Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back: Reenactment On Your Mobile Phone

SW: TESBOM is an action/arcade game based around a series of fun and challenging mini-games where the player participates in the key events from the Episode V movie.

Take control of either Luke Skywalker or various Star Wars vehicles such as Snow Speeders or even the Millennium Falcon itself.

Travel through the various worlds of the Star Wars universe; fly through asteroid fields, train with Yoda, or even fight the mighty Imperial Forces on foot.

Key Features:

· Re-enact key scenes from the Empire Strikes Back!
· Jedi Combat/Training Mode featuring Yoda and Luke Skywalker
· Millennium Falcon game mode – Escape from the Star Destroyer through the asteroid field
· Train your force abilities with mini-games featuring the famous scenes with Yoda and Luke in the swamps of Degobah
· Easy control mechanism using contextual action points

Actual Screenshots And Purchase Info:
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Interzone Cover Artwork All In One Place

On and impluse, I did a search for old Interzone covers on google images, and came back with this site which holds most (if not all) the covers of Interzone from Issue 1 to Issue 199, which strangely enough is exactly where I started subscribing to it.

I particularly liked the way the cover changed slightly from Issue 1 to Issue 2, the total eclipse of the sun moving off centre and the colour changing. Very effective, if simplistic.

You can see how the artwork progressed, and the way in which ’sf’ is being portrayed through art is changing.

It’s also amusing to see how the Interzone logos change over the years, of which I prefer the newest. Although that’s not to say the older ones weren’t ‘cool’ in their day - they just look kind of dated now, which isn’t really true of the artwork itself, it’s stood the test of time.

My favourite is Issue 16 as it reflects the kind of stories I rate high on my list - a world which is similar to our own on the surface, but strange when examined closely.

Looking at the covers, quite a few names jump out. Most notably, J.G Ballard, Christopher Priest, Jonathan Carroll (which I never realised had written for Interzone), Ian Watson, Kim Newman, Greg Bear, Bruce Sterling,, Greg Egan, Eric Brown and William Gibson, to name but a few. Which goes to make an impressive lineup.

A great archive, which covers the covers of the world’s best, British and longest running, sf magazine, although, sadly, the names of the artists are missing.

AFTER DARK at the BFI IMAX
Alien Quadrilogy all-nighter (Alien, Aliens, Alien 3, Alien Resurrection)
Plus Hot Fuzz, Sunshine, 28 Weeks Later and Curse of the Golden Flower

After the roaring success of 300, which took over the late evening slot for the last two months, After Dark at the BFI IMAX is back with an extra-special event on Saturday 2 June – an all-night screening of the Alien quadrilogy with the added bonus of Alien 1, 2 and 3 presented in stunning 70mm. Also showing soon on the big screen on the South Bank will be four current movie hits; Hot Fuzz, Sunshine, 28 Weeks Later and Curse of the Golden Flower.

For the first time at the BFI IMAX since 2000, sci-fi and horror fans can not only see Ridley Scott’s ground-breaking movie – one of the scariest films ever made – back on the big screen again, but can sit in comfort, even with a beverage or two and enjoy the three sequels. It’s a marathon SEVEN hours of viewing to handle throughout the night, so remember…. in space no one can hear you scream.

AfterDark Schedule Dates/Times:
May
Fri 25 – Thurs 31 May at 8.45pm – Hot Fuzz (15)
June
Fri 1 – Thurs 7 June at 8.45pm (except for 6.45pm on 2 June) – Sunshine (15)
Sat 2 June from 9.00pm – Alien quadrilogy all-nighter – all four films showing back to back, with a 30-minute break between each
9.00pm – Alien 70mm (15)
12 midnight – Aliens 70mm (18)
2.30am – Alien 3 70mm (18)
5.00am – Alien: Ressurection (18)

Fri 8 – Thurs 14 June at 8.45pm – 28 Weeks Later (18)
Fri 15 – Thurs 21 June at 8.45pm – Curse of the Golden Flower (15)

During the all-night event teas and coffees will be provided FREE, with snacks, sweets and soft drinks available to buy and a range of alcoholic drinks on sale at the bar.

All films with the exception of Alien, Aliens and Alien 3 which are the original 70mm versions, will be shown in their original theatrical 35mm versions (NB. not IMAX or IMAX DMR); the image will fill approximately one third of the giant screen.

