Recently in Science Fiction Category
The Princess: Are the very first X-Men comics super cheesy?
C-Man: No, it's really good. I mean, the art style is a little old, but it still has all the themes of alienation and persecution, having powers but still having human struggles, all those interesting themes.
The Princess: Oh.
C-Man: What is it that you like about the X-Men?
The Princess: They have REALLY COOL POWERS!
I was all set to write a post today about turning 35 today and what I've accomplished in my life thus far blah blah blah. Lucky for you, since my deep and meaningful posts are usually fucking boring, I had a dream last night.
I know, posts where people share their dreams are also usually fucking boring too, but bear with me here. It's a very short dream.
There was a zombie outbreak here in my hometown of Austin, Texas. I managed to make it to Camp Mabry, our local military base, because I figured it would be well prepared for such a thing. Indeed, the place was surrounded with extremely tall chain link fencing. Unfortunately, instead of having military people with flamethrowers patrolling the perimeter to burn the zombies if they came near the fence, there were VOLUNTEERS in matching red t-shirts letting the zombies climb OVER the fence, then killing them with shovels and pitchforks.
This is not reassuring! Since when are civilians with no training and agricultural tools our best defense against highly contagious undead?
It's like the one video game I've ever played. I was penalized for shooting civilians who were being grabbed by zombies. Um, hello, if they're that close, you can pretty much assume they're going to eat your brain in about ten minutes. This is not bad aim on my part, it's a public health measure.
And that, I said to my husband while he was trying to get dressed for work so he can pay our mortgage, is why I should be in charge. Obviously no one else can be trusted.
He laughed. I'm still not quite clear why.
Planetary is my favorite kind of comic. It combines superheroes, spaceships, magic, and grand conspiracies, and what's not to love about that? Planetary fills the gaping hole in my heart left when The Invisibles ended. For that, its creators have my undying gratitude.
The lead female character in Planetary, Jakita Wagner, is just about my favorite comics heroine. Superhuman strength and speed? Check. Takes care of herself just fine? Check. Skintight suit that shows her cleavage? Ah well, far be it from me to suggest that we disregard the conventions of an art form, right?
My quibbles with her outfit aside, I love Jakita for one big thing.
She's a member of an elite team of field agents called archaeologists of the unknown. It's a dangerous role that requires brains and the ability to kick ass. Why did she pursue such a career path?
Because she gets bored easily.
I am so tired of female characters written by people who feel like women need a REASON to rock the world of action. Avenging a rape, protecting a child, whatever. Yes, men get this storyline too, but they also get a lot of other reasons - because they're strong, because it's fun, because it's their job, or no reason at all.
Jakita Wagner kicks ass because it's fun.
I like that in a woman.
The Princess: I don't know that I would let him lie right there where the dog is going to kick.
C-Man: (trying to move baby) But apparently he would.
The Princess: That's because he doesn't think about the future very well.
Boy Detective: I think about Skynet ALL THE TIME!
Thursday, Friday, and Sunday, the Paramount Film Series is showing the original version of the 1954 Godzilla.
I'm really excited! My mother, in addition to being a devout Methodist Sunday school teacher and gardener, is also a fan of monster movies. Mothra was a staple of my childhood television viewing. Godzilla came later, and now I am working my way through the Godzilla films to build a list of personal favorites. (So far, Godzilla v. Gigan and Destroy all Monsters join the Mothra films as my top picks.)
The New York Times had a good piece on how the restored film differs from the version that was originally made available to American audiences.
As the historian William Tsutsui reminded us in last year's cult classic, "Godzilla on My Mind," the 1954 movie was a dark, poetic production that dealt openly with Japanese misgivings about the nuclear menace, environmental degradation and the traumatic experience associated with World War II. [...]
The American company that bought the rights to distribute the film in this country cut a large chunk from Honda's original film and rearranged the plot. The biggest change involved splicing in Raymond Burr, who played an American reporter chronicling the devastation for the press. Dialogue that dealt heavily with human suffering, the morality of all-out war - and the temptation to play God with weapons of mass destruction - was left on the American cutting room floor.
I love watching Gojira stomp on tiny tanks, but I also like a little substance with my smashing. Thanks to the Paramount for such an opportunity!
The freakiest thing ever in the history of the world: Bloodhag. They're a death-metal (a.k.a. EduCore) band that performs short songs about science fiction authors, and they will let you in free to a show with a 300-word essay about any of those authors.
You can also listen to their song about Thomas Pynchon. (Be careful, music started instantly when I went to this page.)
All the Chinese phrases from Firefly translated for you. Turns out they curse a lot - who knew?
Thanks to UnwiredBen for sending this link to me. It's amazing what one finds when renewing one's drive to clean out electronic storage systems.
I'm not a big fan of Amazon.com, either, but they have the Hitchhiker's Guide trailer up right now. At one point, you will say "Zaphod only has one head?! WTF?!" Just wait.
[Update: OK, apparently I'm the very last person in the world to know this. I should, oh, I don't know, read the news or something.]
CNN: Sci-fi museum going for more than geek appeal
One of the coolest sections is the interactive, computer-animated display that mimics a space station. Ships float past, from the Enterprise of "Star Trek" and the Millennium Falcon of "Star Wars" to the goofy Planet Express of the TV cartoon series "Futurama." Visitors can see images of the ships from any angle, and learn about their dimensions and features.
Another highlight is a globe-shaped projection screen developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Using four projectors, it can accurately display the surface of planets -- from Jupiter to the ice world Hoth from "The Empire Strikes Back."
Just one question: what type of ritual is appropriate before embarking on a journey of this significance?
