Best Movies We Dig Podcasts (2024)

1
Tomb Raider: The Legend of Lara Croft (2024) 1:27:13

3h ago1:27:13

1:27:13

In this episode we learn that your hosts do not know how to behave themselves without an awesome guest to keep them in line! That being said, Colin, Elijah, and Christie delve into the latest iteration of Tomb Raider from the new Netflix animated series. It has a fully realized Lara, beautiful animation, and a plot that actually requires the heroin…

1
Tomb Raider Video Game (2013) and Film (2018), with Julie Levy 1:28:17

5d ago1:28:17

1:28:17

Your favorite Tomb Raider is back, and this time she taking a beating. With the help of archaeogaming specialist, Julie Levy, we take a look at the rebooted version of Lara Croft introduced in the 2010s. Considering the film is supposed to be based on the 2013 game, it is wild to see how drastically different the two mediums present Lara Croft's ne…

1
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and The Cradle of Life (2003), with Marina Escolano-Poveda 1:16:50

12d ago1:16:50

1:16:50

As the old adage goes, "Well-behaved women seldom make history" and Tomb Raider takes that to a whole new level. Based on the popular late 90s action-adventure video games, Angelina Jolie plays the titular Lara Croft in these high-energy films released during the early 2000s. To help us unpack the early inspirations for this character and her initi…

1
KAOS (2024), with Amy Pistone 1:18:43

15d ago1:18:43

1:18:43

If you've been hankering for a good modern take on ancient myth, then this is the show for you! We join forces with super-special guest Amy Pistone to talk about Netflix's new take on the Greek gods in Kaos (2024). We talk about how this show adapts oft- and less-oft-seen stories to its unique world and its novel takes on many familiar characters. …

1
Film Wasn’t Dug in a Day! Season 5 Promo (Part II) 1:10:31

23d ago1:10:31

1:10:31

We're back with the second part of our promo-preview for the newest season of Movies We Dig: Archaeology on Film. We round out our discussion of the previous season on Rome on TV with some trivia games, make predictions on the films we're about to review and reflect back on what brought us to our fields, in some cases literally.…

1
Rome Wasn’t Filmed in a Day! Season 5 Promo (Part I) with Bonus Content from The Partial Historians 1:05:32

28d ago1:05:32

1:05:32

Before we dig our way through some of the most famous archaeologists found on screen, we figured it would be a good idea to reflect back on Season 4 of Movies We Dig. We talk about the season as a whole, our favorite and least favorite series, and...Demon Slayer? Come on, you should all know we're big nerds at this point. Come for the anime discuss…

1
Happy International Podcast Day 2024! Livestream Episode with Liv Albert, Genn McMenemy and Jenny Williamson 2:44:16

30d ago2:44:16

2:44:16

That's right, we did a thing! Our first-ever livestream crossover event with the hosts of Movies We Dig, Ancient History Fangirl, and Let's Talk About Myths, Baby! And if you want a chance to watch rather than just listen to the show, you can do so on our new YouTube channel! Here is the link for the recorded livestream: https://youtube.com/live/qt…

1
MWD Season 5: “It Belongs in a Museum!” Archaeology on Film 1:00

1M ago1:00

1:00

You already got a small taste of Season 5, but get hyped as we prepare to discuss all your favorite fictional archaeologists! We love that Hollywood makes us (Lij and Christie specifically) look like bad asses, but sometimes they miss out on what makes archaeology awesome. We have an amazing lineup of guests from both the academic and the public sc…

1
The Name of the Rose (1986), with Joel Christensen & Tim Gerolami 1:22:58

1M ago1:22:58

1:22:58

Elementary my dear Adso! We kick off our new archaeology-focused season with director Jean-Jacques Annaud's 1986 adaptation of Umberto Eco's medieval mystery thriller The Name of the Rose. Joining us are super-special return guests: Joel Christensen & Tim Gerolami. We host our own little ecumenical discussing everything from the poverty of Christ t…

1
Those About to Die, Season 1 (2024), with Alexandra Sills 1:38:13

2M ago1:38:13

1:38:13

Ready your quardriga and place your bets as we race to the finish of Movies We Dig Season 4! We end the season with the most recent series depicting ancient Rome, Peacock's Those About to Die. Oddly enough, there's not a single Julio-Claudian in sight. That's right, new imperial family=new opportunities to plot and scheme your way to the top! And i…

