Exploring literature and ideas. Inspired discussion on great or pertinent texts and the ideas that grow from them.
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
I Hate Deadpool, #notmyWolverine, but a Fun Movie
31:35
31:35
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
31:35
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=1000663926773Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Great Scott's Great, Serious-Ridley
22:53
22:53
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
22:53
That's an awful title. Here's an episode on director Ridley Scott.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul discusses the recent near-assissnation of Donald Trump but keeps that rambling structured. Adler, Mortimer. Aristotle for Everybody. New York, Macmillan, 1978.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul considers what generational technology usage and the advent of AI writing will do to reading, thinking, and writing.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul talks Game of Thrones .Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul chats about the mentor character, so significant to the Hero's Journey.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul talks about the second take on his favourite book.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Better Story Post Script: Papa Lu and "Man of the Hour"
18:29
18:29
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
18:29
Vedder, Eddie. "Man of the Hour," Big Fish: Music from the Motion Picture. Seattle, Pearl Jam, 2003.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Better Story: Life of Pi and Big Fish
25:13
25:13
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
25:13
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.…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Stephen King's The Dark Tower Series: 2. The Drawing of the Three. Best book in the series? Best SK book EVER?
22:36
22:36
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
22:36
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.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Stephen King's The Dark Tower Series: 1.The Gunslinger. Mostly just get through it.
16:16
16:16
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
16:16
Paul starts an extended re-read and analysis of Stephen King's Dark Tower series.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Dys or Dat-Topia? (Brave New World Vs. 1984)
40:10
40:10
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
40:10
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.
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Pop-Punk's Power People: Green Day
26:22
26:22
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
26:22
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.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul gushes about his favourite Viking-Age historian and poet.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul waxes retrospective. https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8864790044362597696/8064845359125547896Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Sometimes we overread symbols. But there are SOME objects--water, fire, a door--that are ALWAYS symbolic.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The False Myth of the American Western
23:56
23:56
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
23:56
Paul discusses that most derivative, forced, and American of genres: The WesternAf Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
What Should We Know About the War?
26:26
26:26
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
26:26
As memory fades and current events become history, what are the specific things "kids these days" should need to know about World War 2?Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul talks about this lovely and underappreciated form of text.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul talks about the revelations that can happen on second and subsequent of books.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Way better than a great a$$Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Vinland and the Norse Sagas (for Tim and Allie)
29:41
29:41
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
29:41
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.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul weighs in on literary fasciscm. Thomposon, Hunter S. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. New York, Random House, 1971.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Speaking of a Death, Let's Talk About Death: Cormac McCarthy's the Sunset Limited
28:45
28:45
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
28:45
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.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Hey, for what it is, have a happy one. Downie, Gord. "Fireworks" from Phantom Power. Ontario, Universal, 1998.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul talks about his love for the often-misunderstood and mis-appreciated genre of theatre.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
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.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
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.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
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.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Best-PERIOD-Show-PERIOD-Ever-PERIOD: The Newsroom by Aaron Sorkin (for J. on her birthday)
39:55
39:55
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
39:55
Paul analyzes the exceptional three seasons of The Newsroom for his favourite person. Newman, Thomas, "The Newsroom Main Theme," Apple Music.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
On Revisiting the Terminator and T2: Judgement Day
21:14
21:14
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
21:14
Paul considers the first (and as far as he's concerned ONLY) two Terminator films having watched them with new viewers.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Water Bond Between Gollum and Frodo (Special Episode)
44:53
44:53
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
44:53
This is the audio of a presentation Paul recently gave at Signum University's Sunshine Moot 2023 about characters from J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth Youtube Video: https://youtu.be/LUMFo-XoLHA Works Cited Carpenter, Humprey ed. The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien. New York, Houghton Mifflin, 2000. Tolkien, J.R.R. The Fellowship of the Ring. London, Harpe…
…
continue reading
What does Shakespeare really mean about "to be" and what does Hamlet learn about it, himself, and ALL OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE by the end of the most famous work in English? Bloom, Harold. Shakeseapre: Invention of the Human. Riverhead Books: New York, 1998. McCartney, Paul. "Let It Be." from Let It Be. Apple: London, 1970. Shakespeare, William. Ham…
…
continue reading
In this epic walk through history and nostalgia of the superhero genre, Paul laments the fact that comic books are immune to any sort of real change, and that's a shame.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Prophecies and Walkin' Trees: That time Shakespeare annoyed Tolkien.
