X-Files and Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams Reviews
The new season kicked off with a big What The…???? The last season ended with Mulder dying and Scully on a bridge looking up at an alien ship and the new season opens up with (spoiler!!!!) it was all just a dream?
The first episode was a misfire all the way around. Plus the urgency of that episode is forgotten in the following episodes.
My wife and I decided to pretend that first one never happened.
The next two episodes were excellent. They’ve been very much in the style of X-Files and stand-alone episodes. There was great humor, creepy situations, and good chemistry between the two leads.
If the rest of the season is like the second and third episodes, it will be great.
On Amazon Prime, this is an anthology series loosely based on the work of Philip K. Dick.
It’s somewhat like the series Black Mirror but not as extreme. It’s still not a show for kids though. (The third episode had a sex scene.)
Each story stands alone. So far it’s provided consistently good acting (with some big name actors), directing, and story lines. Some episodes will really make you think.
If you enjoy science fiction anthologies, I recommend Electric Dreams.
Music Review
This is the best collection of songs from Joe since the album Crystal Planet. It’s good, fun rock ’n’ roll music all the way through the album.
Satriani’s a master and one of the best guitarists in the world. This album proudly displays the incredible talent of the Satch Man.
If you are a fan of guitar music (it’s all instrumentals) then this is a must-have.
He’s also on tour – G3 features Satriani along with John Petrucci of Dream Theater and Phil Collen of Def Leppard. A guitar enthusiast’s dream tour!
#IWSGPit was a trending topic on and off all day long and there were over 5100 Tweets! Double what we had last time.
The next one will be this July. Keep spreading the word to other writers and groups.
And let us know of your success stories! My publisher signed Sherry Ellis from a Twitter pitch from last year’s #IWSGPit – the next one could be you.
Ninja News
Toi Thomas recently posted her video of the best books of 2017 on YouTube.
I’m honored to say – Dragon of the Stars was her favorite read of the year!
The video begins right as Toi is going into her favorite book of the year, so you don’t have to fast forward or anything:
Thanks, Toi – you rock!
Don't Feed the Elephant! by Sherry Ellis
Picture book
People say you're not supposed to play with your food. But the adventurous little elephant in Don't Feed the Elephant never got the message!
Find it on Amazon
Upcoming 2018 Big Budget Films
Since January is such a void of movies, I thought I’d taunt you with a list of the upcoming big-budget/spectacle type films for 2018.
Early Man – February 16 (The next film from the makers of Wallace and Gromit.)
Tomb Raider - March 16 (Could be a fun reboot.)
Pacific Rim: Uprising - March 23 (Again, what guy doesn’t like giant robots fighting giant monsters? Although it is a different director…)
Ready Player One - March 30 (Never read the book, but this will either be a hit or a misfire.)
Untitled Cloverfield Sequel - April 20 (Liked the first two although a little leery they haven’t named it.)
Solo: A Star Wars Story - May 25 (Excited for another standalone although a May release means just that much longer until the next Star Wars movie.)
Deadpool 2 - May 18 (Is it wrong I am really looking forward to this one?)
The Incredibles 2 - June 15 (The first is one of my favorite Pixar films!)
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom - June 22 (Please let it be less stupid than the last one…)
Alita: Battle Angel - July 20 (This film looks amazing and has been in the making for over twenty years.)
Mission: Impossible 6 - July 27 (I’ve enjoyed all the other ones – why not?)
Venom - October 5 (This one could be twisted and fun.)
X-Men: Dark Phoenix - November 2 – (More X-Men – yes, please.)
Aquaman - December 21 (One of my favorite superheroes – very excited to see him in his own movie!)
Have you been watching X-Files or Electric Dreams? Fan of Joe Satriani? Participate in #IWSGPit? What was your favorite read of 2017? And what movies strike your fancy this year?
95 comments:
A second season of the X-Files! Great to know.
I haven't gotten back into the X-Files yet, but I did watch the first episode of Electric Dreams and liked it. Looks like a lot of interesting movies coming out this year.
The upcoming film list looks interesting, though the ones I'd like to go watch are releasing during exam season :( I somehow never get around to watching anything w/o the family...I like instrumentals, sometimes better than songs, thanks for the reco.
And congrats on the twitter party's success!
Hah, I somehow missed the first episode and began on the 2nd, and I liked it. But, Now I understand what all the fuss was about.
Wow, there is awesome sounding movies being released!!
