If you're not sure about watching the fourth & final season of Battlestar Galactica, which starts next Friday, April 4, this Top 10 list on David Letterman should clear up your uncertainty.
Also, don't forget the two half-hour specials this Friday, starting with the story-thus-far recap, followed by "The Phenomenon," wherein cool people talk about how cool BSG is. Apparently, it's very cool. If you can't catch the specials on TV, they are available at the SciFi website without the irritation of commercial interruption. If you're too impatient to sit through 22 minutes of video, there's also an 8-minute recap available on the site.
My next post probably won't happen 'til after the season 4 kick-off episode at the end of next week, as I'm heading out on vacation to a town in the Colorado Rockies that has yet to achieve 21st century technology. Have a great week!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Arthur C. Clarke, 1917 - 2008
Just a few months after celebrating his 90th birthday, Arthur C. Clarke died in Sri Lanka a couple days ago. There's no way I can adequately describe his contributions to science and scifi, but I'm a big believer in celebrating life rather than lamenting death, so I'll just say the loss is overshadowed by his amazing legacy.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Catching up with a classic
Contrary to how things seem around here, I have not forgotten about my blog! Life's been busy lately, and will be busy for a few weeks to come, but I'll try to slip in a thing or two as I get the chance. That same picture of Jason Momoa has been up for Show & Tell for something like a month now, mostly because I haven't made the time to find something new to put there. At least he's hot. Oh! also, happy St. Patrick's Day! Wear green, drink beer, molest a leprechaun!
So, on to some geekery. This past Friday I finally saw Blade Runner - the Final Cut. As awesome bonuses, it was on a Blu-ray disc, played through a friend's projector. Holy shit, is it pretty! I've rambled before about how nice some things look, but the quality of this was just stunning. On top of that, the sound system was excellent as well, so every note of Vangelis' awesome music sounded amazing. Really, a top-notch experience.
I can't say I missed the voice-over of the theatrical version, but it's been so long since I've seen it that it's hard to say. However, I do know that one of the things that captivates me about this movie is the visual impact of it, so not having the v.o. did not seem like a loss. In fact, I think I could have been very happy if there'd been less dialogue, as well. Did I mention how pretty it was? Fuckin' gorgeous.
As far as Deckard being a replicant, I'm entirely happy to speculate either way and don't feel any particular pull towards either theory. The romantic in me likes to think he is, and that he & Rachael are fleeing off into the sunset together, to die in a year or two. But, I also like the notion that he's just a simple damaged human who's been a blade runner for too long and needs to get out of the business. Damaged humans are interesting.
Anyway, a big "fuck yeah!" to The Final Cut. Well worth the watch, especially on Blu-ray. So very, very pretty.
So, on to some geekery. This past Friday I finally saw Blade Runner - the Final Cut. As awesome bonuses, it was on a Blu-ray disc, played through a friend's projector. Holy shit, is it pretty! I've rambled before about how nice some things look, but the quality of this was just stunning. On top of that, the sound system was excellent as well, so every note of Vangelis' awesome music sounded amazing. Really, a top-notch experience.
I can't say I missed the voice-over of the theatrical version, but it's been so long since I've seen it that it's hard to say. However, I do know that one of the things that captivates me about this movie is the visual impact of it, so not having the v.o. did not seem like a loss. In fact, I think I could have been very happy if there'd been less dialogue, as well. Did I mention how pretty it was? Fuckin' gorgeous.
As far as Deckard being a replicant, I'm entirely happy to speculate either way and don't feel any particular pull towards either theory. The romantic in me likes to think he is, and that he & Rachael are fleeing off into the sunset together, to die in a year or two. But, I also like the notion that he's just a simple damaged human who's been a blade runner for too long and needs to get out of the business. Damaged humans are interesting.
Anyway, a big "fuck yeah!" to The Final Cut. Well worth the watch, especially on Blu-ray. So very, very pretty.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Now what will I do with my Friday nights?
Stargate Atlantis ended its 4th season tonight with a painful cliffhanger. Teyla is still missing and a couple weeks closer to giving birth, the rest of the team apparently got squashed, Michael's plans for galactic domination seem to be moving along very nicely, and the future doesn't look any better off than before Sheppard caught a ride back in time on a solar flare. Wow, are they fucked!
