Michael Formichelli's Blog: Nero's Niche

No Way Homeboy

 Spider Man Returns x 3!Huh, that's actually a funnier title than I thought...
Anyway.

Watched this one on Christmas Eve of 2021, in the theater! (Mask on the whole time, didn't even have popcorn or soda).

Overall, I really did like it. Marvel made great use of the multiverse concept to bring back some old favorites. It was great seeing Willem Dafoe and Alfred Molina again in their roles of the Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus. If I'm being honest here, it's the latter I was truly thrilled about. The movie was a crowded field, of course, but still managed to give ole Doc Oc a great character arc amidst the chaos. Very impressive.

This is definitely one I recommend seeing... And stay for the post credit scene! It's a bit weird and more like a commercial than a typical Marvel post-credit scene, but if you watched Disney+'s What If? you will love it.

He Who Controls the Spice... (Spoiler Free)

Happy New Year 2022!

It's been another beast of a year, not to mention another plague year (who knew we'd be living through one?). I'll probably do another post about it later, but I feel the need to catch up on my movie watching and reviewing and such since I've been... very bad about that.

So... First...

He Who Controls the Spice...

I saw Dune a while ago now. I was going to write this post right after seeing it, but first I wanted to think a bit, then life got in the way, and so here I am writing it after I've seen another movie instead (though one that shares at least one actor between them).

My initial reaction to Dune was that it was pretty, and kind of boring. I didn't like Timothée Chalamet as Paul, but I did like pretty much everyone else (and Oscar Isaac and Jason Momoa steal any show they're in anyways—as does a lot of the cast, really. Holy crap there are a lot of awesome people in this movie; I'm looking at you Bautista!). I didn't like the movie really, until people started pointing out how much better it was than its predecessors. That got me thinking, but I wasn't yet ready to admit that the movie was actually good.

Some time passed after that and I find myself warming to it, and I've come around to think that at least the version in my head (ah memory, so false you are) is a good one. I think what this ultimately means is I'll need another look at it, probably ahead of part 2 (yes, that's right, they divided the first book up). So that's the plan, once I actually get to have enough time to do that.

Expanding My View of the Expanse

 Just finished Caliban's War, the second book in James SA Corey's Expanse novels.

I'm eagerly anticipating the release of Season 6 on Amazon Prime Video, but I'm also realizing as I read the books that I wish the series, which I do love, had stuck to the books a bit closer. Bobbie's character, for example, is much more chill overall and displays a kind of confident strength that she doesn't quite hit in the show until later. Also, how events unfold is a bit odd in the show now that I know what was written. I'm not going to get into it (SPOILERS!!!!) but I like the way they went in the book better.

I do have to concede, however, that some things were changed to give certain characters more of an arc as far as their development goes (Bobbie), or to make them more relatable to the viewer, perhaps (Alex?), but I (obviously) don't agree with all of the changes and kind of wish they'd left well and enough alone.

One thing I do like a lot is that the blending of books I and II in seasons 1 & 2 of the show really did work. It also gave us Shohreh Aghdashloo's Chrisjen Avasarala, who is just as amazing in the books as the show, and who Ms. Aghdashloo's performance nails absolutely (damn she must be fun to play). So I can't complain too loud.

Season 6 starts December 10th, 2021. Can't wait!

Relatively Spoiler-Free Review of Underwater

Watched Underwater tonight.

It was not a good movie.

I mean, it was technically pretty decent, special effects were good and all, but it failed on two critical points:

I.    I didn't give a crap about the characters-

    Why not? You might ask? Well, because the movie takes the "jump right in" thing a bit too far. The action starts right away. That would be fine, but it never really lets up. There's no chance to get to know the characters or get attached to them in any way. Watching them get picked off by the baddies has the emotional impact of a video-game shooter. It just doesn't register. In fact, the only attachment I had at all to them was to go "oh, I recognize that actor... oh never mind."

    The film really needed to spend some time establishing the characters, and why the audience should care instead of sacrificing all that time to special effects and action.

II.    The baddies were completely unbelievable.

    When you finally do get to see the things attacking the characters... It's very disappointing. I mean, why the heck do they have eyes if they live at the bottom of the deepest part of the ocean? There's no light there at all. Why are they bifocal? Why do they resemble humanoids? Did the creators of this mess ever see a fish before?

