Exploring literature and ideas. Inspired discussion on great or pertinent texts and the ideas that grow from them.
Paul looks at the massive 1994 novel Insomnia that Stephen King set up as connection to the Drak Tower.
Paul takes a look at Number 24, the biopic of Gunnar Sonsteby
Paul takes on two more of the side novels from Stephen King's Dark Tower series: The Wind Through the Keyhole and Hearts in Atlantis.
Paul talks this episode about the tragic story of Alice in Chains singer Layne Staley, and the attempts of his friends in music to save him. Alice in Chains, "Grind," Alice in Chains. Seattle, Columbia, 1995. Alice in Chains, "I Stay Away," Jar of Flies. Seattle, Columbia, 1994. Alice in Chains, "Man In The Box," Facelift. Seattle, Columbia, 1990. Alice in Chains, "Nutshell," Jar of Flies. Seattle, Columbia, 1994. Alice in Chains, "Over Now," Unplugged. Seattle, Columbia, 1996. Alice in Chains, "Them Bones," Dirt. Seattle, Columbia, 1993. Alice in Chains, "What the Hell Have I," Last Action Hero Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Seattle, Columbia, 1993. Dylan, Bob. "Ring Them Bells." Performed by Heart. Desire Walks On. USA, Capitol, 1993. Mad Season, "All Alone," Above. Seattle, Columbia, 1995. Mad Season, "River of Deceit," Above. Seattle, Columbia, 1995.
No, it doesn't suck. It just has some bad pacing and lame story choices. It's 65% good.
Paul talks about the endearing appeal of King Arthur of Camelot
F Trump. F Elon. F Vlad. Effin right, bud.
Paul discusses the unending appeal of the Gangster movie or tv show. Bad folks
KIng, Stephen. 'Salem's Lot. New York, Vintage, 1975.
Paul tackles what is considered by many Stephen King's masterpiece.King, Stephen. The Stand: The Complete & Uncut Edition. New York, Doubleday, 1990.
Paul discusses the most remarkable series of the decade: Ted Lasso.
Paul talks about the horrow cult classic, The Thing
Paul discusses one of the most bizarre but beloved characters in all of Tolkien.Ryelund, Morten. "Tom Bombadil's Song (I)", The Fellowship of the Ring. CDklassic, 2000. Tolkien, Christopher. The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. London, Houghton Mifflin, 2000.Tolkien, J.R.R. The Fellowship of the Ring. London, HarperCollins, 2010.
Paul looks at Amazon's nasty and fun superhero satire, The Boys.
Paul discusses why Emperor Marcus Aurelius's Meditations remains a worthwhile read almost two millennia after it was written. Aurelius, Marcus. Meditations. (Translated by Gregory Hays). New York, Modern Library, 2002.
Paul Continues his journey through King's fantasy opus
Paul picks up on his continuing study of Stephen King's fantasy opus.
Paul kicks the hornet's nest and talks the good and considerable bad of Deadpool & Wolverine.For a much nicer review, check out The Good Enough Gaming Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/good-enough-gaming-pod/id1553128355?i=1000663926773
That's an awful title. Here's an episode on director Ridley Scott.
Paul discusses the recent near-assissnation of Donald Trump but keeps that rambling structured. Adler, Mortimer. Aristotle for Everybody. New York, Macmillan, 1978.
Paul considers what generational technology usage and the advent of AI writing will do to reading, thinking, and writing.
Paul chats about the mentor character, so significant to the Hero's Journey.
Paul talks about the second take on his favourite book.
Vedder, Eddie. "Man of the Hour," Big Fish: Music from the Motion Picture. Seattle, Pearl Jam, 2003.
Inspired by one of his teaching lessons, Paul discusses the concept of "the better story" which forms a connection between Yann Martel's 2001 novel Life of Pi and Tim Burton's 2004 film, Big Fish.Burton, Tim. Big Fish. United States, Sony Pictures, 2003. Martel, Yann. Life of Pi. Toronto, Vintage, 2001.
Paul continues his exploration of the Dark Tower series with this Master's Class of character building. King, Stephen. The Drawing of the Three. New York, Plume, 2003.
Paul starts an extended re-read and analysis of Stephen King's Dark Tower series.
Paul compares the futuristic worlds presented in two classic novels of 20th century speculative fiction: Brave New World and Nineteen Eighty-Four.Huxley, Aldous. Brace New World. Toronto, Vintage, 2007.Orwell, George, Nineteen Eighty-Four. Toronto, Signet, 1977.
I'm not gonna lie, I probably broke a bunch of copyrights for this episode. I'm gonna trust the boys to be cool with it.
Paul gushes about his favourite Viking-Age historian and poet.
Paul waxes retrospective.https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8864790044362597696/8064845359125547896
Sometimes we overread symbols. But there are SOME objects--water, fire, a door--that are ALWAYS symbolic.
Paul discusses that most derivative, forced, and American of genres: The Western
As memory fades and current events become history, what are the specific things "kids these days" should need to know about World War 2?
Paul talks about this lovely and underappreciated form of text.
Paul talks about the revelations that can happen on second and subsequent of books.
Paul explores the sketchy history of the Norse landings in Newfoundland, after fulfilling a lifelong dream of visiting the site at L'anse aux Meadows last month.This episode is dedicated to Tim and Allie.
Paul weighs in on literary fasciscm. Thomposon, Hunter S. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. New York, Random House, 1971.
Don't read or watch this play if you're feeling low.McCarthy, Cormac. The Sunset Limited: A Novel in Dramatic Form. New York, Dramatists Play Service, Inc., 2006.
Hey, for what it is, have a happy one.Downie, Gord. "Fireworks" from Phantom Power. Ontario, Universal, 1998.
Paul talks about his love for the often-misunderstood and mis-appreciated genre of theatre.
After far too long of promising, Paul discusses the third volume of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.Tolkien, J.R.R. The Return of the King. London, Harper Collins, 2010.
It's amazing how Ancient Greek philosphy is still so applicable to us today, and Paul argues that none is MORE applicable still than stoicism. But, you have to jettison the weaknesses. Aurelius, Marcus. Meditations. New York, Pengion, 2006. Herbert, Frank. Dune. New York, Chilton, 1965.
In today's episode, Paul talks about Metallica, a band he's never going to be too proud to like, although his favourite era is often the band's most-reviled.
Paul analyzes the exceptional three seasons of The Newsroom for his favourite person. Newman, Thomas, "The Newsroom Main Theme," Apple Music.