Cyberpunk Cinema

Welcome to Cyberpunk Cinema – the Definitive Dive into the Dark Future of Science Fiction. I am your host, Anthony La Pira, and I will be taking you on a cinematic journey through the sprawling cityscapes, the crippling datastorms, and the cybernetic implants that encompass all things Cyberpunk.

In this week’s episode, I will be speaking to a very SPECIAL GUEST – Steve De Jarnatt, the director of Cherry 2000 (1987) and Miracle Mile (1988). Steve was gracious enough to come on the show to discuss his long career in Hollywood from the 1970s to the 2010s! We go DEEP into what Steve calls “the disease of cinema” and once you catch the bug, you can never let it out of your system. Steve was a great guest with a lot of insight into all facets of filmmaking and cyberpunk. It’s a fun ride and I hope you enjoy the interview. Without further ado, here is our guest for this week – Steve De Jarnatt.

So, do me a favor – it’s time to access your cranial jacks, boot up your Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7, and slap on your damn mirror-shades. You know what time it is! Cyberpunk Cinema starts…now!

• Anthony's IG - https://www.instagram.com/stormgiantproductions
• Cyberpunk Cinema IG - https://www.instagram.com/cyberpunk.cinema
• Signal Fragment SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/signalfragment
• Steve De Jarnatt's Website - https://www.stevedejarnatt.net/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIowHBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSxwoQkWoMoXr23ExI2FQGxTBrRN4lQL3S6g2_5vC9NkcQJW3D9Keq4SUg_aem_l7lAgmXvotJ-nG0Uu5BjGA
• Steve's Short Stories -https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/G/bo50634192.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawIowLBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUQvc5w23mdhrHOkpw3BrLRYx75R2aEHyXP_ccm3P9pvkxbvaEpcn2y5Tg_aem_wp49NKzMWwy4f4nYRdRRvQ
• Kino Lorber - https://kinolorber.com/product/cherry-2000-special-edition?srsltid=AfmBOoo0qDdxfVMjmg5gxEDYFtBNeR-aICeDz7lXJHhX28XTWJD-MtL8

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Welcome to Cyberpunk Cinema – the Definitive Dive into the Dark Future of Science Fiction. I am your host, Anthony La Pira, and I will be taking you on a cinematic journey through the sprawling cityscapes, the crippling datastorms, and the cybernetic implants that encompass all things Cyberpunk.

In this week’s episode, I will be breaking-down the 2002 dystopian cyberpunk action thriller MINORITY REPORT – directed by Steven Spielberg; written by Scott Frank & Jon Cohen; based on the short-story by Philip K. Dick; starring Tom Cruise, Colin Farrell, Samantha Morton, Max von Sydow, and Neal McDonough.

John works with the PreCrime police which stop crimes before they take place, with the help of three “PreCogs” who can foresee crimes. Events ensue when John finds himself framed for a future murder.

Minority Report was a sci-fi action thriller that paired the biggest star in Hollywood (Tom Cruise) versus the newly anointed next biggest star (Colin Farrell) in a future dystopian world in which murders can be stopped before they happen. It was the rare Summer blockbuster tentpole cyberpunk movie. The film is one of Spielberg’s best and darkest entries, as it explores identity politics, ethical quandaries, and the limits of humanity’s grasp on reality. 

So, do me a favor – it’s time to access your cranial jacks, boot up your Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7, and slap on your damn mirror-shades. You know what time it is! Cyberpunk Cinema starts…now!

• Anthony's IG - https://www.instagram.com/stormgiantproductions
• Cyberpunk Cinema IG - https://www.instagram.com/cyberpunk.cinema
• Signal Fragment SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/signalfragment

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Welcome to Cyberpunk Cinema – the Definitive Dive into the Dark Future of Science Fiction. I am your host, Anthony La Pira, and I will be taking you on a cinematic journey through the sprawling cityscapes, the crippling datastorms, and the cybernetic implants that encompass all things Cyberpunk.

