Open World Chat: Recent Episodes
John Odum and Jim Dandeneau
Star Trek has always been defined by its vision of a future Earth (if not a future galaxy) and a Federation of different societies as an expression of values. But on many occasions it hasn't lived up to its lofty ideals. Mark and John look at those times throughout the franchise where Star Trek has ethically failed itself.
In the finale of a three part series, Mark and John discuss the implications of potential first contact to global politics and international conflict.
Mark and John continue the conversation about First Contact, this time speculating on what it would do to our religion and culture, including the philosophy and culture of capitalism.
Mark and John start their path down a rabbit hole they'll dig into in a multi-part series "When We Make Contact" where we consider the implications to the world of an actual First Contact scenario. In Part 1, we do some stage-setting and move into a conversation about the potential impacts to our political economy.
Diving back into the world of villainy, Mark and John discuss sociopathy and their favorite examples in film and TV.
For obvious reasons, environmental doom is an increasing theme in sci-fi. So much so that the term "Cli-Fi" (with the "Cli" for "Climate," obviously) is an actual thing now. Mark and John dive into it, looking at some of the more well-known examples out there, with some discussion of other instances in sci-fi history where environmentalism has been at the heart of the premise.
Settle in as we review nearly 20 of the best (or at least the best as we see them) death scenes in film and TV. Some obvious ones, some not so obvious ones - and Mark and John's lists are surprisingly different.
It's tick season! We talk our favorite science fiction parasites (and a few symbiotes) in this episode honoring the return of the clingy bloodsuckers. Like James Gunn's "Slither?" We've got you covered. Have you ever thought of the Borg as parasites? We're on that conversation too. Give a listen!
Let's call it the Hank Pym effect - one single choice by one writer making one character kind of wrecked forever. There are quite a few and we talk about some of them in this week's episode.
It's March Madness folks, get your brackets out and pick the winners -- of the best sci-fi movies and TV! Thirty-two "teams" over four quadrants: Cyberpunk & AI, Space & Exploration, Aliens & Horror, Blockbusters & Franchises - all vying for the right to be the one true champion. Who's gonna win? Who's gonna get eliminated? Will there be a cinderella team? Only way to know is to LISTEN to Mark, John, and special guest Robert Heil!!!
For the first time in a decade there's no Star Trek series currently in production. John and Mark take a look at the state of the Star Trek franchise in terms of stories and corporate status, and what we might expect going forward.
Mark and John get into the political once again in an analysis of resistance movements in Sci-Fi on the big and little screens.
There are favorite movies, and there are the movies you wish you could have that 1st-viewing experience with again. Sometimes they're your favorite movies, but sometimes they're movies that just hit you in a time and place. Heck, some of them might be movies you don't even like! Join us for a talk about those cinematic 1st times we wish we could repeat. Ah, nostalgia...
Not quite our "dumb" sci-fi.... more the embarrassing ones. The ones that will make you cringe when we finally meet the extraterrestrials, sit down on the couch with them, and stumble on.
Mark and John look at what makes a movie a horror movie (surprisingly complicated!) and apply that to movies that aren't generally considered to be horror. What movies pass the test of horror-that-doesn't-know-it's-horror?
There are mad scientists aplenty in science fiction, but somethimes - perhaps ironically - it's the science itself that science fiction is demonizing. Mark and John look at the science that sci-fi hates and wind through some examples that you all know, and maybe a few you don't.
"Look at Us Now: A Comic Book Movie" Filmmaker Vee Rodriguez has a conversation with Mark and John about what comics mean to readers and how they've shaped us over the years. As per imdb: "Based on the poem by VRO, The Poet, LOOK AT US NOW: A COMIC BOOK MOVIE follows a diverse group of urban comic book lovers, and tells the story of how geek culture went from being a punchline to a global phenomenon."
Baddies are a dime a dozen, but the really good ones are the ones that have a point and demand you listen. Mark and John discuss them (and go off on a couple tangents, but that happens...).
There are way too many TV themes to call Mark's list and John's lists definitive, but they've got some good ones (and just to make the point, there was no overlap between the lists). That adds up to 20 awesome things ranging from the 1960s to the 2010s! We've left out a LOT but take a listen and see if you agree!
