This week we are exploring the horrors of Artificial intelligence and tech noir with two films from very different eras but similar fears and concerns.

First up is Colossus: The Forbin Project from 1970, directed by Joseph Sargent and starring Eric Braden, Susan Clark, Gordon Pinsett, and William Schallert. Then we jump forward nearly half a century to 2018 with Upgrade, written and directed by Leigh Whannell, and featuring Logan Marshall-Green, Betty Gabriel, Harrison Gilbertson, and Benedict Hardy.

Both of these films imagine worlds where technology outpaces human intelligence and in which something designed as a helpful tool quickly mutates into something far more sinister. Between them, the two address themes including autonomy, privacy, the arrogance of sciences, and the fallibility and future of our species.

References used:

https://www.wired.com/2017/03/ridley-scott-video/

https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/jean-luc-godards-dystopian-sci-fi-classic-alphaville-turns-50

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Terminal_Man_(film)

https://www.bangor.ac.uk/news/2024-10-09-the-terminator-at-40-james-camerons-dark-vision-is-more-relevant-than-ever

Colossus The Forbin Project

https://catalog.afi.com/Film/23505-THE-FORBIN-PROJECT?cxt=filmography

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Braeden

https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/colossus-the-forbin-projects-eric-braeden-retrospective-interview

The directors commentary on the blu ray release of the movie from Spirit Entertainment

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossus:_The_Forbin_Project

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Whitlock

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colossus_(novel)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D._F._Jones

Upgrade

An interview with Leigh Whannell titled "Man.Machine.More" that appears on the Second Sight blu ray release

https://www.avclub.com/saw-creators-leigh-whannell-and-james-wan-1798222299

https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/leigh-whannell-upgrade/

https://thenerdstemplar.com/2018/05/29/interview-leigh-whannell-upgrade/

https://techcrunch.com/2018/06/01/leigh-wannell-upgrade-interview/

https://punchdrunkcritics.com/2018/06/interview-upgrade-director-leig/

https://rue-morgue.com/exclusive-upgrade-interview-pt-1-leigh-whannell-and-logan-marshall-green-on-practical-effects-and-who-almost-directed/

https://dailydead.com/sxsw-2018-interview-leigh-whannell-logan-marshall-green-and-betty-gabriel-talk-upgrade/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEqZipI7eyc

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