V competition winners and series review

April 14, 2010 by

Thanks to everyone who took part in the competition to win a SciFi goody bag and signed V poster. The answer to the question is that the aliens in V are called The Visitors. The winners have been randomly selected from the correct answers and their names are:

  • Ross Drummond
  • Cathy Chambers
  • Natalie Henderson

Well done guys!

The series
V premiered last night on the SciFi channel (now SyFy) with a double-bill. I’ve mentioned before that I missed out on the original series, but how does this one look?

Series starts can be a bit slow sometimes, carefully setting up and introducing the major characters and plot elements. The pilot episodes of V manage to keep the audience interested while introducing lots of points that will, no doubt, end up being important as the series progresses.

There are certainly plenty of questions that we’ll want answered as we go along. What are the Vs here for? Do we know who’s human and who’s not? There’s a great quote in the V press release, “Only one race will survive but will it be us or them?” I wonder…

V is a visual treat, especially in high definition. The ships look lovely, although I think I can see when a green-screen has been used to add in a background. It doesn’t ruin the shot or anything, but it’s just a little noticeable. Morena Baccarin (Inara Serra in Firefly) plays the role of Anna, the V leader, really well – friendly in a sort of creepy, otherworldly way.

It’s early days for V, but I can already see this being one of the series’ I don’t want to miss out on. I can tell I’m going to enjoy a series when I get disappointed that there’s a week between episodes… and I am :)

V airs on SyFy (formerly SCI FI) every Tuesday at 10pm.

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V is coming: Cast Interviews

April 12, 2010 by

Well, what a week that was. I’ve been away on holiday with some friends, the major part of which was going to The Gadget Show Live in Birmingham. It was a fantastic day, and there will be a review coming up later in the week. I’m back now, though, so I’ll be interacting a bit more than I have been for the last few days!

Anyway, this week sees the launch of the re-imagined series of V on the SciFi channel (have you entered the competition yet?) and we’ve got a bit more promo material to show you – this time interviews with the cast.

V Interview 2010 from laura norton on Vimeo.

The new series of V starts with a double-bill on Tuesday 13th April, 10pm on SciFi. Catch the trailer here.

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Predators Trailer out now

March 23, 2010 by

Thanks to Adam for the head-up that this trailer was out. It’s for Predators, the newest movie in the Predator franchise. Have a look:

Looks interesting, doesn’t it? I like the idea of exploring the Predators’ hunting culture but, if I’m honest, I’m just excited that there’s a new Predator movie coming out… and with loads of ‘em!

What do you think of it? Looking forward to seeing it? Or does it look like a sequel too far? Tell us in the comments!

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New Doctor Who Series 5 Trailer Out

February 22, 2010 by

The new series of Doctor Who starts this Easter and, as a lifelong Who fan, I’ve been looking forward to seeing some new stories.

The BBC have released a new trailer for the series, featuring Matt Smith as the Doctor and Karen Gillan as Amy Pond. Have a look:

I really, really want to like the news series but this trailer just isn’t doing anything for me. I will, of course, reserve judgment until the series actually starts but, based on this, I’m not so sure I’ll like it. Still, we’ll see – I was pleasantly surprised by Mr Tennant! Here’s to seeing what the Beeb has in store at Easter :)

Oh, and finally, am I the only one that thinks it’s odd that this is called “Series 5″ when there’s been over forty years of Doctor Who? I know it’s not important, but I just think it’s strange!

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Win a Cube Clock and SciFi Goody Bag

February 15, 2010 by

This competition is now closed. Find out who won here.

Here’s your chance to win something a bit different, a Cube Clock from Kim & Jason, a SciFi.co.uk goody bag and a 444ml Geek-Speak travel mug.

The cube clock is a great take on the usual alarm clock, mixing it with the stylings of a Rubik’s Cube. More details on what’s in the goody bag can be found here and, of course, you’ll want the mug for that first cup of coffee after your alarm clock goes off :)

How do I enter?
Just post a comment telling us your best childhood memory. It can be funny, a learning experience, or whatever you like.

Please have a quick read of my commenting policy and please bear in mind that only “top level” comments will be counted as entries. You can reply to someone else’s comment (and are encouraged to do so) but replies will not be counted as entries.

Geek-Speak.co.uk travel mugYou can enter no matter where you are in the world. I will send the winner their SciFi goody bag and mug, and the clock will be sent direct from Kim and Jason.

How will the winner be chosen?
I will be using random.org‘s random number generator to pick a position in the list of comments… and the person at that position wins.

The competition closes at 00:01 (GMT) on the 28th of February, and the winner will be chosen and notified later that day.

That’s it, tell us your stories and good luck!

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Birthday Bash – Win Crush it!, Trust Agents & a SciFi Goody Bag

February 15, 2010 by

It’s prize time again, and we have more books and a SciFi.co.uk goody bag to give away. Most of the prizes have a definite science fiction theme, but the books up for grabs this time are a bit different. They’re Crush it! by Gary Vaynerchuk and Trust Agents by Chris Brogan.

Rather than go on about them, I’ll just give you the blurb instead!

