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Talking Technophobia in Film

Talking Technophobia in Film

By Kevin Vachna

Technophobia in Film: A Film Discussion Class “Be afraid. Be very afraid.” From the very beginning, Hollywood movies have offered a frightening reflection of our deep fear of technology, its effects, & sinister implications. Time-traveling terminators, resurrected dinosaurs, alien invasions, & virtual prisons all give us a sense of just how terrified Hollywood writers, directors, and producers think we are (or should be). In this class we will investigate popular, pivotal movies and discuss their fears, warnings, and possible solutions to this ever-increasing cultural technophobia. Join us!
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Trailer Talking Technophobia- 2001: A Space Odyssey

Talking Technophobia in FilmDec 07, 2020

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00:48
Talking Technophobia in Film - Wall-E

Talking Technophobia in Film - Wall-E

It’s time to grab your hover chair and practice your best rendition of “Hello Dolly”. This December on “Talking Technophobia in Film,” we conclude our Third Season and year-long discussion of “Monsters & Mad Men” with Disney’s 2008 Pixar comedy, WALL-E.

The class will touch upon the human ingenuity, environmentalism, and the responsibility of creator to creation. Some themes will include “Malfunction” “Old vs. New,” and the “Redemptive Power of Love”.


Check out the class on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVuQrea7Ky2Umt5c7ESDLiw

Dec 05, 202154:07
Talking Technophobia in Film - Truman Show

Talking Technophobia in Film - Truman Show

It’s time to grab your TV guide and brush up on your First Generation Reality TV. This September on “Talking Technophobia in Film,” we continue our Third Season and year-long discussion of “Monsters & Mad Men” with the 1998 drama/comedy, THE TRUMAN SHOW. In this class, we touched upon the Eugenics, TV Ethics, and the responsibility of the creator to its creation. Some themes will include “All the World’s a Stage” “Social Media,” and we’ll contemplate the final message of the film’s ending. Class was held  at MADE Art Studio in Mamaroneck

Sep 14, 202153:37
Talking Technophobia in Film - The Fly

Talking Technophobia in Film - The Fly

"I was not pure. the teleporter insists on inner purity"  For this season theme of Monsters and Mad Man we will discuss David Croneberg's 1986,  "The Fly."  We focus on Technology of teleportation, body horror & a health crisis,  the mad scientist as a magician, and the message and morality.

Jul 09, 202155:30
Talking Technophobia in Film - Frankenstein

Talking Technophobia in Film - Frankenstein

“Where should we be if nobody tried to find out what lies beyond?“

It’s time to grab your torches and brush up on your parenting skills.  This March  on “Talking Technophobia in Film,” we begin our Third Season and year-long discussion of “Monsters & Made” in several iconic films.

So rob some graves, lock yourself in a secluded lab, ignore your loved ones, and, most of all, be careful not to drop that brain! We turn our attention to the original 1931 horror classic, FRANKENSTEIN.

We will touch upon the Eugenics, Scientific Ethics, and the responsibility of the creator to its creation.   Some themes will include “It’s the Doctor, NOT the Monster, Right? WRONG!”Modern Mythology,” and we’ll contemplate the final message of the film’s ending.

So, raise a glass for a son to the House of Frankenstein!



Follow Professor Movies on Instagram: @professormovies 

Visit the Website for more info: lmcmedia.org/services/classes/

Mar 08, 202156:29
Talking Technophobia in Film - 2001: A Space Odyssey

Talking Technophobia in Film - 2001: A Space Odyssey

“HAL, open the bay doors.”  

It’s time to strap on your space suit and replace the alpha-echo-three-five unit.  This December on “Talking Technophobia in Film,” we conclude our Second Season and year-long discussion of the cultural significance of Stanley Kubrick’s famous films.  

So rehearse your best rendition of the “Daisy,” travel from the dawn of man, to a moon base on Clavius, and find out what lies past Jupiter and beyond.  We turn our attention to Stanley Kubrick's 1968 Sci-Fi masterpiece, 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. 

