Welcome and thank you for dropping by. Babylon 5 brought many of us together -- and it remains with us, despite the fact that is no longer in production. The good thing is that
the internet gives a LOT of ways to stay in touch. Don't be shy. Join in the discussion today or
drop by my blog! You can also find me on FaceBook and Twitter.
If you have questions or items for the news, drop me a line at sgbruckner@aol.com.
Again, WELCOME!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2010
UNBREAKABLE SEQUEL
M. Night Shyamalan has been working on a sequel to UNBREAKABLE for a while. He has decided to take that idea and
turn it into the next NIGHT CHRONICLES film. Chronicle films, as you may or may not know, are films based on M.
Night's ideas that other people write and direct, such as the upcoming devil-in-an-elevator movie called, naturally
enough, DEVIL.
Shyamalan explained the whole thing to MTV:
"I cannibalized the idea for the sequel to 'Unbreakable' for one of the 'Night Chronicles,'" revealed Shyamalan.
"It was such a cool idea for a villain, and it was actually originally in the script for 'Unbreakable,' and it
was too much," he said of his reasons for excising the element that was intended to become "Unbreakable 2."
"There were too many villains, so I pulled this villain out and was like, 'I'll make this the second flick.'"
However, as the filmmaker got caught up in other projects and "Unbreakable 2" became less likely, the seed of that
idea still managed to grow.
"I fleshed it out more and more, and thought, 'This could be a standalone movie,'" he said. "I'll just say it: the
third 'Night Chronicles' movie is what would have been the sequel [to 'Unbreakable']. So now I need to come up with
a new idea."
TORCHWOOD UPDATE
Jane Espenson, veteran writer from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, Dollhouse, Caprica, is working
on the new season of TORCHWOOD. She'll be writing about a third of the season-four episodes. Syfy.com asked her
what she's got planned for TORCHWOOD fans and how she ended up working on the show:
When asked if she was a TORCHWOOD fan, her response was:
Oh, yes! I enjoyed earlier seasons a lot (Hi, James Marsters!), but was impressed on a whole 'nother level by
CHILDREN OF EARTH. The combination of wildly imaginative science fiction with totally grounded reality ... it
really blew me away.
How did you end up getting the writing gig? And exactly how involved are you going to be?
I'm thrilled to say I was invited. My agent told me about it very casually; I was already busy at the time, and he
thought I'd want to decline, but I jumped in fast to say I absolutely wanted to participate. I will be writing
three episodes of the 10-episode arc.
What's got you most excited about it?
Working with Russell T. Davies and Julie Gardner and the others. Writing for a show I already adore, for characters
and actors I already respect. Writing for a show with roots in another country—this is a new experience for me, and
I'm loving it.
And is there something you're just DYING to do or try on the show? Or something you can only do because it's TORCHWOOD?
I love blending tones—mixing the broadly comedic moment in with the darkly dramatic one can heighten both. Torchwood
is a show that welcomes that kind of moment. I'm also really eager to play with all the culture-clash material that
comes naturally out of the show's pedigree. And I'm especially eager to write material that pushes the boundaries
of what can ordinarily be done on television.
So how do you approach a show like TORCHWOOD vs. your work on, say, BUFFY or CAPRICA?
Because of the length of our season and the lead time before production begins, we're actually approaching TORCHWOOD
in a very unusual way—all the episodes will be written before any of them begin shooting. This is allowing us to
"break" all the episodes at once, with the entire writing staff working together in a very concentrated one-month
work session. This is making for a very intense and collaborative process, all guided by Russell's very precise
vision. The final product is going to be tightly plotted and lovingly crafted.
Can you give us any juicy details? Or maybe just some slightly moist ones? Or anything at all?
We've already changed the name of at least one character that was announced in the press. And there's nothing to stop
us from changing more—so if you hear anything, even if it was true at some point, it probably isn't anymore. So the
more you learn about TORCHWOOD, the less you know.
CAPTAIN AMERICA
Marvel's grand plan to release a bunch of individual superhero movies leading up to the ensemble adventure of Joss
Whedon's AVENGERS film apparently involves hiding easter eggs all over the place.
ComicBookMovie.com talked to director Joe Johnston to ask him about his plans for CAPTAIN AMERICA, and he let fans
know they should keep an eye out for hidden gems.
"There are links between all the Marvel films, mostly ones that only the fans will pick up on. We have several subtle
references to certain elements in THOR, but since CAPTAIN AMERICA is a period picture taking place in the '40s, there
are fewer opportunities for contemporary links to the rest of the Marvel universe. We can, however, create events in
our story that will be paid off in AVENGERS and other Marvel pictures."
Marvel, of course, has a long history of planting easter eggs in its films, such as showing a prototype of CAPTAIN
AMERICA's shield in Tony Stark's lab.
FRIGHT NIGHT
When it was announced that David Tennant had been chosen for the role of Peter Vincent in the FRIGHT NIGHT remake,
the DOCTOR WHO/David Tennant community was skeptical. We have the very first look at what the actor looks like in
the role, and it's really, REALLY interesting.
