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Babylon 5 - The Lost Tales Trailer Posted
Space writes "The trailer for the upcoming movie Babylon 5: The Lost Tales — Voices in the Dark has been posted at the official Babylon 5 site. The movie's pre-production was mentioned in a previous discussion. For more on the creation of the film, the CG Society has an ongoing series of articles about the production's effects development."
Why oh why is there so much "magical" non-sense in Babylon 5. I'm talking about premonitions, soul hunters, properties and visitors from the grave. Many of Babylon 5's sub stories could just as well have been placed in a fantasy setting with minor editing.
It's SciFi damnit!
Someone should send it to Z'ha'dum to die.
After all, using B5 as an example the "Techno Mages" are viewed either as gods, magicians, or freaks, depending on where they are. For what we may construe as purely fantasy may simply be because we don't understand science enough to know what is and what isn't truly possible.
We are an arrogant people who for some reason think we know everything yet laugh at those who came before us for thinking the very same thing
* Winners compare their achievements to their goals, losers compare theirs to that of others.
Quark was the best ;)
Along with the 5 video diaries that you can also find at the official site, an additional video diary with a behind the scenes look at the how the special effects for the production were done is also available at this link.
Among other things you get a longer glimpse at the space battle scene shown in the trailer.
Well put. Dune, for example, had loads of dreams, visions etc but it was science fiction, not fantasy, because it was quite obvious that the human mind had evolved (perhaps thanks to Spice) in the tens of thousands of years since present-day. And frankly, our knowledge of cosmology and what the human brain can do is pretty primitive. For example, is consciousness preserved at the quantum level, thus leading to the possibility that reincarnation is possible? I think not, but I can't prove it -- which makes it excellent 'story material'.
People who think that 21st century science is the be-all and end-all of all knowledge display staggering amounts of hubris, especially since they are familiar with overzealous predictions like "everything that can be patented has been patented" and "there's a world market for maybe 5 computers".
Whether it's overused or not is another question -- that depends on the writer, and I think the B5 seasons treated techno-mages and psychics quite well. Especially compared to a certain Betazoid on TNG, whose sole purpose seemed to be, er, wear dresses and state the obvious.
Go somewhere random
Anyone have an actual link to the trailer? The official website is a downright abomination. I have no fuckign idea if the content is loading or if the thing froze or even if I've clicked on the right freaking button.
10 years have passed, luckily computer graphics have not advanced in that time, otherwise the movie might loose continuity with the 90's TV show.
I'm also glad I'm able to notice the cheesy CG in an artifact ridden 300 x 400 flash movie. That means it'll be extra cheesy in it's full DVD glory.
Phew.
"Things are more moderner than before- bigger, and yet smaller- it's computers-- San Dimas High School football RULES!"
You can find a direct link to a mirror of the trailer at this link.
Hrm, for some reason, both the website and the CG in the trailer look like they belong in the late 90's...
:(
Geez that website reminds me of myspace
My UID is prime and so is this number: 09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0.
Died of cancer I believe. Before he died I herd he invited all his B5 pals to a big dinner, as a final good bye. Brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it. Terrible way to go.
Out of all SciFi, baring Serenity, B5 is the best. But Technomages, prophets with flashes from the future and even time travel are used as storyline crutches. The whole mystery aspect of B5 is overblown and abused, the show would be much better if it was toned down.
If I want fantasy, I watch fantasy. Just because SciFi can masquerade as fantasy does not change that.
BTW, Dune 2 was horrible SciFi series with the ugliest actors I've ever seen. Especially that woman that was suppose to be "oh so beautiful" that people were taken aback by her beauty. I think they were all shocked by the size of her nose.
..I just had an orgasm reading that..
It's a great show. I don't care for "hard" sci-fi like 2001 (or whatever). Silly tech like gravity, pulse weapons and such is fine by me. But there are no sci-fi show I know of that does not contain "telepathy/6-sense" stuff, which have long since become a story crutch and cliché.
Computers can't take the place of artist and an artist costs $$$. B5 started out on cheep Amigas in 93 and have improved little FX wise since, not that it matters - it's the story that counts.
Babylon 5: The Lost Tails Sharks with Fricken Lasers
Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
What truth?
There is no dupe
Then pat yourself on the back for being ahead of the curve: you're arrogantly scoffing at your contemporaries instead of at people in the past. Ain't progress grand?
