ISN News Blog

OpenTok

2011-04-07T10:11:00.000-04:00

Movies with a Message

2011-03-25T07:59:00.000-04:00

I was offered the opportunity to review RUN ON a few weeks ago. While I usually don't watch videos of this sort, I started watching and loved the stories of people overcoming challenges. Though described as a comedy, it is far from the slap-stick comedy routines I'm familiar with. You will laugh -- and cry -- as you watch this presentation.

Here is a synopsis of RUN ON.

RUN ON is a standup comedy delivered by the top three Christian comedians -David A.R. White, Tommy Blaze and Brad Stine - who hysterically share a stage and tell stories of family, growing up and their own prodigal journeys.

Though each story is from a unique experience, they weave seamlessly together to form the oldest human story of all, the futility of trying to "run" from God (The Prodigal Son). While relaying humorous stories along with the real truth of their faith testimony, these three also show a serious side as they testify to sinful moments in each of their lives.

These men will make you laugh and teach you some important lessons for your life as they discuss the Christian influence that changed each of them. This show will reveal the funny and serious side of living a prodigal son's life. While the monologues are independent from each other and reflect very different paths and lifestyles, they weave together to create one greater story with elements and commonalities shared by all of us.

New TV Season

2010-09-26T06:45:00.000-04:00

I have a number of shows that I watch -- rather faithfully -- as my schedule permits. FRINGE is one of them and while I have missed a few episodes, I can usually catch up using the http://www.fox.com/ website to watch episodes. That is a tremendous asset that Fox has made available. Now that there are new shows on that will compete for your viewership, having shows available over the internet is a destinct benefit. I know some shows have a way to factor that viewing public into their statistics -- so that helps as well.

FRINGE has always been a favorite of mine. The acting is wonderful and the story line keeps me guessing all the time. From the strange occurances that the team would investigate each week to the subplot of what did Walter do when Peter died and he went into the alternate universe to retrieve the other Peter. There are always other stories swirling around as well. What was Massive Dynamics and where did they fit into the scheme of things. To have Leonard Nimoy play Walter Bishop's former partner was marvelous casting.

The new season started off with a bang as well. I don't want to spoil it for any who haven't seen it yet, but did everyone else enjoy it as much as I did?

Are there other shows that made it to your "favorites" listing this week? How about Hawaii Five-O? I have always liked Daniel Day Kim from Crusade and he is great in the role of Chin Ho Kelly (looks nothing like the original). Grace Parks is good as Kono as well and everyone seems to be melding into a good team.

So drop a line, lend a comment. Let us know what you think about the new shows. More coming this week!

Movies You Should See

2010-05-16T21:07:00.000-04:00

On Friday, I had a chance to watch INVICTUS, a movie with Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon, as a rugby captain. It was a marvelous movie. Made me wonder why anyone would play rugby though. It seems a very violent sport, but I guess football and hockey aren't that much better. Anyway, the movie was a wonderful study not only of South Africa following apartheid, it showed a nation torn along racial lines come together over a rugby team.

This afternoon I went to see ROBIN HOOD. I loved it. Unlike other Robin Hood movies, this one was very unique. The main character is not Robin of Lockley, but Robin Longstride, an archer who fought with King Richard in the Crusades. I don't want to spoil the story for anyone, but I really did enjoy Russel Crowe in the title role.

Babylon Podcast

2010-05-13T06:42:00.000-04:00

A couple of days ago, I got an invitation to participate in a special Babylon Podcast on B5 Beefcake. The guys of the podcast had done a show on B5 Babes -- and this was to be a response to their effort.

Summer, Mike and Bret, regulars from the show joined Laura Martos of the League of Non-Aligned Knitters and I to talk about the humans and aliens on the show. I think we all thought Marcus and Franklin
were among the hottest males on the show. Whether it was the hair, accent or mannerisms, Marcus just struck a chord for many women watching Babylon 5. Stephen Franklin was built -- body and brains is a hard combination to beat. On the alien side, it was a toss-up between Londo and Vir. I think Vir had an anticipated edge for youth and stamina. Everyone just loved G'Kar -- a mix of strength, honor and virality.

Anyway, it was a cool experience. The show should air in a couple of weeks. Be sure to visit http://www.babylonpodcast.com/ to hear all of the marvelous shows they have had to date. Pick you favorite show and see how they reviewed it and what comments were made from other fans.

Scarecrow and Mrs. King

2010-03-14T15:57:00.000-04:00

With the rain this weekend, I decided it was a good time to watch some videos. One I selected was the first season of Scarecrow & Mrs. King. I loved this series when it was first on TV (I thought Bruce Boxleitner was SO cute)!

The chemistry between Bruce and Kate Jackson was wonderful. The supporting cast was also very good. I know a lot of folks have been waiting for this DVD to come out for a very long time. This set will provide a number of hours of enjoyment.

Fringe Renewed

2010-03-07T16:17:00.000-05:00

Word came today that FRINGE had been renewed for its third season. Yippee!!!! This is one of the shows I have liked from the start. It has some very serious story lines, but has a sense of humor showing through as well. The relationship between father Walter and son Peter has been strained over the years, but now you see, peeking through, an admiration and concern, and perhaps, love, from Peter. Walter obviously loves Peter and has gone to tremendous lengths keep Peter live and well. We are discovering more of that truth as the story progresses.

New episodes will be coming soon. I can't wait to see what is in store for us.

Human Target

2010-03-01T07:08:00.001-05:00

HUMAN TARGET has turned into one of my favorite shows this year. I loved Mark Valley when he was on FRINGE the first season and was sad to see him go. However, as Christopher Chance in HUMAN TARGET he is marvelous. This show is done so well it makes me wonder why other shows can't have this kind of action and writing quality! And this is on FOX! Guess it goes to show that Fox is coming up in the world with great programming.

Mark Valley isn't the only one who stands out in this series. Jackie Earle Haley as Guerrero is marvelous and Chi McBridge as Winston is just the right mix of cop and maverick. These three guys have awesome chemistry!

Winter in Washington

2010-02-11T08:08:00.000-05:00

This winter is certainly one for the record books. In the past few days, we have had two record snowfalls and the USG has been off for four days. The road conditions around here have been terrible. Road crews have seldom been faced with this much snow at one time. Our first snow storm brought us about 16 inches; the second one brought about 8 -- but this one had the bonus of high winds so we have drifts to deal with in addition to the snow. This morning the sun is out bright -- but the temperature is only in the low teens. With the wind, that means a minus number of some kind. I guess we'll wait to go tackle the snow.

