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Feature'Virtuality' Is Brilliantly Captivating Human Drama

A 2-hour fully realized glimpse into what could have been one heck of a series

"Virtuality" is the kind of science fiction that successfully does so many things right that it's nearly impossible to find anything wrong; it's got a bold, realistic, and fresh perspective that shows what science fiction is - or could be - if only given the right effort; its characters are comple ...

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Feature'Merlin' - The Mark of Nimueh/The Poisoned Chalice

'Merlin' has done something pretty amazing: it has made this jaded viewer miss Desperate Housewives on Sunday nights.

Merlin is predictable, cheesy, and lacks a charismatic lead. Anthony Stewart Head can be the only glimmer of hope in this show, with that incredible voice and endless talent even when portraying a morally bad man. Weve seen him so very good (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) and now weve seen him so very ba ...

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FeaturePreview: 'Virtuality' Probably Best Reality On Television

Michael Hinman takes a spoiler-free look at Fox's Friday movie

I don't consider myself claustrophobic. But if I was stuck on an interstellar vessel with a bunch of people I didn't know that well for the next decade, well I would probably be looking for the next airlock out. But the crew of the Phaeton in Fox's telemovie "Virtuality" somehow make it through, ...

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Feature'Transformers' Sequel Takes Michael Bay's Career To All-Time Low

... and that's saying something

This review contains spoilers for "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." I have never been a fan of the Transformers. As a child of the 1980s, I followed several of the most popular cartoons of the decade, including Masters of the Universe and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. However, I had only ...

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Feature'Merlin' - The Dragon's Call/Valiant

Not exactly the stuff of Arthurian legend, but it has its moments

It's summer and magic's in the air. Admittedly that's a cliché to start my review. An uninteresting and conservatively non-descript beginning that lacks real merit and effort. In a strange way, though, my opening diatribe of bland mediocrity perfectly sums up the lifeless and stale hour-long ...

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FeatureSciFi 101: This is Your Brain ...

The mind is a terrible thing ... Well, maybe it's not that bad.

My computer is an integral part of my daily routine. From running online classes to checking the box score from last nights Detroit Tigers game, my computer provides me with access to a steady stream of seemingly limitless information. It provides me with income and entertainment. It helps me ba ...

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FeaturePreview: 'Merlin' Has Solid Qualities, But Could Fall Into Story Trap

Michael Hinman takes a spoiler-free look at the upcoming NBC import

There is just something magical about British television, I can't quite put my finger on it. Some of my most favorite shows have been aired by the BBC with everything like "Doctor Who," "Torchwood," and even the cult classic "Are You Being Served?" "Merlin," however, is the network's most am ...

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FeaturePortal Awards: Best Web Site, Best Web Production

Voting begins June 25!

A few years ago, Airlock Alpha thought it would be good for the Portal Awards to recognize how mainstream media is really moving to the Internet by honoring some of the great work that is done through the Information Superhighway (do people still call it that?) So the categories recognizing Best ...

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FeatureSciFriday: What Goes Up Must Come Down

Hard to play the convenience card in 'Star Trek'

I have been debating whether or not to see "Star Trek" in the theaters one last time before it goes out of the theaters, and I still might do it. The only reason I haven't has more been about the lack of time than anything else. Plus, the fact that it would be the seventh time I've seen it, somethin ...

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FeaturePortal Awards: Best Actor/Movie, Best Movie

A few surprises kicked in for the awards, where voting starts June 25

This year's Best Actor/Movie competition for the 2009 Portal Awards almost came down to a competition between "The Dark Knight" and "Star Trek." Both films made a lot of money (of course, "Dark Knight" made far more), and both were well received by critics around the world. But now they are g ...

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FeatureDangerous Days: Sci-Fi, Disguised

Sometimes the best sci-fi is barely sci-fi at all

Here in the good olUS of A weve come to equate science-fiction with big action, blockbuster summer movies to the point that you really dont see the genre getting much attention outside of that department. Ever since Star Wars, weve been accustomed to stories that focus mainly on explosions, alie ...

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FeaturePortal Awards: Best Actress/Movie, Gene Roddenberry Lifetime Achievement Award

Get a solid rundown of this year's nominees! Voting starts June 25

Just to give you an idea on how close the voting was this year by the Portal Awards International Nominating Committee, Dakota Fanning from the film "Coraline" missed making the final five for Best Movie/Actress by a single vote. That is how tough the decision can be, even in movie categories whe ...

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FeatureSci-Fi On TV: A Look At 'The Listener'

One of two shows NBC imported from other countries

Back during the Writers Guild of America strike of 2007-08, the broadcast networks were scrambling to find programming to fill the holes they expected in their schedules for the next season. One of the options available was to purchase programming from international sources, such as Canada and the U ...

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FeatureSciFriday: Hey, China! What Did We Do To You?

Apparently, one can't find Airlock Alpha everywhere ...

A few weeks ago, I got a rather disturbing e-mail. And based on some of the stuff that comes to me in e-mail (oh, you so should see it), it would take quite a bit to get me to stop in my tracks. But a longtime reader of Airlock Alpha told me he is working in China, and typed in our URL to get his ...

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FeatureSciFi 101: Machine Or Man? What's The Difference?

What happens when the lines get blurred

Since the dawn of the industrial revolution, man has feared being replaced by machines. As technology develops, and artificial intelligence continues to evolve, man has become increasingly reliant on machines. But what happens when the line between man and machine becomes blurred? Science-fiction ...

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