Lo-Fi Sci-Fi

     This week a four pack of sci-fi with less than futuristic surroundings. 

     Scientist Sterling Peirce dreamed of a future where mankind no longer feared death, lived in harmony with all existence, and dedicated his life to the miracle elixir he created. Tragically, he died before his vision of a a peaceful future could come to pass. Years later, his son, Jaxxon Peirce, controls and manufactures a version of the elixir he calls Divinity.
     A small group of people exiled to an island called The Burn depend on Ti-Jeanne. Meanwhile, she struggles against the destiny of her birth, fights for the love of the only available man, and fights against the repressive controlling grasp of Crack. A prequel to Nalo Hopkinson's debut novel, Brown Girl Begins. (Fun fact I forgot to mention in episode- Director Sharon Lewis played rapper Drake's mother on Degrassi TNG.)

     Neuroscientists being testing of a remarkable breakthrough- connecting two brains directly. Lukas, researcher and generally bored of everything scumbag, is selected to be the first psychonaut- being injected into the head of an anonymous woman in a coma. Immediately, Lukas being making nonsensical stupid decisions and obsessing. Why does no one notice his extreme reactions and wild violent mood swings? They all too busy seeing the Vanishing Waves.

     In the not-too-distant-future eugenics is the new way of life and everyone is sorted into valid and in-valid categories. Despite discrimination against the unmodified being technically illegal, it overnight became the only standard of worth for all mankind. Natural born Vincent Freeman is predicted to have the most ridiculous number of issues before an early death but he refuses to accept this. Finding a willing co-conspirator, Vincent sets out to follow his dream at Gattaca.
     All that and Dave sees dead people, Tyler discovers a new fetish, and Kevin screams out from the void. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 367- Lo-Fi Sci-Fi

Lifted Jealousy

     This week- a pair of films about high emotional responses. 

     Paul and Nelly run a successful hotel, have a beautiful child, and live what appears to be an idyllic life together. Until Paul begins to have suspicions about Nelly's fidelity. Paul soon finds himself sinking into a quagmire of jealous fantasies and anger. Will Paul get the help he needs? Are his fears secretly justified? Will society at large ever stop being misogynistic asshats that enable cycles of abuse? Claude Charbol's take on a 30 year old unfinished film by Henri-Georges Clouzot- L'Enfer (aka Torment aka Hell).
     Oscar is on the run from home after a violent incident involving his best friend's father, he finds himself fallen in with a gang of child pickpockets. Oscar soon forms a deep bond with fellow preteen thief Peaches. 15 years later, Oscar finds himself running the gang and his childhood friend knocking at his door. Will Oscar be able to put his past to rest? Is there a future for any of them that doesn't include decades behind bars? How can someone sleep at night wasting this much on screen talent? Can Oscar really... Run with the Hunted. 

     Join us, won't you?
    Episode 366- Lifted Jealousy

Die in a Fire

     This week two movies where everyone is pretty awful and the title is wished upon everyone on screen.

     A friend group of recent college graduates are horrific to everyone around them and to each other. Kevin is obsessed with his bff's girlfriend. Alec is a serial cheater who only cares about career advancement. Billy is a serial cheater and occasional rapist who only cares about getting fucked up and playing the sax. Jules is a serial cheater who only cares about sleeping with her boss and waiting for her stepmother to die. Kirby is a terrifying stalker obsessing over the medical student he went out with once four years ago. Wendy is a racist who has failed to launch from her disgustingly rich parents. Leslie is... there. Together they will not do much but we can always hope they die in... St Elmo's Fire.
     The summer of 1900,12 year old Leo is spending his break as the guest of his wealthy friend, Marcus. Immediately on arrival, Leo beings to crush on the daughter of the house, Marian, who is engaged to a local lord. The whole family treats him like a pet instead of like a person but he's fine with being kept because they give him things. When Marcus finds himself bed ridden with illness, Marian uses it as a chance to press Leo into service delivering her explicit letters and return illicit rendezvous plans with the gentleman farmer next door. Passions and tensions simmer in a way they can only in pastoral Edwardian England. Will the lovers be caught embraced in hay? Will the local lord be able to get his rival to join the military and get out of his way? Will Leo realize that these people aren't worth the time and set a small fire in the night or is he doomed to forever be under their thumbs as The Go-Between?
     All that and Dave indulges in violent revenge, Kevin refuses to see the fun in Paris, Tyler builds a new shrine, and Craig finds frustration in the loop. Join us, won't you? 
   Episode 365- Die in a Fire
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Traffick Force

    This week- a film about a girl pushed beyond human endurance and a franchise entry that made the internet ridiculously thirsty for a basic whiny tantrum spree killling piss baby.

     When her mother goes to America with her fiancé, Lilya is left to fend for herself. Living in in a tiny squalid apartment, she has few options and no money. When a friend frames her for their own indiscretion, Lilya finds herself suddenly shunned by her community. With only younger and equally lost Volodya for company, she finds herself turning increasingly towards dangerous ways to survive. The big winner at the 2003 Guldbagge Awards and used in today in anti-trafficking campaigns all over Eastern Europe, Lukas Moodysson's staggering work- Lilya 4-ever.
     Long long ago in a galaxy far far away... the New Republic slept on their one job and let a baby fascist group rise in the ruins of the Empire. To make matters worse, the only two who could put a stop to them, the Skywalker Twins, gave them free reign to kidnap children to fill their forces, plot nefarious genocides, and build up their power base because they both decided it was better to not do anything in the grand Jedi tradition. Now, on the eve of a giant weapon of mass destruction's unveiling, the forces of the Republic are on a desperate search for Luke Skywalker. Enter on this scene a young orphan, Ray, and her new deserter bestie, Finn. Together they will bath us in the sweet sweet waters of nostalgia and offer the beginning of a new entry in the world's favorite pair of trilogies- Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
     All that and Kevin and Dave tour Japan in a wooden boat, Tyler shows off his Sith mask collection, and Craig expands his horizons. Join us, won't we?
   Episode 364- Traffick Force
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Matters of Trust

     This week- a pair of films about relationships and rumors.

     Eva is a divorced massage therapist whose daughter is about to fly across country for college. At a party she meets Marianne, a poet and new client/friend. She also meets Albert, a television archivist and love interest. Before long she learns that Marianne and Albert used to be married and uses their friendship to gather all the inside information she can. Will Eva's newly formed bonds be strong enough to withstand the eventual reveal? Can she accept her daughter leaving the nest without finding a replacement? Is there ever really Enough Said.
     Yusaku Fukuhara runs an import/export business in 1940 Kobe. When he suddenly announces to his wife, Satoko, that he will be going to Manchuria to obtain cheap medicines, Satoko never expects their lives to be completely upended. Yusaku returns with a mysterious woman, a film of atrocities, and a detailed ledger full of experiment results. Will Satoko choose her husband or her country? What are they both willing to sacrifice for their ends? Is there only suffering for the Wife of a Spy.

     All that and Craig gets smug while the others fight for guzzolene. Join us, won't you?
   Episode 363- Matters of Trust
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