With nothing but time on my hands this week, I have been watching the old Robin Hood series starring Richard Greene. For those of you old enough to remember the series, spending hours watching the 143 episodes was a lot of fun and brought back a lot of memories. The old series really did pack quite a lot into the 30-minute timeframe. The writing was very good -- and some of the lines are classic.
Sandy

Washington in Winter

2010-02-03T08:36:00.000-05:00

Every time it snows in Washington, I am reminded how beautiful this city is when covered with a pure white layer of snow. Last night and early this morning, the snow fell and clung to all the trees and buildings. It looked like frosting on a cake -- absolutely gorgeous. And of course no camera in sight! I'll have to work on that!

The roads were in very good shape this morning as I drove into the office, amidst the announcement of school closings and such. I know that the main roads were good to go, but the neighborhood streets were a different story. We had about 6 inches of the beautiful white stuff -- soft and billowy -- easy to sweep and a perfect texture for a snowman or snowball! Too bad it was time to be off to work.

Sandy

Fringe

2010-01-31T17:09:00.000-05:00

Are any of you following this series? I think it is one of the best, most interesting series currently on the tube. Take the last episode for instance. It involves a scientist that developed a toxin to target only specific people with a certain genetic code. It originated back during the Naxi era with Walter's father. The toxin would attack the red blood cells so that the victim would die from the lack of oxygen in the blood.

Now I know that there are some dramatic license taken with this series, but it has some really inventive story ideas. Apart from the main story, the interaction between Walter Bishop and his son, Peter, is wonderful. Each week it seems to get better -- and you learn more about the relationship between father and son. I also like the growing special relationship between Walter and Astrid, the person in the lab that assists him at every turn.

I am happy to see Fringe growing in popularity. Perhaps it is Fox finally marketing the series a bit more, that certainly can't hurt. Going up against CSI isn't an easy task -- no matter how you look at it.

Sandy

TOP GEAR

2010-01-19T05:48:00.000-05:00

I don't know how many of you have access to BBC America, but if you don't you can still catch TOP GEAR on DVD. Season 11 and 12 are just coming out and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed watching these videos. These three guys, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, talk cars, but also show you some of the most beautiful country in the world. It is just FUN!

AVATAR

2010-01-19T05:44:00.000-05:00

I went to see James Cameron's AVATAR yesterday. I can't say enough about the movie. It was a good story, but the graphics, animation, technology was unbelievable. Sigourney Weaver was wonderful as Grace and Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldanda were magnificent. I don't want to give any of the story away -- just would hate to spoil any moment for anyone of this marvelous movie.

I think this one is worth another viewing -- or two. Like many really good movies, you don't see everything the first time through.

Snow, Snow, SNow

2009-12-19T07:15:00.000-05:00

Old man winter has been having a lot of fun with us -- it is snowing to beat the band. They are talking 16-20 inches here! It's Washington for goodness sake! We don't get that kind of snow! This is going to be a perfect day to stay inside, wrap Christmas gifts, iron those clothes you have been putting off doing and, of course, watch some good videos.

Be safe,
Sandy

Sanctuary

2009-11-02T06:26:00.000-05:00

I have been catching up a bit on some of the shows I've slept through this year. I loved Sanctuary last year and this year it is proving to remain one of my favorite programs. The writing is just awesome and it is a show that continues to keep you guessing. I think Amanda Tapping is marvelous as Helen Magnus and she is finally getting to show that she can act -- which was an occasional thing over at Stargate.

This is one show where all the main characters are good. I particularly enjoy the interaction between the characters. Henry has grown considerably this year, as has Will. I hated to see Ashley go, but the new addition is a good one -- and the give-and-take between her and Henry adds another facet to the show.

Rainy Sunday Afternoon

2009-09-27T16:12:00.002-04:00

It has been raining here for nearly for two days. I found the perfect way to spend the day. I pulled out the latest video from Warner Bros. SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES. I have been a real fan of comic books for years and I have found that these animated movies are absolutely wonderful. They have captured so much of the power and moral character that I remember from the comics I read way back when.
In this movie, Lex Luthor becomes President of he United States and has Superman and Batman declared Public Enemies because they would not work with him and some other super heroes. This is a great story and resonates so well -- showing the economic crisis that we see in newspapers today. This was a great movie and I'm sure everyone will enjoy it. What you have to watch are the extras that come with the DVD. It is such a wonderful mix of interviews and commentaries from some of the best in comic book history. The new Justice League has a segment that is gives you a peek of that feature with some wonderful voice talent assembled.
Animated features can be just rich and exciting as a non-animated feature. It's all in the writing -- good script usually means a good feature. I find that the Super Heroes works on a number of levels -- kids and adults.

The Mentalist

2009-09-21T06:14:00.000-04:00

I love weekends -- they go way too quickly -- but it gives me a chance to watch some of the programs I've missed during the week -- and DVDs that I haven't cracked the wrapper on yet! This week I got into THE MENTALIST. Simon Baker is SO cute -- but the show is wonderfully clever as well. Simon Baker portrays the haunted hero extremely well. As Patrick Jane, he assists police with an assortment of murders. The most interesting story arc is that of Red John -- the person who killed Jane's wife and child and continues to haunt him with additional murders -- each using a similar style and disdain for life.

I love procedural dramas like Criminal Minds, CSIs, NCIS, etc. The Mentalist is somewhat like that but more character involvement. I am only now getting into Criminal Minds -- now that it is on A&E, I can watch it just about anytime. While I like CSI: Miami - David Caruso drives me nuts!!!!

Anyway, Happy Monday -- back to work.

DVDs - Fringe

2009-09-06T15:54:00.000-04:00

I am watching the Fringe DVD for season one. I love this series -- it is very creative and really exciting. The extras are awesome. There are several segments on the visual effects associated with the show and it is an amazing series of segments. You see how much green screen they have used and how CGI has been enhanced to provide the visual effects being used. To have this on a TV series is unbelievable. You see this stuff in movies and they have tons of time to get the effects done. To have this on a weekly series is just unbelievable.

I know I have written about the series before. Can't wait to see the second season to begin. Leonard Nimoy played "the" most key character of the series and I can't wait to see where they go with their alternate reality scenario. It is very cool!

I love watching the special features on DVDs -- especially when they explain how they have done some of the special effects. The commentary is very cool as well. The writers and producers discuss how they came up with the various ideas and stories and how they actually brought it to the screen. This is what makes getting the DVD worthwhile. You can record all the episodes of the series but you can never get this sort of thing -- only on the DVD.

If you enjoy the series, you are going to love this DVD.

Senator Edward Kennedy

2009-08-28T06:45:00.002-04:00

I guess I am like a million other people watching the news related to the death of Senator Edward Kennedy. He was a very beloved politician here in Washington and in Massachusetts. Few ever talk ill of the dead, but it seems like more people have good things to say about him than not. I admired him for years. Unlike his brothers, he seemed content in Congress, fighting the continual fight for bills to increase minimum wage, civil rights, health care. He was good at what he did -- talking and listening to people's concerns.

