[scifinoir2] Re: Graphic Novel Picks Up 28 Days

[B. Smith]

I'll probably pick this up. I think Steve Niles is a little overrated 
but some of his stuff is very good(like the original 30 Days Of Night 
and the Cal McDonald series). If he wasn't so darned busy I would 
have loved to see Robert Kirkman's take on the 28 Days Later mythos.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Graphic Novel Picks Up 28 Days
> 
> R. Eric Lieb, editor-in-chief of Fox Atomic Comics, revealed to SCI 
FI 
> Wire that the company will release a graphic novel called 28 Days 
Later: 
> The Aftermath that will serve to flesh out the time period between 
Danny 
> Boyle's cult hit film 28 Days Later and his upcoming sequel, 28 
Weeks 
> Later. "There's a lot of fun things that aren't covered in the 
movie, 
> and the graphic novel takes the mythology of the film to flesh out 
some 
> elements of it and expand it further into the realm of 28 Weeks 
Later," 
> Lieb said in an interview at New York Comic Con over the weekend.
> 
> "28 Days Later has such a rich mythology," Lieb added. "The first 
movie 
> is so strong. It's such a good and scary movie, and I'm not going 
to say 
> the 'Z' word, because it's a movie about the 'infected,' which 
gives it 
> such a unique twist. But at the end of the first movie, it says 
[people] 
> are infected with rage, and you never find out what exactly caused 
it or 
> if the infected are in such a rage, why don't they attack each 
other? We 
> explore that in the graphic novel. So, therefore, the graphic novel 
> isn't just a bridge between 28 Days and 28 Weeks."
> 
> Lieb said they were able to lure renowned horror scribe Steve Niles 
(30 
> Days of Night, Wake the Dead) to write the book. "He was my first 
> choice, by far," Lieb said. "We took it to him, and he accepted, 
because 
> he is a very big fan of the first movie. People obviously know his 
> pedigree in this world. He's done horror like no other."
> 
> Broken into four stories, 28 Days Later: The Aftermath follows the 
canon 
> created by Boyle for the film franchise. "It involves the initial 
> outbreak not shown in the first movie. It takes place at different 
> stages throughout that first outbreak," Lieb revealed. "The first 
stage 
> explains the development of the virus with the scientists and 
ultimately 
> the accident and the corruption that made it from a good thing into 
a 
> very bad thing. The second stage takes place during the first days 
of 
> the outbreak, so you see the chaos in London. The third stage takes 
> place during the time frame of the first movie. In the movie, the 
> survivors, Jim [Cillian Murphy] and Selena [Naomie Harris], move 
out of 
> London. This story stays in London and talks about a survivor who 
is 
> actively fighting, and he honestly enjoys it. He's the last person 
in 
> London, and it's his city now. The fourth story brings everything 
in the 
> graphic novel together and provides a bridge to 28 Weeks through a 
> subtle revelation about what is happening to the virus." 28 Days 
Later: 
> The Aftermath is available in bookstores April 3. The sequel film, 
28 
> Weeks Later, opens in theaters May 11. â€"Tara DiLullo Bennett
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Oscar thoughts

[B. Smith]

I'm still in shaking my head in disbelief that the voice over person 
identified Infernal Affairs as a Japanese movie. Hong Kong,Japan same 
difference right? Ugh.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> The Oscars are for the actors. Occasionally, they manage to make us 
peons happy with the choices.
> 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  My feelings were mixed. You can't 
say racism was rampant, because they gave one to Whitaker over 
O'Toole, the sentimental choice due to years of being an alsos-ran. 
In years past O'Toole's age and number of near-misses would have made 
him a shoe-in for the Oscar. Then they gave one to Jennifer Hudson, 
first-time actress, first-time nominee, and in a role with a lot of 
singing to boot. Again, in times past the "wisdom" would have been 
against her, with Academy voters taking that "she's new, let her get 
a few more pics under her belt" attitude. Eddie Murphy was the 
popular choice, but again, the Academy went against traditional 
wisdom. I'd already stated that I liked Murphy's performance, but 
wasn't sure it was Oscar worthy. I haven't seen "Little Miss 
Sunshine" yet. So they were good to people of color, moreso, if you 
count the Latino wins. And they seem to have been voting for talent 
over sentiment. That was indicative of quite a
>  bit of progress.
> 
> Scorsese's win really pleased me. That was one case that *might* 
have been based on sentiment, but the movie was solid, so it's no 
disgrace. Remember, Denzel Washington has said that "Training Day" 
wasn't his best work, but he still felt he deserved the Oscar for it. 
I guess the same could be said of Scorsese, as "The Departed" is a 
fantastic movie. I haven't seen "The Queen" and the others, except 
for "Letters from Iwo Jima", a fantastic flick. I'm okay, though, 
with Marty taking the nod. The sentiment that Eastwood could sit this 
one out probably was there. From what I've heard, the "Babel" nods 
(another flick I haven't seen) puzzled many who think the movie 
sounds better than it plays. 
> 
> Overall the Academy has issues, but it seems to be it's taking baby 
steps in the right direction. Last night substance seemed to win out 
a bit over style and hype. What are the specifics of your problems 
with the awards? 
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: The Yokozuna Of Soul <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> I have to say that I'm a little disappointed with the Academy and 
> how/when they give Oscars now. Martin Scorsese has done a lot of 
> great original work. Last night he won an Oscar for a remake that 
> Brad Pitt co-produced. Doesn't seem right to me. It was nice taht 
> the American Idol girl won an Oscar, that just shows what 
> Myspace.com has been proving for years: the people are right and 
the 
> suits are wrong. The Academy needs to look at it's voting body and 
> ask itself why Will Farrell/John Reilly/Jack Black's number was 
more 
> true than funny.
> 
> Just my thoughts today on this.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A 
Man Without A Country"
>  
> -
> Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: (Fwd): unstoppable heroines in SF

[B. Smith]

Cordelia Naismith-Vorkosigan, mother of Lois McMaster Bujold's epic 
hero Miles Vorkosigan, might fit the bill. The Miles books are well 
known but the first two books in series, SHARDS OF HONOR and 
BARRAYAR, feature Miles' mother and father as the main characters. 
Miles is truly his mother's son. Cordelia is smart, brave and tough 
as nails.

Elizabeth Moon has written several books with great female leads.


--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Wodehouse" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> ---
> From: "Jessica Moyer"
> CC:
> Subject: unstoppable heroines in SF
> Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:48:01 -0500
> 
> I'm interested in creating a list of unstoppable heroines in SF.  I
> know fiction-l did one for fantasy heroines a few months back, but 
I'd
> like to focus just on SF.  This was inspired by reading David 
Weber's
> new book, In Fury Born (extremely rev. ed. of Path of the Fury)
> featuring the unstoppable Alicia DeVries.  So far I've come up with
> Honor Harrington from Weber's other series and maybe Rowan, from The
> Rowan by Anne McCaffrey.  I'd like to come up with other titles from
> science fiction that feature heroines that defeat the odds and/or 
are
> just plain unstoppable.  For example in In Fury Born Alicia leads 
her
> squad of elite drop commandos through a battle with over 90%
> casualties and surfaced practically unhurt because she is so 
awesomely
> good at what she does.
> 
> Thanks!
> Jessica
> 
> -- Jessica E. Moyer, M.S., C.A.S.
> Reference and Instruction Librarian
> Milne Library, State University of New York College at Oneonta
> Phone: 607 436 2025 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Cell: 217 493 7226 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: [Fwd: Minirant: Racism within the SF community]

[B. Smith]

Ender's Game is a great novel. The rest of his stuff never did much 
for me. Card is devout Mormon and I've read some of his comments 
about various subjects like homosexuality, immigration, etc. that 
could make your blood boil.

Dan Simmons, S. M. Stirling and Jerry Pournelle come across as very 
conservative in their comments on message boards, blogs, etc. John 
Ringo is somewhere on the other side of the far right. I tried to 
read one his novels and couldn't stomach it.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> You're talking about Ender Wiggins. You know, I can kinda get with 
that concept. The idea was to use children, who'd not be tainted or 
hindered by being brought up in traditional ways of thought. Let them 
grow up in a world of warfare, and maybe they'd come up with 
something innovative. It might not be so much a stretch.   
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> Really, I've never picked it up in any f his works, though I admit 
to only having read three of four of his books, most of them in the 
series that escapes my memory, about a kid who's bred to be a genius 
war tactician for an interstellar empire. SUch stuff kinda grates on 
my reality gears, makes me wonder how I could've so easily missed my 
life's vocation.
> 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: What's the deal on Card? Is he a racist?
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> Nora, progress, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. In 
another place where I post often, I'm dealing with a horde of White 
men who feel, deep in their mitochondria, that the rest of the human 
race looks at them as Dick Cheney looks at his hunting partners, 
squarely in the bulls-eye and slated for annihilation ASAP. Wouldn't 
surprise me to learn that such thought patterns are endemic throughut 
society, and people like Card are simply brave-slash-stupid enough to 
put their disenfranchisement on paper.
> 
> "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote: From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>  Original Message 
> I was griping on my blog, earlier this week, about how I've 
encountered more
> 
> overt homophobes, racists, sexists, etc., within the speculative 
fiction
> community than in any other literary realm. Some of them are of the
> not-quite-benign, "one day we'll all be one race so let's try hard 
to breed
> racism away", stupidism branch of the family. But there are also a
> surprising number of unapologetic extremists (e.g., Orson Scott 
Card). Now
> as I read about the racist opinion piece published last week in the
> Asianweek newspaper by columnist Kenneth Eng, (details here:
> http://www.maynardije.org/columns/dickprince/070228_prince/ ) I see 
some
> articles pointing out that Eng is a science fiction writer.
> 
> WTF?? What *is* it about this field that attracts such people? 
Aren't we
> supposed to be progressive?
> 
> Nora
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A 
Man Without A Country"
> 
> -
> Need Mail bonding?
> Go to the Yahoo! Mail Q&A for great tips from Yahoo! Answers users.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A 
Man Without A Country"
> 
> -
> Never Miss an Email
> Stay connected with Yahoo! Mail on your mobile. Get started!
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
>  
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Captain America Killed?

[B. Smith]

I'm glad you enjoyed Civil War. I thought it was a colossal letdown. 
And why didn't this happen at the end of the series? 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> I started to scream "You ruined it for me!" to the person who sent 
me this, as I haven't bought Cap #25 yet. Was going to do it tonight. 
But, I guess the news is all over the waves and the Net, the same way 
the "death" of Superman, and Spidey's unmasking were news before the 
omics hit the stands. I'm sure Steve Rogers isn't really dead. He is 
either underground, or the Super Soldier serum will revive him. After 
all, freakin' *Bucky Barnes* was supposedly killed in WWII, and now 
we find out he's alive and operating as teh assassin Winter Soldier!
> 
>  The Civil War was awesome. The resolution of it was thought-
provoking.  I won't give away the ending of the Civil War, but check 
the stands for a guide book to what's coming next, called "The 
Initiative". It has to do with implementation of Tony Stark and Hank 
Pym's plan to create a government sanctioned super team in each state 
in America.  
> I've really enjoyed this. Sure, some may question the heavy-handed 
didactic nature of Cap fighting for "freedom and justice".  Many have 
expressed doubt that Cap would fight the government over 
Registration. But I've loved it, and loved the reflections of our 
real-life struggles with freedom under the Bush Regime.
> 
> I think the future of the Initiative is gonna be wild. Spidey is 
back in his black costume--there's a whole series in his books under 
the titel "Back in Black". And of course theres the continued 
repurcussions of his unmasking. 
> 
> ***
> "Cinque" [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> 
> BY ETHAN SACKS
> DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER 
> 
> Comic book icon Captain America lies sprawled on courthouse steps 
after Marvel hero is gunned down by sniper. (Art by Steve Epting) 
> 
> 
> Cover of 1941 debut 
> 
> 
> Captain America is dead. The Marvel Entertainment superhero, 
created in 1941 as a patriotic adversary for the Nazis, is killed off 
in Captain America #25, which hits the stands today. 
> As Captain America emerges from a courthouse building, he is struck 
by a sniper's bullet in the shoulder and then hit again in the 
stomach, blood seeping out of his star-spangled costume. 
> His death is sure to ignite controversy in the comic book world - 
still reeling from Superman's death in 1993 and resurrection the 
following year - and even political pundits, who may see Captain 
America's demise as an allegory for the United States. 
> "It's a hell of a time for him to go. We really need him now," said 
co-creator Joe Simon, 93, after being informed of his brainchild's 
death. 
> Simon and artist Jack Kirby came up with the character in 1941 as 
an adversary for Adolf Hitler, who was more evil than any villain the 
pair could dream up. Since then, the patriotic hero has appeared in 
an estimated 210 million copies sold in 75 countries. 
> Not bad for an imaginary sickly kid from the lower East Side named 
Steve Rogers, who volunteered to be injected with Super Soldier serum 
during World War II. 
> Part of Captain America's allure was that he had no true 
superpowers; the serum made him an example of a human being at his 
utmost potential. 
> He could bench-press 1,100 pounds, run a mile in about a minute and 
outsmart any spy. 
> Series writer Ed Brubaker - who grew up reading Captain America 
comics while his father, a naval intelligence officer, was stationed 
on Guantanamo Bay, Cuba - said it wasn't easy to kill off the 
character. The 40-year-old, however, wanted to explore what the hero 
meant to the country in these polarized times. 
> "What I found is that all the really hard-core left-wing fans want 
Cap to be standing out on and giving speeches on the streetcorner 
against the Bush administration, and all the really right-wing [fans] 
all want him to be over in the streets of Baghdad, punching out 
Saddam," Brubaker said. 
> Comic book deaths, however, are rarely final. Marvel's archrival, 
DC Comics, provoked a media frenzy when it killed off Superman in 
1993, only to reanimate its prize creation a year later. 
> Joe Quesada, 43, Marvel Entertainment's editor in chief, said he 
wouldn't rule out the shield-throwing champion's eventual return. But 
for now, the Captain's fans are in mourning. 
> "I was shocked. I was not expecting it," said Gerry Gladston, co-
owner of Midtown Comics in Manhattan. "I'd rather they didn't kill 
him - but it's going to mean great sales." 
> 'LIFE' OF AN AMERICAN HERO 
> Created: March 1941 
> True Identity: Steve Rogers 
> Born: July 4, 1917 
> Birthplace: Lower East Side 
> Current Home: Red Hook, Brooklyn 
> Superpowers: None (Super Soldier serum makes him a "nearly perfect 
human being") 
> Weapon: His red,white and blue discus-like shield 
> Archenemy: Red Skull 
> Pop Culture Moment, Film: Easy Rider, Peter Fonda's character is 
nicknamed Captain 

[scifinoir2] Re: Captain America Killed?

[B. Smith]

In a nutshell: great idea, crappy characterizations and execution.

The pro side came off like evil mustache twirlers. 

The government sanctioning homicidal villains to hunt down heroes.

Spider-Man revealing his identity(ugh). 

The return of an unstuck in time Captain Mar-Vell(Who shouldn't have 
blonde hair btw. His hair was silver until he gained Cosmic 
Awareness. It's a nitpick but it's an important point to his origin)

Negative Zone Prison aka Stalag 42.

Captain America was written like Ultimate Captain America and not the 
original Captain America. 

Giant Man killed and discarded like a piece of garbage.

The murderous clone of Thor.

The Joss Whedon ending. Bad, bad choice. It ended with a whimper and 
it wasn't what this series needed.

IMHO they should have merged Civil War and the companion book into 
one 12 issue series. It would have helped the story flow and fleshed 
out the narrative.  

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Why didn't you like it? I was surprised that several of y'all in 
ScifiNoir felt that way. Most seem to have greatly preferred 
the "Annhilation" series instead. I liked Civil War because of its 
resonance with real-life events, the tackling of that blurred line 
between fantasy and reality (we all know in real life superbeings 
would have been conscripted long ago), and the attempt to deal with 
Cap's old fashioned ideals, which to some simply give rise to his 
treasonous behaviour.  Still hate that Spidey unmasked though..
> 
> The Marvel U is going to be altered in big ways after Civil War. 
The Initiative is a government-sanctioned (controlled?) program with 
superteams in all states. Ultimately, they report to Tony STark, new 
director of SHIELD. That begs the questions of what happens when teh 
government starts sending superheroes on hits, or to invade sovereign 
nations with which the heroes themselves don't have problems?
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "B. Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> I'm glad you enjoyed Civil War. I thought it was a colossal 
letdown. 
> And why didn't this happen at the end of the series? 
> 
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, KeithBJohnson@ wrote:
> >
> > I started to scream "You ruined it for me!" to the person who 
sent 
> me this, as I haven't bought Cap #25 yet. Was going to do it 
tonight. 
> But, I guess the news is all over the waves and the Net, the same 
way 
> the "death" of Superman, and Spidey's unmasking were news before 
the 
> omics hit the stands. I'm sure Steve Rogers isn't really dead. He 
is 
> either underground, or the Super Soldier serum will revive him. 
After 
> all, freakin' *Bucky Barnes* was supposedly killed in WWII, and now 
> we find out he's alive and operating as teh assassin Winter Soldier!
> > 
> > The Civil War was awesome. The resolution of it was thought-
> provoking. I won't give away the ending of the Civil War, but check 
> the stands for a guide book to what's coming next, called "The 
> Initiative". It has to do with implementation of Tony Stark and 
Hank 
> Pym's plan to create a government sanctioned super team in each 
state 
> in America. 
> > I've really enjoyed this. Sure, some may question the heavy-
handed 
> didactic nature of Cap fighting for "freedom and justice". Many 
have 
> expressed doubt that Cap would fight the government over 
> Registration. But I've loved it, and loved the reflections of our 
> real-life struggles with freedom under the Bush Regime.
> > 
> > I think the future of the Initiative is gonna be wild. Spidey is 
> back in his black costume--there's a whole series in his books 
under 
> the titel "Back in Black". And of course theres the continued 
> repurcussions of his unmasking. 
> > 
> > ***
> > "Cinque" raisondetre@ wrote:
> > 
> > BY ETHAN SACKS
> > DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER 
> > 
> > Comic book icon Captain America lies sprawled on courthouse steps 
> after Marvel hero is gunned down by sniper. (Art by Steve Epting) 
> > 
> > 
> > Cover of 1941 debut 
> > 
> > 
> > Captain America is dead. The Marvel Entertainment superhero, 
> created in 1941 as a patriotic adversary for the Nazis, is killed 
off 
> in Captain America #25, which hits the stands today. 
> > As Captain America emerges from a courthouse building, he is 
struck 
> by a sniper's bullet in the shoulder and then hit again in the 
> stomach, blood seeping out of his star-spangled costume. 
> > His death is sure to ignite controversy in the comic book world - 
> still reeling f

[scifinoir2] Re: Captain America Killed?

[B. Smith]

Civil War got all the press but Annihilation, Planet Hulk and Beyond 
were really well done. 

Beyond slipped in under the radar but Dwayne McDuffie and Scott 
Kollins really put together a great series. It starts off like Secret 
Wars III but turns into something else entirely. It's definitely 
worth picking up.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Very good points. I do agree that Steve Rogers' going so far in his 
rebellion was a little surprising, but you have to look at it in 
context of the gulag Stark and Richards built, the draconian measures 
of the Act, and the suddeness of it's application. I even agree that 
Spidey should *never* have revealed his identity, which was up there 
with Superman and Batman's identities in terms of the importance of 
secrecy. I think, though, that the overall intentions and meanings of 
the story resonated with me. The execution and particulars were 
indeed clumsy in many points, but the overall feeling I was left with 
was powerful.
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "B. Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> In a nutshell: great idea, crappy characterizations and execution.
> 
> The pro side came off like evil mustache twirlers. 
> 
> The government sanctioning homicidal villains to hunt down heroes.
> 
> Spider-Man revealing his identity(ugh). 
> 
> The return of an unstuck in time Captain Mar-Vell(Who shouldn't 
have 
> blonde hair btw. His hair was silver until he gained Cosmic 
> Awareness. It's a nitpick but it's an important point to his origin)
> 
> Negative Zone Prison aka Stalag 42.
> 
> Captain America was written like Ultimate Captain America and not 
the 
> original Captain America. 
> 
> Giant Man killed and discarded like a piece of garbage.
> 
> The murderous clone of Thor.
> 
> The Joss Whedon ending. Bad, bad choice. It ended with a whimper 
and 
> it wasn't what this series needed.
> 
> IMHO they should have merged Civil War and the companion book into 
> one 12 issue series. It would have helped the story flow and 
fleshed 
> out the narrative. 
> 
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, KeithBJohnson@ wrote:
> >
> > Why didn't you like it? I was surprised that several of y'all in 
> ScifiNoir felt that way. Most seem to have greatly preferred 
> the "Annhilation" series instead. I liked Civil War because of its 
> resonance with real-life events, the tackling of that blurred line 
> between fantasy and reality (we all know in real life superbeings 
> would have been conscripted long ago), and the attempt to deal with 
> Cap's old fashioned ideals, which to some simply give rise to his 
> treasonous behaviour. Still hate that Spidey unmasked though..
> > 
> > The Marvel U is going to be altered in big ways after Civil War. 
> The Initiative is a government-sanctioned (controlled?) program 
with 
> superteams in all states. Ultimately, they report to Tony STark, 
new 
> director of SHIELD. That begs the questions of what happens when 
teh 
> government starts sending superheroes on hits, or to invade 
sovereign 
> nations with which the heroes themselves don't have problems?
> > 
> > -- Original message -- 
> > From: "B. Smith"  
> > I'm glad you enjoyed Civil War. I thought it was a colossal 
> letdown. 
> > And why didn't this happen at the end of the series? 
> > 
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, KeithBJohnson@ wrote:
> > >
> > > I started to scream "You ruined it for me!" to the person who 
> sent 
> > me this, as I haven't bought Cap #25 yet. Was going to do it 
> tonight. 
> > But, I guess the news is all over the waves and the Net, the same 
> way 
> > the "death" of Superman, and Spidey's unmasking were news before 
> the 
> > omics hit the stands. I'm sure Steve Rogers isn't really dead. He 
> is 
> > either underground, or the Super Soldier serum will revive him. 
> After 
> > all, freakin' *Bucky Barnes* was supposedly killed in WWII, and 
now 
> > we find out he's alive and operating as teh assassin Winter 
Soldier!
> > > 
> > > The Civil War was awesome. The resolution of it was thought-
> > provoking. I won't give away the ending of the Civil War, but 
check 
> > the stands for a guide book to what's coming next, called "The 
> > Initiative". It has to do with implementation of Tony Stark and 
> Hank 
> > Pym's plan to create a government sanctioned super team in each 
> state 
> > in America. 
> > > I've really enjoyed this. Sur

[scifinoir2] Re: Interesting Matrix Factoid

[B. Smith]

He's one of the few good things about that movie.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> My secret shame is that I liked him in Godzilla?  Go figure.
> 
> Tracey
> 
> Martin wrote:
> >
> > I've always been a fan of his. Even after that lame-a$$ time-
travel 
> > movie he did.
> >
> > "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" 
> > <[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> > > wrote: Is that 
nice??? :)
> >
> > Just kidding. I forget that not everyone is a big fan.
> >
> > I think most American fans know him from the first La Femme 
Nikita and
> > The Professional. I guess is is a small cult following.
> >
> > Tracey
> >
> > g123curious wrote:
> > >
> > > Who is Jean Reno and why should I care?
> > >
> > > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> > > , "Tracey de Morsella (formerly
> > > Tracey
> > > L. Minor)" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > I was watching the Professional AKA Leon today with Jean 
Reno ...
> > > > Leon, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, and Danny Aiello. Anyway, 
I
> > > found
> > > > out that Jean Reno was supposed to be agent Smith and turned 
it down
> > > to
> > > > appear in Godzilla.
> > > >
> > > > Had to tell somebody
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> > "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will 
> > get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A 
Man 
> > Without A Country"
> >
> > -
> > Finding fabulous fares is fun.
> > Let Yahoo! FareChase search your favorite travel sites to find 
flight 
> > and hotel bargains.
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
>

[scifinoir2] Re: From the comic book rumor mill

[B. Smith]

That particular fight already happened in Panther's book. I'm really 
looking forward to McDuffie's run. 

BTW if you haven't done it pick up Beyond, Dwayne's excellent 
miniseries from last year. Some of the reprecussions of that book 
will be felt in the Fantastic Four.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, The Yokozuna Of Soul 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> 
> I thought the She-Hulk era was pretty funny, actually.
> 
> If you've been reading the book lately, Reed has been tripping. 
Like,  
> to a "bringing his enemies all up into the Baxter Building to 
discuss  
> math equations" level of tripping. He needs time off. And the FF  
> needs an intellectual leader. There's nobody else that can run the  
> crew EXCEPT T'Challa, really, because everybody else is caught up 
in  
> Civil War aftermath, is dead, or is Namor, who ain't exactly a 
team  
> player.
> 
> Is Dwayne McDuffie still on this list? Are we gonna get a Doom v.  
> Black Panther fight?
> 
> 
> 
> On Mar 12, 2007, at 4:49 PM, Martin wrote:
> 
> > "Aw, HAYULL, naw!"- attr. to S. C. S. Austin
> >
> > One thing to have my favorite team rent asunder by that 
craptastic  
> > "Civil War"...no ffense to any Storn or T'Challa fans, but- NO. 
I  
> > rebelled when they put She-Hulk on the team, Lyta the Skrull, 
and  
> > others. I'm equal-opportunity here, folks.
> >
> > The Yokozuna Of Soul <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > Spoilers ahoy.
> >
> > There is talk that T'Challa (Black Panther) and his wife Ororo
> > (Storm, formerly of the X-Men) are taking over as head of the
> > Fantastic Four, while Reed and Sue work thangs out.
> >
> > "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels  
> > will get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt 
Vonnegut,  
> > "A Man Without A Country"
> >
> > -
> > Don't be flakey. Get Yahoo! Mail for Mobile and
> > always stay connected to friends.
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> > 
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Crazy Lady Moving to Seattle

[B. Smith]

Welcome back Tracey. I hope you and your hubby get well soon. 

Please let us know how you like Seattle. The wife and I are 
considering that part of the country as a possible place to relocate 
in the future.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Hey SciFiNoir Fam:
> 
> Just letting you know that I'm moving back to the States.  Seattle 
is 
> where we are landing  (Chris is a software C++, ASP.NET guy.  We 
are 
> leaving on Tuesday.  We decided with both of us being sick, it is 
hard 
> to take advantage of the benefits that we moved to Mexico for.  I'm 
> going to be real sick for at least another six month and it will 
take an 
> additional year to get completely healed.  Since you guys have been 
so 
> supportive, I wanted you to know.
> 
> I m so excited becuase I have missed so much scifi and the schedule 
is 
> so behind, that sometimes I have to avoid reading your posts.  Now 
I 
> will able to join in.
> 
> Anyone on the list in Seattle?
> 
> Tracey
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Batman Artist Rogers Is Dead

[B. Smith]

He was a great one. I loved his Batman and Silver Surfer runs.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Batman Artist Rogers Is Dead
> 
> Marshall Rogers, the artist who was best known for his work on DC 
> Comics' Batman and Marvel Comics' Silver Surfer, died on March 25 
at the 
> age of 57, Newsarama reported. The cause of death has not been 
disclosed 
> to the media, according to a DC spokesman.
> 
> An alumnus of Kent State University in Ohio, where he studied 
> architecture, the Flushing, N.Y., native worked on many different 
> characters, but is perhaps best known for his Batman artwork in 
> Detective Comics in the mid-1970s, on which he worked with writer 
and 
> frequent collaborator Steve Englehart and inker Terry Austin. Their 
take 
> on Batman is considered by many to be the definitive version of the 
> character, returning him to the dark, brooding roots originally 
> envisioned by creator Bob Kane.
> 
> Even though their Batman run was only six issues, the three laid 
the 
> foundation for later Batman comics. Their stories include the 
classic 
> "Laughing Fish" (in which the Joker's face appeared on fish); they 
were 
> adapted for Batman: The Animated Series in the 1990s. Earlier 
drafts of 
> the 1989 Batman movie with Michael Keaton as the Dark Knight were 
based 
> heavily on their work.
> 
> Rogers also drew Marvel's Dr. Strange and G.I. Joe in the 1980s. He 
> worked with Englehart on Coyote, Englehart's creator-owned comic, 
as 
> well as Marvel's Silver Surfer. In 2005, he reunited with Englehart 
and 
> Austin to reprise their work on Batman in the Batman: Dark 
Detective 
> limited series.
> 
> In a press release, Paul Levitz, DC's president and publisher, 
said: 
> "Marshall was one of the radical young stylists bringing new looks 
to DC 
> in the 1970s, especially with his memorable collaboration with 
Steve 
> Englehart on Batman. His debonair smile and charm were every bit as 
> endearing as his art was energetic, and his colleagues at DC are 
all 
> shocked to have a great artist pass so young."
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Dawson Rides Again In Sin 2

[B. Smith]

A Dame To Kill For is my 2nd favorite Sin City storyline. Plus it's a 
good one to adapt because we get more Marv and Dwight.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Rosario Dawson, who played the lethal hooker Gail in Robert 
Rodriguez's 
> Sin City, told SCI FI Wire that she'll likely reprise the role in 
the 
> upcoming sequel film, which will again be based on Frank Miller's 
> graphic-novel series.
> 
> "Luckily for me, or maybe not luckily for me, Frank really loved 
drawing 
> that outfit, so he pretty much put Gail in all of his books," 
Dawson 
> said in an interview while promoting Grindhouse, in which she also 
stars.
> 
> Sin City 2 will be a prequel film to the original and will be based 
on 
> Miller's A Dame To Kill For, Dawson said. "It'll only be [based on] 
one 
> book, as opposed to three [that were the basis for the first film], 
so 
> we'll actually have a full story arc," she said, adding: "I think 
> that'll pretty much be the only thing that makes it like a regular 
film. 
> Otherwise, ... it's going to be very interesting now that all of us 
know 
> the technology."
> 
> In the first Sin City, Rodriguez made use of digital visual effects 
to 
> replicate the high-contrast black-and-white look of Miller's 
graphic 
> novels. Dawson's Gail was the leader of a group of hookers who take 
> revenge on a dirty cop.
> 
> In the first movie, Dawson famously wore little but a 
> bondage-and-discipline corset and leather harness. For the new 
movie? 
> "I'm sitting down with [costume designer] Nina Proctor already," 
she 
> said. "We're talking about what the hell I could possibly wear to 
trump 
> what I already wore in the last one. So I'll be wearing a mask." 
Sin 
> City 2 begins filming this summer with an eye to a 2008 release. 
> Grindhouse opens April 6. â€"Patrick Lee, News Editor
> http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=40771
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Hugo nominations

[B. Smith]

I think this the first year where I haven't read any of the nominated 
novels. I have on my Blindsight to be read list but I haven't had 
time to read it.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Brent Wodehouse" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Here are the Hugo nominations for 2007:
> 
> Novel
> Michael F. Flynn, Eifelheim (Tor)
> Naomi Novik, His Majesty¹s Dragon (Del Rey)
> Charles Stross, Glasshouse (Ace)
> Vernor Vinge, Rainbows End (Tor)
> Peter Watts, Blindsight (Tor)
> 
> Novella
> "The Walls of the Universe" by Paul Melko (Asimov¹s, April/May 2006)
> "A Billion Eyes" by Robert Reed (Asimov¹s, October/November 2006)
> "Inclination" by William Shunn (Asimov¹s, April/May 2006)
> "Lord Weary¹s Empire" by Michael Swanwick (Asimov¹s, December 2006)
> "Julian: A Christmas Story" by Robert Charles Wilson (PS Publishing)
> 
> Novelette
> "Yellow Card Man" by Paolo Bacigalupi (Asimov¹s, December 2006)
> "Dawn, and Sunset, and the Colours of the Earth" by Michael F. Flynn
> (Asimov¹s, December 2006)
> "The Djinn¹s Wife" by Ian McDonald (Analog, July 2006)
> "All the Things You Are" by Mike Resnick (Jim Baen¹s Universe, 
October
> 2006)
> "Pol Pot¹s Beautiful Daughter" by Geoff Ryman (F&SF, 
October/November 2006)
> 
> Short Story
> "How to Talk to Girls at Parties" by Neil Gaiman (Fragile Things)
> "Kin" by Bruce McAllister (Asimov¹s, February 2006)
> "Impossible Dreams" by Timothy Pratt (Asimov¹s, July 2006)
> "Eight Episodes" by Robert Reed (Asimov¹s, June 2006)
> "The House Beyond Your Sky" by Benjamin Rosenbaum (Strange Horizons,
> September 2006)
> 
> Related Book
> Samuel R. Delany, About Writing: Seven Essays, Four Letters, and 
Five
> Interviews (Wesleyan University Press)
> Joseph T. Major, Heinlein¹s Children: The Juveniles (Advent)
> Julie Phillips, James Tiptree, Jr.: The Double Life of Alice 
Sheldon (St.
> Martin¹s Press)
> John Picacio, Cover Story: The Art of John Picacio (MonkeyBrain 
Books)
> Mike Resnick & Joe Siclari, eds., Worldcon Guest of Honor Speeches 
(ISFiC
> Press)
> 
> Dramatic Presentation, Long Form
> Children of Men (Universal Pictures)
> Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man¹s Chest (Disney)
> The Prestige (Warner Brothers / Touchstone Pictures)
> A Scanner Darkly (Warner Independent Pictures)
> V for Vendetta (Warner Brothers)
> 
> Dramatic Presentation, Short Form
> Battlestar Galactica, "Downloaded"
> Doctor Who, "Army of Ghosts" and "Doomsday"
> Doctor Who, "Girl in the Fireplace"
> Doctor Who, "School Reunion"
> Stargate SG-1,
> 
> Editor, Short Form
> Gardner Dozois
> David G. Hartwell
> Stanley Schmidt
> Gordon Van Gelder
> Sheila Williams
> 
> Editor, Long Form
> Lou Anders
> James Patrick Baen
> Ginjer Buchanan
> David G. Hartwell
> Patrick Nielsen Hayden
> 
> Professional Artist
> Bob Eggleton
> Donato Giancola
> Stephan Martiniere
> John Jude Palencar
> John Picacio
> 
> Semiprozine
> Ansible, edited by Dave Langford
> Interzone, edited by Andy Cox
> Lady Churchill¹s Rosebud Wristlet, edited by Gavin J. Grant
> Locus, edited by Charles N. Brown, Kirsten Gong-Wong, & Liza Groen 
Trombi
> The New York Review of Science Fiction, edited by Kathryn Cramer, 
David G.
> Hartwell, & Kevin J. Maroney
> 
> Fanzine
> Banana Wings ed. Claire Brialey & Mark Plummer
> Challenger ed. Guy Lillian III
> The Drink Tank ed. Christopher J. Garcia
> Plokta ed. Alison Scott, Steve Davies, & Mike Scott
> Science-Fiction Five-Yearly ed. Lee Hoffman, Geri Sullivan, & Randy 
Byers
> 
> Fan Writer
> Chris Garcia
> John Hertz
> Dave Langford
> John Scalzi
> Steven H. Silver
> 
> Fan Artist
> Brad W. Foster
> Teddy Harvia
> Sue Mason
> Steve Stiles
> Frank Wu
> 
> John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer (not a Hugo)
> Scott Lynch
> Sarah Monette
> Naomi Novik
> Brandon Sanderson
> Lawrence M. Schoen
>

[scifinoir2] Re: New guy's Original Message

[B. Smith]

I've been leery about buying anything by Dan Cragg since he got 
involved in the Virginia Senate election debacle. I liked the first 
few books of the series but the one with the neo-gladiator stuff kind 
of turned me off on the series. My favorite of the series is Steel 
Guantlet. That was a great piece of military sf.

