Caprica And Stargate Universe

2010 was not a nice year to Science Fiction Shows Caprica and Stargate Universe on the Syfy Network. After a scheduling shuffle in the fall due to an outrage of Caprica's extended break the show moved from January 2011 to October 2010. The problem?

CAPRICA
Well there are two. First, Caprica's ratings were good on Fridays and was the most successful cable show in its night let alone its own timeslot. When Caprica moved to Tuesdays this season it was up against some tough competition, Glee in a preceding timeslot, and The Good Wife and Sons Of Anarchy in its own timeslot. Second, Lack of advertising. the advertising that Caprica did get announced its return in January. It wasnt until about mid-September that Syfy announced that Caprica would return in early October. After the announcement of the date change there was almost no advertising or announcing that Caprica would come back so soon. The way the word got out was through Twitter. Alessandra Torresani, Sasha Roiz, and Esai Morales spearheaded the Caprica Is Back (#Capricaisback) campaign. flooding Twitter with statements that Caprica is Back leading it to become a trending topic.

After the announcement of Caprica's cancellation there was a huge backlash on Syfy's Facebook fan page with outraged fans. (Note: there are of course going to be angry people when a favorite show is cancelled.) People were cursing Syfy, calling it the Wrestling network and the sell out network. Even prompting people to make anti SyFy posters and logos. (Such like the one above). Operation Airlock was crated as a fan based boycott of the SyFy Network until Caprica is brought back or a proper resolution is made. Suffice to say that the project was partially successful until Friday when Sanctuary aired. The popularity of Sanctuary deterred OA members from continuing their campaign.

STARGATE UNIVERSE
When The Caprica dust finally settled Syfy Decided to throw another curve ball. Cancel Stargate Universe. Now to note that when Caprica's announcement was not taken well. Stargate Universe was even worse. The messages are still flowing even to this day. When Caprica was cancelled fear struck through the SGU fanbase starting a preemptive Save Stargate Universe campaign on Twitter as well as a SGU for Season 3 campaign. Despite the impressive numbers of participants Syfy Still cancelled it citing ratings. Again the same argument can be made that Tuesday is a tough night for Cable TV. with A Glee Predecessor and Raising Hope as its biggest competitor Stargate Universe kept what can be called impressive ratings for its situation. The thing is between the Save Stargate Universe Campaign and the support from OA. Stargate Universe does have a chance to come back since earlier Joeseph Malozzi announced that Stargate Universe is a 5 season story and the fact that the campaign is a little more organized than just Operation Airlock.

Save Stargate Universe had a Resurgence Event asking the fans to legally purchase Stargate Universe's midseason episode "Resurgence" providing links to all possible forms of purchase.

An interesting fact about SGU's cancellation is that No one from production knew. All of the actors, producers and writers were informed through Twitter by fans saying how disappointed they were and how sad they were for the loss completely confusing the actors. I have a feeling that that is going to hurt Syfy in a way that we do not know yet.

Happy New Year: NSFW

Happy New Year from Ben's Blog

Courtesy: Caius Schneider & Tina Hadley

Merry (late) Christmas!

I know this post is late but bear with me!

A Lot has changed here at Ben's Blog these last few months. I have expanded a blog from a series to a franchise, adding in Movie, TV and Food reviews to the main blog. TV and Food reviews will start on the 1st of the year as I have been busy preparing to flood the internets with posts. I have been able to fufill my dream of having guest posts on the blog for the Rocky Horror Glee Show. (My review will be available when it comes out on the TV show review blog). Oh and a note to some readers. I don't plan on starting a Game review blog, sorry.

I have recently formed, with my friend David Shatto, a production company for small productions, or productions that are large and cheap. Whichever way you look at it it exists for a purpose, to help people with ideas produce the videos they want. Om Nom Nom Productions is currently working on Vworld and will hopefully shoot in the spring if the schedule doesn't get pushed too much later (It probably will).

Blogger Has thankfully implemented a mobile version of blogs for better reading on your smartphones. I had a chance to look at it and test drive the mobile site. I myself have to admit that it is pretty sweet and is easy to use. Once I figure out EXACTLY how to get to it I will inform everyone.

