Well, if we're pointing out errors, then let me be the one to note that Chelsea =/= Midtown.

Nah, no snark inferred (at least no more than my reply to raindog warranted), no offense taken. I often learn things at the AVC. It's one of the reasons I keep coming back.

edked, urtext: I did not know that about Lem; I've read a few of his books, but nothing about his views on American sci-fi. As raindog originally wrote it, it was applied to all American writers, not limited to sci-fi writers. If Lem limited that view to American sci-fi writers, it's not crazy. If he applied it…

Absolutely, Buckaroo Banzai. I'm sure that surprises most of you.

Miller, I must protest. Keaton is absolutely not the best Batman. He just isn't physically intimidating enough to pull off the role. I can't buy a Batman that I can beat up.

Point Break and The Princess Bride. I haven't seen TPB on TV in a very long time (not that I really watch TV anymore), but I will always watch that to the end from whatever point I happen across it.

raindog, if that's true, it's just silly. The idea that PKD is the only American writer worthy of respect is so assinine that it's unworthy of Lem. I hope you are mistaken.

Nor was I generally bashing Dick. I consider Flow My Tears sub-par Dick, rather than considering Dick sub-par. Sometimes his style works really well for the sort of disjointed narratives he uses; sometimes (but not often) he writes beautifully. "Uneven", as Keith puts it, is a good description of his writing style.

Have fewer kids.

Brilliant! I can't imagine a more appropriate legacy for the man.

I find Heinlein hit or miss. I was underwhelmed by Stranger, but I quite enjoyed Number of the Beast, and straight up love The Moon is a Harsh Mistress.

Lem is indeed great.

Snape & Bucky, while I wouldn't call Flow My Tears "fucking awful", I don't think it's one of his best. I consider the writing pretty amateurish, and I always thought the ending was lame (a cop out). I know PKD often throws some weird shit at the reader, but didn't much care for that one.

I didn't read DADOES until many years after seeing Blade Runner (in a theatre in Hong Kong in 1982), and after reading several other PKD books and stories. As I recall, it's a good one. I think I'll re-read it, because it sits on my shelf where I can see it often, and I just finished a book. Thanks for the reminder.

That one's old news, OTP. Shaggy, you gotta go to the new one. It's also in Manhattan (but there's a pretty good one in Brooklyn, too, if you're into slumming).

Concur.

Nah, you want the G train, the only subway line that DOESN"T have a stop in Manhattan. That way you avoid the whole stupid phone game show crap altogether.

Michael Bay.

Is that when the Berenstain Bears meet the Charmin Bears?

I'm with you on the half-live/half animation thing, Fritzy. Beowulf is freaky looking. I think it's the animation equivalent of the Uncanny Valley.