Re: [scifinoir2] New trailer for Stargate:Universe

2009-08-03 Thread Mr. Worf
Ok, I'm a little confused. Is this a reboot? Or the story of a bunch of
people that was chosen to do a mission but wasn't briefed on anything?

On Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 6:18 AM, Martin Baxter wrote:

> Fate,
>
> I will also. Maybe it was the jumbled, seemingly hapahazard nature of the
> first trailer that was so offputting.
>
>
>
>
>
> -[ Received Mail Content ]--
>
>  Subject : Re: [scifinoir2] New trailer for Stargate:Universe
>
>  Date : Mon, 3 Aug 2009 05:58:38 -0700 (PDT)
>
>  From : Augustus Augustus 
>
>  To : scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
>
>
> Martin,
>
> very good clip.  now, i just might watch it.
>
> --- On Sun, 8/2/09, Martin Baxter  wrote:
>
> From: Martin Baxter
> Subject: [scifinoir2] New trailer for Stargate:Universe
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Sunday, August 2, 2009, 6:04 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  IMO, looks a little more cohesive than what we've seen to date. Still, all
> opinions desired.
>
>
> http://www.sfcrowsn est.com/news/ arc/2009/ nz14114.php
>
>
> http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=JQdwk8Yntds
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> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds
>



-- 
Bringing diversity to perversity for 9 years!
Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/


Re: [scifinoir2] Article: African Americans tune into Nollywood

2009-08-03 Thread Mr. Worf
I think that the problem is that people forget how expensive it is to make a
movie. Just renting the camera can be $5-10,000 a day. (digital video is a
blessing) This forces people into doing a very short shooting schedule of 4
or 5 days unlike hollywood. add to that the crew, permits etc (it can cost
$5000 or more to shoot in San Francisco on the street with all of the
permits. Most directors can't afford it so they do it illegally.) On top of
that there is editing, sound and post production, music licensing etc. A
simple film can be $1,000,000 while a bigger film can cost $20 million.

In Nigeria none of this exists. They don't have the cash, the crew, or
expertise yet. BUT, I think that there will be some directors sooner or
later that will get tired of making the melodramas that they are putting out
and break the mold. It is just a matter of time. I would love to see some
stories with a distinct african feel to them. What happened in Hong Kong,
and in Bollywood is happening in Nigeria right now.

On Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 5:51 AM, Milton Davis  wrote:

>
>
> Black folks are so desperate for entertainment including them that they'll
> settle for less, i.e. Nollywood, urban lit. I see nothing wrong with
> Nollywood as long as the craft improves with time.
> The statement that made me laugh was 'Black Hollywood.' Am I missing
> something? A black hollywood exists? The only persons in 'Black Hollywood'
> is Spike Lee, Tyler Perry and T.D. Jakes. Wesley will be doing time soon so
> he doesn't count anymore. (Note to self; when MVmedia blows up, pay taxes!)
> That straight to DVD stuff isn't much better that Nollywood movies. If I see
> one more wacky hip-hop comedy starring rappers and strippers I'll scream! I
> know the Hudlin Brothers and Mr. Singleton are lurking in the shadows, but
> none of them produce enough work to claim the title of Black Hollywood.
> I wish there was a 'Black Hollywood.' (sigh)
> --- On *Sat, 8/1/09, Mr. Worf * wrote:
>
>
> From: Mr. Worf 
> Subject: [scifinoir2] Article: African Americans tune into Nollywood
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 4:25 AM
>
>   Nollywood. I think I am going to be packing my bags shortly.
>
> http://newsone. com/nation/ african-american s-tune-into- 
> nollywood/
>
>
>
>
>
> 
>



-- 
Bringing diversity to perversity for 9 years!
Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/


Re: [scifinoir2] Big Brother is deleting your books

2009-08-03 Thread Mr. Worf
I wonder why they didn't ship the hard copy of the books? THe books that
were mentioned are on the "burn list" by some school districts in this
country. You'd be surprised how many books are on that list.

On Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 7:13 AM, ravenadal  wrote:

> Amazon Being Sued By Student For Deleting Books
>
> http://meciu.notlong.com
>
> A student, along with other Kindle users, is suing Amazon for deleting
> books by George Orwell from its electronic book readers.
>
> Justin Gawronski, a Michigan high school student, filed the suit on
> Thursday in a U.S. District Court in Seattle, Washington.  He said that his
> copy of Orwell's "1984" was zapped from his Kindle.
>
> "With an uncanny knack for irony, Amazon recently remotely deleted any
> traces of certain electronic copies of George Orwell's '1984' and 'Animal
> Farm' from customers' Kindles and iPhones, thereby sending these books down
> Orwell's so-called 'memory hole,'" the lawsuit said
>
> Gawronski made "copious notes" on the version of "1984" he was reading as a
> summer homework assignment, according to the suit.
>
> "After Amazon remotely deleted '1984,' those notes were rendered useless
> because they no longer referenced the relevant parts of the book," it said.
>
> The suit said that Amazon did not let Kindle users know ahead of time that
> it had the ability to remotely delete content, and it is asking the court to
> prevent the online retail giant from doing so in the future.
>
> "Amazon has no more right to delete e-books from consumers' Kindles and
> iPhones than it does to retrieve from its customers' homes paper books it
> sells and ships to consumers," it said.
>
> The suit seeks for unspecified damages for Gawronski and other Kindle users
> that had the books digitally erased.
>
> Jeff Bezos, Amazon's founder and chief executive, apologized for remotely
> deleting the Orwell books last week, which were not authorized for sale by
> the publisher.
>
> "Our 'solution' to the problem was stupid, thoughtless, and painfully out
> of line with our principles," Bezos said. "It is wholly self-inflicted, and
> we deserve the criticism we've received."
>
> Amazon refunded the books of Orwell's that were purchased back to the
> Kindle users.
>
>
>
> 
>
> Post your SciFiNoir Profile at
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/app/peoplemap2/entry/add?fmvn=mapYahoo!
> Groups Links
>
>
>
>


-- 
Bringing diversity to perversity for 9 years!
Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/


Re: [RE][scifinoir2] "Defying Gravity" on ABC now

2009-08-03 Thread Keith Johnson
Yeah, "leaden" is a good way to describe it at times. Those TV sitcom/nightly 
soap moments still didn't work for me. I'm a big fan of all music in TV and 
movies, so I pay attention to all of it: special effects sounds, quick clips to 
create a mood, theme songs, ending theme songs, going-to-commercial music, 
etc., etc. 
So I definitely noticed 
- Original Message - 
From: "Martin Baxter"  
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Monday, August 3, 2009 9:24:50 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern 
Subject: [RE][scifinoir2] "Defying Gravity" on ABC now 






Keith, I almost missed it, stumbling across it two minutes before it 
bbegan. I 

I enjoyed it overall, though the pacing was a bit leaden at times. (Maybe on 
purpose?) The mysterious nature of the real mission has me hooked, without 
saying. Can't wait until the MC ventures into Pod 4 to find out what's really 
up. 

As for the incidental music, I really don't take notice of it as I watch a TV 
show or movie, unless it's a song near and dear to my heart. 






-[ Received Mail Content ]-- 
Subject : [scifinoir2] "Defying Gravity" on ABC now 
Date : Mon, 3 Aug 2009 02:13:45 + (UTC) 
>From : Keith Johnson  
To : scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 

Anyone watching ABC's entry into the "Big Brother in Outer Space by way of 
BSG-style drama"? It deals with a seven-year mission in the year 2052 that 
sends eight astronauts to visit six planets in the Solar System. Very quickly 
into the show, we're made aware there's some kind of secret involved. The two 
most experienced astronauts in the program (one of whom is played by Malik 
Yoba) are initially left off the mission aboard the spaceship "Antares". Later, 
when some kind of heart problem keeps cropping up among the crew--evidently 
tied to the "secret"--the two astronauts are blasted into space to join the 
mission. One comment I overheard makes me think some kind of sentient race has 
been encountered by humanity--perhaps on a previous tragic mission to Mars in 
which one of the current astronauts had to leave three of his fellows behind. 
Perhaps this sentient race is controlling the mission somehow? Not sure. 

Also not sure yet if I'll like the show. It has some decent actors and decent 
lines. But just when I'm starting to get into the mission and the scifi aspect 
of it, I'm distracted by overpowering music that attempts to heighten a scene, 
the lead astronaut's self-reflective monologue, too much of the newly-hot 
camera work (a la BSG and Star Trek) with a shaky cam to convey reality. Or I'm 
watching two astronauts make nekkid love in zero g and feeling vaguely 
manipulated at an attempt to make me feel awestruck or something. There's a lot 
of flashbacks and flashforwards that make following the story a bit confusing 
at times. "Lost" this ain't. There's also a odd flow: a mix of serious drama, 
melodrama, camp soap opera type moments, silly humour supported by "Desperate 
Housewives" type music, and a lot of titillation. It makes it hard for one to 
get a feeling of the overall nature of the show. Is it a drama, a reality-type 
show like "Virtuality", a mystery? Don't know, but I ! found myself losing 
interest a lot, then picking it back up, then losing it again as the standard 
nighttime soap feel comes back in the mix. 