If you like military sci-fi try the Sten series by Allan Cole and 
Chris Bunch. I'd tell most folks to skip the first novel or read it 
later. It gives the back story of Sten but not as much of the stuff 
that made the rest of the books so great. The Tahn Wars arc begins in 
the third book Court Of A Thousand Suns and it's great. After the 
Tahn Wars there's a huge twist and the last two books of the series 
turn into something very, very different. 

Chris Bunch passed away a couple of years ago but he has three other 
mil sf series that he wrote solo: The Last Legion, The Shadow Warrior 
and Star Risk, LTD. The Last Legion and Shadow Warrior are pretty 
good but the gem of his solo work is Star Risk imho. It's about a 
small private military company that is at war with a huge rival 
called Cerebus Systems. It's lighthearted compared to Sten and the 
other series but that tone plays well because these guys and girls 
are supposed to be likeable rogues and it works but they are still 
hardcore mercenaries and they get into some pretty nasty fights.

John Scalzi's The Old Man's War and The Ghost Brigades are also very, 
very good. It's more Forever War than Hammer's Slammers but he set up 
a great universe and humanity's place in it is precarious. Humans 
aren't the top dog, heck for some races humans are literally 
livestock, and Earth's populace has been kept in the dark about just 
how bad things are in the universe.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Astromancer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> You're right, many blacks don't do it because it can get 
expensive...Hammer's Slammers and Starfistare pretty good. There was 
a series about whole planets devoted to mercenary soldiers...All of 
those are good examples of military science fiction...I wish Kevin 
Randle was still writing it...My favorite series by him was called 
Jefferson's War.
> 
> "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:  ell I'm sort of new. I remember this groups some 7 or 8 years 
ago,
> but I kind of got side tracked as well as getting busy with other
> things. I don't get to watch or even read as much scifi as I would
> like. I mostly watch old anime mostly mecha like Gasaraki, 08th Ms
> Team, VOTOMS (getting a theme here.)
> 
> Anywho, I've kind of migrated into miniatures gaming (real gaming
> that video game stuff doesn't count). From my experience, there are
> very few blacks that are into that kind of stuff. I'm assuming it's
> mostly due to a combination exposure, time, and cost. I'm currently
> playing Heavy Gear.
> I'm currently working on an armored division based on the 761st Tank
> Battalion. Also, a friend as also talked me into playing 
href="http://us.games-workshop.com/games/40K/default.htm";>Warhammer
> 40k. I'm doing a Imperial Guard base on the 92nd Infantry Division
> (circa WWII).
> 
> As for scifi on tv, for right now it's all about Stargate: Atlantis.
> I still enjoy SG1, but the turn in the storyline is a little hard to
> keep track of (they should have left the Gould alone).
> 
> As for what I'm reading, other then the occasional gaming book,
> unfortunately I'm haven't been reading much. Although I was reading
> Starfist and Hammer's Slammers. I kind of have a thing for military
> scifi books and even do a some writing myself. Anywho, it's good to
> be back. --Jason
> 
> 
> ps:- A friend's sister just published a scifi book based on life on
> Saturn's largest moon, Titan. It looks pretty interesting. Would it
> be alright if I posted the link.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> "Such music flow on the Fringe...and no one can resist singing to 
Scarlet." - The Side Street Chonicles by C.W. Badie
>  
> -
> Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels 
> in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: 'Grindhouse' To Be Split in Two?

[B. Smith]

I better get my butt in gear and check it out before it disappears. 

I grew up in New Orleans and there were several Grindhouse type 
theaters(The Circle, The Gallo, The Carver, The Famous, The Orpheum, 
etc.) and I got to watch some of the same stuff that Tarantino loves 
so much. Unfortunately those movies were cult flicks for a reason. I 
get that Planet Terror is pastiche of Italian zombie gore flicks but 
some folks don't.

Another downside to the movie is the massive shift in tone from 
Planet Terror to Death Proof. It seems to be throwing some folks off. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> I think I disagree with this. I don't think the idea of a double-
feature is that hard to grasp, even for youngsters who've never seen 
one before. Hell, I'm 43, and though I'm extremely familiar with the 
term, I never saw one at the theatre back in the day. I think it has 
more to do with whether the subject matter and marketing themselves 
were appealing. I think the girl with the machine-gun leg, adn the 
cheesy zombie shots made some people laugh, but maybe didn't excite 
them. People nowadays--espeically the young folk--seem to be going 
for that disgustingly explicit and gore-based horror that's all the 
rage. Stuff like "Saw", "Hostel", "Touristas", etc.  Both of these 
flicks are very tongue-in-cheek and self-referential. Now, I rmember 
the days of crap like "Boggy Creek", "MAcon COunty Line", "The 
Incredible Two-Headed Transplant", etc., so I want to see them. But 
for those who aren't my age, and for youngsters, the lack of obvious 
horror gore or "Kill Bill" style fighting and acti
> on may not be a draw.  Perhaps--perhaps--the combined three hour 
length hurt a bit of business. But I think a tweak in marketing--such 
as trailers shown--would be more effective.  I'd hate to see the 
concept die just because the audience isn't hip or interested enough 
to get it.
> 
> Besides, sometimes the movie going public just doesn't get it. 
That's what DVD and On Demand rentals are for. "Grindhouse" is gonna 
do very well there...
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> 
> > ovie mogul Harvey Weinstein is planning to re-release Grindhouse 
as two 
> > separate films - after the double-bill flopped at the box office. 
The 
> > film, a double-feature directed by Quentin Tarantino and Robert 
> > Rodriguez made just $11.6 million in its opening weekend in the 
US. 
> > Producer Weinstein is disappointed - and thinks Tarantino's Death 
Proof, 
> > starring Kurt Russell, and Rodriguez' Planet Terror, with Rose 
McGowan, 
> > will perform better on their own. He tells PageSix.com, "I don't 
think 
> > people understood what we were doing. The audience didn't get the 
idea 
> > that it is two movies for the price of one. I don't understand 
the math, 
> > but I want to accommodate the audience." 
> > http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2007-04-11/ 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Yahoo! Groups Links 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: 'Grindhouse' To Be Split in Two?

[B. Smith]

I guess it depends on what you like. A lot of folks I know loved the 
over the top adrenaline rush of Planet Terror while others liked the 
slow burn of Death Proof.

--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> yeah, I hear that Planet Terror isn't thought to be as good as 
Death Proof. I still wish 
> they could have left them together as one movie, though i admit 
that a three hour length is too long. 
> -- Original message ------ 
> From: "B. Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> I better get my butt in gear and check it out before it disappears. 
> 
> I grew up in New Orleans and there were several Grindhouse type 
> theaters(The Circle, The Gallo, The Carver, The Famous, The 
Orpheum, 
> etc.) and I got to watch some of the same stuff that Tarantino 
loves 
> so much. Unfortunately those movies were cult flicks for a reason. 
I 
> get that Planet Terror is pastiche of Italian zombie gore flicks 
but 
> some folks don't.
> 
> Another downside to the movie is the massive shift in tone from 
> Planet Terror to Death Proof. It seems to be throwing some folks 
off. 
> 
> --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], KeithBJohnson@ wrote:
> >
> > I think I disagree with this. I don't think the idea of a double-
> feature is that hard to grasp, even for youngsters who've never 
seen 
> one before. Hell, I'm 43, and though I'm extremely familiar with 
the 
> term, I never saw one at the theatre back in the day. I think it 
has 
> more to do with whether the subject matter and marketing themselves 
> were appealing. I think the girl with the machine-gun leg, adn the 
> cheesy zombie shots made some people laugh, but maybe didn't excite 
> them. People nowadays--espeically the young folk--seem to be going 
> for that disgustingly explicit and gore-based horror that's all the 
> rage. Stuff like "Saw", "Hostel", "Touristas", etc. Both of these 
> flicks are very tongue-in-cheek and self-referential. Now, I 
rmember 
> the days of crap like "Boggy Creek", "MAcon COunty Line", "The 
> Incredible Two-Headed Transplant", etc., so I want to see them. But 
> for those who aren't my age, and for youngsters, the lack of 
obvious 
> horror gore or "Kill Bill" style fighting and acti
> > on may not be a draw. Perhaps--perhaps--the combined three hour 
> length hurt a bit of business. But I think a tweak in marketing--
such 
> as trailers shown--would be more effective. I'd hate to see the 
> concept die just because the audience isn't hip or interested 
enough 
> to get it.
> > 
> > Besides, sometimes the movie going public just doesn't get it. 
> That's what DVD and On Demand rentals are for. "Grindhouse" is 
gonna 
> do very well there...
> > 
> > -- Original message -- 
> > From: "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)"  
> > 
> > > ovie mogul Harvey Weinstein is planning to re-release 
Grindhouse 
> as two 
> > > separate films - after the double-bill flopped at the box 
office. 
> The 
> > > film, a double-feature directed by Quentin Tarantino and Robert 
> > > Rodriguez made just $11.6 million in its opening weekend in the 
> US. 
> > > Producer Weinstein is disappointed - and thinks Tarantino's 
Death 
> Proof, 
> > > starring Kurt Russell, and Rodriguez' Planet Terror, with Rose 
> McGowan, 
> > > will perform better on their own. He tells PageSix.com, "I 
don't 
> think 
> > > people understood what we were doing. The audience didn't get 
the 
> idea 
> > > that it is two movies for the price of one. I don't understand 
> the math, 
> > > but I want to accommodate the audience." 
> > > http://www.imdb.com/news/wenn/2007-04-11/ 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> 
> 
>  
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: New guy's Original Message

[B. Smith]

I have the first novel where the Skinks showed up but I haven't read 
anything beyond that. I'll have to give them another shot.

--- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "votomguy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> star fist kinda lost me a little with the whole metaplot they have 
> going with the skinks.  lazarus rising kinda sucked (at least 
> compared to their earlier stuff.) it looks like you missed the 
start 
> of the metaplot, which sucks. the series was better as one shot 
> campaigns with occasional references to previous ones. although, i 
do 
> like their starfist series. and i agree, steel guanlet was the best 
> book in the series period. for me blood contact is number too. it 
> reads a little like aliens, but they do a good job of not making it 
> sound like a cheesy knock off. 
> 
> the old man's war/ ghost brigade sounds pretty interesting. i just 
> might have to pick it up. that is if i can seem to put down some of 
> my gaming books. i want to my void 1.1 book that's collecting dust 
as 
> we speak. and the votoms rpg book is calling my name, but i really 
> got to get back to reading novels, some how sourcebooks aren't 
giving 
> my brain the tickle it needs. anywho, thanks for the suggestions.
> 
> 
> --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED], "B. Smith"  wrote:
> >
> > I've been leery about buying anything by Dan Cragg since he got 
> > involved in the Virginia Senate election debacle. I liked the 
first 
> > few books of the series but the one with the neo-gladiator stuff 
> kind 
> > of turned me off on the series. My favorite of the series is 
Steel 
> > Guantlet. That was a great piece of military sf.
> > 
> > If you like military sci-fi try the Sten series by Allan Cole and 
> > Chris Bunch. I'd tell most folks to skip the first novel or read 
it 
> > later. It gives the back story of Sten but not as much of the 
stuff 
> > that made the rest of the books so great. The Tahn Wars arc 
begins 
> in 
> > the third book Court Of A Thousand Suns and it's great. After the 
> > Tahn Wars there's a huge twist and the last two books of the 
series 
> > turn into something very, very different. 
> > 
> > Chris Bunch passed away a couple of years ago but he has three 
> other 
> > mil sf series that he wrote solo: The Last Legion, The Shadow 
> Warrior 
> > and Star Risk, LTD. The Last Legion and Shadow Warrior are pretty 
> > good but the gem of his solo work is Star Risk imho. It's about a 
> > small private military company that is at war with a huge rival 
> > called Cerebus Systems. It's lighthearted compared to Sten and 
the 
> > other series but that tone plays well because these guys and 
girls 
> > are supposed to be likeable rogues and it works but they are 
still 
> > hardcore mercenaries and they get into some pretty nasty fights.
> > 
> > John Scalzi's The Old Man's War and The Ghost Brigades are also 
> very, 
> > very good. It's more Forever War than Hammer's Slammers but he 
set 
> up 
> > a great universe and humanity's place in it is precarious. Humans 
> > aren't the top dog, heck for some races humans are literally 
> > livestock, and Earth's populace has been kept in the dark about 
> just 
> > how bad things are in the universe.
> >
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Fav B Movie - Worse B Movie

[B. Smith]

SS Doomtrooper and Screamers are two of my faves.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> A modern one that I'm really liking is "Decoys", starring Nicole 
Eggert. it's about a group of nubile cheerleaders on a small college 
campus who are actually aliens that feed on humans. It's camp and 
funny and very entertaining. You may remember i posted on it last 
year while watching it at 4 am!
> 
> And wonder of wonders, it's airing on Sci Fi *right now*!
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> 
> > all this talk of really bad movies, bad me decide to post the 
following... 
> > 
> > What is your favorite B-Movie and what do you think is the worse 
b-movie 
> > you have seen. My favorite is Night of the Comet. 
> > 
> > Tracey 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Yahoo! Groups Links 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Fav B Movie - Worse B Movie

[B. Smith]

The Rutger Hauer movie is called Wedlock or Deadlock depending on 
which version of the video you bought. It's a pretty neat little 
flick.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I totally missed that.  I'm making a list of this thread of B-
movies to 
> rent. This is good stuff.
> 
> By the way B-Movie Rutger Hauer made a movie I like where he is a 
> prisoner who where a ring around his neck that will explode if he 
is not 
> near the prisoner with the matching rink.  They discover eachother 
and 
> escape, ultimately defeating their foes and falling in love.  
Anyone 
> remember it or know the name?
> 
> Tracey
> 
> Martin wrote:
> >
> > Another personal favorite of mine- "Crossworlds" with 
Josh "Sports 
> > Night" CHarles and Rutger "Middle-Age Spread" Hauer.
> >
> > "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" 
> > <[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> > > wrote: Some more I 
like:
> >
> > ~Amanda and The Alien with Michael Dorn, Stacy Keach and Nicole 
Eggert
> > ~Yesterday's Target with LeVar Burton, Malcolm McDowell, T.K. 
Carter,
> > Daniel Baldwin
> > ~Starcrossed with James Spader
> > ~Tremors I - NOT THE TV SHOW
> > ~Time Runner with Mark Hamil and Rae Dawn Chong
> >
> > Tracey
> >
> > Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor) wrote:
> > > Here are some other B-movies I like
> > >
> > > 20
> > > Million Miles to Earth
> > > Anything Edgar Rice Burroughs
> > > Rocky Horror Picture Show
> > > Them
> > >
> > > There are a few Vincent Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, 
Doug
> > > McClure movies that I should include, but Their names escape me.
> > >
> > > Tracey
> > > Martin wrote:
> > >>
> > >> "Millennium". Qualifies as Excederin Headache Number 0...
> > >>
> > >> Oyabun of Beats >> > wrote: My Gods. Night Of The
> > >> Comet is my #2 of ALL. TIME. Every time it's
> > >> on I HAVE to watch it. It's got everything you don't need! 
Zombies, a
> > >> cheerleader, video games, wack cover songs of 80's 
music...Chakotay
> > >> as a truck driver...all it needs is Kung Fu and it's a 
masterpiece
> > >> of a horrible B movie.
> > >>
> > >> But, my number ONE choice? Are you KIDDING? "Millennium". 1989.
> > >> Cheryl Ladd, Kris Kristofferson, Daniel J. Travanti. We've 
talked
> > >> about this already. It simply is THE worst science fiction B 
movie of
> > >> all time. YES. Including Star Trek 5.
> > >>
> > >> Behold, the "plot": An investigator seeking the cause of an 
airline
> > >> disaster discovers the involvement of an organisation of time
> > >> travellers from a future Earth irreparably polluted who seek to
> > >> rejuvenate the human race from those about to die in the past. 
Based
> > >> on a novel by John Varley.
> > >>
> > >> On Apr 22, 2007, at 12:39 AM, Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L.
> > >> Minor) wrote:
> > >>
> > >> > all this talk of really bad movies, bad me decide to post the
> > >> > following...
> > >> >
> > >> > What is your favorite B-Movie and what do you think is the 
worse b-
> > >> > movie
> > >> > you have seen. My favorite is Night of the Comet.
> > >> >
> > >> > Tracey
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only 
angels will
> > >> get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt 
Vonnegut, "A Man
> > >> Without A Country"
> > >>
> > >> -
> > >> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
> > >> Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.
> > >>
> > >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> > "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will 
> > get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A 
Man 
> > Without A Country"
> >
> > -
> > Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
> > Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Fav B Movie - Worse B Movie

[B. Smith]

I actually liked that one. Oh well.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey 
L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> That is the worse.  I could sit through more than 20 minutes of it
> 
> Tracey
> 
> votomguy wrote:
> >
> > almost forgot the worst. the worst for me was starship troopers 2:
> > heros of the federation. all i have to say is HUH!?! was there even 
a
> > plot or did they just start filming and say let's see what happens.
> >
> >
>

[scifinoir2] Re: "Heroes" is [EMAIL PROTECTED] Awesome!

[B. Smith]

Sci-Fi reruns them at 7:00 pm EDT on Friday.

Great episode. I was totally caught off guard by the big reveal of 
the episode. That was a total "Holy $#!+!!!" moment.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> I haven't checked out the online viewing of the eps, so not sure if 
NBC lets you do that online. But I know the show will end up on Scifi 
channel as a rerun.
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> Guess who had to fall asleep in front of the TV last night? Let me 
see if NBC is still reairing shows.
> 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Man-o-man, are y'all watching "Heroes"? 
This show is amazing. No real spoiler, but tonight's ep dealt with 
the future--five years in the future, to be exact, after the much 
discussed nuclear explosion in New York city. We got to see how many 
of the characters--those still alive, that is--turned out. Some good, 
some bad, some just defeated. I can't discuss too much without 
spoilers, but wow! This may be the only show on TV right now that 
really makes me wait with anticipation for the next ep.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A 
Man Without A Country"
> 
> -
> Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell?
> Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
>  
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Fav B Movie - Worse B Movie - "DOA"

[B. Smith]

I liked Night Watch but like a lot of Russian cinema it's pacing is 
way too leisurely. Supposedly the American cut actually improved the 
flow of the movie. 

I love the little twist at the end. That brought the movie full 
circle. I can't wait for Day Watch.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Do, but be warned- the truck scene does stretch the limits of 
credulity.
> 
> "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:  Looks interesting. I definitely think I'm going to 
have to check that 
> one out
> 
> Tracey
> 
> Martin wrote:
> >
> > Exactly the first one. Didn't plan on finding it, and I'm glad I 
did.
> >
> > "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" 
> > <[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> > > wrote: Are you 
talking 
> > about the Russian flick with the following plot: Among
> > normal humans live the "Others" possessing various supernatural 
powers.
> > They are divided up into the forces of light and the forces of 
the dark,
> > who signed a truce several centuries ago to end a devastating 
battle.
> > Ever since, the forces of light govern the day while the night 
belongs
> > to their dark opponents. In modern day Moscow the dark Others 
actually
> > roam the night as vampires while a "Night Watch" of light forces, 
among
> > them Anton, the movie's protagonist, try to control them and 
limit their
> > outrage.
> >
> > Or are you talking about the Pierce Bronsan Alexandra Paul movie? 
or
> > something else?
> >
> > Tracey
> >
> > Martin wrote:
> > >
> > > I kinda saved myself by having to leave for the store. While 
out, I
> > > managed to score "Night Watch" on DVD. Worth every dime, IMO. 
And no
> > > more giant-croc cravings.
> > >
> > > "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)"
> > > <[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> > 
> > > > wrote: Blood 
Surf?
> > > Blood Surf? You need an intervention and quick :)
> > >
> > > Tracey
> > >
> > > Martin wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Watching "Blood Surf" as I type. It must be like a drug, 
because I
> > > > can't change the channel, and I'm sitting next to my LOTR 
DVDs.
> > > >
> > > > Help
> > > >
> > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED]  
> > 
> > >  wrote:
> > > > oh, I can definitely see that. Like I said, you can hardly 
beat me for
> > > > watching scifi junk just to get a fix. Well, maybe Tracey 
can... :)
> > > >
> > > > -- Original message --
> > > > From: Astromancer
> > > > Maybe not, but I think they're worth it when you need a 'sci-
fi 
> > fix'...
> > > >
> > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED]  
> > 
> > >  wrote:
> > > > You got me. I never saw either of the "Resident Evil" flicks. 
The
> > > > trailers didn't entrhall me, and word-of- mouth and reviews 
were so
> > > > bad I skipped 'em. I assumed that the directing would follow 
the
> > > > latest trend of too-fast camera work, where the scenes shift 
every
> > > > three seconds like a crazed music video. I see more and more 
directors
> > > > using that method to convey "action", it really, really 
irritates me.
> > > > Think of the horrible camera work in the action scenes in "Van
> > > > Helsing", and you'll get it.
> > > >
> > > > -- Original message --
> > > > From: "votomguy"
> > > > HHHEEYYY i liked resident evil. well i liked the first 
one. as
> > > > for the sequel. well i can see where you're coming from. but 
the
> > > > first oen rocked. how can you not like a survival horror film 
where
> > > > all the characters know how to handle weapons. sure it's not 
in the
> > > > same league as say aliens but hey some movies are instant 
classics.
> > > > but the first resident evil was pretty good.
> > > >
> > > > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> >  
> > 
> > > > , KeithBJohnson@ wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Wow, I didn't see this movie (after video game based dreck
> > > > like "Resident Evil", can you blame me?) But it's probably a 
good
> > > > qualifier for a really bad B-movie. I mean, a martial-arts 
flick with
> > > > Jamie Pressly, Sarah Carter (currently on "Shark"), Devon 
Aoki (the
> > > > silent ninja girl from "Sin City") and perennial martial arts 
B-movie
> > > > star Eric Roberts? Gotta qualify!
> > > > > 
> > > > > [about "DOA: Dead or Alive"]
> > > > > DOA is a martial arts tournament where the world's best 
fighters
> > > > anticipate in a contest, where combatants faces each other on 
a
> > > > mysterious island, where the loser who gets knocked-out will 
be
> > > > forced to leave the island and re

[scifinoir2] Re: George Lucas Calls 'Spider-Man 3' Silly

[B. Smith]

If I were Raimi and Co. I wouldn't lose any sleep considering it's 
coming from the man that delivered three tepid prequels, Gungans,  
Ewoks, etc. Silly indeed.

I just have never understood the reverence for Star Wars or Lucas. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> While I'm a big fan of Star Wars and it seems like Spiderman has a 
few 
> problems (like so many undeveloped storylines in one movie) but I 
do not 
>   think Stars Wars never really delved into character development 
like 
> the Spiderman series has done.
> 
> =
> 
> Lucas is currently preparing "Indiana Jones 4" with Harrison Ford, 
> Blanchett and Shia LaBoeuf. The latter plays Ford's son, which 
means his 
> mother was possibly the character Karen Allen played in "Raiders of 
the 
> Lost Ark."
> 
> "I can't say," Lucas said when I brought up Allen.
> 
> Lucas says that Sean Connery still hasn't signed on, but his 
character, 
> Indy's dad, is in the script. Other than that, his lips are sealed.
> 
> "Steven thinks we can keep the whole thing a secret," Lucas told 
me. "I 
> explained to him that it's impossible nowadays. We can't live like 
that."
> 
> So then, tell me more about "Indy 4," I suggested.
> 
> "Oh no," replied Lucas with a smile.
> 
> Lucas told me he has seen all the summer movies since his company, 
> Industrial Light and Magic, does most of the special effects. The 
only 
> one they didn't work on was "Spider-Man 3." What did he think of it?
> 
> "It's silly. It's a silly movie," he said. "There just isn't much 
there. 
> Once you take it all apart, there's not much story, is there?"
> 
> Well, it's not "Star Wars."
> 
> "People thought 'Star Wars' was silly, too," he added, with a 
wink. "But 
> it wasn't."
> 
> Lucas, by the way, says he is readying "Clone Wars," an animated 
series 
> for TV that's derived from "Star Wars." Many "Star Wars" characters 
> appear in "Clone Wars," but voiced by other actors.
> 
> And here's a little news: Lucas tells me he will make two more 
> live-action films based in the "Star Wars" era.
> 
> "But they won't have members of the Skywalker family as 
characters," he 
> said. "They will be other people of that milieu."
> 
> The two extra films will also be made for TV and probably be an 
hour 
> long each. But, like "Clone Wars," Lucas doesn't know where on TV 
they 
> will land.
> 
> Hello, HBO and Showtime. It may be time to pony up.
> 
> http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,270874,00.html
>

[scifinoir2] Re: 28 Weeks Later

[B. Smith]

I liked it a lot but there were a few obvious flaws. Didn't hurt the 
ride while you were on it but once it was over and you had time to 
think about it they are pretty glaring. 

S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S


The defense and eradication strategy for the Isle of Dogs. Hello you're 
on an island and the Infected don't swim. Blow the brigdes or block 
them and half the battle is won. Once they are contained finish them 
off.

Where were the NIH, WHO and other medical organizations? This was a 
health crisis with a new and deadly virus. Why weren't they on site 
surpervising the disposal, handling practices and other aspects of the 
recovery?

28 Weeks was way too soon to come back. You had a viral disease 
outbreak that was 99.99% contagious and at least 95% of Great 
Britain's population died during the outbreak. There's no way in hell 
anyone should have been allowed to resettle the area in that short a 
period of time.

That being said it was a very fun ride and there were some great 
setpieces:

The scene where the infected get into the refugee shelter is intense. 

The kill order to take everyone down 

The firebombing of the Isle of Dogs was epic

Heliocopter vs. a horde of Infected 

The Apache attack and the escape into the subway and what happens there 


--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "tetsuwanatom1" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> After watching this I had to go home and have a drink. Seriously. 
There 
> are a couple of serious flaws in the movie, still it's an enthralling 
> experience, the kind that makes you glad they still show movies in a 
> darkened theater.
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Sci Fi to Offer Anime Programming

[B. Smith]

Sci-Fi used to show quite a bit of anime but that went away in favor of 
SciFi Original movies. Bleech.


--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "tetsuwanatom1" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Martin  wrote:
> >
> > I may look into having the curse I laid on Skiffy removed, if this 
> comes through...
> > 
> Subsequent 
> > programming will be provided by Manga Entertainment, a part of 
Starz 
> > Media - the provider of the Sci Fi series Painkiller Jane.
> 
> You may not want to if you realize what animation Starz shows.
> 
> Surely I'm not the only one who remembers that SciFi used to show 
some 
> old school movies late at night on the weekend. Galaxy Express 999, 
> wha? Then again, they also gave Armitage . . .
>

[scifinoir2] Re: "Spider-Man 3" Audience Much Smaller in Second Weekend

[B. Smith]

Considering it took in over $150 million the first weekend this 
doesn't surpise me. 

So far it has grossed:
$242.1 Million domestic
$380 Million internationally
$622 Million total 

I guess all the grumbling about the budget has gone out the window. 
Analysts predict it may join the super exclusive $1 billion worldwide 
gross club.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Wow, precipitous drop, but Spidey 3 will still net a mint. I think 
Pirates of the Caribbean 3 just might outpace it, though, especially 
given how well the second movie did last year. And I must admit, the 
trailers for Pirates had even me excited, and now I plan to see it 
when it opens.
>  
> ***
> Spidey Takes a Fall but Still Nets $60M
> 
> By DAVID GERMAIN, AP Movie Writer
> LOS ANGELES - Even when he takes a huge fall, Spider-Man comes out 
on top. Sony's "Spider-Man 3" took in $60 million in its second 
weekend, a hefty 60 percent drop from its record debut a week earlier 
but good enough to easily outdistance the competition and remain the 
No. 1 movie, according to studio estimates Sunday.
> "After a record-breaking opening weekend, to me this is an 
appropriate second-weekend drop," said Paul Dergarabedian, president 
of box-office tracker Media By Numbers. "Any studio would be happy to 
have a movie opening with $60 million, let alone a second weekend 
with $60 million."
> With $242.1 million domestically in just 10 days, "Spider-Man 3" 
continued to beat the box-office pace of its predecessors. After 10 
days, 2002's "Spider-Man" had grossed $223 million, while 
2004's "Spider-Man 2" had taken in $225 million.
> "Spider-Man 3" quickly became the year's top-grossing film, 
hurtling past "300," the Warner Bros. battle epic that has taken in 
$208 million.
> Second-weekend drops for successful studio films typically are well 
below 50 percent. But "Spider-Man 3" shattered records with $151.1 
million in its first weekend, making a big decline virtually 
inevitable since so many people already had seen the film.
> "When you're in that stratosphere, we had to assume we would be in 
the range of a 60 percent drop," said Rory Bruer, head of 
distribution for Sony.
> The weekend's other new movies had fair to poor openings.
> Debuting in second place with $10 million was Fox Atomic's horror 
sequel "28 Weeks Later," a follow up to "28 Days Later" that 
continues the story of a virus in Britain that turns people into 
raging, cannibalistic zombies.
> Universal's "Georgia Rule," starring Lindsay Lohan, Jane Fonda and 
Felicity Huffman, opened at No. 3 with $5.9 million. Lohan plays a 
rebellious teen who's put under the charge of her no-nonsense grandma 
(Fonda).
> Lionsgate's "Delta Farce" premiered at No. 5 with $3.5 million. 
Larry the Cable Guy stars in the comedy about three weekend warriors 
mistakenly dumped in Mexico, where they take on a gang of bandits.
> The Weinstein Co. and MGM's workplace comedy "The Ex" tanked with 
$1.4 million, coming in at No. 12. The movie stars Zach Braff as a 
husband dueling with a co-worker who also is his wife's ex-boyfriend.
> "Spider-Man 3" made up for an otherwise soft crop of movies. The 
top-12 films took in $96.9 million, up 14 percent from the same 
weekend last year, when "Mission: Impossible 3" was No. 1 with $25 
million and "Poseidon" debuted in second place with $22.2 million.
> Overseas, "Spider-Man 3" pulled in an additional $85.5 million for 
the weekend, raising its international total to $380 million and 
worldwide total to $622 million. The previous "Spider-Man" movies 
each took in about $800 million worldwide, a number "Spider-Man 3" 
should easily beat.
> "Spider-Man 3" has a shot at topping $1 billion worldwide, Bruer 
said. Only three other movies, "Titanic," "The Lord of the Rings: The 
Return of the King" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," 
have hit that mark.
> After two weekends of light competition, "Spider-Man 3" faces the 
summer's next heavy-hitter Friday with the debut of DreamWorks 
Animation's "Shrek the Third," the latest adventure of the cartoon 
ogre.
> A week later, Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" 
sails into theaters, the Johnny Depp action comedy joining "Spider-
Man 3" and "Shrek the Third" to set up what could be Hollywood's 
biggest Memorial Day weekend ever.
> Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and 
Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures 
will be released Monday.
> 1. "Spider-Man 3," $60 million.
> 2. "28 Weeks Later," $10 million.
> 3. "Georgia Rule," $5.9 million.
> 4. "Disturbia," $4.8 million.
> 5. "Delta Farce," $3.5 million.
> 6. "Fracture," $2.9 million.
> 7. "The Invisible," $2.2 million.
> 8. "Hot Fuzz," $1.7 million.
> 9. "Next," $1.604 million.
> 10. "Meet the Robinsons," $1.6 million.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: 28 Weeks Later

[B. Smith]

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "tetsuwanatom1" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "B. Smith"  wrote:
> 
> 
> Non spoiler response:
> I appreciate Boyle's of casting Idris and Harold, however seems 
like 
> there were other less known brothers out there who could have 
played 
> these relatively small, though pivotal, parts. Two huge talents 
> wasted.
> 
> now spoilers:
> 
> > 
> > S
> > P
> > O
> > I
> > L
> > E
> > R
> > S
> > 
> > 
> > The defense and eradication strategy for the Isle of Dogs. Hello 
> you're 
> > on an island and the Infected don't swim. Blow the brigdes or 
> block 
> > them and half the battle is won. Once they are contained finish 
> them 
> > off.
> 
> However, apparently no matter what strategy they'd used there was a 
> carrier who could have come out undetected. It's likely there are 
> more carriers, too, say someone infected early on and made it out 
> before precautions were in place.

If it wasn't for the sniper and doctor the protagonists in the film 
would have been toast. Literally. 

If they had cut off access to the bridges and tunnels and the you 
have a big chunk of defense and eradication strategy handled. They 
had too many access and entrance points to the Isle of Dogs. They 
could have kept the Infected population trapped or denied them access 
if there were pockets of them roaming around somehow.

> 
> > 
> > Where were the NIH, WHO and other medical organizations? This was 
> a 
> > health crisis with a new and deadly virus. Why weren't they on 
> site 
> > surpervising the disposal, handling practices and other aspects 
of 
> the 
> > recovery?
> 
> Hey, it's an Iraq War allegory. The military HAS to be the 
> villain. ;)
> 
I guess I'm just too jaded. I didn't think what the General ordered 
was villainous. Once the situation got out hand he followed the 
protocols. 

I thought scene of the crowd descending into chaos and madness was 
well done. The snipers and other personnel seemed helpless as the 
disease spread like wildfire through the crowd. The General's hands 
were tied at that point and he played the hand he was dealt.


> > 
> > 28 Weeks was way too soon to come back. You had a viral disease 
> > outbreak that was 99.99% contagious and at least 95% of Great 
> > Britain's population died during the outbreak. There's no way in 
> hell 
> > anyone should have been allowed to resettle the area in that 
short 
> a 
> > period of time.
> 
> = US government's rush to return Iraq to a democracy. 
> 
> They didn't give us much backstory on the politics involved in the 
> situation, though you could read into it and think that there was 
> enormous pressure to get these possibly infected people out of our 
> area.
> 

True but they hadn't even cleared out all of London let alone the 
entire country. It was a bit of a stretch to order a partial 
resettlement under those conditions. Unless someone wanted restart 
the infection. H.

> > 
> > That being said it was a very fun ride and there were some great 
> > setpieces:
> > 
> > The scene where the infected get into the refugee shelter is 
> intense. 
> > 
> > The kill order to take everyone down 
> > 
> > The firebombing of the Isle of Dogs was epic
> > 
> > Heliocopter vs. a horde of Infected 
> > 
> > The Apache attack and the escape into the subway and what happens 
> there 
> 
> This was one of my problems with the execution of the movie. I 
> didn't get a sense of the fear or claustrophobia they were 
> experiencing. The technique they chose to get it across to us was 
> novel, however I wasn't moved. 

I had the opposite reaction. Once they went away from the night 
vision the scene sort of fell apart for me.

