Win Passes to the Kansas City Premiere of “The Night House”

Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at Searchlight Pictures to give fifteen readers and a guest the chance to be among the first to see the new film “The Night House.”

The screening will be held on Monday, August 16th at the Screenland Armour Theatre in North Kansas City and will begin at 7:00 p.m.

To go all you have to do is click HERE. The first fifteen readers to do so will receive a pass for two to attend the screening. This is a first come, first serve giveaway. Once all allotted passes have been claimed the giveaway has ended. GOOD LUCK!

THE NIGHT HOUSE

Screenland Armour
408 N. Armour Rd.
Kansas City, MO 64116

Reeling from the unexpected death of her husband, Beth (Rebecca Hall) is left alone in the lakeside home he built for her. She tries as best she can to keep it together – but then nightmares come. Disturbing visions of a presence in the house calling to her, beckoning her with a ghostly allure. Against the advice of her friends, she begins digging into her husband’s belongings, yearning for answers. What she finds are secrets both strange and disturbing – a mystery she’s determined to unravel.

Social: @nighthousemovie #TheNightHouse #Searchlight

Fountain City Mini-Con a Welcome Addition to the Midwest

As summer heads into it’s last month, comic fans in Kansas City were treated to an event that was designed for THEM. And they found it this past Saturday at the Fountain City Mini-Con, held at the Lenexa Community Center in Lenexa, Kansas.

Packed wall to wall with dealers and guest artists, a non-stop throng of fans stopped by to talk comics with some of the genre’s best. Non-comic fans were impressed with the variety of dealers represented, providing the opportunity to pick up anything from t-shirts and games to the new NECA JAWS “Quint” figure (guilty).

What I loved seeing the most, and I love seeing this at every show I attend, were the youngsters under 12, many in costumes, that walked the aisles with their folks, hopefully making memories that will last a lifetime. Think I’m kidding. I’m 60 years old and my first con was “Alien Encounters” in Tampa, Florida in 1978. Yes, I was a late bloomer but I’ve more than made up for it!

If you’re kicking yourself and thinking, “damn, I missed it,” you’ll be happy to know that there will be another show on Saturday, October 23. If you’re interested in attending, please click HERE.

Theater Review: “Godspell” – Kansas City

  • GODSPELL
  • Starlight Theater
  • Kansas City, Missouri
  • June 22, 2021

45 years ago tonight, the musical “Godspell” opened on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theater.  It had been performed in workshops and on the road since 1971 so this year actually marks the show’s 50th Anniversary.  What a great show to celebrate the return of live musical theater to Kansas City.

Most people know the show thanks to the song “Day by Day,” which was a hit on the radio in the summer of 1972, but may have never seen the show.  The story basically tells the story of Jesus, from beginning to end, in song and with a surprising amount of humor.  Obviously the show has been “punched up” since 1971, and jokes revolving around COVID, Netflix and the Kardashians hit their mark.  There’s even a brief mention of one of the “other” biblical musicals, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” which, along with “Jesus Christ Superstar,” completed the Biblical Musical Trifecta!,

With a musical score by Stephen Schwartz, who also created “Pippin” and “Wicked,” the show is an ensemble extravaganza, with each cast member creating their own identity.  What made the show special was that every actor on stage had Kansas City roots.  The entire cast was brilliant but I’d like to give special mention to Eric Geil (Jesus), Patrick Lewallen (Judas) and Shon Ruffin (Shon), whose amazing voice reminded me of the great Nell Carter. 

As usual, Starlight was most accommodating to the audience, with a beautiful night to go along with a beautiful presentation.  “Godspell” continues its run in Kansas City through Sunday, June 28.  You can buy tickets HERE.

Quite simply, “Godspell” is a blessed return to musical theater!

Win Passes to the Kansas City Premiere of “Summer of Soul”

Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at Searchlight Pictures to give (15) readers and a guest the chance to be among the first to see the musical event of the summer, “Summer of Soul.”

The film, directed by Questlove, the film will screen on Tuesday, June 29th at the AMC Town Center 20 in Leawood, Kansas. The screening begins at 7:00 pm.

To attend, all you need to do is click HERE. The first 15 readers to do so will receive a pass for (2) to attend the screening. This is a first come/first serve giveaway. Once the allotted passes have been claimed the giveaway has ended. Good luck!

SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED)

In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson presents a powerful and

transporting documentary—part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that

celebrated Black history, culture and fashion. Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, just

one hundred miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park

(now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was never seen and largely forgotten–until now …

Win Passes to the Kansas City Premiere of “Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard”

Media Mikes has teamed up with Lionsgate to give (50) of our readers and a guest not one but TWO opportunities to be among the first in Kansas City to see the new film “Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,” starring Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson.

The first screening is this Tuesday, June 8th at the Screenland Armour Theatre in North Kansas City, Missouri.

