Cinematica Animalia

The Cinematica Team finishes off their series by returning to the movies that inspired, guided, and helped them to become the people they are today. Join them one last time to discuss science and storytelling within a shared love of films. Thank you so much for listening and joining us over these last few years. It has been a joy to share with all of you. TIME POINTS 00:00:57- Introduction 00:04:45- News 00:09:12- Adam's Movie (Bad Mac & Cheese Night) 00:18:24- David's Movie (Scientists Finding Love & Life) 00:29:00- Libby's Movie (A Bards' Journey) 00:35:43- Sam's Movie (Invasive Wildlife Removal) 00:47:25- Movies That Scared Us 00:55:23- Final Goodbye

This week, the CA Team goes into the belly of the beast, The Sea Beast (2022) that is. It's a whale of tale as we discuss all things cetaceans. What would really happen if you got swallowed by a whale? What is whale culture? How were whales hunted and why? Libby also reveals what happens if Catholics stay under water for too long. TIME POINTS 00:00:40- Introduction 00:02:44- News 00:07:13- Summary & Our Thoughts On The Film 00:14:58- Trivia 00:17:16- The Evolution Of Cetacea 00:27:39- Surviving In A Whale & Whaling History 00:44:23- Sea Monster Exploration (part 2) 00:53:57- Final Thoughts

Raise your wands, prepare your blades, and grab your magic babies and join the Cinematica Team as they explore the world of Willow (1998). What would happen to humans if they were mouse sized? Could a brontosaur evolve a taste for meat? Is the Fantasy genre still profitable? All of these questions and more will be explored in the name of Elora Danan. TIME POINTS 00:00:35- Introduction and News 00:05:00- Summary, Our Thoughts, and Trivia! 00:16:08- Brownie Physiology 00:25:00- Eborsisk and Nelwyn Evolution 00:33:56- Being Struck By Lightning 00:44:00- Fantasy Genre: Where Did It Begin & Why Is It Popular? 00:52:26- Final Thoughts

The Cinematica team gets "hooked" by the latest season of Love, Death, and Robots and "wade" into Bad Traveling (2022). Join them as they explore "shellfish" crews, basic "claws" of developmental ecology, and how short stories can "chitin" your day. Please don't be "crabby" and come join them. TIME POINTS 00:00:36- Introduction and News 00:03:00- Episode Summary & Trivia 00:09:24- Decapod Reproductive Strategies 00:16:45- Crab Facts 00:27:07- Short Stories 00:32:18- Final Thoughts

Check your sasquatch, because it's time to talk about Bigfoot. This week, the CA Team analyzes the found footage from Exists (2014). Adam walks in the creature's footsteps, exploring why these hairy Hendersons might be solitary; as well as why they ended up in North America. Dave's segment might be hard to find as he reveals the hidden patterns behind camouflage in nature and reveals some bear truths. Libby reveals why people love to believe in this elusive myth. And we all agree that no one should ever light their friend's beard on fire or take midnight hikes on the highway. TIME POINTS 00:00:38- Introduction 00:03:13- Exists Summary & What We Did And Didn't Like 00:13:01- Trivia 00:14:57- Sasquatch Populations & Hiding 00:26:27- Cryptic Coloration 00:37:09- Research On Bigfoot Hair 00:40:09- Squatchers & Those That Track Bigfoot 00:52:38- Wrap Up

The Cinematica team leaves the realm of movie adaptions and returns to the source material with an exploration of their favorite books they wish would be turned into films. TIME POINTS 00:00:38- Introduction & News 00:03:21- Literature Trivia 00:05:56- Galactic Football League Series by Scott Sigler 00:20:28- The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi 00:32:20- Elf Quest by Wendy and Richard Pini 00:42:43- The Name Of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

