tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69731749156481195042024-03-08T05:42:44.386-05:00Weird ScienceA look at what makes great Science fictionWilleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-21657757487397206572012-02-24T21:29:00.001-05:002012-02-24T21:31:18.659-05:00Without actors: 2001<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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And now for the real deal. 2001 selected shots without actors, Part 1. Have a nice weekend.<br />
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<br />Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-66059112613334537552012-02-24T21:07:00.000-05:002012-02-24T21:07:20.296-05:00Hard Science Fiction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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That is, science fiction that bases itself more in realism than fantasy, is very difficult to find. We all seem to favor escapism over a story that presents an actual possible future. In a time as fascinating as 2012, with all our knowledge of the world around us, why does our sci-fi revolve around space wizards and magic zombies? Why do space lasers still go 'pew-pew!'? <br />
Sci-fi makers, no one is asking you to hire Steven Hawking as a science adviser to the sound department- but, come on. Realism in a fantastic situation can be very powerful! Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-43313727255887390502011-11-08T16:18:00.000-05:002011-11-08T17:12:27.110-05:00Weird Computer Science: Dwarf FortressThe seven embarked from the Dwarven mountain homes in early Autumn. They laid clam to a rocky hillside near a calm brook and began excavation. It began as a mud and dirt hovel, but it had soon grown into an expansive subterranean complex. Migrants from lands far away began to hear tale of the fortress and arrive daily to find good fortune of their own. From the crowd distinct personalities emerge; heroes, drunks, caretakers, leaders. The deep earth produces endless riches. Hearts are content here, stomachs are full.<br />
In the dead of winter, a vile dark curtain falls across the frozen hillside. The enemy has arrived, a black, twisted army of villains and viciousness. The white snow topped hills melt under red rivers of hot blood. Swords clash and hammers smash. The fortress is now a tomb.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/">http://www.bay12games.com/dwarves/</a>Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-69590825021603867742011-02-21T12:13:00.001-05:002011-02-21T12:17:45.338-05:00Total Recall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2K2e_lm9uzs/TWKZvdx5WQI/AAAAAAAABoQ/ruN-dct7rwY/s1600/324033-totalrecall1_super.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2K2e_lm9uzs/TWKZvdx5WQI/AAAAAAAABoQ/ruN-dct7rwY/s1600/324033-totalrecall1_super.jpg" /></a></div><br />
God bless you Paul Verhoeven. Your strange brilliance filled my childhood with monsters, violence and paranoia of the all-to-real future to come. <br />
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<a name='more'></a>Total Recall, based on a Philip K. Dick story, is anything but Bladerunner. The tone and design are actually as far away from the Ridley Scott/Philip K. Dick benchmark as you can imagine. The colors are bright, the characters are cartoons, the bullets bounce, the lead is Arnie... Yet... it's just a fucking awesome movie.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Verhoeven films deserve a closer look, and they strangely seem to become more potent the older they become. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNNfKRWYguY/TWKbckssauI/AAAAAAAABo0/-WIK40-oGAY/s1600/city_sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNNfKRWYguY/TWKbckssauI/AAAAAAAABo0/-WIK40-oGAY/s640/city_sketch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-77126687207273194772011-01-25T14:24:00.001-05:002011-01-25T14:25:48.800-05:00Robert McCall, painter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TT8hP3TCSRI/AAAAAAAABnA/PWQcf-vG0l8/s1600/0808022_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TT8hP3TCSRI/AAAAAAAABnA/PWQcf-vG0l8/s640/0808022_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> McCall gallery follows... look and enjoy without commentary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
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Robert McCall, a true master!!!Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-32837714408933768932011-01-24T16:01:00.001-05:002011-01-25T14:06:32.283-05:00From Russia with Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TT3mVo7XSTI/AAAAAAAABm4/dwmwTkyTnss/s1600/Buran_On_Antonov225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TT3mVo7XSTI/AAAAAAAABm4/dwmwTkyTnss/s640/Buran_On_Antonov225.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>What is the largest aircraft ever flown? It's the Russian Antonov An-225 "Mriya", or in English, the "Dream".<br />
