Episode 48: Stranger Things - The Breakout Summer TV hit

🎬 Dispatch 2 from Cannes 2025!Christina is joined by Ryan McQuade (AwardsWatch) for a dispatch from the Croisette. They break down Christopher McQuarrie’s Q&A—featuring a surprise appearance by Tom Cruise—Neon’s impressive Cannes track record and this year’s contenders, and Robert De Niro’s politically charged moment at the festival. Please note: This episode was recorded on location in Cannes, so the audio is a bit more "festival field mix" than studio :) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14 Mai 26min

Christina’s first dispatch from Cannes 2025!Highlights from the Opening Press Conference with Juliette Binoche, Jeremy Strong & more—on festival expectations, Trump’s tariffs, and the new red carpet dress rules. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 Mai 6min

Sharing a special episode! Christina joined the AwardsWatch podcast for the 78th Cannes Film Festival Preview . On episode 287 of The AwardsWatch Podcast, Executive Editor Ryan McQuade is joined by Editor-In-Chief Erik Anderson, Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello, and special guest Christina Birro of Pop Culture Confidential to preview the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, which they will all be attending for the next two weeks. They talk about what it is like going to the festival, the film’s in and out of competition that they are looking forward to see, and which film they think will win the Palme d’Or this year. You can listen to The AwardsWatch Podcast wherever you stream podcasts, from iTunes, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, Stitcher, Spotify, Audible, Amazon Music, YouTube and more. This podcast runs 55m. We will be back in next week for our thoughts on the first week of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Till then, let’s get into it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Mai 57min

We’re just days away from the 78th Cannes Film Festival, and one of the most anticipated moments is the premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning on May 14 at the Grand Théâtre Lumière. Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in this eighth installment of the legendary action franchise, joined by director Christopher McQuarrie and an all-star cast. In this episode, we’re joined by Ryan McQuade of AwardsWatch to break down why this premiere is such a major event — not just for Cannes, but for Mission: Impossible fans around the world. We explore the franchise’s legacy, its cultural impact, and what to expect from this highly anticipated Cannes debut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 Mai 56min

On the show this week: the exceptionally talented Barbie Ferreira, best known for her breakout role as Kat Hernandez on HBO’s Euphoria. Christina talks with Barbie about her wonderful new film Bob Trevino Likes It, where she plays Lily, a young woman grappling with the pain of a self-centered, absent father. After forming an unexpected bond with a stranger online who shares her dad’s name, Lily finds a path toward healing and self-acceptance. The film is inspired by director and writer Tracie Laymon’s own relationship with her father. They discuss playing and shaping the character of Lily, the film’s themes of found family, and how the story resonated with Barbie personally, having grown up without a father figure. They also talk about Euphoria, how her portrayal of Kat continues to resonate deeply with fans, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2 Mai 30min

This week, Christina is joined by Ryan McQuade, Executive Editor of AwardsWatch, to dive into Sinners—Ryan Coogler’s ambitious, multilayered, and visually stunning new film. They also break down the latest Oscar rule changes and announcements, and discuss what they could mean for the upcoming awards season. Plus, in honor of Michael B. Jordan’s phenomenal dual performance as twins in Sinners, they share their favorite on-screen twins played by the same actor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24 Apr 1h 20min

Emmy-winning editor and co-producer Timothy Good ('The Last of Us') joins Christina to break down the episode everyone’s talking about — Season 2, Episode 2, “Through the Valley.” This unforgettable episode took over a year to bring to life, and Timothy takes us deep behind the scenes of its emotional and technical construction. From Joel’s (Pedro Pascal) fate to the extraordinary work behind that scene, Tim unpacks the editing process, his collaboration with Craig Mazin and director Mark Mylod, the visual effects, the music, and so much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

21 Apr 35min

The 2025 Cannes lineup was just announced, and there’s a lot to talk about. Ryan McQuade (AwardsWatch) joins Christina to break down the buzziest titles heading to the Croisette—including Wes Anderson, Ari Aster, Kelly Reichardt, Spike Lee, and yes… Tom Cruise. And the notable names missing from the lineup. They also dive into last week’s surprise announcement at CinemaCon of a Quentin Tarantino–David Fincher collaboration, and share their reactions to the full trailer for Paul Thomas Anderson’s highly anticipated new film. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Apr 1h 28min