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Fantasy SF Blog
Fantasy and science fiction news Contact Us Linking to Us RSS Feed WWFeeds.com Archives February, 2008 January, 2008 December, 2007 November, 2007 October, 2007 September, 2007 August, 2007 July, 2007 
       
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Bruce Boxleitner Joins Cast of Heroes Bruce Boxleitner is joining the cast of Heroes.
Bruce Boxleitner, who played Scarecrow to Sabrina Duncan's Mrs. King in the mid-80s, has snagged a top-secret recurring role that was originally going to be modeled after Sen. John McCain. The character has since been reconceived, and now all I know for sure is that he'll be sharing scenes with a female series regular.This is great news, but....Senator McCain? Last time we checked, he wasn't investigating mutants in the mainstream population. Or, is he.....? Posted on May 9, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati Here's the new Dark Knight trailer which aired right before Iron Man. Heath Ledger's performance looks electrifying. Iron Man was excellent, by the way. Robert Downey, Jr. gives an Oscar-worthy performance. Hey, there's an idea: nominate him for an Oscar and watch how many people tune in to see that broadcast. Ratings problems solved. Posted on May 5, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati George Takei Explains The Sulu Dance Here's something for a Friday: George Takei explains the origins and popularity of "The Sulu Dance." George is a really good sport: he's always gracious to his fans. Posted on May 2, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati Tom Holt, author of You Don't Have to be Evil to Work Here, But it Helps and the upcoming release The Better Mousetrap, helps explain why time traveling -- no matter how well-intentioned -- will always mess up the timeline and lead to disastrous results. First stop --This is why a) we have time cops and b) we generally refrain from time traveling. Posted on May 1, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati Michael Chabon Wins Nebula For Best Novel The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon won the Nebula Award for Best Novel. The Nebula Awards are presented annually by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, for superior achievement in science fiction and fantasy writing. Here are the other winners: Novella: "Fountain of Age" by Nancy Kress Novelette: "The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" by Ted Chiang Short Story: "Always" by Karen Joy Fowler Script: Pan's Labyrinth by Guillermo del Toro Andre Norton Award: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling. Author Emeritis: Ardath Mayhar SFWA Service Award: Melisa Michaels and Graham P. Collins 2008 Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master: Michael Moorcock The Nebulas are presented by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Congratulations to all th winners! To learn more, visit the website. Posted on April 28, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati 
The above computer-generated futuristic artwork by Staszek Marek is called Complex at the Centre of the Universe. It won the NVArt digital art challenge put on by NVIDIA and CGSociety. The theme was "Art Space: Architecture and Landscape." Artists from around the world were invited to submit computer-generated imagery of "awe-inspiring fusions" of architecture and landscapes, with an emphasis on imagination and artistic expression. "We invited artists to stand on the shoulders of giants like architect Frank Gehry and gaze into the far reaches of their imaginations," said Mark Snoswell, president of CGSociety, a global organization for digital artists. "Our artists have created wonderful places that are pure art, where one can wake each day to marvel at the play of light through fantastical spaces and at vibrant fusions of light, color, and texture."You can see the other winners and honorable mentions here on the NVArt website. Posted on April 25, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati A New Heinlein Novel In the Works It looks like a new novel by Robert A. Heinlein novel is going to be published. While going through the archives of Wilson "Bob" Tucker, writers Michael Z. Williamson and Brad Linaweaver found an as-yet unpublished Heinlein novel. "It turns out Heinlein and Tucker were at dinner one night during MidAmeriCon [the 1976 Worldcon in Kansas City]", Linaweaver said. "Bob (Tucker) made notes of their conversation on three napkins." The napkins are currently being analyzed for impressions and other marks, and to clarify part of the text blurred by a coffee stain. "It looked like 'Time for the Pie,'" Williamson said. "But we knew that was wrong. My guess is that it's, 'Time for the Pie in the Sky,' based on a reference he made frequently. Brad thinks it's 'Time for the Pied Piper,' hearkening back to one of his earlier stories."Just because an author is dead doesn't mean he can't still publish books. The question remains, however: is it really a good idea to do so? The book is due out in the next two years. Posted on April 24, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati Cloverfield DVD Provides New Clues  The DVD of Cloverfield is out and it's well worth buying. We loved the movie and don't have the least bit of problem with the handheld camera work (some people said it made them queasy). But one of our queasy staff said that for some reason the DVD didn't bother him like seeing it in the theater, and was finally able to sit through the film.