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</div> Designed for the Russian space program, the An-225 is a MASSIVE metal monster. While 2 were set for production, only one craft was ever completed in 1988. The An-225 has carried the Russian shuttle, and most recently was used to transport relief aid to Haiti.Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-34699054548588582102011-01-18T15:17:00.003-05:002011-01-24T15:34:51.647-05:00Volksjager; The people's fighter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TTXrp7TnOVI/AAAAAAAABmI/2tgWtUSWJqs/s1600/He162-02f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="463" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TTXrp7TnOVI/AAAAAAAABmI/2tgWtUSWJqs/s640/He162-02f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The He-162 Volksjager (also referred to as Salamander) was a jet fighter designed by Heinkel for the Luftwaffe. Short on resources and skilled pilots, the Germans needed a high performance, easy to fly fighter that could be constructed on the cheap. The Volksjager could be built by unskilled workers with non-strategic resources.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TTXvJB2ELiI/AAAAAAAABmM/q0vIVqbCOsQ/s1600/rtyu78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="559" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TTXvJB2ELiI/AAAAAAAABmM/q0vIVqbCOsQ/s640/rtyu78.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The advantage of the Volksjager was it's ease of use matched with unbeatable speed (the BMW engine could reach around 520 miles per hour). The "People's Fighter" was to be mass produced and introduced to the Hitler Youth, who after a brief training, could fly the easy to manage plane.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TTXvJo9gQ6I/AAAAAAAABmQ/I1-bwhbWkIc/s1600/He162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TTXvJo9gQ6I/AAAAAAAABmQ/I1-bwhbWkIc/s640/He162.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Production of the Volksjager began in bomb-proof underground bunkers (below), though at this point the war was past the turning point for the Nazis, and the impact of Luftwaffe jets was trivial.<br />
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Thankfully the He-162 Volksjager never took hold... I think we're better off with the Volkswagen, anyhow.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-89746264157381456822010-07-31T16:20:00.001-04:002010-07-31T16:21:50.048-04:00Half Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR_VbDZOiI/AAAAAAAABjE/LcIIUt3BIas/s1600/Gordon_tentacles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR_VbDZOiI/AAAAAAAABjE/LcIIUt3BIas/s640/Gordon_tentacles.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />
I had given up on video games by college, and all though I had grown up on Atari and C64, I didn't feel like the medium would be worth anything for a long time. The technology sea-change for me, was a little Sci-fi adventure/thriller called <i>Half Life</i>.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Though you spend most of your time delivering shotgun blasts to alien zombies, <i>Half Life</i> really transcends reaction-time-based-gameplay by injecting a massive amount of story and atmosphere. Here are some artist concepts (mixed from the whole series) to hopefully wet your appetite:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7q-F7bcI/AAAAAAAABic/0Kjtc4-vlTE/s1600/InnerCity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7q-F7bcI/AAAAAAAABic/0Kjtc4-vlTE/s640/InnerCity.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7fzrECfI/AAAAAAAABhU/064pb7-WzvQ/s1600/2165238188_f293bebd05_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7fzrECfI/AAAAAAAABhU/064pb7-WzvQ/s640/2165238188_f293bebd05_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7l6QH-WI/AAAAAAAABh0/l2bGrxkzIrI/s1600/half-life2pic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7l6QH-WI/AAAAAAAABh0/l2bGrxkzIrI/s640/half-life2pic1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7jK3FG7I/AAAAAAAABhk/S7GKi3nY-L0/s1600/combine-advisers-at-half-life-2-episode-three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7jK3FG7I/AAAAAAAABhk/S7GKi3nY-L0/s640/combine-advisers-at-half-life-2-episode-three.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7n2E1Q9I/AAAAAAAABiM/Zw4swqUGSXk/s1600/hl2citadel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7n2E1Q9I/AAAAAAAABiM/Zw4swqUGSXk/s640/hl2citadel.jpg" width="532" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7nfqB0sI/AAAAAAAABiE/xj9F5aZo3sE/s1600/hl2canal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7nfqB0sI/AAAAAAAABiE/xj9F5aZo3sE/s640/hl2canal.