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Something to Do: Movies and TV

There are two fun but silly entries for this weekend. The first is Shrek Forever After, in which our fairytale friends find themselves in an alternate universe where everything is just a bit different. I fully expect this to be just as good as the previous entries in the franchise, and will definitely be there.

The other film (maybe) for the weekend is MacGruber, basically a 5 minute SNL sketch and parody of MacGyver blown up into an entire movie. I think this one could be fun, but its release has been delayed several times already and there is a challenge from the creator of MacGyver, so don’t be surprised if it is held back again.

In the world of TV, a few cancellations and renewals have been announced. At NBC, Heroes has been canceled, but Chuck has been renewed for one more season. At ABC Flash Forward has been canceled just as it was starting to get really going, but V has been renewed. ABC also canceled one of the funniest shows on TV, Better Off Ted. Even though V has two of my favorite science fiction actresses doing a killer mother-daughter team, Flash Forward and Better Off Ted were both excellent original programs rather than rebuilt returns. Which won’t stop me from watching and enjoying V.

Something to Do: Movies

In the theaters this weekend the best new film looks to be Robin Hood, the gazillionth time someone has converted the story to a video format. With folks like Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett and Ridley Scott involved, this version might just be something special.

If you are anywhere near Oregon, you might want to make some time to see Wild Space A Go Go, a rather silly sounding retro 60s multidimensional outer space musical comedy and sex farce. While not actually a movie what with the live human beings on the stage and all, it certainly sounds like a lot of fun.

Speed Fun

Google ran some non-intuitive tests of its Google Chrome browser speeds versus real world events. Unless you have Ghod’s Own Internet Connection and a state of the art computer built next week, your mileage may vary. But still, this is more than a bit impressive. Also, be aware that Futurama is about to kick into its new season in a few weeks. I for one am thrilled the wait is almost over.

Something to Do: Movies

There is nothing really new in the theaters this week, unless you are part of Sci-Fi London, so this might be a good weekend to catch up on anything you have missed that is still in the theaters. Coming up in May there are some great films on tap, starting with the sequel Iron Man 2. I expect the seats to be packed for that on, opening on May 7th. I may even have to brave the crowed for a midnight show, just because I can’t wait. The other big-screen epic I am expecting a large crowd to attend is Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time on May 28th. While movies based on games have not generally been of high quality or very successful with a very few exceptions, the trailers give me great hopes for this one, as does what Disney did with Pirates of the Caribbean.

There are a few less well known movies in May I think might end up being quite enjoyable, and surprise a lot of people. TiMER has been winning awards hand over fist on the Film Festival circuit (I think they are just shy of 20 or so by now), and has a great cast and an original concept. It hits New York on the 8th, but goes into wider release on the 14th. The Wild Hunt tells the story of a young man who follows his ex-girlfriend into a medieval re-enactment game, and the lines between reality and fantasy get fairly blurred.

And there are a few films which just plain look like fun; Shrek Forever After (the Final Chapter) on May 21st, and Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood on the 14th. And there are more coming, it should be a great summer for movies.

Something to Do: Film Festivals

One of my favorite film fests is coming around again: Sci-Fi London takes place from April 28th until May 3rd. Being held in the UK, there will of course be the obligatory Doctor Who screening, in this case the 1966 feature film staring Peter Cushing as the Doctor, as well as a Lab event called The Birth of the Modern Doctor Who. One of the most notable films at the event is Radio Free Albemuth, yet another Philip K. Dick tale turned into a disturbing movie (don’t you hate it when a film forces you to think?) about current events. Another film about a future that is already here is the intriguing 8th Wonderland, about a virtual country populated in the real world through social networking. Then there is TiMER, a nice Sci-Fi romantic comedy, and Dones (think The Office with drones from other planets), both of which have a solid link to the Buffyverse and a good grasp of humor. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg; there are a lot of movies worth seeing at this event.

Something to Do: Movies

The film that looks like it could be the most fun this week is The Good, The Bad, The Weird, which looks kind of like a Korean take on Indiana Jones in full-tilt boogie mode. It will be in a limited number of theaters, but it will be available as part of the IFC On Demand service, available through a number of cable companies including Comcast.

If you don’t have access to that film, it looks like The Losers might make an acceptable substitute. It is not quite genre, but still looks like it could be fun.