Babylon 5 ISN News: The Zocalo Today
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The Zocalo Today
Welcome and thank you for dropping by. Take your shoes off, get comfortable and stay a while.
There is a LOT of information here and you won't want to miss any of it.
The Zocalo Today is an interactive newsletter, encouraging readers to join a discussion topic or to send
along letters that can be shared with other readers.
The Zocalo Today is a newsletter for Babylon 5 and science fiction fans everywhere. It is as much YOUR
newsletter as it is mine! I'm just pulling together things for you!
Join our discussion topic. It is just one way you can share with other Z readers. If you see Babylon 5 cast
and crew in other roles, let us know. We enjoy convention reports, photos, etc. Don't miss our back issues.
I hope this will become more than just a newsletter. It's a community of people that enjoy sharing their
experiences and interests. Babylon 5 brought many of us together -- and it remains with us, despite the
fact that is no longer in production. Don't be shy. Join us today!
If you have questions, drop me a line at sgbruckner@aol.com. If
you would like to join the mailing list for our newsletter, send me a note and I'll include you on the list. Or you
can use the subscription block at the left.
Again, WELCOME!
SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2009
KEY ART AWARDS
The Hollywood Reporter writes that superheroes were center stage at the Hollywood
Reporter's 38th annual Key Art Awards, held Friday night at the Geffen Contemporary
at MOCA in Los Angeles.
Sam Raimi, director of Sony's three "Spider-Man" movies, accepted the 2009 Visionary
Award, given to a filmmaker who inspires movie marketers.
"The Dark Knight" director Chris Nolan's second Batman movie, led the list of award
winners, taking home eight prizes, including three best of show awards for its theatrical
poster, theatrical TV spot and home entertainment print.
The animated "WALL-E" was a close runner-up, earning seven awards, including one
best in show citation for home entertainment, new release packaging.
Warners, which fielded "Knight," and Disney, which released "WALL-E," earned 10 awards
each, as did Paramount, thanks to a mix of films that included "Iron Man," "Tropic
Thunder" and "The Godfather: Coppola Restoration" DVD.
Sony rounded out the top four studios with eight wins.
Design firm BLT & Associates, which worked on campaigns for "Knight," "Iron Man,"
"Kung Fu Panda" and "Juno," among other films, led the agency list with 13 awards.
Ignition, which worked on films as varied as "Pineapple Express," "Saw V" and
"Religulous," followed closely with 12 awards.
JOHN CARTER ON MARS
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Taylor Kitsch and Lynn Collins will star in
"John Carter of Mars," the adaptation of the Edgar Rice Burroughs book series that
Andrew Stanton is directing for Disney.
Stanton, who directed Pixar's animated films "Finding Nemo" and "WALL-E" but will
now helm his first live-action feature -- and Disney, which hopes the big-budget
production will launch a franchise on the scale of "Pirates of the Caribbean."
"Carter" centers on a civil war veteran who finds himself mysteriously transported
to Mars, where his involvement with warring races of the dying planet force him to
rediscover his humanity.
Kitsch will play the title character, while Collins is playing Dejah Thoris, heir
to the throne of Mars' Helium kingdom.
Stanton wrote the screenplay with Mark Andrews. Jim Morris, who produced "WALL-E,"
and Colin Wilson are producing "Carter," which is eyeing a start in early 2010.
Disney has spent months meeting and testing a wide swath of names from Jon Hamm to
Josh Duhamel in their search for the right John Carter. Canadian-born Kitsch starred
on NBC's "Friday Night Lights" and his role of Gambit in "Wolverine" has made him
one of the next generation of leading men in Hollywood.
Collins had a recurring gig on HBO's "True Blood" but appeared with Kitsch in "Wolverine,"
which raised her profile considerably. She next stars opposite Joseph Gordon-Levitt in
"Uncertainty," which IFC is releasing this year.
JAMES BOND 23
Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of EON Productions Ltd and Metro-
Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures have announced that Peter Morgan (Frost/Nixon, The Queen),
Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (Quantum of Solace, Casino Royale) will be the screenwriters
of the 23rd James Bond adventure.
Daniel Craig will reprise his role as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 in the film,
which will be a MGM release of an EON production. "Bond 23" is the latest installment
in the longest-running franchise in motion picture history and will be produced by
Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. A date for the start of production is yet
to be confirmed.
"Peter, Neal and Robert are extraordinarily talented and we're looking forward to
working with the three of them," commented Wilson and Broccoli.
Peter Morgan is the award-winning writer of such films as THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND,
THE QUEEN and FROST/NIXON, which was based on his play. He has also scripted the
upcoming "The Special Relationship" for HBO and Hereafter for DreamWorks. He will
turn his attention to "Bond 23" on completion of these duties.
Since 1991, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade have collaborated on a diverse range of
projects including The Italian Job, Johnny English and the past four Bond films.
They recently adapted John Le Carre's The Mission Song and are also working on the
upcoming sequel The Brazilian Job.
