Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Party people, what is the latest happening in your world? I have returned back from getting my annual geek on. Many of you know what the San Diego International Comic Con is, but there was actually people who attended who didn't know what it was. I mean, they knew that it had some reference to comics (hence the name), but the event now puts together most popular tv shows, along with their stars and creaters, while hob-knobbing with their fans and viewers. Plus, it's also when brand new, fresh news and premieres are shown wayyy ahead before the actual telecast.
This years con was truly jam-packed full of juicy tidbits for us fanboys and fangirls along with movie buffs alike, which I will share with you fine folks.
Here were my pros and cons of this years San Diego Comic Con. I don't know if there's usually a theme for most of the cons as this is only my second one, but this years focus seemed to be aimed at lovers of the vampire movies. I didn't attend any of these forums, but TWILIGHT, True Blood, Lost Boys: The Tribe, and even references to the now defunct CBS television show Moonlight were all mentioned or had their own panels. And I learned a new term: Do you know what you call women who absolutely go gaga and lust after vampires? Fangbangers. I'm not making this shit up! -lol
Being a huge fan of the genre myself, the only reason I didn't attend any of these panels were because of the conflicts presented by the scheduling guys. Although I've held it against them before, and others who attend the cons have too, I'm sure alot of the schedulers face tremendous hurdles trying to not mix up the panels and have them go head to head against each other. But I figure it must be pretty hard to do that.
Although it did seem as though they did a much better job this year in pulling it off, there were still some panels that I would have liked to have been a part of and was not able to attend. But before I launch into that, I'm going to get into my one pet peeve that seemed to keep repeating itself over and over again. And moms, don't jump on me for this.
I begin this part as I begin every comment I have regarding children. I AM NOT A FATHER, and obviously NOT a parent, so maybe I do not understand it. But as adorable and beautiful as they are, as soft-skinned and innocent to the world as we've come to know them, my love for these little tykes takes a direct hit on the chin when I hear them crying.
Crying and crying LOUDLY!!!! And I don't mean crying in a supermarket, or crying in the street, or even in the video store. But crying loudly at a Comic Con panel. Crying right through the middle of the questions. Crying right through the middle of the answers. Crying right throughout the interview, or preview, or clip, or intros, or... you get the point.
And you know what? They are acting the way they should be acting. Babylike. That's what babies do, that's how we've come to know them. But, I can't hold them accountable. I blame the parents. Yes, YOU! I sat next to a woman who had a 2 month old with her. 2 months! You brought a 2 month old child to this 50,000 people in one building venue? I'm not sure, but that sounds like some form of child abuse no? Am I wrong for feeling like this?
I mean, Comic Con has certainly provided an interesting insight into the minds of some of the individuals who attend these events. From the costumes, to the geekness factor, to the nerd in us just trying to bust out. But that's expected. Crying babies aren't. The parents of younger children strike me as completely selfish individuals. I truly mean this.
And selfish not just because of their disregard for the people around them who have to suffer the cries of their baby, but for their children, who probably don't understand much of the adult content on show or don't like the loud noises pumped out to show them.
The sound systems in some of these panels were deafening. Terminator: Salvation comes to mind. Thank goodness that trailer was only 4 minutes long and not an entire movie. Then again, the Heroes Season 3 90-minute episode was loud too.
And here brings the crux of my problem. A parent should not be bringing their babies, their toddlers, hell, they shouldn't even be bringing their 4 year old to an event like this. That's why places like Sesame place and Chuck E. Cheese exist. They are for the little ones. These events are for us nerds and geeks, and fans of these kinds of events who do not have kids and those among us who do have them and do not subject the lot of us to constant crying through a program we waited impatiently all summer to attend.
And this one just baffles the ever-loving shit out of me. The total and blatant disregard from these same parents for US, the public who they are sitting so painfully close to is staggering. They are completely unfazed. Instead of removing themselves and the poor crying baby from the venue, which would be the right and noble thing to do, they let the baby cry and then continue to watch the screen. And that was like 50 feet away. The 2 month old that I was sitting next to got wound up one time and went into a 5 minute crying spell which is like forever, before the husband took the baby from her and left the panel during the Heroes season 3 episode.
Please, have a heart and leave the poor babies where they belong. At home. With Grandma, an aunt, an uncle or someone. Any place but HERE! 'kay. I'm done. And I hope I didn't offend anyone.
NOW, on to the con.
WHO WATCHES THE WATCHMEN?
(I've always loved this phrase)
Watchmen is set in 1985, in an alternative history United States where costumed adventurers are real, Richard Nixon is president (that's right) and the country is edging closer to a nuclear war with the Soviet Union (the Doomsday Clock is at five minutes to midnight).
It tells the story of a group of past and present superheroes and the events surrounding the mysterious murder of one of their own. The beauty of Watchmen is that although they are depicted as superheroes, they are real people who must confront ethical and personal issues. When I first saw Heroes, I thought that the Watchmen may have been a big inspiration behind the tv show. I'm not alone in thinking this.
Because the Watchmen have problems just like the common man. Neuroses, hangups, and failings, and with one very notable exception, the lack anything recognizable as real super powers. So, this movie is an adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon's limited series comicbook from the 80's and is directed by Zack Snyder. Remember him? He made this little movie called 300 last year. It was one of the most talked about panels at Comic Con.
I didn't get into this panel as it ran parallel to another one I attended. But here's a youtube clip of the trailer. I'm in line to see it next winter. Bet on that.
The Big Bang Theory
My girl Jaine Blaize put me up to this lil comedy last year and I've been hooked ever since. It's actually right up my alley. 4 geeks who do nothing but rant about geek stuff. And what a great venue this is for this kind of comedy. You know what would be cool? If they had an episode of the 4 geeks attending a Comic Con. I think that would be pretty fly. This panel was fantastic.
And there was something cool about knowing that the stars actually hang out together when they are off the set. In fact, they rented a boat and sailed around San Diego the day before the Con. I like that.
I recall during the Q&A session, it was revealed that some fans actually write the show's producers and writers and voice direct complaints if one of the actors happen to get something scientifically wrong. (if you've watched the show, you'll see how much scientific stuff is hurled around between the characters in every episode)
However, they do have a consultant that fact checks some of the stuff they mention. When the cast was asked if they feel any smarter now than they did when the first season began, I believe it was the character Sheldon who mentioned that they are just as dumb as they have always been. A truly fun and funny panel! And even more than that, I'm looking to a funny 2nd season. Big Bang Theory comes on CBS on Tuesday evenings.
Stargate Atlantis
When it comes to science fiction conventions you can always tell the difference between those panelists who are newbies and those who are veterans. As soon as the panelists for Stargate Atlantis (next to Battlestar Galactica, this is my favorite sci-fi show on tv) took their seats you could tell that they were all seasoned veterans of the convention universe.
They were relaxed, had fun with each other, and had fun with the audience. Combine those elements together and it makes for an entertaining hour and gives you a sense that they are talking to YOU... um, despite the 4000 other people in the hall. :)
There weren't many new bits of information that came from this panel that hadn't already been mentioned during the Robert Picardo phone conference a few weeks back on Sci-Fi. Yet, there were still some interesting pieces of information about the stars, the writers, and some behind the scenes items.
Joe Flanagan is as cool on the panel as he is on the show as Sheppard. And there was great banter between newly instated actress from last season Jewel Staite (remember her from FireFly) and Robert Picardo. Sorry Blaizie. No Jason Momoa. (wink) Maybe next time. Stargate Atlantis airs on the Sci-Fi channel on Friday evenings. Yes!
Battlestar Galactica
You know what? I would comment on this panel, but I won't yack too much other than to say, that it was a great panel moderated by the fantastic Kevin Smith. I wish all the panels had a guy like him moderating. Now, I shouldn't have been able to get into this panel, but a carefully positioned rest room, that split up a very long line waiting to get into this forum made for my accidental melding into the line for Galactica, and the next thing I know, I'm heading into the BSG forum. heeheeheee...
Chance favors the prepared mind. Remember you heard it from your boy Cage! But here's the entire forum on video. Go here and enjoy BSG heads! http://video.scifi.com/player/?id=279928
Chuck Vs.
Unlike most panels at this year's Comic-Con, Chuck vs. Season 2 panel revealed a significant amount of upcoming secrets and plot points for its second upcoming season. YESSSS!!! Um.. just one thing.
I don't watch this program -lol- it's like a cross between La Femme Nikita or Alias depending on who you talk to mixed in with a little bit of Get Smart. I guess. All this from the hour long panel I happened to sit in on. But it was enjoyable and the fans love these folks. Especially Adam Baldwin who plays the hard ass KC. Or is it Casey. Heck I don't know.
It's not my kind of show, but it did intrigue me enough to "possibly" check it out and if I end up liking it, then I'll rent the first season and check it out. But I only sat on this panel because if I came later, I would miss the panel for:
Fringe
LOL! Okay, so you know this is a new series created by JJ Abrams right? The nerd that created LOST? I have to say, I was totally disappointed by this panel. Remember last year when I was upset with the Rob Zombie: the Halloween retooling panel? Well, it seems like I'm back. And to make matters worse, make sure you read my LOST panel later in this post. JJ Abrams sickness spreads to his writers on that show too.
Here's what I came away with. This panel was in the 2nd largest sized conference room in the building, but as I looked around, it barely filled to maybe 1/2 capacity and really, not really a line to navigate through. Heck, there was nothing of substance revealed through the Q&A session either which leads me to this. Was it put together at the last minute?
When the panelists came out, they weren't sure where to sit. They were all over the place. The moderator comes out, then goes behind screen and a woman comes out to introduce the moderator. Huh?
Then when the episode started, it stopped because of lack of sound. Then once the show got going, there were at least 2 periods where the thing stopped right in the middle of key scenes. I should have left with the other folks who began leaving in the middle of the program. What a mess this was.
Hmm. I just didn't get it. I mean, this is one of the most anticipated new shows coming out in the fall and it seemed so poorly put together. But it does involve JJ Abrams and so, I guess I don’t have a strong opinion either way, but I was looking forward to the panel and came away rather disappointed. Note to you guys, the pilot they showed did show promise.
But I think we were fed some b.s., and I bet this won't be the version that airs on Fox in September. Remember I told you this. But like I said. There were rumors that the pilot was leaked online and on top of that, those rumors also include the leaks are by JJ Abrams himself to throw the fans off. I believe this. But truthfully, this was a waste of an hour.
LOST
And that is what our favorite tv show has become. Lost, and not yet found- or at least this weekend's past convention presentation had become just that. Lets be real folks. Comic Con is generally considered to be an opportunity for inventive people to provide an exciting look (even if it's the most limited look ever) at a new film or television series and its season.
In many cases, the studio's and networks delivered (Heroes, Chuck Vs., Big Bang Theory, etc) , providing an exciting peek at what fans can expect. Equally, the same studios and networks have done their bit in providing a great cast and list to attend the event. Heroes were brilliant in this regard (wait for it, it's coming. I saved the best for last), providing almost all their key cast members. LOST however, was the complete polar opposite.
Then again, it is another series created by that nerd JJ Abrams. Now, citing their filming schedule as a reason for the lack of attendee's (so they say) and despite the filming's not starting for another three weeks, the only actor to make it was Matthew Fox.
And while I like mr. good ol' "I'll get you off the island and stay with me if you want to live" and his not to shabby and undoubtable acting talent, his answers were very bland and he just doesn't whip up the kind of storm needed to carry the fans through a session.
Equally, in terms of providing an insight into the next season, this shit was a complete failure. While the Lost people can be proud for trying to make do with nothing, they really did fail and fail terribly. What resulted was an hourlong and disappointing, longing feeling, that Cuse and Lindelorf couldn't answer many of the questions, they didn't provide any genuine insight into what to expect in season five, and they didn't provide any other actors to get things going.
Sighhh... it was a real shame, because they could and should have taken greater advantage of the opportunity bestowed upon them. If you're keeping track, that's 2 hours I lost (pun intended to a JJ Abrams program) which brings me to the crown jewel of the panels I attended which was:
HEROES
Ahhhh. Now THIS is what a panel is supposed to be like. Remember last year when I told you guys we got on the Heroes line and never even sniffed the panel room... well, guess what? I started out even FARTHER this year because I wasn't even inside the building.
The line snaked all the way outside, down the street, around the corner, beneath an overpass, near the loading dock of the convention center, before I ever got on the line. I swear to you this is the truth.
I took my cap off and had about an inch of sweat filling up the inside liner of my Yankee hat. I was like, I must be crazy to be on this line. But, the beauty of this was, for 1, it was only 8:15a.m., nearly 2 hours before the event would begin and #2, that particular ballroom hadn't opened up yet which meant if that hall sat 6500 people, I knew I had to be somewhere in the top 1/2 of that total amount and they hadn't begun sitting anybody one yet. So, I was in business.
And in no time, sure enough, I was inside. Wow! With about 3,000 plus seats to spare behind me. How cool is that? Getting up early DID have its privileges. Now, this is the ONLY warning I am going to give here. I will be letting loose the spoilers so if you read something here regarding Heroes, and you didn't want to read about it, kindly leave or forever hold thy tongue.
The catch phrase of season 3 is: VILLAINS and the season 3 opening episode was titled, the Second Coming. That's right. The piece written by Yeats. Remember when I blogged about this some time back. Go Here for that post. So here's what we find out in the opener of Season 3:
You know what? I've posted it in a separate blog page altogether. If you're interested in the Season 3 summary, here's the link. HEROES: SEASON 3: VILLAINS. Have a great read. It's a fine episode. Hope the rest of the season follows suit.
