Author Archives: Sodapop Journal

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About Sodapop Journal

Sodapop Journal is a group of film, TV, music and entertainment fans that sometimes come together to discuss topics as a group. These pieces are written by two or more SPJ contributors.

Ep. 20: SPJ Movie Club: Dog Day Afternoon

We’re back with the program as Scott, Robert and Paul take on the next Sodapop Journal Movie Club pick: Sidney Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon. We also touch on the careers of Al Pacino, John Cazale, and Sidney Lumet, 1970′s New York, the film’s social commentary and homophobic subtext, and what it’s all meant to us as filmgoers.

If you’ve had a chance to see the film and would like to tell us what you thought, have at it in comments below, send us an e-mail or give us a call at 657-444-SODA.

If you haven’t, you can always add it to your Netflix queue or to throw few pennies our way by ordering it on DVD from Amazon.

And after that, there’s more! As 2011 winds down, we look back at some of our biggest discoveries throughout the year, including:

  • Scott does an about-face and becomes a devoted fan of Neil Young;
  • Paul gets down with Aretha Live at Fillmore West;
  • Robert breaks into Breaking Bad;
  • Scott gets the scoop on Broadcast News from Criterion;
  • Paul discovers the 1940s classic The Philadelphia Story;
  • Robert gains a new appreciation for the James Bond series

Have your say in the comments below, send us an e-mail or give us a call at 657-444-SODA.

Listen now

Be sure to check out our new Fresh section and monthly Taste reviews, and subscribe to the Sodapop Journal podcast in iTunes.

Follow us on Twitter: @SodapopJournal | @MrHoward | @robertcortez | @pts

Ep. 19: I Want a Show With Dinosaurs

Robert and Scott size up what’s on the horizon for TV this fall and catch up on some new movies!

  • Lots of new TV talk, including:
    • Recent favorites Alphas and Louie;
    • Our more-anticipated picks Terra Nova, Person of Interest, Up All Night, How to Be a Gentleman and more;
    • Mid-season potentials Awake and Alcatraz;
    • AMC’s behind-the-scenes troubles with Mad Men, Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead
  • Contagion and Steven Soderbergh’s style (and don’t forget this Charlie Rose interview);
  • Drive and the rise of Nicolas Winding Refn and Ryan Gosling;
  • 50/50 AKA Cancer: The Motion Picture;
  • A quick reminder about our next Movie Club with Dog Day Afternoon (watch/rent/buy it here).

Have your say in the comments below, send us an e-mail or give us a call at 657-444-SODA.

Listen now

Be sure to check out our new Fresh section and monthly Taste reviews, and subscribe to the Sodapop Journal podcast in iTunes.

Follow us on Twitter: @SodapopJournal | @MrHoward | @robertcortez | @pts

Ep. 18: Insufficiently Gangsta

Scott, Robert and Paul talk about their recent musical selections, including::

  • Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch the Throne
  • The Decemberists’ new video for “Calamity Song”, based on a passage from David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest
  • Revisiting hard rock from decades past from bands like:
  • And back to newer acts with Fucked Up’s new album David Comes to Life
  • Finally, a new Movie Club entry—Sidney Lumet’s Dog Day Afternoon—and other miscellanea.

Have your say in the comments below, send us an e-mail or give us a call at 657-444-SODA.

Listen now

Be sure to check out our new Fresh section and monthly Taste reviews, and subscribe to the Sodapop Journal podcast in iTunes.

Follow us on Twitter: @SodapopJournal | @MrHoward | @robertcortez | @pts

Ep. 17: Some G, A Little Bit of P

Our hosts sound off on this summer’s latest comic book-inspired offerings, look ahead to next year and more:

  • More from San Diego Comic-Con, including Paul’s celebrity moment
  • The new Ultimate Spider-Man, Miles Morales, and why he’s a good thing for comics
  • Superhero fatigue sets in with more developments on The Amazing Spider-Man, The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers and even 2013′s Man of Steel
  • Sucker Punch = What?
  • Pledges of undying love for Louis CK’s Louie
  • Breaking Bad and the changing TV landscape

Have your say in the comments below, send us an e-mail or give us a call at 657-444-SODA.

Listen now

Be sure to check out our new Fresh section and monthly Taste reviews, and subscribe to the Sodapop Journal podcast in iTunes.

