It would have been really interesting (and more than a bit eye-opening if you know much Atari lore) to watch this guy in action over the first half of the 70s….

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So having had to travel to TX over the past two weeks for work has given me time to read a few books (on the plane and in the hotel). So I revisited a couple PKD books, namely The Man in the High Castle, Radio Free Albemuth and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep (upon which Blade Runner was based).

It was interesting, because I haven’t read The Man in the High Castle for many, many years, and was inspired given the recent Amazon-produced trailer of a likely upcoming miniseries based on the book. I have to say, that while the story is good and the research done to create the book was extensive (tells the story of what might have happened had the Germans and Japanese won WWII) – I was left a bit disappointed. The ending just ‘ends’ (to me anyway) and i’m not sure what to make of it. Still, a good read though.

Radio Free Albemuth is another interesting one, because it wasn’t published in Dick’s lifetime, the manuscript only surfaced after he passed away. I had read it originally before Bush became president, and after 9/11 sadly to me, some of its predictions actually came to pass – albeit in a more reduced fashion (and unlike President Fremont in the book – Bush actually LEFT office when his term was up). This book is also different because PKD is an actual character in it – half the book is told from his perspective – half from the other central character’s perspective. Each largely thinks the other is crazy – although both may be partially nuts, it’s hard to tell. The ending is not unlike that of A Scanner Darkly – where there is only a dim hope for the future – but hope nonetheless….

Finally, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. I have only read this book possibly 3 times (vs. the bazillion times i’ve seen Blade Runner). So I knew about but enjoyed rediscovering the several key plot points that are missing from the movie (Mercerism, Buster Friendly, everyone trying to own a real animal but often prevented because of persistent fallout – this is hinted at in the movie but never really talked about) – and chickenheads (william sanderson’s character). But I think the movie is actually somewhat more human and touching than the book, which left me a bit cold this time around. But given that the book repeatedly emphasizes the androids have no feelings (the movie is quite the opposite) I guess that’s no surprise.

It was good to revisit all three but I guess the perspective of time (and ever more sci-books read since) means I just feel differently about them this time around? PKD is still one of my fave sci-fi guys but I guess I’ve moved beyond him a little bit, too?

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Came across this video from Jim Henson’s memorial tonight on YT – very hard to believe he’s been gone for 24+ years(?) and yet his star has anything but diminished. Would that the rest of us had such a positive and uplifting effect on the world while doing it with humor and grace, while not being afraid to be zany and weird when the mood suited. This video really captures the essence of Jim Henson – enjoy and be inspired.

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this comic totally reminds me of an old SNL sketch where Dana Carvey is doing Tom Brokaw testing various newscasts in case President Ford was killed by various ridiculous scenarios (below comic)….too funny…

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the one rival to Nolan Bushnell for the ‘father of videogames’ crown…..RIP.

Ralph H. Baer, father of video games, passes away at 92

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While I’m not as stoked for this as I was for the second coming of TRON – and was somewhat disappointed – doh! – I have to say, this looks pretty good. Now to avoid watching any other trailers to avoid spoilers for just over a year……

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Saw Guardians of the Galaxy yesterday afternoon – good movie! It really wasn’t at all what I expected, but entertaining nonetheless. And despite the Marvel pedigree, not really a superhero movie either, actually – more like a weirder version of Firefly (swashbuckling ‘western in space’ story) with bits of Star Wars (space dogfights complete obvious copy of, some of the plot elements are also very ‘anakin vs luke’ and The Fifth Element (the orb they are seeking, a lot of the production design, spaceships, etc.) thrown in.

And two nits (spoilers?) – if Chris Pratt’s character has the Sony Walkman with him playing classic tunes (on cassettes that lasted apparently 20+ years, hmmmm) – where does he get the AA batteries to power it? 🙂 Also, who the heck is Thanos and why does he spend his time just floating around in a big ‘space chair’ (cartoon image of same here) – kinda silly – but then again, I never understood why the original Baltar did it either?

And given that GOTG were a pretty obscure comic to begin with – they only appeared a few times in the 70s – Marvel obviously felt comfortable going in a completely different direction. Here’s what the originals looked like:

Anyway – entertaining movie, good actors and smart-a** dialogue – definitely all the great elements of a lazy Saturday afternoon matinee… 🙂

Other voices:
Rotten Tomatoes
Roger Ebert.com

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The original Lord of Kobol has passed away – R.I.P.

‘Knight Rider,’ ‘Battlestar Galactica’ creator Glen Larson dies

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