Con News: BronyCon’s final year announces vendor applications and (In) Spirit Badges!

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Denise

I don’t know about you, but I’m teary at the prospect of 2019 being the last year of BronyCon. Yeah, I know; end on a high note, leave ’em aching for more. But y’all, I just can’t take it. That said, I can’t wait to be there.

If you’re headed to BronyCon and want to sell some merch, get to it – applications for the Blank Canvas’ Marketplace is open, dahlings! And if you’re dying to come but can’t? BronyCon’s got you covered with Spirit Badges. Badges (and more!) that’ll be mailed to you’re there in spirit. Aww, sweet, right? Even Pinkie is getting a bit misty…who’s chopping the onions?

Read on for full details!

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Elsewhere Review: Pat Cadigan and Paul Dini’s DC Comics Novels – Harley Quinn: Mad Love

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Denise
Originally published on December 9th, 2018, at The Green Man Review!

“If resistance to Batman was a crime, then crime was a revolutionary act.”

Everybody loves Harley Quinn. Well maybe Batman thinks she’s kind of a pain, but let’s not talk about him right now, shall we? Harley’s today’s star, and for fans who’ve always wanted to know how Harley got her start, DC Comics got you covered with “Mad Love”. First published as a one-shot comic book in 1994, it became arguably the best known episode of The New Batman Adventures in 1999. The story of Dr. Harleen Quinzel’s transformation into villain/anti-hero Harley Quinn is well known nowadays; the good doctor treats psychotic supervillain the Joker, and through his manipulation, she falls in love with him and joins his gang. Good story, right? Right. Continue reading →

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Rapid Review: “Mary Queen of Scots”

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Denise
(Because really; award season means you’re trying to winnow down the musts from the must-pass.)

“I know your heart has more in it than the men who counsel you.”

An epic true story gets a intimate imagining in this beautiful biopic based on Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth I. Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie deliver award-worthy performances as the two queens, while David Tennant gives great skeevy religious fanatic. Queer representation as well as POC at court portrays a more realistic look at 16th Century England (even if not exactly historically correct in terms of actual members of court.) But Scots is best at painting a picture of two women used as chess pieces by the machinations of men in their service. Oh, what might have been, if these leaders had been left to rule as they saw fit. Grade: A-

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The Overlook Film Festival announces its 2019 dates!

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Denise

Horror movies. New Orleans. A match made in heaven, no? YES. The Overlook Film Festival lets you sink into horror with fellow hounds, and gives you an excuse to eat just one more beignet. (Okay, maybe two. Call it fortification for the tour of Saint Louis Cemetery no. 1.)

Held at the gorgeous Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre, this is sure to be a good time. I can’t wait to see the films that are selected! (Psst – wanna submit something? They’re taking applications; I hope I get to see your film next year!) Read on for the full 411!

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “If Beale Street Could Talk”!

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Denise

I’m stoked about this film, as it’s been getting a whole lot of great buzz, and the trailer is absolutely wonderful. So, synopsis!

Set in early-1970s Harlem, If Beale Street Could Talk is a timeless and moving love story of both a couple’s unbreakable bond and the African-American family’s empowering embrace, as told through the eyes of 19-year-old Tish Rivers (screen newcomer KiKi Layne). A daughter and wife-to-be, Tish vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny (Stephan James). Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit.

Ready? Let’s go!

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Rapid Review: “Once Upon a Deadpool”

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Denise

“I see myself as more of an east coast Hufflepuff.”

Less than the original D2, but also more. Subtract some gore and baby junk, and add more banter between the cast. Come for the fun (but not overused) Princess Bride-esque wraparound riffs, stay for the touching hat-tip to Stan Lee after the end credits. Excelsior! Grade: B+

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Columbia Screening Pass-palooza: “Mary Poppins Returns” !

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Denise

Morning y’all! I don’t have a spoonful of sugar, but I do have passes for the Columbia MD screening of Mary Poppins Returns! Synopsis!

In Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” an all new original musical and sequel, Mary Poppins is back to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder missing in their lives following a personal loss. Emily Blunt (“A Quiet Place,” “The Girl on the Train”) stars as the practically-perfect nanny with unique magical skills who can turn any ordinary task into an unforgettable, fantastic adventure and LinManuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “Moana”) plays her friend Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter who helps bring light—and life—to the streets of London.

Got your umbrella? Let’s go!

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TrailerWatch – “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” gives us all the things

Posted on December 10, 2018 by Denise

I’m going to be as calm, cool, and professional as possible here. BUT OH MY GOD DID YOU SEE THAT? AND THAT? AND THAAAAAAT?

Warner Brothers has thrown down. They’re here to bring us all the Kaiju, and with this trailer they’ve shown us that they’re not playing around. Rodan’s claws coming out of the earth. Mothra getting her biggest baddest wingbeat. Ghidorah’s serpentine necks readying for battle. And, of course, Big G all glowy and amazing.

Yes, there’s bits of Milly Bobby Brown, Vera Farmiga, Kyle Chandler, Sally Hawkins and my man Ken Watanabe…but it’s all about the monsterous showdown we’re absolutely gonna see, because WB has tee’d it up for us. I for one welcome our Kaiju overlords.

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TrailerWatch: “Avengers: Endgame” delivers a title, a poster, and the goods

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Denise

“Is this thing on?”

OH MAN I have all the feels with this trailer. Every single one of them. Fear, terror, happiness, joy, heartbreak, hope…Marvel did a damn good job with this one y’all. From Tony Stark in space to Clint Barton looking heartbroken and vengeance-driven to Scott Lang’s sweetly funny end-of-teaser tidbit that helped me cope after everything else I’d seen? Da-yam y’all. Just…yeah. And who else loved that the “A” in Avengers seems to be re-forming from the ashes in the poster and the tail-end of the trailer?

Anyone else betting/hoping that “Miss Potts” will be zooming up to save her beau? And I need to see Clint-as-Ronin really throw down. But right now I need some solace after what I’ve just seen. At least ’til we can all sit down and watch everything. Or maybe I’ll just re-watch the trailer. Again..

Avengers: Endgame hits theaters April 26th, 2019.

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Baltimore Screening Pass-palooza: “Mortal Engines”!

Posted on December 4, 2018 by Denise

Ready to go post-apocalyptic? Because I’ve got passes for the B’more screening of Mortal Engines! Synopsis!

Hundreds of years after civilization was destroyed by a cataclysmic event, humankind has adapted and a new way of living has evolved. Gigantic moving cities now roam the Earth, ruthlessly preying upon smaller traction towns. Tom Natsworthy (Robert Sheehan)—who hails from a Lower Tier of the great traction city of London—finds himself fighting for his own survival after he encounters the dangerous fugitive Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar). Two opposites, whose paths should never have crossed, forge an unlikely alliance that is destined to change the course of the future.

Ready? Let’s go!

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