Saturday, July 3, 2010

Is BBC's Merlin a Parselmouth?

In J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series both Harry and Voldemort are Parselmouths, wizards able to speak to snakes, and I found it interesting that Merlin in the second season finale episode on the BB1's Merlin that Merlin displays a similar ability (and similar speech pattern):







Thursday, July 1, 2010

Merlin Season Two Marathon on Syfy

Syfy celebrates the conclusion of the second season of the BBC1 series Merlin on Friday with an all-day marathon of the entire season that culminates in the season finale at 10 PM EST. The series offers a fresh look at the Arthurian story and places a teenaged Merlin at Camelot, where he must protect its inhabitants, including the magic-hating King Uther Pendragon and adolescent versions of Arthur and Morgan le Fay, from evil mages who seek, from week to week, to overthrow or kill Uther.



Details of the marathon are as follows:

FRI., 2 JULY
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

The Black Cauldron (1985) on DVD

On 14 September 2010, Disney will be releasing a 25th-anniversary edition of The Black Cauldron (1985), the studio's first PG animated film, to DVD. Based on the novel by Lloyd Alexander, the film features a number of magic-wielding figures. The following information comes direct from Disney, and various trailers can be found online, including one from the original theatrical release in 1985 and a second (posted after the blurb) for an earlier DVD release:

Fantasy, magic and fun are all brewed together in Disney's legendary adventure The Black Cauldron. Created from a new digital master, this 25th Anniversary Edition features vibrant picture presentation and includes exciting new bonus features!

Whoever releases the mysterious Black Cauldron's power will be invincible! The fearsome Horned King will do anything to possess it, but he is challenged by the most unlikely adversary: a young assistant pig keeper named Taran, who dreams of doing heroic deeds. With a motley team of the brave Princess Eilonwy, a minstrel named Fflewddur Fflam and Hen Wen, a remarkable pig who can predict the future, Taran embarks on a quest to stop the Black Cauldron's evil once and for all. Will he have the courage to succeed?




Amazon.com provides the following information on the new release's bonus features:

New bonus features:
• Deleted scene: The Fairfolk: Join Taran, Fflewddur Fflam, Gurgi, and Princess Eilonwy as they travel into the depths of the earth, and meet the Fairfolk
• The Witches’ Challenge Game: In order to defeat the dark powers of the Horned King, you must get the magical sword. The sword is held by the Witches of Morva. Solve their riddles and the sword is yours
Plus classic DVD features:
• Still frame gallery – Gallery of behind-the-scenes artwork and photos
• Theatrical trailer: Original theatrical trailer
• Quest For The Black Cauldron: Race to reach the Black Cauldron before the evil Horned King does in this trivia game
• Trick Or Treat: Donald Duck cartoon from 1952