Zeitgeist by Pulp Culture

Pulp Culture
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Jordan and Niv dive into the latest TV and movie releases, alongside the latest entertainment news and a roster of hand-curated music.

  1. Depression Awards with A24, and 'Sorry Baby', 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You'

    12/28/2025

    Depression Awards with A24, and 'Sorry Baby', 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You'

    Jordan and Niv delve into the arthouse film world with A24's 'Sorry Baby,' 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You,' plus Demon Slayer? Firstly, they discuss the wave of popular anime this year (05:24). Then, they discuss the development and hype train around this batch of Oscar movies (13:34), how the character of Linda deals with her sick child in 'If I Had Legs...' (21:57), the cast (25:08), the tone (29:38), and awards chances (43:27). In the second half, they discuss what makes a film about trauma rewarding (48:03), how it came to be (58:55), the cast (01:03:01), the dark tone and plot (trigger warning) (01:05:52), the importance of interdependence (01:15:49). After, they compare and contrast the two across the larger arthouse offering (01:20:48) before touching on the role hope plays (01:30:34).

    1h 38m
  2. The 2025 Zeitgeist Mulligan

    11/23/2025

    The 2025 Zeitgeist Mulligan

    For the very first Zeitgeist Mulligan, Jordan and Niv revisit some shows from previous years' podcasts and discuss how they've evolved. They begin as Niv recaps The Last of Us (1:32), then The Boys (5:44), then Jordan explains how Only Murders in the Building (9:34) has begun to stretch its premise. Before a musical interlude, they discuss House of the Dragon (16:11). After that, they talk about Hacks (22:02) Season 4, and that same season of The Bear (31:33), and how much both have evolved since their respective Zeitgeist episodes. Special Thanks to Producer Jahlyn Reyes-McKinley and for music, The Powerknobs.

    47 min
  3. Modern Vampires of the City, with 'Nosferatu' and 'Sinners'

    10/12/2025

    Modern Vampires of the City, with 'Nosferatu' and 'Sinners'

    In this Halloween-themed episode of Zeitgeist, Jordan and Niv plunge into the lore of vampires, beginning with Ryan Coogler's 'Sinners.' They investigate Michael B. Jordan's contribution to his filmography (2:23), and how it fits into the blockbuster landscape of 2025 (5:57). They talk about its relationship to the blues (9:34), black joy and storytelling (13:32), and its award-winning composer (24:54). In the second half, they discuss the Robert Egger's reimagining of 'Nosferatu' (34:52). They discuss the historical context of what makes a vampire (48:12), the design elements (57:59), the cast (1:00:46), and how effectively the narrative structure works in our modern context (1:15:32).  Ologies: https://www.alieward.com/ologies/vampirology Our Black Panther 2 episode: https://www.mixcloud.com/pulpculture/the-heart-of-the-modern-blockbuster-with-top-gun-maverick-and-black-panther-wakanda-forever/

    1h 23m
  4. Checking In on 'White Lotus' and 'Four Seasons'

    08/17/2025

    Checking In on 'White Lotus' and 'Four Seasons'

    Pour a sbagliato and join us under the cabana as Jordan and Niv discuss the dark side of leisure, first leading into Tina Fey's 'The Four Seasons' on Netflix (2:01). They discuss the actors, where some of them (specifically Steve Carell) have disappeared into their late careers (5:23), and recount the cast, characters, and what makes this show appealing to create (8:44). Finally, we psychoanalyze a core relationship dynamic of the show (31:39), and how weaponized incompetence plays a role.  Then, they move to White Lotus (41:09). They discuss one of hosts' personal connection to Thailand as a setting (55:55), the various characters taking to the resort this season (1:15:40), and how the show's penetration into the mainstream has been an impairment (1:31:16). They get into the juicy gossip behind the scenes (1:40:53) before discussing the final takeaways on the show moving forward (1:48:53). Podcasts referenced: https://overthinkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-106 https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/critics-at-large/is-travel-broken

    1h 53m
  5. Netflix's Charming but Deadly, with 'Adolescence' and 'You'

    06/18/2025

    Netflix's Charming but Deadly, with 'Adolescence' and 'You'

