I’ll have to admit I was a little worried when promoter Chris Jackson moved the Kansas City Planet Comicon from it’s familiar Overland Park, Kansas location to the Kansas City Convention Center at Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. I needn’t have worried. The convention, which was held April 6 and 7, was a major success, establishing Planet Comicon as not only the best annual convention in Kansas City but one of the best in the entire Midwest.

Fans from all over packed the building to meet some of their favorite actors. This was the convention’s best line up of talent ever, led by George Takei, Adam Baldwin, Wil Wheaton and Lindsay Wagner. “Star Wars” fans were greeted by Chewbacca himself, Peter Mayhew, as well as Ray Park, who was so memorable as Darth Maul in “Episode One.” They also had what was sadly one of the last opportunities to meet Richard LeParmentier (Admiral Motti) who passed away earlier this week. Even Corey Dee Williams, son of Billy “Lando Calrissian” Dee Williams, was on hand. The young man shared some great stories of being with his dad during the filming of “Return of the Jedi” and even had a cameo as Klaatu, who ended up in the Sarlac pit when Jabba’s barge was destroyed.

Returning fan favorites included Lee Meriwether, Lou Ferrigno and Adrienne Wilkinson as well as Media Mikes favorites Tom Kane and Blair Butler. The autograph lines moved quickly, though I must say that I never saw the line end at Ray Park’s table. It’s amazing how less than 10 minutes of screen time made such an indelible impact on the fans. If meeting celebs isn’t your thing, there were plenty of dealers selling the very best in comics, toys and paraphernalia. My wife is tickled pink with her talking TED key chain (very “R” rated).

Overall, the convention was a hit, with fans already talking about next year as they were leaving. So am I.

For more information about the Kansas City Planet Comicon: http://planetcomicon.wordpress.com/

Photo credit: Dan Lybarger

My first memory of Jackie Robinson is also one of my earliest baseball memories. Watching game 2 of the 1972 baseball World Series there was a ceremony held before the game, commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Robinson becoming the first black baseball player in the major leagues. Assuming that black players had always been around (heck, I was wearing a pair of Lou Brock model Converse sneakers that I had begged my parents for) I was surprised at the story my father told me about Robinson and his battle to play in the majors. Before signing a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League Robinson was the shortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs in the Negro Leagues. So it was only fitting that “42,” the motion picture that honors his life, premiere in Kansas City. The event, held at the AMC Barrywoods 24 theater, gave almost 1,400 fans the first opportunity to see the new film.

The weather was as brisk as you would expect on an early April day. Dignitaries, including Kansas City mayor Sly James, mingled with past and current members of the Kansas City Royals, as well as other baseball greats from the past, including Hall of Famer Lou Brock! Also attending was Linda Paige, the daughter of Hall of Fame pitcher Satchel Paige as well as Jackie Robinson’s son, David. Bob Kendrick, the president of the Negro League Baseball Museum, which is also based in Kansas City, attended as did cast members from “42,” including Harrison Ford, Derek Phillips, Chadwick Boseman and Andre Holland.

Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett was amazed at the red carpet experience and the honoring of Jackie Robinson. “Being a baseball player also, people just assume that I know who Jackie was. But I don’t know all of the things he had to endure. It’s going to be an education for me tonight to watch this (film).” I asked Brett, who is a strong supporter of the Negro League Museum, what the benefit showing would do for the organization. “I hope it brings more awareness to it,” he said. Brett’s said his biggest regret was that Buck O’Neil, one of the best known former Negro League ballplayers, was no longer alive to enjoy this moment. Featured in the highly popular Ken Burns documentary “Baseball,” O’Neil was the first black coach in Major League baseball and a fan favorite. Brett also noted that if O’Neil were still alive tonight’s event would have been twice as big!

Best known for his work on television’s “Friday Night Lights,” Phillips talked about playing a different sport on screen. “I probably hadn’t played baseball since I was seventeen and to get the opportunity to do a film like this at thirty-five…to get out there and throw the ball around…was a great experience. We had a run-down scene that we shot in multiple angles…chasing the runner to third and back to second then back to third. It was 106 degrees in Atlanta and I got a little gassed, I’ve got to be honest.”

I asked Mayor James how important it was that this event was being held in Kansas City. “It’s huge,” he replied. “And it’s the appropriate place to have it when you think about it. But for the Negro Leagues there wouldn’t be a Jackie Robinson. The Negro Leagues started here…the Monarchs were a great team and Jackie was a part of that team. He was the person that was selected. He not only broke the color barrier in baseball but he also broke the color barrier in society. He was a high-profile African-American…something that many people in this country hadn’t seen before. He forced people to reexamine their thoughts and beliefs. The fact that it all started in Kansas City makes this event very special.”

