Miracle Mindset

 Written By Ken Hulsey AND SO, IN EVERY SCENE OF OUR STAR TREK STORY... ...translate it into a real life situation. Or, sometimes as useful, try it in your mind as a scene in GUNSMOKE, NAKED CITY, or some similar show. Would you believe the people and the scene if it happened there? IF YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE WHO ANSWERS: "THE CHARACTER ACTS THAT WAY BECAUSE IT'S SCIENCE FICTION", DON'T CALL US, WE'LL CALL YOU.  - The Star Trek Guide: Third Revision - April 17, 1967

 Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey For most of my young life, I believed that somewhere out there was some undiscovered island, secluded jungle oasis, or even a vast underground cavern that had been preserved for millions of years. The main inhabitants of this primeval world would be none other than real living dinosaurs waiting to be discovered by some explorers or a team of scientists .

Written By: Ken Hulsey The film “Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet” may be the most interesting science fiction film to be produced in the 1960s’. Although the film in itself is very well done and features some excellent special effects shots, it’s the film's origin and two different Americanized versions that may be of most interest to fans of this genre. You see, the film was not an American product, but a film made in the former Soviet Union. Although scenes that starred Basil Rathbone and Faith Domergue, filmed by Roger Corman, were inserted into the film for American viewers, the film is still basically “Planeta Bur” (Planet of Storms – 1962) in most respects. In this version, almost all Soviet references were removed from both the film and its credits, although it was hard not to notice the Russian insignias on all the spacecraft. American International must have been very nervous about releasing a Soviet sci-fi film during the middle of the “Cold War.”

Written By Ken Hulsey Monster movie fans often have fond memories of 200-foot-tall creatures like Godzilla, King Kong, Rodan, Mothra, and Varan stomping on buildings as terrified townspeople flee in terror. However, the unsung hero who brought these iconic monsters to life has rarely received credit - Haruo Nakajima, a Japanese actor who donned the heavy rubber costumes from 1954 to 1972 to portray Toho's most famous movie monsters.

Written By: Ken Hulsey In my many attempts to review classic films, I often pass over really great movies, sometimes even passing over some of my personal favorites, to tie themes and past topics together. One such film that I have regrettably passed over, for far too long, is the 1986 action/comedy "Big Trouble in Little China". For those of you out there who know me pretty well, you understand that "Big Trouble" is one of my all-time favorite movies, so the fact that I have chosen it to begin getting back to talking about older films should come as no surprise.

The Mandalorian: A Journey Through the Stars and a Quest for Belonging The Star Wars universe has captivated audiences for decades, and at the heart of this vast galaxy is a tale of adventure, loyalty, and identity. "The Mandalorian," a beloved series that debuted on Disney+, invites viewers into the life of a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin, affectionately known as Mando, who finds purpose amidst chaos.

  The Magic of Ray Harryhausen: Master of Stop-Motion Animation in Fantasy Film For fans of fantasy movies, few names resonate as profoundly as Ray Harryhausen. His pioneering work in stop-motion animation has enchanted audiences for decades, creating some of the most memorable moments in cinematic history. From sword-fighting skeletons in "Jason and the Argonauts" to mythical creatures in "The Golden Voyage of Sinbad," Harryhausen's creations have inspired generations of filmmakers and fans alike.

Written By Ken Hulsey  A video from Looper that circulated a few years ago, rather accurately depicts just how popular and life-changing an experience seeing Star Wars back in 1977 actually was.  Before I share that video, I want to share my very own experience. The first ever image that I ever saw from Star Wars appeared on a fellow classmate's school folder. It was a scene from the film that featured two Imperial Stormtroopers in combat. I didn't know anything about the movie; in fact, I didn't even know that the characters I was looking at were called Stormtroopers. In fact, I'm sure that I thought that they were supposed to be robots. It honestly didn't matter. From that one image, I knew that I had to see Star Wars. Those two Imperial Troopers were the coolest thing my ten-year-old eyes had ever seen!

