The Incomparable Mothership

Don’t order the fish! Old Movie Club celebrates Aviatober with 1939’s “Only Angels Have Wings” and 1957’s “Zero Hour!” One bears a striking resemblance to forgettable 1980s TV series “Tales of the Gold Monkey,” and the other is undeniably the inspiration for the more notable 1980 movie “Airplane!” (That’s foreshadowing.) <p>Jason Snell with Shelly Brisbin, Philip Michaels, Monty Ashley, David J. Loehr and Micheline Maynard.</p>

It was the late ’80s and comic writer Grant Morrison was fast becoming Grant Morrison. Come back with us to look at his run on Animal Man, issues 1-26, in which a has-been/never-was superhero becomes an outspoken animal rights activist, witnesses the near-undoing of the Crisis on Infinite Earths, and meets his own maker—who looks strangely like Grant Morrison. Before Deadpool and She-Hulk broke the fourth wall, this was Peak Meta. <p>Chip Sudderth with Lisa Schmeiser and Tony Sindelar.</p>

Dan Moren’s “The Armageddon Protocol” is now on sale. He joins Jason to discuss how to wrap up a long-running series (while leaving doors open for future adventures), juggling an increasingly complex home life with a two-book contract, the broader publishing options available to fiction writers, and (of course) sandwiches. <p>Jason Snell with Dan Moren.</p>

Miyazaki Club returns to discuss 2010’s “The Secret World of Arrietty,” a Studio Ghibli production with a screenplay by Hayao Miyazaki based on a series of children’s books. Why are we so unnerved by the linear storyline and lack of weirdness? Why does Jason have Bay Leaf head canon? And why is surface tension the true star of the show? <p>Jason Snell with Steve Lutz, Moisés Chiullán, John Siracusa and Aleen Simms.</p>

“Warner Brothers called and they’re demanding that we do The Matrix IV, with or without you?” So motivated, Lilly Wachowski made a movie that revisits “The Matrix” that’s about revisiting “The Matrix.” Could it be that this 19-years-later sequel… is better than the other sequels? <p>Jason Snell with Chip Sudderth, Erika Ensign and Kelly Guimont.</p>

The Matrix Trilogy ends with “The Matrix Revolutions.” There’s a big fight in Zion, a lot of stuff in the Matrix we didn’t actually remember, everyone becomes Agent Smith, Chip is devoured by thousands of mosquitos, and Kelly resists the bleakness. <p>Jason Snell with Chip Sudderth, Erika Ensign, Kelly Guimont and Joe Rosensteel.</p>

Whoa. Years later, we’re back in the Matrix as we cover the sequels to the mind-blowing 1999 original. First up is “The Matrix Reloaded,” which features thrills, spills, underground orgies, and long philosophical monologues. How well does it hold up? What surprised us? Were we excited, or terrified, to see Zion and all those mech suits? Take the appropriately colored pill and join us. <p>Jason Snell with Joe Rosensteel, Erika Ensign and Chip Sudderth.</p>

We’ve reconvened Mad Max Club to come up with some word burgers about “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” the 2024 prequel to the iconic 2015 film “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Does the prequel match up to the original (aka the fourth) film in the franchise? <p>Steven Schapansky with Erika Ensign, Kelly Guimont and Brian Warren.</p>

Our Ape Club returns to cover 2024’s “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” Yes, it’s apes and humans again, but this is a new era with a lot to consider about how history is distorted to serve present-day politics, the value of saving or destroying past knowledge, and the best way to protect an eagle egg. <p>Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Brian Warren, David J. Loehr and John Moltz.</p>

Our Book Club wraps up its 2024 walk through nine shortlisted SF/F novels with our overall rankings, some short fiction recommendations, and a quick dip into what we’ve read recently and really enjoyed. <p>Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms and Heather Berberet.</p>

We discuss the recently concluded (first?) season of the Star Wars series “The Acolyte.” The show offers a mix of stuff we like about “Star Wars”, but the panel’s split on whether it managed to do a good job executing its ambitious agenda. <p>Jason Snell with Tony Sindelar, Dan Moren, Moisés Chiullán and Chip Sudderth.</p>

Have you been watching Prime Video’s “My Lady Jane?” Our panel is so sure you will like this alternate history show that there’s been a minor coup to take over the Mothership. Join us for a spoiler-free opening pitch to entice you into watching this show, then come for the full spoilery episode. <p>Annette Wierstra with Erika Ensign and Kirsten Goruk.</p>

Our Book Club convenes for its final set of shortlisted novels, including “The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi,” “The Water Outlaws,” and the Nebula-winning “Saint of Bright Doors.” Plus: What are we reading? <p>Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms and Heather Berberet.</p>

Our Summer of the Planet of the Apes reaches its exciting conclusion with “War for the Planet of the Apes,” which starts out as a war movie but continues mutating into different genres as it goes. We really enjoyed our walk through this underrated trilogy of 2010s action movies, and we hope you did too! <p>Jason Snell with Brian Warren, John Moltz, Annette Wierstra and David J. Loehr.</p>

The Summer of the Planet of the Apes continues with 2014’s “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.” It’s a sequel that’s superior in almost every way, but somehow seems a little less fun, since we can no longer root for the apes. Now there are bad guys on both sides, as Gary Oldman and a chimpanzee named Caesar act out a tragedy of Shakespearean levels. <p>Jason Snell with Brian Warren, Annette Wierstra, David J. Loehr and John Moltz.</p>

You did it, you blew it all up! And now it’s… the Summer of the Planet of the Apes! Our own troop of hairless apes tackles the well-regarded modern “Apes” trilogy this month, beginning with 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” James Franco is a scientist? Brian Cox runs a sketchy ape facility? Tom Felton thinks his dates want to see caged primates? Just when you think this movie has it all backward, that’s when you realize: we’re actually all rooting for the apes. <p>Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Brian Warren, John Moltz and David J. Loehr.</p>

Boot up the Time Window and prepare your memory palace! A full season of the new, Disneyfied version of “Doctor Who” has gone by, and we’ve convened a panel of time experts to discuss the highs and lows, and where the series goes next. <p>Jason Snell with Steven Schapansky, Erika Ensign, Chip Sudderth and Annette Wierstra.</p>

“Star Trek: Discovery” opened a new era in Star Trek TV, but now the series has reached its end. How did the new, slimmed-down season 5 storyline work? Were we happy with the series-ending payoff? How were the show’s many interesting characters served in their final go-round? We break it all down. <p>Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Jean MacDonald, Joe Rosensteel and Erika Ensign.</p>

With “Furiosa: A Mad Max Story” in theaters, we thought we would dip back to the original (aka, the fourth) Mad Max movie, “Mad Max: Fury Road” from 2015. It’s a big car chase followed by a race, it’s two hours long, and it’s considered one of the greatest films of all time. Witness us! <p>Steven Schapansky with Erika Ensign, Merlin Mann, Brian Warren and Kelly Guimont.</p>

Our 2024 book club shortlist read continues with “Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon”, “The Terraformers,” and “Some Desperate Glory.” We enjoyed them all, to varying degrees! Plus: What else are we reading? <p>Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign and Heather Berberet.</p>

It’s been 40 years since the release of 1984’s “The Last Starfighter,” so we finally give this visually groundbreaking film its due. Did we find the early CGI effects as charming as the plot of a small town kid becoming a galactic hero in the distant reaches of space? <p>Steven Schapansky with Joe Rosensteel, Cicero Holmes, David J. Loehr and Erika Ensign.</p>

