PopaHALLics #121 "This Ain't Texas"
Kate and Steve wrestle with existential questions: Is Beyonce country enough? Is Steve Martin a sad and lonely guy instead of a wild and crazy one? And why does James Taylor's biography start in Scotland hundreds of years ago?!

Streaming:

• "Steve (!) Martin, a Documentary in 2 Pieces," Apple +. Morgan Neville's documentary (180 minutes total) follows Martin's career from his days as a kid magician through rock-star standup to TV star/happy guy today.
• "The Gentlemen," Netflix. This action comedy from Guy Ritchie ("Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels," "Snatch") follows a duke's second son who inherits his father's estate—and a whole heap of trouble.

Books:

• "What You Are Looking for is in the Library," by Michiko Aoyama. In this charming international bestseller from Japan, the perfect book recommendation can change the reader's life.
• "James Taylor: Long Ago and Far Away," by Timothy White. This authorized biography by a well-known music writer views the singer/songwriter's life and career through the prism of his family—immediate and ancestral, too.

Music:
Curious about Beyonce getting country with it? Check out our playlist with selections from "Cowboy Carter" and for good measure Taylor Swift too: "Tay Tay Bey Bey Yay Yay."

PopaHALLics #120 "Let the Bite One In"
Dracula's sister is undead with evil intent in "Dracula: The Count's Kin," an indie film shot in the Indianapolis area. We talk to writer/director Eric Pascarelli and actors Daisy Hickey and James Tackett for a behind-the-scenes look at this movie starring Leanne Johnson ("Extraction USA"). We also pick our favorite screen vampires!

PopaHALLics #119 "Highly Recommended"
Instead of dissing pop culture offerings, dad and daughter rave about them on this episode. Steve's a fan of "American Fiction," "The Last Repair Shop" and "Colin from Accounts." Kate really likes "All of Us Strangers," "Bottoms," and "The New Look."

Streaming:

• "American Fiction," in theaters and for purchase. In this Best Picture nominee, a black novelist (Jeffrey Wright) writes a satire of the stereotype-heavy books he despises—and it becomes a hit.
• "All of Us Strangers," Hulu and rental. In this acclaimed film, a screenwriter (Andrew Scott) develops a relationship with his neighbor while also finding an unusual way to reconcile his grief over the loss of his parents at an early age.
• "Bottoms," Prime. Kate found this 2023 satirical teen comedy a little shocking, violent, and foul-mouthed—but very funny. The plot: Two unpopular queer female high school students start a fight club to have sex before graduation.
• "Colin from Accounts," Paramount +, Prime, other streaming services. This Australian rom-com developed by its stars, Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammell, follows two flawed people caring for a special needs dog and falling in love.
• "The Last Repair Shop," YouTube, Hulu, Disney+. This Oscar-nominated documentary short explores how music has changed the lives of a few dedicated craftsmen who repair some 80,000 instruments in the Los Angeles school system.
• "The New Look," Apple TV+. This limited series is the true story of how Christian Dior (Ben Mendelsohn) and his contemporaries, including Coco Chanel (Juliette Binoche), navigate the horrors of World War II and launch modern fashion.
• "Upgraded," Prime. Cinderella, anyone? In this rom-com, Camilla Mendes plays a lowly intern who fibs about her role at an art auction house to a handsome stranger and is drawn into the world of his wealthy, glamorous mother (Lena Olin). Marisa Tomei plays Mendes' ridiculously demanding boss.

Books:

• "Anna O," by Matthew Blake. In this dark and twisty thriller, a young woman commits a double murder while sleepwalking, and then never opens her eyes again.
• "John Prine: In Spite of Himself," by Eddie Huffman. A music journalist traces the the career and life of a songwriter's songwriter, from Prine's childhood to the stories behind many of his songs. There's a wealth of great ones to choose from, including "Angel from Montgomery," "Sam Stone," Hello In There" and "Paradise."