'Helix' Review + Spoilers

SyFy's much anticipated new show 'Helix' debuted Friday, January 10th. Like many others, I am very excited to see "SCIENCE FICTION" return to the SyFy Channel. The SyFy Channel has pretty much become a joke with all of its reality programming and wrestling. So 'Helix' is a step in the right direction and a welcomed relief to the winter television hiatus. The SyFy Channel smartly placed the first three episodes of 'Helix' on demand... and so far so good. The show hasn't "wowed" me yet, but it's intriguing and entertaining. I am holding may applause, because 'Helix' hasn't quite found its legs and is still a bit shaky, but we are only three episodes in. So 'Helix' has a couple more episodes to hook me or push me away.

'Doctor Who' Interactive Infographic

via BBC

Everyone knows that Doctor Who is one big timey wimey wibbly ball of time travel. So the BBC has helped us sort it out. Check out the BBC's interactive infographic of 'Doctor Who' and all of his timelines. You can click on different points in time for different doctors from the first through the eleventh. 

Sci-Fi Art by Mike Wrobel

Today I came across a rather cool 'X-Files' collage by Artist Mike Wrobel of Deviant Art. Wrobel has done some rather unique pieces of some of my favorite shows (excluding 'True Blood,' which I now hate watch). 'Game of Thrones,' 'Alien,' 'True Blood,' 'Breaking Bad,' and 'The Walking Dead,' just to name a few. You can see all of his collages here. I've listed my favorites below. Wrobel has reminded me that I need to rewatch 'The X-Files.' Now with companies like Netflix and Amazon, streaming is easier than ever. I recently rewatched all of 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Supernatural.' It's nice to go back and rewatch your favorite shows from the beginning. Every time I rewatch a series, it's almost like the first time. Now that I'm a parent, my memory AIN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE!

BEHIND THE SCENES - 'Gravity'

George Clooney and Sandra Bullock - Behind the Scenes in 'Gravity'

Great directors make filmmaking look effortless. Most of time however, it's anything but. 'Gravity' is one of those "effortless" looking films that actually took A LOT OF EFFORT. 'Gravity' isn't a perfect film, but it's pretty close. It was certainly one of the best films of 2013 and a technical marvel. If you're like me then you always want to know "how'd they do that?" I am especially curious about how they make technically complicated films. It's a five minute video, but it's well worth the watch.

Peter Capaldi's First Day as the Doctor

Season 8 of 'Doctor Who' is coming to us in Autumn 2014. The date is rumored to be sometime in September. Going by past dates, I would guess the first week in September. New doctor Peter Capaldi is quoted as saying that he's a bit nervous. No worries Peter, first day jitters are completely normal. You're only taking over one of the most popular franchises in the world!

"New job, first day, slightly nervous. Just like the Doctor, I'm emerging from the Tardis into a whole other world." --Peter Capaldi

RIP Peter O'Toole - Film Icon

I simply cannot go any further without acknowledging the passing of film icon, Peter O'Toole. O'Toole was one of my favorite actors and starred in one of my favorite films of all time. I must say that I was stunned to learn that so many of my friends didn't know who Peter O'Toole was? Worse yet, they know more about Paul Walker, than Peter O'Toole. I say this, not to diminish Walker as a fellow human being, as everyone has value. You can see my write-up on Paul Walker here. But O'Toole was an actor for 57 years and had done countless films. O'Toole was not just an actor, but AN ACT-OR. He could read the phone book and sound posh. So I am still quite surprised that more people aren't familiar with his films.

Best, Worst, and Ok Movies - Part 3

Now it's time for the third and final part of the BEST, the Worst, and the Just "Ok" Scifi/Fantasy Movies of 2013. The first week I typically highlight the "Just OK" scifi/fantasy films of 2013 and the second week I highlight the Worst. You can see those posts below or here and here. Now it's time for my picks for the BEST scifi/fantasy movies of 2013.

Best, Worst, and Ok Movies - Part 2

Time for the second part of the Best, the Worst, and the Just "Ok" Scifi/Fantasy Movies of 2013. The first week I typically highlight the "Just OK" scifi/fantasy films of 2013. You can see that post below or click here. Now it's time for my picks for the WORST scifi/fantasy movies of the year.

Best, Worst, and "Ok" Movies - Part 1

December. Tis' the season. The season for the "Best, the Worst, and the just 'Ok' movies of 2013". The first week I typically highlight the Just "Ok" Scifi/Fantasy Films of 2013. The just "Ok" category is reserved for the scifi/fantasy films that weren't necessarily great, but they weren't bad either. They exist somewhere in between. These are the kind of films you watch only once, you kinda enjoy it, but you wouldn't necessarily buy the DVD. Note: For some reason there a lot of Superhero films on this list. Go figure? I have listed 15 movies that I kinda dig. I didn't love them and I didn't hate them. Feel free to agree or disagree in the comments. 

RIP Paul Walker

Anytime anyone passes away suddenly in the prime of their life it's a shock to those left behind. The day after Walker died, I found out from a childhood friend that her brother, a boy I grew up with, died suddenly at the age of 39. She and her family are of course devastated. I am saddened as well, for him, the children he left behind, and my friend.

Sometimes these RIP blog posts can feel so impersonal. We didn't know the deceased or the deceased family personally. However, death is a common experience and we will all face it eventually (both for ourselves or for our loved ones). So even though I do not know the families of the people I write RIP posts for, I can empathize with their families and I'm sure you can too.