
The Skiffy and Fanty Show
314 episodes — Page 6 of 7
366. Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)(At the Movies)
Cute droids, contortionist plots, and the Abrams, oh my! Shaun Duke and Alex Acks don their Rebel uniforms to tackle the conclusion to the Star Wars saga, The Rise of Skywalker. Together, they talk about what the film represents within the trilogy, how Abrams attempted to tie everything together, and where the film goes right and where it goes wrong, and much more. Like traditional style roast Porg, this one is stuffed with content. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Star Wars IX: The Rise of Skywalker (IMDb) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Sphere” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
365. Looking Back, Moving Forward: The 2020 Edition
New years, new decades, and new changes, oh my! In our first episode of 2020, Jen and Shaun take a trip in a time machine to discuss some of the things they loved in 2019 and some of the things they’re looking forward to in 2020. From books to movies to awkward social events, there’s a lot to love about 2019 and a lot to expect in 2020. That’s kinda the theme, right? Looking back! Moving forward! Of course, a new decade means new changes to the show. Shaun and Jen take a minute to talk about what you can expect from the show in 2020, why we’re making some changes to things, and what they’re hoping to get out of our 10th year of podcasting. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Shaun’s 2019 Things: Media: Captain Marvel (Disney / Marvel) Literature: The Lesson by Cadwell Turnbull (Blackstone Publishing) Random: Attending Worldcon in Dublin with a whole bunch of Skiffy and Fanty peeps and being a Hugo Award finalist for Best Fancast again! (Thank you thank you thank you!!!) Jen’s 2019 Things: Media: The Mandalorian(Disney / Star Wars) Literature: The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (Redhook) Random: Jen’s job at Book Riot! Y’know. The one where she gets paid. Shaun’s 2020 Things: Media: Bill & Ted Face the Music (Orion Picture) Literature: A Peculiar Peril: The Misadventures of Jonathan Lambshead by Jeff Vandermeer (FSG Books for Young Readers) Random: Shaun is a Down Under Fan Fund candidate and he needs your votes and support! Jen’s 2020 Things: Media: Picard (CBS) Literature: Stormsong by C.L. Polk (Tor.com) Random: Jen bought a new house in a brand new state! If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Sphere” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Torture Cinema #97: Santa with Muscles (1996) — The Holiday Special
Exploding gems, racist wrestlers, and orphans, oh my! In this very special (and totally late) holiday edition of Torture Cinema, Shaun, Julia, Alex, and Jen tackle a truly horrifyingly bad Christmas movie, Santa with Muscles. From Hulk Hogan’s questionable acting skills to the nonsensical plot, the odd connections to famous actors and popular TV shows, and the utterly bananapants characters and twists, we certainly had a lot to talk about for this one. So thanks, Patreon supporters. Thanks so much. We hope you enjoy the episode! Overall Grade: F+-ish Show Notes: Santa with Muscles (1996)(IMDb) Our Grades: Shaun (F) Julia (D-) Jen (F) Alex (D+) Average (F+-ish) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
At the Movies #81: Klaus (2019)
Town rivalries, reindeer, and fishy circumstances, oh my! Shaun, Jen, and Becca join forces to discuss Netflix’s animated Santa origin story, Klaus. Together, they contemplate the meaning of tradition in a town wrapped up in rivalries and hate, the significance of the Sami people to the story and our world, the film’s joyous treatment of the Santa story, and much more. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)(IMDb) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Screen Scouts #21: The Mandalorian (Season 1; Episodes 1-3)
Sweet Westerns, delicious Mando’a, and Yodito, oh my! Screen Scouts takes a departure from our Babylon 5 re-watch for an impromptu discussion about The Mandalorian. Shaun and Jen join forces to talk about how the show approaches Mandalorian culture and diaspora, Favreau’s moderate obsession with Westerns, the politics of Star Wars, Wernor Herzog, and baby Yoda (species whatever). It’s a delicious episode, so get your spoons out and keep those tents closed so the sand doesn’t get in! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: S1E1: “Chapter 1“ S1E2: “Chapter 2: The Child“ S1E3: “Chapter 3: The Sin“ If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Torture Cinema #96: Transylvania 6-5000 (1985)
Questionable journalists, questionable comedy, and questionable geography, oh my! Shaun Duke, Alex Acks, Jen Zink, and Trish Matson wander into an unsuspecting Eastern European town to discuss the 1985 “comedy,” Transylvania 6-5000. With their magic judge hats on, the crew tackles the film’s approach to comedy, the absurdity of its monster-centric premise, twist endings, hairy dudes, and what it’s like to have Patreon supporters who pick movies like this for us to watch (thanks…)! We hope you enjoy the episode! Overall Grade: D-ish Show Notes: Transylvania 6-5000 (1985)(IMDb) Our Grades: Shaun (D) Alex (D) Jen (D+) Trish (D) Average (D-ish) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
At the Movies #80: Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)
Linda Hamilton, Linda Hamilton, and Linda Hamilton, oh my! Alex and Trish join forces to discuss the newest installment in the Terminator franchise, Terminator: Dark Fate. Together, they discuss the return of Linda Hamilton and what it means for the franchise and women, the new terminator model, the timey wimey plot, and so much more! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Terminator: Dark Fate (2019)(IMDb) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Speculative Fiction in Translation #17: Science Fiction and Fairy Tales
This month, Rachel and Daniel talk about the SFiT that came out in September and what they’re reading now. As Daniel points out, several of the short stories they discuss have some kind of fairy-tale element to them, leading the co-hosts to think about the interesting connections between that genre and science fiction. And while September’s short SFiT was dominated by stories from Korea and China, the novels, collections, and anthologies came from Japan, Israel, and Germany. Rachel talks about how Japanese SF media is taking over her house (books, Pokemon cards, manga, etc.), and Daniel shares his love of Francesco Verso’s novel Nexhuman, which Daniel reviewed on his site. Remember: with new stories and books coming to their attention each week, make sure to check the SFT website for updates. Enjoy, and keep reading! A bientôt! Show Notes: SFT in 2019 Out This Month: September Feel free to shoot us an email at skiffyandfanty [at] gmail [dot] com! You can also leave a comment on our website. Our new intro and outro music comes “No Disclaimer” by Jesse Spillane (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Torture Cinema #95: Children of the Corn (1984)(Belated Halloween)
