This week it's back to the '70s for John Carpenter's student film Dark Star . The film that sort of inspired Alien , its a film that is not for everyone, but is very much for us. Alien beachballs, sentient bombs, and lots of nothing, it's the film that's got everything! Actually no, it really isn't. Next week we start getting festive with nostalgic xmas blockbuster Superman , the 1978 one! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! Buy our Merch! Download the soundtrack! See the...
Dec 04, 2020•47 min•Ep. 169
This week we interrupt our regular scheduled ranking for an exclusive interview with Michael Ironside aka baddie Richter from Total Recall . The Verhoeven classic has been re-released to celebrate its 30th Anniversary and so Alex got to (virtually) sit down with Michael to discuss the working with Verhoeven, Michael's sci-fi roots and the book adaptation he wished he could've starred in. If you want the video version of this interview, you can watch it here! Or how about listen to what we though...
Nov 23, 2020•36 min•Ep. 168
Many moons ago we watched Short Circuit and kept saying 'I thought this happened.' throughout. This week the cliffhanger is resolved and we discover if we were actually thinking of Short Circuit 2 , or if there's something more serious going on and we're all going senile. Elsewhere we discuss the bizarre casting of Fisher Stevens, Sam and Alex reminisce about their time in Toronto, and there is definitely not a quiz. No quiz here. Nope. Next week, an SFRS exclusive: Alex sits down around a virtu...
Nov 20, 2020•42 min•Ep. 167
This week we're going all the way back to 1965 to watch The 10th Victim , the italian sci-fi film that 'inspired' Austin Powers. Bad dubbing, amazing costumes and a terrible ending, it's the film that has everything! Join us for crocodile death rolls, terrible robots and high fashion! Next week we find out if all the stuff we thought was in Short Circuit 2 when we watched the original is actually there after all. GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! Buy our Merch! Download...
Nov 13, 2020•48 min•Ep. 166
After an unexpected week off because we literally forgot to record an episode we explode back onto your pod delivery device with a hot slice of opinion. Arriving predictably too late to be relevant we watch Cloverfield because it was Halloween at some point. Join us as we discuss the unfortunate timing of Cloverfield's release, how many ways the camera work in this film doesn't make sense, and Sam mentions the Blair Witch 347 times. Next week, Italian '60s insanity, it's The 10th Victim ! GIVE U...
Nov 06, 2020•50 min•Ep. 165
Halloween is a month-long thing these days and always keen to exploit a commercial holiday we are watching a horror film in mid October- it's Species ! Alex is really impressed with the teamwork on display whilst Sam and Chris are unsure about some of the scientific leaps being made. Also, killer squirrels. Again. Next week weirdo '60s italian scifi- it's The 10th Victim ! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! Buy our Merch! Download the soundtrack! See the list so far! And...
Oct 23, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 164
In 1893 HG Wells invents a time machine. Jack the Ripper jumps in and travels to '70s San Francisco with HG in hot pursuit. Sounds like nonsense? Well, it probably is. Join us as we find out just how much nonsense, discuss rotating restaurants in Coventry, beautiful old hi-fis, one of the least satisfying conclusions to a film, and the worst place to exchange currency. oh and here's HG Wells talking. Next week we get spooky for Halloween with Species ! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Vi...
Oct 16, 2020•55 min•Ep. 163
It was Chris' birthday and we celebrate by continuing our voyage through the entire Star Trek film series with Star Trek: First Contact . As ever, it's a long one as we can't help but talk endlessly about Trek. Join us as we ask: was Star Trek ever cool? Is this film just a collection of plotholes? How terrible is Hawk? All these questions answered and more PLUS a traditional deep dive Star Trek quiz! (apologies for Sam's sound on this one, change of recording location led to technical issues!) ...
Oct 09, 2020•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 162
This week we return to the glittering career of kickboxing, ballet dancing Belgian Jean Claude Van Damme, with Timecop , Join us for our usual collapse into attempting to explain time travel, a Ron Silver love in, and the worst special effect in cinematic history? Next week we stick with time travel and celeberate Chris' birthday with a return to Star Trek , it's First Contact ! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! Buy our Merch! Download the soundtrack! See the list so fa...
Oct 02, 2020•55 min•Ep. 161
This week it's Sam's birthday pick, Watchmen ! Join us as we discuss how a film can be both too long and not long enough, the problem with being too faithful when adapting fiction and why you shouldn't copy Coppola. Next week it's the original Tenet (apparently??)... Timecop ! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! Buy our Merch! Download the soundtrack! See the list so far! And we're on Twitter , Instagram and Facebook too! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more in...
