Sunday, December 6, 2009

Is ABC becoming the new SCI-FI Channel?

I guess the handwriting was on the wall when SCI-FI channel changed their name to SyFy in July 2009. As a critic of science fiction, I find myslef watching the Syfy channel less and less. Why you might ask? They're simply not offering things that peak my interest. More than that, most of their prime-time shows are NOT science fiction in nature, not even a stretch.

Some years ago, when The Nashville Network (TNN) became The National Network, it's attempt to shed it's country music origins. TNN later became SPIKE, and their programming only got worse. They should have changed their name to TNA (T & A). Back to Syfy.

ABC, on the other hand, has at least four popular science fiction shows. On Tuesday night there's "V". Akin to it's 1984 predecessor, V is about Visitors from another world that came to Earth with the announcement "we are your friends".

On Thursday night there's "Flash Forward". This show is one of my favorites. It's set in Los Angeles in present time. One day the whole planet "blacked out" for 2 minutes and 17 seconds. During that time, everyone experienced 2 minutes and 17 seconds of their future from April 29th 2010. The show does an excellent job of intertwining the personal lives, realities, and investigation into the "flash forward". "Lost" is coming back in the Spring of 2010.

Another series that aired on ABC, but has not returned is "Defying Gravity". It's about an interplanetary space mission set in 2051. It's also intertwines the personal lives of the astronauts, their families, the politics of the time, and the journey through space which is set to last 6 years. The science fiction elements to this are elusive, but there are forces at work behind the scenes pulling the strings. The rumor was that ABC canceled Defying Gravity after 6 episodes. That's simply not true. ABC does not own nor produce Defying Gravity, which is filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, and produced by a conglomerate consisting of Fox, BBC, and Canadian TV, and others. The official story was that ABC needed the Sunday Night 10PM slot for something else. In all Defying Gravity aired 13 episodes, just not on ABC.

Let's see what Syfy has on their primetime lineup.

Monday - Ghost Whisperer. While ghosts and the like are not my thing, Ghost Whisperer is a popular science fiction show both in re-runs (on ION) and new episodes (CBS).

Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday - Something between Scare Tactics, Ghost Hunters, and Destination Truth (where's the science fiction?)

Friday - This is the closest this channel comes to redeeming itself. Sanctuary is "fair". Stargate: Universe is totally off the grid. They went way too deep and way off the beaten path. They need to taken a big step back and look at their ancestors, look at the beginning of the Stargate SG1 and evaluate where they're going. Stargate: Universe is a one season show in my book.

Saturday - is all about death and destruction, horror, and all the ugly sci-fi stuff. Sunday too for the most part.

During the weekday, Syfy does have some good all day marathons. But they have this misguided notion that people really like "ECW" and James Bond movies.

I think the network is still limping from the loss of popular shows such as Battlestar Galactica and Stargate. Meanwhile other networks are giving them a run for their money, such as ABC and CBS. NBC has Heroes and Chuck. Fox has always been a contender in the sci-fi world, their big show is Fringe. Fringe is currently my favorite science fiction show. The USA Network has Psych. Ironically, the main character in Psych is not psychic at all, but he has an almost a supernatural ability for attention-to-detail. CBS also has "NCIS", one the top-rated shows this decade, which is also doing very well in reruns on the USA Network and ION. It's not classified science fiction, but I think it's close. Gibbs has to psychic. He knows stuff he could not have found out otherwise. And there are frequent references to his "knowing" things, like if an agent has been killed or died.

We can only hope that new shows (maybe Caprica) will pick Syfy out of the basement. There's also the return of Eureka and Warehouse 13, and shows Syfy does not produce Dr. Who and Primeval.

Eureka and Warehouse 13 are OK, but not big hits. Dr. Who is really not intersting. Primeval, on the other hand, I used to watch on BBC America. I think the trail has gone cold on it too though.

Do you suppose Syfy is being forced to air non-science fiction shows because they are part of the NBC-Universal conglomerate? Will Syfy turn out like SPIKE, a smathering of crap that has turned away from it's roots, and the many fans that tuned in and made it what it WAS? Will NBC Universal's overtake by Comcast make things better or worse?



