THE VAMPIRE DIARIES – Cinefantastique

The CW's 'Secret Circle'

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Tom Powers

The CW announced its Fall schedule, with just one new genre show, the “teenage witch” drama THE SECRET CIRCLE.
THE SECRET CIRCLE will join THE VAMPIRE DIARIES on THURSDAYS, while spy-fi series NIKITA will take the departed SMALLVILLE’s Friday 8:00 PM slot, before the returning SUPERNATURAL.

THE SECRET CIRCLE – “Cassie Blake was a happy, normal teenage girl – until her mother Amelia dies in what appears to be a tragic accidental fire. Orphaned and deeply saddened, Cassie moves in with her warm and loving grandmother Jane in the beautiful small town of Chance Harbor, Washington — the town her mother left so many years before—where the residents seem to know more about Cassie than she does about herself.
As Cassie gets to know her high school classmates, including sweet-natured Diana and her handsome boyfriend Adam, brooding loner Nick, mean-girl Faye and her sidekick Melissa, strange and frightening things begin to happen. When her new friends explain that they are all descended from powerful witches, and they’ve been waiting for Cassie to join them and complete a new generation of the Secret Circle, Cassie refuses to believe them—until Adam shows her how to unlock her incredible magical powers. But it’s not until Cassie discovers a message from her mother in an old leather-bound book of spells hidden in her mother’s childhood bedroom, that she understands her true and dangerous destiny.
What Cassie and the others don’t yet know is that darker powers are at play, powers that might be linked to the adults in the town, including Diana’s father and Faye’s mother—and that Cassie’s mother’s death might not have been an accident.
The series stars Britt Robertson as Cassie Blake, Thomas Dekker as Adam Conant, Gale Harold as Charles Meade, Phoebe Tonkin as Fay Chamberlain, Jessica Parker Kennedy as Melissa, Shelley Hennig as Diana Meade, Louis Hunter as Nick, Ashley Crow as Jane Blake and Natasha Henstridge as Dawn Chamberlain.
Based upon the book series by L.J. Smith (author of The Vampire Diaries book series), THE SECRET CIRCLE is from Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios with executive producers Kevin Williamson (The Vampire Diaries, Scream, Dawson’s Creek), Andrew Miller (Imaginary Bitches), Leslie Morgenstein (The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl) and Gina Girolamo. Elizabeth Craft (The Vampire Diaries, Lie to Me) & Sarah Fain (The Vampire Diaries, Lie to Me) were executive producers on the pilot which was directed by Liz Friedlander (The Vampire Diaries, 90210).”

CW Renews 'Vampire Diaries', 'Supernatural'

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Tom Powers

Entertainment Weekly reports that The CW announced early renewals of it’s genre series THE VAMPIRE DIARIES and SUPENATURAL for next season.
VAMPIRE DIARIES is no surprize, as it’s the network’s number one show this year. SUPERNATURAL is holding it’s own, now in it’s sixth season—and since SMALLVILLE has it series finale after ten years on May 13th, a show to anchor the difficult Friday night schedule is much needed.
The fact that both shows are produced by or in association with CW half-parent Warner Brothers Television couldn’t hurt, either.

'Smallville' Will NOT Return Tonight

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Tom Powers

The CW Network has announced that SMALLVILLE will NOT return in the new episode Collateral tonight, Jan. 28th.

On Friday, January 28, (8:00-9:00 p.m.) an encore of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES episode titled “The Descent” will air in place of the previously announced SMALLVILLE episode titled “Collateral.”
Also, please note the following changes to schedule on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2:
– From 8:00-9:00 p.m., an encore of the SMALLVILLE episode “Icarus” will air in place of the previously announced episode of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES titled “The Descent.”
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2
“SMALLVILLE” – (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)
“Icarus” (TV-14, V) (HDTV)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4
“SMALLVILLE” – (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)
“Collateral” (TV-14, LV) (HDTV)

Chole (Alison Mack) and Oliver Queen (Justin Hartley) in 'Collateral'

