Tales of Our Time

This is the first episode in a month-long series.   Today's episode, we do a deep-dive into the ROMANCE genre! But, rather than giving you facts, and numbers about how well the genre does financially, or some specific conventions, we dive into the reputation the genre has by comparing interviews with four different readers around Taiwan. We discuss our own experiences (or lack thereof) with m...

Today I'm joined by a SECOND special guest from Seattle, Evan Johnson! We're here discussing the question: "When is the remake better than the original?" and we're doing so with the 2002 Solaris directed by Steven Soderbergh.   We talk about what this film has to say about our memories of those we hold dear, as well as what we may not remember could say just as much as what we do!

Today I'm joined by a very special guest from Seattle: Mary Kunce!   We sit down and discuss the 2005 novel "Never Let Me Go", by Kazuo Ishiguro. In almost a first in TALES history, it's a book that you should save the TWIST. We discuss what this profound book has to say about human nature, and the nature of "othering" as seen from the inside versus the outside. 

Today I'm once again joined by my dear friend and colleague, Sharon Lin! We discuss the 2005 movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice from 2005, directed by Joe Wright.   We talk about how wonderfully close to the book this adaptation was, as well as how the story continues to resonate with viewers in the modern era.

Today I'm joined by Japanese Literature Major Yasuko Fujie to discuss Akira Higashiyama's work: "Yoshio".   Higashiyama's work won a Naoki prize in Japan, and although this particular book isn't translated, Yasuko guides us through how the theme of love shines through in voice, and action, to make this story a timeless piece. 

Today's special episode, we talk about some of the tropes and literary archetypes that have come up in previous episodes, but that we didn't really have too much time to get into! Some of the episodes mentioned in today's show are: "Starwars: A New Hope: Welcome to Sci-Fi" from August 2023, and "TAKES of Our Time: Fate, Destiny, and Dramatic Irony" from November of 2023.   The tropes mentione...

Today it's a REVERSE TALES-- hosted by my friend and unofficial (perhaps now official?) co-host: Michelle Chiang!   Today, we're talking about the series "Blue Eye Samurai", from 2023. Created by Amber Noizumi and Michael Green, we do a deep dive into episode 5 "The Tale of the Ronin and The Bride". Usual host Amanda Stephens tries to convince Michelle to watch the series by detailing why thi...

This week, I'm talking with my co-worker and OTHER new Rti Host: Hanna Bilinski about the "Alias" run of the Jessica Jones comics!   We talk about how this series from the early 2000s has a surprisingly nuanced take on abusive relationships, and what it says about what people can become inside them.

This week I'm joined by friend and unofficial co-host Michelle Chiang to discuss one of our current obsessions: The Regency Romance-- specifically Queen Charlotte!   We dive deep into the final episode of the series, so MAJOR spoiler warning, to talk about what the show tells us about showing up for those we love, and how the ways we love, and the reasons we love people, are so much deeper th...

Today I'm joined by NEW Rti host Tristan Hildebrand!   To welcome her to the Rti English squad we've decided to discuss her number one favorite movie: 2000's "Battle Royale" (Directed by Kinji Fukasaku).   We talk about how the movie serves as entertainment, a telling thought-experiment, friendship litmus test, and a precursor to the "Death Games" story trend that came to follow it.

Today I'm joined by guest Dávid Dosa to discuss the well-known animated series Bojack Horseman, written by Raphael Bob-Waksberg! Specifically we dig into Season 3 Episode 4: Fish Out of Water.   We talk about how this episode really captures the very human feeling of trying to make up for past wrongs, and the even more uncomfortable truth that sometimes even the best- made efforts are...

My guest Temo Alfaro and I tackle David Croneburg's Crimes of the Future.   Content warning: This movie (and conversation) include topics of violence towards children, body horror, and generally gore. If these are topics you are uncomfortable with you may prefer a different Tales episode to wind down your evening.   In it we discuss the morality of transhumanism, what it means to evolve...

