Comments for SciFi Surplus http://scifisurplus.com Named one of iTunes Best of 2007, SciFi Surplus is all about having fun with geek culture and speculative fiction. Join Casey and the gang for news, commentary and an abundance of laughs. Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:10:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #052 by Tommygun264 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/07/01/scifi-surplus-podcast-052/#comment-1968 Tommygun264 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:57:18 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/07/01/scifi-surplus-podcast-052/#comment-1968 If you are taking suggestions for other movies, I would like to put in my vote for the original 1922 version of Nosferatu, which I know is available on VHS, but I am not sure about DVD. In 1978 Werner Hersog made Nosferatu the Vampyre, which was a faithful recreation with sound, but the imagery and exaggerated acting style of the original silent version should be seen first in order to truly appreciate the German Expressionist style. I would suggest watching the 2000 release, Shadow of the Vampire, which is a fictional depiction of the making of the original Nosferatu in which it theorizes that Max Shrek, the actor who played Dracula in the original film, was a real vampire, a fact known only to the director, portrayed by John Malcovich. Eerily precise recreations of some of the more famous scenes of the original Nosferatu are woven into the story line with a fantastic performance by Eddie Izzard. By the way, you may recall that Max Shrek was the name Tim Burton gave to Christopher Walken's character in Batman Returns - another nod to German Expressionism by Burton. In addition to the unmistakable influence on future better known American horror classics, Nosferatu set the groundwork for the depiction of the monster as a flawed, yet nonetheless sympathetic character in future science fiction and horror films. If you are taking suggestions for other movies, I would like to put in my vote for the original 1922 version of Nosferatu, which I know is available on VHS, but I am not sure about DVD. In 1978 Werner Hersog made Nosferatu the Vampyre, which was a faithful recreation with sound, but the imagery and exaggerated acting style of the original silent version should be seen first in order to truly appreciate the German Expressionist style. I would suggest watching the 2000 release, Shadow of the Vampire, which is a fictional depiction of the making of the original Nosferatu in which it theorizes that Max Shrek, the actor who played Dracula in the original film, was a real vampire, a fact known only to the director, portrayed by John Malcovich. Eerily precise recreations of some of the more famous scenes of the original Nosferatu are woven into the story line with a fantastic performance by Eddie Izzard. By the way, you may recall that Max Shrek was the name Tim Burton gave to Christopher Walken’s character in Batman Returns - another nod to German Expressionism by Burton. In addition to the unmistakable influence on future better known American horror classics, Nosferatu set the groundwork for the depiction of the monster as a flawed, yet nonetheless sympathetic character in future science fiction and horror films.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #052 by Tommygun264 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/07/01/scifi-surplus-podcast-052/#comment-1967 Tommygun264 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:30:19 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/07/01/scifi-surplus-podcast-052/#comment-1967 As always, great podcast, guys. With regard to Metropolis, I just wanted to add that the acting style, which by today's standards is considered way over the top, combined with the imagery and surreal, slightly out of proportion or distorted sets is a film style known as German Expressionism. Another well known German Expressionist film is the original Nosferatu, which came out in 1922 - five years before the release of Metropolis. Some of the elements of German Expressionism, in addition to the overly dramatic acting style and use of backdrops and sets which seem out of proportion or distorted, is the use of the character's shadows in that the shadows themselves at times seem capable of manipulating physical objects - in the original Nosferatu the elongated shadow of the vampire's fingers creep up the stairs ahead of him (check my Facebook avatar) and there is a scene where the shadow of the vampire's hand moves across the sleeping body of the heroine, comes to rest over her breast and then as the shadow hand closes into a fist, the sleeping woman reacts as if her breast has been clutched, even though the vampire's actual physical hand is far away from her chest. Francis Ford Copola created a sort of homage to this technique in Bram Stoker's Dracula in that he actually had Count Dracula's shadow moving independently of his body to portray the character's true desire, strangling the shadow of Kianu Reeves as Jonathan Harker while in reality the physical Dracula makes polite small talk with the unsuspecting Harker. The sets depicting Frankestein Castle in the original Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, lovingly recreated for Mel Brookes' Young Frankenstein, with the crooked, ridiculously wide stair case with no bannister, gigantic doors (with what Gene Wilder referred to has "huge knockers") and the gigantic fire place with a mantle piece which could serve as a terrace, were all inspired by German Expressionism. The short fims made by the character Dieter in the Sprokets sketches for SNL were all parodies of German Expressionism. Tim Burton's live action and animated films all show heavy influence of German Expressionism in his set as well as in his story lines in that the heroes of German Expressionist films are all flawed, not necessarily nice or particularly good people. In Nosferatu, Frankenstein and almost all of Time Burton's films, the most sympathetic "heroes" of the stories are quite literally monsters who in the end display greater humanity and vulnerability than the traditionally "normal" characters around them. As always, great podcast, guys. With regard to Metropolis, I just wanted to add that the acting style, which by today’s standards is considered way over the top, combined with the imagery and surreal, slightly out of proportion or distorted sets is a film style known as German Expressionism. Another well known German Expressionist film is the original Nosferatu, which came out in 1922 - five years before the release of Metropolis. Some of the elements of German Expressionism, in addition to the overly dramatic acting style and use of backdrops and sets which seem out of proportion or distorted, is the use of the character’s shadows in that the shadows themselves at times seem capable of manipulating physical objects - in the original Nosferatu the elongated shadow of the vampire’s fingers creep up the stairs ahead of him (check my Facebook avatar) and there is a scene where the shadow of the vampire’s hand moves across the sleeping body of the heroine, comes to rest over her breast and then as the shadow hand closes into a fist, the sleeping woman reacts as if her breast has been clutched, even though the vampire’s actual physical hand is far away from her chest. Francis Ford Copola created a sort of homage to this technique in Bram Stoker’s Dracula in that he actually had Count Dracula’s shadow moving independently of his body to portray the character’s true desire, strangling the shadow of Kianu Reeves as Jonathan Harker while in reality the physical Dracula makes polite small talk with the unsuspecting Harker. The sets depicting Frankestein Castle in the original Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, lovingly recreated for Mel Brookes’ Young Frankenstein, with the crooked, ridiculously wide stair case with no bannister, gigantic doors (with what Gene Wilder referred to has “huge knockers”) and the gigantic fire place with a mantle piece which could serve as a terrace, were all inspired by German Expressionism. The short fims made by the character Dieter in the Sprokets sketches for SNL were all parodies of German Expressionism. Tim Burton’s live action and animated films all show heavy influence of German Expressionism in his set as well as in his story lines in that the heroes of German Expressionist films are all flawed, not necessarily nice or particularly good people. In Nosferatu, Frankenstein and almost all of Time Burton’s films, the most sympathetic “heroes” of the stories are quite literally monsters who in the end display greater humanity and vulnerability than the traditionally “normal” characters around them.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #050 by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/24/scifi-surplus-podcast-050/#comment-1923 Casey Thu, 26 Jun 2008 13:34:46 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/24/scifi-surplus-podcast-050/#comment-1923 Wow! That's a lot to think about guys. :) I'll be pondering this one for quite a while. Thank you for the donation, Tommygun264. Wow! That’s a lot to think about guys. :) I’ll be pondering this one for quite a while. Thank you for the donation, Tommygun264.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #050 by Tommygun264 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/24/scifi-surplus-podcast-050/#comment-1922 Tommygun264 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:56:37 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/24/scifi-surplus-podcast-050/#comment-1922 My speculation is simple - the dead planet the Galactica Fleet and Cylons landed on is not earth. I'm basing this on three things: 1. The makers have said that the series would end when the colonists found earth and it has been announced that there will be at least ten more episodes in 2009. Although they left it open as to whether the series would end with them setting foot on earth, or some time may pass between the discovery of earth and the final resolution, I doubt they can wring ten more episodes out of that radioactive cinder the cast was left standing on at the end of the most recent episode. 2. The fifth of the final five Cylons is not among the Cylons, of course, nor is he/she among the Galactica Fleet - when #3 (Diana) arrived safely on Galactica she said that there were only four of the final five among the colonists. This means that the fifth and final Cylon must either be bopping around on the dead planet, or they are going to have to go somewhere else to find him/her. 3. At the end of the third season when Starbuck flew up along side Lee in her mysteriously cherry viper and announced that she had been to earth, the image of a brilliant blue earth with fluffy white clouds and a clear view of Florida and the rest of the Eastern Seaboard filled the screen before the camera pulled back and zoomed back in on Starbuck and Lee lightyears away. However, when the Galactica Fleet and Cylon base ship arrived in orbit above the planet everyone assumed was earth, there was no moon visible in orbit and only a thin crescent of the horizon of the planet could be seen. A small, indistinguishable piece of coastline could be glimpsed through the visible clouds, but not enough to distinguish whether or not it belonged to any of earth's familiar continents. The rest of the planet was covered in darkness, making it impossible to see any recognizable features to confirm that they were indeed orbiting the planet earth. All they said was that the star configurations matched their target, but nothing was said or shown to confirm that it was earth - it was only the planet targeted by the mystery viper. As I recall, the Galactica Fleet arrived at a similar red herring bogus earth in one of the first episodes of the original series. The landscape was complete with pyramids identical to the real pyramids of Giza in Egypt and a Great Sphinx, but the face of the Sphinx was obscured by shadows just like the planet that the fleet arrived at in the new series. I can't recall how, but by the end of that episode they determined that it was not earth, but another lost colony abandoned by their ancestors on their way to the twelve colonies. I'm betting that after a sufficient time for overly dramatic self-destructive fits of rage by Adama and the rest of the main characters stretching out over the first and perhaps second episodes in 2009, someone will have a vision that will be confirmed by a previously overlooked passage in the colonist's Holy Scripture, or perhaps the ruins won't match up with the maps of earth in that book Lee was looking at in the last episode, or something else will bring them to the conclusion that the bombed-out planet is not earth and the fleet will head out again, either in cooperation or competition with the Cylons, chasing some new clue pointing the way to the real earth and the final Cylon. Of course I could be totally wrong. My speculation is simple - the dead planet the Galactica Fleet and Cylons landed on is not earth. I’m basing this on three things:

1. The makers have said that the series would end when the colonists found earth and it has been announced that there will be at least ten more episodes in 2009. Although they left it open as to whether the series would end with them setting foot on earth, or some time may pass between the discovery of earth and the final resolution, I doubt they can wring ten more episodes out of that radioactive cinder the cast was left standing on at the end of the most recent episode.

2. The fifth of the final five Cylons is not among the Cylons, of course, nor is he/she among the Galactica Fleet - when #3 (Diana) arrived safely on Galactica she said that there were only four of the final five among the colonists. This means that the fifth and final Cylon must either be bopping around on the dead planet, or they are going to have to go somewhere else to find him/her.

