Tag Archives: Science Fiction

“Marjorie Prime”

Posted on February 17, 2018 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Director Michael Almereyda often uses postmodern prickliness to bring us closer to his subjects. He courts obviousness, underlining his meanings so that we won’t miss them; yet his work has a quicksilver quality that belies its … Continue reading →

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Notes on “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets”

Posted on January 28, 2018 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Based on the comic by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières, “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” more than makes good on the extravagant promise of its title. The principal setting is Alpha, an improbable … Continue reading →

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A Vested Interest In Disorder

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: I found myself mulling over a discussion in our class in History and Moral Philosophy. Mr. Dubois was talking about the disorders that preceded the breakup of the North American republic, back in the 20th century. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books Publishing and Writing, Philosophy and Religion, Politics and Economics | Tagged , , , | 9 Comments

Notes on “Capricorn One”

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: There is one great moment in the 1978 “Capricorn One”: a slow track away from a group of astronauts who are acting out a Mars landing for the benefit of a credulous public. As the head … Continue reading →

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Science Fantasy

Posted on April 12, 2015 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: Gawping at “science” evangelists has developed into one of my favorite pastimes. I use the scare quotes because, more often than not, the people who are celebrated as science evangelists (typically at places like Reddit) seem to … Continue reading →

Posted in Computers, Science, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

“Timecop”

Posted on March 9, 2014 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: Slick, clever, pretty amusing if also occasionally not very convincing Jean-Claude Van Damme time-travel action thriller from 1994, directed by Peter Hyams from a comic-book series. Van Damme’s a cop who’s assigned to police misuse of new … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

“Pacific Rim”

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: “Pacific Rim” comes across as a dream project for director Guillermo del Toro, his chance to blow his geek-visionary load while fireworks explode on the soundtrack. The concept is suitably awesome: giant robots battle giant monsters in an apocalyptic … Continue reading →

Posted in Computers, Movies, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

“After Earth”

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Fabrizio del Wrongo

Fabrizio del Wrongo writes: I’ve never been a fan of M. Night Shyamalan’s brand of high-concept solemnity. Yet his latest, the sci-fi fantasy “After Earth,” is so measured — so delicate and quiet and grave — that I found myself … Continue reading →

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“Starship Troopers 3: Marauder”

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Paleo Retiree

Paleo Retiree writes: Scrappy sequel to the brilliant Paul Verhoeven picture, directed this time by the first film’s screenwriter, Ed Neumeier. The movie was made on one-tenth the budget of the original and was shot in only 28 days, and … Continue reading →

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Sturgeon’s “Law” is Crap

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Blowhard, Esq.

Blowhard, Esq. writes: You may not know it had a name, but if you’ve spent any time talking about the arts, you’ve surely come across Sturgeon’s Law, coined by science fiction author Theodore Sturgeon: “Ninety percent of everything is crap.” The … Continue reading →

Posted in Art | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments