Star Wars : Show Us Your Lightsaber Contest February 7, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in contest, jedi, scifi, Star Wars, starwars, YouTube.1 comment so far
I just found out about the ‘Show us your lightsaber’ contest. I’m sure you’ll all want to get in on the action. It’s not quote Stephen Colbert’s Green screen challenge but it sure does look like alot of fun – and it’s all officially sanctioned by Lucasfilm.
Here’s all you have to do:
1. Make a video.
2. Upload it to this YouTube group: http://youtube.com/group/showusyourlightsaber
3. Fill out and submit the entry form.
You must be at least 13 years old to enter. Entries must be received by March 11, 2007. Click here for official rules.
http://reg.hasbro.com/starwars/showusyourlightsaber/officialrules.aspx
Here’s the official video on (where else) YouTube.
Star Wars on the Nintendo Wii February 7, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in nintendo, nintendo wii, scifi, Star Wars, starwars, video games, wii, YouTube.8 comments
Star Wars video games have long been a hit and miss exercise. From the highs of Knights of the Old Republic to crap like Jedi Power Battles. Star Wars video games for next generation consoles may well be a real hit, especially on the Wii.
On the Nintendo Wii you can literally stretch out with your feelings (or WiiMote/Nunchuk) and strike down your enemy.
Don’t believe me? Check out this vid of Star Wars on the Wii. It’ll blow you away. I can hardly wait.
Star Trek New Frontier : Missing in Action (review) February 6, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in Books, scifi, Star Trek, Star Trek Books, star trek new frontier, startrek.add a comment
Can a new reader jump into an existing series and not get lost?
That’s the question I asked before picking up Star Trek New Frontier : Missing in Action. Though i’ve read my share of other Star Trek books I have not yet read any of the New Frontier books. I thought (somewhat naively) that i could jump in with this one, get up to speed and then maybe pick up the predeccesor books later.
I WAS WRONG.
It is not possible to read Star Trek New Frontier : Missing in Action on its own. I tried and it became so frustrating that I had to give up after reading for an hour and feeling completely lost.
Is it the author’s fault or mine?
The author, Peter David is an excellent author for sure. Heck I’ve read a bookcase full of works by him (most recently Battlestar Galactica: Sagittarius is Bleeding) . Usually he builds in enough back story so even if you read a series out of order, you’re still o.k. Not so with Missing in Action.
The plot even without understanding the characters and the ‘inside’ story since this was my first New Frontier book, (in the bit was able to read before getting lost myself) is pathetically repetitive to what dozens of other Trek books have done with better success.
Save your time and money. Avoid Missing in Action.
Following the dramatic events of After the Fall, Captain Mackenzie Calhoun and the crew of the U.S.S. Excalibur find themselves catapulted headlong into another universe, far from the New Thallonian Protectorate and Sector 221-G…a place where an ancient war rages between two powerful alien races. But Calhoun has no intention of staying here for very long and, adopting the time-honored philosophy of “the enemy of my enemy is my friend,” takes it upon himself to somehow (and by any means necessary) persuade one side or the other to help him and his crew get back home.
Battlestar Galactica : Bonus Scene 3×13 Taking A Break From All Your Worries February 5, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in Battlestar Galactica, battlestargalactica, scifi, YouTube.1 comment so far
A very special thanks to http://passtheremote.wordpress.com/ who commented on a previous post.
Apparently the bonus scene from taking a break from all your worries is on YouTube. I’ve linked below for your inline viewing pleasure.
No Battlestar Galactica on TV tonight…lots on the Web. February 4, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in Battlestar Galactica, battlestargalactica, scifi, YouTube.2 comments
With no Battlestar Galactica to watch for another two weeks, ShowMeScifi has gone in search of additional outlets to help get a Battlestar Galactica ‘fix’. Just because there isn’t a BSG on the ‘air’ doesn’t mean you can’t get ‘new’ BSG content to feed your need for BSG.
1) BONUS SCENE Apparently the episode that aired last week (taking a break from all your worries) has a bonus scene that is only available to those with US IP addresses . It is currently not on YouTube but as soon as it is I’ll post it here (or if any readers are aware let us know and I’ll link it up) . It is criminal that this important scene was left out of last week’s BSG episode: President Roslin interrogates Caprica Six, who is now a prisoner aboard the Galactica. When Roslin tries to offer her a deal for her cooperation, Six replies with a shocking counter-offer. (CLICK BONUS SCENEif you’re in the US).
