Posted by admin on 28 May 2010 under books, reviews
Johnnie Rico
I have to say, this is my favorite science fiction book ever. Just last week I reread it for what must have been the fifth time. The way that the author takes a central idea, which in this case is nanotechnology, and projects it so completely into the story, is just breathtaking. Everything in the story just makes sense-it is true science fiction that takes everything that is happening in society and science today and projects it 100 years into the future. The excellent execution of hard science technology is enjoyable, but what makes the book truly thought-provoking are the characters.
The subtitle of the book is “a Young Lady’s illustrated Primer,” and one of the reasons that I go back and read this book, is so I can think through the ideas of how I raise my own daughters. I have three girls, ages ten, five, and three. Just as in every Neal Stephenson book, there is major cataclysmic societal change during the course of the novel, and the book makes me think how I want to prepare my daughters in case something like this ever happens. Furthermore, the story follows along through the growth and development of one of the main characters, Nell, from an impoverished young girl growing up in the ghetto, to a remarkably capable person who accomplishes great things. I have always loved books about inspirational characters who overcome hardship to claim their place in the world, and in this story is remarkably well done.
I also really enjoyed the travails of the other main character, who is a nanotechnology engineer, and doesn’t really fit into any society. He, however, through his hard work, and intense focus on accomplishing tasks by using his main strengths, succeeds beyond his wildest dreams. I have personally taken the lessons of focused and concentrating on strengths and applied them to my life with excellent results. As an electrical engineer, of course I identify strongly with this character.
The science of nanotechnology is not just a sidelight in the story. It is truly woven into the fabric of society. The author demonstrates how things would be different in daily life through the use of nanotechnology, and also in the scary application of nano-scale machines interacting with people brains.
This is a follow-on book to Neal Stephenson’s best-selling book Snow crash; careful readers of the diamond age will note that one of the characters makes a reappearance, which is enjoyable.
I don’t want to spoil any enjoyment of this book for you if you haven’t read it. It may also surprise you that I’m writing review of a book that was published in 1995. Neal Stephenson is such an excellent author that nothing that has happened in the world in the intervening 15 years since the book’s publication has changed any of the validity of the predictions. The story is as enjoyable and believable today as when it was first published.
Author: Johnnie Rico at posted at Priority Queue
Article Source: Review – The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson
Posted by admin on 25 May 2010 under reviews, television
Paul Gallen
When discussing the greatest science fiction television series of all time, there is sure to arise a heated debate amongst friends. There are so many great science fiction TV series’ that it may be impossible to compare them to each other, especially when they are compared among different eras and generations of television viewers. However, there is only one television series that is always brought up in these types of conversations: Star Trek.
The main reason that Star Trek is the greatest science fiction series of all time is that it has reached across several generations of television viewers. The Original Series of Star Trek began in 1966 and lasted for about four years. Over the course of the next 30 years, Star Trek continued to be aired across the world, concluding with the Enterprise series which concluded in 2005. More than 30 seasons of the show were produced and have totalled close to 730 original episodes. Aside from the television series, Star Trek has also spawned 11 different feature-films with one more in production and due for release in 2012. The franchise truly has attracted fans from several different generations and allowed parents and their children to enjoy the same show.
Another significant factor that makes Star Trek the All Time greatest science fiction television series is the cultural impact that it has generated. Trek is a multi-billion dollar industry that has changed the way people talk and the gadgets we have around us. Many lines from the series, such as “to boldly go where no man has gone before”, have been adopted as favourite quotes by celebrities, politicians, and average citizens. Many fans of the show have given themselves the name of “Trekkie” to describe their addiction to the show. The series has also influenced many of the technological devices and advancements that have been made in recent years. The handheld computer, mobile phones, and even the MRI machines were made popular by the hit show many years before they were adopted as “necessities” by western civilizations. Many future devices may also come from the series’ attention given to teleportation, space travel, and other science mysteries. NASA even named the original prototype for its space shuttle the “Enterprise”, given after the name of the fictional starship that the cast called home.
