SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2011

WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
New superhero flick "The Green Hornet" starring Seth Rogen and Cameron Diaz earned $11.1 million on its opening Friday night (Jan. 14), which puts it on track for a decent weekend. Right behind "Hornet" was the Kevin James- Vince Vaughn comedy "The Dilemma" at $6.1 million.
"True Grit" still earned $3.2 million in its third weekend. Star Hailee Steinfeld just won the Critics Choice Award for Best Young Actor/Actress, so congrats to Hailee, as well as to her supporting men in the movie Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin. "True Grit's" total box office so far is just north of $118 million.
Highly-acclaimed "The King's Speech" scored the 4th spot with $2.5 million, narrowly edging "Black Swan" at $2.4 million. Both movies are finally getting a wider national release. "King's Speech" is up to $38 million total, while "Black Swan" is up to $67.3 million. Both movies also took home Critics Choice Awards and are expected to earn some Golden Globes Sunday (Jan. 16).
The full top 12:
"The Green Hornet," $11.1 M
"The Dilemma," $6.1 M
"True Grit," $3.2
"The King's Speech," $2.44
"Black Swan," $2.42
"Little Fockers," $2 M
"The Fighter," $1.5 M
"Tron Legacy," $1.4 M
"Season of the Witch," $1.3
"Country Strong," $1.1 M
"Yogi Bear," $1 M
"Tangled," $825 K

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 2011

THE CAPE
THE CAPE just introduced a new superhero to television. Now it's going to change things up. After the airing of the first two episodes, the show's creator and cast presented their show to the Television Critics Association. Creator Tom Wheeler said if you keep watching, you'll see some more science fictional storylines and even some horror.
"I think we also are beginning to see we can capture different tones," Wheeler said on Jan. 13 in Pasadena, Calif. "One episode might have a science fiction feel to it. We just finished a two-parter that has a very gothic feel to it and was truly frightening."
THE CAPE is about Vince Faraday (David Lyons), a cop framed and presumed dead. Underground, a group of circus-performer criminals give him a cape that he can use to slice through danger and throw bad guys around. There's more than just crime fighting to The Cape, though.
"We're throwing open our arms to all audiences," Wheeler said. "Initially it's this comic-book show, but what we're finding is you can be a fan of many different genres and there's a door open to you. There's a romantic storyline about this couple that's in love. You see in flashbacks, we root for this couple to get together. There's suspense and mystery. There's almost an X-Files feeling to one episode we just finished. It's just really scary and intense. The comic-book fan can drop in and have a great ride with really colorful villains. If you want some great drama, there's more than enough for you."
Upcoming episodes will reveal more about Orwell, the mysterious blogger played by Summer Glau. "Every episode we're finding out more of what she's capable of," Glau said. "Right now I'm shooting an episode that is going to reveal a very big clue into her backstory. I had a great time. It's really opening up her world."
Villains get to take center stage in future episodes too. "We'll see the Cape and Scales [Vinnie Jones] battling on top of a train," Wheeler said. "We introduce Peter Fleming [James Frain] and Scales in the pilot, but we get to deliver them in this nice rollout. They get an opportunity to shine and take over an episode."
THE CAPE's costume itself is the focus of another episode. "We establish in an upcoming episode how long this particular cape has been around," Wheeler said. "It's kind of like a samurai sword."
Wheeler also wants to encourage non-comic-book fans to watch. He thinks the story of Dana Faraday (Jennifer Ferrin) is a good hook for them. "The thing about Dana Faraday is you don't have to be a superhero fan to connect to her story, about a suddenly widowed woman who has to raise a son on her own and has to tackle this corrupt city," Wheeler said. "Even if you're not running to the comic-book store every Wednesday, it's a way in for viewers to connect to a story that's just as heroic as Vince Faraday's story."
THE CAPE airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on NBC.