First published in Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy (Magazine) – Fall /Winter 1977 In STAR WARS, Carrie Fisher has a film role that measures up to her fantasy life. She portrays the beautiful Princess Leia, a senator from the planet Alderaan and a rebel-leader working secretly for freedom and justice against the oppressive, evil Galactic Empire.

Mark Hamill Talks About His Experience Making Star Wars From a press conference of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association – By Yani Begakus Mark Hamill – With all the merchandising that’s going on, I really wish they would publish the original screenplay for STAR WARS. It is so thick with ideas – more descriptions and more of everything than was in the movie. There just wasn’t time to get it all in. Yes, it is very simple, and people say there is no storyline – just bad guys chasing you because you have something they want. On one level, that’s true; on another level…you know, even though I am ostensibly the hero, George Lucas has given me a menagerie of supporting creatures – animal, vegetable, and mineral – and everybody’s working together. Men working with machines, working with rodents, working with whatever…I think it’s terrific.

ANOTHER galaxy, another time. The Old Republic was the Republic of legend, greater than distance or time. No need to note where it was or whence it came, only to know that… it was the Republic. Once, under the wise rule of the Senate and the protection of the Jedi Knights, the Republic throve and grew. But as often happens when wealth and power pass beyond the admirable and attain the awesome, there appear those evil ones who have greed to match. So it was with the Republic at its height. Like the greatest of trees, able to withstand any external attack, the Republic rotted from within, though the danger was not visible from outside. Aided and abetted by restless, power-hungry individuals within the government and the massive organs of commerce, the ambitious Senator Palpatine caused himself to be elected President of the Republic. He promised to reunite the disaffected among the people and to restore the remembered glory of the Republic. Once secure in office, he declared...

 Written By Ken Hulsey As most of you know, I am a certified comic book enthusiast. I have been collecting comic books as a hobby since the late 1970s and have been reading them since I was a child. Like many kids of my generation, I was drawn to titles featuring my favorite cartoon characters such as The Flintstones , Bugs Bunny , and Yogi Bear . My mother would buy them for me in packs at the Pick N Save, which helped me build quite a collection. While I often got some Richie Rich and Little Lulu comics that I didn't particularly care for, back then, you learned to take the good with the bad.

The Enduring Legacy of King Kong (1933) In the realm of cinematic history, few films have left as profound an impact as " King Kong ," which premiered in New York City in 1933. Often hailed as one of the "100 Best Films of All Time" by Time Magazine, this iconic motion picture not only broke box-office records but also fundamentally shaped the future of filmmaking. Its innovative use of special effects, emotional storytelling, and unforgettable characters has spawned a decades-long fascination with the giant ape and the world he inhabits. "King Kong" arrived at a time when the film industry was ripe for innovation. With groundbreaking visual effects crafted by special effects pioneer Willis O’Brien, the film pushed the boundaries of what was technically possible in the 1930s. O’Brien’s mastery of stop-motion animation was revolutionary; it created a believable and captivating world that drew audiences into the narrative. Even today, viewers can appreciate ...

I, like many science fiction fans, developed my lifelong love for the genre by watching "Star Trek." I didn’t discover the series on my own; I was encouraged to watch it by my older cousin, Rick, who was an avid fan. The first episode I ever saw was "Arena," which featured Captain Kirk facing off against the lizard-like captain of the Gorn species in a fight to the death, orchestrated by an unseen alien race. As a young boy fascinated by dinosaurs, the reptilian Gorn initially captured my attention. However, it was the intelligent and well-crafted story that kept me coming back for more episodes. My youthful spirit of adventure, combined with a desire to explore beyond the confines of my backyard, made the series' exploration-driven storylines and charismatic characters a perfect match for me. What six-year-old boy doesn’t dream of piloting a starship across the vast, uncharted regions of infinite space? Thus, I became a Trekkie and a lifelong science fiction fa...