(Image: BronyCon)
D’awwww you guys! BronyCon sent out holiday greetings, and one look at these ponys – their mascots, gussied up for the season – and I’m all in for a sleigh ride.
Happy, Merry Chrismukwanzyulekkah to all!
Image: DiamondSparks/ponychan
Let’s get this out of the way right now – The Interview was never going to be a classic of modern cinema. It’s more likely a goofy riff filled with stupid pandering humor that leaves people feeling empty at the end. Hell, I’ve seen This Is The End.
But Sony Pictures knuckling under to terrorist threats – and the hacking that released a ton of their Super Secret Squirrel movies and backstage stuff – really ticks me off. Yes, the idea behind the shelving of The Interview‘s Christmas day opening sounds like a good idea, if only to be on the safe side after threats of 9/11 style attacks on theaters showing the film. But for a while it seemed as if Sony would knuckle under completely, shelving it for good.
Really? The Western world is going to start doing whatever terrorists want, just in case something bad may happen? What is this; are we living one step away from Black Mirror? For crying out loud. What’s next, threatening action if anyone ever watches Paul Blart: Mall Cop? (Wait, that’s no loss.) Still, how many more threats will come if this one succeeds?
There’s a bit of hope though. Newest wrinkle? Seems Sony will be releasing The Interview on Crackle for free. So hopefully they won’t pull it again. Not because I’m dying to see this film but because if we as a nation are gonna be all “No negotiating with terrorists”? We need to support those that get singled out by narcissistic nutjobs.
Granted, perhaps I’d be ticked off at a film that has me dying horribly at the end. (Though honestly, having Franco & Rogen botch the assassination feels like it’d have been funnier….) But if I were in a position of crazy-ass power, I’d just let the haters hate, and then roll around in a pile of money as my minions peeled me grapes.
So tonight? I’ma watch Team America: World Police. Paramount pussed and decided not to support screenings of Team America as a way for some theaters to say F-you to North Korea (and to a lesser extent, Sony)? Fine. It’s on Netflix.
“America, Fuck Yeah!”
I get it; a huge corporation needs to protect itself and it’s customers.
But I hate that terrorists win in this instance. At least so far.
From Sony Pictures Entertainment:
“In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film The Interview, we have decided not to move forward with the planned December 25 theatrical release. We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers.
Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our employees, our customers, and our business. Those who attacked us stole our intellectual property, private emails, and sensitive and proprietary material, and sought to destroy our spirit and our morale – all apparently to thwart the release of a movie they did not like. We are deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie, and in the process do damage to our company, our employees, and the American public. We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.”
(Image: FCBD/Amanda Conner)
Mmm, free comic books. Yeah, yeah, mah people. We’ll probably clean up this month, with all the holidayness erupting all over the place. Mmm, prezzies. But the folks at Free Comic Book Day have announced the 50 titles that made the cut for the 2015 FCBD! I know, right? I’m psyched too.
BTW, like the logo above? It’s the 2015 t-shirt design, by AMANDA CONNER. Yes, I’m psyched.
My Must Haves for next year’s ‘Day? (All titles have “FCBD 2015” attached. I was just too lazy to re-type it all.)
And okay, the Attack On Titan cover has me wanting to check out the Kodansha Comics Sampler too. So many…so very many….
Free Comic Book Day 2015 will be May 2, 2015. Plenty of time to plan your local comic store takeover. Er, visit. Yeah. Visit.
Peep the full list at the source, of course! Clicky to pop to the Free Comic Book Day site!
Still more reasons why I need to travel more… This year’s Sundance Film Fest is looking like a nicely nerdy fit with the Indie Lounge and SLCC. Oh who am I kidding; I just want to sit in a gorgeous place and read comic books. There, I said it.
And am I the only one hoping that with the use of the term “Fellowship”, that there’ll be hobbits?
