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'Venom: The Last Dance' goos out with a bang

Tom Hardy in Venom: The Last Dance. Sony Pictures hide caption

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Sony Pictures

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Venom: The Last Dance' goos out with a bang

In Venom: The Last Dance, Tom Hardy returns for a third time as a sad-sack loser with an alien symbiotic life-form bonded to him. This time out, it's a buddy comedy and road movie, as the two are hunted by another race of aliens. And along the way, they meet some hippies, hit the Vegas strip, and get in a quick dance number.

'Venom: The Last Dance' goos out with a bang

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Anna Kendrick's 'Woman of the Hour' speaks volumes about violence

Anna Kendrick as Sheryl in Woman of the Hour. Leah Gallo/Netflix hide caption

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Leah Gallo/Netflix

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Anna Kendrick's 'Woman of the Hour' speaks volumes about violence

Netflix's Woman Of The Hour is not your conventional serial killer movie. It's based on the true story of a serial killer who appeared on The Dating Game in the 1970s. But it's also about the women who became — or almost became — his victims. Directed by and starring Anna Kendrick, it's a tense, thoughtful film that has much to say about the systems that make life easier for dangerous and otherwise crummy men.

Anna Kendrick's 'Woman of the Hour' speaks volumes about violence

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We watch classic movies for the first time

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Getty Images

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

We watch classic movies for the first time

We've all been there. A major movie is mentioned, you shrug, sheepishly, and someone says, "I can't believe you've never seen that!" Today, we make a dent in our own lists of classic films we somehow had not yet gotten to, including Erin Brockovich, Flower Drum Song, Enter the Dragon and Raging Bull.

We watch classic movies for the first time

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Jeff Hiller and Bridget Everett star in Somebody Somewhere.

Jeff Hiller and Bridget Everett star as Joel and Sam in Somebody Somewhere. HBO hide caption

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HBO

Television

'Somebody Somewhere' is about finding your people: Here’s how Bridget Everett found hers

Everett never felt like she fit in her hometown of Manhattan, Kan. After moving to New York City and developing a cabaret show, she returned to Kansas for her HBO show Somebody Somewhere.

Bridget Everett

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'Anora' is the wild rom-dramedy we didn't know we wanted

Mikey Madison in Anora. Neon hide caption

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Neon

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Anora' is the wild rom-dramedy we didn't know we wanted

The new movie Anora is a dark rom-dramedy about an enterprising sex worker (Mikey Madison) who links up with a very rich and very immature young man (Mark Eydelshteyn). Their transactional encounter turns into a quickie Vegas wedding. But her new in-laws are Russian oligarchs, and they'll do everything in their power to put an end to this whirlwind romance. Anora is the latest feature from writer and director Sean Baker (The Florida Project). Follow Pop Culture Happy Hour on Letterboxd at letterboxd.com/nprpopculture.

'Anora' is the wild rom-dramedy we didn't know we wanted

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Ariana Grande appeared on SNL on October 12. She's shown above at the 96th Annual Academy Awards in March.

Ariana Grande hosted SNL on October 12. She's shown above at the 96th Annual Academy Awards in March. Arturo Holmes/Getty Images hide caption

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Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

What's Making Us Happy: Recommendations From 'Pop Culture Happy Hour'

What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing and listening

Each week, guests and hosts on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour share what's bringing them joy. This week: Ariana Grande hosting SNL, Jimmy Buffett’s album A1A and the movie Wicked Little Letters.

Eisa Davis and Lin-Manuel Miranda have created a musical based on the cult classic The Warriors.

Eisa Davis and Lin-Manuel Miranda have created a musical based on the cult classic The Warriors. Jimmy Fontaine/Atlantic Records hide caption

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Jimmy Fontaine/Atlantic Records

Music

Lin-Manuel Miranda's new musical is based on a cult movie — and is for your ears only

A new concept album from the creator of Hamilton sets a cult classic film to a starry hiphop, rock and Broadway soundtrack.

Warriors from Lin-Manuel Miranda

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'Smile 2' is a superior horror sequel, complete with pop bangers

Naomi Scott in Smile 2. Paramount Pictures hide caption

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Paramount Pictures

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Smile 2' is a superior horror sequel, complete with pop bangers

The horror movie Smile was a massive hit. Its flashy new sequel Smile 2 finds the franchise's terrifying entity infecting a new host: a pop star (Naomi Scott) who's about to head out on tour after experiencing a trauma. And the movie has a lot to say about the horrors of pop stardom.

'Smile 2' is a superior horror sequel, complete with pop bangers

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The false promise of climate havens; plus, the 'help' in horror

Residents fill up sandbags in Tampa ahead of Hurricane Milton's landfall in Florida, October 2024. (Photo by Saul Martinez/Getty Images) hide caption

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(Photo by Saul Martinez/Getty Images)

It's Been a Minute

The false promise of climate havens; plus, the 'help' in horror

Extreme weather is becoming more frequent. Now some towns that were touted as "safe" are seeing hurricanes, floods or heat waves. This week, host Brittany Luse is joined by NPR climate solutions reporter Julia Simon and NPR culture reporter Chloe Veltman to understand misconceptions around "climate havens" and what it means to preserve culture in the face of the climate crisis.

The false promise of climate havens; plus, the 'help' in horror

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In 'We Live In Time,' Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh fall in love out of order

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A24

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

In 'We Live In Time,' Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh fall in love out of order

Two people meet, they fall in love, and someone gets sick. The new film We Live In Time tries to bring something new to that familiar story of the preciousness of life. Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield laugh and cry as a couple trying to make the most of their time together. Director John Crowley (Brooklyn) utilizes an unconventional structure that jumps around from their first meeting to their later crisis and several key points in between.

