SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2010

2. If you missed an episode -- or never started -- AMC's dense conspiracy thriller "Rubicon," you're in luck. The network has scheduled the first six episodes to run back-to-back, starting at 9 a.m. ET. And because holiday weekends mean nothing to AMC, catch an all new episode at 9 p.m. ET.

3. Comedy Central is taking advantage of its new batch of "Futurama" episodes by repeating the second half of the most recent season all Sunday evening. It's a late one though, running from 9 p.m. ET to Midnight. p> Tomorrow you can watch:
1. Fans anxious for the Sept. 23 premiere of "Bones" can get in to mood on TNT. The mecca for syndicated Booth and Brennan has eight episodes starting at 12 p.m. ET.
HALO
Variety writes that Franchise Development Director Frank O'Connor is still interested in pulling together a HALO movie. The trade says that Microsoft is still developing scripts by Alex Garland, Stuart Beattie, D.B. Weiss and Josh Olson as potential blueprints.
"We're still interested in making an excellent 'Halo' movie," O'Connor said. "We've created an awful lot of documentation and materials to support a feature film. We have a good idea of what kind of story we want to tell, but won't move on it until there's a great reason to do it. We're in no particular hurry."
The film would likely be a standalone story and not "a verbatim retelling of the game," O'Connor added.
Microsoft is also "intently watching" the TV landscape as a potential outlet for a "Halo" series.
The next game in the franchise, "Halo Reach," hits stores on September 14.

HUA MULAN
According to Variety reports, Jan de Bont (Speed, Twister, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life) will direct Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi in an independently-produced, English-language co-production of the classic tale of HUA MULAN, the legendary young heroine soldier who joins an all-male army.
MULAN is set to start shooting this fall at the gargantuan lots of the Hengdian World Studios, a three-hour drive from Shanghai in Zhejiang province. Mulan is expected to wrap in January.
The script was written by John Blickstead. The story was popularized in the 1998 Walt Disney animated film of the same name.
Zhang's credits include Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, 2046, Hero and Memoirs of a Geisha.
MULAN will be co-produced by Movie Plus Productions of Canada, Global Film Finance of the U.K., Beijing-based Bona International Film Group and SIMF Pictures, with Zhang, Ling Lucas and Beaver Kwei, the producers who brought China Zhang's 2009 Sophie's Revenge to theaters.
Executive producers are Paul Edwards, Jeffrey Chan of Bona International, Fred Wang of Salon Films, and Jeff Kranzdorf. Individual Mulan producers include Mark Phillips, Ron Lynch, Steve Waterman (Stuart Little) and Movie Plus President Christopher Brough.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY
The Hollywood Reporter writes that Oren Peli and Michael R. Perry are developing a television series called "The River" for ABC and DreamWorks TV.
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.

<WEEKEND BOX OFFICE
According to Variety, the new Fox pic "Machete" edged out George Clooney's "The American" to take the top spot at the Friday B.O. The two films ran neck and neck, but it was "Machete" that ultimately sliced the Fox pic, earning about $3.89 million on Friday in 2,670 runs. Clooney's film took the No. 2 position, getting roughly $3.769 in 2,721 engagements.
Sony's "Takers" took the No. 3 position on Friday, grabbing about $3 million in 2,206 engagements. Lionsgate horror "The Last Exorcism" earned about $2.3 million in 2,874 runs. Drew Barrymore's latest, "Going the Distance," rounds out the top five; the Warner Bros. pic collected about $2.2 million in 3,030 engagements.
Lionsgate action pic "The Expendables" earned about $1.7 million in 3,398 runs, while Sony's "The Other Guys" took the No. 7 spot with about $1.4 million in 2,607 engagements.
Sony's "Eat, Pray, Love" earned about $1.3 million in 2,663 engagements, while Warner Bros.'"Inception" got roughly $1.2 million in 1,704 runs.
Universal's "Nanny McPhee Returns" was the No. 10 pic, with about $867,000 in 2,708 engagements.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2010

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.

9:00pm on AMC
Rubicon-Episode: The Truth Will Out (NEW)
The FBI puts API on lock down; Katherine realizes she is not safe in her own home.

9:00pm on FX
Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)
Musical but mischievous chipmunks Alvin, Simon and Theodore wreak havoc in the life of songwriter Dave Seville. Jason Lee, David Cross, Cameron Richardson, Jane Lynch, Justin Long

9:00pm on TNT
Leverage=Episode: The Morning After Job (NEW)
The team tries to get a violent hedge fund manager to reveal information that could lead to Damien Moreau.

10:00pm on A&E
The Glades-Episode: Honey (NEW)
A suspicious death at a tribal casino leads Jim to a beautiful police officer.

10:00pm on CBS
CSI: Miami-Episode: Count Me Out (First Aired: December 07, 2009)
The case of a dead census worker sends the team into a high-speed chase and an explosion that threatens investigators' lives.

ON SYFY TONIGHT

9:00pm
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)
Allan Quatermain, Capt. Nemo, Dorian Gray, Dr. Jekyll, Tom Sawyer and others unite to stop a mad bomber. Sean Connery, Shane West, Stuart Townsend, Richard Roxburgh, Peta Wilson.

CRUSADE: WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED? VOLUME 1
Release Date: August 25, 2010

Read the entire press release over at Hell-Crusade-1.

SPECIAL NOTE

ISN BLOG

KEEPING UP WITH CAST AND CREW

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

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

How can you help? You can share this link via email and Facebook: http://birthdays.causes.com/wishes/21754

You can donate via this link $20 or whatever you can afford! No donation too small!http://birthdays.causes.com/wishes/21754

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!

THE ZOCALO ON FACEBOOK

BILL MUMY RADIO

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

BABYLON PODCAST

Last week, our heroes risked breaching the fabric of the space-time continuum by trying to follow alternate Babylon 5 storylines to parallel universes where they might have been fully played out…
Discussion: Tim, Summer and John from Jersey continue the discussion about alternate story possibilities within the original 5-year arc. We’re not sure where Bret ran off to… hopefully, he didn’t run afoul of emopaths and spaced himself out of self-preservation.

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

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.

$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

Here are clips from:
SMALLVILLE, S.8:
http://pdl.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/dd/med/dvdtoblu-ray/clips/ss8_plastique_first_day_qt_700.mov

FRINGE, S.1:
http://pdl.warnerbros.com/wbol/us/dd/med/dvdtoblu-ray/clips/fs1td_3T7658_john_scott_qt_700.mov

MTV NEEDS YOUR HELP

WARNER HOME VIDEO

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?

Video clip from the WB:
CLASH OF THE TITANS
Release date: July 27, 2010
Official website: http://clash-of-the-titans.warnerbros.com/dvd/

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.

Video Clips
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U_6_sgCEAI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LH1j2jk2gc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngCENLNnshw

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.