Film Friday: Skyline Review

Title: Skyline
Genre: Horror/Sci-fi
Directed by: Greg and Colin Strause

• Written by: Joshua Cordes & Liam O'Donnell
• Starring: 

• Eric Balfour
• Scottie Thompson
• Brittany Daniel
• Donald Faison
• Release Date: November 12th, 2010
• Rating: 1/5

What a piece of crap. There. Review is done.

...fine


You know those horror movies where the main characters are shallow, selfish a-holes and, so you could A. care less about the characters and B. don't care when they die and actually are cheering for the opposing side a little? Imagine that, but instead of a slasher flick it is an alien invasion.

The movie follows a group of partiers in LA (what is it about LA and aliens?) who, after a night of revelry, soon find themselves and city under siege from an unknown alien race abducting humanity and killing all who oppose them. The group tries to escape the huge condo building they are in through a variety of ways but end up trying to wait out the attack and pray the military arrives in time.

While I suppose the movie does take up the notion that not everyone is the alien fighting hero and looks at what would happen when a group of (arguably) everyday people are faced with an alien invasion. However, as I said, they are all people I could care less about and the fact that the movie tries hard to make me empathize with them and feel sorry about character deaths is insulting given the fact they previously made it clear these people are selfish a-holes.

Like a slasher flick, there is little plot and even less character development and, just when the movie starts to get interesting (the last 3 minutes of the movie) the credits start to roll, giving the viewer, had they stuck with the movie so long, the finger one last time. The only thing operating in this film's favor is the fact that it is strongly suggested that humanity loses, that we are conquered and the aliens take over the planet and harvest the resource they came here for: human brains. That, and its fun to see Turk from Scrubs get eaten.

I suggest avoiding this movie and, if you want to watch a movie where alien invaders attack and destroy LA, watch Battle: LA or, better yet, ID4.

Don't let the trailer fool you, this movie is horrible.

Book Review: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
Release Date: 1968
Publisher: Doubleday
Audience: Everyone
Pages: 210
Buy the Book: Amazon
Book Rating: 2/5









As I am a big fan of Blade Runner I have always been interested in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which is the book the movie draws from. However, upon reading it, despite going into it knowing it was quite different from the movie, I found the book to be rather flat.

The book follows Deckard, a bounty hunter working for the police, as he tracks down six androids who have escaped to earth. Deckard must not only destroy six dangerous robots, but also come to terms with his own humanity, and the apparent humanity the androids seem to exhibit. This problem comes to the fore for Deckard as he encounters Rachel. Rachel, a representative for the Rosen Corporation (the company that makes the androids) is an androids herself and Deckard must either come to terms with his empathy for androids, or destroy that empathy along with the androids themselves.

My main problem with the book is that it seems to just flounder around, giving over little time to any one thing. This results in many of the issues being explored by the author to be explored only skin deep. You have Deckard's relationship with his wife, with the few people left on the planet, with Rachel, with Mercerism (the religion), his own concerns about his humanity, the android's mission to prove human empathy is a myth, and several other issues all crammed into a relatively short story. At the end of the story I felt that there was little resolution to any of the issues raised in the story. While the floundering of the story and the lack of resolution can be said to reflect the main characters own failings in living a successful/happy life, I'm not buying it.

Another example of the Dying Earth genre (both earth and mars are near barren wastelands with few people living on either planet, entropy and decay slowly destroying everything.) this book, despite being the book that created Blade Runner, is just, well, ok. While I did put my expectations at the door when picking this up, it just seems the quantity of issues was chosen over quality and depth of those issues. I can't particularly say I would recommend it, but I will give a hesitant recommendation to check it out if you are a fan of the movie.

