Stargate Atlantis nearing end, expect surprises
Stargate: Atlantis nears its end with the final two episodes. It has been rumored that characters who were in the show in the past or characters from SG-1 will make appearances, minus Samanthat Carter and Teal’c. My suspicions are Jack O’Neill will return. It wouldn’t be beyond Stargate producers to bring him back because he was the one who revolutionized the show. To go with the SG-1 vain, I suspect Colonel Mitchell and Vala will make a cameo, if not a minor role. Stargate SG-1 finished its show after 10 seasons and over 200 episodes. It also concluded the series with the movie Stargate: Continuum. Do not be surprised if Stargate: Atlantis ends with a movie or two to tie up loose ends (which Atlantis didn’t have many of) as a way to help promote the show for a comeback or just to tie everything together. Though a movie isn’t in production as of yet, Stargate: Continuum didn’t get produced or written until a few months after the series ended. Fans of the show and the franchise will be sad that the show is coming to its end, but Stargate SG-1 and subsequently Stargate: Atlantis wasn’t expected to last as long as it did. Savor the time it was on air and certainly enjoy the final two episodes. The chance for another great show comes few and far between.
Top 5 Scifi/Horror Video Games
This year has seen amazing games come out for the X-Box and Playstation such as Dead Space and Bioshock, but how do these games and others stack up to the horror/scifi games of all time? Let’s find out:
5) The Suffering: You are Torque, a convict that is imprisoned for murdering his wife (depending on the choices you make in the game), and thrust into a prison where creatures slowly take over the prison and the inmates and guards with them. Torque has the ability to change into a creature but it’s not until the midway point of the game that you discover that power. There aren’t many puzzles to figure out; the game is straight role play. You soon discover that your being in the prison is more than a coincidence. Gore and suspense level: 7. Action and game plan: 7.
4) Gears of War: This game pits you against evil creatures that arise out of a vortex. You play Marcus Fenix, a soldier that was caught for insubordination and desertion. The game combines militaristic, survival, and horror that lends an eerie feel to the game. It also has shock value, which many games fall short of. There are instances where you can jump out of the seat you’re playing in. Gears of War is an intense, action-packed game that pits humanity against aliens. Only one can win. Gore and suspense: 7. Action and gameplay: 7.4
3) Halo: This is regarded as the first major game for X-Box and it delivered in a big way. Halo is a first person shooter. The game follows the Master Chief who was part of a super soldier project. Master Chief wears a protective suit that enables the player to heal to complete strength if standing alone and untouched. The main enemy is the Covenant, who has waged war against humanity. You crash land on a ring world and you later find out that the planet hosts many creatures mixed with the Covenant. Halo is the first of its kind for the X-Box system and is the genesis of many who tried to emulate it. The game play is smooth and the action is slick complete with movie-like sequences. Gore and suspense 6. Action and game play: 8.5
2) Bioshock: Bioshock’s storyline is original, not too cliche, and mix it with action, this game is almost as complete as it gets. You play an individual whose plane crashes into an ocean abyss only to find out that there is a utopia beneath the water. You begin to uncover dark secrets about the place and things aren’t what they seem. The scientists and other people who litter the city begin to undergo changes and you must survive by doing the same. Your goal is to make it out of city, but plenty of surprises await your way out. The dialog is excellent, as well as the storyline. Game play is incredible and there’s a right amount of gore to make the game more aestheticaly pleasing. Gore and suspense: 9. Action and game play 9.
