Babylon 5 ISN News: The Zocalo Today
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
The Zocalo Today
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!
SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010
TRUE BLOOD AT COMIC-CON
HBO's TRUE BLOOD debuted a new trailer at Comic-Con on Friday (July 23). Of course, there is sex, violence --
because this is TRUE BLOOD after all.
But there's also Sookie (Anna Paquin) screaming for Bill (Stephen Moyer), Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) telling her
she means nothing to him, a nice moment between Sookie and Alcide (Joe Manganiello, who was just made a series
regular for Season 4 of the show) and Sookie lying in a hospital bed.
Things sure are heating up in Bon Temps. TRUE BLOOD is currently in the midst of Season 3 on Sunday nights at 9 p.m.
ET on HBO.
HAWAII FIVE-O MUSIC VIDEO
At Comic-Con Friday, CBS debuted the music video for the new arrangement of the classic HAWAII FIVE-O theme song
-- watch the above clip for some behind-the-scenes recording session footage in addition to the music video. Also
be sure to watch the new HAWAII FIVE-O opening credits.
New HAWAII FIVE-O series composer Brian Tyler ("The Expendables") assembled and conducted 35 musicians for the updated
version. Among the musicians were renowned players from the original television series, such as David Duke (1st Horn),
Chuck Findley (1st Trumpet) and Bob Zimmitti (Percussion).
"The 'Hawaii Five-0' theme is one of the most enduring and iconic theme songs in television history, and it was essential
to have the flavor of the original in the modern arrangement," said George Schweitzer, President, CBS Marketing Group.
"We're treating [the theme] as a lead character in the show, and we'll make use of the song in a variety of ways as we
launch the new series."
HAWAII FIVE-O premieres Monday, Sept. 20 at 10 p.m. ET on CBS.
WALKING DEAD TRAILER
Friday's crowd at Comic-Con was treated to a trailer from AMC's new THE WALKING DEAD. Ready to launch in October,
anticipation has been high -- not just because of the huge zombie fan base -- but also because the photos released
so far look cinematic and worthy of AMC's high standards for quality programming.
Any fan of the comic books will see it's almost exactly like the comic book, characters, images and all. We see Rick
Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) as he's shot and then wakes up into a world full of zombies. It's actually a thing of beauty
from start to finish, and the zombies -- finally we see them in motion -- don't disappoint. The Walker Brothers'
"Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" is a pitch perfect choice for the first-look.
Story
- Darabont will follow the path of the comics, but he'll also "take any interesting detour we feel like taking."
Also, for fans of the comic, "there will be a lot of things they won't see coming," yet the familiarity will still
be there.
- Kirkman wants the comic and show to exist separately but adding to the universe. "I think you'll all be blown away,
I really do."
Characters/actors:
- Andrew Lincoln has a killer British accent, which his costars mock. As sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes, "He gets shot
and wakes up into a zombie apocalypse, as you do. Throughout, he gets eroded. It's exciting to play because morally
he changes."
- Other actors on panel: Sarah Wayne Callies, Jon Bernthal, Laurie Holden, Emma Bell. Our first impression is that
Bernthal will make a good Shane. Not saying anything about his character, but the actor seems to have the right sense
of ironic humor.
- Chandler Riggs, who plays Rick's son Carl, isn't present, but Callies assures us that if Carl is your favorite
character from the comics, then Riggs will be your favorite actor.
- Actor Lenny James, who plays Morgan, wowed the director: "Wait till you see. This guy's perfect in the pilot. Lenny
kind of owned the role from the get go. "
FAST AND FURIOUS 5
According to Variety, Universal Pictures is putting a fifth installment of its "Fast and Furious" franchise, with
the working title of Fast Five, on the fast track. The trade says the studio has closed deals with Vin Diesel, Paul
Walker, director Justin Lin and producer Neal Moritz to return.
Last year's fourth installment was the highest-grossing "Fast and Furious" film and Universal's top grosser of 2009,
making $343 million worldwide.