Yes, now it comes back to me. The lesser third alternative for people who found Star Trek too detached and "perfect," and Star Wars was too much of a cartoon. Trouble is linking science fiction to a backdrop of mysticism and "psi power" has never worked too well. As our society has become more technological it's become less spiritual, and we're now into the 21st century and not a peep of psychic power or spirituality is to be had. But that's all right, our primitive minds can't comprehend and it's sure to be just around the corner, it's gotta be right? They can't be wrong, can they?
B5 was a pretty boring show, running in endless loops of setup and premise about the grand story and only actually getting to the plot for a few episodes where everything would happen at once, then back to more premonition about the Shadows....frankly I find the idea of a direct to DVD movie about as appealing as stepping back in a time machine into the 1990's and watching it all over again.
You were not put off by the whole "Sheridan is a puppet" thing?
I think Clarke's Third Law is fairly well accepted, but you risk abusing it as a catch-all, deux ex machina, "it was just a dream" kind of argument for why fantasy elements are in fact science fiction. It's not a strong argument because what we are really talking about here is art criticism, not whether any event or object in a show is magic.
There is also arrogance where a writer says, "If they accuse me of writing about magic, I'll just point out that it is in fact just sufficiently advanced technology", and then proceeds to write something that is really fantasy in terms of genre.
While we cannot predict what will be possible in the far future, we do know a lot about the world now. The important thing here is that I'm not talking about technology, but rather the many and various forms of literature and movie genres, the history of many religions, tribes and cults, the marketing of corporations, the temptations that even the best writers can fall pray to, etc.
Taking all those factors into account, it seems fair to hold the point of view that Babylon 5 includes fantasy elements (wearing the makeup of Clarke's Third Law), that it is not really trying to be pure sci-fi or speculative fiction. I'm perfectly happy to admit it might all be possible, at the same time as saying that I don't really think that is the point the authors are making.
Yes, it is entirely possible they wanted to play around with the idea of technology-as-magic. But by the time they've thrown in all the rituals, the astral plane metaphors, etc, you have to ask:
Are they still asking, "What if this could be done?", or are they in fact asking, "Wouldn't it be cool if these guys were like wizards, yeah, we'll call them Techno-Mages, you know, play the advanced technology card, etc.. ?" It's an exaggeration, but I suspect that the GP is right, and they are in fact including fantasy in their show.
This is not a bad thing in and of itself; that's a matter of personal taste.
Yes, B5 was my favourite series for a time, even over ST:NG. The continuity of the story made it incredible addictive and increased the deepness of every single main character. I'm not sure it's the best format for a couple of mini spinoffs. Sadly, as far as I know Richard Biggs (Dr Franklin) wasn't the only actor that died after the series: the incredible Andreas Katsulas (G'Kar) passed away some time ago too.
flipping fantastic. looking forward to this.
more information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voices_in_the_Dark for the lazy amongst us:
Voices in the Dark is the title of the first Lost Tales DVD to be published
Voices in the Dark will be set in 2272. It will feature two linked plotlines viewed separately one after the other but covering the same 72-hour timespan: the first follows ISA President John Sheridan on his way to B5 for a celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the formation of the Interstellar Alliance. During the journey he unexpectedly picks up the Centauri Prince Regent Vintari (third in line to the Centauri Imperial throne) on the edge of Centauri space, and receives a warning from Galen the techno-mage about coming events. The second will feature Colonel (formerly Captain during the series' run) Lochley on B5 awaiting Sheridan's arrival, who summons a priest from Earth space to help deal with a mysterious, seemingly supernatural problem.[14]
Straczynski has stated that predicated on the success of Voices in the Dark a second installment could be released as soon as early 2008.[24] Peter Jurasik has stated that he was contacted by Straczynski to reprise his role as Londo Mollari for a set of alien centric stories after the initial batch centered around humans. He has stated that he said yes to him, "if you [Straczynski] wrote it, I'd do it".[25] The second installment is also set to include a story centered around the character Michael Garibaldi, initially planned for the first installment.[15]
In response to a question about Harlan Ellison writing for the Lost Tales, who acted as conceptual consultant and writer for the original series, Straczynski has stated that he is "sure that down the road I can get Harlan to do something for us". However, for now the studio is pushing for just himself to work on the Lost Tales according to Straczynski, stating they "want this to be you [Straczynski]" because the studio already knows him and likes him.[12]
One of the big events in the Babylon 5 universe that the Lost Tales is set to explore eventually is the Telepath War.[12] Straczynski reportedly stated at the New York Comic-Con in February 2007 that he already has a concept for a possible direct-to-dvd Telepath War story in mind.[24][26]
Straczynski has stated that David Sheridan (John Sheridan and Delenn's son) will both be mentioned in Voices in the Dark, and that he will be seen somewhere else, "in the next DVD"
Babylon 5 was for me and still is the best TV series to ever have graced the sci-fi genre! In many ways it has parallels with my favourite show today, Boston Legal. The character development for example was extraordinary!