At least to my generation, there are only a few names that come to mind immediately when talking about Senators -- Senator Kennedy is the first one that pops into my head. Despite the fact that everyone knew his days were numbered following the diagnosis of brain cancer, he continued to pick his appearances and lend his voice and influence when needed. I applaud him for a life of service and hope his family will find solace in the millions of people who shed tears at his passing.

I don't believe we will see the likes of Ted Kennedy again. In this age of mass media and fast communications, few stop to say hello, tell stories and share experiences as he did. He was the ultimate "people" person with a skill to energize people for a cause or an idea. His smile was infectious, as was his love of life.

FRINGE

2009-08-26T06:38:00.002-04:00

It is amazing what people come up with to promote their upcoming DVDs and other projects. Warner Bros. has developed a new game where you match the pattern frequently seen on FRINGE -- the grand prize is a trip to the FRINGE studio. You get 6 chances to enter wonder what the odds are in such a contest. Anyway, its fun and since this is one of my favorite shows, if not my favorite show, I hope that the DVD sales do well.

I find that there is so little on TV these days to actually make me think -- at least while my eyes are still focused on the screen. FRINGE peeks my curiosity on a number of levels. You wonder about the A story, but you wonder about all the little things that go on behind the A story -- the Olivia/Peter chemistry that is developing, the whole interaction between Peter and his father, I just can't wait for it to return. Now I have the DVD to watch and see what extras they have tucked inside.

If you want to learn more about the series, go to http://www.warnervideo.com/fringedvd/.

New DVDs

2009-08-18T05:31:00.002-04:00

There are some awesome DVDs coming out in the next few weeks-months. I was watching SMALLVILLE on Sunday. Boy has that changed from its early days on the tube. Tom Welling has grown nicely into a leading man and Allison Mach is awesome as Cloe. I thought I would miss Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) more -- but the new lady, Tess, fills in nicely. You wonder what's going on with her and Oliver (Green Arrow) and at times it seems more like a soap opera.

Coming very soon are the DVD collections for SUPERNATURAL and FRINGE. I have loved FRINGE from the first episode and can't wait for it to return for season two. This show has so many twists and turns you need the DVD so that you can run it back to see what you missed. This year promises to be even better -- with Leonard Nimoy as the mysterious Mr. Bell making another appearance.

Warner Bros. has a ton of great movies for kids, including a new Scooby-Do Where Are You? Volume Three. Their selection of animated adventures is awesome. The Green Lantern: First Flight was great. I can't wait to see SUPERFRIENDS: The Lost Episodes and SUPERMAN: THE COMPLETE ANIMATED SERIES. The previous volumes have been wonderful and my nephews children can sit for hours and watch. Oh, can't forget WONDER WOMAN! They all make for good viewing -- along with positive reinforcement of good versus evil.

Stargate Universe

2009-08-04T12:07:00.003-04:00

Are you all anxiously awaiting STARGATE UNIVERSE? I have been watching the trailers available at Syfy, but so far they haven't shown enough for me to figure out whether or not it will be good or not. So far, I'm not liking Robert Caryle - the lead for the series. I guess I like my leading men to be tall and handsome. In the most recent clip, his accent is so strong you need to listen very hard to understand what he is saying. I'm sure the accent won't be as pronounced in the series -- at least I hope it will not be. Only a couple of the crew are known entities -- Lou Diamond Phillips is a great actor and he plays a Colonel caught on the Destiny (an ancient spaceship) with the others. I guess we'll soon see. The series is set to premiere October 2.

I was surprised to see Richard Dean Anderson in the clip. Oh my! Has he changed.

Babylon 5 Favorites

2009-08-03T06:10:00.003-04:00

I thought it might be nice to get back to basics for a bit -- and talk Babylon 5. When trying to get a discussion going, a sure bet is talking about favorites -- episodes, characters, lines, season, whatever. Everyone has a favorite of one kind or another.

I was thinking about favorite lines -- and there have to be tons of them. I suppose we could look through the Book of Quotes and find a few -- but aren't there some that just say Babylon 5 to you? Mine is "All Alone In The Night" or "Nothing's the same anymore" - from the season one opening. I guess one of JMS' favorite lines is "But in purple ... I'm Stunning!" -- the title he chose for his book of quotations.

Here are some others:
"Toast. To absent friends, .. in memory still bright"
"Until we meet again, in a place where no shadows fall"

What are your favorites?
Sandy

Jonny Quest

2009-08-02T16:36:00.002-04:00

How many of you watched Jonny Quest when you were a kid? I know I did. Saturday morning would bring a new adventure of the blonde boy with an Indian friend. Race Banner was Jonny's bodyguard and would come to the rescue at the last moment.

There's a new version out -- updated a bit. Jonny is 13 years old and Race Banner has a daughter that joins Jonny and Hadji in their adventures. The animation is pretty good and the stories are good enough to keep younger viewers engaged.

The DVD has 13 episodes-- including a number of adventures for the young detectives. Unlike some cartoons, this one has some good writing and production values.

BBC America

2009-07-25T21:32:00.002-04:00

I find that I am watching BBC America more and more. I haven't been a Doctor Who fan, but started watching Primeval a few months ago and found it very interesting and fresh. I am watching Being Human now. It is a new series about a vampire, werewolf and ghost who live together in an apartment and try to lead a "normal" life. Interesting concept.

Green Lantern: First Flight

2009-07-25T20:53:00.002-04:00

Watched the new GREEN LANERN: FIRST FLIGHT movie this afternoon. I have found the movies Warner Bros. has created from their comic book characters to be quite good -- and not just for kids either. The writing is quite good and the stories are much like a regular movie. Using the comic form allows them to do much more as far as action and special effects. While I'm sure the cost is still significant, it is not what it would cost for a live-action film.

This video provides us with the background of how Hal Jordan was picked to be the Green Lantern and what the league stands for. Inter-planetary police force.

The Prisoner

2009-07-25T07:23:00.003-04:00

I love updating The Zocalo Today because it gives me an excuse to wander around the internet looking for information to post. At this time of year, there is so much information coming out of San Diego Comic-Con that you have to really look for items that most readers will be interested in. This morning I found a clip from the new AMC remake of THE PRISONER. It is marvelous. Ian McKellan is absolutely awesome as Number Two and I can not wait for the mini-series to air. I loved the old PRISONER series with Patrick McGoohan. McGoohan was an absolute genius in developing this series. It takes advantage of everyone's interest in spy fiction, but throws in science fiction, psychological drama as well.

