lfyou ....~ 10 I;Of'lrob,n. '0 ful""• .-ol ~lnl<, the deadl"'ft .... 169 (SeplOct 2(04) copy deadline. 9 August, 2004 110 (NovlDec: 2004}copy deadline 11 October 2004 matrix 'l,jI1 .ill \.!llmy·"IJJ.G h14rtmrumlt.h'ttJ.•OIS Contents ,mlltrlx..... ~ Tm ..... News 3 F.....&News. Report from th... C1.,rl~ -'\\am ct"n:mOfW ;\l'I\Con o;;eeb tlC"\\ """'-4 hdhcr il WlIs1hc this )Tar, and are alll'ady looking the ceremony iudf,but was happy published in October this )Tu.- funding trials or the forward to next year's ceremony.~ to tdl Mdlm how chuffed he was to Elaborating on the judges W shodof finding itself A large and well-turned oul receive the award: decision in his speech Paul Kincaid homeless, you'd be forgiven for audience, including nominees -I couldn't be moll' pleast'science fiction I'C'lcases were issued and an appeill was of the fantastic the: OarkC' Award describes our world- for help went oul at Novacon 03. commitment shown and the Science Despite short notice on the date. The result wa,$ an outpouring by the organisers and. Museum. It would the event was still well attended of support and offers ofaid that ofcoufS(',acertain havebten nearly and the response extremely proved that not only was the Clarkc shortliSI. impossible to favourable. LizWilliamspraised award a vital feature of the sf world, With as strong a produceQllicbilloef the efforts of the organisers,"Kudos it was also om: of the best-loved. line-upastheClarkC's ifl hadn'tsptnl to Paul Kincaid and the learn With a new management have ever seen, intense many hours in the for making sure Ihat Ihis reM'S committu - the Sercndip discussion from the place!" awards happened at aU. The award Foundation-in place, and judging panel was His publishing ceremony itselfwas admirably swift bolstered by cash donations from guaranteed. The difeClorWilliam and efficient, and congratulations to theSdence Fiction Foundation shortlist included Heinemannadded: NeaISlephenson.- and the BSFA, preparations were Coalesctnl by Stephen MWeareimlllenscly Past winner China Mihille made to ensure the 2004 awards Baxter,Darwin:S pleased that enjoyed himself thoroughly: MJ ceremony took place and to $.ei:ure Chi/dUll by Grtg Bear, Patlem Quicbil"tr has won this award had a blast. Especially given what the Clarkc's long-term future. Recognition by William Gibson, and are confident that theolher the Clarkes have been through Roll on the presentation MidnighllAmp by Gwyneth lones books in the Baroque Cycle will in the last year, I'm mightiiy ceremony. and ifyou didn't know and Mllul by Tricia SuJlivan, but be rC'Ceivedjust as enthusiastically. impressed with their organisation, the background story aJready you'd it was Neal Stephenson's alternate This well respected and high profile professionalism and seriousness.- never have figured it out from the history Quicksill'tr, part one of his award will attract a new legion of And Ion Courtenay Grimwood smoothness of the event on show, Baroque Cycle trilogy, that won. Nul Stephenson readers when found the company and the wine Emerging into the limelight, the Stephenson was unable to attend the paperback ofQuiduilvv is to his tasle.MI still get a kick out newly re-houst'Marvel Universe. p~;;;rs~~~~o~C\~:~i;;ard_ -\H-""l"E-'--~-:::-:i....-;'""""'l- Ruwan Jayatilleke. formerly of winning The WoJl'esin Ihe Scholastic, has been hired to oversee Wails to the stage. On a re£ent an aggressive launch list with three prose novels scheduled for 2004, and a trip to the UK, author Neil Gaiman held several meetings minimum of twelve for 2005. The first with British pl'O'ducersand three announced projects are a follow-up direclors to discuss possibilities to last year's juvenile novel Mary Jane. an adult Wolverine novel and a "middle for creating a stage version of his illustrated children's book. 9rade~ Spider-man tale. It's early days yet, with the -The primary purpose of Marvel rights still to becleared,but Publishing is to create great fiction. Neil is already drafting lyrics Marvel Press is an 91 R~:;~oa~~h:n~n~:;s~~~ :;~~~:~:a~~ rats to of ljubljana, Slovenia, have radiation then tested them calculated that photons in mazes. Rodents fed on exert a force on moving fruit and veg could still solve objects. Like atmospheric the puules where the non- wind, the flow of photons veggie fed ones couldn't. in space apply drag. It is an Radiation effects can be extremely weak effect that compared with accelerated would take billions of years ageing. Brain damage to have an impact; however, due to the ageing process it may have something is reduced by increasing to do with post-Big Bang antioxidants (fruit and veg) dumping, says team in the diet. member Wayne Saslow. Still Source: S!JIK'.(I)Ill not fully understood, this dumping of matter is the asers have the potential key to galalty formation and Lto cool semiconductors, ultimately our existence. or so the U.S. Air Force Soufce:~NowMogaziIl8 suggest in a recent paper on the hotly researched topic. The concept is based on a F~h~~ddt~~~~a~~~~or laser pumping photons into every astronaut venturing a semiconductor to excite beyond the protective electrons in the crystal magnetic field of the Earth. lattice. These electrons Once beyond our home produce photons that carry world's shield radiation away energy hence there is a levels increase considerably net loss of energy ('cooling' and the risk of neurological in English). The USAF damage increases research has discovered accordingly. Shielding alone that it works best when the cannot provide enough laser is low-powered and the protection. semiconductor is relatively Researchers at the hot. As the conductor cools Neuroscience laboratory, the cooling benefit reduces. Tufts University in Boston, SoI/Ke:NeMfocJ«,mm 6:news l~ ~)'lifltr Tomorrow makes the wild weather such a I suspec:tthat theon-scrccn But The Day Aftt! Tomorrow has stuU with the dramatic threal.We truly fear for the safny destruction ofAmerican cities more to say to American audiences Tmdting of the polar ice and livcs of the characters. who do will have much more emotional than its environmental message. caps, undu the vuy fect ofour all look very small in the face of iml»ctfOl'audimcesfamiliar It's also got something to say about protagonist $CitRl..iS', 'ad Hall suchvastforcesofnalure. with the geography of the US. global responsibilities and the way (Quaid). The ferocity and ovcrwhdming Footageoffamiliarl.osAngeJes in which all countries around the This 5oeU!he scene for Jack JlOWC'r of the storm could have and New York landmarks being world must come together to tackle to go around ddi\'ering dire been problematic, in thal there's no flooded and froun arc probably a global issues. The message ofthe warnings about the crr~t$ of opportunity for the charactcn to whole 101 more significant to those film is thalthere are problems that global warming on climate change attempt to really fight this natural who recognise the landmarks in exist on a global scale, which can (0 international conferences and disaSler, which is the traditional question. Though ofcourse, the only be solved on a global scale, and American polilicians. Naturally. plot route for th~sc kinds of