Aug 29 2008
Friday, Aug. 29
Phew. Looks like the premiere of "Australia" is moving two weeks away from the James Bond flick "Quantum of Solace." It'll open Nov. 26, reports Variety.
* * *
David Duchovny seems like a fun-loving, good-natured guy when he's a talk-show guest. But I can't imagine how the "X-Files" star is going to cope with questions about this:
David Duchovny, who plays a sex-obsessed character on Showtime's "Californication," has entered a rehabilitation facility for sex addiction.
The 48-year-old actor said he did so voluntarily, in a statement released Thursday by his lawyer, Stanton Stein. He added: "I ask for respect and privacy for my wife and children as we deal with this situation as a family.
Duchovny's publicist, Flo Grace, confirmed the report, which first appeared on the Web site People.com. She and Stein both declined further comment.
"All of us at Showtime wish David and his family the best during this very private time," the network said in a statement.
The second season of "Californication" begins Sept. 28.
Duchovny starred as the conspiracy-minded Fox Mulder on "The X-Files" TV series and in two films. "The X-Files: I Want to Believe" opened in theaters earlier this summer.
He and his wife, actress Tea Leoni, have two children. The couple married in 1997. (Associated Press)
Aug 22 2008
Friday, August 22
First "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" pulled out of the fall film schedule and ran to an opening during the summer 2008 blockbuster season. That created an opening on Nov. 21 that was grabbed by "Twilight," which moved up three weeks. Now James Bond wants to get into the act.
Sony has moved its next 007 film, "Quantum of Solace," back one week to Nov. 14. That puts "Quantum" head-to-head against another film I'm really looking forward to: Baz Luhrmann's "Australia," with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman.
I'm hoping the release dates settle into a solid schedule before the Post-Gazette's fall movie preview, but I have little hope that will happen. Just want you to know, it's as frustrating for us as it is for you.
* * *
Little by little, Sci Fi Channel and MGM Television Entertainment is letting us know about "Stargate: Universe": An announcement today says production on the first season of the new weekly series will begin in early 2009, "with the show targeted to premiere that summer."
In a joint statement, showrunners Brad Wright and Robert Cooper said: "In ‘Universe,' we plan to keep those elements that have made the franchise a success, such as adventure and humour, while breaking new ground in the relationships between mostly young and desperate explorers, thrust together and far from home. Above all, we believe the Stargate itself remains an enduring icon with infinite potential as a jumping off point for telling stories."
Further details of the show from the announcement:
"After unlocking the mystery of the Stargate's ninth chevron, a team of explorers travels to an unmanned starship called the Destiny, launched by The Ancients at the height of their civilization as a grand experiment set in motion, but never completed.
"What starts as a simple reconnaissance turns into a never ending mission, as the Stargate Universe crew discovers the ship is unable to return to Earth, and they must now fend for themselves aboard the Destiny.
"The crew will travel to the far reaches of the universe, connecting with each of the previously launched Stargates, thus fulfilling the Destiny's original mission. Challenges will arise though as the ship comes into range of Stargates placed centuries ahead of the Destiny and the crew is unable to control the ship's navigational schedule. If someone is left behind, there is no way to go back for them, adding to the drama of encountering new races, enemies and adventures."
There was no word on casting today. The series will debut as a two-hour movie event before settling into an hourly weekly series.
Aug 21 2008
Thursday, Aug. 21
I love press releases that attempt to bury the bad news.
Sci Fi Channel sent out this interestingly worded release today:
"Building upon the successful Stargate franchise, SCI FI Channel today announced it has greenlit a two-hour movie based on the hit science fiction adventure series ‘Stargate: Atlantis.' SCI FI will have the exclusive worldwide television premiere of the yet to be titled ‘Stargate: Atlantis' film, which will then be released on DVD by MGM. The movie will be written by Stargate Atlantis' executive producers Joseph Mallozzi and Paul Mullie, who also serve as series showrunners. The movie is set to follow the fifth and final season of Stargate Atlantis, as it draws to its thrilling conclusion in January 2009. ..."
Isn't the news there that the series has been canceled?
Maybe the folks at Sci Fi learned a lesson from the cancellation of "Farscape" after four seasons, with a fifth one already announced. Fan uproar eventually led to a miniseries that capped "Farscape" in 2004, two years after it was cancelled. So this is a way of easing the blow.
