Obligatory Harlan Ellison Post

Photo by Ronald Roan via Flickr

I won't lie - Harlan Ellison influenced my writing.

 Go read the details via Chicago Now's One Cause At a Time

THE ORVILLE Review....on Twitter!

Last night, I caught the premiere of The Orville, Seth McFarlane's science fiction drama/comedy, on Fox. I also decided to live tweet with the intention of writing a full blog post. Having reconsidered, I am posting the Storify of the tweets because...well, it's funnier. Enjoy!

Otherworld Theatre's A PRINCESS OF MARS - Review

(Special thanks to Otherworld Theater for providing a complimentary ticket for review purposes).

Right now, many people feel the need to escape, to lose themselves in another world. With an impending move and maternal health issues, I was desperately needing to mainline some straightforward pulp thrills.....

....and Otherworld Theatre's production of A Princess of Mars fits the bill precisely. With creative staging, atmospheric lighting, and a smart script, this is one theatrical production you don't want to miss.

Adapted by Nick Izzo and Tiffany Kean Schaefer from the pulp-era Edgar Rice Burroughs novel,  Otherworld Theatre's A Princess Of Mars deftly manages to balance many plot threads, integrating some of the best aspects of the novel while integrating some more contemporary concerns. This is a play that has it all: action, romance, and a smart message that lifts the material. Think of it as the exact opposite of John Carter, choosing to emphasize character and circumstance over special effects.

(And let's be clear - I liked John Carter).

With minimal staging and a high level of atmospherics and costuming, A Princess of Mars manages to drive home several themes: the need for a personal mission, the drawback of being a "chosen one", and the need to act towards the greater good.

It's also incredibly fun, with very well-staged fight scenes. (And a bit of a trigger warning: even though I knew that most of the action was being blocked, it still felt real at times. This isn't a complaint - it's a compliment. Because this is being done by an all-volunteer troupe, and that's definitely worth kudos).

Plus, the cast really makes this a great experience. Elliott Sowards' John Carter isn't the traditional action-hero of many of my contemporaries, but a man truly out of step and thrust into a very unusual world. (And I'm late to the John Carter bandwagon, only having read A Princess of Mars five years ago). Mary-Kate Arnold crafts a very real Dejah Thoris driven by scientific curiosity and a deep passion for her home world.  With a large cast (including Bennett Decker Bottero, Elizabeth MacDougald, Tim Larson, Michael Bullaro, Nathan R. Miller, Julia Rigby and Shaun Hayden) that has some members playing multiple roles, Otherworld Theatre's A Princess of Mars really hits home in many ways, and is a great example of small, local theater done right.

With a greater emphasis on pulp-era literature and characters being developed for the big screen, it's really pleasurable to see smaller, more intimate takes on the material. One of the joys of Otherworld Theatre's A Princess of Mars is how it takes an early 20th century work and gives it a contemporary immediacy.

Simply put, go see Otherworld Theatre's A Princess of Mars. It's being run for a limited time, and you'll fall in love with this production.

Review: Steve Bellinger's THE CHRONOCAR

(Note: this review originally appeared in Goodreads; a complimentary copy was provided for review)

To be honest, I started The Chronocar shortly before the election...and couldn't quite get into it. Traveling back and forth downtown the next day I managed to read it through both trips on the Midway Orange Line.

Steve Bellinger's The Chronocar is a really good, brisk science fiction novel about time travel...but its focus is on the African-American experience. When Tony, a student at IIT, discovers a paper about time travel by a man who lived almost a century before, he decides to build the machine and see things for himself... ...and that kicks things into motion.

 It's hard to discuss the actual plot without spoiling it, but one of the great things about The Chronocar is that it addresses the usual tropes of time travel fiction...but it also provides insight into the African-American experience both currently and in a "less enlightened" time.

Centering around a little-known historical event, The Chronocar defies many expectations - the plot moves along at a brisk pace, tropes are used in creative ways, and the ending contains a twist worthy of The Twilight Zone.

