Saturday, June 26, 2010

TCM June 2010

Catching up: Here are the medieval-themed listings from TCM this month. All times are EST, and the complete schedule can be found at http://www.tcm.com/schedule/month/.


SAT., 5 JUNE
2:15 AM Robot vs. the Aztec Mummy, The (1965)
A mad scientist creates a murderous robot to steal an ancient Aztec treasure. Cast: Ramon Gay, Rosa Arenas, Crox Alvarado. Dir: Rafael Portillo. BW-64 mins, TV-PG


SUN., 6 JUNE
8:15 AM Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex, The (1939)
Elizabeth I's love for the Earl of Essex threatens to destroy her kingdom. Cast: Bette Davis, Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland. Dir: Michael Curtiz. BW-106 mins, TV-G, CC


TUES., 8 JUNE
6:15 AM Silver Chalice, The (1954)
A silversmith is charged with engraving the Holy Grail. Cast: Paul Newman, Virginia Mayo, Pier Angeli. Dir: Victor Saville. C-135 mins, TV-G, CC, Letterbox Format


THURS., 10 JUNE
4:00 AM Long Ships, The (1964)
Viking seamen battle a Moorish prince for possession of a golden bell. Cast: Richard Widmark, Sidney Poitier, Russ Tamblyn. Dir: Jack Cardiff. C-126 mins, TV-PG, CC, Letterbox Format


SAT., 12 JUNE
2:00 PM Ivanhoe (1952)
Sir Walter Scott's classic tale of the noble knight torn between his fair lady and a beautiful Jew. Cast: Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Fontaine. Dir: Richard Thorpe. C-107 mins, TV-G, CC


SUN., 13 JUNE
10:00 AM Richard III (1955)
A hunchbacked madman plots to make himself king of England. Cast: Sir Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson, Claire Bloom. Dir: Sir Laurence Olivier. C-158 mins, TV-PG, Letterbox Format


SAT., 26 JUNE
6:00 PM Knights Of The Round Table (1953)
Queen Guinevere is torn between love for her husband and Sir Lancelot. Cast: Robert Taylor, Ava Gardner, Mel Ferrer. Dir: Richard Thorpe. C-116 mins, TV-G, CC, Letterbox Format, DVS


SUN., 27 JUNE
11:15 PM Siren of Bagdad (1953)
An Arabian magician takes on a corrupt sultan to help a beautiful princess. Cast: Paul Henreid, Patricia Medina, Hans Conried. Dir: Richard Quine. C-72 mins, TV-G

Chiller July 2010 Listings

There are no specific medieval-themed listings for Chiller for July 2010, though the network does air Poltergeist: The Legacy, a program that has dealt with medieval topics in many episodes, daily. Chiller's complete schedule for the month can be accessed at http://www.chillertv.com/schedule/.

Syfy July 2010

Here are the relevant listings from Syfy for July 2010. As usual, all times are EST, programing is subject to change, and the complete month's schedule can be accessed at http://www.syfy.com/schedule/home.php.

Listings include wizards, monsters, and quests this month with a Merlin Season Two marathon on July 2 leading up to the season finale.


THURS., 1 JULY
09:00 PM MOVIE: ENCHANTED (2007)


FRI., 2 JULY
03:00 AM MOVIE: DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: WRATH OF THE DRAGON GOD (2005)
08:00 AM MOVIE: ENCHANTED (2007)
10:00 AM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE CURSE OF CORNELIUS SIGAN
11:00 AM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE ONCE AND FUTURE QUEEN
12:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE NIGHTMARE BEGINS
01:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: LANCELOT AND GUINEVERE
02:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - PART 1
03:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - PART 2
04:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE WITCHFINDER
05:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE SINS OF THE FATHER
06:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE LADY OF THE LAKE
07:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: SWEET DREAMS
08:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE WITCH'S QUICKENING
09:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE FIRES OF IDIRSHOLAS
10:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE LAST DRAGONLORD
Marathon of the complete second season of Merlin leading up to the season finale at 10 PM.


