Movies We Dig: The Ancient World on Film
162 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsIs it a movie podcast? Is it a history podcast? Is it an unholy union of the two? Short answer: yes!
Each episode, hosts Colin MacCormack, Elijah Fleming and Christie Vogler break down a new movie about Greece, Rome or the wider ancient world and what works (or doesn’t work) about them. But this isn’t a podcast for nitpicking historical inaccuracies. Rather, it’s a chance to get hot takes on Hollywood films from professional nerds/academics and take a closer look at the relation between our movies and our pasts.
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Episodes
Episode 44 – Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), with David S. Anderson
May 25, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 96.1 MBWe continue our excavation of the Indiana Jones franchise with its fourth (but not final) installment. Joining us is Mesoamerican archaeologist and expert in (combating) pseudo-archaeology, David S. Anderson. We dig into adapting Indiana Jones to the modern age, the troubling history of pseudo-science plaguing archaeology and where we think this franchise could and should go. The fifth film is currently in the works...
Episode 43 – Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), with Kara Cooney and Jordan Galczynski
May 20, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 92.7 MBAfter much ado, we finally tackle the big question: why did it have to be snakes? Joined by Egyptologists and hosts of the Afterlives with Kara Cooney podcast, Kara Cooney and Jordan Galczynski, we uncover Steven Spielberg's 1981 archaeology-adventure classic, Raiders of the Lost Ark. We talk real vs. fantasy archaeology and the myths and ideals embraced/propagated by Indiana Jones. We also discuss our own personal Belloqs (re: nemesis), where artifacts do(n't) belong, the relation between g...
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), with Kara Cooney and Jordan Galczynski
May 20, 2022 07:00 - 1 hour - 92.7 MBAfter much ado, we finally tackle the big question: why did it have to be snakes? Joined by Egyptologists and hosts of the Afterlives with Kara Cooney podcast, Kara Cooney and Jordan Galczynski, we uncover Steven Spielberg's 1981 archaeology-adventure classic, Raiders of the Lost Ark. We talk real vs. fantasy archaeology and the myths and ideals embraced/propagated by Indiana Jones. We also discuss our own personal Belloqs (re: nemesis), where artifacts do(n't) belong, the relation between g...
The Emperor’s Club (2002)
April 27, 2022 06:36 - 1 hour - 105 MBThis episode, it's all about the three C's of classical education: Caesar, Cicero and Cheating at trivia contests. We dig into The Emperor's Club (2002), the oft-forgotten antithesis to Dead Poets Society about how Kevin Kline instills soon-to-be-famous teen actors with moral rigor among by talking about Rome. We discuss the value and shortcomings of teaching classical civilizations, our own pedagogical knacks and how much we'd charge to help an eccentric millionaire cheat at his own trivia ...
Episode 42 – The Emperor’s Club (2002)
April 27, 2022 06:36 - 1 hour - 105 MBThis episode, it's all about the three C's of classical education: Caesar, Cicero and Cheating at trivia contests. We dig into The Emperor's Club (2002), the oft-forgotten antithesis to Dead Poets Society about how Kevin Kline instills soon-to-be-famous teen actors with moral rigor among by talking about Rome. We discuss the value and shortcomings of teaching classical civilizations, our own pedagogical knacks and how much we'd charge to help an eccentric millionaire cheat at his own trivia ...
Atlantis (2013), with Liv Albert
April 06, 2022 06:03 - 1 hour - 107 MBOr as we like to call it "It Should Have Been Set on Crete." Join us with special guest from Let's Talk About Myths, Baby! Liv Albert as we dive into the semi-historical, semi-mythological world (maybe alternate dimension?) of BBC's Atlantis (2013). This show is a real who's who of mythological characters and British character actors (Vincent Reagan once again graces our screens). We get Oedipus, Minos, Ariadne, Pasiphae, Circe and many others. At the center of our adventure are our heroes:...