When I spoke to Negro League Museum president Kendrick I informed him of what Brett had said about mourning the absence of Buck O’Neil. I asked him how he thought Buck would enjoy this evening’s events. “He would be so excited,” he said, letting out a laugh. “He would own the red carpet. And he would be so proud. This is such a major accomplishment for the museum. And to be connected to a project of this magnitude…one that is shedding new light on one of the greatest American heroes ever as well as shedding light on the playing ground that allowed Jackie to play. The Negro Leagues. Because we don’t get Jackie if not for the Negro Leagues. I hope this film reminds people of just how special the Negro Leagues were and how much talent was there in the Negro Leagues.”

When I spoke to actor Andre Holland, who plays famed sportswriter Wendell Smith in the film, I noted that he was pretty much the only person in the movie that doesn’t get to throw a baseball. Did he ever just wander down to the field and start playing catch? “There were a couple of times, I will not lie to you,” he replied. “I played a lot of baseball growing up and sometimes when I was sitting in the stands…between takes I’d go down, grab a bat and take a swing or toss the ball around. It was hard to be in a baseball stadium and NOT be playing baseball.”

Any time you undertake something you love you can usually cite a few people that influenced you in your endeavor. There are three people I often name as being my “hands on” mentors: Steve Otto, one time film critic of the Tampa Times Stephen Hunter, now a successful author and one time film critic of the Baltimore Sun and the Washington Post and Robert Butler, one time film critic of the Kansas City Star (in reading this over I can’t help but be saddened that all of these men no longer work for their respective newspapers, victims of 21st Century technology). If I had to name a fourth it would be Roger Ebert, long time film critic for the Chicago Sun Times who, with his cross-town rival Gene Siskel, brought the movies into our homes each week courtesy of their various television programs. Sadly, Mr. Ebert passed away this morning, a day after announcing he would be curtailing his work schedule because of a recurrence of the cancer he bravely battled for over a decade. He was 70.

Illinois born and bred, Ebert began his journalistic career as a features reporter for the Sun Times in 1966. After the paper’s film critic, Eleanor Keane, left the paper Ebert was given the position, one he filled proudly for almost five decades. In 1975 he became the first film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for criticism (I’m proud to add that my friend Stephen Hunter became the second). That same year he and Siskel teamed up for a local television program entitled “Sneak Previews.” The show was a hit and in 1978 became syndicated via PBS. As a film nerd I watched the show religiously, as well as it’s later incarnations: “At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert” and “Siskel & Ebert & the Movies.” Week after week millions of film fans would watch the show to see which films were given a “thumbs up” or a “thumbs down.” In fact, Ebert and Siskel’s widow, Marlene, own the trademarked phrase “Two Thumbs Up.”

I never got to meet Roger Ebert in person but we shared a little bit of film history. In 1982, while reviewing the film “Six Weeks,” which starred Dudley Moore and Mary Tyler Moore, Ebert remarked how he wished he could burn the negative. I sent him the film’s 35 mm trailer, advising him that if he burned it that would be a good start. Many years later, after I contacted him via email about a project I was working on, I reminded him of my gift. He told me he had gotten it but never got around to burning it! I pray that they don’t show “Six Weeks” in Heaven.

D23, the official fan club of the Walt Disney Company, stopped in Newark on Saturday for Fanniversary 2013. The Fanniversary is a presentation touring ten cities in the US celebrating the milestones of all things Disney that will occur in 2013. This year’s show highlights included rarely seen concept art from unproduced short “Mickey’s Toothache” as well as bringing along a pumpkin used in the production of Tim Burton classic The Nightmare Before Christmas (which is turning twenty this year.)

As well as discussing the anniversaries reached of major properties such as Peter Pan turning sixty, the show shined a light on some more obscure Disney features and attractions. For example, the D23 audience was shown concept art from Norway attraction, Maelstrom, which is turning thirty this year having opened in Orlando’s Epcot theme park in 1983. Given the scope of the company, it was up to a small team of Disney archivists to narrow down what makes it into this ninety minute show.

Enthusiastic hosts Justin Arthur, a Disney archivist, and Billy Staneck, web editor for D23.com and writer for the

D23 Magazine talked with MediaMikes after the presentation about what goes into making the show as well as the work of the Disney archives.

BILLY STANECK: “I love the Fanniversaries because we get to celebrate all these great shows and attractions that we don’t normally get to really talk about, you know? And that also gives us the opportunity to go into the archives and open up boxes that were stowed away back in the 1970s or 1980s or even you know, just a couple years ago. We’ll open them up and start going through them and looking for things that we think our fans might like. And so that’s where we come up with these old clips and concept art…Like the concept art for Mickey’s Toothache that you today.”

MediaMikes: Was there anything that had to get cut out of today’s show?
STANECK: “We had so much content for this presentation that we had to cut and cut and cut because there’s only so much we can do– we do about a ninety minute presentation, because it is a touring show that you know, we can’t do eight hours in each city. We have enough content to do that but we had to end up cutting quite a bit. We actually had some Pirates [of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, celebrating it’s tenth anniversary in 2013] stuff in there.”

