Season 5 is here! So we decided to kick things off with Season 2. Of Netflix's The Witcher, that is. And while all of us are rightfully bewitchered by Henry Cavill, we deal with monsters, not hunky monster hunters. So this week the CA team talks invasive species, why Lamarckian evolution might help centipedes grow human hands, and the origins of these creatures in Slavic folklore. Sam also shares a personal story of why it's not a good idea to dress as Santa Clause around your dog. TIME POINTS 0...
Jan 06, 2022•1 hr 16 min
Prepare to ugly cry as this week the CA Team discusses Bong Joon-ho's super pig Okja (2017). Learn all about hippo and pig teeth, the good and bad of GMO's, the depravities of factory farming, and how emotional storytelling can change your brain. Bonus, hear why Sam thinks he should be able to gatekeep chocolate. TIME POINTS 00:01:15 – Introduction and News 00:06:07 – Movie Introduction, Discussion, and Trivia 00:21:40- Science Discussion 00:57:21- Story Discussion 01:08:39- Final Thoughts
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 15 min
This week the team dives into Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy 2. Join them as they explore rapidly growing plant gods, angel of death eye wings, and the ravenous tooth fairies. When things go bump in the night... Cinematica Animalia tries to explain them. TIME POINTS 00:00:36 – Introduction and News 00:05:45 – Movie Introduction and Discussion 00:12:53- Movie Trivia 00:19:48- Science Discussion 00:46:44- Final Thoughts
Dec 16, 2021•49 min
This week we take a pronged approach to deconstructing the monster of the 2021 movie, Antlers. We ask who, what, where, why, and wendigo did the legend of this Algonquin creature first take shape. We look at every tine-y detail, from parasitic lifecycles to the ritualistic, cannibalistic side of human beings. Which part of the human body is the deadliest to consume? What do you think about human foot tacos? And are jackalopes real? TIME POINTS 00:00:39 – Introduction and News 00:05:47 – Movie In...
Dec 09, 2021•55 min
This week the Cinematica team joins New York Times best selling author Scott Sigler to explore the 2006 cult classic, Slither. Would the Lone One make a suitable parasite for humans? Would a hive mind be possible? How do authors like James Gunn and Scott Sigler come up with their monsters? Why is there no more goddamn Mr. Pibb?! Slither in and enjoy an exploration of this horror classic. To Find More of Scott Sigler please tune into his podcast (scottsigler.com/subscribe/) or find any of his ama...
Dec 03, 2021•1 hr 6 min
Cinematica Animalia Trailer by Cinematica Animalia
Dec 02, 2021•40 sec
The team ventures into the fantastical realm of Ta Lo within the 2021 smash hit, Shan-Chi. Join them as they discuss scaled horses, vestigial wings, wormy dragons, and the dangers of inbreeding. TIME POINTS 00:00:36 – Introduction and News 00:04:22 – Movie Introduction, Discussion, and Trivia 00:14:56- Science Discussion 00:52:08- Final Thoughts
Nov 25, 2021•56 min
Taking a short detour this week, we've talked bad movies, but now we talk bad movie tropes, both science and story. Listen to Sam, Adam, and Libby give some monster sized roars about untested hypothesis, how microscopes actually work, and lazy writing. TIME POINTS 00:00:37 – Introduction and News 00:06:50- Science Tropes 00:24:04- Story Tropes 00:40:11- Final Thoughts
Nov 18, 2021•44 min
Dance magic dance with us as we unravel the secrets of Jim Henson's Labyrinth (1986). How do Gigantopithecus's get their rocks off? Can organism's live without their heads? Is there something scarier looming over the multi species society of the Goblin Kingdom? Most importantly, is Sarah, the protagonist, actually the real monster of this movie? TIME POINTS 00:00:58 – Introduction and News 00:07:35 – Movie Introduction, Discussion, and Trivia 00:22:59- Science Discussion 00:52:07- Story Discussi...
Nov 11, 2021•1 hr 5 min
Dust off your stillsuits, this week we are turning up the Arrakis heat and discussing the newest version of Dune (2021). We cover desertification and not the ice cream kind, how sand could become water-like, worm on worm cannibalism, and that weird mother son scene, you know which one. A question unanswered however: was it a kangaroo rat or a jerboa? TIME POINTS 00:00:37 – Introduction and News 00:05:13 – Movie Introduction and Discussion 00:19:08- Movie Trivia 00:20:52- Science Discussion 00:58...
Nov 04, 2021•1 hr 10 min
Count yourselves in for a treat and get sucked in to our fang-tastic vampire episode! This week on our Halloween tour, the Cinematica team wanted to take a bite into vampires with 30 Days of Night (2007). Do these undead monsters suffer from albinism or a plethora of skin disorders? Why are humans actually a terrible prey species? Are vampires really Neanderthals? And if you take Dave into a cemetery, can he identify a bloodsuckers grave? TIME POINTS 00:00:37 – Introduction and News 00:03:32 – M...