By now, you've heard the premise: the film opens as a classified tape of the Cloverfield incident. The recording is clearly home made, later picked up by the military. A group of twenty-something friends are gathered for a going-away party for Rob (Michael Stahl-David) who is taking a new job in Japan. We are introduced to a soap opera drama of friends, enemies and exes when suddenly in the middle of the party, Manhattan is attacked by a terrible monster. But instead of evacuating the island like most of the population, the group ends up going back to find Rob's ex-girlfriend, Beth (Odette Yustman) who is trapped near the monster. Rob's brother Jason (Mike Vogel) has assigned his best friend friend Hud (T.J. Miller) to videorecord the party and Hud keeps the camera rolling as the adventure progresses. It's terrifying and funny and wholly unique. The monster's backstory is never explained, which makes it all the more scary. What is it? What does it want? And why can't the military seem to kill it? Incredible CGI, crisp dialogue and good acting make this a ahem, monster hit. By watching closely in the last frame you can get a hint of where the monster came from. But the ending leaves the door wide open for a sequel. The DVD has some great extras: deleted scenes, alternative endings, outtakes, a "making of" feature, commentary by director Matt Reeves and "hidden research" into the Cloverfield incident. Cloverfield is available now wherever DVDs are sold and at a nice discount at Amazon.com. Posted on April 23, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati Here's the new trailer for the live action film The Spirit, which is based on the classic comic by Will Eisner. The new film will be written and directed by Frank Miller, director of Sin City and 300. It doesn't come out until January, 2009, but we think you can get a feel of where Frank is taking it. And we like where it's going. The movie website is mycityscreams.com. Posted on April 22, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati Daniel Dae Kim Talks Lost Lost returns this Thursday night, and we can't wait. Kristin Dos Santos of E! is hanging out in Hawaii with the cast, trying to get scoop and spoilers. Here she talks to Daniel Dae Kim about the three possibilities that surround his character Jin. Specifically, is he really dead or not? And if so, when does he die? Daniel also talks about getting the dreaded "call" from Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof. Posted on April 21, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati Grand Theft Auto Release Worries TV and Movie Execs Grand Theft Auto will be released on April 29th and executives from other media, such as films and television, are worried that the new video game will cut into their revenues this summer. When "Grand Theft Auto IV" launches April 29, it's expected to gross a record-breaking $400 million worldwide in its first week. That's good news for the game biz, but daunting for execs in other sectors of the media industry. TV network execs who pay attention to the numbers know that young male viewership can dip in the first few days after a blockbuster videogame launches. And home-entertainment honchos avoid releasing big titles aimed at that demo in the same time period. Now the question is whether film execs will have to factor videogames into their release strategies.We think that videogames will occupy more and more of the free time of consumers that used to watch more television and see more movies. It's a growing area, and execs will have to factor it into their media release dates. Posted on April 19, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati First Review of Whedon's Dollhouse Kristen at TV Guide has seen the pilot for Joss Whedon's Dollhouse. Here's what she had to say: What's it about?What's not to like? Posted on April 18, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati Amy Acker Joins Dollhouse Cast  Joss Whedon
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that he's finalized the cast for Dollhouse. Amy Acker (pictured on left) and Miracle Laurie (on right) have joined the ensemble.
Hi campers. We're having the read-through of the script today. Why would I be nervous? YOU'RE nervous! Anyhoo, I just couldn't resist letting you know that the recurring roles have actually been cast for some time now. I'm shocked that any part of our casting process hasn't been leaked somehow. And though I'm a fan of secrets, I'll give you the last two pieces of this particular puzzle:Amy Acker is a fan favorite and Miracle Laurie is a relative unknown. It's an interesting cast: we'll see how well they work together. Posted on April 17, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati Behind the Scenes of Twilight Entertainment Tonight showed a peek behind the scenes of the upcoming film, Twilight. Twilight is based on the bestselling vampire series by Stephenie Meyer (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and the upcoming Breaking Dawn. The film is directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown) and will be released on December 12, 2008. Kristen Stewart portrays mortal Bella Swan who falls for the handsome vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). Posted on April 14, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati A Rocky Road Ahead for The Incredible Hulk 
The New York Times reports on more trouble surrounding the upcoming Incredible Hulk release. To sum up: Ed Norton won't promote the film unless they fix a bunch of editing problems in post-production, some fans think the CGI looks terrible and the word is that it may bomb worse than the last film (which was directed by Ang Lee.) Marvel and its distribution partner, Universal Pictures, expect The Incredible Hulk to be nothing short of a blockbuster, citing strong sales for a newly introduced Hulk comic book series as one reason for optimism. "We are really proud about how the new film came out," said David Maisel, chairman of Marvel Studios. "The 2003 movie was like test-driving a car. We were able to see what people liked and did not." But signs of trouble abound, leading to lip-biting among some Marvel investors, Hulk fans and movie theater owners. "There are people who clearly don’t think it looks good and are expecting a bomb," said Doug Creutz, an entertainment analyst at Cowen & Company.It certainly seems like a sad time for Hulk fans. But we'll reserve judgment until we see the film, which comes out on June 13, 2008. Posted on April 10, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati A Battlestar Galactica Primer 
Salon has an in-depth primer about Battlestar Galactica which is quite interesting. There is a complete summary of the show so far, character descriptions and a list of nagging questions. Here's an answer to our most nagging question: who is the final Cylon? Ronald Moore has promised he'll reveal the identity of the final Cylon before the end of the series. But here's what we know so far:How could the final Cylon not be a character that we know? Wouldn't that be sort of anti-climactic? In an interview Edward James Olmos joked that it was in his contract that he wouldn't be a Cylon. It can't be Adama, because that would just be ridiculous. Right??? Posted on April 7, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati A Sequel to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure? 
