LEONARD NIMOY - SCIFI ICON

THE MIRACLE IS THIS:
the more we share 
the more we have.

-Leonard Nimoy

Most people don't realize this, but 'Star Trek' was not at all popular when it originally premiered in 1966. In fact, it was quickly cancelled after just three seasons. Thankfully, 'Star Trek' developed a cult following and the rest is history. Despite its campiness, 'Star Trek' has brought us wondrous tales of beyond the stars and has inspired countless copycats. But perhaps one of 'Star Trek's biggest gifts was Leonard Nimoy.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY SCIFI FANS!

May your Valentine's Day be merry, bright, and full of people who love you (friends, family, and significant others). Best wishes and enjoy the pretty pictures.

Via Ego Trip

THE 16 MOST ANNOYING CHARACTERS IN SCIFI/FANTASY TV & FILM

Allow me to pose the age old question again. Who are the most annoying characters in science fiction and fantasy television and films? I'm sure you have your own picks. I know I have mine! I'm sure there are quite a few characters I haven't thought of. I was inspired to write this article after reading a great i09 article last year, "Why Do We Hate So Many Female Characters So Much?" According to io9 it's a combination of factors:

• -No defining characteristics 
• -Poor writing. 
• -Poor acting.
• -Fans are often unwilling to give female characters the same slack they give male characters.
• -"Storytellers create female characters to be love interests and nothing more--meaning they're one-dimensional."

They make a good point. Most of the irritating characters on my list are female. So I think io9 might be on to something.

Art By Martin Ansin and Kevin Tong

These posters are so deliciously delectable that they need their own blog posts. These prints are just beautiful. I saw this in my email from Mondo (otherwise known as Mondo Tees). Mondo creates limited edition screen printed posters for classic and contemporary films. They seem to collaborate often with the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas.

"Alien" by Martin Ansin

The Making of 'The Abyss'

James Cameron's 1989 film, 'The Abyss' has "widely been regarded as the toughest film to shoot in movie history." When I read that, I remember thinking to myself, "really?" 'The Abyss' was a good science fiction movie, but it's not one of my favorite SciFi films. It's not even one of my favorite Cameron films, that honor goes to the original 'Terminator.' But then I remembered Steven Spielberg and the making of 'Jaws.' In 2011, Spielberg said that 'Jaws' was the most difficult film he ever made...and Spielberg has made a lot of films. So if filming a movie on the water is difficult, how much more difficult would it be to make a film entirely under water? Evidently, it's pretty darn hard.

Modern Style Retro Posters

Wanna see something cool? Retro-futuristic movie posters. Yeah...that's cool. Artist Laurent Durieux has done some rather unique pieces of some of my favorite older movies and one relatively new film ('The Master'). The first one makes me miss Philip Seymour Hoffman even more. What a wonderful Oscar tribute last night. You can see all of Durieux's work here. I'm sure these have been in circulation for a while, but if they have then I missed it. I'm always a little late to the party. Tip from my dear friend Katrina, graphic designer extraordinaire.

Happy Valentine's Day SciFi Fans

Via Sparkly Pretty Bright

I am not a squishy mushy Valentine's Day person, but I love any reason to see my favorite characters in silly Valentine's Day poses. Enjoy. Have a nice weekend folks.

Gina Carano in 'Almost Human' + Minor Spoilers

Gina Carano on set of 'Almost Human' via Gina Joy Carano

Next week's episode will feature Gina Carano as some form of killer robot. My husband eeked with joy when he saw this week's preview with her in it. In my opinion, Carano would have made one heck of a 'Wonder Woman.' Although she's not that great of an actress, but that can be learned! Carano has the perfect physicality and demeanor of 'Wonder Woman.' Carano's 'Almost Human' episode will air on February 3rd. In the meantime, Carano has several other projects going on, including 'In the Blood,' which has been described as a female-version of the film 'Taken.'

New Series 'Outlander' + Trailer

Caitriona Balfe (as Claire Randall)

The 'Outlander' books are finally coming to the small screen this year and it looks super cheesy. It's being marketed as a SciFi/fantasy, but I smell soap. Author Diana Gabaldon debuted the first novel in 1986 as a romance series for goodness sake. So I'm on the fence about this one, as it's a love story. I don't like love stories, especially a cheesy one. Admittedly, I have a soft spot for 'Pride and Prejudice,' but that's it! I don't go to the movies on Valentine's Day. Yawn. But the timey wimey aspect of 'Outlander' interests me.

'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.

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!

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. 

Gift Ideas for Every Scifi Fan

Source: i09

Scifi fans are a difficult breed to shop for. So unless you're giving them an electronic gadget or a lump of coal, you may not know what to buy them. Now you never have to wonder what to buy the scifi fan in your life. With the holidays coming up, io9 has put together a great list for every scifi fan. Literally, there is something here for everyone and every budget. Happy Shopping! Now if only I had unlimited funds to buy everything on this list. Click on the links below for ideas.

Which Show Will Survive?

I watch way too much tv.

The Fox Network Thunderdome-- Two shows walk in. Only one walks out

In the good ole' days, most shows got at least one year to get off the ground before they got canned. Those days are long gone. Nowadays, a pilot is lucky to get aired. Even if it does see sunlight, it's likely to only breathe for four to five episodes before receiving a pink slip. So as much as I hope that shows like 'Almost Human' and 'Sleepy Hollow' will survive long enough for me to determine if they're any good, I won't bet on it. One big strike against both shows is that they are premiering on the Fox Network, which seems to have a hate/hate relationship with the science fiction/fantasy genres.

New Trailer for 'Ender's Game.'

Scifi and fantasy are so easily interchanged these days that it's easy to forget that they are two different things. True scifi films without elements of fantasy are a rarity. 'Ender's Game' is that movie. For those not familiar with 'Ender's Game,' read the sypnosis before you watch the trailer.

Most Underrated Scifi Shows!

Baltar (James Callis), Six (Tricia Helfer), and the man I love to hate, Ron Moore.

Sorry friends. It's been a while since my last posting. Scifi news has not been plentiful and I have been quite busy with personal matters. I hope to return blogging full force soon! Viva la scifi. In the meantime I've enjoyed lurking on other people's blogs.

Best, Worst, Ok Movies Of 2012 - Part 2

The "Worst" scifi/fantasy movies of 2012

'Chernobyl Diaries' - Basically a bunch of idiots go thrill seeking in a radioactive wasteland. Sounds fun right?  Well besides glowing in the dark, they have mutant humans and wildlife to deal with. Not for me. See the Rotten Tomatoes reviews.

Red Letter Media Asks The Hard Questions About 'Prometheus'

Nourigat 2012 - David, 'Prometheus' parody

I think most people can agree that despite Prometheus' beautiful production values, there was a lot that got lost in translation. All I can say is that Damon Lindelof also wrote for 'Lost,' which explains a lot.

Prometheus Decoded

The weekend is over, so I'm sure everyone has seen 'Prometheus?' If not, not to worry there are no spoilers in this post. You actually have to click on my spoiler page if you want to know (my take) on all of the unanswered questions in 'Prometheus.'

Teenagers From Outerspace

This is the kind of film that I would normally run from: teenagers, superpowers, hormones gone wild, etc. Where's the door? But for some reason Chronicle piqued my curiosity. Chronicle is directed by first-time director, Josh Trank and written by Max Landis (John Landis' son) on a shoe-string budget (for a modern film), $15 million. The film format appears to be "found footage." Haven't seen that one before, have you?