Mandatory Media

This month the group tackles the wonderful comedic play "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde. Books in hand, the group delves into the latest National Theatre Live staging, clever phrasing, and (of course) Doctor Who.

Bret takes us through John Donne's spectacular sonnet Batter my heart, three-person'd God. We talk the wonderful language of sonnets, Donne's rebellious nature, and old-timey ways to say things.

This week we take a look at Ted Chiang's novella Stories of Your Life and Others, the inspiration for the 2016 film Arrival. We talk linguistics, Paradise Lost, and Calvinism (for some reason).

John Carpenter's They Live is a remarkable film from years gone by that remains eerily prescient to our modern society. Join us as we talk aliens, Reaganomics, Doctor Who, and the 15 minute fight scene in an alley way.

Bret takes the group through a deep dive on John Milton's Il Penseroso & L'Allegro, a pair of poems layered in mythic reference, Milton's iconic literary style, and wonderful storytelling.

Main Texts referenced:

• L'Allegro
• Il Penseroso
• ⁠Gordon Teskey⁠'s The Poetry of John Milton

In a break from usual format, David takes the crew through some some selected episodes from the hit TV show MASH. They discuss the changing landscape of TV, classic jokes, and the backdrop of the Korean War. Selected Episodes:

• S1.12 - Dear Dad
• S1.15 - Captain Tuttle
• S4.25 - The Interview
• S5.22 - Movie Tonight
• S8.11 - Lifetime

Just in time for Jaws' 50th anniversary, Seth takes the pod through Spielberg's 1975 classic film. We discuss the unjustly persecuted shark that always broke down on set, incredible suits, and John Williams' iconic score.

For our 40th episode, Bret takes us through Keats' wonderful ode, To Autumn. We talk native bees, reflections on the poem, and the beautiful nostalgia of fall.

S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders is a staple of middle school English class that somehow both Bret and Seth had never read. Join our three hosts as they discuss Robert Frost, Coppola's movie adaptation, and the lasting power of then 15-year-old Hinton's novel.

Seth takes the gang through Kurosawa's wonderful Shakepeare adaptation/reimagining, Throne of Blood. Join us for reflections on MacBeth, praising Toshiro Mifune's acting, and so much more.