Popcorn Over Plot

A Poem by Neha agrawal

“Popcorn Over Plot” mixes humor and nostalgia to point out how storytelling has been overshadowed by CGI, clichés, and chaos. This leaves popcorn as the only genuine element of the show.

“Don’t miss the start!” my uncle shouts.
“Back in the ‘90s, stories had soul, not likes!” Love took time, and trains were chased.
They weren’t just one-night stands in a bunch of jump cuts.

Now you blink, and it’s already halfway done.
The plot’s gone, but the trailer looked fun.
They sell us glitz without any real feeling, expecting applause as if that’s art.

Popcorn is now the star, steady and true.
It doesn’t pretend or do martial arts.
Unlike our hero,
who spins in the air and flips a jeep like he doesn’t care.

Physics? Forget it. Logic? What’s that?
The villain flew to Nepal on a barbeque.
Critics sip wine and declare with flair,
“Such raw emotion! You just don’t care.”

Vulgar is now “bold,” and sleaze is “brave.”
They chop up stories and sell what’s safe.
A nude here, a six-pack there,
but who cares why it matters?

And horror? Where do I even start?
It’s just fart jokes wrapped in a ghostly grin.
Wigs from hell and jump scares fall flat.
One ghost yelled “boo” and belly-flopped.

But sometimes, in this chaotic mess,
a real film lands, and we feel blessed.
No item girl, no flying kicks. Just pain, an actual plot, and characters that stick.

Then Twitter screams, “Now this is fire!”
From the same folks who promoted the empire of junk they hyped with every post.
Now suddenly, they care the most?

They sold us trash, and we waited in line.
We left the theater dazed, not moved, just stuck. Now they preach with poetic ease after years of CGI in our faces.

So here’s to popcorn " warm, honest, and loud. It’s the only truth in this sold-out crowd.
It never pretends, and it doesn’t fake.
It won’t do flips on a frozen lake.

Until they give us heart, not hype,
we’ll munch our snacks and roll our eyes. Cinema’s lost " but snacks survive,
and maybe that’s why we’re still alive.

© 2025 Neha agrawal

Author's Note

A few days ago, I went to watch a movie. While I was in line to buy popcorn, I had a funny thought. Maybe the popcorn is the real star these days. Many people arrived late, and some even left early because the movie just didn’t catch their interest. But no one forgot to finish their popcorn. They were bored by the film but completely focused on the snack! That's where the idea of writing came from.

My Review

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Reviews

jacob erin-cilberto

You know, Popcorn could just be the star.
I have seen two good movies in a row at the theater and these days that is a rarity.
I mostly enjoy watching the old films on Turner Classic Movies...the black and whites...they have soul and the actors actually act and have dialogue rather than revolving around special effects.
And I just finished eating some Orville Redenbacher's popcorn...Guess I can skp the movie now.
j.

Posted 5 Months Ago

View 1 more reply

5 Months Ago

"Sound of music" is one of my favorite movie as a classic one, amazing movie.

5 Months Ago

Here is a tidbit, Neha...Christopher Plummer hated that he was in Sound of Music...he didn't want to.. read more

5 Months Ago

Thanks for sharing the fact I didn't know but I truly love the movie and all the children and maria .. read more

Soren

A fun and unfortunately too true a poem. Following algorithms Hollywood makes films for the brainless and focus on what sells not for the brain it smells and you flush it down the drain. The pop corn still smells good but it needs extra fake butter. Loved the poem.

Posted 5 Months Ago

5 Months Ago

Haha thank you! Totally get you .fake butter wins, even if the plot doesn’t.

5 Months Ago

My pleasure

Kady R.

Hiii Nehaaa!!!

I thought this poem was sooo clever. "Popcorn is now the star" can resonate with most people.🤗🤗🤗 Something about that butter and the salt thats in it popcorn at the movies that make it an experience.

But for me food is the main star in my life. Whenever I eat something from my childhood, memories will pop up back into my head about it. Good memories good food with it. Similars to fragrances.

Thanks for sharing nostalgia🤗🤗🤗

Posted 5 Months Ago

5 Months Ago

Hiiiii!

Your message made me grin so wide! You're so right, popcorn at the movies is.. read more

5 Months Ago

Thanks Nehaaa!!! Thank you for your wonderful poem. I've shared it with my family already 🤗🤗�.. read more

Grumpie

Thought provoking! This fast consumption-production not only applies to film, thank goodness your writing is carefully filled with emotion, toppling to the brim!

Posted 5 Months Ago

5 Months Ago

Thank you so much that means a lot!
In a world racing through reels and skipping stories, i.. read more

Ayesha Faiz

This is clever, funny, and honest. You’ve captured how movies have changed with sharp wit and real emotion. The popcorn part was brilliantl. Simpe and enjoyable.
Lovely work here Neha.

Posted 6 Months Ago

6 Months Ago

Thank you so much! That really means a lot. I'm glad you enjoyed it. especially the popcorn part!

Fishysua

Your artistry shines through in this
I must disagree with the content, as the rose colored glasses of nostalgia make us forget the commercial garbage of our youth.