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Unboxing Story

Unboxing Story

By Jon and Melissa

Jon and Melissa Matos compare popular fiction with cult classics, fan favorites, and ancient allusions. Join their weekly celebration of good storytelling, and the positive impact stories have on our everyday lives.
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Disney Festivus ft. Frozen 2

Unboxing StoryDec 04, 2019

00:00
42:17
Nerdcore: Pulp & Parody

Nerdcore: Pulp & Parody

Nerds were not always cool, but after Weird Al won us over with pop parody hit after hit, a shift began. Who are our favorite nerdy musicians, and are they "nerdcore" or nah?
Apr 06, 202044:08
The Invisible Stan ft. Knives Out & Devs

The Invisible Stan ft. Knives Out & Devs

The last days of winter simmered with suspense. We met the new Invisible Man, witnessed Rian Johnson's whodunnit, Knives Out, and shadowed two unusual sci-fi suspects: Devs and Alter Carbon (season 3.) Join authors Jon and Melissa Matos as they recount what stories kept them on the edge of their seat, and what palette cleansers helped cut the tension.

Mar 10, 202051:45
Picard, Parasite & Post-Con Pondering

Picard, Parasite & Post-Con Pondering

We're back from a strange and exciting Evil Expo to talk multi-genre movies and TV. How does the Star Trek spin-off 'Picard' compare to the OG series or the new reboot? Also, does the Korean dark comedy 'Parasite' live up to the hype? What are you waiting for?? Find out!
Feb 06, 202059:50
Starry-eyed Sagas (ft. Star Wars IX & Little Women, 2019)

Starry-eyed Sagas (ft. Star Wars IX & Little Women, 2019)

The cognitive bias is strong with these two! Much ado preceded the new Star Wars and Little Women, but did they live up to the hype? A new decade begins with some old stories ending and new binges beginning. Start the new year with some thoughts on story!
Jan 06, 202050:06
Disney Festivus ft. Frozen 2

Disney Festivus ft. Frozen 2

Melissa and Jon take a quick break from binging the Mandolorian, Gargoyles and Tailspin to review Frozen 2. Is baby Yoda the best magic companion? Is Elsa skating around a personality disorder? Find out here first!
Dec 04, 201942:17
Mentalist Ghostbusters ft. Doctor Sleep

Mentalist Ghostbusters ft. Doctor Sleep

Leave your proton pack at the AA meeting? Your soul sister will help you cope AND catch ghosts! Join Melissa and Jon, author siblings and spiritual speculators, as they review the Shining sequel.
Nov 04, 201946:34
Siren Song: Ghostly Mysteries

Siren Song: Ghostly Mysteries

Sirens aren't only the only allusions in cop dramas. Join authors Jon and Melissa Matos as they investigate mysteries with a flare for the supernatural.
Oct 30, 201946:59
Spooky Disney: Maleficent 2 & Toy Story 4

Spooky Disney: Maleficent 2 & Toy Story 4

Put on your Mickey ears and grab your pumpkin pail: it's time for a Disney/Halloween movie mash-up! Fresh off a Disney Cruise voyage, Melissa and Jon discuss three scary sequels: Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Toy Story 4 and Zombieland 2. 

Oct 23, 201945:37
Best in Show: El Camino

Best in Show: El Camino

On the heels of a Breaking Bad / Better Call Saul binge, El Camino drops on Netflix. Muscle cars and cat-and-mouse mischief? Sounds like a formula for fun.
Oct 15, 201938:03
Putting the Puzzle Together ft. The Westing Game

Putting the Puzzle Together ft. The Westing Game

Pieces of this talk include: a mystery novel that feels like a puzzle, a brief discussion of how good theology can help fantasy writing, and what we're excited about in sci-fi and fantasy coming soon.

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter @Unboxing Story!