Watching the end of humankind in the Pegasus galaxy was pretty cool, and it was quite a pleasure to see everyone's demise. Teyla's end was a great deal more ignoble than she deserved, but not everyone can go down fighting. And hey, her child certainly went on to have a damn significant impact on history. Ronon, on the other hand, went out as I'd expect him to, with a hell of a bang, and it gave me a warm feeling inside that Todd the Wraith was there alongside him. Carter's kamikaze maneuver was definitely very excellent. Of course, I have to give props to Michael and his amazing evilness. Man, did he wreak some havoc.
I have to voice a little gripe about McKay & Keller, but it's just a fangirl gripe so it doesn't really mean shit. Even I can't take me seriously when I get like this. Anyway, GET YOUR HANDS OFF HIM, YOU HUSSY!
*Ahem*
My only complaint about tonight's season ender was how reminiscent it was of SG-1's series finale, "Unending." But really, I'm not complaining too much, and I certainly enjoyed it well enough.
As a whole, I liked this season quite a bit, but I'm pretty easy that way. For someone who didn't even like this show not that long ago, I've gotten roped in hard.
Now, let the withdrawal begin! Gateworld is speculating on when season 5 will start up, citing a TV Guide claim that it will probably come back in July. That would certainly be better than having to wait until fall, but, as I say far, far too often, we'll just have to wait and see.
On an unrelated note, in that same article they mention that SciFi might split BSG season 4 between 2008 & '09, due to the WGA strike, but that rumour has been around since at least a couple months before the strike started. Perhaps this was a plan in anticipation of a strike, but I'm skeptical...SciFi has not shown much wisdom in how it's treated BSG thus far, so regardless of other factors involved, I wouldn't expect them to make a wise decision on this front.
Watching the end of humankind in the Pegasus galaxy was pretty cool, and it was quite a pleasure to see everyone's demise. Teyla's end was a great deal more ignoble than she deserved, but not everyone can go down fighting. And hey, her child certainly went on to have a damn significant impact on history. Ronon, on the other hand, went out as I'd expect him to, with a hell of a bang, and it gave me a warm feeling inside that Todd the Wraith was there alongside him. Carter's kamikaze maneuver was definitely very excellent. Of course, I have to give props to Michael and his amazing evilness. Man, did he wreak some havoc.
I have to voice a little gripe about McKay & Keller, but it's just a fangirl gripe so it doesn't really mean shit. Even I can't take me seriously when I get like this. Anyway, GET YOUR HANDS OFF HIM, YOU HUSSY!
*Ahem*
My only complaint about tonight's season ender was how reminiscent it was of SG-1's series finale, "Unending." But really, I'm not complaining too much, and I certainly enjoyed it well enough.
As a whole, I liked this season quite a bit, but I'm pretty easy that way. For someone who didn't even like this show not that long ago, I've gotten roped in hard.
Now, let the withdrawal begin! Gateworld is speculating on when season 5 will start up, citing a TV Guide claim that it will probably come back in July. That would certainly be better than having to wait until fall, but, as I say far, far too often, we'll just have to wait and see.
On an unrelated note, in that same article they mention that SciFi might split BSG season 4 between 2008 & '09, due to the WGA strike, but that rumour has been around since at least a couple months before the strike started. Perhaps this was a plan in anticipation of a strike, but I'm skeptical...SciFi has not shown much wisdom in how it's treated BSG thus far, so regardless of other factors involved, I wouldn't expect them to make a wise decision on this front.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Is it comix? Is it art?
This afternoon a friend and I checked out the current exhibition at the Adam Baumgold Gallery in Manhattan, which features some works by comic artist Chris Ware. Ware might be familiar to folks for his work in any number of publications, including RAW, The New York Times and The New Yorker. His work is quirky, mature, sometimes a little grim, and consistently captivating.
For me, the most interesting works were the images from the series Building Stories, which chronicles the hour-by-hour happenings in a Chicago apartment building over the course of a day. My favourite in the series, Introduction 3, shows a statistical view of the history of the building, noting the number of occurences of various elements - 11,627 lost childhood memories, 4 criminals, 61 broken dinner plates, 6 suicide notes, 617 dead plants, to name but a few.
Definitely worth a trip into the city. The exhibit runs through March 15, if you're inclined to check it out.
For me, the most interesting works were the images from the series Building Stories, which chronicles the hour-by-hour happenings in a Chicago apartment building over the course of a day. My favourite in the series, Introduction 3, shows a statistical view of the history of the building, noting the number of occurences of various elements - 11,627 lost childhood memories, 4 criminals, 61 broken dinner plates, 6 suicide notes, 617 dead plants, to name but a few.
Definitely worth a trip into the city. The exhibit runs through March 15, if you're inclined to check it out.
New Watchmen pictures up
I've been following Zack Snyder's Watchmen blog for a little while now and yesterday's post is possibly the most exciting yet. It features pictures of five of the principles, and they look pretty damn awesome. It's too early yet and I'm too skeptical to say I'm very excited about this film, but from what I've seen so far, it looks like it could kick some serious ass.
"Tales of the Black Freighter," the comic-within-a-comic, apparently will not be featured in the film, which is quite a disappointment. For me, the Black Freighter segments in Watchmen were some of the best parts of the entire comic, so knowing its story will only make it onto the DVD as an extra is a bit disheartening. Well, I guess I should be glad it'll be represented at all.
The release date for Watchmen is March 6, 2009, so we've got a year yet before it hits theaters. Here's wishing Snyder, et al., a good post-production process!
"Tales of the Black Freighter," the comic-within-a-comic, apparently will not be featured in the film, which is quite a disappointment. For me, the Black Freighter segments in Watchmen were some of the best parts of the entire comic, so knowing its story will only make it onto the DVD as an extra is a bit disheartening. Well, I guess I should be glad it'll be represented at all.
The release date for Watchmen is March 6, 2009, so we've got a year yet before it hits theaters. Here's wishing Snyder, et al., a good post-production process!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Long live the Geek
Gary Gygax, co-creator of Dungeons & Dragons, died yesterday, and the world of geekery mourns.
It's been a long time since I've done any gaming. My introducting to RPGs came around 1990, when I got into a Rolemaster game shortly after becoming entrenched with a group of geeks who changed my life in countless ways. Until that point, my perception of gamers was that they were another breed, different from the rest of us and not in good ways. I've learned a thing or two since then.
The first character I played was a thief. She was wily and enthusiastic, with a penchant for the ridiculous. After creating her, my first roll in a game situation was one I expect I'll remember for a good long while. I was attempting to steal someone's underwear, while it was on his body (really, in context, it made sense). The 2d10 hit the table and I deflated as they settled on two zeroes. Damn. I groaned, then got a little confused as my fellow gamers cheered and told me nice job. But, I rolled a big fat nuthin', I said. Oh no no, they corrected me, quite the contrary - my double zero was perfect. I stole those underwear without my victim even being aware of it! What a nice way to start my first campaign.
In subsequent years, I played more Rolemaster, and got into a few Vampire games (with Cowboy, no less, who might no longer admit he ever gamed, but some of us know the truth). I never tried other systems, though I suspect there are games out there now that I'd probably enjoy had I the motivation to seek them out. RPGs led me to games like Illuminati and other offerings from Steve Jackson Games, and Talisman. Oh, the long weekends spent holed up at a friend's place in marathon sessions of Talisman!
Enough of that stroll down memory lane. Gaming might have lost an icon yesterday, but Gygax has left behind an impressive legacy and that is a very cool thing indeed.
It's been a long time since I've done any gaming. My introducting to RPGs came around 1990, when I got into a Rolemaster game shortly after becoming entrenched with a group of geeks who changed my life in countless ways. Until that point, my perception of gamers was that they were another breed, different from the rest of us and not in good ways. I've learned a thing or two since then.
The first character I played was a thief. She was wily and enthusiastic, with a penchant for the ridiculous. After creating her, my first roll in a game situation was one I expect I'll remember for a good long while. I was attempting to steal someone's underwear, while it was on his body (really, in context, it made sense). The 2d10 hit the table and I deflated as they settled on two zeroes. Damn. I groaned, then got a little confused as my fellow gamers cheered and told me nice job. But, I rolled a big fat nuthin', I said. Oh no no, they corrected me, quite the contrary - my double zero was perfect. I stole those underwear without my victim even being aware of it! What a nice way to start my first campaign.
In subsequent years, I played more Rolemaster, and got into a few Vampire games (with Cowboy, no less, who might no longer admit he ever gamed, but some of us know the truth). I never tried other systems, though I suspect there are games out there now that I'd probably enjoy had I the motivation to seek them out. RPGs led me to games like Illuminati and other offerings from Steve Jackson Games, and Talisman. Oh, the long weekends spent holed up at a friend's place in marathon sessions of Talisman!
Enough of that stroll down memory lane. Gaming might have lost an icon yesterday, but Gygax has left behind an impressive legacy and that is a very cool thing indeed.
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