Cineversary podcast honors 50th anniversary of Rocky

In Cineversary podcast episode #100, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ commemorates the 50th anniversary of Rocky, the ultimate underdog film from 1976 starring Sylvester Stallone. Returning to the show this month is Barna Donovan, a film professor at Saint Peter’s University and author of Blood, Guns, and Testosterone: Action Films, Audiences, and a Thirst for Violence. Together, they take a golden birthday victory lap up the Rocky Steps and examine why this film still matters, its immense impact on cinema, its lasting themes that continue to inspire viewers, and much more.

Barna Donovan

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

How to shop for the right soundbar

Watching an action-packed movie at home but playing the audio from your TV’s built-in speaker is like eating a Wagyu steak with a plastic spork. If you want to significantly improve your sound without shelling out for a high-end audio system with multiple speakers, opt for a soundbar. This long, rectangular device is much easier to install than traditional surround sound speakers and sits beneath your TV or mounts on the wall, making it ideal for lower-tech households and spatially-limited living spaces.

Learn more about how to pick the ideal soundbar for your space by reading my latest article for The Costco Connection, available here.

It's cheaper to rent than own in these 10 cities

Affordability issues can be found across goods and services, and Americans have been hit especially hard with rising housing prices in recent years. According to the Urban Institute, the average sales price for a home is $486,000 in the U.S., while the average monthly rent is $1,890. But the real story behind those numbers depends on where you live, how much you make, and how the cost of buying compares to renting.

Eager to learn which American cities are better for renting than buying? Read my latest article on this topic, available here.

Is your young adult covered? Here’s what parents need to know about insurance

Your kid isn’t a kid anymore. Maybe he’s off to college, or she’s boomeranged back home following graduation. Wherever they now live, be aware that your existing homeowners and car insurance policies may not cover your grown child the same way they’ve done in the past.

Welcome to the somewhat muddled middle years, when your offspring is technically an adult and quite possibly independent, but their insurance status remains at least somewhat dependent on you. It’s this “tweener” age that can cause lots of confusion for families and lead to incorrect assumptions.

Learn more about how to ensure you have the right car and home insurance coverage in place to safeguard your growing offspring by reading my latest article for The Zebra, available here.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 70th anniversary of Invasion of the Body Snatchers

In Cineversary podcast episode #99, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ honors Invasion of the Body Snatchers for its 70th anniversary. Joining him this month is Matthew Bernstein, a film professor at Emory University and author of the bookWalter Wanger, Hollywood Independent. Together, they expose those pernicious pod people and explore what makes this sci-fi horror film so rich and resonant seven decades later. 

Matthew Bernstein

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

Home improvement loan options to consider

Planning a renovation and not sure how to pay for it? From tapping your home equity to taking out a quick personal loan, the right financing depends on your project size, how much equity you have, and how fast you need the funds.

Read my newest article for The Mortgage Reports, in which I break down the six most common home improvement loan types, compare their rates and requirements, and help you figure out which one makes the most sense for your situation.

Old school radio horror stories that come alive in your mind

Decades ago, when radio was the dominant medium, networks would air dramatized tales of horror and mystery that were written by masters of the macabre.

Just in time for Halloween season, I list the greatest old time radio horror episodes of all time in my newest article for The Nostalgia Digest, available here.

Your repair shop and auto insurer don’t always agree: here’s what that means for you

If you’re like most drivers, it’s natural to assume that if your vehicle is damaged but covered by insurance, the road ahead is easy: just file a claim, drop off your car, and pick it up once it’s fixed. But the reality is trickier. Your insurer and the body shop may not agree on how the repairs should be done or how much they'll cover. This disparity could lead to frustrating delays, higher out-of-pocket costs, and running out of rental car coverage while your banged-up vehicle sits in limbo. 

Consider that nearly two in three auto repair shops recently surveyed report that carriers have regularly rejected their repair plans (with 818 estimates denied) and instead required shops to use the carrier’s estimate to submit additional damage.

Read my latest article for The Zebra to learn more about how the repair process actually works, your repair rights as the policyholder, the differences between OEM and aftermarket parts, when a supplemental claim is needed, how to protect yourself financially, and much more.

Cineversary podcast honors 75th birthday of A Streetcar Named Desire

In Cineversary podcast episode #98, host Erik J. Martin⁠⁠ salutes A Streetcar Named Desire on its 75th anniversary. Co-conductor on this streetcar trip is film critic Michael Phillips, host of his all-new podcast The Movie Racket. Together, they examine Elia Kazan’s savvy directing choices, Marlon Brando’s scene-stealing performance, why this movie continues to resonate, and much more.

Michael Phillips

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

Here's what you'll pay to close on a USDA loan

Eager to purchase a home in a rural location? A USDA loan is ideal for this scenario, for which no down payment is needed. But what's the catch, you wonder? There are a few requirements and caveats to be aware of, including the closing costs involved.

Learn more by checking out my newest article for USDALoans.com, available here.

Should you get a home warranty?

A home warranty is an annual service contract that helps cover repair or replacement costs for major home systems and appliances that fail due to normal wear and tear. But they don’t cover everything, and they are different from homeowners insurance and maintenance plans.

Who pays for a home warranty? What are the pros and cons? And what are the differences between a home warranty and home insurance? For answers to these and other important questions, read my latest article for Rocket Mortgage, available here.

Football season is here: Do you have winning insurance coverage?

NFL and college football season is about to kick off. That means game day gatherings, trips to the stadium, and tailgate parties are right around the corner.  But so are higher risks for drivers and homeowners due to the increased likelihood of intoxicated motorists and spectators, road rage, distracted driving, and the possibility of accidents during or after your watch party. 