Perhaps the greatest contribution made by the show was the casting of individuals of different races and cultures. Prior to the Star Trek era, most television shows did not intermingle its cast members with those of other races for various reasons. The cast included individuals whose roots are traced to Japan, Russia, Africa, Europe, and even extraterrestrial regions such as Vulcan.
Star Trek has proven, and will continue to prove itself as one of the greatest science fiction television series’ of all time.
Paul Gallen writes guides on gadgets, gaming and electronics. Paul’s your personal guide to all things LCD TV including where to find the best cheap LCD TVs and LCD TV deals. He can also tell you all about those new fangled 3D TV things.
Article Source: All Time Greatest TV Sci Fi
Posted by admin on 24 May 2010 under movies, reviews
Adam Krause
When I found out a few weeks ago that I was being sent a copy of the upcoming DVD release of Surrogates to review, I was neither excited nor disappointed. Mainly because when the film was released in theaters this past September, it was one of those movies that I gave an “Eh, I’ll rent it” response to when asked what I thought of it. And even though I was familiar with the highly popular graphic novel in which the movie was based on, I just wasn’t impressed enough by the film’s trailer to run out to my local marquee and see it upon its theatrical release.
Turns out I was correct in my decision to hold off on seeing Surrogates until it came out on DVD, as the film was surprisingly entertaining; a fun science fiction tale to get lost in but with a few minor glitches that might have provided more disappointment if I had purchased a $12 movie ticket to view it. But seeing it as a rental was an enjoyable experience, leaving me with a much more positive impression when the end credits began to roll.
Surrogates starts off with an opening credits montage that brings the viewers up to date with the film’s alternate reality where a brilliant doctor has invented a technology that allows human beings to operate remote controlled robotic versions of themselves with nothing but their minds, feeling and experiencing everything the machine experiences. Originally created for humans suffering from disabilities like paralysis, like the doctor himself, the technology soon becomes so advanced that anyone is able to purchase a “surrogate” for themselves, allowing them to live a flawless, carefree life vicariously through their mechanical versions.
With the vast majority of the world’s population becoming hermits while using their surrogates for all of their daily activities, life has become all but perfect on planet earth. That is, until the son of the doctor who invented the technology is mysteriously murdered while attached to a surrogate, marking the first homicide in 14 years. FBI Agent Tom Greer, played by Bruce Willis, heads the investigation that takes many twists and turns, leading Greer to abandon his surrogate as he starts questioning their extensive use in a society that is now essentially run by machines.
As I said earlier, the film is based on the highly popular 5-issue comic book series that was drawn by Brett Weldele and written by Robert Venditti, who was obviously influenced by classic sci-fi tales like Terminator and Blade Runner as he explores many of the same concepts. The film version of Surrogates was directed by Jonathan Mostow, the man who previously gave us such titles as Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines and the submarine drama U-571.
With Surrogates, Mostow envisioned the story and characters in a much more polished, saturated look then the dark, gritty source material it was based on, a move that turned a lot of die-hard fans of the comic book off. I, on the other hand, feel the film’s clean-cut look added to this notion of a faux world of perfection due to surrogacy. A world where all the men desire to look like mannequins from the Gap and the women look like the fembots from Austin Powers.
Surprisingly, Surrogates is actually one of those rare movies that’s based on a comic book that would have actually benefited with a longer running time. With the film’s duration clocking in at just under the 90-minute norm, the film’s entire third act seemed incredibly rushed just as the story’s progression started picking up steam. And the character development of Tom Greer (Bruce Willis) seemed a little short-changed and needed more screen context to justify the earth-shattering decision he makes at the end of the film (no spoilers here).