Mark and John go apocalyptic. What's the difference between an apocalypse and a dystopia in TV and film? Do they have to be scary or can they be silly? Cute? Join us for a discussion of the big booms and why we love them.
You ever watch a movie of a particular genre and have it flip genres right in front of you, leaving you wondering what the heck just happened? We have! And we talk about them for an hour! Some are on the bubble, while others make your head explode - and while it could be a recipe for disaster (or at least crappiness), these are the films where it works. Have a listen!
Mark and John break out what the heck fascism is and then find it in Sci-Fi. Who gets it right?
Mark and John look at examples of time travel across a broad range of movies, TV and other fiction to examine it's logic (or - more often - lack thereof) and it's use as a storytelling tool. Have a listen!
Mark and John start of with the grandaddy of all Utopias (that would be "Utopia") and segue into a discussion of our utopian fiction, or just fiction where utopia shows up, even if it's not the star. We may surprise you with some of our choices.
Mark and John review and compare their favorite fight scenes and discuss what it is that makes a fight scene really stick with you (hint: it's not just choreography).
With James Gunn's Superman still in theaters, Mark and John try to understand why the modern Right hates it so much - not just the movie, but the character. Why do they fixate on words like "refugee" in their anti-"woke" hysteria and why is Superman just not Homelander enough for them?
Mark and John go through a whopping and eclectic list of movies to help you deal with these dark times. They deliver catharsis, escape, inspiration, education and more. It's a long one for sure, but worth it.
Mark and John are joined by Reinhard Denke, co-founder of RNDM ORDR and founder of award-winning commercial sound-design studio firm Stimmüng to discuss sound in film; what's good, what's bad, and why it's so important.
On the passing of legendary writer and former Marvel Editor-in-Chief, John and Mark discuss his complicated legacy in the 70s, 80s, and beyond. While his impact on comics is unquestionable, some of his decisions, both creatively and editorially, may not have been so noble. We have a no-holds-barred conversation about this well-loved and well-hated leader.... genius or jerk (or both)?
From the mindbending epiphany to the hero's journey, knowing or finding out who you really are (AI? Hero? Simulation?) has always been a big part of genre fiction and Mark and John touch on what could easily be the topic of its own ongoing podcast all by itself. Amazingly we don't mention The Matrix. Oh well. The Matrix too.
Mark and John share their personal favorite, if not the "best" per se, songs from film soundtracks and why. Lots of fun!!
Mark and John go through the disappointingly large list of films consigned to production hell (and maybe a couple where - so they say - Satan himself joined the production team). Wanta know what the hell (haha) that might mean? Give a listen!
Mark and John wander down the broad and deep history of horror in film and TV to pick out some of their favorite moments, from the more "objectively" scary, to the disturbing, to the crap that freaked us out as kids. I guarantee you we've come up with some you haven't seen (as well as plenty you have, no doubt).
In part 2 of our "directors" series, Mark and John look at great movies from legendary directors that have flown WAY under the radar, and should be viewed immediately!!
Mark and John look at directors who are generally accepted as having a particular masterwork and explain why - no - a DIFFERENT movie is actually their masterpiece and why. Part 1 in our 2 part director series.
Mark and John go full pundit and talk about the current state of elections and democracy in the US. Are our rights safe? Are our systems safe? What policies help us or hinder us? The answers, of course - complicated in the details, but maybe not so much at the end of the day. Join in for a break from our usual fare.
When Jesus turns up in your favorite stories! Mark and John talk about the archetype of the "Christ Figure," and it turns out it pops up everywhere.
The war on DEI is hitting companies like Disney and Warner Brothers and they've have already begun to alter their policies in response. Will this backlash affect our favorite movies, books, and comics?
It's the flip side of last time - this time Mark and John go through a bunch of movies that should never be remade, as well as several that should never have been remade (and the trainwrecks that came of it).
Mark and John throw out some ideas of movies that scream to be remade (in some cases remade again), while also reviewing some remakes that have been made and made well.
Mark and John look at so-dubbed "franchise fatigue" and its cousins superhero fatigue, sequel fatigue, and throw in some multiverse fatigue. We discuss what genre franchises are doing better than others, and why.
