Science vs Fiction

Scott and Steven tackle the first half of the Monsterverse series as they discuss Godzilla (2014) and Kong: Skull Island (2017). Topics include "the scale problem" inherent in giant monsters, the intricacies of synchronized skydiving, the fickle nature of kaiju worship, and of course Kong's oddly firm butt. We also discuss movie issues like tonal consistency, the importance of hiring colorful actors, and the logic of killing your best character at the end of Act I.Coming soon: Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Godzilla vs. Kong!

In this latest installment, things get... a little weird. We present to you: Brazil (1985) vs Southland Tales (2006), two strangely similar yet VERY different sci-fi dystopian comedies (one intentional, one we're not sure) about Kafkaesque government bureaucracy, terrorism, and plastic surgery. Both boast talented all-star casts (if not necessarily in the right roles), great scores (if not necessarily in the right places), and some fascinating dream sequences (if indeed Justin Timberlake singing The Killers is a dream sequence... we're still not 100% sure).Join us for lots of fiction and very little science on this special episode of SvF!

This pairing has been on our agenda since we first started the podcast, and today is finally the day. Apollo 13 (1995) and Apollo 18 (2011) are both about astronauts landing on the moon, but that's where the similarities end. One is a meticulously accurate retelling of actual historic events. The other is made-up nonsense without a shred of believability. One is a great movie with compelling, fleshed-out characters delivering top notch dialog by Oscar-winning screenwriters. The other is... not that. At all. You'll never guess which is which until you listen to this exciting new episode of Science vs Fiction!

One year ago this month, we went to Austin to cover Time After Time on our first ever live show at Other Worlds Film Festival. This year we are back for the 2020 OWFF virtual festival! This time around, we tackle the Sylvester Stallone 90s comic-book adaptation Judge Dredd and its 2012 remake Dredd. We talk about sci-fi bullets and the wounds they cause, the nature of the fictional designer drug "slo-mo", and where the heck a city the size of the entire eastern seaboard grows its food. Join us for this very special raw, unfiltered episode of SvF!

In this (belated) Halloween episode, we discuss the lighter side of reanimating the dead. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) is the very definition of a "cult classic", having spawned decades of sing-alongs by generations of adoring be-costumed fans. Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein (1974) is no less beloved, and with good reason, as one of the greatest and most quotable spoofs of all time. How is a laser gun like a salad shooter? What is a transducer, and can it really turn you into stone? Can a step to the left, followed by a step to the right, really send you into a time warp? All these questions and more, answered on this silly and only incidentally informative episode of Science vs Fiction!

This week we tackle Amazon's blue-tinged, pretty-boy-filled series The Expanse. As with all of our commentary tracks, you can watch along with the episode yourself, or you can listen to it on its own.

We cover Scott's favorite episode of the series and discuss, among many things, the purpose of floating chandeliers. As with all of our commentary tracks, you can watch along with the episode yourself, or you can listen to it on its own.

We tackle the new series in the beloved Star Wars universe. Werner Herzog! Baby Yoda! Killer Robots! And More! As with all of our commentary tracks, you can watch along with the episode yourself, or you can listen to it on its own.

In the third installment of our Firefly commentary series, we spend a lot of time talking about the Reavers. As with all of our commentary tracks, you can watch along with the episode yourself, or you can listen to it on its own.

Steven and his wife Randi are big fans of The Orville, whereas Scott was completely new to the series and a bit reluctant, for reasons divulged within the actual episode. Did it win him over? Listen and find out. As with all of our commentary tracks, you can watch along with the episode yourself, or you can listen to it on its own.

Our next patron commentary episode covers the debut episode of Firefly -- even though it wasn't actually the Firefly pilot. It's a little confusing, yes. But Scott and Steven explain it all while revisiting one of the series' best "heisty type" episodes. As with all of our commentary tracks, you can watch along with the episode yourself, or you can listen to it on its own.

Next in our series of commentary tracks, we tackle an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation that scared the crap out of Steve when he first watched it as a kid. As with all of our commentary tracks, you can watch along with the episode yourself, or you can listen to it on its own.

When we started this podcast, we wanted to provide episodes to Scott's patrons on Patreon (www.patreon.com/scotteweinberg), but we didn't want to accidentally cannibalize movies that we might want to later cover in a proper cage-match episode. So we decided to do some commentary tracks for TV shows. Since we are taking a brief hiatus for the next few months, we decided to release those patron episodes here on our main feed for your listening pleasure. These episodes are all real-time commentaries, meaning that you can watch along with the episode yourself. Or you can listen to them on their own. Whatever floats your metaphorical boat. First up, we discuss the pilot episode of Joss Whedon's short-lived but long-remembered sci-fi western series Firefly. Enjoy!

