The Middle of Culture

By: Peter and Eden Jones
  • Summary

  • Two siblings come at pop culture from different standpoints and meet in the middle to discuss. Along the way, we introduce each other to things we love and media that brings us joy. And sometimes rage.

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Episodes
  • The Matrix Resurrections
    Jan 19 2025

    This Week on "The Middle of Culture": Return to The Matrix!

    Twenty years after Neo and Trinity's supposed final chapter, we're diving deep into 2021's surprise sequel "The Matrix Resurrections." After weeks of defending the oft-maligned sequels, we're here to ask: Does this unexpected return stick the landing? (Spoiler: We might have some hot takes that'll surprise you!)

    🎮 What We're Into:

    - Eden's getting existential with the haunting manga "Girls' Last Tour" and battling through the God Eater series (even if the games aren't exactly masterpieces)

    - Peter's finally ready to tackle Brandon Sanderson's "The Lost Metal" after refreshing his Mistborn knowledge

    - Eden's still charmed by Andy Griffith's legal adventures in Matlock

    - Peter's headbanging to new releases from The Halo Effect (nostalgic Gothenburg melodeath goodness) and Obscure Sphinx's first music in 7 years!

    🎬 Matrix Resurrections Deep Dive:

    - Why did Lana Wachowski return to The Matrix without her sister Lily?

    - The fascinating meta-commentary on modern blockbusters (and why some "messy" moments might be intentionally so)

    - Neo and Trinity's reunion: How their chemistry still lights up the screen

    - Where does this fall in our Matrix rankings? (The answer might surprise you!)

    Whether you loved it, hated it, or haven't seen it yet, our discussion might change how you view this ambitious return to the franchise that changed action movies forever.

    Got thoughts? We'd love to hear them! Drop us a line at feedback@themiddleofculture.com

    See you in two weeks, when we'll have more culture to dissect right from the middle! 🎙️

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    59 mins
  • Ultimate Movie Bracket
    Jan 7 2025

    In this special retrospective episode of The Middle of Culture, Eden and Peter reflect on two years of podcasting by pitting every movie they've covered in a bracket-style showdown to crown the "Best Movie of the Podcast (So Far)." This reflective journey explores their evolving tastes, the movies that shaped their discussions, and the surprises along the way.

    Highlights

    - Catching Up: Eden and Peter share life updates, holiday anecdotes, and recent media they've consumed, from action games like God of War to the folk music of Forndom and Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series.

    Bracket Breakdown:

    • A pool of 35 movies, including classics (The Matrix), animation masterpieces (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), underrated sci-fi (Solaris), and beloved kaiju flicks (Godzilla Minus One), is narrowed down.

    • Hilarious eliminations of duds

    • Heated debates over matchups like Logan vs. 1954's Godzilla and Dune: Part Two vs. Speed Racer.

    The Final Showdown: The climactic battle between two seminal movies that redefined their respective genres and continue to influence movies today.

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • The Matrix Revolutions
    Dec 24 2024

    This week, we return to dissect The Matrix Revolutions, the third and originally final installment in the Matrix series. From its action-heavy sequences to its emotional farewells, we explore how the film concludes Neo's journey and its place in the trilogy. Along the way, we discuss their latest media obsessions, frustrations with games, and what's on our radar this holiday season.

    Episode Highlights:

    • Personal updates: Peter shares his writing goals and Eden looks forward to a quiet holiday break.

    What we're into:

    • Peter's latest reads include finishing the original Mistborn trilogy and starting The Armageddon Protocol.

    • Eden dives into speculative fiction, including The Red Scholar's Wake and Querido Hermano.

    • New music discoveries range from avant-garde death metal to gothic rock supergroups.

    • Gaming adventures: Peter's frustrations with Dragon Age: The Veilguard crashing on PC and a final verdict on Cyberpunk 2077 as one of the all-time greats.

    • Trailer talk: A skeptical look at the new Superman movie trailer, featuring too many characters and not enough focus.

    Main Topic -- The Matrix Revolutions:

    • Is it the weakest of the trilogy? Yes.

    • Is it still better than most action movies? Also yes.

    • The epic Zion defense sequence: Maybe too long but undeniably tense and visually striking.

    • Neo's final battle with Agent Smith: A rain-soaked, philosophical showdown that cements Neo's legacy.

    • Trinity's emotional farewell: A standout moment of love and sacrifice that hits all the right notes.

    • Final thoughts: Despite its flaws, Revolutions is a satisfying end to the trilogy and better than its reputation suggests.

    Engagement:

    What are your thoughts on The Matrix Revolutions? Does it deserve more love, or is it a fitting conclusion to the trilogy? Share your feedback at feedback@themiddleofculture.com or join the conversation on social media.

    If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends. Let's keep the Matrix conversation going as we gear up for The Matrix Resurrections in the next episode.

    Next Episode:

    Join us as we tackle The Matrix Resurrections and see how Lana Wachowski flips the script on sequels and expectations. Don't miss it!

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    1 hr and 7 mins

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