3. At the end of the third season when Starbuck flew up along side Lee in her mysteriously cherry viper and announced that she had been to earth, the image of a brilliant blue earth with fluffy white clouds and a clear view of Florida and the rest of the Eastern Seaboard filled the screen before the camera pulled back and zoomed back in on Starbuck and Lee lightyears away. However, when the Galactica Fleet and Cylon base ship arrived in orbit above the planet everyone assumed was earth, there was no moon visible in orbit and only a thin crescent of the horizon of the planet could be seen. A small, indistinguishable piece of coastline could be glimpsed through the visible clouds, but not enough to distinguish whether or not it belonged to any of earth’s familiar continents. The rest of the planet was covered in darkness, making it impossible to see any recognizable features to confirm that they were indeed orbiting the planet earth. All they said was that the star configurations matched their target, but nothing was said or shown to confirm that it was earth - it was only the planet targeted by the mystery viper.

As I recall, the Galactica Fleet arrived at a similar red herring bogus earth in one of the first episodes of the original series. The landscape was complete with pyramids identical to the real pyramids of Giza in Egypt and a Great Sphinx, but the face of the Sphinx was obscured by shadows just like the planet that the fleet arrived at in the new series. I can’t recall how, but by the end of that episode they determined that it was not earth, but another lost colony abandoned by their ancestors on their way to the twelve colonies.

I’m betting that after a sufficient time for overly dramatic self-destructive fits of rage by Adama and the rest of the main characters stretching out over the first and perhaps second episodes in 2009, someone will have a vision that will be confirmed by a previously overlooked passage in the colonist’s Holy Scripture, or perhaps the ruins won’t match up with the maps of earth in that book Lee was looking at in the last episode, or something else will bring them to the conclusion that the bombed-out planet is not earth and the fleet will head out again, either in cooperation or competition with the Cylons, chasing some new clue pointing the way to the real earth and the final Cylon.

Of course I could be totally wrong.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #050 by Darren the kiwi http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/24/scifi-surplus-podcast-050/#comment-1921 Darren the kiwi Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:57:07 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/24/scifi-surplus-podcast-050/#comment-1921 Hello all, I have a bit of speculation of my own. I am of the opinion, that this has happen before because. Years ago, the humans makers of the ever-helpful cylon robots. Left for earth on mass as a political or religious migration for the a Promised Land. The humans left behind carried on and built a society with cylons as workers. Over the years the cylons became sentient and a war took place. The war was not the one we witnessed in the razor or the exodus from the 12 colonies. But a quite coop the humans were wiped out. Over the years the cylons created a religion of their own with humans and cylons mixed to create a machine religious utopian ideal of equality. But there were no human to share this with. Then they need to make this ideal manifest. They need to find the humans who left years ago, the only ones left. They sent out cylon warriors to find earth a wholly grail for the cylon Auther and Knights to quests for. When they did not return their myths were integrated in the cylon religion and a new plan was required. Who better to find the humans than the humans. They recreated the colonies populated with cylon/human hybrids that were unaware of there cylon half. Allowed the colonies to thrive. Then gave them a reason to find the humans….. War! Or not. What do you think? Darren Hello all,
I have a bit of speculation of my own. I am of the opinion, that this has happen before because.

Years ago, the humans makers of the ever-helpful cylon robots. Left for earth on mass as a political or religious migration for the a Promised Land. The humans left behind carried on and built a society with cylons as workers. Over the years the cylons became sentient and a war took place. The war was not the one we witnessed in the razor or the exodus from the 12 colonies. But a quite coop the humans were wiped out.

Over the years the cylons created a religion of their own with humans and cylons mixed to create a machine religious utopian ideal of equality. But there were no human to share this with.

Then they need to make this ideal manifest. They need to find the humans who left years ago, the only ones left. They sent out cylon warriors to find earth a wholly grail for the cylon Auther and Knights to quests for.

When they did not return their myths were integrated in the cylon religion and a new plan was required.

Who better to find the humans than the humans. They recreated the colonies populated with cylon/human hybrids that were unaware of there cylon half. Allowed the colonies to thrive. Then gave them a reason to find the humans….. War!

Or not. What do you think?

Darren

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by John Hazard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1916 John Hazard Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:45:55 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1916 Hey, Darth Byron: "...Kirk was know as the Maverick of Starfleet. The one who was aggressive and took matters into his own hands even if he had to blow up a federation starship to destroy a Klingon threat. Gene Rodenberry was still alive for that one remember." Actually, after the first movie Roddenberry had no control over Trek until he was brought back in to start up Next Gen. That show really showed the Roddenberry ideal of truly evolved people, and after he died the Alpha Quadrant got mired in one war after another. I know war is a part of life now, and conflicts will always be unavoidable, but Trek stands out as showing a future when mankind chooses to truly live up to his potential, embrace peace, and break the eternal cycle of war by leaving behind greed and fear. At least it's supposed to. Starship Troopers and Aliens may be fun futures to visit, but I wouldn't want to live in them- or dwell on them too much. You are 100% right though about Padme, and the prequel movies ARE good. Hey, Darth Byron:
“…Kirk was know as the Maverick of Starfleet. The one who was aggressive and took matters into his own hands even if he had to blow up a federation starship to destroy a Klingon threat. Gene Rodenberry was still alive for that one remember.”

Actually, after the first movie Roddenberry had no control over Trek until he was brought back in to start up Next Gen. That show really showed the Roddenberry ideal of truly evolved people, and after he died the Alpha Quadrant got mired in one war after another.

I know war is a part of life now, and conflicts will always be unavoidable, but Trek stands out as showing a future when mankind chooses to truly live up to his potential, embrace peace, and break the eternal cycle of war by leaving behind greed and fear. At least it’s supposed to. Starship Troopers and Aliens may be fun futures to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live in them- or dwell on them too much.

You are 100% right though about Padme, and the prequel movies ARE good.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #048 Council by John Hazard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-048-council/#comment-1915 John Hazard Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:30:12 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-048-council/#comment-1915 Don't hold back the flow! ;-) I'm glad you mentioned Farragut- I meant to give them more of a push, I love them. Hidden Frontier has great, fun characters. I don't care about some of the rough edges if you do good Trek with heart. If you like originality in your Trek fan films, what about Starship Exeter? Sure, they haven't finished their final act yet, but what they've done so far on "The Tressaurian Intersection" is the most authentic and original TOS fan production ever. The teaser act alone gives me chills every time I watch it. Don’t hold back the flow! ;-)

I’m glad you mentioned Farragut- I meant to give them more of a push, I love them.

Hidden Frontier has great, fun characters. I don’t care about some of the rough edges if you do good Trek with heart.

If you like originality in your Trek fan films, what about Starship Exeter? Sure, they haven’t finished their final act yet, but what they’ve done so far on “The Tressaurian Intersection” is the most authentic and original TOS fan production ever. The teaser act alone gives me chills every time I watch it.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #049 by John Hazard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/19/scifi-surplus-podcast-049/#comment-1914 John Hazard Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:22:50 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/19/scifi-surplus-podcast-049/#comment-1914 1: Ice Pirates is a comedy, it doesn't have to make sense- but it's hilarious, and you can't beat Bruce Vilanch's disembodied head! 4: Predator!!!! How could we have missed that!!!! By the way... Top 10 Films to Watch: 1. Blade Runner -YES 2. The Matrix -I prefer pt. 2! 3. The Terminator -that was T2, right? Then YES 4. 2001: A Space Odyssey -actually boring, yet awesome. 5. Jurassic Park -for kids 6. Close Encounters of the Third Kind -a favorite 7. The Day After Tomorrow -Seriously? C'mon! 8. The Day the Earth Stood Still -Of Course. 9. Children of Men -I thought it was OK. 10. Armageddon -Silly fun, but NO. Top 10 Television Series to Watch: 1. Firefly -pretty good (sorry guys!) 2. Battlestar Galactica (2004) -yeah, yeah 3. The X-Files -Natch! 4. Heroes -after season 2? NO 5. Stargate: SG-1 -never got thru an ep. 6. Doctor Who -should be number 2 7. Star Trek: The Next Generation -of course 8. Babylon 5 -yeah 9. Star Trek -NUMBER ONE 10. Buffy The Vampire Slayer -if you're a teenage girl (sorry guys!) Casey: Top 10 Books to Read I'm sorry to say I haven't read much fiction, but 1984 was the reason I went to Pratt Film School. 1: Ice Pirates is a comedy, it doesn’t have to make sense- but it’s hilarious, and you can’t beat Bruce Vilanch’s disembodied head!

4: Predator!!!! How could we have missed that!!!!

By the way…

Top 10 Films to Watch:
1. Blade Runner -YES
2. The Matrix -I prefer pt. 2!
3. The Terminator -that was T2, right? Then YES
4. 2001: A Space Odyssey -actually boring, yet awesome.
5. Jurassic Park -for kids
6. Close Encounters of the Third Kind -a favorite
7. The Day After Tomorrow -Seriously? C’mon!
8. The Day the Earth Stood Still -Of Course.
9. Children of Men -I thought it was OK.
10. Armageddon -Silly fun, but NO.

Top 10 Television Series to Watch:
1. Firefly -pretty good (sorry guys!)
2. Battlestar Galactica (2004) -yeah, yeah
3. The X-Files -Natch!
4. Heroes -after season 2? NO
5. Stargate: SG-1 -never got thru an ep.
6. Doctor Who -should be number 2
7. Star Trek: The Next Generation -of course
8. Babylon 5 -yeah
9. Star Trek -NUMBER ONE
10. Buffy The Vampire Slayer -if you’re a teenage girl (sorry guys!)

Casey: Top 10 Books to Read
I’m sorry to say I haven’t read much fiction, but 1984 was the reason I went to Pratt Film School.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #050 by John Hazard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/24/scifi-surplus-podcast-050/#comment-1913 John Hazard Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:12:01 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/24/scifi-surplus-podcast-050/#comment-1913 It's not a spoiler if it's just speculation. SPILL IT!! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one annoyed with the pacing on the show. So I'm not just a miserable naysayer! Also glad to hear you mention the TRICKS, I wish I had brought that up- showing Tigh shooting Adama or the President being told she's a Cylon is TOTAL B.S. and a dramatic cheat. More lazy, unimaginative writing from this allegedly smart show. In the long (and unfair) interim until Galactica returns you might want to give B5 a try. I'm not a fan, and I might not start with the first few episodes as it took a while for the show to find itself, but I have to say, the Shadow War shows what empty drama this Cylon stuff really is. The climax of the Shadow War sent chills down my spine. It’s not a spoiler if it’s just speculation. SPILL IT!!

