News

Sid Meier's Civilization 7 is set to be the long-awaited continuation of a beloved series that's helped to define the landscape of strategy games since the first game released over three decades ago. Every Civilization game yet released is focused around the standard "4X" elements — eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate — which challenge players to lead their civilization to a promising future through any and all of these methods. Racing to war can often be the most enticing option, but it's also possible to achieve victory through developing culture or leaping ahead in science.

The other core defining aspect of Civilization is its focus on cultures from human history, which can be guided from their infancy all the way to the modern age and the future beyond. Overall development also roughly mimics the march of progress, with technology and religion following a basic linearity that can be adjusted along different paths. It's...

Civilization is a long-running video game series where builders build their own civilizations, starting in prehistory and going all the way up through the future. They can win the game through conquest, by achieving a certain level of culture, by developing their technology to the point where they create an interstellar spaceship, or more. The strategy series has been popular ever since the first game came out in 1991. Now, over 30 years, Civilization VII is coming to consoles. And Brienne of Tarth from Game of Thrones is gonna narrate!

Well, Brienne of Tarth actress Gwendoline Christie is gonna narrate. She shows off her dulcut tones in a new trailer:

Christie joins a pretty distinguished list of Civilization narrators that also includes Leonard Nimoy, William Morgan Sheppard and Christie's Game of Thrones castmate Sean Bean, who played Ned Stark. In addition to Game of Thrones, Christie has also appeared in shows like...

It’s time for a new episode of our Revisited video series, and with this one we’re taking a moment to pay tribute to one of the most iconic horror hosts of all time, Elvira. The movie we’re covering is the 1988 horror comedy Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (watch it Here) – the Halloween season seemed like a perfect time to show Elvira some love – and you can find out all about it in the embed above!

Directed by James Signorelli from a screenplay written by Sam Egan, John Paragon, and Cassandra Peterson (a.k.a. Elvira herself), Elvira: Mistress of the Dark has the following synopsis:

The late night TV scream queen of horror makes her debut as a movie star in this manic comedy that is full of laughs. The mega-busted terror queen descends descends upon a conservative Massachusetts town to sell her late aunt’s estate.

We love Cassandra Peterson, a smart woman who made a go of horror host work in the tough Los Angeles TV market, long after the short-lived Vampira and just a few years after the passing of Sinister Seymour. After Elvira’s Movie Macabre she got to make this lively comedy feature, and thus planted her stake in the cinema firmament while at the top of her game. I’d give it an A+ for nostalgic sentiment, a B for quality and a B+ for wit, even if the adult humor does skew a bit infantile. Well, that was part of the Elvira personality too!

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

Blu-ray

Arrow Video

1988 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 96 min. / Street Date April 28, 2020 / 39.95

Starring: Cassandra Peterson, William Morgan Sheppard, Daniel Greene, Susan Kellerman, Jeff Conaway, Edie McClurg, William Duell.

Cinematography: Hanania Baer

Film Editor: Battle Davis

Original Music: James B. Campbell

Written by Sam Egan,...

William Morgan Sheppard, best known for his work in Star Trek: The Next Generation the series and subsequent Star Trek films, died Sunday. He was 86.

His son, actor Mark Sheppard (Lost Voyage) shared news of his father’s death in an emotional tribute on Instagram.

The London-born actor began his career on the stage. He was an Associate Artist with the Royal Shakespeare Company for 12 years, and appeared on Broadway in 1966 with Marat-Sade and later in 1975 with Sherlock Holmes. But it was his portrayal of Dr. Ira Graves in 1989’s Star Trek: The Next Generation series for which he became known to audiences worldwide. He also went on to play the Rura Penth commandant in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country in 1991, Quatai in the Star Trek: Voyager’s 1999 episode Bliss, and the chief Vulcan Science Council minister in 2009’s Star Trek film.

His other credits include an episode of Doctor Who,...

British actor William Morgan Sheppard has died at the age of 86.

The actor's son, Supernatural star Mark Sheppard, confirmed the news of his father's passing on Instagram Sunday evening by writing, "We went to spend some time with my father today. Though he couldn't speak, we held hands, he laughed

...

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Other Links From TVGuide.com William Morgan SheppardStar TrekStar Trek: Voyager...

Last year, German distributor Cinespectral Films announced their plans to honor the Queen of Halloween with a limited edition, all-region Blu-ray of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark (1988), and today they've released the full details and pre-order information for the anticipated home media release.

Limited to 3,000 overall items, the Elvira, Mistress of the Dark Blu-ray / DVD is available in three different cover art versions (limited to 1,000 apiece) and is slated for an April 24th release. Pre-orders are now open, and you can check out the full list of special features and cover art selections below. To learn more, visit Movie2Shop and Cinespectral Films.

