Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Law Abiding Citizen"

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Law Abiding Citizen" Rated R

Character(s)/ Actor(s): Clyde Shelton (Gerard "300" Shelton), Jamie "Ray" Fox, etc.

After a brutal home invasion, Clyde Shelton's wife and young daughter are murdered by two thugs. Thanks to a plea bargain, the guy who really killed Shelton's family gets off practically scot-free. Ten years later, seemingly mild-mannered Shelton goes on an over the top vigilante killing spree, crossing over into terrorism. Even in maximum security prison and in solitary confinement, the police and the government are powerless to stop Shelton from killing whomever he pleases. Shockingly violent at times. If you enjoyed movies like "Death Wish" with Charles Bronson, you might enjoy this as well. If you are squeamish, you won't like this movie.

Sci-Fi Bri's Television Picks

Sci-Fi Bri's Television Picks:

"Occupation" (2009) (On BBC America)

In this two-part, four hour miniseries, three British soldiers recently stationed in Iraq have a tough time adjusting to civilian life. They all return to Iraq. One returns to pursue love. Another returns to pursue greed, and the third returns out of guilt. This miniseries depicts the war in Iraq, terrorism and the 'private military contractors' who profit from the war. A really excellent show. One minor complaint was that the British accent was hard to decipher, even with subtitles.

"Community" Thursdays on NBC

I'm not a big fan of situation comedies, but I try to never miss this one about a bunch of misfits who attend a community college. The main character is a smarmy former lawyer whose law license was pulled when the college degree he once earned somewhere south of the border was invalidated. He's pretty much going through the motions at this community college. However, when he meets a very attractive fellow student named Britta he pretends to be an expert in Spanish and starts a study group with the intent of sleeping with her. Instead, he sort of befriends the other members of the study group. I can't recall the actor's name, but one member of the cast is former Saturday Night Live player Chevy Chase. The ex-lawyer is always scheming to get with Britta and to pass his classes with as little effort as possible. Very funny.

"The Forgotten" (ABC)

Christian Slater plays a former cop whose child went missing who leads a group who help find missing people, especially children. Very similar to the program "Without A Trace".

"Mercy" (NBC) A former Iraqi war vet is now head nurse at Mercy Hospital. She constantly butts heads with an arrogant doctor, and another doctor she once had an affair with in Iraq begins working at her hospital. She's married but is still attracted to her former paramour. Very similar to "Hawthorne" on TNT network.

"Flash Forward" (ABC) Just about everyone on earth passes out for two and a half minutes and most have visions of what will happen exactly six months later. Some people try to evade that fate, but others welcome it. Very similar to "Lost". Every week you get a little more information of what happened in that two and a half minutes, but not everything. I really like this kind of show, but you have to give it your undivided attention or you'll probably be lost.

"The Vampire Diaries" A many centuries old vampire becomes a high school student and begins dating a beautiful young fellow student. Very similar to the movie "Twilight", but the story was written before the "Twilight books came out. Incidentally, "Community", "Flash Forward" and "The Vampire Diaries" are all scheduled at the same time, so prepare to deploy your DVR machine, if you have one.

"Modern Family" (ABC) A lame sitcom with an aging Ed O'Neill (the former Al Bundy from "Married With Children") as an older man married to a stunning Latina with a step-child he can't relate to, a gay couple who decide to adopt a child, and overprotective parents who are all friends. I only watched one episode, and it didn't present a good first impression. If I watch it again it will likely be in reruns.

