Hosted by Charlie Bennett and Christian Sager.
Paul Thomas Anderson's adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's Inherent Vice was embraced by some and puzzled others. But does a movie that's designed to be repeatedly re-watched automatically become a cult film?
Additional Resources
- Inherent Vice, Thomas Pynchon - 9781594202247
- What makes a cult film?
- NYFF 2014: 'Inherent Vice' and the contemporary cult hit
- Paul Thomas Anderson Wants to Adapt Thomas Pynchon’s Inherent Vice
- Pynchon’s Cameo, and Other Surrealities
- Paul Thomas Anderson’s Scientology Movie and Inherent Vice Adaptation Close to Finding Financing
- Paul Thomas Anderson On Inherent Vice
- A Director Continues His Quest
- Joaquin Phoenix’s ‘Inherent Vice’ Starting to Boost L.A. Production
In our 2016 holiday episode we look at the forgotten Christmas Eve tradition of telling ghost stories. M.R. James' work from over a hundred years ago best represents this Victorian trend, so in his honor we bring horror to academia and safe spaces.
Additional Resources:
- How Did Antiquarians Become Action Story Heroes?
- Ghost stories: why the Victorians were so spookily good at them
- Christmas Ghost Stories: The Ghost of Christmas Past Goes Further Back Than You Might Realize
- M. R. James' Ghost Stories Work Eerily Well in This Graphic Fiction Form
- Telling ghost stories is a lost tradition on Christmas Eve
Marvel's latest Netflix series Luke Cage incorporates ideas about diversity into the comic adaptation formula so more kids have heroes to look up to. We look at how its inclusivity and symbolism strive to achieve this forward thinking mission.
Additional Resources:
- Luke Cage Comics And Race-Based Unethical Medical Experiments
- The Making of Luke Cage: A Hero For This Moment
- The Biggest Problem With Netflix's Comic-Book Shows
- CREATING “LUKE CAGE,” THE FIRST WOKE BLACK-SUPERHERO SHOW
- Luke Cage producer compares Netflix's new Marvel series to The Wire
- Luke Cage, Mike Colter, and the "Wu-Tang-ification" of the Marvel Universe
- Here's how many people are watching 'Luke Cage' compared to other Netflix shows
- Why Netflix’s Luke Cage Is the Superhero We Really Need Now
- Inside the making of ‘Luke Cage,’ Marvel’s first black superhero show
- Why the Creator of Luke Cage Wanted to Make a “Hip-Hop Western”
In his new serialized novella Normal, Warren Ellis shows us how too much futurism can lead to "abyss gaze." Christian went to one of Ellis' few U.S. readings from the book and reports to Charlie on how social media is the new cosmic horror. And what's the difference between a foresight strategist and a strategic forecaster?
Addition Resources:
- Warren Ellis’ Normal Brings Readers a Serialized Digital Dystopia
- Warren Ellis' 'Normal' is a fast-paced dystopia about a burned-out futurist
- Warren Ellis Is Here to Talk About His New Book Normal, Gazing into the Abyss, and the Flaw in All Things
- ‘Internet Jesus’ Warren Ellis talks about the compulsion to write
- Detoxing with Warren Ellis, Whose Near-Future Vision of Digital Exhaustion is Probably Already Here
- In Warren Ellis' New Thriller Normal, Preparing For Humanity's Downfall Has A Price: Your Sanity
- Fiction and Anthropology: Interviewing Warren Ellis About Normal
- Can Serialized Fiction Convert Binge Watchers Into Binge Readers?
Regarded as one of the best graphic novels of our time, David Mazzucchelli’s Asterios Polyp is a story we all know in a way we’ve never seen before. We discuss Mazzucchelli’s decision to stop doing “assembly line comics” and take control of his works’ symbolism, formalism and experimentation.