I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one annoyed with the pacing on the show. So I’m not just a miserable naysayer!

Also glad to hear you mention the TRICKS, I wish I had brought that up- showing Tigh shooting Adama or the President being told she’s a Cylon is TOTAL B.S. and a dramatic cheat. More lazy, unimaginative writing from this allegedly smart show.

In the long (and unfair) interim until Galactica returns you might want to give B5 a try. I’m not a fan, and I might not start with the first few episodes as it took a while for the show to find itself, but I have to say, the Shadow War shows what empty drama this Cylon stuff really is. The climax of the Shadow War sent chills down my spine.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #050 by Tommygun264 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/24/scifi-surplus-podcast-050/#comment-1900 Tommygun264 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:46:20 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/24/scifi-surplus-podcast-050/#comment-1900 As always, great show guys. I discovered the podcasts a few months ago and I guess you could say that I am a lurker in that I have been listening and only recently took the time to make comments or contribute to the cost of running the site. BTW I made my donation under my Paypal account name, middlemansales. I never allowed myself to get involved in the Babylon 5 series, so a good deal of this episode was lost on me. I was hoping to hear more comments about Battlestar Galactica and speculation on where the series is going. I agree with the observation that the pacing of the series was particularly bad, with entire episodes devoted to side stories about Starbuck's decent into insanity and Lee's seeming eternal exit from Galactica and his military position to transition into a political career, but then to have the humans and cylons form a more stable truce, find earth and showing what they found all in the last few minutes of the last episode for this year. As a viewer of the series I felt a bit screwed by the rush to a resolution - especially since that resolution is a false one because there are 10 more episodes scheduled for next year. I was surprised when no one voiced my take on the ending, which I thought was quite obvious to anyone who has watched the series and become familiar with some of the previous plot twists of the past. I'm busting to mention it, but I don't know if this is the right place because if my assumption turns out to be correct it would be a major spoiler and unlike the episode itself, this comments section doesn't have a SPOILER ALERT warning. I don't want to overstep my bounds. But I will repeat, the part about them arriving at earth and what they found contained some clues which I believe would be obvious to anyone familiar with the tricks the writers have played in the past. As always, great show guys. I discovered the podcasts a few months ago and I guess you could say that I am a lurker in that I have been listening and only recently took the time to make comments or contribute to the cost of running the site. BTW I made my donation under my Paypal account name, middlemansales. I never allowed myself to get involved in the Babylon 5 series, so a good deal of this episode was lost on me. I was hoping to hear more comments about Battlestar Galactica and speculation on where the series is going. I agree with the observation that the pacing of the series was particularly bad, with entire episodes devoted to side stories about Starbuck’s decent into insanity and Lee’s seeming eternal exit from Galactica and his military position to transition into a political career, but then to have the humans and cylons form a more stable truce, find earth and showing what they found all in the last few minutes of the last episode for this year. As a viewer of the series I felt a bit screwed by the rush to a resolution - especially since that resolution is a false one because there are 10 more episodes scheduled for next year. I was surprised when no one voiced my take on the ending, which I thought was quite obvious to anyone who has watched the series and become familiar with some of the previous plot twists of the past. I’m busting to mention it, but I don’t know if this is the right place because if my assumption turns out to be correct it would be a major spoiler and unlike the episode itself, this comments section doesn’t have a SPOILER ALERT warning. I don’t want to overstep my bounds. But I will repeat, the part about them arriving at earth and what they found contained some clues which I believe would be obvious to anyone familiar with the tricks the writers have played in the past.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #048 Council by Tommygun264 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-048-council/#comment-1899 Tommygun264 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:12:04 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-048-council/#comment-1899 I discovered a lot of these Star Trek fan sites about the same time I discovered SciFiSurplus, a few months ago. Not to take away from any of the others, the technical quality of the Star Trek New Voyages (now Star Trek Phase 2) and Star Trek Starship Farragut were most impressive to me in that they used live action characters with real sets that were worthy of a broadcast series. Although the makers of Star Trek Phase 2 have been more prolific, I have to say I like Starship Farragut best because they involve new characters than the original series. Star Trek Phase 2 resurrects the original characters from the original show and in my opinion that is always going to fall short of the mark in that you can't help but compare the new actors to the originals - it's like the Enterprise is being manned by an entire crew made up of second Darrens from Bewitched. Star Trek Hidden Frontier and it's spin-offs uses green screen and the acting is a bit over the top and hokey at times, but they are the most thoroughly imaginative story lines and you do tend to get addicted and overlook the technical shortcomings. The Hidden Frontier and subsequent spin-offs also release their blooper reels and I think that helps you get into the series more because you realize these are amateur actors in a 21st Century equivalent of a community theater and they are doing what they do because they love it and not because they are paid to or necessarily seeking to further their acting careers. They do a hell of a lot better than I ever could, that is for sure. Oops. Sorry for getting carried away. It appears my first comment on this site is in danger of becoming a novella. Hope this won't get me barred from making further comments. I discovered a lot of these Star Trek fan sites about the same time I discovered SciFiSurplus, a few months ago. Not to take away from any of the others, the technical quality of the Star Trek New Voyages (now Star Trek Phase 2) and Star Trek Starship Farragut were most impressive to me in that they used live action characters with real sets that were worthy of a broadcast series. Although the makers of Star Trek Phase 2 have been more prolific, I have to say I like Starship Farragut best because they involve new characters than the original series. Star Trek Phase 2 resurrects the original characters from the original show and in my opinion that is always going to fall short of the mark in that you can’t help but compare the new actors to the originals - it’s like the Enterprise is being manned by an entire crew made up of second Darrens from Bewitched.

Star Trek Hidden Frontier and it’s spin-offs uses green screen and the acting is a bit over the top and hokey at times, but they are the most thoroughly imaginative story lines and you do tend to get addicted and overlook the technical shortcomings. The Hidden Frontier and subsequent spin-offs also release their blooper reels and I think that helps you get into the series more because you realize these are amateur actors in a 21st Century equivalent of a community theater and they are doing what they do because they love it and not because they are paid to or necessarily seeking to further their acting careers. They do a hell of a lot better than I ever could, that is for sure.

Oops. Sorry for getting carried away. It appears my first comment on this site is in danger of becoming a novella. Hope this won’t get me barred from making further comments.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #049 by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/19/scifi-surplus-podcast-049/#comment-1895 Casey Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:32:34 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/19/scifi-surplus-podcast-049/#comment-1895 Thanks for the great comments. :) Thanks for the great comments. :)

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #049 by Jeff http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/19/scifi-surplus-podcast-049/#comment-1893 Jeff Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:20:04 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/19/scifi-surplus-podcast-049/#comment-1893 Loved this episode guys. Was surprised that no one mentioned the Predator's weapons. Fist knives, spear and net. All melee. Keep up the great work. Loved this episode guys. Was surprised that no one mentioned the Predator’s weapons. Fist knives, spear and net. All melee. Keep up the great work.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #049 by Cogitator X http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/19/scifi-surplus-podcast-049/#comment-1877 Cogitator X Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:30:54 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/19/scifi-surplus-podcast-049/#comment-1877 Great show guys and I hope you can do more on melee weapons! It should be pointed out that Asimov's Nueronic whip and "blaster" are kind of the granddaddy's of SCIFI weapons. I'm not certain if the Nueronic whip is a melee weapon or not. Also it seems non-lethal weapons should be a topic such as the Babylon-5 stun batons, the Zats from Stargate SG1, etc. Great show guys and I hope you can do more on melee weapons! It should be pointed out that Asimov’s Nueronic whip and “blaster” are kind of the granddaddy’s of SCIFI weapons. I’m not certain if the Nueronic whip is a melee weapon or not. Also it seems non-lethal weapons should be a topic such as the Babylon-5 stun batons, the Zats from Stargate SG1, etc.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #049 by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/19/scifi-surplus-podcast-049/#comment-1876 Casey Mon, 23 Jun 2008 19:06:34 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/19/scifi-surplus-podcast-049/#comment-1876 Oh, we totally didn't bring that up at all. :) Robots with swords. That is silly. Oh, we totally didn’t bring that up at all. :) Robots with swords. That is silly.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #049 by SGT Sonic http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/19/scifi-surplus-podcast-049/#comment-1873 SGT Sonic Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:30:17 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/19/scifi-surplus-podcast-049/#comment-1873 Melee weapons that just didn't make sense: All the robots in Ice Pirates used swords. Most of the humans used swords, too. It just seemed that they pushed the whole sword-thing too far and too hard. It doesn't work. Of course, the who movie didn't really work. Melee weapons that just didn’t make sense:

All the robots in Ice Pirates used swords. Most of the humans used swords, too. It just seemed that they pushed the whole sword-thing too far and too hard. It doesn’t work. Of course, the who movie didn’t really work.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #048 Council by Trekscribbler http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-048-council/#comment-1851 Trekscribbler Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:24:37 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-048-council/#comment-1851 Great links! I've downloaded a few of these and loaded up my MP3 player. Great links! I’ve downloaded a few of these and loaded up my MP3 player.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #047 by John Hazard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/15/scifi-surplus-podcast-047/#comment-1802 John Hazard Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:07:34 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/15/scifi-surplus-podcast-047/#comment-1802 Hey, Darren the kiwi, I know how you feel when something you really like is adapted to film not quite the way you had hoped. I feel that way about the Hellboy movies. I love the comic, especially Mignola's art, and I don't know why del Toro strays so far from the original storylines and design. On the other hand, I don't let it bother me too much. I'm still glad the movies are being made. It doesn't take away from the original. Filmmakers have to make certain changes when they take a story from one medium to another. I think they usually go too far- when they love and honor the original, you get something like Iron Man. When they think their "vision" is greater, you get Superman Returns. It sucks, but it's just another interpretation, and there's nothing you can do about it (except maybe make a fan film!). It's true Nickelodeon/Paramount have been traditionally cheap in their movie budgets (I know- I work for them), but I'm sure with a big name like Shyamalan behind it they can do a lot of cool things with Avatar. It'll be an interpretation worth watching, and hopefully M. Night will leave the story alone. That said, if they mess up Star Trek, the streets will run red with blood! >:-) Hey, Darren the kiwi,
I know how you feel when something you really like is
adapted to film not quite the way you had hoped. I feel that way about the
Hellboy movies. I love the comic, especially Mignola’s art, and I don’t know
why del Toro strays so far from the original storylines and design.
On the other hand, I don’t let it bother me too much. I’m still glad
the movies are being made. It doesn’t take away from the original.
Filmmakers have to make certain changes when they take a story from one
medium to another. I think they usually go too far- when they love and honor
the original, you get something like Iron Man. When they think their
“vision” is greater, you get Superman Returns. It sucks, but it’s just
another interpretation, and there’s nothing you can do about it (except
maybe make a fan film!).
It’s true Nickelodeon/Paramount have been traditionally cheap in
their movie budgets (I know- I work for them), but I’m sure with a big name like Shyamalan behind it they can do a lot of cool things with Avatar. It’ll be an interpretation worth watching, and hopefully M. Night will leave the story alone.