Episode 41 – Atlantis (2013), with Liv Albert
April 06, 2022 06:03 - 1 hour - 107 MBOr as we like to call it "It Should Have Been Set on Crete." Join us with special guest from Let's Talk About Myths, Baby! Liv Albert as we dive into the semi-historical, semi-mythological world (maybe alternate dimension?) of BBC's Atlantis (2013). This show is a real who's who of mythological characters and British character actors (Vincent Reagan once again graces our screens). We get Oedipus, Minos, Ariadne, Pasiphae, Circe and many others. At the center of our adventure are our heroes:...
Episode 40 – Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey (2018), with Deb Trusty
March 30, 2022 06:48 - 1 hour - 80.6 MBBack again with yet another video game! Joined by expert archaeologist and gamer, Deb Trusty, we dig into Assassin's Creed's take on 5th century BCE Greece. We talk the sites, sounds and characters of Greece circa the Peloponnesian War; what we like, what we quibble over and the pleasure of being able to experience the ancient world first hand through the medium of games. At the end of the day, all we love all archaeological sites, except Gla. You can find more of Deb Trusty talking video g...
Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey (2018), with Deb Trusty
March 30, 2022 06:48 - 1 hour - 80.6 MBBack again with yet another video game! Joined by expert archaeologist and gamer, Deb Trusty, we dig into Assassin's Creed's take on 5th century BCE Greece. We talk the sites, sounds and characters of Greece circa the Peloponnesian War; what we like, what we quibble over and the pleasure of being able to experience the ancient world first hand through the medium of games. At the end of the day, all we love all archaeological sites, except Gla. You can find more of Deb Trusty talking video g...
Centurion (2010)
March 23, 2022 06:39 - 1 hour - 78 MBWe tackle yet another late-aughts violent historical epic featuring a Roman centurion, painted barbarians and *sigh* the 9th Legion. This Gladiator-aspirant feels like a generic assemblage of every cliche from the last 60 years of sword and sandal films (along with more recent fantasy and war films); almost every discrete parts feels lifted from at least half-a-dozen other movies. For us, the most frustrating part is the movie touches on interesting ideas and themes concerning life in Roman ...
Episode 39 – Centurion (2010)
March 23, 2022 06:39 - 1 hour - 78 MBWe tackle yet another late-aughts violent historical epic featuring a Roman centurion, painted barbarians and *sigh* the 9th Legion. This Gladiator-aspirant feels like a generic assemblage of every cliche from the last 60 years of sword and sandal films (along with more recent fantasy and war films); almost every discrete parts feels lifted from at least half-a-dozen other movies. For us, the most frustrating part is the movie touches on interesting ideas and themes concerning life in Roman ...
Episode 38 – The Mummy (1999), with Amy Pistone
March 09, 2022 06:18 - 1 hour - 101 MBWhat's a place like me doing in a podcast like this? That's right we're jumping across the Mediterranean to Egypt to talk about everyone's favorite curse-dealing, gun-slinging, action-adventure-horror-remake : The Mummy (1999). Joined by super awesome special guest and expert on all things 'the Rock', Amy Pistone, we get into this movie's horror origins, early 20th century archaeology and what exactly makes a king "Scorpion."
The Mummy (1999), with Amy Pistone
March 09, 2022 06:18 - 1 hour - 101 MBWhat's a place like me doing in a podcast like this? That's right we're jumping across the Mediterranean to Egypt to talk about everyone's favorite curse-dealing, gun-slinging, action-adventure-horror-remake : The Mummy (1999). Joined by super awesome special guest and expert on all things 'the Rock', Amy Pistone, we get into this movie's horror origins, early 20th century archaeology and what exactly makes a king "Scorpion."
Episode 37 – Hadestown (2019), with Sam Lipert
February 25, 2022 14:21 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBWhy do we build the podcast? We build the podcast to set us free! This week we shift gears into musical theater with very special super guest Sam Lipert, a Lynchburg student taking the professors to class on Hadestown, a Tony-winning musical which made its Broadway debut in 2019. We get into stagecraft, aesthetics and how creators Anaïs Mitchell and Rachel Chavkin adapt Greek myth to the modern theater (with nods to ancient tragedy). Also hear our favorite songs and moments from a veritable...