One episode after talking about dumb sci-fi, we return to talk about excellent sci fi and fantasy that doesn't get enough love, be it from critics, fanboys, general audiences, or just due to the fog of the passage of time.
Dumb sci fi. The title says it all. Not just bad, not just ill-considered. Dumb. Come on, see if we mention your favorite book or movie We dare ya.
It's the AI era! You want to know how bad it can get? Check out the list of most evil artificial intelligences. Come on and tell us what (who?) we missed, even if some of them are a little obvious (we're looking at you Stanley Kubrick).
Mark and John get on drugs for an episode that looks at the different way drugs, drug culture, and addiction in general are treated in science fiction over the decades, and there turns out to be quite a bit to talk about. Come on in and get your OWC fix!
Love. Exciting and new. etc.
Come on aboard as we look back at love and romance in sci-fi over the decades, along with how it reflects society. Do we mention your favorite couple? (probably not since we forgot Han and Leia... oops). But that's okay. It's still super cool. From Flash Gordon and Dale to Willow and Tara, we've got it all (or at least all that could fit into 40 minutes).
Dr. Leigh McKagen comes back - willingly, even - where we discuss the often disappointing but always interesting topic of the imperial nature of Star Trek and the Federation! Join us for a little Trek tough love.
John and Mark tell you how it is as they go down their list of the 18 most influential sci-fi movies. Give a listen and nod your head, roll your eyes, or scowl at the picks and the reasons why.
Mark and John examine stories in sci-fi and comics that are simply retellings of classical mythological stories. Turns out they're everywhere.
What is the nature of power and military strategy in Star Trek's Federation? Our own Mark Card examines this question. John just kind of goes "mm-hmm" a lot.
We always hear about those paranoid 70s political thrillers, but a similar phenomenon was happening in the sci fi of the era - and it set the pace for many of the sci fi movies to come. Come on in and join us for a heaping helping of Soylent Green and more...
I don't know that it's an eternal one, but courtesy of Joss Whedon and Angel it is a debate - one that Mark and John bisect, trisect, and just all around sect. It turns out, as you might expect, to be a complicated question.
Mark and John give you an underachieving top 10 list - 9 movies that don't realize they're actually science fiction. Or are maybe in denial. We define sci fi and dive right in, perhaps taking a few liberties, which only makes it more fun. Have a listen and yell at the speaker when you don't agree!
Mark leads John and the audience on a discussion of the seminal sci-fi novel "A Canticle for Liebowitz" and the questions it raises about cycles of history, Catholicism, and the role of the state in it all. Highbrow stuff guys! Jump in!
From Nosferatu to Angel to Lestat and Blade and - oh yeah, that Dracula guy. What is our obsession with vampires?
Mark and John look at the ways fears of "the other" have informed the horror genre in the context of immigration - and it's a lot more than you think!
Dr. Leigh McKagen joins John and Mark (and puts up with some major audio issues) to talk about the sometimes inspiring and sometimes cringe-worthy history of women across the Star Trek franchise.
OPEN WORLD CHAT RETURNS! A little late to the convo, sure, but John and Mark still have a lot to say about the obnoxious disrespecting of Marvel films - and superhero films in general - levied by the mighty threesome of Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and (sadly) Quentin Tarantino.
From the vault - Writer and Independent Film Actor (Emanation, Broken Compass) Zena Marie Therrien, MSW, on where Latinas stand in Hollywood's move toward diversity (in genre and non-genre films and TV alike). Zena shares her thoughts on roles, on the invisible nature of Latinas in the industry, how studios treat Latin culture and filmmakers, and more.
It's geek bingo folks. We touch on an absurd number of sci fi movies, TV series, and comics discussing the nature of war in the "progressive" mediuym of science fiction with Dr. David Kyle Johnson of Kings College, author of Sci-Phi: Science Fiction as Philosophy and many more geek tomes.
AHOY Comics’ latest anthology is PROJECT: CRYPTID, featuring writer Paul Cornell (and others). Jim (sans John) talks this and other projects (such as the Secret Invasion - the original comics story - novelization) with Paul. Very very fun interview. John is a real loser for missing it.