That said, if they mess up Star Trek, the streets will run red with blood! >:-)

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #048 Council by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-048-council/#comment-1798 Casey Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:21:52 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-048-council/#comment-1798 I wasn't aware of many of them either. This was a very enlightening discussion indeed! I wasn’t aware of many of them either. This was a very enlightening discussion indeed!

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #048 Council by Richard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-048-council/#comment-1786 Richard Thu, 19 Jun 2008 02:43:34 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-048-council/#comment-1786 Wow! I didn't know that there were so many fan fiction films out there! I am going to have to check these out! Thanks for the info! Wow! I didn’t know that there were so many fan fiction films out there! I am going to have to check these out! Thanks for the info!

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by Chris http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1757 Chris Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:02:03 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1757 Chuck, You're right about most authors focusing on the naval aspect of space warfare. I think a lot of it is because warfare between star systems would be much like warfare in an island dotted ocean. The example from history that comes to mind is World War II's Pacific Theater. Although the land actions during that war were bitter, hotly contested, and showed the need for combined forces (Iwo Jima, Saipan, Guadalcanal), the might of the Japanese military was broken at sea. Many of the battles during that time took place _almost_ entirely between naval forces (Pearl Harbor, Midway, Coral Sea, Battle of the Philippine Sea, Leyte Gulf). Also, many of the weapons that some authors postulate to exist in these future wars would devastate the very planets they're fighting for. I would, however, love to see more speculative fiction based on planetside conflict. Paul mentioned the Posleen ("Legacy of the Alldenata") wars by John Ringo. There's also David Drake's "Hammer's Slammers" and Keith Laumer's "Bolo" works. Chris Chuck,

You’re right about most authors focusing on the naval aspect of space warfare. I think a lot of it is because warfare between star systems would be much like warfare in an island dotted ocean. The example from history that comes to mind is World War II’s Pacific Theater. Although the land actions during that war were bitter, hotly contested, and showed the need for combined forces (Iwo Jima, Saipan, Guadalcanal), the might of the Japanese military was broken at sea. Many of the battles during that time took place _almost_ entirely between naval forces (Pearl Harbor, Midway, Coral Sea, Battle of the Philippine Sea, Leyte Gulf).

Also, many of the weapons that some authors postulate to exist in these future wars would devastate the very planets they’re fighting for.

I would, however, love to see more speculative fiction based on planetside conflict. Paul mentioned the Posleen (”Legacy of the Alldenata”) wars by John Ringo. There’s also David Drake’s “Hammer’s Slammers” and Keith Laumer’s “Bolo” works.

Chris

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #047 by A. Dave Lewis http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/15/scifi-surplus-podcast-047/#comment-1753 A. Dave Lewis Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:17:21 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/15/scifi-surplus-podcast-047/#comment-1753 FANBOYS sounds less like CLERKS in content and a little more like a mesh of FREE ENTERPRISE & TREKKIES for the STAR WARS crowd. It sounds excellent in any event. FANBOYS sounds less like CLERKS in content and a little more like a mesh of FREE ENTERPRISE & TREKKIES for the STAR WARS crowd. It sounds excellent in any event.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #047 by Richard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/15/scifi-surplus-podcast-047/#comment-1742 Richard Mon, 16 Jun 2008 03:51:36 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/15/scifi-surplus-podcast-047/#comment-1742 You know, I never heard of "Fanboys" until this podcast. I'll be sure to see the movie when it finally comes out! You know, I never heard of “Fanboys” until this podcast. I’ll be sure to see the movie when it finally comes out!

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #047 by Darren the kiwi http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/15/scifi-surplus-podcast-047/#comment-1731 Darren the kiwi Sun, 15 Jun 2008 21:42:11 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/15/scifi-surplus-podcast-047/#comment-1731 Animation is a way of telling the story that provides the unique visual and story telling tools. I have a great deal of joy about the last air bender film as it is a fantastic story. My concerns are that they do not transition to current major story arc to the big screens. As this will that to long to come to an end and i do not want "another" live actor to bring balance I want the Ang of the current story. That was my fan boy voice. Additionally that, M. NIght Shymalan is not allowed anywhere near the story. Have we not suffered enough. He had one mega hit and then each and every move has a bad twist that everyone knows is coming. I also wonder how they will be able to get the visual affect to port to live action. Which kid are they going to get to shave his head? And the bending effects will be difficult to replicate with live action. Unless they use a lot of expensive CG which has not been available previously in Nickelodeon big screen budget/transfers. Thanks for reading. Darren Animation is a way of telling the story that provides the unique visual and story telling tools. I have a great deal of joy about the last air bender film as it is a fantastic story.

My concerns are that they do not transition to current major story arc to the big screens. As this will that to long to come to an end and i do not want “another” live actor to bring balance I want the Ang of the current story. That was my fan boy voice.

Additionally that, M. NIght Shymalan is not allowed anywhere near the story. Have we not suffered enough. He had one mega hit and then each and every move has a bad twist that everyone knows is coming.

I also wonder how they will be able to get the visual affect to port to live action. Which kid are they going to get to shave his head? And the bending effects will be difficult to replicate with live action. Unless they use a lot of expensive CG which has not been available previously in Nickelodeon big screen budget/transfers.

Thanks for reading.
Darren

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by DarthByron http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1719 DarthByron Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:46:10 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1719 Well I tried to stay out of this one but what the Hell. Anyway. I'm with Vince on the Star Trek issue. Also there is only so much diplomacy and exploration. Even though human kind has evolved into treating things diplomatically, which is great, doesn't mean other species have done the same thing. What causes human kind to rethink things and stop war could have easily caused the opposite affect. Look at the Klingons and Romulans... Who by the way was constantly battling with Capt Kirk. Kirk fought back in defense. Just because it didn't go to all out "war" doesn't mean it isn't the exact same thing. Also Kirk was know as the Maverick of Starfleet. The one who was aggressive and took matters into his own hands even if he had to blow up a federation starship to destroy a Klingon threat. Gene Rodenberry was still alive for that one remember. Furthermore I am going to finish my rantings with this: Stop dogging Padme!!! She's a freakin babe and I'm going to marry Natalie Portman some day. She's also a genious! Episodes I II and III may not have been better than IV V and VI but the were still good damn it!!! As with anything there are crappy parts! Get over it! OK I'm done now. Thanks. Great show!!! Well I tried to stay out of this one but what the Hell. Anyway. I’m with Vince on the Star Trek issue. Also there is only so much diplomacy and exploration. Even though human kind has evolved into treating things diplomatically, which is great, doesn’t mean other species have done the same thing. What causes human kind to rethink things and stop war could have easily caused the opposite affect. Look at the Klingons and Romulans…
Who by the way was constantly battling with Capt Kirk. Kirk fought back in defense. Just because it didn’t go to all out “war” doesn’t mean it isn’t the exact same thing. Also Kirk was know as the Maverick of Starfleet. The one who was aggressive and took matters into his own hands even if he had to blow up a federation starship to destroy a Klingon threat. Gene Rodenberry was still alive for that one remember.

Furthermore I am going to finish my rantings with this: Stop dogging Padme!!! She’s a freakin babe and I’m going to marry Natalie Portman some day. She’s also a genious! Episodes I II and III may not have been better than IV V and VI but the were still good damn it!!! As with anything there are crappy parts! Get over it!

OK I’m done now. Thanks. Great show!!!

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1502 Casey Sat, 07 Jun 2008 22:23:30 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1502 Very good thoughts, everyone. :) Very good thoughts, everyone. :)

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by Paul http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1464 Paul Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:24:10 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1464 If you look at what Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan" did for depicting combat, and then combine that with Lucas' visionary team, you could make one heckuva sci-fi war film. Imagine what Spielberg's "War of the Worlds" would look like when filmed from a military perspective....or even a TOTAL remake of "Starship Troopers"....no more Verhooven. But, to capture the book the way R.H. intended they should make it into a SciFi channel mini-series on the scale of BSG. That would be so epic!!! Powersuits and cool earings for all! If you look at what Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” did for depicting combat, and then combine that with Lucas’ visionary team, you could make one heckuva sci-fi war film. Imagine what Spielberg’s “War of the Worlds” would look like when filmed from a military perspective….or even a TOTAL remake of “Starship Troopers”….no more Verhooven. But, to capture the book the way R.H. intended they should make it into a SciFi channel mini-series on the scale of BSG. That would be so epic!!! Powersuits and cool earings for all!

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by Paul http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1463 Paul Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:18:46 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1463 I agree! Just skip all those idiotic love scenes with Anakin and Panda-bear and its a much better movie. I agree! Just skip all those idiotic love scenes with Anakin and Panda-bear and its a much better movie.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by Chuck http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1462 Chuck Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:54:30 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1462 its just too bad we had to wait over 90 minutes just to get to that one sequence of scenes. its just too bad we had to wait over 90 minutes just to get to that one sequence of scenes.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by Paul http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1461 Paul Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:43:40 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1461 Chuck, Man, I loved "Space: Above and Beyond" but I do agree with you on why they would send very expensive, highly trained pilots to do grunt work. But, thanks to the typical Fox decision-making process, we will never see who wins the war against the Chigs. The combined arms effort would be more cool. That's what floored me in "Iron Man". I guess the Air Force is totally running the show over in Afghanistan. When Tony Stark was demonstrating his new missile system, I found it amusing that the USAF was the audience, and not artillerymen from the Army or USMC. I and a couple of my Army buddies were amazed at the fact that the Air Force seemed to run the whole show over there. Not realistic. However, the reason that probably happened was because the USAF give full cooperation and sponsorship to the movie (great recruiting tool), and the Army or USMC probably turned them down...'cause we are a little busy right now. But the Star Wars universe has actually done a pretty good job of depicting combined arms warfare...If you want see how a combined arms effort works a little better in SciFi check out Battle for Hoth (TESB). (I heard that someone actually did a Battle Analysis for the Army War College a few years back.) It's a decent example of how effective a mechanized infantry force can overwhelm a light infantry force that has limited air support, and is fighting from a trench line (and one measly ion cannon..are you kidding?) Too bad the Rebels didn't learn from WWI like we did...fighting from trenches is BAD. I would have court martialed General Rieekan for that blundered operation. The Battle for Geonosis(AOTC) is a pretty good example, too. You had vertical envelopment (air assault) by Republican forces against the Droid army. Superior maneuverability and speed won the battle for the Clone Army. So, in conclusion, a combined effort in SciFi can be done...and look pretty darn cool! MAJ Woods Chuck,

Man, I loved “Space: Above and Beyond” but I do agree with you on why they would send very expensive, highly trained pilots to do grunt work. But, thanks to the typical Fox decision-making process, we will never see who wins the war against the Chigs.

