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Personally, I never make too much out of being a geek.
I grew up watching genre shows, ones like Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds, The Six Million Dollar Man, and a little something I found in syndication called Prince Planet. At school, I learned that most of my classmates were watching other things, but I never much cared about that. My opinion was then (and it still is today) that I watch what I watch, and the Devil will be damned if I pass up on watching something I enjoy just because other folks aren't interested. Why should their tastes ever dictate what mine should be? Such peer pressure just never made much sense to me.
However, not everyone grew up with that same singular focus; and wanting to fit in with one's peers can be the source of some personal struggle. I applaud anyone who can rise above it, who can seek out and explore exactly what he or she wants, and who can make the commitment to continue down that path as life inevitably throws curve balls after curve balls.
In this respect, an online article titled "I Skipped Prom To Watch Star Trek" has created a bit of a buzz online. I skimmed it, found it valuable, and thought it worth sharing this morning. Interested parties can check out this column right here.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
I grew up watching genre shows, ones like Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds, The Six Million Dollar Man, and a little something I found in syndication called Prince Planet. At school, I learned that most of my classmates were watching other things, but I never much cared about that. My opinion was then (and it still is today) that I watch what I watch, and the Devil will be damned if I pass up on watching something I enjoy just because other folks aren't interested. Why should their tastes ever dictate what mine should be? Such peer pressure just never made much sense to me.
However, not everyone grew up with that same singular focus; and wanting to fit in with one's peers can be the source of some personal struggle. I applaud anyone who can rise above it, who can seek out and explore exactly what he or she wants, and who can make the commitment to continue down that path as life inevitably throws curve balls after curve balls.
In this respect, an online article titled "I Skipped Prom To Watch Star Trek" has created a bit of a buzz online. I skimmed it, found it valuable, and thought it worth sharing this morning. Interested parties can check out this column right here.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
- Published on
Holy macaroni!
I guess that it's safe to conclude since film began there has probably always been fans of film, ones who strive to 'worship' and/or 'endear' a motion picture on levels other than the average viewer. And I would imagine Science Fiction and Fantasy films -- with their predilection to take audiences where no one has gone before -- probably inspires the most ardent hearts among us to seek even greater opportunity to follow in the footsteps of our cinematic heroes ... and maybe that's part and parcel of what this truly is.
Some of the brainiacs as NASA apparently were so inspired by The Empire Strikes Back to name a real planet after Hoth, and I think that's totally cool. A few centuries from now when mankind has finally mastered space flight and takes to the stars maybe -- just maybe -- a few descendants of those geeks will finally pay the cold place a visit.
So very cool!
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
I guess that it's safe to conclude since film began there has probably always been fans of film, ones who strive to 'worship' and/or 'endear' a motion picture on levels other than the average viewer. And I would imagine Science Fiction and Fantasy films -- with their predilection to take audiences where no one has gone before -- probably inspires the most ardent hearts among us to seek even greater opportunity to follow in the footsteps of our cinematic heroes ... and maybe that's part and parcel of what this truly is.
Some of the brainiacs as NASA apparently were so inspired by The Empire Strikes Back to name a real planet after Hoth, and I think that's totally cool. A few centuries from now when mankind has finally mastered space flight and takes to the stars maybe -- just maybe -- a few descendants of those geeks will finally pay the cold place a visit.
So very cool!
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
- Published on
Science Fiction literature has always gotten a 'bad rap' in public circles, and methinks this is owed to several reasons.
First, the premise behind the typical SciFi novel ends up being the driving force for the entire tale. Detractors dismiss it as a central gimmick -- one that ends up weakening the overall story because, if removed, there might be no story at all -- and, thus, it isn't legitimate. In some respects, I've always seen this like Hitchcock's 'McGuffin,' and I've never found it a valid argument but a way for intellectuals to simply sidestep discussing Science Fiction as a genre.
Second -- as the characters, situations, and dialogue all flow beneath the construct of a central SciFi premise -- these supporting elements are considering inferior to the tale's "science." Holes get poked into anything that doesn't support the central conceit, an activity that ends up being far more nitpicking than anything else. While some criticisms do have merit, critics typically can't take their eyes of the book's premise long enough to enjoy these characters for what they are: true, individual creations in the literary universe.