The other movie that looks interesting is the new SHERLOCK HOLMES film starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law. From Downey's comments at Comic Con, he has made quite a study of Sir Arthur Connan Doyle - lending a bit more authenticity to the role than perhaps others who have shared in the portrayal.

Looks like a good weekend for the movies. You have the new HARRY POTTER movie along with ICE AGE and TRANSFORMERS. Have to admit, movies like BRUNO and THE HANGOVER don't interest me in the least.

Have a great weekend.
Sandy

Warehouse 13

2009-07-19T14:22:00.002-04:00

OK, I'm a little slow -- but I just got around to watching Warehouse 13 from Syfy. It is nice that Syfy has the full episodes on the website. I like that about networks. They give you a chance to watch the show on your time.

I like this show. I know how others feel, but this is quirky enough for me to like. When I read the description, Indiana Jones came to mind -- the place where the Lost Arc was deposited. While that part is correct, the personalities -- the main characters -- are interesting and engaging. Myka and Pete may remind people a bit of relationship of X-files Mulder and Scully.

The pilot was fun. Artie, the curator of Warehouse 13, knows each piece in the warehouse and the power it posses. He has some very old devices -- an electric car that was shot down by Henry Ford because he could sell more cars powered by petroleum and an early version of a stun gun! Cool.

I can't wait to see what they have to offer as the series continues.

Over at Syfy, there are some interesting background files. At one time, I think I had a flashback to Legend of the Rangers. The surrounding area looked like the studio space being used by Babyon 5 in Vancouver -- the place where the movie was shot.

If you have opinions of the show, let me know. Love it or hate it, at least it's new!

Walter Cronkite

2009-07-18T07:21:00.004-04:00

Walter Cronkite has died and I am saddened at his passing. He was, in my eyes, the greatest journalist, newsman in the world. I grew up listening to him anchor the Evening News. He brought us solace during JFK's assassination and provided memorable events as no other news reporter has done.

In an age before the 24/7 news cycle, Mr. Cronkite brought us descriptions of the world around him with honesty and integrity. Unlike many of today's newscasters, "spin" was not in his vocabulary. He reported the news as he saw it and worked tirelessly to bring you the facts.

I had the honor or working with Mr. Cronkite on a program a few years ago. He did a telephone conference with an audience at an American Embassy in East Asia. Even though he was home with pneumonia, he plugged along like a trooper, not wanting to disappoint those who had gathered to hear him speak. Everyone hoped to get their question answered by this masterful commentator and he tried his best to satisfy everyone.

The world changed dramatically during the time Walter Cronkite occupied the evening news desk. He brought those changes to us with his own special insightfulness and somehow made us less afraid of what was happening in the world around us.

And that's the way it is on July 18, 2009. The world is greatly diminished by his passing.

Favorite Old Movies

2009-07-05T06:59:00.001-04:00

Warner Bros. has opened up a wonderful movie archive -- with a ton of classics that are totally unknown treasures to most people. Got me to thinking about old movies in general. What are your favorite old movies -- not just from science fiction genre, but any that really are #1 and #2 for you -- movies that you can watch over and over again.
I grew up in an era of wonderful action flicks -- and I still love them. THEY DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS ON will be on ENCORE channel, again this month. I love Erol Flynn and while this one doesn't rank up there with ROBIN HOOD, it is one you can sit through regardless of the length. How about you? What are your favorites?

Beautiful Cities

2009-06-27T18:19:00.002-04:00

As I was driving home today, I was thinking how beautiful Washington, DC is this time of year. Filled with tourists, I was wondering where everyone had come from. Washington is host to a large number of tourists each year and it is fun to see the new double decker buses running around town -- along with the DC Duck (a tour bus made from a converted amphibious vehicle from the US Army). While I've been in Washington for over 40 years, it still surprises me how many people travel here to see all the monuments and museums.

Washington is quite the opposite of where I grew up. Brownsville had a population of 6,000 or so. My graduating class was nearly 400; this year it was just a little over 100. It is sad that my home town has changed so dramatically. I am sure I am not alone in this. So many home towns have been reduced to dots on a map.

I have been very fortunate to have traveled a bit -- thanks to Babylon 5. Joe Straczynski gave me copies of the blooper tapes to take to conventions and I had a ball meeting Babylon 5 fans in Sydney, Brisbane, Berlin, Vancouver and a number of cities in the U.S. - from Baltimore to LA. It is amazing to realize how many fans Babylon 5 has in all parts of the world. It has affected people around the globe in many ways, using the words in wedding ceremonies and eulogies. I wish that it were being shown somewhere so that another generation of Babylon 5 fans could be introduced to this magnificent melodrama.

INKHEART

2009-06-22T05:59:00.002-04:00

I had the pleasure of watching INKHEART this weekend. While it starts a little slow, before you know it you are caught up in the story of Mo and Meggie looking for a book in an effort to release Mo's wife/Meggie's mother. They are pursued by Dustfinger and Scorpion -- characters from the Inkheart book. It seems that Mo is a "silver tongue". What he reads turns into reality. That is a major problem when you are reading fairy tales!

Brendan Fraser is wonderful as Mo -- the adoring father and book doctor. His search for the Inkheart book takes he and Meggie all over Europe -- searching for a way to reverse the effect created when his wife went into the book -- and Dustfinger and Scorpion came out! Helen Mirren is adorabale as Elinor, an aunt in love with books -- but brave enough to rescue Mo and others in Scorpion's castle.

I was sad to see this not do better at the box office. It is a wonderful story and one that just could bring children back to reading more -- and watching TV and the computer less. The imagination is a marvelous thing -- and I fear too much of it is wasting away these days.

Take care.

Primeval Cancelled!!!!!!

2009-06-16T06:26:00.001-04:00

DRAT, it seems just when I find a show that I enjoy watching -- it gets cancelled. I guess that if there is a silver lining in this, there are three seasons worth of episodes and I don't SciFi is even through season one yet! And, the PRIMEVAL movie seems to still be on track, so there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

One drawback (spoilers ahead), that if they don't bring back Cutter, I don't know if I'll watch. I got to like him a lot and don't care for the new guy at all. There are tons of ways that Cutter can return -- if it isn't a case of the actor not wanting to come back. There is the whole anomoly, parallel universe thing that could come to play. Heck, the manufactured double could have been killed instead of the real Dr. Cutter!!!!

I guess we'll have to wait to see -- if the movie ever comes to be.
Chow!

Washington Tourists

2009-06-08T13:32:00.002-04:00

This morning as I took a shuttle trip from our building over to the main Department of State building, our route took us past the Washington Monument. It was wonderful seeing all the tourists waiting to take a trip up to the top of the Monument. The Monument had been closed for quite some time, with renovations to the elevators and grounds -- and it just struck me as a great picture -- Americans waiting to see one of the landmarks of our country.

