Sci-Fi Storm

Well, I’m off on vacation starting tonight, and won’t return until at least next weekend, so barring any earth-shattering news by this afternoon, don’t expect any updates…

So, nothing really earth-shattering happening this week it seems. Buffy may get an eighth season; Doom 3 by id Software took home lots of awards at E3 – even though it is probably still a year away; and despite lackluster reviews but a strong opening weekend, sequel to Scoopy Doo has been fast-tracked at Warner Brothers.

I’ve finally put the last of the data into my Encyclopedia of Known Space, which indexes the people, places, and things found in Larry Niven’s Known Space universe. Stop by and check it out. Of course, I’ll be back to work on it once the still-planned Ringworld’s Child or Man-Kzin Wars X is published…

Update 6/16: Just got the following in e-mail: “Brian’s Known Space Encyclopedia is absolutely wonderful. I’ve moved it to
my “Favorites” list. Larry Niven”

The 2002 Saturn Awards were just given out – Cinescape is running the details. Quickie recap on the film side: A.I. got Best SF Film and Best Writing for Spielberg, and Haley Joel Osment got Brest Younger Actor; Best Actor went to Tom Cruise for Vanilla Sky, while his ex Nicole Kidman got best actress for The Others; Best Director went to Peter Jackson for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, which also won Best Fantasy Film and Best Supporting Actor thanks to Ian McKellan. On the TV side: Buffy for Best Network Series; Farscape for Best Syndicated/Cable series; Ben Browder (Farscape) and Yancy Butler (Witchblade) got Best Actor/Actress, and Michael Rosenbaum (Smallville) and Jolene Blalock (Enterprise) for Supporting roles.

Well, the cat’s out of the bag. In a posting on rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated, a person for the National Captioning Institute was looking for references for spelling to be used in the forthcoming DVDs. JMS has since piped up and announced that it’s for real, and due sometime in the Fall, and will have extra goodies and even some commentaries by JMS (at least two, depending on time). Hopefully WB will make the official announcement soon so we can get pre-orders in.

Just pointing out some of the cool DVD releases coming up: June 11th brings us Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Complete Second Season; on June 25th, Set 7 and Set 8 of Space: 1999 (which completes the series) and Farscape Season 2 Volume 1 (now a two disk set with 4 episodes); on July 2nd we get Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3; and on July 9th a new Farscape: Best of Season 1 collection of 6 episodes. Head on over to the Sci-Fi TV Store to pre-order from Amazon.com, and order other cool videos.

Finally, MGM is releasing the Second Season Boxed Set for Stargate SG-1!!! The first season set was excellent – I’ve been waiting for this for a long time (as I’m sure some of you have too…) Currently release date is September 3rd. Stop by our Stargate SG-1 Store and pre-order yours today!

Apparently the rumors are true, and Lucas still isn’t satisfied. Producer Rick McCallum told Empire Online that more changes will be made to the original Star Wars films for their DVD release. The catch – they are still three years away.

Several new Doctor Who DVDs have been scheduled for US release – including the entire Key to Time series, both in individual and gift pack form, scheduled for October 1st. Also coming out are Tomb of the Cybermen and Ark in Space, due August 6th. Head on over to the Sci Fi TV Store and order yours today.

At last! The expanded edition of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is coming out on DVD! When shown in its network premiere and not since, additional footage explained things like who Engineer’s Mate Peter Preston really was (and why Scotty was so upset), along with other additional scenes. This new DVD includes additional footage (I assume the same ones shown on ABC) and lots of goodies including all new interviews and commentary. It is due on August 6th.