The combined arms effort would be more cool. That’s what floored me in “Iron Man”. I guess the Air Force is totally running the show over in Afghanistan. When Tony Stark was demonstrating his new missile system, I found it amusing that the USAF was the audience, and not artillerymen from the Army or USMC. I and a couple of my Army buddies were amazed at the fact that the Air Force seemed to run the whole show over there. Not realistic. However, the reason that probably happened was because the USAF give full cooperation and sponsorship to the movie (great recruiting tool), and the Army or USMC probably turned them down…’cause we are a little busy right now.
But the Star Wars universe has actually done a pretty good job of depicting combined arms warfare…If you want see how a combined arms effort works a little better in SciFi check out Battle for Hoth (TESB). (I heard that someone actually did a Battle Analysis for the Army War College a few years back.) It’s a decent example of how effective a mechanized infantry force can overwhelm a light infantry force that has limited air support, and is fighting from a trench line (and one measly ion cannon..are you kidding?) Too bad the Rebels didn’t learn from WWI like we did…fighting from trenches is BAD. I would have court martialed General Rieekan for that blundered operation.

The Battle for Geonosis(AOTC) is a pretty good example, too. You had vertical envelopment (air assault) by Republican forces against the Droid army. Superior maneuverability and speed won the battle for the Clone Army. So, in conclusion, a combined effort in SciFi can be done…and look pretty darn cool!

MAJ Woods

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by Chuck http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1460 Chuck Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:44:05 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1460 Major Woods is right; in movies and TV the drama is usually made the primary factor and not necessarily the actual warfare. And for good reason people do not watch television or movies for realism it is escapism, plain and simple. A few shows in the past have attempted to focus on the actual war and it’s affect on those involved; a show that comes to mind is Space: Above and Beyond, a unique tack on what the Marine Corps could be, though I have a hard time believing a squadron of Marine Aviator’s would be used in so many ground actions. Another pair of prime examples would be Robotech and StarBlazers (that’s Battle Ship Yamoto for you purists). Of course most authors and script writers seem stuck on the classical naval warfare, big ships with fighters and escorts. What I really would love to see is a real use of combined forces similar to how today’s military operates, naval gunfire from space, close air support from Air Force pilots and Marine or Army Infantry in a fire fight. Sort like the scene in Transformer’s in the village, when attacked by the scorpion. Is it just me or am I crazy? Peace Out Chuck Major Woods is right; in movies and TV the drama is usually made the primary factor and not necessarily the actual warfare. And for good reason people do not watch television or movies for realism it is escapism, plain and simple. A few shows in the past have attempted to focus on the actual war and it’s affect on those involved; a show that comes to mind is Space: Above and Beyond, a unique tack on what the Marine Corps could be, though I have a hard time believing a squadron of Marine Aviator’s would be used in so many ground actions. Another pair of prime examples would be Robotech and StarBlazers (that’s Battle Ship Yamoto for you purists). Of course most authors and script writers seem stuck on the classical naval warfare, big ships with fighters and escorts. What I really would love to see is a real use of combined forces similar to how today’s military operates, naval gunfire from space, close air support from Air Force pilots and Marine or Army Infantry in a fire fight. Sort like the scene in Transformer’s in the village, when attacked by the scorpion. Is it just me or am I crazy?

Peace Out
Chuck

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1459 Casey Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:24:54 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1459 We really appreciate the comments on this issue. :) We really appreciate the comments on this issue. :)

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by Paul http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1458 Paul Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:48:05 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1458 Guys, Love the show. Chuck is correct...Aliens is the closest thing to how troops interact with each other...to a certain point. John Scalzi, from "Old Man's War" has is down pretty well, as well as John Ringo (Posleen war series) and Dietz(sp.) from his Legionnaire series. The problem with films and television sci-fi is they would rather have drama, rather than realism when it comes to soldiers/marines and how they interact or operate in a combat environment. Dale Dye is a rather popular example of someone who advises Hollywood on how soldiers act in a combat environment. But, the director has to consider what would look good on film to convey his vision, and he will sacrifice realism to do it. That is understandable. The film NOT THE BOOK "Starship Troopers" was one of the worst examples of military scifi on film. Peter Verhooven's vision of troops attacking bugs en-masse like some Medieval conflict was positively absurd (can I say that?) Heinlein's book, on the other hand, appreciated the developments of technology regarding warfare; fewer troops can cover more area in a tactical environment (hence the power suits, portable nukes, etc.) However, the one thing I will give old Peter is that in some armies, men and women do share the same shower facilities, such as the Polish troops and some other western European armies. Soldiers and Marines don't think about patriotism, the cause, or whatever reason in a combat environment. They think about their fellow soldiers, and doing what they can to do the job and keep each other alive. Scalzi, Heinlein, Ringo and Haldeman capture the essence of this. Love your show guys, feel free to ask my opinion, anytime regarding scifi and warfare. MAJ Paul Woods DS/DS USMC OIF 1-3 Army OIF 5-7 Army Guys,

Love the show.

Chuck is correct…Aliens is the closest thing to how troops interact with each other…to a certain point. John Scalzi, from “Old Man’s War” has is down pretty well, as well as John Ringo (Posleen war series) and Dietz(sp.) from his Legionnaire series.

The problem with films and television sci-fi is they would rather have drama, rather than realism when it comes to soldiers/marines and how they interact or operate in a combat environment. Dale Dye is a rather popular example of someone who advises Hollywood on how soldiers act in a combat environment. But, the director has to consider what would look good on film to convey his vision, and he will sacrifice realism to do it. That is understandable.

The film NOT THE BOOK “Starship Troopers” was one of the worst examples of military scifi on film. Peter Verhooven’s vision of troops attacking bugs en-masse like some Medieval conflict was positively absurd (can I say that?) Heinlein’s book, on the other hand, appreciated the developments of technology regarding warfare; fewer troops can cover more area in a tactical environment (hence the power suits, portable nukes, etc.) However, the one thing I will give old Peter is that in some armies, men and women do share the same shower facilities, such as the Polish troops and some other western European armies.

Soldiers and Marines don’t think about patriotism, the cause, or whatever reason in a combat environment. They think about their fellow soldiers, and doing what they can to do the job and keep each other alive. Scalzi, Heinlein, Ringo and Haldeman capture the essence of this.

Love your show guys, feel free to ask my opinion, anytime regarding scifi and warfare.

MAJ Paul Woods
DS/DS USMC
OIF 1-3 Army
OIF 5-7 Army

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by Randy http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1457 Randy Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:22:56 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1457 Chuck - We would love to have you on sometime to discuss warfare. Also, you can leave us a voicemail at any point through the temporal temps hotline and we could use that on a show. Chuck -

We would love to have you on sometime to discuss warfare. Also, you can leave us a voicemail at any point through the temporal temps hotline and we could use that on a show.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by John Hazard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1454 John Hazard Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:55:18 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1454 The tiime wars in Star Trek, Voyager's "Year of Hell" and the Temporal Cold War in "Enterprise" are not worth mentioning becuase 1) in the end their lasting effects were forgotten or erased (along with any dramatic impact they could have had) and 2) they sucked. (most of that bitterness is directed toward "Enterprise", though I resent the fact that "Voyager", which I do like, built up to this great idea of "the Year of Hell", then crapped it away with one 2-part episode ending with Braga hitting his history eraser button, illustrating what's wrong with most time travel stories, they're dramatic cheats that jerk the audience around. Grrr.) Dr. Who's Time War maybe warranted a mention, except we never saw any of it, so it's little more than a mention. As for "Aliens"- I actually thought of that and in the hustle I forgot to mention it. Certainly one of my favorites. The tiime wars in Star Trek, Voyager’s “Year of Hell” and the Temporal Cold War in “Enterprise” are not worth mentioning becuase 1) in the end their lasting effects were forgotten or erased (along with any dramatic impact they could have had) and 2) they sucked.

(most of that bitterness is directed toward “Enterprise”, though I resent the fact that “Voyager”, which I do like, built up to this great idea of “the Year of Hell”, then crapped it away with one 2-part episode ending with Braga hitting his history eraser button, illustrating what’s wrong with most time travel stories, they’re dramatic cheats that jerk the audience around. Grrr.)

Dr. Who’s Time War maybe warranted a mention, except we never saw any of it, so it’s little more than a mention.

As for “Aliens”- I actually thought of that and in the hustle I forgot to mention it. Certainly one of my favorites.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by Alexis http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1449 Alexis Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:50:19 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1449 Wait I did not hear any mention of the time war in sf warfare I mean it won and it was also in star trek Wait I did not hear any mention of the time war in sf warfare I mean it won and it was also in star trek

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #045 Council by Chuck http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1446 Chuck Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:48:19 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/03/scifi-surplus-podcast-045-council/#comment-1446 Two issues guys; First off it is highly plausible one illegal entry to a network could cause system wide crashes, believe it or not today's American armed forces are more integrated network wide then just 10 years ago and of course the reasoning is sound why do it, information and the ability to act on real time data wins wars. You seem to forget Casey the Cylons are walking talking supercompters, plant a virus let it replicate and find new homes for it's offspring, there by allowing remote access to your system (sound familar?). Secondly you gentlemen seemed to have overlooked Aliens? One of the best films with an accurate representation of how soldiers talk amongst themselves. Might I ask the next time you want to do a show on war in sci fi, ask someone or two to particpate? I've spent 4 years in the Marines and 3 in the Army plus a few in between in the National Guard. Peace out Chuck Two issues guys; First off it is highly plausible one illegal entry to a network could cause system wide crashes, believe it or not today’s American armed forces are more integrated network wide then just 10 years ago and of course the reasoning is sound why do it, information and the ability to act on real time data wins wars. You seem to forget Casey the Cylons are walking talking supercompters, plant a virus let it replicate and find new homes for it’s offspring, there by allowing remote access to your system (sound familar?). Secondly you gentlemen seemed to have overlooked Aliens? One of the best films with an accurate representation of how soldiers talk amongst themselves. Might I ask the next time you want to do a show on war in sci fi, ask someone or two to particpate? I’ve spent 4 years in the Marines and 3 in the Army plus a few in between in the National Guard.

