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Movies News

New Alien Movie Confirmed With Director Neill Blomkamp

XenomorphGreat news for xenomorph fans! Neill Blomkamp has been (re?)-tapped to direct a new Aliens feature under Ridley Scott’s production company. Blomkamp has been teasing his involvement online and some details came out back in January from Io9 when it appeared it wasn’t going to happen.

The untitled sci-fi project is separate from Prometheus 2, which Fox is still making with Ridley Scott.

Excerpt and more details from Variety:

Blomkamp, who directed “District 9″ and the upcoming Sony feature “Chappie,” had been teasing the project in recent months but said the extra-terrestrial reboot was likely abandoned. It was supposed to star “Alien” veteran Sigourney Weaver.

But on Wednesday Blomkamp confirmed the tentpole was back on track at Fox.

“So I think this is officially my next film,” he confirmed on Instagram.

It’s unclear whether Weaver is still attached to the movie.

Categories
Author News/Announcements Authors Books News

Lost Dr Seuss Book To Be Released In July

Random House announced on Wednesday that they will release a recently discovered manuscript w/illustrations by beloved author and artist Dr. Seuss.

Dr. Seuss - What Pet Should I GetThe book is titled What Pet Should I Get? and is scheduled for release on July 28. The publisher plans at least two more books, based on materials found in 2013 in the author’s home in La Jolla, California.

The materials had been set aside after his death when his wife, Audrey Geisel, was remodeling her home. She found a box filled with pages of text and sketches and set it aside with some of her husband’s other materials.

The box was rediscovered 22 years later, in the fall of 2013 by Audrey, and Claudia Prescott — Ted Geisel’s longtime secretary and friend — when they were cleaning out his office space. They found the full text and illustrations for What Pet Should I Get?, among other work.

What Pet Should I Get? was likely written between 1958 and 1962. The book features the same brother and sister seen in Dr. Seuss’ 1960 classic One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.

Here’s a description from the official book listing

This never-ever-before-seen picture book by Dr. Seuss about making up one’s mind is the literary equivalent of buried treasure! What happens when a brother and sister visit a pet store to pick a pet? Naturally, they can’t choose just one! The tale captures a classic childhood moment—choosing a pet—and uses it to illuminate a life lesson: that it is hard to make up your mind, but sometimes you just have to do it!

Born Theodore Seuss Geisel, Dr Seuss passed away in 1991 at the age of 87.

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Movies News

Interstellar Returns To IMAX For One Day Only

Interstellar PosterIf you missed Interstellar back in November you have one last chance to see it on the BIG screen.

On Saturday, February 21st certain AMC IMAX theaters will be showing the film – and only once at 3:00pm local time. The screening will include 12 minutes of new behind the scenes footage.

Footage (and occasionally, physics) aside, this was a thought provoking and beautiful film with solid performances all around. Interstellar is well worth IMAX dollars.

Categories
Books Comics Movies News

Mad Max: Fury Road Art Book and Prequel Comics Covers

Mad Max: Fury RoadWe at Most of us at SpecFicMedia can’t wait for Mad Max: Fury Road to hit theaters this summer. To quench the Max lust, an art book and the first of four prequel comics will be launched in May.

Mad Max: Fury Road: Inspired ArtistsThe art book is titled Mad Max: Fury Road: Inspired Artists and will contain artwork based on the film by over 65 different artists as well as commentary from creator/director George Miller.

Mad Max: Fury Road: Nux & Immortan Joe #1The first prequel comic is titled Mad Max: Fury Road: Nux & Immortan Joe #1. This character-centric comic shows the rise of The Immortan Joe (played by Hugh Keays-Byrne), and Nux (Nicholas Hoult), one of the Immortan’s “War Boys”.

Click the pix below for larger versions. More details about the books and images are over at JoBlo.

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News Television

Supergirl With A Side Of Eggs

Mehcad BrooksMehcad Brooks (“Eggs” from True Blood) has been cast as Jimmy Olsen in the upcoming CBS series Supergirl. Olsen will serve as a love interest for the titular character, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

That’s right, CBS is creating a Supergirl series!! With so much Marvel television, and other spec-fic movie news, I completely missed it until reading this announcement.

The series follows Kara Zor-El, cousin of Superman, who also escaped the destruction of their homeworld Krypton.

Melissa BenoistKara (played by Glee and Whiplash breakout Melissa Benoist) was raised by a foster family on earth, who taught her to hide her super powers. Now 24, an unexpected disaster forces her to use her extraordinary abilities in public and Kara begins embracing her powers to help the people of her city.

