SciFi Rides

Kevin Maher's SciFi Department video last week about the cars of tomorrow got me thinking: if I could have any vehicle from any Science Fiction realm, what would it be?

The Trekkie in me instantly turns to the Enterprise-D of The Next Generation, but then I think of issues of practicality: I mean, where on earth would I park it? The flying and time-traveling DeLorean is tempting, though judging from the trilogy the thing pretty much breaks down every time you use it. I think I would have to pick the Millennium Falcon, which is an awesome looking ship, it's armed to the teeth and it somehow has the ability to turn space into time -- I assume making the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs has something to do with the warping effect of hyperspace? Then again, maybe George Lucas just didn't do his homework. Either way, I think it's the all around best choice in terms of aesthetics, versatility, speed, and of course armaments.

What SciFi ride would you guys most like to cruise in?

SciFi Quotes

Here's a memorable quote from a Science Fiction film. The first commenter to guess the correct film posts the next quote.

"As a matter of cosmic history, it has always been easier to destroy, than to create."

Who said it, and in what film? Let the games begin!

Superhero Match-ups

Comic book artist Warren Ellis recently started a limited series for Marvel called Ultimate Human, which to make a long psychedelic (it is, after all, Warren Ellis) is essentially an Incredible Hulk vs. Iron Man story. I couldn't help but be struck with the coincidence that while we read Ellis' story we're all eagerly anticipating a Hulk and an Iron Man movie this year. There have even been hints that the two films will nod to each other in anticipation of an eventual Avengers movie.

My question is this: if you could make a movie that pits any two superheroes against each other regardless of price, publishing house, or comic canon, who would it be?

Aside from pitting Marvel heroes against their DC counterparts (Aquaman vs. The Sub-Mariner for control of Atlantis, anyone?), I have to say that I think the most interesting match-up would be Batman vs. Wolverine. Think about it, here are two guys that are literally barely hanging on to their humanity and composure (at least in the Frank Miller version of Batman). The Dark Knight might be at a slight disadvantage here, but if he could come up with some nifty toys to even the balance, I think we would have a no-holds-barred showdown between two extremely grizzled superheroes. What do you guys think?

Where Has Sci-Fi Gone?

I read an interesting piece today on Our Future: Thoughts about why Science Fiction writers are no longer making outlandish predictions about the future in their fiction. Citing a paper by futurist Ray Kurzweil, the blog writes, "Fiction writers are no longer able to think beyond the predicted 'technological singularity' that many believe will occur in or around 2030. That is to say that the human mind can no longer comprehend how life could be beyond the next thirty years when taking into account the advancements we have made in the past few decades." Basically, the author argues that we have made such exponential advances in mere decades that to ponder beyond is simply out of our range of comprehension.

I have to say that I disagree. I don't believe the reason we no longer try to predict the future is because we can't fathom it. I think we no longer do it because we fear embarrassing ourselves when the future turns out to be mundane. Predicitons of the future just 60 or 70 years ago had us in flying cars and living on the moon by the year 2000 (Take a look at David Szondy's Tales of Future Past and you'll see what I'm talking about).

Obviously, that didn't come to pass. So I feel like we've curbed our expectations about what science can do for us in the future simply because we don't want to look foolish. Essentially, why predict that by the year 2030 we'll have flying cars if you'll be around to see yourself proven wrong?

What do you think? Have Science Fiction writers given up on prediction in favor of fantasy? What could be the reason for that?

The Anatomy of a SciFi Remake

Technology breeds temptation, at least when it comes to Science Fiction films, where for the past decade or so the urge to recreate some of the genre's Golden Age has been growing apace with the CGI industry. There have been hits (Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds) and misses (The Invasion with Nicole Kidman).

So what makes a remake work? With so many remakes preparing to bear down upon audiences--Star Trek, The Day the Earth Stood Still--and even more being discussed--Dune, Logan's Run, Tron--the question becomes, not why do it but how? What loyalties do you owe the original? What SciFi films beg improvement?

Let us know your thoughts on SciFi remakes, and enter for a chance to win the original The Day the Earth Stood Still on DVD.

Update: A winner has been randomly selected. Check after the jump to see the winner and the comment.

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Choose Your Superpower

Doug Liman's upcoming film Jumper is about an ordinary teenager who discovers he has the power to teleport anywhere he wants. With great power comes great responsibility, right? Not so much. Christensen's character decides to rob a bank.

There's something so refreshing about that kind of brutal honesty, isn't there? I mean, "boys will be boys." Tell the truth: If all of a sudden you discovered that you could turn invisible, would you sneak into a few locker rooms before saving the world? Personally, if I could read peoples' minds, I might employ it to negotiate my next car purchase as soon as I'd use it to stop an evil plot. And if I could teleport inside a vault, I would be hard-pressed not to consider reappropriating some discretionary funds.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Would you use it for good, like our friendly neighborhood Spider-man, or just go have a blast? Any other fans of flying?

Comic Book Adaptations

Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Justice League, Green Arrow--it seems every time I turn around either Warner Brothers or Marvel has announced their next big comic book adaptation. And it's not just the superheroes: A History of Violence, 300, Watchmen, and Ronin are all taken from the pages of our favorite imprints. Hollywood has caught graphic novel fever, and its not showing any signs of subsiding.

Is this a good thing, or have we gone superhero crazy? Why is Hollywood so interested now? Has the mainstream finally "discovered" comics, or is it just plain out of fresh ideas? When is enough enough? What movies should never be attempted, and what comics have been neglected? Tell us what you're thinking.