Peace out
Chuck

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #044 by John Hazard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/01/scifi-surplus-podcast-044/#comment-1263 John Hazard Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:19:30 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/06/01/scifi-surplus-podcast-044/#comment-1263 Patrick Fugit was the star of the critically acclaimed "Almost Famous" and the new to DVD movie "Wristcutters: a Love Story", which I recommend to lovers of quirky movies about weird/funny afterlifes. He would make a fine Spiderman, better than the Sky High kid, speaking of which... THERE WAS A GIANT ROBOT IN SKY HIGH!!! I wouldn't have remembered this, but my daughter re-watched it this weekend and there's one right at the beginning. So there. However, that, and the mad scientists do not make it sci fi. Superheroes are fantasy. Patrick Fugit was the star of the critically acclaimed “Almost Famous” and the new to DVD movie “Wristcutters: a Love Story”, which I recommend to lovers of quirky movies about weird/funny afterlifes.

He would make a fine Spiderman, better than the Sky High kid, speaking of which…

THERE WAS A GIANT ROBOT IN SKY HIGH!!!

I wouldn’t have remembered this, but my daughter re-watched it this weekend and there’s one right at the beginning. So there.

However, that, and the mad scientists do not make it sci fi. Superheroes are fantasy.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #043 Council by DarthByron http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/27/scifi-surplus-podcast-043-council/#comment-1235 DarthByron Sun, 01 Jun 2008 06:10:02 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/27/scifi-surplus-podcast-043-council/#comment-1235 By the way. Boo to everyone who didn't vote for Star Wars!!!! By the way. Boo to everyone who didn’t vote for Star Wars!!!!

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #043 Council by DarthByron http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/27/scifi-surplus-podcast-043-council/#comment-1234 DarthByron Sun, 01 Jun 2008 06:08:41 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/27/scifi-surplus-podcast-043-council/#comment-1234 Hey Steph my kids will watch Star Trek. They just don't like it when Klingons come on. They're scary! Hey Steph my kids will watch Star Trek. They just don’t like it when Klingons come on. They’re scary!

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #043 Council by Cogitator X http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/27/scifi-surplus-podcast-043-council/#comment-1200 Cogitator X Fri, 30 May 2008 03:22:29 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/27/scifi-surplus-podcast-043-council/#comment-1200 Holy #!*$, Batman, Shirley Manson of Garbage is joining the cast of the Sarah Conner Chronicles next season! Shirley Manson, Summer Glau and Lena Headey -a trifecta of sheer hotness. Holy #!*$, Batman,

Shirley Manson of Garbage is joining the cast of the Sarah Conner Chronicles next season! Shirley Manson, Summer Glau and Lena Headey -a trifecta of sheer hotness.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #043 Council by pacinor http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/27/scifi-surplus-podcast-043-council/#comment-1152 pacinor Wed, 28 May 2008 22:50:23 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/27/scifi-surplus-podcast-043-council/#comment-1152 Sorry Steph, Had to vote for Dr. Who, regardless of your pleas. Sorry Steph,
Had to vote for Dr. Who, regardless of your pleas.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #043 Council by John Hazard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/27/scifi-surplus-podcast-043-council/#comment-1146 John Hazard Wed, 28 May 2008 20:25:04 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/27/scifi-surplus-podcast-043-council/#comment-1146 ALSO- a mistake I made in the podcast- turns out the original Doctor Who WAS cancelled due to poor ratings. But it was still awesome!!! I thought I made a mistake about Lon Chaney, who I said was famous for portraying the Hunchback of Notre Dame- he was more famous for playing the Phantom of the Opera and the vampire in London After Midnight and Dr. Jeckyl and Mister Hyde. The more famous Hunchback was Charles Laughton, but I checked and Chaney played Quasimoto too, before Laughton. Sidenote- everyone should see Charles Laughton's "Hunchback". It's an amazingly great movie. ALSO- a mistake I made in the podcast- turns out the original Doctor Who WAS cancelled due to poor ratings. But it was still awesome!!!

I thought I made a mistake about Lon Chaney, who I said was famous for portraying the Hunchback of Notre Dame- he was more famous for playing the Phantom of the Opera and the vampire in London After Midnight and Dr. Jeckyl and Mister Hyde. The more famous Hunchback was Charles Laughton, but I checked and Chaney played Quasimoto too, before Laughton.

Sidenote- everyone should see Charles Laughton’s “Hunchback”. It’s an amazingly great movie.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #043 Council by John Hazard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/27/scifi-surplus-podcast-043-council/#comment-1145 John Hazard Wed, 28 May 2008 19:19:45 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/27/scifi-surplus-podcast-043-council/#comment-1145 TERMINATOR 4: We were wondering who "Kate Connor" was... from Wikipedia's T3 page: "...a reprogrammed Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), identical to the Terminators from the previous films, has been sent back in time to protect Connor and [b]his future wife, Katherine[/b] Brewster (Claire Danes). In a plot twist, this particular Terminator killed John Connor in 2032, before being reprogrammed and sent back in time by Connor's wife..." So, pretty obvious. That's -10 geek points for us ;-) TERMINATOR 4:

We were wondering who “Kate Connor” was…

from Wikipedia’s T3 page:
“…a reprogrammed Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger), identical to the Terminators from the previous films, has been sent back in time to protect Connor and [b]his future wife, Katherine[/b] Brewster (Claire Danes). In a plot twist, this particular Terminator killed John Connor in 2032, before being reprogrammed and sent back in time by Connor’s wife…”

So, pretty obvious. That’s -10 geek points for us ;-)

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #042 Council by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/20/scifi-surplus-podcast-042-council/#comment-1019 Casey Sat, 24 May 2008 21:55:56 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/20/scifi-surplus-podcast-042-council/#comment-1019 I'll go check out gnooks now. :) I’ll go check out gnooks now. :)

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #041 by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-1018 Casey Sat, 24 May 2008 21:54:28 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-1018 Hmm. I assumed all the times were eastern when I made up the sheet we used. Perhaps that's not the time they use when they present their upfronts. I'll have have to do some research to find out. Hmm. I assumed all the times were eastern when I made up the sheet we used. Perhaps that’s not the time they use when they present their upfronts. I’ll have have to do some research to find out.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #042 Council by Rick http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/20/scifi-surplus-podcast-042-council/#comment-974 Rick Fri, 23 May 2008 17:11:16 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/20/scifi-surplus-podcast-042-council/#comment-974 Concerning the finding of new books, check out www.gnooks.com It is a fun little site that has a fairly unique way of visually displaying what authors are similar to a seed author. It will also give recommendations based upon authors you already like. Concerning the finding of new books, check out

www.gnooks.com

It is a fun little site that has a fairly unique way of visually displaying what authors are similar to a seed author. It will also give recommendations based upon authors you already like.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #041 by David http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-964 David Fri, 23 May 2008 12:14:59 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-964 I noticed in listening to this show today that many of the start times were 7pm. Were you looking at central time or are shows really going to be on earlier on the east coast? I noticed in listening to this show today that many of the start times were 7pm. Were you looking at central time or are shows really going to be on earlier on the east coast?

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #041 by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-913 Casey Thu, 22 May 2008 21:36:39 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-913 I became aware that "Lost" after we finished recording and I'm not sure how it never made it to the grid that we used for the discussion. "Lost" is a big factor in the discussion and I'm sorry it evaded us. :) I became aware that “Lost” after we finished recording and I’m not sure how it never made it to the grid that we used for the discussion. “Lost” is a big factor in the discussion and I’m sorry it evaded us. :)

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #041 by Scott M http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-885 Scott M Thu, 22 May 2008 08:01:55 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-885 Huh... uhmm, guys, I listened closely to your rundown of genre shows that the networks are broadcasting next season... but... uhmmmm... Neither of you mentioned the highest-ranked, most-talked-about sci fi show on the air today, returning for a 5th season in January 2009.... Not sure how you could have overlooked it... ahhh, it's called... "Lost"? You know, J.J. Abrams' current project on the little screen?... "Lost"?... Remember?... Huh… uhmm, guys, I listened closely to your rundown of genre shows that the networks are broadcasting next season… but… uhmmmm…

Neither of you mentioned the highest-ranked, most-talked-about sci fi show on the air today, returning for a 5th season in January 2009….

Not sure how you could have overlooked it… ahhh, it’s called… “Lost”?

You know, J.J. Abrams’ current project on the little screen?…

“Lost”?… Remember?…

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #042 Council by Pam http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/20/scifi-surplus-podcast-042-council/#comment-866 Pam Wed, 21 May 2008 20:17:28 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/20/scifi-surplus-podcast-042-council/#comment-866 The only thing that would make Dollhouse more awesome would be if Kevin Weisman was one of the geeks in the dollhouse. The only thing that would make Dollhouse more awesome would be if Kevin Weisman was one of the geeks in the dollhouse.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #042 Council by Jody http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/20/scifi-surplus-podcast-042-council/#comment-855 Jody Wed, 21 May 2008 18:22:43 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/20/scifi-surplus-podcast-042-council/#comment-855 Thanks for the info on Bookshelf on Facebook! J Thanks for the info on Bookshelf on Facebook!

J

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #041 by Kyle Voltti http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-854 Kyle Voltti Wed, 21 May 2008 16:59:28 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-854 Sci fi Surplus.... the reason i joined Facebook :D Sci fi Surplus…. the reason i joined Facebook :D

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #041 by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-812 Casey Tue, 20 May 2008 19:53:11 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-812 Good comments everyone. :) Elisa: I can't help myself when I get excited for something. I just start googling for anything I can find. I'm weak that way. :) Kyle: We've decided to use Facebook as our forum because it allows us some extra features that don't take up our time. Click on the Facebook icon on the upper right on this page and start us a few threads! Jeff: If they make Hancock flop, I will be very upset. I most certainly see that as a possibility though. Looking forward to seeing you this weekend, BTW. :) Kyle: We should have started a "flop pool" for the summer movies to let everyone predict which one was going to suck the most. :) Good comments everyone. :)

Elisa: I can’t help myself when I get excited for something. I just start googling for anything I can find. I’m weak that way. :)

Kyle: We’ve decided to use Facebook as our forum because it allows us some extra features that don’t take up our time. Click on the Facebook icon on the upper right on this page and start us a few threads!