Besides, everyone knows that Stargate franchises have a way of re-inventing themselves, as "SG-1" did after 10 years on first Showtime and then as a Friday-night staple on the Sci Fi Channel. When SG-1 ended it's run with the aptly named episode "Unending," along came two straight-to-DVD films, "Ark of Truth" and the recently released "Continuum." The latter finished No. 3 for MGM in DVD sales it's first week, behind the theatrical releases "Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay" and "21."
"Continuum" was released July 29 and, according to the-numbers.com, it opened with 367,030 and earned $6,353,675. So moving "Atlantis" into the realm of movies seems to irk fans more than TV and studio execs.
"We share in the producers' enthusiasm to move forward in this direction and we look forward to a strong and continued relationship on Stargate Atlantis in this new format," said Sci Fi's Thomas Vitale, senior vice president programming & original movies, in a statement.
"Atlantis" had undergone a "Law & Order"-style revolving door recently, with first Tori Higginson's Dr. Weir making way for "SG-1's" Amanda Tapping. Then Tapping left to get her new Sci Fi series, "Sanctuary" up and running, and Robert Picardo moved to "Atlantis" full-time.
The show, about a team of of military and civilian explorers who travel the distant Pegasus galaxy by means of a "stargate," which creates a wormhole linking worlds, will reach its 100th episode in January 2009.
But wait - there's more Stargate to come. Unlike "Law & Order," which spins off to different branches of the justice system, or "CSI," which heads to different U.S. cities, Stargate is heading into the past with the upcoming spinoff "Stargate: Universe."
In April, details were released explaining that "Universe" would explore how an alien race known as the Ancients arranged Stargates throughout multiple galaxies millions of years ago. Apparently, they sent out two ships: an automated ship to seed Stargates throughout multiple galaxies in our universe and a second ship to follow up and explore, according to gateworld.net.
It also will introduce the Stargate's ninth chevron: A standard, seven-symbol gate address allows for travel within the same galaxy. The eighth chevron allows for travel to a different galaxy. And the ninth chevron will allow a team to reach this second, still unmanned Ancient ship.
All of this happy talk about the expansion of the Stargate universe is probably little solace to "Atlantis" fans. I know how annoyed I was when "Farscape" was unexpectedly cancelled.
But I also know that, as TV editor Rob Owen keeps reminding viewers whose favorite shows are cancelled or whose favorite channels are moved around the dial, it's all a business. If more people watched "Farscape" or "Atlantis" or "SG-1" and they attracted more advertisers, then they'd all probably still be on the air. And in the end, it's not like, say, "Now and Again" or "Sports Night," which never saw the light of day again.
At least the "Stargate" franchises give us movie send-offs.
Aug 20 2008
Wednesday, Aug. 20
Can you hear it? Listen closely ... that battle cry you hear is from fans hotly anticipating the "Watchmen" film who are incensed with Twentieth Century Fox's gambit to squelch Zack Snyder's highly anticipated film.
Some online hotheads are merely wondering what's the deal with Twentieth Century Fox waiting until "Watchmen" is nearly completed and slated for a March 2009 opening to stop release of the Warner Bros. film. Other theories have Fox trying to kill the much buzzed-about "Watchmen" because it is competition for its biggest upcoming releases, "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."
Jeff Jensen of EW.com says a source tells all of us not to worry: "Despite the legal mess over rights, Fox isn't actually interested in suppressing Snyder's film - they just want affirmation of ownership and/or restitution, and there are many scenarios by which Fox could get paid, including a cash settlement or distribution rights to the film. Either way, look for 'Watchmen' to be released, as scheduled, on March 6, 2009."
Fox filed a copy infringement and breach of contract lawsuit against Warner Bros. earlier this year, alleging that it had the "exclusive copyright and contract rights" to "produce and develop the picture and to distribute the work throughout the world." A California judge recently denied a motion by Warner Bros. to dismiss the suit, thought the studio insists that they have the sole rights to the project.
A movie adaptation of the Alan Moore/Dave Gibbons complex graphic novel has been floating around Hollywood for years, with many directors and writers attached at various times. Let's hope that the two studios can settle their squabbling amicably (or at least, with enough money changing hands to soothe both sides) and the film made by Snyder -- the guy who finally got it done, and with Gibbons enthusiastically on board -- can be seen on time.
The exclusive clips of the film shown at Comic-Con in July and the sincere pitch by the director and stars of the film left fans thirsting to see it.
At some point, moviegoers will decide if Fox was right to try to get in on the action.
