Verbal Diorama

In the third of five special episodes to celebrate this podcast's 300th episode, focused on J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings , this episode is the second middle chapter, with no beginning and no end, just like The Two Towers . The Two Towers ups the ante from The Fellowship of the Ring , balancing intense action with rich storytelling. This episode focuses on the pivotal Battle...

In the second of five special episodes to celebrate this podcast's 300th episode, focused on J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings , Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings was 18-years-old by the time Peter Jackson started considering making his own version in live action. Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh wanted to make something high fantasy, but kept coming back to Tolkien's storie...

In the first of five special episodes to celebrate this podcast's 300th episode, focused on J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings , this episode summarises how Tolkien's life experiences, from childhood tragedies to the horrors of war, deeply influenced the themes of his stories. They reflected the complexity of human nature, shaped his creation of Elvish languages, and how Tolkien's...

Pathetic Earthlings, who can save you now? Well, there might be one guy... Flash Gordon has been on our screens for almost 90 years, and the story of the dashing all-American hero, his companions, and his battles against Ming the Merciless laid the groundwork for modern sci-fi, influencing everything from Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek and Doctor Who. From his humble comic strip roots,...

Hail, holy Queen enthroned above; O Maria! Hail, mother of mercy and of love, O Maria! Triumph, all ye cherubim. Sing with us, ye seraphim! Heav'n and earth resound the hymn Salve, salve, salve, Regina! Let the clapping begin! Sister Act isn’t just a comedy. It’s a celebration of sisterhood, resilience, and the joys you find in unexpected places. It brilliantly flips the script on the traditional...

Sonic’s journey from video game to blockbuster film should have been straightforward. From Sega’s fierce rivalry with Nintendo, to the chaotic path of bringing Sonic to life on the big screen, there are more twists and turns in this story than Green Hill Zone. Sega’s quest for a mascot that could rival Mario led to the creation of Sonic the Hedgehog, but several attempts to make a movie fell at th...

Tonya Harding's story highlights the struggles of being an underdog in a highly elitist sport like figure skating, where social status can overshadow talent. The media portrayal of Harding changed public perception, making her the undisputed villain of the narrative. But there's always two sides to every story. Or three. And there may be truth, or there may just be someone's truth. I, Tonya sheds...

Erin Brockovich proves that sometimes the biggest heroes come in the most unexpected packages, like a single mum with a penchant for swearing and a relentless drive for justice. With zero legal training but a whole lot of heart, Erin uncovers a scandal involving toxic waste poisoning a small California town’s drinking water, proving that you don't need a fancy law degree to take on a multi-billion...

Queen Elizabeth I was a formidable leader who defied the norms of her time, cleverly balancing the expectations placed upon her as a woman with her ambitions as a ruler. An Indian director and an Australian lead actor came together to bring us a truly brilliant biographical drama on the ascension to the-then Catholic English throne of the Protestant Elizabeth I, in Shekhar Kapur's Elizabeth . Quee...

This month on Verbal Diorama, we celebrate Women’s History Month, and it’s the perfect time to highlight the Agojie; fierce African warriors of the kingdom of Dahomey, who fought not just for their country, but for a legacy that resonates today. Watching The Woman King is like stepping into a vivid tapestry of history, action, and empowerment that celebrates the resilience of women in an often ove...

This podcast is now six! And to celebrate, some post-Renaissance Disney. If Atlantis really existed, no one wrote about it until Plato, who did so 9,000 years after its destruction. Atlantis: The Lost Empire draws from Plato's original Atlantis myth, as well as classic adventures stories like Jules Verne’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1864) and Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas (1870),...

This podcast is now six! And to celebrate, some Renaissance Disney. The story of Heracles is revered across Greek mythology, but this isn't Heracles. This is Hercules . Same guy, kind of, but this isn't just a retelling of a Greek myth—it's a whole exploration of what makes a true hero; taking some "creative liberties" with the original myth—goodbye tragic backstories, hello superhero narratives (...

This podcast is now six! And to celebrate - some pre-Renaissance Disney. Basil may just be a little mouse, but this little mouse packed a mighty punch for Disney during a time when the animation studio was teetering on the edge of disaster. With a mix of clever storytelling, dark visuals, and a villain who’s as charismatic as he is frightening, Basil proves that sometimes, the smallest heroes can...

