My Hero Academia
Come dive in as we learn the history of manga, and this particular series by Kohei Horikoshi. What is his mysterious past and creative process, and why is this series blowing up internationally? What more can be said about superheroes? Let’s learn!
a correction in the episode: the genre Shōjo manga should be pronounced more like (SHOW-JOE) than (SHOW-JOO). Apologies!
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
article, brief history of manga https://bit.ly/mhamanga1
trailer, My Hero Academia: World Heroes’ Mission (2021) https://bit.ly/mhamanga2
trailer, Your Name anime film (2016) https://bit.ly/mhamanga9
interview, Weekly Shonen Jump Editor in Chief https://bit.ly/mhamanga3
article, original 12th century “manga” https://bit.ly/mhamanga10
interview, editors of My Hero Academia https://bit.ly/mhamanga4
interview, creator Kohei Horikoshi https://bit.ly/mhamanga5
page, One Piece creator supporting Horikoshi https://bit.ly/mhamanga6
free first issue, My Hero Academia chapter 1 https://bit.ly/mhamanga7
video, Horikoshi’s other manga works https://bit.ly/mhamanga8
James Bond (part 2)
Follow along our jam-packed look on what made the Bond series progress, decade after decade. Why did the actors and tone of the films keep changing? What is the story behind the spy genre? Who was responsible for it all? And - can we predict what the future of the series will hold? Listen and learn!
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, No Time To Die (2021) https://bit.ly/nttd0072
data, Bond box office tracking https://bit.ly/bondpt21
article, copyright battle for Thunderball https://bit.ly/bondpt22
book, the history of the bikini https://bit.ly/bondpt23
article, the “anti-Bond” Harry Palmer series https://bit.ly/bondpt24
article, tidbits on all Bond films https://bit.ly/bondpt25
James Bond (part 1)
The longest running film series in history…what was it BEFORE any of that? Let’s learn about the creator, the reason for making Bond, where his quirks come from, and what he was originally like before the films.
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
article, JFK’s recommendation of 007 https://bit.ly/nttd0071
trailer, No Time to Die (2021) https://bit.ly/nttd0072
article, job history of Ian Fleming https://bit.ly/nttd0073
video, Casino Royale TV movie (1954) https://bit.ly/nttd0074
article, list of real-life James Bond inspirations https://bit.ly/nttd0075
book, Ian Fleming biography https://bit.ly/nttd0076
Marvel's What If…? & Star Wars: Visions
These two mega-mythical properties are at it again, this time with a whole new set of creatives and wild ideas to shake up the franchise. What are these animated anthologies saying about the properties, and has this been done before? Let’s learn together!
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Marvel Studio’s What If…? (2021) https://bit.ly/marvsw1
trailer, Star Wars: Visions (2021) https://bit.ly/marvsw2
article, history of Multiverse idea https://bit.ly/marvsw3
interview, What If writer AC Bradley https://bit.ly/marvsw4
character, Man-Spider (Spider-Man multiverse) https://bit.ly/marvsw5
book, Star Wars Visions (2010) https://bit.ly/marvsw6
production brief, What If…? https://bit.ly/marvsw7
article, Star Wars Japanese influence https://bit.ly/marvsw8
Impeachment: American Crime Story
We dive in to the recent depiction of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, and how it focuses on the female characters involved. What actually happened to Monica Lewinsky? Why make this show now? And who created the story in this new way? Let’s learn together!
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Impeachment: American Crime Story (2021) https://bit.ly/acsimpeach1
article, on Jeff Toobin https://bit.ly/acsimpeach2
interviews, showrunner Sarah Burgess https://bit.ly/acsimpeach4 https://bit.ly/acsimpeach5
article, making of the series https://bit.ly/acsimpeach11
podcast, Slow Burn season 2 https://bit.ly/acsimpeach6
video, press briefing from Linda Tripp https://bit.ly/acsimpeach7
trailer, Wag the Dog (1997) https://bit.ly/acsimpeach9
article, Monica Lewinsky’s Vanity Fair return https://bit.ly/acsimpeach8
TED Talk, Monica Lewinsky’s “The Price of Shame” https://bit.ly/acsimpeach3
article, WP article on Betty Currie (secretary) https://bit.ly/acsimpeach10
Zola
The THOTyssey, the 148 tweet thread about a road trip that leads to prostitution and murder - everyone said should be a movie…is now a movie. How did it get adapted, what’s true, and how does the story actually end in real life?The original tweets by A’Ziah King are now in theaters. Buckle up!
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Zola (2021) https://bit.ly/zolatweet1
the original 148 tweets from Zola https://bit.ly/zolatweet2
Jess’s story posted on Reddit https://bit.ly/zolatweet3
the original Rolling Stone article https://bit.ly/zolatweet4
interview, w/ Zola in 2021 https://bit.ly/zolatweet5
book, hardcover version of “The Story” https://bit.ly/zolatweet6
Space Jam
How in the world did the classic cartoons get mashed with Michael Jordan, and now LeBron James? Was it always a commercial money-making scheme? And what’s Bugs Bunny been doing all these years? Find out the hidden gems behind the history of this classic cinema story.