SAT., JULY 3
12:00 AM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE LAST DRAGONLORD


WEDNES., JULY 7
11:00 AM GHOST HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL - SEASON 2: WITCHES CASTLE


THURS., JULY 8
03:00 AM MOVIE: DRAGONQUEST (2009)
10:30 AM MOVIE: DRAGON WARS (2007)
02:30 PM MOVIE: IN THE NAME OF THE KING: A DUNGEON SIEGE TALE (2006)
08:00 PM MOVIE: NATIONAL TREASURE (2004)


FRI., JULY 9
02:30 AM MOVIE: IN THE NAME OF THE KING: A DUNGEON SIEGE TALE (2006)
05:00 PM MOVIE: NATIONAL TREASURE (2004)


SAT., JULY 10
12:00 PM SYFY ORIGINAL MOVIE: GRENDEL (2007)


SUN., JULY 11
09:00 AM SYFY ORIGINAL MOVIE: DARK RELIC (2010)
01:00 PM SYFY ORIGINAL MOVIE: REIGN OF THE GARGOYLES (2007)


WEDNES., JULY 14
09:00 PM GHOST HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL, SEASON 2.75: THE SPIRIT OF ROBIN HOOD
10:00 PM GHOST HUNTERS SEASON 5: NEW HAMPSHIRE GOTHIC
11:00 PM GHOST HUNTERS INTERNATIONAL, SEASON 2.75: THE SPIRIT OF ROBIN HOOD


FRI., JULY 16
03:00 AM SYFY ORIGINAL MOVIE: DRAGON DYNASTY (2006)


SAT., JULY 17
11:00 AM MOVIE: BEOWULF (1999)
03:00 PM MOVIE: RISE OF THE GARGOYLES (2009)


SAT., JULY 24
06:30 PM MOVIE: UNDERWORLD (2003)


WEDNES., JULY 28
12:00 PM SCARIEST PLACES ON EARTH: CHARLEVILLE CASTLE



Also airing this month: Invasion, Primeval, and Warehouse 13.

MSAM/GMTV: Missed One

MSAM: Catching Up

Here are the trailers for this spring's /early summer's batch of medieval-themed films (the first two have ads):












Friday, June 25, 2010

MSAM: Hobbit Update--Peter Jackson is Back

The following was posted today by Scott Edelman on Sci Fi Wire :

Peter Jackson WILL be directing The Hobbit after all!

Time to break out the ale and pipe-weed, because we're ready to party!

What we hoped would happen, but didn't dare to think actually would, seems to be coming true. Peter Jackson, who pulled off the impossible with the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has decided to direct two installments of The Hobbit after all, Deadline New York reports.

Earlier this month, after Guillermo del Toro quit his Hobbit directing gig, Jackson said his taking over was unlikely due to current commitments. But he did leave open a slim possibility—and we say "slim" because he sounded a bit reluctant—by saying: "If that's what I have to do to protect Warner Brothers' investment, then obviously that's one angle which I'll explore."

Apparently, explore he did, because his deal is reportedly being negotiated right NOW with Warner Brothers, New Line and MGM.

There are no further details as yet, other than the fact that Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are scheduled to head to London the week of July 4, after which they'll be going to Los Angeles to meet with the actors who've impressed them the most from those that have been taped by casting directors.

Are you as happy as we are right now?

MSAM: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Fox 2000 Pictures and Walden Media have just released the first trailer for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader due out on 10 December 2010.


James Patterson Gets Medieval

Here's the latest on James Patterson and Adam Sadler's Daniel X: Demons and Druids due out on 26 July 2010:

Daniel X's hunt to eliminate each and every intergalactic criminal on Earth is always relentless, but this time, it's getting personal. Number Three on the List of Alien Outlaws takes the form of raging, soul—possessing fire. And fire transports Daniel back to the most traumatic event of his life—the death of his parents.

In the face of his "kryptonite", Daniel struggles with his extraordinary powers like never before, and more than ever is at stake: his best friends are in grave peril. The only way to save them is to travel back—through a hole in time—to the demon's arrival during the Dark Ages. Rip-roaring action and humor sets the pages afire in this gripping time-travel adventure with an Arthurian cast—and countless other surprises!

Friday, June 18, 2010

MSAM: The Sorcerer's Apprentice (2010)

I just posted this on The Reel Wizards Project Blog:

The following information (posted on Amazon.com) about the "junior novelization" of the upcoming The Sorcerer's Apprentice links the film closely to the Arthurian tradition:

In modern day Manhattan, one young man's life is about to take a surprising turn. When Dave Stutler wanders into a strange shop downtown, he can never imagine the consequences. It turns out that Dave is no ordinary boy--he is a Merlinian. As a descendent of the most famous sorcerer in history, Dave has untapped powers. The problem is, certain people don't want him to ever use them. Led by Horvath, a Morganian (descendents of the evil sorcereress Morgana), this group will stop at nothing to destroy Dave and unleash darkness upon the world. Dave will have to rely on the help of his mentor, Baltazhar Blake, to find his inner strength and help save the world.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

CFP: Arthurian Villains on Film/TV/Etc (9/1/10; Kalamazoo, MI 5/12-15/11)

CALL FOR PAPERS
ARTHURIAN VILLAINS ON FILM:
STUDIES IN COMMEMORATION OF THE THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF JOHN BOORMAN'S EXCALIBUR
THE 46TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON MEDIEVAL STUDIES,
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, KALAMAZOO, MI
12-15 MAY 2011
CO-SPONSORED BY THE ALLIANCE FOR THE PROMOTION OF RESEARCH ON THE VILLAINS OF THE MATTER OF BRITAIN AND THE VIRTUAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF POPULAR CULTURE AND THE MIDDLE AGES
PROPOSALS BY 1 SEPTEMBER 2010 (EARLY SUBMISSION RECOMMENDED)

In furtherance of our respective missions, the Alliance for the Promotion of Research on the Villains of the Matter of Britain and the Virtual Society for the Study of Popular Culture and the Middle Ages (formerly the Society for the Study of Popular Culture and the Middle Ages) are proposing a session devoted to the theme of Arthurian Villains on Film: Studies in Commemoration of the Thirtieth Anniversary of John Boorman’s EXCALIBUR. Papers included in these sessions will explore the representations of the villains of the Matter of Britain, both traditional ones (e.g. Cerdic, Lot of Orkney, Mark of Cornwall, Mordred, Morgan le Fay, Morgause, and Vortigern) as well as those (e.g. Brack, Cynric, Mab, Mad Madame Mim, Palamides, Ruber, and, even sometimes, Merlin) unique to specific productions, as represented in films, television programming, and other visual electronic multimedia, such as electronic games and Internet videos.

The Arthurian legend has been represented in films since at least the late 1890s and in television programming since the 1950s, and the villains of these productions serve important, though often overlooked, roles as the initiators of dramatic action and as the counteragents to their respective heroes. Despite these vital narrative functions, study of the filmic villains of the Matter of Britain remains in its infancy with few studies engaged with their role in specific productions and with only a handful of overviews of their careers as investigated (in chronological order) by Elizabeth S. Sklar, Jacqueline de Weever, Maureen Fries, and Michael A. Torregrossa.

Since its introduction in the 1980s, Arthurian film and television studies has matured into a legitimate field of investigation, and the thirtieth anniversary of John Boorman’s EXCALIBUR (1981), a key text for the study of Arthurian villains on film, marks an appropriate time to reflect upon the role that the villains play in the Arthurian story. Boorman’s EXCALIBUR has become a seminal text for scholars of Arthurian-themed films and part of the modern canon of popular Arthuriana. Moreover, it is especially important for its presentation of the villains Morgana and Mordred and their relationship to King Arthur, as Boorman is the first filmmaker (as Torregrossa has explored) to fully depict the incest of King Arthur (here with Morgana), an act that results in the conception of Mordred, and its consequences. In addition, Boorman’s versions of both Morgan le Fay and Mordred have shaped countless later representations of these characters in popular Arthuriana throughout the globe.


