Ghostbusters
A beloved, merchandise-laden property, with very few movies to its name - why is that? What took so long? And why is Dan Aykroyd’s family so into ghosts? Come learn the twisty-turvy spooky history of the Ghostbusters franchise.
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Ghostbusters: Afterlife https://bit.ly/gbuster1
book, Peter Aykroyd’s “A History of Ghosts” https://bit.ly/gbuster4
ILLITERATE episode, The Conjuring https://bit.ly/gbuster5
trailer, Abbot and Costello’s Hold That Ghost (1941) https://bit.ly/gbuster6
pilot, 1970’s The Ghost Busters original live action show https://bit.ly/gbuster11
song, Huey Lewis’ “I Want a New Drug”, similar to theme song https://bit.ly/gbuster2
pilot episode, “The Real Ghostbusters” https://bit.ly/gbuster9
video, Filmation’s “Ghostbusters” cartoon intro https://bit.ly/gbuster7
article, why the Ghostbusters video game is the third film https://bit.ly/gbuster10
article, the history of Ghostbusters production https://bit.ly/gbusters8
You
This hit Netflix series only gets bigger, but was it actually a Netflix show? How does the author’s books affect the story? And why do people let a killer kill…for love?
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, You season 3 (2021) https://bit.ly/younetflix1
article, showrunner Sera Gamble https://bit.ly/younetflix2
article, actor Penn Badgley https://bit.ly/younetflix3
interview, author Caroline Kepnes https://bit.ly/younetflix4
interview, author Caroline Kepnes (2018) https://bit.ly/younetflix5
roundtable conversation, Caroline, Sera, and Penn https://bit.ly/younetflix6
video, Evan’s film with Dylan Arnold https://linktr.ee/evanscottrussell
Candyman
Where did this urban legend come from (a serial killer noblewoman of the 1500’s?! Real life murders at the Cabrini Green Projects?!) What is the new film pulling from in the works of other black artists? And who do Taylor and Evan know that helped make the original?! All this and more - let’s get into it!
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Candyman (2021) https://bit.ly/candymanfilm1
trailer, Candyman (1992) https://bit.ly/candymanfilm2
profile, sfx artist Bob Keen (our teacher!) https://bit.ly/candymanfilm3
article, serial killer noblewoman Elizabeth Bathory https://bit.ly/candymanfilm4
article, mirror murder in the Chicago Projects https://bit.ly/candymanfilm7
artwork, silhouettes by Kara Walker https://bit.ly/candymanfilm5
artwork, mirrors by Carrie Mae Weems https://bit.ly/candymanfilm6
Sweet Tooth
Originally touted as “Mad Max meets Bambi”, how did the dark and violent comic series become the warm tale on Netflix? And what does the author think about it? Learn about dystopian and apocalyptic fiction over the ages in this week’s episode.
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Sweet Tooth (2021) https://bit.ly/sweetooth1
article, Jeff Lemire interview https://bit.ly/sweetooth3
q&a video, Jeff Lemire https://bit.ly/sweetooth4
novel, Mary Shelley’s The Last Man https://bit.ly/sweetooth5
Fear Street (R.L. Stine and Goosebumps too)
The teenage slasher series written by the bestselling series author of the 90’s has come to the screen. Learn the insider history behind the author’s life, and what makes these books so popular.
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Fear Street film trilogy (Netflix) https://bit.ly/rlstine1
tv episode, failed Fear Street pilot (1998) https://bit.ly/rlstine2
pdf, RL Stine writing program for elementary schools https://bit.ly/rlstine3
interviews, RL Stine https://bit.ly/rlstine4 https://bit.ly/rlstine5
promo video, RL Stine hosts a comedy show at UCB https://bit.ly/rlstine6
video, Funny or Die sketch, banned Goosebumps titles https://bit.ly/rlstine7
The Conjuring
The highest grossing horror film franchise of all time, and what do you really know about it? Come learn the literary background, the history of paranormal investigation, and what legal madness ensues from the job.