This fall promises plenty of fun and excitement as you cheer on your favorite teams. But just remember to take precautions and check on your insurance coverage before attending or watching any gridiron showdowns. With the right policy protections in place, you can focus on pigskin priorities like winning the office pool and what condiments you’re going to put on your halftime hot dog. Learn more by reading my latest article for The Zebra, available here.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 40th anniversary of Blue Velvet

In Cineversary podcast episode #97, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ honor the 40th anniversary of Blue Velvet, directed by David Lynch. He’s joined this month by Deep Focus Review author Brian Eggert, named the 2024 Critic of the Year by the Independent Film Critics of America. Together, they explore what makes Blue Velvet so potent four decades later, its impressive Lynchian touches, what we can learn from the film today, and much, much more.

Brian Eggert

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com

Here's how much auto insurance costs by age

Curious how much car insurance is for drivers your age, on average? The data clearly show that car insurance rates decrease sharply from the teenage years through early adulthood, then gradually rise again around age 70. Sixteen-year-old drivers face the highest premiums, paying about $10,387 a year for full coverage — over three times more than a 30-year-old and more than four times more than a 50-year-old driver.

Rates begin to stabilize in the mid-20s as drivers gain experience and insurers see them as lower risk. By age 25, full coverage averages $3,044, dropping to $2,312 by age 60. However, rates start to inch back up for older drivers — around $2,742 at age 75 — reflecting increased accident risk among seniors.

Learn more by checking out my latest article for Carinsurance.com, available here.

Get your business off the ground with a home equity or SBA loan

Eager to start your own business, but need lots of extra cash? Both a home equity line of credit and a small business loan can fund a business startup, but these two loans work very differently. 

A HELOC uses your home as collateral and gives you a flexible, revolving line of credit at relatively low interest rates. But if your business fails, and you can’t repay the loan, your home is at risk. A Small Business Association, or SBA, loan, on the other hand, is backed by the federal government and it doesn't require home equity. But it takes longer to obtain, has stricter qualification requirements, and is intended specifically for business use. The right financing choice depends on your risk tolerance, equity position, and how quickly you need capital.

Read my newest article for Better.com to learn more.

You've closed on that new home. What happens next?

You’ve signed your paperwork. Your keys are in hand. It's time to move in and take ownership of your new home. But what exactly happens next?

It's normal to feel unsure about what to do after buying a house and the immediate steps involved thereafter. When is the first mortgage due after closing? What should I account for when creating a budget for my new home? What kinds of paperwork and homeownership tasks are involved? How and when should I change locks, set up utilities, and update address information? Read my latest article for Rocket Mortgage to get answers to these and other important questions.

Cineversary podcast celebrates 90th birthday of Swing Time

Brian Seibert and George Stevens Jr.

In Cineversary podcast episode #96, host ⁠Erik J. Martin⁠ commemorates the 90th anniversary of Swing Time, directed by George Stevens. Joining him on the dance floor is Brian Seibert, a renowned dance critic for The New York Times and author of the book What the Eye Hears: A History of Tap Dancing; and George Stevens Jr., son of the Swing Time director and founder of the American Film Institute. Together, they’ll examine why Swing Time is a cut above in the fancy footwork department, what elevates this material above other Fred and Ginger films, the exceptional songcraft on display, and much more.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com

Unexpected noir from afar

Directed and written by Kaneto Shindō, Onibaba (1964) is set in 14^th century feudal Japan during a time of civil war. The film follows the harrowing lives of two unnamed women — an older female (Nobuko Otowa) and her daughter-in-law (Jitsuko Yoshimura) — who survive by murdering passing samurai and foot soldiers and selling their belongings to Ushi, a black market trader. Their precarious existence is disrupted when a neighbor, Hachi (Kei Satō), returns from the war and forms a lustful relationship with the younger woman, creating swelling tension and, in her mother-in-law, overpowering jealousy. 

Yet, despite being a masterful blend of folk horror, psychological thriller, and Jidaigeki period drama, Onibaba cannot escape the long shadow of classic film noir. But is it a noir or not?  That's the question I attempt to answer in a Noir City magazine article that recently published, available here.

Fourth of July insurance mistakes to avoid

Planning a road trip or holiday hosting this Independence Day weekend? Many Americans are excited to celebrate the country’s semiquincentennial in just a few days. If last year’s travel numbers are repeated — an estimated 72.2 million people journeyed at least 50 miles or more from home over the Fourth of July holiday period in 2025 — we can expect a lot of drivers hitting the highways soon.

But while this July 4 is a surefire cause for celebration, it’s also peak season for insurance claims. Learn how to lower your liability risks and when to think twice about filing a holiday-related claim by reading my newest article on the topic, published by MSN. 

Should you DIY a home renovation or hire a pro?

With real estate and financing costs remaining sky high, it makes sense that many homeowners are choosing to stay put and invest dollars into upgrades and remodeling projects. In fact, a whopping 91% of homeowners surveyed by Houzz say they expect to renovate in 2026, and improvement spending is anticipated to reach $518 billion by the end of this year, per the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. 

Plenty of these folks will try to tackle the work themselves. Recent polling by Angi reveals that 71% of surveyed homeowners attempt DIY projects to save money, with nearly 3 in 4 respondents revealing they have confidence in their ability to manage a home improvement endeavor; yet 70% of homeowners fess up to experiencing problems with their DIY project, with 1 in 4 needing to hire a professional to fix or complete it.

Before attempting to fly solo on a home improvement job, it’s smart to carefully consider the hidden financial and insurance risks that can lead to serious DIY regret. Learn more by reading my newest article for The Zebra, available here.