Entertainment journalist Leigh Livingstone and movie expert Tim Iffland review the newest film releases, plus break down the latest trailers and movie news. Bite-sized, moreish and a little salty – this is Popcorn Podcast with Leigh and Tim.
TO CELEBRATE THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF POPCORN PODCAST, WE’RE GIVING AWAY THREE GIFT PACKS FEATURING AN OFFICIAL POPCORN PODCAST MUG, MOVIE MERCHANDISE AND A $20 ITUNES GIFT CARD, SO YOU CAN WATCH YOUR FAVOURITE NEW RELEASE MOVIES!
All in Season 13
Friend of the podcast Melissa Barrera returns to Popcorn Podcast to talk new film Your Monster, the beastly rom-com/horror from Caroline Lindy that's all about embracing your inner rage. Barrera shares why we should get in touch with darker feelings and how the film challenged her own notions of how women should behave. She also reveals the monster on her back while filming and why she's levelling up in 2025…
Goodness knows you should tune in to Popcorn Podcast's thrillifying Wicked review, as Leigh and Tim discuss Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande's gravity-defying performances, as well as flirty Fiyero (Jonathan Bailey), the delightful chaos of Jeff Goldblum and why you need to pay attention to the man behind the curtain (Jon M Chu)…
Jonathan Bailey joins Popcorn Podcast to take us behind the scenes of Jon M Chu's highly anticipated Wicked adaptation. Bailey, of Bridgerton fame, portrays Winkie Prince Fiyero alongside Cynthia Erivo's Elphaba and Ariana Grande's Glinda – he delights with talk of clunky booties, Wizard of Oz Easter eggs and how to dismount a horse in style. Tune in and swoon out…
Step into the Popcorn Podcast Colosseum for a review of Ridley Scott's long-awaited Gladiator sequel. Leigh and Tim dive into Gladiator 2, starring a wild Paul Mescal, the regal Connie Nielsen, a mysterious Pedro Pascal and King Denzel Washington. Ridley Scott has been described as a man in a hurry, but it took 24 years to deliver a follow-up to his Oscar-winning, genre-redefining original – are we not entertained?…
Jason Scott Lee joins Popcorn Podcast to talk The Wind and The Reckoning, Hawaii's first native language film to receive a wide release. The movie, inspired by real events, follows the rebellion of a group of Native Hawaiians as they resist government-mandated exile during an outbreak of leprosy in 19th-century colonial Hawaii. Lee (Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, Mulan) also shares what it was like filming a movie about a pandemic during an actual pandemic and the groundbreaking film that blows his mind…
Love on the Spectrum star Michael Theo drops by Popcorn Podcast to talk acting, his love of movies and being recognised as a CGA Rising Star. Each year, the Casting Guild of Australia (CGA) comes together to identify a group of extraordinary actors they believe have the potential to break out on the world stage. Theo recently made his acting debut in the ABC series Austin, after his small-screen turn in the uplifting Netflix docuseries Love on the Spectrum…
Gladiator II star Connie Nielsen joins Popcorn Podcast to discuss her return to Ancient Rome in Ridley Scott's epic sequel. The Danish actor (also known as Queen Hippolyta in the Wonder Woman and Justice League films) reprises her role as Lucilla, some 24 years after the Oscar-winning Gladiator, returning as the now-grown Gladiator Lucius’ (Paul Mescal) mother. In a wide-ranging interview that gets a little emotional, Nielsen reveals how Lucilla has changed and shares insights into Ridley Scott, as well as shocks us with a surprising fact about the original Gladiator…
Shari Sebbens joins Popcorn Podcast to discuss her leading role in Indigenous psychological horror The Moogai. Sebbens shares what she loves about the horror genre, the importance of telling Indigenous stories and how she balanced crazy and truth in her chilling performance…
Gabriel LaBelle returns to Popcorn Podcast to talk about his new film Saturday Night, in which he portrays legendary SNL co-creator and producer Lorne Michaels. LaBelle shares insights into the high-energy, chaotic atmosphere of Jason Reitman’s film and the unique challenges of taking on such an influential figure in entertainment history – something the star is becoming accustomed to following his turn as a young Steven Spielberg in The Fabelmans…
It takes two to tango as Popcorn Podcast prances through Venom: The Last Dance. In a bite-sized and salty new episode of Popcorn Podcast, YOU get a symbiote and YOU get a symbiote, plus there's everything from dead arms to irresponsible hippie parents and plot-splaining exposition. We. Are. Popcorn Podcast.