1
Romulus, Season 1 (2020), with the Partial Historians 1:25:03

3M ago1:25:03

1:25:03

Rome wasn't founded in a season of television, but you can watch it on Tubi. Joined by super-special guests and experts of archaic Rome, Dr. Peta Greenfield and Dr. Fiona Radford (aka The Partial Historians), we dig into the first season of Romulus (2020), an Italian historical drama retelling the founding of Rome. Familicide, divine epiphanies, pr…

1
Alexander (2004), with Jenn Finn 1:27:31

3M ago1:27:31

1:27:31

What if you made a coming of age film, but it was about a Macedonian Prince who conquered Asia? Joined by super special guest and Alexander expert (*Alexpert) Jenn Finn, we psychoanalyze history's most famous military wunderkind as presented in Oliver Stone's 2004 historical epic Alexander. As we learn from the film, the secret to making a great co…

1
Hercules (2014) [AKA Rockules!], with Amy Pistone 1:24:52

3M ago1:24:52

1:24:52

He's just a Big Guy who does Big Guy things! Joined by special return guest, Amy Pistone, we unpack this true gem of a Greek myth adaptation that's really just a delightful D&D excursion. Starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as the titular hero, Hercules, it's no surprise that we all come away loving this quirky film produced at a time when every one…

1
Troy (2004), with Joel Christensen 1:18:56

4M ago1:18:56

1:18:56

Returning to our debut topic, we dig into the 2004 attempt to keep the Gladiator train going, Wolfgang Petersen's Troy. Joined by super-special guest Joel Christensen (of Sententiae Antiquae fame), we revisit this oddly situated film. Spurned by many, beloved by some, and forgotten by most, this film sits at an interesting crossroads in Hollywood a…

1
300 (2006), with Roel Konijnendijk 1:23:39

4M ago1:23:39

1:23:39

Podcasters, what is your profession? If it's bragging about how you don't have a job, then you might be a Spartan! We return once again to the film that launched a thousand memes: Zack Snyder's 2006 adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel 300. Joined by super-special guest and military history extraordinaire, Roel Konijnendijk, we approach this …

1
Interview with the Creators of Blood of Zeus (2020-2024), with Vlas and Charley Parlapanides 1:17:44

5M ago1:17:44

1:17:44

Straight from the Oracle's mouth! Once again, we have the great pleasure of chatting with the Parlapanides Bros about the second season of Netflix's Blood of Zeus. We discuss everything from the season's delayed production, themes of justice and forgiveness, and all our favorite mythological, archaeological, and Classics media Easter eggs! The Fate…

1
Blood of Zeus, Season 2 (2024); with Zoe E Thomas 1:12:19

5M ago1:12:19

1:12:19

Long awaited and much anticipated, we return for the second season of Netflix's anime fantasy series Blood of Zeus. We dig into this show's many references and Easter-eggs, both ancient and modern, along with its larger themes on godhood, humanity, vengeance and forgiveness. And the Hades+Persephone of it all. How could we leave that out?…

1
Movies We Dig Does a Conference! CAMWS 2024 1:24:38

5M ago1:24:38

1:24:38

Pack your bags because we are headed to St. Louis for the Classical Association of the Midwest and South’s annual conference! That’s right, your hosts are not just nerds who really enjoy Classically-inspired media; they’re also serious scholars! Our host Christie talks to various participants (some of which are old friends of the podcast) to learn …

1
Spartacus: War of the Damned (2013), with Ancient History Fangirl 1:32:18

6M ago1:32:18

1:32:18

We all knew Spartacus and his followers would meet a tragic end, but damn if they didn't make it look sexy as hell! Joining us for one final Girls' Night at MWD are the hosts of Ancient History Fangirl podcast, Jenny Williamson and Genn McMenemy. Listen as we laugh and discuss the terrible outfit choices, surfer-boy Julius Caesar's dubious alias , …

1
Spartacus: Vengeance (2012), with Christina Hotalen 1:16:07

6M ago1:16:07

1:16:07

What happens when a bunch of gladiators break out of a ludus? They loot villas, burn down an arena, and party with some Germans, that's what! And all in the name of lov... I mean "VENGEANCE!" The ladies of MWD are joined by special return guest, Christina Hotalen, to discuss the second season of Starz's Spartacus. This season might be the most fun …

