PCG Ep 18: "Abbott Is Death Process." 

Arrival is one of my favorite films of the last decade and you both added much to my appreciation in your discussion. It is not an easy movie to talk about but you found a way. There is nothing I can add to your encyclopedic knowledge but wanted to share some thoughts that came up listening to you. - When you were talking about prior movies where bureaucracy fumbles the ball, you mentioned ET etc. and I was shouting into the void The Day The Earth Stood Still. But you bring it in later. You don't miss much. - Denis Villeneuve is one of my favorite directors. While he doesn't exclusively work in science fiction, he has created some SF masterpieces. Arrival, Dune and Blade Runner 2049 which easily overshadows the much loved original. - The story by Ted Chiang "Story Of Your Life" that Arrival is based on is astounding in its own right. - I thought the octopus resemblance made sense. Especially with the (disproven) discussion in recent years that maybe they came from outer space. - While communication/miscommunication is a significant part of Arrival, the reason the movie (and the original story) can be so heartbreaking is the thought that if you knew something wonderful in your life was going to end in tragedy would you still want to have the great experience? That thought and the decision Louise Banks makes tears me up every time. This comment got way too long but thanks again for sharing such a great discussion of a great work.

I really liked this movie. Loved the discussion of language and translation. The aliens' "divorced from time" mindset reminds me of Slaughterhouse Five.