Lastly, as the books are often times considered 'inferior' to more -- ahem -- 'traditional' literature, the entire genre gets branded for developing what teachers and/or educators might christen "poor distractions" from serious thought. While these academicians are willing to give praise for SciFi and Fantasy developing new worlds against an almost magical backdrop, they're quick to point out that immersing readers in such places only gives these minds easily over to flights-of-fancy, daydreaming, and the like ... and, naturally, this is the activity of lazy brains.
Sheesh.
So this morning I was pleased to stumble across an article on Phys.Org which actually takes society to task on much of the above, pointing out that readers who indulge in this unique type of literature actually may be doing their cognitive functions some good by tasking them to develop greater skills as coping, relieving anxiety, and escaping the terrors of regular boredom. The article points out that readers of this type end up being a bit more resilient than purveyors of other genres, challenging them to develop greater empathy and emotional intelligence.
So take that, educators!
Personally, I've always thought that SciFi and Fantasy -- unlike "traditional" literature -- affords folks with much richer escapism and actually pushes the mind to perceive places only capable of visiting through imagination, which is why they're good to push readers to conceive of things they would otherwise miss ... but what do I know? Typically, I read either to escape (which SciFi, Fantasy, and Mystery are great for) OR to educate (which interests me philosophically). But please remember: I'm just a blogger.
In any event, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
First, the premise behind the typical SciFi novel ends up being the driving force for the entire tale. Detractors dismiss it as a central gimmick -- one that ends up weakening the overall story because, if removed, there might be no story at all -- and, thus, it isn't legitimate. In some respects, I've always seen this like Hitchcock's 'McGuffin,' and I've never found it a valid argument but a way for intellectuals to simply sidestep discussing Science Fiction as a genre.
Second -- as the characters, situations, and dialogue all flow beneath the construct of a central SciFi premise -- these supporting elements are considering inferior to the tale's "science." Holes get poked into anything that doesn't support the central conceit, an activity that ends up being far more nitpicking than anything else. While some criticisms do have merit, critics typically can't take their eyes of the book's premise long enough to enjoy these characters for what they are: true, individual creations in the literary universe.
Lastly, as the books are often times considered 'inferior' to more -- ahem -- 'traditional' literature, the entire genre gets branded for developing what teachers and/or educators might christen "poor distractions" from serious thought. While these academicians are willing to give praise for SciFi and Fantasy developing new worlds against an almost magical backdrop, they're quick to point out that immersing readers in such places only gives these minds easily over to flights-of-fancy, daydreaming, and the like ... and, naturally, this is the activity of lazy brains.
Sheesh.
So this morning I was pleased to stumble across an article on Phys.Org which actually takes society to task on much of the above, pointing out that readers who indulge in this unique type of literature actually may be doing their cognitive functions some good by tasking them to develop greater skills as coping, relieving anxiety, and escaping the terrors of regular boredom. The article points out that readers of this type end up being a bit more resilient than purveyors of other genres, challenging them to develop greater empathy and emotional intelligence.
So take that, educators!
Personally, I've always thought that SciFi and Fantasy -- unlike "traditional" literature -- affords folks with much richer escapism and actually pushes the mind to perceive places only capable of visiting through imagination, which is why they're good to push readers to conceive of things they would otherwise miss ... but what do I know? Typically, I read either to escape (which SciFi, Fantasy, and Mystery are great for) OR to educate (which interests me philosophically). But please remember: I'm just a blogger.
In any event, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
- Published on
When 2013's Snowpiercer hit the silver screen, it seemed to me that this SciFi feature was largely snubbed by regular folks but loved by critics (or seemingly loved, even if some reviews were a bit mixed). I didn't get the chance to see it until it came out on home video, and I enjoyed it quite a bit, largely because it took the usual Dystopian formula and kinda/sorta turned it on-its-end by placing Earth's survivors in a somewhat fight-for-survival aboard the world's only surviving train. Director Bong Joon Ho did well with crafting the claustrophic atmosphere as another character in the grim tale, and all of the actors seemed to enjoy chewing on scenery while playing off one another.
When TNT announced it was going to create an ongoing series surrounding the property, I was a bit reserved: I tend to not get excited about storylines and casting news, always wanting to see the finished product, but I couldn't help wonder, "Why?" It wasn't as if the premise behind the motion picture really left itself open to 'interpretation,' and without spoiling anything specifically mankind pretty much did come to an end in the film (in a way) ... so why the rush?
