Uhura’s Song by Janet Kagan

 

An original series Star Trek book, this book really lets Uhura and the rest of the bridge crew shine. The premise is as follows: a deadly plague is sweeping through the Federation. The only chance at a cure is a “forbidden” song shared between Uhura and an Eeiuonan, a sentient catlike species, years ago. The Enterprise is sent on a quest to find the origin of the song and perhaps where the Eeiounans came from originally. A really fun tale featuring all our favorite characters doing what they do best, saving the universe from threats. 

First Men in the Moon (1964)

 

Coming out five years before men actually landed on the moon, this classic tale based off HG Wells’ 1901 work is a true masterpiece. The plot is as follows: in 1964 men reach the moon and realize that someone from England has claimed the moon in the name of Queen Victoria. They find Arnold Bedford who had travelled to the moon 65 years earlier who proceeds to tell the scientists about his trip to the moon with his fiancé Katherine Callender and their eccentric neighbor, Joseph Carver. He tells them that they met an insect like race there as well. The special effects were done by Ray Harryhausen and is some of his best work.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

 

Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne

This is one of the best Verne novels, maybe because Verne had to make up everything so we didn’t get bogged down in the details of fish…Anyway, the story progresses as follows: German scientist Lindenbrock discovers a manuscript of a 16^th century explorer and he and his nephew Axel take off to Iceland with native guide Hans Bjelke to explore and go to the Center of the Earth. They find dinosaurs and all matter of things before reaching the service again. It was first published in 1864.

Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959)

The main characters are moved from Germany to Scotland for this version of the tale, mainly because this was only ten years after WWII. Alec finds a plum bob that he gives to his mentor Professor Lindenbrook. They along with Hans and Carla Gutenberg, the widow of a deceased colleague,  descend into the center of the Earth. There they meet the descendent of the 16^th century explorer who is convinced that the center of the earth belongs to him. One of the best characters in this version is the duck Gertrude.

Willy Fog: Journey to the Center of the Earth (1994)

The second in the Spanish Willy Fog TV series, the first being a version of Around the World in 80 Days. In this version Willy Fog (an anthropomorphic lion based on Phileas Fogg) makes a bet with Sullivan that he can find the center of the earth. It is a fun version of the story.

Journey to the Center of the Earth (1999)

In this version, avid geologist and paleontologist Theodore Lytton is approached by Alice Hastings who wants his help in finding her husband, Casper Hastings who disappeared on a journey to the Center of the Earth seven years prior. I wasn’t overly fond of the ending where the nephew Jonas, returns the Center of the Earth to be with a native woman.

Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)

In this made for TV movie, Jonathan Brock and heiress Martha journey to Alaska to find her husband who disappeared years earlier when searching for the Center of the Earth. It reminds me a lot of the 1999 movie as far as initial set up but I like the ending better…

Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)

Although this came out the same year, this is the theatrical movie starring Brendan Frasier. What I liked about this version is that it was written as a modern day sequel to the original. Trevor and his nephew Sean go to the Center of the Earth to find out what happened to Sean’s father and they use the original book as a sort of guide book. A clever way to modernize it.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)

The third movie in the Ice Age saga is essentially a Ice Age/Journey to the Center of the Earth crossover. They find a cavern. They descend. They find a warm underworld where dinosaurs still roam. Perhaps my favorite Ice Age movie for exactly that reason. 

It’s In His Kiss by LuthienTauriel

This one is my story. It is an alternate universe story about the relationship between Amanda Grayson and Sarek. I also have a subtle crossover between Star Wars and Stargate, but those story lines, as Star Wars puts it, happened a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away. Essentially I decided that Amanda was descended from all of the Stargate main cast and Sarek was descended from a Jedi that escaped Order 66. It is mainly a slow burn romance. The title is based off a Cher song, “If you want to know if he loves you so, it’s in his kiss.” Maybe one of my better fanfics.

 https://archiveofourown.org/works/47955412/chapters/120910471

And here's a link to that Cher song if you're interested:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM5qIJdBtX0

 

Biker Mice From Mars (1993-1996; 2006)

 

Three andromorphic Martian mice named Throttle, Modo, and Vinnie crash land in Chicago. They discover that the people responsible for destroying their home planet, The Plutarkians, are here on Earth attempting to steal Earth’s natural resources, just like they stole Mars’. They rebel and with the help of mechanic Charlene Davidson attempt to make sure the Plutkarians don’t wipe out earth the way they wiped out Mars. I remember loving this show as a child. My brother even had a few micromachine toys of it.

The Incredibles 2 (2018)

 

Helen is asked to help Winston Deavor to restore the reputation of superheroes. Bob then has to take over as the primary care giver. Meanwhile Helen is battling super villain Screenslaver. There are some funny moments in this movie like when Bob is yelling that math is math when Dash shows him the “new way” to do math and when Jack-Jack makes himself look like Edna and therefore convinces the latter to babysit. Not a bad addition to the franchise even though the first one is better.

The Fantastic Four (2005)

 

The reason this is my favorite Fantastic Four is rather superficial. I have a Hollywood crush on Ioan Gruffudd. That being said it’s always fun to see Chris Evans as the more irresponsible Johnny Storm since he has played the by the book Captain America for the last few years. Also the casting is right on. In the newer version (which I admit that at this point I haven’t seen) just seems off. The actress that plays Sue Storm seems so much older than the actor who plays Reed Richards. Since they’re supposed to get together this just seems off. Gruffudd does a wonderful job as the socially awkward Richards. The character I have always felt badly for is Ben Grimm. The rest of the characters can pretend to be human but Ben no longer looks human. I always found it so sad. Anyway this movie is great and deserves more love in a world over saturated with superhero movies.