In 1999 I was the promotions director of the largest independent theatre chain in Kansas City.  It was in this position that I first met Chris Jackson.  Jackson had an idea for a local event and I was more then happy to lend a hand.  Later that year, at the Overland Park International Trade Center in Overland Park, Kansas, Planet Comicon Kansas City was born.  Twenty-five years later, the show continues to constantly grow, evolve and amaze!

What makes PCKC so unique is that every year there is something new added to the event to make it special.  This year it was a large game area where fans could line up to play an assortment of classic and newer video games. 

Another staple of the show is that they keep their celebrity guest list fresh, mixing in newer talents, including The Punisher himself, Jon Bernthal and the MCU’s Paul Bettany, with well-loved celebrities from the past, including this year the amazing Henry Winkler.  I first met Mr. Winkler fourteen years ago and he was actually the very first celebrity interview posted on this site.  He was kind and gracious then and, by all accounts of the fans I spoke to this year, he hasn’t changed a bit!

I can’t recall how many fans attended the show in 1999, but I can tell you the turnout was nothing compared to the nearly 50,000 that have attended the show, now held at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri, in recent years. 

For those of you marking your calendars, next year’s PCKC is scheduled for March 21-23, 2025.  If the past quarter century is any indication, the next twenty-five years are going to be incredible!

Not all casinos are built alike. Online VIP casinos gear their appeal towards high-rollers. To do that, which ultimately is a lucrative thing for the operator, they offer bigger and better perks than regular players get.

But what has been the drive behind the launch and ultimately, the rise of VIP casinos? What do they give that keeps players coming back time and again for further action? What are, for instance, BSTcasinos VIP offers like? Also, are VIP casinos out of touch with the everyday average player, or is there something there for everyone?

What are VIP Casinos?

VIP casinos offer high-level perks and benefits to players based on the amount of money that they place. This is more geared towards the big spenders among casino players and generally works on an invitation-only basis.

If a casino sees a player who is constantly playing a high turnover of stakes, then they may reach out to them with an invitation. It’s also possible for players to contact a customer support team and ask about becoming a member of a VIP program if they think they are playing at a high enough level.

The importance of VIP players for a casino is high. These are players that put a lot of money into operations and boost the casino returns. People playing high-roller stakes are liable to win more when they do hit success, but casinos are not fixed to make high-rollers win — so high-rollers lose just as often as everyone else who puts money into the casino’s pocket.

Why Did They Kick Off?

A competitive market typically drives innovation. This was the case with the swathe of online casinos that initially hit the market and continue to do so. While many are mostly targeted to the everyday casual bettor, some went towards a bigger market by trying to appeal to high-rollers.

This opened the door for many others to follow suit and now VIP online casinos are commonplace.

What Bonuses are Available at VIP Casinos?

Bonus offers are commonplace at online casinos, regardless of your level of play. From welcome offers to reload bonuses and cash-back specials, casino promotions are easy to come across.

But the difference with VIP bonuses, as such gambling specialists as https://bstcasinos.com/author/jack-hamilton/ would say, is that the rewards are bigger and better than what most players will pick up. What is on offer will vary from one VIP casino to another, but there are some major common perks like:

●Bigger bonus values

●Exclusive gifts and invitations

●Personal, dedicated support

●Account managers

●Higher comp rewards

VIP players get better bonus terms on promotions. It could be lower wagering requirements for a specific promotion or a higher value reward than what the standard version is. Exclusive VIP-only promotions are likely to exist as well.

A common perk of holding the VIP status is getting access to winnings quickly. Faster cashouts are a big thing, with the potential of having a withdrawal request completed the same day, even within a few hours.

Other features of VIP status include a decided level of customer support, and even a personal account manager. VIPs receive opportunities to claim special gifts like invitations to exclusive gaming spaces and concerts, and higher comp levels will also be in play.

VIP Tiers Provide Sustainability

Another reason why VIP programs have become so popular is because they work on a tiered system. When players see that they can get higher rewards for climbing a VIP ladder, then there is a natural incentive there, as long as it is within budget.

Once on a rung of the ladder, it’s not something that a player ideally wants to lose, as their level of perks will decrease. People don’t like losing. So this is a powerful marketing tool that casinos use to keep VIPs happy and to ensure that they stick around.

