No doubt due to his complete lack of upcoming film projects, my favourite Mexican film director Guillermo Del Toro is set to move into the book industry with a 'vampire trilogy' to be published through HarperCollins:

The first book in the as-yet-untitled series, 'The Strain', concerns the invasion of New York City by a vampiric virus, mysteriously emanating from a plane touching down at JFK airport... The Strain will have a worldwide publication date in summer 2009, with the release dates of the following two books to be confirmed.

Del Toro sounds like the kind of guy that would be right at home here on TDG (I'm sure RPJ would buy him a beer or three).

Previously on TDG: Guillermo Del Toro discusses how paranormal events have shaped his worldview.

George Clooney will be staring at goats in a film adaptation of British journalist Jon Ronson's bestselling book on psychic warfare in the American military (The Men Who Stare At Goats, Amazon US or UK). The film will be directed by Clooney's long-time collaborator Grant Heslov, best known for writing the Oscar-nominated Good Night and Good Luck. Heslov also appeared in an episode of The X-Files, season 8's Via Negativa.

Unfortunately, ESP phenomena, and the people who practice and research it, continues to be treated with scorn and ridicule by smug, condescending pseudoskeptics. Will Heslov and Clooney give Ronson's book the Oh Brother Where Art Thou? slapstick treatment, or will we see a more open-minded Syriana mixed with the humour of Three Kings? I'm hoping the latter: Remote Viewing deserves a serious film, but the subject isn't all black clothing and frowns. The anecdotes of ex-military Remote Viewers display a healthy dose of humour and absurdity, such as Reading The Enemy's Mind by Major Paul H. Smith (Amazon US or UK).

Will the movie open doors to more research and acceptance of psychic phenomena, or will a taxpayer backlash pour enough ridicule on the subject to bury any chance of future development? All I know is Colonel John Alexander is disappointed George Clooney is playing him instead of Brad Pitt, and Jason Alexander (George Costanza from Seinfeld) is the spitting image of Paul Smith.

Incidentally, good friend Ed Kovacs wrote the first big-screen treatment of Remote Viewing, 1992's Blink of an Eye. It stars Michael Pare, which should warn you that this film never won any awards, but Ed's writing is solid.

Last week I posted the music video for "Birds of a Feather", by Australian prog-rock bank Cog. Just wanted to mention that I'm really digging the entire album Sharing Space, and would recommend it to anyone looking for some good music - these guys are definitely plugged into the source. Not as heavy-riff oriented as their debut album The New Normal, but the new album instead uses more dynamics and isn't afraid to rock out when it suits the song - to me, a definite progression. The album was co-produced with Sylvia Massey, who has previously worked with Tool (Undertow) and System of a Down. Can't say enough good things about this band, if they stick at it they will be huge. Hopefully they put more 7+ minute songs on their next album, because they are killer at them.

Get your hands on the album, or at least a track or two - perhaps start with the first single "What If" which has the prog-rock feel but is single-length. And make sure you give it some listens, because - as with all great music - it takes a while to really get the songs. As I always say, support good music! Probably the best way to get it in the U.S. would be via iTunes, use the link on the Cog website (let me know if it's not available in the States). It would be great to see Cog get some serious support from a big U.S. label, what they've produced so far on a virtual shoestring has been impressive - so spread the word. I'll try and post a full review next week.

Two cool music releases in the past fortnight, my ears are in heaven: Younger Brother (Simon Posford from Shongle/Hallucinogen, and Benji from Prometheus) have released their second album, The Last Days of Gravity. You can sample the entire album at their MySpace page (use the Beatport player), and also buy the album as mp3 through Beatport (or grab the CD direct from Twisted Records). As is usual from any Posford creation, the soundscapes are just incredible, and every listen reveals more. Well worth purchasing (as I say, support good music!).

A heads-up for all music lovers that Polish prog-rock group Riverside have now released their album Rapid Eye Movement stateside (also available over the pond). If you've heard their previous work you won't be disappointed in the new material, and I'm pretty sure I even detected some TOOL influence in the new recording (if you haven't heard their previous work, you're missing out). Combining intricate 10-minute rock/metal journeys with great melodies and harmonies, it's all good. Support great music, and treat your ears, by buying a copy. Better, wait around for a couple of weeks, and buy it with our anthology (and get some free shipping), and use it as the soundtrack to your reading...

Update: I should have mentioned, the band's MySpace page has 5 sample tracks to listen to, though only one from the new album (02 Panic Room). And strong as those tracks are, I probably would have picked 5 different tracks if I was going to showcase their best material...

Not really TDG related, but...damn...Led Zeppelin to reunite, with Jason Bonham standing in for his father. I've always pictured a Zep reunion with Danny Carey standing in, but hey, I'm not fussy - this is going to be quite a gig. Good luck to the 20 million people vying for 20,000 tickets.

The Conscious Media Network website has new video interviews added for September with Dr Gary Schwartz on 'Self Science', and Freddy Silva on crop circles. For anyone new to the site, make sure you browse the older interviews, there's a stellar line-up including Graham Hancock, Russel Targ, John Anthony West, Alex Grey, Robert Schoch, John Jay Harper, Stan Grof...and the list goes on. And if you enjoy the video interviews, stomp on your apathy and donate the recommended amount to help keep the site running.

The Borderlands Network (TBLN) launched July 8th, 2007 during the celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Roswell Incident. TBLN is apparently an attempt to create a media outlet for films on the paranormal, and other topics on the fringes of science (ie. typical TDG fodder). Though starting purely as a broadband network, the founders are hopeful that success will breed success, leading to an environment in which paranormal media production is well-funded:

I want to have more than a small broadband channel that presents films and documentaries. I want TBLN and our producers, directors and researchers out there to grow with us. There are many more films to be made, many expeditions to be covered, and this all requires funding and the resources required for making these programs a reality.

Though there is little information on the site for new visitor, it seems the network offers movies and documentaries via broadband, on a pay-per-view basis. The list of features available (and soon to be available) includes the brilliant crop circle documentary Circlespeak, and the alien abduction investigation Touched. Will be interesting to see how it goes.

Those TDG videos not being added/updated fast enough for you (I do that for a reason...)? You might like to check out Disclose.tv, which promises videos on everything from ufology to conspiracy:

We would kindly like to introduce you to Disclose.tv - a new video and photo sharing community dedicated to mysteries, secrets, anomalies, conspiracies and other unusal or unexplained topics of this world - the first of its kind.

Many of the videos uploaded on Disclose.tv have been banned from TV because of their controversial and mind-boggling nature, and that can only mean one thing: Hours and hours of rare footage that many do not want you to see!

Jameske can't do the news today, so put on your square eyes and settle in. I'll see you back here tomorrow bright and early for the Thursday news briefs.

Something a little different, a new scifi series begins next week called Sanctuary -- but you won't find it on tv. It's developed specifically for the internet, featuring movie-quality production and immersive interaction. Starring Amanda Tapping of Stargate: SG1 fame, Sanctuary follows a doctor's discovery that mythical beings and supernatural creatures are real. The sneak peek is promising, reminding me a lot of Clive Barker's Nightbreed and Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy, and it looks to be right up TDG's alley. The first four episodes will be free, but I'm guessing future episodes will be pay-per-view. High speed internet recommended. Loren Coleman and fans of Cryptomundo will love this one.