Verbal Diorama

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, a patron pick by Pete, is a visual and audible treat. A sweeping epic about love, loyalty, lust and oppression, and a genre-defining Hollywood game-changer when it came to bringing Chinese wuxia martial arts films over to Western audiences.

From terrific performances by Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi, to stunning cinematography and outstanding fight choreography, it's a movie that truly has something for everyone.

Despite critical and commercial acclaim in the west, it wasn't well received everywhere though.

Laura Suen analyses the fight scene between Yu Jen and Yu Shu Lien in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

I would love to hear your thoughts on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon !

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SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....

Give this podcast a five-star Rate & Review

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Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Vern, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Ian, Lisa, Sam, Will, Jack, Dave, Chris, Stuart, Sunni, Drew, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Pete, Heather, Danny and BRAND-NEW PATRON Haley!

BRAND-NEW Merch STORE!!

T-shirts inspired by The Mummy (1999) with more collections to come!

EPISODE THANKS TO....

Most excellent patrons:

Pete, for picking this episode and for his patron thoughts. You can find him @TheRealPEEEETE on Twitter and his podcast Middle Class Film Class on all your podcast apps.

Andy, for his patron thoughts. You can find him @geeksaladradio on Twitter and his podcast Geek Salad on all your podcast apps.

Derek, for his patron thoughts. You can find him @derekjones198 on Twitter and his podcast The Midnight Myth on all your podcast apps.

Twitter peeps

• @DWLundberg
• @deafheaven

Instagram folk

• @seangeekpodcast
• @paulie1701

Facebook chums

• None this time

Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song

Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe

Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)

Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

Mentioned in this episode:

Paid promotions in this episode

This episode contains a paid Patron promotion for Middle Class Film Class, hosted by patron Pete.

To mirth, to merriment, to manslaughter!

What defines a loving family? Is is the rosy-cheeked cheery-faced privileged bullies at Camp Chippewa, or is it The Addams Family?

Pause for thought.

The answer is, and always will be, The Addams Family's honest depiction of love and acceptance. This is not only on full display once again in Addams Family Values, but includes a clear message from writer Paul Rudnick on America's republican views on "family values", and how that is always code for exclusion and hatred.

Addams Family Values is timeless; a perfect Thanksgiving movie, a perfect Halloween movie, and the perfect depiction of a familial love that can be any race, any sexuality, any belief and any gender. And it adds an iconic Joan Cusack performance to the mix, just in case you were wanting more.

"But Debbie... PASTELS?"

I would love to hear your thoughts on Addams Family Values !

GET IN TOUCH....

• Twitter @verbaldiorama
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• Facebook @verbaldiorama
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• Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com
• Website verbaldiorama.com

SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....

Give this podcast a five-star Rate & Review

Join the Patreon

Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Vern, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Ian, Lisa, Sam, Will, Jack, Dave, Chris, Stuart, Sunni, Drew, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Pete, Heather and Danny

BRAND-NEW Merch STORE!!

T-shirts inspired by The Mummy (1999) with more collections to come!

EPISODE THANKS TO....

Most excellent patrons:

Andy for his patron thoughts. You can find him @geeksaladradio on Twitter and his podcast Geek Salad on all your podcast apps.

Pete for his patron thoughts. You can find him @PodcastMCFC on Twitter and his podcast Middle Class Film Class on all your podcast apps.

Zo for his patron thoughts. You can find him @BackLookCinema on Twitter and his podcast Back Look Cinema on all your podcast apps.

Nicholas for his patron thoughts

Twitter peeps

• @marcpaters0n
• @HarrymetMovies
• @DWLundberg
• @nobodyasked4pod
• @Oral_mfc
• @diabolicalpod
• @films_that
• @dissectthatfilm
• @kevin_thecritic

Instagram folk

• @dave_j_bamf
• @friendlysparpod

Facebook chums

• Catherine
• Andy
• Edward

Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song

Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe

Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)

Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

Come with me if you want to listen.... to one of the biggest episodes I've ever made on one of the most ground-breaking and important sequels ever made.