Levels such as gold, diamond, and Platinum are commonly seen. The higher the tier, the higher the comp points, bonus rewards and levels of personalised service that can be achieved.

Rewards Clubs

The average everyday casual pointer is not totally out of the loop. While the VIP programs at online casinos may be out of reach for many, there are Rewards clubs which provide a similar sort of experience, just without the high-level returns.

Rewards clubs can see weekly bonuses credited for spins, or a better percentage of reload bonus. These are smaller rewards than will ever be returned by a VIP program, but it’s all subjective to the level that is being played at.

The newly released, Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon, which is an 80’s genre mash-up favorite of mine. I can’t tell you how many times I watched Michael Schultz’ Motown flavored martial arts movie growing up. However, I will tell you that very few films from that time period stuck with me like this one. Was it the action? The music? The awesome over-the-top villain Sho’nuff portrayed by Julius Carry? The sweet scenes between Taimak and Vanity?  I would say it was all-of-the above. The Last Dragon had everything I wanted in a movie and nearly four decades later, it still rocks.

Leroy Green (Taimak) dreams of becoming a great martial artist. He has almost reached the final level of his training. However, Leroy’s master explains to him that the final level, knows as “The Last Dragon” must be found on his own. If Leroy can complete the final level, he will be able to harness the mystical energy that would allow him to physically glow. His master sends Leroy on a spiritual journey through the streets of New York to locate Master Sum Dum Goy, who might be able to teach him how to unlock the great power of “The Glow’.

Of course, Leroy’s journey is not an easy one. Sho’nuff (The Shogun of Harlem) sees Leroy as the only person standing in his way of being the true master. Each time Sho’nuff and his gang challenges Leroy, he refuses to fight. Leroy’s family even pays the price when Sho’nuff demolishes his parent’s pizza shop. Leroy’s journey becomes even more complicated when he rescues music video show host Laura Charles (Vanity), who is being abducted by goons hired by the sleezy video-arcade mogul Eddie Arkadian (Christopher Murney). He wants Laura to play his girlfriend’s music video on her show and he won’t take no for an answer. Aside from searching for Master Sum Dum Goy, Leroy must protect Laura from Arkadian, find a way to deal with Sho’nuff and reach the final level of his training. Leroy also didn’t expect to start falling in love either.

The Last Dragon is silly and there is no denying it, but it’s also so much fun with a great soundtrack. I mean, MOTOWN founder Berry Gordy produced it, so you know the music is gonna be great. The chemistry between Taimak and Vanity really works well here. This is definitely a love-letter to classic martial arts films and even though it is also a comedy, it truly respects the art form and films that inspired it.

The new 4K transfer does not disappoint. It was scanned from the original camera negative and presented with Dolby Vision. The streets of Harlem look incredibly detailed, especially during the daytime shots. Eddie’s office is filled with neon colors that absolutely pop, as-well-as the set of Laura’s video show. Don’t even get me started on how awesome the red and yellow glows look during Leroy’s final fight with Sho’nuff. As for the audio, we get an all-new Dolby Atmos track which is taken full advantage of, especially during the numerous fight sequences. As mentioned before, The Last Dragon has a stellar 80’s soundtrack and the new audio track puts a shine on that.  If you are a fan, I highly recommend picking up this release, which also comes packed in a great looking steelbook. Three out of five stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

Starring: AnnaLynne McCord, Dean Cain and Natasha Henstridge
Directed by: Tommy Stovall
Rated: NR
Running Time: 93 minutes
Stonecutter Media

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 Stars

If you Google “Condition of Return,” you’ll get the following synopsis: “A churchgoing woman makes a heinous deal with the Devil in order to save her soul.” Honestly, that’s all I needed to watch this film in the hopes of seeing a Satanic horror film. What I got was an unintentional comedy.