In this week’s episode, I will be breaking-down the 1998 visionary cyberpunk film DARK CITY – directed by Alex Proyas; written by Alex Proyas, Lem Dobbs, and David Goyer; starring Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, & William Hurt.

A man struggles with memories of his past, which include a wife he cannot remember and a nightmarish world no one else ever seems to wake up from.

Dark City was a film that cemented Alex Proyas, a music video director, as a talent to watch in the late-90s and beyond. His debut film, The Crow, became an instant cult classic and his follow-up film Dark City was deeply impressive. In ways, Dark City was like a spiritual sister film to The Matrix – both films shared similar themes, both used some of the same sets, and both expounded upon the late-millennia craze of simulacra and simulation which were based upon the haunting principles that the world around you might not be real. 

So, do me a favor – it’s time to access your cranial jacks, boot up your Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7, and slap on your damn mirror-shades. You know what time it is! Cyberpunk Cinema starts…now!

• Anthony's IG - https://www.instagram.com/stormgiantproductions
• Cyberpunk Cinema IG - https://www.instagram.com/cyberpunk.cinema
• Signal Fragment SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/signalfragment

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Welcome to Cyberpunk Cinema – the Definitive Dive into the Dark Future of Science Fiction. I am your host, Anthony La Pira, and I will be taking you on a cinematic journey through the sprawling cityscapes, the crippling datastorms, and the cybernetic implants that encompass all things Cyberpunk.

In this week’s episode, I will be breaking-down the 1999 cyberpunk landmark film The Matrix – written & directed by The Wachowskis; starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fisburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Joe Pantoliano.

When a beautiful stranger leads computer hacker Neo to a forbidding underworld, he discovers the shocking truth – the life he knows is the elaborate deception of an evil cyber-intelligence.

The Matrix was the film that pushed cyberpunk cinema into the mainstream consciousness. It unleashed a wave of similar themed cyber films, three underwhelming sequels in the Series, as well as making the special effect of “bullet time” a household name. The film garnered critical acclaim, it won 4 Oscars, and made a boat-load of money and made the Wachowskis the most sought-after director duo in town. There was Before Matrix and After Matrix and it created the illusion that we all might be living in a simulation. The real question you want to know is this – What is the Matrix? 

So, do me a favor – it’s time to access your cranial jacks, boot up your Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7, and slap on your damn mirror-shades. You know what time it is! Cyberpunk Cinema starts…now!

• Anthony's IG - https://www.instagram.com/stormgiantproductions
• Cyberpunk Cinema IG - https://www.instagram.com/cyberpunk.cinema
• Signal Fragment SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/signalfragment

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Welcome to Cyberpunk Cinema – the Definitive Dive into the Dark Future of Science Fiction. I am your host, Anthony La Pira, and I will be taking you on a cinematic journey through the sprawling cityscapes, the crippling datastorms, and the cybernetic implants that encompass all things Cyberpunk.

In this week’s episode, I will be breaking-down the 1985 cyberpunk classic TV-Movie Max Headroom – directed by Annabel Jankel & Rocky Morton; written by Steve Roberts; starring Matt Frewer, Amanda Pays, Nickolas Grace, William Morgan Sheppard, Paul Spurrier, and Hilton McRae.

In the dystopic near future, a crusading TV reporter investigates news stories with the help of a wisecracking computer version of himself.

Max Headroom was a cyberpunk film set “20 minutes into the future” that explored the evils of post-capitalist corporatism, the dystopian bleak future society obsessed with media, the pessimism of mankind in a digital age, and the rise of avatars as a new way of life. It’s Blade Runner meets Network! Max Headroom was a prescient look at a near future that looks eerily like the world we live in now. Plus, Max Headroom himself became a pop-culture personality that lasted longer than it’s short-lived TV series. Tune into Channel 23, the “show that wants to know”, and let’s find out what exactly happened in Apartment 42 in the last 60 minutes.

So, do me a favor – it’s time to access your cranial jacks, boot up your Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7, and slap on your damn mirror-shades. You know what time it is! Cyberpunk Cinema starts…now!

• Anthony's IG - https://www.instagram.com/stormgiantproductions
• Cyberpunk Cinema IG - https://www.instagram.com/cyberpunk.cinema
• Signal Fragment SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/signalfragment

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Welcome to Cyberpunk Cinema – the Definitive Dive into the Dark Future of Science Fiction. I am your host, Anthony La Pira, and I will be taking you on a cinematic journey through the sprawling cityscapes, the crippling datastorms, and the cybernetic implants that encompass all things Cyberpunk.

In this week’s episode, I will be breaking-down the 1984 cyberpunk time-traveling B-Movie delight Trancers – directed by Charles Band; written by Danny Bilson & Paul De Meo; starring Tim Thomerson, Helen Hunt, Art LaFleur, Michael Stefani, Biff Manard, and Richard Herd.

A gruff bounty hunter travels back in time to 1980s Los Angeles to stop a twisted criminal who can transform people into zombie-like creatures.

Trancers is an excellent B-Movie Cyberpunk from the King of B-Movies himself, Charles Band. It launched a franchise that had six installments and created the character of Jack Deth led by Tim Thomerson’s awesome performance. It’s a blend of time travel and neo noir and it’s so much freakin’ fun. So, in the words of Jack Deth – “Dry hair’s for squids. Now come on. Let’s get outta here.” 

So, do me a favor – it’s time to access your cranial jacks, boot up your Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7, and slap on your damn mirror-shades. You know what time it is! Cyberpunk Cinema starts…now!

• Anthony's IG - https://www.instagram.com/stormgiantproductions
• Cyberpunk Cinema IG - https://www.instagram.com/cyberpunk.cinema
• Signal Fragment SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/signalfragment

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Welcome to Cyberpunk Cinema – the Definitive Dive into the Dark Future of Science Fiction. I am your host, Anthony La Pira, and I will be taking you on a cinematic journey through the sprawling cityscapes, the crippling datastorms, and the cybernetic implants that encompass all things Cyberpunk.

In this week’s episode, I had a conversation with Charles de Lauzirika, filmmaker, documentarian, and film archaeologist as we delve DEEP into the development hell that was ALIEN 3 (1992). Charles was responsible for all of the Behind-the-Scenes footage of the ALIEN QUADRILOGY boxed set and he was the perfect person to talk to as we shared our mutual love and admiration for the much-maligned, somewhat ridiculed, red-headed step-child of the Alien Franchise. This is a MEGA double-sized episode that checks all the boxes for any fan of Cyberpunk Cinema. This one absolutely rocks!

So, do me a favor – it’s time to access your cranial jacks, boot up your Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7, and slap on your damn mirror-shades. You know what time it is! Cyberpunk Cinema starts…now!

• Anthony's IG - https://www.instagram.com/stormgiantproductions
• Cyberpunk Cinema IG - https://www.instagram.com/cyberpunk.cinema
• Signal Fragment SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/signalfragment

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Welcome to Cyberpunk Cinema – the Definitive Dive into the Dark Future of Science Fiction. I am your host, Anthony La Pira, and I will be taking you on a cinematic journey through the sprawling cityscapes, the crippling datastorms, and the cybernetic implants that encompass all things Cyberpunk.

In this week’s episode, I will be breaking-down the 1986 cyberpunk sci-fi action masterpiece, Aliens – written & directed by James Cameron; story by James Cameron, Walter Hill, & David Giler; starring Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton, Jenette Goldstein, and Carrie Henn.

Decades after surviving the Nostromo incident, Ellen Ripley is sent out to re-establish contact with a terraforming colony but finds herself battling the Alien Queen and her offspring.

