. might be up for sale
The Netflix wildcard and the ripple effect on theaters
The DCU’s uncertain future under Gunn & Safran
Main Review: House of Dynamite
Multiple perspectives, one moral bomb
The power of restraint vs. reaction
Idris Elba’s presidential gravitas
What works, what fizzles, and why the ending divides everyone
Winner & Loser of the Movie
The Lobby Q&A
🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts
☕ Support the show + grab merch at https://linktr.ee/PopCulturePastorPod
Pop Culture Pastor dives headfirst into the fog. Dave and Cody rewind Frank Darabont’s soul-crusher The Mist (2007): why the human breakdown still hits, why Marcia Gay Harden steals the whole movie, and how that ending becomes a parable about quitting one step too soon. They riff on what holds up and what doesn’t, then play the show’s greatest hits: Muppet-ize the Movie, Which Character Would You Be? and the Winner & Loser of the movie (sorry, Stephen King… Darabont’s ending wins).
Plus: a spicy news bit on the “least attractive hobbies for men” list (video games, figurines, crypto, trolling, gambling) and why maybe the problem isn’t hobbies—it’s imbalance.
Come for the monsters, stay for the meaning.
Agree? Hate it with a white-hot passion? Sound off and tag the show.
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Two hundred episodes. A legendary voice. And a look toward the future.
In this milestone episode, Pop Culture Pastor celebrates its 200th journey around the fandom sun with a little help from the incomparable Malcolm McDowell, who kicks things off with a cinematic introduction worthy of the occasion.
Dave and Cody dig into what’s next for pop culture itself — from the rise of AI actors and streaming burnout to reboot fatigue and the evolution of fandom. Then the guys turn the conversation inward, opening up about the future of the podcast, their hopes for the community, and how listeners can shape the next 200 episodes.
Finally, a supersized edition of The Lobby answers listener questions that range from thoughtful to downright hilarious — with plenty of surprises, callbacks, and a few emotional moments in between.
Featuring:
🎤 The voice of Malcolm McDowell(!)
💬 A hopeful look at the future of storytelling
🙌 A celebration of fans, friendship, and 200 episodes of shared geekery
“Stories brought us here. Stories will take us further.”
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ROAD MOVIES: Stories that move us (literally).
What makes a road movie work? Dave, Cody, and guest Andy Acker break down the secret sauce — the motion that transforms the characters, the odd couples who can’t escape each other, the maps that never lead where they think, and the soundtracks that make it all feel alive.
They swap their own road-trip stories (buses, bison, and breakdowns included), revisit classics like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, Little Miss Sunshine, Tommy Boy, and The Muppet Movie, and explore why these journeys still hit so hard — because sometimes, getting lost is the only way to find your people.
Bonus detour: A quick look at the bizarre rise of “stay-at-home sons.”
Pop Culture Junk Drawer (One Take Edition)
We emptied the drawer and hit record: one continuous, gloriously unedited (well...mostly unedited, lol) rummage through pop culture. Lionel Richie spills on Michael Jackson’s… laundry. Bad Bunny nabs the Super Bowl halftime show and the internet predictably loses its mind (or pretends to). Reading Rainbow returns to raise a new generation of book nerds. An AI “actress” named Tilly shows up to take jobs and haunt our dreams. Plus quick hits on Peacemaker S2, neon-soaked TRON: Ares, It: Welcome to Derry, and a rom-com that actually argues back. Cody promises a “golden thread.” Dave promises to keep the Taco Bell packets. Somehow… both come true.
Why hit play:
Real talk on outrage algorithms vs. real life (Bad Bunny discourse decoded)
Cozy nostalgia with actual stakes (Reading Rainbow’s modern pivot)
A smart, funny sanity check on AI hype (Tilly Norwood, explained)
Rapid-fire watchlist you can use tonight
If your brain craves news, nostalgia, and nonsense in equal measure, this is your episode. Open the drawer. We dare you.
