Memory implants, replicants, alternative realities, and fake reality - these are some of the elements that make stories by Philip K Dick resonant decades after his death, and what makes them fodder for 'high concept' Hollywood films. Join author/crtic Hope Madden & film programmer Melissa Starker as Boston SciFi Presents UNIVERSAL MEMORIES: The Fil…

Visitors from another world are a relatively recent theme in movies that started in the 50s. Since then we have all sorts of illegal immigrants from genial neighbors to human eating nasties. Please join us as Simon Foster, Festival Director of the Sydney SciFi Film Fest and author Dan Kimmel probe #killerklownsfromouterspace, #attacktheblock, #paul…

Humans make them and use them. They can be safe, clunky contraptions or svelte streamline bodies, but they are designed to make our lives better. And in the process we imbue them with our emotions and sometimes are neurosis. TO SERVE MAN looks at how robots are depicted in movies. Weighing in with commentary and humor are Alexis den Boggende, Bosto…

You see their faces in movies and on TV. You hear their voices in animation, but you never quite know who they are. Listen in as film directors Hope Madden and David Giancola join MC Garen Daly as they try and define what a character actor is in the 21st century. Featuring #dickmiller, Catherine O'Hara, #jameshong, Keith David Brion James & more. P…

There's horror and then there is BODY HORROR Listen in as film critic Alexis den Boggende and Broke Horror Fan creator Alex DiVincenzo explains;ain the difference. featuring Cronenberg' The Fly, The Human Centipede, Re-Animator, John Carpenter's The Thing with appearances by Tusk, Frankenstein, Altered States & Tetsuo. Maybe there is a fate worse t…

May 27, 2024 would have been Harlan Ellison's 90th birthday. To appreciate this seminal writer, Boston SciFi talks with noted author Nat Segaloff on his book A LIT FUSE and his relationship with Harlan. We talk #StarTrek, #ScoobyDoo, #OuterLimits, #Terminator, lawsuits and more. Inside stories and funny moments all about one of speculative fiction'…

The Hollywood pundits are holding their breath as studios release films this summer of 2024. We're in the post-Covid period. Hollywood is just coming out of production delays from the various strikes and a lot is riding on whether or not audiences will return to the cinemas. Listen in as film critic Erin Underwood and Boston Hassle lead film review…

As humans, sinister robots have been around since the days of Edison. We see them in the malfunctioning Yul Brenner of WESTWORLD, or the single-minded killing machine of THE TERMINATOR, or Alicia Vikander's AI powered humanoid in EX MACHINA or the nascent super intelligence of Ultron . They threaten us. Host Garen Daly dives into this world of emot…

They challenge the powers that be. They lead revolutions. And the score big at the box office. Often these films come in blockbusters like #DUNE, #STARWARS and more. Sometimes they come in smaller, sharply focused films like #MIDNIGHTSPECIAL or #CHILDRENOFMEN. Join us, as we genuflect into the realms of science fiction through the complexities of b…

Lisa Downs & David Weiner are documentary filmmakers specializing in genre films and the 1980s. Lisa produces and directs the LIFE AFTER SERIES, specifically LIFE AFTER THE NAVIGATOR & LIFE AFTER THE NEVERENDING STORY. David's docs are IN SEARCH OF, specifically IN SEARCH OF TOMORROW & IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS. Joining them is Festival Director Garen …

The 49th Boston Science Fiction Film Festival kicks off on Valentine's Day with the Cyberpunk Sweethearts Ball celebrating love in an AI world. Event Director Jackie Kern joins cyberpunk maven and DJ Sir Richard with a behind the scenes look at what it takes, and who will be coming to this inaugural event. Garen Daly, Festival Director, is the MC. …

It's the original binge view, now in its 49th year. 24 hours of cinematic overload featuring science fiction films. Listen as the organizers explain how they program and create this one of a kind event. They will be unveiling this year's lineup of 13 features while explaining why they are so passionate about this annual event. It is about imaginati…

