Luc Besson is putting together a new science fiction film, and judging by the trailer it is going to be kick ass. Considering what he did with The Fifth Element, Transporter, and Leon, The Professional I am expecting something special. The plot is reminiscent of Escape From New York, in that a convicted (but not actually guilty) prisoner is offered his freedom if he can go to a completely lawless area and rescue a politically valuable hostage. This time around the crime he was accused of was espionage, the hostage is the president’s daughter, and the lawless place is a prison taken over by criminals so dangerous that they put it in orbit so they couldn’t escape. And doesn’t Guy Pearce look all Pliskin-like in the questioning scene? And look who’s asking the questions… this should be out in 2012, I am looking forward to it.
Starting today, a brand new series of radio adventures begin for Tom Baker in Doctor Who: Hornets’ Nest. That is the story arc name, which is comprised of five stories, each an hour long. The first half of the first story, The Stuff of Nightmares, part 1 aired today at 6PM London time, and will air again at Midnight. It will be available at that link to listen to for the next 6 days, with a new episode each weekday evening at the same time for the next two weeks. At least that is the usual arrangement, but I am not taking any chances and will be listening to each episode the day it airs. They are also running two other Sci-Fi programs around it; just before the doctor you can here Married, a science fiction comedy about a bachelor who wakes up in a parallel universe to discover he is married there. And just after the Doctor this week is H. P. Lovecraft’s At The Mountains of Madness, also starting today. You can see the full schedule here, but as I write this there are only 7 hours left to hear episode 1 of married, since that program only runs once a week.
It shouldn’t be any great surprise that my vote for new movie this week goes to Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. The first one blew me away last year, so I am more than ready for this one.
Staring us off this week is Rise of the Planet of the Apes, where we learned that we didn’t blow the Earth up after all, but did ourselves in through genetic engineering. Also out is Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, a Sherlock Holmes style action/adventure period piece filled with well known Asian film stars.
I there were any live action genre TV shows coming out this week, I was unable to find them. There is, however, a documentary that might be of interest; PBS’s Steve Jobs: One Last Thing.
For western animation, Kung Fu Panda 2 from Dreamworks continues the saga of Po, with world class animation and a great story. There is of course an expanded pack with a second DVD with new shorts and extras, as well as the Kung Fu Panda Collection, which has both the first and second movie in it.
Bleach Box Set 11 brings episodes 168 through 179 of the Soul Reapers epic series of battles home. Also available is Kekkaishi Set 3, which has the Barrier Masters fighting monsters for an additional 13 episodes. If you are wondering if either of these series are for you, you can watch episodes online at those links to find out. Odds are good you will not be able to watch Urotsukidoji New Saga Complete online; while it is a fantasy adventure about battling gods, it is also hentai, and as such for adults only.
There are a few re-releases into lower cost packaging today. Kino’s Journey – Complete Collection and Ikki Tousen – The Complete Series [S.A.V.E.] can now be acquired for $20 or less if you shop around.
I first read this book when I was 14 years old, and immediately wanted to see it on the big screen. There have been various versions and attempts at it in the past, and strangely enough my favorite one so far features a former porn star as the Princess of Mars. But with the release of this trailer, I don’t think it is a contest any more. This will be the definitive version of ERB’s John Carter of Mars. Even if they did drop the of Mars part out of the title.
In season two of Steven Moffat’s Sherlock Holmes it looks like Lara Pulver get’s to play Irene Adler. There are no trailers yet, but word is the new season starts on New Years Day, and the folks at Blogtor Who have some good promo pics posted. Of course, the Robert Downey Jr. movie Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows hits the big screen next Wednesday as well. And I assume everyone has been listening to BBC Radio 4 Extra over the past month, as they have played every Sherlock Holmes story ever written as radio plays. This is a great time to be a Holmes fan.