MM: Was there anything that you thought must be kept in the show?
JUSTIN ARTHUR: “One thing we didn’t have in the original show was Maelstrom, the Norway attraction, and I think it is the most bizarre, wonderful ride. I originally said ‘We need to have everybody quote it!’ but the people on the west coast may not know it…That was one I was very adamant about. I know Billy and I were both very adamant both Roger Rabbit [turning twenty-five in 2013] and Nightmare Before Christmas having plenty of stuff to show people. Because those were two of our very very near and dear favorites. And sometimes too it depends on what we have that’s cool to show. Something might be a great movie or attraction and we may not have a great clip or a really great artwork to accompany it. So it kind of depends on what we have and what we want to get out there and show.”

MM: Besides D23 presentations, what is a day-to-day task of the Disney Archives?
STANECK: “Whatever movie they’re working on at the studio, the archives is there to help them make sure that information is accurate. Like Saving Mr Banks that they’re doing with Tom Hanks as Walt Disney that’s coming out for Christmas, they all came into the archives to do research with an archivist. So stuff like that. Disney Epic Mickey [for Nintendo Wii] they went into the archives, they did a lot of research…We also have a massive photo library where people are constantly requesting images from.”

MM: With Disney’s acquisition of Star Wars & Marvel does the archive suddenly get annexed?
ARTHUR: “It kind of depends. The films as they come along, we do take in more of those things, they are our films at this point. As far as the research side of it, the book side of it…we collect everything, it just adds on to all of things that we’re looking out for…I’m a huge geek of all those things, so for that I’m very thankful!”

MM: Important fan question, what is your favorite Disney ride or attraction?
STANECK: “I love Roger Rabbit’s cartoon spin at Disneyland, it’s one of my favorite attractions, it’s unique to Disneyland and it’s just such a cool, fun ride. I love that movie.”
ARTHUR: “Oh that’s a tough one, there’s so many! Um…I love the Indiana Jones Adventure.”

MM: Another Disneyland one!
ARTHUR: “I grew up on the east coast so let me pick a Florida one too! I love Expedition Everest. I think it’s one of the coolest rides ever. It’s terrifying, it’s beautiful, it’s just kind of the perfect attraction.”

D23’s Fanniversary has two stops remaining in its tour: Seattle on Friday April 5th and San Francisco on Sunday April 7th. For more information check out D23’s official website.

In 2005, Stevan Mena’s debut feature film Malevolence was a surprise hit when it was released theatrically and on DVD. Written, co-produced and directed by Stevan, Malevolence told the shocking but enthralling story of masked serial killer Martin Bristol, whose story hit a nerve with horror fans and mainstream audiences all over the world. Intended as the second act of a sprawling trilogy, fans were rewarded in 2011 when Stevan explored the origins of Martin’s tragic creation with Bereavement starring Michael Biehn and Alexandra Daddario. Now, the final suspenseful chapter is about to be told with Malevolence 3…but we need your help.

Mena Films announces their campaign to start production of Malevolence 3. Once again, Stevan Mena is writing, directing and producing, along with longtime co-producer Tim Bristol and producer/actor Brian O’Halloran (Clerks). Fans can contribute funds towards commencing principal photography – even pre-ordering the Blu-ray™/DVD! In addition, fans who commit targeted minimum pledge amounts will be eligible for exclusive incentives including signed scripts, tickets to the premiere party, a Skype session with the cast and filmmakers – and a chance to appear in the film! To contribute, go to http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/malevolence -3/x/2886817.

In Malevolence 3, Martin Bristol returns to where it all began: the home where he was kidnapped from. But he is not the boy who disappeared over 10 years ago. Tortured and abused at the hands of his psychotic captor, Graham Sutter, Martin is damaged beyond repair. Lurking in the shadows of suburbia, he stalks and kills without remorse, picking his victims at random – or are they? Special Agent William Perkins follows Martin’s trail of terror, desperate to capture him before he kills again. Martin’s family, mourning his disappearance for over 10 years, is informed not only that he is alive, but that he is responsible for the wave of murder sweeping through their town. Will they be able to reunite with their long lost son before it’s too late, or will Perkins have to use excessive force to bring him down?

For more information about Malevolence 3, check out www.malevolence3.com

Debuting on Blu-ray & DVD March 26th

Nothing says comedy like putting large families together for reunions or holidays, so here, we’ll count down the Top 10 funniest flicks about these clashing personalities, including Home Alone, Uncle Buck and of course Parental Guidance.

Billy Crystal, Bette Midler and Marisa Tomei prove that laughter is relative in this hilarious comedy that’s fun for the whole family!

Old-school grandparents Artie (Crystal) and Diane (Midler) get more than they bargained for when they get stuck babysitting their type-A daughter’s (Tomei) overprotected kids. But things go from hectic to hysterical when Artie realizes the kids are running the house with their newfangled technology. By playing by his own rules, which include sugary snacks, old fashioned games and tough love, Artie manages to outsmart the kids and achieve the impossible- bring the family closer together!