    Yeah, it's that bad.

So, whereas I did get through the whole movie, it was more because I was getting some entertainment out of how bad it was, and that's about it.

Do not recommend unless you're into that sort of thing (bad movies that aren't quite bad enough to be good).

Here's the trailer!

Tales from the 80's Nostalgia- Loopin' It In

Loopin' It

I've been aware of the 2017 role-playing game (RPG) by Free League Publishing known as Tales from the Loop for a while now. I've never played it, mind you, but I've been aware of it. The game itself is based on the art of Simon Stålenhag from the 1980's and 1990's, which involved scenes of technology invading natural spaces.

The game takes place in a small town in rural America (Boulder City, Nevada or the original Swedish setting of Mälaröarna) where a secret physics research facility has been built underground, and where weird things happen. The players choose from classic 1980's kid archetypes such as the Bookworm and the Weirdo among others, and attempt to solve the strange mysteries happening around town. It has a very Stranger Things feel to it, and though I grew up in the 80's and 90's I have to wonder with all of this weird things happening nostalgia how I don't remember that time being quite as weird as the popularity of them makes it out to be. Maybe I missed out?

The 2020 TV show is, I believe, based on the game and takes place in Ohio (adding yet another location to the possibilities). I was somewhat delighted and surprised to find it on the list of Amazon Prime shows available to Prime customers for free. I hadn't known of its existence until I got bored one day and started looking for something to watch (why I didn't just start making blog posts instead is another matter... now shush you & watch the trailer).

Already being curious about the game from my many forays to freeleaguepublishing.com for its Alien RPG game (excellent in all respects, btw), when I saw the TV show was available (TV? Should I say internet now or just show?), I was excited as it would and did provide me (I think) with some context for the game. Also, seeing on screen made me go "Ooo, the Sparrow's in this?" GOT stays with you, what can I say?

So far I'm just one episode in but I did enjoy it. It's much more cerebral than its predecessor/counterpart Stranger Things, so don't expect lots of fast action or anything like that. In this respect it would fit in on the Twilight Zone or Amazing Stories (I'm showing my age), but it is its own thing. Simon Stålenhag's art stands out thorughout the scenery from the 80's style robots in the background (which look like they'll be featured in later episodes) to the surreal nature of the cinematography, and this gives the show its unique and deliciously nostalgic flavor. I'm looking forward to watching more very soon, and perhaps giving the game a try too.

Sci-Fi Movies of 2021+ ... Kinda...

Anyone who used to follow or continues to follow this blog, you know I used to do a "sci-fi moves of" by year post that was, usually, my most popular.

I haven't done it in a good long time...

And I'm not going to do it now, but I am going to write about a few movies coming out soon that I really want to see and why.

So, here goes—

Sci-Fi Movies of 2021 Kinda Sorta Maybe

-Dune-
If you control the spice, you control the universe they say. I'm happy to be getting a remake of this despite really loving the 2000 Dune Miniseries better than earlier versions—shhh! this one looks like something of a fresh take and stars a bunch of actors I like (I'm looking at you Bautista, Momoa, Isaac). 
This one's allegedly coming out October of this year. Hopefully it'll be on schedule—it probably is, I'm just a worry-wort with all this COVID/DELTA business—and hopefully it'll be safe enough to see it in the theater.



-Stowaway-

So yes, I could technically go watch this now as it's already out on Netflix, but I haven't yet. Been busy, you know?

However, I fully intend to get to it soon. Technically, it's a space-survival clone of stuff like the Martian and Gravity and Interstellar and Red Planet and so on and so on... but I like the premise. Dude falls asleep working on a space ship and somehow all the checking and re-checking misses him... At least that's what the trailer looks like. It'll be interesting to see what the set up actually is, and maybe it'll be a good movie. Also, kudos to Anna Kendrick for making a sci-fi movie. Who knew she'd be interested in that?

-Oxygen-
This one looks interesting to me. I'm sure it's probably most people's nightmare scenario to wake up in essentially a coffin and have to figure out who the hell you are and how to get out... maybe not in that order. Again, Netflix is hitting the interesting/indie sci-fi thing hard, which I like. They seem to take risks on things more than the big studios, which in a way is a shame since there are a lot of books that I've read that would be amazing as their own movies.



-Chaos Walking-


I have to admit I'm a little burned out on the psychic powers in sci-fi thing. Yes, yes, I have them in my own books too, but I'm just a bit tired of it now. This one, which I'm including because it seems like I'd be remiss to omit something with Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley in it (not to mention Mads Mikkelson!), seems kinda, well... "We've never seen a girl before"... This isn't for me, but it might be for someone so here's the trailer.
-Doors-
Guess what I like about this movie? Right off the bat... They keep their suits on! FINALLY! I'd see it just for that. That's how bad this simple rule to keep people alive gets violated in sci-fi. This looks like an inter-dimensional romp which may or may not be interesting. I can't particularly tell from the trailer, but again, suits are on. I'll give it a chance.

And that's it for now. Yes, there are more movies about for 2021, but this is my selection of those I'm most likely to see (with that one exception). How about you? What have you got planned for your sci-fi pandemic part-2 watching?

Back from the Dead and Loving It

I'M BACK! It's been a couple of years since I last blogged. I shouldn't have let it go so long but of course I did.
The last time I had the time, will, and content to post here I wrote about Blood Siren coming to audiobook. It's been a long journey on that. 2020 was, of course, a crazy year but the work on the audiobook continued albeit at a slow pace. 
I'm happy to report that the audiobook has moved even closer to publication (is it still publication if it's audio?), and I'm hoping to have it out either at the end of this year or by early 2022.
It's been a bit of a trip (I'm dating myself with this slang, aren't I?) to come back to the Blood Siren universe. Mostly I've spent the last 2 years writing RPG games in the Star Wars and Alien universes (I'd definitely check out the Alien RPG by Free League Publishing if you are unfamiliar and an TTRPG fan).


Blood Siren on Auidible will be voiced by the incomparable Steven Vox, who I have to give a lot of credit to for being such a good sport about my nit-picking attention to detail. I think you're going to like his vocal style.
As with the print books, the cover art is by Michael Lam, whose art continues to dazzle. I highly recommend a stop over by his DeviantArt page.
I'm very much looking forward to getting this out there finally and at last!

Can't wait for publication? Have a look at my print books.
Stay tuned for more posts coming soon!

I've Been So Bad, But This is Good...

Yes, I've been terrible about keeping up with this blog. I've been busy... And I've got a good news announcement! Blood Siren is finally coming to Audible. More details as this develops, but soon you'll be able to listen to the adventures of Nero & company from the comfort of, well, wherever!

A Cool Thing I Found On the Internet Today (Reddit)

As a gamer, and an appreciator of history (and Civ VI), I can say this is awesome:

I hauled my laptop out to the jungle to do this. Civ6 from r/gaming

My Review of Love, Death & Robots

Love, Death & Robots
Overall I really enjoyed this anthology. There were a few slow episodes (i.e. Zima Blue, The Witness) that seemed to go nowhere, or ones that were too strange to really make sense of and enjoy (again, the Witness), but there were others that ranged from cute to silly and hilarious (Three Robots, When the Yogurt Took Over- narrated by Maurice LeMarche -The Brain of Pinky and the Brain), and others that were just plain downright awesome (Shape-Shifters, Lucky 13, Sonnie's Edge).

Lucky 13 made me cry. I'm not ashamed to admit it, due to the dog-like loyalty of a ship's A.I. Sonnie's Edge is not what it seems, and I loved that. The Dump is a great campfire like story that does cute and horrifying with masterful writing... The list goes on. There are 18 short stories in all, and as stated above, not all of them are winners, but I found the vast majority of them were.

Love, Death & Robots is not for the faint of heart, and not for kids. There's a lot of very graphic violence, downright disturbing acts that made jaded, over 40 me cringe, and nudity (both male and female—with, unlike the standard "adult" offerings of the genre, more male genitalia on display than female nudity). Most of the stories pack quite an emotional punch by the end, and mix it well with action and general awesomeness. I highly recommend the watch and hope Netflix has more of this kind of material on the way.