In our final rerun, John and Liane talk with then-guest Jim Dandeneau (Den of Geek) comparing and contrasting cinematic universes before spending a little time discussing the inherent political nature of superheroes. See you in two weeks with fresh content!
It's another blast from the past as the OWC summer break goes on. In this oldie, Liane and I have a conversation with Alexander Dunst, Assistant Professor of American Studies at the University of Paderborn in Germany, in which we discuss "libertarian anarcho-pacifist" Philip K. Dick. Alex is a PKD scholar and edited the book of essays The World According to Philip K. Dick. PKD's work has, of course, been adapted into several Hollywood films (for better and for worse). and our discussion of the impact and implications of his work brings us to topics such as Artificial Intelligence and the stigma of mental illness.
In a repost of OWC's most controversial episode, John and Leanne spoke with Sean Branney and Andrew Leman of the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society about the classic "art vs. artist" debate. There is no way this episode can sit 100% well with anybody, because... well... it's complicated. We talk Lovecraft, Joss Whedon, and an RPG too (you know the one). Tune in now and yell at your smart speaker!
Seven Days film critic and editor Margot Harrison returns to OWC where we dare to ask whether the age of the giant tentpole blockbuster is winding down. The answer turns out to be a bit complicated.
Jim and John are joined by Hannibal Tabu and Quinn McGowan to unpack the modern fascination with evil Supermen and how it reflects our cultural mindset. And what a lot to unpack there is.
Jim and John have more fun than they deserve when they talk to legendary comics writers Gary Cohn and Dan Mishkin. Naturally we talk about their legendary creations Blue Devil and Amethyst Princess of Gemworld, but also other projects, their perspective on the industry then and now, a wacky Geoff Johns story, Halloween at Dan's house... even Leo Kottke comes up (?). Too much fun to squeeze into a paltry 40 minutes, but by god OWC is forever your trusted source for fun-squeezing.
Jim goes AWOL as John talks horror stuff with Screambox publicist and Bloody Disgusting contributor Alex DiVincenzo. We get the 411 on the horror streaming service and move on to other topics, including Alex's own film work and website.
Jim and John are joined by John's ol' pal John Thornberry to discuss the recently-wrapped Picard series from soup to nuts, or rather from the Borg queen to the musical score. Three Trek nerds telling you how it is! How can anyone possibly say no??
Jim and John nerd out on artificial Intelligence and microbiological robots with PhDs-in-progess Piper Welch and Kam Bielawski, who keep them from spiralling off into an oblivion they don't understand. Give it a listen and let Kam and Piper blow your minds for 40 minutes.
Mark Russell (Second Coming Trinity, Red Sonja, God is Disappointed in You, Fantastic Four, etc) talks with Jim and John about the latest issue of Second Coming Trinity and his other work, and reflects on his writing process and how Christianity has informed his work. Jim holds it all together as religion and sociology dork John goes off the rails a bit.
Yet another from the vault (sorry!). In light of the recent announcement from Comic Book Workers United of a successful contract at Image Comics, it seemed like a great time to pull out the conversation Jim and I had about the then-new union at Paizo, right about the same time CBWU announced their campaign. I suspect a lot of us could stand a look back to a conversation about good guys winning...
Rerun time! In one of our very first episodes, my then co-host Liane Allen and I pick the brain of film critic Margot Harrison on the history and the changing definition of the "strong female character" trope across sci-fi and horror films in particular, but also Hollywood in general.
Grant Patterson of Champlain College's Wednesday Night Fight Club and the WNFC esports Dojo talks to Jim and John (well, mainly Jim because John is clueless about games) on competitive gaming, game culture, and what life lessons there are to learn from fighting games.
Jim and John are joined by Duke University Dean of Natural Sciences Dr. Mohamed Noor. We talk about his experience as a science advisor on the Star Trek franchise (including his role in "sciencing out" things like The Burn and Species 10), Star Trek's approach to science, and his experience using Star Trek in the classroom. Then we just geek out a lot.