Although I would categorize this book as a Young Adult novel, there are elements here that can please anyone. The Chronocar is a short, brisk, entertaining read that deserves a place on your bookshelf. After you've read it, of course. :)

Surviving Snowmageddon: ALL TIMELINES LEAD TO ROME

At last year's Windy City Pulp and Paper, I was fortunate enough to receive some complimentary books from author Dale Cozort, with the promise of reading and reviewing them. Needless to say, I hadn't had a chance to read any of them until this past Sunday's Snowmageddon 2015. Sitting down with All Timelines Lead to Rome - a book that was highly recommended by friends - I spent a few hours (after shovelling snow) reading the book from cover to cover.

I'm glad I did, because All Timelines Lead to Rome is a really good read.

I'm a sucker for a good parallel world story, but All Timelines Lead to Rome doesn't focus on that parallel world exclusively. Like Doctor Who: Inferno, Cozort's book uses a parallel world as a storytelling engine rather than a primary setting. Splitting between our present world and "Timeline X", Cozort's story focuses on a central mystery: a corpse is found with a photo of a scroll from a parallel timeline. With concerns about polluting a parallel timeline, Darla Smith - an agent for the Bureau of Temporal Integrity - leads an investigation that results in uncovering a rather fiendish - and possibly deadly - conspiracy....

One of the great things about All Timelines Lead to Rome is that it's a strong thriller with slight science fiction overtones. There's never a false beat or obvious storytelling trick, and there's a wonderful sense of pacing. (It also helps that Cozort actually makes the western suburbs of Chicago seem exciting - trust me, I've been out there). Even the nature of Timeline X is unique - a world where Rome maintained its empire, and America remained a hidden land, its indigenous people remaining untouched by "civilization".

All Timelines Lead to Rome also demonstrates a great deal of depth and diversity, both in its research and in how it describes its characters. When the final revelations come (and no, I'm not going to spoil), there is a very palpable sense of shock. Even though various characters may seem familiar, there's never a sense that the plot follows familiar cliches. Cozort does a great job in writing a story that's half thriller, and half exploration around how cultures are influenced by various factors.
If you're looking for a really good, casual read - consider All Timelines Lead to Rome by Dale Cozort. My only regret is that I didn't read this sooner....but now, I've followed through on at least one obligation from last year.

And now, onto those Sanctum Press Doc Savage and Avenger reprints I purchased....

An Alternative History: THE MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE

Note: this blog has an affiliate relationship with Amazon.com, and we do get a small commission if you click on the link and order products.

Unlike many other streaming video services, Amazon.com is providing some of its series in total (think Transparent) and others are being presented as part of Pilot Season, allowing people to watch and vote. One of the options is an adaptation of Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Castle [HD] , produced (in part) by Ridley Scott.

Its first episode is being streamed for free, and I heartily recommend you view it. Not just because it's free, but because it's pretty sharp, well-written television.

Based on the novel of the same name, The Man in the High Castle focuses on an alternate world where the Axis Powers won World War Two....and we catch up with American life in 1962. America is carved up into three zones - the Nazi occupied East, the Japanese-occupied West, and a "neutral zone" along the Rocky Mountains. The series focuses on two people - a  man hired for a mysterious cross-country trip, and a woman who meets her sister after years of separation....and both find themselves dealing with a mysterious film can with the title The Grasshopper Lies Heavy. Life for people in this world is gray, and dour, and - admittedly - trying: the episode opens with a film reel of typical American scenes, and the reel ends with an American Flag - with swastika - and the words "Sieg Heil".

Admittedly, this isn't quite feel-good television fare, but it shouldn't be - as a kickoff episode (Amazon's encouraging people to vote this episode up or down), there's enough in The Man In the High Castle to encourage further episodes. Enough is set up in this parallel world to warrant further exploration. Admittedly, there's a washed-out quality to the production (shot in England and Seattle, there's a grayish quality throughout the production), and it may not necessarily seem like easily accessible fare (some nice action-adventure elements are added to the story), but it's a nice, almost casual examination of a world of "everyday evil", as Graham Parker might say....and thankfully, there's no obvious political overtones (meaning - if you're looking for the show to condemn those on either side of the aisle, there's no obvious metaphor for either.). It's a thoughtful examination of the "people after the apocalypse" trope that views like The Walking Dead with Nazis instead of zombies.


