ALIENS (1986)

James Cameron’s terrifying and overwhelming sequel ALIENS is a rollercoaster that Roger Ebert called “absolutely, painfully and unremittingly intense.” We sit down with ⁠Brendan Hodges⁠ to explore the film’s power over us, what all that goo and slime means, the film’s anti-bureaucratic “strong individualist” conservatism and second wave feminist ideology, its use of space inContinue reading “ALIENS (1986)”

STARSHIP TROOPERS (1997)

Liam Billingham (Die Hard on a Blank / OuevreBusters) joins us to discuss Paul Verhoeven’s meta-propaganda Brechtian war film Starship Troopers. We discuss the film’s odd mixture of big budget VFX with soap opera stars, how it’s three movies in one, the nature of meaning in a world devoid of conflict, and art that risks embarrassment. It’sContinue reading “STARSHIP TROOPERS (1997)”

THE BOX (2009)

Our guest Matt Strohl (Philosophy, Montana; author of Why It’s OK to Love Bad Movies) thinks Richard Kelly’s 2009 film THE BOX is due for a critical reappraisal, and we agree. We talk about altruism, self-deception, faith, freedom, Hell, Sartre, and why this is a freaking Christmas movie! Buckle up for a weird and wildContinue reading “THE BOX (2009)”