show episodes
 
Are you feeling lost in the vast expanse of science fiction film and TV? Let Journey Through Sci-Fi be your audible guide to safety. Embark on a fortnightly odyssey into the heart of cinema and television with your dedicated hosts, James and Matt. We're here to explore the rich history of science fiction, one sub-genre at a time. From mind-bending AI, interstellar adventures, spine-chilling dystopias, and epic Space Operas, we've got it all covered! In each episode, we dive into the intricac ...
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show series
 
After 27 episodes and 54 films and TV shows, we’ve finally reached the conclusion of our epic series on Space Opera! To celebrate, we’re recapping it all with the Journey Through Sci-Fi awards show, where we dish out some well-deserved awards to our favorite films and shows from this series. We’ll reflect on what we’ve learned along the way and sha…
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It’s that time in the series when we dip back into the Star Trek universe and see how it stacks up in our chosen subgenre. This time, we’re chatting about J.J. Abrams’ thrilling 2009 sci-fi action movie reboot, which brought a fresh energy to the franchise, and digging into Star Trek: Discovery (2017) as it takes us on a wild ride through the mirro…
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This week, we’re tackling the big daddy of Space Opera—but this time, the House of Mouse is running the show. We’re diving deep into the Disney Star Wars trilogy, The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019). We’ll unpack what happened to the much-beloved Star Wars saga once George Lucas handed over the keys to B…
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"It’s not a prophecy, it’s a story." The eagerly awaited moment is finally here—the sequel to Dune! Matt’s superfan knowledge resurfaces as we delve into Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Parts One (2021) and Two (2024). 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 r…
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This week, we’re thrilled to have Tiffani Angus, writer and half of the dynamic duo behind Spec Fic For Newbies, joining us as we plunge into the colorful world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We’re zeroing in on the space opera adventures of Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Thor: Ragnarok (2017). Together, we’ll discuss the growing superhero f…
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We’re back on our journey through Space Opera, and 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). Together, we’ll unravel the mysteries behind the TV show’s cult following, explore its eclec…
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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 (1987), and Dean Parisot's love letter to Star Trek fandom, Galaxy Quest (1999). Together, we explore the intersection of comedy and science fiction, unraveling h…
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This week, we’re exploring the theme of interplanetary love in two more Space Opera adventures—Lily and Lana Wachowski's Jupiter Ascending (2015) and Andrew Stanton's John Carter (2012). Join us as we dive into the story of Jupiter Jones, an unassuming toilet cleaner who discovers she has the genetic makeup of a long-dead Queen and becomes embroile…
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This week, we’re diving headfirst into the wreckage of two colossal cinematic misfires—Battlefield Earth (2000) and The Chronicles of Riddick (2004). Join us as we discuss Matt’s favorite topic: big box office flops. We’ll dissect John Travolta and Vin Diesel’s respective passion projects and decide if these infamous films are truly deserving of th…
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This week, we’re joined by the sensational film critic, writer, and podcaster Anna Bogutskaya as we delve 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 …
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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, a film that offers a surreal and thought-provoking exploration of oppression and rebellion on an alien world. …
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This week on the podcast, we’re diving into one of the most significant Space Opera television series of recent years: Battlestar Galactica. We’ll be exploring both the 1978 original series from Glen A. Larson and the 2003 reimagining from Ronald D. Moore. We’re joined by Val Nolan, an academic and writer who has recently co-authored the book Spec …
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Join us as we explore the highly debated and often controversial Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, masterminded by the legendary George Lucas. Released between 1999 and 2005, these films have been the subject of intense criticism and passionate defense from fans and critics alike. Is the trilogy deserving of the harsh criticism it’s received, or has time …
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Get ready for the second half of our Space Opera series as we dive into the exciting world of video games and epic space battles. First up, we’re rewinding the clock to 1984 to hop into the cockpit of The Last Starfighter, where arcade games become a recruitment tool for intergalactic warfare. Then, we fast forward to 2013 and join the battle acade…
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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 discuss…
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This week, we’re heading to Hollywood to explore two American animated films that took a crack at the Space Opera genre. We’ll be diving into Starchaser: The Legend of Orin (1985), the first-ever animated feature made in 3D, with its epic tale of rebellion and adventure. Then, we’ll discuss Titan A.E. (2000), the Don Bluth animated film that combin…
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This week, it’s another anime special on the podcast as we tackle the (almost) impenetrable franchises of Gundam and Macross—or Robotech for those more familiar with the US version. But where do you even start with these iconic mecha series? Don’t worry, listeners, we’ve got a crash course lined up just for you. We’ll guide you through the origins …
