Colony on USA: A Kick-Ass Science Fiction Drama

                                                             

 

The USA Network is showing two of my favorite series, Mr. Robot and Colony. I already did a post on the series, Mr. Robot, but today I’m talking about Colony the series created by Carlton Cuse and Ryan J. Condal and starring Josh Holloway and Sarah Wayne Callies...yes my little walker snacks...Lori Grimes is alive and doing well in LA...but this time it’s aliens and not walkers that she’s fighting.

Plot

Colony takes place in the not so distant future where Los Angeles is under the control of an invasive species. It is a military occupation with the aliens controlling the earthlings with a well-organized army called the Colony Transitional Authority. The aliens known as Hosts or Raps have never been seen by the locals. What we do know is that the uniforms of their human army bear the logo of a Bird of Prey.

                                                              

An ingenious move on the part of the producers and writers was to keep the story focused more on the humans who are split on their choices to either work with the powerful but unseen aliens, or to fight them. I love the fact that the aliens are spoken of, but never seen as it adds to the terror the people in the story feel. 

While life seems to go on in a somewhat normal post war scenario, there are shocking symbols to remind you that nothing is normal starting with the enormous thick wall that the aliens have constructed around the central part of Los Angeles. Trump would be in his glory to have a wall like this...most tyrants would. Los Angeles is not an isolated case as these walls exist around the world.

                                                             

Total domination is the game play of the aliens who use an occupying military force made up of complying humans known as the “Red Hats.” The name comes from their cool black and red uniforms. This military force is under the watchful eyes of Homeland Security, while the people who want their world back in human hands are called the Insurgents.

People are broken up by class, where the elite (people in power and people working for the aliens) get special privileges and the poor and average Joe get screwed over like always no matter who is the ruling power.

                                                              

 

The Bowman Family

Former FBI agent, Will Bowman (Josh Holloway) and his wife Katie (Sarah Wayne Callies) live with their children in the occupied section of Los Angeles. One of their young sons had been separated from them during the invasion and may be surviving on the other side of the wall. Will, with the promise of being reunited with his son, joins forces with Proxy Snyder (Peter Jacobson) and becomes part of the police force under Homeland Security. Katie, without Will’s knowledge, is part of the resistance.

Conclusion

The aliens have a factory on the moon. We don’t know why, but if you piss off the aliens, you are sent to that factory to work until you drop. The aliens have imposed curfews and checkpoints... plus they use drones to spy on the people and kill if necessary.

                                                              

Medical conditions such as diabetes have been considered a one way ticket enabling the aliens to cull the weak from the strong. Since the series starts after the invasion, we are left to decide from the information given on each weekly episode and, from the Colony online site, if the aliens are the good or bad guys.

                                                                

No one is safe and the season ended with a cliffhanger. We see that Charlie (Jacob Buster) is alive in a part of the city that resembles the poorest section on India. Proxy Snyder has been demoted. Will knows that Katie is a rebel and has been using information he’s given to her in confidence to help the resistance. OUCH!

                                                              

Katie needs to choose between Broussard (Tory Kittlels) and her hubby. Bram Bowman (Alex Neustaedter) has been captured by the Red Hats and Madeline (Amanda Righetti) has taken Grace and her son to live with Nolan Burgess (Adrian Pasdar). We did get a peek at the aliens, but I want more!!!!! Watch the show. It is well written and the cast is outstanding.

Steampunk Granny Reviews The Arrival

                                                        

 

Yes, my little zombie snacks, it was another night of night being able to unwind enough to fall asleep. My youngest grandson, Nathan had spent a few days with me over the Labor Day weekend. We had a meeting with Chris Eilenstine, the director of Shadows of the Forest. Nathan has a bit part in the film in which I am also one of the writers...neat, right? We met two of the main stars that day Mac Lowery and Brandon Allentoff. It was a lot of fun, but a long day, and hence, the reason we were up late and caught this film.

 

The 1996 science fiction film, directed by David Twohy and starring Charlie Sheen, Ron Silver, Lindsay Crouse, Teri Polo and Richard Schiff is an alien encounter film that deals with global climate change. No, it’s not about the Republican and Tea Party politicians who are constantly denying man’s direct effects on the world around us...but it could be why they are denying that there is a problem. They might be aliens.

