Shows
Written and WatchedW&Watched The Prestige with Eoin SmithMagician and writer Eoin Smith joins us for a rich, thoughtful discussion on The Prestige — comparing the novel and Nolan’s adaptation through the lens of someone who actually lives in the world of illusion.We unpack:• Why the film’s “simplification” actually strengthens the story• How real magicians approach method, secrecy, and deception• Victorian magic rivalries and their modern equivalents• The ethics of obsession and the sacrifices performers make• The film’s cinematic craft, per...
2025-11-251h 01Written and WatchedWritten&W The Prestige with Eoin SmithIn this episode, we sit down with Scottish magician and author Eoin to unravel the mysteries of The Prestige — the Christopher Priest novel that inspired Christopher Nolan’s film.We break down the book’s layered structure, shifting genres, and intricate character psychology while weaving in real-world magic history, backstage knowledge, and the ethics of illusion. From Victorian séances to modern trick-exposure culture, from Houdini to Tesla, from epistolary storytelling to the Ship of Theseus — this conversation asks what magic really is and what it takes from those who practice it.Perfect f...
2025-11-181h 05Written and WatchedW&Watched The Andromeda Strain with Laughing BriarWe wrap our Andromeda Strain two-parter with the 1971 film. From Robert Wise’s old-Hollywood gravitas to the split-screen tension and tactile lab tech, we dig into why the movie often outpaces the novel. We also touch on BookTok’s retail revival, tech-bro nutrition, modern conspiracy ecosystems, microbiomes/decontamination logic, and the film’s still-spiky ending. Verdict: if you’re on the fence, watch the movie.
2025-10-141h 00Written and WatchedWritten&W The Andromeda Strain with Laughing BriarIn this episode of Written & Watched, we crack open Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain and map where it sits on the spectrum from hard science fiction to speculative thriller. We unpack the Wildfire complex and its “odd-man” nuclear failsafe; nitpick biology (pH myths, the limits of personality indices, extremophiles); and explore the bigger questions the book tees up—What counts as life? When does sentience start? Why might climate realism and “solarpunk” solutions beat a Mars escape plan?Laughing Briar has books here: https://laughingbriarbooks.com/We also dive into AI’s “Chinese Room,” the film Her, the...
2025-10-071h 32Written and WatchedWatched - Annihilation with The UnevenflowWe watched Annihilation! We have thoughts on this Alex Garland interpretation of the text.https://upnerd.captivate.fm/https://www.youtube.com/@UpNerdPodcastNetwork
2024-12-161h 19Written and WatchedWritten&W Annihilation with The UnevenflowWe read Annihilation! We have thoughts on this creepy strange, polarizing text!https://upnerd.captivate.fm/https://www.youtube.com/@UpNerdPodcastNetwork
2024-12-091h 08Written and WatchedW&Watched World War Z with SS FitzgeraldWe watched World War Z, and talked about zombies, warfare, and the heinous movie that this is!SS Fitzgerald: https://www.ssfitzgerald.net/
2024-12-021h 13Written and WatchedWritten&W World War Z with SS FitzgeraldWe read WWZ, and talked about zombies, warfare, and the epistolary text!SS Fitzgerald: https://www.ssfitzgerald.net/ AMA covid MARCH 9th 2020 with Max Brooks: https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/fhj24f/i_am_max_brooks_author_of_world_war_z_and_i_am/ Guardian article on preppers: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/sep/04/super-rich-prepper-bunkers-apocalypse-survival-richest-rushkoff
2024-11-251h 13Written and WatchedW&Watched When Nietzsche Wept with Anthony VernonWow is this movie bad. We watched "When Nietzsche Wept" and gave it some credit, ok, no credit. Which it deserves. (minor audio issue at start, crackles go away)
2024-11-181h 08Written and WatchedWritten &W When Nietzsche Wept with Anthony VernonAnthony and I read "when Nietzsche wept" Any interest in philosophy? Historical fiction? Lou Salome with a riding crop? (thought that one would get ya!!)
2024-11-111h 05Written and WatchedW&Watched The Iron Giant with Laughing BriarWe watched "The Iron Giant" and have some things to say. More Laughing Briar here: https://laughingbriarbooks.com/Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/laughingbriar/gambling-on-common-sense-novel-by-l-briar
2024-11-041h 20Written and WatchedWritten&W The Iron Giant with Laughing BriarWe read "The Iron Giant" and have some things to say. More Laughing Briar here: https://laughingbriarbooks.com/Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/laughingbriar/gambling-on-common-sense-novel-by-l-briar
2024-10-2844 minWritten and WatchedW&Watched Perks of Being a Wallflower with Noah MussayNoah and I watched "Perks of Being a Wallflower" and, well, we have some thoughts...More of Noah Here: https://twitter.com/noahmussay
2024-10-211h 15Written and WatchedWritten&W Perks of Being a Wallflower with Noah MussayNoah and I talk about the book "Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky.More of Noah Here: https://twitter.com/noahmussay
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