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021) https://bit.ly/spacejamlegacy0
trailer, Space Jam (1996) https://bit.ly/spacejamlegacy1
video, original Hare Jordan commercial (1992) https://bit.ly/spacejamlegacy2
music, final Bugs Bunny rap “Buggin’” (1996) https://bit.ly/spacejamlegacy3
video, Spike Lee Mars Blackmon basketball commercial https://bit.ly/spacejamlegacy4
video Spike Lee Mars Blackmon baseball “he’s trying” commercial https://bit.ly/spacejamlegacy5
article, how Mars Blackmon and Michael Jordan met https://bit.ly/spacejamlegacy6
article, Jim Riswold, the originator of Michael and Bugs https://bit.ly/spacejamlegacy7
article, Joe Dante’s unmade Looney Tunes film https://bit.ly/spacejamlegacy8
video, history of Bugs Bunny https://bit.ly/spacejamlegacy9
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
Nollywood
We dive in to the second highest-producing film industry in the world, Nigerian cinema. The historical origins, the unique cultural trends, and the big plans for the future - do NOT sleep on this one!
Contact:
Reach out on instagram - @illiteratepod
Extras:
trailer, Living in Bondage: Breaking Free (2019) https://bit.ly/nollywoodfilm1
youtube channel, Nigerian Nollywood Pictures https://bit.ly/nollywoodfilm2
article, Nigeria happiness poll data https://bit.ly/nollywoodfilm3
full film, Living in Bondage (1992) https://bit.ly/nollywoodfilm4
documentary, Making it In Nollywood https://bit.ly/nollywoodfilm5
article, Folorunsho Alakija, worth more than Oprah https://bit.ly/nollywoodfilm6
The Fast & the Furious
Based on the written word?! How did this import tuner racing series turn into the epic saga we know and love? Come find out all the influences and secrets to making a changing series stay strong.
Extras:
interview, original article writer Ken Li https://bit.ly/ffurious1
article, the culture of street racing https://bit.ly/ffurious2
trailer, The Fast and The Furious (2001) https://bit.ly/ffurious3
full film, The Fast and The Furious (1955) https://bit.ly/ffurious4
video, every mention of the word “family” in the series https://bit.ly/ffurious5
trailer, Justin Lin film Better Luck Tomorrow (2002) https://bit.ly/ffurious6
article, “Racer X”, origin of the first film https://bit.ly/ffurious10
video, Initial D anime best racing moments https://bit.ly/ffurious11Contact:
- 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 Woman in the Window
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:
- 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
Shadow and Bone
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:
- 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
Moxie & Mean Girls
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:
- 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
Nomadland
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:
- 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
Hillbilly Elegy (JD Vance)
What’s the book about, and why does the film miss it? And what the heck’s an elegy? Hillbilly Elegy is on Netflix, based on the book by JD Vance.
Extras:
trailer for Hillbilly Elegy // 3 min https://bit.ly/hillbilly1
Appalachian Reckoning // book https://bit.ly/hillbilly2
the NYT book review // article https://bit.ly/hillbilly3
NPR on “culture of poverty” theory // article https://bit.ly/hillbilly4
interview with JD Vance // 60 min https://bit.ly/hillbilly5
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 Queen's Gambit (Walter Tevis)
Is the life of Beth Harmon, chess prodigy from the 1960s, based in fact? Why did this take so long to make? And how many more people are buying chess sets now? The Queen’s Gambit is on Netflix, based on the book by Walter Tevis.
Extras:
trailer, “The Queen’s Gambit” (2020) // 3 min https://bit.ly/queengambit1
trailer, “Searching for Bobby Fischer” (1993) // 3 min https://bit.ly/queengambit2
trailer, “Pawn Sacrifice” (2015) // 3 min https://bit.ly/queengambit3
Madwoman’s Book Club sign up // article https://bit.ly/queengambit4
trailer, “Queen of Katwe” (2016) // 3 min https://bit.ly/queengambit5
a chess expert’s take on the series // article https://bit.ly/queengambit6
Judit Polgar’s take on women in chess // article https://bit.ly/queengambit7
the life of Walter Tevis // article https://bit.ly/queengambit8
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
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
Moonlight
This week, we discuss the journey to creating the intimate story of growing up as a black gay man in Liberty City. Moonlight is based on the unreleased play “In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue” by Tarell Alvin McCraney.
Extras:
trailer for “Moonlight” // 2 min http://bit.ly/moonlighttrail
interview with Barry and Tarell // 17 min http://bit.ly/barrytarellint1
Borscht’s “Adventures of Christopher Bosh in the Multiverse!” // 11 minhttps://vimeo.com/64605295
Barry’s first film, “My Josephine” // 8 min https://vimeo.com/7456450
Barry’s PBS short, “Remigration” // 20 min http://bit.ly/remigration1
Barry’s Borscht short, “Chlorophyl” // 17 min https://vimeo.com/79167472
the story of the Borscht Corporation http://bit.ly/borschtcorp
“Tongues Untied” doc by Marlon Riggs // 54 min http://bit.ly/tonguesuntieddoc
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