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Phil Leader (619 KP) rated Explorations: First Contact (Explorations #2) in Books

Nov 13, 2019  
Explorations: First Contact (Explorations #2)
Explorations: First Contact (Explorations #2)
Stephen Moss, Nick Bailey, Richard Fox, Nathan Hystad, Scarlett R. Algee, Peter Cawdron, Ralph Kern, Josh Hayes, Robert M. Campbell, Scott Moon, P.P. Corcoran, Jacob Cooper, Chris Kennedy, P.J. Strebor, Isaac Hooke | 2017 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Science Fiction has always been at home with the short story. The science fiction magazines from the mid 20th Century onwards was frequently the only way of writers to get their work published. As a bonus the concept of science fiction - taking an idea and seeing where it goes - is a really nice fit for short stories.

This collection is more than just a selection of tales from up and coming science fiction writers; all the stories are set in the same universe and are in some way on the theme of first contact. The introduction sets this up, with a damaged alien ship discovered on the moon. It is able to transmit details of nearby inhabited star systems - and a terrible warning about a dangerous foe - before it shuts down. Mankind learns all it can from the message and the wreckage before setting out for the stars.

Each story then follows the fate of the mission to one of the star systems. This is the point where any similarity in stories ends as each writer brings their own style and ideas for their contribution (although there are some neat nods to the other stories now and again). The result is a satisfying mix of different ideas but all within a consistant whole.

That's not to say that every story hit the spot for me, but that's inevitable given the range of authors here, but every story was interesting to read. There are also the occasional one that felt a little rushed, the idea either too big for a short story, or too many ideas vying for the limited word count. But these are minor niggles and the standard of all the stories is very high.

Overall a really good collection showcasing the talents of current science fiction writers. If you like interesting ideas and gripping stories about aliens and space exploration you won't be disappointed.
  
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Duncan Jones recommended Blade Runner (1982) in Movies (curated)

 
Blade Runner (1982)
Blade Runner (1982)
1982 | Sci-Fi
8.5 (75 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"For me, Blade Runner is the best science-fiction film ever made. Although I did just speak to StarWars.com the other day, and Star Wars was the best science-fiction film ever made. Blade Runner, for me, was the most fully realised world. Sometimes you see films, not just science fiction films, where you get the sense that if the camera were to pan just to the left or the right all of a sudden you’d be seeing light stands and crew standing around. But with Blade Runner, the beauty of it is that it felt like a real, breathing city. Science-fiction cities in general, I think, are so hard to get right, because it’s so easy to just play some cheesy music or do something that takes you right out of it, but Blade Runner got it right, and I love that about the film. It’s a great film as well, the performances are all amazing, Rutger Hauer is incredible in it. He’s never been as cool and sexy in anything since. Harrison Ford is grim and just a great protagonist. It’s just a brilliant sexy film. The sense that there is a real world beyond the frame of the camera is something that I want to do with my next film Mute, that’s going to be very much my love letter to Blade Runner. It’s a future Berlin thriller, and it’s exactly that element of Blade Runner that I want to capture in my film."

Source
  
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BookCritics (259 KP) rated Borne in Books

May 16, 2017  
Borne
Borne
Jeff VanderMeer | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
“Borne” is a work that exemplifies the notion of pick-and-choose literature; there are elements of science fiction and fantasy of course, but also flavors of thriller and love story and coming of age.
Critic- Allen Adams
Original Score- 5 out of 5

Read Review: http://www.themaineedge.com/buzz/jeff-vandermeers-weird-wonderful-borne
  
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Ari Augustine (10 KP) rated The Lightning Stenography Device in Books

May 4, 2020  
The Lightning Stenography Device
The Lightning Stenography Device
M.F. Sullivan | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I loved how wacky this book was, balancing a mix of horror and surreal fantasy in a way that kept me moving through the pages. Unlike anything I've ever read, with a quad of narrators, deep philosophy, and the stitching together of Science Fiction and Fantasy in a delightfully horrific way.

Hands down LOVED it.