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Zombieland"

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Zombieland" Rated R for violence, profanity, and nudity

Characters/Actors: Columbus (Jessie Eisenberg), Tallahassee (Woody "Cheers" Harrelson), Wichita (Emma Stone), Abigail "Little Miss Sunshine" Breslin Directed by: Ruben Fleishcher

Tongue in cheek horror about a zombie- infested America in which the four or so remaining humans end up traveling together and kill as many flesh-eating zombies as they possibly can. More funny than scary. Columbus, a twenty-something hypochondriac with irritable bowel syndrome is hilarious as an unlikely survivor in a post-apocalyptic world with his meticulous rules for survival. Tallahassee, a cowboy on the lookout for the last Hostess Twinkies on the planet, is just the opposite. His one area of expertise is "killing zombies" in all kinds of ingenious ways. Columbus and Tallahassee meet and end up traveling together, even though Columbus gets on Tallahassee's nerves. In their travels, they meet a pair of devious girls, who scam them several times. Eventually, they all team up as perhaps the last four living people in America, if not the world. There is a surprise cameo in the film which I won't give away. This was one of the funnier movies I have seen this year.

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Surrogates" ,etc.

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Surrogates" , "Paranormal Activities" and "Whip It"

"Surrogates" Characters/Actors: Greer (Bruce Willis), the Prophet (Ving Rhames), Radha "Melinda and Melinda" etc. Mitchell, James Cromwell, etc.

In the not-too-distant future, people mostly stay home and live vicariously through their robotic "avatars" or surrogates by way of Virtual Reality. Robotic police 'avatars' Greer (Bruce Willis) and Mitchell's character investigate the murder of someone related to the inventor of the surrogates. Meanwhile, "Dreads" or a group of people who despise the surrogates and live in their own separatist enclave, initiate violent acts against any perceived surrogate. After awhile, the real Greer lethargically ventures out of his house to himself investigate and feels quite disoriented. It also seems that everyone with a surrogate takes antidepressants. Someone or many people plot to end the surrogate system. I really enjoyed this film, especially since you couldn't really tell the difference between real people and their avatar surrogates.

"Paranormal Activities" Actors: Katie (Katie Featherston), Micah (Micah Sloat)

Ultra-low budget film mostly about a young couple and the unknown presence that seems to haunt one of them. Micah and Katie are "engaged to be engaged" and have recently moved in together in a nice house in San Diego, California. Katie believes she has been "haunted" since she was a little girl, and she attributes a house she once lived in that burned down to the haunting. Her boyfriend Micah sets up fancy video equipment to record what, if anything is going on. At first, not much happens, but as time goes by the 'presence' manifests itself more and more. It moves and does something else (I don't want to give it away) to a Ouija Board, and it eventually drags Katie out of her bed. You might think that the couple could flee from the 'presance', but think again. Soon after failing to hire an exorcist or similar supernatural expert, the movie comes to a shocking end. The scares are few, but effective. Like a combination of the "Blair Witch Project" and "The Exorcist".

"Whip It" Directed by: Drew Barrymore Characters/Actors: Bliss aka 'Babe Ruthless ( Ellen "Juno" Page), Drew "E.T." Barrymore, 'Hot Tub' Johnny Rockets (Jimmy "SNL" Fallon), Marcia Gaye Harding, Daniel "Home Alone " Stern, Juliette Lewis, etc.

In actress Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, a semi-rebellious beauty pageant contestant goes to a roller derby contest, tries out for the league, and though she is under the minimum age, she makes the team and secretly sneaks out to play between high school classes and her miserable part time job. At first she can barely skate, but after awhile she gets her hapless team into the championship against their arrogant, undefeated rivals. Naturally, her parents oppose her new hobby. It is obvious that the women in this movie had a lot of fun as Roller Derby queens. Not exactly original, but fun to watch.

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 6 of 6

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 6 of 6

If Virtual Reality became perfected over time, I'm sure that a sizable segment of the population might say: "Screw reality! I think I'll remain in Virtual Reality." As for myself, if I had the choice between a world filled with disappointment and mediocrity, or a world of unlimited fulfillment of all or most of my wants, needs and desires; I think I would choose VR.

VR may end up being about the closest to Utopia or paradise that anyone could ever experience. There may be some drawbacks to being there too long, though. For instance, if someone was born and raised in Virtual Reality, or if they spent too much of their life there; once actual reality faces this person(s) again, they may be unwilling or unable to cope with the constant disappointment and broken dreams which all-too-often are associated with the real world. Also, if two or more people, especially those with opposite outlooks on life, become trapped in the same VR habitat together, then even Virtual Reality might become a nearly unbearable hell on earth. One way or the other, Virtual Reality is what the real world should be but isn't: an Anarchist's Disneyland.

