As with this past summer, the current slate of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror movies seems a bit light (still some ripples from that writer’s strike a few years back), but there are definitely still some offerings of interest.  There are some blockbuster-style titles that could prove quite entertaining like The Legends of the Guardians, Megamind, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and Tron: Legacy.  There are a few potential sleepers in the lot as well like Devil, Monsters, and Skyline.  And even the retread Red Dawn might be worth a look like.  You can read about all of the movies currently scheduled for release over the upcoming four months on our Preview Page.  We have included movie credits, a brief synopsis, and links back to each film’s official sites (where available) so that you can click on over and see the trailers.  And watch in the coming weeks as we give our opinions on which films we think are worth plunking down our hard-earned money for and which ones you might prefer to avoid.

In the mean time, peruse over our Preview Page and be sure to check back often as we will continue to update it as new information becomes available.

“Help SAVE FLASHFORWARD!

www.preventtheblackout.com

All over the world, people are getting together to “Blackout” for 2 minutes and 17 seconds in front of the various ABC Network stations, in hopes of catching the attention of the Producers, and Stephen McPherson.

Basically for the June 10th demonstrations, gather as many friends, family members as you can and Go to your local Abc station, or as close as you can, and hold up signs saying ‘Save Flashforward“, tshirts of Flashforward, any merchandise of Flashforward. The protest could even be a 2:17 second fan blackout. This will get the media’s attention!”

You can get more information at their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=128601070491603&ref=nf

Legend of the Seeker received notice a few months ago that its syndicator would not pick it up for a third season.  Fans have already raised nearly $10 thousand for adds in several major entertainment publications pleading for a continuation of the show.  Now they have started a donation drive to raise money to buy the DVDs of the show to donate to libraries.  Following is the latest from the SaveOurSeeker site:

“Legend of the Seeker is a fantasy TV show, based on author Terry Goodkind’s “Sword of Truth” book series. Produced by Disney-ABC, the show currently airs in syndication. With little to no promotion, and an erratic airing schedule, the show has averaged 2.5 million viewers weekly, plus boasts a rapidly growing international fanbase. For more information on the show, please visit the official website.

Though no official statement has been made, as of April 26th, Ausiello reported that the show would be cancelled, since Tribune/WGN America had not purchased distribution for season 3.

The “Save Our Seeker” campaign aims to promote the show by demonstrating the unity and strength of its fanbase. In its first week, the campaign has raised nearly $10,000, proving how passionate and active all of us fans can be in an effort to keep this refreshing show on the air. And we won’t be stopping here – our next project is already in gear: a massive donation of “Legend of the Seeker” DVDs to public libraries.”

You can find out more at their main site: www.saveourseeker.com

And you can see Johnny Jay’s thoughts on all of this past season’s cancelled shows at this link.

What if… Jaws was made Today?

5 reasons why FlashForward deserved to fail

Top 8 Most Ridiculous Moments in Science Fiction and Fantasy Film in the 21st Century

William Gibson’s list of favorite Science Fiction novels

Canceled TV Shows That Could Have Been Saved by Zombies

Jonathan Frakes wants to do a ‘Star Trek: Titan’ miniseries

Guillermo del Toro exits The Hobbit due to MGM’s uncertain future

Don’t hold your breath for “the next Lost” on television

May 25th, 2010 — Ardden Entertainment LLC is excited to announce the launch of FLASH GORDON: INVASION OF THE RED SWORD for an Autumn 2010 release.

Coming off the heels of Ardden’s critically-acclaimed FLASH GORDON: THE MERCY WARS mini-series (called “good, old-fashioned fun, freshly polished” by Publishers Weekly), Ardden plans on continuing an expansion of the characters and situations created in the first story arc, which was directly inspired by Alex Raymond’s groundbreaking comic strips.

FLASH GORDON: INVASION OF THE RED SWORD chronicles the invasion of Mongo by a splinter group of the CIA, as first introduced in FLASH GORDON: THE MERCY WARS #1. The group’s name, “The Red Sword,” was first created by Alex Raymond.

“When preparing to write the first four six-issue arcs we have planned for FLASH GORDON,” says FLASH GORDON writer and Ardden Co-Publisher Brendan Deneen, “I re-read every single one of Alex Raymond’s original comic strips. There was a treasure trove of material in there, including an arc where Flash, Dale and Zarkov end up back on Earth. While there, they battle a mysterious group called ‘the Red Sword.’ I thought that was the perfect name for the invading force in our second arc.”

“Like everyone else,” Deneen added, “I’ve heard about Dynamite’s plans to launch their own FLASH GORDON series. I look forward to some healthy competition. I hope they’re ready, too.”

