TV & Movies

Recently I have been viewing a few of my favorite TV shows from the 1980’s via all sorts of outlets, and I have compiled my list of 10 best science-fiction TV shows of the 1980’s.    Hope you enjoy.

10. The Powers of Matthew Star
I only vaguely remember this show, but I remember an episode where he saves people by astral projecting inside a building that is about to blow up.   Anything with telekinesis and psychic powers were always on the best list.

9. V
Ok, this should really rank hire for me on this list, since I still want a Visitor’s uniform.   As a kid, the eating of the guinea pigs and mice was a big draw, as were the scenes when the Visitors get their face clawed off.   I remember meeting Faye Grant once and almost having a heart attack.

8. Airwolf
I would have thought Airwolf would be higher on my list, but while I really enjoyed the show, the others on the list had more “fun” – Airwolf was pretty serious.   Except for the episode where Chad Allen played an Amerasian vietnamese kid – things that make you go huh?

7. The Wizard
Maybe not science fiction in the traditional sense, but definitely “science” and “fiction.”  A four-foot-tall inventor who develops toys for the handicapped is recruited by the government to create new gadgets.  The series has him traveling all over the world using his gadgets to get out of sticky situations.

6. Misfits of Science
TV’s answer to “The New Mutants” – the Misfits were a ragtag gang of mutants each with a “special” power.   One could shrink down to only a few inches high by giving himself a Vulcan neck pinch, another was telekinetic, and another could throw electricity from his hands.

5. Automan
Automan and his trusty companion cursor were TV’s answer to the hit movie Tron.  In one of the most bizarre scenes from the pilot, Automan asks his creator to “step inside of him” so they can walk through a wall.

4. Mr. Merlin
I only recently found episodes of this TV show online, and they feature a laugh track and Dutch Subtitles, which I don’t remember from the original airings.  A teenager removes a crowbar from a bucket of cement and becomes Merlin the Magician’s new apprentice . Features a nifty staircase into nowhere, as well as a spooky owl.

3. Otherworld
It took me years to find anybody with these on tape/DVD, but I eventually found them.  A family visiting the Great Pyramids is suddenly thrown into Another World, and are chased across the planet by a real meanie.  The episode where the teenage son becomes a Zone Trooper was my favorite.

2. Fantasy Island
The new YouTube TV Shows area says this is a drama, but it is science-fiction to me.  My favorite episodes were the ones that features Mr. Roarke using his special psychic power out in the open.

1. Voyagers
Take a cocky time-traveler and pair him with a needy, book-smart kid and you have the basis for hands-down, my favorite SF series of the 1980’s. I still want an Omni replica, but can’t bring myself to spend the $$$ on it.

Well, those are my favorite 80s SF TV shows – what are yours?  Agree or disagree?

One of my jobs as the “community manager” at Warner Bros. Online was conducting interviews with celebrities.  Most of these came from Warner Bros. type show and movies, but occasionally we did these “chats” with random celebrities… especially in coordination with the TV show EXTRA.

Since I was the coordinator of the chats, we usually had people phone in and I would both type for the celebrity, and conduct the question screening / run the event.   Occasionally we would send a crew on location, but that meant that I had to stay behind and run the fort from the office.

One of these such chats was with Scott Bakula and Maria Bello for a TV show called Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

I don’t have a transcript available, but somewhere during the call I mentioned that I had been eating orange chicken from Panda Express every day for lunch the last 6 months (our office was on Olive & Ridgewood, with the Panda Express directly below.)  It was good and convenient and I wanted to stay with something “safe.”  This was of great amusement to Scott Bakula.   I asked if I could get an autograph since I couldn’t be there, and you can see the result below.

Scott remembered the Orange Chicken but forgot my name “To Tony – no more orange chicken!”  While Maria Bello simply signed “All the best” – but got my name right.

With Maria starring in the movie “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” premiering tonight, I thought I would share the photo.  Enjoy!

It has been three years since we followed the Pevensie siblings on the big screen, and the magic that was felt as they went through the wardbrobe and into the land of Narnia has all but been extinguished by a film that fails to impress and plays instead to the lower end of the PG rating scale.

The Return of the Kings and Queens

The previous film left off with the two Kings and Queens coming back through the wardrobe after many years of ruling Narnia as adults.  Upon their return to the real world, they are once again children, and hardly any time has passed since they entered the wardrobe.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian makes sure viewers know this fact by continually hitting the audience over the head with jokes and exposition detailing their situation.  In one scene,  Peter is complaining about being treated like a child, and when it is pointed out that he is a child, exclaims that he “didn’t use to be.”