Shock Till You Drop has put up these very first pictures showing off David Tennant's look as Peter Vincent, a role
that was originally played by the beloved Roddy McDowall in Tom Holland's 1985 movie.
Gone is the white hair and the whole Sherlock Holmes-type attire. Instead, Tennant is a bit hard to recognize as the
former 10th Doctor underneath the attire.
Rather than being the host of a late-night horror show, as he was in the original movie, this new version of Peter
Vincent is a master of illusion who has an act in Las Vegas' Hard Rock Café, which will apparently be called "Fright
Night." These would be the banners advertising the show.
Directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell, Imogen Poots, David Tennant, Christopher Mintz-
Plasse and Toni Collette, the new FRIGHT NIGHT movie is scheduled to open Oct. 7, 2011.
LET ME IN
The first clip from writer/director Matt Reeves' LET ME IN has come online. Opening in theaters on October 1st,
the adaptation of John Ajvide Lindqvist's "Let the Right One In" stars Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloe Moretz, Richard
Jenkins, Elias Koteas, Cara Buono and Sasha Barrese.
LET ME IN tells a terrifying tale about an alienated 12-year old boy named Owen (Smit-McPhee) who is viciously bullied
by his classmates and neglected by his divorcing parents. Achingly lonely, Owen spends his days plotting revenge on
his middle school tormentors and his evenings spying on the other inhabitants of his apartment complex. His only
friend is his new neighbor Abby (Moretz), an eerily self-possessed young girl who lives next door with her silent
father (Jenkins). A frail, troubled child about Owen's age, Abby emerges from her heavily curtained apartment only
at night and always barefoot, seemingly immune to the bitter winter elements. Recognizing a fellow outcast, Owen
opens up to her and before long, the two have formed a unique bond.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY
Oren Peli and Michael R. Perry are developing a television series called "The River" for ABC and DreamWorks TV,
according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The series will again use a "found footage" format and will deal with the disappearance of someone along the Amazon
river, presumably with supernatural overtones.
Peli wrote and directed the first PARANORMAL ACTIVITY and is currently working on his follow-up film, AREA 51.
Perry was responsible for the screenplay to the upcoming PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2, set to hit theaters on October 22nd.
MAN ON A LEDGE
According to Variety, Jamie Bell is in final negotiations to join the cop thriller MAN ON A LEDGEe at Summit
Entertainment.
Sam Worthington is attached to star with Asger Leth directing and Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Mark Vahradian and David
Ready producing. Anthony Mackie is also in talks to star.
Based on a script by Pablo Fenjves, the story involves a former NYPD officer, played by Worthington, who threatens
to jump to his death, and a female psychologist.
SCIENCE FICTION NEWS STORIES:
News from yesterday and the last couple of months can be found in the
News Archive. Check it out
to catch up on all that has been going on in the world of science fiction.
8:00pm on CBS
Medium-Episode: How to Beat a Bad Guy (First Aired: March 05, 2010)
Allison decides to take self-defense classes after she is mugged; Devalos investigates the possible murder of
an undercover cop and a teenager's rape.
8:00pm on Fox
Human Target-Episode: Rewind (First Aired: January 20, 2010)
Winston and Chance try to protect a client they have never met from an assassin on a passenger plane.
8:00pm on The CW
Smallville-Episode: Salvation (First Aired: May 14, 2010)
Chloe calls on some old friends to help battle Zod and the Kandorians; Clark and Zod fight for control of Earth.
8:00pm on BBC America
Star Trek: The Next Generation-Episode: Data's Day (First Aired: January 07, 1991)
Data tries to comprehend the complex emotions between O'Brien and Keiko (Rosalind Chao).
9:00 on CBS
CSI: NY-Episode: Tales From the Undercard (First Aired: May 05, 2010)
An investigation takes the team into the underground world of hardcore fighting.
9:00pm on The CW
Supernatural-Episode: Swan Song (First Aired: May 13, 2010)
The looming apocalypse prompts Dean and Sam to make a devastating decision that changes their lives.
10:00pm on CBS
Flashpoint-Episode: The Other Lane (NEW)
While investigating gunshots in a fancy neighborhood, the team is confronted by a group of dangerous gun runners.
ON SYFY TONIGHT
7:00pm
Stephen King's The Tommyknockers (1993)
An unearthly force hits all but the lover of a writer who has dug up something strange in Maine. Based on the
book by Stephen King. Jimmy Smits, Marg Helgenberger, Joanna Cassidy, John Ashton, E.G. Marshall
CRUSADE: WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED? VOLUME 1
DISCOUNT ENDS TODAY
Release Date: August 25, 2010
Here is the book CRUSADE fans have been waiting for! Released on August 25, 2010, the covers are white
and the design matches CRUSADE: BEHIND THE SCENES. The series includes all twelve of J. Michael
Straczynski’s CRUSADE scripts (including two episodes that were never produced)–plus the TV movie A CALL TO ARMS.
JUMPGATE PINS
Saw a note from Ranger Jan on Facebook about JumpGate pins being available again. Elana created the pins
years ago as a way of honoring Babylon 5. Now you can help Elana in her fight against cancer by purchasing
one of these beautiful pins. They are quite beautiful -- and become quite a conversation piece when worn.
