Scott Weinberg is a veteran film critic. Steven DeGennaro is a doctor of astrophysics. Listen in as these two nerds compare and contrast two noteworthy sci-fi films every week. They discuss the artistic quality of the films, whether they get the science right, and whether or not that even matters.
Ep. 28 - Monsterverse Volume 1
May 28, 2021
Show notes
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!
Ep. 27 - Brazil vs Southland Tales
Apr 14, 2021
Show notes
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!
Ep. 26 - Apollo 13 vs Apollo 18
Feb 27, 2021
Show notes
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!
Ep. 25 - Judge Dredd vs Dredd (Live! at Other Worlds Film Festival)
Dec 31, 2020
Show notes
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!
Ep. 24 - The Rocky Horror Picture Show vs Young Frankenstein
Nov 11, 2020
Show notes
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!
Patron Episode - The Expanse Commentary: Pilot
Oct 18, 2020
Show notes
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.
Patron Episode - Firefly Commentary: Shindig
Oct 11, 2020
Show notes
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.
Patron Episode - Mandalorian Commentary: Pilot
Oct 04, 2020
Show notes
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.
Patron Episode - Firefly Commentary: Bushwhacked
Sep 27, 2020
Show notes
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.
Patron Episode - Orville Commentary: Pilot
Sep 20, 2020
Show notes
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.
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