Have a good week, Alex.
I loved the original X-files back in the day. I'll have to check out the new ones (skipping those episodes, ha!) I'm not a fan of the Dallas-esque 'it was all a dream' device!
Early Man will be a cartoon, then, like Wallace and Gromit? Sounds like fun.
PJ, yes and it just started!
Nila, Satriani will satisfy on that level.
Cathrina, just skip the first one.
Elizabeth, yes, it will be stop clay animation.
Funny, I blogged about the X-Files today too. I thought Season 10 was a mixed bag and have the same reaction to the current season. I'm also watching Electric Dreams and enjoying it.
Congrats to Sherry on her release and congrats to you on being named Toi's fave book.
Cheers - Ellen
Yeh for favorite books/reads!
None of those movies strike my fancy. I recently cleaned up all my To Watch lists on iTunes, Netflix and Hulu. Can't believe how much stuff I got rid of and will probably never miss.
I got so lost in the first new episode of the X files that I haven't watched any of the others. At this point, over my life, The X files may well be the most disappointing series that I could have loved.
my guys at work are Satriani fans. January is the month to catch up on Oscar picks. I'm way behind right now. Fave read of 2017 - Commonwealth by Ann Padgett, and an oldie - The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood.
I can vouch that Sherry's book Don't Feed the Elephant is excellent. Just got it for the kid library. Very cute.
Happy Monday
I didn't realize that I missed the first year of X-Files. Wonder if I can find it on Netflix. I MUST get this taped this week. Glad I missed the first one though.
Congrats on having your book picked as a favorite!
I've read Ready Player One, so I'd like to see that along with a Wrinkle in Time. My son will want to see the latest Jurassic World movie, and of course we'll see Solo multiple times.
Disappointed with the new start on X-Files have not watched the other two, but maybe will take a look after reading this see if I will keep watching.
Happy Monday Alex
Yes, I have watched the X-files and once past the first episode it fell into a place I enjoy.
I saw Satriani is on tour and will be playing within driving distance so may catch a show. You never know!
I'll happy if just the 25% of these movies will be good. I'd like to watch almost all of them, but I have dubts. Not just because we haven't seen any trailer from the Solo Star Wars film.
Definitely watching all the super hero movies. Especially Black Panther, Aquaman, Infinity War, Dark Phoenix and Dead Pool. The Tomb raider reboot looks good and might give Ready Player One, but rather read the book first. Know my sons are excited about watching Pacific Rim Uprising. Because robots are cool.
Congrats on another successful #IWSGPit!
I'm kind of looking forward to Aqua Man - I don't know much about him, apart from that they make fun of him on Big Bang Theory :-)
I may have to check out Electric Dreams.
If I can find the time.
We had Electric Dreams on terrestrial TV in the UK and I enjoyed every one. An excellent series. Got some ground to make up with the X-Files as the last series disappointed me, after the original was one of my favourite programs of my youth. Fantastic that #IWSGPit was so successful!
I watched X-Files before it was even considered a new show. Back in the day, I used to rush home from work at 11pm to watch it. Then it became the rage and moved to a decent time slot. Looking forward to Aquaman. He also has a series on Canadian TV called Frontier. Has the same scar as he did in GOT. LOL Guessing it's real.
Ellen, great minds think alike!
Charles, forget the first one and watch the next two. Much better!
Joanne, cool!
Juneta, give the next ones a chance.
Truedessa, you should go! Especially if it's the G3 tour.
Lidy, robots are cool!
Joylene, we watched X-Files from the very beginning as well.
I. Trying to ge5 back in the groove. I was really confused with the first episode and was wondering WTF? I then remembered how X-Files can be because I found they don’t always connect the story line well. I do wish Smoking Man would just die already. The films you mentioned all look good to watch and I also love Aquaman.
#IWSGPit was awesome! I have no doubt the next one will be even bigger. I enjoyed the most recent X-Files episodes. Scully and Mulder on the couch reminded me so much of my husband and I! There are going to be some fantastic movies this year. My son wants to go see that Peter Rabbit film next month. I can't stand James Corden, but the animation at least looks good.
I've never seen the X-files, although I had wanted to. I think Hubby wasn't interested, so I didn't bother even trying to record it. My daughter owns the first few seasons on DVD, so I may borrow them from her and see how it is. I'm sure I'll become hooked, though. It just looks like everything I enjoy in a series.
