Sci-fi Entertainment News

SCI-FI ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

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August 29th 2006

Targeted for release in September 2005, A Scanner Darkly was finally released in July 2006 and is now showing at a cinema near you.  This movie is a massive undertaking of rotoscope animation, requiring 500 hours of work for each minute created.  Based on the Philip K Dick novel of the same name, A Scanner Darkly boasts an all star cast including Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr, Winona Rider, and Woody Harrelson.  View the trailer at the official website here.

It appears science fiction was not very popular at the 58th annual Emmy Awards, with previous winners, the ABC hit series Lost, failing to garner a nomination this year.   Meanwhile, miniseries The Triangle, starring Eric Stoltz, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Australia's Sam Neill, managed to pick up an award for outstanding special visual effects for a miniseries, movie or special.

Did you ever want to be a part of Captain Kirk's crew? Here is your chance, well ... almost.  William Shatner has launched a new Science Fiction DVD Club, and he wants you to be his spokesperson.  Ok, all you need to do is create a video, 90 seconds or less, showing how wild you are about Scifi, and submit it for judging here by September 30th.  You could become one of 15 finalists in the running for US$1000, a feature spot on ShatnerDVDclub, and a place in Kirky's heart - alright, that last one I made up.

Talking Star Trek, I happened upon this little goody not so long ago, and thought I better share it with the club, in case anyone has missed it.  There's some sweet info for all those fans of Tuvok, and be sure to check out the sound clips from one of Tim's many albums on offer.

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December 23rd 2005

As we eagerly await the release of Superman Returns to the big screen, apparently the film's movie executives have to make a few digital adjustments to 26 year old Brandon Routh's profile as they believe he has ummm ... assets that may be considered rather distracting, even after being fitted with a special codpiece.  Decide for yourself ... Full Length Close-up and Full Length Profile ... oooooh ahhhhh.

Though unconfirmed by either Joss Whedon or Universal Pictures, rumours are beginning to surface which hint at a possible small-screen sequel to Serenity.  Though the cinema release had disappointing returns at the box-office, it is said that Universal are impressed by the sale of the Firefly series on DVD and are backing a tele movie for their Sci-fi TV channel.


October 20th 2005

With a reported budget of $250 million dollars, Superman Returns, is to be one of the most costly Hollywood movies ever made.  The majority of the film has been shot at Sydney's Fox Studios and insiders have revealed that there is only about one month of filming remaining.  Ironically, first choice director, McG (of Charlie's Angels fame), turned down the opportunity to make the new Superman because he has a fear of flying - refusing to fly to Sydney for the production.  Instead X-Men director, Bryan Singer, is conducting the cast which includes the relatively unknown actor Brandon Routh in the role of Superman/Clark Kent.

The long awaited movie of the famed computer game classic Doom will hit cinemas on October 21st.  Set on a Mars scientific research station where everything has gone awry Hollywood tough-guy, The Rock, appears as the character Sarge, while Karl Urban will star in the leading role of John Grimm.  Apparently plans for Doom had come about nine years ago, but following the Columbine High School shootings in 1999, the movie was put on hold because the two students responsible for the massacre were fans of the computer game.

For those waiting for this years smash-hit movies to come off the big screen and onto to DVD, Steven Speilberg's blockbuster remake War Of The Worlds will be released on November 14th 2005.  The "Special Edition" two-disc set will include all the usual special features such as a "Making of" featurette and interviews with the famed director and members of the cast.  Also just in time for christmas is the DVD release of the Fantastic Four on December 2nd 2005.


September 11th 2005

Doctor Who's Christopher Eccelston was awarded Best Actor at this years TV Quick/TV Choice Awards held in London.  Eccelston has quit the show and will not be appearing in season two of the current Doctor Who series, presently in production.

The devastation of Hurricane Katrina has left hundreds of thousands homeless.  It has been suggested that since science fiction writers often envisage disasters on a massive scale, we should be looking towards these innovative ideas as solutions to the housing crisis. These include old storage containers which are quickly and easily converted into simple temporary living quarters, such as Neal Stephenson's "U-Stor-It" apartment from his 1992 novel 'Snow Crash'.  This thought isnt too far from the truth with a real product known as the Quik House already available.  Of course if the US are prepared to rent 3 luxury cruise liners for 6 months as temporary accomadation, then perhaps there are a few empty storage units available which could be rented and converted as well.  If you dont think it's practical to be living in a storage shed, then look at where many victims are currently being forced to reside.  Emergency situations can certainly help us to rethink our necessities with some forward thinking for the future.

Set for cinema release on the September 30th, watch out for Serenity, the first in a proposed trilogy, derived from the single season space western Firefly series.

Expected for release in May 2007, Spiderman 3 is currently in pre-production with several rumours already on the grapevine.  Toby Maguire and Kirsten Dunst will continue in the starring roles, while three Marvel characters will make their appearances as Spidey's villianous rivals.  It is rumoured, Topher Grace will be cast in the role of 'Venom', Thomas Haden Church will play 'Sandman', and forlorn rich boy Harry Osborn acted by James Franco will become the 'Hobgoblin'.


July 22nd 2005

James Montgomery Doohan passed from us at age 85 on 20th July 2005.  Better known as Chief Engineer, Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, from the original Star Trek series ... he will be missed by many.  Passing on the anniversary of man's first walk on the moon in 1969, Scotty was influential to many who went on to study Engineering.  He was awarded a doctorate in engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1993 for his contribution to the field.  It is intended that the actors wishes will be granted, and a portion of his ashes will likely be sent to space in September, with his remaining ashes being scattered over the ocean.  Read further about his amazing life at the Official StarTrek Website Memorial ... Listen to Scotty Quotes ... Praise Scotty

Coming to the small screen next year will be a TV series based on the hit movie trilogy Blade.  Produced and co-written by David S. Goyer, who directed Blade: Trinity, 13 episodes are expected to begin airing as early as June 2006.  A new actor will be introduced to perform the role of the dynamic day walking vampire, who was played by Wesley Snipes in the films.


June 28th 2005

It seems Tom Cruise is looking to rename his religion The Church of Science Fiction, with his latest remarks about the effectiveness of psychiatric drugs being aired on various US TV programs while promoting his new movie, the long awaited remake of the HG Wells classic The War of the Worlds.  Tom has even managed to offend other stars such as Brooke Sheilds in his onslaught against the practice of psychiatry and their medications.  Someone really needs to tell the man, being a member of a church started by L. Ron Hubbard doesnt make him a scientist, and he should stick to his day job - or at least to being a gigolo - which he does rather well.

Look out for some new Sci-fi cinema releases in the coming months, including Fantastic Four, Serenity, and yet another movie inspired by a computer game, Doom. Also, TBA is the 2005 release of A Scanner Darkly starring Keanu Reeves.  This flick is based on yet another novel from sci-fi author Philip K. Dick.  His writing has inspired movies such as Blade Runner, Minority Report, Total Recall, and the less successful, Imposter and Paycheck.


May 23rd 2005

Not much information yet about this one ... Chronicles of Riddick 3: Return to Furia is in development.  Vin Diesel will continue in the starring role as Riddick, the charismatic sarcastic anti-hero from Furia.

Following the recent release of Star Wars Ep III: Revenge of the Sith, comes the announcement of two Star Wars TV series.  The first will be based on the animated show Clone Wars which will become a series of 30 minute 3D animated episodes.  The second series will be live-action, featuring characters from the six Star Wars flicks.