The A To Z Of Sff

Cyclomedia provides Rob and Clive with some 50's Z-grade movie hokum. Join the crew of the Ulysses as they explore... the Angry Red Planet!    Warning: this episode contains rat-bat-spider-monsters. 

More short story action from Rob, Clive and that thrice-damn'd CycloMedia. This episode, they look at Samuel R. Delaney's "Aye, And Gomorrah...", a bracing antidote to the macho American view of what space explorers should be like.  Are we not men? Interesting question...

This time, Rob and Clive look at a classic bit of SF from one of the masters, Robert A. Heinlein. If you're expecting macho space battles and right-wing posturing, think again. '–All You Zombies–' is a time travel tale with one hell of a familial twist...

As anticipated, Cyclomedia wouldn't let it lie. We're back with more on the legendary Isaac Asimov, including a spin round the epic Foundation Saga, and a general muse about what it is that has made the author just such an enduring favourite.  I mean, even here in the 27th Century the guy's a big deal. 

It's impossible to talk about SF without discussing the master of robots, Isaac Asimov. Rob and Clive tease out some of the themes and ideas in the Robot books, and we find out if CycloMedia knows or cares about the Three Laws Of Robotics.    We have the feeling this'll go to a two-parter....

CycloMedia's love for Chuck Wagner is coming out. He's landed us with a forgotten classic in America 3000, a film with more hairspray than would be allowed in any movie after 1989.  Prepare for lumpen sexism and clunky, ill-thought out satire... and that's just from Rob and Clive!

A film that Rob couldn't finish, a film that Clive hated. Coming out of the Avengers debacle, looks like CycloMedia isn't going easy on us.  Join the hapless crew of the Ulysses, why doncha, as we try to find something nice to say about 90s time-travel clunker A.P.E.X. 

Ok, it's just not funny any more. Yet more Avengers. This time the... let's say below par adaptation of the classic 60s movie, starring two miscast main leads and Sean Connery in a role that contributed to his decision to retire from the world of films.    Hoo boy. You can almost feel the air of underwhelmage in this one. 

No, we're not done yet.  Rob and Clive explore the slick, surreal and sexy world of The Avengers: the John Steed version, that is. Rob gets hot under the collar about a certain leather outfit, and Clive forgets who's wearing the kinky boots.  Bowlers and brollies at the ready, Listeners!     The A To Z Of SFF respectfully dedicate this episode to the memory of Brian Clemens, whose creative stamp was all over The Avengers and so much great British genre TV. 

Ok, Cyclo Media is REALLY on an Avengers tip.  This week, Rob and Clive dip their toesies into the very deep water of Marvel's Avengers comics. From Doctor Druid to The Secret Wars, we cover it all.    Brace yourself, listeners. It's about to get cosmic. 

CycloMedia is clearly on an Avengers tip.  Rob and Clive pick apart Joss Whedon's Avengers: Age Of Ultron, rant about the character that should be in there, and find out that it's not smart to laugh at the idea of AI rights. 

Joss Whedon's Avengers Assemble was among the best of the spate of superheroing movies that cluttered up the early part of the 21st century. With a little urging from Cyclomedia, Rob and Clive look back at this underappreciated gem. 

Akira. The word that for many fans of a certain age describes Japanese anime. Kinetic, violent and surreal, the film and book still has the power to shock, move and excite.  Rob and Clive explore the film and its continued relevence to anime culture.    Warning: contains excessive yelling of the names "Tetsuooooo!" and "Kanedaaaa!"

INPUT ERROR: Scanning of additional data banks indicates that crew members Rob and Clive failed to mention RONALD SHUSETT as one of the credited writers on ALIEN. A key collaborator with Dan O’Bannon, the pair would go on to adapt the Philip K Dick short story ‘We Can Remember It For You Wholesale’ into another landmark Sci-Fi movie: Total Recall (also credited on that movie as writers: Jon Povill; Gary Goldman).   DATABASE: UPDATED   PUNITIVE ACTION INITIATED…     So, it turns out we missed out on a vital piece of data when talking about Alien. Consequence: three weeks in the space doldrums on a diet of sprout protein and beans.  The atmospheric controls have been taking a hammering, I can tell you.  CycloMedia has started talking to us again, and has challenged us to improve his knowledge of Automan.  Because if there's one thing we hate talking about, it's obscure 80s SFTV from the master, Glen A. Larson.  Cursor, draw me the Autocar...  

Alien. The movie that redefined SF horror and made the names of Sigourney Weaver and Ridley Scott. Is there anything more to say about this stone classic? Well, CycloMedia thinks there is, and it's down to Rob and Clive to sort it out.   

One for the fans of obscure low-budget 80s SF movies, as Rob and Clive explore the Klaus Kinski-starring Android.  It's life, Max, but not as we know it...  

Cripes! CycloMedia was unimpressed with Rob and Clive's foray into the world of Douglas Adams last time. He needs more. Let's delve into the non-Hitch-Hiker's world of Adams, with nudges at Dirk Gently and his stint as script editor on Doctor Who...

In this opening episode of the show, Rob and Clive are forced to discuss that most English of SF authors: the mighty Douglas Adams.  It doesn't quite go as planned...

Coming soon, a podcast of epic triviality.