For the continual running of this blog and my projects there are a few people I have to thank
David Shatto- My best friend and brother. This guy keeps me level and nerdy. Without him life would defenitley be dull.
Anna Ryan- The mentor. We are each others therapists. What would I do without her or Any member of the Ryan family?
Alan and Marianne Knight- my no nonsense attitude comes from these two. My teachers. My mother tells me that I need to do better and my dad just agrees, which makes me work harder on making this blog better.
Andi Enns- She makes me strive to have this blog as professional as possible while still being fun and juvenile (Like my father).
Ken Willard and Kevin Edwards- The people responsible for my avid film-making. Edwards the Technical and Willard the theory, I have learned so much from them the 3 years I was at Wyandotte.

Rocky Horror Glee In The Eyes Of A Virgin

David Shatto
Rocky Horror Virgin

I was completely unfamiliar with Rocky Horror, and that hardly changed after watching the Glee episode. I feel that you barely were introduced to the characters of RHPS. As far as any inside jokes go, I didn't understand them, though I could tell in some instances a RHPS joke was made, and I could understand that it was an allusion to it, and could understand that it was a part meant to be somewhat funny. While I could appreciate it, without the knowledge of RHPS, I could not fully appreciate it. As for character choice for the roles, I cannot say, based on the briefest of descriptions, I would say they were pretty good. Overall the episode was good, I enjoyed the music, some of the comedy (excluding the RHPS references), Sue's role (as usual), though like most episodes of season 2, it could have used a little more character development, and less regression (while it did propel the Karl plot, it did not adequately tie up the Emma/Shoe subplot, which is another issue that they have with this season so far, they have new material and do not extend it to its fullest, they just brush it off to the side).

The Rocky Horror Glee In The Eyes of A Fan

Tomas Escarpita
Rocky Horror Fan

Hey Ben's almighty followers! My name is Shaggy, and today I'm going to be talking about my most favorite subject. That is "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" but not just TRHPS, but Glee's adaptation of it. What are my thoughts: from a die hard Rocky Horror fan. 



Now, what did I think of it? Well, as a die hard fan, I was not impressed. Sure, the adaptations of the songs were great. Except for "Sweet Trasvestite." Oh how mad I was when they decided to make Mercedes Frank-N-Furter. I mean, I have no problem seeing as Frank is right between a man and a woman, but they should at least try to be accurate. Everyone else was fantastic, I love that Ms. Pillsbury is finally becoming less boring, and she had her own solo! Haha. And how I loved John Stamos on "Full House" now I have him on "Glee!" All in all, I was expecting way too much, but I guess they did pretty good in the eye of a virgin.


--Shaggy

It's Kind Of A Funny Story

It's Kind Of A Good Movie

When I entered The theater to watch “It's Kind of a Funny Story” I knew that this would be an exceptional movie. Gilchrist, Galifinakis, Roberts, they all make up a great cast of actors that take roles seriously and can portray their characters with grace and style.

Even at the beginning I was not disappointed. The story progresses much as a narrative, a sixteen year old boy having problems with depression becomes suicidal and puts himself in a mental institution. Boring plot? Not really. Execution? Beautiful.

This is a movie that really goes back and looks at how movies are made and sometimes how you can drop the audio track and still have a complete understanding of the film, the characters and the events that progress. The comedy reminds me of the level of thinking that went into comedy classics such as The Naked Gun, Airplane, and Kentucky fried movie.

It is relieving to see Kier Gilchrist in a film. He has shown his abilities on the small screen with “The United States Of Tara” and has finally participated in a movie that is completely part of his tastes. His role is perfect as the teen who has so much on his mind and finally goes to the dark part of his mind.

When someone reads the plot they can be easily dragged into the idea this will be a dark drama with blood, shouting, sex and action. Not the case. This is a lighthearted comedy that brings the issues of an everyday teenager and puts them into a single person.

Not so much shadowing over Gilchrist, Galifinakis' character meets up with Gilchrist. These two actors work well together with their two brands of comedy. Galifinakis, the fun, almost 20's type of humor and behavior; and Gilchrist, the teen-trying to act as an adult attitude.

There is really little to complain about this movie. Wait a second, there is nothing I can find that is bad with it. The characters, all of them, are believable in their own sense. The direction was superb, and the writing was spot on.

To sum it up, this is a must watch movie and will be at the top of my list when the DVD becomes available.

Resurrection

Credit: David Shatto

Looking on my blogger dashboard in contemplation I have realized that Ben's blog is the  most used blog out of all the ones that I have created or managed. This I do not find okay. I am here to announce that two of my sattlelite blogs will be reactivated TV Reviews and Movie Reviews.