2) PODCAST Ronald D. Moore Exec Producer of BSG does a weekly episode podcast. The one for Taking a Break From All Your Worries is now live (get it here) and contains ALOT of insight.
3) BSGcasts. Really neat news desk concept with a pair of video bloggers who are taking a very good hard look at BSG. Normally I wouldn’t have gone looking for stuff like this (not enough time) but without a show to watch tonight (thanks for nothing SuperBowl) the time was there.
Battlestar Galactica Beaten by…The SuperBowl?!? February 2, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in Battlestar Galactica, battlestargalactica, scifi.3 comments
Adama and the survivors of the colonies have managed to thwart the Cylons time and again. But neither Raptors, the big guns of BSG 75 nor a smart FTL jump by Mr. Gaeta can save Battlestar Galactica from the SuperBowl. After being on hiatus for what seemed like an eternity Battlestar Galactica kicked of season 3.5 with the ‘Rapture’ episode and then followed that with last weeks lame entry ‘Taking a Break From All Your Worries”. The show is off this coming weekend as it takes a break in the face of the almighty SuperBowl. Rumor has it that Battlestar Galactica will also bow down before the Oscars in late February too. New episodes of Battlestar Galactica return on Feb. 11.
Heroes Goes Trekkin With Takei February 2, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in heroes, scifi, Star Trek, startrek.add a comment
I’m not much of a Heroes fan myself, but apparently NBC is trying real hard to get hard core SciFi fans to dig the show. George Takei of Star Trek fame is now on the show and did some kind of press junket yesterday given the number of sites and news outlets that have quotes from him today.
This is one of my favs from all of the coverage that I saw:
The casting choices of Takei and Christopher Eccleston, who played the lead role in Doctor Who during the first season of the new British series, were very clever moves by the show’s producers. Heroes is successfully walking the line between mainstream and hardcore sci fi fans, and the new faces are a sly wink to the latter.
“Here’s this character (Hiro) who is a Star Trek fan, and supposedly saw a younger me on the good ship Enterprise,” Takei said. “And here I am playing his father, so there is a wonderful circle here, that could turn into another, interesting kind of spiral. Heroes is very much like Star Trek in many ways. It’s more fantastical, but it’s contemporary.”
Flash Gordon – re-imagined and coming back to TV!! February 1, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in Flash Gordon, flashgordon, scifi.8 comments
SCI FI Channel is confirming that Flash Gordon is coming back!!
Apparently they’ve green-lighted production on Flash Gordon for production of 22 one-hour episodes. The series is scheduled debut on SCI FI in July of this year.
The characters of Ming, Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov will be brought back for a contemporary retelling of the comic-strip story created in 1934 by Alex Raymond.
First Battlestar Galactica now Flash Gordon. WOW. All I keep hearing in my head is the Queen theme song from the 80’s Flash Gordon movie.
FLASH…dum.dum… dum.dum…AH AH!.
Wait a sec forget that – below you’ll find the Queen video of the Flash Gordon theme. ENJOY!
Aeon Flux – not bad, but not great February 1, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in aeonflux, Movies, scifi.add a comment
I know its been out for a while but it’s only very recently that I’ve had the chance to watch Aeon Flux. Effects, cinematography and acting are all respectable, but that’s not what this blog is about.
This blog is about SciFi.
(so if you’re looking for gardening you’re on the wrong site).
Aeon Flux is a decent SciFi flik. The premise of a post apocalyptic earth in some kind of rebellion is certainly not new but the film’s ‘twist’ is kind of neat. It’s too bad you’ve got to watch more than half of the movie before they finally get to the point of it though.
Having the inhabitants continually reborn as clones is a neat idea. It’s the kind of twist that SciFi must have – though in this film it’s the only real good plot idea that there actually is.
The movie did get me thinking about what else there is in the Aeon Flux world and there is plenty – well at least a comic book and an animated feature. I’ll check ’em out and report on them here soon.
Battlestar Galactica Season 3 Gag Reel Bloopers January 31, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in Battlestar Galactica, battlestargalactica, scifi, YouTube.8 comments
WOW great stuff. And SPOILER ALERT – Starbuck is a FRAKKING cylon she says so and apparently she dies this season too.
Back to the gag real lots of fart jokes and various other frak ups. It’s hilarious and a must see for any/all Battlestar Galactica fans.
