The Fiction Podcast

In this Bonus Episode , Frank and Justin talk about their excitement and anticipation for the release of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey (coming out next week). They share their hopes, expectations, and concerns, while also reflecting on the impact of nostalgia and the potential storytelling and cinematography in the film. Takeaways Excitement for 'The Odyssey' movie release Managing expectations...

The Fiction Podcast continue their tour of the Ancient World in discussing Robert Eggers' 2022 Viking movie, The Northman , featuring Alexander Skarsgard. The conversation delves into the movie's cinematography, world-building, character development, and emotional range of the main character, Amleth. The hosts explore the historical and mythological aspects of the film, sharing their general takes...

Frank and Justin continue Season 4 with their discussion of the movie Black Panther, where they explore Wakanda and world building, character analysis of T'Challa and Killmonger, and the legendary status of Black Panther as a symbol. The conversation also hits the theme of isolationism in Wakanda, character analysis through a 'heat map,' the Ron Weasley Award, and of course, grading the movie. Tak...

The Fiction Podcast explores the themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the portrayal of African culture in the movie 'The Woman King.' They discuss the main characters Nanisca and Nawi, their journeys, and the challenges they face, while also addressing the taboo themes and historical context of the Agojie. The conversation covers a range of topics, including character appreciation, dealing with slave...

The Fiction Podcast hosts, Frank and Justin, discuss the animated movie 'Mulan' and its exploration of ancient world themes, Mulan's journey of identity and self-discovery, the depiction of war and violence, and the character's legendary status. They also discuss mature themes, authenticity, and the portrayal of dark themes in the movie. It also compares Mulan's heroism with other movie characters...

Frank and Justin continue their discussion of the Ancient World, exploring legendary heroes in ancient cultures, with their review of the 2002 movie 'Hero' and its themes of heroism, peace, and the cost of violence. The discussion covers the use of color in storytelling, the portrayal of heroism, the propaganda and politics of the story, and the relationship dynamics between the characters. The co...

Continuing on their discussion of thee Ancient World, Hosts Frank and Justin delves into the heroic themes depicted in 'The Prince of Egypt.' This discussion covers the theme of faith, the exploration of the ancient world, the story of the Exodus, the tragic hero, the hero's sacrifice, the cost of victory, and the exploration of heroic themes. The conversation delves into the relatability of Moses...

In this bonus episode, Frank and Justin take an interlude and riff on ancient leaders, strategy, and militaries through fun games such as 'this or that' and 'blind ranking.' Join the party. Takeaways Exploring the concept of leadership and military strategy through a 'this or that' game Discussion on the appeal of different historical armies and the desire to be part of them Consideration of caree...

Hosts Frank and Justin continue their tour of the Ancient World by exploring a romanticized portrayal of history through the lens of the movie '300.' Directed by Zack Snyder, this movie is based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller. The conversation covers the myth and reality of the Spartans, the depiction of Leonidas and Spartan culture and training, and the balance between history and propagand...

In this episode, Hosts Frank and Justin continue to examine the Ancient World with their discussion of the 2024 movie Troy . The conversation delves into the debate of Achilles and Hector as heroes, exploring their contrasting motivations and actions. It also highlights the absence of gods in the movie, a departure from the epic poem ( The Iliad ), and its impact on the portrayal of characters and...

Frank and Justin kickstart Season 4 - The Ancient World discussing the significance of Homer's epic poems, The Iliad and The Odyssey , exploring their importance and the oral tradition that contributed to their preservation. With the help of Guest Hosts Classical Studies Professors Rebecca Schindler and Pedar Foss, their conversation delves into Homer's ability to capture intense emotions and phys...

The Fiction Podcast Season 4 explores ancient cultures and storytelling, focusing on Homer's The Iliad and The Odyssey. Hosts Frank and Justin express excitement for the ancient world, including African and Asian cultures, and invite audience suggestions for related themes and works. Takeaways Exploration of ancient cultures and storytelling Engagement with audience suggestions for related themes...

In this episode, Frank and Justin wrap up Season Three of their podcast, reflecting on the trilogies they've covered, including notable works from literature and film. They discuss the elements that make a good trilogy, the importance of character and world-building, and the pitfalls that can lead to a trilogy's downfall. The conversation also features a fun trivia segment where they guess quotes...

