Featured - Sci-Fi Heaven

Fringe Gets Full Season Pickup From Fox

Posted on October 2, 2008October 2, 2008 by Chris McQuillan

Following some reasonably impressive ratings (this week’s episode scoring a 18-49 demographic-winning 6.2/9), JJ Abrams sci-fi show Fringe has received a full season pickup from FOX.

Originally comissioned for thirteen episodes, the move will see the drama starring Lord of the Rings’ John Noble run for a full twenty-two instalments.

This makes it the first new series from the big four American television networks to receive such a pick-up; surely a show of confidence given the show’s performance.

Also: ‘Fringe’ cow extra subject to repaint?

Stargate Atlantis: Season Five: The Shrine

Posted on September 7, 2008September 8, 2008 by Chris McQuillan

In brief:

Absolutely, utterly fantastic.

In detail:

This is, quite probably, my favourite episode Atlantis to date. It is, for me, Enterprise’s ‘Cogenitor’, or SG-1’s ‘Abyss’: the episode that rises above the average or mediocre content surrounding it, and elevates itself into not only a good episode, but simply one of the strongest.

Stargate Atlantis: Season Five: Ghost in the Machine

Posted on September 7, 2008September 7, 2008 by Chris McQuillan

In brief:

Decent, yet confusing.

In detail:

The absence of Tori Higginson (Elizabeth Weir) certainly screwed over the Replicator story line they had set up for her. “Ghost in the Machine” is a valiant attempt to continue that story without her. And, for the most part, it does a good job.

Michelle Morgan, who plays the consciousness of Weir in Fran’s body, does a reasonably good job of imitating the mannerisms and vocal expressions that Higginson brought to Weir’s character. Her performance is strong, and in the quieter scenes with Teyla/Sheppard/Fran I found myself truly believing this was still Weir. That’s an achievement of performance on Morgan’s part.

Stargate Atlantis: Season Five: The Daedalus Variations

Posted on August 18, 2008August 18, 2008 by Chris McQuillan

In-brief:

Better…

In-detail:

Thank goodness. A glimmer of hope. Nothing outsanding, nothing overly memorable; but it was better. A nice sci-fi concept nicely realised with minimal garbage. Atlantis should try this more often.

It’s been a few weeks since viewing the episode unfortunately – busy times have afflicted me, so I’m writing a few weeks later with only a hurried re-watch for guidance. Here are my thoughts, anyway.

Competition: Masters of Science Fiction

Posted on August 1, 2008August 6, 2008 by Chris McQuillan

We have TEN Region 1 copies of this exciting title to give away!

On August 5th, the critically acclaimed Masters of Science Fiction anthology series will be released on DVD as a 2-disc set. The Masters of Science Fiction DVD contains the entire series â€“ including the world premiere of two episodes never-before-aired!

Originally broadcast last year on ABC, Masters of Science Fiction adapted short stories from some of the genreâ€™s greatest practitioners, including Robert Heinlein, Harlan Ellison, Robert Sheckley and John Kessel.

Mark Dawidziak of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote: â€œIâ€™ve seen what may be the best futuristic anthology series since the glory days of â€˜The Twilight Zoneâ€™ and â€˜The Outer Limits.â€™

Itâ€™s called â€˜Masters of Science Fiction.â€

Please head over to our competitions page to enter.

Stargate Atlantis: Season Five: Broken Ties

Posted on July 27, 2008July 27, 2008 by Chris McQuillan

In brief:

Continued mediocrity.

In detail:

Jason Momoa (Ronon) can act, at least a bit. This episode proved that. He had some truly nifty scenes throughout here, and there were indeed strong moments from Sheppard, Teyla and Woolsey.

That’s all that redeems this episode in any way. The plot is truly awful. Barely existent. “Broken Ties” follows on from last season’s “Reunion” (which was average) and manages to further cloud and confuse Tyre’s character.

Stargate Atlantis: Season Five: The Seed

Posted on July 20, 2008July 20, 2008 by Chris McQuillan

In-brief:

Average, yet quietly promising.

In-detail:

Atlantis Season Five holds a lot of promise.

I think everyone would agree with that. We’ve been through cast changes and plot shake-ups galore since the show’s inception, yet one gets the impression that if the writers and producers could stick with the current cast, we could be on to something.

The second episode of Season Five, titled “The Seed” (yet another fine example of the poetic talents of the Atlantis writing team), has two main purposes. To introduce the character of Richard Woolsey (Robert Picardo) into the Atlantis fold, and to progress the Carson Beckett/stasis plot. In this regard, the episode is reasonably successful.

Stargate Atlantis: New Cast Shot

Posted on July 19, 2008July 21, 2008 by Chris McQuillan

The SG:A production team are working hard on creating the worst promotional photography in the history of television, this year.

Their latest additional (admittedly, better than previous efforts) involves a very inconsistently dressed team walking heroically (and dryly) through almighty splashing water. Behind them? The gate from Stargate SG-1. The wrong gate. Coloured blue.