PLEASE SUBMIT PROPOSALS OF 500 WORDS OR LESS, PARTICIPANT INFORMATION FORM (AVAILABLE AT
http://www.wmich.edu/medieval/congress/submissions/index.html IN JULY), AND A COPY OF YOUR CV TO THE ORGANIZERS AT

ArthurianVillainyResearch-AT-gmail-dot-com


PLEASE INCLUDE “KALAMAZOO 2011 PROPOSAL” IN THE SUBJECT LINE


FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR THE PROMOTION OF RESEARCH ON THE VILLAINS OF THE MATTER OF BRITAIN, PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR BLOG AT http://ArthurianVillainyResearch.blogspot.com/

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRTUAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF POPULAR CULTURE AND THE MIDDLE AGES, PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR BLOG AT
http://popularcultureandthemiddleages.blogspot.com/

CFP: 21st-Century Medievalisms Roundtable (9/1/10; Kalamazoo, MI 5/12-15/10)

CALL FOR PAPERS
TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY MEDIEVALISMS:
RE-ENVISIONING THE MEDIEVAL IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD (ROUNDTABLE)
THE 46TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON MEDIEVAL STUDIES,
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY, KALAMAZOO, MI
12-15 MAY 2011
SPONSORED BY THE VIRTUAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF POPULAR CULTURE AND THE MIDDLE AGES
PROPOSALS BY 1 SEPTEMBER 2010 (EARLY SUBMISSION RECOMMENDED)


Despite our temporal distance from the Middle Ages, the medieval continues to fascinate us both as scholars and consumers, and, as part of our ongoing mission to explore the representation of the medieval in post-medieval culture, the Virtual Society for the Study of Popular Culture and the Middle Ages (formerly the Society for the Study of Popular Culture and the Middle Ages) proposes a roundtable on the topic of Twenty-first Century Medievalisms: Re-envisioning the Medieval in the Contemporary World. We are especially interested in investigating why medieval subjects remain relevant in the modern world and how they have been appropriated and transformed by creative artists, politicians, and special interest groups since the turn of the second millennium. Specific topics to be addressed include the following: recent representations of mythic material like the Matter of Britain (e.g. FATE/STAY NIGHT [2005-], KING ARTHUR [2004], MERLIN [2008-], and SHREK THE THIRD [2007]) and the legends of Robin Hood (e.g. ROBIN HOOD [2006-2009] and ROBIN HOOD [2010]) in global multimedia and their relationship with prior traditions; the BBC’s role as creator of medieval-themed entertainment, notably ROBIN HOOD (2006-2009) and MERLIN (2008-), for international audiences; the increased role of cable television (e.g. The Discovery Channel, The History Channel, History Channel International, The Travel Channel), both in the United States and abroad, as disseminator of information about the Middle Ages and/or, specifically with the Syfy (formerly Sci-Fi) Channel, medieval-themed entertainment; Crusade rhetoric in the wake of events of 11 September 2001; the popularity of J. R. R. Tolkien, his works, and Tolkienesque fantasy following the success of Peter Jackson’s film trilogy; and the impact of new media, particularly online games and other virtual entertainment, on the furtherance of medievalism.

Potential applicants should be aware that individuals may have up to 3 appearances in the program and may both present a traditional paper as well as present in the roundtable.


PLEASE SUBMIT PROPOSALS OF 500 WORDS OR LESS, PARTICIPANT INFORMATION FORM (AVAILABLE AT
http://www.wmich.edu/medieval/congress/submissions/index.html IN JULY), AND A COPY OF YOUR CV TO THE ORGANIZERS AT

Popular.Culture.and.the.Middle.Ages-AT-gmail-dot-com

PLEASE INCLUDE “KALAMAZOO 2011 PROPOSAL” IN THE SUBJECT LINE


FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRTUAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF POPULAR CULTURE AND THE MIDDLE AGES, PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR BLOG AT
http://popularcultureandthemiddleages.blogspot.com/

Sunday, June 13, 2010

New/Recent DVDs

The following represent new and recent DVD releases that may be of interest:

FANTASY:
The Lord of the Rings (Animated): Deluxe Edition (1978)
Dragonquest (2008)


ARTHURIAN:
The Legend of Prince Valiant: The Complete Series (1991-93)
Merlin and the War of the Dragons
(2008)
Merlin: The Complete First Season (2008)


ROBIN HOOD:
The Bandit of Sherwood Forest (1946)
Prince of Thieves (1948)
Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950)
Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960)

Kalamazoo 2011 Update

We have had an update on sessions for next year's International Congress on Medieval Studies at Kalamazoo. One session from each proposal (accessible here) has been accepted, and a call for papers will be forthcoming.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Chiller June 2010 Listings

The following represent the medieval-themed listings this month for Chiller. As usual, all time are EST, and the complete schedule for the month can be found at http://www.chillertv.com/schedule/.