Lots of TV veterans, including the blonde lady from "The 4400" (the one who 
feel inlove with a black man), and Cristina Cox "Blood Ties", who's been a 
guest in more series than Michael Michelle. They're all okay, but again, the 
uneven pacing, writing, and flashbacks undermine their acting. The constant 
shift from a high-tech spaceshp to mundane scenes on Earth are abrupt and 
off-putting. 

Like "Virtuality", this show seems to be another clone that tries to copy the 
delicate balance of reality-type drama mixed with scifi that BSG (mostly) did 
right. and like "Virtuality", it bores me as much as it intrigues--something 
that BSG didn't do in the main. 

Not sure if the show's even being picked up, but if it is, not sure I'll keep 
watching. 

Anyone else's thought's? 



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds 


Re: [scifinoir2] Re: topic: Being human

2009-08-03 Thread Mr. Worf
Possibly... I think that this should have been a movie but there are a lot
of new areas that they can explore. Like ghost/vampire love. A new character
appeared this week, but he is another wolf.

Vampires taking over the world seems to happen every now and then according
to the vampire character, but someone takes them down. What would be cool is
if there was a tie in with the Underworld movie series. unfortunately, I
don't think that they will go that deep. If we were to combine all of the
conspiracy theories at play in BBC shows there wouldn't be a way for the UK
to function! :)

I think one of the themes of the show is that bad things happen to good
people and those things change them. I don't know how things would be if I
could live forever and go outside in the day time without catching fire. Why
they don't do whole blood deliveries I dunno.

The saddest character is the ghost character. She keeps making tea and
desperately wants other people to see her. What will be interesting with her
character is if she will hook up with anyone,

On Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 7:57 PM, angelababycat wrote:

> I caught both episodes and think it's a cute little show so far.  I like
> the characters and the basic idea.  The story will need to evolve and expand
> for real hang time, though--how many eps can they do on the "booo hooo I'm a
> wolfman/vamp/ghost and I'm sooo depressed about it" tip, you know?  There is
> some vampire world takeover conspiracy lurking in the background, but it's
> not really grabbing my interest yet.
>
> Are we the only two watching this one?
>
> Angela
>
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Mr. Worf"  wrote:
> >
> > Anyone watch this show tonight? It is on BBC America. Its about a ghost,
> > werewolf, and a vampire. What are your thoughts?
> >
> > --
> >
>
>
>
>
> 
>
> Post your SciFiNoir Profile at
>
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/scifinoir2/app/peoplemap2/entry/add?fmvn=mapYahoo!
> Groups Links
>
>
>
>


-- 
Bringing diversity to perversity for 9 years!
Mahogany at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mahogany_pleasures_of_darkness/


[scifinoir2] Re: topic: Being human

2009-08-03 Thread angelababycat
I caught both episodes and think it's a cute little show so far.  I like the 
characters and the basic idea.  The story will need to evolve and expand for 
real hang time, though--how many eps can they do on the "booo hooo I'm a 
wolfman/vamp/ghost and I'm sooo depressed about it" tip, you know?  There is 
some vampire world takeover conspiracy lurking in the background, but it's not 
really grabbing my interest yet. 

Are we the only two watching this one?

Angela

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Mr. Worf"  wrote:
>
> Anyone watch this show tonight? It is on BBC America. Its about a ghost,
> werewolf, and a vampire. What are your thoughts?
> 
> --
>




[scifinoir2] Re: Who is the best comic-book villain ever?

2009-08-03 Thread B. Smith
Starlin's Thanos or The Lord High Papal from Dreadstar. 

Darkseid as written by Kirby or in The Great Darkness Saga is pretty high up 
there.

Kid Miracleman from Alan Moore's classic run on the book.

The Saint of Killers from Preacher.

For a strictly human villain: The Governor from The Walking Dead.



--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Martin Baxter"  wrote:
>
> And so the thread lives...
> 
> My vote goes to the second Mist, from James Robinson's Starman run for DC.
> 
> 
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mist_(comics)
> 
> Ferocious, this chick was. Your turns!
> 
> 
> 
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds
>




[scifinoir2] Who is the best comic-book superhero ever?

2009-08-03 Thread Martin Baxter
Might as well ask, while I'm standing here...

Again, I move toward Starman, Robinson's Jack Knight. He and I are a lot alike.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starman_(Jack_Knight)

(And take *that*, Parker! Jack Knight *always* let the public know that he was 
Starman...)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds

[scifinoir2] Who is the best comic-book villain ever?

2009-08-03 Thread Martin Baxter
And so the thread lives...