You just can’t kill us, unless we’re wearing something on our necks that means you can. We’re back to cover 2018’s “Deadpool 2,” which bring you… more Deadpool. Not necessarily a bad thing, but should it have tried to elevate its game? Does its ending completely invalidate the story? And what’s the serious plot element at the center of the ridiculous meta superhero action? <p>Jason Snell with Kelly Guimont, Cicero Holmes and Dan Moren.</p>

With a third movie on the way, it’s time for us to tackle an R-rated “X-Men” spinoff, everyone’s favorite glutton for punishment, 2016’s “Deadpool.” Did it pass the test of skeptical first-time viewers? Does its balance of humor and ultraviolence work? And why did we find this deeply unserious movie strangely affecting? <p>Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Kelly Guimont and Dan Moren.</p>

We begin our walk through the 2024 nominees for Best Novel from the Hugo and Nebula Awards. First up: “Starter Villain” by John Scalzi, “Translation State” by Ann Leckie, and “Witch King” by Martha Wells. <p>Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms, Scott McNulty and Heather Berberet.</p>

Put on your mouse ears and step into the TARDIS! We’re discussing the return (rebirth? regeneration?) of “Doctor Who” in 2024, this time on Disney+ (and the BBC). It’s a new era with an old showrunner. How did the 2023 specials hit us, where should curious viewers start watching, and what are our hopes for the coming season? <p>Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Steven Schapansky, Annette Wierstra and Kelly Guimont.</p>

Why does discussing the overlooked 1991 classic “Dead Again” feel like we’re living a past life? Maybe it’s the shock of seeing young Sir Kenneth Branagh (attempting a weird American accent) and Dame Emma Thompson. Maybe it’s Sir Derek Jacobi making us wonder if that stutter is an “I, Claudius” reference. Maybe it’s the whole romantic fantasy thing, with a Hitchcockian past intruding on a 1990s present. <p>Jason Snell with Glenn Fleishman, Erika Ensign, Annette Wierstra, Dr. Drang and Shannon Sudderth.</p>

It’s time to celebrate the music of the first decade of this century via our 2000s album draft! From opera to show tunes, we’ve got several musical styles covered—and those are just Andy’s picks! Why do James’s picks leave us cold? What is Erika’s favorite Beat Saber band? Why does Kelly use karaoke as therapy? How does Shelly tactically use remixes? And why did Brian insist on editing this episode? <p>Jason Snell with Brian Hamilton, James Thomson, Shelly Brisbin, Erika Ensign, Kelly Guimont and Andy Ihnatko.</p>

Our book club reconvenes to discuss the “Shades of Magic” series by V.E. Schwab, as well as the start of a second trilogy, “The Fragile Threads of Power.” Before the spoilers begin, we’ll explain the parallel fantasy world structure and explain why it’s such a great series. Then we’ll discuss the newest book in the series. Plus: What are we reading? <p>Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms and Heather Berberet.</p>

Just when we thought we were out, they pulled us back in! Long after we recorded our first episodes about “The Godfather,” our panelists get back together to talk about the late-sequel “The Godfather Part III,” or is it “The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone” now? Only Francis knows for sure. <p>Jason Snell with John Siracusa, John Gruber, Chip Sudderth and Moisés Chiullán.</p>

Get on your sandworm and head south! It’s time to discuss “Dune Part 2,” a sequel with more sand, more Fremen, and more time spent at the super weird planet of the villainous Harkonnen family. Is Paul the hero, or… something else? Dust off the family atomics and join us, won’t you? <p>Jason Snell with Jean MacDonald, Kelly Guimont, Guy English and Brian Warren.</p>

It’s the first-ever Reboot a Bad Movie draft! In which our stalwart panelists grab an intellectual-property loser off the shelf, dust it off, and re-envision it in a new way that could maybe, possibly be a hit with modern audiences. <p>Moisés Chiullán with Lisa Schmeiser, David J. Loehr, Cicero Holmes and Monty Ashley.</p>

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. <p>Dan Moren with Antony Johnston.</p>

