Tagged: Sci-Fi

SciFiWire splits off from SciFi.com

SciFiWire splits off from SciFi.com

  • News
  • January 6, 2009

Sci Fi Channel’s SciFi.com has spun off its daily entertainment news section into a standalone site SciFiWire.com. The news blog will continue to focus on pop cultural news related to the Sci Fi and fantasy genres, covering movies, books, television shows, comics, in what appears to be a much more navigable site, although their RSS feed was down at the time I looked. A few familiar names have popped up here and there in the early posts, most notably Scott Edelman, Craig Engler, and Adam Troy-Castro.

If memory serves, SciFiWire was originally the email newsletter published by Engler back in the 90’s, when SciFi bought him out and put him in charge of the digital division. Now they’re spinning it back out again. You explain it.

The satellite site is the third new launch by SciFi.com during the past year, following the debuts of gadget blog Dvice.com and gaming site Fidgit.com. So it’s trying to be Obsessable, Joystiq,  and… well, us.

National Film Registry Recognizes SF, Fantasy

National Film Registry Recognizes SF, Fantasy

  • News
  • January 1, 2009

Every year, the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry names 25 films for historic preservation.  This year’s list was announced yesterday and we applaud the inclusion of several genre offerings including The Invisible Man and the first Terminator film.  The Perils of Pauline, the first movie serial, makes the list and is seminal for the way it influenced moviemakers and storytellers, notably comic book writers, ever since.

Here’s a look at this year’s list:

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
John Huston’s brilliant crime drama contains the recipe for a meticulously planned robbery, but the cast of criminal characters features one too many bad apples. Sam Jaffe, as the twisted mastermind, uses cash from corrupt attorney Emmerich (Louis Calhern) to assemble a group of skilled thugs to pull off a jewel heist. All goes as planned — until an alert night watchman and a corrupt cop enter the picture. Marilyn Monroe has a memorable bit part as Emmerich’s "niece."

Deliverance (1972)
Four Atlanta professionals (Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronnie Cox and Jon Voight) head for a weekend canoe trip — and instead meet up with two of the more memorable villains in film history (Billy McKinney and Herbert Coward) in this gripping Appalachian "Heart of Darkness." With dazzling visual flair, director John Boorman and cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond infuse James Dickey’s novel with scenes of genuine terror and frantic struggles for survival battling river rapids — and in the process create a work rich with fascinating ambiguities about "civilized" values, urban-versus-backwoods culture, nature, and man’s supposed taming of the environment.

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‘Farscape’ #1 Sells out in 5 Days

‘Farscape’ #1 Sells out in 5 Days

  • News
  • December 30, 2008

After garnering near unanimous critical acclaim, BOOM! Studios announced Monday that Farscape #1 is completely sold out.

Fans should keep in mind, while distributor Diamond Comics are completely sold out, Farscape #1 may still be found at direct market retailers across the country. BOOM! Studios is working closely with Diamond Comics Distributors and evaluating the demand for a second printing.

"We are tracking the unfilled re-orders carefully at the moment. But a second printing looks like it may just happen," said Marketing and Sales Director Chip Mosher.

Farscape #1 is written by television series creator Rockne O’Bannon with script by Keith R.A. DeCandido, interior art by Tommy Patterson and cover art by fan-favorites Dennis Calero and Joseph Corroney!

Picking up directly where the television miniseries Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars left off, fans can look forward to show creator O’Bannon steering their favorite characters into new and original stories, keeping with the existing canon – and then extending it!

Debuting on the Sci-Fi Channel in 1998, Farscape follows the adventures of astronaut John Crichton, who has a freak accident during an experimental space mission that catapults him across a thousand galaxies to an alien battlefield. Suddenly, he’s trapped among alien creatures wielding deadly technology – a battle that 20th century sci-fi pop culture never prepared him for. Hunted by a merciless military race, Crichton begins his quest for home from a distant galaxy.
 
BOOM! Studios has a limited supply of Farscape #1 A, B & C available on their website on a first come, first serve basis.
 

Judge Dredd Returning to the Big Screen

Judge Dredd Returning to the Big Screen

  • News
  • December 23, 2008

Judge Dredd, England’s long-running weekly comic feature, is returning to the screen.   At 2000 AD’s website, they had the following short announcement:

“Rebellion and 2000 AD are proud to announce that Judge Dredd is coming to a cinema near you soon!

“Together with DNA Films, the movie production company behind such great sci-fi movies such as Sunshine and 28 Weeks Later, Judge Dredd will go into production in 2009.

“Jason Kingsley, CEO and Creative Director said, ‘We can’t give away too many details at this point, but we’re looking forward to working with DNA Films to bring Judge Dredd back to the big screen’.”