Chris Morgan is writing Fast Five, in which Dom (Diesel) and Brian (Walker) are fugitives being pursued by relentless
lawmen.
Filming is scheduled to begin later this year for a 2011 release.
DAN DARE
Variety reports that Sam Worthington (Clash of the Titans, Avatar) is now attached to star in Warner Bros.' DAN DARE,
to be produced by Basil Iwanyk (Clash of the Titans) through his Thunder Road banner.
DAN DARE, created by Frank Hampson, first appeared as a comic in 1950 and centered on a gallant chief pilot of the
Interplanet Space Fleet. The time frame was the 1990s and the complex adventures were set on planets presumed to have
extraterrestrial life.
Dare, described as the British equivalent of Buck Rogers, also appeared in radio programs and a TV series, "Dan Dare:
Pilot of the Future."
Colin Frewin and Dan Lin will executive produce.
BURN NOTICE MOVIE
USA Network and Fox are in discussions to produce a straight-to-DVD prequel to cable's #1 key demo-rated series
"Burn Notice" which would cover the final mission of Sam Axe (Bruce Campbell) before his retirement as a Navy SEAL.
No other members of the show's cast including Jeffrey Donovan, Gabrielle Anwar and Sharon Gless have been confirmed
as yet. No word either if creator Matt Nix will write/direct.
Shooting will take place in Latin America in a few months after the currently in production fourth season wraps and
before filming on the fifth season kicks off.
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 NBC
Persons Unknown-Episode: Smoke and Steel (NEW)
Joe puts himself into a vulnerable position when he confesses everything he knows about the kidnappers and
their organization to Janet; Kat, Renbe and Stefano are certain that Joe is the key to finding Tori and Janet.
8:00pm on BBC America
Doctor Who-Episode: The Pandorica Opens (First Aired: July 17, 2010)
A message on a cliff; a puzzle box that opens from the inside; the fates draw closer for the TARDIS.
9:00pm on CBS
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation-Episode: Hog Heaven (First Aired: May 07, 2009)
The team investigates when a motorcycle gang member is murdered at a biker bar.
9:00pm on BBC America
Doctor Who-Episode: The Big Bang (NEW)
The fates draw close around the TARDIS.
10:00pm on BBC America
Being Human
Vampire society is about to implode following the death of Herrick; George seems like a changed man; Nina reveals
a shocking secret.
ON SYFY TONIGHT
9:00pm
Silent Hill (2006)
A woman searches for her missing daughter in a town that has been enveloped in a living darkness, against which
the remaining humans fight a losing battle for survival. Radha Mitchell, Laurie Holden, Sean Bean, Deborah Kara
Unger, Tanya Allen
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!
SAN DIEGO COMIC CON NEWS
PAT TALLMAN
Over on Pat's facebook page, she writes:
I'll be at the Roddenberry Booth on Friday at 2pm-4pm and maybe later, near Marvel. Booth # 2543. Aisle 2600. I'll
be attending their mixer Friday night...
http://www.roddenberrydiveteam.com/events/events.html&emode=M&E=56&1672S at 10-noon and Sunday at ...1pm at
Fewdio Productions booth (#4116) aisle 4100, across from Nickelodean, security and Starbucks! They will be showing
the horror short we shot.
Hope all of Pat's fans can stop by and tell Pat hello!.
JMS AT SAN DIEGO COMIC CON
Thursday:
10:15-11:15 DC Comics Writers Unite!— Originally a successful panel at WonderCon
2010, "Comics Writers Unite!" (see the Comic-Con Souvenir Book for a transcript)
brought together a number of special guests to talk about the art of writing.
