The Incomparable Mothership

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707: Crime is Not Cozy Mar 15, 2024

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Nobody is more surprised than Antony Johnston to find he’s now a cozy crime author. Dan Moren sniffs out the secrets of his “Dog Sitter Detective” series.

Host Dan Moren with Antony Johnston.

Referenced Works

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706: Riff on Biff Mar 08, 2024

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We conclude our movie-by-movie review of the “Back to the Future” series with the western-themed third installment, which features less time travel shenanigans and more old-west shenanigans.

"Back to the Future Part III"

Host Jason Snell with Lex Friedman, John Siracusa, Brian Warren, Monty Ashley, and Moisés Chiullán.

Referenced Works

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705: A Legacy of Biffs Mar 01, 2024

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It’s time again. Time! To go forward in time, then backward—or is it sideways?—in time, then further back in time, and then maybe even further back in time. It’s time for the bland future of 2015, the apocalyptic alt-present of 1985, and a familiar 1955. But most of all, it’s time for a Crisis on Infinite Biffs. It’s “Back to the Future Part II.”

"Back to the Future Part II"

Host Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Dan Moren, Brian Warren, and Shelly Brisbin.

Referenced Works

Back to the Future Part II

Back to the Future (series)

[Amazon]

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704: Kramer Before Kramer Feb 23, 2024

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Great Scott! No time to be a slacker, McFly, because we’ve gotta go back in time to 1985 so we can go back to 1955 so we can perfectly time a lightning strike. That’s right, it’s time to talk about “Back to the Future.”

"Back to the Future"

Host Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, John Siracusa, Shelly Brisbin, Chip Sudderth, and Lex Friedman.

Referenced Works

Back to the Future

Back to the Future (series)

[Amazon]

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703: Communists? In Berkeley? Feb 16, 2024

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Jason’s favorite movie of 2023 was the gray flipside to “Barbie,” Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.” And while none of us would exactly call ourselves Nolan fans, this one manages to grapple with a deep subject with great care. It’s got some spectacular scenes that will blow your mind—and a whole lot more scene of men in suits and hats standing around talking.

"Oppenheimer"

Host Jason Snell with Shelly Brisbin, Kathy Campbell, and Cicero Holmes.

Referenced Works

Oppenheimer

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702: One Is Silly and One Is Wacky Feb 09, 2024

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Two nations, two sitcoms, one premise: What if one of us could see ghosts? Infusing genre complications into the world of TV situation comedies, “Ghosts” has become a hit in both the UK and the U.S.! We recommend both, compare the different versions, and try to explain why the whole idea works so well.

"Ghosts"

Host Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Heather Berberet, Cicero Holmes, and Erika Ensign.

Referenced Works

Ghosts

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701: KEEP PANTYHOSE ON Feb 02, 2024

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KNEW THIS WAS ONE WAY TICKET
BUT YOU KNOW I HAD TO COME

At long last, it’s the episode Jason has waited 13 years to schedule. Up from the depths of the ocean comes a long-awaited 4K transfer! It’s time for all of you to join us in watching one of the great (and underrated) adventure films of all time, and perhaps James Cameron’s best film: “The Abyss.”

We watched the Special Edition of the film, and discuss the ways in which it’s superior to the original cut, and the ways it isn’t.

"The Abyss" (Special Edition)

Host Jason Snell with Todd Vaziri, John Siracusa, Annette Wierstra, and Erika Ensign.

Referenced Works

The Abyss

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700: A Dark Totoro Jan 26, 2024

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We reconvene Miyazaki Club to discuss the master animator’s latest final movie, “The Boy and the Heron.” We went in wondering, will this be lyrical and nostalgic magical realism, or will it be a barrage of super-weird fantastical imagery? The voluminous bird poop and the suit of frogs point the way.

"The Boy and the Heron"

Host Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Steve Lutz, and Moisés Chiullán.

Referenced Works

Hayao Miyazaki

The Boy and the Heron

Studio Ghibli

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699: Merchant Ivory Godzilla Jan 19, 2024

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In 2023’s “Godzilla Minus One,” the classic monster doesn’t just represent nuclear disaster, but crushing guilt on personal and societal levels. What if someone built a deeply emotional human drama that was also a movie where Godzilla destroys a whole lot of stuff? We’ve got the answer!

"Godzilla Minus One"

Host Jason Snell with Monty Ashley and Moisés Chiullán.

Referenced Works

Godzilla Minus One

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698: Incarnation of the System Jan 12, 2024

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Crack open your psychohistory textbooks and ready a new batch of imperial clones, because it’s time to discuss the Apple TV+ series “Foundation,” extremely loosely based on the classic works of Isaac Asimov. Before the spoiler horn, we talk about why this is a show worth catching up on—and also debate the merits of psychohistory. Then we discuss the first two seasons, which we really enjoyed.

"Foundation" TV series

Host Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Glenn Fleishman, Heather Berberet, and John Siracusa.

Referenced Works

Foundation

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Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.