    This show contains spoilers for both the programs 'Adolescence' and 'You' on Netflix. In this prestige-packed episode, Jordan and Niv dig into the hit show 'You,' discuss whether its pulp or schlock (06:30), the formula behind the show (14:22), and who stands out as a performer (25:32) heading into the show's last moments. They dig into the last season (31:12), and how well its female lead holds the bar of quality relative to seasons past, particularly in the very last episode (43:18). Before the break, they discuss how the two shows connect (48:11). In the second half, they discuss 'Adolescence' and do a deep dive on all four episodes beginning with episode one (00:57:20). They investigate whether the show may be more like a play (or if any filmed art deserves that title) (01:07:03), before getting into episode two (01:24:47). They touch on the manosphere (01:24:47) before getting into episode three (01:41:07). They end on a sentimental note once they discuss episode four (01:53:35). Special Thanks to The Powerknobs for the theme music! Killer Empathy by Radiolab

    2h 8m
  6. How Games Make a World, with 'Fallout' and 'Arcane'

    03/16/2025

    How Games Make a World, with 'Fallout' and 'Arcane'

    Jordan and Niv, in their second conversation about video games, discuss how the medium allows for total immersion (1:10) before discussing 'Fallout.' (12:30) They touch on character (21:40) and tone (39:59) before moving onto Netflix's 'Arcane.' (1:02:23) They discuss the modern transition of video game adaptations to film and television, and debate on how 'Arcane' fares, similarly in terms of complexity (01:14:03), how magic integrates into the world (01:24:01), how it succeeds in its ambitious endeavor (01:33:04). They touch on character development (01:51:44) in Season 2, or lack thereof, and how it connects to the rest of the TV landscape (02:03:25).

    2h 14m
  7. The 2024 State of Marvel with 'X Men 97' and 'Deadpool & Wolverine'

    09/08/2024

    The 2024 State of Marvel with 'X Men 97' and 'Deadpool & Wolverine'

    First they talk about how X Men 97 makes an exemplary water cooler show (2:05) and its origins as a Saturday morning cartoon (04:50). They discuss what makes X Men eternal (11:07), and how was previously portrayed onscreen (12:55) in the early 2000s. Then, they delve into the cast list (16:21), the pacing (19:21), and they touch on intertextuality (25:47) within the show. After, they remark on the show’s best episode mid-season (27:20), what makes great action (29:38) and dive deep on Wolverine (31:11), Magneto (32:51), and the rest of the show’s villains (39:19) before giving it a final review (51:08).  Next, they get into the blockbuster hit, ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (54:41) with the state of Marvel in 2024. They touch on what makes the multiverse a challenge (01:02:42), the film’s tone & purpose (01:09:34), specific moments & spoilers (01:13:04), and go deeper on Disney’s obsession with intertextuality (01:15:48). Niv touches on the movie’s first abandoned concept (01:25:51), and they grapple with the film’s tonal mismatch (01:28:42), before bringing it back to its place as the last movie in a trilogy (1:33:53). They give credence to the film’s villain (01:36:06), align the character into the future of the MCU (01:40:16), and close out the conversation in the most chaotic way possible (01:44:48).

    1h 47m
  8. The Historical Dramas That Win Awards, with 'Mary & George' & 'Shogun'

    07/01/2024

    The Historical Dramas That Win Awards, with 'Mary & George' & 'Shogun'

    As the Emmy window closes, Jordan and Niv recall two historically-based dramas from this year on TV. They discuss 'Mary and George' on Starz, how homosexuality plays a role in the show (8:50) and overall how seriously the show takes its execution (19:01). They touch briefly on some spoilers for the final moments of the sensational program (22:17) before moving on to 'Shogun' on Hulu (35:56). Niv maps out the real-life locations in Japan (44:16) that 'Shogun' spends its time around before detailing the period the show takes place in (46:33). They discuss together the show's acting talent and characters (53:12), and get into spoilers for the show (1:06:04).

    1h 31m
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Jordan and Niv dive into the latest TV and movie releases, alongside the latest entertainment news and a roster of hand-curated music.

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