tag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515elektraelektraelektra2014-08-11T06:46:46Ztag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:58744I am Groot!2014-08-11T06:07:31Z2014-08-11T06:46:46Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/guardians-of-the-galaxy-movie-review/">It’s been <em>years</em> since I saw a movie in the theater twice in as many days–<em>Guardians of the Galaxy</em> is that special.</a></p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
<em>Guardians of the Galaxy</em> throws you in at the deep end and turns away, confident you’ll love what you’ll see, but not really giving a darn if you do or not. And it blasts “Cherry Bomb” on a boombox at you the whole time.</p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/i-am-groot/" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=58744" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:58351Do those look like Apes to you?2014-07-29T04:29:43Z2014-07-29T04:29:43Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/dawn-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-movie-review/"><em>Dawn of the Planet of the Apes</em> is a stunning triumph for motion caption afficionados as it seamlessly integrates new technology to bring the simian cast members to life in a non-distracting why. This leaves the way open to focus on character development and plot, creating a richly realized world.</a></p>
<p>Planet of the Apes fandom encompasses three different generations of movies, both a live action and an animated TV series, comic books, magazines, tie-in novels–yet there are still more stories to be told.</p>
<p>And in this case, told very well. See my full review at buzzymag.<br />
<br />
An excerpt:<br />
The world has become a tiny place.</p>
<p>One that has a lot of Planet of the Apes movies in it. </p>
<p><em>Dawn of the Planet of the Apes</em> sits firmly at the top of the heap. </p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/do-those-look-like-apes-to-you/" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=58351" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:57594Are you ready for the annual Purge?2014-07-17T15:43:10Z2014-07-17T15:43:10Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/the-purge-anarchy-movie-review/"><em>The Purge: Anarchy</em> is ambitious dystopic near future, with a few too many plot lines crammed in. It gives you a glimpse into a frighteningly possible world, from the rich who do whatever they please to the poor who try to survive, and the politicians who run things. My full review is at buzzymag.</a></p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
The Purge: Anarchy is bigger than the first film, but not necessarily better. There’s a solid look into the world here, this time focusing on the disadvantaged–those who can’t afford to hide behind expensive security systems, with all the safety money can buy. </p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/are-you-ready-for-the-annual-purge/" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=57594" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:5584120 Minutes into the Future2014-05-03T22:15:45Z2014-05-03T22:31:16Zpublic0<p><a href="buzzymag.com/transcendence-movie-review/"><em>Transcendence</em> is a good idea, with a great cast, that maybe didn’t end up the way the writer or the director visualized it. There are certainly some interesting concepts here, and some of the ideas will keep you thinking long after the movie’s over. For more, see the full review at buzzymag.</a></p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
<em>Transcendence</em> is one of those movies that mixes in a lot of philosophizing and responsibility-for-the-future content in with its story telling. Fortunately for the casual moviegoer, it keeps the message well camouflaged, and it isn’t nearly so preachy as Seagal’s archetypic <em>On Deadly Ground</em>. </p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/20-minutes-into-the-future/" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=55841" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:55080What if you had all the time in the world?2013-12-21T08:35:49Z2013-12-21T08:35:49Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/about-time-movie-review/">If you could travel in time, you might have time for the things you wanted to do, or at the least the things you cared enough about to do right. That’s one of the core themes of <em>About Time</em>, the latest directorial effort from the man who brought you <em>Love Actually</em>. My full review is at buzzymag.<br />
</a><br />
An excerpt:<br />
What would you do if you had all the time in the world?</p>
<p>About Time answers that question. It’s the most adorable time-travel romantic comedy you are ever likely to see. It’s positively precious. </p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/what-if-you-had-all-the-time-in-the-world/" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=55080" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:54863The Girl on Fire is back2013-12-21T08:17:49Z2013-12-21T08:17:49Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/the-hunger-games-catching-fire-movie-review/">In a year filled with sequels and three-qals, <em>Catching Fire</em> was highly anticipated and certainly lived up to the hype. More of all the things that made <em>The Hunger Games</em> a big hit, with a different story to tell, and more, bigger everything. See my full review at buzzymag.</a></p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
