Sightseers Quick Review

Sightseers has a few showings around LA and is up for VOD.

Sightseers has a lovely British couple going on vacation together then the murders start happening. At first I though it be a film on people dishing out severe punishments for tiny infractions of the law like littering.  That is not the case, it's really a transformation of two people into murderers.

The story is always about this couple on the road seeing Britain and how unstable they're becoming. Tossed in are quirky little ideas liven up the film like a Pencil Museum, an attachment to a dog or someone showing up with a camping bicycle attachment. These little moments add up and make the film different from a more realistic look into serial killers. One scene, a nightmare is a throw back to horror films or almost a realization on behalf of one the murdering couple that what they're doing is wrong. The scene is cut short with the films perfect timing. Sometimes moments are cut with perfect musical scores as well.

This could have just been a comedy in the vein of  "The Trip" following a couple on holiday and things going awry. Instead it's marked by brutal murders and the bizarre nature of two people that just become murderers over the course of a weekend. A slow, British sense of humor that's splattered with some bloody violence. Fun for a fast watch online.

The Big Live Comedy Show Really Not Good

The Big Live Comedy Show is going on right now and it's not going well. It's just the pre-show, but apparently no one knows how to use equipment like mics. The old comedians mixed with the new are just awful. Good job Google you wasted a ton of money on crap, You could have funded some real movies, but you didn't.

I'm sorry, Tim and Eric are doing a good job, that's not a good sign.

As I write this the camera is smudged.


It's like the Jamie Kennedy New Year's disaster times 10.

E3 2013 For The Common Gamer

If you can't attend E3 as industry or press then it being in LA may seem like just another annoyance on your commute. You're wrong! Though E for All is dead the idea of connecting to gamers in LA is not.

The most enticing event so far is the mysterious HORIZON spelled in all capital letters. In a deal between the video game site Venus Patrol and our own MOCAtv (Maeybe from Arrested Development is in it) a new art show like game exhibit is upon us. Together there throwing an open show on the last day of E3 with "beautiful games" for free it seems. This is kind of new for MOCA, I can't recall anything related to video games coming from them except some special one night affairs. They do throw some wonderful events so it will be nice to see what they can pull off. It makes me wonder if LA Game Space is doing anything yet or will ever.


HORIZON
Thursday, June 13th
MOCA 250 South Grand Avenue
Near the Walt Disney Concert Hall



Ouya will be in a parking lot nearby

If you want to check out the Ouya, the new super cheap gaming console, why not head for a parking lot nearby the LA Convention Center?

Ouya E3
A parking lot directly across from the Convention Center's South Hall
601 W. Pico Blvd
June 11-13


The Ouya will be out and about for anyone to try over the entire course of E3.

source



Win going to E3 through Nintendo.








I'll have more updates coming up for E3 parties and events everyone can attend

Grand Centennial Celebration @ The Natural History Museum June 8

100 years! That's quite the impressive number for servicing LA with knowledge, motivating kids to learn about history, being featured in countless movies and so many school field trips.

The Natural History Museum is having a Grand Centennial Celebration which also marks the unveiling of the Otis Booth Pavilion which houses the Nature Lab and Nature Gardens. At the Centennial Celebration you can dine on a celebrity chef meal, then there's the unveiling after party. The next day the museum will have it's 100th Birthday Bash. I've gone to countless events at the museum and every time have gained new fun memories. Unless technology can transfer your mind into robot body, you'll have to attend this one or you'll have to wait another 100 years for this type of fun at the museum.

Grand Centennial Celebration
June 8, 2013 6-9pm

then the

 Grand Centennial Celebration After Party
8:30 pm - midnight
Natural History Museum
Tickets


 the following day
100th Birthday Bash
June 9, 2013
Tickets

 "NHM is officially 100 years old! Join us for a day-to-night celebration featuring our new Nature Gardens and Nature Lab. Bring your family to kick off summer with kid-friendly activities, workshops in the gardens, behind-the-scenes collection tours with our scientists and musical entertainment from The Ranger Band and Rhythm Child. Nature after dark is even more fun, so join JPL’s Adam Steltzner for a discussion about Mars curiosity Rover, visit food trucks, and take garden tours, DJs Raul Campos, Anthony Valadez and Canyon Cody will be in the Mammal Halls, and see outdoor shows with DEVO and GZA/The Genius IN CONCERT!"

Last Minute: Bug Fair and Free Llyn Foulkes

The 27th Annual Bug Fair is happening now Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, 2013 at the Natural History Museum it includes bug cooks. Mmmm, tasty?

