DIY Time Machine, Nostalgia and Comedy Relief

I surfed YouTube, so you don't have to. :)

Have you always wanted your own DeLorean Time Machine? Why not build one? Personally, I think some people have too much time on their hands. I'm waiting for the working version. I can think of a lot of cool things I could do with a time machine. History beware!



And here's a bit of nostalgia for those who remember, and a funny look into the past for those who don't.



Finally, a little comedy relief from the original Star Trek.

STNG celebrates a birthday - at the movies

This just in from Pure on behalf of Fathom:

“Boldly go where no one has gone before” and don’t miss the only opportunity to see two of the most popular Next Generation episodes, Ep. 106 “Where No One Has Gone Before” and Ep. 114 “Datalore” on the big screen.

NCM Fathom and CBS TV are coming together to present a special one night event to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

This special event will include exclusive looks at the massive restoration of season one, never-before-seen interviews with the original cast members and behind-the-scenes looks at the artists who created the original FX elements and photography during the making of the show. Audiences will also be privy to an unseen sneak-peak of “Measure of a Man.”

Set in the 24th century, The Next Generation was created by Gene Roddenberry over 20 years after the original Star Trek series. The Next Generation became the longest running series of the Star Trek franchise, consisting of 178 episodes over 7 seasons.

Star Trek: The Next Generation 25th Anniversary Event is the first opportunity to see this transcendent digital presentation like no man before, in movie theaters, on Monday, July 23rd at 7:00 PM (local time) with additional late night showings at select movie theater locations.

If you have any questions, please let me know. For more details and ticket information, visit www.fathomevents.com

We’ll see you at the movies!

The July Free Phoenix Pick is here! 

Joan Slonczewski’s Daughter of Elysium

The coupon code is 9991545 and will be good from July 2 through July 31.
Links for downloading the book (as usual) from our online catalogue,
www.PPickings.com

Brief description of the book:

The pristine city of Elysium floats on the water world of Shora, inhabited
by 'immortals' who have succeeded in unlocking the secrets of life.

Outsider Blackbear Windclan wants to share the secret of immortality with
his own people, but can he, and the City of Elysium, survive the
corruption and decadence that immortality has bred into the ageless
society?

And what of the consciousness of self-aware nano-sentient servitors and
their quest for vengeance?

"An enormously impressive achievement...A marvelous array of cultures
presented in astonishing depth"—Kirkus Review

And this is just too fun.

FALLING SKIES - Aliens invade Sunday, June 19th

TNT's new show Falling Skies airs Sunday June 19th at 9pm. I watched the two-hour pilot and the second episode, so I can give you the scoop. A dirty job… ☺ The opening explains that "they", meaning the aliens, came and blew up Earth's major cities, our ships and defenses. Now their clean-up crews have landed and are killing humans on sight – except for the teenagers. They are fitted with an organic "harness" that turns them into mindless drones for the aliens.

The aliens look like large (twice the size of a human), multi-legged bugs. Their head look like a cross between that of the predator and the alien from the movies of those names.

A very poignant scene has Tom Mason's son Hal, played by Drew Roy, telling his Dad that just seven or eight months ago he wouldn't let him ride his bike at night because his bike didn't have a light. Now he's sending him orders to fight invading aliens. Tom, played by Noah Wyle, is a history professor forced into the role of soldier because most of the military has been annihilated. His wife died while gathering food and his middle son, Ben was at a friend's house when their neighborhood was under attack. He and his other sons suspect that Ben has been harnessed by the "skitters".

Tom often gives impromptu history lessons as he makes connections with their situation and historic battles against human invaders or conquerors. He befriends a pediatrician, Dr. Anne Glass, who lost her own child. Dr. Glass (Moon Bloodgood) buries her grief and, instead, helps Tom's youngest child, Matt, and others deal with theirs. One of the most heartbreaking lines is when someone asks Matt if his Dad and brother are ok. He replies, "They were OK this morning. I don't know about now- they're fighting."

I had no complaints about the acting, and the script was excellent. At first I thought it highly improbable that the whole group of several hundred civilians and soldiers would watch while Matt plays with the birthday present his brother scavenged, but then I realized that if I were there, that's what I would do: Look, there's a kid enjoying a birthday present, riding around having fun. Enjoying an oasis of quazi-normality. I'm sure many would. The interplay between family members also rang true for me.

There were many night scenes in which they encounter the aliens and naturally don't want to alert them to their presence with light. But, my imagination can take it. Let me see what's going on! I can pretend that it's actually darker than that.

Any alien apocalypse is not complete without human bad guys, too. Hal and his girlfriend encounter a man named Pope with his gang of thugs to complicate their lives a whole lot more. Pope added needed flavor to the plot. My favorite line so far is his, "Being the leader of a post-apocalyptic gang of outlaws has been exhausting."