My vote goes to the second Mist, from James Robinson's Starman run for DC.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mist_(comics)

Ferocious, this chick was. Your turns!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds

Re: [scifinoir2] Their New to Me Graphic Novels

2009-08-03 Thread Martin Baxter
Justin, I can't agree with you re: Alter as the best villain ever. But it does 
make for a possible thread...





-[ Received Mail Content ]--

 Subject : Re: [scifinoir2] Their New to Me Graphic Novels

 Date : Mon, 3 Aug 2009 12:43:00 -0400

 From : Justin Mohareb 

 To : "scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com" 


Y is totally awesome.

What's awesome is the way that they refer to even more adventures that 
Yorrick and his companions had that we've never seem.

Plus Alter is the best villain ever.

Justin

On 2009-08-03, at 1:11 AM, Bosco Bosco  wrote:

> I have been reading two series in Graphic Novels that I discovered 
> at work. First is the Zombie Apocalypse party known as "Walking 
> Dead." I'm two volumes into it and it's pretty right on. Zombies, 
> people struggling to survive, Zombies, ethical delimmas in a world 
> without law, Zombies, adventure in the search for a new home, and 
> Zombies. It's pretty bad ass.
>
> I'm also, three volumes into "Y The Last Man." Yorrick is the last 
> man on earth. All other men died from a mysterious plague. He's 
> wandering the country with a spy/protector with no Name and a 
> genetic scientist who's a cloning expert. All the while he's being 
> hunted by crazed lesbians bent on destroying him and the Israeli 
> Army who are determined to capture him for strategic advantage. It's 
> also very funny.
>
> Anyone else read either of these?
>
> Bosco
>
> 



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds

Re: [RE][scifinoir2] Their New to Me Graphic Novels

2009-08-03 Thread Martin Baxter
I will, B.





-[ Received Mail Content ]--

 Subject : Re: [RE][scifinoir2] Their New to Me Graphic Novels

 Date : Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:45:45 -

 From : "B. Smith" 

 To : scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com


I'd suggest that you read the first trade. It plays out much better when you 
have the entire first story at hand. By the time the main cast is set you'll be 
hooked. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Martin Baxter"  wrote:
>
> Bosco, that's a big "yes" on "Y-The Last Man", every single issue. And my 
> heart still lurches at that ending. But I've only touched one issue of 
> "Walking Dead". Liked it, but can't say that I'd invest further.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
-[ Received Mail Content ]--
> 
 Subject : [scifinoir2] Their New to Me Graphic Novels
> 
 Date : Sun, 2 Aug 2009 22:11:18 -0700 (PDT)
> 
 From : Bosco Bosco 
> 
 To : Sci Fi Noir 
> 
> 
I have been reading two series in Graphic Novels that I discovered at work. 
First is the Zombie Apocalypse party known as "Walking Dead." I'm two volumes 
into it and it's pretty right on. Zombies, people struggling to survive, 
Zombies, ethical delimmas in a world without law, Zombies, adventure in the 
search for a new home, and Zombies. It's pretty bad ass.
> 
> I'm also, three volumes into "Y The Last Man." Yorrick is the last man on 
> earth. All other men died from a mysterious plague. He's wandering the 
> country with a spy/protector with no Name and a genetic scientist who's a 
> cloning expert. All the while he's being hunted by crazed lesbians bent on 
> destroying him and the Israeli Army who are determined to capture him for 
> strategic advantage. It's also very funny.
> 
> Anyone else read either of these?
> 
> Bosco
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds
>





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds

Re: [RE][scifinoir2] Their New to Me Graphic Novels

2009-08-03 Thread B. Smith
I'd suggest that you read the first trade. It plays out much better when you 
have the entire first story at hand. By the time the main cast is set you'll be 
hooked. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Martin Baxter"  wrote:
>
> Bosco, that's a big "yes" on "Y-The Last Man", every single issue. And my 
> heart still lurches at that ending. But I've only touched one issue of 
> "Walking Dead". Liked it, but can't say that I'd invest further.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
-[ Received Mail Content ]--
> 
 Subject : [scifinoir2] Their New to Me Graphic Novels
> 
 Date : Sun, 2 Aug 2009 22:11:18 -0700 (PDT)
> 
 From : Bosco Bosco 
> 
 To : Sci Fi Noir 
> 
> 
I have been reading two series in Graphic Novels that I discovered at work. 
First is the Zombie Apocalypse party known as "Walking Dead." I'm two volumes 
into it and it's pretty right on. Zombies, people struggling to survive, 
Zombies, ethical delimmas in a world without law, Zombies, adventure in the 
search for a new home, and Zombies. It's pretty bad ass.
> 
> I'm also, three volumes into "Y The Last Man." Yorrick is the last man on 
> earth. All other men died from a mysterious plague. He's wandering the 
> country with a spy/protector with no Name and a genetic scientist who's a 
> cloning expert. All the while he's being hunted by crazed lesbians bent on 
> destroying him and the Israeli Army who are determined to capture him for 
> strategic advantage. It's also very funny.
> 
> Anyone else read either of these?
> 
> Bosco
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> 
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds
>




Re: [scifinoir2] Their New to Me Graphic Novels

2009-08-03 Thread Justin Mohareb

Y is totally awesome.

