Archive Page 557
July 26th, 2011 by Sean Ferguson
I had the good fortune of interviewing Ashley Eckstein during this year’s Comic-Con about her character Ahsoka Tano, who happens to be Anakin Skywalker’s apprentice on Star Wars: The Clone Wars. During our chat we discussed the show’s future, her character’s not-so-rosy future fate, the franchise’s generational shift, and the business she created called Her Universe which sells cool sci-fi clothes to women. She’s also married to Major League Baseball player and two-time World Series Champion, David Eckstein, and they generously support a variety of organizations and causes including, Mid-America Transplant Services, Donate Life and The Ronald McDonald House. Our talk took place at at her booth on the convention floor which was incredibly noisy but I did the best I could to transcribe our loose informal conversation that flowed around customers, the Hulk himself, and the multitude of people. Ashley was very sweet, friendly, and a pleasure to talk to and who was nice enough to take time away from her booming business to chat with me.
Continue reading ‘Comic-Con 2011: A Talk with Clone Wars Actress/Entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein’
July 25th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
After a long delay between episodes, the final episode of the Mortal Kombat: Legacy web series has arrived. This is the last episode of its first season, which has shaped up to be quite impressive and has me anticipating what will be offered up in the second season. I addressed the reasoning behind why this episode had such a delay in a previous post concerning the Warner Premiere panel at this year’s San Diego Comic Con (found HERE), but essentially, the crew wanted enough time to make the episode, which features CG robots, to look great and what better place to premiere it than amongst the fans at Comic Con. The results were met with cheers and now the episode is available to all. It is another fine example of how this web series has made great progress in adapting the popular video game franchise into an exciting live-action format. Check out the episode below. Continue reading ‘Mortal Kombat: Legacy – Ep. 9: Cyrax & Sektor’
July 25th, 2011 by Brian White
Any Robert Rodriguez fans in the house? Well if there are, you’re in luck. I was shocked to learn that Robert Rodriguez scored his very own Hall H panel. That either means that the guy is a name brand now or the world of comics are taking Comic-Con back over by storm. Or maybe it’s both? Whatever the reason, I’m not complaining. Anytime you can get Robert Rodriguez to talk to you…soak all that info up, baby! Nevertheless, he was there to tell the captive audience about the following. Buckle up and hold on! Continue reading ‘Comic-Con 2011: Robert Rodriguez’s Quick Draw Productions’
July 25th, 2011 by Brian White
Comic-Con started with a bang this year. Twilight was the first panel to headline the coveted Hall H lineup. Believe it or not, there were fans standing in line outside the convention center for over a week waiting to get in. Now that’s devotion! Our own Mary Welms will have full coverage of that panel later this week, but for now, let’s focus on the following. As you know, when you are at Comic-Con, even as a member of the press, it’s impossible to cover/hit everything. Continue reading ‘Comic-Con 2011: Hall H – Thursday’
July 25th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
It was easily going to be a difficult task to follow a panel that featured Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson in Hall H on Friday, at San Diego Comic Con, but the folks at Relativity Media attempted to do so anyway. While not quite blowing anyone out of the water, this panel contained exciting previews for a new spy thriller, Haywire, from director Stephen Soderbergh and a horror mystery, The Raven, from director James McTeigue. The directors and stars were available for each film and at least managed to strike up some interest and present some cool footage from these upcoming features. Continue reading ‘SDCC 2011: Relativity Media: Haywire and The Raven’
July 24th, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