36:44
36:44
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
36:44
It's a little known fact that the Ents of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings were actually inspired by the author's extreme dislike of a scene in Shakespeare's Macbeth. Paul talks the prophecies of Macbeth, their influence on LOTR, and Tolkien's brief use of prophecy himself. Carpenter, Humphrey, Ed. The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien. London: Houghton M…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Quentin and Tarantinoed by Quentin Tarantino
58:29
58:29
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
58:29
In this episode, Paul looks at the most Tarantino-style director of them all: Quentin Tarantino. Paul rates all of his movies from least best to best!Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Pig Politicians: The Enduring Applicability of George Orwell's Animal Farm
18:57
18:57
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
18:57
Paul looks at a specific allegorical novel that continues to have meaning. Orwell, George. Animal Farm. London: Martin Secker and Warburg, Ltd, 1945.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul talks about the most significant books, films, shows, and albums he encountered in the year that was 2022. Here's a link to the whole list: https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/8864790044362597696/73039281794381240Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Names Upon Names Upon Names: The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien
36:21
36:21
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
36:21
By request, Paul talks about the Tolkien book that most people don't finish, which is funny because it's about 700 pages shorter than his best one. Tolkein, J.R.R. The Silmarillion. Christopher Tolkien, ed. Houghton Mifflin: London, 1977.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Prey Doesn't Suck and I'm Surprised
18:13
18:13
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
18:13
Paul discusses the 2022 film Prey, the umpteenth sequel to 1987's Predator, and the only one that's not bad, Trachtenburg, Dave. Prey. USA: 20th Century Studios, 2022.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul discusses the life and times of that one and only Warrior Philosopher King Alexander the Great, and we consider how having a good edcation can propel you. Savill, Agnes. Alexander the Great and His Times. London: Rockliffe, 1956.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Play's the Thing: Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead
52:37
52:37
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
52:37
Hamlet is much bigger and better than it was supposed to be, so it's only natural that its existential death satire (if that's a genre) is too. Paul talks Tom Stoppard's brilliant 1966 play Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. Toronto: Thompson and Nelson, 2003. Stoppard, Tom. Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead. New Y…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Rings of Power review with Special Guests Fynn and Coen
27:44
27:44
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
27:44
Paul is joined by returning guests Fynn and Coen to discuss the Rings of Power TV series. McKay, Patrick and J. D. Payne. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. NZ and UK: Amazon Studios and New Line Cinema, 2022.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
You don't need to ever go to a movie theatre again. Paul's suggestion: don't!Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul talks about speculative fiction, and how some of its best writers proved that their escapism is more real than many of the best writing reality. Apologies to Cormac McCarthy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormac_McCarthy Shippey, Tom. J. R. R. Tolkien: Author of the Century. London: HarperCollins, 2001.…
…
continue reading
Paul talks about what was once a very fine show: HBO's Westworld.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
Paul discusses the reinterest in Norse Faith around the world, and how--what a shock!--it has all the same issues as every other religion out there. McIntosh, Christopher. Beyond the North Wind. Newburyport: Weiser. 2019. Sturlusson, Snorri. The Poetic Edda.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Rings of Power, Pre: YOU NERDS DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY YOU'RE MAD YET!
22:20
22:20
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
22:20
Paul discusses the complex source of The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power in anticipation of the forthcoming Amazon series. Tolkien, J. R. R. (1977), Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, Boston: Houghton Mifflin,Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
A Literary Man's Guide to Failing Women (Or, Feminism: Let's Do Better, Boys)
32:11
32:11
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
32:11
Paul talks about being a feminist and how it's impossible to be a good one if you have a Y chromosome. Also, books. Brust, Stephen. Jhereg. Ace: USA, 1983. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. The Riverside Shakespeare. Houghton Mufflin: New York, 1996. King Lear. The Riverside Shakespeare. Houghton Mufflin: New York, 1996. Macbeth. The Riverside Shakespe…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
REPOST: Road Trips to Nowhere with Jack Keroauc
22:40
22:40
Afspil senere
Afspil senere
Lister
Like
Liked
22:40
The audio was wrong on the first one. Use this one! Hey, man, Paul's gonna look at, like, the book that kicked off the whole Beat Generation groove and made Jim Morrisson realize that, like, any cat can spout nonsense and call it poetry. Dig it! Kerouac, Jack. On the Road. Viking: New York, 1957.Af Paul Sonsteby
…
continue reading