London Film & Comic Con 2010

Katee Sackhoff, who played Starbuck in the 'Re-Imagined' version of Battlestar Gallactica will be appearing at this years London Film & Comic Con.

LFCC takes place every summer at Earls Court 2 in London. Celebrating the best of film, television, comics and sport, London Film and Comic Con is a day out unlike any other, giving you the chance to meet your idols, ask them questions and have your photograph taken with them as well as grabbing the latest film/tv/comic merchandise on the market.

This year for an event that is promising some big names, with William Shatner already announced, as well as a 30th Anniversary celebration of 'Empire Strikes Back'. You can join in the fun of Cosplay and dress up as your film, tv or comic book idol - don't be shy, or you can simply marvel at the many costumes that will be on display in the Cosplay Zone. There will be some of the top artists demonstrating their skills in Artists Ally, and there might even be some cool props from the latest films on display - don't forget your camera!

If you love Films, TV or Comics, or all three, then you can't afford to miss The London Film & Comic Con.

Other confirmed guests include:

Film:
Gary Kurtz - Star Wars Producer
Bill Shatner - Star Trek
Stephen Lang - Avatar
Sean Young - Blade Runner
Kristanna Loken - Terminator 3
Tom Noonan - Robocop 2
Edi Gathegi - Twilight
Tyson Houseman - Twilight
Julian Glover - Indiana Jones
Harry Fielder - Indiana Jones
Kenny Baker - Star Wars
Jeremy Bulloch - Star Wars
Daniel Logan - Star Wars
Terence Mustoo - Star Wars
Colin Skeaping - Star Wars
Marolyn Turk - Star Wars
Tony Smart - Star Wars
Norman Chancer - Star Wars
Tony Guilding - Star Wars
Doug Robinson - Star Wars
Bob Anderson - Star Wars
Ken Colley - Star Wars
Chris Parsons - Star Wars
Stephen Fitzalan - Star Wars

Michael Culver - Empire Strikes Back
Kit Hillier - Empire Strikes Back
Stephanie English - Empire Strikes Back
Jack McKenzie - Empire Strikes Back
Milton Johns - Empire Strikes Back
Tony Allen - Empire Strikes Back
Alan Swaden - Empire Strikes Back
Quentin Pierre - Empire Strikes Back
Alan Flyng - Return of the Jedi
David Bailie - Pirates of the Caribbean
Leslie Hoffman - A Nightmare on Elm Street
Dennis Dun - Big Trouble in Little China
James Pax - Big Trouble in Little China
Tom Morga - Friday 13th
Dante Basco - Hook

TV:
Katee Sackhoff - Battlestar Gallactica
William B Davis - The X-Files
Ben Browder - Farscape
Virginia Hey - Farscape
Ian Gelder - Torchwood
Andrew Robinson - Star Trek: DS9
David Nykl - Stargate Atlantis
Elisabeth Sladen - Doctor Who
Matthew Waterhouse - Doctor Who
Tracie Simpson - Doctor Who
Paul Kasey - Doctor Who
Gabriela Montaraz - Doctor Who
Simon Dutton - Doctor Who
Hannah Steele - Doctor Who
Dean Mitchell - Doctor Who
Nick Courtney - Doctor Who
Andrew Clover - Ashes to Ashes

FX:
Terry Ackland-Snow - Art Director
Mark Bryan Wilson - Ghostbusters

Books
Robert Rankin - Author

Comics
Bill Sienkiewicz - Comic Artist
Lee Townsend - Comic Artist
Greg Rucka - Comic Writer

Anime
Johnny Bosch - Akira

London Film & Comic Con 2010

Where:
Curzon Soho, 99 Shaftesbury Avenue W1D 5DY

When:
9:00pm, Tues 8 Jun, 2010

More info:
Over at the London Film and Comic Con website

Q&A & Preview of The Prisoner at The BFI

A New Yorker awakens to find himself in a place called The Village run by a man known as Two. As everyone in The Village is referred to only by a number, everyone in The Village refers to him as Six - despite he himself knowing that he has another name - and seems to know who he is.

