Nova Mob News

Murray reports on Nova Mob activities:

We are chuffed to announce that Terry Frost, renowned film critic, host of the YouTube channel Terry Talks Movies, and Nova Mob member, will be our speaker at August’s Nova Mob meeting on Wednesday, 7 August!
For the many people travelling to Glasgow WorldCon, we wish you safe travels and hope you enjoy every moment of the convention – panels, workshops, friends, authors, events, and whatever extracurricular events bring you joy.  
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.

Terry Frost – The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU): August Nova Mob

Terry Frost is widely known and respected in the film criticism community for his insightful analyses and engaging commentary on a wide range of films, particularly those that may fly under the mainstream radar. His YouTube channel, Terry Talks Movies, has a large, growing, dedicated following for its deep dives into cinematic history and hidden gems.
In our August Nova Mob meeting, Terry will delve into the expansive and captivating realm of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). He will explore how the MCU has revolutionized modern cinema with its interconnected storytelling, groundbreaking special effects, and Marvel comicsTMcharacters. You’ll hear his expert perspective on the impact and future of this cinematic juggernaut, from its inception with Iron Man (2008) to the latest release Deadpool & Wolverine, which is #34 in the series and is doing great box office and yet Ansible tells us:

“RYAN REYNOLDS, co-star with Hugh Jackman of the superhero movie Deadpool & Wolverine, issued a brutally honest disclaimer: ‘This film is as paper thin as a sequel to Battlefield Earth.” (IMDb, 21 May)

The MCU has earned $30 billion to date.

Terry Frost – invite to The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)

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 7 August 2024 8.00pm – 9.15pm or so,
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 as the opportunity permits, and you’ll have as much airtime as the other Mob members at the venue.
Zoom meeting details:
Wednesday 7 August 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

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What Makes the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) Special?

We asked ChatGPT. 

  • How has the MCU maintained its popularity and critical acclaim over more than a decade?
  • What are the unique storytelling techniques used in the MCU?
  • How do the films balance individual character arcs with the overarching narrative of the universe?

Whether you’re a die-hard Marvel fan or a casual moviegoer, this is an opportunity to gain new insights into one of the most influential film franchises of our time. 

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is an extensive American media franchise and shared universe that revolves around a series of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios. The films draw inspiration from characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. This franchise also encompasses television series, short films, digital series, and literature, creating a broad and interconnected universe similar to the original Marvel Universe in comic books. The shared universe is crafted through common plot elements, settings, cast, and characters that cross over into various productions.

Marvel Studios organizes its films into “Phases.” The first three phases are collectively known as “The Infinity Saga,” while the subsequent three phases are termed “The Multiverse Saga.”

  • Phase One began with Iron Man (2008) and culminated in the crossover film The Avengers (2012).
  • Phase Two started with Iron Man 3 (2013) and concluded with Ant-Man (2015).
  • Phase Three commenced with Captain America: Civil War (2016) and ended with Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019).
  • Phase Four kicked off with Black Widow (2021) and wrapped up with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).
  • Phase Five began with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) and is set to conclude with Thunderbolts (2025).
  • Phase Six will launch with The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) and will conclude with Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).

A special shout-out for the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie, released in 2014, described as “a standout in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by James Gunn, it introduced audiences to a quirky and diverse group of characters including Peter Quill (Star-Lord), Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Rocket Raccoon, and Groot. The film is celebrated for its humour, heart, and soundtrack featuring classic hits from the ’70s and ’80s. It’s blend of action, comedy, and compelling story about friendship and redemption made it a fan favourite.

About Terry Frost

Terry Frost’s extensive knowledge and passion for cinema have made him a respected voice in the film community. In addition to his YouTube channel, Terry also hosts the Paleo-Cinema Podcast, where he discusses a wide array of films, often spotlighting older and lesser-known movies.

You can find more about Terry Frost and his work through the following links:

2023 Shirley Jackson Awards Winners

The winners of the 2023 Shirley Jackson Awards for outstanding achievement in horror, psychological suspense, and dark fantasy fiction have been announced.

Novel

  • WINNER: The Reformatory, Tananarive Due (Saga Press)
  • The Daughters of Block Island, Christa Carmen (Thomas & Mercer)
  • Every Version Ends in Death, Aliya Chaudhry (Haunt)
  • Don’t Fear the Reaper, Stephen Graham Jones (Saga)
  • The Militia House, John Milas (Henry Holt & Company)
  • Brainwyrms, Alison Rumfitt (Nightfire)

Novella

  • WINNER: To the Woman in the Pink Hat, LaToya Jordan (Aqueduct)
  • Broken Paradise, Eugen Bacon (Luna Press Publishing)
  • Getting by in Tligolian, Roppotucha Greenberg (Arachne)
  • The Salt Grows Heavy, Cassandra Khaw (Nightfire)
  • Sleep Alone, J.A.W. McCarthy (Off Limits)
  • Green Fuse Burning, Tiffany Morris (Stelliform)

See Locus magazine for the full list of awards

New companions for the Doctor

From reactormag: Previously, in Doctor Who news, it was announced that current companion Ruby Sunday would have only one season of adventures in the TARDIS before being replaced by a new, unnamed companion played by Varada Sethu (Andor). Radio Times noted, at the time, that Gibson would still be on the show, but in a smaller role.

That’s not quite the case. Sethu is joining the show as the Doctor’s second companion, with Gibson also staying on board. There’s even a cute picture of the whole season-two gang, looking very happy and like they might invite you over for drinks if they like your vibe.