Just as we are getting used to seeing the Pevensie’s in a constant state of depression, suddenly they are transported back to Narnia via a horn that summons past Kings and Queens back to Narnia.   They quickly discover  that in just the time they were back in the real world, several hundred years have passed in Narnia.

Same Song Second Verse

I have the perspective of never having read the books by CS Lewis, so I am able to come to the films and enjoy them as they are, without any preconceived notions of how I envisioned the books as a kid, or how the director did or didn’t bring a part of the book to life.   I was able to enjoy The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe as the start of a magical adventure, easily up to par of the Harry Potter films, with fantastic cinematography and haunting music.

This time, they settled for gimmicks.

Take the dwarf from Lord of the Rings, the cat from Shrek, and Mr. Beaver from the first Narnia film, put them in a room and let them make jokes about each other and you have a good portion of this film.    Instead of the talking animals and creatures being the cornerstone of the film, we are left with a far less-interesting enemy – humans.

In the first film we had four humans teaming with “good” creatures battling “bad” creatures and the evil witch.  It was easy to tell who was good and who was evil.  In Caspian, suddenly all humans are evil.  In fact, the only moral of the film that I could decipher is this:

Humans destroy the forest and all of its living creatures, including cute, talking mice.

Yes, it is another piece of propaganda from the film world, following on the heels of Speed Racer’s anti-corporate message, directed towards unsuspecting kids and their parents.  Al Gore would be pleased.

What Could Have Saved It?

It’s hard to tell what could have saved Prince Caspian since I haven’t read the book.   Noticeably absent was Edmund’s witt as the brother we love to hate.   The scene where Caspian considers freeing the White Witch from the netherworld seemed thrown in at the last minute – there could have been a little more development in his struggle to use her power or not.  Also, the film relies too heavily on what happened to Caspian’s father – so much so I kept hearing in my head “My name is Prince Caspian of the Telmarine, you killed my father, prepare to die.”

Perhaps then we would have had a good film.

Rutter’s Rating: 2/5.

Technorati Tags: Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian, Movie Review, Troy Rutter, Telmarine

In what can be seen as a social media experiment gone terribly wrong (or right) … the news of Heath Ledger’s death swarmed over twitter, tmz.com, and other outlets a mere hour after his body was found.

Back in 1999, while working at Warner Bros., I had the opportunity to conduct an online chat with Heath and his fans. This was for the film “10 Things I Hate About You.” I remember Heath as being witty, fun, and a gracious guest. Below is the transcript.

WB Host says: Welcome to Cybertalk! Our online auditorium consists of 2 areas, the stage and the auditorium where you guys are. To ask questions, simply type /ask and then your question! Tonight we are pleased to welcome Heath Ledger to our online auditorium! Heath stars in the Touchstone film, “10 Things I Hate About You” and also starred in the TV series “Roar.” Heath may be joined tonight by Andrew Keegan calling in from the set! Thanks for joining us Heath!

HeathLedger says: Hello world! Tis me, Heath!

SolasTuan asks: hi Heath I hope you had a good birthday, If someone decided to make a film Based on “Roar” would you consider being Conor?

HeathLedger says: I’d consider it, but I’m not sure if I’d do it…tho it would be a lot of fun!

SolasTuan asks: of all the roles you have played in all the films/TVshows/plays which did you enjoy the most?

HeathLedger says: Probably Jimmy in Two Hands, an Australian movie I did…. but that runs close with Patrick from 10 Things…

RoarFan asks: Do you sing professionally? You sang Can’t take my eyes off you really Well!!!

HeathLedger says: Um…no. well, you could say I do as an actor for movies. But I’ve never been paid to sing before that. Thank you tho!

Bellystar asks: hi heath…i wanted to know what appealed to you about the scrip of 10 things i hate about you?

HeathLedger says: I just think..I loved taming of the Shrew, and always wanted to play Petrucchio, and this was the closets I could get. And also the characters journey. He had many barriers to overcome, and wasn’t one-dimensional.

SolasTuan asks: you said that in the paintball scene Julia Stiles was a bad shot… how were you?

HeathLedger says: Damn Good! She was a good shot tho, I was joking – she got me a few times real good.

RoarFan asks: Hey Heath. I was wondering what you like to do in your spare time (if any).

HeathLedger says: I like to get outside as much as possible. usually, I have a group of friends I travel with and we try to get to the desert region of the hills. We try to go horseriding alot.

OreoPassion asks: Can we expect to see you in any upcoming movies?

HeathLedger says: Most certainly… right now it’s undercover. Keep an eye out for me.

Dancer3 asks: Hi, were you friends with any of the actors before you did the movie?

HeathLedger says: No – I didn’t know anyone, or what anyone looked like. I just came straight off Two Hands in Sydney, and I wasn’t there for rehearsal….. And they also had no idea what I looked like, so we became friends quickly.

SolasTuan asks: I’ve noticed a Leather strap thingy on your wrist in many photos and films? what is the significance of this?

HeathLedger says: First of all, good eye! Second, it goes ll the way back to ROAR when Vera (who played Catlin) bought one for each roar actor.. and it’s kinda me, so it stuck.

Dancer3 asks: I loved 10 Things I hate about you! It was the bomb movie!

SolasTuan asks: when you did Blackrock did you research the real case of Leigh leigh at all?

HeathLedger says: Not really, Nick wanted to steer away from it being that story, so we tried to stay in the script & the movie in terms of respect for the Leigh Leigh family

CGA asks: What is your favorite type of Jelly Belly?

HeathLedger says: I don’t eat them.

OreoPassion asks: Do people recognize you in public and do they ask for autographs?

HeathLedger says: No, b/c I have short blonde hair now.

auroraskye asks: hi heath! you were great in 10 things.., i was wondering if you like your hair better blond or brown

HeathLedger says: I think Blonde, but it doesn’t bother me.

HeathLedger says: What do you think?

-HeathFan1- asks: I’m you’re biggest fan! I have posters of you all over my room! Does that bother you that people have pictures and posters of you hanging in their rooms?

HeathLedger says: Not really. It rarely dawns on me that they do. I didn’t even know there WERE posters of me..what are they?

WB Host says: Everybody is saying they like the blonde better, Heath!

HeathLedger says: Blonde it Is!

CrUnKgUrL69 asks: i saw you on mtv’s spring break for just a second…did you stay fot a long time or just for a day or two?!?

HeathLedger says: I was there for three nights, and basically sat by the ocean.

SolasTuan asks: Heath thankyou for being you, don’t ever change

HeathLedger says: Wow!

SarahK asks: so, who in “the business” are you dying to work with?

HeathLedger says: I don’t know what to say..thank you. That’s a difficult question, there are so many people. Jack Nicholson to Meryl Streep…. Anyone who wants to work with me.

SolasTuan asks: were you kidding when you said your dad had a Kangaroo, I have some friends with Wallabies btu not Kangaroos

HeathLedger says: No, I wasn’t kidding. It’s cool b/c since I’ve moved to America so many people ask if I have a pet kangaroo, and now

HeathLedger says: I can say yes. But I didn’t ride one to school

CGA asks: What is your favorite movie of all time?

HeathLedger says: Children of Paradise. But there are a dozen or so I love. It’s a French Film, directed by Marcel Cann

SolasTuan asks: I’ve been hainging out for Two Hands for nearly half a year can you tell us something about it? (I can’t wait until may 20th!)

HeathLedger says: Basically, it’sa black comedy set around Gangster life in Sydney Australia. My character gets himself into this, and out of it by fallling in love…. but, by the time he falls in love, it’s too late…..Thus, we get the beginning of the film!

auroraskye asks: heath, is there an address where i can send fanmail to you?

HeathLedger says: Send it to me c/o CAA 9830 Wilshire Blvd Beverely Hills, CA 90212

girl13 asks: what did you usually do when you weren’t in that particular scene they were taping?

HeathLedger says: Rest and Read, stretch and breate. I read Vladimar Kudakoff’s Lolita. Kubrik did the movie.

RoarFan asks: Hey heath, When did you start acting and what advise do you give to someone who is starting in the buisness

HeathLedger says: I started when I was 10, my advice is to stay as honest and true to your instincts as possible. let it take you on a ride.

CutyGirl asks: do you have an official web sight or someplace i can go to find up-to-date info on you and stuff?

HeathLedger says: extra has the current info, www.extratv.com

WonderKate asks: was it sad when the movie was done filming?

HeathLedger says: Yes, extremely. But, it was also exciting b/c we knew it would be in front of your eyes soon. It’s always sad to be a family like that, a reoccuring thing in this industry.

missy12 asks: what is your dream car?

HeathLedger says: One with no wheels! I don’t have a car, I ride a horse!