Kara meets Jimmy Olsen at CatCo., where they both work (he’s a photographer, naturally). She is attracted to his salt of the earth demeanor and rugged good looks. Olsen has recently been living and working in National City for (at least for now) unknown reasons and the two grow closer as her powers are revealed.

SupergirlI’m not really a comic book guy, so I didn’t know the traditional origin story of Supergirl, but I’m guessing most fans will immediately recognize this as a huge departure from comic book canon. Here’s a synopsis from Screen Rant:

The continuity changes and reboots Supergirl has undergone since her introduction in 1959 have led to a variety of versions, but most in the modern age have stuck to a short list of details. Kara Zor-El was a teenager when her cousin, Kal, was sent to Earth by his Kryptonian parents. Kara managed to escape as well, but for one reason or another, arrived on Earth years behind, finding Kal a full-grown man (and superhero).

It then falls to Kal to help his cousin control her newfound powers until she can adopt a ‘Super’ mantle of her own -and a secret identity along with it (a story played out on Smallville already). But going by the apparent synopsis, that isn’t part of the new show’s identity at all.

None of the details coming out so far make mention of Superman taking any part in this new series.

Categories
Movies News

Coming Soon – LEGO S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier

It will set you back $350 bones, but the LEGO S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier has a lot to offer – and not just the 2,996 parts! The new play set will officially be revealed next month at the Toy Fair in New York.

LEGO HelicarrierThe Helicarrier is over two and a half feet long (31 inches), 11 inches high, and 17 inches wide. It includes 12 microfigures to keep the dual runways and bridge running, microscale fighter jets, Quinjets, and ground support vehicles. But that’s not all!

The set also includes five S.H.I.E.L.D. minifigures: Nick Fury, Black Widow, Captain America, Hawkeye, and the debut of Maria Hill in mini form.

LEGO Helicarrier minifigsThis LEGO release is not related to the upcoming Avengers: Age of Ultron movie, rather the original 2012 movie.

As an aside, who ever thought we’d be linking to a Wall Street Journal article?!

Here’s all of the pics released so far

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Categories
News Podcast Website News

Sorry For The Dump

keep calm and take a dumpAfter moving hosting accounts, updating software, configuring software, re-configuring software and re-re-configuring software – it seems that everything is working the way it’s supposed to.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is that the Beyond The Wall and Consumption feeds have both puked pretty much all of our episodes into the feeds. In the short term, this just means that you may have seen a bunch of old episodes show up like they’re new (or your podcatcher may have actually downloaded them all). Behind the scenes some statistics may be donked up. Overall not a big deal.

In the long term, this shouldn’t impact anything at all. Moving forward, all episodes should post the way they’re supposed to and there shouldn’t be any more episode dumps.

I’m really sorry about this. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a dump like this from somebody’s feed, and it’s always annoying.

Categories
Audio AudioConsumption Beyond The Wall Consumption Events Podcast Website News

PG Farewell Stream Announcment

#BecausePGH

Edit: Here is the direct YouTube link to watch the recording

 

Hello SpecFicMedia listeners,

On Wednesday, October 8th, 2014 at 9pm Eastern, the Beyond the Wall crew will be recording a live podcast show in which we will bid farewell to our good friend, P.G. Holyfield.

There is also an in-person gathering and a Memorial Service occurring on Oct 11th and 12th, respectively.

If you would like to attend one or both of those events, please check the links on this post at SpecFicMedia.com.

Of course, we understand that not everyone will be able to attend in person.

For so many, these podcasts are how they knew him.

So, the show on Wednesday the 8th will be a way for us, and for you, to express your feelings about this man, who brought so many people together.

We on the crew will be sharing our feelings and memories, but, we would also like to hear from you. If you have words, audio or video that you would like to share, please email it to us at BTW@SpecFicMedia.com.

Even if you have already sent something, please re-send it if you would like it to appear on this show. If you would like to send something that is just for family or any other private audience, please indicate this in your email.

And of course, if you are reading this too late or are just unable to put your feelings together before we record, please send anyways.

Also, please help us boost the signal, both for this announcement and the show event links that will follow, so that everyone that would like to can participate.

P.G. Holyfield founded a great community at SpecFicMedia, but now his watch has ended.

Our watch continues and so we will carry on our sacred duty, which is to talk about things we love – and people that we love – with all of you.

Thank you, from your friends at SpecFicMedia.com.

