Every Single Sci-Fi Film Ever*

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1. 2001: A Sound Odyssey

   25 oktober 2026 · 59 min

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   We have reached over halfway through the 2001: A Space Odyssey mini-series! Today's episode (which is episode 3) I will be speaking to an amazing sound designer and a musicologist (yes that's a real job) to delve into the delights of the very spectacular sound design involved in the greatest sci-fi film of all time*. Lees meer

   As always, there are spoilers ahead! In addition to ones about 2001: A Space Odyssey there are light to medium spoilers for Odyssey (2026) and Paths of Glory (1957)

   You can follow the podcast on social media on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky.

   If you are feeling rich and generous and would like to be a patron of the podcast, you can join Patreon and for £3 or $3 a month you can get ad free version of the show. https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm

   A few notes from the conversation:

   • Foley Sound Effects were named after Jack Foley who pioneered recording everyday sounds for the use in films in post-production all the way back in the late 1920s when sound was all brand new and shiny. (In film of course, although there is no evidence to suggest the whole world was absolutely silent before he came along. How could we ever know?)

   • Midge mentions the Moog synthesiser which had actually been invented in 1964 but had not proliferated until Wendy Carlos released Switched on Bach in October 1968.

   • I seem to have failed to mention the Stargate sequence when talking about dissonance and micropolyphony but the effects are in the background and if you watch the video you'll see it. Apologies.

   I am so lucky to have two amazing guests to break down the sound of the film.

   Midge Costin is Professor Emeritus of Cinematic Arts at USC and a retired Hollywood sound designer of multiple Blockbuster films. She is also produced & directed the award winning, and very fantastic, feature documentary, Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound. (Honestly this is a very inspirational and engaging documentary and I would highly recommend it!)

   Christine Gengaro is a profes…

2. 2001: Special Effects That Changed Cinema

   9 oktober 2026 · 1 uur

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   "Please read the show notes!" She screamed into the void of a blank page. (I realise no one apparently reads the show notes but this time I genuinely think it might be useful to you.) Lees meer

   This is episode two of the 2001: A Space Odyssey mini-series!

   I like to keep episodes under an hour to make them digestible but there is a 15 minute longer version of the episode available for Patreon members or to buy as a one off for £3 or $3. You can find it here: https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm

   It is being released early because I am going on holiday and I have no idea how great my internet is going to be or how often I'll be able to check it while I am away. (I do know that in the summer of 2024 it once took somewhere between 3 and 6 hours to upload the podcast from my mum's house.)

   We have two more episodes to go (one about the sound and the other about Kubrick).

   If you missed the first episode I would suggest you go and take a listen to both parts. If you have not watched 2001: A Space Odyssey you can find an overview of it here on the Wikipedia page.

   I have also mentioned the IMDB page during the episode and the full list of credited cast and crew can be found here: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062622/fullcredits/?ref_=tt_cst_sm

   This episode is about some of the mind-blowing, ahead of their time (by at least 11 years or so when Star Wars came along) and fantastical special effects of the film.

   I never watch videos for podcasts myself, but I would perhaps consider it for this episode as Paul expresses the practicalities of special effects quite well with hand gestures. There are clips of the special effects you may want to look at. You can find the video on YouTube and on Spotify.

   As always, there are spoilers ahead!

   You can follow the podcast on social media on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky.

   The special effects for 2001: A Space Odyssey were shocking in 1968 but still amaze almost sixty years later. I have managed to procure two heavyweight guests to talk u…

3. 2001: A Space Odyssey (Part 2)

   27 september 2026 · 52 min

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   As always there are spoilers ahead! Lees meer

   This is episode one of a four-episode mini-series. To make things even more confusing Episode 1 has two parts. This is part 2. If you have arrived here before treading the ground of part 1 turn back now!

   The idea is to most definitely watch the film before listening to the episode. If you don't want to do that and still want an overview of the film and the plot you can check out the Wikipedia entry here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey

   Please refer to these very show notes for some extra information or clarification. (Yes I'm repeating the same text from part 1. Do you even know how busy I've been and now I must copy and paste to get this out on time!)

   You can follow the podcast on social media on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky.

   If you have money to invest in further space or other scientifically romantic adventures and would like to be a patron of the podcast, pay heed! You can join Patreon and for £3 or $3 a month you can get ad free version of the show. https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm

   Thankfully my two guests are heavy weight bearing beams (of light?). I am indeed getting my metaphors in a mix. That makes no sense. Apologies.

   Michael Benson is an artist, filmmaker and author of a range of exciting books including the magnificently comprehensive 2018 Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece.