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This week, we’re joined by film writer and editor of EOFFTV, Kevin Lyons, to explore the brilliant and absurd world of Douglas Adams and the 1981 BBC television adaptation of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. We’ll delve into the quirky humor and inventive storytelling that made this series a standout in the realm of Space Opera. Additionally, …
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This week, we're setting off for the desert planet of Arrakis as we dive into the ambitious attempts over the years to adapt Frank Herbert's space opera epic Dune to the screen. We’ll start by exploring the documentary Jodorowsky's Dune (2013), directed by Frank Pavich, which unearths the incredible story behind the most famous film that was never …
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This week, we’re taking a nostalgic trip back to the 80s to explore two Space Opera movies inspired by iconic kids’ toylines. We’re joined by critic and host of the Not Just For Kids podcast, Russell Bailey, to discuss Transformers: The Movie (1986) and Masters of the Universe (1987). These films brought beloved toys to life on the big screen, comb…
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This week, we’re revisiting the iconic characters of Flash (Ah-ah) Gordon and (Be-de-bede) Buck Rogers in our Space Opera series—only this time, it’s THE EIGHTIES! Join us as we dive into the Dino De Laurentiis-produced Flash Gordon (1980), a colorful and campy sci-fi adventure with a legendary soundtrack, and Glen Larson's Buck Rogers in the 25th …
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This week, we’re venturing into the world of anime to explore two shows that have expanded and redefined the Space Opera genre. First, we dive into Space Battleship Yamato (1974-75), a 70s classic that set the stage for future anime like Gundam and Evangelion and became known as Starblazers in the US. Then, we tackle the sprawling epic Legend of th…
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This week, we’re diving into the aftermath of Star Wars and the wave of 'inspired' films that followed its massive success. We’ll be taking a closer look at Starcrash (1978), Luigi Cozzi's disco-lit Space Opera that embraces campy visuals and wild adventures, and Battle Beyond the Stars (1980), a Roger Corman production often described as Seven Sam…
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It’s finally time to cover the ultimate Space Opera film series—Star Wars! In this episode, we’re diving into the original trilogy: Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983). We’ll explore the lasting influence of the Star Wars franchise on cinema, examining George Lucas' visionary career, the mytho…
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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 fea…
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This week, we're diving into the world of Space Fantasy, where science fiction meets the fantastical. What better Space Operas to explore than Barbarella (1968) and Krull (1983)? We’ll talk about the swinging 60s and European sci-fi with the iconic Barbarella, a film that blends space adventure with psychedelic visuals and campy charm. Then, we’ll …
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This week, we’re tackling the theme of shipwrecks in space as we continue our journey through the history of Space Opera on screen. We’ll be diving into Irwin Allen's classic 60s series Lost in Space (1965-68), exploring its impact on the Space Opera genre, and discussing its legacy. Then, we’ll shift gears to The Black Hole (1979), Disney's first-…
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his week, we’re continuing our journey through the fantastical world of Space Opera by looking at two of the most iconic figures from the 1930s: Flash Gordon (1936) and Buck Rogers (1939). These characters set the standard for thrilling space adventures and played a significant role in the rise of film serials. Join us as we look back at the advent…
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It’s time to delve into another subgenre of science fiction—Space Opera! In this new series of Journey Through Sci-Fi, we’re exploring the fantastical and epic tales that define the genre. To kick things off, we’re taking a look at the origins of Space Opera and discussing the very first film in the genre, A Trip to Mars (1918), also known as Himme…
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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' hal…
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Welcome to the conclusion of our dystopia series, where we recap everything we’ve explored with the Journey Through Sci-Fi awards show! We’ll be dishing out awards to some of our favorite films and TV shows from the series and reflecting on what we’ve learned along the way. Categories include: Best Dystopian Protagonist, Most Absurd Dystopian Socie…
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This week, we’re journeying through the Star Trek universe once again, but this time with a focus on how the show explores dystopias. We’ll be discussing episodes like 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 Sp…
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This week, it’s an Anime Special as we dive back into the world of Japanese animation and its use of sci-fi tropes to craft unforgettable dystopian visions. We’ll be exploring the groundbreaking Akira (1988) by Katsuhiro Otomo, a film that redefined anime and dystopian storytelling with its portrayal of a post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo. Then, we’ll mov…
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In a special bonus episode of the podcast we talk to director Rob Schroeder about his new mind-bending sci-fi film, Ultrasound. We discuss with Rob how he went about adapting Conor Stechschulte's indie comic Generous Bosom to film and what inspires him as a filmmaker. Ultrasound is available on digital download in the UK from the 20th June. Visit o…
