I was very sad to learn of the death of JG Ballard at the age of 78. He had been ill for several years, struggling with prostate cancer, and died on Sunday morning. Ballard is one of my favourite authors, penning such classics as ‘The Drowned World’, ‘Concrete Island’ and ‘Crash’. He said his books […]
Michael Crichton, the best selling author and creator of ER, has died of cancer aged 66. His books have sold more than 150 million copies and he is most famous for novels which have been adapted into major films, including Jurassic Park, Congo and Disclosure. Filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who directed the blockbuster film version of […]
I was very happy to learn that Ridley Scott is to make his return to science fiction cinema with an adaptation of Joe Haldeman’s novel The Forever War. Scott was supposed to make this film immediately after Alien and then after Blade Runner but rights problems prevented this. Fox 2000 has now acquired the rights […]
Pip and I made an impromptu visit to the Tate Modern on Bankside. We were both intrigued by the latest art installation to fill the Turbine Hall. French artist Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster’s ‘TH.2058′ consists of two hundred yellow and blue bunk bed frames. There are giant animal sculptures tacked on for good measure, including the spider […]
I have just finished reading Michael Chabon’s ‘The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay’. This was a birthday gift from Bronte. I had never read any Chabon, but I was aware of his ‘Wonder Boys’ due to the film version of the book. I have to thank Bronte for introducing me to an excellent author, […]
I was rather sad to hear of the passing of author and scientific visionary Arthur C. Clarke. The Somerset born writer, inventor and futurist has passed away, aged ninety, in his Sri Lankan home. He is most famous for the novel ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’. I’d say Kubrick’s film of the novel is my favourite […]