This past summer, film archivists discovered Fritz Lange’s director’s cut of the 1927 film that has been thought lost for 80 years.

The version known to most audiences is the 1929 114-minute theatrical release version by U.S. studio,Paramount.

The director’s original cut, on the other hand is three and a half hours, or a whopping 210 minutes.

According to the discoverers, the previously deleted scenes – once restored – flesh out entire subplots and give new meaning to secondary characters in the film.

Because of scratches and degraded condition of the long-lost film, restorers say it could be years before the full 3.5 hour epic director’s cut is ready to be shown in theatres or available for sale on DVD.

Sources/Additional reading:

• AFP: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jvdX-dyfyMFmNKJeUMeMGPwNfvCQ
• NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/05/movies/05arts-LOSTANDFOUND_BRF.html?em&ex=1215403200&en=1222edeba861a31c&ei=5087%0A
• CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/07/04/metropolis-original-lang.html
• BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7489278.stm
• Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSL0344303820080704
• Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/missing-reels-from-langs-metropolis-discovered-860006.html
• Duetsche Welle: http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3460612,00.html

Opens:

What do you get when you re-make a classic landmark of science fiction film history like the 1951 film The Day the Earth Stood Still?

Better yet, throw in box-office favorite Keanu Reeves as the alien with the warning to humanity and replace the cold war message with one dealing with today’s obsession about environmental catastrophe.

Sound like a good idea?

Well, according to most of the mainstream critics, the result is an unqualified mess that may not appeal to anyone with a mental age over 12. And critics make a special note to point out to fans of the original film to skip this version altogether.

Of the few good comments on this update, critics point to a winning performance by Kathy Bates in a supporting role as a tough-as-nails politician. Also, the use of special effects and computer-generated imagery also got high marks.

But the lowest marks went to the story and script. More than one critic called the dialogue unintentionally laughable.

So, for those in fandom, this version it either destined for cult comedy status – or is headed to the dustbin alongside atrocities such as the remake of Planet of the Apes and the film version of Battlefield Earth.

WATCH THE TRAILER

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“… will probably resonate best with the preteens in the crowd, who might not necessarily care about the sluggish direction or the considerable gaps in logic. Everyone else would be much better off staying home and revisiting Armageddon or Deep Impact, which — compared to this movie — are models of intelligence, wit and complexity.” – Christopher Kelly

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“… Klaatu barada stinko. Pointless remake of the sci-fi classic is loaded with unintentional laughs.” – Alonso Duralde

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“… The original movie is beginning to show its age, but at least it holds up as a story. That’s more than you can say for a preachy, draggy blockbuster that espouses a radical message of Luddite technophobia at the same time as it conspicuously plugs Honda and LG Electronics, and dresses up its half-baked thinking in blinding (but not that brilliant) CGI wizardry.” – Tom Charity

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“… the best science fiction has always been about innovative ideas and challenging issues. In this regard, the updated The Day the Earth Stood Still falls far short of the original.” – Tom Charity

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Brendan Fraser is back, reprising his role in The Mummy franchise in the new film, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

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OPENS: August 1, 2008
RATING: PG-13 (Violence)
GENRES: Horror Comedy, Action-Adventure, Fantasy

The heroes of The Mummy franchise returns — well not all of them, Rachel Weiss decided to forego this film, replaced by Maria Bello.

Film reviews are mixed. Many film critics hated The Mummy 3, citing that the film is dumb, violent and doesn’t take tell the audience a new story..

Other critics loved the film for those same reasons. Film Critic Roger Ebert says audiences comprised of fans fo this series will not be disappointed.

Sometimes people want mindless escapist adventure wit great special effects. Here, the film delivers.

Other critics say audiences should follow the example of the lead actress of the first two Mummy films – and skip this one as unneeded and unwatchable.

WATCH THE TRAILER

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• Great special effects
• Film made for fans of the series

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• Not much original; the plot is similar to the first film
• Fraser is only 13 years older than the actor who plays his son, making the father/son dynamic awkward
• Barrage of violence too scary for very small children. Adolescent boys, on the other hand, will love it.

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"A poor third installment to the Mummy series." – Ken Denmead

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“One Wow cancels out the last Wow, until the Wows start looking more like lowercase wows and soon the wows become merely eh, or worse, a string of low-grade, minimally inventive aggravations that fail even to hit the level of eh. They’re more like bleh.” – Michael Phillips

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“This third “Mummy” movie takes us on a guided tour of the catacombs of ancient China and the peaks of the Himalayas, with a pit stop in postwar Shanghai. Anyone looking for a terrific summer popcorn movie should not hop on board.” – Peter Rainer

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“Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is as stupid as it gets, with spear-carrying undead soldiers fighting men with 1946-era guns, yetis coming to the aid of humans and the phoniest-looking movie snow of all time. There’s also a trumped-up father-son schism that Rick and Luke must overcome.” – Betsy Pickle

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“The new installment, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, fails despite being given the best possible chance of success.” – Mick LaSalle

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“Now why did I like this movie? It was just plain dumb fun, is why. It is absurd and preposterous, and proud of it. ” – Roger Ebert

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“The film has its flaws: There’s plenty of lame dialogue, including a stomach-turning exchange in which archaeological terms such as “excavation” are applied to sexually desirable women. And the talents of two exceptional Chinese actors and martial artists, Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh, go underappreciated.” – Christy De Smith

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But in a disappointing turn for Torchwood fandom, the “season” will consist of only five new episodes, which begin filming in August.

