Episode 753: Battle Beyond the Stars (1980)

Special Guest: Allan Holzman
Guest Co-Hosts: Father Malone, Chris Stachiw

Sci-Fi July rolls on with Battle Beyond the Stars (1980), Roger Corman’s ambitious space opera directed by Jimmy T. Murakami and written by a pre-Lone Star John Sayles. This wild interstellar remix of The Seven Samurai stars Richard Thomas as Shad, a naive farm boy turned cosmic recruiter who must assemble a team of eccentric mercenaries to defend his planet from the tyrannical Sador—played with ruthless relish by John Sayles.

Mike is joined by Father Malone and Chris Stachiw to dig into the film’s unforgettable cast of characters, James Horner’s rousing score (which sounds suspiciously like his work for Star Trek II), and the early visual effects work of James Cameron. Special guest Allan Holzman, the film’s editor (and future director of Forbidden World), offers behind-the-scenes insights from the golden age of Corman’s New World Pictures. Low-budget spectacle, recycled spaceship sets, and alien oddballs abound in this scrappy cult favorite.

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Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy Battle Beyond the Stars on Blu-Ray

Music:
Soundtrack - James Horner

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Special Report: Alien Nation (1988)

Special Guests: Graham Baker, Rockne S. O'Bannon, Peter Jason
Guest Co-Hosts: Josh Stewart, Cecil Trachenberg

On this special episode we’re looking at the 1988 film from Graham Baker, Alien Nation. When an alien ship comes to America, depositing a quarter of a million “newcomers” who try to live out the American dream. Among them is Detective Sam Francisco (Mandy Patinkin). He’s partnered with specist cop Matthew Skyes (James Caan). Together, the two of them solve a mystery that may jeopardize the human and newcomer relations forever.

Cecil Trachenberg and Josh Stewart join Mike to discuss the film, TV show, and other similar buddy cop films. Interviews include director Baker, screenwriter Rockne S. O'Bannon, and star Peter Jason.

Listen/Download Now:

Listen to "Special Report: Alien Nation (1988)" on Spreaker.

Links:
Become a supporter of The Projection Booth
Buy Alien Nation on DVD
Buy Alien Nation: The TV Series on DVD
Visit the official Kenneth Johnson website

Music:
"Main Title" - Jerry Goldsmith
"The Vial" - Jerry Goldsmith
"Indestructible (7' Single Mix)" - The Four Tops

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