Humour

The blog's been rather silent, with all of us busy with our studies, but here's something I dug up. (I apologize to any vegetarians out there)

Doctor Who - New series. new species part 19

Half Term for me so a chance to sneak in a bit of content while I can. I've a number of things I want to write about, but as the last special was quite a while ago now (in the UK at least) I think I should probably write about the Easter episode of Doctor Who and the new alien species it introduced. I thought the bus teleporting into the desert war rather reminiscent of Jumper and the rip-offs and references just keep coming on and on after that...

Tritovore












Humanoid flies have been a staple of Sci-Fi TV and movies since the '50s so I was hardly bowled over when these creatures showed up on set. I thought maybe they'd at least have an interesting background, but the crew managed to rip themselves off by reusing a concept from the animated series - a fly species that live by consuming the waste of other species - clever, if they hadn't already done it. The bugs then managed to top even this by forgetting how their guns worked - they were vaguely entertaining it must be said, but like the rest of the episode, they could have been so much more.

Tritovores were a spacefaring active in galactic culture by the early 21st Century. They had their own spaceships and weapons adapted to their physiology and had advanced translation technology for communication with other races, who couldn't often comprehend their clicking and whirring dialect - this technology could even detect lies in a users voice. They obtained or funded this technology by entering into a mutually beneficial agreement with other sentient species - they would take away organic waste, which they could consume, in return for the goods and services that planet could offer. This worked well for most of the traders, except for a ship that was headed for the planet San Helios...

Stingrays










I found the monsters to be somewhat a rip-off of Pitch Black's beasties, though nowhere near as terrifying or as cool. They might have been intriguing if it weren't for the fact that they were such and obvious copy of that film's plot - trapped on a desert planet, must escape before we get eaten by a merciless swarm of creatures - yep, definitely seen that one before, the Doctor even wears shades, though admittedly they weren't goggles. I did like the fact that they were a monstrous swarm, not an enemy the Doctor could defeat by talking, just mindless beasts - the wormhole concept was interesting if a little unbelievable. They did provide a good sense of peril, and the showdown with UNIT was cool, but I wasn't particularly bowled over.

'Stingray' is the code name given by UNIT to these deadly creatures, based on their resemblence to the Earth shark subspecies of the same name. They are a massive swarm of flying creatures that travel from world to world consuming all they come across, they engulf a planet swarming round and round it until all matter, organic or otherwise is consumed and only sand and waste remains. Their strength seems to be their sheer mass as they are susceptible to heavy weapons fire and vulnerable to coldness but in their large numbers few things can stand against them. As an additional defence any metal they consume is carefully digested and extruded to form a tough exoskeleton. Once all matter on a world is consumed they circle it repeatedly until their momentum and mass opens a wormhole to another world they can lay waste to. By this method the creatures arruived at and destroyed San Helios a bustling, cultured world and were about to breach Earth until the Doctor close their wormhole and redirected them to uninhabited worlds where they could keep living without destroying others.

I hope you've enjoyed this forray into the Doctor's world - more from their adventures when the next special 'Waters of Mars' airs.

Deadpool

The New Wolverine film has created some new interest in perhaps my favourite comic character, Deadpool.
As many of you will know he displays his fourth-wall breaking abilities from time to time and provides the Marvel universe with some much needed humour. The fact that he is present in almost every major marvel event is also amusing, providing an integral comical side to some shocking events such as Secret Invasion.
(This is when the skrulls clone him to create an immortal army, which they then recruit him to train)


But the new film has caused some confusion regarding his origins. I'll kindly explain (albeit in a simpler fashion because Wade's got a convoluted past, like most superheroes)
Suffering from cancer, mercenary Wade Wilson volunteers in the Weapon X program as part of an experiment to transplant Wolverine's healing factor. This cures his cancer but makes him insane and horribly disfigured. Deemed a failure, he is sent to "The Workshop" to be experimented on. He escapes, kills people etc. Ala Wolverine.
His only power is the healing factor, though it could be argued his sense of humour is just as deadly. He also has the ability to produce weapons from seemingly thin air, claiming this process involves "a lot of lubricant".
Although a sadistic, comical character, Deadpool has been involved in some more serious story arcs, most notably "The Burnt Offering" of "Cable & Deadpool". This involves Cable's struggle to deal with his immense power, and his solution which involves his self sacrifice.
This is pretty much an excuse for another post, but there we go.
Although I do have some new news, a Deadpool spin-off has been confirmed. And judging by the way Deadpool breaks the fourth wall in the after-credits scene in Wolverine, we can only hope it will be as good as the comics.
Well, i'll leave you with one of the first confrontations between Wolverine and Deadpool.

