Ringworld

Posted by Richo On September 30, 2011 ADD COMMENTS

Welcome to the eleventh instalment of Dust Jacket. First, an apology:

Due to forces beyond my control, our scheduled review of The Windup Girl has been set back. We’ll return to that novel when we can.

And now a special thanks:

Thanks to David and Miztres for their review of American Gods. Luke and I were exhausted after completing five reviews in five weeks, and we needed a much deserved (IMO at least) break. David and Miztres stepped up and delivered a fantastic review.

But now we’re back from Hugo month with our regularly scheduled look at some of the classics of science fiction literature. This week, we’re off to explore the wonders of Ringworld, Larry Niven’s Hugo, Nebula and Locus Award-winning 1970 novel.

As always, I’m joined by my co-conspirator Luke, the world’s harshest critic. Special thanks are due to Luke this week, since he was the one that brought Ringworld to my attention and provided me with my copy of the novel.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Louis Wu is celebrating his 200th birthday, but finds himself bored. He believes he’s experienced all life has to offer. He is contemplating a solo trip into deep space when he is recruited by Nessus, a Pierson’s Puppeteer, for an exploratory voyage beyond known space.

Wu is joined by Speaker-To-Animals, a cat-like Kzin, and Teela Brown, a young human woman and Louis’ love interest. Guided by Nessus, they travel to the homeworld of the Puppeteers, where they learn of the existence of Ringworld, an artificial ring planet about one million miles wide, encircling a Sol-type star. The Ringworld has a habitable flat inner surface equivalent in area to approximately three million Earth-sized planets. Night is provided by an inner ring of shadow squares which are connected to each other by thin ultra-strong shadow square wire.

Together, the intrepid group begins their exploration of Ringworld, encountering primitive humans, a native barbarian hero called Seeker, ruined cities, automated security systems and Halrloprillalar, a crew member on a starship once used for trade between the Ringworld and other inhabited worlds.

They also find themselves stranded on the planet, and Louis is forced to devise an escape plan to get them home again.

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Assistant Editor Fortnight!

Posted by David On September 26, 2011 ADD COMMENTS

Hi all. As Crystal and I head off for our honeymoon I’ve decided to follow the tradition set by Marvel Comics in the 80’s and have Assistant Editor Fortnight.

That’s right, I’ve given Richo and Luke access to the website and permission to post anything they want (but still keeping it family friendly of course).

So I apologize in advance for everything they do 🙂

Have fun guys and Crystal and I will see you again in 2 weeks!

Audio Review – The New 52 part #2

Posted by David On September 26, 2011 ADD COMMENTS

Welcome to part 2 of our coverage of the New 52 from DC Comics.

Our decision to post an unedited version of our New 52 review on the website proved quite popular, and since I again had to edit quite a bit of quality opinion from the NCP Crew in order to get our latest podcast episode #8 down to a reasonable length, we decided to do it again as another Audio Review. So if you would like to listen to our full conversation on the travesties that were Catwoman & Red Hood & the Outlaws (amongst other things) then here is where you can do it.

Due to the long length of the recording I have split it into 2 parts for your convenience.

 

After listening to the review, how about leaving a Comment or send send us an email at feedback@nerdculturepodcast.com? We would love to read your opinions.

Track 1 – Audio length: 76 mins

 

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Track 2 – Audio Length: 87 mins

 

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Podcast – Episode #8

Posted by David On September 26, 2011 ADD COMMENTS

Episode #8 features:

Dust Jacket: Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny

From the Racks: Part #2 of our epic coverage of DC Comic’s the New 52

Also featuring, Coming Soon, and a Competition to win the Killing Joke & Arkham Asylum trades!

 

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Spotlight On…..the Alien saga

Posted by David On September 24, 2011 1 COMMENT

Often hailed as one of the greatest science fiction film series, the Alien series has some ups and downs, but is still one of my favourite series.

ALIEN

Released: 1979

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Written by: Dan O’Bannon, Ronald Shusett,

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, John Hurt, Harry Dean Stanton, Yaphet Kotto, Veronica Cartright, Ian Holm

Plot: A mining ship investigates a suspected SOS, landing on a distant planet. There they discover a strange egg and the horror begins.

For: Successfully combines horror and sci-fi into a perfect blend. Stand out performances. The introduction of the Alien, one of the most iconic creatures in film, and Ripley, a well realised heroine. A landmark film.

Against: The multiple shots of the crew waking up is a bit much.

Favourite Scene: Too many to list them all – the chestburster, Dallas in the vents, the showdown between the crew and Ripley at the airlock.

Rating: 5 Lukes

ALIENS

Released: 1986

Directed by: James Cameron

Written by: James Cameron, David Giler, Walter Hill

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Hess, Lance Henriksen, Bill Paxton

Plot: Fifty seven years after Ellen Ripley survived her disastrous ordeal, her escape vessel is recovered after drifting across the galaxy as she slept in cryogenic stasis. During this period LV-426 has been colonized, however all communication with the colony has been lost. The Company enlists Ripley to aid a team of tough, rugged space marines on a rescue mission, but the worst is yet to come.

For: Another sci-fi classic and Cameron’s best film. Cameron amps up the action without compromising plot and gives another facet to Ripley in her maternal bond with Newt.

Against: Nothing. Every scene is gold.

Favourite Scene: Everything! But if I have to specify, the Marines learn Ripley doesn’t like the corn bread (or androids), the first encounter with the Aliens, Ripley and Newt trapped with the face huggers, ‘Get away from her you bitch!’, the survivors discuss their future ‘Hey, maybe you haven’t been keeping up on current events, but we just got our asses kicked, pal! ‘.

Rating: 5 Lukes

ALIEN 3

Released: 1992

Directed by: David Fincher

Written by: Vincent Ward, David Giler, Walter Hill, Larry Ferguson

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Charles Dance, Charles S Dutton

Plot: After escaping from LV-426, the ship carrying Ellen Ripley crashes onto a remote and inhabited ore refinery/male only prison. While they decide what to do with her, Ripley discovers the horrifying reason for her crash: An alien stowaway. As the alien matures and begins to kill off the inhabitants, Ripley is unaware that her true enemy is more than just the killer alien.

For: The story behind the making of this film is extraordinary. I highly recommend checking it out. The tunnel chases are well done, the alien itself looks interesting, the bit in the medical room is tense. Always good to see Charles Dance.

Against: Has some major flaws, especially in characterisation, SFX and pacing. It also kills off Hicks and Newt, which is a slap in the face.

Favourite Scene: Ripley comes face to face with the alien in the medical room

Rating: 2.5 Lukes

ALIEN RESURRECTION

Released: 1997

Directed by: Jean-Pierre Jeunet

Written by: Joss Whedon

Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Winona Ryder, Ron Perlman

Plot: 200 years after her death, Ellen Ripley is revived as a powerful human/Alien hybrid clone who must continue her war against the Aliens.

For: The room of rejected Ripley clones, the basketball game, character interaction between the criminals is fun.

Against: The Newborn. You don’t have any reason to root for the Betty crew, they are all scumbag people smugglers after all.

Favourite Scene: Ripley finds the room of rejected Ripley clones

Rating: 1.5 Lukes

Let me know what you think. Agree/Disagree? Leave a Comment, I would love to hear from you!

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