Which Version Do You Prefer?

I recently finished reading The Crystal Cave. It was not that long ago that I read The Mists of Avalon, and I found the two stories very similar. I know, I know.... it is the same basic story, so of course they are similar. But that's not what I meant. I was referring to the telling of the story. I would have expected a bit more difference than I found, to be honest. For instance, The Once and Future King is quite different from either of these two (and happens to be the one I prefer of the 3).

Even though the Merlins who appear in Cave and Avalon are quite different, and Avalon is told from a much more firmly defined female perspective, I still somehow found the two books to be a little too much alike for my tastes. (And, to be honest, neither particularly suited my taste anyway.)

What about you? Do you have a favorite of these three modern versions of Arthur's story? Or perhaps another that you like better than any of these?

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Modern Mythologies

A little video I made to go along with some lecture notes. (And no, I am not a video artist, so don't expect much.)





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Delayed Release for Half-Blood Prince

Have you heard about the delayed release of the film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince? It's been pushed from November 2008 to July 2009. Yuck! Like this blogger, I just can't see how that is a very good idea for us, the viewers.

I like the Harry Potter movies as year-end releases. Here in Singapore, a release at the end of the year means it is during school holidays. In the mid-summer (for the US), it is right in the heart of the school year, with exam season just around the corner. That definitely will hurt ticket sales here. I know that Singapore is a small dot on the world map, and I certainly don't expect anyone to fit their release schedule to please Singaporeans. But still, it's not like we aren't following the British school calendar here. And remind me, now.... where is the author of the Harry Potter books from?



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Carl Sagan's Contact

I just finished reading Carl Sagan's Contact. I had seen the movie long ago, and forgotten much of the story. I found the ideas to be quite engaging, but thought the writing not very good. I know, it is probably not smart to say that about such a famous book, but seriously... Sagan's ideas are what sells, not his prose.

I liked the interweaving in the text of ideas about science and theology. Indeed, at one point one character says that all science is necessarily engaged with theology. I am not sure that I can entirely agree with this statement, but I can see how it would seem to be the case from the perspective of a person whose life is dedicated to science.

I loved most the plausibility of the scientific developments. Even though the conclusions that followed it (basically, a vision of world cooperation leading to a hope for a utopian type of world peace) were a little far-fetched for me, I still found the science of it all very engaging. And that's not entirely surprising — Sagan was a better scientist than sociologist, I guess. But, in all fairness, the book doesn't exactly promise the achievement of world peace, and in the end it does a nice job of exploring the various oppositions that would arise to such a vision. What I found a little too idealistic was the notion that the Machine would get built at all. That level of cooperation, despite the tense political setting of the novel, is just a bit much to swallow.

But all in all, it is a good read, and worth getting into the ideas presented.



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The Dark Knight

I'm not exactly very up with the times these days. I just got around to seeing The Dark Knight late last night. It was a better movie than I expected, and not quite as violent as I was afraid it would be. That "not quite as violent" rating from me is a direct result of my seeing it in a "heartlands" cinema, where it was fairly heavily censored. I could see the spots where cuts were made, and only in a few did it leave me feeling a little lost. With the level of violence it did still have in it, I can't say I was disappointed to see the censored version.

OK, to the easy points first. Heath Ledger is good when he is bad. It is a real pity that there will be no second performance.

Now...
I liked the movie as a whole, though I thought it a bit too long. The story at some points is too convoluted to be something one can follow easily, and at other points too predictable.

I do like the dark edge to the film, even though you can't help but feel sad over some parts.

I am not quite sure what to make of the idea that lying to the public is a true act of heroism. That smacks of thinking too much like what got us into a war we now seem to regret. (Not exactly the first time we've done that.) It is a good reflection back on what is happening, isn't it? Create a clean-faced image that people will idealize, and then keep his flaws out of the public eye. Then make sure to make him stand for what it is you want him to stand for... and let someone else be the scapegoat. Interesting.

The political messages of the film are there to be wrangled over and picked apart. That makes it fodder for discussion, one way or another.

Overall, it is a good film, though I do have complaints here and there. It is a complex movie, and gives the viewer something to think about. That can't be all bad.




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Why Read Star Wars Books?

I just came across a nicely written article about why one might want to read Star Wars books.

In short, the answer is that it is the 20th Century myth. While I don't read the books based on the Star Wars world, I do consider myself something of a Star Wars afficiando (especially as regards the original movies). I loved how this article showed how the films are so firmly rooted in myth.



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Boundaries Between Reality and Fiction

My nephew and I have been engaged in long discussions lately about the boundaries between reality and fiction.
This video clip seems appropriate, at the moment.




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Jaded Hearts

Jaded Hearts is one of those great science fiction novels you can read online. It is being posted chapter by chapter, starting here.