Santa isn't always naughty 'n nice. Sometimes he's something entirely different. Sometimes, he takes on a certain vengeful guise in Nakatomi Tower. Sometimes his naughty streak gets downright nasty, Tune in as Boston SciFi Presents a holiday special, ITS NOT SUCH A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS with special guests horror director PETER STRAY and film aficion…

Since 1954, Godzilla, nee Gojira, has been a cautionary tale about humanity's hubris and the consequences of war. Godzilla has evolved, morphed, trivialized and seems to be returning to its base Kaiju form. In this Boston SciFi Presents podcast guest Oscar Goff (Boston Hassle film critic) and Jeremy Robinson (novelist & screenwriter) reveal their i…

Kick back. Take a long slow toke and hold it, while Boston SciFi takes a close eye to stoner films. From REEFER MADNESS to the BIG LEBOWSKI, we'll ride the arc of fear all the way to laid back coolness. We talk film, but also the political, cultural and changing currents of cannabis. Joining us is Joyce Gerber, creator of THE CANNA MOM SHOW and Ale…

Prometheus was a Titan who stole fire from the Gods and gave it to humanity. Ever since then, humans have grappled with the ambivalence of technological advancement and the sometimes inherent destructiveness of that which was created. This is no more evident than in films about, or featuring atomic bombs. From THE BEGINNING OF THE END (1947) to OPP…

Something happened to movies in the 1980s. There was a sudden spate of cheaply made, sometimes poorly acted films centered around bloody deaths. The slasher movie hit the screen and it struck deep into our collective psyche. Here to read the entrails and enlighten us is film director Hope Madden (Obstacle Corpse) and Boston Hassle Film critic Alexi…

Boston SciFi's latest video podcast is up! We're talking DRIVE-IN MOVIES with film director David Giancola and festival programmer Melissa Starker. On the menu is Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Gator Bait, Night of the Living Dead, Porky's and The Blob, with cameos from Targets, Enter the Dragon and more. It ain't just the films, its what they mean and h…

From King Kong in 1933 to Rise of the Planet of the Apes, films have used simians as stand-ins for racism, colonialism and even lawyers. Please join film review Erin Underwood and Boston Hassle critic Oscar Goff as they look at the evolutionary of apes on screen. MC: Garen Daly; Producer: Irene Leite; Director: Mark Sherwood Next: Atomic Bombs Comi…

Sea Monsters have been with us since humans began venturing out into unknown waters. These denizen of the deep are known to have devoured sailors. They can be revenge seeking creatures of destruction. Comely maidens have been sacrificed to satisfy some dark, primitive obsession lurking within them. And movies have been fascinated by them. Let share…

With Erin Underwood & Nat Segaloff, Boston SciFi Presents THE POLARIZING LENS, a smart conversation on how the cancel culture is affecting films. Using some older films as touchstones, our guests explore our current obsession with political correctness. Producer: Irene Leite Director: Mark Sherwood MC: Garen Daly Intro Music from #Uppbeat (free for…

A lot is riding on this summer’s box office. Hollywood is expecting its best season since the pandemic ended, but will the films live up to the expectations. Joining host Garen Daly are Alexis den Boggende and Oscar Goff from The Boston Hassle. The conversation is sci-fi film and more. Producer: Irene Leite Direcotr: Mark Sherwood Credits: Intro Mu…

They won an Oscar, but now when we re-see them we wonder, what were we thinking? Certain films win acclaim only to become forgotten or dismissed because they didn't age well or simply fell out of favor. Today's podcast looks Wizard of Oz, Ghost in the Shell, Gravity, and Everything Everywhere All at Once to see if they are overrated or not. Joining…

America's oldest genre film festival is just about ready to launch. Join the conversation between Garen Daly, the festival director, Alex Mekos, head of video production at the festival and Perry Persoff, marathon MC & gamemeister talk about how they did what they did, why they are doing and what makes Boston SciFi special This year the festival wi…

Traveling back in time for love. Traveling forward in time to save the past.. Having memory implants to change who you are. These are the themes discussed in this installment of Boston SciFi Presents and they are the themes in four movies screening in the 48th Boston Science Fiction Film Festival's Marathon. Join Boston critics Ed Symkus and Oscar …