DIVER
Variety reports that Bruce A. Evans ("Mr. Brooks") is set to helm the thriller
DIVER for Intrepid Pictures.
Diane Ademu-John's script follows a messed up former police officer who gets pulled
into the top secret New Orleans-based Diver program.
In the program, the officer and others go into the minds of the newly dead to
experience what they thought before they died. They use this information to solve
crimes. Marc Evans and Trevor Macy will produce.
TOP SCIENCE FICTION NEWS STORIES:
News from this week and the last couple of months has been moved to the
News Archive Page. Check it out
to catch up on all that has been going on in the world of science fiction.
6:30pm on SciFi
Serenity(2005)
Crew members aboard a transport vessel get caught in a deadly conflict in the wake
of a galactic war. Based on the TV series ``Firefly.''
Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin
8:00pm on ABC
The Haunted Mansion(2003)
A real estate agent and his family encounter ghosts in an old New Orleans house on
a remote bayou. Eddie Murphy, Terence Stamp, Wallace Shawn, Marsha Thomason, Jennifer
Tilly
8:00pm on CBS
Without a Trace - Episode: Cloudy With a Chance of Gettysburg (First Aired: December 16, 2008)
The team searches for a local television weatherman, gone missing after showing up
for work bleeding from his side.
8:00pm on NBC
Kings - Episode: Brotherhood (NEW)
David and Jack travel to Gath to reinforce the peace agreement; King Silas tries to
prevent an outbreak of a deadly plague.
8:00pm on BBC America
Primeval(First Aired: June 03, 2009)
The team battles to save the crew of a 747 aircraft from a Giganotosaurus.
9:00pm on CBS
Harper's Island - Episode: Seep (NEW)
The surviving members of the wedding party begin to turn on each other; maps of the
island's underground tunnel system prompt the survivors to work together to hunt
for Madison.
9:00pm on BBC America
Primeval - NEW
The team must find a way to stop a flesh-eating fungus that takes over any human
it encounters.
9:00pm on SciFi
Star Runners(2009)
An outer-space smuggler, his sidekick and a mysterious woman crash-land on a planet
crawling with giant insects. Connor Trinneer, James Kyson Lee, Toni Trucks, Aja
Evans
10:00pm on ABC
Pushing DaisiesEpisode: Kerplunk (NEW)
A murder at a traveling water circus gives the Darling Mermaid Darlings a chance
to come out of retirement.
DISCUSSION TOPIC - MOVIES
I don't know about you, but I'm at movie overload! Every week there's another BIG
picture that you are expected to go out and see. Who has that kind of money #1, and
how do you know you are going to like it? How do you feel about the movie industry
these days? Are they doing too many movies -- and making more bad ones than good ones?
Send in your comments to sgbruckner@aol.com. I'll post your selections our
discussion page for all
readers to share. I'll post some of my comments in my blog -- see below.
BABYLON PODCAST
Welcome to Show #159!
Yes, you heard correctly… we are all Summer.
And hey, it was Jeffrey’s birthday last week!
Feedbackapalooza Jr: Because of rogue tachyons bombarding the area around Draco Vista
Studios, we are experiencing a causality break that threw spatial-temporal ordering
into disarray, giving us 3 Summers but no Tim, no Jeffrey and no Mike.
So in order to prevent any permanent damage to the space-time continuum, we bring
you a special episode: Feedbackapalooza Jr!
Gary wants to know if Lochley ever specifically stated which side of the Earth Civil
War she was on; Gary was amused by the GoToMeeting ads; Gary is shopping for tequila
and follows Jeffrey’s recommendation; Gary wonders if there was a parallel between
the different seasons of B5 and the different chapters viewed in “Deconstruction
of Falling Stars”; Gary muses on whether or not Lennier thinks joining the Rangers
will improve his chances to be with Delenn after Sheridan dies in 20 years; Tom
appreciates the looming feeling of dread cast over Season 5; Tom also loves that
Season 5 also breaks all the main characters out of the delineations drawn up for
them in Seasons 1-4; next, Tom gives a Star Trek analogy for the character shifts
we see in Season 5.
Arkle adds some perspective on the “Vorlon on the Roof”, and wonders why Summer didn’t
like the segment with the monks from “Deconstruction”; Doug surmises that maybe the
shrapnel from shooting through ducts caused the injury that bled (shenanigans!);
Brian solves the problem of what color bunny ears the Easter Kosh would be wearing;
Gary thought that Lochley had more of a command presence than Ivanova and Sheridan
right from the start.
Emails: Steven wonders if it would be possible to get an interview with Haley McLane,
the voice of the station’s computer; Robinson wonders if Jerry Doyle could be the
love child of Bruce Willis and Terry O’Quinn… and John provides some info on why
the Space Shuttle couldn’t manuever from the Hubble to the ISS, and suggests playing
with the Orbiter Flight Sim game.