It is quite nice, weatherwise here in Washington. Later in the summer, the sweltering heat will turn the Foggy Bottom area back into the swamp that it reclaimed. It is that time of year that Washington does indeed feel like part of the South!

Have a great day.
Sandy

Primeval

2009-06-07T14:42:00.002-04:00

Have any of you been watching Primeval on either SciFi or BBC America? I have gotten to really like this show. It is a little quirky, but in a good way. You have the monster of the week sort of story line, but there are several sub-plots going through the overall story as well. You follow a group of scientists as they fight dinosaurs that are coming through rips in time. Just think of the stories that you could come up with?

The show is already in its third season in the UK, but it hasn't been on SciFi for all that long. It is a good addition to their Friday line-up -- adding a new component to their reruns of Star Trek whatever, followed by Moonlight.

I hear there are a number of changes ahead -- all of which fans of the show are a bit apprehensive about. The chemistry of the members of the team really do make the show. Connor is a quirky but brilliant computer geek always coming up with a new gizmo to fight off the latest creature coming through the anomoly. Abby is sort of Connor's partner. Nick Cutter leads the group and his wife, who is supposed to be dead, is the main baddie. There are a number of other actors in this ensemble cast, but these are the main players.

If you have a chance, you should catch an episode and see if you like it. There is so little new on TV these days, this will give you something different to watch on Friday night.

Take care.

Sandy

WII

2009-05-31T18:27:00.002-04:00

Hey there. I just got a WII for my birthday. Yes, I know I'm a little behind the curve on this one, but I thought it would be a cool way to exercise. I sit a good bit of the day at a desk, doing paperwork or editing video or something like that. When I get home it's make dinner, do dishes and relax a little before getting ready for the next day.

I hooked up the WII to a TV down in the rec room downstairs. It would be awesome on the big screen, but I thought I would start small. I got the basic set and the sports set with bat, racket and golf club. It also includes bowling and boxing. It is amazing the number of things you can get to work with the WII. So we'll see.

I had a blast working through most of the games. I didn't do the golf yet, but did well with baseball, bowling and boxing. Tennis is a little harder to get coordinated. That will take a little more time, but it will be fun working through it.

Cool game.

Take care.

Sandy

New Star Trek Movie

2009-05-24T19:04:00.002-04:00

I just came back from seeing the new STAR TREK movie. I thought it was absolutely wonderful. I loved the original STAR TREK series -- until they started going crazy with love stories for Bill Shatner. The original episodes were eye-opening and thought-provoking. They showed us individuals from new planets, with images that we'd not seen before.

I was particularly taken by Karl Urban's portrayal of Leonard "Bones" McCoy. He was perfect. You could just about hear DeForest Kelley speaking the lines. Simon Pegg was a little over the top as Scotty and having a relationship between Spock and Uhura was quite a twist. Christopher Pine was wonderful as Kirk and I loved Bruce Greenwood as Christopher Pike.

The graphics were marvelous -- and just seeing the old Enterprise again was similar to the moment in the original STAR TREK movie when Kirk comes to see the renovated Enterprise. The graphics were amazing. If there was a weakness in the movie it would be Nemo -- the baddie Romulan. I don't think it was quite bad enough-- he was OK but not on the grand scale with the rest of the movie.

I hope everyone has a chance to see the movie.
Take care.
Sandy

Cliffhangers

2009-05-17T15:47:00.002-04:00

I have just finished watching some of my favorite shows and ALL of them ended with a cliffhanger! Can you stand it! Now we have to wait through the summer to see if Ziva will ever forgive Tony for killing her lover on NCIS; if any of the CSI:NY staff survive the savage attack as they salute a fallen comrad -- and what was that alternate reality Olivia found herself in with William Bell (Leonard Nimoy) on FRINGE!

I still have to watch a couple more of my favorites -- and who wants to bet they ended in clifhangers too?

This is a great throw-back to serial television. Watching old series that would keep you guessing from one episode to the other. You just had to see what happened to your favorite character.

Remind you of Babylon 5? It should. J. Michael Straczynski took great care to set you up every chance he could. Who would have guessed Garibaldi would be betrayed by his #1 security guy. Who would have guessed Sinclair was Valen? How about Delenn turning into a half-human; half-Minbari? Each of these events led you down the road to anticipate the next event.

Thank heaven for the internet with the ability to watch TV shows after they air. I wish all shows did this. I still haven't seen The Mentalist yet -- and all you can see is snippets on the internet. Bummer. Oh well, They will be new to me on reruns.

Talk at you later.

Sandy

Dreary Sunday Afternoon

2009-05-03T16:05:00.002-04:00

It is a rainy, dreary Sunday here in Washington. This sort of weather is good for two things -- keeping plants nice -- and watching DVDs. Rarely is there anything worth watching on Sunday afernoon. Seems to be reserved for sports of one kind or another. Luckily I have a petty good supply of DVDs. Today I watched THE CLOSER -- a series from TNT that is in its fourth season. I really like this show, though I rarely watching it on TV. Like a number of shows I really like, I usually seem to watch them on the computer at hulu.com or some other on-line service. Thank goodness they are available -- especially on days like this. Even if there isn't much on TV or cable, you can pick your entertainment based on your mood.

If you aren't familiar with THE CLOSER, Kyra Sedgwick is a Deputy Police Chief and you follow her and her team as they investigate homocides in LA. Her team is top notch and it is a joy to watch Brenda in the interrogation room.

I seem to be into cop dramas these days -- NCIS, CSI, CSI: New York; CSI: Miami, and Fringe. If I had to pick a favorite it would be hard -- but Fringe is right up there. Can't wait to see the season finale -- the one where we actually see Leonard Nimoy as William Bell -- the guy who is behind all the weird scientific happenings Olivia has been investigating. We've gotten a taste in the last few weeks, and it will be wonderful to actually see Walter and William Bell meet again. Want to bet we'll have to wait until next season to see that????

One saving grace this summer will be the return of some series on SciFi (or SyFy by then). I do like Sanctuary and that returns in June. I think that is when the new Stargate Universe hits the airwaves as well. I am very happy to read that Richard Dean Anderson will make some appearances on the show. I've loved him since MacGyver.

Speaker of MacGyver, I heard a very cool reference the other day. Someone was talking about the economic crisis and said that "we are a nation of MacGyvers and we'll figure it out and fix it." I love that -- and truly hope it happens.

