One of the many things that make the end of a year enjoyable is looking back at memorable experiences. For the nearly nine years that I have been a blogger this has involved posting about favorite reading and viewing experiences of the previous year. Equally enjoyable is reading those posts by others, both professional and amateur, sharing what impressed them over the course of a year.
For 2013 I decided to separate these into two posts, one highlighting viewing experiences (film and television) and the other reading experiences. Borrowing the parameters from SF Signal, in my look back over the past year these are not “necessarily films [and television] that were originally released this year — [I am] more interested in the best films [and television]…consumed for the first time in 2013”.
I welcome your comments on my picks and hope that you would share your own, either in the comments or by linking to any film/tv “Best of” posts that you may have written or come across.
FILM
The glut of superhero films over the year, and the varying quality of the films being made, to put it kindly, has in some measure put me off superhero films of late. Where I may have chosen to see them all, there now has to be something personally compelling to send me out to the theater. Robert Downey, Jr. is compelling. I’ve enjoyed all of the Iron Man films and as I stated in my full review of the movie, “…this third film, with an emphasis on existential angst and a theme of the boy growing up to be a man, is my favorite of the lot. Like the most recent James Bond film, there is a maturity to Iron Man 3 that I did not expect, but welcomed“.
Iron Man 3 gave us the expected amount of over-the-top action while upping the game of the actors, giving them good lines, deeper exploration of character, and well placed humor and pathos. I have long been a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow and it was nice to see her portrayal of Pepper Potts include some heroic moments all her own. It is telling to me that I went out to purchase this on blu-ray on release day and watched it again at the first opportunity.
In my review of the film I described Gravity thus: “Praised as an artistically beautiful spectacle for the eyes, Gravity is also a powerfully acted film that will keep you on the edge of your seat for the entirety of its ninety-one minutes”. Gravity is a space-lover’s dream, a film set almost entirely in the area outside our beautiful blue world, giving viewers a less science fictional, more reality-based look at life in space.
Sandra Bullock has proven time and again that she is as adept at dramatic roles as she is at comedy and she carries the film with confidence. Gravity is a film that rewarded viewers for making the effort to see it on the big screen. Its visuals were nothing short of stunning and seeing the film on an enormous screen gave viewers an exciting mix of vertigo and awe. The setting of the film is wondrous to behold but the film is worthy of consideration because of a story that matches the quality of the visuals.
Like The Unexpected Journey before it, Peter Jackson’s second film of the trilogy adapting The Hobbit is a divisive film, albeit one that appears to be getting more positive ratings from those who found the first film lacking. The Desolation of Smaug is a film the creators have been honest about in regards to its departure from the source material. This departure leaves some crying foul and others unconcerned and simply along for the ride. I fall squarely in the second camp.
As big a fan of Tolkien as I’ve become in the thirteen years since the release of the film adaptation of The Fellowship of the Ring, I am least familiar with and thus least invested in The Hobbit. It is important to me that the films capture the spirit of Tolkien’s work and frankly even more important that they tie in to The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. On both counts I think Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are doing an admirable job of penning these adventures and the rest of the people Jackson has surrounded himself with are making a visually rich world that inspires further exploration of Middle-earth.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is an action-heavy adventure that thrills on many fronts, most notably, for me, in visiting many of Middle-earth’s locales, even if for only a brief moment. For that alone I enjoyed the film. And it must be noted that the realization of Smaug on the big screen is awe-inspiring.
Like Gravity, one of the more appealing things about Europa Report is its attempt to ground the science fictional elements of the film in plausibility. The ship transporting a team to Jupiter’s moon in order to look for signs of life is one that mimics the design of the space station orbiting Earth. Europa Report is told in a found-footage style, put together as a documentary narrated by the ground team reviewing the nearly two-year journey of Europa One and her crew. The actors are not well-known and that fact coupled with strong performances allows the viewer to concentrate wholly on the story being told.
Perhaps because of its limited release and relatively small budget, more than anything else, I cannot help but compare this to another of my favorite science fiction films, Moon. I watched this streaming on Netflix and I strongly recommend that it be seen while it is available for streaming.
Despite an intriguing trailer, I would not have predicted Ender’s Game to make it to my list prior to seeing the film. There is so much going on in Orson Scott Card’s Hugo and Nebula Award winning novel that either would not lend itself readily to film or could not be adequately explored in one film that I expected the story to fall flat. That it did not is a credit to strong performances from young star Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, and Viola Davis. In all honesty the cast as a whole did an admirable job.
Any one-film adaptation of the novel was going to fall short in areas and that does happen. The emotional import and deeper message(s) of the novel do not come through with near the impact that comes from reading Card’s novel. With all the negatives lined up against the film adaptation, Ender’s Game pleasantly surprises with great visuals that do not overwhelm the story and memorable performances that do as much as was possible in less than two hours.
Ender’s Game is a good film and I am glad that I made the effort to see it in the theater. And if it encourages readers to experience the novel (and its even better follow-up, Speaker for the Dead) then that alone makes me happy that the adaptation was made.
Favorite Film of 2013
Allow me to acknowledge that from a purely critical perspective the best science fiction film of 2013 is Gravity. However, this post is about my favorites of the year and by that definition the film I found the most pleasure in for 2013 is Oblivion. Like John Carter in early 2012, Oblivion pushes many of those buttons that turned me on to science fiction as a child and that continue to fuel my passion for the genre today.
Criticism for this film abounds and much of it I cannot refute. There is very little unique to offer here and those who perhaps legitimately argue that Tom Cruise plays the same character in every movie will not see anything to challenge those opinions. Largely praised are the visual aesthetics of the film. It is a clean, stark beauty punctuated by a few gorgeous wilderness scenes and the design elements of the living quarters and vehicles and even the costumes earn that praise. But for me personally any criticism falls on deaf ears purely because this movie “did it” for me.
I like everything about the film and it is one I saw twice in theaters and have seen several times this year on blu-ray and every time I am reminded of it I want to pull it out and watch it again. As fans of story we acknowledge the feeling that certain books or films feel as if they were made especially for us and that is exactly the way I feel about Oblivion. My estimation for the film has grown throughout the year since its late April release.
Honorable mentions must go to Star Trek: Into Darkness, a film that I thoroughly enjoyed and will no doubt rewatch regularly. I only wish the filmmakers would have taken the story into new, or at least newer, territory. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire was a film I went to in large part to experience with my wife (as she is a fan of the books), particularly after I found the first movie wanting. Imagine my surprise when I was pulled right into the film and stayed engaged from start to finish. If the next two films maintain Catching Fire‘s momentum this film series may turn into something special.
TELEVISION
Moone Boy is a six-episode series centered on a twelve-year-old Irish boy, Martin Moone, and his imaginary friend played by series co-writer Chris O’Dowd (Roy of The IT Crowd fame). The series is set in the late 80’s/early 90’s and is semi-autobiographical in nature as O’Dowd draws upon his own childhood experiences for story material. Martin Moone is a sweet lad whose choice of conjuring a man like O’Dowd as his imaginary friend is a reflection of how odd young Moone can be. The series also features Moone’s parents and three older sisters and the cast does a marvelous job with their roles.
The humor is not mean-spirited and the sweetness of each episode is not overdone. O’Dowd and co-writer Nick Vincent Murphy strike a great balance, making each thirty minute episode a delight. The first series can be seen on Hulu Plus and the second series is slated to air in early 2014. I cannot recommend this show enough.
The Wrong Mans is a series I discovered from commercials while watching Moone Boy on Hulu Plus. The Wrong Mans is a six episode series that tells the story of young council worker, Sam Pinkett, who, while walking to work one hungover morning, witnesses a horrific automobile accident. After giving his report he resumes his trek to work only to hear a cell phone ringing. When he listens to the message he hears a voice on the other end threatening the imminent death of the wife of the phone’s owner unless certain demands are met. Later in the day at work the office mail distributor, Phil, overhears the cell phone message and sees it as an opportunity for he and Sam to become heroes, to “do the right thing”.
What follows is part thriller, part black comedy as Sam and Phil find themselves in way over their heads, bumbling into one dangerous situation after the other. The Wrong Mans is a bizarre, slightly askew show that features a large cast of well-known actors (if you watch a lot of British television) and delivers something unexpected in each episode.
Almost Human is the only current network television show that I am watching semi-live. When I can I catch it on Monday night as it airs, otherwise I view it as soon as possible via Hulu Plus.
Thus far I am impressed with the way in which Almost Human addresses the expected science fictional and police procedural tropes and does unexpected things with them. Almost Human is attempting to build depth with the main characters while making sure that the action comes in just the right dosage to keep viewers entertained while the show builds a following. This is a Fox show, so whether or not it is given the chance to build an audience is anyone’s guess.
Blandings is a series of thirty minute episodes featuring characters created by one of Britain’s best comedic authors, P.G. Wodehouse. Wodehouse’s most famous stories feature the bumbling dimwit Bertie Wooster and his intelligent butler Jeeves, stories adapted to television featuring Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry in the starring roles. My favorite Wodehouse book, Something Fresh, is a Blandings Castle novel and I was thrilled to discover this series available on dvd. I received it as a Christmas gift from my wife and we have enjoyed Timothy Spall’s personification of the doddering head of Blandings Castle, Lord Emsworth, and his prize pig, The Empress of Blandings. Jennifer Saunders is brilliant as his uptight, society-maven sister, Lady Constance. Equally enjoyable are the actors who play Lord Emsworth’s son Freddie Threepwood and Emsworth’s butler, Beach.
P.G. Wodehouse is a wordsmith of renown and his wit and skill are represented well in the dialogue of the series. The humor is quintessential Wodehouse, it is goofy and outlandish at times, but is often most effective when you feel the need to pause to contemplate a line that plays off the depth of Wodehouse’s use of language. I look forward to the next series.
Needed to do a quick update as I had Doctor Who Season 7 on my list then failed to include it on the first pass through this post. While season 7 was very uneven at times and was far from my favorite, it introduced one of my favorite companions thus far, Clara, and had some stand out episodes. I was unhappy with the way the writers treated Amy and Rory over their final few episodes which colored my feelings about those characters and this season in ways that disappoint me. But even in its flaws my investment in this show and these characters remains strong, my passion burns bright.
I enjoyed the 50th Anniversary special and am happy that I chose to see that in the theater. I also enjoyed the way that Matt Smith’s final episode, the recent Christmas Special, tied into the last half of season 7 and the anniversary special. He will be missed.
For those of you who have yet to become Whovians, there are MANY months now before Season 8 begins, thus there is plenty of time to stream the New Who from Season 1 through 7 and discover just what is so magical about this show.
And there are my favorite viewing experiences of 2013. I would love to know your favorites as well as your thoughts on my choices, agree or disagree. If you have done a separate post about films and/or television, please leave a link to your post below. If your viewing favorites are included in your favorite reads of the year, please hold off until I post about my favorite reading experiences of 2013 and post the link there.
My fave film of the year is Gravity, but I have a very different “reading” of it to most people. Ahem.
I’m convinced that the film isn’t actually set in space at all; instead it all takes place in some kind of mental health institution in which Sandra Bullock’s character has been sectioned following her grief-related breakdown after the death of her child.
There are various hints that she isn’t really an astronaut (6 months training? as if! – and there’s no way somebody as emotionally fragile as her would pass the astronaut psych test requirements – and this is made painfully obvious).
Hence my conclusion, that the outer space that the film presents us with is just a metaphor for the inner space of Bullock’s character. It’s how she conceives of her life subsequent the loss of her daughter. I’m wary of resorting to cliched language here, but the scenes in which she is detached and adrift and spinning without any direction aren’t *literal* events, but figurative visualisations of her emotional turmoil. Likewise Clooney’s character is some kind of Doctor or psychiatrist at the institution helping her through her grief. When he severs the tether and drifts away, he’s really just helping Bullock to come to terms with the world on her own, slowly reducing her reliance on him and his aid. (and perhaps he visits her once more at a later date – represented by her hallucination of him).
