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Journey Through Sci-Fi is the ultimate podcast for sci-fi and film lovers! Join hosts James and Matt as they explore the best in science fiction films and TV shows, from AI and dystopias to space operas and more. Each episode dives deep into the themes, secrets, and cultural impact of classic and modern sci-fi, delivered with plenty of personality and insight. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the genre, join us for entertaining discussions and thought-provoking commentary. Plus, you c ...
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In this week’s episode of our Mad Science series, we slip into our fishnets and fire up the floppy disks as we delve into the horny world of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) and Weird Science (1985). From Frank-N-Furter’s glitter-soaked lab to an ‘80s teenage boys pervy fantasy, we explore two more takes on the Frankenstein myth. Expect cult ci…
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In this month’s bonus Future Frontiers episode, we dive into the future of AI-dubbed films, featuring the Swedish sci-fi Watch the Skies hitting cinemas. We also discuss the highly anticipated returns of Andor and The Last of Us, take a closer look at Thunderbolts (what's up with the asterisk in the title?), and unpack Apple's intriguing new Murder…
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Two films. One mind-blowing concept: what if you could go inside the body? This episode, we explore the micro-madness of Fantastic Voyage (1966) and Innerspace (1987) - two very different takes on internal exploration. From high-concept sci-fi to comedic calamity, we look at how the trope of the shrunken scientist has mutated through the decades. W…
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It's alllliiiiiiiive!...again This week, we continue our journey through mad science examining two continuations of the Frankentesin cinematic legacy: James Whale's Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Kenneth Branagh's Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994). We delve into how Whale's Gothic flair and camp sensibility redefined the story, while Branagh's S…
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This week on Journey Through Sci-Fi, we examine how Stanley Kubrick's Doctor Strangelove (1964) and Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein (1974). cleverly parody the mad scientist archetype. Whether it's triggering global catastrophe or reanimating the dead, these films remind us that playing god can lead to comedic—and catastrophic—consequences. Want to …
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​In this episode, we take a comedic detour into 60s sci-fi as we revisit Disney's "The Absent-Minded Professor" and Jerry Lewis' "The Nutty Professor." From gravity-defying Flubber to the egotistical Buddy Love, we unpack how these eccentric inventors helped shape the mad scientist archetype. Expect flying cars, chaotic labs, and a surprising amoun…
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Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17 is here—but can it live up to the hype? Meanwhile, Netflix drops The Electric State with a mind-blowing $250M budget… and audiences aren’t impressed. Plus, Daredevil: Born Again gets brutal, The End gives us a sci-fi musical, and we dig into Wheel of Time season 3. All that, plus listener questions! (Oh, and gold star if yo…
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When science and obsession collide. We break down Eyes Without a Face (1960) and The Skin I Live In (2011), two chilling films about stolen faces, extreme body modifications, and the horror of losing yourself—literally. With guest Mike Muncer (Evolution of Horror), we discuss mad scientists, surgical nightmares, and the disturbing legacy of these t…
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From The Brain That Wouldn’t Die’s predatory surgeon to The Man with Two Brains’s lusty neurosurgeon, mad science films often mix unethical experiments with unchecked libido. We examine how these films handle (or fail to handle) their problematic gender dynamics and how exploitation cinema shaped the portrayal of scientists on screen. Visit our web…
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This week, we're discussing The Fly—both the 1958 and 1986 versions—to talk about teleportation experiments gone very, very wrong. From the old-school murder mystery of the original to Cronenberg’s stomach-churning body horror, we dissect what makes these films ultimate mad science nightmares. Listen now... before your DNA gets scrambled Visit our …
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We're back with our sci-fi check-in! This month, we dive into Dune: Prophecy, Kraven, and Wallace & Gromit's latest adventure (yes, really). We also break down new releases, including Star Trek: Section 31, Companion, and Captain America: Brave New World. Plus, we debate whether Mary Poppins is secretly sci-fi and answer your listener mail! 🛸💥 🎧 Tu…
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What happens when science makes you way too small? This week, we’re diving into accidental shrinking in sci-fi, from the eerie existential crisis of The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) to the backyard-sized adventure of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989). Join us as we explore the thrills, fears, and fun of shrinking stories—why they captivate us, wha…
