Search found 137 matches

by caliban
Wed Dec 03, 2008 9:20 pm
Forum: The Poetry and Prose of Science and Science Fiction
Topic: The epic mode
Replies: 19
Views: 167495

The epic mode

Athena has recently commented that she is a "frequent writer in the epic mode." I think this is a fascinating point, and I'd like to start a discussion on it. I have many questions, but let me start with two (bundles of) questions: -- How do you define the epic mode and distinguish it from...
by caliban
Mon Oct 20, 2008 12:10 am
Forum: Literature and Cinema
Topic: Broadening Horizons
Replies: 4
Views: 50949

Broadening Horizons

Athena has complained that much of American SF/F is narrow in its vision. I broadly agree, at least in that youngish writers often have read only a narrow range of books. (Not always true; one of the younger writers in one of my writing groups today off-handedly cited Plutarch, Julian Jaynes, and Al...
by caliban
Sun Aug 31, 2008 5:58 pm
Forum: Literature and Cinema
Topic: Battlestar Galactica: Better late than never!
Replies: 2
Views: 37531

I'm a big fan of the re-envisioned series. Some of it has been just fabulous. Some of it has been over-the-top but I'm willing to forgive that. The fourth season, which is half-way done, showed signs of exhaustion, veering even further into bleak black-emoting soap opera. But the cliffhanger of the ...
by caliban
Sat Aug 02, 2008 5:23 am
Forum: Literature and Cinema
Topic: Science fiction/fantasy film recommendations
Replies: 21
Views: 181009

New Miyazaki film

We've discussed Hayao Miyazaki's films here. I'm in Japan at the moment and just saw his latest film, which just opened a couple of weeks ago and hasn't been released outside of Japan. It's about a goldfish named "Ponyo" who dreams of living in the human world. Outside of that, I'm not sur...
by caliban
Mon Jul 14, 2008 4:56 pm
Forum: Literature and Cinema
Topic: Science fiction/fantasy film recommendations
Replies: 21
Views: 181009

We saw Hellboy II last night as well. Great visuals and quirky, intriguing characters. And yet it still devolved into an orgy of violence. I know that's the point of comic-book movies (or at least what Hollywood thinks is the point of them), but still. It's not so much a problem with violence in sto...
by caliban
Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:09 pm
Forum: The Poetry and Prose of Science and Science Fiction
Topic: Icarus Beach: a teaser
Replies: 16
Views: 136700

Another near miss

Well, at least I'm in excellent company

http://www.asimovs.com/forum/discus/sho ... #POST34964
by caliban
Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:52 pm
Forum: The Poetry and Prose of Science and Science Fiction
Topic: Creationism, Intelligent Design, and Evolution
Replies: 33
Views: 236307

Thanks for that link!
by caliban
Fri Apr 04, 2008 4:36 pm
Forum: Literature and Cinema
Topic: Cyberpunk, the new generation
Replies: 19
Views: 140153

Windwalker wrote:Actually, the prequel is out in hardback. I looked at the jacket -- not surprisingly, Shigeru is the main character. I really liked him in the first book, a pity he had to go.
Good. Both Donna and I look forward to reading more of Shigeru. We also really liked him.
by caliban
Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:59 pm
Forum: Literature and Cinema
Topic: Cyberpunk, the new generation
Replies: 19
Views: 140153

I'm still in the middle of the fourth one. There is supposed to be a prequel, too, coming at some point. As with many cases, I think the first book, where you first discover the world, is the best. But I have enjoyed the series as a whole. I myself liked the way the author handled the fantasy elemen...
by caliban
Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:53 pm
Forum: The Art of Science, Fantasy and Science Fiction
Topic: Physics of the Impossible
Replies: 3
Views: 46378

Marie, I haven't read any of Kaku, but he has a respectable reputation. He's probably indulging in a little hyperbole for the sake of sales, but that's not very wrong.

I agree with Athena-- go for it!
by caliban
Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:20 pm
Forum: The Poetry and Prose of Science and Science Fiction
Topic: Creationism, Intelligent Design, and Evolution
Replies: 33
Views: 236307

Yes, Dawkins can be abrasive; I have a lot of criticisms of his extra-science views (but my criticisms are not germane here). But to tell Dawkins and Myers to be quiet is ridiculous. But this is what we have down to, isn't it? It reminds me of the US election -- arguments over who is the "most ...
by caliban
Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:01 pm
Forum: The Poetry and Prose of Science and Science Fiction
Topic: Creationism, Intelligent Design, and Evolution
Replies: 33
Views: 236307

It is ironic that P.Z. Myers was "expelled" from the screening. "Private screening" my foot. Can you spell "hypocrite"? And if something did create the Universe, I bet anything it is NOTHING like the god most xians expect it to be. The views of the Discovery Institute, ...
by caliban
Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:17 pm
Forum: The Poetry and Prose of Science and Science Fiction
Topic: News from Saturn
Replies: 2
Views: 41642

News from Saturn

by caliban
Tue Mar 18, 2008 6:00 pm
Forum: Musings and Chats
Topic: Arthur C. Clarke, 1917 - 2008
Replies: 2
Views: 33544

Arthur C. Clarke, 1917 - 2008

Arthur C. Clarke has passed away at the age of 90. The last of the giants is gone.
by caliban
Tue Mar 11, 2008 1:17 am
Forum: Literature and Cinema
Topic: Fantasy universes and worlds
Replies: 40
Views: 256564

I agree with Athena that the word-for-word adaptation of Master and Margarita made it a bit awkward. I've seen at least two stage productions, one of which was done very much on a shoestring, which were nonetheless faithful and clever and cut to the heart of the story. I thought a lot of the charact...