Illiterate

Avatar | the mythological origins of the Na'vi world

30 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Another one! It’s been a while, but James Cameron is back with even more. What is he basing all this off of, and what took so long? Is the Na’vi l...

Christmas Double Feature | Hallmark Movies & Die Hard

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Evan and Taylor’s projects: videos, go watch Evan’s film work sign up, Taylor’s weekly newsletter Contact: [email protected], email us ...

Pinnochio | how the wooden boy is more than Disney

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We break down the origin of the tale, and get into the first Italian film version. What is the point of the story in the first place? Can there be mor...

A Christmas Carol | what Dickens did for the holiday

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Another adaptation of the beloved story in “Spirited” - but what makes it so great after all these years? Did Dickens invent our modern Christmas ...

Wednesday (The Addams Family) | how the spooky family got its start

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re talking about the creator Charles Addams, the jump from comics to film, and what the heck makes this different from the Munsters! Evan and Tay...

Black Panther | the origins of T’Challa and Wakanda

18 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s take a stroll through the development of the Black Panther character, what elements had to change for this new film, and some real-world influ...

Weird: The Al Yankovic Story | becoming the musical parody guy

11 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a biopic about Weird Al - but as with all his work, it’s not what you think. How’d this film come to be, and what’s the process behind th...

All Quiet on the Western Front | how a WW1 story becomes about WW2

04 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The new film is epic and affecting, but what’s the story behind the original book and film? What’s been changed, and how did history overtake the ...

Cabinet of Curiosities | a spooky selection of horror history

28 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we dip our toes into an eclectic mix of horror ideas and tropes. What is an actual Cabinet of Curiosities? Where did the jump scare come fr...

Game of Thrones | how George RR Martin made it big

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It rose and fell, and rises again. What’s George RR Martin really all about? How’d he get in (and out) and back into the Hollywood game? And who’...

Halloween | why the film franchise frequently fractures

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This’ll be the thirteenth film, and it ENDS. Definitely, yep, no more ever (said five times before!). Let’s learn how this all works, what it’s ...

The Lord of the Rings (part 3) | the influence of the adaptations

07 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We often forget recent history as it becomes the standard, so what are the effects of the Lord of the Rings books and films in media and culture? Coul...

The Lord of the Rings (part 2) | how the films got the green light

30 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Jackson made it happen, but that wasn’t a sure bet…not by a long shot. Let’s learn the lesser-known pieces that put this fantasy series on...

The Lord of the Rings (part 1) | why Tolkien wrote the tales

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Journey with us through the fantastical origins of the most beloved fantasy series! How and why did these stories get written? Who is the man behind t...

Bad Education (HOT SUMMER Replay) | the biggest theft from the best school

09 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a HOT week, and so we're cooling off with a best-of and some back-to-school intrigue. We'll be back next week with a new series on The Lord ...

Steven Spielberg (Best-of Episode) | the life of a director

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This is a best-of episode MEGA episode, encompassing 2 parts on Spielberg, in honor of the recent 3D release of JAWS! Learn the twists and turns of th...

Bluey | the genius behind the Australian preschool show

26 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Get ready, this is already big, whether you know it or not! What makes this kids show so unique and lovable? And how is it different from every other ...

Laal Singh Chaddha | it’s Forrest Gump, but for India

19 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What a wild tale this is! Come learn the historical changes made to the 1990’s American classic, this time with modern India! Also, why isn’t this...

Predator (part 2) | how Prey presents the Comanche Nation

13 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Come learn about the new film, and what makes it so unique. What’s all the buzz about the Comanche language dub? And are there any other films like ...

Predator (part 1) | the haphazard origins of the greatest hunter

06 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Come learn the origin of the series, and all the build up to the new film. Where did the Alien crossover start? And what made the first film so unique...

Nope | the weird life of the guy who invented movies

29 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here be spoilers! What influenced Jordan Peele to create this genre-mash alien feature? And who the heck knows anything about Muybridge and the horse ...

Where the Crawdads Sing | on murder, the past, and author Delia Owens

22 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A beloved book, a new movie, and scandal about the author’s past. What’s really going on, and is it all sensation, or is there something we can le...

The Princess Bride (Best-of Episode) | the inconceivable master adapter

15 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A re-release while we take a break this week - a great look into a quotable classic! How did this endearing, comforting fantasy tale come to be? Learn...

Minions | how they came to influence EVERYTHING

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

They’ve caught up with us…we can no longer avoid them…THE MINIONS. Why are they so popular, and how did they come to be the highest grossing ani...

Elvis | the real origins of the King

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The new Baz Luhrmann film covers a ton of Elvis ground - why did Baz take on such a daunting subject? How did he get the information to bring a lackin...

