James Cameron

Dark science fiction is a tricky television genre. Last fall, I was mightily impressed by the mythology that Chris Carter ("The X-Files") created for a new Fox series titled "Harsh Realm." But the teen male viewers it takes to put sci-fi over the top weren't, and the series was canceled after only a few weeks. I say that as a warning, because I am absolutely dazzled by the universe and lead character that Academy Award-winner James Cameron ("Titanic") has created in the new Fox series "Dark Angel," which premieres tonight.

I FINALLY FINISHED the script for the sequel to the movie "Titanic." I am calling it -- and let the legal record show that I thought of this first -- "Titanic II: The Sequel."I am darned proud of this script. I have been working on it, without sleeping or eating, except for two grilled-cheese sandwiches, for the better part of the last 35 minutes. I realize that sounds like a lot of work, but bear in mind that writer/director James Cameron spent nearly twice that long on the script for the original movie, which was titled "Titanic I, the Original Movie."

Titanic," James Cameron's $200 million historical epic about the 1912 sea disaster, was the best picture at the 70th Academy Awards last night. The Oscar capped 11 wins for the movie, which tied with 1959's "Ben-Hur" for the most Oscars won in history."Titanic's" 14 nominations tied the record set by 1950's "All About Eve.""My heart is full to bursting, except to say, 'I'm the king of the world!' " So said James Cameron with a triumphant whoop, echoing Leonardo DiCaprio's character in the film, as he received the Oscar for best director.

"Titanic," James Cameron's $200 million epic about the 1912 sea disaster, tied "Ben-Hur" for the most Oscars in history, winning 11 at last night's 70th annual Academy Awards ceremony.The blockbuster, which just last summer was rumored to be a flop in the making, won the Oscar for best picture as well as awards for: costumes, sound, sound effects editing, visual effects, original dramatic score, film editing, original song, cinematography, art direction and direction.Its 14 nominations had tied the record set by the 1950 film "All About Eve."

Pity the poor Titanic buff.The greatest disaster in maritime history has transfixed this guy since he was 8 years old and saw "A Night to Remember" with his father. Since then, he's read all the books, seen all the television specials.And he rejoiced when he heard that special-effects master James Cameron was spending all the money in Hollywood to remake his favorite epic tragedy -- to scale. And he was patient when Cameron missed the opening weekend by six months so %% he could keep polishing this gem.Can you imagine the confusion and dismay of this poor Titanic buff when, settled into his seat in the darkened theater, tingling with long-postponed anticipation, 8 years old again and every pore open to the techno-wonder about to unfold in front of him in full Dolby sound . . .And the crying begins.

He's been compared to root canal and Mr. Hyde, but James Cameron is the picture of amiability as he meets a luncheon companion at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington.As he eagerly shows a visitor a book about shipwrecks given to him earlier that day by Robert Ballard, who discovered the Titanic wreck in 1985, the 43-year-old director seems more like a big kid than the enfant terrible he's been made out to be. Only the occasional hint of gray flecking his neatly trimmed blond hair and beard indicate that he's recently dodged a very big bullet.

Has anyone not heard that "Titanic" is the most expensive movie ever made? Is there a citizen at large who doesn't know of the problems that bedeviled its production, from director James Cameron's explosive temper to the PCP-laced lobster chowder? Anyone out there remember that the two studios behind "Titanic," 20th Century Fox and Paramount, almost came to blows last summer while deciding when to release the film?Well, forget it all. "Titanic," a three-hour, wide-screen historical romantic epic, steams over its advance hype, leaving the tatters of gossip columns and inside reports in its prodigious wake.

Director James Cameron was in front of the camera, not behind it, posing for publicity shots for his new movie, "True Lies," and his assistants, for a change, were directing him. "Smile," insisted a young woman who worked makeup on his latest action epic. "You have a nice smile.""How would you know?" Mr. Cameron good-naturedly demanded. "You've never seen it.""Every picture of you makes you look so mean," another assistant fretted."The camera doesn't lie," Mr. Cameron said -- and smiled.Mr.