Strap in for a trip to Mars! Two of them, actually (well... four, if you want to get really technical), as Scott and Steven tackle Brian De Palma's theme-park-ride-based yawnfest Mission to Mars (2000) and the terrifically intense Ridley Scott space adventure The Martian (2016).  Which movie gets the science right? And which one is as dull as it is silly? The answers may surprise you. But probably not.

There's sci-fi, there's horror, and there's sci-fi/horror, but how many movies have the audacity to follow up a hit horror movie with a complete left turn into straight sci-fi the way Happy Death Day 2U (2019) does? Scott and Steven sit down to watch this endearingly oddball sequel and discuss it in real time. Slasher horror, screwball comedy, murder mystery, parallel universe science fiction, and even some surprisingly effective heartfelt melodrama... this movie has it all. Along the way, we discuss not only the original Happy Death Day (2017), but also a dozen more "time loop" movies too. So listen once, jump off a roof*, and listen again to this very special bonus episode of Science vs Fiction! (*just kidding please don't jump off a roof)

Scott and Steven sit down for one of Marvel's most science fiction-y movies, aka the one in which a miniaturized ex-con teams up with a mad scientist, his double-agent daughter, and an army of helpful ants to keep their technology out of the hands of the military-minded bad guy. This week we're trying something different: a full-length commentary track. Not only does this allow us to do a deep dive into the science AND the fiction of a single movie, but it allows you, our faithful listeners, to watch and follow along as if we were in your living room ruining your experience of watching the film by talking through the ENTIRE THING. How good/bad is Evangeline Lily's wig? What exactly are the rules of shrinking/growing things in the Ant-Man universe (hint: whatever they need to be at that particular moment)? Is there such a thing as a physicist/entomologist? This and more on this extra long but always fascinating super special commentary episode of Science vs Fiction.

Scott and Steven take a long hard look at two of the most beloved time travel comedies of the 1980s (or ever). And while both films are still considered "most excellent" today for their genuine warmth and lovable characters, they also boast surprisingly intelligent screenplays, full of interesting science questions, including:   Could a giant amplifier actually blow you out of your sneakers? Which is the more practical time machine: a bizarro sports car or a soon-to-be obsolete phone booth? Was Abraham Lincoln really a time traveler? And when did they stop selling pudding in metal cans? Party on, with this century-spanning episode of Science vs Fiction.

This week we tackle two movies about characters who go from being cogs in a corrupt system to burning that very system to the ground--in one case literally! In Minority Report (2002), Steven Spielberg's action-packed and brain-bending adaptation of the Philip K. Dick story, Tom Cruise races against time to prove his innocence for a crime he has yet to commit. In Logan's Run (1976), Michael York--a 35-year-old actor playing a 26-year-old character in a story that's supposedly about youth--goes on the... um... run to escape from a utopia where everyone's needs are provided for until they are too old to enjoy new pop music. Is technology a proper substitute for good old-fashioned police work? In the future, will teleportation be used exclusively for late-night booty calls? How many different types of sci-fi tech can you cram into a single movie without breaking it? And why on Earth would a robot have lips and a tongue? All this, plus everything you never wanted to know about eyeball transplants on this fast-paced episode of Science vs Fiction!

In 1982, the world was introduced to one of the most beloved alien visitors of all time. His name was E.T., and apparently he was a not-too-bright child techno-savant exo-botanist whose alien biology was somehow perfectly compatible with Earth's atmosphere, candy, and liquor. This was seven years after a man named Travis Walton and his lumberjack buddies stumbled across something not nearly as cute and cuddly in the woods of Arizona, but eleven years before that allegedly true incident became the basis of the terrifying alien-abduction thriller Fire in the Sky. Why does NASA send astronauts to the So-Cal suburbs to collect an alien? Does a lie-detector test really detect lies? What does a fish think is happening when it is caught and released? And what's the deal with that one time that Steve thought he saw a UFO at an astronomical observatory? Find out on this extra-long and extra-sciency Science vs Fiction.

Travel back in time, make a quick stop in Egypt, and then soar deep into outer space with a pair of popular (and kinda wacky) sci-fi epics. First up is Luc Besson's The Fifth Element, which is as colorful as it is incomprehensible -- and then it's Stargate, in which a fascinating space-travel premise quickly ends up in... a big pile of sand dunes. How exactly do waves of radiation generate human tissue? How could one gun do so many things? How hard is it to decipher a 7-symbol code? And what's up with that resurrection coffin? All this and more on this goofy episode of Science vs Fiction.

Here's a fun little sidebar to our Blade Runner(s) episode. Scott sits down for a brief chat with Charles de Lauzirika, whom sci-fi fans will recognize as the producer of the stunning Blade Runner blu-ray release as well as "The Final Cut." Which means he's also one of the globe's leading experts on the original Blade Runner.