In addition to their ongoing FLASH GORDON comic book series, Ardden Entertainment LLC is the publisher of CASPER AND THE SPECTRALS, a re-imagining of “Casper the Friendly Ghost,” which Aint It Cool News recently described as their favorite comic of the week (“Buy CASPER AND THE SPECTRALS and I guarantee you will enjoy it,” they also wrote).

CASPER AND THE SPECTRALS #2 hits comic stores in June after an unfortunate delay, with issue #3 coming out in July. Ardden will also be launching a new license at this October’s New York Comic-Con, based on a storied comic franchise with over three decades of history to its name.
Ardden Entertainment was formed in mid-2007 by ex-Miramax Films executive, Brendan Deneen, and ex-Markosia Editor-in-Chief, Richard Emms, and their business model is to produce contemporized versions of classic licenses and exciting new creator-owned titles. Joining Deneen and Emms is veteran comic book creator and writer, JM DeMatteis, who works as Ardden’s Editor-in-Chief.

From executive producers Steven Spielberg, Peter Chernin, Brannon Braga (24, “Star Trek: Enterprise”) and David Fury (“Lost,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”) comes an epic family adventure 85 million years in the making. TERRA NOVA follows an ordinary family embarking on an incredible journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of a massive experiment to save the human race. In the year 2149 the world is dying. The planet is overdeveloped, overcrowded and overpolluted. With the majority of plant and animal life extinct, devotion to science has brought mankind to the brink of destruction, but has also provided its only hope for salvation. Knowing there is no way to reverse the damage to the planet, a coalition of scientists has managed to open up a fracture in the space-time continuum, creating a portal to prehistoric Earth. This doorway leads to an amazing world, one that allows for a last-ditch effort to save the human race…possibly changing the future by correcting the mistakes of the past. The series centers on the Shannon family as they join the tenth pilgrimage of settlers to TERRA NOVA, the first colony of humans in this second chance for civilization. JIM SHANNON, a devoted father with a checkered past, guides his family through this new land of limitless beauty, mystery and terror. Jim’s wife, ELISABETH SHANNON, is a trauma surgeon chosen through a global lottery as a new addition to Terra Nova’s medical team. JOSH SHANNON is their son, mourning the girl he left behind, as he’s torn between two role models – his father and the charismatic COMMANDER FRANK TAYLOR, the leader of the settlement, and the heroic first pioneer through the time portal. MADDY SHANNON, Jim and Elizabeth’s teen daughter, is as independent and adventurous as her parents, but her distrust of authority soon leads her on a dangerous path. In addition to blue skies, rolling rivers and lush vegetation, TERRA NOVA offers new opportunities and fresh beginnings to its recent arrivals, but the Shannons have brought with them a familial secret that may threaten their citizenship in this utopia. Additionally these adventurers soon discover that this healthy, vibrant world is not as idyllic as it initially appears. The areas surrounding Terra Nova are filled with dangerous dinosaurs, and other prehistoric threats, as well as external forces that may be intent on destroying this new world before it begins. But perhaps even more threatening than what lies outside the protective walls is the Shannons’ realization that something sinister may be happening inside TERRA NOVA as not everyone on this mission has the same intentions of how best to save mankind.

NBC announced its schedule yesterday and tomorrow ABC will announce their schedule, followed by CBS on Wednesday and the CW on Thursday.

The Hollywood Reporter posted an interview today with NBC’s Entertainment President Angela Bromstad (not a job I would want considering that network’s fourth place standing), and in the discussion she made some comments that seem to suggest that Chuck’s prospects look hopeful. When referring to programming for Monday nights for the 2010-11 season, she said “We have Chuck”, suggesting that show will stick around. THR inquired further and asked if they could “just say it’s picked up” for next season. Her reply:

It’s our highest performing Monday night show. We look at it as a very strong player and it’s a show that matches up with our new shows. It’s too early for me to say for certain as it’s a conversation we’re going to have next week.

If nothing else, that sounds like a promising stance on the show going into next week’s upfronts. Interestingly enough, she had little to say about Heroes Heroes along with a suggestion that another show (perhaps The Cape) could act as Chuck’s companion on Monday nights in place of that flagging franchise (or at least share the timeslot during the season).

She also talked about the conspiracy show The Event which NBC has already greenlighted to series. She thinks this one will attract the audience that has been watching Lost and 24, so it may have some genre appeal. Also, NBC has given a series order to J.J. Abrams’ spy drama Undercovers which may have genre elements as well.

Stay tuned for further updates and be prepared for next weeks upfronts where the final schedule for the 2010-11 season will be hammered out.

Buy Chuck Seasons 1 and 2 on DVD from Amazon.com: