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Cool Talk with Attractive People

Welcome to Cool Talk, the biweekly podcast where two guys talk about what makes up a story. Going beyond reviews and criticism, we discuss the elements of storytelling using familiar works as examples.
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Cool Talk with Attractive People
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Feb 20, 2018

The attractive people, Ryan Dalton and EJ Pennyman are again joined by their most recent guest, Steve Mizer. We sit next to a mattress and dig through our happy memories of story-times past.

Reach us at attractivepeople@cooltalkpodcast.com

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com

Jan 30, 2018

Pro Hero EJ Pennyman and anti-hero Ryan Dalton, digress immediately. Delaying the long expected Dr. Horrible episode. This episode is chock full of references to 2008s Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog with very little by the way of explanatory commas. We do, however, explain all the ways Dr. Horrible subverts our expectations.

Also, to make this episode more subversive: Act III Captain America: The Civil War spoilers.

Full Lyrics to Bad Horse:
Bad Horse
Bad Horse
Bad Horse

He rides across the nation
The thoroughbred of sin
He got the application
That you just sent in

It needs evaluation
So let the games begin
A heinous crime, a show of force
A murder would be nice of course

Bad Horse
Bad Horse
Bad Horse
He’s Bad

The Evil League of Evil
Is watching so beware
The grade that you receive
Will be your last we swear

So make the Bad Horse gleeful
Or he’ll make you his mare...

You’re saddled up
There’s no recourse
It’s Hi-Ho Silver
Signed, Bad Horse

Also, if you have time to kill: http://drhorrible.wikia.com/wiki/Horrible_Wiki

Reach us at attractivepeople@cooltalkpodcast.com

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com

Jan 15, 2018

Special guest, Steve Mizer (tenor), joins your attractive podcast duet, Ryan Dalton (Baratone) and EJ Pennyman (Bass) to discuss musicals.

Dr Horrible Episode on deck for next release.

Hugh Jackman's awards credits:
2013 Academy Award Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for Les Mis
2004 Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical for The Boy from Oz

Reach us at attractivepeople@cooltalkpodcast.com

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com

Jan 2, 2018

Episode 33 - PSA: The Change of Life

No notes this time, just listen

Reach us at attractivepeople@cooltalkpodcast.com

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com

Dec 18, 2017

Episode 32 - Fixing the Force - Or: How to Regain Trust with Episode 8

In which EJ Pennyman and Ryan Dalton share a positive preview of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Not an optimistic one. This episode includes Tina voice.

Suggested reading:
Heir to the Empire - http://a.co/dyOd5vR

I, Jedi - http://a.co/7zuD0qP

X-Wing: Rogue Squadron - http://a.co/cX3MvCF

Reach us at attractivepeople@cooltalkpodcast.com

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com

Nov 27, 2017

Episode 31 - Kids Ain't Right - Stranger Things Season 2

Join hosts EJ Pennyman and Ryan Dalton for a lively discussion of the changes our beloved Stranger Things cast has made between seasons. In one 40 minute episode, we cover 9 40-odd minute episodes of the series.

Reach us at attractivepeople@cooltalkpodcast.com

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com

Nov 15, 2017

Episode 30 - Perspectives on Structural and Emotional Storytelling

Ryan Dalton is back from the upside-down to join EJ Pennyman for a podcast about enjoying movie. Ryan, ever the craftsman, discusses his love for solid constuction. EJ, the non-sentimental romantic, yearn for a story to tug on his heartstrings. Listen as we come to an agreement (yes, it actually happens).

And for the record, we're at 30 episodes, 1 bonus, and 3 fanmails without focusing on Dr. Horrible. It's available on DVD for ~$10 on Amazon.

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com

Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

Oct 23, 2017

While Ryan is trapped in the upside down, your host EJ Pennyman and the Attractive Wife get together to discuss Stranger Things Season 1. We're stoked for Season 2 and hope you are too. Here's a full spoiler discussion of the Netflix streaming series.

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

Oct 9, 2017

We have words on three words. Join us for a brief glossary episode in which Ryan Dalton plugs diagramming sentences and EJ Pennyman speaks of learning English from foreign languages. Also, Ryan does the sign off.

Analysis - http://www.dictionary.com/browse/analysis
Deconstruct - http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/GenreDeconstruction
Unpack - http://www.thefreedictionary.com/unpack sense 4, specifically the cultural and social context

Bastion, get the sound track and game here: http://store.steampowered.com/app/107100/Bastion/
Seriously, get the sound track.

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com

Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

Sep 26, 2017

We open off the rails with drinks and discussion of seasonal fashion. This episode "we" is: EJ Pennyman, Ryan Dalton, and - still on loan from Ox & Hare- Amy Shaw! This is a Star Wars episode, so we go a bit long. Get ready!

Just in time for the release of Wonder Woman on DVD, Blu-Ray and 3D.