Friday morning at San Diego Comic Con 2011 started off with a bang, as the massive convention center hall known as Hall H was packed with people ready to see Steven Spielberg make his Comic Con debut. Spielberg was of course at Comic Con to present his latest feature The Adventures of Tintin. Audiences were treated to a big surprise as well, as fellow producer and intended director of the ‘Tintin’ sequel, director Peter Jackson joined Spielberg on stage to further make for a great panel. Easily a great way to really get audiences going wild and begin a wonderful day for those, including myself, who were intending to spend the entire day inside of Hall H. Continue reading ‘SDCC 2011: Paramount: The Adventures of Tintin’
July 24th, 2011 by Brian White
Yeah, yeah, yeah…I’m a guy so I’m not supposed to like the CW’s Vampire Diaries. Go ahead. I heard it all before. So with that out of the way, it is with great pleasure that I got the opportunity to cover CW’s Vampire Diaries in Ballroom 20 at Saturday’s 2011 Comic-Con festivities. In attendance on the panel were none other than Candice Accola, Paul Wesley, Kevin Williamson, Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev and Julie Plec. And before I go any farther, there’s one thing I have to confess…I’m TEAM DAMON! Wow! It feels good to get that off of my chest. Continue reading ‘Comic-Con 2011: Vampire Diaries’
July 23rd, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Today at Comic-Con, fans can catch a sneak peak of MONOPOLY®: Futurama Collector’s Edition designed by USAopoly and Futurama, on display at Fox Booth #4313. Even if you can’t make it to the show though, here’s a first look at the new game. This marks the first time that Monopoly gets the Futurama treatment, thrusting the classic board game into the 31st century. Game Description: Oh. Your. God! America’s most popular board game is getting a 31st century spin! In New New York, you’ll use your millions to buy, sell, and trade properties from the animated series. From Mom’s Friendly Robot Company to Planet Express Headquarters, you can also build Resi-domes and People Hives as you battle for control of the galaxy. Continue reading ‘First Look: Futurama Monopoly Unveiled at Comic Con’
July 23rd, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
2011 has been a great year for Marvel characters. Thor turned out to be a lot more fun than many thought and X-Men: First Class was a slick return to form for the mutant lot. Now it is time for the first Avenger to get his due, as Marvel Studios, director Joe Johnston, and star Chris Evans have all worked hard to introduce the shield wielding super-soldier, first created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby back in 1941. With a lot of credit going to the retro look and feel of the film, Captain America has turned out to be an incredibly fun action film and a suitable lead in to The Avengers, which will bring many of these Marvel characters together in one film in summer 2012. Continue reading ‘‘Captain America’ Has A Star-Spangled Adventure’
July 23rd, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
Last year saw the premiere of the television adaptation of acclaimed graphic novel author Robert Kirkman’s ongoing zombie series, The Walking Dead. I managed to attend the panel at last year’s Comic Con, where I was able to see a first look at the series. If it were not for the insanity going on with the busy Hall H schedule this past Friday at this year’s Comic Con, I would have loved to have attended the panel again for season two of the now critically acclaimed television adaptation. However, I may have had trouble, since the panel for The Walking Dead was one of the most anticipated panels at this year’s Comic Con. Fortunately, I still had a chance to visit the booth on the showroom floor, as well as get a look at season two, which can be seen below. Continue reading ‘SDCC 2011: The Walking Dead’
July 23rd, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Mallory Kane is a highly trained operative who works for a government security contractor in the dirtiest, most dangerous corners of the world. After successfully freeing a Chinese journalist held hostage, she is double crossed and left for dead by someone close to her in her own agency. Suddenly the target of skilled assassins who know her every move, Mallory must find the truth in order to stay alive. Using her black-ops military training, she devises an ingenious—and dangerous—trap. But when things go haywire, Mallory realizes she’ll be killed in the blink of an eye unless she finds a way to turn the tables on her ruthless adversary. Continue reading ‘SDCC 2011: ‘Haywire’ Trailer Premiere!’
