Review: Starship Farragut, “Power Source” Act I
August 23rd, 2009
It took almost a month but I finally sat down and watched the first act of the first episode of Starship Farragut: The Animated Episodes, titled “Power Source.” I wrote about the series on July 28th in a post about fan films/fan series in general, explaining that I didn’t have much experience with fan films, but expressing interest in watching Starship Farragut: The Animated Episodes and Star Trek: Aurora, a CG-animated project.
Some of the comments in response to my post rightly suggested that using the term “fan” implies that such productions are amateurish, when in fact many are incredibly professional and involve — in the case of some Star Trek projects — actors and writers from various television incarnations. Still, the fact remains that even the best fan films are still produced by fans, so until someone comes up with a better term I think we’re stuck with fan film, fan production or fan series. But enough about that. On to the review.
Syfy Renews Warehouse 13
August 20th, 2009
Variety is reporting that Syfy has ordered a 13-episode second season of its new hit drama Warehouse 13. And I do mean hit. According to the article, it is the “most-watched show in Syfy’s 17-year history,” with an average 3.7 million viewers per episode (1.4 million of which are in the coveted adults 18-49 demographic). Furthermore, those viewers are almost evenly split between men and women, which is apparently very unusual for Syfy. And finally, so far Warehouse 13 is outperforming the first season of Battlestar Galactica, which for some silly reason makes me a little giddy.
For some reason, however, Syfy decided not to go with a 20-episode season and opted instead for just another 13 episodes. I actually prefer 13 episode seasons because it is harder to split 13 in half, meaning no lengthy hiatus. Four episodes remain to be aired from this first season (the two-hour premiere counts as two). Season Two will likely air sometime during the summer of 2010.
HYGOTS No. 45
August 20th, 2009
Last year, between the months of July and November, I saw ‘The Dark Knight’ a total of six times in theaters (this year I may equal that feat with ‘Star Trek’). Now, despite the parenthetical admission, this isn’t something I do all the time. I could probably count on one hand (okay, maybe two) the number of films I’ve seen as many times, and (again, until this year) none of them would have been duplicated in theaters. Part of the allure (I trust I don’t have to explain all of it) was a trailer for a film that finally opened this past March, called ‘Watchmen.’ At the time, I don’t think I was quite as hungry as the most enthusiastic comic book aficionados (you’ll know them as the only ones who ended up having anything resembling a positive reaction to it — “it was pretty faithful!”) anticipating it, but there was an x-factor (as there always should be in something related to comics) I couldn’t shake. Much of the trailer’s impact was built by the song it was built around, and it was that song that drove my interest, convinced me there was at least one thing that I would find inspired about this project.
Quick Review: Warehouse 13, “Implosion”
August 19th, 2009
Last night’s episode of Syfy’s Warehouse 13 was perhaps the best offered to date. It was certainly the darkest. More importantly, it didn’t end with everything nicely wrapped up. There are loose strings involving Myka’s relationship with Artie, strings that may force her to rethink her association with Warehouse 13. The artifact of the week was actually two artifacts: a sword and a small circular piece of metal (the tsuba) that can be added to the sword. When combined, the artifacts allow whoever is wielding the sword to become invisible.
Neat, huh? Apparently this one sword can keep an entire empire in power.
Quick Review: Warehouse 13, “Burnout”
August 18th, 2009
This was a much better episode than the previous installment (“Elements”) and although the ending was hardly a surprise it was an enjoyable hour. Things start off with an explosion in a police station that uncovers a mysterious burnt corpse hiding in a wall. Pete and Myka soon realize that the corpse was a Warehouse agent. How interesting…
Quick Review: Eureka, “Ship Happens”
August 17th, 2009
So, to recap, ever since returning from its long hiatus Eureka has been building up to the arrival of some sort of alien signal. In the last episode (“If You Build It…” the signal arrived. It brought with it something far more tangible. A space ship! Eureka’s own Henry Deacon designed the ship, with the help of the late Kim Anderson, and he’s as surprised as anyone to have it show up now.
Quick Review: Eureka, “If You Build It…”
August 17th, 2009
Although not as amusing as the previous episode (“It’s Not Easy Being Green”) this was another solid episode. Which is good, because things have been hit or miss since Eureka returned from hiatus. I could have done without Fargo’s plot line, about his clunker of a car and its artificial intelligence. But the rest of the episode, focused as it was on the alien signal, was excellent.
Two New Heroes Promos
August 17th, 2009
NBC has posted two new short promotional clips for the new season of Heroes:
The first is actually a pretty decent promotional spot with short clips from the upcoming season and a voice over. The second, though, is a laughable scene in which Peter duels at supersonic speeds with some unknown baddie using swords of some sort. Anyway, Season Four kicks off on Monday, September 21st at 8:00PM with a special two-hour “event” consisting of the first two episodes back-to-back.
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There’s Going to Be a Galactica 1980 Comic Book?
August 23rd, 2009
I love the original Battlestar Galactica. It’s a deep, intense love, a jealous love that initially precluded me watching the “reimagined” version on Syfy (I ultimately did, but sometimes find myself regretting that decision). One thing I don’t love, though, is Galactica 1980. Sure, I’ve seen nine of the ten episodes and actually liked the final episode (“The Return of Starbuck”) but only because there was a marathon on Syfy and I had nothing better to do that day.
But does there really need to be a new “reimagined” comic series based on Galactica 1980? I didn’t even know this series — which begins next month — existed until a few minutes ago when I read a post at io9 about the current popularity of remakes and rehashes and reinterpretations and continuations on television, at the movie theater and in print. I’ll admit that I’m excited about the upcoming miniseries based on Jericho. And I’d pay any price for a comic book continuation of Earth 2.
But Galactica 1980?