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Today's episode Denise Chan joins me for one of the most mind-bending, f#cked up, bat s#it crazy movies I've ever seen. Despite this film's wacky over the top universe jumping and visually stunning special effects, "Everything Everywhere all at once" is also a heartfelt story about family, acceptance and generational trauma.There should definitely be a warning for photosensitive (or just generally sensitive) viewers, but there isn’t, so take this episode as your warning. From inanimate objects talking to each other to fights with dildo-shaped objects, this film leaves no stone unturned, and it is as hilarious as it is deep. Once you see the quality of the special effects, you’ll be as surprised as we were that it’s an indie film with a small budget, because they could win awards for their visuals! This movie is an absolute sensation, and definitely one that we recommend. Make sure you watch it in a cinema near you!  If you'd like to hear more of Denise, you can check out her podcast @Find Your Thread on Spotify and Apple Podcasts or by clicking the link below.   https://open.spotify.com/show/6KKnihdXz7WgZXt6S5YOr2?si=7b9f833ae4d24c28Follow her on Instagram @deniijchan Support the show

Released in 2021, 'Pig' is an intriguing tale.   Pig is not an uplifting film. It’s not an action film either. In fact, it’s actually quite a depressing film, and certainly the most serious of Nicholas Cage’s recent works. It’s also a film that I highly recommend. There is so much subtlety and nuance in it, and it touches on some important issues. Nicholas Cage’s character in the film was once a successful chef who has renounced his past life and chosen to live in the forest, shut off from the world, with only a pig for company. The storyline starts when the pig is kidnapped. Grief is a theme that runs strongly through Pig, as is the false sense of success that is overwhelmingly prevalent in our society. Be patient with this film, it’s worth it.   First, it seems like yet another run of the mill revenge tale about a reclusive man who has his truffle pig kidnapped. Initially, it follows the same cliches as action hits like 'John Wick', but about 10 minutes into this film, you start to realize that this is going to be something so much more. This grim tale of grief and loss examines what it means to be successful, and it's one of the biggest sleeper hits I've seen. Support the show

  Over the last few years, Nicolas Cage seems to have made a comeback, and today’s movie seems to embody everything we love about the actor. Tuning in you’ll hear about the setup of this action-packed comedy film in which Nicolas Cage plays himself caught between a super fan (played by Pedro Pascal) and a CIA agent (played by Tiffany Haddish), with plenty of references to some of our favourite Nicolas Cage films. In this episode, we discuss why it’s so refreshing to see an actor play himself in this way and not take himself too seriously and how Will Smith could probably benefit from doing something similar in light of the recent incident with Chris Rock. You’ll hear about some of our favourite scenes, why the third act fell short, the film’s similarity to Tropic Thunder and how the friendship between Nicolas Cage and Javier forms the heart and soul of this film. You’ll hear a breakdown of some of the most enjoyable things about this film from the trivia to the intensity of some of the scenes, the character of Nicolas Cage’s alter-ego and even a great deal of appreciation for his hairline. To find out why The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is the perfect tribute to any super fan of Nicolas Cage and which movies you may want to rewatch before you see it, tune in today!  Support the show

Today Michael reviews Scream 5, which he refuses to refer to as Scream 2022. Without giving away any spoilers, he explains the basic setup of this film and how it fits into the greater Scream franchise. Michael explains how the franchise compares to other franchises (like Halloween), which, unlike Scream, often tend to disregard all previous sequels and jump the shark when creating a reboot. Tuning in, you’ll hear about the pivotal role of the legacy characters played by Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, and David Arquette, and how they have grown throughout the films. Michael highlights that this is the first Scream sequel made since the passing of Wes Craven, sheds light on the nods made to him in the movie, and discusses how the new directors have continued his legacy. From self-awareness and meta-commentary, to a huge decision this movie has made (without giving away any spoilers), you’ll hear about everything that this movie has done right. You’ll also hear about the things that could have been done better, from the unmemorable kills, to the lack of jokes, the poor opening scene, unmemorable characters and some other implausible elements. To find out why Michael gives Scream 5 a 4/5 rating, tune in today!  Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

  Today on the show, Michael reviews Morbius, the latest movie to come out of Sony studios. If you were hoping that Morbius would be an improvement on Sony’s Venom, prepare to be disappointed. Many of the movies that have come out of Sony studios have been baffling in how terrible their story-lines are. With their wealth of resources and talent, you’d hope that they’d dedicate some portion to creating an original and engaging story. Instead, it repeats the worst mistakes we’ve seen in superhero movies, from an overreliance on CGI for battle scenes to repeating old uninteresting tropes. The film's editing doesn’t fare much better. It lacks cohesion, and with uncomfortable jump cuts, rushed action sequences, and overindulged exposition, the viewer can’t help but feel that crucial scenes are missing from the final product. One bright spot in the film is Matt Smith’s performance as Milo, who seems to be the only actor with a firm grasp of the type of film he’s in. His campiness and enjoyment of his role, despite a disappointing script, bring much-needed levity to the film. Jared Leto, on the other hand, appears to have overcorrected, veering away from his over-the-top performance as the Joker, to a tonally bland performance as Dr. Michael Morbius. Ultimately, this film leaves much to be desired, but if you’d like a spoiler-free review on this disappointing superhero film, then why not tune in for an exasperated reflection on the topic!  Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

