The Culture Docket

Michael Kern

5.0 (5)
Society & Culture
Updated Semiweekly

Putting culture on the record. Michael and a rotating cast of guests put movies, books, and the biggest cultural moments on trial, debating what works, what doesn’t, and what deserves a verdict.

1d ago

Obsession + Backrooms

Two low-budget horror films. Two box office phenomenons. Barbenheimer for Sickos. On this episode of The Culture Docket, Michael and Missy break down Obsession and Backrooms, what they loved and didn't love about the movies, discuss their remarkable box office success, and chat about what this means for the genre. We also share some recent horror movies we loved, a few we didn't, and finish with a spooky round of overrated, underrated, or properly rated.

47 min
5d ago

Star Wars: The State of the Empire

Has Star Wars lost its way, or was it never quite as great as we remember? On this episode of The Culture Docket, Michael is joined by longtime Star Wars superfan Andrew for a State of the Empire. We discuss our very different relationships with the franchise, what made Star Wars special in the first place, the divisive sequel trilogy, the television era, and whether the galaxy far, far away still has a bright future. We also debate The Last Jedi, talk about The Mandalorian & Grogu, and close things out with a spicy round of overrated, underrated, or properly rated. May the Force be with you. Always.

1h 4m
May 18

Remarkably Bright Creatures + Our Favorite Movie Adaptations

Why do so many great books turn into disappointing movies? On this episode of The Culture Docket, Michael and Missy break down Remarkably Bright Creatures and the novel that inspired it. They debate whether the movie captured what made the book special (and even if the book is special at all). From there, we talk about why book adaptations so often fail, share our 5 favorite movies based on books, and close things out with some controversial overrated, underrated, properly rated takes.

51 min
May 4

The Devil Wears Prada 2 + Our Favorite Sequels

Most sequels don’t need to exist. Does the Devil Wears Prada 2? On this episode of The Culture Docket, Michael and Courtney break down the film. Does it justify itself, or is it just another cash grab? Then, we share our favorite sequels, name a few movies that deserved one, and finish with a spicy round of overrated, underrated, or properly rated.

51 min
Apr 27

Our Favorite Movie Scores of All Time (Part 2)

Which movie scores are truly unforgettable? On Part 2 of our movie score deep dive, Michael and Shaina lock in a consensus top 5 before each sharing their personal top 5 film scores. These are the ones they have on constant repeat and that define their love of the movies. We close things out with some hot takes in a round of overrated, underrated, or properly rated. Follow the show @culturedocketpod and check out the full playlist of every score we mention, linked here on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0bI8leYvGb8ngmbEXs5Pe8?si=hVpXZP2EQ2m4uJ_auJ2BJQ&pi=o7Jw68HdTZOl_

33 min
Apr 20

Our Favorite Movie Scores of All Time (Part 1)

What makes a movie score unforgettable? On this episode of The Culture Docket, Michael is joined by Shaina, a music teacher and drama coach, to break down how film scores shape emotion, storytelling, and the overall movie experience. We talk instruments, themes, why memorable melodies seem to be disappearing, and what separates a good score from a great one. We also highlight some of our favorite composers and discuss movies elevated by their scores. This is Part 1. Next week: our Top 5 scores, consensus favorites, and overrated/underrated/properly rated. Follow the show @culturedocketpod and check out the playlist of all the music we mention, linked here on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0bI8leYvGb8ngmbEXs5Pe8?si=Wv-5xBzAQ1W0Fe11I60p0Q&pi=uq76dbIwQhiQ4

42 min
Apr 13

The Drama + Wedding Movie Draft

Weddings are supposed to be the happiest day of your life… so why do movies turn them into absolute chaos? On this episode of The Culture Docket, Michael is joined by Courtney to talk weddings. They start with a few stories from their own wedding, then dive into The Drama starring Robert Pattinson and Zendaya. They break down the film without spoilers and discuss what worked, what didn't, and how it stands against other romantic comedies (or horrors). Then, Michael and Courtney draft their ultimate lineup of wedding movies across six categories before closing out with a spicy round of overrated/underrated/properly rated. Who won the draft? Let us know in the comments!

43 min
Apr 6

Super Mario Galaxy + Video Game Movies

Hollywood has been trying to adapt video games into movies for years and most of the time, they don’t work. On this episode of The Culture Docket, Michael is joined by his friend Josh to break down the new The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and decide whether it actually works as a movie or falls into the same traps as past video game adaptations. From there, we zoom out and talk about Mario as a franchise, the role video games played in our childhoods, and why video game movies are so hard to get right in the first place. We also highlight a few that actually work, plenty that don’t, and finish with a speed round of overrated, underrated, or properly rated.

39 min
Mar 30

The Top 5 Books We Always Recommend

Do you ever find yourself asking, "What should I read next?" On this episode of The Culture Docket, Michael is joined by Missy to share their top 5 go-to book recommendations, the books they always suggest when someone is looking for something great to read. We start with a quick check-in on what we’ve been reading this year, then count down our lists, share a few bonus genre picks, and close out with a controversial speed round of overrated, underrated, or properly rated. Follow Missy at @missyreadsabook and don't forget to follow this podcast @culturedocketpod on Instagram! Here's our list of picks! https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/412551.Episode_4_The_Five_Books_We_Always_Recommend

39 min
Mar 23

Project Hail Mary + Our Five Favorite Sci-Fi Novels

Project Hail Mary hit theaters this weekend — but does it actually work as an adaptation? On this episode of The Culture Docket, Michael is joined by Christian: engineer, science nerd, and the one who first recommended the book, to break down Project Hail Mary and its transition to the big screen. We discuss what made the novel so compelling, how the film adaptation stacks up, and what elements of the story the filmmakers absolutely had to nail. Then we zoom out and share some of our favorite sci-fi books of all times, and the ones we’d recommend to anyone looking to dive into the genre. Plus, a speed round of overrated, underrated, or properly rated.

39 min
Mar 16

Pixar on Trial + Hoppers

There was a time when a new Pixar movie felt like a cultural event. Is that time over? On this episode of The Culture Docket, Michael is joined by Joey to put Pixar on trial. With the release of Hoppers, we revisit the legendary studio behind Toy Story and Ratatouille and debate whether Pixar is still the most essential name in animation. We talk early Pixar memories, rank our Top 5 Pixar movies of all time, name our three least favorite Pixar films, and ultimately deliver a verdict: when did Pixar stop feeling essential?

43 min
Mar 9

Episode 1: The 2026 Oscars: An Emergency Primer

On the premiere episode of The Culture Docket, Michael and Courtney deliver an emergency primer for the 2026 Oscars, breaking down the frontrunners, what will win vs. what should win, the biggest snubs of the year, what’s overrated, underrated, and properly rated, and the three movies you need to watch before Hollywood’s biggest night.

22 min

12 Episodes

5

out of 5

5 Ratings

Smart and Entertaining

Mar 15

Chugs67

This was a great listen. Thoughtful, funny, and easy to get into. It has the kind of tone that makes you feel like you are listening to someone who really cares about the subject but also knows how to keep it entertaining. Excited to hear more episodes.

Putting culture on the record. Michael and a rotating cast of guests put movies, books, and the biggest cultural moments on trial, debating what works, what doesn’t, and what deserves a verdict.

Creator

Michael Kern
Years Active

2K
Episodes

12
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Michael Kern
Show Website

The Culture Docket