Part of a series of programs at this year's Comic-Con celebrating "The Year of
the Writer," this panel features special guests Paul Levitz (Legion of
Super-Heroes), Dennis O'Neil (Batman, The Question), and J. Michael Straczynski
(Superman, Wonder Woman), along with Gail Simone (Birds of Prey, Secret Six),
Judd Winick (Justice League: Generation Lost, Power Girl), and moderator James
Robinson (Starman, Justice League of America). Room 6DE
Friday:
2:00-3:30 Comics Arts Conference Session #8: Where Are the Action Chicks?—
Katrina Hill (ActionFlickChick.com), Jill Pantozzi (MTV Splash Page), Adrianne
Curry (America's Next Top Model), Cindy Morgan (Tron), Luci Romberg
(Zombieland), Jen Stuller (Ink-Stained Amazons and Cinematic Warriors), Gina
Misiroglu (Encyclopedia of Women in Popular Culture), Marjorie Liu (Black
Widow), and J. Michael Straczynski (Wonder Woman) discuss why comics,
television, and movies do not depict more action heroines and look specifically
at why movies starring traditional comic book superheroines are nearly
nonexistent. Room 26AB
Saturday:
4:30-5:30 Spotlight on J. Michael Straczynski? J. Michael Straczynski
speaks (despite requests to the contrary) about his work on (and on and
on) such comics as Superman (well, we guess it had to happen eventually)
and Wonder Woman (at least they have the same fashion sense), his
movies, including Shattered Union (shattered hopes that he wouldn't show
up), Forbidden Planet (is that still going on?), and more he will be
announcing here for the first time. Get the inside skinny on the
writer's life from one of Hollywood's most prolific and hardworking
writers (because you always have to work twice as hard when you don't
know what you're doing). (Bob, very funny, just remember to edit this
back to normal before uploading it to the Comic-Con schedule.) Room 6A http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci10_prog_sat.php.
JMS wrote this earlier about his participation at upcoming conventions: Quick update: I'll be appearing at the San Diego Comic Con (July 22-25) and the
Toronto Expo (August 27-29), though the latter is tentative depending on work
schedules. These also correspond to the release of my work on Superman (with
issue 700 and the first regular issue thereafter) and Wonder Woman (ditto but
600 and the next thereafter). No other conventions scheduled at this time,
buried under too much work.
JERRY DOYLE RECOVERING
I saw a note in the B5 moderated newsgroup the other day and it indicated Jerry Doyle had been in grave
condition. He explains what happened at
http://www.jerrydoyle.com/doyle-absence. He is back on talk radio and doing well. He is SO
grateful to the hospital folks and his neighbors who took care of him. So are we.
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.
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
has a FaceBook presence as well. 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
Jerry Doyle - July 16
J. Michael Straczynski - July 17
David Warner - July 29
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 #204!
Tim, Summer and Bret jump back in the saddle in the new-old studio! Tim also reads an announcement about
the new Wonder Woman outfit and story that’s the result of JMS taking over the reboot of the comic that
he’ll be writing.
And Tim is still bitter that there’s not forward movement on the Lensman project.
Feedbackapalooza: Summer gets lost in a temporal loop of host love and fan love and fan feedback love.
Everything else is dust in the solar winds…
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!
Live Video Stream: Yes, the technology has progressed to the point where we can now play video voicemails into
the video live stream. Check out the video stream of our live feed at our FarPoint Media Page (and leave a review
for our show while you’re there!).
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 RELEASES FROM THE WARNER ARCHIVE
Celebrate 75 Years of the iconic DC!
Starting this July, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution begins its celebration of the DC 75th Anniversary by
bringing dozens of films and animated / TV series inspired by your favorite Comics (Batman, Superman,
Watchmen…) FOR DOWNLOAD and ON DEMAND.
Download DC Favorites on Amazon On Demand, WBshop.com and on the all-new DC iTunes Experience page:
http://bit.ly/WB_DC75
STRANGE NEW WORLD
Release date: May 18, 2010
Synopsis:
Cult icon John Saxon (Enter the Dragon) battles clones, barbarians, beasts and more in this startling sci-fi
adventure based on concepts developed by Gene Roddenberry, the visionary creator of Star Trek. After 180 years
in a cryogenic freeze, a trio of astronauts returns to Earth, only to find giant asteroids have devastated the
planet. Roaming across America’s vast wastelands, they encounter weird new cities, strange civilizations and
bizarre descendants of Earth’s distant past. Co-written by Academy Award® winner* Walon Green (The Wild Bunch),
Strange New World features foxy film femmes Martine Beswick (Thunderball), Catherine Bach (The Dukes of Hazzard)
and 1974 Playmate of the Year Cynthia Wood (Apocalypse Now) in an otherworldly thriller where Earth itself is
the final frontier.
