23 years of this site still chugging along...
Doctor Who a boost for SCI FI
by Doc on Jun.13, 2006, under Television
Finally, some news: SCI FI Channel is reporting that Doctor Who has boosted Friday ratings for the channel by 54% viewership over the same time last year. Note that the regular SCI FI Friday lineup would have still been in reruns last year. No mention if they will pick up the second series for the fall break. The first series just completed last Friday.
Cars outraces also-rans
by Doc on Jun.12, 2006, under Movies
Early numbers show that the latest Disney/Pixar venture, Cars, took in $62.8 million on the weekend, shaping up to be the third-best Disney/Pixar opening, beating out Monsters, Inc.. Last week’s winner, The Break Up, still managed $20.5 million, with X-Men: The Last Stand, $15.5M; The Omem, $15.45M; Over the Hedge, $10.3M. Update 6/13: Disney actually downgraded the weekend take due to a weak Sunday to $60.1M.
Return to Krypton scene cut from Superman
by Doc on Jun.12, 2006, under Movies
Bryan Singer told SCI FI Wire that he cut a rather interesting scene from Superman Returns because it didn’t fit the movie – but isn’t sure where the scene may show up. The scene features Superman returning to his home planet of Krypton – to find it destroyed. For whatever reason, Singer doesn’t think it will end up on a DVD – but perhaps in 3D IMAX: “I think it would be coolest in 3-D, because of just stuff that’s flying around.”
iF Magazine interview with John DeLancie
by Doc on Jun.09, 2006, under General News
With the release of Fan Collective – Q this past week, iF Magazine is running an exclusive interview with actor John DeLancie, who talks about the entity known only a Q.
Len Wiseman talks about Underworld 3, Die Hard 4
by Doc on Jun.07, 2006, under Movies
Got this in email: Len Wiseman, creator/producer/director of the Underworld movies, gave an interview to iFMagazine where he mentions he will be directing Die Hard 4, and will NOT be directing the next Underworld movie but will write and produce.
Battlestar Galactica Season 2 soundtrack released June 20th
by Doc on Jun.06, 2006, under Audio
The soundtrack for the second season of Battlestar Galactica is coming out from La-La Land Records on June 20th, featuring the talents of composer Bear McCreary. Read More for the full press release – review coming soon. And Jamie Bamber (Captain Lee “Apollo” Adama) should check out Celebrity Poker Showdown on Bravo. Missed it? It will be on a hundred more times…
Hasbro shuts down “G.I. Joe: The Epic Saga” site
by Doc on Jun.05, 2006, under General News
Anonymous Coward writes “WHEN DID PLAYING WITH TOYS ON THE INTERNET BECOME ILLEGAL?
On May 30th 2006, Benny and Rafi Fine received a ?Cease & Desist? letter from Hasbro, Inc.. The company demanded they take their popular Internet series ?G.I. Joe: The Epic Saga? off of their website at RavenStake.com for the use of Hasbro?s action figures and logos which constitutes copyright infringement.
The letter states the videos must be taken down by June 9th, 2006 at 5pm EST, and the Brothers plan to comply. In a time that Internet rights are such an issue, the shutting down of the series only strengthens fears that the web is not a place for free expression. If the Fine Brothers? toy-size comedy satire is at risk, where they made no monetary gain, then what is next.
?G.I. Joe: The Epic Saga? is a trilogy of feature films split up into mini-series format to accommodate the online community. It stars figures from G.I. Joe, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and more. The series had been running for one year, and two of the three feature films were released before the letter was received. To the dismay of the films? fans, it appears the third film will not be allowed to see release.
The videos can be seen until June 9th, 2006 at http://www.RavenStake.com/gijoe
The Cease and Desist Letter from Hasbro: http://www.RavenStake.com/desist.pdf“
X-Men: The Last Stand sets records
by Doc on May.30, 2006, under Movies
The latest installment of the X-Men franchise set two records this weekend – the best 4-day Memorial Weekend take at $120.1 million, and the 4th best 3-day opening ever at $103.1 million. The Da Vinci Code placed second ($43 million for the 4 days), and animated Over the Hedge came in third ($35.3M). Mission: Impossible III continues to fade, earning only $8.6 million.
Wrestling isn’t just fake now; it’s science fiction…
by Doc on May.26, 2006, under Television
I think the SCI FI Channel has gone WAYYYY out of their core programming now. SFC announced today that it is teaming up with World Wrestling Entertainment to re-launch WWE’s Extreme Championship Wrestling brand. Beginning on June 13th at 10pm, SFC will begin airing ECW programming “suited” for the channel. Now, if they wanted a more SF-bent wrestling, they should have checked out Kaiju Big Battel. Where else can you see giant plantains take on japanese monsters and the evil Dr. Cube…
New scifi podcast?
by Doc on May.24, 2006, under General News
Tom Johnson writes “Has anyone else heard about a new scifi podcast that’s coming soon? I can’t remember where I heard about it but its supposed to be all about sci-fi, games, conventions and the best part is its supposed to be done by an “industry insider”. I didn’t see many details other than that but its supposed to be hitting soon. Anyone else heard about it?” Anyone know of this? Podcasts seem to be getting as common as blogs…