Phillyist piled into the ever Gothy red-and-shadowed underbelly of Shampoo early last evening for a sneak peek at Sci-fi channel's upcoming fantasy adventure, Dark Kingdom, The Dragon King. As silent cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage played on a large screen in the main area, DJs played selections from bands featured on the soundtrack album (released by event organizers, Dancing Ferret), including: Dreamside, Qntal, and The Cruxshadows. By and large the music struck us as Medieval-inspired, but with a more modern, danceable sensibility. Or, as Phillyist Jim put it during one track, "That's some hardcore bagpiping."

Although Max von Sydow was disappointingly absent from the festivities, Dark Kingdom star Kristanna Loken was on-hand, talking to fans and graciously posing for pictures in a skin-tight red suit that echoed her look in Terminator 3; so much so that we were horrified when someone asked her to pose for a photo with their baby. "What kind of parents," we asked, "hand their child to the T-X? Don't they know she's a killing machine?" Happily, the baby, Ms. Loken (and Ms. Loken's wardrobe) survived the encounter intact, and she was able to go on to introduce and set-up a few clips from the movie.

Despite having played Skynet's most lethal robotic assassin, and (as the screened clips showed) a feisty and tough Brunnhild in Dragon King, Phillyist found Kristanna to be friendly and very down-to-earth, when she took a few moments from her hostess duties to chat with us.

Talking to her about South Africa (where she recently purchased a home after falling in love with the country while filming Dark Kingdom there) and about site-seeing Philly with her family and friends, it was difficult to remember that this direct, well-spoken and approachable woman was a tough, action actress. All it takes is a quick look at her upcoming projects to be reminded. Besides Dark Kingdom, her horror/action flick, Blood Rayne is due out on DVD this May, and the all-star, fantasy revenge epic, A King's Tale: Dungeon Siege (in which she has a supporting role) is in post-production. When we asked her what appealed to her about the epic films she answered, "I don't know if I'm drawn to them or they're drawn to me;" then further mused that perhaps she had used medieval weapons in a past life. We'd believe it too - on screen she looks very at home with a bladed weapon in her hand. However, lest you think she's just another pretty face who could kill you as soon as look at you, you should know that she's just finished Lime Salted Love, a dark, indie film in which she not only stars, but also makes her debut as Executive Producer. (This is her second film with writer/director Danielle Agnello, who Loken described as a "female David Lynch.") Lime Salted Love is slated for release later this year...so here's fingers crossed that it will make it into next year's Festival so we can check it out.

As for Dark Kingdom itself, well, let us say this: as a dedicated sci-fi/fantasy fan (or, as some of you might say, "nerd"), we have come to expect a certain level of quality from Sci-Fi's programming...and that level isn't very high. And whereas Dark Kingdom looks to be heads and tails above most Sci-Fi Original Pictures, we doubt it is going to win any Emmys. For one thing, the dialogue seems shamefully broad...and for another, we're very distrustful of any fantasy series in which all the characters appear perpetually clean and well pressed no matter what they encounter (unless all that Rhinegold is really a powerful laundry agent?). On the plus side, it does promise to be full of axe-weilding, sword-swinging violence - of which we are perpetual fans.

Dark Kingdom: The Dragon King
March 27th & 28th on the Sci-Fi Channel
Soundtrack Album Available Now from Dancing Ferret Discs

Image Credit: Jim Genzano