Episode 19: Colossus The Forbin Project (1970) & Upgrade (2018)

This week we are exploring the horrors of Artificial intelligence and tech noir with two films from very different eras but similar fears and concerns. First up is Colossus: The Forbin Project from 1970, directed by Joseph Sargent and starring Eric Braden, Susan Clark, Gordon Pinsett, and William Schallert. Then we jump forward nearly half a century to 2018 with Upgrade, written and directed by Leigh Whannell, and featuring Logan Marshall-Green, Betty Gabriel, Harrison Gilbertson, and Benedict Hardy. Both of these films imagine worlds where technology outpaces human intelligence and in which something designed as a helpful tool quickly mutates into something far more sinister. Between them, the two address themes including autonomy, privacy, the arrogance of sciences, and the fallibility and future of our species. References used:https://www.wired.com/2017/03/ridley-scott-video/https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/jean-luc-godards-dystopian-sci-fi-classic-alphaville-turns-50https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Terminal_Man_(film)https://www.bangor.ac.uk/news/2024-10-09-the-terminator-at-40-james-camerons-dark-vision-is-more-relevant-than-everColossus The Forbin Projecthttps://catalog.afi.com/Film/23505-THE-FORBIN-PROJECT?cxt=filmographyhttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Braedenhttps://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/colossus-the-forbin-projects-eric-braeden-retrospective-interviewThe directors commentary on the blu ray release of the movie from Spirit Entertainmenthttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossus:_The_Forbin_Projecthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Whitlockhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossus_(novel)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._F._JonesUpgradeAn interview with Leigh Whannell titled "Man.Machine.More" that appears on the Second Sight blu ray releasehttps://www.avclub.com/saw-creators-leigh-whannell-and-james-wan-1798222299https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/leigh-whannell-upgrade/https://thenerdstemplar.com/2018/05/29/interview-leigh-whannell-upgrade/https://techcrunch.com/2018/06/01/leigh-wannell-upgrade-interview/https://punchdrunkcritics.com/2018/06/interview-upgrade-director-leig/https://rue-morgue.com/exclusive-upgrade-interview-pt-1-leigh-whannell-and-logan-marshall-green-on-practical-effects-and-who-almost-directed/https://dailydead.com/sxsw-2018-interview-leigh-whannell-logan-marshall-green-and-betty-gabriel-talk-upgrade/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEqZipI7eycInstagram: @thehorrordoublebillemail: [email protected]: @thehorrordoublebillartwork by Justin Parker (IG jpkr_illustration.com)