I'm looking forward to watching more. TNT says it knows drama. What's more dramatic than alien invasion? And I'm not just saying this because of the way-cool, olive-drab shoulder bag that will double as awesome Firefly gear. ;)

Steampunk Pinkertons, Falling Skies and GANTZ

I may have mentioned this before, but I'm distantly related to the Younger Brothers. They were notorious bank and train robbers who rode with Jesse James. That explains a lot, huh? It was actually the Younger gang before the James brothers joined in. The history of those days is fascinating. Now it's fantastical. Canadian author David Luchuk has re-written it in full steampunk glory. Not the Younger Brothers, but the detective agency that dogged the James and Youngers for years - The Pinkertons.

HarperCollins Canada released this digital audio series, The Pinkerton Files, with three initial episodes, and more to follow in the spring, along with more platforms. It's available now at on iTunes, Audible, Kobo, and other digital retailers. There is also a tie-in e-book. I gave the episodes a listen and was very impressed. The father and sons each relays his own story. As does a female detective, Kate, who is loads of fun with her steampunk skills and audacity. The principal Allan Pinkerton is friends with President Lincoln and is thrown into the birth pangs of the civil war whether he likes it or not. They uncover plots against the President and political plots disguised as robberies.

Battlestar Galactica's Michael Hogan (Colonel Tigh) plays Allan Pinkerton. He said, “Playing Allan Pinkerton was the most fun I’ve had in a while,” said Hogan. “The world that Luchuk has created is a truly amazing place to be.”

Each episode is only 60-90 minutes. It's like listening to an old-fashioned radio show. The series is not just read, it's performed by Hogan and his all-star family.

I mentioned a new Steven Spielberg TNT series, Falling Skies airing in June 2011. Here's the newly released trailer.

Into Japanese science fiction also or instead? GANTZ premieres nationally January 20th for one night along with a live, post-show interview with the actors who play Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato.

Indie film Friday

Big things are happenin' with Browncoat Big Damn Fan Films' Browncoats: Redemption, a fan-made flick. The producers gained the sponsorship of Ustream for its premiere Sept. 4 at 7PM EDT at www.ustream.tv/browncoatsmovie and at the film's facebook page.

You can view a trailer and two more trailers and my interview with director Michael Dougherty and lead actress Heather Fagan in the meantime. Proceeds from the DVD go to the charities set up by Joss Whedon, creator of the Firefly, Buffy the Vampire and Dollhouse series. Browncoats: Redemption picks up where Joss Whedon's Serenity left off. Never heard of Serenity and don't know what a Browncoat is? >gasp< Well, if you don't have plans tonight, now you do. Run out and rent Serenity and Firefly. Most folks in the 'verse come out Browncoats on the other side. ;)

Next month, we have JIM premiering in New York (Oct. 8) and Los Angeles (Oct. 15). Here's the synopsis from the press release:

"Being steadily crushed under the weight of debt, unemployment, and increasing isolation, Jim reaches a breaking point. Over a game of solitary Russian roulette he contemplates an unspeakable act of violence as a way of leaving his mark. He is stopped short by a vision of his deceased wife who convinces him that he should instead focus his remaining resources into an act of creation. Armed with his wife's frozen eggs and a new resolve, Jim secures the services of a large biotech firm to help him create an heir who will be engineered to overcome the obstacles of common men.

"Meanwhile in the distant future Niskaa, the leader of a group of genetically modified beings, controls a race of worker clones in a super-industrialized, post-human Earth. As he tries to restore his decrepit empire he comes face to face with a young clone that shows an unprecedented capacity for reason and empathy. Somehow connected to Jim via dreams, the clone manifests secrets of nature that Niskaa has not accounted for…"



Find out more at www.jimthefilm.com.

Still Films' Rogue Moon is in the funding stage over at kickstarter. The science fiction film is based on the classic 1960 novel by Algis Budrys. I hear there are goodies to be had for your micro-investments.


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Science fiction and fantasy TV - old and new

After nearly a week of the creeping crud (AKA summer cold), I'm starting to return to the land of the living. And I couldn't even catch up on my reading! My head hurt too bad. I hate that. So I watched some science fiction. Would you believe I saw Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the movie) for the first time? It was great. I love Donald Sutherland. Next time I have that much TV viewing time on my hands, I'm going to watch the series. I AM a Browncoat after all. Joss Whedon rocks.

And the new season of Being Human started Saturday. That was a plus! It's on BBC America and it's must-see TV. And then last week, we had the lovely crossover between Warehouse 13 and Eureka.

Here's a clip from a ComicCon panel with the Warehouse 13 cast.


Allison Scagliotti's character, Claudia Donovan, on Warehouse 13 reminds me of Percy Montana from Starhunter. Any Starhunter diehards out there? I keep looking for Tanya Allen. What happened to her? What did we do before Google? I just looked her up. Apparently, she was on Silent Hill. I would have known this if I'd watched it on Sunday when it came on. And she's in a movie called Magic due out some time this year.

Here's a great look at Percy.



I just begged for a review copy of The Evolutionary Void by Peter F. Hamilton. The literary mash-ups with vampires, werewolves and robots have been fun, but now I need some meat.

I'm revamping my blog lists. So far, I've eliminated "author buddies" (sorry guys). My buddies who write science fiction and have updated blogs will reappear in the new SF Author Blogs list which will happen later this week. My blog seems to be growing out of its bounds. I might even add another page for submission guidelines and author resources. How many people scroll to the bottom of this monstrosity?

Brian Gilmore over at Ranker loves lists as much as I do. Today, he sent me this one: Top 8 Geekiest Things Ever Sent Into Space .



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Published again! and media magnetism

I've obviously managed to get on a sci-fi media database. I received two emails in one day this week from TV station marketing people. TLC and Comedy Central both have new shows they'd like me to tell you about.

The Comedy Central show, Ugly Americans, may appeal to the young male audience. It's on the Comedy Central station after 10:30 PM for a reason. Ugly Americans is an animated show featuring various, somewhat less than human (or more than human?) creatures like zombies, devil women and vampires who all invade New York City. Well, invade is not really the right word. They act like freakily dysfunctional New Yorkers who can't last 60 seconds without alluding to sex. It premieres on St. Patrick's Day, believe it or not. It's very much like an animated, but smutty, Men in Black. Trailers can be viewed here.

TLC sent me a press release about Paranormal Court, their one-hour program in which psychic medium, Robert Hansen, helps families who have lost a loved one gain justice and closure. Hmmm. Sounds like Judge Spooky. March 27, 10 PM on TLC.

Now to MY news! A short memoir that I wrote about finding my sister, entitled "The Rosary" has gained new life. After a very long wait, the second anthology to pick it up is now available. The volume is called The Mystery of Fate: Common Coincidence or Divine Intervention? Read more about it and purchase it from Amazon or on the publisher's website. Can't wait to get my copy!

Finally, I learned of this article on writing, Writing a story - 12 important elements of dialog, by A. J. Barnet, on a LinkedIn group and thought it worth sharing. Barnet encourages the use of dialog and gives many basic tips on writing and dialog. I'm a dialogaholic. I still think I need to try screenwriting...



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SF TV - Attack of the remakes

Well, if you're East of the Rockies, you can already tell me how the remake of the series "V" is. If not, check it out with me. ABC 8PM PT.

I received this article link from Christopher Farley, editor of the culture blog for the Wall Street Journal.

Firefly fans will want to take note. Morena Baccarin was Anara on Firefly and the movie Serenity. She was also a nemesis on Stargate SG1.

I also just heard that The Prisoner is getting redone in a miniseries. It's on AMC and begins Nov. 15 starring Jim Caviezel as number 6 and Lennie James (Jericho) as number 147, the content villager who drives a taxi and has a family. It's supposed to have a more satisfying conclusion than the original.

Here's the complete list of the World Fantasy Award winners.


That's it for tonight. I have books to read, shows to watch and interviews to write questions for.

Here are some of the interviewees I've lined up for your reading pleasure:

• Jeff VanderMeer (2009 WFC award nominee)
  
• Ann VanderMeer (2009 WFC award nominee)
  
• Kage Baker (2009 WFC award nominee)
  
• Tim Powers
  
• Jay Lake
  
• Ellen Datlow (2009 WFC award nominee)
  
• Kij Johnson (2009 WFC award winner)
  
• Louise Marley
  
• Nisi Shawl (2009 WFC award nominee)
  
• M.H. Bonham
  
• Madeleine Robins
  
• G. David Nordley & C. Sanford Lowe
  

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Daytime TV

Having been knocked down by a second respiratory virus this year, I was forced to watch TV since my head's imminent implosion and the ice pick behind my eyeball made reading difficult.

When my husband's sick, he watches the History Channel and the Discovery channels. I watch the SF Channel and movies. I would have went out and bought the new SG1 movie if I wasn't so sick. And Hubby got the bug first and had to go back to work, which was all the activity he was up to for the day. Instead, I watched Alien on Tuesday and Aliens on Wednesday. Nice, comforting fare.

On Monday, I was tasked with writing a first person article for my home-town paper. I managed to get that done while I was still fully functional. On Wednesday, my first box of Awesome Lavratt books arrived. :) My husband took the cheesy "here I am with my book" photo that the editor requested tonight. I just hope it's not obvious how sick I felt. The puffiness, at least was down, and my nose not as red.

For any Stargate SG1 fans, I think I found another OOPS. You know it's harder and harder for these things to be missed when we can rewind, record and watch these episodes to death. I watched the episode where they found out that the Russians had their own gate. When the entity goes back through the gate, via Teal'C, he dials the gate. WHY? They were all there because it was stuck dialed to the place he already wanted to go. When did it get shut down? They hadn't fixed it yet, right?

I'm going to crawl back to bed now...