1
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (2011), with Liv Albert 1:28:35

7M ago1:28:35

1:28:35

Present ears for listening and broach subject! Joined by our special guest doctore, author and host of Let's Talk About Myths, Baby!, Liv Albert, we strip down to our subligacula to break down the prequel series of the Spartacus franchise: Gods of the Arena. Hear us discuss this show's hyper-stylized cocktail of blood, sweat and sex. Opinions vary …

1
Spartacus: Blood and Sand (2010), with Alexandra Sills 1:32:25

7M ago1:32:25

1:32:25

The ladies decided to have a good ol' Girls' Night! And what better series to discuss than the first season of Starz's Spartacus? With its Zack Snyder aesthetic, impressive gladiatorial fights, and sad attempt to include romance, where could we go wrong? Joining in is our resident Roman spectacle specialist, Alexandra Sills, to help us distill the …

1
Movies We Dig Trailer 0:58

8M ago0:58

0:58

Find out what we're all about! Please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe if you like what you hear and follow us on social media. Thanks for listening!By Movies We Dig

1
Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001), with Amy Pistone 1:22:58

8M ago1:22:58

1:22:58

Girls can be warlords too! To celebrate Women's History Month we're looking back at the 90's cult classic series Xena: Warrior Princess. Joined by super special warrior-guest Amy Pistone, we carve up this show's sparagmatic approach to antiquity, storytelling, fan-fiction, feminism, queer representation and all things 90's. ***INSERT XENA WAR CRY**…

1
(Retcon) Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief 2010, with Hannah Bazinaw 1:08:41

8M ago1:08:41

1:08:41

After completion of the Disney+ Percy Jackson series, the MWD crew thought it would be a good(?) idea to revisit the original film with new perspectives and participants. Has time improved our overall view of the film? Maybe the better question to ask is which of the hosts end up hating this film the most. Grab your magical pens with the same level…

1
Percy Jackson & The Olympians (2023), with Hannah Bazinaw 1:15:55

9M ago1:15:55

1:15:55

We wrap up our in-depth analysis on Disney+'s newest adaptation of Rick Riordan's series, Percy Jackson and The Olympians! Joined by special guest and PJ-expert, Hannah Bazinaw, we review our final thoughts on this series now that it's wrapped. What about this show did we love? What did we hate? what did we love to hate? Get it here, as we talk fam…

1
Percy Jackson & The Olympians (2023) Ep. 8 Minisode, with Laura Porto 42:49

9M ago42:49

42:49

Season 1 of Percy Jackson and The Olympians comes to an end. All deals are completed; the traitor is revealed; and our trio is headed off on their next ventures (while giving Disney a shameless plug). Special guest Laura Porto joins Christie to discuss the good and bad of the season finale. While the episode mostly ends on a high note of Percy reun…

1
Percy Jackson & The Olympians (2023) Ep. 7 Minisode, with Emma Coffey 45:32

9M ago45:32

45:32

What is a hero without a good katabasis to their name? Special guest Emma Coffey joins us the discuss the trio's descent to the Underworld, arguably one of the best arcs in the series thus far. Percy and the gang must contend with Charon, Cerberus, the Asphodel Fields, and a (dare I say) reasonable Hades. No complaints on that front, but what happe…

1
Extremely Strained and Incredibly Forced: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Rattlesnakes (2023), with Alexandra Sills 1:15:04

9M ago1:15:04

1:15:04

We're back with another of our special installment series: Extremely Strained and Incredibly Forced. this Week, Alexandra Sills returns to talk about the connection between civic trauma and gladiators as we get into classical allusions and parallels in the new film, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. We talk Rome, Carthage, Troy, t…

1
Percy Jackson & The Olympians (2023) Ep. 6 Minisode, with Colin MacCormack 43:58

9M ago43:58

43:58

As the master of all time and space, host Colin joins us to analyze the sixth episode of Disney's Percy Jackson! While there is not much to say about the Lotus Eaters themselves, we do discuss the unnaturalness of casinos and the meta-ness of the entire Riordanverse. Then there are questions regarding Lin-Manuel Miranda's fashion choices as Hermes.…