Spiderhead | the short story mastery of George Saunders

24 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The only feature film adaptation from the prolific short story author has arrived. How did this movie come to be, and why haven’t we gotten more fil...

Stranger Things | the real-life conspiracy behind the show (Montauk!)

17 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What are the origins for the conspiracy and government storylines, and how did the creators of the show pitch the story at the start? Come along and l...

Jurassic Park | how dinos became a modern craze

10 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What are the origins of the mega franchise? How did the book come to be? And did anybody listen to the warnings about messing with the natural order, ...

Top Gun | when the Pentagon helps with motion pictures

03 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A military and cultural touchstone, but how much is based on fact, or brought about by government influence? We go into the real organizations, old fi...

Multiverse | why this modern media trend is exploding

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s madness! Doctor Strange, Rick and Morty, Spider-man, Everything Everywhere, Chip n’ Dale, Space Jam, and more on the way. Why has the multive...

The Staircase | when documentarians become characters

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The start of the 21st century true-crime series extravaganza has an update! Why is this dramatization different, and what’s the reason for adapting ...

Halo | on the masterminds behind Master Chief

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Suit up for an epic tale of the creative process and influences behind one of the biggest entertainment properties. And also - why is a show coming ou...

The Godfather | how Mario Puzo made up the mafia

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Offer is out, about the making of the Godfather film. But how did Mario Puzo craft the original story? Was the mob actually involved? And what for...

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent | who is the real Nicholas Cage

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What is the fascination with Nicholas Cage - is he a genius, or a madman, or just a misunderstood normal guy? Come learn about the creation of a film ...

Pachinko | what can't be forgotten in Korean history

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This K-Drama of epic proportions came from an equally monumental book. Where did this eighty-year long story originate, and what’s it have to say ab...

Sonic the Hedgehog | how the blue blur got his start

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The speedy guy goes big at the box office - but how did such a strange creature come to be? What are the ups and downs of his career, and why haven’...

Death on the Nile | the puzzling history of the whodunit

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What do you know about Agatha Christie, the best-selling author of the most famous whodunits? What makes them consistently unique and popular, hundred...

CODA | what you don’t know about sign language

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We learned so much in this episode, about signing, the deaf community, how to write and research a story, and the origins of a language. Come along an...

Joker (Best-of Episode) | how one villain has multiple origins

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Join us and learn about the history of the Joker, and the real world assassinations and scandals that created the Joker character over the years. Now ...

Batman (part 2) | why there’s so many different Batmen

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The journey of the Batman film series is as twisted as the Riddler’s schemes. Why are the films continually flipping tone and style? And what are th...

Batman (part 1) | the mystery behind the World’s Greatest Detective

12 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

From horror films in the 1930’s, World War 2 propaganda, Batman in Outer Space, and beyond - what’s happened to make this iconic mythological char...

Squid Game | the hidden cultural layers behind the hit show

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Now that they hype has settled: where did Squid Game really originate from? What made it the biggest show on Netflix, and what influence did it have i...

Texas Chainsaw Massacre | why you don’t know this film’s true story

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the words of DJ Khaled…another one. But do you honestly know what the first one’s about? Was any of this actually based on truth? And then how ...

Pam & Tommy | the crime story behind the scandal

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What was the truth behind the late 1990’s scandal? What’s the history of celebrity sex tapes? And can they make this show without Pamela Anderson’...

Rom Coms | are they dead…again?

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Like a twisty true love story, we dive into the ups and downs of the history of romantic comedies. Is it gone for good? Was it ever? What’s next for...

The Righteous Gemstones and Tammy Faye | the surprising origins of televangelism

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Two big releases this week, all about megachurches and televangelism. Didn’t this fizzle out in the 80’s? The answers to the origins of this media...

Nightmare Alley | why remake a forgotten noir from the 1940’s?

29 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Guillermo del Toro’s latest film has nothing to do with monsters, but everything to do with regular ‘ol humans. How did he get into this noir carn...

Scream | why the slasher didn’t die off

22 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been a decade, and here’s another sequel-reboot-remake-hybrid film. What makes Scream different? Where did the original slasher come from, ev...

Euphoria | the unknown origins of the dark teen drama

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The biggest first night of any show on HBO Max…was based on an Israeli miniseries? How did that come to be, and what changed? And is all the controv...

Don’t Look Up | what everybody gets wrong about satire

08 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s the third most-watched film on Netflix…and half of everybody hates/loves it. What is a “satire”? Is this doing it right? We’re going ba...

Best of 2021 | the finest moments of ILLITERATE this year

31 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Evan and Taylor replay the top moments from the year, and their picks for the must-listen episodes! If the show has helped, educated, or inspired you ...