Antony Penrose, the son of iconic photographer and war correspondent Lee Miller, joins Popcorn Podcast to dive into the highly anticipated film Lee, starring Kate Winslet. Penrose shares personal insights into his mother’s extraordinary life and their relationship; discusses her lasting legacy in art and photography; and shares how it felt seeing Oscar-winner Winslet portray Miller's fearless spirit and complex character…
Writer and director Parker Finn joins Popcorn Podcast while in Australia for SXSW Sydney to chat much-anticipated horror follow-up Smile 2. In our interview, Finn unravels his manic writing process; reminisces on Naomi Scott’s impressive ability to chug; and shares what Smile 2 says about celebrity consumption – all while nerding out over his opening one-take shot…
Academy Award-winning independent animator and visual artist Adam Elliot is here to talk new "clayography" Memoir of a Snail. In our chat, Elliot shares how audiences are reacting to his film; his “backwards” writing process; why he wants to make us all cry; and why Sarah Snook and Kodi Smit-McPhee came to mind for his tormented characters.
Leigh and Tim review the hotly anticipated sequel Joker: Folie á Deux, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. Does this musical meander or meet the lofty expectations of its Oscar-winning predecessor? Find out in a brand new spoiler-free episode of Popcorn Podcast!
Wizard of Waverly Place turned producer, writer and director David Henrie is here to take us on an adventure through his family-friendly spooky new movie Monster Summer, starring Mel Gibson and Mason Thames. Henrie takes us through directing screen legends and burgeoning talents; the challenges of getting Monster Summer to screens; and why it's the right time to escape into movies that have something for everyone...
Bad boating, charming Chad, baby Maisy, Furtado feels and queen Aubrey Plaza – laugh and cry along with Leigh and Tim as they discuss Megan Park's sophomore feature film My Old Ass (or is it arse?) in an all-new Popcorn Podcast...
Best-selling author Craig Silvey and actor Matt Day (Muriel's Wedding) visit Popcorn Podcast to talk about their heartwarming new film, Runt. Silvey's novels have been called modern Australian classics, and Runt is no different, telling a coming-of-age story of hope against adversity – featuring a delightfully villainous Fergus Fink (Day). The pair take us behind the scenes of Runt and talk "toning it down" in a special interview episode of Popcorn Podcast...
Chris Sanders, animation legend, joins Popcorn Podcast to discuss his new film The Wild Robot, featuring the voice talents of Lupita Nyong'o and Kit Connor. The DreamWorks adaptation of Peter Brown's beloved novel about a Robot shipwrecked on an uninhabited island was an ambitious undertaking. In a wide-ranging Popcorn Podcast interview, Sanders shares how The Wild Robot's unique style aligned to the DreamWorks “look and feel”; the non-negotiable elements of Peter Brown's story; and what there is to learn from the beauty of ignorance...
Academy award-nominated filmmaker Carlos Saldanha drops by Popcorn Podcast to talk his new film, Harold and the Purple Crayon. Starring Zachary Levi and Zooey Deschanel, Harold and the Purple Crayon is the first film adaptation of the beloved children’s classic that has captivated young readers for decades about an adventurous Harold who can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. In our chat, Saldanha shares how long the animation veteran has been eyeing a live-action project; the power of imagination; and a sticky situation on set he had to think fast to solve...
Local actor Shaka Cook – a proud Innawonga and Yindjibarndi man from the Pilbara region of Western Australia – visits Popcorn Podcast to take us behind the scenes of his new film Kid Snow. Cook shares insights on his personal connection to the story and his character – nicknamed Armless – who had a unique approach to fighting, as well as the films that get him excited about cinema...
