H-Hour #228 – Film and TV chat with Bags Simmons and Alex Brockdorff

Joining Hugh for this episode: Bags Simmons (owner of Bare Arms TV & Film, British Army veteran) and Alex Brockdorff (actor, director, British Army veteran). The conversation revolves around alien invasion sci fi films. Kicking off with Starship Troopers and its satirical elements. The hosts discuss the deliberate poor acting, the portrayal of propaganda and dehumanization, and the underlying themes of war and sacrifice. They explore the director’s intention to create a multi-layered film that works as both a mindless action flick and a critique of society. The conversation also touches on the historical context of World War II and the parallels with the film’s depiction of war and recruitment. Overall, the hosts appreciate the depth and nuance of Starship Troopers, despite its initial appearance as a simple sci-fi invasion film. In this part of the conversation, the hosts discuss various sci-fi movies, including Starship Troopers, Battlefield Earth, Edge of Tomorrow, War of the Worlds, Signs, The Thing, They Live, and Mars Attacks. They explore the themes, unique aspects, and impact of these films, highlighting the creativity and originality of certain movies. They also touch on the challenges of creating original ideas in the film industry and the dominance of existing IP and remakes. In this final part of the conversation, the hosts discuss various sci-fi invasion movies and their favorite moments. They touch on films like Mars Attacks, Independence Day, The Living Daylights, The Fifth Element, and The Matrix. They also explore the concept of hard pivots in movies and the craftsmanship behind creating immersive worlds. The hosts share their personal favorite sci-fi invasion movies, including Edge of Tomorrow and Aliens. They also discuss the importance of strong female characters, such as Ripley in Aliens.