A.I. – JOHNNY HAS THE KEYS

Westworld is a futuristic theme park where paying guests can pretend to be gunslingers in an artificial Wild West populated by androids. After paying a sizable entrance fee, Blane (James Brolin) and Martin (Richard Benjamin) are determined to unwind by hitting the saloons, and brothels, and shooting their guns. But when the system goes haywire and Blane is killed in a duel with a robotic gunslinger (Yul Brynner), Martin’s escapist fantasy suddenly takes on a grim reality.

Westworld (1973) may not be scary by today’s standards, but to a young, impressionable child of 1973–take it from me–Yul Brynner was absolutely terrifying. Join us for some rip-roaring nostalgic fun as we dive into our second Michael Crichton offering of the year, discussing the recurring motif in his work as well as its seminal influence today. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys travels to yet another amusement park, one where things also run amuck on a smaller but no less dangerous scale.

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Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) a programmer at a huge Internet search engine company, wins a contest to spend a week at the private estate of Nathan Bateman (Oscar Isaac), his employer’s brilliant CEO. Upon arrival, Caleb learns he is to be the human component in a Turing test to determine the capabilities and consciousness of Ava (Alicia Vikander), a beautiful and extraordinarily self-aware robot. Caleb soon develops feelings for Ava and is ultimately forced to choose between creator and creation.

It is the not-so-distant future where artificial intelligence appears as real as you or me. Join us as we discuss Ex Machina, the directorial debut of Alex Garland (28 Days Later, Sunshine), and the power of small films with really big ideas. Listen, as Johnny Has the Keys takes you to the estate of a billionaire genius, where under the surface of tangible miracles there lies a disturbing truth.