Science Fiction Archives | Page 12 Of 121

Transformers One Confusing Retcon Long Time Fans Will Reject

This animated prequel shows why Transformers One shouldn’t retcon what’s previously known as long time fans can find problems.

Transformers One Movie Poster Back when Transformers had a singular continuity, (known as G1), it easy to keep track of what went on. But as it gained in popularity, Hasbro crafted a series bible that future iterations of the franchise had to recognize, despite regular reboots. And all of that is forgotten in Transformers One.

What it doesn’t acknowledge concern how Cybertronians came to exist and why they were used as mostly slave labour by the Quintessons. This alien force conquered this planet and created/mutated the native species to what they are now. And as for how this latest entry to the cinematic universe can transition to The Great War between the Autobots and Decepticons, I’m already scratching my head.

This origin story delves into an era that’s been fully explored in the Prime universe (Amazon Link), featured in IDW’s comic books and detailed in full in Alex Irvine’s novel, Transformers: Exodus. I even reviewed the first two books of the trilogy since I loved it that much. But when considering none of that material matters, I’m rather disappointed the film can’t even acknowledge even an ounce of that past.

Instead, the best moment is seeing the Vehicons rule an untamed land that includes bio-type mechanoids. Everything else is unimportant, like seeing how Bumblebee gets named and that he’s always been there. As for the technology in how to transform, it’s attributed to some lost science Alpha Trion summons up and doesn’t even name. Aside from being like some wise old master and using an age-old Ninjago trope of “accessing your full potential,” I rolled my eyes.

Continue reading “Transformers One Confusing Retcon Long Time Fans Will Reject”

In Fallout, It’s Wild and Wooly. A Review from a Non-Gamer’s Perspective.

Amazon Prime’s Fallout fits very well into the weird west genre when considering how it overlaps with all that’s beloved from The X-Files and Nightbreed.

Streaming on Amazon Prime

Fans of post-apocalyptic narratives don’t really need a primer to enjoy Fallout. Everything gets explained during the course of eight episodes and folks can either binge or pace it out for the next two months. After its explosive debut last week, I’m hooked and love the undead cowboy who must have read a lot of Jonah Hex comic books. At first, I thought it was set during the 50s or later, like 1977 when this antihero’s exploits was in print. Instead, it’s 2077 when the world blew up.

Had the introduction not shown Lucy MacLean (Ella Purnell) signing a piece of paper showing the date of March 17, 2299, I would’ve thought the vintage set design existed for another reason. With all the era appropriate decor, the only thing out of place is the television. It looked like it was from a future time similiar to The Jetsons. And with what’s broadcasted in black and white, I thought Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the start of the next World War!

After the nuclear destruction of Los Angeles, the details fall into place. Those who caught sight of the clouds raced to shelters (called Vaults) and those who didn’t are dead or heavily mutated. Some turn into Ghouls and live long lives, and others aren’t even trying to rebuild. After 200 years, a very feudal society defines the surface world.

Continue reading “In Fallout, It’s Wild and Wooly. A Review from a Non-Gamer’s Perspective.”

Star Trek Lower Decks is Beaming to Home Video For Those Slow To Catch Up

After everything that’s been done during Star Trek Lower Decks previous season, the arcs are getting bigger, nastier and who doesn’t love that Wrath of Kahn moment?

Star Trek Lower Decks Season 4 DVD Cover — Available to preoder on Amazon USA

Streaming on Paramount Plus and Coming to Home Video on April 16, 2024

Although I wasn’t fully hooked on Star Trek Lower Decks right away, it’s found a place in my viewing schedule after seeing the Strange New Worlds episode, “Those Old Scientists.” To see the Jack Quaid reprise the role in live action was enough to earn my respect for the sci-fi comedy.

And because of that, I’ll have plenty ot catch-up viewing to do. Fans who have been picking up each season as they are released will be happy season four is coming to home video this week! While some folks will be sad that the upcoming season five will be the last of the series, I’m secretly glad because that means a complete set will most likely be offered next year, to which I can obtain the entire run in one go.

From the Press Release:

Continue reading “Star Trek Lower Decks is Beaming to Home Video For Those Slow To Catch Up”

When a Movie Titled, “With Love and a Major Organ” is Constantly Beating, Who Can Stop Me Now?

Sometimes it’s tough to live and all that’s left may “not” be what people wants in the movie, With Love and a Major Organ. There’s lots to process in this film which packs a lot of social commentary.

With Love and a Major Organ Movie Poster Playing at select movie theatres in Canada.

When machines are being used to tell people how to manage the everyday in the the sublime and thoughtful science fiction drama With Love and a Major Organ, sometimes that individual can’t get to live the life the way they want. It’s a problem today’s society may well face if social media platforms and AI get their way. If there are issues to be found, just what this drama reveals can be considered terrifying.

Thankfully, this film is more of a comedy romance than the other genre. Julia Lederer wrote the stage play that’s now a motion picture, and I’m glad she’s in full control of this adaptation. With director Kim Albright to navigate the cinematic version, what’s presented shows just how terribly lost some folks can get when they let technology do all the thinking. The performances are sublime, and a few of the characters we meet look like they’re simply lost in the quagmire known as life.

Continue reading “When a Movie Titled, “With Love and a Major Organ” is Constantly Beating, Who Can Stop Me Now?”

Nobody is Crazy in this Charming Coming of Age Tale

The best way to show how Nobody is Crazy is in showing how everybody should be treated even when adversity is everywhere.

Please check local film festival listings for screenings near you.

Anyone with an obsessive-compulsive disorder is easy to deal with. People just have to be more compassionate and know what to say in order to help them manage the everyday. But for Rafa (Manuel Gutierrez) in Nobody is Crazy, what he has to do is face what makes him the odd man out. He has no friends or people to turn to, and this actor does a remarkable job at selling the fact he can do better.

But when nobody believes that he has made a friend, a masked individual (who prefers to be recognized as Nobody) who claims to be from his future, the film by Federico J. Arioni is masterfully crafted to not let anyone in on the secret. It’s a very thoughtful low-fi time travel cum existential work that deserves continued film festival screenings worldwide. Even though this work was released back in 2019, getting noticed by well known movie celebrations is tough.

Also, I was amused at how this Argentine director puts himself into this movie by playing this hero who pops in and out of existence, like a conscience to offer sage advice to a lost boy.

Continue reading “Nobody is Crazy in this Charming Coming of Age Tale”

The Librarians The Next Chapter is the Next Instalment for this Beloved IP

The dedication fans have for this The Librarians The Next Chapter will no doubt have a lot of people guessing at what this instalment will truly be about. Will it acknowledge all the lore the series revealed in season four?

I’m honestly very surprised at how fast The CW is fast tracking reviving a series I wanted to see return for a long time. The Librarians The Next Chapter is a fantasy action adventure series that is one part Indiana Jones and another Carmen Sandeigo. Although the latter is a loosey goosey about with its globe-trotting and educational value, I’ve always loved this series back when it was a movie trilogy about searching for some lost treasure. Series creator Dean Devlin recently posted a picture on his Twitter/X account giving fans a tease on this latest instalment.