10. The Great Outdoors

The Craigs and the Ripleys couldn’t be more different! The Craigs’ patriarch is know-it-all investment banker Roman Craig (Dan Akyroyd) and fun-loving Chester (John Candy), better known as “Chet,” sits at the helm of the Ripley clan. When the Ripleys decide to explore the great outdoors on vacation and are spontaneously joined by the Craigs, hilarity follows.

9. Dark Shadows

Although there is no shortage of places to lay the blame for the drama within the Collins family, the most recent addition to the clan, Barnabas (Johnny Depp), is largely responsible for the family’s misfortune. He manages to bring the brood’s dysfunction to a boil in this enjoyable remake, when he rejoins the family after a 196-year absence and lengthy stay in a coffin following his torrid affair with a vindictive witch (Eva Green).

8. The Royal Tenenbaums

One would think that all would be well with a family as successful as the Tenenbaums, but nothing could be further from the truth. The impending divorce of family patriarch Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) and wife Etheline (Anjelica Huston) leads the couple to summon their children home; unfortunately for them, the children bring bizarre revelations of their own home with them.

7. Monster-in-Law

Surgeon Kevin Fields (Michale Vartan) falls in love with Charlotte “Charlie” Cantilllini, a temp, and can’t wait to introduce her to his mother, Viola Fields (Jane Fonda). Viola, still reeling for the loss of her job to a younger woman, detests Charlie immediately and is fearful of losing her son to a younger woman in the same way that she lost her job. Charlie, although initially none the wiser, grows tired of Viola’s attempts to sabotage her relationship and a hilarious battle between the two women ensues in this delightful comedy.

6. Johnson Family Vacation

When Nate Johnson (Cedric the Entertainer) is invited to a family reunion he seizes the opportunity with the hope of rekindling his relationship with his wife (Vanessa Williams). Showing up his successful and arrogant older brother Mack (Steve Harvey) at the reunion’s talent show is also foremost on Nate’s mind in this amusing film.

5. Bringing Down the House

When newly divorced father Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) finds himself in need of a little female company he turns to the internet and begins conversing with a woman known as lawyer-girl. Lawyer-girl turns out to be Charlene Morton (Queen Latifah) a wrongfully convicted bank robber who needs Peter’s legal assistance. Peter reluctantly agrees to help Charlene in exchange for her employment as a nanny to his two children. The arrangement works out better than either of them could have imagined for the family but Charlene’s addition to the neighborhood is not a welcome one and the hilarious reactions of Peter’s neighbors brings down the house in this raucous comedy.

4. Home Alone

In this classic, the night before his family is to depart for a holiday vacation to Paris, eight year-old Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) gets into a fight with his cousins and siblings and is sent to the third floor of his family home. A power outage soon follows, causing the family to miss their alarms and rush to the airport, inadvertently leaving Kevin behind. As Kevin’s parent realize they’ve forgotten him and panic, he opts to leave well enough alone and resorts to eating all the ice cream he can hold and enjoying being home alone!

3. Uncle Buck

Following the heart attack of his father-in-law, Bob Russell (Garret Brown) enlists the help of his ne’er-do-well single brother Buck (John Candy). Although Buck hits it off immediately with his young nephew Miles (Macaulay Culkin), he has to work a little harder to win over his teenaged niece Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly). However, despite the initial challenges, soon everyone loves Uncle Buck!

2. Step Brothers

In this slapstick comedy, Brennan (Will Ferrell) and Dale (John C. Reilly), two unemployed middle-aged men still living with their parents, are forced to room together after their parents marry. To make matters worse, the two men are soon being mandated to find jobs or face eviction by their parents, in this sidesplitting coming of age story.

1. National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation

In the fourth installment of the National Lampoon’s Vacation series, the Griswolds set out to explore Las Vegas, Nevada. While there they encounter their eccentric cousin-in-law Eddie (Randy Quaid) who introduces them to the Las Vegas scene. Soon Ellen Griswold (Beverly D’Angelo) finds herself being wooed by Wayne Newton; Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) becomes addicted to gambling; and the Griswold children find themselves in the midst of other mishaps, in this delightful comedy.

(Niagara Falls, ON) March 13 – Niagara Falls is best known for their famous waterfalls, but this June, tourists will head to the honeymoon capital for Niagara Falls Comic Con, a two day celebration of pop culture, nostalgia, celebrities, comics and more.

The event is set to take place on Saturday June, 8th and Sunday, June 9th at the Scotiabank Convention Centre, which is located a stones throw away from the majestic Niagara Falls.

“There is no other event like the Comic Con in Niagara Falls,” said Chris Dabrowski, Show Manager for Niagara Falls Comic Con. “Niagara Falls is an amazing getaway and vacation destination, and being able to offer such a unique and cool event for visitors to the area is a bonus. It makes for an amazing weekend in the City,” he added.

