12.16.05 - 12.23.05

HELLO

And here's the three hundred and twenty-second edition of "Hailing Frequencies."

If you want to be notified when this newsletter is updated, email me to be put on my "notification" list.

Happy Holidays!

BATTLESTAR GALATICA & LOST & STARGATES

Whoo hoo! Battlestar Galactica and Lost are getting some well-deserved recognition y making the ten-show list by the American Film Institute as the best of the year. Lost (though not BSG) also got nominated for best drama television series for the Golden Globes, which mostly ignored sci-fi and fantasy for the year. Way to go!

Lost also got a nom for outstanding achievement in writing for a dramatic series for the 58th Annual Writers Guild TV Awards. The coolness of this, however, is vastly undercut by the fact that the same group also lauds The Librarian: Quest for the Spear, for best long-form program.

Anyway, check out the SCI FI Friday schedule for January:

JANUARY 6
Stargate SG-1 - "The Fourth Horseman, Part 2"
Stargate Atlantis - "The Hive"
Battlestar Galactica - "Resurrection Ship, Part 1"

JANUARY 13
Stargate SG-1 - "Collateral Damage"
Stargate Atlantis - "Epiphany"
Battlestar Galactica - "Resurrection Ship, Part 2"

JANUARY 20
Stargate SG-1 - "Ripple Effect"
Stargate Atlantis - "Critical Mass"
Battlestar Galactica - "Epiphanies"

JANUARY 27
Stargate SG-1 - "Stronghold"
Stargate Atlantis - "Grace Under Pressure"
Battlestar Galactica - "Black Market"

EARTHSEA

Now, this sounds cool. Japanese Studio Ghibli is going to adapt the third and fourth book from Ursula K. Le Guin's kick-ass Earthsea six-book series into an anime, Gedo Senki ("Tales From Earthsea"), to be released in Japan in July 2006.

ENDER'S GAME

IGN and Dark Horizons have the latest on the trials of making Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game into a movie. It seems the many script attempts have never made it for Card or Warner Bros,. who own the rights. "The option with Warner Bros. was due to expire on December 7th. There was no filmable script – though in fairness to the writers so far, they may well have been following faithfully all that they were actually asked to do – EG is simply a very hard story to put in script form. "

Card and Warner state they are still committed to the project and want it in production sometime next year.

GAMING

Majesco Entertainment is liquidating some assets, perhaps to pay off debt, and has sold off the rights to hot titles The Darkness (Starbreeze Studios for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3) and Ghost Rider (based on Nick Cage's movie for Xbox, PlayStation 2 and PSP). The unnamed publisher paid $8 million, according to GameSpot.

HARRY POTTER

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is in preproduction and should go before cameras February 2006.

GRAMMIES

The drama-related nominations for the Grammy Awards have some sci-fi/fantasy contenders in four categories:

Best Score Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
The Incredibles, by Michael Giacchino
SW Ep III: Revenge of the Sith, by John Williams

Best Song Written For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media
"Believe," from The Polar Express, by Glen Ballard & Alan Silvestri
"Wonka's Welcome Song," from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by John August & Danny Elfman
"Cold Wind - The Arcade Fire," from Six Feet Under Vol. 2

Best Instrumental Composition
"Anakin's Betrayal," from SW Ep. III: Revenge of the Sith, by John Williams
"The Ferry Scene," from War of the Worlds, by John Williams
"The Incredits," from The Incredibles, by Michael Giacchino (also nominated for Best Instrumental Arrangement)

KING KONG

Oh, and Jackson's King Kong remake made the movie list. And the critics are raving. And the trailer looks hot. So, once again, Julia proves she knows nothing about making movies...except, the box office isn't doing as well here in America as projected, "only" bringing in $9.7 million on Wednesday. Globally, things were better, with $18 million. Studio executives expect the weekend to "make up" the slack to the projections.

LADY IN THE WATER

M. Night Shyamalan's next movie (with a twist!) is WB's Lady in the Water, starring Paul Giamatti as Cleveland Heep, who according to the press release: "on the night that irrevocably changes his life, Cleveland finds someone else hiding in the mundane routine of the modest building: a mysterious young woman named Story, who has been living in the passageways beneath the building's swimming pool."

Story is "narf," which should mean she's a blue creature you can toss around indoors, but instead is a nymph hiding from demons. "Story's unique powers of perception reveal the fates of Cleveland's fellow tenants, whose destinies are tied directly to her own, and they must work together to decipher a series of codes that will unlock the pathway to her freedom."

Sounds complicated. We can decide for ourselves July 2006.

LORD OF THE RINGS

The music for Fellowship of the Ring has been available before, but now all 180 minutes have been put on a three-disc CD, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring - The Complete Recordings, by Howard Shore, from Reprise Records. Includes Enya's Oscar nominated song, "May It Be." Go here for more info.

LOST

Look at this from AskAusiello:

Question: In the Lost forums, Ana Lucia's sexual orientation is being questioned to no end. Can the producers clarify that for us? — Dahlia Torres

Ausiello: "She is straight," insists exec producer Carlton Cuse, effectively squashing my whole Ana Lucia-Rousseau theory. And what of rumors that another castaway may be harboring a same-sex crush? "To spill about whether a character currently on the island is gay would be at cross-purposes to our mission of keeping the characters' backstories shrouded in mystery," Cuse adds. "That's not saying any are… or aren't. But in the case of Ana Lucia, we will go on the record and say that her character is straight."

Since basically Ana Lucia's "lesbian tendencies" are mostly just being tough and self-capable, does anyone else find this question a little offensive? Straight women can't be tough? Whatever, weenies.

NEW & DEVELOPING SCI-FI/FANTASY MOVIE PROJECTS

Title: Look Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman
Origin: Fictional Biography/Filmology
Director: Kevin Burns
Producer Bryan Singer
Studio: WB
Premiere: Before June 30, when Superman Returns comes out.

Title: Our Family Troubles (working title only)
Origin: Original (!)
Screenwriter: Don Winston
Studio: Universal Pictures
Premise: Reese Witherspoon thinks the Bell Witch will hurt her son.
Production Date:

Title: Suffering Man's Charity
Origin: Original (!)
Director: Alan Cumming
Studio: Independent
Starring: David Boreanaz, Cumming, Anne Heche, Henry Thomas, Carrie Fisher, Karen Black and Jane Lynch
Premise: Man takes credit for dead guy's book, so dead guy haunts him.
Production Date: Unknown

Title: Witchblade (2 films)
Origin: Comic book from Top Cow Productions and TNT TV Show
Producer/Studio: Platinum Studios, IDG Films, and Relativity Media
Premise: Woman detective gets magical weapon.
Production Date: Unknown

NIGHT STALKER

Though there's no plans for new episodes, or anything, SCI FI Channel bought and will air all ten episodes of Touchstone Television's remake of Night Stalker, including the three episodes that never aired on ABC.

SERENITY

SCI FI Wire has a preview of an extended scene from the upcoming Serenity DVD, which also has commentary from Joss Whedon, and outtakes, featurettes, and more goodies. It's out on the 20th and on my Christmas list!

STAR TREK

The Can Magazine has taken the "new Trek movie" ball and is running with it…all the way to The Evil Alternate Universe:

The current script – I ASSUME 'ONE' OF MANY - apparently has events set in what is called a "Mirror" Universe. It will enable Trek actors past and present to play roles, including William Shatner. Apparently Shatner was in talks to do a guest role on Enterprise, but it didn't work out. Why? Apparently he wanted a) more money b) would rather do Trek films. Solution? The ideas for the episode of the "Enterprise" episode he was going to do will now be incorporated into a movie. Yep, Captain kirk's [sic] back - SOMEHOW. The actress wasn't unsure of her involvement or her show's cast's involvement but said she "thinks" it'll be Shatner, Captain Picard and maybe Archer.

However, Sy Fy Portal says this is hogwash. A Paramount Pictures "source" says the that thought Paramount asked for a Trek scipts, it's not about Kirk, Picard, and Archer having an adventure together. "Erik [Jendresen's] script met with mixed reaction, but it has nothing to do with the quality. It has more to do with disagreements among those who are in decision-making capacities as far as it [Star Trek] is concerned. There are no other ideas on the table at this time."

X-MEN 3

...will be scored by John Powell (Robots, Shrek, Paycheck, The Bourne Identity). Power will also be doing Ice Age 2, Shrek 3, and The Bourne Ultimatum. In other words, ladies, his dance card is full!

X-Men 3 teaser trailer here.

NEWS BITS - NEW GAME!

One of the following news items is false.  Can you spot it? (For the answer, highlight below.)

• Tim Lebbon has an interview up with the SCI FI Wire about his new novel, Dusk. David Marusek talks with SCI FI Wire about his first novel, Counting Heads. Tamora Pierce discusses her latest novel, The Will of the Empress, with SCI FI Wire.
• Check out the trailer for Ron Howard/Tom Hanks' The Da Vinci Code here or here.
• Jim Butcher talks with SCI FI Wire about the channel's adaptation of his novel The Dresden Files.
• Sci-fi writer Neal Williamson (AKA J.N. Williamson and Julian Shock) died December 8 at a nursing home near Indianapolis. He was 77.
• Scott Peters (The 4400) has signed a two-script deal with Touchstone Television, and his first script that sounds really familiar: a man travels to the past to prevent future disasters (or to put right what's about to go wrong).
• Hey! Do you have $200 to throw away next August? You do?! Well, you could give it to me, or you can buy Jim Lee, Scott Williams, John G. Mathews's 9 ½ inch statue of Batman and Robin squatting in front of a city skyline.
• Paramount Pictures is buying independent movie studio Dreamworks SKG, making the studio co-owner of future Steven Spielberg movies and a library of 60 films.
• Look for the next reality show on...SCI FI Channel? Yup. Twelve hand-picked contestants and self-styled "nerds" are going to be given life make-overs to prove nerdom is only skin-deep. Or something. Working title is Super Joe.
• The premiere of Ghost Rider, the Nicholas Cage movie based on the Marvel comic, has been pushed back from July 14, 2006 to President's Day weekend 2007.
• WB is going to try two more Supernatural-like shows: Pretty Little Liars, in which four 16-year-old girls are haunted by a long-lost friend, and Midnighters, about teens born at the stroke of midnight who are able to access a 25th hour to the day.
• And speaking of Supernatural, TV Guide reports that William B. Davis will guest as a shady professor in the January 10 episode. The following week Julie Benz will show up as a woman with a brain tumor being chased by an evil clergyman.

