Quantum Quest to premiere January 22

Star Trek Voyager's Robert Picardo and producer/director/writer Dr. Harry Kloor will host the U.S. premiere of Quantum Quest, the 3-D computer animated large format adventure film, at the gala preview party of "Science With A Twist: An Evening Aboard The Enterprise" on Saturday night, January 22, 2011, at the Louisville Science Center museum.

Quantum Quest interweaves animated sequences with actual space imagery captured from seven ongoing NASA and NASA/ESA space missions. In addition to Picardo, the film boasts an A-list voice cast including two Captain Kirks (veteran William Shatner and Chris Pine), two Jedi Knights (Mark Hamill and Samuel L. Jackson) and two Darth Vaders (James Earl Jones and Hayden Christensen) – a first for Hollywood and the galaxy.

Quantum Quest will be released in large format and conventional theaters in spring 2011. 

Quantum Quest is the first time that NASA’s iconic Jet Propulsion Laboratory has ever initiated a film project and the first time that Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the surface of the moon, has participated in a feature film, lending his voice to one of the characters.

Combining solid, “real” science with Hollywood-style narrative story-telling, Quantum Quest is designed to communicate the excitement of space exploration and science discovery to students K through 12.  Quantum Quest will provide more free educational materials, prepared by leading educators, scientists, space and science organizations (including the Fleet Museum and the Planetary Society), than any previous large screen film.

“This is a stealth science education film disguised as fun Hollywood entertainment,” says Dr. Kloor. “Whenever we talk about science, it’s exact, but QQ’s message is to tell kids – and grownups of all ages – that science is cool.” 

I am Spartacus: Liam McIntyre takes series role while prequel debuts January 21

Liam McIntyre photo by Vanessa Dano and Tom Donato

Starz, LLC President and CEO Chris Albrecht announced this week that Australian film and TV actor Liam McIntyre (Neighbours, Rush, The Pacific) has been named to play the Thracian hero Spartacus in the second season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

Meanwhile, a six-part prequel, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, is set to debut on January 21, 2011, at 10 pm on Starz.

McIntyre takes over the role of the Thracian warrior sold into slavery in the Roman Republic city of Capua from Andy Whitfield, who was forced to leave the show due to health issues.

“Since no one can really replace Andy, we realized that we should instead find an actor who can truly lead Spartacus forward,” comments Albrecht. “It was important to us to have Andy endorse the idea of recasting this part, which he did in the same heroic manner that he’s dealt with his whole ordeal.

“And that, coupled with our fortune in finding a young actor with the gladiator credentials and the acting ability of Liam, makes it easier for us to keep this hit franchise going,” Albrecht says.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand also stars John Hannah as Batiatus, Lucy Lawless (of Xena: Warrior Princess fame) as Lucretia, Peter Mensah as Doctore, Manu Bennett as Crixus and Viva Bianca as Ilythia.

New Spartacus McIntyre is currently in New Zealand, getting himself into gladiator shape in order to take on the iconic role. Production on the series is slated to resume by spring 2011.

While Season One ended with Spartacus rising to become the champion of the city, Season Two finds Spartacus and his fellow gladiators leaving Capua and engaged in the massive slave rebellion against Roman society.

Gladiator school in prequel

The prequels jumps even further back in time. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is a six-part prequel that tells the story of the House of Batiatus gladiator school and the personal, sexual and political maneuverings in Capua five years before Blood and Sand was set.

I am Spartacus too (at Fan Expo 2010)

Dustin Clare plays the charismatic and self-destructive gladiator Gannicus. The prequel series adds to the cast Jaime Murray as Capua’s sexy social climber Gaia and Marisa Ramirez as Melitta, a beautiful slave. Jeffrey Thomas plays Batiatus’s father Titus, the traditional and cautious Lanista, head of the Ludus. They join returning cast members John Hannah (Quintus Batiatus), Lucy Lawless (Lucretia), Peter Mensah (Oenomaus, before he becomes Doctore, the gladiator trainer) and Manu Bennett (Crixus).

Starz digital media created a Facebook social media game that became available January 6 as well as a multimedia iPad script app from Starz iTune store that offers episodes and exclusive commentaries about Spartacus: Blood and Sand and Spartacus: Gods of the Arena as of January 17.

