logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2023
56m 49s

Barbenheimer Blockbuster Bonanza

Slate Podcasts
About this episode

This week, the panel begins by examining Barbie, Greta Gerwig’s hot pink, record-breaking movie about the iconic Mattel doll. Then, the trio dives into Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which chronicles the life of the “Father of the Atomic Bomb,” and explores whether the film achieves its aims. Finally, they are joined by Slate’s Chris Molanphy to discuss the controversy behind country singer Jason Aldean’s latest song, “Try That In A Small Town.” 


In the exclusive Slate Plus segment, the panel is once again joined by Chris Molanphy to discuss all things Summer Strut. With the annual show just weeks away, the four pull back the curtain to detail their processes, weird observations, and more. 

Email us at culturefest@slate.com


Endorsements:


Dana: In line with her theme of the week, “Yay movies and go, go, go to the theater,” Dana highly recommends Theater Camp, a delightful film by Ben Platt and Molly Gordon. 


Julia: Yotam Ottolenghi’s recipe for zucchini pasta with crispy capers and pistachios isn’t the sort of thing Julia would normally endorse (for one, it’s extremely laborious and you will need to fry individual basil leaves), but it’s vegan, a showstopper, and completely worth it. 


Stephen: In honor of the late singer, Stephen recommends two Tony Bennett albums: “The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album” (1975) and “Tony Bennett at Carnegie Hall” (1962). 


Outro music: “Last Sunday” by OTE


Podcast production by Cameron Drews. Production assistance by Kat Hong. 


If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows. You’ll also be supporting the work we do here on the Culture Gabfest. Sign up now at Slate.com/cultureplus to help support our work.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Aug 20
Alien is Back Now With More Aliens Edition
This week’s episode journeys to dystopian corporate hellscapes present and future as Julia, Dana, and Steve dissect the horror and philosophical underpinnings of Alien: Earth, Noah Hawley’s new series adapting the Ridley Scott sci-fi masterpiece. Next, they set their course to Ar ... Show More
1h 2m
Aug 13
The Naked Gun And The Nearly Naked Momoa Edition
On this week’s show, Julia Turner is joined by guest hosts Nadira Goffe and Dan Kois to answer the urgent question: is The Naked Gun starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson the vital satire we need for our time? (Answer: No, but does that matter? The joke-dense spoof reboot dire ... Show More
1h 7m
Aug 6
Summer Strut 2025 Edition
It’s the most feelin’ yourself time of the year; a time for uptempo jams to make the sidewalk your runway; a time for the annual Summer Strut playlist! As per tradition, Steve, Dana, and Julia are joined by music critic and chartologist Chris Molanphy to sift through the hundreds ... Show More
1h 22m
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2023
#594 — Timothée Chalamet & Keegan-Michael Key, Jeff Rowe
On this week's Empire Podcast, Timmy Two Meats returns, only this time he's... Timmy Two Sweets? Yes, Timothée Chalamet, the star of Paul King's wonderful Wonka, is back on the pod, and this time he's brought his co-star, the wickedly talented Keegan-Michael Key, with him. Togeth ... Show More
1h 40m
Sep 2022
295 Olivia Newton John and Grease Live
On this episode of The Cine-Files LIVE, host John Rocha is back to full health and is joined by cohost Steve Morris to discuss the musical GREASE and offer up their tribute to the late and damn great Olivia Newton-John! Grease is one of The Outlaw's favorite movies and we&#39 ... Show More
1h 30m
Nov 2021
Lord & Miller on Lego Movie, 21 Jump Street and The Mitchells Vs The Machines‘ Phil Lord & Christopher Miller talk Making Animation Blockbusters
This week, Giles Alderson and co-host CJ, Christian James, welcome the incredible producing-writing-directing duo Phil Lord & Christopher Miller. They are known for animation & live-action films such as Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009), 21 Jump Street (2012), The Lego Mov ... Show More
1h 2m
Jun 2024
The Bikeriders : Producing & Directing masterclass with Sarah Green and Jeff Nichols
Today on the show, we welcome producer Sarah Green and one of Dom's favourite writer-directors, Jeff Nichols. Both have had an amazing career so far. Sarah has worked with legendary director Terrence Malick on films such as The Tree of Life (2011) or Knight of Cups (2015) and als ... Show More
1h 2m
Sep 2020
Going from Shorts to Marvel movies. Directors Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck on making Half Nelson, Mississippi Grind & Captain Marvel.
This week Giles interviews writing and directing team Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck to discuss their impressive career and body of work from the indie scene to working with Marvel. Anna and Ryan first made an entrance with their indie hit Half Nelson, which picked up a best actor nom ... Show More
1h 6m
Jan 2025
Angelina Jolie, Jason Reitman, David Jonsson & An SNL Mount Rushmore
It's another bumper, jam-packed edition of the Empire Podcast this week, folks! The great Angelina Jolie heads up our trio of amazing guests, as she talks to John Nugent about taking on the challenge of playing the legendary opera singer, Maria Callas, in Pablo Larrain's Maria. [ ... Show More
1h 59m
Mar 2025
ADOLESCENCE: Creating the new Netflix One-Take hit series with actors Stephen Graham & Erin Doherty, director Philip Barantini & writer Jack Thorne
On today’s episode, our primo host Dom Lenoir sits down with the team behind Netflix’s latest hit, Adolescence – a groundbreaking mini-series where every episode is shot in a single take. It’s an incredible achievement from the entire cast and crew, and we couldn’t wait to find o ... Show More
1h 20m
Nov 2023
#589 — Emma Seligman, Kitty Green, Patrick Stewart
Blimey, it's another cracking line-up on this week's Empire Podcast, as first Sophie Butcher chats with Bottoms director Emma Seligman about female fight clubs and improv; Chris Hewitt talks to The Royal Hotel director, Kitty Green, about her excellent drama set in the Australian ... Show More
1h 49m
Nov 2024
Is Wicked Pop-u-lar with Mark?
Thomasin McKenzie is this week’s guest—star of Edgar Wright’s ‘Last Night in Soho’, Mark’s film of the year 2018 ‘Leave No Trace’—and now ‘Joy’, a new Netflix drama about the development of IVF treatment at Oldham hospital in the 1970s. Written by Jack Thorne, the film’s medical ... Show More
1h 11m
Mar 2025
Companion: Crafting a smart genre blend with Writer-Director Drew Hancock & Editors Brett W. Bachman & Josh Ethier
Today, we welcome the brilliant creative team behind the highly entertaining and thought-provoking feature film Companion (2025): writer-director Drew Hancock and editors Brett W. Bachman & Josh Ethier. They sat down with our hosts, Giles Alderson & Dom Lenoir, for a fantastic co ... Show More
1h 38m