The novel's stated agenda is to change the world, like so many great books have done over the years. Sound like an nearly impossible task? Not necessarily — the book seeks to do so through raising awareness of the situation in Uganda, and of the World Vision Organization. Perhaps it is idealistic, but I tend to be one of those who agrees that raising awareness is half the battle. When we are aware of what needs to be done, we humans can be pretty motivated toward bettering our world.

There is one problem... the links to download the chapters aren't working. I've tried it with 3 different browsers, but it keeps redirecting me to the site that hosts the files, and not to the actual spot to download. No matter what I do, it keeps redirecting me. If you can figure out a solution, feel free to post it in a comment here for other would-be readers.

In addition, I am currently notifying the webmaster about this issue. I will really looking forward to reviewing the text. I will update you here as soon as I can get that done. It is just the sort of read I am sure to love!



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Powerful Robots, in more than one sense of the word

I've been reading a couple of articles at the Tower of Babel blogsite, and came across some interesting events in the world of robots. It seems, according to Karl Jones, that robots are becoming more and more powerful... not just in terms of technology, but in their place in society too.

Recent events include a robot conducting a symphony and a robot conducting a wedding.

Interesting stuff!

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Reluctant Heroics

I finally got to see Hancock last night, and enjoyed it. It was a bit cheesy at times, but still fun overall. I thought the "twist" was a bit predictable, but the friend who watched it with me said she didn't see it coming. (I thought it was given away in an earlier shot.)

I did enjoy the development on the idea of the lonely hero, the isolation of greatness... whatever you want to call it. It's one of those themes that is often explored in superhero stories, and it is a fun one. I really liked the connection, made overt in one comment, between the superhero and similar characters from older mythologies. But the real fun in the movie came via the reluctant nature of the heroics we witnessed. Will Smith pulled his role off beautifully (as always).

One thing I didn't quite like was how the end seemed a little slapped together. How did the "bad guy" suddenly know so much about Hancock's identity and all? That was a little off, but otherwise, I did enjoy the show.


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Hancock

I always love a superhero movie (especially a spoof!), and I always like Will Smith, so this one can't miss, right?




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Hey Comic Book Geeks

What could be better than sitting listen to the intellectual brilliance that is Warren Ellis (of Transmetropolitan fame) in an exchange with a live audience?

If that thought gets your blood pumping — or if you even know what it means at all — you probably would enjoy this article at Sloth Jockey.

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Ocean of Flames

When I started this blog, I tried working on a fiction-writer's exercise, creating characters who would speak in each entry. It didn't go so well for me, and I am really not much of a fiction writer anyway. I have seen some bloggers, though, who post their fiction in blog entries, and I always enjoy stopping in to read a story in progress.

I recently came across Ocean of Flames, an ongoing fantasy piece that is fun to read. It is a relatively new blog, and so it's easy to get caught up reading the installments now. They show a lot of promise, and I am looking forward to seeing the story continue to unfold!

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Wouldn't You Know It...

After reading about this quiz at Madame Blogalot's, I took it too, hoping to find out which book I am.

Wouldn't you know it... here's the answer I got

You're The Fellowship of the Ring!

by J.R.R. Tolkien

Facing great adversity, you have decided that your only choice is to
unite with your friends and neighbors. You have been subject to a ton of squabbling and
ultimately decided that someone humble is your best candidate for a dangerous mission.
You're quite good with languages and convinced that not all who wander are lost. If you
see anyone in black robes on horseback, just run. That's just common sense.


Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Love the book, so I don't mind at all!

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So This is What it Feels Like to be Dead

I just received an email informing me that I am dead.

Apparently Mr. Thomas Morris, my supposed next of kin (whom I have never met nor heard of), has told a bank somewhere in a continent I've never been to (but have at least heard of) that I am dead, and so he stands in line to inherit the $20 million (give or take a few hundred thousand) that I would have otherwise inherited... you know, had I not been dead.

I think that the death of fiction might be nearer than we thought after all. I mean, with scams and spam like that, who really needs fiction anyway?

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Invitation to Read Along

I've recently received an invitation from my 15-year-old nephew to do something fun. He let me know that his sophomore year, he will read a book called The Crystal Cave, and he invited me to read it along with him.

As we were talking about this, we also somehow got onto the topic of I Am Legend, and decided we will read it together this summer. I am looking forward to reading both books, partly because they sound good, but mostly because I'll be reading them with my nephew.

And there's really nothing better than reading and discussing the book with someone you love — especially when s/he has as good a mind as my nephew's!

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The Genre Mall

Where do you buy your science fiction and sci-fi poetry? I've been shopping a lot at the Genre Mall, and have found some really great stuff there. I especially love the wide array of poetry you can find on the site.

For a list of my top five things you'll find there, see my hifidel blog

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A Good Review of Beowulf

Want to read a good review of the film Beowulf? I just found one here.

If you are expecting the "real" Beowulf onscreen, give the film a miss. I won't rehash all the reasons why, because that post does it so well.

That said, I can add that the poem is not to be missed!


