The Kulturecast

On this episode of The Kulturecast, Mike White, Father Malone, and Chris Stachiw wrangle with The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean (1972), a shaggy, mythic Western brought to life—or perhaps strangled—by director John Huston and star Paul Newman. The trio digs into John Milius's wild, operatic script, packed with larger-than-life frontier chaos, and asks whether Huston's revisionist instincts and Newman's laid-back performance undercut the film's outlaw poetry. It's a strange, lurching ride through the West that might leave you pondering how history gets whitewashed, lionized, or laughed off entirely.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

Booby traps, RC cars, and ‘90s suburban chaos — this week, we're rewinding to Remote (1993), the Home Alone-adjacent adventure you probably forgot you loved. Join us as we dig into its offbeat charm, childhood wish fulfillment, and where it fits in the golden age of kid-powered cinema.For more Kulturecast episodes and podcasts guaranteed to be your new favorite audio obsession, check out Weirding Way Media at weirdingwaymedia.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

This week on The Kulturecast, we unpack The Brutalist — a visually arresting, emotionally layered film that blends architecture, identity, and postwar displacement. We dive into its moody aesthetics, deliberate pacing, and the story it builds, brick by brick.For more Kulturecast episodes and podcasts guaranteed to be your new favorite audio obsession, check out Weirding Way Media at weirdingwaymedia.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

Have you ever heard of the healing power of laughter? Mike White March wraps with the scene of the cinematic crime with Patch Adams (1998), a film that weaponizes red noses and sentimentality in equal measure. Chris Stachiw and Mike White welcome guest co-host Mark Begley to dissect this "based-on-a-true-story" heartwarmer, in which Robin Williams plays a medical student who believes laughter is the best medicine—even if it means violating every hospital policy in the book. From groan-worthy gags to emotional manipulation set to a soaring score, the trio digs into what works, what absolutely doesn't, and why this film somehow became a cultural touchstone. Bring tissues… and maybe some antacid.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

Mike White March limps across the finish line with Man of the Year (2006), a film that asks: what if a late-night comedian accidentally became president due to a voting machine glitch? Cullen Gallagher joins Chris Stachiw and Mike White to unpack Barry Levinson's bizarre genre mash-up that starts as political satire, swerves into romantic drama, and crashes into full-blown techno thriller. Robin Williams stars as a Jon Stewart-esque figure who suddenly finds himself in the Oval Office—not because of charisma, but because of...a software bug?It's a premise that felt far-fetched in 2006 and now feels like a documentary from an alternate universe. From clunky tone shifts to baffling plot twists, the trio digs into what Man of the Year was trying to say—and why it fails so spectacularly.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

Mike White March keeps the pain train rolling with License to Wed (2007), a so-called romantic comedy that tests the limits of both love and audience patience. Chris Stachiw and Mike White are once again joined by screenwriter and podcaster Richard Hatem to dissect this cringeworthy concoction, in which Robin Williams plays a meddling minister who puts an engaged couple (Mandy Moore and John Krasinski) through a series of increasingly bizarre and invasive "premarital challenges."From robot babies to relationship sabotage, License to Wed feels less like a comedy and more like a cry for help. Is this Williams at his most unhinged, or is the film simply cursed from the altar on down? The trio dives into the chaos to find out—so say a prayer and press play.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

Mike White March rolls on, dragging Chris Stachiw deeper into the depths of Robin Williams' cinematic misfires! This time, RV (2006) sputters into the spotlight—a Barry Sonnenfeld-directed road trip comedy that desperately wants to be National Lampoon's Vacation but barely makes it out of the driveway. Williams stars as a workaholic dad who drags his reluctant family on an RV adventure, only to find himself locked in a battle against sewage mishaps, corporate deadlines, and the ever-affable Jeff Daniels. Screenwriter Richard Hatem joins Mike and Chris to break down the film's chaotic energy, mismatched humor, and whether RV deserves to be parked in the junkyard of bad Robin Williams flicks. Buckle up—it's going to be a bumpy ride!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

Father Malone (Midnight Viewing) and Mike White (The Projection Booth) join Chris to talk about Brian DePalma's The Untouchables.  Written by David Mamet and loosely based on real events, the film stars Kevin Costner as Elliot Ness, a federal agent assigned to take down the crime boss of Chicago, Al Capone (Robert DeNiro).  With an amazing cast from stem to stern, the film boasts an incredible score by Ennio Morricone. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

We end Epic Movie Month with the only Martin Scorsese film to feature Daniel Day-Lewis along with one of the most misguided uses of the Irish accent, Gangs of New York. Disc-Connected's Ryan Verrill and Someone's Favorite Productions Dr. Will Dodson join the episode to Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Scorsese's later works.The film follows the story of Amsterdam Vallon, a man who's father is murdered by Bill the Butcher in 1850's New York and vows revenge upon him. It's a classic revenge tale set in a time and place rarely mined in media, making the overrated nature of the film that much more disappointing.For more Kulturecast episodes and podcasts guaranteed to be your new favorite audio obsession, check out Weirding Way Media at weirdingwaymedia.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