A number of past Hunger Games-victors are also brought into play in Catching Fire. Like Haymitch, they have been shaped by their experiences. Particularly of note are Johanna Mason and Finnick Odair, who combine sharp wits and lethal physicality with charming recklessness.</p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/the-girl-on-fire-is-back/" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=54863" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:53686Life as video game2013-11-12T10:00:03Z2013-11-12T10:00:03Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/enders-game-movie-review/">Orson Scott Card’s <em>Ender’s Game</em> is in theaters now, a sterile big budget adaption that kills lots of aliens while generating a ton of controversy over whether Card’s outspoken views should influence your choice to attend this movie. it’s a personal decision, and each person needs to do what feels right to them: skip th emovie, balance seeing the movie with a donation to an appropriate cause, etc. The political hot potato and projected sales make a sequel unlikely to follow soon.</a></p>
<p><em>Ender’s Game</em> effectively creates a disturbing future, full of hard choices. The cast is mostly effective in their roles, the sets are extraordinary, and it’s easy to believe sequences are happening in space. What was missing seemed to be the introspection from the book–it’s not one I’ve read, and I felt there was something missing. My full review is at buzzymag.</p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
The world’s smartest children have been recruited to fight the war, raised on war games, their quick minds more able to adapt to the possible strategies needed to defeat the enemy. Ender Wiggins is one of these children–intelligent, athletic, well-trained.</p>
<p>This is his story.</p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/life-as-video-game/" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=53686" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:51344Riddick Rises2013-09-26T06:23:32Z2014-04-20T01:04:04Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/riddick-movie-review/">Vin Diesel is back in the epic conclusion to the trilogy begun in <em>Pitch Black</em>. See him fight more mercenaries, deal with an even more hostile environment, see him fight against overwhelming odds and . . . my full review is at buzzymag.</a></p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
Are you afraid of the dark? Are you afraid of the boogeyman? Did you like <em>Pitch Black</em>? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”–you will enjoy the new follow-up to <em>The Chronicles of Riddick</em>, titled simply <em>Riddick</em>.</p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/riddick-rises/" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=51344" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:50999It’s not Paranoia when they’re really out to get you2013-09-12T05:24:49Z2013-09-12T05:24:49Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/paranoia-movie-review/">Paranoia is full of fabulous stars and solid performances, but I couldn’t find anyone to identify with, so it was a real hard sell for me. I go into more detail about way in my reivew at buzzymag.</a></p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
Adam Cassidy (Liam Hemsworth) is a whiny, entitled, 20-something techie who has spent the last six years working for Wyatt Corp, a major player in the telecommunications industry. He and his friends are impatient that they haven’t advanced yet, to big bonuses and living large.</p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/its-not-paranoia-when-theyre-really-out-to-get-you/" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=50999" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:49441SFWA !!2013-08-14T08:15:16Z2013-08-14T08:15:16Zpublic0<p>I am now an affiliate member of Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA). That is all.</p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=1072" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=49441" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:47614Dystopia is the new black2013-07-07T04:51:42Z2013-07-26T19:03:19Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/the-purge-movie-review">This a low-budget, well-written, well-conceived well-acted thriller based on some clever manipulations of society. What would good people do under pressure and with no fear or reprisal? It’s an interesting look at a social experience gone terribly wrong.</a></p>
<p>Sequel <em>The Purge 2</em> is already in the works, after <em>The Purge</em> made approx $34 million opening weekend, on a budget of $3 million.</p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
The Sandins are a rich family living in a gated community. This is a near future where the “new founding fathers” have given everyone a way to resolve their aggressive tendencies: once a year, for twelve hours, anything goes. The annual Purge. </p>
<p>The result is a weirdly polite society . . .</p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=1049" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=47614" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:47078Double-tap to the head2013-06-29T01:39:35Z2013-06-29T01:39:35Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/world-war-z-movie-review/">I was really looking forward to <em>World War Z</em>–from the first time I heard Joe Straczynski was doing the adaption to seeing the first high-octane trailers. It wasn’t what I expected (what ever is?), but it turned out to be a very entertaining movie. See my full review at buzzymag.</a></p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
There are some bits from the book here, in the discussions Lane has with people he meets with, but most of the interesting geopolitical aspects fall by the wayside in favor of high-action zombie setpieces. Those were absolutely awesome. No question. Too many of them were in the trailers, but they still had a huge impact.</p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=1045" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=47078" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:45556What does happen After Earth?2013-06-18T07:52:14Z2013-06-18T07:52:14Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/after-earth-movie-review/">Will Smith can be absolutely amazing–just watch him in <em>Men in Black</em> or <em>Hancock</em>. But he took on a bit too much in After Earth–creating the story, and then went from bad to worse by selecting M. Night Shyamalan to fix-it-up and direct. See a more in depth list of what went wrong at buzzymag.</a></p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