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7ge_tOhI/AAAAAAAABhc/C4f9UGsK99I/s1600/apc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7ge_tOhI/AAAAAAAABhc/C4f9UGsK99I/s640/apc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7rHYQbrI/AAAAAAAABik/egH3oL9pgvE/s1600/observer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7rHYQbrI/AAAAAAAABik/egH3oL9pgvE/s640/observer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7jyJD_lI/AAAAAAAABhs/7_cfSGlSUvE/s1600/combinesoldier2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7jyJD_lI/AAAAAAAABhs/7_cfSGlSUvE/s640/combinesoldier2.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR_a2guuGI/AAAAAAAABjU/P22jkzU59uE/s1600/Surface_tension_plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR_a2guuGI/AAAAAAAABjU/P22jkzU59uE/s640/Surface_tension_plan.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7mgDDnfI/AAAAAAAABh8/5f00iGaHcXg/s1600/hl2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7mgDDnfI/AAAAAAAABh8/5f00iGaHcXg/s640/hl2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR8qLUX5lI/AAAAAAAABis/QFJcPBdBmjI/s1600/b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR8qLUX5lI/AAAAAAAABis/QFJcPBdBmjI/s640/b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7obPg_iI/AAAAAAAABiU/Bngf5lmYnDs/s1600/hl2proto01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFR7obPg_iI/AAAAAAAABiU/Bngf5lmYnDs/s640/hl2proto01.jpg" width="374" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Half Life 1</i> was released around 1998, the second, 2004. There have been 4-5 other add-on games that fill in the story gaps of the larger pieces. If you ever wanted to check this great game out, you'd be okay to jump in anywhere, without being in the dark.</div>Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-57021885624259431582010-07-29T15:20:00.001-04:002011-02-21T12:21:08.192-05:00Now and Then, Here and There (Ima, Soko ni Iru Boku)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHG9cvnKHI/AAAAAAAABgE/cejlpvXPA70/s1600/Untitled-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHG9cvnKHI/AAAAAAAABgE/cejlpvXPA70/s640/Untitled-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
One of the greatest things about "instant-watch Netflix" is the discovery of something fantastic you would have never seen otherwise. Great things can come in all shapes and sizes, with all matter of crappy American dubs.<br />
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<i>Now and Then...</i> is a Japanese episodic story that plays out over a dozen or so 25 min. episodes. The main character, Shu is a boy from our present-time Earth, who when attempting to befriend a strange, silent young girl, is transported into the distant future. The harshness of the War-torn time he arrives in is apparent to the kind-hearted Shu immediately -and the series plays with that contrast throughout.<br />
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The conquering civilization of the future world controls the technology- In this case a massive flying battleship/base and a fleet of Armor vehicles and snake robots.<br />
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The action is kept subtle and never goes over the top. There is a weight to the actions on the battlefield unlike what most animation can produce. (Especially limited frame cartoons like this)<br />
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Stellar writing carries <i>"Now and Then"... </i><br />
Even through the cheap, Care-bear American voice dubs, the lines are powerful enough to cut through... Not so stellar with the writing am I, so I think you'll really like just looking at these pictures: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHG_SzGC9I/AAAAAAAABgc/e3UQUDQKV8A/s1600/Untitled-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHG_SzGC9I/AAAAAAAABgc/e3UQUDQKV8A/s640/Untitled-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHG-DDYkoI/AAAAAAAABgM/_SEBVZZa6pI/s1600/Untitled-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHG-DDYkoI/AAAAAAAABgM/_SEBVZZa6pI/s640/Untitled-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHHAOQNKaI/AAAAAAAABgk/ris6mlvPGiw/s1600/Untitled-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHHAOQNKaI/AAAAAAAABgk/ris6mlvPGiw/s640/Untitled-9.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHG7rmBhdI/AAAAAAAABfs/YuPtOCYk0W0/s1600/Untitled-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHG7rmBhdI/AAAAAAAABfs/YuPtOCYk0W0/s640/Untitled-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHG8Kk-cBI/AAAAAAAABf0/cVlGgm3NpFc/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHG8Kk-cBI/AAAAAAAABf0/cVlGgm3NpFc/s640/Untitled-4.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHHBed47YI/AAAAAAAABg0/v4oo13i4MhI/s1600/Untitled-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHHBed47YI/AAAAAAAABg0/v4oo13i4MhI/s640/Untitled-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHG7CWil_I/AAAAAAAABfk/gbJhoeiXZ7c/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TFHG7CWil_I/AAAAAAAABfk/gbJhoeiXZ7c/s640/Untitled-2.jpg" width="582" /></a></div>WOW! I mean, damn, this was a really great show.<br />