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Peak Denzel. A friendship that still wrecks us (Gerry & Julius). And the real Titans getting a 25th-anniversary roar from their hometown. We break down why this movie keeps winning—leadership, unity, THAT soundtrack—and yes, we Muppet-ize it and roast Gosling’s defense. Press play and fall back in love with Remember the Titans.
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The Hollywood Reporter dropped a “definitive” Top 25 sports-movie list… so we grabbed our gadgets (Nuke, Recast, Rocket, Sniper, Switcheroo, and the brand-new Double Tap) and blew it up. Chaos ensues. Friendships wobble. Space Jam soars. OJ: Made in America gets the boot. And yes, we argue about Hoosiers like our playoff lives depend on it.
What you’ll hear:
Defining what actually counts as a sports movie (docs vs. dramas vs. “there’s a ball in one scene”)
Nukes dropped on sacred cows, Recasts that sneak in sleepers, and dizzying Switcheroos.
Shock upsets: The Sandlot rockets up, A League of Their Own jumps the order, Rocky refuses to stay down
Guest Brian John shows up over-prepared and under-merciful
Think THR nailed it? Think we’re monsters? Either way, you’re going to have feelings. Hit play, yell at your speakers, then tell us what we busted right—and what needs busting next.
👉 Listen now and send us your fixes. Then tag @THR and let them know the Listbusters came to play.
What happens when fandom crosses the line into worship? This week on Pop Culture Pastor, Dave and Cody welcome special guest DJ Dangerfield to dive into the new documentary Stans, a raw look at Eminem’s most devoted fans.
From rumors of an on-set Avengers brawl to the chaos of the Movie Game, the crew warms up with laughs before getting serious about the complicated legacy of Marshall Mathers. They explore how Eminem’s music gave voice to pain, how fans mirror his personas, and why so many are drawn to him as a surrogate figure. The conversation unpacks parasocial relationships, cultural appropriation, missing parents, trauma bonding, and the human hunger for belonging.
Is Stans a celebration of fandom or a cautionary tale of obsession? What does healthy “stan” behavior even look like? And what does it say about us when we try to become the image of our heroes?
It’s messy, it’s insightful, it’s funny—and it might make you rethink the way you connect with your favorite artists.
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It’s a little bit of everything this week on Pop Culture Pastor! Dave and Cody are back on their own, digging into the ultimate pop culture grab bag. From the seismic pop culture news of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift’s engagement (and some ridiculous “what if” wedding scenarios), to the messy Raja Jackson incident in the wrestling world, we cover it all.
Then we dive into what we’ve been watching, reading, and listening to lately—documentaries (Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action and Trainwreck: Storm Area 51), oddball films (Mountainhead), charming series (Nobody Wants This), sports comedies (Stick), nostalgic reboots (Quantum Leap), and even some fresh music discoveries (Joe Keery’s Djo and the long-lost When We Were Kings soundtrack).
Think of this one like rummaging through a flea market of pop culture: unexpected finds, strange treasures, and conversations you didn’t know you needed.
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Taylor Swift isn’t just a pop star—she’s a cultural juggernaut. In this Legends episode, Dave plays cultural anthropologist while Cody and Leah (our resident Swifties) unpack her rise from country roots to global dominance, the power of the Swiftie fandom, and why authenticity might be her greatest legacy. Plus, we debate tattoos, Travis Kelce, and whether Taylor is the last true pop star.
Also: In the news segment we talk the newest thorn in Marvel Studio's side...Beau Demayo and his recent war on Marvel on social media.
#TaylorSwift #Swifties #ErasTour #TorturedPoetsDepartment #PopCulturePastor #LegendsEpisode #MusicPodcast #PopCulturePodcast #TaylorNation #Storytelling
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Dave, Cody, and two Geeks of the Round Table are set to tackle a brand-new type of episode, Listbusters! The series where no ranking is safe. This time, we’re crossing the streams of pop culture opinions as we take on Esquire’s Top 25 Superhero Movies List by Eric Francisco, armed with chaos-inducing items like The Bomb, The Switcheroo, and The Recast.