SF at the Movies, April 09 - and an apology.

Hello readers (wow, feels fun to say that an mean it...hopefully)

I must first of all apologise for the lack of content on this blog. My cohorts and I have all entered particularly busy and hectic stages of our work and academic years and so time for blogging is short, as it is for most other things. So the blog has been pretty quiet, and is set to remain so for the next few weeks at least. There have been a number of posts that I wanted to write but simply didn't have the time and again, this sorry state of affairs is going to carry on as far as I can tell for the near future and I apologise both now and in advance for the lack of content here.

In fact, our only solace is that now and again we manage to squeeze an hour or two to visit the cinema and bask in some Sci-Fi glory on a whopping screen. We're already in May, but most of April's movies will still be on release, so here's a look at what was out this month.

Monsters Vs Aliens

Released 02/04/09









One of the funniest films I have ever seen, I was crying laughing all the way through the trailer and I just had to see the film, which did not disappoint at all. For those who still may be confused, this film doesn not feature Xenomorphs at all, but rather a tentacled menace who challenges the best Earth has to offer - the best, that is, except a small team of monsters kept hidden away by the U.S. Government. The film makes a number of hilarious rip-offs of classic Sci-Fi films, but doesn't rely on them for it's comedy, being an original and hilarious piece - B.O.B. the indestructible, but also brianless, gelatic mass is particularly funny throughout. Well worth seeing.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Released 28/04/09










The next X-Men movie is easily one of the best as it looks into the beginnings of fan favourite character Wolverine and how he came to be the amnesiac metal clawed warrior we saw in the first X-Men flick. The film takes us on a whistle stop tour of Logan's life and the wars he fought in and the allies he made along the way. Then tragedy strikes as Logans love is killed by someone he trusted and all his allegiances and friendships come under question as he seeks revenge and answers, he finds both, but they drag him into a much bigger world than he would like. The film makes good use of small parts from other mutant comic heroes and even a few of
Wolverine's future associates make an appearance, but not wasted ones. Well that's probably already crossing the spoiler alert barrier so I'll stop there and just recommend that you give this movie a whirl.

Well this may be goodbye for a while - but keep an eye on the event horizon I'll be back soon I promise.

Oh, and so you know, this is the 150th post, at least we've hit a landmark eh?!

Star Wars Legacy: Vector - Updates

Ok well I've recently covered the events of the Vector arc in Legacy, but while it's fresh in my mind I'll just do this update post, noting additional characters and key events for existing ones. Most of it will have already been discussed but there may be a few moments skipped or that occur "off the page" worth noting. So let's roll on.

Sith Updates

Karness Muur
Species: Human
Sex: Male
Homeworld: Unknown
Position: Sith Lord
First Appearance: Knights of the Old Republic #25 (Vector, part 1)






Karness Muur is one of the oldest Sith Lords in existence, one of the first few darksiders who fled known space and established the Sith order. He fought in the Hundred Year Darkness and is thought to be responsible for creating Sith Leviathans on Corbos. After the Jedi won the battle, he and other dark Jedi including Adjunta Pall and Xoxaan, who'se holocron trained Darth Krayt, landed in a primitive corner of the galaxy, conquering the native species. He continued experimenting in monstrous forms of life creating a talisman that turned nearby beings into mindless Rakghouls - he also bound his Spirit to the talisman so that when he died physically he would remain in the talisman and capable of possessing whoever tried to gain it's power. For millenia he endured as was passed from owner to owner or was lost until he was eventually bound to Celeste Morne, who kept him prisoner for four millenia. He saw opportunities to escape with Vader, Luke and Cade Skywalker, but was thwarted every time by Morne. He made a final bid for power when Darth Krayt arrived at Had Abaddon, but made the fatal error of trying to posess Cade, who shunned his power and destroyed the talisman, finally ending Muur's reign.

Darth Reave

Species: Devaronian
Sex: Male
Homeworld: Korriban (?)
Position: Sith Lord
First Appearance: Legacy #29 (Vector, part 10)






This Sith Lord was stationed on Deep Core outpost Had Abaddon. He sensed Cade's arrival and rallied the stormtroopers there against the attack, but they could not withstand the power of the Muur Talisman. Despite his skills with the force and his two lightsabers he could not hold them off and was bitten by a Rakghoul. He resisted the plague long enough to report back to Darth Krayt and then was overtaken and struck down by Darth Stryfe.