The movie opens with Eve (AnnaLynne McCord) walking into a Catholic church during mass and opening fire with an assault rifle, all the while tears well in her eyes as she watches the various attendees scatter in terror. We cut to much later, where Eve is shackled and Dr. Donald Thomas (Dean Cain) has been flown in to interview Eve. His goal, according to the police chief, is to declare that she is sane. That’s so that the state can cross that red tape checkmark off its list and pump Eve full of various drugs until she dies. With a recorder and notepad in hand, Dr. Thomas sits down for the silliest “be careful or you’re going to hell” movie of the 21st century.

Is that previous comment praise for “Condition of Return?” No. But that’s only because I feel like this movie was made in an earnest effort. I say that because throughout I kept checking if maybe I went in with the wrong expectations. After the first few chuckles, I checked the press email I got about the film. Sure enough, it’s listed as a “Faustian drama.” About halfway through, I checked IMDb which listed it as a “mystery.” By the end I had fully succumbed to my MST3K sensibilities and began laughing at the absurdity of it all.

If I had to describe “Condition of Return,” it’s a film with SyFy Creature Feature production values and a religious script that would make Kevin Sorbo drool at the sheer flawed morality of it. Eve’s tale to Dr. Thomas begins with her meeting a random guy at the bar, only to get knocked up, miscarry and marry the loser. Right off the bat, none of it feels real or genuine. Eve also drops the fact that she’s Catholic. A lot. So as her backstory progresses, she tells Dr. Thomas an increasingly bizarre story of her failing marriage which, no joke, leads to an FBI bust, time in prison, and finally searching “how to summon the devil” online where she lands on a website called Blood Knife. I felt like every unrealistic and stupid progression in Eve’s backstory was like a bad joke being delivered in just the right way to elicit an uncomfortable laugh.

It’s weird when you give a film a middling review when you know that some people will watch this and turn it off in the first 15 minutes, whether it’s the bad special effects, the stagnant dialogue or the go nowhere plot. Others though, like me, will relish in the sheer stupidity of it and will find themselves gleefully waiting to see what happens next, in pure morbid fashion. The old cliché phrase of “It’s so bad, it’s good,” applies to all 93 minutes of “Condition of Return.”

Starring: Simon Pegg, Minnie Driver and Christopher Lloyd
Directed by: Adam Sigal
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 96 minutes
Saban Films

Our Score: 2.5 out of 5 Stars

At 2021’s San Diego Comic Con, I attended a panel for “Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose.” I had an actual interest in the panel after having recently listened to Last Podcast on the Left doing an episode on the subject. The film is based on a peculiar incident from 1930s Britain about, well, a talking mongoose. While that seems straightforward, the movie isn’t. Honestly, it’s odd attending a panel where everyone has a difficult time articulating what the film is about. It’s even odder watching the film.

While listed as a comedy, I didn’t laugh once during the film, but I’m not sure the film was written and filmed as a comedy. Sure, you have Simon Pegg as Dr. Fodor, who begins the movie explaining a belief in the paranormal as someone who sees something that no one else can see. In fact, most scenes with Dr. Fodor seem to be moments written for dry chuckles. That’s because he’s a natural skeptic whose life has been debunking every psychic phenomenon, every bump in the night and every scare tactic he can get his hands on. It’s beginning to wear him thin as he glides through life one hoax and alcoholic beverage at a time. That’s when a fellow skeptic and professor, played by the delightful Christopher Lloyd, tells him about Gef, the talking mongoose. With his assistant Anne, played by Minnie Driver, in tow, Dr. Fodor is off to the Isle of Man to unravel a mystery that will never be solved.

I had the knowledge going into this film that Gef remains a mystery. Is it the work of bored playful humans? Was Gef an actual talking creature lost to time? Was Gef the culmination of poltergeist activity? There are way more theories than answers and honestly, the film mimics that true to life story. That could genuinely frustrate anyone looking for an engaging story, much less a comedic one. Since the film isn’t necessarily going to give you answers or a laugh, why can’t I flat out not recommend it?

The film is peculiar in that I was never bored. While the characters talk in hushes and whispers while silently thinking about the day’s event (usually over a drink or two…or three), it seems like someone is screaming something at the top of their lungs, just below the surface. Annie is the only one of the main cast that’s genuinely open minded to the possibility of Gef’s existence, at least, outside of the peculiar townsfolk and family side characters that have allegedly heard Gef. It’s almost like Annie, after years of watching Dr. Fodor unmasking mysteries, is beginning to tire of the dog and pony show. Or maybe she’s warming up to the idea of Gef, and life, being a giant question mark, while Dr. Fodor can’t possibly fathom a question without an answer.

