Gate to Gate Awards

Sci-Fi Showdown GATE-TO-GATE - Season Awards

Welcome to the final post in the Sci-Fi Showdown Gate-to-Gate edition for the year 2006. For the past 10 weeks, I have been reviewing each new episode of Stargate Sg-1 and Stargate Atlantis. Though for those keeping track (as opposed to last year's Sci-Fi showdown), there really hasn't been much competition this time around. With Battlestar Galactica having been removed from the usual Sci Fi Friday lineup, I didn't much see the point in pitting 2 Stargate shows against each other.

That said, it is now time for the 'Showdown' part of this column. With the first half their seasons now completed, I shall proceed to name those actors and episodes I feel stood out...

Award: Best Single Episode
Winner: Progeny (Stargate Atlantis)

Stargate Atlantis has certainly come a long way in its short 3 season run. Although I've always been a fan of the show, it's really starting to come into its own. In fact, I think that at just about every turn, Atlantis outperformed Sg-1 in terms of writing, acting, and entertainment.

This particular episode was exceptionally great. With an "oh shi-" moment on par with anything in Sg-1's 10-season run, I consider this the turning point in which the torch was passed from original to spin-off. It is because of episodes like this one that I'm not terribly upset that Sg-1 will soon be going off the air. The 'Gate is still in good hands.

Runner-up: 200 (Stargate Sg-1)

Award: Best Leading Role
Winner: Joe Flanigan as John Sheppard (Stargate Atlantis)

Joe Flanigan has always been one of Atlantis' most appealing aspects. He plays the role of the team leader with an energy and style that Ben Browder on Sg-1 simply can't match. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of Ben Browder, but there's something about Flanigan that just makes him fun to watch.

They key episode that influenced my choice was 'Phantoms.' In it, Sheppard suffers from a dramatic flashback to his Gulf War experience. It was a brief bit of gritty reality in the usually light-hearted Stargate Atlantis that brought greater appreciation to Joe's range as an actor. Good stuff.

Runner-up: Ben Browder (Stargate Sg-1)

Award: Best Bad Guy
Winner: Cliff Simon as Ba'al (Stargate Sg-1)

A fan-favorite (and rightfully so), Cliff Simon plays the ultimate bad guy. With a cruel smile, razor-sharp wit and mandatory accent, the necessarily over-played role of Ba'al is a bigger than life enemy with depth rivaling that of some show's main characters.

Runner-up: No one, really...Cliff Simon won this by a landslide.

Award: Best Single Line
Winner: Stargate Sg-1

"Damn you, Cam Mitchell!"

Award: Worst Single Episode
Winner (Loser?): Uninvited (Stargate Sg-1)

The more I think about this episode, the less I like it. A filler episode of the worst variety, it was one of the few that started to show Sg-1's age. Oh well. Can't win 'em all.

And now, the moment you have all been waiting for...

Award: Best Show Overall
Winner: Stargate Atlantis

With a combination of great scripts, a fun cast, and quality entertainment, I feel Atlantis out did its predecessor this season. Sg-1's record-setting 10th season was still a good one (with the quality 200th episode), but the darker, religious undertones of the current plot line doesn't compete with the stylized look and feel of Atlantis.

Because it needs to be said at least one more time, the Stargate is in good hands with Atlantis. Sg-1 going off the air will be a sad day, indeed...but with Atlantis going strong, fans can rest assured that the gate will stay open for many years to come.

---

Thus concludes this season of the Sci-Fi Showdown. I hope you enjoyed my weekly reviews as much as I enjoyed reading them. It's the support and kind words from readers like you that keep me going.

Now, moving right along, get ready for next week as KHYRON.NET hails the return of the best show on television. Yup...that's right. Starting Friday, October 6th, the destined to be a classic 3rd season of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA begins. Stay tuned for all kinds of coverage right here, at KHYRON.NET.

"So say we all."
~Khyron, 2006

test

test

Khyron has moved!

Due to overwhelming (and unexpected success) Khyron's Corner is now KHYRON.NET.

The old url, khyron05.blogspot.com, will no longer be updated.

