23 years of this site still chugging along...
Chuck evades cancellation again
by Doc on May.12, 2011, under Television
It appears the Intersect includes an amazing evasion skill, as perennial bubble show Chuck apparently avoids the axe yet again as more shows fates are being sealed. Looks like it will get another short-season order at this point. Maybe Subway upped their ante for in-show ads…
Update: And now for the bad news – the next season will also be the last.
Falling Skies already gearing up for second season?
by Doc on May.11, 2011, under Television
We are still more than a month away from the debut of Falling Skies, which premieres June 19th on TNT, but it appears that they may be getting things in line for a second season already. Because the production is out of the normal cycle most if not all of the original writing staff is already tied up, but they are going to get new writers set so that work can begin as soon as TNT makes the go/no-go decision – which may come right after the premiere, if not before – TNT reportedly likes the series a lot, and having seen the first couple episodes I can see why. They definitely do not want the same gap in production time that took place for the original series, though – it will be about 17 months from pickup to debut.
To help get things moving, Remi Aubuchon (Caprica) has been hired as executive producer and show runner.
Trailer for robot boxing movie Real Steel
by Doc on May.10, 2011, under Movies
This isn’t your typical boxing movie. I’m sure it will get lots of comparisons – Rocky meets Terminator, or Karate Kid meets Rock’em Sock’em Robots, or something like that. But just seeing the trailer, Real Steel looks good…
Sanctuary preview: “Awakening”
by Doc on May.10, 2011, under Television
In the next sneak peek clip of an all-new episode of Sanctuary, Magnus and Tesla are investigating a tomb they believe was once a Praxian stronghold. Tesla reminisces about what it was like to explore tombs with Magnus in Egypt when they had no technological gadgets to aid their search. He then feels a certain power from behind one of the walls and reveals the secret entrance. Their alertness builds in anticipation of what they might find, but Tesla realizes through script on columns in this new hidden room that it was taken over by vampires. Watch the clip and tune in on Monday at 10/9c only on Syfy to see if this new discovery helps their search or simply places fear in their voyage.
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Part one of Doctor Who: Series Six on Blu-ray/DVD July 19th
by Doc on May.07, 2011, under Television, Video/DVD
Since the BBC is dividing the sixth series of Doctor Who into two, rather than make everyone wait they will release the Blu-ray and DVD sets in two parts as well – with the first part being release on July 19th in the U.S. (July 11th in the U.K.). Pre-orders are now open for the [sfs=1135]Blu-ray[/sfs] and [sfs=1136]DVD[/sfs] sets. The prices appear to be less than half of the complete Fifth Series set (and if they go down further after you order before the release, you’ll get the lower price).
The Dark Tower project put on hold
by Doc on May.06, 2011, under Movies, Television
That ambitious project of Ron Howard’s to turn Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series into a combinations of films and TV series might have been a bit too ambitious – at least for Universal, who is concerned about the budget. As a result, the staff working on it have been placed on hiatus while Howard’s Imagine Entertainment and writer/producer Akiva Goldsman discuss the budget with the studio.
Could Universal be getting a bit skittish at big budget risks? They did balk at the $150 million budget Guillermo del Toro’s At The Mountains of Madness – but del Toro wanted to release with an R-rating as well, perhaps limiting the audience. But how can you do a PG-13 Lovecraft story?!?
Star Wars: The Complete Saga Blu-ray details released
by Doc on May.04, 2011, under Video/DVD
As part of the “Star Wars Day” festivities (“May the fourth be with you…” – check the date if you didn’t get it…) Lucasfilm has released the details on what would be included in the [sfs=1098]upcoming Blu-ray release[/sfs] of Star Wars: The Complete Saga, due out September 16th in the U.S. and September 12th internationally. This is the most complete release to date, with deleted and alternate scenes, new and old documentaries, a 91 minute special just of Star Wars spoofs (including Weird Al’s “The Saga Begins” video), and more – 3 extra discs worth! Read on for the complete details.
BBC confirms no further episodes of Sarah Jane Adventures – six existing episodes will air
by Doc on May.04, 2011, under Television
The BBC is confirming today that there are no plans to film any additional episodes of The Sarah Jane Adventures after the sudden passing of its star, Elisabeth Sladen, two weeks ago. However, they will air six episodes that had already been filmed at some point on CBBC, at a date to be determined.
Apparently Brit tabloid The Sun had claimed that production would continue – which would not be unheard of. After all, fans of British SF know that Blake’s 7 went two extra years after the title star left the show. This situation felt different, though.
“It means no” – Eccleston won’t return for Doctor Who 50th
by Doc on May.03, 2011, under Television
Now, we don’t know if there is a special 50th anniversary episode/special planned for Doctor Who – it isn’t due for two years – but if you ask current show runner Steven Moffat his reactions do seem to indicate he is thinking about it at least. The hope is something akin to a “The Five Doctors” special, with all the available Doctors appearing.
Christopher Eccleston, who helped revitalize the franchise with his broody portrayal of the Doctor’s ninth incarnation, has definitely been thinking about it – and the answer is a pretty definite “no”. In an interview with Graham Norton on Radio 2, he said specifically, “No, never bathe in the same river twice.”
Now, of course, things could change – but Eccleston has seemed pretty adamant that he has done what he wanted, he’s proud of it, but it’s done and he’s moving on.
Red Faction: Origins trailer and info
by Doc on May.03, 2011, under Television
We’re a month away from the June 4th debut of the Syfy original movie Red Faction: Origins, starring Robert Patrick (Terminator 2) and Stargate Universe‘s Brian J. Smith, so check out the trailer below along with extended information about the upcoming movie as well as the latest installment in the video game franchise, [asin=B003P9C6QY]Red Faction: Armageddon[/asin], to be released on May 31st.
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