What do you do when your local farm is invaded by a group of 80's aliens that don't want to phone home, help you become the last starfighter, or fight the decipticons? The answer involves homemade fireworks and a shotgun. Join the Cinematica team this week as they explore the world of Critters including the physiology of rolling, eating till your grow, and what makes a hero. TIME POINTS 00:00:36- Introduction and News 00:07:26 - Galaxy Quest Summary & Discussion 00:14:29 - Trivia 00:17:56 - Ravenous Eating Ecology 00:24:24- Rolling For Locomotion 00:32:49 - Paralytic Potency 00:33:57 - Types Of Heroes 00:46:33 - Final Thoughts

By Grabthar's hammer and by the suns of Warvan, the CA Team goes intergalactic this week with Galaxy Quest (1999). Listen to our historical document as we probe into dick-headed octopus culture and the very real city of Octlantis. Adam proposes a theory of sentience matching body plans and breaks down the difference between convergent and homologous evolution. We reveal what species is the most violent and murderous towards its own kind; spoiler, it's not us! Learn the different subtypes of satire with Libby. One question remains: are Thermians really just Finnish? TIME POINTS 00:00:36- Introduction 00:03:58 - Galaxy Quest Summary & Discussion 00:13:13 - Trivia 00:17:43 - Octopus Culture 00:24:51 - Convergent Evolution 00:30:30 - Mammalian Violence 00:36:07 - Different Forms of Satire 00:43:08 - Final Thoughts

Time to get lost in a world full of deadly dinos. Join us as this week the CA Team takes an island vacation with The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997). What should you do when you find a baby T-Rex in the wild? What is a "complete ecosystem"? Does Cretaceous Park have the same ring to it? And why is Dr. Ian Malcolm brought back from the dead? More importantly, will he ever shut up? Also, bees are fish! TIME POINTS 00:00:34- Introduction 00:03:37 - News (The Fish & The Bees) 00:05:05 - Movie Summary (Jurassic Park 2: More Cash For More Movies) 00:16:41- Trivia 00:19:45 - Baby Rex Medicine 00:39:35 - Isla Sorna As A Study System 00:46:54 - Sam's Three Dinosaur Questions 00:53:38 - Ian Malcolme RIP 1:00:16 - Final Thoughts

Peace green brother! This week the CA Team is pregnant with possibilities as we give birth to our worst movie yet: Carnosaur (1993). What is a T-Rex's proper posture? Do anti-viruses actually exist? What is so shocking about an experiment with snails and genetic memory? And what is a mockbuster; but more importantly, how many Kung Fu Panda mockbusters are there? TIME POINTS 00:00:41- Introduction 00: 05:48 - Stranger Things Cast Discussion 00:08:46 - Carnosaur Summary 00:20:18 - Trivia 00:24:03 - Dinosaur Stances 00:32:43 - Anti-Virals 00:42:46 - Genetic Memory 00:48:17 - Mockbusters 00:57:54 - Final Thoughts

Things just got stranger as the CA Team take on both demi-dogs and the power of Billy's mullet in our continuation of Stranger Things (2016 - present). Could the Upside Down be a meteor impact site? What is a fungal shotgun and did Hopper take one in the face? Is a virus jumping species common? What does Jurassic Park tell us about writing from a child's point of view? Also Sam wants to know, when are we getting a Steve and Dustin buddy spin-off?

Hold tight and flicker the light, the CA Team is upside down this week and next as we explore all the dimensions of the Stranger Things TV series (2016 - present). What type of predator is the Demigorgon and what does it lam-prey upon? Why is our bipedalism more significant than our brains as homosapiens when looking at our history? Just how powerful is nostalgia and how do you treat it? And how does Steve have such incredible hair?