Plot

Charlie Sheen plays Zane Zaminsky, a radio astronomer working for SETI, discovers evidence of intelligent alien life forms. The signal is coming from a star that is 14 light years from Earth. When he reports this to his boss (Ron Silver) he doesn’t believe him. It isn’t long before Zane is fired. He gets a job installing television satellite dishes and creates his own version of a SETI array.                                           

                                                            
Zane isn’t the only one noticing that the planet is going through some major warming. A climatologist, Ilana Green (Lindsay Crouse) finds a poppy field in the middle of the Arctic. Zane and Ilana figure out that someone is purposely melting the polar ice and it might have to do with the radio signals that Zane has been intercepting

Conclusion

I love Ron Silver in just about any show that he is in, but Charlie Sheen’s performance was a bit flat. The film was positively received when it came out and it could be because the special effects and the storyline were impressive.

                                                             

                                                     

Look, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to know our planet is in big trouble. We don’t have to be scientists either to see with our own eyes what we’re doing to our planet. Sea levels are rising, temperatures are rising, which affects our crops, oceans are warming which will eventually kill the fish, we’re experiencing more extreme weather conditions, rising temperatures could contribute to the spread of diseases, loss of livestock and crops. I think for a science fiction film, The Arrival, covered most of this, which was impressive to me as a concerned citizen of this planet.

                                                       

                                                    

In the film, the aliens had taken over most positions of power, which helped them to deny that there was anything wrong with the melting ice caps and, since our own politicians keep denying climate change, I’ve been wondering if maybe Congress has been taken over by aliens. What do you think?

                                                        
Watch The Arrival. I think you’ll like it in spite of Charlie Sheen.

 

 

 

Steampunk Granny Interviews Jack Flacco, Author of the Ranger Martin Series

                                                           

I had the honor of reading Jack Flacco's newest book in the Ranger Martin series, "Ranger Martin and The Alien Invasion". I loved it as much as the first book. You'll love the fast moving, edge of your seat action, and you'll love Ranger Martin and his team of misfits. I had the chance to interview Jack, recently and here is what we talked about.

Tell me how your first book is doing and what were the reviews for this book.

My first book in the Ranger Martin series, Ranger Martin and the Zombie Apocalypse, became an Amazon best seller for months after its initial release. Tracking on multiple lists worldwide (i.e. Young Adult, Horror, Dystopian, etc.), it hit #5 on the Canadian Horror Best Sellers list with Stephen King as #1. The book also hit #1 on the Hot New Releases list in Children’s Horror. In the U.S., Spain and Australia it placed in the Top 50 on a consistent basis, leaving me bewildered in the process. I can’t say how grateful I am for all the folks that had supported the title.

The majority of reviews were positive with readers liking Ranger Martin as the shotgun-toting hero out to rid the world of the undead.

                                                                      

What did people like the best about Ranger Martin and the Zombie Apocalypse?

I kept hearing the same two things coming from people who had read the book. First, they enjoyed the relationships between Ranger and the kids, each had personalities and each had different backstories. Second, they enjoyed the action that starts from page one and doesn’t let up until the final page.

Gosh, that sounds so much like I’m bragging, but that’s the audience’s overall reaction toward the book. Smack me a few times if I get too high on myself, okay?

What is the name of book 2 and what happens to our hero and his friends in this book? (Just a short synopsis without giving anything away)

The name of the second book is Ranger Martin and the Alien Invasion. Soon after the events of the first book, Ranger and his tagalongs have another enemy to face—aliens bent on reducing humanity to a pile of liquid waste. On their journey home, they encounter zombies, the military, and things not of this world in a race to escape Utah for the calm of the Mojave Desert in Arizona.

Did you find the writing of a sequel harder than the first book? (I ask because I felt my first was much easier to write)

Well, I write every day, and because it’s now a habit I find whatever I write flows to paper without much effort. Editing the sequel was harder to do because I had to keep the same tone as the first (i.e. style, setting, pacing, etc.) all the while trying to explore deeper levels of the characters.

Will the readers be meeting new characters?

Yes!

When can we expect the book to be out?

It’ll release on October 21.

Is there a book three in the works?

Can’t say.

What other projects are you working on as far as writing?

Again, can’t say.

Can you at least give me something to work with?

No.

I’m kidding. Actually, if you follow me on JackFlacco.com, I tend to drop many hints of what I’m working on and where I’m going. I’m predictable, really. I enjoy autumn settings where the colors change and the leaves fall. I love inspiring stories where there’s a moral dilemma and a resolution no one thought of before. And I find comfort in reading about those who overcome great trials to become a light to the world.

