"Highly Recommended"
In a first, Steve and Kate mostly rave about what we have seen and read. While we have reservations about a few things—sorry, Boba Fett and Sandra Bullock—you'll hear about plenty of worthwhile pop culture. We discuss:
Streaming
- "Picnic at Hanging Rock" , Amazon Prime. In this Australian gothic miniseries based on the 1967 novel, a group of schoolgirls vanish on an outing. Natalie Dormer ("Game of Thrones") plays their mysterious headmistress.
- "We Are Lady Parts", Peacock. This British series about four young Muslim women in a punk rock band turns big ideas about identity, representation, and gender into binge-worthy comedy. Steve says it's "smart and funny, with infectious energy and moving moments too."
- "Ron's Gone Wrong", Disney +. In this computer-generated animated film, a lonely middle schooler befriends a defective "B-bot" and learns about true friendship and being yourself.
- "Shazam!", HBO Max or rental. When 14-year-old Billy Batson transforms into an adult superhero with bulging muscles and superpowers, he's still a goofy kid on the inside. One of the best DC Comics-inspired movies.
- "The Unforgivable", Netflix. When Sandra Bullock is released from prison after doing her time, society refuses to forgive her violent past.
- "The Book of Boba Fett", Disney +. In a series from the makers of "The Mandalorian," the "Star Wars" bounty hunter takes off his battered helmet to try to rule over Jabba the Hutt's criminal empire.
Novels
- "The Midnight Library," by Matt Haig. In this enchanting "It's a Wonderful Life"-styled novel, a young woman experiences the different versions of her life that would have occurred if she had made different decisions.
- "The Atlas Six," by Olivie Blake. Six uniquely talented magicians compete—to the death—to win a place in the Alexandrian Society, caretakers of lost knowledge from the greatest civilizations of antiquity.
Popahallics #62 Playlist
Attack of the killer guitars! This week's playlist includes punk rock (like We Are Lady Parts and Ramones), garage rock (like the Delmonas), surf rock (like the Suffragettes)—and The Nude Party, whose sound blends the Kinks, Lou Reed, early Stones, Dylan, and CCR. Lyrically, we ponder such existential questions as: "Davy Crockett, what you got in your pocket?" Listen.
