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‘Siren’ To Premiere at Wizard World Chicago and Frightfest in London

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SirenStills.00_57_35_15_New even more red

Based on the short, Amateur Night  which was written and directed by David Bruckner and was part of the 2012 anthology V/H/S, Siren features Hannah Fierman reprising her role in the feature length adaptation directed by Gregg Bishop.

In the horror-thriller about Jonah, an apprehensive groom-to-be whose bachelor party turns into a nightmare when he frees a seemingly innocent victimized girl locked up in a supernatural sex club. Her ruthless handler and proprietor of the sex club will stop at nothing to re-capture his prize. Jonah struggles to rescue the girl only to discover it is he who needs to be rescued as he comes to the realization that she is a dangerous fabled predator who has chosen him as her prize.

Although Amateur Night isn’t due in theaters on December 2, 2016 and on VOD, Digital HD and DVD December 6th, genre fans have an opportunity to get their first look this weekend  at the Wizard World Chicago Comic Con on Sunday, August 21 at 8 p.m. at the Muvico Rosemont and then at Frightfest in London on Sunday, Aug. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at Discovery Screen Two.


Pilot Errors: 3 Sci-Fi Shows That Didn’t Take

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Okay, another look at some Pilot Errors.

Remember in the first column when I mentioned that some pilots were designed as 2 hour backdoor “movies”? This installment we are going to look at 3 of these.

All 3 of these aired on TV (years after the fact) as “movies” without ever telling anyone of their TV pilot status, although this becomes glaringly obvious as you watch them. A pilot is usually pretty easy to spot.

 

Warlord: Battle For The Galaxy

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Who else remembers that time Joe Dante (!) tried to make a TV series to rival Deep Space Nine and Babylon 5? I do.

Warlord was made for CBS in 1997 but was not picked up and eventually aired as a “movie” on UPN in 1998 with little to no fanfare. Why? Because it’s fucking BORING. This being a pilot it was a 2 hour exposition dump of backstory, character dynamics and future plot threads mixed with cheap sets, bizarre costumes and stilted dialog. As a series all of this could have been fixed but as it stands the “movie” is just yap yap yap, space battle, yap yap yap, gun battle, yap yap yap, space battle… with no arc, no point and even less substance. Dante even told me when he was on my show that this completely does NOT work since it’s all exposition and nothing really happens in 90 minutes. It’s all setup that never pays off.

You might want a plot synopsis huh? Well I am not doing that. Why? Because this thing is so laden with backstory upon backstory that it becomes more complicated than Dune all while maintaining to be uninteresting. Seriously I could spend 1000 more words detailing this mess and still leave out some thread that was meant to be dealt with in the series proper.

The cast is… odd to say the least.

Ever wanted to see John Corbett play a sleepy Han Solo? Here’s your chance. Now, I like John Corbett when he is in the right role but damn he plays his illiterate yet expert thief (queer combination that) the same as he played Chris Stevens on Northern Exposure, kind of a stoner who thinks he is a badass (oh and he gets his ass kicked in every fight in this 2 hours; our hero, ladies and gentlemen).

Then we have Carolyn McCormick fresh from Law & Order looking as uninterested as she can while still getting paid as a master “negotiator” who seems to get them into more trouble at every turn.

Engineer

John Pyper-Ferguson is the titular “Warlord” of the title who is a smarmy arrogant tool who rules the outlaws of the galaxy and it turns out is really the last descendant of a monarchy which is thought to have died out in the “old Republic”. Honestly Ferguson is really damn fun in this as he is clearly having a good time and not taking this role seriously in the least.

The rest of cast are filled by various levels of “That guy’s”. Oh and this being a Joe Dante piece Dick Miller shows up in a scene so that is always cool.

I LOVE Joe Dante so please don’t mistake what I am about to say but there are NO signs of Dante on this. This is directed in such a workman like fashion that if I didn’t know Dante indeed directed this (and produced it as well) I would never have guessed it. None of his flair or visual style is present here. Perhaps due to the lower budget this thing obviously had. The sets look like sets, the costumes are straight out of a prop room and the visual effects are what you expect from 1997 TV. The writing is pseudo-ponderous while being laborious and really coming off like a weak Babylon 5 episode.

Why was this not more famous? Dante believes that it was sabotaged by CBS. It seems they were interested in it but wanted to bargain down the budget and selling price but Dante would not budge so CBS intentionally waited to pass on it until it was too late for any other network to do so. If we can’t have it then no one can.

If you missed it on it’s one airing in 1998 too bad, it was never aired again in the US… but was released on VHS in the U.K. as The Osiris Chronicles (the original title, which Dante prefers).

 

Bloodsuckers/Vampire Wars: Battle For The Universe

bloodsuckers---vampire-wars--battle-for-the-universe

Remember that time Matthew Hastings made that movie about space vampires and somehow managed to make it monotonous, tepid and boring? Also, another Battle For The Universe?

Anyway, this was originally made as a pilot for the Sci-Fi Channel (they had not decided to change their name to sounding like a strain of nerd VD yet) and was given the green light over a fifth season of Farscape. Yup that really happened and then Sci-Fi executives didn’t even pick the fucking thing up. How rude.

Many years in the future space travel has become mundane and humanity decides to spread it’s wonderfulness into the galaxy… turns out there is life on other planets though… and to quote the movie “The universe was filled with intelligent life… most of it vampiric”. So yeah vampires mixed with Star Trek… and not that good. The plot (such as it is) details how a crew of V-San (Vampire Sanitation, basically space cops specializing in vampires) get betrayed and have to uncover a plot that a vampire warlord (ugh) is in collusion with the head of Earth to do something… it’s all rather yawn inducing. The plot is dull, the acting is either wildly over the top or straight out of a soap opera stiff.

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Veteran actors such as Joe Lando (killed 20 minutes in) and Michael Ironside (2 scenes that amount to nothing) are wasted in glorified cameos and I guess Michael and Peter DeLuise pop in for a few blink and you miss them moments. The rest of the cast are stereotypes of every “ragtag group of misfits” that you have seen in so many better things all played to the hilt with the blandness of their one dimensional characters types (the angry woman that lashes out at anyone that does not think she is as good as a man, the cowboy – complete with hat and southern accent – who is a good old boy just out to have fun, the put upon upstart who has to rise to the occasion etc…). All played by nobodies that no one will recognize from anything… with the exception of Natassia Malthe as the half-breed vampire/human hybrid. Malthe must have been quite comfortable in that role as she would take over the duties playing Bloodrayne in the sequels to that movie.

Just like with Warlord/Osiris this does not work as a movie at all as the entire run time is setting up this world and dumping exposition on us with no payoff. Unlike Warlord though this does indeed have some clever moments in it such as the vampire types who wear the skins of their victims being called “Leatherfaces” and the unbridled insane types being “Vorhees”.

Still not a good movie and bizarre how it does not have a consistent title. When aired in 2005 on Sci-Fi it was simply titled Bloodsuckers. When released to home video it was renamed Vampire Wars: Battle For The Universe on the box cover and yet the onscreen title is still Bloodsuckers. Come on man, that’s just fucking LAZY. Pick a damn title and stick with it already.

 

The Adventures Of Captain Zoom In Outer Space

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Ron Perlman playing (not) Ming The Merciless? Fuck yes.