Director: Robert Butler
Cast: Ford Rainey, James Olson, John Saxon, Kathleen Miller, Keene Curtis, Martine Beswick, Reb Brown
Important Note: This film has been manufactured from the best-quality video master currently available and has
not been remastered or restored specifically for this DVD and Digital Download release.
LOUIE L'AMOUR COLLECTION
Release Date: May 19, 2010
Western lovers! Have I got a deal for you. Warner Bros. has three classics to fill out your Western collection.
The Louis L'Amour Collection: THE SACKETTS, CONAGHER and CATLOW. Featuring Acclaimed Actors Including Tom Selleck,
Sam Elliott, and Yul Brynner.
"Known as 'America's Storyteller,' Louis L'Amour brought the American Frontier to life through his novels and we are
proud to share his work through these terrific films," said Rosemary Markson, WHV Vice President, TV and Special
Interest Marketing. "Following our successful Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott Western collections and just in time
for Father's Day, The Louis L'Amour Collection is one we are confident Western fans will treasure and enjoy."
THE SACKETTS - Tom Selleck, Sam Elliott and Jeff Osterhage play brothers who migrate west to make their fortunes
in cattle-herding and gold prospecting. Each aims to make it on his own - but each also stands up for the other
when the going gets tough. And their guns blaze a name for themselves in untamed New Mexico territory.
CONAGHER - He conquered the range. She conquered his heart. Sam Elliott and Katharine Ross star as a cowhand and
a widowed ranch owner who are drawn to each other when ruthless rustlers threaten his livelihood and her homestead.
CATLOW - A renegade outlaw wants to pull off a gold heist but finds it hard because he's such a wanted man - by
the Mexican Army, his hellcat girlfriend, an Indian war party, a vengeful killer and several hotheaded cowpokes
from his former gang. Yul Brynner, Richard Crenna and Leonard Nimoy star.
REVIEW
I love a good Western and here you have a number of them. Babylon 5 fans will recognize the name of Doug Netter on the
production side of the Sackett videos. These videos harken back to another time when Westerns were all over the TV.
THe stories were rich and full; the scenery was marvelous and rustic. It was easy to identify to good guys -- they
didn't necessarily wear white hats, but they talked and shot straight. Having grown up with Roy Rogers, Gene Autry,
The VIrginian and others, these movies brought back good memories and a yearning for something similar today. Where
have all the westerns gone?
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
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 lets it slip that Perseus
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 scorpians look deadly, Medusa is creepy, and the Kraken
is HUGE.
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!
NIP/TUCK: THE SIXTH AND FINAL SEASON
Release date: June 8, 2010
19 episodes on five discs
Featurette: Tell Me What You Don't Like About Yourself--The Psychology
Sex. Seduction. Liposuction. Find them all in the fearless Nip/Tuck, the award-winning series that's the scalpel's
edge of entertainment...and the spark for debate about what cosmetic surgery can or cannot bring to a patient's
life. Dylan Walsh and Julian McMahon play plastic surgeons/best friends whose glamorous South Beach practice is
a revolving door for Season 4's hot-button issues (including a terrifying story arc about an organ-harvest ring)
and human foibles (a ventriloquist wants to look like his dummy). Guest stars include Jacqueline Bissett, Larry
Hagman, Alanis Morissette, Mo'Nique, Rosie O'Donnell, Brooke Shields and more. Thrills, surprises, shocks, stars
abound in this 5-disc set. And all it takes is a little Nip/Tuck.
