Happy Holidays

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

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

Holiday Fun

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.