Will your favorites survive? Will we nuke something you love? Will questionable picks finally get the boot? The only thing we can promise is that by the end… this list will never be the same.
We came, we saw...We busted some lists!!!
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In this episode of Pop Culture Pastor, Dave and Cody dive deep into Happy Gilmore 2, joined by special guests, recording artists Sean Rodriguez and Hilltop. We discuss the wild ride that is this sequel, from the return of Adam Sandler and Julie Bowen to hilarious cameos by Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce, and even Eminem. With plenty of laughs, an 80s training montage, and a heap of nostalgia, we review the good, the bad, and the absurdity of the film.
We also talk about wrestling (because, of course), dive into the return of some of Sandler’s best comedy tropes, and explore why Happy Gilmore 2 is a nostalgic trip down memory lane for '90s teens.
This episode is a celebration of the things that make pop culture fun—and why watching movies together, even bad sequels, can make it all the more enjoyable. Whether you're a fan of Sandler’s goofy comedies or just looking for something to laugh at, this one's for you.
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#HappyGilmore2 #AdamSandler #ComedyReview #90sNostalgia #PopCulturePodcast #MovieReview #SequelTalk #SandlerFlicks #WrestlingTalk #BadBunny #Eminem #TravisKelce #SeanRodriguez #Hilltop #ComedyGold
This week, Dave and Cody suit up in their turtlenecks and dive headfirst into Fantastic Four: First Steps—Marvel’s latest attempt to make Reed Richards emotionally compelling and Galactus fashion-forward. With trusty Geek of the Round Table Jackson, they’re breaking down the retro-futuristic vibes, the CGI baby drama, and whether Vanessa Kirby just low-key carried the whole film. Plus: a totally unnecessary mustache, Adam Driver dreams, and Namor lurking with a crush. It’s a full-blown Fantastic dissection—with bonus jokes about teleporting Earth like it’s a patio set.
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It’s time for a Be Kind Rewind on Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer—the 2007 sequel that gave us Chris Evans’ scene-stealing Human Torch, Andre Braugher delivering one of the best lines ever (“I’m the quarterback!”), and… a Galactus that looks like a weather cloud. Dave and Cody dig into what holds up, what absolutely doesn’t (looking at you, Jessica Alba’s blue contacts), and the surprisingly decent CGI that made Silver Surfer a standout.
Also: The fellas hit the latest pop culture news including the...um...Coldplay’s concert incident and South Park’s $1.5 billion streaming deal.
And stay tuned at the end as we answer listener questions in The Lobby!
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James Gunn’s Superman is finally here—and the Pop Culture Pastor crew is all in. This week, Dave, Cody, and Justin dig deep into the film that reboots the most iconic superhero of all time with big ideas, even bigger emotions, and (surprisingly) one very good dog. We break down the performances (Nicholas Hoult’s Lex is definitive), debate the new take on Kal-El’s parents, and celebrate the bright, hopeful tone that makes this Superman feel like… well, Superman. David Corenswet’s debut in the cape gives us everything we’ve been missing—sincerity, optimism, and a jawline sculpted by truth, justice, and the American way.
We also give our winners and losers of the movie, recast one key role, and tackle the biggest online criticisms: is he too soft? Too political? Too “for kids”? We’ve got thoughts. And feelings. And fist pumps. So many fist pumps.
🎬 Spoiler warning: We go deep on this movie, so if you haven’t seen it yet, you might want to pause and come back later.
PLUS in the Bonus Round:
Why Fantastic Four is showing too much in its marketing
Ncuti Gatwa’s real reason for leaving Doctor Who
James Gunn says he invented the Infinity Stones (in 3 minutes… or was it 90?)
The Snyder Bros are still mad online
🎧 It’s Superman week, baby. Let’s fly.