He is told he lives in The Village and that The Village is the only reality there is. Six's mission becomes to find out where The Village is, who Two is and why he is seemingly keeping him prisoner in The Village (despite Two stating that Six is a free man), and how he can escape to his life back in New York. Six has to learn who among the Villagers he can trust - who include a doctor named 313, a cab driver named 147, and Two's own son named 11-12 - in his quest to escape from The Village. Six also has recurring memories of his life in New York, including an encounter with a woman named Lucy, which may be part of the key to discovering why he's in The Village

Ahead of UK transmission, this is a chance to see Episode One of ITV's reinvention of the 60s cult classic The Prisoner, written by Bill Gallagher and produced by Trevor Hopkins.

Jim Caviezel plays No6, a man trapped in a mysterious place known only as The Village. In his struggle to escape, he becomes locked in a battle of wits with the sinister controller, No2, played by Ian McKellen.

The BFI are pleased to confirm the panel for the Q&A following this preview: cast members Jim Caviezel (Six/Michael) and Hayley Atwell (4-15/ Lucy), Executive Producer Michele Buck, Director Nick Hurran and Production Designer Michael Pickwoad. Chair: Matthew Sweet (broadcaster and journalist).


Q&A & Preview of The Prisoner at The BFI

Where
BFI Southbank
Belvedere Road, London, England SE1 8XT

When
8:10pm, Weds 14 Apr, 2010

More info and tickets over here BFI

An Evening with Kiefer Sutherland at BAFTA

As the final episode of 24 approaches, BAFTA are delighted to welcome Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor Kiefer Sutherland to share his experiences playing Special Agent Jack Bauer in the phenomenally successful series.

24 Day 8 is currently viewable on Sky1 HD and Sky1 Sunday evenings.

An Evening with Kiefer Sutherland at BAFTA

Where
British Academy of Film and Television Arts
195 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LN

When
5:45pm, Fri 16 Apr, 2010

More info & tickets at BAFTA

LOST Reduced

Namaste. If like me you watch fairly little TV, mainly because content/programming has taken a down hill slide since Murder One ended.

However in late 2007 when LOST came along turning every known and overused formula on its head whilst offering a challenging viewing experience Generation X turned the box on and tuned in.

So last week when an invite to Sky HD's LOST season 6 launch event landed in my inbox I was over the moon. At the same time a myriad of questions and flashbacks flooded my mind; Was Locke dead? Would all of the dead character return? Did it work? Did they go back in time - to the beginning? If so, will any of them remember anything? Did Evil Locke kill the other guy who had been on the island for ever? Were the skeletons in the cave Rose and her earnest but bumbling husband? Would the Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Julia quadrangle be resolved? How many questions had I forgotten? And would any of these questions matter because the writers flipped the switch and reversed it again? Would I found answers at the launch party?

To make the launch special the Sky team cleverly commissioned The Reduced Shakespeare Company to condense 5 seasons of Lost into 10 minutes. Yes! You read right 104 hours in 10 minutes. This would serve as a refresher prior to Season 6 kicking off as well as a fun night out. To my shame I had not yet seen the The Reduced Shakespeare Company in action so I was excited about finally experiencing them.

Oceanic Airlines check in, Dharma Initiative Crew

We convened at The Hospital Club, checked into Oceanic Airlines to receive our boarding passes and then treated to canapes and drinks by the Hanzo Foundation in what looked like the Swan Station.

Fortunately I arrived on time so the area was empty and I got a chance to take some pictures. As a LOST style clock counted down the minutes the room filled and so did the familiar buzz of geeky anticipation.

Room filling up, Desmond Hume's home in the Swan Station, 4 1 15 16 23 42,
James Midgley & Jenni Falconer, The LOST Initiative's Iain Lee and Paul Terry
Sun Dried "Wild Boar" with Passion Fruit and Basil Vinegar

After drinks the Dharma Initiative crew ushered into the auditorium to be greeted by a short video clip from Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse (executive producers and writers of LOST) and without much ado on to the main performance. Below you can view the intro from Lindelof and Cuse as well as the full LOST Reduced performance. Please note this is a YouTube version, the hi res official version can be viewed over at Sky here.

LOST seasons 1-5 in 10 minutes.

From the hilarious but Oh way too short performance - 2 clues I came up with are:
A confirmed yes! "History can be changed if you have a variable, something unpredictable" so some time travel will be involved with but probably with unexpected results and at least one dead Lostee will be back :


I also thought this was pretty funny. As soon as I could - I screen grabbed The Reduced Shakespeare Company's chart of The Dharma Initiative only to find that they are 2 steps ahead of me. Click on the image and view at the largest size and read the text at the bottom of the chart.