> 
> 
> > 
> > 
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "tetsuwanatom1"  
> wrote:
> > >
> > > After watching this I had to go home and have a drink. 
> Seriously. 
> > There 
> > > are a couple of serious flaws in the movie, still it's an 
> enthralling 
> > > experience, the kind that makes you glad they still show movies 
> in a 
> > > darkened theater.
> > >
> >
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Sci Fi to Offer Anime Programming

[B. Smith]

That was their parent company's decision. I would rather they put ECW 
on USA like RAW but I guess Law and Order: SVU reruns are the 
priority.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I used to watch.  I remember Vampire Hunter D and Armitage.  I 
could use 
> more of that, but its hard to have much faith in a station that 
would 
> program wrestling with science fiction.
> 
> Tracey
> 
> tetsuwanatom1 wrote:
> >
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> > , Martin  
wrote:
> > >
> > > I may look into having the curse I laid on Skiffy removed, if 
this
> > comes through...
> > >
> > Subsequent
> > > programming will be provided by Manga Entertainment, a part of 
Starz
> > > Media - the provider of the Sci Fi series Painkiller Jane.
> >
> > You may not want to if you realize what animation Starz shows.
> >
> > Surely I'm not the only one who remembers that SciFi used to show 
some
> > old school movies late at night on the weekend. Galaxy Express 
999,
> > wha? Then again, they also gave Armitage . . .
> >
> >
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Story Talks Black Panther

[B. Smith]

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Howzabout *not* importing characters at random, and unpacking a few 
old FF books to see who might actually have been in them? (Just the 
non-sensical ravings...)

Am I missing something? The Black Panther's first appearance was in 
FF# 52 so introducing him in an FF movie isn't unreasonable. 

In his first storyline he fought the FF and defeated them 
individually until they managed to turn the tables on him. He then 
explains why he lured them to Wakanda and attacked them.

In the next issue they team up and fight Klaw, the man who killed 
Panther's father.


> 
> "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:  More Marvel heroes in FF's future?
> by IGN Staff
> 
> May 8, 2007 - Tim Story, director of Fantastic Four: Rise of the 
Silver 
> Surfer and its big-screen predecessor, has had his fun with Dr. 
Doom and 
> the Sentinel of the Spaceways, but now he may be searching the 
Marvel 
> library for more characters to introduce in a possible third film 
in the 
> FF franchise.
> 
> Who might we see in Fantastic Four 3? One possibility appears to be 
> Black Panther, who first appeared in Fantastic Four vol. 1, #52 in 
> 1966. A film based on Black Panther, long championed by Wesley 
Snipes 
> (Snipes had been expected to play the character until he became so 
> deeply entrenched in the Blade franchise), has struggled to make 
its way 
> to the big screen. It wouldn't be that difficult, however, to give 
the 
> character a supporting part to play in a FF sequel.
> 
> Story recently told the LA Times, "I've got to tell you, to get the 
> Fantastic Four and turn it into a franchise, the first thing I 
thought 
> was, 'Will I get the Silver Surfer'? Or someone like Black Panther, 
who 
> was introduced in their book, get Djimon Hounsou and go do it?' But 
> there are so many other great villains and stories - I feel like I 
hit 
> the jackpot."
> 
> Is Story really looking at Black Panther? If so, we think Hounsou 
is a 
> stellar choice. Would you include Black Panther in Fantastic Four 
3, and 
> what other characters would you want to see show up if another 
sequel is 
> made? Send us an email with your ideas.
> 
> 
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A 
Man Without A Country"
>
> -
> Get the Yahoo! toolbar and be alerted to new email wherever you're 
surfing. 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Jericho Cancelled

[B. Smith]

I can understand why some folks gave up on the show early in the run 
because it did seem pretty cookie cutter. Then Ravenwood, refugees 
and the survivalists show up and it became must see tv. Once it found 
it's legs and you got into Hawkins and Jake's backstories and the 
mythology of the series it became something special. Then the New 
Bern arc just put the icing on the cake.

The shot in the final episode where Heather notices the new flag for 
the first time is one of my favorite tv moments of the year. The 
sense of tension and something just isn't right was perfectly done.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> You raise a point that's been bothering me since you posted this: I 
thought Jericho was going to be renewed!  As recently as 2 - 3 weeks 
ago, I'm *positive* I read something indicating it was doing well 
enough, and that CBS had verbally committed to it for another season. 
Indeed, around the same time the idea for my "Why I like Jericho" 
essay came into my head, I remember thinking that it'd be back for 
another season.  Glad I wasn't hallucinating, but what the hell 
happened in the last couple of weeks?
> 
> Story arcs are good. The "X-Files" was probably one of the best 
ever in using them. I loved the way that series would draw you in 
with really serious arcs about grand conspiracies and aliens, then 
present a lot of one-shot eps dealing with parasite men, mutants, 
werewolves, homicidal woodland creatures, etc., then throw in 
humorous shows. It was a great mix that allowed fans and non-fans 
alike to find something for them. DS9 did a very good job of 
that.  "Jericho" wasn't quite doing the arc in that manner, but it 
still had enough of a mix to satisfy. Like you say, I think it would 
have gotten better in a second season.
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> 
> > I read the CBS was intending to OK for a second season. They 
encouraged 
> > the producers to write a season finale and not series finale. 
Regarding 
> > the finale, then I accidentally saw it. Gee whiz, stuck out in 
limbo 
> > again. 
> > 
> > Read the following if you get chance. Great reading: 
> > 
> > Robert Hewett Wolfe's Coda for Andromeda - How the story was 
SUPPOSED to 
> > flow on Andromeda. 
> > http://www.rhwolfe.com/Coda/Andromeda___Coda.pdf 
> > 
> > There is a 20 page discussion with Robert Hewett Wolfe and fans 
on Ex 
> > Isle Forums Industry 
> > Insider Updates section which is a news and discussions from 
people 
> > working in sci fi. I do not know exactly where the thread is, but 
it is 
> > located at: http://www.exisle.net/mb/index.php?showforum=32 
> > I only read about 8 pages but his answers are interesting. I 
really 
> > like that forum and hope to read it more. 
> > 
> > Back to your thoughts about arcs, I think arcs are the most 
effective 
> > way to draw audiences in without worrying about losing audiences. 
In 
> > the past, I think Buffy, Angel, X-files, Some of the Treks B-5, 
Jag, 
> > Gallactica and a view others have used it effectively. 
> > 
> > 
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 
> > > 
> > > I think the series finale of "Jericho" actually aired last 
week. I've 
> > > read some of Hewitt's feelings on "Andromeda", nothing by the 
DS9 
> > > folks. What's the gist of both of those? 
> > > 
> > > When you say the producers of "Jericho" will share their 
vision, do 
> > > you mean that they'll just tell us what the ultimate answers to 
the 
> > > mysteries will be, how they were going to end it, etc? I really 
wish 
> > > networks would commit to finishing shows that are cancelled. 
Sometimes 
> > > a TV movie could do it, but not for a show like "Jericho". But 
still, 
> > > it'd be great if we could get a six-episode arc of shows that 
at least 
> > > completed the major mysteries. 
> > > 
> > > -- Original message -- 
> > > From: "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" 
> > > > > > 
> > > 
> > > > I'm not giving up on watching doomed shows. I just can't 
bring myself 
> > > > to watch the last cliff hanger of Jericho coming on next 
week. 
> > > > Producers are increasingly communicating with audiences. Have 
you read 
> > > > Hewitt's original vision of Andrameda's before it was 
destroyed by 
> > > Sorbo 
> > > > or the open posts by DS9 producers? They are awesome. So, I 
have a 
> > > > little hope that the producers of Jericho will share their 
vision for 
> > > > the show. 
> > > > 
> > > > Tracey 
> > > > 
> > > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 
> > > > > 
> > > > > I've said this before to you, I know. But back in the 
late '80s and 
> > > > > early to mid '90s, I was so fed up with scifi on TV I 
actually 
> > > > > abandoned it for a while. The networks kept putting out 
crap shows 
> > > > > like "Hard Time on Planet Earth" and cancelling them to no 
one's 
> > > > > surprise. But good shows--like "Wolf" on Fox--were 
c

[scifinoir2] Re: Why Shows Like "Jericho" Matter to Me.

[B. Smith]

I've only seen some production stills from it. Pretty nasty stuff for 
the 80s.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Just a side note, I was reading about the Day after and its seems 
there 
> was a related third movie event that I never knew about but many 
> overseas did see and felt it was even more intense that The other 
two . 
> It was called Threads. See http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090163/ for 
more 
> info
> 
> Plot: Documentary style account of a nuclear holocaust and it's 
affect 
> on the working class city of Sheffield, England; and the eventual 
long 
> run affects of nuclear war on civilization.
> 
> Has anyone seen it?
> 
> Tracey
> /
> /
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> > Martin,
> >
> > You mentioned that perhaps you should have given "Jericho" a 
chance. I think it was the kind of show that grows on you. You still 
may not have liked it, but your statement got me to thinking. For the 
last two months I've been percolating an essay in my head about how 
some post-apocalyptic shows move me more than others. I've been 
thinking a great deal about two from way back in the day. Here's an 
excerpt of the essay I'm working on. It's long--of course--but speaks 
to why I liked "Jericho"   --keith  
> >  
> >   
> >
> > In 1983, two events premiered dealing with a post-nuclear strike 
world: the TV miniseries “The Day After”, and the film 
“Testament”.
> >  
> > “The Day After” was a heavily hyped, much-anticipated, FX-
heavy, big budget affair. Its goal was to realistically portray the 
horrors of nuclear war. I remember seeing missiles screaming out of 
silos in the Midwest, mushroom clouds dotting the landscape, images 
of citizens vaporized, whole cities reduced to rubble. And then came 
the nuclear winter, as radioactive ash and dirty snow fell onto 
devastated lands.  Scientists like Carl Sagan served as advisors to 
make sure the aftermath was properly depicted.  I remember star Jason 
Robards wandering the streets of a burned out city, a living ghost 
dying--like those around him--from the poisons in the air.  It was 
grim and scary and sobering and unflinching in its visual style.  ABC 
so feared the impact the miniseries would have on viewers, they set 
up a call-in line so people could talk to counselors after seeing it. 
No one called.  Though “The Day After” was fairly well received, 
it wasn’t the big cultural phenomenon people had hoped. 
> >
> >  
> > I think the length, scope, and big-budget treatment actually 
removed it a bit from people. They treated it more like one of the 
ever-increasing number of FX-heavy sci-fi movies that were cropping 
up. People talked of how it *looked* scary, but carried little with 
them after the last images faded.
> >  
> > “Testament”, on the other hand, slid in under the radar. No 
fanfare, no big promotions. This film--taking place wholly in a small 
suburb outside San Francisco--barely made a ripple when it premiered, 
in truth.  Years later I caught it on PBS. It’s a very small film, 
with no FX, no explosions, no major stars.  The sky doesn’t turn 
blood red or coal black, no radioactive flakes fall on the citizens. 
No crazed mutates or lawless soldiers rampage unchecked.  Hell, we 
never even really find out what happened. One day the Emergency 
Broadcasting System comes on, and then the TVs and radios go silent--
forever. Loved ones never return from the big city, and no one knows 
why.   The little neighborhood that serves as the focus is simply cut 
off from the world. Most of the movie focuses on one family. The 
setting never changes from one or two streets. The people just go on 
trying to live in what they now realize is a dying world.
> >  
> > Despite the lack of explosions and FX, “Testament" is very 
powerful. Jane Alexander’s quiet desperation at knowing her 
children are dying is gut-wrenching.  There’s a little boy in the 
neighborhood who’s learning impaired, I believe. All he wants to do 
is ride his bike all day long. To watch that simple child slowly die, 
hair falling out, and not even really be aware of it, was tough to 
watch. There’s one scene when Alexander’s character has to 
explain to her young daughter what it feels like to make love. 
Knowing her child will never live to experience it, she’s fairly 
frank: “There’s a part of the man that goes inside you”, she 
says, “and it hurts, but it feels good at the same time. And it is 
wonderful and scary and sad and happy all at once”. She cries as 
she tries to explain what she knows her daughter doesn’t really 
understand.  I ain’t ashamed to say my eyes were moist too.
> >  
> > Twenty years later, I remember “Testament” with more emotion 
than “The Day After”. The simple courage of an average mother 
trying to deal with the loss of her life and her family hits home 
more deeply and lastingly than the sights o

[scifinoir2] Re: Sam Jackson in Talks for "The Spirit" Movie

[B. Smith]

All I have to say about the Spirit is this: Ebony White. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebony_White

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spirit

After seeing that character I could never read The Spirit or any of 
Eisner's other work. 

There was a huge discussion about Eisner's legacy on Dwayne 
McDuffie's message board after he passed away. I on't speak for 
everyone but the general consensus was that Eisner was massively 
talented and stretched the boundaries of comic book form but Ebony 
White kept most black folks from enjoying it. 

Eisner always maintained that it was a product of the times and he 
portrayed Ebony that way because that's the way white people of the 
40s viewed blacks. Unfortunately Ebony remained pretty much unchanged 
into the 90s. His defenders say Ebony's actions belied his appearance 
and that's what mattered. Sorry, that dog don't hunt.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> The Spirit is one of the rare comic characters about which I know 
next to nothing. I haven't read Miller's treatment of it, so don't 
know how close it is to Eisner's. I don't  have a frame of reference 
for whether Jackson would make a good "Octopus", but I suppose if 
Miller likes him, that's good enough. I loved Jackson's crazy mad-
scientist-looking villain in "Unbreakable".
> 
> **  
> 
> Jackson in the "Spirit" for Miller 
> By Tatiana Siegel and Borys KitFri May 18, 1:15 AM ET 
> Samuel L. Jackson is in negotiations to star as a supervillain in 
the Frank Miller-helmed comic book adaptation "The Spirit" for 
Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment.
> The story centers on Denny Colt, an ambitious young cop murdered in 
the line of duty who is reborn as the masked mystery man known as the 
Spirit.
> Jackson would play the Spirit's nemesis, the Octopus, a meek lab 
assistant who reinvents himself as a psychotic nightmare that kills 
anyone unfortunate enough to see his face. The Octopus' tentacles 
reach into every aspect of crime in fictitious Central City, a 
metropolis he plans to wipe out.
> Miller said during an introduction of the project at the Cannes 
Film Festival that Jackson is his first choice to play the evil 
genius who knows the secrets behind the Spirit. He added that he is 
beginning to mull different actors to play the comic book hero.
> Miller, one of the world's most renowned graphic artists, penned 
the screenplay, which is based on the comic book series created by 
the late Will Eisner. The film will mark the first solo directing 
project for Miller, who co-helmed 2005's "Sin City" with Robert 
Rodriguez.
> Lionsgate will distribute the film in the U.S. and the U.K.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Sam Jackson in Talks for "The Spirit" Movie

[B. Smith]

http://thevhive.com/forum/index.php?webtag=DWAYNEMCDUFFIE

That's the new VHive forum. C'mon over.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I have not heard from Dwayne for a while.  What it the location of 
> Dwaye's Message Board
> 
> Tracey
> 
> B. Smith wrote:
> >
> >
> > There was a huge discussion about Eisner's legacy on Dwayne
> > McDuffie's message board after he passed away. I on't speak for
> > everyone but the general consensus was that Eisner was massively
> > talented and stretched the boundaries of comic book form but Ebony
> > White kept most black folks from enjoying it.
> >
> > Eisner always maintained that it was a product of the times and he
> > portrayed Ebony that way because that's the way white people of 
the
> > 40s viewed blacks. Unfortunately Ebony remained pretty much 
unchanged
> > into the 90s. His defenders say Ebony's actions belied his 
appearance
> > and that's what mattered. Sorry, that dog don't hunt.
> >
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> > <mailto:scifinoir2%40yahoogroups.com>, KeithBJohnson@ wrote:
> > >
> > > The Spirit is one of the rare comic characters about which I 
know
> > next to nothing. I haven't read Miller's treatment of it, so don't
> > know how close it is to Eisner's. I don't have a frame of 
reference
> > for whether Jackson would make a good "Octopus", but I suppose if
> > Miller likes him, that's good enough. I loved Jackson's crazy mad-
> > scientist-looking villain in "Unbreakable".
> > >
> > > **
> > >
> > > Jackson in the "Spirit" for Miller
> > > By Tatiana Siegel and Borys KitFri May 18, 1:15 AM ET
> > > Samuel L. Jackson is in negotiations to star as a supervillain 
in
> > the Frank Miller-helmed comic book adaptation "The Spirit" for
> > Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment.
> > > The story centers on Denny Colt, an ambitious young cop 
murdered in
> > the line of duty who is reborn as the masked mystery man known as 
the
> > Spirit.
> > > Jackson would play the Spirit's nemesis, the Octopus, a meek lab
> > assistant who reinvents himself as a psychotic nightmare that 
kills
> > anyone unfortunate enough to see his face. The Octopus' tentacles
> > reach into every aspect of crime in fictitious Central City, a
> > metropolis he plans to wipe out.
> > > Miller said during an introduction of the project at the Cannes
> > Film Festival that Jackson is his first choice to play the evil
> > genius who knows the secrets behind the Spirit. He added that he 
is
> > beginning to mull different actors to play the comic book hero.
> > > Miller, one of the world's most renowned graphic artists, penned
> > the screenplay, which is based on the comic book series created by
> > the late Will Eisner. The film will mark the first solo directing
> > project for Miller, who co-helmed 2005's "Sin City" with Robert
> > Rodriguez.
> > > Lionsgate will distribute the film in the U.S. and the U.K.
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
> >
>

[scifinoir2] Re: "Jericho" Fans Still Trying to Save Show

[B. Smith]

It's a line from the season(series) finale. 

When the New Bern folks ask if Jericho will surrender that's the 
answer Jake gives. It's pretty much a middle finger to the forces 
trying to take the town.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/FunMoney/Story?id=3214156&page=2

"When asked to surrender, lead character Jake Green, played by Skeet 
Ulrich, has a one-word response: "Nuts." 

The response is in reference to Gen. Anthony McAuliffe, a U.S. Army 
general who in World War II was surrounded by Germans demanding his 
surrender. 

His response: "Nuts." 


--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Me either. I missed the season-excuse me series--finale. I missed 
two or three eps during the season as well. 
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> Keith, I don't get the nuts thing. Could you edumacate me?
> 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: [The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
> 'Jericho' fans don't give up
> If nukes couldn't kill Jericho, maybe nuts can save it.
> That's the hope of fans of the CBS drama about post-apocalyptic 
life in a small Kansas town. After taking a nearly three-month hiatus 
during its promising first season, "Jericho" returned to drooping 
ratings; CBS isn't bringing it back next year.
> But fans have refused to say die, starting a Web site 
(www.savejericho.com). An online petition had 91,863 signatures and 
counting, around noon Tuesday, according to 
www.petitiononline.com/09272006/petition.html. There's even a 
campaign — based on a line of "Jericho" dialogue — to send nuts to 
CBS headquarters (26,133 pounds and counting, around noon Tuesday, 
according to www.nutsonline.com).
> CBS hasn't changed its mind, although CBS spokesman Chris Ender 
told The New York Times, "We are impressed by their creativity." So 
was the WB in 2000, when fans of the low-rated "Roswell" flooded the 
network with bottles of Tabasco sauce (a favorite of the show's 
characters). And just last summer, fans of the canceled "Everwood" 
erected a Ferris wheel (there was one on the show) near the CW's 
headquarters.
> The good news: "Roswell" got a reprieve. The bad news: "Everwood" 
didn't.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A 
Man Without A Country"
> 
> -
> Get the free Yahoo! toolbar and rest assured with the added 
security of spyware protection. 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
>  
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Which season finale are the best

[B. Smith]

Jericho and Lost worked for me. Heroes was pretty good but it felt 
rushed and a short exposition scene could have cleared up several 
problems.

I haven't seen the others on the list yet.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I saw a poll on Scifi channel and I wanted to read your opinions.  
The 
> questions was... Now that must of the TV season finales have been 
aired, 
> which do you think was the best?
> 
> Lost
> Heroes
> Battlestar Gallactica
> Jericho
> Smallville
> Supernatural
> 24
> 
> I added a few of my own
> 
> Tracey
>

[scifinoir2] Re: John From Cincinnati

[B. Smith]

I tried to watch it but it just left me cold. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "ravenadal" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Please note I am definitely a minority opinion regarding the Gospel
> according to "John."  It scored pathetic post Soprano ratings and 
was
> reviled by most critics.  I taped it on my DVR and watched it
> primarily because I remain a large Rebecca De Mornay fan. 
> 
> I dug its loopy, surfer-dude existentialist vibe.  A benign
> non-believer, I love that this dysfunctional, near trailer trash
> family lives in an age of miracles.
> 
> Further, surfing has always fascinated the resolute non-swimmer in 
me.
>  I was one of the few subscribers to the original "Silver Surfer"
> comic book and am one of the few diehard fans of the Keanu
> Reaves/Patrick Swayze surfer/bank robber flick, "Point Blank."
> 
> ~rave!
> 
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "being_marian"  
wrote:
> >
> > I gave up after the surfing at the start of the show.  You mean 
there 
> > was actually something to recommend this show?   
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > -- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "ravenadal"  wrote:
> > >
> > > Levitating surfers, pet birds brought back from the dead, 
> > a "prophet"
> > > who was apparently born full grown this morning and is learning 
the
> > > venacular as he goes along... 
> > > 
> > > This is the kindest of the many reviews I read loathing this 
show.  
> > > 
> > > Of course, I LOVED it.  Can't wait to see more.
> > > 
> > > ~rave!
> > > 
> > > http://www.variety.com/index.asp?
> > layout=print_review&reviewid=VE1117933836&categoryid=1264
> > > 
> > > Posted: Wed., Jun. 6, 2007, 1:41pm PT
> > > 
> > > John From Cincinnati
> > >  
> > > (Series -- HBO, Sun. June 10, 10 p.m.) Filmed in Imperial Beach,
> > > Calif., by Red Board Prods. and HBO Entertainment. Executive
> > > producers, David Milch, Gregg Fienberg, Zvi Howard Rosenman, 
Mark
> > > Tinker; co-executive producers, Kem Nunn, Peter Spears, Scott
> > > Stephens; producer, Ted Mann; director, Tinker; writers, Milch, 
> > Nunn.
> > >  
> > > Cissy Yost - Rebecca De Mornay
> > > Dr. Smith - Garret Dillahunt
> > > Shaun Yost - Greyson Fletcher
> > > Meyer Dickstein - Willie Garson
> > > Mitch Yost - Bruce Greenwood
> > > Ramon Gaviota - Luis Guzman
> > > Kai - Keala Kennelly
> > > John - Austin Nichols
> > > Bill Jacks - Ed O'Neill
> > > Linc Stark - Luke Perry
> > > Butchie Yost - Brian Van Holt
> > > Barry Cunningham - Matt Winston
> > >  
> > > By BRIAN LOWRY
> > > "John From Cincinnati" might be the strangest show ever 
produced for
> > > American television -- an HBO drama that makes "Twin Peaks" 
look 
> > like
> > > "Mayberry RFD." Yet even worshippers at the altar of writer
> > > extraordinaire David Milch are likely to find themselves 
bewildered
> > > and frustrated with the premiere, and two subsequent episodes 
only
> > > marginally improve matters. It's easy to admire the hypnotic 
poetry 
> > in
> > > Milch's dialogue, but this existential surfing fantasy -- 
infused 
> > with
> > > a touch of "Starman" -- dips and swerves amid its confounding
> > > currents, and hardly appears like the standard-bearer to help 
lead 
> > the
> > > pay service into a post-"Sopranos" future.
> > > 
> > > Indeed, fans of Milch's "Deadwood" (notably, a few members of 
that
> > > show's cast show up here) might wonder what possessed HBO to
> > > inadvertently hasten the foul-mouthed Western's demise to 
liberate 
> > the
> > > producer to pursue this perplexing, messy bit of whimsy 
inspired by
> > > surf novelist (and series co-creator) Kem Nunn.
> > > 
> > > Built around three generations of surfers, the show's patriarch 
is
> > > Mitch Yost (Bruce Greenwood), a wave-conquering legend whose 
son,
> > > Butchie (Brian Van Holt), was equally promising before the high 
life
> > > got the best of him and he became a junkie. Mitch and his wife 
Cissy
> > > (Rebecca De Mornay) thus care for their grandson Shaun (Greyson
> > > Fletcher), another surfing prodigy who Mitch desperately wants 
to
> > > protect from Butchie's fame-driven fall and the leeches 
(including a
> > > surf promoter played by Luke Perry) that would latch onto him.
> > > 
> > > Into this fractured family drama descends John (Austin 
Nichols), a
> > > messianic figure who mostly seems to parrot what others say to 
him.
> > > Once John arrives, strange things start occurring -- from 
Butchie
> > > feeling no dope sickness to Mitch inexplicably levitating a few 
> > inches
> > > off the ground.
> > > 
> > > "Some things I know, and some things I don't," John repeats with
> > > childlike simplicity. Butchie guesses he's from Cincinnati -- 
hence
> > > the title -- whereas the audience is left to ponder whether the
> > > fresh-faced lad comes from outer space, Heaven or somewhere else
> > > equally exotic.
> > > 
> > > If the show quit there, it would be maddening enough, but Milch 
> > tosses
> > > in family friend Bill (Ed O'Neill) and a peculiar, suicidal 
lottery
> > > winne

[scifinoir2] Re: Tyrese Gibson to play Luke Cage

[B. Smith]

I feel your pain.

BTW I have about a long box worth of comics from the last year or two 
that I haven't had time (or interest in some cases) to read.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> about right! i typically do a lot of heavy reading in winter, when 
it's cold and I don't mind being inside so much. I read in the summer 
too, every day, just hit it harder in cold weather months. Currently 
I'm just keeping up with issues of New Avengers, Spider-Girl, Heroes 
for Hire, Fantastic Four.  I'm also currently reading two books: 
the "Galileo Affair", from the "1632" series, and a bio of Clarence 
Thomas "Supreme Discomfort". And I try to workout 1-1/2 hours each 
day. And I have a yard to weed and plant.
> And a wife I really try to spend time with...
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> So, I should call you, what- next *April*? 
> 
> Enjoy the reading.
> 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> I've been buying and archiving the copies, but haven't read 
anything past the first ish yet. I *still* have all of DC's "Infinite 
Crisis" books to read, as well as "52", all of the Superman, Batman, 
JLA books after the Crisis, and about four months of Spidey books as 
well!
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: Martin 
> Keith, are you reading "Immortal Iron Fist"?
> 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: We gonna see Iron Fist too? How about 
Misty Knight? Love me some Misty Knight! The new "Heroes for Hire" 
comic is a hoot I'm really enjoying, though it feels a little odd 
without Cage and Fist in it...
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" 
> Gibson Sets Sights On Cage
> 
> Tyrese Gibson (Transformers) told SCI FI Wire that it's looking 
> increasingly likely that he will star in a big-screen movie 
featuring 
> the Marvel Comics hero Luke Cage. If everything goes according to 
plan, 
> Gibson will play Cage, the first black comic-book superhero, in a 
film 
> to be directed by John Singleton, who previously directed Gibson in 
the 
> drama Baby Boy.
> 
> "They're doing rewrites on it now, and we actually have a meeting 
coming 
> up on it soon, from what I hear, just to see where we are with the 
whole 
> thing," Gibson said in an interview while promoting 
Transformers. "Right 
> now they're in the process of getting the rewrites done, and then 
> they'll, I guess, do kind of a formal presentation to see if it's 
going 
> to be a go."
> 
> Asked what interests Gibson most about the super-strong and hard-to-
hurt 
> Cage character, he replied: "I just love his presence, and I love 
the 
> fact that he's one of the first black comic-book characters. I'd 
like to 
> make the comic-book world proud with what I'm looking to do with 
Luke 
> Cage. So hopefully the opportunity all pans itself out. Me and 
Singleton 
> are both looking to be a part of it, if the screenplay turns out 
right. 
> I met with [producer] Avi Arad, and he's very excited about the 
> possibility. But you can't do a great movie without a great script, 
and 
> the ducks have got to line up." â€"Ian Spelling
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A 
Man Without A Country"
> 
> -
> Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Yahoo! Autos 
new Car Finder tool.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> Yahoo! Groups Links
> 
> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A 
Man Without A Country"
> 
> -
> Shape Yahoo! in your own image. Join our Network Research Panel 
today!
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
>  
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Review of David Anthony Durham's "Acacia"

[B. Smith]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll definitely pick this up.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "ravenadal" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/06/05/145110.php
> 
> Book Review: Acacia by David Anthony Durham
> Written by Constance Burris
> 
> 
> Published June 05, 2007
> 
> I was extremely excited to get an advance copy of David Anthony
> Durham's epic fantasy Acacia because Durham is a Black man. Durham
> disproves the common belief that Black people do not read or write
> science fiction or fantasy. David Anthony Durham joins the ranks of
> Octavia Butler, Nalo Hopkinson, and Samuel R. Delaney in proving 
that
> Blacks do write science fiction and fantasy.
> 
> I am very ashamed to admit that I expected to see a book full of 
Black
> people using magic against orcs and dragons. I pictured something 
like
> a Wesley Snipes-inspired Lord of the Rings. Thank goodness I was 
wrong.
> 
> There were no Black people introduced until about 250 pages into the
> book, but I was not disappointed. For one thing, Durham's writing is
> so beautiful he could have been writing chick lit and I would not 
have
> minded. However, he did deal with two topics that I feel hit the
> African American community right at its heart: drug addiction and
> slavery. Durham mixes these three elements (fantasy, drug addiction,
> and slavery) exquisitely, resulting in one of the most original
> fantasy novels I've ever read.
> 
> At the heart of the Acacian empire is its king, Leodan Akaran. He is
> the twenty-second Akaran king to rule in peace. The Acacians have
> created a rich and prosperous empire that has built its wealth on
> enslaving its people and selling another portion of its people away 
to
> the Lothan Aklun in exchange for a drug which pacifies its users so
> that they will never be able to develop enough will power to 
complain
> about their life. Despite being a king who has enslaved thousands,
> Leodan is a kind, loving, and troubled man who loves his children 
more
> than his kingdom. Which brings up the question: can you rule a 
kingdom
> if you don't put your empire above all, including your children? The
> answer to that question is no — during a banquet, Thasren Mein
> successfully travels from Mein Tahalian and assassinates Leodan.
> 
> Before his death, Leodan developed a plan to send his four children 
to
> the four corners of the known world with four separate guardians.
> Leodan hoped that eventually his four children would reunite and
> reclaim the Acacian throne.
> 
> Hanish Mein, the chieftain of the Mein, is supposed to be the bad 
guy
> in Acacia. But, to Durham's credit, the line between the good guy 
and
> bad guy is so blurred that I ended up cheering for the bad guy. It
> didn't hurt that Hanish was this incredibly intelligent, 
charismatic,
> and extremely muscular man.
> 
> Another element which sets Acacia apart from traditional fantasies 
is
> the use of magic. There is no magic (or fantastical elements) 
through
> most of the book. I was beginning to think it wasn't a fantasy 
novel.
> But towards the end of the novel, magic is used. There still weren't
> any orcs, dwarves, or goblins running around. However, Durham plans 
to
> release two more novels to make a trilogy. So for you orc lovers,
> there is still hope.
> 
> In conclusion, I loved this book because there are so many ways it 
can
> be examined, critiqued, and explored. A three hundred-page thesis
> could be written on the race and gender relations alone.
> 
> Time magazine has listed this novel as 18th of its 50 things to do
> this summer. I agree. In fact, I read most of this novel on a bus 
trip
> to a science fiction convention. It made the horrible ten-hour
> Greyhound delay almost enjoyable! If you only read one novel this
> summer, I suggest you make it Acacia.
>

[scifinoir2] Re: New series "Burn Notice"

[B. Smith]

The show works better if you don't think too hard. :) I liked it a 
lot. It was a breezy and fun and you gotta to love Bruce Campbell 
chewing up the scenery as a former special ops soldier turned kept 
man.

The setup worked to some degree because he was burned and 
successfully cut off from his normal resources when he was undercover 
in a foreign country and he got injured during his escape. He wakes 
up in Miami cutoff from everything. 

Apparently the whole unhappy childhood thing caused him to write off 
Miami as a fall back position. He has other resources but he can't 
get to them because of the FBI, TSA and other government agencies are 
monitoring his every move and the mysterious big bad that got him 
burned is pulling the strings.  

Now he's stuck with the ex, his mom and his old buddy all playing him 
and the person that burned him pulling his strings for some purpose.

So far this show reminds me of The Prisoner, Dexter, The Equalizer 
and MacGuyver.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> too bad, it could have been a sharp and insightful look into the 
real world of spies. I have *no* idea what happens to spies once 
they're no longer engaged in active espionage.   Surely they're not 
just given a pink slip and thrown out into the world? That kind of 
cavalier dismissal seems a perfect way to create an enemy of the 
state who might use that dirt Martin mentioned against those who he 
feels have wronged him. 
> 
> I would think that, like athletes or jet pilots, they'd go into 
training/logistics/command jobs, not just be thrown out to pasture. 
Wouldn't a former spy be the best person to run spy school for future 
generations?
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> 
> > I really wanted to get into this. It's got a great cast and 
story, but 
> > I feel asleep too. I still think it has potential, but it needs 
to be 
> > retooled little, I think their heavy handed approach to having 
him 
> > narrate is a distraction and the story would flow better if there 
were less. 
> > 
> > It's definitely not the Prisoner 
> > 
> > Tracey 
> > 
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 
> > > 
> > > so it's not a modern day "Prisoner" remake? 
> > > 
> > > -- Original message -- 
> > > From: Martin > > > 
> > > Pretty good, if light entertainment is it for you. It skims. At 
least 
> > > that's how it felt to me. I did drop off on the last ten 
minutes, 
> > > owing to old age and a long day out. I'll keep watching it. 
> > > 
> > > My only serious gripe with it is the notion that, once Westin 
was 
> > > "burned", he had no assets at all to draw upon. I know a few 
people 
> > > sort of in this line of work ("don't ask, don't tell" applies 
here, 
> > > folks), and they keep liquid asstes on hand at all times. A 
money 
> > > belt, a few Krugerrands in a few safe-deposit boxes, so on. And 
they'd 
> > > make certain to have- shall we say "incriminating evidence" on 
hand 
> > > that could get them out of such spots. They'd never be out in 
the cold 
> > > as he was. 
> > > 
> > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 
> > > anyone see this series premiere? Any good? 
> > > 
> > > * 
> > > 
> > > WHAT IS BURN NOTICE? 
> > > When spies get fired, they don't get a letter from human 
resources. 
> > > They get BURNED... 
> > > The action/spy genre gets a refreshing update with USA 
Network's 
> > > newest original series, Burn Notice. Jeffrey Donovan stars as 
Michael 
> > > Westen, an international spy who suddenly finds himself 
blacklisted. 
> > > Dumped in his hometown of Miami without money or resources, 
Michael 
> > > struggles to put his life back together and find out why he's 
been 
> > > burned. In the meantime, he uses his unique skills and training 
to 
> > > help people in need ... mostly people who can't get help from 
the police. 
> > > Michael is joined by Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) an ex-IRA 
operative, who 
> > > also happens to be an ex-girlfriend; and Sam (Bruce Campbell), 
a 
> > > washed-out military intelligence contact who's being used by 
the feds 
> > > to keep tabs on Michael. 
> > > He's also forced to confront the family he went halfway around 
the 
> > > world to get away from - particularly his mother, Madeline 
(Sharon 
> > > Gless) who couldn't be happier to have her son back in town. 
> > > Created and written by Matt Nix, Burn Notice combines the best 
of the 
> > > action/thriller elements with surprising humor and an iconic 
new breed 
> > > of spy. The series' Commercial-Free Premiere is presented by 
DirecTV 
> > > and airs Thursday, June 28 at 10/9C. New episodes will air 
throughout 
> > > the summer on Thursdays at 10/9C. 
> > > 
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] 
> > > 
> > > "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only 
angels will 
> > > get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vo

[scifinoir2] Re:More Vampire Movies

[B. Smith]

You are correct sir. I miss Forever Knight. Unfortunately I missed 
several seasons due to spotty syndication in the area where I lived. 
I'll have to add the available seasons to my Netflix queue. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Never watched that show, but heard good things about it. Hey, 
remember the TV pilot "Nick Knight", starring Rick Springfield? From 
what I understand, that failed pilot was retooled as the 
series "Forever Knight", with Springfield no longer in the lead role.
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> The best "tortured soul" vamp I've seen was Nick Knight 
from "Forever Knight". IMO, Angel could take pointers from him.
> 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: That sounds cool. I'm not even against 
the "tortured soul" vampire, but the line from Brad Pitt and Tom 
Cruise, to Angel and others, is now just one of pretty boys with 
shoulder length hair, refined tastes, and big homes. So romantic--
positively Gothic. I need to see me some Nosferatu or neck-*chewing* 
ghoulies.
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> Neither am I, Keith. The story I'm laboring on now has vampires in 
it, albeit in a very minor role, and mine are just normal folks. They 
lives their lives, they love, they aspire. They just can't work 
regular 9-to-5 jobs.
> 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: funny! I'm not a real big fan of vampires 
in the modern era: all suave and attractive, deeply tortured souls 
with the hearts of poets--or corporate raiders. They have their 
place: loved Angel, and the Brit mini-series "Ultraviolet" rules. But 
I sometimes long for someone to dredge up the early folktales of 
vampires as ghoulish, vicious, flesh-eating things out of nightmare. 
Man, those European legends about vamps were scary! Nothing suave or 
pretty about those half-rotted, shuffling creatures. Sometimes I want 
Nosferatu instead of Angel.
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: Said Kakese Dibinga <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> groan.
> 
> Next Sci-Fi channel will produce a show called "BLOODCRACK", which 
will be about a vampire that bites crackheads in the neck, turning 
them into vampires that need blood from crack heads to survive... 
or "METHFANG" about some Meth heads that, after taking a tainted 
batch of meth', they turn into vampires that in turn bite other 
people, turning them into meth-additcted vampires that can tell by 
scent alone (ala Wolverine) if someone is a meth' head..
> 
> Said
> 
> www.onceuponatimeinthecongo.com 
> 
> -
> Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not 
web links. 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A 
Man Without A Country"
> 
> -
> Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! 
Travel. 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A 
Man Without A Country"
> 
> -
> Get the free Yahoo! toolbar and rest assured with the added 
security of spyware protection. 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
>  
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Word on Marvel Direct-to-DVD Animated Films

[B. Smith]

The first Ultimate Avengers is very good and but something about 
about the second one didn't quite work at times. The Hulk steals the 
show.

