The second Astro Boy trailer is out and I’m getting excited. Watch the second trailer above!
Astro Boy is based on the 1960’s science fiction manga and television program. Set in a futuristic world wherein androids co-exist with humans. Astro Boy, sometimes called simply Astro, is a powerful robot created by the head of the Ministry of Science, Doctor Tenma, to replace his son Tobio, who died in a car accident.
This animated film will hit theaters on October 23rd, 2009.
Cthulhu: I can’t wait to watch this movie. I’m a huge fan of H.P. Lovecraft and wanted to watch this independent movie when it was in the theaters but due to it’s limited release I was unable to watch it. For more read here.
The Real Ghostbusters, Vol 1: OMG we were just talking about this show on the Project: Shadow Informant. I loved this as a kid. I’m so excited to see it out.
Dragonquest: I have not seen this one but it does have dragons in it for our fantasy fans. If you have seen this let me know in the comments if I should rent it.
Vampire Secrets: A History Channel exploration into Hollywood’s vampires including a look at the origin of several common superstitions and reveals the connection between the ancient vampire myths of Europe, Greece and China. I haven’t seen this show but I like most of the History channel’s exploration specials.
National Geographic: Journey to the Edge of the Universe: I love these shows the imagery of stellar objects are always breathtaking. Go on a voyage through the cosmos, beginning on Earth and traveling outward through the solar system and the Milky Way, past distant galaxies and to the very limits of the universe. Images from the Hubble telescope and innovative computer graphics make possible the single, long traveling shot that comprises this journey, and unobtrusive narration explains the sights along the way.
Ogre: Yet another bad monster flick from the Sci-Fi channel. Not having watched this one yet I wonder if it’s just bad or if it passes into the realms of a craptastic B movie. If you have watched this let me know in the comments.
For the Parents: two Goosebumps movies out this week for the young viewers.
Goosebumps: The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight: This collection of spooky tales: In the title story, Jodie and Mark witness strange goings-on at their grandparents’ farm. In “Don’t Go to Sleep,” Matt wakes up to find a family that he almost doesn’t recognize. And in “Calling All Creeps,” Ricky is paying the price for posting a mean girl’s phone number in a personal ad.
Goosebumps: Return of the Mummy: A trio of spine-chilling adventures: Gabe encounters an unhappily disturbed mummy while visiting his archaeologist uncle in Egypt in “Return of the Mummy.” Next, Jeff gets a surprise when he receives a sarcophagus containing a 4,000-year-old mummy from his father. Finally, Eddie and Hat’s plan to scare a boastful pal doesn’t turn out the way they plan.
On Monday after watching Dollhouse I found myself in a conversation debating whether Dollhouse was Scifi or Science Fiction. We got into the technology and psychology used on the dolls and how close are we as a society to being able to do what they do in real life. After reading io9’s article I figured it would be neat to share what we discussed and update what was included in the article.
The Dollhouse uses a technology that allows the operators to wipe the memories of their “dolls”, like erasing a hard drive, leaving them in a passive state. Then as needed they can put in a new memory collective, like installing a new computer program, thus creating an “active” that fits the clients needs.
Erasing memories: scientists have been looking into an enzyme called CaMKII which can block memory recall abilities, though we are still a ways off for picking specific types of memory blocking there are lots of advancements on this front. Read the Full article here on Control of Memory Formation Through Regulated Expression of a CaMKII Transgene.
Using Electromagnetic stimulation to effect memory and the mind. There are many studies on this. Here are some where current technology can induce a desired effect from the mind:
using Electro stimulation to induce orgasms via Telegraph
We already are in studies to use infrared brain scans to predict what people want. Once we understand the areas that those preferences are stored in we could merely turn on and off areas changing the preferences stored. (via Journal of neural Engineering)
It’s quite fascinating to think how close we are as a society to reproducing what we see in the Dollhouse. The important question is how do we go about using these technologies responsibly? How can we violate what a person wants when we can merely change their desires?
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: I can’t wait to watch this movie. I’m a huge fan of 
and wanted to watch this independent movie when it was in the theaters but due to it’s limited release I was unable to watch it. 
: A History Channel exploration into Hollywood’s vampires including a look at the origin of several common superstitions and reveals the connection between the ancient vampire myths of Europe, Greece and China. I haven’t seen this show but I like most of the History channel’s exploration specials.
: This collection of spooky tales: In the title story, Jodie and Mark witness strange goings-on at their grandparents’ farm. In “Don’t Go to Sleep,” Matt wakes up to find a family that he almost doesn’t recognize. And in “Calling All Creeps,” Ricky is paying the price for posting a mean girl’s phone number in a personal ad.
