All Things Narrative Presents:
The LIVE A MEANINGFUL STORY Podcast
Connecting the movies we love with the stories we live
31: Moral Ambiguity and Cinema (INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS)
How can a film both vanquish evil, while also revealing the darkness within? In this first entry of our 'Hearts of Darkness' series, we tackle Quentin Tarantino's WWII fan fiction: INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS. But despite the often black-and-white view we have about the heroic Allies versus the evil Nazis, this film reveals the moral ambiguities that characterize war. And as we'll see, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS places us in its crossfires through its meta-engagement with the power of cinema. We also discuss how this film uses a Nested Loop story structure, how Tarantino brought this film to life, and how its ending ties into the Jewish Shema. Joining us is professional screenwriter Kyle Arrington.
23: More Than Meets the Eye (TRANSFORMERS)
Why do we gravitate towards certain kinds of stories? In this next episode of our 'Power of Myth' series, we search for the deeper meaning of TRANSFORMERS. Joseph shares what these robots in disguise mean to him, with their themes of peacemaking, beating the odds, and transformative leadership. We also discuss at length the TRANSFORMERS mythos; along with why we as humans enjoy collecting physical objects, and the deeper meanings we derive from them.
12: Here Am I, Send Me (FURY)
How does conflict inform how we see ourselves, and who we ultimately become? This week, we dive into the gritty action-war film Fury and wrestle with this family forged by war, and how it informs their sense of identity and purpose. We also discuss several storytelling techniques Fury uses, including save the cat, Biblical symbolism, and the thematic opening.
6: When Fear and Trauma Cloud Your Vision (Joseph and AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON)
How do the fears and traumas we've experienced affect the way we live? Joseph shares his story, and how it mirrors many of the fears and traumas portrayed in the Avengers films. We also share some insights from neuroscience about traumatic narratives in the brain, and working with kids who have experienced trauma.
5: Avoiding a God-Complex (AVENGERS AGE OF ULTRON)
How does the struggle to control manifest in your life? In 'Avengers Age of Ultron', this desire to control is evident in Tony Stark, as the layers of his psyche unravel through the personas of Iron Man, Ultron, and Vision. Through this film, Joseph shows how Stark's journey can help us avoid falling into the trap of the God-complex.
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