Oct 28, 2021•1 hr 21 min
It's that spooky time of year! Over the next few weeks, we will be covering some Halloween horrors starting with the legendary Pumpkinhead (1988). What does it mean to be a digitigrade in the swamp? Does our demon use estivation to survive? And what other vicious vice demons did the Cinematica team create to join the likes of Pumpkinhead? TIME POINTS 00:00:35 – Introduction and News 00:07:05 – Movie Introduction 00:13:16- Trivia 00:16:16- Science Discussion 00:41:04- Story Discussion 00:51:00- F...
Oct 21, 2021•53 min
Delve into the interdimensional depths with the Cinematica team as we explore Pacific Rim (2013). This week we answer the monster sized questions. What do kaiju and 3D printing have in common? Do dinosaurs have a second brain? And will movies ever stop making boob armor? Full disclosure: we can't answer that last one. TIME POINTS 00:00:31 – Introduction and News 00:03:14 – Movie Introduction, Discussion, and Trivia 00:19:21- Science Discussion 00:41:09- Story Discussion 00:54:30- Secondary Brain...
Oct 14, 2021•1 hr
You shall not pass...this episode. Join the Cinematica team as they return to Middle Earth to explore the Wargs, Fellbeast, Mumakil, and more. Could you really fly on a Fellbeast? How long would it take to domesticate a bear dog? Does Adam even like Lord of the Rings? Listen in to get all the answers you are looking for! TIME POINTS 00:00:42 – Introduction and News 00:06:05 – Movie Introduction, Discussion, and Trivia 00:17:28- Science Discussion 01:00:16- Do We Feel Bad For The Monsters and Fin...
Oct 07, 2021•1 hr 5 min
This week Adam and Sam sit down to talk about the general ecology of the world of Middle Earth. Where are all the animals? Why do ecosystems change at the drop of a hat? Why is no one talking about how scary Ents are? TIME POINTS 00:00:36 – Introduction and News 00:06:10 – Movie Introduction and Discussion 00:17:23- Science Discussion 00:33:20- Environmental Messaging 00:43:01- Final Thoughts
Sep 30, 2021•45 min
This week the Cinematica team dishes on the 2008 rom-com Cloverfield! We learn how rebar impalement is a "walk it off" kind of injury, that found footage is really lost footage, and in addition to being lost in New York City Kevin McCallister style, poor Slusho was also heavily parasitized. TIME POINTS 00:00:38 – Introduction and News 00:05:41 – Movie Introduction and Trivia 00:17:33- Science Discussion 00:50:06- Story Discussion 00:57:18- Final Thoughts
Sep 23, 2021•1 hr 3 min
Descend into the horror of, well, The Descent (2005). Join the Cinematica team as we spelunk and debunk the common misconceptions of cave critters, why squirrels' ankles are relevant, and to see or not to see seems to be the question. TIME POINTS 00:00:34 – Introduction 00:02:13- News 00:06:45 – Movie Introduction and Trivia 00:22:00- Science Discussion 00:57:04- Story Discussion 01:03:44- Final Thoughts
Sep 16, 2021•1 hr 8 min
A young boy's uncle murders his father and attempts to murder him in a bid for his inheritance and prime real estate. This week Cinematica Animalia journey's into the animated classic The Lion King (1994). We are joined by conservation ecologist, Maria Gatta to discuss why hyenas so unfairly get a bad rap, how Scar and Mufasa easily could've shared the pride, and what actually happens in a trophic cascade. TIME POINTS 00:00:35 – Introduction 00:04:03- News 00:05:56 – Movie Introduction and Trivi...
Sep 09, 2021•54 min
Who wants to talk about that unusual plant in the window? Join the team this week as they discuss the 1986 classic Little Shop of Horrors. Listen as they relive the songs, argue over how a plant would consume unsuspecting shop owners, and discuss which of theatrical endings was the best. Experience their thoughts on why Audrey II is really a Mean Green Mother. TIME POINTS 00:00:32 – Introduction and News 00:06:51 – Movie Introduction and Trivia 00:19:21 – Science Discussion 00:51:19- Story Discu...
Sep 02, 2021•1 hr 5 min
This week, the Cinematica team decides who has the deadliest guns: Arnold, Carl, or the Predator (1987). In this classic film, we take a laser focused look into how this dreaded alien can not just climb up and down trees, but jump from them as well. We'll also "rave" about its glowing blood, talk about what might be a memorable but vestigial left over, and explain why Jean Claude doesn't give a Damme about this movie. TIME POINTS 00:00:31 – Introduction and News 00:03:44 – Movie Introduction 00:...