Cinema information
The BFI IMAX is located at South Bank, London SE1. Nearest tube is Waterloo (2 minutes walk). Tickets for the Alien all-nighter are £25.00 for Adults and £18 for Concessions and can be bought either online from www.bfi.org.uk/imax, from the ticket desk in person or by telephoning the box office on 0870 787 2525. Tickets for the other films showing in May and June are £8.50 Adults and £6.25 Concessions.

About After Dark at the BFI IMAX
Created to offer an alternative during the evening to the mainly family-friendly titles that generally comprise our programme, After Dark is an opportunity for local residents south of the River to see new releases on the big screen. Films are screened in their original theatrical 35mm formats, unless otherwise indicated, using standard projection (i.e. not IMAX or IMAX digital re-mastering); the image fills approximately one third of the screen, making it one of the biggest pictures in London. As the auditorium is designed as a sound studio, sound quality is excellent. The BFI IMAX, two minutes from Waterloo station, offers a perfect view from steeply raked seats. Alcoholic drinks along with snacks, sweets and soft drinks are available to buy. The After Dark programme changes regularly and customers are advised to check our website or local listings for details.

About the BFI IMAX
The BFI IMAX is run by the BFI. A state-of-the-art, large-format cinema seating over 485 people, it features a screen more than 20 metres high – the height of five double-decker buses – and stretching more than 26 metres wide. It is the largest cinema screen in the UK. This, together with the 12,000-watt digital surround-sound system and the most sophisticated motion-picture projector in the world, immerses audiences in larger-than-life images and ultra-realistic sound, whether the film is in 2D, 3D or IMAX® DMR™.

About the BFI
There’s more to discover about film and television through the BFI. Our world-renowned archive, cinemas, festivals, films, publications and learning resources are here to inspire you.

Woman Hears Screams, Follows To An Underground Bunker And Finds An Alien

Q) Wendy says, “Hi! I hope you can help! I am looking for the title of a 80’s (possibly late 70’s) sci-fi film that played a zillion times on cable in early 80’s.

It’s about a woman who hears sounds/screams in her head, a ‘calling’ if you will. She and her man travel across country/desert to get to source of it and find an underground military facility that was housing and experimenting on aliens that had crashed to earth.

She could ‘hear’ the last remaining one and they both break into and out of the facility to rescue the alien. The girl is a blond and the actor playing the man was in a lot of suporting rolls in the 80’s. Please help? What movie am I speaking about?”

A) I’m afraid we came up blank again, Wendy. Even using search engines didn’t help - though possibly I didn’t use the right search words…

So, if any of you out there any ideas, please let us know via the contact form. And get famous(ish).

Award-Winning Drame from the Master Of the Macabre: Roald Dahl’s Tales Of The Unexpected. Series One.

Upon seeing Mr Dahl sitting comfortably in his armchair, in front of his hearth, a friendly, blazing fire flickering against his wizened old ‘grandfather’ face, introducing the story, a whole host of emotions came back.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up - and I couldn’t even remember the exact story. For some reason, just seeing him sitting there, talking us through the history of the story, with a glint in his eye as if to say I know something you don’t know evoked emotions which I only hoped would stand the test of time, since it was twenty years since I’d seen any of the episodes.

Now sit back, relax, and enjoy some very macabre storytelling…

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Bill Paxton Pullman Paxton Pullman Might Almost Get To Play With A Sick Stick

These people have said that Bill Pullman is in talks to land the role of playing Philip K. Dick.

And I quote:

Details are thin as the producers of this indie production haven’t yet seen fit to list the film in IMDb’s database. The movie is currently entitled Panasonic (very non-PKD) which will be hell for them come search engine marketing time. Shooting is scheduled to begin next month with musician Matthew “Break My Stride” Wilder taking the director’s chair.

And I end quote.

Check it out. Made me laugh.

By the way, that’s Bill PULLMAN from the ever so cool Brain Dead, not Bill PAXTON from the ever so not cool Big Love. Saying that, they both starred in Brain Dead.

Now the serious questions is: Who will star in a biographical film of the life of Philip K. Dick? (I bet you a vanilla ice-cream the PKD Society won’t let it happen. Ever.)

Let us know who you think would be able to do the PKD biz with the feedback form, and we’ll make you a bit famous - or something.

To be honest, I was going to put up some ideas, but my mind is a blank…

Blimey, you could almost get confused (with the Bills), like when people talk about the Gregs: Greg Bear, Greg Egan or Greg(ory) Benford.