From deep in the Vorlon archives, Summer-3 reads a memo about a B5 story making the
cover of a magazine called “The Screening Room”, and the article about the acquisition
of B5 by TNT.
According to SciFiScoop, the movie has its straight-to-dvd release on June 30, timed
to coincide with TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN.
EFREM ZIMBALIST, JR.
Ranger Anne sent along a story about Babylon 5 guest star Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. being
honored by the FBI. The FBI series ran from 1965 to 1974 -- and I have to admit is
one of the reasons I came to Washington, DC following graduation. Go to
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090608/ap_on_en_tv/us_zimbalist_fbi to read about
the FBI recognizing his contribution by naming him an honorary special agent.
Babylon 5 fans will remember Mr. Zimbalist as billionaire William Edgars.
BILL MUMY CONCERT - JUNE 19
Bill Mumy will be performing solo and acoustic at The American Music Circle, hosted
by Lauren Adams, Friday, June 19, 2009 from 8-10:00pm. The address is: Kulak's
Woodshed, 5230 1/2 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood. For more information, go
to http://www.kulakswoodshed.com/.
With Bill Mumy, Vertigo Road, Kevin Kelly, The Lauren Adams Band and one artist TBA.
All Ages, Admission - $10.00 Donation.
MELISSA GILBERT
Melissa Gilbert has a new book out, entitled PRAIRIE TALE. Description: Gilbert's
real childhood was a far cry from the idyllic family portrayed in her hit television
series, "Little House on the Prairie." Yet through her great sense of humor, resilience,
and fantastic support system, Gilbert has found happiness and stability in her life.
Full-color insert.
Melissa is conducting a book-signing tour sponsored by Borders. She will be at the
Bordors on Columbia Circle in New York on June 9 from 7-10:00pm.
PAT TALLMAN
Ranger Morjana reports that the SciFi Channel is airing STAR RUNNERS on Saturday,
June 13 at 9pm, and it's repeated Sunday June 14 at 1:30am. According to TrekTrak.com,
STAR RUNNERS was a failed pilot for USA, and that Patricia Tallman co-starred in
it -- from 1998!
Patty is one of my favorite B5 people -- so it will be fun to see her on screen
again -- mark your calendars.
ISN BLOG
I have just created ISN News Blog at
http://isnnews.blogspot.com. This is an experiment for me -- and I hope
you’ll join me by entering news you have to share. I’ll put in stuff that I think
is interesting for others to read about and we’ll see how it goes. Join me.
NEW BABYLON 5 BOOK SERIES
OVERVIEW OF THE ASKED & ANSWERED SERIES
It's true. The creator of Babylon 5 answers 5,296 fan questions covering every
aspect of the show in over 100 categories in new Babylon 5 book series.
J. Michael Straczynski answered these questions as they surfaced over a period
of 18 years as part of an online experiment he started in 1991 and continues to
this day.
This makes Asked & Answered something that has never been done before with a
television show: an oral history IN REAL TIME. No revisionism. Nothing
forgotten. No detail spared. Because this dialouge with fans starts in 1991, it
pre-dates the production of the Babylon 5 pilot, so you'll discover JMS'
complete vision for the series, many aspects of which never made it to the
screen.
Even better, these questions and answers include interactions on AOL Bulletin
Boards, GEnie Forums, the moderated usenet group, CIS Discussion threads and
Chat Transcripts, some of which are not available in archives anywhere.
In addition to Babylon 5, Asked & Answered includes JMS' responses to personal
questions about his life, politics, love, religion, writing and more. These
responses are grouped with a related B5 topic showing fans for the first time
the provenance of the Babylon 5 philosophy and culture. All that plus JMS'
real life stories behind the stories.
To make this the ultimate reference, this series took 2 years and a crew of
four B5 experts in addition to J. Michael Straczynski to compile, categorize
and edit.
Go to http://www.cafepress.com/b5books
for a list of the topics covered in Part One, a sample of some of the questions
covered and a link to 12 sample pages.
While Andreas Katsulas (G'Kar), Rick (Biggs) and Tim (Choate) are no longer with us,
we will not forget their wonderful personalities and talent -- as well as their
significant contributions to the BABYLON 5 universe. Be sure to visit
In Memory Of for more
information about memorial efforts. Until we met again, in a place where no
shadows fall.
BABYLON 5 BIRTHDAYS
Jeffrey Willerth - June 5
Donovan Brown (Optic Nerve) - June 6
Ann Bruice Aling - June 8
Mark Walters - June 10
Susan Norkin (Post) - June 10
Adrienne Barbeau (Amanda Carter) - June 11
Mike Vejar - June 25
Have I missed anyone? If you know the birthday of someone connected with Babylon 5,
pass the information along. We want to include everyone in our Happy Birthday Wishes.
Eureka Productions is pleased to announce the publication of SCIENCE FICTION CLASSICS:
Graphic Classics Volume Seventeen. This is the first full-color volume in the GRAPHIC
CLASSICS® series of comics adaptations of great literature.