Sep 30, 201934:13
Hipsterstellar ft. Ad Astra & Downton Abbey: The Movie

Hipsterstellar ft. Ad Astra & Downton Abbey: The Movie

We packed in the feature presentations for this freestyle episode. Relax and enjoy our chat on Downtown Abbey (2019), Ad Astra, and the noir throwback, Sunset Boulevard.
Sep 25, 201952:04
Breaking Genre: Cats Don't Dance

Breaking Genre: Cats Don't Dance

Combine Zootopia and Sing! and you've got the 90s animated feature film Cats Don't Dance. Produced during the Disney Renaissance, Warner Bros wrote a love letter to old Hollywood while maintaining their brand of slapstick comedy. Join Melissa and Jonathan Matos as they discuss this forgotten gem and examine what makes it great.
Sep 16, 201937:14
Siren Song: Once (2007)
Sep 09, 201934:33
Magic Muppets ft. Netflix's Dark Crystal

Magic Muppets ft. Netflix's Dark Crystal

Practical magic is tough in the age of visual effects. The Jim Henson Company recreates the world of Thra and make it look easy. Join Jon and Melissa Matos as they heap praise on one of their favorite studios, stories, and special effects.
Sep 07, 201946:57
Good Vibes ft. Another Life

Good Vibes ft. Another Life

File this one under "current affairs." Not only did Melissa get a sweetheart novelette published, but she got donors to raise some $ for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. To celebrate these double convictions, your Boy & Gal Fridays eschew a topic for a chat about a dark but thrilling novel, Netflix's Another Life, and more. Pre-order the first Iron Sorcerer novelette! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter. You can also leave us a message here, a rating here or write to us at unboxingstory(at)gmail.com.
Aug 26, 201949:35
Fantasy Flops ft. MTV's Shannara Chronicles

Fantasy Flops ft. MTV's Shannara Chronicles

The race to replace 'Game of Thrones' is underway, but after that ending, is sword and sorcery dead? Nearly a year after MTV cancelled Shannara Chronicles, Melissa and Jon Matos ask why it failed. Can new writers recapture the magic of the 80's fantasy renaissance, or is nostalgia killing originality?
Aug 19, 201901:07:17
Siren Song: Ice Queens ft. Huntsman: Winter's War
Aug 12, 201957:22
Breaking Genre: The Signal (2014)

Breaking Genre: The Signal (2014)

If storming Area 51 sounds like a stupid idea now, in 2019, it'll seem bonkers after you see 'The Signal.' The film follows Nic, a track and field star who suffers a dire diagnosis, then gets abducted by aliens. Jon and Melissa Matos review this break in the "mystery box" formula, and highlight some horror / sci-fi classics.
Aug 07, 201955:50
Aah! Real Pathos ft. Good Grief

Aah! Real Pathos ft. Good Grief

Good books make you feel things, but what if that's all they do? Melissa and Jon review a local author's book, Good Grief, and discuss how it achieves  a high level of intimacy and honesty without becoming melodramatic. Can a novel survive without ninjas and 80's nostalgia, even if its protagonist grew up with similar pop culture touchstones? Find out inside...

Jul 31, 201959:29
Disney...! Live Action? | Live @ Philly Podfest

Disney...! Live Action? | Live @ Philly Podfest

The magic of Disney animation is part of our DNA, so when it changes, has Disney changed or have we? Melissa and Jon recorded this special, nostalgia-filled episode at the 7th Annual Philly Podfest, thanks to the sponsors below and the lovely people at Indy Hall. Relive VHS tapes and discuss live-action Disney on our Twitter or Facebook, or leave us a voicemail. We'd love hear from you!

The 7th Annual Philly Podfest was sponsored by:

New Media Touring

Tattooed Mom

Indy Hall

The National Liberty Museum

Obie Media

Click/Save Photography/Design

Philly Podcast Studio

T-House Screen Printing

Jul 22, 201950:01
Umbrella Academy & Black Parade

Umbrella Academy & Black Parade

When I was a young boy, My Chemical Romance were the heartthrobs of the emo era. Looking back, their creativity set them apart, as frontman Gerard Way crafted concept albums, music videos and comics. Jon and Melissa discuss the band's biggest hit and Gerard Way's Netflix-adapted series, Umbrella Academy.
Jul 16, 201956:11
Iron Throne IRL ft. Stranger Things 3

Iron Throne IRL ft. Stranger Things 3

Melissa returns from the live-action mega-game "Dragon Thrones," (played at an actual castle in Bryn Mawr, PA,) to give us her first impressions. The "LARPing" talk continues as Jon talks about his reading of Stranger Things as a millennial and role-playing newbie.

