Posts tagged classic SF

Brave New World, Huxleys Vision

After reading 1984, numerous people told me I must then read Brave New World.  This was of course the next book on my list to read anyway, and a few days ago at the local plasma center, I finally finished it.  This was a very different book than Orwells depiction of a dystopian future.  Aldous [...]

Tron vs Tron Legacy

This morning I began watching Tron Legacy, on 2D Blu-Ray, with my daughter.  Which of course made me think of the almost 30 years since the original.  While I wasn’t alive when it came out, it was certainly something I grew up with.  But not until I entered my twenties did I realize just how big [...]

Mr. Orwell, could we have that crystal ball back?

It’s been months since I actually finished reading 1984, my bed is in a different position now, but the vividness of the moment I set it down when finished still whispers to me.  I lay in the same position, next to the same night stand where the novel sat for days, remaining undisturbed as if [...]

In the future, we burn books…

If you haven’t at least heard of Fahrenheit 451, I’d be very surprised.  If you’ve never heard the authors name, I’d call you a liar. Ray Bradbury has been doing it all since Fahrenheit 451 was published back in 1953.   Novels in every major genre, television, film, theater and even opera.   He is [...]

Starship Troopers, the Book, Not that Terrible Movie

After being published in 1959, Starship Troopers was considered a controversial piece of science fiction. Not because it was racy (there was practically no discussion on things of a sexual nature) or because of violence (while there was plenty of that though it was fairly tame).  The “controversy” behind this book is actually found with [...]

Childhood's End

Try as I might I could not think of a more creative title for this post.  Attempting to find a few words or a phrase that would do this book justice is, well… quite impossible.  Childhood’s End by Sir Arthur C. Clarke is the best piece of science fiction I have ever read(PERIOD) Originally published [...]

Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions

Originally published in 1884 by Seeley & Co., Flatland was a critique of the social practices and beliefs of the Victorian culture. Written by an English school master (Edwin A. Abbott), it is now considered one of the best introductions to perceiving dimensions (Isaac Asimov is quoted to saying as much).

The Truly “Forbidden Planet”

This is perhaps one of the better science fiction movies ever made, despite it being released in 1956, with now campy special effects, cheesy character development and predictable plot.  Predictability mainly comes from the general structure of the story having been used in all sorts of other movies.  In fact, Forbidden Planet is based loosely on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. [...]