This week, we finish up our discussion on Genre Blending, and give what we consider to be good and bad examples. Our special guests from The Fellowship of the Geeks discuss their upcoming podcast. This week also sees the return of the SciCon. Since this is podcast 42 the SciCon is none other than Douglas Adams, creator of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
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Today I finished reading the fifth and latest book in A Song of Ice and Fire series: A Dance with Dragons.
If you have listened to the podcast, whether the regular or the special we put out on A Game of Thrones, you know full well how I feel about this series. If you haven’t read these books, I believe wholeheartedly that you should. What you are missing here is something that you can’t get from most TV shows or movies these days; a serious attention to detail and a story that never fails to deliver on its promises. That, of course, is my opinion. If you disagree, take it with a grain of salt.
Let me start off, for the 3 people that may not know this, by saying how I came to this series. Last year, HBO put out the television series and Troy was climbing up the walls about it. He was genuinely excited about the prospect of seeing this story put to camera, and he’d heard a lot of chatter about how right they were making this one. I nodded and there was some interest at first, which the more I thought on it dwindled to barely anything. I like fantasy stuff, but I’m not the biggest fan you’ll find of it. Most people seem to regurgitate the same stuff over and over again. It’s Lord of the Rings and D&D knock-offs (before we start, I know D&D spun out from fans of Lord of the Rings wanting to play in a similar universe, so don’t start on that!) The point of what I’m getting at is that for all the imitators out there, A Song of Ice and Fire is an entire different animal. The problem I found in my head with that animal is that I didn’t want to deal with all the political crap. Whenever it was talked about, the political variances of the Lannisters vs. the Starks got put to the forefront. I don’t much deal in politics. Most politicians move their mouths and I call liar most every time. So a series bogged down in that mire wasn’t my idea of a good time.
As goes with things the man enjoys, Troy would not back down on this one. He sat me down and told me to watch the first episode, so I did. With most things like this, I was fairly certain enjoying it was out the window. Bad pun, for those who know the series. I was pretty much set in mind that this was West Wing with swords. Instead what I got was Sean Bean, Mark Addy & Lena Headey in roles I had never seen them in before. Peter Dinklage was an inspired actor playing an even more interesting character. He’s the guy you know you shouldn’t like, but do because you can’t help it. If you don’t know the names, IMdb will help.
Lena Heady – http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0372176/
Sean Bean – http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000293/
Mark Addy – http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004692/
Peter Dinklage – http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0227759/
These aren’t all the great characters you’ll find in the show, and certainly not all the well-known actors. Still, I think you should prowl around a bit of Game of Thrones and see who all else is there. Maybe even watch the show. Regardless, take it under advisement: THIS IS NOT FOR CHILDREN! It’s on HBO for a reason. I’ve said this before, and I’ll continue to say it, because people tend not to listen for some reason. That’s a topic for another editorial or show.
In any case, I plowed through the 10 episodes and knew what Troy had been talking about. It was a pretty great TV series, but as with all things I wanted to see how it differed from the book. I got a real taste of that on the Mists of Avalon. Marion Zimmer Bradley’s tome and the movie on TNT varied a great deal. So, I had obvious apprehension. Especially considering the weightiness of the books that George R.R. Martin put forth. I shouldn’t have feared about a thing. The book and the series was followed with some changes, but it was so close that it matched dialogue for dialogue. Within a month of buying the book, I was back in the store buying A Clash of Kings, a month after that I had a A Storm of Swords. It went like that up to this last book, which took far longer to read than a month. Knowing full well that The Winds of Winter might be some time in the offing, I took this one slowly. Some people said I was likely to devour it after the slight disappointment of A Feast for Crows, the fourth book in the series. Such wasn’t the case, because Crows was actually my favorite of the series. Also, by measure of the fact that I didn’t have to wait the many years to get A Dance with Dragons, I didn’t have so long in-between characters I hadn’t gotten in the former book. As it was put to me, Crows and Dragons was written as one book and split into two. Dragons had a great deal more that needed to be finished for it, so it took a while. Not to mention GRRM was sick at one point and other projects kept him busy. Nonetheless, the idea that Crows and Dragons was one book made two let me digest it a lot easier. That, and the fact I was reading through all 5 at once vs. what I’m doing now; waiting for the next one.