For more information, go to
http://www.jumpgatepins.com/index.html.
ISN BLOG
Join me on the ISN News Blog at
http://isnnews.blogspot.com. I’ll put in stuff that I think is interesting
for others to read about and I hope you will join in to discuss of the issues --
related to science fiction or not!
KEEPING UP WITH CAST AND CREW
PAT TALLMAN:
Pat Tallman (Lyta) is now appearing in the short horror video "Firsts."
This 6 minute YouTube film description:
"A young girl contemplates losing her virginity.... but her overbearing and overly devout Aunt
has other ideas. Starring Alyson Daniel, Patricia Tallman, Damian Daly, and Kristen Holloway.
This script was the winner of the talenthouse.com "Write a short script for Fewdio" contest!"
Patricia Tallman play the Aunt. See the video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmVV94tvf7I
J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI: JMS writes on his FaceBook page:ngest yet for Dian
This coming week marks the next issue of Wonder Woman, which is the stroa in terms of action
and character. I'd asked folks to give us two issues to make our case, and I think this does the job nicely.
It's also quite beautiful in terms of the art. I'd noted a while back that when the jacket comes off, you know
someone's about to get their ass kicked. Here's a sample of what that looks like in 602.
BILL MUMY : Bill has a new music CD out GLORIOUS IN DEFEAT. He writes on facebook:
My brand new cd, "Glorious in Defeat" is on a small indie label out of San Francisco, GRA, and they do their
very best to promote it, but... it's a hard business... SO, I'...m hoping with the help of all you facebook
pals, we can spread the word. I do hope you'll pick it up, and I'd very much like to hear your thoughts on
this project as it's brand new and of course, the songs are personal and important to me. I played everything
on the album and I hope you'll check it out. You can order it here.
http://www.gragroup.com/bill_mumy.html
NEW INTERVIEWS
Marc N. Kleinhenz has begun a series of interviews of the cast of BABYLON 5, one of the landmark television
shows in American history. Look back with them as they discuss their characters, their emotional evolution,
and their participation in television history.
AN OPEN LETTER FROM PAT TALLMAN
August 30th 2010
" Hello Dear Friends, Elves, Santas and Angels,
Over 20 years ago now, I met the kids of Penny Lane. These kids were one step away from lock up. They
were so abused they couldn't be placed in regular foster care. Penny Lane helps the kids that no one
else can. They make the world a better place by saving our kids, giving them hope and a future. Please
join me in supporting Penny Lane and the Be A Santa program, where we make sure each of these kids has
a warm holiday to remember! Thanks so much for being YOU!
love,
Pat
You can send a check made out to Penny Lane, to P.Tallman 6433 Topanga Canyon Blvd. #207 Canoga Park, CA 91303
Check back with us in a month and we'll start asking for other items to help us make the holidays special for
an abused child!
I need $10,000 a year to make this program work. The total in the Facebook Causes page reflects donations over
the past 2 years. This year's total will be updated on the http://www.beasanta.org/
Thanks again! Here we GO!!!!!
BABYLON 5 PRESENCE ON FACEBOOK
I know a lot of you are already on FaceBook. However, I don't know if you knew how many other Babylon 5
folks have taken the plunge and opened FaceBook accounts. In fact, Pat Tallman has reopened her Fan Club
using FaceBook at the site. For a peek, go to
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45593318387. Claudia Christian has been really active -- sharing
pictures of her recent trips and letting us know about upcoming convention activities. J. Michael Straczynski
(JMS) has a FaceBook page as well as a new "Fans of J. Michael Straczynski" page. So check it out!
Bill is inviting you to check out his brand new weekly radio show, "THE REAL GOOD RADIO HOUR with your
host Bill Mumy". We'll be listening to many different styles of music and learning about those who
pioneered them. "The Real Good Radio Hour" will air every Wednesday and Friday at 7 PM both Pacific
and Eastern time and can be heard weekly on KSAV.org.
Bill has a new place on FaceBook as well
http://www.myspace.com/billmumy. There you will find information about some of his new projects,
including a graphic novel LOST IN SPACE and a Star Trek novel with Peter David, "The Return of the Worthy."
Here is a quote from J. Michael Straczynski about emotions. I had this theory that the more important and intimate the emotion, the fewer words are required
to express it.
First it's in dating: "Will you go out with me?" Six words.
"Honey, I care for you." Five words.
"You matter to me." Four words.
"I love you." Three words.
"Marry me." Two words.
But what's left? What's the one most important and intimate word you can ever say to somebody?
It's "goodbye."
While Andreas Katsulas (G'Kar), Rick (Biggs) and Tim (Choate) are no longer with us,
we will not forget their wonderful personalities and talent -- as well as their
significant contributions to the BABYLON 5 universe. Be sure to visit
In Memory Of for more
information about memorial efforts.
Until we met again, in a place where no shadows fall.