What's awesome is the way that they refer to even more adventures that  
Yorrick and his companions had that we've never seem.


Plus Alter is the best villain ever.

Justin

On 2009-08-03, at 1:11 AM, Bosco Bosco  wrote:

I have been reading two series in Graphic Novels that I discovered  
at work. First is the Zombie Apocalypse party known as "Walking  
Dead." I'm two volumes into it and it's pretty right on. Zombies,  
people struggling to survive, Zombies, ethical delimmas in a world  
without law, Zombies, adventure in the search for a new home, and  
Zombies. It's pretty bad ass.


I'm also, three volumes into "Y The Last Man." Yorrick is the last  
man on earth. All other men died from a mysterious plague. He's  
wandering the country with a spy/protector with no Name and a  
genetic scientist who's a cloning expert. All the while he's being  
hunted by crazed lesbians bent on destroying him and the Israeli  
Army who are determined to capture him for strategic advantage. It's  
also very funny.


Anyone else read either of these?

Bosco




[scifinoir2] Re: Their New to Me Graphic Novels

2009-08-03 Thread B. Smith
I love The Walking Dead and it's one of the feww comics I still collect. I've 
read the first few trades of Y and plan to catch up once I get a little more 
time and extra money. 

If you like those check out some of their other work. Kirkman's Invincible is 
one of the best superhero comics out there and Vaughn's Runaways was great too.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Bosco Bosco  wrote:
>
> I have been reading two series in Graphic Novels that I discovered at work. 
> First is the Zombie Apocalypse party known as "Walking Dead." I'm two volumes 
> into it and it's pretty right on. Zombies, people struggling to survive, 
> Zombies, ethical delimmas in a world without law, Zombies, adventure in the 
> search for a new home, and Zombies. It's pretty bad ass.
> 
> I'm also, three volumes into "Y The Last Man." Yorrick is the last man on 
> earth. All other men died from a mysterious plague. He's wandering the 
> country with a spy/protector with no Name and a genetic scientist who's a 
> cloning expert. All the while he's being hunted by crazed lesbians bent on 
> destroying him and the Israeli Army who are determined to capture him for 
> strategic advantage. It's also very funny.
> 
> Anyone else read either of these?
> 
> Bosco
>




[RE][scifinoir2] Big Brother is deleting your books

2009-08-03 Thread Martin Baxter
(standing ovation for the student)

I peeked into there back when the Kindle craze was first catching on, and the 
sales pitch was that, if one were to click the necessary link, one was BUYING 
the book. Buying doesn't allow for the option of repossession, last I looked.





-[ Received Mail Content ]--

 Subject : [scifinoir2] Big Brother is deleting your books

 Date : Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:13:15 -

 From : "ravenadal" 

 To : scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com


Amazon Being Sued By Student For Deleting Books

http://meciu.notlong.com

A student, along with other Kindle users, is suing Amazon for deleting books by 
George Orwell from its electronic book readers.

Justin Gawronski, a Michigan high school student, filed the suit on Thursday in 
a U.S. District Court in Seattle, Washington. He said that his copy of Orwell's 
"1984" was zapped from his Kindle.

"With an uncanny knack for irony, Amazon recently remotely deleted any traces 
of certain electronic copies of George Orwell's '1984' and 'Animal Farm' from 
customers' Kindles and iPhones, thereby sending these books down Orwell's 
so-called 'memory hole,'" the lawsuit said

Gawronski made "copious notes" on the version of "1984" he was reading as a 
summer homework assignment, according to the suit.

"After Amazon remotely deleted '1984,' those notes were rendered useless 
because they no longer referenced the relevant parts of the book," it said.

The suit said that Amazon did not let Kindle users know ahead of time that it 
had the ability to remotely delete content, and it is asking the court to 
prevent the online retail giant from doing so in the future.

"Amazon has no more right to delete e-books from consumers' Kindles and iPhones 
than it does to retrieve from its customers' homes paper books it sells and 
ships to consumers," it said.

The suit seeks for unspecified damages for Gawronski and other Kindle users 
that had the books digitally erased.

