Christopher Lloyd

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[Movie News] In Theaters This Week – March 26, 2021

by Tori Ann March 24, 2021

written by Tori Ann

This week sees a number of interesting movies premiere in theaters. We have an action film wherein a bystander that helps a woman who is being harassed become the target of a drug lord, a drama about 20 German girls that disappear on a trip with their teacher shortly before the start of World War II, a film about the night fans of recently deceased band The Smiths take over a local radio station, and more!

Nobody (R)

A bystander who intervenes to help a woman being harassed by a group of men becomes the target of a vengeful drug lord.

Directed by Ilya Naishuller

Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Aleksey Serebryakov, Connie Nielsen, Christopher Lloyd, Michael Ironside

Release date: March 26

The Seventh Day (R)

A renowned exorcist who teams up with a rookie priest for his first day of training. As they plunge deeper into hell on earth, the lines between good and evil blur, and their own demons emerge.

Directed by Justin P. Lange

Starring: Guy Pearce, Keith David, Stephen Lang, Robin Bartlett, Hannah Alline

Release date: March 26

Shoplifters of the World (NR)

1987. Denver, Co. One crazy night in the life of four friends reeling from the sudden demise of iconic British band The Smiths, while the local airwaves are hijacked at gunpoint by an impassioned Smiths fan.

Directed by Stephen Kijak

Starring: Helena Howard, Elena Kampouris, James Bloor, Nick Krause, Joe Manganiello

Release date: March 26

Six Minutes to Midnight (PG-13)

UK, Aug. 15, 1939: 17 days before WWII, an English teacher and his camera disappear on a coastal boarding school with 20 German teen girls. Miller gets the job 6 days later, secretly trying to find out what happened.

Directed by Andy Goddard

Starring: James D’Arcy, Judi Dench, Eddie Izzard, Jim Broadbent, David Schofield

Release date: March 26

What new movies are you excited to see?

March 24, 2021 0 comment

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Movies / TV

[Cinema Sunday] Buckaroo Banzai – 80’s Cult Classic

by Joshua Winchester June 3, 2018

written by Joshua Winchester

“Remember, no matter where you go, there you are.” – Buckaroo Banzai

Time to give a cheer because summer is here. That means school is out for many, vacations begin, adventures planned. And in the course of it all, new movies come out, the summer blockbusters and popcorn flicks. So to help make the summer months a bit more exciting and fun, another series of articles on 80’s films.

To kick things off, a little trip down memory lane back to 1984. A little movie that is equal parts adventure, comedy, sci-fi, drama, and more. It’s time to dig into the great story that is The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.

Like any great 80’s movie, its director is central to the creation and development. Whether its John Hughes and Breakfast Club, or Robert Zemeckis and Back to the Future. These are the minds that have a vision and work together with the writer (s) and cast and crew to see that vision come to life.

W.D. Richter (center) on set with (left to right), Vincent Schiavelli, John Lithgow, and Christopher Lloyd

Enter W.D. Richter, the man who gave us the foremost mind in the realms of medicine, physics and adventuring. And the story of Buckaroo Banzai is one that goes back years and years. It starts in 1974, when W.D.’s wife first encountered a piece of fiction by the movie scriptwriter, Mac Rauch. The two men began a correspondence and after years passed, a trip to LA sowed the seeds for the movie.

After multiple treatment ideas and a strike by the Writers Guild of America, a finished script was taken to 20th Century Fox. A green light was given, a budget put together, and it was off to the races.

Any movie cast is one of its strongest elements. And to bring the character of Buckaroo Banzai to life, people have Peter Weller to thank. Richter wanted a person who, “could both look heroic with grease all over his face, and project the kind of intelligence you would associate with a neurosurgeon and inventor.” And that’s just what audiences get from Weller. His portrayal of Buckaroo has all the elements of a classic Western literature Renaissance man, a hero, a genius, a being of action, and dashing personality. Plus he’s not just a scientist and surgeon, he’s also a killer musician as well. But more on that later.

Ellen Barkin (center) and some of the Hong Kong Cavaliers

Of course what sci-fi/action/romance/comedy, etc. is complete without a female lead and love interest. Enter Ellen Barkin, who snags the camera as Penny Priddy. Penny starts out tragic, but as the story progresses, she adds more and more to the plot. She’s not just eye candy for the male audience, she isn’t just a love interest for Buckaroo to save (though she does require saving in the end). A key moment is during a press conference held to explain the feat that Buckaroo has just undertaken passing through solid matter into the 8th dimension. Penny adds her two cents in regarding the science of the experiment, and adding more to the budding romance between the two.

All great movies of a sci-fi variety need a villain. Darth Vader, Roy Batty, Khan, the list goes on and on. And a small, but noted member of that list is Lord John Whorfin, played by John Lithgow. Lithgow’s performance is one of the great screen-stealers of the entire movie. Playing the character as zany and over the top, but still with vast amounts of menace, it is easy to see why he was cast for the part. One of the great examples of this is when he first busts out of a mental institution. While holding a guard at bay with one hand, he makes a collect phone call to one of his associates, John Bigbooté (Christopher Lloyd). After relaying instructions in a very ‘hushed’ tone, Worfin snaps the neck of the guard and makes his exit. That speaks volumes about Lithgow as an actor and why Whorfin is such a benchmark on his career and on the entirety of fictional villainy.