The One Sith

The Sith sent to Had Abaddon didn't fare so well. Darth Stryfe fell into a trap set by Cade and Jariah and was taken out by thermal detonators. Darth Talon lost in combat against Cade Skywalker and Darth Maladi was knocked out when Celeste made a force whirlwind to hurl Krayt off a cliff. All three are having bacta treatment initiated by Darth Wyyrlok.

Wyyrlok himself killed his master, Darth Krayt and now has to think very carefully about his next move.

Jedi Updates

Celeste Morne
Species: Human
Sex: Female
Homeworld: Ossus
Position: Covenant Shadow
First Appearance: Knights of the old Republic #25 (Vector, part 1)






Celeste was recruited by the ancient Jedi WatchCircle as one of their secret operatives watching for the return of the Sith. Off official records these Shadows acted quickly to hunt out traces of the Sith and destroy them. Celeste was a renowned operative and so was given the task of tracking down the Muur Talisman when her masters had a vision of it. When there she grouped with Zayne Carrick and followed the Talisman to Mandalorian outpost Jebble. She was possessed by the talisman and hid herself in a Sith containment chamber to restrain it's power. When the Mandalorians attacked she was stranded on the planet for four thousand years. Over time people found her casket, drawn to the power within. Wars were fought over it and it was lost and found unti, brought to a nameless moon and captured by Darth Vader who released her, wanting her power. She defeated him and spurned Luke Skywalker when he was sent on a mission there. Abandoning herself to the galaxy she was found over a century later by Cade and after seeing his will and power joined him in his mission to destroy the Sith. They were succesful, but several times during the battle Muur wrenched control from her, she eventually surrendered to Cade, knowing he could finish the task, and died at his hand.

Jedi and Cade

OK we've basically covered most of it other than to say that Shado Vao found himself tempted by the Talisman, which he did not expect and that Cade and Azlyn began to explore some old feelings, much to Deliah's dismay.

Imperial Knight Updates

This lady did appear but as she isn't named or confirmed to be a Knight I won't say much. She was on Bastion sparring with Roan Fel when he heard the news about the Muur Talisman. She was allowed to hear the trnasmission so they may be on close terms, but no more was revealed.










Roan Fel

Roan Fel authorized his Knights to aid Cade in his assassination mission while Sia continues in a diplomatic mission with the Jedi Order. He was severly tempted by the Talisman and it's power to turn his enemies into creatures he could control and ordered his Knights to retrieve it after killing Krayt.

The Mission

This decision caused difficulties in the Knights, especially with Azlyn Ray. While Ganner and Azlyn fought Krayt, Antares went after the talisman, but was knocked out by Celeste, who saw him coming. Ganner was revealed as having feelings towards Azlyn, but her affections to him are unclear, especially with Cade in the mix. Ganner insisted that Azlyn be treated by Imperials, but Cade and Shado refused, seeing their actions with the Talisman as a betrayal. so Azlyn has gone with Cade and Ganner and Antares are returning to Bastion.

As always I've rambled on for way more than I should have - hope it's interesting anyways. More Legacy soon.

SF at the Movies - March 09

Well we're marching on into the month so let's take a quick peek at what might be on screens near you to satisfy your geeky cravings.

Watchmen
Released 06/03/09













Easily movie of the month in my book, contender for movie of the year. This adaptation of one of the greatest graphic novels ever written stays faithful to the source material and profits as a result. The bleak vision of a world with superheroes - superheroes who fail and fall is painful and yet shockingly realistic. Don't see this expecting ano0ther superhero flick, the violence is strong and the material dark and thought provoking. The fight scenes and special effects don't dissapoint however and the film is a real visual treat - well worth seeing (if you're over 18)

Knowing

Released 27/03/09











This one looks intriguing, if a little familiar. A document is uncovered which contains a series of numbers detailing the date of every major disaster and the number of dead from the time it was written to the present day...and the list continues. Now knowing the time and severity of future disasters Nicholas Cage must try desperately to convince people of the danger and unravel the mystery before it's too late. Sounds exciting and fun, but I do feel like I've seen this kind of film before, probably with Nicholas Cage in too!