2322814,aqrftTPx_4d0+oa4PLoxnWs6q9k4lkHcJyW4DpDMCS91Em+3vDb9zfon3uv_jNxJfz3ogxTr3jHE26akqhRXcA==The Adventures Of Captain Zoom In Outer Space was a the old story of a “hero” being sought by a people who don’t understand that Television is.

Ty Farrel is a drunk 50’s kids show actor playing Captain Zoom every Saturday Morning on television… until Princess Tyra of the planet Pangea receives these transmissions and believes them to be historical documents of the hero Captain Zoom.

Farrel is quickly kidnapped to this other world where he is foretold to save the people from the evil Lord Vox of Vestron, despot of the damned. Farrel is really a coward and a blowhard yet he eventually stops Lord Vox of Vestron and becomes the leader of the rebellion on Pangea. Honestly Zooom comes off so my like Zapp Branagin I am fearful this was kind of an inspiration.

That’s the general plot but it’s more nuanced than that, full of biting humor at the expense of 90’s Scifi tropes and Sci-Fi Fandom along with a fun atmosphere evoking old movie serials with a 90’s edge.

For instance Lord Vox of Vestron (I love typing that) has a seer who guides him but she can only see the future if she is “pure” meaning she can’t ever have sex… and yet she is a nymphomaniac always on the hunt for man flesh. Zoom is a moron who stumbles about and accidentally keeps saving the day all the while being hailed as a gift from the gods by the morons who stranded him on this planet. He can go back to earth and be a nobody who was about to be fired from a crappy kids TV show or he can be a fake hero on this world.

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Ron Perlman plays Lord Vox of Vestron and he really is a doofus version of Ming The Merciless right down to the helmet and it’s glorious. Pearlman is having so much fun here it’s impossible to not side with his genocidal ravings.

Nichelle Nichols shows up at one point but doesn’t add anything to the proceedings.

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This thing is a victim of that mid-90’s first run syndication boom ushered in by Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and feels so much part of that era I was honestly surprised to find out that Sam Raimi did NOT produce this. It feels that much like one his productions.

The Adventures Of Captain Zoom In Outer Space is a very fun outing with just the right mix of being played straight and being in on the joke at the same time.

I am unsure of why this one was not picked up beyond it’s pilot as it received good reviews at the time and decent ratings. Perhaps the glut of first run syndicated shows in 1995 choked it out.

After it’s initial airing it showed up a few times on the Starz channel of all places and eventually was lost in the static of syndication which is too bad as this one could have worked.

The ‘(Lost) Boys’ Are Back In Town

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hbdqzvr1lqrgzt4guye5Get ready to revisit the town of Santa Carla, where if the dead were to all stand up, there would be one hell of a population problem.

Rob Thomas, best known for his putting his distinct touch on cult shows featuring adorable scrappy zombies and PIs, is heading off into Schumacher territory as he takes on the 1989’s cult favorite The Lost Boys for the small screen for the CW.

Originally starring a slumming-it Dianne Wiest, a pre-Gilmore Edward Herrmann, the Coreys, and the trio of Jason Patric, Jami Gertz and Kiefer Sutherland in their best work (Authors’ Note: Yes, even Kiefer. I will fight anyone to the death who has an opinion on this that differs from mine. It’s all about the mullet and military jacket.), The Lost Boys was one of the rare ‘80s films that was neither a coming-of-age film nor a so-bad-it’s-good pic that was cherished for reasons we all forgot.

It didn’t star a Ringwald nor a Hall, nor did it feature a dance number…but it did feature a saxophone solo. But he later got eaten. So it didn’t count.

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So, how will the new small screen version stack up the beloved classic? Well, for starters, the new version will span about 70 years, moving through decades as the character remain unaged and forever young and sexy.

According to reports, the first few episodes will be set in San Francisco in the ‘60s before skipping over spans of time. It would make sense that the show would find itself in Santa Carla in the ‘80s at some point during the storyline. The show was pitched with a seven season proposal with each season taking place in a different decade.

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The CW show fills a Vampire Diary-size hole in the primetime schedule as the longtime tween hit says goodbye to longtime fans this year. The eighth and final season will premiere on Oct. 21.

‘Marvel’s Runaways’ Heads To Hulu With Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage to Write and Showrun

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runawaysMarvel Television will be bringing the fan-favorite and ground breaking comic book series, “Runaways,” to popular streaming service, Hulu.

Every teenager thinks their parents are evil. What if you found out they actually were?  MARVEL’S RUNAWAYS is the story of six diverse teenagers who can barely stand each other but who must unite against a common foe – their parents.

“We’ve known the Runaways’ story would make great television,” said Jeph Loeb, EP and Head of Marvel Television, “and being lucky enough to have Josh and Stephanie — who have time and again created shows that speak so genuinely to this exact audience — write and produce the series is nothing short of remarkable.”

“I’m a long-time fan of Runaways and couldn’t be more excited to bring Brian and Adrian’s characters to life,” said Schwartz.

Adds Savage, “Josh and I can’t wait to get to work for Marvel and Hulu.”

Marvel’s Runaways is Executive Produced by series Co-Showrunners/writers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (“THE O.C.”, “GOSSIP GIRL”) along with Marvel’s Head of Television, Jeph Loeb (“Marvel’s Jessica Jones,” “Marvel’s Luke Cage”) and Jim Chory (“Marvel’s Daredevil,” “Marvel’s Jessica Jones.”) Fake Empire’s Lisa Rowinski will produce as well.   Marvel’s Runaways is a co-production with ABC Signature Studios.

“Marvel’s Runaways” for Hulu is based on the comic created by the award-winning team of Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona.

 

‘Swiss Army Man’ Starring Paul Dano and Daniel Radcliffe Arrives On DVD and Blu-ray 10/4

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Swiss-Army-Man-2016-Comedy-movieGolden Globe Nominee Paul Dano (Love & Mercy) and Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter franchise)  star in the “bold and original” (Chicago Sun-Times) Swiss Army Man, arriving on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD) and DVD (plus Digital), October 4 from Lionsgate. Written and directed by acclaimed music video directors Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan (collectively known as DANIELS) in their feature film debut, the “wild and inventive” (The Huffington Post) storyfinds a hopeless man stranded in the wilderness who befriends a dead body and together they go on a surreal journey to get home. Winner of the 2016 Sundance Film Festival’s directing award and a New York Times Critics’ Pick, Swiss Army Man also stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead (10 Cloverfield Lane) and features music by Manchester Orchestra members Andy Hull and Robert McDowell.

Hank (Paul Dano) is stranded on a deserted island, having given up all hope of ever making it home again.  But one day everything changes when a corpse named Manny (Daniel Radcliffe) washes up onshore. The two become fast friends, and ultimately go on an epic adventure that will bring Hank back to the woman of his dreams.

The Swiss Army Man home entertainment release includes a music-less audio track along with Q&A with the filmmakers, two behind-the-scenes featurettes, audio commentary with DANIELS and crew and deleted scenes. The Blu-ray Disc of Swiss Army Man will feature a Dolby Atmos soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. Swiss Army Man will be available on Blu-ray (plus Digital HD) for $24.99 and DVD (plus Digital) for $19.98.

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BLU-RAY/DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

  • Q&A with Filmmakers
  • Swiss Army Man: Behind the Scenes” Featurette
  • “Making of Manny” Featurette
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Audio Commentary

www.swissarmyman.com

JapanFunBox Review

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JapanBox

It doesn’t seem all that long ago when Japanese culture was underground in America.  That time is no longer as anime, sushi, etc. have found widespread audiences.  I had the opportunity to review Japan Fun Box, a monthly subscription box which is similar to JapanCrate, but with a strictly snack-centric selection.

Included in this box were the following.  My opinion of each can be found after Japan Fun Box’s official description.

820905-1Melty Strawberry

Crispy in the outside, and melty on the inside!  Enjoy 2 different textures of a savory baked chocolate and a sweet and sour strawberry cream.

A light and petite candy that is actually quite delicious.

 

 

 

86c354c4cc1790f00bcdded3eb6ef68c-2Pizza potato

People around the world would say the Pizza potato taste is good and finally this Pizza potato add to line up in Funbox. Who think up the potato chips go well with cheese ? Rich cheese on the zig-zag cut thick potato. This potato chips is only Japan.

Taste like Pizza Pringles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

main-1Whistle Candy: Grape Flavor

This is a very popular and regular snack in Japan. Because this candy can make sounds like a whistle when you put it in your mouth and blow, it makes kids happy but their parents angry. A cute secret toy box comes with this.

They blow.  Literally. 

The whistle works, but the candy tastes like purple sugar with an overindulgence of grape flavoring, like grape DynaTapp.

 

 

ganko-age-traditional-salt_94ee79cc-d7e5-4446-84e9-add4662afeac_grandeSlim Ganko Fried Potato

The original delicious flavor of salty potatoes, with a slightly toasty fragrance, and a crispy texture; a deliciousness you never get tired of.

Taste like Durkee Potato Stix, but a little less greasy.  I’ve been eating them for forty years.  Nothing original here.

 

 

 

 

umeUme-pachi

A combination of a crackling burst Ume (plum) candy and sour Ume (plum) granules and it is new texture candy.

They claim Ume means “plumb” which is a surprise.  After tasting this rancid flavored candy I was pretty sure it was the definition of “ass”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

q6Shuwabō

A long, soft-candy with bubbly powder on the inside. The orange flavor and the lemon flavored soft candy combined inside your mouth mysteriously creates a coke flavor.

Why?  I’ve never eaten candy wishing it would taste more like cola.  That trend continues.

 

 

Final Thoughts

This was the mini-box which usually contains 5-7 items for $14.99 a month.

Personally, I think it’s a little expensive for what it is, especially for three inedible products and two that were pretty derivative of popular pre-existing American products.  Plus, any city with a large Asian population would have these products and many more, ensuring that you get what you want at a better price.

If you have friends who are just getting into Asian culture this would make a great gift, but I don’t think it justifies the cost on a monthly basis.

For more information visit japanfunbox.com

‘For The Love of Spock’ (review)

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for-the-love-of-spock-posterProduced by Joseph Kornbrodt, Kevin Layne
David Zappone, Kai de Mello-Folsom
Directed by Adam Nimoy
Featuring William Shatner, George Takei,
Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, Chris Pine,
Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana,
Jim Parsons, Jason Alexander,
Neil deGrasse Tyson, J.J. Abrams

Entertaining, informative and occasionally quite moving documentary on actor Leonard Nimoy, as well as an appreciation of his most famous (and beloved) portrayal, Star Trek’s Spock.

From its fascinating home movies at the start of the film to its many celebrity insights to analyses of Spock’s immediate – and enduring – appeal, For The Love of Spock is indeed a labor of love. The film was directed – and interviews conducted by – Nimoy’s son, Adam, and the film examines Adam’s at-times rocky relationship with his dad.

While Nimoy was unwavering in his giving his fans attention, it sometimes led to his neglecting his family. Adam and his sister did resent this, but ultimately their love shines through, and For The Love of Spock is a seemingly unflinching but ultimately greatly affectionate look at their dad and his famous alter ego.

We learn of Nimoy’s fledgling career in the 50s and 60s, his landing of the role of Spock, his – and Gene Roddenberry’s – refining the role after every actor sans Nimoy was recast after the FIRST pilot. We hear of initial negative reactions to the show by both critics and contemporaries (Nimoy’s longtime friend, actor Barry Newman, warned Nimoy that his role as Spock was a “treadmill to oblivion”).

Trek fans will note many familiar faces in the doc: Nichelle Nichols, Walter Koenig, George Takei and William Shatner (who never does address the reason he and Nimoy weren’t speaking at the time of his death, alas). Also, newer Trek alum, such as Chris Pine, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana and a very respectful Zachary Quinto, who has played Spock in the most recent Trek films.

For The Love of Spock dives into Nimoy’s directing career, his work as a stage actor, and yes, his musical career (fear not; “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins” is represented here).

While there are certainly many tidbits here that longtime fans may be well-aware of (the origin of the “live long and prosper” gesture, for one), there were more than a few anecdotes and observations that seemed fresh to this lifelong Trek fan.

But the main selling point is part of the title: the love on display here, the respect for Nimoy and the character of Spock, and the participants’ personal anecdotes and interpretations of his universal appeal are always interesting, often emotional and sometimes revelatory.

Despite some well-tread ground, For The Love of Spock is simply a must for Trek fanatics, but it may be just as exciting for casual fans and newcomers. It’s ultimately an intriguing look at one man’s life and legacy, through his personal life and his career; simultaneously an involving character study and a valuable pulling back of the curtain on showbiz.

And damned if it didn’t make me tear up. Ahem…more than once.

For The Love of Spock arrives in select theaters and
On Demand on September 9th, 2016

fortheloveofspock.com

Win ‘Aliens: The Set Photography’ by Simon Ward

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A new hardback photography book documenting the making of Aliens, the 1986 smash hit movie directed by James Cameron. Aliens: The Set Photography reveals a unique new perspective on the making of James Cameron’s film as the focus shifts behind the cameras to capture the director, cast and crew as they bring the second action-packed installment of the Alien saga to the big screen. Released to coincide with the thirtieth anniversary of the movie, Aliens: The Set Photography features brand-new insights and memories from Carrie Henn (Newt) and Jenette Goldstein (Private Vasquez). With a wealth of never-before-seen pictures including casting publicity shots, behind-the-scenes ‘between-take’ breaks, weapons, vehicles and much more, Aliens: The Set Photography acts as a sumptuous visual celebration of this sci-fi classic.

Dans_les_Coulisses_d_AliensAnd we’re giving away three copies!

To enter, please send an email with the subject header “ALIENS” to geekcontest @ gmail dot com and answer the following:

What actor was originally cast as Corporal Hicks and was replaced by Michael Biehn one week into filming?

Please include your name and address (U.S. Residents only. You must be 18 years old).

Only one entry per person and a winner will be chosen at random.

Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on September 5th, 2016.

 


Obama’s Summer Reading, NASA Research Library Opens For All, Kobo Announces New e-Reader & More!

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Hugo Awards
The Hugo Awards were held this past Saturday and here are all the great winners, with people of color and women coming out on top.

NASA Library
NASA is making its entire research library free to the public!

Bookshop Day in UK and Ireland
After the success of independent bookstore days across the United States, the UK and Ireland are getting in on the action with their own celebrations.

Presidential Summer Reading List
President Obama has some great books on his summer reading list this year.

Brave New World
A great new adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s bestselling book is coming a screen near you.

Kim Stanley Robinson
The bestselling author of the Mars trilogy and Aurora has released the cover of his new book set in the distant future of New York where the seas have risen and life still goes on.

Aurora One
Kobo is releasing a new ereader called the Aurora One that is waterproof!
US’s Indie Best
Purportedly the seven best independent bookstores in the United States.

