Campion Conversations

A Frankenstein Tale: Dissecting the films of Paul Verhoven

Tue, 05 May 2020 23:10:41 GMT

The latest episode of Campion Conversations dives into three of the films in idiosyncratic director Paul Verhoeven's canon: Robocop, Total Recall and Starship Troopers. Do these shlocky sci-fi action romps really explore themes from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Plato's Republic? Would You Like To Know More?

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How well do you know your Greek myths?

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 21:00:27 GMT

Everyone has heard of at least one Greek myth, even if they're not aware of it. Whether it's Perseus slaying the snake-haired Gorgon Medusa or Theseus pursued by the Minotaur in the Labyrinth or Icarus attempting to fly, Greek myths are part of our cultural fabric. But if you want to actually familiarise yourself with these tales of old, where do you start? Classics lecturer Thomas Flynn discusses this question with literature lecturer and host Dr Colin Dray in this episode of Campion Conversations.

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Star Wars: A New Era

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 21:33:59 GMT

With the recent Star Wars trilogy wrapping up and the release of The Mandalorian, the franchise seems to be getting a makeover under Disney. This episode of Campion Conversations takes a frank look at Star Wars under Disney's mantle. What did they get wrong? What worked well? Why was there so much angst over the final trilogy and what is the big deal about The Mandalorian? We answer all these questions and more in your latest edition of Campion Conversations.

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Diagnosing Doctor Who

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 20:00:07 GMT

What defines Doctor Who? What has shaped its storytelling? And what has its legacy been upon genre narratives and television at large? Dr Colin Dray and Dr Jeremy Bell discuss the franchise that has spanned more than half a century with over a dozen iterations of the title character in this episode of Campion Conversations.

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Talking Tolkien

Tue, 10 Dec 2019 04:25:33 GMT

In this miniature episode of Campion Conversations, literature lecturer Dr Colin Dray and classics lecturer Thomas Flynn discuss some lesser-known works by the father of modern fantasy, J.R.R. Tolkien.These texts are particularly useful for those interested in learning more about the liberal arts (as well as Tolkien fans).

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Back to the Future: Prophecy or Fantasy?

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 20:45:16 GMT

Campion takes on the classic trilogy that many of us grew up watching in this episode of Campion Conversations.Host Dr Colin Dray and co discuss their love for the trilogy and examine it in light of the burgeoning potential of science in the 1980s, while considering other questions like:Is the plot plausible?Does the time-travel timeline hold up?Which film is the strongest of the three? Which is the weakest?We discuss all this and more! Listen and enjoy.

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Seinfeld: A Podcast about Nothing

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 22:30:34 GMT

The four quirky anti-heroes who starred in one of the most defining television shows of the '90s take centre stage in this episode of Campion Conversations.What is Seinfeld actually about? Is it a show about nothing, as it meta-textually suggests in Season 4? Are the characters simply just high-functioning sociopaths? And does the humour still hold up 20 years on?

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Reading John Henry Newman

Thu, 15 Aug 2019 05:44:20 GMT

Cardinal John Henry Newman died 129 years ago on 11 August 1890. A renowned writer, the (soon-to-be-canonised) prelate wrote numerous books, essays and letters throughout his life both as an Anglican and, later, a Catholic. Perhaps the most famous of these was his autobiographic Apologia. In this episode of Campion Conversations, our lecturers discuss Newman, his defining work and how best to read it.

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Getting Even More Lost in Austen

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 22:00:01 GMT

We looked at Jane Austen's novels, now we discuss the various adaptations. Austen's works have been adapted, re-adapted, modified and caricaturised in countless ways. We dive into these and discuss which ones worked, which didn't and what remain today as the gold standard of Austen book-to-film adaptations.

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Introducing Augustine's Confessions

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 06:03:04 GMT

Another miniature episode of suggested books to read before studying at Campion. This episode tackles St Augustine’s famous autobiographical work, Confessions. Campion’s lecturers discuss this work and the saint behind it in this episode of Campion Conversations.

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Getting lost in Austen

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 22:00:14 GMT

In this episode we dive into one of the best-loved authors in English literature, Jane Austen. Why is she so beloved? What are her standout novels and characters? We discuss this and more in this episode of Campion Conversations.

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Livy-ing it up

Fri, 03 May 2019 03:44:32 GMT

Classics lecturer Thomas Flynn and podcast host and literature lecturer Dr Colin Dray recommend the best of Livy’s works for those interested in learning more about classical literature and the Liberal Arts in this mini episode.

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A Mad Max Retrospective

Fri, 03 May 2019 00:22:05 GMT

Australia’s iconic dystopian action series Mad Max is the theme of this episode of Campion Conversations. Lecturers Thomas Flynn and Colin Dray discuss each film in detail, from the original 1979 classic starring Mel Gibson to 2015’s Fury Road.

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LOST in Thought

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 22:56:30 GMT

LOST is possibly one of the most divisive television shows ever created. From its endless mysteries, strange occurrences and flashbacks, the show remains an endless source of intrigue and frustration to viewers, even nearly a decade after its final episode aired. Dr Colin Dray and Anna Hitchings get stuck into the show they both love and hate.

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Down the Rabbit Hole of The Matrix

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 23:47:47 GMT

The Matrix trilogy is one of the most divisive and discussed series of films ever made. In this episode of Campion Conversations, Drs Luciano Boschiero and Colin Dray unpack the concepts introduced in the first film and discuss the pros and cons of the polarising sequels.

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Japanimation Enters the West

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 23:14:38 GMT

Take a dive into your childhood and relive the love you had for classic Japanese animated series from the 80s and 90s like He-Man, Astro Boy and The Mysterious Cities of Gold, with our lecturers Dr Colin Dray and Dr Jeremy Bell.

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Stranger than Fiction: Narratives in Video Games

Tue, 12 Mar 2019 21:00:52 GMT

Can video games depict sophisticated narratives, and how do they compare to major motion pictures? How are games evolving in the wake of technological advancements? Find out what we thought in this episode of Campion Conversations.

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Blade Runner Revisited

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 21:00:22 GMT

Dr Colin Dray and Thomas Flynn dive into the original 1982 science fiction thriller Blade Runner, starring Harrison Ford. Does it still have relevance today? Does it stand up alongside other science fiction blockbusters? Campion’s academics discuss this and more in this episode of Campion Conversations.

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What Makes a Short Story?

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 21:00:01 GMT

From Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes to Anton Chekhov many works, short story fiction has taken many forms since its rise to popularity in the 18th Century. Campion’s academics Thomas Flynn and Colin Dray come together to discuss what makes a short story.

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Tackling The Tempest

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 21:00:05 GMT

Shakespeare’s The Tempest is the subject of some debate. Is it a comedy? A romance? A revenge play? Campion’s literature academics, Dr Colin Dray and Dr Jeremy Bell, unpack this beloved Shakespearean play, thought to be the last he penned solo.

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Farewell to Adventure Time

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 21:00:58 GMT

Post-apocalyptic fantasy cartoon Adventure Time finished up this year after 283 episodes, aired over eight years. Campion lecturers Colin Dray and Thomas Flynn reflect on this zany and imaginative series in this episode of Campion Conversations.

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James Bond: Character or Caricature?

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 21:00:04 GMT

James Bond is a silver screen icon, but is there more to him outside the impeccable suits, crisp martinis and attractive young women? Four of Campion’s academics come together to discuss this, while dissecting the performances of each actor who has played the titular role.

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Disney Reimagined

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 21:00:47 GMT

Disney is in the process of making a swath of live action film remakes of their classic cartoon animations, as well as undergoing a reinvention of sorts in general. To discuss this, literature lecturer and Campion Conversations host Dr Colin Dray is joined by Campion graduate and podcast producer Anna Hitchings.

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The Royal Society of London: impractical dreamers or scientific pioneers?

Mon, 29 Oct 2018 21:00:34 GMT

In this episode, literature lecturer Dr Colin Dray and history and science lecturer Dr Luciano Boschiero discuss the formation of the Royal Society of London, famously satirised as the Grand Academy of Lagado in Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels. Listen below.

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Spirited Away: Exploring the Magic of Studio Ghibli

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 21:00:05 GMT

The third episode of Campion Conversations explores the films created by celebrated Japanese animation director, Hayao Miyazaki. Academics Colin Dray and Thomas Flynn discuss the various Studio Ghibli films created by Miyazaki and what makes each one remarkable.

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In the Mind of Hamlet

Wed, 03 Oct 2018 22:00:56 GMT

In this episode of Campion Conversations, literature academics Dr Colin Dray and Dr Jeremy Bell discuss Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, in light of Dr Bell’s portrayal of the title role in a theatre production. Together, they unpack the character of Hamlet and others while delving into what it’s like to be in the mind of the Prince of Denmark.

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Star Wars and Nostalgia

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 22:00:24 GMT

In the debut episode of Campion Conversations, literature lecturer and podcast host Dr Colin Dray and classical languages lecturer Thomas Flynn look at the newest film in the Star Wars franchise, Solo: A Star Wars Story, while delving into the relationship between nostalgia and the Star Wars legacy.

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