I skim a plethora of feeds daily, either on my smartphone or my laptop. A headline really needs to grab my attention in a microsecond before I’ll bother to follow through with a click to drill into the meat of an article. I almost missed last week’s post by the Kansas City Science Fiction & Fantasy Society about a review challenge gauntlet they’ve thrown down before us. But I stopped, looked and decided, ‘Why not?’ because I’m wrapping up the Adult Winter Reading Program with the KC Library and need something else to set my sights on.
Writing shorter reviews (between fifty and a hundred words) of science fiction or fantasy books, movies, games, graphic novels, podcasts, etc. should take me less time than my normal longer-winded ones. I’ve submitted a half dozen of these mini-reviews in the last few days, and will continue to due so until the challenge ends at ConQuest in late May. I’m disappointed to report I will not be able to attend the con this year (at least I’ve already met the author guest of honor so I have some small consolation there) do to conflicting travel arrangements. Perhaps 2014 will be less hectic for the Memorial Day weekend.
For more information about the challenge, follow this link and start sending in your submissions today:
I saw a preview for this indie drama recently, either at the theatre or on another DVD, so I added it to my Netflix queue.
The story intrigued me by having an aging jewel thief, suffering from dementia, pass on the tricks of his trade to the domestic robot his son purchased as a home-health aide. High-tech parental neglect? Hard to say, since Frank refused to be shuffled off to the near-future nursing home (called a Brain Center). As expected, Frank also despised the robot foisted upon him by his son, going so far as to pit his daughter, the epitome of the idealist activist, against his son in a human v. robot philosophical battle. Meanwhile, Robot (Frank never deigns to name it) slowly grows on Frank.
You won’t find any evidence of Asimov’s Three Laws in Robot’s programming. His primary directive is to take care of Frank, helping him stay on a regular schedule, eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise and take up a hobby, like gardening, to stimulate his brain and fight off the ravages of the dementia. Frank scoffs at grubbing in the dirt, but eventually shows Robot how to pick a lock, using his old cat burglar lock pick set. Frank even questions Robot about his ethics, showing that Robot can lie and has no qualms about stealing. That was all the excuse Frank needed to plan their first job and return to his favorite past-time.
One (or two) of the funniest scenes involve children harassing Robot outside the library while Frank visits with the librarian and checks out more books. Franks runs off the kids and advises Robot that next time he should say ‘Self-destruct sequence initiated’ and start counting down from ten. Robot puts this to good use later, only using it against more gullible adults. I chuckled both times.
All of this plays out against the backdrop of his family: His son who is torn between visiting and caring for his father and spending time with his own family; his globe-trotting daughter traveling the third world in pursuit of her next research grant; and his forgotten ex-wife, played charmingly by Susan Sarandon, as the nearly superfluous local librarian. Frank Langella’s performance as, um, Frank, also shined. True to form, Robot did as programmed, no matter how much Frank or the audience hoped it might surpass or overcame said programming. Or did it? Check the garden, under the tomatoes.
I regretted not adjusting my Netflix queue last week when I saw this sitting in my mailbox Friday afternoon. I can’t even remember why I added it in the first place. I suppose I was fishing for some non-existent intelligent and intriguing science fiction to watch. Instead, I reeled in Lockout.
The plot has been done before, and done better. The special effects were obvious CG and not completely well integrated with the filmed aspects of the movie. The military tactics employed during the climax made me roll my eyes, as they were obviously used to create a dangerous and completely unnecessary CG dog fight between fighters and a falling orbital prison.
I did, however, get several chuckles from the snarky dialog, most of it emanating from the side of Snow’s mouth (portrayed by Guy Pearce with a convincing American accent). The quotes page at IMDB for Lockout doesn’t really do them justice, as you really need to see and hear them in context to get the full impact of many of the punch lines.
I’d have to say, though, that Pearce is batting a thousand for appearing in scifi duds in 2012. First this one, then followed by the much hyped and disappointing Prometheus. At least his character in Lockout grows on your.
Thirty-five years ago I got sucked into Lucas’ StarWars like most everyone else in the world. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched that movie since then. More than once in a movie theatre, and many, many times since via my own home theatre. Every word of dialog is memorized. Every scene emblazoned on my mind’s eye. Every soaring sound of the score composed by John Williams ringing in my ears. It was the right movie magic at the perfect time.
So I scratched my head earlier this week when my phone kept crawling across my desk or buzzing in my pocket because of the swarm of tweets bombarding cyberspace about Disney buying Lucasfilm. I didn’t get a chance to really delve into that development until days later, thanks to endless meetings at work. I did glimpse some pretty funny images cropping up in my newsfeeds.
Here are a few of the ones that caught my eye:
And my thoughts on the billions Disney gave George for the Star Wars franchise? At least there will be a seventh movie. I’ll keep hoping it will better than the last three. George doesn’t need to worry about his retirement now (not that he ever had to worry much).
Meanwhile, I’m still missing those droids I was looking for . . .