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From high-tech fabric to genetically engineered dinos, we discuss The Man in the White Suit (1951) and Jurassic Park (1993), as Mad Science meets commerce in this weeks episode. What happens when groundbreaking inventions threaten the balance of power—and profits? We explore the ethical dilemmas, corporate greed, and unintended consequences behind …
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Get ready to step back into the office… if you dare! With Severance season 2 just around the corner, we’re releasing our deep dive into the mind-bending first series! While we enjoy our festive break (before reality and work hit), this spoiler-filled recap is the perfect refresher for all you fans gearing up for more Lumon Industries intrigue. We u…
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This week on Journey Through Sci-Fi, we’re tackling the science of shrinking with two unique takes on mad experiments. First, the technicolor terror of Dr. Cyclops (1940), where a power-mad scientist shrinks his colleagues to doll-sized proportions. Then, the satirical Downsizing (2017), where miniaturization is pitched as a solution to society’s w…
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It’s Christmaaaaas! (well almost). This episode, we’re unwrapping December’s sci-fi and genre releases — Kraven the Hunter, The Lord Of The Rings:The War of the Rohirrim, Sonic 3, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew and Squid Game: Season 2. Plus, we’re talking festive sci-fi classics, sharing what we’ve been watching, and answering your big questions. It's a…
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This week on Journey Through Sci-Fi, we’re disussing a couple of scientists who lose the plot thanks to their own experiments. First up, it’s a 1930s classic—The Invisible Ray (1936)—where Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi team up for a tale of cosmic rays, glowing death touches, and some tense scientific rivalry. Then, we fast-forward to Sam Raimi’s D…
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In this week’s episode of Journey Through Sci-Fi, we're taking a look into the minds of scientists on the trail of killers and unraveling the mysterious motives of mad doctors! Join us as we explore Doctor X (1932), directed by Michael Curtiz. The pre-Code thriller in which Dr. Xavier and his team of scientists search for the notorious "Moon Killer…
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In this month's Future Frontiers bonus episode, we're diving into the sci-fi screenings we caught in October and sharing our thoughts on Megalopolis, Joker: Folie à Deux, Venom 3: The Last Dance, The Wild Robot, and Transformers One. We’re also spotlighting our indie pick for November, Things Will Be Different, directed by Michael Felker, a frequen…
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This week on Journey Through Sci-Fi, we cover another of H.G. Wells' works brought to the big screen—The Island of Dr. Moreau—and examine two film adaptations: Island of Lost Souls (1932) and The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996). One is a haunting masterpiece from the 1930s, known for its eerie atmosphere and groundbreaking makeup effects, while the oth…
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On this episode of Journey Through Sci-Fi, we cover The Invisible Man from the father of sci-fi himself ,H.G. Wells. We’re tackling both the 1933 classic movie directed by James Whale and the 2020 modern reimagining from Leigh Whannell. From groundbreaking special effects to intense psychological horror, we explore how this sci-fi mad scientist evo…
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This week, we’re kicking off a brand-new monthly special on the podcast—Future Frontiers! Join us as we gaze into the crystal ball of October to uncover all the exciting sci-fi coming your way! We’ll be diving into the month’s lineup on both our main feed and Patreon so you can get a head start on your film homework! We’ll keep you up to date with …
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In this episode of Journey Through Sci-Fi, we dive into the cinematic history of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. From the early 1912 silent film to the groundbreaking 1931 adaptation, we explore how filmmakers brought Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic story to life on screen. We’ll break down the incredible visual effects, dive into the pre-code era’s bold…
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Join us on a new journey through sci-fi as we dive into the sub genre of Mad Science. In our first episode, we explore Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, often seen as the first science fiction novel. We'll discuss Shelley’s inspirations and examine two early film adaptations: the 1910 silent film and the iconic 1931 version by James Whale and Universal …
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We're celebrating 5 years of Journey Through Sci-Fi with some big news! In this special episode, we're unveiling our next subgenre for the podcast and teasing what’s coming up on the main podcast and over on Patreon this September. Needless to say, we’ve got an incredible selection of sci-fi films and TV to dive into and can't wait for you to join …
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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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