Reveal the fake (highlight): Look for the next reality show on...SCI FI Channel? Yup. Twelve hand-picked contestants and self-styled "nerds" are going to be given life make-overs to prove...I dunno. Something. Working title is Joe Cooler.

INSANE TREK TRIVIA

This Week's Question: On which series and in which episode do we first see Harry Kim playing kalto?

Send your answer to scifi@about.com. All correctly answering trivia maniacs will have their names mentioned in the next newsletter. The first winner gets to make a request, anything they like -- within reason -- for the next "Hailing Frequencies" Issue. Please let me know if you don't want me to post your email address if you win.

Last Week's Question: When Harry Mudd returns in The Animated Series, what does he bring with him?

Answer: Love crystals and a Rigellian hypnoid.

First winner
Sue

Second winner
Bob

CAPTION CONTEST

Send in your best caption for the picture below. The best (as in, my favorite) entry will appear in next week's issue.

[Insert caption here.]

"LETTERS TO THE EDITOR"

This week's topic: Narnia thoughts, anyone?

***

Loved the first Narnia film. I was a little anxious and the lukewarm reviews were worrying (although I should have realized that most ordinary movie critics really don't understand fantasy or science fiction). But I was blown away by how good the film was. In fact, what hurts the Harry Potter films (too much plot, severe editing) was totally missing because the Narnia books are slim and this allowed the screenwriters and director to flesh out the story. I loved the wonderful character moments that were added and the kids were obviously chosen because they could act. The portrayal of Lucy was spot-on, Edmund's role was nicely nuanced and even Susan was given a personality. Even the awkward appearance of Father Christmas was well handled.

The thing that most troubled those of us who remember the BBC live action series was the handling of all of the animals and other creatures. The CGI was so well done that you soon stopped thinking about the look and got lost in the story.

Aslan was magnificent. If I have one quibble, it is the loss of the joyful act of play between the girls and the resurrected Aslan that is such a cathartic moment in the book.

Can't wait for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader!

Chris

***

Next week's topic: King Kong thoughts, anyone?

***

Send me something if you've got something to say.  It can be about anything that's on your mind! (Please let me know if you don't want your email address to accompany your name in either contest or for the LTE.)

TOP US MOVIES FROM THE NUMBERS

1 King Kong Universal..........................$9,755,745
2 The Chronicles of Narnia..................$77,693,647
3 Syriana........................................$16,108,787
4 Harry Potter & Goblet of Fire..........$246,064,434
5 Walk the Line...............................$78,480,818
6 Pride and Prejudice........................$27,348,000
7 Aeon Flux.....................................$21,202,773
8 Just Friends..................................$27,180,000
9 Yours, Mine and Ours......................$41,454,438
10 Rent..........................................$27,409,000

TOP SF/F NETWORK SHOWS, NGR, 11.21 - 27

1. Lost 10.7
2. Medium 8.7
3. Ghost Whisperer 7.3
4. Invasion 5.9
5. Surface 5.8
6. Threshold 4.4
7. Supernatural 3.1
8. Charmed 2.8
9. Smallville 1.5

TOP SF/F SYNDICATED SHOWS, NGR, 11.21 - 27

1. Alias 2.4
2. Smallville 1.8
3. Stargate SG-1 1.7
4. Stargate Atlantis 1.6
5. Star Trek: Enterprise 1.6
6. The Twilight Zone 1.1
7. Farscape 1.0
8. The Outer Limits .9
9. Sabrina .8

TOP SCI-FI/FANTASY BOOKS, Amazon - 12.9.05

1. Narnia box set
2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
3. The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
4. Harry Potter paper box set
5. The Chronicles of Narnia
6. Wicked
7. The Penultimate Peril (Lemony Snicket 12)
8. Eldest (Inheritance 2)
9. The Da Vinci Code
10.Inkspell

TOP SCI-FI/FANTASY DVDS, Amazon - 12.9

1. Star Wars: Episode III
2. Madagascar
2. Lost season one
4. Fantastic Four
5. The Polar Express
6. Cinderella platinum edition
7. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
8. Serenity
9. Firefly complete series
10. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

HAILING FREQUENCIES CLOSED

Visit the "Hailing Frequencies" Archive
http://scifi.about.com/blhailarchive.htm
Julia Houston
Sci-Fi/Fantasy Guide @ About.com
scifi@about.com