To stay current on movie/tv/game review, weekly Ghost Files news review, and the inner-workings of Khyron, please visit http://www.Khyron.net/. Bookmark accordingly.

Check in. Check back. Check often.

There is no knowledge that is not power.

~Khyron, 2005

Sci-Fi Showdown

Week 3 - July 29

Winner: Battlestar Galactica ("Fragged")

It was a rather close call, this week. "Stargate Sg-1" had a great, consistent episode that revealed the new threat facing the galaxy. This new religious crusade enemy is a great addition, and sufficiently different than the G'ould and Replicators. However, it was its climax that put "Battlestar Galactica" on top. The final 15 minutes were so well-crafted and acted, it more than made up for the episode's average start. The resolution to the stranded on Kobol plot-line couldn't have been handled better.

I cannot stress just how great "Battlestar Galactica" is. It is working on a whole other level than most television shows, and it will require a fair amount of effort if the "Stargate" franchises are to catch up.

Notable Scene: The tense moments when Specialist Cally refuses to obey orders, prompting Gaius Baltar to 'become a man.'

Cillian Murphy

Cillian Murphy rules. I am proud to announce that he is my Favorite new actor.

You may remember him in such films as "28 Days Later," in which he played the lead character, Jim, and "Batman Begins," as lead villain, Dr. Crane (aka The Scarecrow). In both of these performances, I feel he has proven himself to be not only a potent actor, but also a very versatile one, at that. As the Scarecrow, he portrayed a very deep and terrifying nemesis to Batman. I feel Cillian being cast as such was the perfect choice.

Cillian Murphy can be next seen in the Wes Craven comeback film, "Red-Eye." It goes without saying that I am eager to see this movie, when it opens in late August. You can expect Khyron to be there, ready to give a review.

Change of Heart

After an overly-long discussion with friends and family on movies, both past and recent, and on Khyron's 5-Point Rating System, I have been lead to realize that I was a bit overly and under critical of my two latest reviews.

My reviews are often based off in-movie feelings and discussions I have immediately afterwards. However, by the time I sit down to write them, I may have forgotten key elements or otherwise entertaining components. Also, sometimes movies will leave a lasting affect for a few days that may sway my opinion (my semi-good AvP review, if anyone remembers, is an example of that).

Therefore, I have taken the liberty to revise my review for "The Island" and "The Devil's Rejects."

[Insert boos and/or cheers here]

I have gone back and edited the reviews, so it's up to your memory to decipher the changes.

"How can you do this?" some may ask. Just 'cause--that's how. Call me a sell-out or weak, if you must, but I prefer to think of this as a lesson learned in critiquing movies--wait a few days before writing the review!

Questions? Concerns? Or do you have an alternate opinion to a movie I've reviewed? Feel free to post comments, or E-mail me at mjbrun@gmail.com

Ratings Explained

As much of Khyron's Corner involves me reviewing things, I feel it's necessary to explain Khyron's 5-Point Rating System.

1 - Garbage. There are major plot-holes, and no redeeming qualities. View at your own risk. Example: "Mortal Kombat: Annihilation"

2 - Poor. There's at least one major fault, and/or a multitude of smaller ones. However, it also has at least one redeeming quality. Example: "Alien Vs. Predator"

3 - Average. This is the bulk of television shows and video games. These have errors, but there are enough redeeming qualities to keep it enjoyable and interesting. This is by no means a bad rating. Example: "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines"

4 - Good. These are often as enjoyable as 'Average' works, but contain fewer errors. Or, despite any errors, the enjoyment factor is enough to look past many of them. Example: "The Bourne Supremacy"

5 - Great! These are rare gems that have few to no errors and are monumentally entertaining. They warrant repeat viewing and often have a lasting appeal or sentimental value. Example: "Aliens"

Sci-Fi Showdown

As some of you may know, the Sci-Fi channel's 'Sci-Fi Friday' line-up has me brimming with joy. Back-to-back, brand new episodes of "Stargate Sg-1," "Stargate Atlantis," and "Battlestar Galactica" comprise the three greatest, consecutive hours on television.

I am proud to introduce to you, "Khyron's Sci-Fi Showdown." Every Saturday, I will be decide which of the three episodes, played the night before, was the best. At the end of the season, I will then declare the Friday Night Champion--the king among kings of the Sci-fi world.

So far, there have been 2 episodes for each show. Therefore, it is necessary for me to backtrack and declare my favorite for week 1 and 2.

Week 1 (Season Premiers) - July 15

Winner: Battlestar Galactica ("Scattered")

Of all the season finales I have witnessed, the end to Battlestar Galactica season 1 was by far the most shocking. The surprise ending left me in such a state of shock that the prospect of waiting for a new season seemed impossible. The season 2 premier had big shoes to fill, and although less shocking, it made up for it in pure emotion and acting prowess. Noted performances include Jamie Bamber (Lee Adama), and Michael Hogan (Col. Tigh). If the rest of the episodes are even half as good as the premier, Battlestar Galactica is shaping out to be my favorite sci-fi show, ever.

notable Scene: Lee Adama's emotional breakdown in his prison cell.

Week 2 - July 22

Winner: Stargate Atlantis ("Intruder")

If required to put them in order, I would rank "Stargate Atlantis" as the weakest of last seasons Sci-Fi Friday. Not that it was bad--far from it--but when compared to veteran "Sg-1" and the explosive "Galactica" episodes, season 1 of "Atlantis" didn't quite match up. Determined not to fall behind, "Atlantis" is back, and better than ever. In episode 2.1, a Wraith computer virus threatens to destroy the Daedalus. The premise, action, complications, and acting all made for a very memorable episode.

notable Scene: Sheppard and Hermoid exchange uneasy expressions. Sheppard asks if the alien should be naked, to which Hermoid mutters something under his breath.

Standings:

Stargate Sg-1: 0
Stargate Atlantis: 1
Battlestar Galactica: 1

Khyron Goes to the Movies...again

If you've been following my conflict with movie choices this week, you know that I chose to see Michael Bay's, "The Island," over Rob Zombie's, "The Devil's Rejects." I wanted to see both films with near equal enthusiasm, but it was Bay who got my hard-earned cash.

However, curiosity, it seems, has killed the cat once more. As I stated before, I am a sucker for movies with hype. Unable to control the urge, I found myself sitting through trailers, waiting for "Rejects" to start. Here's my review...

"The Devil's Rejects" - 2005, Directed by Rob Zombie

The movie going experience is one of delight and entertainment. You get to leave the house for a couple of hours, eat some rather delicious (if not overly expensive) popped corn, and lose yourself in a fictitious world. What was delightful and entertaining about "The Devil's Rejects?" Not much.

After a failed police raid on a decaying farm house, the inhabitants--responsible for over 75 murders--take flight and hit the road. Sheriff Wydell (William Forsythe), hungry for vengeance, gives chase. With three sociopaths on the loose in a dusty, degenerate desert, innocent bystanders find themselves in a hell on Earth.

What more can be said about a movie that the title, "The Devil's Rejects," doesn't already tell? Hands down, this is one of the sickest, most depraved, and down-right brutal films ever made. Name any deplorable or negative aspect of humanity and you can expect to see it in "Rejects." Rape, murder, torture, vengeance, prostitution, vulgarity, drug abuse, bestiality...just a few examples of the sensitive material you can expect.

Rob Zombie, a veteran of the music video world, has obviously put a lot of thought into the style of this movie. He uses a variety of techniques, including freeze frames, blurred or slow motion, and several musical montages. I felt these montages were the film's greatest strength, and brought some welcome release from the tense moments that precede them.

The acting in "The Devils Rejects" is fine, as is the direction--however, character development and plot take a back seat to finding new situations and locations to show more violence and nudity. Of the cast, Sid Haig (Captain Spaulding) and Bill Moseley (Otis) give stand-out performances as killers without conscience. You'll quickly forget that they are actors and see them only as the dregs their characters represent.

For fans of 70's exploitation cinema, "The Devil's Rejects" will be a welcome change from the multitude of ghostly, Japanese horror remakes. Those looking for entertainment, however, may find themselves cringing through most of it. Granted, there are some comical lines, however the humor is quickly lost after you realize the situation and context of the joke.

Rating: 3.5/5