Hadestown (2019), with Sam Lipert
February 25, 2022 14:21 - 1 hour - 61.4 MBWhy do we build the podcast? We build the podcast to set us free! This week we shift gears into musical theater with very special super guest Sam Lipert, a Lynchburg student taking the professors to class on Hadestown, a Tony-winning musical which made its Broadway debut in 2019. We get into stagecraft, aesthetics and how creators Anaïs Mitchell and Rachel Chavkin adapt Greek myth to the modern theater (with nods to ancient tragedy). Also hear our favorite songs and moments from a veritable...
Superbowl Commercials (2004-2022)
February 16, 2022 06:38 - 37 minutes - 37.2 MBWe're here with a very special bonus episode on Superbowl commercials past and present. We dig into three classically themed features from 2022's Superbowl LVI as well as a special throwback to the distant year of 2004. Listen us argue for a Marxist interpretation of a Pepsi add, pitch a quirky comedy featuring a retired Zeus and discuss why classical antiquity seems to be having a moment in our current pop-culture landscape.
Bonus Episode – Superbowl Commercials (2004-2022)
February 16, 2022 06:38 - 37 minutes - 37.2 MBWe're here with a very special bonus episode on Superbowl commercials past and present. We dig into three classically themed features from 2022's Superbowl LVI as well as a special throwback to the distant year of 2004. Listen us argue for a Marxist interpretation of a Pepsi add, pitch a quirky comedy featuring a retired Zeus and discuss why classical antiquity seems to be having a moment in our current pop-culture landscape.
Episode 36 – King Arthur (2004)
February 09, 2022 06:38 - 1 hour - 85.9 MBWe're back to look at the more action adventures following the success of Gladiator and writer David Franzoni's next project: King Arthur (2004). Here, Antoine Fuqua directs a gritty re-imagining of Arthurian legend in the final years of the Roman Empire. We get into the mid-00's obsession for gritty realism, the NEW archaeological 'discoveries' and esoteric Celtic spiritualism which inspired this movie, along with riveting discussion of the Roman fort of Vindolanda, our favorite Knights of...
King Arthur (2004)
February 09, 2022 06:38 - 1 hour - 85.9 MBWe're back to look at the more action adventures following the success of Gladiator and writer David Franzoni's next project: King Arthur (2004). Here, Antoine Fuqua directs a gritty re-imagining of Arthurian legend in the final years of the Roman Empire. We get into the mid-00's obsession for gritty realism, the NEW archaeological 'discoveries' and esoteric Celtic spiritualism which inspired this movie, along with riveting discussion of the Roman fort of Vindolanda, our favorite Knights of...
Gladiator (2000)
January 24, 2022 12:30 - 1 hour - 107 MBWe're back for the big one (because it sold us queer giraffes!). A critical and commercial hit, Gladiator spawned a revival for a genre that had been presumed dead for at least 40 years. It also inspired, for better or worse, no small amount in interest in ancient Rome over the last two decades. We get into all the details of this movie, its legacy and the impact its vision of Rome had on 21st audiences. Plus, we share our hopes and dreams for upcoming, albeit unnecessary, Gladiator 2.
Episode 35 – Gladiator (2000)
January 24, 2022 06:30 - 1 hour - 107 MBWe're back for the big one (because it sold us queer giraffes!). A critical and commercial hit, Gladiator spawned a revival for a genre that had been presumed dead for at least 40 years. It also inspired, for better or worse, no small amount in interest in ancient Rome over the last two decades. We get into all the details of this movie, its legacy and the impact its vision of Rome had on 21st audiences. Plus, we share our hopes and dreams for upcoming, albeit unnecessary, Gladiator 2.
Cleopatra (1970), with Chiara Sulprizio
December 16, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 42.8 MBGet ready for a real trip back to ancient Egypt, where Caesar is green, triumphs feature sports cars and gladiators bring handguns to the arena. Joined by animation expert Chiara Sulprizio, we dig into this animated adult fantasy/sci-fi/historical epic by Osamu Tezuka and Eiichi Yamamoto. This is really one of the wilder takes on ancient history we've ever seen and even if it's not your bag - which for many it probably won't be - it is definitely worth a viewing, if only to take in its sheer...
