Science Fiction 101

This time on Science Fiction 101 , we take some trips down memory lane to revisit classic time travel movies. We mostly focus on the Back to the Future series, but also a couple of wildcards: Primer (2004, Colin's pick) and Peggy Sue Got Married (1986, Phil's pick). We also have a listener quiz - Silverberg/Tolkien/Bradbury - and our usual round-up of recommended SF past, present and future. Among the items mentioned in this episode: Robert J. Sawyer's short story collections The premiere of the movie version of  Project Hail Mary  is imminent BFI releases 4k UHD Blu-ray restoration of Peter Weir's early SF film  The Cars That Ate Paris   (1974) ...and likewise of  Invaders From Mars  (1953) Physical media strike back  Shades of  Cocoon  and  *batteries not included  with Netflix's new series  The Boroughs   Find our new episode on your podcast app of choice (see list of suggested pod platforms below), or play it right...

Traditionally on Science Fiction 101 , we follow up our "old magazine" review with a review of its modern counterpart - and this year is no exception, as in this episode we cast our eyes over a very recent issue of Asimov's Science Fiction magazine, dated Nov/Dec 2025. Contributors to this issue include Robert Silverberg, Greg Egan and Allen M. Steele. No time for a quiz this time (shock horror!), but rest assured that it will return in our next episode. But we do make time for our usual round-up of what's notable in past, present and future SF. Among the items covered in this episode:   Asimov's Science Fiction magazine, Nov/Dec 2025 The alien invasion that was the Norman Conquest of 1066: historian Marc Morris's highly readable non-fiction book , and as interviewed for the History Extra  podcast (episodes 1 2 3 4 ) A(nother) David Brin story shows signs of becoming real The city of Bristol is to host a fiftieth anniversary celebration of Aardman Animat...

We're back! With our annual trek into the archives to read an old science fiction magazine, to see if and how our field has changed over the decades. This time we time-travel to 1982, where we pick up the February 15th 1982 issue of Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine . If you'd like to read along with us, you'll find the entire issue online courtesy of Luminist , here: https://s3.us-west-1.wasabisys.com/luminist/SF/ASI/ASI_1982_02.pdf   Among the other items mentioned in today's episode: RIP science fiction master John Varley Apple TV's  For All Mankind , due for a fifth season in 2026 Kaliane Bradley's Hugo nominated time-travel novel  The Ministry of Time Robert Silverberg's book about the art and craft of SF writing,  Science Fiction 101  (good title, Silverbob!) Somtow Sucharitkul's tuneful march for  Asimov's  magazine , rendered for MIDI  Amazon Prime to relaunch  Stargate Early science fiction? Fantasy, at any rate: The Tale of th...

Back in episode 57 , Colin and Phil recommended books and movies to each other. Now they act on those suggestions, reporting back with their findings.  Will Phil appreciate Alan Dean Foster's Prism? Will Colin believe that you can journey to the Far side of the Sun? Join us as we travel by Toynbee Convector* *batteries not included      Among the items discussed in today's show: Ray Bradbury's short story " The Toynbee Convector " Alan Dean Foster's novel  Sentenced to Prism * batteries not included Journey to the Far Side of the Sun Space 1999 is now fifty years old! It's official: the Starfleet tartan Strange Horizons magazine's 25 years of short stories An Ursula K. Le Guin exhibit in Portland, Oregon Nebula and Emmy winner Alan Brennert's forthcoming short story collection  The Man Who Loved the Sea       Podcast platforms carrying Science Fiction 101 include:   Amazon Music - Apple Podcasts/iTunes - Aud...

Join us for a trivia quiz bonanza! Making a return visit to the pod is Colin's co-host from another podcast, Seth Heasley, who is here to administer a deadly science fictional quiz! Phil is already quaking in his sci-fi Moon boots. At the time of recording, Colin and Seth had just returned from this year's World Science Fiction Convention, held in Seattle. So in this episode, they give their behind-the-scenes perspectives of what went on at the con: Colin as a volunteer camera operator and video director, and Seth as a Hugo Award nominee and panel moderator. Among the items discussed in today's show: The 2025 Hugo Awards The 1944 film version of J.B.Priestley's  They Came to a City The perennially meaningful graphic novel  Maus by Art Spiegelman The Ray Bradbury Center - which houses the papers, artefacts and office of the famous writer (in Indianapolis) - is raising funds to move into expanded, future-proof (not to mention waterproof) accommodation Adrian Tchaikovksy...