Press Release: Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark Finally Busts Out In A Strictly Limited Collector’S Edition Blu-Ray Set On April 24th 2017! 3000 Copies Only!

Cinespectral Films proudly presents the 1988 cult comedy: Elvira, Mistress of the Dark for the first time ever on Blu-ray, in glorious all-new restored High Definition.

First of all, a very Merry Christmas to all of you! I hope you all enjoyed the holiday. Noah Wyle's Flynn Carsen makes a grand return after several episodes away in The Librarians Season 3 Episode 6, and it's clear that things aren't going smoothly at the Library.

The interpersonal drama between Flynn and the other Librarians and Eve actually tie in with the main plot to locate a missing artifact called the Eye of Ra, as luck would have it.

Then again, who am I kidding? This is the Library we're talking about!

The "list of hurts" scene was pretty funny (especially Ezekiel's super long list), but I have to admit that Flynn had a point when he reminds them that the fate of the world was quite literally at stake.

In short, they're busy worrying about their hurt feelings while the Ultimate Battle Between Good and Evil is at hand.

Congratulations are in order for Mark Sheppard and fiancé Sarah Louise Fudge!  The 51-year-old Supernatural star and the blond beauty are engaged. The happy couple announced the news on their respective social media pages, sharing shots of Fudge's stunning diamond engagement ring.  "Oh yes," the actor, whose father is British thesp W. Morgan Sheppard, captioned a shot of his bride-to-be flashing her gorgeous sparkler.  "Life is good," Fudge wrote of another pic in which she's kissing her man on the cheek while flaunting her blinged-out bauble.  Photos: Celebrity weddings The pair appears to be very much in love and often posts Pda...

Disney is bringing their treasure trove of their short films from the last deacde and a half to blu-ray/DVD for you and your family to enjoy together in one complete set. Come inside to learn more about the shorts being collected!

With each new release, Disney continues their tradition of having a short animated film play before their movies, and now they're brining all of their latest (including this year's Frozen Fever) together in one collection on Blu-Ray/DVD...and it's available Now!

From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes an extraordinary new collection of award-winning and beloved short films featuring the never-before-released Frozen Fever, starring Frozen's Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven and Kristoff, and the Oscar®-nominated Lorenzo. The Short Films Collection features contemporary shorts starring classic characters, including the 2012 groundbreaking Mickey Mouse cartoon, Get A Horse!, holiday treats like Prep & Landing: Operation Secret Santa as well as hailed Oscar® winners Paperman and Feast.

Sven Harvey Oct 17, 2017

Here are more nerdy spots in the final two Trek films to date: Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness...

Spoilers for Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness lie ahead.

Like their forerunners, the two latest Star Trek films, in their semi-rebooted, alternative universe, are replete with famous faces from outside the franchise, surprising cameos and multiple little touches that raise a smile.

With the third film in the rebooted series coming next year, the 50th anniversary of the debut of Star Trek on TV in 1966, let's take a look at a few of the geeky nods in Jj's Trek films.

1. Star Trek Nemesis left a lot of dangling threads, on purpose, as a story treatment for a direct sequel was already being worked on. Unfortunately due to some less than stellar decisions by executives, the release date of the film was repositioned and the decision...

Here are more nerdy spots in the final two Trek films to date: Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness...

Spoilers for Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness lie ahead.

Like their forerunners, the two latest Star Trek films, in their semi-rebooted, alternative universe, are replete with famous faces from outside the franchise, surprising cameos and multiple little touches that raise a smile.

With the third film in the rebooted series coming next year, the 50th anniversary of the debut of Star Trek on TV in 1966, let's take a look at a few of the geeky nods in Jj's Trek films.

1. Star Trek Nemesis left a lot of dangling threads, on purpose, as a story treatment for a direct sequel was already being worked on. Unfortunately due to some less than stellar decisions by executives, the release date of the film was repositioned and the decision was made to...

It’s always a delight, an honour and a privilege for this writer to interview some of the industry’s veteran actors- masterful performers with a wealth of experience and anecdotes to give. William Morgan Sheppard is one of those great character actors, whom you’d likely recognise from his work on various Star Trek films and series, his appearance on Doctor Who with his son Mark in 2011′s The Impossible Astronaut, and a whole back catalogue of other TV series and films. Sheppard is a man skilled on screen, on stage and in his prolific voiceover work, such as Biker Mice from Mars.

It was a pleasure to conduct the following interview with the classically trained actor and former member of the Merchant Navy. So whether you’re an actor established or aspiring, or just interested in great reminiscences and anecdotes from a humble and modest old pro who...

