Movies We Dig | Film, Antiquity and Everything in Between

Movies We Dig
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Movies We Dig | Film, Antiquity and Everything in Between

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. MAR 14

    Epic: The Musical (2024), with Wren Fleming

    Social media may be a dumpster fire these days, but every once in a while it takes us by surprise. In this case, it’s a new take on Homer’s Odyssey as a concept album titled Epic with music and lyrics by Jorge “Jay” Rivera-Herrans. Bopping along to all the highs and lows of this musical experience is the lovely Wren Fleming, a writer and long time friend of the podcast. Maybe we’re all musical theater kids at heart, because this is one of our favorite examples of reception since, well, Hadestown. Now if we can just get it on stage, glasses-wearing Polites and all! To learn more about Wren and her work with Hillfire Press check out the website and their Instagram page under the handle @hillfire_press. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 37m
  2. The Lost City of Z (2016), with Flint Dibble

    FEB 28

    The Lost City of Z (2016), with Flint Dibble

    Man's reach should forever exceed his podcast. Join us as we talk with super special guest, Flint Dibble, about James Gray's 2016 biopic on early 20th century British explorer Percy Fawcett, The Lost City of Z. We talk archaeology, colonialism and why this is a stealth prequel to the Twilight Saga. Is this a hagiography of an archaeological pioneer or a troubling attempt to smooth other a complicated legacy? Also, it's pronounced 'Zed.' You can see more from Flint at his Youtube Channel, Archaeology with Flint Dibble. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 30m
  3. Romancing the Stone (1984), with Raven Todd DaSilva

    FEB 14

    Romancing the Stone (1984), with Raven Todd DaSilva

    Happy Valentine's Day listeners! To celebrate, grab your favorite smutty romance book and your map of questionable origins as we explore the chaotically-fun film, Romancing the Stone. Joining the conversation is the wonderful Raven Todd DaSilva, who helps us to uncover the film's questionable romance and even more questionable archaeology. We uncover the tragic history of the film's screenwriter, it's intriguing relationship with the Indiana Jones franchise, and how archaeology and travel may lead to self-actualization(?). If nothing else, just know that Kathleen Turner walked in ruined pumps so that Sandra Bullock could run in a sparkly-pink jumpsuit. If you want to learn more about Raven and her work, be sure to visit her website www.digitwithraven.com and follow her on social media under the handle @digitwithraven. If you want to get your hands on her excellent book The Other Ancient Civilisations: Decoding Archaeology’s Less Celebrated Cultures, you can do so here or at most major online booksellers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 7m
  4. The Return (2024), with Joel Christensen, Joe Goodkin and Amy Pistone

    JAN 31

    The Return (2024), with Joel Christensen, Joe Goodkin and Amy Pistone

    How can men find their way to war but not find their way to a good podcast? Like suitors around Penelope's megaron, we assemble our biggest survey panel ever to court Uberto Pasolini's latest re-imagining of Homer's Odyssey (or the back half at least): The Return (2024). Joining us are guesting hall-of-famers Joel Christensen and Amy Pistone, as well as super-special new suitor, Joe Goodkin. We talk about reception and storytelling, whether it's better sometimes to forget than to remember, and Ralph Fiennes' naked bod. Put on your best beggar disguise, string you bow and get ready to grapple with the horror of war in this stealth sequel to The English Patient (2 English 2 Patient). You can can find more from Amy on her website and on social media, Joel via Sententiae Antiquae (@sentantiq), and listen to Joe's folk opera, The Blues of Achilles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 43m
  5. Hades II (2024 Early Access), with Meg Sullivan

    JAN 17

    Hades II (2024 Early Access), with Meg Sullivan

    Grab your witches hats and your godly boons as we delve into the Underworld once again with Hades II. Keep in mind that while the game is still in early access, spoilers abound (including a big one for Final Fantasy VII)! Helping us out with this gaming katabasis is the wonderful Meg Sullivan of History N' Games. We talk about some of our favorite characters and themes from the game thus far, as well as our predictions for where the story may go in the future. To learn more about Meg, check out her YouTube channel and website https://historyngames.com/. You can also follow Meg on Bluesky under the handle @celticqueenmeg.bsky.social. If you want to see some of our own gameplay and exploration of Hades II, check out our recorded livestreams on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@MoviesWeDig/streams. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 18m
  6. Stargate (1994), with David S. Anderson

    JAN 3

    Stargate (1994), with David S. Anderson

    It's not a "door to heaven," it's Stargate (1994), dweeb! We travel a million light years from home to uncover this peak 90's find with good friend of the show David S. Anderson. We talk gods, aliens, archaeology, dunking on your colleagues' translations and curiously paradoxical attitudes towards arming children. Is this movie the harbinger of modern ancient aliens conspiracies or just a warm up for Independence Day? Also, don't you just miss the days when a child wandering an archaeological site could just wander off with an ancient artifact? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 27m
  7. Gladiator II (2024), with Glenn Storey

    12/20/2024

    Gladiator II (2024), with Glenn Storey

    Where to begin? (No really, what date is this film even taking place in?) Ridley Scott returns us to his vision of ancient Rome that was laid out over twenty years ago. While we do see a lot of new faces in the Eternal City, the overall story is wrapped up in its mythologizing of the original. Joining the crew is a very special guest (and Maximus/mentor figure to two of your hosts), Dr. Glenn Storey to discuss this Hollywood take on the Roman Empire. From ships and sharks in the Colosseum to a slightly morbid excerpt from Vergil written on a child's bedroom wall, there are quite a few moments that give us pause. Looking beyond the little inaccuracies that feel designed to troll ancient scholars (Persians vs. Trojans at the Battle of Salamis?), we focus on what the film is trying to reflect about our own modern society. And what we see is a lot scarier than the CGI baboons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 24m
  8. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023), with Bill Farley

    12/06/2024

    Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023), with Bill Farley

    Are you back Indy? We are at least as we uncover the fifth (and final?) installment of the America's favorite archaeologist: Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Joining us is super special guest Bill Farley, who helps us unpack a whole range of topics including the Antikythera mechanism, Processualism, Operation Paperclip, digital de-aging technology and the dangers of living in the past (don't do it kids). Listen now or relive the Siege of Syracuse for all eternity. You can see more from Bill on his Youtube channel Archaeology Tube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 26m
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    4.9
    out of 5
    19 Ratings

    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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