PopaHALLics #153 "Popping Up Secrets"
Dad and daughter dish on Lily Allen's "divorce album," the new seasons of "Slow Horses" and "The Diplomat," a late-to-the-party discovery of TV's "Interview with a Vampire," a funny, wise novel called "I See That You've Called in Dead"—and more!

Streaming:

• "Sisu: Road to Revenge," Hulu, Prime. In this John Wick-ish Finnish action thriller, Nazi soldiers steal gold from an old prospector. One problem: He's a former "one-man death squad" legendary for his ruthlessness.
• "Slow Horses," Apple TV. In Season 5, coordinated terrorist attacks in London begin a destabilization campaign. The first sign something's amiss: Obnoxious Roddy Ho (Christopher Chung) has a girlfriend.
• "The Diplomat," Netflix. In Season 3, the Brits are upset with an American betrayal, and Kate (Keri Russell) and Hal (Rufus Sewell) struggle with their roles and relationship. Bradley Whitford joins the cast as First Husband to President Grace Penn (Allison Janey).
• "Interview with a Vampire," AMC. Season 2 finds Louis (Jacob Anderson) traveling to Paris with teen fledgling Claudia (Delainey Hayles) in a search for Old World vampires. He meets Armand (Assad Zaman), a relationship that will have devastating consequences.

Books:

• "I See That You've Called in Dead," by John Kenney. When a drunken obit writer accidentally publishes his own fake obit, he ends up getting a second chance at life in this funny, moving novel.
• "The God of the Woods," by Liz Moore. In this acclaimed mystery, the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl from a summer camp triggers an investigation into her vanishing and her family's dark secrets.
• "Exit Lane: An 831 Stories Romance," by Erica Veurink. This "sweet romance," a debut novel, follows Teddy and Marin's eight-year rocky relationship from Iowa City to NYC and back.

Music:
Lily Allen returns with her first album in seven years, "West End Girl," about the breakup of her marriage to David Harbour ("Stranger Things"). Our PopaHallics Playlist #153 (Lily) also contains tunes by Tame Impala and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.

Click through the links above to watch, read, and listen to what Steve and Kate discuss. The "fair use" doctrine of U.S. copyright law allows for the limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, comment, and education.

PopaHALLics #152 "Guinness, Ghosts, and Valley Girls"

Dad and daughter dish on "House of Guinness," about a family struggle for control of the brewery; "Presence," a ghost story told from the ghost's POV; variety show host Ed Sullivan and civil rights; and more! Plus the duo likes looking back at "Romy & Michele's High School Reunion." Me too!

Streaming:

• "House of Guinness," Netflix. In this historical drama from the creator of "Peaky Blinders," the brewery founder's four adult children, "each with dark secrets to hide," wrestle for control after his passing. Starring Anthony Boyle, Louis Partridge, Emily Fairn, and Fionn O'Shea.
• "Presence," Hulu and Disney +. Director Steven Soderbergh returns to fine independent filmmaking form with this clever spin on a haunted house tale. When a troubled family moves in, we experience events from the ghost's perspective. Starring Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callian Liang, and Eddy Maday.
• "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion," Hulu and Disney +. In the 1997 screwball comedy, two Valley Girls (Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow) invent fake careers to impress their former classmates. The cult classic also stars Janeane Garofalo, Alan Cumming, and Camryn Manheim.
• "Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan," Netflix. This 2023 documentary makes the case that the variety show pioneer was also a pioneer in civil rights by showcasing black acts on TV. Includes archival footage of amazing performances and interviews with Smokey Robinson, Harry Belafonte, Dionne Warwick, Oprah Winfrey, and more.
• "Howl," Prime, various streaming services. Passengers on an overnight train are stranded in the forest with werewolves about in this claustrophobic British horror thriller. Starring Ed Speleers, Holly Weston, Elliott Cowan, and more.

Books:

• "The Warm Hands of Ghosts," by Katherine Arden. A combat nurse searches for her brother, believed dead in the WWI trenches, despite eerie evidence otherwise in this acclaimed novel.

Please click through the links to watch and read about what we're discussing. The "fair use" doctrine of U.S. copyright law allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes like criticism, comment, and education.

PopaHALLics #151 "Halls on Holiday: The PNW (Part Two)"

Steve's almost month-long "retirementmoon" in the Pacific Northwest continues! In this episode: A whirlwind trip to Canada, Bainbridge Island, and Seattle. The Aquarium, the Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture, the Fremont Troll, Jimi Hendrix's grave—and more! Join us.

Some memorable places and experiences:

• Silver Falls State Park, Salem, OR. The Trail of Ten Falls, a nationally recognized hiking trail, takes you to 10 waterfalls, including several you can walk behind.
• Sol Duc Hot Springs, Olympic National Park, WA. This resort offers three relaxing mineral hot springs (temperatures ranging from 99 to 104F) and one freshwater soaking pool.
• Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Canada. This 121-year-old world-famous garden created by Jennie Butchart features 55 acres of gorgeous flowers and landscaping in five different gardens.
• Japanese-American Exclusion Memorial, Bainbridge Island, WA. This solemn memorial remembers the island's Japanese-Americans, who were the first on the West Coast to be taken away to incarceration camps during World War II.
• Fremont Vintage Mall, Seattle, WA. The self-styled "coolest vintage store in the center of the universe" features furniture, collectibles, records, and more.
• Hot Tub Boats, Seattle. A float in a boat made into a 104 F hot tub on the chilly waters of Lake Union is an unforgettable experience. Bonus: You can motor past the houseboat featured in "Sleepless in Seattle."
• Leavenworth, WA. This Bavarian-style village is a 2 1/2 hour drive from Seattle in the Cascades. Is it hokey? Yes. But great food and drink, Bavarian-themed shops, and the Tumwater Twister Alpine Coaster will make you say "Ja!"

Part One, PopaHALLics #150 "Halls on Holiday: The PNW, is a fun listen too!

Music:

We've assembled a Spotify playlist related to the sights and sounds of the trip, Popahallics #150 Playlist (PNW). Jump in the train/van/hot tub boat and turn it up!

U.S. copyright law allows for the limited "fair use" of copyrighted material without permission for purposes such as criticism, comment, and education.