I just stumbled across this interview. It's thorough. It's fun. It's cool. And it's all about the upcoming motion picture Battle: Los Angeles. The movie certainly looks cool. I just hope it makes sense and tries to rock the boat a bit.

Here's the interview: Director Jonathan Liebesman, Producer’s Ori Marmur & Jeffrey Churnov, James D. Dever, and Screenwriter Chris Bertolini On Set Interview BATTLE: LOS ANGELES

Here is another trailer, posters and some pictures.

Word on the street is that an Ender's Game screenplay is complete and being shopped around town. Star Trek (2009) writers, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, have written the script with Gavin Hood the director of Wolverine: Origins.

I hope someone picks it up. The book is awesome and I'd love to see it on the big screen.

Star Trek writers and Wolverine director pen script to Ender's Game

Wow. Well, I'm probably not going to get any more work done today...

Ever dreamed of making a Vulcan character that had a rating in every skill? No? Well, maybe that would be over the top. But, here's a master skill list culled from books, supplements, movies, episodes and the Internet. This gives a player a lot of freedom to really design the character they want.

GM's should use common sense when allowing players to gain certain skills. Consider a character's past and back story before allowing for example: assassination. Again, common sense is a good guide.

Master Skill List

Accounting
Administration
Armored Vehicle Operation*
     Atmospheric Craft
     Ground Vehicles
     Water Craft
Armored Vehicle Tech*
     Atmospheric Craft
     Ground Vehicles
     Water Craft
Artistic Expression*
Assassination
Bribery
Carousing
Civil Engineering
Clandestine Ops
Cloaking Procedures
Cloaking Device Tech
Combat StrategyTactics*
     Boarding Action
     Planetary Combat
     Small Unit
     Starship
     Zero G
Comm Sys Op
Comm Sys Tech
Computer Op
Computer Tech
Construction
Cryptology
Damage Control Proc
Deflector Shield Op
Deflector Shield Tech
Demolitions
Disguise
Electronics Tech
Environmental Suit Op
Forgery
Gaming*
     3-D Chess
     Poker
     Dabo
     Strategema
     Dom-jot
     Billiards
     Terrace
Heavy Weaponry Op
Heavy Weaponry Tech
Holodeck Interrogation
Holodeck Sys Op
Holodeck Sys Tech
Instruction
Intelligence Proc
Inter-Planetary Relations
Interrogation
Investigation*
     Criminal
     Forensic
     Research
Language*
     Alpha Centauran
     Andorian
     Arcadian
     Ariolo
     Arkenite
     Bajoran
     Benzite
     Betazoid
     Bolian
     Bzzit Khaht
     Caitian
     Capellan
     Cardassian
     Catullan
     Cygnian
     Deltan
     Edoan
     Efrosian
     Elasian
     Ferengi
     Galacta
     Gorn
     Hyleen
     Hirogen
     Joridian
     Kaferian
     Kasheeta
     Klingon
     K'Normian
     Orion
     Romulan
     Saurian
     Tellarite
     Tiburon
     Trill
     Troyian
     Vulcan
     Xelatians
     Zakdorn
Leadership
Life Sciences*
     General Biology
     Bionics
     Botany
     Ecology
     Exobiology
     Genetics
     Zoology
Life Supp Sys Tech
Marksmanship, Archaic*
Marksmanship, Modern
Mechanical Engineering
Medical Sciences*
     Gen Med, 1st Aid
     General Medicine
     Pathology
     Pharmacology
     Psychology
     Surgery
Mining
Mining Equip Ops
Mining Equip Tech
Negotiation/Diplomacy
Personal Combat, Armed*
Personal Combat, Unarmed
Personal Weapons Tech
Physical Sciences*
     Chemistry
     Computer Science
     Cybernetics
     Drafting
     Gravitics
     Mathematics
     Metallurgy
     Physics
Planetary Sciences*
     Geology
     Hydrology
     Meteorology
Planetary Survival*
     Arctic
     Cool Temperate
     Desert
     Tropical
     Warm Temperate
Port Deflect Op
Port Deflect Tech
Security Procedures
Shuttlecraft Pilot
Shuttlecraft Sys Tech
Small Equip Sys Op
Small Equip Sys Tech
Small Vessel Engineering
Small Vessel Pilot
Social Science*
     Anthropology
     Archaeology
     Economics
     General Philosophy
     Law
     Political Sci
     Sociology
     Cult/Hist
Space Science*
     Astrogation
     Astronautics
     Astronomy
     Astrophysics
Sports*
     Parrises Squares
Starship Helm Op
Starship Sensors
Starship Services
Starship Sys Integration
Starship Weaponry Op
Starship Weaponry Tech
Stealth
Streetwise
Structural Engineering
Surveillance
Trade and Commerce
Transporter Operation
Transporter Sys Tech
Trivia*
Value Estimation
Vehicle Operation*
     Atmospheric Craft
     Ground Vehicles
     Water Craft
Vehicle Technology*
     Atmospheric Craft
     Ground Vehicles
     Water Craft
Warp Drive Tech
Zero G Operations

