HOLY FRAK! All hands jump to Seattle!!!

Check it out!!! There's a Battlestar Galactica exhibit at the EMP Science Fiction Museum in Seattle!!!

We've got about 8 months to get up there and check out the Vipers, Cylons and amazing exhibits! There's some kind of Avatar exhibit going on, too!

Here's a drool-inducing glimpse I found:

AMC is at it again...

Our pals at AMC have been on quite a roll, knocking out some of the best series television there is. I was thrilled to learn that this fall they’re trying their hand at a western. Set in the 1860s, Hell on Wheels follows former confederate soldier Cullen Bohannan (Anson Mount), whose quest for vengeance leads him to Union Pacific’s westward construction of the first Transcontinental Railroad. Bohannan means to hunt down the Union soldiers who killed his wife. Colm Meaney and Common also star. Here's a peek:




I have to admit, even for a western fan, "Cullen Bohannan" is a heck of a mouthful. It might as well be "Quincannon Durango." But I'm just happy to see someone following in the footsteps of beloved Deadwood and hope that this catches fire with some good storytelling.

AMC President Charlie Collier says, “AMC’s commitment to the western is long-standing, and the genre is an important part of our brand and history as a channel. In Hell on Wheels, AMC is creating another epic and enduring American story.”

Here’s hoping that AMC’s streak continues and that Hell on Wheels lives up to its name.

Series review: Thrones fit for a King

Now that the dust has settled, it’s time to consider HBO’s amazing production of Game of Thrones. A 10 episode opus, Thrones is unlike anything ever attempted by a cable channel. A massive fantasy saga aimed squarely at adults. The books are ripe and complex and many readers were dreading TV shortcuts or dumbed-down choices – something HBO never succumbed to. In short, Game of Thrones is a spectacular achievement and they pulled off the near impossible task of conveying this enormous, sprawling kingdom peopled by dozens of characters.

Thrones looks amazing. From its stylized opening credits, the eye is always engaged. Stupendous Irish locations double for the kingdom of Westeros and blend beautifully with CGI renderings of King’s Landing, Winterfell, and of course, The Wall. The Wall is a stunning achievement. When you first glimpse it in episode 1, you know that this team was determined to make these fantastical environs seem as real as possible.

But what makes Game of Thrones stand as a colossal success is the cast. Sean Bean is perfectly cast as Eddard Stark and his presence dominates the moral center of the story, struggling to stay true against the corruption of the King – an unapologetically rotund Mark Addy – and the scheming mechanizations of the Lannisters. Cersei and Jaime are nicely rendered, if not quite as blond and narcissistic as they seemed in the book.

My favorite Lannisters (there’s a show title) are Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) and Joffrey (Jack Gleeson). Okay, a slim argument can be made that technically Joff’s a Baratheon, but do we really want to go there, considering? Dinklage makes Tyrion step right out of the book. Always the smartest man in the room, always the wit that draws blood, Dinklage steals every scene he’s in. Watch him “confess his crimes” to Lysa at the Eyrie (a brilliantly depicted location, by the way. The Sky Cells are breathtakingly frightening).

Joff makes Draco Malfoy seem like a misunderstood Cub Scout. Jack Gleeson is cluelessly entitled and ruthlessly selfish, particularly once he gets a taste of power.

Emilia Clarke and Jason Momoa are splendid in the Dothraki scenes as Daenerys Targaryen and warlord Kahl Drogo. These scenes are straight out of the book and done very faithfully. Iain Glen is a real find as Dany’s faithful knight Ser Jorah Mormont - the guy’s terrific.

As youngest daughter of the Stark clan, Maisie Williams is pitch-perfect as Arya. Her tomboyism, her fondness for the blade – she does a remarkable job – all the Stark family are great, make no mistake – but Arya just leaves you wanting more. The show is practically overflowing with great supporting characters. It’s a hoot to see The Wire’s Mayor Carcetti (Aidan Gillen) as Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish.

It’s been a real delight to revel in these 10 remarkable episodes this spring. Was everything perfect? Not always. The creators got a little carried away with the “full frontal” festivities at times – Hodor?!? There were some unnecessarily graphic sex scenes that at times threatened to let the show drift over into Bob Guccione’s Caligula territory. But Game of Thrones has got to be seen as a great success. What the home video release will offer is anyone’s guess – deleted scenes? One can only drool in anticipation. If you missed this on air, all I can say is you’re in for a real treat, as the creators were clearly driven to be as faithful to the book as possible – on that score they did not disappoint. Here’s to even more divine madness in next year’s sophomore season, presumably titled Clash of Kings.

Stupendous 8

                      

I'm just going to say it, Super 8 may be the best movie I've seen this year. For the teenager who still very much lives inside of me, there's no question about it. 

It's 1979 and a group of small town friends are obsessed with making a Super 8 horror movie. Sneaking around filming, they stumble across a horrific train crash - capturing more on film than they bargained for. A collaboration  between J.J. Abrams and Steven Spielberg, Super 8 is remarkably evocative of guru Spielberg's classics, from Jaws to Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Yet it's no fawning "I love you, Steve," copycat on Abrams' part. It genuinely feels like these two kindred-spirit filmmakers have been inspired by each other. Abrams directs with tremendous heart and suspense here. The young cast of teenage filmmakers are fantastic, with Joel Courtney and Elle Fanning delivering standout performances.

