Showing posts with label science fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label science fiction. Show all posts

Monday, August 1, 2022

[Review] - 'Star Trek: The Ashes of Eden' by William Shatner (with Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens)


In 1994, Star Trek: Generation left a sour taste in many Trekkie's mouths after they watched the unnecessary death of Captain James T. Kirk and the destruction of the USS Enterprise-D. That same year, William Shatner teamed up with authors Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens and Pocket Books to resurrect Kirk in what would later become The Odyssey trilogy. Shatner would collaborate with the Reeves-Stevenses on the outlines, and the Reeves-Stevenses would do the actual writing.

Saturday, July 30, 2022

[Review] - 'Star Wars: Padawan' by Kiersten White


Star Wars: Padawan by Kiersten White is now available to own hardcover, audiobook, and Kindle from Lucasfilm Press Books. It's one of many young-adult Star Wars novels Disney has published since taking ownership of the franchise.

Thursday, July 7, 2022

[Review] - 'Sands of Dune' by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson


Other readers have suggested countless times that I should read the science fiction series Dune. I'm sure everyone on Earth has at least heard of Dune or seen the overly-hyped 2021 film adaptation, and they know Dune is a weird story about the fight over "spice" that originates on the desert planet Arrakis (otherwise known as Dune.) I attempted to read Frank Herbert's Dune around 1989 or 1990 after watching 1984's cult adaptation directed by David Lynch but lost interest midway. Maybe there were too many characters and backstories for me to keep up with, or perhaps I was too young for the story. Whatever the reason was, I never took an interest in reading Dune until Denis Villeneuve's remake became a thing. Then I bought one of the newer editions with the movie's poster on the cover. And I've been on page 171 since March 19th. No, I'm not bored with it. It's quite the opposite. I like what I've read so far and intend to finish it by summer's end.  

Monday, December 6, 2021

[Review] - Star Trek: Coda: Book 3: Oblivion's Gate


The Star Trek "litverse" concluded last week with the publication of Star Trek: Coda: Oblivion's Gate by David Mack.


For the past twenty years, Trek authors have been telling stories beyond the episodes and movies. Well, all that came to a halt because of the streaming series Star Trek: Picard, which is set twenty years after 2002's Star Trek: Nemesis and ignores the litverse continuity. Dayton Ward, James Swallow, and David Mack worked together to create the litverse swang song trilogy.

Friday, November 19, 2021

[Review] - Star Trek: Coda: Book 2: The Ashes of Tomorrow by James Swallow



The Ashes of Tomorrow, book two Star Trek: Coda trilogy, beamed down to bookstores on October 26th from Gallery Books. I got my hands on a copy before the publication and read the book within a few days. I intended to post a review at the end of last month, but life things happened, and I'm just now finding the time to share my thoughts with everyone.

Monday, September 27, 2021

[Review] - Star Trek: Coda: Book 1: Moments Asunder by Dayton Ward


It seems there's a rule that if a genre television or movie series has a big fanbase, then tie-in novels will soon follow. Once the series has run its course, all media tie-ins come to an end. There are a few exceptions, such as Star Trek and Star Wars. The Star Trek franchise has been kicking out novelizations since 1967, and the first original novel, Mission to Horatius, came out one year later. To date, there have been over 850 Star Trek books published.

Monday, August 30, 2021

[Review] - Star Trek: Picard: Rogue Elements


Despite my disappointment with the new incarnations of Star Trek, my expectations for the spinoff Star Trek: Picard was a bit high. Like many Trekkies, I had negative feelings for the first season. Out of the new characters, Cristóbal Rios was the only one I liked, even though he was a ripoff of Han Solo. He's the captain, pilot, and owner of the small transport ship, La Sirena - a unique ship that looks more Star Wars than Star Trek

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

[Review] - Star Trek: The Next Generation: Shadows Have Offended


Recently, Gallery Books released Star Trek: The Next Generation: Shadows Have Offended, written by Cassandra Rose Clarke. For quite some time, TNG, DS9, and Voyager books have had chronological settings. However, this isn't the case for Shadows Have Offended. It's set just before the TNG series finale ("All Good Things . . ."), a weird time when the writers thought it would be fun to have Worf and Deanna Troi start a romantic relationship. When I say fun, what I mean is the writers thought it was fun, and the majority of the fans thought it was stupid. Hence, is why the plotline had disappeared by the first feature film, Star Trek: Generations.

Thursday, March 4, 2021

[Review] - WRITERS OF THE FUTURE - VOLUME 36

Available on Paperback and Kindle.


It's taken me nearly a year to read the anthology WRITERS OF THE FUTURE - VOLUME 36 by Galaxy Press. Why did it take me so long to finish it? There are many reasons why, including procrastination, depression, stress, allergies, and the pandemic. Then again, maybe part of me wasn't in the mood to read an anthology.

Writers of the Future is a yearly science fiction and fantasy writing contest. It was founded in the early 1980s by the late pulp author L. Ron Hubbard. The contest Illustrations of the Future started in 1988. The winning stories and illustrations appear in the annual L. Ron Hubbard presents Writers of the Future.  


The stories included in VOLUME 36 are by C. Winspear, Michael Gardner, Andy Dibble, J. L. George, F. J. Bergmann, Leah Ning, Katie Livingston, David A. Elsensohn, Storm Humbert, Mike Perkins, Zack Be, Tim Boiteau, and Sonny Zae. Included with each short story is an illustration by one of the artist winners. The illustrators are Arthur Bowling, Aidin Andrews, Heather A. Laurence, Kaitlyn Goldberg, Ben Hill, Irmak Cavun, John Dale Javier, Mason Matak, Anh Le, Brock Aguirre, Daniel Bitton, and Phoebe Rothfield.

Also, there's an introduction by editor David Farland and art & writing tips by Echo Chernik, Mike Perkins, and Sean Williams. There are three bonus stories by Katherine Kurtz, Jody Lynn Nye, and Nnedi Okorafor. Last but not least are two reprinted writings by L. Ron Hubbard - the essay "Steps in the Right Direction" and the short story "Borrowed Glory."



Final Thoughts

The short stories were a mixed bag for me. A few were well-written, such as Stolen Sky by Storm Humbert, A Price in Every Box by F. J. Bergmann, and Catching My Breath by J. L. George, and the others were more on the dull side. Don't get me wrong - it's not like the stories are bad. I just didn't connect with the narrations and characters. The biggest issue I have with anthologies is that some stories keep my interest and the others don't. 


The illustrations throughout the anthology are all exceptionally crafted by talented artists. I didn't have a favorite because all are equally beautiful.

Overall, I'm rating WRITERS OF THE FUTURE - VOLUME 36 a three out of five. Yes, that might seem low to science fiction readers, but as a whole, this anthology was lackluster at best. Here's hoping VOLUME 37 (set to be released this Fall) will be better.


Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Blu-ray Review - James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction (2018)



Today on Blu-ray (Amazon) and DVD from RLJ Entertainment (AMC Studios) is 2018’s documentary miniseries James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction, featuring all 6-episodes on a 2-disc set.

There’s no bigger name in the world of science fiction than James Cameron (the director of Terminator 1 & 2, Aliens, The Abyss, and Avatar), so it shouldn’t be a shocker he wanted to make the ultimate documentary about science fiction movie and television series.

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Review - Star Trek: Picard: The Last Best Hope by Una McCormack


For those of you who don't read my weekly Sunday Posts, I had checked out Star Trek: Picard: The Last Best Hope by Una McCormack from OverDrive, which is like a digital library. Gallery Books released it on February 11th to tie-in with the new CBS All-Access series, Star Trek: Picard. After being on a six-week waiting list, I could download the ebook onto my Kindle.

Monday, April 13, 2020

Review - Star Trek: The Next Generation: Double Helix: Infection


When you're stuck at home with only your thoughts during a worldwide pandemic, the last thing you probably should do is read a book about a flu outbreak. Thanks to my insomnia (and my insanity), I read Star Trek: The Next Generation: Double Helix: Infection by John Gregory Betancourt (Available on KINDLE!), which is book one in a six-part miniseries based on the concept by John J. Ordover and Michael Jan Friedman.

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Finding a New Book To Read

*This is a sponsored post.

Reading is a relaxing activity that allows you to live in a different place and time for a while. There are many genres on the market that can hold your attention and keep you entertained. Here are some popular themes to consider.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

How to Become a Science Fiction Writer

*This is a sponsored post.

Do you daydream of star travel or science just beyond reality’s grip? If so, then you just might have what it takes to be a science fiction writer. If you’re considering writing cosmic fiction or stores that take technology down exciting new avenues, there are a few things you want to keep in mind when you’re just starting out.

Monday, February 24, 2020

Review - Weeks by Jasyn T. Turley

*This is a sponsored review. All opinions are 100% mine.

Purchase Your Copy Here!

About the Book

Phil, Tim, and Dakota are three survivors taking refuge in Atlanta, Georgia. The year is 2027, ten years after a nuclear fallout decimated the known world and left it in shambles. With hordes of the undead flooding their once safe home and a city now depleted of all resources and supplies the three must make a daring gamble. To trek across the States and Canada, looking for a new place to call home; safe from the monsters that plague the lands.

Monday, January 6, 2020

Review - Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn

Available on Paperback and Kindle!


A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away . . . 

There was a little bitty science fiction film titled Star Wars, written and directed by George Lucas. Released in 1977, the film became so popular that it spawned two sequels, Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, two made-for-television Ewoks movies, two short-lived Saturday morning cartoons, and the infamous (and laughable) 1978's Star Wars Holiday Special. The entire franchise was pretty much dead until 1991 when the Bantam Books published Star Wars: Heir to the Empire by Hugo Award-Winner Timothy Zahan, which is book one in a three-book cycle. Dubbed the "Thrawn Trilogy," the books introduced four new characters — Mara Jade, Talon Karrde, Gilad Pellaeon, and Grand Admiral Thrawn.