Have questions or would just like to vent? LOST writers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof can be found on Twitter here @CarltonCuse & @DamonLindelof

Sky's The LOST Initiative can be found here @Lost_initiative
, The LOST Initiative's Iain Lee (@iainlee), & Geeky Tom (@geekytom) here. If anyone knows if Paul Terry is on Twitter please do let me know.

Sky HD LOST launch
LOST is on on Sky1 & Sky1 HD Fridays at 9pm

More info at Sky HD

LOST REDUCED: World Premiere!

With the hotly anticipated sixth and final season of LOST launching on February 5th, Sky1 HD is proud to announce LOST REDUCED – a specially created ten minute play from the widely acclaimed Reduced Shakespeare Company.

The celebrated comedy theatre troupe have condensed all five seasons into a fast paced flight through the story of the Oceanic plane crash survivors. The world premiere is to be held in London on Thursday 28th January, performed for an intimate audience. The production will also be filmed for internet broadcast as well as on the Sky Platform’s Anytime service.

- LOST REDUCED
- FIVE SEASONS OF LOST IN TEN MINUTES
- Reduced Shakespeare Company
- Perform world premiere
- London, 28th January
- BY INVITATION ONLY


World Premiere of LOST REDUCED

Where
The Hospital Club
24 Endell Street, Covent Garden,WC2H 9HQ

38 Curzon Street W1J 7TY

When
6:30pm, Thurs 28 Jan, 2010

Classic Screening: The Prisoner (All Nighter)

No Man Is Just A Number.

Become a part of world history! To mark the Blu-Ray release of The Prisoner the first 125 Network customers who pre-order the Blu-Ray edition from the Network web site will receive a pair of tickets to "The Prisoner All Nighter", an all night extravaganza taking place at the Prince Charles Cinema in Central London on Saturday 26th September 2009 starting at 8.30pm, where every episode of The Prisoner will be screened in High Definition for the first time anywhere in the world. Will you still feel like a free man after being subjected to 17 TV hours in the village plus special guests who appeared in the show?

To obtain tickets you simply need to purchase a copy of The Prisoner the Complete Series (RRP £59.99) fromwww.networkdvd.co.uk.

• Tickets to this event for the pre-order DVD will be issued on a first come first serve basis.
• As well as these special tickets each attendee will also receive a 1967 reproduction ITC brochure exclusive to this event.


The Prisoner All Nighter will be opened by Prisoner Loudspeaker Announcer Fenella Fielding and closed by an additional special guest. Attendees will also be entered into a prize draw t win some unique Prisoner merchandise.
Please note the Prince Charles Cineme are NOT taking any bookings for this, to obtain a ticket you MUST go via www.networkdvd.co.uk


Where
The Prince Charles Cinema
7 Leicester Place, WC2
Just north off Leicester Sq & up from Häagen-Dazs

When
8:30pm, Saturday 26 September, 2009

BFI & Empire's Movie Con 2 : Day 2

The full schedule for Movie Con 2 can be found over here on Empire's website. Below are my highlights from day 2:

Day 2 started with a flash of fury, explosions and red metal, that's right! Some seriously awesome clips from Iron Man 2 were on display introduced by Robert (I'm in town to shoot some additional scenes for Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes) Downey Jr. Unfortunately I was late and missed what was a highlight of day 2.


The legendary Kim Newman ran his now infamous Movie Quiz with the precision of a T800 which was loads of fun. One of the prizes was for a winner's name to be used in Mr. Newman's next novel.

Next up was a clip from the super tense Hurt Locker and Q&A with Director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal. Loosely based on Boal's experiences in Baghdad. Hurt Locker is refreshingly direct and will keep you on the edge of your seat. It could be seen as a natural progression to Point Break.

Optimum rolled out a hilarious and heartwarming presentation for Bunny And The Bull. Hosted by Director Paul King and Star Simon Farnaby. If you are looking for something that lands somewhere between a holiday, run by The Mighty Boosh filmed by Michel Gondry.

"Bunny & the Bull is a road movie set entirely in a flat. Stephen Turnbull hasn't been outside in months. Living with a painfully restrictive routine, he refuses to interact with the world or think about the past. When a sudden infestation of mice forces him to change his ways, he finds his mind hurtling back to the disastrous trek around Europe he undertook with his friend Bunny, a womanising, gambling-addicted booze-hound. Unable to stem the flood of memories, Stephen’s flat becomes the springboard for an extraordinary odyssey through landscapes made up of snapshots and souvenirs, from the industrial wastelands of Silesia to the bull fields of Andalusia. A story of love, disillusionment, stuffed bears and globalised seafood, Bunny & the Bull is an offbeat and heartfelt journey to the end of the room."