The Lynn Foulkes Exhibition is free at the Hammer this weekend. This includes Llyn playing his "machine"

MAY 19 SUN

03:00pm

Hammer Presents

Llyn Foulkes and The Machine with Norton Wisdom

TTDILA COMICS #4 Food for Thought

by ARG

click comic to expand.

Exciting news! 

The official time to expect TTDILA COMICS is now Fridays at 2 o'clock.

Enjoy the comic. 

XLanes VIP Opening

A lucky few got a chance to check out XLanes before it opens up in the Little Tokyo Galleria officially downtown May 17 at 5pm. This huge entertainment center includes billiards and dining section, not to mention 24 lanes with 8 special private lanes.

In some of the few surprises XLanes bowling alley also features a speed counter for your ball and mini-cams that show you your balls impact for an instant replay. You have huge televisions at the end of each lane to watch the big games while you play too.

Did I mention the sound system? How about the hypnotic lights? It was like walking into a wonderland of bright colors. Daft Punk's Get Lucky was heard over the whole massive place.

XLanes LA Grand Opening
May 17
5pm
3rd Floor Little Tokyo Galleria
333 S. Alameda St., #300 Los Angeles, CA 90013
Tel: 213.229.8910
Pay parking lot, but validation if you go to XLanes





The food is scrumptious. The buffet guests enjoyed including myself was catered by XLanes own kitchen. Wave to the chefs as you enter, there's a glass window to see what's going on inside They can do pasta to pizza. Tacos to ribs. You can enjoy appetizers or have a full meal. You can always step out for food too as the mall is mostly dining. No idea why when the food is so tasty, everything served was great. They do have healthier options like salads, so everyone can eat up There's a dining area and private rooms to enjoy feasts in or you can be served while playing. They have a bar a billiards for those liking late nights.

Arcade wise you have the latest games out in the US market and huge selection of every type to try out from racers to shooters to touch screen fun. There are tickets machines so you'll be able to win prizes for your skill. You use a card instead of coins. I'm going to have to properly review the arcade section separately it in the Arcades in LA feature, but to tell you right now it has the latest arcade games in the LA area. Forget classics, head to Japan Arcade one floor down for those.

            4 player Pac-man anyone?

Man of Steel Pre-Screening June 12

See Man of Steel before your friends at the LA Film Fest.

Tickets will go fast, so save the page


"A special pre-Festival screening of Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, taking place June 12 at 7:30pm. In the film, a young boy learns he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.
TICKETING INFORMATION:
This is a special pre-Festival screening and not included in Festival Passes or Packages. Tickets are $13.00.

• Passholders and Packages will be able to purchase a ticket starting May 10.
• Film Independent Members can purchase tickets starting May 16.
• Tickets on sale to General Public starting May 21."

It's so weird, I remember interviewing director Zack Synder for his work on Lollipop Chainsawabout a year ago and know he directed Superman, that's such an odd step.

Arrested Development Bluth Stair Car @ The Grove Today May 17

Arrested Development Bluth Stair Car @ The Grove

The Grove in West Hollywood, CA from 2-10p May 17

As part of marketing for the premiere the stair car and Bluth Banana Stand are on tour. Check it's twitter for updates and where it will be in LA

Robocop Screening Saturday

Wanted to remind everyone there are still tickets for the Robocop screening with Peter Weller fresh from Star Trek Into Darkness. The video above shows how great his conversations with himself can be and the he wears and ugly jacket.

ROBOCOP Movie Screening, Q & A Followed by Brief Autograph Session
weSPARK Cancer Support Center
Saturday, May 18, 2013 from 12:00 PM to 4:30 PM Los Angeles, CA
Tickets

Peter Weller Robocop screenings happened twice here in LA. They are worth it if Weller gets to talk, he is a very dramatic and crazy man
RoboCop Movie Screening, Q & A followed by Brief Autograph Session with Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Paul McCrane, Screenwriter Michael Miner, Director Paul Verhoeven and Producer Jon Davison!
Moderated by Filmmaker and Author Laurent Bouzereau!

• Check in will begin at 10:30am. Screening will begin at noon.
• Following the screening, meet the Cast and pick up pre-signed photos! Meet your favorite character!
• Day of Event Raffle for signed original RoboCop Movie Poster!
• Silent Auction to include signed memorabilia. Posters! DVD Sets! Action Figures! All signed!
• Get your photo taken with Peter Weller and Nancy Allen. Limited purchases. Only 25 will be sold.

Is it just me or is it a nerd paradise here sometimes?

BlasterCON Interview Robert Napton

On the first day of BlasterCon I sat down with writer Robert Napton who writes for Dynamite comics. Some of the series he's written on include Warlord of Mars: Dejah Thoris, Thun Da and Battlestar Galactica. He had a panel at Blastercon. We sat down at the exhibit hall's Interviews section.