films. excellcntspecialeffccumcanthat that wc all have re;ponsibilities in his prognostications arc ignored. If the characten are impotf'nt 10 the scenes in question will still pack that regard. And that's a message we n'cn when Jack's theories about the stop the storm, what morf' is thf're a punch for all viewers. should all think about. disruption o(occan currenlsduc to to be said? Wf'll, plf'nty. Thf'rf' are Even though the film is Tht Day Aft~r Tomorrow is not the melting ice noes indicatetnat thf'individual survival stories. primarily entertainment, il also has a perfect film by any means. The the mother of all storms is about 10 There's the story ofSam's attempts important points 10 make about the characterisation is minimal and demolish Ihe norlhcrn hemisphere, to survivf' in thf' public library in waywf' arc affcctingour planet's someoflhecastingchoicesarea Soon the storm hits and therc's not NewYork,andthf'SloryofJack's c1imatf'.Yf's, thf' sdf'ncf' in the little dubious. Asking us to accept much that can be done. aUf'rnptsto survive as he treks film isn't entirf'ly accurate or even Jake Gyllenhaal asa 17 year old, This is when the personal through the storm to find his son belif'vablf',bul at hurt ithas some for example, will probably be a step story kicks in. Jack's son Sam These personal stories do get more vital poinu to makf' about global too far for most viewers to take. A (Gyllcnhaal) is away on a school than a littl... sentimental in places, warmingandclimatf'changf', lot of the acting is rather wooden lTip and becomes trapped in (particularly the sub-plot about Atone point Jack chaUf'ngf's the and the script is best described as New York when the bad weather Sam's mother and a cancer-ridden Vice-President ofthe United States functional. But let's face it, none of prevents travel. Taking shelter in the kid) but on the whole wc do care (Welsh) over his failurf' to uphold Ihat matters in a fIlm like The Day New York public library, Sam calls about Jack, Sam and the other thf' Kyoto agreement. This is good After Tomorrow. We're not going to his father, and Jack promises to save charaClers,SOlhf' unfolding events to hur coming from an American ~eitforthecharacterisationand his son from the imminent ice age. remain reasonably compelling. film, and good to hur aimed at the acting; we're going 10 sce it for For a summer blockbusler, The Day After Tomorrow is a American audiences. The Day After thehugevisualdff'ctsextravaganza. Th~ Day Aft~r Tomorrow delivers very American film. It's made from Tomorrow might manage to raise We're going to see it 10 be wowed by th~ goods. Th~ dfccts are visually the American perspeclivc and is awarencss ofclimate change issues the incredible COmpUlf'r-generated stunning. You'r~ bound to find aimed at an American audience. in Ihe Statcs,and elsewhere. weather. And a fantastic visual yourselfgasping at the spectacle display is indeed what Th~ Day of towering tidal waves and cities Aft~r Tomorrow givcs us. buried in snow, There are also some fabulous shotsofa space station's view ofthe storm from orbit, which reaUyisan incredible vista, Di'ector: RoIond Emmerich Iu a blockbuster should, The SCreenplay: RoIond Emmench 1J;Jy After Tomorrow also managtS .$. Jeftrey Nochmanotf to crcate some genulfie tension and Cinemotogropher: LIeIi Steiger excitement,depICting IhlS natural Stormg: Denis Qvoid. Joke catastrophe as the most formidable GyIef'lhooI. Errvny Rossvrn, fOl.'that mankind has tver faced. Dmh Mihok Jay O. Sanders. Th~re IS no stoppmg thiS stOl'rn. All 5eIo Wad. Avsm Nichols. Atjoy people can do is try to run from Smlh. Tomlyn Tom:lo. Shcnho it, bullT1Mly can't even do that. It Roiz.lon Holm. I vam,t..n::;r:'~=~~badly. ~~togapher. Alen moments In Van He/srng, and Starring: Hugh Jockmon. Kate It. IS probably wort~ seeing on Beckinsole. Richard Roxbugh. VIdeo for the open~ng sequence Dovid Wenhom. Shuler Hen~v alone, but overall, It cannot be 132 minutes ,Kommendedn Hel~:;::~~~~a7.~:f~~~~~: :~~t:::...~:~~~7;:t;c:c:: conclusion, &~d;~s=;'----~ on screen and the way in whIch IU chmax. we don't know enough Director NiCk Homm they so perfectly mimic the look about the villains to feu them or Director: GuIIermo del Toro SCreenplay: MOI1; Bombock and feel of the Heflboy comics. The understand their relationship to Screenpby: GlAermo del Toro close cooperation ofMignola III their heroes. Cinemologopher: GAermo Cinematogropher Kromer Morgenfhou the design ofthis moviC' 15 olmOlls, The ~l.'(:t ofthe villains is a "",","0 Stornng: Greg Kinneor but di«'Clor del Toro (Blodt JI) has sh...me bea.use ocherwist Ihe film Slarmg: Ron PeB'non. John HI.Kt.5eImo Ellor. Jetfrey Rebecco Romijn-Stomos surpassed hunself here. The film's does a prt1ly good job ofcrealing Robert De Nico. Comeron muted p...lette ...nd stnsible use three·dimensional characters Tombor. Rupert Evons. Korel Roden. Doug Jones Blight ofcomputer'generated Imagery from its lwo·dimensional l02minules creates an interesllng and origmal source material In the first hour 122 minutes cinema:9 matrlx:168 Happily ogre after itching any of the superheroics Dsometimes associated with the comic book character, The Punisher is a soft-boiled revenge flick, lacking the nastiness of films like Death Wish and without the black humour of outings such as Commando, it falls flat. It is also too simplistic - the comic book Punisher is interesting chiefly for the juxtaposition of his "'bad~ vigilantism against the ~goodB ...igilantes of the 'lfek2isamagpieofa every $Cene that isn't nailed down, film's creators seem to have spent Marvel Universe's spandex film. It steals the shinybils espedallywhen heis magically so long factoring in digs at their dad heroes, In this version Sfrom traditional fairy tales, changed into a white stallion rivals Disney (The House ofMouse Frank Black (Jane) wipes out movies and pop mllsic and it The animation also remains seems to get a visual or aural poke vast numbers of bad guys but lines ils own, rather plain, nest hugely impressive. I don't think about once every five minutes) never comes into contact with with them hoping that it will that Dreamworks' animation has that they forgot to make their own the forces of law and order. make it look modern and flashy. come as far as rivaJ's PiJrarin the film emotionally or intellectually The film's most serious Thai's nollo uy Ihat Shrek 2 isn't time since the reIcase of the original engaging. There were loo many mistake is to relocate Castle's funny or clever or that it isn't an SlJrek. For me, in both Finding moments when sad geeks like me story from New York to entertaining film, It's just that Nell10andinthepreviewmaterial were grinning knowingly at another Florida; this story belongs under all the flashy stuffthat Shrtk released for Tlte Incredibles,Pixar jibe at Disney or some other aspect on dangerous, preferably 2 pinches from other sources, there haa once again established itself of Hollywood and the children in rain-sodden, streets, not isn'talotofsubstance. as lop dog in the field of digital the audience were shrugging their tropical beaches. Jane's Now I know what you're animation. But, that said, whal is shoulders and wondering what that casting is also an