I enjoyed Iron Man but the ending was a bit of a letdown. 


--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I read that they are bringing Doctor Marvel to DVD and that Two 
Ultimate 
> Avengers and an Iron Man had been previously produced.  I was 
wondering 
> if anyone has seen these direct to video films.  Are they any good?
> 
> Tracey
> Doctor Strange Screening
> Marvel's latest animated feature debuts at con.
> by IGN Staff
> 
> July 23, 2007 - On Friday, July 27th, Lionsgate and Marvel Studios 
will 
> host the world premiere screening of the animated Doctor Strange at 
San 
> Diego Comic-Con. The film will be shown in its entirety on the big 
> screen starting at 7:15pm that evening.
> 
> The screening will also include a talent panel featuring Marvel 
Senior 
> VP Creative Development, Animation, Craig Kyle, supervising 
director and 
> producer Frank Paur, and writer Greg Johnson.
> 
> Doctor Strange is the latest in a string of successful and popular 
> direct-to-DVD animated films for Marvel and Lionsgate. Two Ultimate 
> Avengers films were previously released, as was an Iron Man 
adventure.
> 
> Doctor Strange streets on August 14th on standard-def disc as well 
as on 
> Blu-ray.
> http://dvd.ign.com/articles/807/807379p1.html
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Word on Marvel Direct-to-DVD Animated Films

[B. Smith]

I loved those when I was a kid. Our local tv station showed a block 
of Marvel toons. Monday was the 60s Spider-Man and they ran all the 
static toon the rest of the week. We even got the Sub-Mariner and 
Thor. 

I've seen the sets but I just don't have the heart to watch them now 
because I know they'll seem ultra cheesy. I occaisionally listen to 
the corny theme music on my MP3 player when I'm feeling nostalgic.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Do you remember the Marvel cartoons from wy back in the 60s? 
The ones that were literally static drawings from the comics, 
and "movement" consisted of the static figures being moved across the 
screen? Or how the stiff bodies wouldn't move, but a tiny bit of 
animation would be done for their mouths? Man,  I *love* those 
old 'toons! I have several copies of them: Iron Man, Hulk, Captain 
America.  The theme songs are hilarious too. You want a good laugh, 
go find a copy of Hulk so you can watch his non-moving body smash!
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: Daryle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> 
> Kids love these DVDs. LOVE them. I play them on(/at) Saturdays. 8-
12 year
> olds go CRAZY. They buy them and watch them again and again and 
again. I
> hope Marvel keeps this stuff coming. This way they can make Iron 
Man for
> adults and kids will have their own story to watch.
> 
> Personally, I don¹t enjoy these as much as I do the live action 
Marvel
> movies. There¹s also a really neat looking box where you can get the
> Avengers and Iron Man DVDs in one set.
> 
> Also, the short lived animated Spider Man (MTV¹s version) and 
Fantastic
> Four series are available on DVD.
> 
> On 7/25/07 10:09 AM, "B. Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > The first Ultimate Avengers is very good and but something about
> > about the second one didn't quite work at times. The Hulk steals 
the
> > show.
> > 
> > I enjoyed Iron Man but the ending was a bit of a letdown.
> > 
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com <mailto:scifinoir2%
40yahoogroups.com> ,
> > "Tracey de Morsella (formerly
> > Tracey L. Minor)"  wrote:
> >> >
> >> > I read that they are bringing Doctor Marvel to DVD and that Two
> > Ultimate 
> >> > Avengers and an Iron Man had been previously produced. I was
> > wondering 
> >> > if anyone has seen these direct to video films. Are they any 
good?
> >> > 
> >> > Tracey
> >> > Doctor Strange Screening
> >> > Marvel's latest animated feature debuts at con.
> >> > by IGN Staff
> >> > 
> >> > July 23, 2007 - On Friday, July 27th, Lionsgate and Marvel 
Studios
> > will 
> >> > host the world premiere screening of the animated Doctor 
Strange at
> > San 
> >> > Diego Comic-Con. The film will be shown in its entirety on the 
big
> >> > screen starting at 7:15pm that evening.
> >> > 
> >> > The screening will also include a talent panel featuring Marvel
> > Senior 
> >> > VP Creative Development, Animation, Craig Kyle, supervising
> > director and 
> >> > producer Frank Paur, and writer Greg Johnson.
> >> > 
> >> > Doctor Strange is the latest in a string of successful and 
popular
> >> > direct-to-DVD animated films for Marvel and Lionsgate. Two 
Ultimate
> >> > Avengers films were previously released, as was an Iron Man
> > adventure.
> >> > 
> >> > Doctor Strange streets on August 14th on standard-def disc as 
well
> > as on 
> >> > Blu-ray.
> >> > http://dvd.ign.com/articles/807/807379p1.html
> >> >
> > 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
>  
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Speaking of "Painkiller Jane"

[B. Smith]

I'm deeply sorry to hear about your mother. You and your family are  
in my prayers.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> No, I don't mind sharing, and I *really* appreciate the concern. I 
got a call at 4:30 am Friday that my mother had died of a heart 
attack. It was completely unexpected, because even at age 81, she was 
in perfect health according to every test the docs had run on her 
previously.  She had two complete physicals a year, and the last in 
January was very good. I flew out from Atlanta to Fort Worth 
yesterday, and am undergoing the painful process of planning the 
funeral. Family is reeling, I'm here helping my two brothers make 
plans, and it ain't fun at all.
> 
> I do think of y'all as family, as all the e-mails to you should 
indicate, so I do appreciate the ability to share with you.  Say 
prayers for me and the family.
> 
> keith
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "Reece Jennings" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> What news? We're family...unless you'd prefer to keep it 
private...we're
> still family,
> and pray that it's not as bad as it sounds...
> 
> Maurice Jennings
> Have you or someone you know been threatened with foreclosure?
> KEEP your home and Stop Foreclosure in its Tracks!
> Get a Free, No Obligation Evaluation => 
http://www.legacyhomesavers.com
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _ 
> 
> From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
> Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Friday, August 03, 2007 11:51 PM
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [scifinoir2] Speaking of "Painkiller Jane"
> 
> I'm sitting up late night unable to sleep (horrible news from back 
home,
> boarding a plane in a few) and of course I need a scifi 
fix/distraction, so
> I watch "Painkiller Jane" after "Doctor Who". Bad as that show is, 
they have
> the nerve tonight to do with is basically a "clip" show. A thin 
skein of an
> original plot is stretched over the frame of flashbacks from past 
eps. I
> *hate* clip shows, can't remember a single one for any series that 
I really
> liked. But to see one from a show that's already bad is beyond 
bad...
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
>  
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Maria Bello to star in "Mummy 3"

[B. Smith]

Exactly. He said he wouldn't be doing any more wuxia or period 
pieces. He said he wanted to do more traditional action movies and 
maybe even some comedy.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> I believe Li meant to say he'd never act again in another pure 
martial arts film. He's done a lot of period pieces from a century or 
more ago.  He's going to still do action flicks, but it seems he 
wants to add some more Chow Yun Fat style of action, bringing in guns 
and all. He'll still do the kung fu, but it won't be the focus of any 
future films he does.
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: Daryle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> 
> What ever happened to Jet Li retiring? Wasn¹t Unleashed or 
something billed
> as ³Jet Li¹s final action movie²? Don¹t get me wrong, I love Jet 
Li¹s work,
> and I understand the need to do movies like ³War² to balance out 
his work
> in Chinese (gotta keep the brand relevant and all) but is there 
nobody else
> out there that knows multiple styles? It used to be when Jet Li 
signed
> on to do your movie it was a special event. Now it seems he¹s 
working more
> than Jackie is.
> 
> On 9/13/07 8:30 AM, "Martin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > (grinning at the thought of those three on the same screen...)
> > 
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED]  wrote: 
Yeah,
> > all we need are Chow Yun Fat, Jackie Chan, and Michelle Yeoh, and 
we can
> > dispense with Brendan Frasier (who I never thought was all the 
interesting as
> > the hero anyway).
> > 
> > -- Original message --
> > From: Astromancer
> > LOL@ Jet LiWhoa, I just finished reading this...Jet Li, huh?
> > 
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED]  wrote: 
Huh, i
> > didn't know there was going to be a third Mummy flick. I thought 
the second
> > was only fair. Maybe with Jet Li it'll be cool. I'm skeptical...
> > 
> > **
> > 
> > http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=3&id=44010
> > 
> > 
> > Bello Takes Over In Mummy 3
> > 
> > Maria Bello, who co-stars in the upcoming sequel film The Mummy: 
Tomb of the
> > Dragon Emperor, told SCI FI Wire that she plays a kick-ass 
version of the
> > character originated by Rachel Weisz.
> > 
> > Bello, who won wide acclaim for 2005's A History of Violence, 
spoke at the
> > Toronto International Film Festival and added that she dyed her 
normally blond
> > hair auburn for the sequel. "Yeah, it's for a film role. It's for 
Mummy 3, and
> > I love it," she said.
> > 
> > Bello, who took time off from filming in Montreal to appear at 
the film
> > festival to promote The Jane Austen Book Club, takes over the 
role of Evelyn
> > Carnahan from Weisz, who played the character in the first two 
Mummy movies
> > but bowed out of the third.
> > 
> > "She has the same name, but she's a very different character than 
Rachel
> > played," Bello said in an interview. "She's a bad-ass action 
chick. I had to
> > train a lot. I had to do wushu, a martial-art form, some 
kickboxing,
> > swordfighting, rifle training for a couple of months before we 
even started
> > shooting." Bello added: "It's the role of my dreams. It is just a 
blast."
> > 
> > Bello will soon join co-stars Brendan Fraser and Jet Li for two 
months of
> > shooting in China.
> > 
> > Bello said that after a few weeks of rehearsal, she sustained a 
black eye
> > after getting butted by a Winchester rifle, but added that she's 
fine now.
> > "I'm looking forward to the doll, too, though," she said 
cryptically. The
> > Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor opens Aug. 1, 2008.
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > 
> > "Let¹s just saying you know more than you think, but we¹re not 
going to help
> > you figure it out." - The Side Street Chonicles by C.W. Badie
> > 
> > -
> > Catch up on fall's hot new shows on Yahoo! TV. Watch previews, 
get listings,
> > and more!
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > 
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > 
> > "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will get
> > organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A Man 
Without A
> > Country"
> > 
> > -
> > Yahoo! oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not 
web links.
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
>  
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Forest Whitaker To Do 'MAMBO'

[B. Smith]

Blame Kubrick for AI's ending. Spielberg filmed the one that was 
written. 

What exactly was so bad about AI's ending? I thought it was fairly 
bittersweet.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Daryle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Same thing with everything Spielberg touches post Close Encounters -
- the
> ending. Nothing is as bad an ending as "A.I.", to be sure, but 
Minority
> Report could have stayed a little truer to the book for me.
> 
> 
> 
> On 9/13/07 3:12 PM, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
> 
> > i was okay with "Minority Report". What did you dislike about it?
> > 
> > -- Original message --
> > From: Daryle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > 
> > I¹ll see your horror and raise you one ‹ first thing that came to 
mind was
> > ³Minority Report² -- what if Steven Spielberg directed this 
movie? Halfway
> > through we¹d forget what it was supposed to be about and be 
staring at
> > aliens for an hour.
> > 
> > On 9/13/07 12:49 PM, "Martin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> The horror...the *horror*...
> >> 
> >> [EMAIL PROTECTED]  wrote:
> >> Just please, please don't let Michael Bay direct, or this will 
devolve
> >> quickly
> >> from a pointed satirical comment on society into a non-stop 
chase full of
> >> explosions and speeding vehicles on whatever passes for a 
highway in the
> >> future.
> >> 
> >> -- Original message --
> >> From: "Brent Wodehouse" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >>  >
> >> http://www.blackflix.com/coming_soon.html
> >> 
> >> FOREST WHITAKER TO DO 'MAMBO'
> >> 
> >> September
> >> 
> >> Forest Whitaker has landed a role opposite Jude Law and 
Brazilian actress
> >> Alice Braga in the futuristic thriller "Repossession Mambo." 
Based on the
> >> novel by Eric Garcia, the film is set in the near future when 
artificial
> >> organs can be bought on credit with one catch - if the buyer 
defaults on
> >> payment, it will result in a fatal repossession. Law's 
character - himself
> >> "made up of artificial organs' - is a repo man who reclaims 
organs when
> >> their recipients cannot make the payments. When he struggles to 
pay off
> >> his new heart, he becomes one of the people he used to hunt down 
and must
> >> go on the run with Braga's character, who is also down on her 
luck. The
> >> Universal Pictures project is slated to begin Oct. 15 in Toronto.
> >> 
> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> >> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will get
> >> organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A Man 
Without A
> >> Country"
> >> 
> >> -
> >> Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your 
pocket: mail,
> >> news, photos & more.
> >> 
> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >> 
> >> 
> >> 
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > 
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >  
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > 
> > 
> >
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Iron Man Trailer

[B. Smith]

If I remember correctly the first Spider-Man teaser was the Twin 
Towers web spot. It didn't appear in the movie but it certainly whet 
the appetite for what was coming. 

I would be a little disappointed if the Iron Man vs. jets sequence 
doesn't appear in the film but like other folks have mentioned it 
looks like a potentially great take on Iron Man.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Hated "Top Gun". The trailer was *fun*. It had me sold on the idea 
that the entire movie might be fun. Now, it's basically a creation 
meant to *sell* the movie. I feel cheated. Maybe not you, but that's 
the wonder of diversity speaking.
> 
> Justin Mohareb <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:   You were only happy because of 
the jet scene?  The rest of the trailer, it
>  meant nothing.  it was just "hey, jets!"?
>  
>  You may want to watch Top Gun.
>  
>  JJ Mohareb
>  
>  On 9/16/07, Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>  >
>  >   Justin, it bothers me.
>  >
>  > What if you look up a woman on Yahu Personals, and she says that 
she's
>  > five-six, long brown hair and drives a Lamborghini? And, when 
yous how up
>  > for the date, it's five-six after she puts on the six-inch 
platforms, the
>  > long brown hair was from Elmo's Wig Emporium and the Lamborghini 
belongs to
>  > her jealous husband?
>  >
>  > I saw this thing and got happy. I thought for sure that I'd be 
seeing
>  > this, and now I learn I won't be. False advertising.
>  >
>  > Justin Mohareb <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >
>  > wrote: According to him, one SCENE with IM and jets is not in 
the movie.
>  >
>  > And that gets an SFW.
>  >
>  > JJ Mohareb
>  >
>  > On 9/16/07, Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>  > wrote:
>  > >
>  > > Folks, I fear that I've picked up some disturbing news about 
this from a
>  > > friend who runs another website. According to him, this 
trailer isn't
>  > even
>  > > in the movie, was shot just for ad purposes.
>  > >
>  > > http://www.revolutionsf.com/article.html?id=3726
>  > >
>  > > Daryle <[EMAIL PROTECTED] >
>  > > wrote:
>  > >
>  > > http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/ironman/
>  > >
>  > > My take: AAbsolutely. Yes. Sorry, folks. This is pretty 
dang gone
>  > > awesome. I can almost tolerate Gwyneth Paltrow in it, just 
because
>  > Robert
>  > > Downey, Jr. is perfect. "The Dark Knight" had better bring it, 
or Marvel
>  > > wins yet again. This is so far the only one of these comic 
movies I
>  > would
>  > > like to see in HD.
>  > >
>  > >
>  > >
>  > >
>  > >
>  > > "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only 
angels will
>  > get
>  > > organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A 
Man Without
>  > A
>  > > Country"
>  > >
>  > > -
>  > > Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from 
someone who
>  > > knows.
>  > > Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.
>  > >
>  > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>  > >
>  > >
>  > >
>  >
>  > --
>  > Read the Bitter Guide to the Bitter Guy.
>  > http://thebitterguy.livejournal.com
>  >
>  > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will get
>  > organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A Man 
Without A
>  > Country"
>  >
>  > -
>  > Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s 
user
>  > panel and lay it on us.
>  >
>  > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>  >
>  >  
>  >
>  
>  -- 
>  Read the Bitter Guide to the Bitter Guy.
>  http://thebitterguy.livejournal.com
>  
>  [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>  
>  
>  
>
> 
> 
> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels 
will get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A 
Man Without A Country"
>
> -
> Catch up on fall's hot new shows on Yahoo! TV.  Watch previews, get 
listings, and more!
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: "Reaper"

[B. Smith]

I saw it and feel the same way you do. It was a surprisingly good
show.  The cast is hitting on all cylinders and Ray Wise is a great
Satan. Funny and scary at the same time. The final scene with him
following the woman in the store was uncomfortably tense but amusing
at the same time.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> i think "Reaper" came on opposite the first run ep of "Eureka" at 9
pm. At 8 pm is shown the rerun of "eureka" from the week before...
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> Missed it cleanly, I'm afraid. Was watching the repeat of "Eureka",
oddly enough.
> 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: anyone watch this show? I enjoyed it. Fun
tongue-in-cheek silly action, with everyone having fun hamming it up,
especially Ray Wise as the sharply dressed Satan. He had me howling
with laugher when he said "Pretty much any place you think is Hell on
Earth--is". When he told the star (Sam) that the DMV was a Hell locus
on Earth i lost it! The demons Sam has to chase are menacing in a fun
way, and the clueless slackers and their dullard bosses and parents
are classic Kevin Smith types (Smith helped create the show and
directed the pilot). It's just a fun ride that makes me laugh, very
much like "Eureka". I mean, a magical Dirt Devil used to suck up
escaped damned souls?
> 
> This show has a lot of elements of a series I bet you never saw:
Dead Last, the show about the rock band that finds an amulet which
lets them communicate with and help the spirits of the dead.
Coincidentally, that quirky show also starred Tyler Labine (also of
"Invasion"), who plays Sam's best bud in "Reaper". He's a really good
comic actor.
> 
> But what "Reaper" really reminds me of is the late great "G vs. E".
Same sense of humor intermixed with some dark moments, same
dangerous/funny monsters, same cast of suitably clueless characters.
Indeed, the more I watched it the more I kept saying "This is 'G vs E'
with a younger cast". I miss that show.
> "Reaper" is just silly fun that's a good relief from the heavy stuff
like "Heroes" and "Prison Break". Only real problem is that it airs at
the same time as "Eureka", though i guess I can catch the latter show
in the rerun.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> "There is no reason Good can't triumph over Evil, if only angels
will get organized along the lines of the Mafia." -Kurt Vonnegut, "A
Man Without A Country"
> 
> -
> Catch up on fall's hot new shows on Yahoo! TV. Watch previews, get
listings, and more!
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
>  
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Scifi Premieres on NBC -- "Chuck"

[B. Smith]

I was blown away by this show. I wasn't even going to watch but I'm so
glad I did. I liked it more than I thought I would. The characters are
likeable and the show has promise. Most of all it's fun.

How did you like the two big reveals at the end,

S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S

One of Chuck's flashbacks showed him that Sarah is a stone cold
killer. Her flashback showed that she was in love with Chuck's
ex-roommate.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Anyone watching the NBC Monday night block of scifi shows? I'm
checking out "Chuck", which in some ways reminds me of a combination
of "Jake 2.0" and "John Doe", with some "Eureka"  type humour thrown
in. The beginning was good, as a guy with obviously enhanced abilities
escapes from a top secret facility, then ultimately manages to
"download" a bunch of data into Chuck's head. It's entertaining so
far, though I think the geek angle would get old after a while. Still,
good to see Adam Baldwin in yet another series, and Tony Todd is
always welcome!
> 
> Next up: "Heroes" and "Journeyman"
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: My Take - "Eastern Promises"

[B. Smith]

I've been meaning to see this. Thanks for the review. Did you hear 
that one his early classics, The Brood, is being remade?

Do you like his early movies like Rabid, Shivers, The Brood, Scanners 
and Videodrome?

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> I agree, I think he's maturing as a filmmaker. He's work is 
becoming more thoughtful, even as it remains pretty violent. Well, I 
never saw "Crash" (not the Paul Haggis film, Cronenberg's) which was 
roundly criticized by just about everyone...
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> 
> > I'm a Cronenberg fan, and a history of Violence was off the hook, 
and 
> > while it had the similarities you mentioned to his other flick, I 
well 
> > like we are witnessing Cronenberg's evolution as a film-maker. 
It's 
> > like "ExistenZ", "Dead Ringers" and the fly were his adolescence 
and 
> > young adult years and now we ar seeing his mature phase. I think 
his 
> > storytelling is evolving to a new direction. What do you think? 
> > [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: 
> > > If you liked "A History of Violence", "ExistenZ", or "Dead 
Ringers", 
> > you'll--well, not "enjoy", but get into--"Eastern Promises". 
> > > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Yahoo! Groups Links 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Fallen Heroes: ( Heroes Season 2) Grade C+

[B. Smith]

This is what I said on another forum about the Heroes version of my 
hometown, New Orleans.

"And the winner for worst New Orleans depiction ever: Heroes. 

Apparently they thought LA could stand in for New Orleans with no 
modifications. 

Fool? No one in New Orleans says fool as in "break yourself fool!" 
Where the hell did that come from? 1991 California? 

The accents make K-Ville cound pitch perfect. Where was that white 
chick supposed to be from? The Missiissippi or Alabama Gulf Coast?  
And how in the post-Katrina world how could they not know that 
Louisiana doesn't have counties? It's called a parish."

The latest episode just got worse. The architecture and sets are so 
wrong, the police uniforms are nowhere near right, the accents (the 
horror, the horror), kids playing double dutch a place that looked 
more New York than New Orleans and on and on.

I do like Micah's cousin aka the Taskmistress. She has a cool 
powerset. Hopefully we get more of her and less diversions into 
ancient Japan. That is such a convoluted mess.

That was a nice swerve with Parkman's dad.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I agree totally. The thrill is gone. and to make matters worse, 
every 
> week they bring out even more characters. its so disappointing. I 
keep 
> hoping it gets better. my husband stopped watching totally. They 
are 
> really blowing it
> 
> ravenadal wrote:
> >
> > Heroes (Heroes (Season 2))
> > C+
> >
> > FALLEN HEROES
> >
> > Here's hoping NBC's drama can rescue itself from a diabolical
> > sophomore slump
> >
> > By Gillian Flynn
> >
> > This week on Heroes: Claire (Hayden Panettiere) continues to 
marvel
> > at the same powers of regeneration she's always had! Hiro (Masi 
Oka)
> > does cute things in feudal Japan! And after a journey of
> > approximately 42 million miles from one vague part of Central 
America
> > to another vague part of Central America, our new, haplessly
> > murderous hero Maya (The Sopranos' Dania Ramirez) is still 
blubbering
> > for her twin brother (Shalim Ortiz) and bleeding black goo from 
her
> > eyes! Wait, which week is this? Every week.
> >
> > NBC's once-inventive series is in a creative sinkhole. Frenetic 
but
> > bizarrely repetitive, the drama bores from myriad worldwide 
locales
> > that all look like the backlot of M*A*S*H. Season 2 sees previous
> > standout heroes â€" unkillable Claire, time-freezing Hiro â€" 
gone solo
> > in their own painful, stagnant story lines. Claire is living
> > undercover in California, her now saintlike dad (Jack Coleman)
> > repeatedly warning her not to be interesting. Mission 
accomplished!
> > Claire's been saddled with a laser-eyed beau (Rocket Science's
> > Nicholas D'Agosto) who also has powers â€" he can fly, with the 
aid of
> > mediocre special effects. (The writers think we should be dazzled 
by
> > this ''flying'' business, forgetting that people took to the air
> > repeatedly last season.) In an even more labored plot, Hiro has
> > landed in 17th-century Japan, where he finds his idol, the samurai
> > Kensei (Alias' David Anders), and falls in love with an
> > anachronistically spunky heroine (a must in the time-travel 
genre).
> > That's right, Hiro â€" the most neutered TV character since 
Screech â€"
> > is remaining in feudal Japan to ogle a babe. Stripped of any 
genuine
> > mission, he now has little to do but smile like an adorable, gassy
> > baby. It's increasingly unbearable.
> >
> > Which is a good phrase to describe Heroes itself. With its larger
> > mythology shunted to the side (no, a mysterious recurring symbol 
doth
> > not a uniting backstory make), Heroes feels less like Heroes than 
a
> > horrid combination of T.J. Hooker and Charlie's Angels: Peter
> > Petrelli (Milo Ventimiglia) commits holdups in Ireland; another
> > extraneous new hero, New Orleanian Monica (The Nine's Dana Davis) 
is
> > roundhouse-kicking robbers; serial-killing Sylar (Zachary Quinto) 
has
> > gone fugitive with the weeping twins. What happened to...saving 
the
> > planet? Like the endangered Earth that's oft alluded to, Heroes is
> > degrading at a remarkable pace: The dialogue has gone from comic-
book
> > cool to Dick-and-Jane obvious, the stylistic angles have turned 
flat,
> > entire scenes are devoted to Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) and 
Parkman
> > (Greg Grunberg) bickering around their shared apartment like 
maiden
> > aunts. It's a sad day for superheroes when you find yourself 
actually
> > rooting for the end of the world. C-
> >
> > __
> > The Black Prince. The Black Church. A State of Mind.
> > http://www.theworldebon.com 
> >
> >
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Vampire File "30 Days of Night" Number One at Box Office

[B. Smith]

I'm hearing some mixed takes on the film. People have read the 
graphic novel said it seems to capture the spirit and look but cuts 
out the backstory. The plot is already paper thin so that's probably 
not a good thing. 

Apparently the major subplot about the group trying to prove that 
vampires exist by getting some hard evidence has been cut from the 
film.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Did anyone see this vampyr flick? For some reason, i wanted to see 
it, probably because the bloodsuckers look vicious and ghoulish. This 
hails back to the older legends of the vampire as a nasty thing that 
*ate* parts of people, not just innocently sucked their blood through 
two small holes in the neck. I've mentioned recently that I've 
started tiring of the vampire-as-tortured-soul concept (Angel, Blood 
Ties, Moonlight), and the whole sexy-cool vampire guy has worn thin 
to me too, it's been so overdone. I've been wanting someone to bring 
back *frightening* vampires a la Nosferatu or "Salem's Lot".  I'm 
hoping someone saw it to let me know if they succeeded
> 
>   
> 
>
> Vampire film "30 Days" crushes competition
> Sunday October 21 1:19 PM ET
> 
> The new vampire thriller "30 Days of Night" sucked the life out of 
its box office rivals, opening at No. 1 with estimated weekend sales 
of $16 million, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday. 
> Meanwhile, moviegoers ignored three new high-powered dramas hoping 
for awards-season recognition. 
> The crime drama "Gone Baby Gone," marking the directing debut of 
Ben Affleck," opened at No. 5 with $6.0 million; the CIA suspense 
drama "Rendition," starring Reese Witherspoon, limped in at No. 9 
with $4.2 million; and the domestic tragedy "Things We Lost in the 
Fire," starring Benicio Del Toro and Halle Berry, barely flickered at 
No. 15 with $1.6 million. 
> Box office pundits said an onslaught of R-rated dramas in recent 
weeks had been too much for moviegoers to digest. Recent entries such 
as the terrorism thriller "The Kingdom," the period drama "Elizabeth: 
The Golden Age" and the legal saga "Michael Clayton" -- all boasting 
Oscar-winning talent -- have disappointed to various degrees. 
> "I think people are looking for froth," said a studio official who 
did not want to be identified. "How much reality do you want?" 
> Light fare has ruled the box office in recent weeks. Incumbent 
champ "Why Did I Get Married?" slipped to No. 2 with $12.1 million. 
It had ended the two-week reign of "The Game Plan," which is now No. 
3 with $8.1 million. Before that, the zombies of "Resident Evil: 
Extinction" were the top draw. 
> "30 Days of Night" pitches a horde of zombie-like vampires against 
a handful of residents in an Alaskan town going without sunshine for 
a month. Josh Hartnett and Danny Huston star in the $30 million 
project, which was distributed by Columbia Pictures, a unit of Sony 
Corp. 
> Writer/director/actor Tyler Perry's romantic comedy-drama "Why Did 
I Get Married?" has earned $38.9 million after two weeks. It was 
released by Lionsgate, a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. 
> Walt Disney Co.'s "The Game Plan," starring Dwayne "The Rock" 
Johnson," has earned $69.2 million after four weekends. 
> "Gone Baby Gone" was released by Disney's Miramax 
Films. "Rendition" was released by New Line Cinema, a unit of Time 
Warner Inc. "Things We Lost in the Fire" was released by DreamWorks 
Pictures and Paramount Pictures, both units of Viacom Inc. 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Fallen Heroes: ( Heroes Season 2) Grade C+

[B. Smith]

No arguement from me. All three are tedious.

I would have loved if Kensei had actually been killed and Hiro took 
up the mantle. That would have been more interesting to me than the 
superhero Shogun knockoff we got.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> As bad as those two back stories are, I think the toxic twins 
crying 
> every week are worse.
> 
> Daryle wrote:
> >
> >
> > Great idea!
> >
> > If DL comes back as a super-villain, and hence a star of the 
show, there
> > will be no stopping this show. It will have been worth sitting 
through 
> > half
> > a season of fluff if that’s how it plays out.
> >
> > I’m curious, why did everybody hate the Hiro-back-in-time 
segment of 
> > this
> > season so much? Considering how much we had to sit through for 
> > Micah’s mom’s
> > back-story in season 1, this has been pretty mild.
> >
> > On 10/24/07 8:36 AM, "Martin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> > <mailto:truthseeker_013%40yahoo.com>> wrote:
> >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I don't think he's dead either, Tracey. My thinking is that 
he's been
> > > imprisoned inside the coffin he was buried in, that the coffin 
is 
> > specially
> > > made to negate his phasing ability. If I'm right, when he comes 
out, 
> > I could
> > > see him being a bad guy in the interests of getback.
> > >
> > > "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)"
> > > <[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> > <mailto:tdlists%40multiculturaladvantage.com>
> > > <mailto:tdlists%40multiculturaladvantage.com> > wrote: I read 
> > somewhere that
> > > he might not be dead and that he was returning as
> > > a bad guy. Don't know how true that is. The show is meandering 
so
> > > much, I can not tell
> > >
> > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:KeithBJohnson%40comcast.net> 
> > <mailto:KeithBJohnson%40comcast.net> wrote:
> > >> i'm still reeling that they killed off the Brother from last 
season...
> > >>
> > >> -- Original message --
> > >> From: "B. Smith"
> > >> This is what I said on another forum about the Heroes version 
of my
> > >> hometown, New Orleans.
> > >>
> > >> "And the winner for worst New Orleans depiction ever: Heroes.
> > >>
> > >> Apparently they thought LA could stand in for New Orleans with 
no
> > >> modifications.
> > >>
> > >> Fool? No one in New Orleans says fool as in "break yourself 
fool!"
> > >> Where the hell did that come from? 1991 California?
> > >>
> > >> The accents make K-Ville cound pitch perfect. Where was that 
white
> > >> chick supposed to be from? The Missiissippi or Alabama Gulf 
Coast?
> > >> And how in the post-Katrina world how could they not know that
> > >> Louisiana doesn't have counties? It's called a parish."
> > >>
> > >> The latest episode just got worse. The architecture and sets 
are so
> > >> wrong, the police uniforms are nowhere near right, the accents 
(the
> > >> horror, the horror), kids playing double dutch a place that 
looked
> > >> more New York than New Orleans and on and on.
> > >>
> > >> I do like Micah's cousin aka the Taskmistress. She has a cool
> > >> powerset. Hopefully we get more of her and less diversions into
> > >> ancient Japan. That is such a convoluted mess.
> > >>
> > >> That was a nice swerve with Parkman's dad.
> > >>
> > >> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> > <mailto:scifinoir2%40yahoogroups.com> 
> > <mailto:scifinoir2%40yahoogroups.com> ,
> > >> "Tracey de Morsella (formerly
> > >> Tracey L. Minor)" wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> I agree totally. The thrill is gone. and to make matters 
worse,
> > >>>
> > >> every
> > >>
> > >>> week they bring out even more characters. its so 
disappointing. I
> > >>>
> > >> keep
> > >>
> > >>> hoping it gets better. my husband stopped watching totally. 
They
> > >>>
> > >> are
> > >>
> > >>> really blowing it
> > >>>
> > >&g

[scifinoir2] Re: Vampire File "30 Days of Night" Number One at Box Office

[B. Smith]

More than likely. The stuff they left out just fleshes out the story 
a bit more.  One of the problems with the film seems to be that it's 
never explained why the attack happened there or how they chose 
Barrow. The graphic novel explains that and introduces the whole 
vampire watcher subplot. 
S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S


In the graphic novel a group of upstart vampires plans the hit on 
Barrow. They hate the rules they live by (keeping hidden, etc.) and 
want a big slaughter. The old guard doesn't take kindly to this 
because they know if their existence is proven humanity will crush 
them. 

The main vamp is basically a cleaner. He comes to deal with the 
upstarts and practice some damage control after he's informed about 
Barrow. When that isn't possible he decides to cover it up by leaving 
no survivors and no town. Barrow will become a modern day Roanoke 
colony.