Qel'Narin sinks his teeth into the space hippie episode of Star Trek: The Original Series. He sheds his usually calm exterior and actually sings the hippie song. This is something you don't want to miss. Watch if you dare, Earthling!

I have always felt 1982 was a great year for science fiction and fantasy movies. In the wake of Star Wars the late 70's and early 80's saw a number science fiction/fantasy films appear. Some were great, some not so much. But for overall quality I think 1982 is when the studios and the creators hit their stride.

Let's hit rewind... And travel down the long hall into memory back...

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

The Wrath of Khan happens to be my favorite movie of all time. I, also, think it happens to be one of the best movies ever made as well. Seriously, I do. I know, I know... you think I sit around watching nothing, but Star Trek. Wrong. I study film. I know what I'm talking about.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is better than Citizen Kane. There I said it. You know you all were thinking it, I'm just the one brave enough to admit it. Okay, I'll also admit Casablanca is right there with it and may (I stress "may") be better than Wrath. And to give Welles his props The Magnificent Ambersons is flippin' genius. But Wrath is still up there. 

Why? Look at the construction of the plot. It's tight. It moves and never lets up. Look at the themes. Friendship. Lost. Usefulness. Revenge. The list goes on and on. It is human drama wrapped in the package of science fiction. Simply, awesome.

I know you're thinking if it's so good why don't you hear about it more? The main reason is because it's science fiction and the second reason is because it's Star Trek. But those who dismiss it are making a mistake. It is truly a treasure among what we call movies.



The Road Warrior

The Road Warrior wasn't released in the US until 82, so I'm counting in my list. Here is science fiction and fantasy elevated to the status of myth. The opening narration sets the tone and the film never disappoints. One word describes it best: powerful.



Blade Runner

Visually Blade Runner is groundbreaking science fiction. Don't look for a plot, though. It makes no sense. Just watch and enjoy this version of the future.



Tron

Sure the story was weak, but what an idea. Tron was and still is a "wow" movie. As you watch it you can't help, but to say to yourself, over and over again--wow.



The Dark Crystal

The Dark Crystal is simply a joy of creation and imagination. Even though hurt by a weak story structure and dialogue the creative core of this unique film still shines through. Enjoy.



E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial

E.T. doesn't play as well as it did when I was kid, but still a great movie. There was something about this movie back in the day. It felt different than other films. I guess the right word is magical.




More?

1982 would have been an awesome year for science fiction and fantasy if only those movies were released. But here are a few more:

The Thing
Conan the Barbarian
The Secret of NIMH
Firefox
The Beastmaster
Airplane II: The Sequel
Megaforce
Swamp Thing
Time Masters
Battletruck

Okay, a few of these aren't really that great, to say the least, but they appeal to fans of the genre. And of course there are even more I could list just from 82.

My list is getting a bit unruly, but as you can see I've proved my point. 82 was a great year for science fiction and fantasy. It's almost hard to believe that all these movies came out in the same year. To me it seems there was a bit more freedom to experiment back then. Sure, some were sequels, but most were risks. Most were low budget movies. Most could not even get green lit today. But, our world be poorer if we didn't have them.