In 'We Live In Time,' Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh fall in love out of order

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The scary movies and books that still haunt us

Horror author Stephen King has been scaring audiences for generations. Eric Feferberg/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Eric Feferberg/AFP via Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

The scary movies and books that still haunt us

A lot of us are about to have the experience of opening our front doors to find witches, goblins, ghosts, and Moo Deng standing on our porches. Why? Because it's almost Halloween. In this encore episode, we talk about what kinds of entertainment scared us when we were kids, and whether they still scare us now.

The scary movies and books that still haunt us

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Sasha Colby takes us to Drag college

Drag performer Sasha Colby. Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images hide caption

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Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Sasha Colby takes us to Drag college

Sasha Colby is your favorite drag queen's favorite drag queen. That's because she's one of the most decorated and influential drag queens working today - she's Chappell Roan's inspiration, a Miss Continental winner and a RuPaul's Drag Race winner.

Sasha Colby takes us to Drag college

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Tyra Banks walks the runway during the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on Tuesday in Brooklyn.

Tyra Banks walks the runway during the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on Tuesday in Brooklyn, N.Y. — her first time doing so since 2005. Evan Agostini/Invision/AP hide caption

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Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Business

After 6 years, the Victoria's Secret fashion show brings big names back to its runway

After weathering a series of controversies, the lingerie company's first official show since 2018 featured iconic Angels like Adriana Lima and Tyra Banks, plus debuts by Ashley Graham and Kate Moss.

'Disclaimer' is an absorbing and multi-layered melodrama

Cate Blanchett in Disclaimer. Apple TV+ hide caption

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Apple TV+

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

'Disclaimer' is an absorbing and multi-layered melodrama

In the powerful new Apple TV+ drama Disclaimer, Cate Blanchett plays a woman who's terrified after she's sent a novel that's based on a chapter of her past that she's desperate to keep secret. From Oscar-winner Alfonso Cuarón, the series was also stars Kevin Kline, as a man who's also consumed by the events recounted in the book.

'Disclaimer' is an absorbing and multi-layered melodrama

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Cate Blanchett as Catherine Ravenscroft in the new Apple TV+ series Disclaimer.

Cate Blanchett as Catherine Ravenscroft in the new Apple TV+ series Disclaimer. Apple TV+ hide caption

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Apple TV+

Review

TV Reviews

‘Disclaimer’ is a sprawling thriller built for the streaming age

Apple TV+’s seven-part series written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón stars Cate Blanchett as a successful documentarian faced with a secret about her past.

Review: Disclaimer

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Is the free speech debate dead? Plus, the devil!

A pro-Palestinian protester uses a bullhorn during a demonstration in front of Sproul Hall on the UC Berkeley campus on April 22, 2024 in Berkeley, California Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

It's Been a Minute

Is the free speech debate dead? Plus, the devil!

In anticipation of more pro-Palestinian protests, many college administrators rolled out new rules this fall that include getting pre-approval for posting flyers or hosting demonstrations. Brittany is joined by UC Irvine sociology professor David S. Meyer, who studies social movements and public policy, and Chronicle of Higher Education reporter Kate Hidalgo Bellows. They discuss the changes on campuses and how they tie into debates over free speech.

Is the free speech debate dead? Plus, the devil!

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Is 'Saturday Night' ready for prime time?

Nicholas Braun plays Andy Kaufman in Saturday Night. Hopper Stone/Sony Pictures hide caption

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Hopper Stone/Sony Pictures

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Is 'Saturday Night' ready for prime time?

The new film Saturday Night attempts to capture the chaotic 90 minutes leading up to the very first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Untried producer Lorne Michaels (played by Gabriel LaBelle) and his cast of complete unknowns prepare to make television history. At the same time, network suits breathe down their necks, and just about everything that can go wrong does.

Is 'Saturday Night' ready for prime time?

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Maria Bakalova plays Ivana Trump in Ali Abbasi's The Apprentice, opposite Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump.

Maria Bakalova (left) plays Ivana Trump in Ali Abbasi's The Apprentice, opposite Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump. Pief Weyman/Briarcliff Entertainment hide caption

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Pief Weyman/Briarcliff Entertainment

Movie Interviews

'The Apprentice' director talks about the film Donald Trump doesn't want you to see

Ali Abbasi's new film The Apprentice shows ex-President Donald Trump's years as a real estate businessman under the tutelage of lawyer Roy Cohn. The film coincides with Trump seeking another term.

THE APPRENTICE - Ali Abbasi

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We talk pop culture pumpkin spice lattes: they're basic but we love them

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Greg Doherty/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

We talk pop culture pumpkin spice lattes: they're basic but we love them

The word "basic" often gets thrown around to describe anything that's mainstream, popular, frictionless, or otherwise inoffensive. But sometimes basic stuff is just what we crave, whether it's a binge-watch, a popular song, or a pumpkin spice latte. It's fall, so today we're talking about what we're calling... Pop Culture Pumpkin Spice Lattes.

We talk pop culture pumpkin spice lattes: they're basic but we love them

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We talk SNL, late night TV, and the 2024 election

Maya Rudolph impersonating Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday Night Live. Will Heath/NBC hide caption

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Will Heath/NBC

Review

Pop Culture Happy Hour

We talk SNL, late night TV, and the 2024 election

We're in a pretty critical election year. And in times like these, a lot of us are turning to political comedy to help make sense of (and fun of) the bizarre, ongoing news cycle. Today on the show, we're talking about how late night comedy shows like Saturday Night Live, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and The Daily Show are speaking to the moment.

We talk SNL, late night TV, and the 2024 election

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