1) Resident Evil 4: While all the games in the Resident Evil series are great, the fourth installment outshines all others. You play Leon S. Kennedy, survivor of the second game. You are sent to extract the President’s kidnapped daughter. When you rescue her from evil, you begin to discover many more sinister things going on. This is the first game in the series that doesn’t focus on the T-virus; rather, this game’s main biological abnormality is a parasite known as Las Plagas. RE4 is third person shooter and has weapon sighting to assist you. A recurring character from Leon’s past makes and appearance, and much more is known about her. This game is ultimate survival horror at its best and is rarely duplicated with the games of today. The cut scenes are interactive in some places that will determine your life or death; the first of this kind. Gore and suspense: 10. Action and game play 10.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine trailer here
Check out the X-Men: Wolverine trailer here: Wolverine Trailer
The movie is set to come out May 1, 2009. Hugh Jackman will be playing Wolverine. Taylor Kitch will play Gambit and Liev Schrieber will play Sabertooth/Victor Creed.
Bill Dow - Dr. Lee on Stargate SG-1 & Stargate Atlantis
I really get a kick out of Dr. Lee. He has the unlucky knack of always being the guy who says the wrong thing, at the wrong time but with a heart as big as his intellect. His character is a bit cliched as the “absent professor,” but actor Bill Dow has managed to put a twist on it that makes his character memorable and one to look forward to seeing. My favorite Dr. Lee scene: When Elizabeth Weir came to distract Dr. Lee, so Rodney could alter identification permissions on Lee’s computer. Without a doubt, that was one of the most entertaining interchanges between two actors and two characters we have rarely seen together. Dow was outstanding at the closet “Worlds of Warcraft” player.
I found a wonderful profile of actor Bill Dow and reading it, it was obvious he loves his character as well as his job. Dow said about himself:
I turned up on my motorcycle at the studio one time, and (executive producer) Joe Mallozzi was there and saw me. He said ‘Oh, that’s great!’ I saw him a couple of days later and he said, ‘I think we’re going to have a scene next season where you’re in a motorcycle chase!’” Dow laughs, “I went ‘Okay… great!’ I think the writers love my character and they like writing for me because they can put me into situations that they can’t really put any of the more heroic characters into. They can let me be the bumbling person, and I’m happy to do that – it’s fun for me.
December 12 is The Day the Earth Stood Still
The remake of the 1951 classic, The Day the Earth Stood Still comes to theaters this Friday, December 12th. The movie is based on a short story by Harry Bates entitled Farewell to the Master in which an alien visitor comes to earth to warn the inhabitants that they must live in peace or be destroyed. Essentially, it is a story of the human condition and its flaws. Those themes are prevalent in Bates’ writings, but comes out in a prophetic manner in his story. It was written in the same vein as I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison. Keanu Reeves will play the role of Klaatu, the computer who warns the earthlings. A cult classic from the 50’s the remake holds true to the classic, directed by Robert Wise. With a new age of visual effects, the remake provides an aesthetically pleasing movie all the while holding true to its roots. If you were a fan of the original, you’ll be a fan of the remake. For access to the short story, visit http://thenostalgialeague.com/olmag/bates.html
The Spirit comes to life Christmas Day
It is fitting that one of the most anticipated movies coming out into theaters gets an introduction that does it justice. The Spirit, one of the most celebrated graphic novels of our time comes to the big screen on Christmas day. The movie and graphic novel revolves around Denny Colt, a rookie cop that gets killed in the line of duty, but returns to exact justice. The Spirit is a graphic novel created by Will Eisner in the 1940’s but its popularity far surpassed his expectations. The movie version looks to stay true to the characters in the novel. Gabriel Macht will play Denny Colt, Samuel L. Jackson will play The Octopus, and Eva Mendez will play Sand Saref. Ebony White will not appear in the film, but played a prominent part in the series, as the sidekick to The Spirit. Ebony is an African-American who was introduced by Eisner in the late-40’s to early 50’s at a time where race was a forefront of society. This novel follows Denny in a number of scenarios that revolve around, ultimately, his drive to rid evil. It is argued that Batman was created by the inspiration of the Spirit. Ultimately, the graphic novel lasted for 50 years with several different publishers. The Spirit will be directed by Frank Miller, director of Sin City 1-3. His creative genius will bring another coveted graphic novel to life. The Spirit will live on.