Creepy cult children, confusingly animated monsters, and Korn, oh my! Shaun Duke, Alex Acks, and David Annandale meet in the corn fields to discuss 1984 adaptation of Stephen King’s Children of the Corn. They discuss the film’s bizarre plot structure, what it’s like to be murdered by creepy cult children, the wonders of corn demons, terrible 80s relationships, and more! We hope you enjoy the episode! Overall Grade: D Show Notes: Children of the Corn (1984)(IMDb) Our Grades: Shaun (D) Alex (D) David (D) What Would Paul Do (D) Average (D) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Signal Boost #56 — C.S.E. Cooney (Desdemona and the Deep) and Carlos Hernadez (Sal and Gabi Break the Universe)
In today’s episode of Signal Boost, Shaun Duke interviews the fantabulawesome C.S.E. Cooney about Desdemona and the Deep and the wonderrifical Carlos Hernandez about Sal and Gabi Break the Universe! Unlike other Signal Boost episodes, this one features both guests on the same mic! And that means in addition to talking about Cuban food, the politics of wealthy society (and goblins), their unique journeys to publication, and the powerful themes of loss and change in each of their works, among other things, you get some delicious banter between these incredible writers! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: C.S.E. Cooney’s Things: Twitter Website Desdemona and the Deep (BUY IT!) Carlos Hernandez’s Things: Twitter Website Sal and Gabi Break the Universe (BUY IT!) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Screen Scouts #20: Babylon 5 (Season 3; Episodes 13-17)
Shadow dominoes, buddy psycops, and genocidal love, oh my! The Babylon 5 re-watch of Season 3 continues! Shaun, Mike, and Paul tackle episodes 13 through 17. They explore the progression of the war with the Shadows, Centauri courtship culture and the complex “racial” politics of the show, our beautiful dreams for a buddy cop show featuring Garibaldi and Bester, and so much more. So climb aboard the the White Star and join us on our adventures in the B5 universe! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: S3E13: “Sic Transit Vir“ S3E14: “Ship of Tears“ S3E15: “Interludes and Examinations“ S3E16: “War Without End, Part One“ S3E17: “War Without End, Part Two“ If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
364. Valerie Valdes (a.k.a The Cuban Shepard) — Chilling Effect
Shenanigans, pastelitos, and tele novelas, oh my! Jen Zink and Paul Weimer are joined by Valerie Valdes, author of the banging new space adventure, Chilling Effect. Together, they discuss Valerie’s approach to precursor aliens, building multicultural space systems, and the found family vs. bio family trope. They also take a dive into the influence of video games on Valerie’s work! We hope you enjoy the episode! Don’t forget, if you sign up for our Patreon, where you can get access to other nifty podcast features! Show Notes: Chilling Effect (GO BUY IT!) Valerie’s Twitter Valerie’s Website If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Torture Cinema #94: Stan Helsing (2009)
Dirty mice, invisible plots, and Leslie Nielsen, oh my! Shaun Duke, Alex Acks, and Paul Weimer throw themselves on Freddy’s clawed hand to discuss Stan Helsing, a movie made by drunk people to torture the dead. Together, they discuss the film’s approach to humor, its nonsensical plot, why Leslie Nielsen is in this movie, and all the ways that this film is both offensive and hopelessly lazy. You picked it, so we watched it. Thanks a lot, y’all. We hope you enjoy the episode! Overall Grade: F- ish Show Notes: Stan Helsing (2009)(IMDb) Our Grades: Shaun (F-) Alex (F) Paul (F-) Average (F- ish) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Righteous Kicks #5: Kamen Rider Fourze, Episodes 1-16
Welcome to Righteous Kicks — the podcast where two science fiction writers geek out about men in spandex bodysuits who kick evildoers to death in abandoned quarries until they explode! This month, because you all voted for it, Iori and Brandon begin Kamen Rider Fourze! Deep space and high school drama collide! We note that this is essentially every American teen movie if they were all partially set on the moon, we have intense feelings about all of these silly teenagers, and we realize that the monster metaphors here are actually pretty dark for a show about a boy who just wants to be friends. Plus, we briefly discuss the upcoming Reiwa Era series, Kamen Rider Zero-One — the first series to have a female Rider in the main roster?! Next time: we continue with episodes 17 to 32 of Fourze! Who is that man with a meteor for a head doing kung fu? What are the villains’ master plans? And will Gentarou actually befriend everyone at school? Be Transformed, and Stay Righteous! Show Notes: Kamen Rider Zero-One on the Kamen Rider Wiki Kamen Rider Fourze on the Kamen Rider Wiki Gentarou demonstates the best reason to befriend someone Fourze at KRDL.moe If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page or email Righteous Kicks at righteouskickscast @ [gmail.com]. You can also find the hosts on twitter: Brandon O’Brien and Iori Kusano. The intro and outro music for Righteous Kicks is ‘Kamen Rider Love Song’ by Berserk, which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Reading Rangers #11: A Civil Campaign
Hello, Rangers! In today’s exploration of Bujold’s Vorkosigan Saga, Trish Matson, Kate Sherrod, Alex Acks, Stina Leicht, and Paul Weimer take a stab at A Civil Campaign. Together, they talk about the novel’s exploration of gender roles, the wild world of regency romances, how the book feels like an endpoint for certain narrative threads, and butterbugs! Next time in our journey through the Vorkosigan Adventures, we’ll discuss Winterfair Gift! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: A Civil Campaign Chronological Reading Order of The Vorkosigan Saga (though we’re not totally using this) Winterfair Gifts If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page, and if you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Speculative Fiction in Translation #16: Looking Back on the Summer’s SFT
Rachel and Daniel return this month with a wide-ranging conversation about the SFT they’ve been reading/hearing about/wanting to read from the summer. While Rachel was reading Liu Cixin’s Supernova Era (tr. by Joel Martinsen), The Aayakudi Murders by Indra Soundar Rajan (tr. Nirmal Rajagopalan), and The Dreamed Part by Rodrigo Fresan (tr. Will Vanderhyden), Daniel was finishing Laurence Suhner’s Vestiges in the original French, starting Jean Ray’s Whiskey Tales (tr. Scott Nicolay), and reading Francesco Verso’s Nexhuman (tr. Sally McCorry). Then they talk about some of their favorite short fiction from the summer, what they’re looking forward to in the fall, and the very sad closing of Haikasoru, Rachel’s favorite SFT imprint. Remember: with new stories and books coming to their attention each week, make sure to check the SFT website for updates. Enjoy, and keep reading! A bientôt! Show Notes: SFT in 2019 Out This Month: August Out This Month: July Out This Month: June Feel free to shoot us an email at skiffyandfanty [at] gmail [dot] com! You can also leave a comment on our website. Our new intro and outro music comes “No Disclaimer” by Jesse Spillane (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Totally Pretentious #19. Fitzcarraldo (1982): The Colonial German Man and His Opera of Wickedness
In today’s episode, David and Shaun take a good look at Werner Herzog’s Fitzcarraldo (1982). Before digging into the film, they discuss the controversy surrounding lead actor, Klaus Kinski, including relatively recent revelations about his abuse of his daughters and his relationship with other actors and Werner Herzog. From there, they look into the film’s themes of colonialism and indigenous betrayal, the role of opera in the narrative, the film’s portrayal of relationships and masculinity, and much more. Warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault and other abuse committed by Kinski. Prepare yourselves for another foray into cinematic greatness. Enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Today’s Movie: Fitzcarraldo (1982; dir. Werner Herzog) Resources: Fitzcarraldo (Wikipedia) Klaus Kinski (Wikipedia) Conquest of the Useless: Reflections from the Making of Fitzcarraldo by Werner Herzog Werner Herzog: Interviews by Eric Ames A Companion to Werner Herzog edited by Brad Prager The Cinema of Werner Herzog: Aesthetic Ecstasy and Truth by Brad Prager Our Next Movie: Hausu (a.k.a. House. 1977; dir. Nobuhiko Ôbayashi). The film is available at these locations: Amazon Prime ($3.99 to rent / $14.99 to buy) Vudu ($2.99 to rent / $14.99 to buy) iTunes ($3.99 to rent / $14.99 to buy) Feel free to shoot us an email at skiffyandfanty [at] gmail [dot] com! You can also leave a comment on our website. Our intro/outro music comes from “Sundancer” by Wild Shores. Licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0
At the Movies #79: I Am Mother (2019)
Robots, twisted motherhood, and Swankery, oh my! Shaun, Jen, Alex, and Paul join forces to discuss the truly compelling science fiction film, I Am Mother (2019). Together, our ragtag survivalist bunch talks about the film’s approach to motherhood, the power of independent SF cinema, the meaning of the film’s ending, and so much more. It’s a spoilerrific podcast, folks, but you know you won’t be able to resist. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: I Am Mother (2019)(IMDb) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
#06. Star Wars: Thrawn – Thrawn and On and On (A Star Wars Literary Podcast)
Prep your survival manual and press those imperial officer uniforms! Shaun, Alex, and special guest, Tiara W., cast reddish eyes at the new canon to discuss Timothy Zahn’s return to the universe in Star Wars: Thrawn. Our intrepid crew talks about this new incarnation of the only member of the Blue Man Group that matters, with some attention to how his character differs from the Legends universe and just what it means to be in Thrawn’s good graces. Plus there’s a lot of conversation about imperial politics and the infamous Grand Moffs, Zahn’s exploration of the imperial navy, and even some love…err…hate for the wrinkly grumpster himself: Emperor Palpatine. We hope you enjoy the episode!Show Notes: Star Wars: Thrawn (Wookieepedia) Star Wars: Thrawn (Wikipedia) Star Wars: Thrawn (Del Rey) Tiara’s Stuff: Tiara’s Twitter The BiblioSanctum Kate’s Stuff: Kate’s Website Kate’s Twitter Alex’s Stuff: Alex’s Website Alex’s Twitter Shaun’s Stuff: Shaun’s Twitter Shaun’s Website Our NEXT book (get it NOW to read along with us!): The New Rebellion by Kristine Kathryn Rusch (Legends) If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page. Want to suggest a book? Think we should add a feature? Have a question? Feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our intro music comes “Juno” by Chronox (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
363. Alix E. Harrow (a.k.a. The Door Builder) — The Ten Thousand Doors of January (An Interview)
Footnotes, diaries, and doors, oh my! In today’s episode, Jen Zink and Paul Weimer interview the Hugo Short Story winning writer, Alix E. Harrow, about her debut novel, The Ten Thousand Doors of January! Find out how this book puts Alix’s cheating methods on display, how she worked to subvert the white colonial narrative of classic portal fantasy, what books she used as a model, and so much more! We hope you enjoy the episode! Don’t forget, if you sign up for our Patreon, you’ll be able to listen to our Patreon exclusive interview, 5 Questions with Alix E. Harrow! Show Notes: The Ten Thousand Doors of January (GO BUY IT!) Alix’s Website Alix’s Twitter If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Torture Cinema #93: Next (2007) at Worldcon in Dublin (w/ Linnea)
Greasy chest hair, lasting 2 minutes, and animal abuse, oh my! Recorded (sorta last minute) in a hotel room in Dublin, Ireland, this special edition features Shaun Duke, Alex Acks, Julia Rios, Jen Zink, Brandon O’Brien, and special guest / friend of the show, Linnea! Together, our intrepid crew tackles yet another Nicolas Cage debacle, Next, which could charitably be called a loose adaptation of a Philip K. Dick short story. From questionable dating practices to equally questionable government tactics to additionally questionable life choices, this episode is packed with laughs, jetlag, absurd rants, and, well, lots of the stuff y’all want in an episode of Torture Cinema! We hope you enjoy the episode! Overall Grade: D+ Show Notes: Next (IMDb) Next (Wikipedia) Linnea’s Stuff: Starcrashed Podcast RobotMariaReviews on YouTube! RobotMaria199 on Twitter! Thanks for joining us, Linnea! You rock! Our Grades: Shaun (D-) Alex (C) Julia (D+) Linnea (D) Jen (D) Brandon (C-) Average (D+ish) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Torture Cinema #92: Starcrash (1978/79)
The Hass, chauvinist robots, and Italians, oh my! In a Torture Cinema podcast that meanders almost as much as the movie, Shaun Duke, Jen Zink, and Trish Matson get together to discuss this month’s Patreon selection, Starcrash! Not only do the team discuss everything from the truly awful logic to the surprising inclusion of an… uhhh… active female protagonist, we also introduce a new segment to Torture Cinema called, “What is Paul’s Like?” Make sure you listen, because it includes some of the absolute best aspects of this truly terrible film. We hope you enjoy the episode! Overall Grade: D+ Show Notes: Starcrash (IMDb) Starcrash (Wikipedia) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Signal Boost #55 — Strange Horizons Fund Drive with Vanessa Rose Phin!
WEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! This is a slightly different Signal Boost than usual. Instead of our usual two boosts, this time we want you to focus completely on the super extra important fund drive for the amazing STRANGE HORIZONS!! Today, Jen Zink is joined by by Strange Horizons newest Editor-in-Chief, Vanessa Rose Phin, to talk a little bit about the structure, history, and the voice of Strange Horizons and then, most importantly, their 2020 funding drive on Kickstarter, what the Kickstarter backers can get out of their support, and more! They might have made their base funding goal, but lets get Strange Horizons all the way to the top! Stuff they’re getting now that they weren’t at when we recorded: Mexican SFF issue Climate Change issue What they still want to get that you can get them to in the next 24 hours: 10 CENTS PER WORD PAY RATES FOR WRITERS! LET’S DO IT! And don’t forget, Strange Horizons is a finalist for Best Semiprozine! If you haven’t voted yet, don’t forget to do so NOW! Like, seriously… time is almost up!! Show Notes: Vanessa Rose Phin, EIC of Strange Horizons Strange Horizons Strange Horizons on Twitter Strange Horizons 2020 Funding Campaign(GO SUPPORT IT!) Strange Horizons on Patreon Variations on a Name: The -Punks of Our Times by Jaymee Goh Vanessa Rose Phin on Twitter If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Speculative Fiction in Translation #15: An Interview with Julia Meitov Hersey
This month, Rachel has a special guest on the podcast! Julia Meitov Hersey (@JuliaMeiHersey), who translated the psychological-fantasy-thriller Vita Nostra from the Russian, comes on to talk about how she first started translating the complex, lyrical work of Marina and Sergey Dyachenko (@DyachenkoW); what makes translating speculative fiction unique; and her own future projects. Insightful and entertaining, this interview will send you straight to your local independent bookstore to buy Vita Nostra. You’re welcome! Remember: with new stories and books coming to their attention each week, make sure to check the SFT website for updates. Enjoy, and keep reading! A bientôt! Feel free to shoot us an email at skiffyandfanty [at] gmail [dot] com! You can also leave a comment on our website. Our new intro and outro music comes “No Disclaimer” by Jesse Spillane (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Totally Pretentious #18. Cat People (1942) and The Seventh Victim (1943): The Terror of the Other and the Beast Within
In today’s episode, David and Shaun turn their attention to Cat People (1942) and its loose sequel, The Seventh Victim (1943). Together, they discuss the impact these films had on the development of the horror genre, the terror of the beast within, the treatment of cults and psychiatry in each film, and much more! Prepare yourselves for another foray into cinematic greatness. Enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Today’s Movies: Cat People (1942)(IMDb) The Seventh Victim (1943)(IMDb) Resources: Cat People (Wikipedia) The Seventh Victim (Wikipedia) Our Next Movie: Fitzcarraldo (1982). You can watch the film at these locations: Tubi (free) Amazon Prime (free with Prime subscription or $3.99 to rent) YouTube ($2.99 to rent) Google Play ($2.99 to rent; $7.99 to buy) VUDU ($2.99 to rent; $9.99 to buy) iTunes ($3.99 to rent; $9.99 to buy) Feel free to shoot us an email at skiffyandfanty [at] gmail [dot] com! You can also leave a comment on our website. Our intro/outro music comes from “Sundancer” by Wild Shores. Licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0
Signal Boost #54 — Ada Hoffmann (The Outside) and David Wellington (The Last Astronaut)
In today’s episode of Signal Boost, Paul Weimer and Kate Sherrod interview the wonderful Ada Hoffmann about her debut novel, The Outside. They discuss the really fun basis for the novel, the mash-up of horror and space opera, representation of neurodivergent characters, AI gods, linguistic spiders, and a bunch more fun stuff! Then Shaun Duke talks to David Wellington about The Last Astronaut, his new science fiction horror novel. They discuss what it’s like to talk to actual astronauts, what draws David to the horror genre, space-themed horror and what makes for good alien menaces, and even a bit about how David tackles a dark tale of the future of the space program while still being a NASA super fan. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Ada Hoffman (01:00 – 21:28) Ada’s Website Ada on Twitter The Outside (GO BUY IT!) David Wellington (21:32 – 48:23) David’s Website David’s Twitter The Last Astronaut (GO BUY IT!) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
At the Movies #78: Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Bad haircuts, beer, and delicious pandering, oh my! Shaun, Alex, Trang, and Stina assemble to tackle one of the biggest films in cinematic history: Avengers: Endgame. This one is a spoilerrific podcast, y’all, which means we talked about some of the biggest permanent changes to the MCU, from who dies to who gets redemption and more. We also tackle some of the controversies about the film, including that scene and that other scene. You know what we’re talking about. So get yourselves ready. This one is a doozy! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Avengers: Endgame (2019)(IMDb) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
362. Cadwell Turnbull (a.k.a. The One and Only) — The Lesson (An Interview)
Irma, Imperialism, and Islands, oh my! In today’s episode, Shaun Duke and Brandon O’Brien interview Cadwell Turnbull about his debut novel about aliens in the U.S. Virgin Islands, The Lesson! Cadwell discloses the myriad of themes he either explored or was thinking about while writing the novel including Colonialism, systems of violence, disaster capitalism and Hurricane Irma, power dynamics in relationships, and so much more. There was so much for our interviewers to chew on in The Lesson and this is just the top of the Island, so to speak. You do not want to miss it! We hope you enjoy the episode! Don’t forget, if you sign up for our Patreon, you’ll be able to listen to our Patreon exclusive interview, 5 Questions with Cadwell Turnbull – coming soon! Show Notes: The Lesson (GO BUY IT!) Cadwell’s Website Cadwell’s Twitter If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Torture Cinema #91: Damnation Alley (1977)
