Finally an Original Sci Fi Idea : Flash Forward

Because there is not a great deal of science fiction TV around at the moment now that 'Stargate Universe' and 'Fringe' are on hiatus, I decided to take some advice from and friend and give 'Flash Forward' a chance.

I was dubious from the start. From what I saw it looked like a show with a single plot device to drive it and all we would see would be a bunch of FBI agents running around trying to solve it, much like many other shows (CSI, Criminal Minds) which have saturated our Zombiebox.

But then I started watching and after about 5 minutes, I was completely sucked in.

As soon as I saw the infamous name 'Brannon Braga' in the titles I knew right away that this was going to be good and the awesome direction from David S Goyer helped pave the way for one of the best sci fi series I have seen in many years.

And it is indeed 'Sci Fi' but 'Flash Forward' is probably one of those Sci Fi shows for people who hate Sci Fi or at the very least I would describe it as 'Sci Fi for Beginners' much like Fringe or perhaps V 2009. But make no mistake, already I think this show has far more potential that either of the other two combined.

If you don't already know the plot then here it is.

(from Wikipedia)

Premise: A mysterious global event causes nearly everyone on the planet to lose consciousness for 2 minutes 17 seconds, during which people see what appear to be visions of their lives approximately six months in the future—a global “flashforward”.

A team of Los Angeles FBI agents, led by Stanford Wedeck (Courtney B Vance) and spearheaded by Mark Benford (Joseph Fiennes), begin the process of determining what happened, why, and whether it will happen again.

Again, it seems like the show rests on a single plot device but already the potential for many different story lines comes out of it. The characters have to deal with a variety of problems after the blackout. During which many of them saw visions of their own future. Everyone 'Flashed Forward' to the date April 29Th 2010 and most have vivid recollections of what they saw. One person sees her marriage over, another sees themselves investigating the very phenomenon itself and uses the memories to begin the investigation.

Some people however, did not see anything and therefore must speculate why? Are they sleeping 6 months on the future? or are they dead?

Check out more over at ABC and get watching. Trust me, you will not be disappointed.

9/10

Iron Man 2 Trailer with Mickey Rourke as 'Whiplash'

I never really expected much from Ironman but I was surprised at just how great a film it was. this new trailer makes the sequel look even better and I for one am delighted that Mickey Rourke is in it!

Enjoy!

From Captain to 'Sir'. Patrick Stewart to be Knighted.

My all time favourite actor Patrick Stewart is to be honoured by the Queen in the New Year Honours list.

The legendary British actor who of course starred as the steadfast Captain Jean Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation will be recognised for his 50 years of performance work.

According to the Mirror.co.uk

The screen and stage legend will receive the gong from the Queen for his services to drama. Stewart’s award will cap an incredible career that has spanned 50 years of film and theatre.

Palace sources said the Queen is a huge fan of the 69-year-old, who played Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation. One observer said: “It’s a fantastic accolade for a fantastic actor.

“He is a man at the very top of his trade who has mastered both popular TV and classic roles.”

Thank God! Stargate Universe gets a 2nd Season

I was worried for a moment that all the negative reviews and bad ratings for "Stargate Universe" were going to cause its untimely cancellation.

I love this show and I hope that the second 20 episode season due to start filming early in 2010 will win over the skeptical traditional Stargate fans and new fans alike.

The really is not a great deal of new Sci Fi around on TV at the moment so keep SGU coming!

from Gateworld...A 20-episode season will begin filming in early 2010 for a fall premiere. Meanwhile, the second half of Season One will return in April.

Work on the first episodes of Season Two is already underway in Vancouver, British Columbia, where the show’s writing team has hammered out storylines and already started writing scripts...

Read more @ Gateworld!

V 2009 : Miniseries Review

After watching all 4 episodes of V 2009 I have to say, yes I will keep watching it but I am a little underwhelmed.

It was a great show for normal TV, but not a great sci fi show. I was surprised that this got picked up by ABC instead of somewhere like the SyFy channel.

'V (2009)' has been made into a mainstream show and perhaps this is a good thing, maybe it will make more people watch sci fi. (which can only be a good thing :-)

Morena Baccarin is superb and I probably would have changed the channel prematurely if she had not been in it. She was so awesome in Firefly I just had to see how this turned out, indeed her fellow Firefly cast member Alan Tudyk also makes this show worth a look.

