Category Archives: general nerdery

B-Movie Mania!!! Blob Fest 2013 at the Colonial Theatre

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This July the truly excellent Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA will be playing host Blob Fest 2013, its celebration of the 1958 B-movie classic film The Blob.  During the weekend of July 12th-14th the Colonial Theatre will be the epicenter for all things Blob related, including a street fair and parade on Saturday afternoon.

In addition to its annual “Run Out” on Friday night (which is already sold out) there will of course be classic screenings throughout the weekend of The Blob, Them!, Tarantula, The Deadly Mantis.

For a full rundown of the weekend’s festivities check out the Blob Fest on Facebook.

Bath Fitter, The Saddest Booth @ Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con

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If you figured that the booth featuring the Twilight moms at the Fangs, Fur & Fantasy selling their fan fiction was the most awkward and saddest booth on the show floor, good try but you are wrong.

Because when I think Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con I immediately think, I wish there was someone there that could give me information on how to cheaply give my bath surround facelift.  

Bath Fitter, The Saddest Booth @ Wizard World Philadelphia

Bath Fitter, The Saddest Booth @ Wizard World Philadelphia

 

 

Sightings — Bootleg Tyler Stout Prints @ Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con

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Anyone who has been to any comic convention can attest to the fact that there is always a booth or two that deals in bootlegged items.  For the longest time the only way to get certain DVDs i.e. the awful Roger Corman Fantastic Four movie was from a shady booth set way in the back of the convention floor.

While cruising through the aisles of Wizard World Philadelphia I happened to spot a very familiar print from Captain America: The First Avenger that seemed out of place.

Bootleg Tyler Stout 'Captain America - The First Avenger'

Bootleg Tyler Stout ‘Captain America – The First Avenger’

Yes, that is a blatant scan and reprint of Tyler Stout’s print which was released in 2011.  I would like to apologize for the blurriness, but the dealer would not permit photography of his merchandise (despite my press credentials) so I had to engage my ninja skills to document this.

In my brief interaction with this dealer, he presented a lot of his offerings as original or ‘commissioned’ pieces, and clearly did not want to engage in further conversation with me.  This is America, everyone should be entitled to make a living, but I really feel bad for the fan who may have picked that up for $60.00 was under the impression that it was actually a Tyler Stout print … not a bootleg scan slapped into a $5.00 frame from AC Moore.

 

Acid Free Gallery Booth @ Wizard World Philadelphia

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Acid Free Gallery Booth #555

Acid Free Gallery Booth #555

One of my first stops at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con was at the Acid Free Gallery (Booth #555) to check out their exclusive prints as well as some of their catalog pieces.

The undoubted star of the show was their Soundwave print by Laurent Deriux, which they were fully expecting to sell through during the course of the show.  However my personal favorite was Tom Whalen’s Voltron,  I’ve long been a fan of Whalen’s style and own several prints as well as some sketches.  And this is an excellent piece to grab that is indicative of his style and love of 1980s pop culture.

If you weren’t at Wizard World Philadelphia, you will have a chance to purchase all of their exclusive prints today, June 4th at 12:30pm when they go up on Acid Free Gallery’s website.

 

Toy Hunting At Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con

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I enjoy the obscure vintage toy line as much as the next guy; but I saw lots of Megos, vintage Masters of the Universe, and GI Joe going for prices WAY above market value.  This valuation is driven by two factors: 1) paying off the insane booth rental fees at the Con and 2) Travel Channel’s hit shot Toy Hunter.

During my wanderings I documented some of my favorite finds that I most definitely could not afford or risk bringing home and having to explain said purchase to my wife.

Vintage GI Joe

Vintage GI Joe Sky Raven — Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con 2013

A sealed GI Joe Sky Raven, which was going for $400 at the Con. A repaint of the very popular Cobra Night Raven, but the savvy eBayer can pick one of these up for around $250.00

Kenner's Sherwood Forrest Playset

Kenner’s Sherwood Forrest Playset

I thoroughly respect anyone who has had this Sherwood Forrest playset sitting in their garage since the release of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.  I’m sure someone walked away with this for $75 at the end of the show on Sunday.  

Remants of the much maligned Street Fighter ... err GI Joe Street Fighter line from Hasbro

Remants of the much maligned Street Fighter … err GI Joe Street Fighter line from Hasbro

 This dealer wanted $40 a piece for these figures which is a complete non-starter.  He also had a slew of vehicles from the Street Fighter line as well.  I remember getting some of these for a steal at KB Toys.

Tally Hawk!

Tally Hawk!f

This Silverhawks electric toothbrush holder/electronic figurine was quite simply the greatest thing I saw all weekend.  I never even knew this thing existed, and those are the finds I enjoy the most.  

MIB Playmates' Starship Enterprise-D

MIB Playmates’ Starship Enterprise-D

Despite the lurid instructions to PRESS HERE, this dealer was not having it.  When asked if I could test the electronics (because I wanted to make an offer) he removed it from the table.  Ass clown.

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Another dealer had a bin full of broken GI Joe vehicles from anywhere from $12-$15 a piece.  Very dirty, but some really great vintage items in that Rubbermaid tote of despair.  

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And what did I walk away with you ask? Two very cool figures … a carded Nightfighter Robocop from the Kenner Robocop and the Ultra Police line and a Star Trek Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Chief Medical Officer Raphael.  Look for reviews on both coming up shortly.

 

Programming Highlights for Wizard World Philadelphia 2013

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wizardworld_2211_68578653With Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con set to take over the Pennsylvania Convention Center in just about a week’s time the full programming schedule has been published and it is jam packed with something for every fan faction.

I have to commend Wizard for putting together a very diverse programming slate over the four day run of Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con.  I will be in attendance at some point during the course of the show, but I have a feeling that I will be avoiding Saturday all together.  For the last two years Saturdays have traditionally been overly attended, which means longer lines and smellier body odor.

With bypassing Saturday it does pain me to have to miss out on the William Shatner Q&A and the Serenity/Firefly Panel with Gina Torres, Summer Glau, Adam Baldwin, and Jewel Staite.  Check out the full schedule after the jump!

Continue reading →

Scores of Browncoats Cry Out In Terror As Nathan Fillion Cancels Wizard World Appearance

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Have you heard that sucking vortex sound in the Greater Philadelphia today? That would be the sound of scores of disheartened Browncoats who discovered that their Captain Reynolds, Nathan Fillion had cancelled his appearance at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con.

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The news broke late last night on Wizard World’s Facebook page, which was met with much disappointment and anger. Up until yesterday afternoon Wizard World was still selling touting high priced VIP packages, photo ops, and meet and greets with Fillion and the other Firefly/Serenity stars that are still scheduled to appear: Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, and Summer Glau.

I will give the folk at Wizard World some credit as they are offering full refunds on certain Fillion-related VIP packages.  Unfortunately for some flights and hotel had already been booked expressly for the chance to meet Fillion.

Today Wizard World sent out an official press release which you can find in its entirety after the jump. Continue reading →

“Back To The Future” in 35mm This Saturday at The Colonial Theatre

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As part of their Young Audience series, the great Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, PA will be showing the Back to The Future this Saturday, April 27th.  My love for the Back to The Future franchise is well known and if it wasn’t due to the fact that my Saturday afternoon docket was already filled I would be there.

Despite the fact that we are expecting great weather this weekend in the Greater Philadelphia area by all means you should be sitting in one of my favorite local theaters enjoying Back to the Future in glorious 35mm.

Tickets are are $9.00 for Adults and $5.00 for Children 13 and under.  For more information about this screening and others, visit the Colonial Theatre online.

Unicron Really Knew How To Make A First Impression

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This week’s task for the League of Extraordinary Bloggers was to talk about  first impressions in pop culture. My first thought came to the cold open to Transformers: The Movie (1986).  It was nothing that anyone really expected from a feature length film based on the best selling toyline. Imagine the trauma and horror of young children everywhere as they watch an entire civilization destroyed by some monster planet thing … and SPOILER ALERT … Optimus Prime hadn’t even died yet!

I could go on for quite some time as to why Transformers: The Movie (1986) remains my all time favorite movie.  I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve watched it across every possible home video format, it’s easily pushing 150+ viewings.

Transformers: The Movie (1986) played a critical part in many significant life events for me. I was late to pick up my Junior Prom date because the Canadian bootleg VHS I ordered came in earlier that afternoon, and I HAD to watch the entire thing before I got ready.

During my freshman year of college, my frat brothers and I would watch the first 22 minutes of it, EVERY Friday night to get ready for our weekend. Because nothing says w

ell adjusted colleged aged men than watching a cartoon before they started downing 40′s of Miller High Life and committing summary offenses.

Around The League:

Geek Chunks lined up some unforgettable cartoon intros

The League Logo

The Goodwill Geek drops a truth bomb about the Thundercats

Cool & Collected really enjoys hair metal.

Stunt Zombies felt that Doomsday made a hell of an entrance.

Entertainment Earth

“May The Force Be With Doop” Celebrate Star Wars Day with the Philadelphia Union

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If you haven’t hammered out your plans for Star Wars Day yet, the Philadelphia Union have you covered. On Saturday May 4th, the Union will be hosting the Seattle Sounders in a Star Wars Theme Night at PPL Park.  There is a costume contest scheduled as well as other Star Wars themed activities as well.

Undoubtedly the coolest aspect of the event are these officially licensed Star Wars/Union “May The Force Be With Doop” t-shirts available for purchase at the game and included in specially priced ticket packages.

May The Force Be With Doop

May The Force Be With Doop via [philadelphiaunion.com/starwars]

via [The700Level]