Illiterate

We dissect the origins of the literary character Cruella de Vil, the bizarre never-made sequel, and female villainy in stories. Extras: trailer, Cruella (2021) http://bit.ly/cruella1 trailer, One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) http://bit.ly/cruella3 video, Tallulah Bankhead (inspiration) laughing http://bit.ly/cruella4 article, connections to The Devil Wears Prada http://bit.ly/cruella5 interview, director Craig Gillespie http://bit.ly/cruella6 review, The Starlight Barking (book sequel http://bit.ly/cruella7 Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

It’s a fully fledged genre, but do you know how it came to be? Come discover the books, myths, games, and films that coalesce to create the zombie craze of the last decade. Extras: trailer, Army of the Dead (2021) http://bit.ly/armydead1 full film, Night of the Living Dead (1968) http://bit.ly/armydead2 full film, The Last Man on Earth (1964) http://bit.ly/armydead3 article, history of zombie films http://bit.ly/armydead4 interview, George Romero http://bit.ly/armydead5 article, modern Haitian Vodou http://bit.ly/armydead6 Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

Learn about the thriller tales, and the truth (or lies?) behind the international bestseller. Extras: trailer, The Woman in the Window (2021) http://bit.ly/womanwindow1 article, plagiarism comparisons http://bit.ly/womanwindow2 interview, author AJ Finn http://bit.ly/womanwindow3 New Yorker article, “Trail of Deceptions” http://bit.ly/womanwindow4 Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

What’s all the fuss behind this YA series turned epic Netflix show? Why haven’t we seen many Slavic fantasy stories? And why are the magicians called Greg? Extras: trailer, Shadow and Bone (2021) http://bit.ly/shadowbone4 interview, Leigh Bardugo http://bit.ly/shadowbone1 article, history of Eric Heisserer showrunning http://bit.ly/shadowbone2 article, guide to Slavic fantasy http://bit.ly/shadowbone3 Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

We’re on vacation this week, so please enjoy this gem of an episode from the ILLITERATE Vault (episode 39!) The film that took two decades (and a million favors) to make, and the book about a detective with Tourette’s. Also, the secret man who ran New York for 50 years. The film Motherless Brooklyn is by Edward Norton, and the book by Jonathan Lethem. Watch/read/listen: (WATCH): the trailer for Motherless Brooklyn http://bit.ly/motherlesstrailer (WATCH): the trailer for the doc Twitch and Shout http://bit.ly/tourettesdoc (WATCH): a doc about the NBA player with Tourettes http://bit.ly/nbamahmoud (LISTEN): to the Radiohead version of the main song http://bit.ly/thomversion (LISTEN): to the Jazz version of the main song http://bit.ly/wyntonversion (LISTEN): to Prince’s extended version of Kiss http://bit.ly/kissextented (READ): the guest list for Radiohead’s concert http://bit.ly/guestlistradiohead (READ): An Anthropologist on Mars neurology book http://bit.ly/anthroonmars (READ): The Power Br

FINISH HIM! Learn the literary and cinematic origins of this game-turned-movie, the controversies, and why so many people like these characters. Extras: red band trailer, Mortal Kombat (2021) http://bit.ly/mkilliterate3 bts footage, Mortal Kombat character creation http://bit.ly/mkilliterate7 full film, The Streetfighter (1974) http://bit.ly/mkilliterate4 film scene, “fatality” from The Streetfighter http://bit.ly/mkilliterate8 video, comparison of 1995 and 2021 films http://bit.ly/mkilliterate9 article, history of Mortal Kombat game creation http://bit.ly/mkilliterate6 trailer, Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain (1983) http://bit.ly/mkilliterate2 interview, director Simon McQuoid http://bit.ly/mkilliterate5 short film, Mortal Kombat Rebirth http://bit.ly/mkilliterate1 Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

How did this endearing, comforting fantasy tale come to be? Learn why the book is so different in the telling, and the life and journey of William Goldman in turning books into films. Extras: trailer, The Princess Bride (1987) http://bit.ly/pbride1 document, the “missing scene” from the book http://bit.ly/pbride2 book, Adventures in the Screen Trade (memoir) http://bit.ly/pbride3 article, making of the film http://bit.ly/pbride4 book, on the life of William Goldman http://bit.ly/pbride5 Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

(Spoilers! Don’t listen until you’ve seen!) Learn the history of the genre, the many literary and film references, and the origin from ancient Greece. Extras: trailer, Promising Young Woman (2020) http://bit.ly/promisingyw1 screenplay, Promising Young Woman http://bit.ly/promisingyw2 interview, Emerald Fennell and Carey Mulligan http://bit.ly/promisingyw3 SNL satire, Welcome to Hell http://bit.ly/promisingyw4 article, I May Destroy You (HBO) http://bit.ly/promisingyw5 trailer, The Night of the Hunter (1955) http://bit.ly/promisingyw6 article, the story of Cassandra in Greek mythology http://bit.ly/promisingyw7 Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

Learn the history of riding on the open range, the Kentucky Derby, urban horse-stables, and the original Lone Ranger. Concrete Cowboy is on Netflix, based on the book Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri. Extras: trailer, Concrete Cowboy http://bit.ly/ccowboy5 article, history of Black cowboys http://bit.ly/ccowboy7 video, US Marshall Bass Reeves bio http://bit.ly/ccowboy8 fundraiser, Fletcher St Urban Riding Club http://bit.ly/ccowboy2 fundraiser, Philly Urban Riding Academy http://bit.ly/ccowboy1 photo series, Fletcher St stables http://bit.ly/ccowboy3 org, Neighborhood Film Co. http://bit.ly/ccowboy4 TED talk, Ricky Staub http://bit.ly/ccowboy6 doc, Federation of Black Cowboys http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0356604 doc, Compton Cowboys of LA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN8KBD6gM6Q Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

Learn the mighty origins of the massive movie classics, which came first, and why they’ve been fighting for so long. Extras: trailer, Godzilla vs Kong (2021) http://bit.ly/godzillakong1 video, on the original Gojira film http://bit.ly/godzillakong2 film clip, Grass (1925) http://bit.ly/godzillakong4 concept art, Kong vs Frankenstein http://bit.ly/godzillakong5 comparison, US vs Japanese King Kong vs Godzilla (1962) http://bit.ly/godzillakong6 US trailer, King Kong vs Godzilla (1962) http://bit.ly/godzillakong7 trailer, Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965) http://bit.ly/godzillakong3 Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

Who was Gardner Fox, the mastermind writer behind the superhero genre? Why is it so hard to make a Justice League movie? And what the heck is a Multiverse? Extras: trailer, Zack Snyder’s Justice League http://bit.ly/zsjl1 article, history of Justice League film http://bit.ly/zsjl2 video, commentary on the cancelled 1997 TV pilot http://bit.ly/jlapilotvid video, history of the Justice Society of America http://bit.ly/jsaexplained book, Gardner Fox biography http://bit.ly/gfbiography site, Gardner Fox’s 160 novels http://bit.ly/gflibrary1 Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

Learn the origins of the incredible story of Lee Isaac Chung, and his family’s farm in Arkansas. What is Minari, and who is Willa Cather, and how did a voice in a coffee shop lead to six Academy Award nominations? Extras: trailer, Minari http://bit.ly/minari1 interview, Youn Yuh-Jung and Bong Joon Ho http://bit.ly/minariyoun interview, Lee Isaac Chung and Bong Joon Ho http://bit.ly/minari3 article, writing of Minari http://bit.ly/minari4 article, Youn Yuh-Jung’s career http://bit.ly/minari5 Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

Come learn about the Riot Grrrl movement, the history of women in stand-up and television comedy, and the parenting guidebook that Mean Girls is based on. Extras: trailer, Moxie http://bit.ly/moxiefilm1 song, the Linda Lindas perform “Rebel Girl” http://bit.ly/moxiefilm2 playlist, inspired by the Riot Grrrl movement http://bit.ly/moxiefilm3 doc, Women in Comedy on PBS http://bit.ly/moxiefilm4 doc, The Punk Singer, Kathleen Hanna http://bit.ly/moxiefilm5 stand up, Moms Mabley http://bit.ly/moxiefilm6 book, Queen Bees and Wannabees http://bit.ly/moxiefilm7 book, Moxie http://bit.ly/moxiefilm8 book, We Killed: The Rise of Women in American Comedy http://bit.ly/moxiefilm9 Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

Learn about the joy and sorrow of a rootless life on the open road. Nomadland is written and directed by Chloe Zhao, based on the book by Jessica Bruder. Extras: trailer, NOMADLAND http://bit.ly/nomadland1 interview, author Jessica Bruder http://bit.ly/nomadland2 video, parody of #VANLIFE http://bit.ly/nomadland3 short film, Amazon’s CAMPERFORCE http://bit.ly/nomadland4 interview, nomad Bob Wells http://bit.ly/nomadland5 interview, director Chloe Zhao http://bit.ly/nomadland6 Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

Come learn the true story of Billie Holiday, and the Federal Narcotics Bureau team who couldn’t stop her. The United States vs Billie Holiday is on Hulu, based on the book Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari. Extras: trailer, The United States vs Billie Holiday http://bit.ly/billieh1 live recording, Billie Holiday singing Strange Fruit http://bit.ly/billieh2 article, best books about Billie Holiday http://bit.ly/billieh3 trailer, Billie documentary http://bit.ly/billieh4 trailer, Lady Sings the Blues http://bit.ly/billieh5 book, Chasing the Scream http://bit.ly/billieh6 Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

Uncover the origins of the Black Panther Party, the assassination of Fred Hampton by the FBI, and the depiction of the Black Panthers in media. Judas and the Black Messiah is on HBO Max, based on the book The Assassination of Fred Hampton by Jeffrey Haas. Extras: trailer, Judas and the Black Messiah http://bit.ly/blackmessiah1 interview, William O’Neal http://bit.ly/billonealint official Black Panther reading list http://bit.ly/blackmessiah2 interview, Fred Hampton http://bit.ly/blackmessiah3 interview, Shaka King (director) http://bit.ly/blackmessiah4 Contact: Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

These four iconic men had a night together in 1964. What happened? One Night in Miami is on Amazon, directed by Regina King, based on the play and screenplay written by Kemp Powers. Extras: trailer, One Night in Miami http://bit.ly/miaminight1 interview, Kemp Powers http://bit.ly/kempinterview screenplay, One Night in Miami http://bit.ly/miaminightscript documentary, Two Killings of Sam Cooke http://bit.ly/samcookedoc paintings, Jacob Lawrence’s Great Migration series http://bit.ly/jlgreatmig Contact: Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

How did a low-budget film in the summer of ’71 change Hollywood forever? Come learn about the illustrious Shaft franchise, based on the books by Ernest Tidyman. Extras: song, theme from Shaft http://bit.ly/shaftthemesong gordon parks photo, american gothic washington dc http://bit.ly/amergothdc life article, how it feels to be black http://bit.ly/gordonparks1 gordon parks photos, the restraints: open and hidden http://bit.ly/gordonparks3 trailer, The Learning Tree http://bit.ly/gordonparks2 trailer, Shaft (1971) http://bit.ly/shafttrailer71 Contact: Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

Join us as we learn about stories of sex, scandal, and what makes the Regency and Romance genres so popular. Bridgerton is out on Netflix, based on the book series by Julia Quinn. Extras: trailer, Bridgerton http://bit.ly/bridgertontrailer article, Queen Charlotte’s black ancestry http://bit.ly/charlotteart book, Jane Austen’s England http://bit.ly/jaengland book, Mad & Bad: Real Heroines of the Regency http://bit.ly/madandbadbook interview, Shonda Rhimes (producer) http://bit.ly/shondainterview interview, Chris Van Dusen (creator) http://bit.ly/chrisvdinterview article, history of the romance novel http://bit.ly/romancehistory article, Stacey Abrams’ romance novels http://bit.ly/staceyaromance Contact: Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

Come learn about where all those traditions come from, some great cinematic weddings, and where Evan and Taylor will be this week. Extras: article, origins of wedding traditions http://bit.ly/weddingtraditions1 article, origins of engagement ring http://bit.ly/weddingtradition2 article, Emperor Nero’s same-sex marriages http://bit.ly/nerowedding website, Evan and Emily’s wedding https://www.theknot.com/us/emily-rayl-and-evan-russell-jan-2021 Contact: Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/