Join us for Pancakes & Podcasts, including our live recording of Disney Deconstructed ft. Lion King (2019) on Saturday, June 20th at Indy Hall in the Colonial Penn building.

Jul 08, 201938:37
Best in Show: Warehouse 13

Best in Show: Warehouse 13

Authors Jon and Melissa Matos spotlight a show SciFi.com described as "part X-Files, part [Indiana Jones,] part Moonlighting." Melissa loves this action comedy that balances thrills with believable romance and character growth. Listen as we gush about our favorite tributes to history, mythology, and genre inside this new sci-fi / fantasy classic series.

Jul 01, 201957:44
Breaking Genre: "Story of Your Life" aka Arrival

Breaking Genre: "Story of Your Life" aka Arrival

Aliens. Time travel. Portals into another world. These are mainstays of science fiction, and can make or break an audience's viewing experience. Ted Chiang crafted a short story that quietly broke the mold, and would later inspire a cerebral blockbuster by director Denis Villeneuve and screenwriter Eric Heisserer: 2016's Arrival. Authors Jon and Melissa Matos praise Chiang's mastery of world-building, organic storytelling, and how "Story of Your Life" uses theoretical physics to explain human connections.

Jun 24, 201945:09
Live @ Wizard World Philly! ft. Dark Phoenix Saga

Live @ Wizard World Philly! ft. Dark Phoenix Saga

As X-Men films gaze further and further into their fuzzy blue navels, the original comics remain cult classics. Does Jean Grey's original rise to power in the Dark Phoenix Saga surpass the recent film and comics, or is it a hot mess? Relive a legendary X-Men run with authors Jon and Melissa Matos, as well as "Sound of Silence" by way of Disturbed, multiplied by Melissa's Phoenix-infused lyrics in our first Siren Song segment. Enjoy this action-packed episode, recorded live at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con 2019!
Jun 17, 201941:30
Godzilla: King of the Kaiju
Jun 10, 201950:49
INKLINGS MONTH: "On Fairy-Stories" Essay Talk
May 28, 201951:39
INKLINGS MONTH: C.S. Lewis ft. Matt Crotts

INKLINGS MONTH: C.S. Lewis ft. Matt Crotts

The classics captured Lewis and Matt Crotts much in the same way. Host Jon Matos met Matt, an illustrious illustrator, through his comic book, Kyrie: an Indiana Jones-style adventure set in the 3rd century. Hear the comic creator and history buff baffle Jon with his know-how of Lewis' medieval imagery and iconography.
May 20, 201952:05
INKLINGS MONTH: Surprised by Shadowlands (1993)

INKLINGS MONTH: Surprised by Shadowlands (1993)

Lewis was a man of many words, but only one woman made him speechless. Learn the love story that tested Lewis' "refining fire & brimstone" theology. Melissa and Jon Matos react to another tragic romance, and review how actors Debra Winger and Anthony Hopkins, (with a little help from Richard Attenborough,) honored the broken beauty of this late love story.
May 20, 201930:13
INKLINGS MONTH: Tolkien (2019)

INKLINGS MONTH: Tolkien (2019)

How do you solve a problem like Tolkien? The young poet and artist grew up an isolated orphan, but longed to share his love of language with the world. Melissa and Jon Matos review Tolkien (2019), a biopic about love, fellowship and the fantasy that makes reality more meaningful.
May 13, 201933:27
INKLINGS MONTH: J. R. R. Tolkien & Modern Fantasy
May 06, 201945:37
The End of an Era ft. Avengers: Endgame

The End of an Era ft. Avengers: Endgame

The sun sets on a decade of dynamite entertainment, with the definition of blockbuster bliss. Melissa and Jon revisit the start of their superhero fandoms and review the latest chapter in the Marvel saga, Avengers: Endgame. Maybe you'll laugh, maybe you'll cry, or maybe you'll roll your eyes: but you will feel something. Commemorate this moment with us by sharing your thoughts with us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/unboxingstory) or Facebook (http://facebook.com/unboxingstory)
Apr 29, 201944:00
Poetic Justice: Lawrence of Arabia