Now there is the matter of the support cast. What hero isn’t complete without friends and comrades? For Buckaroo Banzai, it’s his think tank/band, the Hong Kong Cavaliers. A group of men all with varied backgrounds and interests in a variety of fields, they are also his backup and elite squad when it comes to either saving the day or breaking ground in the realms of science. With odd codenames to match their quirky natures, Rawhide (Clancy Brown), Reno (Pepe Serna), Perfect Tommy (Lewis Smith), New Jersey (Jeff Goldblum) and Pinky Carruthers (Billy Vera), these men will stand by Buckaroo through thick and thin.

Music was mentioned earlier. That’s because it’s not a true 80s movie without a memorable soundtrack. And this little picture has it in spades. With a stunning score put together by Bones Howe and Michael Boddicker, two very standout bits are these…

One being when Buckaroo and the Cavaliers actually show off their rock skills. It’s a fun number that is equal parts rock, with some piano and jazz mixed in as well. Not sure how it would exactly play with today’s audiences but that crowd in the club seem to be enjoying jamming.

Second is, ironically enough, the music played over the end credits. Normally, a person wouldn’t think the end credits track has any really punch, but this proves an exception. A solid, steady mix of synthesized sounds with whistles, it’s played over a very long but awesome to watch walking sequence by Buckaroo, Penny, the Cavaliers, and all their friends.

It’s unfortunate to say that at the time of its release, Buckaroo and his band may have saved the day, but they couldn’t save themselves from poor reviews. However, as the years have passed, Buckaroo’s legend has grown, and in the 21st century, Richter’s work of movie art is hailed and praised by many across all the age ranges.

Summer is well and truly here. Skies are clear, sun is shining. Life is budding all around in nature. And with every big motion picture coming out from the studios, sometimes some lighter but still excellent fare is called for. Make a point over the summer to enjoy one of the many 80s sci-fi features that will be covered in these articles. And there’s no greater starting point than Buckaroo Banzai.

June 3, 2018 0 comment

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Conventions

[Convention] Another Last Minute Con Cancellation – Epic Icon Comic Con

by April Carvelli May 2, 2018

written by April Carvelli

Epic Icon Comic Con in L.A. was cancelled. Epic Icon Comic Con was originally scheduled to run this weekend (May 4-6). The official cancellation notice was on Thursday, April 26.

This was a small convention that never hit my radar. According to the website, their two headliners were Christopher Lloyd and Tom Wilson, both from Back to the Future. Other names included Jack O’Halloran (Non from Superman II), actor Aaron Smolinski, voice actresses from Frozen Livvy Stubenrauch and Eva Bella, and special effect artist David Alan Barclay.

No one else is listed, yet if you follow their Instagram posts they had a whole slew of guests related to Back to the Future.

On top of the Back to the Future group, they also had cosplayer and cosplay groups, artists and vendors. None of which are listed.

Tom Wilson cancelled two weeks ago, which is mentioned on their website, which means that they were updating it. However, the only mention I saw of the cancellation on social media was through fan inquiries. Epic Icon Comic Con said they were refunding Tom Wilson tickets, however I haven’t received confirmation of anyone getting money back.

Short Notice Cancellation

On April 26th fans were greeted with these notices:

On the website

https://www.facebook.com/epiciconcomiccon/posts/441198496322215

Yes, the Eventbrite page is still up, and it appears you can buy tickets. The ticket prices have been escalated to an outrageous amount and the purchase page states the event is cancelled.

It’s nice to see that this event made it so you won’t purchase the tickets.

Eventbrite Page Cancellation and Refunds

I have spoken to several who claim to have purchased tickets, however no one has seen anything regarding a refund yet.

There is a reason the page is still up, despite the event cancellation. The organizers need this page if they want to issue refunds, or if they want to issue them with minimal hassle.

The one nice thing about Evenbrite is that they are very easy to use…if you are an organizer. Eventbrite provides detailed instructions on how to cancel an event. The instructions include emailing your ticket holders; they even provide an easy tool to do it with. They then go on to show you in detail how to issue refunds. It is time-consuming because they don’t have an option to issue bulk refunds, which means you need to issue each refund individually, but it’s not hard.

Where Conventions Get in Trouble

If the organizer used the Eventbrite payment system, then the money is still in Eventbrite’s control. Per Eventbrite, they will start processing the organizers payout 4-5 days after the event ends, then process a bank transfer for the amount minus fees. If the event went through, then the organizer won’t see the money for about two weeks after the event.

For a cancelled event, the organizer has to process the refunds individually. Unfortunately, the Eventbrite page does not state how long it takes for them to process the returns after the request by the organizer. The page does state:

“When a Consumer requests a refund and the Organizer does not respond by either refunding or denying the request after seven (7) days, Eventbrite may execute the refund on behalf of the Organizer.”

It also states:

“In the event that Organizer fails to honor a refund that a Consumer believes is due under the applicable refund policy and/or the minimum requirements set forth above, that Consumer may request that Eventbrite initiate a refund by contacting us. ”

“Eventbrite will endeavor to complete its review within thirty (30) days of being contacted by the Consumer.”

If the organizer used Paypal, then the organizer already has the money and has frequently spent it. Which means there is probably nothing to issue refunds with.