This announcement comes after series creator Russel T. Davies said that after in 2009, he would be leaving BBC Wales, where he produces Torchwood as well as the newly invigorated Doctor Who series and spin-off Sarah Jane Adventures.

Doctor Who also is affected by Davies’ departure. It will have only 4 episodes in 2009 – which are being aired as specials on the BBC. There is no news whether Sci FI Channel, which airs Doctor Who in the U.S. will pick up those four specials next year.

In the United States, the five new Torchwood episodes are expected to air on BBC America beginning in January or February 2009.

Chris Garcia sends two fanzines produced at the recent BayCon:

Orange Soda, the Fanzine in an Hour???????? ????? ????????, and Naught Left but the Lash, the
hoax newszine.

Both available on Chris’s page at http://efanzines.com

They are available here: http://efanzines.com/DrinkTank/index.htm#bc2008

A couple years after adding professional wrestling into its mix, last week the Sci FI channel said it once again will be moving beyond traditional science fiction. Here’s what the New York Times reported: 

“It’s not just aliens, spaceships and the future,” said Dave Howe, who was promoted to president of Sci Fi from general manager in January. “It’s about asking that simple question, ‘What if?’ ”

The changes evolved over several years. One result is a widening audience, especially among women. In April, for example, Sci Fi ranked sixth in cable networks in the 25-to-54 age group. Growth in female viewers outpaced that in men; 43 percent of Sci Fi’s viewers are female. 

The channel is NBC Universal’s only non-news success in internaional markets, the paper claims.

Manson will be playing the part of Catherine Weaver, the big boss of a prominent high-tech company.

Although she is no stranger to acting, the Scot-born singer is best known to American audiences as the lead singer of the band, Garbage, which had the hit single in 1996, “I’m Only Happy When It Rains.”

TiVo vs. SFTV: It appears a skirmish is brewing between Film Fidder and SF Signal as to whether or not TiVo and other DVRs are hurting or helping science fiction televiiosn.

Johnny Depp Vamps Up: Jack Sparrow to put on fangs in film version of Dark Shadows.

Big in Kenya: Science Fictio-themed films are becoming increasingly popular in Africa.

ComiCon: San Diego businesses woo the nerds this weekend.

Below is a sampling of the categories and winners. A complete list of finalists and winners is available at: http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/index.html

In addition to the editorial awards, GameSpot’s audience can cast their votes in more than 40 award categories. The GameSpot Readers’ Choice winners will be revealed on January 26, 2007.

Game of the Year: Gears of War (X360)

Best Action Adventure Game: Dead Rising (X360)

Best Fighting Game: Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (X360)

Best Game No One Played: GTR 2 (PC)

Best Game Boy Advance Game: Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation

Best GameCube Game: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Best Graphics, Artistic: Okami (PS2)

Best Graphics, Technical: Gears of War (X360)

Best Licensed Music: Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure (XBOX, PC, PS2)

Best Multiplayer Game: Gears of War (X360)

Best New Character(s): Delta Squad from Gears of War (X360)

Best New Gaming Hardware: Nintendo Wii

Best Nintendo DS Game: Elite Beat Agents

Best Original Game Mechanic: Free-Motion Controls in Madden NFL 07 (Wii)

Best Original Music: Bully (PS2)

Best PC Game: Company of Heroes

Best Platformer: Daxter (PSP)

Best PlayStation 2 Game: Final Fantasy XII

Best PlayStation 3 Game: Resistance: Fall of Man

Best PSP Game: Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

Best Puzzle Game: Exit (PSP)

Best Rhythm/Music Game: Elite Beat Agents (DS)

Best Role-Playing Game: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (PC, X360)

Best Shooter: Gears of War (X360)

Best Strategy Game: Company of Heroes (PC)

Best Traditional Sports Game: Madden NFL ’07 (Wii)

Best Use of Xbox 360 Achievement Points: Dead Rising

Best Nintendo Wii Game: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Best Xbox 360 Game: Gears of War

Best Xbox Game: NCAA Football ’07

Biggest News : The Saga of the PlayStation 3 Launch

Most Improved Sequel: Tomb Raider: Legend (X360, Xbox, PS2, GC)

Most Surprisingly Good Game: Saints Row (X360)

CBS’s Friday night psychic series Ghost Whisperer will be returning for another year, according to a press release by the network and TV industry reports.

The series is one of only three new shows on CBS to be picked up for a second season.

Although the show will be returning, CBS did not confirm it will be keeping its Friday 8/7c p.m. time slot.