 

Farewell video stream on October 8 at 9pm (YouTube Hangouts on Air)

Gathering in Charlotte, NC on October 11 Facebook event page

Flying Saucer Restaurant
9605 N. Tryon Street, Suite A
Starting 6:00pm

Memorial Service in Charlotte, NC on October 12 Facebook event page

Embassy Suites
4800 S. Tryon Street
(shuttles available from Charlotte Douglas Airport)
Starting 12:00 pm, in the banquet room

Donations to the Patrick G. Holyfield Children’s Fund – GoFundMe

Categories
Website News

SFM Special Announcement

A brief audio announcement on our loss of PG.

Categories
Author News/Announcements Authors News Website News

PG Holyfield Health Announcement

PG and Kim, July 2014

EDIT: P.G. passed away on August 20th, 2014. Thank you so much for the past and continued support!

 

Beloved friends, family, and fans of P.G. (Patrick) Holyfield,

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that PG was recently diagnosed with cancer. We apologize that you have to find out this way, but this has surprised us all.

Over the past two weeks he has had extensive testing at his local hospital, as well as another round of tests and confirming opinion from a second hospital.

What it comes down to is that there are no treatment options, primarily because the cancer has spread to his organs. It has moved silently and swiftly and only presented symptoms in the last month. The disease has already taken a heavy toll.

Sadly, communication is already very difficult for him, so if you have called, texted, emailed, PM’d, or reached out in any other way in the last few weeks and haven’t heard back, this is why. It’s not because he doesn’t want to, it’s that he cannot. Please take no offense.

Organ failure and the pain meds have made it hard to communicate as clearly as we’re all used to. He has been focusing on rest and nutrition to fight this battle, and now we focus on time. The brief time for PG to experience the width and breadth of all of the lives he has touched.

As ever, Patrick has his special lady friend Kim (as he likes to introduce her) as well as family and close friends helping him get through this. If you would like to see him, please contact Vivid Muse immediately to try and work out details. The sooner, the better, as we’re told.

If you would like to send a brief video or audio greeting, or an email message (all to choochus@gmail.com) we will make sure he hears and sees it. If not video, please include a picture we can show as we read it to him. These messages of support and hearing how much he has meant to people gives a huge lift.

We’re by his side for moral and physical support. We’ve set up a GoFundMe Page for donations to help defray the mountains of medical bills this sort of thing results in, and to help PG with the other expenses in comforting him and his family in the coming weeks. We’d appreciate you sharing the link far and wide, and donating if able.

With your help in spreading the word, we can rally more support around him. Your well wishes will greatly lift his spirits.

 

Sincerely,

Viv and Chooch

Questions and Answers

Q: What kind of cancer is it?
A: It is called Cholangiocarcinoma. As is common with this form of cancer, the exact location of origin is not known. It is aggressive and spreads quickly before symptoms are experienced.

Q: What “stage” is he at?
A: There hasn’t been an official designation, however, it is “late” stage. It has spread to his lymph nodes and organs, and is inoperable. Patrick went through one chemo treatment, but the disease did not respond as well as was hoped. His organs have begun to shut down. The doctors have been talking in days and weeks, rather than months and years.

Q: Where is he, can I send something?
A: Patrick is being cared for at home in Charlotte, North Carolina. In lieu of sending cards or flowers, please donate to his GoFundMe Page.

Q: How long has he been sick? This seems fast.
A: Extremely fast. Early in July Patrick began feeling “run down”, and shortly thereafter had some minor pain. He went in for a check up and the doctors initially thought he may have gall stones. After initial blood tests they knew there was something more serious. Two weeks ago they knew it was cancer and started more testing. Two days ago we learned there were no treatment options.

Q: Can I call him? How can I get in touch?
A: PG is currently unable to talk on the phone. You can send email or a Facebook message which we’ll read to him and show him your picture if we have one. Better yet, record a quick video or audio message! You can send a private YouTube or Dropbox link, Google Drive share, or attach to an email (to choochus@gmail.com).

Q: Is this a secret? Can I re-Tweet this or share it on Facebook or forward this to a friend?
A: Yes, please do! We want everybody that has read his stories, heard him on a podcast, or attended one of his convention panels to get the word. We feel that he could use all of the kind words and support possible.

Q: What can I do to help?
A: Send that encouraging video or message. Please share the donation link, shout it from the rooftops, and donate if you are able. Since we know posts get filtered, re-share in coming days to get the word out. Depending on your beliefs; sending prayers, positive thoughts, white light, good vibrations, noodly appendages, and rainbows are all greatly appreciated. Whether you believe in a higher power or not, he needs all the help he can get.

Q: Who the heck are you, anyway?
A: Viv and Chooch are friends of Patrick, as well as co-hosts on some of his podcasting and video endeavors. As parents, gamers, and dog lovers of similar age and interests, we’ve become very close over the past seven years. Our hope is to bring folks together in support of PG as quickly as possible.