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In space, no one can hear you podcast. That is why The Cinematic Schematic is here to ground your takes to earth by wrapping up summer 2024 with a review of Alien: Romulus.
Meet The Crew
To give the Xenmorph-led franchise a pulse check, hosts Caleb Masters and Laron Chapman are joined by a motley crew of space colonists, including recurring guest host Daniel Bokemper, “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son” and editor of the Curbside Chronicle Nathan Poppe, and the Brockness Monster of art direction, Brock Lay.
Together, we answer the big question of the hour. Does director Fede Alvarez breathe fresh air into this historic Hollywood franchise? Listen to the conversation for our verdicts.
Left to Right: Daniel Bokemper, Nathan Poppe, Laron Chapman, Brock Lay, and Caleb Masters.
Ice-Breaker Question
Time Stamp: 6:35
“You are doomed to die at the hands of a Xenomorph. In which movie would you prefer to go out and why?”
Each movie has a unique aesthetic and subgenre provided by its writers and director. To start the Alien-themed conversation, we asked each co-host which film they would rather be a victim in. Is it going out like a slasher victim in Scott’s original 1979 classic? Or at the hands of the swarm as a marine in James Cameron’s Aliens?
Spoiler-Free Review
Time Stamp: 12:33
Originally planned as a straight-to-Hulu exclusive, Alien: Romulus was released in theaters on Friday, August 17th. Romulus is directed by Fede Alvarez(Evil Dead, Don’t Breathe) and is the first Alien movie released since the completion of the 2019 Disney acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
It stars Cailee Spaney as Rain, David Jonsson as Andy, Archie Renaux as Tyler, Isabela Merced as Kay, and Aileen Wu as Navarro.
In our spoiler-free review, we dive into:
- Our overall thoughts on the movie
- What do we think about Fede Alvarez’s take on the Alien mythos
- Our ranking of the Alien series including Romulus
- Letter Grade Verdicts
- Alternate Media Recommendations
Spoiler-Filled Review
Time Stamp: 1:19:14
We crack open the film’s most closely guarded secrets to close out the show. In the spoilers discussion, we cover:
- The strengths and drawbacks of remixing Alien’s greatest hits for Romulus
- Where does the Alien franchise go from here?
Special Guests
Nathan Poppe
Curbside Chronicle editor and concert photographer
“Oklahoma’s Favorite Son”
Follow Nathan on Twitter and Instagram @NathanPoppe
Daniel Bokemper
Contributor at The Cinematropolis and Flick Attack
Follow Daniel on X @Daniel_Bokemper
Brock Lay
The “Brockness Monster” of Art Directors
Find Brock’s work on Behanced
Follow Brock on Instagram @brockness_monster
About Alien: Romulus
According to IMDB, Alien: Romulus is described as:
While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonists come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.
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