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"

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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"

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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.

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"

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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!

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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.

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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

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