A Dance with Dragons fills in every character that A Feast for Crows didn’t. While Crows showed us where one story was starting to wind down, it also ramped up something new. Big things were on the horizon and a lot of important people had their eyes towards the same location. No spoilers as to what or where. In Dragons, the book starts out where Crows began, filling out what happened with the major characters since we had last seen them. As big a book as this is, and as massive as the series overall has been, I was wondering how he could continue without floundering around. I started to wonder if some characters would have a point in being there at all. I slap myself in the head for thinking otherwise. Even though there are times where chapters don’t have as big a revelation on something than others, there’s devils in those details that play big into oncoming things. The 959 page hard back was filled with so much details, it made me wonder where it was going to end and how much it would leave for the next to answer. It gave me plenty of excitement to wait for, but it also gave me what I’ve been waiting four books to see. Read or listen to it, and you’ll understand. As per the usual, when you think you’ve had enough of the politics, it’s anticipated and a fight breaks out. Many characters have things to answer for and they get to in sometimes the most brutal of fashions. As ever, the seasons play a heavy toll on these people. You are never let to forget that it’s not just the people that kill, but the very land and weather itself.
I want to give an in-depth review of this right now, but I feel it would ruin it for so many others. There’s so much to mention, but some people are just getting started on the series and I want to give them a chance to catch up. Troy and I are planning to do a podcast for each book, and that should help to give all of you the chance to hear the full glory of it. I recommend having read it first, but if you want to know what you’re getting into then listen in! Today, I write this out of love inspired by what I’ve read to encourage others to read and join in listening (even responding!) to our podcast reviews on them. I don’t beat the drum hard enough on some shows or books. Some of my co-workers may disagree. This one, no matter who believes what, I put on that pedestal of greats.
As I put on my personal Facebook page: I patiently await the next book. I am so excited about it, I can’t tell you. I plowed through the last 140 pages because I couldn’t help it any longer. GRRM need not hasten his pace, because I fear writing something overly fast would only serve to make ruin to this story. He’s found his rhythm on it, and that’s fine for me. I’d rather wait the length and have him pleased then to rush him. Fans should do that for worthwhile creators.
This story came to me last year in the midst of so much bad. I needed the escapism and it served its purpose far better than I could have ever thought a series could. I hadn’t read anything this voraciously since Tarzan. Even at that, these were far larger books than what I got there. Mind you, there are a lot Tarzan books I have yet to read. Still, even the ape man himself couldn’t have inspired me to read this as quickly as I have now. Jon Snow, Dany and her dragons, Ned Stark, Tyrion Lannister… the list goes on of great characters. They drew me back to Westeros as often as I could spare the time to get there. Thank you, Mr. Martin. Thank you, and much love to the lot of wonderful characters until we find ourselves back in King’s Landing or the host of other exotic and wondrous locations.
Yep the subject tells the entire story here. We talk about Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. How they all get grouped together what we like and dislike about it.. And also we have two special guest from the Followship of the Geeks join us. So please welcome Thomas Chick and Les Webster from the Followship of the Geeks
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Word came down from on high last night that the Maker has decided that, with the notable exception of Indy5, Red Tails will be his last big blockbuster film. He intends to stick to art house movies where he started, and while it didn’t specifically say, hopefully to TV as well. His reception in the industry from studios was among the reasons he cited for his retirement. The man had to foot the bill for Red Tails himself because no studio would touch it, despite the fact that he’s one of the big names, this is an amazingly shot film, and it deals with an important part of history.
Another big factor? The negative reaction from Star Wars ”fans.”
“Why would I make any more when everybody yells at you all the time and says what a terrible person you are?”
You can read the rest of the article here.
I don’t know which is worse, getting this news, or reading the reaction from the “fans” on various websites, which pretty much confirm his reasons. I’ve feared this day would come for a long time. Now in all honesty, the man’s 67 years old, so eventual retirement was a foregone conclusion. But to have a legend such as George Lucas bow out for this reason? Well, I can’t blame him. He’s only human, after all, and despite giving us the biggest storytelling franchise in HISTORY, the large majority of the world seems to be plenty mad at him about it. I’ve already read everything from Red Tails being his “white guilt,” to Lucas dedicating himself to full-time alteration of the original trilogy, to “don’t let the door hit you on the way out.” And this is just the overnight response. Seriously?