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 5 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 5 of Several

My VR experience would be like "Westworld" without Yul Brynner. Virtual Reality is the intermediate step between passive experiences like TV, movies or live theater (at least for the audience), and the active pursuit of life, or reality.

Virtual Reality could be positively used to perhaps, for instance, to overcome shyness, with simulated conversations or social situations; or any number of other simulated rehearsals for real-life situations, only in a virtual environment.

It would not surprise me at all if criminals someday may use VR to prepare for real-life crimes. Likewise, it wouldn't surprise me if perverts or pornographers eventually use Virtual Reality in conjunction with 976 Numbers, or to offer all the decadence, debauchery, vice, and voyeurism than anyone can stand, and then some. Speaking of sleaziness, I'm sure the military or the CIA will soon use VR for their own evil purposes. (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and was later part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 4 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 4 of Several

In my VR world, I could make certain people who have wronged me die 10,000 deaths, each one a little slower and more painful than the one before. I could also, at my whim, take the image of any professor or teacher who ever gave me a failing grade, or of anyone who ever gave me a lousy job recommendation, and eviscerate them; without causing any actual harm or breaking any rules or laws.

Other than that, I might be inclined to devise a Virtual world, pristine and untainted by mankind or religion. As a future ad for Virtual Reality might say: " It's getting awfully radiant in here, especially with the pantheon of South Seas Island James Bond girls I have programmed into my VR simulation. You can do the same... "

As I'm sure you've figured out by now, the Real World is very limited in feasible possibilities, but Virtual Reality is a simulated world which has almost unlimited possibilities. Its only limitations are: imagination, fear, or personal inhibitions. (to be cont'd)

The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University in the early '90s and later was part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 3 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 3 of Several

In Virtual Reality, a simulated world you yourself create, you can program a world where you never again, for instance; need experience rejection or resistance. You could also simulate doing just about whatever you like, without ever needing to experience guilt, shame, embarrassment or regrets. Virtual Reality is also a world without rules. You decide when and if anything will happen. You say what goes, and for once you are literally your own boss. Virtual Reality is a world where no artificial, man-made concepts exists to impede your success or fulfillment,such as: laws, propriety, etiquette, sin, or social graces, unless of course you want them to. For example, in VR you could slay or torture a simulated image of whoever wronged you, without breaking any laws or actually harming anyone. You could safely by pushing the envelope in any direction you choose. (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later was part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 2 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 2 of Several

Wrecked dreams are hard enough to bear when you have no ambition or talent(s) to make up for one's shortcomings, but when you have talent(s), versatility, ambition and perseverance, what can be worse that when even your slightest hopes remain unfulfilled?

Not too long ago, a new way to cope with the fact that our so-called 'perfect' Creator (if he exists), or the Fate(s) deprived us of an ideal, semi-perfect world had been invented. It is called Virtual Reality. You can soon conceivably experience all of the pleasure(s), but none of the pain, disappointment, BS, or hypocrisy all-too-often associated with reality and life itself. In Virtual Reality or VR, all good or evil, right or wrong, risque thoughts, and realizable, possible, improbable, or even improbable dreams, fantasies or pipe dreams can all become simulated as coming true. (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later as part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 1 of Several

Essay: "Virtual Reality" Part 1 of Several

Life is arguably a Mexican standoff between what you want, what you need (or think you need), and what you get. Unfortunately, what you get always prevails, especially when you do not get what you want or what you believe you need. Few people get everything they need, and even fewer get everything that they want. Hence, there is a 50% divorce rate, a high rate of depression among both genders, and at least 60% of us are strongly dissatisfied with our job or career (if we are lucky enough to have one in this terrible economy).