Everybody Dar-wins this week as the CA Team explores Evolution (2001). We discuss why the universe doesn't really styles itself in one direction, no matter how much it paynes us to think there is a story of our lives. We divide the facts from fiction on the subject of cellular mitosis. We divide the facts from fiction on the subject of cellular mitosis. Asexual reproduction sprouts some interesting dialogue as we take a look at "budding". And our story section reveals how to research solid science when writing science fiction. TIME POINTS 00:00:33- Introduction 00:02:12 - News 00:06:12 - Movie Summary (Ghostbusters with Shampoo) 00:13:14 - Trivia 00:17:27 - What Is Evolution? 00:27:17 - Budding 00:34:40 - The Diversity Of Life 00:39:25 - Earth's Evolutionary Timeline 00:47:31 - Libby Lessons: Putting Science In Sci-Fi 00:55:39 - Wrap Up

Say Expecto Patronum and hopefully summon another movie as the CA team returns for hopefully the final Fantastic Beasts film in The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022). We have serious concerns about why the Qilin would bow. We ask if this is actually a Manticore? We worry about how the Wyvern would work. Finally, we explore paper thin world building. TIME POINTS 00:00:38 - Introduction and News 00:08:01- Movie Summary (Dumbledore's Dickheads)and Our Thoughts 00:19:25- Trans Rights Are Human Rights and Trivia 00:22:58- The Qilin 00:28:55- The Manticore 00:34-48- The Diricawl 00:36:51- The Wyvern 00:41:52- The Matagot 00:43:59- Paper Thin Story Building 01:02:36- Would We Recommend This Film and Final Thoughts

Say Accio and summon a sense of patience as the CA team returns to the world of Fantastic Beasts in the Crimes of Grindelwald (2018). We cheer with the Zouwu and its' new found freedom. We worry about the carnivorous implications of the Kelpie. We freak out about the death of the adorable Chupacabra and WHAT KIND OF SOCIOPATH DOES THAT!? Finally, we explore how exposition drop works and how to tell a story. TIME POINTS 00:00:36- Introduction and News 00:07:30- Trans Rights Are Human Rights 00:08:04- Grindelwald Walkthrough and Our Thoughts 00:20:45- Trivia 00:22:17- Antonio la Chupacabra 00:27-52- The Kelpie 00:32:28- The Zouwu 00:41:52- The Matagot 00:49:18- Liberature 101: Exposition Dumps 00:39:45- Rowling Etymology 00:56:27- Which Of These Animals Do We Feel The Worst For And Would We Recommend?

Say alohamora to a menagerie of magical and mythical beasties this week as the CA Team casts themselves into part one of three fantastic episodes, starting with Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them (2016). We can't get enough of Niffler and his bower bird tendencies. We harrumph at the erumpent's almost diminutive size comparative to actual giant rhinos, Paraceratherium. We flush a common goldfish myth down the toilet as we look at the occamy's trait of indeterminate growth. We chuckle that the adorable bowtruckle is likely a predator. We call lies on the demiguise's futuristic eyesight. We tank the idea of Frank's six wings. And finally, we shine some much needed lumos on the origin of many "borrowed" words in this wizarding world. TIME POINTS 00:00:34- Introduction and News (Wolves & Dinosaurs) 00:07:40- Trans Rights Are Human Rights 00:08:38- Fantastic Summary And Film Thoughts 00:15:55- Trivia 00:20:15- The Niffler 00:24-46- The Bowtruckle 00:27:27- The Erumpant 00:31:01- The Demiguise 00:34:47- The Occamy 00:37:13- The Thunderbird 00:39:45- Rowling Etymology 00:47:45- Which Of These Animals Do We Feel The Worst For? 00:49:59- Would We Recommend This Film?

