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Collider.com is reporting that Luc Besson let it slip this morning via the Twittersphere he's actively back in the business of some serious Science Fiction: he's presently at work adapting Valerian for the silver screen.
Of course, shame on me for knowing absolutely nothing about the property, but thank goodness in this day and age we knuckleheads have a little something called Wikipedia.org. (And, yes, thank you very much, I donate to them annually given how much I make use of the site.) Apparently, Valerian and Laureline is a popular French ongoing comic book series involving two young(ish) space/time travelers dating back to 1967. Wikipedia even cites that the graphic franchise shows its obvious influences on Star Wars, Avatar, and The Fifth Element. Of course, the last one isn't a surprise, given the fact that it was written and directed by Besson himself.
I ordered myself a used copy of the first collected volume of the ongoing Valerian story so as to become familiar with it. Once I have, I'll try to post something up here for those who might be interested. Also, I did tweet back to Besson that for my sake I hope Valerian doesn't end up like The Fifth Element. Honestly, I wasn't all that impressed with the flick. Sure, it had great visuals, but the story was penny-ante, at best.
Of course, shame on me for knowing absolutely nothing about the property, but thank goodness in this day and age we knuckleheads have a little something called Wikipedia.org. (And, yes, thank you very much, I donate to them annually given how much I make use of the site.) Apparently, Valerian and Laureline is a popular French ongoing comic book series involving two young(ish) space/time travelers dating back to 1967. Wikipedia even cites that the graphic franchise shows its obvious influences on Star Wars, Avatar, and The Fifth Element. Of course, the last one isn't a surprise, given the fact that it was written and directed by Besson himself.
I ordered myself a used copy of the first collected volume of the ongoing Valerian story so as to become familiar with it. Once I have, I'll try to post something up here for those who might be interested. Also, I did tweet back to Besson that for my sake I hope Valerian doesn't end up like The Fifth Element. Honestly, I wasn't all that impressed with the flick. Sure, it had great visuals, but the story was penny-ante, at best.
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For those of you who don't know it, Tuesdays have long been the official 'New Release' day for home video, and -- in case you missed it -- the original 'Saga of A Star World' that was Battlestar Galactica is receiving an all-new transfer today in stunning Blu-ray. Fans of the original might want to run out and pick this one up as it looks like local retailers may've under-anticipated the property's popularity once again.
True story: I hit the local Best Buy for my copy this morning. I went in, looked all around, couldn't find it. As I was getting ready to bail and head home, I heard a customer speaking to a sales clerk about the release, so I walked up and asked, "Did Best Buy not get it in today?" He told me that they did but he thought all of them had already disappeared from the shelves, and he was absolutely gobsmacked by the fact that an almost forty-year-old SciFi program would have that kind of selling power today. Fortunate for me, there was one last copy in the back, and I absconded with it pronto.
Thank the Lords of Kobol! It looks terrific!
True story: I hit the local Best Buy for my copy this morning. I went in, looked all around, couldn't find it. As I was getting ready to bail and head home, I heard a customer speaking to a sales clerk about the release, so I walked up and asked, "Did Best Buy not get it in today?" He told me that they did but he thought all of them had already disappeared from the shelves, and he was absolutely gobsmacked by the fact that an almost forty-year-old SciFi program would have that kind of selling power today. Fortunate for me, there was one last copy in the back, and I absconded with it pronto.
Thank the Lords of Kobol! It looks terrific!
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Greetings and Happy Monday, fellow SciFi enthusiasts! I'm be puttering about the site today largely doing updates to particular people, places, and events. Happy trails if I don't catch up with you, but otherwise try to enjoy the day!
Today's citation updates:
Added Meet Dave (July 11th)
Added Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (August 5th)
Added the theatrical Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie (August 15th)
Added Vin Diesel's Babylon A.D. (August 29th)
Added Thomas Jane's Mutant Chronicles (October 10th)
Added Resident Evil: Degeneration (October 18th)
As always, live long and prosper ... and happy reading!