In this episode, Denise and Michael sit down to review the latest Pixar release, Turning Red. A touching and progressive film, Turning Red tells the story of puberty through the experiences of Mei-lin, a 13-year old girl, who keeps turning into a big red panda whenever she gets excited! The film uses this looming metaphor to explore the discomfort and embarrassment that is so common in those years, and for the most part, achieves its emotionally complex goals. The relationship between Mei-lin and her mother is remarkably deep, and something that many women will be able to relate to in some way. In our exploration of the film, we touch on some of the other characters and themes, discussing the animation and humor, as well as some comparisons to other Pixar projects. Ultimately, Turning Red is a success, balancing accessibility for different age groups, and providing space for important dialogue around subjects that can be taboo in many cultures. There are a few spoilers in our chat, so why not watch the film and then join us for this fun episode. Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

 Episode: Show Notes. The new Batman film directed by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz has received a lot of attention and acclaim from critics and audiences since its release. An even more gloomy and hopeless noir about the world of Gotham City and the Dark Knight, it can be argued that The Batman does not even feel like a superhero film. Continuing the trajectory of the Christopher Nolan films and more recently Joker, the increased realism can definitely be seen as a drawcard for the film. In today's episode, we do an in-depth review of the film, critiquing all the notable features including the cast, styling, atmosphere, and the relationships between the characters. We also get into some fun territory about the 'Batman voice', the Batsuit, and Batman's rage! Please be warned, this episode does include some plot spoilers, so proceed with caution. Key Points From This Episode: Our initial thoughts going into the movie; hopes and reservations. The casting of Robert Pattinson as Batman and what he brings to the role. Past appearances of the Riddler, and how the villain is portrayed in the new film.   The amazing music from the film, composed by Michael Giacchino. Comparisons with the other prominent Batman films and the increased angst in the lead character.  Our thoughts on Batman's invincibility as a character.   The amount of detail and exposition that is packed into the three-hour film.   The conflation of the characters of Bruce Wayne and Batman in the latest film.   Going over the critical response to the film and what people have said about it thus far. Final thoughts and ratings from the panel Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

Uncharted is one of Sony Playstation's biggest videogame franchises and now it's time for this game to become  A GENERIC ACTION MOVIE starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg.Can this videogame adaptation finally prove that video game movies don't have to suck or will its miscasting cause audiences to check out  Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

King Richard stars Will Smith as Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena Williams. The film deals with the struggles that Richard faced as he guided and mentored the girls through the harsh path to becoming the 2 biggest sports icons of all time. I discuss whether this film is another trash biopic that fails to capture the spirit of its real-life counterparts like Bohemian Rhapsody or a fun and inspirational love letter . Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

In this week's episode, we do an in-depth spoiler review of the latest web-swinging adventure from the Marvel cinematic universe "SpiderMan No Way Home" the third installment in the Tom Holland Spiderman films.Can a Spiderman film that relies on nostalgia and juggling so many old supervillains maintain balance or does Spider-Man feel like another Hollywood cash-grab?  Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

The Suicide Squad is BACK! Bloodier, funnier, and more focusedthis time from director James GunnDoes this kinda-sorta sequel-reboot to 2016's Suicide Squad finally do justice  and erase the horrible taste in my mouth of 2016 's Suicide Squad' or is it the 2nd strike for Warner Brothers Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

Michael is joined by Denise and Anthony to review the new video game movie Free Guy, starring Ryan Reynolds. Ryan Reynolds plays ....... you guessed it Ryan Reynolds is himself  THE RYAN REYNOLDS!!. This episode discusses the frustrations of gender politics in movies, the misrepresentation of the gaming culture, and we work out whether Free Guy is the videogame movie that gamers have clamored for or if it's another dud to add to the pile. Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

today Michael has special guest Dani Bouskila help him countdown our top 5 favorite sex scenes in movies. We discuss what makes a great sex scene in a movie and what makes a bad one.better get ready cause it's about to get hot! Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

In today's episode, Michael and special guest Hayley Hughes countdown our top 5 female characters in film. They could be ass-kickers, femme Fatales, or villainous beauties. These are the women that promote strength, character depth and left a lasting impact on us even after the credits rolled  Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

In today's episode, we countdown our top 5 movies that ruined popular movie franchises and may have been the final nail in the coffin or the beginning of the end for one once popular movie franchises Then we look at the top 5 movies that saved movie franchises from ending and brought them back to the promised land  Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

It's that time again As Sydney braces for a neverending period of lockdown once again, Michael and Denise countdown their top 10 movies to watch while stuck at home.  Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

In today's episode Michael and special guest Sean review 'Colossal' released in 2016This film stars Anne Hathaway as a toxic party girl with newfound powers that must solve the mystery when new kaiju monsters appear in Korea. She is joined by Jason Sudeikis in a film role that definitely strays into unknown territory for the actor/comedian  Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

We take a look at the strange ,dark,disturbing and mostly brilliant comedy special from Bo Burnham. Completely shot, edited and performed by Bo himself in a small confined space during lockdown. This special was thought provoking and an incredible insight into one of the most creative comedians currently working today   Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

Turns out Cruella wasn't a bad girl after all. Michael and Denise review 'Cruella' the prequel villain origin story to one of the evilest, despicable villains in all of Disney. But you wouldn't know that from this movie.It's not Estella, It's CRUELLA!  Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)

What happens when you finally let a creative director do whatever the f#ck he wants?? you get 'Army Of The Dead' Zack Snyder lets his slo-mo run wild in this heist movie meets the zombie apocalypse Michael is joined by special guest Angela Zhou as we break down the latest Netflix release that sees Dave Batista lead a ragtag crew of mercenaries into a zombie-infested casino  Support the show (https://www.facebook.com/TheOzCulturePodcast/)