Gated communities are usually met with some suspicion and mistrust – in this case it’s rightly founded. Something is wrong in Sweetville, and The Doctor is red in the face about it. A bunch of friends reappear to help combat…

The Crimson Horror

by Mark Gatiss

Directed by Saul Metzstein

People are turning up dead in the canal in Victorian Yorkshire, their bodies in varied states of petrifaction and their skin a lobster red. Madame Vastra and Jenny are asked to investigate, and when they realize that The Doctor is somehow involved, they hurry to investigate. A woman is establishing her own ark on dry land, planning to survive the next torrent, not of rain, but of poison.

Mark Gatiss balances comedy and horror with a deft hand, being given the reins on the investigating Silurian and her companions. This may be the closest we ever get to a completely solo Vastra and Jenny adventure,...

Wild at Heart

Directed by David Lynch

Written by David Lynch

1990, USA

David Lynch evokes a surreal world in Wild at Heart, a film brimming over with explicit sex, murder, rape, eccentric kitsch and sleaze. There is some rather horrifyingly violence, beginning with the opening scene where a man is beaten to death, to a moment later in the film where a shotgun to the head sends someone’s brains splattered across the frame. Based on the novel by Barry Gifford, and the winner of the Palme d’Or, Wild at Heart is a perverse and over-the top Southern Gothic thriller best described as a cross between Natural Born Killers and Badlands. Here, the director is working with pulp conventions, tangential metaphors, and interwoven into the cross-country adventure are numerous references to Lynch’s favourite movie, The Wizard of Oz. Appearing is both the Wicked Witch and the Good, along with a crystal ball,...

Day six of the 21st Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival is upon us!

Sliff’s main venues are the the Hi-Pointe Theatre, Tivoli Theatre, Plaza Frontenac Cinema, Webster University’s Winifred Moore Auditorium, Washington University’s Brown Hall Auditorium and the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Il

The entire schedule for the 21st Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival be found Here.

http://cinemastlouis.org/sliff-2012

Here is what will be screening at The 21st Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival today, Tuesday, November 13th

Band Of Sisters

Band Of Sisters plays at 5:00pm at the Tivoli Theatre

nspired by Vatican II (a 1962-65 council of Catholic bishops) and the great social movements of the 1960s and .70s, U.S. nuns left their convents, found their mission with the poor, and grew in their spirituality . often to the chagrin of the Vatican hierarchy. Against this backdrop, .Band...

Wow, How Excellent Was That Doctor Who Season 7 Premiere?! Full of delicious Whovian goodness and twists and turns and running and Daleks. I was spoiler-free and I hope you all were as well. If you haven’t seen the episode yet, you can watch the following featurette and not get spoiled about the best bits, so feel free to indulge yourself. It’s followed by the preview of this Saturday’s new episode, “Dinosaurs on a Spaceship”:

Featurette: Doctor Who – Inside Look: Asylum of the Daleks

Click here to view the embedded video.

TV Spot: Doctor Who – Ep 2 Dinosaurs on a Spaceship

Click here to view the embedded video.

And please allow us this opportunity for a tip o’ the fedora to BBC America for continuing to employ Mark Sheppard for the Doctor Who TV spot voiceover work. We sci-fi fans adore the man and are happy to hear...

The Dark Knight Rises (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As with The Avengers and The Amazing Spider-Man, Glenn and Mike saw The Dark Knight Rises separately to do this Siskel and Ebert style review. We were going to run this last Friday on the movie’s opening day, but as we’re sure you can appreciate the events of Friday morning in Colorado demanded we delay this publication to give our readers more time to see the film.

Again, we offer our standard disclaimer: there are all sorts of spoilers in this review. And this time around, there is an observation that may actively ruin the end of the film if you haven’t seen it and you intend to do so.

Mike Gold: The movie was pretty much what I expected – better than most threequels (Spidey, X-Men, Godfather), but not surprising. I think the performances were absolutely terrific, but I expected that.

Directed by Mark Sheppard

Written by Cameron Larson, (loosely) based on the book by Jules Verne

Featuring Gina Holden, Lochlyn Munro, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Susie Abromeit, Mark Sheppard, J. D. Evermore, Edrick Browne, Caleb Michaelson and William Morgan Sheppard

One might suspect the Syfy premiere of Jules Verne’s The Mysterious Island last February was another “mockbuster” from The Asylum, timed to coincide with the theatrical release of Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. But blame this one on the Syfy channel, as The Asylum wasn’t involved with this 2010 production. And that’s unfortunate, as this movie lacks any sense of fun or campy humor.

Most genre fans know how the film starts out. During The Civil War, as a group of Union prisoners, along with a reporter and a Confederate deserter, escape from their captors in a hot air balloon. A Confederate soldier, attempting to stop them, is pulled...

This is a big weekend for Whovians in the U.S with the Gallifrey One convention (#gally) taking place in La.

In it’s 23rd year this convention is pretty much as official as it gets ‘across the pond’ (no Pond intended) and has seen a huge swell of interest thanks to the intense promotional work and focus on American Who fandom since we first saw The Impossible Astronaut in 2011.