And finally, and most obviously, I guess, Sandra B standing up on her own two feet at the film’s end is the moment she accepts what’s happened (She lost her child) and comes to term with the bereavement.
Okay, so I know this is a kinda avant-garde reading of the film (I like doing this to films), but more so than any film I’ve seen in recent years, I’m convinced I’m right. This isn’t to say that EVERY event in Gravity is some kinda convoluted metaphor, but as a whole, I find this a very convincing way of examining grief, loss of direction and recovery. 🙂
Awesome post, as always,
Tomcat
Interesting reading of the film and I could certainly see a director of Cuaron’s talent doing something like that. I’m happy with seeing the film as what is presented though. But wow, you really thought this through. Thanks for sharing it!
I hope having a writer/director like Cuaron do a film like this that achieved critical and financial success will lead to more genre films of this caliber being made. I’m not holding my breath, but it would be nice.
I haven’t had any desire to see this film. I know I should but it just not the type of space film I want to see. I want space adventure stories. Oblivion and Gravity seem like polar opposites. I guess its like my book theory. If I start reading it and don’t like it I stop. Gravity was one of those trailers that didn’t do anything for me. I was like meh! so I saved the money. I’m glad you liked it. It seemed like a movie you enjoy more than me. I also don’t need anymore stress in my life and the way so many people have described the viewing experience turned me off as well.
I can understand that, though you are missing out on a good film. It is stressful, but I certainly didn’t see it as any less so than any other action movie where the character has to survive against all odds.
That doesn’t bother me at all. There are good films that come out all year that neither of us watch because they ultimately either don’t appeal to us or other films just grab our interest more at those times of our lives. It won’t bother me one bit if I never see Gravity just like it doesn’t bother me when I don’t watch other Oscar winners. Life’s too short to watch what just doesn’t grab you. We both already have a ton of To be watched or a To be read items. I’d rather try out The Wrong Mans or watch the upcoming new Jack Ryan movie with Chris Pine rather than Gravity. I’m sure there not better for all but they are better for me.
Oh I know. I’m the same way with a BUNCH of stuff, as you know.
I didn’t realize until seeing a trailer last night that Pine was playing Jack Ryan and now I’m really excited about that one. I would have seen it anyway as I’ve liked the other films, but that kicks it up a notch for me.
It does seem like it has been a good movie year, although I have seen none of these movies (we don’t go to the theater). I will probably try Almost Human sometime, if only because I like Karl Urban.
I’m happy with the movie year we’ve had, particular with genre films.
Karl Urban is great in Almost Human. If you like him in LOTR and Star Trek you won’t be disappointed with him in this show.
My husband checked out your “best of” posts. He is interested in Europa Report so I will get to see what I think of it.
We also liked Karl Urban in RED. I am sure we will get to Almost Human sometime. We have so much TV on DVD to watch, plus shows lined up for streaming. We will never get to it all.
I hear you. Much of what we’ve started watching this year, like Leverage and Warehouse 13, are stuff that has been out forever and we are just finally getting to it.
I am so beyond behind on television and movies. Lorrie watches them and supposedly I am here, but I never seem to pay attention.
As am I, Kailana, which is why much of what we watch is streamed. The reason I subscribed and pay for Hulu Plus (thus discovering two great shows) is because I cannot even keep up with a once per week live television commitment with Almost Human.
I also like this time of year. It’s fun finding about new shows and books you might have missed hearing about that you need to track down the next year.
As for Oblivion I agree with you whole heartedly. It’s my choice as favorite film for 2013. It had the classic Scifi vibe that has drawn me back to it repeatedly throughout the year. I’m also looking forward to Tom Cruise’s next Scifi epic in 2014 with co star Emily Blunt, Edge of Tomorrow.
