Zebras In America

Zebras In America

“Dude, you can get past a dog. Nobody f's with a lion.” - Grandma's Boy “You notice things if you pay attention.” - In The Mood For Love Marcus Pinn likes movies. Scott Thorough likes movies. Marcus writes about movies (Pinnland Empire, The Pink Smoke), and Scott sometimes scores movies (Newlyweeds, Manos Sucias). They both have a background in hyper underground rap music, and enjoy sandwiches. Through a deep love of rap music, wrestling, and dissecting low and high brow cinema, Marcus and Scott developed an interesting kinship. After a bar conversation about movies where a stranger interrupted to tell them how much they enjoyed listening, they decided, “hey let's see if other people want to listen to our zany thoughts about film”. “Zebras In America” is a stream of consciousness rap on film and anywhere it may take a conversation. "Zebras In America Opening Theme" music by Scott, scratches by Marcus. Logo created by DJ SNAFU

Episodes

December 11, 2025 77 mins
It's the holidays on Popcorn Eschaton! On this episode, Scott and John discuss two adaptations of Charles Dickins's 1843 novella 'A Christmas Carol:' Richard Donner's 'Scrooged' and The Jim Henson Company's 'The Muppet Christmas Carol'! They get into how each film tackles the text's spiritual and social commentary, as well as why The Muppets, and public media in general, are essential in today's media environment. Logo designed ...
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It's another Zebras in Eschaton crossover as we discuss another Jim Jarmusch classic! Scott, Marcus, and John explore the samurai, hip-hop, and literary influences that make up Jarmusch's film genre bouillabaisse that is 'Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai,' as well as how our perception of a film, and how culture at large perceives it, can change over time. Marcus Pinn's writing can be found at http://www.pinnlandempire.com/ Log...
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November 13, 2025 78 mins
Scott and John are joined once again by the brilliant Marcus Pinn as they discuss the new Yorgos Lanthimos 'Bugonia'! They get into where the film stacks among Lanthimos's impressive filmography, the stunning performances, what this film has to say about the systems running the planet, and why none of us found this particular bleak satire... very funny. Marcus Pinn's writing can be found at http://www.pinnlandempire.com/ Logo des...
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October 30, 2025 82 mins
It's another Popcorn in America crossover as the brilliant Marcus Pinn joins Scott and John to discuss Ari Aster's 2025 dark pandemic satire, 'Eddington.' They get into the hypocrisy the film points out, the film's political stance (or lack thereof), and how Aster capture's this present, paranoid moment. Marcus Pinn's writing can be found at http://www.pinnlandempire.com/ Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https://www.instagram.com/j...
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October 16, 2025 86 mins
Returning guest and friend of the pod Noah joins Scott and John to discuss the 1967 classic 'Cool Hand Luke' (hey, a 1967 film for our 67th episode! Serendipitous!). They get into Luke as a Christ figure, how the film demonstrates the dehumanizing control prisons have on prisoners, and the role religion plays in prison life.
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October 2, 2025 48 mins
In the midst of autumn, we're all in the mood to celebrate the Fall Classic and America's pastime! And on Popcorn Eschaton, that also means interrogating worker exploitation! Scott and John discuss John Sayles's 1988 adaptation of the Eliot Asinof book 'Eight Men Out,' using it as a springboard to talk about gambling in sports, why we love sports movies, and how sports can be great unifiers. Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https://...
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The brilliant Jon Laubinger joins Scott and John to discuss an unlikely pairing of films that deal with animal cruelty and the question of sentience: James Gunns's 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3' and Robert Bresson's 'Au hasard Balthazar'! They dive into the disturbing imagery in both films and how each filmmaker uses animals to help us find empathy with our fellow humans. Song clip at the end is from Warren Zevon's "Monkey Wash...
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September 4, 2025 48 mins
Scott and I return to the world of animation and Studio Ghibli! What a treat! We take a look at the exceptional and underrated film from director Hayao Miyazaki, 'Porco Rosso'! We discuss fascism, survivor's guilt, and the pleasure of allowing a story to remain ambiguous. Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/) Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers (https://oxeneers1.bandcamp.com/) Song at the...
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August 22, 2025 73 mins
It's time to exalt kindness! On this Popcorn Eschaton, Scott and John discuss the most recent cinematic iteration of Superman. They explore James Gunn's perspective on the Man of Tomorrow, the impeccable cast, and how Superman has been a politically aware character since his creation in 1938! Also: a lot of comics talk. Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/) Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxenee...