Next Director/Writer Stuart Hazeldine introduced Exam.


"Eight talented candidates have reached the final stage of selection to join the ranks of a mysterious and powerful corporation. Entering a windowless room, an Invigilator gives them eighty minutes to answer one simple question. He outlines three rules they must obey or be disqualified: don't talk to him or the armed guard by the door, don't spoil their papers and don't leave the room. He starts the clock and leaves. The candidates turn over their question papers, only to find they're completely blank. After the initial confusion has subsided, one frustrated candidate writes 'I believe you should hire me because...,' and is promptly ejected for spoiling. The remaining candidates soon figure out they're permitted to talk to each other, and they agree to cooperate in order to figure out the question: then they can compete to answer it. At first they suspect the question may be hidden in their papers like a security marker in a credit card, and they figure out ways to change their environment to expose the hidden words. But light, liquids and other plans all come to naught. Soon enough, the candidates begin to uncover each other's background, prejudices and hidden agendas. Tensions rise as the clock steadily descends towards zero, and each candidate must decide how far they are willing to go to secure the ultimate job." Tense stuff.

The end of the day closed with a 3D spectacular! You should know that I love 3D! Even the crappiest film in the world can become wonderful by either showing it in IMAX or 3D format. I have never seen a bad 3D film at the IMAX. Even the big screen 3D trailers are Worth the entry alone. So what if this new push towards 3D was engineered by Hollywood marketeers to revitalise the industry and shaft Movie piracy. I love it. The final hour and a half of of Movie Con was spectacular. In order:

Disney presented; The trailer & loads of footage from the mind boggling A Christmas Carol, the trailer for Toy Story 3, and footage from the much talked about Up.

Welcome back Flynn!
Then we were shown the 3D trailer/footage from Tron Legacy ! This was the same bootleg footage that haunted the net after Comic Con last year and was recently released onto the net in high def. Except that this was in 3D on a BIG screen! Tron Legacy looks like it will be worth the 27 year wait.



Finally we were treated to footage from Jim Cameron's 4 years in the making AVATAR. Stolen from Empire's blog:

"James Cameron recorded a short introduction, just for Movie-Con II, to two scenes of footage from Avatar, due out in December. We wouldn’t be exaggerating too far if we say that jaws hit the floor. The first, short scene gave a flavour to the threat in the film: Stephen Lang’s Colonel Quaritch explaining to newcomers just how dangerous the world of Pandora is, and telling them frankly that they won’t all make it out alive. Then we saw Jake Sully’s (Sam Worthington) Avatar alive and working in the jungles of the planet. Having faced off one rhino*/hammerhead shark added by me:)*-looking beastie, he’s surprised by the much more dangerous spider-lynx looking monster, and a spectacular chase scene occurs. We also get a glimpse there of Sigourney Weaver’s Grace in action: check the next issue of Empire for more on that.

Naturally, we had to see that again, so we rewound and went for a second go." The team also let us know that there would be more & different footage shown on AVATAR day this Friday. Info here!

All that is left for me to say is thank you Empire & BFI. I had a wonderful time. Next year please bring some display cases and props with you. I'm just saying.

This Is Who I Am with Orange : Terry Gilliam

Terry Gilliam has an idea, originally uploaded by Craig Grobler.

On Wednesday 23rd September, Terry Gilliam will be talking, at an exclusive event at the Soho Hotel in London, about the people, relationships and film moments that made him the eccentric genius he is today.

This Is Who I Am with Orange : Terry Gilliam

Wednesday September 23, 2009 at 6:00pm

The Soho Hotel
4 Richmond Mews
London, England W1D 3DH

Terry Gilliam Retrospective at the BFI

When Terry Gilliam’s Tideland was awarded the FIPRESCI prize at Spain’s 2005 San Sebastian Festival, jurist Sergi Sánchez noted, ‘Gilliam’s was the only film that dared to propose a risky and radical image, without any concessions, on a specific matter: madness as the only way of escaping in the face of a hostile environment. All this is endlessly coherent with the director’s body of work, which has been frequently misunderstood by the critics, the industry, and audiences alike.’ The BFI reflects on just how Gilliam’s own brand of cinematic ‘madness’ has cast him as a true maverick, perhaps even caught on the cusp of genius, as they mount a comprehensive retrospective.


