Pop Culture Happy Hour Episode Summary: "Death Of A Unicorn And What's Making Us Happy"

Release Date: March 28, 2025

In this engaging episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour, hosts Aisha Harris and Glen Weldon dive deep into the latest film release, "Death of a Unicorn," while also sharing what’s bringing them joy this week. Joined by guest Jordan Cruciola, the conversation traverses cinematic critiques, personal anecdotes, and cultural highlights, all infused with the show's signature blend of humor and insightful commentary.

1. Death of a Unicorn: A Cinematic Creature Feature

The episode opens with a comprehensive discussion about the film "Death of a Unicorn," starring Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega. The hosts dissect various elements of the movie, offering a spectrum of opinions that range from enthusiastic praise to critical dissection.

Strong Performances Amidst Mixed Reviews

Jordan Cruciola expresses appreciation for the ensemble cast, highlighting standout performances despite reservations about certain characters:

• Jordan Cruciola (02:55): "The first time I have ever found Paul Rudd to be, like, truly unredeemably unlikable... Jenna Ortega is a star and she can carry a film."

Glen Weldon shares a more critical perspective, focusing on the film’s pacing and character development:

• Glen Weldon (04:05): "The film does not seem willing to embrace or acknowledge that [the actors' comic talents]. There's just a general paucity of... fun, I guess, is what I took away from this."

Comparisons to Classic Monster Movies

Aisha Harris draws parallels between "Death of a Unicorn" and classic monster films like "Jurassic Park," critiquing the film’s reliance on CGI and lack of immersive menace:

• Aisha Harris (06:13): "But the unicorns look like CGI unicorns. There's no real, like, feeling of menace and threatening other than what we're just seeing these actors do."

Balancing Humor and Horror

The discussion also touches on the film’s attempt to balance humor with horror elements, with mixed success. Glen comments on the underutilization of the actors' comedic talents, while Jordan appreciates the moments of "unicorn justice" and the ensuing carnage:

• Jordan Cruciola (07:38): "Once it starts happening... like the people are getting gored... That is what this movie exists for. For me."

Final Thoughts on the Film’s Execution

Aisha summarizes her critique by highlighting the film’s generic traits and conventional ending, questioning the filmmaker’s reluctance to break the mold:

• Aisha Harris (11:38): "This is a movie that is so generic in every way possible. Most of the characters are white. The characters of color are some of the ones who get murdered first."

2. What's Making Us Happy

Transitioning from film critique, the hosts share personal picks that are currently bringing them joy, ranging from television shows to music and literature.

Jordan Cruciola: Reacher Season 3

Jordan shares his excitement for the return of "Reacher" on Amazon, praising Alan Ritchson's portrayal and the show's nostalgic feel:

• Jordan Cruciola (15:07): "Season three of one of the great shows on television. It's Reacher on Amazon... Alan Ritchson, pure charm yet again."

Glen Weldon: Jeffrey Self's Memoir

Glen highlights the release of comedian and actor Jeffrey Self’s memoir, "Self Sabotage and Other Ways I've Spent My Time," lauding its humorous yet sincere exploration of personal missteps:

• Glen Weldon (16:23): "Self Sabotage is about exactly what the title says—the many ways he has managed to be his own worst enemy over the years."

Aisha Harris: Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s "Luther"

Aisha shares her delight over the success of Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s duet "Luther," and how it led her to rediscover classic performances by Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn:

• Aisha Harris (17:47): "Kendrick Lamar and SZA's duet Luther has been number one on the Billboard charts for like a few weeks now... It is magnificent."

Concluding Remarks

The episode wraps up with the hosts encouraging listeners to engage with the content discussed and to share their thoughts on "Death of a Unicorn." They emphasize the importance of community feedback and hint at future discussions to come.

• Aisha Harris (19:35): "Tell us what you think about Death of a Unicorn. You can find us on Facebook... We'll have a link to that in our episode description."

Notable Quotes:

• Jordan Cruciola (02:55): "The first time I have ever found Paul Rudd to be, like, truly unredeemably unlikable... Jenna Ortega is a star and she can carry a film."

• Glen Weldon (04:05): "There's just a general paucity of... fun, I guess, is what I took away from this."

• Aisha Harris (06:13): "There's no real, like, feeling of menace and threatening other than what we're just seeing these actors do."

• Jordan Cruciola (07:38): "Once it starts happening... like the people are getting gored... That is what this movie exists for. For me."

• Aisha Harris (11:38): "Most of the characters are white. The characters of color are some of the ones who get murdered first."

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