While not an “official” convention like the one to be held in Cardiff in late March, this one is crammed with guests that will interest both classic and current series fans (thought not Matt Smith and Karen Gillan as they are the primary focus of the official convention). Firstly, the day is being billed as a 1996 TV movie reunion with 8th Doctor Paul McGann reunited with Daphne Ashbrook, Yee Jee Tso, Eric Roberts and producer Philip Segal.

I wear a Fez now.

This Saturday, February 11, the Syfy network is premiering Jules Verne’S Mysterious Island, and we’ve got a slew of images and a new trailer for you to check out. The film was directed by Mark Sheppard, and stars Lochlyn Munro, Gina Holden, W. Morgan Sheppard, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Caleb Michaelson, Susie Abromeit, J.D. Evermore, and Edrick Browne.

Synopsis (courtesy K2 Pictures):

“Filmed on location in Louisiana, K2 Pictures and Leverage Entertainment present a cinematic adaptation of Jules Verne’s 1874 novel The Mysterious Island (L’Ile Mysterieuse). The book was a sequel to his famous Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and In Search of the Castaways.

The book tells the adventures of five American prisoners of war on an uncharted island in the South Pacific. Beginning in the American Civil War, as famine and death ravage the city of Richmond, Virginia, five northern POWs decide to escape in...

Genre: Fantasy | Adventure

Air Date/Time: February 11, 9/8c

Network: Syfy

Writer: Cameron Larson

Director: Mark Sheppard

Cast: Gina Holden, Lochlyn Munro, J.D. Evermore, Caleb Michaelson, Edrick Browne, W. Morgan Sheppard, Susie Abromeit, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Mark Sheppard

Synopsis:

Filmed on location in Louisiana, K2 Pictures and Leverage Entertainment present a cinematic adaptation of Jules Verne’s 1874 novel “The Mysterious Island”. The story begins during the American Civil War, as famine and death ravage the city of Richmond, Virginia. Five northern POWs make the decision to escape the war by hijacking a hot air balloon! Drifting through the night, they wake to find themselves marooned on a desert island, but they aren’t alone… Faced with defending themselves against vicious pirates, terrifying creatures, and an active volcano that’s ready to blow, they must find a way to survive and escape the island. Hope only comes when they encounter the island’s oldest resident,...

The next entry in Syfy's Saturday Original Movie lineup, Jules Verne’s Mysterious Island, airs on February 11th, and to help get you ready for the directorial debut of fan favorite Mark Sheppard ("Battlestar Galactica", "Supernatural"), we have a pair of never-before-seen stills to share.

Synopsis:

In Jules Verne’s Mysterious Island, as famine and death ravage Richmond, Virginia, five northern Civil War POWs, including Emmy Award-winner Pruitt Taylor Vince (AMC’s "The Walking Dead", JFK, Drive Angry, Constantine) and Lochlyn Munro (Dead Man on Campus, White Chicks), plan a daring escape by hijacking a hot air balloon. Drifting through the night, they wake to find themselves marooned on a desert island... but they’re not alone.

Littered with wreckage, the island is home to a cast of survivors who have been lost in space and time, including sisters Abby Fogg (Susie Abromeit, Battle Los Angeles) and Jules Fogg (Gina Holden,...

Aside from the Winchester brothers themselves, our favorite character on "Supernatural" is probably Crowley, as portrayed by Mark Sheppard. Now he's stepping behind the camera for Syfy's Jules Verne’s Mysterious Island, and we have all the details you need right here along with the trailer and a few never-before-seen photos.

From the Press Release:

K2 Pictures and Leverage Entertainment are thrilled to announce Jules Verne’s Mysterious Island, a re-imagining of one of the world’s most beloved literary adventures, will debut as a Syfy Saturday Original Movie on February 11, 2012, at 9 p.m. Est in the United States. Filmed on location in Louisiana, this cinematic adaptation of Jules Verne’s 1874 novel The Mysterious Island (L'Île mystérieuse), adapted for the screen by Cameron Larson (Xtinction: Predator X), is the directorial debut of Syfy on-screen favorite Mark Sheppard ("Battlestar Galactica", "Supernatural", "Firefly", "Warehouse 13").

“We were faced with a tremendous challenge.

Like a bad penny –- though Mark Sheppard will argue that characterization! — Jim Sterling is back on TNT’s Leverage this Sunday at 9/8c. The wrinkle this time: Rather than waylay or hijack Nate’s latest caper, Sterling commissions it, anxious as he is to keep something valuable out of the wrong hands.

The setting for the grand sting is a chess tournament in Dubai, where Nate checks mate after mate while Parker labors to infiltrate a security system even though deprived of her greatest asset. But is Sterling secretly playing the gang like pawns? TVLine spoke with the extremely spoiler-averse,...

The Action on Film (Aof) International Film Festival is heading back to Pasadena, California, this July 22-30, and one of Dread Central's favorite indie filmmakers, SenoReality's Patrick Rea, will be participating in a big way.

About Aof: As one of the biggest and fastest growing opportunities for filmmakers, writers, producers, and fans of great independent and studio films, Aof strives to showcase the best of everything. In 2011, with over 600 screenings scheduled, there will be more parties, industry professionals, symposiums, awards, films, and celebrities than ever. This includes the launch of the brand new Aof Channel television series on NBC Late Night. along with a number of events, the festival will attract thousands of filmmakers, fans, and celebrities alike to Pasadena, California July 22-30, 2011.

This year will see the return of hundreds of Aof alum filmmakers and writers including Stan Harrington with his new film 'Perception', Moon Hill Productions...

Over the last few months we’ve been closely following indie filmmaker Joshua Hull’s next genre project, the horror comedy Idiot Gore, and now we’ve got something special to share with you dear readers- an exclusive look at the brand new teaser trailer for the project!

Written by Hull, Idiot Gore stars Jim O'Rear, Shawn C. Phillips, Kaylee Williams, Jim Dougherty, Raymond Kester, Noah East, Bryan Wilson, Morgan Shepard, Kitsie Duncan, Angela Steele, Julie Anne, DJ Mincy, Martin Stapleton, Mark A. Nash, and Tommy Martin.

Read on for the official plot crunch, and then dig on the teaser trailer below! Look for more on Idiot Gore soon.

Synopsis:

Gus Pruitt (Jim O'Rear) is a survivor. In high school he survived a brutal massacre and went on to write numerous books on the experience and star in a reality show. Years later Gus has fallen from bestselling author to out of work writer.

Liked the opening teaser with the Doctor (Matt Smith) and his portrait being painted, then hiding under the damsel's dress. Showing us what the Doctor has been up to without his companions. He was also imprisoned in the Tower and escaped in the Tardis. As well as attempting an escape in a World War Two escape tunnel. As well as in the Laurel and Hardy movie, on the TV. Amy (Karen Gillan) opens the blue envelope which is an unsigned invitation to a planet called America. River (Alex Kingston) also gets one. As for the name, this tells us we're already in the future, since it's no longer Planet Earth. The Doctor waits for them to arrive and now sports a Stetson. "Stetsons are cool." River shoots it from his head. Amy explains that River and the Doctor are time-travellers so they don't meet in the right order; when they compare notes,...

Time travel, ruthless pirates, erupting volcanoes, monstrously hairy swamp cannibals, a giant octopus, and Captain Nemo armed with a steampunk raygun await the characters that have crashed landed on Jules Verne's Mysterious Island in the newest adaptation of the 1874 literary classic. The only thing missing is Doug McClure.

The other week I reported on a Syfy-bound creature feature titled Xtinction: Predator. One of that film's producers, George M. Kostuch, was nice enough to send over word of his newest production: the latest feature film adaptation of Jules Verne's classic Mysterious Island.

Filmed on location in Louisiana, K2 Pictures and Leverage Entertainment present a cinematic adaptation of Jules Verne's 1874 novel "The Mysterious Island", the story begins during the American Civil War, as famine and death ravage the city of Richmond, Virginia. Five northern POWs make the decision to escape the war by hijacking a hot air balloon! Drifting through the night,...

Doctor Who is back, with a typically brilliant Steven Moffat episode throwing us straight back into the show. It’s every bit as gloriously, frantically genre-hoppy as usual, blending witty comedy, heartfelt emotion, and genuine chills.

The episode wastes little time in setting the scene. Amy and Rory notice the Doctor popping up at various points throughout history, including making a (presumably unauthorised) dancing cameo in a Laurel and Hardy movie. Amy says: “It’s like he’s being deliberately ridiculous, trying to attract our attention.” They then receive an invitation with simply “a date, a time, a map reference”, in an envelope that’s “Tardis blue” (as Amy recognises), they set out for Utah, and arrive in “Nowhere, middle of” to find the Doctor wearing a cowboy hat. “I wear a Stetson now. Stetsons are cool…”, he declares, only to have it instantly shot off his head by River Song.

The Doctor is dead. Long live The Doctor.

Who would have thought that whatever-that-is-yet-to-be-determined in a Creepy Apollo Astronaut suit would just pop out of some lake in Utah and laser-blast The Doctor (Matt Smith) to his doom? And do so in the first twenty minutes of the Doctor Who season 6 premiere? (Who also didn’t shed a tear as Amy, Rory, and River looked on as The Doctor’s body was engulfed in the funeral pyre?) Now, how did we get here? Well, courtesy of The Doctor himself, of course.

“The Impossible Astronaut” begins two months after the events of “The Big Bang”. Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill) have settled into their new married life while River Song is in some sort of space-jail. They receive blue envelopes containing the coordinates of where to meet The Doctor. The newlywed couple hitchhikes, as River escapes, to the picturesque deserts of Utah.

In the sixth season opener of Doctor Who, the series hits its highest note since its return back in 2005 -even though not much happens in the characterization department. And it also takes the phrase “wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey” to the stretching point as we see who dies in the first ten minutes of The Impossible Astronaut that series showrunner Steven Moffat eluded to in the many interview.

So we open a few months after the fifth season finale (and somewhere between there, we know the Doctor visited Sarah and Jo Grant in The Sarah Jane Adventures episode The Death of the Doctor and then Christmas Carol episode). Four, Tardis colored envelopes have arrived for four people: Rory and Amy get letter number 3, while an imprisoned River Song ends up with number 2.

Inside each are coordinates that lead them to the deserts of America, Utah to be exact, where the Pond’s and...

Doctor Who

Series 6, Episode 1: The Impossible Astronaut

Directed by Toby Haynes

Written by Steven Moffat

Starring Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill, Alex Kingston, Mark Sheppard, William Morgan Sheppard, Stuart Milligan, Chukwudi Iwuji

BBC America

Air date: April 23, 2011

Like any good companion of the Doctor, we’ve waited too long for his return, but the wait is over. Tonight saw the Series 6 premiere of Doctor Who on BBC America. The beginning of this review is spoiler-free and at the end are clearly marked Spoiler section for those of you who have not yet seen the episode.

Episode 1, The Impossible Astronaut, has a lot of ground to cover in terms of establishing what the overall plot of this new series is. After a quick and humorous check in with Amy (Karen Gillan), Rory (Arthur Darvill), and River (Alex Kingston), our heroes meet up with The Doctor (Matt Smith) and we...

Steven Moffat’s greatest strength is also his greatest weakness. The episodes he wrote during Russell T. Davies’ era of Doctor Who‘s revival buzzed with a complex playfulness that was mostly absent at that time in its history. As the incumbent showrunner he can indulge himself with similar takes on almost a weekly basis, and there were times during “The Impossible Astronaut” when you missed the show’s simplicity and, to be honest, the narrative somersaults were too dominant. This is a show that, while still fundamentally simple and beautifully accessible (eccentric alien travels through Time and Space saving the universe with human companions), now revels in in-jokes, Cat’s Cradle plotting, and geeky references. The good news is that most people watching can keep up, or want to try, but this was still a dizzying, hectic storyline — and one that likely confused Americans the BBC so clearly want to convert into Whovians…...

Reviewed by Chris Allsop

(April 2011)

Directed by: Malcolm Mowbray

Written by: Andrew Kole, Andrew Delaplaine and Scott Kasdin

Starring: Jeffrey Tambor, Jesse Plemons, Melinda McGraw, Yvonne Zima and William Morgan Sheppard

Described as an affectionate homage to the screwball comedy genre, Malcolm Mowbray’s “Meeting Spencer” is to screwball comedy what fat Elvis impersonators are to the King: a tragic reminder of the worst rather than an admirable tribute to the best.

Jeffrey Tambor plays Harris Chappell, a chastened stage director returned to Broadway following a Hollywood flop. The story centers on Chappell’s comeback play-in-the-making, the plans for which unravel over the course of an evening at Theatre Row hangout Frankie & Johnnie’s. Faced with ever-greater obstacles to success, Chappell and friends become increasingly desperate as they strive to keep their plans afloat.

Key to the success of “Meeting Spencer” is that as the desperation rises, so does the pitch of the comedy.

Reviewed by Chris Allsop

(April 2011)

Directed by: Malcolm Mowbray

Written by: Andrew Kole, Andrew Delaplaine and Scott Kasdin

Starring: Jeffrey Tambor, Jesse Plemons, Melinda McGraw, Yvonne Zima and William Morgan Sheppard

Described as an affectionate homage to the screwball comedy genre, Malcolm Mowbray’s “Meeting Spencer” is to screwball comedy what fat Elvis impersonators are to the King: a tragic reminder of the worst rather than an admirable tribute to the best.

Jeffrey Tambor plays Harris Chappell, a chastened stage director returned to Broadway following a Hollywood flop. The story centers on Chappell’s comeback play-in-the-making, the plans for which unravel over the course of an evening at Theatre Row hangout Frankie & Johnnie’s. Faced with ever-greater obstacles to success, Chappell and friends become increasingly desperate as they strive to keep their plans afloat.

Key to the success of “Meeting Spencer” is that as the desperation rises, so does the pitch of the comedy.