Regards
John Crawford

AutismZone
Accokeek Computers
Mamas Best Recipes
The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews
Simple Opportunities


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Add to Technorati Favorites

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Counting Down Our Favorite Sci-Fi Movie Babes, Past & Present

I think they need to expand the list, as you can read in the article comments. Many good names were left off. They have poll at the bottom of the list, be sure to cast your vote.

Counting Down Our Favorite Sci-Fi Movie Babes, Past & Present

Shared via AddThis

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Fox announces Fringe, Dollhouse return dates

I don't think this is a big surprise for all of us Fringe and Dollhouse fans. Since Battlestar Galactica left the airwaves, Fringe took over as the best Science Fiction show on Television. As for Dollhouse, I watch it because I like to see that chick from Tru Calling, Eliza Dushku. Of note, which is not mentioned here. When Fringe returns on September 17th, the filming will be done in Vancouver, BC. While the show is set in Boston, Season 1 was filmed in New York City. Apparently, a tax break the studio was receiving has run out. Hence, production is being moved to Hollywood North.

Fox announces Fringe, Dollhouse return dates



Regards
John Crawford

AutismZone
Accokeek Computers
Mamas Best Recipes
The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews
Simple Opportunities


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Add to Technorati Favorites

Warp Drive Engine Could Suck Earth Into Black Hole: Discovery News

Warp Drive Engine Could Suck Earth Into Black Hole: Discovery News

Posted using ShareThis


Regards
John Crawford

AutismZone
Accokeek Computers
Mamas Best Recipes
The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews
Simple Opportunities


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Add to Technorati Favorites

'Battlestar Galactica: The Plan' just released new trailer - see it here - incredible

'Battlestar Galactica: The Plan' just released new trailer - see it here - incredible

Posted using ShareThis


Regards
John Crawford

AutismZone
Accokeek Computers
Mamas Best Recipes
The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews
Simple Opportunities


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Add to Technorati Favorites

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Star Trek: Don't Let The Name Fool You


Let me say up front, I was skeptical of the whole idea of an original Star Trek remake. Excuse me, a reboot, as it's referred to. If I rebooted my computer and it changed that much, I doubt Microsoft would be the giant it is today. So, let's just call this movie a similar story with the same name. Because, it's NOT the same Star Trek story that we have grown to love the past 44 years. Star Trek did not need another episode of "In A Mirror Darkly', but we got one.

In all fairness, this is a great film. Just not a good Star Trek film. It's a great story with action, comedy, special effects, and good acting. They did a fairly good job of finding likenesses of the crew. All through the movie it felt like I was watching a well made Trek parody on Saturday Night Live or MadTV.

The movie is riddled with historical Trek verbiage and nostalgia. They broke ALL the Trek rules. From the very beginning, the story exits from the chronicles that began in 1965. Kirk is a bad boy growing up. Spock is sexually involved with Uhura. Vulcan is destroyed, Romulus is destroyed. Ambassador Spoke meets and co-exists with his younger self. Spocks Mother (played by Winona Ryder) is killed when Vulcan is destroyed.

Towards the end, I was anxiously awaiting for the "miracle", "the turn back the clock", to put things back to where they re supposed to be. That never happened. The credits rolled and I went home disappointed.

Remarkably it has performed very well at the box office, approaching $200 million. What's not to like, right? I went to see the movie the weekend it opened, on May 9th. It was a Saturday 4:00PM matinee. I really expected there to be long lines and hoards of people waiting. Instead, I walked right up to the ticket counter, and then proceeded to the viewing room. It was dark and the movie had already started. I took a seat in the back, there was only one person in the row. After the movie was over, and the lights came on, there wasn't more than 15 people in the audience, all with disappointed looks on their faces.

Right now Gene Roddenberry and his late wife are turning over in their graves. It's blasphemy I say. They must have paid Leonard Nimoy a bundle of money to come out of retirement to do this film (and to do Fringe). I hate to think of what will happen in the sequels. Maybe they should bring Scott Bakula on-board, he has considerable experience "putting things right that once went wrong". This irony would have fit perfectly into J.J. Abrams twisted plot.