*sighs*

Fair play.

Doctor Who: Series 4: Journey’s End

Posted on July 6, 2008July 6, 2008 by Gateway

This review comes in two parts, due to length and detail and brilliance.

In-brief: Big. Though something lingersâ€¦

In-depth:

Let me say this first of all â€“ this episode is good.

After four years, this is where we are now. This is how Russell T. Davies chooses to end his tenure as the producer of Doctor Who. Itâ€™s an epic plot, tying together all of the strands from his previous forays into this universe, and indeed those who have come before him. Thereâ€™s a certain amount of glee here in the concept of the Doctor, and perhaps that is the problem. As much as I wanted to love this episode, I have to say, it simply wasnâ€™t as spectacular as I wanted it to be.

Doctor Who: Series 4: The Stolen Earth

Posted on June 29, 2008July 1, 2008 by Gateway

In-brief: Iâ€™m about to explode.

In-depth:

This is it.

This is what Russell T. Davies has been building up to for the last four years of nuWho.

This is Doctor Who firing on all cylinders. Full out rush from start to finish and my Gods, it is brilliant.

Doctor Who: Series 4: Turn Left

Posted on June 22, 2008June 24, 2008 by Chris McQuillan

In-brief: Catherine Tateâ€™s finest hour?

In-depth:

Before I analyse, let me say this: that was absolutely spectacular.

I have to say that first simply because for the last 20 minutes I was absolutely riveted by the action on screen and I found myself near the point of crying out at the tv for Noble Donna to do what needed to be done.

So, review.

Doctor Who: Series 4: Midnight

Posted on June 15, 2008June 17, 2008 by Gateway

In-brief: Disorientating, but not in a bad wayâ€¦

In-depth:

This episode is a very strange one because I do believe I liked it, and it told some interesting concepts is a very tight manner.

We begin on the leisure planet of â€˜Midnight.â€™ Itâ€™s an isolated location because the planet is found in orbit of an extonic star which emits a radiation type that prevents any form of life as we know it from existing outside of sheltered habitat. Also, thereâ€™s no kind of atmosphere so that prevents the whole breathing process quite handily.

Battlestar Galactica – Revelations – Review (Spoiler-Filled)

Posted on June 12, 2008June 17, 2008 by Samuel T. Cogley

Here it is, true believers, the spoiler-filled rundown of the mid-season cliffhanger of Battlestar Galacticaâ€™s final season. I write this at the price of my own soul, as Ronald Moore (RDM) himself swore us all to secrecy, making us raise our right hands and repeat after him, â€œI promise to keep all the secrets I see tonight.â€ Technically, I did not promise. Still, I will surely go to hell for this, for many reasons too numerous to recount here. Personally, I think you should turn away now. Youâ€™ll enjoy the episode much more if you donâ€™t read this. But since I promised I would relay the details, I must fulfill my mission. If you simply cannot turn away, read on. You have been warned and admonished. So without further adoâ€¦

Doctor Who: Series 4: Forest of the Dead

Posted on June 8, 2008June 8, 2008 by Gateway

In-brief: What a rush!

In-depth:

There are two stories being woven here; incredibly this episode builds upon its predecessor in all the right places, answers all of our questions satisfactorily, and resolves the mystery of the week.

Doctor Who: Series 4: Silence in the Library

Posted on June 1, 2008June 1, 2008 by Gateway

In brief: Good â€“ but definitely a part oneâ€¦

In-depth:

Itâ€™s very hard being in love with a television show, because you absolutely want to love it all and give it the best possible score you can. Except that wouldnâ€™t be fair.

That said, â€˜Silence in the Libraryâ€™ is another winner this year for Doctor Who.

Indiana Jones & The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Review

Posted on May 28, 2008May 30, 2008 by Timothy Dunn

Perhaps the only disappointing thing about â€˜Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skullâ€™ is the realisation that once you leave the cinema, you are struck with the fact that it is not actually real. The gripping plot, incredible action and real sense of being a part of the action makes the final result a movie that truly makes you wonder why you arenâ€™t chased by Russian women with guns, gold and the Order of Lenin.

Battlestar Galactica – Sine Qua Non – Review

Posted on May 27, 2008May 30, 2008 by Chris McQuillan

Warning: Before reading, please be aware that this article contains spoilers for the episode ‘Sine Qua Non’ which has yet to air in the United States.

A few weeks ago, I wrote of my disappointment with Battlestar Galactica’s recent progress. I criticised a slow-down of pace, a lack of movement, and my fears that the show might fade to a whimpering finale…

Click here to read the rest of the review.

Doctor Who Season 4 Midway Teaser

Posted on May 25, 2008May 27, 2008 by Craig

OOF. This is season is certainly getting hotter and hotter. Or darker perhaps, following on from some themes laid down throughout Torchwood.

[Possible Spoilers]

Click here to view the trailer!