Science Fiction Movies And TV or Books?

Sometimes, I have a hard time deciding between watching a Science Fiction movie or TV show and reading a Science Fiction book.

Both have their advantages.

Movies and Television allow us to see the cool technologies, special effects and our favorite heroes.

Books offer us the opportunity to use our imagination. We come up with our own idea of what these things look like in our minds.

Which do you prefer? Seeing someone else's vision, or creating your own.

Joey Phillips
"The Sci-Fi Dude"

Science Fiction's Arthur C. Clarke--A Celebration Of A Full Life

With the recent passing (Tuesday March 18, 2008) of Science Fiction writing legend Arthur C. Clarke, I thought it would be a good idea to focus on some of the positive aspects of his life.

Of course, Clarke is best known for his Science Fiction novels and short stories, but there was much more to the man.

I've compiled a list of some of his accomplishments throughout his life. Let's not dwell on the fact that he is no longer with us. Let's celebrate a full life. A life filled with accomplishments that few can attain.

• After World War II, Clarke served as chairman of the British Interplanetary Society

• Began writing full-time in 1951

• Was a citizen of the UK and Sri Lanka

• Was a member of the Underwater Explorers Club

• Predicted a "global library" for 2005 (think, "Internet")

• The Science Fiction Writers of America(SFWA) named Clarke a Science Fiction Grand Master In 1986

• First Chancellor of the International Space University from 1989 to 2004

• From 1979 to 2002 served as Chancellor of Moratuwa University in Sri Lanka

• Law professor Glenn Reynolds nominated Clarke for a Nobel Peace Prize In 1994

• The 2001 Mars Odyssey orbiter is named in honor of his works (2001: A Space Odyssey, etc.)

• Honorary Board Chair of the Institute for Cooperation in Space, a space advocacy organization originally founded by Dr. Wernher von Braun

• Clarke was a distinguished vice-president of the H. G. Wells Society

This is, by no means, an exhaustive list of Arthur C. Clarke's life and accomplishments. If there are items you think should be included in the list, let me know via the contact link on the right. I may write a more detailed article on Clarke's many accomplishments.

Joey Phillips
"The Sci-Fi Dude"

Top Ten Science Fiction Movies of The 20's & 30's

Filmmaking was just coming into it's own in the 1920's and 1930's.
But Science Fiction had long been popular in literary form. It was
only natural the two would come together.

Some of those early Science Fiction films formed the basis of
all that followed--even to this very day.

Following, in chronological order, are ten of the best Science
Fiction movies from that early era, with a little about each one.

1) The Lost World (1925)
The first film adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's
classic novel about a land where prehistoric creatures
still roam.

Directed by:
Harry O. Hoyt

Starring:
Wallace Beery as "Prof. Challenger"

2) Metropolis (1927)
It is the future, and humans are divided into two groups:
the thinkers, who make plans (but don't know how anything
works), and the workers, who achieve goals (but don't have
the vision).

Directed by:
Fritz Lang

Starring:
Alfred Abel as "Joh Fredersen"

3) Woman in the Moon(aka By Rocket to the Moon) (1929)
A scientist discovers that there's gold on the moon,
he builds a rocket to fly there, but there's too much
rivalry among the crew to have a successful expedition.

Directed by:
Fritz Lang

Starring:
Willy Fritsch as "Wolf Helius"

4) Just Imagine (1930)
In 1980 a man from 1930 is brought back to from the dead. He
is taken on a tour of the magical wonders of 1980. He travels to
Mars where he discovers even more unbelievable things

Directed by:
David Butler

Starring:
El Brendel as "Single O"
Maureen O'Sullivan as "LN-18"

5) Frankenstein (1931)
--It can be said that Frankenstein is Horror. But it is considered
by many to be the first true United States Science Fiction film.

Classic in which an obsessed scientist assembles
a living being from parts of exhumed corpses.

Side Note: 1935's The Bride of Frankenstein picks up at the end
of Frankenstein

Directed by:
James Whale

Starring:
Boris Karloff as "Frankenstein's Monster"
Colin Clive as "Dr. Henry Frankenstein"

6) The Invisible Man (1933)
Finding a way to become invisible pushes a scientist to
murderous insanity.

