Lincroft-Holmdel Science Fiction Club Club Notice - 12/26/84 -- Vol. 3, No. 24 MEETINGS UPCOMING: Unless otherwise stated, all meetings are on Wednesdays at noon. LZ meetings are in LZ 3A-206; HO meetings are in HO 2N-523. _D_A_T_E _T_O_P_I_C 01/09 LZ: THE CIRCUS OF DR. LAO by Charles G. Finney 01/09 HO: Book Swap 01/29 LZ: Video meeting: THE FLY (part 1) 01/30 LZ: Video meeting: THE FLY (part 2) 01/30 HO: COURTSHIP RITE by Donald Kingsbury 02/20 LZ: SLAN by A. E. Van Vogt 03/13 HO: DOWNBELOW STATION by C. J. Cherryh LZ Chair is Mark Leeper, LZ 3E-215 (576-2571). HO Chair is John Jetzt, FJ 1F-108 (577-5316). LZ Librarian is Lance Larsen, LZ 3C-219 (576-2668). HO Librarian is Tim Schroeder, HO 2G-427A (949-5866). Jill-of-all-trades is Evelyn Leeper, HO 1B-437A (834-4723). 1. There is more news about these toys that are something mundane, like a shoehorn, that unfold into robots. Apparently they were designed by Japanese toymakers, but when they were brought to this country, there was a whole fantasy mythos built up around them. It seems some American toy company has produced a TV show about convertible robots and has placed them into some sort of silly story. In the story, I guess, the Earth is under attack by evil robots who don't change into anything! Earth also has allies, for some reason that is not yet clear. Somehow whenever we get in a bind there are interstellar policemen who show up to protect us with lenses on their wrists or green lanterns or intergalactic police boxes. In this case, the cops on the beat are good robots that transform into things like jeeps and shoehorns. Maybe someone out there can tell me if there are jeeps on the policemen's home planet or if they were especially built for Earth. The idea is that if a robot can transform, it can travel around as secretly as Clark Kent. A robot running down the street might attract the attention of the nasty aliens. I know it would attract my attention. But if it transforms into a jeep, it can look just like any other car running around without a driver. Nobody notices a car running around without a driver. At least I never have. Mark Leeper LZ 3E-215 x2571 ...{houxn,hogpd,hocse}!lznv!mrl HIGH SPIRITS by Robertson Davies Penguin, 1982, $5.95. A book review by Evelyn C. Leeper This book won the Award for Best Anthology/Collection at this year's World Fantasy Convention in Ottawa, and I had heard good things about Robertson Davies from other sources, so I decided to give it a try. I'm glad I did. The book consists of eighteen stories and an introduction in which Davies explains how these stories came about. The stories are short, told in the first person, and presented (as all first-person stories are) as being true. Since they are not internally consistent (Davies meets the ghost of William Lyon Mackenzie King twice, and the second time he says he hadn't seen the ghost before), I think we may presume that they are, indeed, fiction, and not some _A_m_i_t_y_v_i_l_l_e _H_o_r_r_o_r-like attempt to deceive the reader. Davies has an easy writing style, and the stories are quite short. They would be ideal for reading aloud; in fact, that is how they were first presented. They are not, for the most part, "scary" stories (though one or two have their chilling moments). They are light-hearted looks at ghosts, be they the ghosts of the "insulted saints" (those ex-saints who were "un- sainted" by Pope Paul the Sixth), or the ghost of the "Poor Relation," whose ancient castle had been transported to Canada and remodeled into a modern home. They are _C_a_n_a_d_i_a_n stories, with an emphasis on Canadian history, culture, and ghosts. The humor is under-stated ("Though I am not a whole- hearted believer in astrology as such, I was brought up a Presbyterian, and thus I am inclined to believe bad news from virtually any source.") And sandwiched in between the ghostly goings-on and the humor are some interesting ideas. This book doesn't jump up and grab you by the throat, yelling "Read me!", but it gently coaxes you along until you're hooked. Good reading! STARMAN A film review by Mark R. Leeper Rumor has it that Columbia Pictures turned down an opportunity to produce _E. _T. because they were producing _S_t_a_r_m_a_n. Rumor also has it that word is going around Hollywood that _S_t_a_r_m_a_n is a really good film. See, some rumors you can believe, some you can't. For those who have not heard the plot by now, the Voyager space probe lands on an alien planet around another star and an alien comes to Earth in answer to its invitation. Never mind that the other star--which we are told is visible from Earth--must be just outside Pluto's orbit for Voyager to have arrived there already. That would be a technical detail and this film doesn't worry too much about them. The alien, who is incorporeal, clones a copy of Karen Allen's dead husband. The alien, now played by Jeff bridges, coerces Allen to drive him from Wisconsin to his pickup point in Arizona. As the alien becomes corporeal, so do the seven wishes he brought with him. They turn into marbles that he can call on to get him out of scrapes. The plot of the film will seem very familiar; in fact, it borrows heavily from _C_l_o_s_e _E_n_c_o_u_n_t_e_r_s _o_f _t_h_e _T_h_i_r_d _K_i_n_d and _E. _T. Karen Allen's acting is sufficient. She is neither an asset nor a liability to this film. Then there is Jeff Bridges. It is his performance alone--no one else, not the script, not the special effects--that saves this film from being a dog. Ever try to drive a strange car? You find very often you can do it but you are just a bit clumsy at it. This is exactly how Bridges plays his role as an alien trying to work this new and unfamiliar body. In one scene of _A_l_l _o_f _M_e, Steve Martin is a man imitating a women imitating a man. With far less physical comedy experience, Bridges spends an entire film as a man imitating an alien imitating a man, and Bridges does a better job then Martin. And at the same time he conveys the same sort of wonder that Malcolm McDowell had in _T_i_m_e _a_f_t_e_r _T_i_m_e. The special effects are by Industrial Light and Magic, but they are only a small part of the film. They portray the alien spacecraft as a mirrored sphere. Impressive looking, but the lower-budget _W_a_v_e_l_e_n_g_t_h had the same image as well as a number of the plot elements earlier. This is Jeff Bridges's film. He saves it from foundering on the rocks and by salvage law it is his film. With his help, this is a zero film (on a -4 to +4 scale). Without his contribution, it might not have done so well. THE COTTON CLUB A film review by Mark R. Leeper Francis Ford Coppola's career has had its ups and downs. The biggest ups were the two _G_o_d_f_a_t_h_e_r films; the biggest down is probably the more recent tone experiment _O_n_e _f_r_o_m _t_h_e _H_e_a_r_t. Coppola films come with big price tags and some win big at the boxoffice, but more recently they have been losing big. Coppola needs a box office winner so he is returning to a subject that has worked for him in the past. He has made another lavish gangster film. _T_h_e _C_o_t_t_o_n _C_l_u_b takes place in the late Twenties and early Thirties when gangsters and celebrities would slum in Harlem. The number one slumming spot was the Cotton Club, a posh night spot where blacks entertained, where legends like Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington were born, but where the audience was white only. _T_h_e _C_o_t_t_o_n _C_l_u_b is the story of two pairs of brothers, the Irish Dwyers and the black Williamses. The Dwyers get involved with the psychopathic hood Dutch Schultz (played by James Remar) and the pugnacious Owney Madden (Bob Hoskins), owner of the Cotton Club, racketeer, and self-appointed peacemaker among the bootleggers. _T_h_e _C_o_t_t_o_n _C_l_u_b is structured much like _R_a_g_t_i_m_e with many intertwined stories being developed at the same time. As much as this film has a main character, it is Dixie Dwyer (Richard Gere), a cornet player who saves Dutch Schultz's life and, with his brother, is sucked into the world of bootleggers and numbers runners. The story also follows Sandman Williams (Gregory Hines), who is chasing stardom and one Lila Rose Oliver (Lonette McKee). Lila Rose wants to make it as a star too, but her skin is light enough that she wants to make it as a white star. The story for _T_h_e _C_o_t_t_o_n _C_l_u_b is by William Kennedy, Coppola, and Mario Puzo. What makes the film most watchable is the same sort of racketeer politics that Coppola and Puzo put into the _G_o_d_f_a_t_h_e_r films. The "who is doing what to whom and why" and the backdrop of the Twenties fascinates the viewer and make 127 minutes go by quickly. Though Gere plays the main character of a memorable film, his will not be the most memorable part of the film. Somehow his character is never developed to the point that we really care much about him. And the authenticity of his story is destroyed by some miscalculated scenes at the end that could have been from a Thirties musical. Curiously, the film's most memorable scene is between Madden and his lumbering bodyguard Frenchie (Fred Gwynne). These minor characters--and a third, Sol Weinstein (Julien Beck)--do more to make the film with far less screen time than any of the major characters. The musical numbers also make the film work and give a Twenties feel to the story, but by the end of the film we have seen just two or three two many of them. So did returning to gangsters and period pieces pay off for Coppola? _T_h_e _C_o_t_t_o_n _C_l_u_b is flawed, but it joins _T_h_e _N_a_t_u_r_a_l and _A_m_a_d_e_u_s as one of the best of the year. Watch for it at Oscar time. Dec 26 09:59 1984 Index for 1984 Page 1 84/12/19 2010 (Film review by J. Klus) 84/12/12 2010 (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/12/19 2010 (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/12/19 2010 (Film