Book Review: The Time Machine

The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
Release Date: 1895
Publisher: William Heinemann
Audience: Everyone
Pages: 250 Pages
Read the Book Here: Project Gutenberg
Buy the Book: Amazon
Book Rating: 5/5








Since I have been discussing 19th Century Dystopian Literature, I can't neglect discussing H.G.Wells who, perhaps, is one of the most influential authors in the science fiction genre, and the Dystopian genre as well. The Time Machine follows a scientist (known only as the traveler) as he, after inventing a time machine, tests it and goes hundreds of thousands of years into the future. When he arrives 800,000 years in the future mankind has already reached the apex of civilization millenia ago and now exists in a fallen state. Further, it is revealed that humans have split into two distinct species, known as the morloc and the eloi. The traveler faces a bleak future as he soon discovers his time machine has been stolen by the morloc's and he must not only try to understand how the world has arrived at such a dark state, but recover his time machine and either travel farther into the future, or, return home.

One of the first science fiction books I read when I was younger, I was fascinated by the potential of mankind when evolution is combined with the passage of time. This concept, I think, has driven not only my search for similar books (Galapagos by Kurt Vonnegut as a quick example) but also in my own writing as well, and my interest in anthropology. The idea that mankind, given different environmental conditions would create such distinct end results as the morloc and the eloi has always fascinated me. That, and much like the traveler, being witness to the passing of all civilization and viewing the end of humanity. 

This novel is one of the earlier examples of the Dying Earth genre, a genre where the author explores a specific type of apocalypse: the utter exhaustion of the earth, sun, life, the universe, and everything (sorry, couldn't resist). Or, to put it simply: entropy. This is seen in The Time Machine as the traveler goes to the very end of time itself.

Much like Frankenstein, apocalypse and post-apocalypse fiction owes much to H.G. Wells and, specifically, The Time Machine. For fans of The Road, Deathlands, and others like them, pay homage to those who created the series and give this book a read.

Book Review: Frankenstein

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Release Date: March 1818
Publisher: Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor & Jones
Audience: Everyone
Pages: 280 (322 in OWC)
Read the Book Here: Project Gutenberg
Buy the Book: Amazon
Book Rating: 5/5







The question of precisely when dystopian literature reared its head in the literary world is debatable, with many scholars leaning towards the latter end of the 19th century, usually citing H.G. Wells oeuvre as the beginnings of the genre. However, I disagree with that as I feel that Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is probably one of the earliest examples of the genre. In the next week or so, I will discuss more about this topic and the concept of 'Dystopian' in my first post examining the genre. Onto the review!

If you have not read the novel, and have only gone by the popular depictions of a shambling brute monster, you will be surprised by the fact that the monster (as it is only known by that name) is intelligent, learns several languages, and engages Dr. Frankenstein in a battle of wits that takes them across the globe and eventually intro the arctic. The monster even demands a wife from Dr. Frankenstein by rights as Dr. Frankenstein has created him and must take responsibility for his actions. However, Dr. Frankenstein, seeing the monstrous end result of his aspirations to create a new human race, refuses to do so, fearing the eventual extinction of human beings across the globe.

If I could sum up this book in one word, that word would be obsession. Dr. Frankenstein's obsession to create the perfect human being, the monsters obsession with destroying Dr. Frankenstein, and Walton's obsession with finding the north pole. With numerous frames and epistolary narratives, Frankenstein explores both creator and creation and how they understand the world around them. The latter half of the novel involves the cat and mouse games between the monster and the Doctor as they try to destroy the other.

Regarded as one of the earliest examples of science fiction, I argue it is one of the earliest examples of dystopian literature. While it does move slow at some points, this is a must read for any fan of the dystopian genre, and outside of the genres it rests in, Frankenstein is a classic and should be read by everyone. It can be picked up for super cheap and is worth the money. I put the 1818 edition up as I used it in a class and the introductory materials give a lot of background on the story and author and gives a lot of perspective on the novel and is a good edition to pick up if you are wanting to toss down more than a few bucks.

Book Review: Storm of Iron

Storm of Iron by Graham McNeill
Release Date: July 2002
Publisher: Black Library
Audience: Everyone/Mature
Pages: 288
Buy the Book: Amazon
Book Rating: 5/5









This book was the first entry in the Warhammer 40,000 (or simply 40k) universe that I read and, man, did it get me hooked on the books from Black Library and Warhammer 40k in general (though I have as of yet to look into the tabletop game, as I have neither the time, money, or inclination). And, from a few people I have talked to and perusing the internet, this book seems to be the first novel many people read in the 40k series, much like Ninja Scroll for anime (at least, 10-15 years ago anyway before the massive influx of anime on western shores).

The book follows a group of Iron Warriors laying siege to a Imperial stronghold to access the treasure inside that may shift the war in Chaos' favor and create a force that is the equal of the Imperial Space Marines. The story follows a number of higher ups in the Iron Warriors as they A. vie with Imperial forces for control of the stronghold and B. vie with one another for control of the campaign.

This book is long, bloody, full of battles and explosions, and a good read. I think McNeill does a really good job introducing the various elements of both sides (the Imperial forces and Chaos forces), the weapons they use, and their general socio-political organization. McNeill, while he focuses on the Iron Warriors, he also gives a decent amount of space for the Imperial officers who are protecting the stronghold. I really can't say too much more without ruining anything but this was a pivotal novel in the 40k universe, is extremely well written, and is highly recommended. If you like war and battles and some intrigue, you will like this book.

Book Review: Deathstalker War

Deathstalker War by Simon R. Green
Published: July 1997
Publisher: ROC (Penguin)
Audience: Everyone
Pages: 528
Buy the Book: Amazon
Book Rating: 5/5
Audiobook Length: 15 Hours
Buy the Audiobook: Defiance Audio
Audiobook Rating: 5/5







At last. The war that has been promised to the reader for over 1000 pages has finally arrived. Out of the three books I have read so far in the series, this is by far the best. Not only does the rising action of the first two books climax with the intergalactic war between the various rebellion factions and the empire, but we also get a fair amount of character development across the board with all of the main characters.

The book was surprising for me in that an number of unexpected twists occur in the final chapters of the novel, and that the author does a good job of setting up the series for the next book(s), and does it without taking 1000 pages to do it. The author also leaves a number of unanswered questions on a number of fronts as well. I suppose I would question the author as to why he went to the trouble of going into such detail about the empire when, by the end of the book, none of it really weighs in on the story itself and is implied by the end of the book that it will cease to be or mutate into something else entirely.

While the book was quite good, full of action and intrigue, I suppose, upon reflection, what the first three books have in common is not exactly filler, but tangential material that doesn't bear upon the plot or, if it does, to little effect. For example, the storyline of the masked gladiator that runs through all three of these books, upon its conclusion, has no bearing upon the story and served no point really in the first place. So, if that's the case, why add it? All you need to say is that Finley is a superb warrior. There. Done. I have communicated the information to you that took pages upon pages in the books. Does Finley's double personas matter? No (or at least thus far) so, why have it? It doesn't add to Finley's character, or enrich the book per-se other than. The Empire has arena battles for entertainment. Bam! Information communicated. Also, the dark void device, the MAIN plot of book 1, is not  mentioned except in passing in books 2 and 3.

I suppose the novels being a space opera in part does allow for the embellishment of the storyline, but it seems that there are just too many bells and whistles in this series that bog down the reader and slow down the story. That being said, Deathstalker War is a good read.

Book Review: Deathstalker Rebellion

Deathstalker Rebellion by Simon R. Green
Release Date: July 1996
Publisher: ROC (Penguin)
Audience: Everyone
Pages: 508
Buy the Book: Amazon
Book Rating: 4/5
Defiance Audio Length: 15 Hours
Buy the Audiobook: Defiance Audio
Audiobook Rating: 3.5/5







Deathstalker Rebellion is similar to the first book in the series-Deathstalker-in that it, too, seems preoccupied with staging the pieces for the third book in the series, Deathstalker War. The main story arc in this book is the rebels various attempts to financially sabotage the empire and to destroy the new stardrive factory on Technos III while simultaneously trying to unite the various rebel forces and come to terms with the changes wrought on them by the madness maze. In addition, this book also introduces a number of enemies to humanity, including Ghost Warriors and two unknown alien species.