Additional Resources:
- David Mazzucchelli at MoCCA
- Shades of Meaning Book Review | ‘Asterios Polyp,’ Written and Illustrated by David Mazzucchelli
- TCJ 300 Conversations: David Mazzucchelli & Dash Shaw
- Some Thoughts on Asterios Polyp
- Mazzuchelli’s Asterios Polyp and the Fine Line
- Annotations for Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli
Why do we miss the "simplicity" of the 1980s? Stranger Things effortlessly weaves our nostalgia into its narrative. But is too much nostalgia a good thing?
Additional Resources:
- Durham’s Duffer Brothers land on Netflix
- NETFLIX’S “STRANGER THINGS” IS A FLAWED BUT ENTERTAINING POP CULTURE LOVE LETTER
- The 5 Most Feminist Moments in Netflix’s Hit Summer Show Stranger Things
- ‘Stranger Things’ Ratings: Where Series Ranks Among Netflix’s Most Watched
- Netflix’s sci-fi throwback Stranger Things is yesterday’s summer blockbuster today
- Review: Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’ basks in ’80s nostalgia, doesn’t drown in it
- ‘Stranger Things’: Shawn Levy on Directing Winona Ryder, Netflix’s Viral Model
- Nostalgic nightmares: how Netflix made Stranger Things a watercooler smash
One of the best horror writers of our time is experimenting with genre and structure in his new “mosaic novel” collection of stories. How does Laird Barron bring together Alaska, dogs, cosmic horror and inevitable death to make a new kind of literature?
Additional Resources
- Laird Barron - Official Author Site
- They Who Dwell In The Cracks
- There’s Always Something Worse – A Conversation With Laird Barron
- Look Out For … Thin Air by Michelle Paver and Swift To Chase by Laird Barron
- Book Review: Laird Barron – Swift To Chase (2016)
- On H.P Lovecraft’s Heritage, the Genesis of Swift to Chase and the Importance of Not Judging your Characters, a Conversation with Laird Barron
- Bookshots: “Swift To Chase” by Laird Barron
- This Is Horror: Book Review, “Swift To Chase” by Laird Barron
- Review: Swift To Chase
- A Review of “Swift To Chase” by Laird Barron
This episode we try to understand how a television show about anti-capitalism was distributed by a corporate network. Did tapping into the “angry young man” archetype allow Mr. Robot to predict Donald Trump’s presidency?
Additional Resources:
- Wealth disparity, hackers and cyber threats in ‘Mr. Robot’
- ‘Mr. Robot’ Creator Also Thinks It’s Weird That Things In The Show Keep Coming True
- 'Mr. Robot’ Creator on the Sony Hack, Antiheroes and the Dangers of Facebook
- “MR. ROBOT” AND THE ANGRY YOUNG MAN
- Mr. Robot creator explains why you were supposed to guess the big twist
- 'Mr. Robot’: Creator Sam Esmail On Transitioning The Show From Feature Film To Pilot And More
- How the Mr. Robot Finale Tumbled Backward into Its Most Piercing Social Message Yet
- The Human Drama Of Hacking Fuels TV Thriller 'Mr. Robot’
- Mr. Robot Is the Best Hacking Show Yet—But It’s Not Perfect
- Mr. Robot: Season One Ratings
With the release of stand up comedian Kyle Kinane’s new album “Loose in Chicago,” we try to understand his process of mixing “scumbag stories” with contrarian confessions. And after a recent comedy show gone sour, we wonder what kind of etiquette to expect from live audiences.
Additional Resources
Filmmaker John Carpenter describes The Thing, Prince of Darkness, and In the Mouth of Madness as his "Apocalypse Trilogy." With the expertise of special guest Jack Bennett, we aim to find out why. It may have something to do with cosmic horror, nihilism, misanthropy and the futility of human existence.
Additional Resources:
- Jack Bennett
- “The Classics: John Carpenter’s ‘Apocalypse Trilogy’”
- “Cosmic Horror in John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy”
- “A Slow Descent Into Madness: Revisiting John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy”
- No Sleep October: John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy
- John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy: A Look Back
While examining Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta’s sci-fi/western comic EAST OF WEST, we consider big ideas, character development and representation of diversity in storytelling. Also, with all its violence, sex and philosophy… would this make the perfect HBO series?
