Popzara Podcast

Article: Longlegs (2024)

The Catholic horror genre boasts some genuine classics among its ranks with the likes of The Conjuring, The Omen, and one of the greatest horror films of all time, The Exorcist. Delivering haunting depictions of demons, the devil, and other beings of pure evil, these films have long captured American audiences' attention and fears for decades.

The State of Gaming July 2024: Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, Nintendo World Championships, Kunitsu-Gami, SNK vs. Capcom, Kingdom Rush 5, and Deadpool & Wolverine Controllers

It’s The State of Gaming Podcast, Popzara’s in-depth look at what’s shaking up the gaming landscape delivered on a monthly basis. Listen as hosts Cory Galliher and Nate Evans guide you through the best, worst, and everything else making headlines and headway in the world of interactive entertainment.

Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition, Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess, The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak, The First Descendant, Darkest Dungeon 2, Earth Defense Force 6, Once Human, and Zenless Zone Zero.

Other notables include: SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos, Ace Combat 7 (Switch), Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance, and TMNT: Splintered Fate.

But there’s more! Xbox Cloud Gaming now on (Select) Amazon Fire Devices! Speaking of Xbox Game Pass, Call of Duty is now available on the subscription service -  but you’ll probably have to pay a little more to play it! The Halo TV series has been canceled after two seasons! But at least Sega’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza is getting its own series, courtesy of Amazon! And don’t forget about those sexy Deadpool & Wolverine “cheeky” controllers!

Article: SNK vs. Capcom: SVC CHAOS

The history of the arcade fighting game is just as rough and tumble as the games themselves, and few examples of this are more impactful than the rivalry between Capcom and SNK. Most are probably familiar with Capcom's legacy, but for those who don't know, SNK is beloved by fans of classic arcade and fighting games alike for their amazing string of original fighting game classics whose characters would ultimately merge into the King of Fighters series, an iconic roster that begged to be paired against its chief quarter-munching rival.

Article: Twisters (2024)

What defines a summer blockbuster? Is it the heart-pounding action, stunning special effects, or an exhilarating story? Twisters answers this question by delivering a truly memorable example. This standalone sequel offers more than just thrills and tornadoes; it injects a thrilling disaster element missing from recent films.

Article: Sorry/Not Sorry (2024)

I’ll admit I’m not the biggest Louis C.K.

Article: Spin Rhythm XD

Ever since music-based game classics such as Dance Dance Revolution, Bust A Groove, Frequency, and it’s follow up Amplitude came along, I’ve been a huge fan of the genre. There’s just something about that classic, hand and eye coordination gameplay that once you get in the groove (pun intended), it’s hard to stop playing.

Article: A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)

The original A Quiet Place was an excellent bottled low-budget horror film that impressed us with its intriguing premise and Christopher Nolon-esque high-concept worldbuilding. Its 2020 sequel was a solid continuation of the Abbot family story, only with Cillian Murphy replacing director/actor/writer John Krasinski as co-lead with Elizabeth Blunt, which allowed for the lore to be expanded while still maintaining the emotional investment of the original film.

Article: A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)

The A Quiet Place series has carved a niche in horror by exploring the chilling reality of a world where sound itself is deadly. Grief, a raw and primal human emotion, becomes a terrifying burden in this silence-obsessed existence.

Article: Optoma UHZ55 4K Smart Laser DLP Projector

Optoma is back with a new series of new and updated projectors and I've been lucky to spend some time with one of the most interesting, the UHZ55 4K Smart Laser DLP Projector, which is intended to be a full featured cinema/entertainment TV replacement that goes big at home, or anywhere else you can enjoy a big screen experience. The highlight, of course, being the implementation of laser technology that promises to deliver precision-like clarity, vibrant colors, and speedy refresh rates in a medium-throw chassis.

Article: Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)

It’s nearly impossible to discuss Eddie Murphy’s prowess in ‘80s cinema without starting the conversation with his role as Axel Foley in 1984’s Beverly Hills Cop. While his film debut in 1982’s 48 Hrs.