SCIENCE FICTION CLASSICS presents comics adaptations of stories from the original
creators of science fiction including "The War of the Worlds" by H.G. Wells and
"A Martian Odyssey" by Stanley G. Weinbaum. Also featured are "In the Year 2889"
a rare short story by Jules Verne, and "The Disintegration Machine", starring
Arthur Conan Doyle's Professor Challenger. Plus E.M. Forster's only SF tale,
the poignant "The Machine Stops", and shorts by Lord Dunsany and Hans Christian
Anderson.
GRAPHIC CLASSICS are available in bookstores, comics shops, or direct from the
publisher at http://www.graphicclassics.com.
SUGGESTED READING
SCIENCE FICTION TELEVISION SERIES, 1990-2004
by Frank Garcia and Mark Phillips
This book is the ultimate for a science fiction fan. It provides a wealth of information
about series -- and many little known facts gathered through interviews and extensive
research.
TERMINATOR SALVATION: THE MACHINIMA SERIES
EXPLODES ONLINE AS THE FIRST LONG FORM DRAMATIC MACHINIMA PRODUCTION
* Created by The Halcyon Company and Warner Premiere
* The First Long Form Dramatic Machinima Series Produced By A Major Studio
* Creators Use "Terminator Salvation" Videogame to Create Filmed Entertainment
* An Original Series Starring Moon Bloodgood as "Blair Williams"
* Produced and Overall Creative Direction Provided by The Halcyon Company and
the Film's Director McG
* First Episode Now Available on iTunes and other Digital Distributors
Burbank, Calif., May 19, 2009 - Halcyon Games, a division of The Halcyon Company
along with Warner Premiere and Warner Bros. Digital Distribution today announced
the first full length Machinima series titled "Terminator Salvation: The Machinima
Series." Produced in association with McG, director of "Terminator Salvation," and
Machinima Inc., this six part series utilizes real time computer animation generated
from the "Terminator Salvation" video game and is set against an original story
written by Andy Shapiro and directed by Tor Helmstein. Fans follow "Blair Williams"
(voiced by Moon Bloodgood) on an action-packed journey that reveals the genesis of
Blair William's involvement with John Connor's resistance unit two and a half years
before the movie begins.
"Terminator Salvation: The Machinima Series" is now available on iTunes
(http://tinyurl.com/TerminatorMachinimaOniTunes), Amazon Video on Demand
(http://tinyurl.com/TerminatorMachinimaOnAmazonVOD), Xbox Live and the Sony
PlayStation Network. The cost per episode is $2.99 for HD and $1.99 for SD
(where available). Fans can also sign up for a season pass and automatically
receive future episodes every week for $14.99 in HD or $9.99 in SD (where available).
MORE FROM WARNER BROS. DIGITAL
HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU
Available On Demand and iTunes
The box office hit HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU arrives today (June 2) for
Download (on iTunes), On Demand (via cable and satellite) and on Blu-ray/DVD.
Synopsis:
He loves me, he loves me not...find out when He’s Just Not That Into You is based on
the wildly popular bestseller from Sex and the City scribes Greg Behrendt and Liz
Tuccillo, He's Just Not That Into You tells the stories of a group of interconnected,
Baltimore-based twenty- and thirty-somethings as they navigate their various relationships.
Warner Bros. has launched the Warner Archive Collection (www.WarnerArchive.com) a
new initiative allowing fans to own over 150 at launch and eventually several thousands
of films that have been in its vault for decades including hidden treasures starring
legends such as Cary Grant, Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn and Greta Garbo. All
films are available for the FIRST TIME EVER on DVD and On Demand.
This last batch of titles include a number of old Tarzan movies. These you don't see
on TV that often.
REVIEW
I had a chance to watch this DVD over the weekend. It was awesome. I am a real Tarzan
fan and have watched all the various iterations in the character -- from Bruce Bennett
to Christopher Lambert (I think that was the last one). Anyway, some of them have been
just awful, but some have been delightful surprises. I faithfully watched Ron Ely when
there was a weekly Tarzan TV series. I think my favorite is Johnny Weismuller, but Lex
Barker made a marvelous Tarzan, very believable. Perhaps I like to strong, silent type,
but Lex Barker was what I always thought the character should be -- strong, honest, very
loyal tothose he loved. I love the simple storyline of TARZAN'S PERIL. George McReady
is terrific as bad guy Radicheck; Virginia Huston isn't a bad Jane (although no one can
beat Maureen O'Sullivan). Made in 1951, it has some marvelous wildlife footage that
will entertain and astonish you. Can you imagine what it took to capture that footage
back then?
This film has been wonderfully restored. I watched it on a big screen TV and it was
awesome. Made me love the Tarzan saga all over again. This is truly something you'll
want to add to your collection to watch with your children.
