The Screen Companion

In this bonus episode, we discuss another Data-centric story in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Season Three's "The Offspring". Originally recorded for Exploring Humanity Through an Android, it was held back due to the first cut being so gosh darn long. Enjoy! Guest: Jon.

As a bonus episode between seasons six and seven of TSC, we present an outtake from the Musicals for Haters two-parter. After hearing what everyone had to say—and the fact that the Host quit halfway through the movie—it was decided that Rent (2005) didn't fit the theme of being an introductory musical film. Guests: Andrew, Pat & Max.

The basics of life: peeing, pooing, sleeping, breathing, and eating—everyone needs food. So how about stories that feature it? How does cooking and eating expound on characterization and drama? What's it good for besides looking tasty on the screen? Hannibal and Babette's Feast. Let's dig in with these great examples of cuisine informing the plot, and a seasoned caterer sprinkles some expert knowl...

In this Part Two, can the '80s remake of The Fly do anything better than the '50s classic? What aspects of a gory David Cronenberg feature can non-horror moviegoers appreciate? Get ready for chills, special effects, and plenty of acid vomit! Guests: Ian, Andrew & Jon.

In the 100th episode of TSC, we get into movies that affected us. Not simply “cool” flicks or stuff that was really entertaining, but films that reached us deeply: The Wild Robot and Rocky. Having done the podcast this long, let's hit on the ways cinema can be impactful on an individual level and possibly be more than “just” moving pictures on a screen. Guests: Max & Andrew.

More remakes, but also questions concerning the horror genre. How much of it should rely on effects versus horror derived from the drama? Can a '50s horror movie like The Fly do anything better than its souped up '80s remake? And be sure to check out Part Two! Guests: Ian, Andrew & Jon.

Star Trek (1966-2005) spawned a bunch of television series, and what does every series have? An ending! In this case, we'll discuss the Host's two favorite: "All Good Things" (Parts 1 and 2) and "Demons" / "Terra Prime". The Next Generation! Enterprise! Journey with us to the farthest reaches of the galaxy as we scan for great T.V. Guest: Jon.

As the Host is furthest from all things music related, he'll live vicariously through Andrew's experiences playing bass for Rebel Scum along with talking music focused films; Part 2 features This Is Spinal Tap as well as a discussion about real life bombing—and triumphing—on stage. Guests: Andrew & Jon.

As the Host is furthest from all things music related, he'll live vicariously by hearing the ins and outs of being a musician and what it's like to play music for a crowd. We'll slip into Andrew's experiences alongside talking about music focused films. Part 1 features Inside Llewyn Davis and Solo Sunny. The travails of trying to make it, whether you're just starting out or already established in...

Doing something the Host promised he'd never do after two episodes on the topic—revisiting anime! Metropolis (2001) and Akira. We get into the nuts and bolts of how the Host actually liked an anime film. Except...does it really count as such? We'll compare it to one of the standard bearers and decide if a self-professed anime hater is able to turn over a new leaf, or is it a case of “not everythin...

After awhile, you figure out what movies you like and what you'd consider trash...and then a flick will come along that goes against everything you believe in, but for some reason—that even you have trouble accepting—you ultimately enjoy it! Thirteen Ghosts, Godzilla (1998), and Mannequin. We'll discuss our individual cognitive dissonance regarding these movies, the other panelists there to shine...

Let's look at proper British acting through two historical dramas. What can't American history flicks cover? Monarchies! The Lion in Winter (1968) and Cromwell. Instead of Mel Gibson putting a beatdown on the British in the name of independence, marvel at films from across the pond where the English are the main characters! And get a good dose of classic British actors in their prime, monologuing...

The second James Bond film ever, From Russia with Love is the gold standard for the entries in the 007 series that leaned into the espionage over the larger than life villains with their volcano lairs. As a significant portion of the picture is set in Istanbul, we feature a guest who's lived in Turkey twice—once in the '60s and again in the '80s—to share some memories of the region. Guest: The Dad...

