movies

Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 164: Masters of the Universe

He-Man and the forces of good fight Skeletor for the freedom of Eternia! Cannon Films presents … MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE! This time around, I’m going to take a look at the 1987 live-action adaptation of the popular toy line, Masters of the Universe, which starred Dolph Lundgern as He-Man, Frank Langella as Skeletor, and Courteney Cox as Julie. I’ll give my review as well as my history with the entire Masters of the Universe franchise. Plus, listener feedback!

Note: I have a new Apple Podcasts feed and am on Spotify! Just search for Pop Culture Affidavit!

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Some extras for you …

“Sometimes, You Learn, That You Have to Settle for Less”, which is a blog post about my disappointment upon not getting a … Prince Adam figure.

“It Came From Syndication Episode 5: Cartoons” in which Amanda and I talk about cartoons of the 1980s, including He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.

“Brand Me! (My Favorite Non-Toy and Giveaway Merchandise)”, which includes the Masters of the Universe cups from Burger King.

Finally, the movie’s trailer.

Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 160: Following the Force Part 1 — The Phantom Menace

Beginning a new feature! I’m setting down a path that may or may not dominate my destiny: working my way through Star Wars. With this episode, I begin a reading and watching project that will cover the entire nine-movie Star Wars cycle plus television shows and spin-off films. First up are three novels that lead into Episode I and the film itself, The Phantom Menace.

Works included in this episode are Master and Apprentice by Claudia Gray; Cloak of Deception by James Luceno; Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter by Michael Reaves; and The Phantom Menace as a film, novel (by Terry Brooks), and comic book, including the 25th anniversary one-shot published by Marvel.

Apple Podcasts:  Pop Culture Affidavit

Spotify: Pop Culture Affidavit — Two True Freaks

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Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

And here are a few video clips that you’ll hear in the episode.

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Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 149: The Night They Saved Christmas

A corporation is blasting and drilling for oil and if they don’t find it at Site A, they’re going to dynamite a Site B and that means killing Santa! Take a trip back with me to North Pole City in 1984 as I review the TV movie The Night They Saved Christmas starring Jacklyn Smith and Art Carney.

Apple Podcasts:  Pop Culture Affidavit

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And here’s a couple of extras …

A TV promo for the film that aired on ABC in 1984:

A commercial for the Tomy Omnibot, which I mention in the episode:

Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 147: In a Cold World You Need Your Friends to Keep You Warm

My trilogy of nostalgia-fueled movies comes to an end with a look at The Big Chill, Lawrence Kasdan’s iconic 1983 film that was a touchstone for the Baby Boomer generation. Along for the ride with me is Michael Bailey, who talks about the film and its impact on us as children of those Boomers as well as the movie’s best-selling soundtrack.

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Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 145: Alright, Alright, Alright

My look at nostalgia-themed movies continues! This time around, Amanda joins me to sit down and talk about a formative movie for the two of us: Dazed and Confused, the 1993 Richard Linklater film that takes place during one night in 1976. We look at the movie, its soundtrack, and the book published alongside it as well as share our memories about watching it many times.

Apple Podcasts:  Pop Culture Affidavit

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Bonus content! Here is a montage of pages from the Dazed and Confused book that Amanda and I talk about during the episode:

Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 144: Where Were You in ’62?

It’s the first of three episodes that look at the nostalgia subgenre of films, and I’m starting with the granddaddy of all of them, 1973’s American Graffiti. Directed by George Lucas, this is a seminal film and soundtrack that takes a look back at the teenage years of a generation, and along with me for this ride is The Fire and Water Network’s own Rob Kelly. So get comfortable on that tuck-and-roll upholstery, pour yourself some Old Harper, and crank up the jukebox as we ask “Where were you in ’62?”

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And if you want to hear what I think of the film’s sequel, More American Graffiti, check out this old blog post: Sometimes, More Isn’t That Groovy

Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 136: Teen TV Movies from 1988

In 1988, NBC produced three television movies starring a gaggle of teenage stars from some of the most popular sitcoms of the day. And for this episode, I sit down and talk about them. So strap in for “Crash Course,” get on the floor for “Dance ’til Dawn” and set sail on a “Class Cruise!”

You can listen here:

Apple Podcasts:  Pop Culture Affidavit

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Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

After the break, here are some extras

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Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 134: A Day in the Life

It’s second of a series of three episodes about America: its history, its people, and its culture. This time around, I am looking at A Day in the Life of America. My coverage includes a 1968 Department of Defense film called “A Day in America”, the 1986 photo book A Day in the Life of America, the 2003 photo book America 24/7, and the 2019 documentary A Day in the Life of America. What do they capture and tell us about ourselves? Listen and find out.

Content Warning: This episode includes me sharing my political views. Listener discretion is advised.

You can listen here:

Apple Podcasts:  Pop Culture Affidavit

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Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

After the jump, there are a few extras …

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Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 133: Some Kind of Wonderful

After four years and six films, John Hughes left the teen movie subgenre behind in 1987, but not before producing one last film, Some Kind of Wonderful. Join me as I take a look at the film, its novelization, the soundtrack, and evaluate its place in the teen movie canon and 1980s film history.

You can listen here:

Apple Podcasts:  Pop Culture Affidavit

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Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

After the jump, there are a few extras …

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Pop Culture Affidavit Episode 128: She’s the Man

It’s the second of a two-part crossover with Required Reading With Tom and Stella. Last week, part one was our discussion of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. This time around, we’re looking at a movie that took The Bard’s comedy, updated it, and placed it squarely in the teen comedy genre: She’s the Man. Join me and Stella as we look at this classic Amanda Bynes flick!

You can listen here:

Apple Podcasts:  Pop Culture Affidavit

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Pop Culture Affidavit podcast page

Here’s the trailer for the film …