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If you are confused about the volumes and episodes, fear not- this is NOT a show that was canceled and leaves the story arc hanging- The dozen episodes play back like a single film, and the story is wrapped up nicely in the end.Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-58256348888645129082010-07-19T17:45:00.000-04:002010-07-19T17:45:54.749-04:00Without actors: Moon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGHtb-PkI/AAAAAAAABb8/QxbaOgsqjUQ/s1600/Untitled-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGHtb-PkI/AAAAAAAABb8/QxbaOgsqjUQ/s640/Untitled-5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
What would 2009's Moon look like without actors... er... actor? Like this.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGLvzdYBI/AAAAAAAABcc/27Vc-5we1NU/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGLvzdYBI/AAAAAAAABcc/27Vc-5we1NU/s640/Untitled-4.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGKDtb3pI/AAAAAAAABcE/dZObMlP96gE/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGKDtb3pI/AAAAAAAABcE/dZObMlP96gE/s640/Untitled-1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGNXiY4_I/AAAAAAAABc0/La_ijKkGYqA/s1600/Untitled-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGNXiY4_I/AAAAAAAABc0/La_ijKkGYqA/s640/Untitled-8.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGPQeFDHI/AAAAAAAABdE/tAAxWGXibCE/s1600/Untitled-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGPQeFDHI/AAAAAAAABdE/tAAxWGXibCE/s640/Untitled-10.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGOLW_6KI/AAAAAAAABc8/rWDIf-Vjx7U/s1600/Untitled-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGOLW_6KI/AAAAAAAABc8/rWDIf-Vjx7U/s640/Untitled-9.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGKj-EnFI/AAAAAAAABcM/Wk0TckcVcTQ/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGKj-EnFI/AAAAAAAABcM/Wk0TckcVcTQ/s640/Untitled-2.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGLHd2FaI/AAAAAAAABcU/Y-qjQ1qFHyM/s1600/Untitled-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGLHd2FaI/AAAAAAAABcU/Y-qjQ1qFHyM/s640/Untitled-3.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGMO7QxbI/AAAAAAAABck/OrZCtezwrBI/s1600/Untitled-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGMO7QxbI/AAAAAAAABck/OrZCtezwrBI/s640/Untitled-6.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGM2P_ySI/AAAAAAAABcs/nYVcVTbjdtE/s1600/Untitled-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TETGM2P_ySI/AAAAAAAABcs/nYVcVTbjdtE/s640/Untitled-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-12330036576295287282010-07-19T17:14:00.000-04:002010-07-19T17:14:10.514-04:00Vergeltungswaffe 2 (Vengance Weapon 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TES0jtVQLdI/AAAAAAAABbM/nmfBrEBYdrY/s1600/Bumper8_launch-GPN-2000-000613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TES0jtVQLdI/AAAAAAAABbM/nmfBrEBYdrY/s640/Bumper8_launch-GPN-2000-000613.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The <i><b>V-2 rocket</b></i> was a long-range missile developed at the beginning of WW2 by the Germans, targeted at Belgium and England. Father of modern rocketry, the V-2 was the first success in reaching sub-orbital space.<br />
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The V-2 was the most expensive development project of the Third Reich. Around 3,000 V-2's were launched from Germany during the war, accounting for more than 7,000 Allied civilian and military deaths. Facing a worker shortage, the Nazis would turn to slave labor to continue production, mostly using prison camp inmates. It is estimated that 20,000 these slave laborers died in the production of the V-2.<br />
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After the war, the United States initiated <i>Operation Paperclip</i>, designed to import German scientists and technology into the states, and thereby keeping the information from the Russians and British. These German scientists would figure heavily into the space race to come, and the work carried out on the V-2 would make way for larger, more powerful rockets capable of landing man on the moon. <br />
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Above a V-2 is seen on the pad with a black and white checkerboard pattern. This pattern made it easier to tell if the rocket was rotating correctly in flight. Below a V-2 with a camouflage paint job used more commonly toward the end of the war.<br />
