August 2008 Archives

The producers of Lost warned that they'd be taking the show in a new direction.

And, as shooting begins (the cameras, not the castaways!) they've introduced a whole raft - excuse the pun - of new characters.

Whether they'll be featured in the flash forwards or flashbacks, or if they're yet another bunch of survivors from that damn plane, has yet to be revealed.

But here's your guide to who'll be who:

Foreman is in his 40s or 50s. He's a blue-collar construction worker who worked hard to get where he is and provide for his family. He cares deeply for his crew, and hates it when management is condescending and arrogant, but ultimately knows his place in the pecking order.

Martha is a scientist in her late 30s. She has a strong personality and is taking a break to raise her baby, but plans to return to work again. She completely believes in the work she is doing but sometimes questions the decisions of those in charge. She'll be in multiple episodes.

Dan is a high-priced attorney in his 40s. He is sharp and friendly with a menace lurking below the surface. He'll appear in multiple episodes, too.

Nigel is British and in his late teens. Despite being rough around the edges, he is mature and extremely smart. He'll appear in the second and third episodes of season 5.

Sophie is British, in her late teens, and seemingly innocent, but in fact hides a toughness and ingenuity. She'll be in the third episode of the season.

Caesar is dangerous, physical and extremely intelligent. He's between the ages of 35 and 45 and he's skillful at charming people and killing them. He'll be in several episodes.

Ilana is a European woman in her late 20s or early 30s who is intelligent and dangerous, alluring and used to getting her own way. She'll be in multiple episodes.

Darlene is in her early 20s, and is a bored clerk who hates her job and looks for excitement to get through the shift. Alternative in dress and style, she plays guitar in her own band but needs the day job to pay the bills. Did she know Charlie?

Jill, in her late 20s, is hard as nails but cool. She's a tomboy with a secret, and is highly competent beyond her station in life.

Many of the 17 episodes have already been completed, with other scripts being written and revised. The actors have returned to their island homes or hotels and met with make-up and wardrobe consultants.

Some have had discussions with the directors and they've even been given a script (well, at least a script of their own parts) to read. Lost will be back in January or February next year.

WIN the new HEROES graphic novel - and discover the secrets of your favourite characters!

It's another super-powered prize offer from the Anorak City blog.

Tim Sale, the artist behind Isaac Mendez' iconic paintings, has teamed up with top comicbook creators for a novel that takes you further.

It explores the history and mythology of the heroes, revealing back-stories and introducing new characters.

A brand new paperback edition of Titan's phenomenally successful hardback, HEROES presents a collection of stories illustrated by top artists including Michael Turner (Justice League of America) and Phil Jiminez (The Invisibles).

It also features a stunning cover from comics legend Alex Ross, a previously unpublished gallery of Tim Sale's artwork from the series, and introductions by show creator Tim Kring and time-bending star Masi Oka (Hiro Nakamura).

This really is the ultimate companion for fans of the series and the perfect introduction as yet uninitiated!

We have five copies up for grabs. Here's how YOU could be a winner!

Simply tell us who plays cheerleader Claire Bennet.

Is it (a) Hayden Panettiere, (b) Haden Hill or (c) Hadyn Seek?

E-mail your entry to entry@mrn.co.uk using the word HEROES as your subject line. Please include a contact phone number.

Sunday Mercury and Trinity Mirror group companies may contact you by e-mail, phone or letter with details of goods and services you may be interested in.

The competition opens 6am today and closes at noon on Friday August 29, 2008. Standard Trinity Mirror rules apply - see www.trinitymirror-midlands.co.uk/rules. Service Provider: Eckoh helpline 0870 88 00999

Doctor Who is set to land in the Black Country.

The fifth Flip Animation Festival at the city's Lighthouse arts centre will include a special session devoted to the animated adventures of everybody's favourite Time Lord.

As well as screenings of the series, there'll be a panel led by James Goss, the man who commissioned the series and set up the first BBC Dr Who website.

He'll be joined by Jon Doyle from production company Firestep and animator Robert Richie, a fan who has put together some stunning Dr Who sequences.

The festival runs from November 6 to 8, and will also feature the work of animators including Boulder Media, who make kids TV for Nickelodeon, Disney and Cartoon Network.

Plus there'll be a screening of Nina Paley's feature film Sita Sings The Blues, and showcases for the likes of 4formations and Paul O'Flanagan.

For the latest details, and a blog boasting new animation, see the festival site.

Does the world fill you with wonder?

Then you can take the Dharma Initiative Test.

The Dharma initiative was founded in the 1970s when, at the University of Michigan, doctoral candidates Karen and Gerald DeGroot secured financial backing from the Hanso Foundation.

Dharma brought together scientists and free thinkers from around the globe at a large-scale communal research compound - better known to us as the Lost island.

They conducted research in various disciplines, including meteorology, psychology, parapsychology, zoology, electro-magnetism, and the quest for a Utopian society.

Unfortunately, they were all but wiped out in a poison gas attack involving Ben Linus and Richard Alpert, leading to the Others taking control.

Now Dharma is recruiting again. See if you fit the bill by taking the weekly test at the Dharma Initiative test centre.

Is there no stopping Lost mastermind JJ Abrams?

Not content with making season five of Lost and new sci-fi series Fringe - plus the Star Trek movie prequel - he's planning a disaster movie.

Yes, it's the return of the earthquake.

No, not a remake of the 1974 blockbuster starring Charlton Heston, but a CGI special effects spectacular.

It's a project that teams Abrams with David Seltzer, who wrote the screenplay for The Omen all those years ago, arguably still the best edge-of-the-seat chiller.

Little is known about the new movie except that it will involve the relationship tangles of strangers thrown together by catastrophe (Lost fans, are you watching?)