“Consumers should note that if an Organizer has selected a facilitated payment method such as PayPal® for an event, Eventbrite will not have control of the funds and Eventbrite will need the provider of the facilitated payment method to cooperate in order to obtain a refund, which may not happen.

Failure Reasons?

Bad Advertising

For a decent size Back to the Future reunion, this convention did some poor quality advertising. I spoke with several cosplayers in the Los Angeles Cosplay community and none of them had heard more than rumors about this convention. No one recalls seeing advertising.

First Year Convention

This is a first year convention and we have no idea who was running it. They could be a complete newcomer to the con scene, or a repeat con artist, we just don’t know. I could not find any business registered under the name Epic Icon Comic Con. According to Eventbrite, the event is organized by “Greatest American Heroes.” Interestingly there is/was an event on Eventful listed for the the same weekend and location called “Greatest American Heroes Comic Con.”

Both conventions also appear in the Eventful event calendar for the Los Angeles Convention Center

I haven’t found a business registry under the name Greatest American Heroes either

Poor Location

The cost of the convention, combined with the cost of parking and the ease of getting to the convention center would have deterred a lot of people. This is a first-year convention and they don’t know if it’s good. It’s a lot of money to spend.

This is an expensive place to rent, which adds to the overhead and lowers any profit margin they may have.

Vendors

So far, I have not found local comic artists or vendors who were participating in this convention. As far as I can tell, they didn’t sell much, if any, vendor space. So they definitely didn’t have the money to pay for the their guests.

May 2, 2018 0 comment

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Comic Reviews History Music

Influential Films in Pop Culture History: ‘Back to the Future’ – 80’s Time Travel Classic

by Joshua Winchester August 17, 2017

written by Joshua Winchester

“Wait a minute. Wait a minute, Doc. Ah…are you trying to tell me that you built a time machine…out of a DeLorean?” – Marty McFly.

For the little trip down movie memory lane this week, it’s off to 1985. And this time the trip is going to be taken in style, aboard Doc Brown’s DeLorean. That’s right, it’s Robert Zemeckis’s 1985 hit Back to the Future. The brilliant science-fiction adventure comedy that spawned two sequels, an animated series, video games and to this day remains a favorite for fans of not only 80’s movies, but of movies in general.

This is a story that, under the guiding hand of Robert Zemeckis (pictured right), tapped into something special and channeled it into the masterpiece still loved in the modern age. A story about a young man inadvertently traveling back to the time when his parents met and having to get them together to save his own future, the plot is something straight out of the mind of great science fiction writers. Combine that with a killer cast, sweet soundtrack, and clever dialogue, mixed together with solid special effects, the end result being something that is timeless.

Michael J. Fox’s name was put on the map thanks to his role of Marty McFly, alongside those of Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover and Thomas F. Wilson. Added to the fact that with Christopher Lloyd for supporting star power, there was no stopping the cast from rising to great heights thanks to this movie. Michael J. Fox continued to make great movies and then transitioned into voice acting with one his most memorable rolls being that of Stuart Little. Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover have continued to have great roles in movies, to say nothing of Christopher Lloyd and Thomas F. Wilson. Each cast member continues to shine bright in the Hollywood heavens thanks to this movie.

Many movie soundtracks are the stuff of legend, the songs and scores one of the defining features about them. But for great feel-good soundtracks, look no further then beloved 80’s movies. For Back to the Future, ‘The Power of Love’ by Huey Lewis and the News is the #1 track, with the runners up being ‘Earth Angel’ and Marty’s rendition of the Chuck Berry hit ‘Johnny B. Goode’. So if there’s ever time when anyone is listening to Pandora or Spotify, or flipping through the stations on their radio and one of those songs come up, heed this advice. Don’t click to the next song, don’t change the station, just enjoy the song and get pulled back to the happy memories that come with those tracks.

For the central theme to this movie, aside from that of Marty working fast to ensure his parents come together so that he doesn’t fade away, there’s the theme of overcoming fear and doubt, rising up from the expectations and confinements one has been placed in. George McFly was a wallflower, a Peter Parker who had never been bitten by the spider. It takes his own son coming into his life for George to stand on his own two feet, laying out bully Biff (finally) and falling in love with Lorraine.

There’s also what happens to him and his wife in 1985; their lives are much richer and fuller thanks to Marty getting run over by his grandfather in 1955. George is a successful author and college professor, Lorraine is a happier individual, both of Marty’s older siblings even are doing better thanks to the self-confidence Marty helped George to find. As George himself put it “You put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.”

Many things about the 80’s are remembered with degrees of pride: the music (everything from hair metal to pop), to its politics (Reaganomics), advances in technology and science (home computers) and personal entertainment (CD’s, video games, etc). But when it comes mass market entertainment, the movies of the decade will always come out on top, Back to the Future being one of the greats. Its legacy and impact on the times were so powerful, that Ronald Reagan himself quoted the movie in his 1986 State of the Union, saying “Never has there been a more exciting time to be alive, a time of rousing wonder and heroic achievement. As they said in the film Back to the Future, ‘Where we’re going, we don’t need roads.’” President Reagan was right, the 80’s were an exciting time to be alive back then, even with the Cold War reaching its apex and the troubles brewing in the Middle East. The 80’s was a time of achievement, of new ground broken in so many fields. Robert Zemeckis broke all kinds of ground when he brought to the big screen a fantastic time travel tale involving love, family and one sweet set of wheels. To add to the already growing pile of movies written about during the course of these pieces, add this one to the top of the “need to watch again” pile.

