Verbal Diorama Verbal Diorama

Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), to give it its full name (until that changed to Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey) is the first and only movie released in 2020 that I'm covering in 2020, but to be honest there's not many 2020 movies out there. It's also the last movie I saw in cinemas before the COVID-19 pandemic. I've seen this movie three times this year, and each time I love it that little bit more.
It's the antidote to 2020. A wild, brash, profanity-laden colourful comic book come to life. Harley is unreliable, bubbly, unique and unpredictable, but sticking her with a girl gang was ultimately the best choice for her character development. Women supporting women supporting a young girl who needs help when she steals a diamond from the narcissistic, misogynistic crime lord Roman Sionis (who also stole the diamond too, to be fair). Harley is joined by Black Canary, Renee Montoya and Huntress to protect young Cassandra Cain from Black Mask and his violent and sadistic tendencies.
 
Building on the groundwork first developed by Suicide Squad, Margot Robbie really shines and brings depth and character to Harley, who's more than just a pretty face in shiny hot pants for this movie, and I'm happy about that. This might be called Birds of Prey, but it's really all Harley's movie. That might be a bone of contention for some. Me, I'm just glad this movie exists at all, and that it's so much brazen fun!
And remember, psychologically speaking, vengeance rarely brings the catharsis we hope for. Unless you make me drop the perfect egg sandwich. 
I would love to hear your thoughts on Birds of Prey!
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Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.

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The Atomic Blonde and John Wick comparisons are not lost on me, and trust me when I say that I love Atomic Blonde to a similar, but very different degree to the John Wick(s). Because while both use colour very dramatically, and thrive on that ultra stylized violence I clearly have a passion for, while John Wick is all about vengeance, Lorraine Broughton is all about espionage, and Charlize Theron remains one of the most brilliant and bold actors working in Hollywood.
Often criticised for having style over substance, and I understand why, but when it's this stylish.... I have zero complaints. The stunts are perfection (mostly performed by Charlize herself) and the music, while mainly from the early 80s, takes this very real depressing end of the Cold War setting and makes it pop with neon funk. James McAvoy is also great. No one says an f-bomb like he does.
Atomic Blonde won't please everyone, but it pleases me. A lot. Now give me that John Wick/Atomic Blonde crossover!
I would love to hear your thoughts on Atomic Blonde!
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SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser 
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Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff and Luke!
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Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.

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This one feels so bitter-sweet to be talking about. This episode was originally scheduled for mid-September, but due to the sudden passing of Chadwick Boseman on 28th August, I postponed it out of respect. After V for Vendetta it feels right to be talking about a hero who inspired so many, and by that I don't just mean T'Challa as the Black Panther, but Chadwick Boseman himself. A man of grace, integrity, poise and power. A man who meant so much to so many.
The character of T'Challa, introduced in Captain America: Civil War in 2016 isn't the first black on-screen superhero, but he's the most accessible. Children across the world could look to T'Challa, Okoye, Shuri and Nakia and see themselves represented on screen. African traditions are explored and Killmonger remains one of the MCU's most well-rounded and fascinating villains. Just a kid from Oakland who was abandoned by his family, his bitter and twisted attempt to ascend to the throne of his father's homeland and change Wakanda for, what he believes is, the greater good.
It's a beautifully realised, perfectly acted celebration of African culture, heritage and people, and I love it.
And to Chadwick. You are loved, you are missed, thank you.
Wakanda Forever!
I would love to hear your thoughts on Black Panther!
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Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff and Luke!
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Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.

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Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate. 
This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition! 
The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. 
Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honour to cover V for Vendetta, and you may call me Verbal Diorama.
I would love to hear your thoughts on V for Vendetta!
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Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff and brand new patron Luke!
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Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.

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SURPRISE!!
I kept this off the schedule just in case I couldn't quite pull it off, but having recently rewatched it, I decided to do a bonus episode on Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight just for Halloween, which deserves WAY more recognition than it gets.
From a great well-known cast of faces, such as William Sadler, Jada Pinkett, Billy Zane, Dick Miller and Thomas Haden Church to some genuinely spooky great practical effects and world building, Demon Knight really delivers in a way most low-budget horror movies don't.
Not to mention it's probably the only horror movie where a black woman is the final girl and she saves the world!
I never thought I'd say that Billy Zane was the best part of anything.... he chews the scenery like never before or again as The Collector. Maybe he's entranced me into doing this episode? Maybe I'm possessed? What is this green goo?!
Happy Halloween! 

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Listen, for all the online discourse in 2016, Ghostbusters (2016) is in no way as bad as it's been made out to be. Is it perfect? No. Is it the superior Ghostbusters? No. Is it the Anti-Christ of the Ghostbusters universe? No. Do I find it hilariously funny and love these women? YES! Is Chris Hemsworth the most gifted human being in the world other than Keanu Reeves? Probably!
Joining me with his own proton pack of appreciation for Ghostbusters, is Simon Brew. Editor of Film Stories magazine/website and host of Film Stories podcast. Together we're taking on the ghosts of reboots, and taking aim at the misogynists and hate-spewers of the world. Just because Ghostbusters 2016 exists, and it exists for a reason mind you, it doesn't erase or belittle Ghostbusters or Ghostbusters II. There's enough room for all these incredibly talented and funny actors to bust ghosts in Hollywood.
Ghostbusters III had been in the pipeline for years and years, until a reboot of the story was optioned instead and announced to be a female team. The trailer, released online in early 2016, quickly generated a slurry of hateful, misogynistic and racist remarks and even death threats to its director.
Death threats! For a movie! You can't make this up....
While I'll admit it's not my favourite Ghostbusters movie, Ghostbusters 2016 has a special place in my heart and it does some brilliantly innovative things with its visuals and 3D. I'm sad we won't get to see these characters again. Especially Holtzmann, she's AWESOME!
Thank you to the wonderful Simon Brew for being brilliant and occasionally hilarious. You can find his work at https://www.filmstories.co.uk/ or on Twitter @filmstoriespod and listen to the Film Stories podcast if you like what I do, but you want someone who's much much better at it (despite his insistence to the contrary).
Charge the lines, create the vortex, break the barriers.....
I would love to hear your thoughts on Ghostbusters (2016)!
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SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA....
Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser 
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Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike and Griff!
NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama
Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available!

Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song
Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook
Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!)
Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.