Movies & Games Pt. 1 – Most Excellent Dude!

Grick Speaks

Greetings again. Grick here. Now that Book 4 “The Journals of Brandas” is available, I can explore other things of interest. Mr. Evanovich’s posting on computer sci-fi gaming and Mr. Stamm’s on selected sci-fi book series are most informative (refer to the Sept. blog). This month Mr. Stamm notes newer Sci-Fi movies while Mr. Evanovich weighs in next week on his favorite game. Science fiction naturally appeals to me, since I’m a living part of an ongoing saga in that genre. Such works expand one’s view of the universe and its inhabitants, a perspective from which I think we all can see things more clearly. If you’re looking for a good sci-fi series to read, I can recommend the “Man’s Best Friend” books, in which I happen to play an integral role. And remember, I only look like a “dog.” As those of you who’ve read the books know, I’m something else entirely. Of course, feel free to blog me at your convenience and we can discuss it. That’s all for now. Take care.

Lee On Current SciFi Films

A Sampling Sci-Fi Movies and Movie Series from the past five years. All entries are brief and contain no spoilers.

 

Cloud Atlas – Excellent

Very long but unusual story covering a time span from past to distant future.

 

Looper – Good

Interesting time travel premise, good action and a clever ending.

 

Prometheus – Good

A bit long and convoluted, bailed out by good production and effects.

 

Elysium – OK

Watchable despite the trite social commentary.

 

Ender’s Game – Good

Good concept runs fairly close to the book, if that makes any difference to you.

 

Gravity – OK

First hour is very slow and repetitive. The final half-hour is exciting.

 

Oblivion – Very Good

Interesting story, good production, satisfying ending.

 

Riddick – Good

If you like the Riddick series, you’ll like this mindless action fest.

 

 

Snowpiercer – Very Good

A bizarre concept of civilization preserved on a train is brought off quite well.

 

Edge of Tomorrow – Very Good, almost Excellent

Clever time repetition storyline with good action with formidable aliens.

 

Lucy – OK

Peculiar premise, decent action, nothing profound.

 

Jurassic World – Good

Mostly a rehash of the original “Jurassic Park” movie. Quite entertaining with nice effects.

 

Mad Max: Fury Road – Good

Director George Miller gives a nice try but his old classic “The Road Warrior” is still better.

 

The Martian – Very Good

Quite enjoyable, despite many scientific errors. Nice performance by Matt Damon.

 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens – OK

A weaker rehash of Episode 4, bailed out by good production and effects.

 

The Hunger Games series – Very Good

Good actors and production flesh out an odd premise.

 

The Maze Runner series – OK

The scenario is a stretch, but is executed fairly well. Not up to snuff with “The Hunger Games.”

 

Divergent series – OK

Another not as good, minor league version of “The Hunger Games.”

 

 

That wraps up Part 1 of this months blog. Be sure to check out Part 2 next week that will cover RJ’s favorite computer game.

 

This Week: Grick Speaks 3 going to the dogs – RJ’s Corner discusses “old school” gaming

Grick Speaks 3

Some of you have asked about the similarity of my species, the Nacker, to the “dogs” of your world. There is a physical resemblance to a type of earthly dog called the “Harrier,” though I frankly do not see it quite as much as Amos, Ryan and Alex insist. The “dogs” of earth are actually much more like the unenhanced Nackers of my world, creatures with some intelligence to be sure, but extremely limited when compared to me, Nix and the others in the Nacker settlement. This does not even address our telepathic ability, another attribute that sets us above and apart. These observations are not intended to convey a negative view of your “dogs,” but rather to define the differences. After all, my species did not always possess these qualities and any arrogance on my part would be quite inappropriate.

I had occasion to meet a few “dogs” during my brief stay in your world. I can tell you that while not of superior intellect, they were sensitive creatures, some of whom even displayed telepathic aptitude, albeit at a rudimentary level. I am confident that if selected individuals were to participate in an enhancement program similar to that of my ancestors, their progeny would achieve great things in the future.

As to where we Nackers originated, I can only tell you what I have learned from the sketchy records in the Binaltro Archive. It is thought that we came to Ronala with the ancestral space-faring race that is presumed to have colonized our planet in the distant past. Our notable affinity for the Ronalan Citizens, as well as the humans who so closely resemble them, would seem to support that theory. Of course until sufficient evidence either confirms or refutes this idea, it remains in the realm of conjecture.

That is enough for this installment. Until my next post, enjoy the “Man’s Best Friend” series. I can recommend them from personal experience.

 

RJ’s Corner – Old School Gaming

I was talking to my daughter the other evening and the discussion eventually turned to gaming. To my surprise she told me of a group she gets together with periodically to play Shadowrun. I was flabbergasted to find that pencil, paper, charts and dice RPG gaming is still popular. And, Shadowrun is in its 4th edition. I played it in its first edition. This started me thinking about a game that I purchased back in the 1980s called Aftermath.

According to Wikipedia  “ Aftermath! is a role-playing game created by Paul Hume & Robert Charette which was published in 1981 by Fantasy Games Unlimited.

“It is set in a post-apocalyptic world where the characters typically have to fight for food, water, basic supplies and shelter. The rules are reasonably complex and include many flow charts and tables to enable the Games Master to simulate the world. This leads to a very immersive gaming experience. However, it does require a good knowledge of the rules.

“The nature of the Apocalypse is up to the Games Master but it is reminiscent of the Mad Max films. There is even an expansion (Aftermath! Magic!) to play in a universe dominated by dragons in the style of the film Reign of Fire.”

This description only touches very lightly on what that game was like. The levels of game play were highly detailed and enormously complex. However, a skilled Game Master could make this game fly causing the action to be swift, exciting and, under the right conditions, pulse pounding. Any post-apocalyptic dystopian loving fan would find this game entertaining and absorbing. Once past the steep learning curve the players find a believable and scary world to compete in.

I sold most of my Aftermath! and Shadowrun materials years ago. along with most of my AD&D tomes. Now days I mostly game on the computer either in a stand-alone environment or on an MMO platform. But occasionally I look back nostalgically on the “old school” RPG gaming and find that I miss that human interaction that occurs when a group of serious gamers get together and pit their mettle against a competent Game Master. I find it heartening in many ways that a younger generation is still enjoying this type of gaming and hope they in turn pass the skill on to yet another generation.

Now, if Dream Park would only become a reality!