Extras:
trailer, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) http://bit.ly/conjuring1
article, legal issues with the franchise http://bit.ly/warrenfiles1
full book, Confessions of a Ghost Hunter (1936) http://bit.ly/warrenfiles2
video, Lorraine and Ed background http://bit.ly/warrenfiles3
interview, reporter in Devil Made Me Do It case - Mike Allen http://bit.ly/warrenfiles4
article, facts of Devil Made Me Do It case http://bit.ly/warrenfiles5
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Promising Young Woman
(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:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Halloween Special
BOO! Learn the history of Halloween traditions, and origins of the monsters from literature and film.
Check out our other spooky episodes!
ep. 87 - Lovecraft Country
ep. 86 - Haunting of Bly Manor
ep. 85 - Books of Blood
ep. 56 - The Invisible Man
ep. 52 - Color Out of Space
ep. 51 - Hansel and Gretel
ep. 40 - Stephen King
ep. 31 - It
ep. 27 - Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Extras:
the best Halloween movies streaming // article
http://bit.ly/halloweenflixlisttraditional Halloween “souling songs” // 8 min
http://bit.ly/soulingsongs
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Lovecraft Country (Matt Ruff)
How could the cosmic horror of HP Lovecraft meld with the Jim Crow laws of 1950’s America? Let’s find out! “Lovecraft Country” on HBO is by Misha Green, based on the book by Matt Ruff.
Extras:
Lovecraft Country trailer // 3 min http://bit.ly/lovecraftcountry1
historical moments from LC // article http://bit.ly/lovecraftcountry2
Matt Ruff’s research resources // list http://bit.ly/lovecraftcountry3
history of the “Green Book” // article http://bit.ly/lovecraftcountry4
Gordon Park’s Segregation photography // photos http://bit.ly/lovecraftcountry5
Pam Noles’ essay, “Shame” // essay http://bit.ly/pamnolesshame
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Haunting of Bly Manor (Henry James - The Turn of the Screw)
Learn the history of gothic horror, ghosts, and the works of Henry James. The Haunting of Bly Manor (Netflix) is based on The Turn of the Screw and the works of Henry James.
Extras:
trailer, The Haunting of Bly Manor // 3 minhttp://bit.ly/blymanor1
Bly Manor listing on Zillow // articlehttps://www.zillow.com/house/bly-manor/
other adaptations to watch & read // articlehttp://bit.ly/blymanor2
comparison of Quint “ghost” in film // 4 minhttp://bit.ly/blymanor3
history of gothic fiction // article http://bit.ly/blymanor4
“The Haunted Castle” 1896 first horror film // 3 minhttp://bit.ly/blymanor5
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Books of Blood (Clive Barker)
What’s the deal with these spooky stories? Why do people like them? And how is it more than just gruesome gore? Books of Blood is on Hulu, based on Clive Barker’s anthology series, The Books of Blood.
Extras:
trailer for Books of Blood (Hulu) // 3 minhttp://bit.ly/clivebarker1
recent clip of Clive’s writing advice // 3 minhttp://bit.ly/clivebarker2
Clive on writing fiction (from 1990) // 6 minhttp://bit.ly/clivebarker3
Clive on “Open to Question” show // 35 minhttp://bit.ly/clivebarker4
documentary on Clive Barker (from 1995) // 51 minhttp://bit.ly/clivebarker5
artwork from comic of “In the Hills, the Cities” // photohttp://bit.ly/clivebarker6
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
I'm Thinking of Ending Things (Iain Reid)
Dive headfirst into the novel, nonlinear take on what makes us human. Is it horror, thriller, or just an existential question? I’m Thinking of Ending Things is by Iain Reid, now a film on Netflix by Charlie Kaufman.
