Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Middle of Culture! Your hosts, Peter and Eden, are here to dive into the world of pop culture, sci-fi, and everything in between. This week, we’re braving the cold and tackling a highly recommended novella that’s been on our TBR list for far too long.

What we are checking out:

Peter has been diving into some serious reading, tackling "The Lost Metal" from the Mistborn series and a nonfiction book on philosophy

Eden has been exploring new manga and video games, including finishing "Nichijou" and starting "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle"

A deep dive into "Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes," a spiritual successor to the beloved Suikoden series, and its stunning HD 2D graphics

All Systems Red

We both share our initial thoughts on "All Systems Red," agreeing that it’s an enjoyable read but not necessarily a mind-blowing one

Discussion on the book’s cozy sci-fi reputation and appeal to fans of softer, quieter media

We dive into the book’s exploration of personhood, autonomy, and the dehumanization of cyborgs and AI

Eden brings up the interesting dynamic between Murderbot and the augmented human, and the implications of respectability politic

Both hosts express curiosity about the broader sociopolitical context of the series and the motivations of the antagonistic group

Speculation on how the TV adaptation will handle the casting and portrayal of Murderbot, especially regarding its degendered identity.

Wrap-Up:

Thank you for joining us on this journey through "All Systems Red." We hope you enjoyed our discussion and are as excited as we are to see how the Murderbot Diaries will be brought to life on screen. Stay tuned for our next episode, and as always, take care of yourselves!

Welcome back to The Middle of Culture. This week, we take a deep dive into the state of entertainment in 2025. From the bleak outlook of upcoming movies and TV to the rare gems in music and video games, we break down what we’re anticipating with excitement and what we’re bracing for in disappointment.

Movies and TV

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning -- The only movie Peter is planning to see opening weekend

Superman: Legacy and Fantastic Four -- Will DC's latest reboot succeed? Will Marvel recover?

Disney's live-action remakes (Lilo and Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon) -- Do we really need these?

Just how bad will Tron: Ares suck, and why is it all going to be Jared Leto's fault?

Daredevil Born Again -- The trailer has some promise, but will it deliver?

GQuuuuuuX -- A bizarre Gundam reimagining that might be brilliant or a disaster

Gaming

Avowed -- Will Obsidian continue its strong storytelling streak?

Doom: The Dark Ages -- Medieval DOOM? Yes, please

Claro Obscure Expedition 33 -- A turn-based RPG with an eerie, unique premise

Nintendo Switch 2 -- Worth it or just another console collecting dust?

Music

New albums from Spiritbox, Lacuna Coil, Testament, Mastodon, and more

The resurgence of Rebecca Black as a hyper-pop queen

Plus:

Eden's latest manga obsession Nichijou, weird food adventures, and why TikTok's vibes are now off

The increasing difficulty of finding things to truly look forward to in today's entertainment landscape

Join us for a candid, sometimes cynical, but always insightful look at what's ahead for pop culture in 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! 🎙️

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.

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!

Peter and Eden are back, diving headfirst into their analysis of The Matrix Reloaded. They explore its ambitious themes, dazzling action sequences, and how it stacks up against the original Matrix. From the philosophical depth of free will and control to Morpheus' magnetic leadership, the hosts dissect what makes this movie a messy yet compelling cinematic experience.

Episode Highlights:

• Desert Chronicles: Eden shares their relaxed Palm Springs getaway, complete with a Bing Crosby connection, senior living quirks, and the joys of retro cable TV ads.

• Thanksgiving Recap: Peter talks about on-call holiday drama and a family gaming night featuring the hilariously chaotic Modern Problems Require Fantasy Solutions.

• Movie Reviews: The hosts share thoughts on festive Netflix picks (Hot Frosty and Our Little Secret), the cultural milestone of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, and their accidental discovery of Columbo on Tubi.