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Below we see the V-2 surrounded by not Germans, but Americans in this photo taken after the war.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TES-0dtFS8I/AAAAAAAABbs/5UbgaIyWjno/s1600/v2lt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TES-0dtFS8I/AAAAAAAABbs/5UbgaIyWjno/s640/v2lt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
It's hard to reflect on the roots of our greatest achievement. The technology that will one day save humanity was intended, initially, to burn it alive. <br />
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Finally, a cross-section of the top-secret V-2 for your viewing pleasure:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TES__VnMoNI/AAAAAAAABb0/C2dGxNKTY7I/s1600/V2book_2005_html_m4158b2e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TES__VnMoNI/AAAAAAAABb0/C2dGxNKTY7I/s640/V2book_2005_html_m4158b2e2.jpg" width="330" /></a></div> Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-14561300237343889572010-07-18T15:24:00.002-04:002011-01-24T16:06:48.576-05:00SpaceShipTwo is go!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TENQlsGmx0I/AAAAAAAABac/Gp2liM2YQOY/s1600/virgin-spaceshiptwo-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TENQlsGmx0I/AAAAAAAABac/Gp2liM2YQOY/s640/virgin-spaceshiptwo-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
SpaceShipTwo, the commercial space flight vehicle, has made it's first crewed flight on July 16th. It carried eight people over the Mojave dessert for a little over six hours.<br />
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In a few years, SpaceShipTwo may carry you, space tourist, into zero-gravity orbit for as little as 200,000 dollars a seat.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>The basic concept is that SpaceShipTwo is carried via mothership 50,000 feet, where it detaches, and rockets into suborbital space 360,00 feet above the Earth.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TENTSkQv3EI/AAAAAAAABas/B64GWxqQ3y0/s1600/virgin-spaceshiptwo-2-100716-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TENTSkQv3EI/AAAAAAAABas/B64GWxqQ3y0/s640/virgin-spaceshiptwo-2-100716-02.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TENTQvr_NAI/AAAAAAAABak/WMpGsNKSeEM/s1600/ig391-ss2-first-carry-13-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TENTQvr_NAI/AAAAAAAABak/WMpGsNKSeEM/s640/ig391-ss2-first-carry-13-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Fantastic! I'm that much closer to becoming an astronaut.<br />
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The SpaceShipTwo is one of many commercial space programs underway, and the beginning of a new space race between companies instead of nations. Again, the line between Science and Science Fiction shifts.Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-13928505593492760392010-07-17T17:22:00.001-04:002011-02-21T12:18:16.279-05:00Without actors: Blade Runner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIeFViSo4I/AAAAAAAABZ8/PaA0LaiMXF4/s1600/BRFC_%23024118.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIeFViSo4I/AAAAAAAABZ8/PaA0LaiMXF4/s640/BRFC_%23024118.png" width="640" /></a></div>Los Angles 2019.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIdZ-7kcbI/AAAAAAAABZU/VIXQmEOEsUo/s1600/BRFC_%23010747.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIdZ-7kcbI/AAAAAAAABZU/VIXQmEOEsUo/s640/BRFC_%23010747.png" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIeJ4YHLWI/AAAAAAAABaE/6YNgpAWPqQ8/s1600/BRFC_%23032629.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIeJ4YHLWI/AAAAAAAABaE/6YNgpAWPqQ8/s640/BRFC_%23032629.png" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEId2n25FSI/AAAAAAAABZs/qDSx94RXz20/s1600/BRFC_%23015490.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEId2n25FSI/AAAAAAAABZs/qDSx94RXz20/s640/BRFC_%23015490.png" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIdufqgaHI/AAAAAAAABZk/tYCyEQNtjMw/s1600/BRFC_%23011851.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIdufqgaHI/AAAAAAAABZk/tYCyEQNtjMw/s640/BRFC_%23011851.png" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIdnOlMpDI/AAAAAAAABZc/3_BSLLuoKwY/s1600/BRFC_%23011155.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIdnOlMpDI/AAAAAAAABZc/3_BSLLuoKwY/s640/BRFC_%23011155.png" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIePi2L60I/AAAAAAAABaM/4RGP5XxcZIM/s1600/BRFC_%23053248.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIePi2L60I/AAAAAAAABaM/4RGP5XxcZIM/s640/BRFC_%23053248.png" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIeXMwvUcI/AAAAAAAABaU/VXpF6WPB5FA/s1600/BRFC_%23056980.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIeXMwvUcI/AAAAAAAABaU/VXpF6WPB5FA/s640/BRFC_%23056980.png" width="640" /></a></div>Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-85533342162647411992010-07-17T15:44:00.000-04:002010-07-17T15:46:59.615-04:00Asimov's "I, Robot" film version that never was<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIFpsh5ZBI/AAAAAAAABX8/qgKaEzDi9u0/s1600/calvinherbie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIFpsh5ZBI/AAAAAAAABX8/qgKaEzDi9u0/s640/calvinherbie.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mark Zug concept paintings from one of the many failed attempts to bring "I, Robot" to screen. </div><a name='more'></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIGv0TtGrI/AAAAAAAABYc/0yFvw-KOZ7k/s1600/frinkel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIGv0TtGrI/AAAAAAAABYc/0yFvw-KOZ7k/s640/frinkel.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><br />
I far prefer the hard mechanical feel of Zug's robots to the horrendous Macintosh robots from the film that was eventually made.<br />
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This painting of a soldier robot joyfully swinging a child speaks volumes without a script at all<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIGsAQT79I/AAAAAAAABYU/KvGd7c2bGSA/s1600/robbie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIGsAQT79I/AAAAAAAABYU/KvGd7c2bGSA/s640/robbie.jpg" width="418" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIGpLqZ8qI/AAAAAAAABYM/72SyGz-mcsI/s1600/cryoniccrypts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIGpLqZ8qI/AAAAAAAABYM/72SyGz-mcsI/s640/cryoniccrypts.jpg" width="424" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIGzPk1YGI/AAAAAAAABYk/TXImf45rsAc/s1600/lenny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIGzPk1YGI/AAAAAAAABYk/TXImf45rsAc/s640/lenny.jpg" width="422" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIGmJEYg3I/AAAAAAAABYE/RKJNMv1yi0s/s1600/calvin%27spyramid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIGmJEYg3I/AAAAAAAABYE/RKJNMv1yi0s/s640/calvin%27spyramid.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-5137835806400727152010-07-16T21:17:00.001-04:002011-01-25T14:27:33.728-05:00Designing 2001<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TED_Ra6RXTI/AAAAAAAABXE/MYHHXiqfMzU/s1600/Mccall07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TED_Ra6RXTI/AAAAAAAABXE/MYHHXiqfMzU/s640/Mccall07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Creating a world without Photoshop: Here is a gallery of 2001: A Space Odyssey concept paintings and models.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEEAEU_m2JI/AAAAAAAABXM/YWLT4L8FGZM/s1600/stan161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEEAEU_m2JI/AAAAAAAABXM/YWLT4L8FGZM/s640/stan161.jpg" width="604" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEEAW75QgoI/AAAAAAAABXs/qfzkVc4wg3g/s1600/stan12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEEAW75QgoI/AAAAAAAABXs/qfzkVc4wg3g/s640/stan12.jpg" width="508" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEEAPKlMzZI/AAAAAAAABXc/YlnjI4dJYJ4/s1600/original+pods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEEAPKlMzZI/AAAAAAAABXc/YlnjI4dJYJ4/s640/original+pods.jpg" width="390" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEII5cSEdUI/AAAAAAAABYs/zV9ztEgMEVU/s1600/ariesdrawing3-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEII5cSEdUI/AAAAAAAABYs/zV9ztEgMEVU/s640/ariesdrawing3-1.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEEAJexhE6I/AAAAAAAABXU/ClnjpyYmmb0/s1600/simon_discovery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEEAJexhE6I/AAAAAAAABXU/ClnjpyYmmb0/s640/simon_discovery.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIWcut-cKI/AAAAAAAABZM/yDXbpUkgK_E/s1600/3813514334_407d514a73_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEIWcut-cKI/AAAAAAAABZM/yDXbpUkgK_E/s640/3813514334_407d514a73_o.jpg" width="364" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEECu9-KoiI/AAAAAAAABX0/dl-KLohD480/s1600/disc_jpg_w560h382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEECu9-KoiI/AAAAAAAABX0/dl-KLohD480/s1600/disc_jpg_w560h382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEECu9-KoiI/AAAAAAAABX0/dl-KLohD480/s640/disc_jpg_w560h382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
And lastly, a photograph of the famous space station left in a field after filming:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEEAToE3O1I/AAAAAAAABXk/Z0NJxDEZ8qg/s1600/ss4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEEAToE3O1I/AAAAAAAABXk/Z0NJxDEZ8qg/s640/ss4.jpg" width="466" /></a></div>Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-10793483970060914252010-07-16T20:21:00.000-04:002010-07-16T20:22:50.163-04:00The LOATHSOME!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEDzvybNItI/AAAAAAAABWE/BL8tGib_CNM/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEDzvybNItI/AAAAAAAABWE/BL8tGib_CNM/s640/1.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Whoa!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">From Weird Science #20, Wally Wood art. Posted without permission.