It is America's longest running binge view. If fact it is so old that binge viewing wasn't a 'thing' when it started 48 years ago, but here's a sneak peak at the 48th annual Boston Science Fiction Film Festival Marathon. Join Festival Director Garen Daly and writer/commentator Audrey Fox ( /Film and Looper) as they dive into Stargate, Things to Com…

Journey through time and space into the world of the longest running sci-fi TV show, Doctor Who. Our first expert is Jackie Kern, filmmaker, production designer, and avowed Whovian. Jackie is the brains behind BostonSciFi’s much anticipated Time Traveler’s Ball (2/15, Crystal Ballroom) Joining Jackie is sci-fi/horror writer/creator Chris McAuley. C…

Certain films have changed the landscape. In this episode of Boston SciFi Presents, we look at five such films. Joining the conversation are Erin Underwood, Event Producer for The MIT Technology Review and Michael Ahr, Multimedia Content producer for Den of Geek. Host is Gare Daly, Festival Director of The 48th Boston Science Fiction Film Festival …

Whether listening while driving, or in the comfy confines of your den, audio dramas, an extension of podcasts, have emerged as a creative outlet for many. They may also be calling cards to Hollywood. Joining this episode of Boston SciFi, is EJ Kavounas. EJ is the Producer of BROKEN ROAD, an audio drama. He explores the history of audio dramas, and …

Covid has changed many things. One off the things they have changed is the movies. With the release of TOP GUN MAVERICK, it seems that Hollywood is back, and maybe it is. What is not back are art houses. They are struggling and it looks like they maybe dying. To explore that Boston SciFi has asked Jon Fitzgerald and Ian Judge to join us. Jon is a f…

Star Trek began in 1966. Now 60 years later, it has spawned numerous films TV shows and inspired cultural changes. It has boldly gone where few franchises have gone before. Den of Geek's Michael Ahr & director Ben Myers join Boston SciFi Festival Director Garen Daly in a conversation on how a ground breaking TV show has lived long and prospered. Yo…

"Highly imaginative" - Portland Press herald Clauder Competion award winner! An errant spaceship has finally arrived at the new home world from a devastated Earth. Expecting a hero's welcome, they are surprised to find they are unwanted. Playwright Greg Lam, director Kevin R. Free and Literary Manager Todd Backus explore the themes, the challenges …

Back in the day, science fiction on television was all TWILIGHT ZONE, OUTER LIMITS, the original STAR TREK, and if you really pushed it, MY FAVORITE MARTIAN. These days the plots are intricate, and smart. These days the shows push boundaries no TV show has pushed before. These days it is the reboot of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. These days it is the edgy…

From Rick Blaine to Han Solo to Harley Quinn, cinematic heroes have some suspect qualities, qualities that aren't necessarily all good. Goodness has been tempered by the times and our sophistication. Some of them have become down right despicable. In s2, ep4, we look at this devolution, what it means and where it goes next.. Host: Michelle Barbera …

Episode 3, "Hidden Gems", was recorded live on Facebook and YouTube on July 13th, 2021 at 8:30pm EDT. Michelle and guests discuss their favorite Sci-Fi hidden gems and what makes a hidden gem. Hosted by: Michelle Barbera Guests: Ben Rock and David Crow Meet our guest BEN ROCK: Ben Rock is a director and producer, known for Video Palace (2018), 20 S…

Introducing: CLASSIC CINEMA: Ep 1. SUPERPOWER WISHES was recorded live on Facebook and Youtube on Tuesday May 11th, 2021 at 7:00pm EDT. Hosted by producer, writer and comedian Michelle Barbera. Guests: John Semper and Paul Salamoff Michelle Barberais an artist, comedian, producer, and writer who lives in the Boston area with her husband, 4 children…

"The Drive to Mars" was recorded live on Facebook and YouTube on June 8th, 2021 at 7pm. Michelle and guests discuss the recent news about the Red Planet and the films that have portrayed it throughout the cinematic age. Hosted by: Michelle Barbera Guests: Wes Hazard and Ken Reid Meet our guest, WES HAZARD: A comic, storyteller, and actor seen on AB…