Today, we embark on a perilous journey into the world of Grimdark fantasy, where heroes are fools, victories are tragic, and morality is as murky as a tavern’s back alley.

After years of avoiding the genre, I finally took the plunge and read Joe Abercrombie’s Before They Are Hanged—the second book in The First Law trilogy. And what did I discover? A failed quest that somehow became one of the most unexpectedly profound fantasy narratives I’ve encountered.

Why do we need failed quest narratives? How do they console us in a world obsessed with relentless achievement? And what does this mean for epic fantasy, The Hero’s Journey, and even my own book, The Song of the Sirin? Let’s discuss.

⏰ Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome to the Studio: My Grimdark Adventure Continues 2:15 – Why I Avoided Grimdark for So Long 4:38 – Before They Are Hanged and the Quest That (Gloriously) Failed 8:22 – Giselle Dan Luthor: A Fool’s Journey to Something Like Wisdom 12:47 – The Unexpected Consolation of Grimdark 17:02 – Lord of the Rings as a Failed Quest (And Why That’s Brilliant) 20:10 – My Own Novel’s Failed Quest and Why It Matters 22:01 – Final Thoughts & What’s Next in the Grimdark Discussion

🎥 Ever wondered if The Lord of the Rings could feel both quirky and profound? Could Wes Anderson bring Tolkien’s world to life with meticulously composed shots, nostalgic hues, and objects that practically whisper stories of their own? In this week’s deep dive, I sit down with Reno Lauro—a cinephile, scholar, and someone who’s worked with none other than Terrence Malick—to explore the fascinating intersections of cinema, philosophy, and myth.

From the roots of medieval optics to the philosophy of film as a thinking medium, Reno opens up a treasure trove of ideas. Together, we dive into The Tree of Life, Tarkovsky, and how cinema, at its best, isn’t just a spectacle but a profound exploration of being itself. 🌌 Along the way, we ask: What could Wes Anderson bring to The Lord of the Rings that Peter Jackson missed? Spoiler alert: Bright colors, stillness, and an aesthetic Tolkien himself may have approved of.

Join us as we discuss: 🎞️ Why Wes Anderson’s approach might feel oddly at home in Middle-earth 🎭 The magic of minimalism in storytelling ✨ How the mechanical art of cinema bridges the real and the symbolic 👀 And yes, why Tarkovsky and popcorn cinema might be two sides of the same existential coin

⏰ Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome to the deep magic of the basement 🪄 3:15 – Reno Lauro introduces himself: From Tolkien scholar to Terrence Malick collaborator ✍️ 8:45 – The roots of cinema in medieval optics and philosophy 🌟 15:10 – Verisimilitude vs. symbolic depth: What cinema really does best 🎨 22:30 – Robert Bresson and the minimalist philosophy of “thinking films” 🤔 30:20 – Wes Anderson, Tolkien, and the aesthetics of bright, mythic storytelling 37:50 – Objects that speak: How Tolkien’s world and Anderson’s style align 🔮 44:15 – Violence as interruption: Anderson’s unexpected narrative depth ⚔️ 50:30 – Could VR or AR revolutionize cinematic storytelling? 🥽 54:10 – Closing thoughts: Cinema as sacred and why it matters 🙌

At the time of this recording, it was my birthday, and - in true Hobbit fashion - I'm giving YOU the gift of diving into the vast deserts of Dune with the always insightful Richard Rohlin! In this impromptu episode, we’re unpacking Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films—praising the awe-inspiring visuals, iconic performances, and meticulous attention to detail in part one while grappling with the pacing, missing lore, and religious undertones in part two.

From the pulse-pounding shield fighting to the enigma of spice and its place in Frank Herbert’s epic world-building, we tackle it all. We discuss Paul Atreides' journey, the complexities of messianic archetypes, and whether Dune truly captures Herbert’s layered philosophical and ecological themes—or if Hollywood just can’t do religion justice. Plus, there’s plenty of nerdery, from Warhammer 40K parallels to pondering the real Kwisatz Haderach (hint: Duncan Idaho fans, this one's for you).

📚 Whether you’re a hardcore fan of the Dune books, a movie buff, or just here for the spicy debates, this episode is a mix of thoughtful critique, playful banter, and celebratory vibes. So, grab your stillsuit and some spice coffee, and join us for this cinematic deep dive into Arrakis, its worms, and its warriors.

⏰ Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro & Birthday Announcement 🎉 2:45 – Why Dune: Part One was a transcendent cinematic experience 🌌 6:50 – The brilliance of Denis Villeneuve’s world-building 🏜️ 10:25 – Standout moments: shields, sandworms, and stellar sound design 🎶 16:10 – The complexities of Paul Atreides as a messianic figure ✝️ 22:30 – The Fremen’s ecological dilemma: water, spice, and survival 💧 30:45 – Dune: Part Two struggles: pacing, missing lore, and Stilgar’s arc 🎭 37:00 – Hollywood’s problem with portraying religion authentically 🙏 42:20 – Is Duncan Idaho the real Kwisatz Haderach? 🤔 46:35 – Final thoughts: the need for a director’s cut and Dune Messiah rumors 🎥 49:10 – Upcoming projects: Andor, fantasy literature courses, and more 📚