Today's citation updates:
Added Meet Dave (July 11th)
Added Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (August 5th)
Added the theatrical Star Wars: The Clone Wars movie (August 15th)
Added Vin Diesel's Babylon A.D. (August 29th)
Added Thomas Jane's Mutant Chronicles (October 10th)
Added Resident Evil: Degeneration (October 18th)
As always, live long and prosper ... and happy reading!
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Hello, smilers!
The reason that I've been quiet as of late is primarily because I'd been hard-at-work in trying to actually complete the annual set-up portion of On This Day In Science Fiction History. As you can imagine, it's been a bit of a daunting challenge actually researching the peoples, places, and events associated with all of Science Fiction in order to have some kind of daily registry ... but I'm happy to report that -- as of this afternoon -- I've finally completed the daily sections!
Now, naturally this doesn't mean that I'm done with On This Day In Science Fiction History. The first challenge was merely finding a reasonable amount of content just to support having daily pages, and that's really what I've done. From this point forward, I'll definitely be continuing the research, but thankfully I'll be able to post updates to specific days and (as hoped) get more done on this main page. All of this is done in the hopes of increasing readership as well as giving SciFi junkies like myself a place to go at least once-a-day to find something unique I can be thankful for.
Such is life ...
So, sit back. Cruise the site. Check out the button tabs to the right of the page. You're now able to search specific days for whatever interests you. Eventually, I'll get around to having a greater search function for this place, but that's down the road.
Enjoy!
The reason that I've been quiet as of late is primarily because I'd been hard-at-work in trying to actually complete the annual set-up portion of On This Day In Science Fiction History. As you can imagine, it's been a bit of a daunting challenge actually researching the peoples, places, and events associated with all of Science Fiction in order to have some kind of daily registry ... but I'm happy to report that -- as of this afternoon -- I've finally completed the daily sections!
Now, naturally this doesn't mean that I'm done with On This Day In Science Fiction History. The first challenge was merely finding a reasonable amount of content just to support having daily pages, and that's really what I've done. From this point forward, I'll definitely be continuing the research, but thankfully I'll be able to post updates to specific days and (as hoped) get more done on this main page. All of this is done in the hopes of increasing readership as well as giving SciFi junkies like myself a place to go at least once-a-day to find something unique I can be thankful for.
Such is life ...
So, sit back. Cruise the site. Check out the button tabs to the right of the page. You're now able to search specific days for whatever interests you. Eventually, I'll get around to having a greater search function for this place, but that's down the road.
Enjoy!
- Published on
Friends of mine have always wondered how it is that I can be so very much in love with All Things Science Fiction but have never, ever really gotten into any major electronic gaming platform, especially given the fact that so very many of the best ones involve space, aliens, ray guns, and the like. I tell them that I guess it's just that I prefer my SciFi more cerebral and less vicarious, but I always promise to try to work some gaming into my bucket list.
Whatever the case, I'm giving today's DVD release of Halo: Nightfall a definite thumbs-up for anyone who is interested. I've spoken often of my love for films like Pitch Black, and Nightfall definitely feels to come from the same measure of inspiration. It's almost like a space flick penned by Agatha Christie where you're in this race against time to survive before the killer gets its claws in you. The CGI? Meh. It ain't the best I've seen, but it's far from the worst.
For those who would like to know a bit more, then feel free to check out my review.
Halo: Nightfall Made This SciFi Junkie Smile
Whatever the case, I'm giving today's DVD release of Halo: Nightfall a definite thumbs-up for anyone who is interested. I've spoken often of my love for films like Pitch Black, and Nightfall definitely feels to come from the same measure of inspiration. It's almost like a space flick penned by Agatha Christie where you're in this race against time to survive before the killer gets its claws in you. The CGI? Meh. It ain't the best I've seen, but it's far from the worst.
For those who would like to know a bit more, then feel free to check out my review.
