The Lost Signals

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Discussions on narrative in movies, television, literature and video games

The Lost Signals


    • Aug 25, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 45m AVG DURATION
    • 304 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Lost Signals

    Philosophy & Narrative: Cyberpunk, Posthumanism, and Slavoj Žižek

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2021 36:09


    We cover an article by man of the peoples' philosopher Slavoj Žižek, exploring emerging ideas and the landscape of what posthumanism might evolve into via current pop culture touchstones. The post Philosophy & Narrative: Cyberpunk, Posthumanism, and Slavoj Žižek appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Literature: The (Not So) Midas Touch | 2N5E by Yuki Iwama

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2021 16:50


    We discuss this intriguingly opaque short story, and ponder what it means to consume a god.[Average score: 5.6] The post Literature: The (Not So) Midas Touch | 2N5E by Yuki Iwama appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Strawberry y Chocolate

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2021 27:07


    We head down to Cuba circa the late 70s to check out this touted foreign flick covering a range of socio-political topics. [Average 8.3] The post Film & TV: Strawberry y Chocolate appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Games & Gaming Culture: Recontextualization/Defamiliarization

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2021 29:11


    On the frontier as always, we define and discuss the practice of recontextualizing and/or defamiliarizing narratives in games (and some other media) framed around likely the most famous example of such found within the Nier series. The post Games & Gaming Culture: Recontextualization/Defamiliarization appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Games & Gaming Culture: Mortal Kombat Khicanery

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2021 32:45


    Two kombatants enter the ring to briefly review the series' 2021 film incarnation before turning their attention to the franchise overall. The post Games & Gaming Culture: Mortal Kombat Khicanery appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Games & Gaming Culture Guest Special: Grand Theft Auto with American Slacker Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021 93:26


    Grab a bat and haul ass in your Banshee, as TLS is joined by the hooligans of ASP for a whirlwind tour of the GTA series. The post Games & Gaming Culture Guest Special: Grand Theft Auto with American Slacker Podcast appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Guest Month- Film & Television: 1996 In Cinema

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 88:02


    In this guest ep, TLS is joined by new friends and old to reflect back 25 years later on the best/most seminal films of 1996. Featuring series regular Joe Soria and first time guest Dan Kirschenbaum. Results of our best movies of '96 Snake Draft The post Guest Month- Film & Television: 1996 In Cinema appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Guest Month AAPI appreciation episode with Morgan Goldin

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2021 59:57


    An invigorating discussion of Asian American/Pacific Islander helmed films with great friend of the show, Morgan Goldin. See below for the films and where to find them streaming. Better Luck Tomorrow – Amazon PrimeThe Namesake – HBO MaxChildren of Invention – IMDB StreamingColumbus – KanopyMinding the Gap – Hulu BONUS The Debut – for rent... The post Film & TV: Guest Month AAPI appreciation episode with Morgan Goldin appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Literature: The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2021 49:50


    Utopia isn't all it's cracked up to be in this classic story from one of the greats that is more of a thought/discussion piece. [Aggregate score: 6.75* Score reflects limits of MOTS system in this case, as expanded upon in episode] The post Literature: The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Showgirls

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2021 75:22


    In grand post-Academy tradition, it's…time! for TLS to hit up Vegas in a review of this year's choice of infamously panned/ostracized film. [Aggregate score: 3.66] The post Film & TV: Showgirls appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    AFI Top 100 #069: Tootsie

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2021 58:43


    Three men review/debate a film about one man pretending to be woman to further his career.[Aggregate score: 6.33 repeating of course] The post AFI Top 100 #069: Tootsie appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Blazing Saddles

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2021 72:28


    Whip out your big 6-shooter and fart around the fire for the final film in our Mel Brooks tribute.[Aggregate score: 7.7] The post Film & TV: Blazing Saddles appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Morgan-Mania VI: An Oscars Discussion with Morgan Goldin

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2021 76:49


    Another year, another delightful conversation with Morgan Goldin. We got his thoughts on the upcoming 93rd Academy Awards, who we liked, who we didn't, and how the show has changed in the last 6 years. The post Morgan-Mania VI: An Oscars Discussion with Morgan Goldin appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: 2020 Oscars Roundup

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2021 52:07


    TLS recaps/predicts/pontificates on this year's Oscar season and films for these uncertain times just ahead of the awards. The post Film & TV: 2020 Oscars Roundup appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: The Twelve Chairs

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2021 45:40


    For the third entry in our focus on Mel Brooks comedies, we go way back to post-revolution Russia and the search for family jewels. [Aggregate score: 8.3] The post Film & TV: The Twelve Chairs appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Games & Gaming Culture: Top Games of 2020