Follow us on Twitter: @SodapopJournal | @MrHoward | @robertcortez | @pts

Ep. 16: Seeing Eye to Eye

Is it July already? Hope you’re having a good summer! Join Robert, Scott and Paul as they return from a prolonged break and catch up on some of the summer’s biggest movies, including:

Which movies have you checked out this summer? Tell us about ‘em in comments below, send us an e-mail or give us a call at 657-444-SODA.

Listen now

Be sure to check out our new Fresh section and monthly Taste reviews, and subscribe to the Sodapop Journal podcast in iTunes.

Follow us on Twitter: @SodapopJournal | @robertcortez | @MrHoward | @pts

Ep. 13: Idiots, Kings and Movie Clubs

It’s lucky number 13, and in what must be our most shocking, revealing episode yet, your hosts Paul and Robert discuss:

On top of all that, we unveil our new Movie Club segment, in which we’ll revisit (or watch for the first time ever) notable films from the past and discuss our thoughts and reactions on the podcast.

BadlandsOur first selection is Terrence Malick’s 1973 feature debut Badlands, starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek. Because it’s an older film that, you’ll likely only be able to find it on DVD from Netflix or pick up on the cheap from Amazon, but we encourage you to see it either way. 

The best part is that you’re all welcome to join in! Send us an e-mail, reply to us on Twitter, leave your comments below or now you can call us with using a telephone at 657-444-SODA and leave us a voicemail. Ah, the wonders of technology!

Listen now

Be sure to check out our new Fresh section and our new Taste reviews, and subscribe to the Sodapop Journal podcast in iTunes.

Special shout-outs to the Player One Podcast, The Talk Show, Call of Podcast and donating to Japanese earthquake relief! Holla!

Follow us on Twitter: @SodapopJournal | @pts | @robertcortez

Ep. 12: Slightly More Than 8 Minutes

© 2010 Vendome Pictures

Because we know you were waiting for it, here’s a new episode in which your dashing hosts Paul, Scott and Robert discuss:

  • the inherent laziness that comes with living in New York;
  • Early reactions to the upcoming Source Code;
  • Moon and Duncan Jones’ bright future as a filmmaker;
  • Paul and why the world needs a road movie with sci-fi nerds;
  • a quick shout-out to our bestest friend Edgar Wright;
  • Netflix and House of Cards;
  • Showtime and Starz pull back on content from Netflix;
  • and the additional handiness of Redbox and the dying days of Blockbuster

Listen now

Be sure to check out our new Fresh section and our new Taste reviews, and subscribe to the Sodapop Journal podcast in iTunes. Give us a shout at feedback@sodapopjournal.com!

Follow us on Twitter: @SodapopJournal | @pts | @MrHoward | @robertcortez

A Pause for Our Friends from Japan

During our time at Newtype USA and PiQ we had the opportunity to work with all sorts folks in Tokyo (as well as those here in the US that hail from Japan) and in a way, we’ve also shared in the concern over the fate of that nation over the last several days. We want to take a moment to express our thoughts, prayers and hopes for the best of outcomes for our friends, colleagues and acquaintances that are in Japan and/or have families there that are being affected by the events unfolding since last Friday’s earthquake.

If you can’t provide direct assistance (as most of us probably can’t) there are still ways to reach out and help. Donate to relief efforts and give what you can to help those who are not only in desperate need but in the uncontrollable hands of nature itself.

Find out more at IFRC (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies)

Ep. 11: Rango and Cash

Leaping lizards! It’s number eleven and sounds like heaven! Robert, Paul and Scott prattle on about:

  • Rango and the ghosts of Raoul Duke and Jake Gittes;
  • Gore Verbinski and Hollywood directors dabbling in animation;
  • news about the The Last Airbender: The Legend of Korra and some overall Avatar love;
  • the new look of our Taste reviews section;
  • recap of our review of The Go! Team’s Rolling Blackouts;
  • some insights into our recent “Second Acts” and “Burnin’ Mad Rubber” features;
  • a shout-out to our Remote Uncontrolled editor Zoe Holmes;
  • a special appearance by Bob Hoskins

Listen now

Be sure to check out our new Fresh section and our new Taste reviews, and subscribe to the Sodapop Journal podcast in iTunes. Give us a shout at feedback@sodapopjournal.com!

Follow us on Twitter: @SodapopJournal | @robertcortez | @pts | @MrHoward