The Culture Docket

Toy Story 5 + Our Favorite Animated Movies

Pixar is back with Toy Story 5 but do we still have a friend in this franchise? On this episode of The Culture Docket, Michael and Shaina break down the latest installment in Pixar’s signature series, discuss whether its messaging works, and if the movie is even worth seeing. Then we each share our five favorite animated movies of all time, highlight a few honorable mentions, and celebrate the films that remind us why animation remains one of cinema’s most powerful storytelling tools. We close things out with a spicy round of overrated, underrated, or properly rated featuring some of the most beloved (or not) animated films ever made.

Disclosure Day + Mid-year Movie Check-In

Steven Spielberg is back in alien territory. On this episode of The Culture Docket, Michael and Courtney break down Disclosure Day, comparing it to Spielberg’s earlier sci-fi classics and discussing its stunning visual craftsmanship, strong performances, and whether the script lives up to the ambition behind the camera. Then we take a mid-year look at 2026 in movies, highlighting some of our favorite under-the-radar releases from the first six months of the year and previewing the films we’re most excited to see this summer. We close things out with a round of overhyped, underhyped, or properly hyped as we look ahead to the season’s biggest blockbusters.

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.

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.

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.