Structured Rambling

Paul talks about this lovely and underappreciated form of text. 

Paul talks about the revelations that can happen on second and subsequent of books. 

Way better than a great a$$

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. 

Paul considers the first (and as far as he's concerned ONLY) two Terminator films having watched them with new viewers.  

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, Harper Collins, 2010. Tolkien, J.R.R. The H...

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. Hamlet.  Harcourt: Toronto, 2003...

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. 

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 Mifflin, 2000. Polanski,...

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!

Paul looks at a specific allegorical novel that continues to have meaning.  Orwell, George. Animal Farm. London: Martin Secker and Warburg, Ltd, 1945.

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/8864790044362597696/73039281794381240

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 York: Grove Press, 196...

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.