Flying Saucer Cinema - Fall

This classic science fiction film appreciation class showcases beloved films that cry out for viewing in a group setting the way they were first presented to the world. Each week will bring something new, films ranging from Golden Age sci-fi of the 1950s and 60s to the dystopian sci-fi of the 1970s and occasional forays beyond. Weekly sessions feature film insights, trivia, lively post-screening discussion, and optional follow-up materials—curated images, links, and observations— for those wanting to do a deeper dive. We kick off fall quarter with Mario Bava’s 1965 sci-fi/horror masterpiece Planet of the Vampires, followed by Ishirô (Godzilla) Honda’s 1957 invasion film The Mysterians, featuring iconic mega-robots and adorable costumes. Mixing things up, we then time travel back to 1932 with the Bela Lugosi classic Island of Lost Souls, an early version of H.G. Wells’s Island of Dr. Moreau. To wrap up the quarter on a fun note, we’re screening 1982’s Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, the film credited with revitalizing the Star Trek franchise. ("Khan!!!") Whether you are a seasoned science fiction film buff or simply want to put your head in a different place for a couple of hours every week, this will be an engaging, fun adventure of a class you won't want to miss!