Arthouse, Action Movies, Auteur Theory and Adventure Films, Highbrow Lowbrow is the podcast that has it all.
Podcast hosts Steve Powell and Dan Slattery argue about the merits, or lack thereof, of high and low culture. Steve and Dan each pick one film that could be classified as either highbrow or lowbrow and have to defend their choice to each other, even though they know it’s a film the other person hates.
Get ready for some good-natured debates, verbal jousting and celebrity gossip that will get you thinking about the films you adore and the reasons you love them.
Volker Schlöndorff Special: The Ogre vs. The Handmaid's Tale
Welcome to Highbrow Lowbrow. The show where our podcast hosts Steve Powell and Dan Slattery pit high art against low culture.
In this episode dedicated to the films of German director Volker Schlöndorff, Steve discusses The Ogre, a World War Two drama which was never theatrically released in the US or UK but features one of John Malkovich's finest performances.
Dan's choice is The Handmaid's Tale. This big-screen adaptation of Margaret Atwood's classic novel has been somewhat overshadowed by the television version, but Dan argues that it shouldn't be ignored.
Will we convert you into Schlondorff aficionados, dear listener? Let's find out. Beware spoilers. Enjoy the show...
1 Jan 2025
Nicolas Roeg Special: Eureka vs. Castaway
Welcome to Highbrow Lowbrow, the show where our podcast hosts Steve Powell and Dan Slattery pit high art against low culture.
In this episode dedicated to the work of Nicolas Roeg, we look at two films helmed by one of Britain’s most avant-garde directors.
Steve’s pick is Eureka, a big-budget disaster that nearly destroyed Roeg’s career when it was released. Steve argues that its arty mix of colonial-era murder mystery and Caribbean courtroom drama is an overlooked gem.
Dan’s choice is Castaway, in which Amanda Donohoe and Oliver Reed agree to spend a year living together on a deserted, tropical island. Will they survive the forces of nature and being in each other’s company for all that time?
We hope you enjoy our Nicolas Roeg choices, and as for which is best, as always, dear listener, the final decision is up to you. Beware spoilers, and enjoy the show...
25 Dec 2024
Christmas Carvery: Black Christmas vs. Violent Night
Welcome to Highbrow Lowbrow, the show where our podcast hosts Steve Powell and Dan Slattery pit high art against low culture.
In this claret-themed episode, Steve watches sorority sisters come to a sticky end in Black Christmas, the film that launched a thousand slasher movies. Just where are those phone calls coming from?
Dan's pick sees (the real) Santa brutally dispatch some home invaders using ice skates and candy canes during one Violent Night. But will little Trudy's parents kiss and make up?
Our Christmas Carvery is open for business, dear listener. Come and feast your ears, mind the spoilers and enjoy the slay-ride....
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
46,266
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
46
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
68
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