The original Blade Runner is one of the most influential, celebrated, and debated science fiction films of all time. The sequel was met with rapturous praise but, similar to its predecessor, died a quick death at the box office, like tears in the rain. Listen in as Steven and Scott discuss the harsh realities of flying cars, fake snakes, human-sized toys, and whether or not replicants are cyborgs.

Did you know that George Lucas made Star Wars only after he failed to adapt the old Flash Gordon comic/serial into a feature? It's true! So it only makes sense to pair the original Star Wars (1977) with the 1980 Flash Gordon movie that only got made because Star Wars was a smash hit. This episode's important science questions include: What do Obi-Wan Kenobi and Reggie Jackson have in common? Is Han Solo the Star Wars equivalent of a flat-earther? Did Flash really save every one of us? And what the heck is "hot hail"? All this and much much more in this exciting episode of Science vs Fiction!

In this monster of an episode (pun intended), we discuss two of the greatest sci-fi/horror/action movies of all time, and investigate how two perfect movies could possibly birth such a deformed and moronic lovechild. Along the way, we explore such critical science questions as: Is the xenomorph just basically Jiffy Pop? Can you rip someone’s spine out by pulling off their head? And is there a single ounce of intelligence in AVP? (Hint: no) Join us for a special 2-hour episode!

It's time for another "original vs remake". This time we set our sights on two films inspired by the grandfather of science fiction, H.G. Wells. The 1953 version of War of the Worlds is considered a classic of the genre, but how does it hold up today? Can Steven Spielberg's 2005 rendition survive the scrutiny of an analytical revisit? We cover alien space travel, whether the Earth was indeed created in six days, and the wonderfully abrupt "deus ex bacteria" ending. All this and more on the latest episode of the podcast that asks: Do you really need smart science in good movies? Tune in to find out.

It wasn't difficult to choose the movies for our first Christmas episode. Not only does Joe Dante's Gremlins (1984) hold up as a supremely entertaining movie, but it's also a truly impressive blend of comedy, horror, science fiction, and Christmas movie. But how would the "three rules" actually work in reality? What qualifies as "after midnight"? Heck, what technically qualifies as "eating"?!? And let's talk a bit about that infamous microwave sequence. And it only made sense to match Gremlins up with its much wackier sequel, Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), a film so insane it not only breaks the fourth wall; it demolishes it. Loaded with fun performances, crazy new gremlins, and an adorably chaotic tone, G2 poses even more strange questions. Like: “what is genetic sunblock?" and “why the heck is Hulk Hogan in this movie?” We cover all this craziness and more in a Gremlin-filled episode of Science vs Fiction!

This week we present our first ever LIVE SHOW! Scott and Steven ply their trade at Other Worlds Film Festival in Austin, TX, where they discuss 1979 fan favorite Time After Time (aka the movie in which H.G. Wells chases Jack the Ripper into modern-day San Francisco). Join us as we open the massive can of worms that is cinematic time travel, with the participation of a group of smart and savvy science fiction fans. Can your limbs really disappear in real time if someone cuts them off in the past? How many different versions of time travel does the Terminator franchise use? Is it possible that the audience watching a movie influences the events of the movie on a quantum level? We tackle these and other questions on this week’s (LIVE!) Science vs Fiction.

In 1938, John W. Campbell Jr. wrote a scary sci-fi story called "Who Goes There?"  That story caught the eye of producer Howard Hawks, who adapted the tale into a 1951 feature film called The Thing From Another World, which blew the mind of a kid named John Carpenter, who would get to direct his own adaptation in 1982, which is still so beloved that Universal tried to do sort of a remake that was really a prequel in 2011. Which of the three is the best version? You may think you know the answer, but there are surprises in store in our first ever Battle Royale!

How likely is it that humans can catch horrible diseases from adorable monkeys? Are those big, shiny decontamination suits all that effective? Can deadly snot work its way through the ventilation system of a crowded theater? These questions and more (even some intelligent ones) as Scott and Steven do the SvF treatment on Outbreak (1995) and Contagion (2011), two very different takes on one very scary scenario.  And we have a guest! Dr. Vincent DeGennaro (yep, Steven's brother) is an epidemiologist who has fought disease all over the globe and is currently hard at work in Haiti. He's also a big movie nut, which makes Dr. Vince the perfect person to help dissect these two star-studded thrillers in the areas of entertainment value and (especially) scientific intelligence. 

Do Leprechauns have gold testicles? What would happen if you shot Jason into the heart of the sun? Why are McDonald's french fries so fluffy? We answer these and other deeply scientific questions as we discuss two of the first horror franchises to go into outer space for some reason.

On this episode we discuss a pair of very well-regarded science fiction films that deal with dazzling deep space voyages full of countless dangers, great actors, hard science, amazing special effects, and lots of unresolved daddy issues. It's Interstellar vs. Ad Astra!