Aug 18 2008
Monday, Aug. 18
Word came this week about "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" moving from the fall to July 2009 -- to the same week, movie editor Barbara Vancheri pointed out to me today, that saw the release of "The Dark Knight," thus ruining my argument that July is the wrong time to release a movie with dark subjects. Now Summit Entertainment gleefully announces that "Twilight" will move up its release by three weeks to Nov. 21, taking advantage of Warner Bros.' decision to wait out 2008.
"Twilight" was a featured panel at Comic-Con, with author Stephenie Meyer on hand to join director Catherine Hardwicke and the young cast. The two stars of the vampire-human romance fantasy, 22-year-old Robert Pattinson (Cedric Diggory in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire") and Kristen Stewart, 18, seemed overwhelmed by the screaming fans in San Diego and Pattinson, in particular, could barely get a word out without deferring to a co-star. Stewart was more articulate but equally nervous -- Pattinson pulled and tugged at his thick hair throughout the ordeal and Stewart almost matched him for hair-pulling and jitters. Now they have a shorter time now to prepare for the media onslaught; I hope that Comic-Con gave them each a hint of what's to come and they've figured out a way to relax and enjoy the adoration.
Back to Harry Potter for a moment. The buzz in the media yesterday wasn't so much about Entertainment Weekly (along with the UK's Empire magazine) featuring "The Half-Blood Prince" as cover stories for their fall movie previews. Even weekly magazines have to go to press well in advance of publication and can get left in the lurch by breaking news. What surprised (and amused?) most insiders was that the studio's parent company and EW's are one in the same: Time Warner Inc.
The studio had been considering the date change for three or four weeks, "but it really didn't kind of get on the front burner until sometime within the last seven days," Dan Fellman, Warner Bros. head of distribution, said Sunday, The Associated Press reports. Entertainment Weekly's "deadline must have been earlier than the decision, than when we started to get serious about making the decision."
Saturday, Aug. 10
I attended the preview of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," and walking through the AMC Loews at the Waterfront was like being back in San Diego's Exhibit Hall -- except the Stormtroopers in Pittsburgh had more authentic-looking costumes. Stormtrooper TK-1085 of 501st Legion, Garrison Carida ("First to Advance, Last to Retreat"), also known as Tom Kness of Kittanning, was one of the costumed invitees lending a live-action air to the animated feature. There was another Stormtrooper, Jango Fett, Obi-Wan and Darth Vader ... no George Lucas, but their presence did him proud.
Jul 31 2008
Thursday, July 31
Sharon:
I got a great (and somewhat embarrassing) question in an e-mail from Rob Ullman of Richmond, Va., who wrote:
"Enjoyed the Comic-Con blog, but as an illustrator and cartoonist, couldn't help but wish you'd found time to talk a little more about, y'know, COMICS. Still, it was fun to read, and I hope you manage to do it again next year!"
Rob's so right about me. I go because Hollywood's there, and for moments like Hugh Jackman showing up with exclusive content on "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," which won't be in theaters until May 2009, or for being among the first few thousand fans to see the season-opening episode of "Heroes."
I tend to read comic-book story arcs after they're bound as books, like the Marvel "Civil War" series and Brian K. Vaughn's "Y: The Last Man," which real fans like PG columnist Tony Norman would probably call cheating.
What I didn't write about was visiting Artist's Alley at Comic-Con, where some of the most talented artists you'll find anywhere show their varied work. When I was studying art in high school and struggling with human perspective, a smart teacher advised, "Get some comic books." With just a few strokes of the pen, he said, these artists can convey anything: a hand or fist seemingly thrust out of a panel; feet jumping out at the reader, soles first; human flight ...
Take a look at early frames from your favorite superhero comic and you'll see what I mean. Amazing.
Some of the stylists are so sophisticated in their realism - Alex Ross, for example - that it's a shame that they're only appreciated by comic-book enthusiasts. And storytellers like Vaughn combine modern-culture sensibilities with near-cinematic work (Pia Guerra draws "Y") that not only appeals to real fans, but lends itself to fly-by-night fans like me.
All of this is to say, yeah, I don't have a lot to say about the comic-book side of Comic-Con. Sorry. The truth is, I was spending all of my time in line to see movie and TV panels while the masterminds who give those guys their material were meeting the public.
Jul 30 2008
Tuesday, July 29
Josh:
Sorry I'm writing this two days late, but I didn't get in on Saturday
night until 11:30 and was too tired to blog. Now that the jet lag has worn off
and I'm officially home, I'm ready to refute the beginning of my last entry. I
did attend the Heroes panel, and I'm incredibly glad that I did!
Not only was the entire cast there (except for Kristen Bell who I'd love
to see in person), but creator Tim Kring brought the first episode of Season 3,
entitled Villains! Believe me, I want to talk about it. Oh well, you'll just
have to wait until it airs in late September. Suffice it to say if you
considered last season a stumble, the worldwide phenomenon that is Heroes is
back to form.
In the 3 and a half hours after the Heroes panel ended, I kept making
one unfortunate decision after another. First I waited in line for the room
where the Office and Pushing Daisies panels would be held. Then I learned the
cast of Chuck was signing autographs down on the show floor, so I left the line
for that. It turned out that even 45 minutes early, the line was already maxed out. So then I
waited in line for the Chuck panel, which waisted another hour and a half. I
was able to pass the time watching the costumed. I even got two girls dressed
as Sakura and Hinata from Naruto to pose for a picture. I've got to say,
Comic-Con really does attract the nicest people in the world.
When I finally got in, it was perfect timing for the Chuck panel. The
entire cast showed up with a very titillating teaser for season 2. Zachary Levi
is one of the most charismatic people you could ever meet, and the rest of the
cast are very fun as well. Later that day, I saw Sarah Lancaster's limo parked
across from the convention center and waited about five seconds before I
realized how stalkerish that would be.
Anyway, we spent the rest of the day on the show floor. The voice
actors for Code Monkeys, a profane G4 animated comedy of "8-bit proportions",
were at their booth signing autographs on what can only be described as barf bags and paper dolls. I wouldn't expect anything less from G4.
I also got some hands on time with Naruto Clash of Ninja: Revolution 2
for the Wii. Playing in a frenzied mulitiplayer brawl is some of the most fun a
person can have, especially in the group I found.
I capped off the day with a showing of Step Brothers at a local movie
theater just to satiate the R-rated comedy void left by Tropic Thunder. It was
funny in a lowest-common-denominator way. Will Ferrel and John C. Reilly (Walk
Hard is one of the most under appreciated movies ever!) are just pleasures to
watch together in all their comic antics. It wasn't as good as Forgetting Sarah
Marshall or Superbad, but it served its purpose of killing an hour and a half.
I don't recommend seeing it with your mother however. Trust me it's very
awkward.
Well, that's my Comic-Con experience. Long lines, as much free stuff as
we could get home, and one of the best experiences ever. And if the two awesome
Naruto girls who posed for me read this, you can contact me at ... never mind. My mother won't let me use my e-mail.
Once again, Comic-Con really does attract
great people that I wish I could have had more time with.
Jul 27 2008
Late Sunday, July 2
Sharon:
PHOENIX - It's 104 outside but we're inside, waiting for our connecting flight to Pittsburgh, and there's nowhere nearby to get an Internet connection. So I'm writing in Word until I arrive home at around 10:30 p.m. East Coast time.
Back in San Diego, as Comic-Con was wrapping up, the cab and limo drivers were abuzz with overheard conversations about moving the growing con to Las Vegas. True, this Comic-Con International is bursting at the seams for hotel rooms and exhibit space, but what a shame it would be if it left this city for a place that certainly doesn't need another convention. San Diego's ideal weather gives conventioneers a respite from the indoor traffic jams that Las Vegas wouldn't, not to mention the beautiful harbor and sailboats that pass alongside the center.
The growth in buildings, hotels and restaurants near the San Diego Convention Center just since last year is obvious. One driver looked up and announced that the city bird was the crane. He was talking about construction cranes, which do seem to be everywhere. There's no question a convention of this size - perhaps 150,000 people - is a boost to a local economy in a city that works hard at being a good host. So I hope what's already in Vegas stays in Vegas, and Comic-Con stays in S.D.
Jul 27 2008
Sunday, July 27
Sharon:
Time to go, even though Comic-Con winds down today. I got an e-mail from Mark Tierno while I was out yesterday that Pittsburgh filmmaker Chris Preksta
would be showing his short film "The Mercury Men" at just about the time I will be boarding the plane for home. "Chris will be in attendance along with co-star Curt Wootton. The film stars Curt
and myself," Mark wrote.
Like everything else in these frantic days, there's always a timing conflict. But it reminds me that this is also a place where the artists, writers and filmmakers of today, tomorrow and yesteryear mingle and network and new projects may be born. Aspiring comic book artists bring their portfolios to be accessed by professionals and meet the best in the business. So while the masquerading folks in costumes -- like the family of five (mom, dad and three elementary school and younger kids) -- walk by in head-to-toe spandex or the scantily clad women in Elvira-style costumes strut their stuff all day long at the con, there's some serious business going on as well.
