Ultra Pop Culture

#6 Stranger Things - Season 3 (Review)

Thu, 07 May 2026 03:00:00 GMT

Today we're talking about Stranger Things Season 3, released in 2019. We discuss the show's pivot from paranoid retro conspiracy thriller to colourful all-American blockbuster, packed with zombie newspaper men, possessed rats and comic Russians. Join us as we talk (amongst many other things) about Steve's sailor suit, shameless product placement and Dacre Montgomery's magnetic performance as the sociopathic - yet strangely captivating - bad boy Billy.

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#5 Whatever happened to rat boy summer?

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 21:04:20 GMT

In 2024 the world was promised a rat boy summer by the media. This was supposed to be a glorious season of celebration for everyone's favourite rat boys, or 'hot rodent boyfriends': young attractive male celebrities with sharp features and bags of personality. Celebs like Jeremy Allen White and Josh O'Connor were (and still are) box-office gold, and high-profile rat boy films like Challengers were controlling the discourse.

Alas, rat boy summer was soon forgotten by our fickle culture. In this episode, we mourn this sad missed opportunity, exploring exactly what makes someone a 'rat boy', and how this fits into ideas of masculinity today.

Most importantly, we talk about everyone's favourite rat boy Timothée Chalamet, charting his trajectory from sensitive indie darling to mainstream man of the moment.

We also talk about our favourite historical rat boys and the origins of the rat boy phenomenon, from the Romantic poets, to the rock 'n' roll heroes of the 1960s, and the indie lads of the 00s.

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#4 Review: Stranger Things - Season 2

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 21:35:05 GMT

After watching the finale, we decided to go back and rewatch Stranger Things Season 2, which came out in 2017. Here, we talk about our verdict on the season. We also discuss the 'paranoid style' in American film and TV, and where Stranger Things fits within a history of US conspiracy thrillers, from The Conversation in the 70s to The X-Files in the 90s. We also chat about whether Stranger Things is a show for nostalgic adults or for today's kids, who wish they could've grown up in the 80s.

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#3 Four films, Sam? That's insane (reviewing the cast photos for the Beatles films)

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:42:39 GMT

In 2028 the world will be treated to the Beatles films (directed by Sam Mendes): a 'four-film cinematic event' telling the story of each of the four Beatles. In this episode, we share our takes on the casting for the films, which will feature Harris Dickinson as John, Paul Mescal as Paul, Joseph Quinn as George, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo. We talk about Harris Dickinson's turn as a sexy intern in Baby Girl, Barry Keoghan's antics in Saltburn, Paul Mescal in Gladiator, and Joseph Quinn's career-defining performance as (of course) Eddie in Stranger Things. We also talk about the recently released (and very uncanny valley) cast photos, biopic prosthetics and about whether we think the lads will be able to truly embody the aura of the four Beatles.

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#2 Review: West End Girl (Lily Allen)

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:06:30 GMT

Lily Allen's explosive album West End Girl hit the headlines last autumn. Join us in the dojo, where we share our carefully considered opinions on the scandal, the sensation and the banging, banging tunes.

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#1 And Truly It Was a Stranger Thing (Stranger Things Season 5 Review)

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 20:59:43 GMT

In our inaugural episode, we talk about the (somewhat controversial) final season of Stranger Things. Did the show retain its original magic until the end? Or did it limp on and die a slow and painful death? Join us to find out what we think.

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