Science Fiction 101

Science and/or Fiction (episode 56)

What on earth does science have to do with science fiction? Is science fiction about science? Is it fiction that takes a scientific approach to fiction?Without getting into the tedium of multiple possible definitions of science fiction, Colin and Phil explore what they expect of something labelled "science fiction". What you can expect is a rambling conversation that touches on philosophy, physics, logic, time travel, and much more.We also have our usual quiz, and our dash through the past, present and future of our favourite genre.For more information, check the show notes at:https://101sf.blogspot.com/2025/07/science-andor-fiction-episode-56.html

Reviewing the Hugo Short Stories (episode 55)

Every year, we review the short stories shortlisted for the famous Hugo Awards. It's our way of keep abreast of trends in the field of science fiction without having to read a ton of longer works!All of the shortlisted stories are available online for free - for links to all of them, checkout the shownotes:https://101sf.blogspot.com/2025/06/reviewing-hugo-short-stories-episode-55.htmlSo why not take a look at the stories for yourself, and see if you agree with Colin's and Phil's assessment?Also in the episode we have our usual features: a quiz (about SF movies), and our recommendations of past/present/future science fiction.

It Came From Outer Space! (Episode 54)

Sometimes the podstreams just cross, and this episode is a prime example. When Colin suggested reviewing It Came From Outer Space, the classic 1953 science fiction movie created by Ray Bradbury, it was right up Phil's alley - and so this episode is also going out (slightly modified) as part of his Bradbury 100 pod!The discussion ranges from Bradbury's contribution to the screenplay to the quality of the 3D, and takes in your humble hosts' views on whether or not screen creatures should be revealed or concealed.For more information, check out the show notes at: https://101sf.blogspot.com/2025/05/it-came-from-outer-space-episode-54.html

Go with the Flow (episode 53)

Flow (2024) is an extraordinary film - Latvia's most successul of all time, and winner of the Oscar for Best Animated Film. Colin and Phil discuss whether it counts as science fiction (of course it does!), and what makes this delightful movie tick.If you haven't seen the film, we think we give you enough of flavour of it for the discussion to make sense, and hopefully to inspire you to watch it.We also have a cat/SF quiz, and our traditional round-up of recommendations of past/present/future science fiction.Find the full show notes on our website: https://101sf.blogspot.com/2025/04/go-with-flow-episode-53.html

Mind The Gap, Professor Quatermass! (episode 52)

Discovery of a buried skull turns a London building site into a palaeontological dig. Until, in a geological layer that's five million years old, a bomb is found. Send for Professor Quatermass!Quatermass and the Pit (1967) - aka Five Million Years to Earth in the US (1968) - is the best and most successful of the British science-fiction horror film series, based in turn on a TV series from a decade before. Colin and Phil examine it from all angles to see what makes it tick.We also have a fiendish Q-uiz, and our usual round up of past, present and future SF recommendations.For more information, check out the show notes at: https://101sf.blogspot.com/2025/03/mind-gap-professor-quatermass-episode-52.html