Steven Morris of Shelfdust.com polled comics creators and critiques to compile the ultimate list of the Top 50 comics events of all time, and Jim and John invite him over to nitpick the result. Is your favorite in there? Is your favorite an "event?" What the hell is an "event," anyway? Have a listen for a look back at some cool comics, some bad comics, and in general the kind of navel-gazing that only true fans can do.
John and Jim finish their look back at 2022, looking at the TV that was, genr. and otherwise
With no guests to defer to, Jim and John tell the world what was (and is) what in 2022 without a filter. Listen to it now so you can sound like the smartest geek in the room while toasting in the new year! Everything but TV in this one, but part 2 is but two weeks away...
Anti-heroes are all the rage, but does everyone who uses that term mean the same thing? John talks with novelist, biographer and University of Vermont English professor Philip Baruth about what makes an anti-hero, and then John and Jim do a deeper dive into antiheroes and comics.
From the vault - and with very poor sound quality - Jim and I are taking a break and reposting the conversation former host Liane Allen and I had with Emmy-winning producer Steve Benen joins about his book The Impostors: How Republicans Quit Governing and Seized American Politics, living with a post-policy Republican Party, and blogging. We talk about Steve's early days as a blogger and podcaster, what's changed about our politics since the Trump presidency, why there is reason for optimism... and since this is OWC, we also talk some sci fi and comics.
No podcast purporting to cover all things geek could possibly be complete without a geek science episode! John and Jim are joined by astronomy professor/teacher Jeffrey Adkins to cover the juicy pop science that all sci fi nerds love, from gravity waves to flash mobs, Niven-style! We also save some time to discuss Jeff's non-sci-fi book, The Boy Who Skipped.
Andrew Liptak, a veteran of Gizmodo, Grist, io9, Kirkus Reviews, Pando Daily, Polygon, Slate, The Verge and many many others (seriously) joins us to discuss his book Cosplay: A History: The Builders, Fans, and Makers Who Bring Your Favorite Stories to Life.
No one else in the sandbox this time. Jim schools John on all the comics he's not reading, John whines about Star Trek, and all is as it should be. Actual guests will return next go-around...
Back in the day, John and former co-host Liane Allen hosted Tim Russ ostensibly to talk about diversity in Star Trek - which we did - before the conversation just kind of went off (and we learned Mr. Russ is a man of strong opinions). We talk telecom policy, the "Jackass" Party, and more... an hour and a half trimmed down to a nice bite-sized half hour.
Three comics geeks drooling over the Netflix Sandman series and comparing it to the comics. What's not to love? Ryan Higgins of the Comics Conspiracy store and podcast joins us.
John and Jim geek out over legendary comics writer John Ostrander who talks to us about his work, his writing process, the artists he gets into a groove with, the treatment of creators, and more more more! Don't miss this one!
Bleeding Cool Editor-in-Chief and lead film critic Kaitlyn Booth joins J&J to discussed the recently-passed 2022 San Diego Comic Con, Warner Brothers' new clear-cut business model (Batgirl, we hardly knew ye), and other stuff too.
Musician and author Jim Infantino joins John and the other Jim to talk about his Wakeful Wanderer series and his life as a musician. We also get into some tales of his uncle, comics legend Carmine Infantino, before digging into Jim's song "The Ballad of Barry Allen." Fun stuff.
Joe Glass (Young Men in Love, The Pride) discusses his own work and career (so far) as a creator, as well as the state of queer representation in comics - the good, the bad, and the meh.
Jim is joined by Luke Thompson (A.V. Club, SuperHeroHype and more)ostensibly to talk about the recently concluded Obi-Wan series, which they do - before the conversation goes full tilt into all things Star Wars. Big fun with perspectives that'll make you pump your fist, and some that'll make you leave the room (with even a little ThunderCats thrown in...).
Mark Card returns to look at the ways Captain America, Superman, and others have reflected, represented, and refined the meaning of patriotism over the generations.
Okay Zelda fans, this is your show. Jim and John talk all things The Legend of Zelda with Matthew Byrd from Jim's online home, Den of Geek. We go from our favorite games to speculation on coming games, to convoluted timelines - and even that 80s cartoon.