...and if you're looking for a comparison with the Phillip K. Dick novel, there really isn't much of one. Both take place in a similar history, but Dick's novel is much more of a meditation on the influence of chance, on the nature of being "authentic", and on the everyday evil that permeates regular life. (The book refers to the I Ching more frequently than the 1896 storyline on Dark Shadows). It's an examination of people living in the aftermath....and although both involve a work of art titled The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, the way that art is handled in both reveal levels of meaning. In Dick's novel, The Grasshopper Lies Heavy is a "banned book", and part of the plot involves meeting the author to determine just how he came to visualize such a world. In Amazon's Man in the High Castle, it's an illicit newsreel - a visual representation of what might have happened (in Dick's book, the "Allies won" timeline differs from actual history) - that kickstarts the narrative.

Either way, both the pilot episode of The Man in the High Castle - as well as Dick's novel - are worth experiencing. Since the pilot is free for Amazon members, it's definitely worth checking out.

As far as the book, there's always the local library.

The Angels Wanna Wear REDSHIRTS (A Review)

(Spoilers follow. I'm not proud)

Admittedly, my science fiction reading has been extremely limited to....well, books with the words Doctor and Whoin the title. So when a colleague suggested I check out John Scalzi's Redshirts, I eagerly took on the challenge, thanks to the Chicago Public Library.

And....well....the results are mixed.

The premise is simple: junior officers on a Star Trek-esque spaceship realize that many of their superiors are acting in strange ways....and that many of their fellow officers are cannon fodder. As they investigate matters further, they find that they are.....

Well, the idea is somewhat clever, almost reminiscent of a Twilight Zone episode. It's not a bad idea, per se, but it's been done slightly better in other works. Thankfully, Redshirts is a relatively easy, short read, and has much to say about How to Live Life....

...and that's the major fault of the book. It wallows in its own cleverness, and takes a slightly pretentious tone towards the end. (The "Three Codas" at the end feel more like padding than playing out the end of the book). Perhaps Scalzi was attempting to mock specific tropes in Star Trek, but the book does seem to take on a slightly haughty, we-are-making-an-important-point-about-life tone towards the end that makes it seem more insiderish and exclusive. It's as if the book says, "Let us hammer the point home, because some of you won't get it."

I'll probably earn the enmity of my fellow geeks/nerds/whatever, but this is merely an OK book. Is it worth reading? Only if you check it out of the library.

I Know Cool People: Mike Luoma's VATICAN ASSASSIN

FULL DISCLOSURE: Electronic copies were provided for purposes of review. My opinions are my own

With all of the intrigue about the changing of the Pope, it seems apt that one of my Zone 4 pals, Mike Luoma, would write one of the best religiously-themed stories, couched in a setting mixing space opera and good old fashioned intrigue.

Vatican Assassin, released via Glow-in-The-Dark Comics, is a great 4 issue mini-series featuring the activities of Bernard Campion, a "special agent" for the Vatican in the year 2109. Caught in the midst of conflict, Bernard finds himself with a difficult mission, eventually running into an old flame, having a very unique experience (which he's unsure is real), and ultimately finding himself in the midst of intrigue and politics

With today's release of issue 4 (and having read all of the previous issues), this is one indie comic that deserves to be read - a mix of disparate styles that never seems derivative; a plot that drives along with a minimum of exposition; and some great art by Christian Navarro that compliments the story without being excessively showy.

Basically, Vatican Assassin is a really good comic tale that deserves your attention.

For more details, check out the Vatican Assassin Home Page or Glow in the Dark Radio.

Darn Dirty Apes: A Review of CONSPIRACY OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

There is a huge soft spot in my heart for the original Planet of the Apes...but of course, there's always a soft spot for a guy's first franchise. For many a fanboy, it was Star Wars; for me, it was weekday afternoon showings of the first five movies (as well as the infamous "Gorilla My Dreams" week showing of the old television show) that led to me really liking the Apes series.

So when I finally got around to reading Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes (purchased at this past year's C2E2), I was intrigued by the fact that it took place "between the frames" of the movie. It is being touted as a story that takes place within the continuity of the first film, as well as serving to fill in the gaps among the other POTA films.