The British-based DNA Films was founded by Duncan Kenworthy and Andrew Macdonald (The Beach). The company has a production partnership with Fox Searchlight Pictures, which owns 50% of DNA Films in addition to backing from the UK Film Council.

Last seen in the ill-timed 1995 release, the Sylvester Stallone movie tanked both commercially and critically. The problem was that the inventive visual world of Mega City One, first seen in 1979, was partially co-opted for the look of Blade Runner and its knockoffs.  By the time this original made it to the screen, it looked redundant rather than trendsetting. That the story and performances were lackluster didn’t help either.
 

‘Ghost Hunters’ goes to College

‘Ghost Hunters’ goes to College

  • News
  • December 22, 2008

Sci Fi Channel has given a green light to Ghost Hunters: New Generation, a six-episode spin-off set at a college. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the channel also commissioned a sixth season of the main series plus a third season of Ghost Hunters International spinoff.

Creator Craig Piligian’s deal also calls for a new, original series to debut on the channel in 2010.

"Craig is a star performer who’s been a great partner," Sci Fi executive vp original programming Mark Stern said. "You want to be in business with people like him on a consistent basis."

The new series will take GH regulars Steve Gonsalves and Dave Tango and have them work with students on investigating paranormal activity.

"It’s going to be more of a teaching format," Piligian said. "We’re going to try to have a little more fun with the franchise."

"What’s cool about Ghost Hunters is it has tried to rely on empirical science," Stern said. "This is an opportunity to delve into that a little deeper and take the show into a more academic setting."
 

Interview: Keith DeCandido and ‘Farscape’

Interview: Keith DeCandido and ‘Farscape’

  • News
  • December 21, 2008

Keith DeCandido is known throughout the fan community as one of the best writers of media-related fiction in both the novel and graphic world.  While primarily recognized for Star Trek, he has also written fiction based on Supernatural, CSI: NY, and Farscape, among others.  His novel of John Crichton’s adventures, House of Cards, was published in 2001.  Recently, BOOM! Studios picked up the rights to publish new Farscape stories and the show’s creator, Rockne S. O’Bannon, will plot the first one with a script by Keith and art by Tommy Patterson.  After some delay, the first issue will be in stores on Wednesday/ ComicMix briefly spoke with Keith about the show and how he got involved in the new stories.

ComicMix: When did you first discover the show, Farscape?  Why were you hooked?

Keith DeCandido: I kept hearing good things about it from people who were watching it—this was in the first season in 1999—and I caught an episode or two and liked it. What hooked me in general was a four-episode marathon Sci-Fi did, and what hooked me in particular was the moment in "A Human Reaction" when Crichton confirmed that he wasn’t home, but in a simulation created from his memory when he threw the women’s room open and it was orange swirly stuff. I was hooked at that point….

CMix: How did you end up writing House of Cards and what sparked the idea for the story?

KRAD: Mine was actually the last of the three Farscape novels commissioned, but the first one released. There were delays with Andrew Dymond and David Bischoff’s books, so they needed a book quickly, and Greg Cox, the American editor of the books (they were published first in the UK by Boxtree) recommended me. Greg and I have worked together many times in the past, and he knew how much of a Farscape fan I was and that I could hit deadlines. As for the story, my brain went to the idea of "Rygel loses Moya in a card game," and I ran with it from there.

CMix: With Farscape over, how did you learn about the comic line and how did you get involved?

KRAD: Honestly, I read the press release about BOOM! getting the rights, and I went to their web site, found a contact e-mail, and said, "Hey! I wrote House of Cards! Henson and Rockne and the fans all like me! Pick me, pick me!" Amazingly, that actually worked (which I think was a first for me….).
 

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David McCallum and Marg Helgenberger Discussing ‘Wonder Woman’

David McCallum and Marg Helgenberger Discussing ‘Wonder Woman’

  • News
  • December 21, 2008

Criminal investigation meets Greek mythology when current primetime television stars David McCallum and Marg Helgenberger assume the voices of Zeus and Hera, respectively, for Wonder Woman, the next entry in the popular series of DC Universe animated original PG-13 films, débuting March 3 in multiple formats.

McCallum, known to current TV audiences as Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in the hit CBS series Navy NCIS (Navel Criminal Investigative Service), adds Wonder Woman to an animation resume that already includes the DC Universe movie Batman Gotham Knight and TV series Ben 10 and The Replacements. Animation is but a side gig for McCallum, though, the actor having achieved legendary status for his two best known roles – in film as Lt.-Cmdr. Eric Ashley-Pitt in The Great Escape and on TV as super spy Illya Kuryakin in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. During his 62-year career, McCallum has played many notable characters in fanboy TV favorites like Jeremiah, The Outer Limits (1963-64 & 1997), Babylon 5, SeaQuest DSV, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The A-Team, The Invisible Man and Night Gallery, to name a few.

