poptransmission

Author: DSquared

  • Another Spy Thriller? Black Doves is a Worthy Watch

    We can’t get enough of spy thrillers. Just recently Lioness, The Agency, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, The Day of the Jackal, Slow Horses, and The Night Agent have entertained us. Not too long ago, Killing Eve, Jack Ryan, 24, Homeland, and The Americans graced our screens at home. The film world is jammed with spy…

  • The 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

    Until a couple years ago we all had to wait a couple months for HBO to broadcast the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (except the lucky few who actually attended the event). Then in 2023, Disney+ started streaming the event live and the telecast moved to New Year’s Day on ABC. Since…

  • A Complete Unknown Brings Rock History to Life

    Bob Dylan. One of the greatest songwriters of all time. A 60-year career with 40 studio albums, 21 live, and 44 compilations. Inducted into the Songwriters and Rock and Roll Hall of Fames and recipient of the Kennedy Center Honor, Pulitzer Prize, Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Nobel Prize in Literature. How does a…

  • Ripley Netflix Series: Black and White Never Looked So Good

    Many of you have seen this series by now, but for those of you that haven’t…Ripley is a remake of the 1999 film, The Talented Mr. Ripley. Based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 crime novel, the series was written and directed by Steven Zaillian (The Night Of). Andrew Scott (Fleabag) stars as Tom Ripley, Johnny Flynn…

  • Women of the Hour Film: The Dating Game Killer

    Anna Kendrick (Pitch Perfect) stars in and directs Woman of the Year, her directorial debut. It’s based on the true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala and his 1978 appearance on the TV show The Dating Game in the midst of his killing spree. Sheryl Bradshaw is a struggling actress, and her agent encourages her…

  • Gladiator II: The Epic Sequel Ramps Up the Spectacle

    Roman gladiator movies rank high in the echelon of epic Hollywood films. The nine-minute chariot race in Ben-Hur. The monumental crowd and battle scenes in Spartacus. The furious gladiator fights in Gladiator, including real tigers. And now the sequel, Gladiator II, with a flooded Colosseum re-enacting a famous naval battle…complete with sharks. Indeed, director Ridley…

  • Big Head Todd and the Monsters in Concert – 40 Years Strong

    I wasn’t all that familiar with Big Head Todd and the Monsters, besides hearing a few of their ’90s hits on the radio and having the Beautiful World album on CD. I missed their previous visit to the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, so I was glad to have another opportunity to see them…

  • Songs of a Lost World: The Dark and Triumphant Return of the Cure

    Finally. If you’ve followed me over the last four years, you’ve read several asides like, “where is that new Cure album? We’re still waiting.” When I launched my website in early 2020, a new Who album had just been released, and Robert Smith said the new Cure was ready to go. I thought I’d have…

  • Conclave: Behind the Scenes of Choosing a New Pope

    Black smoke is emitting from the Vatican signaling that a new pope has not been elected yet. What actually goes on behind those hallowed doors? Conclave takes us inside this beguiling, solemn process that has been occurring since 1271. It’s a fascinating ritual, taking place in the Sistine Chapel, that shows the revered Cardinals grappling…

  • New Music Alert: Latest Songs from Old and New Bands

    Time for some new music, one more for 2024. As usual, the new music alert is songs from newer bands, older bands, bands I’ve never heard (the first six), and bands I’ve been listening to for years (the final four). Hopefully, you’ll want to add one or more of these songs to a playlist and…

  • Mothers’ Instinct: Tragedy Upends Life in the 1960s Suburbs

    Next door neighbors, Celine and Alice, lean on each other to withstand the domestic drudgery of their suburban lives. They each have young sons and husbands who go off to work every day and come home to a whiskey. Their sisterhood is shattered after a freak accident ends in a tragic death. You’ll never guess…

  • The Diplomat: Netflix’s Surprisingly Delicious Political Drama is Back

    The Diplomat returns for its second season on Netflix, October 31st. To get ready, let’s revisit the joyride of season one. Career diplomat, Kate Wyler (Keri Russell, The Americans), reluctantly accepts reassignment to the U.K. as U.S. ambassador. Her husband Hal (Rufus Sewell, The Man in the High Castle), also a diplomat, accompanies her to…