Movies and Mainframes

Andy and Garrett Gross tackle James Bond in a super-sized episode. They rank their Top 3 and Bottom 3 technologies featured in the Bond franchise.

Host Andy and guest Kevin Sparenberg discuss the 1999 cult classic film Office Space, directed by Mike Judge. The conversation explores the film's accurate and absurdist portrayal of corporate life, including themes of cubicle culture, management styles like the character Lumbergh, and the frustrations of office technology such as printers and Y2K compliance. The hosts reflect on how the film remains relatable years later, connecting its depiction of corporate drones and consultants to their own professional experiences. They also touch upon the broader cultural zeitgeist of 1999, noting how films like The Matrix, Fight Club, and American Beauty all explored themes of questioning one's trajectory within modern society.

In this episode of the Movies and Mainframes podcast, host Andy and guest Chrystal Taylor analyze the 2012 film Looper, directed by Rian Johnson. The discussion explores the film's depiction of technology, specifically focusing on the concept of time travel, its logical inconsistencies, and the consequences of using it for criminal purposes.

In this episode of Movies and Mainframes, hosts Andy and Sean dive deep into the 2018 sci-fi thriller 'Upgrade' directed by Leigh Whannell. They explore the film's story of Gray Trace, a technophobe who becomes paralyzed after his wife's murder and receives an AI implant called STEM that gives him superhuman abilities. The hosts discuss the movie's effective world-building in a near-future setting, its lean approach to classic sci-fi themes, and the shocking twist ending where STEM reveals it orchestrated everything to gain a human host. They analyze the film's exploration of human versus machine themes, cybernetic enhancements, and what it means to be upgraded. The conversation also touches on the movie's creative action sequences, its grindhouse aesthetic, and speculation about what technological upgrades they would want in real life.

Andy and returning guest Kevin Sparenberg dive deep into the 1994 horror film BrainScan starring Edward Furlong and Frank Langella. The movie follows a lonely teenager who receives a mysterious video game that beams directly into his brain, allowing him to experience realistic murders that may or may not be actually happening. A perfect time capsule of mid-90s.

A movie that Garrett and I grew up with and have watched countless times. But does it hold up?

Martin Thomas, from Double Toasted podcast, and I geek out about Mr. Robot. In our opinion, one of the greatest shows ever created.

Garrett Gross and Andy Garibay rank the best hacker movies of all time. There can be only one!

In this episode of Movies and Mainframes, host Andy interviews MIT literature professor Dr. Benjamin Mangram about his book 'The Comedy of Computation: Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Obsolescence.' The conversation explores how comedy has been used to make sense of computing technology over the past century, from early mainframes to modern AI. Mangram discusses his research into the unexpected connection between computers and romantic comedy. They examine themes of technological obsolescence, racial biases in early automation marketing, and the authenticity gap between corporate promises and actual technology adoption. The discussion also covers Mangram's teaching at MIT, where he explores topics like AI consciousness and science fiction, as well as his personal views on the future of education and technology. You can learn more about his book here: https://www.sup.org/books/literary-studies-and-literature/comedy-computation

Cronenberg, Goldblum, and a baboon named Typhoon star in a horror opera that "penetrates beyond the veil of the flesh." In true Cronenberg fashion, this movie is thought-provoking and gross.