WBSHOP.COM GRAND OPENING
The all-new www.WBshop.com is now open featuring
the largest collection of Warner Bros products including WATCHMEN exclusive collections.
During the Grand Opening receive 20% Off and Free Shipping on all orders including
Blu-ray, Toys, Apparel and more.
Be sure to check out all the BABYLON 5 and CRUSADE items. Each episode is sold
separately for $1.95. It is a great way to get your favorite episode without having
to spend a lot of money.
You will also find DOCTOR WHO, RED DWARF, SUPERNATURAL, V and many other TV science
fiction favorites. Check out the lithographs, calendars, stationery, toys and photo
collections too.
PLANET EARTH
I have been a HUGE fan of the PLANET EARTH series from BBC. It is an absolutely
amazing set of DVDs that feature a planet we all know -- and I hope LOVE!!!
Below is a widget the WB created for the acclaimed BBC miniseries PLANET EARTH to
celebrate Earth Day! It offers free downloads, music from the series, as well as
photos and video content.
This Earth Day, show your love for Planet Earth –The record-breaking miniseries that
inspired the motion picture Earth – with BBC Video’s Planet Earth widget.
The recipient of four Emmy Awards including Outstanding Nonfiction Series, PLANET
EARTH was filmed in high-definition over five years by 71 camera people, in 62
countries across every continent. Utilizing state-of-the-art filming techniques
and technologies - ranging from revolutionary aerial lens stabilization and flash
strobe-systems to ultra high-speed cameras - the most expensive factual series ever
created by the BBC lovingly captures our planet’s best-loved, wildest and most
elusive creatures in intimate moments and rare action.
Now you can showcase this amazing content and share it with your friends too. Spread
the message of Earth Day with BBC Video’s Planet Earth widget. Loaded with music
from the film, free wallpapers, photos and unbelievable footage of Earth’s plants
and creatures, there is no better way to remind people to conserve and protect our
natural resources.
EVERWOOD SEASON 2
Release date: June 16, 2009
BURBANK, CA (April 6, 2009) - One of television's most beloved and touching dramas
is back when Everwood: The Complete Second Season comes to DVD June 16, 2009 from
Warner Home Video. The Emmy® nominated series created by Greg Berlanti (Brothers &
Sisters, Dirty Sexy Money) stars Treat Williams, Gregory Smith and Vivien Cardone
as a family building a new life in Everwood while tackling difficult real-life issues
such as grief, drugs, unplanned pregnancy and relationships. The long-awaited six-disc
collector's set of this critically acclaimed family drama includes all 22 episodes
from the second season, along with almost 40 minutes of never-before-seen unaired
scenes.
TOM AND JERRY GREATEST CHASES VOLUME 2
Release Date: June 16, 2009
It’s off to the races with more of a great team’s greatest!
It’s a well-known fact: cats chase mice. And it’s also well known that nobody aces
the art of the animated chase than Tom and Jerry. This fast-paced collection serves
up 14 more of their funniest faceoffs that the whole family will love. Tom throws a
tantrum when a girl dresses him as a baby in Sufferin' Cats. Jerry can't stop laughing...
but he gets into some Academy AwardÒ-winning* Mouse Trouble when Tom tries every trick
from the book How to Trap a Mouse. Jerry’s cat problem disappears in The Invisible
Mouse after he falls into a bottle of invisible ink. How to catch dinner while not
making a sound – one that can wake up bulldog Spike – is Tom’s touchy dilemma in
the OscarÒ winner* Quiet Please! Whosever side you’re on, you’re the winner when
you join the pursuit of these timeless cartoon.
TOM AND JERRY CHUCK JONES COLLECTION
Release date: June 23, 2009
Masters of the chase: Tom, Jerry…and Chuck.
34 hilarious animated shorts lovingly remastered!
The classic cartoon chase involving forever frustrated feline Tom and mightily mobile
mouse Jerry got spun in new and deliciously inventive ways when animation legend Chuck
Jones set up shop at the team’s home studio and produced the 34 wonderful shorts in
this Deluxe 2-Disc Collection. Tom got furrier cheeks and thicker eyebrows. Jerry
got larger eyes and ears and a more sweet-natured expression. But Jones and his
collaborators put them through their hilarious misadventures with renewed personality
and style and also cleverly parodied pop culture as well. The result – now viewable
in widescreen format for the first time in decades as originally shown in theatres –
is a meeting of animation icons that’s endlessly entertaining.
WALLENDER: Sidetracked/Firewall/One Step Behind
Release date: June 2, 2009
Product Description
Kenneth Branagh plays Swedish detective Kurt Wallander in three new crime dramas based
on the best-selling books by Henning Mankell, an international publishing phenomenon
with over 25 million copies sold worldwide. Sidetracked, Firewall, and One Step Behind
follow Inspector Kurt Wallander - a disillusioned everyman - as he struggles against
a rising tide of violence in the seemingly sleepy backwaters in and around Ystad in
beautiful southern Sweden. Baffling crimes and apparently motiveless murders lead to
surprising and shocking discoveries in these Swedish noir thrillers.
REVIEW
This is a wonderful BBC series starrring Kenneth Branagh as Kurt Wallender. These
three 90-minute episodes are wonderfully written and acted. They present both a
good police drama and provide you with a very human police detective not only trying
to solve a very baffling case, but dealing with a number of emotional issues at home.
Kenneth Branagh is awesome in this role and David Warner is absolutely memorable as
his father -- suffering from alzheimer's. Here's a clip to give you a flavor of the
show by Kenneth Branagh.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m2LC8C71LPA2A6.
I would recommend this DVD to everyone who enjoys CSI and NCIS. It has that flavor
to it, but is more personal than either of the two US shows, giving Branagh more meat
to sink his acting teeth into.
THE MENTALIST - SEASON ONE
Release Date: September 22, 2009
THE MENTALIST: The Complete First Season will be released on DVD on September 22.
This six-disc set will contain all 23 episodes of this first season and the set
will be priced at $59.98 SRP. The series stars Simon Baker as celebrity psychic Patrick Jane.
The series is described below:
"A mentalist is a master manipulator of thought and behavior." The mentalist is
Patrick Jane (Simon Baker in an acclaimed performance), a celebrity psychic whose
wife and child are viciously murdered by an elusive serial killer called Red John.
Devastated, Patrick admits his paranormal act is fake, renounces his earlier life
and uses his astonishing skills of observation and analysis - talents that made him
appear psychically gifted - to bring killers to justice. At crime scenes across
California, Patrick now helps an elite team of detectives break their toughest
cases. But no matter how many criminals he catches, Patrick never forgets his central
goal: Find Red John. And bring him down.
THE JETSONS: SEASON TWO, VOL. 1
Release date: June 3, 2009
The first 21 Episodes from 1985's `Season Two,' have been collected in this three-disc
boxed set from Warner Home Video. Jetsons-Season 2 V01.
In addition, a special featurette, `Jetsons: Return to the Future,' is also included
that focuses on the evolution of the series. Among those interviewed is animation
expert Mark Evanier.
The 21 episodes in this DVD boxed set from `Season Two' are: Elroy Meets Orbitty;
Rosie Come Home; Solar Snoops; Judy's Birthday Surprise; Super George; Family Fallout;
S.M.A.S.H.; The Mirrormorph; Mother's Day for Rosie; Jetsons' Millions; Fugitive Fleas;
Rip-Off Rosie; Far-Out Father; Astro's Big Moment; The Cosmic Courtship of George and
Jane; Fantasy Planet; S'no Relative; Instant Replay; Haunted Halloween; Future Tense;
and The Wrong Stuff.
Also includes a documentary featurette called, “The Jetsons Return to the Future,”
which looks at the various ways that the second season was updated for a new audience,
as well as how it distinguished itself from its predecessor. Interviews include
animation historians, cast, crew and others.
FRINGE
Release date: September 8, 2009
"FRINGE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON features 20 episodes of the most exciting new show
on television, including over six hours of never-before-seen bonus features and
collectible lenticular packaging,” said Rosemary Markson, WHV Vice President, TV
and Special Interest Marketing. “Warner Home Video is ecstatic to release this much-
anticipated science-fiction hit on DVD and Blu-Ray.”
DVD Special Features Include:
Evolution: The Genesis of Fringe featurette - The creators of the show discuss how
the series unfolded and the qualities that make it so unique
Behind the Real Science of Fringe featurette - From teleportation to re-animation,
Fringe incorporates recent discoveries in science. Consulting experts and scientists
who are the authorities in their field address the areas of science which are the
inspiration for the show.
A Massive Undertaking: The Making of Fringe (on select episodes) - An in-depth
exploration of how select episodes came to be made: from the frozen far reaches of
shooting the pilot in Toronto, to the weekly challenges of bringing episodes to air
The Casting of Fringe- The story, as told by producers and cast, of how Anna Torv,
Joshua Jackson, John Noble and others came to be cast in the series.
Fringe Visual Effects featurette - Goes deep into the creation of the shared dream
state with some of the biggest VFX shots of the show.
Dissected Files: Unaired Scenes
Unusual Side Effects: Gag Reel
Deciphering the Scene
Roberto Orci Production Diary
Gene the Cow montage
Three Full-Length Commentaries from writers/producers, including J.J. Abrams, Roberto
Orci, Alex Kurtman, J.R. Orci, David Goodman, Bryan Burk, Akiva Goldsman and Jeff Pinkner
I love this show and have enjoyed all the episodes in this first season. I am
anxiously awaiting season two and SO happy that the DVD will be out with all those
wonderful extras listed above -- and more.
STARGATE ATLANTIS - SEASON 5
Release date: June 30, 2009
Stargate Atlantis: Season Five will be released on DVD on June 30. This five disc
set will contain all 20 episodes of this final season and the set will be priced
at $49.98 SRP. The series stars Robert Picardo, Joe Flanigan and Jason Momoa along
with appearances from Amanda Tapping, Michael Shanks and Paul McGillion.
In this action-packed fifth season, sparks fly when Woolsey becomes the new leader
of the Atlantis team. Meanwhile, McKay faces difficult personal challenges; Teyla
must balance her roles as mother and warrior; Ronan's past returns with a vengeance,
and Keller finds peril, then help, from an unlikely source. A provisional relationship
with the Wraith takes a shocking turn and new adversaries test the team's courage
and resolve like never before.
LOONEY, LOONEY, LOONEY, LOONEY BUGS BUNNY MOVIE
Available: April 28, 2009
Synopsis:
Hare we go again! The ear-repressible Bugs Bunny takes top billing (we had no choice,
it's in his contract) in this rollicking, rambunctious feature-length romp through
some of the cwaziest cartoon cwassics! Things start out plenty looney as Yosemite Sam
strikes a Devilish bargain to send Bugs straight to you-know-where! The looniness
continues as Daffy and Tweety tangle with a pair of feather-brained bird-napping
gangsters. And in the even loonier finale, Bugs turns Hollywood's glitziest awards
ceremony into a cartoon-star-studded disast-hare zone! A fabulous, 24-carrot tour
de farce from animation legend Friz Freleng!
REVIEW
I have been a Looney Tunes fan forever! When someone mentions cartoons, Bugs Bunny
and Daffy Duck immediately come to mind.
If you haven't seen Friz Freleng's LOONEY, LOONEY, LONEY BUGS BUNNY MOVIE, or if you
are a hard core Looney Tunes fan, than you'll definitely love this DVD. This is one
of those movies you saw when you were a kid, and made you a hard core Looney Tunes
fan. The animation that Friz made for a generation is something to behold. This
is definitely a must buy for your DVD collection.
The LOONEY, LOONEY, LOONEY BUGS BUNNY MOVIE reflects some of Friz Freleng's best
creations: Satin's Waitin' where Yosemite Sam goes after Bugs in all parts of the
world, after winding in the unmentionable place. As a result, Sam must go after Bugs,
to place him down there, but doesn't actually get what he wants after battling Bugs
in The Old West, the Sahara Desert and Ancient Rome. The second chapter is a expanded
take-off from Friz's last classic Looney Tunes cartoon with bugs, The Unmentionables.
Where Bugs a.k.a. Elegant Mess, is recruited to go after the loopy duo of Rocky and
Mugsy and battle them from their needs for theft and money, with a little help from
Sylvester, and Daffy too. The final chapter is more like award season, as the Looney
Tunes gang celebrates at Friz's Oswald Awards, where the best of the Looney best wants
to get the coveted award, with their reflection from Friz's best acrtoons like Tweety
& Sylvester's Brids Anonymous, the swinging Jazz-twisted spinoff of the Three Little
Pigs, Three Little Bops, all leading to High Diving Hare, all leading to a rebellion
protest from Daffy where he challenges Bugs to a duel on stage into the clips from
Show Biz Bugs to see who can knock 'em dead with the best applause.
SYNOPSIS
On the fourth season of THE CLOSER, murderers are not the only ones giving Brenda
a hard time. An ambitious newspaper reporter interferes as he tries to get a story
on the Priority Homicide Division, resulting in disaster for the squad. Although
Brenda and her team chalk up a string of successes (including catching a child’s
killer, a drive-by shooter and an arsonist who sets L.A.’s Griffith Park ablaze),
the reporter’s unflattering tell-all marks the end of the PHD. But viewers shouldn’t
ever count Brenda out. She brings her staff to the newly formed Major Crimes Division
for assignments with expanded jurisdiction that extends to con artists, kidnappers,
predators and, of course, killers. All of L.A.’s worst are going to meet L.A’s best.
REVIEW
This is one of those series that just gets better the longer it is on the air. I have grown
to love Brenda and all of her quirkyness. Kyra Sedgwick is just perfect for this character
and this role. As good as she is, her supporting cast is equally as good. The chemistry of
all the characters is a marvel to watch.
This season you see Brenda solve more cases and she finally gets married as well. I am always
surprised by this series. Unlike so many cop shows, the quality is in the writing. Money
doesn't go into special effects -- it goes into quality writing and production.
If you haven't seen the previous seasons of this fabulous show, you may want to start at the
beginning and see these relationship grow.
NEW FAMILY DVDS
Looking for movies you can watch with your children? I have moved many of the
family-oriented DVDs to a
Family DVDs page. Here you will find wonderful DVDs you can enjoy with your entire
family -- no matter the age. You will find background information about the DVD, but there
are clips as well from Warner Bros. Enjoy!
For more information on other DVDs that have just been released and reviewed, go to
New DVDs
DOCTOR WHO
In shops: July 2009
At long last Doctor Who is an ongoing monthly series! Tony Lee (Doctor Who: The
Forgotten), kicks off the time/space-faring series with the two-part “Silver
Scream.” In chapter one, the Doctor travels to 1920s Hollywood where he befriends
Charlie Chaplin and, of course, discovers an alien plot! Lee is joined by Al
Davison (The Dreaming) on this first story arc. Covers by Paul Grist and Davison.
BABYLON 5 MUSIC VIDEOS AND TRIBUTES
I found this message on the Babylon 5 moderated newsgroup this morning and just
had to post it so that others might enjoy the marvelous music videos created by
John Hudgens.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
As some of you may know, I was hired by Joe Straczynski back in the
day to create Babylon 5 music videos for him to use at science fiction
conventions, and later to promote the show to networks. Eight were
produced over the run of the series, not including the memorial videos
I did later for Rick Biggs and Andreas Katsulas.
For the longest time, the only way to see these was if Joe or I showed
them at a convention, but now, after numerous requests from fans over
the years, Joe has given me permission me to post these online.
- This is the extended version that I did for Andreas' widow ater the
original cut was released on the net. It's never been seen online
until now.
For those of you who've never seen these, I hope you enjoy them - and
for those that have (and emailed me many times over the years about
releasing them), I hope they're as good as you remember. Working with
Joe on these videos was one of the highlights of my career, and I'll
be forever grateful to him for the doors these have opened for me. I'm
proud to have them on my resume.
John Hudgens
www.zteamproductions.com
July 10-12, 2009
SHORE LEAVE
Place: Marriott's Hunt Valley Inn
City: Baltimore, Maryland
Guests: Jason Momoa, Rachel Luttrell, Robert Picardo, Ethan Phillips, Christopher
Heyerdahl, Michael Welch, Kevin Soro, Jasika Nicole -- and many more
July 10-12, 2009
TCON
Place: Sheraton Parkway North Toronto Hotel
City: Richmond Hill, Canada
Description: We have over 300 hours of programming including special media guest Q&A's,
scientists, authors, discussion panels, anime & video, gaming, autographs & photo sessions,
masquerade contest, dances and art displays. They host a charity auction that raises money
for Gilda's Club of Greater Toronto -- and they have the 3rd Annual Constellation Awards.
For more information, go to TCON.
August 6-9, 2009 OFFICIAL STAR TREK CONVENTION
Place: Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, 3000 Paradise Rd.
Guests: Just about anyone you can think of that has been associated with the show
August 27 - 29, 2009
Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention
Place: The Clarion Hotel
City: Aberdeen, Maryland
Guests: Lee Meriwether (Star Trek guest, Time Tunnel, and Batman), Bob Hastings
(McHale's Navy and The Munsters), James Best (Forbidden Planet and Dukes of Hazzard)
and Celeste Holm (Academy Award winning actress) and more.
For more information, go to
http://www.midatlanticnostalgiaconvention.com.
September 4-7, 2009 Dragon-Con
City: Atlanta, Georgia
B5 Guests: Stephen Furst, Tracey Scoggins, Bruce Boxleitner, Dwight Schultz
For more information, go to www.dragoncon.org
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS! Creation Entertainment has a large number of
conventions planned for the next several months. They include stars from STARGATE,
ENTERPRISE, FARSCAPE, XENA, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, etc. Check out their calendar to
see if one will be in your neighborhood soon. Don't miss their
Videos page as well. It is
full of some priceless video from a number of conventions.
Be sure to visit the referenced sites to see if there have been changes in
dates/guests attending. Visit our Convention Calendar
for a full listing of upcoming conventions.
BACK ISSUES OF THE ZOCALO TODAY
The front page of the The Zocalo Today changes daily, so be sure to check the
back issues to make sure that you haven't missed anything IMPORTANT! I don't want the front page getting too
long so I shift information periodically into the archives. So if you aren't a regular visitor to The Zocalo Today, be sure
to check out the back issues. Just use the button above!
Take care and I look forward to hearing from you. Sandra Bruckner (sgbruckner@aol.com)
Editor/Publisher
ISN News: The Zocalo Today
http://www.isnnews.net
Copyright - SBruckner, 1999-2009
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SCIENCE FICTION TELEVISION SERIES, 1990-2004
JOHN CARTER ON MARS
JAMES BOND 23
BRUCE BOXLEITNER
EFREM ZIMBALIST, JR.
BILL MUMY CONCERT - JUNE 19
MELISSA GILBERT
PAT TALLMAN
HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU
TOM AND JERRY CHUCK JONES COLLECTION
WALLENDER: Sidetracked/Firewall/One Step Behind
THE MENTALIST - SEASON ONE
FRINGE
STARGATE ATLANTIS - SEASON 5
LOONEY, LOONEY, LOONEY, LOONEY BUGS BUNNY MOVIE
THE CLOSER - SEASON 4
DOCTOR WHO
September 4-7, 2009