Category Archives: Uncategorized

Episode 131. Clever Girl: Island of Lost Souls (1932) and Jurassic Park (1993)

Pack your bags and leave your conception of the social fabric that binds us behind because we’re going to two private islands in this episode! From the darkness of Dr. Moreau’s experiments to John Hammond’s capitalist enterprise, these journeys into the human desire for control rarely end well for anyone involved. 

 

REQUIRED READING

Island of Lost Souls. Dir. Erle C. Kenton, 1932.
Jurassic Park. Dir Steven Spielberg, 1993. 
 

EXTRA CREDIT

The Man Who Hated Moms: Looking Back on Philip Wylie’s “Generation of Vipers”Island of Lost Souls‘ co-writer has some serious mommy issues.
 
Dinosaurs as a Cultural Phenomenon – Why have dinosaurs gained such a hold on the public’s imagination?
 
Of Fossils and Androids: (Re)Producing Sexual Identity in “Jurassic Park” and “Blade Runner” – An essay on how sexual identity anxiety is explored in sci-fi. 
 
The Devil in Our DNA:  A Brief History of Eugenics  in Science Fiction Films. David A. Kirby’s deep dive into how one of the darkest chapters in modern science was utilized on the big screen. 
 
Kathleen Burke Wins Nationwide Contest! The Road to Panther Woman in Island of Lost Souls. An overview of promotional materials for the Panther Woman contest.
 
Marx for Cats. The history of cats big and small as viewed through a Marxist lens.
 
The story of amusement parks is the story of America. A look at how the history of amusement/theme parks reflects America. 
 
Dead Blondes and Bad Mothers. Jude Doyle’s excellent book about female power and monstrosity. 
 

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Episode 130. Nature Calls: Eden Lake (2008) and Backcountry (2014)

Pack your bags and your partner because this episode leaves the comforts of civilized society far behind. In this episode we unpack the need for serenity, the heritage of toxic masculinity, and why a bear might actually make a great boyfriend. 

REQUIRED READING

Eden Lake. Dir. James Watkins, 2008. 
Backcountry. Dir. Adam MacDonald, 2014. 
 

EXTRA CREDIT

Overall Crime Down 44% Since 1995. The Guardian article that pushes back against conservative narratives. 
 
Gangs and Children. A study on the impetus for youth to join gangs and why.
 
The Gated Community Mentality. Rich Benjamin’s piece on the groupthink that emerges from the gated community lifestyle.
 
 
David Mech’s website – the author of incel bible The Wolf: Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species addresses the widespread misuse of the term “Alpha.”
 
From the “Cosmo Quiz” to Quizilla to Buzzfeed… what’s next?. The Smithsonian Magazine looks back at the history of quizzes. 
 

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Episode 129. Bad Trip: Angel Heart (1987) and Jacob’s Ladder (1990)

Whether you’re ascending or descending, spiritual journeys through the afterlife are never easy. In this episode, Andrea and Alex tackle two films that share some overlapping tendencies but deviate in unexpected ways. 
 

REQUIRED READING

Angel Heart. Dir. Alan Parker, 1987.
Jacob’s Ladder. Dir Adrian Lyne, 1990. 
 

EXTRA CREDIT

Satanic Feminism: Per Faxneld’s book about the evolution of Lucifer as liberator.
 
The Book of Lilith. An investigation into the persecution and villainization of Adam’s first wife. 
 
Temptresses. An overview of some of the most iconic evil women and why they are feared. 
 
Falling Angel by William Hjortsberg – borrow it for free!
 
 

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Episode 128. The Feral Feminine: Cat People (1942)

Coming to you live from Salem Horror Fest, Andrea and Alex prowl the darkest corners of RKO’s cult classic Cat People. From the themes of immigration and assimilation to the parallels of sex and power, we uncover how Jacques Tourneur and Val Lewton’s dark vision of 1940s America remains a prescient warning. 
 

REQUIRED READING

Cat People. Dir. Jacques Tourneur, 1942. 
 

EXTRA CREDIT

What history tells us about assimilation of immigrants. The paper published by Stanford University that explains the trends that followed immigration booms in the US in the first half of the 20th century. 
 
On Female Rage: Does the Wallpaper Look Yellow to Anyone Else? The Harvard Crimson’s examination of a new age of feminine anger that is forever grappling with the past. 
 
When God Was a Woman. Merlin Stone’s 1976 exploration of pre-Christian religions where women led. 
 
The uproar over the New Yorker short story “Cat Person,” explained. Male hysteria at women writing fiction about their feelings.
 
Gore-Geous: Personal Essays on Beauty and Horror. Alex’s new book includes more thoughts on Cat People.
 

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