BABYLON 5 BIRTHDAYS
Pat Tallman - September 4
Cinzia Zanetti - September 5
Robin Atkin Downes - September 6
Mira Furlan - September 7
Walter Koenig - September 14
Paul Williams - September 19
Robert Rusler - September 20
Gary Cole - September 20
Bear Burge - September 23
Jason Carter - September 23
Manny Case - September 23
Have I missed anyone? If you know the birthday of someone connected with Babylon 5, pass the
information along. We want to include everyone in our Happy Birthday Wishes.
BABYLON PODCAST
Welcome to Show #208!
John from Jersey joins Summer, Tim and Bret for this episode, and brings us a quick update on future story
explorations on tap for the Voices of Babylon audio dramas.
Discussion: This episode scratches the surface of some of the untapped, the unexplored, the rewritten, and the
highly speculative Babylon 5 storylines that were changed or dropped to give us the story we have, leaving us
little option other than to argue about whether or not they should have been, and how things might have progressed differently for the series as a whole.
Would you have wanted 10 years of Babylon 5, or a very different 5 years from the ones we fell in love with?
Fanfic aficionados got nothin’ on us.
Let the disagreements, debates and discussions commence!
Submitting your own Feedback: If you have any suggestions or comments, please let us know! Call 206-338-2259,
or just email us a comment you’ve recorded yourself!
Lurker’s Guide 2.0: Summer is starting a push to get Lurker’s Guide 2.0 completed and finished, including missing
collectibles, photos of magazine covers and toys, and all sorts of other B5 goodies that didn’t get included in
the original guide during the years after Crusade. Let her know if you want to lend a hand.
More Parody/Filk Songs Wanted: If you know of any more B5-related fan songs out there, definitely let us know, so
we can let other B5 fans know where to buy them! And if those CDs are out of print, let’s brainstorm on ways to
get those songs back out there for fans!
Second Life Info: FarPoint Media’s Second Life space can be found on the Third Life Books island in the Wind
River Territory. Find the island here: http://slurl.com/secondlife/Wind%20River%20Territory/50/129/22
Babylon 5 Information Gathering: If you know of a dead or abandoned B5 related website that may be in need of
a new home, let Summer know! Maybe we can mirror it here or house it on a sister site.
If you can, Please Donate to the show!
To catch up on all the previous Babylon 5 podcasts, go to
www.babylonpodcast.com
NEW MOVIE RELEASES
WHAT IF
Kevin Sorbo fans! Here is some news for you.
WHAT IF stars KEVIN SORBO (Hercules, the Legendary Journeys, Gene Roddenberry’s, Andromeda), DEBBY RYAN (Bailey
Pickett on the Disney Channel hit show, The Suite Life on Deck, and the upcoming Disney Channel movie, Sixteen
Wishes), JOHN RATZENBERGER (Cheers. voice in every one of Pixar’s films) and KRISTY SWANSON (Buffy the Vampire
Slayer). WHAT IF is directed and produced by Dallas Jenkins (son of famed Jerry Jenkins, co-author of the Left
Behind series).
FILM OVERVIEW: WHAT IF tells the story of Ben Walker (Kevin Sorbo), fifteen years after leaving his college
sweetheart Wendy (Kristy Swanson) and his calling to be a preacher in order to pursue a business opportunity.
Now with a high-paying executive gig, a trophy fiancé and a new Mercedes, he hasn't even considered a family
nor felt the need to set foot in a church in fifteen years.
While on a thrill ride outside the city, his new car mysteriously breaks down, and he's visited by a tow truck driver
named Mike (John Ratzenberger) who claims to be an angel sent to show Ben what his life would look like had he followed
his true calling. Suddenly Ben wakes up in the middle of domestic chaos as his wife Wendy and daughters (including
Debby Ryan) are getting ready for church, where Ben is the new pastor.
Before he can get back to his old life, Ben must first embrace this reality and discover the value of faith and family,
and perhaps restore his love for those who were heartbroken fifteen years ago: Wendy and God. In the tradition of Its
a Wonderful Life and The Family Man, What If is a story of finding your true purpose in life.
For more information, go to http://thewhatifmovie.com.
To see if your city will be getting to see WHAT IF, go to
http://thewhatifmovie.com/theaters-3.
Review:
To tell you the truth, I never liked Kevin Sorbo in Andromeda. There was just something about him I didn't care for.
Perhaps it was an arrogance about the character that just rubbed me the wrong way. That said, I have to say that I
really enjoyed WHAT IF. He was very good in the title role of Ben Walker. He showed great range as an actor and the
entire cast, especially John Ratzenberger as the angel, were awesome. While the plot was familiar, very much like the
classic, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, there were some new twists and turns in WHAT IF that I think you'll enjoy. It was also
nice not having to listen to all the foul language and seeing people getting blown away every three seconds. This was
just a good, down-to-Earth movie that you could sit and watch with anyone, Mom, Dad, kids - anyone. I hope that it
will be available on DVD soon so that many others will have an opportunity to watch it.
NEWS FROM WARNER BROS.