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">An atomic monster story that shows, yet again, who the real atomic monsters are, wink wink.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As fantastical and somewhat cheese-ball as <i>LOATHSOME! </i>can come across, I gotta tell ya, that last panel kills me.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div>Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-47162828728423542472010-07-16T18:53:00.002-04:002011-02-21T12:18:59.144-05:00Phenominal Ships Vol.1: Nostromo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEDdxQJOBiI/AAAAAAAABVU/gtLIG3sPNRc/s1600/cobbb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEDdxQJOBiI/AAAAAAAABVU/gtLIG3sPNRc/s640/cobbb2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<a name='more'></a><b>Nostromo</b>, hulking space refinery...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEDeqPyEviI/AAAAAAAABVk/mGpr1K9x_mI/s1600/alien_017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEDeqPyEviI/AAAAAAAABVk/mGpr1K9x_mI/s640/alien_017.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEDiuFdpGUI/AAAAAAAABV0/sybQqBTnZ1s/s1600/Narcissus+docking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="451" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEDiuFdpGUI/AAAAAAAABV0/sybQqBTnZ1s/s640/Narcissus+docking.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
The massive <b>Nostromo</b> from Ridley Scott's <i>Alien</i> is a traveling refinery, sent long distances to bring resources back to Earth. It's a gorgeous dark set piece, and, in a way, a metaphor for human expansion. (Drill baby, drill!)<br />
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<b>Nostromo</b> is a visual treat, and with the aid of some brilliant camera work, light years beyond today's CG failures. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEDew1w5pEI/AAAAAAAABVs/iTcWo2ZC548/s1600/tumblr_kxjr9xedjs1qa1o5zo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEDew1w5pEI/AAAAAAAABVs/iTcWo2ZC548/s400/tumblr_kxjr9xedjs1qa1o5zo1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6973174915648119504.post-91739930994588876262010-07-16T17:48:00.000-04:002010-07-17T16:45:06.514-04:00Wally Wood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Welcome to the first post of Weird Science.<br />
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It's most likely if you are reading this post, you will have backtracked through "blog time" to get here. Therefore, let me be the first to welcome you, future traveler, to the past (or my present) of this post. I think that it's a fitting first entry to talk about the greatest Science fiction illustrator of the last century, Wallace Wood.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Wood was a concept artist, an excellent draftsman and a MASTER with inking. As we prepare to take a critical look at science fiction though the ages, a knowledge of Wood's work in Science Fiction is essential.<br />
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As an EC artist in the 50's, Wood's work was admired by a generation of artists, writers and directors who would bring his aesthetic to the popular subconscious. The "bubble-helmet" seen above, for instance, is a Wood trademark that shapes the look of fictional space suits to this day. It's hard to hear the word "Martian" without picturing one of these gentlemen:<br />
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Only H.G. Wells can claim to have more impact on the way we imagine Martians.<br />
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Wood worked on airplanes during WW2, and his mechanical understanding of those machines were the basis of his greatest images. A spaceship was not a empty plastic shell to Wood, but a thousand interlocking pieces working in unison to push a mighty iron hull. Here is a page from Wood illustrating Ray Bradbury's <i>There will come soft rains</i>:<br />
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Each mechanical element showcases Wood's curious mind, his scientific exploration. <br />
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This is true "science fiction", not "fantasy"... This visual world is based on Wood's assumptions of what reality could exist, not a dream land "long ago and far away". There's a thin line there, but I think that it's an important one that requires more thought and another post. <br />
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Squa Tront!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEC-diBTlLI/AAAAAAAABUk/Tohwd0Zsfvk/s1600/woodycabnet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sIjQH-2nVEI/TEC-diBTlLI/AAAAAAAABUk/Tohwd0Zsfvk/s320/woodycabnet.jpg" /></a></div>Willeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03109712056487480113noreply@blogger.com