Poetic Justice: Lawrence of Arabia

If brownface could kill, would it murder your movie-watching experience? Melissa and Jon stumble upon a problematic piece of history watching 'Lawrence of Arabia.' The overlong epic's 3 hour and 45 minute run-time led them to read Ray Bradbury's short story, "Sun and Shadow," and opened a broader discussion of the pitfalls and pathos of writing fish out of water fiction.
Apr 22, 201933:21
Native Son Book Talk #readthe5th

Native Son Book Talk #readthe5th

Does injustice end with one hand-out? Richard Wright questions "pay-it-forward" morality through his novel, 'Native Son,' where an awkward racial encounter turns deadly, virtually setting Chicago on fire. Jon and Melissa struggle through a story even more dense and depressing than their previous entrées into Greek tragedy and the southern Gothic. What they find are harsh truthes, baked into a well-written but bleak look at class, sex, and race in the 1930's.
Apr 15, 201901:12:56
The Twilight Zone & Small Screen Sci-Fi
Apr 04, 201901:20:30
Jordan Peele's 'Us' & Woke Horror
Mar 25, 201944:45
Mid-Knights in Paris ft. Knightfall

Mid-Knights in Paris ft. Knightfall

Chivalry lives on in Knightfall, a series set in the twilight of the Knights Templar. These warrior monks seek to find and protect the Holy Grail, as powerful individuals seek to use or abuse it. Melissa and Jon praise this high watermark in holy war historical dramas, for its set pieces, costuming, and organic inclusion. Also, are period pieces too grimdark for their own good? Let us know your thoughts @UnboxingStory or unboxingstorypodcast(at)gmail.com!
Mar 18, 201938:33
Captain Marvel & Female Superheroes

Captain Marvel & Female Superheroes

Gender-bent homages and femme fatales have fallen. From the rubble, Marvel re-envisioned classic characters to better represent their readers. Captain Marvel is the latest adaptation, and the perfect Rosetta Stone to decipher what makes a female hero tick. Melissa and Jon review the film, discuss common tropes, and define #comicsgate. They also discuss the difference between harassment and critique, and how publishing and politics intersect.

Mar 11, 201901:05:22
Heels & Feels ft. Song of Achilles

Heels & Feels ft. Song of Achilles

The classics and modernity clash in 'Song of Achilles,' a critically-acclaimed crossover of Greek myth, romance and historical fiction. 'Achilles' Trojan-horsed an Illiad prequel on your friendly neighborhood hosts, who expected an updated retelling of an ancient epic. Jon and Melissa interpret the fatal flaw in Madeline Miller's debut novel, divining the difference between disliking her writing and disliking coming-of-age romances.
Mar 04, 201901:10:20
Robin Williams: Mad Genius ft. The Fisher King

Robin Williams: Mad Genius ft. The Fisher King

Absurdist director Terry Gilliam met his match when Robin Williams walked on the set of 1991's 'The Fisher King.' Few actors embody the chaotic creativity Williams brought to this Arthurian comedy, as well as a dozen other farcical films. After a few drinks, Melissa and Jon recount the plot of 'Fisher King,' discuss the meaning behind it, and celebrate late comedian Robin Williams' unrivaled legacy.
Feb 25, 201901:28:48
#OscarsSoWhack: Snobs, Snubs & Our Picks

#OscarsSoWhack: Snobs, Snubs & Our Picks

Ceremonies matter to film fans young and old, but social media has made 2018's carnival of controversies its own sideshow. Jon and Melissa eschew hot takes for a conversation on how style and substance clash. The most controversial show since 2018 will pit politically-charged biographies and musicals against a grind house comedy, period dramedy, and a comic book blockbuster. Find out our picks and humble opinions, and tune in Oscar Sunday for our first Fan Frequency, featuring friend of the show Trevor Davis and a deeper dive into Black Panther and Green Book.
Feb 18, 201901:05:04
Jewish G.I. Joes ft. Philip Roth's "Defender of the Faith"

Jewish G.I. Joes ft. Philip Roth's "Defender of the Faith"

M*A*S*H meets Sedaris in this slice-of-life short story about being Jewish in World War II. Can you be an American soldier and keep kosher? Does army life mean no life at all? Jon and Melissa interrogate the text, and ask if a story can be political without being polarizing.
Feb 11, 201954:48
Maniac Pixie Dream Girl ft. Miss Bala

Maniac Pixie Dream Girl ft. Miss Bala

"Bullets solve everything," or at least they do at the Mexico border, according to our bad boy antagonist. Ismael Cruz Córdova plays a gang leader and captor of our lead heroine played by Gina Rodriguez. Their cat-and-mouse relationship sparks conversations about cinematography, sexist film-making, and how cultural context effects criticism. Listen as two sorta Rican siblings debate the merits of a middling Hispanic shoot-em-up based on a Spanish-language film. 

Feb 05, 201901:09:42
Breaking Genre: Neon Noir ft. Drive (2011)
Jan 28, 201901:01:29
'Glass' and Quixotic Horror

'Glass' and Quixotic Horror

Meet the kooky criminals at the center of 'Glass,' the third in a genre-bending trilogy including 'Unbreakable' and 'Split.' This superhero-thriller closes with a conflict between a vigilante, a mastermind, a man/beast, and a cynical psychologist. Fanboy (and -girl) Jon and Melissa team-up to explain their post-modern reading of 'Glass,' and how each major character adds to this story's epic conclusion.

Jan 21, 201901:12:20
Poetic Justice: Langston Hughes

Poetic Justice: Langston Hughes

"Soul" is used to describe jazz music if the 20's and 30's, but it also fits the melodic poetry of Langston Hughes. Jon and Melissa try to express what makes Hughes poetry so accessible, despite it's contrast to today's turbulent racial politics. Is Langston's voice, established before the dominance of Civil Rights rhetoric, no longer relevant, or do his allusions to the Nile and the Civil War still ring true?
Jan 14, 201946:21
Concept Albums: Third Reich Rush? ft. 2112

Concept Albums: Third Reich Rush? ft. 2112

Alt-right Rush?? Say it isn't so! Before "progressive" was a political label, the band Rush were "prog" rockers: composing symphonies of screaming guitars and soulful ballads. But how did their space opera earn them a comparison with Nazis? Is "2112" just one of many half-baked sci-fi concept albums, or does it set the standard for 70's space jams? Jon and Melissa continue to investigate stories set to a soundtrack, by way of ancient aliens, jukebox heroes, and shrugging off Ayn Rand.

Jan 07, 201952:20
Southern Gothic & Flannery O'Connor ft. "A Good Man is Hard to Find"

Southern Gothic & Flannery O'Connor ft. "A Good Man is Hard to Find"

The nightmare after Christmas is Southern-fried with racism on the side. Melissa and Jon explore the imagery and irony in Flannery O'Conner's short story "A Good Man is Hard to Find," and compare it to Gothic writers and modern art theory. Does O'Conner's scathing satire conflict with her Christian worldview? Do difficult characters distract readers from a story's deeper meaning? Languish in the self-indulgent, but self-aware world of the Southern Gothic with us, and find out how far pathos can be pushed.

Dec 31, 201801:10:43
More Than Thor ft. Norse Mythology

More Than Thor ft. Norse Mythology

What if history had a three-act structure? For Vikings, the gods enacted the biggest blockbuster of all, with frost giants, comedic cross-dressing, and a bloody finale. Join Melissa and Jon as they use Neil Gaiman's book to discuss the wisdom of Odin, the cunning of Loki, the bravery of Thor, and much more.
Dec 24, 201801:22:04
Breaking Genre: Mortal Engines is Steampunk Star Wars

Breaking Genre: Mortal Engines is Steampunk Star Wars

The furnace burns, smoke billows, and Peter Jackson's mega machine gobbles up a YA series, just to spit it back onto the silver screen. Did Weta Workshops create the steampunk dystopia of Melissa's dreams? Meanwhile, Jon asks why ads for an adventure film (re: Star Wars) felt more like commercials for Disney's Avatar theme park. Also, some spoilers, but not really? Explore the creative decisions behind the book jackets, teaser trailers, and game announcements that either sabotage or sell our favorite stories in our new series, "On Brand."
Dec 17, 201801:05:35