DVD TO BLU
Starting today, through TV on DVD2BLU, consumers can now experience their favorite television series again for
the very first time in stunning 1080p picture quality and crisp, superior sound that only comes from a Blu-ray
Disc. Titles such as “Smallville”, “The Sopranos”, “Fringe”, “Supernatural” and more can be upgraded for as
low as $14.95 plus shipping. Consumers who place orders of over $35 will receive free shipping.
The process to upgrade is simple. Consumers select the titles they want to upgrade on DVD2BLU.com, mail in
their standard DVDs with pre-paid postage and a short time later receive copies of the same title and complete
season on Blu-ray. See below for a complete list of TV titles available for upgrade with DVD2BLU.com:
$19.95
Smallville Season 8
Supernatural Season 1
Supernatural Season 4
Chuck Season 2
Fringe S1
The Sopranos S1
$14.95
Smallville Season 6
Smallville Season 7
Supernatural Season 3
Chuck Season 1
Pushing Daisies S1
Pushing Daisies S2
Terminator SCC S1
Terminator SCC S2
Nip/Tuck S4
SAVAGE COUNTRY
MTV is teaming up with Eventful to experiment with a social media campaign that will allow folks to vote if they
want to see the indie horror film, SAVAGE COUNTRY, on MTV2. Directed by up-and-coming filmmaker David Harris,
SAVAGE COUNTRY follows a group of teens that collide with their towns dark past when a prank gone wrong makes
them the target of a family of bloodthirsty killers.
Use this link to watch the trailer and then vote if they want to see it premiere on MTV2. If 100,000 fans demand
it, MTV2 will air it.
http://eventful.com/competitions/savagecounty2010/confirmed
WARNER HOME VIDEO
SUPERMAN/BATMAN: APOCALYPSE
Warner Home Video, UGO.com and The Paley Center for Media proudly present the bi-coastal World Premieres of
Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, the highly anticipated next entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated
Original PG-13 Movies, in Los Angeles on September 21 and New York on September 23. Filmmakers and members
of the voice cast will attend both events for red carpet media interviews and post-screening panel discussions.
In SUPERMAN/BATMAN: APOCALYPSE, a spaceship splashes down in Gotham City Harbor -- leading Batman and Superman
to encounter a mysterious Kryptonian with powers as great as those of the Man of Steel. The Kryptonian is soon
revealed to be Kara, cousin of Superman, who takes her under his wing to educate her about the ways of Earth.
However, the villainous Darkseid has other plans. Seeing an opportunity to finally defeat Superman, Darkseid
abducts and gains control of Kara, utilizing the powerful Kryptonian to do his bidding. It’s up to Batman and
Superman to save Kara, but they’ll have to take the fight to Darkseid within his hostile world – where unknown,
deadly threats lurk around every corner, including a brainwashed Kryptonian able to match Superman blow-for-blow.
For more information about the premiere event, go to
Apocalpyse. The SUPERMAN/BATMAN APOLALYPSE will be available on DVD September 28, 2010.
DC SHOWCASE: Superman/Shazam! The Return of Black Adam
On November 9, 2010, Warner Home Video will distribute the DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection, the first
quartet of animated adventures featuring the never-before-seen Superman/Shazam! The Return of Black Adam.
DC Showcase is a series of animated shorts featuring characters from the celebrated DC Comics vault. To
read more about this new collection of animated original movies, go to WB Press Release.
SECRET ORIGIN: THE STORY OF DC COMICS
Warner Bros. Pictures presents an enthralling examination of the creative forces behind the World’s
Greatest Super Heroes in Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics, an all-new documentary that takes viewers
behind the scenes of the iconic company with unprecedented access to the Warner Bros. and DC Comics
archives.
Narrated by Ryan Reynolds, Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics will be distributed by Warner Home Video
on November 9, 2010 on DVD for $24.98 (SRP). Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics will also be available
On Demand and for Download.
For more information, go to Secret Origin page.
THE MIDDLE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
Release date: August 31, 2010
Official website:
Synopsis:
Patricia Heaton stars as Frankie Heck in this warm and witty single-camera comedy about raising a family and lowering your
expectations. Frankie Heck is a superhero. Well, no, not an actual superhero - but sometimes it seems to Frankie as though
getting her kids out the door for school every morning is a superheroic act. Middle aged, middle class and living in the
middle of the country, this harried wife and working mother of three uses her wry wit and sense of humor to try to get
her family through each day intact.
Review:
THE MIDDLE is definitely in the same category of such great comedies as EVERYONE LOVES RAYMOND, FRAZIER and SEINFELD.
ABC's THE MIDDLE gives us a look at the American family and you see your family on screen. With the same distribution
of kids in the same ages and genders. THE MIDDLE gives you an honest look at life today, something no regular studio
audience sitcom could convey.
The show depicts how children actually behave and the realities of middle class life without being sarcastic, mean, or
condescending. It's as though real people sneaked into Hollywood and produced this show. The cast is spot on and Patricia
Heaton shows she can easily lead a series all on her own.
It is rare when you get a show that you can watch through several showings -- and not be bored to tears. With THE MIDDLE,
you see something a little different each time. You may have missed something because you were laughing too loudly or caught
up in the moment the first time through.
