Performance Art – The Intergalactic Nemesis

October 27, 2013 — Leave a comment

If you are in the LA area next weekend.

The Intergalactic Nemesis live-action graphic novel is a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience that mashes up radio drama with comic books, making it a perfect performance experience for kids and kids-at-heart.

Three actors voice dozens of characters; one Foley artist creates hundreds of sound effects; one keyboardist performs a score of thousands (yes, thousands!) of notes; while on a two-story-high screen we project more than 1,250 individual, full-color, hand-drawn, hi-res, blow-your-mind comic book images to tell the story visually.

And it’s all LIVE.

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Thanks to Cherry_LA for the heads up

Quick Movie Review – Gravity

October 23, 2013 — Leave a comment

Gravity is a tense drama that stars Sandra Bullock (Dr. Ryan Stone) as a medical engineer on her first space mission. George Clooney (Matt Kowalski) is the know it all veteran on his final mission. Something happens blah blah blah and everyone is in danger. The plot really isn’t what’s important – this movie is all about the filmmaking. Alfonso Cuarón, cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, and visual effects artist Tim Webber have created a visual feast.

The way Gravity was shot and edited makes the viewer feel like he or she is on Explorer’s mission right along side the astronauts. In one scene Stone floats through the International Space Station like she is actually weightless. I don’t know how they filmed it and I don’t want to know. I want to believe in the magic of filmmaking. Space one again seems like a wondrous place – the silence of space the canvas of stars a place of endless possibilities.

It’s a must see in 3D and IMAX.

Marvels & Monsters

October 23, 2013 — Leave a comment

The Japanese American National Museum has an awesome exhibit through February 9, 2014:

Marvels & Monsters: Unmasking Asian Images in U.S. Comics, 1942-1986

October 12, 2013 – February 9, 2014

Through a selection of images from comic books representing four turbulent decades, Marvels & Monsters illustrates how evolving racial and cultural archetypes defined America’s perceptions of Asians. This exhibition draws from noted science fiction author and cultural studies scholar William F. Wu’s comic book collection—the largest archive of comic books featuring Asians and Asian Americans—that was donated to the NYU Fales Library & Special Collections through the Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU.

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Comic Book McLovin

October 20, 2013 — Leave a comment

Check out Cherry Davis’ post of PBS’ special on Comic Books

Reliving my comic book love with Liev and PBS

I grew up loving comic books not as a artform but just as great escapist fun. My favorite was PowerPac about kids with kickass powers. Hmmm I was pretty

much an exclusive lover of comics with a similar theme of the powerless gaining powers. I think it was because I felt so invisible as a kid the plain black chunky girl who was super shy, had a horrible speech impediment and no boys ever asked me out. Well one did but he was so creepy and weird that I decided it was better to be alone. I mean super uber creepy ala asked me to the prom and told me I HAD to have sex with him. Ahhh no thank you!

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Air and Space Museum

October 12, 2013 — Leave a comment

On a recent trip to the Washington DC area, I stopped by the Air and Flight Museum in the way to the airport. What a great last minute decision. Air and Space turned into one of the highlights trip.

The museum begins with man’s first flirtation with flight – hot air balloons up to the United States’ achievement with the Space Shuttle and everything in between.

A must do is the flight simulators. You can climb into the cockpit and pretend you are an ace pilot. Unfortunately for my friend, I’m not. After spending most of our “training” as the gunner and my friend as the pilot, she decided he didn’t want the job. It was left to me. Once we strapped ourselves in, we spend several minutes doing the 360s in my effort to fly left. After I finally righted us, the ride was over. Don’t let my failures fool you it was still a hell of a ride.

Once the federal government reopens check it out if your in the DC Metro area. Like all of the Smithsonian museum admission is free.

Air and Space

Quick Movie Review – Riddick

October 2, 2013 — Leave a comment

I’m a little late to the party but here it is:

If you were not amused by Vin Diesel’s character from Pitch Black and The Chronicles of Riddick don’t bother seeing this movie. Riddick picks up from Riddick’s reign as the lord of the Necromongers. This film doesn’t spend the first five minutes explaining his past. It just jumps right in assuming you’re a fan. It’s a little slow in the beginning reestablishing Riddick’s lone wolf persona, but with this installment you’re getting more action, more suspense and a new planet with some strange creatures on it. Now that his interplanetary reputation has gone from menacing murderer on the run to the crowned leader of an invading army, Riddick’s every move becomes legend. Enjoy the ride.

Sci Fi Maven

We Are Floating in Space

Month: October 2013