We started our chat on anime as he use to be a huge part of the anime industry back when Ban Dai Entertainment had a USA branch. It is missed.

After that we started to talk more about the con. Robert was asked to come through friends at the con including the chair who was at the original Anime Expo years back. With it being more sci-fi-oriented how could he miss out when growing up in the bay area and it's sci-fi cons. He missed the shows he grew up with as a teen.

He told a little about what was going to happen at his panel including comics he's been writing for five to six years. That includes John Carter of Mars. He joked, "We started the comic before the movie." We both joked about the film after that and he thought the marketing for it was really bad. It doesn't look like they'll make another with so much on their plate now with Marvel and Star Wars. He was saddened that it might be forgotten because of how much it inspired so many. I brought up it was too ransacked by so many other sci-fi films to not bore audiences.

When I asked who was his favorite character to write about. He immediately went to the Battlestar Galactica story of young Adama he did. It starts off from his service, starting as a young pilot. It's a prequel series. He broke out in a bit of joy when he mentioned meeting the actor who plays Adama, Edward James Olmos. He had a trade paperback of the Adama arc and Olmos went through it, said it was great and gave him a signed picture himself as a trade.

Sadly, he couldn't make it out to Free Comic Book Day this year, it adds to the sadness with what DC and Marvel released this year.

I asked about his panel and other than giving free comics of his work at it, wait ... sort of a late Free Comic Book Day I guess. Anyway, he was just going to be general in the comics his written. Looking forward to meeting fans.

You know LA is always brought up so I asked about what it means to work in LA. He gave me two answers. As a comic writer it doesn't matter anymore due to the internet. "Most of the artists I've worked with I've never met. I meet them a cons and Comic-Con." Going on about how there isn't a bull pen anymore just a virtual office. Secondly, for entertainment you should be in LA with everything going on. Further in I asked did LA inspire you in some way and a part did. Universal's lot with all it's movies and it's movie monsters and early sci-fi.

If you have a chance pick up one of his comics.

Donkey Kong LA Zoo May 24-27 You're Not Going Bananas

As I eat a banana, I'm writing to you about the Donkey Kong event happening at the LA Zoo Memorial weekend. It easily could have been called Donkey Kong LA. Anyway, some fun events will happening at the LA Zoo for the re-launch of  Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D for the 3DS.






Donkey Kong Country Returns @ LA Zoo
Memorial Day weekend
May 24-27
10 a.m. -5 p.m
L.A. Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90027

So what will you be swinging into? Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D at Campo Gorilla Reserve. At the changed Gorilla Reserve there will be demo stations for the game and five bucks off coupon giveaways for GameStop. The best part will be the Donkey Kong Interactive Experience, which has the zoo throwing food barrels into the Gorilla habitat for them  to munch up. I'm not sure if the barrels will just be cardboard or just filled with food, but it'll be fun to see Gorillas breaking them open like Donkey Kong. Someone will be dressed in a Donkey Kong suit to have your pictures taken with.

There's no way there going to give a gorilla a tie to wear, but that be so funny.


Tips

- Parking will be bad, get there early or be prepared to park on the far off side streets

-Buy tickets online, there will be a line to get in, it's basically a theme park

-Straws are a lie, don't order an Icee. The LA Zoo doesn't support straws, because they hurt the environment? They just tell you that after you buy things, put up a sign saying that LA Zoo.

via

XLanes LA Grand Opening May 17

After countless days of waiting and reports from this very site the time has finally come for XLanes LA to open.

XLanes LA Grand Opening
May 17
5pm
3rd Floor Little Tokyo Galleria
333 S. Alameda St., #300 Los Angeles, CA 90013
Tel: 213.229.8910
Pay parking lot, but validation if you go to XLanes

So here's a rundown of the features, pay attention! 24 lanes of bowling goodness, 8 of which can be private. An arcade area of the newest arcade machines, over 100. For the gamers of the site that's a big deal, I mean we cover arcades in LA, that's a feature on the site. Now the mall has two arcades to check out. Nine billiard tables, a family style restaurant, sports bar and VIP rooms.

That's a lot of stuff, but I hear the place is huge and with plenty of places to eat after or before in the galleria your quite set for the area.

Check the site before the opening for some grand opening deals.

Scare LA Coming August

Here in LA we love Halloween, maybe because so many of us are in the entertainment industry and can devise better scares than the average haunted house. It could be that some of us worked on horror movies. A reason might be the huge amount of horror fans. For those horror fans add another event to your calendar and for those who wanted Halloween one month early and technically in Summer you get what you wanted.