Have a great day,
Sandy

New Star Trek

2009-04-08T05:19:00.003-04:00

I just finished watching some of the latest trailers for the upcoming STAR TREK movie. So far it looks good, but trailers can be OH SO MISLEADING. I'm sure I'm not the only one that has gone to the movies expecting great things only to find that the trailers were the best part of the movie!

I am hoping the new STAR TREK is good -- my generation had the old STAR TREK -- it would be good to give this generation something to stretch their imagination -- looking toward the future with hope and wonder.

I love the actors chosen for the new movie. Chris Pine is a marvelous actor. I saw him in a movie on an airplane last year and he was terrific. Zach Quinto has always been a standout on HEROES -- he was just SO evil!!!! I'm not sure of the rest of the cast, but we'll soon see. May 8 is coming up fast and reviews are already starting to hit the internet. I am glad to say that most of them seem positive, so we'll compare notes once it hits the U.S. on May 8.

Take care.
Sandy

Dollhouse

2009-02-15T16:41:00.002-05:00

I watched the premiere episode of DOLLHOUSE this morning on www.fox.com. The series had been delayed a number of times and I'm sure people were anxious to see what Joss Whedon had come up with.

Before I watched the episode, I read that ratings for the show were not very good. Friday has killed a lot of series -- and so we'll have to see how Dollhouse does in the coming weeks.

The first episode you got a little introduction to Echo, a girl who is programmed to do different tasks and then her memory is wiped and she waits for the next task. It seems as if all the operatives are very good looking girls. There is a backstory that you got a little of. A police officer (I think he was police or FBI or something) was trying to find all the girls that had disappeared and had the key word - dollhouse but little else. He was dedicated to finding the kidnapped girls, but his supervisors were not behind him. They wanted him to give it up.

The main story focused on the kidnapping of a small girl -- the daughter of a Mexican businessman. The kidnappers were asking for $10 million dollars and Echo is sent in as the mediator. The memories she had been given were that of a skilled negotiator who was near-sighted with asthma. As the show goes on, she challenges the kidnappers and sets up a meeting to get the little girl back. As it turns out, the memories implanted into Echo were of a young lady who had been abducted at 9 and she runs into her kidnapper while trying to retrieve the little girl. She does retrieve the girl -- so there is a happy ending -- sort of. Echo goes back into the chamber and her memories are whipped clean. She and others then go to their sleep chambers and wait for their next assignment.

There are a lot of different things going on here. There is the Echo story. There is the FBI/special agent story looking for the missing young women. There is the entire dollhouse organization and so you are left wondering what will come up next. I liked Echo's handler -- a former policeman who really wanted to save the little girl and protect Echo. So we'll see what happens next week.

Did anyone else watch the episode? What did you think?

Take care.

Sandy

FRINGE

2009-02-08T06:57:00.002-05:00

I don't know how many of you watch FRINGE, but I absolutely love it. Yes, I know, it is somewhat strange, but that is perhaps what I like most about it. It does have some run-of-the-mill components to it, but there are some other elements of it that you don't see anywhere. I love Walter Bishop -- the mad scientist (he spent 17 years in a mental hospital - so he is really certifiable), but he is absolutely amazing. John Noble, who portrays Walter, is a fantastic actor and seems to enjoy the role enormously. Joshua Jackson is Peter Bishop, the son of Walter, and a very complex character. He has not known his father for many years -- but is needed in this instance so that Walter can get out of the institution. Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) works for a special unit of the FBI. They take on all the "weird" casts -- things from frozen people on a bus to people that turn into huge creatures like porcuppines.

While there is a different focus of the story each week, there is a layering of the backstory that continues and I think that is what keeps my interest. The characters grow before your eyes -- the relationship between Peter and Walter become less hostile; Peter gets closer to Olivia - and Olivia discovers more about her lover/ex-partner who they originally thought was guilt of treason against the US.

Each week you learn a little more and the relationships get a little deeper. Even the secondary actors, Lance Riddick (Phillip Broyles), Kirk Acevedo (Charlie Francis) and Jasika Nicole (Astrid Farnsworth) grow in interest and importance each week.

JJ Abrams knows how to write series TV, as we have seen in Lost and Alias. FRINGE is not as complex as LOST, but it has held my interest since it was first introduced. The other benefit is that you can see current episodes on Fox.com -- so you can catch up verye quickly on episodes you have missed. I wish you could do the same thing with THE MENTALIST or ELEVENTH HOUR. All you get there are clips.

Sandy

Super Bowl Weekend

2009-01-31T20:06:00.002-05:00

It always amazes me that amount of hype for the Super Bowl each year. Companies pay millions for a 60 second commercial -- and fortunately, they are some of the best you will see this year. This year, NBC will take advantage of the internet, making the commercials available on the internet right after they air on the Super Bowl. That is a wonderful development. You won't have to worry about missing anything when you need a snack or have to go to the bathroom.

Being from Pennsylvania, I am rooting for the Steelers. While I guess it would be cool for the underdog Cardinals to win, the Steelers have a good team and they have worked hard this year to get to this point in time. Given the record of the Washington Redskins, it may be a long time before this team gets close to the Super Bowl. They didn't have the worst record -- they started well but went down hill pretty fast. Oh well, such is life in the NFL. I haven't really been a football fan for years -- like since Roger Staubach was the QB for the Dallas Cowboys. I can remember sitting on the edge of my seat watching some of the last-minute heroics.

We had winter arrive here this week -- an ice storm arrived on Wednesday. You can deal with snow, but ice is something else. Another storm is headed our way for Monday/Tuesday so we'll see what ole man winter has in store for us this time.

Sandy

Inauguration Day

2009-01-20T19:07:00.003-05:00

I don't know about you, but I sat in front of the TV most of the day. The events of the day were just awe-inspiring. To see the thousands and thousands of people, braving the cold temperatures, to watch this amazing event. The pictures on CNN and other news organizations showed the patchwork quilt that makes the fabric of the United States. People of every way of life were represented by the people in Washington today.

Along with the events of the day, I loved the commercials. Cisco had some absolutely marvelous commercials. Since I do video conferencing, they were particularly interesting to me. It is one technology that may finally find it's way to the top as fuel becomes more expensive and more emphasis is placed on "green" operations.

Hope you all had a great day.
Take care.
Sandy

Monday, January 20

2009-01-19T06:13:00.004-05:00

Many of us have the day off today in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. It is a day of reflection for everyone -- regardless of race or political persuasion. Tomorrow, we will have a chance to see the 44th President inaugurated into office. While millions have come to Washington, DC to observe this page in history, I am going to opt out and watch it on TV. Not only is it going to be terribly cold, but with several million observers in town, the streets closed to just about all forms of traffic, I think watching the festivities from home is the best option.