Episode 34 – Cleopatra (1970)
December 16, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 42.8 MBGet ready for a real trip back to ancient Egypt, where Caesar is green, triumphs feature sports cars and gladiators bring handguns to the arena. Joined by animation expert Chiara Sulprizio, we dig into this animated adult fantasy/sci-fi/historical epic by Osamu Tezuka and Eiichi Yamamoto. This is really one of the wilder takes on ancient history we've ever seen and even if it's not your bag - and for many it probably won't be - it's definitely worth a viewing just to take in its sheer wildne...
Episode 34 – Cleopatra (1970), with Chiara Sulprizio
December 16, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 42.8 MBGet ready for a real trip back to ancient Egypt, where Caesar is green, triumphs feature sports cars and gladiators bring handguns to the arena. Joined by animation expert Chiara Sulprizio, we dig into this animated adult fantasy/sci-fi/historical epic by Osamu Tezuka and Eiichi Yamamoto. This is really one of the wilder takes on ancient history we've ever seen and even if it's not your bag - which for many it probably won't be - it is definitely worth a viewing, if only to take in its sheer...
Fellini Satyricon (1969), with Sarah Bond and Gregory Hays
November 24, 2021 11:30 - 53 minutes - 38.8 MBThis is simultaneously an excavation of both Imperial Rome and late 60's Italian cinema. Joined by the amazing Sarah E. Bond and Gregory Hays, we dig into Frederico Fellini's dreamlike, even frenetic, adaptation of the Satyricon by Petronius. This is a film which has a lot of offer when it comes to classical reception. In lieu of 'historically accuracy' (if we care about such things), Fellini presents us with a fantastical and at times unnerving vision of ancient Rome. In some ways, Fellini ...
Episode 33 – Fellini Satyricon (1969), with Sarah Bond and Gregory Hays
November 24, 2021 05:30 - 53 minutes - 38.8 MBThis is simultaneously an excavation of both Imperial Rome and late 60's Italian cinema. Joined by the amazing Sarah E. Bond and Gregory Hays, we dig into Frederico Fellini's dreamlike, even frenetic, adaptation of the Satyricon by Petronius. This is a film which has a lot of offer when it comes to classical reception. In lieu of 'historically accuracy' (if we care about such things), Fellini presents us with a fantastical and at times unnerving vision of ancient Rome. In some ways, Fellini ...
Interview with Charley & Vlas Parlapanides (Blood of Zeus), with Zoé Elise Thomas
November 10, 2021 12:30 - 1 hour - 80.7 MBIn a very special episode, Colin, Eli, Christie and special guest Zoé Thomas sit down with Charley and Vlas Parlapanides, the creators and head writers of Blood of Zeus (2020). We dig into the brothers' inspirations for the show, their strong ties to Greece and Greek culture and their approach to a forward-thinking adaption of ancient myth. Other discussion topics include the underappreciated tradition of Helen in Egypt, fully funded dream projects and "monster tiddies".
Episode 32 – Interview with Charley & Vlas Parlapanides (Blood of Zeus), with Zoé Elise Thomas
November 10, 2021 06:30 - 1 hour - 80.7 MBIn a very special episode, Colin, Eli, Christie and special guest Zoé Thomas sit down with Charley and Vlas Parlapanides, the creators and head writers of Blood of Zeus (2020). We dig into the brothers' inspirations for the show, their strong ties to Greece and Greek culture and their approach to a forward-thinking adaption of ancient myth. Other discussion topics include the underappreciated tradition of Helen in Egypt, fully funded dream projects and "monster tiddies".