review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/01/11 AGAINST INFINITY (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/10/03 ALIEN TRACE (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/11/07 ALL OF ME (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/11/07 AMERICAN DREAMER (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/02/08 ANUBIS GATES (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/01/25 AUTOMAN (TV review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/04/11 Academy Awards (Comments by E. C. Leeper) 84/10/24 Ace Science Fiction Specials (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/07/11 Alternate History Novels (List by E. C. Leeper) 84/05/09 Arts & Entertainment Network (Article by E. C. Leeper) 84/10/24 BATTLEFIELD EARTH (Book review by S. A. Albert) 84/12/05 BEARING AN HOURGLASS (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/06/13 BLACK AIR (Novelette review by E. C. Leeper) 84/07/04 BLACK AIR (Novelette review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/05/02 BLACK COMPANY (Book review by D. L. Skran) 84/07/04 BLOOD MUSIC (Novelette review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/01/04 BLUE SWORD (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/10/31 BODY DOUBLE (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/03/21 BOOK OF SILENCE (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/01/25 BOOK OF THE NEW SUN (Book review by by R. L. Ditch) 84/05/02 BRADBURY 13 (Radio review by E. C. Leeper) 84/02/01 BRAINWAVES (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/12/05 BRISINGAMEN (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/06/27 BROTHERS OF EARTH (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/10/10 BUCKEROO BANZAI (Film review by E. C. Leeper) 84/10/10 BUCKEROO BANZAI (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/10 BUCKEROO BANZAI (Film review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/07/25 Bestsellers (List from Waldenbooks) 84/02/08 Books, Upcoming 84/05/09 Bookstores (Article by E. C. Leeper) 84/02/22 Boskone XXI (Convention report by E. C. Leeper) 84/02/22 Boskone XXI (Convention report by L. F. Larsen) 84/04/11 Bradbury, Ray (Comments by E. C. Leeper) 84/01/18 Bright Scuff (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/02/15 Burgess's Best (Article by D. L. Skran) 84/02/15 Burgess's Best (List) 84/03/28 CALL HIM LORD (Short story review by M. R. Leeper) 84/04/04 CALL HIM LORD (Short story review by M. R. Leeper) 84/04/04 CALL HIM LORD (Short story review by R. Mitchell) 84/05/23 CAPTAIN KRONOS--VAMPIRE HUNTER (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/02/01 CASCADE POINT (Novella review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/05/23 CASTLE OF WIZARDRY (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/02/08 CASTLEDOWN (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/05/09 CHANGING LAND (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/04/18 CHILDREN OF THE CORN (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/04/04 CICADA QUEEN (Short story review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/05/30 CIRCUS WORLD (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/01/25 CITADEL OF THE AUTARCH (Book review by by R. L. Ditch) 84/02/01 CITADEL OF THE AUTARCH (Comments by Charles N. Brown) 84/05/30 CITY OF BARABOO (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/10/17 CITY OF SORCERY (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/01/25 CLAW OF THE CONCILIATOR (Book review by by R. L. Ditch) Dec 26 09:59 1984 Index for 1984 Page 2 84/07/04 CONAN THE DESTROYER (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/12/26 COTTON CLUB (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/17 CRIMES OF THE FUTURE (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/06/27 CRUCIBLE OF TIME (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/10/10 CRYSTAL CROWN (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/03/07 CYCLOPS (Novella review by E. C. Leeper) 84/03/07 CYCLOPS (Novella review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/05/02 Chinese SF (Comments by C. E. Jackson) 84/02/29 Comic Books (Intro) (Column by J. A. Johnson) 84/03/14 Comic Books (Super-Hero Teams) (Column by J. A. Johnson) 84/01/11 ConStellation (Report from LOCUS) 84/10/03 Concoction Ad 84/03/14 DAMIANO (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/03/21 DAMIANO (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/04/18 DAMIANO (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/05/09 DAMIANO'S LUTE (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/05/23 DAMIANO'S LUTE (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/05/30 DAMIANO'S LUTE (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/09/26 DARKER THAN YOU THINK (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/12/05 DAY OF DISSONANCE (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/04/11 DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/09/19 DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (Essay by M. R. Leeper) 84/04/25 DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/11/28 DEAD ZONE (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/03/14 DEADLY EYES (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/07/11 DEMON BREED (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/10/10 DEMONS OF THE DANCING GODS (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/05/09 DEVIL'S EYE (Film review by E. C. Leeper) 84/05/09 DILVISH THE DAMNED (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/12/05 DINOSAUR PLANET: THE SURVIVORS (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/02/08 DR. ADDER (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/03/07 DRACULA'S DIARY (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/06/27 DRAGONTALES (Comment by E. C. Leeper) 84/03/07 DREAM DANCER (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/09/19 DREAMSCAPE (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/06/13 DUNE (Film preview by E. C. Leeper) 84/12/19 DUNE (Film review by C. E. Jackson) 84/12/19 DUNE (Film review by C. E. Jackson) 84/12/19 DUNE (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/12/19 DUNE (Film review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/01/18 Disney (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/01/11 Doohan, James (Report by R. Mitchell) 84/01/11 Dramatic Presentations in 1983 (List by E. C. Leeper) 84/06/27 EARTHMAN'S BURDEN (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/04/11 ENEMY OF THE STATE (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/03/21 ENEMY OF THE STATE (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/07/25 ENGLISHMAN'S CASTLE (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/04/04 ENTITY (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/09/26 EPCOT Center (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/11/28 EWOK ADVENTURE (Film review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/06/27 FADED SUN: KESRITH (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/06/27 FADED SUN: KUTATH (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/06/27 FADED SUN: SHON'JIR (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/06/06 FALCON'S GOLD (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/03/07 FANTASIA (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/02/08 FANTASISTS ON FANTASY (Book review by E. C. Leeper) Dec 26 09:59 1984 Index for 1984 Page 3 84/05/23 FEVRE DREAM (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/11/28 FILM ENCYCLOPEDIA: SF (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/03 FINAL OPTION (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/04/04 FIRE AND ICE (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/05/09 FIRE WHEN IT COMES (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/05/16 FIRESTARTER (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/05/16 FIRESTARTER (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/03 FLAME ON THE ICE (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/10/03 FLIGHT OF DRAGONS (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/24 FLYING SORCERORS (Book discussion by R. Mitchell) 84/02/01 FORBIDDEN WORLD (Film review by E. C. Leeper) 84/10/10 FORLORN HOPE (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/06/20 FRANKENSTEIN (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/10 FUTURES PAST (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/10/17 Fantasycon (Report by E. C. Leeper) 84/06/27 GATE OF IVREL (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/08/08 GATE OF WORLDS (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/07/18 GEOMETRY OF NARRATIVE (Comments by C. E. Jackson) 84/06/13 GEOMETRY OF NARRATIVE (Short story review by E. C. Leeper) 84/07/04 GEOMETRY OF NARRATIVE (Short story review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/06/13 GET CRAZY (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/06/13 GHOSTBUSTERS (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/06/20 GHOSTBUSTERS (Film review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/04/04 GODS OF RIVERWORLD (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/10/24 GREEN EYES (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/06/20 GREEN EYES (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/06/13 GREMLINS (Film review by E. C. Leeper) 84/06/13 GREMLINS (Film review by L. F. Larsen) 84/06/13 GREMLINS (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/04/04 GREYSTOKE (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/02/08 GULLIVER IN LILLIPUT (TV review by E. C. Leeper) 84/12/05 Gernsback, Hugo (Comment by M. R. Leeper) 84/11/28 Gernsback, Hugo (Comments by E. C. Leeper) 84/08/08 Ground Rules (Comments by M. R. Leeper & E. C. Leeper) 84/01/04 HAMMER'S SLAMMERS (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/05/09 HARDFOUGHT (Novella review