“The impish demon known as Beetlejuice has been dead for centuries, but he’s enjoyed a pretty long life in popular culture….. Even so, I wasn’t hankering for a sequel to the Burton movie, which might have turned out to be just another fan-servicing, nostalgia-milking cash grab.
Fortunately, there isn’t a whiff of cynicism to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Burton shows real affection for the first film’s characters and genuine curiosity about how they’re doing three decades or so later. Winona Ryder is back as Lydia Deetz, who escaped Beetlejuice’s clutches as a teenager; now she’s a paranormal expert with her own talk show.
Lydia has long since buried the hatchet with her artist stepmother, Delia — the sublime Catherine O’Hara. But she’s having a tougher time with her own teenage daughter, Astrid — that’s Jenna Ortega from the show Wednesday, whose creators, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, wrote this movie.
When Lydia’s father dies suddenly, the family reunites at their old Connecticut home for the funeral. It’s here that Lydia accidentally winds up summoning Beetlejuice, thanks in part to her sleaze of a fiancé, played by Justin Theroux. With a sudden whoosh, Beetlejuice is back — played by Michael Keaton with the same messy green hair, rotting teeth and mischievous streak as before.” — Justin Chang, from NPRs Fresh Air, writing about the movie in Beetlejuice is back, in a supernatural screwball sequel
“Juice … is a work of dystopian fiction, which is a sub-genre of science fiction. You heard that right: Tim Winton has written a science fiction novel. Moreover, he has embraced many of the genre’s conventions. It is exciting to see a writer of Winton’s longevity doing something new. His attempt to break new ground will be reason enough for many readers to pick up this book.
Climate change and the future
The novel is set hundreds of years in the future. Climate change has rendered large parts of the globe uninhabitable. The narrator lives with his mother in a remote outpost halfway up Australia’s west coast, where it is too hot to go outside during the day, so most activities are conducted during the night or early morning. In the summer, they must live underground for months at a time.
Much of what we would regard as modern technology has been erased by the collapse of civilisation, for reasons now mostly forgotten. However, the narrator learns that some of the powerful families from the 21st century have retained this technology and used it to retreat into hidden fortresses. He joins a resistance movement with the mission to wipe these families from the earth.”
Jeff Goldblum plays Zeus in this take on Greek Gods in the modern world. There is love, justice and vengence in this story of Riddy (Euridice, played by Aurora Perrineau) and Orpheus (Killian Scott). You’re probably familiar with the story, but this version includes bars, pubs and modern times — Orpheus is a rock star! Not to mention Poseidon, who’s known to turn up unexpectedly in your bathtub!
The September Nova Mob meeting will be a shared general discussion about the WorldCon experiences for all members, especially those who travelled to Glasgow and including those who plugged in, to share stories, insights, and highlights from the convention.
That’ll be on Wednesday, 4 September.
4 Sep 2024 – Nova Mob discussion: Glasgow Worldcon
Mob discussion in person and on Zoom, recapping the Glasgow WorldCon by some who were there and others who followed events from afar.
Hoping some of the Mob members still travelling after WorldCon and Eurocon can dial in too.
Invitation – Nova Mob discussion recapping the 2024 WorldCon
Please share this invitation with like-minded friends and fans
Face to face: You are invited to an in-person Nova Mob meeting at: Wednesday 4 September 2024 8.00pm – 9.15pm Melbopurne or so (7:30pm Adelaide time), first floor Conference Room Kensington Town Hall 30 – 34 Bellair St, Kensington Melbourne VIC 3031
By Zoom – simulcast For those who prefer not to travel or are unable to attend face-to-face. Zoom session broadcast from the Kensington Town Hall. Questions or comments typed into the Zoom chat will be discussed and you’ll have as much airtime as the other Mob members at the venue. Wednesday 4 September 2024 8.00pm – 9.30 pm Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney time 7.30pm – 9.00pm Adelaide time Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4177583193?pwd=VjdPL1BhSTBNclN2YnRsejN3Y1hlUT09 Passcode: nova Meeting ID: 417 758 3193
Pre-Mob dining – at the Doutta Galla Hotel
The usual pre-Mob location in Newmarket Doutta Galla Hotel, 339 Racecourse Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3031, Australia
Table for 8 booked under the name of the Nova Mob Book Discussion group also Murray, 6.15pm for 6.30, through to 8.00pm
💥 💥 💥
Reflections on the August meeting
Terry Frost’s talk on the Marvel Cinematic Universe had 15 people at the discussion, 7 in person and 8 in the Zoom videoconference mode. Terry had full notes because he’s decided to re-use his talk at a forthcoming Terry Talks Movies. For those who missed it or want to re-live the experience, here’s the link to Terry’s Youtube channel at which his talk will appear Real Soon Now: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG3hwNZQ6FyrJVyE50fUqRQ
With 34 movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Terry’s Honourable Mentions included Thor, and the Guardians of the Galaxy, and it turns out each of the various phases has a “strongly recommended” movie, and across the MCU are found films of most genres and styles. Thanks again Terry!