Just in case you missed it, after I reported the Prologue for A Memory of Light released early in late September, Tor also released the first chapter , “Eastward the Wind Blew” a few days later. Last week, in late October, Tor released an audio version of chapter two, which I have yet to finish listening to. I’ve completed the first section of ‘The Choice of Ajah” prior to writing this blog and will listen to the rest later today.
I reviewed all my neglected book clubs and found several great books in the line up for next month, including the Demolished Man by Alfred Bester for the Beyond Reality group at GoodReads. These days, I prefer to read ebooks as much as possible, since I can tote around my entire library wherever I go on my Nook Color. However, this classic science fiction novel, written by Alfred Bester in 1953, just isn’t available in electronic format yet (and may not be any time soon). In fact, it was last published by Gollanz in 1999 in paperback format and is not currently in print, so only used copies are available to buy.
So, I went searching for a copy at my favorite library, the Kansas City Public Library. The reason this is my favorite library, aside from the fact that a branch is located in my office building, is they have a large, extensive catalog that rarely disappoints. The Demolished Man failed to make the cut, though, and no amount of tweaking my search criteria could get this book to magically appear in the search results.
The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester in the leather-bound collector’s edition published by the Easton Press in 1986
I sighed. My fallback library resides in my almost hometown of Leavenworth. I hopped on their website and searched their catalog and found a copy available on the shelf. I placed a hold, requesting pickup at the Leavenworth Public Library. A day or so later, I received an e-mail telling me my reservation was ready for pickup. Saturday afternoon, I stopped by and checked out the book you see in the photo to the right. I couldn’t believe what I was holding in my hands. A near pristine leather-bound collector’s edition of the classic. It even sported a gold satin bookmark! As far as I could tell, no one had read it since it was published in the early 80s. While I enjoy the ease and convenience of ebooks, limited editions or collector’s editions of hardcover novels are just plain cool.
I flipped through the book once I got it home and found illustrations placed sporadically throughout the book. Here are three examples:
And a shot of the title page and bookmark:
I’m looking forward to reading this novel, and not just because I lucked into checking out a collector’s edition from my local library. Here are some blurbs and the synopsis from GoodReads:
“One of the all-time classics of science fiction.” – Isaac Asimov
“A masterful compounding of science and detective fiction.” – The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
“A magnificent novel… as fascinating a study of character as I have ever read.” – Groff Conklin in Galaxy Science fiction
In a world policed by telepaths, Ben Reich plans to commit a crime that hasn’t been heard of in 70 years: murder. That’s the only option left for Reich, whose company is losing a 10-year death struggle with rival D’Courtney Enterprises. Terrorized in his dreams by The Man With No Face & driven to the edge after D’Courtney refuses a merger offer, Reich murders his rival & bribes a high-ranking telepath to help him cover his tracks. But while police prefect Lincoln Powell knows Reich is guilty, his telepath’s knowledge is a far cry from admissible evidence
Better than the book, barely. I read the book and gave it three stars. I knew then, when I finished reading it, that a movie would deliver more impact in some respects, and it does. I missed some of the back-story (although the first book doesn’t give you much to work with). The book did provide a better window and more intimately through Katniss’ eyes and thoughts, into the plight of the ‘citizens’ of the Districts.
I have gripes with the casting though. Peeta in no way convinced me of his strength or of even being a baker’s son. Same goes for Gale, only I thought the casting went over-the-top the other way on that one.
I noticed from the credits that the author, Suzanne Collins, had her fingers in most of the pots, including as an executive producer, so I really have no quibble with deviations from the written vision.
I will say I was a bit disappointed by the special affects, which seemed on par with a television show and not a ‘normal’ science fiction film.
One of the first books I remember being ‘required’ to read in school (Middle School to be exact) happened to be Slaughterhouse-Five. Looking back, even though I had been reading at a college level since I reached double-digit age, I probably wasn’t ready for the subject matter. Come to think of it, I should probably re-read Vonnegut’s most famous novel again, from the other end of three decades of my life gone by. The same could be said for Cat’s Cradle, if I had read it back then, but I’m reading it for the first time on the downhill side of my life.
Published a year before I took my first breath, I get all the cultural references. I am still pondering the ramifications of the ‘Truth’ of all religions, according to Vonnegut’s character (who remained nameless throughout the entire novel). Satire? Irony? Poetic justice? Nihilism? Or some chaotic cohesion of all of them?
I found a few gems among the exceptionally short chapters (some less than a page in length): The ambassador’s speech before tossing the wreath in honor of the Hundred Martyrs to Democracy: ‘Think of what a paradise this world would be if men were kind and wise.’; Newt: ‘No damn cat, and no damn cradle.’; and Mona: ‘I love everyone.’
I actually heard Kurt Vonnegut speak during my college years. He came to Wichita State University in the early 80s to give a lecture. I learned about his appearance late (on the same day in fact), so I arrived almost too late to get a seat. For some reason, the facility decided to open up seating on the stage, so I sat cross-legged within ten or twenty feet of him to his right. As memorable as my seating arrangements were, I cannot remember anything he said during that lecture, nor even what his topic was. My book collection remained at home in Leavenworth County, so I had nothing to ask him to sign. I sincerely regret that now.