VAMPIRE DIARIES - THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
The best selling young adult book series is now a hit CW show. Two vampire brothers -- one good, one evil --
are at war for 17-year-old Elena Gilbert's soul and for the sourls of her friends & family. Contains all
22 episodes and over 8 hours of bonus material including featurettes, unaired scenes, gag reel, webisodes,
and a downloadable audio book.
Pre-order your copy now by going to
http://www.wbshop.com/on/demandware.store.
Be sure to check out all the swag at
http://www.wbshop.com/Vampire-Diaries/vd,default,sc.html.
THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE - SEASON THREE
Release date: July 27, 2010
I-tunes download site: http://bit.ly/WBS_Christine3
Audiences will love Emmy® Award winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Seinfeld) as Christine Campbell in the third season
of this hilarious ensemble comedy.
Life gets even more complicated for Christine in season three when she recognizes that her ex-husband, Richard
(Clark Gregg - Ironman), has moved on with his life and his impossible-to-hate new girlfriend, aptly named New
Christine (Emily Rutherford - Van Wilder). While successfully juggling the daily stresses of motherhood and
owning a woman's gym with her best friend, Barb (Wanda Sykes - The Wanda Sykes Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm),
"Old" Christine realizes it may be time to move on with her love life as well. Things get steamy for Christine
as she embraces a romantic relationship with Mr. Harris (recurring guest star Blair Underwood - Dirty Sexy Money,
Something New, L.A. Law), a teacher at her son Ritchie's school. Will Old Christine finally find new love?
Synopsis
In Clash of the Titans, the ultimate struggle for power pits men against kings and kings against gods. But the war between
the gods themselves could destroy the world. Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus (Sam Worthington) is helpless to
save his family from Hades (Ralph Fiennes), vengeful god of the underworld. With nothing to lose, Perseus volunteers to
lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus (Liam Neeson) and unleash hell on earth.
Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, Perseus and his warriors will only survive if Perseus accepts his power as
a god, defies fate and creates his own destiny.
REVIEW
I really didn't know what to expect from this movie. The reviews were mixed and like most remakes, CLASH OF
THE TITANS will always be compared to the one before -- in this case the 1981 version starring Harry Hamlin as
Perseus. This version is a more realistic Bronze age world, but the story hasn`t changed all that much. The
citizens of Argos have become disenchanted with the rule of the Gods. The Gods have caused too much chaos and
ruin to their lives so they've decided to take their destinies into their own hands, and destroy the temples
and statues of the Gods. In doing so, Perseus'(Sam Worthington) family is killed by a falling statue of Zeus.
When Zeus (Liam Neeson) learns of the desecration urged on by Hades (Ralph Fiennes), he decides to destroy the
city in four days or they can offer the sacrifice of the King of Argos' daughter Andromeda (Alexa Davalos). In
a visit to the throne room of Argos, Hades tells Perseus he is a son of Zeus, a demi-god. Being told of his near
divinity, Perseus and a group of soldiers go off on their quest to save the city.
The advances in special effects are very evident in this movie. They are great! The monsters look real and the
characters realistically interact with them. The giant scorpions look deadly, Medusa is creepy, and the Kraken
is HUGE. I sort of had a flashback to STAR WARS as I watched the heroes riding the scorpions with the help of
a tribe of warriors made of stone. The photography is awesome.
The special features are wonderful as well. You follow the crew as they build the ships and sets. This project
became a labor of love for everyone. This is a good adventure movie everyone should enjoy.
SUPER FRIENDS
Release date: July 20, 2010
Available for the first time since its debut in 1973, this highly-anticipated deluxe two-disc collector’s set
features eight exciting one-hour episodes starring the most recognizable DC Comics super heroes and villains
of all time.
Super Friends! Season 1 Volume 2 follows the adventures of Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman and Aquaman
as they join forces to save the world from unthinkable disasters. This crime-stopping squad, along with heroes
in training Wendy, Marvin and Wonder Dog, combine their special superhuman skills to defeat the evil villains
at hand. The collection also features DC Comics favorites Plastic Man, The Flash and Green Arrow. Each hour
is packed with timeless adventures of the universe’s greatest heroes as they pave the way for a brighter
future.
ER: THE COMPLETE 13th SEASON
Release date: July 6, 2010
Synopsis:
Shaking things up: Former paramedic, now intern Dr. Tony Gates arrives with a straightforward attitude and a
complicated personal life. Except for his devotion to healing, he’s Gallant’s opposite: brash, cocksure, with
a bad-boy past – and maybe he’s the right prescription for Neela’s broken heart. Really shaking things up:
Contentious Weaver leaves County General for a career move you wouldn’t expect. And the profound dramas of
the outside world continue to make their way to the ER, including a hostile patient whose real condition is a
secret even to himself, homeless children who escape to a magic world of their own making, and a Christmas miracle.
Then again, miracles happen every day at County General.