August 17, 2017 0 comment

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History

Influential Films in Pop Culture History: ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ – A Mystery w/ Animated Twists

by Joshua Winchester July 27, 2017

written by Joshua Winchester

P-p-please, Eddie! Don’t throw me out. Don’t you realize you’re making a big mistake? I didn’t kill anybody. I swear! The whole thing’s a set up. A scam, a frame job. Ow! Eddie, I could never hurt anybody. Oow! My whole purpose in life is to make… people… laugh!– Roger Rabbit

Noir and crime movies are some of the most well-trod genres in American cinema. So what happens when such a movie is made, that also combines cartoon characters and makes them central to the plot? The answer is quite simple and that is Robert Zemeckis’ 1988 live-action/animated neo-noir masterpiece Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It has all the best elements of a classic noir story: a cynical private detective, a case that goes from simple to profoundly complicated and involves celebrities, the police, a MacGuffin object everyone wants to get their hands on, a femme fatale, all combined with some of the best cartoon characters of America’s Golden Age of Animation.

Before Zemeckis came along and made this hard-boiled hijinks-filled movie, there was a book first. Written by Gary K. Wolf, Who Censored Roger Rabbit came out a full eight years before the movie and is a far different animal entirely. Roger is instead a comic strip character who is murdered and his speech balloon made blank as way of him being “censored” to keep silent on the killer’s identity. Aside from Eddie Valiant, Roger’s wife Jessica and co-star Baby Herman, the book and movie differ greatly on plot and supporting characters, but it is those differences that have made the movie such a treasured part of the 1980’s.

Its cast is wide ranged, not just in terms of star power but also in terms of the characters themselves. The mix of real world persons and cartoons is vast, with Bob Hoskins as detective Eddie Valiant, Christopher Lloyd as the villainous Judge Doom, Joanna Cassidy as Eddie’s girlfriend Dolores, Stubby Kaye as gag-master Marvin Acme and Alan Tilvern as studio head R.K. Maroon. And that’s just the main human characters of the story, the animated side of the cast is a whole funnier ballpark.

Leading the pack is Charles Fleischer as the voice of Roger Rabbit, with Kathleen Turner in the unaccredited role of Jessica Rabbit. The entire animated cast is a smorgasbord of cartoon greats, from many of the major titans of the animation industry (that were around in the setting of 1947 Los Angeles). From Disney and Warner Bros to Columbia, Paramount, RKO, Universal and 20^th Century Fox, there are plenty of well-known cartoon figures that show up. Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, Donald Duck, Daffy Duck, Dumbo, Woody Woodpecker, Droopy Dog and Felix the Cat, the list of animated stars goes on and on, making the movie a major who’s who of everyone’s favorite characters.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is famous for a lot of things besides its plot and casting. The movie served as a springboard for renewed interest in the classic cartoons of the Golden Age of American Animation and also paved the way for the Disney Renaissance as well as the modern age of animation.

Two additional pieces of fame attached to the movie should also be given notice. The first is that so far this is the only time that Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny have shared screen-time together in their combined 89 years of bringing laughter and joy to audiences everywhere. The second is that this was one of the final performances of Looney Tunes voice acting legend Mel Blanc (left) before his death in 1989. Mel voiced several of his most famous Looney Tunes roles, specifically Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Sylvester and Tweety. Even with these titans of Looney Tunes fame playing second fiddle to Roger and Jessica, they still provide bits of elemental humor bolstered by Mel’s multi-talented voice giving them life.

A lot can be said for this movie. It’s a piece of 80’s glory that like so many other films of the decade, brings fond memories to light for those who saw it in theaters. It keeps bringing laughs to people 29 years later. This story will never stop being old, nor will the performances of Bob Hoskins, Charles Fleischer, Kathleen Turner and Christopher Lloyd, not to mention the countless other actors/actresses and voice actors who gave so much to make the film possible. Its legacy is one of giggles and grins, laughs and yuks, suspense and thrills, not to mention funny songs and dances. There’s a lot to be said for a movie that puts a private detective and a cartoon rabbit together as an unlikely duo working to solve a murder and save the day from greed, corruption and outright evil. So the next time there’s a craving for an 80’s movie that will bring laughs, sit down and enjoy Who Framed Roger Rabbit again. In the words of Roger, “A laugh can be a very powerful thing. Why, sometimes in life, it’s the only weapon we have.”

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is currently available to stream on Netflix.

July 27, 2017 0 comment

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Collectibles Conventions

ONE-OF-A-KIND BACK TO THE FUTURE 2-in-1 PINBALL AND ARCADE MACHINE

by April Carvelli August 10, 2016

written by April Carvelli

Do you like Back to the Future? What about arcade games and pinball? Well here is your opportunity to own a custom-made Back to the Future 2-in-1 digital pinball and arcade machine. It has customized artwork and a laser-engraved plate autographed by 3 cast members from the trilogy: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson.

