Verbal Diorama

To celebrate Verbal Diorama's second birthday, here's a Bronze Age joy. Oo-de-lally! This fox is a FOX! It might borrow from other Disney movies, but that doesn't make it any less of a fan favourite. Robin Hood Thanks for your continued support! More fun to come in Year Three!

To celebrate Verbal Diorama's second birthday, here's a Silver Age delight The last movie Walt Disney worked on before his death, and based on Rudyard Kipling's stories about the man-cub Mowgli. With a jungle this fun, why would any of us want to go to the man-village? The Jungle Book Thanks for your continued support! More fun to come in Year Three!

To celebrate Verbal Diorama's second birthday, here's a Golden Age treat. It may be 84 years old, but it's still as timeless, elegant and truly awe-inspiring as ever.... Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Here's a link to one of the missing songs by the dwarfs - Music in Your Soup Thanks for your continued support! More fun to come in Year Three!

The Matrix, Westworld, Metal Gear Solid, Cyberpunk 2077, AI: Artificial Intelligence.... all have been inspired by the legendary Ghost in the Shell. Ghost in the Shell is a ground-breaking landmark of animation; a cyberpunk dystopian masterpiece, with beautiful cityscapes, engaging characters led by Major Motoko Kusanagi and a story about humanity's reliance on being connected. If Cher from Clueless was describing it, she'd say it was "way existential", and she'd be right. What makes us who we are? What could we gain from transhumanism? With deep roots in philosophy, existentialism, and an exploration of gender identity; Ghost in the Shell proves, if any were necessary, that animation is not just a medium for children, and that animation can explore philosophical themes through rich storytelling and creative visuals and also provide a stark warning for our future. I would love to hear your thoughts on Ghost in the Shell! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Trevor and Scott! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Most excellent Patrons Emily from I Drink Your Podcast for her Patron thoughts. You can find I Drink Your Podcast @IDYP_podcast on Twitter Andy from Geek Salad for his Patron thoughts. You can find Geek Salad @geeksaladradio on Twitter Subscribe, follow and listen to all these wonderful podcasts in your app of choice! Twitter peeps @BLCAgnew @sure_grand @ThatSequelGuy @capunderstands @Oral_mfc @flamebrain39 Instagram folk None this time Facebook chums Joe Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios.

Once upon a time, there was a brave knight, who went to the tallest tower of the scariest castle on his noble steed, to vanquish the dragon and save the beautiful princess held captive within. The knight and the princess fall in love, but she was destined to marry another. The knight stops the wedding as they admit their love. They live happily ever after. The end. Peel back those onion layers for an alternative take on the fairy tales of old, and a big middle finger from Jeffrey Katzenberg to Michael Eisner as we take a deep dive into Shrek's swamp, talk about its difficult beginnings, the premature death of its main voice actor and its attempts to subvert fairy tale genres before succumbing to become the very thing it wanted to subvert! In many ways, it's hard to believe this movie is 21 years old. In other ways, it shows its age. Not on the poop and fart jokes though, they're timeless! I would love to hear your thoughts on Shrek! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Trevor and Scott! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Most excellent Patrons To both Andy & Mike from Geek Salad for their Patron thoughts. You can find Geek Salad @geeksaladradio on Twitter To Derek from The Midnight Myth for his Patron thoughts. You can find The Midnight Myth @themidnightmyth on Twitter To Griff from The Paul and Griff Show for his Patron thoughts. You can find The Paul and Griff Show @paulngriffshow on Twitter Subscribe, follow and listen to all these wonderful podcasts in your app of choice! Twitter peeps @wafflesthemagic @bestfilmeverpod @trevorcarlee @years_beers @sure_grand @BigBadWolfie5 Instagram folk @breakingthe4thpodcast Facebook chums None this time Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What came first? The chicken or the egg? It's a question as old as time, and one pondered by all the great philosophers, scientists, scholars and farmers. In the field of Aardman's big screen successes, Chicken Run comes first. It's still the highest grossing stop-motion animated movie ever made, and Aardman's literal and figurative fingerprints are all over these English chicks. (I'm sorry for all the chicken-based puns that follow, I really am) What could have easily been a one-chick pony, Aardman definitely didn't count their chickens before they hatched, and partnered with Dreamworks to produce Chicken Run. In one fowl swoop, they delivered a movie that was universally beloved. Poultry in motion and really clucking eggscellent. Look no feather, Chicken Run is a truly wonderful movie that should beak your interest. (This is why they didn't invite me to work on the script for Chicken Run!) I would love to hear your thoughts on Chicken Run! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Trevor and Scott! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Most excellent Patrons Special thanks to the wonderful Scott from Monkey See Monkey Review podcast for sharing his Patron thoughts! You can find Monkey See Monkey Review @MSMRpod on Twitter and in your podcast app of choice. Make sure you check those guys out! And to Andy from Geek Salad for his Patron thoughts. You can find Geek Salad @geeksaladradio on Twitter, they've been going for 12 years didn't you know! Download and listen to them today! And to Emily from I Drink Your Podcast for her Patron thoughts. You can find I Drink Your Podcast at @idyp_podcast and they purely focus on the movies of 2007, which was a good year for movies actually! Twitter peeps @SWOProductions @NFTDT @_SonOfBen_ Instagram folk @fwm_pod Facebook chums None this time Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How can I write about Your Name? Is it possible to convey the jaw dropping beauty and breath-taking majesty of Your Name with words? I'm not really sure it is, but I take a stab at it in Episode 77 anyway, because Your Name is truly something magical and resplendent to witness. A simple boy meets girl love story, with an added element of celestial forces; Your Name takes a simple story and elevates it to a visual treat as well as an emotional powerhouse. Put simply, if you don't believe in true love or soulmates, you'll walk away from Your Name believing that both are possible, that connections between strangers exist and that person you took a double-glance at in the street may have been someone you knew, but you just don't remember that you knew them. I would love to hear your thoughts on Your Name! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Trevor and Scott! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Most excellent Patrons Special thanks to the wonderful Scott from Monkey See Monkey Review podcast for sharing his Patron thoughts! You can find Monkey See Monkey Review @MSMRpod on Twitter and in your podcast app of choice. Make sure you check those guys out! Twitter peeps @BLCAgnew @VixenVVitch @RouletteCinema Instagram folk None this time Facebook chums None this time Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Secret of NIMH is the epitome of a simple tale, beautifully told with the sort of stunning hand-drawn animation that Walt Disney Animation was known for during the Golden Age of Disney.  Coincidentally, Don Bluth used to work at Disney, so he knew the tricks of the trade and went ahead with his own animation studio and a dark adaptation of Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, itself based on a real scientific study of rodent societal overpopulation. Mrs Brisby; mouse, widow, badass single mother, needs to move her family from the farmer's field where she lives and goes on an adventure to find and befriend the Rats of NIMH; super intelligent, highly skilled rodents who her late husband Jonathan helped escape the laboratory where they were all experimented on. It's beautiful, dark, twisted and delightful nightmare fuel! Don Bluth deserved more appreciation from us all than he ever got. I would love to hear your thoughts on The Secret of NIMH! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Trevor and Scott! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Most excellent Patrons Special thanks to Patron and friend of the podcast Andy from Geek Salad, for his Patron thoughts. Make sure you check out his podcast, the excellent Geek Salad, available in all good (and some probably not so good, we don't know!) podcast apps. Twitter peeps @BLCAgnew @GoldenTalesGeek @Lanodantheon Instagram folk None this time Facebook chums None this time Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Happy New Year everyone, and welcome to Animation Season! The first movie in the season is the newest movie featured and also the highest grossing. It's also probably the most culturally significant, emotionally resonant and spiritual of the season too.  Pixar's Coco. I feel like this movie is more comparable to Kubo and the Two Strings than it is to its fellow Day of the Dead animated stable-mate The Book of Life. But while it's set during Dia de los Muertos, it's more about the power of family, of music and of celebrating life. It's a stunning and powerful look into Mexican family life and culture, and it's one of Pixar's greatest achievements. I would love to hear your thoughts on Coco! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Trevor and Scott! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Special and massive thanks to long-time patron Claudia for allowing me to interview her about her experiences of Dia de los Muertos and her thoughts on Coco as a Mexican-American. Her contribution to this episode is invaluable. Also thanks to Andy from Geek Salad and Derek & Laurel from The Midnight Myth for providing the first ever Patron comments! Make sure you check out their podcasts and their episodes which focus on Coco: Geek Salad - Episode 189: Into the Ani-verse https://geeksalad.podbean.com/e/episode-189-into-the-ani-verse-part-1/ https://geeksalad.podbean.com/e/episode-189-into-the-ani-verse-part-2/ The Midnight Myth - Episode 82: The World is Mi Familia https://www.midnightmyth.com/episodes/2018/11/11/episode-82-the-world-is-mi-familia Twitter peeps @BLCAgnew @derekjones198 @SpyHards @OSWpodcast1 @FalseStartsPod @BeaverDoes @WooLongTalks @hugosposts Instagram folk @afcfilmgeek Facebook chums Maggie Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Before you listen to this episode, you need to follow a few rules. Keep this episode away from sunlight (that's easy, the days are still short....) Never get this episode wet. But most importantly, no matter how much this episode pleads, no matter how much it begs, NEVER FEED EPISODE 74 AFTER MIDNIGHT! Got it?! Good. This episode is sweet and lovely, but it could multiply and turn into a download monster, and no-one wants that.... Hang on.... I want a download monster....! Gremlins, from three of Hollywood's most well-known names; Chris Columbus, Steven Spielberg and Joe Dante, is a perfect little Mogwai of a movie. It has everything I love - puppets, animatronics, marionettes, stop-motion, and it's really quite scary. So scary, in fact, it helped pave the way for the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) to create a brand-new rating in-between PG and R. In the UK it remained 15 rated until it was reclassified as a 12A. My DVD is still a 15, though. I'm quite proud. This episode also features a cameo from my little Mogwai Jess, who goes full Gremlin halfway through to disrupt the recording with a paper bag. Seriously, I could not write better comedy than she provides.  Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, have a great New Year and Verbal Diorama shall return in 2021, with Animation Season 2.... I would love to hear your thoughts on Gremlins! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt, Trevor and Scott! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Twitter peeps @BLCAgnew @derekjones198 @verybrithorror @AttheflicksPod @capunderstands @Oral_mfc @russlovesmovies @Stuntgoat75 @BeaverDoes @wafflesthemagic @BetamaxPod @in_feature @moviemarapod @mashleymovies @geeksaladradio @MoviesWork @MGnPpodcast @LaunchingTPilot Instagram folk None this time Facebook chums Andrew Richard Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Steve Rogers and Tony Stark could never be accused of being best buds. There's always been a resentment there from Tony, especially when his father admired Steve Rogers so much, and it's always been simmering in the background. They've worked together as colleagues, to fight the Chitauri invasion of New York and came together again, with the Avengers, to fight Tony's creation Ultron. But Ultron really was the breaking point for a lot of things in Tony's life. Suffering from PTSD after the events of the Avengers, he truly believed creating Ultron would benefit the world. Now racked with guilt and remorse, and alone after Pepper ends their relationship, Tony Stark sees the Sokovia Accords as a way to make things right. Steve Rogers, however, disagrees. He's seen what happens when men are given power over others, that freedom isn't supposed to involve fear and that bureaucracy and red tape will only resolve a situation the people in charge want to see resolved. Saving innocent lives shouldn't need to be agreed beforehand by a committee. The Avengers may not be perfect, but they're all the world has. And so, the Avengers split. It's friends vs friends as tensions reach boiling point after Bucky Barnes is accused of bombing innocent people at the Accords signing, including King T'Chaka of Wakanda. Steve, being Steve, sees a situation pointing south, and he can't ignore it....  I would love to hear your thoughts on Captain America: Civil War, or the entire Captain America trilogy! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt and Trevor! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Twitter peeps @afcfilmgeek @geeksaladradio @ThePeterBriggs @BLCAgnew @chancewhitmore5 @bestfilmeverpod @breakingthe4th @Oral_mfc @waffles_mario @TheDigressor @DWLundberg @CookinWithGrief @icandrawpeople @on_germany @filmobjective Instagram folk @moviesatthematt Facebook chums Claudia Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Captain America: The First Avenger ended with Steve Rogers defeating HYDRA and waking up in the modern day. Captain America barely had a chance to understand what was going on before he was thrust into fighting the Chitauri invasion in The Avengers. Post the Battle of New York and Phase 1 of the MCU as a whole, the world is aware of potential threats from other worlds, as well as the mightiest heroes Earth has to fight them, but The Avengers are disbanded for now, and Captain America is working for S.H.I.E.L.D, along with spy Natasha Romanov. The thing is, not only is HYDRA not defeated, they've been infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D over the last fifty years and the measures designed to protect the world from future threats is actually going to be used to annihilate HYDRA opposition. There's only one man who can step up.... Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a superhero movie, but it's also a brilliant political thriller, and it's this ability to mix the super and the very real fear of oppression and paranoia over drone attacks, surveillance states and conspiracy theories that makes The Winter Soldier sit towards the very top of the best that Marvel Studios have ever released. It's got great Cap, tense and brilliant choreographed fight scenes, espionage, returning villains, the best Black Widow put to screen and Robert Redford! It's top tier Marvel, imminently rewatchable and gloriously fun. But wait... that Winter Soldier chap looks familiar....?!? I would love to hear your thoughts on Captain America: The Winter Soldier! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily, Michael, Matt and brand new patron Trevor! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Twitter peeps @BLCAgnew @MSMRpod @derekjones198 @fn_nerds @surleyham @Stuntgoat75 @russlovesmovies @Oral_mfc @ThePeterBriggs @hankpena @youre_on_claud9 @MoviesWork @geeksaladradio Instagram folk @fwm_pod @moviesatthematt Facebook chums Matthew Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Talk about Captain America: The First Avenger? I can do this all day. It's one of the MCUs most underrated gems. It's less bombastic than most in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Its World War II setting grounds the movie in an alternate reality. Chris Evans brings depth and humility to Steve Rogers, after the super serum that turns him into the star-spangled man with a plan, but mostly before, when he's just regular Steve. The fact the movie dwells on pre-serum Steve for so long is actually one of its major strengths - we get to know the man behind the super soldier. A man of honesty, compassion, humility and an overwhelming desire to fight for freedom. It shapes the Captain America he is to become. And what a Cap! I would be remiss not to mention one of the MCU's finest leading ladies. Hayley Atwell took her role as Peggy Carter and made it so iconic, she got her own (excellent, may I add) two-season TV series as a companion piece. While it's drowned out of the MCU by bigger, bolder and brighter future entries, Captain America: The First Avenger is a solid piece of work, headlined by Joe Johnston (of The Rocketeer!) and does a great job bringing serious heart and soul to the MCU as a whole. I would love to hear your thoughts on Captain America: The First Avenger! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke, Emily and brand-spanking new patrons Michael and Matt! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Twitter peeps @chancewhitmore5 @ODParlayHour @OGFlaya  @SeanGeekPodcast @MoviesAtTheMatt @gundam_guyver @afcfilmgeek @Jamie_FilmMaker @DanNapolitano @geeksaladradio @NFTDT @moviemarapod @Oral_mfc @InspectorFlora @Stuntgoat75 @kevin_thecritic @BLCAgnew @NextToTheAisle @scottwichmann @Johnathanblade @MtopdeckMct2218 @alanarkay @pintocomics @SpielbWhalley @MovieReviewsIn @CamSpilman @BlkGirlsDoStuff @need_3_mugs @BetamaxPod @Sen0rB0ng0 Instagram folk @fwm_pod Facebook chums Matthew Erik Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), to give it its full name (until that changed to Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey) is the first and only movie released in 2020 that I'm covering in 2020, but to be honest there's not many 2020 movies out there. It's also the last movie I saw in cinemas before the COVID-19 pandemic. I've seen this movie three times this year, and each time I love it that little bit more. It's the antidote to 2020. A wild, brash, profanity-laden colourful comic book come to life. Harley is unreliable, bubbly, unique and unpredictable, but sticking her with a girl gang was ultimately the best choice for her character development. Women supporting women supporting a young girl who needs help when she steals a diamond from the narcissistic, misogynistic crime lord Roman Sionis (who also stole the diamond too, to be fair). Harley is joined by Black Canary, Renee Montoya and Huntress to protect young Cassandra Cain from Black Mask and his violent and sadistic tendencies.   Building on the groundwork first developed by Suicide Squad, Margot Robbie really shines and brings depth and character to Harley, who's more than just a pretty face in shiny hot pants for this movie, and I'm happy about that. This might be called Birds of Prey, but it's really all Harley's movie. That might be a bone of contention for some. Me, I'm just glad this movie exists at all, and that it's so much brazen fun! And remember, psychologically speaking, vengeance rarely brings the catharsis we hope for. Unless you make me drop the perfect egg sandwich.  I would love to hear your thoughts on Birds of Prey! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff, Luke and brand-spanking new patron Emily! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Twitter peeps @WooLongTalks @dazzalovesmovie @Oral_mfc @geeksaladradio @russlovesmovies @cinema_recall @TheCinemaGuys @30Podcast @scotthgilliland @FilmBustersPaul @Stuntgoat75 @BLCAgnew @CookinWithGrief @cindemicnerds @gundam_guyver @logan_wilson93 @TheDigressor @wafflesthemagic @NeverGetsOldPod @Johnathanblade @FilmCodePod @SpyHards @InspectorFlora @derekjones198 @ItsAMusicalPod @SeanGeekPodcast @OpinionessWorld Instagram folk @fwm_pod @clareellenhope @sophieboog @shockedapplaud Facebook chums Matthew Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Atomic Blonde and John Wick comparisons are not lost on me, and trust me when I say that I love Atomic Blonde to a similar, but very different degree to the John Wick(s). Because while both use colour very dramatically, and thrive on that ultra stylized violence I clearly have a passion for, while John Wick is all about vengeance, Lorraine Broughton is all about espionage, and Charlize Theron remains one of the most brilliant and bold actors working in Hollywood. Often criticised for having style over substance, and I understand why, but when it's this stylish.... I have zero complaints. The stunts are perfection (mostly performed by Charlize herself) and the music, while mainly from the early 80s, takes this very real depressing end of the Cold War setting and makes it pop with neon funk. James McAvoy is also great. No one says an f-bomb like he does. Atomic Blonde won't please everyone, but it pleases me. A lot. Now give me that John Wick/Atomic Blonde crossover! I would love to hear your thoughts on Atomic Blonde! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff and Luke! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Twitter peeps @BlkGirlsDoStuff @BLCAgnew @ThePeterBriggs @akajeannette @Oral_mfc @breakingthe4th @MoviesWork @simon_exton @retrorambleblog @TheCinemaGuys @BeaverDoes @pretendium Instagram folk None this time Facebook chums None this time Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This one feels so bitter-sweet to be talking about. This episode was originally scheduled for mid-September, but due to the sudden passing of Chadwick Boseman on 28th August, I postponed it out of respect. After V for Vendetta it feels right to be talking about a hero who inspired so many, and by that I don't just mean T'Challa as the Black Panther, but Chadwick Boseman himself. A man of grace, integrity, poise and power. A man who meant so much to so many. The character of T'Challa, introduced in Captain America: Civil War in 2016 isn't the first black on-screen superhero, but he's the most accessible. Children across the world could look to T'Challa, Okoye, Shuri and Nakia and see themselves represented on screen. African traditions are explored and Killmonger remains one of the MCU's most well-rounded and fascinating villains. Just a kid from Oakland who was abandoned by his family, his bitter and twisted attempt to ascend to the throne of his father's homeland and change Wakanda for, what he believes is, the greater good. It's a beautifully realised, perfectly acted celebration of African culture, heritage and people, and I love it. And to Chadwick. You are loved, you are missed, thank you. Wakanda Forever! I would love to hear your thoughts on Black Panther! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff and Luke! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Twitter peeps @MovieReviewsIn @SeanGeekPodcast @NikolisKitchen @SpyHards @TheMidnightMyth @CBKcast @afcfilmgeek @WooLongTalks @russlovesmovies @cindemicnerds @BlkGirlsDoStuff @derekjones198 @DanNapolitano @ActionBRated @Rachelherrera11 @Oral_mfc @Jamie_FilmMaker @gundam_guyver @soimwatching @bestfilmeverpod @andywilliams250 @geeksaladradio @kevin_thecritic @Remedi_RPM @kevin_thecritic @youre_on_claud9 Instagram folk @fwm_pod @thecoolnesschronicles Facebook chums Harrison Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of Fate.  This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition!  The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous.  Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honour to cover V for Vendetta, and you may call me Verbal Diorama. I would love to hear your thoughts on V for Vendetta! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike, Griff and brand new patron Luke! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Twitter peeps @derekjones198 @capunderstands @Oral_mfc @Wizard_Matt @Cut_totha_Chase @simon_exton @VixenVVitch @ThePeterBriggs @geeksaladradio @SeanGeekPodcast Instagram folk None this time Facebook chums None this time Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