V 2009 moves along very quickly and by the time the first episode ends we already know all the main details. The 'visitors' are lizards, they have been here for years, and operate in terrorist-ish 'sleeper cells' they have evil intent upon the human race and they have a 5th column who are on our side.

Let the resistance begin.

'V 2009' feels like more of a clean cut all-American prime time drama show with Aliens. The production quality is standard and doesn't really bring anything new to the viewer. The limited visual effects are very good but I have to say, I thought the classic saucer shaped motherships looked way better. (but that's just my personal opinion)

One little thing did raise my eyebrow. Did the visitors purposefully build their ships so that the underside can turn into a giant TV screen?

Adjusting to a new version of a classic show is not easy, but I admit, this show has one very big strength which should keep it afloat and quite separate from the original. The central theme behind humanities positive reaction to the visitors is 'devotion'. The idea is that the 'visitors' arrive just when we need them. The world (America) is in turmoil. War, recession, terrorism and 'cough, cough' healthcare.

That's right, the aliens are here to provide healthcare to one and all.

At this point I must state that I am not American and I live in a country which provides free universal healthcare, (which I love) but I am well aware of the debate in the USA and it is surely no mistake that the writers have written this idea into the show.

But what are they saying? are they saying that the Aliens are a metaphor for the pro UHC lobby? I don't know. But it is very interesting and probably a little provocative.

Overall a very interesting show. It definitely has more substance to it which seems to only bubble under the surface. But the characters so far have been quite unimpressive, however time can surely change that.

As a sucker for all things set in space, I have to say that the final shot of episode 4 where the camera pulls back from Earth, flies through the cosmos and stops at an alien world where a massive alien armada is about to set off (2nd wave) looks pretty damn cool.

I look forward to seeing the series proper.

5.5/10

Stargate Universe 'Justice' Review

Spolier Zone!

Beware the 'Trial aboard a spaceship' episode! They have been done too many times!

Thankfully the writers at SGU already know this.

After a crew member in found dead aboard the Destiny, the ship is turned upside down for the murder weapon. The death appears to be a suicide, but there is no gun. During a search of the ship, Eli finds the gun in Colonel Young's quarters.

A trial begins and ends very quickly and it is determined that there is not enough evidence to convict Young, but there is enough doubt to make him stand aside. Colonel Young is removed from command and replaced by Camile.

Finally, Dr Rush has a civilian in command of the ship and he can get on with what he wants to do. Which is of course getting someone to sit in the ancient chair and see if they can unlock the secrets of the ancient ship.

While this is all happening, the Destiny makes a stop at a planet where they find a crashed Alien spacecraft. Rush is desperate to go and see it however Eli and Young has discovered new evidence proving that Dr Rush is the one who planted the gun in an effort to get rid of Colonel Young.

A vicious showdown ensues between the two of them on the alien world and in a superb cliffhanger, Rush is stranded. The Destiny resumes its flight back into FTL.

Did anyone else remember the strange ship that detached itself from the Destiny at the end of episode 3 'Air'? Maybe this is the ship that they have found?

Dr Rush finally has to face some consequences for his manipulative actions and Colonel Young gets to come out of his shell some more from the somewhat dour character that he has been so far. Having seen such a tender and loving side of Camile in the previous episode, this is fantastic to see her acting as more of a tough bitch.

An excellent episode which kept me watching right to the bitter end.

8.5/10

Will Star Trek make it to the Oscars?

Probably not, but you never know. With expanded categories in the Oscars for 2010, could any science fiction movie get in? if the answer is yes, then surely Star Trek and District 9 could be contenders.

(following from Airlock Alpha)
No one ever thought when Paramount Pictures announced it was doing a new "Star Trek" movie that such a film could ever even begin to be considered for Oscar nomination.

But then again, no one thought the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences would expand its Best Picture nominees to 10.

Paramount isn't letting this one slip away. The studio will send out screeners of three of its films to potential Oscar voters Dec. 8, according to The Los Angeles Times, including J.J. Abrams' recent film, "Up in the Air" and "The Lovely Bones." Read more >>