Paramount Digital Entertainment, which is responsible for the site, will be shut down at the end of the year, leaving the official Star Trek site in limbo. (via Fanthropology.)
From the blogside
Imadra_blue rants on fandom perceptions of Anakin and Mace.
Lazypadawan isn’t fond of the theory that the Sith created Anakin.
Jaded_skys defends Padme, and Cadesama posted notes on the Padme/Anakin pairing.
An essay by Abel G. Peña is being published as part of an e-book.
Also on blogs.starwars.com, Paul ponders who else was being held on the Death Star’s detention level, Pablo calls out Fox News for not doing their homework and Bonnie finds Indiana Jones mash-ups.
I am indebted to the fine folks at Jedi News from linking to some of the Livejournal posts.
Free Cheesy Movies!
Big Dumb Object finds 119 science fiction movies to download. Supposedly their copyrights have expired.
V for Vintage
Posterwire on the propaganda-style teasers for V for Vendetta. They’re really fantastic posters, and I’m not looking forward to the inevitably bland photomontage that will no doubt follow for the release.
Rumor: Serenity sequel?
Whedon’s people deny it, but IGN is claiming that Universal has given the go-ahead for low-budget sequel to Serenity. The film would be broadcast on the Sci-Fi Channel or possibly go straight to DVD.
And while we’re on the subject, Serenity hand puppet theatre.
Pharmacology!
If, like me, all you can remember of the original Aeon Flux is people licking each other in slow motion, you might be interested in The not-so-secret history of ‘Aeon Flux’ – in comic form.
CS Lewis “absolutely opposed” to live-action films
A letter by CS Lewis has emerged indicating that the author of the Narnia books was “absolutely opposed” to live-action adaptations of his works.
In the letter, dated December 18 1959, Lewis made clear he approved of the radio version of the book produced by Lance Sieveking, a pioneering BBC radio and television producer. But in letters written shortly before the death of his wife, Joy, Lewis also said he was “absolutely opposed – adamant isn’t in it! – to a TV version” of any of the books. “Anthropomorphic animals, when taken out of narrative into actual visibility, always turn into buffoonery or nightmare. At least, with photography,” he wrote.
A cartoon version would be “another matter”, he said. But Lewis, who died in 1963, added: “If only Disney did not combine so much vulgarity with his genius.” In conclusion, he said that “a human, pantomime Aslan would to me be blasphemy”.
It’s sad Lewis won’t be here to see it. Perhaps he’d have changed his mind.
Zombie Thanksgiving Film News
Cinematical has seven really, really bad films for you to watch for the holiday, headed up by Howard the Duck. Personally, turkey day just hasn’t been the same since Mystery Science Theatre 3000 bit it.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire broke Spider-Man’s Friday release record.
Peter Jackson is trying to get director’s credits for two of King Kong‘s lead animators.
See a clip from The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe.
Fan of the Arthurian legends? Check out the trailer for Tristan and Isolde. Sadly, the trailer contains an Evancesance song, but the movie does star James Franco (Spider-Man) and the smokin’ hot Rufus Sewell (A Knight’s Tale) so there’s hope. I have the sinking feeling that I’m going to come out of this one wanting to smack Isolde, though. (But hey, what’s new?)
And finally, I thought a new X-Files movie was a long shot… Now there’s a slim chance for the show’s David Lynch helmed precursor Twin Peaks to get another shot at the big screen. (Fire Walk With Me, a prequel to the series, died a quick death back in 1992.)
Ringers: on DVD today
The definitive film about Lord of the Rings fans is now available on DVD.
Amazon.com says:
Of all the documentaries devoted to J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy classic, Ringers: Lord of the Fans is the first and only one to respectfully honor the good-natured depth and breadth of Lord of the Rings fandom… Actor Dominic Monaghan (“Merry” from Jackson’s trilogy, before joining the ensemble cast of Lost) perfectly delivers the film’s eloquent narration, which runs the LOTR gamut from intellectual appreciation to the hilarious eccentricities of über-fan obsession. Unfailingly noble in spirit and delightfully comprehensive, Ringers is a collector’s gift that can proudly stand alongside Tolkien’s books and Jackson’s timeless movie trilogy.
Something else for the Christmas list!
Potter
Well, it’s been out three days now and the reviews are generally good. It had a great opening day in the US.
People are already complaining about how scary it is (unlike the book, which was a walk in the garden) and how it cut stuff out (we’d still be in the theatre if they hadn’t).
The Tonner Doll Company is releasing an exclusive 17″ doll. Ron and Hermione are apparently to follow. It will be available at FAO Schwartz and other over-priced toy stores.