BTW, there is a sequel already in the plans, Untitled Star Trek sequel.


Regards
John Crawford

AutismZone
Accokeek Computers
Mamas Best Recipes
The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews
Simple Opportunities


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Add to Technorati Favorites

Monday, March 23, 2009

Battlestar Galactica: My Final Analysis, Part II


After thoughts, 23 March 2009

Now that I've had time to get some sleep and think about the final episode with a clear mind, I still wouldn't change my opinions of my previous article. I took some time to research and read some of the other reviews on the Battlestar Galactica finale, and do realize some of my assessments were shortsighted.

The one thing I found about this season of Battlestar Galactica was the story was getting too complicated. This is why I had not written any reviews until this last week. There are many details which, if missed during the first three seasons, would greatly impact the emotional event the show was aiming for this season.

I think that it is a fatal error when a show gets too complicated. If this had been any other show, I would not have taken the time to even comment. But as we all know, Battlestar Galactica literally sucked us in; it was profound, and unique in every way. The actors, actresses, and crew put their whole heart and soul into making this season their best, and among the best entertainment available on television.

As a critic, and as an avid scifi fan, I've grown tired of the depressing stories where fear and intimidation rule. It's hard to find good scifi that doesn't feature the terrorist of the week, the gloom and doom, and all things apocalyptic. Not to mention CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. Battlestar Galactica is all that, and much more.


I understand now that Starbuck was either an Angel or a spirit. Lee saw her viper explode. And in a previous version of this story she crashed her viper on Earth. Her spirit (or angel) later found it. But in the end she discovered who she was and why she was there.

The way the people split up throughout the land masses could be akin ot the twelve tribes of Jacob or maybe more directly related the 12 zodiac signs. We saw that back in season 2(?).

What did happen to Admiral Adama? Did he fly off into the sun like the rest of the vessels? What of his vessel?

Some reviews suggested the colonists were the "missing link" between Neanderthals and civilized humans. It's plausible, but there's not much to go on.

Also, I don't think many people would actually survive in the smaller numbers. They have no technology, which they are accustomed to. They are not accustomed to the elements, farming, or living off the land in any way. We know there were several ice ages in the last 150,000 years, meaning the poles were in different places, as well as deserts, plains, and mountains. I doubt very seriously that many would live more than a few years, and the few who did would have to procreate, and then they would have had to survive.

Forget for a moment that they felt they needed to rid themselves of all technology. They could have kept the ships in orbit and got anything they wanted from the planet. Remember, they do not know when or where they are. As President Lampkin commented, why were they so eager to give up their creature comfort? I don't think they were, and none of us would have been. But it would not have fit into Ron Moore's ending.

Contrary to what they led us to believe, there is definitely room for sequels, prequels, spin-offs, and motion pictures.

So say we all!


John Crawford

AutismZone
Accokeek Computers
Mamas Best Recipes
The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews
Simple Opportunities


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Add to Technorati Favorites

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Battlestar Galactica: My Final Analysis


Scifi fans around the planet are waking up this morning with the final thoughts of the very depressing series finale of Battlestar Galactica. Depressing, it was, and much of a let down. I have to disagree with the LA Times writeup on the series finale.

We knew from the storyline there would be a showdown with Cavil. We also knew Galactica was ready for the bone-yard, and that meant they were gonna have to take root somewhere else. I was just hoping it was not a sad ending where 38,000 people abandon ship, and live out their last days on the only inhabitable planet within a million light years of their home.

I watched it both times it aired last night and into this morning. I was hoping I had missed some details that would possibly cheer me up, but no. By the end of the 2 hour and 11 minute epic episode, I was looking at the clock asking "is it over yet? Enough already."