THE NEW ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD
Release date: May 31, 2010 Synopsis:
An outlaw of Sherwood Forest and his partners, Marion, Friar Tuck and Little John, use magic, sorcery and courage
to fight royal soldiers, evil Knights and whoever else tries to oppress the impoverished people of 12th Century
England. Actors: Matthew Porretta, Anna Galvin, Richard Ashton, Martyn Ellis
On Tuesday, Robin Hood comes to the WBShop via the exclusive DVD release of the television series THE NEW ADVENTURES
OF ROBIN HOOD Season 1 (Available Online Only at www.WBShop.com). Following the successful release last year of the
TV series ELEVENTH HOUR, the WBShop.com will present several exclusive TV releases this summer commencing with TNT’s
THE NEW ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD that first aired in 1997.
LIFE - GREAT FATHER'S DAY GIFT
About the Blu-ray:
Four years in the making, filmed over 3000 days, across every continent and in every habitat, with a production
budget of £14 million ($22 million) Life is the latest wildlife blockbuster from the BBC’s award-winning Natural
History Unit, the producers of Planet Earth and The Blue Planet.
Packed with excitement, revelation, entertainment, and stunning screen firsts, this breathtaking ten-part
blockbuster presents 130 incredible stories from the frontiers of the natural world. Discover the glorious
variety of life on Earth and the spectacular and extraordinary tactics animals and plants have developed to
stay alive, individual creatures under extreme pressure to overcome challenges from adversaries and their
environment, pushing the boundaries of behavior.
About the Book:
Life, the spectacular companion volume to the new Discovery Channel/BBC series, tells a majestic and compelling
story of survival and of the amazing behaviors animals and plants adopt to stay alive and pass their genes to a
new generation. Beautifully written and illustrated with more than 300 high-definition color photographs, Life
focuses on the most exciting examples of the millions of species to demonstrate the harrowing and very different
challenges that all living things must overcome to prevail and to procreate. In 60 concise and captivating vignettes, intriguingly grouped in categories like Extraordinary Sea Creatures, Fabulous Fish, Irrepressible Plants, Hot-
blooded Hunters, and Intellectual Primates, the authors provide the most up-to-date science. Each chapter
parallels an episode of the television series, making the book a must-have addition to any interested viewer's
library. From the familiar to the rare--polar bears, Japanese snow macaques, monarch butterflies, and fish-
catching bats, a mega-roost of 10 million fruit bats in Zambia, capuchin monkeys that use stone tools, marine
life beneath and upon the ice of Antarctica, and tiny goby fish that climb Hawaiian waterfalls--this sumptuous
volume brims with information and unforgettable images of the spectacular, the dangerous, and the bizarre.
PEANUTS 1970’s CCOLLECTION VOLUME 2
Be My Valentine Charlie Brown / You're a Good Sport / It's Arbor Day / What a Nightmare / It's Your First Kiss /
You're the Greatest)
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Peanuts specials are timeless classics with wonderful moral lessons and clean/clever humor that you can't find
presented the same way nowadays. Peanuts will always have a more adult sense of awareness but still never lose
their innocence. This 1970's Volume 2 Collection contains the following six remaining specials from the later
half of the 1970's on 2 discs:
Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (aired 1/28/1975)
You're A Good Sport Charlie Brown (aired 10/28/1975)
It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown (aired 3/16/1976)
It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown (aired 10/24/1977)
What a Nightmare, Charlie Brown! (aired 2/23/1978)
You're The Greatest, Charlie Brown (3/19/1979)
REVIEW
One of the hardest things to do these days is find movies for the whole family! You need not look further.
These specials are all classics and perfect for parents looking for suitable programming for their children
or for adults who grew up watching them and want a chance to reminisce on past days and simpler times. Now
fans can start looking forward to Peanuts: 1980's Collection 1 (which should contain She's A Good Skate,
Charlie Brown through to at least the one hour special, A Charlie Brown Celebration).
These stories are perfect for children of all ages - and parents too! Many haven't been seen on TV for
quite some time, so take this opportunity to introduce (or re-introduce) these wonderful Peanuts characters
to your family.