Born in Minnesota in 1940, Gilliam moved with his family to LA where he was brought up and, for a while, tried his hand as a (struggling) cartoonist. His chagrin at the US invasion of Vietnam was a catalyst for his move to England where he re-invented himself as an ‘animator’. Gilliam would often provide snippets of work for the BBC, which led to his meeting with the Monty Python team and the beginnings of his career as an imaginative and highly inventive director. In his first feature, Monty Python and The Holy Grail (1975), he and fellow director Terry Jones managed to transform the lack of money for hiring horses into a joke (coconut sound-effects accompaniment to knights miming riding) fondly remembered even now. This was followed by the medieval fantasy Jabberwocky (1977) and the smash-hit Time Bandits (1981). Then came his Kafkaesque feature Brazil (1985), starring Jonathan Pryce and Robert De Niro, which has become a cult classic.

In the years that followed, Gilliam declined the opportunities to direct blockbusters such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Forrest Gump, amongst others. He suffered battles with studios, abandoned projects and outrageous bad fortune – including, most recently, the death of one of his lead actors, Heath Ledger. Despite this he has managed to persevere and deliver truly individual curiosities in a field often dominated by bland and predictable fare and has always been able to turn a drawback into an advantage in his cinematic world that’s part fairy tale, part Hieronymus Bosch, but all Gilliam, and populated by a strange but oddly compatible group of fellow eccentrics. Whether he’s following The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988), The Fisher King (1991) or The Brothers Grimm (2005), his films can electrify audiences. Gilliam has never trod an easy route, his career path more obstacle race than 100-metre dash, but the results glitter with ambition and glorious imagination.

Sir Roger Moore in Conversation

To close the BFI's tribute season to Cubby Broccoli, they are delighted to welcome to the BFI Southbank stage the man who, in taking on the role no less than seven times, helped establish James Bond as the archetypal British hero – Sir Roger Moore. First coming to prominence as Simon Templar in the hugely successful spy-thriller TV series The Saint, he claimed his most famous role as 007 with 1973's Live and Let Die. Bringing a more relaxed and suave tone to Bond Sir Roger was instrumental in extending the life of the charming but deadly secret agent. Now an ambassador for UNICEF and highly commended for his charitable work, he will discuss the exhilarating world of 007, his memories of Broccoli and his career so far.

Sir Roger Moore in Conversation
Thursday May 28, 2009 at 6:20pm
BFI Southbank
Belvedere Road
London, England SE1 8XT

Screening of Grown-Ups & Mike Leigh Q&A

Funny, moving and always acutely observed, Mike Leigh's stories famously start without a script and evolve through improvisation between writer and actors.

To coincide with the release of a new DVD collection showcasing all his work with the BBC, The ICA are very happy to welcome Leigh to the ICA cinema for a screening of Grown-Ups, the BBC drama starring Lesley Manville, Brenda Blethyn and Lindsay Duncan, originally aired in 1980 and now digitally remastered. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the director and Amy Raphael, author of Mike Leigh on Mike Leigh. Part of the campaign to refurbish the ICA cinemas and maintain a future independent programme.



CinematICA: Screening of Grown-Ups & Mike Leigh Q&A
Wednesday April 1, 2009 at 7:30pm
ICA Institute of Contemporary Arts
12 Carlton House Terrace
London, England SW1Y 5AH Get

Launch of Sony's Bravia LCD TV range at "The World First" event in Shoreditch, London

"You are cordially invited to the Sony VIP exclusive BRAVIA ‘World’s First’ launch event."

As I made my way through the freezing January evening to the secret location of the launch in the heart of Shoreditch. I was filled with anticipation as the Sony BRAVIA Worlds First launch was promising to be a good night.

Sony Bravia LCD TV installation showing Tal Rosner's short film World First - London, Shoreditch uploaded by Craig Grobler

"Guests will be treated to the awe-inspiring unveiling of these TV’s (the World’s thinnest (ZX1), the World’s fastest (Z4500), The World’s first wireless technology/picture frame TV (EX1) and the World’s first OLED technology TV (XEL-1), with the help of a mind-blowing, interactive and unique light installation featuring a one-off short film, while celebrity DJ Henry Holland and ‘Filthy Dukes’ spin the decks."

