Draxblog III

Another Anniversary

Today is 25th anniversary of the day when Winston Smith, the protagonist of George Orwell's 1984, began to write his diary.

My Impressions of New Battlestar Galactica Series

Times have changed and audience in this part of the world doesn't have to wait 3, 5 or 10 years before being able to watch first episode of popular TV show that have premiered in USA.

2003 version of Battlestar Galactica is a notable exception, because Croatian state television (HRT) aired it only recently, three years after its premiere.

I managed to watch only first part of the original-miniseries, but I must say that I am generally pleased with the show. The creators made useful compromises between being faithful to the original show and exploring new directions.

The series also benefited from the plot opening being very much like certain traumatic events from recent history.

On the other hand, I wasn't that thrilled with Michael Rymer's direction and steadycams, which looked more suitable for nitty-gritty cop shows like Homicide: Life on the Street than space operas.

Decision to introduce femme fatale ginecoid was justified in new Battlestar Galactica. Tricia Helfer not only looks great, but also gives a breath of originality to the old science fiction cliché.

 

McDonald on Alternative Nazis

And, since the last post addressed differing perceptions of history, this blog will stay on that topic for a little longer. I recommend this Randy McDonald and his brilliant essay on evolving perceptions of Nazi Germany in alternative history literature.

RIP James Doohan (1920 - 2005)

 

James Doohan has passed away, but his life- which was so extraordinary - will be perpetuated through the millions of people to whom he was more than a Holylwood actor.

Katie Liberation War

Matthew Yglesias offers very interesting explanation for the American public’s dislike of the romance between Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.

I must admit that I’m also troubled with the whole affair, although for the different reasons. I’ve never been Dawson Creek fan and I was introduced to the talents of charming Ms. Holmes through films, including the famous “opposite of Holocaust” performance in Gift.

What I find troubling is the fact that the romance – real or marketing ploy – is so relentlessly promoted before the premiere of War of the Worlds. And that leaves more than few doubts in the film’s quality, because if the film is good and able to attract audience by its own merit, all this brouhaha wouldn’t be employed.

And this isn’t happening to some “high concept” star vehicle or just another summer blockbuster. War of the Worlds is supposed to be prestigious adaptation of science fiction classic and another potential masterpiece by top American filmmaker.

And with big possibility Katie Holmes’ fans boycotting the film just to force the end to what they see as “abomination”, War of the Worlds might turn into commercial disaster, ruin of many promising careers and global heartbreak.

Revenge of the Star Wars Revisionism

In past few weeks I didn’t pay too much attention to Star Wars related articles in blogosphere, but I still couldn’t ignore an article mocking Orson Scott Card and his – let’s say revisionist – view on Jedis in George Lucas’ universe. Some left-wing, liberal and anti-war bloggers mocked this article as a lame reaction to Hollywood’s biggest blockbuster being perceived as not so subtle criticism of George W. Bush and his policies.

Lame or not, the article makes some interesting points and makes good argument against the conventional view of Jedi being the force of absolute Good.

The article is, however, not the first to express such revisionist views. This little gem by Alison Brooks and David Flin defended the Empire with much more style and success.

Spielberg Wept

Steven Spielberg wept at the end of the Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith screening.

Most people will believe that this is a good sign. If Spielberg wept, that means Lucas has finally managed to dig some of the talent he had in his early days and deliver a film with soul.

But there are other ways to interpret this. Spielberg may have simply realised that his War of the Worlds was much worse than Revenge of the Sith.

 Or those tears could have been the tears of sorrow for the good friend definitely losing his touch.

Dune Revisited

Dune mini-series, new screen adaptation of Frank Herbert's popular SF novel, was recently aired on Croatian state television. In some ways it is better, while in some ways it is inferior to David Lynch's 1984 movie version.

Mini-series was more faithful, which is hardly surprising, considering that four and half hours leaves much more space to develop plot and characters than in two hours of Lynch's version, chopped up by producer Dino de Laurentiis. New version should be recommended to all fans of the novel. Scenery and special effects might look cheap, but the real magic of Dune is in the plot and characters. Real Dune fans would disregard cheap scenery in the same manner of trekkies who don't mind poor 1960s special effects of The Original Series.

Airing of Dune was also good reminder for all us Europeans that the censorship standards are still much laxer on this side of Big Pond -  mini-series features couple of scenes with male and female nudity, unlike version for American television.

Descent of the Legend?

 First episode of Enterprise has just been aired on Croatian state television.

I must say that I wasn't particularly impressed. Then again, I don't remember being particularly enthusiastic about first episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Only time will tell whether Enterprise is really as bad as its reputation.