The closures were disappointing. For those who survived, they settled on various parts of this mostly uninhabited, but fertile planet. Turned out to be the Neanderthal period of Earth's history. While the last sequences try to make us believe it was a different Earth, but we know it was just time travel. The two Angels, the likenesses of Six and Baltar, have been in control of everything. Almost like a big game that God was playing with humanity. Oh I forgot, he doesn't like to be referred to as "God".

The mystery of Hera, wasn't a mystery at all. So 150,000 years later scientists find the remains of a child that held the DNA of all humans. Being a child it is unlikely she had any direct descendants. It was allot about nothing when all was said and done. Did you catch the shameless cameo by Ron Moore holding the National Geographic magazine while Six read it?

Starbuck was an angel? All those cryptic scenes with the pictures she drew and the music, all so she could input the right coordinates to jump Galactica to Earth? Then she just disappeared? This was a major letdown.

The confrontation with Cavil culminates in the CIC where Cavil and his followers back down. Cavil is promised resurrection in return for him giving up the fight, for good. To do this, the final five have to put their hands in the hybrid tank. Tory had her final "soapbox" moment when she realizes Galen is about to find out she killed his wife. I was hoping they would defer to their enlightened Cylon side; hoping their Cylon brethren would realize they've all done stuff to be ashamed of. But Galen freaks out and kills Tory. In the process, the shaky cease fire they just called is broken, Cavil is killed, and the idea of "resurrection" is never mentioned again.

Saul and Ellen go off to Earth with the masses and live happily ever after. Lee, and now President Lampkin, along with 38,000 or so survivors split up and go to different land masses. Galen goes to an uninhabited island in the northern hemisphere, by himself. Ho hum ho hum.

Laura dies, and Admiral Adama buries her. What I don't understand is why he leaves and Lee and Starbuck know he's not coming back?

Sam, who is the hybrid for Galactica, steers the fleet's ships away from Earth to the Sun. Part of that 'disposing of technology because of where it got us the first time' kinda' thing. Besides it would contaminate the natural progression of life on the planet. It's so Star Trek, and very much not in character of Battlestar Galactica.

They still keep the door open for more storylines, though. The scene with Baltar telling Six that he will help her get the information she needs would suggest some things do repeat themselves. The Centurion Cylons were given the Bayship and allowed to go their merry way. After 150,000 years, who can know how they have evolved or what civilizations they have altered or conquered.

This could explain the premise for the original Battlestar Galactica where the Cylons were an alien race not (known to be) invented by man.

Finally, we had the plug for MSNBC at the very end. I thought it added a nice flair to an otherwise sullen and drabby finale.


Regards
John Crawford

AutismZone
Accokeek Computers
Mamas Best Recipes
The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews
Simple Opportunities


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Add to Technorati Favorites

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

What is Starbuck?

The promise is that all will be revealed. Since the last episode of Battlestar Galactica airs this Friday night, that means they will uncover all the secrets, right? Let's hope so.

One of the big questions we hope to get an answer about is simply "What or who is Starbuck?" They've done a really good job so far of not giving us too many hints. While I am not sure what or who she really is, I do think we will get more than a few revelations.

Things like, everyone is a Cylon. That wouldn't be a stretch, but probably won't happen. But I do remember during the "Razor" movie about Kara's father being the hybrid they killed (blew up the ship). Remember the little girl the should locked up in a room? I especially like the episode with the piano player, that turned out to be her father, that turned out to be a figment of her imagination.

Time travel. I suspect that Galactica traveled forward in time (2000 years) and that's why the ship is literally breaking up. We know Starbuck traveled in time, at least they'll be hard pressed to convince me otherwise. When she finds her body, that tells me something happened that circumvented the normal space-time continuum.

I think there will be some "climactic intervention", something that sets everything back to a better time. Because if the show ends with them all dying and the ship blowing up, and the few survivors taking refuge on Earth, that would be very disappointing. It would be a ratings coup with worst series finale in television history.

The recurring theme has been "it happened before, it will happen again". If the series is going to end, rather if the story's going to end, then that cycle has to be broken. I think we're going to find them back on Earth, a flourishing, populated Earth. There was that photo of Trisha Helfer in her famous red dress posing on the streets of New York. Maybe it was a ploy, but hopefully there was something to it.

