In this episode of Movie Postmortem, we review The Martian (2015), the sci-fi film where survival comes down to science, problem-solving, and a whole lot of potatoes. Stranded alone on Mars, Mark Watney (Matt Damon) must rely on botany, engineering, and relentless optimism to stay alive long enough for NASA to bring him home.

We break down why the film’s step-by-step problem-solving is so satisfying, how its hopeful and humorous tone set it apart from darker space stories, and why Mark might be one of the most likable protagonists in modern sci-fi.

Plus, a commercial about a drink that Mark probably wished he had on Mars!

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In this episode, we review Armageddon (1998), the ultimate example of peak Michael Bay mayhem. We break down the film’s chaotic energy, the ensemble cast, and why Bay’s attempt to mimic Titanic's love story falls flat. We also talk about why NASA’s plan to train oil drillers instead of astronauts is such an absurd movie premise!

Is Armageddon a disaster movie masterpiece or just a fun bad film? Either way, we’re here to determine the Causes of Celebration and the Causes of Death.

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In this episode of Movie Postmortem, we are joined by the hosts of the Based on a Book Podcast to discuss Arrival. Together, we review Denis Villeneuve’s cerebral sci-fi film where alien contact is less about invasion action and more about learning about language.

We break down Amy Adams’ performance, the amazing cinematography, and the haunting soundtrack. Our guests help us compare the film to its source material (Ted Chiang’s short story) while we dig into why this film is so different than other films about first contact.

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Based on A Book Podcast