Our Opinions Are Correct

Ever since Star Wars introduced space wizards with laser swords, we've been in love with space fantasy. Most space opera contains a certain amount of magical hand-waving, but there's something truly wondrous about an epic that embraces the potential of magic among the stars. Plus Charlie Jane talks about her brand new young-adult novel, Victories Greater Than Death! Show notes: www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes

Just for our amazing subscribers, here's an exclusive sneak peek at the audiobook of Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anders, read by Hynden Walch. Coming on April 13, 2021, available wherever audiobooks are sold!

What makes a good fight scene work? Is it the pacing, the characters, or where it happens in the story? We talk about our favorite fight scenes, and why they are oddly similar to dance numbers. Plus, we're joined by battle mastermind Fonda Lee, author of the Green Bone Saga, who explains why a fight scene has to change everything. Show notes: www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes

We've been waging a desperate battle against deadly viruses, in both reality and fiction. In this episode, we talk to Sarah Zhang, a staff writer with the Atlantic, about what we've learned from the fight against COVID-19. And we talk about the scariest and weirdest viruses in science fiction. Show notes: www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes

It's time to talk about the politics of kaiju. With the new Godzilla vs. Kong movie stomping our way soon, we're discussing the long history of giant monsters in pop culture, and the truly strange cinematic backstory of the original King Kong vs. Godzilla flick. What do kaiju represent, and why are they connected to nationalism? And when does a kaiju get to be a protagonist rather than a monster? Show notes: www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes

We're all super-traumatized by everything we've been through lately—so what kind of storytelling can we use to cope with our shared PTSD? And how will our collective trauma be reflected in pop culture? To get some answers, we talk to Sarah Gailey, author of The Echo Wife. Show notes: www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes

We keep telling stories about lost cities. Pop culture is full of tales about great metropolises that disappeared, only to be rediscovered by adventurers. But the reality of ancient abandoned cities is way more complicated and weird. To celebrate the release of Annalee's book Four Lost Cities, we delve into the fantasies and correct the misconceptions about urban places that were lost to time. Show notes: www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes

JK Rowling has become an anti-trans activist on social media. This news has sent Harry Potter fandom -- always full of queers and trans people -- into mourning. We talk to author/publisher (and longtime Slytherin) Cecilia Tan about how to ignore Rowling and take back Harry Potter. Shownotes here: www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes

Science fiction and fantasy are full of bodies that just won't behave. Either they're overpowered, or they're trying to consume everything in the world. We talk about why some bodies are so problematic in science fiction. Plus we talk to Meg Elison, author of the new novel Find Layla, about fatphobia and fat-fetishism. Show notes: www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes

Suddenly, everything is cute again. Animation, pop music, and the internet are packed with adorable sparklefest feelings. What is behind the new wave of cute aesthetics? We talk about why hard times drive us to comfort content -- and whether the cuteocracy is a protest against dystopia. Plus, can things get TOO cute? Show notes: www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes