"24" is the best show on TV right now.... I just thought I'd mention that.

"Deal or No Deal" is the one game show that I'd like to be on... I just thought I'd also mention that.

"Natalie Portman SNL rap video" is being targeted by copyright lawyers... but there's still one site out there that still has it... I just thought I'd also also mention that.

Random Old School Hollywood

Frank Caliendo impressions (video)

Movie Theaters May Jam Cell Phones (link)

unnecessary censorship 10 (video)

deal... or no deal? (game)

spin the kitty (video)

sit with somebody you wanna sit with in a plane (link)

skating monkey (video)

turbo tanks (game)

Ali-G Interviews Posh Spice and David Beckham (video)

may i take your order? (link)

robot chicken (video)

defend your castle (game)

This is my first year attending Wizard World - Los Angeles. It was held this time around at the Los Angeles Convention Center, but it only took mostly two sections of it (Kentia & Concourse Halls), which means that it's no where near the scope in size of the San Diego Comic-Con.

Since this was my first year at Wizard World, I had a lot of misconception of what to expect before attending. Going on a Saturday, approximately arriving 30 minutes before doors open (10am), I thought I was going to face the same problems I would find if that was the same case at San Diego; parking will be a bitch to find and there will be a really long line just to get an entrance ticket. Nope, it's quite the opposite actually, parking only took me one loop around to find one, and the line to get a ticket was very very short. Another misconception would be the size of the dealer's room, which is a lot smaller than I even expected. I went through the dealer's room in one hour, and that includes browsing and what not. That's a far cry from literally hours upon hours that it might take to go through the dealer's room at the San Diego Comic-Con.

Another misconception would be that I figured the attendees will most probably be more in the geeky male nerds variety, unlike San Diego which literally has every age, ethnicity, and ofcourse females you can think of. I was wrong, Wizard World also had a comparable variety of attendees like San Diego, which only means that the stereotype of "nerdy male dominated conventions" will eventually go away in the future. The dealer's room had the usual variety that you can find at other conventions, and I spent about $100 worth of merchandise (books, figures, shirts). It would have been almost $200, but one DVD selling vendor's credit card reader wasn't working, so I took it as a sign not to make that additional $75 purchase. There's also less costumed folks than San Diego though, but they were represented as well.

 

 

Now the real reason I even attended Wizard World this year was because Damon Lindelof of "Lost" fame, and writer / director Kevin Smith were going to have panels. Unfortunately, unlike San Diego where you can literally stay in a room the whole day, here at Wizard World, they clear out the room after every panel. Lindelof's panel is at the same room as Kevin Smith, but they are one right after the other, respectively. Because of that, I had to place more priority in just waiting in line for Kevin Smith's panel, as that would be much harder to get into due to his popularity. Besides, I'm a much bigger fan of Smith than Lindelof anyway (do I really want Lost spoilers anyway?). Luckily I always bring my pocket PC with me, so I just ended up watching two hours worth of anime stored on it, while waiting.

Kevin Smith showed up with Jason Mewes (who only stayed for about 5-10 minutes - he felt under the weather). As usual it was a Question & Answer session which are always always ALWAYS entertaining when it comes to Kevin Smith. I've attended his Q&A's for many number of years now, and he always seem to have new stories to tell which I can literally listen to for hours on end (just check out "An Evening with Kevin Smith"). There was no audio/video recording allowed (still pictures are okay), so I can't play anything here, but then he tends to be on the risque side anyways, so even writing things down here will be iffy. After two quick hours, he showed us a clip and a teaser trailer for Clerks II, which were both quite humorous (especially his "no video taping of these clip" disclaimer... disclaimerS).

So Wizard World - Los Angeles, not too bad of an experience, but it's nothing that will make me want to attend every year unless there's a panel / guest I'd like to see.

Movie I've seen recently...

V for Vendetta (2006)  A-

V for Vendetta was definitely a great surprise for me. I haven't read the graphic novel, but I thought the movie was pretty darn good. I
like the fact that more emphasis was put on story, characters, and
dialogue, over just showing action sequences after action sequences.
That might put off some of you who are expecting this movie to be
nothing but action scenes all around though.

I have to give some recognition to Hugo Weaving for his wonderfully acted role as the titular character, "V." Normally actors wouldn't enjoy being in a role that involves being behind a mask throughout the WHOLE movie (no ego trip there). Natalie Portman also did an excellent job as Evey, whose character is thrown in a situation that forces her to question her belief in her country, and in her own bravery. Natalie Portman shaving her head bald for the role... still hot.

The direction by James McTeigue is rather good in this one, and the film was able to
produce some scenes that were both memorable and poetic at the same
time. The screen play by Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski is well thought out, and makes me wonder how faithful the translation is from the book by Alan Moore. I'm kinda glad I didn't read the book though, because I was pleasantly surprised by some plot twists. The story is quite incendiary in the politics though, but it's a subject
matter that people should be talking about anyway. Sure it can be argued that this movie glorifies terrorists, but "V" is like a terrorist to a country ruled by Hitler. As some would say, "a person's terrorist is another person's freedom fighter."

Random Sad Statue

celebrate the year Superman returns (video)

Isaac Hayes quits South Park (link)

crocodile vs tiger (video)

Playstation 3 = November 2006 (link)

yakko's world (video)

eat all the old people (flash)

Cheerleaders For The Win (video)

war bears (game)

the ketchup effect (video)

wild statements made by video game industry veterans (link)

the Legend of Zelda : Quantum Link (video)

goldburger to go (game)

I thought this was an interesting article that I can agree with... in fact I welcome it.

"The End of Hollywood Blockbusters"

Star Wars creator George Lucas says the days of the big-budget Hollywood blockbuster are numbered.

"I predict that by 2025 the average movie will cost only $15m"

nnoooo!!!!! My girlfriend's microwave at her home is not working anymore. Considering that I'm over at her place a good majority of my time, and I'm not that much of a chef, this is a great travesty.

Random Question!

the truth about sushi and Japanese Restaurants (video)

Wizard World Los Angeles (link)

pinata accidents (video)

Daniel Craig is not James Bond (link)

you've got mail redux (video)

nordic chill winter sports (game)

coach racing accident (video)

the truth about myspace.com (pic)

Triumph the insult comic dog & Chinese new year (video)

a disclaimer request for Da Vinci Code movie (link)

a meditation on the speed limit (video)

bosozuku fighters (game)

movies I've seen recently...

Crash (2005)  A-

Here's another movie that has a huge ensemble cast, which they will be connected to each other in one reason or another. There isn't a character here that really stands out as the main star of the movie as they are all supporting actors to each other. What does stand out though is the theme of the film. Racism and how it's still very much alive at this day and age. There are some scenes that were pretty heart breaking to watch, while there were some that were down right humorous. If there was a problem with the movie, it would be that it does require some suspension of disbelief that all these characters are connected in one form or another. Either than that, excellent film.
*this film has been added to my top 20 films of 2005*