Shockingly Shockingly Weird

2000AD do an occasional story line which are just weird, very much like the Twilight Zone called Future Shocks or Time Twisters. It’s a place for new artists and scripters to showcase their imagination. Alan Moore has put together a compilation which will - just - weird - you - out.

One memorable one which I recollect is where a guy notices a strip of clear white paint on the roof of his house. He’s bewildered, and wonders what it’s about. No conclusion comes until maybe 15 years later. He’s finally painted his house and low and behold a strip of paint has disappeared. He vaguely remembers something which happened before…

To me these are probably the most thought out story lines, or at least the most weird and thought provoking story lines which have appeared in 2000AD.

If you like weird and thought provoking stories, then simply go get it.

Director Ridley Scott Talks About Blade Runner The Director’s Cut

The BBC reported that Ridley Scott has actually said outright whether Harrison Ford’s character Deckard in Blade Runner is a replicant. I’m not sure how I missed this (six years ago), because I have the documentary on good old VHS and I distinctly remember watching it.

So, for all of you who haven’t seen it, or don’t know the answer and are interested, you can see the BBC news piece here.

An Interview With Christopher Priest: 3 July 2006

My top two favourites are A Dream Of Wessex and The Affirmation; which novel are you most proud of and why?

“Proud” is the wrong word for most things to do with me. For my books, I mostly feel a sense of relief at having been able to start something, keep it going for a year or two, then finish it. Also, as a lot of people have pointed out, books are a bit like children, insofar as you have feelings about them. You often have an irrational love for the one with the spotty face, etc., and in any event feel differently about them all because they represent different aspects of your life, different periods. I’m fond of Indoctrinaire, e.g., because it was my first one, but its face seems increasingly spotty with age.
The ones I like best are:
Inverted World, because it’s the closest I’ll ever come to writing a trad sf novel. Also, because it has opened so many doors for me. It’s not well known or well liked in English (especially in the USA, where it did badly), but in translation it has been a great hit. This is especially true in France, where I have dined out on it for years.
The Affirmation, because it was the first novel I wrote that I felt came out the way I wanted it to. It was also, for me, an experiment in a new kind of plotting, which I’ve been developing ever since. I think the last dozen pages or so are amongst the best bits of me.
The Prestige, because it has a great and devious plot. Buggered if I know now how I worked it out, but there you are.
The Separation, because it’s the closest to the most “achieved” novel. It’s well-rounded, serious, complicated and is a pure but neglected form of sf.

I came across the The Last Deadloss Visions (AKA The Book On The Edge Of Forever) purely by accident when I was searching for a full list of your novels. What gave you the idea for writing the essay? Do you think the book ever be released?

Who cares, any more? Everything’s out of date now. Most of the writers are dead. Even Harlan Ellison has put on a lot of saggy bits himself recently, and doesn’t look long for this world. He should have put his anthology on a multi-media CD or DVD when I advised him to, a decade and a half ago, but the chance is gone now. He’s lost the copyright to most of the stories.
The idea came not as Ellison claims (a hideous revenge for him rejecting one of my stories — because he never did), but because for a while back in the 1970s I was writing a mild form of literary investigative journalism for one of the left-wing magazines here. I enjoyed doing that, but the subjects were dull: the Arts Council literature funding policy, etc. Afterwards, I thought it would be fun to deploy the same journalistic techniques on something a bit more interesting. I was still casting around for ideas when I saw one of Ellison’s letters in an American fanzine, promising untruthfully for the umpteenth time that he had just delivered The Last Dangerous Visions. It took me less than half a second to realize I had found the subject I was looking for. The story has everything, and practically wrote itself: Ellison’s boastfulness, incompetence, emotional blackmail, laziness, threats, bullying, self-satisfaction … and his habit of uttering one provable lie after another. It was not intended as a personal attack: I’ve never met the great man and know little about him, other than what he has said himself. But as well as being someone who tries to lie his way out of every difficulty, he apparently cannot believe that objective criticism of him could be anything other than spiteful or malicious. By his own lights does he seem to see the world around him.