The second screening will be held of Thursday, June 10th at the AMC Studio 28 Theatre in Olathe, Kansas.

Both screenings begin at 7:00 p.m.

All you have to do is pick the screening you want to attend and click on the links below:

For June 8th at the Screenland Armour, click HERE

For June 10 at the AMC Studio 28, click HERE

This is a first come/first serve giveaway and is limited to (25) admit two passes per screening. Once all passes have been claimed the giveaway has ended.

Please note that some Covid Protocols are still being enforced and must be followed for entry, including having to wear a mask.

Good luck, and welcome back to the movies!!

Streaming Review: “Soul City”

  • Soul City
  • Starring: Omar J. Dorsey and Deneen Tyler
  • Directed by: Coodie & Chike 
  • Not Rated
  • Running Time: 15 minute episodes (3)
  • Topic
  • First Look Media

“In the City of a Million Dreams….Nightmares Come Knocking At Your Door.”


Fans of the horror anthology subgenre have had plenty to feast on these past few years. A resurgence of the format has seen success in Netflix’s Black Mirror, Hulu’s Into The Dark and, most recently, horror-specific streaming service Shudder’s Creepshow. The short run-time format allows for creative risk taking in stories that might be a gamble as a full length feature and, often, the result is evidence of a focused passion for storytelling and intention with little to no room for any unnecessary fluff.


Soul City, a new anthology series from the streaming service Topic, delivers its first season of three psychological horror mini-sodes from creators and directors Coodie and Chike. The season specific landscape set to explore multicultural, urban populations: this inaugural season set in New Orleans. 
Each of the three episodes are a tight fifteen minutes, each succinctly exploring the New Orleans vibe in different ways. An easy time investment to soak in the ambiance of perusing the city and all its gritty corners, haunts within odd street shops, southern religious fanaticism and dark magic. While there is certainly room for Coodie and Chike to grow as directors within the genre, they’re most definitely a welcome addition to the scene where persons of color still remain a minority despite the demand for representation of the genre’s viewership demographics. Soul City is thrilling for providing a platform to showcase New Orleans on screen as a locale that’s perfect for genre lovers to further examine its lush, spooky history. Coodie and Chike’s previous history within the music video sector brings a definitive confidence in visual storytelling that shines in the series especially in its second episode. 

The potential for a revolving city-specific format is intriguing and exciting. Think American Horror Story but regionally based. With New York and Los Angeles so outrageously over-represented on film it’s encouraging to see the possibilities for overlooked cities, domestic and abroad, to be dissected and celebrated for their own unique regional terrors.

SOUL CITY will be premiering on April 30, 2020 exclusively on Topic, the streaming service from First Look Media.

Win a Family (4) Pack to the Kansas City Screening of “My Spy”

Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at STX Entertainment to give (25) readers the chance to win a family pack of (4) passes to attend the Kansas City screening of the new comedy “My Spy.”

The film will be screened on Wednesday, March 11th, at the AMC Studio 28 Theatre in Olathe, Kansas and will begin at 7:00 pm.

All you have to do is click HERE. The first (25) readers to do so will receive a family pack of (4) passes to attend the screening. This is a first come/first serve giveaway. Once all allotted passes have been claimed the giveaway is ended. Good luck!

Win Passes to the Kansas City Screening of “I Still Believe”

Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at Lionsgate to give (50) readers and a guest the chance to be among the first in Kansas City to see the new film “I Still Believe,” which will be screened on Tuesday, March 10th at the Screenland Armour Theatre in North Kansas City, Missouri. The film begins at 7:00 pm

All you have to do is click HERE. The first 50 readers to do so will receive a pass for (2) to attend the screening. This is a first come/first serve giveaway. Once all allotted passes have been claimed the giveaway is ended. Good Luck!

Win Passes to the Kansas City Screening of “The Way Back”

Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at Warner Bros. to give (25) readers and a guest the chance to be among the first to see the new film, “The Way Back,” in Kansas City.

The film, starring Ben Affleck, will be screened on Wednesday, March 4th at the Cinemark 20 and XD Theatres in Merriam, Kansas and starts at 7:00 pm.

All you have to do to attend is click HERE. The first (25) readers to do so will receive a pass for (2) to attend the screening. This is a first come/first serve giveaway. When all allotted passes have been claimed the giveaway has ended.

Win Passes to the Kansas City Screening of “The Invisible Man”

Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at Universal to give readers the chance to be among the first to see the new film “The Invisible Man” at an advance Kansas City screening.

The film, starring Elizabeth Moss, will screen on Tuesday, February 25 at the AMC Studio 18 Theatre in Olathe, Kansas. The screening will begin at 7:00 pm.

All you have to do for a chance to attend is click HERE! On Monday, February 24th, random entries will be selected and will be sent their passes via email. Good Luck!