New from Dreamworks this June is an alien apocalyptic TV show called Falling Skies. The preview looks pretty good, nothing too special. But, who am I kidding they had me at apocalyptic. With Syfy moving away from science fiction maybe TNT can help us out.

Preview and photos below. On a side note: I do find one photo troubling. The one where the entire cast is looking down and the camera is pointing up. Hopefully it's only a promo shot, because if they are looking at an alien corpse I'm going to scream.

From the official site:

FALLING SKIES opens in the chaotic aftermath of an alien attack that has left most of the world completely incapacitated. In the six months since the initial invasion, the few survivors have banded together outside major cities to begin the difficult task of fighting back. Each day is a test of survival as citizen soldiers work to protect the people in their care while also engaging in an insurgency campaign against the occupying alien force.

Okay, I'm on the record for not liking reboots. But, if this is done right I'm for it. Thundercats has so much potential as a franchise and as a medium for entertaining fantasy/science fiction stories.

My main concern is that it'll be "gritty" or "edgy." I know what people mean when they say those things, but unsually it leads creators down the wrong path. I wish the writers and prodcers would throw out those words and focus instead on excellence. Done right this won't be a reboot, it'll be a rebirth.

Look for Thundercats on Cartoon Network sometime this year.

Image credit: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

Starfleet wants the best people, right? A highly trained officer with fleet experience should be able to continue their education? The Next Generation Officer's Manual says Starfleet sends active officers for more training at universities. No rules were included. So, I made my own.

GM's be warned: Beyond here there be dragons. Rules like these and others have the potential of making super-powerful characters. Use them wisely.

Rules:

Engineers, Science Officers, Counselors, Medical Officers are the most likely to attend an active officer program. But, a case can be made for other officers. Make your story good. Be creative. If you want your character to get extra training create a good back story. GM's love that stuff.

The six month program is good for characters that end up with an even number of cadet cruises. As you may know an even number of cadet cruises means the character's age is something like 36.5 or 42.5 which is a bit awkward. By allowing a player this option helps with their furstration. Players always hate when they fail the cadet cruise no matter how many times the GM tells them that it's not a problem. So if a character fails a cadet cruise tell the player not to worry he'll get some more skills.

Limit the number of programs a character can attend to two. But any combination is fine: two one year programs, two six month programs or one of each.

A player can choose any university he wishes.

Active Officer Programs

Six Months

One Major 20
One Minor 10
One New Skill 10

Advanced Training INT/2 then /10 round down 1d10 (Must be a skill already be possessed)

One Year

Two Majors 20
Two Minors 10
Two New Skills 10

Advanced Training INT/10 round down 1d10 (Must be a skill already be possessed)

This is a system created for the Star Trek: The Role-Playing Game (FASA). It gives players more freedom during character creation.

In the rule book it mentioned some characters could have gone to university before they entered Starfleet Academy. I became fascinated with this because it said supplements were coming with rules. Those never appeared, so I created my own system to allow characters to attend university.

WARNING TO THE GM: There is much power here for players to become drunk with. Don't allow players to go crazy. Use common sense and a few rules to keep characters from becoming all powerful.

Rules:

The most common characters that would have attended university are Engineers, Science Officers, Ship's Counselors and Medical Officers. For other characters it would be rare, but if the player can think of a good background story by all means let them be creative.

The university system considered to be a four year doctorate that is pursued prior to the characters entrance into Starfleet. So, any character who has attended university will be 22 when they enter Starfleet.

A player can choose whatever university and program they wish.

The following are just a few of the unversities a character can attend. Use the base system to create your own (or just change the name). I'll be posting a Betazoid unviersity soon.

