More from Barsoom

Work has been keeping me super busy, but I had to make a post to share my excitement.  Tiny hail stones are falling on my roof top and the holiday cold is creeping closer.  Still something warms my spirits.  What is it you ask?  A huge love of Edgar Rice Burroughs books, and my knowledge that soon I will be transported to the Martian worlds I have lived with for so long in my minds eye.  Here is the recently released official trailer for the upcoming science fiction film "John Carter."

Enjoy a look at the film's poster.  It has a fun illustrative look that I love and is an obvious homage to the works of Gino d' Achille and Frank Frazetta.  I don't care much for the font, but the image seems to have hit a balance between old and new aesthetic sensibilities.

See you at the movies March 9th!

Remember to Live

I recently read an interesting question posed to the Dalai Lama.

He was asked "What surprises you most?"

“Man, because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then he dies having never really lived.”

Definitely worth a contemplation or two.

Happy Meditating :)

John Carter

 With the release of the first trailer for "John Carter" comes a great song covered by Peter Gabriel.  The song titled "My Body is a Cage" is originally performed by Arcade Fire on their 2007 album titled "Neon Bible."  For those who have been well initiated into the stories of Barsoom the lyrics is quite appropriate and sets an interesting flavor for what's coming.  Be excited!  This is going to be the best science fiction story turned movie of the past century.  The life and work of Edgar Rice Burroughs has influenced all of science fiction since 1912.

 Check out the lyrics and give Peter Gabriel's cover of Arcade Fire a try:

My body is a cage that keeps me
From dancing with the one I love
But my mind holds the key

My body is a cage that keeps me
From dancing with the one I love
But my mind holds the key

I'm standing on a stage
Of fear and self-doubt
It's a hollow play
But they'll clap anyway

My body is a cage that keeps me
From dancing with the one I love
But my mind holds the key

You're standing next to me
My mind holds the key

I'm living in an age
That calls darkness light
Though my language is dead
Still the shapes fill my head

I'm living in an age
Whose name I don't know
Though the fear keeps me moving
Still my heart beats so slow

My body is a cage that keeps me
From dancing with the one I love
But my mind holds the key

You're standing next to me
My mind holds the key
My body is a

My body is a cage
We take what we're given
Just because you've forgotten
That don't mean you're forgiven

I'm living in an age
That screams my name at night
But when I get to the doorway
There's no one in sight

My body is a cage that keeps me
From dancing with the one I love
But my mind holds the key

You're standing next to me
My mind holds the key

Set my spirit free
Set my spirit free
Set my body free

The Legacy Continues

A recent re-imagining of the Mortal Kombat universe has caught my attention.  In the form of a web series it has a very appealing mix of gritty realism and a dash of the mysticism we all know and love from the games.  The series is titled "Mortal Kombat: Legacy." 

I highly recommend finding your way over to Machinima's YouTube Channel and subscribing to the series.  Nine episodes are scheduled for season 1 and I've already heard internet buzz about more to come.

Who knew all this would result from that viral short film directed by Kevin Tancharoen titled "Mortal Kombat: Rebirth."

Join the Lantern Corps

I'm glad to see Hal Jordan joining the ranks of comic heroes finding their way to the big screen.  The Green Lantern is one of the most iconic heroes I can think of, and has huge potential for an interesting story.  The trailers aren't amazing by any stretch.  We'll have to wait and see if it delivers, but with the huge success of recent re-interpretations such as Batman, X-Men, Superman, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, etc. it seems hopeful.  I'm intrigued to see what happens with The Avengers as well.  Mainly from an art, and cinematic point of view.

Whether you are an old or new fan you should know the famous Oath:
  
In Brightest Day, In Blackest Night,
No Evil Shall Escape My Sight
Let Those Who Worship Evil's Might
Beware My power... Green Lantern's Light!

Art in times of War

In the small chance that the peoples of earth will actually read this collectively I felt inspired to post this.  I recently became acquainted with two amazing female musicians that find themselves at a pivotal point in time for both women and the people of Pakistan.  "Zeb and Haniya" together make an absolutely magic pair.  A smooth sound of instrument and poetry from the MidEast.  Give their album "Chup!" a try and look into their singles.  You can also check out Coke Studio.  Expand your world view through music.  Happy listening to all.

I will leave you with this reflection:

Never take someone for granted.  Hold every person close to your heart because you might wake up one day and realize that you have lost a diamond while you were too busy collecting stones...

Barsoom is Fast Approaching

This is old news for me, but I have decided to post about one of my favorite science fiction series of all time.  Edgar Rice Burroughs' "Martian Tales Trilogy."  A tale focusing on the adventures of John Carter, Dejah Thoris, and a crew of Martian characters unlike any you have known.  The series extends well beyond this to a grand total of eleven books.  However, the first three are a perfectly self contained adventure and more than worthy to be made into a proper film by a director such as Andrew Stanton.  And yes, I've read them all.

To say I'm excited is a massive understatement.  To go one step beyond I have actually begun listening to the audio books for the first three Barsoom stories.  Surprisingly fun considering I never to listen to audio books, especially for a story I've already read.  Though proper credit is deserved because the voice performance is great.

I wish that all who cross my path to have the experience of these stories and to touch, ever so briefly, on one of the greatest science fiction works of the past century.  Second only to the fantastic works of Jules Verne.  Reading these books is an absolute delight, and I highly recommend the uninitiated giving them a try.

A Princess of Mars   *   The Gods of Mars   *   The Warlord of Mars

See you on Mars!

IMPRO like a Pro

I've been reading an absolutely sensational book called "Impro" written by a very insightful gentleman named Keith Johnstone.  This is a must read for any animator, or performer.  I personally have found it extremely illuminating.  Delving deep into the art of improvisation, performance, and re-connecting with the forces behind our own creative expression.

READ IT!