by E. C. Leeper) 84/07/04 HARDFOUGHT (Novella review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/05/09 HARPIST IN THE WIND (Book review by S. A. Albert) 84/03/21 HEALER (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/03/14 HEECHEE RENDEZVOUS (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/05/09 HEIR OF SEA AND FIRE (Book review by S. A. Albert) 84/02/01 HELLICONIA SPRING (Book review by L. F. Larsen) 84/02/08 HELLICONIA SUMMER (Book review by L. F. Larsen) 84/02/01 HER FURRY FACE (Short story comment P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/02/15 HER FURRY FACE (Short story review by E. C. Leeper) 84/04/04 HER HABILENE HUSBAND (Short story review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/12/26 HIGH SPIRITS (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/12/05 HIGH SPIRITS (Comment by E. C. Leeper) 84/02/08 HIT OR MYTH (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/04/11 HIT OR MYTH (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/12/05 HITCHHIKER (Comment by M. R. Leeper) 84/06/27 HOKA (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/04/25 HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/03/21 HOUR OF THE GATE (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/06/27 HUNTER OF WORLDS (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/05/09 HURRICANE CLAUDE (Novella review by E. C. Leeper) Dec 26 09:59 1984 Index for 1984 Page 4 84/07/04 HURRICANE CLAUDE (Novella review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/05/02 Haskin, Byron (Obituary by M. R. Leeper) 84/06/20 Home Movies (Article by Erma Bombeck) 84/01/18 Hugo Nomination Ad 84/01/25 Hugo Nomination Ad 84/02/01 Hugo Nomination Ad 84/02/08 Hugo Nomination Ad 84/02/15 Hugo Nomination Ad 84/02/29 Hugo Nomination Ad 84/03/07 Hugo Nomination Ad 84/04/18 Hugo Nominees (1984) 84/09/05 Hugo Winners (1984) 84/03/21 I AM LEGEND (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/24 I VAMPIRE (Book review by C. E. Jackson) 84/06/06 I VAMPIRE (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/05/02 ICE PIRATES (Film review by E. C. Leeper) 84/10/03 ICE PROPHET (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/10/24 ICEHENGE (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/12/05 ICEHENGE (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/11/14 ICEHENGE (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/04/18 ICEMAN (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/03 IMPULSE (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/07/04 IN THE FACE OF MY ENEMY (Novella review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/05/30 INDIANA JONES & THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/06/06 INDIANA JONES & THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (Film review by P. Chisholm) 84/06/13 INDIANA JONES & THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (Film review by R. Mitchell) 84/06/27 INFRA-MAN (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/03/21 IVANHOE GAMBIT (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/12/26 Index to Notices (1984) 84/10/24 Infant solar system (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/11/28 JABBERWOCKY (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/09/19 JAWS OF SATAN (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/02/08 JHEREG (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/11/28 JOB (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/10/17 JOB (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/11/28 Japanese Robots (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/07/11 KAJIRA OF GOR (Book review by L. F. Larsen) 84/09/26 Kennedy Space Center (Comments by E. C. Leeper) 84/09/19 LACon II Report (Film report by M. R. Leeper) 84/09/19 LACon II Report (Gaming report by R. Mitchell) 84/09/19 LACon II Report (Miscellaneous report by E. C. Leeper) 84/09/19 LACon II Report (Miscellaneous report by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/03/21 LADIES OF MANDRIGYN (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/06/27 LAMMAS NIGHT (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/10/03 LAND BEYOND THE GATE (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/07/04 LAST DAY OF CREATION (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/07/18 LAST STARFIGHTER (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/07/18 LAST STARFIGHTER (Film review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/07/18 LAST STARFIGHTER (Film review by R. Mitchell) 84/08/01 LAST STARFIGHTER (Film review by Rob Mitchell) 84/05/02 LAST WAVE (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/09/12 LENSMAN (Film review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/04/11 LIFE, THE UNIVERSE, AND EVERYTHING (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/10/03 LIMBRETH GATE (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/01/11 LUCIFER'S HAMMER (Book review by D. G. Marsh) 84/03/21 LURE OF THE BASILISK (Book review by N. Haslock) Dec 26 09:59 1984 Index for 1984 Page 5 84/02/15 LeGuin, Ursula K. (Article by E. C. Leeper) 84/09/26 Lessing, Doris (Comments by C. E. Jackson) 84/02/15 Library Acquisitions 84/05/30 Library Acquisitions 84/08/15 Library Acquisitions 84/09/05 Library Acquisitions 84/02/08 Library Additions 84/02/01 Library Issues 84/03/21 Lunacon Report (Report by E. C. Leeper) 84/02/15 MAN IN THE TREE (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/04/04 MARCHING MORONS (Short story review by E. C. Leeper) 84/05/09 MARTIN (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/11/14 MELANCHOLY ELEPHANTS (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/10/10 MEMOIRS OF ALCHERINGIA (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/08/15 METROPOLIS (Comments by E. C. Leeper) 84/05/02 MILLENIUM (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/05/02 MILLENIUM (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/12/12 MODESTY BLAISE (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/05/09 MONKEY TREATMENT (Novelette review by E. C. Leeper) 84/07/04 MONKEY TREATMENT (Novelette review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/10/03 MOONHEART (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/10/10 MORETA'S RIDE (Book review by llfe) 84/05/23 MORETA: DRAGONLADY OF PERN (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/11/28 MOTEL HELL (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/07/25 MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/07/18 MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN (Film review by R. Mitchell) 84/04/11 MY DINNER WITH ANDRE (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/12/05 MYTHING PERSON (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/03/21 Moomerism (Article by M. R. Leeper) 84/11/14 Movie Ratings (Comment by M. R. Leeper) 84/01/11 Movies, Upcoming (List by P. Reiher) 84/09/19 Multiple Path Adventure Books (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/03 NATIVE TONGUE (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/03/07 NAVIGATOR'S SINDROME (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/10/24 NEUROMANCER (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/02/01 NEVER CRY WOLF (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/06/13 NEVERENDING STORY (Film preview by E. C. Leeper) 84/07/25 NEVERENDING STORY (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/31 NIGHTMARES (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/31 NJAL'S SAGA (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/06/27 NOW YOU SEE IT/HIM/THEM (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/04/04 Nebula Award Nominations 84/05/16 Nebula Awards (1984) 84/02/01 Novels and Stories Recommended by LOCUS (1983) 84/10/03 ON A PALE HORSE (Book review by D. L. Skran) 84/12/05 ON A PALE HORSE (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/10/03 ONCE THERE WAS A GIANT (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/01/04 OPERATION TIME SEARCH (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/10/24 ORLANDO: A BIOGRAPHY (Book review by C. E. Jackson) 84/12/12 OTHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/05/30 Officers 84/09/26 Olympics (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/24 PALIMPSESTS (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/02/15 PARADISE LOST (Poem review by E. C. Leeper) 84/10/24 PASSING FOR HUMAN (Book review by C. E. Jackson) 84/03/21 PEACEKEEPER CONSPIRACY (Book review by N. Haslock) Dec 26 09:59 1984 Index for 1984 Page 6 84/05/09 PEACEMAKER (Short story review by E. C. Leeper) 84/05/23 PEACEMAKER (Short story review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/02/29 PET SEMATARY (Book review by by R. L. Ditch) 84/09/19 PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENT (Film review by C. E. Hudson) 84/07/04 PILGERMANN (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/01/04 PLAGUE SHIP (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/04/04 PLANIVERSE (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/01/04 POSTMARKED THE STARS (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/02/01 POWER OF THE PRESS (Short story comment P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/04/04 PRACTICE EFFECT (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/04/04 PRACTICE EFFECT (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/12/19 PRIVILEGE (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/07/11 PROCURATOR (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/01/04 PSYCHOTRONIC ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FILM (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/03/07 PUPIL OF MAGIC (Poem by Johann Goethe) 84/11/21 Philcon (Convention report by C. E. Hudson) 84/11/21 QUATERMASS EXPERIMENT (Comment by M. R. Leeper) 84/11/21 QUATERMASS II (Comment by M. R. Leeper) 84/07/11 R-28 (Film comment