Other films I enjoyed a lot this year were Iron Man 3, Hobbit 2, Ender’s Game and Catching Fire. Most disappointing film of the year was Star Trek into Darkness. I’m a bigger Trek fan than Wars fan myself. I love the actors but the retread storyline completely disappointed me. I hope JJ handles the SW universe better than he has the ST one. I can’t bring myself to watch it again yet that’s how disappointed I am with it…
My guilty pleasure favorite movie experience of the year though was watching the 1980 classic Flash Gordan on BluRay which my family was nice enough to get me for my birthday. I realize you may all hate this film but my favorite band of all time is Queen and I love Scifi and this film has both rolled into one. Go, Flash, Go!
I found a lot more to like on the small screen this year than the big screen myself this year. I don’t have cable so most everything I watch is a season behind through Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus or on DVD so keep that in my mind with what I enjoyed most in 2013.
Favorite series for me this year was getting to see Game of Thrones Season 2 on BluRay. I’m a huge fan of the books so seeing it come to life the right way on HBO has a been awesome.
My favorite single episode of any show was The 50th anniversary Doctor Who episode. I thought they knocked it out of the part with all the doctors and companions together in one episode. Everyone had their moments. I would love to see Smith and Tennant together one day as they had great chemistry.
Other shows I enjoyed: Almost Human, Marvel Agents of Shield, Big Bang Theory Season 5, Downton Abbey Season 3, Doctor Who current season, Justified seasons 1,2, and 3, American Horror Story season 1, Vikings Season 1, Falling Skies season 3, and the current season of Castle.
Favorite Sports moment of the year. Sporting KC winning the MLS Cup!!!
Fun post Carl! I look forward to your book post in the days to come!
I left the house earlier this evening realizing that I had forgotten to add Doctor Who, even though it was on my mental list as I was typing up the post this afternoon. So I’ve corrected that oversight now that I’m back home. I too was very pleased with the 50th Anniversary episode, especially the way they used it to tie in with the main storyline rather than trying to create something that entirely stands on its own.
We are several episodes behind on Agents of Shield but I would like to get caught up with it on Hulu Plus.
Happy that you watched and enjoyed Moone Boy (which I know because of your email, not your comment here). Such a fun show.
Oblivion and John Carter have been my favorite films these past few years and I agree with your reasons why that is as I feel the same way. I’m thrilled that you enjoy Flash too and am glad we got to go see it on the big screen a few years back. That was fun.
We’ve got book and book cover favorites posts coming up! I’m looking forward to doing them both (am going to go to work now while watching the Dallas/Philly game).
I was wondering how you had left Dr Who off your list. I will miss Smith as he’s my favorite Doctor but I’m sure I will grow to like the new Doctor. I sure wish we didn’t have to wait so long for new episodes.
I did enjoy Moone boy but not enough to make my list. I’m just don’t enjoy comedies half as much as dramas. The Big Bang Theory is the one exception and I believe its because it’s a genre show.
I can’t believe Jerry Jones has owned the Cowboys for 25 years now… Ugh.
I know, hard to believe it has been that long.
I will miss Smith too. Tennant is still my favorite, but the the gap between the two is negligible. I am unhappy we have to wait so long for new episodes. I think it will build up an unreasonable expectation for the new guy and I sincerely hope we are won over as quickly with him as we were with Smith.
I hope we are won over quickly as well. I’m not excited about his accent. He was only on screen a short time but I had trouble understanding him. Maybe he was just talking too fast for me and it was an abrupt transformation. I need to rewatch the episode. I’m sure it will be fine. I just need time to adjust. Too bad we have to wait until next fall. I have no idea why. Is it because of the Sherlock films you think?
I don’t know if it is because of Sherlock or if it has to do with the decision to not split the season as they had been and instead have one full season shown all together. It wouldn’t be quite as bad waiting if we had had the bulk of season 7 here at the end of the year plus the two specials, but given that we waited months for the 50th Anniversary special and Christmas special and now have to wait until the later half of the year for Season 8 feels like a ridiculously long time. Not sure if we will do it or not but I’m tempted to start with the last Eccleston/Rose episode and watch the series again.
I very tempted as well… I suppose it’s a post doctor grief stage.
I’m sure it is. That and the “how can I wait for that many months for more Who” stage…but then again I do have the books.