This one of a kind item is to be auctioned off on eBay starting at 11am PST on Saturday, August 20 with proceeds going to The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Check out the Press Release:

WIZARD WORLD AND THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION PARTNER TO HOST AN EBAY FOR CHARITY AUCTION WITH ONE-OF-A-KIND BACK TO THE FUTURE™

2-in-1 PINBALL AND ARCADE MACHINE AT WIZARD WORLD CHICAGO, AUGUST 18 – 21

The future is now! Custom made and autographed machine to be auctioned with all proceeds to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

LOS ANGELES, August 9, 2016 – Wizard World, Inc., (WIZD) the preeminent producer of Wizard World Comic Cons across North America, is partnering with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF) to auction off a custom-made and autographed Back to the Future™ 2-in-1 digital pinball and arcade machine, created by VPcabs. The machine will be donated by VPcabs and autographed by cast members Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson. VPcabs will be debuting the 2-in-1 digital pinball and arcade machine, along with its digital pinball machine (pictured above left), at Wizard World Chicago, August 18 – 21.

eBay for Charity will begin the auction for the custom-made and autographed 2-in-1 digital pinball and arcade machine on Saturday, August 20 with 100% of proceeds going to the MJFF. Both the Back to the Future digital pinball machine and the 2-in-1 digital pinball and arcade machine were developed by VPcabs via a licensing agreement with the NBCUniversal Brand Development Group.

“We are continuously grateful for every unique partnership that helps speed a cure for the estimated five million people worldwide who live with Parkinson’s disease,” says Debi Brooks, Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman, The Michael J. Fox Foundation. “By connecting Back to the Future fans to our community, we do more to speed research toward a cure and move closer to a future without Parkinson’s.”

The custom-made and autographed Back to the Future 2-in-1 digital pinball and arcade machine features:

Original Back to the Future artwork, custom designed to make this machine one-of-a-kind

Laser engraved plate autographed by the 3 cast members

Limited edition 1 of 1

LED buttons, Joystick and trackball

Orange Electroluminescent molding

Wizard World Logo on the front of the machine

“We are honored to partner with the Michael J. Fox Foundation and help raise money for such an incredible cause,” says John Maatta, Wizard World President & CEO. “We are also excited to share this unique experience with our fans in Chicago.”

The auction will begin at 11am PST on Saturday, August 20 at this link: http://www.ebay.com/rpp/bttf

Wizard World Chicago

Located at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, Back to the Future stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson will join previously announced guests including Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Carrie Fisher (Star Wars), David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson (The X-Files), Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), the cast of Netflix’s “Marvel’s Daredevil” including Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock/Daredevil), Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page), Elden Henson (Foggy Nelson), Jon Bernthal (Frank Castle/The Punisher), Elodie Yung (Elektra Natchios), and Rosario Dawson (Claire Temple), and more.

To purchase Admissions and VIP Admissions for the event, set for August 18-21, and to view the schedule, location, show hours, hotel & travel info, please visit: http://wizardworld.com/comiccon/chicago

About The Michael J. Fox Foundation
As the world’s largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s research, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to accelerating a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improved therapies for those living with the condition today. The Foundation pursues its goals through an aggressively funded, highly targeted research program coupled with active global engagement of scientists, Parkinson’s patients, business leaders, clinical trial participants, donors and volunteers. In addition to funding more than $600 million in research to date, the Foundation has fundamentally altered the trajectory of progress toward a cure. Operating at the hub of worldwide Parkinson’s research, the Foundation forges groundbreaking collaborations with industry leaders, academic scientists and government research funders, increases the flow of participants into Parkinson’s disease clinical trials with its online tool, Fox Trial Finder, promotes Parkinson’s awareness through high-profile advocacy, events and outreach, and coordinates the grassroots involvement of thousands of Team Fox members around the world. https://www.michaeljfox.org/

About Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD)

Wizard World, Inc. produces comic, gaming and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate the best in pop-fi, pop culture, movies, television, cosplay, comics, graphic novels, toys, video gaming, sci-fi, gaming, original art, collectibles, contests and more. A first-class lineup of topical programming takes place at each event, with celebrity Q&A’s, comics-themed sessions, costume contests, movie screenings, evening parties and more. Wizard World has also launched the Wizard World Store, CONtv, a digital media channel in partnership with leading independent content distributor Cinedigm™ (NASDAQ: CIDM), and ComicConBox™, a premium subscription-based monthly box service. Fans can interact with Wizard World on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media services.

Wizard World 2016 schedule available at: www.wizardworld.com/wizcon.html.

About VPcabs

VPcabs offers the most advanced pinball machines on the market today. With VPcabs you can play hundreds of pinball and arcade games on one amazing machine! Featuring the amazing Pinball FX2 games from Zen Studios. We have a dedicated manufacturing facility in Cincinnati Ohio. Unlike any other machines on the market, we stand alone in quality of construction and have the best customer service in the industry. https://virtualpinball.com/

About eBay for Charity

eBay for Charity is a platform that enables members of the eBay community to donate to causes in the U.S. and abroad. Sellers can donate anywhere between 10-100 percent of the proceeds and buyers can add a donation to their purchase during checkout. To date, more than $650 million dollars have been raised on eBay for Charity. For more information, visit www.ebay.com/charity.