Exactly how many monsters are in The Monster (2016)? Just like a car on an old back road, we breakdown this week's canid-like monster and ask the hard hitting questions. How can burns kill so quickly? Do wolves understand paved roads? Is it healthy to snack on other carnivores? How is an allegory different from a metaphor? Can Sam pronounce the word synecdoche? TIME POINTS 00:00:33- Introduction and News (How To Unfuck The World) 00:12:32 - The Monster Summary and How We Felt About This Movie 00:22:21 - Trivia 00:27:42 - Monstrous Wildlife 00:35:14- How Burns Kill You 00:45:46- Predators, Wildlife, and Vehicle Collisions 00:50:53 - Carnivores Eating Carnivores 00:54:21- Libberature 101: Allegory to Synecdoche 01:00:51- Final Thoughts

This week, the CA Team bares their souls in the world of Elden Ring (2022). We wrap our tentacled brains around the strange, amorphous beaked blob that is the land octopus, now known as an octoplonk. We simp for imps as we analyze ambush predation tactics and social structures. We yabby-dabby-do want to see more crayfish take the horrifying spotlight that they deserve. We scribble down some thoughts on epistolary novels and how abstruse storylines work. But most importantly, we try and put a finger on this game's odd fetish. TIME POINTS 00:00:37- Introduction 00:12:39 - Elden Ring Summary 00:21:24 - Trivia 00:23:40 - Land Octopus Biology 00:34:38 - Imp Physiology 00:42:08- Giant Crustaceans 00:51:47 - Epistolary Stories 01:06:34- Final Thoughts

Out of the depths came Stephen Sommers's Deep Rising (1998) and you are in for a Treat (Williams). All aboard as the CA Team asks some unsinkable questions. How far back do human's tales of sea monsters go? What exactly are Archaea Ottoia? Why are octopi's brains located throughout their tentacles? Will this group of adults be mature enough to refrain from making jokes as we discuss penis worms? TIME POINTS 00:00:34- Introduction 00:03:46 - News (New Squid Discovery) 00:06:12 - Summary and Our Thoughts 00:17:43 - Trivia 00:22:51 - Under Pressure 00:28:25 - Penis Worms 00:39:37- Octopussies 00:45:03 - Story Discussion: Sea Monsters 00:52:45- Final Thoughts

The city of Gotham flashed the CA logo in the sky and we answered. For our very special 100th episode of the podcast, we chose the nontraditional, The Batman (2022)! Breaking from analyzing monsters to create our very own DCinematica versions of a realistic Batman, Catwoman, and Penguin, with the help of a very special guest host. The original veterinarian caped crusader and catalyst of our podcast, TJ! Enjoy a Batman that pees while hanging from a pull up bar, a Catwoman that should be kept indoors, and a Penguin with unbelievably sweaty palms. Cheers to another 100 and thanks for your support and listenership! TIME POINTS 00:00:36- Introduction 00:05:17 - News 00:09:22 - Summary (What A Joke?) and Our Thoughts 00:21:42 - Trivia 00:28:08 - Batman Biology 00:41:48 - Catwoman Cytology 00:55:04- Penguin Physiology 01:10:34 - Favorite Batmen 01:15:20- Do We Feel Bad For Our Monsters? 01:17:04- Final Thoughts

You can't Cena me! It's time to make peace with CA's take on James Gunn's Peacemaker (2022). Are our flappy little foes, The Butterflies, really parasites? Where do bald eagle's fall on the eagle bad-assery scale (as ranked by an Australian)? Who are the Kazakh Eagle Hunters? What makes a redemption story redeemable? And will we ever get the song "Do You Wanna Taste It?" by Wig Wam out of our heads and do we want to? No. The answer is no. TIME POINTS 00:00:45- Introduction and News 00:04:57 - Summary (What A Joke?) and Our Thoughts 00:17:21 - Trivia 00:21:18 - Butterfly Biology 00:32:59 - Can You Train An Eagle? 00:41:41 - Butterfly Overlords And Superhero Environmentalism 00:51:31 - Character Arcs 01:01:26 - Do We Feel Bad For The Butterflies? 01:03:19- Final Thoughts

For this week's episode, the CA Team rolls with the first season of The Wheel of Time series (2021). We call bollocks on Trollocs and discuss the real world examples of persistence hunters and pursuit predation. We discuss how blight ain't right by exploring the inner workings of mangroves plus the ecosystem they support and protect. And finally, we take a chill pill and examine the dangerous story trope of "fridging". TIME POINTS 00:00:37- Introduction and News 00:09:18 - Summary (No Man Magic) and Our Thoughts 00:20:12 - Trivia 00:23:30 - Trollocs And Persistent Predation 00:46:09 - The Blight Ecology 00:55:13 - Fridging As A Story Device 01:04:24 - Should We Feel Bad For The Trollocs?