EileenSlattery asks: Thank you for being such a good person. You seem to be not only a talented actor, but also a true sweetie! Thanks for being you!

HeathLedger says: Wow….Thanks!

OreoPassion asks: Do you like working on t.v. or in movies better?

HeathLedger says: Movies…only b/c I prefer to have the time to buy the canvas, select the paint, and create a masterpiece rather than doing a comic book.

CutyGirl asks: how long did it take to film the movie?

HeathLedger says: 8 weeks. A quick shoot.

OreoPassion asks: If you could describe yourself in one word, which word would you choose?

HeathLedger says: Now.

WB Host says: Yes, you can answer now. Just kidding.

galit16 asks: first off, i think you’re one of the most talented actors i’ve ever had the privilege of watching. now that you’re famous in america, what do you think will change in your life?

HeathLedger says: I think you answered your own question…it’s the same, all a little knew for young Heathy.

Teddy Bearz asks: what is your horses name?

HeathLedger says: I don’t have one! But if I did, it’s be called far lap!

OreoPassion asks: Do you have a favorite band/singer?

HeathLedger says: Singer: Beck. band: I suppose most of my teens I listened to U2 records.

WB Host says: We have time for a couple more questions tonight!

RoarFan asks: Hey heath, I was wondering who some of your inspirations are. And if there are any actors you want to work with

HeathLedger says: Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Bob Fossey, Stanley Kubrick. Katherine hepburn, Nicholson, and of course Marcel c\Cann!

WB Host says: Our last question for tonight…

Lindseygirl asks: what type of role do you want to take next?

HeathLedger says: One that makes them Happy! Nothing in particular, whatever interests me…It’s hard to answer. When I know it I’ll see it. Thank you, and I love you all. Peace!

WB Host says: Well, I want to thank all of you for joining us tonight, and a special thanks to Heath for taking the time!

HeathLedger says: Thanks again! Peace!

WB Host says: That wraps it up for another edition of Cybertalk!

WB Host says: Thanks again for joining us, and be sure to come back tomorrow for Larisa Oleynik, Thursday for Joseph Gordon Levitt, and Friday the one and only Julia Miller! The transcripts for the event can be found at chat.warnerbros.com in the transcripts area! Be sure and visit www.extratv.com for a special presentation for the movie complete with bios and photos of the stars! See you tomorrow night, and remember… chat.warnerbros.com is always open!

Technorati Tags: Heath Ledger, Troy Rutter, Warner Bros. Online

Reality shows have it bad these days.     I admit growing up, I would tune into Circus of the Stars, or Battle of the Network Stars.  It was fun seeing the celebrities you saw every night on TV battle each other in kayaks or run around in a cage with lions.  Nowadays, however, with the reality shows take the term “celebrity” a little too lightly.  Take for instance the contestants on “Celebrity Apprentice”…

• Nadia Comaneci – Olympic gold medalist, gymnastics.   Who?
• Carol Alt – so she was the most beautiful woman according to Playboy upon a time.  Im 34, and I barely recognize the name.
• Jennie Finch – Olympic Softball gold medalist.   I’m sorry… WHO?   What’s with the Olympic theme here, Donald?  And I didn’t know softball was in the Olympics.
• Marilu Henner – Ok, I kind of recognize her name.  Health nut.  Gotcha.
• Lennox Lewis -Boxer.   Know the name, this should be interesting.  I’m sure he’ll come in handy balancing the books.
• Gene Simmons – finally a real celebrity!
• Piers Morgan – hosts some American Idol ripoff.  Again… Celebrity according to whom?
• Stephen Baldwin -Shouldn’t he be off doing some kind of religious telethon?
• Tiffany Fallon – Miss Georgia 2001.     uh…. who?
• Tito Ortiz – Ultimate fighting champion.   Who?
• Vincent Pastori – ok, a pseudo celebrity from The Sopranos.  Better than a gold medalist.
• Omarosa – Season 1 of The Apprentice, Reality TV flunkie… isn’t her 15 minutes of fame up?
• Nely Galan – Former Telemundo executive.    Oh boy.
• Trace Adkins – another pseudo-celebrity but better than a gold medalist.

I would rather see REAL, unknown people plucked out of the American landscape than watch this “celebrity” edition of The Apprentice.   People will watch for Gene Simmons – period.   So you know he will last until near the end.

While perusing the aisles of the local discount retail store attempting to find the latest Babylon 5 DVD, “The Lost Tales,” I just happened to glance down at the new releases and see a DVD i have been waiting YEARS to come out… Monster Squad.