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The fantastic Carmelita Valdez McKoy returns to Popcorn Eschaton to discuss a pair of films about addiction: Ermanno Olmi's 'The Legend of the Holy Drinker' and Louis Malle's 'The Fire Within.' Carmelita, Scott, and John explore how these films deal with addiction, the possibilities of treatment, and if joy is possible even while experiencing despair. These are depressing movies so it was wonderful to have such a thoughtful guest g...
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Due to technical difficulties, Popcorn Eschaton had to pivot guests, topics, and even host! But because we try to go with the flow as best we can, and are blessed with wonderful friends, we march on! On this episode, John is joined by friends of Zebras Eschaton, Elana Levin and Frank Smith, as they pay tribute to the legendary metal icon Ozzy Osbourne. They discuss the cultural and musical legacy of Ozzy and Black Sabbath, their bl...
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What could be more Popcorn Eschaton than pairing Jim Jarmusch with Star Trek? On this episode, Scott and John head west to explore the poetic violence and self-discovery of 1995's 'Dead Man,' then they return to The Final Frontier as they join the Enterprise crew on their resurrection quest in 'The Search for Spock'! Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/) Theme music is "Sun Blood" by Oxeneers ...
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On this Popcorn Eschaton, Scott and John embrace living in liminal spaces as they journey through death and the boundaries between this world and the next. First, they explore Apichatpong Weerasethakul's 2010 spiritual drama 'Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives,' then they discuss Pedro Almodóvar's 2024 meditation on friendship and choosing how we meet our end, 'The Room Next Door.' Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https://w...
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June 12, 2025 70 mins
Popcorn Eschaton welcomes the brilliant Carmelita Valdez McKoy to discuss medieval mythology and Catholic/Pagan sycheticism! The conversation dives into 'Excalibur,' John Boorman's classic of Arthurian myths, Dark Age Disco costumes, as well as personal and political morality! It's got a cast full of future British acting legends acting out the foundational legends of Britain! Amazing stuff. Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https:/...
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On this Popcorn Eschaton, Scott and John tackle one of the most discombobulating, bravura, and labyrinthian science fiction movies ever made: Richard Kelly's 'Southland Tales'! They discuss how the film succeeds and fails in reflecting America in a post-9/11 world and why a strange, unfinished piece of art should be enjoyed on its own terms. Maximalism ahoy! Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/...
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Scott and John are joined by the brilliant writer and podcaster Spencer Seams! They discuss the emblematic race film from 1941 'The Blood of Jesus,' as well as Jacques Rivette's harrowing 1966 examination of institutional abuse within the Catholic Church, 'The Nun.' They discuss misogyny, giving voice to unheard voices, and the importance of community. Logo designed by Jesse Arnold (https://www.instagram.com/just.shelve.it/) Them...
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May 1, 2025 63 mins
It's CONCLAVE time! It was inevitable that Scott and John would cover this stylish thriller about hermetic power, faith vs. certainty, conservatism vs. generosity, and how utterly terrifying it would be to have Isabella Rossellini disappointed in you. In times of such despondency, it was a privilege to be able to discuss a film that so elegantly addresses how the instruments of power can be changed to become mechanisms for kindness...
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Scott and John welcome the brilliant Heather Drain to Popcorn Eschaton as they discuss the Japanese cult animated feature 'Belladonna of Sadness!' They explore the difficult subject matter of the film, the wildly stylized and beautiful animation, the exuberant musical score, and how the events of the film presage both Joan of Arc and the French Revolution. Trigger warnings for sexual assault, mutilaion, religious abuse, warfare ...
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On this Popcorn Eschaton, Scott and John dive into the infinite morass that is the American health care system, as seen through cinema. First, they look at how public policy is interwoven with corporate interests, as well as how journalism is supposed to be safeguarding us from those interests, with Michael Mann's brilliant 1999 thriller 'The Insider.' Then, they shift focus and tone to 'The Big Sick,' a comedy co-written by its st...
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Scott and John are joined by the world's greatest Ingmar Bergman advocate, the brilliant Becky D'Anna, to discuss 1957's 'The Seventh Seal'! They dive into the collision of medieval religious traditions with the cinema of the mid-20th century, the reputation of Bergman vs. the reality of his art, and the multifarious ways we can interpret the imagery of the film. Becky's writing, Top Ten lists, and podcast appearances can be foun...
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