Aliens transformed my childhood and became a sci-fi action landmark that, in my opinion, has never been topped. This film is galvanizing, terrifying, heart-pounding, pulse-pounding, funny, legendarily quotable, and a certifiable stone-cold classic. It’s the ultimate litmus test – if you don’t like Aliens, than we can’t be friends. Period. I have probably seen this film near 100 times and it only gets better with each viewing. I cannot fucking wait to go over this star beast!

So, do me a favor – it’s time to access your cranial jacks, boot up your Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7, and slap on your damn mirror-shades. You know what time it is! Cyberpunk Cinema starts…now!

• Anthony's IG - https://www.instagram.com/stormgiantproductions
• Cyberpunk Cinema IG - https://www.instagram.com/cyberpunk.cinema
• Signal Fragment SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/signalfragment

Send a text

Welcome to Cyberpunk Cinema – the Definitive Dive into the Dark Future of Science Fiction. I am your host, Anthony La Pira, and I will be taking you on a cinematic journey through the sprawling cityscapes, the crippling datastorms, and the cybernetic implants that encompass all things Cyberpunk.

In this week’s episode, I will be breaking-down the 1979 protopunk science-fiction horror masterpiece, Alien – directed by Ridley Scott; written by Dan O’Bannon; story by Dan O’Bannon & Ronald Shusett; starring Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, Ian Holm, and Yaphet Kotto.

After investigating a mysterious transmission of unknown origin, the crew of a commercial spacecraft encounters a deadly lifeform.

Alien is the ultimate sci-fi horror mashup that revolutionized the two genres and created a pop-culture sensation. It has all the thematic elements of cyberpunk – MUTHER, the AI-computer that controls the ship and only parcels out information on the need-to-know basis to the expendable crew; ASH, the evil android that is jeopardizing the safety of the crew because he’s following orders from the Company – WEYLAND-YUTANI, the evil multi-national corporation that wants the xenomorph for their bio-weapons division – to the design of the bio-mechanical planetoid that pulses with xenomorphic dread. If cosmic horror is defined as “the terror of the unknowable and incomprehensible”, then ALIEN fits it like a glove.

So, do me a favor – it’s time to access your cranial jacks, boot up your Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7, and slap on your damn mirror-shades. You know what time it is! Cyberpunk Cinema starts…now!

• Anthony's IG - https://www.instagram.com/stormgiantproductions
• Cyberpunk Cinema IG - https://www.instagram.com/cyberpunk.cinema
• Signal Fragment SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/signalfragment

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Welcome to Cyberpunk Cinema – the Definitive Dive into the Dark Future of Science Fiction. I am your host, Anthony La Pira, and I will be taking you on a cinematic journey through the sprawling cityscapes, the crippling datastorms, and the cybernetic implants that encompass all things Cyberpunk.

In this week’s episode, I will be breaking-down the 1995 cyberpunk psychological end-of-world thriller, 12 Monkeys – directed by Terry Gilliam; written by David Webb Peoples & Janet Peoples; inspired by the film “La Jetee” by Chris Marker; starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, Jon Seda, David Morse, and Christopher Plummer.

In a future world devastated by disease, a convict is sent back in time to gather information about the man-made virus that wiped out most of the human population on the planet.

12 Monkeys was a film I saw for the first time as a VHS rental in 1996. I did not see it in the movie theater. At that point, I had not seen the French New Wave film that inspired it, La Jetee (that wouldn’t happen until 1999). For the 17-year old me who was wired into science-fiction, cyberpunk, and all things end of the world, this hit every freaking box. It is one of the best mindfuck films out there and I love it.

So, do me a favor – it’s time to access your cranial jacks, boot up your Ono-Sendai Cyberspace 7, and slap on your damn mirror-shades. You know what time it is! Cyberpunk Cinema starts…now!

• Anthony's IG - https://www.instagram.com/stormgiantproductions
• Cyberpunk Cinema IG - https://www.instagram.com/cyberpunk.cinema
• Signal Fragment SoundCloud - https://soundcloud.com/signalfragment

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