PROMETHEUS
The Hollywood Reporter writes that the ALIEN prequel is dead and a new Ridley Scott project has been reborn.
Fox has announced that instead of making a much-talked about ALIEN movie, the project has been reconfigured as an original sci-fi movie, titled PROMETHEUS, with Scott still at the helm and with Noomi Rapace to star.
Showing how serious it is about the movie, Fox has set a March 9, 2012 release date.
Damon Lindelof is working together with Scott on the new script, which was originally written by Jon Spaihts and based on an idea by Scott. It was under Lindelof that the project morphed into something more original.
“While ALIEN was indeed the jumping off point for this project, out of the creative process evolved a new, grand mythology and universe in which this original story takes place,” said Scott in a statement. “The keen fan will recognize strands of Alien's DNA, so to speak, but the ideas tackled in this film are unique, large and provocative. I couldn't be more pleased to have found the singular tale I'd been searching for, and finally return to this genre that's so close to my heart.”
"In a world flooded with prequels, sequels and reboots,” stated Lindelof. “I was incredibly struck by just how original Ridley's vision was for this movie. It's daring, visceral and hopefully, the last thing anyone expects.”
Fox and Scott have been working on an ALIEN prequel for the last two years and began reading and testing actors for the project late last summer. Rapace, best known for The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, was on the list of actors that also included Gemma Arteron, Charlize Theron, Michelle Yeoh, Michael Fassbender and James Franco, all of whom swirled around it in various forms. Time will tell which ones will stick with it, although both Fassbender and Theron were being seriously considered for Universal’s Snow White project.
PROMETHEUS is actually a bold move for Fox as it means leaving behind a project that has a strong brand and legacy behind it. You’ve got to wonder what kind of conversations Scott had with the studio to persuade them to go with it.

RINGER
Vulture reports that former "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" star Sarah Michelle Gellar is returning to TV having signed to star in the new CBS pilot titled RINGER.
The hour-long thriller will star Gellar as "a troubled young lass on the run from the mob. She assumes the life of her wealthy twin sister, only to find out that said sibling has a bounty on her head as well."
RINGER comes from "Supernatural" writers Eric Charmelo and Nicole Snyder. Gellar will serve as a co-executive producer on the project, from ABC Television Studios and CBS Television Studios.

SCIENCE FICTION NEWS STORIES:
If you don't see what you are looking for here, check out the News Archive. Here you'll find items from yesterday and last month -- all that has been going on in the world of science fiction.

8:00pm on FX
Iron Man (2008)
A wealthy industrialist builds an armored suit and uses it to defeat criminals and terrorists. Based on the comic book character. Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Shaun Toub

8:00pm on AMC
The Chronicles of Riddick (2004)
On the run from mercenaries, a fugitive lands on a planet endangered by an invading ruler and his bloodthirsty army. Vin Diesel, Colm Feore, Thandie Newton, Judi Dench, Karl Urban

9:00pm on TNT
Transformers (2007)
Humanity's fate rests in the hands of a youth when two races of warring robots make Earth their final battleground. Shia LaBeouf, Tyrese Gibson, Josh Duhamel, Anthony Anderson, Megan Fox

10:00pm on CBS
CSI: Miami-Episode: Wheels Up (NEW)
The team investigates a murder at a roller derby match.

ON SYFY TONIGHT

9:30pm
Underworld: Evolution (2006)
Vampire warrior Selene and her werewolf lover trace the origins of the ancient feud between their races. Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Tony Curran, Derek Jacobi, Bill Nighy

MERLIN RETURNS TO SYFY
The hit series MERLIN returned for its third season this Friday, January 7 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on SYFY. This featurette from the series shows the turn toward darker times in Camelot for the upcoming third season of MERLIN, which airs in 180 countries across the globe.

Merlin Clip

ARTIFACTS FROM BEYOND THE RIM

JMS's Handwritten Notes for Season One
See for yourself the ideas JMS originally planned to include...at the moment he thought of them. We include scans of his original notes along with a transcription of what he wrote. (If you've ever seen JMS's handwriting, you'll understand what a bonus this is.) These season one notes include --

* The two-part episode that was scrapped in favor of “A Voice in the Wilderness,” which includes an Earth Alliance ambassador being stationed on B5
* The plot for the unproduced episode “Blockade”
* The original notes for "Quality of Mercy," which in his notes was called “The Resurrectionist”

For all the information on this book, go to B5Books.