I think that the series, at least to this point, suffer from too many characters and too many things going on, the resulting books being slightly bloated and some of the characters getting lost in the shuffle, or pushed towards the back of a large crowd of tertiary characters. You have: the main part of rebels and all the things they are dealing with; the various rebel groups of humans, clones, and espers; Lionstone and her cohorts; the court and the various families vying for power; infighting in the families; humanity fighting aliens; humanity dealing with the Hadenmen and the A.I. from Shub; and the list goes on. . . It is not surprising that both the first and second books in the series are over 500 pages apiece.

However, that being said, the book kept my attention for the most part. There were moments when a group of rebel factions were arguing or scenes with talking that really doesn't do much but serve as filler that my attention waned. But the entire section on Technos III was really good, and Silas and Frost's (my favorite characters) storyline was really good. Although, I was listening to the audiobook on the drive to and from work, so I can't say if I had been given the book to sit down and read, I wouldn't have gotten bored with it and turned to something else.

For all the main characters, other than dealing with the changes imparted by the madness maze, really can't be said to evolve to show personal growth in this novel. Yes, Jack Random comes into his own again, and the various members of the main group start to work better with one another, but other than that, things stay pretty much the same for the characters from the first book.

Overall, this book, while entertaining, is still setting up the pieces but, like a freight train, is slowly, but surely, gathering speed.

Film Friday - The Surrogates Review

Title: The Surrogates

Genre: Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller
Directed by: Jonathan Mostow
Written by:
Michael Ferris,
John Brancato
Starring:
Bruce Willis,
Radha Mitchell,
Rosamund Pike,
Ving Rhames
Release Date: September 25, 2009

Rating 2.5/5

The Surrogates is an idea that had potential, but was left in the lurch when executed. The basic story is that humans, through fear of personal harm or death stay inside while their robotic counterparts-surrogates-take their place in the real world driving, at their job, parties, etc, etc. However, a sect of the population are against the concept of surrogates and a cyber-terrorist develops a program that fries a surrogate on site, with the side-effect of killing the person operating it via. computer programs.

Bruce Willis, a cop, investigates the string of murders that leads him throughout the city through high society and the camps where the anti-surrogate humans live. However, his character's surrogate is destroyed and he must face the world merely human after years of living as a surrogate. Bruce Willis must find the terrorist and stop him from frying the entire mainframe-and all the humans wired into it.

While trying not to sound pretentious, the movie just felt conventional. I really didn't see anything new as far as tropes and plot points go: corrupt upper class, corrupt rebels, main character with one foot in two worlds and having to decide which to stay in, conglomerate majority, scattered minority, etc. That, and the exploring of this new world doesn't show anything that hasn't been seen before (beauty and body are easily sculpted, you can do all sorts of crazy things with your robot body) and nothing more than that is really explored. However, I feel that the makeup/CGI for the surrogates in the film is very successful in that they look human, but are not. The film succeeds in placing the surrogates in the uncanny valley for the viewer.

Also, it feels like many of the characters were phoned in. It seems that Bruce Willis was there for the paycheck. Yes, I understand they are robots and 'expression' should be dulled and all that, but all the acting seemed tired. I would say that the main 'point' the movie was trying to get across (that living vicariously through electronics and the Internet destroys what is human inside of us) is represented in the rocky marriage between Willis's character and his wife. However, this isn't really explored enough I feel to make the audience care about the characters or the negative effected the surrogates have on their marraige and society at large.

