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
Concrete Cowboy
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
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
Godzilla vs. Kong
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:
- 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
Justice League
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:
- 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
Minari
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:
- 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
The United States vs Billie Holiday
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:
- 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
Judas and the Black Messiah
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:
- 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
One Night in Miami (Kemp Powers)
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:
- 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
Shaft
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:
- 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
Bridgerton
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:
- 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
Weddings
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:
- 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
Lupin (Arsène Lupin by Maurice Leblanc)
Learn about the enormous world of Arsène Lupin, his connection to the British detective, Japanese anime, and what makes a gentleman thief. Lupin is on Netflix, based on the stories of Arsène Lupin, by Maurice Leblanc.
Extras:
trailer, Lupin (2021) // 2 min http://bit.ly/lupintrailer
trailer, Lupin III (2020 animation) // 2 min http://bit.ly/lupin3trailer
trailer, Miyazaki’s Lupin (1979) // 2 min http://bit.ly/miyazakilupin
essay, comparison of Lupin and Sherlock // article http://bit.ly/lupinsherlock
story, “The Arrest of Arsene Lupin” (1905) // article http://bit.ly/lupinstory1
photo, Marius Jacob the burglar http://bit.ly/mariusjacob
essay, Marius Jacob’s “Why I Was a Burglar” (1905) // article http://bit.ly/mariusessay
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
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (August Wilson)
How did a bisexual black woman become the founder of classic blues? And why don’t people know about her? Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is based on the play by August Wilson.
Extras:
trailer, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom // 3 min http://bit.ly/marainey2
song, Prove It On Me Blues // 3 min http://bit.ly/marainey1
poster, Prove It On Me Blues // photo http://bit.ly/marainey3
interview, Ruben Santiago-Hudson // 40 min http://bit.ly/marainey5
interview, August Wilson // article http://bit.ly/marainey6
the real Black Bottom dance moves // 2 min http://bit.ly/marainey7
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 Best of 2020
Evan and Taylor replay the top moments from the year, and their picks for the must-listen episodes!
If the show has helped, educated, or inspired you this year, we’d love for you to share an episode with a friend. It’s the reason we come back every week, and would mean so much to us.
Here’s to 2021, and thank you so much for learning along with us!
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
Die Hard
Was this always a Christmas film (and book?), and how did it redefine the “action hero”? Die Hard with Bruce Willis was originally “Nothing Lasts Forever”, a novel by Roderick Thorp.
Extras:
die hard parody trailer // 2 min http://bit.ly/die-hard1
the writer’s take on if it’s a christmas film // 4 min http://bit.ly/die-hard2
review of the predecessor film “the detective” // article http://bit.ly/die-hard3
the original posters without bruce willis on it // article http://bit.ly/die-hard4
the history of the writing process // article http://bit.ly/die-hard5
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
Hallmark Christmas Movies
Hallmark is not just cards. Learn about the twisty history the company has in TV, children’s toys, and even a famous invention!
Extras:
Hallmark is not just cards. Learn about the twisty history the company has in TV, children’s toys, and even a famous invention!
happiest season trailer // 3 min http://bit.ly/happiestseasontrail
interview with hallmark programming vp // 39 min http://bit.ly/hallmarkvp
history of hallmark // article http://bit.ly/hallmarkcable
classic hallmark card commercial // 2 min http://bit.ly/hallmarkcommercial
every hallmark movie ever parody // 4 min http://bit.ly/hallmarkparody
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
Steven Spielberg (pt 1 & 2)
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:
- 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