It wouldn't be too far fetched for the producers to throw a huge wrench into the entire shooting match at the very end. Something crazy like it's all a huge holographic game being played out on someone desktop. Not unlike the end of "Men in Black II" or that episode of Star Trek where they downloaded the holodeck program to a small cube. It would definitely not be out of character for Ron Moore to do something wild like shout "Computer, end program" at the very end of the episode.

In any event, we will not any more Battlestar Galactica after Friday. At least until Caprica comes around. I will miss the show. An era will come to a close with this finale. All the original SciFi Friday shows will be gone, a mediocre show will fill it's spot.


Regards
John Crawford

AutismZone
Accokeek Computers
Mamas Best Recipes
The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews
Simple Opportunities
Conquer Your Niche


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Add to Technorati Favorites

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Save Knight Rider!

NBC surprised us with a new episode tonight. There's still hope. While nothing has been officially announced regarding the cancellation of Knight Rider, there is fear of it being canceled. Join the campaign to safeguard it!

read more | digg story

Monday, March 2, 2009

The Battlestar Galactica Reboot You Didn't See

This doesn't look too bad. It has the original look and feel, which I think would be a nice touch for a modern day remake. Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming was (one of) Hatch's unsuccessful tries to get a sequel series to the original BSG made; this particular teaser dates from 1999, and shows us just what we missed.

read more | digg story

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Could Fringe become the best scifi series on television?


Could Fringe become the best scifi series on television? I believe so. After Battlestar Galactica airs it's last episode in a few weeks, Fringe will takes its place as the best scifi show on television. The latest episode of Fringe unraveled a seriously monumental scifi storyline in J.J. Abrams' new series. This could end up being the scifi/super-hero series everyone has been waiting for.

read more | digg story

'Fringe' Relocates To Vancouver For Second Season

The show is set in Boston, but filmed in New York. But if there is a second season of "Fringe" on Fox, production will move to Vancouver, B.C. instead. Entertainment Weekly is reporting the show could make its way to Canada next year after the $685 million film incentive program has already run out.

read more | digg story

Phoenix Five: Gone But Not Forgotten

The Cult Classic Austrailian Star Trek Rip-off: Phoenix Five was produced in 1969 and ran for 26 episodes in 1970. Sadly this series hasn’t made it to DVD yet. The lead actress of the show once complained “The script writers weren’t even aware of the capabilities of the spaceship!" And that spaceship would be the Phoenix Five which is on a mission to patrol the outer galaxies and to capture Zodian the humanoid whom with the aid of his computers Alpha and Zeta endeavors to become dictator of outer space.

read more | digg story

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Write the Wrongs: Idolizing "The Fringe"

It was so wrong of Fox network to pre-empt "The Fringe" for "American Idol!" I wholeheartedly agree with the writer. But I knew Fringe had run about 6 weeks straight with new episodes, and it was time for them to take a break. The fact that Fox thinks they can put American Idol in it's place, well, they couldn't be more wrong. I cannot stand any of those "talent" shows as well as reality shows.

read more | digg story

Forget Originality: The A-Team Is Heading To The Big Screen

An A-Team movie is set for 2010. But will they screw it up like far too many movie remakes? Remember Tim Burton's Planet Of The Apes? How about the Dukes of Hazard, Miami Vice, and Speed Racer? Can they retell a story without alienating the fan base? My advice, stick the original story. Don't twist it up to the point the only thing it has in common with it's original show is the name. The show was popular for a reason, I hope they use it, and don't twist it up.


read more | digg story

Sunday, January 4, 2009

David Hasselhoff: The Car Doesn't Talk?




This is a clip from Baywatch. When I saw it I just had to post it. It's completely obvious that it's an inside joke about Knight Rider.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR8CfgHZNdw






Regards
John Crawford

AutismZone
Accokeek Computers
Accokeek Gifts
Mamas Best Recipes
The Cartouche - Science Fiction Reviews
Simple Opportunities
Conquer Your Niche


AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Add to Technorati Favorites