Niagara Falls Comic Con will feature more than 100,000 square feet of exhibitors, movie screenings, featured artists, workshops, seminars, movie screenings, a video gaming arena, the first-ever Falls Horror Fest presented by FANGORIA, celebrities, movie cars and helicopters and more.

Celebrities confirmed to date include: Adam West (TV’s Classic Batman); Lou Ferrigno (Incredible Hulk; David Prowse, Darth Vader, Star Wars; Jeremy Bulloch, Bob Fett, Star Wars; Tim Russ, Commander Tuvok, Star Trek: Voyager; Kane Hodder, Jason Voorhees, Friday the 13th; Sam J. Jones, Flash Gordon; Pat Mastroianni, Joey Jeremiah, Degrassi High; Lee Meriwether, Catwoman, 1966 Batman; Mick Foley, WWE Legend; The Million Dollar Man; Tom Savini; Larry Thomas, Seinfeld’s Soup Nazi, as well as Madison Lintz from The Walking Dead.

“Fans will also have a chance to get their picture taken inside the original screen used Batcopter from the original Batman film, as well as a replica of the original 66 classic Batmobile. There’s something for everyone of all ages at this year’s event,” Dabrowski added.

Early bird discounted tickets are available online for $20 for Saturday or $20 for Sunday. A weekend combo pass is $30. Hotel packages are also available online.

For tickets, hotel and more information, visit www.NFComicCon.com

CONGRATS TO RONALD O FOR HIS SUBMISSION!! OUR PODCAST WILL BE CALLED “BEHIND THE MIKES” AND START SUNDAY APRIL 7TH!

In April Media Mikes will begin airing a weekly podcast. This will give our readers a chance to catch up on up to the minute news, reviews and hear excerpts from the interviews we bring you. But there’s one problem: we can’t think of a name for the show. We’re stuck on “MEDIA MIKES.COM PRESENTS……” We’re hoping our readers will submit some suggestions. In the past we’ve featured columns with names like “Behind the Screen” or “On the Cutting Room Floor,” but those are pretty generic (a quick search shows me no less then a dozen “Cutting Room Floor” pod casts already out there). You know the Mikes aren’t generic so neither should their show be. All you have to do is leave a suggestion below. The one chosen will earn the winner a 3-pack of Horror DVDs. If the same title is suggested more then once and chosen everyone that suggested it will be placed in a drawing and one of them will win. This contest ends Sunday, March 31. Good luck!

CHASING BEAUTY  – A Documentary Film
www.chasingbeautyfilm.com

Upcoming Screening on Thursday, March 28, 2013

Kansas City, MO – Please join us for a free promotional screening of the new
documentary film, CHASING BEAUTY, at Screenland Crossroads at 8:00 pm on
Thursday, March 28th, 2013. A panel discussion will follow featuring Director Brent Huff, Jenny Wheat (Wheat Photography / Manifest Talent), Heather Laird (President of the Film Commission of Greater Kansas City), Jennifer Mangan (President of Exposure Model and Talent), Kenny Johnson (Photographer), Mark Jones (I & I Talent and owner of Global Stars Network), Michelle Davidson (Host KC LIVE).

CHASING BEAUTY takes a candid look at the beauty industry and the people that drive it. The film provides a rare glimpse behind the glossy covers and into the intriguing and complex world of modeling. This documentary features interviews with supermodels, photographers, agents, designers, plastic surgeons, makeup artists and psychologists to ask the questions… what is beauty and is it worth the cost?

Cocktail Hour: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm!!
Screening: 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Q & A : 9:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Screenland Crossroads
1656 Washington
Kansas City, MO 64108
Tel. 816.421.9700

Tickets are FREE on a first-come, first-served basis – early arrival is encouraged!

R.S.V.P. chasingbeautydocumentary@gmail.com

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 15 years since a baby faced Ben Affleck, his voice cracking, accepted the Best Original Screenplay Oscar with Matt Damon for “Good Will Hunting.” Since then, Affleck’s career has had more ups and downs and twists and turns then all the rides at Disney World combined. And when he wasn’t nominated for his outstanding work of directing “Argo” (ironically he went on to win almost every other prestigious directing award, including the BAFTA and the DGA) he became an underdog again. Affleck and company climbed back atop the Oscar mountain last night when “Argo,” which Affleck also produced with Grant Heslov and George Clooney, took home the Best Picture trophy at the 85th Annual Academy Awards. Though it seemed to some that “Lincoln” was the favorite, I knew a month ago that the backlash in Hollywood over Affleck not getting the director nomination would help the film cross the finish line first. Remember: actors make up the largest branch of the Academy, which means they have the most votes. And every actor secretly wants to direct. So when one of their own was denied the wagons were circled.