The Matrix | why are we getting plugged back in?

24 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What are the hidden influences behind the trilogy? Why is there a new film now, after all these years? And what exactly are the Wachowskis up to? Come...

Being the Ricardos | why everyone loved Lucy

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

So many innovations for the medium of television, and yet - a difficult marriage at the center. Why did everyone love Lucy? Was it in spite of (or bec...

The Power of the Dog | on what makes a cowboy

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A revisionist western from an award winning writer/director, after a decade away. So where did this adaptation come from? Who is the author Thomas Sav...

The Beatles: Get Back | how their music-making process went missing

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

An epic 8 hour journey into the creation of an album. And yet - where has this footage been all these years? How did Peter Jackson become the one to m...

Ghostbusters | why there are aren’t that many movies

26 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A beloved, merchandise-laden property, with very few movies to its name - why is that? What took so long? And why is Dan Aykroyd’s family so into gh...

Clifford the Big Red Dog | how to create a children’s classic

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We know the massive lovable pooch, but why did he become such a staple of children’s literature? Who is responsible, and is there any psychology or ...

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain | why we love cats

12 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The story of a man, almost forgotten, after changing the way we see cats. Who was he, why did he disappear, and what can he tell us about artists and ...

You | how romance stories can be horror stories

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This hit Netflix series only gets bigger, but was it actually a Netflix show? How does the author’s books affect the story? And why do people let a ...

Dune | why this unadaptable sci-fi story endures

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

AT LAST, the truly epic tale is getting a film…series? What’s the big deal about the sweeping story? Why couldn’t it be adapted well? And how di...

My Hero Academia | how to bring optimism back to superheroes

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Come dive in as we learn the history of manga, and this particular series by Kohei Horikoshi. What is his mysterious past and creative process, and wh...

James Bond (part 2) | why 007 can’t stop changing

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Follow along our jam-packed look on what made the Bond series progress, decade after decade. Why did the actors and tone of the films keep changing? W...

James Bond (part 1) | inventing the world’s greatest spy

08 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The longest running film series in history…what was it BEFORE any of that? Let’s learn about the creator, the reason for making Bond, where his qu...

Marvel's What If…? & Star Wars: Visions | why the universe keeps expanding

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

These two mega-mythical properties are at it again, this time with a whole new set of creatives and wild ideas to shake up the franchise. What are the...

Cry Macho | getting back in the saddle with Westerns

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Clint Eastwood (at age 91!) comes out with another Western. What does that mean for the genre? What are the tropes and history of the Western story? A...

Impeachment: American Crime Story | on vanquishing the cost of shame

17 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We dive in to the recent depiction of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, and how it focuses on the female characters involved. What actually happened to Mo...

Only Murders in the Building | the tantalizing allure of true crime

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We lay out the history of true crime stories (MURDER PAMPHLETS?), what became of the podcast true crime boom, and the continuing conversation around t...

Candyman | the history of the honey hook killer

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Where did this urban legend come from (a serial killer noblewoman of the 1500’s?! Real life murders at the Cabrini Green Projects?!) What is the new...

Shrek (pt 2) | the agony and the Shrekstasy

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What happened with the grumpy lovable ogre? How did he become a facet of meme culture, and does it say anything true about his character? Contact: Re...

UFO | the first footage confirmed by the Pentagon

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we dissect the new documentary, the article it’s based on, and the history of airborne phenomena in art and media. Contact: Reach out on...

Shrek (pt 1) | how an ogre became a hero

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Get out of our swamp! We uncover the original book, and the history of the film’s production. Come learn about the subliminal insider jabs at Disney...

The Green Knight | decoding the mysterious King Arthur tale

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We dive headfirst into the ancient poem of Sir Gawain, and how it became a fresh telling with modern themes. Was King Arthur a real person, and how di...

Zola | the first movie ever written on twitter

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The THOTyssey, the 148 tweet thread about a road trip that leads to prostitution and murder - everyone said should be a movie…is now a movie. How d...

Space Jam | dunking commercials and cartoons into a global phenomenon

24 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How in the world did the classic cartoons get mashed with Michael Jordan, and now LeBron James? Was it always a commercial money-making scheme? And wh...

Sweet Tooth | how to survive in a hopeful apocalypse

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Originally touted as “Mad Max meets Bambi”, how did the dark and violent comic series become the warm tale on Netflix? And what does the author th...

Fear Street | how Goosebumps author R.L. Stine keeps writing

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The teenage slasher series written by the bestselling series author of the 90’s has come to the screen. Learn the insider history behind the author’...