I agree a bit what you said about the first episode of The X-Files. It was strange and hard to follow, unless you either have a good memory of the series or have recently rewatched the series. But the episodes after that have been fantastic, and I can't wait until this week's episode. It looks like so much fun.
Birgit, he does need to die!
Christine, #IWSGPit rocked it.
Stacy, you will be hooked!
Cherie, I had to look it up online I was so confused.
Not the "It was all just a dream" trope! They need some new writers.
I'm still amazed at how well the Twitter Pitch party went. There were non-stop tweets all day. Congratulations.
Hi Alex - that's great the Twitter Pitch party was such a success; good to see Toi - she came across as one relaxed professional lady promoting your book. Gillian Anderson is a great actress ... I enjoyed her in a few British things in recent years; while the X files were entertaining. Sherry did really well with her book - so glad she was picked up. Cheers Hilary
Have not seen one episode of the new X-Files. Loved Pacific Rim. Looking forward to Uprising. Yes! The #IWSGPit was awesome! I'm sure July will be even bigger.
Hi, Alex! I enjoy your informative posts. I have the 3 X-file episodes on my DVR waiting to be watched. I was considering deleting them, but now perhaps I'll get them watched before I fly off again. Love Joe Satriani! I agree with your assessment of the last Jurassic Park ~ You can have all the special effects in the world, but the movie won't be good if the story isn't good. Have a good one!
That's wonderful yours was her favorite book.
I loved how the third episode of X-Files ended.
Congrats on being the favorite!
I'm also looking forward to Deadpool. Even the opening credits of the first movie had me in stitches.
Re: X Files. Just a dream, huh? Don't you get tired of the dream card being played?
I'm going to have to give X Files a shot again. Back in the day, I watched it faithfully.
Have a great one, Alex.
I need to take my nephew to see The Incredibles 2.
Thanks, Alex.
Have a great week.
Hooray for another successful Twitter Pitch. I am really looking forward to hearing that agents have picked up more stories.
Sounds like the Twitter party was a great success! Thanks for all the news, Alex. Appreciate you keeping us up to date. Have a great week!
I managed to drop into the pitch party on Thursday and got a couple of hearts on my tweets which was great. Thanks to you and the team for organising the opportunity. Congrats to Sherry on her success last time.
All just a dream? What a cop out! Electric Dreams sounds interesting. I'll have to check that out sometime.
Some good ones! Aquaman!! Avengers! Pacific Rim!! Lots of movie days coming up.
You didn't list Wrinkle in time. Realizing this is from YA library, but it is Madelaine L'Engle!
There are so many good sci fi anthology series, but alas they're all streaming. And until I get my TV setup out of 2004, I won't be streaming anything. (It's a plan, but something I haven't been able to get around to just yet.)
So, I've got the flu, and I slept in, but didn't realize I didn't Post my 4M this morning... bummer, but so glad everyone came back and signed in anyway. So I have this friend who is a writer and I told him the only advice I can give is you. Hope you don't mind his name is Richard W. Seib. I have his email if you want it. Let me know. Thanks. Oh & totally agree with you regarding the X-Files!!!
That X-files things was soooooooooooooooooooooo stupid. You can tell with the mythology that Carter is just pulling things from his butt now. But yeah, the other two were great. I have a feeling Jurassic Park will be just as dumb. Deadpool 2, Ant Man, Blank Panther, Star Wars, Incredibles, and Avengers. Disney will have a good year, if they get Fox by then. That first Harry Potter prequel was meh.
I loved the old X-Files series. Need to remind myself to watch this one.
Congratulations on the nice honor. Well deserved.
Lee, yes it was the dream trope! And every time I poked in, the Tweets were rolling past.
Joy, we'll be really busy watching the feed then.
Fundy, the last Jurassic story was just so-so. And so was most of the acting.
Sandra, skip the first episode and watch the next two.
Suzanne, that's great to hear!
JE, yes, it was a cop-out.
Hey Dolly! It happens. I'm no expert. Probably best thing to do is send him to the IWSG site.
Pat, glad someone else thought that Harry Potter movie was eh.
Thanks, Beverly!
I'm so glad the 2nd and 3rd episodes were better. I watched the 1st one and was completely disappointed. Now I'll give the others a shot!
I've been curious about Electric Dreams. I may have to give it a look.
Thanks for sharing my video. I'm so happy to have read Dragon of the Stars when I did. I'd put it off for way too long and ended up simply falling in love with it.