We are going to listen to that audio book you got Mary on the way to her parents later this week.
That’s cool. I hope you both enjoy it.
Me too, we are excited.
Great picks Carl! I shall have to try and catch Moone Boy. It looks really good 😀
It is so much fun Kelly, and sweet too. The actor who portrays Martin Moone couldn’t do a better job.
Wonderful pics, a few I have seen (YAY Oblivion!) and some I need to check out 😉
I agree, Yay Oblivion! (Sounds like we are cheering for our destruction or something, lol!)
I’m not doing any favourites this year carl but agree with all of your film choices except Europa reports and that’s only because I haven’t seen it yet (but I do want to seek it out). I loved Oblivion in particular.
Well feel free to post about any favorites here, Bride, as I’d love to know. I always enjoy your movie posts.
IRON MAN 3 was my favorite movie of the year. Loved GRAVITY, but it just missed the cut. I’m enjoying ALMOST HUMAN but it’s still too new for me to put it on my FAVORITES list. I’ll miss Matt Smith. And I really miss Karen Gillian (my favorite all-time COMPANION).
I miss her too, but more and more I’m hard pressed to pick a favorite companion. I lean towards Rose simply because she was the first (of this new series) and I was very smitten of her, especially the way she and the 10th Doctor got on. But I did really like Karen Gillian.
SPOILERS FOR DOCTOR WHO:
I was disappointed with the episode at/near the end when suddenly Amy and Rory were separated and not getting along. I felt that it spit in the face of all they had previously been through to suddenly have them at odds and unable to communicate with one another without the Doctor’s intervention. To be frank it really made me mad and I’ve not gotten over it. I feel this black cloud hanging over what were to lovely companions for Matt Smith’s Doctor.
I’m so afraid that we won’t get much of Almost Human for it to be anything but “too new”, lol, given that it is a Fox show. But fingers crossed. It hit the right stride in the first episode for me which is why it has quickly become a favorite.
we have Wrong Mans queued and looking forward to taking the time to watch it. Do so much want to see Gravity… love so many of your choices. It was a good SF year and I am looking forward to 2014’s offerings.
I look forward to reading your thoughts on it. I read a review that posited that the humor didn’t work well with the thriller elements. I disagree, personally, but admit that it is an odd show. Which is one of the reasons we enjoyed it so much.
2014 looks to have potential, at any rate. Look forward to seeing what your reading plans put on my radar.
Problem: I saw ONE film in 2013, and it was released in 1996. I didn’t like it much, so I”m not even naming it.
Solution: start watching the stuff on my 150 film long Netflix queue. I don’t much care for going to the movies, and 3-D glasses, over my regular glasses, are a big hassle, so whatever I watch is on a 47 inch HD screen in the living room. Since one wall of that room is glass and the blinds don’t block much light, and since 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm is the Wife Viewing News block, by the time it would be movie time I am otherwise occupied with a book, already too tired to watch a 1.5 to 2.0 hour movie, or just not in the mood. I had a Netflix film for 11 months before I finally got around to watching it (the one already mentioned). Sigh.
Wow!
But then again I guess we watch very little television and a lot of movies (and we both cannot stomach much of the news or reality television…besides the NFL, lol!)
I’ve noticed that there are certain shows and some of my games that cannot be properly viewed during the daytime because our prime tv room has windows on three sides, so I understand your dilemma.
I’m getting to the point that starting to watch something that is more than 30 min to an hour long after 8 is not what I’m awake enough to do. I need something more interactive like reading or gaming.
Your film reviews almost always make me want to watch more films! Here, I’m reminded that I haven’t yet seen Catching Fire. And every time you mention The Hobbit, I want to see it again. I think Smaug alone might be worth it! Almost Human has been one of my favorite new TV series this year, so far. I’ve only seen a few episodes, but have the rest waiting on DVR (which is rather dangerous device, actually…).
I would be a mess if I had DVR, I think. I would end up recording things just because I could and would have tv lined up for years.