Shrek and Fiona, fresh off their 'happily ever after', are invited to a Royal Ball in celebration of their marriage. It's being held, far far away in the kingdom of Far Far Away, by Fiona's parents, the King and Queen of Far Far Away, aka Mum and Dad. But hold on to your boots (Puss), because Shrek, being an actual ogre, faces a bit of a challenge fitting in with the royal family—especially when t...

In 1992, US President George H.W. Bush famously remarked, during a speech at the Annual Convention of the National Religious Broadcasters, that the American family needs to be “a lot more like the Waltons and a lot less like the Simpsons.” The longest-running American animated series, longest-running American sitcom, and the longest-running American scripted primetime television series, both in se...

Speaking of a family with gifts, young Norman Babcock happens to be able to speak to the dead, making him a social outcast to humans, but also probably the only person who can stop zombies rising from their graves... ParaNorman 's unique approach to horror allows it to explore serious societal issues through animation, and creatively blends animated horror with heartfelt themes of acceptance and u...

Welcome to The Family Madrigal , and the Surface Pressure hiding underneath the perfect façade of a magical family with wonderful gifts - everyone except Mirabel. Who probably wonders " What Else Can I Do ?" on the regular, when her Abuela seems to blame her for everything. All Of You probably know the intergenerational trauma this movie perfectly depicts, but it's also a movie that took the time...

There's Nobody Like U, Turning Red . Turning Red is a ground-breaking animated film, rightfully kicking off Animation Season 2025 in style, with magical puberty front and centre, that addresses the universal struggles of adolescence through the story of Mei Lee, a 13-year-old girl caught between her familial obligations and her burgeoning independence. Domee Shi's feature-length directorial debut...

Before we learn how all about the history and legacy of a modern Christmas classic, let's recite the "Code of the Elves," shall we? Number one; "Treat every day like Christmas." Number two; "There's room for everyone on the nice list." Number three; "The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear." Just for those listeners on Santa's nice list, the enduring appeal of Elf l...

Looks like you've found yourself on Santa's Naughty List! How the Grinch Stole Christmas isn't just a beloved holiday classic; it’s a deep dive into the complexities of acceptance, compassion, and the true spirit of Christmas, that also contains a Mean One! From Dr. Seuss's iconic original story to its 1966 animated version and the 2000 live-action adaptation featuring Jim Carrey, the Grinch's tra...

Perennial Christmas classic Lethal Weapon redefined the buddy cop genre with its festive setting, unique characters and the undisputed chemistry between Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. Shane Black's screenplay combined humour and action and made it a benchmark for future action films, and Richard Donner's direction brought a skilled touch to the film's pacing and storytelling. Unlike other buddy cop...

Before I begin, I notice that Chancellor Jarnathan is not present...? I'm back from an extended break, deciding to do an episode on Dungeons & Dragons , and its fifty-year history and legacy as the most popular TTRPG in the world. Easing myself back into podcasting slowly, then, because it's safe to say nothing has impacted geek culture like Dungeons & Dragons , since its debut i...

Halloween has a complex and multifaceted legacy, intertwining themes of fear, adolescence, and societal commentary. The exploration of the concept of the 'Final Girl,' epitomized by Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis. Laurie’s character represents resilience and survival, challenging traditional gender roles often depicted in horror films, and her casting was just a simple publicity stunt r...

There's a curse at Camp Crystal Lake. It's going to be a Long Night at Camp Blood. Except that didn't turn out to be the title of this movie. The original Friday the 13th cleverly subverts horror tropes by making the killer a middle-aged mother, capitalizing on the fears associated with the number 13, as well as the success of Halloween in 1978. Betsy Palmer's portrayal of Pamela Voorhees, who onl...

40 years ago, slashers took a terrifying turn, when Wes Craven suggested that we could not only be haunted by our nightmares, but also die from the creatures within them. Craven's creation of Freddy Krueger stemmed from a haunting childhood memory that inspired the character - called Fred Krueger in this movie only - and the true unexplained deaths of Cambodian immigrants who randomly died in thei...