Win Passes to the Kansas City Screening of “The Call of the Wild”

Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at 20th Century Studios to give (50) readers and a guest the chance to be among the first to see the new film “The Call of the Wild,” starring Harrison Ford.

The film will be shown on Thursday, February 13th at the B &B Overland Park 16 in Overland Park, Kansas and will start at 7:00 pm

All you have to do to attend is click HERE. The first (50) readers to do so will receive a pass for (2) to attend the screening. This is a first come/first serve screening. Once the allotted number of passes have been claimed,t he giveaway is ended. Enjoy the show!

Win Passes to the Kansas City Screening of “Downhill”

Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends from Fox Searchlight to give (35) readers and a guest the chance to be among the first to see the new comedy “Downhill,” starring Will Farrell and Julia Louis Dreyfuss.

The film will be screened on Monday, February 10th at the AMC Town Center 20 Theatre in Leawood, Kansas and will start at 7:00 pm

If you want to attend the screening, just click HERE. The first (35) readers to do so will receive a pass for (2) to attend the screening. This is a first come/first served giveaway. Once all allotted passes have been claimed the giveaway is ended. Good luck!

Win Passes to the Kansas City Screening of “The Photograph”

Media Mikes has teamed with their friends at Universal Pictures to give their Kansas City readers the chance to be among the first to see the new romantic comedy “The Photograph,” starring Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield.

The film will be screened on Wednesday, February 12th at the Cinemark 20 and XD Cinemas in Merriam, Kansas and will start at 7:30 pm.

If you’d like to attend, please click HERE. Random entries will be chosen on February 10th and the winners notified. Good luck!

NO PURCHASE REQUIRED.

THE PHOTOGRAPH has been rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned – Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13) for sexuality and brief strong language.

Kansas City Stage Review: “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – the Musical

  • “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
  • The Kauffman Center – Kansas City, Missouri
  • January 21, 2020 

Oh, how sweet it is! Filled with colorful costumes, magical set designs, and wonderful songs that will put a smile on your face, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” now performing at the Kauffman Performing Arts Center in Kansas City, Missouri, is a terrific musical the whole family can enjoy. Based upon the 1964 children’s novel of the same name by British novelist Roald Dahl (1916-90), “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was first adapted for the silver screen in 1971 and then again in 2005 before premiering as a musical in 2013 in London.

 The musical version takes us to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory where, after being shut up for 40 years, the legendary chocolatier (Cody Garcia) decides to venture out into the real world to find an heir. Disguised as a chocolate shop owner, Willy ends up befriending, in a small way, a local boy named Charlie Bucket (Ryan Umbarila). Charlie lives an impoverished life just down the block with two sets of grandparents, who never leave their bed, and his widowed, overworked mother. 

Charlie is a dreamer to the tenth degree and so, it’s only natural that he becomes enamored with the idea of getting a Wonka chocolate bar in order to get a golden ticket. The five lucky recipients of which will get to go on a tour of Willy’s factory with the chance to win a lifetime supply of chocolate. Of course, the whimsical and quirky Willy has other plans. Charlie ultimately proves himself to be a good-hearted lad, especially when compared to the other four children who reveal themselves to be brats, each meeting their own unique, laughable fate during the tour. 

The first half of the show contained a couple of heartfelt moments between Charlie and his Grandpa Joe (Steve McCoy) that pulled at the heartstrings. Umbarila had an overall nice stage presence but was overshadowed a bit by McCoy’s charismatic delivery of his comedic lines. Despite Charlie’s underdog nature, the most fascinating character remained Wonka himself. However, his portrayal during the first act was a little flat, which was accompanied by a sluggish pace even with a few entertaining dance sequences. 

The true highlight of the night’s show was the second act. It was fun, lively, colorful and thoroughly entertaining. Garcia delivered a superb performance down the stretch run with a portrayal that was reminiscent of a blend between Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp. Supported by a solid orchestral performance, the musical’s second act was punctuated by well-choreographed Oompa Loompas who generated the biggest laughs of the night. 

In the end, don’t wait for a golden ticket in a candy bar to see “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” because it will be gone before you know it. 

“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” runs in Kansas City at the beautiful Kauffman Center through January 26th. For tickets in KC or for the rest of the tour, click HERE.

Win Passes to the Kansas City Screening of “The Gentlemen”

Media Mikes has teamed up with their friends at STX Entertainment to give (50) readers and a guest the chance to be among the first to see the new film from director Guy Ritchie, “The Gentlemen.”

The film will be shown on Wednesday, January 22 at the Screenland Armour Theatre in North Kansas City, Missouri. The screening will begin at 7:00 pm.

If you’d like to attend all you have to do is click HERE! The first (50) readers to do so will receive a pass for (2) to attend the screening. This is a first come/first serve giveaway. Once the allotted number of passes have been claimed the giveaway is over. Good Luck!!