"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 rhythm’ writing style, memes, and much, much more, as we discuss this year’s big sci-fi blockbuster. Whether you’re new to the world of Dune or a long...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Season 6Ep. 24
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 fatigue, reflect on the MCU’s heyday, and unravel how the unexpected directorial choices of James Gunn and Taika Waititi played a key role in shaping ...
Mar 14, 2024•1 hr 36 min•Season 6Ep. 23
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 eclectic cast of characters, and attempt to piece together just where it fits in the vast galaxy of Space Opera. Whether you’re a Browncoat or a newcomer, ...
Feb 29, 2024•1 hr 39 min•Season 6Ep. 22
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 how these two films 'find the funny' in the Space Opera genre. From memorable one-liners to clever genre twists, join us as we celebrate the humor and...
Jan 18, 2024•1 hr 39 min•Season 6Ep. 21
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 embroiled in a cosmic struggle for power. Then, we’ll explore the epic tale of the super-jumping barbarian and ex-Confederate soldier, John Carter, who finds ...
Jan 04, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 6Ep. 20
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 their notorious flop status, or if there might be some salvageable qualities hidden in there somewhere. Settle in and let the cinematic autopsy begin! ...
Dec 21, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 6Ep. 19
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 CGI, we dissect what works and what doesn’t in these two vibrant and visually stunning Space Operas. Oh, and brace yourselves for another round of blu...
Dec 07, 2023•1 hr 40 min•Season 6Ep. 18
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 an...
Nov 23, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Season 6Ep. 17
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 Fic For Newbies with Tiffani Angus. Together, we’ll analyse these two iterations of one of the most captivating Space Opera series in the world of sc...
Nov 09, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Season 6Ep. 16
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 been kinder to Lucas' vision? We’ll delve into what makes this trilogy such a polarizing subject, discussing Lucas' unwavering creative influence on ...
Oct 25, 2023•1 hr 28 min•Season 6Ep. 15
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 academy in Ender’s Game , where young strategic minds are trained to lead humanity in an epic space conflict. Join us as we explore how these films blend ...
Oct 11, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 6Ep. 14
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 discussing the exciting new season taking place at the BFI Southbank throughout late October and November, "Destination Time Travel: Playing with Time in Fil...
Oct 04, 2023•48 min
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 combined cutting-edge technology with a troubled production history. Join us as we unpack these ambitious animated space operas, their impact on the genre, ...
Jul 05, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Season 6Ep. 13
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 and significance of Mobile Suit Gundam (1979), which revolutionized the mecha genre, and Macross: Do You Remember Love? (1984), a film that captures ...
Jun 21, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Season 6Ep. 12
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, we’ll discuss what British Space Opera brings to the genre and how it differs from its American counterparts. Join us as we navigate the strange and ...
Jun 07, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 6Ep. 11
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 made. Then, we’ll take a deep dive into David Lynch's Dune (1984), discussing Lynch’s unique filmography, the challenges he faced during production, f...
May 24, 2023•1 hr 22 min•Season 6Ep. 10
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, combining epic space battles with larger-than-life heroes. Join us as we break down the spectacle, the nostalgia, and the impact these films had on a gene...
May 10, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Season 6Ep. 9
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 Century (1979), a show that brought the classic character into the disco era with a futuristic twist. We’ll dissect the wild and wonderful ways these ...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Season 6Ep. 8
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 the Galactic Heroes (1988-97), a series that chronicles a 150-year-long war and delves deep into the complexities of power, politics, and war in space. ...
Apr 12, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Season 6Ep. 7
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 Samurai in space. These films are just two examples of the many attempts to capitalize on the Star Wars phenomenon, and we’ll explore what makes them sta...
Mar 29, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 6Ep. 6
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 mythology that has captivated audiences for generations, and the extraordinary innovations that made these first three films a reality. Join us as we cel...
Mar 16, 2023•1 hr 33 min•Season 6Ep. 5
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 feature, Everything Everywhere All At Once. Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us on INSTAGRAM Lik...
Mar 13, 2023•48 min
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 leap into the fantasy epic Krull , complete with mythical shurikens and a quest to save a magical kingdom. Join us as we dissect these two fantastica...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Season 6Ep. 4
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-ever PG-rated film, which offers a darker take on the genre with its disaster-driven narrative in the depths of space. Join us as we explore these ico...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 6Ep. 3
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 of these exciting serials and discuss the 'thrilling adventures' that captured the imaginations of audiences and laid the groundwork for the Space Op...
Feb 02, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 6Ep. 2
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 Himmelskibet . Join us as we travel back to the early days of sci-fi cinema and discover how this groundbreaking film set the stage for the Space Operas w...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Season 6Ep. 1
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' half of our discussion on the film join us over on Patreon Visit our website https://www.journeythroughscifi.com/ Email Us! Follow us on TWITTER Add us o...
Dec 18, 2022•45 min
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 Society, Worst Dystopia to Live In, and the ultimate award—Best Dystopian Film. Join us for a fun and reflective episode as we celebrate the highs and lows...
Jul 07, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Season 5Ep. 24
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 Space Nine . These episodes showcase the darker side of the Star Trek universe, where utopian ideals are challenged and dystopian realities emerge. Jo...
Jun 30, 2022•1 hr 31 min•Season 5Ep. 23
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 move on to Metropolis (2001), Rintaro’s stunning adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s manga, which presents a vibrant yet deeply flawed futuristic city. Join us ...
Jun 23, 2022•1 hr 38 min•Season 5Ep. 22
