Episode 11: Forbidden Planet, Ready Player Two, LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special, David Prowse, Killjoys, SCI-FI-LONDON, Christopher Nolan, Game Of Thrones and more

Robby The Robot’s Waiting: The Sci-Fi Podcast

It’s the movie that gave this podcast its name, and a classic of ’50s cinema. But how does Forbidden Planet hold up now it’s old enough to draw its pension? We head to Altair IV to chat about the Fred M Wilcox-directed sci-fi trailblazer, along with Louis Savy, director of the SCI-FI-LONDON festival.

Back on Earth, Louis is busy preparing for this year’s SCI-FI-LONDON event, which is the 20th since it began. This milestone festival will need to take place virtually because of the coronavirus lockdown, but that hasn’t held things back. Running 8-13 December, you’ll be able to watch films, see talks and panels (including one hosted by your Robby The Robot’s Waiting podcasters) and even enjoy the annual SCI-FIDO cosplay for dogs, all from the comfort of your own home. https://sci-fi-london.com/

Elsewhere in this episode, the team discuss the tension between a creator’s vision and the viewers’ needs. Christopher Nolan movies where you can’t hear the words? Game Of Thrones episodes where you can’t see a thing? We discuss artistic choices, and where we draw the line on compromise.

In need of what-to-watch recommendations? We chat about what else we’ve been viewing this month. How is everyone celebrating Life Day in lockdown? We find out with the new Lego Star Wars Holiday Special. Tanavi introduces the team to Killjoys (now on season five). And Richard and Louis have been reading Ready Player Two, so you don’t have to.

David “Darth Vader” Prowse passed away at the age of 85 just as we were getting ready to record the episode. Dave had a curry with him, during his time on SFX magazine, so we share some anecdotes.

And there’s just time to digest the latest morsels of sci-fi news. Robert Englund joins Stranger Things! The Daleks have had a makeover in time for the Doctor Who New Year Special! The Expanse is greenlit for a sixth season – which will be its last, though without one of its stars. There’s all this and loads more, in the podcast that’s in its deceleration station preparing to drop below light speed.

Episode highlights:

0.00:54 - What we've been watching and reading this week: Killjoys, Ready Player Two (0.05:41), and the Lego Star Wars Holiday Special (0.10:12).

0.15:45 - "I can’t see or hear your movie!" The team discuss artistic choices and audience expectations. It's Christopher Nolan's film, he can mix the sound any way he pleases... right?

0.27:28 – Our special guest Louis Savy talks about Ready Player Two, John Carter Of Mars and his own SCI-FI-LONDON film festival.

0.43.16 – Rewind: is the Forbidden Planet worth a revisit?

1.03:52 – The news! Including David Prowse, Doctor Who, Stranger Things, and more.

These are not the voices of the Mysterons:

Richard Edwards: film and TV journalist and former editor of SFX magazine. https://twitter.com/RichDEdwards

Tanavi Patel: entertainment reporter for SFX and Digital Spy, panel moderator for MCM, FanExpo and more. https://twitter.com/tanavip

Dave Bradley: writer, gamer, book reviewer and another former editor of SFX. https://twitter.com/BoxDaveB

SPECIAL GUEST! Louis Savy is founder and director of the SCI-FI-LONDON festival of fantastic film. https://sci-fi-london.com/

We’ll be joining the 2020 festival at 2 pm on Sunday 13 December: https://sci-fi-london.com/robby-the-robot-live-podcast/

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