Nollywood | the unbelievable empire of Nigerian films

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We dive in to the second highest-producing film industry in the world, Nigerian cinema. The historical origins, the unique cultural trends, and the bi...

The Fast & the Furious | how street racing became a superstar saga

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Based on the written word?! How did this import tuner racing series turn into the epic saga we know and love? Come find out all the influences and sec...

In the Heights | making Lin-Manuel Miranda’s movie musical

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the long road to making the latest Lin-Manuel Miranda musical project, the history of the genre, and what controversy surrounds the film. Extras...

The Conjuring | why our paranormal gets investigated

11 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The highest grossing horror film franchise of all time, and what do you really know about it? Come learn the literary background, the history of paran...

Cruella | the truth behind the 101 Dalmatians thief

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We dissect the origins of the literary character Cruella de Vil, the bizarre never-made sequel, and female villainy in stories. Extras: trailer, Cru...

Army of the Dead | where zombies really begin

28 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a fully fledged genre, but do you know how it came to be? Come discover the books, myths, games, and films that coalesce to create the zombie c...

The Woman in the Window | how to be a best-selling (lying) author

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the thriller tales, and the truth (or lies?) behind the international bestseller. Extras: trailer, The Woman in the Window (2021) http:/...

Shadow and Bone | on Slavic fantasy and the Grishaverse

14 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What’s all the fuss behind this YA series turned epic Netflix show? Why haven’t we seen many Slavic fantasy stories? And why are the magicians cal...

From the Vault: Motherless Brooklyn | detectives, Tourette’s, & 20 year projects

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’re on vacation this week, so please enjoy this gem of an episode from the ILLITERATE Vault (episode 39!) The film that took two decades (and a mi...

Mortal Kombat | how to make a video game movie

01 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

FINISH HIM! Learn the literary and cinematic origins of this game-turned-movie, the controversies, and why so many people like these characters. Extra...

The Princess Bride | the inconceivable master adapter

23 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How did this endearing, comforting fantasy tale come to be? Learn why the book is so different in the telling, and the life and journey of William Gol...

Promising Young Woman | on female revenge thrillers

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

(Spoilers! Don’t listen until you’ve seen!) Learn the history of the genre, the many literary and film references, and the origin from ancient Gre...

Concrete Cowboy | the heritage of America’s Black cowboys

09 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the history of riding on the open range, the Kentucky Derby, urban horse-stables, and the original Lone Ranger. Concrete Cowboy is on Netflix, b...

Godzilla vs. Kong | what the massive monsters really mean

03 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the mighty origins of the massive movie classics, which came first, and why they’ve been fighting for so long. Extras: trailer, Godzilla vs ...

Justice League | and the forgotten creator of superhero teams

26 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Who was Gardner Fox, the mastermind writer behind the superhero genre? Why is it so hard to make a Justice League movie? And what the heck is a Multiv...

Minari | how a Korean American family pursued the American Dream

19 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the origins of the incredible story of Lee Isaac Chung, and his family’s farm in Arkansas. What is Minari, and who is Willa Cather, and how di...

Moxie & Mean Girls | women in punk rock and TV comedy

12 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Come learn about the Riot Grrrl movement, the history of women in stand-up and television comedy, and the parenting guidebook that Mean Girls is based...

Nomadland | the hidden story of unsettled Americans

05 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the joy and sorrow of a rootless life on the open road. Nomadland is written and directed by Chloe Zhao, based on the book by Jessica Brud...

The United States vs Billie Holiday | the start of the Civil Rights Movement

27 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Come learn the true story of Billie Holiday, and the Federal Narcotics Bureau team who couldn’t stop her. The United States vs Billie Holiday is on ...

Judas and the Black Messiah | Fred Hampton and the Black Panther Party

19 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Uncover the origins of the Black Panther Party, the assassination of Fred Hampton by the FBI, and the depiction of the Black Panthers in media. Judas ...

One Night In Miami | Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke, Malcolm X, and Jim Brown

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

These four iconic men had a night together in 1964. What happened? One Night in Miami is on Amazon, directed by Regina King, based on the play and scr...

Shaft | on blaxploitation and Gordon Parks

05 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How did a low-budget film in the summer of ’71 change Hollywood forever? Come learn about the illustrious Shaft franchise, based on the books by Ern...

Bridgerton | why the Regency era is so ROMANTIC

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as we learn about stories of sex, scandal, and what makes the Regency and Romance genres so popular. Bridgerton is out on Netflix, based on th...

Weddings | the history, the celebration, and episode 100!

22 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Come learn about where all those traditions come from, some great cinematic weddings, and where Evan and Taylor will be this week. Extras: article, ...