Lithium Cracking Station | Star Trek and more from the edge of space: June 2011

6/30/11

'Never Back Down 2' Direct to DVD

Why am I so smitten with direct to DVD movies? I guess it started when I was a kid (though it was direct to video then) I'd scour the shelves of the local video stores for movies I hadn't seen. Since I would watch science fiction/fantasy, action or martial arts almost exclusively I would end up seeing everything. I needed product! And straight to video delivered.

So here comes... Never Back Down 2! Official rundown:

"Behind closed doors of a seemingly normal college, the ultimate showdown in underground MMA fighting is being planned. Ex-MMA rising star Case Walker (Michael Jai White) trains four college-age fighters, each with their own individual obstacles. Case will instruct them to master the most mind-blowing fighting techniques and go head to head in the most punishing competition ever devised - The Beatdown. Featuring UFC Champion Lyoto Machida, MMA fighter Scottie Epstein and UFC fighter Todd Duffee."

On September 13th you know what I'll be doing!

'War Horse' Trailer

I've always been fascinated with WWI, now my favorite childhood director takes it on. Simply stunning...

Star Trek Coming to Netflix!

Tomorrow will be a good day: Star Trek begins streaming on Netflix! TOS, TNG, VOY, ENT begin July 1st with DS9 to follow in October.

Wow, this made my day. I can now stop grumbling at CBS for pulling TOS off it's site. And I no longer have to be at the mercy of BBC America for which episodes I watch during the week.

6/24/11

First Pictures from 'The Hobbit'

James Cameron & Michael Bay Talk 3D

So I love James Cameron. There I said it. He's a genius. He's, hands down, one of the best filmmakers ever. Here he talks 3D with Michael Bay.

'Captian America' Screenwriters Speak

Some insights into the new Captain America film straight from the writers. Here's one tidbit:

I think the key to him and the key to most heroic soldier figures is that they’re doing it because it needs to be done; they’re not doing it because they love fighting. The more he fights, the more I think, in his heart, he’s going, “It will be nice when this is over,” because this is not pleasant. I think at the end of the movie he’s certainly weathered; he’s certainly seen a lot more combat and a lot more leadership than I think he would have ever factored in at the beginning.

6/23/11

LeVar Burton Interview

A great interview of LeVar Burton. I always liked La Forge, so I found this interesting. He says of Star Trek fans, "I feel like I not only understand them, but I'm one of them. So I get it. I totally get it."

Read the interview.

Iron Man, Wolverine Go Anime

G4 will be bringing us anime versions of classic Marvel characters. Iron Man and Wolverine will arrive in July followed by the X-Men.

Game Reviews - E3 2011

6/19/11

'The Warrior's Way' Trailer

Man, I need to see this movie.

'The Troll Hunter' Trailer

What in the world? This looks crazy.

'Immortals' Trailer

Man, I was in to this until that guy started going off.

6/17/11

Promo Pictures from Captain America

New 'Cowboys & Aliens' Poster

I think this movie is going to be awesome. Here's the new poster.

New Conan the Barbarian TV Spot

I really want this movie to be good. Looks cool, so here's hoping...

6/16/11

New Muppet Movie Trailer

Ha! I love the Muppets.

6/15/11

Sean Astin Voicing Raphael in New TMNT Series

Sean Astin will be the voice of the coolest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Raphael. He says of Raphael:

"He’s still working through issues. He’s really good at what he does, and he doesn’t suffer fools lightly. Sometimes that arrogance can get him in a little bit of trouble."

Read the entire interview.

'Star Trek' has Changed the Way We Live

Star Trek certainly changed my life. But has it changed all of our lives? Here's some tech that may have been influenced by Star Trek.

12 ways technology has you living Star Trek's future today

Mark Strong Talks Sinestro

Mark Strong, the villain in the upcoming Green Lantern, reveals a few details.

Here's a small quote:

“I have to say Green Lantern [is my favourite comic book movie]. And I’m not just saying that! It’s amazing. I’ve got into the mythology of it. It’s a coming of age story. Bear in mind the comics were written after the war. People needed a hero. It’s about defeating the enemy.”

Teaser Poster for John Carter of Mars

Teaser poster for John Carter of Mars has dropped. Wish it would show more, though.

New 'Star Wars' TV Series Backlogged

Reports are swirling that Lucas has more than 50 hours of a new Star Wars TV show scripted. But it can't be released, because technology needs to develop more and one-hour dramas may not be on TV anyome? Hmmm... I'm confused.

