4/5 (Good)
Barrington J. Bayley, an English sci-fi writer and a member of the Science Fiction New Wave, is considered a lost great — if not for his novels as novels, but for his well of bizarre/extraordinary/ Continue reading
A Film Rumination: Vertical Features Remake, Peter Greenaway (1978)
9/10 (Masterpiece)
Peter Greenaway’s early short concerns (in faux-documentary style with narration) a gaggle of intellectuals reconstructing a film based on fragmentary footage and virtually incomprehensible notes Continue reading
Book Review: The Rebel Worlds, Poul Anderson (1969)
3/5 (Average)
This was the first Poul Anderson book I managed to finish (I got bogged down in one of his later novels a few years ago). The Rebel Worlds is part of a series of books by Anderson about his main character Dominic Flandry and the failing Terran Empire. The series includes Ensign Flandry (1966), A Circus of Continue reading
Book Review: Orbit Unlimited, Poul Anderson (1961)
3/5 (Average)
Poul Anderson’s Orbit Unlimited is comprised of four short stories linked together chronologically and occasionally by recurrent characters. This structure is essentially a loose-form novel.
The first section describes the persecuted Constitutionalists (think Continue reading
Book Review: The Dramaturges of Yan, John Brunner (1982)
1/5 (Drivel)
First:
Imagine a universe where art has evolved to the point where a single man can utilize images, computers, mythology, drugs, history etc to single handily bring about a monumental shift in a culture’s society––even bringing about a past “culture/realization of past” that had long since dissipated on a planet. Continue reading
A Film Rumination: Europa (released as Zentropa in the US), Lars von Trier, (1991)
9/10 (Masterpiece)
Notable Awards received: Nominated for the Palm d’Or Cannes, Won Best Artistic Contribution Cannes, Won Jury Prize Cannes, Won Technical Grand Prize
For some reason despite my obsession with European cinema Continue reading
Book Review: The Reefs of Space, Frederik Pohl and Jack Williamson (1964)
3/5 (Average)
The Reefs of Space, by Frederick Pohl and Jack Williamson, is the first novel of the Starchild Trilogy (which includes Starchild and Rogue Star).
The novel follows the brilliant (and amnesia induced) scientist Continue reading
Book Review: Star Winds, Barrington J. Bayley (1978)
2/5 (bad)
Future Earth uses special ethereal silk (from Mars) to power wood ocean going boats across the sky. The silk is running out and the ocean going boats with canvas are going to be the next big thing. OK.
AGAIN, the draw of the “future crumbling empire fixation” (FCEF) Continue reading
Book Review: Mission to the Stars (variant title: The Mixed Men, A. E. Van Vogt (1945)
3/5 (Average)
A. E. van Vogt spins a great space opera in this short (157) page volume. Mission to the Stars–as it was later known–was originally published under the name The Mixed Men.
Here is a brief plot summary: Lady Gloria Laurr, Grand Captain Continue reading
Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations 