Ravenous
Supercontext: an autopsy of media
This 1999 cannibal-horror-comedy film went through three directors in a troubled production. We discussed how it successfully critiques American consumption and Manifest Destiny despite its financial failure. Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Ravenous Additional Resources: ''Creative differences'' shake up Hollywood Film: They all but ate me alive! FANGO Flashback: “RAVENOUS” Robert Carlyle Interview ANTONIA BIRD'S RAVENOUS IS A DARK CANNIBAL TALE - BUT WITH JOKES! To Serve Man: Why...
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Batman Odyssey
Supercontext: an autopsy of media
This comic book series by Neal Adams is a strange combination of talent and narcissism, along with the realization that its lead character and its creator aren't as in control as they want to be. We discuss gun violence, Expanding Earth theory, and generational conflict to try to make sense of this one-of-a-kind experience. Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Batman Odyssey Additional Resources: Deconstructing the Complete and Utter Insanity of ‘Batman: Odyssey’ Batman Odyssey Ten Questions...
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Basquiat
Supercontext: an autopsy of media
This 1996 film is a purported biopic about a famous painter by another famous painter, Julian Schnabel. We ask whether the narrative this movie presents is an inaccurate portrayal of its subject because it exploits him or because the director is commenting on his own place within the world of fine art. Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Basquiat Additional Resources: Jim Jarmusch Explains Why He Refuses To Watch Julian Schanbel’s ‘Basquiat’ Basquiat: Julian Schnabel's Radiant Child Julian Schnabel...
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Repost of M.R. James, Ghost Stories of an Antiquary
Supercontext: an autopsy of media
This is a repost of a 2016 episode. In our 2016 holiday episode, we looked at the forgotten Christmas Eve tradition of telling ghost stories. M.R. James' work from over a hundred years ago best represents this Victorian trend, so in his honor we brought horror to academia and safe spaces. Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Ghost Stories of an Antiquary Additional Resources: How Did Antiquarians Become Action Story Heroes? Ghost stories: why the Victorians were so spookily good at them Christmas Ghost...
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Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
Supercontext: an autopsy of media
This 2013 novel is a sequel to The Shining. With guest Emily Lewis, we consider how King continues his own redemption arc through these stories about alcoholism and parenting. Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Doctor Sleep Additional Resources: Stephen King in Person The author speaks, receives Mason Award at Fall for the Book. Stephen King, "The Shining" and the crapper Stephen King Q&A: The author explores the origins of The Shining and its sequel Doctor Sleep Kathryn Schulz on Doctor Sleep,...
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Exit, Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles
Supercontext: an autopsy of media
This 2018 comic series by Mark Russell and Mike Feehan reimagines the cartoon character as a gay playwright at odds with 1950s American politics. We examine Russell's writing goals while considering a critical debate about the book: is it formulaic award-bait or character-driven commentary on our present circumstances? Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Exit, Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles Additional Resources: ‘The Snagglepuss Chronicles’ is the best thing you’ll read all year. Seriously. ...
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Foolish by Superchunk
Supercontext: an autopsy of media
Thank you to our Co-producer patron Kevin Wetter for selecting this week's topic! This 1994 indie rock album means a lot to its fans as proof positive that you can survive a romantic breakup. We look at the small business that drove its creation and try to put ourselves in the shoes of the listeners who cherish it. Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Foolish Additional Resources: Superchunk release acoustic version of ‘Foolish’ w/ Allison Crutchfield, Owen Pallett, more Brian Paulson Studio...
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Aeon Flux
Supercontext: an autopsy of media
This animated series was an MTV oddity, televised between 1991 and 1994 in a blur of non-linear, ambiguous chunks. We talk about how creator Peter Chung got this made while inserting symbolic references to the limits of 1990's storytelling. We also wonder why we're so nostalgic for a simpler time when our entertainment was more nebulous and weird. Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Aeon Flux Additional Resources: Aeon Flux: All You've Ever Needed From Sci-Fi SOUND Interview with Peter Chung The Peter...
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Danny, The Champion of the World
Supercontext: an autopsy of media
This 1975 children's book by Roald Dahl is about class conflict and an idealized relationship between a child and their parent. We talk about Dahl's notoriously disagreeable personality while trying to reconcile it with this genuinely joyful story. Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Danny, The Champion of the World Additional Resources: Roald Dahl. By: Kelleghan, Fiona, Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia, 2018 Danny the Champion of the World Summary & Study Guide The Ambiguities of Growing Up:...
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Spinning by Tillie Walden
Supercontext: an autopsy of media
This 2017 graphic novel is a memoir about growing up, figure skating, and coming out of the closet. We talk about how Walden approached the project with guidance from her editor while we look at the comics industry as a whole and the tensions between the book market and the direct market. Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Spinning Additional Resources: Tillie Walden on the Queer Characters and Emotional Turmoil of Her New Comic, I Love This Part “Everything I Had to Say about My Life Is in That...
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This 1977 record seems to mythologize a certain version of New York, so we look at how it was made to get to the core beneath its poetry, guitar solos and critical success.
Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store:
Additional Resources:
- Television's Principles
- How Television Made ‘Marquee Moon,’ the Best Punk Guitar Album Ever
- Television’s Punk Epic “Marquee Moon,” 40 Years Later
- Invisible Hits: When Eno Met Television
- https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/punks-founding-father-richard-hell-306738.html
- Waterman, B. (2011). Television’s Marquee Moon. New York: Continuum.
- Rolling Stone. 1/7/93, Issue 647, p22.
- Lloyd, R. (2018). Everything is Combustible. Mount Desert, ME: Beech Hill Publishing Company.