• Music Deep Dive: Peter and Eden swap recent music obsessions, including the latest from Opeth, Beyond Grace, and Mother of Millions. Plus, Peter's favorite albums of the year and his Apple Music Replay stats.

• Book Club & More: Updates on Mistborn, The Stormlight Archive, and Eden's ongoing Steerswoman series read.

• Main Topic -- "The Matrix Reloaded": The duo reflects on:

• The bold yet messy expansion of the Matrix universe.

• Iconic action sequences like the breathtaking freeway scene.

• Neo's journey as a messianic figure grappling with destiny, love, and change.

• Philosophical explorations of control, choice, and humanity's capacity to evolve.

• That infamous CGI fight scene with countless Agent Smiths--both a triumph and a testament to 2003 tech.

• The thrilling cliffhanger ending that left them itching for The Matrix Revolutions.

Key Takeaways:

• The Matrix Reloaded may not surpass the original, but it stands tall as a thought-provoking, visually arresting sequel.

• Love it or hate it, the Wachowskis' vision remains bold, unique, and worth discussing.

• They can't wait to tackle The Matrix Revolutions--will it live up to the hype, good or bad?

If you've got thoughts on The Matrix Reloaded, your favorite fight scene, or a movie sequel you believe deserves more love, drop us a line at feedback@themiddleofculture.com.

Enjoying the show? Leave us a review, share with a friend, and don't forget to hit that subscribe button!

Next Episode Teaser: The countdown to Revolutions begins. What's in store for Neo and Zion? Stay tuned.

This week on The Middle of Culture, Eden and Peter navigate the whirlwind that is November. We delve into our personal struggles and victories, offering our listeners a peek into our hectic lives, creative endeavors, and coping strategies for challenging times.

Key Highlights:

The November Grind: Peter shares his experience participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) for the third year, discussing the challenges of staying motivated while juggling work and life stress. He offers insights into using tools like Obsidian to streamline his writing process and reflects on the emotional toll of creative burnout.

Gaming Spotlight: Eden provides a thoughtful, spoiler-free review of Dragon Age: The Veil Guard. We discuss its strengths and shortcomings, highlighting gameplay, companions, and the series' evolution. Eden's commentary is both critical and affectionate, perfect for fans debating whether to dive in.

Music & Media Recommendations: Peter gushes about new album releases, including standouts from Garea, Schammasch, and Iotunn, while Eden shares their newfound love for the Steerswoman fantasy series by Rosemary Kirstein.

Mental Health Matters: Both hosts reflect on the importance of creating boundaries, whether by stepping back from social media or finding solace in hobbies. They discuss the value of supporting loved ones and fostering community in trying times.

# The Middle of Culture - The Matrix (1999)

In this episode, hosts Peter and Eden dive into the groundbreaking 1999 film The Matrix. Having not seen it in nearly 20 years, Peter watches it for the first time since the early 2000s, while Eden revisits this influential sci-fi classic.

First, we discuss what we have been checking out lately, with Eden discussing "Pupposites Attract" and Peter discussing his different approach to NaNoWriMo this year.

Then we dive into "The Matrix", discussing such things as:

- The film's incredible lasting influence on cinema, fashion, video games, and popular culture

- Stellar performances from the perfect cast, particularly:

- Keanu Reeves as Neo

- Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus

- Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity

- Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith

- Joe Pantoliano as Cypher

- The revolutionary special effects and filming techniques, including the iconic "bullet time"

- The movie's excellent pacing across its 136-minute runtime

- Thoughtful use of reflections throughout the film to emphasize themes of reality vs simulation

- Discussion of alternative casting choices that could have dramatically changed the film

- The film's R rating despite relatively tame content by today's standards

Fun Facts:

- Will Smith turned down the role of Neo to make Wild Wild West instead

- The film made nearly $500 million on a $60 million budget

- First in a planned series reviewing all Matrix films

Next Episode: The hosts will continue their Matrix journey with The Matrix Reloaded (2003).

Contact the show: feedback@themiddleofculture.com