Unfortunately they kept the original ending which was the weakest 
part of the story.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> I wonder if those of us who haven't read the graphic novel could 
still enjoy the film, not knowning what was changed drastically?
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "B. Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> I'm hearing some mixed takes on the film. People have read the 
> graphic novel said it seems to capture the spirit and look but cuts 
> out the backstory. The plot is already paper thin so that's 
probably 
> not a good thing. 
> 
> Apparently the major subplot about the group trying to prove that 
> vampires exist by getting some hard evidence has been cut from the 
> film.
> 
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, KeithBJohnson@ wrote:
> >
> > Did anyone see this vampyr flick? For some reason, i wanted to 
see 
> it, probably because the bloodsuckers look vicious and ghoulish. 
This 
> hails back to the older legends of the vampire as a nasty thing 
that 
> *ate* parts of people, not just innocently sucked their blood 
through 
> two small holes in the neck. I've mentioned recently that I've 
> started tiring of the vampire-as-tortured-soul concept (Angel, 
Blood 
> Ties, Moonlight), and the whole sexy-cool vampire guy has worn thin 
> to me too, it's been so overdone. I've been wanting someone to 
bring 
> back *frightening* vampires a la Nosferatu or "Salem's Lot". I'm 
> hoping someone saw it to let me know if they succeeded
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Vampire film "30 Days" crushes competition
> > Sunday October 21 1:19 PM ET
> > 
> > The new vampire thriller "30 Days of Night" sucked the life out 
of 
> its box office rivals, opening at No. 1 with estimated weekend 
sales 
> of $16 million, according to studio estimates issued on Sunday. 
> > Meanwhile, moviegoers ignored three new high-powered dramas 
hoping 
> for awards-season recognition. 
> > The crime drama "Gone Baby Gone," marking the directing debut of 
> Ben Affleck," opened at No. 5 with $6.0 million; the CIA suspense 
> drama "Rendition," starring Reese Witherspoon, limped in at No. 9 
> with $4.2 million; and the domestic tragedy "Things We Lost in the 
> Fire," starring Benicio Del Toro and Halle Berry, barely flickered 
at 
> No. 15 with $1.6 million. 
> > Box office pundits said an onslaught of R-rated dramas in recent 
> weeks had been too much for moviegoers to digest. Recent entries 
such 
> as the terrorism thriller "The Kingdom," the period 
drama "Elizabeth: 
> The Golden Age" and the legal saga "Michael Clayton" -- all 
boasting 
> Oscar-winning talent -- have disappointed to various degrees. 
> > "I think people are looking for froth," said a studio official 
who 
> did not want to be identified. "How much reality do you want?" 
> > Light fare has ruled the box office in recent weeks. Incumbent 
> champ "Why Did I Get Married?" slipped to No. 2 with $12.1 million. 
> It had ended the two-week reign of "The Game Plan," which is now 
No. 
> 3 with $8.1 million. Before that, the zombies of "Resident Evil: 
> Extinction" were the top draw. 
> > "30 Days of Night" pitches a horde of zombie-like vampires 
against 
> a handful of residents in an Alaskan town going without sunshine 
for 
> a month. Josh Hartnett and Danny Huston star in the $30 million 
> project, which was distributed by Columbia Pictures, a unit of Sony 
> Corp. 
> > Writer/director/actor Tyler Perry's romantic comedy-drama "Why 
Did 
> I Get Married?" has earned $38.9 million after two weeks. It was 
> released by Lion

[scifinoir2] Re: Blade May be Remade without Snipes

[B. Smith]

Blade 2 is cheesy? More cheese please.

I know Snipes legal troubles and onset behavior are the main reasons 
he won't get to play the role again but I hate the Hollywood trend of 
casting for "young and hot." 

If it was a perfect world I'd cast Michael Jai White. I imagine he's 
too old for Hollywood and not bankable enough but he has the perfect 
skillset to play Blade.

I don't know if I would do a complete reboot but they may have 
painted themselves in a corner after the last movie. Maybe they need 
to have him face a non-vampiric big bad to shake things up.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Blade Remade?
> Franchise reboot may be in the works.
> by IGN Staff
> http://movies.ign.com/articles/830/830575p1.html
> October 26, 2007 - Could there be a new, reworked version of 
Marvel's 
> Blade headed to the big screen? Initially, the thought of a Blade 
> franchise reboot sounds kind of crazy, but when you think about it, 
the 
> first film in the series is already almost 10 years old. And with 
the 
> later films in the franchise becoming increasingly cheesy, maybe 
it's 
> not a bad idea.
> 
> The Bloody-Digusting.com website reports that just such a move is 
being 
> plotted right now in Hollywood. A source for the website contends 
that 
> the "comic property" (we assume this means Marvel and/or the 
creative 
> team currently working on the comic) is pushing for the redo rather 
than 
> New Line, who may or may not be involved.
> 
> Marvel is currently attempting to relaunch the Hulk franchise in a 
> similar fashion, which could have them feeling their oats and 
looking 
> for other stale properties to freshen up.  The Blade do-over 
chatter 
> could also be fueled by the hot-as-fire vampire movie trend that 
just 
> won't let up (see Underworld 3).
> 
> - New Line
> 
> Blade: Trinity was likely Snipes' swan song.
> 
> Were there a new school version of Blade launched, Wesley Snipes 
would 
> undoubtedly be replaced in the lead role. Who would you like to see 
fill 
> his shoes? And what do you think of the Blade reboot whole idea in 
general?
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Blade May be Remade without Snipes

[B. Smith]

Tracey,
Good call on Idris Elba. He'd be a good choice. 

Chiwetel Ejiofor showed some good action hero cred in Serenity and he 
definitely has the acting chops.

As far as Michael Jai White. I was thinking of his performances in 
Thick As Thieves, Undisputed 2 and the stuff from Kill Bill that 
ended up on the cutting room floor. He can do the menacing tough guy 
but he has a pretty good comedic touch as well and that could bring 
something to the role. But it's a moot point because he's over 40 and 
that's ancient in Hollywood years.

Personally I would love to see one of the original treatments for 
Blade 3 get filmed. It was the one where the vampires cause the 
apocolypse in the future and the last free humans manage to use a 
form of time travel to contact present day Blade in an attempt to 
stop their timeline from happening. It will never be filmed but it 
was a great story.  

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> agreed. i don't see Jai White for the role. Man, here's a a 
concept: how about  casting the net wide for the *best* actor, not 
the actors with some kind of name recognition? One of my greatest 
joys in going to the movies is seeing a completely unknown actor in a 
role. Usually, we're so used to saying "Russell Crowe was great in 
that role", or "Denzel Washington disappeared in that part" 
or "Charlize Theron didn't even look like herself".  Afte a while, 
try as we might, we can never ignore the *actor* playing the role, no 
matter how good he/she is. But put an unknown in and it's easier to 
get into.  The young lady who played Ray Charles' mother in "Ray" is 
a perfect example. I'd never seen or heard of her before, yet she 
gave what was an Oscar-worthy performance in my opinion, and it was 
great that I didn't come in already knowing of her.
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "tetsuwanatom1" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Daryle  wrote:
> >
> > 
> > Holy Highlander! 
> > 
> > Why is it necessary to reboot this series? It¹s an ongoing story. 
> We¹ve all
> > seen the first one. If ³Superman² has taught us nothing 
> else...there¹s no
> > need to retell a story we already know. Just pick up where you 
> left off
> > and keep it movin¹.
> 
> It's the lesson of the revolving Bruce Waynes. Every year that 
there 
> was discussion of a Batman movie, the buzz generated by the 
question 
> of who would play the role was worth about 10M PR dollars, and 
those 
> crap movies needed all the PR they could get. A Blade "reboot" is 
> newsier than continuing with a new actor (which is basically what 
> they're doing, isn't it?). 
> 
> Then again, I thought Trinity was supposed to be a reboot. 
> 
> People mention MJ White on the Internets a lot (for a lot of 
movies) 
> however he isn't all that charismatic. I like him fine, I just 
can't 
> see him as a leading man. Blade as ass-kicking Wu-Shu expert comes 
> from the movies, not the source, so we don't have to have a martial 
> artist in the role.
> 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > On 10/31/07 12:22 PM, "B. Smith"  wrote:
> > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Blade 2 is cheesy? More cheese please.
> > > 
> > > I know Snipes legal troubles and onset behavior are the main 
> reasons
> > > he won't get to play the role again but I hate the Hollywood 
> trend of
> > > casting for "young and hot."
> > > 
> > > If it was a perfect world I'd cast Michael Jai White. I imagine 
> he's
> > > too old for Hollywood and not bankable enough but he has the 
> perfect
> > > skillset to play Blade.
> > > 
> > > I don't know if I would do a complete reboot but they may have
> > > painted themselves in a corner after the last movie. Maybe they 
> need
> > > to have him face a non-vampiric big bad to shake things up.
> > > 
> > > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com <mailto:scifinoir2%
> 40yahoogroups.com> ,
> > > "Tracey de Morsella (formerly
> > > Tracey L. Minor)"  wrote:
> > >> >
> > >> > Blade Remade?
> > >> > Franchise reboot may be in the works.
> > >> > by IGN Staff
> > >> > http://movies.ign.com/articles/830/830575p1.html
> > >> > October 26, 2007 - Could there be a new, reworked version of
> > > Marvel's 
> > >> > Blade headed to the big screen? Initially, the thought of a 
> Blad

[scifinoir2] Re: Blade May be Remade without Snipes

[B. Smith]

Dirty Pretty Things made me a Chiwetel fan. He does conflicted very
well. He and Idris Elba are on in their early 30s and that's about the
age Wesley Snipes was when the first Blade was filmed.

Tyrese comes off way too lightweight(acting wise) to pull off these
kinds of roles. The keep mentioning him as a the person to they want
to play Luke Cage and I just can't see it.


--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I like Chiwetel too.  Not that it is related, but I think he is 
> extremely versatile and plays a conflicted part well.  I saw him in a 
> movie in which he was a straight transvestite and in Children of men.  
> He was excellent in both.   I also like Djimon Hounsou for the part.
 He 
> does conflicted well
> 
> Regarding Michael Jai White being old, wasn't Snipes in his late 
> thirties when he started Blade?  Also I do not think Chiwetel and Idris 
> are that young.  Of couse we know, they won't get picked.  Instead we 
> will probably get Tyresse and or someone like Usher or... Jessica Biel 
> God... I hope not. 
> 
> 
> > Tracey,
> > Good call on Idris Elba. He'd be a good choice.
> >
> > Chiwetel Ejiofor showed some good action hero cred in Serenity and he
> > definitely has the acting chops.
> >
> > As far as Michael Jai White. I was thinking of his performances in
> > Thick As Thieves, Undisputed 2 and the stuff from Kill Bill that
> > ended up on the cutting room floor. He can do the menacing tough guy
> > but he has a pretty good comedic touch as well and that could bring
> > something to the role. But it's a moot point because he's over 40 and
> > that's ancient in Hollywood years.
> >
> > Personally I would love to see one of the original treatments for
> > Blade 3 get filmed. It was the one where the vampires cause the
> > apocolypse in the future and the last free humans manage to use a
> > form of time travel to contact present day Blade in an attempt to
> > stop their timeline from happening. It will never be filmed but it
> > was a great story.
> >
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> > <mailto:scifinoir2%40yahoogroups.com>, KeithBJohnson@ wrote:
> > >
> > > agreed. i don't see Jai White for the role. Man, here's a a
> > concept: how about casting the net wide for the *best* actor, not
> > the actors with some kind of name recognition? One of my greatest
> > joys in going to the movies is seeing a completely unknown actor in a
> > role. Usually, we're so used to saying "Russell Crowe was great in
> > that role", or "Denzel Washington disappeared in that part"
> > or "Charlize Theron didn't even look like herself". Afte a while,
> > try as we might, we can never ignore the *actor* playing the role, no
> > matter how good he/she is. But put an unknown in and it's easier to
> > get into. The young lady who played Ray Charles' mother in "Ray" is
> > a perfect example. I'd never seen or heard of her before, yet she
> > gave what was an Oscar-worthy performance in my opinion, and it was
> > great that I didn't come in already knowing of her.
> > >
> > > -- Original message --
> > > From: "tetsuwanatom1" 
> > > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> > <mailto:scifinoir2%40yahoogroups.com>, Daryle  wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Holy Highlander!
> > > >
> > > > Why is it necessary to reboot this series? It¹s an ongoing story.
> > > We¹ve all
> > > > seen the first one. If ³Superman² has taught us nothing
> > > else...there¹s no
> > > > need to retell a story we already know. Just pick up where you
> > > left off
> > > > and keep it movin¹.
> > >
> > > It's the lesson of the revolving Bruce Waynes. Every year that
> > there
> > > was discussion of a Batman movie, the buzz generated by the
> > question
> > > of who would play the role was worth about 10M PR dollars, and
> > those
> > > crap movies needed all the PR they could get. A Blade "reboot" is
> > > newsier than continuing with a new actor (which is basically what
> > > they're doing, isn't it?).
> > >
> > > Then again, I thought Trinity was supposed to be a reboot.
> > >
> > > People mention MJ White on the Internets a lot (for a lot of
> > movies)
> > > however he isn't all that charismatic. I l

[scifinoir2] Re: Babylon 5 Returns?!

[B. Smith]

If this is true I'm pumped. I just hoping it's close to the series 
than The Legend Of The Rangers movie.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "brent wodehouse" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Sweeet! (If true).
> 
> 
> Brent
> ---
> http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=23963
> 
> BABYLON 5 Returns!!
> 
> 
> Merrick here...
> 
> I've checked around the Internets, and have found little (or no) 
reference
> to the news conveyed through the messages below. But this is 
definitely
> worth sharing, so here you go...
> 
> During last weekend's San Diego Comic Con...at a panel that 
(evidently)
> didn't enjoy the "in your face" notoriety of, say, TRANSFORMERS or
> SPIDERMAN 3... producer/writer/director J. Michael Straczynski 
(JMS, or
> "Joe") made an announcement regarding the future of this little 
concept he
> has called BABYLON 5.
> 
> The thrust of the news is this: straight-to-video BABYLON 5
> adventures...involving B5 characters in an anthology 
format...should
> arrive late next year. Written and directed by JMS.
> 
> Personally, I would love, love, LOVE to see some well-considered B5
> adventures. For me, the show stands behind only the original STAR 
TREK in
> the pantheon of orgasmically kick ass TV/SF (with STAR TREK: DEEP 
SPACE
> NINE and the current BATTLESTAR GALACTICA vying for 3rd).
> 
> The franchise's "universe" is certainly rich enough...and broad
> enough...to accommodate this undertaking. The only thing that 
worries me
> about this is that CRUSADE and LEGEND OF THE RANGERS (both B5 
spinoffs for
> TV) felt unpleasantly self-aware and forced. Given that so much 
time has
> passed since their production, perhaps Joe can now step into the 
universe
> with heightened detachment and clarity: the potential for 
greatness here
> boggles the mind.
> 
> B5 is clearly a labor of love for JMS - it is clearly an undying 
and
> deeply personal committment. Don't see that too much in either 
television
> or film these days. It's nice to know that passion can pay off. 
For fans,
> and for Joe.
> 
> Here's The Nuclear Marine with a write-up from JMS' panel. There's 
a lot
> of material here - about other JMS projects (films, comics, etc.)-
> including a hint about major BABYLON 5-based game. A lot if 
interesting
> stuff, although I've highlighted the B5-specific content in blue 
for those
> wanting to cut to the chase...
>







 
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[scifinoir2] Re: "The Wicker Man"

[B. Smith]

Since it's PG-13 I guess all the nudity and Paga debauchery will be 
cut. I wonder how they will screw up that classic ending?

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "being_marian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> Well, they've gone and remade my favorite pagan movie, "the Wicker 
man".  
> http://thewickermanmovie.warnerbros.com/wickerman.html
> 
> We just don't know when to leave a good movie alone.  And in the
> present religious environment, I don't expect the same ending.  Thank
> goodness, I have the original on dvd.
> 
> Further reading shows that the original movie stars and writers are
> furious also.
> http://news.scotsman.com/movies.cfm?id=1921042005
>







 
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[scifinoir2] Re: Dr Who's companion

[B. Smith]

Some of the fanboy backlash has begun as well. The thinly disguised 
racism in some of their reasons on why she's not a good fit as 
companion are so transparent it's actually funny. Sad but funny. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "being_marian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> Dr Who seems to have acquired a Black companion.
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/gallery/doctormartha/
> 
> 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2006/08/10/35549.sh
tml
>






 
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[scifinoir2] Re: The Best and Worst Sci-Fi TV Show Openings

[B. Smith]

His Babylon 5 bias is showing. I loved the season openers and the 
subtle changes to the music to reflect that part of the story arc.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "brent wodehouse" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> http://www.ggl.com/kunochan/2006/08/best-and-worst-sci-fi-tv-show-
openings.html
> 
> Thursday, August 03, 2006
> 
> The Best and Worst Sci-Fi TV Show Openings
> 
>  
> I suffer from insomnia, and you benefit. Here are my picks for 10 
Best and
> 10 Worst Opening Credits for Genre TV Shows.
> 
> By "genre," I mean science fiction, fantasy, and horror. I only 
included
> shows made in English. I also decided to limit myself to those 
credits
> sequences I could find online - but this turned out not to be a 
problem.
> Hooray for youtube! Hooray for copyright violations!
> 
> I was worried that I would subconsciously rate the title sequences 
not on
> their own merit, but based on the quality of the show overall. But 
I ended
> up with one of the worst shows of all time on the "Best" list, and 
one of
> the best on the "Worst" list. And they both have the same title!
> 
> Numerical order is approximate.
> 
> 
> The 10 Best
> 
> 
> 10. "Battlestar Galactica" (1979)
> 
> One of the most common mistakes made by sci-fi TV openings is the
> "expository monologue," with which jittery television executives 
try to
> explain the show's premise to viewers who don't "get" sci-fi. As I
> researched this list, I learned how ubiquitous this problem is. 
Blah blah
> blah.
> 
> The original BSG features a long, long, lng expository 
monologue. Yeah
> yeah, Toltecs and Mayans, got it. But the monologue is well 
written, and
> it's read with tremendous gravity by the brilliant Patrick Macnee, 
who
> also voiced the Imperious Leader. The theme song kicks ass. And 
most
> importantly, the edited scenes (viewed through a circle - why?) 
really
> make the show look impressive. Too bad it sucked ass.
> 
> 
> 9. "The Greatest American Hero" (1981-83)
> 
> It's all about the theme song, baby. Mike Post's theme song is 
goofy,
> poppy, cheesy, and almost but not entirely unrelated to the 
content of the
> show. And once you hear it, you will NEVER get it out of your 
head. This
> credits sequence is fun, funny, and engaging, and it has no 
expository
> monologue whatsoever. That UFO, left over from one of Steven 
Spielberg's
> garage sales, is also very cool.
> 
> 
> 8. "Mystery Science Theater 3000" (1988-1999)
> 
> "Robot roll call!" We're only concerned with the first two credit
> sequences here, the original Joel Hogdson credits and the first 
Mike
> Nelson opening. After Frank Conniff left, the show jumped the 
shark; and
> once it moved to the Sci Fi Channel, well, it's just best not to 
think
> about it. Catchy song, goofy models and puppets, and the 
iconic "corridor
> crawl" a la "Get Smart." And the theme song doubled as the 
expository
> monologue, which was a real time saver.
> 
> 
> 7. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987-1994)
> 
> What do you get when you cross the theme from "Star Trek The 
Motionless
> Picture" with the Shakespearean monologing skills of Patrick 
Stewart and a
> clever tribute the opening of the original "Star Trek?" Um, this 
opening,
> duh. By the way, the original "Star Trek" opening was pretty weak
> ("whoosh! whoosh!), although nowhere near bad enough to make 
the "worst"
> list. As far as I can tell, "Space… the final frontier…" invented 
the
> expository monologue.
> 
> 
> 6. "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1993-1999)
> 
> There was nothing special about the DS9 opening until season four, 
about
> the time the show started to not completely suck. The morose theme 
song
> got a boost from a bouncy backing track, and the CG guys added a 
bunch of
> business involving spaceships, little space-suited construction 
workers,
> and the Defiant flying into the wormhole. Suddenly, Deep Space 9 
became a
> place you might conceivably care about. Then, in season seven, they
> screwed the whole thing up. This award goes to seasons 4-6 only. 
(Special
> props to DS9 for dropping the "Final Frontier" speech.)
> 
> 
> 5. "Star Trek: Voyager" (1995-2001)
> 
> Finally, the "Star Trek" credits sequence perfected. Great theme,
> excellent effects. Of course, in 9 out of 10 episodes, once the 
opening
> credits ended it was all downhill from there.
> 
> 
> 4. "Doctor Who" (1963-89, 1996, 2005-present)
> 
> First let's discuss that theme song. When some hack isn't ruining 
it by
> trying to "update" it, Ron Grainer's "Doctor Who" theme is spacey,
> dramatic and memorable. Most of the "Doctor Who" credits sequences 
have
> been mediocre or terrible (see this - Jesus Christ, did that 
Zardozian
> giant floating head just wink at me? Exterminate! Exterminate!), 
but two
> really stand out. Coincidentally, they're the openings for the two 
best
> Doctors to date. Tom Baker's (1974-81) was modeled after previous
> openings, and included the dreaded "head shot." But the music was 
great,
> the effec

[scifinoir2] Re: Alternative Sources of Science Fiction

[B. Smith]

Sirius has a station that does radio plays as well. I recently 
listened to a version of The Sound Of Thunder that was well done.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "James Landrith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> I spend more time in my car than I like and abhor local radio, so 
I tend to
> keep my iPod updated constantly with new podcasts.
> 
>  
> 
> One of my favorite sources is Darker Projects.  The have several 
podcasts
> with science fiction and high and dark fantasy themes.
> 
>  
> 
> Online at: http://www.darkerprojects.com 
 
> 
>  
> 
> I've enjoyed their productions of Alive Inside, Generation 1, and 
the Falcon
> Banner (adapted from a novel).  Not all of the vocal talent is top 
shelf,
> but it is still a worthy distraction.  I have sampled their Doctor 
Who or
> Star Trek offerings yet.
> 
>  
> 
> Also, Sonic Theatre on XM Radio has several science fiction radio 
programs.
> 
>  
> 
> http://www.xmradio.com/programming/channel_page.jsp?ch=163
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> __
> James Landrith
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> cell: 703-593-2065 * fax: 760-875-8547
> AIM: jlnales * ICQ: 148600159
> MSN and Yahoo! Messenger: jlandrith
> Taking the Gloves Off - http://www.jameslandrith.com
> The Multiracial Activist - http://www.multiracial.com
> The Abolitionist Examiner - 
http://www.multiracial.com/abolitionist/
> __
> 
>   
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>







 
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[scifinoir2] Re: Robert Downey Jr. is "Iron Man"

[B. Smith]

Have you read the last issue yet? All is not as it seems and Stark 
comes off as an even bigger bastard.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Martin Pratt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> Oh, I'll wager that Tony's gonna get his real soon. Once Civil War 
is done and he's been handed his armored a$$, I fully expect someone 
to crawl right up his exhaust pipe and make life really uncomfy for 
him. Still can't believe that Thor went against Cap.
> 
> Keith Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:   Daryle 
said "Tony Stark is a jerk". Can't argue with that! Tony's been
> arrogant, used women like playthings, run roughshod over even his 
friends
> more than once. Didn't he even have a brief affair with Pepper, 
the ex-wife
> of his best friend Happy? That was foul. And a few years back his 
secret
> identity was revealed, and Tony somehow mystically wiped the 
knowledge from
> the memory of everyone on Earth. Cap later found out he'd done 
this and was
> pissed at the manipulation of his mind. Downey just might have the 
stuff to
> pull this off. The script's got to be *tight* though!
> 
> 
> I finally started reading all the Civil War books two weeks ago, 
and man am
> I having fun! Stark is a jerk? Indeed, or to quote the Falcon's 
comment to
> Cap: "Tony Stark is a sellout. Always has been. You CHOSE to see 
that $%&!
> through rose-colored glasses".
> 
> Unlike many people--especially Blacks--I've always liked Cap. I've 
noticed
> that most Blacks thought he was too corny, too white bread 
literally. I
> remember once having an animated conversation with three of my 
wife's
> brothers, who are all scifi/comic fans. We'd each name a character 
or group
> we'd been following, and the other would excitedly agree. You 
know, stuff
> like "Man, Punisher is bad, you got that right!", or "Magneto is 
the coolest
> mutant around!". Then I cried out "And Captain America is cool!" 
Silence,
> except for the chirping crickets. 
> 
> I like Cap because he represents the ideal we never achieve: fair 
play, lack
> of racism, a belief in an America that actually practices 
democratic and
> egalitarian ideals. An America in which a citizen can love his 
country
> fiercely, and yet be outrage at its aggressive policies, in which 
one can
> work for the state, yet fight to protect the rights of the 
individual. Cap
> is the way I've always tried to be, yet in some ways woefully 
naive too.
> (Guilty as charged!) So it's no surprise that this agent of 
S.H.I.E.L.D and
> sanctioned Avengers leader would take umbrage at all superbeings
> registering. He still carries the mythical ideals of the so-called 
Greatest
> Generation that fought Fascism. I must say, I always associated 
that
> attempt to hold true values with Peter Parker as well, but his 
embrace of
> the superhero Storm troopers is frightening. One would think that 
after
> years of being unfairly persecuted, Peter would be the *last* 
person to go
> along with a program that immediately criminalizes unregistered 
superbeings.
> I think Peter's lost, perhaps being too grateful to Stark as a 
type of
> father figure. And perhaps years of being persona no grata and 
struggling
> financially has allowed him to be swayed by the thought of living 
in comfort
> and not having to run from the law that's always mistaking him for 
a bad
> guy. 
> 
> I'm pretty sure Spidey will wake up and realize what he's done. 
> 
> _ 
> 
> From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
> Behalf Of Daryle Lockhart
> Sent: Saturday, 30 September, 2006 10:22
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Robert Downey Jr. is "Iron Man"
> 
> I think you hit it right on the head with the Keaton comparison. 
> This is the second best casting decision in the history of comic 
> book movies. No pretty boys for this one. Tony Stark is a jerk. 
The 
> Civil War storyline points this out best of all. (Never thought 
I'd 
> be siding with Captain America, but here I am.) Downey has been 
> prepping for this role like Pierce Brosnan had been preparing for 
> Bond. Every role he's ever played, since "Heart & Soul", was 
> basically THIS GUY. A jerk. A man with a dark side. Someone you 
> either love or despise. This should be great.
> 
> I was reading Iron Man for a while, but it never held my attention 
> like Fantastic Four or Avengers, so I let it go.
> 
> Of course, I notice there's no mention of War Machine in the 
script. 
> Oh well.
> 
> I think this movie will be really cool.
> 
> On Sep 29, 2006, at 9:26 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:
> 
> I am intrigued by this casting. If you want an actor who can play 
> someone
> who's suave yet full of inner demons, I guess Downey is it. Not 
sure how
> he'll look or play as the cool, handsome billionaire playboy, but 
hey,
> Michael Keaton didn't exactly look like Bruce Wayne, and he did a 
decent
> job. I'm more concerned that it's a completely in-house Marvel 
> production.
> Wonder how it'll play? I guess for me the jury's

[scifinoir2] Re: Robert Downey Jr. is "Iron Man"

[B. Smith]

I won't spoil it for you but lets just say that Peter sees the light 
in a big way. 

BTW I've always loved Cap as well. Cap's ideals and passion always 
worked for me.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Keith Johnson" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Daryle said "Tony Stark is a jerk".  Can't argue with that! Tony's 
been
> arrogant, used women like playthings, run roughshod over even his 
friends
> more than once. Didn't he even have a brief affair with Pepper, 
the ex-wife
> of his best friend Happy? That was foul. And a few years back his 
secret
> identity was revealed, and Tony somehow mystically wiped the 
knowledge from
> the memory of everyone on Earth. Cap later found out he'd done 
this and was
> pissed at the manipulation of his mind. Downey just might have the 
stuff to
> pull this off. The script's got to be *tight* though!
>  
>  
> I finally started reading all the Civil War books two weeks ago, 
and man am
> I having fun! Stark is a jerk? Indeed, or to quote the Falcon's 
comment to
> Cap: "Tony Stark is a sellout. Always has been. You CHOSE to see 
that $%&!
> through rose-colored glasses".
>  
> Unlike many people--especially Blacks--I've always liked Cap. I've 
noticed
> that most Blacks thought he was too corny, too white bread 
literally. I
> remember once having an animated conversation with three of my 
wife's
> brothers, who are all scifi/comic fans. We'd each name a character 
or group
> we'd been following, and the other would excitedly agree. You 
know, stuff
> like "Man, Punisher is bad, you got that right!", or "Magneto is 
the coolest
> mutant around!".  Then I cried out "And Captain America is 
cool!"   Silence,
> except for the chirping crickets. 
>  
> I like Cap because he represents the ideal we never achieve: fair 
play, lack
> of racism, a belief in an America that actually practices 
democratic and
> egalitarian ideals. An America in which a citizen can love his 
country
> fiercely, and yet be outrage at its aggressive policies, in which 
one can
> work for the state, yet fight to protect the rights of the 
individual. Cap
> is the way I've always tried to be, yet in some ways woefully 
naive too.
> (Guilty as charged!)  So it's no surprise that this agent of 
S.H.I.E.L.D and
> sanctioned Avengers leader would take umbrage at all superbeings
> registering. He still carries the mythical ideals of the so-called 
Greatest
> Generation that fought Fascism.  I must say, I always associated 
that
> attempt to hold true values with Peter Parker as well, but his 
embrace of
> the superhero Storm troopers is frightening. One would think that 
after
> years of being unfairly persecuted, Peter would be the *last* 
person to go
> along with a program that immediately criminalizes unregistered 
superbeings.
> I think Peter's lost, perhaps being too grateful to Stark as a 
type of
> father figure. And perhaps years of being persona no grata and 
struggling
> financially has allowed him to be swayed by the thought of living 
in comfort
> and not having to run from the law that's always mistaking him for 
a bad
> guy. 
>  
> I'm pretty sure Spidey will wake up and realize what he's done. 
> 
>   _  
> 
> From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
> Behalf Of Daryle Lockhart
> Sent: Saturday, 30 September, 2006 10:22
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Robert Downey Jr. is "Iron Man"
> 
> 
> 
> 
> I think you hit it right on the head with the Keaton comparison. 
> This is the second best casting decision in the history of comic 
> book movies. No pretty boys for this one. Tony Stark is a jerk. 
The 
> Civil War storyline points this out best of all. (Never thought 
I'd 
> be siding with Captain America, but here I am.) Downey has been 
> prepping for this role like Pierce Brosnan had been preparing for 
> Bond. Every role he's ever played, since "Heart & Soul", was 
> basically THIS GUY. A jerk. A man with a dark side. Someone you 
> either love or despise. This should be great.
> 
> I was reading Iron Man for a while, but it never held my attention 
> like Fantastic Four or Avengers, so I let it go.
> 
> Of course, I notice there's no mention of War Machine in the 
script. 
> Oh well.
> 
> I think this movie will be really cool.
> 
> On Sep 29, 2006, at 9:26 PM, Keith Johnson wrote:
> 
> I am intrigued by this casting. If you want an actor who can play 
> someone
> who's suave yet full of inner demons, I guess Downey is it. Not 
sure how
> he'll look or play as the cool, handsome billionaire playboy, but 
hey,
> Michael Keaton didn't exactly look like Bruce Wayne, and he did a 
decent
> job. I'm more concerned that it's a completely in-house Marvel 
> production.
> Wonder how it'll play? I guess for me the jury's completely out, 
> because,
> while I'm certainly well-versed in Iron Man lore, I'm not exactly 
a 
> fan. I
> bought his books for about four years, but outside of that all my 
> exposure
> to the character comes from teams 

[scifinoir2] Re: Are You Watching These Toons?

[B. Smith]

I'm loving this season of Avatar. My channel guide had the wrong 
time listed for the first LSH episode so I missed it. I really 
enjoyed the second episode.

The FF...eh. I liked the Hulk episode but Johnny just annoys me.