Boat cars, “Killa Cockaroaches”, and cannibals, oh my! Much to Jen’s chagrin, in her absence the team, Shaun Duke, Paul Weimer, and Alex Acks, discover a lot to criticize in the 1977 film adaption of a Roger Zelazny book, Damnation Alley! Jen likes to think they only criticize it because they just wanted it to be better than what we got which is a monotonous 90 minute post-apocalyptic road trip across the entire US. Regardless, they share their adoration of George Peppard’s mustache and grooming standards, their dislike for discount Starbuck, how the movie manages to make exciting things boring, but also some bright points, like how this movie ignores many post-apocalyptic tropes. There’s lots more than that, so go have a listen! Hopefully this 70 minute episode is more exciting than the 90 minute torture film. We hope you enjoy the episode! Overall Grade: C- Show Notes: Damnation Alley (IMDb) Damnation Alley (Wikipedia) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Righteous Kicks #4: Kamen Rider Drive, Episodes 33-48
Welcome to Righteous Kicks — the podcast where two science fiction writers geek out about men in spandex bodysuits who kick evildoers to death in abandoned quarries until they explode! This month, Iori and Brandon wrap up the final episodes of Kamen Rider Drive! Heroes and villains resurrect from the grave, old cases are finally solved, Gou’s worst fears are finally realized, Iori delights in the reappearance of the fake-dating trope, Medic takes care of a dog, and Chase even finally gets his driver’s license. Now, it’s time for a new series — and we’re putting the choice in your hands! Which interests you more, based on very little information: Kamen Rider Kiva, which has ~vampires!~, or Kamen Rider Fourze, which is all about ~space!~? To vote in the poll, go to What Should Righteous Kicks Watch Next?! Be Transformed, and Stay Righteous! Show Notes: Kamen Rider Drive on the Kamen Rider Wiki Chase is really proud to get his driver’s license, everyone Tomari’s response to being asked if he’s in love is failing to drink water Drive at KRDL.moe If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page or email Righteous Kicks at righteouskickscast @ [gmail.com]. You can also find the hosts on twitter: Brandon O’Brien and Iori Kusano. The intro and outro music for Righteous Kicks comes from “Shinigami” by XTaKeRuX (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Speculative Fiction in Translation #14: Biological and Artificial
April brought us stories and books about the merging of the biological and artificial, zombification, organic routers, and much more. Plus we talk about what we’ve been reading, our favorite stories this month, and translations that we wish we could have yesterday. Remember: with new stories and books coming to their attention each week, make sure to check the SFT website for updates. Enjoy, and keep reading! A bientôt! P.S. It’s Jen’s fault this is late! Sorry about that, folks! Show notes: SFT Out in April Books we’re reading/want to read Waste Tide by Chen Qiufan, translated from the Chinese by Ken Liu (Tor Books). The Weight of Snow by Christian Guay-Poliquin, translated from the French (Quebec) by David Homel (Talonbooks). Dark Constellations by Pola Oloixarac, translated from the Spanish (Argentina) by Roy Kesey (Soho Press). Flowers of Mold by Ha Seong-Nan, translated from the Korean by Janet Hong (Open Letter). Our favorite stories “The Flowering” by Soyeon Jeong, translated from the Korean by Jihyun Park and Gord Sellar, Clarkesworld Magazine, April 1. “Seventy-Seven” by by Francisco Ortega, translated from the Spanish by David Bowles, The Dark Magazine, April 4. “The Last Journey” by Florin Purluca, translated from the Romanian by the author, SFinTranslation.com, April. “In Search of Your Memories,” by Nian Yu, translated from the Chinese by Andy Dudak, Clarkesworld Magazine, April 1. “Paulina” by Laura Ponce, translated from the Spanish by Toshiya Kamei (Moon City Review). “I Have a Secret” by Raquel Castro, translated from the Spanish by Lawrence Schimel, Tales From the Shadow Booth #3, April. What we’re looking forward to The Redemption of Time by Baoshu, translated from the Chinese by Ken Liu (Tor Books). The Heart of the Circle by Keren Landsman, translated from the Hebrew by Daniella Zamir (Angry Robot). Legend of the Galactic Heroes Vol.9: Upheaval by Yoshiki Tanaka, translated from the Japanese by Matt Treyvaud (Haikasoru). Whiskey Tales by Jean Ray, translated by Scott Nicolay (Wakefield Press). Translations we want The entirety of The Straggler by Flemish author Yves Petry Reader’s corner Afro SF Vol. 3, ed. Ivor Hartmann (StoryTime) Mars by Asja Bakić, translated from the Croatian by Jennifer Zoble (Feminist Press). General Links Speculative Fiction in Translation website Speculative Fiction in Translation facebook page SFT on twitter: @Rcordas Feel free to shoot us an email at skiffyandfanty [at] gmail [dot] com! You can also leave a comment on our website. Our new intro and outro music comes “No Disclaimer” by Jesse Spillane (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Episode 6. Into the Wardrobe with The Secret of NIMH (1982; dir. Don Bluth): Dark Animated Wonder and the Motherhood of the Muddy Cinderblocks
In this episode of Into the Wardrobe, Shaun Duke and Jen Zink talk about the dark and somewhat terrifying — but also whimsical and often hilarious — first major production of Don Bluth films, The Secret of NIMH, released in 1982 and based on Robert C. O’Brien’s book, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. Our intrepid duo discuss the film’s garage-style production, the history of Don Bluth Productions and his love of classical animation, the film’s tone and artistic style, the role of motherhood in the narrative, and so much more. Plus, they tackle the standards: their personal relationship to the film (childhood, y’all) and what impact the film might have on audiences today! They seriously couldn’t shut up about this movie because it is just that good. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: The Secret of NIMH (1971)(IMDB) The Wiki Page (Film) Rotten Tomatoes If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Signal Boost #53 — Tracy Barnett (Iron Edda TTRPG) and Evan Winter (Rage of Dragons)
In today’s episode of Signal Boost, Jen Zink interviews Tracy Barnett, podcaster, writer, and TTRPG designer, about their work as a TTRPG designer, from their first game, School Daze, to their most recent (as of the recording of the podcast, which we must apologize for posting 2 months later than expected) big project, Iron Edda! Jen finds out all sorts of interesting things about TTRPGs, from how the independent TTRPG design community has exploded, how new TTRPGs are redefining what a game is, to the themes that Tracy likes to explore in their own games, and more. This is a treasure trove of information so have a listen! Then Jen talks to Evan Winter, self-published turned traditionally published, author of the debut epic fantasy novel, Rage of Dragons! They discuss why Evan originally decided to self-publish Rage of Dragons and how that eventually brought The Burning series to Orbit, including new edits to the originally published manuscript, how his time as a Music Video Director helps Evan plot both the larger plot of his books and individual scenes, some of the influences for the book, including his childhood memories of Africa, the magic system of Rage of Dragons, and more!! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Tracy Barnett (01:00 – 22:40) Tracy’s Website Tracy on Twitter Tracy’s Podcast Tracy’s Published TTRPGs (GO BUY THEM!) Evan Winter (22:48 – 40:27) Evan’s Website Evan on Twitter The Rage of Dragons (GO PRE-ORDER IT!) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
