We read a book and talk about it! Then watch the movie and talk about it! Each episode is a set, we talk about the book, then the movie based on the book!
Magician and writer Eoin Smith joins us for a rich, thoughtful discussion on The Prestige — comparing the novel and Nolan’s adaptation through the lens of someone who actually lives in the world of illusion.
We unpack:
• Why the film’s “simplification” actually strengthens the story
• How real magicians approach method, secrecy, and deception
• Victorian magic rivalries and their modern equivalents
• The ethics of obsession and the sacrifices performers make
• The film’s cinematic craft, performances, and core twist
• Hidden details you may have missed
• The evolution from stage magic to street magic in the 2000s
• Why rewatching The Prestige only deepens its impact
It’s a conversation about craft, creativity, and the magic still hiding in our day-to-day world.
Follow Eoin on Instagram: @eoinlistens
18 Nov 2025
Written&W The Prestige with Eoin Smith
In this episode, we sit down with Scottish magician and author Eoin to unravel the mysteries of The Prestige — the Christopher Priest novel that inspired Christopher Nolan’s film.
We break down the book’s layered structure, shifting genres, and intricate character psychology while weaving in real-world magic history, backstage knowledge, and the ethics of illusion. From Victorian séances to modern trick-exposure culture, from Houdini to Tesla, from epistolary storytelling to the Ship of Theseus — this conversation asks what magic really is and what it takes from those who practice it.
Perfect for fans of the book, the movie, stage magic, or literary deep dives.
Follow Eoin on Instagram at @eoinlistens and check out his published fiction on Goodreads.
14 Oct 2025
W&Watched The Andromeda Strain with Laughing Briar
We wrap our Andromeda Strain two-parter with the 1971 film. From Robert Wise’s old-Hollywood gravitas to the split-screen tension and tactile lab tech, we dig into why the movie often outpaces the novel. We also touch on BookTok’s retail revival, tech-bro nutrition, modern conspiracy ecosystems, microbiomes/decontamination logic, and the film’s still-spiky ending. Verdict: if you’re on the fence, watch the movie.
7 Oct 2025
Written&W The Andromeda Strain with Laughing Briar
In this episode of Written & Watched, we crack open Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain and map where it sits on the spectrum from hard science fiction to speculative thriller. We unpack the Wildfire complex and its “odd-man” nuclear failsafe; nitpick biology (pH myths, the limits of personality indices, extremophiles); and explore the bigger questions the book tees up—What counts as life? When does sentience start? Why might climate realism and “solarpunk” solutions beat a Mars escape plan?
Laughing Briar has books here: https://laughingbriarbooks.com/
We also dive into AI’s “Chinese Room,” the film Her, the microbiome (yes, fecal transplants), endosymbiosis (mitochondria!), and why fungi (hello, cordyceps) might be the real doomsday villain. Plus: a character spotlight on the book’s most memorable survivor, a boozy storyteller named Peter Jackson, and a frank look at the novel’s self-solving ending.
Next up: the 1971 Andromeda Strain film—watch along and join us.
16 Dec 2024
Watched - Annihilation with The Unevenflow
Alex Reneau and Zach Albertson from Ensemble AI share their insights on the transformative power of their Feature Enhancement technology in machine learning.
9 Dec 2024
Written&W Annihilation with The Unevenflow
The Unevenflow and Written&W co-hosts dive into the polarizing text Annihilation, exploring its creepy and strange themes with a critical and nuanced perspective.
2 Dec 2024
W&Watched World War Z with SS Fitzgerald
SS Fitzgerald dissects World War Z, revealing the movie's flawed portrayal of warfare and zombies as a commentary on humanity's vulnerability to global catastrophes.
25 Nov 2024
Written&W World War Z with SS Fitzgerald
SS Fitzgerald and Max Brooks discuss the apocalyptic novel World War Z, exploring its themes of zombie warfare and the power of storytelling in a chaotic world.
18 Nov 2024
W&Watched When Nietzsche Wept with Anthony Vernon
Wow is this movie bad. We watched "When Nietzsche Wept" and gave it some credit, ok, no credit. Which it deserves. (minor audio issue at start, crackles go away)
11 Nov 2024
Written &W When Nietzsche Wept with Anthony Vernon
Anthony and I read "when Nietzsche wept" Any interest in philosophy? Historical fiction? Lou Salome with a riding crop? (thought that one would get ya!!)
4 Nov 2024
W&Watched The Iron Giant with Laughing Briar
We watched "The Iron Giant" and have some things to say.
More Laughing Briar here: https://laughingbriarbooks.com/
Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/laughingbriar/gambling-on-common-sense-novel-by-l-briar
28 Oct 2024
Written&W The Iron Giant with Laughing Briar
We read "The Iron Giant" and have some things to say.
More Laughing Briar here: https://laughingbriarbooks.com/
Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/laughingbriar/gambling-on-common-sense-novel-by-l-briar
21 Oct 2024
W&Watched Perks of Being a Wallflower with Noah Mussay
Noah and I watched "Perks of Being a Wallflower" and, well, we have some thoughts...
More of Noah Here: https://twitter.com/noahmussay
14 Oct 2024
Written&W Perks of Being a Wallflower with Noah Mussay
Noah and I talk about the book "Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky.
More of Noah Here: https://twitter.com/noahmussay
Contact Written and Watched
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Written and Watched?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