Jeff Bezos, Amazon's founder and chief executive, apologized for remotely 
deleting the Orwell books last week, which were not authorized for sale by the 
publisher.

"Our 'solution' to the problem was stupid, thoughtless, and painfully out of 
line with our principles," Bezos said. "It is wholly self-inflicted, and we 
deserve the criticism we've received."

Amazon refunded the books of Orwell's that were purchased back to the Kindle 
users.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds

[scifinoir2] Big Brother is deleting your books

2009-08-03 Thread ravenadal
Amazon Being Sued By Student For Deleting Books

http://meciu.notlong.com

A student, along with other Kindle users, is suing Amazon for deleting books by 
George Orwell from its electronic book readers.

Justin Gawronski, a Michigan high school student, filed the suit on Thursday in 
a U.S. District Court in Seattle, Washington.  He said that his copy of 
Orwell's "1984" was zapped from his Kindle.

"With an uncanny knack for irony, Amazon recently remotely deleted any traces 
of certain electronic copies of George Orwell's '1984' and 'Animal Farm' from 
customers' Kindles and iPhones, thereby sending these books down Orwell's 
so-called 'memory hole,'" the lawsuit said

Gawronski made "copious notes" on the version of "1984" he was reading as a 
summer homework assignment, according to the suit.

"After Amazon remotely deleted '1984,' those notes were rendered useless 
because they no longer referenced the relevant parts of the book," it said.

The suit said that Amazon did not let Kindle users know ahead of time that it 
had the ability to remotely delete content, and it is asking the court to 
prevent the online retail giant from doing so in the future.

"Amazon has no more right to delete e-books from consumers' Kindles and iPhones 
than it does to retrieve from its customers' homes paper books it sells and 
ships to consumers," it said.

The suit seeks for unspecified damages for Gawronski and other Kindle users 
that had the books digitally erased.

Jeff Bezos, Amazon's founder and chief executive, apologized for remotely 
deleting the Orwell books last week, which were not authorized for sale by the 
publisher.

"Our 'solution' to the problem was stupid, thoughtless, and painfully out of 
line with our principles," Bezos said. "It is wholly self-inflicted, and we 
deserve the criticism we've received."

Amazon refunded the books of Orwell's that were purchased back to the Kindle 
users.



[RE][scifinoir2] "Defying Gravity" on ABC now

2009-08-03 Thread Martin Baxter
Keith, I almost missed it, stumbling across it two minutes before it bbegan. I

I enjoyed it overall, though the pacing was a bit leaden at times. (Maybe on 
purpose?) The mysterious nature of the real mission has me hooked, without 
saying. Can't wait until the MC ventures into Pod 4 to find out what's really 
up.

As for the incidental music, I really don't take notice of it as I watch a TV 
show or movie, unless it's a song near and dear to my heart.





-[ Received Mail Content ]--

 Subject : [scifinoir2] "Defying Gravity" on ABC now

 Date : Mon, 3 Aug 2009 02:13:45 + (UTC)

 From : Keith Johnson 

 To : scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com


Anyone watching ABC's entry into the "Big Brother in Outer Space by way of 
BSG-style drama"? It deals with a seven-year mission in the year 2052 that 
sends eight astronauts to visit six planets in the Solar System. Very quickly 
into the show, we're made aware there's some kind of secret involved. The two 
most experienced astronauts in the program (one of whom is played by Malik 
Yoba) are initially left off the mission aboard the spaceship "Antares". Later, 
when some kind of heart problem keeps cropping up among the crew--evidently 
tied to the "secret"--the two astronauts are blasted into space to join the 
mission. One comment I overheard makes me think some kind of sentient race has 
been encountered by humanity--perhaps on a previous tragic mission to Mars in 
which one of the current astronauts had to leave three of his fellows behind. 
Perhaps this sentient race is controlling the mission somehow? Not sure. 

Also not sure yet if I'll like the show. It has some decent actors and decent 
lines. But just when I'm starting to get into the mission and the scifi aspect 
of it, I'm distracted by overpowering music that attempts to heighten a scene, 
the lead astronaut's self-reflective monologue, too much of the newly-hot 
camera work (a la BSG and Star Trek) with a shaky cam to convey reality. Or I'm 
watching two astronauts make nekkid love in zero g and feeling vaguely 
manipulated at an attempt to make me feel awestruck or something. There's a lot 
of flashbacks and flashforwards that make following the story a bit confusing 
at times. "Lost" this ain't. There's also a odd flow: a mix of serious drama, 
melodrama, camp soap opera type moments, silly humour supported by "Desperate 
Housewives" type music, and a lot of titillation. It makes it hard for one to 
get a feeling of the overall nature of the show. Is it a drama, a reality-type 
show like "Virtuality", a mystery? Don't know, but I foun!
 d myself losing interest a lot, then picking it back up, then losing it again 
as the standard nighttime soap feel comes back in the mix. 