P.S. If you want to see photos of JMS with Angelo Corsini, the Babylon 5 fan with B5 tattoos on his arm, visit the Fans of J. Michael Straczynski facebook photo page or click here http://on.fb.me/anGTVp

KEEPING UP WITH CAST AND CREW

JMS UPDATE
Here is the word from JMS Facebook page:
As reported: with the huge success of the Superman GN, DC wants to fast-track the next one. This will require a great deal of care, requiring me to step back from scripting the monthlies to focus on this. Those stories will continue to their conclusion, based on my outlines. I'm taking this opportunity to take a 1-5 year sabbatical from writing comics to concentrate on GNs and miniseries.

BILL MUMY RADIO

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."

NEW INTERVIEWS

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!

THE ZOCALO ON FACEBOOK

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 (Dr. Franklin) and Tim Choate (Zathras) 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

DISCUSSION TOPIC AND ISN BLOG

BABYLON PODCAST
Welcome to Show #222!

Tim relays a cryptic message from JMS, responding “Ask me again in April” to a question about whether or not we’ll ever see any more new B5. Not helping… still chomping at the bit, here!
Toryn Farr asked @DelReySpectra via Twitter what it would take to get electronic editions of the B5 novels, at least the miscellaneous trilogies that have gone out of print in an oddball pattern. The response wasn’t encouraging, so Toryn has started a petition to garner a collection of names of people who still want these books.
If you are a die-hard B5 fan, and for some reasons you haven’t purchased any previous B5 Script Books, get your hands on “Artifacts from Beyond the Rim”. It will be available from B5 Books until January 20, 2011.
Deep Geeking: Tim, Summer and Bret discuss “The Memory of War”, and this one, in Tim’s estimation, disappoints.
Talk ranges from the music matching the dramatic sequences and falling short on the action sequences, the quality of the CG scenes, and throwing the flag on gratuitous use of slow motion effects.
Discussion also touches upon the disappointment at the collapse of the show due to the complex situation surrounding Crusade on TNT and later on SciFi Channel.
Catch up on all the podcasts at www.babylonpodcast.com.

ER: THE COMPLETE FOURTEENTH SEASON
Available on DVD: January 11, 2011

Synopsis:
At an ER party, Nurse Chuny Marquez recalls, “I still remember when Mark Green and Doug Ross were running the place.” “Who?” asks a newcomer. So much has happened in 14 seasons, so many people have come and gone, but the chaos of saving lives and the dedication of the people who make County General run remain. In this penultimate season of the powerful, award-winning series, personal tragedies threaten – and sometimes strengthen – relationships among the staff. And the patients bring their own compelling stories. A boy genius diagnoses his mysterious illness, a cancer-ridden prison doctor is haunted by the men he put to death, a woman arrives in the ER expecting her 13th baby. Triumph, loss, tears, joy…next!

SAMANTHA: AN AMERICAN GIRL HOLIDAY
Available on DVD: January 7, 2011

Synopsis: The American Girl collection of books, dolls, and accessories makes its film debut in this inaugural title featuring bestselling character Samantha, in a live-action holiday story set in 1904. AnnaSophia Robb plays Samantha Parkington, a poised yet playful 9-year-old who lives with her wealthy grandmother (Mia Farrow) in a country estate after the untimely death of her parents. Still grieving her loss, Samantha takes comfort in her friendships with new pal Nellie, a servant girl, and her dashing Uncle Gard (Jordan Bridges), a successful businessman. When Uncle Gard marries Cornelia (Rebecca Mader), Samantha is reluctant to embrace this female "intruder" until she spends three months with the newlyweds in New York City. In time, Samantha grows to trust and admire Cornelia, a spirited suffragette. Emboldened by Cornelia's example, Samantha takes her own courageous risks to improve the plight of some young orphans. This superbly produced film provides a glimpse into America during the Industrial Revolution, while showcasing the promising talents of young Robb. (Ages 8 and older) --Lynn Gibson, Amazon.com

