Journey Through Sci-Fi
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137 episodes
"It’s not a prophecy, it’s a story." The eagerly awaited moment is finally here – the sequel to Dune. Matt's super fan knowledge resurfaces as we delve into Denis Villeneuve's Dune parts one and two. Get ready to journey into the deserts of Arrakis with us once again as we talk worm riding, sacred bodily fluids, Frank Herbert's 'coital rhythm' writing style, memes, and much, much more, as we discuss this year's big sci-fi blockbuster. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
We're thrilled to have Tiffani Angus, writer and half of the dynamic duo behind Spec Fic For Newbies joining us this week. Together we plunge into the colourful world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, zeroing in on the space opera adventures of Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor: Ragnarok. We discuss growing superhero fatigue, the MCU's heyday and unravel how the unexpected directorial choices of James Gunn and Taika Waititi played a key role in shaping the Marvel comedy/action formula we know today. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
We're back on our journey through space opera. This time we've got the ultimate horror aficionado and cult TV enthusiast, Mike Muncer, joining us as we dive into the beloved TV series Firefly (2002) and its unexpected cinematic sequel, Serenity (2005). We unravel the mysteries of the TV show's cult following, it's eclectic cast of characters, and attempt to piece together just where it fits in the vast galaxy of space opera! Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
This week we're joined by podcaster and writer Becky Darke to dive into the hilarious world of space opera parodies. We'll be dissecting Mel Brooks' iconic spoof of Star Wars, Spaceballs, and Dean Parisot's love letter to Star Trek fandom, Galaxy Quest. We explore the intersection between comedy and science fiction as we unravel how these two films 'find the funny' in the space opera genre. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
This week, we look at the theme of interplanetary love in two more Space Opera adventures - Andrew Stanton's John Carter (2012) and Lily and Lana Wachowski's Jupiter Ascending (2015). Join us as we discuss the super jumping barbarian and ex-Confederate soldier, John Carter and the unassuming toilet cleaner with the genetic makeup of a long-dead Queen, Jupiter Jones. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
We're discussing Matt's fave topic, big box office flops on the podcast this week. We dive headfirst into the wreckage of two colossal cinematic misfires, Battlefield Earth (2000) and The Chronicles of Riddick (2004). Join us as we dissect John Travolta and Vin Diesel's respective passion projects and decide if they are deserving of their notorious flop status, or have some salvageable qualities in there somewhere. Settle in and let the cinematic autopsy begin! Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
We're joined by the sensational film critic, writer, and podcaster, Anna Bogutskaya. Together, we're delving into the wild world of Luc Besson's space opera adventures, The Fifth Element (1997) and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017). From Besson's (sometimes peculiar) casting choices to the eternal battle between practical effects and CGI, we dissect what works and what doesn't in these two space operas. Oh! And brace yourselves for another round of blue aliens, this time with some unexpected stage talents. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
* * * * * * * * * * * * This time, we're tackling space operas with BIG BLUE aliens, imperialism, and a dash of exotic flora and fauna on the podcast. First up, is the 1973 psychedelic animation "Fantastic Planet" (or in French "La Planète Sauvage") from René Laloux. Then we fast forward to 2009 to discuss James Cameron's blockbuster hit "Avatar" and its groundbreaking technology. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
This week on the podcast, we explore one of the most significant space opera television series of recent years: Battlestar Galactica, spanning both the 1978 original from Glen A. Larson and the 2003 reimagining from Ronald D. Moore. We are joined by Val Nolan, an academic and writer who has recently co-authored the book "Spec Fic For Newbies" with Tiffani Angus. Together, we analyse these two iterations of one of the most captivating space opera series in the world of science fiction. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
Join us as we explore the highly debated and often controversial Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, masterminded by the legendary George Lucas. Is it deserving of the harsh criticism it's received? and what makes it such a polarising subject among fans? We also discuss Lucas' unwavering creative influence on the films and assess how his vision has stood the test of time, for better or worse. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
Get ready for the second half of our Space Opera series, as we dive into video games and epic space battles. First up, we're rewinding the clock to 1984 and hopping into the cockpit of The Last Starfighter, before we fast forward to 2013 and join the the battle academy in Ender's Game. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
In this special bonus episode, we're leaping back into the world of time travel in film and TV, and stepping behind the scenes with Dick Fiddy, BFI TV historian and programmer. Join us as we dive into his career and his role at the BFI, before launching into an exploration of why time travel still tickles our collective fancy. We'll also be discussing the exciting new season taking place at the BFI Southbank throughout late October and November, "Destination Time Travel: Playing with Time in Film and TV." For additional details about the season, head to the BFI website here; all the secrets and showtimes are waiting for you there! Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
Ths week we head to Hollywood to look at two American animated films that had a crack at the space opera genre. We discuss the first ever animated feature made in 3D, Starchaser: The Legend of Orin and the Don Bluth animated Titan A.E, that had more than it's fair share of production issues along the way. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
It's another anime special on the podcast! This week we tackle the (almost) impenetrable franchises of Gundam and Macross (or Robotech for those familiar with the US iteration of the series). But where to start?! Don't worry listeners we have a crash course for you this episode. Together we look at the history of both franchises and discuss why they are such enduring examples of space opera. For those wanting to watch the films discussed below is a list of the ones covered: __ __ Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