In this week's show, I catch up with Wanson: Host of Rti's new show: Cinematic Motif.   He tells us about the movie “Synonyms,” a film that changed his understanding of film aesthetic and "led [him] into the world of European cinema."   We talk about identity and the struggle of to fit in in a country that may not want you, or at least want you as you are.

Today I'm joined by fellow Rti host Fil Leskovsky to discuss Disney's Atlantis the Lost Empire.    We talk about how this movie builds on the relatively thin Atlantis mythos, and ignites that spirit of searching for the unknown.

TALES has been running for an entire year! To celebrate, we're spending this episode talking about, and answering, questions from listeners from around the world.   What makes something a "Tale of Our Time", why I (Amanda) came to Taiwan, whether or not I read/watch all the stories featured in my shows, and more! Thank you all for your continued support! Looking forward to even more good time...

Today I'm joined by an old friend: Naomi Ercolano!   She stops by the studio to discuss the extremely emotive game: "Life is Strange 2". We talk about how media that makes you uncomfortable, is actually good for you, as well as the difficulty remaining level-headed when you want to protect someone.

Today I'm joined by my good friend, Kim Gordon! She's here talking about an episode from a show near and dear to her heart: Dr. Who!   While the show is long ahat that means, and even more on today's show!nd expansive, today we're discussing a largely standalone episode: "Midnight", from season 4. This episode was written by Russel T. Davis, and is largely a bottle episode! W

Today I'm speaking with my old friend Emily Anderson about a ghost from out past: TWILGHT! Originally written by Stephanie Meyer, today we're really spending time with the movie, which was originally published in 2008. We discuss how our feelings over time towards this story have evolved with us, what it taught us as children (no, it's not all bad!), as well as what it taught the world about...

This is the final episode of our limited run theme on Meta March! If you didn't get a chance to listen to the first episode ("TAKES of Our TIME: Metatextuality") it is recommended listening for today's episode.   We wrap up Meta-March by reviewing the crazy conspiracy, and reality-bending game: 999 (published 2009, by developer Chunsoft). We talk about how this escape room/visual novel g...

This is the third installment of our limited-run series: Meta March! If you didn't get a chance to listen to the first episode ("TAKES of Our TIME: Metatextuality") it is recommended listening for today's episode.   Today I'm speaking with Cat Trites about a book called "S". Its a murder mystery written in the margins of a library book, including hidden notes, secret codes, and multiple narra...

This is the second episode of our limited-run series: Meta-March!! If you didn't get a chance to check out our previous episodes, it is recommended listening for this episode!   This week, I'm talking with Michelle Chiang and Kim Gordon about the Netflix hit "Black Mirror: Bandersnatch" (released in 2018). We discuss what it's about, and how it not only breaks expectations for movies, but in...

This is the first episode in our limited series: Meta March! We're tackling the idea of metatextuality! What does that mean for media? What makes something Meta? And how many stories can your host spoil in one episode?! All this and more inside! Materials mentioned in the episode: "What is METATEXT: Definition, explanation, & examples-- metafiction, metanovel, metapoetry, metatheater", (Youtub...

This week I'm joined by my friend Zach Paradise to discuss "The Princess Bride".    In this episode, we discuss both the book and movie (written by William Goldman, movie directed by Rob Reiner). We talk about how impossible it is to separate the two tellings, what moments stuck out to us even as kids, and how the Princess Bride manages to keep it's appeal with people of all ages!

This is the second of a two-part series, with guest Chris Gorin!   We continue diving into the Witcher, all while getting back to our regular questions. What makes this fantasy world so appealing we had to continue it in games, and retell it in film? Chris and I dig into the parts that make this the world we can't stop coming back to.

This is the first of a two-part series!   Today I'm joined my my friend and (past) Rti co-host: Chris Gorin! We're tackling the task of discussing THE WITCHER, the book series! We learn about the whole continuum of the plot of the famous series, by Andrjez Sapkowski (while doing our best to focus on the books!)   Did you know there were 9 books before the games? Did you know the games co...