Jeff: If they make Hancock flop, I will be very upset. I most certainly see that as a possibility though. Looking forward to seeing you this weekend, BTW. :)

Kyle: We should have started a “flop pool” for the summer movies to let everyone predict which one was going to suck the most. :)

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #041 by Kyle Voltti http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-809 Kyle Voltti Tue, 20 May 2008 16:32:07 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-809 Hancock will have to flop prety bad to beat out Speed Racer as the flop of the summer Hancock will have to flop prety bad to beat out Speed Racer as the flop of the summer

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #041 by Jeff Norris http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-791 Jeff Norris Mon, 19 May 2008 21:20:05 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-791 Hancock reshoots this late in the game is no surprise. Disney did it with Prince Caspian. However trying to reshot to make a Pg-13 rating means you will see 2 or 3 versions of the movie when its released in DVD! The theather , the special or director's cut and the unrated version where they can slip in more adult goo (no pun intended). I think overall this movie is going to the flop of the summer. Hancock reshoots this late in the game is no surprise. Disney did it with Prince Caspian. However trying to reshot to make a Pg-13 rating means you will see 2 or 3 versions of the movie when its released in DVD! The theather , the special or director’s cut and the unrated version where they can slip in more adult goo (no pun intended). I think overall this movie is going to the flop of the summer.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #041 by Kyle Voltti http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-772 Kyle Voltti Mon, 19 May 2008 16:08:16 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-772 Gah, so many thoughts from the last two podcast and no forum to put them in yet so the following will have points relating to the last two casts. Big Bang Theory: This show started out with some promise but quickly turned nasty. Compared to a show like Chuck or Numb3rs you get the feeling that the writers on BBT hold geeks in a great deal of disdain. Dollhouse: Looks cool, still surprised that JW would get in bed with Fox again though. But if CW is tanking then Fox is about the only network that would give him the time of day. Star Wars clone wars: I honestly don’t care, I’ve moved on I have the original trilogy and that’s enough for me. that's all for now Gah, so many thoughts from the last two podcast and no forum to put them in yet so the following will have points relating to the last two casts.

Big Bang Theory: This show started out with some promise but quickly turned nasty. Compared to a show like Chuck or Numb3rs you get the feeling that the writers on BBT hold geeks in a great deal of disdain.

Dollhouse: Looks cool, still surprised that JW would get in bed with Fox again though. But if CW is tanking then Fox is about the only network that would give him the time of day.

Star Wars clone wars: I honestly don’t care, I’ve moved on I have the original trilogy and that’s enough for me.

that’s all for now

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #040 Council by Kyle Voltti http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-771 Kyle Voltti Mon, 19 May 2008 15:24:52 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-771 The problem that Hakers had (and it is a film I enjoy) was that it was stuck useing terminology that was already becoming obsolete before the movie was released. I still think one of the strengths of the movie was in how they represented the abstract world of cyberspace. The problem that Hakers had (and it is a film I enjoy) was that it was stuck useing terminology that was already becoming obsolete before the movie was released. I still think one of the strengths of the movie was in how they represented the abstract world of cyberspace.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #041 by Elisa http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-748 Elisa Sun, 18 May 2008 21:49:21 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/17/scifi-surplus-podcast-041/#comment-748 Just had to come here and comment in the middle of listening to the latest podcast... you guys have read the reviews of movies you haven't seen yet?! Specifically Indy 4. Come on, you guys. Don't read the reviews before seeing the movie, especially if you know you're going to see it regardless of what they say! I'm a purist in that sense, I don't want anyone else to make up my mind for me so hearing someone reading reviews of a movie they haven't seen yet, a movie they're definitely going to see... well, it saddens me :( Sorry, end of rant. Other stuff... OMG, Dollhouse trailer looks awesome! And I'm super excited about the return of Eureka. And thanks to Casey, I got back to watching Reaper after seeing a few episodes and then losing interest. Now, I'm hooked. So thank, thanks a lot... like I needed another show to watch ;) damn you! :D Just had to come here and comment in the middle of listening to the latest podcast… you guys have read the reviews of movies you haven’t seen yet?! Specifically Indy 4. Come on, you guys. Don’t read the reviews before seeing the movie, especially if you know you’re going to see it regardless of what they say!

I’m a purist in that sense, I don’t want anyone else to make up my mind for me so hearing someone reading reviews of a movie they haven’t seen yet, a movie they’re definitely going to see… well, it saddens me :(

Sorry, end of rant.

Other stuff… OMG, Dollhouse trailer looks awesome! And I’m super excited about the return of Eureka. And thanks to Casey, I got back to watching Reaper after seeing a few episodes and then losing interest. Now, I’m hooked. So thank, thanks a lot… like I needed another show to watch ;) damn you! :D

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #040 Council by Cogitator X http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-723 Cogitator X Sun, 18 May 2008 00:54:21 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-723 anyone remember SNL's Keanu Reeves' school of acting? Like, whoa. anyone remember SNL’s Keanu Reeves’ school of acting? Like, whoa.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #040 Council by John Hazard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-722 John Hazard Sat, 17 May 2008 17:05:17 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-722 That is SO not fair. Keanu is SO much better than Christensen. Just imagine trying to watch Christensen in all 3 Matrix movies- torture! Also, catch Keanu in Sam Raimie's "The Gift"- it's a really good movie, and Keanu was really good and scary in it, a different role for him that shows his range. Maybe you were also thinking of Keanu in Johnny Mnemonic, or in the upcoming "The Day the Earth Stood Still" remake? That is SO not fair. Keanu is SO much better than Christensen. Just imagine trying to watch Christensen in all 3 Matrix movies- torture! Also, catch Keanu in Sam Raimie’s “The Gift”- it’s a really good movie, and Keanu was really good and scary in it, a different role for him that shows his range.

Maybe you were also thinking of Keanu in Johnny Mnemonic, or in the upcoming “The Day the Earth Stood Still” remake?

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #040 Council by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-718 Casey Fri, 16 May 2008 22:04:12 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-718 Lots to think about John. :) I wish I could remember how I came to the conclusion that Keanu Reeves was going to play Case (Neuromancer). It's probably because I put Hayden Christiansen in the same category. Lots to think about John. :) I wish I could remember how I came to the conclusion that Keanu Reeves was going to play Case (Neuromancer). It’s probably because I put Hayden Christiansen in the same category.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #040 Council by Radpace http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-711 Radpace Thu, 15 May 2008 21:41:19 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-711 I also forgot the full length scifi movies they have on Hulu like "At the Earth's Core", "Empire of the Ants", "The People That Time Forgot" and "Planet of the Apes" (the new version). I also forgot the full length scifi movies they have on Hulu like “At the Earth’s Core”, “Empire of the Ants”, “The People That Time Forgot” and “Planet of the Apes” (the new version).

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #040 Council by John Hazard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-710 John Hazard Thu, 15 May 2008 21:39:56 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-710 Neuromancer: Never read it, never will- I fear it's one of those things that was revolutionary in it's time but now will seem trite. According to imdb Hayden Christensen will star. Sorry! Hackers: again, SO not a great movie. Only a great so-bad-it's-good movie. Tried so hard to be cool and edgy, and failed hilariously. But I guess if you're a hacker it SEEMED cool.;-) Heroes: Way too long a hiatus, considering how bad the second season was, but they needed the extra time, for the same reason. I hope they figure out how to fix that show, season one was so great, but making season two just like one was a huge mistake. They need to come back with something different and prove themselves quickly. BBC America: Awesome channel. Speed Racer: I'm waiting to see it in IMAX. I think it's going to be GREAT. Upfronts: Last year we (at my dayjob Nickelodeon) had ours in March. I think we just had this years'. Sci Fi: Flash Gordon: Isn't this cancelled and gone? Yeah, you guys agreed to never mention that show again. Who Wants to be a Superhero: I got to meet Fat Mamma at the New York Comic Con. I was VERY excited and offered to draw her. Vince's reading of the rules of those crappy Sci Fi movies was hilarious, and I think it does sound like a great formula, even though the movies are crappy. I never watch them, but the commercials almost make me want to. Almost. Wrestling: It's on there the same reason the bad movies are- lowest common denominator appeal. Most of America loves Nascar and wrestling. Sarah Jane Adventures- I love Dr. Who, and I wanted to watch SJC. I love the character and I'll watch her on anything. It's not Dr. Who but it's not a bad show, I watch it with my daughter (who's finally agreed to watch Dr. Who with me- AWESOME!!). Sci Fi channel schedule: Good point, it's a undecipherable. Firefly: There are whole episodes (I think the whole series) on Veoh. Great focus on the Sci Fi Channel. It should be a mecca for us, and I do always check it when I can, but I almost never find anything good outside of Who and Galactica. I wish they would show way more old sci fi and horror movies at night, and old sci fi shows at night like Lost in Space, Twin Peaks, Wonder Woman- anything but their original movies. The other Doctors Who: ALL great (except Colin Baker), certainly including Sylvester McCoy. George Lucas: The man is/was a visionary, he does not deserve the crap people give him. The prequel movies may have not measured up for older fans of the old movies, but kids who started with the prequels LOVE them, just like you loved the originals. Let them have that. Sure, Lucas could have used more back-and-forth, which I'm sure he had more of in the past. The biggest mistake he made with the prequels was falling in love with the technology, and forgetting to give us characters we could love and care about. By the way, C3PO loves Artoo, but Artoo only tolerates C3PO. Great Council! Thanks! Neuromancer: Never read it, never will- I fear it’s one of those things that was revolutionary in it’s time but now will seem trite.
According to imdb Hayden Christensen will star. Sorry!

Hackers: again, SO not a great movie. Only a great so-bad-it’s-good movie. Tried so hard to be cool and edgy, and failed hilariously. But I guess if you’re a hacker it SEEMED cool.;-)

Heroes: Way too long a hiatus, considering how bad the second season was, but they needed the extra time, for the same reason. I hope they figure out how to fix that show, season one was so great, but making season two just like one was a huge mistake. They need to come back with something different and prove themselves quickly.

BBC America: Awesome channel.

Speed Racer: I’m waiting to see it in IMAX. I think it’s going to be GREAT.

Upfronts: Last year we (at my dayjob Nickelodeon) had ours in March. I think we just had this years’.

Sci Fi:

Flash Gordon: Isn’t this cancelled and gone? Yeah, you guys agreed to never mention that show again.

Who Wants to be a Superhero: I got to meet Fat Mamma at the New York Comic Con. I was VERY excited and offered to draw her.

Vince’s reading of the rules of those crappy Sci Fi movies was hilarious, and I think it does sound like a great formula, even though the movies are crappy. I never watch them, but the commercials almost make me want to. Almost.

Wrestling: It’s on there the same reason the bad movies are- lowest common denominator appeal. Most of America loves Nascar and wrestling.

Sarah Jane Adventures- I love Dr. Who, and I wanted to watch SJC. I love the character and I’ll watch her on anything. It’s not Dr. Who but it’s not a bad show, I watch it with my daughter (who’s finally agreed to watch Dr. Who with me- AWESOME!!).

Sci Fi channel schedule: Good point, it’s a undecipherable.

Firefly: There are whole episodes (I think the whole series) on Veoh.

Great focus on the Sci Fi Channel. It should be a mecca for us, and I do always check it when I can, but I almost never find anything good outside of Who and Galactica. I wish they would show way more old sci fi and horror movies at night, and old sci fi shows at night like Lost in Space, Twin Peaks, Wonder Woman- anything but their original movies.

