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It’s episode 286…and I will make the land desolate so that your enemies who settle it shall be appalled by it.

Mad God (2021) is the singular vision of Phil Tippett, the stop motion genius behind Star Wars’ AT-ATs and RoboCop’s ED-209. Over the course of 30 years he slowly created what some believe to be his opus–Mad God–a nightmarish film with very little clear story, but an awful lot of grotesque imagery.

We talk about a film that is both an impressive technical exercise and a hollow procession of misery, the nauseating levels of skill required to produce it, whether we’d be sad if Gromit died and whether the individual behind dozens of screens showing a babbling baby’s face should give more thought to workplace safety.

All of which leads to one question: How would you survive?

Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: Your land shall become a desolation and your cities a ruin.

Next month, we’re watching a couple of ‘Space Madness’ films - Solaris (1972) and Aniara (2018).

It’s episode 285! And I’d rather kill myself than work here.

Stopmotion (2024) tells the story of Ella, a Stopmotion Artist, who is pouring her heart and soul into creating something truly outstanding. Stepping out from her Stopmotion Artist mother’s shadow, Ella is tempted by opportunities to be a Stopmotion Artist at an advertising agency, urged to slow her down her Stopmotion Artist lifestyle - but it may just be too little too late.

We talk about the productivity-gains that come from slowing down; the commercial impact of using rotten meat girls to advertise your products; and thoughts of Nick Park sharing a hovel with Wallace and Gromit.

All of which leads to one question: How would you survive?

Next time on Patreon.com/howtosurvivepod, it’s The Green Knight!

It's Episode 284 and congratulations to Emma Jones in Monkeys Running the Zoo III.

Candyman (1992) tells the story of Helen, a grad-student investigating urban legends - or more specifically one urban legend about 'Candyman' - a hook-handed slasher who appears if you say his name five times in a mirror - and promptly disembowels you. Not much of an incentive to summon him overall, but what a premise!

We talk about correct police procedures; optimal concussion care; and rubbish foreplay - all before alighting on one major question: how would you survive?

Whatever happens, one thing's for sure: We're going to Disneyland!

Find more episodes at patreon.com/howtosurvivepod.

See you next month!