Category — Science Fiction

Before seeing Iron Man, the theater commercials were hyping the heck out of “The Andromeda Strain” tv mini-series, which premieres on A&E this Memorial Day.

My first thought was - is this remake really necessary?

Guess producers Ridley and Tony Scott thought that it was. The uber-special effects remake stars Benjamin Bratt, Andre Braugher, Eric McCormack, and Ricky (does he still go by Ricky?) Schroder.

The apocalyptic themes from Michael Crichton’s novel are certainly loud and clear on that trailer. It sounds like it’s next to impossible to find a cure with the melodramatic dialogue and music. I guess I’m intrigued enough to dvr it just to see what the so-called cure turns out to be.

Mental Floss has an enlightening article about “6 Sci-Fi TV Show Concepts You Didn’t See”. Most of the list is pretty dead on, but I resent them putting down “Daybreak”. I was way more into that show than “Journeyman”. And yes, I did watch the online episodes…

And “The Fonz and the Happy Days Gang” definitely is the craziest thing (and worst cartoon idea) I’ve seen all day. Even worse than “Hammerman” and I’d thought that was impossible! Check the clips and decide for yourself.

Fonz’s:

OR

Hammer’s:

“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” was officially renewed last week by Fox.

According to /Film, the critics generally liked the show despite it having less than favorable ratings. The head of the network even said the show was at the top of the list for renewal!

Overall, I actually really liked the first season. The pilot was a little over the top with Sarah Connor fighting a Terminator in the skimpiest diner uniform I’d ever seen. And them jumping to the future and thus not knowing about 9/11 was tad unnecessary (and a cheap ploy at melodrama). But by the fourth episode, I was definitely sucked into the show.

My favorite parts by far are when they’re in the apocalyptic future. That’s where the show excels in special f/x, writing and character development. We get to see the circumstances surrounding how the first Terminator (aka Arnold’s T1) was sent back to protect Sarah. Do more of that TSCC producers and who knows, maybe the viewership will grow, and hopefully Fox won’t cancel it.

The newest season of “Doctor Who” premieres tomorrow on the SciFi Channel (along with BSG and The Sarah Jane Chronicles). I believe it’s just the Christmas special, which already aired in the UK. The UK airs episode three on saturday, so the US airings will be three eps behind. But hey that’s alot better than an entire year behind! That’s almost record breaking. BBC is finally catching on that us Yanks might actually like some their shows. Fancy that?

Regardless, I’m very excited about the premiere. I got into the show late in the game (very late for those who’ve been watching since the PBS days). Since I liked the “Torchwood” spin-off so much, I decided to figure out for myself whether I like its parent show. I was a bit confused about how they could switch Doctors so easily, but David Tennant is funny (and cute!), so I got over it relatively quickly.

I’ve watched all of season one and two in the last month, which is a pretty big feat. I just started season three, so I can’t actually watch tomorrow’s episode. But rest assured, my TiVo is already primed and ready. =)

Ron Moore, producer of “Battlestar Galactica”, has a new pilot coming to Fox called “Virtuality”. The show focuses on a group of space travelers who use virtual reality simulators to pass the time. The program malfunctions, enter the action drama.

The TV whore akins it’ll be sorta like the holodeck was for Capt Picard & Co. on Star Trek. I say it’s a cross between BSG and that Russel Crowe movie Virtuosity.

If it sucks, hopefully it’ll at least be filmed in HD. That way the simulations will come out all crisp on any HD television set.

Thanks for the spreading the Farscape love, Pajiba. I’m just sad they beat me to the punch. In the future, I’ll have to cover season one or two.

“Farscape” is the best sci-fi show I’ve seen in the last 20 years hands down. “FireFly”, “BSG”, and “Babylon 5″ can’t even come close to the amount of creativity, humor, action, and wonderful acting on this Jim Henson show.

Still, it was mere luck that it was on those four seasons. Nevertheless, I was devastated when it was cancelled. I even boycotted Battlestar Galactica (kinda still am) because it had a hand in Farscape’s cancellation. At least, SciFi softened the cancellation blow with the mini-series wrap up: “The Peacekeeper Wars“. I can’t wait for them to release the series on Blu-Ray, so I can watch it on my roommate’s Sony plasma TV.