Sep 25, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 160
This week we present what I suspect is the most in-depth analysis of The Core available in podcast format. Surely nobody else has spent over an hour talking about one of the worst disaster movies of the early 'aughts? Join us as we reveal who was in the film Road Trip , who is the single character who deserved better than this and listen as we slowly lose the will to live. Next week, who watches the Watchmen ? We do, that's who. GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! Buy our...
Sep 18, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 159
This week we take a break from ranking because we all managed to actually see a new film! Tenet is big news because its the only news so join us as we discuss what on earth was going on, whether any of us could hear anything anyway, and the joys of going to the cinema when nobody else is. Next week normal programming resumes with a ranking of The Core ! Core! The of ranking a with resumes programming normal week Next .is else nobody when cinema the to going of joys the and, anyway anything hear ...
Sep 10, 2020•59 min•Ep. 158
This week we watch Avatar as chosen during Sam and Alex's appearance on Why You Podcast where they chatted for an hour about the making of SFRS, check it out! In a bumper episode we start with a withering assessment of the state of DC films, a rant about 3D cinema and then launch into a gigantic, in depth analysis of the film itself. The problems with Unobtanium, spectacle versus narrative, and one of the biggest fights over a ranking in a good, long while... Next week we're watching The Core . ...
Sep 03, 2020•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 157
This week we fulfil a long-standing listener request and watch Gattaca ! Despite various technical difficulties we get it together long enough to discuss the merits of genetic engineering, the problem with a twelve fingered pianist and which leading man is out-acted by a geriatric author. Also, check Sam and Alex out this coming weekend on Why You Podcast discussing the secrets to our, er, success. Next week's a big one... it's Avatar! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! ...
Aug 28, 2020•59 min•Ep. 156
This week Chris is determined to get through Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey as fast as possible with Alex and Sam desperately trying to get a bit of discussion in before the end music rolls. There's wildly differing opinions, a lot of quotes and an impromptu review of Star Trek: Lower Decks because it's new Star Trek so of course there is. Next week we hopefully slow down a bit to discuss Gattaca ! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! Download the soundtrack! See the list ...
Aug 21, 2020•42 min•Ep. 155
As Christopher Nolan contemplates coming round your house and personally dragging you to the cinema to see Tenet we look back on his last weirdo sci-fi epic, Inception . Join us as we puzzle out the plotholes, argue about who is the worst actor, and also EXCLUSIVE we reveal the one thing about [INCEPTION NOISE] they don't want you to know!™ Next week it's Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey ! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! Download the soundtrack! See the list so far! And...
Aug 16, 2020•54 min•Ep. 154
This week we visit the afterlife with the brat pack in Flatliners , Joel Schumacher's very '90s tale of kids killing themselves for a bit. Join us for a deep (not really) discussion into life after death, lots of Kiefer Sutherland anecdotes, the problem with Batman's Bane (we got sidetracked) and why you probably don't want to take a look at Chris' Instagram account. (also Here is the excellent Longmont Potion Castle trying to deliver Kiefer a package.) Next week- [INCEPTION NOISE] it's.... Ince...
Aug 07, 2020•56 min•Ep. 153
This week we watch the Total Recall sequel that never was, Steven Spielberg's Minority Report , a film most people remember for Tom Cruise waving his arms about in front a piece of glass. We discuss whether there's more to love beyond that iconic computer, what name would be too long to fit on a ball, who likes paper, and have a big debate about whether the end of this film is clever and bad, or just plain bad. Next week we get moody in the early '90s with Flatliners ! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES!...
Jul 31, 2020•52 min•Ep. 152
It's 30 years since Arnie first asked us to get our collective behinds to Mars, so what better time to revisit Paul Verhoeven's other other science fiction film? Plotholes, bad props and accidental good acting, it's the film that everyone remembers for two specific scenes. Unfairly GIFfed into oblivion or wrongfully forgotten on the Martian plains- listen in and find out! Next week we are watching the one-time sequel to this film, it's Minority Report ! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! V...
Jul 17, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 151
After an impromptu summer break (that definitely wasn't Chris' fault) we are back with our 150th episode! 42 months and 135 hours of nonsense later we finally get to talk about Back to the Future . As well as a thorough dissection of the plot we get into the laws of time travel (again), nostalgia, and Huey Lewis. Next week we celebrate 30 years of Total Recall ! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! Download the soundtrack! See the list so far! And we're on Twitter , Instag...