(PRNewsFoto/SALT LAKE CITY)
Salt Lake Comic Con and the Indie Lounge Unite Forces to Create a Fellowship of Mythological Proportions During the Sundance Film Festival
SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The Independent Film Maker’s Lounge announced today an epic partnership with Salt Lake Comic Con to create an Indie Lounge for entertainment and gifting during the opening weekend of the Sundance Film Festival, January 22-25, 2015.
Indie Lounge will host the top tier of celebrity high life, latest musical talents from around the world and entertainers from all over the globe as they enter their fifth year of hosting.
Entrance to the Indie Lounge is an exclusive, invite-only experience designed to indulge A-list celebrities, B-list entertainers and press and media outlets from around the globe with luxury gifting, as well as the opportunity for independent filmmakers, musicians and affluent industry professionals to connect and collaborate. It’s literally the place to #getscene.
Located on Main Street’s coveted Courtyard Summit, the Indie Lounge offers festival attendees an escape from the barrage of movie premieres and meetings. With an iconic presence, the Indie Lounge is widely known for their hospitable environment and full service Snap Daddy’s gourmet catering that is perfectly weaved into this venue’s warm, sanctuary-like atmosphere.
“The excitement surrounding the relationship between Salt Lake Comic Con and the Indie Lounge adds an entirely new dimension in what to expect in gifting and entertainment offered at the festival,” stated Indie Lounge Producers.
Since its debut onto the Sundance scene in September 2013, Salt Lake Comic Con has attracted some of the world’s most notable celebrity guests.
“We’re all about entertainment and celebrities, and together with the Indie Lounge, we believe we can complement all the great events and activities taking place at the Sundance Film Festival and help connect fans to their favorite stars,” said Dan Farr, Salt Lake Comic Con Founder and Show Producer. “I believe that this Indie Lounge will be one of the most sought after and coveted credentials in town.”
For more information about Salt Lake Comic Con and its FanXperience (FanX) on January 29-31, 2015 visit the Salt Lake Comic Con website at http://saltlakecomiccon.com/.
ABOUT INDIE LOUNGE:
The Independent Filmmakers Lounge during the Sundance Film Festival, more commonly known to the industry as the Indie Lounge, was developed in 2010 as a focal point for established and inspiring filmmakers who attend the Festival. The Indie Lounge has established itself as one of the most highly regarded gifting and entertainment lounges which takes place during the first weekend of the Sundance Film Festival. The Indie Lounge specializes in attracting A-list celebrities and B-list entertainers, as well as Producers and Directors from around the world. The hospitality of the lounge, its unique filmmaking forums, live entertainment, gourmet catering and award winning hosts have cemented the #IndieLounge as a mooring of the Sundance experience. Website: www.powerandindustry.com/sundanceABOUT SALT LAKE COMIC CON:
Salt Lake Comic Con is organized by Dan Farr Productions in partnership with ABC4/CW30 of the Nexstar Broadcasting Group. Dan Farr Productions is an event and marketing group devoted to organizing events, launching and acquiring new shows and partnering with premium celebrities and brands in the pop culture arena. Dan Farr Productions is dedicated to producing spectacular celebrations of popular culture that lead the market in providing exceptional and rewarding experiences for our consumers, fans, celebrity guests, vendors and partners. Website: www.SaltLakeComicCon.com, www.abc4.com/.
It’s the Awards Season Onslaught time! So that can mean only one thing; quickie reviews so you (and I) can get out and enjoy the season faster. Feliz Chrismukwanzyulekkah y’all!
Before: THE HOBBIT!!11!! Happy that the final installment of this trilogy is finally hitting theaters, but sad that that means the trilogy is at an end. Been purposefully ignoring the trailers in the hope that I’ll be a wide-eyed Five Armies innocent once it unspools. Though gotta say that Orlando Bloom still looks airbrushed within an inch of his life in the teasers I’ve eyeballed. It’s gotta be tough playing a character that’s supposed to be younger than when you played him 10+ years earlier. L.O.L.A. Lola…
During: I feared that the rambling that PJ did during The Desolation of Smaug would play out further here. No worries there. In fact, this film takes place seconds after The Great Wyrm decides to destroy Lake-Town after he gets sick and tired of Thorin and his dwarven compatriots (to say nothing of Bilbo’s trickery…hello inviso-ring!) Smaug destroying Lake-Town — and Bard trying to destroy Smaug — is, to quote Galadriel’s speech to Frodo in Lord of the Rings, “beautiful and terrible as the dawn!” Seems a shame to end that bit so (relatively) quickly, but we’ve got things and stuff.