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2021 71:27


    G&GC returns once again in a new ‘season' and as always we start off with 2020's titles duking it out to see which come out as the best, worst, and merely mediocre. See Scott's full list and impressions here. The post Games & Gaming Culture: Top Games of 2020 appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Robinhood: Men in Tights

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2021 61:15


    Grab your jerkins, arrows, and pantyhose as TLS reviews the next Mel Brooks film in our comedy monthly block.[Aggregate score: 9] The post Film & TV: Robinhood: Men in Tights appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Pop Culture Roundup Roundtable: April 2021

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2021 60:21


    Ding! Ding! It's Spring! And time for round 3 of TLS ramblings, recommendations, and other pop ephemera outside our regular coverage. Click here for the full list of stuff we touch upon. The post Pop Culture Roundup Roundtable: April 2021 appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Young Frankenstein

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2021 55:00


    TLS kicks off our traditional comedy month with a medley of Mel Brooks picks, starting with one of his earlier works.[Aggregate score: 8] The post Film & TV: Young Frankenstein appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Zack Snyder’s Justice League

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2021 68:33


    TLS takes the 4 hour journey that is the Zack Snyder's Fan-On-Demand cut of “Justice League.”[Aggregate score: 7.5] The post Film & TV: Zack Snyder's Justice League appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: The Father

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2021 49:28


    TLS reviews the last of this year's Oscar noms, a quite powerful and moving familial story with some standout performances.[Aggregate score: 9.5] The post Film & TV: The Father appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    AFI Top 100 #034: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2021 58:12


    TLS takes on Disney's early landmark work, one of the only few animated features on the AFI list.[Aggregate score: 8.5] The post AFI Top 100 #034: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: The Vast of Night

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2021 51:15


    TLS pick up strange otherworldly signals themselves while reviewing this modern take/twist on classic '50s Sci-Fi.[Aggregate score: 7.75] The post Film & TV: The Vast of Night appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Literature: The School by Donald Barthelme

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2021 40:05


    TLS learns about the birds and the bees, and how they and everything else will eventually die in this short New Yorker story. [Aggregate score: 8] The post Literature: The School by Donald Barthelme appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Willy’s Wonderland

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2021 41:57


    TLS cleans up murderous animatronics alongside Nic Cage in his latest semi-bonkers but fully entertaining outing.[Aggregate score: 6.75] The post Film & TV: Willy's Wonderland appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: LAVA

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2021 58:26


    TLS grapples with world/art-devouring snakes and trees of life/expression in this bizarre but fun animated film.[Aggregate score: 7.25] The post Film & TV: LAVA appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Johnny Mnemonic

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2021 65:48


    TLS jacks into the subnet of an edgy 90s vision of 2021 to review this strange, silly, and subpar cyberpunk flick.[Aggregate score: 4.5 The post Film & TV: Johnny Mnemonic appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Philosophy & Narrative: Creator-transcending Characters/Figures

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2021 42:25


    Springboarding off a previous topic, TLS delves into the use and evolution of pop culture entities throughout history; from Hercules to Thor, James Bond to Batman, and beyond. As well as addressing issues like who may own the IP rights to Jesus. The post Philosophy & Narrative: Creator-transcending Characters/Figures appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Minari

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 54:56


    Grab your favorite Grandma and come on down to Arkansas in our review of Minari, AKA A24's Green Acres.[Aggregate score: 8.75] The post Film & TV: Minari appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    AFI Top 100 #055: North by Northwest

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2021 54:22


    Come along with TLS for this Cold War-era spy intrigue presented by Alfred Hitchcock, where we decide whether it's more James Bond, or a Northern Snorefest. [Aggregate score: 5.5] The post AFI Top 100 #055: North by Northwest appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Nomadland

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2021 78:38


    TLS reviews this acclaimed personal piece featuring Frances McDormand. Have a listen, and we'll see you down the road.[Aggregate score: 8.25] The post Film & TV: Nomadland appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Judas and the Black Messiah

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2021 49:52


    TLS follows the life, times, and intersecting stories of Fred Hampton and Bill O'Neal in this powerful film. [Aggregate score: 9.75]More info on Save the Hampton House, Inc. fund at this link. The post Film & TV: Judas and the Black Messiah appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Literature: Killing/Stalking by Koogi (Part 2, Chapters 11-19)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2021 34:21


    TLS covers another listener request, checking out more of Korean comic Killing/Stalking, discussing the latter half of season 1. More about the comic at: https://www.lezhin.com/en/comic/killingstalkingintro The post Literature: Killing/Stalking by Koogi (Part 2, Chapters 11-19) appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: The Beast (of War)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2021 51:04