Review:
This is one of those movies all ages can watch -- and enjoy. While targeted at girls, with tons of merchandising to go along with it (books, dolls, etc.), the story is a good one that sends a good message as well.
This is a wonderful period piece, showing people dealing with issues like Womens Sufferage, Child labor, and the lack of mandatory education. More movies of this sort need to be show -- to enlighten young people to conditions that were quite different from today's society -- yet needed to make us appreciate the freedoms we enjoy today.

LOONEY TUNES SUPER STARS: FOGHORN LEGHORN & FRIENDS
and LOONEY TUNES SUPER STARS: TWEETY & SYLVESTER

Looney Tunes Super Stars: Foghorn Leghorn & Friends
Synopsis:
Foghorn Leghorn, the overgrown, adult rooster with the strong Virginia accent and a penchant for mischief, is featured as the Super Star is these Looney Tunes cartoon shorts. Watch the diminutive Henery Hawk’s attempts to catch and eat Foghorn, Foghorn’s gags on his canine nemesis Barnyard Dawg and finally the overgrown rooster’s efforts to woo the widowed hen Miss Prissy in this collection of cartoon shorts. Additionally Foghorn is joined on the disc by some other Looney Friends such as Elmer Fudd and Two Crows.
This second installment of the “Looney Tunes Super Star” series, prominently stars Foghorn Leghorn & some of his Looney Tunes friends – Fans have been asking for more of Foghorn Leghorn so I Say I Say I Say Son here it is!

Looney Tunes Super Stars: Tweety & Sylvester
Synopsis:
When Friz Freleng directed 1947's "Tweetie Pie," he may not have known he was making history. This, the first pairing of Sylvester the sputtering cat and Tweetie (later Tweety) the wide-eyed canary, won an Academy Award and united a duo that would appear in more than 40 Warner Brothers cartoon shorts by 1962. Sylvester and Tweety earned their studio another Academy Award for 1957's "Birds Anonymous" and several other Oscar nominations through the years. Generations of Americans have grown up watching Sylvester's classic, ever-thwarted attempts to catch Tweety. With two of the most famous voices in cartoons, both supplied by Mel Blanc, Sylvester's sloppy "sufferin succotash" and Tweety's baby-voiced "I tawt I taw a puddy tat," Sylvester and Tweety are two of the most quickly identified characters in cartoons.
This second installment of the “Looney Tunes Super Star” series prominently stars one of the Looney Tunes franchise’s most popular characters, Tweety!

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA
Available on DVD: November 9th
Official Site URL: www.bbcamericashop.com

Synopsis:
C.S. Lewis’s enchanting tale comes to life in this classic BBC adaptation from 1988. When young Second World War evacuee Lucy Pevensie hides in an old wardrobe during a game of hide and seek, she finds herself transported to the magical land of Narnia, locked in eternal winter by the evil White Witch. Her siblings do not believe her when she tells them of this strange new world, but they are soon in Narnia themselves, fighting alongside the noble lion Aslan to defeat the witch and her mighty army. This set includes the following complete stories from the book series: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe; Prince Caspian; The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; The Silver Chair.

Review:
I have loved all the CHRONICLES OF NARNIA movies so far. However, this BBC production is equally as wonderful. While done on a much smaller scale, the story still is magnificent. The actors, young and old, are terrific and I find the episodic nature of the stories much easier to follow -- especially for younger viewers. This production is a good introduction to the novels written by C.S. Lewis.

HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS - Part 1
Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) prepares you for HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS - PART 1 with the release of the first five Harry Potter films this month On Demand (cable & satellite) and through digital Download on iTunes, Amazon Video On Demand, XBOX and PlayStation and other online digital retailers.

