SG•OUT

Ow man, just found out that Stargate Universe (SGU) has been cancelled. As a fan of science fiction shows I'm somewhat bummed out by this news. Was a fan of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis (have the dvd boxes on a shelf). SGU started off somewhat rocky by trying to emulate Battlestar Galactica (with all its emotional baggage). That was certainly a break from the Stargate routine. I had the feeling watching more of a soap then sci-fi during the first 10 episodes of season 1 but on the other hand I can also understand why the producers of the Stargate franchise wanted to do something else after 15 seasons of a similar if not identical television format.

Season 2 of SGU largely returned to the original concept while keeping some of its drama. That balance was far more palatable for me and I suppose also to many other fans. In retrospect maybe what was also missing was a mysterious 'center-point.' Don't get me wrong, this show certainly had some of these elements but it could have been more on the forefront and running throughout the storyline. Something elusive and captivating. Watching season 2 I thought the show was picking up momentum and on the right track. Now sadly it all comes to an end. Now that SGU and Caprica have been cancelled I seriously wonder if any good sci-fi shows remain. Frak!

Caprica

Watched the pilot of the new sci-fi series Caprica today and was pleasantly surprised. Set 58 years before Battlestar Galactica, the story revolves around 2 families, the Greystones and the Adamas, and the birth of the Cylons. Did see a preview of Caprica last year and thought to myself; naaahh, but after 15 minutes of watching it had my full attention. Normally I'm not into pure drama but combine it with sci-fi and it becomes palatable for me. Although I must say that the same thing in Stargate Universe doesn't work for me, but that's another story.
Caprica is filmed in a different style then BSG. It's in the same 'Universe' but takes on an entirely different direction. The clothing of the characters is more in the style of the 1950s but the futuristic technology is still there. The viewer quickly finds out that the Caprican society has their own version of the Matrix, sorta, and there's even underground virtual reality where people do the most extreme things. It doesn't have the dark, gloomy anticipation of Battlestar Galactica where you always wondered; 'who's gonna die next?' Maybe there's some irony there because 58 years later the whole planet will be nuked out of existence. Oh well, no time like the present. Also liked those elements that give it that much more realism; not letting go of loved ones, crime, discrimination, religious extremism. Although not pure sci-fi oddly enough Caprica works for me.

District 9 Review

Watched the sci-fi movie District 9 last week, produced by Peter Jackson and directed by Neill Blomkamp. It's really an alternative kind of sci-fi with underlying social issues, although with plenty of 'action.' Set in South Africa, aliens 'crash landed' there decades ago and all of them wounded up in a ghetto (mostly because of their behavior and apparent unwillingness to adapt). A multinational corporation (MNU) is tasked with handling the alien situation although their main interest lies in discovering the secrets of alien tech, caring for the 'Prawns' is secondary. Wikus van de Merwe, a MNU employee is tasked with evacuating district 9 and relocating the 'Prawns' to district 10, far away from the city of Johannesburg. Accidentally Wikus gets exposed to an alien virus which slowly transforms his genetic code. When MNU finds out Wikus can operate alien weaponry (which only operates in alien hands), the hunt is on.

The film initially begins in 'documentary style' but later on also switches to 'cinematic.' In the beginning the aliens, referred to as 'the Prawns', are put in a bad light. They have no concept of property so they roam through the streets taking whatever they want and generally behaving badly. In that documentary kind of way it makes sense that the Prawns were put in a ghetto. However, later on in the film you get the sense that humans aren't one hair better because of all the atrocities they make, against the aliens but also against their fellow man. The motive being greed.
This sci-fi flick is different in some ways. The setting is in South Africa which had its share of societal upheaval, from that perspective the ghetto & aliens act like a mirror to the times of apartheid and poverty in general. The South African element provides an entirely different flavor to the standard sci-fi from the U.S. or U.K. The aliens in the movie basically act just like humans when you really think about it. Maybe that's what the film makers had in mind, I don't know. If you love sci-fi (with a message), than this is a film for you. I give it 8 out of 10.

BSG: The Plan

Watched 'Battlestar Galactica: The Plan' last week and as a fan of the show I thought it was pretty good. If you didn't watch the show or only half of it, it's (a bit more) hard to understand. Still, I love what they have done with 'the Plan' since all the missing pieces fall into place. From the 3rd season of BSG it was already obvious that Cavil (Cylon model number one) was the baddie of the series but with 'the Plan' you get to realise just how rotten his model really is (except for one).
Not all the actors participate in this last film yet the ones present give the show a proper sending off. There are a number of segments directly copied from the series which gives off the impression that you're watching a rerun, but (especially) in the first 15 minutes that's made up for by some great special effects. I'm sure the fans of BSG will like it. And on another note, there was also some nudity in this film and to be really honest that put a smile on my face. Watching this sci-fi film with a few beautiful half-nude women in it made me feel happy for the rest of the day. Guess I don't need a shrink to tell me what is uplifting for me.

Cheesy Sci-Fi

Notice the 'Hoff?'

So Say We All!

Been watching a lot of Battlestar Galactica season 4 lately. Did see it before but just had to buy the dvd box last week. Already got the mini-series and the first 3 seasons so that was a no-brainer. What an awesome show. Every sci-fi fan should have seen this show. Great acting, great story, great SFX. And if you're a guy like me, great babes.

But I'm afraid my fetish runs a bit deeper. Don't know what it is but women in sci-fi have an edge, for me that is. Stick 'em in a spacesuit and I'm sold. But Tricia Helfer and Grace Park did a wonderful job on Battlestar Galactica, and they just happen to look good in bikini as well. Right? So say we all!

T4 Review

Last weekend I went to the cinema and watched the movie Terminator Salvation. If you liked the 3 previous Terminators films then you like this one as well. Set in 2018 the humans are fighting the machines and both have their own pieces of turf which results in many battles and explosions. What I personally like about the movie the most, aside from the action, were the hints and references to the previous movies. The producers made sure the bigger storyline was kept intact and they certainly had an eye for detail in doing that. Arnold makes an appearance later on in the film and eventhough that's done with the help of CGI it leaves a solid impression. Good film.

Think I Might Take Up Golf

Ah, sometimes you have to step away from the 'heavy' stuff and enjoy some 'sports.' Oh, and actress Diora Baird shown on the photograph has a small role in the new Star Trek film. Keeping in touch with sci-fi here. Oh, and they should make alien hybrid girls look like Diora. No argument there I suspect.

The Day The Earth Stood Still (Dec 2008) Trailer

Star Trek (2009) Trailer

Terminator Salvation (2009) Trailer