Music, Technology, the Arts, Film and a Party! All key words close to my core. Does it get any better?  The large warehouse was filled with colour, lights, music and people keen to have a good time. There must have been more well know faces in the crowd than regular Joes it was quite phenomenal.

On entering the large warehouse area I immediately noticed 3 colour beams projected across the warehouse
turned out that this was part of artist Paul Cocksedge's specially commissioned installation. The concept created by Paul Cocksedge, titled 'R.G.B' shined a red, a green and a blue light separately from one side of the venue. All three lights meet at a white dot upon which the four new BRAVIA LCD televisions will hang above. The light concept is based on R.G.B lights within televisions.

Paul Cocksedge's R.G.B installation - London, Shoreditch uploaded by Craig Grobler

Above the white dot - hanging from the ceiling was the reason we were here:

Paul Cocksedge's R.G.B installation - London, Shoreditch uploaded by Craig Grobler

The ZX1 - the World’s thinnest TV, seriously no wider than your finger (if your finger is under 9mm wide).

The Z4500 (with Motionflow) - the World’s fastest TV. This cranks out 200Hz and means that the screen refreshes the pixel rate faster than any previous TV ensuring a smoother picture. Although the benefits of this beast were not immediately clear I suspect that watching a Blu -Ray action film of Sky HD sports the difference would be appreciated.

[Giles Deacon & Henry Holland DJ at the Sony Bravia TV Launch - London, Shoreditch uploaded by Craig Grobler]

The EX1- the World’s first wireless technology/picture frame. After some discussion I discovered that this meant that hi def images (& sound) could be sent from a “media” box plugged into your source to the TV. No more HDMI cabling :)

[Sony Bravia TV Launch - Uploaded by Craig Grobler]


The XEL-1 - the World’s first OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology TV. OLED technology uses materials that emit light on their own and don’t require a backlight. Currently this ultra thin TV (3mm) is only 15 inches big but packs a noticeable higher picture quality (also more eco friendly). Hope the picture quality stays when they rollout the larger screen sizes. OLED is expected to be the next level in the evolution of TVs.

[Chloe Madeley & Julia at the Sony Bravia TV Launch - Uploaded by Craig Grobler]

The TVs were showingBafta-winning film-maker Tal Rosner's short film “World First”, featuring historical moments captured on television including footage of the first man in space and the first Miss Universe contest.

Tal Rosner's World First from Craig Grobler on Vimeo.

The evening was set to the ambient soundtrack that Giles Deacon & Henry Holland were outputting from decks for most of the night. Their play list seamlessly transitioning from cutting edge remixes through to experimental trance.

[Henry Holland rocking out at the Sony Bravia TV Launch - Uploaded by Craig Grobler]

Sony VIP exclusive BRAVIA ‘World’s First’ LCD TV range

You are cordially invited to the Sony VIP exclusive BRAVIA ‘World’s First’ LCD TV range launch on Thursday 29 January 2009 at 7pm until 11pm.

Guests will be treated to the awe-inspiring unveiling of these TV’s (the World’s thinnest (ZX1), the World’s fastest (Z4500), The World’s first wireless technology/picture frame TV (EX1) and the World’s first OLED technology TV (XEL-1), with the help of a mind-blowing, interactive and unique light installation featuring a one-off short film, while celebrity DJ Henry Holland and ‘Filthy Dukes’ spin the decks.

As Celebrities/Media and VIP guests will be in attendance, Sony have the right to refuse entry/eject to any guests deemed unruly etc.!!!

Enjoy.

A cinematic timeline of the road to the Obama

A cinematic timeline of the road to the Obama

1967: Det. Virgil Tibbs - In the Heat of the Night

After a wealthy northern factory owner is murdered, racist Mississippi cops accuse African American Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) of the crime. Once they learn that he is a renowned Philadelphia homicide detective, they reluctantly seek his help. As Tibbs displays his skills as a detective, he begins to win the respect, protection, and ultimately friendship of the Police Chief Bill Gillepsie (Rod Steiger).

1972: President Douglass Dilman - The Man

When the President and Speaker of the House are killed in a building collapse, and the Vice-President declines the office due to age and ill-health, Senate President pro tempore Douglas Dilman (James Earl Jones) suddenly becomes the first black man to occupy the Oval Office. The events from that day to the next election when he must decide if he will actually run challenge his skills as a politician and leader.