Halo: Nightfall Made This SciFi Junkie Smile
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It's been said that life is full of surprises.
Despite what naysayers would have you believe, we're not meant to understand all of it -- the "it" there being "life itself." Simply put, life is. It just is. It is what you make of it. It is what you put into it. It is what you get out of it. Any meaning we get from it along the way is entirely dependent upon what we choose to attribute there in that moment, whether it be happy, sad, or numb.
I can remember being a little boy -- back in the glory days of extreme youth. It's a singular scene in my mind's eye. I don't recall exactly where I was -- my parents I believe had taken me over to a friend's house, and I think I was being deposited there on the living room floor as the adults were going out, or maybe they were going to play cards in the kitchen or some other such adult activity with adult beverages. Like I said, I was plopped down on the carpet, and I distinctly remember that the television was on.
Something there caught my eye.
Given my age -- what was I? Three? Maybe four years old? -- I know even now that what I saw didn't quite make perfect sense to that young brain in my head. Still, it's an image that's stuck with me for years. I've always wanted to write something on it, but it didn't seem relevant until today.
Anyway, there was this "man" on the TV set. He was pale, but he didn't look sick. He had stern eyes. He had dark hair.
And he had these ... ears.
Yes, I was young, but I knew that these ears weren't right. Clearly, they didn't match what I'd seen on others, those around me, those in my family, and those whom I played with. Those ears told me this fellow was different, that this fellow wasn't the same as you and me even though he looked otherwise like he should be. Those ears drew me closer to this character -- the Vulcan named Spock -- and I've always been mystified how something so simple as a pair of pointed ears could signify so much to those who watched.
The New York Times has reported that Leonard Nimoy -- the man who brought Spock to life -- surrendered his mortal coil earlier today. Drudge has let the story slip, so I'm guessing that's as good as confirmation as anything on the World Wide Web.
Rather than regret his passing -- sad though it may be -- I encourage Trek enthusiasts everywhere to somehow celebrate his life today.
In the very least, it's what Spock would want.
Despite what naysayers would have you believe, we're not meant to understand all of it -- the "it" there being "life itself." Simply put, life is. It just is. It is what you make of it. It is what you put into it. It is what you get out of it. Any meaning we get from it along the way is entirely dependent upon what we choose to attribute there in that moment, whether it be happy, sad, or numb.
I can remember being a little boy -- back in the glory days of extreme youth. It's a singular scene in my mind's eye. I don't recall exactly where I was -- my parents I believe had taken me over to a friend's house, and I think I was being deposited there on the living room floor as the adults were going out, or maybe they were going to play cards in the kitchen or some other such adult activity with adult beverages. Like I said, I was plopped down on the carpet, and I distinctly remember that the television was on.
Something there caught my eye.
Given my age -- what was I? Three? Maybe four years old? -- I know even now that what I saw didn't quite make perfect sense to that young brain in my head. Still, it's an image that's stuck with me for years. I've always wanted to write something on it, but it didn't seem relevant until today.
Anyway, there was this "man" on the TV set. He was pale, but he didn't look sick. He had stern eyes. He had dark hair.
And he had these ... ears.
Yes, I was young, but I knew that these ears weren't right. Clearly, they didn't match what I'd seen on others, those around me, those in my family, and those whom I played with. Those ears told me this fellow was different, that this fellow wasn't the same as you and me even though he looked otherwise like he should be. Those ears drew me closer to this character -- the Vulcan named Spock -- and I've always been mystified how something so simple as a pair of pointed ears could signify so much to those who watched.
The New York Times has reported that Leonard Nimoy -- the man who brought Spock to life -- surrendered his mortal coil earlier today. Drudge has let the story slip, so I'm guessing that's as good as confirmation as anything on the World Wide Web.
Rather than regret his passing -- sad though it may be -- I encourage Trek enthusiasts everywhere to somehow celebrate his life today.
In the very least, it's what Spock would want.