Here's some quotes from the producer:

“It takes place between episodes three and four, when Luke Skywalker was growing up as a teenager, but it has nothing to do with Luke.”

“Basically, it is like ‘The Godfather’; it’s the Empire slowly building up its power base around the galaxy, what happens in Coruscant, which is the major capital, and it’s [about] a group of underground bosses who live there and control drugs, prostitution.”

“Network television and cable television as we know it are completely imploding, so we’re not really sure that in five years’ time we can release a dramatic one-hour episode because it is all reality TV now.”

Last H.O.P.E

Good news: Showtime will be launching a new post-apocalyptic TV show. Bad news: It's a hospital show.

Mad Max meets M.A.S.H says the network describing Last H.O.P.E.

Read more.

'Bellflower' - 'Mad Max' Love Story

Okay, I just heard about this film. It seems it burned up Sundance and other fests. An apocalyptic love story obsessed with flamethrowers and cars? I'm in. Watch the trailer below.

Here's more:

"Bellflower follows two friends as they venture out into the world to begin their adult lives. Literally all their free time is spent building flame-throwers and weapons of mass destruction in hopes that a global apocalypse will occur and clear the runway for their imaginary gang "Mother Medusa". While waiting for the world to end, their call to excitement comes unexpectedly when one of them meets a charismatic young woman and falls hard in love. Quickly integrated into a new group of friends, they set off on a journey of betrayal, love, hate, infidelity and extreme violence more devastating and fiery than any of their apocalyptic fantasies. Often life's simplest and most obvious truths are the hardest to see, but once you've burned everything to the ground it may be the only thing left standing."

'Jack's Life' - C.S. Lewis Biopic

C.S. Lewis is getting a new biopic. Jack's Life will telling the story of the beloved author. Here's a bit about the new film from Lewis scholar Terry Glaspey:

"Lewis is best-known, perhaps, for his wonderful storytelling. But his own life story is definitely a story worth telling. While it contains no swordfights, talking lions, space travel, or bus trips to heaven, Lewis’s own life is filled with the drama of an ordinary life lived well in the face of intellectual challenge, professional disappointments, and deep personal loss. Though his life was ordinary, the man was anything but ordinary. I think it will be great fun and very interesting to see his story told in film.

I think what keeps Lewis so fresh and relevant is that he never tried to be relevant. He was looking to communicate a timeless message. And unlike a lot of religious writers who are dogmatic and preachy, he was witty, intellectually engaged, whimsical, and very creative. Lewis had such a deep and powerful vision of what the world looked like through believing eyes that some readers can get caught up in the vision before they even realize that they are hearing the old eternal truths of the gospel."

Read the rest of the interview.

6/13/11

Defiance TV Show/MMO

Rockne O'Bannon is helping Syfy create a TV show combined with a MMO. Here's a quote from The Hollywood Reporter:

Set on a future Earth, Defiance introduces players and Syfy viewers to a world ravaged by decades of conflict, where humans and aliens live together in a world the likes of which no one has seen. The game combines the frenetic action of a top-tier console shooter with the persistence, scale, and customization of an MMO, while its TV counterpart exudes the scope, story, and drama of a classic sci-fi epic. The game's story will take place in the San Francisco bay area, while the TV series will be set just outside of St. Louis, MO. Because they exist in a single universe, the show and the game will influence and evolve each other over time, with actions in both mediums driving the overall story of Defiance.

Check out the teaser trailer or visit the official site.

Different Takes on 'The Dark Knight'

io9 looks at The Dark Night and tries to go deep. Truly, The Dark Knight is a complex and powerful film. But most of these insights are just silly.

John Carter of Mars Fan Theme

I love when fans take things into their own hands. Here is a fan-made theme for John Carter of Mars. It's quite good. I like the grandness of it.

6/12/11

Animated Stargate?

Who knew about this? I just finished watching all of SG-1 and I'm thinking about tackling Atlantis, but there was a cartoon from 2002-2003?

I guess, I really shouldn't be surprised. From the intro it looks kind of interesting, too bad I'm not a kid any more. It seems just a little too kiddy to hold my attention. But, hey, you gotta love that theme song!

Check out the Stargate Infinity intro!

6/11/11

Nicholas Meyer's Regrets

Nicholas Meyer explains how he would now be kinder to Gene Roddenberry. Interesting insight into Star Trek lore.

You all may know that I love The Wrath of Khan. Seriously and intensely love it. So every tidbit I can get makes me go crazy.

Read the article.