At the Movies #77: Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)
Nuclear families (hyuck, hyuck), boat-cars, and Transformers, oh my! In today’s episode, Shaun Duke, Paul Weimer, Alex Acks, and Jen Zink tackle the giant roaring beast(s) that is Godzilla: King of the Monsters! There are definitely opinions in this episode, y’all. LOTS OF OPINIONS! We basically took the Kaiju plot of King of the Monsters and turned it into a podcast. In today’s episode, Shaun is the evil Ghidorah and Jen is the good and kind Godzilla. Yep. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Listen as the team discusses their disappointments, why the movie is a bit of a mixed bag, what really pissed us all off, how white liberalism makes an appearance, how the scale of the monsters didn’t always work, MOTHRA, and more! Lots and lots more because this is a team with OPINIONS! Footnote: David Annandale was missed terribly. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)(IMDb) “(Spoilers) All 17 Titans in GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS Identified” by Josh Millican “Godzilla for Beginners: My picks” by Cinemassacre If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Screen Scouts #19: Babylon 5 (Season 3; Episodes 9-12)
Dystopian shenanigans, busted councils, and Centauri rivalries, oh my! The Babylon 5 re-watch of Season 3 continues! Shaun, Mike, and Paul tackle episodes 9 through 12. This podcast is packed with big reveals, terrifying prospects, and disturbing ideas. We tackle the collapse of Earth Federation, the echos of the Nightwatch, the development of our favorite characters, and the show’s approach to imperialism and racism. And that’s just scratching the surface! So climb aboard the the White Star and join us on our adventures in the B5 universe! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: S3E9: “Point of No Return“ S3E10: “Severed Dreams“ S3E11: “Ceremonies of Light and Dark“ S3E12: “Sic Transit Vir“ If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
361. Megan E. O’Keefe (a.k.a. Lady Soapminster) — Velocity Weapon (An Interview)
Survival, corporations, and stolen tech, oh my! In today’s episode, Paul Weimer and Daniel Haeusser interview Megan O’Keefe about her new Space Opera novel, Velocity Weapon! But is it a Space Opera? Or is it a heist novel? Perhaps a thriller? No, wait! It’s a time-travel story about the unbreakable bond between siblings! Find out what compelled Megan to tackle Space Opera, how the story evolved into it’s present form, the importance of showing a functioning family unit, why she showed the dark side of a highly advanced society, and so much more! There are some spoilers in the latter half, so watch yourself if you haven’t read the book yet! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Velocity Weapon (GO BUY IT!) Megan’s Website Megan’s Twitter Megan’s Magic Soap Business (Blushie!) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
At the Movies #76: Unicorn Store (2017)
Crazy paint, unicorns, and post-graduation life, oh my! Alex, Stina, and Trang join forces to take a look at Brie Larson’s feature length directorial debut, Unicorn Store (2017)! Together, they discuss the deep metaphors of the film’s central concept, the way it elicits strong personal reactions that make us think about our own lives, the performances, and so much more. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Unicorn Store (2017)(IMDb) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
#05. Crosscurrent – Thrawn and On and On (A Star Wars Literary Podcast)
Jack up your hyperspace engines and get your Sith bath salts ready! Shaun, Alex, and Kate bounce back in time to the OLD Canon (Legends) for an in-depth discussion of Paul S. Kemp’s Crosscurrent. And “time” really is the word of the day. The crew of this absurdly comical starfreighter take a look at how Kemp’s novel deals with Force users in two drastically different time periods, the role of vengeance and doubt in the battle between the Dark and Light, and even the eccentricities of the Unknown Regions. Plus, this is the first book they’ve read that is downright creepy, so you better believe they’ve got a few things to say about getting the willies while reading a Star Wars novel. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Crosscurrent (Wookieepedia) Crosscurrent (Wikipedia) Crosscurrent (Del Rey) Our #StarWarsFanJoy: “Lucasfilm Unveils Complete ‘Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker‘ Publishing Program” via StarWars.com “California votes to officially declare May 4 ‘Star Wars Day‘” by Aris Folley (The Hill) “CC Sabathia drove to Yankee Stadium in a Yoda costume to hand out bobbleheads on Star Wars Day” by Adrian Garro (MLB Cut4) Wernor Herzog on The Mandaloria via AP Entertainment Kate’s Stuff: Kate’s Website Kate’s Twitter Alex’s Stuff: Alex’s Website Alex’s Twitter Shaun’s Stuff: Shaun’s Twitter Shaun’s Website Our NEXT book (get it NOW to read along with us!): Star Wars: Thrawn by Timothy Zahn (New Expanded Universe) If you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page. Want to suggest a book? Think we should add a feature? Have a question? Feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our intro music comes “Juno” by Chronox (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Torture Cinema #90: Kull the Conqueror (1997)
Ape men, nicked bits, and shirtless Sorbo, oh my! Shaun, Stephen, and Daniel join forces to fulfill their dudetastic Torture Cinema destiny by discussing 1997’s Kull the Conqueror (starring Hercules). They discuss the history behind the film, why it fails miserably at just about everything (action, romance, adventure, carefully crafted plots), and what it’s like to contemplate Kevin Sorbo’s bedroom abilities. We’re sorry about this one, folks, but our Patreon supports picked it, and we are bound by honor and blood to fulfill our sacred duties. Join us for this special dudetastic discussion of one of the most horrifically awful action movies of all time! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Kull the Conqueror (IMDb) Kull the Conqueror (Wikipedia) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Totally Pretentious #17. M (1931): The Nature of Evil, Citizen Mobs, and the Terror Within