On technical matters, we tried a different room layout – which worked well – and the new audio system also worked well, it was a much more pleasant listening experience.
SF Commentary
Bruce Gillespie reports – “The response to SF Commentaries 115 to 117 has been so satisfactory that I’ve received five new articles in the last two weeks, with another promised (but probably not for a while). With incoming letters of comment and a packed reviews column from Colin and Anna Steele, I really should produce the next issue right now. I had been hoping for a fan-editor’s holiday!”
The Internet Archive has several collections of pulp and other magazines. Here is a link to their collection of F&SF, which has almost 600 items. Why is 1959’s Vol 17 No 2 the most-read issue?
Friends, out-of-town guests, and new arrivals – you are always welcome and have an open invitation to the Mob’s face-to-face and Zoom meetings. First time arrivals – free. Otherwise a $5 donation for expenses please. Face-to-face meetings are at the Kensington Town Hall: https://activemelbourne.ymca.org.au/venues/kensington-town-hall Face to face, the Kensington Town Hall has ample parking and excellent disability access. Newmarket Railway Station is 15 minutes travel from Flinders St Station on the Craigieburn line. By tram it’s via the Route 57 and by bus it’s the #83. Other bus routes via Metlink Journey Planner. Please don’t attend if you have symptoms that could be SARS-2 COVID 19. Our COVID-safe Plan is available, please email me for a copy.
At the August Critical Mass, we chose an old favourite worthy of a re-read.
Gerald chose Cordwainer Smith’s Scanners Live in Vain, which can be found in the collected works, The Rediscovery of Man
The SF Masterworks edition has 30+ short stories, including The lady Who sailed the Soul, The Game of Rat and Dragon, Mother Hitton’s Littul Kittons, Alpha Ralpha Boulevard and The Dead Lady of Clown Town.
Kate suggested two children’s books, both by Robert C. O’Brien: The Secret of NIMH (originally Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH) and Z for Zachariah (published post-humously)
Beata selected Ostatnie życzenie (The Last Wish) by Andrzej Sapkowski (author of the Witcher series, originally written in Polish). This is a collection of short stories about The Witcher. The title story is the one where Geralt meets Yennifer, seeking her help to capture a genie.
Adam chose Simon R Green’s Blue Moon Rising , the opening novel in the Forest Kingdom series.
Prince Rupert, a second son, was sent out to slay a dragon. The task became more complicated when he spared the dragon, which collected butterflies…
Roman selected Lisa Goldstein’s second novel, The Dream Years, about a surrealist Robert St Onge, in Paris, 1924, who argues with André Breton and eventually finds himself in 1968 at the Paris riots, helping surrealist anarchists fighting for the power of the imagination.
Jeff selected Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart. A fantasy set in Imperial China (subtitled “A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was”), it follows Master Li and Number Ten Ox as they search for a cure for a plague caused by a poison. He also mentioned William Gibson’s Burning Chrome (short story collection) and George Turner’s Beloved Son.
He also mentioned
Captain WE Johns’ series of space books. (A total of ten.)
EV Olde’s The Clockwork Man
Donald Suddaby, Village Fanfare or The Man from the Future
Brian Stableford, the David Lyddyard trilogy because the third volume took years to appear.
Brian Stableford, the six volume Emortality series in internal chronological order. [Originally published out of order which was how Jeff read them…]
The Fantasy Box Set Bundle – Curated by Adam Gaffen:
“If you’re reading this, you’re probably like me, at least in one important way: I love reading a good fantasy. From a reader’s point of view, waiting for The Next Book can be painful, can’t it? No matter how quickly the author writes, there’s a need to know how your favorite character fares. Is the evil ruler vanquished for good, or are they coming back for round eighteen? Did the third wheel love interest finally get the hint? And what, exactly, is IN that locked box?
That’s why I’ve put together this StoryBundle. Every one of these box sets is a complete story arc.”
At the August Critical Mass, we will each talk (for five to ten minutes) about a favourite sf/fantasy book which we read a long time ago, and which we think bears re-reading. The plan is to try and help others discover interesting works they may have missed…
In Person: Community room, Christie Walk, 101 Sturt St. 6:15 for a 6:30 start.
The Adelaide Fan Review 
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