Ann Leckie delivers an interesting space opera read that uses the feminine pronoun she throughout, as a part of its language, not as a descriptor of the people themselves, who are predominantly genderless. It’s a great touch, and really plays nicely with the casting of characters in the mind’s eye. We are introduced to Breq,…
Tag: a.i.
Johnny Mnemonic (1995) – Robert Longo
William Gibson wrote the screenplay for Johnny Mnemonic based on one of his short stories, but you get the impression it changed a lot from what he had written to what ended up on the screen. A lot of the tech seems to be glossed over, and with an hour-and-a-half runtime, this film feels like…
The X-Files (2018) – Rm9sbG93ZXJz, and Familiar
“We have to be better teachers.” For an episode that doesn’t have a lot of dialogue, this is an important message. It’s also important to remember how we treat those who can learn from us. In this episode written by Kristen Cloke, and Shannon Hamblin, Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) learn that manners…
The X-Files (1998) – Chinga, and Kill Switch
This week’s instalment features episodes written by two guest writers. First up is Chinga which was written by Stephen King and given an X-files polish by series creator Chris Carter. The episode first debuted on 8 February, 1998. Predominantly a Scully (Gillian Anderson) story, with a bored Mulder (David Duchovny) popping up every now and…
Toronto After Dark 2019: Blood Machines (2019) – Raphael Hernandez & Savitri Joly-Gonfard
With a Carpenter-esque score by Carpenter Brut no less, and a heavy influence of the classic Heavy Metal magazine, the English language French entry into the Toronto After Dark film festival has one real flaw. It’s too short. We are introduced into a very-lived in world, with a fantastic seamless blend of practical and computer…
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1994) – Emergence, and Preemptive Strike
Captain’s log: stardate 47869.2 Joe Menosky pens the teleplay for this episode from a story by Brannon Braga, and it first aired on 9 May, 1994. Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart), Data (Brent Spiner) and the rest of the crew, are troubled, and surprised to learn that the Enterprise’s A.I. is becoming self-aware and may in…
POPnology at the Ontario Science Centre
It’s summer vacation, time for camps, bike rides, beaches, family trips, seemingly endless days spread out before the young to enjoy, to forget the long reach of scholastic achievement, teachers, and books. So how can you make learning fun, and ensure that the entire family is entertained? Combine education with entertainment, with movies, and pop…
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) – Steven Spielberg
The Sci-Fi Chronicles brings me another Spielberg film to cover that I previously hadn’t for the blog. A.I. This one proved to be a very divisive film for a lot of viewers, originally planned to be a Stanley Kubrick film a lot of film fans believe that Spielberg over-sentimentalizes it and makes it a…
Batman: The Animated Series (1992) – Terror In the Sky, Christmas with the Joker and Heart of Steel Part I
Horror strikes in Gotham when it seems the Man-Bat (Marc Singer) aka Kirk Langstrom returns in Terror in the Sky. The Dark Knight (Kevin Conroy) investigates, but what if this new winged menace isn’t the Man-Bat, but is something else? Originally airing on 12 November, 1992, the mystery expanded when Bats became convinced that Langstrom…
Killjoys S01E01 – Bangarang
Tonight, Space uveils its latest series from Michelle Lovretta the creator of cult hit, Lost Girl, the futuristic show filled with all manner of bad-assery (totally a word), Killjoys. The series follows a trio of bounty hunters, who follow the credo, The Warrant is All, in a far-flung tomorrow as they make a living amongst a cluster…
The Mind Reels 