Just hearing the B5 music again in the trailer gave me shivers, goosebumps and some perky man-nipples. No matter how "cheesy" or not it might turn out, it'll definitely be watched and most likely be logged in my memory as a great experience!!!
Also my thoughts to the deceased actors from the past, you were great!
- Norwegian hunk
Okay - here are some spoilers for those who have not read the Technomage trilogy...
.
.
.
The Technomage [book] trilogy which JMS has said is mostly canon, and an unfilmed Crusade script reveals much about the origins of the Technomages. They achieve their "magic" using organic implants provided by the Shadows. The Technomages' technology was originally used by the Shadows to create their ultimate warriors (in the same way that the Vorlons created a few "super weapons" like Lyta).
So it would look like magic to most of us since the First Ones were millions of years more advanced than humans. This is consistent with other things seen in the show - such as the Ikara warrior in the episode "Infection" which mutated a human into a machine. Look closely at the design of the armour and you'll see some Shadow-like material.
And you need no more proof of it than the troubles faced by successor projects. Hell, Season 5 was a mess because of the uncertainty of cancellation. TNT fucked Crusade terribly. Of the TV movies, only In the Beginning was any good. That's what, one in four? I saw nothing of Legend of the Rangers and I hear that's probably for the best.
Between the poor quality of the successor projects and the difficulty of getting anything good on the air in today's television market, the success of the original series is all the more remarkable. If you simply look at the odds, this show never should have happened, a statistical fluke. But the impossible happened. I wonder if JMS can make the impossible happen twice.
Kwisatz Haderach
Sell the spice to CHOAM
This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
JMS of B5 and JW of Firefly to team up to do a TV drama, with decent funding and a backed by a network that doesn't cancel on a whim based on money, or ratings, etc... (which is my second wet dream that such a network were to actually exist)
Sometimes she wore a jumpsuit.
The last, best hope for Babylon 5 died when Straczynski was forced to rush the ending of the original story arc after Season 3. Everything that came after that, including that godawful thing with Lumbergh, was just unwatchable.
The best thing about B5 was that, originally, it actually felt like you were in a big universe. The most brilliant scene in the entire show was when Catherine Sakai is telling G'Kar about the time her ship lost power when "something" -- an object so huge it blotted out the sun -- cruised by. Sakai describes what happened and asks G'Kar what the thing might have been. They're standing in the garden, and G'Kar sees an ant crawling up a flower stem. He puts his finger on the stem, the ant crawls onto it and onto his hand, and then after a few seconds he lets the ant crawl back onto the flower. He looks at Sakai and says, "That ant meets another ant and asks, what was that?..."
But after the third season, all that was out the window, and all that was left was a bad space combat show.
True, but it's the best we have. It doesn't mean you can pass something off as "science fiction" when it has no basis in any sort of scientific knowledge or speculation. That's like saying, "Oh, in the future, we can genetically engineer orcs, and reanimate the dead with quantum mechanics, and use as-yet-unknown properties of energy as weapons, so that my mishmash of Romero zombie movies, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars is actually science fiction!"
In Repressive Burma, it's not just your connection that dies. slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=314547&cid=20819199
Yes, wonderful story, but in terms of casting, dialog, lighting, pacing, direction and editing - quite apart from the effects - I find that I have to agree that Babylon 5's a big pile of shit.
If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
You just described Warhammer 40k. Which I would call science fiction.
without Ivanova? Ivanova is always right.
I will listen to Ivanova.
I will not ignore Ivanova's recommendations.
Ivanova is god.
Did you mount a military-grade, variable-focus MASER on an unlicensed artificial intelligence?
Looking back at the 1990s sci-fi scene, what I remember is that people who read a lot of sci-fi tended to be the ones who jumped from Star Trek to Babylon 5. Partly because there was finally something on TV that wasn't just Trek (were there any other space-based shows in the late 80s/early 90s that lasted more than a few episodes?), and partly because B5 had more of a literary background to it than the modern Treks. There were also a lot of people who had been fans of Classic Trek (whether first-run or in reruns) who were disappointed by Next Gen, and looked at B5 and saw the kind of show they had hoped Next Gen would be..
