The Incomparable Mothership

In this lively discussion, Erika Ensign, Casey Liss, and Moisés Chiullán dive into the submarine film 'U-571.' Erika shares her insights on submarine movie tropes, while Casey reflects on character dynamics and humor. Moisés delves into the groundbreaking sound design that elevates the film's tension. The trio explores themes of camaraderie, moral dilemmas, and the intricate lives of sailors. Expect plenty of jokes and engaging anecdotes as they navigate the complexity of submarine cinema—proving it's more than just action on the water!

We dive beneath the sea again with “K-19: The Widowmaker,” in which Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson star as… wait a second… Soviet naval officers? It’s a film about a horrible nuclear accident assembled from pieces of other submarine movies, as well as possibly several “Star Trek” movies, and we can’t decide if the screenplay or the casting is more of a problem. But finally we’ll get to the bottom of the real question: if most of the crewmen aren’t married, can K-19 really be a widowmaker? "K-19: The Widowmaker" Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Philip Michaels, Steven Schapansky, Brian Warren and Tony Sindelar Referenced Works K-19: The Widowmaker Submarines Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

The Summer of Submarines resurfaces with James Garner going on a secret mission to an enemy island in 1959’s “Up Periscope.” The Skipper is not a skipper, but he’s got some interesting romantic ideas. Some scenes are impressively bad from multiple angles. And we realize that we’re starting to get good at this submarine-movie business, maybe? Up Periscope (1959) Jason Snell with Philip Michaels, Shelly Brisbin, David J. Loehr and Erika Ensign Referenced Works Up Periscope (1959) Submarines Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

We return to 1995 not to hack into the Net but to wander, Netless, around Vienna with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Palm readers! Street poets! Plays featuring cows! It’s “Before Sunrise,” a movie in which nothing happens… except maybe the most extraordinary thing in two people’s lives. "Before Sunrise" (1995) Jason Snell with Brian Hamilton, Erika Ensign, Annette Wierstra and Steven Schapansky Referenced Works Before Sunrise Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Our Awards Book Club closes up shop for 2025 with a final set of rankings, the presentation of an award we made up, and an overview of all the Hugo-nominated short fiction. Awards Book Club final rankings and Hugo short fiction Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Scott McNulty, Aleen Simms and Heather Berberet Show Notes & Links What Are We Reading? Scott: How to Solve Your Own Murder Erika: Swordheart, Throne of Glass series specifically Heir of Fire Heather: Dungeon Crawler Carl Aleen: When Women Were Dragons, Lake of Souls Jason: The Fourth Consort by Edward Ashton, Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz The Incomparable Award Service Model (4 first-place votes, 2.0 average placement) The Tainted Cup (3.4) Someone You Can Build a Nest In (1, 4.0) A Sorceress Comes to Call (4.4) Alien Clay (5.0) The Ministry of Time (5.8) Asunder / The Book of Love (tie) (6.4) Rakesfall (8.6) Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory (9) The Short Fiction Novella “The Brides of High Hill” by Nghi Vo (Tordotcom) “The Butcher of the Forest” by Premee Mohamed (Tordotcom) “Navigational Entanglements” by Aliette de Bodard (Tordotcom) “The Practice, the Horizon, and the Chain” by Sofia Samatar (Tordotcom) “The Tusks of Extinction” by Ray Nayler (Tordotcom) “What Feasts at Night” by T. Kingfisher (Nightfire) Novelette “The Brotherhood of Montague St. Video” by Thomas Ha (Clarkesworld) “By Salt, By Sea, By Light of Stars” by Premee Mohamed (Strange Horizons) “The Four Sisters Overlooking the Sea” by Naomi Kritzer (Asimov’s) “Lake of Souls” by Ann Leckie (in Lake of Souls) “Loneliness Universe” by Eugenia Triantafyllou (Uncanny) “Signs of Life” by Sarah Pinsker (Uncanny) Short Story “Five Views of the Planet Tartarus” by Rachael K. Jones (Lightspeed) “Marginalia” by Mary Robinette Kowal (Uncanny) “Stitched to Skin Like Family Is” by Nghi Vo (Uncanny) “Three Faces of a Beheading” by Arkady Martine (Uncanny) “We Will Teach You How to Read | We Will Teach You How to Read” by Caroline M Yoachim (Lightspeed) “Why Don’t We Just Kill the Kid in the Omelas Hole” by Isabel J Kim (Clarkesworld) Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

We celebrate the tenth anniversary of our Summer Superhero Spectacular tournament with something slightly different: A draft of our favorite superhero movies. Superhero Movie Draft Jason Snell with Andy Ihnatko, Chip Sudderth, James Thomson, Annette Wierstra, Tony Sindelar, Moisés Chiullán and David J. Loehr Show Notes & Links Tony - Batman Begins (2005) James - Birds of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn (2020) David - The LEGO Batman Movie (2017) Annette - Wonder Woman (2017) Moises - Superman (2025) Andy - The Incredibles (2004) Chip - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) Jason - Unbreakable (2000) Tony - Iron Man (2008) James - Dredd (2012) David - The Shadow (1994) Annette - Batman (1989) Moises - Blade (1998) Andy - Watchmen (2009) Chip - Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) Jason - Megamind (2010) Tony - Hellboy (2004) James - Captain Marvel (2019) David - The Rocketeer (1991) Annette - The Marvels (2023) Moises - Roger Corman’s Fantastic Four (1994) Andy - Nine Superman Fleisher Shorts (1941) Chip - Black Panther (2018) Jason - Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

2025 Awards Book Club nears the end with award nominees “Asunder,” “The Ministry of Time,” and “The Tainted Cup.” Plus: What else are we reading? 2025 Awards Book Club, part 3 Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms and Heather Berberet Referenced Works Asunder [Amazon] [Apple] The Ministry of Time [Amazon] [Apple] The Tainted Cup [Amazon] [Apple] Show Notes & Links What are we reading? Aleen: Sounds Like Love and Saint Death’s Daughter Erika: The Assassin’s Blade and Moonstorm Heather: When Women Were Dragons and Atmosphere Scott: Shroud Jason: Shroud, and also the Barker & Llewellyn series Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

We went to the theater to see James Gunn’s “Superman” (2025) and are back to report about the pleasant experience. Gunn sets a new direction for DC superheroes, and fans of Zack Snyder may want to look elsewhere. From Krypto the Superdog to a surprising squirrel save, from The Marvelous Miss Lane to that Elemento guy, we’ll break the whole thing down. "Superman" (2025) Jason Snell with Tony Sindelar, Dan Moren, Shannon Sudderth, Chip Sudderth and Brian Warren Referenced Works Superman (2025) Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

We remain submerged for a very long time to watch a very long film, 1981’s “Das Boot.” This certifiable classic is certainly long and German, encompassing almost everything you might expect in the genre. There’s action, suspense, a lot of character moments, and long periods of tedium spent listening for bad sounds, punctuated by moments of terror as the boat goes to eleven (and beyond). "Das Boot" (1981) Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Brian Warren, Casey Liss, Dan Moren and Philip Michaels Referenced Works Das Boot Submarines Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

The Summer of Submarines joins forces with Old Movie Club to take on 1958’s “Run Silent, Run Deep,” starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster. It’s a tense thriller that has inspired sub and sci-fi movies for many decades. Erika’s gleeful reaction to the film’s abrupt ending may surprise you! "Run Silent, Run Deep" (1958) Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Philip Michaels, Shelly Brisbin, Dan Moren and Casey Liss Referenced Works Run Silent, Run Deep Submarines Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.