error. He's thinking, why is he looking for on screen here is often spectacular wasallaooue not convincing as a man who suhstanceinakids'animated and sometimes beauliful and I liked Shrek 2, it made me laugh, loses everything and lives comedy? And you're right, it doesn't Dreamworks do pack a lot of it has a great soundtrack full of only for revenge. The ...iIIain matter that Shrek 2 has a paper-lhin visual jokes into their films, so it is ironically twisted pop-songs, fine Howard Saint (Travolta) also plol or that the charactcrs do stupid always worth keeping an eye on Ihe performances and lots ofjokes for lacks menace, things, the film is enjoyable on its background. people like me, But asa children's However, the action scenes own terms. There are some terrific The script, too, is full ofwilly filmlthinkitfails.And,ironicalIy are well done, there is a good jokes and I like Ihe sly reCerences one-liners and smart dialogue. One enough,l think Dreamworkscould fight with 'The Russian' (Nash) to olher movies - the Spider-mUll can't fault il and while the plot is learn a thing or two from their and an o...er-the-top finale upside-down kiss rip-off was a hardly going to surprise anyone Disney-stabled rivals Pixar - who almost delivers. This Punisher personal favourite-but while I -ogre has girl,ogre meets parents, would never have made a film that is better than the 1989 Dolph enjoyed watchingS/lrek2 I found parents don't like ogre, ogre loses talked over the head of their core Lundgren version, but at best thaI, half-an-hour later, I couldn't girl,ogregetsgirlback-thereis audience, kids, in the way thal Sllrek it's only suitable for a slobby really remember a lot about il. always enough going on that the 2 does night in with beer and pizza There are some good film could never be accused of with a brainless video. (M!kG) performances amongst the being horing. Director: Andrew Adamson, The Punisher talent lending their voices to the The problem, for me, is that the lI::.elly Asbury. COllfod Vernan Director: Janathan Hensleigh production. Banderas stands out as makers ofSltrek 2 have spent so Screenplay: J Da...id Slem, Joe Puss... in Boots but both Saunders long polishing the shiny bils that Stillmon, Do...id N Weiss Screenploy: Jonathan Hensleigh & Michael France and CIeese deserve honourable they hope will distract viewers that Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie mentions. Only Myer's continual they've forgotten to do anything Murphy, Cameral) Diaz, June Cinematographer: Conrad Hall mutilation of the Scottish accent new or to make a film Ihat affects ndrews, Anionic Bonderos, Slarring: Thomas Jone, John grales slightly, but despite the people.Sllrek2istoocaIculaling L10hn Cleese, Rupert Everel!, Travolta, Rebecco Romjin ~evin billing he isn't the star ofthis show. and not enough 'from Ihe heart' to ennirer Sounders Stomas, Nosh Murphy's Donkey once again steals work as a great kids' movie. The 93minu!es 124 minutes 10:clnema matrix:168 Teenage kicks Harry and his friends are getling older and scruffier. and it's looking good. but Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban lakes the best book in the series and makes it slightly dull. says Martin McGrath. Though the fault isn't just with the film. WARNING: Spoilers ahead! arr)'POtler'lIId'litPri$Olrrr ofAzkaball,them051 H exciting of IK Rowling's books and the most effectively written (marking that point when she'd maSltud the world .she'd created but before the PoUee books descended into bloated self-parody) has b«n turned into a slighllydullfLIm. On rdl«tion there are some mItigating factors for this dullness. In part 11 must be due 10 the fact that most of the audience already know that Siriu5 Black (Oldman), the supposed villain of the piece. represenlS no thrf'at to Harry \Raddiffe).Though the fact that dlre<:tor Cuar6n makes precious Hule allt'mpllo build up the tension in this part of the plolis a diSSt'rvlCt 10 those new 10 the story. ""-_.....~~ Furthermitigallonmlght Watson is excellent in the role, the earlier films' gloss - Hogwans' I still have high hopes for the alSo') be found in the fact that the she hu gone from bC'ing the most it snms to me, is Harry'ssanCluary adaptations of the later books conclusion, whidlrC'ad so wtll In annoying thIng m the' first falm, to and fantasy world and doesn't nttd - which. though less successful ;as the' book. turns out to bC' I1lthtT the best thmg m thiS. MeilIlwhlle to bC'Mreal.~lndttdthe gtlme ofthc OO\-els.SC't1Il better suited to film anti-climactic whnl snn on scrtC'n. Ron (Grmt), reduced to silly rest ofthe world might have worked adaptatIOn, With much less plO( The showdown in the MShrielung gummg ID Chamber ofStcrrrs. also bC'tter ifhad been contrasted with and a lot more padding. the people M 5hilCk is a talkie affair wIthout shmes. He gets most of the' bcst more light and sparkle in Hogwans. responSible for the adaptatiolU any rul dramatic Impact and the jokC's{Watsonjust pips him with: Th(sp«i.a.1 dfects are, as (Brit c.lin·'l,.tor Mike NeweU is taking subsequent rescue of Sirius feels MDocs my hair rC'ally look like that oneexp«ts from this franchise, on 1'lt Gobltf ofFirt) will have to r.1therhkeanextl."ndcdpo5lScripl. from the back~") and his growing. spectacular, Buckbeak is a CGI trim more, and both stories feature Again,however,Cuar6ndoes awkward, relationship with triumph but even the Potter team endings that seem to offer more himsdffewfavours-doing Hermioncisexcellentlyhandled can't manage a decent computer· cinematic possibilities-with the nothing to find ways to dramatis.e [ don't thmk Gambon quite generated werewolf,i! seems wiz:trding tournament and the the wordy exposition. Surely it works as Dumbledore but the other to dude everyone who tries shoot-out at the ministry offering would have been bC'tter to show addItions-particularly Professors (Undenmrld. Van He/$ing),and real prospe(ts foron·5(reen theSirlus BlacklPeter PettigrC'w Trelawney (Thompson) and rather lelS things down, eXCltenltnt-andemotionalpunch. (Spall) bC'tray<1l of the Polter Lupin (Thewlis) and Sirius Black The greatest fault with the film is I have IWO demands ofthe next fam ily through the judicious use (Oldman) continue the franchise'"s iu kngth. At two hours and twtnty film, First. make it shorter, Second, of nashhacks - varying the pomt tradItion ofrxcellent cuting. two minutes it is stupidly long for don't cut Ireland's viclOry in the ofvIew u Hury leuns more of One area where Cuaron scores a children's film - esp«iallyone Quidditdl Worid Cup, the fact$. Not only would It have highly is in his portrayal of the Iuds wilhout wild thrills, The audience The PriJQller ofAzkBbo:.In WIt allowed (I\"erlooked plot poinu u ttC'nagers, Their school. uniforms of mostly (hildren al my scrtening a bad film, it looks specta(ular to bc' clarified (we never learn are scruffy, their ties knotlM too gasped on(e or twice (the first and has some good performances, why people blamed Sirius or how tight and always skew-whiff. and entran(es of a Dementor and of but it lacks dramatk punch at key Petllgrew survh'ed) but It would their clothes are (rumpled and Bud.beak, the hippognfT) but sat