Month: September 2011

Challenge!

September 29, 2011 — 1 Comment

 

Recently NPR books listed the Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy books picked by its fans.  As a Sci-Fi fan, I am surprised by the lower number of  Sci-Fi/Fantasy books that I have actually read.  After reading the list, I realized that I have only read 8 books! I have seen a lot of movies but reading, not so much. So, I am going to read all of the books on this list.  The top 100 is a misnomer because they count trilogies and series as one entry. With that being said, I won’t give myself a time limited.  Will you join me?

NPR List

Star Trek of Gods and Men on the Big Screen

September 22, 2011 — 1 Comment

The penultimate night of the Burbank film festival was a night of Sci Fi and Horror with a special tribute to Roger Corman.

The highlight of the night was what has been billed as the final screening of Star Trek of Gods and Men. The first independent Star Trek movie began as a labor of love for its cast and crew.  Written by Ethan Calk, Sky Conway and Jack Trevino and directed by Tim Russ, Star Trek of Gods Men is set 12 years after Star Trek Generations.  Set in the year 2305, Captain Uhura attends the dedication of a new USS Enterprise, a replica of the original 1701. It is designed as a museum ship and a tribute to all who served on the original Enterprise. At the dedication, Uhura meets up with Pavel Chekov and John Harriman, captain of the Enterprise-B. During the ceremony the crew receives a distress call from a nearby planet housing the Guardian of Forever. Charlie X (from ST:TOS Charlie X) seeks revenge on Capitan James T. Kirk for not having saved him 40 years earlier from the Thasians.  Upon learning of Kirk’s death, Charlie decides to travel through the Gurdian (from ST:TOS City of the Edge of Forever) to enact his revenge.  This act has lasting implications on the universe.

As an independent film, Star Trek: OG&M, accomplished a great deal on a small budget.  The movie benefited from a great set – a replica of the enterprise and locations like Vasquez Rocks which was used a lot in the original series Although the screenplay was uneven, the plot was wholly original.  The cast committed to the part and everyone was delighted by appearances by actors from all five series: Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, Tim Russ, JG Hertzler, Chase Masterson, Grace Lee Whitney, Gray Graham, Cirroc Lofton, Ethan Phillips and from Battlestar Galactica Herb Jefferson.  I was especially impressed by the score and special effects. The movie features a top notch battle at the end.

A Q&A with the actors, writer and director was scheduled, but had to be cancelled because of the night running long.  Everyone was introduced before the film and everybody spoke briefly about their experiences making STOG&M. The

 The night ended with an after party at TDJ Studios in North Hollywood. Revelers were treated to walking down the red carpet and were able to mingle with some of the stars of the movie.  Music was provided by a local DJ and the Tim Russ band.

The movie can still be viewed online at:  http://startrekofgodsandmen.com

Movie Review – Apollo 18

September 21, 2011 — Leave a comment

The only thing I love more than being scared senseless is a high quality sci-fi film. I regret to inform you that Apollo 18 is NASA’s interplanetary rip off of The Blair Witch Project. In 1974 three American astronauts were sent on a secret mission to the moon. Decades later footage of their mission has mysteriously resurfaces to document their discoveries. Three relative unknowns to the big screen, Warren Christie, Lloyd Owens and Ryan Robbins play the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed astronauts. With very little time spent getting the audience acquainted with who these men are on Earth, Apollo 18 works harder at establishing the characters’ patriotism, inner circle camaraderie and sense of duty. With scene after scene of the astronauts maneuvering through the shuttle’s cramped quarters, a movie hasn’t made me feel this claustrophic since Buried. But if I’m going to gasp for air for over an hour, I demand something in return. After the men reach the moon some of the things they were told about why they were sent there are not adding up. This film had every chance to be suspenseful, terrifying and innovative. After all, movies about outer space, man’s undiscovered territory, have no creative limitations. Unfortunately, Apollo 18 chose to mimic the cinematic styles of four “scary” movies that came before it (The Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield, Rec, TrollHunter) and the original which was done ten times better!

Guest blooger in Seattle

Highlights of the Fall 2011 Schedule

September 6, 2011 — Leave a comment

TV is the place to find exciting/adventurous Science Fiction.  The following are the highlights of the new fall season

 

Doctor Who

Where: BCC America

When: August 27

 

Dark Matters: Twisted But True

Where: Science Channel

When: August 31

 

Star Wars: Clone Wars

Where: Cartoon Network

When: September 16

 

Person of Interest

Where: CBS

When September 22

 

Fringe

Where: FOX

When: September 23

 

Supernatural
Where: CW

When: September 23

 

Terra Nova

Where: FOX

When: September 26

 

Walking Dead:

Where: AMC

When: October 16

 

Grimm

Where: NBC

When: October 21

 

Once Upon a Time

Where: ABC

When: October 23

Attack the Block. Allow It.

September 6, 2011 — Leave a comment

Billed as a Sci Fi film, Attach the Block is one of the best action films of the year.

On Guy Fawkes Night, the night commemorating King James I surviving an attempt on his life, a gang of teenagers mug a young nurse on her way home. During the robbery, a strange object falls from the sky.  Believing the object is some sort of firework, the teens continue their attack.  Upon being attacked by an unknown creature, the teens lead by Moses (John Boyega) set out to kill the creature. Believing the strange being could be profitable, the teens look to hold it in a secure location.  This decision sets off an chain reaction that is both funny and thrilling.

As the invasion continues, we get to know the young teens and the people who inhabit their block in South London.   Because of the circumstances Sam the nurse (Jodie Whittaker) teams up with the teens in order to survive the night.  She is eventually won over by them as the audience is.

A must see.