Jamie sits down with friend and huge fan of Stephen King's It, Rainey. We get into the most infamous scene from the original novel, the cosmic space turtle. We touch upon the beloved 1990s miniseries and how Tim Curry compares to Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise. We also touch of course on the movies, and the controversial twist of It Chapter Two. Come join us, you'll float too...

Ranking Thrones

This is Halloween - Stephen King's It

Cosplay icon @carmillajo drops by to chat about The Nightmare Before Christmas. We talk about how this is NOT a Tim Burton movie despite what people think. Is this movie a metaphor for Tim Burton's relationship to Disney? Is this a metaphor for cultural appropriation? Is the message of the movie anti-Disney? All this and a discussion of anime.

This is Halloween - The Nightmare Before Christmas

In honor of Halloween, Jamie dives deep into some Halloween classics. Debuting this new podcast, musical veteran Elena comes to chat about Little Shop of Horrors. Get ready for everything from the original Roger Corman movie, Hallmark Christmas movies, the merits of Russell Crowe in Les Miserables, making deals with the Devil, and speculation on the Little Shop remake. Please join us, and please don't feed the plants. 

This is Halloween - Little Shop of Horrors

Bailey comes back and she and James go into the legendary Shakespeare spiritual adaptation, The Lion King. How much is The Lion King the story of Hamlet? Is Disney actually less wish-fulfillment fantasy than people believe? All this, and how Hakuna Matataa may be a metaphor for being a teenager.

Shakespeare Onscreen - The Lion King

After James and Evan have spent hours debating and analyzing George RR Martin's fantasy history, James has brought on the hosts of a real history podcast. Graham Duke and Ali Hood of the phenomenal podcast Rex Factor come to discuss Robert Baratheon. We talk about the real-life inspiration behind Robert in Edward IV and Henry IV. Are the mistakes of Robert so bad compared to what most real kings did? All this, and Rex Factor answering all the questions you always wanted them to answer. Rex Factor | Reviewing all the Kings and Queens of England & Scotland (wordpress.com)

Ranking Thrones Episode 51 - Robert I with Rex Factor

Host's log: Phil returns to boldly go into a deep dive of three unique episodes from Star Trek: The Original Series that were all inspired by the plot of Shakespeare's plays.  Elaan of Troyius: Kirk and the Enterprise have to transport this haughty Princess to her arranged marriage. But can Kirk tame this beautiful woman, or will her feminine wiles and Klingon attacks mean the end? Inspired by The Taming of the Shrew, are the outfits France Nuyen wears a little much? Does this episode age well? Catspaw: Star Trek's Halloween episode has Kirk and the Enterprise receive an ominous warning after the death of a redshirt. Ignoring the warning of three witches Kirk, Spock and McCoy go to a seemingly haunted castle and meet two fickle magicians. Is this really a Macbeth episode of Star Trek? Do the old effects distract? The Conscience of the King: Kirk is told that a Shakespearean actor may be an escaped war criminal. Kirk investigates while struggling with doubt and wooing the war criminal's daughter. We discuss the episode's relation to Hamlet, the significance of genre entertainment and the episode's relation to the Nuremberg trials.

Shakespeare Onscreen - Star Trek's Shakespeare Trilogy

They say that Shakespeare's work is immortal and universal. Akira Kurosawa proves that with his adaptation of Macbeth into feudal Japan with the masterpiece Throne of Blood. Guest Phil joins Jamie in discussing how well Kurosawa translates the story of Macbeth. The two get into the cross-cultural similarities and differences as well as the phenomenal performances and cinematography.

Shakespeare Onscreen - Akira Kurosawa's Throne of Blood

Bailey returns to chat about the Macbeth film starring the one and only Sir Patrick Stewart. We speak about the modernization, the symbolism and more in this week's episode!

Shakespeare Onscreen - Goold's Macbeth

Alex returns to complete our 3-part analysis of The Hollow Crown. But rather than simply talk about Thea Sharrock's magnificent film, we broaden and speak about the two famous films by Sir Laurence Olivier and Sir Kenneth Branagh. Each adaptation of Henry V is a masterpiece that highlights different aspects of the text and bring Shakespeare's play and characters in wholly different light. Join us as we go once more unto the breach. 

Shakespeare Onscreen - Henry V on Film

Continuing our in-depth analysis on The Hollow Crown, Alex returns to talk about one of the best showcases of Shakespeare. We analyze the historical basis for the play, Falstaff, why there was a sequel and the character of Hal. All this and Minions in this week's episode.

Shakespeare Onscreen- The Hollow Crown's Henry IV

In 2012, BBC created an adaptation of the Henriad. The first and arguably greatest in the tetralogy is Richard II. Directed by Rupert Goold and starring Ben Whishaw and Rory Kinnear. Alex rejoins as he and Jamie discuss their love of the play, Shakespeare at the zenith of his craft and why is Richard II not as popular a play.

Shakespeare Onscreen- The Hollow Crown's Richard II

Friend of the podcast Gorgo of the Online Shakespeare Repetory joins to talk about Joseph Mankiewicz's Julius Caesar. We get into the politics of the play and Shakespeare, the Academy Award nominated Marlon Brando and more!

Shakespeare Onscreen- Mankiewicz's Julius Caesar

James and Evan dive deep into the Civil War between Caesar and Pompey. Find out how Pompey beat Caesar and still lost the war. Our intro to Cleopatra. And Octavian and Caesar's relationship.

Roman Lives: Augustus - II The Rise and Fall of Julius Caesar

James and Evan begin a miniseries exploring the life of Rome's first Emperor on the month named after him. In the year Gaius Octavian was born a Civil War was imminent. How the crisis came about and its resolution would be the perfect setting for the rise of Augustus.

Roman Lives: Augustus - I The World Octavian Was Born Into

Jamie finally does the episode he has dreaded, Luhrman's Romeo + Juliet. Thankfully his guests Vicki and Alex insisted that they could only talk about the movie if they compared it to the vastly superior Franco Zefereli film.

Shakespeare Onscreen: Luhrman v Zefereli's Romeo & Juliet

James and Evan go through the History of Westeros and judge the pivotal figures determining who were the greatest rulers, the most despicable tyrants and more!

hubhopper

Ranking Thrones

hubhopper