I want to see Smaug again on the big screen but am not sure I’ll end up getting back to see it, especially as there are other films out now I’d like to catch.
Hi Carl. I liked your list. I could have written this sentence myself “I like everything about the film and it is one I saw twice in theaters and have seen several times this year on blu-ray and every time I am reminded of it I want to pull it out and watch it again”. Oblivion was my favorite SF and Hobbit: DOS my favorite fantasy. I watched Enders Game on a giant IMAX theatre… visually amazing, better than I expected.
I’m looking forward to Jupiter Ascending, and Edge of Tomorrow for 2014.
Thanks Ian. I am surprised that I haven’t seen more blasting of Oblivion in the year end posts…sadly I’ve mostly seen it ignored though so maybe that is even worse. In the end I’m happy that it was made as it is my kind of movie.
I had forgotten about Jupiter Ascending, so thanks for the reminder. I’m looking forward to it and to Edge of Tomorrow. Big fan of Emily Blunt and with Cruise I expect it to be another fun action film.
Hi
Just discovered your blog and have been reading some earlier posts also. Kind of rediscovering science fiction thru you.
Any comments on the Orphan Black BBC series? I watched the rerun this summer and, although the story slowed for me, I watched it just for the actress and plan to watch the new season.
I looked forward to Gravity,but other than the 3D I was disappointed.
My wife is a big Wodehouse fan so will have to tell her about the Blandings series.
Thanks Jim, happy to stoke science fiction fires.
I haven’t watched any of Orphan Black as it is not streaming on any of the places I used. I don’t have cable or dish so haven’t been able to watch BBC America. Hopefully they will pop it up on Netflix soon as it looks interesting to me.
She should love Blandings then. Wish I could watch Series 2 immediately, but as it hasn’t been shown yet that would be a neat trick.
Carl I checked out Orphan Black from the library. It’s a little graphic I will add. You might research it some online to see if Mary and you would be comfortable with it.
I watched a trailer last night and read a bit about it and it doesn’t instantly grab me as something I want to watch, though it does look interesting. I was hoping it was more overtly science fictional simply because I want more Firefly/Star Trek new shows to watch. Ah well, some day. Not like I don’t have lots of others to finish up (Farscape) or start (Babylon 5).
Nope. It’s defiantly not that. It’s a science driven show in the current world. Nothing like Firefly or Star Trek which I also would rather watch.. I liked it but while watching it I also didn’t push it on you because I also think there are some things you’d find more uncomfortable than I did.
Doesn’t look to be streaming anywhere currently for free anyway, which makes my choices easier.
Almost Human has the science fiction sets and props of the kind of show we’re looking for but isn’t that kind of show, its a cop show.
Yeah I agree its a cop show first and foremost. What we really want is the next Space Opera show and it’s not there. I wish I could have caught Defiance on the Syfy next work because maybe that would have scratched our itch but it’s not anywhere to be seen online right now either.
I assume we’ll get one eventually, but I hate waiting. I was listening to the SF Signal Podcast today, the most recent one, and Hester was sharing what Abrams vision might have been for the Star Trek franchise and in some ways I wish that had happened so that we could see a television show happening right now.
You know what I liked most about Ender’s Game? (Obviously not, which is why I will tell you…) I liked that the film was not pitched directly at a young audience. It was not made for kids. Not in my opinion, anyway.
Because there was so much detail to pack into a small time frame, some of the pivotal moments were less nuanced that I would have liked, but the film did get the message across and did so more than adequately, as you say, thanks to really good acting.
As a fan of the book (and the entire series), I came away from the film feeling pleased. I felt they did it justice. 🙂
I agree. They could have really pushed it as a kid’s movie and even though the trend for the last several years has been to market the book to a younger audience, it is an adult story.
I need to read more of the books, I’m way behind on them.
I’m watching now Almost Human (it got to Polish channel of AXN) and I like it. It has a good plot, the idea behind it is really nice, it’s a nice look at the crime in the future, good actors… And the show got cancelled, dammit. >< Just like SGU.
It's high time the TV stations stop making TV series. They kill good shows but still run crappy ones for too long. :/