[MISSED JUNE 2-4]

WEDNES., 9 JUNE
09:00 AM
Forever Knight Blood Money
10:00 AM
Forever Knight Partners Of The Month
11:00 AM
Forever Knight Queen Of Harps
12:00 PM
Forever Knight A More Permanent Hell
01:00 PM
Forever Knight The Code
02:00 PM
Forever Knight Curiouser & Curiouser
03:00 PM
Forever Knight Near Death
04:00 PM
Forever Knight Baby Baby


SAT., 26 JUNE
12:00 PM
The Twilight Zone The Last Defender Of Camelot
12:30 PM
The Twilight Zone Once And Future King [not medieval despite title]


WEDNES., 30 JUNE
09:00 AM
Forever Knight Close Call
10:00 AM
Forever Knight Crazy Love
11:00 AM
Forever Knight Dark Knight
12:00 PM
Forever Knight Dark Knight: The Second Chapter
01:00 PM
Forever Knight For I Have Sinned
02:00 PM
Forever Knight Last Act
03:00 PM
Forever Knight Dance By The Light Of The Moon
04:00 PM
Forever Knight Dying To Know You


Also airing this month: Beauty and the Beast, Poltergeist: The Legacy, and Twin Peaks.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Syfy June 2010 Listings

The following represent the medieval-themed listings for Syfy this month. As usual, all times are EST and the complete schedule can be accessed at http://www.syfy.com/schedule/.


FRI., 4 JUNE

10:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE LADY OF THE LAKE


SAT., 5 JUNE

12:00 AM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE LADY OF THE LAKE


TUES, 8 JUNE

06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (SEASON 9): CAMELOT


THURS., 10 JUNE

05:30 PM STARGATE SG-1 (SEASON 10): MORPHEUS [PART OF THE GRAIL QUEST ARC]


FRI., 11 JUNE

10:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: SWEET DREAMS


SAT., 12 JUNE

12:00 AM MERLIN, SEASON 2: SWEET DREAMS


TUES., 15 JUNE

01:00 AM HIGHLANDER: THE VALKYRIE

Ingrid Henning failed in an assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler during WWII. Since then, she has made it her mission to take out rising monsters before they can achieve political power, having concluded that Hitler's position protected him. Now, Henning is after a racist politician whose star is rising. MacLeod must confront his one-time comrade before her crusade takes the lives of innocent people. (Wikipedia)


FRI., 18 JUNE

08:00 PM MOVIE: ERAGON (2006)

10:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE WITCH'S QUICKENING


SAT., 19 JUNE

12:00 AM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE WITCH'S QUICKENING

11:00 AM MOVIE: BEOWULF (1999)


TUES., 22 JUNE

02:00 AM SANCTUARY: FATA MORGANA


WEDNES., 23 JUNE

01:00 AM HIGHLANDER: THE STONE OF SCONE

According to official statements by the British government, the theft of the Stone of Scone, the legendary royal throne of Scotland, from Westminster Abbey in 1950 was simply a rowdy schoolboy prank. But was it? Or was it actually the bungled work of three rather hapless Immortals, attempting to fulfill a promise made centuries before? (Wikipedia)


03:00 PM OUTER LIMITS, THE: SHROUD


FRI., 25 JUNE

10:00 PM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE FIRES OF IDIRSHOLAS


SAT., 26 JUNE

12:00 AM MERLIN, SEASON 2: THE FIRES OF IDIRSHOLAS


TUES., 29 JUNE

06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (SEASON 10): THE QUEST - PT 1


WEDNES., 30 JUNE

06:00 PM STARGATE SG-1 (SEASON 10): THE QUEST - PT 2