Lots of TV veterans, including the blonde lady from "The 4400" (the one who 
feel inlove with a black man), and Cristina Cox "Blood Ties", who's been a 
guest in more series than Michael Michelle. They're all okay, but again, the 
uneven pacing, writing, and flashbacks undermine their acting. The constant 
shift from a high-tech spaceshp to mundane scenes on Earth are abrupt and 
off-putting. 

Like "Virtuality", this show seems to be another clone that tries to copy the 
delicate balance of reality-type drama mixed with scifi that BSG (mostly) did 
right. and like "Virtuality", it bores me as much as it intrigues--something 
that BSG didn't do in the main. 

Not sure if the show's even being picked up, but if it is, not sure I'll keep 
watching. 

Anyone else's thought's? 



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds

Re: [scifinoir2] New trailer for Stargate:Universe

2009-08-03 Thread Martin Baxter
Fate,

I will also. Maybe it was the jumbled, seemingly hapahazard nature of the first 
trailer that was so offputting.





-[ Received Mail Content ]--

 Subject : Re: [scifinoir2] New trailer for Stargate:Universe

 Date : Mon, 3 Aug 2009 05:58:38 -0700 (PDT)

 From : Augustus Augustus 

 To : scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com


Martin,

very good clip.  now, i just might watch it.

--- On Sun, 8/2/09, Martin Baxter  wrote:

From: Martin Baxter 
Subject: [scifinoir2] New trailer for Stargate:Universe
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, August 2, 2009, 6:04 PM






 




 
 IMO, looks a little more cohesive than what we've seen to date. Still, all 
opinions desired.


http://www.sfcrowsn est.com/news/ arc/2009/ nz14114.php


http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=JQdwk8Yntds



 

 

 
 

 

















 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds

Re: [scifinoir2] Article: African Americans tune into Nollywood

2009-08-03 Thread George Arterberry
I've lived in Africa several years ago and learned about Nollywood then.Its an 
acquired taste.Imagine if Brain Hooks formula for films were the template. 
99.9% are bad and poorly man.Sort of like Lback porn I hate to say. 

--- On Mon, 8/3/09, Milton Davis  wrote:


From: Milton Davis 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Article: African Americans tune into Nollywood
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, August 3, 2009, 8:51 AM


  








Black folks are so desperate for entertainment including them that they'll 
settle for less, i.e. Nollywood, urban lit. I see nothing wrong with Nollywood 
as long as the craft improves with time. 
The statement that made me laugh was 'Black Hollywood.' Am I missing something? 
A black hollywood exists? The only persons in 'Black Hollywood' is Spike Lee, 
Tyler Perry and T.D. Jakes. Wesley will be doing time soon so he doesn't count 
anymore. (Note to self; when MVmedia blows up, pay taxes!) That straight to DVD 
stuff isn't much better that Nollywood movies. If I see one more wacky hip-hop 
comedy starring rappers and strippers I'll scream! I know the Hudlin Brothers 
and Mr. Singleton are lurking in the shadows, but none of them produce enough 
work to claim the title of Black Hollywood.

I wish there was a 'Black Hollywood.' (sigh)
--- On Sat, 8/1/09, Mr. Worf  wrote:


From: Mr. Worf 
Subject: [scifinoir2] Article: African Americans tune into Nollywood
To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 4:25 AM


  

Nollywood. I think I am going to be packing my bags shortly. 

http://newsone. com/nation/ african-american s-tune-into- nollywood/



















  

Re: [scifinoir2] What was the last SF novel you read that made you go "WOW!"?

2009-08-03 Thread Milton Davis
Just finished a sel-published novel by a friend of mine, Retro-KM by Edward 
Uzzle.  It's true black speculative fiction, as deep as you can get. It tells 
the story of a warrior of Ta-Amenta, a black nation that inhabits the area 
formerly known as the southern United States. Edward goes into great detail on 
this new society as well as sprinkling the narrative with flashbacks on how 
Ta-Amenta came into being. It's strongly militant yet fascinating, because 
Edward mixes in some interesting future technology. It's worth a read, 
especially if your looking for something fresh.