As I have been given the honor to write for the Scifried.com I will be upping the TV reviewing by a large amount. My initial goal wa to review all of the shows I have on DVD in it entirety. That meaning All of the episdodes in said series. The only problem with that? it would take weeks to complete that task!

Seeing that this is an unattainable goal when rushed I have come to the conclusion to first off only review the shows that are currently airing. When I catch up (and I will) I will work on the previous shows with the same vigor I plan to give to the first round.

The Movie reviews will be a little bit more spaced out after all of my DVD's are reviewed. I am attending current features more often and I will have more up-to-date movie reviews available. Also I want the Movie review site to be request friendly. If you have  movie you want me to watch and review I will gladly do so. All that needs to be done is send me an e-mail with this format.

camulus16@gmail.com
Subj: Review
Body: tell me what the movie is, the genre and some basic facts about the movie.

Caprica "Unvanquished"

Daniel Graystone
and
Sam Adama

A lot can happen in 3 weeks on Caprica. Daniel lost everything, Joseph can no longer go to New Cap City and is now with the Ha'la'tha, Lacy is a terrorist, and Clarice is on Gemenon. Wow.

The best thing about this opener is that it is what was asked for and more. A conclusion to some of the story arcs and the revelations on the outcomes of the various story lines and how they all intertwine into each other. Also it starts new storylines for the characters.

The most interesting thing was that there is a divide withing the monotheist religion. Not all monotheists are terrorists. There are 2 parts, The STO, the terrorists who spread monotheism through fear and the Religious priests who practice the religious traditions. They also give power to who they think deserves it and would spread their word the best.

It is nice to see Caprica going to other planets. I like Caprica, don't get me wrong, but I do want to see the other colonies as well. The Caprica City skyline is beautiful but can get a little boring. Gemenon is a beautiful planet, I am glad to see it and is a good way to start the new half season.

Another interesting thing about "Unaquivished" is that it is an end and it is a beginning for the characters. Ending the way of life and thinking for all of the characters and a new type of life for them. All of the characters have changed very dynamically and will continue to amaze.

I may have said a lot about the Character development but you must remember.  The whole show is about the characters.

Dj Hero 2 Demo Review

Dj Hero 2 is Activisions second installment in the Dj Hero series. Instead of using a guitar you utilize your Dj skills through a turntable peripheral. Dj Hero was first released October of 2009 and was met with so so sales.


The Gameplay of DJ Hero is pretty simple Mix, scratch, and fade your way through 93 mixes mixed by professional DJ's. The actual play was simple. 3 color coded buttons for cuts/effects, crossfader to superimpose one song over the other and rotate the table for scratching.

The Review
I snagged my copy of the demo today to see whether the second one was going to live up to the expectations the first one made.

Interface

Character Choice Screen

To start off with the interface is completely redesigned and the load times are much faster. it has more of a 2.0 feel which is good . instead of navigating through a slideshow of setlists you have a list of modes and options.

The Music

Dj Hero has always had an awesomely superb soundtrack that can stand alone on a CD and be well worth listening to over and over. The new set of music and mixes tops the last with even better music and even better mixes. The Demo includes Pussycat Dolls ft. Busta Rhymes "Don't Cha" Vs. Pitbull "You Know you Want Me" and Lady GaGa "Just Dance" vs. Dead Mau5 "Ghosts N Stuff".

Screenshot Of the Dj Hero 2 Battle Mode

The Game
The gameplay is much similar to the first game. You get a runway, there are buttons and scratches and fades. the interesting this is how it is enhanced by the new upgraded freestyle modes. Instead of choosing from a  short list of inputs you have one sample choice. Also there is Freestyle scratching, Freestyle crossfading and a new item that adds a little bit of a rip effect.

Extra Notes
I am not much into paying a high price for a game. The great thing is that you don't have to buy another turntable. Woo hoo!
Preorder now at Gamestop and recieve a Puma bag to store your controller and microphone. (a $45 value!)

My New Obsession: Candles

It's true, get me a good candle and I will go to town. We have A LOT of Tea candles around the house and I light them all. It gives a nice feel to the house. especially when it is dark. It sets a nice mood. G'ma and I spend much of the evening outside when it is nice. I like to have at least one candle out as the only illumination and it looks great.

(pictured are one of the bedroom candle sets I put together.)