Popzara Podcast

Article: Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

Being a fan of the original Planet of the Apes from 1968, and not a big one of 2001’s Tim Burton remake, I didn’t know what to think when 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes came along. Thankfully it turned out to be one of the best films I’d ever seen, sci-fi or otherwise, and had me going ape for what the franchise had in store.

Article: Stellar Blade

In an age of cross-platform play and a slow but gradual shift to the PC as a ubiquitous gaming device, it's a little weird to still see console exclusives, but they haven't gone anywhere. In 2024, there's still some games that you might or might not be able to play depending on which plastic box you bought, which is both a bit nostalgic and a bit archaic.

Article: Challengers (2024)

Have you ever wondered how the back-and-forth of a tennis match mirrors the intricate dynamics of human relationships? The strategic volleys, the calculated returns, the constant battle for control – it's a fascinating metaphor for the push and pull of love, rivalry, and the unspoken power struggles that define our interactions. Luca Guadagnino's Challengers takes this metaphor and introduces us to three complex characters locked in a passionate, years-long dance across a metaphorical court.

Article: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants

Remember the arcades? Remember all those attempts to make downloadable games the “new” version of arcades? Somewhere between these two worlds exist family fun entertainments like Dave & Busters, Round1, and other amalgamations of food and game (and sometimes beer, for the parents) that are often the last gasps of coin-op thrills in the United States. No longer seen as state-of-the-art, relatively low-budgets and simple gameplay loops meant quarter (sorry, token) munchers would live to see another day.

Article: Phantom Fury

Who'd have thought we'd still be seeing more of Shelly Harrison this many years after the release of her first game, Bombshell? Did you even know that was her first game? It didn't make much of a splash, after all. Harrison, a she-Duke Nukem polished for the modern age, is likely better known for her later appearance in Ion Maiden, later Ion Fury, an emblematic title for the modern revival of the classic "boomer shooter" FPS formula.

Article: Pepper Grinder

You'd be surprised how many unique uses a single tool might have. Take the hammer, for instance.

Article: Dovety Electric SpinScrubber Cordless Cleaning Brush

Let’s face it, no one enjoys cleaning hard to clean surfaces, especially stovetops and grime covered bathtubs to name a few. I’ve noticed there’s been a rise of electric scrub brushes online for purchase, and I’ve always wanted to check one of them out.

Article: Well, This Is Me: A Cartoon Collection (2024)

Funny guy Asher Perlman has taken an unconventional path to fame and fortune, from writer for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, stand-up comedian, indie filmmaker and occasional actor. Regardless, he seems to have found his calling as a cartoonist, and Well, This Is Me makes a strong case this is where he belongs.

Article: Civil War (2024)

Forget the American dream. Alex Garland's Civil War throws us headfirst into a dystopian America ravaged by discord and violence.

Article: The Calvin and Hobbes Portable Compendium Set 2 (2024)

In my review of set one of the Calvin and Hobbes Portable Compendium releases (the first of seven planned sets, mind you) I gave a brief history of how Bill Watterson would create one of the most beloved comic strips of all-time, in such a short time, only to become exhausted by its creation and the demands of an industry that wanted more from him. He would only return to the form sporadically for charitable reasons or (with John Kascht) for experimental books like last year's The Mysteries.

The State of Gaming April 2024: Stellar Blade, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, SaGa: Emerald Beyond, Demon Slayer, Braid at 15, Apple Emulators, Atari 400 Mini, PS5 Pro, Fallout TV, Godzilla x Kong

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 April 2024

The biggest games of the month include: Stellar Blade, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, SaGa: Emerald Beyond, Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board!, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, Sand Land, Megaton Musashi W: Wired, and Phantom Fury.

Other notables include: Braid: Anniversary Edition, TMNT Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants, Harold Halibut, Biomorph, BioGun, Children of the Sun, Sea of Thieves (PS5), and Grounded (PS, Switch).

Circana: Thinking Ahead

While Circana (formerly NPD) remains the gaming industry’s best snapshot of what’s moving and shaking up both physical and digital retail shelves across the country, it’s time for us to move on. Going forward, The State of Gaming will no longer report on Circana’s monthly sales estimates – unless there are specific newsworthy (i.e. sales related) items from them.

Everything Else

But there’s more! Apple will officially allow retro game emulators on the App Store! The Atari 400 Mini is coming (surely, Jeff Minter is excited)! Will there be a PlayStation 5 Pro? Do we even need one? The Fallout TV series is almost here! No DLC for Baldur’s Gate 3, says its developers. Is Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire the best videogame movie that’s not based on a videogame?

Also stayed tuned for Cory’s semi-regular update on the latest and greatest controllers from around the world (but mostly China, honestly). Selections this month include the Mobapad’s M6 HD Joycons (Switch), PDP’s Victrix Pro BFG Wireless Controller (for PS/Xbox), FLYDIGI’s APEX 4 Wireless Controller (PC, Switch, iOS/Android), as well as his mini-review of Sony’s PlayStation Portal.

Article: Chicken for Linda! (2024)

On one of our many drives from Los Angeles to Oakland, we took an hour-long detour just to visit a bakery that made these cookies I had once when I was young. Most of the time when I tell people about this, they look at me like I’m crazy (“Do you know how much gas costs these days?”).

Movie Time! More Noir, Less Bore: Dial M for Murder (1954) and Body Heat (1981)

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 this episode our hosts explore two examples of classic and neo noir from entirely different generations of filmmaking (and filmmakers) where the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry, with delightful results for those in the audience.

First is 1954’s Dial M for Murder, Alfred Hitchcock’s adaptation of Frederick Knott’s play where the “perfect murder” meets an imperfect world. Featuring an unforgettable performance by Hitchcock-favorite (and future real-life princess) Grace Kelly, the film would become a popular template for generations of thrillers where the fun comes from watching a well-oiled machine go off the rails.

Next is 1981’s Body Heat, the directorial debut from Lawrence Kasdan (writer of The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark) starring William Hurt and Kathleen Turner (also making her film debut) that pairs classic film noir with erotic thrills in one satisfying, sexy package. It would likewise become the template for countless other erotic thrillers that would dominate the 1980s, made even better by John Barry’s unforgettable score and Richard H. Kline’s dazzling cinematography.

What’s the difference between classic noir and neo-noir? Did you know Hitchcock’s film was originally filmed and meant to be viewed in 3D? Did a murderous femme fatale inspire Jessica Rabbit? Can a murder mystery still be a whodunnit when you already know who dunnit?

Article: Problemista (2024)

The directorial debut from writer-comedian Julio Torres, Problemista follows the life of a young El Salvadorian immigrant as he seeks a Visa sponsorship in the US in order to pursue his dream of becoming a toymaker at Hasbro. Alejandro (Julio Torres) is our nervous yet optimistic protagonist who, due to his recent unemployment, only has one month to find a new employer before he’s forced to go back home.

Article: The Thaumaturge

Many words have been written and much breath spent on the modern attention span. To be precise, we're usually talking about the lacking nature of the modern attention span.