To further stoke fan speculation about what's going to happen in The X-Files: I Want to Believe, which opens July 25 — and to reintroduce the series to those who may not have been X-philes when it was on the air — a "new" X-Files DVD is being released today. The compilation of eight episodes is called "Revelations," and as the cover itself proclaims, this is the "Essential Guide to the X-Files movie," with "8 critical episodes handpicked by the series creator."

Does it deliver? Yes and no.

The DVD's eight episodes span the first six seasons of the television series, skipping (wisely) the last three seasons entirely. At first this seemed a little odd, because if this DVD is supposed to be the essential guide to the movie, and the movie takes place after Season 9, don't we need to know what happens in those last three seasons? A short "series trailer" included on the first disc does give a rundown of the entire nine seasons, but I'm going to guess that what happened in the last three seasons just isn't that important. (Sorry, Annabeth Gish fans, but I never could get into the character of Agent Reyes.)

Each episode is certainly a classic — "Pilot," "Beyond the Sea," "The Host," "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose," "Memento Mori," "Post-Modern Prometheus," "Bad Blood" and "Milagro" — and each one is introduced by series creator Chris Carter and executive producer Frank Spotnitz. Their commentary, though, is limited to a couple of minutes each time, so they don't provide a lot of new information.

It is amusing to see Gillian Anderson stick her head over Chris Carter's shoulder in the commentary before "Milagro," and she is wearing the tan trench coat you've seen in preview photos for the X-Files movie, but very little is revealed about what's going to happen in the film. It does seem that Carter is shooting these intros on the set of the movie, though, because at one point a man in full surgical scrubs (an actor, I'm guessing) walks right behind him. I can't believe that wasn't entirely orchestrated, so, uh, spoiler alert? Man in scrubs will be in movie! … continue reading

Somebody up there hates Gillian Anderson. Maybe it's the aliens. Maybe it's the men in black. Maybe it's legions of fangirls and boys who can't believe their skeptical goddess of geekery is now cavorting with the tea and crumpets crowd over at Masterpiece Theatre. Regardless the source, there can be no other explanation for the Photoshop of horrors that is her face on the cover of the new TV Guide magazine.

My eyes! My eyes! Great googley-moogley, what the hell happened to her face? Who is that? Because that is certainly not Gillian or even Dana Scully. Has she been abducted by the aliens? Is this a not-so-cryptic hint as to the heretofore cryptic plot for their new film X-Files: I Want to Believe? Should I have put a spoiler warning at the top of this post?

What makes the TV Guide's Photoshopped atrocity even more perplexing is that Gillian seems to be the sole target of their digital wrath. David Duchovny looks OK — a little unnaturally smooth and strangely putty-colored, but otherwise fairly Mulderesque. But Gillian is barely recognizable. If she wasn't standing next to David it might even take me a few guesses. This, folks, is what happens when overzealous photo editors try to hide all signs of aging. They strip the humanity and, as a result, beauty of of a face. It ain't pretty. … continue reading

I want to believe … in the new X-Files movie. As a fan since the early '90s (Hey, remember those? Good times.), I watched nearly religiously until 1998 when something funny happened. I went to see The X-Files movies. While I liked the film, it was my jump-the-shark moment. Afterward, I felt like all the twists and turns in its convoluted conspiracy were too much come-on, not enough pay-off.

So now, with the new The X-Files: I Want to Believe opening July 25, I'm not sure whether that old paranormal magic will work on me again. Can Scully and Mulder make me believe, one last time?

I wasn't sure. And then I saw the trailer today. (If you don't like squinting, watch it on this website and click on "View High Res.")

I'll admit it, once the show's spooky theme started to play, I was hooked. Dark hallways. Secret labs. Big needles. And, oh, what glorious flashlights. But then, after my inner geek calmed down at the sight of Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny together again, I put my analytical hat back on. (What? I can't wear the tinfoil one all the time.) … continue reading

Yes, summer doesn't officially begin until June 21, but the folks in Hollywood like to start things off early, so the summer blockbusters season is officially beginning. Last year, movies like Spider-Man 3, Shrek the Third, Transformers, Ocean's 13 (and many others) took a lot of people to the movies, with total ticket sales amounting to almost $10 billion. This year, the grand total may not be that much, but with a little help from the following movies, it's likely to come close.

Here are the blockbusters you should watch out for, starting this week:

Speed Racer (May 9)

The cartoon series Speed Racer was a very successful adaptation of a Japanese anime originally called Mach GoGoGo. Still, I wouldn't make a movie out of it, but the Wachowski brothers thought it was a good idea. I really liked watching the show when I was a kid (seriously, how gay am I?), so I'm curious as to how they're going to adapt it. I'm also curious to see Trixie (Speed's girlfriend), played by Christina Ricci. Go Speed Racer, go!