The night saw a few certainties as well as a few surprises. I wonder how many people’s Oscar pool was blown when Christoph Waltz was named Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Django Unchained.” It was Waltz’s second Oscar in three years, having previously won for “Inglorious Basterds.” Like he did then, Waltz thanked the films writer/director Quentin Tarantino, even finishing his speeck with a few lines from the script.

“Brave” was the surprise winner of the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, with the award going to co-directors Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman. The moment had to feel special for Chapman, who was removed from the film during production. The first “I knew it” award of the evening went to Anne Hathaway who won the award as Best Supporting Actress for “Les Miserables.”

Speaking of “Les Miz,” several members of the cast took to the stage to belt out a medley of hits from the show, resulting in one of the nights prolonged standing ovations. Another was reserved for Dame Shirley Bassey, who showed she still has the pipes as she belted out the theme to “Goldfinger.” Her performance was the highlight of a very tepid salute to the 50th Anniversary of James Bond. The prevailing rumor was that all six actors who portrayed Bond on screen (Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig) would appear but alas it didn’t happen. Still, they could have done a lot more then just show a few clips. However, Adele killed when she sang her theme song from the latest Bond epic, “Skyfall.” Later in the show she and co-writer Paul Epworth deservedly won the award for Best Original Song.

Another musical moment occurred when, during the annual “In Memoriam” segment, Barbra Streisand came out to sing the Oscar winning song “The Way We Were” after talking about the man who helped write it, Marvin Hamlisch, who passed away last year. Of course there are always omissions in this segment but two of the biggest I noticed were Larry Hagman and Andy Griffith. I was glad to see that a film critic (the great Andrew Sarris) was included in the montage. Hope for me to one day appear on the Oscar telecast. A tearful Chris Terio thanked Ben Affleck while accepting his Best Adapted Screenplay award for “Argo.” He pointed out that it had been 15 years since Affleck had won his award and thanked him for giving him the same chance he had gotten. Tarantino won his second Original Screenplay Oscar (he also won for “Pulp Fiction”) for “Django Unchained.” In typical QT style he made sure to pay homage to his fellow nominees and declare 2012 the “Year of the Writer!”

The night also saw only the sixth tie in Academy history when Paul Ottison (“Zero Dark Thirty”) and Per Holberg and Karen Baker Landers (“Skyfall”) tied in the Best Sound Editing category. I felt bad for first announced winner Ottison because when he asked presenter Mark Wahlberg for the envelope he refused, presumably because he needed to read the names of the other winners. He did give the envelope to Landers but hopefully the Academy will make up another one for Ottison. “Life of Pi” snagged many of the technical awards it was nominated for and took him a major prize when Ang Lee was named Best Director.

Best Actress went to Jennifer Lawrence for “Silver Linings Playbook” (she also won the Independent Spirit Award in the same category the night before). Best Actor was pretty much a given as Daniel Day-Lewis became the first actor to receive (3) Oscars as Best Actor. Of course, in my opinion, this should have been his fourth – his performance in “Gangs of New York” is amazing. Day-Lewis gave one of the evening’s more moving speeches, thanking his co-nominees as well as his wife. It is well known that when he takes a role Day-Lewis pretty much inhabits that character 24 hours a day. He thanked his wife Rebecca who, after 16 years of marriage, has “lived with some very strange men.”

That brought us to the final award of the evening and a surprise presenter when Jack Nicholson turned the “and the Oscar goes to” line over to First Lady Michelle Obama, who made the announcement, proclaiming “Argo’ the years Best Picture.

“Daring. Visionary. One of the most ambitious films ever made.” Roger Ebert, Chicago Tribune

EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED

CLOUD ATLAS

ARRIVES ONTO BLU-RAY COMBO PACK, DVD and DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

ON MAY 14 FROM WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

All disc versions feature UltraViolet

Burbank, CA, February 20, 2013 – Explore how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another through the past, present and future when “Cloud Atlas” arrives onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download on May 14 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. Based on the celebrated best-selling novel by David Mitchell, “Cloud Atlas” is directed by acclaimed filmmakers Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, and Andy Wachowski and produced by two-time Oscar® nominee Grant Hill (“The Thin Red Line,” “The Tree of Life”) and three-time BAFTA Award nominee Stefan Arndt (“The White Ribbon,” “Goodbye Lenin!,” “Run Lola Run”).

Academy Award® winners Tom Hanks (“Philadelphia,” “Forrest Gump”) and Halle Berry (“Monster’s Ball”) lead a stellar international cast that also includes Oscar® winner Jim Broadbent (“Iris”), Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Doona Bae, Ben Whishaw, James D’Arcy, Xun Zhou, Keith David and David Gyasi, with Oscar® winner Susan Sarandon (“Dead Man Walking”) and Hugh Grant. Each member of the ensemble appears in multiple roles as the story moves through time.