We don't talk about Bruno, no, no, but we do talk extensively about the magical house known as Casita in Disney's latest Encanto (2021). This week we look at mobile ecosystems and dirty sloths, learn two new $5 words (pyriscence and serotiny), find that Nemo is probably a pretty slimy boi, and ask the question, do stories really need a villain? Dave and Libby also confirm that Adam's heart is indeed, missing. DISCORD LINK: https://discord.gg/heU2FWka TIME POINTS 00:00:41- Introduction and News 00:05:27 - Summary (Mirabel's Coup) and Our Thoughts 00:16:22 - Trivia 00:22:10 - Biogenic Habitats 00:37:42 - The Casita As An Organism 00:51:30 - Stories Without Villains 00:59:23 - The Best Madrigal Power 01:05:01 - Feeling About The Casita And Plans For Next Week

This week, the CA team collectively places one hand on The Book of Boba Fett (2021) and swear to protect the perpetually poorly treated rancor. We look at what a spin off actually is, sexual imprinting (not the Twilight kind), real life 6 meter/19.7 foot giant sloths, and why keeping a rancor on a desert planet, much less a dungeon, is excessively cruel. Takeaway questions: would Luke Skywalker drink rancor milk and do you whisk eggs with milk or a platypus? TIME POINTS 00:00:40- Introduction and News 00:03:26 - Summary (Clone Of The Mandalorian) and Our Thoughts 00:13:46 - Trivia 17:48 - Rancor Basis Ecology And Function 00:30:54 - Rancor Physiology And Imprinting 00:37:01 - Reptomammals And Marsupials 00:46:07 - Story Discussion And Spin Off Value 00:54:01 - Do We Feel Bad For The Rancor? 00:57:03 - Plans For Next Week And Goodbye

What does hentai-light, vengeful Jesus, and mislabeled fog have in common? All creep out of Stephen King's The Mist (2007). This week we are suckers for how tentacles suckers physically work. We theorize exactly how one might get caught in a caustic web. We are frank about four winged fabulously flying freaks that already exist in real life. We ask about alternative alternate endings. But unanswered, why does Thomas Jane straight up cap a grandma?! TIME POINTS 00:00:32- Introduction News (Deer and Wolves) 00:08:35 - Plot Summary 00:19:18 - Trivia (Half Life Development) 00:21:49 - Tentacles 00:34:16- Bugs With Stings And Swelling 00:40:58- Grey Widows 00:45:18 - Ptero-Bird 00:51:22 - Story Discussion- Changing Endings 01:01:38 - Wrap Up and Do We Feel Bad For The Monsters?

As a Last Resort, we welcome our audience this week to the Valhalla that is the Halo franchise (2001-2021?) We look at Covenant species with their methane breathing, wormy boi bridge building bodies, and birthday skulls; why Adam gives sentient culture two tactile thumbs up; and whether or not decades long stories should be self contained. You really needler to listen to this one. TIME POINTS 00:00:43- News (Drone Planting) 00:05:37 - Plot Summary (Halo Story Speed Run) 00:18:13 - Trivia (How Much is Halo Worth?) 00:21:17 - Covenant Biology- Grunts 00:33:53 - Covenant Biology- Hunters 00:45:22 - Covenant Biology- Elites 00:53:33 - Covenant Convergent Evolution 00:58:15 - Story Discussion- Self Contained Stories 01:11:05 - Wrap Up and Should We Feel Bad For The Covenant?