This week James and Matt are joined by film writer and editor of EOFFTV, Kevin Lyons to explore the work of Douglas Adams and the 1981 BBC television adaptation of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. They also examine what British Space Opera adds to the genre and how it differs from those seen in America. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
It's time to set off for the desert planet of Arrakis as James and Matt dive into the several attempts over the years to adapt Frank Herbert's space opera epic Dune to screen. They take a look at the documentary film Jodorowsky's Dune (2013), directed by Frank Pavich, and unearth the story behind the film that never was. They follow this up with a deep dive discussion on David Lynch's 1984 adpatation of Dune and talk Lynch's filmography, fan edits, producer quarrells and book comparisons. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
This week Matt and James take a nostalgic trip into the 80s to look at two Space Opera movies inspired by kids toylines. Critic and host of the 'Not Just For Kids' podcast Russell Bailey joins them to discuss Transformers: The Movie (1986) and Masters Of The Universe (1987). Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
This week James and Matt look at the characters of Flash (Ah-ah) Gordon and (Be-de-bede) Buck Rogers once again in their Space Opera series...only this time it's THE EIGHTIES! Join them as they disect the Dino De Laurentiis produced, Flash Gordon (1980) and Glen Larson's, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1979). Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
This week Matt and James take a look at two anime shows that expand the world of space opera and provide a new perspective on the genre. They discuss the 70's classic anime show that went on to inspire the likes of Gundam, Evangelion and many more - Space Battleship Yamato (Starblazers in the US) and the tale of a sprawling 150-year long war, Legend of the Galactic Heroes. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
The aftermath of Star Wars and the attack of the clones begins... This week James and Matt cover two of the many Star Wars 'inspired' films to hit cinema screens in the wake of the original films success. They take a look at Starcrash, Luigi Cozzi's disco lit Space Opera, along with Jimmy T. Murakami and Roger Corman's Seven Samurai in space, Battle Beyond the Stars. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
It's finally time to cover the ultimate Space Opera film series, Star Wars! Matt and James discuss the lasting influence of the Star Wars franchise on cinema by looking at the original trilogy; Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return Of The Jedi (1983). They examine George Lucas' career in film, the mythology of the series and all of the extraordinary innovations that were made to make the first three films a reality. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
Back in June last year we covered Everything Everywhere All at Once over on our Patreon channel. To celebrate the film winning a whopping seven Oscars we've decided to share that episode with you here on the main feed. So enjoy as we share our thoughts (in spoilerific detail) on the Daniels' multiversal hit, critics fave AND multi Oscar winning feature, Everything Everywhere All At Once. * * * Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
Space Fantasy is the theme this week and what better Space Operas to explore than BARBARELLA (1968) and KRULL (1983). James and Matt talk the swinging 60s, Europeon Sci-Fi, Fantasy epics and mythical shurikens as they disect these two fatastical Science Fiction movies. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
Matt and James tackle the theme of shipwrecks in space this week, as they continue their journey though the history of Space Opera on screen. They take a look at Irwin Allen's classic 60s series, LOST IN SPACE (1965-68), and discuss it's impact on Space Opera along with Disney's first ever PG rated film, the dark disaster film in space, THE BLACK HOLE (1979). Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
James and Matt continue their exploration into the world of Space Opera by looking at two of the most famous Space Opera icons of the 30s. Join them as they look back at the advent of film serials and discuss the 'thrilling adventures' of FLASH GORDON (1936) and BUCK ROGERS(1939). Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
It's time to delve into another subgenre of science fiction once again! This series of Journey Through Sci-Fi James and Matt explore the fantastical world of Space Opera. To kick things off they look at the origins of the genre and discuss the very first Space Opera film, A Trip To Mars (1918) a.k.a Himmelskibet. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
We're back on your podcast feed to discuss the biggest sci-fi blockbuster of the year, James Cameron's long awaited Avatar: The Way of Water. The perfect film to pre-empt our upcoming series on Space Opera. We discuss the film's special effects, 3D cinema, underwater filming and Cameron's return to directing. * * To hear the second 'spoiler filled' half of our discussion on the film join us over on Patreon Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
It's the conclusion episode of the dystopia series and James and Matt recap it all with the Journey Through Sci-Fi awards show. They dish out some awards to some of their favourite films and TV shows this series and reflect on what they learnt along the way. Categories include: Best Dystopian Protagonist, Most Absurd Dystopian Society, Worst Dystopia To Live In, and the ultimate award Best Dystopian Film. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
This week Matt and James journey through the Star Trek universe once again. This time looking at how the show explores dystopias. To delve into this topic they discuss The Return of the Archons, A Taste of Armageddon and Mirror, Mirror from the original series, along with Yesterday’s Enterprise from The Next Generation and Inquisition from Deep Space Nine. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
It's an Anime Special! James and Matt explore the world of Japanese animation once again and it's use of sci-fi tropes. This time they look at the dystopian aspects of Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira from 1988 and Rintaro's adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's manga Metropolis from 2001. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Like us on FACEBOOK Follow us on LETTERBOXD Support the podcast on PATREON