moments. have lent the whole film a dramatic messy. They are looking like real pretty sullenly through the reSlof Iwist that it severe1ylacks. teenagers. and this simple change it, gelling increasingly restless after There are, however, a number of suddenly makes them all fec1 much the one hundred minute mark. things to enjoy in TliePrisonero! morehumanandlikeabll." The Prisollero!Azkllb,m is an Director: Alfonso Cuor6n Azkaooll. Thisgoesalongwiththemu(h example of a film-maker striving to SCreenplay: Steven Cloves RadclifTe's Harry snms to reatly vaunted darker look to Harry's bC'toofaithful to the material they Cinematographer: Michoel shine in the sequences where he world in The Prisoner ofA:kaboln. are adapting. This would have been gets to bc' morC' physical- he's which is only partiallyslK(essful. a better mm ifa few more libC'rties ""-Starring: DonieI Rodciffe. Emmo turning mto a proper action hero. The grimIer look don add had been taken with the origina.l Wolson.l!:upert Grinl. Michoel which bodes well for the adaptation something to the SoenSoe ofrea.lity plot. if more material had been Gombon, David Thewis. Gory of the later books. Hermione and danger. but It pervades the excised and ifsomeone had pointed OIdmon. AIon Rickman. Robbie blossoms here, she's tough and whole film so much that I found It out that the endmg - while fine In CoItrone, Robert Hardy. Emmo ThompsorI. frnolhy SpolI de"er as she leads Harry through becoming llresome. At some points print - simply wasn't working on the conclusion ofthe story, EmJn.l I (QuIdn't help but long for some of the big screen. 142 minutes thriller and ten percent science Fight the parasites fiction. And lhosepefcentage Itvels couldfluctuate.- M~~~;:en:;;h~:~::S Milld The cast, which indudes Sarnh _ Mafrix 167). has signed up 10 Michelle Cellar (Buffy), Seann direct another science fiction film. William ScOlt (Evolution), Kmn Mast~rofSpaftand nrn~, based Smith (Ol'rks),Tun Blake Ndson on the humorollS sci-fi thriller by (0 Brother, Whl'Tt Art Thou!) and Rudy Rucker, has Jack Black (School Jason Lee (Clerks), suggesU thallhis ofRock) on board to star. Ruckds is going to be something unusual. novel. published in 1984, tells Ihe The film's official website storyofa scientist and his friend www.WIlthlondtoleUOll1,doesn't shed who discover Ihe means 10 travel to much light on mallersjust yet, but anOlher dimension where humanity Kellysaysthesitc'stagline,"the t's already stirring up controversy on our letters' page is controlled by brain parasites. Internet isthe future~is relevant (see page 6) but I, Robot director Alex Proyas (Dark City) and that everything added to the is bullish about his new project - hoping that it will be the Future tale "not sf"? sile will have some link, even if it is first in _ series of films based on the works of lsaac Asimov. langential,tothefilm'sp!ot. Describing this film as a prequel or "early days at USR" H:;r;;:::r ~~~:C~~;~tf:~~ take on Asimov's robot universe, Proyas argues that a literal Caur6n will return to genre Radrigue, going to Mars? translation or combination of the <} stories into a single movie material for his next mm, Qrildrtn was unfeasible. ofMen, although he and original W:;;:,~~(~~~~~~:~t~::rt Talking on the official I, Robot website (....irollol.-ie.toll) author PD)amesclaim il isn't sf. Rodriguez decision to quit the Proyas said; "" Robot was created with the intention of it Cuaron lold sd-li.tolII that his new Directors Guild ofAmerica (DGA) being the first in a series of films - early on I decided there was movie is "nOI reaUy science·ficlion. had placed his involvement in no way a single 2 hour movie CCKJld do justice to all the ideas Il's the world 30 years from now, The Princns ofMllrs in jeopardy. Asimovexplored in his collection of storteS_ Will there be more 1...1for 18 yean no humm child has Rumoun raced around the web films? - we'll have to wait and see" been born, for unknown rcason~ suggesling that, because Paramount And if the cinematic mauling of one Asimov property wasn't England is the lasl remaining have a pKt with the DCA, enough, Jeff Vrtnar, the screenwriter who wrote the " Robot civilization as we know il, because Rodriguez would be sacked.. Then script has been hired to condense Asimov's FCKJndation trilogy it's an Island that's insulated itself it appeared that lhe studio had into two films for 20th Century Fox. from Europe, which is in civil wars offered Ihe job to Hdlboy (rmew and complete pandemonium.MJt page 9) director Guillermo del Toro 50unds like sf 10 me, but what do I _ who, il w;lS reported, turned them Will Fincher BuHon Up? know~ downthreetimcs. aVid Findier (Sel'm, Fight After a period of silence and C/llb) has a ~holding deal" wilh Ford back in space? apparenl confusion Rodriguez, D Warner 8ros while he decides H~:::~o~o::e ~~:~:~~e~p who is building a sludio and special whether Bttljamitl Billion will be his to cffccu housc in Ncw Mcxico to I1rst directorial outing since 2002'5 deliver Godspttd, a thriller sel in enable the production of the film PallkRoom. oUlerspace,butCameronwillonly and its sequels, confirmed that he Based on theshorl story by EScott produce, through his company M will indeed be going to Mars."[ fitzgtrnld (one of the "Fantasies in his Lightslorm Enterlainment, and can still do that movie," daimcd Tales ofthe J":: Age collection) "The won't direcl. It will be Ford's first Rodriguez,"because I was assigned Curious Ca5l: of Benjamin BUllon" is space travel since 1983's Retum to it before I left the DGA.~ the story ofa man born "aged" 72 who oftht /tdi. Set in Ihe near future grows physu:ally younger as he g:,-s I" ," aboard the International Space Bubba goes large older. BtIlJOmln BlIlton has been In Slation, Ford's character muSI devdopmenl for 50me time, with a number ofwriters working on ~rafts averU a disasler on board,lhen B~: ~~~~~I~~r:;i~it~~K and dIrectors such as SpiU lonze and Ran Ho~rd coming and gomg diKoven a bigger conspiracy. The cinema release. No firm date yet from the pro,tcl. pIOlsounds\'erysimilartothat but the dislributors afl' aiming for of COSlllonout,the 00\'d by Peter ScplembeT, according to Empire. Comics in love Hayter McAlIister, which v.'e reported w;lS under development at Warner Bros Looking dadgy.•. 10 MOIrix 161 but which has MnCe K:~:t~~~~:~i~~ ~h;::~~ relationship floundered in developmenl hell. X-Men scribe David Hayter has been dumped as director Furious and directed by"martial of Watchmen. Hayter, who wrote the script and Genre.bending artisl~ Sammo Hung (Martial drove the long-gestating project to the edge of Law)... Su~rmon as long as McG production, couldn't persuade Universal to let him, D;;~~~'t: t'a~~~;~) will (no relation) is still connected 10 as a first-time director, helm the $75 million dollar return to American cinema screens the film as director... CollStlwtint, project. On the upside, however, Hayter has in a Director's Cut version lhis Kcanu looks bad in ((appy leaser landed the job of writing Iron Man for Marvel. July (no newsofa UK release) but at'llW'lt.IClnuDnlfnemln'ie.wDrnerbrClS.IClm pocketing a Mseven figure deal," and will direct direclor Richard Kelly is already and newslhat thesludio want a the adaptation of Marvel's femme fatale, and moving on to other lhings with PG-13 rating... C(ltWOllltW, this was former KGB agent, The Black Widow (right) SOl/tlllalld Tales, of which he says a bad idca to slart with, then thcre with Rebecca Romijn-Stamos (X-Men) "115 thirty percent comedy, thirty was thal costume, now? Worsl... in the title role. percent musical,thirty perccnt trailer... ever... www.mO.tin.JlIhoo.IDm. 12:clnema malrix:168 What a dayre Went the Day Well? Ealing's wartime "what if?" is claimed for sf by Martin McGrath. heK days Ealing Studios what would happen to me manor- is a traitor, that the-plain hasaralhercosyimage.The people ofa Britain ifthe folk- are the ones who first suspect T comedies seem quaint and Germans invaded. The the treache-rywhile thcir-betters have b«ome attached to. rather book-ending ofthe story by are hoodwinhd and that tht mO$t nostaJgic view of post-war Britain. a-survimr-(Johns as the obviously heroic acts are all done Which is CUriOUl b«ause. when grav~igger) of me inddcnts by women and children. Though one looks at their fUms. many have ponra~ in the film marks I'm not entirdy convinced by the marp edges and serious, rather it as definitively sfas director's daim that this was a bitter, 5Q<:W commentary. A few opposed to the similarly padfist mm (there's just too much also have a speculative fiction them~ 1M&gk Has violence) its An:hers·like bucolic element. LAnded. setting can't disguise the mm's 'The Man in the White Coal Went the Day Well! is politically radical Innings. can most dea.rly be claimed for not me story ofan invasion WenttkDo:iyWell!is scknce flClion, and ia story of c~red up but onc told propaganda, it could hardly be a wcU.meaning scientist caught from a futurr ~f$pect.ive otherwise,butit is well made up in the machinations between where invasion is an propaganda and it seems to me to corrupt busintSSmtn and corrupt historical fact. To a modem belong firmly to the- sfcanon. lradeunionisumainsitstmh. viewer, the rllm has the £Had ofNrght is one of the (;Irliest fed ofa.lternative history, Dire<:tor~ Alberto u.vakanti anthology ghost stories, and is still Iikc: I1 Hap~ned Htrt. The very cffrclive. The adaptation ofIB invasion, ofcourse, never is helpW. by a Kfipt bued on a ~writer.John Oighton Pricstley's They Come 10 a City as happened, but if it had, this feels Graham Greene shon story, which Cj~ographer: Wilkie Cooper well as Fiddlers Thru. Tht Ship thal like a convincing ponrayal ofhow it is intelligent and rarely surrenders Starring: BaSl1 Sydney, Elizabeth Ditd a/SlIame, Mut Atr Lucifer and might have felt, if not how it would to easy point scoring - making a AllllO, LesrI8 Banks, Mervyn Johm, The Night My NumMr ClIme Up art have taken place. point of the fact that the Germans ThorllHird all eithero\ll and out f,lntasitS or This WolS director Cavalcanti's aren't monsters-remarkable 92minvtes havcrantasticelements. first English language film and he considering the date of production. W9l'lt the Day Well is alla;lable as BUI it is Wtnt Iht Day Well? that does a very good job ofbuilding The little community of Bramley part of the Ealing Classics OVO CollectiO<'l with Dead of Night I wish 10 claim for sf. Made in 1942 tension and keeping the viewer Green is, ofcourse, the whole Nicholas Nickelby and Seott of surpri&ed in what is often a and &et in a not-too-distant future, English nation in microcosm, and the Antartic. it is clearly speeulative in proposing startlingly brutal movie. Cavalcanti it is intertstingthat the "lord of the _------.., So how does this film start? amounts of drugs. The things that happen (I We follow a gopher snake crawling across the can't bring myself to call it a plot) don't really desert. make sense and there's it conversation about the Snakesl Why did it have to be snakes? relationship between the beginning, the middle I think you've got the wrong state, That was and the end of things that had me suffering Indiana, This is Idaho. terrible flashbacks to my days as a student. Ah, yes. So what's Idaho Tran,'er all about? So someone ha' let hippies time travel - a fat Well, there are these young people travelling lot of good I bet they do. through time- True, they don't find out what happened and don't bother trying to save the world. And they Not another time travel movie, that's the third say they're going to repopulate the future, but In a row. then we discover that anyone who time~travels What can I say? There are a lot of rubbish time becomes sterile. Oh and they meet a tribe of travel movies svrvivors who are dumb, deaf, -retarded- (their We got Into trouble with the last one. That', word) and ignorant. The hippies are jealous of not going to happen again, is it? how happy the survivors are, which had this child Probably. So there are these young people of the enlightenment screaming at the television. travelling to the future and they've discovered Why should I watch this film? that humanity has been wiped out by a terrible Well, at the end. the last remaining hippy gets (unspecified) ecological disaster and they're rescued by some futuristic yuppies (nape, no svpposed to be scientists, but this is America in idea where they came from) who think she's ·ke the early 19705 so they're all hippies- the survivors and feed her to their car as fuel You know who I really hate? You know, I think I will watch this after all, !I=LJ I've got a sneaking suspicion I do. How can I briefly describe Idaho TrMlsfer to Hippiesl Why did it have to be hippies? my hippy as'odates? i But I thought you didn't want to offend people? A total head-trip about the mess we're making Martin \lcGratb digs up 1,t.Jho Hippies don't count. Do they gaze ilt their of the world, maaan! Err., far out? Trulufrr· Pettr Fo!\cb', 1973 hippy navels and pretend their tedious self. And how should I describe it to people I like? top to the the futu~. The: fate of obsession Is philosophy? Self.indulgent. nihilistic oddity pretending to be mankind 1$ in the hands of peopl There are some longish passages that could a Ioberal statement about mankind's destruction who sav -fu 001- - god hdp Wo only have been written by someone on serious of the ecosystem. DVD:13 matrix:168 Starship droopers Slarship Troopers 2: Heroes 01 the Federation doesn't just fail because of a lack of money, says Martin McGrath. epending on your point D :a:i:i7h;:a:~;~:;:ii: on reactionary action movies, a proto-fasdstlove-in or a load of big-budget cobblers. Pl."rsonally, I think I got direclor Paul Verhoeven's joke, and rather enjoyed the original,lhough J always found the fake adverts more entertaining than theaClual film. Stars!lip Troopers had a certain mad energy, bags ofstyle and enough good jokes to win me over. Coming seven years after the original,this direct to DVDseque!,Starsllip Troopers 2: Heroes ofthe FedeTIIlion, has none of that cnergy, little visual flair and no jokes worth the name. Heroes ofthe FederatiQII dire<:tor Tip~tthashadanillustrious career in spedaleffects with credits that indude the original Slarsllip isn't enough. Once you have your -do this by the film's financiers who Troopt'rs, Robomp,]lIrassic Park and actors isolated in their cheap thought it would help Ihe film make stop-motion work in Star Wars. As location, you've got to build tension, more money. Predictably Tippet!, one might expect, then, the effects you've got to make things feel and Heroes ofthe J-'ederation, faIl in Heroes of11,1' Federation are, claustrophobic, and you've got to even in this rt'spt'ct- utterly unable for the most part,ofa very high create interesting characters. to provide real shocks and ending standard. Even if budget restrictions In this regard director Tippell's up looking more than a liltle sad. mean that some brief shots of the special effects experience is Thert' was certainly scope for aliens are repeated more than once, absolutely no use and he flounders another Slarship Troopers film, thequalityoftheCGIeffe-ctsin To be fair, the director is not solely given the open ending to the first Heroes ofthe Federation is at least to blame. Experienced scriptwriter and the quality of the original novel. the equal of some much bigger Neumeier (Starship Troopers and Heroes ofthe FederatiOlr5 director productions. Robocop) lumbers him with some might reasonably claim that on his Recognising the limitations dreadful prose and his cast aren't up tightbudgt't he could never hope of their budget, the filmmakers to pUlling life into the words. to match the originaL But judged sensibly do all the usual things Perhaps a more experienced as a film in its own right, Heroes of to cut the cost of filming and director could have gotten more out the Federation still fails - evenby maximise the bang for their buck. ofthisgroupofBandClislactors, B-moviestandards-asitproves They lock their protagonists up in but the truth is that none of them incapablc of delivering drama, a small location-so reducing the help themselves. TV stalwart Burgi excitement or action, Failings that number of sets. They make most of {24, rheSel1lindj is risible as the have nothing to do with the budget. the monsters look human hard·billenveterananti-heroand Worth seeing for curiosity value, reducing the special effectsbudgel. none of the other cast members perhaps, but not much else And they turn off all the lights - so really mark themselves out from the we can't see how cheap things look. interchangeable, expendable grunts This might not be original, that one expects in this kind of film. butdoneweIlitcanresuitina Heroes oftire Federalioll is an Director: Pha TIppeN dassicfilm.JohnCarpenterdoes insipid, slightly offensive film that, Screenplay: Edward Nieumeier it brilliantly in ASStlllltoll PrechlCt in desperation, eventually ups the Cinemotogfopher: Christian 13and again in The Thing.Sam gore factor and has the actresses Sebolt Raimi does it in Evil Dead and it pointlessly wander around naked :starring: BiN Brown. Richard is exactly this formula that makes in a dismal allemptto hold the BurgL Sondrine Hall. Ed Louter. Ridley Scott"s Alim one of the best viewers' interesl.Tippell, in the Lawrence MOn5OOf'l, Drew horrorlsffilms ever made. commentary track accompanying Powet, Brendo Sfrong But sticking to the formula this DVD, claims he was forced to 'e 14:DVD matrix:168 islencarefllllywhenlsay be<:ome clearer. Serenity's crew drnggingthecrewintoconfliets this, for I have nol come might look like they've walked with both gentryandlowlifes. Far L lightly to this conclusion: off the set of Raw/lide or BO/lllnza more than Mal's love interest,lnara Firefly is the besl625 minutes but thl' worlds they visit display isa typicalWhedon creation, a of American television science amulticultural mix that suggests strong female charaeter who can fiction I haveeverseen.Watehing significant thought has gone into command centre stage. Zoe too gets all fourteen episodes back to back the background of this show. Little to provl' she's just as tough as her has been a rare joy. If you WlItch things, like the fact that everyone captain in "War Stories~ In "Ariel~ as much sfas I do,therearetimes swears in Mandarin, build up the crew steal medical supplies when you become jaded ~ when through the episodes to suggest from an Alliance hospital and sell you believe Ihat nothing willl"ver that Firejly~ universe is more than a lhemontheblackmarket. We like recapture the excitement and reworking ofthe Old West mythos. the crew of Sl'rI'Ilily, but Firl'jly pleasure of the shows you loved But the setting is not the great frequently reminds us that they are when you were young. strengthofFirejly-thatcomes not simply "good people.~ FiTt'flythumbs ils nose at from the writing, the characters FirejlyandBlake~ 7 (see nostalgia, proving that sometimes and,unu~uallyfora TV space ~Discovery" opposite) have things are beller than they used operll,theacting. thematic similiarities - connict lobe. This is space opera without The writing on display here is,if with al). oppressive, federation-style aliens or space battles but with anything, even slicker than creator ruling force, outcasts struggling strongcharactersandgreatwriling loss Whedon's previous TV shows to survive on the edge of society A kind ofanti-Stllr Trek, Firefly - Allgel and Buffy the Vampire and a certain cynical viewPoint. features Captain Mal Reynolds Slayer. The dialogue is sharp and Firejlyis lighter in.tone,but only (Fillion) and the ragtag bunch that frequently very funny with a because Fox studio exrcutives got makeuplhecrewoflhebatlered particular fondness for snappy one cold feetoverWhedon's plans for (and unarmed) Fireny class cargo liners and backchat.Whedon uses a much darker show. Still, Firejly is ship S~rl'l1ity. The (fI'W includes this bantering to build an emotional no less intelligent than its British a mercenary (Baldwinaslayne), conneetion between his characters predecessor. We'lJ never know aprostilute(Baccarinas Inara),a and the audience. The crew, even what an untrammelled Whedon preacher (Glass as Shepherd Book) (perhaps especially) the scurrilous might haveproduced,but even in and two fugitives {Maher and layne, are impossible not to like. this form and with only fourteen Glau as Simon and River Tarn) on The quality of the writing goes episodescvermade,Firejlyisa n the run from the ~Thl' Alliance beyond the pepperlng of good jewel: enjoyable, entertaining and which has established itself as the jokes. What Firejly does especially smarl.lloved B/nkes 7butl had unifying poWI'r over all humanity. well is create engaging characters a bettcr time with Firejly - even Mal and his second in command whileretainingacertainmornl allowing for the gulf in production Creator: Joss Whedon Zoe (Torres) are former soldiers, ambiguity. Mal has a neat line in valul's Screenploy/Director: Various survivorsofa rebel forcl' that self-deprecating humour, but he Firejlys cast and crew will Cinemotographer; Dovid Boyd foughlagainstlhecreationofThe has a ruthless streak and can be return in the movie Serenity, which Starring: Nothon Amon, Gino Alliance. Defeated, they wander the downright unpleasant at times. Whedon promises will tie up many Torres. Alan Tudyk. Marena wilder edges of human space taking Jayne is the butt of many jokes loose ends. But thl' deal for the film Baccarin. jewel Staite. Adarn whatever jobs they can find, (sporting a particularly fine woolly reportedly excludes the possibility Baldwin, Sean Maher, Summer The biggest obstacle to hat in "The Message~) but he of a return to the small screen, so Glau, Ron Gloss enjoyment of Firt'jly is the "Wild remains a mercenary and his loyalty while Sere/lity is a consolation, it is 625 minutes Westnstylefrontierimagery.Give to the crew is always in doubt. also the final nail in thl' coffin of TUln to Ihe back page tor a the series time, however, and the Inara's work forms the jumping- the best American television science chonce 10 win Ihe DVD boxsel L:::0I,;;Fir~e':..y;... depth of the settinghegins to off point for many of the episodes, fiction I have ever seen...... DVD:1S matrlx:168 Enchanted Fandom Andy Sawyer hacks through the "Jungle of Inexperience" and braves the "Desert of Indifference" with Jophan in The Enchanted Duplicafor. long ~ime a~~ ~fan fiction» version PQsted on the participants in a shan"d hobby. wasn t rewrltmg your Ghulenberg's Bhible But within Fanzine fandom it's an A favourite TV programmes website says; it has important work. One reason for Ihis and imagining the characters in Decome".. significant is simply that iltells us why we do il. undignified and possibly illegal (if often understated) It is the Egg 0' Bu which gets positions. It was, simply, fiction pari ofthe subsoil of Jophan through the desert of ~~I:~:db;'h~~:;:::~o;e~~~~~ fan~y~istor~ i ~. ~~~~~:~~C(~~~15\t ~;;~~ ~:~~~n :~~~:~~rt~~~~~~:':;~~:Ok fan~~~~p~~~~~:~; j -\ ~~:~"~7:p~~~~~:~~h~~a~7:1~i:~I~~:~; ~:~~~~n :~;;:~~~:~a~~:~; ~~:;~na~~a(~~~~fan) i :~:=:~~~t:;l~~:~w~~~;~~i:;'eate Marilyn Momoe seemed 10 have finds nobody in "the reaches The Enchanted Duplicator, a frequent place) wilh a certain village of Prosaic and publishes the Perfect Fanzine, amount of nostalgia. But the classic in the Country of because he Cil'l and because he ...mlt~ text remains Willis and Shaw's Tile Mundane" with 10. He can, because he's internalised Ellchanled Duplicator. whom he can ~hare f': fannish values (which are not so The Encllaltud Duplicator comes dreams ofotherness ~ ~..."" different from the values of some out of the phenomenon of"'rish that are awakened by aspectsofMundane):co·operation, fandom": a group oftalented and reading books about kindness, care. Th.. meeting with creative Ulster fans that l10urished faraway places and Disillusion teaches him humility. in the 1950s. Memh..rs included Bob times. Like Christian Meeting Keries and Perfexion Shaw and lames White, who b~ame in Pilgrim'! Progrrs~, teaches him the middle way between professional authors, and John Berry, he is oppressed by his reviews) who randomly drenches producing slapdash work and who made his career in the police surroundings, awoken to a new life battered neos with egg o'bu is meant nitpicking attention to detail. His force. The leading light, though, ...as by what he reads, and directed by his to be Mad Wolff who reviewed sojourn among the Subrs teaches WaIt Willis, a civil servant who was vision to quest through a symbolic fanzines in Imagillatioll (Chapter him perseverance. Other fans such as once asked by a superior "By the lands Roderick Glodwish reviews a Christian sf magazine and one that's back from the dead. ateway SFis a Christian sf with Als who run things. magazines let me know. Kendra Renaud's 'The Cost magazine. To me it seems 'A Single Point' is a short by Webzine Scifantastic fell into of Freedom' was a sub-Tolkien Gpeculiar linking religion to Daniel L Naden. God-like power hiatus last September. Unusually fantasy and felt long. A female anyone thing, be it a magazine, was involved, but not God. for this type of site it recovered. elf mercenary pursued a runaway a novel or a war. Shouldn't faith A war-widow cop Turning from a monthly into a humanoid-cat woman slave the permeate life like the sound investigating a serial slasher quarterly and declaring itself as elf fancied. Apart from a sideline track of a movie? Present in all killer who can create realities Volume 2, Issue 1, the Easter 04 in cross-species lesbianism with things and yet not obviously from dreams, is at the core of edition saw its re-emergence. brainwashed slaves, she was a apparent. Having announced 'Harvesting the Wounds'. Maybe A further surprise was that the human with pointy ears. itself as the magazine of science Forrest Hunter is describing cov;;ira~~;:ic~:se:~i~~7~~:' A post-apocalyptic world and faith it then backs off. heaven and hell, but then hints in 'Cycle' (George Steele) The guidelines warn not to at a govemment conspiracy. a proper small press magazine, contained a monster of our own put off an unbelieving audience. Can we have fewer conspiracies only without a pl'ess. Originally making. If that's the case why proclaim and more governmental a showcase where the readers Confident in its own survival you're a Christian mag in the incompetence? would vote on what they did Scifantastic presented its first first place? Those that turn Despite the title 'Holy or didn't like, with every story serialised novel 'Pack' by Kieran away at the C·word won't get Alliance', Ahmed Khan doesn't submitted getting published, Larwood. Chapter 1 began a to the stories and Christians show anything holy in it. An editor Sarah Dobbs now applies grim modern day werewolf tale. who want a strong theme will be unremarkable seismologist stops her judgement. Kevin Ahearn's article 'On disappointed. Themes I would an alien takeover. There are magazine, book and Writing' says a novel should be expect are about sacrifice, 'let it be Forever' did film reviews and competitions stripped of anything that doesn't forgiveness and redemption, all confront organised religion to win the reviewed items. contribute to the story. I liked his good stuff whether Christian or head on. Robert R. Shelsky I loved the idea of entering story 'Afterlife', however; isn't not, but they're missing. explores the implications of an a competition to win a well it nice sometimes to enjoy the War is hell in 'Valkyries' by immortality drug as high-l'"anking thumbed month-old The Third view during a journey? Brue Corbet. A Riverworldesque Calholics argue over a Papal Alternative. The democratic Not a slick site like Strange tale of endless fighting and diktat on whether to take it. principle remains with the writer Horizons or Quantum Muse, dying, it seemed to imply Gateway SF has both a web that wins the readers' poll being Scifantastic is definitely a British redemption for murder was presence and a print one. The the only one to get paid. magazine. Not all contributors possible through more killing. sixth edition of the physical 'Afterlife' by Kevin Aheam, are UK-based, but the editorial 'A Matter of Perspective' version is out and the web immortalityviavirtualreality,but vision gives it the feeling that it uses two views of an event that's companion is small, which is sometimes that's not enough. A comes from these small islands. either an angetic visitation oran surprising given that it was at truly humorous tale as opposed By the way, Kieran Larwood alien abduction. Jarret W. Buse issue nine. On the whole the to 'The Bar' by T.R. Nunes was a got paid this time. doesn't give the answer in his stories aren't