1
Thermae Romae Novae (2022), with Chiara Sulprizio 1:11:23

10M ago1:11:23

1:11:23

It's time to get wet! Joined by special return guest, Chiara Sulprizio, professor at Vanderbilt University and creator of Animated Antiquity, we dive into Netflix's anime adaptation of Mari Yamazaki's time-traveling bath manga. We talk history, baths and the absolute unmitigated charm of this show. Grab your towel and your sponge stick because it's…

1
Percy Jackson & The Olympians (2023) Ep. 5 Minisode, with Merri Willis 39:26

10M ago39:26

39:26

We are over half-way through the first season of Percy Jackson and we get to meet two godly brothers that have a lot more in common than you might initially realize. Our demi-gods and their "Big Cousins" Ares and Hephaestus are all just looking for some love from their parents, but at what cost? Hannah officially takes on the role of co-host for th…

1
Percy Jackson & The Olympians (2023), Ep. 4 Minisode 41:00

10M ago41:00

41:00

After the previous week's tough take on Medusa, we are excited to meet Echidna: Mother of Monsters in this episode. And apparently nothing strikes more fear into the hearts of young demi-gods (and us mere mortals) than a suburban mom with a chihuahua...er...I mean, Chimera. Christie and Hannah break down the episode and provide some new questions f…

1
Domina, Season 2 (2023) 1:19:21

10M ago1:19:21

1:19:21

We brush up on the latest season of the historical TV drama, Domina. Join us as our conversation wanders all over the politics and intrigue surrounding Rome's most (in)famous first lady. We talk about the push-and-pull of navigating history in story-telling, baboon attacks, ghosts (literal and figurative), and how everything in Roman history can be…

1
Percy Jackson & the Olympians (2023), ep. 3 Minisode 43:57

10M ago43:57

43:57

It's the episode we've all been anticipating...and dreading. Can a third attempt at Medusa's story in the Percy Jackson world prove successful in a post- #MeToo world? Christie and special guest/host, Hannah Bazinaw, breakdown episode 3 of the new Disney+ series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians. *Update: Reposted with improved volume levels. We hav…

1
Domina, Season 1 (2021), with Christina Hotalen 1:21:20

10M ago1:21:20

1:21:20

We continue our survey of ancient Rome on the small screen with our review of the first season of the British-Italian historical drama television series, Domina. Joined by special guest, Christina Hotalen, we dig into this re-re-envisioning of Rome's most infamous first lady, Livia Drusilla. We talk feminist retellings, history vs. narrative and th…

1
Percy Jackson & the Olympians (2023), eps. 1-2 minisode 43:59

11M ago43:59

43:59

To keep up with increasing demand and this timely release, we're trying a new format: minisodes! This week, Christie and new special guest/host, Hannah Bazinaw, breakdown the first two episodes of the new Disney+ series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians.By Movies We Dig

1
I, Claudius (1976), part 2 1:13:01

11M ago1:13:01

1:13:01

We finish out our discussion of this classic BBC adaptation of Robert Graves' novel. This half, we dig into the reigns of Caligula, Claudius and Nero, their adaptation on the series and our understandings of their reigns. Can you be a good emperor in a corrupt system? Are Roman woman in film caught in an inescapable Catch-22? What's the historical …

1
I, Claudius (1976), part 1; with Liz Gloyn 1:14:36

11M ago1:14:36

1:14:36

We finally take on the elephant-in-the-room of Rome on television: I, Claudius (1976). Joined by super-special guest Liz Gloyn, we dig into the first half of the BBC adaptation of Robert Graves' novels in all its glory. With a winning combination of history, humor, intrigue, top-tier actors and bargain-bin old-age make-up, there's no shortage of ma…

1
Rome (2005), part 3 1:12:01

12M ago1:12:01

1:12:01

We're back to finish out our discussion on HBO's historical drama, wrapping up with our thoughts on the much-containing Season 2 of Rome (2005). We talk about the highs and lows, our favorites and not-so-favorites, and the arc of Rome and Romans in US/UK television history. Who's the bigger hero of Rome: Jesus or Spartacus?…