In this Bro-nus Bonus episode, hosts Frank, Justin, and guest host Nick, dive into a fun-filled discussion centered around bromances, ranking various fictional pairs and characters. The hosts use light-hearted banter throughout, playing a mix of games that involve ranking bromances and choosing ideal bromance partners. In this engaging conversation, the hosts explore the dynamics of fictional brom...

Hosts Frank, Justin, and guest host Nick continue on their journey in discussing the Gentleman Bastard series as they discuss all three books, the themes, the concepts, and yes my friends, the lies. They hit their favorite characters, best moments best destinations, and biggest makes and misses of the trilogy. And of course, they grade everything. Join them for some fun and literature. PS - Check...

In this episode, the hosts Frank, Justin, and guest host Nick delve into the second and third books of the Gentleman Bastard series by Scott Lynch, discussing the transition from the urban setting of Camorr to the high seas in Red Seas Under Red Skies and to the political mishaps in 'Republic of Thieves'. They explore character development, thematic elements of corruption and politics, and the nec...

In this episode, the hosts Frank and Justin with special guest host Nick delve into the world of Scott Lynch's 'The Gentleman Bastard' series; first stop: 'The Lies of Locke Lamora.' They discuss its rich character development, intricate world-building, and the dynamics of the Gentleman Bastard crew. In this conversation, the hosts wax about the intricate world of Camorr, exploring its duality of...

In this bonus episode of the fiction podcast, the hosts (and guest host Brandon) engage in a lively discussion about survival strategies in the Hunger Games universe. They explore various arenas, districts, and the dynamics of drafting allies and enemies. The conversation delves into personal preferences for survival, the importance of team composition, and the unique skills each character brings...

In this episode, Frank, Justin, and guest host Brandon delve into the Hunger Games trilogy (Part III), exploring its cultural relevance. The conversation also touches on whether the series serves as a dystopian warning or a prophetic tale, ultimately concluding with reflections on the trilogy's impact and storytelling. In this engaging conversation, the hosts delve into the dynamics of the Hunger...

In Part II of The Hunger Games discussion, the hosts break down Catching Fire and Mocking Jay, while delving into the themes and character arcs of The Hunger Games trilogy, focusing on the emotional struggles of Katniss Everdeen and her relationships with other characters. The hosts discuss the significance of the supporting cast, the portrayal of power dynamics, and the impact of trauma on charac...

Hosts Frank and Justin continue their discussion on Trilogies by delving into the themes, characters, and world-building of The Hunger Games trilogy. The hosts discuss the emotional impact of key scenes, the significance of the reaping, and the stark contrasts between the Capitol and the districts. They explore the cinematography and visual storytelling techniques that enhance the narrative, as we...

In this episode of the Fiction Podcast, hosts Frank and Justin and guest hosts from HowlerPod, Ben and Erin, conclude their discussion on the OG Red Rising series by Pierce Brown, exploring its themes, characters, and the impact it has had on its readers, as well as comparing it to other popular series like Hunger Games and Game of Thrones. The conversation culminates in a ranking the first three...

In this episode, Frank and Justin delve into the Red Rising trilogy by Pierce Brown, exploring the character arcs, themes, and moral dilemmas faced by the protagonist, Darrow. They discuss pivotal moments in the story, the evolution of Darrow's character from a lowly red to a warlord, and the sacrifices he makes for the greater good. The conversation highlights the complexity of Darrow's journey,...

In this episode of the Fiction Podcast, hosts Frank and Justin delve into the Red Rising trilogy (Red Rising, Golden Son, and Morning Star) by Pierce Brown, exploring its themes of class and caste systems, the unique world-building, and the significance of the Institute, where the elite Golds are trained. The conversation highlights the power dynamics and privilege within the story, as well as the...

In this bonus episode of the fiction podcast, Frank, Justin, and guest host Andy engage in a lively discussion about the Star Wars universe, focusing on character selection and the dynamics of assembling a crew. They play a game where they choose characters from the Star Wars franchise, debating the merits of light and dark side characters, and share their favorite characters. Aa little humor and...