    Suggested via listener request, TLS climbs into a rattling Russian tank in 1980s Afghanistan to review this lesser known war flick.[Aggregate score: 8.75] The post Film & TV: The Beast (of War) appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Promising Young Woman

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2021 65:41


    TLS checks out Emerald Fennell's sharply serious and smartly dark comedy film debut.[Aggregate score: 9.25] The post Film & TV: Promising Young Woman appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    AFI Top 100 #007: Lawrence of Arabia

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2021 67:41


    TLS crosses the arid lands and back again to review this masterpiece of filmmaking and storytelling. [Aggregate score: 10] The post AFI Top 100 #007: Lawrence of Arabia appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Philosophy & Narrative: Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud Part 2 (Chapters 5-9)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2021 28:40


    In part 2 of 2, TLS covers the second half of Scott McCloud's deep dive into the workings and ideas of the art of comics. The post Philosophy & Narrative: Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud Part 2 (Chapters 5-9) appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: KFC/Lifetime Presents: A Recipe for Seduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2021 26:45


    Get comfortable with a bucket of old fashion chicken as TLS discusses this strange snack-centric short, and its related ramifications. [Aggregate score: 7] The post Film & TV: KFC/Lifetime Presents: A Recipe for Seduction appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Philosophy & Narrative: Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud Part 1 (Chapters 1-4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2021 46:48


    TLS explores this seminal work by Scott McCloud, focusing on comics/graphic novels; breaking down how/why they work as an art form and the many possibilities that can be achieved within them. Part 1 of 2. The post Philosophy & Narrative: Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud Part 1 (Chapters 1-4) appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Spirited Away

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2021 66:33


    TLS slips down the spiritual rabbit hole and flies over the demonic rainbow to review Hayao Miyazaki's beloved animated feature. [Aggregate score: 9] The post Film & TV: Spirited Away appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: One Night in Miami

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2021 79:30


    Four men discuss a film about four men discussing much more important matters.[Aggregate score: 8.25] The post Film & TV: One Night in Miami appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    AFI Top 100 #028: All About Eve

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2021 58:31


    We go backstage behind the curtains to the cutthroat world of theatre to review this riveting classic.[Aggregate score: 9.25] The post AFI Top 100 #028: All About Eve appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Literature: Judgement Day (EC, 1953) by (writer) Al Feldstein and (artist) Joe Orlando

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2021 37:44


    TLS travels back in time to the far future of humanity to fight against racism in this golden age era comic.[Aggregate score: 8] The post Literature: Judgement Day (EC, 1953) by (writer) Al Feldstein and (artist) Joe Orlando appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Wonder Woman 1984

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2021 68:26


    TLS navigates the uneven path of Wonder Woman's second outing during the 80s. [Aggregate score: 5.5] The post Film & TV: Wonder Woman 1984 appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Lethal Weapon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2021 50:44


    Welcome back to TLS in 2021. We rung in the new year with another classic 80s action movie set during the season. [Aggregate score: 9] The post Film & TV: Lethal Weapon appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    AFI Top 100 #053: The Deer Hunter

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2020 65:43


    TLS fights off the urge to play Russian roulette themselves while reviewing The Deer Hunter. [Aggregate score: 3] The post AFI Top 100 #053: The Deer Hunter appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2020 58:15


    TLS revel in this fantastic film adaptation of August Wilson's spirited stage play. [Aggregate score: 10] The post Film & TV: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Philosophy & Narrative: Death of the Author by Roland Barthes

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2020 44:26


    After our discussion on the previous philosophy episode, TLS turns to Barthes again for his essay on the role of authorship, critique and ‘ownership' of works. The post Philosophy & Narrative: Death of the Author by Roland Barthes appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Sound of Metal

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2020 50:04


    TLS follows this compelling character piece, the journey of a struggling musician suddenly stricken with hearing loss. [Aggregate score: 9] The post Film & TV: Sound of Metal appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Literature: The 9 Billion Names of God by Arthur C. Clarke

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2020 33:49


    TLS argues over the efficiency and merit of possible world ending computational linguistics in this classic sci-fi short. [Aggregate score: 5.5] The post Literature: The 9 Billion Names of God by Arthur C. Clarke appeared first on The Lost Signals.

    Film & TV: Mank

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2020 57:53


    TLS decides how much credit David Fincher's new flick centering on one of the creators of Citizen Kane should or should not receive. [Aggregate score: 7.75] The post Film & TV: Mank appeared first on The Lost Signals.

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