CHLOE SULLIVAN RETURNS TO SMALLVILLE – Clark (Tom Welling), Oliver (Justin Hartley), Lois (Erica Durance) and Dinah (guest star Alaina Huffman) are released by the VRA after being captured at Hawkman’s funeral but each of them have flashbacks of Chloe (Allison Mack) holding them against their will. When Chloe returns, Dinah warns the others that Chloe may now be a traitor. Oliver dismisses her concerns but Clark is unsure if he can trust Chloe after she disappeared without an explanation. Cassidy Freeman also stars. Morgan Beggs directed the episode written by Jordan Hawley.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11
“SMALLVILLE” – (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)
“Beacon” (TV-14, V) (HDTV)
MARTHA KENT COMES HOME – Clark (Tom Welling) is surprised to see Martha (Annette O’Toole) on the news speaking at a pro-vigilante rally. However, surprise quickly turns to horror when he and Lois (Erica Durance) watch as Martha is injured in an attack on national television. Meanwhile, Lionel (John Glover) reveals himself to the world and reclaims LuthorCorp from Tess (Cassidy Freeman) and Oliver (Justin Hartley). Lois and Chloe (Allison Mack) decide to cheer Clark up by showing him videos from thousands of vigilante supporters professing their support for The Blur. Videos were created and submitted by actual “Smallville” fans. Mike Rohl directed the episode written by Don Whitehead & Holly Henderson.

No explantion was given for the change.

Vampire Diaries – "Brave New World" – Trailer

Posted on September 14, 2010 by Tom Powers

Here’s the Offical Description and trailer for this week’s new episode of The CW’s THE VAMPIRE DIARIES: ‘Brave New World’.

“When a confused and desperate Caroline (Candice Accola) leaves the hospital and joins her friends at the Mystic Falls Carnival, Damon (Ian Somerhalder) wants to take immediate action, but Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Elena (Nina Dobrev) come to Caroline’s defense.
Matt (Zach Roerig) is completely mystified by Caroline’s behavior, but still tries to tell her about his feelings for her. Damon has suspicions about Tyler’s Uncle Mason (guest star Taylor Kinney) and uses Tyler’s (Michael Trevino) volatile personality in an attempt to get Mason to reveal his secret.
Upset with everything going on around her, Bonnie (Katerina Graham) takes her anger out on Damon.
Steven R. McQueen also stars.
John Dahl directed the episode written by Brian Young.”

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES airs Thursday nights at 8:00 pm/7:00 Central on The CW Network.

'Vampire Diaries' Season Premeire Description – Teaser

Posted on September 7, 2010 by Tom Powers

Here’s the Official Description of the September 9th Season Premiere of the CW Network’s THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, with the extended Second Season teaser trailer.
The Return
Picking up on the same night as last season’s finale, Elena (Nina Dobrev) arrives home to a nightmare as she discovers Uncle John’s and Jeremy’s fate. At the hospital, Sheriff Forbes (guest star Marguerite MacIntyre) is comforted by Matt (Zach Roering), Bonnie (Katerina Graham) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) while she waits to hear if Caroline (Candice Accola) will survive the car accident. After a confusing conversation with Elena about the night’s events, Damon is the first to realize that Katherine (also played by Nina Dobrev) has returned. Katherine’s arrival sends Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon on a path to find out what she wants, why she’s back, and how much of a threat she is to the people they love.
Meanwhile, still reeling from his father’s death, Tyler (Michael Trevino) is surprised when his charming and mysterious uncle, Mason Lockwood (guest star Taylor Kinney, “Trauma”), arrives to console the family.
Sara Canning also stars.
J. Miller Tobin directed the episode written by Kevin Williamson & Julie Plec.
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES airs Thursdays at 8:00 p.m./7:oo Central on the CW Network.

Laserblast, August 31 Home Video: Vampire Diaries, Evil Dead, Thiller

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Steve Biodrowski

Also: CARNIVEROUS with DMX, BRAINJACKED, the RED RIDING TRILOGY, and the Ultimate MACHINE GIRL Collector’s Tin.

Though not as loaded with gruesome goodies as last Tuesday, August 31 offers some exciting horror, fantasy, and science fiction titles on home video, including a DVD box set of DVD of THRILLER hosted by Boris Karloff; a new limited edition Blu-ray disc of Sam Raimi’s THE EVIL DEAD (1982); and also THE VAMPIRE DIARIES: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON, which arrives on DVD and Blu-ray. The later offers an abundant cornucopia for fans of the CW series: four-disc Blu-ray set and the five-disc DVD set run over 900 minutes, with these bonus features:

Into Mystic Falls: Bringing Vampire Lore and the High School Experience from Page to Screen
When Vampires Don’t Suck!: The Popularity of Vampires and the Fans Who Love Them
The Vampire Diaries: A New Breed of Vampires — Casting the Series
The Vampire Diaries: Vampires 101 – The Rules of the Vampire
Creators/director pilot commentary
Unaired scenes
The Vampire Diaries: A Darker Truth Webisodes
Second Bite: gag reel
Downloadable Audiobook of the Bestselling Novel The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L.J. Smith

Anchor Bay’s new limited edition Blu-ray disc OF THE EVIL DEAD is essentially their old three-disc Ultimate Edition DVD condensed down to one Blu-ray disc (which contains two high-def transfers and an all-new audio commentary with director Sam Raimi, producer Robert Tappert, and actor Bruce Campbell) and one DVD (which ports over the old bonus features). The 1080p transfers are presented in anamorphic 1.85 and the original 1.33 aspect ratio, with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio. Essentially, this recreated the Ultimate Edition DVD presentation, which also offered widescreen and full-screen transfers (although on separate discs). The only feature missing from the Ultimate Edition DVD is the two audio commentaries: Raimi and Tappert recorded one for the widescreen version; Campbell recorded a separate one for the full-screen version.

For fans of classic horror, the DVD release of THRILLER is big news. The show, which made its debut on NBC way back in September of 1960, has been seldom seen in syndication recently and apparently never available on home video. The 14-disc box set includes all 67 hour-long episodes from the show’s two-season run. Although less well known than THE TWILIGHT ZONE or THE OUTER LIMITS, THRILLER offered similar high-quality episodes, with wonderfully atmospheric black-and-white photography; some great scripts based on classic horror literature; and numerous guest stars, including William Shatner (STAR TREK), Leslie Nielsen (FORBIDDEN PLANET), Robert Vaughn (THE MAN FROM UNCLE), Ursula Andress (DR. NO), Henry Daniel (THE BODY SNATCHERS), Robert Cornthwaite (THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD), and more. Bonus features include extensive galleries or production and promotion stills, promotional clips, isolated music and effects tracks for select episodes, and 27 new audio commentaries. Read more here.

Over a week late, we want to mention GODKILLER: WALK AMONG US [Complete Film DVD], which bears an official release date of August 21 (a Saturday – rare for home video, which usually arrives on Tuesday). GODKILLER, which deals with human begins engaged in a war among fallen gods, is a so-called “Illustrated Film,” a format coined by Matt Pizzolo and Brian Giberson that dramatizs the comic book story with illustrated voice performances (by Lance Henriksen, Danielle Harris, Bill Moseley, Tiffany Shepis), using anime-style motion graphics. This DVD includes the entire feature film, unedited, including a brand new bonus epilogue, plus PDF files of the comic book on which the film is based. The film is also available on VOD for rent or purchase.
Also available for rent or purchase this week: CARNIVEROUS with DMX, BRAINJACKED, the RED RIDING TRILOGY, and the Ultimate MACHINE GIRL Collector’s Tin. You can find them all below, or find more in the Cinefantastique Online Store.
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The CW's Fall Genre Premieres

Posted on July 1, 2010 by Tom Powers

–Plus NIKITA Clip & MOONLIGHT–

Here’s a rundown on The CW Networks season premieres from the press release, including their new version of the female super-spy NIKITA, based on LA FEMME NIKITA.
Check out this preview video clip from the upcoming show.

On Thursday, September 9, the network’s #1 show, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) returns for a second season and leads into new action-drama series NIKITA (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET). NIKITA stars international action-film star and martial arts expert Maggie Q (“Mission Impossible III”) in the title role as a spy and assassin for a top secret U.S. government agency, who rebels against the system that created her and will stop at nothing to bring their powerful operation to an end.

On Friday, September 24, SMALLVILLE (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) kicks-off its tenth and final season with the non-stop action and classic DC Comics characters viewers love, followed by the sixth season of SUPERNATURAL (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET).

And tonight on MOONLIGHT, the short-lived CBS vampire show, which the CW is buring off in its ‘Summer Season’:

“Mick (Alex O’Loughlin) hunts a teenaged vampire who is preying on female escorts he finds on the Internet. Meanwhile, Mick and Beth (Sophia Myles) try to avoid each other after sharing an intimate moment. Shannyn Sossamon and Jason Dohring also star.
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT — Michael Fields directed the episode written by Chip Johannessen.”