I went to my one and only inauguration for President Nixon. It was terribly cold and I remember running to the corner drug store to get some hot chocolate with a friend. We had stood on a street corner for hours and still had hours to wait. Back then, security was nothing like it will be tomorrow. No backpacks, no strollers, no coolers -- just about everything is forbidden in the area of the parade route or near Capitol Hill. The news agencies will have the best seats in town -- and my seat will be nice and cozy, warm as I watch everything going on in town.

For anyone who has visited Washington, DC, you know it can be a confusing town -- even under the best of conditions. Tomorrow the subway is just about the best way around -- the absolute best is walking. With an expected record crowd coming to see Barak Obama sworn in as President, it is not a venture for the faint of heart. Everyone who ventures out tomorrow has my good wishes. I hope you enjoy the day -- and get some unbelievable pictures.

Take care,
Sandy

Two Passings Noted

2009-01-15T19:07:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, two people died that are very well known to fans of science fiction.

Patrick McGoohan who many will either remember from THE PRISONER or SECRET AGENT or COLOMBO. He was a marvelous actor -- and quite a talented person. He wrote and directed many of THE PRISONER episodes. He won two Emmy awards for his role on COLOMBO. And he was also a Zorro-type character on a Disney series entitled THE SCARECROW. A&E is doing a new version of THE PRISONER. It will be interesting to see if it can capture the essence of the original series. McGoohan was perfect as #6, always challenging the authorities of The Village.

Ricardo Montalban had an air of sophistication about him that came through even when he was in heavy make-up. He was perfect as Khan on STAR TREK. He made STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN one of the most popular STAR TREK movies. He was awesome as the mysterious Mr. Rourke on FANTASY ISLAND and in his later years he lent his voice to a number of animated movies.

Both of these actors will be greatly missed. They created strong characters that we will not forget.

Take care,
Sandy

BEST SCIENCE FICTION MOVIES

2009-01-12T05:53:00.002-05:00

Everyone has an opinion on the best science fiction movies made. A lot has to go into a selection -- your personal taste, what you have seen, when you saw the film, etc. Picking just a few is hard -- but there will always be those that stick out -- way ahead of others that have come and gone in theaters around the country.

I have trouble coming up with a #1. A lost depends on your mood when you are making the selection. Do I go with the traditional STAR WARS -- or the sentimental E.T. or CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF A THIRD KIND. There is also BLADERUNNER -- which I have not yet seen from end to end, and then the classics like THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL and WAR OF THE WORLDS. Where do you fit in THE MATRIX or TERMINATOR or ALIEN? And you can't forget 2001, A SPACE ODDESY or FORBIDDEN PLANET or THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN or JURASSIC PARK. Many of these we watched as we were growing up and they definitely had an impact on how we perceived science fiction. I still prefer true science fiction -- not the horror or true fantasy elements that have krept in over the years. I have to admit that it is getting harder to separate the two.

Having grown up with Rocky Jones, Space Ranger and Captain Midnight, it is hard to think of my childhood without these mainstays of the early TV schedule. Lost in Space and shows like Star Trek brought science fiction into our homes every week and made us think about life on other planets and beings that didn't look like us.

Hollywood continues to crank out movies at a tremendous pace -- but I fear there are fewer and fewer that we can call "great" or even "classic". We can keep hoping that someone will come along with a fresh look at life in space. Joe Straczynski did it 15 years ago with Babylon 5.

Take care,
Sandy

Happy Holidays

2008-12-29T13:24:00.000-05:00

Well, Christmas is over and New Years is on the way. We had a brief visit with family in Pennsylvania. The weather was awesome! We started our trip in about 15 degree weather; ended it in about 65 degree weather. That is something, considering it is the end of December. I'm not one who wishes for a white Christmas -- I have to drive in it!

Thankfully everyone was in good health and we are now back home -- safe and sound. I am busy catching up on the TV shows I missed. Watched the "Warriors" episode of Sanctuary yesterday. Need to see what other shows I can watch on www.hulu.com. So many TV shows didn't have new episodes over the holiday -- good move on their part. No one is usually sitting in front of the TV set and ratings are usually terrible.

There wasn't much "news" either over the holiday. I see that James Cameron's name is being bandied about to direct JMS' Forbidden Planet remake. We'll see. I'm sad to see that THE CHANGELING isn't getting much press these days -- and that newer movies are getting more attention as far as Oscar nominations. I sure hope that ample consideration is given all the good works done over the course of the year.

I was happy to see Babylon 5 in CostCo's DVD collection over the weekend. The price is pretty good -- and having them on DVD is such a plus -- not only for the viewing quality -- but it is a space saver!

I am hoping to read INKHEART over the New Year's holiday. Looks like a fascinating movie and one that should appeal to a cross-section of movie-goer.

Talk to you soon,
Take care.
Sandy

Sanctuary

2008-12-19T14:26:00.000-05:00

Have you all been keeping up with SANCTUARY? I like the show -- it is a little predictable, but occasionally it's good to watch a show that you don't have to think too hard about! I think the actors are great. It's a little weird to hear Amanda Tapping with a British accent and dark hair, but it seems to work pretty well. The whole idea of a sanctuary for abnormals is interesting -- and serves to remind that things unknown don't have to be dangerous -- perhaps misunderstood or terrified -- as we would be in a strange situation. There are a number of episodes on tonight -- the one at 10:00 is NEW but it might be a way to catch up if you haven't seen any episodes.

Take care.
Sandy

Fringemas

2008-12-17T06:32:00.001-05:00

Holiday Fun

2008-12-16T06:23:00.001-05:00

There are some great videos out on YouTube and around the internet these days. I am just watching one I've seen before, but it just never gets told. http://www.aroundmd.com/whitechristmas/ Santa and the reindeer singing White Christmas -- how can you miss with that one?

I have had some fun shopping on-line this year. It's great sitting down at the computer and just ordering things. No cold, snow, crazy drivers, pushy people in line at the store -- all those things we just love about the holiday shopping season.

Be safe and enjoy the season,
Sandy

New TV Shows

2008-12-13T18:14:00.000-05:00

There are a few new TV programs that I really love. One is Fringe -- on Tuesday nights. It reminds me a little of X-files, but instead of outer space, the cases are more scientific in nature -- viruses, ghosts, etc. There is always a main story -- some unusual occurrence that the FBI looks into. The "B" story is much more subtle -- sometimes a flashback; sometimes it is a side story about one of the main characters. I love the growing relationships -- one between the lady investigator and Peter Bishop (son of the scientist who is assisting with investigations). Walter Bishop, the scientist who spent 17 years in a mental hospital, is a brilliant man -- but had been involved in a number of questionable experiments. As each story unfolds, you learn a little more about each character and that is what I find fascinating about the show. As the FBI investigates why an airborne virus froze everyone on a bus -- you learn that Peter is in trouble with some local gangster types. He had been out of town for some time, but has come back to help his father.