Question to you, dear listener, do you think Star Wars can fix it's character development problem? We, your attractive hosts, sure hope so.

SPOILER ALERT for Wonder Woman and Star Wars: The Force Awakens and various Star Wars books.

Random plug: Hardcore History http://www.dancarlin.com/hardcore-history-series/

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com

Get more of Shaw at
https://www.oxandhare.com/swashbuckling/
Twitter - @OxAndHare

Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

Sep 11, 2017

FINALLY, the Pride and Prejudice episode. EJ Pennyman and Ryan Dalton discuss fictional female characters with special guest real life female character, Amy Shaw. We discuss the details of character of the Bennet sisters and other character's in Jane Austen's masterwork.

Regency period in Britain, starts 1820. Little Women is set around the American Civil War 1861-1865.

Catch more of Shaw in Swashbucking Ladies Debate Society, part of the "Monday Matinee" from Ox & Hare available where you find podcasts. Ryan's upcoming game: Velocity-9. More details to come.

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com
Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

Aug 29, 2017

Episode 25 - Critics: This Isn't For You

Impartial as ever, your attractive hosts, EJ Pennyman and Ryan Dalton have a follow up to the episode about lazy crticism. Here is an episode about lazy writing. Can an auteur claim a work is not 'for the critics' as a defense of said lazy writing?

Working definition of Criticism: the analysis and judgment of the merits and faults of a literary or artistic work

EDIT: It was June Cleaver who spoke Jive in airplane.

Also, here's a link to 'Sweet Cuppin' Cakes' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SLA57pppzI. Watch this if Ryan's ending aside leads you astray.

Email the podcast at attractivepeople at cooltalkpodcast.com (Replace the at with @)

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com
Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

Aug 14, 2017

We all have that "friend" that who feels required to point out every example of race-ist this, sex-ism that, and other -ist/ism. This episode is a help to get to the interesting conversation that could be had about problematic works if we discuss them with a more constructive tone.

Listen closely for the definitive definition of cultural appropriation. Also included, our shortest movie review: Lego Batman.

Email the podcast at attractivepeople at cooltalkpodcast.com (Replace the at with @)

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com
Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

Jul 31, 2017

Are you ready to descend into melancholia with Eric and Ryan? Have you prepared your NPR voice? Even if you answer 'no' to both of those questions. Please join us to explore the entire spectrum of human emotion. In one episode.

We discuss the emotional plot elements: tragedy, drama and melodrama.

Spoiler Warning for Spiderman Homecoming at 23:50.

Email the podcast at attractivepeople at cooltalkpodcast.com (Replace the at with @)

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com
Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

Jul 19, 2017

Episode 22 - The Definitive Way to Enjoy a Story

Pour yourself a nice beverage and join EJ Pennyman and Ryan Dalton as we pick up right where we left off. Worried that this episode will devolving into a list of reasons why EJ is right? Fear not attractive listener! This episode *evolves* from a list of why I'm right into the what breaks immersion and how this varies from person to person. We discuss in more detail what engages us in movies.

Are you engaged by consistency and fun? Or do you ask for something else? Also, somehow EJ defends Michael Bay. Yeah, weird, I thought so too. Even weirder, RYAN defends Michael Bay. Yes, dear listener, we go there. For you.

Mission Impossible
The Bourne Trilogy
James Bond, circa Daniel Craig

Email the podcast at attractivepeople at cooltalkpodcast.com (Replace the at with @)

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com
Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

Jul 3, 2017

Episode 21 - Ordering From the (YAR!!) Content Menu

In this episode, EJ Pennyman and Ryan Dalton deliberate the delicate decision of what (YARR!!) content to lavish with our precious money and attention. How do you decide? Do you watch trailers and read reviews? Do you wait for a friend to insist on taking you? Now we have so many ways to enjoy film and comics and games and TV and music it becomes important to have not just a good filter, but a good way to allow more information in.

Speaking of awesome games, check out Horizon Zero Dawn. Perfect game, that.

This episode's audible sigh occurs at 11:45 and 27:55

Email the podcast at attractivepeople at cooltalkpodcast.com (Replace the at with @)

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com
Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

Jun 20, 2017

Fresh after Phoenix ComiCon, EJ Pennyman and Ryan Dalton have some pointers to help you if you want to go to a big Con for the first time.

Links to Stuff we talked about:
Phoenix ComiCon - https://phoenixcomicon.com/
All Balboa Weekend - http://www.allbalboa.com/
Phoenix Lindy Exchange - http://www.phoenixlindyexchange.com/
Dinasaur comics on Patrick Stewart - http://qwantz.com/index.php?comic=916

Email the podcast at attractivepeople at cooltalkpodcast.com (Replace the at with @)

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com
Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

Jun 5, 2017

Episode 19 - The Pledge, The Turn, and The Prestige - A Story In Three Acts

In which EJ Pennyman and Ryan Dalton go into one of the most basic of basics, the 3 act story structure. We breakdown the filmmaking masterclass that is The Prestige, Christopher Nolan's best movie.

