sci-fi

Beyond the Black Rainbow

20 February 2012

As a youtube user puts it …. mix every single sci-fi masterpiece from the 60s to now (well, not any, but your “top of mind” ones), mix the hyperviolence, mix the secret compounds, mix every cliche you can imagine off (evil doctors, ergonomic furniture,  quilted spacesuits and translucent atmospheres… and you’ll have the perfect masterpiece: “2001: A Clockwork Tron Enter the Sunshine Void”.

I personally think Vincenzo Natali’s Cube (one another Canadian sci-fi classic) is missing from that title and the evident aesthetic influence, but still, “Arboria” could easily be a new Izon, or any other big & bad sect / corporation.

Beyond the black rainbow poster
Beyond the black rainbow poster

Beyond the Black Rainbow” is Panos Cosmatos‘ feature film debut, presented at the 2010 Whistler Film Festival and that besides Tribeca & the  Fantasia International film festivals… it hasn’t been released to the public. Received with mixed feelings by the sci-fi geek community the film hasn’t generated much buzz as you would expect of an “80s” new old classic, but it seems like the film may finally make it to ordinary theaters as a couple of weeks ago a new trailer was posted on the iTunes dedicated page.

We’ll let you imagine when “soon” of the “coming soon” takes place; until then, we’ll await patiently for our appointment with Dr. Barry Nyle, we want to be enlightened too.

BTBR in VHS... not really
BTBR in VHS... not really
  share news item

Stasis

6 January 2012

While considering a mention on indie game developer Ferzan Kanat Aygen’s new game (and also his new studio) Shadow of a Soul (we’ll talk about it another day when theres more substance), we came across this dark sci-fi adventure from South African lands: Stasis.

Besides IndegamesMag not much buzz has been created around the sci-fi game with clear ALIEN influences (just have a look at the trailer) the developer team themselves admitted in an interview using the discovery of the Space Jockey as a seed for the game.

Level 2 of The Hawking is Maracheck’s home
Level 2 of The Hawking is Maracheck’s home

Stasis, conceived as a survival-sci-fi adventure, tells the story of John Maracheck, a man searching for his family, in a seemingly abandoned research facility. Going back to classic adventure game mechanics, you have to solve puzzles, and use objects around you to progress, and to find Marachecks family.

The name of the game comes from the suit Maracheck wears… which gives you direct access to an Emergency Medical Kit. A piece of equipment that has the ability to break down any object of a certain weight and size into its base elements, and store it for future use. While normally it is used to store small medical supplies, Maracheck uses it as an easy way to keep and transport found objects. Objects can be stored, accessed, combined, and brought back into the ‘real’ world at any moment.

No release date so far, although we know that even if very little of the game has been completed (Chris B mentioned around 5%) the whole storyline has been written and the first version may be free and self-published. All we can do at this point is wait and see… maybe their blog & newsletter will ease our pain.

Airlock Inner Screenshot - Stasis
Airlock Inner Screenshot - Stasis
  share news item

Prometheus trailer

22 December 2011

Ridley Scott is from the “all about everything school”, and his sci-fi movies tend to be above everything else done before or after… pretty much. So the growing expectation about an Alien prequel (still in discussion if this is) has invaded every single corner of the Internet over the past few months.

After the leak last month the production team moved fast… and even if there’s still more than half a year until it’s premiere (the movie is still in post-production),  the tension has grown around the facebook page and dedicated itunes minisite with short 30sec teasers with Mr Scott talking proudly about his new creature… and himself of course.

I guess he can be cocky after all, we’ll judge next summer after seeing his “few” plot surprises with explorers, egos, origins of mankind discoveries and… maybe monsters? Who knows!

Phrometheus.. initial movie poster
Phrometheus.. initial movie poster

 

 

  share news item