Critical Mass July 17th: Hugos 2024

We invite people to read the nominees for short stories and novelettes and discuss which is best, and which is likely to win a Hugo.

Note: many of these were published in online magazines, and are still available for reading on the web

Zoom Details:
Time: Wed July 17, 2024 6:30pm Adelaide, 7pm Melbourne/Sydney, 5pm Perth

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87224309964?pwd=pTIhAuiceNiJRIEKbikVJSAKmNQa1j.1

Meeting ID: 872 2430 9964
Passcode: 356300

In person: in July, we are meeting at the Community Room at Christie Walk, 101 Sturt Street, as Kappy’s will not be open in the evenings.
Turn up at Christie Walk at 6:15 for a 6:30pm start on Wednesday, July 17th.

Batman returns!

Yes, an interesting new animated series. From the minds of executive producers J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Matt Reeves (The Batman), and Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series) comes a brand new animated series for the Dark Knight and releasing on Prime Video this summer with Batman: Caped Crusader.

Orphan Black: Echoes

There’s a new series of Orphan Black, set 25 years after the original. The new series Orphan Black: Echoes stars Krysten Ritter as Lucy.
The episode begins with Lucy, disoriented as she wakes up to talk to a scientist played by Keeley Hawes. She can’t remember anything and eventually escapes the room, finding a lab with computer-printed body parts. “You were created. You were printed from a high-resolution scan using a very complex process,” Hawes’ scientist tells her. “It’s a new technology. It’s the fourth-dimensional printing of human tissue.”
Lucy escapes, and seems to have found a new life two years later. Unfortunately, she is found by the scientist, who apparently has links to the clones in Orphan Black.

The series is off to a good start.


Hugo Nominees

The nominees in the fiction categories for the 2024 Hugos have been announced:

Best Novel
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty (Harper Voyager, Harper Voyager UK)
The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera (Tordotcom)
Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh (Tordotcom, Orbit UK)
Starter Villain by John Scalzi (Tor, Tor UK)
Translation State by Ann Leckie (Orbit US, Orbit UK)
Witch King by Martha Wells (Tordotcom)
1420 ballots cast for 576 nominees. Finalists range 91-172.

Best Novella
“Life Does Not Allow Us to Meet”, He Xi / 人生不相见, 何夕, translated by Alex Woodend (Adventures in Space: New Short stories by Chinese & English Science Fiction Writers)
Mammoths at the Gates by Nghi Vo (Tordotcom)
The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older (Tordotcom) 
Rose/House by Arkady Martine (Subterranean) 
“Seeds of Mercury”, Wang Jinkang / 水星播种, 王晋康, translated by Alex Woodend (Adventures in Space: New Short stories by Chinese & English Science Fiction Writers)
Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher (Tor, Titan UK) 
962 ballots cast for 187 nominees. Finalists range 106-186.

Best Novelette
I AM AI by Ai Jiang (Shortwave) 
“Introduction to 2181 Overture, Second Edition”, Gu Shi /〈2181序曲〉再版导言, 顾适 translated by Emily Jin (Clarkesworld, February 2023)
“Ivy, Angelica, Bay” by C. L. Polk (Tor.com 8 December 2023) 
On the Fox Roads” by Nghi Vo (Tor.com 31 October 2023) 
“One Man’s Treasure” by Sarah Pinsker (Uncanny Magazine, January-February 2023) 
“The Year Without Sunshine” by Naomi Kritzer (Uncanny Magazine, November-December 2023) 
755 ballots cast for 212 nominees. Finalists range 40-117.

Best Short Story
“Answerless Journey”, Han Song / 没有答案的航程, 韩松, translated by Alex Woodend (Adventures in Space: New Short stories by Chinese & English Science Fiction Writers)
“Better Living Through Algorithms” by Naomi Kritzer (Clarkesworld May 2023) 
“How to Raise a Kraken in Your Bathtub” by P. Djèlí Clark (Uncanny Magazine, January-February 2023) 
“The Mausoleum’s Children” by Aliette de Bodard (Uncanny Magazine, May-June 2023)
The Sound of Children Screaming” by Rachael K. Jones (Nightmare Magazine, October 2023) 
美食三品 (“ s”), 宝树 / Baoshu (银河边缘013:黑域密室 / Galaxy’s Edge Vol. 13: Secret Room in the Black Domain) 
720 ballots cast for 612 nominees. Finalists range 27-69.

For the full list of nominees see Locus magazine: 2024 Hugo, Astounding, and Lodestar Awards Finalists

Aurealis Awards 2023

List of all winners at https://locusmag.com/2024/05/2023-aurealis-award-winners/
The winners of the 2023 Aurealis Awards, recognizing the best in Australian speculative fiction, have been announced.

Best Science Fiction Novel

  • WINNER: Time of the Cat, Tansy Rayner Roberts (self-published)
  • Minds of Sand and Light, Kylie Chan (HarperCollins)
  • The Comforting Weight of Water, Roanna McClelland (Wakefield)
  • Aliens: Bishop, T.R. Napper (Titan)
  • Dronikus, Marko Newman (AndAlso)
  • Traitor’s Run, Keith Stevenson (coeur de lion)

Best Fantasy Novel

  • WINNER: The Will of the Many, James Islington (Text)
  • Shadow Baron, Davinia Evans (Orbit / Hachette)
  • The Sinister Booksellers of Bath, Garth Nix (Allen & Unwin)
  • Of Knives and Night-blooms, Tansy Rayner Roberts (self-published)
  • The Blood-Born Dragon, J.C. Rycroft (BattleWarrior)
  • How to be Remembered, Michael Thompson (Allen & Unwin)