This weekend I was doing a little channel surfing when I came across a rebroadcast of one of my favorite movies, The Mummy (1999), starring Brandon Frasier and Rachel Weisz.   I saw this for the first time years ago, and frankly, it scared me.  But then I saw it again, and since I anticipated the scary parts, I was able to look beyond them and appreciate the witty banter between the actors and the unexpected truths they shared in the improbable situations they faced.  I decided, in honor of the reboot expected next year, (Yes that does seem to be a big trend for Hollywood right now); I would share some of my memories of this classic movie.  So here it is- Everything I Need to Know about Life from Watching The Mummy:

• Don’t take something that doesn’t belong to you. This should be obvious to practically everyone, but apparently treasure hunters don’t realize it should also apply to the internal organs of a “juicy” mummy that may be capable of coming back to life, if the right conditions are met.  The conditions being, one group finds the Book of the Dead, which the other group, which finds the mummy’s coffin, then steals and recites the incantations out loud.  Imhotep, once reanimated, will need those organs back, and he will exact a toll from everyone involved.
• Always be ready to help a stranger; they may just save your life, or at least know the way to a fabulous lost treasure guarded by a malevolent mummy. The secret could have died with Rick, who actually was in the process of being hanged, because we all know Benny was only trying to scam the Americans.  Rick repaid Evie and Jonathan back several times over before they defeated the mummy, and they never would have made it to the tomb in the first place without him.
• Never betray your friends, and always get the merchandise before rendering final payment. Benny was only able to extract half of his fee from the Americans before arriving at the tomb, so he could not abandon them in the desert.  Benny then got his comeuppance, just as Evie predicted, when he was unable to follow the others out of the tomb before it closed.  (Side note: don’t bully the scarab; he may have friends nearby.)
• Don’t judge a person based on your first impression, because you never know where love will find you. The filthy, vulgar former soldier Evie and Jonathan meet in the Egyptian prison proves to be the perfect guide to uncover the secrets of Hamunaptra, the lost city of the Pharaohs. Without Rick’s presence, Evie may have never been kidnapped by Imhotep, but then she also would never have been rescued by the love of her life.
• Be true to yourself, and be proud of your accomplishments. Evie learned that all she needed to join the Pembroke scholars was field experience, which she despaired obtaining in the beginning of the movie.  She found her self-confidence, though in a late-night heart to heart with Rick though when she said “I am proud of what I am…I am a librarian.”  And actually, it was Evie’s skills at reading ancient Egyptian script and research that enabled them to first animate the mummy, and then destroy him.

For those who’ve seen the movie, I’m sure you understood the references I made, and for those who’ve not, do yourself a favor and download it to watch before the remake comes out.  This film has action, romance, suspense, and thrills all in one package, complete with beetle-filled sarcophagi and end-of-the-world drama.

What else could you ask for on a lazy weekend?  As always, thanks for reading.

Amy

Anatomy of: A Science Fiction Story

Recently I’ve been concentrating on finishing up a bunch of coursework (I’m graduating soon, thank you so much!) and I haven’t had nearly as much time as I would have liked to spend on my true passion, my original writing.  So with the end of my studies comes the moment I’ve been waiting for-it’s time to open my files and metaphorically dust off the novel I’ve been waiting to finish.  I hope to complete the manuscript and have my novel, entitled Virtual, ready for publication by the end of the year.

I have already put so much into this story-my time and imagination, and my personal feelings and memories, that it has become a part of me, a part I want to share with the world.  How can a science fiction story be a part of me, you might ask?  After all, it’s not as if I could visit the future or travel to an alien world, right?

What I believe truly makes a good story is drawing on one’s own experiences, and those of others around, to add realism and depth to the fiction.  Even the most light-hearted, fanciful prose can contain truth in its lines.  As readers we feel the excitement of The Time Traveler as he embarks on his 800,000 year journey in H.G. Wells’ classic novel, The Time Machine.  We ooh and aah as he explores the world as it has become, and cover our eyes as he encounters the mysterious and horrible Morlocks for the first time.

My story does not involve time travel or previously unknown species; it does contain references to things that I know and have experienced in my everyday life.  The setting is modern day, or the not-too-distant future, and much of it plays out in, as the title suggests, a Virtual Reality world.  There is a small excerpt from the first chapter on my website under Upcoming Works, which I will be amending or replacing soon.  Please stay tuned in the upcoming weeks as I work on my manuscript, and I promise I will include updates as often as I can.

Wish me luck, and I hope you come along for the ride!

Amy

The Utility of a Symbol

We had a very interesting discussion over breakfast at my house this morning.  My daughter, who was home from college, and I, somehow got on the topic of The Weeping Angels, arguably the most terrifying Dr. Who villains, and I mentioned the episode where the Statue of Liberty became one.        My husband, who is not a Dr. Who fan, didn’t get the reference at first, but in explaining the plot to him, he questioned the frequency of other movies and shows that have involved Lady Liberty, aside from her original intent and meaning.

The Statue of Liberty, or Lady Liberty, is an icon known throughout the world as a representation of freedom, refuge, and the American dream.   However, this statue has been used many times as a plot device or actual character, in a manner different from her original purpose, and always produces a great deal of dramatic intrigue.  I don’t believe that any of the storylines I am planning to discuss contain within them any disrespect for our beloved statue, but rather they utilize her more for the huge symbolic meaning she conveys.

First of course, Dr. Who, where in season seven the episode entitled “The Angels Take Manhattan”, shows the Statue come to life to murder The Doctor’s closest friends.  The Statue of Liberty in this case was only one of many angel statues overtaken by an alien race, but it was somehow fitting that after Amy and Rory had survived numerous encounters with these beings, the largest angel statue of all would be the one to finish them.  Here, I think the symbol of the Statue of Liberty was less about the Statue herself, and more about the overwhelming odds it took to destroy our heroes.

Those of us who were around to see the sequel to the first Ghostbusters (1989) movie will remember the fact that the ghostbusters needed to generate goodwill in a New York City that was overwhelmed with evil and social strife.  What symbol did they pick to raise the spirits of the troubled New Yorkers?  Lady Liberty, of course, who once infused with “ectoplasm,” was able to walk across the bay and down the streets to the cheers of thousands of exultant fans.  They chose a symbol that is near and dear to the hearts of many people, no matter their differences, a rallying point about what unites us as a nation.  Of course, her presence turned the tide and allowed the ghostbusters to save the day.

Several not-so-happy movies have shown the Statue of Liberty as a fallen icon after the end of our civilization.  She has been broken, more than once, but the hand that holds the torch is still aloft, in movies ranging from Planet of the Apes (1968), Spaceballs (1987), and The Day After Tomorrow (2004), where New York is overrun by a new Ice Age.  While we hope to never live to see an apocalyptic destruction such as these, it is comforting to think that some remnant of our civilization may remain, even after we are long gone.

This enduring symbol of our national heritage is recognized the world over, and this is why I believe so many movies have included her famous visage.  She is a part of our legacy, a visual embodiment of the spirit of the American people, and the melting pot that includes all its citizens.  Whatever her fate may be in a movie plot, it affects us all and becomes all the more demoralizing, frightening, or uplifting, to us for her inclusion.

Amy

It’s a Great Time to be a Fan!

Fans of science fiction and fantasy, rejoice!  It’s a great time to fall in love all over again with these exciting genres, especially with all the new movies coming out.   Our favorite classic comic book creators are competing to bring our favorite characters to life.

It started with Marvel.  They have successfully developed a franchise that includes a number of heroes, in solo films, and in combining these costumed icons into group franchises, such as The Avengers saga. Their latest addition to the series, Captain America: Civil War is due out May 6^th.

Perhaps following in Marvel’s footsteps, D.C. Comics is about to unleash its own franchise of superhero movies.  Following the success of the reinvention of Superman in Man of Steel in 2013, D.C. is releasing Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice on Easter weekend this year.  Henry Cavill will reprise his role as the son of Krypton, while a new addition to the franchise, Ben Affleck, will play the Dark Knight.  Also appearing in this new movie, to the great anticipation of female fans, will be Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman.

This movie comes as a setup for another series of interrelated storylines, including solo movies with Wonder Woman and group franchise The Justice League, both set for next year.  Will they be as successful in their bid for movie series as Marvel?  Only time will tell, but it’s certainly an exciting time to be a comic fan!

For sci-fi lovers, this summer has us covered in sequels and franchises (not necessarily based on comic books but still gratifyingly watchable).  The latest X-Men movie, Apocalypse, is coming in May, the sequel to Independence Day, Resurgence, is coming in June and both the third installment of the Reboot of the Star Trek universe, Star Trek: Beyond, and the remake of Ghostbusters are due in July.

I’m afraid I may be spending way more time than usual in front of the big screen this summer.  Who’s with me?

Amy

The idea of a time machine is hardly new to science fiction stories.  Time machines have existed on paper since the advent of the genre, thanks to seeds planted by such illustrious names as H. G. Wells. Anyone who has any interest in science fiction has at one time read a story, or seen a TV show or movie, where time travel is part of the plot.  I could make a long list of time-travel adventures, but tonight I want to share something different.  I want to focus on the reason we enjoy these stories.

The chance to relive a moment, to correct a mistake, to be once again with someone we miss, perhaps someone we failed to appreciate or save-these are the hoped-for outcome of traversing time.  To see history in the making, or prevent a tragedy, to save lives, or stop a madman; who wouldn’t take that chance if it was offered to us?

I’m sure I would consider it, despite the risks.  And for anyone who’s ever known a story of time travel, there are risks.  There’s the chance that something could be changed that absolutely shouldn’t, that would have a negative impact on everything that comes after.  How would you live with the knowledge you made the wrong choice, that you actually made the world a worse place?  Perhaps it’s a good thing time travel only exists in stories.

Still, who among us doesn’t long for a chance at a do-over of some kind?  Who wouldn’t like a chance to go back, make a different choice, take a different path?  Who has absolutely no regrets?

I don’t intend this to sound morbid or depressed.  I’m not talking earth-shattering changes here, just simply something we all we had done different.  But that’s how we learn isn’t it, from mistakes, and regrets, and lost chances.  The key is to learn and grow, and consider each opportunity as it comes to us.

Until a time machine becomes available for us to use, take time to consider your choices, and live each moment to the fullest.  Thanks for reading.

Amy

Artificial Intelligence: Growth or Risk?

The internet.  Smart phones.  Handheld tablets that function as computers.  We take these things for granted, yet these amazing gadgets were beyond our grandparents’ wildest dreams when they were our ages.  These amazing devices were imagined by dreamers; perhaps even by writers of science fiction, and now advanced technology has made them a reality.    Scientists, writers, and philosophers have speculated for centuries about the limits and extremes of technology, and debated just as long on the moral implications of each new advance.  How much more can technology do?  Are there limits?  Should there be?  Will one day we be able to replace a human with a machine, and why would we choose to do so?

Writers, directors, and producers have pondered these questions about the potential limits of artificial intelligence, from such varied sources as the classic film 2001, A Space Odyssey, to the television show Star Trek: The Next Generation.  Always at the heart of the query is what happens if our creations grow more powerful, stronger, and more human than we are?

In 2004, moviegoers were treated to a retelling of Isaac Asimov’s collection of short stories entitled I, Robot, from the 1950s.  This series, and movie, focused on controls designed to keep intelligent mechanical beings under control by humanity, while ensuring they could not turn against their masters.  Of course, there was one robot that was designed to break the laws given to robots for the protection of humanity; else there wouldn’t be much to the story.  The irony came when the robot who did not have to obey the laws governing other robots, actually chose to help the humans under his protection-not because he had to, but because he wanted to be more human himself.  That we should be so lucky with our real-life forays into artificial intelligence, that along with self-awareness our creations develop empathy, a conscience!

More recently, in Avengers: Age of Ultron, (2015), a group of heroes learns firsthand what happens when a computer achieves ultimate power and artificial intelligence.  Does the goal of protecting humanity include protecting it from itself?  How far would an ultra-logical machine go to keep people safe?   Could it self-justify genocide to prevent future warfare?  This of course, is an example in the extreme, one designed for the big screen, and hardly the first of its kind. (Think the entire Terminator franchise.)

The fact remains, though, that as long as we have technology, there is a chance that someone, or something, will seek to abuse/misuse it.  Since I don’t really fancy a return to primitive living, I hope that for every advance we make, there will be someone out there taking precautions and setting up safeguards so that our technology never eclipses us.  After all, while we can replace a phone or a laptop if it should be destroyed, human beings are not replaceable.

Here’s hoping that we continue to enjoy our technology, but we don’t forget it’s not a substitute for the people in our lives.

Amy

Love in the Genres 4-When Love Saves the World

This month we’ve explored couples from science fiction, fantasy and paranormal genres who have found love under extraordinary circumstances; that have faced tremendous odds; and who have beaten overwhelming obstacles.  How often do we see a love story so epic that at its heart is the power to save the world?  Each of the couples mentioned tonight have accomplished exactly that, together.

Neo and Trinity live in a world that has been destroyed by a war between humans and their creations.  They have defied the odds to live, to find the truth beyond the Matrix, and to become leaders in the rebellion against the machines.  After Trinity convinces Neo to live again when he is shot in the first movie, she helps set him on his path to victory.  Together they fight enemies that are stronger, smarter, and faster, because they are machines.  Together they pilot a ship into the “heart” of the machines, where Trinity is mortally wounded.  Neo has to save the day alone, but he never would have succeeded without Trinity’s encouragement and love.  For her, he stops Agent Smith and saves humanity from enslavement.

In The Fifth Element, Korben Dallas is not looking to save the world when Leeloo literally falls from the sky.  He is drawn to her from the first moment, despite the fact they do not speak the same language. When he is assigned a mission to save the universe, he draws on dormant skills to take out as many of the enemy as possible, but the ultimate weapon is actually the red-haired girl beside him.  Leeloo is discouraged by what humanity has become, and says “I was built to protect…I don’t know love.”  Ultimately it is Korben’s love for her that inspires her to save the planet, and the galaxy, one more time.  The Supreme Being needs love in her life, and with Korben, she finally understands exactly what she’s fighting for.

Two beings on a faraway planet, Pandora, are a very unlikely match.  One, a native, Neytiri, is deeply in touch with the connection between all living things on her planet.  The other, Jake Sully, is a human from Earth who interfaces with a hybrid Avatar to communicate with the Na’vi and explore their home world.  When Jake and Neytiri learn that the corporation sponsoring Jake’s mission is determined to exploit Pandora, even if it means destroying it, Neytiri has to get over Jake’s seeming betrayal, in time for them to unite her people and save their planet.  Neither of them can accomplish this alone.  Without her acceptance, Jake would die, and without his help, so would the Na’vi.

Great couples come together to help each other achieve their goals, to reach their potential, and to encourage them to strive for greatness.  Few couples will ever achieve as much as these three, but it is good to know that, in love, couples can bring the best in each other.  May you find and keep a love that inspires you, strengthens you, and guides you.

Thank you for reading.

Amy

Love in the Genres 3-Girls Who Love Bad Boys

In the last couple of weeks I’ve discussed couples from science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal stories who have loved and overcome conflicts from outside of their relationships.  But what if the conflict came from within the relationship?  What if one part of the couple had issues that could negatively affect the relationship, as well as the world in general?

Tony Stark was rich, intelligent, and an irresponsible playboy.  He created the armor of Iron Man to save his life, but then he frequently showed poor judgement in its subsequent use.  Pepper became a moderating influence on his life, but in return he pawned his responsibilities at Stark Industries onto her shoulders.   He used “the suit” to show off at his birthday party in Iron Man 2, and as a result the technology was stolen.  Pepper actually broke up with him because of his attitude and lack of maturity, though eventually he straightened up his act and they reconciled.  Hopefully, he will overcome his tendencies and be more responsible in the future, but we won’t know until the next movie.

Angel was a vampire with a soul.  He found a kindred spirit in Buffy, the girl whose mission was to kill vampires.  They worked around their differences and teamed up against the forces of evil, but thanks to a gypsy curse Angel reverted to his evil, soulless form of Angelus when he fell in love with Buffy.  He let the bloodlust of the vampire consume him, and Buffy had to fight him.  She swore to kill him, but by a miracle was able to restore him to his former state.  The risk remained, though, that he could turn again if they were together so Angel left his love behind to start a new life (and a spinoff) away from Sunnydale.  Buffy, heartbroken, went on with her life, but she never forgot Angel, her first love.

The challenge of loving a man who was not allowed to have relationships or marry would have been hard enough, without the added problem of him being tempted by the dark side of the force.  Anakin loved Padme with all his heart, but their love was not enough to keep him from being caught in the web of Emperor Palpatine.  The emperor sought Anakin to be his apprentice, and lured him away from the teachings of Obi-wan and the Jedi Knights.  Anakin let his temper get the better of him, and did terrible things, but Padme tried to help him.  It was news of her death that finally finished turning Anakin Skywalker to darkness.  It would take his own death and their grown son to redeem him many years later, but they would not see each other again.

When one part of a couple is irresponsible or vulnerable to darkness, sometimes the love cannot survive.  That does not mean the love was not true; it only means those characters meant to be our heroes have a fatal, humanizing flaw.  Such stories can be tragedies, or they can show the hero redeeming himself after making a mistake.  Whatever the final outcome, these are passionate stories that move us, and inspire us, to search for some truth in ourselves.  What would we do in such an impossible situation?  Could we love the hero, and see him become the villain?  Would we still love, or turn away in sorrow or terror?  Perhaps we are lucky these are only stories, and the fate of the world does not change with our relationship statuses.

Until next time.

Amy

Love in the Genres Part 2-Love Lost and Found

The most moving of all love stories involve conflict, tragedy and/or angst.  It is not enough that our heroes and heroines fall in love; they have to suffer for it, lose it, and then find it again to make a story satisfying for their audience.  We want to see them happy and sad, joyful and in tears; we want to experience their love with them through a full gamut of emotions.  Are we living vicariously through our favorite fictional characters? Probably.  Do we feel the least bit guilty?  Definitely not.

Perhaps one of the most unlikely pairings in the history of movies was of two children who fell in love in one instant, and in the next were separated.  The girl left her entire world behind and came to find the boy when they both grew up.  In Splash, Allen and Madison were meant to be together; never mind that Allen was a human who was afraid of the water since his near-drowning, and that Madison was actually a mermaid.  Allen predictably freaked when he learned the truth, but in the end was ready to risk everything for the woman who held his heart.  He rescued her from being a science experiment, and then cast off his fear of the water and followed Madison to a happily ever after.

The center of the original Star Wars trilogy developed the love story of Princess Leia and Han Solo, who were just on the verge of realizing their feelings for one another when they were captured on Bespin.  Darth Vader’s cruel order to send Han into suspended animation finally prompted Leia to admit what was in her heart.  Han’s iconic answer, “I know” was either an example of his general cocky attitude or acknowledgement of a sentiment he was not ready to share, depending on who you asked.  Either way, we had to wait until the third movie and Han to be unfrozen for the couple to be reunited.  Han’s near death changed him for the better, and led him to put Leia’s feelings above his own, even if that meant she preferred Luke.  Of course, that’s not how the story ended, but his willingness to sacrifice made the difference in their relationship.

The first time I saw The Princess Bride I was still in high school.  I loved everything about it, but most of all I loved the onscreen romance between Wesley and Buttercup.  Wesley was the perfect romantic hero-strong, brave, and completely devoted to his lady love.  Every teenaged girl wanted to be Buttercup, or at least have someone half so in love with her.  Then, Wesley’s ship was attacked by pirates, and Buttercup was devastated.  We no longer envied her, but we felt her loss as if it were her own.  When Buttercup was forced to marry the cruel prince, but was kidnapped by a pirate, we didn’t know quite how to feel, until the pirate turned out to be Wesley in disguise.  He explained everything to Buttercup with a simple “Death cannot stop true love; it can only delay it a little.”  Oh, to have that kind of devotion!

While we shamelessly and with rapt attention watch our favorite fictional characters suffer for romance, who among us wants to experience that sort of upheaval in our own lives?  It is one thing to see it on the screen or read it in a book, but quite another entity entirely to experience it for ourselves.  May all those out there find nothing but perfect romance on this day dedicated to love, without the accompanying trials of angst, loss and emotional baggage.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Amy

Love in the Genres-Fantasy Couples

There’s something incredibly profound and absolutely terrifying about loving, and being loved.  Love grants us our greatest heights and deepest lows, and can be simultaneously our strength and a weakness.  The same emotional upheaval applies to our favorite fictional characters.  Any well-designed literary or movie creation with the capacity for emotions can be at risk of meeting their perfect match-the one being that holds the power to complete or destroy them.  And when they succumb, the fallout can be epic.

From the times of ancient gods and myths one recurring them is of the deity who falls helplessly in love with a mortal.  Modern interpretations of this classic theme have included a number of popular storylines and characters, each replete with obstacles and consequences the lucky or unlucky couple will have to face.  That beings from vastly different backgrounds strive to have a relationship should give us hope, or encouragement, but mostly we just like to watch them angst and love.

The immortal elf, Arwen, fell in love with a mortal, Aragorn, in the epic Lord of the Rings.  Aragorn was not an ordinary man, he was destined to be a king, but Arwen lived centuries on Earth with the chance to travel to another realm and continue living forever.  To realize her love for Aragorn, though, meant staying in a world filled with strife and encroaching evil, and giving up her immortality.  Aragorn tried to persuade her to leave, but Arwen insisted on staying with him, even knowing she would far outlive him in the end.  They ultimately were married and established as king and queen in Middle Earth.

An immortal of a different type, Edward Cullen, was smitten with a mortal Bella Swan in the Twilight series.  Edward was not strictly speaking a god, but instead a vampire with god-like powers.  His family quickly welcomed Bella into the arms, but doing so put her in danger, and Edward tried to leave Bella behind for her own safety.  Once again it took the stubborn human to make the love connection work, and ultimately Bella joined the clan as one of them.  Theirs was a different type of happily-ever-after, but in the end, they were together, so they were happy.

When Thor met Jane Foster in the Marvel movie Thor, he was not looking for a relationship.  He had literally had his world taken from him, along with his powers.  Temporarily forced to be human, he learned humility and found a respect for the humans of the earth realm, but overall found he could not deny a great attraction to one feisty, beautiful scientist.  He gave his heart to her, even knowing he had to leave to save the universe, and then suffered the tragedy when he was unable to return.  While Jane pined for Thor, not knowing his fate, at least until the next movie, Thor had the guardian of Asgard, Heimdall, to watch Jane for him.  The ultimate fate of these two lovers has yet to be revealed.

There are countless other-world romances, some with happy endings, some not, and I plan to address a number of these in the month of February in celebration of one of my favorite holidays, Valentine’s Day.  Please check in again as next week I will have the next installment in this month-long blog series.

Thanks for your support,

Amy