Directed by:
James Whale

Starring:
Claude Rains as "The Invisible Man"
Henry Travers as "Dr. Cranley"

7) Things to Come (1936)
A second world war spanning several leaves the world
in devastation. Civilization is rebuilt and humans attempt
space travel.

Directed by:
William Cameron Menzies

Starring:
Raymond Massey as "John Cabal" / "Oswald Cabal"
Sir Cedric Hardwicke as "Theotocopulos"

8) The Invisible Ray (1936)
Visionary scientist Janos Rukh convinces a group of
scientists and supporters to mount an expedition to
the African continent to locate and study an ancient
meteorite of great significance.

Directed by:
Lambert Hillyer

Starring:
Boris Karloff as "Dr. Janos Rukh"
Bela Lugosi as "Dr. Felix Benet"

9) The Man Who Could Work Miracles (1936)
An ordinary man suddenly finds that anything he says
comes true. Except he can't change the opinions or
feelings of other people.

Directed by:
Lothar Mendes

Starring:
Roland Young as "George McWhirter Fotheringay"

10) Lost Horizon (1937)
After a plane crash crash, a group trying to get away
from upheaval in China, is rescued and taken to Shangri-La.
But is this mythical utopia all it's been made out to be?

Directed by:
Frank Capra

Starring:
Sam Jaffe as "High Lama"
Jane Wyatt as "Sondra Bizet"

Stargate Atlantis' Paul McGillion: Justice & Conformation

Justice

It seems that J.J. Abrams has seen the error of his ways. He passed over Paul McGillion for the role of Scotty in the new Star Trek movie.

Now, according to a report in the Welland Tribune of Ontario, Canada, Abrams has offered McGillion a role in the movie.


It's not Scotty, but it's still a bit of justice.

Conformation

In my last post, I suggested the stasis of Dr. Carson Beckett might be a sign of a more permanent return.

The Welland Tribune reported, in the previously mentioned article, McGillion and Dr. Beckett have been confirmed for at least five episodes in the next season of Stargate Atlantis.

I just love conformation!

Stargate Atlantis: Two Great Things!

This past Friday at 10pm was a glorious time for me! It was the newest episode of Stargate Atlantis.

And with this episode, two great things happened.

First was the continuing appearance of Michael Kenmore (the Wraith turned Human turned Wraith), brilliantly portrayed by Connor Trinneer. I’m sure most of you know Connor was Charles “Trip” Tucker on Star Trek Enterprise. By far my favorite Enterprise character.

Could there be a character any farther from Trip than Michael? I don’t see it. This proves what I’ve said since the first season of Enterprise: Connor Trinneer is in the upper echelon of acting talent today.

I hope Michael continues to be a recurring character on Atlantis. He’ll be a big asset in keeping that Gate open.

Now, the second great thing from that episode was the return of Dr. Carson Beckett (since J.J. Abrams made a huge blunder not casting Paul McGillion as Scotty in the new Star Trek movie, a return to Atlantis is the next best thing).

Yes. He’s a clone. So what? At least he’s not a Replicator. Dr. Beckett (my favorite character—yea, I know. I’m probably in the minority) completes the Atlantis team with his blend of decency yet fear of the unknown, something he’s not afraid to admit, much unlike his close friend, Dr. Rodney McKay.

Before I saw the episode, I was expecting him to be a Replicator, thus, probably, a one off appearance.

But maybe the Science Fiction God’s are smiling on us.

Dr. Beckett is now in stasis with Atlantis’ medical team working overtime to find a cure for the degeneration of his cloned cells.

This makes me think that there may be a recurring return of Dr. Beckett to Atlantis. I’m hoping for a full-time return.

I know Rodney could really use a friend, back from the dead or not.

Star Trek '09: Anton Yelchin Receives Blessing From Walter Koenig

In this interview with Leonard Maltin, Anton Yelchin (Pavel Chekov in the new Star Trek movie) discusses meeting with Walter Koenig (who originated the character)...

Star Trek | Anton Yelchin | Secret's Out

Just a quick note to remind everybody that the Straight-To-DVD movie, "Stargate: The Ark of Truth" is schedualed for release on March 11. I'll be posting a review in the next few days.