Boston Cinegeeks! We’ve Got Passes For ‘Morgan’ For This Wednesday!

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Morgan_VerA_RatedPoster_sRGB

A corporate troubleshooter (Kate Mara) is sent to a remote, top-secret location, where she is to investigate and evaluate a terrifying accident. She learns the event was triggered by a seemingly innocent “human,” who presents a mystery of both infinite promise and incalculable danger.

Morgan also stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Toby Jones, Rose Leslie, Boyd Holbrook, Michelle Yeoh, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Paul Giamatti.

For your chance to download passes to the advance screening of Morgan on Wednesday, August 24th  at 7:30 pm at AMC Loews Boston Common click here:

http://www.gofobo.com/MORGANFOG

Seating is first come, first served and not guaranteed so please arrive early!

‘High Risk’: Millions Of Dollars Of Action for Only 99 Cents

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high-risk-(1981)

Somewhere towards the front of your local 99 cent store, buried in the wire metal DVD carousels next to the straight-to-disc Nigerian voodoo comedies, is one of the most entertaining and star-packed action films of the 1980s, Stewart Raffill’s High Risk.

This blast of an adventure film about four gringos headed south of the border to rob a drug lord can boast the lead tough guy acting talents of James Brolin, who in 1981 had just come off the independently produced success of The Amityville Horror and was most likely the “name” that distributors needed to push the film into theaters. Brolin is joined by fellow contemporary actors Cleavon Little, Lindsay Wagner, and Bruce Davison as well as no less than three Oscar winning actors: Ernest Borgnine, James Coburn, and Anthony Quinn to make High Risk a supremely well-casted film. That is a lot of talent to have met with such an unglamourous fate as being hoisted into the budget rack.

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Despite the Myriad of DVD Covers, It’s All High Risk!



I truly feel that High Risk is the perfect action film for its place and era.

Towards the end of the year, 1980, the future of the United States was looking pretty dim. The hostages were still being held in Iran; there was the energy crisis with its gas shortages and long lines that started in the 1970s but were still in full force; trash strikes, police strikes, and, as expected, inflation was just getting out of control. In this climate, enter our heroes, four working class men (James Brolin, Cleavon Little, Bruce Davison, and Chick Vennera), who head down to Colombia to rob a few million from a wealthy drug kingpin, Serrano, (James Coburn) based on the information that Brolin’s character, the aptly named Stone, discovered when he was covering a news story.

In keeping in line with the peaceful 1970s, our group has no intentions of killing anyone; they have a way of getting the money without doing that, but still, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared, so our heroes stop by the local illegal arms dealer Clint (Ernest Borgnine) to get some machine guns and pistols. A key moment of dialog comes when Clint asks the gang after he arms them, if, “They’ve got a name” to which Stone replies,”No.” Then Clint asks, “Do you boys have a cause?” and Stone simply replies, “Inflation.” Clint then states: “Times must be changing. The last ten years it ain’t been nothing but causes.”

To all of us who grew up in the 1970s, it did seem as though every day there was a new violent political organization doing some damage somewhere. So, whether it was The Baader-Meinhof Group, The Weather Underground, The Symbionese Liberation Army, there was some political “cause” that would inspire violence, but this was now the 1980s, and after all of the aforementioned groups were defeated in different ways, the only “cause” that most likely made sense for the subsequent decade was money. And as far as the killing was concerned, our group in High Risk could believe whatever they wanted to believe before their trip, but reality always has the last say doesn’t it?

Our thieves head down to Colombia in an old, doped up, Douglas C-47 Skytrain, complete with cannabis leaves painted on the sides of the aircraft, which is being flown by two hippyish pilots, clear remnants of the previous era. Our hippy pilots draw some dismissive laughs from our heroes when they suggest some “body stimulants” before the team has to parachute into the jungle, which our novice paratroopers do successfully. I should say that along with our band of outlaws is a pretty toy dog, just like the ones you see being carried by yuppies these days in West Hollywood.

Why does our crew have the need for one of these precious creatures in Colombia?

To have a cunning tool for distracting the guard dogs at the well-secured villa of Serrano’s, of course. They get into the compound without issue, but, alas, the combination that they have to unlock Serrano’s safe has failed, so they must now find the drug lord to get him to open the vault. Our thieves grab the money, huge bags of it, and are virtually free until they see an unarmed young man whom they have to beat, in a rather grim way, to keep him quiet. Then the bullets start flying, and our boys make a quick dash on stolen horses to the mountains where they hope to camp out until their magic carpet C-47 flies in to take them away in three days.

high risk still

(From left) Cleavon Little, Chick Vennera, James Brolin, Bruce Davison, and Ernest Borgnine.

The next morning, the military comes over the hill and is after our friendly thieves, and in the melee of trying to escape, the boys split up.

Rockney (Cleavon Little) and Tony (Chick Vennera) are captured and thrown in a cell next to fellow American Oli (Lindsay Wagner), but Stone and Dan (Bruce Davison) make it out by jumping off a cliff into a raging river to only then be captured by the loquacious Mariano (Anthony Quinn in a sublime over-the-top performance) and his large band of deliriously jolly banditos.

Somehow, all four of our men have to get free from their captors and make it back to the falls by the landing strip in time for their return flight.

Oh, and in case if you are wondering about their adorable tiny dog, she got away.

That is your setup, and it is an understatement to write that final third of High Risk delivers on its promise of action made by the first two thirds of the film. The pace throughout is fast and tense, but there are also some small moments that allow you insight into the lives and makeup of Dan, Rockney, Tony, and Stone, especially after the killing starts, and they begin to question the need to take a life for money when they live in a country that has nowhere near the poverty of the place that they are robbing.

Raffill, who also wrote the screenplay, does good job here to include these moments so that you understand how these men are put together. They were like most Americans, going through a tough time in the States, and keeping that perspective against the rest of the world is sometimes tough until you look people in the face.

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Oli (Lindsay Wagner) Reluctantly Gets Into the Fight While Tony (Chick Vennera) Gazes in Terror

None of the political messages club you over the head in High Risk, as there is a balance here between the action, laughs, and yes, a message, in a time where having one was starting to become an endangered species.

Sadly, even though High Risk received good reviews on it’s initial release, most notably from from Janet Maslin of the New York Times, and Siskel and Ebert who made the film their “Pick Of The Week” (which is why I saw it back in the day), the film faded into obscurity.

Director Stewart Raffill himself explains why this may have happened in an interview that he did for the 2015 book by author Tadhg Taylor, Masters of the Shoot-’Em Up:

“You have no control over your films once you’ve made them. If you’re working for a studio, they will usually baby them and maintain them, but independents are so fleeting in their presence, especially nowadays, that it’s very easy for films to get lost because the business side of things isn’t working. High Risk came out theatrically and was doing well, but within a week the company that distributed it went under, and the film just ended up in no man’s land. Audiences liked it though, and it was talked about and because of that I got the job directing The Ice Pirates for MGM.”



If not for anything else, I am glad that the positive reviews High Risk received back in the day at least earned director Raffill another chance to direct for a major studio.

And, I hope that now that you are armed with this review and the knowledge of that random distribution misfortune of Raffill’s, you are less dismissive when you see poorly packaged DVD copies of High Risk spinning in a rack by the checkout counter: a budget store’s last chance for your cash retail space that is usually reserved for the rapidly made and the usually poorly transferred public domain classics, like Coppola’s Dementia 13 and Romero’s Night of The Living Dead, which are films that are too good to be horribly transferred and offered for sale next to old candy.