Well, the production has been anything but rushed, and now the finished product is finally airing on TNT this upcoming weekend. The reviews are out, and perhaps some of my cynicism was properly conceived as the word is not all that grand for the adaptation. I won't spoil it myself for readers, but I'll put a few links before for those who are into knowing a little bit more about a property before it screens. If you're interested, then check them out.
Screen Anarchy
IndieWire
Collider
C|Net
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
When TNT announced it was going to create an ongoing series surrounding the property, I was a bit reserved: I tend to not get excited about storylines and casting news, always wanting to see the finished product, but I couldn't help wonder, "Why?" It wasn't as if the premise behind the motion picture really left itself open to 'interpretation,' and without spoiling anything specifically mankind pretty much did come to an end in the film (in a way) ... so why the rush?
Well, the production has been anything but rushed, and now the finished product is finally airing on TNT this upcoming weekend. The reviews are out, and perhaps some of my cynicism was properly conceived as the word is not all that grand for the adaptation. I won't spoil it myself for readers, but I'll put a few links before for those who are into knowing a little bit more about a property before it screens. If you're interested, then check them out.
Screen Anarchy
IndieWire
Collider
C|Net
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
- Published on
Well, well, well ... some crafty, li'l person with some home editing tools might have inspired a pretty clever trend!
It seems like an inspired individual has started taking some of the outtakes from popular SciFi programming like Star Trek: The Next Generation and put them back in for good measure. There are a few of these sequences available for your review right here, and I do encourage checking them out. Granted, some are better than others, but I always appreciate a quality chuckle when I can get one.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
It seems like an inspired individual has started taking some of the outtakes from popular SciFi programming like Star Trek: The Next Generation and put them back in for good measure. There are a few of these sequences available for your review right here, and I do encourage checking them out. Granted, some are better than others, but I always appreciate a quality chuckle when I can get one.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
- Published on
Film production has a long history of behind-the-scenes antics that somehow end up influencing what we get to the see on the silver screen, and why should the Star Wars franchise be any different? Certainly when you're talking about such Hollywood heavyweights as Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher in their cinematic prime you knew there just had to be something that made them smile, and today's trivia definitely addresses that reality.
Actually, I'd heard part and parcel of this story before -- I can't remember when or where -- about the legendary 'party' at Eric Idle's place, but I hadn't read all of it (as apparently was shared by the late Fisher before her passing). Isn't it fascinating what a little harmless get-together (ahem) can do for one's attitude? Stranger things have happened, indeed.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
Actually, I'd heard part and parcel of this story before -- I can't remember when or where -- about the legendary 'party' at Eric Idle's place, but I hadn't read all of it (as apparently was shared by the late Fisher before her passing). Isn't it fascinating what a little harmless get-together (ahem) can do for one's attitude? Stranger things have happened, indeed.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
- Published on
Nothing quite says "I'm a pretentious screenwriter" than snapping your headshot in a hoodie, and it definitely looks like that's the case for screenwriter Mattson Tomlin. Today, Deadline reports that the scribe's tome -- 2084 -- is ramping up for production at Paramount.
This one is kinda/sorta being hyped already as 'George Orwell's 1984 Meets The Matrix,' and why not? After all, today's COVID-induced quarantine state is certainly timely, pulled directly from the headlines, and ripe for a contemporary revisitation against the backdrop of a society in peril from government overreach, no?
Still, it sounds interesting ... but will movie houses ever open again for us to actually go out and see it?
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
This one is kinda/sorta being hyped already as 'George Orwell's 1984 Meets The Matrix,' and why not? After all, today's COVID-induced quarantine state is certainly timely, pulled directly from the headlines, and ripe for a contemporary revisitation against the backdrop of a society in peril from government overreach, no?
Still, it sounds interesting ... but will movie houses ever open again for us to actually go out and see it?
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
- Published on
OMG! OMG! OMG!
I don't know about you folks, but I'm a HUGE chocolate fan, and -- given the fact that I'm also a HUGE DC Comics fan -- there's an extra reason for excitement 'round the house this morning. That would be the announcement that there's some DC-flavored Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bars in our future.
(I kid you not: one of my favorite midday treats is putting a chunk of the super-thick Hershey's Chocolate Bar I keep from the fridge, dipping it in creamy peanut butter, and enjoying a taste of heaven. Yes, it's essentially based on that 'you got chocolate in my peanut butter, you got peanut butter on my chocolate' commercial from my youth ... but that doesn't make it any less delicious.)
