They Came From Outer Space

Want to watch a movie about lower income black and brown kids that shows their humanity  while they fight aliens? Actress,  writer and award winning director Khanisha Foster offers a masterclass in storytelling as we dissect this 2011 London-based sci fi film. 

Released in 2011, Attack the Block is a sci fi thriller Described by director Joe Cornish as “La Haine” meets “Alien”. Attack the Block stars a young John Boyega as Moses, the 15 year old leader of teen gang of five South London inner-city teens whose mugging of a well-off woman (played by Jodie Whittacker) gets interrupted by, that’s right, an alien invasion. Moses and the gang must arm themselves and protect the block, or get eaten.

Find out more about Khanisha here: https://www.khanishafoster.com/ 

Aliens, gators and bears oh my! Cameron is joined by filmmaker Chantelle Castillo to discuss this very TRIPPY all-girl mutation sci-fi film "Annihilation". 

Released in 2018 for Paramount, Annihilation was written and directed by Alex Garland, adapted from the novel by Jeff VanDerMeer. It follows Biologist Lena, played by Natalie Portman, who in her search for clues about her husband Kane (played by Oscar Isaac)  volunteers for an all-girl, all-scientist expedition into an alien zone called “the Shimmer” filled with rainbow light and deadly gators. As the shimmer begins to affect the team, Lena must find answers and way out before she too is absorbed by the mutating landscape.

How did the production design of this film affect our internal portrayal of the future? Cameron talks with art director, filmmaker and comedian Monk Hooper about why this Tom Cruise flick still holds fast in our minds. And don't worry, we are gonna TALK about Tom Cruise! Listen in for tips on making a world feel real with details, and some laughs.

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https://www.instagram.com/hoopseadoopsy/

“I Kill with my c*nt. You can write about it in Midnight Magazine.”

Released in 1982, Liquid Sky is a sexual sci fi thriller produced and directed by Slava Tsukerman. 40 years later and this movie is taking on things mainstream film is too afraid to touch. Women's bodies, gender, self expression, the other, all under a blaring 80s synth soundtrack.

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Madeleine Olnek is a writer, director and producer, known for her 2018 film “Wild Nights With Emily” starring Molly Shannon - famous for being the first ever queer portrayal of Emily Dickinson - in 2018! Madeleine got her start as a playwright, she wrote and directed over 24 original plays in downtown NYC. She has received dozens of awards and fellowships including the Jerome Foundation. She is a co-author of “The Practical Handbook for The Actor” which is required reading at many universities.

Don't be afraid! This episode features 'Melly Gibs' and some spooOOoooky aliens! Filmmaker Aaron Bartuska shares why he styles himself an "M. Night Shyamalan apologist" and why this film is worth watching 20 years later!

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Aaron Bartuska is a filmmaker from Philly, currently based in NYC.His debut feature film, “For Roger”, a slow burn horror film that takes place in the DV cam recordings of a young couple, has now been featured in 10 festivals and accepted to 3 more, including a highlight at UK’s Grimfest.

https://www.instagram.com/bartuskaaaron/?hl=en

https://twitter.com/aaronbartusk/media 

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"Space belongs to 007" - In this landmark 50th EPISODE OF THE SHOW, Cameron interviews New York based filmmaker Joe Rocco Plescia on why this installment of the Bond films is still worth watching, how Roger Moore compares to the Daniel Craig era, and how to do great action on a budget.

You can follow Joe on Insta @jroccoplescia

👽 And of course follow They Came From Outer Space! @theycamefromouterspace_

Filmmaker Skye King shares why this 1995 cult classic is so good, and SO FUN! Lori Petty, Malcolm McDowell and ICE T navigate the post apocalypse. This film, the 2nd in TCFOS's history to be directed by a woman, asks the question "If our world doesn't make sense, why should our protagonist?"

This movie is amazing and insane, and we love it. Tune in to hear about why musicals make sense in a fantasy post apocalypse. 

EPISODE 1 Re-airing! Originally aired in September of 2018, this premiere episode of the show features Jeff Roll, who was VP of the James River Film Society for 5 years. to discuss The Day The Earth Stood Still.  Directed by Robert Wise, this is the ultimate classic for sci-fi fans and starts off the show with Klaatu, the pacifist alien who lands in Washington DC to urge humans to live in peace.

“The film, based on Harry Bates's short story "Farewell to the Master," was made during the Cold War and only a few years after mankind witnessed the atomic bomb's devastation. A third world war possibly would mean the first nuclear war and unimaginable destruction.”

ZETUS LAPETUS! Joined by the incredible Eliana, it's time to break down what is widely regarded as the greatest Sci Fi film of the 20th century, the Disney-channel original movie, Zenon.  Eliana discusses everything from horse symbolism to space capitalism, so grab your Y2K gear and tune in MAJOR!

Why does art matter? Why does independent cinema matter? Nathan Ludwig, director of the GenreBlast film festival, shares why this wild film  has stuck with him and what independent filmmakers can learn from it. 

Check out Nathan's awesome podcast "The Reel '96".  

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Released in 1989, Tetsuo the Iron Man was directd by Shinya Tsukamoto. It is a body horror fever dream- and a black and white cyberpunk cult classic. A classic salaryman accidentally kills a man called “the metal fetishist” and embarks on a nightmarish journey as he turns into a beast made of metal. In this we have  classic robot fights, surreal stop motion and a very very bloody intercourse scene all in 67 minutes. It’s incredible, unique and asks the question “when does technology go too far?”