So maybe the film is more than a look at this absurd true-life story, but instead an encapsulation of how we shouldn’t let small things bog us down in life. Especially since Dr. Fodor, who has obvious chemistry with Anne, never seems to act on those sparks. Instead he seems miserably content with being single and skeptical of everyone and everything, as long as he has a stiff drink in his hand. But in a way, that’s why I can’t recommend it. Maybe I’m giving too much credit to a poorly written and directed film that wanders aimlessly for 90ish minutes. Maybe that screaming I sensed underneath the surface was the cast demanding any form of direction. Just like Gef, this film is a tonal mystery.

• THE BAKER
• Starring:  Ron Perlman, Emma Ho and Harvey Keitel
• Directed by:  Jonathan Sobol
• Rated:  R
• Running time:  1 hr 44 mins
• Darius Films

While sitting in his car in a parking garage a man witnesses a brutal fight between a group of men that ends with everyone dead.  As he begins to call 911 he sees a large canvas bag.  He grabs the bag and runs.  Big mistake.

A film that shares a lot of movie DNa with “The History of Violence” and “Nobody,” “The Baker” tells the story of a man who is forced to return to a part of his life he thought he had left behind in order to protect his family.  Here the man (Lan always excellent Perelman) is a simple baker, quietly making rolls in his kitchen when his son unexpectedly drops by.  Also unexpected?  A granddaughter he never knew existed.  The son asks his father to watch the girl for a short while as he takes care of some business.  Reluctant to do so, but understanding the bond of family, the man agrees.  What’s the girl’s name, he asks?  Delphi.

Packed with action and bolstered by the performances of the cast, “The Baker” rises above the standard “anything for my family” tropes by exploring both the amotional baggage of the Baker and Delphi (Ho).  We learn that the girl hasn’t spoken since the passing of her mother, silently chronicling all she sees with a small camera.  Even without words, the bond between grandfather and granddaughter grow.

I have been a fan of Ron Perelman’s since “Quest for Fire” and he has turned in some fine performances in film as diverse as “The Name of the Rose” and the “Hellboy” series.  As a young boy my son loved watching the television series “Beauty and the Beast,” even though he thought it was called “Beauty and the Priest.”  I once metl Perelman in New York and he signed a photo to my son, writing “the Priest” below his signature after I told him my son’s perception of the title.

Also standing out on screen, young Ms. Ho, who conveys more with her eyes then most actors can with an entire monologue.  And it’s always fun to see Harvey Keitel on screen, here chewing scenery as the bad guy behind the film’s opening brutality.

As summer winds down, and you are overwhelmed by all of the “Barbieheimer” social media posts, I recommend taking the time to seek out “The Baker.”  It “rises” to the occasion.

“The Baker” receives three and a half our of five stars.

• THE FLASH
• Starring: Ezra Miller and Sasha Calle
• Directed by: Andy Muschietti
• Rating: PG-13
• Running Time: 2 hrs 24 mins
• Warner Bros.

I find it tragic that the DC Extended Universe is coming to a halt thanks to James Gunn’s takeover and future reboot. In comparison to Marvel Studios, the DCEU’s releases have admittedly been uneven – who can forget “Wonder Woman” but who wants to remember “Birds of Prey”? Yet, the DCEU brand was often darker than the Marvel slate, which gave its own uniqueness. While “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is set for launch in December, it will have a hard time not being anti-climatic after following the absolute thrill ride that is “The Flash.” Overflowing with surprises (this review will be spoiler free), “The Flash” is one of the best DCEU movies ever made with a terrific, dual performance by Ezra Miller and great supporting performances by Sasha Calle as Supergirl and Michael Keaton as Batman.

After helping Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck) and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) stop a robbery in Gotham City, Barry Allen/The Flash (Ezra Miller) revisits his childhood home where his beloved mother was murdered. Still grieving her loss and dealing with anger of his father being wrongly imprisoned, Barry accidentally travels back in time using the speed force. He tells Bruce who warns him of the dangers of messing with the past. Of course, Barry ignores it.

While attempting to fix his family’s tragedy, Barry is attacked by an unknown assailant and is knocked back to the year 2013 where he encounters an alternate version of himself. When General Zod (Michael Shannon) arrives, the two Barrys try to assemble the Justice League, but it proves futile with one exception. It is at Wayne Manor they find a much older, disheveled Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton).

Our Barry and Bruce learn the Russians are holding who Barry thinks is Superman but turns out to be his cousin, Kara Zor-El/Supergirl (Sasha Calle, TV’s “The Young and the Restless”). Their plan is to free her and find a way to stop General Zod, but time and fate have certain rules as our Barry learns.

Directed by Andy Muschietti (2017’s “It”), “The Flash” is a thrilling experience full of surprises from start to finish. Some of the special effects may not look so special to some, but that’s more a matter of personal taste to a degree. The storyline has a good deal of emotional depth when it comes to Barry’s history and complexities, which are fleshed out with skill by Miller. It is rare for someone to pull off a good performance at playing a double of themselves and Miller succeeds with flying colors. The most enjoyable aspect, and the one that received the most vocal response from the audience yours truly saw it with, is the appearance of Keaton who has a substantial role in the story. It is a joy to say the least to see him on the silver screen once more as the caped crusader.

Is there such a thing as superhero fatigue? Perhaps. I have believed since the original “Blade” that comic movies would become the new Western, a once overly prolific genre. What it boils down to is the writing and an ability to maintain a high creative level that will keep the movie-going public’s interest. “The Flash” may be a victim of that fatigue, which would be disappointing as it is a truly fun summer flick in every sense.

“The Flash” receives three-and-a-half stars out of five.

• JAZZ FEST:  A NEW ORLEANS STORY
• Starring:  Quint Davis, Jimmy Buffet, Verdine White
• Directed by:  Frank Marshall and Ryan Suffern
• Rated:  PG 13
• Running time:  1 hr 35 mins
• Sony Pictures Classic

• AMSTERDAM
• Starring:  Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and John David Washington
• Directed by:  David O. Russell
• Rated:  R
• Running time:  2 hrs 14 mins
• 20^th Century Studios

• WEIRD: THE AL YANKOVIC STORY
• Starring:  Daniel Radcliffe and Lin-Manuel Miranda
• Directed by: Eric Appel
• Rated:  TV 14
• Running time:  1 hr 48 mins
• Roku

I often hear people talk about the music of their generation.  My dad grew up listening to Frank Sinatra.  My mom, Elvis.  I grew up in the time of the Beatles.  But there is another musician that influenced my life profoundly,  His name is Al Yankovic.

How do you make a film about a man whose stated life ambition is to write funny lyrics to existing songs?  It’s actually quite easy.  Picking various points of the accordion master’s life, it seems that

Al (a very good Daniel Radcliffe) has a talent that must be shared with the world.  Like my friends and I, Al was a fan of late-night radio host Dr. Demento (an unrecognizable Rainn Wilson) and sends him a tape of some of his songs.  Much to his surprise, the Doctor plays his stuff on the air, which leads to Al thinking this could really be the start of something big.

Of course, not everyone thinks Al is a musical genius.  Only after he is challenged by legendary DJ Wolfman Jack (Jack Black) to create, on the spot, a parody of Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” that he is able to quiet the naysayers.   Think Eminem at the end of “8 Mile” and you have a good idea of how things go.

The film plays fast and loose with facts, but fans of Al wouldn’t want it any other way.  If you’re a fan of “the Weird one,” then, by all means, give this one a look.

“WEIRD’ receives three and a half stars out of five.

• GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY
• Starring: Daniel Craig, Edward Norton
• Directed by Rian Johnson
• Rating: PG-13
• Running time: 2 hrs 19 mins
• Netflix

• THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN
• Starring: Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson
• Directed by Martin McDonagh
• Rating: R
• Running time: 1 hr 54 mins
• Searchlight Pictures

• THE WHALE
• Starring: Brendan Fraser and Hong Chau
• Directed by Darren Aronofsky
• Rating: R
• Running time: 1 hr 27 mins
• A24