Quick Movie Review – X-Men Days of Future Past

May 30, 2014 — Leave a comment

X-men is not my favorite franchise. There is something about this series that just doesn’t click for me. Next up in the series is Days of Future Past which focused a lot on Mystique/Raven (Jennifer Lawrence), but this movie is really about Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart & James McAvoy). The story starts off with a dark world at war. An army of high tech killing machines have been unleashed on the public to eliminate all mutants and their human allies. An unintended consequence is that the same assassins designed to sense mutant DNA to identify their targets also develop an ability to target every normal human with the potential of giving birth to a child with mutated genes that can be passed down. With the mutants facing extinct at the hands of the Sentinels, our core X-men group decided to send back one of their own to prevent the Sentinels from ever being created. If the audience doesn’t get a brain cramp from sorting out how the future influences the past, how the past influenced the present and how changing events in history affects both time periods, Days of Future Past has enough action to be entertaining.

The strongest asset of Days of Future Past is its appealing cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy and Peter Dinklange really a lot of star power to this middling tale. The X-men franchise has a serious continuity problem and this movie does its best to client it up but it’s not a must see.

Top 10 Women of Sci Fi – Part 8

May 16, 2014 — Leave a comment

Delenn

(Babylon 5)

I have written about how it took me years to watch Babylon 5 because I naively thought that Star Trek was in the end all be all when it came to science fiction television. Babylon 5 had many fascinating characters including number 8 on my list: Delenn.

Delenn was the Minbari Ambassador on the Babylon 5 station. The Minbar were an interesting species who divided their society three separate castes: Warrior, Spiritual and Working classes. Delenn belong to the spiritual caste but she was so much more that a spiritual being. She starts out as a very mysterious but well-respected figure on the station. During the course of the series she undergoes a major transformation and not just a physical one. She becomes one of the most important people in the class and along with Captain Sheridan, G’Kar, etc helps transforms the known universe.

If you haven’t seen the series, do yourself a favor and check out the wonderful world created by J. Michael Straczynski.

Quick Movie Review – Words Pictures

May 16, 2014 — Leave a comment

Words and Pictures is a charming rom-com starting Clive Owen and Juliette Binoche. Clive Owen is a rakish charming English teacher at a prep school in what looks like New England. Jack Marcus is a high functioning alcoholic whose job is on the line. Jack was a upcoming writer who has cease publishing new works and is going through the motions with his honors English classes. Juliette Binoche, playing against type, is an ice cold artist who joins the staff as a honors art teacher. Dina Delsanto lights a spark in Jack and what ensues is an inspiring “battle” between the Arts and English classes. This battle invigorates everyone involved. Valerie Tian (Emily), Bruce Davison (Walt) and Navid Negahban (Rashid) co-stars. In this delightful Spring flick. This is one of the strongest roles Clive Owen delivers in a while and he is worth the price of admission.

Release date: May 23, 2014

Quick Movie Reivew – Neighbors

May 14, 2014 — 2 Comments

I haven’t seen a movie this funny since Bridesmaids (2011). All of the characters are flawed, the plot is simple and the ensemble cast has great comedic timing and chemistry. In Neighbors, it’s a yuppie 30’s couple (Rose Byrne & Seth Rogen) versus a fraternity on a mission to make history. With a new baby in the house the Radners just want the baby to sleep while the frat brothers just want to stay up all night. The battle of the wills does such a great job of bringing out the worst in everybody that the only person I actually liked in the end was the baby Stella. This movie is not appropriate for young adults. The audience has to be strong enough to stomach multiple scenes with penises, Rogen’s hairy back, sex scenes and far too many shots of Rogen’s naked, oversized gut.

8 out of 9

Guest Blogger from Seattle

#BookNerdLove

May 14, 2014 — Leave a comment

I love the hashtag created by Blerd Book Club and thought I would highlight two new books that I’ve added them to my “to read” list and I hope that you’ll add them to yours.

Long Hidden: Speculative Fiction from the Margins of History

An anthology from a diverse group of writers including Tananarive Due, Ken Liu, Nnedi Okorafor.

“ In 1514 Hungary, peasants who rose up against the nobility rise again – from the grave. In 1633 Al-Shouf, a mother keeps demons at bay with the combined power of grief and music. In 1775 Paris, as social tensions come to a boil, a courtesan tries to save the woman she loves. In 1838 Georgia, a pregnant woman’s desperate escape from slavery comes with a terrible price. In 1900 Ilocos Norte, a forest spirit helps a young girl defend her land from American occupiers.” (Amazon)

The Martian: A Novel by Andy Weir

“Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars.

Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there.

After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.” (Amazon)

There is definitely a renaissance in the world of Speculative Fiction with fascinating books being released every month. What’s on your must read list?

Quick Movie Review – The Amazing Spiderman 2

May 2, 2014 — Leave a comment

I’ve never been a big fan of Spiderman and I don’t plan to see the new movie. My friend and fellow blogger, Chery Davis, went to a sneak peek on Wednesday. Here’s her review. Also check out her other videoes on her You Tube Channel.

“I enjoyed the Amazing Spiderman 2 I’m not saying it’s perfect but it’s a grittier comic book action film that is delving into the emotions of Peter Parker aka Amazing Spiderman to show the ‘Why’ or should I say id of the man, the myth the legent.

This is a good stand alone film where if your not a comic book fan or skipped the reboot this explains his family tragedy in a way vastly different from othr films. This is a much darker film with enemies surrounding Peter with his one lone light to keep him comfort in the darkness that is New York City on the eve of realizing wo really is behding all of the super villians that Spiderman will face for the rest of his life. You can see what’s coming next from the fast sweep of a room (make sure you look closely) for hints on future villians as well as understanding why and how he came to be.