I will give the same praise to High Risk, a film filled with beautifully clunky comedic moments, absorbing characters portrayed by talented veteran actors, and action that is loud, fast, and cleverly executed. It also has an unexpected ending that stands as one of my all-time favorites for an 80s action film.

All of that entertainment for just 99 cents?

Well, I call that a bargain.

Happy 30th Anniversary ‘Stand By Me’: Here’s 10 Things You Might Not Know…

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One of the most effective coming of age films of all time, Stand By Me was released 30 years ago today.

Based on the novella, “The Body” from Stephen King’s book, Different Seasons, Stand By Me told the story of four very different friends who set off on an adventure together to see a dead body in 1959.  Directed by Rob Reiner the film starred Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, Kiefer Sutherland, John Cusack and Richard Dreyfus.

To acknowledge this momentous event in cinegeek history, here are ten things you might not know about Stand By Me.

10. Apparently during filming, Jerry O’Connell tied up his babysitter to a banister and escaped to visit a Renaissance Fair close to the production.  There, he mistakenly bought (and ate) some pot cookies.  He was found in the parking lot a few hours later, crying and stoned.

9. When the boys add up all their money, they come up with $2.37.  The number 237 appears in quite a few of Stephen King’s stories including the cursed Overlook Hotel Room number in The Shining and Red’s cell number in the novella “Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption”  (which became the film. The Shawshank Redemption).

8.  Director Rob Reiner originally cast actor David Dukes and then Michael McKean as the writer (aka “the narrator”) was ultimately was portrayed by Richard Dreyfuss.

7. Pranks were abundant during filming.  At one point Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix and Jerry O’Connell soaked Corey Feldman’s clothes in beer then dried them so he smelled like a wino.

6. Stephen King mentioned greaser Ace Merrill meeting his maker in his novel Needful Things and Teddy Duchamp was first mentioned in King’s first novel, Carrie, in which Carrie destroys an  an Amoco gas station once owned by Duchamp.

5. Kiefer Sutherland stayed in character and terrified first time actor Jerry O’Connell.

4. In order to find the perfect laugh as described in Stephen King’s story, Corey Feldman and director Rob Reiner tested thirty different laughs for Teddy Duchamp.

3. When casting Stranger Things, they had the kids read classic scenes from Stand By Me for their auditions.

2. Reiner was an imaginative director with the young actors. To get the most authentic reaction possible Reiner waited until the possible moment to reveal Ray Brower’s body.

When shooting Vern and Gordie outrunning the train, Reiner utilized a 600mm image-compressing camera lens to ensure that the boys were never in danger.  As a result, the boys weren’t coming across as being particularly fearful until Reiner lost his temper, threatening their lives and screamed that they were, “f*cking this thing up”.

It worked.

1. In the novella, Stephen King reveals that Teddy is killed in a car crash and Vern dies in a house-fire.

Happy Anniversary to this must have film.

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Stand By Me is available on Blu-ray, DVD & Digital

 

 

 

 

2016 Hugo Awards Ceremony Report

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Worldcon2016LogoMidAmericon II, the 74th World Science Fiction Convention held in Kansas City, Missouri, presented the 2016 Hugo Awards Ceremony at 8:00 CST Saturday night.  While not entirely free of the controversy that took over the Hugo awards ceremony last year, it was still a much more settled event. The Sad Puppy slate did manage to take over a few award finalist lists through their slate voting, but were successful in fewer categories this year which resulted in fewer incidents of No Award, which is nice.

Author and past Hugo winner Pat Cadigan served as Toastmaster  for the ceremony, accompanied by Amanda Hemingway (aka Jan Siegal), provided an amusing, even slightly saucy evening’s entertainment. Cadigan (armed with a whip) took on a dominatrix-persona at times, with Hemingway as her willing minion. Fun, but not distracting from the presentation of the awards themselves. The crowd seemed to enjoy things, and the overall atmosphere was pretty positive.

Pat Cadigan (Ieft), Amanda Hemingway (right)

Pat Cadigan (Ieft), Amanda Hemingway (right)

By the end of the ceremony, I was personally satisfied that the Hugo’s are getting back on track and that they’ve not lost their relevance despite attempts of sabotage from certain quarters. It’s disappointing that slate voting pushed many deserving works and authors off the ballots, but the problems weren’t quite as bad as last year. All in all, this was a good ceremony and I think most people will be very satisfied with the outcomes.

Below I’m listing the award results in order of presentation. (I’m actually typing them out as they’re announced.) Following the complete list, I’ll share a few notes and observations.

Best Fan Artist
Steve Stiles

Best Fan Writer
Mike Glyer

Best Fancast
No Award

Best Fanzine
File 770
Edited by Mike Glyer

Big Heart Award
Joe Siclari and Edie Stern

John W. Campbell Award
Andy Weir

Best Semiprozine
Uncanny Magazine
Edited by Lynne M. Thomas & Michael Damian Thomas, Michi Trota, and Erika Ensign & Steven Schapansky

Best Related Work
No Award

Best Professional Artist
Abigail Larson

Best Graphic Story
The Sandman: Overture
Written by Neil Gaiman, art by J.H. Williams III (Vertigo)

Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form)
Jessica Jones: “AKA Smile”
Written by Scott Reynolds, Melissa Rosenberg, and Jamie King, directed by Michael Rymer (Marvel Television; ABC Studios; Tall Girls Productions;Netflix)

Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form)
The Martian
Screenplay by Drew Goddard, directed by Ridley Scott (Scott Free Productions; Kinberg Genre; TSG Entertainment; 20th Century Fox)

Best Editor (Short Form)
Ellen Datlow

Best Editor (Long Form)
Sheila Gilbert

Best Short Story
“Cat Pictures Please”
By Naomi Kritzer (Clarkesworld Magazine, Jan 2015)

Best Novelette
“Folding Beijing”
By Hao Jingfang, trans. Ken Liu (Uncanny Magazine, Jan-Feb 2015)

Best Novella
Binti
By Nnedi Okorafor (Tor.com)

Best Novel
The Fifth Season
By N.K. Jemisin (Orbit)

Notable Notes:
The four winners in the fiction categories are all first time winners and women–three of whom are people of color. This is a good and hopeful sign that science fiction and fantasy continues to grow more diverse and is reaching a broader audience and more inclusive community.

Details on voting breakdown can be downloaded HERE.

Some of this year's winning works.

Some of this year’s winning works.

Neil Gaiman was not present to accept his award, but his delegate accepting in his place read a message from Gaiman in which Gaiman expressed his general disgust with the shenanigans inflicted upon the Hugos by the Sad/Rabid Puppy contingent. He spoke well of creators and nominees who were not accessories to the slate voting.

Astronauts Stanley Love (left) and Jeanette Epps (right)

Astronauts Stanley Love (left) and Jeanette Epps (right)

Astronaut Stan Love accepted the Jown W. Campbell Award for Andy Weir, author of The Martian. In doing so, he expressed his great admiration for Weir for getting the science right in his depiction of astronauts, their training, and their experiences.

Astronaut Jeanette Epps accepted the Hugo Award on behalf of The Martian‘s win for Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form). Both she and Love were Special Guests for the convention.

Steve Stiles’s win for best fan artist was particularly pleasing to me. He has long been one of my favorite fan artists and he has long deserved winning a Hugo. After over 40 years drawing for fanzines, he’s finally gotten his due. Good on him!