As someone who spent a lot of time as part of a very similar group of dedicated teen filmmakers, I can tell you that Super 8 does a sensational job of capturing the obsessive energy and collective insanity of kids determined to follow in the footsteps of their heroes. "Production value!" The gang in Super 8 are nicely drawn characters and Courtney and his Orson Welles pal Riley Griffiths create a genuine sense of friendship and history together. Elle Fanning's arrival in their world causes just as much upheaval as the train crash they all witness. This is probably the best depiction of the seventies since Zodiac, everything feels very natural, nothing forced.

Super 8 is a monster movie, but it's also something more. More than anything, it's about the dreams that go on behind the camera - Abrams' and Spielberg's, as well as those of Courtney, Griffiths and his friends. They're all trying to capture something magic and they're all trying to live up to their inspirations. From where I'm sitting, the dreamers behind both cameras have succeeded spectacularly. Super 8 will carry you back to those halcyon summers that made us who we were, just like it was yesterday.

Alternate Universes

One of the things we love about Fringe is the fun they have with the idea of an alternate universe. In one episode, they showed a theater marquee reading “Back to the Future starring Eric Stolz,” who was originally cast as Marty McFly, then replaced after five weeks of filming.

Stolz is not alone! There are many stories of actors who were almost cast in what would become iconic roles, only to lose the part to those we now indelibly associate with the role. But if you will, imagine these alternate realities – they almost came to pass…

Gene Hackman was almost Hannibal Lecter and Michelle Pfeiffer was almost Clarice Starling!



Robert Redford was almost Michael Corleone! Ernest Borgnine was almost Don Vito Corleone!



Dustin Hoffman was almost Blade Runner Rick Deckard!



My favorite -- Christopher Walken was almost Han Solo (Nick Nolte was even considered)!



O.J. Simpson was almost The Terminator! James Cameron vetoed the studio's idea. Why? He didn't think audiences would find Simpson believable as a killer.

Lost in Middle Earth -- one last bit of Hobbit news

Hope everyone had a great weekend! Another bit of Hobbit casting news. Evangeline Lilly of Lost will be joining The Hobbit as a Woodland Elf named Tauriel, a new character, says Peter Jackson: "Her name means 'daughter of Mirkwood.' "

Elementary, my dear Smaug...

99% official - a while back we reported that Sherlock's Benedict Cumberbatch had been confirmed as being attached to The Hobbit. Given his look, I think a lot of us assumed he'd be playing an Elf.

Now comes word that Benedict will be voicing that legendary dragon of dragons, Smaug, as well as a mysterious character called The Necromancer, who is later revealed to be an evildoer of some importance...

Cumberbatch will wear a motion capture suit to portray Smaug and has been getting serious buzz for his supporting performances in the Steven Spielberg-directed War Horse as well as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, in which he stars opposite Gary Oldman, Tom Hardy and Colin Firth.

Indiana Jones and the Lost Wave!

Without a doubt, one of the coolest toy lines that met its fate all too early was Hasbro's fantastically detailed Indian Jones series. This line only had a couple of waves when Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull came out. Collectors loved them and when the line was shut down, many of us bemoaned all the cool figures that could have been, but would sadly never be.

Well, even in this economy, there must truly be action figure gods. Because Hasbro has dared to make our dreams come true! This summer at San Diego Comic Con there will be an exclusive Raiders 3 & 3/4" Indiana Jones figure boxset from Hasbro. The set will feature 6 never before released figures that includes Toht, Marion Ravenwood, Satipo, the German Mechanic, Indy in German Disguise and Indiana Jones with a new head sculpt. All six figures will come packaged in a special collector box.
Here is how the figures will sort out --

- German mechanic (with gun, hat and wrench)

- Indy with new head (with torch, sand bag, idol, gun and satchel)
- Satipo (with pack, torch, and tarantulas)

- Toht (with extra melted head, extra melted hand, headpiece, hat, and poker)

- Marion (with torch, torn gown and writhing snakes)
- German Indy (with bazooka)

Aren't those fantastic?!? Be sure to click on the pics for larger embiggenable views. This is nothing short of a love letter from Hasbro to the fans. I am just thrilled that they're doing this -- and I know I'm not alone! Thank you, Hasbro! And is it too late for you to bust out that flying wing...?

Ned Stark is a tough guy!

It's been quite a week for Sean Bean. First, he rocked audiences in the penultimate episode of Game of Thrones, then he went and got stabbed! Sean was hitting the pub in London with his 22-year-old gal-pal, glamour model April Summers (her given name?), Sunday night. They ducked outside for a smoke when a passerby made lewd comments about her. Sean confronted the guy, who left, then came back and started a brawl, with Bean getting stabbed in the arm with a broken glass.

Ned said "No thanks," to a trip to the hospital, patched himself up with the bar's first aid kit, then ordered another drink!