Dark Horse Comics : No Longer a ‘Dark Horse’ January 31, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in comic books, comics, Dark Horse, darkhorse, KOTOR, scifi, sith, Star Wars, Star Wars Comic Books, starwars.add a comment
Dark Horse Rising: It’s No Longer Just A DC And Marvel Universe
The Golden Age of comics was dominated by DC Comics, home to Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. The Silver Age belonged to Marvel with Spiderman, the Hulk, Fantastic 4 and Captain America.
Does the third age of comics belong to Dark Horse?
Regular readers of ShowMeSciFi know all about Dark Horse Comics. They are after all the publisher of all Star Wars Comics including of course the ‘new stuff’ like Legacy, KOTOR and Dark Times.
Recently TwitchGuru.com took a look inside the world of Star Wars Comics. This week they take a look inside Dark Horse Comics itself.
Read the full article here.
Star Wars: Dark Times issues 1 and 2 (review) January 29, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in comics, Dark Horse, darkhorse, jedi, scifi, sith, Star Wars, Star Wars Comic Books, star wars dark times, starwars, starwars darktimes.2 comments
“For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times, before the Empire.”
–Ben Kenobi
I just picked up both issues #1 and 2 of Star Wars : Dark Times.
Apparently issue #2 was DELAYED. Issue #1 came out in early november while Issue #2 came out late last week (Jan 24). Starting a new series with such a gap is hardly a way to start a series.
But for me it’s not too bad since i got both issues a the same time and didn’t have to wait two months for an issue.
Now on to the good stuff and make no mistake about it, Dark Times is good stuff.
Plot is a bit predictable given the time period – which sometime close after the end of Episode III with jedi on the run and vader trying to figure out wtf is going on and what he’s supposed to be doing.
The artwork is spectacular with a photorealistic airbrush kind of approach that give this title a very sleek and somewhat unique look in the modern Star Wars pantheon of KOTOR and Legacy.
I am looking forward to issue #3 but i’m putting Dark Horse on notice – if it’s two months late I’m not likely to buy it.
Battlestar Galactica – Taking a Break From All Your Worries – lame’o’ January 29, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in Battlestar Galactica, battlestargalactica, scifi.1 comment so far
Not sure if i’m the only one that noticed but..someone forgot to edit the sound properly on this episode. Some actors were inaudible while others were fine..clearly editting q/a is lacking on this shot.
Then again alot was lacking in this episode.
Kind of a bridging episode i guess some plot development but little action – this isn’t one i’m likely to watch again.
Is Kara going to hook up with Apollo? Who the FRACK cares anyway?! She’s a cylon!
Star Wars : Knights of the Old Republic #12 January 29, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in comic books, comics, Dark Horse, darkhorse, jedi, knights of the old republic, KOTOR, scifi, Star Wars Comic Books, Star Wars Expanded Universe Books, starwars.add a comment
This issue is the second (and final) in a mini-story arc that began in Knights of the Old Republic #11. Basically Zayne’s dad gets kidnapped by pair of Hammerheads in the last issue and in this issue Zayne rescues him.
It’s really that simple (and relatively lame).
I suppose it does help for basic character and overall plot development to know that Zayne :
a: Has a father
b: his father is sympathetic to him
c: The Jedi know both a and b.
Beyond that this issue doesn’t offer much, but for regular readers of KOTOR (like myself) it’s all part of the master plan i guess – and like every other issue – a Must Read.
I’m looking forward to issue #13 already though just to see what the next story arc will bring. We haven’t seen the Sith yet, maybe they’ll finally make their intro.
Star Wars : Legacy issue #7 (review) January 28, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in comics, darkhorse, jedi, scifi, sith, skywalker, Star Wars, Star Wars Comic Books, star wars legacy, starwars, starwars legacy.add a comment
Lightsaber crashes against lightsaber in a battle between Jedi and Sith that marks a crucial turning point in the fate of the galaxy! The life of a central figure hangs in the balance, triggering Cade Skywalker to make a shocking choice that will challenge everything he’s fought so hard to protect, and start him down a path from which he can never return. The stakes are higher than ever before in the Star Wars universe-be there as the future of this epic saga is revealed!
I’ve been a loyal reader of Legacy since issue O. By far and away this is the best issue of Legacy yet – and that is saying alot.
Action, plot, fantastic art – this issue has got it all.
As the end of the first major story arc in Star Wars Legacy it is a fitting conclusion and a natural end. Cade makes his choice and as the cover of the issue implies he follows his destiny. I’m a little surprised he left his pirate buddies behind on Bastion but no doubt Ostrander will find a way in his brilliant script to reconnect them and i suspect that the next time they’ll be an opposing end of a blaster and/or lightsaber.