While not relevant to the Hugo Awards themselves, some controversy erupted at a panel presentation Friday on the state of short fiction. I’m not going to give any signal boost to the person behind the controversy, but it wouldn’t be too difficult for you to find out more on Twitter by searching out #MAC2 and the word “pearls”.  Do so with caution. It has that stink of victimization reminiscent of Gamergaters.

Other news coming out of this year’s Worldcon is that site selection for the 2018 Woldcon will be held in San Jose, California. The North American Science Fiction Convention (NASFiC) in 2017 will be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico while the 2017 Worldcon is held in Helsinki, Finland.

fb-shareimageWant to follow up on Worldcon news yourself? You can keep up on Twitter by following #worldcon and #MAC2.

Cheers!

‘Looking: The Movie’ Arrives on Digital HD Today

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791100_2618589_3000x1688_lrgUnlike any show out there, the HBO series Looking focuses on current gay life in the Bay Area and on themes that everyone, gay and straight, can relate to: falling in love, finding professional fulfillment, forging an identity in a complicated world, and searching for happiness.

Looking revolves around three 30-something friends living in San Francisco, who explore the exciting, sometimes overwhelming, options available to a new generation of gay men. Friendship may bind them, but each is at a markedly different point in his journey: Patrick (Groff) is a 29-year-old video game designer returning to the dating world in the wake of his ex’s engagement; aspiring artist Agustín (Alvarez), 31, questions the idea of monogamy amid a move to domesticate with his boyfriend; and the group’s oldest member, longtime waiter Dom (Murray Bartlett), 39, is facing middle age with dreams still unfulfilled. The trio’s stories intertwine dramatically as they search for happiness and intimacy in an unparalleled era for gay men.

Critics have heralded the series as “a real beauty…a stealth breakthrough” (The New Yorker), and now fans and new viewers alike will have the chance to add to their home entertainment collection when Looking: The Movie comes to Digital HD today.

The movie picks up when Patrick, who has been living in Denver for nearly a year, returns to San Francisco for the first time to celebrate the wedding of old friends. In the process, he must face the unresolved relationships he left behind and make difficult choices about what’s truly important to him as he finds himself still drawn to former flame Richie (Raúl Castillo), while being vexed by memories of his crash-and-burn relationship with his former boss Kevin (Russell Tovey).

The release will also feature a “Farewell to Looking” piece as well as a “Looking: The Movie Cast Featurette.” After two acclaimed seasons, the series concludes with a film that provides an emotional fulfilling wrap-up for the characters fans have come to love.

Looking: The Movie is available via iTunes, Vudu or Google Play

 

 

FOG! Chats With George Khoury, Author of ‘Comic Book Fever’

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George Khoury understands the magic of comics. 

Keep in mind, I’m not referring to just the content.  What George understands (and loves) is the passion that was unique to a generation of fans that grew up in the Seventies and Eighties.  Although it’s generally accepted that the Golden Age of comics began in the late Thirties and the Silver Age in the mid-Fifties, there was something unique about the “Bronze Age” that has yet to be replicated. 

Comics and superheroes were slowly becoming a respectable medium, rising out of the ghettoization of the medium in it’s earliest days.  You had creators who grew up absorbing pop culture, including comics, who had their first chance at bat tackling not only their childhood icons, but also developing creator owned material of their own.  You had an evolution of storytelling as writers, artists and publishers were able to take a risk, something that the larger companies today can’t for risk of tarnishing their Intellectual Properties.

But for readers during this time, there’s was a certain secret language that was shared amongst one another.  X-Men‘s sales might have been at their actual peek, but the characters were completely unknown to the mainstream public.  If you met someone who read comics, inevitably the first question was, “Do you read X-Men?,” acknowledging a common ground. 

Now, the world knows who Wolverine is from movies and Spaghetti-O cans, but there’s little to that character who still exists.  He knows his real name, doesn’t smoke and hasn’t had a good old fashioned berserker rage in decades.

In Comic Book Fever, George has created a time capsule of that time period.  A love letter to growing up and going to the store twice a week (remember when there used to be different delivery days?).  Days when today’s iconic creators were just getting started and establishing themselves.  It’s already a book that I treasure and one that I wholeheartedly recommend.

If you see George don’t even bother asking him if he used to read X-Men.  You already know the answer.

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FOG!: What was the genesis of this book?

George Khoury: Comic Book Fever comes from many places and has many layers to it.

First, I just wanted to come back to the era that made me a comic book fan. I wanted to capture this magical era inside a book. And, I wanted to use everything I’ve learned to make this experience as authentic as possible.

And second, I wanted to make a book about comics that everyone could enjoy because Fever is written for everyone – the lifelong fans and the comic book novices alike. It’s a book meant to be shared. If you ever wanted someone to understand your affection for this medium, my book is the place to start.

IMG_5764Comic Book Fever focuses on the decade of 1976-1986. Why did you focus on these years specifically?

With this era, I can show readers how comics matured away from a medium for kids into something more accepted by all. The industry that we know today started in this era. The business of comics was pretty much defined in this period.

In doing research for this book, were there any discoveries that you made that surprised you?

It surprises me how many things I enjoyed as a child are still relevant today. Yes, all things may pass when we move on to wherever life takes us, but cherished stories and memories, especially the sweetest ones… Those are the ones that we take with us wherever we go.

I also think it’s interesting that during these years there was a considerable amount of classic reprint material that was available to fans; mainstream bookstores carried collections in both hardcovers, trades and pocket books and Treasury Editions, giant size issues and digests were also popular. You also had event books that attracted mainstream audiences like Superman Vs. Spider-Man and Superman Vs. Muhammad Ali. Comic books were a presence. What happened?

DC+Fans+Choose+1985There was a big push in the mid-1970s to make a few collections (paperbacks and hardcovers) that collected the best of the best material at Marvel and DC. Initially, it was very successful because it took superhero comics into places it had never been like bookstores and libraries.

Gradually, it faded away until the success of Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen made collected editions into an everlasting option again.

As for all those other formats, the publishers were just desperately looking for ways to engage with their audiences. Back when newsstand distribution was the industry’s lifeline, they would do whatever it took to make their presence known on the magazine rack.

As the direct market took shape, they didn’t need to be so daring and became more complacent. The non-returnability factor of books in the direct market allowed publishers to be less daring with their formats.

Your book is a treasure trove of nostalgia, but omitted some very specific things such as the television series (The Incredible Hulk, Wonder Woman, The Amazing Spider-Man, Super Friends, etc), the Mego toys and movies (Superman: The Movie, Superman II, etc). Was there a criteria of what you included?

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Still available HERE!

My goal was to make comic books and comic book creators into the driving force of this book. It’s all about the experience of the comics themselves. By the way, I covered all of these superhero television shows in my Age of TV Heroes book.

What are you 10 favorite comic books from this era that you’d like to see reprinted?

I would love to see all the old Marvel and DC treasury editions get a second printing on their original lower quality paper. Honestly, pretty much everything I cover in Fever is available inside some collected edition.

Any plans to do a second volume? What else do you have coming up?

No. Comic Book Fever is self-contained. I gave this book everything I had. I have no other books coming after it.

By the year the book ends, comics changed considerably with the release of Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns and John Byrne’s historic relaunch of Superman. The next decade brought the speculator market, Image Comics and the Death of Superman. How do you think the next decade affected readers? What changed more the industry or the fan community?