by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/03 RALESTONE LUCK (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/09/12 RAPHAEL (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/10/31 RAPHAEL (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/06/20 RECALLED TO LIFE (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/08/15 RED DAWN (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/08/15 RED DAWN (Film review by R. Mitchell) 84/04/11 RETURN OF TARZAN (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/08/08 REVENGE OF THE NERDS (Film review by D. L. Skran) 84/05/09 RIDDLEMASTER OF HED (Book review by S. A. Albert) 84/01/25 RIGHT STUFF (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/03/21 RIVER OF DANCING GODS (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/10/24 RIVER OF THE DANCING GODS (Book review by S. A. Albert) 84/01/25 ROBIN HOOD AND THE SORCERER (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/01/11 ROBOTS OF DAWN (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/02/01 ROBOTS OF DAWN (Book review by Dale L. Skran) 84/05/30 ROBOTS OF DAWN (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/04/25 ROBOTS OF DAWN (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/02/08 ROBOTS OF DAWN (Book review correction by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/03/21 SALVAGE AND DESTROY (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/03/28 SANDKINGS (Short story review by M. R. Leeper) 84/01/04 SARGASSO OF SPACE (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/05/02 SCI FI (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/10/10 SEARCH FOR KA (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/03/28 SECRET ARMY (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/09/12 SECRET OF NIMH (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/07/04 SEEKING (Novella review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/04/25 SENTINEL (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/06/13 SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE (Short story review by E. C. Leeper) 84/07/04 SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE (Short story review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/03/21 SEVEN TOWERS (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/01/25 SHADOW OF THE TORTURER (Book review by by R. L. Ditch) 84/03/21 SHAPECHANGERS (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/10/31 SHERLOCK HOLMES THRU TIME & SPACE (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/10/31 SHIKASTA (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/10/17 SHIVERS (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/11/14 SILVER HORSE (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/05/23 SINGLE COMBAT (Book review by N. Haslock) Dec 26 09:59 1984 Index for 1984 Page 7 84/07/18 SLOW BIRDS (Novelette review by M. R. Leeper) 84/07/04 SLOW BIRDS (Novelette review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/02/15 SLOW DANCING WITH JESUS (Story review by E. C. Leeper) 84/02/15 SLOW DANCING WITH JESUS (Story review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/03/21 SORCERER'S LEGACY (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/02/15 SPEECH SOUNDS (Novelette review by E. C. Leeper) 84/02/01 SPEECH SOUNDS (Short Story review P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/03/21 SPIRITS OF FLUX AND ANCHOR (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/04/04 SPLASH (Film review by D. Marsh) 84/03/21 SPLASH (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/01/04 STAR HUNTER (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/06/13 STAR TREK III (Film review by A. M. Gopin) 84/06/13 STAR TREK III (Film review by L. F. Larsen) 84/06/06 STAR TREK III (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/06/06 STAR TREK III (Film review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/06/20 STAR TREK III (Film review by R. Koehler) 84/06/13 STAR TREK III (Film review by R. Mitchell) 84/08/01 STAR TREK III (Film review by Rob Mitchell) 84/01/11 STARBURST (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/01/11 STARBURST (Book review by S. Klus) 84/12/26 STARMAN (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/01/04 STARTIDE RISING (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/10/17 STEREO (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/04/04 STONE EGGS (Short story review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/02/08 STRATA (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/02/01 STREET MEAT (Short story comment P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/06/13 STREETS OF FIRE (Film review by E. C. Leeper) 84/06/20 STREETS OF FIRE (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/05/02 SUNDIVER (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/01/04 SUNDIVER (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/04/04 SUPERLUMINAL (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/01/25 SWORD OF THE LICTOR (Book review by by R. L. Ditch) 84/03/21 SWORDSWOMAN (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/10/31 Science Fiction (Comments by Doris Lessing) 84/01/25 Science Fiction, Basic (List) 84/10/31 Sitges Awards (List) 84/07/11 Space Day (Comments by D. L. Skran) 84/07/11 Space Day Schedule (Comment by D. L. Skran) 84/10/10 TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE (Television review by M. R. Leeper) 84/04/11 TARZAN OF THE APES (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/04/11 TAYLORSVILLE RECONSTRUCTION (Comments by L. F. Larsen) 84/04/04 TAYLORSVILLE RECONSTRUCTION (Short story review by P. Chisholm) 84/02/29 TEA WITH THE BLACK DRAGON (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/03/21 TEA WITH THE BLACK DRAGON (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/02/29 TEA WITH THE BLACK DRAGON (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/06/20 TELEMPATH (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/07/11 TELZEY TOY (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/11/07 TERMINATOR (Film review byM. R. Leeper) 84/06/13 TERRITORIAL IMPERATIVE (Short story review by E. C. Leeper) 84/07/04 TERROR OF FRANKENSTEIN (Film comment by M. R. Leeper) 84/03/28 THE MOON GODDESS AND THE SON (Novelette review by E. C. Leeper) 84/10/17 THE PIMPERNEL PLOT (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/10/24 THEM BONES (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/10/10 THOUSAND SHRINE WARRIOR (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/12/05 TIDES OF TIME (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/02/29 TIME FOR SHERLOCK HOLMES (Book review by E. C. Leeper) Dec 26 09:59 1984 Index for 1984 Page 8 84/03/28 TO BRING IN THE STEEL (Novelette review by E. C. Leeper) 84/05/23 TO THE DEVIL A DAUGHTER (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/06/27 TOP SECRET (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/12/05 TRACE OF MEMORY (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/12/05 TRAVELLER IN BLACK (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/06/13 TWICE UPON A TIME (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/31 TWILIGHT ZONE SILVER ANNIV. SHOW (Film review by M. R. Leeper) 84/10/03 Top Rental Movies 84/03/21 UNEARTHLY STRANGER (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/08/15 UNICORN VARIATIONS (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/04/04 UNIVERSE 13 (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/04/04 VALENTINE PONTIFEX (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/02/08 VOID CAPTAIN'S TALE (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/01/04 VOODOO PLANET (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/10/03 VOYAGE TO THE CITY OF THE DEAD (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/02/15 WANDERER (Book review by R. L. Ditch) 84/07/04 WARGAMES (Film comment by M. R. Leeper) 84/09/12 WATERSHIP DOWN (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/04/04 WAY BACK (Short story review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/09/05 WEB (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/03/21 WELL OF DARKNESS (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/01/11 WHITE PLAGUE (Book review by D. G. Marsh) 84/05/02 WICKER MAN (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/04/11 WIDOW AND THE BODY SITTER (Comments by C. M. Garnant) 84/04/04 WIDOW AND THE BODY SITTER (Short story review by P. Chisholm) 84/04/04 WIDTH OF THE WORLD (Short story review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/03/07 WILD SHORE (Book review by D. L. Skran) 84/03/07 WILD SHORE (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/10/24 WILD SHORE (Book review by E. C. Leeper) 84/01/11 WINDS OF CHANGE (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/08/15 WINDS OF CHANGE (Book review by R. Mitchell) 84/10/03 WINDSINGERS (Book review by N. Haslock) 84/01/25 WIZARDS AND WARRIORS (Episode list) 84/03/07 WOMAN OF THE HORSECLANS (Book review by E. A. Lewis) 84/07/04 WONG'S LOST & FOUND EMPORIUM (Short story rev. by P. Chisholm) 84/05/02 WORLD'S END (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/06/06 WORLDS APART (Book review by D. L. Skran) 84/04/18 WORLDS APART (Book review by P. S. R. Chisholm) 84/01/18 Write Tough (Comments by M. R. Leeper) 84/02/29 X STANDS FOR UNKNOWN (Book review by M. R. Leeper) 84/02/29 XTRO (Film review by E. C. Leeper) 84/06/27 YENDI (Book review by N. Haslock) _N_O_T_E_S _F_R_O_M _T_H_E _N_E_T --------------------------------------- Subject: Re: re: collector's editions Path: houxm!mhuxr!