Additional Resources:
- The Four Horsemen Ride In Hickman’s “East of West”
- Hickman Points “East of West” In The Right Direction
- Image Expo 2013: Dragotta Heads “East of West”
- A Very American Apocalypse: The Politics of the End Times in “East of West”
- Apocalypse Later: Jonathan Hickman’s brilliant ‘East of West’ comic is the end of the world as we know it
- Is it Good? “East of West Vol. 1. The Promise” Review
PJ Harvey’s latest album is her interpretation of the ironies of war. So why are Washington D.C. politicians criticizing it? And how did its production in a public setting contribute to Harvey’s overall artistic project?
Additional Resources:
Why didn't the dark Marvel superhero Netflix series "Jessica Jones" live up to our expectations? We look at the intersection of corporate entertainment, feminism and creativity to find out. Along the way we uncover the creepy secret of how your binge watching is being tracked by telephone surveillance.
Every year science fiction writer and futurist Bruce Sterling gives a “state of the world” presentation at SXSW Interactive. We consider his remarks from this year and what they mean for politics, social media and surveillance.
iTunes direct link
Additional Resources:
We go to the vault in this episode, pulling out our take on True Detective’s second season. Is “it all” Nic Pizzolatto? And if so, do both the blame and accolades lay at his feet?
While talking about the dark fantasy comic “Locke and Key,” we get drawn into the complicated media world surrounding adaptations and monetization. Are comics the best engine for creative, collaborative storytelling? We look at Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez’s partnership to find out.
Additional Resources
- Gabriel Rodriguez reflects on “Locke and Key”
- About IDW Media Holdings
- “Locke and Key” Returns With One-Shot “Small World”
Looking back on the television series HANNIBAL, we’re enamored with its attention to detail. But how did this gruesome slash fiction make its way to network television? Charlie thinks it’s because this is a “wet” show. Christian thinks it’s Bryan Fuller performing a miracle.
Additional Resources
- Gaumont International TV CEO Katie O’Connell Marsh on Fate of ‘Hannibal,’ ‘Cynical’ Content Bubble Hype
- Hannibal’s powerful visuals make it one of the best shows of 2013
- ‘Hannibal’ cinematographer James Hawkinson on the show’s disturbing, dark beauty
- Hannibal: The TV Show That Went Too Far
- Hannibal showrunner: 'We are not making television. We are making a pretentious art film from the 80s’
- 'Hannibal’: Meet the Chef Who Makes “Cannibal Cuisine” Look So Delicious
- Feeding Hannibal – Janice Poon’s Blog
- How to Cook a Human with Hannibal’s Bryan Fuller and Chef Jose Andres
- Killer Food: Dissecting Jose Andres’ Culinary Visions For NC Series “Hannibal”
- Hannibal: How TV’s most gorgeous, pretentious drama has managed to survive
- Did pirates kill ‘Hannibal’?
- There Is A Simple Reason No One Is Watching NBC’s Excellent 'Hannibal’
- Why ‘Hannibal’ Was Shut Out By The Emmys
- Acceptable level of TV violence is ever shifting for viewers, execs
- STUDY: Violence Increasing in TV Dramas — Especially on NBC
In anticipation of the Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album “Skeleton Tree” and its accompanying documentary “One More Time With Feeling,” we discuss the tragedy of losing a child and its effect on art, performance and persona.
Additional Resources
The 2015 Hugo Awards showed us what happens when science fiction/fantasy fandom turns on itself. A year later we look back at the arguments and manipulations of all the parties involved: Sad Puppies, Rabid Puppies and everyone else. Given how similar this controversy’s rhetoric is to the 2016 presidential election, should we look at cultural moments like this as predictors of larger issues in society?
If you’re interested in how the Hugos went this year, here’s Verge’s summary of the event.