There are so many good movies coming out. I don't usually go to the theatre a lot, but I may try to change that this year.
I am so looking forward to Deadpool! My daughter will be excited there's a new Jurassic Park coming out. She loves all the films. I'm curious about Electric Dreams, but not sure if it's on a channel I get. Need to look into it. Congrats on your book being the favorite!
The new season of X-files can rekindle the episodes of old Which Hank enjoyed decades ago. Should be interesting to be reminded and exposed to their new treatments. The Big budget list is most welcomed!
Hank
I'm pretty excited about the next Deadpool movie too! Hopefully Aquaman will be good as well.
Hey, Alex, that was high praise indeed for Dragon of the Stars. Well done!
Thanks for the heads up on the X-Files. I love the original, but was wary after that awful second movie. I will dive back in.
Hi Alex, used to love to watch The X Files on TV many years ago. Great programme.
Yvonne.
After the last episode of the last season I've been too scared to watch X-Files even though I am a huge fan! At least now I know what I'm in for.
I'm so excited about so many movies this year but at the same time I am starting to get a bit over the whole superhero thing.
Jemi, please do.
Toi, thanks for reading and glad you liked it so much!
Thanks, Ian!
Leslie, that movie was terrible.
There's a lot of big movies coming out this year. I haven't watched the new season of X-files yet because I was afraid I wouldn't like it. But I have been watching the first few seasons again.
Congrats to the authors with new releases.
Hope you're doing well, Alex.
wait...aquaman is out on my birthday??? stop the presses, I know what I am doing that day...seriously :)~
So many super hero movies coming out this year. I am fangirling hard. Although, the Star Wars one is going to be bittersweet for me.
Thank you so much for mentioning my new book, Don't Feed the Elephant, and also mentioning that I got signed on by Dancing Lemur Press. You are awesome!
I used to watch X-Files. Haven't seen it in a long time, but I really enjoyed it.
Wow Alex, big congrats on that review. Number one, and she says it's for everyone, not just the Scifi readers.
Hey Alex,
Well done that Toi considered your book her favourite read of the year! Awesome stuff.
Ah yes, X-Files, next time I'm in Vancouver, I'll hang around with the cast and crew.
Good result with the Twitter Pitch Party and IWSG.
Gary
The 2018 films I'm interested in seeing so far are Phantom Thread and Darkest Hour, though I might see something more mainstream and less indie if it's on TV. I wish I still lived in a city with two indie theatres focusing on these under the radar films!
What a great review from Toi, Alex. How cool is that? I haven't watched the new X Files, but to open with a dream and trick everyone, they know better. Good to hear episodes 2 and 3 were decent. Thanks for your opinion on the upcoming movies. Hope we can actually get to the theater and catch some of them. Also, that's really cool that your publisher signed Sherry Ellis from a Twitter pitch from last year's #IWSGPit. Pretty darn awesome!
I loved X-Files the first time around. I haven't seen any of this season. I am glad episodes 2 and 3 were great. The first episode sounds a little disappointing. I hate when they make things "a dream" instead of figuring out a way to make things work.
Congrats on being number 1 on Toi's list! Also- congrats to Sherry for her release.
Thanks for sharing!
~Jess
Murees, just skip the first one.
Tammy, that is awesome!
Sherry, you're welcome!
Rhonda, thanks - I know!
Gary, go stalk the set.
Carrie-Anne, I'd be happy with one theater.
Lynn, it is awesome!
Hi Alex, I agree with you on the X-Files!!
A great interview Toi!!
I am so looking forward to Deadpool 2, Ant-Man and the Wasp, and Mission Impossible 6!!! Should be a great year for movies!! Take Care!
I don't know why I said interview? LOL! Great video Toi!! Excellent what she said about your book Alex!!!
I am glad you reviewed the X-files. I'm intrigued now and will definitely check it out. Lots of great superhero flicks on the horizon and I can't wait :)
Another X-Files? I think I'll wait on that one. There's so many other great things I still have to see. Congrats on the successful twitter pitch party—that is a ton of tweets! Can't wait to see those success stories roll in.
You should take the time to read "Ready Player One," Alex. It's a short read, and I think you'd really enjoy it.
People keep telling me I need to watch Black Mirror. Hearing you talk about it in comparison with the new Phillip K. Dick series moves me a little closer to queuing it up. I've just been reading so many good books lately that it's what I've been spending the lion's share of my time doing.