The Batman...still not my cup of tea but the first episode with Team 
Penguin was entertaining.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> I'm curious if any of y'all have seen a couple of new cartoons 
this season, or are watching returning ones:
> 
> Avatar - Nick, Fridays at 8 pm, reruns (sometimes a week behind) 
Saturdays from 11 - 12 noon 
> http://www.nick.com/all_nick/tv_supersites/avatar2/
> 
> I liked this show from the start. Despite its sometimes 
anachronistic language and youth-oriented writing, its concept of 
Benders manipulating the four classical Elements, and a reincarnated 
Avatar saving the world, intrigued me. The moments of drama and 
action more than compensated for any kiddiness in the show. Trust me 
though: it's gotten much, much better. Ang has learned that he has 
less than a year to learn Bending of all the elements and defeat the 
Fire Lord. A fiery comet is approaching the world, whose flame will 
make the Fire lord all but invincible, and Ang must be ready before 
then.  Prince Zuko and his uncle are starting to question the goals 
of the Fire Nation. The mythology of the series is being fleshed out 
more. (Check out the above link, which details philosophy of each of 
the Bending arts, to see what I mean). New Benders are encountered 
all the time, including whole cities full of them, such as Ba Sing 
Se, where the trains are run by Earth Benders pushing the st
> one vehicles on stone rails with their powers.  The stories are 
getting more mature, the danger and stakes, increasing. Still not 
enough Bending for me, but man, when Ang lets loose in Avatar mode, 
watch out!  Like the young characters who must rise to the challenge 
of saving their world, this show continues to grow.  Truly one of 
the best cartoons on TV.  
>  
> 
> Legion of Superheroes - CW Kid's WB? Saturdays at 10:00?
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legion_of_Super_Heroes_
(animated_series)
> Character pics can be found here:  
http://www.legionsofgotham.org/LOSHcharacters.html
> 
>  (Not sure of the network or the time, as when I  saw it on Sep 
23, it was called Kid's WB, even though the WB was merged into the 
CW). Say what??? Caught me completely off guard. I happened to catch 
the debut on Sept 23.  Legion goes back in time to recruit Superman 
for help against the Fatal Five, but end up going further back and 
getting young Clark Kent, who's still learning to use his powers. 
Clark can't even fly when they contact him. Though he does learn, 
he's about as unstable in flight as the Greatest American Hero. 
Strong though: he lifted 3,000 tons during a test.  Clark is quickly 
inducted into the Legion after helping defeat the Fatal Five. The 
show's premise is that he'll hang out in the 31st Century helping 
out for a while, and then be returned back to his time only minutes 
after initially leaving. The first show was decent, if you overlook 
the rather basic animation. The characters have been changed 
somewhat, such as the now completely robotic Brainiac 5, or the glo
> wing lightning bolt scar over Lightning Lad's right eye. Evidently 
there's some legal issues with the show, as young Clark has dubbed 
himself "Superman", *not* "Superboy".  One interesting thing is that 
the Legion took Clark to a museum full of pictures, statues, and 
costumes from his adult years as Superman. Indeed, his first costume 
ever is secured in the future, when he takes one from the Superman 
exhibit. At least worth a visit, if not a long term stay.  
>  
> 
> The Batman - CW Kid's WB? Saturdays at 10:30? 
> http://www.legionsofgotham.org/BATMAN.html
>  
> New season, new music, new opening scenes. Robin has joined the 
show, in an episode that was fairly mature and graphic in terms of 
his parents' murder by Tony Zuco. Batgirl is also evidently a 
regular this season. I hated the premiere last year, grew to 
appreciate it somewhat (though still not as much as Batman: The 
Animated Series).  It's not half bad, just not as well-written or 
mature as that great previous series.  There's a lot of action, but 
at the expense of good dialogue and writing, to my mind. A tricky 
thing to make a superhero cartoon that's not just action and flash, 
but the first series managed to do just that. It's also still a 
change to deal with a Bruce Wayne's who's not always bitter and 
moody. This is a younger Bruce, who can still laugh and joke in his 
civilian life—even in private with Alfred. I guess, looking at this 
series and the movie "Batman Begins", the new writers' idea is that 
years of fighting crime takes its toll, making Batman ever grimmer 
in his priv
> ate life, not just when wearing the cape and cowl. I'm also not 
keen on the way some of the villains are presented this time arou

[scifinoir2] Re: Civil War

[B. Smith]

 to the Fantastic Four and Spiderman stories. It's a really 
> exciting time in Marvel again. Of course, they will undoubtedly 
find 
> a way to ruin it in the end, and I'm not entirely sure "the end" 
> wasn't the day they said "Thor's Alive", but that's why Marvel 
> people are like Mets fans. Every once in a while things go really 
> really great, but mostly, we're all just remembering the 80s.
> 
> Additionally, the recent thing with the Runaways and all of the 
> hoopla has people forgetting the double-agent action of one 
Jessica 
> Drew. This registration act has one missing player. And for my 
money, 
> that player is Nick Fury. I need a Nick Fury vs. Tony Stark issue 
to 
> make this complete.
> 
> On Oct 2, 2006, at 6:04 PM, Martin Pratt wrote:
> 
> Apologies for that, Keith. I've made an a$$ of myself by assuming 
> that I was lagging in my reading. As for the Act, it's just a step 
> short of the real-life Patriot Act. A knee-jerk reaction to 
tragedy. 
> On a similar vein, have you read "Scarlet Traces"?
> 
> KeithBJohnson@ <mailto:KeithBJohnson%40comcast.net> comcast.net 
wrote: Be
> sure to write "spoiler" if y'all 
> discuss any of the Civil War. I just started and am only up to 
July's 
> books. Just finished reading Civil War 3 and Frontline 4--powerful 
> stuff!
> 
> How does everyone feel about teh Superhuman Registration Act?
> 
> -- Original message --
> From: "B. Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:daikaiju66%
40yahoo.com> com>
> Have you read the last issue yet? All is not as it seems and Stark
> comes off as an even bigger bastard.
> 
> --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:scifinoir2%40yahoogroups.com> 
ups.com,
> Martin Pratt 
> wrote:
> >
> > Oh, I'll wager that Tony's gonna get his real soon. Once Civil 
War
> is done and he's been handed his armored a$$, I fully expect 
someone
> to crawl right up his exhaust pipe and make life really uncomfy for
> him. Still can't believe that Thor went against Cap.
> >
> > Keith Johnson  wrote: Daryle
> said "Tony Stark is a jerk". Can't argue with that! Tony's been
> > arrogant, used women like playthings, run roughshod over even his
> friends
> > more than once. Didn't he even have a brief affair with Pepper,
> the ex-wife
> > of his best friend Happy? That was foul. And a few years back his
> secret
> > identity was revealed, and Tony somehow mystically wiped the
> knowledge from
> > the memory of everyone on Earth. Cap later found out he'd done
> this and was
> > pissed at the manipulation of his mind. Downey just might have 
the
> stuff to
> > pull this off. The script's got to be *tight* though!
> >
> >
> > I finally started reading all the Civil War books two weeks ago,
> and man am
> > I having fun! Stark is a jerk? Indeed, or to quote the Falcon's
> comment to
> > Cap: "Tony Stark is a sellout. Always has been. You CHOSE to see
> that $%&!
> > through rose-colored glasses".
> >
> > Unlike many people--especially Blacks--I've always liked Cap. 
I've
> noticed
> > that most Blacks thought he was too corny, too white bread
> literally. I
> > remember once having an animated conversation with three of my
> wife's
> > brothers, who are all scifi/comic fans. We'd each name a 
character
> or group
> > we'd been following, and the other would excitedly agree. You
> know, stuff
> > like "Man, Punisher is bad, you got that right!", or "Magneto is
> the coolest
> > mutant around!". Then I cried out "And Captain America is cool!"
> Silence,
> > except for the chirping crickets.
> >
> > I like Cap because he represents the ideal we never achieve: fair
> play, lack
> > of racism, a belief in an America that actually practices
> democratic and
> > egalitarian ideals. An America in which a citizen can love his
> country
> > fiercely, and yet be outrage at its aggressive policies, in which
> one can
> > work for the state, yet fight to protect the rights of the
> individual. Cap
> > is the way I've always tried to be, yet in some ways woefully
> naive too.
> > (Guilty as charged!) So it's no surprise that this agent of
> S.H.I.E.L.D and
> > sanctioned Avengers leader would take umbrage at all superbeings
> > registering. He still carries the mythical ideals of the so-
called
> Greatest
> > Generation that fought Fascism. I must say, I always associated
> that
> > 

[scifinoir2] Re: Robert Downey Jr. is "Iron Man"

[B. Smith]

The new Heroes For Hire book sort of fills that niche for now.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Martin Pratt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> Just picked up a preview in Wizard about a book that WildStorm/DC 
is doing, calling "The Boys", about a team of operatives charged 
with keeping track of superpowered individuals, and eliminating 
them, if necessary. Considering Civil War, this would've been a 
great fit at the House of Ideas.
> 
> Keith Johnson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:  No problem at 
all, it's still worth the read even when I know what's
> happening. I'm still reeling from some of the heroes' choices. 
Although I
> know Spidey will do the right thing in the end, I must admit it's 
coloring
> my view of him. I mean, perhaps the most misunderstood and 
misrepresented
> hero in the MU, yet he jumps with little thought to Registration. 
Even
> forgiving that, to reveal his identity? I don't care that May and 
Mary Jane
> are behind him, that's just stupid. Spidey has one of the biggest, 
most
> diverse and nuttiest rogue's galleries of all. You could literally 
throw a
> rock in New York and probably hit one of his sworn enemies. And 
then, even
> if he did all that, the leap to *hunting down* his fellow heroes? 
That just
> ain't right...
> I'm also trying to deal with Bishop's rationalization that doing 
this will
> prevent a future like the one that birthed him. I see his point, 
in that he
> fears the nation's increasingly negative feelings about metas 
could result
> in an overreaction, such as the full-fledged Sentinels program. I 
understand
> he's trying to forestall that. But again, where do you draw the 
line at
> sacrificing some rights for the great good? When do you gave away 
that final
> piece of yourself that can never be reclaimed. 
> 
> Perhaps--perhaps--if Registration was only about getting 
sanctioned by
> S.H.I.E.L.D a la the Avengers' charter, I could understand and 
support it.
> But to force all heroes to reveal their identities, and then, to 
quickly
> criminalize them? I mean damn, they had "cape killers" attacking 
heroes
> literally *one minute* after the deadline went into effect. 
They've used
> near-lethal force against the likes of Cap and Cage. And they're 
willing to
> quickly seize non-registrant's bank accounts, and charge their 
families as
> co-conspirators? And Spidey is going along with this
> 
> Wow...
> 
> _ 
> 
> From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
> Behalf Of Martin Pratt
> Sent: Monday, 02 October, 2006 18:04
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: Robert Downey Jr. is "Iron Man"
> 
> Apologies for that, Keith. I've made an a$$ of myself by assuming 
that I was
> lagging in my reading. As for the Act, it's just a step short of 
the
> real-life Patriot Act. A knee-jerk reaction to tragedy. On a 
similar vein,
> have you read "Scarlet Traces"?
> 
> KeithBJohnson@ <mailto:KeithBJohnson%40comcast.net> comcast.net 
wrote: Be
> sure to write "spoiler" if y'all discuss any of the Civil War. I 
just
> started and am only up to July's books. Just finished reading 
Civil War 3
> and Frontline 4--powerful stuff!
> 
> How does everyone feel about teh Superhuman Registration Act?
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "B. Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:daikaiju66%
40yahoo.com> com> 
> Have you read the last issue yet? All is not as it seems and Stark 
> comes off as an even bigger bastard.
> 
> --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:scifinoir2%40yahoogroups.com> 
ups.com,
> Martin Pratt  
> wrote:
> >
> > Oh, I'll wager that Tony's gonna get his real soon. Once Civil 
War 
> is done and he's been handed his armored a$$, I fully expect 
someone 
> to crawl right up his exhaust pipe and make life really uncomfy 
for 
> him. Still can't believe that Thor went against Cap.
> > 
> > Keith Johnson  wrote: Daryle 
> said "Tony Stark is a jerk". Can't argue with that! Tony's been
> > arrogant, used women like playthings, run roughshod over even 
his 
> friends
> > more than once. Didn't he even have a brief affair with Pepper, 
> the ex-wife
> > of his best friend Happy? That was foul. And a few years back 
his 
> secret
> > identity was revealed, and Tony somehow mystically wiped the 
> knowledge from
> > the memory of everyone on Earth. Cap later found out he'd done 
> this and was
> > pissed at the manipulation of his mind. Downey just might have 
the 
> stuff to

[scifinoir2] Re: Civil War

[B. Smith]

I loved the original Crisis. 

S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S

H
O
!

Infinite Crisis had great moments(the bombing of Bludhaven, Superboy 
Prime vs. the Titans and the Flashes, the Anti-Monitor's appearance, 
the final battle and others) but the pacing and the nature of why 
they did it made it seem off in some ways.

Of the lead in series to IC, I liked Villains United and The Rann-
Thanagar War most. Day Of Vengeance was good too. The Countdown one-
shot where Blue Beetle is ignored by the others by the others and 
goes on alone against Checkmate was well done. 

The OMAC series left me cold. I was hoping that after IC we would 
get an OMAC closer to Kirby's version but that hasn't happened. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Really? too bad. Did you like the original "Crisis on Infinite 
Earths"? How about "Identity Crisis" and "Omac"?
> 
> I think even if it were good, "Civil War" is overshadowing DC's 
mega-event. Another good series getting overlooked is "The Ultimates 
2", which is great.
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "B. Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> I liked the build up and aftermath of Infinite Crisis but the 
series 
> itself fell flat for me. Great ideas and visuals but the execution 
> left a lot to be desired.
> 
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Keith Johnson" 
>  wrote:
> >
> > Well, for good or ill, "Civil War" kinda revitalizes a character 
> that's
> > never been a fav of mine. I pretty much only follow Iron Man as 
> part of a
> > team. Even though he's been an Avenger and as central to the 
> superhero world
> > as Cap, Thor, or Spidey, he's never really been top-tier in my 
> book. This
> > mega-event makes him much more relevant. And that's the good 
thing 
> about
> > giant comic events and complicated crossovers: when done right, 
> they can
> > explore the well-known characters in a deeper way, yet also 
bring 
> some of
> > the lesser-known ones to the fore. For example, over at DC--
whose 
> great
> > "Identity Crisis", "Infinite Crisis", and "52" may be getting 
> overlooked
> > thanks to Marvel--there was a fantastic series of books 
> called "OMAC". It
> > dealt with a literal Big Brother spying on the heroes, and the 
> betrayal of a
> > supposed friend. The Blue Beetle was featured front and center 
in 
> the first
> > part of the story, in a very powerful and poignant story. 
Booster 
> Gold was
> > even brought into this drama effectively, if you can believe 
that!
> > 
> > _ 
> > 
> > From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
> > Behalf Of Martin Pratt
> > Sent: Tuesday, 03 October, 2006 23:50
> > To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: RE: [scifinoir2] Re: Civil War
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > I wouldn't worry much about Fury being "missing", Keith. If WWII 
> and HYDRA
> > couldn't kill him...
> > 
> > As for Reed, I again refer to Wizard, ish 179 or 180, in which 
> they seem to
> > revel in detailing exactly how clueless the man is, particularly 
> when it
> > comes to dealing with Sue. Bright boys are usually that way, 
tops 
> in their
> > fields and needing to be spoon-fed the rest of the time. As for 
> Stark,
> > there's only one thing you say n his vicinity.
> > 
> > "Last Call".
> > 
> > Keith Johnson mailto:KeithBJohnson%
40comcast.net>
> > comcast.net> wrote:
> > Well, Thor was always on the books to be brought back, after he 
> and all the
> > Norse gods perished. I think they finally managed to rid 
> themselves of the
> > Ragnarok cycle. I hate to see Nick Fury missing too, especially 
> since he
> > seems to side with Cap on this?? I'd love to see the one true 
head 
> of
> > S.H.I.E.L.D. explain to the Prez and Congress why he disagrees 
> with a law
> > the public overwhelmingly supports. Maybe he could get tips from 
> Colin
> > Powell on how to swallow your pride and conscience and try to 
> manage your
> > idiot leader! The thing I like about Reed is the way they're 
> playing up
> > again his sometimes disconnect from emotion and good old common 
> sense, in
> > favor of rational thought and analysis. Reed's literally 
> *calculated* that
> > Registration is a good thing?! Like Ben Urich told him, you 
can't 
> plug
> > people's emotions and swiftly-changing views into a formula. 
This 
> perfectly
> 

[scifinoir2] Re: CBS' 'Smith' First New Show to Bite Dust

[B. Smith]

Smith wasn't as good as Thief but I enjoyed it. I really wanted to 
see where they were going with the show. 

Three episodes is not nearly enough time to find an audience in that 
brutal timeslot. They were going against L&O: SVU, Boston Legal and 
Nip/Tuck on cable.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Gawd, remember the good old days when shows actually got a few 
*months* before they were cancelled? Or even further back, the days 
when all shows started in the same *week*, and you actually saw a 
new episode every single week for months?  I really do miss those 
days. This micromanagement and second-by-second polling is 
irritating. Granted, "Smith" wasn't must-see, definitely not as good 
as "Thief". But it was a good show, with a great cast, that deserves 
more than two or three episodes to find an audience. Honestly, shows 
from "Cagney and Lacey" to the "X-Files" and "Seinfeld" would all 
have never entered the history books had today's standards been 
applied to them...
> 
> I was listening to a TV Guide podcast today, and they said the new 
series "Ugly Betty" really pleased the suits, as its second half-
hour ratings went up!  What's next? Probes attached to our bodies 
that measure heart, breathing, brain wave activity, and skin 
galvanic response to every single joke, kiss, or bullet onscreen? 
Maybe in the future shows will get cancelled mid-broadcast, as 
they'll actually be created live as the collective (dumbed-down) 
brain of the public watches them.  
> 
> Imagine: "Coming to your TV in three seconds, it's the gripping 
story of an elite special team of cops patrolling the mean streets 
of--due to low ratings during the first five seconds of the 
introductory monologue, this as-yet-unnamed show has been cancelled. 
Stay tuned for 'CSI: Mars', followed by a special marathon of 'Law 
and Order: Alien Justice'.  And be back here in five minutes as we 
create the newest must-see show of the season. It's the heart-
warming story of a group of young twentysomethings with no jobs 
living in expensive New York apartments..."  
> *
> 
>  
> CBS' 'Smith' First New Show to Bite Dust
> By Associated Press
> Fri Oct 6, 2:53 PM
> NEW YORK - Here's something Ray Liotta and Virginia Madsen won't 
be putting on their resumes: stars of the first new TV show to bite 
the dust this fall. "Smith," the Tuesday night CBS drama with Liotta 
leading a band of high-stakes thieves, is off the schedule, the 
network said Friday. It will be replaced temporarily by reruns 
of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Criminal Minds."
> Networks don't like to use the word "cancel" _ it sounds so messy 
_ but the show's producers have been given no promise that it will 
return.
> Its last episode had only 8.4 million viewers on Tuesday, 
according to Nielsen Media Research. It faced tough competition in 
the time slot from NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" and ABC's "Boston Legal."
> Meanwhile, NBC announced the sort-of cancellation of its Wednesday 
night serial comedy "Kidnapped," which stars Jeremy Sisto. NBC 
gambled by putting the show in the time slot held for a long time 
by "Law & Order," and it failed miserably.
> "Kidnapped" will be moved to the television purgatory of Saturday 
nights, starting Oct. 21. Its producers have been told to wrap up 
the serialized drama's story lines by the end of the show's 13-
episode order, NBC said.
> Networks have been wrestling with how to satisfy fans who've 
gotten involved in serialized dramas when the ratings are poor 
enough for the show to be canceled.
> Fox has put its new comedy "Happy Hour" on hiatus, but insists it 
will return.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>






 
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[scifinoir2] Re: "The Departed"

[B. Smith]

I was going to ask how it compared to Infernal Affairs. It was an 
wawesome film in it's own right. 

One of the reasons I've been reluctant to see The Departed is that 
twists,turns and the final outcome may not have the same impact for 
me because I've seen Infernal Affairs.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Keith Johnson" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Not scifi related, but thought I'd drop some thoughts on the 
movie...
>  
> Went to see "The Departed"  yesterday . Good movie. Good acting, 
solid plot,
> lots of suspense. Very violent. Very sombre in tone. If you're one 
of those
> who either thinks DiCaprio can't act, or feels his boyish looks 
hinder him,
> this is the film to see. DiCaprio nails the role of a cop sent 
into deep
> cover, who's so good at it due to his own inner demons. But what's 
most
> impressive to me is that his character is *scared* all the time. 
This isn't
> some "yeah I'm so bad I can fool these fools" macho role. No, 
DiCaprio's
> well aware he's running a game on a bunch of paranoid, crazy, 
murderous men
> who'll (literally) skin him alive if he's found out.  His growing 
fear in
> turns keeps the audience on the edge of the seat, wondering when 
the jig is
> gonna be up.  One comes to feel sorry for this kid who really 
seems to just
> want to have a decent life.  Matt Damon brings his understated 
acting style,
> which is perfect here for the smooth, charming, intellectual cop 
who's
> rising in the ranks faster than a helium balloon, but who's in 
reality a mob
> informant working inside the department. The great contrast of 
this movie is
> the spic-and-span surface image Damon presents,  hiding his dark 
soul,
> versus DiCaprio's rough, borderline psycho image, which covers a 
much more
> decent guy within. 
> 
>  And  Jack?  This is Nicholson in one of his best roles in years, 
if for no
> other reason than that most of his performance is straight drama. 
This ain't
> the wacky-Jack we've come to know. He veers a bit--just a bit--
into that
> territory toward the end of the film, but thankfully the Joker 
grin and
> eyebrow thing is a brief departure from an overall dead-on 
performance.
> Jack's Frank Costello is a violent, brutal, sexist, racist 
killer.   His is
> not a likeable character at all. 
> 
>  Indeed few people in this film on either side of the law are 
exactly the
> kind you'd like to have over for dinner.  A racial slur about 
Blacks uttered
> by Costello is later used by Mark Wahlberg's good cop character, 
which
> frankly angered me more coming from the lawman. Anthony Anderson, 
who seems
> to be moving more toward dramatic roles (and doing a good job in 
them) has a
> small part, but this is pretty much a whitewashed film.  But then 
we're
> talking about Boston, so it may not be pretty, but it's 
unfortunately
> probably still realistic. I actually think the cops curse and 
fight amongst
> themselves more than the crooks do. The methods and attitudes of 
the law and
> law-breakers are rarely all that different.  It reminds me of that 
funny
> scene in "Married to the Mob" when Michelle Pfeiffer tells an FBI 
agent
> there's no difference at all between the FBI and the mob. His 
reply:  "Oh,
> there's a big difference, Mrs. de Marco. The mob is run by 
murdering,
> thieving, lying, cheating psychopaths. We work for the President 
of the
> United States of America!" 
> 
> This is a guy's movie in that it's all about men on both sides of 
the law
> being brutish and savage. Bullets and blood do the talking. Not 
that women
> won't enjoy it, but females are pretty much relegated to 
playthings or
> strident mothers worried about their sons. The one woman with a 
significant
> role was a little weak and unprofessional to my mind.  The actress 
had more
> strength than the role she was given, I think. Not a bad 
performance at all,
> just a couple of notes that made you say "huh?"  We needed a bit 
more time
> to understand why this psychiatrist seemed to be as messed up as 
the men she
> counsels. Again, not bad, but it makes what could have been a 
powerful
> performance veer just a bit toward the role of "the girl". 
> 
> Overall, a gritty, intense film. Lots of blood, some disturbing
> racial/sexist slurs that'll sting some.   Not a feel-good flick at 
all, but
> I highly recommend it.  Is it as good as the Hong King 
film "Infernal
> Affairs" of which it's a remake? Can't be sure, as I only saw part 
of that
> film. Maybe someone else can give us a comparison.
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





 
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[scifinoir2] Re: [Reference] Information on over 700 characters from the Marvel Universe

[B. Smith]

I think that Hardware was quite different than the other armored 
heroes of the time. The liquid metal bodysuit, the modular armor 
components and his origin were quite different than the norm of the 
time.  

I always thought it was awfully funny that DC came out with a very 
similar character, Steel, the same year. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Keith Johnson" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> The only "Hardware" character I'm familiar with is the one from 
Milestone
> Comics, that was obviously modeled off the Iron Man and other 
exosuit
> heroes.  
> 
>   _  
> 
> From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
> Behalf Of Martin
> Sent: Sunday, 15 October, 2006 19:06
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: [Reference] Information on over 700 
characters
> from the Marvel Universe
> 
> 
> 
> Why didn't *I* think of that? (Last man across the finish line, yet
> again...) Thanks, rave, and did they already change the name of 
the char?
> Something I read yesterday, at SciFi's site, if memory serves, 
said that
> Howard would be playing War Machine.
> 
> ravenadal <[EMAIL PROTECTED]  com> 
wrote: My
> son called me from college last night and in one of our typically
> meandering conversation about life, love and all the above we found
> ourselves discussing the new Iron Man movie starring Robert 
Downey, Jr.
> as erstwhile billionaire, invalid and hardware afficionado.
> 
> "Did you know," my son asked me, "that Terrence Howard is slated to
> play a character called Hardware in the new Iron Man movie?"
> I did not know that.
> Then he asked, "Was Hardware even a character in the Iron Man 
series
> when you read it?"
> Although I had been an avid Iron Man fan from his inception in
> Marvel's "Tales of Suspense", fully involved in the soap operaish 
love
> triangle between Tony Stark, his secretary Pepper Potts and his 
hapless
> aide-de-camp Harold "Happy" Hogan, I had stopped reading the 
series in
> the middle seventies and had no idea who or what "Hardware" was.
> As I was sitting in front of my computer as I chatted with my son
> on the telephone, I went to
> http://www.marveldi 

> rectory.com/individuals/index.htm to get up to
> speed.
> Imagine my surprise at discovering that "Pepper Potts" and "Happy"
> Hogan don't even merit a mention in the current Iron Man bio.
> When I mentioned this to my son he steered me to the Wikipedia
> "Hardware" page - which I found much better designed, easy to 
navigate
> and informative than the marvel directory. The Wikipedia "Iron Man"
> page is also superior (it mentions Pepper and Happy!).
> 
> So, Martin, you might want to check out Wikipedia for your DC fix.
> 
> ~rave!
> 
> --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED]  
ups.com,
> Martin  wrote:
> >
> > Do you know if there's a similar directory for DC characters?
> >
> > brent wodehouse brent_wodehouse@ wrote: For your general
> edification:
> >
> > http://www.marveldi 

> rectory.com/individuals/index.htm
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > If any one of our restaurants were better than the rest, then
> customers would flocck to that location, creating a mass imbalance 
that
> could create a black hole, which would swallow the Earth. That's 
why we
> make every McDonald's from Pomona to Poughkeepsie the same good 
place to
> eat, thereby saving the Universe.-from McDonald's commercial ,28 
January
> 1990
> >
> > "Is anybody hungry?" - W Zeddemore, "The Real Ghostbusters", 'The
> Cabinet of Calamari'
> >
> > -
> > How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger's low PC-to-Phone
> call rates.
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> 
> If any one of our restaurants were better than the rest, then 
customers
> would flocck to that location, creating a mass imbalance that 
could create a
> black hole, which would swallow the Earth. That's why we make every
> McDonald's from Pomona to Poughkeepsie the same good place to eat, 
thereby
> saving the Universe.-from McDonald's commercial ,28 January 1990
> 
> "Is anybody hungry?" - W Zeddemore, "The Real Ghostbusters", 'The 
Cabinet of
> Calamari'
> 
> -
> Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. 
Great rates
> starting at 1¢/min.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





 
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[scifinoir2] Re: Favorite Shows That Never Made It

[B. Smith]

My usual suspects:
High Incident- One of the best police shows of the 90s. Too bad it was 
a few years ahead of it's time. It ends with a hell of a cliffhanger 
after their version of the infamous Hollywood Bank Robbery.

Space: Above and Beyond

Firefly

Crusade

Hypernauts- Great kids show from some of the folks that did B5.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> With Smith and a few other shows being canceled and most of us 
lamenting 
> how Hollywood seems to cancel show after one-half an episode, I was 
> wondering what shows did you like that never made it or got canceled 
> after one or two seasons that you thought should have had more time
> 
> Tracey
>





 
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[scifinoir2] Re: Favorite Shows That Never Made It (Action)

[B. Smith]

You weren't the only one. My friends and I loved Action. It was a 
biting insiders look at Hollywood and that's probably why it yanked 
from the air. Unlike 30 Rock, Studio 60 and other behind the scenes 
shows, you could see the contempt for Hollyweird oozing through the 
screen when you saw Action.

It was satire but it was hilariously funny as well. The gay leading 
man, the impotent studio exec who wants Peter to father his child 
with his ex-wife, the long suffering PA, the writer being treated 
like trash and tons of ther things made this show a blast. 

Everytime I hear the words "Cobb Salad" I laugh.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "ravenadal" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Let me preface this by saying I am the only person I know who liked
> Action a turn of the millennium series that was almost universally
> reviled.
> 
> I thought it was a hoot!
> 
> Action was a first person narrative of days in the life of  amoral 
movie
> producer Peter Dragon.
> 
> We are constantly in Dragon's head.  This series is The Wonder 
Years on
> acid.  Jay Mohr's (Jerry Maquire) sexist, racist, scatological voice
> overs were gems of spite-filled, malevolent eloquence:
> 
> "Life is full of things you can't predict...Eddie Murphy stops to 
give a
> young lady a ride home and discovers she has a bigger schlong than 
he
> does."
> 
> (To a congressional committee) "Listen to these numbers, in 1987
> ninety-five percent of all homicidal maniacs on screen were played 
by
> white men; last year fifty percent were played by blacks, women and
> puerto ricans.  I, sir, am very proud of that progess."
> 
> This vicious, thinly veiled satire of Hollywood, Action was a show 
only
> a mother (bleep, bleep) could love.  I mean, you gotta love a show 
where
> the lead actor dies of a massive heart attack at the end of the 
first
> episode.
> 
> ~rave!
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





 
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[scifinoir2] Re: Favorite Shows That Never Made It

[B. Smith]

Hypernauts was a great little show.

The kids were on a training mission and jumped into an unknown sector 
of space and right in the middle of an intergalactic war. They became 
allied with an alien princess and were on the run because if they 
went home the big bads called the Triiad would follow and conquer 
human space. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> 
> In a message dated 10/20/06 9:05:29 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> 
> 
> > What was "Hypernauts"? Was that Starship Troopers show the 
animated (CGI) 
> > one?
> > 
> 
> Hypernauts was a kids show about the storys a bunch of young space 
cadets 
> with a starship who "jumped" far, far away from home.
> 
> Starship Troopers was an animated show that did a good job (IMO) of 
being 
> (somewhat) fathfull to both the movie and the book.   But was 
canned before they 
> could finished the story.
> 
> The same could be said for another CGI animated series I liked 
Heavy Gear.   
> Which is a bout a team of   tourament mech pilots and their mechs.
> 
> -GTW
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





 
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[scifinoir2] Re: Favorite Shows That Never Made It

[B. Smith]

1996. Thirteen episodes were made but I don't think all of them were 
aired in the US and unfortunately it's not available on dvd.

Another show I miss is Eyes. Talk about a network commiting 
infanticide. It was getting great critical buzz and seemed to be on 
the way to building an audience and then poof. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Keith Johnson" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> somehow i missed it. When was it on?
> 
>   _  
> 
> From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
> Behalf Of B. Smith
> Sent: Monday, 23 October, 2006 13:06
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [scifinoir2] Re: Favorite Shows That Never Made It
> 
> 
> 
> Hypernauts was a great little show.
> 
> The kids were on a training mission and jumped into an unknown 
sector 
> of space and right in the middle of an intergalactic war. They 
became 
> allied with an alien princess and were on the run because if they 
> went home the big bads called the Triiad would follow and conquer 
> human space. 
> 
> --- In [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:scifinoir2%40yahoogroups.com> 
ups.com,
> GWashin891@ wrote:
> >
> > 
> > In a message dated 10/20/06 9:05:29 AM, KeithBJohnson@ writes:
> > 
> > 
> > > What was "Hypernauts"? Was that Starship Troopers show the 
> animated (CGI) 
> > > one?
> > > 
> > 
> > Hypernauts was a kids show about the storys a bunch of young 
space 
> cadets 
> > with a starship who "jumped" far, far away from home.
> > 
> > Starship Troopers was an animated show that did a good job (IMO) 
of 
> being 
> > (somewhat) fathfull to both the movie and the book. But was 
> canned before they 
> > could finished the story.
> > 
> > The same could be said for another CGI animated series I liked 
> Heavy Gear. 
> > Which is a bout a team of tourament mech pilots and their mechs.
> > 
> > -GTW
> > 
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





 
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[scifinoir2] Re: Taye Diggs' "Day Break" Premieres Next Month

[B. Smith]

The previews look awesome and the premise is intriguing. I hope it 
delivers the goodsand gets more than three episodes. I seem to be 
the kiss of death for tv series this year. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Keith Johnson" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Fresh off the cancellation of "Kevin Hill" last season, Taye Diggs 
is back
> to TV with this "Groundhog Day" type series, in which a man keeps 
reliving
> the same day over and over. Don't know what to think, don't know if 
the show
> will be a one-trick pony that people will tire of soon. Hey, Adam 
Baldwin on
> yet *another* series?! I hope it succeeds for him, if for no other 
reason.
>  
> http://abc.go.com/primetime/schedule/2006-07/daybreak.html
>  
> Day Break
> Premieres Wednesday, November 15 @ 9/8c
> 
> 
> Did you ever have a day so bad you couldn't wait to get past it? 
The kind of
> day nothing goes your way, and everything turns out wrong. What 
would happen
> if you couldn't put this day behind you…literally? 
> 
> Today Detective Brett Hopper will be accused of shooting state 
attorney
> Alberto Garza. He will offer his rock solid alibi. He will realize 
he's been
> framed. And he will run. Then he will wake up and start the day 
over again.
> This time he'll do it differently – and will continue to – until he 
finds
> out who's framing him, gets his gang witness to court to testify, 
and until
> he saves the lives of his loved ones. Hopper has only one advantage 
in his
> favor – he remembers everything he did the "day prior" that didn't 
work.
> It's a painful way to learn because he also carries the bruises and 
battle
> scars from every mistake-filled day. 
> 
> Taye Diggs (Kevin Hill) stars in an action-packed, thrilling re-
imagining of
> the Groundhog Day concept from director Rob Bowman (The X-Files, 
Reign of
> Fire) and the writer of After the Sunset. Hopper must find the 
delicate
> balance between doing what's important and what's right to get 
through this
> killer day and move on to tomorrow. 
> Cast
> Ramon Rodríguez, Victoria Pratt, Taye Diggs, Moon Bloodgood, Meta 
Golding,
> Adam Baldwin 
>   
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





 
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[scifinoir2] Re: Anyone Watching "Jericho"?

[B. Smith]

I like Jericho quite a bit. I just hope they don't do a Lost and keep 
dancing around the central mysteries. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> "TV and movie stars always stop the bomb with two seconds left on 
the timer -- they don't actually explode!' In this show, they do." --
"Jericho" Executive Producer John Turtletaub.  
> 
> Does anyone watch this series? I've watched it since pilot and it 
really isn't moving me. I guess the slowly-unfolding-mystery motiff 
in this particular case isn't holding my attention. The actors are 
trying gamely enough, but I've found myself bored. I should be happy 
that  a Black man has a pivotal role: in this case, the Brother's the 
one who seems to be in the know, and who may be part of a larger 
scheme. Did he contribute in someway to the holocaust? Is it some 
giant experiment that he's helping run? Don't, know, don't care 
yet.   Part of me wonders if it's just saturation of this type of 
show, where every week a little bit more of the mystery's revealed, 
and it may go on for years. After all, I'm already giving that 
mystery part of myself over to "Lost" and "Prison Break", and shows 
like "Alias", "24", "The Nine", "Kidnapped", etc., etc., have been so 
filling the airwaves with their own mysteries in the last few years. 
So maybe I'm just full up? But then I thought about the f
> act that  I've actually added another new show to that 
mix: "Heroes", which again parses out pieces of a mystery each week.  
So why the difference? Well, "Heroes" is just plain fun! It's 
basically a mix of "X-Men" with the genre, and it's fun to watch 
people discover powers each week. Maybe it's the escapist fun that 
holds my attention with "Heroes" and "Lost". 
> 
> So, I'm watching a show about on-the-run prisoners that's straining 
credulity each week, one about people stranded on some magical/super-
scientific island, and a show about mutants. Yet the one about a all-
too-possible nuclear holocaust, which may be the most realistic of 
the group, isn't holding my attention? Don't know if that says 
something more about "Jericho"--or me!
> 
> 
> Sociology of "Jericho" intrigued TV producer 
> By Kimberly NordykeMon Oct 30, 4:04 AM ET 
> With world attention focused on the nuclear ambitions of rogue 
states like North Korea, one might assume that the producers of CBS' 
promising new drama "Jericho," which deals with the aftermath of a 
nuclear attack, are merely playing on Americans' fears.
> "Jericho" executive producer Jon Turteltaub does admit that a bit 
of real-life worry over an attack helps make the show more compelling.
> "If people had no fear of nuclear bombs, then this show would kind 
of suck," he says. "But if America was in a panic over nuclear bombs, 
we probably couldn't make the show."
> Turteltaub's intention isn't to prey on that fear in the name of 
easy scares. Instead, he aims to create intriguing stories that come 
via an examination of the way that the different characters -- 
survivors left isolated in a small Kansas town -- react in a crisis 
situation.
> "I think what we have all really focused on is less the nuclear 
message and more of the sociology of how to behave when everything 
goes wrong," Turteltaub says. "Most of us are pretty wonderful during 
the good times, but our true character comes out when we're 
confronted with tragedy and disasters. True leadership appears, and 
really hard choices have to be made."
> It's those choices -- many of which have arisen as a result 
of "societal conventions being stripped away" -- that intrigue 
Turteltaub, a feature film director who shot the Nicolas Cage 
hit "National Treasure" and next directs its sequel, as he gets 
deeper into his first foray into television. "Jericho," which 
recently received a full-season order, came out of a deal that CBS 
signed with Turteltaub last year. Jonathan A. Steinberg, Josh Schaer 
and Stephen Chbosky are credited as creators.
> "I like ideas where when I hear the initial part of an idea, it 
brings up thousands of other thoughts," Turteltaub says. "This 
spawned a rash of other ideas -- everything from the fact that all of 
life would be changed by this event through where life doesn't really 
change at all if you live in small town and are already removed from 
the nonsense of a big city."
> Another factor that appealed to him was that nuclear war hadn't 
been part of film or TV in some time, and even when it was, the 
stories had tended to deal with trying to stop a bomb from exploding 
rather than the fallout from an attack -- which, despite what's going 
on in the real world, ultimately makes the thought of a real-
life "Jericho" even more frightening, he says.
> "When we see a suicide bomber on a TV show, we think it's a sign of 
the times," he says. "But when we see a nuke explode, we think: 'Holy 
crap, where did that come from? That doesn't happen! TV and movie 
stars always stop the bomb with two seconds left on the timer -- the

[scifinoir2] Re: "Hellboy: Sword of Storms" on Cartoon Network

[B. Smith]

I enjoyed the heck out of it.