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (May 22)

Indiana Jones (and Harrison Ford) is finally back for the fourth film in the series. No, Indy doesn't have a cane yet, but we'll meet an older version of the character, obviously. However, the character I'm most looking forward to meeting (as are you, probably) is Agent Irina Spalko, the evildoer played by the lovely Cate Blanchett. Actually, she'll play a Soviet Union agent. How hot is that? Yeah, not much, I guess. But not so bad either, in a sexy dominatrix kind of way (see the pictures and you'll know what I mean.) They can certainly count on my 10 bucks! … continue reading

What do Will Smith, Meryl Streep, Gillian Anderson, Steve Carrell, Cate Blanchett, and the young girl from Akele and the Bee have in common? They're all starring in movies we want to see this summer. (Archeology! Singing! Football! Not all in the same movie, fortunately.)

In this episode of SMMWT!, Lori and I discuss which movies coming out this summer we really want to see — and which ones we definitely don't. (One word: Baghead. Yes, that's right, it's a movie about a guy wearing a paper bag over his head. 'Nuff said.)

As you can tell by my voice and vague resemblance to road kill, I'm still recovering from the cold I got at Dinah, so please bear with me if I seem a little low-key. I'll be back up to full-speed soon, so enjoy my slower pace while it lasts (I know Lori is!).

What summer movies are you most looking forward to? Chime in in the comments!

It's official: The new X-Files movie, which lands in theaters July 25, will be called I Want to Believe. As many people remember, the phrase was imprinted on a poster that Mulder (David Duchovny) had in his basement office.

Series creator Chris Carter told the AP that "It's a natural title. It's a story that involves the difficulties in mediating faith and science. 'I Want to Believe.' It really does suggest Mulder's struggle with his faith."

The movie will not deal with the series' mythology — the often convoluted plot involving a government conspiracy, little green men and alien babies — but rather will resemble the standalone episodes in which Mulder and Scully investigate a paranormal event or crime. Carter said that this movie aims to bring in both new fans (who were probably too young to watch the scary show in the '90s) and satisfy X-Philes. "The reason we're even making the movie is for the rabid fans, so we don't want to insult them by having to take them back through the concept again," he said.

Photo credit: Diyah Pera

In the past, episode titles have given clues to an episode's story line, but in keeping with the tight security surrounding leaks from this new movie (the select few who were allowed to read the script had to read it in a locked room fitted with surveillance cameras), even the title is vague. And while the phrase "I want to believe" brings back fond memories (of basking in the glow of my computer screen reading tons of fanfic — I admit it!), I'm not sure it's a title I entirely love. … continue reading

So you're watching a scary movie, and the expendable female character, who is probably blonde, is about to die. You know this because of (a) the Psycho-esque shrieking music, (b) the food, either in the microwave or stove, that is beginning to burn, or (c) it is starting to rain outside, and said female is trying to escape from her car but cannot hold onto her keys. The correct answer? Any or all of the above.

Ah, movie and TV clichés. We all know the things that happen only in the movies or on TV. If you've ever lived in a large city, you know that the Sex and the City girls had to be wearing some sort of taxi-attracting pheromone. That is, unless they were in danger, or having a bad day, or needing rescue by a man, in which case no cab would be available. Then they would have to walk, most likely in the rain.

This month, TVsquad.com and its readers have been tracking some favorite clichés. The lists made me chuckle enough that I thought I should share. Here are some of my favorites and my nominations.

Here's one that's bugged me for a while: “In bedroom scenes, men have sheets that reach their waist, but women have L-shaped sheets that come up to their chests.” No kidding! This is especially true on American TV. Heaven forbid we have a wardrobe malfunction and expose the country's children to the evils of the female body. (I know, some of this has to do with actresses who won't do nude or charge for it. But still. Double standard.) … continue reading

Ever wondered what people with really high IQs do in their spare time? Neither have I. Well, OK, I have wondered what some of them do. To the point of distraction, in fact.

But whether you wanted to know or not, Fancast reports that MENSA chairman Jim Werdell watches about 10 hours of television every day. (The average American watches four and a half hours.) And apparently, the combination of high IQ and television addiction makes Werdell qualified to list the 10 smartest TV shows of all time.

I won't argue with No. 1, simply because my daddy's favorite television show was M*A*S*H and he was smart. That's good enough for me.

I'll also concede that Frasier, All in the Family and West Wing deserve spots on the list. (Dang, how much do you miss C.J.?) … continue reading

Television theme songs can be something to revel in, and they can also drive you mad. They can rely on a lyrical message or an instrumental interlude. They can be made to order, or ripped from the pop charts. Love them or hate them, the best theme songs suck you in no matter when you hear them. Images of the show they represent saunter through your mind at the first word or the first chord. The X-Files theme is like that for me.

(Well, most of the images that come to mind when I hear it have more to do with my buddy Mo than with the show itself.) Here's that eerie theme: … continue reading

Both Amanda Peet and Angelina Jolie have new projects in the works in which they play federal agents. Peet has signed on to join the cast of the second X-Files feature, while Jolie will be starring in a film based on real-life super-spy Kathi Lynn Austin.

I miss seeing Amanda Peet on the small screen in Studio 60. So this casting news for The X-Files has made me giddy. I can't wait to see Peet get all authoritarian as an FBI agent.

According to the reports I've read, she'll be playing partner to another new agent, played by rapper Xzibit. Frankly, I don't care who she's playing, as long as they let her play with Gillian Anderson for a scene or two. … continue reading

What do you get when you cross Moonlighting ...

... with The X-Files ...

... and toss in a Buffy alum?

The Sci Fi Channel hopes the answer is something you're all revved up to watch. It's called Warehouse 13, and it's helmed by none other than my second favorite Buffy writer, Jane Espenson. (Joss Whedon is my favorite, of course.) … continue reading

I have vivid memories of Friday nights in the 1990s. They went a little something like this. Eat dinner. Turn on Fox. Turn off the lights. Grab something soft to throw. (TVs are expensive.) Prepare for giant doses of frustration. Then The X-Files would start.

I would watch carefully for guest stars that would give away the appearance of the Cigarette Smoking Man, Ratboy, Deep Throat or Mr. X. I would wait to see who that week's writers were so I knew how likely I was to be frustrated by plot lines and the ever-expanding conspiracy. Morgan and Wong meant twisted but brilliant humor. Chris Carter usually meant a conspiracy episode concocted in the seventh level of Dante's Inferno. Commercial breaks found me either staring blankly at the screen or attempting to analyze what the hell just happened with my over-analyzing The X-Files partner and BFF, Mo. She moved away at several points during the series' run, but that didn't stop our endless X-Files discussions. I recall some outrageous phone bills resulting from weekly 2-hour phone calls, the first hour of which involved us actually being on the phone during the course of the episode. It was several minutes of complete silence followed by intense debate during commercial breaks.

My passion for the show waned after the movie came out. Truth be told, I got bored. I lost track of the conspiracy's never-ending twists and turns. Who's Mulder's father again? What actually happened to his sister? How many types of aliens are there? Who injected what into whom? Part of me believes that Chris Carter lost track of his own conspiracy. … continue reading

I generally avoid TIME magazine in favor of less Time-Warner-owned news outlets, but I generally gravitate toward "best of" lists because I love to hate them (see here and here for recent choice examples). So, what to do with TIME's list of the "The 100 Best TV Shows"?

Dare I say, agree with it? I feel like Scully acknowledging a paranormal phenomenon as paranormal, but there you have it. Since The X-Files made the cut, at least I'm in (very) good company.

… continue reading

The list isn't perfect by a stretch (no Northern Exposure or The Muppet Show), but its author, TIME TV critic James Poniewozik, gets more things right than wrong, and includes quite a few lesbian favorites, Buffy and Battlestar Galactica among them.

There's an interesting list over on DoubleVixen.com showcasing positive female TV characters. The list includes Buffy Summers from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Liz Lemon from 30 Rock, George Lass from Dead Like Me, Zoe Washburne from Firefly and Rose Tyler from Dr. Who.

Looking at this compilation suggests several things. First, it suggests that the number of positive female characters on the telly is even lower than I thought. I know that the number of strong, intelligent women I see staring back at me from the TV screen is woefully inadequate. However, I didn't think it was so bad that we could only find five such examples, especially since three of them come from shows we can only see on DVD or in rerun land. Second, it suggests that Joss Whedon knows how to write wonderful women. Both Buffy and Firefly provided more than one example of a positive female character. Clearly this guy needs to write more TV shows. … continue reading

That long-rumored The X-Files movie is a go. At the Television Critics Association press tour on Saturday, David Duchovny (who played believer extraordinaire Fox Mulder) confirmed the film is in the works. Can I just say, called it!

That’s right, back in April costar Gillian Anderson (who played queen of the skeptics Dana Scully) dropped some syntax-related hints in a blog post on her official site. (Cunning use of present tense, Gillian. Cunning.) Not too many people paid attention then. But now David has revealed more directly that both he and Gillian are definitely on board, with series creator Chris Carter writing and directing: … continue reading