It's does a really good job of the latter, but at times, doesn't do all that much of the former..

First, a note - although Archaia publishes many non-superhero comics, this is an illustrated prose novel despite its packaging. Much of the art are one-pagers which illustrate key plot points of the book, and which are quite striking in their own right.

However, Andrew E.C. Gaska's prose tends to have some mixed effects. Effectively, this is "Landon's story" - we know how the character ends up (SPOILER ALERT - lobotomized), but the events which lead up to his involvement in the initial expedition - in fact, towards the inevitable end of the book - really don't do much to engage the reader. They seem rather trite and....well, really don't engage the reader or encourage any empathy with the lead characters.

However, it seems that Gaska appears more entranced with the goings-on in Ape City....and that is where Gaska's sympathies lay. When discussing the simian residents, Gaska's writing seems to sparkle just a bit more, and it really does engage the reader. It's a great take on the day-to-day life, and it's in depicting those characters - both the familiar and the new - that really elevate this book above the typical tie-in.

So for me, a mixed bag - I might recommend this for hardcore fans, but for the casual reader....well, if it piques your interest, check it out of the library. It's not horrible, but it's enough to warrant a casual glance.

5 Reasons to Watch WAREHOUSE 13

Last week, I managed to accomplish something that I rarely, if ever do - catch up with a new favorite show in time for its season finale.

Warehouse 13 has been on for four years, and why I have not watched it, I don't know why. (Thanks to pal Eric Ratcliffe at New Comic Day for encouraging me to catch this show). In a spirit of informing you, the science fiction television aficionado (and since the first three seasons are on DVD), as another, better blog might suggest, here are five reasons why you should watch Warehouse 13:

1. It's a show that's literate, knows history - and has fun with it: The premise is that artifacts from various periods of history have almost mystical powers, and that they're all stored in "America's attic" in South Dakota. From small in-jokes to the main plots, this is a show that makes it cool to be smart, and much like Alphas, often burns through the obvious plot twists to create something even grander.
2. The Secret Service hasn't been this cool since The Wild, Wild West - Both Pete (Eddie McClintock) and Myka (Joanne Kelly) have a really great chemistry, and are the kind of leads that really make this a joy to watch. There's no will-they-or-won't-they-bickering (it's been made clear in the show they won't), but I seriously wish the leads of Elementary would watch this show and take notes.
3. Better Christmas episodes than new Doctor Who - that's right. I said it. For flat-out holiday spirit without that feeling of going over-the-top, Warehouse 13's two (so far) Christmas episodes have been excellent, built on traditional holiday themes without seeming....well, corny.
4. Jamie Murray as H.G. Wells (don't ask) - The love started with Hustle, and continues here. If wanting her to become a series regular is wrong, I....just don't want to be right.
5. Everybody knows an Artie - Artie is the "head" of the Warehouse - a guy who runs the whole shebang and who has plenty of experience. Like many collectors, he has a single-mindedness of purpose and a gruff attitude that....well, everyone can identify with. Unlike people in the real world, Artie is all the more lovable for it.

OK, some of you may come up with more than five reasons, and that's fine. But really - do you want me to write about this show all the time?

Watch it for yourself. You'll really enjoy it. 

Smeggin' Mondays: RED DWARF X - Trojan

In all honesty, although it can be difficult being a Doctor Who fan....it's often more difficult to be a Red Dwarf fan.

I've been having problems writing a column about the show for Comic Related - not because of creative block, but because the writing has tended to be hit-and-miss, and a long hiatus as co-creator Doug Naylor has attempted to bring the show to the big screen....with the original cast. So watching the first episode, "Trojan", of the latest series has brought about mixed feelings.

On the one hand, it feels like traditional Red Dwarf - a typical, studio bound comedy with plenty of science fiction-based humor. The leads all perform amazingly well, and several lines hit home with great laughs. (One of the great strengths of Red Dwarf's sensibility is that it doesn't rely on popular comedy cliches - even familiar situations are written with unique, crackling lines). The script is relatively solid (although it does veer towards a traditional "American" sensibility with its sense of irony). In short, it's a great traditional episode that wouldn't be out of place in the first five series....

....on the other hand, it's hard to watch with the leads being that much older. Thankfully, it avoids what the 2009 Back to Earth series did in past continuity....but there is a slight sense that Naylor's obsession with bringing the show has slightly damaged the show. Had this been created in, say, 2000 or 2001, it would have  fit right in place (and after Series 8, a refreshing return to form); now, it can't help but appear steeped in unnecessary nostalgia. The fact that the cast fit so well into their old costumes (with Kryten - the fussy robot - now possessing a pot belly (!)) is a service to their ability to sell this story.

So I'll be watching the rest of the series, and think this is a great return to form. But in hindsight, it seems almost understandable why Rob Grant left at the end of series five - focusing on one sole creative endeavor can often lead to delayed opportunities.

Although it's being shown in England on Dave, for US fans...make sure you get this when it comes out on DVD. You'll be glad you did.

The Fires of PROMETHEUS

As I've been sitting through this Father's Day, the one thing that I keep coming back to is that....without meaning or intending to, my father gave me a lot of love of popular culture.

I've often joked that Blazing Saddles was the first movie I conned my father into taking me to see; Alien was the second. In fact, I convinced my father to take me and my mother, and let me just say....when the chestburster scene came, there was a slightly childish glee at seeing Mom's reaction.

I write the above to put Prometheus into perspective - it's been marketed and discussed as a "prequel" to the movie, and I think it's a slight misnomer. If anything, it takes some elements from the 1979 movie and uses them in a slightly different context. This is also a movie about big ideas versus big scares - if you expect facehuggers, chestbursters, and xenomorphs....you're doing to be disappointed.

But Ridley Scott gives us a well-made movie that explores the desire to see where we came from....and the cost of such curiosity. It's a shame that much of the criticism leveled at the movie has been in several "unexplained" plot points - because this is a movie whose gaps allow the viewer to imagine and explore. This is the kind of movie that is worth having a long discussion about.

(And quite honestly, without spoiling, the very last scene should have been added post-credits. It would have made a *really* good postscript. As it stands in the movie, it removes much of the impact. But if you're expecting a direct lead-in to Alien, or a quote like, "And I shall name her....Ripley!", you will be disappointed).

But this is a good movie with some strong ideas....go see this while it's in theaters. You won't be disappointed.

Hey, I've Used These Lines in FanFic!

A guy attempts to audition for every science fiction show/movie ever made. Enjoy!

Another Very Important Philosophical Question

Based on a recent Facebook conversation, I thought I would throw this out there: Who is cooler, more badass, and more morally upright?

Captain Mal Reynolds, or....

Secret Service Agent James West?

(No bonus points offered if you discuss the sublime genius of Artemus Gordon, but please don't let that stop you).

QUATERMASS MONDAYS: Quatermass 2 (Episode 1)

Yes, it's the day after New Year's Day, and you're looking for a way to kick-start the new year. Why not do it with some vintage British science fiction television?

For the next six weeks, I'll be presenting Quatermass 2, the "prequel" to Quatermass and the Pit (which was shown this past Halloween). Think of it as my way of providing cheap, free entertainment to the masses. 

Enjoy!

Public Domain Drive-In: PLANET OUTLAWS

In my last minute effort to join into NaBloPoMo spirit, here's a free movie as blog post. Enjoy!

Quatermass Mondays: Quatermass & The Pit Part 6/Quatermass 2

First, happy Halloween!

As a special treat, not only am I showing the conclusion to Quatermass & the Pit, but you get - as a bonus - the prequel Quatermass 2 in its entirety. Enjoy!



 
Quatermass & the Pit, Part 6 - Internet Archive




 
Quatermass 2 - Internet Archive

Quatermass Mondays: Quatermass & the Pit, Part 5

Hope you've been following....and after this week's episode, join us next week for the conclusion...and a very special Halloween treat.




Quatermass & the Pit, Episode 5 - Internet Archive

Quatermass Mondays: Quatermass & the Pit, Part 4

 
Quatermass & the Pit, Part 4 - Internet Archive

Quatermass Mondays: Quatermass & the Pit, Part 3

Quatermass & the Pit, Episode 3 - Internet Archive