   Scott Bukatman is a cultural theorist and Professor of Film and Media Studies at Stanford University. He has written extensively about popular culture with a focus on how it mediates between modern technologies and the human experience. He is also the author of the wonderful BFI book on Blade Runner.

   Clarification: The quote I use near the beginning "Politics and religion are obsolete. The time has come for science and spirituality" originates from Indian philosopher Vinoba Bhave. Arthur C Clarke used the quote in a keynote address. Kubrick underlines the second ha…

4. 2001: A Space Odyssey (Part 1)

   27 september 2026 · 55 min

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   As always there are spoilers ahead! Lees meer

   As we chronologically venture through science fiction history it is finally time to examine one of the heaviest of heavyweight sci-fi films. 2001: A Space Odyssey.

   The idea is to most definitely watch the film before listening to the episode. If you don't want to do that and still want an overview of the film and the plot you can check out the Wikipedia entry here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001:_A_Space_Odyssey

   This is episode one of a four-episode mini-series. To make things even more confusing Episode 1 has two parts. This is part 1. Part 2 is also out. (Why two parts? Because I prefer a more digestible length of podcast.)

   Please refer to these very show notes for some extra information or clarification.

   You can follow the podcast on social media on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky.

   If you have money to invest in further space or other scientifically romantic adventures and would like to be a patron of the podcast, pay heed! You can join Patreon and for £3 or $3 a month you can get ad free version of the show. https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm

   This is the longest episode I've ever recorded (hence the two parts) and I simply couldn't cut much of it down because of my phenomenal guests.

   Michael Benson is an artist, filmmaker and author of a range of exciting books including the magnificently comprehensive 2018 Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece.

   Scott Bukatman is a cultural theorist and Professor of Film and Media Studies at Stanford University. He has written extensively about popular culture with a focus on how it mediates between modern technologies and the human experience. He is also the author of the wonderful BFI book on Blade Runner (which we will get to in good time).

   34:48 The literal translation of "alte kackers" which is how Stanley Kubrick's wife Christiane described the people at the premiere is "old shitters".

   Chapters

   00:00 Introduction

   02:43 Chil…

5. Planet of the Apes: Evolution, Supremacy, & the Death of Liberty

   13 september 2026 · 57 min

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   As usual there are spoilers ahead! Lees meer

   You can follow the podcast on social media on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky.

   If you have an air of gravitas and money to spend and would like to be a patron of the podcast, please do! You can join Patreon and for £3 or $3 a month you can get ad free version of the show. https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm

   The novel Planet of the Apes was released in 1963 in France by French author Pierre Boulle. In that same year publicist Arthur Jacobs bought the screen rights while he was looking for something "like King Kong".

   Five years later in 1968 the film was released with one of the most famous twist endings of cinematic history.

   The film is a fun "off-planet" sci-fi adventure story with heavy commentary on societal expectations and standards.

   I have two lovely guests to help us understand this sci-fi classic.

   John Wills is a Professor of American Media and Culture at the University of Kent. He has written lots about popular culture including his new book Doom Town USA

   Phil Nichols is Senior Consultant to the Ray Bradbury Center at Indiana University, and formerly Film & Television course leader at the University of Wolverhampton.

   The Scopes trial was a 1925 case in the USA in which a teacher was accused of violating the law by teaching evolution in schools. The trial was set up on purpose to challenge the Butler Act which prevented the teaching of evolution.

   Chapters

   00:00 Introduction

   01:20 Book vs film

   03:53 Arthur Jacobs

   06:28 From astronaut to animal

   11:10 Simian society

   15:43 Concepts of civility

   20:07 Western vibes

   22:39 The Trial

   26:40 Race

   32:46 1968 USA

   39:25 The twist ending

   42:34 Liberty in ruins

   47:37 Legacy

   52:18 The brains behind the ending

   53:19 Recommendations

   Recommendations

   Inherit the Wind (1960)

   Soylent Green (1973)

   NEXT EPISODE!

   Eep! It's finally here. I tried to put it off for as long as I could but the 2001: A Space Odyssey mini-series will begin next week with a two-part first epi…

6. Barbarella 1968: Pop Art, Sex & Space Opera

   30 augustus 2026 · 58 min

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   As always, there are spoilers ahead. Lees meer

   You can follow the podcast on social media on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky.

   If you have an air of gravitas and money to spend and would like to be a patron of the podcast, please do! You can join Patreon and for £3 or $3 a month you can get ad free version of the show. https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm

   Graphic novels and comics were widely considered to be for children in the early 1960s. It was a relatively small number of artists and publishers who were working to have comics seen as a viable form of art as well as making comics for adults.

   Although the history of comics for adults is definitely older, this period marks a surge in European interest in the medium. Famous film producer Dino de Laurentiis helped this when he bought the filming rights to adult comics Diabolik (from Italy) and Barbarella (from France) turning them both in to movies in the 1960s.

   De Laurentiis originally wanted Bridget Bardot for the title role and after she turned it down, he looked to Sophia Loren who did the same. His third choice was Jane Fonda who initially rejected the script until her then husband Roger Vadim convinced her to take it. Vadim joined as Director and the rest is kitschy sci-fi history.

   I have two fantastic guests to talk through this swinging 60s sci-fi space opera oddity.

   Lisa Yaszek is Regents' Professor of Science Fiction Studies at Georgia Tech and has written/edited extensively on science fiction.

   Hugo Frey is Professor of History at the University of Chichester. He has a special interest in graphic novels and is co-author of the 2026 book The Look of the 1960s. Barbarella and the Pulp Pop Comics.

   CORRECTION: In the question about the legacy of Barbarella I say Star Trek when I mean Star Wars.

   Chapters

   00:00 Introduction

   02:17 Sci-fi precedence

   03:45 Barbarella comic origins

   06:31 1960s France and the rise of adult comics

   09:37 Jane Fonda playing it straight

   10:59 Jean Claude Forest

   12:22 Jane Fonda: …

7. Je t'aime, je t'aime (1968): Time Travel, Memory and Loss

   16 augustus 2026 · 59 min

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   Translation for the intro: Lees meer

   A race against time. Office time against outside time.

   Who's winning?

   I don't know yet.

   Apologies as I am coming down with a heavy cough and need sleep. I am so out of it that I almost forgot that it is release day! But I jumped out of bed with quite a shock and here you have the episode. Phew!

   As always, there are spoilers ahead.

   You can follow the podcast on social media on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky.

   If you have an air of gravitas and money to spend and would like to be a patron of the podcast, please do! You can join Patreon and for £3 or $3 a month you can get ad free version of the show. https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm

   1968's Je t'aime, je t'aime (AKA I Love You, I Love You). A wonderfully unusual science fiction film about memory, love and loss by French New Wave director Alain Resnais.

   If you would like an overview of the plot you can find it on the Wikipedia page here.

   The time code after the beep (indicating the discussion about sexual violence is done) 50 minutes and 40 seconds.

   I have two magnificent guests!

   Mark Bould is a professor of Film and Literature at the University of West England, Bristol. He has written/edited extensively about science fiction cinema.

   Mani Sharpe is a lecturer in Film Studies at the University of Leeds. He is the author of the book Late-Colonial French Cinema: Filming the Algerian War of Independence.

   At one point Mark mentions Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius by Jorge Luis Borges and I'm mentioning it here as I had to look it up and it might be on interest.

   Chapters

   00:00 Introduction

   01:42 Alain Resnais

   07:20 France in 1968

   11:27 Cancelled Cannes Film Festival

   13:51 Editing and Chronology

   20:10 Continuity conventions

   24:33 Editing words and memories

   33:23 Unreliable Narrator

   39:05 The film watching experience

   44:21 Loss and heartbreak in sci-fi

   50:55 Legacy

   55:05 Recommendations

   Recommendations

   New Rose Hotel (1998) by Abel Ferrara

   Alain Resnais by Emma Wilson

   N…

8. Destroy All Monsters 1968: Godzilla's Kaiju in Combat

   2 augustus 2026 · 52 min

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   Translation for Intro: Lees meer

   "Fire Dragon can reduce Tokyo to ashes in just a few hours."

   Godzilla ROARS.

   "It's Godzilla!"

   As always there are spoilers ahead!

   You can follow the podcast on social media on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky.

   If you have like to wear a monocle and talk about fancy artisan cheeses maybe you would like to be a patron of the podcast? Luckily neither of those things are a requirement! You can join Patreon and for £3 or $3 a month you can get ad free version of the show. https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm

   If you are interested in the plot of the film you can read an overview on the wikipedia page here.

   Correction: In the intro I say Japanese Air Base when I mean Japanese Moon Base.

   Welcome to the podcast!

   TIME FOR PANIC TO ENSUE!!! We are in 1968! It's finally here! Am I ready for the 2001: A Space Odyssey? No, I am not! But I'm getting there. Please bear with me.

   In the meantime, I shall distract you with a chat about one of the most visually delightful of Kaiju Films (Although one of our guests' recommendations may have it beat in visual delights). You can see an array of the stills from Destroy All Monsters on my Instagram account. This is the swinging 60s Japan style!