I’m recommending seeing this film and splurging on 3D which adds texture and makes you feel part of the movie. You might get a little motion sickness .. just kidding (sort of) but you will definitely feel how alone Peter aka Spidey feels in this sprawling metropolis with no idea of who is foe or friend.

The Amazing Spiderman 2 – B

P.S. you don’t have to stay till the end of the credits no ‘surprise’ in sight!”

Movie Review – Only Lovers Left Alive

April 21, 2014 — 1 Comment

The latest film from Jim Jarmusch, although not for everybody, is one of his best yet. Starring Tilda Swinton (Eve) and Tom Hiddleston (Adam) as lovers who have been together for centuries. Currently, Adam is a reclusive musician living in Detroit, while Eve is based in Tangiers. Sensing that Adam is depressed and possibly suicidal, Eve travels to Detroit ,via several night flights, to cheer him up. Their idyll reunion is upset by the unsuspected arrival of Eve’s younger sister Ava (Mia Wasikowka). This slow paced poetic movie is a thoughtful look at life as seen by a group of vampires who have seen and done it all but are still able to appreciate the beauty in life. Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston are perfectly cast as ethereal couple who are devoted to each other make vampires cool again.

As aside, this film features one of the best soundtracks that I’ve heard in a long time. In addition to the great atmospheric music by Jozef Van Wissem and SQÜRL, the movie includes a diverse group of songs from Black Rebel Motorcyle Club to Wanda Jackson.

Playing in limited release.

Movie Review – Transcendence

April 21, 2014 — Leave a comment

This little sci-fi treat features a serious Johnny Depp as an out-of-the-box scientist trying to upload computers with consciousness. Rebecca Hall (The Town, Frost/Nixon, Closed Circuit), Morgan Freeman and Paul Bettany (The Da Vinci Code & Iron Man series) play his like-minded colleagues until an anti-technology terrorist organization throws a wrench in their plans. In a last ditch effort to test Dr. Caster’s life’s work, his team uploads his brain activity into a computer and waits for the fallout. Transcendence has an interesting plot filled with drama, intrigue and deep thoughts. Whichever character you’re rooting for will greatly depend on how you feel about what’s best for the future of mankind and the role technology should play.

7 out of 9

Guest blogger from Seattle

WonderCon Day 1

April 18, 2014 — Leave a comment

I missed 99.9% of the programming. (-_-) I should have better luck tomorrow.

Having only attended two panels, the highlight of the day was the James Bonding podcast. Full disclosure, I’m not a James Bond fan having only seen two Bond movies, but I am a huge fan of Matt Mira having first seen him host the now defunct Star Dreck at NerdMelt. So, I was drawn to this panel on his “star power” alone.

It was an absolutely delightful event. For the living tape of the podcast, two controversial guest were brought back for the evening: Alie and Georgia. The audience was given a quick recap of the prior events. As non Bond fans, Matt suggested that the watch Goldfinger, which is considered a classic, as their introduction to the franchise. The original podcast can be found here. I guess the Internets were lit up with comments on Alie and Georgia’s view on sexism and racism in Goldfinger.

So after setting the stage Matt, Alie, Georgia and one other guy (whose name I didn’t write down) launched into a discussion of Matt’s favorite Bond Film – Casino Royale (the Daniel Craig one). What followed was a glorious conversation that included Daniel Craig looking like an angry penis and Alie guessing what the end of the movie entailed having only watched the first hour of it. It was just an overall entertaining panel.

Check out James Bonding podcast

For More on Alie and Georgia click here

The only other panel that I went to on Friday was Nobility.

The description of Nobility sounded promising:

“Nobility is a fun sci-fi web series dubbed “The Office meets Firefly.” In this story about humanity’s most powerful starship with a crew that’s anything but noble, follow the misfit crew of the Starship Nobility as they careen through the most dangerous events of the 28th century!” (WonderCon program schedule)

I stayed for half of the panel and learned that a lot of professional people are commitment to make a great sci fi series for the fans on a small budget. By 9:00 PM there were few actual details of the show and when it would be available so I bailed.

Keep an eye out for it if you can Nobility

Movie Trailer Review – Guardians of the Galaxy

April 4, 2014 — 1 Comment

I am really excited to see Captain America: Winter Solider this weekend. It’s been a minute since I’ve been excited for a release. What other fabulous movies are being released this year.

The Marvel Universe has slowly been growing on mainly because of Loki. That being said, I am unsure of Guardians of the Galaxy. I’m not a comic book reader, so I’ve never heard of this group until news of the movie hit. There’s a great cast: Lee Pace, Zoe Saldana, Djimon Hounsou, Benicio del Toro, John C. Reilly, but the trailer looks like of crazy.

Well this mixture of Sci Fi, Comedy and Big Budget work?

Synopsis

Guardians of the Galaxy expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe into the cosmos, where brash adventurer Peter Quill finds himself the object of an unrelenting bounty hunt after stealing a mysterious orb coveted by Ronan, a powerful villain with ambitions that threaten the entire universe.

To evade the ever-persistent Ronan, Quill is forced into an uneasy truce with a quartet of disparate misfits Rocket, a gun-toting raccoon, Groot, a tree-like humanoid, the deadly and enigmatic Gamora and the revenge-driven Drax the Destroyer.

But when Peter discovers the true power of the orb and the menace it poses to the cosmos, he must do his best to rally his ragtag rivals for a last, desperate stand with the galaxy’s fate in the balance. (via IMDB)

Release date August 1, 2014

(An August movie, not a good sign)

Sci Fi Maven

We Are Floating in Space