Droopy Is Not A Looney Tune Character (ft. special guest, David Lowery)

The Empire Film Podcast dives into a dynamic episode featuring a mix of lighthearted banter, film news, and a deep-dive interview with director David Lowery about his new psychological pop drama, Mother Mary. The hosts kick off with a lively discussion on iconic prison breaks in cinema, ranging from the elaborate escape in Kung Fu Panda to the emotionally resonant Shawshank Redemption, before shifting to a thoughtful conversation on biopics—praising Better Man and Rocketman while criticizing the sanitized, hagiographic portrayal of Michael Jackson in the new film of the same name. The highlight of the episode is the interview with Lowery, who reveals how Mother Mary emerged from his personal fascination with pop music, his creative collaboration with Jack Antonoff and Charli XCX, and the intense, emotionally draining process of making a film that felt like an exorcism. The film, starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Cole, is described as a visually lush, psychologically intense, and musically rich experience that evolves into something surreal and deeply personal. The episode concludes with mixed reviews: Mother Mary and Apex receive strong four-star ratings, while Michael Jackson is harshly criticized for its lack of nuance and avoidance of the subject’s controversial legacy. The hosts express hope for a more honest sequel, underscoring the film’s ethical and artistic shortcomings.