Aug 26, 2021•49 min
Taking a small movie break this week to explore the beaked and winged monstrous corners of Sam's mind with his very own Make A Monster episode. How will the terrifying Raptor McGooseface hold up under the Adam and Dave's critique? What are religious zealouts in the Amazon in for? TIME POINTS 00:29 – Introduction and News 05:58 – Sam Makes A Monster 21:07 – Libby Makes A Movie 27:09 – Adam and Dave Examine Said Monster 59:35 – Final Thoughts and Sign-Off
Aug 19, 2021•1 hr
It's Nom Nom Week on Cinematica Animalia as we take a look at some quirky anti-heros and one giant villainous butthole aka Starro the Destroyer with James Gunn's The Suicide Squad (2021). Do interdimensional virulent dots actually kill people? Do sharks really have kind eyes? How exactly does a giant starfish communicate with it's clone army? TIME POINTS 00:00:42 – Introduction and News 00:04:40 – Movie Introduction 00:10:48 – Trivia 00:13:04 – Science Discussion 00:43:49- Story Discussion 00:52...
Aug 12, 2021•55 min
Come and see with eyes, unclouded by hate. The Cinematica team continues their Studio Ghibli adventure with an exploration of Princess Mononoke. Join them and the wolf tribe as they discuss multi-tailed canids, forest idols, leprosy, and demons. You may even learn, how to kill a god. TIME POINTS 00:00:33 – Introduction and News 00:04:44 – Movie Introduction 00:11:43 – Trivia 00:12:59 – Science Discussion 00:52:18- Story Discussion 00:59:04 – Final Thoughts and Sign-Off
Aug 05, 2021•1 hr 3 min
Join the Cinematica team in celebrating the 20th anniversary of Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away (2001)! This week we discuss why No Face isn't a monster but really just a mimic octopus, why Dave wants to dissect Kamaji's brain, and why "Granny" Zeniba is still a villain. TIME POINTS: 00:00:48 - Introduction and News 00:10:46 - Movie Introduction 00:19:30 - Trivia 00:23:42 - Science Discussion (No Face) 00:46:19 - Science Discussion (Kamaji) 00:51:03 - Final Thoughts and Sign-Off
Jul 29, 2021•56 min
A New Legacy has appeared in the form of a sequel/remake of Space Jam (2021). Given that the Cinematica Team grew up on the OG, MJ version, we thought we'd take our best shot at breaking down all the new Monstars, re-titled the Goon Squad, as well as the infamous Tunes themselves. Would wascally wabbits really make good teammates? Should Daffy be charged with sex crimes? And how exactly does an AI charading as an algorithm use CRISPR gene editing to create an enslaved basketball team? TIME POINT...
Jul 22, 2021•52 min
This week the Cinematica team enlists in the Tomorrow War (2021). What do porcupines and tentacles have in common? What exactly is a hive mind? And can Adam use time travel to unsee this movie? Spoiler: he cannot. TIME POINTS 00:00:35- Introduction and News 00:03:53- Movie Introduction 00:10:15- Trivia 00:13:06- Science Discussion- Shooting Tail Spikes 00:28:03- Science Discussion- Hive Organization 00:36:44- Science Discussion- Toxin Resistance 00:42:45- Time Travel and Story Problems 00:49:45-...
Jul 15, 2021•53 min
ROCK AND STONE! Every now and then, the Cinematica Team veers off from movies and plunges straight into an alien planet as a team of space mining dwarves. Join Adam, Dave, and Libby on this special episode with a video game near and dear to our beer drinking, Doretta loving hearts: Deep Rock Galactic (2020). We look at how blind cave dwelling glyphids might smell a pungent dwarf from afar, how crazy yellow ants spew "acid" at cows, and why video games are an interactive book. Oh, and of course, ...
Jul 08, 2021•45 min
This week the team allows Sam to explore the question that keeps him up at night, where are all the freshwater horror movies? Join the team as they discuss zombie beavers, heroic gar, and terrifying hippos. Remember to STAY OUT OF THE WATER! TIME POINTS 00:00:34- Introduction and News 00:05:04- Movie and Science Discussions 00:46:00- Final Thoughts and Sign Off
Jul 01, 2021•48 min
This week we morph into a popular "children's" book series turned not-so-popular TV show, Animorphs. And while teenagers morphing into animals is neat, we wanted to crack open the fascinating alien races of the mouthless, hoof feeders and brain huggers - better known as the Andalites and the Yeerks. Why do slugs gain sentience? What function does a scythe tail serve? And is there truly a better actor than Shawn Ashmore? TIME POINTS 00:00:42- Introduction and News 00:07:39- Movie Discussions 00:2...
Jun 24, 2021•1 hr 31 min
This week the Cinematica team wanders through the dark fairy tale of Pan's Labyrinth (2006). With its spectacular creature design and haunting visuals, its easy to see why we all appreciate this movie. We unravel how fairies and fauns might work together, why Doug Jones is his own movie monster (in a great way, of course), and how to get a giant toad to vomit out its own stomach. TIME POINTS 00:00:44- Introduction and News 00:05:02- Movie Discussions 00:15:33- Movie Science 00:54:38- Final Thoug...
Jun 17, 2021•56 min