Back to the Old Republic: Inside the World of “Star Wars” Comic Books January 27, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in comics, knights of the old republic, scifi, sith, Star Wars, star wars legacy, starwars.add a comment
Getting an inside look at Star Wars Legacy and Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic comic books is a real treat. And that’s exactly what a recent article is – a real treat. The article includes comments from both J Miller author of KOTOR and John Ostrander author of LEGACY.
It wasn’t that long ago that Star Wars comic books were considered a dying breed, until Dark Horse helped resurrect the franchise in the early 1990s with its “Dark Empire” series. If you walk into almost any comic book store in America today, you’ll find new Star Wars titles from Dark Horse, such as the popular titles “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” (KOTOR) and “Star Wars: Legacy.” The two series have breathed new life into the Star Wars canon, but can they help revive Star Wars comics? TwitchGuru spoke with the writers of the two titles to find out.
Read the whole story at TwitchGuru.com
Battlestar Galactica : Sagittarius is Bleeding (review) January 27, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in Battlestar Galactica, battlestargalactica, Books, scifi.1 comment so far
The new Battlestar Galactica diverges from the original in a very long list of ways. Among them is the fact that the original included the boy Boxey and his robot dog the Dagit. The original pilot of the new Battlestar Galactica actually had Boxey in it ..but we have seen him since.
Thank the Lords of Cobol for books.
In Sagittarius is bleeding Boxey is back.
The book in an excellent read and actually a MUST READ for all Battlestar Galactica fans. The show rocks, and so does this book. It expands an area of the show that wasn’t done on the TV show and it adds an incredible chapter to the BG saga.
Beyond just Boxey, President Roslyn actaully can see Baltar’s hallucination of Six in this book..which is really cool. I mean what the frak is up with those hallucinations anyways? is she real? a chip?
Oh and Boxey – bad news he may be a cylon. Too bad we’ll likely never see him again on the TV show itself but for now the book is a solid subsititue.
Lucasfilm Ltd. Wins Case Against Illegal Lightsabers™ January 25, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in jedi, scifi, sith, Star Wars, starwars.add a comment
Lucasfilm Ltd. Wins Case Against Illegal Lightsabers™
Barred From Using Star Wars™ Trademarks, Maryland Company Agrees to $250,000 Judgment for Infringements
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In a court-approved settlement, William Osburn and his Maryland-based company, High-Tech Magic, have agreed to a $250,000 judgment in Lucasfilm Ltd.’s favor for illegally using Star Wars trademarks to manufacture and sell lightsaber™ replicas.
U.S. District Judge Ronald M. Whyte of the Northern District of California, San Jose Division, permanently barred Osburn and High-Tech Magic from using the trademarks and required that the company not sell “any facsimile of a lighted or glowing sword … and/or parts designed to enable others to build” the infringing lightsabers.
“Lucasfilm is very serious about protecting its intellectual property rights,” said Howard Roffman, President of Lucas Licensing. “We will diligently pursue companies like High-Tech Magic that try to make a profit by infringing our rights.”
Roffman said Lucasfilm will continue to monitor the activities of High-Tech Magic, and that it is investigating other prop-replica companies that are infringing on Lucasfilm’s trademarks and copyrights. The company will file additional legal actions against infringers as necessary.
As in previous cases, Roffman emphasized that fans who are simply showcasing their enthusiasm for Star Wars are not at risk. “Our goal is to go after and shut down businesses that are trying to make a profit off of creations and properties that do not belong to them,” he said.
Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS, lightsaber and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.
# ed note – The lesson here my friends? DON’T MESS WITH LUCAS!!!
South Park’s Buck Rogers (aka: Cartman) January 23, 2007
Posted by showmescifi in buck rogers, buckrogers, scifi, south park, southpark, YouTube.add a comment
One of the great SciFi shows of the 80’s (or not so great from today’s perspective) had to be Buck Rogers with Gil Gerard. Evidently South Park’s creators felt the same way and created an ‘homage’ to Buck Rogers in a recent two part episode where Cartman gets frozen and thenrescued 500 years into the future.
What I didn’t realize until I saw the video linked below was just how closely South Park matched up to the original Buck Rogers intro. The vid shows the two intros side by side, starting with the Buck Rogers audio, it then repeats with the South Park audio. You gotta see this…awwwweesome!
Show Me SciFi 