For us, there was very little serious business other than getting in line in time to see what we most wanted to see. So we weren't there when Kevin Smith said he would oversee a three-issue "Dark Knight" storyline, titled "Batman: Cacophony," with illustrator Walt Flanigan. But we were there for Hugh Jackman's surprise appearance and the exclusive clips from "Heroes" and "Caprica" and "Chuck," and the demos on the Exhibit Hall floor and the chat with Samuel L. Jackson about "Afro Samurai" and his many, many other projects (more on that soon). I'll keep this going for a while with a little bit of the fun and fallout from this adventure. Meanwhile, it's time to fly.
Jul 27 2008
Saturday, July 26
Sharon:
SAN DIEGO -- Today began at 7 and I'm writing now at 11:40 Pacific time. It's been a long four days.
Did I mention that Disney announced that a "Tron 2" is coming? That's Comic-Con for you. Something is always happening, and sometimes you have to read about it elsewhere even if you're here.
Not so today, when I made sci-fi TV a priority and was rewarded with the exclusives that are the reason this city is jammed to its borders.
Josh and I checked the line for "Heroes" before making any rash decisions and realized we were in the first few thousand people, so we'd get in with only an hour and a half wait. Not bad for this week. We spent some of the time writing down all of the costumes that strolled past, like the Storm Trooper from the waist up who was wearing a kilt. Couldn't figure that one out.
Finally inside, we were rewarded by Tim Kring, creator of the NBC series, and the full cast of "Heroes" with a screening of episode 1 from the upcoming season 3, which long ago was themed "Villains."
I won't be a spoiler, but I will say that some key questions are answered right away, such as: Does Sylar (Central Catholic's Zachary Quinto) eat his victims' brains to steal their powers?
Who are the good guys and bad guys this season? We may start to wonder and begin to doubt the motives of people we thought we understood. I won't say if I think "Heroes" is back from an off season last year, but I will say that there's plenty for fans to ponder and discuss from the first episode alone, and isn't that why we became fans in the first place?
Kring also revealed that there would be some never-before-seen episodes on the season 2 DVD, which may fill in some creative blanks.
After the "Heroes" cleared the stage, we cleared out of Hall H and made a dash to the FedEx booth in the lobby to mail home some of the goodies both bought and bestowed as freebies, as happens all day long here. Studios want you to wear T-shirts about their upcoming movies, and most people here are thrilled to oblige. It's free advertising plus bragging rights, all in one.
Next came another long, long wait to get into Ballroom 20, the second largest hall here, and the "Battlestar Gallactica" panel. Here's where I final found myself in an auditorium with the ominpresent Kevin Smith, who explained that he wished he had been involved in the best frakkin' scifi series ever, but he was forced to settle for his position as panel moderator.
Smith set the sex-obsessed tone of the panel, and even left Katee Sackoff speechless when he called her kick-ass characterization of Starbuck both a great female role model and a gay icon.
The folks from BSG brought clips of the remaining episodes in the series and its upcoming spinoff, "Caprica," to keep the crowd in a frenzy. I'm always amazed at how sweet and polite James Callis seems to be, and how unlike his insanely wonderful character, Gaius Baltar.
More on BSG another time. Following the panel onto the stage is one of my favorite shows that no one seems to be watching, NBC's "Chuck." I love and worry that the writers are addressing the growing attraction between the main characters, Chuck and superspy Sarah, early in season 2. It's always a gamble to play push-and-pull with characters that the audience wants to see together, but they way they go about it here, I'm all for it. "Chuck" is a spy show with lots of heart, and the cast and creators know that's the selling point. Another selling point is Adam Baldwin, a fave of fans here from "Firefly." He would utter a single syllable,and the fans would go nuts, much to star Zachary Levi's bemusement.
We spent the next two or so hours on the Exhibit Hall floor, shopping, gaming (at least Josh did) and meeting people. I'm going to let him get some sleep tonight and talk about the video games tomorrow. After dinner, we caught a late show of "Step Brothers," to make up for missing "Tropic Thunder" the day before.
We'll be back in Pittsburgh late tomorrow night, when I can finally start to sort through notes, images and audio tapes from four wild and crazy days. So I'm not done with Comic-Con just yet.
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