Extras:
trailer for i’m thinking of ending things (2020) // 2min vid http://bit.ly/itoettrailer
the references to other work in the film // article http://bit.ly/itoetrefs
interview with author Iain Reid // article http://bit.ly/iainreid1
interview with Reid and Kaufman // article http://bit.ly/reidkaufinterview
youtube explainer of Synecdoche NY // 5hr vid http://bit.ly/synecdocheexplain
explanations of the film by Kaufman // article http://bit.ly/ioetexplanation
Kaufman’s script for A Scanner Darkly // script http://bit.ly/kaufmandarkly
Contact:
Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod // https://www.instagram.com/illiteratepod/
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
The Invisible Man (by HG Wells)
We tackle the father of science fiction, the odd 2000’s Kevin Bacon adaptation, predicting the future, and even the One Ring from Lord of the Rings. The Invisible Man (2020) is by Leigh Whannell, the original book by HG Wells.
Extras:
The Invisible Man (2020) trailer // 3 min http://bit.ly/inv2020trailer
interview with writer/director // article http://bit.ly/leighwhannellint
the silly poem the book is based on // poem http://bit.ly/ogpoemhgwells
modern tech’s invisibility cloak // 8 min http://bit.ly/inviscloakvid
Hollow Man (2000) trailer // 2 min http://bit.ly/hollowmantrail
The Invisible Man (1933) special effects // 2 min http://bit.ly/invis1933sfx
HG Wells’ futurist predictions // 5 min http://bit.ly/hgprophet
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Parasite
The South Korean film that swept the Oscars this year, and the meaning behind the big film and literature prizes.
Extras:
Parasite trailer / 2 min: http://bit.ly/parasitetrail
interview with Bong Joon Ho / article: http://bit.ly/bongint
interview about set design / article: http://bit.ly/architectureparasite
interview about editing / article: http://bit.ly/editorparasite
video about the french sisters / 10 min: http://bit.ly/papinsisters
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Color Out of Space (by HP Lovecraft)
How the 24-year-missing director of this film is a Nazi-hunting Indiana Jones, the unfortunate life of H.P. Lovecraft, and what makes these spooky stories different from Stephen King. Color Out of Space by Richard Stanley is based on “The Colour Out of Space” by H.P. Lovecraft.
Extras:
- Color Out of Space trailer / 2 min: http://bit.ly/color2019trailer
- The Colour Out of Space short story / 1.5 hr: http://bit.ly/coloraudiobook
- Annihilation trailer / 2 min: http://bit.ly/annihilationtrail
- Voice of the Moon (Afghan War) doc / 30 min: http://bit.ly/voiceofthemoon
- Lost Soul (career-ending film) doc trailer / 2 min: http://bit.ly/lostsoultrailer
- The Secret Glory (Nazi-hunting) doc / 1.5 hr: http://bit.ly/secretglorydoc
- Lovecraft Country (HBO) teaser / 6 min: http://bit.ly/lovecraftcountry
- Richard Stanley interview / article: http://bit.ly/stanleylainterview
- Massive life of Richard Stanley interview / article: http://bit.ly/stanleyinterview2
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Hansel & Gretel (by the Brothers Grimm)
An interview with the director, Oz Perkins of the new film, Gretel and Hansel. Plus, were the Grimm Brothers really so grim? And why are there so many stories about eating children?
Special thanks to Osgood Perkins for speaking with us this week! Go check out Gretel & Hansel.
Extras:
- Trailer for Gretel & Hansel (YouTube): http://bit.ly/hg2020trailer
- How the Nazis used Grimm fairy tales (Telegraph): http://bit.ly/nazifairytales
- An interview with Osgood Perkins (Daily Beast): http://bit.ly/ozinterview
- Grimm’s law of linguistics (YouTube): http://bit.ly/grimmslaw
- Tim Burton’s Hansel & Gretel (YouTube): http://bit.ly/timburtonhg
Contact:
- How to get a free sticker: Send a message to @illiteratepod on instagram
- Want to help the show? Leave a review! www.ratethispodcast.com/illiterate
- Reach out on instagram @illiteratepod
Stephen King (featuring Doctor Sleep)
Everything you need to know about the master of horror. Also, the tale behind his latest adaptation, Doctor Sleep, the sequel to The Shining.
