Pop Culture Lunch Box

Pop Culture Lunch Box

Home
Books
Music
History
Sports
Obits
Movies
Archive
About
10 cocktail recipes that would fit on any fancy bar and restaurant menus
I’ve been a little remiss in writing articles about mixology lately.
 • 
Paul Mackie
As Brian Wilson receded into the background, the rest of The Beach Boys sustained the band's powerful legacy
This is the part 2 conclusion of my review of The Beach Boys 2024 movie on Disney+.
 • 
Paul Mackie
Want the Ken Burns treatment for The Beach Boys? Check out the excellent 2024 doc
This is part 1 of my review of The Beach Boys 2024 movie on Disney+.
 • 
Paul Mackie
Loving Brian Wilson ever since the kid turntable in my room
When I was a kid, I listened to a lot of albums in my room.
 • 
Paul Mackie
Knives Out and Women Talking present strong ensemble movie picks
The end of season 3 of The White Lotus has got me craving more ensemble entertainment.
 • 
Paul Mackie
Great Magazine Reads: Christopher Owens makes music worth embracing, for many reasons
Not many people would rank Christopher Owens as the best pop singer and songwriter of the past 15 years.
 • 
Paul Mackie
The Wedding People helps a Brontë-like protagonist find her way in life
Perhaps I identify so much with author Alison Espach’s style because she got her master’s in creative writing at Washington University and now lives out…
 • 
Paul Mackie
The trash waste on your sidewalk is just beginning an epic journey
I love that my house is in a town that separately picks up not just our trash and recyclables weekly, but also our compost.
 • 
Paul Mackie
May Pop Culture RIPs: There goes a regular with the passing of Norm from Cheers
Yes, sure I loved watching Norm sit at the bar with all his lighthearted but self-deprecating jokes, but I like even more that George Wendt, the actor…
 • 
Paul Mackie

May 2025

Monthly Music Reviews: The sad story of Nell Smith accompanies my album of the month for May
Here’s what I was listening to this month.
 • 
Paul Mackie
Kurt Vonnegut clearly saw a future of overpopulation that would lead to many ethical questions
Kurt Vonnegut Complete Stories is one of the best gifts I’ve received in recent memory (thanks Dad) because he’s one of my favorite novelists and I have…
 • 
Paul Mackie
Pop-culture superstar interactions on Saturday Night Live and a newer wacky sketch show you've got to see
Lorne Michaels often says that the best Saturday Night Live cast is the one that was on TV when you were in high school.
 • 
Paul Mackie
© 2025 Paul Mackie
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture