Illiterate

Another one! It’s been a while, but James Cameron is back with even more. What is he basing all this off of, and what took so long? Is the Na’vi language real, and why are the aliens blue? Let’s get some answers! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: video, Avatar The Way of Water making-of article, the 45 page doc of Jim Cameron’s Avatar influences video, Cameron’s first short film Xenogenesis graph, color spectrum for sci-fi interfaces over time website, the Na’vi language and grammar rules Other similar episodes to check out…Stan Lee & Marvel, Black Panther, Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings (part 2), Predator (part 1), Halo, Dune

Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: happiest season trailer // 3 min interview with hallmark programming vp // 39 min history of hallmark // article classic hallmark card commercial // 2 min every hallmark movie ever parody // 4 min die hard parody trailer // 2 min the writer’s take on if it’s a christmas film // 4 min review of the predecessor film “the detective” // article the original posters without bruce willis on it // article the history of the writing process // article

We break down the origin of the tale, and get into the first Italian film version. What is the point of the story in the first place? Can there be more than one? Let’s learn! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: behind the scenes video, Pinnochio article, the original Italian Pinnochio film full film, Pinnochio in Outer Space art, Gris Grimly’s drawings for the new film Other similar episodes to check out…Nightmare Alley, Cabinet of Curiosities, A Christmas Carol, The Green Knight, Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Another adaptation of the beloved story in “Spirited” - but what makes it so great after all these years? Did Dickens invent our modern Christmas festivities? And who was the real Tiny Tim? Let’s go! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Spirited (2022) article, the real Tiny Tim Other similar episodes to check out…Hallmark Movies, Die Hard, The Princess Bride, Harry Potter (pt 1), Halloween Special, Frozen

We’re talking about the creator Charles Addams, the jump from comics to film, and what the heck makes this different from the Munsters! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Wednesday (2022) video, Addams Family pinball machine photo, the downhill skier comic strip video, Vic Mizzy’s Spiderman 2 blooper song Other similar episodes to check out…Shrek (part 1), Minions, Being the Ricardos, Fear Street, Lovecraft Country, Hansel and Gretel

Let’s take a stroll through the development of the Black Panther character, what elements had to change for this new film, and some real-world influences on the country of Wakanda! Content Correction: Lesotho should be pronounced like “Luh-SOO-TOO”. Apologies! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever article, history of Black Panther film attempts video, Epic Rap Battle: Mansa Musa v Jeff Bezos article, AkonCity Other similar episodes to check out…Stan Lee, Justice League, Batman (part 1), Marvel’s What If?, Judas and the Black Messiah, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Da 5 Bloods

It’s a biopic about Weird Al - but as with all his work, it’s not what you think. How’d this film come to be, and what’s the process behind the legend’s four decade career? And also: Mozart made a parody song? Come learn! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Weird: The Al Yankovic story fake trailer, Funny or Die Weird Al Biopic clip, Daniel Radcliffe singing the Elements Song clip, Weird Al on Oprah in the 1980’s clip, Mozart’s Musical Joke composition Other similar episodes to check out…Nicholas Cage, Minions, Top Gun, Ghostbusters, Pam and Tommy, Shrek (part 2), Scream

The new film is epic and affecting, but what’s the story behind the original book and film? What’s been changed, and how did history overtake the with a true story in the lead-up to World War 2? It’s all happening in real-time: let’s learn! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, 2022 film trailer, 1930 film article, on the original book’s creation Other similar episodes to check out…Jojo Rabbit, Da 5 Bloods, Harriet, The Plot Against America, Animal Farm, Catch-22

This week, we dip our toes into an eclectic mix of horror ideas and tropes. What is an actual Cabinet of Curiosities? Where did the jump scare come from? What’s Dracula got to do with the LGBTQ+ experience? Let’s learn about a variety of horror ideas, and be sure to check out all our other horror episodes! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Sample all our other horror/spooky episodes: Nightmare Alley Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark It Stephen King Hansel and Gretel Color Out of Space The Invisible Man Books of Blood (Clive Barker) The Haunting of Bly Manor Lovecraft Country Halloween (holiday) Halloween (film series) Godzilla vs Kong Army of the Dead The Conjuring Fear Street (Goosebumps) Candyman Ghostbusters Scream Texas Chainsaw Massacre Squid Game Stranger Things Nope Predator Bonus links: trailer, Cabinet of Curiosities site, Museum of Jurassic Technolo

It rose and fell, and rises again. What’s George RR Martin really all about? How’d he get in (and out) and back into the Hollywood game? And who’s responsible for making the crazy show? Let’s learn! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, House of the Dragon (new prequel series) article, the original (failed) pilot article, on the GRR Martin fandom interview, GRR Martin (2001) Other similar episodes to check out…The Lord of the Rings (part 1), Harry Potter (part 1), Dune, The Matrix, Shadow and Bone

This’ll be the thirteenth film, and it ENDS. Definitely, yep, no more ever (said five times before!). Let’s learn how this all works, what it’s based on, and who’s responsible for Michael Meyers and his eternal slashing. Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Halloween Ends infographic, all the branching timelines for the films episode, on the history of Halloween traditions video, POV of killer shots in “Black Christmas” Other similar episodes to check out…Scream, Halloween (holiday), Predator (part 1), Nope, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Candyman

We often forget recent history as it becomes the standard, so what are the effects of the Lord of the Rings books and films in media and culture? Could it have been any different? Let’s find out! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: photo, the 1946 German edition of Hobbit (Disneyesque) photo, the 1962 Swedish edition of Hobbit (big Gollum) video, Peter Jackson scrambling to make the Hobbit films Other similar episodes to check out…Harry Potter (part 3), Dune, Jurassic Park, Halo, Batman (part 2)

Peter Jackson made it happen, but that wasn’t a sure bet…not by a long shot. Let’s learn the lesser-known pieces that put this fantasy series on the cinematic map. Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Tokien (2019) article, impact on New Zealand economy article, Interlacement Technique in the film adaptations website, all the changes between the books and films website, the original lordoftherings(dot)net, archived from 2001 Other similar episodes to check out…Harry Potter (part 2), Jurassic Park, Halo, Batman (part 2), The Beatles: Get Back, Jojo Rabbit

Journey with us through the fantastical origins of the most beloved fantasy series! How and why did these stories get written? Who is the man behind the mythology? And what did he want to change about the stories? Let’s learn! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Tokien (2019) clip, The Hobbit 1977 animated Gollum clip, Lord of the Rings 1978 Balrog scene Other similar episodes to check out…Dune, The Green Knight, Star Wars, Nightmare Alley, Shadow and Bone, Harry Potter (part 1), Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

It's been a HOT week, and so we're cooling off with a best-of and some back-to-school intrigue. We'll be back next week with a new series on The Lord of the Rings! How does 11 million dollars go missing from the best school system in the nation? And what does Charles Dickens have to do with it? Bad Education is a film on HBO starring Hugh Jackman, written by Mark Makowsky and directed by Cory Finley. The story is based on the New York Magazine article on Frank Tassone, written by Robert Kolker. Extras: Bad Education trailer // 2 min https://bit.ly/badedtrailer the original New York Magazine piece // article https://bit.ly/badsup interview with director Cory Finley // article https://bit.ly/cfinley interview with writer Mike Makowsky // article https://bit.ly/mmakowsky podcast interview with Frank Tassone // 33 min https://bit.ly/ftassone interview with actor Hugh Jackman // article https://bit.ly/hjackmanbadsup aftermath of the embezzlement // article https://bit.ly/pgluckin on the film’s cre

This is a best-of episode MEGA episode, encompassing 2 parts on Spielberg, in honor of the recent 3D release of JAWS! Learn the twists and turns of the biggest director of the past 40 years. HBO documentary “Spielberg” trailer // 2 min https://bit.ly/spielberghbo Indiana Jones brainstorm notes // article https://bit.ly/indianajones1 interview with Spielberg’s mom // article https://bit.ly/spielberg2 Contact: Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/

Get ready, this is already big, whether you know it or not! What makes this kids show so unique and lovable? And how is it different from every other anthropomorphic animal cartoon out there? Let’s dive in! Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Bluey show article, how Bluey became popular overseas article, tour of Ludo animation studio Other similar episodes to check out…Minions, Avatar, My Hero Academia, Sonic the Hedgehog, Clifford the Big Red Dog

What a wild tale this is! Come learn the historical changes made to the 1990’s American classic, this time with modern India! Also, why isn’t this doing well in theaters? And what was the original plan for the American sequel? Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Laal Singh Chaddha list, Bollywood movies inspired by Hollywood films Other similar episodes to check out…Nollywood, Elvis, Pachinko, The Princess Bride, The Matrix

Come learn about the new film, and what makes it so unique. What’s all the buzz about the Comanche language dub? And are there any other films like it? Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Prey (2022) interview, producer Jhane Myers article, on the Comanche language doc, the Comanche alphabet Other similar episodes to check out…Die Hard, Nope, Halo, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Ghostbusters, Army of the Dead, Mortal Kombat, Books of Blood, It

Come learn the origin of the series, and all the build up to the new film. Where did the Alien crossover start? And what made the first film so unique for its time? Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: illiteratepod@gmail.com, email us @illiteratepod, reach out on instagram Extras: trailer, Predator (1987) article, oral history of the film production video, original 28 minute making-of doc video, Kevin Peter Hall testing the suit article, the original failed suit design Other similar episodes to check out…Die Hard, Nope, Halo, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Ghostbusters, Army of the Dead, Mortal Kombat, Books of Blood, It