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In this episode of Pop Culture Pastor, we’re diving into all things Superman as the highly anticipated new movie hits theaters! Cody, our resident DC superfan, is practically bursting with excitement—he's been on the Superman train since day one. We discuss the early reviews, the highs, the lows, and what makes this reboot so critical for the future of the DC universe. Will it be James Gunn’s magnum opus, or is it another Man of Steel misfire?
We also take a trip back to 1978 for a Be Kind Rewind on the original Superman film. What holds up? What doesn’t? Is Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor iconic or just campy fun? We dissect the film’s impact, the legacy of Christopher Reeve, and how it paved the way for all superhero movies that followed. Plus, we talk about the absurdity of Superman reversing time by spinning the Earth backward, and yes, we even get into some Muppetized casting decisions!
Whether you’re a die-hard DC fan like Cody, a casual moviegoer, or just here for the laughs, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and a whole lot of love for Superman. Don't miss it—because we may just convince you to watch a man of steel again.
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This week on Pop Culture Pastor, Dave, Cody, and Jackson start off a month of blockbusters and survive Jurassic World: Rebirth—because apparently, like the dinosaurs themselves, this franchise refuses to stay extinct. From mutant monsters in lab coats to pharmaceutical villains with PowerPoint energy, the gang unpacks what worked, what mutated, and whether the Jurassic franchise should’ve stayed fossilized.
Plus:
🧢 Indiana Jones reboot rumors — who could possibly pick up the fedora?
🎯 A little "Recast It" fun
👶 Dolores the dinosaur steals the show (and merch shelves)
📉 And the Movie Game returns!
Spoilers, sass, and so much dino peril await. Life, uh… finds a way (to stay mid).
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We spared no expense on this one — it’s our Be Kind Rewind on Jurassic Park! Join Dave, Cody, and Sir Jackson, Geek of the Round Table as they revisit Spielberg’s 1993 blockbuster that made dinosaurs cool again and Jeff Goldblum a household vibe. We’re talking animatronics, chaos theory, Mr. DNA, and why this movie still stomps the competition decades later. Plus: who wins the movie, who loses (sorry, Crichton), and what this tale of scientific hubris can still teach us today.
Also in this episode:
Steve Burns from Blue’s Clues is starting a podcast and, yeah... it already sounds better than ours.
Brad Pitt reflects on the ending of Se7en — what’s in the box?
Listener David from Florida hits us with a Jurassic-sized Lobby Question about Malcolm's chaotic predictions.
Hold on to your butts. This one’s a 10.
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🎬 "Favorite Cinematic Deaths" might sound like a bummer… but trust us, it’s not. From Gladiator to Zombieland, Logan to Rocky IV, we're diving deep into the most iconic, hilarious, heartbreaking, and utterly shocking movie deaths of all time. Why do these scenes hit so hard? Why do they stick with us? And can you even talk about death without quoting Top Gun at least once? (Spoiler: nope.)
Also in this episode:
🚀 The guys react to Top Gun 3 news and debate whether the franchise should keep flying without Val Kilmer.
🎭 Did Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney fake a romance to sell a rom-com? And if so… was it worth the heartbreak?
🧠 Plus: an animated twist in The Lobby, where we reimagine live-action movies that might’ve worked better as cartoons.
💀 Laughs, feels, and some surprisingly thoughtful takes about mortality — all in one jam-packed episode.
Ever wonder what could’ve been if the right actor had just taken that iconic role? Well, today’s episode of Pop Culture Pastor dives into those “almost” casting decisions that could have totally changed Hollywood history. From Matthew McConaughey almost playing Jack Dawson in Titanic (imagine "Alright, alright, alright", but on a sinking ship) to someone you wouldn't believe possibly stepping into John McClane’s shoes in Die Hard, we’re exploring the actors who almost became legends. Plus, we’ve got some wild behind-the-scenes stories about why Val Kilmer didn’t get that Dune role.
Oh, and don’t miss our discussion on Taylor Swift’s power move in acquiring her music masters—who needs a record label when you have that much fan support?
Also, we answer listener questions in The Lobby!
Join us for a fun-filled hour of near-misses, “what ifs,” and, of course, one-liners.