I just finished David Kalat’s excellent book, A Critical History and Filmography of Toho’s Godzilla Series. This is the definitive book on the Godzilla movies that every Godzilla fan should read. I highly recommend it to everyone who has seen more than one Godzilla movie and liked them. Read more…
Tags: Godzilla
Any list of science-fiction classics is a very subjective thing. I don’t doubt that every fan of science-fiction novels who sees this list may disagree with my selection. Classic can mean one of three things: and old book, a famous book or an influential book. I’m going with influential. These are the novels that other science-fiction authors talk about and often imitate.
Some of these books I liked, some I didn’t and some I haven’t yet read. Some entries have FURTHER READING listed. The titles under FURTHER READING are not classics but are books by the same author in the same setting (often with the same characters). These are listed in case you decide you really like the story and want to pursue it further. Read more…
After seeing Transformers 2 this week it’s clear that computer graphics special effects have come a long way. The giant robots we see battling on the big screen look very convincing. At this point only the top-flight Hollywood studios can produce effects of this caliber but I think it will only be a few years before many more studios will reach that point. The speculation regarding tomorrow’s movies runs rampant within me. Read more…
Tags: Transformers
SPOILERS ALERT
No science-fiction fan should restrict his hobby to the screen. The best stories in science-fiction remain in novels. Whenever I can find the time I read another science-fiction novel in search of a great story. This time it was Isaac Asimov’s Foundation’s Edge. Written in 1982, this novel continues the epic Foundation trilogy that Asimov wrote in the 50’s. Thirty years later the fans’ desire for a continuation of the epic was successful in coaxing Asimov’s publisher to demand a continuation. Read more…
Tags: Foundation Series, Isaac Asimov
Last night I made a rare appearance at the movie theater and watched Transformers 2 – Revenge of the Fallen. Overall I’d say I liked the movie more than I disliked it. I can’t give it an enthusiastic “thumbs up” but don’t let me dissuade you from seeing the film. It’s roughly two and a half hours long. That running time is great for viewing at home but at the theater, with the plot as weak as it is, you start wondering when the credits will roll. Read more…
Tags: Transformers
We should all do our part to contribute to the next generation. Donating to libraries, volunteering at schools, raising children with proper manners and values – and perhaps most important of all, introducing anime. Last week I began watching Gatchaman with my two sons, ages six and four. It’s been exciting for all of us. Read more…
Tags: Gatchaman
Not long ago I was able to watch the first Patlabor OAV series subtitled. It first came out in April 1988. I’m now starting to watch through the Patlabor TV series. I’ve been looking at Patlabor art books ever since I was a teenager so getting a chance to watch the anime was a big deal for me. Read more…
Tags: Patlabor
The mighty Go Lion
It’s been hard to find time for anime or blogging lately but I managed to finish the 52 episodes of Go Lion from 1981. Although it isn’t the best that 80’s anime has to offer I did enjoy it. I would only recommend it to people who I know enjoy super robot shows of the late 70’s and early 80’s. But if that’s your thing then don’t miss Go Lion. Read more…
Relic Armor Legaciam is a one-shot OAV from 1987. As was common for 80’s science-fiction anime, the plot and setting were very detailed and imaginative. Humans live on planet Libertia which uses energy from 3 giant mirror constructs in space. Society is divided into three classes of citizens with the ruling elite using the Guild to keep the situation in check. The Guild is searching fervently for Dr. Grace who is in hiding finishing adjustments on Legaciam, a high-tech armor he found. His granddaughter Alcia is the only candidate small enough to fit into the cockpit properly. Read more…
Tags: Legaciam
Locke the Superman: New World Command (Choujin Locke: Shin Sekai Sentai) is a two episode OAV from 1991. I quite enjoyed it but it’s one of those titles that you have to be careful about recommending. I would only suggest it to seasoned anime fans. It has an “old school” feel to it that brought back memories of Arcadia of My Youth (1982) and especially Time Etranger (1985). By “old school” I mean it has a melancholy, sentimental feel and a slow pace. The characters are mostly taciturn and long pauses are common. I like this sort of thing as it seems very fitting for the Japan of a few decades ago. The resolve of the characters and the pain they’ve experienced really come alive with this kind of storytelling. Read more…
Tags: Locke the Superman