"Sun's coming up."

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Keith Johnson" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Yeah, same here. Here I was bummed because I couldn't find my copy 
of "The
> Halloween Tree" (a really good, dark cartoon based on a Ray 
Bradbury story
> that you must see). But this more than made up for it.  I was 
really amazed
> at the mature level of violence. Of course it may not be as bad as 
some of
> the anime they air late nights, but it was more graphic than, say, 
Justice
> League Unlimited.  It was more the concepts than the actual 
violence, such
> as the dude killing his daughter (that is what he did, right?) The 
ending
> was a little anti-climactic, but overall I loved it. A really 
pleasant
> surprise. Note there's a second animated film coming.
> 
>   _  
> 
> From: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
> Behalf Of Martin
> Sent: Sunday, 29 October, 2006 09:38
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] "Hellboy: Sword of Storms" on Cartoon 
Network
> 
> 
> 
> Did, and I'm still buzzing over it. When it goes to DVD, first 
copy's
> *mine*.
> 
> Keith Johnson mailto:KeithBJohnson%40comcast.net>
> comcast.net> wrote: Anyone checking out the Hellboy TV movie 
currently
> playing? I'm enjoying it.
> Good animation (looks sorta like the "Men in Black" toon), and lots 
of
> action, much of it definitely not for the kiddies. (Zombies burned 
to a
> crisp, headless demons trying to eat HB, a giant spider-woman, two 
pilots
> killed in a crash). Having so many of the original cast come back 
to do the
> voice work really helps too.
> 
> [KeithBJohnson@  Comcast.net 
wrote]
> 
>  boy.com/>
> http://www.gotohell  boy.com/
> Awesome! I had no idea a Hellboy animated film had been done! And 
to top it
> off, creator Mike Mignola's involved, along with movie director 
Guillermo
> Del Toro, *and* the voice talents of Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, and 
John
> Hurt! Check out the trailer and screen shots at the above link (cute
> title!). This looks like it might be a pretty good one, especially
> appropriate for the upcoming Halloween weekend.
> 
> Hellboy movie on Cartoon Network - Animated feature Sword of Storms 
airs on
> October 28 starring Ron Perlman, Selma Blair and John HurtHellboy: 
Sword of
> Storms animated film coming to The Cartoon Network on October 28, 4 
months
> before the DVD release date.
> 
> (Source:  com/> Icv2)
> 
> On October 28, The Cartoon Network will show the animated feature 
film
> Hellboy: Sword of Storms, four months before it's released on DVD. 
> 
> Sword of Storms pits Hellboy against the ancient Japanese demons of 
Thunder
> and Lightning, who wish to ravage our world. However, he picks up a 
samurai
> sword, which transports him to an alternate universe of Japanese 
myth.
> 
> Several actors from the 2004 Guillermo Del Toro movie lend their 
voices to
> this feature, including Ron Perlman (Hellboy), Selma Blair (Liz 
Sherman) and
> Doug Jones (who acted Abe Sapien: voice actor David Hyde-Pierce 
refused to
> be credited). John Hurt also returns as Prof. Trevor 'Broom' 
Bruttenholm;
> unlike the live-action movie, his character is very much alive.
> 
> Hellboy creator Mike Mignola wrote the script, and Phil Weinstein 
and Tad
> Stones directed.
> 
> There will be a second animated Hellboy feature, Blood and Iron, 
which
> involves vampires and haunted houses, due in 2007. Mignola is also 
working
> with Del Toro on the live-action Universal film Hellboy 2: The 
Golden Army,
> slated for 2008. 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> If any one of our restaurants were better than the rest, then 
customers
> would flocck to that location, creating a mass imbalance that could 
create a
> black hole, which would swallow the Earth. That's why we make every
> McDonald's from Pomona to Poughkeepsie the same good place to eat, 
thereby
> saving the Universe.-from McDonald's commercial ,28 January 1990
> 
> "Is anybody hungry?" - W Zeddemore, "The Real Ghostbusters", 'The 
Cabinet of
> Calamari'
> 
> -
> Low, Low, Low Rates! Check out Yahoo! Messenger's cheap PC-to-Phone 
call
> rates.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





 
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[scifinoir2] Re: Anyone Watching "Jericho"?

[B. Smith]

The show definitely started off slow and formulaic but it seems to be 
finding it's legs. Jake and Robert aka St.Louis Cop are not all what 
they seem and I'm interested to see where they are going with the 
story. They have had another contact with the outside world. The 
radiation sickness victim from Denver and Robert knew each other and 
that added more levels to the mystery.

I should clarify what I mean when I said I hope the show doesn't do a 
Lost. I love Lost but it had the good fortune of capturing an 
audience and that allowed them to decompress the storytelling. When 
the last year's crop of new shows tried it it backfired and they all 
got the axe. Some of them left us hanging in a big way and I'd hate 
to have another High Incident, Space:ABAB, Surface, etc stuck in my 
brain. 

I hope this season tells a complete story but doesn't resolve all the 
mysteries and lays the foundation for next season.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Thanks. I think I actually watched that show, albeit sporadically. 
I remember seeing the ICBMs launching. And I saw the show when the 
Brother was using his laptop/satellite hook up, and Jake Green (Skeet 
Ulrich) saw him doing so. Later Hawkins (the Brother) asked Green if 
he had a problem, and assured him he'd have relayed any info of 
importance to the townspeople.
> 
> Hey, check out this Wikipedia article, where a fan has done a lot 
of work. He/she has summarized the plot and eps nicely, including a 
detailed musing about exactly what cities have been nuked.  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jericho_%28TV_series%29
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> 
> In a message dated 10/31/06 7:55:25 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> 
> > Hey, I missed one or two shows. Can you give me a quick rundown 
of this 
> > second strike you mentioned?? Has Jericho had *any* real contact 
with the 
> > outside world beyond the brief and static-filled glimpse of an 
Asian reporter 
> > displaying a US map showing strike points?
> > 
> 
> Sure. The 'second' strike was at the end of the show two weeks ago. 
Which 
> happened just after they got automatic 'contact' from homland 
security. 
> Which was basicly a TV/Radio/Phone broadcast telling them to stay 
calm, the US 
> goverment was in countrol and help was going to arrive soon after 
the shows 
> half-point. Then near the end of the show the missile silo's near 
Jericho 
> launched their ICBM's and soon after that the town went dark due to 
a High attitude 
> nuke burst which caused the EMP that KO'd the towns electricals. 
The town 
> itself was untouched. Then the next show picks up 2 wks later with 
kids 
> playing baseball using dead-cellphones. 
> 
> As of this point they i.e the general population have had no other 
contact 
> with the outside world other that what you mentioned. However the 
black guy 
> has been having regular contact with the outside world due to 
his 'rugglelized' 
> laptop/Sat hook-up (which survived the EMP). But other than 
confirming the 
> nuke hits and such the show has been giving little info on what 
information 
> his contact's given him from that. But this week show will have 
someone from 
> the outside comming into Jericho to inform those of the situation 
outside (the 
> preview mention DC being totally eliminated by a nuke hit).
> 
> -GTW
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
>  
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





 
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[scifinoir2] Since It's Halloween: World War Z: An Oral History Of The Zombie War

[B. Smith]

I waited to read this one until Halloween: World War Z: An Oral 
History Of The Zombie War by Max Brooks. I haven't enjoyed a book 
this much in a long time. If you liked Brooks' The Zombie Survival 
Guide or the Romero zombie movies you'll love this one. 

It's a great piece of post-apocolyptic fiction. The book is told as a 
series of interviews by the people that survived the plague and the 
zombie wars. It takes place 10 years after the zombie wars nearly 
wiped out humanity and seriously screwed up the Earth's climate, 
atmosphere, etc. The world that emerges after the war is a very 
different place and I'd love to see a sequel that explores more of 
it. 

It's been optioned by Brad Pitt's company but the scale of this book 
makes it seem unfilmable. It will be interesting to see how they do 
it. I guess if you pare away all the non-U.S. stuff it's doable but 
that would take away some of the depth of the novel. 

It's a really fun read and I can't wait for Brooks' next zombie book.

BTW I plan to end my Halloween by watching a double feature of Feast 
and Slither for a fun, scary time.




 
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[scifinoir2] Re: "Day Break" Premieres Tonight on ABC

[B. Smith]

Not a bad first episode but the formula could wear pretty thin if 
this keeps up. Hopefully we peel off a few more layers and get some 
very different takes on the situation. My favorite reboot: the 
highway and motel shootout. That was just action junkie goodness.

I thought it was very messed up that his day gets a reboot but his 
body doesn't. I was very surprised during the last reboot. 


--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Taye Diggs' scifi-themed show premieres tonight on ABC.  My 
understanding is that the series--at least this arc, assuming it goes 
on for more than a season--will only run during the "Lost" hiatus, 
wrapping up the storyline early next year.  Worth checking out, I 
guess. And check it: Daniel Baldwin in another effort!
> 
> http://abc.go.com/primetime/daybreak/about.html
> 
> Taye Diggs (Kevin Hill) stars in this action-packed thriller that 
takes a bad day and multiplies it by infinity. Detective Brett Hopper 
(Diggs) is having a hellacious day; the kind of day where nothing 
goes his way and he just can't wait to put it behind him... only he 
can't, because he's living the same day over and over again.
> 
> On this particular day, Hopper is accused of killing Assistant 
District Attorney Alberto Garza. He offers a solid alibi which no one 
believes. He realizes he's been framed. And he runs, discovering en 
route that not only he, but also his loved ones are in danger. He 
then wakes up and relives the same day over and over again. In order 
to break the cycle and move on, he has to figure out who framed him 
and solve the complex mystery surrounding Garza's death. He is also 
forced to heal the fractured relationships with those he loves. 
Either Hopper can break this day, or this day will break Hopper. 
> 
> Caught in the vicious cycle of his horrific day is girlfriend Rita 
Shelten (Moon Bloodgood, Eight Below), who is the first to be 
sacrificed by the mysterious individuals out to frame Hopper; Rita's 
ex-husband and Hopper's ex-partner, Chad Shelten (Adam Baldwin, 
Independence Day, Serenity, Full Metal Jacket) - now with Internal 
Affairs - is jealous of the relationship and knows much more about 
what's going on than he's willing to admit; Hopper's sister, Jennifer 
Mathis (Meta Golding), not only has to deal with the abuses of her 
husband but is in danger as she and her children are used as pawns to 
get to her brother; Hopper's partner, Andrea Battle (Victoria Pratt, 
Mutant X, Cleopatra 2525), is under scrutiny by the department and 
Internal Affairs - can she be trusted?; and reputed gang leader 
Damien Ortiz (Ramon Rodriguez) discovers that his police-protected 
cover has been inexplicably blown and that he is somehow connected to 
Hopper's dilemma and now a target in the conspiracy. 
> 
> Only when Hopper figures out why his life is broken and how to fix 
it will he awaken to a brand new day. He will not only try to save 
himself but those close to him who are now in danger. But he must 
carefully weigh each decision he makes, as all will have 
consequences -- advantageous or disastrous. 
> 
> Day Break stars Taye Diggs as Detective Brett Hopper, Moon 
Bloodgood as Rita Shelten, Meta Golding as Jennifer Mathis, Victoria 
Pratt as Andrea Battle, Ramon Rodriguez as Damien Ortiz and Adam 
Baldwin as Chad Shelten. 
> 
> The series, which was created by Paul Zbyszewski (After the 
Sunset), is executive produced by Matthew Gross, Jeffrey Bell (Alias, 
Angel, The X-Files) and Rob Bowman (The X-Files, Elektra). Zbyszewski 
also serves as co-executive producer. Day Break is from Touchstone 
Television. 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Spider-Man 3 Trailer

[B. Smith]

The Sandman stuff has got me stoked. I loved the shot where he shoves 
his face into the train.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> http://www.ifilm.com/presents/spiderman3
> 
> Great trailer. The movie appears to be another really dramatic one. 
I'm still a little doubtful of the FX, though. They're too obviously 
CGI in key moments, which has been my only complaint with the movies so 
far.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: The BABYLON 5 Direct-To-DVD Movie Started Production Today!!

[B. Smith]

Hopefully these are more like In The Beginning and not like Legend Of 
The Rangers.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "brent wodehouse" 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> http://www.aintitcool.com/node/30691
> 
> The BABYLON 5
> Direct-To-DVD Movie
> Started Production Today!!
> 
> I am - Hercules!!
> 
> This one is dedicated to my esteemed predecessor, the great Glen 
Oliver!!
> 
> Look! A press release!!
> 
> 
> For Immediate Release
> 
> WARNER HOME VIDEO TO RELEASE
> BRAND NEW "BABLYON 5"
> MADE FOR VIDEO IN 2007
> 
> BABLYON 5: THE LOST TALES TO BEGIN PRODUCTION NOVEMBER 13, 2006
> 
> BURBANK , CA , November 13, 2006 - Warner Home Video (WHV) and 
Warner
> Bros. Television (WBTV) have announced the start of production 
of "Babylon
> 5: The Lost Tales," a made-for-video movie that will be targeted 
towards
> the Babylon 5 loyal audience and science-fiction fans in general . 
The
> announcement was jointly made by Jeff Brown, Senior Vice President 
and
> General Manager, Non-theatrical Franchise, Warner Home Video and 
Gregg
> Maday, Senior Vice President, Movies and Miniseries, WBTV.
> 
> WHV will be the home entertainment distributor for this made-for-DVD
> release which will include two new Babylon 5 stories collectively 
entitled
> "Voices of the Dark" in one film plus exclusive behind the scenes 
content.
> The stories will be written and directed by executive producer and
> original " Babylon 5" creator J. Michael Straczynski. Executive 
producer
> Doug Netter also returns in that role. Actors from the original 
series
> that have signed on to participate in the project include Bruce 
Boxleitner
> ("President John Sheridan"), Tracy Scoggins ("Captain Elizabeth 
Lochley")
> and Peter Woodward ("Galen").
> 
> Babylon 5 is a top selling franchise on DVD to date with over $44 
million
> in consumer sales. Launched in February 1993, the award winning 
series was
> a top rated show on television with more than 13.7 million viewers 
in its
> debut season. After its original planned five-year run - 
introducing the
> concept of a five year arc before other TV series began to use
> multi-season arcs - the show went on to enjoy 9 successful years in
> syndication and Cable on the Sci-Fi Channel and TNT. It also 
spurred the
> creation of five feature length movies based on the series 
including The
> Gathering, In the Beginning, Thirdspace, River of Souls and A Call 
to
> Arms, as well as the limited series Crusade. Babylon 5 has received
> numerous awards including two Emmys, two consecutive Hugo Awards, 
the Ray
> Bradbury Award for Dramatic Screenwriting from the Science Fiction 
Writers
> of America, five English Media `Cult TV' Awards, the E Pluribus 
Unum Award
> from the American Cinema Foundation, the Sci-Fi Universe Reader 
Choice
> Award for Best TV Series and was the winner of the TV Guide Poll 
for Best
> Sci-Fi Show.
> 
> "We are very excited to be releasing this new made-for-video release
> filled with original content for `Babylon 5', one of the most 
successful
> science fiction series of all time," said Jeff Brown. "This popular 
TV
> show which has been off the air for a few years continues to have a 
strong
> loyal fan base that is hungry for more content. This is the first 
time
> we're utilizing one of our popular TV franchises as a made-for-video
> title, and we have a strong commitment to the growth of this 
sector."
> 
> "It's great to be reunited with Joe and Doug once again," commented 
Maday.
> "I have always been very proud to be associated with their 
wonderful work
> on Babylon 5 and I'm confident the "Lost Tales" will add to the 
legacy of
> this very special franchise."
> 
> On an immense space station built by the Earth Alliance in the 
2250s, the
> crew of Babylon 5 are charged with maintaining the peace among the 
various
> alien races by providing a sanctuary where grievances and 
negotiations can
> be worked out among duly appointed ambassadors. Aside from its 
diplomatic
> function, Babylon 5 also serves as a military post for Earth and a 
port of
> call for travelers, traders, businessmen, criminals, and Rangers. 
The
> story of The Lost Tales picks up several years after the events of 
its
> original story, and follows several of its major characters in new
> adventures set against the backdrop of the Babylon 5 universe.
> 
> 
> About Warner Home Video
> 
> With operations in 90 international territories Warner Home Video, a
> Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest 
distribution
> infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's 
film
> library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and 
vintage
> titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner
> Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New 
Line Home
> Entertainment.
> 
> About Warner Bros. Television
> 
> Warner Bros. Television (WBTV) is one of the entertainment 
industry's most
> respected providers of original

[scifinoir2] Re: "Day Break" Premieres Tonight on ABC

[B. Smith]

If nothing else the show delivered on the action. The segment I was 
referring to was when the shadowy organization that is out to get 
Taye's character sends a clean up crew after him when their first 
ambush failed. It was pretty hardcore for a prime time network show.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Daryle Lockhart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> Did someone say action junkie?! So maybe I SHOULD have watched 
this  
> show last night! Was it "over-the-top-dialogue"  type action with  
> American film school explosions! If the show is empty action 
goodness  
> I may actually watch it.  If I can follow  a show with Shemar 
Moore  
> in it (Criminal Minds) and love it,  then I can give this show a 
shot.
> 
> Is abc making the episodes available online? Can I catch this 
first   
> episode anywhere?
> 
> 
> On Nov 16, 2006, at 10:49 AM, B. Smith wrote:
> 
> Not a bad first episode but the formula could wear pretty thin if
> this keeps up. Hopefully we peel off a few more layers and get some
> very different takes on the situation. My favorite reboot: the
> highway and motel shootout. That was just action junkie goodness.
> 
> I thought it was very messed up that his day gets a reboot but his
> body doesn't. I was very surprised during the last reboot.
> 
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, KeithBJohnson@ wrote:
>  >
>  > Taye Diggs' scifi-themed show premieres tonight on ABC. My
> understanding is that the series--at least this arc, assuming it 
goes
> on for more than a season--will only run during the "Lost" hiatus,
> wrapping up the storyline early next year. Worth checking out, I
> guess. And check it: Daniel Baldwin in another effort!
>  >
>  > http://abc.go.com/primetime/daybreak/about.html
>  >
>  > Taye Diggs (Kevin Hill) stars in this action-packed thriller that
> takes a bad day and multiplies it by infinity. Detective Brett 
Hopper
> (Diggs) is having a hellacious day; the kind of day where nothing
> goes his way and he just can't wait to put it behind him... only he
> can't, because he's living the same day over and over again.
>  >
>  > On this particular day, Hopper is accused of killing Assistant
> District Attorney Alberto Garza. He offers a solid alibi which no 
one
> believes. He realizes he's been framed. And he runs, discovering en
> route that not only he, but also his loved ones are in danger. He
> then wakes up and relives the same day over and over again. In order
> to break the cycle and move on, he has to figure out who framed him
> and solve the complex mystery surrounding Garza's death. He is also
> forced to heal the fractured relationships with those he loves.
> Either Hopper can break this day, or this day will break Hopper.
>  >
>  > Caught in the vicious cycle of his horrific day is girlfriend 
Rita
> Shelten (Moon Bloodgood, Eight Below), who is the first to be
> sacrificed by the mysterious individuals out to frame Hopper; Rita's
> ex-husband and Hopper's ex-partner, Chad Shelten (Adam Baldwin,
> Independence Day, Serenity, Full Metal Jacket) - now with Internal
> Affairs - is jealous of the relationship and knows much more about
> what's going on than he's willing to admit; Hopper's sister, 
Jennifer
> Mathis (Meta Golding), not only has to deal with the abuses of her
> husband but is in danger as she and her children are used as pawns 
to
> get to her brother; Hopper's partner, Andrea Battle (Victoria Pratt,
> Mutant X, Cleopatra 2525), is under scrutiny by the department and
> Internal Affairs - can she be trusted?; and reputed gang leader
> Damien Ortiz (Ramon Rodriguez) discovers that his police-protected
> cover has been inexplicably blown and that he is somehow connected 
to
> Hopper's dilemma and now a target in the conspiracy.
>  >
>  > Only when Hopper figures out why his life is broken and how to 
fix
> it will he awaken to a brand new day. He will not only try to save
> himself but those close to him who are now in danger. But he must
> carefully weigh each decision he makes, as all will have
> consequences -- advantageous or disastrous.
>  >
>  > Day Break stars Taye Diggs as Detective Brett Hopper, Moon
> Bloodgood as Rita Shelten, Meta Golding as Jennifer Mathis, Victoria
> Pratt as Andrea Battle, Ramon Rodriguez as Damien Ortiz and Adam
> Baldwin as Chad Shelten.
>  >
>  > The series, which was created by Paul Zbyszewski (After the
> Sunset), is executive produced by Matthew Gross, Jeffrey Bell 
(Alias,
> Angel, The X-Files) and Rob Bowman (The X-Files, Elektra). 
Zbyszewski
> also serves as co-executive producer. Day Break is from Touchstone
> Television.
>  >
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: "Day Break" Premieres Tonight on ABC

[B. Smith]

Can't disagree with you about Moon Bloodgood's acting but she's very 
easy on the eyes. :) 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> I thought it was okay. I am intrigued by how Diggs' character keeps 
jumping back in time, and why at the end of each day? Also like the 
fact that he learns a little more through each loop, meaning the 
myster gets moved along a bit each time. What's up with the injection 
the bad guy gives him? Is it possible the bad guy is *causing* the 
time jumps, hoping Diggs will unwittingly help him? I like the action 
of the show; your're right that when it's on, the action's pretty 
good. And I like the time jump angle as well. He actually carries 
injuries back to the start of the time loop?? How much would it suck 
to have to keep solving a mystery over and over, and not even get the 
benefit of wounds getting erased each time?
> 
> The thing that I didn't care for was Diggs' girlfriend. The actress 
isn't possessed of a great deal of range, or maybe it's the writing. 
I often look closely at the facial expressions of characters in 
situations like this, and she wasn't emoting very much, not even the 
blank face that some people have when in shock. That, or maybe it was 
the writing, but her overall reaction to Diggs' getting chased, shot, 
arrested, on the run, etc., seemed too subdued, like maybe she 
couldn't act. But then, thinking about it, his sister's character 
also seemed a little vegged out. Every time in a loop when he would 
yell at his sister to run for her life, her reaction seemed 
incredibly mild to me. Not fear, massive confusion or worry, just a 
very bland, low key "What's wrong?"  Bad writing perhaps?
> 
> But for the action, the really cool time jump with the unique angle 
that he carries physical injuries back in time with him, and the fact 
that this is a telenovella-styled short-run arc, I'll keep watching. 
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "B. Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> If nothing else the show delivered on the action. The segment I was 
> referring to was when the shadowy organization that is out to get 
> Taye's character sends a clean up crew after him when their first 
> ambush failed. It was pretty hardcore for a prime time network show.
> 
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Daryle Lockhart  
> wrote:
> >
> > Did someone say action junkie?! So maybe I SHOULD have watched 
> this 
> > show last night! Was it "over-the-top-dialogue" type action with 
> > American film school explosions! If the show is empty action 
> goodness 
> > I may actually watch it. If I can follow a show with Shemar 
> Moore 
> > in it (Criminal Minds) and love it, then I can give this show a 
> shot.
> > 
> > Is abc making the episodes available online? Can I catch this 
> first 
> > episode anywhere?
> > 
> > 
> > On Nov 16, 2006, at 10:49 AM, B. Smith wrote:
> > 
> > Not a bad first episode but the formula could wear pretty thin if
> > this keeps up. Hopefully we peel off a few more layers and get 
some
> > very different takes on the situation. My favorite reboot: the
> > highway and motel shootout. That was just action junkie goodness.
> > 
> > I thought it was very messed up that his day gets a reboot but his
> > body doesn't. I was very surprised during the last reboot.
> > 
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, KeithBJohnson@ wrote:
> > >
> > > Taye Diggs' scifi-themed show premieres tonight on ABC. My
> > understanding is that the series--at least this arc, assuming it 
> goes
> > on for more than a season--will only run during the "Lost" hiatus,
> > wrapping up the storyline early next year. Worth checking out, I
> > guess. And check it: Daniel Baldwin in another effort!
> > >
> > > http://abc.go.com/primetime/daybreak/about.html
> > >
> > > Taye Diggs (Kevin Hill) stars in this action-packed thriller 
that
> > takes a bad day and multiplies it by infinity. Detective Brett 
> Hopper
> > (Diggs) is having a hellacious day; the kind of day where nothing
> > goes his way and he just can't wait to put it behind him... only 
he
> > can't, because he's living the same day over and over again.
> > >
> > > On this particular day, Hopper is accused of killing Assistant
> > District Attorney Alberto Garza. He offers a solid alibi which no 
> one
> > believes. He realizes he's been framed. And he runs, discovering 
en
> > route that not only he, but also his loved ones are in danger. He
> > then wakes up 

[scifinoir2] Re: Anyone Watching "Jericho"?

[B. Smith]

Is anyone still watching? The arc with the Private Security Company 
was interesting.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> "TV and movie stars always stop the bomb with two seconds left on 
the timer -- they don't actually explode!' In this show, they do." --
"Jericho" Executive Producer John Turtletaub.  
> 
> Does anyone watch this series? I've watched it since pilot and it 
really isn't moving me. I guess the slowly-unfolding-mystery motiff 
in this particular case isn't holding my attention. The actors are 
trying gamely enough, but I've found myself bored. I should be happy 
that  a Black man has a pivotal role: in this case, the Brother's the 
one who seems to be in the know, and who may be part of a larger 
scheme. Did he contribute in someway to the holocaust? Is it some 
giant experiment that he's helping run? Don't, know, don't care 
yet.   Part of me wonders if it's just saturation of this type of 
show, where every week a little bit more of the mystery's revealed, 
and it may go on for years. After all, I'm already giving that 
mystery part of myself over to "Lost" and "Prison Break", and shows 
like "Alias", "24", "The Nine", "Kidnapped", etc., etc., have been so 
filling the airwaves with their own mysteries in the last few years. 
So maybe I'm just full up? But then I thought about the f
> act that  I've actually added another new show to that 
mix: "Heroes", which again parses out pieces of a mystery each week.  
So why the difference? Well, "Heroes" is just plain fun! It's 
basically a mix of "X-Men" with the genre, and it's fun to watch 
people discover powers each week. Maybe it's the escapist fun that 
holds my attention with "Heroes" and "Lost". 
> 
> So, I'm watching a show about on-the-run prisoners that's straining 
credulity each week, one about people stranded on some magical/super-
scientific island, and a show about mutants. Yet the one about a all-
too-possible nuclear holocaust, which may be the most realistic of 
the group, isn't holding my attention? Don't know if that says 
something more about "Jericho"--or me!
> 
> 
> Sociology of "Jericho" intrigued TV producer 
> By Kimberly NordykeMon Oct 30, 4:04 AM ET 
> With world attention focused on the nuclear ambitions of rogue 
states like North Korea, one might assume that the producers of CBS' 
promising new drama "Jericho," which deals with the aftermath of a 
nuclear attack, are merely playing on Americans' fears.
> "Jericho" executive producer Jon Turteltaub does admit that a bit 
of real-life worry over an attack helps make the show more compelling.
> "If people had no fear of nuclear bombs, then this show would kind 
of suck," he says. "But if America was in a panic over nuclear bombs, 
we probably couldn't make the show."
> Turteltaub's intention isn't to prey on that fear in the name of 
easy scares. Instead, he aims to create intriguing stories that come 
via an examination of the way that the different characters -- 
survivors left isolated in a small Kansas town -- react in a crisis 
situation.
> "I think what we have all really focused on is less the nuclear 
message and more of the sociology of how to behave when everything 
goes wrong," Turteltaub says. "Most of us are pretty wonderful during 
the good times, but our true character comes out when we're 
confronted with tragedy and disasters. True leadership appears, and 
really hard choices have to be made."
> It's those choices -- many of which have arisen as a result 
of "societal conventions being stripped away" -- that intrigue 
Turteltaub, a feature film director who shot the Nicolas Cage 
hit "National Treasure" and next directs its sequel, as he gets 
deeper into his first foray into television. "Jericho," which 
recently received a full-season order, came out of a deal that CBS 
signed with Turteltaub last year. Jonathan A. Steinberg, Josh Schaer 
and Stephen Chbosky are credited as creators.
> "I like ideas where when I hear the initial part of an idea, it 
brings up thousands of other thoughts," Turteltaub says. "This 
spawned a rash of other ideas -- everything from the fact that all of 
life would be changed by this event through where life doesn't really 
change at all if you live in small town and are already removed from 
the nonsense of a big city."
> Another factor that appealed to him was that nuclear war hadn't 
been part of film or TV in some time, and even when it was, the 
stories had tended to deal with trying to stop a bomb from exploding 
rather than the fallout from an attack -- which, despite what's going 
on in the real world, ultimately makes the thought of a real-
life "Jericho" even more frightening, he says.
> "When we see a suicide bomber on a TV show, we think it's a sign of 
the times," he says. "But when we see a nuke explode, we think: 'Holy 
crap, where did that come from? That doesn't happen! TV and movie 
stars always stop the bomb with two seconds left on the timer -- they 
don't actually explod

[scifinoir2] Re: Weirdest SciFi Movie

[B. Smith]

The first sequel, Daywatch, is done and was released earlier this 
year. A subtitled version is supposed to be on the way soon.

The second sequel, Duskwatch, is in the production phase. It was 
supposed to be filmed in English but I don't know if that is still 
the case.

My weird movie is Tetsuo: The Iron Man and it's sequel Tetsuo: Body 
Hammer. The first movie is about a man slowly turning into metal. The 
more metal he bocomes the worse things get. He has a girlfried that 
is trying to stand by her man but she pays a terrible price. It's 
like David Lynch mets David Cronenberg, have a collective acid dream 
and spewed out a Japanese cyberpunk baby. The sequel is evenm 
stranger.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "being_marian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> I rented it from Netflix.  I added it to my list when NPR described 
> it; I was certain that it would never show up in ravaged New 
> Orleans.  Silly me--the local art house did show it so I saw it on 
> the big screen.  I left it on my list, so this weekend was repeat 
> performance.  It's a 2004 movie and I thought that the trilogy was 
> finished.  I am wondering where the other two movies are
> 
> Who wrote the book?  I thought that the screenwriter dreamed up the 
> entire thing. Was it based on an earlier book?
> 
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Martin  
> wrote:
> >
> > *Where* did you rent it? I've torn Atlanta top to bottom and 
can't 
> score a copy. FOund the book easily enough. Haven't started reading 
> it, owing to time constraints, but I'll be happy to pass along a 
> review once I do, if so asked.
> > 
> > being_marian  wrote:  Hmm. No, it was 
> probably more fastination at something so bad that 
> > you can believe it.
> > 
> > I rented "Night Watch" this past weekend--the Russian movie. It 
> has 
> > a often-seen plot, but the visuals are wonderful. It's 
interesting 
> > to see how another culture deals with a familiar theme. 
> > 
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
> > Tracey L. Minor)"  wrote:
> > >
> > > I should have said spec fic. I think I saw that. did you like 
it?
> > > 
> > > Tracey
> > > 
> > > being_marian wrote:
> > > > I don't know about SF, but in fantasy the weirdest was a 
> vampire 
> > > > western. I had to look up the name. "Sundown: The Vampire in 
> > Retreat" 
> > > > is the name, I think. David Carradine was in it.
> > > >
> > > > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella 
> (formerly 
> > > > Tracey L. Minor)"  wrote:
> > > > 
> > > >> What is the weirdest Scifi movie you have ever seen that you 
> > > >> 
> > > > enjoyed? 
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > 
> > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >  
> > 
> > 
> > If any one of our restaurants were better than the rest, then 
> customers would flocck to that location, creating a mass imbalance 
> that could create a black hole, which would swallow the Earth. 
> That's why we make every McDonald's from Pomona to Poughkeepsie the 
> same good place to eat, thereby saving the Universe.-from 
McDonald's 
> commercial ,28 January 1990
> > 
> > "Is anybody hungry?" - W Zeddemore, "The Real Ghostbusters", 'The 
> Cabinet of Calamari'
> >  
> > -
> > Sponsored Link
> > 
> > Mortgage rates near 39yr lows. $510,000 Mortgage for $1,698/mo -
   
> Calculate new house payment
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>

[scifinoir2] Re: X-Men's Dave Cockrum dies at 63

[B. Smith]

R.I.P.

It's sad to see these work for hire creators from the "old days" not 
get any profits or royalties for things they helped to create. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Said Kakese Dibinga <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> X-Men's Dave Cockrum dies at 63 
>   
> By KATRINA A. GOGGINS, Associated Press WriterTue Nov 28, 
6:01 PM ET 
>
>   
> 
>   Comic book illustrator Dave Cockrum, who in the 1970s overhauled 
the X-Men and helped popularize the relatively obscure Marvel Comics 
title into a publishing sensation and eventually a major film 
franchise, died Sunday. He was 63.
>
>   In his Superman pajamas and with his Batman blanket, Cockrum died 
in his favorite chair at his home in Belton, S.C., early Sunday 
morning. He had suffered a long battle with diabetes and related 
complications, his wife, Paty, said Tuesday.
>
>   At Cockrum's request, there will be no public services and his 
body will be cremated, according to Cox Funeral Home. His ashes will 
be spread on his property.
>
>   At Marvel Comics, Cockrum and writer Len Wein were handed the X-
Men. The comic had been created in 1963 as a group of young outcasts 
enrolled in an academy for mutants, but the premise failed to capture 
fans.
>
>   Cockrum and Wein took the existing comic, added their own heroes 
and published "Giant-Size X-Men No. 1" in 1975. Many signature 
characters Cockrum designed and co-created — such as Storm, Mystique, 
Nightcrawler and Colossus — went on to become part of the "X-Men" 
films starring Hugh Jackman and Halle Berry.
>
>   Cockrum received no movie royalties, said family friend Clifford 
Meth, who organized efforts to help Cockrum and his family during his 
protracted medical care.
>
>   "Dave saw the movie and he cried — not because he was bitter," 
Meth said. "He cried because his characters were on screen and they 
were living."
>
>   Cockrum was born in Pendleton, Ore., the son of an Air Force 
officer. He set aside his interest in art while serving in Vietnam 
for the U.S. Navy. He moved to New York after leaving the service and 
got his big break in the early 1970s, drawing the Legion of Super-
Heroes for DC Comics before moving to Marvel.
>
>   In January 2004, Cockrum moved to South Carolina after being 
hospitalized for bacterial pneumonia. As his diabetes progressed, his 
drawings became limited. His last drawing was a sketch for a fan, who 
attended a small comic book convention in Greenville, Paty Cockrum 
said.
>
>   Meth said Cockrum, who will be cremated in a Green Lantern shirt, 
will be remembered as "a comic incarnate."
>
>   "He had a genuine love for comics and for science fiction and for 
fantasy, and he lived in it," Meth said. "He loved his work."
>
>   
>   
> 
> 
>   
> Copyright © 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. 
> 
> 
> 
>   http://blog.thebayindogroup.com/
>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> -
> Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Hollywood Eats Sci-Fi's Brains

[B. Smith]

>From what I hear it's pretty much a love it or hate it kind of film. 
Some folks thought it was quite pretentious, melodramatic and overly 
serious and other folks thought it was thoughtful and heartbreaking.

Several critics seem to be savaging it because Aronofsky was the "it" 
director and they are letting their feelings about him spill over 
into their reviews. 

I'll probably watch it on dvd...which should be in a month or two 
considering it's box office.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> While I absolutely agree that America's subsisting on light sci-fi 
fare (as evidenced by the crappy X-Men 3 movie doing good box office) 
I haven't really heard anything positive about this movie. If you 
listen to any critics--and I know many of you spit on critics--they 
say it's just confusing. But not from just a scifi angle, but from a 
good storytelling angle. I haven't seen it, but the lack of 
enthusiastic support from even the hardcore scifi crowd like us made 
me think it must not have been great. The people who make sure stuff 
like "Nightwatch", "Heroes", the then-little known "Bladerunner", 
etc., are talked about haven't been very vocal about "The Fountain". 
That made me think it simply wasn't a good movie by any standards.
> 
>  Anyone see it in order to comment on that?
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "Brent Wodehouse" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,72192-0.html
> 
> Hollywood Eats Sci-Fi's Brains
> 
> By Jason Silverman
> 
> Nov, 29, 2006
> 
> It took six years for Darren Aronofsky to get his mystic science-
fiction
> film The Fountain to the big screen, and just five days for it to 
tank at
> the box office.
> 
> Made for an estimated $35 million, The Fountain earned a paltry $5 
million
> over the long Thanksgiving weekend. Those numbers mark a huge
> disappointment for Warner Bros. and Aronofsky, and another grievous 
wound
> for serious-minded sci-fi.
> 
> Hollywood has all but stopped producing challenging sci-fi films 
like The
> Fountain. Instead, Tinseltown funnels more and more resources into
> mega-budget, formula-driven and generally mediocre superhero and 
fantasy
> films.
> 
> In an era of dwindling sci-fi cinema, 2006 has been an especially 
dire
> year. Subtract the superhero and video game adaptations, and what's 
left?
> The Fountain, Universal Studios' upcoming Children of Men and 
independents
> like The Science of Sleep and A Scanner Darkly - films that some 
purists
> wouldn't call sci-fi at all.
> 
> Why has Hollywood stopped making serious sci-fi? According to Gordon
> Paddison, New Line Cinema's executive vice president of new media 
and
> marketing, it is all about risk and money. Paddison described 
Hollywood
> financing as formula-driven: Films with the potential to travel well
> across borders score the highest points.
> 
> "Sci-fi is hard to fund - it's never a slam-dunk," said Paddison, 
who
> helped launch campaigns for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. He also 
said
> the system is geared toward films with huge effects.
> 
> "Regrettably, there's a barrier to entry," he said. "You have to 
put a
> certain level of budget into these films. You have to swing for the
> fences, otherwise you just aren't in the game at all."
> 
> If sci-fi has always been hit-or-miss with studios, investors these 
days
> seem less willing to gamble. Who knows if The Terminator, for 
example,
> could have gotten the green light in this environment? It was made 
in 1984
> for $6 million - the kind of midrange budget that rarely exists any 
more -
> and starred a little-known weight lifter with an unpronounceable 
name.
> 
> Star Wars, a monumental struggle for George Lucas to produce, would 
likely
> be a non-starter these days. Blade Runner? Perhaps too dark to get
> financing. And 2001: A Space Odyssey? With its cast of unknowns, 
enigmatic
> ending and (in inflation-adjusted figures) more than $50 million 
budget,
> it just wouldn't compute with today's backers.
> 
> By neglecting true sci-fi, Hollywood may be missing a bet. Nearly 
25 years
> after Blade Runner and eight after The Matrix, the film industry is 
filled
> with talented geeks - filmmakers, writers and special-effects 
whizzes -
> who grew up on Hollywood sci-fi and fantasy and who understand the 
power
> of new digital tools to re-imagine the universe.
> 
> The material's out there. Technology's encroachment into the human 
sphere
> - a constant theme of sci-fi - is on everybody's minds. There are 
plenty
> of subjects: nanotech, genetic engineering, space elevators, the 
expanding
> knowledge of the universe, digital invasions of privacy, our 
imperiled
> environment. The Fountain explores, among other more esoteric stuff,
> mortality in an age of high-tech medicine.
> 
> As for the audiences? If they'll flock to the theaters for Al Gore's
> PowerPoint lecture, you'd hope they'd show up for good, smart,
> science-based fiction.
> 
> Stil

[scifinoir2] Re: X-Men's Dave Cockrum dies at 63

[B. Smith]

He was an artist at DC before he went to Marvel. He was well known 
for his work on the Legion of Superheroes before he got the New X-Men 
job.

I remember the Cockrum-Marvel scuffle quite well. Word of his failing 
health and the involvement of other industry heavyweights seemed to 
finally shame Marvel into doing the right thing. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Daryle Lockhart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
wrote:
>
> I'd be really interested in reading/hearing a Stan Lee comment on  
> Dave's death.
> 
> It should be noted about this "no royalties" thing...it's no MOVIE  
> royalties,  which,  if you'll recall,  Stan wasn't getting  either  
> originally. Stan just collected his 10 million dollars for  in 
2005.   
> Dave didn't exactly die broke, though, check this article:
> 
> http://www.cliffordmeth.com/marvelcockrumagreetosettle.htm
> 
> All of that  being said...It does give me a little chuckle that  
he's  
> going on in DC characters' gear. Dave lived a good life and I hope 
he  
> knew what kind of impact he made on the world.
> 
> On Nov 29, 2006, at 1:02 PM, B. Smith wrote:
> 
> R.I.P.
> 
> It's sad to see these work for hire creators from the "old days" not
> get any profits or royalties for things they helped to create.
> 
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Said Kakese Dibinga 
> wrote:
>  >
>  > X-Men's Dave Cockrum dies at 63
>  >
>  > By KATRINA A. GOGGINS, Associated Press WriterTue Nov 28,
> 6:01 PM ET
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > Comic book illustrator Dave Cockrum, who in the 1970s overhauled
> the X-Men and helped popularize the relatively obscure Marvel Comics
> title into a publishing sensation and eventually a major film
> franchise, died Sunday. He was 63.
>  >
>  > In his Superman pajamas and with his Batman blanket, Cockrum died
> in his favorite chair at his home in Belton, S.C., early Sunday
> morning. He had suffered a long battle with diabetes and related
> complications, his wife, Paty, said Tuesday.
>  >
>  > At Cockrum's request, there will be no public services and his
> body will be cremated, according to Cox Funeral Home. His ashes will
> be spread on his property.
>  >
>  > At Marvel Comics, Cockrum and writer Len Wein were handed the X-
> Men. The comic had been created in 1963 as a group of young outcasts
> enrolled in an academy for mutants, but the premise failed to 
capture
> fans.
>  >
>  > Cockrum and Wein took the existing comic, added their own heroes
> and published "Giant-Size X-Men No. 1" in 1975. Many signature
> characters Cockrum designed and co-created — such as Storm, 
Mystique,
> Nightcrawler and Colossus — went on to become part of the "X-Men"
> films starring Hugh Jackman and Halle Berry.
>  >
>  > Cockrum received no movie royalties, said family friend Clifford
> Meth, who organized efforts to help Cockrum and his family during 
his
> protracted medical care.
>  >
>  > "Dave saw the movie and he cried — not because he was bitter,"
> Meth said. "He cried because his characters were on screen and they
> were living."
>  >
>  > Cockrum was born in Pendleton, Ore., the son of an Air Force
> officer. He set aside his interest in art while serving in Vietnam
> for the U.S. Navy. He moved to New York after leaving the service 
and
> got his big break in the early 1970s, drawing the Legion of Super-
> Heroes for DC Comics before moving to Marvel.
>  >
>  > In January 2004, Cockrum moved to South Carolina after being
> hospitalized for bacterial pneumonia. As his diabetes progressed, 
his
> drawings became limited. His last drawing was a sketch for a fan, 
who
> attended a small comic book convention in Greenville, Paty Cockrum
> said.
>  >
>  > Meth said Cockrum, who will be cremated in a Green Lantern shirt,
> will be remembered as "a comic incarnate."
>  >
>  > "He had a genuine love for comics and for science fiction and for
> fantasy, and he lived in it," Meth said. "He loved his work."
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > Copyright © 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > http://blog.thebayindogroup.com/
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > -
>  > Access over 1 million songs - Yahoo! Music Unlimited.
>  >
>  > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>  >
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: New Line Removes Jackson from Hobbit Film

[B. Smith]

I don't know if "child friendly" Hobbit would work especially since 
folks are looking at it as a continuation of the franchise. I first 
read the book as a tween but there was some pretty heavy duty stuff 
in there. The trolls, the werebear, the warg attack, Smaug and the 
Battle of the Five Armies were pretty intense.

There will be things in The Hobbit that will be more whimsical and 
lighthearted but I wouldn't want them to tone it down too much.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> I've never seen Burton's work directing a film. He's done some 
decent Star Trek episodes. Frankly, if you want someone with 
directorial skills from the Trek crowd who could probably do well 
with the lighthearted fare, I'd go with Johnathan Frakes. He's a 
really good director, and managed to do both drama and humour well. 
> 
> As for your first point, nothing you describe as a requirement 
precludes Peter Jackson. LOTR was mostly for adults, but that's 
because the book is written that way. Note that Jackson had a deft 
touch with humour when it was called for in the films. I think he 
absolutley gets the appeal of fantasy for all ages. "The Hobbit" is 
definitely written to be more suitable for a younger audience, and I 
think Jackson and his fabulous team would be able to pull that off 
well. They kinda remind me of the group Jim Henson put together to 
manage his muppets universe, people at once highly skilled and 
professional, yet childlike in their  appreciation of basic fun.  I'm 
assuming--hoping--that new Line won't be so stupid as to go the CGI 
and "wow" route, ignoring the essence of Hobbit. I'm really hoping, 
but if an idiot suit runs the process and starts worrying about 
production costs and holiday release times, we could end up with a FX-
heavy and ultimately soulless vehicle. Now I'm getting nervous
> .
> 
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: Daryle Lockhart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> 
> I hereby prepare myself for the tomatoes that will be thrown when I 
> say this. But I think it's time to make these movies with children 
in 
> mind. The Lord of the Rings movies and King Kong were for adults. 
> Hobbit should not be this terrifying barrage of images, but a well 
> told story. And so, I would suggest a director who 1. gives a damn 
> about children, and 2. Won't be so awestruck by the work that 
> he'll be easily swayed by the studio/internet/the actors on the set.
> 
> I say...Levar Burton.
> 
> On Nov 21, 2006, at 11:58 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> 
> Man, this sucks! I can't imagine another person who'd do as good a 
> job with a Hobbit telling as Jackson. He's got the love of the 
> mythos, and along with his partner, the writing skills to handle 
> humour, drama, and fantasy with equal aplomb. Not to mention an FX 
> studio in WETA that equals and in some cases surpasses ILM. And of 
> course, the experience from LOTR. I hate that financial wrangling 
has 
> resulted in this, but if he's been screwed, I can understand why 
he'd 
> be hesitant to enter yet another contractual agreement. I wonder 
who 
> they'll get to direct "The Hobbit"? And, will it be so different 
from 
> LOTR--aside from the built-in tone changes between the two books-- 
> that the different directors will be obvious? I guess Harry Potter 
> has survived with different directors...Whatever, I really hope 
they 
> keep Ian Holm and Ian McKellan to play Bilbo and Gandalf, 
> respectively, and they could always bring back John Rhys-Davies to 
> play one of the Dwarfs. Would Hugo Weaving be brought back
> to play Elrond? If Jackson's been dropped, does that mean WETA is 
> also out of the deal? Again, they did such awesome FX, such as 
> Gollum's animation and modelling by Andy Serkis, I can't imagine 
> another group doing it as well.
> What director do you think could pull off a Hobbit film?
> 
> WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Peter Jackson says he will not be 
directing 
> a movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novel "The Hobbit" or a planned 
> prequel to "The Lord of the Rings."
> In a letter posted on Theonering.com., Jackson and partner Fran 
Walsh 
> said an executive from New Line Cinema had called to tell them the 
> studio was moving ahead with "The Hobbit" without him.
> "Last week, Mark Ordesky called Ken (Kamins, Jackson's manager) and 
> told him that New Line would no longer be requiring our services on 
> `The Hobbit' and the LOTR `prequel,'" the 45-year-old New Zealand 
> director wrote.
> "This was a courtesy call to let us know that the studio was now 
> actively looking to hire another filmmaker for both projects," he 
said.
> Robert Pini, a New York-based representative for New Line Cinema, 
> said Tuesday the studio had no comment.
> New Line Cinema holds the rights to produce "The Hobbit" and Metro- 
> Goldwyn-Meyer has the rights to distribute it.
> Jackson, who shepherded Tolkien's Middle-earth saga to the screen 
in 
> a series of three films, won a best-director

[scifinoir2] Re: new guy

[B. Smith]

Welcome to the group and please don't be shy about wading into the 
thick of things.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "rqs79" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> hey, names Rodney. I just joined the group. I am kinda new to sci-
> fiction that is related to people of color. I have always been a 
lover 
> of science fiction who has written as well. I didnt know that their 
> were other people of color who loved sci-fi like I do. I seems that 
> most black people dont explore the genre. I like Tanavarie DUE and 
read 
> a book by the late writer Octavia Butler, Kindred(which was great) 
and 
> an alternative history novel by writer Steven BARNES.
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Day Break" Premieres Tonight on ABC -- Cancelled!

[B. Smith]

The curse strikes again. I really liked Daybreak and of course it was 
cancelled. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Well, never did see much talk about Diggs' show, so it didn't 
appear many were watching. It had lots of interesting ideas, like his 
time-travelling enabling him to slowly learn more through each loop. 
Intriguiging that he'd have to watch loved ones die, get beaten up, 
etc., but would get closer and closer to the solution each time.  But 
there was something missing. I always felt the actors were a little 
too blase about what was going on. Diggs' character was accussed of 
killing an assistant DA, yet in almost every time loop he started out 
the day rolling in bed with his girl, having breakfast at a diner 
with someone, etc. He knew the hunt was coming, so I never understood 
why he'd take time to eat in public and stuff. And the characters, 
like I said, always seemed very low key. It just seemed that they 
could never convincingly gel the ideas that Diggs' character was 
accussed of murder, his partner was under investigation for 
corruption, his sister was being abused by her husband. A
> lmost as if they got so caught up in trying to craft a complicated 
time travel murder mystery they took time away from directing all the 
little aspects of the actors in order to make it believable and 
engaging.
> But dude, what an insult: it was created to be a limited run 13 ep 
show, and couldn't even handle that. And, insult upon insult, it's 
being replaced with reruns of George Lopez and that horrible Belushi 
sitcom??? Diggs better go look up Nia Long or Gabrielle Union and 
make another Black romantic comedy quick!!
> [From News sources]
> LOS ANGELES - ABC has turned off the lights for "Day Break" 
and "Show Me the Money." The low-rated series airing back-to-back on 
Wednesday have been pulled by the network. The failure of "Day 
Break," a crime thriller starring Taye Diggs, foiled ABC's plan to 
effectively fill the slot vacated by "Lost" when it went on hiatus 
after six episodes. ABC said Friday that repeats of the 
comedies "George Lopez" and "According to Jim" will air in the 9 p.m. 
EST time slot that "Day Break" held only briefly. The show, which 
debuted Nov. 15, attracted fewer than 4.5 million viewers last week 
and ranked 99th.On Jan. 3, the sitcoms "Knights of Prosperity" 
and "In Case of Emergency" will debut in the 9-10 p.m. EST Wednesday 
time period. When "Lost" returns Feb. 7 with 16 new episodes it will 
move to 10 p.m. EST Wednesday.
> ABC gave "Lost" an extended break to avoid airing repeats of the 
densely plotted show and provoking fan irritation. 
> -- Forwarded Message: -- 
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> To: scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com 
> Subject: Re: [scifinoir2] Re: "Day Break" Premieres Tonight on ABC 
> Date: Fri, 17 Nov 2006 04:26:36 + 
> 
> 
> I thought it was okay. I am intrigued by how Diggs' character keeps 
jumping back in time, and why at the end of each day? Also like the 
fact that he learns a little more through each loop, meaning the 
myster gets moved along a bit each time. What's up with the injection 
the bad guy gives him? Is it possible the bad guy is *causing* the 
time jumps, hoping Diggs will unwittingly help him? I like the action 
of the show; your're right that when it's on, the action's pretty 
good. And I like the time jump angle as well. He actually carries 
injuries back to the start of the time loop?? How much would it suck 
to have to keep solving a mystery over and over, and not even get the 
benefit of wounds getting erased each time?
> 
> The thing that I didn't care for was Diggs' girlfriend. The actress 
isn't possessed of a great deal of range, or maybe it's the writing. 
I often look closely at the facial expressions of characters in 
situations like this, and she wasn't emoting very much, not even the 
blank face that some people have when in shock. That, or maybe it was 
the writing, but her overall reaction to Diggs' getting chased, shot, 
arrested, on the run, etc., seemed too subdued, like maybe she 
couldn't act. But then, thinking about it, his sister's character 
also seemed a little vegged out. Every time in a loop when he would 
yell at his sister to run for her life, her reaction seemed 
incredibly mild to me. Not fear, massive confusion or worry, just a 
very bland, low key "What's wrong?" Bad writing perhaps?
> 
> But for the action, the really cool time jump with the unique angle 
that he carries physical injuries back in time with him, and the fact 
that this is a telenovella-styled short-run arc, I'll keep watching. 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: CBS Picks Up Scifi Pilots

[B. Smith]

Since Babylon Fields is a comedy they can probably get away with some 
over the top silly gore until they pull the plug. The premise of 
Twilight seems very derivative. 

I wonder if either one will have more than three episodes.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, The Yokozuna Of Soul 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> After Century City, I can't see how/why CBS even greenlighted 
these  
> shows.
> 
> Looks like it's about to be sci-fi season again, though, as all 
the  
> networks try to find their "Heroes" style hit. Mmmm. Bad prime- 
> time...with commercials! I may be getting that AppleTV box after 
all.  
> At  least then I can watch "New Voyages" on a larger screen.
> 
> On Jan 29, 2007, at 9:40 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> 
> > Well, I'm all for new scifi, but I can make a prediction of one 
of  
> > the first cancellations of the next season: the zombie-themed  
> > comedy-drama! Can't see that making it in a TV land that won't  
> > support the likes of John Doe, Jake 2.0, Threshold. The vampire  
> > private eye show will probably die as well. I think shows like 
this  
> > do better on channels like SciFi and TNT.
> >
> > -- Original message --
> > From: "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)"  
> > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >
> > > CBS Picks Up SF Pilots
> > > http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=1&id=39816
> > >
> > > CBS has picked up two SF pilots: Babylon Fields, an hour-long
> > > zombie-themed comedy-drama, and Twilight, a drama about a 
vampire
> > > private eye who's dealing with the fallout from being 
immortal,  
> > Variety
> > > reported.
> > >
> > > Gerald Cuesta and Michael Atkinson wrote the pilot for Babylon  
> > Fields
> > > and will serve as supervising producers. CBS described the 
pilot  
> > as a
> > > "sardonic, apocalyptic American comedy-drama where the dead 
are  
> > rising
> > > and, as a result, lives are regained, families restored and 
old  
> > wounds
> > > reopened." Michael Cuesta, who directed the pilot for 
Showtime's  
> > Dexter,
> > > will executive-produce and helm via 20th Century Fox Television.
> > >
> > > In Twilight, the central character contends with foes in the 
vampire
> > > world and a budding love for a mortal. Joel Silver is
> > > executive-producing via Warner Brothers TV. Trevor Munson (Lone 
Star
> > > State of Mind) and Ron Koslow (Beauty and the Beast) wrote the  
> > script
> > > and will executive-produce.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> > 
> 
> 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Holmes Turns Down Batman

[B. Smith]

Charisma is probably too old and not a "hot" enough name to get the 
role. I'd pick Morena Baccarin from Firefly/Serenity.

Will anyone really miss Katie Holmes? She was one of the few weak 
links in Batman Begins.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> I must be the only Brother around who doesn't think Dawson is good 
looking (assuming that's part of your interest in her in the role). 
Aside from that, though, she has the acting chops to pull off being 
Bruce Wayne's best friend/love interest. I'd also love to see 
Charisma Carpenter get a stab at the role. I think she could play off 
Bale well. 
> 
> Frankly, though, in terms of a leading lady for the next flick, I'm 
less interested in her romantic chemistry with Bale than her acting 
ability . One of the reasons I love "Batman Begins" is that it didn't 
have a standard love story. Holmes' character was obviously a 
romantic interest for Bruce, but it was done to add to the story, and 
we didn't have to suffer through a bunch of dating, etc., scenes.  
(The way "Batman" went overboard with Kim Bassinger as the love 
interest). So I'm looking at actresses with more of an eye to whether 
they can play a tough DA  than whether they can swoon into Bats' arms 
prettily.
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: The Yokozuna Of Soul <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> I vote for Rosario Dawson. Because a scene with Christian Bale, 
> Rosario Dawson and Morgan Freeman is worth my 9 dollars.
> 
> Good to see that Katie has accepted her role as Kate Capshaw 2.0 
and 
> will leave the acting to professionals.
> 
> I'm so mad that Tracey made a reference to TomKat.
> 
> On Jan 29, 2007, at 9:33 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> 
> > No loss at all. She was completely wrong that role, only got it 
> > because of her high visibility being with Cruise. If they were 
> > going to go with a recognizable face to draw a crowd (a practice 
I 
> > abhor: get the best actor and write a good scrit, and people will 
> > come) I'd have suggested someone like Eva Longoria. At least 
> > Longoria wouldn't have looked and sounded like such a weak little 
> > girl, as Holmes did in my opinion.
> >
> > -- Original message --
> > From: "Tracey de Morsella (formerly Tracey L. Minor)" 
> > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> >
> > > I don't believe this. there have been rumors ever since she 
became a
> > > part of Tomcat that they did not want her back... as recently 
as 
> > last
> > > week. This was to allow her to save face, I think
> > >
> > > Holmes Turns Down Batman
> > > http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=39811
> > >
> > > Katie Holmes has turned down an offer to reprise the role of 
> > assistant
> > > district attorney Rachel Dawes in the upcoming Batman Begins 
> > sequel, The
> > > Dark Knight, The Wall Street Journal reported.
> > >
> > > Holmes was reportedly unable to make a deal with Warner 
Brothers 
> > for the
> > > sequel, which is scheduled for a summer 2008 release.
> > >
> > > The studio is searching for a new actress who can replace 
Holmes 
> > in the
> > > big-budget picture.
> > >
> > > Holmes' names has come up in early discussion for casting of a 
> > proposed
> > > Wonder Woman movie, being developed by producer Joel Silver, the
> > > newspaper reported. But since the script hasn't been completed, 
> > people
> > > involved with the project say any casting decisions are on the 
back
> > > burner for now.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> > 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
>  
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: One Season Wonders You Liked

[B. Smith]

Surface was a lot of fun and series definitely ended with a bang. Has 
Now and Again been mentioned?

I'm glad I'm not the only person in the world that liked Hypernauts.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> loved all.  I also liked : John Doe - alot! and  Jake 2.0 and 
Threshold.
> 
> The Yokozuna Of Soul wrote:
> >
> > Cowboy Bebop
> > Earth 2
> > Odyssey 5
> > John Doe
> >
> > - Daryle
> >
> > On Jan 29, 2007, at 8:23 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
> >  wrote:
> >
> > > From the to of my head...
> > >
> > > Space: Above and Beyond
> > > Mercy Point
> > > Hypernauts
> > >
> > > and to my surprise
> > >
> > > Shurikan School (which is repeated on Nicks cartoon channel).
> > >
> > > -GTW
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Did You Watch "The Dresden Files"?

[B. Smith]

I like it but it strays way too far from the source material at 
times. It also got rid off some awesome bits of the mythos to add new 
weaker ones.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Did anyone watch the debut of "The Dresden Files" last week? I was 
desperate for good scifi/fantasy since "Heroes", "Eureka", 
and "Avatar" were all in reruns. And I'm so far behind on "Galactica" 
i have to wait for reruns or the season 3 DVD set. And I have to say, 
the Sunday night doldrums are usually setting in, so a new show is a 
great distraction. I must say I enjoyed it.  The guy who plays Harry 
Dresden is about as unlikely a wizard as can be: thin, almost 
scrawny, receeding hairline, really cynical and world-weary, trouble 
paying his bills--not even close to an imposing figure. He's more 
like Jim Rockford than Gandalf.  The first show dealt with a kid 
who's a nascent wizard, being sought by the forces of evil and good.  
The bad guys send a "skinwalker"--a demon that literally takes your 
skin and wears it--to retrieve the young magic-worker.  There's 
evidently also a whole society of wizards and others that operate out 
of our sight and knowledge. Dresden referenced some Counci
> l that seems to rule wizards, and his uncle is a wizard who's 
apparently on the side of evil.  The show was entertaining enough to 
hold my interest, I like the actor playing Dresden, and it's very 
cool for me to see *any* scifi or fantasy show that's completely new 
to me. (I never read the books that the series is based upon).  
> 
> Definitely worth a second look tonight.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Andre Braugher Joins Mist

[B. Smith]

I'm really looking forward to this movie. I loved the novella and 
I've read some of Frank Darabont's thoughts on how it should be done. 
If he pulls it off this will be awesome. 

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Braugher, Holden Join Mist
> 
> Andre Braugher and Laurie Holden are joining Thomas Jane in The 
Mist, 
> Dimension Films' adaptation of the Stephen King supernatural story, 
> which is being helmed by Frank Darabont, who also produces, 
according to 
> The Hollywood Reporter.
> 
> The script, written by Darabont, is set after a strange storm blows 
> through a Maine town and its citizens are attacked by deadly 
creatures. 
> A group of townfolk barricade themselves in a supermarket and 
struggle 
> for survival.
> 
> Holden (The Majestic, The X-Files), is the female lead as one of 
the 
> people trapped by the phenomenon. Braugher (Homicide: Life on the 
> Street) plays Jane's neighbor, a high-powered attorney who has a 
weekend 
> house in Maine. Shooting is slated to begin in mid- to late 
February in 
> Shreveport, La.
> 
> http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=39775
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Did You Watch "The Dresden Files"?

[B. Smith]

The Wiki provides a good overview of the books:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dresden_Files

Harry's look, his magical items, how he uses magic and car have all 
been changed. The bracelet in the book provides a shield, he usually 
carries a staff or blasting rod and other magical items.  Harry in 
the book would have pulped the folks that he's gone against in the tv 
show. TV Harry is a little too wimpy.

Bob the Skull never appeared as a human. We're not sure if he ever 
was human. The skull he inhabits isn't his own.

Mister, Harry's pet cat, is M.I.A. He's Bob's host body when Harry 
allows him to venture out in the daytime.

Karrin Murphy had her name, ethnicity and appearance changed for the 
tv show. In the book she's tiny but badass and blonde.

Justin wasn't Harry's uncle. He was his mentor until...let's just say 
they had a bit of issue. Justin is no more but his influence lives on.

Harry sucks with the ladies. Harry getting lucky with a random 
waitress would never happen.

Harry's wizardly nature wreaks havoc on electronic devices and 
systems. That's why he drives and old VW Bug with virtually no modern 
electronic systems. He can barely keep that running. Computers, tvs, 
etc. malfunction or die if he lingers around them too long. There was 
a great running gag about a loaner car that was dying by inches 
everytime Harry got into it in one of the books.

There's other stuff as well but I'm hoping they will work more of the 
mythos into the series as it goes on.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> Like I said, I've never read the books. What are the major ways it 
strays, and what's been replaced in the mythos?
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: "B. Smith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> I like it but it strays way too far from the source material at 
> times. It also got rid off some awesome bits of the mythos to add 
new 
> weaker ones.
> 
> --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, KeithBJohnson@ wrote:
> >
> > Did anyone watch the debut of "The Dresden Files" last week? I 
was 
> desperate for good scifi/fantasy since "Heroes", "Eureka", 
> and "Avatar" were all in reruns. And I'm so far behind 
on "Galactica" 
> i have to wait for reruns or the season 3 DVD set. And I have to 
say, 
> the Sunday night doldrums are usually setting in, so a new show is 
a 
> great distraction. I must say I enjoyed it. The guy who plays Harry 
> Dresden is about as unlikely a wizard as can be: thin, almost 
> scrawny, receeding hairline, really cynical and world-weary, 
trouble 
> paying his bills--not even close to an imposing figure. He's more 
> like Jim Rockford than Gandalf. The first show dealt with a kid 
> who's a nascent wizard, being sought by the forces of evil and 
good. 
> The bad guys send a "skinwalker"--a demon that literally takes your 
> skin and wears it--to retrieve the young magic-worker. There's 
> evidently also a whole society of wizards and others that operate 
out 
> of our sight and knowledge. Dresden referenced some Counci
> > l that seems to rule wizards, and his uncle is a wizard who's 
> apparently on the side of evil. The show was entertaining enough to 
> hold my interest, I like the actor playing Dresden, and it's very 
> cool for me to see *any* scifi or fantasy show that's completely 
new 
> to me. (I never read the books that the series is based upon). 
> > 
> > Definitely worth a second look tonight.
> > 
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> 
> 
>  
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Andre Braugher Joins Mist

[B. Smith]

Unfortunately it joins the pile. FX didn't order a second season 
because of poor ratings.

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, Martin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> Do you know whether "Thief" is coming back, or does it join the 
pile of Good Stuff Gone Forever?
> 
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:  And that's not a bad thing. It's 
like associating Shatner with Star Trek, Lee Majors with "Steve 
Austin. Braugher owned "Homicide". He stalked around like a predatory 
animal, at once invincible and flawed. From the very first scene--
when he pulled a hapless rookie (Kyle Secor) along as he scanned rows 
of identical cars for the *right* one--he was unforgettable. You're 
right that he's done lots of other good work, including the 
movie "Get on The Bus" and the recent "Thief", but being forever 
associated with "Homicide"--one of the best series of all time, cop-
related or not--is a good thing in my book. 
> 
> -- Original message -- 
> From: The Yokozuna Of Soul <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 
> It's funny to me how we still associate Andre with "Homicide" after 
> all the work he's done since.
> 
> On Jan 29, 2007, at 2:42 PM, B. Smith wrote:
> 
> > I'm really looking forward to this movie. I loved the novella and
> > I've read some of Frank Darabont's thoughts on how it should be 
done.
> > If he pulls it off this will be awesome.
> >
> > --- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly
> > Tracey L. Minor)"  wrote:
> > >
> > > Braugher, Holden Join Mist
> > >
> > > Andre Braugher and Laurie Holden are joining Thomas Jane in The
> > Mist,
> > > Dimension Films' adaptation of the Stephen King supernatural 
story,
> > > which is being helmed by Frank Darabont, who also produces,
> > according to
> > > The Hollywood Reporter.
> > >
> > > The script, written by Darabont, is set after a strange storm 
blows
> > > through a Maine town and its citizens are attacked by deadly
> > creatures.
> > > A group of townfolk barricade themselves in a supermarket and
> > struggle
> > > for survival.
> > >
> > > Holden (The Majestic, The X-Files), is the female lead as one of
> > the
> > > people trapped by the phenomenon. Braugher (Homicide: Life on 
the
> > > Street) plays Jane's neighbor, a high-powered attorney who has a
> > weekend
> > > house in Maine. Shooting is slated to begin in mid- to late
> > February in
> > > Shreveport, La.
> > >
> > > http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=39775
> > >
> >
> >
> > 
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> If any one of our restaurants were better than the rest, then 
customers would flocck to that location, creating a mass imbalance 
that could create a black hole, which would swallow the Earth. That's 
why we make every McDonald's from Pomona to Poughkeepsie the same 
good place to eat, thereby saving the Universe.-from McDonald's 
commercial ,28 January 1990
> 
> "Is anybody hungry?" - W Zeddemore, "The Real Ghostbusters", 'The 
Cabinet of Calamari'
>  
> -
> Don't be flakey. Get Yahoo! Mail for Mobile and 
> always stay connected to friends.
> 
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[scifinoir2] Re: Sam Raimi -to direct The Hobbit

[B. Smith]

I'm not thrilled by this. BTW how would you split The Hobbit into two 
films?

--- In scifinoir2@yahoogroups.com, "Tracey de Morsella (formerly 
Tracey L. Minor)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/movies/la-fi-
raimi27jan27,1,5846800.story
> 
> Sam Raimi considering 'The Hobbit'
> In the wake of Peter Jackson's rift with the studio, the "Spidey" 
> director may be next in line to take over fhe franchise.
> By Rachel Abramowitz
> Times Staff Writer
> 
> January 26, 2007
> 
> Good-bye Spidey! Hello Bilbo?
> 
> In a move that would have ramifications for several major 
> multi-nationals, and millions of fans, "Spider-Man" maestro Sam 
Raimi 
> has been telling associates, as well as his corporate masters at 
Sony, 
> that he is thinking of directing "The Hobbit," the prequel to 
J.R.R. 
> Tolkien's masterwork, "The Lord of the Rings." At least two top-
level 
> insiders â€" who declined to be named -- have heard the words out 
of the 
> director's mouth.
> 
> A year ago, such a swap of franchises would have been unthinkable, 
given 
> that Peter Jackson co-wrote and directed the Oscar-winning "Rings" 
> trilogy, but that was before the slugfest erupted between the 
> once-rotund director and New Line honcho Bob Shaye.
> 
> Jackson is suing the studio over money he says is owed to him from 
the 
> the "Rings" films, which grossed more than $3 billion at the box 
office 
> and another $1 billion on DVD. In the last few weeks, Shaye has 
declared 
> Jackson persona-non-grata at New Line, stating publicly that, "He 
will 
> never make any movie with New Line Cinema again while I'm still 
working 
> at the company."
> 
> According to a New Line source, the studio isn't just contemplating 
one 
> "Hobbit" movie, but two. The prequel tells the story of hobbit 
Bilbo 
> Baggins and how he first discovers the magical but sinister ring, 
the 
> very object that drives the action in "Lord of the Rings."
> 
> Still, while Raimi might be an irresistable replacement for 
Jackson, his 
> ascension to the directing chair is far from a sure thing. New Line 
says 
> it doesn't have a deal with the director, and Raimi hasn't met with 
> Shaye or production president Toby Emmerich. More potentially 
> problematic is the fact that MGM owns the distribution rights to 
the 
> film. An MGM spokeman insists that MGM remains firmly in the 
Jackson 
> camp: "We support Peter Jackson, and when the dust settles, we 
believe 
> he is the one who will be making this movie."
> 
> A call to Raimi's office was directed to his agent, Richard Lovett, 
at 
> CAA. The agency did not comment.
> 
> For Sony, losing Raimi â€" who gave "Spider-Man" its distinctive 
visual 
> theatrics â€" would be a blow. Studio chief Amy Pascal has said she 
wants 
> to make six installments of the "Spider-Man" tale. Just this week, 
the 
> studio announced it was rehiring David Koepp, who wrote the first 
film, 
> to write "Spider-Man 4."
>