Clips from Star Trek set to the soundtrack of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Funny stuff. If the video below doesn't work, click here.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Saturday, September 16, 2006
"My Name is Earl" alternate pilot clip
What if it wasn't Carson Daly's karma that inspired Earl? See this clip (see below DVD cover image for link) from the new Season 1 DVD of My Name is Earl.
Remastered Star Trek starts this weekend
Here's a trailer promoting the remastered original Star Trek series, which starts this weekend on whatever stations were airing Enterprise reruns.
Friday, September 15, 2006
John Lennon as Superman?
Today, in limited release (New York and LA), The U.S. vs John Lennon documentary opens, detailing the Beatle's struggle with the US government not to get deported back to England, as he promoted peace during the Vietnam War. In an article promoting the film, Lennon's widow Yoko Ono, compares her late husband to a superhero.
See the trailer here.
Read more about the history behind the movie here.
The struggle that he went through confronting these big powers, it's almost like a very interesting Superman kind of thing -- bad against good.
See the trailer here.
Read more about the history behind the movie here.
JLA writer tempts"Fate"
Novelist Brad Meltzer's latest thriller, The Book of Fate, takes the reader into the private lives of ex-presidents, and also focuses on the secret society of masons, and who some of its famous members have been. To promote the novel, Meltzer's publicists have created this interesting site that reveals famous masons.
I have read four of Meltzer's novels (Fate being his 6th), and have enjoyed them for what they are -- easy-to-read, hard-to-put down, not very deep thrillers, in the vein of Grisham's The Firm. This time, he appears to be channelling The Da Vinci Code, though he has claimed that not to be the case, but emphasized only for the marketing of the book. I will likely pick up his fifth book, The Zero Game, soon, and will read Fate when it hits paperback.
Of course, what drew me to Meltzer's novels was his comics work. First, he was the successor to filmmaker Kevin Smith on Green Arrow, where he told a tale about family bond, brotherhood and secrets of the past. "The Archer's Quest" was a very good, but small story, which served as a precursor to a much bigger story-- Identity Crisis, where he took the concept of heroes' secrets much further (down a path that the heroes are only now emerging from more than two years later).
Now in a move excellently timed with the release of The Book of Fate, Meltzer is writing a brand new Justice League of America series (Identity Crisis, again, being the start of the reason that a new League needed to be started in the first place). In fact, the first issue of the new JLA series contained the first chapter of Fate (not coincidentally, the novel is published by Warner books, a Time Warners division, just like DC Comics). What's cool is that when Meltzer does interviews promoting his novel, he always mentions that he is writing JLA as well, drawing some mainstream attention to the comic. his books always contain comic refrences, usually in character names.
Meltzer is on the book for 12-13 issues, not sure exactly, and the first two have already come out. So far, so good. He helped drag down the DC Universe, let's see if if he can bring it back up again.
I have read four of Meltzer's novels (Fate being his 6th), and have enjoyed them for what they are -- easy-to-read, hard-to-put down, not very deep thrillers, in the vein of Grisham's The Firm. This time, he appears to be channelling The Da Vinci Code, though he has claimed that not to be the case, but emphasized only for the marketing of the book. I will likely pick up his fifth book, The Zero Game, soon, and will read Fate when it hits paperback.
Of course, what drew me to Meltzer's novels was his comics work. First, he was the successor to filmmaker Kevin Smith on Green Arrow, where he told a tale about family bond, brotherhood and secrets of the past. "The Archer's Quest" was a very good, but small story, which served as a precursor to a much bigger story-- Identity Crisis, where he took the concept of heroes' secrets much further (down a path that the heroes are only now emerging from more than two years later).
Now in a move excellently timed with the release of The Book of Fate, Meltzer is writing a brand new Justice League of America series (Identity Crisis, again, being the start of the reason that a new League needed to be started in the first place). In fact, the first issue of the new JLA series contained the first chapter of Fate (not coincidentally, the novel is published by Warner books, a Time Warners division, just like DC Comics). What's cool is that when Meltzer does interviews promoting his novel, he always mentions that he is writing JLA as well, drawing some mainstream attention to the comic. his books always contain comic refrences, usually in character names.
Meltzer is on the book for 12-13 issues, not sure exactly, and the first two have already come out. So far, so good. He helped drag down the DC Universe, let's see if if he can bring it back up again.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Original Star Trek remastered for HDTV
Remember the cheesy space backgrounds in the original Star Trek series of the 1960s? How about how every planet looked like California. Well, no more!
Paramount has announced that they are remastering certain episodes of the series to air once a week in syndicated HDTV (not DVD at this time), beginning Sept 16. The first remastered episode to air is “Balance of Terror.” One episode per week (out of order) will air over the next two years. Here are some of the changes announced:
Paramount has announced that they are remastering certain episodes of the series to air once a week in syndicated HDTV (not DVD at this time), beginning Sept 16. The first remastered episode to air is “Balance of Terror.” One episode per week (out of order) will air over the next two years. Here are some of the changes announced:
- New CGI effects for space shots and static paintings
- Static paintings will add some new animation and details
- Will ‘honor original’, but fixes some ‘goofs’
- Original title music re-recorded
This article goes into lot more detail and includes a shot of the exterior of the Enterprise.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
See the trailer for Will Ferrell's new movie: "Stranger than Fiction"
Will Ferrell's new movie Stranger than Fiction, which opens Nov. 10, is about a guy (Ferrell) who realizes he is the character in a writer's (Emma Thompson) new book. He hears her narrating his life in his head. This looks pretty good.
"Fantastic Four" toon debuted on Cartoon Network...
And it stunk!
But if you want to know more about the show, click here. The first episode will show again next Saturday at 11 am. It's regular time slot is Saturday at 8 pm. They changed their plans for the first episode, whch was supposed to feature Dr. Doom, so I still want to see that. And apparently later this month, we'll see the Thing fight the Hulk, which I want to see.
But I don't hold out much hope for this show. I don't like the tone (comedy over action) or animation style (a new anime thing), but hey, if the kids like it, it's still better than something like Bo-bo-bo-bo-bo, whatever the heck that is.
Here's the Fantastic Four schedule for September released by Cartoon Network, though it has already changed. They swapped the first two epsidoes, and the Hulk episode has been stated to also air in September, though its not listed here.
But if you want to know more about the show, click here. The first episode will show again next Saturday at 11 am. It's regular time slot is Saturday at 8 pm. They changed their plans for the first episode, whch was supposed to feature Dr. Doom, so I still want to see that. And apparently later this month, we'll see the Thing fight the Hulk, which I want to see.
But I don't hold out much hope for this show. I don't like the tone (comedy over action) or animation style (a new anime thing), but hey, if the kids like it, it's still better than something like Bo-bo-bo-bo-bo, whatever the heck that is.
Here's the Fantastic Four schedule for September released by Cartoon Network, though it has already changed. They swapped the first two epsidoes, and the Hulk episode has been stated to also air in September, though its not listed here.
Keen! Animated Tick on DVD
This week, the first season (minus one episode for legal reasons) of the Fox animated series that began in 1994, The Tick came to DVD. Of course, The Tick is now on every night on the Toon Disney channel at 10:30, but its not the same as having them collected together. The DVD unfortunately does not contain any extras.
For a review of the set, click here.
For a review of the set, click here.
Hear The Geator with Heator's Musical History
Did you know that since January 2006, Jerry Blavat has had an hour-long radio show on WXPN (88.5 FM) from 6-7 pm. Each installment is based on a theme and not only does Blavat play music you likely won't hear anywhere else on regular radio, he fills in the backstory of pop music in the 50s and 60s. Any fan of the music of that era should give it a listen.
And now, it's even easier to do that. Not near a radio on Saturday nights at 6? Through WXPN's new online service, XPoNential Music On Demand, you can hear archives of Blavat's show whenever you want from your computer. Just go here, where you can link to archived broadcasts.
You'll thank me later.
And now, it's even easier to do that. Not near a radio on Saturday nights at 6? Through WXPN's new online service, XPoNential Music On Demand, you can hear archives of Blavat's show whenever you want from your computer. Just go here, where you can link to archived broadcasts.
You'll thank me later.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Music Monday: Hear new Dylan and 40th anniversary edition of "Pet Sounds"
AOL continues its stream of brand new albums this week with Bob Dylan's well-reviewed new album, Modern Times, named after the Charlie Chaplin classic.
Also streaming is the 40th anniversary reissue of the Beach Boys' classic, Pet Sounds. In addition to the album, the new package includes a DVD with several goodies for fans. According to the Los Angeles Times:
The remastered new release contains the original mono mix of the album, along with the stereo mixes that were released as part of Pet Sounds Sessions several years ago. Check out the full article for more info.
Also streaming is the 40th anniversary reissue of the Beach Boys' classic, Pet Sounds. In addition to the album, the new package includes a DVD with several goodies for fans. According to the Los Angeles Times:
Along with "The Making of Pet Sounds" documentary and several promotional films — the music videos of their day — shot to accompany "Sloop John B" and "Good Vibrations" is an excerpt from "Rhythm of Life," a previously unreleased BBC-TV interview that brings together two of the most innovative and celebrated producers of the rock era: the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson and Beatles producer George Martin.
The remastered new release contains the original mono mix of the album, along with the stereo mixes that were released as part of Pet Sounds Sessions several years ago. Check out the full article for more info.
"Fantastic Four" and other Marvel Animation News
The Fantastic Four animated series debuts on Cartoon Network this Saturday at 8 pm. For the names and descriptions of September's episodes, as well as more images, click here.
In other Marvel toon developments:
- Ultimate Avengers 2, released on DVD a few weeks ago, will appear on the Cartoon Network on Oct. 21, more than two months after the DVD release. The first Ultimate Avengers movie aired on Cartoon Network within a week of its DVD release. The second movie features the Black Panther.
- The Ultimate Avengers 2 DVD also features trailers for upcoming direct-to-DVD animated movies for Dr. Strange and Iron Man, both of which will be origin stories.
- Another direct-to-DVD movie announced at a recent Marvel investor presentation is something called “Teen Avengers”. There’s no indication as to whether this is based on the current Young Avengers series, or if it actually features the current Avengers as teenagers.
- Marvel and Sony have announced that three will be a direct-to-DVD animated Spider-Man series, likely to debut near the release of Spider-Man 3 next summer. Whether this a continuation on of the Sony-produced animated series that aired on MTV, or a totally new series is still unclear.
- Other animated series currently in development include Wolverine and the X-Men and Iron Man.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
sneak peek footage promoting "The Batman"
At this link, you can see footage, model sheets and designs of the upcoming season of The Batman. See some of the expanded cast and hear the voices playing them. This footage was shown at the recent San Diego Comic-Con. You can also see shots here.
Prominently featured in this footage is Robin, who looks to be getting his own origin episode, as well as shots of what Nightwing, Oracle and Batman will look like in the future. The footage ends with dialogue and shots of a very special guest star.
This looks to be the season to really strart watching The Batman.
Prominently featured in this footage is Robin, who looks to be getting his own origin episode, as well as shots of what Nightwing, Oracle and Batman will look like in the future. The footage ends with dialogue and shots of a very special guest star.
This looks to be the season to really strart watching The Batman.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Update on "The Batman"
When the new season of The Batman premieres on September 23, Dick (Robin) Grayson will be added to the cast, as you can see in the pic below. Cast as the voice of Grayson’s father (in what is presumably his origin episode) – Kevin Conroy, the voice of Batman in the Bruce Timm-animated universe since 1992.
Say what you will about this show, but it makes very cool casting choices – Adam West as the Mayor (placing Gotham City in Rhode Island, apparently) and the late Frank Gorshin as Pr. Hugo Strange, and now Conroy. But that’s not all. Brandon Routh, Clark Kent/Superman in the latest movie, will be doing the voice of a character called “Everyman.” Not sure who that is, but that’s still pretty cool.
Adding Robin after Batgirl is major continuity change from the comics that is easily explained by two words – “Teen Titans”. When The Batman premiered, the Titans cartoon was still in production, so the character was unavailable for use. With the conclusion of that series, he can be used here. Apparently, though there are still some characters, mostly villains, that cannot be used by the cartoon because of the movie series – Two-Face is one of those characters, lending further credence to the rumor that Harvey Dent will be introduced in the series in the next movie, even if Two-Face himself is not.
It’s also been stated that a Justice League member will be making an appearance on the show and one of the staff members on the show reportedly indicated he was working on an episode featuring J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter. This also makes sense because he is probably the only JLA member who doesn’t have a movie deal.
And finally, there will be a “glimpse into the future” episode in which we will see Dick Grayson as Nightwing and Barbara Gordon as Oracle, their current comics alter egos.
The new Legion of Superheroes cartoon also debuts on September 23. The series stars “young Superman” and is not based on any other animated appearance of the Legion or Superman. Here’s a new pic from that show:
Say what you will about this show, but it makes very cool casting choices – Adam West as the Mayor (placing Gotham City in Rhode Island, apparently) and the late Frank Gorshin as Pr. Hugo Strange, and now Conroy. But that’s not all. Brandon Routh, Clark Kent/Superman in the latest movie, will be doing the voice of a character called “Everyman.” Not sure who that is, but that’s still pretty cool.
Adding Robin after Batgirl is major continuity change from the comics that is easily explained by two words – “Teen Titans”. When The Batman premiered, the Titans cartoon was still in production, so the character was unavailable for use. With the conclusion of that series, he can be used here. Apparently, though there are still some characters, mostly villains, that cannot be used by the cartoon because of the movie series – Two-Face is one of those characters, lending further credence to the rumor that Harvey Dent will be introduced in the series in the next movie, even if Two-Face himself is not.
It’s also been stated that a Justice League member will be making an appearance on the show and one of the staff members on the show reportedly indicated he was working on an episode featuring J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter. This also makes sense because he is probably the only JLA member who doesn’t have a movie deal.
And finally, there will be a “glimpse into the future” episode in which we will see Dick Grayson as Nightwing and Barbara Gordon as Oracle, their current comics alter egos.
The new Legion of Superheroes cartoon also debuts on September 23. The series stars “young Superman” and is not based on any other animated appearance of the Legion or Superman. Here’s a new pic from that show:
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