I wanted to like this movie. I really, truly did.</p>
<p>I saw the trailers, and I loved the high concept put forth: that humans had left Earth a thousand years ago (for reasons unknown) and now Kitai Raige and his Dad, Cypher Raige, have crash-landed there. </p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=1021" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=45556" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:44677Space, the Final Frontier2013-05-22T09:06:22Z2013-05-22T09:07:16Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/star-trek-into-darkness-movie-review/">As a long time trekkie, I had to go see <em>Star Trek Into Darkness</em>, and I so wanted to love it. It’s got a great cast, a hot director, a big budget. And yet–this isn’t my father’s Star Trek, nor is it mine. It’s trying so hard to be a summer tentpole blockbuster that it’s lost sight of what Star Trek is.</a></p>
<p>I hope they find themselves. The new kid on the block is fun, but not nearly as interesting as that old guy we’ve known for so many years. I miss my father’s Star Trek–my Star Trek.</p>
<p>My somewhat more detailed, yet spoiler-free review is over at buzzy-mag–that was fun to juggle, given the content. Go take a look.</p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
But Into Darkness? That’s a hard call. Don’t get me wrong–it’s entertaining, it’s fun. High action, great effects, chase scenes, things going boom. But it’s not really my Trek.</p>
<p>Honestly, don’t listen to me–go see it anyway. It has it’s moments–there are seatbelts on the Enterprise. I just wish it had been . . . more.</p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=1002" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=44677" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:43745Tom Cruise in Mental Blankness2013-04-26T04:02:24Z2013-04-26T04:02:24Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/oblivion-movie-review/">I found Tom Cruise’s new film, <em>Oblivion</em>, great entertainment, although not without its faults. The casting was spot on, the effects good, and it’s always nice to see a big budget sci-fi film. See my full review at buzzy mag.</a></p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
Tom Cruise zipping through the sky–shades of Top Gun. It worked in the ‘80s, why not try it again? That seemed to be the thought at the heart of Oblivion, Cruise’s new science fiction/action film. But fancy flying and beautiful vistas can only take you so far . . .</p>
<div class="kindleWidget kindleLight"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/send-to-kindle/media/white-15.png" /><span>Send to Kindle</span></div><p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=992" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=43745" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:42545We have met the enemy and he is us2013-04-14T03:44:17Z2013-04-14T03:44:17Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/the-host-movie-review/">Alien invasion and the oddest love triangle? quadrangle? ever feature into <em>The Host</em>. It’s the 51st movie I’ve reviewed since I started doing reviews last May. Go read the full review at buzzymag.</a></p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
<em>The Host</em> is the latest offering from Stephenie Meyer, set in a dystopic future where Earth has been taken over by parasitic aliens, who want to experience and perfect our world. Except for the whole “taking over all the humans” thing.</p>
<p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=973" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=42545" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:36089The Buffalitos are Back2012-11-02T00:12:13Z2012-11-02T00:12:13Zpublic0<table cellspacing="15">
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<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/manny.jpg"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/manny-300x296.jpg" alt="manny the buffalito" width="300" height="296" class="size-medium wp-image-863" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Manny the buffalito in his 3D glasses</p></div>
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<a href="http://buzzymag.com/buffalito-buffet-by-lawrence-m-schoen-book-review/"> Lawrence M. Schoen’s tales of the amazing Conroy and his buffalito Reggie are always fun to read. This latest entry in the series is a collection of shorter works, including new novella “Barry’s Tale.” Prepare to be amazed and entertained as you follow along his adventures. Read the full review at buzzymag.</a>
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<p>An excerpt:<br />
Let me introduce you to the Amazing Conroy, interstellar hypnotist and buffalito wrangler. What’s a buffalito? I’ll tell you. They’re an alien lifeform that look just like tiny buffalos–what’s more, they can eat absolutely anything, and then they fart it back out as oxygen. This makes them an incredibly valuable commodity.</p>
<p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=862" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=36089" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:35293That 70s Show2012-10-24T20:13:03Z2012-10-24T20:13:03Zpublic0<table cellspacing="15">
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<em>Argo</em><br />
Director: Ben Affleck<br />
Writers: Chris Terrio, Joshuah Bearman (article)<br />
Stars: Bean Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Victor Garber
<p>I remember when Ted Koppel was on TV for half-an-hour every night giving updates on the Iranian hostage crises: that would in due time become <em>Nightline</em>, a show he would host for twenty-five years. During the almost fifteen months Americans were held hostage, it seemed things would never be back to “normal.”</p>
<p>It’s been over thirty years. <em>Argo</em> brought it all back.
