Is the artistry of Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion monsters more "Red" or "Gold"?In this episode of Big Flying Lizards: A Dragon Movie and Television Podcast, we are traveling back to 1981 to dissect the legendary Clash of the Titans. Joining us is trained historian and author Janelle Rhiannon to help us separate Hollywood artifice from ancient truth.While we’re diving deep into the world of Perseus and Medusa, we couldn’t help but notice the "bloody damn" parallels to the Red Rising universe. From the god-like arrogance of the Olympians to the internal fire of ancient heroes, we explore how the DNA of Greek mythology, specifically figures like Achilles, paved the way for characters like Darrow of Lykos and Lysander au Lune.In This Episode, We Discuss:- The Heroic Archetype: How the complex rage of Achilles mirrors the evolution of Darrow.- Practical Magic vs. Digital Soul: Why the 1981 Kraken still feels more terrifying than modern CGI. Feminist Retellings: Unpacking the metamorphosis of Medusa and how her portrayal has shifted from monster to tragic figure.- Sci-Fi’s Mythic Roots: The influence of the Trojan War and Homeric epics on modern sagas like Red Rising and Star Wars.- Ancient Fossils & Dragons: How dinosaur bones may have birthed the legends of the Kraken and the Leviathan.- The "Dragon Grade": Our definitive ranking of the film’s creature designs and mythological execution.Whether you're a fan of Ray Harryhausen’s stop-motion genius, a mythology nerd, or a Howler waiting for the next Pierce Brown update, this deep dive bridges the gap between the ancient world and the future of storytelling.About Our Guest: Janelle RhiannonJanelle is a historian and the author of The Homeric Chronicles, a breathtaking retelling of the Trojan War. She brings a wealth of knowledge on the dark, violent, and beautiful themes of Greek myth.https://www.janellrhiannon.com/In this recording, Janell and Bryce break down the whole of it in absurd detail.Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the Bell for more deep dives into the monsters and myths that shape our world!

Grab your d20 and steady your wings! In this episode, we’re soaring deep into the Forgotten Realms to dissect the chaotic magic of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Whether you're a seasoned Dungeon Master or someone who thinks a "Bard" is just a Shakespearean poet, we’ve got a seat at the tavern table for you.Joined by the legendary Estella Graves, cosplayer extraordinaire and fantasy aficionado, we explore how this film managed to break the "video game movie curse" by leaning into the hilarious, heart-pumping unpredictability of a real tabletop session.We aren't just skimming the surface; we’re diving into the lore, the mechanics, and the movie magic that brought the Sword Coast to life:The Party Dynamic: How the film perfectly captures D&D archetypes while subverting our expectations (looking at you, Xenk the Paladin).Practical Magic: Why the use of practical effects and animatronics over pure CGI made the creatures—from Displaced Beasts to Intellect Devourers, feel terrifyingly real.World Building: Exploring the stunning filming locations in Northern Ireland and Iceland that provided an authentic backbone to the high-fantasy setting.The "Marvelization" Debate: A deep dive into the balance between modern blockbuster humor and staying true to the soul of the source material.Genre Homage: How the film tips its hat to classics like Lord of the Rings while carving out its own identity as a fantasy heist comedy.Estella brings her unique perspective on character development and costume design, sharing her journey from a fantasy fan to a D&D convert. She helps us break down the "Dragon Grades" and discusses why the film’s cult following is growing despite its uphill battle at the box office."The future of fantasy is diverse, exciting, and, if we're lucky, full of more practical effects!"In this recording, Estella and Bryce break down the whole of it in absurd detail.

The Hedge Knight has finished his first journey! This week on Big Flying Lizards, Bryce Wilson and Austin Snyder dive deep into the emotional and shocking season finale of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, "The Morrow."From the tragic "accident" involving Prince Baelor to the supernatural resilience of Ser Duncan the Tall, we break down why this series feels like a breath of fresh air for the Westeros franchise. We’re also analyzing Sam Spruell’s powerhouse performance as Prince Maekar and what his "failure as a father" means for Egg’s future.Plus: Huge Industry News! We discuss the massive, unprecedented deal between Brandon Sanderson and Apple TV+. With Mistborn movies and a Stormlight Archive TV series officially on the horizon, is the Cosmere the next MCU? We explore Sanderson’s "architect" level of control and what it means for fantasy adaptations.In this episode:- The Trial of Seven: Comparing the grit of Knight to the scale of House of the Dragon.- Character Study: Why Egg’s lie to Dunk is the ultimate "gut punch" for Maekar.- The Cosmere Arrives: Breaking down the Apple TV deal and Kelsier’s jump to the big screen, casting updates and the shifting tides of the TV industry.In this recording, Austin and Bryce break down the whole of it in absurd detail.