Universities

Astronautics University of Edinburgh

Gen Eds

Computer Operation 20
Artistic Expression 15
Language 15
General Philosophy 10
Electronics Tech 10
Computer Tech 10
Mathematics 20
Mechanical Engineering OR Computer Science 20

Five Outside Electives 10 (Must be new skills)

Player must choose ONE Track

Engineering Track

Two Related Majors 40 (Any Engineering related Skills OR Space Sciences)
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Engineering related Skills OR Physical Sciences)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Engineering related Skills OR Physical Sciences)
Divide 30 between any Two “Technology” Skills

Science Track

Two Related Majors 40 (Any Space Sciences OR Physical Sciences)
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Space Sciences OR Physical Sciences)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Space Sciences OR Physical Sciences)
Small Equipment System Operation 20
Small Equipment System Tech 10

Both Tracks receive Advanced Study

Advanced Training INT/10 round down 1d10 (Must be a skill already be possessed)


Vulcan Science Academy

(Non-Vulcans can attend, but must put all 15 of language into Vulcan)

Gen Eds

Computer Operation 20
Artistic Expression 15 (At least five of the 15 must be in the Vulcan Lyre)
Language 15
General Philosophy 10
Computer Science 10
Investigation: Research 20
Vulcan Culture/History 15
Vulcan Law 15

Five Outside Electives 10

Program

Two Related Majors 40 (Any Sciences expect Social)
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Sciences expect Social)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Sciences expect Social)
Small Equipment System Operation 20
Small Equipment System Tech 10

Advanced Study

Advanced Training INT/10 round down 1d10 (Must be a skill already be possessed)


Zakdorn University of Tactics and Strategy

(Non- Zakdorns can attend, but must put all 15 of language in Zardorn.)

Gen Eds

Computer Operation 20
Artistic Expression 15
Language 15
General Philosophy 10
Gaming: 3-D Chess 10
Gaming: Strategema 20
Instruction 10
Leadership 20

Five Outside Electives 10 (Must be new skills)

Program

Two Related Majors 40 (Any Combat S/T OR Neg/Dip OR Any Gaming OR I-P Relations)
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Combat S/T OR Neg/Dip OR Instruction OR Any Gaming OR I-P Relations)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Combat S/T OR Neg/Dip OR Instruction OR Any Gaming OR I-P Relations)
Economics OR Political Science OR Law 20
Any Trivia OR Any Culture/History OR Psychology 10

Advanced Study

Advanced Training INT/10 round down 1d10 (Must be a skill already possessed)


The University of New Paris

Gen Eds

Computer Operation 20
Artistic Expression 15
Language 15
General Philosophy 10
Great Galactic Literature 20
Great Galactic Music 20
Any Two Culture/History Skills 10

Five Outside Electives 10

Player must choose ONE School

School of Science

Two Related Majors 40 (Any Sciences expect Medical and Social)
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Sciences expect Medical and Social)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Sciences expect Medical and Social
Small Equipment System Operation 10
Investigation: Research 20

School of Medicine

Two Related Majors 40 (Any Medical Sciences)
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Medical Sciences OR Life Sciences)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Medical Sciences OR Life Sciences)
Small Equipment System Operation 10
Investigation: Forensics 20

School of Diplomacy

Negotiation/Diplomacy 40
Inter-Planetary Relations OR Political Science OR Law 40
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Social Sciences OR Trade and Commerce)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Social Sciences OR Trivia OR Language)
Administration 20
Value Estimation 10

School of Law

Federation Law 40
Negotiation/Diplomacy OR Inter-Planetary Relations OR Political Science OR Economics 40
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Social Sciences OR Trade and Commerce)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Social Sciences OR Trivia)
Administration 20
Investigation: Research 10

School of Mining

Mining 40
Geology OR Metallurgy 40
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Physical OR Planetary Sciences OR Trade and Commerce OR Economics)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Social Sciences OR Trivia)
Mining System Ops 20
Mining System Tech 10

School of Criminal Justice

Federation Law OR Security Procedures 40
Investigation: Criminal 40
Two Related Minors 20 (Investigation: Forensics OR Interrogation OR Psychology OR Social Science)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Investigation: Forensics OR Interrogation OR Psychology OR Social Science)
Holodeck Interrogation 10
Surveillance 20

School of Archeology

Archeology 40
Anthropology OR Sociology 40
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Social Sciences OR Trivia OR Language)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Social Sciences OR Trivia OR Language)
Geology OR Exobiology OR Any Trivia 10
Investigation: Research 20

School of Language

Two Language Majors 40 (Any Language OR Cryptology)
Two Language Minors 20 (Any Language OR Cryptology)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Language OR Cryptology)
Communication System Ops 10
Any Culture/History OR Psychology 20

School of Economics

Economics 40
Trade and Commerce OR Inter-Planetary Relations OR Political Science OR Law 40
Two Related Minors 20 (Any Social Sciences OR Trade and Commerce)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Social Sciences OR Trivia)
Accounting 10
Value Estimation 20

School of Arts

Two Majors 40 (Any Artistic Expression)
Two Minors 20 (Any Artistic Expression OR Trivia)
Two Other Fields at 10 (Any Artistic Expression OR Trivia)
Instruction 20
Any Trivia OR Language 10

School of Interdisciplinary Studies

(Player must work with GM to create this program by combining two of the above Schools)

Two Unrelated Majors 40
Two Unrelated Minors 20
Two Other Unrelated Fields at 10
Divide 30 between two other skills

All Programs receive Advanced Study

Advanced Training INT/10 round down 1d10 (Must be a skill already be possessed)

Why have I never heard of this show? Seriously, I had never heard of this show until yesterday. Of course, it was before my time but still I should have heard of it. Oh well, every episode is on Hulu! I'm going to be busy the next few days.

From Wikipedia:

Land of the Giants was an hour-long American science fiction television program lasting two seasons beginning on September 22, 1968 and ending on March 22, 1970. The show was created and produced by Irwin Allen. Land of the Giants was the fourth of Allen's science fiction TV series. The show was aired on ABC and released by 20th Century Fox Television. The series was filmed entirely in color and ran for 51 episodes. The show starred Gary Conway and Don Marshall. Author Murray Leinster also wrote three novels in 1968 and 1969 based on the television series.

Set in the then-future year of 1983, the series tells the tale of the crew and passengers of a sub-orbital transport spaceship called the Spindrift. In the pilot episode, the Spindrift is en route from Los Angeles to London via the ultra-fast route of a parabolic trajectory. Just beyond Earth's boundary with space, the Spindrift encounters a strange space storm and is transported to a mysterious planet where everything is twelve times larger than its counterpart on Earth. The Spindrift crew calls the inhabitants "the giants".

Read more:
Land of the Giants

Watch every episode on Hulu!

YouTube Fan Club

Are producers afraid to call their shows science fiction? Here's an article discussing just that. Terra Nova, Lost and other TV shows have avoided the label, but why? Most likely it's because science fiction is seen as geeky. But when you put out a TV show it has to be cool and hip. Though, in the case of Mr. Braga it's probably because he hates science fiction.

TV shows reluctant to accept sci-fi title

Here's an article and an interview considering Terra Nova's future. It's expensive. It's a gamble. Will it be entertaining? I think the biggest flaw is that it's about a family.

‘Terra Nova’: TV’s ‘Waterworld’ or ‘Avatar’?

A day early and a double dose! Qel'Narin takes on TNG and TOS.

When characters searched cargoholds or warehouses the game would always slow down. So, I made this random chart to speed things up a bit. I put a number of junky items on the list which always ticks off the players and makes a GM feel as though all is right with the world.

Again, this is based on the common RPG dice just to give more options. The chart is 1D100.