See the trailer and poster for Meeting Spencer starring Jeffrey Tambor, Jesse Plemons, Melinda McGraw, and Yvonne Zima. Malcolm Mowbray (1990's Don't Tell Her It's Me) directs the comedy scripted by Andrew Kole, Andrew Delaplaine and Scott Kasdin, which opens April 8th in New York City. Also in the cast are William Morgan Sheppard, Mark Harelik, Jill Marie Jones, Markus Flanagan, Julian Bailey, Caroline Aaron and Ralph Martin. Meeting Spencer is a contemporary comedy that plays like a screwball farce while spying on the lives and entanglements of a coterie of Broadway insiders during one fateful night in Manhattan. Famed director Harris Chappell (Jeffrey Tambor) plans to relaunch his Broadway career after suffering a humiliating series of flops in Hollywood. He arrives at Frankie & Johnnie’s restaurant anxious to see his former flame Didi (Melinda McGraw) and meet a struggling young actor, Spencer West (Jesse Plemons), as a favor to an old friend.

See the trailer and poster for Meeting Spencer starring Jeffrey Tambor, Jesse Plemons, Melinda McGraw, and Yvonne Zima. Malcolm Mowbray (1990's Don't Tell Her It's Me) directs the comedy scripted by Andrew Kole, Andrew Delaplaine and Scott Kasdin, which opens April 8th in New York City. Also in the cast are William Morgan Sheppard, Mark Harelik, Jill Marie Jones, Markus Flanagan, Julian Bailey, Caroline Aaron and Ralph Martin. Meeting Spencer is a contemporary comedy that plays like a screwball farce while spying on the lives and entanglements of a coterie of Broadway insiders during one fateful night in Manhattan. Famed director Harris Chappell (Jeffrey Tambor) plans to relaunch his Broadway career after suffering a humiliating series of flops in Hollywood. He arrives at Frankie & Johnnie’s restaurant anxious to see his former flame Didi (Melinda McGraw) and meet a struggling young actor, Spencer West (Jesse Plemons), as a favor to an old friend.

The question that started "Mad Men's" fourth season, "Who is Don Draper?," isn't going away, despite's Don smooth answer for the journalist who asked. Don's ex-wife, Betty, was asked an extension of that question in the season's 10th episode, "Hands and Knees": "Do you have any reason to believe Mr. Draper isn't who he says he is?" Betty knows Don isn't who he says he is, but she continues to lie for him even as the lies get dangerously close to catching up with both of them. Most of the series' characters are on their hands and knees by this point in their respective dramas, in states ranging from compromising to begging as they try to maintain control of their lives. Some have more to lose than others, but regardless of the stakes, some in the "Mad Men" world are tired of secrets.

Joan kicks off the episode by...

DVD Playhouse—July 2010

By

Allen Gardner

Two From Powell/Pressburger Criterion releases gorgeous new transfers of two of the greatest films to come out of post-war Britain, from that period’s greatest filmmaking team: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Black Narcissus was originally released in 1947 and caused a sensation with its explosive story about a nun (Deborah Kerr), cloistered in a remote convent in the Himalayas, who must battle elements both external (the punishing weather) and internal (temptations of the flesh over duty to the spirit). Also features stellar turns by England’s greatest actresses at the time: Flora Robson, Kathleen Byron and a young Jean Simmons. One of the most dazzling films ever made, bolstered by Oscar-winning cinematography from Jack Cardiff. Bonuses: New transfer, supervised by Cardiff, editor Thelma Schoonmaker Powell; Introduction by filmmaker Bernard Tavernier; Commentary by Powell and Martin Scorsese; Featurettes; Documentaries and interviews; Trailer. The Red Shoes,...

One of the first TV series aimed at the video/computer generation, the critically acclaimed "Max Headroom" found instant fan support from the moment it debuted on ABC in 1987. TV yesteryear doesn't get much better than the quirky sci-fi comedic doings of "Max Headroom," where Matt Frewer, Amanda Pays, W. Morgan Sheppard and Jeffrey Tambor worked an ensemble magic. Shout! Factory unleashed the Kraken with this Awesome collection that will make any Headroom fan (hand raised) lose their minds: You get eye-popping limited-edition 3-D lenticular packaging in this long-awaited collectible 5-dvd box set is packed with all 14 original episodes and bountiful bonus content. Are you in? Buy_Me August 10 is when the TV gem hits the shelves.

Here is looking ahead, to the 2010 Circus of Terror where several guests have already announced their attendance for the event. To show in New Orleans, the convention will host Doug Jones (Carnies), Ernie Hudson (A State of Hate), Camden Toy (The Godmother), Brooke Lewis (Kinky Killers), Kane Hodder (Frozen) and many others including several current or former professional wrestlers. This event begins October 29th and will take place over two days. The films to show have not been announced, but several more attendees can be found inside.

Others in attendance: Cliff Simon, Jay Acavone, Morgan Sheppard, Kevin Thorn Dawn Marie, Kevin Nash, Shelly Martinez, Raven, Daniel Emery Taylor, Jim O'Rear, Ari Lehman, Betsy Rue, and John Stanley.