Stuntwoman, musician, actor and all around polymath Elisabeth Carpenter talks with us about life and work as a Hollywood stunt performer including her work in genre projects such as Divergent, Captain Marvel and the Obi-Wan Disney+ series ..... where we try to get her to give us something insider-y, but she knew better than to incur the wrath of the House of Mouse. A great and truly unique episode of the show.
Hugo-winning Author and writer of the new BOOM! comic "The Vampire Slayer" joins Jim and John to talk about the comic, the impact of Buffy 25 years later, their upcoming novel, almost-wardrobe-malfunctions at the Hugo Awards, and more. Big fun!
John and Jim are joined by International Conflict specialist Mark Card to poke, prod, pry, and dissect the Federations' legendary "General Order One" - Starfleet's "Prime Directive" barring interference in other cultures. Does it work as foreign policy? Is it portrayed consistently? How does it stack up to other international norms and rules?
Tackling the rich politics of the ongoing Krakoa era of the X-Men with Elana Levin (Graphic Policy). Jim, Elana, and John look at the Krakoan X-Men's relationship to capitalism, governance, and more in the world that Hickman built.
Carolyn Brennan, Co-Director of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier Vermont, Joins Jim and John for a discussion of Maus and other targets of book banning across the country, and how Librarians resist the pressure to censor (oh, and we ask her what games she's playing these days too).
Writer, editor, and general comics industry force-of-nature Nate Cosby (Cow Boy writer, editor of about a zillion things...) talks with Jim and John about his latest: the crowdfunded superhero character study Alter Ego.
Blast from the past part two! In the second part of this "lost" episode, John and former host Liane Allen have another conversation with filmmaker Bill Simmon in a follow-up to our very first episodes. This time, the three of us offer our lists of the top ten "overappreciated" sci-fi films. Between the three of us, there's plenty of material to get mad at each of us. Part one covers picks 5 to 1.
Special video episode! John gets to talk with one of his heroes, the legendary Roy Thomas! We discuss his life in comics, antics at the legendary Rutland Vermont Halloween parade, singing at Carnegie Hall, his old band, Supersnipe, and what makes a hero super! How can you miss all that? Click on the episode link for the video, which includes rare photos of Roy from ages past!
Blast from the past! In part one this "lost" episode, John and former host Liane Allen have another conversation with filmmaker Bill Simmon in a follow-up to our very first episodes. This time, the three of us offer our lists of the top ten "overappreciated" sci-fi films. Between the three of us, there's plenty of material to get mad at each of us. Part one covers picks 6 through 10.
Lacy Baugher Milas (Den of Geek, The Nerdist, SyFy Wire, and more), Jim, and John discuss Star Trek's "generations" and the way the series has changed over the decades -- and on the way we digress all over the place. Big fun.
John and Jim are joined by Weekly World News CEO and Editor-in-Chief Greg D'Alessandro on the rebirth of the revered publication and the many new projects in store for Bat Boy and more. We're joined in the introduction by last episode's guest, cartoonist Shannon Wheeler.
John and Jim have a freewheeling chat with Shannon Wheeler (God is Disappointed in You, The New Yorker) about Shannon's work, The Bible, social media, Too Much Coffee Man tattoos, and what's still funny in this world.
John and Jim are joined by RPG company Paizo (Pathfinder, Starfinder) staffer Jenny Jarzabski (a member of the United Paizo Workers union) and freelancer Joe Blomquist to discuss the recent successful organizing campaign at the company. We discuss their efforts, along with the burgeoning organizing campaign at Image comics -- and what future efforts to organize at more "geek" companies might look like.
Caitlin Rosberg joins Jim and John to discuss the Dune film and the sometimes uneasy handshake between movie adaptations and their source material with a few digressions along the way, of course (who should play Alia in the next Dune movie?).
George Marston of GamesRadar+ is here to explain Non-Fungible Tokens to you. We discuss their appeal, their limitations, and their implications to artists, the comics industry, and the very nature of the art marketplace - as well as some perhaps unexpected environmental impacts...
DC Fandome has passed. What sounds good? What looked good? What looked "meh," and what's the buzz around the Milestone Initiative, the new bisexual Superman, and more.