SURPRISE!! I kept this off the schedule just in case I couldn't quite pull it off, but having recently rewatched it, I decided to do a bonus episode on Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight just for Halloween, which deserves WAY more recognition than it gets. From a great well-known cast of faces, such as William Sadler, Jada Pinkett, Billy Zane, Dick Miller and Thomas Haden Church to some genuinely spooky great practical effects and world building, Demon Knight really delivers in a way most low-budget horror movies don't. Not to mention it's probably the only horror movie where a black woman is the final girl and she saves the world! I never thought I'd say that Billy Zane was the best part of anything.... he chews the scenery like never before or again as The Collector. Maybe he's entranced me into doing this episode? Maybe I'm possessed? What is this green goo?! Happy Halloween!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Listen, for all the online discourse in 2016, Ghostbusters (2016) is in no way as bad as it's been made out to be. Is it perfect? No. Is it the superior Ghostbusters? No. Is it the Anti-Christ of the Ghostbusters universe? No. Do I find it hilariously funny and love these women? YES! Is Chris Hemsworth the most gifted human being in the world other than Keanu Reeves? Probably! Joining me with his own proton pack of appreciation for Ghostbusters, is Simon Brew. Editor of Film Stories magazine/website and host of Film Stories podcast. Together we're taking on the ghosts of reboots, and taking aim at the misogynists and hate-spewers of the world. Just because Ghostbusters 2016 exists, and it exists for a reason mind you, it doesn't erase or belittle Ghostbusters or Ghostbusters II. There's enough room for all these incredibly talented and funny actors to bust ghosts in Hollywood. Ghostbusters III had been in the pipeline for years and years, until a reboot of the story was optioned instead and announced to be a female team. The trailer, released online in early 2016, quickly generated a slurry of hateful, misogynistic and racist remarks and even death threats to its director. Death threats! For a movie! You can't make this up.... While I'll admit it's not my favourite Ghostbusters movie, Ghostbusters 2016 has a special place in my heart and it does some brilliantly innovative things with its visuals and 3D. I'm sad we won't get to see these characters again. Especially Holtzmann, she's AWESOME! Thank you to the wonderful Simon Brew for being brilliant and occasionally hilarious. You can find his work at https://www.filmstories.co.uk/ or on Twitter @filmstoriespod and listen to the Film Stories podcast if you like what I do, but you want someone who's much much better at it (despite his insistence to the contrary). Charge the lines, create the vortex, break the barriers..... I would love to hear your thoughts on Ghostbusters (2016)! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike and Griff! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Before we start, a trigger warning. Scream is unfortunately inspired by some gruesome, horrific true crime events which are mentioned briefly in this episode. Although I don't go into details, I do mention violence and sexual assault, so if you'd rather not hear this part of the story, please skip the following times 15:54-17:53. I do mention a warning before it starts too. The section lasts just under two minutes. Full disclosure - I had not seen Scream until watching it for this episode. I had seen clips, such as Drew Barrymore's phone call scene, but nothing else. It's safe to say that clip stuck with me, and ever since I was frightened to watch it. But watch it I have! Hear what I think of it in the episode! Viewers' love of watching people being (fictionally) killed is certainly not limited to 20th/21st century horror movies, but undoubtedly Scream's biggest claim to fame is the fact it's credited with reviving the dead (excuse the pun!) slasher genre. There was another that came before it though, something that also tried to be bold and blur the lines between tired horror clichés and tropes. Another Wes Craven movie.... As pretty much a total non-horror fan, researching this episode has opened up a fascinating world of horror fact and fiction, and might have actually made me want to watch some other horror classics (but it might take me a while - Scream did scare me!) From Scream's true crime roots, to its well-known cast and ability to mix horror and comedy, it remains a firm horror fan favourite. I can see why. The opening scene is, probably, one of the most iconic of modern cinema, with maybe one exception.... I would love to hear your thoughts on Scream! GET IN TOUCH.... Twitter @verbaldiorama Instagram @verbaldiorama Facebook @verbaldiorama Letterboxd @verbaldiorama Email verbaldiorama [at] gmail [dot] com Website verbaldiorama.com SUPPORT VERBAL DIORAMA.... Leave a 5-star rating/review: Apple Podcasts or Podchaser  Join the Patreon: patreon.com/verbaldiorama Thank you to all the patrons Simon E, Sade, Jardiel, Claudia, Simon B, Laurel, Derek, Jason, Kristin, Cat, Andy, Mike and Griff! NEW! Buy Merch! https://teespring.com/stores/verbaldiorama Tees, mugs, hoodies and totes are available! EPISODE THANKS TO.... Twitter peeps @AtTheFlicksPod @PulpCereal @90sCourt @BLCAgnew @afcfilmgeek @filmbustersben @Oral_mfc @MovieReviewsIn @geeksaladradio @need_3_mugs @TSPOE_pods Instagram folk @blackcasediariespodcast Facebook chums Claudia Theme Music: Verbal Diorama Theme Song Music by Chloe Enticott - Compositions by Chloe Facebook Lyrics by Chloe Enticott (and me!) Production by Ellis Powell-Bevan of Ewenique Studios. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.