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This week, we’re taking a trip back to 2015, a year that seemed to bring a fresh wave of post-modern dystopian cinema. Join us as we delve into Yorgos Lanthimos' The Lobster, a darkly comedic tale where society dictates your relationship status with surreal consequences, and Ben Wheatley's High-Rise, a visually striking film that explores class war…
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This week, we’re joined by author and academic Dr. Tiffani Angus to dive into the harrowing dystopian world of Gilead, as depicted in the 2017 television adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale, starring Elisabeth Moss. We’ll explore the terrifying control and oppression that define Margaret Atwood's creation, discussing the series’ chilling portrayal of…
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This week, we’re joined by film and TV critic Rhianna Dhillon to delve into Alfonso Cuarón's dystopian action thriller Children of Men (2006). In a world where humanity faces extinction and hope seems all but lost, we’ll explore whether there’s still a glimmer of optimism in this bleak dystopian vision. Can this powerful and haunting film offer us …
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This week, we’re joined by Dr. Allen Stroud, chair of The British Science Fiction Association and sci-fi author, to explore the unsettling world of genetic dystopias. We’ll be diving into Gattaca (1997), a film that explores a future where your genetic makeup determines your entire life, and Never Let Me Go (2010), a haunting tale of cloned childre…
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This week, we’re heading back to the 70s to explore how dystopian societies handle the concept of aging, through two camp cult classics: Zardoz (1974) and Logan's Run (1976). In Zardoz, Sean Connery stars in a bizarre and surreal world where the elite control immortality, while in Logan's Run, society mandates a lethal age limit to keep the populat…
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In a special bonus episode we are joined by Founder and festival director for the SCI-FI-LONDON film festival Louis Savy. Together we discuss what makes a great science fiction film, the joy of B-Movies and what to expect from the 2022 Sci-Fi London Festival. For tickets and more info on Sci-Fi London head to: https://sci-fi-london.com/ For the 48 …
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This week, we’re joined by podcaster and writer Becky Darke to dive into the theme of dystopian instruments of war. We’ll be discussing Paul Verhoeven's 90's satire Starship Troopers (1997), which offers a biting critique of militarism and propaganda through its depiction of a futuristic war against alien bugs. Then, we’ll explore Alita: Battle Ang…
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This week, we’re diving into the absurdity and challenges of finding the right work/life balance in a dystopian world. We’ll be exploring Terry Gilliam's Brazil (1985), a film that delves into the nightmarish bureaucracy of a dystopian society, and Alex Cox's Repo Man (1984), which mixes punk rock attitude with a surreal take on modern life. How do…
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This week, we’re joined by top genre journalists and hosts of the sci-fi podcast Robby The Robot's Waiting—Richard Edwards, Dave Bradley, and Tanavi Patel. Together, we dive into the dystopian visions of American cities depicted in John Carpenter's Escape From New York (1981) and Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049 (2017). From the lawless, prison…
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This week, it's a bad night to be in a dystopia as we dive into The Warriors (1979) and The Purge (2013). The Warriors takes us through a night of survival as a gang must make their way across a hostile New York City, while The Purge explores a society where all crime is legal for one terrifying night each year. Join us as we discuss how these film…
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This week, we’re offering a bit of respite from the bleak dystopian worlds we’ve been exploring by adding a dose of comedy into the mix. Join us as we discuss Sleeper (1973), Woody Allen's sci-fi comedy where a man wakes up 200 years in the future to a bizarre, totalitarian world, and Idiocracy (2006), Mike Judge's satirical take on a future where …
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This week, we’re continuing our journey through dystopias with a focus on two films that feature dramatic great escapes. We’ll be discussing George Lucas's directorial debut THX 1138 (1971), where the struggle for freedom in a tightly controlled society takes center stage, and Z.P.G. (1972), starring Oliver Reed, which depicts a world where overpop…
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This week, we’re tackling the theme of overpopulation in dystopian fiction by diving into two thought-provoking films: Soylent Green (1973) and What Happened to Monday (2017). We’ll be asking the big questions: What exactly is Soylent Green? And what really happened to Monday? Soylent Green offers a grim look at a future where overpopulation has le…
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This week, we’re joined by Rob Watts, host of the Icelandic cinema podcast KVIKMYNDAPOD, to discuss more dangerous dystopian games. We’ll be diving into The Running Man (1987) and The Hunger Games (2012), two films that explore the terrifying reality of life-and-death competitions in dystopian futures. The Running Man features a brutal televised hu…
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This week, we’re diving into the theme of enforcing the law in crime-ridden dystopian worlds by dissecting two iconic films: Mad Max (1979) and Dredd (2012). We’ll start with Mad Max, the cult classic that launched a franchise, exploring how it portrays a world descending into chaos where law enforcement is as brutal as the criminals. Then, we’ll m…
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This week, we're joined by film researcher and historian Kevin Lyons to delve into two 70's cult classics: Rollerball (1975) and Death Race 2000 (1975). These films are iconic for their brutal depictions of dystopian societies where violent games are used as tools of control and entertainment. Expect a deep dive into the satire, the car crashes, an…
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