That, I feel, is the main failing of the movie. It fails on every account to make me care for the main characters, those in charge, the rebels, and the man who created the system. The only person I felt sorry for was the I.T. guy who got held hostage. And for a tertiary character to be the only one the viewer cares whether they live or die is a bad indicator that the relationship between the characters is flawed to begin with, or the actors fail to accurately portray the characters. I still think its on netflix instant streaming so, if you are bored and want to burn a couple hours watching a dystopic film, The Surrogates has its moments amidst the blandness, but those are few and far between. It's like a bowl of lucky charms with only a couple marshmallows.

Book Review: Deathstalker

Deathstalker by Simon R. Green
Release Date: February 1995
Publisher: ROC (Penguin)
Audience: Everyone
Pages: 528
Buy the Book: Amazon
Book Rating: 4/5
Defiance Audio Length: 15 Hours
Buy the Audiobook: Defiance Audio
Audiobook Rating: 3.5/5






I am a bit torn on this book. I attempted several times to read the book when I picked it up at a thrift store, but it moved too slowly to keep my attention. However, as an audiobook it kept my attention and interest. In short, this novel takes it time telling the story of a corrupt empire and the people, willingly or forced, who rebel against the empire. Owen Deathstalker, an aristocrat, is outlawed by the empress in order to obtain the Dark Void device, a weapon capable of destroying 1000 suns. The story follows Owen Deathstalker as he flees from world to world, collecting a eclectic band of pirates, warriors, and rebels, to locate and keep the device out of the empress's hands.

I enjoy the book primarily because of the heavy doses of political intrigue that abound in the Deathstalker books I have read thus far. From the many aristocratic families trying to kill one another, to the various rebel factions bumping heads, if you desire a book that could be based off of Risk 2042 (provided it covered the entire empire) you will enjoy the book. However, for a sci-fi book, it is slow and while there are aliens and strange devices and new technology, they are few and far between and seem almost like placeholders until the multi-book story gets up to speed. Both Deathstalker and Deathstalker: Rebellion seem like their purpose is to explore this empire as its being created by the author and setting up the pieces for later books to play with.

As a stand-alone book it feels like a series of mini-arcs confined to specific planets than a story-wide arc so, if you plan to just read this and walk away I would recommend reading other sci-fi books in your queue. However, I think once you get into the book (by that I mean several hundred pages) it will keep your interest and you will continue on with the story as it progresses in subsequent books.

Audiobook Content:

While the Deathstalker series aren't rife with sound effects and background music and atmospherics, they do have a full cast, and the narrator from the Deathlands series narrates these as well. However, when the effects are used they stand out more than the Deathlands series and, sometimes, they clash with whats in the story and pull you out of the story. Not bad audiobooks in my opinion.

Book Review: Garbage World

Garbage World by Charles Platt
Release Date: July 1977
Publisher: Leisure Books
Audience: Everyone
Pages: 120
Buy the Book: Amazon
Book Rating: 5/5









I suppose I should start this by stating that I am perhaps bias in my rating of this book as it is one of those guilty pleasure novels for me. I know its probably not a top shelf novel, but I still enjoy reading it, which is the point of books. I stumbled across this book at a small used book store years ago for a dollar (which is now a place that sells liquor and cigarettes...sigh).

The basic story is that a solar system obsessed with cleanliness exports all of their garbage to a defunct asteroid. However, the planet is also home to the descendants of the people who attempted to terraform the asteroid, exiles, and convicts.  A group of surveyors sent to update the asteroids artificial gravity equipment are faced not only with the filth and garbage that is an anathema to them, but the citizens who have learned to live in their surroundings and have developed a culture set in opposition to that of the 'civilized' asteroids.

Oliver, a low-ranking member of the expedition is tasked with the job of ambassador to the 'natives' and the driving force behind the plot is Oliver's attempts to come to terms with...well...dirt, and also how the 'natives' view themselves and the world around them. As Oliver does his own job, he notices that the 'surveyors' are not who they claim to be and perhaps the civilized asteroids have other plans for the garbage world and its population.

Probably a harder pulp novel to come across nowadays but, if you find a copy, I recommend picking it up as it will provide you with a fun afternoon of sci-fi, anthropologists, and garbage.