Take a field trip to the Field Museum with us as the CA team analyzes the Kothoga from 1997's The Relic. Answered questions this week: Is our poor monster actually an addict? How did this movie get academia right and how did it get it very, very wrong? What are some real world South American cryptids? And what is a tepui? Gesundheit. TIME POINTS 00:44:00 – Introduction and News 00:05:08 – Movie Introduction, Discussion, and Trivia 00:22:25- Science Discussion 01:04:23- Story Discussion 01:15:57- Final Thoughts

What's kraken CA fans? Take an epic journey this week with our double snake header, Clash of the Titans (2010) and Wrath of the Titans (2012). We look, but not directly at, Medusa's possible use of tetrodotoxin, djinns using advanced prosthetic technology, how civilization, not heroes, were the downfall of Greek monsters, the origins of Olympus, and how Nanny McPhee shares this cinematic universe. TIME POINTS 01:00:00 – Introduction and News 00:05:06 – Movie Introduction, Discussion, and Trivia 00:22:17- Science Discussion 00:55:45- Story Discussion 01:11:59- Final Thoughts

When a worn out Bounty Hunter with dubious credentials gets lost in the sands of Tatooine, what happens? He meets a collection of creatures with dessert adaptations of course! Join the Cinematica team this week as they explore giant lizards, environmental catastrophes, and reptile-mammals in Disney's new The Book of Boba Fett. TIME POINTS 00:00:39 – Introduction and News 00:08:17 – Movie Introduction, Discussion, and Trivia 00:17:28- Organism Discussion 00:39:37- Dessert Planet Discussion 00:45:42- Final Thoughts

This week, we turn out all the lights as the CA team, aka our little psycho fuck family, flies blind alongside the bio-raptors of Vin Diesel's breakout role, Pitch Black (2000). How does an entire species develop a sun allergy? What came first for bats: echolocation or flight, and why? What exactly is an antihero? Why the hell do we keep saying "hand shark!"? TIME POINTS 00:00:39 – Introduction and News 00:04:07 – Movie Introduction, Discussion, and Trivia 00:21:02- Science Discussion 00:56:43- Story Discussion 01:04:35- Final Thoughts RECOMMENDED CLIP THIS WEEK: Vin Diesel Toy Convention= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4HLBfTcAUg

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 00:00:34 – Introduction and News 00:11:16 – Movie Introduction, Discussion, and Trivia 00:25:52- Science Discussion 00:56:40- Story Discussion 01:09:22- Final Thoughts

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

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

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 Introduction, Trivia, and Discussion 00:17:03- Science Discussion 00:40:37- Story Discussion 00:51:33- Final Thoughts

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 amazing novels where books are sold. TIME POINTS 00:00:35 – Introduction and News 00:05:08 – Movie Introduction and Trivia 00:12:42- Movie Discussion 00:21:38- Science Discussion: Parasites 00:28:54- Science Discussion: Hive Minds 00:39:37- Story Questions with Scott Sigler 01:00:29- Final Thoughts

Cinematica Animalia Trailer by Cinematica Animalia

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

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

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 Discussion 01:00:23- Final Thoughts

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 00:58:52- Story Discussion 01:06:51- Final Thoughts

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 – Movie Introduction 00:15:24- Trivia 00:20:45- Science Discussion 00:56:41- Story Discussion 01:09:22- Final Thoughts

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- Final Thoughts

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 Brains 00:57:25- Final Thoughts

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 Final Thoughts

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

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

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

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 Trivia 00:16:44 – Interview With A Conservation Biologist (Maria) 00:34:32- Science Discussion 00:44:52- Story Discussion 00:50:33- Final Thoughts

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 Discussion & Final Thoughts

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 00:09:54 – Trivia 00:15:16 – Science Discussion 00:40:32- Story Discussion 00:43:19- Versus 00:47:50 – Final Thoughts and Sign-Off

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