bad, but they dark story of alien sushi. GalewaySF tale. Apart from a statement don't strike out as boldly as they Christian R. Bonawandt at the end Nina Munteanu's claim to. If Gateway SF wants to looked at the fight game with www.gatt.way-st-magazine.com Gat the cards, and many more where that lied so unconvincingly they self-preservation really ought to seemed more fantastical than kkkin. any dwarves-and-elves fantasy. Witness the 'Did you eat the In fact, I'd go one stage further chocolate cake?' experiment and say that genre fiction has to conducted by Robert Winston. lie much more convincingly to be Small child is told not to eat cake. believed. If enjoying a book is imon Morden's Small child is left alone with cake. about a sense of wonder, about Small child eats cake. Small child the suspension of disbelief, is asked if they ate cake. Small about involving yourself in the child denies all knowledge of any character's lives, then anything ~::~~~:tin~ei~~iVi~:~:~soe;~h that jars is going to ruin it. ill But surely, speculative fiction ruth is stranger than fiction the back of them. cake. To make the lie convincing, is about making stuff up? Yes, - it's a phrase that trips So why is it so difficult to the kid should have at the very but the best of the genre is Toff the tongue whenever lie convincingly? Before I get least cleaned their cake-covered consistent and rigorow. in what it we hear some bizarre real-life shouted down {MOf course it's fingers (which they can see), makes up. It's not just following anecdote of the kind that would easy, people do it all the time and perhaps even their mouths the rules, it's about devising your sound preposterous coming and get away with itn, here's (which they can't). The more own self-contained and inviolable from the pen of a fiction writer. an interesting factoid: children enterprising would have been rules and then bothering to However, story-telling is about have to learn to lie properly. It's a hollowing out of the cake, stick to them - whether you've the only socially acceptable form a vital part of growing up, as vital but then again, these were only introduced a particular law of lying: politicians, journalists as learning to cross the road, three-year olds. of rubber science or you've and estate agents all do it, but catching balls and not sticking Moving on to story writing, codified your system of magic. If they're (rightly) despised for small objects up noses. There are lying convincingly is all about you break your rules, then your doing so. Authors are feted for a whole raft of situations where being convincing, not about lying, readers will take you round the their lies, and become famous on telling the truth is simply not on I've read modern-day novels back of the bookshop and give 24:fandom matrix:168 Eligibili criteria Best Novel The Best Novel award is open Time flies to any novel.length work of .. but sometimes trains don't. Claire Brialey brings us the latest news sf or fantasy first published on the BSFA Awards. in tne UK in 2004. (Serialised ~5Ci~nafiction fans there's a 101 ofit iIbout,in fiction nominated, don't wail for Ihe right novels are eligible provided m~ant and in real life; and 10 give sf its that the publication date of are to know moment or for someone else 10 W tim~. w~ the concluding part is in 2004.) about read due climale change has been a do it: emaiI or write 10 me, and If a novel has been previously and watch stories about tim~ popular th~me since mOSI people nominat~ it yoursdf.lnd~d, even published elsewhere. but it travel, FTl driv~s and relative tim~ thought that ·global warming' was if your own favoured choices so far hasn't been published in the UK distortions,alternalehistoriC'S, the sam~ thing as the hole in the this year are included in the select until 2004. it will be eligible far futurn.time paradoxC'S ozone layer and that it sounded band of works already nominated, and dimensional warps. Tim~ quite nice anyway. Now we have remember that only the five works Best Short Fiction may fascinate us, but it holds not only summer (boo), but the in each category with the highest The Best Short Fiction award is open to any shorter work of sf no mysteries, oh no. We are the sensationalist knockabout of The number of nominations will orfant s.moo·\flrll(oIlt th I, Robol (August 13 ) Inlerzone (July/August) ~ RObOt IS an amalgamation Of pk)t, Under new edltOrshlp as Of Issue \94, themes and tag-nnes from the tl"llS copy Of Inter-zone IS one to keep stories or lsasc Asrmov and lOOks to yOUr eye on (althoUgh not IlteraDy. be one of tne Oiggest movies Of me please; trlat would De nastY). Ar'lOy summer. oPinions are dIVIded tJut one Cox steps Into DaVld Prlngle'S shoes cannot deny It WlD be a blockbUster and takeS Interzone under the Wing to remember - outstanding Special of TTA Press W1tn new content, effects, big-name cast and crew and bimonthlY publishing and an exciting Ideas pinched from one Of the beSt new-. writers In the tllstory Of Sf. July July g'" - Battle RO!:IOIe U: ReQUiem ReCursiOn - Tony Ballantyne July 16'" - 5piderrnon 2 (MacmlllanlTor UK) July 23'" - Ttx.JndertJirds Demonstorm - James Barclay (orlon/Gollancz) AUgust 6'" - CO't'mlmOn The Treasured ll'le - Oavid Eddlngs & Lelgn Eooings August 13'" - J, Robot (HarperCOllinSNQyager) August 20'" - The Village The Devn DeIi'Verec1- Steven Erikson (ps PubliShing) AugUSt 2J"1'- The CnronlCles OfRmlCk No rone Uke stJow TlfTle - Mlchael HOeye (VIKlng UK/Puffln UK) Tne Umits Of Encnontment - Graham Joyce (orlon/Gollancz) The Charnel Prince - Greg Keyes (MacmlllanlTor UK) ,- -, uttle Machines - Paul MCAUley (ps PubliShing) Events TrlQilKJ - LuClu5 5hepard (ps PubliShing) BSFA Meeling (August 25") August wnerever me venue, the BSFA meetings .1OCOSto- Brian AJcliSS (The Rose Press) guarantee wan-to-wall fans, autnors, New York Dreams - Eric Brown (OriOn/GOllancz) Intervlewers and critics, c1r1nks. books Fine Cuts - Dennls Etchlson (ps PuOllshing) and smDes. In AUgust sean MctvtJllen, somethingROtten - Jasper Fforde (Hodder & StoUghton) autnor Of GlaSS orogons and ~Of the The Water Room - Chrlstopher Fowler ~ Is Intervlewed bY M1chelle (TransworlCl/OOUOleClay UK) Re". The5rJOW- Adam Roberts (orIOn/GOllancz) Edenborn- Nick sagan (TranSWOrICl/Bantarm_u...;')c- ----, 27th July - BSFA meeting: Justlna Robson interviewed bY Jon Courtenay GrlmWOOO. The White Hart publiC house, 119-121 Bishopsgate, London (Note: Comics meering date cnanged - cneek weDSlte Defore atten<:Jing) (WW'Il,bs!o.(o.uk) Slorjammers 'I£'2(July) 5-8 AUgUSt - Eurocon, P\OvCliV, Bulgaria. (www,bgcon.org) written bY Sf authOr Kevln J Anderson 20-23 August - OIscworld Convention, HincKley (WW'Il,dwcon.org) (Dcme preQUeIS) this IS a standaJone 25 August - BSFA Meeting: sean MCMullen, Interviewee! bY sf tale that ditches Marvel continuity Michelle ReiCl. venue to be confirmeCl (see WW'Il.bs!uo.uk for more and completely retOOlS trleSe Z-llSt info). characters. AnderSOn describeS It as an epic Sf coming-of-age adVenture. Future Dates for Your Diary Inspired bY tne BritiSh Empire In india. 16-17 OCtober 2004: Octocon, Ireland (www.ooo
Matrix 'L,Ji1 .Ill \.!Llmy·"IJJ.G H14rtmrumlt.H'ttj.•OIS Contents ,Mlltrlx