From the original 1984 low budget slasher, to a big budget action sci-fi spectacular, Terminator 2: Judgment Day upped the stakes in every conceivable way. With James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton returning, and a new Terminator threatening young John Connor, T2 smashes and slices and shoots its way into cinema history, with non-stop action, perfectly paced and a glorious mix of practical and CG effects that, while rudimentary at the time, shaped modern advancements in CG.

It's truly the daddy of all sequels.

There is no fate but what we make.

BEFORES AND AFTERS ARTICLE - THE TECH OF TERMINATOR 2 - AN ORAL HISTORY

T2 TEASER TRAILER

I would love to hear your thoughts on Terminator 2: Judgment Day !

GET IN TOUCH....

• Twitter @verbaldiorama
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• Facebook @verbaldiorama
• Letterboxd @verbaldiorama
• Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com
• Website verbaldiorama.com

SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....

Give this podcast a five-star Rate & Review

Join the Patreon

Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Vern, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Ian, Lisa, Sam, Will, Jack, Dave, Chris, Stuart, Sunni, Drew, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Pete, Heather and Danny

BRAND-NEW Merch STORE!!

T-shirts inspired by The Mummy (1999) with more collections to come!

EPISODE THANKS TO....

Most excellent patrons:

Andy for his patron thoughts. You can find him @geeksaladradio on Twitter and his podcast Geek Salad on all your podcast apps.

Derek for his patron thoughts. You can find him @derekjones198 on Twitter and his podcast The Midnight Myth on all your podcast apps.

Zo for his patron thoughts. You can find him @BackLookCinema on Twitter and his podcast Back Look Cinema on all your podcast apps.

Stuart and Brendan for their patron thoughts, too.

Twitter peeps

• @TheCatFilmFan
• @DWLundberg
• @chriswill_84
• @Wreckfast_Club
• @dissectthatfilm
• @mrlondon_ncb
• @ChatsunamiPod
• @Craigsg1
• @CinemaMedicine
• @HarleyMumford
• @TheDigressor
• @films_that
• @laughmatician
• @StandevenSearc1
• @CranberryElect

Instagram folk

• @gregclaw
• @thecoolnesschronicles
• @piratequeen2000
• @john_cena_hustleloyaltyrespect
• @hazzwild
• @rosekellz

Facebook chums

• None this time

Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song

Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe

Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)

Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

The MCU has changed a hell of a lot in 15 months. Back in June 2021 Loki was on everyone's lips, my Avengers series was winding to the end of Phase 3, and Marvel had officially started Phase 4 of the MCU with WandaVision... (and June 2021 is when this episode was originally recorded.)

Post Vision's death at the hands of Thanos, and the resulting snap, Wanda Maximoff is bereft. She ends up in Westview, NJ; a small town where Vision had big dreams for their future together.

So, based on the US sitcoms she grew up watching in Sokovia, Wanda creates that future. It's a fascinating exploration of grief, love, loss and power, told through Wanda as she and Vision live "happily" in different eras of American sitcoms. They marry, have children, and this manifestation of life is as real for Wanda as it could ever be.

It's a great showcase for the range of both Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany, and explores trauma, grief and complex mental health issues as being the main antagonists in a superhero story.

Who's been messing up everything, though?

This episode was originally released as a Patreon exclusive in June 2021... and is being re-released to everyone to fill a gap in my schedule due to being ill recently. Technically it counts in Sequeltember, as a sequel to Avengers: Age of Ultron/Infinity War/Endgame etc.... Since this recording, we've obviously had a continuation of Wanda's story in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - this episode makes no mention of the events of that movie, because it wasn't out when I recorded it. ;-)

The daywalker returns to Verbal Diorama for Sequeltember, and this time he has a Blood Pack.

