23 years of this site still chugging along...
Stargate Universe Season 1.5 DVD review
by Doc on Aug.11, 2010, under Video/DVD
Season 1.5 of Stargate Universe was released a couple of weeks ago on [sfs=1031]Blu-ray[/sfs] and [sfs=1032]DVD[/sfs], and I’ve had a chance to catch up and review the DVD version.
SG-U is a different beast from the previous efforts. It tries to expand the plot that was the genesis of Stargate Atlantis – a team finds itself extremely distant from home at the other end of a one-way stargate trip, mostly in isolation. Whereas Atlantis was still able to receive supplies from Earth (and eventually solved the general problem between starships and the stargate bridge), the team this time is totally isolated except for the ability to use the consciousness transfer stones – which themselves bring up several plot points which are addressed in the series instead of simply ignored. This time as well, the “team” is a combination of military and civilian characters thrown together by circumstance rather than by mission, forced into that circumstance to escape an attack but also through the non-altruistic intents of Dr. Geoffrey Rush (Robert Carlisle), who would rather prove his theories and general greater intelligence than solve problems. And instead of a floating city, they are stranded on an empty Ancient ship (of ancient Ancient design 🙂 ) called the Destiny, where they have very little control over the ship, and few resources.
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Middle-Earth tremors felt, but just a passing truck…
by Doc on Aug.10, 2010, under Movies
Apparently there was a growing optimism among the Tolkien fans that there would be a pending announcement on August 21st – hopefully the greenlight on production of The Hobbit – based on a private event following a “refurbishment” being held at the Weta Cave. But later reports showed that the event is nothing special. But if the sets are indeed being unpacked, there is still hope.
Diana to return in V
by Doc on Aug.06, 2010, under Television
Diana from the original V, Jane Badler, has just been announced to join the new series. And her name will be – ta da – Diana. This time Diana is the mother of Anna. It looks like they are taking a page from the Battlestar Galactica redo – the last series kinda happened (the original Centurions and Vipers), but really didn’t. At least if they throw some more homages in, like the old symbol, or a uniform, or something…
Doctor Who from Down Under
by Doc on Aug.06, 2010, under Fun Stuff, Television
Here is a new variation of the Doctor Who theme song: acoustic guitar, cello – and a didgeridoo providing the base line. Now I just need Blue Man Group to give it a try…
Live action Star Wars series shelved as too expensive
by Doc on Aug.05, 2010, under Television
Well, it sounded like things were going well last year when casting supposedly had begun, but apparently it didn’t go very far. George Lucas told attendees at a special reception back in May that the show is on hold – they have the scripts, but they “don’t know how to do ’em.” According to Lucas, Star Wars series HAS to be expensive because of what it is, but a series needs to be done at “a tenth [of] the cost.” Apparently even today’s environment of virtual actors and green screen sets isn’t cheap enough…yet.
Stargate Worlds MMORPG development on hold
by Doc on Aug.05, 2010, under Games
Anyone remember that MMORPG that was in development for years based on the Stargate franchise, Stargate Worlds? I wouldn’t be surprised if it slipped your mind since it has been 4 years. I believe it actually entered a closed beta phase at one point though…but now it is on hold per an email. The producer, Cheyenne Mountain, is restructuring in the hopes of finishing the game. This forum post however is a little more bleak, with zero developers, zero web site maintenance, everything on hold.
There is however a bright spot – an alternate project, Stargate Resistance, is a third person shooter developed as a “proof of market” vehicle, to show there is life in the franchise. There is an indication that if this game proves popular, development on Worlds might resume.
Unfortunately I think this falls in the bucket of “great projects that came too late”, with SG-1 done for several years, Atlantis gone, and Universe still seeking the audience of the previous efforts. But then again you can’t develop a tie-in too early without knowing the stability of the franchise…
Where all that Dharma food came from
by Doc on Aug.05, 2010, under Video/DVD
Wondering where all that food came from that got air-dropped on the island in Lost? Here is a short clip from the epilogue included in the upcoming [sfs=1018]Blu-ray[/sfs] and [sfs=1017]DVD[/sfs] release of the final season:
Casting for Men In Black 3 in NYC: Aliens, 60s humans wanted
by Doc on Aug.05, 2010, under Movies
Are you really tall (> 6′ 5″) or short (< 4′ 10″) and don’t mind prosthetic makeup? Think you can play stereotypical 1960s New Yorkers, like hippies, bikers, businessmen, etc.? Got a 1960s set of wheels in good condition? If so, there is an open casting call for the upcoming Men In Black 3 movie which will begin filming in NYC in October. The open call will be held on Monday, Aug. 16 from 10am to 4pm at Metropolitan Pavilion, 110 W 19 St (between 6th & 7th Aves) in Manhattan. Here is the full release:
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Next Doctor Who series confirmed
by Doc on Aug.03, 2010, under Television
The sixth series – which WILL have Matt Smith – has been confirmed by the BBC. Everyone breathe now.
FX orders Star Trek spoof, Alabama
by Doc on Aug.03, 2010, under Television
FX has ordered a supposed Star Trek spoof from the makers of cop reality spoof Reno 911. Entitled Alabama, the show follows the crew of the – you guessed it – U.S.S. Alabama on a seven year mission to maintain interplanetary peace. And like Reno, it is expected to be part improvised. No stars have been mentioned.