We will touch upon the Artificial Intelligence, the approaching Alien Apocalypse, and the clandestine politics of Space.   Some themes will include “human ingenuity,” “conflict theory,” its implications for the future,” and I’ll finally entertain any moon-landing conspiracies you’ve been itching to share.

Follow Professor Movies on Instagram: @professormovies

Visit the Website for more info: lmcmedia.org/services/classes/

Dec 07, 202001:06:30
Trailer Talking Technophobia- 2001: A Space Odyssey

Trailer Talking Technophobia- 2001: A Space Odyssey

“HAL, open the bay doors.”   It’s time to strap on your space suit and replace the alpha-echo-three-five unit.  This December on “Talking Technophobia in Film,” we conclude our Second Season and year-long discussion of the cultural significance of Stanley Kubrick’s famous films.   We turn our attention to Stanley Kubrick's 1968 Sci-Fi masterpiece, 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY.  

Follow Professor Movies on Instagram: @professormovies 

Visit the Website for more info: https://lmcmedia.org/services/classes/

Dec 07, 202000:48
Talking Technophobia in Film - Full Metal Jacket

Talking Technophobia in Film - Full Metal Jacket

Listen up, maggots! It’s time to figure out which is your rifle, which is your gun, and practice saying, “Sir, yes, sir,” until you're blue in the face. This September on “Talking Technophobia in Film,” we are continuing our Second Season and year-long discussion of the cultural significance of Stanley Kubrick’s most famous films.  "You will not laugh, you will not cry. You will learn by the numbers."  So rehearse your best renditions of the “Mickey Mouse Club” and your John Wayne impression, say goodbye to your childhood innocence, and ship out from Paris Island to the jungles of Vietnam, as we turn our attention to Full Metal Jacket (1987).

We will touch upon the warrior culture, the war machine, and the duality.   Some themes will include the “masculinity,” “transformation,” and “duality.”

Sep 14, 202001:12:51
Talking Technophobia in Film - A Clockwork Orange

Talking Technophobia in Film - A Clockwork Orange

Gather up your best droogs, slowly sip that warm glass of milk-plus, and get ready for a bit of the old ultra-violence. This July on “Talking Technophobia in Film,” we continue our Second Season and year-long discussion of the cultural significance of Stanley Kubrick’s famous Films.  So rehearse your best rendition of “Singing in the Rain,” listen to a little of the old Ludwig Van, and consider how the colors of the real world only seem real when you viddy them on the screen, as we turn our attention to A Clockwork Orange (1971).

Jul 15, 202054:41
Talking Technophobia in Film - Dr. Strangelove

Talking Technophobia in Film - Dr. Strangelove

“Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room.”   This month on “Talking Technophobia in Film,” we begin our exciting Second Season and a year-long discussion of the technological innovations and inherent fears found in some of the most pivotal Stanley Kubrick Films.  So take care of your bodily fluids, as we turn our attention, in March, to Dr. Strangelove (1964).  Review the contents of your survival kit,  check on the status of the Doomsday Machine, and get ready to enact Plan R, as we learn to stop worrying and love the bomb!

We will touch upon the prophetic and predictive technologies, the paradoxes of deterrence, and the power of the death drive.   Some themes will include the “mad scientist,”machismo,” and “self preservation.”

Mar 10, 202001:16:06
Talking Technophobia in Film: Network
Jan 16, 202001:30:41
Talking Technophobia in Film: Back to the Future

Talking Technophobia in Film: Back to the Future

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads."

This month on “Talking Technophobia in Film,” we grab our hover boards, crank up the volume on Chuck Barry’s “Johnny B Goode,” and climb into a DeLorean for the Back to the Future Trilogy (1985-1990).

We will touch upon prophetic and predictive technologies, the paradoxes of time-travel, and the power of the Nostalgia Cycle.   Some themes will include the “mad scientist,”fate vs. free-will,” and “failure.”

