Full Weekend

What a full weekend -- Christmas shopping. I love it and hate it at the same time. For anyone that has children in the family, it is amazing the things you will find in stores. The electronic games are absolutely awesome. My nephew wants the new EyeClops Night Vision Goggles. Who would have thought that night vision would be at this level -- kind of spooky if you really think about it. There are so many Star Wars toys, Iron Man, BatMan, etc. movie spin-off things.

With so much in the electronics field, I'm happy to say that a couple of children in the family still read. With so much visualized for them, how can the imagination of a child develop? I loved to read as a child and part of that wonder was creating characters from what I had read. What did they look like -- how would they act if we met? Today, the games do it for you. I don't think that's a good thing. While their motor skills may develop -- the gray matter between their ears is growing stagnant!

I did get to watch SANCTUARY on Sunday morning -- thank you SciFi for putting entire episodes out at the website. I really do like this show and I'm glad that it has been renewed for another season. While it can be a little predictable at times, it is still fun to watch. Knowing that most of what you see has been shot in front of green screen is amazing. The visuals are really pretty good.

I had been a big fan of HEROES, but I've sort of lost track of it these days. There are so many new characters and the old ones have changed dramatically. Haven't seen Bruce Boxleitner in it much -- after the one episode where he played the governor that asked Nathan Petrelli to be a senator. Like so many characters, you don't see them every week, so perhaps he will be back for more.

Talk to you soon,
Sandy

Star Trek Trailer

Did you have a chance to see the latest Star Trek trailer yet? The HD version came out this week and it looks amazing. There's an interview with Chris Pine over on SciFi and some other sites. I saw him in a movie while on an airplane and was really impressed with him. He played a blind guy who had a chance to see by having an operation. He does have the operation and is given sight for a short time, but the operation isn't a total success. But he has a chance to see some of the people he loves -- so it made all the pain of the operation worthwhile.

Back to the trailer -- there's a pretty long article over at http://www.comingsoon.net/news/startreknews.php?id=50627 - ComingSoon.net that describes an even longer look at the movie and describes it in greater detail. I'm sure it earns the SPOILER WARNING attached to it.


It looks very exciting though and the new faces seem to match up very well. I can't believe how much Zach Quinto looks like Leonard Nimoy!

I can't wait until May when the movie is set to premiere.

Take care.
Sandy

New James Bond Film

I went to see the new James Bond movie, QUANTUM OF SOLACE, today with my husband.  Overall, I liked the movie.  It is non-stop action.  As a sequel to CASINO ROYALE, you may be a little lost if you don't know the back-story -- who was Vesper?  It is somewhat like the awkward moment in an earlier Bond movie when his previous marriage was mentioned -- Roger Moore was Bond and the one who was married was George Lazenby.  But you can get the sense of the story in the exchange  between Bond and M.  Judi Dench is marvelous as M; she is just an awesome actress.  

There are some sequences there  that will have you on the edge of your seat -- car chases, foot pursuit, boat chase.  They even has some hydrogen-powered vehicles in the movie.  

I'm sure I could get up a good discussion on who has been the best James Bond.  Daniel Craig is good in the role -- especially with all the action.  I liked Pierce Brosnan in the role.  I'm sure there are a number that would say  there can be only one Bond -- and that is Sean Connery.

One thing to be sure -- the story makes all the difference in the world.  Without a story, all the special effects in the world can't make a good movie.

Did get to see the new STAR TREK trailer.  Looks pretty good -- for what you can discern from the trailer.  HEROES' Sylar really does look remarkably like Leonard Nimoy's Spock.  It will be interesting to see what story goes with the visuals.

Sandy

New SciFi Shows

There are a number of new shows that I am enjoying this year.  My favorites are Fringe, Eleventh Hour and Sanctuary.  There are unique characteristics about all three that I enjoy very much.  

The interaction between Walter and Peter (father and son) on Fringe is marvelous.  Waler had been institutionalized for 17 years and is now helping investigate cases of parasites, viruses, etc. with the help of son, Peter.  

Sanctuary reminds me of Babylon 5 in a way.  They talk about sentient beings and have a castle full of captured abnormals -- everything from mermaids to major  beasts.  Amanda Tapping from Stargate is wonderful as Helen Magnus, a 157 year old scientist who runs the Sanctuary.  Her daughter Ashley helps her capture other abnormals when they are discovered.  A young doctor, Will, helps with cases as well.  The ratings have been good and they have already been renewed for the second season.  

ISN News Blog

Welcome to ISN News Blog. I am experimenting with blogging to see if this is a good way to stay in touch with readers of ISN News -- and a faster way to stay up on the news both in the world of science fiction and what is happening in your world.