Thursday Odds & Ends: "Avatar" trailer, "Yellow Submarine," "District 9" and Rick Springfield's impending defeat at the hands of Nathan Fillion

+ The Internet has gone crazy in the last hour or so over the release of James Cameron's "Avatar" trailer. In order to embed it here, I would have had to mess with a bit of code and that wouldn't be right with something that looks as beautiful as it does. So, because I love you, I'm suggesting you go here to see it or to the Apple site where you can see it in HD if you can load it, which I couldn't but you probably have better karma points than me, so I'm sure it'll be fine. Either way, though, you've got to see this thing because it's very, very pretty.

+ Let's file this under things that make me crazy, shall we? Director Robert Zemeckis (of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" and "Back to the Future" fame) will apparently be doing a 3-D remake of The Beatles' classic "Yellow Submarine." Why? Because people can't leave well enough alone! Seriously, the day they announce the "Gone with the Wind" remake starring Lindsey Lohan and Ryan Reynolds is the day I start mainlining Xanax directly into my bloodstream.

+ Io9 has their list of 5 Things You Didn't Know About "District 9" which is pretty interesting. Item #6, by the way? Instead of sunblock, all of the aliens were coated in a light butter sauce and equipped with a side of cheesy biscuits. True story.

+ I may be the only person in the world who likes this show, but I'm still happy to report that SyFy's "Warehouse 13" has been renewed for a second 13-episode season. And I don't only watch it because I think Eddie McClintock is funny in an endearingly juvenile way. There's usually some sort of plot, too...and gadgets...and somethin'....Okay, fine, I watch it because I find Eddie McClintock funny in an endearingly juvenile way.

+ Hey all you British people, don't forget there's a "Doctor Who" special on BBC 3 tonight at 8 p.m. Called "Doctor Who - Greatest Moments," it includes interviews with cast and crew and highlights, well, some of the Doctor's greatest moments. I hope they include David Tennant's season 2 hair as a greatest moment. I think I have it listed at #3 in my diary, right after the invention of oxygen and the cut of Han Solo's pants in "Star Wars."

+ Speaking of space cowboys in tight pants -- and let's face it, when aren't we? -- if you have a moment, why not vote for Nathan Fillion as Mr. Twitter over at the Twitter Wall site? Based on his frequent tweets on the subject, Mr. Fillion seems to have an irrational fear of losing to Rick Springfield. And as a fan of both sci-fi and Canadians, I don't think we can let that happen to the man.

+ And finally, the next time you're in Minneapolis, be sure to stop in and check out Donny Dirk's Zombie Den and then tell me all about it. Why? Because not only does this bar have alcohol, which is GREAT, they're also totally prepared for the zombie apocalypse and have armed themselves with a glass-encased chain saw. I'll give them an extra ten points if they carry Twiglets and once starred in "Spaced."

+ ETA: I almost forgot this item! The sci-fi universes are mingling again: "Star Trek: The Next Generation" alumnus Jonathan Frakes is directing an upcoming episode of "Dollhouse," according to the show's costumer. She has photographic proof! Thanks to Park Bench reader Adam for the tip!

Tuesday Odds & Ends: avatar dating, two-wheelin' werewolves, UFOs and "Warehouse 13"

+ Have I mentioned lately how much I love all things to do with "The Guild?" Well, I do and their new "Do You Wanna Date My Avatar" video is no exception. Check it out below and then, if you'd like to support future seasons of the show, go purchase and download the video and song from iTunes or other fine online retailers.



+ And in case your day has been lacking in shirtless guys who turn into werewolves, here's a new trailer from "New Moon." It offers a shocking lack of Robert Pattinson but did I mention there were werewolves? Oh and lots of dirt bikes. It's a thing...



+ Check out the great packaging for the "Lost" season 5 DVD collection, which is due out on December 8. I love how the DVDs come in the old-school floppy disk envelopes and the Geronimo Jackson CD is shaped like an old single, like the kind you used to get in magazines. Not that I'm old enough to remember any of this AT ALL.

+ This guy from Cinema Blend has some interesting suggestions on what the inevitable "District 9" sequel should do and not do. Spoilers ahoy if you haven't seen the movie yet.

+ One of my favorite actors, Roger Rees aka Lord John Marbury from "The West Wing" will be guest starring on "Warehouse 13" for three episodes starting tonight. He plays an old friend of Artie. Does anyone else remember Rees as the title character in "The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby" stage play, which I believe ran something like 8 or 9 hours long? I remember seeing that on PBS as a child and being completely dazzled.

+ The British government has released detailed documentation tracking reports of UFO sightings in the UK. Oddly enough, sightings peaked during the heydays of "The X-Files," "Independence Day" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." Go here if you'd like to dig through the files yourselves, Agents Mulder and Scully.