A quick synopsis of the plotline:

"As SG-1 searches for an Ancient artifact which they hope can defeat the armies of the Ori, they learn more Ori ships are about to be sent through the Supergate to launch a final assault on Earth. Daniel discovers that the artifact, the Ark of Truth, may be in the Ori home galaxy, and SG-1 embarks aboard the Odyssey to find it, and pre-empt the attack. The I.O.A has a plan of their own and SG-1 ends up in a distant galaxy fighting two powerful enemies."

[from an MGM press release in January]

The Top 15 “Not-Science-Fiction” Shows On The Sci-Fi Channel

Recently, I read a post at PardonCheney.com entitled, “An Open Letter To The Sci-Fi Channel,” which got me thinking.

The line between what is and what isn’t Science Fiction seems to be blurring. And The Sci-Fi Channel is largely responsible. So I thought we’d take a look at what passes for Science Fiction on the television channel that bills itself as being devoted entirely to Science Fiction.

Following is a list of the top 15 “not-science-fiction” shows that are a big part of the Sci-Fi channel’s lineup and what they should really be classified as:

1. The X-Files (Paranormal)
2. Who Wants To Be a Superhero? (Game/Reality Show)
3. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! (Bizarre)
4. Anime (Action?)
5. Ghost Hunters (Paranormal)
6. Ghost Hunters International (Paranormal)
7. Destination Truth (Urban Legend/Paranormal)
8. ECW (Wrestling)
9. Haunted (Paranormal)
10. Jericho (Action)
11. Kingdom Hospital (Horror)
12. The Scariest Places On Earth (Horror)
13. Beastmaster (Fantasy)
14. Guinea Pig (not sure about this one…)
15. Scary…But True (Horror)

Don’t get me wrong. I like some of these shows (X-Files, Jericho). But they’re not really Science Fiction. Real Science Fiction is Star Trek, Stargate, Battlestar Galactica, Flash Gordon, Eureka, Doctor Who, etc.

So, what do you think? Am I way off base here? Am I being too picky? Is this overly harsh on The Sci-Fi Channel?

Science Fiction Classic #10--"Founding Father" by Clifford D. Simak

Science Fiction Classic #10--"Founding Father" by Clifford D. Simak

Clifford D. Simak was the third author to be recognized as a Grand Master of Science Fiction. “Founding Father” is an example of why Simak deserved the award.

"Founding Father"—Clifford D. Simak (first published in Galaxy Science Fiction, May 1957).

Job looked as near to startled as a robot ever could. “Of course not, sir. We had no room for more than just the bare essentials this trip. The china and the silver and all the rest of it will have to wait until much later”

“Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA) Grand Masters: Volume I” includes Clifford D. Simak’s “Founding Father.”

Don’t forget to subscribe to The Sci-Fi Dude RSS feed so you’ll be the first to know when a new entry is posted.

This is the last in our series of Science Fiction Classics. If you would like to see more of this series, please let me know. I hope this series has been enjoyable for you. Also that it has been, at least, a small part in revitalizing interest in the stories that shaped Science Fiction and made it the most entertaining and thought provoking of all genres of literature and movies/television.

Science Fiction Classic #9--"Brain Wave" by Poul Anderson

Science Fiction Classic #9--"Brain Wave" by Poul Anderson

“Brain Wave” is actually considered a novel by some. It is a rather long work to be included in an anthology. However, since it has been anthologized, I consider it as a short work of Science Fiction. Thus it’s inclusion in this series (along with its quality).

"Brain Wave"—Poul Anderson (first published in1954).

Insanity—yes, that had a lot to do with the collapse. There must be millions who had not been able to stand that sudden range and sharpness of comprehension. They hadn’t been able to handle their new power, and it had driven them mad.

“Brain Wave” has been anthologized in, “A Treasury of Great Science Fiction, Volume II”

If you’re enjoying this series of Science Fiction short story excerpts, I urge you to leave a few comments to let me know. If there is something particular you would like to see as a part of this series, please let me know. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to The Sci-Fi Dude update list, using the form on the right, and/or the RSS feed so you’ll be the first to know when a new entry is posted.

Clifford D. Simak’s “Founding Father” will be next in our series of Science Fiction Classics.