No, it's not a late April Fool's Joke. Keanu Reeves told
MTV that he heard someone is doing a remake of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Then he dropped the bomb: he's not adverse to making a sequel himself.
"I hear they're doing a remake," Reeves said of the movie that launched him to fame. "[Alex Winter and I spoke] on the phone the other day [about it]. We're great friends." So step into the phone booth, Mr. Reeves, would you ever be up for another sequel?What is this rumor of a remake? How dare they consider a remake without the original Wyld Stallions?? So, if they did a third movie in the series instead of a remake of the first film where would Bill and Ted be now? In rehab? Still touring, like the Rolling Stones? We're sure their lives are most excellent. Perhaps some time-traveling offspring could show up... Posted on April 5, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati Dan Simmons' Hyperion to be Feature Film Producer Graham King has optioned the film rights to Dan Simmons' bestselling SF series, Hyperion Cantos. The first book, "Hyperion," won the Hugo Award for best novel in 1990, while the second, "The Fall of Hyperion," was nominated for a Nebula Award for best novel. "Hyperion" deals with a space war, with most of the action taking place on a planet named Hyperion, known not only for its electricity-spewing trees but also for the Time Tombs, large artifacts that can move through time. The tombs are guarded by a monster called the Shrike, which impales people on metal trees.We love these books and can't wait to see how they adapt to film. We just hope in trying to make it "unconfusing" that they don't dumb it down too much. Simmons fans would be appalled. You can see an interview Dan did with our sister site The Internet Writing Journal, in which he talks about Hyperion, here. You can visit Dan's website here. Posted on April 4, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati NBC Unveils SF and Fantasy Entries for New Season NBC unveiled its upcoming television schedule and it's quite heavy with SF/Fantasy elements, which certainly works for us. Here's what's coming: Debuting on May 29:We recently read the book, The Last Templar: we liked it and it should make a great miniseries. Plus -- Victor Garber from Alias! Well, and of Eli Stone. And Mira Sorvino, too. That works quite well. In addition to the new shows, there will also be new webisodes for Heroes, Chuck and The Office, which will debut on NBC.com beginning in July. Additional chapters of webisodes for each show will roll out throughout the season. Posted on April 3, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati Battlestar Galactica Premieres Early Online  Battlestar Galactica returns to television this Friday, April 4, 2008. But the producers are doing something a little different this time. Fans who just can't wait until the evening can watch the premiere online at SciFi.com starting at 12:00 p.m. Eastern time on Friday. Just tell your boss you have an important conference call to make from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. on Friday and close the door. Oh, and you might want to use earphones so that the robust sounds of an intense space battle don't blast all over your office. (Oh, and for frak's sake please don't write in to tell us that there is no sound in space because of the vacuum. We know -- and we don't care.) Posted on April 2, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati Court Rules Heirs of Superman Creator Entitled to Copyright Share A federal judge has ruled that the rights to the character of Superman must be shared with the heirs of the original creator of the Man of Steel Time Warner is no longer the sole proprietor of Superman. A federal judge here on Wednesday ruled that the heirs of Jerome Siegel - who 70 years ago sold the rights to the action hero he created with Joseph Shuster to Detective Comics for $130 - were entitled to claim a share of the United States copyright to the character. The ruling left intact Time Warner's international rights to the character, which it has long owned through its DC Comics unit.This is a very significant ruling, which will no doubt be appealed by Time Warner. Even if Time Warner loses on appeal, it could still just cut a licensing deal with the Siegels. Unless, of course, the Siegels are so angry with Time Warner by then that they license the character to someone else. Posted on March 31, 2008 Permalink | Digg this | Blogs linking to this post: Google | Technorati |
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