I noticed (unlike other authors) you don’t talk about writing on your site. Why?

I suppose because I’m too busy writing. If I were on a writing panel, I wouldn’t have a choice other than to talk about it. What else would I otherwise do? Sit and stare? In that context, sure, I’ll talk about writing.

Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Put blinders on. Keep moving forward. Never give up. How’s that for cliché? Forget about everything that goes on around you and stick with your goals. Forget about what others are doing and keep working hard. Your success is your own. It’s what you make of it. Most of all, time is your most precious commodity. Don’t waste it.

Where can we reach you?

Website: http://www.JackFlacco.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JackFlacco
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Flacco.Jack
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/JackFlacco

Thank you, Jack for being my guest today and for all my little zombie snacks, "Get out there and buy both books."

Steampunk Granny's Big Hug and Thank You

                                                                 

                   

On Sunday, June 29, 2014 I did a book launch for my apocalyptic tale with a twist, Roof Oasis, at the Treehouse Coffee Shop in Audubon. There is my banner outside of the Treehouse. Joining me that day at the tables was Dawn Byrnes, better known as Super D to all our friends in the South Jersey Writers’ Group. Dawn and I are responsible for selling our group’s anthologies.

                                                                        

                                                      ReRe and me setting up.                              

My daughter, ReRe, her husband Jim of Reid’s Auto Repairs in South Philly, and my two grandsons, Joshua and Nathan were there to sell her jewelry and to handle the children’s craft corner. Marybeth, a friend of Josh, was kidnapped into playing photographer and what a great job she did. Thank you Marybeth!

                   

                                       

My editor Pattie O’Brien was there to celebrate in my big day and to introduce me when it was time for my reading from the book. She was also selling her ‘Bottles of Inspirations’ which proved to be very popular.
                                                                    

                                                    

My granddaughter, Allie, the fashion designer in the family was selling her Steampunk and Cosplay jewelry and she made the pin that I word on my dress. It represented my writing. Thank you, Allie.

                                                                         

                                                   Me with my husband, Dan.

My husband Dan was put to work collecting money and giving out tickets for our guests to win a door prize. I drove the poor man crazy.

                                                            

                                                              

 

The Treehouse was packed with family and friends from all paths of my life starting with our writers’ group, friends from the Academy of Natural Sciences, St. Agnes Hospital, friends from my Zumba class, friends from my old neighborhood in South Philly, and even my ghost hunting friends were there.

 

                                                                   

              
                                                            

                             

                                                                     

Pssst Have You Heard?? Roof Oasis is out!!!!

                    Grand Announcement!!!!

My apocalyptic/science fiction tale is out!!! You can buy Roof Oasis on Amazon, and Kindle. Check my calendar for upcoming book signings and you can purchase Roof Oasis on Amazon.com

                                         

How do you survive in a world controlled by a mad man? What if this dictator controlled the very food and water you needed to survive? When the use of bio-warfare inadvertently brings about the end of civilization, twins Michael and Lucy try to escape from the zombie horde, but their only salvation may lay with an old Victorian mirror in the attic of their family home…..

                                        

I’m sending a big hug to all my supporters for their patience and encouragement.

Funniest Movie I've ever seen

                                                                       

Okay so my sister Lucy and I were up early today because we had plans to ride and eat lunch on the Wine Train. While having our first cup of coffee before getting dressed, Lucy was flipping through the T.V. channels looking for something interesting.  She paused on the Encore station and a movie had just begun. It was called “The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra”.

                                                                

This has to be one of the funniest movies ever about space aliens interacting with humans. Larry Blamire is the writer, director and also plays one of the main characters.

                                                                
Basically from what we could surmise, aliens land on earth to search for a piece of meteor rock containing atmospherium.

                                                                           

The aliens are funny as hell and so are the humans

                                                                           
 and don’t even ask me to explain the skeleton in the title, I would fail the task.

                                                            
This is a spoof on B movies, but it’s one of the best that I have seen in a long time.  So if you have nothing to do one night, pull up this movie and watch it.  Oh and did I mention that there is also a mutant monster in this film?

                                                                    
I've included a trailer for your enjoymet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe9Fs10IIk0

P.S. The film is even funnier after having a few glasses of wine on the Napa Wine Train.