A wondrous look at the universe and ourselves

Contact Starring Jodie Foster, Matthew McConaughey Rated PG 150 Minutes

r. Ellie Arroway (Foster) has been listening all her life. She listened to the ham radio her father (David Morse) set up for her when she was a child, trying to contact people around the world. As an adult, she works on the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence project and listens to the stars.

While on the project she meets Palmer Joss (McConaughey), a man who believes deeply in God and is searching to discover how much of a benefit science has really been to the human race. Palmer quickly falls for Ellie and they have a brief affair. However, when SETI's funding is cut by Dr. David Drumlin (Tom Skerritt), Ellie heads up her own project in New Mexico financed by a Howard Hughes-type billionaire named S.R. Hadden (John Hurt).

Ellie pushes the project as far as she can, desperately listening. Just as the project's about to end, she hears a signal from space. It's definitely intelligent and it's more than just an audio signal. There's surprising video footage and schematic diagrams for some sort of machine.

But what does the alien's message mean? What do they want? Are they hostile? Will the message lead to contact with an alien race? As Ellie and those around her struggle to answer the questions and decipher the message, the next question becomes, if there is contact, who will be the first to meet them?

Sagan's voice rings through

Contact is a terrific thinking-person's movie about the search for extraterrestrial life, a subject that hasn't been brought to film this well since Close Encounters of the Third Kind. There isn't one big bug alien in sight, and the White House doesn't get destroyed in spectacular fashion. The thrills from Contact come from one woman's obsession and what she discovers during her search to find the answer to one simple question: Are we alone? Through its quest to discover the truth, Contact ends up being more about the human race than the aliens Ellie is so desperately searching for.

Directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by James V. Hart and Michael Goldenberg, Contact is based on the novel of the same name by the late Carl Sagan. Sagan's enthusiasm, wonder and curiosity ring throughout the entire film, taking viewers to surprising places as it delves into not only questions of science, but also questions of religion and how the two might be connected.

However, Contact is not a perfect film, and it seems particularly manipulative when it brings in the "bad guys." Also annoying was the incorporation of President Clinton, placed in scenes with the actors (undoubtedly to make the movie seem more timely). A stint by Rob Lowe as a moral majority leader was silly casting for such a serious movie. Also, with a large pool of highly-trained astronauts ready to go up in space, it seems highly unlikely the two main candidates for space travel would end up being the characters chosen in the movie.

Still, with the Mars landing and the public's growing enthusiasm for space travel, the timing for this film would be perfect if only Sagan were still around to see it. He would have been proud.

One character in the film asks, "Do you think there are people on other planets?" Another answers, "I don't know. But if it's just us, it would be an awful waste of space." Contact is not a waste of space. -- Kathie

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More villains lurk behind the stargate

Stargate SG-1 Starring Richard Dean Anderson, Michael Shanks Showtime Nudity, Violence, Adult Language Premieres July 27, 8 p.m. ET

t's been over a year since Colonel Jack O'Neil (Anderson) traveled through the "stargate" with Dr. Daniel Jackson (Shanks). The stargate turned out to be the passageway to another planet, Abydos, which was ruled by an evil alien being who called himself Ra. O'Neil and Jackson did battle with Ra and dispatched him with a nuclear weapon.

After his retirement from the military, O'Neil isn't surprised when he's called back to discuss his mission through the stargate. He disobeyed orders to destroy the stargate on Abydos, which would have closed the passageway forever and, perhaps, killed everyone on the planet. Instead he left Jackson there to live with the people.

The stargate has been opened on the other side, and a raid by someone very much like Ra has left four soldiers dead and one missing. After admitting that he lied in his report, O'Neil is called into action again to lead another team through the stargate to see if there's a threat and if Jackson is still alive.

After leading the team through the stargate, O'Neil discovers that the threat didn't come from Abydos. However, Jackson has found hieroglyphics that lead him to believe they are a map of many stargates throughout the galaxy. If that is the case, then the attack could have come from any planet with a stargate.

After an attack on the Abydos people which leaves many dead and Jackson's wife and another kidnapped, O'Neil and Jackson realize they must track down this new threat for the sake of those taken and to protect the Earth.