The other Doctors Who: ALL great (except Colin Baker), certainly including Sylvester McCoy.

George Lucas: The man is/was a visionary, he does not deserve the crap people give him. The prequel movies may have not measured up for older fans of the old movies, but kids who started with the prequels LOVE them, just like you loved the originals. Let them have that.
Sure, Lucas could have used more back-and-forth, which I’m sure he had more of in the past. The biggest mistake he made with the prequels was falling in love with the technology, and forgetting to give us characters we could love and care about.

By the way, C3PO loves Artoo, but Artoo only tolerates C3PO.

Great Council! Thanks!

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #040 Council by Radpace http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-709 Radpace Thu, 15 May 2008 21:34:41 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-709 You talked about all they ways you could watch firefly and I was surprised you missed probably the easiest one. Thats Hulu.com. 14 episodes are available free at http://www.hulu.com/firefly (don't ask me why 15 is not there). Hulu also has some other great scifi content. The only problem with Hulu is that often not all episodes are there and it seems a bit random which ones are. But they have stuff like Babylon5 (22 episodes including the pilot), Buffy (34 episodes from seasons 1 and 2), Buck Rogers, Lost in Space, Roswell, Eureka, John Doe, Sliders, and many more. Check it out! You talked about all they ways you could watch firefly and I was surprised you missed probably the easiest one. Thats Hulu.com. 14 episodes are available free at http://www.hulu.com/firefly (don’t ask me why 15 is not there). Hulu also has some other great scifi content. The only problem with Hulu is that often not all episodes are there and it seems a bit random which ones are. But they have stuff like Babylon5 (22 episodes including the pilot), Buffy (34 episodes from seasons 1 and 2), Buck Rogers, Lost in Space, Roswell, Eureka, John Doe, Sliders, and many more. Check it out!

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #038 Council by J http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-703 J Thu, 15 May 2008 18:34:54 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-703 Scott M. Not implying there is a Naziesque totalitarian regime at work here. I simply want to hear what these guys think... unabridged. But... point taken. You are probably right. - J Scott M.

Not implying there is a Naziesque totalitarian regime at work here. I simply want to hear what these guys think… unabridged.

But… point taken. You are probably right.

- J

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #038 Council by Scott M. http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-697 Scott M. Thu, 15 May 2008 13:06:46 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-697 And I'm not a fan of the whole "not swearing = censorship" thesis. I know it's in vogue, but c'mon--whatever happened to common courtesy? I can cuss like a proverbial sailor when I want to, but I hold back when speaking in public because I know there are some people who find such language offensive, even if I don't. "The greatest good for the greatest number", as the Vulcans say--if a sizeable minority of people are offended or otherwise put off by explicit language, and the rest of us can live without it, I say keep it clean. And I’m not a fan of the whole “not swearing = censorship” thesis.

I know it’s in vogue, but c’mon–whatever happened to common courtesy? I can cuss like a proverbial sailor when I want to, but I hold back when speaking in public because I know there are some people who find such language offensive, even if I don’t.

“The greatest good for the greatest number”, as the Vulcans say–if a sizeable minority of people are offended or otherwise put off by explicit language, and the rest of us can live without it, I say keep it clean.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #038 Council by J http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-696 J Thu, 15 May 2008 03:49:45 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-696 On the "explicit" thing... Not a fan of censorship. Even self censorship. I like Darren's idea of keeping the weekly show clean and allowing free ideas to flow during the council however they present themselves (filthy or otherwise). I understand the thoughts of those above... having kids and whatnot... and maybe a compromise is in order. But... a "free exchange of ideas" is why the council exists. Yes? - J On the “explicit” thing…

Not a fan of censorship. Even self censorship. I like Darren’s idea of keeping the weekly show clean and allowing free ideas to flow during the council however they present themselves (filthy or otherwise).

I understand the thoughts of those above… having kids and whatnot… and maybe a compromise is in order.

But… a “free exchange of ideas” is why the council exists. Yes?

- J

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #040 Council by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-693 Casey Thu, 15 May 2008 00:20:54 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-693 Excellent point! I wasn't aware of that. :) Excellent point! I wasn’t aware of that. :)

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #040 Council by Vanamonde http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-692 Vanamonde Wed, 14 May 2008 22:23:34 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/14/scifi-surplus-podcast-040-council/#comment-692 Dr Who isn't shot in HD: http://www.syfyportal.com/news423426.html So the best you are going to get is upscaled video. Dr Who isn’t shot in HD:

http://www.syfyportal.com/news423426.html

So the best you are going to get is upscaled video.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #039 by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/10/scifi-surplus-podcast-039/#comment-691 Casey Wed, 14 May 2008 17:12:09 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/10/scifi-surplus-podcast-039/#comment-691 This show certainly fell into the category of short. :) 1. Jericho ended up not being worth the journey. 2. Eureka is funny and light and mixes drama with parody. 3. Reaper is funny in a very childish way. They've finally got some story arc going for a finale cliff-hanger. This show certainly fell into the category of short. :)

1. Jericho ended up not being worth the journey.
2. Eureka is funny and light and mixes drama with parody.
3. Reaper is funny in a very childish way. They’ve finally got some story arc going for a finale cliff-hanger.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #038 Council by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-690 Casey Wed, 14 May 2008 17:04:09 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-690 Darren, thanks for your comments. Surplus One is currently undergoing a "rethink." I hope it can be revived soon. Darren, thanks for your comments. Surplus One is currently undergoing a “rethink.” I hope it can be revived soon.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #039 by John Hazard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/10/scifi-surplus-podcast-039/#comment-687 John Hazard Tue, 13 May 2008 22:05:45 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/10/scifi-surplus-podcast-039/#comment-687 I hear so many good things about Reaper, I've been meaning to try it. I think the reason it's having problems is the same reason I avoided it- it looks really stupid! But it gets a lot of good reviews so it's on my list of things to catch up on this Summer during the fresh episode famine. I also thought I'd try Jericho, but you guys said it turned to crap in the last season and then it was cancelled, so I feel like it would be a waste of time. "Eureka" I was always curious about. Worth watching? "Spaced" I've only seen one scene of, but it was really funny- Simon Pegg giving a poor little kid hell because he liked the Star Wars prequel movies. Great scoop about Morales in "Caprica"- none of the geeks in my office knew about that. The more I hear about that show, the more I like. Thanks for the show! Seemed a little short this week? I hear so many good things about Reaper, I’ve been meaning to try it. I think the reason it’s having problems is the same reason I avoided it- it looks really stupid! But it gets a lot of good reviews so it’s on my list of things to catch up on this Summer during the fresh episode famine.
I also thought I’d try Jericho, but you guys said it turned to crap in the last season and then it was cancelled, so I feel like it would be a waste of time.
“Eureka” I was always curious about. Worth watching?
“Spaced” I’ve only seen one scene of, but it was really funny- Simon Pegg giving a poor little kid hell because he liked the Star Wars prequel movies.
Great scoop about Morales in “Caprica”- none of the geeks in my office knew about that. The more I hear about that show, the more I like.
Thanks for the show! Seemed a little short this week?

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #038 Council by darren the kiwi http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-685 darren the kiwi Tue, 13 May 2008 09:12:55 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-685 Hello all, About the question should we allow 'natural' language and use the “Explicit” tag. Hell dam yes…. It is a more authentic conversation. For the young ones maybe we can keep the weekly round up “Clean” while the Council is all allowed to be a free exchange of ideas and all the goodness of uncensored, unrestrained conversation. Darren PS. Whatever happened to surplus 1? Hello all,
About the question should we allow ‘natural’ language and use the “Explicit” tag.

Hell dam yes…. It is a more authentic conversation.

For the young ones maybe we can keep the weekly round up “Clean” while the Council is all allowed to be a free exchange of ideas and all the goodness of uncensored, unrestrained conversation.

Darren

PS. Whatever happened to surplus 1?

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #038 Council by Casey http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-683 Casey Mon, 12 May 2008 20:10:41 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-683 Good comments people. :) Good comments people. :)

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #038 Council by Radpace http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-682 Radpace Mon, 12 May 2008 17:01:59 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-682 I too like to listen to the podcast in the car with the family. I vote no bad language. Love the program. Just a few other general comments. I consider myself a big scifi fan but I think there are very few people who know every part of scifi. I love the discussions about the history of comic book characters for example because I have never read comic books. I would also like to see more coverage of scifi books. Maybe a weekly book review from a reader or something. The best scifi I have ever seen has never made it to the screen and I am always looking for new great reading material. I too like to listen to the podcast in the car with the family. I vote no bad language. Love the program.

Just a few other general comments. I consider myself a big scifi fan but I think there are very few people who know every part of scifi. I love the discussions about the history of comic book characters for example because I have never read comic books. I would also like to see more coverage of scifi books. Maybe a weekly book review from a reader or something. The best scifi I have ever seen has never made it to the screen and I am always looking for new great reading material.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #038 Council by Phillip http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-678 Phillip Sun, 11 May 2008 16:47:12 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-678 Just a note on the "Explicit" thing. While I don't mind the swearing, I think you should keep it out of the show. Specifically for people like Robert who listen with their kids. You have to remember, not only are you informing current Sci-Fi geeks, you're educating the next generation of geeks. Just a note on the “Explicit” thing. While I don’t mind the swearing, I think you should keep it out of the show. Specifically for people like Robert who listen with their kids. You have to remember, not only are you informing current Sci-Fi geeks, you’re educating the next generation of geeks.

]]> Comment on SciFi Surplus Podcast #038 Council by John Hazard http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-677 John Hazard Sun, 11 May 2008 04:51:33 +0000 http://scifisurplus.com/2008/05/07/scifi-surplus-podcast-037-council/#comment-677 Hey, Mark- thanks for the recommendation, but I am SO into Trek fanfilms, including New Voyages, a.k.a. Phase II. I look forward to new installments of New Voyages, Farragut, Exeter, etc. way more than anything Paramount's going to come out with. As for the "explicit" issue, I think intelligent, civilized adults should be able to express themselves without foul language. You've been doing it without a problem before this, and cutting the cursewords opens up the podcast to more people. Btw, my daughter and I saw Iron Man today, and it was PERFECT. I liked it way better than Batman Begins. Maybe the best superhero movie ever (besides the Christopher Reeve Superman, which was MAGIC)! Hey, Mark- thanks for the recommendation, but I am SO into Trek fanfilms, including New Voyages, a.k.a. Phase II. I look forward to new installments of New Voyages, Farragut, Exeter, etc. way more than anything Paramount’s going to come out with.

As for the “explicit” issue, I think