Out of all the tropes that pop up in family / kids movies, what's up with the wacky scientist? And do they engender the same respect as other mentor characters like wizards or martial arts masters? In Part 2, we ruminate on Back to the Future, Part II (1989). Stick around until the final segment when the panelists try their hand at a mash-up that incorporates story elements from BttF, Flubber, and...

Out of all the tropes that pop up in family / kids movies, what's up with the wacky scientist? And do they engender the same respect as other mentor characters like wizards or martial arts masters? In Part 1, we examine Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Flubber. Let's break down the science behind these eccentric plot devices, both in narrative terms and how they affect viewers. Guests: Mitch & Jon...

What do you get when you mix science fiction with action? Is it the best of both, or the best of neither? Do sci-fi action films feel more like action movies with sci-fi elements, or the reverse? And what's the right ratio between the two? Can they be smart and feature explosions? Judge Dredd, The Fifth Element, and The One. So many questions and no guarantees for answers. Guests: Andrew, Jon &amp...

The Host's favorite show of all time, The Wire never had a bad episode. But what was the best season? It just so happens that both guys in this three part special agree that it's the season at the Docks. In the final episodes of Season Two, the cops close in on The Greek, Ziggy makes a big boo-boo, and Stringer's deceptions take their toll on the Barksdale Organization. Guest: Jon.

Who do you love more: Stallone or Schwarzenegger? In the '80s, movie-going audiences got the best of both, these action titans shooting and exploding their way through the bad guys. Rambo III and The Running Man (1987)—fine examples that we can use to luxuriate in classic muscle mayhem! Guests: Andrew & Pat.

The Host's favorite show of all time, The Wire never had a bad episode. But what was the best season? It just so happens that both guys in this three part special agree that it's the season at the Docks. In this middle section of Season Two, Omar kills it in court, Ziggy gets in over his head with Eastside gangsters, and someone in prison gets forced into a suicide. Guest: Jon.

What's the typical Final Girl in a horror movie? How capable should they be? How much should they react versus being proactive in the story? Tales From the Crypt Presents: Demon Knight and Warlock. Unlike a lot of damsels in distress hanging on by a thread and surviving sometimes on sheer luck, here are a couple examples of chicks fighting demons and taking a substantial role in preventing literal...

Peanut butter and chocolate. Milk and cookies. Horror...and comedy? It began with Abbott, Costello, and Frankenstein's monster in the '40s. Since then, movies like Evil Dead 2 (1987), Braindead (1992), and Idle Hands (1999) have been running with the baton. So how did it evolve? Was it better thirty years ago, or is the genre mashup still kicking? Let's think about it over laughter and screams! Gu...

The Host's favorite show of all time, The Wire never had a bad episode. But what was the best season? It just so happens that both guys in this three part special agree that it's Season Two at the Docks. When HBO was killing it and Netflix was only mailing rentals, let's return to the early 2000s for some Baltimore street drama. Guest: Jon.

Cool customers driving down even colder streets, long shadows and harsh streetlamps their constant companions. The Driver and Thief. Let's look at anti-heroes hitting a high note in the late '70s and early '80s with crime dramas where the protagonist is a live-by-a-code professional surrounded by those that are compromised. Guest: Max.

In this second part that began in Dead Reckoning, let's jaw about Tom Cruise's eighth turn as master spy Ethan Hunt, in Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning. If this is the finale to a franchise whose first installment released way back in 1996, how did Cruise and director / writer Christopher McQuarrie do? Is it the sendoff we all wanted? Is it screaming for another round starring Cruise? Shou...

Spotlighting Nicolas Cage! Con Air, Snake Eyes, Gone in 60 Seconds—he was on fire in the '90s, bringing his potent essence to a variety of roles in a variety of genres. Action, thrillers, or stunt spectaculars, it's all more interesting once Cage Rage gets involved. Guests: Andrew & Jon.