In today’s episode, David and Shaun once more talk about the films they’re currently enjoying, from big blockbusters to television epics and more. Then they turn their critical brains to the film of the day: Fritz Lang’s M (1931). They cover some of the history behind the film — including 1930s Germany and the background of the Lang and the cast — how the film explores the role of trauma and terror in the theme of good vs. evil, the claustrophobia of cities, the reception of the film in the 1930s, and much more! Prepare yourselves for another foray into cinematic greatness. Enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Today’s Movie: M (IMDb) M (Wikipedia) Resources: BFI’s Fritz Lange Page “Fritz Lang’s M: the blueprint for the serial killer movie” by Geoff Andrew (BFI) Gustaf Gründgens (IMDb) Fritz Lang: Interviews edited by Barry Keith Grant (University Press of Mississippi) The Films of Fritz Lang: Allegories of Vision and Modernity by Tom Gunning (BFI) M (BFI Film Classics) by Anton Kaes (BFI) “The Daesseldorf Murders” by M.H. (New York Times) Our Next Movies: Cat People (1942) and The Seventh Victim (1943). Here are some places where you can watch them: Cat People Amazon YouTube Google Play Vudu The Seventh Victim Vudu Feel free to shoot us an email at skiffyandfanty [at] gmail [dot] com! You can also leave a comment on our website. Our intro/outro music comes from “Sundancer” by Wild Shores. Licensed under Creative Commons: Attribution 4.0
360. Ann Leckie (a.k.a. Singularitrix) — The Raven Tower (An Interview)
Shakespeare, geology, and sacrifices, oh my! In today’s interview, Jen and Paul are joined by Ann Leckie, award winning author of the Ancillary Series, to talk about her debut fantasy novel, The Raven Tower. They start with what books inspired the plot and unique characters of the novel, move into the narrative techniques Ann used and how those allowed her to… perhaps withhold some information from the reader, why she enjoys language and the ways that it has power, transgender representation, the female characters of Hamlet and, as usual, much, much more! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Ann Leckie’s Things: Ann’s Website Ann’s Twitter The Raven Tower (GO BUY IT!) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Torture Cinema #89: The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973)
Canadian Geese, foot fetishes, and vest clones, oh my! Shaun, Jen, David, and Trang, in her first ever Skiffy and Fanty Podcast appearance, discuss the 1973 Hammer Film Productions classic(?), The Satanic Rites of Dracula! The last time that Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee would reprise their roles as Van Helsing and Dracula together. Thankfully, David is here to do some legitimate film criticism and teach us all about the history of these characters, horror films of the 70s, and more, because otherwise this podcast would have degenerated into a series of very bad jokes. Also, Shaun gets depressed about Canadian politics, Trang is jealous of Peter Cushing’s cheeks, and Jen yells at Shaun a lot. We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973) (IMDb) The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973) (Wikipedia) If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Righteous Kicks #3 – Kamen Rider Drive, Episodes 17-32
Welcome to Righteous Kicks — the podcast where two science fiction writers geek out about men in spandex bodysuits who kick evildoers to death in abandoned quarries until they explode! This month, Iori and Brandon discuss the latest developments of the middle batch of Kamen Rider Drive. Heroes and villains change allegiances, Shinnosuke learns something curious about his cop father, corruption slithers into the police force, the show’s only OTP reveals itself briefly, and Otta Genpachiro is finally cured of his pesky difficulty pronouncing the word ‘Roidmude’. (Although we don’t blame him.) Next time, we finally close out Drive with its final sixteen episodes. Will the show respond to its latest tragedy by finally making Shijima Kiriko a Rider? We still hold out hope… Be Transformed, and Stay Righteous! Show Notes: Kamen Rider Drive on the Kamen Rider Wiki a very short video of Harley Hendrickson telling Krim Steinbelt to shut up Drive at KRDL.moe If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page or email Righteous Kicks at righteouskickscast @ [gmail.com]. You can also find the hosts on twitter: Brandon O’Brien and Iori Kusano. The intro and outro music for Righteous Kicks comes from “Shinigami” by XTaKeRuX (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Reading Rangers #10: Komarr by Lois McMaster Bujold
Hello, Rangers! We’re back with everyone’s favorite Space Nancy Drew in Komarr! This time Stina, Paul, and Trish sit around the campfire to talk about women’s agency, budding relationships, whether or not Miles is “dad” material, how good intentions can go horribly, horribly wrong, the politics of isolationism, and more! Stina gets personal and, as is common when discussing Bujold, the team has lots of praise for her ability to write strong characters. Next time in our journey through the Vorkosigan Adventures, we’ll discuss A Civil Campaign! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Komarr Chronological Reading Order of The Vorkosigan Saga (though we’re not totally using this) A Civil Campaign If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page, and if you have iTunes and like this show, please give us a review on our iTunes page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Speculative Fiction in Translation #13: Spanish Sherlock Holmes
March brings us Indonesian sci-fi about intergalactic love, Portuguese fantasy about a family’s terrible secrets, Italian sci-fi about what it means to be human, a story from the “Lost Files” of Sherlock Holmes, and much more. We also discuss the books we’re looking forward to later in 2019 and what we’d like to see in English in the future. Remember: with new stories and books coming to their attention each week, make sure to check the SFT website for updates. Enjoy, and keep reading! A bientôt! Show notes: SFT Out in March “The Starry Sky over the Southern Isle” by Zhao Haihong, translated from the Chinese by the author (Asimov’s, March/April issue). “Meteors” by Clara Ng, translated from the Indonesian by Toni Pollard, Words Without Borders, March. “The Lord of Rivers” by Wanxiang Fengnian, translated from the Chinese by Nathan Faries, Future Science Fiction Digest, March 15. “To Save a Human” by Svyatoslav Loginov, translated from the Russian by Max Hrabrov, Future Science Fiction Digest, March 15.[available May 15] “Holes” by Clelia Farris, translated from the Italian by Rachel Cordasco, World Literature Today, March/April. “Saligia” by H. Pueyo, translated from the Brazilian Portuguese by the author, Samovar Magazine, March. “The Knack Bomb” by Bo Balder, translated from the Dutch by the author, Samovar Magazine, March. The Wisdom of the Dead (The Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes #1) by Rodolfo Martinez, translated from the Spanish by the author, Sportula, March 1. Mars by Asja Bakić, translated from the Croatian by Jennifer Zoble (Feminist Press, March 19). Ha Ha Hu Hu: A Horse-headed God in Trafalgar Square by Viswanatha Satyanarayana, translated from the Telugu by Velcheru Narayana Rao (Penguin India, March 19). Reviews Peter Gordon reviews Flowers of Mold Rachel Cordasco reviews The Apex Book of World SF 5 Gautham Shenoy reviews The Gollancz Book of South Asian Science Fiction Gary Wolfe reviews Readymade Bodhisattva Rachel Cordasco reviews Broken Stars Articles/Essays/Interviews “Yoko Tawada: Wondrously strange subject matter from a fantastical imagination” Ken Liu Guest Post–“Is It Possible to Learn About China by Reading Chinese Science Fiction?” (via Locus) Readers’ Corner Rachel is translating an Italian story by Raul Ciannela General Links Speculative Fiction in Translation website Speculative Fiction in Translation facebook page SFT on twitter: @Rcordas Feel free to shoot us an email at skiffyandfanty [at] gmail [dot] com! You can also leave a comment on our website. Our new intro and outro music comes “No Disclaimer” by Jesse Spillane (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
At the Movies #75: Captain Marvel (2019)
Goose, goose, and GOOSE, oh my! Look, I’m not going to lie and tell you this is an entire podcast dedicated to the glory that is Goose, but… we really like Goose, OK?! Jen, Daniel, Alex, and Paul sit down for a rousing good chat about how much fun Captain Marvel is, but, more specifically how it’s a brilliantly feminist film, the fact that it packs in more layers than any of us were expecting, a bit of the comic book context and what that might mean for Captain Marvel 2, and how they would defeat Thanos. It’s our very own 90’s Grrl Power podcast, so buckle up and burn those engines! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Captain Marvel (2019)(IMDb) Captain Marvel’s Cat Wrangler Dishes on Goose the REDACTED – Vulture If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Screen Scouts #18: Babylon 5 (Season 3; Episodes 5-8)
The First Ones, dusty telepaths, and G’Quan’s glory, oh my! The Babylon 5 re-watch of Season 3 continues! Shaun, Mike, and Paul tackle episodes 5 through 8. They talk about the introduction of the First Ones, the development of G’Kar and the emotional resonances of the show’s complex colonial morality, the depth of the Shadows’ plot, and so much more! So climb on board the the White Star and join us on our adventures in the B5 universe! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: S3E5: “Voices of Authority“ S3E6: “Dust to Dust“ S3E7: “Exogenesis“ S3E8: “Messages from Earth“ If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Episode 5. Into the Wardrobe with Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971; dir. Robert Stevenson): The Age of Not Believing and the Problem of Empire
In this episode of Into the Wardrobe, Shaun and Jen talk about the utterly delightful, but definitely problematic, 1971 Disney production, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, directed by Robert Stevenson and featuring a heavy production overlap with Mary Poppins. The duo discuss everything from why they loved this film, the amount of nuance that they didn’t pick up on as children, the heavy influence of British Empire and Nationalism, the wonderful relationships and character arcs, and honestly a lot more that you’ll just have to discover yourself by listening to the episode! Enjoy! Show Notes: Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)(IMDB) The Wiki Page (Film) Rotten Tomatoes If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
359. Charlie Jane Anders (Hostess with the Mostest) – The City in the Middle of the Night
Cool suits, touch telepathy, and tidally locked planets, oh my! We didn’t know it at the time of our interview, but Paul and Elizabeth sit down with one of our official Hugo Fancast nemeses, Charlie Jane Anders, to talk about her new book, The City in the Middle of the Night! Listen to why Charlie Jane picked her setting and what that meant for the story, how generation ships might actually work out unless designed in a very specific way, how concepts of time play a key role in the world-building, the effects of trauma on a species that communicates via touch, what fashion looks like on the planet of January, and so much more! We hope you enjoy the episode! Show Notes: Charlie Jane Ander’s Stuff The City in the Middle of the Night (GO BUY IT!) Charlie Jane’s Website Charlie Jane’s Twitter Our Opinions Are Correct Podcast Writer’s with Drinks If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page. Our new intro and outro music comes from “Rock Thing” by Creo (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.
Righteous Kicks #2 – Kamen Rider Drive, Episodes 1-16
Welcome to Righteous Kicks — the podcast where two science fiction writers geek out about men in spandex bodysuits who kick evildoers to death in abandoned quarries until they explode! This month, Iori and Brandon talk about the first sixteen episodes of Kamen Rider Drive, the only hero in the franchise with the word ‘Rider’ in its name who never rides a bike once. We snicker about toy cars, constantly insist that Shijima Kiriko should have been the heroine the whole time, and muse on the fact that sometimes the literal monsters aren’t the actual monsters. Also, Iori teaches Brandon that sometimes fansubbers make changes to translation for the audience’s own good. Next time: we continue with episodes 17 to 32 of Drive! So many mysteries yet to solve, at even faster speeds… Be Transformed, and Stay Righteous! Show Notes: Kamen Rider Drive on the Kamen Rider Wiki a .gif from Episode 1 Drive at KRDL.moe If you have a question you’d like us to answer, feel free to shoot us a message on our contact page or email Righteous Kicks at righteouskickscast @ [gmail.com]. You can also find the hosts on twitter: Brandon O’Brien and Iori Kusano. The intro and outro music for Righteous Kicks comes from “Shinigami” by XTaKeRuX (CC BY 4.0), which has been slightly modified to include sound effects and for length purposes.