July 22nd, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
Thursday at San Diego Comic Con was packed with panels and people, as my fellow geeks and I continued to make our way through all of the different exhibits, booths, and presentations. While the much anticipated Twilight panel certainly got its audience and hours at a time were spent by people in various other lines as well, including the panel for the awesome HBO series Game of Thrones (wish I could have been there), I did manage to take some time and see what Warner Premier had to offer in the way of their new and popular web series. The results were interesting enough as the panel included a new web series being produced by Bryan Singer and, more excitedly, a panel with the stars and creators behind the popular online hit, Mortal Kombat Legacy. Continue reading ‘SDCC 2011: Warner Premier: H+ and Mortal Kombat Legacy’
July 22nd, 2011 by Aaron Neuwirth
The idea of having a body double living your life with you, let alone taking your place when you would desire it is interesting. The subject matter presented in The Devil’s Double takes it to the extreme, as the son of Saddam Hussein makes the life of his lookalike a living hell, which is fitting, given the title of the film. It makes it more intriguing that the film is based on a true story, which could be seen as a sexed and violenced version, but still fits the bill of an intensely told tale, where a man is in quite the struggle to do what is right, despite being the representative for a man who is quite evil. The film is much stronger, thanks to its lead actor in a dual performance. While it only borders on greatness, the film is still a solid, if intense depiction of the life of the double for the devil. Continue reading ‘SDCC 2011 Review: It’s No Easy Task Being ‘The Devil’s Double’’
July 21st, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Today at San Diego Comic-Con 2011, IDW Publishing announced an all-new horror series with acclaimed creators Steve Niles and Bernie Wrightson. FRANKENSTEIN ALIVE, ALIVE will launch in 2012, picking up right where Mary Shelley’s classic tale ends. “This is an idea that’s been rattling around somewhere in the back of my mind for a good many years,” said Wrightson. “I mentioned it to Steve and we started talking. In about two minutes I realized that not only were we on the same page, we shared a vision. I’m very excited to see this finally happening. It’s going to be lot of fun.” Continue reading ‘Wrightson and Niles Forge ‘Frankenstein Alive, Alive!’’
July 21st, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Ken Burns’s and Lynn Novick’s engaging, entertaining and enlightening documentary about the rise and fall of the 18th Amendment debuts on Blu-ray and DVD when PROHIBITION arrives on October 4, 2011 from PBS Home Video and Paramount Home Entertainment. A fascinating story that goes beyond the oft-told tales of gangsters, rum runners, flappers and speakeasies to raise profound questions about the proper role of government, individual rights and responsibilities, PROHIBITION delves deep into how a society founded on individual freedom became a nation of scofflaws and hypocrites. Told through expert interviews, vintage footage and compelling images, the five-and-a-half hour film explores how the enshrining of a faith-driven moral code in the Constitution paradoxically caused millions of Americans to rethink their definition of morality. Continue reading ‘‘Prohibition’ on Blu-ray October 4th’
July 21st, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
Before they were superheroes, the fate of humanity depended on an extraordinary group of youngsters who went on to become X-MEN: FIRST CLASS. Based on the international bestselling Marvel Comics franchise, this box office hit bursts onto Blu-ray and DVD Friday, September 9 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. For the first time ever, “X-Men” fans will have the power to choose a side between Professor X and Magneto with two versions of premium collectible Blu-ray packaging. Also exclusively on Blu-ray, fans receive access to over two hours of special interactive features PLUS ten Marvel “X-Men” Digital Comics including a never-before-seen “X-Men: First Class” backstory— redeemable through each Blu-ray’s unique packaging code. Continue reading ‘‘X-Men: First Class’ on Blu-ray September 9th’
July 21st, 2011 by Gerard Iribe
The off-screen craziness rivals the on-screen drama in the sidesplitting comedy SOAPDISH, celebrating its 20th anniversary on DVD October 4, 2011. Boasting an extraordinary cast of stars including Robert Downey Jr., Sally Field, Kevin Kline, Whoopi Goldberg, Elisabeth Shue, Teri Hatcher, Garry Marshall, Cathy Moriarty and Kathy Najimy, the hilarious comedy follows the outrageous high jinks of the cast and crew of America’s hottest soap opera, “The Sun Also Sets”. When an ambitious actress connives with the soap’s producer to scuttle the career of the show’s beloved star, nothing works as they planned and there’s enough dirty laundry to keep everyone in hot water. This comedy gem continues to be a fan favorite and the DVD includes a behind-the-scenes featurette and the original theatrical trailer. Continue reading ‘‘Soapdish’ Coming to DVD October 5th’
July 19th, 2011 by Blu-ray Brian
Greetings everyone! That magical time is upon us once again! No, not “Hammer” time, but the blissful, hustle and bustle of the one and only Comic-Con in beautiful downtown San Diego, CA. This year our entire staff is attending so you will be assured of a lot of exclusive coverage, photos and even interviews. This is my favorite time of the year and I am happy to be sharing the duty with all my fellow writers here on the site. Now don’t fret. I just wanted to make sure everyone understands that all Blu-ray reviews will be suspended for the next 5 days or so after today as we bring you the best in exclusive Comic-Con 2011 coverage. Make sure to stay tuned and check back often. Continue reading ‘Comic-Con 2011: Out of the Office Reply’
