Subtext: Conversations about Classic Books and Films

Though sometimes accused of a sentimentality dubbed “Capracorn,” Frank Capra’s films are clear-eyed about the suffering of the everyman. A quintessential director of the Great Depression and World War II eras, Capra expressed better than most the desperation at the heart of a young country’s ambitions. And as a chronicler of his age’s disillusionment and alienation, he joined an American cultural landscape stretching back to Hawthorne, Melville, and Twain. How is George Bailey, a purveyor of the American dream, representative of the anonymyzing terror of 20th century society? And how might Christmas, rather than providing merely the heart-warming scaffolding for Capra’s tale, form an integral part of his message? Wes & Erin discuss the 1946 holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Thanks to our sponsor for this episode, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters can learn more about their online courses at tischpro.smashcut.com/subtext. Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website Thanks to Nick Ketter for the audio editing on this episode.

Wes and Erin delve into the classic 'Die Hard,' tackling the nostalgic tropes of the 1980s, including its blend of nudity and violence. They examine the artistry behind memorable death scenes and discuss the moral implications of cinematic violence. The dynamic between McClane and Powell adds emotional depth, contrasting with McClane's separation from Holly, whose character cleverly embodies both a mother and a career woman. Cultural references abound, from iconic action moments to hairdos of the era, all while highlighting the film's underlying themes of family and romance.

The hosts dive into the debate about whether "Die Hard" is truly a Christmas movie, weighing criteria like snow and the ending song. They explore themes of marriage and family battling against materialism and globalization. Erin highlights the film's partnerships, contrasting working-class values with corporate villainy. They also unpack the satirical commentary on institutions like the FBI and media. Finally, they discuss McClane as a relatable, suffering hero and the cultural implications of setting the story in Los Angeles.

Dive into the world of media satire with a look at a TV executive's quest for outrage. The hosts dissect how anger becomes entertainment through Howard Beale's iconic outburst. They explore the film's commentary on the commodification of protest, contrasting television's immediacy with cinema's subtlety. There’s a deep analysis of character performances, particularly how Diana embodies the essence of TV. Tune in to hear about the film's recursive critique of itself and the fascinating relationship between scripted narratives and reality.

His first claim to fame was the solution to  a riddle that earned him a kingdom by sheer force of intellect. His second was a doomed attempt to escape the particularly gruesome fates of patricide and incest. With his first act, Oedipus saved the city of Thebes from the sphinx; with his second, he afflicted it with a plague. In his retelling of this myth, Sophocles reflects on the competing claims of three paths to knowledge: reason, revelation, and experience. Why can’t Oedipus’s brilliant mind save him from the enactment of a prophecy? Why might we be most vulnerable to the fate we’re most determined to avoid? Can we truly be free, or are our attempts to transcend the limitations of character central to its pathologies? Wes & Erin discuss Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex. Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website Thanks to Nick Ketter for the audio editing on this episode.

How do you become the many you truly are? Try becoming the woman you aren’t. While Michael Dorsey can take the blame for his desperate transformation into Dorothy Michaels, it’s she who gets the credit for making him a better man. How are gender dynamics reflected in our relationships to ourselves? When are we staying true to ourselves, and when are we just acting out a role for others? Wes & Erin discuss Sydney Pollack’s 1982 film, “Tootsie.” Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website Thanks to Nick Ketter for the audio editing on this episode.

Dive into the exquisite layers of Percy Bysshe Shelley's 'Ozymandias' as guests explore its themes of hubris and temporality. The poem's connection to modern storytelling and the nuances of artistic representation spark compelling discussions. They ponder the irony of monumental art, where grandeur meets decay. Delve into the complexity of character portrayal and the clash between authenticity and exaggeration. A thought-provoking examination of art's power transcends time and gives voice to our shared human experience.

Dive into the labyrinth of the Nostromo, where technology becomes a sterile surrogate mother. Explore the juxtaposition of grungy space trucks against cosmic elegance. The podcast dissects Ripley’s fierce leadership and the film’s haunting themes of male impregnation and parasitic behavior. Witness the alien as a phallic-maternal force, blurring boundaries and evoking disgust. Ash’s dark obsession with origins adds a chilling layer to the narrative. Ultimately, it’s a battle between human fragility and the perfect organism's ruthless survival.

Explore the intriguing landscape of Melville's Bartleby, where the walls of Wall Street confine both work and identity. Delve into the tension between originality and imitation as Bartleby’s passive rebellion unfolds. The hosts analyze the paradox of an office filled with mechanical copyists, examining how silence dominates amid the city's chaos. They ponder whether personal choices or compulsion drive Bartleby's famous refusals, and what his blank wall gazes reveal about fate, freedom, and the human spirit.

The story begins and ends with two variations on the meaning of the title. On the one hand, to give another turn of the screw is to ratchet up the horror of a good ghost story, in this case by involving children in it. On the other, it’s to treat the cause of that horror as if it were just another of life’s many obstacles, to be overcome both by screwing one’s courage to the sticking place, and by suppressing awareness of what is revoltingly unnatural in it. Whose screw turns out to be looser—the audience that enjoys such stories (and sometimes believes them), or the teller who manufactures them? Wes & Erin analyze Henry James’s “The Turn of the Screw.” Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website