- Published on
To be perfectly honest, I was a bit too old to catch the original Power Rangers bug when it bit, and I've never looked back. A year or two ago, I had received via a home video distributor a one-off 'Red Ranger' title that I watched and penned a review for, but it just wasn't my 'thing.' However, the franchise certainly has demonstrated some staying power, and that says something in this day and age.
Well, lo and behold some secret fan of the whole Power Rangers shebang went and financed his own version of a Rangers reboot. As is the demand of the marketplace these days for more dark and edgy material, Joseph Kahn's film (a presentation by Adi Shankar) casts a pall of doom over the entire affair. Heck, it even gives the grown up superheroes more than a few F-bombs to sling healthily about ... so consider yourselves warned. The language is definitely NSFW.
Still, there's a winning charm to the whole encounter. It's gritty. It's reasonably action-packed. It even has a fair sense of black humor what with the blood splatter and maybe even a few in-jokes for those who followed the Rangers much closer than I. As I said, I didn't, but I still caught a few zingers directed out toward the audience and who they worshiped as heroes.
Enjoy!
Well, lo and behold some secret fan of the whole Power Rangers shebang went and financed his own version of a Rangers reboot. As is the demand of the marketplace these days for more dark and edgy material, Joseph Kahn's film (a presentation by Adi Shankar) casts a pall of doom over the entire affair. Heck, it even gives the grown up superheroes more than a few F-bombs to sling healthily about ... so consider yourselves warned. The language is definitely NSFW.
Still, there's a winning charm to the whole encounter. It's gritty. It's reasonably action-packed. It even has a fair sense of black humor what with the blood splatter and maybe even a few in-jokes for those who followed the Rangers much closer than I. As I said, I didn't, but I still caught a few zingers directed out toward the audience and who they worshiped as heroes.
Enjoy!
- Published on
Once your friends know your a fan of Science Fiction, I'm sure you've all experienced that phenomenon of the "film recommendation." You know what I mean? "Oh, you like SciFi? Then you just have to see 'Glory Hookers From The Planet BoomBoom'!" You check out the listing on IMDB.com, and you're quick to learn that there's very little SciFi about those lovely ladies.
I've always said that this phenom tends to happen quite a bit because Science Fiction -- as a genre -- is so broad. Critics have long incorporated alien invasion, UFO flicks, monster movies, and even superheroes in with films like Blade Runner, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Europa Report. Fans and purists long ago surrendered pushing back, and -- instead -- we've embraced the odd, the quirky, and the borderline insane as part and parcel to what our beloved genre has to offer.
One such movie academics have long said to be SciFi is John Frankenheimer's Seconds. Released in 1966, Seconds stars a young Rock Hudson as Arthur Wilson, a banker who discovers a second lease on life when a secretive Company makes him an offer he can't refuse. Literally. The Rock ends up filling out the shoes of a newfound artist who resides in a beachfront property. Just when it looks too good to believe, he finds out it isn't ... but that's when the film truly achieves Frankenheimerian greatness.
To be fair, it really isn't Science Fiction any more than Scooby-Doo is horror, but that's another story. However, I did check it out on home video recently, and I wanted to share with you why SciFi fans might still be interested in checking it out.
Seconds: Criterion Collection release
I've always said that this phenom tends to happen quite a bit because Science Fiction -- as a genre -- is so broad. Critics have long incorporated alien invasion, UFO flicks, monster movies, and even superheroes in with films like Blade Runner, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Europa Report. Fans and purists long ago surrendered pushing back, and -- instead -- we've embraced the odd, the quirky, and the borderline insane as part and parcel to what our beloved genre has to offer.
One such movie academics have long said to be SciFi is John Frankenheimer's Seconds. Released in 1966, Seconds stars a young Rock Hudson as Arthur Wilson, a banker who discovers a second lease on life when a secretive Company makes him an offer he can't refuse. Literally. The Rock ends up filling out the shoes of a newfound artist who resides in a beachfront property. Just when it looks too good to believe, he finds out it isn't ... but that's when the film truly achieves Frankenheimerian greatness.