1991: Assistant District Attorney - Ricochet

Rookie Los Angeles cop Nick Styles is at a Los Angeles street fair, where hit man Earl Talbot Blake pulls a double cross on some drug dealers, killing four men. Nick Styles apprehends the hit man. Over the next few years, Nick's career takes off: he's offered a job in the district attorney's office, and his hip media style keeps him in the public eye. Blak orchestrates an escape from prison and sets about ruining Nick's life. Nick is forced to turn to his childhood friend, gang leader Odessa, for help in clearing his name and stopping Blake once and for all.

1998: President Tom Beck - Deep Impact

A teenage astronomer and his teacher discover an object amongst the stars at night. Little do they know that it's a comet on a direct collision course for earth. After the teacher dies in a car crash trying to report his findings the President announces the comet's existence. He also states that there is no need to panic, because NASA is going to send astronauts on the space mission, Messiah. Their mission is to destroy the comet before it gets too close to the earth. When Messiah backfires, the President announces that special caves will have to be built, and the government will have to have a lottery-of-fate to randomly select 800,000 ordinary American citizens to go along with 200,000 scientists, soldiers, and other officials. These 1,000,000 people will be set aside to save the population from extinction when the comet hits.

2003: President Mays Gilliam - Head of State

Mays Gilliam, a Washington D.C. neighborhood Alderman, is about to be red-lined out of his job. But after the untimely death of the party frontrunner, Gilliam is plucked from obscurity, and thrust into the limelight as his party's nominee--for President of the United States. The players in Gilliam's life include: Mitch Gilliam, his unsophisticated older brother who becomes his running mate; Kim, his ex-girlfriend who had once dumped him, but who now has a sudden change of heart as she sees a chance at becoming First Lady; Martin Geller, his campaign manager; Lisa Clark, the woman who truly believes in Gilliam; and Debra Lassiter, the woman who doesn't have faith in his candidacy, and is serving as his reluctant advisor.

2003: President David Palmer - 24

David Palmer, J.D. is a fictional President of the United States played by Dennis Haysbert as part of the television series, 24. Palmer served as the show's second-most prominent protagonist, after Jack Bauer. Throughout the series, Palmer's ex-wife Sherry and brother Wayne are both key figures in his administration. He has two children: a son, Keith, and a daughter, Nicole. Palmer is a member of the Democratic Party.

2006: President Wayne Palmer - 24

The brother of former President David Palmer, Wayne came in to replace Mike Novick as the President's Chief of Staff, after Palmer had relieved Novick of his duties at the end of Season Two. He is a veteran Marine. He also has a sister named Sandra Palmer. After high school, he received a baseball scholarship to Stanford University, where he was a pitcher and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He went on to receive his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School. It is presumed that, like his brother, Wayne Palmer is a Democrat.

Before being employed by the President, Palmer was a member of the United States Marine Corps, though he did not see combat. At some point after being discharged, Palmer worked as an Attorney at Law for Anderson & Siebertz for a period of time. Afterwards, he served as a COO for Milliken Enterprises that was owned by Alan Milliken, a high powered businessman backer of his brother. While Milliken was hospitalized, recovering from a stroke, Wayne embarked upon an affair with Milliken's wife, Julia.

Thundercats Hooooooooooooo!!!!!!

This fan made trailer for an imagined Thundercats is impressive, in a Thundercats kind of way.



It's called Thundercats: Sword of Omens and took WormyTV the creator "about a year and a half on and off". Thundercats the film is still in pre development and expected to be in cinemas 2010.

In case you are wondering if the cast in the trailer looked familiar:

Jaga ... Robert Eddison
Panthro ... Vin Diesel
Cheetara ... Gigi Edgley
Tygra ... Hugh Jackman
Lion-O ... Brad Pitt
Snarf ... Garfield

Poster for LOST season 5

Poster for LOST season 5
Poster for LOST season 5
Poster for LOST season 5


Poster for LOST season 5
Poster for LOST season 5
Poster for LOST season 5

Star Trek promo posters

Star Trek promo posters
Star Trek promo posters
Star Trek promo posters




Star Trek promo posters
Star Trek promo posters
Star Trek promo posters

Promo Star Trek poster

Val Kilmer what happened?

OK!! So my pal Mart & I were chatting about Val Kilmer (I had just watched Tombstone) and Doc "I'm here Huckleberry" Haliday deserved a mention. Kilmer seemed to have the world at his feet sky rocketing career, buckets of talent and the golden touch. What went wrong you may ask yourself?