Dec 10, 201901:18:57
Talking Technophobia in Film: Moonraker

Talking Technophobia in Film: Moonraker

This month on “Talking Technophobia in Film,” we pour some dry martinis and search for secret agents in space, with the 1979 James Bond film, Moonraker. We touch upon the transformative & subversive elements of technology, the ethical uncertainties of the spy genre, and the Star-Wars-ification of cinema.   Some themes will include the “redemptive power of love,” “human ingenuity,” and what happens when social critiques become a gimmick.


Nov 18, 201901:30:04
Talking Technophobia in Film: The Shining
Oct 08, 201901:30:59
Talking Technophobia in Film: "1984"

Talking Technophobia in Film: "1984"

This class covers the 1984 dystopian film based on George Orwell’s classic novel, Nineteen Eighty-Four (Radford), and touch upon the many conflicts with technology, ethics of surveillance, and the power of propaganda. Some themes will include the “duality of humanity,” “freedom vs. control,” and our cultural suspicions of information, truth, and our co-workers.  Please watch the film in advance of the class.

Sep 10, 201901:26:12
Talking Technophobia in Film: Ex Machina

Talking Technophobia in Film: Ex Machina

This class covers the 2014 sci-fi-horror film, Ex Machina (Garland), and touch upon the many conflicts with technology, ethics of artificial intelligence and surveillance. We will discuss themes including “fate vs. choice,” post-modern mad scientists, and the pitfalls of dating a robot.

Sep 10, 201901:25:26
Talking Technophobia in Film: Independence Day

Talking Technophobia in Film: Independence Day

In this class, we investigate the 1996 blockbuster film, Independence Day, and discuss the fears, warnings, and possible solutions to this ever-increasing cultural technophobia. Discussion topics will include: Weapons of War, Fear and Courage, Patriotism, the Redemptive Power of Love, Foreignness and “The Other”, as well as try to bring about World Peace in the Digital Age.

Jul 16, 201901:31:06
Talking Technophobia in Film: Gojira

Talking Technophobia in Film: Gojira

The next class we will be the 1954 classic Godzilla (Gojira) and discuss the fears, warnings, and possible solutions to this ever-increasing cultural technophobia. Discussion topics will include: man vs nature, weapons of mass destruction, tensions between tradition and progress, and the hunt for mad scientists in a post-WWII Japan.

Jun 28, 201901:52:56
Talking Technophobia in Film: Star Wars- A New Hope

Talking Technophobia in Film: Star Wars- A New Hope

This class covered the 1977, sci-fi/ fantasy film, Star Wars: A New Hope and touch upon the many conflicts with technology, ethics of cybernetics, weapons of mass destruction, individuality in the face of automation, as well as themes including the “hero’s journey” and our pop cultural obsession with all things Star Wars.

Jun 21, 201901:45:02
Talking Technophobia in Film: The Matrix

Talking Technophobia in Film: The Matrix

This class covered the 1999 sci-fi/action film, The Matrix (Wachowski), and touch upon the many conflicts with technology, ethics of artificial intelligence and surveillance, themes including “fate vs. choice,” and our cultural obsession with truth and meaning. 

Jun 14, 201901:50:26
Talking Technophobia in Film: Jurassic Park

Talking Technophobia in Film: Jurassic Park

In this class we will investigate popular, pivotal movies and discuss their fears, warnings, and possible solutions to this ever-increasing cultural technophobia. Discussion topics will include: "the mad scientist and you," "ghosts in the machines," "alfunctioning machinations,"risks and rewards," and "the power of human ingenuity."

Throughout these classes, we will discuss Modern Times, Frankenstein, The Fly, Godzilla, War of the Worlds , 2001: A Space Odessy, Moonraker, Blade Runner, Star Wars, The Matrix , and Wall-E.

Our first class will cover the 1993 blockbuster film, Jurassic Park, and touch upon its many conflicts with technology, the ethics of genetic engineering, themes including "chaos vs. control" and our cultural obsession with dinosaurs.

Apr 09, 201901:47:22