About the Back to the Future™ Franchise

From the Academy Award®-winning filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis, Back to the Future is the original, groundbreaking adventure that sparked one of the most successful trilogies ever! Starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, the phenomenally popular Back to the Future films literally changed the future of the adventure movie genre. Powered by innovative special effects, unforgettable songs and non-stop action, Back to the Future is an unrivaled adventure that stands the test of time. Back to the Future immerses you in all the breathtaking action, groundbreaking comedy and sheer movie-making magic of one of the most brilliantly inventive, wildly entertaining motion picture triumphs in Hollywood history! http://www.backtothefuture.com/

About NBCUniversal Brand Development

NBCUniversal Brand Development drives expansion of the company’s intellectual properties, franchises, characters and stories through innovative products, kids and family content, and experiences globally. Along with franchise brand management, NBCUniversal Brand Development includes three lines of business: NBCUniversal Consumer Products, Universal Kids & Family TV Productions, and NBCUniversal Games and Digital Products. NBCUniversal Brand Development is a business segment of Universal Filmed Entertainment, and part of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA).

August 10, 2016 0 comment

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Conventions Movies / TV Pop Cult News

Wizard World Chicago: This May Be the Best One Yet!!

by April Carvelli July 20, 2016

written by April Carvelli

In case you haven’t heard yet, Wizard World is coming to Chicago August 18-21 and it looks like it will be bigger and better than ever.

They have a lot of top name guests, artists and writers. In fact, this year has more big names that I am interested in seeing and meeting than they ever have before. I might actually have to spend some time in that part of the convention center.

One of the big pieces of news to me is the fact that Carrie Fisher will be making her first ever Wizard World appearance in Chicago. That’s right folks, Princess Leia is coming to Chicago. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to afford it, but one can always dream.

Carrie Fisher (Story), actress, writer, and daughter of Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher, made her film debut in Shampoo and became a cultural icon playing Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy. She starred in such hits as When Harry Met Sally, Hannah and Her Sisters, and The Blues Brothers. Her television credits include “Laverne & Shirley” and “Sex and the City,” and her appearance in “30 Rock” was Emmy Award-nominated. Fisher’s bestselling novel, Postcards from the Edge, netted her the Los Angeles PEN Literary Award for Best First Novel, and her Postcards screenplay for the Oscar-nominated film starred Shirley MacLaine and Meryl Streep. Three novels and two memoirs have followed: Delusions of Grandma, Surrender the Pink, The Best Awful, Wishful Drinking, and Shockaholic. Her one-woman Broadway show Wishful Drinking was filmed for HBO and was Emmy-nominated. Most recently Fisher reprised her role of Princess Leia in the record breaking box office hit Star Wars: The Force Awakens. She can also be seen in the critically acclaimed Amazon series “Catastrophe” and is completing her latest book The Princess Diarist out this fall.

They also have the Back to the Future cast members, including Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, and Michael J. Fox. Michael is another big one for me. Not only did I have a crush on him when I was younger, he’s also a fellow West Coast Canadian and he is a strong proponent for Parkinsons research. A lot of people owe him a debt of gratitude for all the attention he has brought to Parkinsons and all the contributions he has made. If there was any one star I could afford to spend my time and money on, it would be him.

The names I really want to see just keep rolling on. They also have the cast of Marvel’s Daredevil in Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock/Daredevil), Deborah Ann Woll (Karen Page), Elden Henson (Foggy Nelson), Jon Bernthal (Frank Castle/The Punisher), Elodie Yung (Elektra Natchios), and Rosario Dawson (Claire Temple). This is an absolutely awesome series on Netflix, and if you haven’t seen it yet, then please check it out.

On top of all that they also have an X-Files reunion with Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny, Mitch Pileggi & William B. Davis. The X-Files is one of those classic cult status TV series that will never go away. There was a magical element to that whole series that just made it work.

Other well noted actors that will be in attendance are Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), Sebastian Stan (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead), Rose McIver (iZombie), John Barrowman (Arrow), and so many more. Check out the Wizard World Chicago site to see.

Wizard World Chicago is located at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, August 18-21.

July 20, 2016 0 comment

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Collectibles Comic Books Comic Previews Conventions Cosplay Games independent Comic Movies / TV Music Pop Cult News Shopping

Silicon Valley Comic Con – A Hybrid of the Best of Conventions and Technology

by Jason Bennett March 15, 2016

written by Jason Bennett

This weekend kicks off the inaugural event called Silicon Valley Comic Con in San Jose, CA. Never heard of it? That may not be surprising. This weekend, March 18-20, will be the first year for this con, but this is no ordinary first-year convention. The event is the brainchild of Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak who, with comic book legend Stan Lee, announced the event via an online video last April. The aim is to bring together popular culture criteria such as comic books, movies, TV and technology together in one location. The plan is to feature celebrities, movies, television, video games, comic books, along with other popular cultural arts including tech experts and scientists.

Being backed by Wozniak, and name-dropping Lee as an attendee, the list of guests is beyond what you’d expect for a first-year con: Stan Lee, Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Nathan Fillion, Jeremy Renner, Adam Savage, Jon Heder, Lea Thompson, William Shatner, Bonnie Wright, Alan Tudyk, Ray Park and Julie Benz.

Take a look at what you can expect from this weekend’s event…

About Silicon Valley Comic Con

Silicon Valley Comic Con brings together America’s two greatest superheroes: Pop Culture and Technology. Presented by Steve Wozniak and featuring top celebrities, comics, independent artists, cosplay, video games, consumer electronics, music and apps, Silicon Valley Comic Con is where entertainment and our electronic worlds intersect.