The 1990s hurt us. We still haven’t recovered from it. Instead of focusing on the actual reading experience of their books, our industry is more concerned on creating trivialities and collectibles. It’s like we’ve learned nothing from our past. Our industry still doesn’t understand that what made Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen into successes was their originality, not their somberness.

The internet brought fans together, but in many ways eliminated much of the fever and became a center of Comic Book Furor. Do you think that the current state of the industry can reclaim fever or do you think that’s been lost in favor of other media including Comic Book Movies?

I refuse to give up hope because I love this medium. There are way too ambitious people, women and men, who will do whatever it takes to tell their story in this medium.

What are you currently geeking out over?

I just picked up a copy of The Art of Painted Comics by Chris Lawrence from Dynamite. It’s a massive book about the history of painted comic book storytelling. I can’t wait to crack it open.

This Wednesday August 24th, George will be appearing with special guest, comic legend José Luis García-López signing copies of Comic Book Fever at JHU Comic Books in New York City from 6PM to 8PM! For more details visit Facebook.com/comicbookfever!

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Own The ‘Middle-Earth’ 6-Film Collection on November 1!

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76604c3414a8e9e986ec1579a4bc7d91Fans of Middle-earth will have the opportunity to re-live the entire collection of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings films, from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson, when the two epic trilogies are released as a single collection on Blu-ray and DVD on November 1st from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE). From New Line Cinema, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, and WBHE this new collection will be offered in two different versions: The Limited Collector’s Edition and The Theatrical Versions Collection.

The Limited Collector’s Edition includes 30 discs featuring The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, in their extended edition forms housed in six faux leather books and a collectible Hobbit-style wood shelf. In addition, all previously released bonus content from both the theatrical and extended edition releases will be included in the collection. Also included in the collection are premium collectibles including an exclusive 100-page sketch-style book with replica The Red Book of Westmarch,  and two original reproductions of watercolor paintings by acclaimed conceptual artists Alan Lee and John Howe.

Middle Earth LCE Box 2D

The Theatrical Versions collection features The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, in their theatrical forms as a 6-disc Blu-ray™ or DVD set.

Middle Earth Theatrical Collection 2D The Limited Collector’s Edition includes all six films on Blu-ray disc in their extended edition forms. Bonus content from The Hobbit trilogy theatrical and extended editions will be included on Blu-ray disc. Bonus content from The Lord of the Rings trilogy theatrical and extended editions will be included on DVD disc. The Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Trilogy features more than 2 hours of extended scenes that were carefully selected under the supervision of director Peter Jackson, and more than 33 hours of theatrical and extended bonus content.  The Hobbit Extended Edition Trilogy features almost one hour of additional footage, also selected by Jackson (The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies extended edition is rated R), and more than 34 hours of theatrical and extended bonus content. Additionally, digital copies of all films in their theatrical and extended edition forms will be included for download on Digital HD.

The Middle-earth 6-Film Limited Collector’s Edition will be available on November 1 as a 30-disc set for $799.99 SRP.

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The Middle-earth 6-Film Collection Theatrical Versions will be available on November 1 as a 6-disc Blu-ray™ set for $68.99 SRP and DVD for $35.99 SRP. Fans can also own the Middle-earth 6-Film Collection Theatrical Versions via purchase from digital retailers.

 

Tom Feister and John Cassaday Join James Robinson on ‘Grand Passion’

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GrandPassion01-Cov-A-CassadayOne of the comic industry’s finest – James Robinson (Squadron Supreme, Scarlet Witch, Starman) – delivers the surprising, funny, violent, and sexy tale of romance that fans have been clamoring for: Grand Passion! Dynamite Entertainment is proud to announce that Robinson’s highly-anticipated series will launch with its first issue on Wednesday, November 16th, and welcomes Tom Feister (the Eisner Award-nominated inker of Ex Machina) as the interior artist, and John Cassaday (Star Wars, Uncanny Avengers) as the cover artist.

Doc’s a cop. Mabel’s a crook. They’re two wayward souls, fated to fall in love at first sight… even as Mabel swears to kill Doc if it’s the last thing she does. A tale as only James Robinson could deliver, marrying elements of a Harlequin romance and hard-boiled crime.

“Something I’ve noticed lacking in a lot of comics is unbridled romance,” says writer James Robinson. “The crazy kind when it’s all life and death and love at first sight, so combining that with the hard-boiled crime milieu was something that really appealed to me. This is my attempt at doing something equal parts crazy love and crazy violent.”

“I’ve been a fan of James Robinson since I picked up the ashcan Zero issue of Starman” says series artist Tom Feister. “The opportunity to tell one of his stories on my first time out as an interior artist has been wonderfully terrifying.”

“It’s been a life-long dream of mine to work with James Robinson. All of us here at Dynamite are giant fans of his writing. His run on Starman with Tony Harris is one of the best storylines ever told with the character. He reinvented the character and added new dimensions to the tapestry that, in my opinion, no other writer could have, and he’s continued that quality of writing to this date,” says Dynamite CEO and Publisher, Nick Barrucci. “Grand Passion builds upon the previous works of the likes of Garth Ennis and Andy Diggle to further establish Dynamite as the premier publisher of crime comics. Tom Feister’s art perfectly fits the tone, and John Cassaday’s covers round out the perfect package!”

GP01-01-copy GP01-02-copy GP01-03-copy GP01-07-copy GP01-09-copy GP01-10-copy GP01-14-copyJames Robinson is a multiple Eisner-winning writer perhaps best known for the 1994 reimagining of DC’s Starman, taking the character out of the background to find a new widespread audience and take home an Eisner for Best Serialized Series. An expert at revitalizing classic concepts with a fresh new look and perspective, Robinson has also had celebrated runs on Justice Society of America, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Hawkman, and more. His creator-owned series Leave It to Chance for Image Comics won two more Eisner Awards in 1997, for both Best New Series and Best Title for Younger Readers. Additionally, he was nominated for an Eisner Award for Justice League: Cry for Justice, and also wrote the screenplay for the 2003 theatrical version of Alan Moore’s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Tom Feister has an extensive history working at Marvel, DC, and IDW as a penciller, inker, and cover artist. He was nominated with Tony Harris in 2007 for the Best Penciller/Inker Team Eisner Award for their work on Ex Machina. His other notable works include Avengers, Artifacts, G.I. Joe, and Fantastic Four.

Grand Passion #1 features a cover by the one and only John Cassaday, and will be solicited in Diamond Comic Distributors’ September 2016 Previews catalog, the premier source of merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in November. Comic book fans are encouraged to reserve copies of Grand Passion with their local comic book retailers. Grand Passion will also be available for individual customer purchase through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, Dynamite Digital, iVerse, and Dark Horse Digital.

Vestron Horror Classics ‘Waxwork’ and ‘Waxwork II: Lost in Time’

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waxworkThe Vestron Video Collector’s Series unleashes the tongue-in-cheek horror classics Waxwork and Waxwork II: Lost in Time for the first time on limited-edition Blu-ray™ on October 18 from Lionsgate. In Waxwork, a private midnight showing at a local wax museum turns to mayhem when its soul-sucking wax exhibits come to life! In Waxwork II: Lost in Time, Mark and Sarah, who survived the killer wax museum, must travel to another dimension to combat the still-present evil figure responsible for murdering Sarah’s stepfather. The Waxwork and Waxwork II: Lost in Time Blu-ray double feature includes all-new special features and will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.99.

WAXWORK OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

Inside the wax museum a group of teenagers are aghast at the hauntingly lifelike wax displays of Dracula, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and other character members of the Horror Hall of Fame. Each display is perfectly grotesque, yet each is missing one thing . . . a victim! Admission to the WAXWORK was free but now they may pay with their lives! One by one, the students are drawn into the settings as objects of the blood thirsty creatures. They are now part of the permanent collection.

Special Features:

  • Audio Commentary with Anthony Hickox & Zach Galligan
  • Featurettes:
    • “The Waxwork Chronicles” (Parts 1–6)
    • Vintage “Making of” Featurette
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Still Gallery

WAXWORK II: LOST IN TIME OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

Having escaped the fiery destruction of the original Waxwork, Marl (Zach Galligan, Gremlins) and Sarah (Monika Schnarre, TV’s “Beverly Hills, 90210”) face another grueling ordeal in WAXWORK II, when Sarah is accused of murdering her stepfather. Fleeing through the doors of time in a desperate search for proof of her innocence, the two lovers find themselves caught in the eternally recurring battle between good and evil. Together they must stop one of the most powerful and demonic figures of all time — Lord Scarabus.

Special Features:

  • Audio Commentary with Anthony Hickox & Zach Galligan
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Still Gallery

 

‘From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series’ Season Three Premiere is Available Two Weeks Early As Free Digital HD Download

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unnamed(2)Entertainment One (eOne), MIRAMAX and El Rey Network has announced that the complete premiere episode of season three of From Dusk Till DawnThe Series is available for free Digital HD preview two weeks prior to its September 6 broadcast debut on El Rey Network.  For fans eagerly anticipating the action-packed, horror-filled new season and newbies interested in sampling the series based on the cult film directed by Robert Rodriguez, the episode “Head Games”  will be available at no charge from August 23 to September 6 on iTunes, GooglePlay, Xbox Video, Sony Playstation, Fandango Now and Vudu.

Season three of From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series continues the Gecko brothers’ saga as they fight their way through the chilling world of culebras, the vampire-snake hybrids that control hidden empires in Texas and Mexico.  The 10 new episodes — two of which premiere back to back on September 6 at 9pm and 10pm ET — follow Seth and Richie into the vortex of a culebra underworld on the verge of a violent explosion.  In the season three premiere, the Geckos have been demoted to “collectors”, while their organization has been infiltrated by a mysterious new enemy hell-bent on destroying them, the Lords, and all culebras.  On, September 7, the day following its two episode broadcast premiere, both episodes will be available to purchase via all leading Digital HD outlets.

Season three features a returning ensemble cast including D.J. Cotrona, Zane Holtz, Eiza González, Jesse Garcia, Madison Davenport, Brandon Soo Hoo, Emily Rios and Jake Busey. New cast joining the third season are: Ana de la Reguera (“Jane the Virgin”, “Narcos”) who will have a recurring role as Lord Venganza Verdugo, one of the seven remaining culebra Lords; Marko Zaror (“Machete Kills”) as Zolo, an Aztec warrior trained in Hell; Tom Savini (Friday the 13th”, “From Dusk Till Dawn”) as Burt, a retired demon hunter who smokes more medical marijuana than he sells; Maurice Compte (“Breaking Bad”, “Narcos”) as Brasa, a mysterious Rasputin-like figure who takes on the Gecko brothers; and Nicky Whelan (“House of Lies”, “The Wedding Ringer”) whose character will be revealed during the season.

From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series is produced by MIRAMAX in association with Rodriguez International Pictures, FactoryMade Ventures and Sugarcane Entertainment. Executive producers are Robert Rodriguez, showrunner Carlos Coto, writer Diego Gutierrez, FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa, and MIRAMAX’s Zanne Devine and Daniel Pipski.

MIRAMAX distributes From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series internationally in all territories.

Diamond Select Toys On Sale This Week: Aliens, iZombie, Batman and Plants vs. Zombies!

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It’s an exciting New Toy Day at comic shops across North America, as a new delivery of products from Diamond select Toys hits shelves! The first two Vinimates vinyl figures from Aliens have arrived, as well as a new bust and statue from Batman: The Animated Series, and new Minimates from iZombie and Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2!

Read on for details, find your nearest specialty retailer at comicshoplocator.com, and reserve (or order) your items today!

Aliens Vinimates Vinyl Figure Asst.

AliensVinimates

A Diamond Select Toys release! The Vinimates figure line is expanding… into the furthest reaches of space! Based on the 1986 sci-fi/action classic Aliens, the next two iconic characters to be Vinimate-ized are Nostromo survivor Ellen Ripley and a ferocious Warrior Alien! Sculpted in the style of DST’s Minimates mini-figures, each 4-inch Vinimates vinyl figure has an articulated neck, and comes packaged in a full-color window box. Designed by Art Asylum!

  • Ripley Vinyl Figure (Item #MAR162247, SRP: $9.99)
  • Alien Vinyl Figure (Item #MAR162248, SRP: $9.99)

Batman The Animated Series Movie Phantasm 6” Resin Bust

Phantasm

A Diamond Select Toys release! The Phantasm strikes! From the first-ever feature-length film based on Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, it’s the first-ever resin bust of the Phantasm! First seen in 1993, the mysterious assassin known as The Phantasm stalked Gotham’s crime bosses until Batman interfered, and now this 6-inch bust can sit on your shelf, atop an art-deco pedestal. Limited to only 3,000 pieces, it comes packaged with a certificate of authenticity in a full-color box. Sculpted by Varner Studios! (Item # MAR162251, SRP: $59.99)

Batman The Animated Series Premier Collection Poison Ivy Statue

PoisonIvyStatue2

A Diamond Select Toys release! Every villain has that time they “almost got” Batman, and Poison Ivy is no different. Based on her appearance in the classic Batman: The Animated Series episode “Almost Got ‘Im,” this approximately 12” resin statue depicts the plant-loving Pamela Isley wearing a black outfit and holding one of her poisonous pumpkins, while standing in Gotham City’s pumpkin patch. Limited to only 3,000 pieces, this resin statue comes packaged in a full-color box with a certificate of authenticity. Sculpted by Clayburn Moore! (Item #FEB162457, SRP: $150.00)

iZombie TV Minimates 2-Pack

izombieMM2pack

A Diamond Select Toys release! You are who you eat! For zombies in the world of the iZombie TV show, the only downsides to being undead – besides the whole “eating brains” thing – are the personality shifts that come with every new brain they eat. Medical examiner Liv Moore and career criminal Blaine DeBeers both know this first-hand, as a zombie and a cured zombie, respectively, and this two-pack captures them in 20inch Minimates mini-figure form! Each Minimate features 14 points of articulation, and fully interchangeable parts, including a chopsticks hand and alternate Zombie Mode head for Liv, plus brains! Packaged on a full-color blister card. (Item #APR162616, SRP: $9.99)

Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 Minimates Box Set

Pvz_GardenWarfare2MMSet

A Diamond Select Toys release! The Plants vs. Zombies conflict continues! Based on the new sequel to the hit video game Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, this new Minimates box set pits Zombie warriors Captain Deadbeard and Super Brainz against Rose, Kernel Corn and Pea Shooter! Each 2-inch Zombie Minimates mini-figure features up to 14 points of articulation, and all characters feature fully interchangeable parts. Packaged on a full-color blister card. (Item #APR162617, SRP: $24.99)

Find your nearest specialty retailer at
comicshoplocator.com!

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