Hmm...the X-Files...should I start watching again? I dunno.
Hmm, not familiar with Electric Dreams.
Glad you enjoyed it and hope you enjoyed your day as well:)
Toi did a nice job with her video. I enjoy actually seeing and hearing from bloggers.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Congratulations on Dragon of the Stars being given such a great shout-out! Well-deserved, too, Alex.
I'm still angry with myself for forgetting the Pitch Party. Maybe in July I'll have something ready....
I did participate in IWSGPit, and received two favorites as a result. Yay! Thanks to you and everyone else who worked so hard to set it up. IWSG rocks!
I'm going to check out Electric Dreams and Aquaman! I've been watching, when I have time to watch anything, Black Mirror, so ED sounds interesting.
Thanks, Crow!
Jen, The Shape of Water is supposed to be excellent. Hope you can make the next Twitter pitch.
Michael, I've only watched a few, but nothing can top the pig episode.
Helena, hope you do!
Kim, that's awesome!
Okay, Alex, you are setting up some high expectations here comparing Electric Dreams to Black Mirror. I've several BM episodes more than once, some three times because I feel it is so well done. Is Electric Dream that well done too??
Have a beachy week!
Elsie
I just bought Ready Player One in anticipation of the movie (I read Cline's other novel, Armada, and loved it) and I am PSYCHED for Incredibles 2!!!
Love X-Files.
Oh my goodness, I didn't know there was a second Fantastic Beasts coming. I hope they publish the screenplay again, like they did with the first one.
I'm glad I haven't been watching the new X-Files. Why, why, why do shows still resort to that AWFUL "It was only a dream" stuff? We're still watching "Lethal Weapon," but the dynamics between the characters has changed this season, as though there's a new writer in charge. Even my hubby noticed. It isn't nearly as good.
Aaaaah, Joe Satriani is THe BeST
So many movies to look forward to!
My husband has been watching the new X-Files. He says that some of the theories are pretty far out there. :)
I didn't watch more than 15 minutes of the new X-files. It was so frustrating. I haven't watch any since because of that. Maybe I'll give them another chance, and just skip that first one.
I'm kind of worried about Infinity War. We always wait until the end of the credits of Marvel movies to see the bonus material, but there are so many superheroes in this movie, I'm afraid the credits will take a half hour to scroll by. We'll have to buy more popcorn.
I love the X-Files:) Glad it's back, but a bit nervous too. Nothing will be as good as the 90s shows was, but it's still great to see them on TV again:)
It was just a dream? Seriously? We'd never get away with that ... and surely they could come up with something better. Alien technology, ghostly possesion of their memories, drugs ... just about anything would be better than that unsatisfactory cliche.
Congrats on the IWSG success on Twitter. That's impressive.
Great list of movies!
The X-Files is a good sci-fi show led by FBI investigators Dana and Fox, I just can't see it continuing without either of them but the dream... what a blinder... The Twitter Pitch ball another blinder, nice going everyone.
Jeeez. The movie list this year is INSANE. I might actually have to go more than once a year this time around. haha
Elsie, yes it is.
Deniz, I'm sure they will.
Susan, that's disappointing.
Shadow, yes he is!
Loni, like parallel worlds?
Ken, just don't buy a super large drink.
Patsy, you said it.
Spacer Guy, either of them quits, the show is done.
Probably A Man Called Ovi was my favorite book. I'm looking forward to a few of those movies and there is something not right about looking forward to Deadpool 2.
Ugh, "just a dream" is a terrible cop-out. Especially when it comes after a major cliffhanger like that. >_< But on the bright side, that movie listing looks great... lots I'm looking forward to this year, though it's mostly the Marvel stuff.
I really need to start watching these new X-Files episodes. You have some great choices Alex and no question on Black Panther. I'm meh on Solo but the trailer is coming next Monday Feb 5.
I've been meaning to watch the new X-Files, but I can barely keep up with blogging, let alone with TV. I don't know how you do it, Alex.
Congrats with being Toi's pick! Well deserved. She's great--I just adore her.
Even though I love X-Files, I still haven't seen any of the newish stuff so I skipped pasted your paragraph.
Whooosh. Like lighting so I didn't see nothing.
I'm trying to get into the X-Files, but it just doesn't feel the same to me. It's almost like they are trying too hard.
Post a Comment