Completely slayed by the cast of The Killing

They ought to be feeling pretty happy over at AMC this year, with The Killing wrapping up its first season this coming Sunday. If there’s a “Northwest Noir” crime genre, The Killing ought to have a pretty secure berth. As the tense and involving season has progressed, the cast has been truly superb, elevating their game as things grow increasingly dark and disturbing.

As grieving married couple Mitch and Stan Larsen, Michelle Forbes and Brent Sexton are the most realistic, compelling couple on television. They have created two remarkably effecting and wounded people who have had their world ripped to pieces around them. These two do incredibly nuanced work as a married couple who’ve lost everything, frantically trying to stay connected by a very frayed tether.

Anchoring the series as deeply committed and deeply flawed homicide detective Sarah Linden, actress Mireille Enos has taken no prisoners on this show. She has a phenomenal sense of command and projects a steely, doesn’t-suffer-fools-gladly tenacity that ranks with Sigourney Weaver. Linden doesn’t understand the word “No,” and she doesn’t understand her own limitations or needs, either. Enos may look like she’s about four feet tall, but she also looks like she’d be first one in the door of any room Clarice Starling would fear to tread.

As Linden’s partner Holder, Joel Kinnaman is a revelation. All posture at first, he’s the undercover guy who blurs the lines, all wigger bravado and attitude. As the season progresses and we learn more about what’s behind the persona, Kinnaman has controlled the character beautifully, keeping him real and unpredictable. His scenes with Enos are amazing.

If you haven't had the pleasure of discovering these characters yet, don't miss this dark slice of crime when it shows up on disc. This cast has done a phenomenal job and here's hoping they reap the awards they deserve.

Magnificent Bestiary - Trollhunter!

Ringlefinch, Raglefant, Tusseladd and the Jotne -- get ready to learn that in the mountainous forests of Norway, Trolls do exist! That's the tremendous conceit of filmmaker André Øvredal's new found-footage "documentary" Trollhunter. Thanks to the (especially for parents) miracle of OnDemand cable's "Same Day as Theaters" feature, we were able to catch Trollhunter last night and it's wildly entertaining. It would make a great double-feature with Gareth Edwards Monsters,as both films deliver truly jaw-dropping effects and inventiveness on Lilliputian budgets.

A group of young student filmmakers are trying to interview a supposed bear poacher, who they begin following, only to learn he's actually got a much more dangerous job...

Trollhunter is at times hilarious and downright terrifying. The film looks tremendous and avoids a lot of the "shaky camera" annoyance that plagued Blair Witch Project and Cloverfield. The Trollhunter himself is a stupendous character and the trolls themselves are...well, there are moments when you may think the Muppets got ahold of some serious acid.

Destined for cult classic greatness, Trollhunter is a wonder. Don't miss it!

X = Dynamite! First Class lives up to the name...

I was lucky enough to get a chance to check out X-Men: First Class last night, and it’s terrific! Director Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake, Kick-Ass) has evolved into a world-class action filmmaker, delivering a brand new origin story that is incredibly involving and satisfying.

What makes First Class special is the casting, which breathes resounding new life into these characters. The real story here is Michael Fassbender, who delivers the most commanding, hypnotic action movie performance in ages, portraying Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto. Having been experimented on during the holocaust, Erik now stalks the earth tracking down former Nazis with brutally efficient zeal. He’s nothing short of phenomenal. Like a Connery-era James Bond, with this movie he moves into the stratosphere of action stars who can actually act. It’s the coolest performance I’ve seen this year.

Equally good is Kevin Bacon in glorious villain mode as Sebastian Shaw. The entire movie is set in the 1960’s – the Cuban Missile Crisis is a major part of the action. With his mod outfits and shag carpeted submarine, Shaw could have been an Austin Powers parody very easily. But he nails this role completely and totally sells it.

It’s interesting to see a young, vital Charles Xavier, embodied by James McAvoy. He’s actually a womanizer as the story begins, but makes sure Xavier stands tall as the conscience and moral compass of the band of mutants he brings together to protect. McAvoy is terrific, as is Rose Byrne. January Jones brings her Betty Draper iciness as Sebastian Shaw’s sidekick, Emma Frost. Jennifer Lawrence was the only underwhelming link for me here, seeming a little awkward and miscast as Mystique.


Make no mistake, Vaughn serves up a rousing, involving origin story epic that does a marvelous job of honoring the comic’s legacy while making it all seem like a fresh new ballgame. But it’s Fassbender who knocks it out of the park.

Bond and Trek 2 movement...

Things continue to move forward on Bond 23. Eon Productions confirms that actress Naomie Harris – so good in 28 Days Later – has met with Sam Mendes and the filmmaking team. Reports continue to persist that both Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes have been in talks about playing the villain. Great to hear things are continuing to progress. No word on the story yet. Now if we can just get a title!

My favorite quote of the week – as painful as it may be to wait for a sequel to Star Trek (December 2012, so we hear), word from a Super 8-promoting J.J. Abrams is the kind of thing we just don’t hear enough of. When discussing the move from mid-summer 2012 to December, Abrams commented, “I care much more that it be good than it be ready… I don’t think anyone wants a movie on time that’s not worth your time. We want to make sure it’s done right.”