1
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: A Wounded Fawn (2022), Commentary Listen-Along 1:52:18

1y ago1:52:18

1:52:18

We venture out into new seas -- or new remote cabins-in-the-woods -- with a new Halloween special listen-along commentary. Hear our real-time gasps, jeers and cheers as we group watch Travis Stevens' indie horror / Greek tragedy A Wounded Fawn (2022). We discuss theater, art, shoes and much more. Let us know if this format works!…

1
Rome (2005), part 2; with Alexandra Sills 1:22:11

1y ago1:22:11

1:22:11

We're back to discuss the rise and fall of prestige television and Julius Caesar, now in one neat stab-able package. This episode we break down the back half of HBO's historical drama Rome with super special guest Alexandra Sills. We talk tyrants, politics, plebeians and all the dirty gossip from the ancient world. Justice for Cicero? You can find …

1
Rome (2005), part I 1:15:52

1y ago1:15:52

1:15:52

Gird your togas, it's time for part one of our much-anticipated look back at HBO's 2005 prestige drama series, Rome. A big favorite of ours, we dig into what this show gets about antiquity, from the graffiti-ridden alleys of the Suburra to the partisan gridlock of the Curia. We especially love its marriage of the plebeian with the patrician, how it…

1
Season 4 Promo 22:40

1y ago22:40

22:40

We're coming back! We debut our plans for upcoming episodes featuring Rome in Television (HBO's Rome, I Claudius, Domina, Thermae Romae Novae) and a special contest. In anticipation for reviewing the eternal city on the small screen, we discuss our picks for best and worst of Rome in the Theaters. Follow us on Instagram and Threads for more. #WineO…

1
The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964), with Fiona Radford & Peta Greenfield 1:16:14

1+ y ago1:16:14

1:16:14

How does an empire fall, from within or without, and would it make a good movie? Those are just some of the many questions we dig into with special guests and hosts of the Partial Historians podcast, Dr. Fiona Radford and Dr. Peta Greenfield (@p_historians), as we take on Anthony Mann's historical epic drama Fall of the Roman Empire. We dive into t…

1
Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans (2019), with Emma Coffey 56:10

1+ y ago56:10

56:10

It's British edu-tainment at its finest? Opinions, like empires, are divided over this movie, a raunchy comedy adapted from of a popular TV/Youtube series adapted from a popular book series. Joined by a new wonderful guest, Emma Coffey, we get into Boudica's revolt, representation of historical women in film and Britain's representation of its own …

1
Extremely Strained and Incredibly Forced: Altered Carbon (2018), with Jeremy Swist 59:39

1+ y ago59:39

59:39

Upload your stacks and get ready to get spun back up because we're taking on the labors of Netflix's cyberpunk action noir Altered Carbon. Super special guest Methuselah and Metal Classicist Jeremy Swist pitches to the Reception Police™ his idea on future super-soldier Takeshi Kovacs being a reception of the mighty Heracles. We get into this show's…

1
Titus (1999), with Pramit Chaudhuri 1:11:30

1+ y ago1:11:30

1:11:30

This might be perhaps the wildest piece of classical reception we've covered to date, at least if we're going by number of dismembered body parts. Joined by super special guest Pramit Chaudhuri, we dig into Julie Taymor's 1999 Titus, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus. This is a real gold mine of reception: Shakespeare adapting ancient…

1
The Warriors (1979), with Joel Christensen and Tim Gerolami 1:11:44

1+ y ago1:11:44

1:11:44

That's right all you hard boppers, we're back with a new episode on the 1979 cult classic, The Warriors. Joined by special guests Joel Christensen, Tim Gerolami and 60,000 soldiers, the streets are ours. We get into Xenophon's 5th c. travel blog that (maybe) inspired this tale, gang life in the movies, Tim's dad and the ultimate question one can po…

1
Extremely Strained and Incredibly Forced: The White Lotus, Season 2 (2022) 53:25

2y ago53:25

53:25

We're back with a special, in-person episode recorded at the annual SCS/AIA meeting in New Orleans, LA. Christie pitches us on looking at the second season of HBO's The White Lotus through the lens of Hesiod and the idea of kalon kakon, the beautiful and the bad. We talk sex, relationships, betrayal, murder, tragedy, didactic poetry and the dangers…

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