Friday, April 22, 2011

Working on new surrealist sci-fi story

I'm currently working on an aleternate history of England, where the Nazis successfully invade England in the 1940's and capture the Inklings writing group. Tolkien and Lewis are executed in the story, but without giving into the ubermensches of the Reich. At the end of the story, the Nazis find a graveyard of centaurs and fauns and can not explain where the skeletons came from. Anyway, that's my idea. Tell me what you think.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Finally ordered Avatar, Modern Political Sci-Fi

Well, I bit the bullet and finally ordered the 3 disc Collector's edition of Avatar (non-blu-ray) in an attempt to find out whether I can truly take this film. I must admit, to me, it sounds like "Last of the Mohicans in Space," with the typical regrettable streotypes of indigenous peoples found in every science fiction novel since Little Fuzzy. Since the film has been "unobtainiumable" for me for a while (I'm sorry, I couldn't resist), I've debated whether my money would be better spent on other sci-fi films. I still have yet to see District 9, which sounds like a more interesting premise, or Moon, which sounds better written. So, of the major (or minor) sci-fi films of the last 3 years, which has been the most politically important.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Picture of Dorian Gray

I just finished the Picture of Dorian Gray, which is a mythic fantasy-like novel by Oscar Wilde. It is a really interesting take on the corruption of the aesthetic ideal. What is so fascinating about the novel is that Wilde satirizes himself, particularly his well known reputation for being a dandy. Reading Dorian Gray is a tremendously sad experience, when knowing the facts of Wilde's life (He was put on trial for being gay, and sent to a jail that physically broke him. He died shortly after his release from prison). Wilde's writing, I think, should be the starting point for gay science fiction aesthetics, as he is a brilliant artistic theorist. His work has spawned more re-interpretations than any gay sci-fi\fantasy artist, with the exception of Samuel Delany. So please, check Dorian Gray out.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Doctor Who's selling really cheaply right now

Don't want to cause a run on them, but the new seasons of Doctor Who are currently selling for as little as $25 bucks a season used, or new and unopened, so you may want to consider getting yourself a couple. I was really tempted myself.