RANDOM SEARCH CHART - CARGOHOLD OR WAREHOUSE

1. Hydrospanner (1)
2. Plastic Shims (1d6 x 100, value 1d6 per 100)
3. Glowrod (1)
4. Syntherope (50')
5. Flame-Proof Suit (1)
6. Power Prybar (1)
7. General Exposure Suit (1)
8. Thermal Suit (1)
9. Sleeping Bag (1)
10. PolyTex Fabric (1 bolt, value 3d6)
11. Sub-Zero Parka (1)
12. Fusion Cutter (1)
13. Vacuum Suit (1)
14. Tool Harness (1)
15. Ball Bearings (1d6 x 1000, value 1d6 per 1000)
16. Light Power Generator (1)
17. Vibrosaw (1)
18. Single-Person Survival Tent (1)
19. O-Rings (1d6 x 1000, value 1d6 per 1000)
20. Worklight (1)
21. Plastic Shims (2d6 x 100, value 1d6 per 100)
22. Comlink (1)
23. Computer Tool Kit (1)
24. Beam Drill (1)
25. Two-Person Survival Tent (1)
26. Vibropick (1)
27. Emergency Space Suit (1)
28. Rations (1 person, 1 week)
29. Chronometer (1)
30. Hydrospanners (2d6)
31. Syntherope (100')
32. Imperial Uniform with Insignia (1)
33. Medium Power Generator (1)
34. Plasma Welder (1)
35. PolyTex Fabric (3d6 bolts, value 3d6 x # of bolts)
36. Thermal Suit (2)
37. Droid Tool Kit (1)
38. Vacuum Suit (2)
39. T'wilian Silk (1 bolt, value 6d6 x10)
40. Plastic Shims (3d6 x 100, value 1d6 per 100)
41. Casual Clothes (2 sets)
42. Four-Person Survival Tent (1)
43. Marcobinoculars (1)
44. Flares (6)
45. Ball Bearings (3d6 x 1000, value 1d6 per 1000)
46. Small Manifolds (6d6, value 2d6 per piece)
47. Sub-Zero Parka (2)
48. General Exposure Suit (2)
49. O-Rings (3d6 x 1000, value 1d6 per 1000)
50. Malforian Chocolate (1d6, value 2d6 x 100 per square)
51. Utility Space Suit (1)
52. Medpac (2)
53. Vehicle Tool Kit (1)
54. PolyTex Fabric (5d6 bolts, value 3d6 x # of bolts)
55. Breath Mask (1)
56. Pocket Computer (1)
57. Forest Camouflage Outfits (6 sets)
58. Six-Person Survival Tent (1)
59. Imperial Uniforms with Insignia (4)
60. Recording Rod (1)
61. Ammo Bandolier (1)
62. Syntherope (150')
63. Comlink (1d6)
64. Vacuum Suit (3)
65. Rations (1 person, 2 week)
66. Fusion Cutter (2)
67. Security Tool Kit (1)
68. T'wilian Silk (4 bolts, value 6d6 x10 x4)
69. Thermal Suit (3)
70. Small Manifolds (8d6, value 2d6 per piece)
71. Desert Camouflage Outfits (6 sets)
72. Data Plaque (6 empty)
73. Formal Clothes (2 sets)
74. Malforian Chocolate (2d6, value 2d6 x 100 per square)
75. Sub-Zero Parka (3)
76. Heavy Power Generator (1)
77. O-Rings (5d6 x 1000, value 1d6 per 1000)
78. Hydrospanners (4d6)
79. Rations (1 person, 6 weeks)
80. Sidrian Flame Gem (1, value 1d6 x 1000)
81. General Exposure Suit (4)
82. High-Quality Space Suit (1)
83. Comlink (2d6)
84. Medpac (2d6)
85. Medicines (2d6, value 100 per vial)
86. Ball Bearings (5d6 x 1000, value 1d6 per 1000)
87. Climbing Kit (2 harnesses, 10 carabineers, 200'rope)
88. Small Manifolds (10d6, value 2d6 per piece)
89. Imperial Uniforms with Insignia (8)
90. T'wilian Silk (6d6 bolts, value 6d6 x10 x # of bolts)
91. Armored Space Suit (1)
92. Computer Memory Banks (10 blank, value 1d6 x 1000 each)
93. Sidrian Flame Gems (1d6, value 1d6 x 1000 per gem)
94. Malforian Chocolate (3d6, value 2d6 x 100 per square)
95. Bounty Hunter Armor (1)
96. Medpac (3d6)
97. 3PO Unit Protocol Droid (1)
98. Ais Shimmer Cloth (4d6 bolts, value 2d6 x100 per bolt)
99. Kesseli Spice (2d6, value 1d4 x 1000 per square)
100. Sidrian Flame Gems (2d6, value 1d6 x 1000 per gem)

Desk and closet searches always gave me a problem as a GM when playing Star Wars by West End Games. Here's a table of random items that can be found in desks, closets, footlockers or other small areas that I created.

The table is 1D100. I know the system is 6D, but I used the standard set of common RPG dice because it gives more freedom.

RANDOM SEARCH TABLE - SMALL AREAS

1-5. Data Plaque (empty)
6-10. Ring (value 1d20 credits)
11-15. Credits (2d6)
16-20. Comlink
21-25. Knife
26-30. Recording Rod
31-35. Necklace (value 2d20 credits)
36-40. Chronometer
41-45. Credits (3d6)
46-50. Breath Mask
51-52. Medpac
53-54. Glow Rod
55-56. Locket containing a picture (value 3d20 credits)
57-58. Knives (2)
59-60. Data Plaque (4, empty)
61-62. Credits (4d6)
63-64. Pocket Computer
65-66. Vehicle Toolkit
67-68. Bracelet (value 4d20 credits)
69-70. Vibroblade
71-72. Data Plaque (contains a file worth 1d6 x 100 credits)
73-74. Droid Toolkit
75-76. Necklace (value 5d20 credits)
77-78. Hold-out Blaster
79-80. Credits (6d6)
81-82. Sidrian Flame Gem (value 1d6 x 1000)
83-84. Computer Toolkit
85-86. Medpacs (1d4)
87-88. Security Toolkit
89-90. Blaster Pistol
91-92. Ring (value 1d12 x 100)
93-94. Necklace (value 1d20 x 100)
95-96. Data Plaque (contains a file worth 3d6 x 100 credits)
97-98 Credits (3d4 x 100)
99. Hold-out Blaster with 4D damage
100. Sidrian Flame Gems (1d4, value 1d6 x 1000 per gem)

I made up a medal chart for FASA's Star Trek RPG. I always wanted my characters to be able to win medals. I thought it made the character creation process a lot more realistic. I culled most of them from books and episodes. I also made up a few of my own. Then I cut it down to 20 to keep things simple.

I use a 20-sided die, even though the system is 10d based. If you don't have a 20 just roll two 10s and add them together. Then knock off the first medal, since totals will be 2-20.

Here are the rules:

If you pass your cadet cruise with Honors there is an 80% (roll 80 or lower 1D100) chance you were awarded a medal. If you pass it with High Honors there is 100% chance.

Tour Ratings also determine chance of medals. Outstanding and Excellent carry the chance for two medals.

Outstanding: 100% for one, 50% (50 or lower 1D100)for another.

Excellent: 80% (roll 80 or lower 1D100) for one, 40% (40 or lower 1D100) for another.

All others tours carry a 20% (20 or lower 1D100) chance for one.

If a character receives two of the same medal it is referred to as "with clusters." Example: A character is awarded the Starfleet Medal of Valor on his cadet cruise. Fourteen years later on his 6th tour he earns another. He now possesses the Starfleet Medal of Valor with Clusters.

If a character earns three of the same medal it is referred to as "with gold clusters." If a character has three of the same medal and rolls another on the table have them reroll or award the next highest medal.

Post-character creation medals can be awarded at GM's discretion depending on play.

MEDAL CHART

1. Starfleet Good Conduct Medal
2. Bronze Star
3. Silver Star
4. Purple Heart
5. Denebian Swan of Merit
6. Federation Peace Medal
7. Grankite Order of Honor
8. Karagite Order of Heroism
9. Andorian Battle Star
10. Ribbon of Outstanding Bravery
11. The Ristak Chain of Uncommon Valor
12. Prantares Ribbon
13. Citation of Conspicuous Gallantry
14. Starfleet Silver Palm
15. The Knight Revis
16. The Star Cross
17. Legion of Merit
18. Legion of Honor
19. Starfleet Medal of Valor
20. Starfleet Medal of Honor

Terry Gilliam is getting behind a fascinating animated film. I hope it gets made. It looks great. Check out the promos.

Anne Hathaway is now Catwoman and Tom Hardy (Star trek: Nemesis) is now Bane or so says Warner Bros. I think The Dark Knight Rises is shaping up. Christopher Nolan is genius, so I know the screenplay is going to be great. But, I am concerned. Bane is not a good villian. At all. Oh, I know he broke Batman's back but so what. He's uninteresting. There are so many Batman villians that are far better. Maybe Nolan can work his magic and reinvent him, though.