Check out: ON DEMAND: www.WarnerBros.com/HarryPotter
FOR DOWNLOAD: http://bit.ly/WB_HarryPotter_1

The all-new HARRY POTTER MONTAGE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzyKcLc1jmo

WEST WING ON BLU-RAY

Video Clip:
http://pdl.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/dd/med/westwing/s7/clips/ww_interview_fondestmemory_qt_700_amazonitunes.mov

THE DC SHOWCASE ANIMATED SHORTS COLLECTION

Video clips:
http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/dc/dcshowcase/clips/dc_showcase_superman_shazam_pt1_qt_300.mov

http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/dc/dcshowcase/clips/dc_showcase_superman_shazam_pt1_qt_300.mov

Review:
I couldn't wait to see the Superman/Shazam DVD. The story of the origin of Shazam is wonderful. Many have read the story of how Shazam came to be. Orphaned Billy Batson is a friend of Clark Kent and later they become an invinsible team. Good story, especially for smaller children. The triumph of good over evil -- right over wrong.

Also on the DVD are stories featuring The Spectre (with voice of Gary Cole as The Spectre); Green Arrow and Jonah Hex. While I enjoyed all four features, it seemed that they became increasingly violent as the DVD went on. So parents will want to review the material (as they always should) before having smaller children watch the segmentrs.

GOING THE DISTANCE
Synopsis:
When a six week romp through NYC inadvertently becomes meaningful, Erin (Drew Barrymore) and Garret (Justin Long) decide to see if they can go the distance in a coast-to-coast relationship.

Starring: Drew Barrymore, Justin Long
Supporting actors: Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Christina Applegate

Review:
I'm not much on romantic comedies. While this one had a decent story, I was turned off by the somewhat vulgar and sophomoric dialog/situations.

SCOOBY-DOO! CURSE OF THE LAKE MONSTER
Release Date: March 1, 2011

Mystical moonstones, creepy creatures and unlikely romances are on the docket for Mystery Inc. in SCOOBY-DOO! CURSE OF THE LAKE MONSTER, an all-new, live action movie featuring an exclusive extended cut of the film with never-before- seen music sequences coming to Blu-Ray™ and DVD March 1, 2011 from Warner Premiere and Cartoon Network. A follow-up to its smash-hit predecessor Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins, Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster will be available from Warner Home Video as a Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack and single disc DVD. Order due date is January 25, 2011. The film will also be available On Demand and for Download.
SCOOBY-DOO! CURSE OF THE LAKE MONSTER finds the Mystery Inc. gang heading toward summer jobs at a country club owned by Daphne's uncle, only to stumble onto strange happenings around the local lake - including an enormous Frog Monster terrorizing the locals. There's mystery afoot and romance in the air that only the fearful foursome-plus-one can solve. Group leader Fred, drama queen Daphne, brainiac Velma, fun-loving Shaggy and the cowardly Scooby-Doo are on the case!

SHERLOCK: SEASON ONE
Release date: November 9, 2010

Synopsis:
A contemporary take on the classic Arthur Conan Doyle stories, Sherlock is a thrilling, funny, fast-paced adventure series set in present-day London. Co-created by Steven Moffat (Doctor Who, Coupling) and Mark Gatiss, Sherlock stars BAFTA-nominee Benedict Cumberbatch (Hawking, Amazing Grace) as the new Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman (The Office, Love Actually), as his loyal friend, Doctor John Watson. Rupert Graves plays Inspector Lestrade. The iconic details from Conan Doyle's original books remain ? they live at the same address, have the same names and, somewhere out there, Moriarty is waiting for them. And so across three thrilling, scary, action-packed and highly modern-day adventures, Sherlock and John navigate a maze of cryptic clues and lethal killers to get at the truth.

Video Clip:
http://raincloud.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/whv/med/sherlock/S1/clips/Sherlock_Ep01_Clip_02_DV_qt_300.movM

Review:
Like so many BBC series, SHERLOCK is very well done. SHERLOCK HOLMES is a wonderful combination of crisp writing, subtle humor and engaging. With the recent big screen version of SHERLOCK HOLMES, more viewers should seek out this BBC series. It is smart and fast paced, with original stories that make you want to see more. The fact that the series is set in modern time does not detract from the original concept at all -- in fact it adds to the enjoyment and makes it easier to relate to the current time period.

V: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON
Release date: November 7, 2010
Synopsis: The Visitors are among us, promoting a message of peace ... but could they be a threat to our existence? While the world quickly becomes fascinated with the V's, and their promise to share technology, FBI Counter Terrorist Agent Erica Evans (Elizabeth Mitchell - Lost) discovers a secret that may threaten the lives of everyone close to her.

Review:
Remakes -- you never know what you'll see. When this series was announced, I thought, oh no. How can they remake the original V series. It was wonderful.
Enter the new "V" series, it is even better than the original. If there have been issues, it could be with the schedule. They have aired episodes and then there is a huge break in time before the next one is shown. However, that lapse may heighten anticipation in what will take place and make you sure not to miss the next episode. They really picked the right person to play Anna - she is soooooooo wicked!!! I look forward to the new season coming out to see how the 5th Column and the V's battle it out. Excellent job on the "remake"!!
If you don't want to purchase the DVD, you can also go to iTunes and download just an episode or two.

FARSCAPE: THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION
FARSCAPE: THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION hits the shelves in the UK on Monday 15 November courtesy of Go Entertain and A&E.

It’s the first Region 2 release of all 88 episodes of the classic sci-fi show in one box set, not to mention over 15 hours of bonus features including two disc mini-series The Peacekeeper Wars and rarely-seen special Farscape Undressed.

32 DVD box set – Cert. 18 – 15 November 2010, 99.99 pounds
FARSCAPE™: THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION from A&E™ is a fan’s dream; all 88 episodes of all four seasons of the classic sci-fi show in one stunning box set, not to mention over 15 hours of bonus features including two disc mini-series THE PEACEKEEPER WARS and rarely-seen special FARSCAPE UNDRESSED.
FARSCAPE follows the adventures of astronaut John Crichton, flung through a wormhole to a far off galaxy while testing a prototype spaceship. Plunged into the midst of a battle, he is rescued by Moya, a living craft crewed by a motley group of escaping alien prisoners being hunted by the fiercely militaristic Peacekeepers.
Featuring mind-blowing sci-fi action, superb storytelling, great special effects and character designs by The Jim Henson Company, FARSCAPE has stood the test of time as a landmark science fiction series. Prepare for the adventure of a lifetime with Moya’s crew – likeable hero John Crichton; renegade Peacekeeper Aeryn Sun; short-tempered warrior Ka D'Argo; psychic priestess Zhaan; mercurial thief Chiana and deposed monarch Dominar Rygel XVI.
FARSCAPE: THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION features all four series of the classic sci-fi show – 88 episodes – in one special collector’s edition.
More than 15 hours of bonus material including the rarely-seen special FARSCAPE UNDRESSED as well as episode commentaries, behind-the-scenes interviews, deleted scenes and much, much more.
Bonus 2-disc miniseries FARSCAPE: THE PEACEKEEPER WARS in which our heroes find themselves in the middle of a war-to- end-all-wars.

SPLICE
Official website: ttp://www.splicethefilm.com/

Synopsis:
Superstar genetic engineers Clive (Adrien Brody) and Elsa (Sarah Polley) specialize in splicing DNA from different animals to create incredible new hybrids. Now they want to use human DNA in a hybrid that could revolutionize science and medicine. But when the pharmaceutical company that funds their research forbids it, they secretly take their experiment underground – risking their careers to push the boundaries of science and serve their own curiosity and ambition. The result is Dren, an amazing, strangely beautiful creature of uncommon intelligence and unexpected physical developments. At first, Dren exceeds their wildest dreams. But as she grows and learns at an accelerated rate, her existence threatens to become their worst nightmare.

Available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and for Download 10/5! http://bit.ly/splicefb

SCOOBY-DOO WHERE ARE YOU VOLUME 4
Release date: October 19, 2010
Official website: http://www.kidswb.com/

Synopsis:
This fourth frighteningly funny roundup of classic Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? Series Episodes kicks off when Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy and Scooby-Doo get lost in a swamp and ask a zombie for directions. Can they add up the clues to figure out Which Witch Is Which? Shaggy and Scooby-Doo are then captured by Redbeard the Pirate in Go Away Ghost Ship. Zoinks! If the case isn't solved soon, somebody's going to walk the plank! When the Mystery Machine runs out of fuel on a creepy abandoned airfield, the teen sleuths run right into a Spooky Space Kook. In the final mystery, Scooby-Doo inherits big bucks from a dead millionaire. There's a catch: our heroes must spend a night in a haunted mansion before Scooby-Doo can collect in A Night of Fright Is No Delight.

Review:
This is the perfect time of year for this video collection -- Halloween and spooky things that go bump in the night! This DVD contains four episodes of Scooby and the gang solving mysteries in haunted mansions! Doesn't get much better than that! This is Scooby and the gang at their best. Truly fun for the entire family to watch.

1.13. "Which Witch is Which?" (22:02) (Originally aired December 6, 1969)
On their way back from a fishing trip, the gang winds up in a deserted town that houses a witch and a zombie.

1.14. "Go Away Ghost Ship" (22:03) (Originally aired December 13, 1969)
To help out a shipping magnate Scooby and company board the ghost ship of long-dead pirate captain Redbeard.

1.15. "Spooky Space Kook" (22:04) (Originally aired December 20, 1969)
When the van breaks down on a farm, the gang follows the glowing tracks of what they think might be a space ghost.

1.16. "A Night of Fright is No Delight" (21:59) (Originally aired January 10, 1970)
To claim his share of inheritance from an eccentric millionaire he once rescued, Scooby must spend a night in a haunted house.

JONAH HEX
Official website: http://jonah-hex.warnerbros.com/dvd/
Available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and for Download 10/12! http://bit.ly/jhexFB

Synopsis
Out of the pages of the legendary comics and graphic novels steps Jonah Hex (Josh Brolin), a scarred drifter and bounty hunter of last resort. Jonah’s past catches up with him when the U.S. military offers to wipe out the warrants on his head if he hunts and stop dangerous terrorist Quentin Turnbull (John Malkovich).

Review:
JONAH HEX is a western version of Death Wish or other vengence-based dramas. This movie is a mix of environments -- switching from comic book sketches to live drama; further seating it into the legend of JONAH HEX as read for years by comic book fans. Josh Brolin is good as the solemn bounty hunter who has special powers over the dead. The best part of the movie, I hate to say, are the toys! Lance Reddick (Fringe) supplies Hex with some unbelievable firepower.
This is not your old fashioned western with indepth characterizations or plot. The story is a simple one - revenge. The one-liners are awesome though.

THE EXORCIST: EXTENDED DIRECTOR'S CUT
This Halloween relive the fright of one of the most powerful films ever made with all-new bonus content available for the first time ever anywhere. The all-new bonus features include revealing set footage produced and photographed by cinematographer Owen Roizman, as well as camera and makeup tests, interviews with director William Friedkin, actress Linda Blair, author/screenwriter/producer William Peter Blatty and Roizman himself and more.
Arrives FOR DOWNLOAD only on iTunes with all-new Bonus EXTRAS: http://bit.ly/WBDD_EXORCIST

TOP GEAR SEASON 13
Release date: September 28, 2010
Official webiste: www.BBCAmericaShop.com

Synopsis:
Season 13 of this BAFTA-winning show skids, roars and explodes its way back onto DVD, with man versus machine experiments, exhaustive road tests of the latest models, a look back at the history of motoring, weekly power tests featuring the world’s most exotic super-cars… and a surprise revelation.

Hot on the heels of their epic challenge in Vietnam, Jeremy, Richard and James are no less ambitious for Season 13. James goes for a ride with stunt-driving legend Ken Block; Richard travels to Abu Dhabi to test the new Lambo Murcielago LP640-4 SV; the boys buy three £1,500 rear-drive sports cars and somehow find themselves entered in a terrifying French ice race. Elsewhere, Jeremy and James attempt to understand what makes a great Volkswagen advertisement – and then try to film one of their own. Rather predictably, it doesn’t go well. And in a television- first, the mysterious Stig takes off his helmet to reveal just who he really is…

The Stig continues to put the rich and famous through their paces out on the test track in ‘The Star in the Reasonably Priced Car’. Celebrities include Michael Schumacher, Olympic Gold sprinter Usain Bolt, actress Sienna Miller (who has just passed her driving test), AC/DC’s singer Brian Johnson and ‘the biggest petrolhead in the world’ Jay Leno.

Review:
I have loved this series from the first time I saw it. I would love to work with Jeremy, Richard and James as they wonder the globe testing out cars and doing their hair-raising stunts! If you love cars and have a sense of humor, this series is for you. Once you get into this show, you'll want all of the DVDs so you can catch up on what you have missed! Oh, yes, the scenery is marvelous as well. Enjoy!

DVD REVIEWS

There are a number of DVDs coming out each month. I have divided them into two types -- regular entertainment and family DVDs. Information about regular DVDs can be found at 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!

CHRISTMAS DVDS
With the passing of the holidays, I have moved all the Christmas videos over to the Christmas DVD page.

NEW BOOKS TO CHECK OUT

STARGATE SG-1 - SUNRISE
Author: J.F. Crane
Published by Fandemonium Ltd.

Product Description:
Shortly after the events of the season 4 episode, "Beneath the Surface", SG-1 find themselves on a bleak and lifeless world. There they discover long-dead bodies frozen in the snow, and a clue to a device that promises protection from the Goa'uld forever. Following the trail they go in search of the Shield of the Gods, but all is not as it seems and soon SG-1 find themselves entangled with a people facing annihilation on a drowning world.

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.

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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.

Danger Zone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYNG0ow0G0k

I Need a Hero: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFo3Lau2Occ

Requiem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7ckXY6yiVQ

Nobody's Side: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk9LvldiOf0

Welcome to the Third Age: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT5q_ltXiY0

Keep Yourself Alive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0lRtpWR5lo

The Phantom B5 Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV4GMNjDdYc

Third Age 2K: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqIyY0PWjbI

Richard Biggs memorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyD4L8yNtsA

Andreas Katsulas memorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2UQ2l9NPIg

- 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

Over the long summer break, Fringe has been quietly releasing comic books.
Tales from the Fringe has been revealing character backstories unrevealed on the show. Comic #1 followed Peter’s exploits in Iraq, while #2 followed Broyles’ first encounter with the alien from “Earthling.” Astrid became the focal point of issue #3, where we learned how she came to join the FBI, while the fate of Nina’s arm in the aftermath of the events of “Peter” was seen in issue #4. Gene the Cow’s dreams will be the focus of #5, out later this month, and Olivia’s “early days in the Fringe division” will be the subject matter of next month’s #6.
You can order back issues of each comic for only a couple of bucks from Amazon.com, and you can also get the big paperback compilation of the six issues for only $10.11. Of course, you’ll have to wait a while for the 144-page volume: it’s not slated to land until January.

FARPOINT 2010
February 18-20, 2011
Place: Crowne Plaza Baltimore North
City: Timonium, MD
Guests: Adam Baldwin, John Billingsley, Bonita Friedericy
For more information, go to http://www.farpointcon.com/

STEEL CITY CON
March 4-6, 2011
Place: Monroeville Convention Center
City: Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Guests: Adam West, Peter Tork, Mike Lookinland, Yancy Butler, Larry Thomas
For more information, go to http://www.steelcitycon.com

MEGA CON
March 25-27, 2011
Place: Orange County Convention Center
Babylon 5 guests as of this date are Bruce Boxleitner and Mira Furlan
Other Guests: William Shatner, Jonathan Frakes, James Marsters, Michael Dorn - and many more.
For more information, go to http://www.megaconvention.com/

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!

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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