We discovered the previous week that Seth Rogen’s film ‘Green Hornet’ has decided Jay Chou as Kato. It seems they have also located their commander.

We have come across the revered Edward James Olmos, who portrayed Admiral Adama on the recently completed TV series Battlestar Glactica. He revealed that he would be acting in ‘Green Hornet’. Nothing is known about the role he is enacting. One thing is very sure; we can anticipate order reigning in on the set. Time to get things better, Rogen, Admiral is on board.

There is buzz on the net that Justin Timberlake could don the lead role in the Battlestar Galactica film. Though, initially I could not appreciate Universal’s intentions to move forward with Battlestar Galactica, I would now like to hear the death knell of the project. The presence of Justin Timberlake in the new Battlestar film is not the hitch. The hitch is that it is absolutely ludicrous to have two dissimilar adaptation of the same franchise simultaneously. This is sure grounds for a series of events that will disentangle the very foundation of the space-time legacy.

I am attracted to the innovative BSG series of Ron Moore, and it is a nice really to watch the cast join up to make television films or mini-series some time. But I hate to see a studio in the look out for a cash chest, and a director frantic for a hit series collaborate to efface the memories of an excellent show on television.

The BSG series of Moore is not completed as yet. It naturally will resume with the forthcoming DVD film, ‘The Plan’ and the prequel ‘Caprica’. There are many BSG ventures planned according to Edward James Olmos. It is true that there are various adaptations of Superman, Batman or Spiderman on collision courses in a number of locations and markets, but this concept of Battlestar film is quite abhorrent to me.

It may be due to the fact that I am a big fan of the series or may be I am prejudiced. But I must say the proposal reeks of lethargy and apprehension. It shows the reluctance of Hollywood to bring out an imaginative theme to a volatile market.

For those who missed the ‘Battlestar Galactica’, last season, the wait is over now as it comes out in the DVD format. Packaged in a set of DVDs consisting of 11 episodes, the collection also features 15 hours of bonus content and three episodes that never saw the light of day on TV.

Of the 11 episodes, last three are a wrap up of the series and is called ‘Daybreaks, Part 1, 2 and 3’. Also many deleted scenes have been included, even as some additional interesting features make the set a must have. One such feature is a great tool for those who are jumping in to the series right in the end and/ or for those who have very short term memories and fail to remember just what happened in the last episode let alone the last series. Called ‘What the Frak is Going on With Battlestar Galactica’, this is a supersonic speed recap of the entire series with all the twists and turns in place

Another feature ‘…and They have a plan’ comes up during the opening credits, which points to cyclons having ‘a plan’. Subsequently, the actors and writers, teasingly ask the viewer “What, then, is the plan?” Another good feature is the informative video blog by the Executive Producer David Eick where he gives insights into the production process of the series.

What will certainly come across as heartwarming for die hard ‘Galactica’ fans is the feature called ‘A Look Back’. In this corner one can find the thoughts and ‘look back’ of actors and production staff on the entire series. This is a kind of ode to the series from the people who made it in one way or the other. This is also a befitting way to wrap up the series which will see its culmination with Season 4.5. This ‘Galactica’ series comes in a package of 4 DVDs each and is priced about $45 for a set.

As far as the show itself is concerned, it certainly lives up to the hype that’s generated with it. ‘Battlestar Galactica’, without doubt is one of the best Sci-Fi TV series that one can come across. However, the comparisons of the older ‘Battlestar’ with the newer one are quite uncalled far. They both have a league of their own and fit aptly to the times when each was made. In the newer series, the references to the old, whether it be a music piece of a part of the story, were quite unnecessary.

As far as the performances are concerned, Edward James Olmos certainly wins the title as ‘Admiral William Adama’. Also Michael Hogan as ‘Colonel Saul Tigh’ will certainly have won himself some young Sci-Fi fans. Overall the producers of the show, especially Executive Producer, Ron Moore have done an exceptional work with the series. However I found, the end of credits shtick between Morre and David Eick a complete waste of time and money. If the intention was for it to be funny, it certainly was not!