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Solyent Green

Last night was a good night on the Turner Classic Movies channel in Singapore. I switched over to the channel just in time for Solyent Green, which was later followed by Westworld and Forbidden Planet and The Invisible Boy. I planned to watch the first two, but not the last (because I have the DVD of those). As it turned out, I got interrupted just as Westworld was beginning, so only got to see Solyent Green last night.

I enjoyed watching the 1973 Charlton Heston action sci-fi flick. It has plenty in it that might not be appreciated by contemporary audiences, but I think the slower pace allows for a more nuanced film than most of today's movies. There are several montages that are absolutely beautiful.

The "mystery" that Thorn is trying to unravel becomes obvious early on, I think. It is clear what is going into making up the new food source that people in 2022 are supposed to be living on. As others have pointed out, the revelation might would have been more shocking in its day. In more recent films, like The Matrix, the same device has been used to a very different effect.

I think the dystopian film is quite well done, though I don't think Heston is particularly good. I do appreciate how the dystopian society is represented though, and feel that perhaps a part of the reason for the lack of sympathy we feel with Thorn is more because of that society than anything else.

Overall, I think Solyent Green is one of those must-see films for any real fan of science fiction on film. Watch out for it on all those channels that carry classic films. It is certain to show up on those from time to time.
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Sci Fi Channel Series: Tinman

I recently finished watching the Sci Fi Channel's series Tinman on DVD. I was impressed with the series overall, and found several of the actors especially pleasant. By the time the series ended, I found myself quite attached to DG and all those around her.

The series is set in the O.Z. (the Outer Zone), a land that DG finds she has to help save. It is inspired by The Wizard of Oz, and I found the connections throughout the series to be quite fun. It was amusing to see how the characters were brought to a new sort of life in this sci-fi world.

I first thought that this was planned as an ongoing series, but it seems now that it is more intended as a miniseries, a one-off sort of thing. I think that is good, because the way the whole is packaged now is just right. It begins well, progresses quite nicely, and then wraps it all up effectively. I think it is great that it looks like it is not going to be something that is dragged out beyond where it can effectively sustain the story. As it is, it is good, and is worth watching.

I hope the Sci Fi Channel comes up with more series like this. It's a good one, and I'd happily watch more things in this vein.

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The Magician

I just recently finished reading W. Somerset Maugham's The Magician, and I am wondering why I haven't read it before. With as much as I've enjoyed things like Frankenstein and Dracula, this one was sure to be an enjoyable read for me. And it was.

The Magician puts together a nice tale of a creepy character messing up the lives of the seemingly normal characters around him. It is a nicely put together story, and sufficiently disturbing. I like the interest in questions of science and magic, and their place in this modern world we've been living in for over a century now. I like how the concerns of the day (it was written in 1908) still resonate today. It is fun to consider the questions raised by the text, and to mull over how they have changed — and how they haven't — today.

I didn't really get into the ending of The Magician, and found it seemed a bit too "built up" for a very predictable ending. I thought that the discoveries our heroes made during the climactic final scene were well-done, and after that... well, I didn't think it needed to be written so melodramatically, I suppose.

But then, that is always half the fun of these sorts of stories. The Gothic telling, the overwrought emotions. It all comes together, and it works.

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Tin Man

I have recently picked up the first season of Sci Fi Channel's Tin Man on DVD. I haven't actually seen any of it, being that there is no Sci Fi Channel where I live, but I saw it in the DVD shop and thought it looked like the kind of thing I like. I'll be watching it soon, and will probably have lots to comment about it here.

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Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

I just finished rereading Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, thinking I might be teaching on it again next semester. I was reminded of what a deceptively simple read the book is. It is quick-paced, and easy to finish in a very short time. That is one thing that I think students always like about it when we assign it for a class. But there is more to the book than this simple reading seems to indicate. It explores some very complex notions about empathy and the human capacity to feel for others.

I like how Decker helps us consider the question of just who is worthy of our empathy, and who is not. Androids, in the story, are not appropriate targets of empathy from humans (though it is empathy that determines that one is in fact human and not an android). In the novel — unlike in the later film version of the tale, Bladerunner — the androids are destroyed routinely and the writing of those events is not belabored or overly emotional. It is usually quite a straight telling of the demise of one more android trying to escape detection. The real emotional writing is reserved for Decker's questioning of whether he might be an android himself... and of his feelings for the various animals he encounters.

I think the animals are put to good use in the story. Animals are appropriate targets of human empathy, being that they are living creatures. "Specials" (humans with schizoid-type symptoms) are borderline cases — nearly androids themselves because they seem to be losing the capacity for empathy. Animals, it seems, are worthy of more empathy than "specials" in the story, and empathy for androids is completely inappropriate.

There are many hot-button topics that can be brought out of a novel like Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, whether it be animal rights, slavery and oppression, ethical questions related to scientific advancement, or whatever. There is a great deal in the novel to be explored, despite the simple nature of the writing that contains it all.

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