For those of you who dig on hard science in their survivalist science fiction, I'd like to suggest you take a mosey over to your Friendly Local Book Store (or Amazon, or wherever you buy books) next week and pick up Andy Weir's "The Martian."
It's the story of Mark Watney, the first man to be left for dead on Mars, who rapidly becomes the first man to be stranded (and survive) on that frigid red world.
You can find more information here, if you want it.
I've read it in its pre-publication form (three times, actually), and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Andy's the creator of a good many things, including some bang-up RPG sessions, the Casey and Andy webcomic, the well-reddited story "The Egg," and many others. I think this novel is right up the alley for all of you Science Fiction loving Paizonians, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
This launches tomorrow, Tuesday February 11!
I hope at least a few of you delightful people pick it up and enjoy it. :)
So apparently, going into its second week in print, The Martian is now #11 on the NYT best seller list. Up from #12.
Give it a read. I rather like it. :)
So here we are on Movie Launch weekend!
Hard to believe the thread stayed empty with all the hype about the book and the film...
So - besides me, who's going to see it?
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So here we are on Movie Launch weekend!
Hard to believe the thread stayed empty with all the hype about the book and the film...
So - besides me, who's going to see it?
Already seen it, and I give it thumbs up. In the interest of full disclosure, I build stuff for NASA contracts, so I know a little "inside baseball." Aside from a few minor quibbles (dust storms on Mars aren't *quite* that powerful, no one on a flight project would ask for overtime to save a man's life, astronauts never leave the vehicle without an MMU or tether), the movie (and book) get everything right. I think the director made good choices in what to excise from the book while leaving the feeling of danger and getting across the technical challenges to be solved. Finally, I think all of the actors gave good performances.
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I loved every minute of the film.
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I saw it last evening and enjoyed it immensely. Scientists beings heroes, and using science to save the day, and not relying on God or God-like Aliens is kind of awesome. We need a lot more pro-science movies, especially in this day and age.
I haven't seen the movie yet, but I just finished the book. I know he's a little old these days and Matt Damon is probably a better actor, but I can't help thinking that no actor can match the spirit of Mark Watney quite like Richard Dean Anderson.
I can't wait to watch the movie, though.
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MATT DAMON!!!
I haven't seen the movie yet, but I just finished the book. I know he's a little old these days and Matt Damon is probably a better actor, but I can't help thinking that no actor can match the spirit of Mark Watney quite like Richard Dean Anderson.
I can't wait to watch the movie, though.
Andy's personal sense of humor matches RDA's on-screen "regular" humor pretty well, actually.
So I've seen the film twice now, once in 3D, once in 2D. The 3D, I have to give props to - not one "Let us poke you IN THE EYE!" moment that I can remember. The effects were mostly used to add depth and movement to certain scenes. Very nice change of pace from the usual use of 3D.
The 2D is just as good, and was a better experience overall for me and my "have to wear glasses rather a lot" self.