Anne Francis (Honey West, Forbidden Planet) passes away at age 80

Anne Francis, who won many a fanboy's heart with her sultry portrayals in the 1956 science fiction classic Forbidden Planet and the 1960s TV show Honey West, has passed away at age 80 from complications related to pancreatic cancer.

Interest in Honey West re-emerged in 2010 with the publication of a new Honey West comic book (Moonstone Books) featuring the adventures of the blond detective and her pet ocelot. Artist Ronn Sutton is currently illustrating a three-issue story arc for the comic book which, in the tradition of Forbidden Planet, has Honey investigating mysterious circumstances on the set of a science-fiction movie.

An obituary of Anne Francis by Dennis McLellan, published by the Los Angeles Times, can be found here: http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-anne-francis-20110103,0,2031697.story.

Telltale Games goes Back to the Future

Rev your engines and adjust your Flux Capacitor, because Back to the Future: The Game is coming to PCs and Macs on Wednesday, December 22, 2010.

Telltale Games advises that there are few days left for special preorder as the game will make its debut on Wednesday. The five-part season's first episode "It's About Time!" will be available for PC and Mac platforms. Fans can still get the bonus Puzzle Agent game free with their preorder from http://www.backtothefuturegame.com.

Telltale also donates $1 to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation with each purchase up through the launch. The series will debut on the PlayStation Network and iPad platforms in early 2011.

Back to the Future: The Game brings the iconic 'Marty McFly', 'Doc Brown' and the DeLorean Time Machine together in a completely new cinematic adventure, which unfolds over five episodes. Six months after the events of the third film, the DeLorean Time Machine mysteriously returns to Hill Valley. 'Marty' must go back in time and recruit aid from a resistant teen=age 'Emmett Brown', or else the space-time continuum will be forever unraveled.

Back to the Future: The Game features the likenesses of the original stars that made the characters of 'Marty McFly' and 'Doc Brown' legendary: Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd.

Lloyd is voicing 'Doc Brown' for the full game series.

Bob Gale, the co-creator and co-writer of the landmark films says, "Telltale's Back to the Future game is the first videogame in the space-time continuum to be truly worthy of being called 'Back to the Future.' This new adventure of 'Marty McFly' and 'Doc Brown' is true to the spirit of the movies, and I couldn't be happier about the great working relationship I've developed with the team at Telltale. Via the game, the player gets to explore and experience more about the history of our characters and Hill Valley... along with some very interesting alternate time lines. It's a game for people who loved the movies, made by people who loved the movies."

"It's a testament to the commitment and creative energy of our team that Telltale can deliver high-quality gaming experiences with such a timely schedule," comments Dan Connors, Telltale Games CEO. "And what a great way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this all time great franchise."

"Back to the Future is one of the true gems of the Universal Pictures library," says Bill Kispert, Vice President and General Manager, Digital Platforms, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. "The collaboration with the talented team at Telltale Games and Bob Gale was fantastic, and we are excited to deliver all-new interactive adventures to fans of the franchise."

Telltale will also offer Back to the Future: The Game with complete voice and text translations for German language speakers, as well as a version with French text localization. The German language version will be available from Deutsche Telekom AG's gaming platform Gamesload (http://www.gamesload.de), as well as from telltalegames.com and Steam. The channels will share more information on localized versions as they prepare for release.

Full game information including videos, story synopses, character profiles, and more is available at http://www.backtothefuturegame.com.

The Big Bang Theory and channelling the inner geek

Okay, I admit it. I've fallen under the spell of The Big Bang Theory.

I thought at first that it made fun of people who were like, well, me. The kids in school who raise their hands in class. The kids who collect comic books. The kids who dig Star Trek -- classic, Next Generation and J. J. Abrams-style.

Now  I'm embracing my inner geek. And thanks to CTV, I can "Big Bang Myself." You can see the results on the contest website. Visit and help me get lotsa points. The scary part is, I already have a Supergirl costume. Go figure.

And to keep the geek-fest going, the folks at Entertainment Earth have passed along their top ten geek gifts for the holidays: 

1.    Star Wars Slave Leia in Metal Bikini Bust, $60 
Star Wars gets sexy with a hand-numbered collectible resin bust from Gentle Giant.  Inspired by Carrie Fisher's riveting (and rivet-full) outfit from Return of the Jedi, the captivating work stands 10" tall, including her Vibro Ax weapon. Limited edition of 4,200 pieces.

