Sci-Fi Storm

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.

Fancy the idea of taking up arms against some of your favorite heroes from SF film and television? Or fancy a blaster fight with a squad of Stormtroopers led by General Motti? (Hey, at least that last one should be easy…we know how well Stormtroopers shoot!)

Well, you might have your chance at Comicpalooza, in Houston May 25-27!

“The next best thing to being a sci-fi or action hero has to be shooting a sci-fi or action hero with a gun. Or maybe being shot by one,” says John Simons, founder and Chairman of Comicpalooza, the Texas International Comic Con. At least that’s the premise that led to the Badass Celebrity Smackdown, in which fans attending Comicpalooza May 25-27 will get their chance to pit themselves against stars of some of the biggest sci-fi and action franchises in Hollywood while helping US veterans at the same time.
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Jewel Staite (Firefly) and A.J. Buckley (Supernatural) confront a devastating global catastrophe, while Battlestar Galactica alums Aaron Douglas and Paul Campbell take on a savage and legendary monster in the August Syfy Saturday Original Movies.

In Doomsday Prophecy, premiering Saturday, August 13, at 9PM (ET/PT), a book editor (Buckley) and an archeologist (Staite) hunt down a mysterious author of prophetic novels. When the writer is found dead, the editor obtains a device enabling him to see the future – an impending geological nightmare that will tear apart the planet. Doomsday Prophecy is a production of Cinetel Films.

In Killer Mountain – inspired by an ancient Himalayan legend – premiering Saturday, August 27, at 9PM (ET/PT), a team of climbers (Douglas, Campbell) is sent to a forbidden mountain to rescue a missing expedition. There, they discover that the mountain is the secret location of Shangri La — protected by a bloodthirsty alien creature, the Druk. Killer Mountain is a production of ARO Entertainment.

So, what ever happened to the Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis direct-to-DVD movies that we’ve been expecting? TV Death Ray has an interview with Brad Wright which covers a number of things, mainly about Stargate Universe, but also what happened. “The only thing that is blocking the SG-1 movie or the Atlantis movie, the only thing, is the fact that the direct-to-DVD market has gone away,” he said. “And, of course, there have been very big changes at MGM that kind of added to that.” Yeah, a company that can’t get an expected cash cow off the ground like The Hobbit probably isn’t going to front the money for direct-to-DVD features if they perceive the lack of a market. But don’t fret – “We have a plan B, and I’ve been talking with MGM about it, and hopefully we’ll still get our chance.”

The final season of Stargate Atlantis was released on June 30th on DVD, bring to a close (for the time being – a DVD movie is planned) the spinoff saga in the Pegasus galaxy. So here is a review of the DVD set and final season, while we await Stargate Universe…

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Apparently I missed the original announcement, but the final season of Stargate Atlantis will be released on DVD on June 30th. This concludes the releases of all currently published Stargate episodes/movies, until Stargate Universe hits the screens.

Amanda Tapping, in an interview mostly regarding Sanctuary, was asked about whether the upcoming Stargate Atlantis DVD movie had been shot yet – it hadn’t. But in the process she let slip, “And apparently there’s an SG-1 movie as well that will be happening.” First I’ve heard of it, and there are no other details, but interesting news none the less.

Just a reminder that the series finale for Stargate Atlantis airs tonight at 9pm ET on the SCI FI Channel.

This coming Tuesday (July 8th) Stargate Atlantis: Season 4 comes out on DVD, right before the premiere of Season 5 next Friday. I’ve got my hands on a copy…Read More for a review of the latest in the Stargate franchise.

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Stargate: Continuum, the second direct-to-DVD Stargate SG-1 movie, will be released on July 29th on DVD. A Blu-Ray release is also planned, but I do not know at this time if its the same day. Three weeks before that, Stargate Atlantis sees its Fourth Season released on July 8th.