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!ucbvax!ucbcad!kalash Date: Mon, 17-Dec-84 13:32:32 EST I'm complaining about $100 books, and somewhat about Disch's booklets like _Ringtime_ for Toothpaste Press... Opinions? There have been (to my knowledge) two limited books that cost more then $100, and both are Stephen King books. Most limiteds are in the range of 40 -> 50. This seems to be an effort to boost sales of the expensive version by withholding the affordable copies, and I consider it a low practice. This is rarely (if at all) done. The people who make the limiteds and the people who make the trades usally are different publishers. The trade press usally just schedules the book, and the limited press scurries about trying to get to press and out the door in time. The latest Stephen King limited edition, THE EYES OF THE DRAGON was just issued (I got mine the other day), and it won't be available in a trade edition for 3 years. Why so long a delay, I don't know. King's normal publisher (Viking) doesn't want more than one King book out any any year, they like his books to be "events", and they don't want the books conflicting with one another. Joe Kalash --------------------------------------- Subject: Spider Robinson Path: ihnp4!ucla-cs!jeanne Date: Thu, 20-Dec-84 13:20:16 EST This is going to be a rapturous rave for Robinson's work. I've loved it for several years, but that was mostly based on the Callahan Crosstime Salooon stories--I have a weakness for puns and Spider has some really "vile" ones in his stories. However, in the last couple of months I have read a couple of his more serious works and have been unbelievably impressed. The man writes beautifully. I am normally the type who tears through books as fast as I can because there is just so much to read and so little time to read it all. When I notice the writing (as opposed to the story itself) on the first read through a book, there has to be something very special about it. I've never - 2 - read descriptive passages in anything to compare with those in Spider's works; I've actually stopped to savor the descriptions and my reactions to them--it takes something special to stop my headlong flight through my reading. I finished reading "Mindkiller" last night. Needless to say, I recommend it extremely highly. It has two parallel plots (alternating chapters), both of which involve people you care about, in situations that challenge their minds, emotions, and lives. Some of the things that happen can be anticipated (or at least speculated about as possible), but there are some real surprises. (Chapter 2 appeared in Omni as a story called "God Is An Iron.) The other book I read (a couple of months ago) was a collection of Spider's short stories, called "Melancholy Elephants" (the title story won the Hugo Award for short story in 1983). Unfortunately, the book is only available in Canada at the moment. If you live there, get the book as quickly as possible. If you are here in the States, you either have to wait until the book comes out late in 1985 here, or get hold of friends or relatives in Canada and get them to send it to you. The book is worth the trouble to find it. The depth of human feeling in the stories is I met Spider and his wife, Jeanne, at Worldcon, and fell instantly in love with both of them. For those of you who are caught up on Spider's work, here's the word on what he has coming up. There is going to be a third Callahan book (in March) (hooray!). He is also finishing up his new novel (working title is "Time Pressure). He read the first chapter at the convention and it is an awesome beginning. So, for those of you who have yet to discover Spider Robinson, find his books wherever you can. It will be well worth the effort. --------------------------------------- Subject: Re: Spider Robinson - counter review Path: houxm!mhuxr!ihnp4!cbosgd!clyde!watmath!looking!brad Date: Sun, 23-Dec-84 00:00:00 EST I can't say I agree with the review of Spider Robinson. After reading Mindkiller, my impression was, "this guy writes just like Heinlein - only not as well." R.A.H. is Robinson's personal hero. Robinson even thinks the Number of the Beast was a great book. It's no wonder he copies the style exactly. But if you want that style, read the master himself, at least in his older stores. I have also met Robinson at a Con, and didn't find him that impressive. Just my opinion, of course. Brad Templeton, Looking Glass Software Ltd. - Waterloo, Ontario 519/884-7473 - 3 - --------------------------------------- Subject: Re: Spider - counter, counter review Path: houxm!mhuxr!ihnp4!nsc!chuqui Date: Tue, 25-Dec-84 01:34:41 EST Hmm... This may be an infinitely recursive discussion, but I need to disagree with the disagreement about Spider. Spider IS a lot like RAH-- he takes chances, he pushes himself into uncertain territory, he works very hard to make his characters people (many of his stories really aren't SF, but are well enough done that nobody really notices or cares) and sometimes he falls on his face. So does RAH. Spider has Callahans, Stardance, and parts of Mindkiller (especially "God in an Iron", which is the second chapter and was originally in Omni). RAH has his juveniles, Time Enough for Love, and stories such as "The Man Who Dealt in Elephants". Both also have works that fall on their face, mainly because neither is willing to deal in "safe" stories. I think both fall into a class of writers that simply don't have middle ground. You either love their work, or you hate their work. Ellison is in there, so is Vonnegut. They aren't perfect writers, but they are good writers, and when they are on, they are REALLY on. It isn't really fair to take a good work of one (such as TEFL) and compare it to an average work from the other--the outcome is biased. Actually, I don't like to compare authors at all, I prefer to compare a work with the authors potential. chuq --------------------------------------- Subject: Re: Time between movies and sequels Path: ihnp4!decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!sdcsvax!sdcrdcf!trwrb!trwspp!spp2!urban Date: Tue, 18-Dec-84 15:04:33 EST In article <6613@brl-tgr.ARPA> ron@brl-tgr.ARPA (Ron Natalie ) writes: Return to OZ is not a Sequel to the "The Wizard of OZ" that has Judy Garland in it. Return to OZ distinguishes itself in that it tries to be an accurate reproduction of the story in Baum's book, rather than a made over for Hollywood musical like its predecessor. The technology necessary to make a lot of what happens (like making the characters actually look like the illustrations in the book) is fairly recent stuff. I've read a draft of the script for Return to Oz; how close it is to what eventually hits the screen is anyone's guess. However, it is clear that the film is an amalgam of the second and third Oz books ("Marvelous Land of Oz" and "Ozma of Oz"), with some clear changes that are based primarily on the MGM musical. For example, Dorothy's Ruby Slippers figure heavily into the plot; in the original book, they're Silver Shoes (MGM thought that ruby slippers would be better in Technicolor), but their function in the new story derives from a different artifact from the books, the Nome King's - 4 - Magic Belt. There are a couple of other oblique references to the MGM film, especially in the Kansas scenes. Some of the story emendations are a little strange if you grew up on the Oz books (as I did). For example, the characters of Mombi and Princess Langwidere are fused into one, and it's Dorothy who brings the Gump to life. Imagine Dorothy, Tik-Tok, Billina, and Jack Pumpkinhead fleeing from the Emerald City in the Gump, and you begin to get the idea. If you haven't read the books, of course, none of this should bother you. Rather more disturbing is that the draft that I read seems to imply that Disney is going to attempt to continue the "it was only a dream/hallucination" approach of the 1939 film, though somewhat more ambiguously. I'm unable to determine if this element was retained in the final film. On the other hand, he publicity on the film at the Worldcon convinces me that the film is going to be visually fabulous. You'll believe a Gump's head can talk. We'll just have to wait and see whether or not the elements can all come together and make "Return to Oz" a complete delight, or a stultifying disaster. Mike --------------------------------------- Subject: "dune" Path: ihnp4!ucla-cs!reiher Date: Wed, 19-Dec-84 00:34:38 EST I am finding out the hard way just how difficult it is to work at 300 baud with a dumb terminal which only has 40 columns. Please forgive a certain lack of polish. "Dune" simultaneously plays to David Lynch's weaknesses and strengths. Both are plainly evident from his previous films, and even from his background, but "Dune" displays them as never before. Lynch was an artist before he took up film, and visuals have always been his greatest strength, as anyone who saw "Eraserhead" can attest. Viewers of that film can also vouch for Lynch's ability to establish moods. In "The Elephant Man", Lynch was able to fit these talents within a Hollywood framework without major compromise. No one, including me, noticed that he had one fatal weakness, a weakness not likely to show up in films like "Eraserhead" or "The Elephant Man". David Lynch is not a storyteller. His gifts are almost purely visual, and even within the sphere of the visual they do not partake of the narrative impulse. Before "Dune", one might have thought that Lynch simply wasn't very interested in story, but that he might have been able to handle it when necessary. "Dune" illustrates that this is not the case. "Dune" was an impossible assignment to begin with. Frank Herbert's novel is over five hundred pages long, crammed with plot, characters, and atmosphere. - 5 - There are some splendid visual opportunities, but there is just too much stuff to fit into a conventional Hollywood movie, and the expense required to bring off the story precluded anything but a major hollywood film. In fact, the visual possibilities seemed to be what drew filmmakers to "Dune". Several of those who previously made serious efforts to get a film made included Jadorewsky (almost certainly misspelled in the absence of my film reference books; he directed "El Topo") and Ridley Scott. Not surprisingly, none of those involved were especially strong as storytellers; they were all visualists. "Dune" defeats Lynch utterly at the story level. Lynch's screenplay visits all of the major incidents in the first half of the book, and most of those in the second, but the overall feeling is like nothing so much as one of those "ten day, twelve countries" tours of Europe. It all flies by too fast, losing all nuances in the process. Lynch includes the major plot elements, but leaves out all that made "Dune" a fascinating book: the ecology of the planet, the historical background of the empire, the culture of the Fremen (natives of the planet Dune, for the uninitiated out there), motivations of the characters, and the philosophical point of the whole thing. Some elements which Lynch chose to add to the story run from irrelevant to harmful, and are at best a waste of time. Welcome to the Reader's Digest condensed version of "Dune". I will leave out the usual plot summary, as the plot of "dune" is extremely complicated. Anything I said would either spoil or confuse the newcomers, and would bore those familiar with the novel. Suffice it to say that there are many twists and turns which David Lynch tries to navigate with almost every hoary story device known to filmmakers, including narration, voice overs of people thinking (a particularly annoying device in this film which Lynch beats into the ground), obvious expository dialog, and that science fiction chestnut, the book that tells you all about your brand new planet. These devices are very poorly integrated. Along with a byzantine plot comes a large and varied cast of characters. Lynch has unwisely chosen to include almost all of them in the film version, even if it means giving them only one or two meaningless scenes and then dropping them. He seems to believe, rather naively, that if he puts well known actors in these roles, we will understand that they are important characters, even though they have nothing to do in the film. In fact, the cast as a whole has so little to do in this film that it is almost meaningless to speak of the quality of their performances. No one has the time or scenes to distinguish themselves, except for newcomer kyle mckechnie (definitely misspelled, probably only an approximation of his last name). He, alas, is not up to the opportunity, and is little more than handsome in the role of Paul. Jurgen Prochnow has some impact as Duke Leto and Sting and Kenneth McMillain are ok as the principle villains. All of the other actors are so much set decoration. And with that, on to happier topics, such as the set decoration. Lynch has produced a visually stunning film. The sets and costumes are bizarre and - 6 - brilliant. The effects, by a team including Kit West ("Raiders of the Lost Ark"), Carlo Rambaldi (the creator of E. T.) and Albert Whitlock, matte painter extraordinaire, are first rate. Many of them are even new. What more could one ask from special effects? Well, perhaps a better integration into the story. The only effects that can be considered a failure are the scenes of people riding sandworms. The worms themselves are fine, but it looks like the shots of people on them didn't work out, so the effects team fell back on the old trick of implying the effect rather than showing it. David Lynch has imagined a weird universe that is an awful lot of fun to look at. This would have been sufficient if he were making the Dune calendar, but it is insufficient for a film. So the bottom line is looks 10, story 3. The film would have been better off the other way around, but that would have been nearly impossible, given the problems "Dune" presents to filmmakers. Unlike most bad science fiction movies, "Dune" is not a failure due to slavish imitation, lack of imagination, or indifference. The makers of "Dune" obviously cared, came up with something original, and failed. Too bad, but how many of you who are familiar with the book are honestly surprised? Regrettably, I can't recommend "Dune" unless you are willing to settle for visual impact alone, which few of us are. Peter Reiher --------------------------------------- Subject: Dune: read the book FIRST - (nf) Path: houxm!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!uokvax!jab Date: Wed, 19-Dec-84 01:15:00 EST This probably belongs in both "net.movies" and here, but I think it's probably more appropriate here. I am the kind of person who puts off a book that everyone recommends because, well, everyone recommends it. A good example of this is that I read "Lord of the Rings" last Spring, because before then I was always surrounded by people who were such Tolkein fans that they tried to speak Elvish. Same thing for "Time Enough for Love" and "Foundation". (All fine books, ditch the fanatics somewhere and read the books.) I promised myself that I "would read 'Dune' before seeing the movie." It wasn't because I had heard that the movie was "better/worse than the book," but that it was "different." ***** DO IT: READ 'DUNE' BEFORE SEEING THE MOVIE. ***** Why? Because, like the movie or not, you'll understand almost none of it without knowing the background of the book. Period. (The movie lacks any sense of suspense anyhow, so it's not like the book will spoil the movie. My $4.50 was spent, in my opinion, to go see the worms.) - 7 - Jeff Bowles --------------------------------------- Subject: Comments on STARMAN Path: houxm!whuxlm!akgua!akgub!usl!jla Date: Thu, 27-Dec-84 00:51:44 EST Since I have not noticed any comments on it, let me put in my vote for John Carpenter's 'Starman,' which has been showing for a week or two now. Actually I'm quite suprised that no one has yet mentioned this film... Although I grant that he has his detractors, Carpenter continues to impress me with his films. My feeling is that he takes plots which may be rather ludicrous and does simply wonderful things with them. (E.g., 'Christine') If I had to summarize the film in one sentence, I would call 'Starman' a romance a la Carl Sagan. As the basic plot is given in the previews, I will make only the following comments. I saw the film with a friend who is heavily into Sci-Fi and he thought it was overdramatic, believing that our government would never go gunning after an extra-terrestrial (sp.?) visitor. Now, I agree that after the Korean airline incident it seems highly unlikely that we would so quickly shoot down a UFO. Other than that however, I think it completely plausible that the 'authorities' would try to 'capture' such a visitor. There may have been a couple of other questionable things, but basically this film just swept me away. I thought that Jeff Bridges did a wonderful job as the visitor, and Karen Allen's performance was very strong too. Joseph Arceneaux --------------------------------------- Subject: tape tracks 12/21 Path: houxm!mhuxr!ulysses!allegra!mit-eddie!godot!harvard!seismo!nsc!chuqui Date: Sat, 22-Dec-84 00:08:15 EST Not a lot to talk about-- when you aren't home, you don't watch. Oh, well, with what we have, onward: Excalibur -- **** By far the most visually splendid version of Camelot, Arthur, and Merlin. A moving and well thought out interpretation of the legend, exceptional production values, good casting, and an inspired performance given by Merlin-- oppressive, but not superior-- Merlin knows his superiority to men, but also his limits and his foibles. The true definition of the Arthurian legends on film. That's all for now.... chuq THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT ALMOST BLANK Dec 26 10:00 1984 Index for 1984 Page 1 84/03/07 2001 (Net notes) 84/03/14 2001 (Net notes) 84/02/01 2010 (Net notes) 84/02/15 2010 (Net notes) 84/03/14 2010 (Net notes) 84/05/02 2010 (Net notes) 84/05/16 2010 (Net notes) 84/12/12 2010 (Net notes) 84/02/08 ACROSS THE SEA OF SUNS (Net notes) 84/09/05 ADAGIO (Net notes) 84/10/10 ADOLESCENCE OF P-1 (Net notes) 84/10/17 ADOLESCENCE OF P-1 (Net notes) 84/03/07 ADVENTURES OF SAMURAI CAT (Net notes) 84/04/25 ADVERSARY (Net notes) 84/08/08 ADVERSARY (Net notes) 84/04/25 AGAINST INFINITY (Net notes) 84/02/08 ALCHEMISTS (Net notes) 84/10/03 ALL OF ME (Net notes) 84/10/24 ALL OF ME (Net notes) 84/12/12 ANDY WARHOL'S DRACULA (Net notes) 84/01/18 ANUBIS GATES (Net notes) 84/02/08 ANUBIS GATES (Net notes) 84/03/21 ANUBIS GATES (Net notes) 84/04/25 ANUBIS GATES (Net notes) 84/01/18 ARMAGEDDON RAG (Net notes) 84/01/25 Aldiss, Brian (Net notes) 84/05/30 Aliens, Non-human (Net notes) 84/05/16 Amber Books (Net notes) 84/05/23 Amber Books (Net notes) 84/05/16 Art & Literature (Net notes) 84/05/30 Art/Literature (Net notes) 84/06/06 Art/Literature (Net notes) 84/06/13 Art/Literature (Net notes) 84/05/09 Arts & Entertainment Network (Article by E. C. Leeper) 84/01/18 Asimov, Isaac (Foundation) (Net notes) 84/02/15 Authors & Movies (Net notes) 84/02/29 Authors & Movies (Net notes) 84/02/08 Authors and Movies (Net notes) 84/01/18 Authors, Recommendations on (Net notes) 84/01/25 Authors, Recommendations on (Net notes) 84/08/01 BALKAN EXPRESS (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/04/11 BARD (Net notes) 84/02/15 BARON MUNCHAUSEN (Net notes) 84/03/28 BATTLEFIELD EARTH (Net notes) 84/08/15 BEARING AN HOURGLASS (Net notes) 84/10/03 BEARING AN HOURGLASS (Net notes) 84/08/15 BEASTS (Net notes) 84/08/01 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/09/12 BIO OF A SPACE TYRANT (Net notes) 84/12/05 BISHOP'S HEIR (Net notes) 84/08/01 BLADERUNNER (Net notes) 84/01/11 BOOK OF IMAGINARY BEINGS (Net notes) 84/04/04 BOOK OF SKULLS (Net notes) 84/11/14 BOOK OF THE NEW SUN (Net notes) 84/11/21 BOOK OF THE NEW SUN (Net notes) 84/11/28 BOOK OF THE NEW SUN (Net notes) Dec 26 10:00 1984 Index for 1984 Page 2 84/01/25 BOY AND HIS DOG (Net notes) 84/02/01 BOY AND HIS DOG (Net notes) 84/05/02 BRADBURY 13 (Net notes) 84/05/16 BRADBURY 13 (Net notes) 84/06/06 BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET (Net notes) 84/10/17 BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET (Net notes) 84/10/24 BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET (Net notes) 84/11/28 BROTHER FROM ANOTHER PLANET (Net notes) 84/08/15 BUCKAROO BANZAI (Net notes) 84/09/05 BUCKAROO BANZAI (Net notes) 84/11/21 BUCKAROO BANZAI (Net notes) 84/10/17 BUCKEROO BANZAI (Net notes) 84/10/24 BUCKEROO BANZAI (Net notes) 84/12/05 BUCKEROO BANZAI (Net notes) 84/02/08 Bester, Alfred (Net notes) 84/09/12 Borges, Jorge Luis (LIBRARY OF BABEL) (Net notes) 84/03/07 Borges, Jorge Luis (Net notes) 84/02/22 Bradley, Marion Zimmer (Net notes) 84/11/07 Brin, David (Net notes) 84/01/25 Brunner, John (Net notes) 84/06/20 Brust, Steven (Net notes) 84/07/11 Busby, F. M. (RISSA KERGUELEN) (Net notes) 84/01/25 CASTLE OF THE OTTER (Net notes) 84/10/24 CAT PEOPLE (Net notes) 84/08/01 CENSUS TAKER (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/04/25 CHRISTINE (Net notes) 84/12/05 CITIZEN DARTH (Net notes) 84/07/04 CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR (Net notes) 84/09/19 CODE OF THE LIFEMAKER (Net notes) 84/07/18 COLD EQUATIONS (Net notes) 84/08/01 COMPANY OF WOLVES (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/01/11 COURTSHIP RITE (Net notes) 84/02/08 COURTSHIP RITE (Net notes) 84/04/25 COURTSHIP RITE (Net notes) 84/03/14 CREATION OF THE HUMANOIDS (Net notes) 84/01/25 Cat SF (Net notes) 84/01/18 Cats in SF (Net notes) 84/07/11 Chalker, Jack (DANCING GODS) (Net notes) 84/02/15 Chalker, Jack (Net notes) 84/07/18 Chalker, Jack (Net notes) 84/01/25 Chalker, Jack L. (Net notes) 84/02/01 Chalker, Jack L. (Net notes) 84/03/07 Chalker, Jack L. (Net notes) 84/09/12 Cheap Movies (Net notes) 84/12/12 Collectors' Editions (Net notes) 84/12/19 Collectors' Editions (Net notes) 84/12/26 Collectors' Editions (Net notes) 84/03/28 Comics (Net notes) 84/02/15 Computer SF (Net notes) 84/07/18 Constructed Worlds (Net notes) 84/07/25 Constructed Worlds (Net notes) 84/08/01 Constructed Worlds (Net notes) 84/07/11 Cthulhu Mythos (Net notes) 84/01/11 DAMIANO (Net notes) 84/04/18 DAMIANO'S LUTE (Net notes) 84/04/25 DAMIANO'S LUTE (Net notes) Dec 26 10:00 1984 Index for 1984 Page 3 84/04/25 DANSE MACABRE (Net notes) 84/01/04 DARFSTELLER (Net notes) 84/04/25 DARK COMPANIONS (Net notes) 84/05/30 DARK FORCES (Net notes) 84/02/01 DARK STAR (Net notes) 84/02/15 DARK STAR (Net notes) 84/03/07 DARK TOWER (Net notes) 84/07/18 DAUGHTER OF REGALS AND OTHER TALES (Net notes) 84/07/04 DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS (Net notes) 84/03/14 DAY THE EARTH FROZE (Net notes) 84/10/24 DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (Net notes) 84/01/11 DEATHSTALKER (Net notes) 84/08/15 DEEP (Net notes) 84/04/18 DEMON (Net notes) 84/06/06 DEMON (Net notes) 84/08/01 DEMON (Net notes) 84/06/27 DERNIER COMBAT (Net notes) 84/01/25 DERYNI (Net notes) 84/05/09 DILVISH THE DAMNED (Net notes) 84/01/11 DINOSAUR PLANET (Net notes) 84/01/18 DINOSAUR PLANET (Net notes) 84/10/31 DOON (Net notes) 84/01/04 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/01/18 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/01/25 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/02/01 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/02/08 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/02/15 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/02/22 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/02/29 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/03/07 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/03/14 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/03/21 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/03/28 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/04/04 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/04/11 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/04/18 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/04/25 DR. WHO (Net notes) 84/02/15 DRAGONS OF LIGHT (Net notes) 84/02/22 DRAGONS OF LIGHT (Net notes) 84/06/06 DREAMSCAPE (Net notes) 84/09/05 DREAMSCAPE (Net notes) 84/02/01 DUNE (Net notes) 84/04/25 DUNE (Net notes) 84/06/13 DUNE (Net notes) 84/08/01 DUNE (Net notes) 84/09/05 DUNE (Net notes) 84/09/19 DUNE (Net notes) 84/12/05 DUNE (Net notes) 84/12/19 DUNE (Net notes) 84/12/26 DUNE (Net notes) 84/07/18 DUNE (Series) (Net notes) 84/03/28 DYING INSIDE (Net notes) 84/04/04 DYING INSIDE (Net notes) 84/11/28 DYING OF THE LIGHT (Net notes) 84/01/11 Darkover Series (Net notes) Dec 26 10:00 1984 Index for 1984 Page 4 84/07/25 Del Rey Hardcovers (Net notes) 84/02/22 Deryni (Net notes) 84/02/08 Deryni Trilogy (Net notes) 84/03/21 Desolation Opera (Net notes) 84/03/28 Desolation Opera (Net notes) 84/07/04 Dune (Net notes) 84/02/01 Dungeons & Dragons (Net notes) 84/02/22 E.T. (Net notes) 84/05/09 EASY TRAVEL TO OTHER PLANETS (Net notes) 84/01/25 ELFSTONES OF SHANARRA (Net notes) 84/01/11 ELFSTONES OF SHANNARA (Net notes) 84/12/12 EMPIRE OF THE SUN (Net notes) 84/11/28 ENCHANTER'S ENDGAME (Net notes) 84/09/12 END OF THE WORLD NEWS (Net notes) 84/09/19 END OF THE WORLD NEWS (Net notes) 84/05/23 ENEMY MINE (Net notes) 84/07/25 ENEMY MINE (Net notes) 84/06/20 EWOK MOVIE (Net notes) 84/12/26 EXCALIBUR (Net notes) 84/08/01 EYES OF FIRE (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/07/18 EYES OF FIRE (Net notes) 84/07/25 Egbert, James Dallas, III (Net notes) 84/09/19 Elgin, Suzette Haden (Net notes) 84/01/25 Ellison, Harlan (Medea) (Net notes) 84/10/31 Ellison, Harlan (Net notes) 84/11/07 Ellison, Harlan (Net notes) 84/11/14 Ellsion, Harlan (Net notes) 84/01/04 FEVRE DREAM (Net notes) 84/04/25 FEVRE DREAM (Net notes) 84/01/25 FINAL ENCYCLOPEDIA (Net notes) 84/05/02 FINAL REFLECTION (Net notes) 84/02/15 FIRE MAIDENS FROM OUTER SPACE (Net notes) 84/08/01 FIREBIRD (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/05/16 FIRESTARTER (Net notes) 84/02/15 FIRST SPACESHIP ON VENUS (Net notes) 84/10/10 FREE LIVE FREE (Net notes) 84/02/08 FRIDAY (Net notes) 84/02/29 FRIDAY (Net notes) 84/03/07 FRIDAY (Net notes) 84/03/14 FRIDAY (Net notes) 84/03/21 FRIDAY (Net notes) 84/03/28 FRIDAY (Net notes) 84/01/25 FTL Story (Net notes) 84/02/29 FTL Travel (Net notes) 84/04/11 FTL Travel (Net notes) 84/02/08 FTL and Time Travel (Net notes) 84/07/11 FUZZIES AND OTHER PEOPLE (Net notes) 84/08/15 FUZZIES AND OTHER PEOPLE (Net notes) 84/09/05 FUZZIES AND OTHER PEOPLE (Net notes) 84/02/08 Fan Fiction (Net notes) 84/02/08 Farmer, Philip Jose (Riverworld) (Net notes) 84/03/21 Farmer, Philip Jose (Riverworld) (Net notes) 84/02/15 Flame (Net notes) 84/12/12 Foster, M. A. (Net notes) 84/09/26 GAMEPLAYERS OF ZAN (Net notes) 84/03/07 GATES OF ANUBIS (Net notes) Dec 26 10:00 1984 Index for 1984 Page 5 84/04/25 GENE WOLFE'S BOOK OF DAYS (Net notes) 84/08/01 GHOST DANCE (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/10/17 GODS MUST BE CRAZY (Net notes) 84/11/21 GODS MUST BE CRAZY (Net notes) 84/01/18 GODS OF RIVERWORLD (Net notes) 84/01/11 GODSFIRE (Net notes) 84/08/01 GOLD DIGGERS (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/09/05 GRAVITY'S RAINBOW (Net notes) 84/05/30 GREEN EYES (Net notes) 84/04/18 GREMLINS (Net notes) 84/04/25 GREYSTOKE (Net notes) 84/05/23 GREYSTOKE (Net notes) 84/03/28 GUSILAR WONDERS (Net notes) 84/03/28 Games, Upcoming (Net notes) 84/03/14 HERETICS OF DUNE (Net notes) 84/04/25 HERETICS OF DUNE (Net notes) 84/10/17 HIEROS GAMOS OF SAM AND AN SMITH (Net notes) 84/10/24 HIEROS GAMOS OF SAM AND AN SMITH (Net notes) 84/04/25 HIS MASTER'S VOICE (Net notes) 84/08/01 HIT (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/03/07 HIT OR MYTH (Net notes) 84/09/05 HOME SWEET HOME, 2010 A.D. (Net notes) 84/08/01 HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY (Net notes) 84/07/18 HUMAN ANIMALS (Net notes) 84/05/02 Hawke, Simon (IVANHOE GAMBIT) (Net notes) 84/02/08 Heinlein, Robert A. (Net notes) 84/02/15 Heinlein, Robert A. (Net notes) 84/02/22 Heinlein, Robert A. (Net notes) 84/03/07 Heinlein, Robert A. (Net notes) 84/05/02 Heinlein, Robert A. (Psychics) (Net notes) 84/01/25 Herbert, Frank (Net notes) 84/07/25 Herbert, Frank (Net notes) 84/01/18 Herbert, Frank (Voidship) (Net notes) 84/01/11 High, Philip (Net notes) 84/01/25 High, Philip E. (Net notes) 84/09/26 Hoban, Russell (Net notes) 84/02/15 Hubbard, L. Ron (Net notes) 84/04/04 Hubbard, L. Ron (Net notes) 84/05/16 ICE PIRATES (Net notes) 84/10/10 ICEHENGE (Net notes) 84/01/18 ICEMAN (Net notes) 84/01/11 IN THE BONE (Net notes) 84/01/11 INHERIT THE STARS (Net notes) 84/04/04 INTEGRAL TREES (Net notes) 84/11/21 IRON DREAM (Net notes) 84/12/26 Index to Net Notices (1984) 84/07/25 Iron Tower Trilogy (DARK TIDE) (Net notes) 84/01/11 JESUS INCIDENT (Net notes) 84/09/12 JHEREG (Net notes) 84/09/26 JHEREG (Net notes) 84/03/14 JOB (Net notes) 84/08/15 JOB (Net notes) 84/09/05 JOB (Net notes) 84/09/12 JOB (Net notes) 84/09/26 JOB (Net notes) 84/06/20 Japanese Sword & Sorcery (Net notes) Dec 26 10:00 1984 Index for 1984 Page 6 84/09/12 KAMIKAZE 89 (Net notes) 84/08/08 KING KOBOLD (Net notes) 84/01/11 Kapp, Colin (Net notes) 84/04/18 King, Stephen (Movies) (Net notes) 84/05/02 King, Stephen (Movies) (Net notes) 84/01/11 King, Stephen (Net notes) 84/08/08 LACon II Party (Net notes) 84/04/25 LAST STARFIGHTER (Net notes) 84/05/30 LAST STARFIGHTER (Net notes) 84/02/08 LAST WAVE (Net notes) 84/02/15 LAST WAVE (Net notes) 84/01/25 LATHE OF HEAVEN (Net notes) 84/02/01 LATHE OF HEAVEN (Net notes) 84/02/08 LATHE OF HEAVEN (Net notes) 84/02/15 LATHE OF HEAVEN (Net notes) 84/01/04 LUCIFER'S HAMMER (Net notes) 84/02/15 Lafferty, R. A. (Net notes) 84/02/08 LeGuin, Ursula K. (Net notes) 84/05/09 Leiber, Fritz (Actor) (Net notes) 84/02/08 Lem, Stanislaw (Net notes) 84/03/21 Lem, Stanislaw (Net notes) 84/04/04 Lem, Stanislaw (Net notes) 84/05/16 Libertarian SF (Net notes) 84/05/23 Libertarian SF (Net notes) 84/05/30 Libertarian SF (Net notes) 84/06/06 Libertarian SF (Net notes) 84/01/11 Lichtenberg, Jacqueline (Sime) (Net notes) 84/10/17 Literary comments (Net notes) 84/09/26 MACROSCOPE (Net notes) 84/02/15 MAJOR TOM (Net notes) 84/05/02 MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE (Net notes) 84/05/09 MAN IN THE HIGH CASTLE (Net notes) 84/02/08 MAN IN THE TREE (Net notes) 84/04/25 MAN IN THE TREE (Net notes) 84/05/09 MAN IN THE TREE (Net notes) 84/07/18 MAN OF GOLD (Net notes) 84/07/25 MAN OF GOLD (Net notes) 84/02/15 MANY-COLORED LAND (Net notes) 84/03/07 MANY-COLORED LAND (Net notes) 84/04/11 MANY-COLORED LAND (Net notes) 84/03/07 MASTERS OF THE VORTEX (Net notes) 84/09/05 METROPOLIS (Net notes) 84/09/12 METROPOLIS (Net notes) 84/09/19 METROPOLIS (Net notes) 84/04/11 MISSION EARTH (Net notes) 84/03/07 MONOLITH MONSTERS (Net notes) 84/04/25 MORE TALES OF PIRX THE PILOT (Net notes) 84/01/04 MORETA (Net notes) 84/01/11 MORETA (Net notes) 84/05/16 MOTE IN GOD'S EYE (Net notes) 84/11/21 MOTEL HELL (Net notes) 84/12/05 MYTHING PERSONS (Net notes) 84/01/18 MacAvoy, R. A. (Net notes) 84/02/01 Macintosh (Net notes) 84/01/04 Matriarchies (Net notes) 84/01/11 Matriarchies (Net notes) Dec 26 10:00 1984 Index for 1984 Page 7 84/01/18 Matriarchies (Net notes) 84/08/01 Matter Transmission (Net notes) 84/08/15 Matter Transmission (Net notes) 84/09/05 Matter Transmission (Net notes) 84/09/12 Matter Transmission (Net notes) 84/09/19 Matter Transmission (Net notes) 84/08/08 Matter Transmisson (Net notes) 84/09/12 McKiernan, Dennis (Net notes) 84/01/25 Moorcock, Michael (Net notes) 84/01/25 Movies, Bad (Net notes) 84/04/25 Movies, Faithful SF (Net notes) 84/05/02 Movies, Faithful SF (Net notes) 84/05/09 Movies, Faithful SF (Net notes) 84/01/11 Movies, Favorite (Net notes) 84/01/18 Movies, Favorite (Net notes) 84/01/25 Movies, Favorite (Net notes) 84/02/01 Movies, Favorite (Net notes) 84/02/08 Movies, Foreign Fantasy (Net notes) 84/02/08 Movies, Obscure SF (Net notes) 84/01/18 Movies, Upcoming (Net notes) 84/03/07 Movies, Upcoming (Net notes) 84/03/21 Movies, Upcoming (Net notes) 84/04/04 Movies, Upcoming (Net notes) 84/04/25 Movies, Upcoming (Net notes) 84/05/02 Movies, Upcoming (Net notes) 84/09/26 Multiple Path Adventure Books (Net notes) 84/05/16 NAME OF THE ROSE (Net notes) 84/09/19 NATIVE TONGUE (Net notes) 84/06/27 NEUROMANCER (Net notes) 84/07/11 NEUROMANCER (Net notes) 84/07/18 NEUROMANCER (Net notes) 84/04/25 NO ENEMY BUT TIME (Net notes) 84/03/07 NON-BORN KING (Net notes) 84/03/07 Niven, Larry (Net notes) 84/02/08 Norman, John (Net notes) 84/09/19 Norman, John (Net notes) 84/11/28 OH GOD YOU DEVIL (Net notes) 84/09/12 ON A PALE HORSE (Net notes) 84/04/25 ONE HUNDRED SHORT SHORT STORIES (Net notes) 84/07/25 OUT OF THE SILENT PLANET (Net notes) 84/12/26 OZ (Net notes) 84/06/27 Oriental Sword & Sorcery (Net notes) 84/09/05 PALIMPSESTS (Net notes) 84/07/11 PAPER CHASE (Net notes) 84/03/07 PEACE WAR (Net notes) 84/08/01 PESSI AND ILLUSIA (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/07/25 PESSI AND ILLUSIA (Net notes) 84/04/25 PET SEMATARY (Net notes) 84/02/29 PETER PAN (Net notes) 84/02/01 PHILADELPHIA EXPERIMENT (Net notes) 84/07/25 PHILOSOPHER'S STONE (Net notes) 84/08/01 PLAGUE DOGS (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/03/28 PLANIVERSE (Net notes) 84/05/16 PLANIVERSE (Net notes) 84/05/30 PLANIVERSE (Net notes) 84/03/14 PRACTICE EFFECT (Net notes) Dec 26 10:00 1984 Index for 1984 Page 8 84/03/21 PRACTICE EFFECT (Net notes) 84/03/28 PRACTICE EFFECT (Net notes) 84/04/04 PRACTICE EFFECT (Net notes) 84/04/18 PRESS ENTER (Net notes) 84/04/04 PRESS ENTER [] (Net notes) 84/01/11 PRINCE OMBRA (Net notes) 84/05/30 PRINCESS BRIDE (Net notes) 84/05/30 PROBABILITY BROACH (Net notes) 84/06/20 PROCURATOR (Net notes) 84/07/04 Peake, Mervyn (Net notes) 84/06/27 Peake, Mervyn (TITUS ALONE) (Net notes) 84/02/22 Physics (Net notes) 84/02/15 Plots in Novels (Net notes) 84/09/19 Prescott, Dray (Net notes) 84/04/25 Psychic Powers (Net notes) 84/09/05 Pynchon, Thomas (Net notes) 84/09/12 Pynchon, Thomas (Net notes) 84/05/09 QUEST FOR THE FARDAWN (Net notes) 84/02/01 QUESTOR TAPES (Net notes) 84/01/25 READER'S GUIDE TO SF (Net notes) 84/09/12 RED DAWN (Net notes) 84/10/03 RED DAWN (Net notes) 84/02/29 RELUCTANT KING (Net notes) 84/09/26 REPO MAN (Net notes) 84/03/07 RETURN OF THE JEDI (Net notes) 84/04/25 RIDDLEY WALKER (Net notes) 84/03/07 RIGHT STUFF (Net notes) 84/08/01 RING OF POWER (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/06/27 RING OF POWER (Net notes) 84/07/25 RING OF POWER (Net notes) 84/02/22 RIVER OF THE DANCING GODS (Net notes) 84/03/28 RIVER OF THE DANCING GODS (Net notes) 84/01/11 ROBOTS OF DAWN (Net notes) 84/11/21 ROBOTS OF DAWN (Net notes) 84/11/28 ROBOTS OF DAWN (Net notes) 84/12/19 ROBOTS OF DAWN (Net notes) 84/07/04 ROCK AND RULE (Net notes) 84/02/15 ROCKET TO THE MORGUE (Net notes) 84/04/18 Robinson, Spider (Net notes) 84/12/26 Robinson, Spider (Net notes) 84/02/08 Romanes a Clef (Net notes) 84/07/04 SALVAGE AND DESTROY (Net notes) 84/09/26 SAMURAI CAT (Net notes) 84/04/25 SAN DIEGO LIGHTFOOT SUE (Net notes) 84/02/15 SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS (Net notes) 84/02/15 SANTAROGA BARRIER (Net notes) 84/08/01 SCIENCE FICTION OMNIBUS (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/07/18 SCIENCE FICTION OMNIBUS (Net notes) 84/04/18 SECRET OF THE SIXTH MAGIC (Net notes) 84/01/11 SENTINELS FROM SPACE (Net notes) 84/08/01 SEVENETEEN (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/04/25 SEX SPHERE (Net notes) 84/09/05 SHEENA, QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE (Net notes) 84/10/24 SHOCKWAVE RIDER (Net notes) 84/04/25 SILENT GONDOLIERS (Net notes) 84/12/05 SILVER BULLET (Net notes) Dec 26 10:00 1984 Index for 1984 Page 9 84/02/15 SKY'S NO LIMIT (Net notes) 84/12/05 SLEEPLESS NIGHTS (Net notes) 84/11/28 SO LONG AND THANKS FOR ALL THE FISH (Net notes) 84/04/04 SOLARIS (Net notes) 84/03/28 SPELL SINGER (Net notes) 84/03/28 STALKER (Net notes) 84/04/04 STALKER (Net notes) 84/09/12 STAND (Net notes) 84/03/07 STAR SMASHERS OF THE GALAXY RANGERS (Net notes) 84/03/14 STAR SMASHERS OF THE GALAXY RANGERS (Net notes) 84/01/11 STAR TREK (Net notes) 84/09/19 STAR TREK Books (Net notes) 84/03/21 STAR TREK III (Net notes) 84/08/08 STAR WARS IV (Net notes) 84/08/15 STAR WARS IV (Net notes) 84/03/14 STAR WARS Trivia (Net notes) 84/01/25 STARCROSSED (Net notes) 84/12/05 STARMAN (Net notes) 84/12/12 STARMAN (Net notes) 84/12/26 STARMAN (Net notes) 84/02/15 STARTIDE RISING (Net notes) 84/02/22 STARTIDE RISING (Net notes) 84/04/25 STORM OF WINGS (Net notes) 84/06/06 STREETS OF FIRE (Net notes) 84/11/28 SUPERGIRL (Net notes) 84/12/05 SUPERGIRL (Net notes) 84/07/18 SWORD OF ALLAH (Net notes) 84/07/04 Salmonsen, Jessica Amanda (Net notes) 84/01/25 Schmitz, James H. (Net notes) 84/02/01 Schmitz, James H. (Net notes) 84/04/04 Showscan (Net notes) 84/09/05 Silicon Souls (Net notes) 84/01/18 Smith, Cordwainer (Net notes) 84/02/15 Smith, E. E. (Net notes) 84/01/11 Speed of Light (Net notes) 84/03/14 Stapledon, Olaf (Net notes) 84/04/04 Stapledon, Olaf (Net notes) 84/05/09 Stasheff, Christopher (Net notes) 84/10/03 Superheroes (Net notes) 84/07/04 TALES OF THE HEIKE (Net notes) 84/01/18 TEA WITH A BLACK DRAGON (Net notes) 84/04/25 TEA WITH THE BLACK DRAGON (Net notes) 84/05/02 TEA WITH THE BLACK DRAGON (Net notes) 84/05/16 TEA WITH THE BLACK DRAGON (Net notes) 84/05/23 TEA WITH THE BLACK DRAGON (Net notes) 84/10/31 TERMINATOR (Net notes) 84/07/18 TESTAMENT (Net notes) 84/03/07 THENDARA HOUSE (Net notes) 84/03/14 THENDARA HOUSE (Net notes) 84/03/21 THENDARA HOUSE (Net notes) 84/03/28 THENDARA HOUSE (Net notes) 84/08/01 THOSE GLORY, GLORYY DAYS (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/03/07 TIME AFTER TIME (Net notes) 84/03/07 TIME AND AGAIN (Net notes) 84/04/04 TOMORROW PEOPLE (Net notes) 84/01/25 TOMORROW'S CHILDREN (Net notes) 84/03/07 TROUBLE IN BUGLAND (Net notes) Dec 26 10:00 1984 Index for 1984 Page 10 84/08/01 TWO FACES OF TOMORROW (Net notes) 84/05/30 Technological SF (Net notes) 84/04/11 Time Travel (Net notes) 84/04/18 Time Travel (Net notes) 84/04/25 Time Travel (Net notes) 84/05/02 Time Travel (Net notes) 84/05/09 Time Travel (Net notes) 84/05/16 Time Travel (Net notes) 84/05/23 Time Travel (Net notes) 84/05/30 Time Travel (Net notes) 84/06/13 Time Travel (Net notes) 84/06/20 Time Travel (Net notes) 84/09/19 Toronto International Film Festival (Net notes) 84/02/01 Tubb, E. C. (Dumarest) (Net notes) 84/02/08 Tubb, E. C. (Dumarest) (Net notes) 84/08/01 UFORIA (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/04/25 UNTELEPORTED MAN (Net notes) 84/05/16 Upcoming Films (Net notes) 84/09/26 Upcoming SF Movies (Net notes) 84/03/28 V (Net notes) 84/05/30 V (Net notes) 84/10/24 VALENTINA (Net notes) 84/10/10 VALENTINA, SOUL IN SAPPHIRE (Net notes) 84/02/01 VOID CAPTAIN'S TALE (Net notes) 84/03/21 VOID CAPTAIN'S TALE (Net notes) 84/04/25 VOID CAPTAIN'S TALE (Net notes) 84/01/25 VOYAGERS (Net notes) 84/01/18 Vacuum (Net notes) 84/04/18 Vinge, Vernor (Net notes) 84/09/19 WEB (Net notes) 84/01/25 WEIRDSTONE OF BRISINGAMEN (Net notes) 84/03/07 WEREWOLF (Net notes) 84/12/19 WHO MADE STEVIE CRYE? (Net notes) 84/03/07 WILD SHORE (Net notes) 84/04/25 WILD SHORE (Net notes) 84/11/28 WINGS OF OMEN (Net notes) 84/06/20 WINTERMIND (Net notes) 84/06/27 WINTERMIND (Net notes) 84/02/29 WOLFE ARCHIPELAGO (Net notes) 84/04/25 WOLFE ARCHIPELAGO (Net notes) 84/09/05 WORLDS APART (Net notes) 84/02/01 WOUNDED SKY (Net notes) 84/03/14 Wallace, Ian (Net notes) 84/05/09 What Is SF? (Net notes) 84/01/25 Wolfe, Gene (Net notes) 84/02/08 Wolfe, Gene (Net notes) 84/12/05 Wolfe, Gene (Net notes) 84/12/12 Wolfe, Gene (Net notes) 84/01/11 Wolfe, Gene (New Sun) (Net notes) 84/01/18 Wolfe, Gene (New Sun) (Net notes) 84/01/25 Wombat SF (Net notes) 84/02/01 Wombat SF (Net notes) 84/02/01 Women in SF (Net notes) 84/02/08 Women in SF (Net notes) 84/09/19 World Fantasy Nominations (Net notes) 84/06/27 X (Filmex) (Net notes) 84/01/25 ZARDOZ (Net notes)