Overall, small hiccups aside, Battlestar Galactica 4.5 is any Sci-Fi lovers must have not only for its excellent content but also for the series-closure that it brings.

It is official now; ‘Battlestar Galactica’, is the year’s best. This sci-fi allegory about war, terrorism and artificial intelligence has won the 2009 Television Critics Association Award for the best Program of the Year.

Written by Ronald D Moore, the series won against other nominees including ‘Lost’, ‘Saturday Night Live’ and last year’s Emmy winner ‘Mad Men’, among others. The series which has a multi-national cast from the US, Canada and Britain, has had a successful run for four seasons on the U.S. Sci Fi Channel.

Meanwhile among other awards, ‘Mad Men’ won the TCA Award for outstanding drama second year in a row. ‘The Big Bang Theory’ won the best comedy among all the other strong contenders like ‘How I Met Your Mother’, ‘The Office’, and even last year’s winner ‘30 Rock’.

Also the newer lot and the veterans among TV series saw interesting winners. On the one hand, the HBO series ‘True Blood’ emerged the best new program while retired medical drama ‘ER’ won the critic’s Heritage Award. The Heritage Awards are given to a series which has had a profound impact on culture in one way or the other. This year’s winner ‘ER’ belongs to this league running 15 successful seasons from 1994-2009.

Also in the individual awards category, ‘Breaking Bad’s’ Bryan Cranston won critics award for outstanding individual achievement in TV drama while ‘The Big Bang Theory’s’ Jim Parsons won the same award for comedy. These both awards are akin to ‘best actor’ in their individual categories. Also veteran performer Betty White saw herself adorned with a special career achievement award.

This year’s ceremony marked the silver anniversary year of Television Critics Association Awards and saw much fan fare. This organization is pretty widely recognized across US and Canada with representation from about 200 newspapers, online critics and magazines.

Looks like it is going to be a season of ‘old wine in new bottle’. Close to the announcement of Whedonverse-member Alexis Denisof appearing in the Season 2 of ‘Dollhouse’, here come some more surprising murmurs. It looks like two members of ‘Battlestar Galactica’ will also be appearing on the same show.

Jamie Bamber and Michael Hogan are touted to be the new kids on the block. Bamber who played Lee Adama in ‘Battlestar’ will in all possibility be playing a highly engaged character while Hogan may just appear in the second episode of the season.

Meanwhile ‘Dollhouse’ premier is being much anticipated by TV series fans due to its runaway success last season. Add to it the galaxy of additional stars this season, and it is a sure shot recipe for success. Fans are also anxious to see how the story develops further.

So even as fans are much jubilant about the new members, at the same time they are hoping that the series won’t continue on the same Friday time slot. It certainly is a shame to see the show losing potential viewers due to the wrong timing. Hopefully this problem will be taken care of this season!

Whether it is his role as Captain Apollo in original ‘Battlestar Galactica’ or as Tom Zerik in the new series, Richard Hatch has always drawn admirers. It is not only the passion with which he plays the characters, but also the love that he has for the franchise that make him so adorable.

In Richard Hatch one finds the biggest advocate for ‘Battlestar Galactica’; he wants as many people to watch, many more movies, reboots and spin offs of the series. His views and opinions certainly command attention for the affection he exhibits for the series.

Hatch has a very well thought out view as an actor and more so as a fan on the reboot of the original. Here are excerpts from an interview where he talks about whether it is a good idea to do so and whether he would be involved in any such endeavor and, the future of ‘Battlestar Galactica’ in general:

Q: You seem to be an equal fan of both old and new ‘Battlestar’. What would you say?
A: Well, a good show is a good show no matter new or old. I love being a part of this one. In any case there aren’t many good Sci-Fi shows around. For me I have always wanted the original show to continue evolving and getting on the edge. In the past many people bought back classics and ruined them, not knowing what people are actually looking for. But here somebody made the right decision by hiring right people, writing the right story and creating the right drama that everyone can relate to.