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. <p>Jason Snell with Lex Friedman, John Siracusa, Brian Warren, Monty Ashley and Moisés Chiullán.</p>

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.” <p>Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Dan Moren, Brian Warren and Shelly Brisbin.</p>

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.” <p>Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, John Siracusa, Shelly Brisbin, Chip Sudderth and Lex Friedman.</p>

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. <p>Jason Snell with Shelly Brisbin, Kathy Campbell and Cicero Holmes.</p>

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. <p>Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Heather Berberet, Cicero Holmes and Erika Ensign.</p>

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. <p>Jason Snell with Todd Vaziri, John Siracusa, Annette Wierstra and Erika Ensign.</p>

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. <p>Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Steve Lutz and Moisés Chiullán.</p>

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! <p>Jason Snell with Monty Ashley and Moisés Chiullán.</p>

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. <p>Jason Snell with Dan Moren, Glenn Fleishman, Heather Berberet and John Siracusa.</p>

Happy new year! Some of our most prolific panelists pick some of their favorite media of the year gone by, and a few listeners send in some favorite clips from The Incomparable in this past year. Onward to 2024! <p>Jason Snell with Moisés Chiullán, Chip Sudderth, Monty Ashley, Dan Moren, Shelly Brisbin, Annette Wierstra and David J. Loehr.</p>

It’s Kilmas 2023, in which we continue our annual celebration of the films of Val Kilmer. This year’s selection is “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” written and directed by Shane Black. It’s a film noir-ish story that wants to have everything both ways. Val Kilmer’s the best thing in it, of course. The rest of the film feels unstuck in time. <p>Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Tiff Arment and Dan Moren.</p>

In the spirit of coming downstairs and finding presents waiting under the tree, we offer the Incomparable Toy Draft. It’s not just a story about our favorite childhood toys—it’s also a story about the toys we desperately wanted and never got. <p>Jason Snell with Shelly Brisbin, Lisa Schmeiser, Kelly Guimont, Moisés Chiullán, David J. Loehr, Chip Sudderth, Monty Ashley, Philip Michaels and Annette Wierstra.</p>

50 years later, “Soylent Green” is still made of people—and its futuristic setting of 2022 is shockingly relevant! But having given this film a full viewing, we think it’s also a pretty good example of ’70s eco sci-fi with a little noir detective flavoring. (Not that kind of flavoring.) <p>Jason Snell with Jean MacDonald, Monty Ashley, Annette Wierstra, Dr. Drang and Philip Michaels.</p>

Almost 100 episodes later, we reconvene (most of) our original panel to discuss season two of “The Wheel of Time.” How does it fit into the current set of big fantasy TV shows? Team Didn’t-Read-the-Books seems to be in agreement with Lady Dragonmount that it helps when a fantasy saga’s book series is complete before it’s adapted for the screen. <p>Moisés Chiullán with Kathy Campbell and John Siracusa.</p>

We don’t care what the box office says! We saw “The Marvels” and thought it was a lot of fun. And we worry that Marvel may take the wrong lessons from its box-office failure. <p>Jason Snell with Chip Sudderth, Shannon Sudderth, Sarah Hendrica Bickerton, James Thomson and Kelly Guimont.</p>

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! For the holiday, we give you a turkey of a movie about a duck. It’s 1986’s “Howard the Duck.” (No way to conceal it.) <p>Jason Snell with Annette Wierstra, Erika Ensign, Moisés Chiullán, Monty Ashley, Steve Lutz and David J. Loehr.</p>

Dan Moren’s new novel ‘All Souls Lost’ is a departure from his previously published work, but not as much as you might think. Antony talks to him about the book, how it came to be, and why it was a long time in the making. <p>Antony Johnston and Dan Moren.</p>

We have some suggestions for the next round of “Star Trek” TV series. <p>Jason Snell with Monty Ashley, Moisés Chiullán, Joe Rosensteel, David J. Loehr and Heather Berberet.</p>