Media Mothership

Join us as we delve into the latest trends in media culture and spotlight a classic gem from the golden age of radio—'Nothing Behind the Door' (1947) from the Quiet, Please series. We analyze its storytelling beats using Blake Snyder's Save the Cat theory, uncovering what makes this episode a timeless piece of eerie radio drama. Inspired by the release of Black Mirror Season 7, we explore the roots of surreal, grim, and ...

Delving deeper into the world of radio drama to uncover the layers beneath the stories, we explore an intriguing episode from X Minus One, “Mars is Heaven” by Ray Bradbury. There are some interesting deeper meanings in this story, which I’ll explore by looking into its historical context and seeing how the ideas of some theories and ideas can help explain these.

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X Minus One - Mars Is Heaven (#3)

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Explore the intriguing themes of ideology and power in the latest Marvel film, "Captain America: Brave New World." Dr. Craig guides us on a thought-provoking journey into the darker side of American power, as depicted through characters like the Red Hulk. We delve into the broader implications of interpreting superhero films through heroic symbolism, revealing how these narratives reflect and challenge our...

We explore the intriguing parallels between WWE and Donald Trump's theatrical flamboyancy in the 'hair vs hair' event. We dissect the art of performance, charisma, and spectacle that both figures embody. We'll also break down Watch Mojo's Top 10 WWE Royal Rumble 2025 Moments, analyzing the highlights and the impact they have on fans and the wrestling community.

First Broadcast on Edge Radio, 7 Feb 2025.

Join us for an engaging conversation with Dr. Emerald King as we dive into the world of cosplay! We'll explore the upcoming Wellington Cosplay Photo Festival in New Zealand, discuss the vibrant cosplay scenes in Australia and New Zealand, and examine the unique differences and influences between the two cultures. Plus, we'll share tips for creating costumes that can withstand international travel and look ahead to exciting future p...

We dive deeper into Eric R. Williams' "How to View and Appreciate Great Movies," focusing on the intricate layers of genre and the expectations they set for audiences. We then apply these insights to the fascinating Absolute Universe, a bold reimagining within the DC Multiverse. Join us as we explore how Absolute Batman, Absolute Superman, and Absolute Wonder Woman both meet and subvert traditional genre conventions.

Links: How to ...

In this episode, we delve into the concept of film genre through the lens of Eric R. Williams' theories, as presented in his work, "How to View and Appreciate Great Movies". Professor Williams, an M.F.A. from Ohio University, offers a compelling lecture on movie critics and the art of appreciating great films.

We apply Williams' genre framework to both classic and contemporary films, demonstrating its endu...

Join host Craig Norris, PhD research student Ashley Remminga, and Kentaro as they dive into the fascinating world of semiotics. Originally broadcast on Edge Radio on January 10, 2025, this episode explores how semiotics can help us decode the world around us. Plus, we tackle the weirdest movie moment of 2024 from "Kraven the Hunter." Don't miss this engaging discussion on popular culture and theory!

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Episode 94 - With host Craig Norris and guest Kentaro.First Broadcast on Edge Radio, 20 December 2024.

Dive into the latest buzz in media and pop culture! We then unravel Joseph Campbell’s Hero Journey and its cinematic influence, drawing upon Eric R. Williams' "How to View and Appreciate Great Movies." Discover how this timeless storytelling blueprint shapes modern cinema and why it still reigns supreme in Hollywood. See if ...

Episode 93 - With host Craig Norris and Taylor Lidstone. First Broadcast on Edge Radio, 6 Dec 2024.

We explore the latest unusual media culture fails, then discuss the art of the "reversal" in storytelling, as explained in Jim Mercurio's "The Craft of Scene Writing: Beat by Beat to a Better Script."

Join us as we dissect iconic movie scenes, revealing how a well-crafted reversal can turn the tide of a story, leaving audiences on th...

Episode 92 - With host Craig Norris and Taylor Lidstone. First Broadcast on Edge Radio, 29 November 2024.

Have you ever wondered how video games shaped our understanding of the Cold War? Today, we dive into the apocalyptic worlds of the past with William Knoblauch's 2015 chapter "Game Over? A Cold War Kid Reflects On Apocalyptic Video Games" from the book The State of Play: Creators and Critics on Video Game Culture.

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Episode 91 - With host Craig Norris and guest Ashley Remminga & Taylor Lidstone.First Broadcast on Edge Radio, 22nd November 2024.

Dive into the world of moe in manga and anime. Discover the key issues behind this concept as we break down character design and the emotional journeys of fans. We'll also explore how moe can be applied to popular Western TV shows and films. Plus, we tackle the more controversial aspects, including ...

In this week's episode, we are joined by PhD candidate Ashley Remminga to delve into the fascinating world of Godzilla. As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the iconic monster's debut in the 1954 film "Gojira," we uncover lesser-known facts and intriguing commentary about Godzilla. Join us for an in-depth exploration of the legendary kaiju and its enduring impact on pop culture.

First Broadcast on Edge Radio, 15th November 2024.

This episode examines the significant properties that will become part of the public domain in 2025, with a spotlight on "SHIVER ME TIMBERS," the upcoming horror movie adaptation of Popeye. Additionally, we analyze Ian “Always Black” Shanahan’s critique of "Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast" (2002) in his 2004 piece "Bow, N*" and its role in shaping New Games Journalism, with discussions on representa...

In this episode, we consider some cultural studies perspectives on several intriguing stories. We explore how an Australian voice actor channels her 'inner Cate Blanchett' for Japan's high-speed train announcements. We also analyze Prime Video’s adaptation of “Like a Dragon: Yakuza,” focusing on the omission of the iconic song “Baka Mitai” and the subsequent clip of Kiryu singing it. We discuss the fascinating article “5 Words We G...

Interview with Ashley Remminga, a PhD research student from the University of Tasmania's School of Global Cultures and Languages. We delve into Ashley's completed MA thesis from La Trobe University, titled “Gendered Speech in the Inclusive Fandom: How Gendered Terms and Transmisogyny Shape the Experience of Gender-Diverse Cosplayers.” Our conversation covers the nuances of gendered speech, the impact of transmisogyny, and the broad...

In today's episode, we dive into a variety of intriguing topics including Digital Content Ownership. We explore a new California law that mandates companies to disclose that consumers don't actually own digital content, as reported by Engadget. The Big Bird Incident. We apply postmodern theory to analyze the near-disaster involving Big Bird on live television, examining the narrative through the lenses of ...

In today's episode, Dr Craig discusses some unusual, quirky media culture stories, including Guillermo del Toro’s live-tweeted adventure with a ghost in a haunted Scottish hotel, the reaction to Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis trailer, the story behind a German warship cruising down the Thames while blasting Darth Vader’s iconic Imperial March theme, and some awkward meltdowns in DVD commentaries.

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In this episode of Media Mothership, we highlight key developments in media culture. Escape From Tarkov now rewards players for reporting cheaters, enhancing community integrity. The Death Note musical addresses significant narrative challenges from the anime. Scientists have created a Dune-inspired stillsuit to help astronauts recycle urine in space. Sci-fi writer Robert J. Sawyer has made the cult DOS ap...