TECHNOLOGY

At SVCC, you can get your technology fix while scratching your pop culture itch! SVCC is where science fiction blends with science fact, and amazing technologies will be on display, from your favorite tech companies, to the newest start-ups and app developers.

GUESTS

Exciting guests from across the tech and pop culture landscapes have just been announced for SVCC 2016, including Nathan Fillion, Stan Lee, Jeremy Renner, Michael J. Fox, Google’s Astro Teller and more!

ARTISTS

With Big Wow Comic Fest — the largest comic book show of its kind in the United States—now part of the Silicon Valley Comic Con family, SVCC will be the place to meet all of your favorite artists.

BIG WOW COMIC PAVILION

With Big Wow ComicFest now part of the SVCC family of events, you can experience all that the largest comic book gathering has to offer at SVCC 2016 in the Big Wow Comic Pavilion. Take a walk through Artist Alley, and browse through our huge selection of comic books, art, collectibles, sci-fi and fantasy.

ENTERTAINMENT

Silicon Valley Comic Con is nothing if not entertaining. See the hottest technologies, speak with the tech gods that shape and drive our world, catch the latest in new movies, and listen to the producers, directors and actors that are creating the pop culture we are all talking about. You can also engage in cosplay fashion shows, get thrown off a mechanical bull, or fall from a two story building. So be sure to bring your super powers, because you’re going to need them.

ATTRACTIONS:

Stan Lee Museum – The Stan Lee Museum is one museum you will want to see! It includes hundreds of amazing Stan Lee collectibles from all of your favorite Marvel comic book heroes!

Back to the Future: Adventures in a DeLorean Time Machine –
The DeLorean Time Machine as seen in the film “Back to the Future” will be appearing for photo opportunities! Don’t miss your chance to sit inside this faithful, street legal replica, driven by Christopher Lloyd himself for numerous commercials and videos. It has toured a multitude of countries raising funds and awareness for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Rancho Obi-Wan Museum – SVCC is proud to present items from the collection of Rancho Obi-Wan, the world’s largest Star Wars memorabilia collection! Rancho Obi-Wan, which educates and inspires through the Force of imagination, is one museum you won’t want to miss!

Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum – Madame Tussaud’s features the most incredible lifelike wax figures from local heroes to international celebrities. With a history spanning 250 years and now present in 19 locations worldwide, Madame Tussaud’s are renowned for creating wax figures of the world’s leading Hollywood A-listers, sporting greats, musicians, politicians and scientists. At SVCC, Madame Tussaud’s will be exhibiting their lifelike wax figures from its collections around the world, including the incredible figures of Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Albert Einstein, William Shatner, Henry Ford, Jim Parsons, and Marvel favorites Captain America and Hawkeye all under one roof!

ScreenUsed Memorabilia Auction – Silicon Valley Comic Con is proud to announce a partnership with ScreenUsed, one of the world’s leading movie and television memorabilia companies, to hold their live auction during the event. The live auction will be held from 8am-11am on Sunday, March 20, 2016 in Room 2 in the San Jose Convention Center. This is a very rare opportunity to literally own a piece of your favorite movie, and become the caretaker of a piece of history. Hundreds of original movie and television props and wardrobe from many iconic productions will be available in the auction, such as:

– Back to the Future – Doc’s Mind Reading Helmet (Christopher Lloyd)
– Back to the Future – OUTATIME License Plate from the DeLorean
– Back to the Future 2 – Hoverboards
– Click – Light-Up Remote Control (Adam Sandler)
– Elysium – Kruger’s Exo-Hulc Suit & Samurai Sword
– Spider-Man 3 – Spiderman’s Boots (Tobey Maguire)
– X2: X-Men United – Wolverine’s Adamantium Claws (Hugh Jackman)

Along with other artifacts from the Star Wars original trilogy, Star Trek productions, Terminator series, Jurassic Park, and many others.

PANELS:

Panels planned for this year’s Silicon Valley Comic Con include:

An Evening With William Shatner
Ask Adam Savage
Spotlight on Back to the Future
Marvel’s Ant-Man, Doctor Strange and the Quantum Realm
Convergence of Technology and Social Media in Comics
Cosplay 101
Prop-making & Fabrication
The Past Present and Future of Mobile Gaming
The Art of Creating Languages for Sci-fi and Fantasy
Filmmaking in the 21st century: Crowdfunding & Beyond
The 4-1-1 on the 9–5 of Writing: The Business of Publishing
The Brave New World of Publishing

APP ALLEY:

App Alley is a place to discover new and promising apps from up and coming developers, so come check them out!