Crush It! by Gary Vaynerchuk:

Do you have a hobby that you wish you could indulge in all day? An obsession that keeps you up at night? Now is the perfect time to take that passion and make a living doing what you live. In Crush It! Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion, Gary Vaynerchuk shows you how to use the powerof the Internet to turn your real interests into real businesses. Gary spent years building his family business from a local wine shop into a national industry leader. Then one day he turned on a video camera, and by using the secrets revealed here, transformed his entire life and earning potential by building his personal brand. By the end of this book readers will have learned how to harness the power of the Internet to make their entrepreneurial dreams come true. Step by step, Crush It! is the ultimate driver’s manual for modern business.

Trust Agents by Chris Brogan:

In Trust Agents, two social media veterans show you how to tap into the power of social networks to build your brand′s influence, reputation, and, of course, profits. Today′s online influencers are web natives who trade in trust, reputation, and relationships, using social media to accrue the influence that builds up or brings down businesses online.

The book shows how people use online social tools to build networks of influence and how you can use those networks to positively impact your business. Because trust is key to building online reputations, those who traffic in it are “trust agents,” the key people your business needs on its side.

  • Delivers actionable steps and case studies that show how social media can positively impact your business
  • Written by authors with over ten years of online media experience
  • Shows you how to build and wield influence online to benefit your brand
  • Combines high–level theory with practical step–by–step guidance

If you want your business to succeed, don′t sit on the sidelines. Instead, use the Web to build trust with your consumers using Trust Agents.

How do I enter?
Just answer the question below. I want to say thanks for being a Geek-Speak reader, so you don’t need to retweet or join my mailing list. Mind, I’d be more than happy if you did choose to do so! :) You can enter no matter where you are in the world.

How will the winner be chosen?
All the correct entries will be recorded in the order I receive them. When it comes to choosing the winning entry I will be using random.org‘s random number generator to pick a position in the list… and the person at that position wins.

OK, so what’s the question?

As well as being an author, Gary hosts an Internet wine show - what's it called?

This competition is now closed. Find out who won here.

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Birthday Bash: Win Jason Bradbury’s Dot.Robot and Atomic Swarm

February 15, 2010 by

Let’s carry on with the birthday giveaway! This time the prize is two books by gadget geek and children’s author Jason Bradbury, and a SciFi.co.uk goody bag.

Jason has released two novels aimed at children aged 11+ but I have to admit I really enjoyed them as a 31 year old adult! You can read my reviews of them here: Dot.Robot and Atomic Swarm. They’re brilliant geek literature and well worth getting hold of. I’ve already been asked this, so I’ll say it up front now: you’re entering to win new copies of the books, and not just my tatty review copies :)

How do I enter?
Just answer the question below. I want to say thanks for being a Geek-Speak reader, so you don’t need to retweet or join my mailing list. Mind, I’d be more than happy if you did choose to do so! :) You can enter no matter where you are in the world.

How will the winner be chosen?
All the correct entries will be recorded in the order I receive them. When it comes to choosing the winning entry I will be using random.org‘s random number generator to pick a position in the list… and the person at that position wins.

Enough already! What’s the question?

Which science fiction author is most popularly attributed with inventing the "Three Laws of Robotics"?

This competition is now closed. Find out who won here.

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Birthday Bash: Win Battlestar Galactica series 1&2 and a SciFi goody bag

February 15, 2010 by

It’s time to get the birthday bash underway – and the first set of prizes is series’ one and two of the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica, plus a SciFi.co.uk goody bag.

I thought the new series of Battlestar Galactica was awesome, despite being one of the ones who was up in arms when they said Starbuck was going to be a woman. I got over that quickly and realised the series was just brilliant in its own right!

How do I enter?
Just answer the question below. I just want to say thanks for being a Geek-Speak reader, so you don’t need to retweet or join my mailing list. Mind, I’d be more than happy if you did choose to do so! :) You can enter no matter where you are in the world and I will ensure that you receive the correct format of DVD for your region.

How will the winner be chosen?
All the correct entries will be recorded in the order I receive them. When it comes to choosing the winning entry I will be using random.org‘s random number generator to pick a position in the list… and the person at that position wins.

Enough already! What’s the question?

In the re-imagined series (2003) of Battlestar Galactica, what appliance-like nickname do the colonials give their Cylon adversaries?

This competition is now closed. Find out who won here.

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Win Dark Void on xbox360 and the complete Battlestar Galactica with SciFi channel

December 16, 2009 by

SciFi channel, the UK version of SyFy, are giving away a copy of Dark Void on the xbox360 courtesy of Capcom, and the complete series of the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica on DVD. All you have to do to win is play games!

There are five games on the SciFi site that count towards the competition, and the aim is for you to rank on the leaderboard for all five games. You’ll need to have a SciFi account so that your scores can be tracked. You’ll receive a certain number of points depending on where you rank for each game… position 1 being worth 10 points, and position 10 being worth 1. Your total across all five games is used to determine the overall winner of the competition.

I haven’t come across Dark Void before, but the blurb on the competition page says, “Dark Void’s unique combination of jetpack-booster aerial dog fighting and third-person combat creates a thrilling new gameplay dynamic to the third-person shooter experience. Release date for this game is January 22, 2010.”

As for Battlestar Galactica, I thought this was one of the best series I’ve seen in years and it’s worth entering the contest for the BSG box set alone!

The games are all easy enough to get into, but you’ll have to put some effort in to beat those high scores. Give it a go, and if you get a score you’re particularly proud of feel free to boast in the comments! Closing date is the 11th of January 2010.

If you don’t think you’re going to win the contest you can pre-order Dark Void* or buy the BSG box set from Amazon.co.uk.

* Affiliate links

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