Additional Resources:
- Who Won Science Fiction’s Hugo Awards, and Why It Matters
- Oh No, the Puppies Are Back for the 2016 Hugo Awards—and As Angry As Ever
- Hugo awards shortlist dominated by rightwing campaign
- The Puppy Wars Resume by George R.R. Martin
- Hugo Award nominations spark criticism over diversity in sci-fi
- Hugo Award Withdrawls
- Are the Hugo nominees really the best sci-fi books of the year?
- This year’s Hugo Award nominees are a messy political controversy
- The Final Lessons From This Year’s Hugo Awards Clusterfrak
Charlie and Christian examine DC Comics’ latest attempt to reinvent their publishing line. Is it really about defeating despair with hope, as writer/executive Geoff Johns has said? And is this friendly to new readers? We also look at the ethical implications of using characters from “Watchmen” in an attempt to create a shared universe with an emotionally compelling narrative.
Additional Resources:
- “A Layman’s Guide To Why People Are Flipping Out Over DC Comics Rebirth #1″ by Susanna Polo
- ‘Rebirth’: Geoff Johns Talks About Bringing Hope Back to the DC Universe by Graeme McMillan
- The Wait, What? Roundtable! Speedy Edition: DC Universe: Rebirth
- io9 Round Table: What We Loved and Hated About DC Comics: Rebirth
Looking back on the Batman film “The Dark Knight,” does it stand for anything? Or does it simply soak up whatever morals we bring to it? Christopher Nolan’s intentions remain mysterious, but we do our best to figure them out.
Additional Resources
- JOHNSON, V. (2014). ‘It’s What You Do that Defines You:’ Christopher Nolan’s Batman as Moral Philosopher. Journal Of Popular Culture, 47(5), 952. doi:10.1111/jpcu.12181
- The Dark Knight of the American Empire
- Hunting The Dark Knight : Twenty-First Century Batman. London: I.B.Tauris
- Dive Deep Into the Making of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy With This Documentary
The Elmore Leonard character “Raylan Givens” from JUSTIFIED speaks to Charlie and Christian. For some reason he makes us feel safe and in control. Is he a barometer for the current state of America?
Additional Resources:
In an unusually giddy, slaphappy episode, Charlie & Christian try to understand how Game of Thrones' sixth season was made. When does an adaptation stop being an adaptation? What happens when it passes -- and surpasses -- its source material?
n an unusually giddy, slaphappy episode, Charlie & Christian try to understand how Game of Thrones’ sixth season was made. When does an adaptation stop being an adaptation? What happens when it passes – and surpasses – its source material?
Additional Resources:
- Last Year (Winds of Winter) post by George R.R. Martin
Is media better when its creators have total control? We look at the first volume of SAGA and explore issues of ownership, censorship and salesmanship with this near perfect comic book.
Additional Resources
Quentin Tarantino’s either an idiot savant or a savvy businessman with his latest film The Hateful Eight. So we cover script leaks, film stock, Black Lives Matter protests, police boycotts and much more about the making of this film to figure out why it’s so damn compelling.
Additional resources:
- How Quentin Tarantino Resurrected Ultra Panavision 70 for ‘The Hateful Eight’
- Who leaked the Hateful Eight script and almost killed Quentin Tarantino’s movie?
- ‘The Hateful Eight’ Ending Comparison: How Does the Movie Differ from the Original Script?
- Ennio Morricone Goes Inside ‘Hateful Eight’ Soundtrack
- Ennio Morricone Tells the Secrets of His Hateful Eight Soundtrack
- Quentin Tarantino set to shoot “Hateful Eight” in Colorado
- Why Quentin Tarantino Is Shooting Hateful Eight In Colorado And What He’ll Spend His Budget On
- Quentin Tarantino responds to police boycott calls: The complete conversation
- No, Police Boycotts Against Quentin Tarantino Didn’t Cause 'The Hateful Eight’ To Flop