Avatar (2009) & Fantastic Planet (1973): Big Blue Aliens

Avatar (2009) & Fantastic Planet (1973): Big Blue Aliens

Author: James Payne November 23, 2023 Duration: 1:25:33

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. Then, we fast forward to 2009 to discuss James Cameron's blockbuster hit Avatar, a visually stunning epic known for its groundbreaking technology and its portrayal of imperialism and environmentalism.

Join us as we journey through these two visually striking and thematically rich Space Operas.Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/

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Ever wondered how a silent film from a century ago connects to the spectacle you saw at the multiplex last weekend? That’s the kind of thread Journey Through Sci-Fi: A Science Fiction Film Podcast follows, tracing the entire arc of the genre from its flickering beginnings to its CGI-drenched present. Hosts Matt and James act as your guides, not just reviewing movies but unpacking the ideas that fueled them. They’re interested in how a particular film’s design changed movie-making, or how a story from the 1950s reflected the anxieties of its time, creating a conversation across decades. You’ll hear detailed discussions that place each film within a larger historical tapestry, making connections you might have missed. This isn't a random list of reviews; it's a curated, chronological expedition. By focusing on one film per episode, the podcast allows for a deep dive into the context, the production challenges, and the lasting cultural footprint of each title. Whether it's the pioneering special effects of a classic or the philosophical questions posed by a modern epic, Matt and James explore how science fiction cinema holds a mirror to our own world. Tune in for a thoughtful analysis that appreciates both the artistic ambition and the pure entertainment value of the genre, discovering how every spaceship, robot, and alien visitor tells us something about ourselves.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Journey Through Sci-Fi: A Science Fiction Film Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The Lobster (2015) & High-Rise (2015): Love, Luxury & Madness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:14
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…
The Handmaid's Tale (2017): Oppression & Resistance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:19
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…
Children of Men (2006): A World Without a Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:44
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…
Gattaca (1997) & Never Let Me Go (2010): Genetic Class Divides [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47:08
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 expl…
Zardoz (1974) & Logan's Run (1976): Cheating Death, Paying the Price [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:09
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 an…
Repo Man (1984) & Brazil (1985): Bureaucratic Madness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:17
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…
The Warriors (1979) & The Purge (2013): Gangs, Violence & Vigilantes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:44
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, wh…