More details on the Circus of Terror can be found at the fan site below:

Circus of Terror on Fb

Or at the Circus of Terror event:

Circus of Terror Official Website

Stumble It!

Back in February we brought you news of the announcement from Us DVD company Shout! Factory that they were releasing the classic 80’s cyberpunk series Max Headroom: The Complete Series on DVD.

Max Headroom, starring Matt Frewer, W. Morgan Sheppard, Jeffrey Tambor and Amanda Pays was inspired by the British made-for-television movie 20 Minutes into the Future (which itself inspired the UK iteration of the series), and aired on ABC from 1987-1988.

Hailed by critics and fans as one of the most innovative science fiction series ever produced for American television, Max Headroom is considered to be the first cyberpunk television series, bolstered by its innovative premise, brilliant writing and fast-paced visual style. Unafraid to explore any subject, no matter how controversial, the series cynically tackles topical issues from the general television industry such as the exploitation of the TV ratings games, political advertising, tele-evangelism, news coverage and commercials.

Shout!

Max Headroom finally comes home to DVD Shout! Factory and Warner Home Video, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc., announced a multi-property alliance to bring the highly anticipated Warner Bros. television series Max Headroom and The Norm Show to the home entertainment marketplace. Under its multi-year agreement with Warner Home Video, Shout! Factory will be the exclusive media company to distribute Max Headroom and The Norm Show DVDs for home entertainment releases in the United States and Canada. The announcement was made today by Shout! Factory founding partners Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos; and Jeff Brown, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Non-theatrical Franchise Marketing.

Production has begun to develop a wide range of bonus content for Max Headroom: The Complete Series DVD box set, as well as re-transferring the episodes from the original elements to provide the highest picture quality.

"Max Headroom is a uniquely sought-after television property,...

Quirky sci-fi hit "Max Headroom" and "The Norm Show" were hit series that featured great ensemble casts. "Matt Headroom" featured Matt Frewer in the role of W. Morgan Sheppard. His catmates included Jeffrey Tambor and Amanda Pays. The series was inspired by a British made-for-television movie 20 Minutes into the Future, and it aired on ABC from 1987-1988. Hailed as one of the most innovative science fiction series ever produced for American television, Max Headroom is considered to be the first cyberpunk television series, bolstered by its innovative premise, brilliant writing and fast-paced visual style. The world of Max Headroom was a satirically funny look at television of the not-too-distant future. The series cynically tackled topical...

There are 4,000 TV channels, cameras are everywhere, television sets can’t be shut off, ratings have been perfected to the point where programming decisions are made minute by minute, and Network 23, the ratings leader, is headed by a man who would literally kill for ratings. Enter investigative reporter Edison Carter and his alter ego, the first computer-simulated multi-media star, Max Headroom, played by Matt Frewer.

Shout! Factory and Warner Home Video have announced a deal to bring the highly anticipated Warner Bros. television series Max Headroom to DVD, and the company have begun to develop a wide range of bonus content for Max Headroom: The Complete Series DVD box set, as well as re-transferring the episodes from the original elements to provide the highest picture quality.

Starring Matt Frewer, W. Morgan Sheppard, Jeffrey Tambor and Amanda Pays, the U.S. television series Max Headroom, inspired by the British made-for-television movie 20 Minutes into the Future,...

What up, Con-dude's and Condu-ettes? Adam here! Before I get into this preview, let's break apart a classic … Goldeneye 007 for Nintendo 64. First-person shooters are constantly being compared to it, and, apparently, nobody has lived up to it ... well except for Perfect Dark, which was made by the same developer, Rare.

What made those games incredible? Why can't anybody in the next-gen live up to a game that graced a dead console Twelve years ago?! In my opinion, it had to be the tight corridors, the unpredictable enemy AI, and a sense of freedom and pacing with a seamless (but non-intrusive) blending of puzzle-solving. There was always something interesting to do, and the freedom you had to solve the multiple missions made you Feel like you were actually in charge of the tale's outcome. Goldeneye and Perfect Dark felt like Real games, without the flash/crutch of cinematic grandeur defining the experience,...

Well… I just watched the online series/season premiere of NBC’s reboot of Knight Rider. I know the term “reboot” has been overused of late, but in this case it truly applies. Exactly 7 months ago to the day, NBC unveiled a pilot/TV movie of a new version of the well-known Knight Rider TV series from the 1980s. While I thought it was extremely cornball, it had enough nods to the original series to soften me up a little bit and not totally rip it.

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS.

Apparently many people agreed that it was pretty lame, because although NBC decided to move forward with it as an ongoing TV series, they also decided to scrap the pilot and start from scratch with a completely new story and concept.

So, we here at Screen Rant figured there might be a glimmer of hope for the new series. However...