To be fair, it really isn't Science Fiction any more than Scooby-Doo is horror, but that's another story. However, I did check it out on home video recently, and I wanted to share with you why SciFi fans might still be interested in checking it out.
Seconds: Criterion Collection release
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Nothing screams "don't get your hopes up" more than the news that Carlton Cuse is doing yet another new television program.
You're familiar with Carlton, no? He was one of the 'geniuses' who brought us the technically accomplished Lost for six seasons, promising time and time again that these plane crash survivors weren't dead only to renege on that vow in the seventh season and have them end up ... well ... kinda/sorta dead. I know, I know -- he and Damon Lindelof are sticking to the excuse ("what really mattered were these characters"), so shame on me for actually expecting legitimate closure with my SciFi/Fantasy programs.
His last truly inspired creation was Fox TV's The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. I stuck with his Bates Motel program throughout its first season, but when it became clear there really wasn't all that much new being added to the franchise other than some solid acting from the principles, I wrote that one off, too.
In any event, Deadline is today reporting that Cuse's latest creation -- Colony -- has been greenlit by the USA Network. As for the premise, the article states that the setting is Los Angeles of the near-future wherein some occupying force (alien) is now sharing power with Earth authorities, but that's really all I'm gleaning from the scuttlebutt. Deadline also states that Josh Holloway (Lost) and Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead) have been cast, so there's something to be said for small miracles after all. (I think both are quite good when they're given quality material.)
You're familiar with Carlton, no? He was one of the 'geniuses' who brought us the technically accomplished Lost for six seasons, promising time and time again that these plane crash survivors weren't dead only to renege on that vow in the seventh season and have them end up ... well ... kinda/sorta dead. I know, I know -- he and Damon Lindelof are sticking to the excuse ("what really mattered were these characters"), so shame on me for actually expecting legitimate closure with my SciFi/Fantasy programs.
His last truly inspired creation was Fox TV's The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. I stuck with his Bates Motel program throughout its first season, but when it became clear there really wasn't all that much new being added to the franchise other than some solid acting from the principles, I wrote that one off, too.
In any event, Deadline is today reporting that Cuse's latest creation -- Colony -- has been greenlit by the USA Network. As for the premise, the article states that the setting is Los Angeles of the near-future wherein some occupying force (alien) is now sharing power with Earth authorities, but that's really all I'm gleaning from the scuttlebutt. Deadline also states that Josh Holloway (Lost) and Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead) have been cast, so there's something to be said for small miracles after all. (I think both are quite good when they're given quality material.)
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Well, another Hunger Games has come and gone ... oops! Sorry. I mean to say "Another SUPERBOWL has come and gone," and -- for those of us who really don't have all that much interest in football -- it boils down to another year of "amazing" commercials ... if you find feminine hygiene products "amazing," that is. Film like a girl!
Anyway, the only thing I honestly look forward to are the blockbuster movie trailers, of which I thought the Jurassic World was (hands down) the best. Feel free to watch it above, but always keep in mind one of my key rules about the movie business: don't make that much investment in trailers 'cause they're usually not manufactured by the creative folks involved with the film. Generally -- from what I've read -- they're products of the marketing department, and that means they're designed to generate hype.
Like most, I'm willing to suspend disbelief and take another tour of the Jurassic universe. It certainly can't be any worse than Jurassic Park II, can it?
Anyway, the only thing I honestly look forward to are the blockbuster movie trailers, of which I thought the Jurassic World was (hands down) the best. Feel free to watch it above, but always keep in mind one of my key rules about the movie business: don't make that much investment in trailers 'cause they're usually not manufactured by the creative folks involved with the film. Generally -- from what I've read -- they're products of the marketing department, and that means they're designed to generate hype.
Like most, I'm willing to suspend disbelief and take another tour of the Jurassic universe. It certainly can't be any worse than Jurassic Park II, can it?