We’re back with an all-new

season of Guide for the Film Fanatic! In each episode, Jason Bailey and Mike Hull invite a guest from the world of film (including filmmakers, authors, critics, actors, and more) to select one of the 1600+ “must-see movies” collected in Danny Peary’s seminal 1986 book, Guide for the Film Fanatic. Bailey, Hull, and their guests deep dive on each film, discussing its history, themes, style, performances, initial reception, and legacy, taking a fresh look at some of the most beloved titles in cinema history.

Sarah Welch-Larson’s book Becoming Alien: The Beginning and End of Evil in Science Fiction's Most Idiosyncratic Film Franchise thoughtfully and energetically explores the series that launched with Ridley Scott’s magnificent 1979 sci-if/horror mashup, so she joins us to discuss its making, execution, and ongoing influence.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. We’ve partnered up with One Heat Minute Productions on this show, so we’ve migrated over to their feed; subscribe now if you haven’t already. 

We’re also putting our new episodes up on YouTube! Watch the show on our YouTube channel, @guideforthefilmfanatic, for visual accompaniment and bonus stuff and who knows what else:

Alien is available on 4K UHD and for digital rental or purchase. You can read Vincent Canby’s New York Times review here, Jack Kroll’s Newsweek review here, Gene Siskel’s Chicago Tribune review here, and David Denby’s New York review here. 

Becoming Alien: The Beginning and End of Evil in Science Fiction's Most Idiosyncratic Film Franchise is available for purchase here and here. If you’d like to check out the YouTube page for Mike’s other podcast, “Black Diplomats,” it’s here; you can also watch his documentary  Betrayal at Attica on Tubi and Apple TV+. And Jason’s book Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend is now out in paperback (and hardback, ebook, and audiobook), and you can order it from MZS Press, Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, or wherever you get your books.

Last but not least, if you’d like to make a little donation to support us and the show, you can do that at Ko-fi!