We continue Epic Movie Month with a look at the biggest budget film auteur Darren Aronofsky has ever directed, the biblical epic Noah. The Projection Booth's Mike White and Dark Destination's Father Malone join the episode to talk Darren Aronofsky's career, the biblical text, and Ray Winstone.The film follows the biblical story of Noah and his family as they are tasked with building the Ark to withstand the coming flood. While the film tells the story before and after the Flood, it maybe should have stayed more antidiluvian than anything else.For more Kulturecast episodes and podcasts guaranteed to be your new favorite audio obsession, check out Weirding Way Media at weirdingwaymedia.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

We kick off Epic Movie Month with a film that is directed, co-written, produced, and starred in by one of Hollywood's top leading men, Warren Beatty: Reds. Texas Tech University Professor of Media and Communication David Perlmutter and The World is Wrong's Andras Jones join the episode to talk Warren Beatty's reputation, Jack Nicholson's role, and what makes an "epic".The film follows the life of journalist and writer John Reed as he attempts to cover one of the most important events of the 20th century: the two Russian revolutions. Along the way, he finds love, gets directly involved in the Communist Party, and becomes much more than just a writer.For more Kulturecast episodes and podcasts guaranteed to be your new favorite audio obsession, check out Weirding Way Media at weirdingwaymedia.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

We end Mike White May, this year all about Francis Veber films and their remakes, with the first Veber film to star Martin Short, but definitely not the last, Les Fugitifs. The Projection Booth's Mike White and Richard Hatem's Paranormal Bookshelf Richard Hatem join the episode to talkMartin Short again, Nick Nolte, and the respective child actors.The two films follow a former bank robber who, on his first day out of prison, gets mixed up in a robbery gone, and has to try and sort out his life and the robber's life as well.For more Kulturecast episodes and podcasts guaranteed to be your new favorite audio obsession, check out Weirding Way Media at weirdingwaymedia.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

We take a break from Mike White May with the fourth in a series of bonus episodes leading up to the release of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga with a look at the latest entry in the series and a perfect film: Mad Max Fury Road. Midnight Viewing's Father Malone joins the episode to talk Immortan Joe, Charlize Theron, and the recasting of Mad Max.Directed once again by George Miller and starring a recast Tom Hardy as Max, it's a high octane thrill-ride across the savaged wasteland of dystopian Austrailia. It's one of the most stunning pieces of practical filmmaking ever put to screen and a worthy entry into the "Perfect Film Club".For more Kulturecast episodes and podcasts guaranteed to be your new favorite audio obsession, check out Weirding Way Media at weirdingwaymedia.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

We near the end of Mike White May, this year all about Francis Veber films and their remakes, with the first pairing of a duo that would become famous for their works together in La Chevre. The Projection Booth's Mike White and Film Foundation's Ryan Verrill join the episode to talkMartin Short, Pierre Richard, and why the remake doesn't work.The two films follow a private investigator tasked with finding a wealthy client's supremely unlucky daughter by forcing him to work with an equally unlucky man from the wealthy client's business. It's high concept that struggles to be as funny as the intial setup seems to think it is.For more Kulturecast episodes and podcasts guaranteed to be your new favorite audio obsession, check out Weirding Way Media at weirdingwaymedia.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

We take a break from Mike White May with the third in a series of bonus episodes leading up to the release of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga with a look at the final film in the original trilogy Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Midnight Viewing's Father Malone joins the episode to talk guzzoline, Aunty Entity, and why this movie has gotten a bad rap.Directed once again by George Miller and starring Gibson once again, the film follows the titular Max as must contend with wasteland politics and resource scarity in Bartertown, a town run by Tina Turner's pitch perfect Aunty Entity. Throw in a dash of Peter Pan for good measure and you have the George Miller-est entry into the franchise yet.For more Kulturecast episodes and podcasts guaranteed to be your new favorite audio obsession, check out Weirding Way Media at weirdingwaymedia.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.

We continue White May, this year all about Francis Veber films and their remakes, with a look at a duo of film with ostensbily the same setup: Le Jouet and The Toy. The Projection Booth's Mike White and Wake Up Heavy's Mark Begley join the episode to talk Richard Pryor, which film actually works, and whether the newest remake is worth checking out.The two films follow a unemployed journalist who, in a strange turn of events, is purchased by a a millionaire's child to become the titular toy. It's a bizarre setup that, at least in the original's case, not only works but manages to include on scathing social commenary. Each film has its own tone and style however only of one of them is worth checking out in 2024.For more Kulturecast episodes and podcasts guaranteed to be your new favorite audio obsession, check out Weirding Way Media at weirdingwaymedia.com.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-kulturecast--2883470/support.