Yup, that's it. My shortest intro for our longest episode. Enjoy. Spoilers for:
-The Prestige

No spoilers for:
Books One or Two of the Time Shift Trilogy, The Year of Lightning and The Black Tempest, respectively


Email the podcast at attractivepeople at cooltalkpodcast.com (Replace the at with @)

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com
Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

May 23, 2017

Episode 18 - Universal Viewpoints Pt 2 - Marvel and DC

After warming up with our lighthearted Pixar/Dreamworks discussion, EJ Pennyman and Ryan Dalton are rejoined by guest Justin from Cleveland to compare and contrast the universal tone and viewpoint of Marvel and DC comics, movies, and TV series.

A good starting point for Marvel comics is the 2015 reboot. They pretty much restarted all franchises around that time. If you've seen the movies, this will be a comfortable place without re-doing origin stories. Also, check out the new Ms. Marvel (the kid) it's pretty good.

As for DC, start with the 90's cartoons for Batman and Superman. If you insist on a comic for Batman, start with Under the Red Hood. After that, check out Hush. You Supes fans want to start with Superman for All Seasons by Jeph Loeb and Superman: Last Son of Krypton. Also good is the recent Flash TV series.

Somehow we went through this entire podcast without me mentioning Justice League Age 8 (JL8) by Yale Stewart. It's exactly what it sounds, the Justice League at age 8. It's fun, it's free and it has the DC guys. Link: http://jl8comic.tumblr.com/

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com
Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

May 8, 2017

In which EJ Pennyman and Ryan Dalton are joined by guest, Justin from Cleveland, land that I love.

We compare how studio viewpoints affect all the movies that they release. This is the first in a two part series where we compare and contrast Pixar and Dreamworks. Off the top, we love both and spread the love. This is a discussion of what to expect when you see the studio on the title card.

 

PS- Dear listener, this episode is a week late due to a family emergency that EJ had to take care of. 

Apr 17, 2017

Episode 16 - The Dance of Story and Delight

In which EJ Pennyman and Ryan Dalton insist that you WATCH ARRIVAL FIRST! Seriously, don't listen to this episode until you watch Arrival.

Okay, now that you, attractive listener have watched Arrival, WE HAVE WORDS. We discuss that most elusive and coveted of emotional responses: delight. You watched the movie, right? That's really important. Okay now for the real info. We discuss the important things about Arrival, namely it's story *SPOILER WARNING* and if that airtight, beautifully crafted story was delightful.

In other news, the episode is live, and yes, I did read The Black Tempest. It's good, buy it.

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com
Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

Apr 3, 2017

FANMAIL #3!

In which a listener mounts a Spartan-esque defense of Rogue One: A Star Wars story. Does he fair better than the Spartans at Thermopylae? Listen to find out.

Wonder about the actual Spartans at Thermopylae, check out Hardcore History Episode 58 part III: King of Kings. It's March, try a podcast!

Please email us questions and comments at attractivepeople(at)cooltalkpodcast(dot)com

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com
Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

Mar 21, 2017

Episode 15 - Where We Talk About Death and Make you Sad and Stuff

We discuss what legwork must be done to have a convincing Act 3 (late story) character death. Also, listen in pain along with EJ and Ryan as we listen to a couple bad death scenes. We make it up to you by listening to some poignantly awesome ones.

Episode contains a suprise and a bonus!

Since this is an episode about death, episode contains spoilers from:
Star Wars Episode III (Bad)
Star Wars Episode VII (Better)
Batman v Superman (Bad)
Iron Giant (Better Superman)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Good)
Cowboy Bebop (Good Setup)

Please email us questions and comments at attractivepeople(at)cooltalkpodcast(dot)com

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com
Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

Mar 6, 2017

In which, EJ Pennyman, Ryan Dalton, and guest, Tia, remind of you of several things that are awesome.

We'll be back with a full episode for next week! Also, keep your ears open for a Fanmail episode!

In other news for March, encourage your attractive friends to listen to a podcast, any podcast. Use #trypod in your post to join with some of your favorite content creators in expanding our medium.

Feb 20, 2017

This episode resulted from a spontaneous conversation we had between recordings. We is: EJ Pennyman, Ryan Dalton, and Tia. We discuss Interception, the hidden Chris Nolan movie.

Episode complete with new digressions! listen to the new Hardcore History, Destroyer of Worlds.

We spoil, er discsuss:
The Giver - Movie and book
Mass Effect 3 (well, EA spoiled this, but we discuss it)
2001: A Space Odyssey (can this be spoiled?)
Jazz

Please email us questions and comments at attractivepeople(at)cooltalkpodcast(dot)com

Catch EJ on the tweeter at:
@TextualPlacebo

Catch Ryan at
Twitter - @iRyanDalton
RyanDaltonWrites.com
Also, leave us a review where ever you download the podcast. It helps others find the show.

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