“Cloud Atlas” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99 and on single disc DVD for $28.98. The Blu-ray Combo Pack features the film in hi-definition on Blu-ray and in standard definition on DVD. Both the Blu-ray Combo Pack and the single disc DVD include UltraViolet which allows consumers to download and instantly stream the standard definition theatrical version of the film to a wide range of devices including computers and compatible tablets, smartphones, game consoles, Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players.*

SYNOPSIS

From acclaimed filmmakers Lana Wachowski, Tom Tykwer, and Andy Wachowski, the powerful and inspiring epic drama “Cloud Atlas” explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future.

Action, mystery and romance weave dramatically through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future.

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS

“Cloud Atlas” Blu-ray Combo Pack contains the following special features:

· A Film Like No Other
· Everything is Connected
· The Impossible Adaptation
· The Essence of Acting
· Spaceships, Slaves and Sextets
· The Bold Science Fiction of Cloud Atlas
· Eternal Recurrence: Love, Life, and Longing in Cloud Atlas

“Cloud Atlas” Standard Definition DVD contains the following special features:

· A Film Like No Other

Own Cloud Atlas on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download 5/14

About Warner Home Video

A division of Warner Bros. Entertainment Group with operations in 90 international territories, Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace.  Warner Home Video’s film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, Village Roadshow, HBO Home Video, and New Line Home Entertainment.

About Warner Bros. Digital Distribution 

A Division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution (WBDD) oversees the electronic distribution of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group’s content through Video-On-Demand, Pay-Per-View, Electronic Sell-Through and Subscription Video-On-Demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels.   WBDD also distributes content through third party digital retailers and licensees.  A worldwide industry leader since its inception, WBDD also manages the Studio’s E-commerce sites that include WBShop.com and WarnerArchive.com.  Twitter: @WBDigitalDist

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Orlando Science Center
777 E. Princeton Street
Orlando, Florida 32803
Saturday, October 13, 2012 – Sunday, April 7, 2013

I first received a flyer for this exhibit while attending 2012’s Star Wars Celebration VI at the Orlando Convention Center. Being a life-long “Star Wars” fan, I was immediately interested.  Science mixed with fantasy? Where do I sign up.  This exhibit was developed by the Museum of Science in Boston along with the collaboration of Lucasfilm Ltd, which makes me more excited. “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination” is not just a couple of props, it is a 10,000 square-foot exhibit that transports you into the world of “Star Wars”.

This wonderful exhibit not display costumes and props from all six Star Wars films but it blends them with current technologies. Besides just viewing the exhibit you can also go one step further and get the inside world with many kiosks setup throughout with extensive video interviews with the filmmakers and even scientists and engineers. Even being such a big fan myself, I actually learned a lot of things that I never knew because of this.  To be honest it is a bit overwhelming when you realize that you are literally standing right next to these props that really have been used on screen for these films.  Of course, who doesn’t want to see the real Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder, Yoda puppet and Han Solo costume, just to name a few of the amazing sites included.

One aspect, I would like to focus on with this exhibit is the presentation from the Orlando Science Center.  They really gave this exhibit a lot of respect and care.  When you walk into the doors, you are put into a room with black sheets hanging from the ceiling.  Then like the black sea, the curtain part like a theater and you are revealed to see the original and breath-taking Millennium Falcon.  It was very well presented and a great way to start this tour.  I also loved the complete atmosphere in the exhibit.  The lights were dim but the props where perfectly lit.  You are not allowed to use flash photography in the exhibit but you honestly do not even need it in order to get that perfect shot.  It is setup so well that each item on display is surrounded by a wonderful halo of light.

As much as I love “Star Wars”, I love the science behind. I mean who doesn’t spaceships and mechanical robots, just to start with? But like I said the exhibit doesn’t stop at displaying some amazing props from the “Star Wars” saga, it delivers much more.  There are a lot of “real-life” aspects with that gives its visitors some real hands-on action. There are two Engineering Design Labs, where you can actually build and and play with your own speeders and robots.  Does it get cooler than that? This is also not just for kids, there plenty of fun to have for us big kids as well! There is also a simulated ride where you can see what it is like to actually drive your own speeder, this was very cool!

The price of admission to the Orlando Science Center will run you a little steep $27 dollars per person, but it will also include entry into “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination”.  I have to say as much as I liked it, I feel like it is a little pricey especially for a large groups of families. If you are a hardcore fan though, you will leave this exhibit very satisfied and believing you still got your money’s worth for sure. So with all that being said…Orlando, you still have two months left to experience this great exhibit before it continues its museum tour.  It’s next stop will be at the Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, IN from Saturday, May 25th – Monday, September 2nd.  I would highly recommend catching this.

For more information on the exhibit, please visit: www.mos.org/star-wars.

All photos are courtesy of the Orlando Science Center:

It will be a movie lover’s dream come true when the Screenland Crossroads Theatre, ReelSmart Trivia, and MediaMikes.com present a benefit presentation of the 85th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at the Screenland Crossroads Theatre (1656 Washington Street, KCMO).

The event, which will feature a live presentation of the 85th Annual Academy Awards on the Big Screen, will benefit The Parent Project, an organization working to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the most common and fatal genetic disorder diagnosed in children.

Cost for the event is $20.00 per person, which includes hors d’oeuvres, popcorn & soda, and chances to win great prizes and celebrity autographed memorabilia. A cash bar will also be available. Doors open at 6:00 P.M.

For more information, call (816) 421-9700 or visit the following web sites: www.screenland.com, or www.reelsmarttrivia.com. For more information on The Parent Project, visit www.parentprojectmd.org.

Downtown Food & Wine Fest Pairs Culinary Treats

• Visit www.DowntownFoodAndWineFest.com
• Like Downtown Food & Wine Fest on Facebook
• Follow @DTFoodWineFest on Twitter
• Call the events hotline at 407-919-1048 or eMail DowntownFoodandWineFest@cbsradio.com

It’s Year Eight for Orlando Science Center’s Otronicon

Friday, January 18 through Monday, January 21

 ORLANDO, Fla. (Jan. 7, 2013) – For the eighth consecutive year, multiple industry partners join Orlando Science Center to celebrate the role interactive technology plays in the way we live, learn, work and play during Otronicon January 18–21, 2013.

This year, partners including EA SPORTS, University of Central Florida and Florida Hospital for Children demonstrate Orlando’s impact on the world of entertainment, simulation, education, training, health care and more.

Otronicon is the Science Center’s largest annual event with an average of 2,500 visitors each day – more than 10,000 guests for all four days. The experience has the opportunity to inspire a child’s interest in science and tech careers through the appeal of video games, interactive technology and virtual reality.

There are classes in video game creation as well as exclusive peeks at simulators created by local experts. Simulation areas will examine how video game technology is being used in the military, medical, sports and entertainment industries as a training and design tool. Plus, connect with local simulation companies to learn about exciting careers in the field.

The event promotes the concept of “made in Orlando, played in Orlando” with many chances to interact with the creative professionals that make the games you enjoy and discover the growing career opportunities in your own backyard.

And special to this year’s event:  experience the blockbuster exhibit Star Wars®: Where Science Meets Imagination with admission to Otronicon!  Developed by the Museum of Science, Boston in collaboration with Lucasfilm Ltd. and presented by Bose Corporation®, the 10,000-square-foot exhibit explores the fantasy technologies depicted in the Star Wars films, as well as the real science behind them, and the current research that may someday lead to real-life versions of the technologies seen in the film series. The exhibit includes more than 80 screen-used props, costumes and models, in addition to extensive video interviews with filmmakers, scientists and engineers, and hands-on components, including two large Engineering Design Labs, where visitors can build and test their own speeders and robots.

EA SPORTS returns to Otronicon for the third straight year and will spotlight the many exciting aspects of game development. This year, EA SPORTS places fun sports games in the palm of your hand using augmented reality to create a mobile game environment, nearly anywhere you go. And once again, EA SPORTS will invite attendees to “get in the game” with sports cover photo-ops, a 3-D technology demonstration called “Be 3-D” (showing guests how they might look in a video game) and plenty of games available for open play.

Also returning to Otronicon is Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, which will be showcasing how they use simulation to design rides and attractions. Included is an Audio-Animatronic Droid from Disney’s Hollywood Studios attraction Star Tours: The Adventures Continue set in the Star Wars universe.

In addition, explore the virtual reality environment of the Virtusphere or play outdoor laser tag courtesy of Battlefield Live Orlando. There will also be open play for video games on multiple platforms and areas to explore video games as art.

And for the first time ever at Otronicon, guests will be able to see a Hollywood movie in the new Digital Adventure Theater, “TRON: Legacy 3D.”

Cost and Hours

Admission to Otroniconis $27 for adults and $20 for youth (ages 3-11). Tickets also include access to Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, films and live presentations. Science Center members can experience Otronicon for free and see Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imaginationfor $12 for adults and $9 for youth (ages 3-11).

Otronicon is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 and Saturday, Jan. 19; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20 and Monday, Jan. 21.

For more information, please call 407-514-2000 or visit www.osc.org and www.otronicon.org.

Star Wars®: Where Science Meets Imagination

Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination, presented by Bose Corporation®, was developed by the Museum of Science, Boston and Lucasfilm Ltd.

Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS® and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved. All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0307875. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendationsexpressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Otronicon v.8 Partners

University of Central Florida Research & Commercialization; University of Central Florida Institute for Simulation & Training; University of Central Florida College of Engineering and Computer Science; EA SPORTS; Bright House Networks; Florida Hospital for Children; Eyetech Digital System; Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy; Lockheed Martin; Florida High Tech Corridor; Engineering and Computer Simulations; Seay Business; National Center for Simulation; Walt Disney Park & Resorts; Advanced Materials Professional Services, LLC; Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission; Orange County Arts & Cultural Alliance; City of Orlando; United Arts of Central Florida; n-Space; Phyken, Inc.; GameSim Technologies; and DeVry University.