SPACE BRAINS PODCAST
EPISODES: 71 TO 80
EPISODE 71
Cosmos is a 2019 UK film by the writer/director brothers Elliot and Zander Weaver. It is a film about three amateur astronomers who affirm bonds of friendship, not only amongst themselves but into the cosmos. Starring Tom England, Joshua Ford and Arjun Singh Panam, this ultra-low budget sci-fi film proves that it isn’t money that makes a good film, it is passion.
A clean, crisp signal cuts through the static and noise of space. When you’ve spent years listening to the sounds of the cosmos, you get used to hearing weirdness, but Mike Webster knows this is no ordinary signal. It’s not a pulsar or a black hole, it’s not interference, it’s something different, something logical, something with purpose.
We discuss the way Cosmos was made without money, what the Weaver’s were trying to do (in hour humble opinion) and the way the classic three act structure can be looked at through a different lens.
EPISODE 72
Don’t Look Up is a 2021 American science fiction black comedy film written, produced, and directed by Adam McKay, and starring an ensemble cast consisting of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Rob Morgan, Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, Tyler Perry, Timothée Chalamet, Ron Perlman, Ariana Grande and Scott Mescudi. It tells the story of two astronomers attempting to warn humanity about an approaching comet that will destroy human civilization.
We discuss the use of editing for effect, the three act structure, lighting and dramatic tension. On the science side of things we delve into the idea of asteroid mining.
EPISODE 73
The Shape of Water is a 2017 American romantic fantasy film directed by Guillermo del Toro and written by del Toro and Vanessa Taylor. It stars Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Richard Jenkins, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Octavia Spencer. Set in 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, the film follows a mute cleaner at a high-security government laboratory who falls in love with a captured humanoid amphibian creature. Filming took place on location in Ontario, Canada, from August to November 2016.
We discuss colour, water and take an interesting look at a variation on the classic three act structure. On the science side we discuss the history of deep sea exploration and diving that started in 1962.
EPISODE 74
Battle Beyond the Stars is a 1980 American space opera film produced by Roger Corman, directed by Jimmy T. Murakami, and starring Richard Thomas, Robert Vaughn, George Peppard, John Saxon, Sybil Danning and Darlanne Fluegel. Intended as a futuristic “Magnificent Seven in outer space”, the screenplay was written by John Sayles with the score by James Horner and special effects designed by future filmmaker James Cameron.
In this episode we discuss the history of space opera technology and film style with reference to Star Wars, the narrative structure and writing style. With an appearance in Battle Beyond the Stars of a “sonic tank”, we dive into the very real weapon with the same effect and technology as shown in the movie.
EPISODE 75
Soylent Green is a 1973 American ecological dystopian thriller film directed by Richard Fleischer, and starring Charlton Heston, Leigh Taylor-Young and Edward G. Robinson in his final film role. Loosely based on the 1966 science fiction novel Make Room! Make Room! by Harry Harrison, the film combines police procedural and science fiction genres, the investigation into the murder of a wealthy businessman and a dystopian future of dying oceans and year-round humidity, due to the greenhouse effect, resulting in pollution, poverty, overpopulation, euthanasia and depleted resources. In 1973, it won the Nebula Award for Best Dramatic Presentation and the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film.
In this episode we discuss differences between older sci-fi film style and more modern style. We also talk about Charlton Heston’s performance, the use of music and imagery and ad-libbed scenes. Finally we talk about the real Soylent product and the issues around food substitutes.
EPISODE 76
I Am Legend is a 2007 American post-apocalyptic action thriller film loosely based on the 1954 novel of the same name by Richard Matheson. Directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by Akiva Goldsman and Mark Protosevich, the film stars Will Smith as US Army virologist Robert Neville. It is set in New York City after a virus, which was originally created to cure cancer, has wiped out most of mankind, leaving Neville as the last human in New York, other than nocturnal mutants.
In this episode we discuss tension, drama and how plot points can happen outside of normal chronology. We also talk about what a vaccine is and isn’t and how the new breed of mRNA vaccines work.
EPISODE 77
The Osiris Child: Science Fiction Volume One (also known simply as The Osiris Child and in Europe as Origin Wars) is a 2016 Australian science fiction film directed by Shane Abbess and starring Daniel MacPherson, Kellan Lutz, and Rachel Griffiths.
In this episode we discuss a forward moving narrative driven by a mixed chronology and we look at the real world case of gene engineering to create super humans (well HIV immune twin girls).
EPISODE 78
Old is a 2021 American thriller film written, directed, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan. It is based on the French-language Swiss graphic novel Sandcastle by Pierre Oscar Levy and Frederik Peeters. The film features an ensemble cast consisting of Gael García Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Rufus Sewell, Alex Wolff, Thomasin McKenzie, Abbey Lee, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Ken Leung, Eliza Scanlen, Aaron Pierre, Embeth Davidtz, and Emun Elliott. The plot follows a group of people who find themselves aging rapidly on a secluded beach.
In this episode we discuss continuous shots, twists and pacing. On the science side of things we delve into the current state of ant-aging.
EPISODE 79
The Machine is a 2013 British science fiction thriller film directed and written by Caradog W. James. It stars Caity Lotz and Toby Stephens as computer scientists who create an artificial intelligence for the British military.
In this episode we discuss the use of lighting to change mood in a scene and how the eyes are a window on the soul. On the science side of things we delve how brain computer interfaces have helped at least one man with ALS, a condition that locks a person into their own body.
EPISODE 80
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.