Ready for the holidays? No? Well, if you need to impress someone, why not win yourself a pair of passes to The Gambler and take ’em out on “your dime”? And by “your dime”, I mean for free. Though you should probably spring for some popcorn and really blow ’em over. Because holiday season ain’t holiday season without popcorn. Just me?
Anyway. Wanna know what’s on tap this time, courtesy of our lovely and talented PR folks? Here’s the synopsis for The Gambler:
Jim Bennett (Academy Award®-nominee Mark Wahlberg) is a risk taker. Both an English professor and a high-stakes gambler, Bennett bets it all when he borrows from a gangster (Michael Kenneth Williams) and offers his own life as collateral. Always one step ahead, Bennett pits his creditor against the operator of a gambling ring (Alvin Ing) and leaves his dysfunctional relationship with his wealthy mother (Academy Award®-winner Jessica Lange) in his wake. He plays both sides, immersing himself in an illicit, underground world while garnering the attention of Frank (John Goodman), a loan shark with a paternal interest in Bennett’s future. As his relationship with a student (Brie Larson) deepens, Bennett must take the ultimate risk for a second chance…
Want passes? Read on…
YA movie time! The Divergent Series: Insurgent is gearing up with some sweet new posters. There’s also a cool interactive site that you can play with ’til the film hits next March.
Here’s the synopsis:
THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT raises the stakes for Tris as she searches for allies and answers in the ruins of a futuristic Chicago. Tris (Woodley) and Four (James) are now fugitives on the run, hunted by Jeanine (Winslet), the leader of the power-hungry Erudite elite. Racing against time, they must find out what Tris’s family sacrificed their lives to protect, and why the Erudite leaders will do anything to stop them. Haunted by her past choices but desperate to protect the ones she loves, Tris, with Four at her side, faces one impossible challenge after another as they unlock the truth about the past and ultimately the future of their world.
Check out the new shiny:
Reblogging this because everyone should see this clip. Not only is Cumberbatch hilarious, but the WETA folks deliver some serious beautiful work.
And of course Colbert is a hoot.
Enjoy!
Nutshell: I’d give Exodus: Gods and Kings a C-. Barely passing as an epic, and though there are some interesting moments when the 21st Century tries to science-splain ancient Egypt, it never once stirred my interest past the FX. Who’s your Moses now? Who cares.
I really wanted to love this movie. Because c’mon, who doesn’t love the cheesy goodness of Yul “WHO’S YOUR MOSES NOW?” Brynner in The Ten Commandments? And I’m not even gonna touch the bombast of Charlton Heston’s Moses. It’s grand, over-the-top, and a must-watch for me every Spring.
Unfortunately, Exodus doesn’t live up to the hype of it’s cinematic forefathers. At times it’s a breathtaking visual treat but it’s much like another Spring favorite of mine, the chocolate bunny. It’s pretty enough, and maybe even a bit impressive, but once you sink your teeth into it all you’ve got is a crumbling facade and a hollow that’s damn disappointing.
Y’all know the basics; Moses was an adopted son of Pharaoh. But when rumors of how he was really brought into this world (think reed basket, Jewish binkie and a desperate-for-a-kid Egyptian princess), Moses decides to embrace his heritage, starting with freeing Jewish slaves. All of them. Cue the Exodus!
Director Ridley Scott plays a little fast-n-loose with the basics of the tale;
Got a dollar to spare? A quarter?
Atomic Fangirl 