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EMP announces 2012 Science Fiction Hall of Fame inductees
by Doc on May.03, 2012, under Books, General News, Movies
The EMP Museum in Seattle has announced the list of the 2012 inductees into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.
Those being honored this year are filmmaker James Cameron; artist Virgil Finlay; author Joe Haldeman; and author James Tiptree, Jr. The new Science Fiction Hall of Fame display will be unveiled at EMP’s Icons of Science Fiction exhibition opening celebration on Friday, June 8, 2012. To purchase tickets, visit empmuseum.org.
The Science Fiction Hall of Fame honors the lives, work, and ongoing legacies of science fiction’s greatest creators. Founded in 1996, the Hall of Fame was relocated from the Gunn Center for the Study of Science Fiction at the University of Kansas to its permanent home at EMP in 2004. Hall of Fame nominations are submitted by EMP members. The final inductees are chosen by a panel of award-winning science fiction authors, artists, editors, publishers, and film professionals.
2012 SCIENCE FICTION HALL OF FAME BIOS
James Cameron, American filmmaker (1954 – ). Cameron continually redefines the cutting edge of science fiction filmmaking. In particular, The Terminator (1984), which captured the collision of our fears of nuclear terror and computer technology; Aliens (1986), a sequel that magnified and amplified the classic original; The Abyss (1989), which looked downward to the oceans as a realm of the alien; and Avatar (2009) which employed a variety of innovative filmmaking techniques to further enhance the movie-viewing experience.
Virgil Finlay, American artist (1914 – 1971). Finlay produced thousands of illustrations, flourishing in the pulp magazine era from the ’30s through the ’50s. He is especially known for his exacting and detailed scratchboard and pen-and-ink work. The stark and shadowy effects he created were well-suited to the horror and fantasy magazines, where his works frequently appeared. He also contributed more than 800 illustrations to the Sunday newspaper supplement The American Weekly, and created 19 covers for Weird Tales.
Joe Haldeman, American author (1943 – ). Haldeman burst onto the science fiction scene in 1974 with The Forever War, a novel that blended imaginative hard science fiction with a heartfelt examination of the impact of war and homecoming on the combatants. The novel won the Hugo and Nebula Awards. In the following four decades, he has built a library of quality work, notably the Worlds series, The Hemingway Hoax (1990), and Forever Peace (1997). He teaches writing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 2010 he received the Grand Master award from the Science Fiction Writers of America.
James Tiptree, Jr., American author (1915 – 1987). Tiptree was the pen name of Alice Sheldon, who kept her identity a secret for the majority of her career. She is best known for stories that explore sex, gender identity, male/female relations, and death. “The Last Flight of Doctor Ain” and “The Women Men Don’t See” are two notable works among many. In 1991 the James Tiptree, Jr. Award for science fiction or fantasy that expands or explores our understanding of gender was created in her honor.
Benedict Cumberbatch on Sherlock getting his Star Trek role
by Doc on May.02, 2012, under Movies, Television
Actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who stole the TV screen for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the BBC’s modern retelling Sherlock, and will be the voice of the dragon Smaug in The Hobbit and the unconfirmed-but-everyone-is-pretty-certain-who-it-is villain in the sequel to Star Trek, appeared on VH1’s Big Morning Buzz, and discussed a bit about his Sherlock role and how he auditioned for the role on Star Trek via iPhone…check the excerpt below.
The second series of Sherlock will air on local PBS stations this weekend under Masterpiece Mystery!.
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Lost Girl preview: “Mirror, Mirror” plus bonus clips
by Doc on May.02, 2012, under Television
In next Monday’s Lost Girl, Kenzi’s attempts to dabble in Bo’s love life lead her to cross paths with the infamous Baba Yaga. Check out the preview video below, and then check out some bonus clips from last week’s episode plus see Ksenia Solo (Kenzi) give hints at what is to come this season…
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Eureka preview: “Friendly Fire”
by Doc on May.01, 2012, under Television
In next Monday’s new episode of Eureka, Carter and Lupo are hunting for something that is setting fire to the labs, while Fargo seems to be indifferent to what is happening…or that he is on fire…
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Disney to possibly add a Star Wars land – in Paris
by Doc on May.01, 2012, under Fun Stuff, Movies
Disney has long had a Star Wars-based attraction at 4 of it’s current theme park locations, with Star Tours at Disneyland in Anaheim, Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, and recently updating the attraction at WDW with all new technology. And the recently “expansionist” moves by the company, with the new Cars Land at the California Adventure park and additions at WDW like the Fantasyland expansion at the Magic Kingdom and the announced “Avatar-land” for Animal Kingdom, a lot of Disney and Star Wars fans have felt that a larger Star Wars presence was warranted, and could easily be accommodated at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It could even be the answer to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter over at nearby Universal Studios, which is already getting an expansion.