Guillermo del Toro admired Stephen Norrington's Blade so much, he analysed it in depth once he took the reins for Blade II. He wanted to build on the world of Blade (1998) by upping the blood, gore, martial arts and monsters, while also staying true to Norrington's original vision.

On its release in 2002, critics were mixed on Blade II, and even now it sits at a disappointing 57% on Rotten Tomatoes, but Blade II gave us more than the return of Wesley Snipes in the role he was born to play, more than the resurrection of Whistler, more than the always perfect Ron Perlman, or more than the terrifyingly beautiful design for the Reapers. Blade II left a lasting legacy, which is still being felt today, and without it cinema would be very different and slightly less full of beautiful monsters...

I would love to hear your thoughts on Blade II !

GET IN TOUCH....

• Twitter @verbaldiorama
• Instagram @verbaldiorama
• Facebook @verbaldiorama
• Letterboxd @verbaldiorama
• Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com
• Website verbaldiorama.com

SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....

Give this podcast a five-star Rate & Review

Join the Patreon

Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Vern, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Ian, Lisa, Sam, Will, Jack, Dave, Chris, Stuart, Sunni, Drew, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Pete, Heather and Danny

BRAND-NEW Merch STORE!!

T-shirts inspired by The Mummy (1999) with more collections to come!

EPISODE THANKS TO....

Most excellent patrons:

Andy for his patron thoughts. You can find him @geeksaladradio on Twitter and his podcast Geek Salad on all your podcast apps.

Zo for his patron thoughts. You can find him @BackLookCinema on Twitter and his podcast Back Look Cinema on all your podcast apps.

Twitter peeps

• @dad_sleepy
• @holmesmoviespod
• @soyouthinkpod
• @hesster56
• @HarrymetMovies
• @kevin_thecritic
• @BurghFan004
• @Recastedpodcast
• @diabolicalpod
• @Teddyhoggle
• @dissectthatfilm
• @DWLundberg
• @ShoottheFlick
• @Oral_mfc
• @GenuineChitChat
• @jonnyliterati
• @RayTaylor

Instagram folk

• None this time

Facebook chums

• John

Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song

Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe

Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)

Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

The power of the sun, in the palm of my hands...

Welcome to Sequeltember: The Sequel. Another round of sequels to movies previously featured on Verbal Diorama, and the month starts with a sequel that surpassed its genre-defining original.

Spider-Man 2 is, 18 years after its release, still widely regarded as one of the best comic book movies ever made. It's not hard to see why. It has a relatable, human story at its heart, a villain with pathos, gives us the familiar cinematic beats we expect from superhero cinema, as well as accessibility to casual viewers.

A blend of truly remarkable practical and CG effects make Doc Ock a ground-breaking antagonist, brought to life by the one and only Alfred Molina. Sam Raimi's trilogy peaks here.

I would love to hear your thoughts on Spider-Man 2 (2004) !

GET IN TOUCH....

• Twitter @verbaldiorama
• Instagram @verbaldiorama
• Facebook @verbaldiorama
• Letterboxd @verbaldiorama
• Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com
• Website verbaldiorama.com

SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....

Give this podcast a five-star Rate & Review

Join the Patreon

Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Vern, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Ian M, Lisa, Sam, Will, Jack, Dave, Chris, Stuart, Jason, Ian D, Sunni, Drew, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Pete, Heather and Danny

BRAND-NEW Merch STORE!!

T-shirts inspired by The Mummy (1999) with more collections to come!

EPISODE THANKS TO....

Most excellent patrons:

Andy for his patron thoughts. You can find him @geeksaladradio on Twitter and his podcast Geek Salad on all your podcast apps.

Derek for his patron thoughts. You can find him @derekjones198 on Twitter and his podcast The Midnight Myth on all your podcast apps.

Zo for his patron thoughts. You can find him @BackLookCinema on Twitter and his podcast Back Look Cinema on all your podcast apps.

And Brendan for his patron thoughts.

Twitter peeps

• @HarrymetMovies
• @bestfilmeverpod
• @AtPedestrian
• @HarleyMumford
• @kevin_thecritic
• @Neillbert
• @DWLundberg
• @diabolicalpod
• @momscast
• @mikeb196
• @laughmatician
• @TheGodofPod
• @AndyGaudion93
• @AndrewGordge
• @GRive03
• @AdventuresSun

Instagram folk

• @sp_filmviewers
• @dywmpodcast

Facebook chums

• None this time

Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song

Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe

Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)

Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

Mentioned in this episode:

Paid promotions in this episode

This episode contains a paid Patron promotion for Middle Class Film Class, hosted by patron Pete.

Spending my vacation in the summer sun, gettin' lots of action and a lots of fun, scorin' like a bandit 'til the bubble burst, suddenly it got to be August 31st!

Come on everybody, gather 'round, I'm gonna show you how to knock 'em down. When I'm on the ball, I'm the number one, and I'm gonna show you how it's done.

It's time for the annual birthday episode! While I pride myself on being your Girl For All Seasons, sometimes you have to Do It for Our Country and forget the Charades. It's time for the superior Grease to reign supreme - Grease 2!

Who's That Guy? It's Maxwell Caulfield! Who's looking for a Cool Rider? well, me, but also Michelle Pfeiffer! No need to be Prowlin' through your podcast app looking for a Rock-a-Hula-Luau. We'll Be Together, and (Love Will) Turn Back the Hands of Time to go Back to School Again in 1961 at Rydell High, as the T-Birds and Pink Ladies return to Score Tonight.

Any unauthorised Reproduction of this birthday episode is strictly prohibited.

MY GREASE 2 ARTICLE FOR FILM STORIES

Adrian Zmed & The T-Birds - Solid Gold

Auguest concludes, with the first, second and third rule in a crisis situation...

I have no respect for those who have no respect for logic. Joining me to talk about Ivan Reitman's fan-favourite Arnold Schwarzenegger & Danny DeVito buddy comedy TWINS are two hosts of a podcast that could be the twin podcast to Verbal Diorama; Drew and Matt from Sequel Pitch!

I know, right! Practically twins!

While we only have three fathers between us, not six, our podcasts were separated at birth, only to find each other much later. Very much like the story of Julius and Vincent Benedict, coincidentally also the names of Matt's twin daughters.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was known as an '80s action hero, following hits like The Terminator and Commando. He wanted to branch out into comedy and a chance meeting with Ivan Reitman at a ski resort would give him the chance. The idea they pitched to Universal was simple: Schwarzenegger. DeVito. Twins. Together Reitman, Schwarzenegger and DeVito would also take no up-front salary, but instead a portion of the profits, which would yield a unexpected and unprecedented windfall for all three.

This episode is also filled with way more innuendo an '80s buddy comedy should facilitate, as well as some great Arnie impressions. And did you know that in real life science is taking steps towards creating an actual Julius Benedict, using three-parent IVF?

Tonight is your night, bro!

Drew (@DrewToynbee) and Matt (@V1KingXL) host Sequel Pitch alongside Ross and Andy. You can find their back catalogue of brilliant episodes in your podcast app of choice, and they're on Twitter as @SequelPitch

I would love to hear your thoughts on Twins!

GET IN TOUCH....

• Twitter @verbaldiorama
• Instagram @verbaldiorama
• Facebook @verbaldiorama
• Letterboxd @verbaldiorama
• Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com
• Website verbaldiorama.com

SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....

Give this podcast a five-star Rate & Review

Join the Patreon

Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Vern, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Ian M, Lisa, Sam, Will, Jack, Dave, Chris, Stuart, Jason, Ian D, Sunni, Drew, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Pete, Heather and brand-new patron Danny!

BRAND-NEW Merch STORE!!

T-shirts inspired by The Mummy (1999) with more collections to come!