I think that's it - there are some advance previews of Monster vs Aliens which looks hilarious but I'll leave that till the official release date next month.

Star Wars Vector, Chapter 4: Legacy

The Star Wars crossover series reached it's conclusion when it reached Legacy, the Star Wars comics series I keep blabbing on about. Naturally this is a bit of a crossover for me as I am used to talking about Legacy, but am also doing a Vector review, so I'll try and keep this post looking at the big picture and then maybe do an 'updates' post to follow up on the Legacy specific side of things.

By the way - MASSIVE spoilers for Legacy and Vector in this post.
























This story takes place in issues 28-31 of Legacy and follows on from Cade's visit to the Hidden Jedi Temple and his plan to assassinate the head of the Sith, Darth Krayt. But Cade and his company could not have anticipated the journey they would take as the Muur talisman's "Vector" crossed their paths. I'll chronicle that story for you now, and I'll try and keep it as brief as possible, but I have got four issues to cover.

The Pellaeon class Star Destroyer Iron Sun sits adrift in the deep core, abandoned to space. On board sits Celeste Morne alone but for a horde of Rakghouls, formerly the Destroyer's crew, and the spirit of Karness Muur to keep her company. After escaping her prison world in Rebellion, she had decided to travel the galaxy, but realized that the talisman was too dangerous and after an encounter with the Iron Sun, decided to remain there.

Cade and his crew travel through hyperspace on route to the deep Core outpost on Had Abbadon when they are suddenly yanked out of hyperspace. They are drawn into the hanger bay of a Star Destroyer only to find an abandoned ship and strange bones. Before they get to investigate they are set upon by Rakghouls and Cade and Azlyn are bitten. Celeste reveals her story to them and mentions her contact with Cade's ancestors. The Rakghoul plague starts to infect them, but Cade is able to use his powerful healing ability to counteract it and save them both. Celeste is impressed and agrees to join Cade on his quest to destroy the Sith.

The crew land and assault Had Abaddon base, with Celeste's ability to turn the troops into Rakghouls and control them proving very useful. Some are allowed to escape so that word gets back to Darth Krayt and draws him out. Word also reached Roan Fel, who decided that that talisman would be a valuable prize and instructs his Imperial Knights to retrieve it. This causes a lot of friction among the Knights and there is a lot of tension among the whole team as Karness Muur works his power among them.

Word eventually gets to Krayt, who travels to Had Abaddon along with Darth Stryfe, Talon, Maladi and Wyyrlok. They dig into the history of Muur on the way, revealing that he was one of the first Sith who, along with Krayt's mentor Xoxaan, fled the Republic and founded the dark order. Krayt lands, attracted by the possibility that Muur, or Cade, would heal him. But the team spring their trap and battle the Sith, but struggle with their internal battles as the Imperials splinter to go after Krayt and the talisman and Celeste struggles for control of her own body and the Rakghouls.

As the Knights fight the Darths, Celeste engages in a fierce battle with Krayt. Stryfe is taken out by Cade and Syn whilste Maladi and Shado battle Rakghouls and each other. Finally Azlyn sees an opening and takes a high aerial attack stabbing her blade through the Dark Lord's armour. This frees Celeste, who takes full control of her power and fills Krayt with lightning before hurling him off a cliff.

After that there is one more Sith to take care of, Celeste acknowledges that her control is slipping and ask Cade to do what must be done. He reluctantly agrees, and stabs his lightsaber through her chest, leaving a woman tortured for four millenia finally at peace. The Muur talisman quickly siezes Cade, but Cade has a strength no one anticipated - he does not desire power and so the temptations of Muur and the talisman have no hold on him so he uses the power of the force in him and shatters the talisman, destroying Muur and the Rakghoul plague forever.

But it is no happy ending for anyone on Had Abbadon. Azlyn was grievously wounded by Celeste's power, when she attacked Krayt and even Cade's ability can only just keep her alive. They take her away, knocking back the Imperial Knights, branding them traitors for going after the talisman.

Down on the surface lord Wyyrlok arrives and puts the injured Sith into bacta tanks then goes for the body of Krayt. When he arrives he finds his Sith Lord alive and desperate to continue his vision. Seeing weakness in his former master he finishes the job and executes him with force lightning, vowing to continue his master's dream, even if the dreamer has to die.

And that's it, the crossover is over - there is more comics new for this year with the return of Dark Times and a new series Invasion, which I'll tell you about another time, along with a few updates on the characters and events in Legacy.