Sci-Fi Rants 

Thoughts, ideas, opinions and musings about everything sci-fi

If you are not yet a devotee of the Sci-Fi Channel's Battlestar Galactica, you are no sci-fi fan.

The show has its origin in an edgy, smart and sexy 2003 mini-series. Unfortunately, someone at sci-fi channel chose to tone down the edginess when production started on the full blown show.

The first season was pretty darn awesome. The show was everything sci-fi should be: thought-provoking, spectacular in scope, beautiful in production and full of sharp and quick action. The season one finalle blew me AW-AY.

The second season was not as great. It feels like the network executives are starting to get their grubby fingers into the story line. However, the show is still THE best show on television today. If the original direction and flare shown in the mini-series were to be maintained, Battlestar Galactica could lay claim to the title of one of the top ten TV series of all time. Even so, it's really, really good. Once again, the season finale was excellente.

If you're not yet watching, tune in! Season three starts in October 2006...

Sci-Fi News... 

"X-Men: Last Stand" is a Winner

Last night I saw X-Men III (me and the rest of the country I guess). Forget about what some of the critics say. X3 is excellent. In fact, I would go as far as saying it is the best in the series. Definitely one to go and see. Also, check out the official movie website.

3rd Galactica Season Said to be Much Darker

So says James Callis (Baltar), and since we already knows one of main characters is going to go poof... I can't wait for October.

Battlestar Galactica News!

Apparently by the end of the third episode of the new season a major character on Galactica with die...

AND Sci-Fi Channel has started work on a prequel series to Battlestar Galactica: "Caprica". Set on... duh, Caprica, 50 years prior to the events depicted in Galactica. A double dose of Cylon goodness. That's what I'm talking about...

Your Feedback 

Can you recommend a good sci-fi book, movie or tv show. Let me know. I am always on the look out for good sci-fi. Good suggestions will be added to the permenant content on this lense.

kimsart Personally I loved the tv series Threashold which was cancled in favor of some stupid show they put on in it's time slot. Posted July 24, 2006

Highly Recommended Sci-Fi Books 

Recommended Sci-Fi Films 

The Matrix

One of the best sci-fi movies of all time. Of course, the second and third movies in the trilogy were a complete let down, but the original Matrix, man oh man!

Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 10/06/2008)

Blade Runner

Stylistic, dark, clever plot, brilliant. Harrison Ford, Darryl Hanna, it's all good.

Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)

Star Wars, Episode V- The Empire Strikes Back (Widescreen Edition)

Is it me or is the Empire Strikes Back the only good movie in this franchise? Well, maybe Revenge of the Sith can also be considered good.

Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)

The Terminator

Apocalyptic visions of the future, an unstoppable killer robot and a cool plot. The next movie in the series, Terminator 2 (how did they come up with that one) is just as good if not better.

Amazon Price: $9.49 (as of 10/06/2008)

The Fifth Element

OK, so you're tired of seeing it on cable again and again, but you have to admit it is a really fun movie the first 20 times.

Amazon Price: $11.49 (as of 10/06/2008)

Total Recall

Definitely one of my favorites. Imaginative plot, great action, Sharon Stone, can you ask for more?

Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)

Highlander

It's more fantasy than sci-fi, but it's one of the best. Sword play, Sean Connery, great story. Whatever you do, do not get the SECOND movie in the series. It's more horrible than you can imagine.

Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 10/06/2008)

Tron (20th Anniversary Collector's Edition)

One of the classics folks. The story is truly absurd, a guy gets sucked into a virtual world and becomes a computer game character. But it's so much fun - plus, this movie was made back in the 80s when people didn't really HAVE computers.... what did people do for fun back then?

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 10/06/2008)

Minority Report (Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition)

I almost forgot about this one... great idea: arrest people for crimes they are about to committ. I love the scene with the robot spiders. The ending is kind of weak though. Still a good movie.