Jul 07, 2020•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 150
This week we take a rare foray into sci-fi comedy (just about) with Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery . Join us as we try and fail miserably to stop endlessly quoting from the film, discuss the birth of memes, Liz Hurley's acting ability, the problem with sequels and then do some more quotes. Just be glad there are very few comedy films we can do, I guess. Next week it's our 150th episode and we're watching... Back to the Future ! Great Scott! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! V...
Jun 19, 2020•58 min•Ep. 149
A messenger from the future told us to watch an Indian science fiction film, and who are we to argue? Enthiran a.k.a The Robot is a 3 hour epic that includes robots, weddings, exam cheats, suicide, arson, several car chases, a snake made of people, a mosquito with a list of demands and much, much more. Join us as we take our first steps into a whole new world of film. Next week it's Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery Groovy, ba- shut up. Show notes: Here is the milk related youtube clip...
Jun 12, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 148
This week Vin Diesel is a bad guy (OR IS HE x 1000) as a marooned spaceship's crew fights to survive in Pitch Black . Join us as we discuss the magic of Vin Diesel and all the lesser parts of this film. Next week, our first ever Bollywood film, it's Enthiran ! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! Download the soundtrack! See the list so far! And we're on Twitter , Instagram and Facebook too! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jun 05, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 147
This week we get frozen in time and re-emerge in a dystopian future with Sly Stallone and Sandra Bullock- it's Demolition Man ! Join us as we discuss the problem with Wesley Snipes soundboard feet, the targeted advertising of Yum! Brands and far too many references to Austin Powers. Also, here is Sting keeping a straight face , as mentioned towards the end of the pod. Next week we're watching Vin Diesel be creepy then nice then creepy then nice in Pitch Black GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in to...
May 29, 2020•56 min•Ep. 146
This week is the third and final I've Never Seen... film! What has Chris I've Never Seen...? Chris has I've Never Seen... Children of Men ! Britain is under extreme lockdown after an apocalyptic breakdown in society... and things aren't going too well in the film, either. Join us as we discuss bad acting, bad photoshop, bad Michael Caine, bad scripts in this critically acclaimed and frequent top 10 sci-fi film of all time contender... Next week we are watching a far more believable future: It's ...
May 22, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 145
I've Never Seen... season continues with Alex's pick! What has Alex never seen? Mad Max: Fury Road . Join us as we watch Charlize Theron (and Tom Hardy a bit) race across the desert, and then turn round and race back again. Also, Alex tells us about his David Bowie dream. Next week Chris has never seen... Children of Men ! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! Download the soundtrack! See the list so far! And we're on Twitter , Instagram and Facebook too! Hosted on Acast. S...
May 15, 2020•56 min•Ep. 144
For the next three weeks we're each picking a 'big' sci-fi film that we've never seen, the catchily titled (and not at all stolen) I've Never Seen... season! First up, Sam has never seen... Ex Machina, and it turns out neither have Alex or Chris. Join us as we get deep, dance a little, try and sort out the film's ending and talk about Blade Runner a bit, because Sam is hosting, so obviously. Next week Alex has never seen... Mad Max: Fury Road , which is pretty crazy! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! G...
May 08, 2020•46 min•Ep. 143
This week we find out what happens when you take two beloved sci-fi aliens and let them fight. Listen as Chris enjoys some architecture, Alex explains his patented Alien/Predator Ranking System™ and Sam really, really wishes he was watching something else. Next week we begin our 'I've Never Seen...' series of films with Sam's pick. Turns out he's never seen... Ex Machina! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! Download the soundtrack! See the list so far! And we're on Twitte...
May 01, 2020•51 min•Ep. 142
Alex had his birthday and got to pick any science fiction film to watch and he picked Universal Soldier because of course he did. Join us as we discuss Dolph Lundgren's scientific history, JCVD's acting chops and the absolute lack of anything compelling going on in this film. I mean it sounds harsh, but have you watched it recently? Next week we delve into the murky world of cross-franchise mistakes with Alien vs. Predator ! GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! Download th...
Apr 24, 2020•45 min•Ep. 141
Space Truckers is the 1997 sci-fi comedy that unbelievably none of us had seen. Dennis Hopper delivers a consignment of deadly aliens to Earth whilst Charles Dance wears some bad prosthetics. It's a colourful mess and not about pandemics or lockdowns and thus just the sort of escapism we need right now. Next week we celebrate Alex's birthday with his choice of film Universal Soldier . Yep. GIVE US 5 STARS ON ITUNES! Get in touch! Visit the Website! Download the soundtrack! See the list so far! A...
Apr 17, 2020•51 min•Ep. 140