REVIEW
This series just keeps going and going. This season opens with trama in the ER -- both patients and doctors are
affected. The drama builds as Abby has her baby and Sam is kidnapped by her ex-husband. Each episode of the series
is filled not only with your usual hospital drama, but deep charcterizations that have made this series a favorite
for years. Even if you haven't been following the series for years, you can enjoy the well-written episodes that
involve some very good segments showing surgery and trama medicine, but you'll quickly get caught up in the personal
lives of the staff at County General. This season includes guest appearances from Forrest Whitaker, who received
an emmy nomination for his role as Curtis Ames, a former patient of Dr. Kovac who sues him for malpractice.
DARK BLUE – THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
Release date: July 6, 2010 exclusively online at WBSHOP.com and TNT.tv
DARK BLUE (from iconic producer Jerry Bruckheimer and starring Golden Globe® winner Dylan McDermott) is the
story of Lt. Carter Shaw (McDermott) and his special undercover task force that tread the line between right
and wrong to bring down a criminal underworld.
Experience each heart-stopping moment again or for the first time with the release of SEASON 1 on DVD before
the start of the all-new DARK BLUE Season 2, August 4 only on TNT.
REVIEW
If you are looking for a good, tight, gritty police drama, look no further than DARK BLUE. From the pilot onward, you get a little information on each of the main characters -- just enough to keep you watching! Dylan McDermott is an awesome actor and he fits the persona outlined for Lt. Carter Shaw. In the pilot, one of the main characters says, he will do anthing to protect you and anything to get the bad guy. It's just hard figuring out which one comes first."
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, you get that feel of realism and you are on the edge of your seat with each episode. There is a good bit of violence, so it may be a bit much for some. But the violence fits the feel of this cable TV show -- dark and hard. I can't wait to see what season two brings.
THE CLOSER: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON
Release date: June 29, 2010
Official website: http://www.closerondvd.com
Synopsis:
At work, L.A. Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson is a woman in charge. Got a suspect to grill, a case to crack, a murderer about to walk? Call Brenda in and watch the fireworks. But at home...well, that's another story. Kyra Sedgwick headlines a sizzling 4-disc, 15-episode Season 5 of the series that combines heart, humor and homicide into a show that's equally compelling as a police procedural and a personal drama. As a cop, Brenda takes on everything from a corpse that comes COD to a serial killer to Sharon Raydor, an internal affairs officer as tough as she is. As a civilian, Brenda loses one family member (bye, Kitty) and gains another: her surly niece Charlie. Brenda can outsmart, outmaneuver and out a killer. But can she handle a teenager?
HOW THE EARTH CHANGED HISTORY
Release: June 29, 2010
Product Description:
The traditional interpretation of history has focused largely on human factors. Yet the natural environment has also
shaped history since the dawn of time. This series reveals for the first time on television how geology, geography
and climate have had a far more powerful influence on mankind than has previously been acknowledged. With passionate
storytelling and extraordinary HD camerawork, this series combines bold ideas with a new science, geo-determinism,
to form an original version of human history. Discover why societies have succeeded or failed, and how the environment
has influenced every aspect of our history from art to industry, religion to war, world domination or collapse. This
series overturns preconceptions about our nations and our cultures to offer a new perspective on who we are today.
REVIEW
Iain Stewart takes you on a journey to some of the most remote parts on the Earth. The journey is divided into water,
deep earth, wind and fire. Each segment will show how these elements have affected history on Earth. Water, or the lack
of it in places like the Sahara Desert, has shifted the balance of power. He traces how ancient people tried to manage
water and how water affected the economy as well as culture of civilization.
BBC has done an awesome job on this DVD. The photography is amaing. You follow Stewart as he ventures underwater to see
where caves lead; down caverns and caves to see how ancient civilizations built tunnels to manage water. Ever wonder
about the faults of the Earth? You will learn all about them and see how they have been dealt with from ancient times.
A very educational -- and entertaining -- DVD.
EVERWOOD: COMPLETE THIRD SEASON
Release date: June 15, 2010
Official website: http://www.everwooddvd.com
Synopsis:
This season, love is in the clear mountain air of Everwood. Back from a troubled summer at Juilliard, Ephram
commits himself to his music and to Amy. Andy is drawn to a patient’s wife – and into an ethical dilemma. Dr.
Jake Hartman moves to town and starts eating a lot of pancakes, as long as Nina’s serving ’em up. And mousey
Hannah Rogers flips over Bright. But don’t expect love to conquer all, especially when the secret Andy kept
from Ephram last season comes spilling out. Suddenly, trust is destroyed, lives are turned upside down and
the bonds of love – romantic and father-son – are stretched to the breaking point. Andy wanted Everwood to
be his family’s home. Now it may be just another place they used to live.
REVIEW
I loved this series from the very first episode. When we got to Season Three, there were moments of "soap opera"
stories, but because the characters were so well developed, you wanted to see how things would work out. When
new characters were introduced, like Jake Hartman, you want Nina to be happy, but you know she loves Andy and hope
he realizes his feelings for her before it is too late!
NEW FAMILY DVDS
Looking for movies you can watch with your children? I have moved many of the
family-oriented DVDs to a
Family DVDs page. Here you will find wonderful DVDs you can enjoy with your entire
family -- no matter the age. You will find background information about the DVD, but there
are clips as well from Warner Bros. Enjoy!
BABYLON 5 MUSIC VIDEOS AND TRIBUTES
I found this message on the Babylon 5 moderated newsgroup this morning and just
had to post it so that others might enjoy the marvelous music videos created by
John Hudgens.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
As some of you may know, I was hired by Joe Straczynski back in the
day to create Babylon 5 music videos for him to use at science fiction
conventions, and later to promote the show to networks. Eight were
produced over the run of the series, not including the memorial videos
I did later for Rick Biggs and Andreas Katsulas.
For the longest time, the only way to see these was if Joe or I showed
them at a convention, but now, after numerous requests from fans over
the years, Joe has given me permission me to post these online.
- This is the extended version that I did for Andreas' widow ater the
original cut was released on the net. It's never been seen online
until now.
For those of you who've never seen these, I hope you enjoy them - and
for those that have (and emailed me many times over the years about
releasing them), I hope they're as good as you remember. Working with
Joe on these videos was one of the highlights of my career, and I'll
be forever grateful to him for the doors these have opened for me. I'm
proud to have them on my resume.
John Hudgens
www.zteamproductions.com
COMIC BOOKS
WONDER WOMAN #601
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI Art and cover by DON KRAMER & MICHAEL BABINSKI Best-selling comics
writer J. Michael Straczynski (THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD, Thor) smashes all your expectations of Wonder
Woman by lauching an all-new era for the Amazon Princess! Spinning out of the mind-bending events of
WONDER WOMAN #600, Diana must face the biggest mystery of all - who destroyed Paradise Island? On sale
JULY 28 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US
CANADA'S FAN EXPO
Dates: August 27-29, 2010
Place: Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Guests: Stan "The Man" Lee, artists Andy Kubert, Adam Kubert, Dan Didio, Tim Bradstreet,
actors Dean Stockwell, Lance Henrikson, James Marsters, William Shatner, Adam West, Burt
Ward, Julie Newmar, Summer Glau, Michael Dorn, William Forsythe, Ernest Borgnine, directors
David Cronenberg, Ken Russell - and more
For more information, go to
http://www.sneakpeek.ca/2010/08/fanexpo-canada-august-27-28-29.html
AUSSIECON FOUR
Place: Melbourne, Australia
Date: September 2-6, 2010
Guests: Kim Stanely Robinson, Shaun Tan and Robin Johnson
For more information, go to
http://www.aussiecon4.org.au/index.php?page=1
DRAGON CON
Date: September 3-6, 2010
City: Atlanta, GA
Babylon 5 Guests: Claudia Christian, Jason Carter
Other Guests: There are tons of guests shows like Farscape, Battlestar Galactica and movies as well.
For more information, go to www.dragoncon.org
BIG APPLE COMIC CON
Date: October 1-3, 2010
City: New York City - Penn Plaza Pavilion
Guests: Lee Majors, Jake Lloyd
For more information, go to http://www.wizardworld.com/home-apple.html"
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS! Creation Entertainment has a large number of
conventions planned for the next several months. They include stars from TWILIGHT,
SUPERNATURAL, STARGATE, FARSCAPE, XENA, SERENITY, STAR TREK, etc. Check out their
calendar to see if one will be in your neighborhood soon. Don't miss their
Videos page as well. It is
full of some priceless video from a number of conventions.
Be sure to visit the referenced sites to see if there have been changes in
dates/guests attending. Visit our Convention Calendar
for a full listing of upcoming conventions.
BACK ISSUES OF THE ZOCALO TODAY
The front page of the The Zocalo Today changes daily, so be sure to check the
back issues to make sure that you haven't missed anything IMPORTANT! I don't want the front page getting too
long so I shift information periodically into the archives. So if you aren't a regular visitor to The Zocalo Today, be sure
to check out the back issues. Just use the button above!
Take care and I look forward to hearing from you. Sandra Bruckner (sgbruckner@aol.com)
Editor/Publisher
ISN News: The Zocalo Today
http://www.isnnews.net
Copyright - SBruckner, 1999-2010
UNBREAKABLE SEQUEL
TORCHWOOD UPDATE
CAPTAIN AMERICA
FRIGHT NIGHT
JUMPGATE PINS
J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI: JMS writes on his FaceBook page:ngest yet for Dian
This coming week marks the next issue of Wonder Woman, which is the stroa in terms of action
and character. I'd asked folks to give us two issues to make our case, and I think this does the job nicely.
It's also quite beautiful in terms of the art. I'd noted a while back that when the jacket comes off, you know
someone's about to get their ass kicked. Here's a sample of what that looks like in 602.
BILL MUMY
AN OPEN LETTER FROM PAT TALLMAN
WHAT IF
DVD TO BLU
SUPERMAN/BATMAN: APOCALYPSE
SECRET ORIGIN: THE STORY OF DC COMICS
THE MIDDLE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
VAMPIRE DIARIES - THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE - SEASON THREE
CLASH OF THE TITANS
SUPER FRIENDS
ER: THE COMPLETE 13th SEASON
DARK BLUE – THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON 
THE CLOSER: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON
HOW THE EARTH CHANGED HISTORY
WONDER WOMAN #601