   In 1968 ToHo studios decided to wrap up the Godzilla Franchise with a big bang! A Kaiju extravaganza featuring 11 monsters. Let me list them for you.

   Godzilla

   Rodan

   Angurius

   Mothra (very tragically in larva form)

   Gorosaurus

   Minilla (Godzilla's son who gives me the creeps. Sorry!)

   Kumonga

   Baragon

   Manda

   Varan

   King Ghidorah

   Due to international success the franchise continued on. Hoorah!

   I have two gargantuan guests for you. (They actually are, as far as I am aware, human sized although I have no proof.)

   Yuki Miyamoto is Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Humanities Center at DePaul University. Her work focuses on the ethics around nuclear discourse.

   Blair Davis is a Professor of Media and Cinema Studies at DePaul University. He has writ…

9. Sci-fi & Architecture: Visions of the Future

   19 juli 2026 · 56 min

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   There are spoilers ahead! For many films I'm afraid. Lees meer

   I would especially avoid the episode until you have watched Ex-Machina (which you really really should immediately it really is phenomenal) as Jes does talk directly about the ending between 53:23 till 53:46.

   I have made a list of the films and books mentioned below.

   This is another detour episode and perhaps you're thinking I'm trying to avoid the very big task of recording 2001: A Space Odyssey content. And perhaps you're right. But I hope you enjoy this discussion.

   If you try to think of a futuristic city your mind may be drawn towards a real place but it could just as easily be drawn towards the great science fiction films that render our future on our screens.

   Films like Blade Runner, Minority Report, Fifth Element and (the granddaddy) Metropolis have all shown us what human futures could look like. Sometimes these visions are intimidating, terrifying or occausionally aspirational. These images in turn can affect and inform own understanding of what an unwritten future should be like.

   I have two wonderful guests to talk through the somewhat symbiotic relationship of science fiction and architecture

   Amy Brookes is an architect and an Associate Professor at the University of Reading. She has written extensively about architecture and one of her special interests is Architecture in science fiction literature and film.

   Jes Deaver is an award-winning architect as well as a filmmaker and writer. She is the author of the article The Architecture of Imagination which explores the parallels between science fiction and architecture.

   Chapters

   00:00 Introduction

   01:32 The SF-Architecture connection

   06:40 How the symbolism of the tower changes

   14:38 Anxieties in architecture

   17:00 The reciprocal relationship

   27:10 Fears of suburbia

   30:27 Non place and virtual space

   33:43 Apocalyptic futures

   40:02 Hopeful alternatives

   49:04 Favourite architectural sci-fi films

   53:46 Recommendations

   Recommendations:

   A…

10. Quatermass: Nigel Kneale, Hammer and Mid-Century Britain

    5 juli 2026 · 1 uur

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    There is a longer version of the podcast available which includes more tangential topics on Patreon for paid subscribers or for a $3 or £3 fee! The long version is just under one hour and twenty-five minutes. If you would like to become a Patreon patron and get all the podcast episodes ad free (as well as the longer edit) you can do that on: https://www.patreon.com/everyscififilm Lees meer

    As always there are spoilers ahead!

    You can follow the podcast on social media on Threads, Instagram and Bluesky.

    As mentioned on the podcast here is an outline of the Quatermass offerings:

    FILM

    1955: The Quatermass Xperiment AKA The Creeping Unknown (dir, Val Guest)

    1957: Quatermass 2 AKA Enemy from Space (dir. Val Guest)

    1967: Quatermass & the Pit AKA Five Million Years to Earth (dir. Roy Ward Baker)

    1979 The Quatermass Conclusion (recut from TV series, dir. Piers Haggard)

    2005 The Quatermass Experiment (Live TV movie, dir. Sam Miller)

    Radio

    1996: The Quatermass Memoirs

    TV Series

    1953: The Quatermass Experiment

    1955: Quatermass II

    1958-59 Quatermass and the Pit

    1979 Quatermass (AKA Quatermass IV or The Quatermass Conclusion)

    2005 The Quatermass Experiment (Live)

    Professor Bernard Quatermass was created by British superstar screenwriter Nigel Kneale and aired on the BBC in 1953. The TV series went on to great popularity and Hammer Films eventually came knocking for film rights.

    Nigel Kneale did not have any rights over the character due to being a staff writer at the time but would eventually go on to international fame especially in sci-fi and horror circles with John Carpenter (amongst others) being a vocal fan.

    Despite all this many people have not heard of Quatermass. Although there have been many attempts to revive the franchise none have come to fruition.

    But that won't stop me seeking out two of the best academics to talk excitedly about their passion for this early TV sci-fi pioneer.

    Mark Bould is a professor of Film and Literature at the University of West E…

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