Movies We Dig | Film, Antiquity and Everything in Between

Movies We Dig
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Is it a movie podcast? Is it a history podcast? Is it an unholy union of the two? Short answer: yes!Each episode, hosts Colin MacCormack, Elijah Fleming and Christie Vogler break down a new movie about Greece, Rome or the wider ancient world and what works (or doesn’t work) about them. But this isn’t a podcast for nitpicking historical inaccuracies. Rather, it’s a chance to get hot takes on Hollywood films from professional nerds/academics and take a closer look at the relation between our movies and our pasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Hail, Caesar! (2016)

    JAN 9

    Hail, Caesar! (2016)

    Ancient Rome. MWD's podcasts are masters of the world, the heat of its takes heard from the Iberian peninsula in the west through the halls of the great library of Alexandria in the east. As oppressed people everywhere writhe under the Roman lash, freeman and vassal are united in one compulsory listenership. But there is a new wind, exploring this Cohen Brothers' 2016 comedy on the eccentric personalities here at Capitol Pictures. We talk sword and sandal cinema, the Red Scare, Jesus, Marxism, split nature of man, and more, all of course with extreme taste and panache. Would that it were so simple... As always, if you like what you hear, please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to the show! Stay up-to-date on all the Movies We Dig news by visiting movieswedig.com or checking out our socials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 60m
  2. The Eagle (2011), with Roel Konijnendijk

    12/26/2025

    The Eagle (2011), with Roel Konijnendijk

    Once again, we sift through our backlog of episodes to take another look at a mostly forgotten film, this time with fresh eyes and new takes. What we find is a film about a Roman legionary that is actually, dare we say, good!? Joining us on the journey to find The Eagle is special return guest, Roel Konijnendijk. From a Roman military fortress to the wilds of Scotland, we discuss the charm of this underrated film. While it has a few problematic elements, one can't help but root for the budding "bromance" between Channing Tatum's Marcus Aquila and Jamie Bell's Esca as they travel together to restore their honor. And really, isn't the eagle just the friends we made along the way? Be sure to follow Roel on Bluesky and read his posts as Iphikrates on r/askhistorians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 30m
  3. Frankenstein (2025), with Marina Escolano-Poveda

    12/12/2025

    Frankenstein (2025), with Marina Escolano-Poveda

    Chug your milk, don your ruffled shirts and get ready to shoot lightning bolts through your lymphatic system because we're re-animating Guillermo del Toro' latest creature-feature: Frankenstein (2025). Returning to play god with us is Dr. Marina Escolano-Poveda, Senior Lecturer in Classics, Ancient History and Egyptology at the University of Liverpool. We talk the horrors of science, the sins of the father(s) and the benefits of a classical education for developing Creatures, along with all the changes, big and small, between del Toro's adaptation and Mary Shelley's 1818 novel. Be sure to follow Marina on Instagram under the handle @hypatiaheuresis. As always, if you like what you hear, please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to the show! Stay up-to-date on all the Movies We Dig news by visiting movieswedig.com or checking out our socials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 42m
  4. Ben-Hur (2016)

    11/28/2025

    Ben-Hur (2016)

    The holidays are upon us, so we figured it was a good time to delve into a remake of a remake that nobody really asked for. That's right, we're talking about 2016's Ben-Hur! And sorry to say, this one might have sent your hosts off the rails. We discuss the major changes from the 1959 film, including Messala's backstory, the inciting incident that destroys the Ben-Hur family, and the interesting choice to cut Judah's trip to Rome. What do we learn? Mario Kart rules apply to chariot racing and the Pope gets a lot of interesting asks. As always, if you like what you hear, please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to the show! Stay up-to-date on all the Movies We Dig news by visiting movieswedig.com or checking out our socials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 46m
  5. Agora (2009), with Marina Escolano-Poveda

    11/14/2025

    Agora (2009), with Marina Escolano-Poveda

    In this season's attempt to highlight films that might have fallen under the radar, the Movies We Dig Crew revisits Agora along with special guest, Dr. Marina Escolano-Poveda. Despite (or more likely, because of) the film's the unorthodox setting in Late Roman Alexandria, the central story focusing on the life of Hypatia (played by Rachel Weisz), and amazing use of costuming and set design, there's a good chance you've yet to see this one. And while we might have our hang-ups on the lack of a real plot, you would be hard-pressed to find a better film that depicts the ethnic, religious, and social complexities of Roman Egypt. Be sure to follow Marina on Instagram under the handle @hypatiaheuresis. As always, if you like what you hear, please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to the show! Stay up-to-date on all the Movies We Dig news by visiting movieswedig.com or checking out our socials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 24m
  6. Scream 2 (1997), with Lizzy Adams and TJ Bolt

    10/31/2025

    Scream 2 (1997), with Lizzy Adams and TJ Bolt

    What's your favorite scary movie? Ours is Scream 2! Joined by super special guests and professional Scream-heads (Screamers?) Lizzy Adams and TJ Bolt, we breakdown the metatextual masterpiece that is the Scream franchise, starting with the 1997 follow up to the original cult classic: Scream 2. We talk ancient Greek tragedy, horror as genre, VHS cassette tapes and all things 90's. You can read more about ancient literature and modern horror by Lizzy and TJ in their contributions to Eidolon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 38m
  7. History of the World, Part I (1981), with Emma Pauly

    10/17/2025

    History of the World, Part I (1981), with Emma Pauly

    What better way to start our season of "Unfinished Business" than with a Part I film that was never supposed to get a sequel? Well, at least until that streaming money was just too good to pass up. With the help of fellow Mnemosyne: Memory Collective member Emma Pauly we take a look at Mel Brooks' world history comedy spanning the Stone Age, the Roman Empire, the Spanish Inquisition, and the French Revolution. While this film might not be our favorite installment in Brooks' filmography, it offers a great opportunity to talk about comedy as a genre, both in the past and present. While not all the jokes land, we are ultimately reminded that laughter is a powerful tool to help us face (and combat) the darkest moments of human history. Be sure to follow Emma on Instagram under the handle @academicmaenad. As always, if you like what you hear, please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to the show! Stay up-to-date on all the Movies We Dig news by visiting movieswedig.com or checking out our socials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 53m
  8. Movies We Dig Season 6 "Unfinished Business"

    SEASON 6 TRAILER

    Movies We Dig Season 6 "Unfinished Business"

    Get ready for Season 6 of Movies We Dig, where we are determined to leave no stone left unturned! If you want to be in the know for upcoming episodes and special events, be sure to follow our socials. And show some love by subscribing, rating, and reviewing the show wherever you like to listen to your podcasts! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 min
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About

Is it a movie podcast? Is it a history podcast? Is it an unholy union of the two? Short answer: yes!Each episode, hosts Colin MacCormack, Elijah Fleming and Christie Vogler break down a new movie about Greece, Rome or the wider ancient world and what works (or doesn’t work) about them. But this isn’t a podcast for nitpicking historical inaccuracies. Rather, it’s a chance to get hot takes on Hollywood films from professional nerds/academics and take a closer look at the relation between our movies and our pasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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