He brought some great characters to life:

Nick “my father thought of it while shaving” Rivers - Top Secret (I was 14)
The Iceman - Top Gun (I was 16)
Madmartigan - Willow (OK I wasn’t a big fan of this one, but worth a mention)
Jim Morrison - The Doors (as a period piece, pretty good)
Doc Holliday - Tombstone (awesome)
Chris Shiherlis - Heat (acting for a change)
Entourage - The Sherpa (Episode 05, Season 01)

Yea I think that's it. Pretty much everything else he did was crap &
got exponentially worse. 3 unsubstantiated stories I can repeat - to add to the "Kilmer is difficult and brings it on himself" are:

I should mention that these stories are hearsay & never been proven in a court of law.

1. Circa 1980 - Apparently Kilmer & Kevin Spacey were amigos before either made it big. Val is set to go to Juilliard and become an ACKTor. He convinces the penniless Spacey to do the same. So spacey borrows the tuition fees from Kilmer's father. Spacey never repays the loan. This causes a rift between the 2 friends that continues to this day.

Side note: Up until 2002 Kilmer was the youngest student ever accepted into Juilliard's Drama department.

2. Circa 1986 - Val is up for a career making role as Kyle Reese the hero in an edgy sci-fi film called the Terminator. For some reason Arnult nixes the idea and squashes Val's chances. Ironically Arnult was the first choice for Kyle Reese, but when Cameron meets him, he decides he is more Terminator material.

The role eventually goes to Michael Biehn who does a great job anyway. Ironically Kilmer's Doc Holliday faced off against Biehn’s Johnny Ringo in Tombstone

This comes back to haunt Arnult years later when he is put forward
for the role of Mr. Freeze in "Batman 93 - Mo bat crap". Naturally being an ego less artist Val kicks up a fuss. The ensuing conversation
must have gone something like this:

Val: "I don't think so. Listen Mr Producer only one of us is going to
be in this film. So it's either Arnult or me. Need I remind I am the
greatest actor of my generation and you'll remember me from such films
as Afterschool Special: One Too Many, Spartan, Red Planet, Batman Forever and Alexander."

Producer:"PA get me Clooney on the phone & Val Don't slam the door too hard on your way out.

3. Circa 1995 - Kilmer career is bottoming out but gets the chance to act in a contemporary version of "The Island of Dr. Moreau" with Marlon Brando. By now Kilmer is a few roles away from Van Damme/Lundgren/Rourke status. However the producers clearly happy to have Kilmer on board and buckle to his ongoing demands including swapping from the lead hero to the Doctors sidekick.

Richard Stanley the skilled but relatively unknown director is continually at odds with Kilmer. After making a couple of low budget sci-fi/horror films including; "Hardware aka M.A.R.K. 13 & "Dust Devil". The underrated South African gets:
- a break that could make him
- gets a decent budget to play with
- gets to direct a classic story
- gets to work with Marlon Brando
- gets to work with Val Kilmer

However ongoing clashes between Kilmer & Stanley continue. Eventually Kilmer gets Stanley replaced by Frankenheimer. Putting Stanley’s career on hold again. Ironically by the end of filming Frankenheimer vows never to work with Kilmer again.

In a bizarre move Stanley hides out on the island set, gets disguised as one of the "mutated" extras and continues to be part of the film. Seriously who can blame the guy for not letting go of his dream?

Yea!! I'm rooting for the guy he's talented and will eventually break Hollywood. Just watch "Hardware aka M.A.R.K. 13" his first big effort. The screenplay was written by Kevin O'Neill (comic legend).

Although a low budget, the film exudes imagination, skill & talent. C'mon Iggy Pop as the DJ voice of Angry Bob. The destined for eventual greatness Dylan McDermott is the protagonist in this tale of a dystopian future.

Richard Stanley is coming back to Montreal. Last year he presented Dust Devil, this year he brings us his director's cut of the 1990 film Hardware, one of the few good cyberpunk films. A hallucinatory, drug-fuelled blend of Terminator, Mad Max and Blade Runner (with a cameo by Motörhead's Lemmy Kilmeister!), Hardware suffered at the hands of those shadowy studio types who always manage to fuck things up for creative and ground-breaking filmmakers. - montrealmirror

OK so on balance Kilmer's ego seems to be writing cheques his talent can't cash.