Star Wars Weekends are already very popular at WDW.
So it was no surprise to start hearing through the Disney rumor mill that a Star Wars land is actually being considered. What was surprising is that it appears to be aimed for Disneyland Paris, leaving U.S. fans throwing up their hands and wondering, “What about us?” They are even planning a Mos Eisley Cantina – how cool would that be? Of course, hopefully it will be more safer than the real thing…
It is uncertain just how real this is – certainly nothing is official at this point, and Disney is also known for announcing things at their parks that ultimately don’t happen. But even if Paris DOES get this, I think it is actually a GOOD sign – as it is not unknown to develop something at one park and then do it again at another park, hopefully with the kinks worked out.
A Jedi Knight busted for hit-and-run?
by Doc on May.01, 2012, under General News, Movies
You know, if you are going to take on the moniker of one of the most famous Jedi Knights, you probably should stay on the right side of the Force – and the law.
It seems a man who legally changed his name to “Obiwan Kenobi” back in 1999 as part of a radio stunt, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident after triggering a 5 car collision.
Now I wonder if the Lucasfilm lawyers might also want to punish him over his name…but no matter what, his record will be with him…always.
Stargate series composer Joel Goldsmith, 1957-2012
by Doc on Apr.30, 2012, under Obituaries, Television
Gateworld is reporting that composer Joel Goldsmith, oldest son of the late legendary composer Jerry Goldsmith, passed away yesterday at the age of 54.
Goldsmith composed the music for all three Stargate series (for which he was nominated three times for an Emmy) as well as many other series and episodes as well as TV movies and films. He also collaborated with his father (well known for his work on the Star Trek franchise since Star Trek: The Motion Picture) on Star Trek: First Contact.
The Avengers trailer with Joss Whedon commentary
by Doc on Apr.30, 2012, under Movies
Check out the latest video on The Avengers, which includes director Joss Whedon’s commentary about the scuffle between team members Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth). The Avengers has already opened in 39 international markets and is breaking records, so far taking in $181.5 million in just 5 days. It opens in the U.S. this Friday.
Grimm eyed for early August return
by Doc on Apr.30, 2012, under Television
NBC has already given an early renewal order for 22 more episodes of hit series Grimm – now it seems that it wants to bring it back earlier than the customary September debut, instead bringing it back in August to fill the gap after the network’s Olympics coverage, taking advantage of the huge opportunity for promotion of its shows and they wouldn’t want to lose the momentum by having several weeks pass, while NBC should be coming off of a ratings high and has been looking to get out of the ratings basement overall. New comedy series Go On starring Friends alum Matthew Perry also is being eyed for an early start.
Expect Grimm to get right back into production soon…word is the writers are already at work.
Production begins on CBBC’s Wizards Vs Aliens
by Doc on Apr.29, 2012, under Television
The BBC has announced the start of production on Russell T. Davies’ new series for CBBC, Wizards Vs Aliens, at BBC’s Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff and on location around the area.
Wizards Vs Aliens brings magic and sci-fi together to tell an epic tale. Aliens are intent of devouring all the magic on Earth – one 16-year-old boy stands in their way.
Tom Clarke is a seemingly ordinary boy who loves football. He lives with his dad Michael and grandmother Ursula in an ordinary house in an ordinary street – but there’s something different about Tom. He has an astonishing secret – his family are Wizards! When the alien Nekross arrive on Earth hungry for magic, there’s big, big trouble in store for all wizardkind.
With the help of his friend and science super-brain Benny, Tom must stop them – but will these two unlikely heroes succeed, or will the Nekross devour all the magic on Earth with disastrous results for the whole planet?
Starring newcomers Scott Haran as Tom Clarke and Percelle Ascott as Benny Sherwood, the series also features Annette Badland (Doctor Who, The Sparticles Mystery) Michael Higgs (Eastenders) Jefferson Hall (Doctors, Emma) and Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones). Don Gilet (Eastenders, Doctor Who) and Nina Sosanya (Teachers, Love Actually) make guest appearances as Benny’s parents.
Wizards Vs Aliens (12 x 30 minutes), produced by BBC Cymru Wales in association with FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), will be broadcast on CBBC in Autumn 2012. The executive producers are Russell T Davies, Bethan Jones and Gina Cronk for the BBC, and Bob Higgins and Sander Schwartz for FME. The producer is Brian Minchin and co-producer Phil Ford.
No word on outlets in North America at this time, but if The Sarah Jane Adventures is an indication, if it even gets a North American outlet, it will likely lag behind the UK airing significantly.