Permutation City Blog

Although this sit-com is set in the real world it's so packed with science-fiction and film references it's surprising they can fit a plot in at all. A really enjoyable show which went on to inspire the hit movie Shaun of the Dead. I'd also recommend the DVD commentry which is filled with interesting facts about the series production.

Set in a dark universe this visually rich film follows Paul Atreides as he is buffeted by the battles between of two ancient and great houses. This film was my introduction to the universe of Frank Herbert. The blend of high science and a complex entrenched social structure seems incongruous but works.

As a follower of Hayao Miyazaki this film was something of a disappointment. It has a style familiar from his other films and the details you would expect from him are there. However the the plot is confused and detracts from what is otherwise a likeable film. You can still enjoy the film but the book is better. After watching it a few times I noticed the plot makes more sense if you pay very close attention. I can enjoy this film but I still wish it had been better.

After my disappointment with the film it was wonderful to read the book. All the same characters were there but this time the story made sense.

My interest in Hayao films started with Laputa: Castle in the Sky many years ago. More recently, in order to get Laputa it was neccessary to buy the full set and it was well worth it. Although many of his films deal with the fantastic they can also give a surprising look onto real life. He is not afraid to deal with complex issues and feels animation is a perfectly suitable medium. His films are definitely not just for kids.

Coming from the film this book seemed overly complex and was a chore to read. Perhaps I am disparaging a great novel but it never generated the enthusiasm to read any of the subsequent books.

It's hard to know where to begin. Should it be with the offshore oilrig where the mad scientist Krank lives with his set of cloned servants and fish tank containing the still living brain called Irvin? Should it be on the dark city streets where the strongman, orphan, and street urchin have to deal with the blind Cyclops cult? Should I mention the Siamese twins, trained fleas, or jar of dreams? I don't know. You'll just have to watch it yourself.

We follow a man without memory as he tries to find his life. Around him the city warps and changes controlled by The Strangers. Great effects and well paced story.

Part of my English syllabus involved making presentations to the class. One of mine was based on this article and explored the sort of structures we might someday build in space. What impressed me at the time was the scale of things. It starts by blowing up asteroids like some sort of giant balloon and fitting an inhabitable ecosystem on the inside. Later on there is talk of "dismantling" gas giants to provide building material for Ringworlds or Dyson Spheres. After that it starts to get really outrageous.Bigger Than Worlds

It's hard to make a prequel to a good movie but this is a decent attempt. Moving outside the confines of the cube is interesting but does spoil some of the essential mystery from the first movie.