Now as far as the actual DVD goes, unfortunately if it’s special features that you’re after, you are better of opting for the Blu-ray release of the film instead. The DVD only offers a rather stale commentary track by Mostow and a Breaking Benjamin music video of a song that never even appeared in the film. Nonetheless, Surrogates is definitely worth a viewing as the film’s intriguing premise and entertaining action might surprise you, especially if you’re a fan of the comic books. So if you were like me and shrugged it off back when it was in the theaters, you’ll get another shot at it; Surrogates is available on DVD and Blu-ray now.
Adam Krause is a huge film buff. If he is not watching a movie, he is most likely writing one or about them. To read film reviews, blog posts and more articles like this one, please visit adamkrause.webs.com. Or visit http://www.staticmultimedia.com, a website that Adam writes for that thoroughly covers film, television, video games and music for all of your entertainment needs.
Article Source: Surrogates – A DVD Review of the Sci-Fi Film Starring Bruce Willis
Posted by admin on 10 May 2010 under books, reviews
Adam Krause
With pop culture’s insatiable love for seeing the flesh eating undead on the big screen, it was really only a matter of time before zombies invaded classic literature as well. When I first came across Seth Grahame-Smith’s “rendition” of Jane Austen’s beloved romance novel Pride and Prejudice, I immediately purchased the book onsite. And I’m not a big reader of books and certainly not a big collector.
The title was simple and yet to the point. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Freaking genius! It was the first time I experienced the whole “couldn’t put it down” syndrome while reading a book and I literally finished it in one day.
Released in the spring of last year, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies didn’t take long to find itself on the New York Times Best Sellers List. Published by Quirk Books, the novel has gone on to inspire a new niche in the world of literature. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (Seth Grahame-Smith’s follow up) are just two of the countless titles that have used the same formula.
With a Hollywood film on the way starring Natalie Portman as well as the recently released prequel novel Dawn of the Dreadfuls picking up steam, it’s safe to say that Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a certified hit among American literature.
And now, to expand the audience base of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies even more, Quirk Books has teamed up with Del Rey Publishing to refashion Seth Grahame-Smith’s story into a graphic novel, a format I feel is much more suited to the novel’s violent and campy attributes.
The graphic novel is adapted by writer Tony Lee and stays very faithful to Grahame-Smith’s novel, using much of the dialogue verbatim. Like Jane Austen’s story, we follow Elizabeth Bennet and her family as she deals with issues of love and social standings in her aristocratic surroundings.
The only difference is that England has been ravaged by a plague of zombies, or “unmentionables” as they are referred to in the story. Oh yeah, and Elizabeth’s father has trained her by the way of the ninja to be a deadly, ass-kicking zombie killer. Pretty cool, hey?
Just like the book, the graphic novel of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a thoroughly enjoyable read and is sure to entertain anyone who is enthralled by the title and subject matter.
My only gripe with it is that the illustrations are at times scribbled and come off as uninspired. Drawn by Cliff Richards, they are presented in black and white in a style that at times gives the impression of unfinished storyboards. I’m sure the decision to present the graphic novel this way was an attempt to relate the material more to its time period and setting.
But I feel the creators missed a great opportunity to breath stunning, visualized life into this story by not illustrating it with color and more detail. I thought the handful of illustrations that appeared randomly throughout the original Pride and Prejudice and Zombies book from artist Philip Smiley had more bite than those of the graphic novel.
Believe it or not, I have now actually read both the book and the graphic novel of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies as well as Jane Austen’s original Pride and Prejudice (Women’s Literature class in college; thought it would get me some action… it didn’t) and I can safely say that incorporating “dreadful” flesh eaters is the best thing that could have ever happened to this story and these characters. I’m sure if Ms. Austen were alive today, she’d be ninja-kicking herself for not thinking of it first.
Adam Krause is a huge film buff. If he is not watching a movie, he is most likely writing one or about them. To read film reviews, blog posts and more articles like this one, please visit adamkrause.webs.com. Or visit www.staticmultimedia.com, a website that Adam writes for that thoroughly covers film, television, comics and music for all of your entertainment needs.
Article Source: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies – The Graphic Novel