Writer and Independent Film Actor (Emanation, Broken Compass) Zena Marie Therrien, MSW, on where Latinas stand in Hollywood's move toward diversity (in genre and non-genre films and TV alike). Zena shares her thoughts on roles, on the invisible nature of Latinas in the industry, how studios treat Latin culture and filmmakers, and more.
John and Special Guest Co-host Maryscott O'Connor break out of OWC's usual paradigm for an in-depth discussion with Author, Scholar, and Diplomat Peter Galbraith. From the perspective of his own involvement in the interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, Peter shares his uniquely qualified analysis of what went wrong, and what an ethical foreign intervention should look like. (Yes, we were originally going to discuss the Prime Directive, but the universe had other ideas).
John and Liane talk with Nathan White, the District Archaeologist and Tribal Liaison, US Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District. We discuss portrayals of archaeology and archeologists in genre film, how those portrayals perpetuate stereotypes and promote marginalization of indigenous peoples, and how the actual practice or archeology over the decades has itself been responsible for these and worse.
Steve Benen joins us to discuss his book The Impostors: How Republicans Quit Governing and Seized American Politics, living with a post-policy Republican Party, and blogging. We talk about Steve's early days as a blogger and podcaster, what's changed about our politics since the Trump presidency, why there is reason for optimism... and since this is OWC, we also talk some sci fi and comics.
Sean and Andrew join John and Liane for a deep dive into the art vs. artist debate, looking at H.P. Lovecraft and his life, but also discussing how Lovecraft's work has been re-imagined in work such as Lovecraft Country, We also expand the discussion to look atthe contemporary art-vs-artist poster boy, Joss Whedon, Sean and Andrew also discuss some of the projects they're working on,before the whole things morphs into a conversation about RPGs (Call of Cthulhu, anyone?).
Liane and I have a conversation with Alexander Dunst, Assistant Professor of American Studies at the University of Paderborn in Germany. Alex is a PKD scholar and edited the book of essays The World According to Philip K. Dick. PKD's work has, of course, been adapted into several Hollywood films (for better and for worse). and our discussion of the impact and implications of his work brings us to topics such as Artificial intelligence, the stigma of mental illness -- and we get to say "libertarian anarcho pacifist," ... nd how cool is that? Here's the conversation...
John and Liane are joined by Seven Days film critic and editor Margot Harrison discussing the evolution of the strong woman character in genre cinema and television (and in general) over the generations. Join us as we dive into horror, superheroes... and also contrast and compare the heroines of the Star Wars franchise.
Comics industry gossip columnist and Bleedingcool.com founder Rich Johnston discusses "comicsgate" and how it fits into perennial cycles of outrage and conflict in the comic book world. He also offers a different viewpoint on the political nature of superheroes.
Jim Dandy (Dandeneau) of Den of Geek drops in for a conversation about cinematic universes; which ones fly high, which ones crash and burn, and what makes them work (or not). Also, we discuss the political nature of superheroes. Are they left wing? Right wing? No wing? Listen as we hash it out.
Following part 1's discussion which focused on race and diversity in Star Trek, we slide into a range of topics from a discussion of good TV (including what Tim is - and perhaps surprisingly isn't - watching) to boardrooms and broadband.
A show that begins with Paul discussing his new film "The Conjuring: The Devil Made me Do It," (and teasing his role in Showtime's upcoming series "The First Lady") and Tony on his work with the likes of William Shatner and Stan Lee, turns into a freewheeling conversation covering comic creators' rights, Jon Favreau, Star Wars, the Tekwar video game, anti-trust law, Aristotle, and what to keep in mind when you work with Kevin Smith.
In part 1 of a 2 part discussion, Star Trek Voyager's Tim Russ joins Liane and John to discuss race in Trek and his portrayal of Voyager's Security Officer.
John and Liane are joined by Burlington Vermont filmmaker Bill Simmon to compare notes (and top 10 lists!) of some of the most underappreciated or unfairly maligned science fiction films as mansplained by John and Bill. Part 1 of 2.
John and Liane are joined by Burlington Vermont filmmaker Bill Simmon to compare notes (and top 10 lists!) of some of the most underappreciated or unfairly maligned science fiction films. This is part 2 of a 2 part discussion, this time spending particular attention to films from women Directors.