And in my experience, while many B5 fans looked down at Trek, Trek fans were more likely to be outright hostile, as if watching this upstart show would somehow be betraying Star Trek. Maybe it was a matter of the relative sizes of the fan bases, but if you picked a random B5 fan, chances were that he had seen (and maybe even enjoyed) a significant amount of Star Trek, but if you picked a random Trek fan, chances were that he had seen one episode, or had avoided it on principle.
Does anyone know where you can get jackets like the ones worn by Bruce Boxleitner and Michael Straczynski in the behind the scenes trailers??? Those are freaking great and I WANT TO BUY ONE.
"When we spoke about it, he laughed, and said, "Now that I'm dying I've never felt better!""
Oddly enough, that unscripted statement happens to be *quintessential* G'Kar..
Now, where did I put those tales?
OOOOH! Here they are? Man, I've been looking for them forever.
If Nalgene water bottles are outlawed, only outlaws will have Nalgene water bottles.
What? You mean somebody cut him open and took pieces of his heart out, like something out of "Hostel"? That's wild!!
Or do you maybe mean aortic distension ... or some other word?
Breakfast served all day!
Oddly enough, that unscripted statement happens to be *quintessential* G'Kar.. He also said he really liked the G'kar makeup and that he felt it made him look sleek and sexy. I'm not sure if that's from the heart or if he's just having a go at us. The practical jokes on the B5 set are the stuff of legends. On the set they used to call Andreas Two-Pack G'Kar on account of how much he smoked.
The practical joke battle I remember the most involved Andreas and Peter getting to a con presentation a little early. JMS hates public speaking and is always nervous. Those two rogues coached the audience to keep completely silent throughout the entire thing, no praises, no booing, no laughing, nothing. This goes on for the entire presentation, JMS only finds out later. Everyone had a good laugh, right? No harm, no foul? Not on your life.
JMS got his revenge with scripts. He'd written a full death scene for the guy who played Marcus after something he did, the joke not explained until after he was calling his agent for more work. JMS did far worse this time. The script goes out with a scene between Londo and G'kar, Londo's quarters. G'kar is in shadow. "You may have conquered my people, Mollari, but you have yet to conquer me." He steps from shadow and is revealed to be wearing a sheer teddy. The scene goes on from there, completely horrifying. The only quote I still remember is "My Gods, all eight at once!" So Peter and Andreas ask JMS where the real script is. "This is the real script," he deadpans, face completely serious. "Do you really think I have time to fuck around on a joke? This is what we're shooting, start learning your lines." He didn't pull out the real script until the last second.
The best part of all this is that Peter and Andreas did a reading of the script at a subsequent con. Man, that'd be something to have on Youtube.
Kwisatz Haderach
Sell the spice to CHOAM
This Mahdi took Shaddam's Throne
I was speaking about site which is referenced by the article and horrible choices made by webmaster himself or herself.
Going -1 levels is not big deal, it is just something Slashdot is on wrong path with recent editorial policy changes. They are trying to be some site which copied it and it will really fail horribly. Looks like the reader profile already made their way and actually got moderation points.
Dear newbie moderators: "off topic" means something out of topic, completely off the base. It doesn't mean "I don't agree with that comment", it means "It doesn't have anything to do with the submitted content". This is not Digg.com. You actually lose Karma after taking horrible decisions like that, this is not some kid site to play around and "sink" or "Digg" whatever you don't agree.
Point is: You don't "off topic" a comment which is based on the entire content of the website which is referenced at TFA.
There a real offtopic for you, idiots.
The idea of a "technomage" is a fairly decent staple of scifi - I just found them sort of cartoonishly implemented in the B5 universe. Wise, enigmatic, and often with odd D&D style formal british accents...
Sort of the same way with the Minbari, actually - and the rangers. I think JMS transplatend too many Renfest ideas into the future.
----
"I used to listen to Null Device before they sold out."
...stop trying to prove the death or nonexistence of G-d by showing no mercy to our cherished memories, digging up these things that once meant something great in entertainment, and prostituting them to audiences that won't care.
If my grammar and spelling are off, I am [distracted/tired/careless] (take your pick)
What with so many of them being dead and all.
I used to love Garibaldi, now that guy has the temperament I'd expect from a security officer :D
I'll get my coat
"especially since they are familiar with overzealous predictions like "everything that can be patented has been patented" and "there's a world market for maybe 5 computers"."
By idiot business people who can never see the future, you should know that.
If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating
"We are an arrogant people who for some reason think we know everything yet laugh at those who came before us for thinking the very same thing"
Indeed. I say Let Global Warming Win!
If Google really cared they would fix Android Chrome to reflow text, instead of discriminating