Monday, August 26, 2019

4K Ultra Blu-ray Review: Godzilla: King of the Monsters


*This is a sponsored review. All opinions are my own.

Amazon; Best Buy; Walmart; Target
Arriving tomorrow on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is this year's creature feature Godzilla: King of the Monsters (PG-13; 132 minutes). It's already available to own on Digital HD.

Monday, April 29, 2019

Blu-ray Review: Replicas

AMAZON

Does anyone remember hearing about a the movie Replicas being released to theatres back in January? If your answer is no, don't worry you're not the only who's never heard of it either!

Replicas landed on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital earlier this month from Lionsgate Home Entertainment

Directed by Jeffrey Nachmanoff and written for the screen by Chad St. John based on the story by Stephen Hamel, the film stars Keanu Reeves as William Foster, a neuroscientist who moved his family to Puerto Rico when he took a job working for the Bionyne Corporation. Along with cloning scientist Ed Whittle (played by Thomas Middleditch), William is attempting to transfer the mind of dead soldiers into robots. Despite many attempts, their experiments have failed.

While on a family trip, William, his wife Mona (played by Alice Eve) and their children Sophie, Matt, and Zoe are involved in a car crash. William is the only the survivor. Instead of calling the authorities, he ends up calling Ed to help him recover their bodies and take them back home, where he plans on cloning their bodies with technology that Ed sort of borrowed from the Bionyne Corporation. Sadly, there were only 3 cloning tank available, so William must make a horrible decision not to clone one of his children.

The cloning process only takes 17 days per clone, and during that time William brainstorms on how to successfully copy the human mind's neural pathways to an artificial mind. Luckily for him, he succeeds just in the nick of time. However, bringing his family back from the dead will have deadly consequences.

Blu-ray Special Features include:
  • Audio Commentary with Director Jeffery Nachmanoff and Executive Producer James Dodson
  • Imprint Collection: The Making of Replicas
  • Deleted Scenes


Final Thoughts

Friday, April 1, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: Identicals


   
Rated R; 100 minutes; $25.99; Amazon
Arriving on DVD on April 5th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the British science-fiction thriller Identicals. Directed by documentary maker Simon Pummel, the film was released to limited theater screens,Digital and On Demand on March 25th. It stars Nick Blood (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D), Lachlan Nieboer (Charlie Countryman), Nora - Jane Noone (Brooklyn), Michelle Asante (London Boulevard) and Tony Way (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo).

Special Features on the single-disc DVD includes:

Discussion with Writer/Director Simon Pummell

Visual Effects Breakdown

Set in a strange futuristic world, Identicals centers on Slater (played by Lachlan Nieboer), a man who witnesses his girlfriend's abduction by the Brand New-U Identifies, a network that helps people have a better life by walking into the body of someone else.

After a confrontation with Nadia's look-alike (played by Nora-Jane Noone), Slater is accused of murder, well that is until the Brand New-U Identifies offers him a choice - take the rap for the murder or upgrade his life.

Slater chooses the latter and becomes an Identical. Sadly, he can never let his past disappear, and he ends up searching for his only true love, Nadia.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Popcorn & Coffee: The Alien Files



Rated R; $9.98; 364 mins; Amazon

No, this title isn't related to The X-Files revival, but instead it is an newly released Mill Creek Entertainment DVD, featuring four science fiction flicks - Night Skies, Alien Hunter, Ghosts of Mars and The Day The World Ended.

Directed by Roy Knyrim, Night Skies was released in 2007, and starred A. J. Cook, Jason Connery, George Stults, Ashley Peldon, Joseph Sikora and Gwendoline Yeo. The plot involves a group of friend driving an RV to Las Vegas, NV. After a wrong turn and a slight accident, the group end up in the middle of nowhere, where they encounter the strange "Phoenix Lights" in the sky.

Alien Hunter is an underrated 2003 science-fiction thriller from director Ron Kraus. The film centers on Julien Rome (played by James Spader), a Cryptologist who is sent to Antarctic to investigate a strange alien-looking vehicle that mysteriously appeared in the snow. The vehicle is sending out some sort of signal. By the time he decrypts the signal, which gives the warning "Do not open!", it's already too late. I saw the film on television several years ago and it isn't a bad low-budget film.

Back in 2001, Cinemax aired a series of movies called Creature Features, which remade old creature films. The Day The World Ended was one those films, which is a remake of the 1955 film of the same name. Directed by Terence Gross, the remake stars Nastassja Kinski, Randy Quaid and Bobby Edner. The plot involves a young boy that believes he's part alien just as a series a strange murders occur all over town. Honestly, this is a horrible movie with bad acting and dumb special effects.