Eye on Sci Fi - Trailers, Rogue One, Carrie

It has been quite a while for this column and I have tons of things building up to talk about but I want to basically go with just a couple of things this time out. But first....

Carrie Fisher - For the past few months we have been hearing about how bad 2016 has been for celebrity deaths and with everyone thinking about this and focused on this, every time someone dies we hear about it and hate 2016 even more.  Yes, it has been bad but with the news that Carrie Fisher has passed away, it reaches a horrible level of bad that we could only have imagined in our greatest nightmares.  Carrie Fisher was an incredible woman with her outspoken personality and influence. She portrayed Princess Leia in Star Wars and that character was a strong female that would have a immeasurable influence on society.

When these celebrities leave us, it feels that part of our childhood is gone forever.  These people influenced us when we were younger.  They were our idols or heroes.  They are bigger than life and when this happens it is devastating.  Her legacy not only in Star Wars but as a personality will be remembered.  Our thoughts and prayers to family and friends.

Eye on Sci-Fi - The X-Files, Star Wars, The Martian, SyFy does what it does - cancel shows

October 2015

By Ken Parker

Lots of series canceled, lots of stuff coming up and a look at The Martian movie.

Continuum Series - So after 4 seasons, Continuum is done.  I followed the show since day one and for the most part I found the entire thing enjoyable.  I felt the show never ever was on track with a true direction and that might be representative of the time travel nature of the story.  The show was constantly trying to find an identity and often changed direction.  I don't think it ever figured itself out and even in the final mini season, it just barely managed to put all the pieces together.  It was not a bad show and the ending approached a satisfying conclusion but not sure it was worth the 4 years to get there.  If you are looking for a time travel, conundrum and paradox show that looks at how and why one might want to change history, this series has some great concepts and excellent characters.

Eye on Sci-Fi - The X-Files, Star Wars - Rebels, The Martian and Summer of Sci-Fi

June- July 2015

By Ken Parker

We have another wide variety of news as well as a look at the summer of sci-fi and some of my opinions on some of the TV shows airing this summer. We also say good-bye to a couple of influential people in the genre and take a look at my most anticipated movie of the year, and it is NOT Star Wars!

Eye on Sci-Fi - Ex Machina, Helix and Cube

Early May 2015

By Ken Parker

Star Wars Day - I don't celebrate Star Wars day.  I don't watch the films and I certainly do not wish anyone Happy Force or whatever.  I sort of get it but choose not to take part.  With that said, there is much more to celebrate this year with a new Star Wars film coming in December.  This is the film that everyone wants to see and it is finally coming.  The promotion is fast and furious now and beside some disturbing news of the spin-off movies, all is going to plan.  My interest is rising for this film and I may attempt a midnight showing even.

I like the look of this film so far.  It does look like the Star Wars Universe but more like the original trilogy instead of the CG trilogy.  This is a good thing.

I am also all in on the spin-off films, although I am not a big fan of movies that tell a tale of the past.  The CG trilogy told a tale that we already knew the result and with the spin-off of Boba Fett (the spin-off that is in the works) will be of some interest but won't really change much.  Fett still ends up being eaten (unless they change this which is a strong possibility.)

I guess my next thing is to set up some time to re-watch the original trilogy before the end of the year. Perhaps my daughter will be ready for these movies.  I may have to convince her with ice cream and popcorn!

Eye on Sci-Fi - Alien 5, Star Wars, Orphan Black, Prachett and more..

By Ken Parker

This is the first in a monthly blog that will cover things in Sci-Fi that have caught my eye.  I won't be covering the Marvel and DC movies as that will be another blog and everything Gerry Anderson is another monthly series (although I may cheat once in awhile).  This is more of a random look at some of the bigger sci-fi news and my personal opinions on things. This, being my first part, is a bit bigger than it should be so for that I apologize.  So here we go.

Space Travel in Cinema

Incredible just incredible - love this type of imagery

Star Wars - The Force Awakens - Trailer Debut Online on ITunes Friday

The 88 second trailer will be on ITunes this Friday.

The Millennium Falcon!!! Star Wars VII

and the Tumbler??

George Lucas Almost Ruined Star Wars?? - NAH

This article

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/George-Lucas-Almost-Ruined-Star-Wars-Empire-Strikes-Back-Here-How-66923.html

is reporting that George Lucas did not want Frank Oz to do the voice of Yoda in Star Wars - The Empire Strikes Back.

Obviously a different voice would not have ruined Star Wars and I would argue that Lucas was probably right in trying another voice artist.  I remember the laughter in the theater when we all heard Yoda for the first time and that it was obviously Fozzie Bear.  We now take Yoda as gospel but at the time it was not.  Of course Lucas would have many more opportunities to 'ruin' Star Wars.

Star Wars Episode VII - The New Stormtrooper Helmet

The link below has some conceptual artwork as well

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/68388

San Diego Comic Con Reports - TOYS!!

A couple of sites have begun posting photos of some of the toys debuting at San Diego Comic Con 2014.  Here are a select few photos and links to their originating web sites.

http://screenburn.kotaku.com/its-time-for-comic-con-and-that-means-its-time-for-lots-1610010478/all

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/68119

Doctor Who - Contrary To Rumor Steven Moffat Is Not Leaving Who For Star Wars

For those who do not like Steven Moffat and his handling of Doctor Who hold up your celebrating.  The rumor of him leaving Doctor Who for Star Wars is just that. A rumor.  According to his wife "It is news to him."  It appears that there is a rumor going around that had Steven Moffat leaving Doctor Who to write and direct one of the Star Wars movies or one of its off shoots.  Now to do all this he would have to step down from running Doctor Who as it would be to much.  Well he is already been confirmed to be coming back for Series 9 and with Sue Ventures Tweet it looks like the Moff is not going anywhere. Unless of course it is all a lie and he is leaving but like everything in Sci - Fi time will tell.

Just in case you've seen rumours that #stevenmoffat is doing Star Wars - that's news to him!

— sue vertue (@suevertue) July 10, 2014

Star Wars News

Rian Johnson will be directing episode VIII of Star Wars and will be screenwriter for episode IX.  Johnson directed the sci-fi movie Looper (2012) and the TV series Breaking Bad.

As well reported everywhere, Harrison Ford had suffered a broken leg in an accident on set at Pinewood Studios while filming episode VII.  No word on when he will be able to return to work.

Star Wars Episode VII Cast Announced

The cast for the new Star Wars film has been announced on the official Star Wars Facebook page.  The original cast will be joined by John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow.  Also announced is that John Williams will be doing the soundtrack for the film also.  

Post by Star Wars.

Star Wars - The Clone Wars - The Lost Missions

Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 6 Debuts on Netflix

The final 13 episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars will be available on Netflix starting March 7.  The 13 episodes promises to wrap up the plot lines from the series.  In addition to these new episodes, special director's cuts from other seasons will be released.

Source: http://io9.com/the-sixth-and-final-season-of-clone-wars-will-debut-on-1522059435

Star Wars - Are We Closer To A Boba Fett Movie????

Aint It Cool News has an interesting article up that says that one of the Star Wars offshoot movies is actually going to be about Boba Fett.  Now they are saying it won't be about young Boba Fett but deal with the Bounty Hunter.  The article also states that Lawrence Kasdan will be writing it.  Kasdan has been busy writing the new movies and he is best known as the writer of the best Star Wars movie "The Empire Strikes Back".   This news came out from a podcast where Cartoon Network director John Schnepp claims that he knows for certain that Boba Fett movie is coming.  If true this would be good news as these one off prequels were rumored to feature a movie featuring Yoda, Han Solo and Boba Fett.  Seems like Star Wars fans have a lot to look forward to. You can read the original article here.

Disney To Move Star Wars Comic Books To Marvel

What comes as no big surprise and something that was inevitable when Disney acquired the Star Wars franchise.  Disney has announced that it will not renew its Star Wars comic book rights with Dark Horse Comics but instead be making them in house with Marvel Comics which Disney owns.  This is an end of an era as Dark Horse Comics has been making Star Wars comic books since 1991.  Marvel which had the rights before from 1977 when the first movie came out will now be producing Star Wars comic books sometime in 2015.  

Here is what Marvel Worldwide Publisher and President Dan Buckley had to say about the announcement.

"We here at Marvel could not be more excited to continue the publication of Star Wars comic books and graphic novels. The perennial brand of Star Wars is one of the most iconic in entertainment history and we are honored to have the opportunity to bring our creative talent pool to continue, and expand Star Wars into galaxies far, far away."

Dark Horse Comics owner Mike Richards sent out this letter about the announcement.

The End of an Era

All things come to pass. So too, do all licensed deals. I am sad to report that Disney, the new owner of Lucasfilm, has notified us here at Dark Horse of their intention to move the Star Wars publishing license to another of their recent acquisitions, Marvel Comics, beginning in 2015. This will end a partnership that has lasted more than two decades.

For those who are new to the industry, Dark Horse revolutionized the treatment of comics based on films. After a history of movie properties being poorly handled with little regard for execution and continuity, Dark Horse took a new approach, carefully choosing licenses and approaching them with excitement and creative energy. Our goal was to create sequels and prequels to the films we loved, paying careful attention to quality and detail, essentially treating those films as though they were our own. Star Wars has been the crown jewel of this approach. We began chasing the title as far back as 1989, and with the launch of Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy’s Dark Empire, a new era in comics was born. I’m not ashamed to admit that we were Star Wars geeks, and we have been determined to spare neither effort nor expense in the pursuit of excellence.

It is ironic that this announcement comes at a time when Dark Horse is experiencing its most successful year ever. For obvious reasons, we have prepared for this eventuality by finding new and exciting projects to place on our schedule for 2015 and beyond. Will they take the place of Star Wars? That’s a tall order, but we will do our best to make that happen. In the meantime, 2014 may be our last year at the helm of the Star Wars comics franchise, but we plan to make it a memorable one. We know that fans of the franchise will expect no less. The Force is with us still.

So Star Wars has a new home in 2015 to coincide with a new movie and a new era for Star Wars has begun.

My Top 10 Sci-Fi Things I Am Looking Forward To In 2014

By Ken Parker

I have some questions and things I am looking forward to in 2014 in the world of Sci-Fi and Fantasy.  It is going to be a big year and some of these can't come soon enough.  My interests in movies and television has led to the following list of things I will be watching closely in 2014.

Comic Books - Dark Horse Presents: STAR WARS BLACK FRIDAY!

STAR WARS BLACK FRIDAY!

DARK HORSE STRIKES BACK!

For 72 hours, Dark Horse Digital will offer 150 single-issue Star Wars comics for $100! A savings of over $300!

November 22, MILWAUKIE, OR—Dark Horse Comics is rocking Black Friday madness with a very exclusive limited offer for its digital-comics readers . . .

Feast your optic sensors on this year’s Black Friday MegaBundle. For one weekend only, you can get over 150 digital Star Wars comics for the crazy-low price of only $100.

Get classics like The Clone Wars, The Old Republic, and all three arcs of Crimson Empire. Get a taste of Brian Wood’s critically acclaimed Star Wars series. Your favorite Sith friends are here too, with Darth Maul and Darth Vader series, plus the latest series, Lost Tribe of the Sith. Your favorite bounty hunter, Boba Fett, is here, plus the Imperial spy comic Agent of the Empire. Go back in time to the origins of the Jedi in Dawn of the Jedi, travel to hundreds of years after the films end with Legacy, and more!

Over 3,500 pages of Star Wars goodness! This sale goes live at midnight (PST), Friday, November 29, and runs through midnight, Sunday, December 1. 

Get this MegaBundle here: http://goo.gl/bZwZpM, before Chewie punches it, and it jumps to hyperspace!

The free Dark Horse Digital comics app is now available worldwide through all modern web browsers and features cloud storage in both the Android and iOS apps. 

Stop by Dark Horse Digital and get all the Star Wars comics you could want and more!