The Flick Lab

Alien 3 was a nightmare production for the first-time feature director David Fincher. As the young master was trying to put together the best film he could under the circumstances, the studio and even scriptwriters kept interfering with his attempts at applying his vision to a material that he had only few weeks to mull over before shooting had to begin. This combined with onset antics and disagreements between actors. What came out keeps splitting the fan base to this day. Is Alien 3 actually a much better film than its reputation?

Films covered in this episode:
Alien 3 (1992)

Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune performed by Nick Grivell.

The Flick Lab rarely indulges in hyperbolic adulation or labels films as masterpieces. However, we do consider James Cameron’s Aliens (1986) to be a masterpiece. This landmark film in the sci-fi genre transformed the Alien franchise into a global phenomenon. In this episode, we delve into the film’s themes, the shift from slow burn to action, the bug hunt aspect, character dynamics, Alien genetics and reproduction, plausibility of Burke’s schemes, the differences between the Theatrical and Special Edition, Vietnam War allegories, the tech of Aliens, and more.

Films covered in this episode:
Aliens (1986)

Karri and Henrik delve into their personal experiences from their artistic roots and TV/media industry. Among the discussion points are Karri’s loss of interest in the industry, the industry’s brutality, the tools they’ve utilized in media, advancements in editing on Linux, the debate over high-framerate in the film industry, challenges with high-resolution remasters of old films, AI enhancement, and other topics.

Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune performed by Nick Grivell.

In this podcast episode, Karri and Henrik discuss the movies and TV series they’ve watched over the past year or so, ones that haven’t received dedicated coverage in previous episodes. This segment is the second part of a two-part series.

Films covered in this episode:

For All Mankind (TV Series, 2019-)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7772588

Moonfall (2022)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5834426

Home Alone (1990)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099785

The Pope’s Exorcist (2023)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13375076

Nope (2022)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10954984

Kung Fury (2015)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3472226

Umma (2022)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13235822

Crash Landing on You (TV Series, 2019-2020)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10850932

Crimes of the Future (2022)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14549466

The Mole: Undercover in North Korea (Documentary, 2020)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13243898

Significant Other (2022)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15353964

Deadstream (2022)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12788488

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0010323

Stupid Young Heart (Hölmö nuori sydän, 2018)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6592296

Apollo 11 (2019)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8760684

Sauna (2008)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1124394

In this podcast episode, Karri and Henrik discuss the movies and TV series they’ve watched over the past year or so, ones that haven’t received dedicated coverage in previous episodes. This episode marks the first part of a two-part series.

Films covered in this episode:
Reacher (TV Series, 2022-)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9288030

White Fang (1991)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103247

Bullet Train (2022)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12593682

Sanshiro Sugata, Part Two (1945)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0038268

The Nun II (2023)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10160976

The 400 Blows (1959)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053198

They/Them (2022)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14502344

Dogs Don’t Wear Pants (2019)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9074574

City on a Hill (TV Series, 2019-2022)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7187044

Beyond Utopia (Documentary, 2023)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt25470468

Invoked (Documentary, 2022)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22873412

Iron Butterflies (Documentary, 2023)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12427090

Theatre of Violence (Documentary, 2023)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27009862

The Flick Lab podcast recently had the pleasure of watching ‘Healing Plan’, a short film by two recent NYU graduates. Actress Matilde Silva and Director Samantha Joia joined us to discuss their new film. Luna, a Portuguese teen struggling with insomnia and her recent move to America, is sent to a celebrity doctor to help cope with her adjustment. His revolutionary sleep therapy brings her back to the beginning of her move and several of the struggles she has faced since. But his “healing plan” has some devastating drawbacks she is not quite ready to face. 

The film infuses dream-like states, dramatic lighting sequences and revolves around the important topic of the potential drawbacks of cultural assimilation and the effects of social media. Among the podcast discussion points are also the risky nature of film industry, the importance of passion and atmosphere at the set, pastel de nata, and other topics.

Films covered in this episode:
Healing Plan
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28513535

Healing Plan film website:
https://healingplanfilm.com/

Matilde Silva:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14451415

Samantha Joia:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14160255

Indie Activity interviews:
https://www.indieactivity.com/in-conversation-with-matilde-silva-on-her-role-in-healing-plan/
https://www.indieactivity.com/in-conversation-with-samantha-joia-director-for-healing-plan/

In this episode of the podcast, the hosts Karri and Henrik compare the original Howard Hawkes / Christian Nyby 1951 version of The Thing to John Carpenter’s 1982 reimagining and finally to the 2011 prequel / remake, directed by Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. There’s also a discussion on the original source novella by John W. Campbell from 1938. Each film version is a time capsule, reflecting their respective zeitgeist. Which film adaptation is the best one?

Films covered in this episode:
The Thing from Another World (1951)
The Thing (1982)
The Thing (2011)

Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune written and performed by Nick Grivell.

In this episode of the podcast, the director of Jävla pappa (‘Goddamn Dad’), Niklas Gyberg Ivarsson, joins to discuss his documentary film about his complicated relationship to his alcoholic father. While they’re building an RV together, the two are forced to confront their complicated feelings. This directorial debut of Niklas, published by the Swedish public broadcasting company SVT, has gained recognition in Swedish film festivals and public schools. Niklas’s portrayal of universal struggles within the film has resonated widely, garnering unexpected levels of exposure.

Currently, the film is only available for free streaming on SVT’s website, for those in Sweden, with Swedish subtitles, here: https://www.svtplay.se/video/Kv1YorJ/javla-pappa

You can find Niklas Gyberg Ivarsson on Instagram: @niklasgybergivarsson

Films covered in this episode:
Jävla pappa (2023)

Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Guest Niklas Gyberg Ivarsson. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune written and performed by Nick Grivell.

In this episode of the podcast, filmmaker and podcaster Martin Kessler joins the show to discuss the film The Ear, also known as Ucho. This Czechoslovakian classic, directed by Karel Kachyňa, unravels a Czech couple (Radoslav Brzobohatý, Jirina Bohdalová) consumed by fear and paranoia, vividly depicting the psychological toll of living in a communist surveillance state, “the all-hearing ear”. Throughout the night, the couple confronts their deepest fears, and the underlying fractures in their turbulent marriage come to the surface.

Completed in 1970, the film was banned in the aftermath of the Prague Spring, receiving its release nearly two decades later following the fall of the communist regime in 1989.

You can find Martin Kessler on X (Twitter): @MovieKessler

Films covered in this episode:
The Ear (1970)

Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Guest Martin Kessler. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune written and performed by Nick Grivell.

 

In this episode of the podcast, musician Pat Smith joins Karri and Henrik to delve into the critically acclaimed film Whiplash. Is it a story about transcending mediocrity to achieve brilliance in your chosen art, in this case, drumming? Alternatively, is Whiplash a gripping tale of a descent into madness, fueled by a mentorship gone awry? Perhaps it is neither, and instead, a narrative that simply observes ambiguity. Does Whiplash communicate an empowering message or potentially something harmful?

You can find Pat Smith’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, other platforms and here:
https://ditto.fm/wander-by-starlight
https://ditto.fm/3-kings
https://ditto.fm/no-respect
https://ditto.fm/the-ragged-remains
https://ditto.fm/zombie-apocalypse
https://ditto.fm/the-lies-were-told
https://ditto.fm/trail-rations-ep

Films covered in this episode:
Whiplash (2014)

Hosted by Karri Ojala and Henrik Telkki. Edited by Karri Ojala. The Flick Lab theme tune written and performed by Nick Grivell.