Ok, this is one seriously dorky movie. But when it came out, I was around the same age (or younger) of the kids in the film, and I thought it was one of the greatest movies ever. The last time I saw it was on VHS, rented from the local movie place, with dropouts and blurry video. Even then I had to laugh at the “too 80’s” characters. The boys with their acid-washed, too faded jeans, and the girls sporting the latest madonna-esque fashions. And who can forget one of the most memorable lines of the film, “Wolfman’s got nards!”

This film easily fits in with “The Lost Boys” and “The Goonies” for the Ultimate 80’s Horror Teen Horror Flicks.

I can’t wait to get home to watch it.   Plus there are interviews with the cast – fantastic!

Technorati Tags: Monster Squad, Babylon 5, Lost Boys, Goonies, Wolfman

Ok, so Im very late coming to the Battlestar Galactica game, but Ive been watching the season 1 DVDs over the course of the past week and am hooked. And then last night before play rehearsal I popped in Disk 5 (the season finale) and watched, and then jumped off the sofa at the last 2 minutes.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? They can’t do that to me!!!!

So, I went and rented disk 1 and 2 last night of season 2 but haven’t watched them yet. I watched the first episode, but the “cliff-hangers” are still hanging.

Good show.

It was a little over a year ago when I blogged So Long, Scotty, but I never thought we would lose James Doohan so soon. Doohan passed away in his home this morning. As I mentioned in my entry on his Walk of Fame star, he was always one of the most generous and people-friendly speaker at conventions. He will be missed.

The loss has even left author/blogged Wil Wheaton at a loss for words.

Goodbye, Jimmy – we’ll miss you.

Talk show hostess Oprah Winfrey is describing the most humiliating moment of her life recently, saying the French store Heremes denied her access to the up-scale shoppe on her recent visit. Proving once again that viewers of her show are nothing more than grapefruit, the backlash has started as the millions of Oprah viewers send nasty emails and letters to the boutique.

Nevermind that she tried to enter the store at 6:45PM when the store closes at 6:30PM. Oprah claims there were others shopping in the store and the security and staff would not let her in.

WTF?!

How many times have you shown up at a business, or a bank, and have had the doors locked but the remaining patrons are still checking out? More times than I can count. But that isn’t good enough for Oprah. Nope. Stores need to LET HER IN, because she’s a celebrity.

On ABC’s Good Morning America, Diane Sawyer called the incident another case of “Have a nice day racism.”

Racism? For not letting somebody in after-hours?

This just goes to prove that celebrities like Oprah have had doors opened to them (pun intended) that others have not. They have lived the good life and everybody bowing to their whim so long, that when somebody DOESN’T bend over backwards, suddenly its because she’s black. Or she’s a woman.

Come on!!!

It was AFTER BUSINESS HOURS for crying out loud.

According to a close friend, she is going to talk about the incident on an upcoming episode of her talk show. Big surprise. Hermes has even cracked under the pressure and issued an apology to the superstar. An apology for not opening the store especially for her?

As John Stossel says… Give Me a Break!

If you are like the millions of people who didn’t watch The Tony Awards the other night, you probably won’t know what I’m talking about when I ask the people – “what the heck was Al Sharpton doing there?”

The Rev showed up during the awards show in the segment for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” and if you believe the media, it was a “delight” and “enjoyable” cameo.

Bull.

What the heck was he doing there? Is he not getting enough face time since Michael Jackson is cuddling up to Richard Gregory instead of the Rev? What is going on here? What could Al Sharpton possibly have to do with a Broadway musical, other than trying to steal the spotlight away from those who perform night after night as part of their profession and craft?

It was anything but a “stroke of genius” as MSNBC has said. Side note: MSNBC’s lovely article is full of “huzzahs” for the Rev, but they can’t even mention CBS, the network the awards aired on. Seems like they would rather rally behind their political un-hero than give props to their rival network compeditor.

This is not the first cameo for Sharpton who now fancies himself an actor rather than activist. He has been seen on Boston Legal, My Wife & Kids, Law & Order and other scripted shows – along with his political talk show circuit.

Enough is enough Sharpton. I don’t want to see your face in my primetime viewing. You are either an activist or an actor – don’t pull a Tim Robbins or Susan Sarandon. Note to Hollywood – you have ruined some of the shows I enjoy by bringing him onto your shows… no wonder reality shows are booming, they are the only thing untouched by the Rev.

Al Sharpton – STAY OFF MY TV!