The other thing I like about Fringe -- you can watch it anytime. If you go to www.fox.com, you can bring up the latest episode and watch it when you have time. This is extremely helpful for everyone that missed an episode -- or watched another show on Tuesday -- but wants to keep up with the story.

The relationship between Peter and Walter is wonderful. The humor that pops up between the two characters is subtle -- and marvelous.

I am so happy that Fringe has gotten a full season order. The ratings have been pretty good and I hope that it continues. With competition from The Mentalist, it makes me nuts that these two great shows are on opposite each other. With so little to watch on TV ordinarily, it is terrible that you are forced to watch one or the other. Simon Baker has certainly gotten a lot of press lately -- and The Mentalist is pretty good as well. I've only seen part of an episode. Unfortunately, the entire episode is not available online -- only clips. Bummer.

Sandy

Babylon 5 Music Videos

2008-12-08T13:43:00.000-05:00

I found this while wandering about this morning on the Babylon 5 moderated newsgroup. For those of you who have never seen the Babylon 5 Music Videos -- enjoy.
Here is John Hudgen's note on the videos:

+++++++++++++++++++++++
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.

Danger Zone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYNG0ow0G0k
I Need a Hero: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFo3Lau2Occ
Requiem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7ckXY6yiVQ
Nobody's Side: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk9LvldiOf0
Welcome to the Third Age: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT5q_ltXiY0
Keep Yourself Alive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0lRtpWR5lo
The Phantom B5 Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uV4GMNjDdYc
Third Age 2K: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqIyY0PWjbI
Richard Biggs memorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyD4L8yNtsA
Andreas Katsulas memorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2UQ2l9NPIg
- 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

Thank you John and JMS for allowing these videos to be released for our enjoyment.

Take care,
Sandy

Full Weekend

2008-11-24T04:55:00.000-05:00

What a full weekend -- Christmas shopping. I love it and hate it at the same time. For anyone that has children in the family, it is amazing the things you will find in stores. The electronic games are absolutely awesome. My nephew wants the new EyeClops Night Vision Goggles. Who would have thought that night vision would be at this level -- kind of spooky if you really think about it. There are so many Star Wars toys, Iron Man, BatMan, etc. movie spin-off things.

With so much in the electronics field, I'm happy to say that a couple of children in the family still read. With so much visualized for them, how can the imagination of a child develop? I loved to read as a child and part of that wonder was creating characters from what I had read. What did they look like -- how would they act if we met? Today, the games do it for you. I don't think that's a good thing. While their motor skills may develop -- the gray matter between their ears is growing stagnant!

I did get to watch SANCTUARY on Sunday morning -- thank you SciFi for putting entire episodes out at the website. I really do like this show and I'm glad that it has been renewed for another season. While it can be a little predictable at times, it is still fun to watch. Knowing that most of what you see has been shot in front of green screen is amazing. The visuals are really pretty good.

I had been a big fan of HEROES, but I've sort of lost track of it these days. There are so many new characters and the old ones have changed dramatically. Haven't seen Bruce Boxleitner in it much -- after the one episode where he played the governor that asked Nathan Petrelli to be a senator. Like so many characters, you don't see them every week, so perhaps he will be back for more.

Talk to you soon,
Sandy

Star Trek Trailer

2008-11-18T14:42:00.001-05:00

Did you have a chance to see the latest Star Trek trailer yet? The HD version came out this week and it looks amazing. There's an interview with Chris Pine over on SciFi and some other sites. I saw him in a movie while on an airplane and was really impressed with him. He played a blind guy who had a chance to see by having an operation. He does have the operation and is given sight for a short time, but the operation isn't a total success. But he has a chance to see some of the people he loves -- so it made all the pain of the operation worthwhile.

Back to the trailer -- there's a pretty long article over at http://www.comingsoon.net/news/startreknews.php?id=50627 - ComingSoon.net that describes an even longer look at the movie and describes it in greater detail. I'm sure it earns the SPOILER WARNING attached to it.

It looks very exciting though and the new faces seem to match up very well. I can't believe how much Zach Quinto looks like Leonard Nimoy!

I can't wait until May when the movie is set to premiere.

Take care.
Sandy

New James Bond Film

2008-11-16T19:23:00.001-05:00

I went to see the new James Bond movie, QUANTUM OF SOLACE, today with my husband. Overall, I liked the movie. It is non-stop action. As a sequel to CASINO ROYALE, you may be a little lost if you don't know the back-story -- who was Vesper? It is somewhat like the awkward moment in an earlier Bond movie when his previous marriage was mentioned -- Roger Moore was Bond and the one who was married was George Lazenby. But you can get the sense of the story in the exchange between Bond and M. Judi Dench is marvelous as M; she is just an awesome actress.

There are some sequences there that will have you on the edge of your seat -- car chases, foot pursuit, boat chase. They even has some hydrogen-powered vehicles in the movie.

I'm sure I could get up a good discussion on who has been the best James Bond. Daniel Craig is good in the role -- especially with all the action. I liked Pierce Brosnan in the role. I'm sure there are a number that would say there can be only one Bond -- and that is Sean Connery.

One thing to be sure -- the story makes all the difference in the world. Without a story, all the special effects in the world can't make a good movie.

Did get to see the new STAR TREK trailer. Looks pretty good -- for what you can discern from the trailer. HEROES' Sylar really does look remarkably like Leonard Nimoy's Spock. It will be interesting to see what story goes with the visuals.

Sandy

New SciFi Shows

2008-11-15T18:52:00.000-05:00

There are a number of new shows that I am enjoying this year. My favorites are Fringe, Eleventh Hour and Sanctuary. There are unique characteristics about all three that I enjoy very much.

The interaction between Walter and Peter (father and son) on Fringe is marvelous. Waler had been institutionalized for 17 years and is now helping investigate cases of parasites, viruses, etc. with the help of son, Peter.

Sanctuary reminds me of Babylon 5 in a way. They talk about sentient beings and have a castle full of captured abnormals -- everything from mermaids to major beasts. Amanda Tapping from Stargate is wonderful as Helen Magnus, a 157 year old scientist who runs the Sanctuary. Her daughter Ashley helps her capture other abnormals when they are discovered. A young doctor, Will, helps with cases as well. The ratings have been good and they have already been renewed for the second season.

ISN News Blog

2008-11-15T06:52:00.000-05:00

Welcome to ISN News Blog. I am experimenting with blogging to see if this is a good way to stay in touch with readers of ISN News -- and a faster way to stay up on the news both in the world of science fiction and what is happening in your world.