Scott and Steven take a short break from the normal SVF format to bring you a breakdown of the best science fiction films they saw at Fantastic Fest 2019 -- and there are a lot of them. (We also cover some non-sci-fi as well.) Grab a pen for this episode because you're going to want to keep an eye out for most of these movies... like the creepy Lovecraft adaptation that stars Nicolas Cage!   As always, thanks for the support. Spread the word if you like the show!   Thank you, Fantastic Fest! 

A young man survives a horrible tragedy only to discover that his body is now under the control of a nefarious force. That basic plot synopsis covers both Venom and Upgrade, but beyond that (as in the arenas of scientific justification, quality filmmaking, clever ideas, and intelligent storytelling) they couldn't be more different. Listen in as Scott and Steven discuss the relative merits of each movie, the science of parasites vs. computer implants, and which movie is a whole lot better than the other.

What do Sunshine (2007) and Event Horizon (1997) have in common? Well, both movies are about doomed space missions and the terrible mysteries surrounding their failures. Beyond that they couldn't really be more different. (Also they both have great ensemble casts.) Scott and Steven settle in for a highly entertaining double feature full of black holes, crazy science, and a whole bunch of interstellar terror.

Things get a little shaky between Steven and Scott as they discuss the relative assets of Roland Emmerich's big, fat blender of a disaster movie, 2012 (2009), but then they find a lot of common ground with the fantastic 2015 Norwegian import called The Wave. Precisely how do earthquakes cause tsunamis? What are neutrinos? Which movie has the sillier science? Do disaster movies always have to be, well, stupid? We tackle all of these questions (and a lot more) in this disastrous episode of Science vs Fiction!

Steven & Scott sit down with one of Scott's favorite episodes of Firefly: Bushwacked. Support the show and check out the full patron episode here (http://www.patreon.com/scottEweinberg) .  

If you love volcanoes, prepare for your new favorite episode of Science vs Fiction. Not only do Scott and Steven discuss 1997's warring lava movies, Dante's Peak and Volcano, but they've also invited a guest along! Geologist / volcanologist Jess Phoenix (https://twitter.com/jessphoenix2018) (of the excellent podcast Catastrophe! (https://www.catastropheshow.com/) ) is not only an expert, educator, and the founder of Blueprint Earth, but she's also a huge movie geek who really knows her stuff.  --- Thanks for listening! To support SvF financially -- and enjoy some bonus episodes -- please visit https://www.patreon.com/scottEweinberg

Is the Cloverfield monster truly from outer space? Can formaldehyde actually turn fish into elephant-sized tadpoles? How large can a kaiju get before its legs simply break? Scott and Steven pose these science-adjacent questions (and more) in a mega-monstrous episode that spends time with found footage favorite Cloverfield (2008) and the frankly fantastic South Korean import The Host (2006).

When is a pilot episode not a pilot episode? When the network decides to bury the actual pilot episode and commands the writers to bang out another one in a big hurry. Seriously. That's what happened on The Train Job. Enjoy this excerpt from our Firefly commentary patron series! http://patreon.com/scotteweinberg

While it's true that James Cameron's Aliens (1986) has very little in common with Paul Verhoeven's Starship Troopers (1997) in tone, style, presentation, and possibly even genre, they do have similar stories: humans land on an unfriendly planet and are required to fend off waves of insectile alien creatures. But they may have more in common than that. Plus all the science! Steven and Scott cover alien biology, high-tech load-lifters, and full-scale outer space missile craziness.

Here's an excerpt from our first patron (aka subscriber) episode. We'll be publishing patron episodes on our off weeks in between regular episodes, and here's a free sample! For the rest of this episode (in which Scott & Steven discuss the amazing Firefly pilot for 90+ minutes) head on over to http://www.patreon.com/scottEweinberg and support the show! Thanks.  In addition to Firefly commentaries we'll also be doing interviews, "TV show vs. TV show" episodes, and all sorts of amusing stuff. If you like Science vs Fiction you will definitely dig the patron episodes as well.

The summer of 1998 gave us two wildly different movies about meteors/comets coming really close to destroying all of humanity -- but are Deep Impact and Armageddon really all that different? Yes. Yes, they are. Steven and Scott compare these two blockbusters in terms of cinematic quality, entertainment value, and of course scientific veracity. You'll never guess which movie gets better science grades.

On the inaugural episode of Science vs Fiction, Scott and Steven tell you a little bit about themselves before discussing two movies about humanity's first contact with alien life. 2016's Arrival (starring Amy Adams) and 1996's The Arrival (starring Charlie Sheen) have similar titles but VERY different ways of approaching the subject, both artistically and scientifically. Which is the better film? Which is more scientifically accurate? Listen to Science vs Fiction Episode 1 to find out!