[NB to copy-editor, proofreader, etc: “provable”, not “probable”]
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The Future Was FAB: The Art of Mike Trim

Thunderbirds, War of the Worlds , Images of Sci-Fi. Artist Mike Trim Featured in NewBook Slated for July Release

“A book of Mike Trim’s design work is a thing to be treasured.” — Richard Taylor

Five-time Academy Award winner & Special Effects Director of Lord of the Rings, King Kong, Master & Commander: The Far Side of the World, and director of Weta Workshop.

In 1964, young Mike Trim answered a newspaper advertisement seeking model makers for a film production crew and embarked on an odyssey that would last for more than four decades. Beginning in the final days of Stingray, Trim went to work as a model maker and designer for Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s television series Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Joe 90, The Secret Service and UFO - as well as their feature films: Thunderbirds Are GO, Thunderbird 6 and Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (aka Doppelganger).

Starting out in the model shop, Trim later became Special Effects Director Derek Meddings’ assistant in designing the fabulous futuristic architecture, vehicles, and distinctive look of the Andersons’ imaginative series. Eventually, he assumed responsibility for the majority of the design work for the series as Meddings (who won an Academy Award for his work on the 1978 film Superman) became more involved in feature films.

After contributing a single (unused) vehicle design and model to the series Space: 1999, Trim moved into freelance illustration, creating an iconic cover painting for one of the best-selling albums of all time, Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds, in 1978.

The Art Of Mike Trim. Images Of SciFi.

Celebrating more than forty years as a designer, Trim has now collaborated with author Anthony Taylor to produce a full-color collection of his works. The Future Was FAB: The Art of Mike Trim is an in-depth review of the artist’s entire career as a sci-fi designer and illustrator. Featuring hundreds of full-color and black-and-white drawings, paintings, marker comps and photos, the book offers a one-of-a-kind, up-close-and-personal view of how the artist foretells the future at the end of a paintbrush. The illustrations are annotated by Trim via his anecdotes and insights as he worked with the Andersons, Meddings and the crew of Century 21 Films, as well as his experiences as a freelance artist and his account of how the instantly recognizable cover art for The War of the Worlds LP was created. Also chronicled: his techniques and influences, unproduced and upcoming projects, and more. With chapters covering his techniques and early influences, unproduced and upcoming projects and more, The Future was FAB: The Art of Mike Trim is a fitting tribute to an artist whose work has permeated the pop culture landscape for more than forty years, and a meticulous archive of his seminal works in the field of sci-fi art and design.

The Art Of Mike Trim. Images Of SciFi.

AVAILABLE JULY 25, 2006
from Fabgearusa.com, Amazon.com, and book stores worldwide.

All Mike Trim Images Are Copyright.

# # #

The Future Was FAB: The Art of Mike Trim

By Anthony Taylor with Mike Trim

Forewords by Richard Taylor and David Tremont of Weta Workshop

Published by Hermes Press. 128 pages. Trade Paperback, 9×12 inches, $29.95

ISBN: 1932563822

Jim Kelly’s Experiment In Self-Audio-Publishing.

Jim Patrick Kelly has recorded some of his short stories and has posted them in the form of free audio books in MP3 files. They have all appeared in some outstanding journals such as Asimov’s Science Fiction, SciFiction, Realms Of Fantasy and The Magazine Of Fantasy And Science Fiction.

You can see from the list below that Jim has been writing for over two decades and the fact that he has put up his stories for free in audio format is a testement to his love of the genre.

You can tell this during his narrations too. As he says in the introduction, he is reading them as he thought them as he was writing them. His voice changes with the text, you can feel the emotion coming through every breath. The snippets of music during the start and at the end really add to the overall presentation. Thankfully there is no sound effects or added music during the text itself, making the true power of the words come through without any superfluous trimmings.

I hope that you get enjoyment from these free e-books, and in turn peruse his commercially available paperbound books and e-books.

• Bierhorst, R. G., Seera, B. L. and Jannifer, R. P. ‘Proof of the Existence of God and an Afterlife.’ Journal of Experimental Psychology. (August 1998)
• The Edge Of Nowhere (June 2005)
• Barry Westphal Crashes The Singularity (September 2002)
• Faith (June 1989)
• The Best Christmas Ever (May 2004)
• Serpent (May 2004)
• Bernardo’s House (June 2003) (Rated R)
• The Pyramid Of Amirah (March 2002)
• Itsy Bitsy Spider (June 1997)
• The Ice Is Singing (April 2003)
• Monsters (June 1992)
• Fruitcake Theory (December 1998)
• Unique Visitors (2001)

A Bit Of Fun Now.

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