Next - Another Philip K. Dick Story Turned Movie
April 16, 2007 | 2 Comments
Philip K Dick is maybe the most significant Sci-Fi author in the second half of last century. His stories of often center around varying perceptions of reality. This may be due to drugs, mental illness, or a science fiction plot device. Examples of modern films that are heavily influenced by Dick would include: Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Stranger Than Fiction, etc.
Additionally, there are a number of films directly based off of Dick’s work: Blade Runner (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep), Total Recall (We Can Remember It for You Wholesale), A Scanner Darkly (same title), Paycheck (same title), Minority Report (same title), etc. Most of these movies are not very good. Other than Blade Runner, none of them has garnered much critical acclaim. In most cases the director’s stray wildly away from Dick’s core plot points, merely retaining overall themes.
I would expect this new film, Next based off the short story “The Golden Man”, starring Nicolas Cage, Julianne Moore, and Jessica Beal to be similarly forgettable and poor. However, the fact that Dick’s name is attached to it, means I will pay it closer attention and certainly see it as soon as I have a chance. The trailer is certainly interesting. The movie is due out April 27th.
I hope someday Dick’s stories start to become amazing films. In the meantime, I highly recommend reading anything and everything Philip K. Dick wrote. I especially like his short stories, which in turn are often what become films.
Tags: a scanner darkly, blade runner, do androids dream of electric sheep, jessical beal, julianne moore, minority report, movie, movie trailer, next, next movie, nicolas cage, paycheck, philip k dick. philip dick, sci-fi, science fiction, scifi, short stories, stories, story, total recall, We Can Remember It for You Wholesale
Feedback Comic - November 29th
October 3, 2006 | 3 Comments
The upcoming Feedback comic from Dark Horse will be available on November 29th. This comic is based on the Sci-Fi reality series Who Wants To Be A Superhero?. As expected, it will be authored by Stan Lee. The artist will be Will Conrad who has drawn Serenity and Buffy the Vampire Slayer comics in the past. The book will be 32 pages and full color.
No word yet on the movie release date.
Tags: comic, comics, dark horse, feedback, scifi, stan lee, Who Wants To Be A Superhero, will conrad
Feedback Wins; Comic and Movie Coming Soon!
September 3, 2006 | 7 Comments
Feedback (aka Matthew Atherton) won this past week on Who Wants To Be A Superhero?. I had originally thought this reality TV show was going to be laughably terrible, but in the end I found it to be quite endearing.
In the end, Feedback certainly would have been my choice as well. He was a good person with honest interest in superhero’s ad well as the character traits that make a good superhero or good person. His boyish excitement about each and every step and challenge during the show was fun to watch. Major Victory was a close second in my book, but I was not excited to have Fat Momma as my next Stan Lee authored comic adventure.
I’m surprised to find myself looking forward to another season of this show. In the meantime I’ll be watching for both the Feedback comic from Dark Horse and the Sci-Fi Network movie.
Tags: character, comic, comic book, comics, dark horse, feedback, Matthew Atherton, movie, scifi, superhero stan lee
Who Wants To Be A Superhero?
July 9, 2006 | 3 Comments
Premiering July 27th on SCI FI Channel is Stan Lee’s new 6 episode reality series “Who Wants To Be A Superhero?” at 9PM.
The basic premise is that a bunch of hopefuls will show up in self-made costumes and strut their stuff as a character of their creation. “Lucky” finalists will leave their “normal” lives and compete 24/7 to prove they have what it takes to be true super heroes. They’ll each be tested for courage, integrity, self-sacrifice, compassion, and resourcefulness — all traits that every true superhero must possess.
In the end, one aspiring superhero will be declared the winner of this six-week competition. They will walk away with their character immortalized in a new comic book created by Stan Lee himself and the winning character will also appear in an original SCI FI Channel movie…
I’m a crazy rabid comics fan, but this seems a bit out there even for me. I poked around in the initial gallery of hopefuls and just like American Idol, the real entertainment here may be in seeing who shows up to compete. Everybody loves a train wreck…
Tags: charater, comic, comic book, comic character, comics, sci-fi, science fiction, scifi, stan lee, super hero, superhero, television, tv, Who Wants To Be A Superhero
Lego Serenity
August 23, 2005 | 6 Comments
Jenny sent me along this fantastic Lego creation. This thing is like 3ft long and apparently as accurate to the real Serenity as he could make it. I wish Lego themselves was producing this because I want one in my office.
A couple other great over the top lego things I’ve seen:
Monty Python LEGO - It’s on iFilms and there are some ads to face down in trying to get here, but it’s worth it.
LEGO Rubik’s Cube Solver - a machine made of LEGO that will solve a Rubik’s Cube, crazy!
BrickFilms - a site dedicated to films made with LEGO’s
LEGOLAND - I can’t talk about craziness with LEGs without mentioning the amusement park.
Finally, if you still haven’t seen Joss Whedon’s Firefly you need to before Serenity is released on September 30th, go buy it, the internet will be here to browse when you get back.
Tags: film, firefly, joss whedon, lego, monty python, movie, rubik’s cube, scifi, serenity, tv, tv series
Serenity/Firefly
June 25, 2005 | 5 Comments
My good friend Jenny introduced me to Firefly. For this, I love and hate her. The series is great, but was cancelled after 13 episodes. This means that about the time you start to really get into it, the show starts to develop intriguing questions, BAM! It’s gone.
However, there is a small reprieve. Joss Whedon has now also created a movie extending the series. This movie is Serenity. Serenity comes out September 30th, but I got to see a screening on Thursday night in Boston! The movie rocks, same great character development and story writing, tons of sweet action. This is a must see movie for anyone who likes action/adventure flicks. Especially if you also have seen the series.
Of course if you’ve actually watched the series, I don’t need to tell you…