Q: Is it true that a new movie on the old ‘Battlestar’ is being planned?
A: I don’t know where that will go. But I think their idea is to reach a wider demographic, to get involved many more people. The new series has a kind of smaller, specific audience and you can’t really know how many people are watching. So they are thinking of rebooting it, developing it and probably do with it what ‘Star Trek’ did with their movies.

Q: Are you to be included in the reboot?
A: I don’t have a clue. But I would say it always makes sense to include some of the original actors. But of course it all depends on them; who they choose for the purpose to make a connection between the past and the present. Ultimately they should pay heed to what the fans want.

Q: Your inclusion in the new ‘Battlestar’ was a happy moment.
A: Honestly I was surprised. But I guess they saw a role where I could fit and hence casted me.

Q: So what is up your sleeves now?
A: I am working with a social networking company which is working on sci-fi fantasy and also has an associated dating component. I am also doing a reality show on a real life journey through Hollywood; the ups and downs, the heart breaks and other aspects.

Q: If it were left to you, what would be your next move for the franchise?
A: Even I would have gone for a reboot but first I would have liked to see a new ‘Battlestar’ movie of the new series. It really deserves a theatrical release. Then the next logical step would have been to bring back the original because it really does deserve an I-max screening!

Initially, Edward James Olmos informed a group of enthusiasts that the concluding Battlestar Galactica, ‘The Plan’ would be precisely what they are looking forward to: The film will closely follow the actions of the series from the viewpoint of the Cylons. At this time Olmos, who is also the director of movie and also enacts Adama speaks of it as a surprise.
Olmos revealed in a special interview during the Saturn Award ceremony in Burbank where he was given the best actor award on TV that he was really astonished by their plan, the way it was thought out and the almost successful implementation and final realization of the plan.

Grace Park joined Olmos in the appraisal of ‘The Plan’. The Cylon viewpoint has much more substance than easily discernible, commented Park, after receiving the Saturn award for the Best Actress for Mary McDonnel. Park was obscure on the plan or what was involved, but talked about the contrasting attitude of the human beings in The Plan.
Dean Stockwell enacts the important character John Cavil, whose role is much larger in the Cylon movie than in the series. Olmost disclosed that Dean was undeniably the brain behind the whole project.

Olmos commended on the acting talent of Park that she would in all possibility get all types of awards and said the she performed superbly in the ‘The Plan’ and that everyone would be pleased with her work.

Park was taken by surprise and thanked Olmos. She commented that Olmos’ direction has a great say in her acting.  Battlestar Galactica: The Plan will be telecast on SCIFI in September. DVDs is also expected to arrive at the same time.

Flashback shows how Adama and Tigh eventually became very good friends. Adama is for retirement and Tigh is convincing him to get another appointment.Lee on the other hand, is extremely attracted to Kara Thrace, but couldn’t get over it, as Zak is just around the corner. Lee, decided to go home.

Roslyn’s blind date turned out to be the blind date she had before from ages, and just decided to end the date, and start working for a political campaign.

Galactica Real events continue…

A flashback starts to show the beginning of the normal life of the major characters before Caprica was eventually captured by the Cylons. Roslin is shown when she was about to live with her sisters, and father, but later on receiving news that they died.

Lee Adama is shown as a young man, seeing a pigeon hole in his home. He also met Kara Thrace for the first time, when she was visiting Zak. Anders is shown as a football star that joined just for fun.

The fast track on the day episode shows, how Galactica is experiencing difficulties, Baltar wants his people to have a place in the quorum. Lee adamantly refuses.

Gaius eventually got a shaved while Starbuck affirms she is undead. Gaius on the other hand, affirms that she is dead but continues to be alive.

Anders on the other hand, had regained his strength and is getting to be the mover during the scene. Saul Tigh is missing on this episode.
Karl Agathon’s relationship with Athena worsens, as the ship advances to its course. However, he tries to mend his ways.

Adama realizes that Galactica is about to fall apart, and must abandon ship soon. He just had to think of some ways on how to do it, so as not to jeopardize their mission.