SPACE BRAINS PODCAST
EPISODES: 51 TO 60
EPISODE 51
Freaks: You’re One of Us is a 2020 German superhero film directed by Felix Binder, written by Marc O. Seng and starring Cornelia Gröschel, Tim Oliver Schultz and Wotan Wilke Möhring.
It’s great to step outside the Hollywood paradigm to see how other cultures express themselves through film. Though Freaks follows a familiar set of storytelling beats, the visual and auditory expression is distinctly Germanic / European.
In this episode we discuss the gritty down-to-earth approach to the superhero genre and the way morality and ethics come to the fore. In our science section, we talk about real-life people with super powers that are frankly quite amazing.
EPISODE 52
The Discovery is a 2017 British-American romantic science fiction film, directed by Charlie McDowell from a screenplay by himself and Justin Lader. It stars Rooney Mara, Jason Segel, Robert Redford, Jesse Plemons, Riley Keough and Ron Canada.
This episode we talk about the afterlife, how knowing it was real might affect society, cinematic themes of crossing over and death. This movie isn’t just a spiritual journey or talking about metaphor, it presents the afterlife as a scientific reality. In discussing this film we also discuss the multi-world hypothesis of quantum physics and what that might mean.
EPISODE 53
Spaceballs is a 1987 American science fiction comedy film co-written, produced and directed by Mel Brooks. The film stars Brooks, Bill Pullman, John Candy and Rick Moranis, with the supporting cast comprising Daphne Zuniga, Dick Van Patten, George Wyner and the voice of Joan Rivers.
This episode we laugh a little too much and a little too loud. We also talk about how to set up a good film, how Mel Brooks is the master of dad jokes and we look into the latest science of warp drives.
EPISODE 54
Alligator is a 1980 satirical horror film directed by Lewis Teague and written by John Sayles. It stars Robert Forster, Robin Riker and Michael V. Gazzo.
Set in Chicago, the film follows a police officer and a reptile expert to track a giant murderous sewer alligator, flushed down the toilet years earlier, that is attacking residents after escaping from the sewers.
This episode we discuss the use of symbols as props, showing needed information as part of the story and the science reality of gigantic animals.
EPISODE 55
Metropolis is a 1927 German expressionist science-fiction drama film directed by Fritz Lang. Written by Thea von Harbou in collaboration with Lang, it stars Gustav Fröhlich, Alfred Abel, Rudolf Klein-Rogge, and Brigitte Helm. Erich Pommer produced it in the Babelsberg Studios for Universum Film A.G. The silent film is regarded as a pioneering science-fiction movie, being among the first feature-length movies of that genre.
This is a challenging film for some as it is a silent feature, however we certainly talk a lot about it. The Space Brains discuss the central themes, the conflict with Nazi Germany, the edited versions and the strong message of hope at the core. On the science side of things, we discuss real-life examples of underground cities and underground constructions.
EPISODE 56
The Martian is a 2015 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. Drew Goddard adapted the screenplay from The Martian, a 2011 novel by Andy Weir. The film depicts an astronaut’s (Damon) lone struggle to survive on Mars after being left behind, and the efforts of NASA to rescue him and bring him home to Earth. It also stars Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Kristen Wiig, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sean Bean, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Mackenzie Davis, Donald Glover, and Benedict Wong.
You can bet Surrey enjoyed this one! Science was at the core, but we still explore the plot, cinematic art and how great Mars is.
EPISODE 57
Space Sweepers is a 2021 South Korean space Western film directed by Jo Sung-hee, starring Song Joong-ki, Kim Tae-ri, Jin Seon-kyu and Yoo Hae-jin. Regarded as the first Korean space blockbuster, it was released on Netflix on February 5, 2021.
In discussing space sweepers we talk about the progressive nature of the robot character, the possibility that South Korea is producing blockbuster sci fi hits and what nano and micro-bots are.
EPISODE 58
Love and Monsters is a 2020 American monster adventure film directed by Michael Matthews, with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen serving as producers. The film stars Dylan O’Brien, Jessica Henwick, Dan Ewing, Michael Rooker and Ariana Greenblatt.
This episode we talk about the hero’s journey as a story structure, we get people’s names completely wrong and mixed up and we discuss the very real plans NASA has to prevent an apocalypse.
EPISODE 59
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 American drama film written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Michel Gondry. It follows an estranged couple who have erased each other from their memories. The ensemble cast includes Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, and Tom Wilkinson. The title of the film is a quotation from the 1717 poem Eloisa to Abelard by Alexander Pope.
The Space Brains discuss indie film style, sound design’s importance in shot continuity and the surprising science behind the real alteration of memories.
EPISODE 60
The Terminator is a 1984 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron. It stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, a cyborg assassin sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor, whose unborn son will one day save mankind from extinction by a hostile artificial intelligence in a post-apocalyptic future.
The Space Brains talk about how James Cameron managed to get funding, Arnold’s problems with talking and the theories surrounding time travel paradox.