Most people become resigned to the mediocrity that is their life. If they experience enough pain, disappointment and heartbreak, even the most confident and optimistic of individuals could let their zest for life slip away; and thus perhaps perpetuate a lifetime of adversity and discontent. Some people certainly bring their own disappointments upon themselves, but injustice is so widespread in this world that at least as many folks are impeded from success or happiness by a variety of external factors. (i.e. other people, bad luck, or fate). (to be cont'd)

[The original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in the early '90s and later appeared in my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Capitalism: A Love Story", etc.

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Capitalism: A Love Story", etc.

Rabble-rousing documentary director Michael Moore takes aim at American greed and capitalism. The movie opens with a depiction of ancient Rome and cuts to contemporary America; strongly implying that our society could fall just like Rome once did. This movie made me pretty angry. Not angry at Moore, but at a society which allows the ultra-rich to prosper, while most of the rest of us get screwed. For instance, a lot of people shone in this film were undergoing foreclosure; many through no fault of their own. Lots of people are out of work. struggling to get by, and perhaps one health scare away from bankruptcy. The wealthy and their Congressional enablers are fiddling while our economy burns. Perhaps the most aggravating part of the film was when a certain judge sent juveniles to a private detention facility so he could get kickbacks for doing so. I admit, I agree with at least 90% of Moore's sentiment, but the people who really need to hear his message will likely refuse to see it.

Conservatives tend to dislike or despise Michael Moore, but they ought to take what he says to heart.

"Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs" in 3-D

Based on a children's book. Eccentric, young inventor Flint Lockwood devises some disastrous inventions, like a "rat-bird" and a television that literally walks away, and he is also quite socially awkward. One day, he comes up with a device which causes just about any kind of food to rain from the sky. In spite of his eccentricity, he eventually attracts a weather girl who was once a "nerd" herself. Due to the greed of another character the machine goes haywire and nearly destroys their town. In the end, Lockwood discovers the weather girl likes him as much as he likes her, he finds out his mostly silent dad is proud of him, and the townspeople actually respect him. Featuring the voice talents of: Anna Faris, James Caan, Neil Patrick Harris ("Doogie Hauser"), Mr. T and others. I mostly saw this because it was in 3-D, but it was quite amusing.

Poetry: "It's Time For Dread"

Poetry: "It's Time For Dread"

It's time for dread.

Our Constitution has been shred.

The American Dream has long been dead.

Better dream when you go to bed,

Ere you can no longer afford your daily bread...

Poetry: "Turnng 42"

Poetry: "Turning 42"

As I turned forty I was quite portly

But I lost the weight and I'm feeling great.

Forty-one I had some fun

And tried to do everything under the sun.

I'm now forty-two and not feeling blue.

I'm starting to age, but the next year is just another page.

Some things I've done I really rue.

I'm getting old but it's nowhere near the time to fold.

How the next 364 days will go I haven't a clue.

Hopefully my time is due...

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Pandorum", etc.

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Pandorum", etc.

"Pandorum" The last vestiges of humanity aboard the spaceship Elyseum, many who have just awoken from cryogenic sleep, must contend with an outerspace psychosis called 'Pandorum' and dangerous, fast-moving, flesh-eating cannibals who have infested the ship. Science-fiction and horror fans will love this movie, but others may not. The special effects were excellent and the space vampires were truly scary. The movie starred Dennis Quaid and several other semi-familiar actors.

"Food Inc." Fascinating documentary about where the food we eat comes from. It focuses on factory farming, to grain, to "Genetically Modified Organisms" or "GMOs". It was especially interesting how many products are derived from corn, some of which are non-food. It was scary how, according to the movie, corn-fed livestock may harbor harmful bacteria; which has caused many illnesses and some deaths. Well worth seeing.

"9" An animated movie for adults with the voice talents of Elijah Wood ("Lord of the Rings"), Martin Landau, Crispin Glover ("Back to the Future"), Christopher Plummer, Jennifer Connelly, etc. A cartoon in which the human race is annihilated by man-made machines and in our place are man-made burlap machines with human qualities, who are hunted by these evil war machines. Some of the evil, killing machines resemble machines from "The Matrix" and the walking spaceships from "Star Wars" and "The War of the Worlds" movie, and of course "The Terminator". Not very original, but is visually intriguing.