2.    Doctor Who 11th Doctor Sonic Screwdriver Flashlight, $12 
Based on the latest incarnation of The Doctor's handy tool in the hit BBC series, this unique light replica from Underground Toys is set to get fans out of darkness-related jams on Earth or any other planet from here to Gallifrey. Measures about 6" long.

3.    Star Wars Boba Fett Jet Pack Backpack, $35
Every kid imagines getting a rocket pack, and here's your chance to own one.  Sadly, it doesn't fly, but the intergalactic bounty hunter's jet pack can store your gear while you're at Comic-Con, school, or out hiking.  The soft plush replica from Comic Images measures about 26-inches tall.

4.    Star Trek Original Series Exclusive Geological Tricorder, $45 
This a low-cost replica of a prop in the original series. Detailed, the 1:1 scale instrument measures 7 3/4" long and features lights, sounds, and the voice of the computer. 

5.    The Venture Bros. Henchman 21 and 24 Action Figure 2-Pack, $40 
Who would win in a fight between Anne Frank and Lizzie Borden?  That's the kind of thing these two guys discuss on the Adult Swim series The Venture Bros.  Featuring Bif Bang Pow!'s retro, vintage-style sculpting and real fabric clothing, The Monarch's longest-living henchmen, Number 21 and Number 24, stand about 8" tall in this San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive set.

6.    Cthulhu Bobble Head, $13 
The works of H.P. Lovecraft have inspired a generation of SF and horror writers, and a bunch of toymakers.  Straight from Funko and the sunken city of R'lyeh, the terrifying beast known as Cthulhu is now a bobble-head. He stands about 6" tall.

7.    Back to the Future II Exclusive DeLorean, $45
Doc Brown built a time machine out of a DeLorean, and now fans can have one.  Measuring 13" long and compatible with many 3 3/4" action figures, this limited-edition Entertainment Earth Exclusive celebrates 25 years of the series in style, complete with lights, sounds, opening gull-wing doors and pivoting "hover mode" wheels.  Figures not included.

8.    Ghostbusters ECTO-1 License Plate Prop Replica, $30 
"Who ya gonna call?"  The awesome ambulance from 1984's Ghostbusters movie is one of the most memorable vehicles of the decade. Its famous license plate has been crafted in 6" tall x 12" wide detail.

9.    LEGO 6177 Builders of Tomorrow Set, $35 
Just bricks!  The LEGO Builders of Tomorrow Set is a box of 650 bricks in a multitude of bright colors.  No figures, no windows, no tires, no nothing to get between the recipient of your gift and creating something really fun. The only limit is their imagination.

10.    Ultimate Geek Pen, $10 
The Ultimate Geek Pen delivers on its name. A UV light, laser pointer, flashlight, ballpoint pen, and stylus tip are all integrated into this nifty silver pocket-sized contraption from Accoutrements.  What a great stocking stuffer!

For more cheeky, geeky gifts from Entertainment Earth, visit entertainmentearth.com.

CTTC announces award-winning toys on November 19

The children of the Canadian Toy Testing Council (CTTC) will present the top toys of the year awards on Friday, November 19, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Brookstreet Hotel’s Ballroom, Ottawa.

With 58 years’ experience dedicated to enhancing the design, manufacture and play value of toys and books that meet children’s needs, the CTTC is Canada’s leading authority on learning through play.

Each year, over 1,000 children test hundreds of toys to ensure the reliability, quality and fun of toys in the marketplace. Similarly, the Council’s Literacy Program, offers children the opportunity to read a wide array of Canadian children’s books to support a love of reading.

CTTC's young toy testing experts will announce the CTTC/ENERGIZER BATTERY-OPERATED TOY OF THE YEAR, the CHILDREN’S CHOICE and BEST BET AWARDS as well as the GREAT BOOKS for Children.

A spellbinding Halloween for Janet Hetherington

My  workplace holds an annual costume competition in support of the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign, which raises money for the United Way and other charities. I enter with a new costume every year.

This year, I was a sorceress (sorcière). I tend to "assemble" my costumes from various pieces, and this one was put together from things I found at Dollarama, Value Village and accessories I already have (like the gloves and shoes). Make-up was purchased at PharmaPlus.

I'm happy to report that my costume won first prize for the "solo" entry.

I'll pass along info when I find out who won the "best group" entry.