Movies We Dig | Film, Antiquity and Everything in Between

Needing a break from Odysseus, we thought it was time to look at another important mythohistorical figure from the ancient Mediterranean world: Mary. You know, the Blessed Mother, Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Our Lady, Holy Virgin, Madonna (no, not the musician). Lucky for us, we got our hands a brand new historical fiction novel titled Marble, which is set to hit the shelves later this month. Even luckier, the author Taylor Catalana joins us to discuss her feminist retelling of Mary's life story (before all the aforementioned titles). We talk about the the media and history that inspired the novel, the significant themes of motherhood and choice, and just how difficult it is to depict an angel.Marble is set to release on September 29, 2026. To preorder your copy, visit the Modern Artist Press website. If you would like to learn more about Taylor and upcoming events relating to her book, visit her website or Instagram page.

Travel through space (and time) as we wrap up our coverage of early-2000s animated films with Treasure Planet. The crew sits down to discuss children's literature, pirates in pop culture, and why pre-teen boys are to blame for letting this one flop. Come for the cool animation, stay for the Goo Goo Dolls!

We're back! Cramming ourselves once more into the water-logged, toilet-water horse that is podcasting, we return once again to finish our conversation on Christopher's The Odyssey (2026). The whole gang's here: Amy, Joe, Joel, Kermit, Piggy, Spider-man (listen through, it'll make sense). We talk the women of Homer, the nature of adaptation and why Plato keeps showing up in our group chat.You can find more thoughts from Amy and Joel on Homer and other subjects at amypistone.com and Sententiae Antiquae, and Joe's music and merch at Joe's Odyssey.For those looking for links specific to Homer and the Odyssey, here's everything our trio have done thus far:Joe Goodkin Links:Re-recording of The Odyssey: Songs of OdysseusInterview in the Chicago Sun Times- Backlash against Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' misses the pointAmy Pistone Link:Some Preliminary Thoughts on Nolan’s OdysseyJoel Christensen Links:Why Odysseus? Survivor, Scoundrel, (Anti)heroInterview in Variety- ‘The Odyssey’: What Academics Are Saying About Christopher Nolan’s Epic:Review in Hyperallergic- A Homerist Reacts to Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey”Review in Today- I’m a Classics Professor. This Is What I Really Think of ‘The Odyssey’Review in Sententiae Antiquae- On viewing Nolan’s OdysseyThe Big Ol' Odyssey Review with Flint Dibble

What's more Homeric than ending up right back where you started? Or wandering an endless sea of textual criticism? Or your co-hosts and guests fighting you every step of the way as you struggle to bring the ship to port? (sorry Christie!)We reconvene our Homeric council (see our episode on The Return) for the first part of our great debate of this summer/year/decade/Age of Bronze: Do We Dig Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey (2026)?You can find more thoughts from Amy and Joel on Homer and other subjects at amypistone.com and Sententiae Antiquae, and Joe's music and merch at Joe's Odyssey.For those looking for links specific to Homer and the Odyssey, here's everything our trio have done thus far:Joe Goodkin Links:Re-recording of The Odyssey: Songs of OdysseusInterview in the Chicago Sun Times- Backlash against Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' misses the pointAmy Pistone Link:Some Preliminary Thoughts on Nolan’s OdysseyJoel Christensen Links:Why Odysseus? Survivor, Scoundrel, (Anti)heroInterview in Variety- ‘The Odyssey’: What Academics Are Saying About Christopher Nolan’s Epic:Review in Hyperallergic- A Homerist Reacts to Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey”Review in Today- I’m a Classics Professor. This Is What I Really Think of ‘The Odyssey’Review in Sententiae Antiquae- On viewing Nolan’s OdysseyThe Big Ol' Odyssey Review with Flint Dibble

What can be said about Nolan's Odyssey that hasn't already been said? Well hopefully a few things! The MWD crew gives their initial impressions on the biggest thing to hit the world of film and Classical studies since probably Gladiator. The main question on our mind: What version of Odysseus ended up coming home? Just beware of any sirens (spoilers) you may run into along the way if you have not had a chance to see the film yet!

It's more podcast for your buck! That's right, in anticipation of a certain small-budget indie film coming out this month, we're not talking about one movie, but five! We quest out in search of Matt Damon as he appears in Good Will Hunting (1997), Saving Private Ryan (1998), The Bourne Identity (2002), Interstellar (2014) and The Martian (2015), all in service of the great question: "Do We Dig Odysseus?"