"Knowing" (2008?) (On home video)

In 1959 at a Lexington, Massachusetts elementary school a time capsule is buried underground. While most other students draw pictures as part of the capsule one odd little girl writes a sequence of numbers on a sheet of paper and when the teacher takes the paper from her she runs off and uses her fingernails on a door to continue, until her hands are all bloody. Fifty years later, Caleb Kessler, a young boy, gets ahold of this paper when the time capsule is unearthed. Caleb's father, played by Nicolas Cage, is a recent widower and M.I.T. professor. He is shown in class discussing "determinism" vs. randomness in the universe. When Cage's character glances at the paper with numbers he inputs the numbers into his computer and comes to the conclusion that the numerals seem to prophecy many of the major dates, casualties and possibly locations of many disasters over the last fifty years. Professor Kessler (Cage) comes to believe that the little girl even predicted the end of the world. Meanwhile, strange men start following Kessler and his son and the daughter and granddaughter of the little girl from fifty years before. Suspenseful, interesting and with dazzling special effects.

Sci-Fi Bri's Books: "Skulduggery Pleasant"

Sci-Fi Bri's Books: "Skulduggery Pleasant" by Derek Landy

Deceased horror writer Gordon Edgley bequeaths his estate to his favorite niece, twelve year old Stephanie Edgley. It turns out Gordan's stories were based on fact, and he may have been murdered. Soon after staying alone at the estate, which she will gain ownership of at the age of eighteen; Stephanie is saved from certain death by a strange individual named Skulduggery Pleasant. Skulduggery is not actually alive. He was a "mage" or sorceror while alive, but now he is a skeleton who is also a detective of the supernatural variety. Stephanie is bored with her ordinary existence, and when Pleasant comes into her life she isn't afraid of him or his strangeness. She insists on going on adventures with him in spite of the possible danger of dangerous trolls, evil "mages" [sorcerors], so-called "Hollow Men", vampires, etc. and a deadly magical weapon called "the Scepter of the Ancients." She goes through all this peril to find out how her dear uncle died and out of boredom. This is a children's book perhaps aimed at Harry Potter fans, but is just as enjoyable a read for adults. By the way, this book is one of several in a series of "Skulduggery Pleasant" books, and I plan to read every book in the series ASAP.

Poetry: "I Barged Right In"

Poetry: "I Barged Right In"

I knocked on the door

But nobody heard

So I barged right in

Like a raptor bird

When I saw their sin

I was at a loss for words

In such a situation you cannot win.

Poetry: "Addiction and Subtraction"

Poetry: "Addiction and Subtraction"

Addiction and Subtraction

Your money's been spent

You might have to steal just to cover your rent.

Addiction and Subtraction

Your money's all gone

The grass you use doesn't grow in your lawn.

Addiction and Subtraction

Your money's been spent

And you have very little idea where it all went.

Addiction and Subtraction

Your money's all gone

You don't much care that what your doing is wrong... (to be cont'd?)

Essay: "900 Numbers", Part 4 of 4

Essay: "900 Numbers", Part 4 of 4

Especially puzzling to me is why certain people call those so-called party lines. First of all, the people on the other end may be actors trained to keep you talking. Second of all, there are at least six billion people in the world. If you really want to talk to someone, there is bound to be a real person around, locally or not too far away, to talk to or get to know.

Finally, even if the people on the other end of a party line are just there to talk and not actors, rather than to just make money off your loneliness, why take the chance of perhaps meeting a Jeffrey Dahmer, an ax murderer or murderess, a fatal attraction type, a criminal, swindler, rapist, or other undesirable dreg(s) of humanity?

[Note: the original version of this essay first appeared in Eastern Connecticut State University's Campus Lantern student newspaper in 1992 and was later part of my unpublished manuscript "In Mediocrity We Trust... In Debt We Die" And Other Essays.]