Category Archives: science fiction

AVATAR May Deliver Digital Real Deal

December 4th, 2009 | Posted in Avatar, fantasy, science fiction

In a previous post I’ve shared my skepticism about the ability of James Cameron’s soon-to-be-released Avatar to live up to the director’s hype. I should probably have more faith in a cinematic visionary who has served up science fiction icons like Terminator 2 and Aliens, not to mention the romantic tragedy and blockbuster Titanic. But […]

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Millennial Mythmaking

November 30th, 2009 | Posted in fantasy, Joseph Campbell, myths, science fiction

One of the great things about having a website like this is discovering people engaged in the same kinds of reflections on the fantastic in pop culture that I am involved in. It gets even better when I get to develop relationships with these people, and then discuss their thinking. This is the case with […]

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Sleeping with the Aliens: Weird Encounters of the Fourth Kind

November 8th, 2009 | Posted in alien abduction, aliens, Old Hag, Paul Meehan, science fiction, sleep paralysis, UFOs

TheoFantastique is pleased to present its first guest posting, a review of The Fourth Kind by Paul Meehan, author of several books including Tech-Noir: The Fusion of Science Fiction and Film Noir (McFarland, 2008), Cinema of the Psychic Realm: A Critical Survey (McFarland, 2009), and Saucer Movies: A UFOlogical History of the Cinema (The Scarecrow […]

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SURROGATES Again: Wealth and Play, Crime and War

September 29th, 2009 | Posted in digital technologies, robotics, science fiction, Surrogates

I recognize that with this post this brings the total to three that interact with the new film Surrogates, but given the wealth of material within it for cultural reflection I ask the reader’s patience as I explore a few other facets. By way of background to the film, Surrogates presents a quasi-utopian world in […]

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Cinefantastique Online – SURROGATES: Sci-Fi Thriller’s Reflections on the Self and the Synthetic

September 26th, 2009 | Posted in digital technologies, robotics, science fiction, Surrogates

My latest essay for Cinefantastique Online is now available, titled “SURROGATES: Sci-Fi Thriller’s Reflections on the Self and the Synthetic.” Here is an excerpt: Although SURROGATES will likely not set great box office records, in my view the film is a significant one. Many times I build up great expectations based upon film trailers and […]

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DISTRICT 9 Draws Nigerian Protest

September 19th, 2009 | Posted in District 9, science fiction

In a previous post I provided some interaction with another commentator on the sci fi film District 9. Viewers and reviewers alike have noted its strong social commentary and critique of Aparthied, an irony in that the film has now become the object of international controversy for allegedly promoting national stereotypes. Various news outlets are reporting that […]

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Douglas Cowan Interview Part 2: Sci-Fi, Transcendence and “Sacred Space”

September 14th, 2009 | Posted in Douglas Cowan, Sacred Space, science fiction, transcendence

Following is the second installment of the interview with Douglas Cowan, sociologist of religion at Renison University College, who discusses science fiction and transcendence in connection with his book Sacred Space (Baylor University Press, forthcoming). (Photo to the left is by Chris Hughes and copyrighted by University of Waterloo, Graphics.) TheoFantastique: One of the areas of research I […]

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Douglas Cowan Interview Part 1: Forthcoming Book “Sacred Space”

September 10th, 2009 | Posted in Douglas Cowan, Sacred Space, science fiction, transcendence

In the past Douglas Cowan, professor at Renison University College – University of Waterloo, has been a guest of TheoFantastique as he discussed his previous book Sacred Terror: Religion and Horror on the Silver Screen (Baylor University Press, 2008). Now he returns to discuss his forthcoming book Sacred Space on science fiction and transcendence, also […]

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DISTRICT 9: Responses to Film Review

September 5th, 2009 | Posted in District 9, science fiction

In connection with the long weekend I was finally able to see District 9, and with this post I’ll pass along some of my thoughts in relation to the film in light of a review by John T. Stanhope at Cinefantastique Online. First, some of my initial thoughts. I have heard nothing but positive things […]

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SURROGATES: Sci-Fi Thriller on Robotics and Digital Technologies

August 27th, 2009 | Posted in digital technologies, robotics, science fiction, Surrogates

One of the more interesting research and writing projects I worked on earlier this year was a chapter for a forthcoming book through Westminster John Knox Press on videogames and digital cultures where I presented some thoughts on a techno theology of cybersociality, the interactions between human beings over the Internet and through other digital technologies […]

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