Another promising series for Showtime

Stargate SG-1 doesn't miss a beat as it picks up where the movie ended. Executive producers Jonathan Glassner and Brad Wright have done a good job bringing the series to life, keeping most of the original premise intact. There's still plenty of action, and the special effects, while TV-sized, are reminiscent of the movie.

Fans of the original movie will not be disappointed, although some changes have been made to accommodate the series. Ra was thought to be the last of his kind. That he is not was to be expected if Stargate was to continue as a series. A little harder to swallow is the fact that Ra's people suddenly speak fluent English. The way in which Ra's people take over a human body is also a new development.

Richard Dean Anderson leads the cast in the role of Jack O'Neil (originally played by Kurt Russell). Anderson doesn't waste time trying to do an imitation of Russell, instead inhabiting O'Neil as his own character, without much MacGyver hanging around. Shanks takes over the role of Dr. Daniel Jackson (originally played by James Spader), and does a fairly good take on Spader's original characterization. Amanda Tapping as Capt. Samantha Carter seems a bit out of place as the writers try to create sexual tension between her and Anderson (not terribly successfully at this stage).

If this follows in the tradition of The Outer Limits and Poltergeist: The Legacy (which it undoubtedly will), the series will eventually become syndicated, so viewers without access to Showtime will have a chance to see it in time. And with a 44 episode commitment, Stargate SG-1 looks to be around for a while.

Stargate was a fun B movie. Stargate SG-1 looks to be a fun, blast-'em-up, B television series. If you're a fan of the movie, the series will not disappoint. Maybe it's time to get Showtime. -- Kathie

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Six young travelers are the only hope for the human race

Mission Genesis Starring Nicole deBoer, Gordon Michael Woolvett The Sci-Fi Channel Premieres July 21, 7:30 p.m. ET

n the series premiere of Mission Genesis (entitled "Awakening") a young woman (deBoer) awakens in a strange place. She doesn't know what her name is or who she is. She soon finds Reb (Woolvett) and remembers that her name is Yuna, but neither of them know where they are. However, they do know they are in trouble: They are under attack by something or someone.

As the two rush to find some sort of help, they discover they are on a starship and they are being attacked by another craft. When the ship's computer goes off line they also find out they are the crew, and it's up to them to figure out how to fight back. Sitting down at the computer consoles, they somehow know what to do, and enough memory returns to allow them to temporarily escape the attacking ship.

After that, four other crew members awaken, but all are suffering from memory loss. With the computer off line and the attacking ship hot on their trail, they all must quickly figure out what they need to do to survive and worry about why they are on the ship later. But who will lead them and will they figure it out in time?

In the second episode ("Lullaby"), Zak (Craig Kirkwood) gets the ship's computer, Gen, back on line, only to have Gen's holographic computer image (Julie Khaner) insist that the crew return to cryogenic sleep so they can complete their mission. She's very intent and will make sure they do it one way or another. With Gen still damaged from the attack, the crew must figure out a way to repair her, learn what their mission is, and discover who they really are.

Promising but short

Mission Genesis is The Sci-Fi Channel's first original dramatic series. Executive Producers Wilf Copeland and Alex Nassar have stirred up a solid first effort with a fair premise, decent computer-generated special effects and a talented cast.

The premise deals with subjects including space travel, cloning, the possible destruction of the human race and a holographic computer image: Nothing new to the savvy SF audience. However, Mission Genesis plays out nicely and the first two episodes were well written and directed. Judging by these episodes and descriptions of future shows, there are hints that the storyline will become more complicated and involving as the series progresses. Only time will tell.

At this point the show's biggest strength lies with the promising cast. DeBoer's Yuna, as the ship's navigator, and Woolvett's Reb, as the crew's leader, are especially strong. The rest of the cast hasn't had much air time yet, but the series should have plenty of time to develop their characters.

Seldom has the half-hour format worked well for a dramatic series, and that's the biggest drawback to Mission Genesis. Just when the action starts the episode is over and it's a week before the next. The format also hinders any kind of involved story line from developing over the short span of one episode. To the series' credit, it appears to be somewhat episodic in nature, which should help draw in a loyal science fiction audience.