Watch/read/listen:
- WATCH: the trailer for Doctor Sleep
- WATCH: the trailer for Gerald’s Game
- WATCH: The Shining TV miniseries trailer
- WATCH: Oscar the therapy cat
- WATCH: the Misery trailer
- WATCH: George and Stephen chat
- READ: The Rolling Stone interview
- READ: an interview about Doctor Sleep
- READ: about Stephen King winning the National Book Award
- READ: his fav book, Lisey’s Story
- READ: his memoir, On Writing
Get a copy of Doctor Sleep:
Topics from today’s episode:
01:05 - what is Doctor Sleep?
04:10 - voting for King’s next book
05:50 - a real-life psychic cat
09:40 - father and son influences
12:25 - Stephen’s childhood
15:50 - the garbage, Carrie, and a million bucks
18:30 - the struggle of alcohol and drugs
21:05 - the now-famous author friend
24:30 - free from addiction
27:20 - the near death accident
28:30 - literary merit
29:25 - Stephen’s favorite book he wrote
32:45 - what Stephen is afraid of
Contact:
reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
It - Stephen King
The horror epic that spawned our preteen nightmares. Learn about the origins of the book, how it got adapted, the history of clowns, and why Stephen King loves writing the spooky stuff.
SUPPORT US LINKS:
Get a copy of It by Stephen King:
Sign up for Book of the Month Club YA
BONUS LINKS:
(VIDEO) The trailer for It Chapter 2:
http://bit.ly/itchap2trail
(VIDEO) An interview with Stephen about Ronald McDonald:
(VIDEO) A beautiful animated short about childhood from Stephen:
(ARTICLE) About Charlie, the real man who was murdered in Bangor:
(ARTICLE) A journalist’s diary on reading the whole book:
(ARTICLE) On Stephen King adaptations to film:
(ARTICLE) On the multiverse of Stephen’s books:
CONTACT LINKS:
email us any questions, comments, or curse words - illiterate@email.com
follow for silly memes on instagram - @illiteratepod
go to the website for more shows - www.podcastgod.net
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark - Alvin Schwartz, Stephen Gammell
BOO. Learn about the artwork that gave every 90’s kid nightmares, and the history of horror in Children’s literature. Now a feature film in theaters!
SUPPORT US LINKS:
Get a copy of Scary Stories:
Sign up for Book of the Month Club YA
BONUS LINKS:
(VIDEO) The trailer for the Scary Stories film:
(VIDEO) Stephen Gammell’s artistic watercolor process:
(VIDEO) The connections between the film and books:
http://bit.ly/scaryconnections
(ARTICLE) All 82 Scary Stories, ranked:
(ARTICLE) Comparing the two artists of Scary Stories:
(ARTICLE) Mark Twain’s original “Golden Arm” story:
(ARTICLE) The Struwwelpeter German book for kids:
CONTACT LINKS:
email us any questions, comments, or curse words - illiterate@email.com
follow for silly memes on instagram - @illiteratepod
go to the website for more shows - www.podcastgod.net
Bird Box - Josh Malerman
Don’t look at anything and you won’t die. By Josh Malerman.
The 5 discussions -
1. dancing mania
2. describing the senses
3. handwriting
4. raising children
5. ghost friendships
The 5 cool party topics -
1. dancing was a real medical problem in medieval times
2. try and tell a story without mentioning what you saw
3. Bird Box was written in a notebook
4. Sandra Bullock lives this movie in real life (she adopted two kids)
5. put yourself out there tonight, and tell people what you’re all about
We’re giving away a copy of Bird Box and a cool bookmark. All you gotta do to enter the drawing is send your name to the email.
Transcript coming soon.