SCI FI PI

The end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008 – quite the momentous time here at the Sci Fi Channel Website. Luckily there’s plenty of good things on air as we dodge champagne corks and confetti. We’re also continuing the Star Trek Movie Marathon.

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country takes you to er, the undiscovered country of 2008, as it screens on the 31st at 10.35pm and finishes at 12.30pm. We’ve scheduled an ad-break (probably!) to coincide with midnight for a quick hurrah, kiss and sip of champagne. For those who are actually invited to a party (lucky ducks!) you can watch it in the morning at 11am.

Released Jan 3
Starring Will Smith, a German shepherd, Alice Braga
Director Francis Laurence
Rating M



The end of the world was nigh - for three years now. Will Smith must cope with a world filled with no one but himself, his dog - oh, and an army of ‘darkseekers’.

This is the kind of movie that you really should see on the big screen – in fact the bigger, the better. The images of an overgrown and empty New York have startling power, even as the keen-eyed viewer pics up the CG constructions and additions. It is this CG use, in fact, that is the film’s Achilles heel, and the one weakness in a Sci Fi film that approaches classic status.

For those who can’t wait to see images of Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull – look no further. Leakages from Imdb have ended up on Dark Horizons and Ain’t It Cool and now, SCI FI. Fans worried that an ageing Harrison Ford may be taking a back seat in the action sequences can be assuaged by photos that seem to indicate him right in the thick of things, Crystal Skull-wise. 2008 – looking great!



Sci Fi’s highly improbable movie dialogue: “Snakes. I hate snakes.”

Looks like it’s going to be a very Merry Christmas for everyone who gets a chance to find a couch and digest quietly (unlike, say, anyone in the Saarlac pit) – because there’s plenty of excellent Sci Fi to go around – especially if you like Star Trek! It’s an Original Crew Merry Movie Marathon this Christmas.

Late on Christmas Eve, (10.35 PM) catch Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the epic movie that brought Star Trek to the big screen in a big way. Groundbreaking special effects, a fascinating story and for the super Star Trek geeks, the birth of The Borg (although you’ll have to figure that one out for yourselves).

Released Dec 26
Starring Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Dakota Blue Richards
Director Chris Weitz
Rating PG



Phillip Pullman’s remarkable alternate universe is rich and dark in the filmed translation – perhaps a bit too rich.

Whilst not quite Harry Potter, Phillip Pullman’s Dark Materials trilogy has been a staggering literary phenomenon, creating an ocean of devoted fans. The buzz surrounding the release of the first story, Northern Lights, as The Golden Compass was met with great approval, and now the wait is over. But was the wait worth it?

Released Dec 26
Starring Amy Adams, James Marsden, Patrick Dempsey, Susan Sarandon
Director Kevin Lima
Rating PG



It’s a live-action Shrek with Disney mocking its own rich history of animated features.

Hard to believe it, but Disney was once famed for a corporate culture so lacking in humour and humanity despite its wholesome image, it was referred to by ex- executives as ‘Mauschwitz’ and spawned the Dinsey-baiting Shrek.

Whilst knowledge of the turnaround in corporate culture is neither here nor there when viewing the end product, it certainly makes this experience a richer one when you see this tremendous self-immolation. What’s really astonishing is it is actually funny. It’s not twee or annoying or just amusing for the kiddies, Enchanted is filled to the brim with often cynical worldly humour that will appeal to the dark-hearted parents and precociously evil children in the theatre. Where Shrek lampooned fairytales, Enchanted actually goes through the Disney back catalogue, to tremendous effect.

It’s the week before Christmas, and whilst most of us will be running about like headless chooks trying to finish off the year’s work or buy those last minute Christmas presents, some of us will do the sensible thing and take a little ‘time out’ for Sci Fi.

After last week’s excellent online chat, it’s hard not to urge everyone to join the legions of fans who’re hooked on our daily screenings of Afterworld. Every night at 7.30 – it’s five minutes of post-Apocalyptic coolness. If you haven’t managed to catch it, you can download it onto your computer or even podcast it. Afterworld is a great way to spend the early commute with your video iPod.

SCULLY & MULDER GET READY TO HIRE CRAPPY FORD RENTAL CAR AGAIN.

Somehow kept under the radar, news of a new X-Files movie hasn’t become common knowledge. At this stage, it’s slated for a July 2008 release date in the US, and features Amanda Peet and Billy Connolly, alongside David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson.

Co-writer Frank Spotniz has stated that the film will be a stand-alone story rather than a continuation of the ‘mythology’ from the first film.

Whilst this product isn't quite available, eggheaded types are currently beavering away to make invisible toasting an everyday breakfast ritual. Apparently the transparent material is also a resistor, and so acts like a giant heat coil. The technology will allow the world to finally emerge burnt-toast free.

For around $2,000 you too can have your very own 24 carat gold Macbook Pro. A company called Computer Choppers (of course) will take your Macbook and blingify it, covering the whole thing in gold (even allowing for the backlit keys). Diamond studded Apple logos can also be added to the mix. The perfect companion for your 24 carat iPod.