You can check out the full article for some more info right here. It looks like we have to wait until July for these things to actually be available in stores, but I'll be a consumer. You can bet your butt on that one.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
I don't know about you folks, but I'm a HUGE chocolate fan, and -- given the fact that I'm also a HUGE DC Comics fan -- there's an extra reason for excitement 'round the house this morning. That would be the announcement that there's some DC-flavored Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bars in our future.
(I kid you not: one of my favorite midday treats is putting a chunk of the super-thick Hershey's Chocolate Bar I keep from the fridge, dipping it in creamy peanut butter, and enjoying a taste of heaven. Yes, it's essentially based on that 'you got chocolate in my peanut butter, you got peanut butter on my chocolate' commercial from my youth ... but that doesn't make it any less delicious.)
You can check out the full article for some more info right here. It looks like we have to wait until July for these things to actually be available in stores, but I'll be a consumer. You can bet your butt on that one.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
- Published on
Good morning, peeps!
Now, those of you who read here regularly know very well that I'm no gamer -- never have been, probably never will be -- but I do appreciate the time and talent that goes into both developing something of merit as well as mastering it. I guess it's safe to say that I've never quite had the patience and/or dexterity required to grow such a skill.
Still, kudos to those who have, which leads me to this morning's Public Service Announcement: there's a handful of online SciFi-themed games which might help those of you shut-in during this awful Apocalypse. I stumbled across this article on ScienceFiction.Com from an old feed in my mailbox, and I honestly thought it was worth sharing. Check it out, if you're so inclined.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
Now, those of you who read here regularly know very well that I'm no gamer -- never have been, probably never will be -- but I do appreciate the time and talent that goes into both developing something of merit as well as mastering it. I guess it's safe to say that I've never quite had the patience and/or dexterity required to grow such a skill.
Still, kudos to those who have, which leads me to this morning's Public Service Announcement: there's a handful of online SciFi-themed games which might help those of you shut-in during this awful Apocalypse. I stumbled across this article on ScienceFiction.Com from an old feed in my mailbox, and I honestly thought it was worth sharing. Check it out, if you're so inclined.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
- Published on
Honestly, I've never been a big fan of "lists."
I think this is because I've always found articles of this nature to be arbitrary and dated: they're honestly only as good as what the article's author has seen AND they're clearly subject to the time-and-place of their creation. For example, we don't know what's in store for us visually until it's invented and put up on the silver screen; so the constant evolution of something like Special Effects means that something might invariably fall off the list once something vastly more impressive comes along.
As I'm one known for celebrating All Things SciFi, I do check them out as I occasionally find one of them (lists) interesting: such is the case this morning with ScreenRant's "10 SciFi Visual Effects That Changed Movies Forever." It's a solid ranking largely because it actually includes things from the past which clearly influenced trends not only of their time but also inspired effects which followed and, no doubt, are still being developed. Plus, I thought it was exceedingly fair-minded and not quite driven by one writer's desire to push CGI over practical effects (of yesteryear) which so many of today's younger scribes tend to do. (I've been no fan of CGI, per se: I think it's pushed artists to easy yet expensive solutions when audiences are more inspired by invention than presentation, but that's an argument for another time, another day.)
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
I think this is because I've always found articles of this nature to be arbitrary and dated: they're honestly only as good as what the article's author has seen AND they're clearly subject to the time-and-place of their creation. For example, we don't know what's in store for us visually until it's invented and put up on the silver screen; so the constant evolution of something like Special Effects means that something might invariably fall off the list once something vastly more impressive comes along.
As I'm one known for celebrating All Things SciFi, I do check them out as I occasionally find one of them (lists) interesting: such is the case this morning with ScreenRant's "10 SciFi Visual Effects That Changed Movies Forever." It's a solid ranking largely because it actually includes things from the past which clearly influenced trends not only of their time but also inspired effects which followed and, no doubt, are still being developed. Plus, I thought it was exceedingly fair-minded and not quite driven by one writer's desire to push CGI over practical effects (of yesteryear) which so many of today's younger scribes tend to do. (I've been no fan of CGI, per se: I think it's pushed artists to easy yet expensive solutions when audiences are more inspired by invention than presentation, but that's an argument for another time, another day.)
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!