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<a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/argo.jpg"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/argo-202x300.jpg" alt="argo poster" title="argo" width="202" height="300" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-849" /></a>
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<p>Argo opens with a great historical montage and voiceover describing the critical events leading to the hostage crises. It gives you a great sense of both realism and history, despite the fact that the story has been fictionalized. (For more of the real details, the <em>Wired</em> article that <em>Argo</em> was partially based on can be found <a href="”http://www.wired.com/magazine/2007/04/feat_cia/all/”">here</a>.</p>
<p>Obviously, any “plot holes” have to be forgiven because that was just the way it happened. The idea of legitimizing something by putting ads in <em>Variety</em>, etc.–how could it not be real? The details were simply amazing: that they actually had to option the script, set up an office, etc.</p>
<p>The oddest piece for me was the priority put on incinerating the classified material–didn’t they have shredders? Then later, other documents are shredded. Still later, teams of carpet weavers (some of them children) worked to reassemble the shredded document pieces. I would have called this totally improbable if it hadn’t happened in real life–which can often be stranger than fiction.</p>
<p>Occasional clips of the shah, Ayatollah Khomeini, and President Carter, as well as general stock footage, really keeps this grounded in the period. Kudos to the makeup and costume folks for outstanding work, as well as set design, props, locations–the feel is spot on.</p>
<p>What makes this film stand out is the excellent pacing. It’s a scary time–the “houseguests” were in fear for their lives, and there is a genuine sense of urgency–you practically want to cheer. A good script and fine directing by Ben Affleck clearly come into play here.</p>
<p>There are also some great performances, particularly Affleck as Tony Mendez, and John Goodman and Alan Arkin representing Hollywood as makeup man John Chambers and producer Lester Siegel. </p>
<p>But honestly, how did we live without cell phones back then? It was plain weird seeing spies getting phone calls at someone’s house.</p>
<p>Geek fact: the actual script used was an adaption of Roger Zelazny’s <em>Lord of Light</em> . . . </p>
<p>Argo f** yourself.</p>
<p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=848" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=35293" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:32894Time Travel Done Right2012-10-07T22:26:42Z2012-10-07T22:35:37Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/looper-movie-review/">Rian Johnson really has a corker in <em>Looper</em>, a time travel tale told from the point of view of someone who <em>doesn’t</em> travel in time. In fact, the mechanics of time travel take a back seat to the characters. The film works amazing well. My full review is up at buzzymag.</a></p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), like other young men with limited education, was recruited to be a looper–a lucrative job that deliberately requires no special skills and a distinct lack of morals. He lives like a rock star, with a hard partying life-style. One who occasionally kills people.</p>
<p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=821" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=32894" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:32011If you really want to make money, start a religion . . .2012-10-06T04:20:33Z2012-10-06T04:25:36Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/the-master-movie-review/">A well-crafted, engaging film–<em>The Master</em> will really get you thinking. It’s got some amazing performances–I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t come up at Oscar time. See my full review at buzzymag.</a></p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
I was really looking forward to The Master. Why was I so interested? Word was out that the movie was loosely based on L. Ron Hubbard and the origins of Scientology, and I’ve read a lot about Hubbard–Robert Heinlein and John Campbell talked about him and his theories a lot in their correspondence.</p>
<p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=810" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=32011" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:31301Baltimore Book Festival was full of books . . . and writers2012-10-04T01:48:59Z2012-10-04T01:48:59Zpublic0<p>I spent the last weekend in September at the always fun Baltimore Book Festival, helping sell Danielle Ackley-MdPhail books at the SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of America) tent. Much fun was had by all in attendance.</p>
<p>I did panels with amazing, intelligent folks I am proud to have met: Sarah Pinsker, Kate Milford, Harry Heckel, Philippa Ballantine, Tee Morris, Tiffany Trent, Ellen Datlow, and Richard White–moderated by the awesome Catherine Asaro. I also got to meet and/or generally hang out with Cat Rambo, Rahul Kanakia, Laura Anne Gilman, Brenda Clough, Brandie Tarvin, Walter Greatshell, Don Sakers, Jack McDevitt, Bud Sparhawk, Tom Doyle, Sarah Beth Durst, Alethea Kontis, and Andrew Fox. My dh Mike even came out for the Saturday night meet and greet.</p>
