23 years of this site still chugging along...
Thanksgiving and King Kong
by TheThunderChild on Nov.28, 2011, under Web Sites
The Thunder Child is very proud to announce that James H. (Jim) Burns has joined the writing staff of The Thunder Child. Jim was one of the first writers for Starlog magazine, way back in the 1970s, a contributing editor to Fantastic Films, and contributed articles to Cinefantastique, Starburst and Twilight Zone magazines.
And now he’s writing for us.
First up, a trilogy of articles on King Kong – the original. First he reminisces about him, his father, and the tradition – long before today’s satellite TV, of watching King Kong every Thanksgiving.
Part 2 is his reminisces of Chris Steinbrunner (author of The Films of Sherlock Holmes, Detectionary, and Cinema of the Fantastic).
And Part 3 is a special treat, entitled, Meanwhile, Back at the Empire State Building. I don’t want to give that away so check it out for yourself.
Start out at KIng Kong in the City.
Sanctuary preview: “Chimera” – airing Tuesday
by Doc on Nov.28, 2011, under Television
Note: “Chimera” has a special airing early this week – Tuesday, November 29th at 10/9c, as well as it’s normal Friday slot.
Magnus and Tesla are transported to a virtual Sanctuary. The virtual Sanctuary looks exactly like the real Sanctuary which initially causes them confusion as to whether they were transported or not. They come to realize that the computer is using their conscience to build the digital cloud around them as well as what it is in its own database. While they are discussing this, something rushes past them and disappears. Brushing off the disturbance, the two get to the task at hand and decide to start their search in Henry’s lab. They call the elevator and luckily they look before stepping in as there is nothing but a big hole where the elevator should be. Catch an all new episode of Sanctuary tomorrow, November 29th at 10/9c!
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Micro-review of The Muppets
by Doc on Nov.25, 2011, under Movies
Just had to say, that if you have any recollection at all of The Muppet Show, you need, and I mean NEED, to see The Muppets. The movie contains everything that made the Muppets great – silliness, seriousness, great songs, great cameos…and a story line that is a fictionalized tale of where the Muppets have been all this time, yet hits at reasons, valid or not, that we really haven’t seen much of the franchise.
It also doesn’t require much prior knowledge of the show. My own kids, who have never really seen the original show but are somewhat familiar with the characters through their movies, loved the movie, laughing and dancing and even signing. In the car ride home they were singing the theme song and “Mahna mahna”.
We can only hope that this reboot of sorts sees a resurgence in the Muppets so that we may see a whole lot more of them.
Star Trek 2 gets May 17th, 2013 release date
by Doc on Nov.23, 2011, under Movies
Paramount has slated the long-awaited Star Trek sequel for a May 17th, 2013 release date, according to Deadline. The sequel, currently being co-written by directory J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, will also be made in 3D.
Earlier today, J.J. confirmed that he was looking for Benicio del Toro to have a role as a villain. Nothing has been revealed about what the role is, but speculation among the fanbase is that it could be Khan Noonian Singh.
Another look at Neverland
by Doc on Nov.23, 2011, under Television
Here is another trailer for the upcoming Peter Pan origin story Neverland, starring Rhys Ifans, Bob Hoskins, Kiera Knightley and Charlie Rowe. Neverland airs on Syfy on December 4th and 5th at 9/8c – expect a review soon!
Fantasy writer Anne McCaffrey has reportedly passed away
by Doc on Nov.22, 2011, under Books, Obituaries
According to a tweet from SF writer Robert J. Sawyer, along with a great many other tweets, as well as some independent reports, fantasy writer Anne McCaffrey, best known for her Dragonriders of Pern series of books, passed away yesterday at the age of 85.
Update: Media Bistro/GalleyCat confirmed it with Random House, her publisher.
So, that Star Wars: Identities thing is not what we thought…
by Doc on Nov.21, 2011, under Fun Stuff, Movies
When Lucasfilm obtained the domain name “StarWarsIdentities.com” (along with preemptively grabbing the typo’d StarWarsIdentites.com and sw-id.com), speculation ran rampant about the new mystery project, ranging from a new game or expansion to Star Wars: Galaxies, a new series of movies or a TV show, etc. My own thoughts would have been something less grand but marketable – actual ID cards to show your citizenship in the Republic (or Empire, or Rebel membership…). But it seems we were all wrong.
This one is a bit different though. Instead of being just a traveling exhibit of props, etc. like has been done in the past, this is more about the characters, and what what defines them. It explores three aspects of an identity: “the origins of the characters, the influences that shape them, and the choices they make during their life.” It also includes an “interactive quest”, allowing a guest to create their own Star Wars identity incorporating fictional elements with their own, creating their own unique character (so wait, I wasn’t entirely wrong… 🙂 )
The exhibit will be at the Montreal Science Centre from April 19 through September 16, 2012, with tickets already on sale via StarWarsIdentities.com.
Sanctuary preview: “Fugue”
by Doc on Nov.21, 2011, under Television
Sanctuary gets musical this week!
Magnus and Will study the brain of an abnormal and notice a high number of synapses firing off and come to the conclusion that she can only communicate through music. They enter the room and Magnus begins asking her a question through song when Abby, the abnormal, looks at Will and asks why he looks worried. Magnus quickly proceeds to tell her that she’s been at the Sanctuary for a few days and she responds wondering if there is something they’re not telling her. Finding it quite odd, Will says that this is all insane and Abby looks at him and asks what he just said and gives a blank stare. Tune-in to an all new episode this Friday at 10/9c as Sanctuary turns musical!
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Get some holiday gifts and support Give Kids The World
by Doc on Nov.20, 2011, under General News
My wife is participating in a “virtual fair” fundraiser for Give Kids the World Village in Florida. This organization brings terminally ill children and their families to the Disney area! We are trying to raise a million dollars for this wonderful organization.
If you need any books for your children or friends, please consider checking out her website. She will be donating up to 45% of her profit to this amazing charity! There are 12 other vendors that are also donating proceeds to this charity. Feel free to order from any of the charities!
Doctor Who 2011 Christmas special preview: “The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe”
by Doc on Nov.18, 2011, under Television
Check out the preview below of the 2011 Christmas Special episode of Doctor Who, entitled “The Doctor, The Widow, and the Wardrobe”. And if the title hasn’t clued you in – yes, there is a definite Narnia theme to it (much like last year was a bit of The Christmas Carol…) (video courtesy of DoctorWhoTV)