Helgenberger is an anchor for the patriarch of CBS’ current crime lineup, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. The actress is approaching her 200th episode as Catherine Willows, the series’ female lead.Helgenberger, remembered for her breakthrough, Emmy Award-winning performance in China Beach, is no stranger to the sci-fi genre, having starred in Species and its sequel on the big screen. The 2005 People’s Choice Award winner as Favorite Female Television Star has been seen in a variety of roles ranging from feature films (Erin Brockovich, Bad Boys, Always) to top-rated TV series (ER, thirtysomething, Frasier).

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Majel Barrett Roddenberry: 1932-2008

Majel Barrett Roddenberry: 1932-2008

  • News
  • December 18, 2008

Majel Barrett Roddenberry, beloved star of sci-fi phenomenon Star Trek, passed away early this morning surrounded by family and friends. Roddenberry was 76 years old. She began her acting career in the 1950’s with roles in such popular shows as "Leave it to Beaver," "Bonanza" and "The Lucy Show; but it was her numerous roles in the legendary Star Trek franchise that fans came to know and love her. Roddenberry had featured roles in almost every Star Trek television and film entity and became an iconic figure within the fan community.

Her roles included Nurse Chapel in Star Trek: The Original Series, Lt. M’ress in Star Trek: The Animated Series, Lwaxana Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine, and the voice of the USS Enterprise computer in almost every incarnation of the series, including lots of video games. However, it was the love affair between her and the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry that earned her the title "The First Lady of Star Trek." Over the course of their more then quarter-century love affair, she became not only Gene’s partner, but also his creative muse. Majel helped Gene expand the Star Trek universe and was an integral part of its continued legacy after his death, working on Earth: Final Conflict and Andromeda, as well as appearing in Babylon 5, Family Guy, and the Spider-Man animated series.

Majel recently completed reprising her role as the voice of the USS Enterprise for J.J. Abrams’ new Star Trek film.

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Alfred Molina Talks Ares in ‘Wonder Woman’

Alfred Molina Talks Ares in ‘Wonder Woman’

  • News
  • December 14, 2008

Alfred Molina voices Ares, God of War, on the Warner Premiere feature Wonder Woman.  It’s not his first turn as a villain having made a memorable Doctor Octopus in Spider-Man 2.

Wonder Woman, the fourth direct-to-DVD feature set in the DC Universe, is set for distribution on DVD and Blu-ray March 3, 2009 by Warner Home Video.

When the four-time Screen Actors Guild Award nominee isn’t starring in one of his many critically acclaimed films – like Chocolat, Frida, Prick Up Your Ears, Magnolia, Boogie Nights and The Da Vinci Code. Molina was honored with the 2005 Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Visual Effects Film.

The two-time Tony Award-nominated actor has previously voiced King Gustav for the two-part "Maid of Honor" episode of the Justice League animated series.

Warner Premiere provided us with the following interview:

Question:  Alfred Molina voicing Are, the God of War.  That’s a nice title.

Alfred Molina  Yeah. I’m thinking of changing my name professionally to Ares, the God of War.  I think I might just do that.

Question: What is your favorite part of voice acting?

AM:  This is all about imagination. It’s like our director Andrea (Romano) likes to say, "Thank you for coming to play." And that’s really what voice acting is. It’s play acting at its most childlike, it’s most free. There are no restrictions of costume or scenery or a set. It’s about what’s in your head, and that’s the fun part.


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Final Season of ‘Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea’ Due in March

Final Season of ‘Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea’ Due in March

  • News
  • December 14, 2008

Escape on another Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea as Season Four, Volume One submerges onto DVD March 31st from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Based on Irwin Allen’s action-packed 1961 film Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, the television series chronicles the adventures of Admiral Nelson (Richard Basehart: Knight Rider), Captain Crane (David Hedison: License To Kill, The Young and the Restless) and the fearless crew of the notorious SSRN Seaview as they embark on uncharted waters full of sci-fi espionage, action and suspense. Featuring the first 13 episodes from the final season on a three-disc set, Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea Season Four, Volume One boasts the re-cut, unaired pilot, interviews with Hedison and still photos. This unsinkable set will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.98 U.S./$54.98 Canada.

Synopsis:

As this ground-breaking action-adventure series went into its final season, the unparalleled genius of producer Irwin Allen kicked into creative overdrive, resulting in some of the greatest science-fiction television of all time. From rampaging gorillas and diabolical puppet masters to time-travelling androids and interplanetary kidnappings, this is the show that defined the genre, setting new standards for suspense, vision, and imagination. Now, join Admiral Nelson, Captain Crane and the rest of the crew aboard the Seaview, the Earth’s most powerful nuclear submarine, and dive deep into the unknown in this penultimate volume of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea.

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