Mission Genesis is promising even in its half-hour format. With an hour per show it could be a strong contender. -- Kathie

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A unique new series in the form of four two-hour movies

Tales from a Parallel Universe Starring Brian Downey, Eva Habermann, Michael McManus The Movie Channel Nudity, Violence Episode 1, July 19, 9 p.m. ET/PT Episode 2, July 26, 9 p.m. ET/PT

is Shadow is an evil being who rules the 20,000 planets of the known universe. He consists of two parts: an ethereal spirit inhabiting a human host. When the body of one host wears out, His Shadow's spirit leaves this "predecessor" for a new body that has had its personality cleansed from it.

In the far, far future one of the predecessors has killed the last of the Brunnen-G, seemingly putting an end to the prophecy that a member of the Brunnen-G would one day kill the dark lord. Another 2,000 years pass before the most recent incarnation of His Shadow -- this time melded with a psychotic criminal whose personality was not fully cleansed -- decides to test the prophecy...by creating the very conditions necessary for the prophecy to come true. This includes reviving the last of the Brunnen-G, who was turned into an almost indestructible murderous automaton but who has regained his memory from the predecessor who killed him (each predecessor lives on as a disembodied brain).

At the center of it all is the Lexx, a living starship capable of destroying entire planets. It is the most powerful weapon in the galaxy and answers only to a genetic code key held by His Shadow. But a group of rebels that His Shadow allows to run rampant have their own code key, and soon their key will deliver the Lexx into the hands of three galactic misfits who may be the catalysts for the prophecy...or who may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Livers and intestines and brains, oh my

From the outset one thing should be made absolutely clear about this new series: It's gory. Really gory. Cannibalism, evisceration, the removal of still-living brains from sawn-open skulls...that's just the beginning. And it should also be said that this series doesn't have a huge budget. There are certainly some excellent special effects in the first two movies, but they contrast sharply with some of the cheapest rubberized costumes ever to make it on the air.

And it's definitely oddball. The main characters are a galactic loser named Stanley Tweedle (Downey), a dead guy named Kai (McManus) who's managed to hang around for 2,000 years, a woman named Zev (Habermann) who's been given a body that's part love slave and part Cluster Lizard but without the love slave programming, and a discorporated robot head that accidentally received the love slave programming and is now in love with Zev. And the big, dark, scary shadow guy. And a truly horrifying cannibal. Plus lots of brains. And the Lexx.

Throw it all together and...it's good. How good? Even the most cynical fan of SF will have to admit that this series has something unique going for it. Of course, defining that something is entirely another matter. There is the visual look and feel that's part Gilliam and part Besson, the story line that ranges from outrageous humor (much of it bad) to earnest intensity, and the acting which is by turns horrible, witty and inspired. Overall it is such a mishmash of...things...and a clash of styles that, taken individually, any one part is barely comprehensible, but taken together the whole is well worth watching.

It doesn't suck, but then again it's not great. I'd have to heartily recommend this with severe misgivings. Make sure to keep an eye out for guest stars Barry Bostwick, Tim Curry, Rutger Hauer and Malcolm McDowell. -- Craig E.

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"Okay, punk. Put the ion cannon down and keep your tentacles where I can see them."

Men in Black Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith Rated PG-13 113 Minutes

ateline: Upstate New York. A saucer-shaped object has just crashed, flaming, into the fertile earth of a rural farm. Local farmer (known to the locals as a big, mean jerk) goes out to the front yard to investigate. He meets the occupant, who, a little far away from the alien Triple-A, sucks out the farmer's insides and dons his outsides like an ill-fitting pair of longjohns. The only witness to this event is a Holstein cow, and she won't comment.

Dateline: New York City. Unknown to most, aliens made contact with Earth decades ago. Not only are Earthlings not alone, but the planet has been turned into a sort of intergalactic Casablanca, an official, neutral territory for the refugees and the dispossessed who live among Earthlings in undetectable disguises. K (Jones) is part of a super-maxi-ultra-secret agency, the Men in Black, that tracks them. This agency also is entrusted with making sure the ignorant of Earth stay ignorant. Anyone who gets too familiar with the truth gets a partial memory-wipe, courtesy of the MiB.

Dateline: New York City. Police officer James Edwards (Smith) has a chance encounter with an alien and uncovers a thread of a plot by one alien race (see related story, re: upstate New York) to assassinate the alien ambassador of another. Agent K is so impressed with his smarts and athleticism that he recruits him into the agency. Edwards is now J, and the two have just a few days to save the ambassador and save Earth.

The best in its class

Men in Black is unequivocally the best of its class, its class being science fiction action flicks with quick, fun wit, one-liners, way-neat special effects and fancy gizmos. Jones and Smith have good chemistry, but, nicely enough, not so much that it overshadows the rest of the film, which has strong supporting players, and scary and funny aliens both. Wonder of wonders, as the two MiBs race to save the planet in their souped-up Ford, they're actually on the same track as the plot.

MiB is also distinguished by its supporting cast. Nobody's a bit player, even the bit players. The most fantastic of the second string is Linda Fiorentino (who should have been first string, she's that good). Any lessor actor would have been hard-pressed to compete with the hip slickness of Smith and the genteel red-neckedness of Jones, but when she delivers her lines, she positively crackles with power.

Anything even a little awful about MiB? No, not really. It's either one's type of movie or it isn't. Even the one-liners meant for the beer-nut crowd will be acceptable to the savant contingent. They are reasonably clever, not overdone, and pretty much enjoyable. Men in Black is so good and did so much box office on its first night that audiences can be assured that Smith and Jones, dressed in black, will be back to save the planet in a summer coming soon to a theater near you.

And thus a franchise is born. -- Tamara

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A new Batman and all-new bat villains

Batman & Robin Starring George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger Rated PG-13 126 minutes

here's a new bad guy in Gotham City, and his name is Mr. Freeze (Schwarzenegger). Freeze is stealing large, perfect diamonds to power a devilish weapon that would freeze everything. Do-gooders Batman (Clooney) and Robin (Chris O'Donnell) have their hands full trying to handle Freeze and his ice thugs when another complication arrives. Her name is Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman), and she truly is poison.

Meanwhile on the home front, Batman's "civilian" counterpart Bruce Wayne (also Clooney) is being pressed for a commitment by his year-long girlfriend (Elle MacPherson), and Alfred the butler (Michael Gough) is not well. In fact, he's dying of a rare disorder that has no cure. Alfred's niece (Alicia Silverstone) has come to visit and to take care of him. As Alfred desperately searches for his brother (someone must carry on taking care of all these Bat people, after all), he gets weaker and weaker.

Back in the big city, Poison Ivy and Mr. Freeze team up as Batman and Robin take on a new partner, Batgirl (also Silverstone). As Ivy and Freeze set about taking over the world, both Batman and Robin are having trouble keeping their minds on the job. It seems Ivy uses a perfume which makes her irresistible to men.

Will Poison Ivy give Robin that deadly kiss? Will Batman and Robin figure out Batgirl is Alfred's niece? Will Alfred die or at least find someone to take on his goofy job? Will Freeze freeze the world? As Bat, bird and girl battle the bad guys (and girls) only time will tell.

There's not much meat to this Batman & Robin

Batman & Robin offers up the series' trademark art direction, action sequences, cool gadgets and tight-fitting costumes for its title characters. Unfortunately, this fourth movie in the series offers little of interest. As directed by Joel Schumacher and written by Akiva Goldsman, this is a mighty thin addition to the Batman movies.

The success of the series has always rested on the colorful villains, and that's part of the problem. Uma Thurman is terrific as Poison Ivy, the bad botanist who has the boys fighting over her. But Arnold Schwarzenegger is a bit too cool as Mr. Freeze. He actually gives a kind of sensitive performance as he mourns his cryogenically frozen wife, but he doesn't create a very compelling villain. However, everyone knows Arnold knows how to play a villain (can you say Terminator). The problem lies solidly with the script.

As for the new Batman, Clooney does what he can but is also a victim of the script. Series veteran O'Donnell continues to be a good Robin, and Silverstone is up to the task as Batgirl. Gough's Alfred is perfect...as usual.

It's always been amazing that the Batman movies could introduce so many characters and still be a fun ride. Each movie seemed very full. Unfortunately for Batman & Robin, action, art direction and special effects can't hold up the weak script. If the series is to continue it will have to find a direction. At this point it seems more headed toward the old television show. But what's fun and colorful as a television series just won't cut it as a major film release. Perhaps that's why this effort felt so empty.

Bat fans have undoubtedly seen Batman & Robin as they've already cast their vote with low ticket sales after the first couple of weeks. It's not a horrible movie, but it's not very good either. Unfortunately, it's unremarkable in just about every way. -- Kathie

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