Synopsis:
What does Nelson Mandela do after becoming president of South Africa? He rejects revenge, forgives oppressors who
jailed him 27 years for his fight against apartheid and finds hope of national unity in an unlikely place: the rugby
field. Clint Eastwood (named 2009's Best Director by the National Board of Review) directs an uplifting film about
a team and a people inspired to greatness. Morgan Freeman (NBR's Best Actor Award winner and Oscar nominee for this
role) is Mandela, who asks the national rugby team captain (Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee Matt Damon) and his
squad.
REVIEW
You have to see this movie!!!! It is truly outstanding.
This film brings together two top-notch actors -- Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. They have been in countless
features from Driving Miss Daisy to Robin Hood; from Goodwill Hunting to the Bourne series. How can you make it
better? Have Clint Eastwood there to tell the story -- directing the action as no other director can.
Nominated for two Academy Awards -- Best Actor - Morgan Freeman; Best Supporting Actor - Matt Damon.
While this is primarily a sports movie, the over-arching story is about overcoming obstacles within South
Africa after apartheid. A rugby team that had been the laughing stock of the country, becomes a winner and
has the entire country rooting for it during the World Cup -- both black and white.
This movie is masterfully told, bringing you into the lives of South Africans, showing the apprehension to the
new government and obstacles Mandela faced as he took over the government. The pictures of the shanty towns in
Cape Town are real (I saw them during my visit there) and you wonder how people can live under those conditions.
The message of hope and forgiveness is strong.
Nelson Mandela: I thank whatever gods may be / For my unconquerable soul. / I am the master of my fate / I am
the captain of my soul.
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
THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #29
Written by J. Michael Straczynski, art and cover by Jesus Saiz.
A thing that lives...and fights for its soul! The shambling walking doll that is
Brother Power, the Geek has been reborn in Gotham City without a home or purpose!
Could destiny have something in store for this seemingly lost relic? And why does
his appearance cut into Batman's.
32 pages, $2.99, in stores on Nov. 18.
RED CIRCLE: THE HANGMAN #1
Written by J. Michael Straczynski; Art by Tom Derenick and Bill Sienkiewicz; Cover
by Jesus Saiz.
J. Michael Straczynski dives into the DC Universe, bringing four of the finest
heroes of the Golden and Silver Ages with him! Completely reimagined for the modern
world from their original appearances in Archie/MLJ publications, these four heroes
will show you a side of the DC Universe you've never seen before! The Civil War
claimed many lives…but one of those lives still hasn't ended! Union doctor Robert
Dickering found himself on the wrong side of the battle lines, and despite his heroic
treatment of a fallen enemy soldier, he also found himself on the wrong end of a
noose! But a shadowy power stepped forth in the twilight moments between life and
death and offered him a deal he couldn't refuse: to forever roam the Earth, saving
the lives of innocents condemned like himself – or hastening the deaths of the guilty!
But in taking the seemingly righteous mission of the Hangman, has he accepted God's
work? Or has he become the vengeful fist of the Devil himself?
STEEL CITY CON
Place: Monroeville Convention Center (near Pittsburgh, PA)
August 6, 7 and 8, 2010
Guests: Jake Lloyd (Anakin Skywalker), Micky Dolenz (Monkees), David Faustino (Married With Children),
more guests to follow
For more information, go to http://www.steelcitycon.com/.
Be sure to check out their $25 gift card promotion.
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
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
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
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Celebrate 75 Years of the iconic DC!
THE CLOSER: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON
BURN NOTICE MOVIE
JMS AT SAN DIEGO COMIC CON
JERRY DOYLE RECOVERING
BABYLON 5 PRESENCE ON FACEBOOK
STRANGE NEW WORLD
CLASH OF THE TITANS
SUPER FRIENDS
ER: THE COMPLETE 13th SEASON
DARK BLUE – THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON 
HOW THE EARTH CHANGED HISTORY
THE NEW ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD
LIFE - GREAT FATHER'S DAY GIFT
INVICTUS
THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #29
RED CIRCLE: THE HANGMAN #1 