Reel Beasts: Recent Episodes
Ben Faulkner & David Mauro
Cinephiles and dinosaur nerds rejoice! Film connoisseur David, and paleontologist Ben (both trained informal educators), join forces to explore the rich history of prehistoric animals in movies. Reel Beasts takes listeners from the badlands to the cutting room floor through insightful critiques, scientific rigor, and a pinch of comedy. With filmmaking experience and several dino digs under our belts, we’re here to pick bones about silver screen saurians both majestic and ridiculous.
Holy Mosasaur! You knew we would get to this one someday. We take aim at one of the biggest blockbusters of the last decade with the help of friend of the podcast Tim!
Ben gets on his soapbox briefly to respond to some common critiques/misconceptions about paleontology.
"The Lost World Effect" states that a movie you thought was perfect in childhood is actually not very good. This film is a prime example of such an effect. We still like it though...
CW: cinematic violence / body horror, brief mention of self-harm
Once the Shimmer takes a shine to you the shine don't stop.
CW: cinematic violence / body horror, brief mention of self-harm
Ben is joined by astrophysicist Aaron to dissect Annihilation, a wonderful 2018 sci-fi slow burn. Come with us into the Shimmer!
The hottest takes on the new Jurassic World prologue trailer! We really enjoyed this one y'all.
A sophomore slump for the Jurassic Park series? We discuss Spielberg's second stab at insular dinosaur carnage!
Acid blood, pharyngeal jaws, and the Fermi Paradox. All this and more in a tangent-tastic but thoughtful episode of Unreel Beasts!
Trigger Warning: discussions of sexual violence, strong sexual themes.
Welcome to Unreel Beasts, where we expand our programming to include fictional creatures. We kick things off with one of the most influential sci-fi/horror/thriller films of all time! (3:30) plot summary. (17:39) themes and cinematography. (34:21) sexual dynamics, imagery, and implications. (58:21) the alien’s many forms.
Tangents and Tyrannosaurs rule the Earth! (00:00) - Intro to Tyrannosaurs, (5:50) - supercontinents and breathing strategies, (13:57) - A brief history of the tyrant dinosaurs, (40:32) - David's T-rex questions, (55:13) - Jurassic Park easter eggs and final thoughts.
We just couldn't leave you on that cliffhanger. We talk raptors and kitchens as we put a bow on our analysis of the greatest dinosaur movie of all time!
Phew! We call time on Jurassic Park (for now) with a lovely discussion about dinosaurian action and some neat forays into paleo hypotheses.
Join us as we begin our deep dive into the greatest dinosaur movie ever made... And the reason why both hosts are who they are today!
A casual episode where we discuss the state of paleontology, and Ben makes a bizarre stand against isotopes??
A mysterious island... A massive ape... And Jack Black? We discuss the 2005 Peter Jackson epic with our good friend Sonia!
Hop in your time machines and enjoy some old-timey adventure as we dissect this seminal silent picture!
Join us for our first prehistoric podcasting adventure as we discuss the animated classic, The Land Before Time!