EPISODE THANKS TO....

• Drew & Matt for being awesome and coming on!

Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song

Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe

Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)

Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

Auguest continues!

Impulse. Response. Fluid. Imperfect. Patterned. Chaotic. All words to describe this podcast, but also uttered by Nathan describing the brain of his ultimate creation; Ava. But can Ava pass as human? Let's find out as we delve into Alex Garland's (sort-of!) directorial debut, EX MACHINA!

This week's guest wasn't lucky, he was chosen. I had to use all of my self-awareness, imagination, manipulation, sexuality and empathy to be joined by the terrific Jack Chambers-Ward from Sequelisers, who was made to be on this podcast talking about Ex Machina.

Despite all of his work so far, Ex Machina might very well be Alex Garland's masterpiece. A complex, character-driven piece, on the power of nature vs future, nature vs nurture and man vs object of desire.

Basically this movie and this episode.... is all about Kyoko. Kyoko is the key. Don't believe us? Listen in and we'll explain why....

If you've created a conscious machine, it's not the history of man. That's the history of gods.

The YouTube video we mention several times, by Shaun, is titled How Wikipedia Got Ex Machina (2014) Wrong and is available here

Jack (@jlwchambers) hosts Sequelisers alongside Matt Stogdon and Tim Maytom. You can find their back catalogue of brilliant episodes in your podcast app of choice, and they're on Twitter as @Sequelisers

I would love to hear your thoughts on Ex Machina!

GET IN TOUCH....

• Twitter @verbaldiorama
• Instagram @verbaldiorama
• Facebook @verbaldiorama
• Letterboxd @verbaldiorama
• Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com
• Website verbaldiorama.com

SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....

Give this podcast a five-star Rate & Review

Join the Patreon

Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Vern, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Ian M, Lisa, Sam, Will, Jack, Dave, Chris, Stuart, Jason, Ian D, Sunni, Drew, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Pete and Heather.

BRAND-NEW Merch STORE!!

T-shirts inspired by The Mummy (1999) with more collections to come!

EPISODE THANKS TO....

• Jack, for being awesome and coming on!

Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song

Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe

Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)

Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.

Auguest continues!

Snootch to the motherf**king nootch! Verbal Diorama returns for another guest hosted episode for probably the best movie writer/director Kevin Smith has ever made - DOGMA.

There's no pleasure, no rapture, no exquisite sin greater than being joined for Dogma by the human embodiment of the Buddy Christ, Andy from Geek Salad, for his Holy Trinity of guest appearances. He has a penchant for the dramatic, but unlike other fallen angels, he won't kill you for your sins.

Kevin Smith tapped into his lapsed Catholicism and wrote an ambitious, controversial and theologically actually-rather-respectful; reverent, yet irreverent story.

You people! If there isn't a movie about it, it's not worth knowing, is it?

Andy (aka Perennial Commenter Andy!) hosts Geek Salad along with regular contributors Mike, Katherine and Joe. You can find their back catalogue of brilliant episodes in your podcast app of choice, and they're on Twitter as @geeksaladradio

I would love to hear your thoughts on Dogma!

GET IN TOUCH....

• Twitter @verbaldiorama
• Instagram @verbaldiorama
• Facebook @verbaldiorama
• Letterboxd @verbaldiorama
• Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com
• Website verbaldiorama.com

SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....

Give this podcast a five-star Rate & Review

Join the Patreon

Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Vern, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Scott, Brendan, Ian M, Lisa, Sam, Will, Jack, Dave, Chris, Stuart, Jason, Ian D, Sunni, Drew, Nicholas, Zo, Kev, Pete and Heather

BRAND-NEW Merch STORE!!

T-shirts inspired by The Mummy (1999) with more collections to come!

EPISODE THANKS TO....

• Andy, for being awesome and coming on!

Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song

Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe

Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)

Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studio

This podcast is hosted by Captivate, try it yourself for free.