--- On Sat, 8/1/09, Bosco Bosco  wrote:


From: Bosco Bosco 
Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] What was the last SF novel you read that made you go 
"WOW!"?
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 5:03 AM


  







I have loved everything by Neal Stephenson that I have read. Snow Crash was 
just unbelievable. I loved Cryptonomicon and the Baroque Cycle. I am in the 
middle of the third volume now. However for me, The Diamond Age, an exploration 
of Nano-Technology and sociology amongst other things, is his best. Like all 
Stephenson work is multi-layered and exceptionally difficult to describe 
adequately. 

Stephenson is a brilliant story teller. He can bog you down from time to time 
but he never fails to drive it home by the end. In Diamond Age he weaves 
together a future that is not only possible but highly believable. Our problems 
are not solved and our issues remain as troubling as always but there is hope 
that technology can help us cure many of our ills.

If you haven't read it, you're missing out completely.

Bosco

--- On Fri, 7/31/09, ravenadal  wrote:


From: ravenadal 
Subject: [scifinoir2] What was the last SF novel you read that made you go 
"WOW!"?
To: scifino...@yahoogro ups.com
Date: Friday, July 31, 2009, 6:46 AM


  

The question about Asimov's "Foundation" septology leads me to ask what was the 
last SF novel you read that made you go "WOW!" And, by that, I mean the last 
novel that made your head spin around. For me it was William Gibson's 
"Neuromancer" and that was published in 1984, twenty-five years ago! 

By-the-by, I am only interested in novel novels - do not summit graphic novels.

Thanks,

~rave!


















  

Re: [scifinoir2] New trailer for Stargate:Universe

2009-08-03 Thread Augustus Augustus
Martin,

very good clip.  now, i just might watch it.

--- On Sun, 8/2/09, Martin Baxter  wrote:

From: Martin Baxter 
Subject: [scifinoir2] New trailer for Stargate:Universe
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, August 2, 2009, 6:04 PM






 





 IMO, looks a little more cohesive than what we've seen to 
date. Still, all opinions desired.


http://www.sfcrowsn est.com/news/ arc/2009/ nz14114.php


http://www.youtube. com/watch? v=JQdwk8Yntds



 

  




 

















  

Re: [scifinoir2] Article: African Americans tune into Nollywood

2009-08-03 Thread Milton Davis
Black folks are so desperate for entertainment including them that they'll 
settle for less, i.e. Nollywood, urban lit. I see nothing wrong with Nollywood 
as long as the craft improves with time. 
The statement that made me laugh was 'Black Hollywood.' Am I missing something? 
A black hollywood exists? The only persons in 'Black Hollywood' is Spike Lee, 
Tyler Perry and T.D. Jakes. Wesley will be doing time soon so he doesn't count 
anymore. (Note to self; when MVmedia blows up, pay taxes!) That straight to DVD 
stuff isn't much better that Nollywood movies. If I see one more wacky hip-hop 
comedy starring rappers and strippers I'll scream! I know the Hudlin Brothers 
and Mr. Singleton are lurking in the shadows, but none of them produce enough 
work to claim the title of Black Hollywood.

I wish there was a 'Black Hollywood.' (sigh)
--- On Sat, 8/1/09, Mr. Worf  wrote:


From: Mr. Worf 
Subject: [scifinoir2] Article: African Americans tune into Nollywood
To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2009, 4:25 AM


  



Nollywood. I think I am going to be packing my bags shortly. 

http://newsone. com/nation/ african-american s-tune-into- nollywood/


















  

[RE][scifinoir2] Their New to Me Graphic Novels

2009-08-03 Thread Martin Baxter
Bosco, that's a big "yes" on "Y-The Last Man", every single issue. And my heart 
still lurches at that ending. But I've only touched one issue of "Walking 
Dead". Liked it, but can't say that I'd invest further.





-[ Received Mail Content ]--

 Subject : [scifinoir2] Their New to Me Graphic Novels

 Date : Sun, 2 Aug 2009 22:11:18 -0700 (PDT)

 From : Bosco Bosco 

 To : Sci Fi Noir 


I have been reading two series in Graphic Novels that I discovered at work. 
First is the Zombie Apocalypse party known as "Walking Dead." I'm two volumes 
into it and it's pretty right on. Zombies, people struggling to survive, 
Zombies, ethical delimmas in a world without law, Zombies, adventure in the 
search for a new home, and Zombies. It's pretty bad ass.

I'm also, three volumes into "Y The Last Man." Yorrick is the last man on 
earth. All other men died from a mysterious plague. He's wandering the country 
with a spy/protector with no Name and a genetic scientist who's a cloning 
expert. All the while he's being hunted by crazed lesbians bent on destroying 
him and the Israeli Army who are determined to capture him for strategic 
advantage. It's also very funny.

Anyone else read either of these?

Bosco


 



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdwk8Yntds