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 10/06/2008)

Paycheck (Special Collector's Edition)

I really loved most of this movie, but thought that the ending was pretty weak. A reverse engineer finds himself in trouble, having no recollection of why that's the case. Before he lost his memory, he left himself some clues.

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 10/06/2008)

Jurassic Park (Widescreen Collector's Edition)

Dinosaurs are cloned from DNA remains and all hell breaks loose. It's a classic.

Amazon Price: $8.49 (as of 10/06/2008)

Logan's Run

A cult classic. A futuristic city where citizens live only to 30... I guess it's official, I'm over the hill...

Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)

Mars Attacks!

So it's more comedy than sci-fi, BUT you do get to see Jack Nicholson gets blown up by ugly looking aliens, who also literally turn Sarah Jessica Parker into a dog. Can you beat that? Come on!

Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 10/06/2008)

Contact

So we're looking for aliens... what do we do when we actually find them. Nice, subtle, smart sci-fi that doesn't beat you over the head.

Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)

The Abyss (Special Collector's Edition)

Aliens at the bottom of the ocean. Very nice. The special effects are state-of-the-art for 1989...

Amazon Price: $21.99 (as of 10/06/2008)

Escape from New York

Snake Plissken to the rescue... rescuing the President from the island prison of New York. Classic 80s sci-fi

Amazon Price: $12.99 (as of 10/06/2008)

Men in Black (Deluxe Edition)

Will Smith rocks, the this first MIB movie rocks even more. It's funny, it's got wierd aliens, snappy dialogue, funny gags and an absurd plot to boot. Real fun sci-fi.

Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 10/06/2008)

The Postman

Post-apocalyptic world where we rely on the mail service to restart civilization. The very thought sends shivers down the spine...

Amazon Price: $8.49 (as of 10/06/2008)

Waterworld

OK, so it was way over budget, but the concept of a world where dry land is only a legend is a good one, and the story is fun. Plus, if you happen to visit Universal Studios in LA and catch the Waterworld stunt show you'll have to agree that this movie is a lot of fun.

Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)

Recommended Sci-Fi Television Series 

Battlestar Galactica (2003 Miniseries)

A smart, sexy, edgy show. I absolutely loved it. The Cylons launch a surprise attack against mankind, all but destroying civilization. A lone outdated battlestar is all that is left to defend the small remaining human population as it attempts to escape extinction.

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 10/06/2008)

Battlestar Galactica - Season One

Season one was absolutely phenomenal. It starts where the mini-series leaves off, and avoids most of the cliches an sheer idiocies one finds in most of today's sci-fi offerings. The series deals with humans as you and I know them from everyday lives, with all our failings, ambitions and imperfections. You will find no super humans here. The series explores tough ethical and political dilemas that you could see yourself reading about in the NY Times. The season one finalle truly blew me AW-AY. This is HIGHLY recommended.

Amazon Price: $45.99 (as of 10/06/2008)

Babylon 5 - The Complete Television Series (5-Pack)

The best thing about this series is it's long, 5 year, story arc. The first season is really pathetic, but the other 4 are really great. A brilliant story with relatively few sci-fi cliches.

Amazon Price: $199.99 (as of 10/06/2008)

Star Trek The Original Series - The Complete First Season

Yes, yes, it's predictable, but come on, would any sci-fi list be complete without it? Live long and prosper.

Amazon Price: $54.99 (as of 10/06/2008)

Steven Spielberg Presents Taken

Alien abductions, a great sound track and Dakota Fanning in a great performance. This is a great mini-series that tells the story of three generations of abductees.

Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)

The Complete Prisoner Megaset

"I am number 2."
"Who is Number 1?"
"You are Number 6."
"I am not a number, I'm a free man!"

Remember that blast from the past? Complete with giant baloons that chase down escaping prisoners, and sleep gas hidden in wierd places. It's so corny and retro, that it's gotta be cool! That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)

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