Strangers and Aliens: Science Fiction & Fantasy from a Christian Perspective
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REVIEW: Safety Not Guaranteed
I want to spoil this movie so much. Not out of spite, out of love. For this movie. I want to talk about this line or that line, which could mean this or could mean that. I want to talk about how this character changed, that character didn’t, and that character surprised me. Maybe I…
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Ep. 50 — Interview with Some Strangers
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSIn this episode, the Strangers and Aliens interview . . . themselves. Ben and Steve interview Dr. Jayce, Dr. Jayce and Ben interview Steve, and Steve and Dr. Jayce interview Ben . . . then all three interview Shazbot, who opens up a little about his past and…
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Two Views on Fandom (Other Podcasts)
So in one day, I listened to two different podcasts that each had the same topic from two very, very different perspectives. They were posted within two days of each other. The topic: fandom. The podcasts: Geekually Yoked and The Sci-Fi Christian. They form a nice duology, and take on the topic from different angles.…
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Ep. 49 — The Three Laws of Robotics
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSIn this episode, Ben, Steve, and D.r Jayce take a look back at Asimov’s three laws of robotics. Join the trio as they explore the ramifications, weaknesses, and philosophy behind Asimov’s lows of morality for artificial intelligence. The conversation goes from Buck Rogers to free will vs. predestination…
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THOUGHT CLOUDS: Star Wars #2 (Dark Horse, 2013)
Star Wars #2 Brain Wood, writer. Carlos D’Anda, artist. A follow up to my review of the first issue of this series . . . Let me get this out of the way first, before I get into a rant that may make it seem like I’m not enjoying this comic book: I like…
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REVIEW: Robot and Frank
I first saw a trailer for this movie last summer but, honestly, I knew I’d want to see it before I even saw the trailer. The title and the poster image did it for me. This looked like a movie I’d want to see. The trailer just sealed the deal. When it came to theaters,…
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Ep. 48 — Star Wars vs. Star Trek (or The Great Bird vs. the Great Beard!)
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSIn this episode we settle, once and for all, which franchise is better . . . Star Wars or Star Trek! Really, does anything else need to be said? This episode also features feedback from the listeners, weighing in on their own thoughts of which franchise is their…
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BOOK CLUB: Out of the Silent Planet
Call your library! Search your shelves! Borrow from a friend! Head to the bookstore! Or click on your favorite online bookseller! January is the first month of the Strangers and Aliens “book club” . . . and 2013 is the Year of C.S. Lewis . . . so that means it’s time for us to…
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Ep. 47 — Into the Silent Planet (an introduction to C.S. Lewis’ “science fantasy” novel)
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSIn this episode Steve and Ben explore Malacandra — the destination of C.S. Lewis’ protagonist Ransom in his science fiction(-ish) novel Out of the Silent Planet! What are the connections J.R.R. Tolkien had in Lewis’ writing of the book? What are some of the science fiction and fantasy…
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C.S. Lewis Inspirational Quote (The Way of the Writer)
An inspirational quote about writing from C.S. Lewis . . . “Whenever you are fed up with life, start writing: ink is the great cure for all human ills, as I have found out long ago.” (C.S. Lewis, Letters of C.S. Lewis to Arthur Graves) ~ Ben Samurai art by Tim Baron
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Ep. 46 — The Wonderful World of Disney (Animation Only)
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSIn this episode, we have fun reminiscing and dissecting our favorite (and least favorite) Disney movies! We are also joined by special guest Daniel Butcher, who has two different venues he contributes to: Between Disney — http://www.betweendisney.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/BetweenDisney — This is Daniel’s blog, which reviews movies, books, and everything…
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The Artistic Paradox (The Way of the Writer)
This comes from a foreword I wrote for a comic book anthology. I have always felt like artists have an eternal paradoxical struggle within . . . Artists are an interesting bunch. Many artists are self-effacing, meek, and humble — unwilling to share their work with the world out of a fear of rejection, coming…
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Ep. 45 — Interview with the Makers of the Sci-Fi Feature Film Remember
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSRemember is a independent sci-fi feature film with big ideas and a micro budget. Made for $4000, writer Greg Lammiman and director Dallas Lammiman set out to make an epic science fiction thriller, and the results belie the budget. This movie also has big themes and tackles big…
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Ep. 44 — Star Wars . . . a Bad Robot Production!
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSSo it’s all over the internet . . . And it’s here, too! J.J. Abrams is taking the helm to the OTHER big sci-fi franchise . . . Star Wars! He gave us the most Star Wars of all the Star Trek movies, a movie that met critical…
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STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS comic book prequel preview predictions! (UPDATED W/ NEW SPECULATION)
UPDATE: Bleeding Cool has posted another spoiler, based on the END of the Star Trek Into Darkness comic that makes a big reveal, and they believe this reveal is actually revealing the villain of the movie. It isn’t ANYONE I’ve heard people talk about, and if it is true, then I’m interested . . . but…
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Ep. 43 — “Sloth” (Part Two of the SEVEN DEADLY SINS Series)
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSThis is the second part of a periodic series we are doing about the Seven Deadly Sins, and this time we’re tackling . . . SLOTH!!! In this episode, we explore sloth and its accompanying virtue diligence in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror, while also talking about it from…
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Phil Vischer Quote (The Way of the Writer)
We pursue great art because we are convinced that great art — combined with great storytelling — can change the world. Phil Vischer, Big Idea founder ~ Ben
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THOUGHT CLOUDS: Star Wars #1 (Dark Horse, 2013)
Star Wars #1 Brain Wood, writer. Carlos D’Anda, artist. So there is a new Star Wars comic. A Star Wars comic that tells the story of the characters from MY Star Wars. A Star Wars comic featuring a cover by Alex Ross. A Star Wars comic that, if you read it, all you need to…
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Why Write? (The Way of the Writer)
I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about the “whys” in my life. Why do this, why do that, and why not this other thing? And since writing is such a big part of my life, I have to tackle that question: why write? And to be honest, it’s not as easy a question…
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Ep. 42 — Riding on Star Wars’ Coattails
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: RSSIn this episode, Ben and Steve talk about some of the great and horrible movies and television shows that Star Wars inspired because it made so much money. Hollywood never met a successful movies they didn’t want to rip off . . . and therefore, as soon as…
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