Article: Purple Rain: 40th Anniversary Edition

In the 80s, there were so many talented and awesome musicians out there that also had that certain mystique about them. Michael Jackson and Prince are two that immediately come to mind, and it’s no surprise Hollywood tried to capitalize on them whenever they could.

Movie Time! Surf’s Up and the American Dream: Gidget (1959) and The Endless Summer (1966)

It’s Popzara’s Movie Time! Podcast, where our in-house movie nerds Ethan Brehm and Nate Evans take you on an unscripted journey yakking and chatting about some of their favorite movie moments and cinematic scenes, from past and present, presented without snark and snobbery for your listening pleasure.

On deck for this episode are two mid-century movies that would define not just the “surfer movie” genre, but would dramatically influence the American culture landscape.

First up is 1959’s Gidget, Paul Wendkos’ classic starring Sandra Dee in her most iconic role as the lovable, irrepressible title character. Long credited as jump-starting both the summer beach movie genre and helping turn the sport of surfing into a national craze, beneath its bubbly exterior hides a deeper, more complex examination of a post-WW2 generational shift that would change America – and how young Americans saw themselves – forever.

Next is 1966’s The Endless Summer, Bruce Brown’s groundbreaking documentary showcasing a preternatural love not just for the sport of surfing, but those who dedicate their lives searching for the elusive perfect wave. Brown’s film, using only footage and his colorful commentary, manages to capture both the spirit of the 1960s while maintaining an optimistic outlook for humanity, despite the enormous cultural upheaval happening across the world.

The State of Gaming June 2024: Elden Ring DLC, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, Shin Megami Tensei V, Monster Hunter Stories, Beyond Good and Evil 20th, Riven, Banana Click, and Summer Gaming

It’s The State of Gaming Podcast, Popzara’s in-depth look at what’s shaking up the gaming landscape delivered on a monthly basis. Listen as hosts Cory Galliher and Nate Evans guide you through the best, worst, and everything else making headlines and headway in the world of interactive entertainment.

The Biggest Games of June 2024

The biggest games of the month include: Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, Monster Hunter Stories, Still Wakes the Deep, Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble, and….Banana Clicker?

Other notables include: Riven, V Rising (PS5), Assassin’s Creed Mirage (iOS), Star Wars: Hunters, Metal Slug Attack Reloaded, SPY×ANYA: Operation Memories, Rocket Knight Adventures: Re-Sparked, Beyond Good & Evil – 20th Anniversary Edition, and Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game.

Everything Else

But there’s more! But there’s more! The troubled Street Fighter Movie is still coming, despite losing its Australian directors, in March 2026 from Sony! Speaking of Street Fighter, get ready to snag Hori’s SF-emblazoned Fighting Commander Octa SF6 Edition Controllers showcasing Cammy and Juri! E3 is dead and gone, but that doesn’t mean the summer gaming extravaganza can’t go on. Between Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, which company had the best presentation?

Article: The Bikeriders (2024)

Rugged biker gangs, wearing patched-up greaser jackets, convening in derelict, smokey bars aptly named “The Bad Part of Town” have been cultural staples and synonymous with classic Americana since the 1950s. Unfortunately, this group has seen much of its original roots forgotten within the greater cultural zeitgeist, only showing up in modern times as stereotypical thugs or militant roughnecks.

Article: Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree

How do you go about adding to a game that a sizable number of people would call one of the best ever made? Could you toss another few time periods into Chrono Trigger and still have the same game, just more of it? How about a new chunk of the Super Metroid map? Can a pinnacle of perfection like Balan Wonderworld really be improved? No Man's Sky certainly proved that it's possible to have  a long (and improved) life beyond launch. We'll leave all these questions aside and focus, instead, on Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree, the spicy new DLC expansion for FromSoftware's ultra-tough open-world blockbuster that taught the world there's no shame in dying over and over as long as you're having fun.