Star Wars changed the world. I consider myself fortunate to be one of the original fans, growing up with the Saga as it developed from the beginning to the present where we still have the touch of the master’s hand in The Clone Wars and mind-blowing novels like Darth Plagueis. I take comfort in knowing that I’ve been one of his most vocal supporters, but alas, I am only one voice in the crowd of naysayers. I’m with Fanboys director Kyle Newman on this one: if you don’t like it, don’t watch it. If you haven’t enjoyed Star Wars since the 80s, you give it a failing grade. You’re not a fan. Quit wasting everyone’s time with your hatred. Me? I’m a fan. I will still defend the man who gave us all of this, Special Editions and all. I would do so for anyone who has had such a profound and positive effect upon my life.
Best wishes, Mr. Lucas. Thank you for a lifetime of entertainment, and may the Force be with you. I hope you someday come to realize that some of us are on your side and appreciate your efforts.
DC Animated is putting out Justice League: Doom.
Doom is based on Mark Waid’s Tower of Babel story, which finds the members of the Justice League under attack by their enemies. This time their enemies are armed with secret knowledge about each Justice League member. It seems that Batman has been building contingency plans to use against each member of the Justice League if they were to ever turn bad. Somehow the the Legion of Doom manages to hack into Batman’s files and use this info against our favorite heroes.
The best part. The Justice League gang is back together again, well for the most part. The cast includes:
Kevin Conroy as Batman
Tim Daly as Superman
Susan Eisenberg as Wonder Woman
Michael Rosenbaum as Flash
Carl Lumbly as J’Onn J’Onnz
Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern
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Daniel Logan, the actor that played Young Boba Fett in the Star Wars Prequels, was hanging out at a beach near Los Angeles last Friday. Daniel noticed a young girl being pulled in by the undertow of a massive wave. Logan swam out and saved the girl from drowning.
From Yahoo News:
“I was at the beach today & saved a young girl, she was probably about 6 year old, from drowning,” the actor posted on his Facebook page. “She was caught in the undertow of a huge wave.”
He commented on his post later after so many fans told him what a great thing he had done: “I want to thank everyone for all the kind posts. Means a lot to me! I am thankful I was there to be of help to the little girl. Something I will never forget.”‘
Great job Daniel, you’re a real hero!
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It’s rumored that the Star Wars Live Action TV series that has been languishing in development hell is being called Star Wars: Underground, at least by the production team anyway.
With at least 50 completed scripts under their belts, all anyone is waiting on is for, George Lucas to find a more economical way to produce the series. Maybe he should take note from all the other top notch SciFi shows that have been produced over the years. Shows like Star Trek Enterprise, Stargate SG1, Battlestar Galactica (as much as I dislike BSG it looked great). They found a way to produce great looking shows on a TV budget, why can’t Mr. Lucas.
That said I, I’m all for more Star Wars. Star Wars: Underground is set between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, and deals with the criminal underworld of the Star Wars universe. But honestly I don’t really care about the criminal underbelly of the Star Wars Universe. There is a much more interesting story taking place in that same timeframe. I want to see The Great Purge.
Dear Mr. Lucas, give us a TV Series about Darth Vader hunting down and laying waste to all the Jedi. I’m sorry, I think that would be much more interesting than criminals drinking Caf and smuggling shipments of probably Caf, past Imperial Blockades.
I love Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Star Wars is all about the Epic Story, I just can’t get revved up about petty criminals, I fail to see how this will measure up to the Epicness that Star Wars should be. I think/hope that this whole criminal underworld thing is misinformation so if this series ever actually makes it to our screens the story will be a surprise.
So what do you guys think?
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That’s right Noel Clarke, Doctor Who’s Mickey(Ricky) Smith has been cast in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek 2.
The details of Clarke’s role have not been revealed, all that is know currently is that he will play family man with a wife and young daugter.
Clarke is well known in the UK, he co-stared in the 2006 film Kidulthood and went on to write, direct, and star in its 2008 sequel Adulthood. He Also wrote, directed, produced and starred alongside Emma Roberts in the heist film 4.3.2.1.
Star Trek 2 is slated for release on May 17th, 2013.
Looks like we’re going to have a Smith on the Enterprise. Congratulations Noel!
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Fringe returns to our screens on Friday January 13th at 9/8 Central on Fox. I’m looking forward to new Fringe how about you?
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