If you missed it on BBC America — or, like me, miss watching it on the lower-tier Sci Fi Channel — the 2008 Doctor Who Christmas special is now available to download from Apple’s iTunes Store. “The Next Doctor” costs $1.99 and presents the itinerant Time Lord with an interesting dilemma: meeting himself. Read the rest of this entry »
Archive for the 'Sci-Fi & Fantasy' Category2-minute Syfy promo tops any Sci Fi Channel Original MovieJuly 3rd, 2009, 12:01 am by Jayson PetersThe Sci Fi Channel has launched a two-minute “brand film” that the cable network says reflects the look and feel of its new identity “Syfy,” which launches Tuesday. You can watch it here: www.syfy.com/imaginegreater The video features talent from various network shows, including Sanctuary, Eureka, Stargate Universe, Destination Truth, Ghost Hunters, Scare Tactics, Warehouse 13 and Caprica. It’s a peppy, pretty little thing that won’t make you feel like your life is being sucked into a collapsing star — unlike many of Sci Fi’s original fare. But the title, “House of Imagination,” does nothing for me — how can it possibly compare to the nomenclature of Sci Fi Channel Original Movies like “Mansquito,” “Frankenfish,” “Death Bed: The Bed That Eats” and “KAW”? (All real.) Syfy goes to Comic-ConJune 30th, 2009, 11:12 pm by Jayson PetersHot off the NBC Univeral Media Village press site, here’s Sci Fi Channel’s schedule of events for Comic-Con International, July 23-26 at the San Diego Convention Center: SCI FI FEATURES FAN FAVORITE SERIES AND STARS AT COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL 2009 New York, NY – June 30, 2009 – In keeping with its longstanding tradition of hosting some of Comic-Con’s most popular, crowd-pleasing events over the years, SCI FI Channel will once again feature some of its biggest hits – as well as its highly-anticipated new series – at this year’s Comic-Con International, held July 23-26 at the San Diego Convention Center. Fans will have the opportunity to see their favorite SCI FI stars and get the answers to all their burning questions at each of the Channel’s star-studded panels, including Warehouse 13, Eureka, Sanctuary, Stargate Universe, and Caprica/Battlestar Galactica: The Plan. In addition, SCI FI will take over a restaurant at the Hard Rock Hotel, re-branding it as Eureka’s “Cafe Diem” for the duration of the convention. The fictional local hot spot heavily featured in the popular dramedy, Cafe Diem will be the hub of all SCI FI activities during the week. Weekend ReadingJune 28th, 2009, 12:08 am by Jayson PetersInfographic: Inside the Disneyland Matterhorn (on the occasion of its 50th birthday) — Orange County Register, via Cool Infographics Remembering Michael Jackson as Tomorrowland’s Captain EO – Around Disney blog at OCRegister.com (What little I can remember is here.) Plus: Hidden treaures at Disneyland Same ‘Bat’ channel? io9 has an interesting look at the state of the various Batman comics in the wake of “Batman R.I.P.” and the ensuing “Battle for the Cowl.” Things seem to be settling down … or are they????
Game time: Trying to find time to test out a review copy of Looney Labs’ Are You the Traitor? It’s described as “a deception party game from the makers of Fluxx.” More soon! Book in hand (or on nightstand): The Legend Of Sigurd And Gudrún by J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien. It’s an epic poem in alliterative work retelling the Norse legend of Sigurd and the fall of the Niflungs. Oscars: And then there were 10June 24th, 2009, 10:34 pm by Jayson Peters
The Associated Press reported Wednesday that the academy board of governors has decided there were more than five films last year that deserved best-picture consideration. These included The Dark Knight and WALL-E, which were snubbed when it came to best picture nominations despite being among the most talked-about films in years. Rebranding ain’t pretty business, folksJune 23rd, 2009, 5:08 pm by Jayson Peters
Well, it isn’t true. At least, it isn’t the whole truth: The company has been test-marketing a secondary brand, dropping the word “Pizza” from its logo in some cases as it expands its menu and tries to appeal to a younger, more mobile generation. Mobile as in mobile phones. As in texting. When will executives be able to embrace technology without being so totally in awe of it that it must define everything they do? Read the rest of this entry » Stuff I found online: ‘Indy 5,’ Weird Al’s ‘Craigslist’ and moreJune 21st, 2009, 8:01 pm by Jayson Peters
Austria hungry for ‘Conan’June 19th, 2009, 1:04 pm by Jayson Peters
According to The Hollywood Reporter (via Atomic Comics), 41-year-old Roland Kickinger (pictured) will play the iconic Cimmerian strongman. If this scenario sounds familiar, it should: Schwarzenegger was also bodybuilder from Austria, and the film was his big break into Hollywood. But will the new millennium’s Conan also go on to marry a Kennedy and govern California?
Stick with what works, I suppose. See also: ‘Merlin’ materializes Sunday on NBCJune 19th, 2009, 12:39 am by Jayson Peters
NBC picks up a hit BBC drama series when it debuts Merlin on Sunday. The series, which has earned a second season in the U.K., has been compared to Smallville for the way it took an established mythology and turned it on its head. In the series premiere, the character of Merlin is a far cry from the wizard of legend:
See also: ‘Smallville,’ ‘Supernatural,’ ‘Vampire Diaries’ datedJune 17th, 2009, 5:44 pm by Jayson PetersThe CW announced today that the new series The Vampire Diaries will debut Thursday, Sept. 10, followed by the season premiere of Supernatural. Based on the best-selling book series from Alloy Entertainment, The Vampire Diaries focuses on the battle between two bloodsucking brothers — one good, one evil — who compete for the love of the same young woman. Smallville, which had traditionally preceded Supernatural on Thursdays, will now air on Fridays, starting Sept. 25. The adventures of a young Clark Kent and Lois Lane will be followed by reruns of America’s Next Top Model. Oh, and Melrose Place, the successor to the ’90s primetime soap of the same name, joins 90210 on Tuesdays, starting Sept. 8. See also: Captain America to return from the deadJune 15th, 2009, 4:13 pm by Chris "KeL" Adams
You just can’t keep a good superhero down. At least not for more than a few years. After being assassinated two years ago at the culmination of Marvel’s “Civil War” event, the true Captain America, Steve Rogers, is poised to return. Captain America #600, which was released on Monday, kicks off the storyline which begins in earnest in the miniseries “Captain America: Reborn” hitting shelves July 1. Writer Ed Brubaker (Daredevil, Criminal), who has been on the book since 2004, will continue writing duties, while superstar artist Bryan Hitch (The Ultimates, The Authority) will take over on art, assisted by long-time professional Butch Guice. |



Vamp stamp: What happens when Buffy meets Edward? The shirt will tell: 
Did you hear the one about how Pizza Hut is going to change its name to simply
A bodybuilder-turned-actor from Austria appears to have been cast in the lead role of Lionsgate’s upcoming Conan the Barbarian film based on the stories by Robert E. Howard and the 1982 movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
It gets weirder. Kickinger has still more connections to Schwarzenegger beyond his profession and heritage: He played a cyborg in the recent Terminator Salvation and even portrayed a young Ah-nold in an A&E biopic.
Just announced: Special guests at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con include new Doctor Who series creator Russell T. Davies and the show’s lead actor, David Tennant (pictured). They will join former executive producer Julie Gardner and director Euros Lyn on a special panel on Saturday, 26 July, 10:00 am - 11:00 am.