And Abrams says he plans to do for earthquakes what his Cloverfield did for monster movies.

So plenty of shaky camerawork and lukewarm reviews, then.

Fringe, a new US drama from the creator of Lost and Alias, has been bought by Sky One.

And it's said to be cross between lost and The X-Files!

Science fiction series Fringe, by JJ Abrams, stars Dawson's Creek actor Joshua Jackson, John Noble from Lord of The Rings and Lost's Lance Reddick.

The story begins when an international flight lands at Boston airport full of dead passengers and crew.

A female FBI agent and scientific researcher then attempt to uncover the truth behind the unexplained phenomenon.

Sky One's head of acquisitions David Smyth says: "We're delighted to have secured the rights to Fringe which we believe will thrill a new generation of viewers much like The X-Files did 15 years ago."

Fringe, which is due to air in the UK this autumn, also stars Australian actress Anna Torv.

So you thought Michael Schofield's tattoos were tricky in Prison Break season one.

Well, you ain't seen nothin' yet.

That's the verdict of series producer Zack Estrin, who's dreamed up a whole new catalogue of twists and turns for the upcoming season four.

And for catalogue, read Whistler's bird book.

"Just like Michael's tattoos in the first year, the book has this season's mysteries in it - riddles, clues and puzzles," Estrin says.

"Michael and the team will need to get the book in order to complete their tasks. Of course, that won't be easy!

That's an understatement. When last seen, the battered bird book was in the grubby hand of a certain psychopath who's now kingpin inside Sona prison.

Yep, that would be T-Bag.

And yep, they're going to have to break him out.

"T-Bag is the keeper of that book," admits Estrin. "How they find him, and what happens when they do, becomes an integral part of the plot."

We'll also learn more about what Whistler is really up to.

"Obviously Whistler was a bit of a mystery in season three," Estrin adds. "You will find out exactly what he was up to. His real agenda will be revealed."

Hellboy II : The Golden Army (12a)

The Hellboy Sequel takes on the Lord of the Rings plot - an indestructible army commanded by one magical crown that was divided between the men and the king of elves in order to keep peace.

Add a double-crossing, sword-wielding prince of darkness and his good twin sister, and you have an adventure worthy of Hellboy and his team.

This film has special effects aplenty, comedic value with one liners and dry humour from characters, as well as those heartwarming moments you expect from a film such as this.

And, of course, don't forget the guns - bigger and better with Hellboy's new toy: 'Big Baby'.

New character - Team Leader Johann Krauss - proves to be a valuable asset to the BPRD team.

A mechanical suit containing nothing but gas with a German accent and the ability to use telepathy and manipulate entities, is always useful to have around! Cue an expected power struggle with the mainman.

As for Abe Sapian, could it be that he's fallen in love? And with none other than the doomed Princess Nuala, twin sister of the evil Prince?

But will he get the fairytale happy ending?

By far the best scene of the movie is an hilarious moment that will top most movie moments this summer.

Hellboy and Abraham drunkenly discuss the pros of being in love accompanied by Barry Manilow's Can't Smile Without You - classic.

I guarantee you'll be humming the song all the way to Hell.

(Reviewed by SARA COLE)

The Mummy : Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (12a)

The Lord of the Rings style monologue opening the film lures us with the promise of exciting battles, stunning scenery and adrenaline action but unfortunately we're disappointed.

Witches, curses, raising armies from the dead are all things you would expect from a Mummy sequel - but Chinese-speaking Yetis to help save the day and to protect Shangri-La and the pool of immortality?

Puh-lease.

Set in China, expect martial arts aplenty. Combine that with Brendan Fraser's cowboy gunslinging attitude and you've got the action covered.

Maria Bello replaces Rachel Weisz in this sequel, Jet Li is wasted in his role as the cursed Emperor and Luke Ford appears to be way too old to get away with being the son of our heroes.

Even John Hannah's comic one-liners didn't seem up to scratch in this movie.

The O'Connells have retired from the espionage business but are swayed back for one last mission when they come across their son out in China on a dig to uncover the Emperors Tomb, having dropped out of college.

Is this sounding very Indiana Jones?

Double-crossed by an old family friend professor and unlocking the curse, it's down to the trouble-seeking family to save the day - helped by the immortal martial arts expert girlfriend (two a penny these days) - and solve the family issues along the way.

As you'd expect, cheesy happy endings all round.

We can expect yet another Mummy movie to follow because the film ends with hapless brother Jonathon leaving for Peru, concealing the diamond that points the way to Shangri La.

"There are no mummies in Peru," he comments.

Cue an onscreen caption to say that Mummies were later found in Peru...

I can hardly wait.

(Reviewed by SARA COLE)

Lost masterminds Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse have spilled the beans on series five.

And they revealed that Kate and Sawyer will soon be back in each other's arms.

Speaking to fans at Comic-Con, the dynamic duo offered a tantalising ten clues and teasers:

1. When the hatch imploded back in series two, the island didn't move like it did during the season 4 finale.

2. "Dead" is a relative term. Jin and Locke will be seen again in some form in season 5.

3. We will get Rousseau's story, although it won't necessarily come from a flashback or flash-forward.

4.The show will still have flashbacks and flash-forwards, but will move in a new direction with the narrative.

5. The other writers don't know all, but know most of what Damon and Carlton know of what's coming up for the next two seasons.

6. Vincent is alive and well. He will appear in season 5 and will most likely make it to the end of the series.

7. Kate will see Sawyer again in season 5 (presumably back on the island!)

8. When season 5 starts, you won't know when and where we are at first.

9. Daniel knew about the secondary protocol from his notebook. His notebook has things in it that haven't yet happened.

10. Ageing on the island is a different process than what we're used to. Richard Alpert is described as "old", meaning more than 100 years.