The Last Legion (2007), with Ayelet Haimson Lushkov & Pramit Chaudhuri
November 04, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 76 MBSometimes we review movies we're very passionate about and sometimes we review The Last Legion. Fortunately we have special guests Ayelet Haimson Lushkov and Pramit Chaudhuri, hosts of Calcutta Arthouse Podcast, to save Rome(?) with us. Where to even begin with this one. It's a movie where every scene and line of dialogue competes to be the most absurd, confusing or just ridiculously hammy thing every put to screen. There's something to be unpacked about the way this movie wholeheartedly emb...
Episode 31 – The Last Legion (2007), with Ayelet Haimson Lushkov & Pramit Chaudhuri
November 04, 2021 06:00 - 1 hour - 76 MBSometimes we review movies we're very passionate about and sometimes we review The Last Legion. Fortunately we have special guests Ayelet Haimson Lushkov and Pramit Chaudhuri, hosts of Calcutta Arthouse Podcast, to save Rome(?) with us. Where to even begin with this one. It's a movie where every scene and line of dialogue competes to be the most absurd, confusing or just ridiculously hammy thing every put to screen. There's something to be unpacked about the way this movie wholeheartedly emb...
Hades (2020), with Donna Zuckerberg
October 27, 2021 05:30 - 1 hour - 73.5 MBJoined by super extra awesome guest Donna Zuckerberg, we dig not down but up and out of hell with the 2020 rogue-like (or rogue-lite) dungeon crawler Hades by Supergiant Games. Yes we've switched gears to video games, which are like movies, but ones you play. Pretty early on we reveal we're all BIG fans of this game and we really relish getting to dive into the all the many creative, engaging and inclusive ways it merges mythology, storytelling and game-play into one fantastic package.
Episode 30 – Hades (2020), with Donna Zuckerberg
October 27, 2021 05:30 - 1 hour - 73.5 MBJoined by super extra awesome guest Donna Zuckerberg, we dig not down but up and out of hell with the 2020 rogue-like (or rogue-lite) dungeon crawler Hades by Supergiant Games. Yes we've switched gears to video games, which are like movies, but ones you play. Pretty early on we reveal we're all BIG fans of this game and we really relish getting to dive into the all the many creative, engaging and inclusive ways it merges mythology, storytelling and game-play into one fantastic package.
The Odyssey (1997), with Deborah Beck
October 21, 2021 05:30 - 1 hour - 73.9 MBWe're back at Troy, where shirts are optional, digging up an artifact from a bygone era: late 90's television. Joined by the wonderful Dr. Deborah Beck, expert Homerist from UT Austin, we we break down the 1997 Hallmark miniseries, The Odyssey. This movie, by its director's own omission hones in on the action-adventure aspects of Homer's Odyssey. But, we scholars ruminate, are those really the best parts of the story? We mediate again on the pitfalls of sticking to the plot of a story while ...
Episode 29 – The Odyssey (1997), with Deborah Beck
October 21, 2021 05:30 - 1 hour - 73.9 MBWe're back at Troy, where shirts are optional, digging up an artifact from a bygone era: late 90's television. Joined by the wonderful Dr. Deborah Beck, expert Homerist from UT Austin, we we break down the 1997 Hallmark miniseries, The Odyssey. This movie, by its director's own omission hones in on the action-adventure aspects of Homer's Odyssey. But, we scholars ruminate, are those really the best parts of the story? We mediate again on the pitfalls of sticking to the plot of a story while ...
Episode 28 – Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
October 13, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 117 MBDo you even Argo bro?!? Christie Vogler is back with us again but we've decided to leave her name out of the title tos ave money on digital ink. We're back with Ray Harryhausen's most celebrated film, Jason and the Argonauts, in which Colin's cat does battle with a Zoom background of Talos, the Bronze Giant. Should this movie actually be a heist film? Is Jason really such a hero? Why do we expect historic/mythic settings to feature British accents? How do special effects affect storytelling,...
Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
October 13, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 117 MBDo you even Argo bro?!? Christie Vogler is back with us again but we've decided to leave her name out of the title tos ave money on digital ink. We're back with Ray Harryhausen's most celebrated film, Jason and the Argonauts, in which Colin's cat does battle with a Zoom background of Talos, the Bronze Giant. Should this movie actually be a heist film? Is Jason really such a hero? Why do we expect historic/mythic settings to feature British accents? How do special effects affect storytelling,...
Clash of the Titans (1981)
October 06, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 97.6 MBWe're back with our first episode of season 2. Joined by threepeat guest and avowed servant of Rita Repulsa, the always amazing Dr. Vogler, we dig into Ray Harryhausen's 1981 Clash of the Titans. Naturally, we spend the first 5 minutes talking about our speaking habits and fancy vocab words before getting to the actual movie, but his film is fascinating to us both as a work of classical reception and as an artifact of modern cinema. It's a fairly down the middle adaptation of a myth and perh...
Episode 27 – Clash of the Titans (1981), with Christie Vogler
October 06, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 97.6 MBWe're back with our first episode of season 2. Joined by threepeat guest and avowed servant of Rita Repulsa, the always amazing Dr. Vogler, we dig into Ray Harryhausen's 1981 Clash of the Titans. Naturally, we spend the first 5 minutes talking about our speaking habits and fancy vocab words before getting to the actual movie, but his film is fascinating to us both as a work of classical reception and as an artifact of modern cinema. It's a fairly down the middle adaptation of a myth and perh...
Proem for Season 2
September 30, 2021 23:59 - 9 minutes - 8.96 MBAfter a short hiatus, we're back to announce MWD will be returning for another season. More movies, more not-movies, all the hot-takes. We talk briefly about our vision for the show and tease some upcoming films, shows and video games we'll be discussing. You can also read more about our past and future plans over at our friends SENTENTIAE ANTIQUAE. Special thanks to Joel Christensen for magnanimously offering us a platform upon which to pontificate. Get Excited For Movies
Episode 26 – Blood of Zeus (2020) Part II, with Christie Vogler & Zoé Thomas
June 19, 2021 00:33 - 1 hour - 109 MBGigantomachy II: Electric Boogaloo! Our longest episode to date, we really don't lack for things to talk about. There's a a lot to love in this show and some to look critically at but we really only have one question: who are those people in the bed with Apollo? We get into a lot, such as Zeus as a father, whether the Fates' baby on the table makes any sense, how Heron should dress and which was our favorite giant. Plus, a loooong discussion about sexy lamps and winged phalloi! Stay till the...
Blood of Zeus (2020) Part II, with Zoé Thomas
June 19, 2021 00:33 - 1 hour - 109 MBGigantomachy II: Electric Boogaloo! Our longest episode to date, we really don't lack for things to talk about. There's a a lot to love in this show and some to look critically at but we really only have one question: who are those people in the bed with Apollo? We get into a lot, such as Zeus as a father, whether the Fates' baby on the table makes any sense, how Heron should dress and which was our favorite giant. Plus, a loooong discussion about sexy lamps and winged phalloi! Stay till the...
Episode 25 – Blood of Zeus (2020) Part I, with Christie Vogler & Zoé Thomas
June 10, 2021 18:48 - 1 hour - 72.7 MB"Screw your winged horse, I want a Manticore!" We break down the first four episodes of Netflix's original anime series with repeat guest Christie Vogler and newcomer Zoé Thomas. We dig into the show's pop cultural influences, its novel takes on mythology and the design choice to make everyone super hot. We also talk at length about Hera's anger, Zeus' faults and convenient vases depicting exactly the myth you need to tell. The mention of unmixed wine also really shakes our kraters. Addition...
Blood of Zeus (2020) Part I, with Zoé Thomas
June 10, 2021 18:48 - 1 hour - 72.7 MB"Screw your winged horse, I want a Manticore!" We break down the first four episodes of Netflix's original anime series with repeat guest Christie Vogler and newcomer Zoé Thomas. We dig into the show's pop cultural influences, its novel takes on mythology and the design choice to make everyone super hot. We also talk at length about Hera's anger, Zeus' faults and convenient vases depicting exactly the myth you need to tell. The mention of unmixed wine also really shakes our kraters. Addition...
Troy: Fall of a City (2018), Part III, with Ava-Elana Tolley-Enstrom
May 21, 2021 19:03 - 1 hour - 46 MB“A man who thinks that he has been done wrong is a mad, mad man.” (the Iliad, abridged). Get these and other hot takes as we finish off our miniseries on this miniseries the only way we know how: by climbing into a big wooden horse and hoping for the best. Joined by another wonderful UT undergraduate, we break down the final episodes of Netflix’s historical action-adventure romance drama. We dwell on the rage of Achilles and his susceptibility to very obvious schemes. We pick apart the denou...
Episode 24 – Troy: Fall of a City (2018), Part III, with Ava-Elana Tolley-Enstrom
May 21, 2021 19:03 - 1 hour - 46 MB“A man who thinks that he has been done wrong is a mad, mad man.” (the Iliad, abridged). Get these and other hot takes as we finish off our miniseries on this miniseries the only way we know how: by climbing into a big wooden horse and hoping for the best. Joined by another wonderful UT undergraduate, we break down the final episodes of Netflix’s historical action-adventure romance drama. We dwell on the rage of Achilles and his susceptibility to very obvious schemes. We pick apart the denou...
Troy: Fall of a City (2018), Part II, with Lucile Chambon, Jordan Engstrom and Mitchell Jackson
May 07, 2021 23:05 - 55 minutes - 53.6 MBJoined by three fantastic first year students from UT Austin, we continue our discussion of Netflix's miniseries as we get into episodes 4-6. We discuss how this show has updated the tale for this generation of viewers and how it compares to the 2004's Troy. What characters work and don't work for us? Do we want a good or a bad Hector? Are the gods necessary or superfluous? Is what this show needs just more blood? Also witness the exact moment when Colin realizes Aeneas was Dean Thomas in HP...
Episode 23 – Troy: Fall of a City (2018), Part II, with Lucile Chambon, Jordan Engstrom and Mitchell Jackson
May 07, 2021 23:05 - 55 minutes - 53.6 MBJoined by three fantastic first year students from UT Austin, we continue our discussion of Netflix's miniseries as we get into episodes 4-6. We discuss how this show has updated the tale for this generation of viewers and how it compares to the 2004's Troy. What characters work and don't work for us? Do we want a good or a bad Hector? Are the gods necessary or superfluous? Is what this show needs just more blood? Also witness the exact moment when Colin realizes Aeneas was Dean Thomas in HP...
Troy: Fall of a City (2018), Part I, with Adam Rabinowitz
April 24, 2021 17:58 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBWe launch the first of a special, three part miniseries on the Netflix/BBC original on the Trojan War. Joining us is UT Classics professor and archaeologist Dr. Adam Rabinowitz who is currently teaching a class on the stories of the Trojan War. We talk about our initial reactions to episodes 1-3, as well as more broadly on the show's place in the modern TV landscape. Is this series actually about family more than love or war? Is there much more to Helen's character than we might detect on fi...
Episode 22 – Troy: Fall of a City (2018), Part I, with Adam Rabinowitz
April 24, 2021 17:58 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBWe launch the first of a special, three part miniseries on the Netflix/BBC original on the Trojan War. Joining us is UT Classics professor and archaeologist Dr. Adam Rabinowitz who is currently teaching a class on the stories of the Trojan War. We talk about our initial reactions to episodes 1-3, as well as more broadly on the show's place in the modern TV landscape. Is this series actually about family more than love or war? Is there much more to Helen's character than we might detect on fi...
The Eagle (2011)
April 17, 2021 22:50 - 59 minutes - 57.3 MBGet your checkbooks ready Hollywood producers because we basically re-pitch a new, better version of this now 10 year old film. On top of that, we dig up the literary and historic source material inspiring the plot, along with the larger ideas and implications tie to its Heart-of-Darkness-esc depiction of Hadrian's Wall, Northern Britain and Roman imperialism. Overall, we found more to chew over than we first thought. Much of that being the thought process behind casting its lead. It comes s...