Chris Roberson, the new writer of Superman comics, speaks about his obsession with the comic icon and the future of the Man of Steel.

Here's a review from the LA Times of Pioneers of Television which considers Star Trek and other classic science fiction shows.

Television review: 'Pioneers of Television'

Ever continuing my obsession with James Cameron, here's an interview of him talking about technology and movies plus the trailer to the new film he produced, Sanctum.

Moviemaking about ideas, not equipment

This movie looks crazy. Tons of action. Great cast. Sweet cars. It hits DVD and Blu-Ray tomorrow.

Trailer


Interview

Death Race 2 - Premiere Coverage
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Anne Hathaway - Sing & dance at Oscars with James Franco?

James Franco to sing & dance at Oscars with Anne Hathaway
127 Hours actor James Franco plans to sing and dance at the forthcoming Oscars, along with Anne Hathaway.

James Franco and Anne Hathaway are hosting the event on 27 February and he has confirmed that he may do more than just present the awards as he wants to entertain as well.

He said, "You got Anne Hathaway, who is the youngest host ever, that is new. There might be some singing, there might be some dancing."Apart from hosting the awards ceremony, Franco could win an award for Best Actor for his role in new film 127 Hours.

source: http://www.businessofcinema.com/news.php?newsid=17593

The new reboot prequel for the Planet of the Apes franchise, Caesar: Rise of the Apes, is being pushed back til Thanksgiving. I think this is a good call. A June opening didn't make any sense for this type of movie and the audience it plays to. Though, Thanksgiving has been coming a huge box office weekend in recent years.

After looking into this film a bit, I'm excited. I'm not a fan of reboots or prequels, but this looks like it has promise. The franchise has so much potential, so I'm glad Fox is givng it another go.

Rumors are swirling that the next Star Trek movie will be in 3D. I understand why Paramount would want this, since 3D tickets are more expensive. But, I'm not wild about it. I'd prefer a good story that makes sense than gimmicks. Though, days of getting those are probably over. Still, I love that Star Trek is getting the attention. Who would have ever thought Star Trek would be producing huge blockbusters?

A new TV series from Spielberg. Honestly, it sounds like it is based somewhat on the ST:TOS episode "All Our Yesterdays." The planet is dying so people escape to the past. Here's a bit from the press release, an interview with the producers (former Star Trek guys) and cast photos.

From the press release:

New family adventure-drama series Terra Nova will preview during a special two-night event Monday, May 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Tuesday, May 24 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on Fox. The show will then premiere in the fall.


An epic family adventure 85 million years in the making, Terra Nova follows an ordinary family embarking on an incredible journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of a daring experiment to save the human race. In the year 2149 the world is dying. The planet is overdeveloped, overcrowded and overpolluted. With no known way to reverse the damage to the planet, scientists discover a portal to prehistoric Earth. This doorway leads to an amazing world, one that allows for a last-ditch effort to save the human race… a second chance to rebuild civilization and get it right this time.

The series centers on the Shannon family as they join the Tenth Pilgrimage of settlers to Terra Nova, the first colony established in this beautiful yet forbidding land led by its founder Commander Nathaniel Taylor (Stephen Lang, Avatar). Jim Shannon (Jason O’Mara, Life on Mars), a devoted father with a checkered past, guides his family – wife Elisabeth (Shelley Conn, Mistresses); and children Josh (Landon Liboiron, Degrassi: The Next Generation), Maddy (Naomi Scott, Life Bites) and Zoe (newcomer Alana Mansour) – through this new land of limitless beauty, mystery and terror. In addition to blue skies, towering waterfalls and lush vegetation, Terra Nova offers new opportunities and fresh beginnings to its recent arrivals, but the Shannons have brought with them a familial secret that may threaten their citizenship in this utopia. These adventurers soon discover that this healthy, vibrant world is not as idyllic as it initially appears. The areas surrounding Terra Nova are teeming with danger – and not just of the man-eating dinosaur variety. The Shannons will come to suspect that not everyone on this mission has the same idea of how to best save mankind; in fact, there may be forces intent on destroying this new world before it even begins.