Artrage
- ArtRage by Ambient Design, LTD. is real paint for your Digital Canvas. Get creative with digital art tools that look and feel just like the real thing.
CultureCon
- CultureCon provides a powerful new networking and social integration tool. Find the nearest fantasy event, join in ongoing discussions surrounding diversity and minority issues in film, entertainment, gaming and news. CultureCon includes everyone into the conversation with this easy-to-use, comprehensive app that puts the high points of diversity, culture and unity into the hands – and minds – of today’s geek community.
Doblet
- Doblet is a network of app-driven smart batteries, so users can charge their phones anywhere. Attendees of SVCC can keep their phones charged throughout the convention by stopping by the Doblet booth and picking up a portable Doblet mobile charger, and dropping it back off later in the day. All the Doblets are controlled & managed thru our Doblet app, for both iOS and Android.
HokuPop
- HokuPop, the Digital Comic Con, unleashes the con experience. Find fellow fans and immerse yourselves in hyper-linked worlds at the con and beyond. Live/Be/Do all things fandom.
Demimonde
- Demimonde, by Everdead Studios is a spell-binding puzzle and collectible card game (CCG) based on the hit Showtime TV series, Penny Dreadful. Everdead Studios will also be showcasing an upcoming mobile game based on the hit NBC show “Grimm.”
YakSee
- YakSee provides a mobile broadcasting platform so anyone and everyone can do live broadcasts wherever they are, reaching an unlimited audience. SVCC is the ultimate environment to broadcast to your adventures to your viewers.
MonsterBuild
- MonsterBuild, by MonsterCreate, Inc., is a totally new way to get kids programming. Instead of numbers and math, we present programming in the context of characters and actions. Kids create their very own characters by snapping parts and pieces together. This character creation system allows anyone to easily make anything they can imagine, then bring their creation to life! We give users a more intuitive way to assign actions. Simply swipe, tap, and drag to assign complex behaviors and create a fully functional game in minutes!

Silicon Valley Comic Con will be held on March 18–20, 2016 at San Jose’s McEnery Convention Center.

The convention aims to include both popular culture and technology in what Wozniak hopes will be a uniquely Silicon Valley flavor. In that spirit the convention will have typical comic convention staples such as an “artists alley”, but will also have an “app alley” featuring new and emerging technology items. Several movie and television studios will be represented at the inaugural event including Warner Bros. Pictures, Lionsgate and AMC. Additionally several technology focused guests will be involved as well including astrophysicists and technologists.*

*courtesy of Wikipedia

March 15, 2016 0 comment

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Comic Books Conventions Movies / TV Pop Cult News

Wizard World Philadelphia Adds X-Files’ David Duchovny

by Jason Bennett February 19, 2016

written by Jason Bennett

The truth is out there! Wizard World Philadelphia, running June 2nd through 5th, will be here before you know it. Just announced to be in attendance is David Duchovny. The X-Files star is added to the already stellar cast of guests. His addition will have him joining fellow X-Files stars Mitch Pileggi (AD Walter Skinner) and William B. Davis (CGB Spender/Cigarette Smoking Man).

But this isn’t the only reunion of stars. The big news that broke earlier this year was that 5-time Emmy Award Winner Michael J. Fox was making a rare con appearance. Fox will be joined by his Back to the Future co-stars 3-time Emmy Award Winner Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson.

Sean Patrick Flanery and Norman Reedus will bring the Boondock Saints together for a weekend in June. Plus many more guests like Stephen Amell (Arrow, TMNT 2), Billy Boyd (Lord of the Rings), Billy Martin (lead guitarist for Good Charlotte, TMNT New Animated Adventures), WWE’s Sheamus, and so much more!

For more info on Wizard World Philadelphia, check out their site. Tickets are still available!

February 19, 2016 0 comment

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Pop Cult News

Doc Brown and Marty McFly Reunite to Fuel Toyota Mirai with Trash!

by Manny Popoca October 21, 2015

written by Manny Popoca

In Back to the Future film franchise we got to see many predictions to the future and technology, of which many have not come to fruition. One of the very reasons Director Robert Zemeckis didn’t want to make a story in the future in the first place, was that many ‘predictions get mis-represented’. Few things we know for sure didn’t come true – the Cubs will not win the World Series, there are no flying cars and the most disappointing to me is no instant hydo-pizza from Pizza Hut.

At the same there are some predictions that have actually come true. 3D movies being the rage at the cinemas, while ours is not as advanced, who could forget the “Jaws 19” CGI attacking Mcfly in middle of the street of BTTF2. “Still looks fake” McFly remarks brushing it off. We do have internet glasses, even thought they are not as cheap as they were in movie, with a common teenager owning a pair. There is a prototype hoverboard that has been tested by skateboard great Tony Hawk, and I’m not talking about the fake hoverboard video he did. And sneaker king Nike is still saying they also have an almost working prototype of laceless sneaker, not just the ones they made aesthetically sold for charity.

The newest truthful prediction came today on Back to the Future Day – October 21st, 2015 – the very day Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) came Back to the Future to 2015!

BTTF2-2-Mr-Fusion

At the end of the first Robert Zemeckis cult classic movie, Marty McFly is shown the new and improved time machine that runs on a converted Mr. Fusion that turns grabage into the fuel needed In order to travel through time. The vehicle integrated with the flux capacitor needed to be traveling at 88 mph (140.8 km/h), and required 1.21 gigawatts of power (1,210,000,000 watts), originally supplied by a plutonium-powered nuclear reactor. Since all that science is a bit too dangers for the average day traveler in today’s time, Toyota has an all new technology that is almost ready, for today is the now the future!

Watch as two Back to the Future icons Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, learn how trash can be turned into fuel for a car! See more of them and the future becoming reality. #BTTF

Watch out, Mr. Fusion. We’re using trash to fuel a ‪#‎ToyotaMirai‬

http://toyota.us/1Q68f65

The Science Behind Fueled by the Future | Back to the Future | Presented by Toyota Mirai – Discover more athttp://www.toyota.com/FBE #BTTF

October 21, 2015 2 comments

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