Sometime you only have a few minutes to scan what is happening in sci-fi and real science. So then, about once a month we like to give you a few up-to-the-minute news items that will only take you a few minutes to catch up on.
Friendly House-sitting Robot Coming To Stores Soon
Submitted by: S.K. Sloan
In a SCI-FI to SCI-FACT item,the “Wakamaru” robot, a child-shaped humanoid robot that is programmed to recognize around 10,000 words and can work as a house sitter will be available from Japan’s Mitsubishi-Heavy company. They will be taking orders on September 16th and will run you about $14,300 US, 1.58 million yen and 11,619 euro.
Gus Van Sant Adapts Niffenegger Novel for the Screen
Submitted by: Lesmond
The famous 53 year old American filmmaker will adapt Audrey Niffenegger’s best-selling novel “The Time Traveler’s Wife” as a feature film.
Jim Carrey and Ben Stiller Collaboration
Submitted by: Kyle Nin
The two are currently in negotiations to play a couple of obsolete pleasure clones in the sci-fi comedy film “Used Guys.” The feature is set to be directed by Jay Roach.
Varley Breathes Life Into the Mammoth
Submitted by: Lesmond
John Varley brings the Mammoth back to life in his new novel titled with the same name. He does so, not through cloning as one might expect, but resurrects them using a time machine into modern-day Los Angeles.
Neve Campbell – Screaming One More Time
Submitted by: Kyle Nin
Wes Craven is doing it again and it appears has been successful in convincing Neve Campbell to return as Sidney Prescott in Scream 4.
Dying Planet
Submitted by: Lesmond
If you have ever stared up into the heavens or through a telescope at the planet mars, then you have undoubtedly let your imagination flow to all the possibilities. Robert Markley uses his imagination while at the same time never drifting too far from the facts that science has learned about the Red Planet over the last one hundred years. “Dying Planet” is a good read, imaginative and informative without losing itself in too much scientific jargon.
O’Bannon Goes Cultish
Written by: S.K. Sloan
Farscape creator Rockne O’Bannon is currently in production with a new television series set for a fall 2006 debut called “Cult.” The story will center around two brothers. One is involved with a fan community of a fictional TV program called Cult. After he goes missing, the other brother sets out to find him and find out what happened. O’Bannon plans on previewing the program for his fans at the next Comic-Con International next year in San Diego, CA (USA).