<p>There was fun festival food, delicious low-fat smoothies from Maui Wowi, a lovely lunch out with writer Anatoly Belilovsky, and best of all, lots of visiting time with my host in Baltimore, eluki bes shahar, amazing mentor and incredible writer. </p>
<p>Looking forward to next year.</p>
<p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=790" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=31301" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:30167Baltimore Book Festival is this weekend2012-09-26T03:08:35Z2012-09-26T03:08:35Zpublic0<p>This weekend is the 17th Annual <a href="http://www.baltimorebookfestival.org" target="_blank">Baltimore Book Festival</a>, a three-day extravaganza of book-related fun spread over several blocks of downtown Baltimore. Readings, panels, demos, and signings will be taking place, as well as all manner of books, new and used, for sale. Dark Quest Books is handling the book sales for SFWA (Science Fiction Writers of America), who is a program partner for the event this year. I’ll be helping out with the book sales.</p>
<p>I’m also scheduled for two panels, both on Saturday, 29 September at the SFWA tent:</p>
<p>12 noon <strong>The Electronic Age</strong><br />
It’s here and it’s booming. A plethora of bonuses come with reading in the electro-optic age, including: eBooks, animation, audio books, and who knows what in the near future. Come hear what’s up in one of biggest developments in publishing.<br />
<em>Panelists include: Kate Milford, Sarah Pinsker, Harry Heckel, Elektra Hammond, Philippa Ballantine</em></p>
<p>1pm <strong>Steampunk and Gaslight: It’s Hot and on Top</strong><br />
Come talk with steampunk and gaslight authors about this immensely popular new genre.<br />
<em>Panelists include: Tee Morris, Tiffany Trent, Ellen Datlow, Richard White, Elektra Hammond</em></p>
<p>If you’re at the festival, stop by and say “hi.”</p>
<p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=776" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=30167" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:25808Is it live or is it Rekal?2012-08-06T19:57:24Z2012-08-14T01:09:55Zpublic0<p><a href="http://buzzymag.com/total-recall-movie-review/">Visually ostentatious but short on plot and character development, the 2012 adaption of Philip K. Dick’s “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale” is still solid summer entertainment, especially if you enjoy innovative chase scenes. See my full review at buzzymag.</a></p>
<p>An excerpt:<br />
A lot of thought went into designing this world, with its sweeping skyscrapers and intricate layers. The melange of cultures is shown via signage and decor styles, subtle but present. Less thought appears to have gone into some of the science . . . .</p>
<p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=715" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=25808" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:20766Galactic Creatures: An anthology coming in May2012-04-25T01:32:55Z2012-04-25T01:34:07Zpublic0<p>I am pleased and proud to announce <strong>Galactic Creatures</strong>, a new science fiction anthology to be published by Sparkito Press, featuring a gorgeous cover by <a href="http://www.pyracantha.com">Pyracantha</a>.<br />
<center><br />
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Galactic-Creatures-Cover.jpg"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Galactic-Creatures-Cover-300x217.jpg" alt="Cover of Galactic Creatures~art by Pyracantha" title="Galactic Creatures Cover" width="300" height="217" class="size-medium wp-image-625" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Cover of Galactic Creatures~art by Pyracantha</p></div><br />
</center><br />
There will be a book launch event at <a href="http://www.balticon.org">Balticon</a>, Memorial Day weekend, on Sunday the 27th from 7pm to 9pm, in the Garden Room, along with several other Dark Quest titles. Many of the contributors will be present, as will the cover artist and the collection editor (me).</p>
<p>Here is the table of contents. Start anticipating how much you’ll enjoy reading these terrific stories!</p>
<table cellpadding="15" align="left">
<tr>
<td>
<strong>Dragon Child</strong>
</td>
<td>
by Leona Wisoker
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>Lawn Care</strong>
</td>
<td>
by C.J. Henderson
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>Slow and Steady</strong>
</td>
<td>
by John L. French
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>The Dragon Ships of Tycho</strong>
</td>
<td>
by Alex Shvartsman
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>The Scrapper and the Saint Bernard</strong>
</td>
<td>
by Scott W. Baker
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>The Geas Ingenerate</strong>
</td>
<td>
by Don Sakers
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>The Sky Above the Sky</strong>
</td>
<td>
by Brian Koscienski & Chris Pisano
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>Heart of a Lion</strong>
</td>
<td>
by James Daniel Ross
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>Kudzu: A Prologue</strong>
</td>
<td>
by Bernie Mojzes
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>Broken in the Place of Dragons</strong>
</td>
<td>
by Rosemary Edghill
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<strong>Crossing Roads</strong>
</td>
<td>
by Patrick Thomas
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=624" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=20766" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> commentstag:dreamwidth.org,2009-05-12:330515:18950TICA Trend Book Review — A Beautiful Friendship2012-03-02T02:03:33Z2012-03-02T02:05:23Zpublic0<p><strong>A Beautiful Friendship</strong><br />
by David Weber</p>
<table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="15">
<tr>
<td align="left">
<a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/a-beautiful-friendship-cover.jpg"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/a-beautiful-friendship-cover-199x300.jpg" alt="cover for A Beautifl Friendship by David Weber" title="a beautiful friendship cover" width="199" height="300" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-575" /></a>
</td>
<td valign="middle">
<br />
Hardcover 2011<br />
Baen Books<br />
www.almadenbooks.com<br />
ISBN: 978-1-4516-3747-2
<p>
Rating: 5 paws (out of 5)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/five-poly-paws.png"><img src="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/five-poly-paws-300x43.png" alt="five poly paws on trans background" title="five poly paws" width="190" height="28" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-397" /></a>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p> David Weber is an exceptionally well-known writer among those who read science fiction, most particularly for his military science fiction series featuring Honor Harrington. The series spans Honor’s career in the Royal Manticoran Navy from midshipman to Grand Duchess and Admiral. And wherever Honor went, she was accompanied by her treecat, Nimitz, usually riding on her specially-padded shoulder.</p>
<p>Honor was born on Sphinx, a planet in the Star Kingdom of Manticore–a world settled by colonists from Earth. Treecats were the native sentient species on Sphinx, six-legged, telepathic, and looking something like domestic cats with very long prehensile tails. Treecats and humans sometimes formed an empathic lifelong bond.</p>
<p><strong>A Beautiful Friendship</strong> is the story of Stephanie Harrington, one of Honor’s ancestors, and the colonist who made first contact with the treecats. This is a coming-of-age story, showing interactions between human and treecat even as Stephanie is growing up and trying to figure out what to do with herself and her future. It’s a colonization story, set on a pioneer planet that still holds many dangers, with people exploring and learning about their new home. And it’s also a classic “first-contact” story, handling the complicated twists and turns that occur when the colonists realize that they share the planet with another sentient species–and that species was there first! </p>
<p>Most of the story is told from Stephanie’s point of view–this is her story, make no mistake. Occasional scenes and chapters fill in gaps using some of the adults as viewpoint characters where absolutely necessary to the plot. The other main viewpoint character is Lionheart, Stephanie’s treecat, or as he is referred to by his clan, Climbs Quickly. The chapters from his point of view, explaining treecat society and motivations is a real treat. The treecats find “two-legs” very confusing. For those familiar with Carole Nelson Douglas’s Midnight Louie mysteries, these chapters are a similar read to those from Louie’s viewpoint (a Las Vegas private eye with four black paws–see <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=414">here</a> for a review of Midnight Louie’s latest).</p>
<p>While Stephanie is an exceptionally bright girl, she is also quick-to-anger, and fiercely protective of those she loves. When she is in trouble, she looks for a logical solution to the problem, and really tries to think outside the box. But sometimes there isn’t an easy or quick solution, and she ended up frustrated, but that made the book a more satisfying read as she worked her way through more complex and layered problems. </p>
<p>I particularly enjoyed the insight into treecat society and their description of human activities–“Why should they need a nest place so large?” I also enjoyed the brief forays into the economics of colonization, and the concept of aided immigration: paying for your passage to the colony and earning the right to vote sooner versus having the government cover your passage and then paying taxes for several years before you voted in planetary elections.</p>
<p>While clearly aimed at and marketed as a young adult book, A Beautiful Friendship is suitable for people of all ages, most especially those who have shared a special relationship with a feline at some point in their lives.</p>
<p><strong>A Beautiful Friendship</strong> is based on a short story of the same title, which appeared in the anthologies <strong>More Than Honor</strong> and <strong>Worlds of Weber</strong>.</p>
<p style="text-align: right"><small>Mirrored from <a href="http://www.untilmidnight.com/wordpress/?p=573" title="Read Original Post">Until Midnight and Occasionally Later</a>.</small></p><br /><br /><img src="https://www.dreamwidth.org/tools/commentcount?user=elektra&ditemid=18950" width="30" height="12" alt="comment count unavailable" style="vertical-align: middle;"/> comments