Trivia How Tom Swift Inspired the TASER A look at how the fictional invention in the 1911 novel “Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle” inspired the real-world TASER, bridging pulp adventure and modern technology.
SFC Newsletter The Summer Metalstorm Hit Theaters Released in August 1983, "Metalstorm The Destruction of Jared-Syn" brought desert science fiction and 3D adventure to theaters in a bold attempt to start a new kind of cinematic universe.
Book Review "Lord of Light" Blends Myth and Science A Hugo-winning blend of myth and science, "Lord of Light" by Roger Zelazny delivers an epic tale of power, belief, and technology that continues to captivate readers more than 50 years after its debut.
The Men of Science Fiction The Shockwave Rider’s Hidden Hero In Brunner’s "The Shockwave Rider," Kirk Redmond proves that even inside a corrupt system, a man with conscience and access to the truth can become a force for quiet but lasting change.
Science Fiction Films Metropolis (1927): When Machines Dream and Men Obey Explore the towering vision and haunting warnings of Fritz Lang's "Metropolis"—a 1927 silent epic that blends myth, machinery, and morality in one of science fiction’s most enduring masterpieces.
Star Trek "The Matrix" Scene That Mirrors a Classic "Star Trek" Moment A pivotal scene in "The Matrix" mirrors a haunting moment from "Star Trek: The Original Series," revealing how one ghostly captain helped shape a future where reality itself can unravel.
SFC Newsletter How "The War of the Worlds" Built Sci-Fi’s Invasion Blueprint On August 13, 2025, we mark seventy-two years since "The War of the Worlds" first invaded American theaters. This issue explores how the 1953 classic shaped the alien invasion genre and left a lasting legacy in science fiction film and television.
Book Review The Enduring Power of Heinlein's "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress" A visionary lunar revolt, a sentient computer, and hard-won liberty define "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress," Heinlein's bold fusion of political philosophy and classic science fiction.
The Men of Science Fiction How "Ecotopia" Tests a Man’s Soul William Weston’s journey in "Ecotopia" reveals a man tested by a new civilization—and strengthened by it, proving that true morality comes from courage, reflection, and earned conviction.
Science Fiction Films How One Alien Warned a World on Edge Discover the timeless classic "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951), directed by Robert Wise. Explore its profound themes and enjoy a rating of 7.7/10.
Star Wars How the Millennium Falcon Became a Symbol of Hope The "Millennium Falcon" is more than a freighter. She’s the Rebellion’s secret weapon, a symbol of freedom, and science fiction’s most enduring starship of hope, defiance, and legacy.
SFC Newsletter The First Science Fiction Film in Color with Doctor X Explore how 1932’s "Doctor X" became the first sci-fi horror in color, ushering in a new era of visual storytelling with eerie reds, greens, and mad science.
The Men of Science Fiction Captain Lorq Von Ray Seeks the Impossible Captain Lorq Von Ray dares to fly into a nova to reshape the future. His vision, courage, and grit show what it means to defy limits and reach for the impossible in classic science fiction.
Science Fiction Films The Wraith Delivers High-Octane 1980s Nostalgia "The Wraith" (1986), directed by Mike Marvin, combines action and supernatural thrills in a nostalgic ride with a 5.9/10 rating. Enjoy the spectacle.
What If? What if Paul Atreides Was Never the Chosen One? A chilling exploration of what might have been if the Bene Gesserit plan in "Dune" had gone unchallenged, trading chaos and legend for cold stability and quiet obedience.
SFC Newsletter The Day Dune Changed Science Fiction Forever Rediscover how Frank Herbert's "Dune" transformed science fiction after its U.S. release in 1965. Learn about its publication journey, enduring themes, and why it still captivates readers today.
Book Review How The Man in the High Castle Changed Science Fiction Philip K. Dick's "The Man in the High Castle" reshapes alternate history with unsettling depth, asking what truth means in a world ruled by illusion, fear, and fractured memory.
The Men of Science Fiction The Last Free Man in a Programmed World In a future ruled by sameness, Jon Koshar awakens as a man who still remembers freedom—and dares to live it.
Science Fiction Films Solarbabies in a Dry and Broken World A thoughtful look at "Solarbabies" and its post-apocalyptic themes of youth, rebellion, and survival. A flawed but earnest 1980s sci-fi adventure. 6 out of 10.
Trivia The Glow That Started It All Discover how the original "Star Wars" lightsabers glowed using Scotchlite tape, motors, and movie magic before CGI took over.
Book Review Freedom or Order in A Clockwork Orange A sharp, unsettling look at Anthony Burgess's "A Clockwork Orange"—a novel that confronts free will, state control, and the moral cost of obedience.
Space Opera What is Space Opera in Science Fiction? Space opera is a sweeping science fiction subgenre where personal heroism, moral clarity, and interstellar conflict unfold across galaxies filled with danger, destiny, and dramatic scale.
The Men of Science Fiction Rolf Malone Embraces Strength and Vengeance In Norman Spinrad’s "The Iron Dream," Rolf Malone rises from ruin to restore order through brute strength and righteous vengeance in a world where weakness has already lost.
Science Fiction Films "The Manhattan Project" 1986 A Cold War Thriller with Moral Weight "The Manhattan Project" (1986), directed by Marshall Brickman, blends dark comedy and ethics in science, rated 6.1/10—a nostalgic classic.
Science Fiction Television Why Was "Buck Rogers" Canceled After Two Seasons? NBC canceled "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century" after two seasons due to creative overhauls, declining ratings, and behind-the-scenes turmoil. Here's why the sci-fi series lost its way.