I gave Cat’s Cradle three stars. I liked it, and it definitely made me think deeply and ponder many questions, but I can’t say I really liked it. An interesting read, and it has aged remarkably well.
This is the first ebook I read using the OverDrive Media Nook application. I checked it out smoothly and easily from the Kansas City Public Library. After fiddling with the Reading Options, I found a happy medium for speed of page turns (but not transitions between chapters) and font shape and size. The dictionary feature only works if you have your wifi on and connected to the Internet because it uses Dictionary.com. This differs from the default ereading application provided by Barnes & Noble, which uses a pre-installed copy of the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary (11th Edition). I definitely missed the highlighting and annotating features that come standard with most ereading software. Strangely, I’ve checked out ebooks from the KC Public Library before, but used the Adobe Digital Editions software and a USB cable to transfer the ebook from my computer to my Nook Color. In that instance, I used the default ereader to read the ebook, so I had all my normal functionality. I can only hope the OverDrive Media Console application will improve with time and feedback.
Visually stunning, yet pathetically deficient in plot and character development. I’ve experienced better thrills from old school Hitchcock films. I found myself completely unconcerned if any of the characters survived, except perhaps Shaw. For the crew of a scientific expedition, I cringed at their crudeness and lack of anything resembling common sense or the scientific method. I also found it hard to swallow that we could achieve near FTL speeds in just eighty years (the time of launch the Prometheus being in the early 2090s).
The question I most want answered, dealt with the first scene in the movie. Here’s a brief description of that scene from the Wikipedia article referenced by the link above and the photo at right:
A humanoid alien stands above a waterfall as a hovering spacecraft departs. The alien drinks a dark liquid, then starts to disintegrate. As its bodily remains cascade into the waterfall, the alien’s DNA triggers a biogenetic reaction.
If we take the Prometheus analogy literally, then this alien created man on Earth in our distant past. This jives with the myth of the Titan Prometheus, who “is credited with the creation of man from clay and the theft of fire for human use, an act that enabled progress and civilization. He is known for his intelligence, and as a champion of mankind.”
But did he destroy himself voluntarily? Was he our champion, bringing not only fire, but life to our planet?
Or, as most of the movie implied, did he create us only because he could?
If this lone alien was a rebel among his kind, this would explain the behavior of the alien we meet towards the end of the film. His quest appeared to be the extermination of mankind, but his motivations remain unclear. Were we a failed experiment? an embarrassment? Or a possible threat in the eons to come?
Such rich clay to work with, yet the director muddied the plot with cliched ineffective unoriginal thrills, leaving the larger questions ineptly explored.
Mesmerizing cinematography fades quickly through the mind-sucking black holes in the plot. I should have waited for the DVD. Don’t repeat my mistake.
Terry and I caught this movie at the theater over Memorial Day weekend. Fitting, since it resurrected the USS Missouri from a mothballed battleship museum to our last stand against an imminent alien invasion. You’ve got to see it to believe it, and hang on for the ride.
The tie-in to the classic Hasbro board game came late in the movie, and was refreshingly subtle and well thought out.
Great early summer fun on a Sunday afternoon. Next week, Prometheus (and I saw an even more enticing trailer for that Ridley Scot film yesterday as well).
I eagerly awaited the arrival of Insurgent. I devoured Divergent last fall in hours, unusual in that I normally read two to three books simultaneously over the course of a week or so. I put all my other reads on hold when I picked up Divergent. I almost repeated the process with Insurgent, reading half of the book one weekend and finishing it the next. Quick and easy reading, but a bit disappointing turn in the plot at the end left me with an aftertaste I still can’t rinse out of my mind.
I gave Insurgent four stars here at GoodReads, but I will most likely settle on a 3.5 star rating on my personal objective scale. Parts of the book brought tears to my eyes, but they did not outweigh the moments of frustration I felt with Tris. She personifies recklessness in the extreme.
I’m trying to avoid spoilers, so I won’t express the specific reasons for my distaste or displeasure with the final revelation in the last few paragraphs of the book. I may have to go back and re-categorize this novel, and place Insurgent on completely different shelves.
If there is a sequel, and I haven’t gone looking to determine if there will be one, I hope more background is provided to justify the premise revealed at the end. Too many questions, and not the ones I expected to be answered; just a whole barrel of new ones on top of the old ones.
Writing shorter reviews (between fifty and a hundred words) of science fiction or fantasy books, movies, games, graphic novels, podcasts, etc. should take me less time than my normal longer-winded ones. I’ve submitted a half dozen of these mini-reviews in the last few days, and will continue to due so until the challenge ends at ConQuest in late May. I’m disappointed to report I will not be able to attend the con this year (at least I’ve already met the author guest of honor so I have some small consolation there) do to conflicting travel arrangements. Perhaps 2014 will be less hectic for the Memorial Day weekend.
So I scratched my head earlier this week when my phone kept crawling across my desk or buzzing in my pocket because of the swarm of tweets bombarding cyberspace about Disney buying Lucasfilm. I didn’t get a chance to really delve into that development until days later, thanks to endless meetings at work. I did glimpse some pretty funny images cropping up in my newsfeeds.
Prometheus