Scare LA is coming out this August. It's our first Halloween convention, featuring almost every haunted house and event that this site has visited for Halloween over the years.

Scare LA
August 10-11
1933 Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Here's a quick list of whose coming

Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights

Knott’s Halloween Haunt

Blackout Haunted House

Reign of Terror

Haunted Play Delusion

Chambers of the Mausoleum

The House at Haunted Hill

Los Angeles Haunted Hayride

The Great Horror Campout

Blumhouse of Horrors 

and more!

Now there's going to be early previews of their haunts, so for you haunt junkies you get to talk to the people who make the scares and see some of it before the theme parks even set up. Workshops and panels so you can learn the tricks of the trade. There will be an exhibitor floor too. How many different mangles arm types are there? What is the best fake blood to by?

I'll keep you updated on news about this event during the summer, so look forward to some hot scares.

Anime Hype: One Piece Marathon, Daisuki, Aniplex Channel

-A man from Funimation will be locked in a room and will watch all the episodes leading up to the time skipped premiere on Toonami this Saturday of One Piece.



"We will have a live stream over at our FUNimation Live YouTube page of Scott locked in the room watching One Piece going 24-hours a day. The camera will even be going when he sleeps*. He will be interacting with all of you via our the live stream chat and our other social sites."

Starts at 5pm CT

-Daisuki an official distribution site for major anime companies starts today at 7pm. The animation on the site include One Piece and Modoka streaming for free. I'll have more on the site when it goes up later today.

-Aniplex has it's own Hulu channel now too. So if you need online anime your quite prepared.

Weekly What To Do: Kind of want to go to the Renaissance Fair dressed in a Starfleet uniform

LA Weekly's Artopia 2013
Thursday, May 16, 2013
6pm $15
Historic Chinatown, Central Plaza
943 N Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90012             

Venice Spring Fling 3 and Aftershow
 Saturday, May 18, 2013 12:00 am -
1:00 am 
Windward Plaza Park

"the third annual VENICE SPRING FLING celebrates the rebirth season in Venice with a free, full day of live music, dance, and art just off the boardwalk "

The last weekend of the Renaissance Pleasure Fair
May 18-19
Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area • 10am - 7pm

It's a drive, but if you want to dress up maybe it's worth it.

Screamfest Mixer at Eclectic Wine Bar & Grille
May 16th at 7:30PM
Eclectic Wine Bar
5156 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91601






Affirmations For Pessimists
by CHRIS RECCARDI : Book release, signing, and print show
May 18 7pm
Q Pop
Chris' new self-published book Afirmations for Pessimists will be available for purchase at Q Pop on opening night.
Chris will be in attendance and will be signing copies of the book at 8PM.


The X-Files: The Truth Is Out There

Egyptian Theatre

6712 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028

Sun, May 19
5:30pm

If you missed creator Chris Carter at Hero Complex you have another chance and that guy from Breaking Bad who use to work on X-Files.
       
Discussion following the episodes with series production designer Corey Kaplan (“Scandal,” “Cold Case,” “Robbery Homicide Division”), writer-producer-director Vince Gilligan (“Breaking Bad,” “The Lone Gunmen,” “Harsh Realm” ) and creator-writer-producer-director Chris Carter (“The Lone Gunmen,” “Harsh Realm,” “Millennium” ), moderated by production designer John Muto (HOME ALONE, RIVER’S EDGE, TERMINATOR 2 3-D).


BACK TO THE FUTURE Trilogy

Egyptian Theatre

6712 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028

Sat, May 18
7:30pm

 

 

 

 

 

Star Trek Double Feature

Wednesday, May 15th at 9:15pm, multiple arclights

See the new Star Trek films back to back so you don't miss anything.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pieta Screening

May 17-23

Laemmle Music Hall

 

"In this intense and haunting story, a loan shark living an isolated and lonely existence uses brutality to threaten and collect paybacks from desperate borrowers for his moneylender boss. He proficiently and mercilessly collects the debts without regard to the pain he causes his countless victims. One day, a mysterious woman appears in front of him claiming to be his long-lost mother."

 

 

Iron Man 3 Artists Panel / Book Signing
Opening Reception / May 18, 6:00PM - 9:00PM

 

Come see rare behind the scenes artwork by artists from the production design, storyboards, and visual development team.

Bring your questions for the Q&A session and meet the artists one-on-one as they sign copies of the new Art of Iron Man 3 book.

Some production art by the featured panelists will be on display.

Preorder the book here!

$5 Admission at the door includes 1 raffle ticket for the chance to win an exclusive limited Iron Man print signed by the Visual Development artists.

 

Saturdays Off the 405 Begins

Series of music events at the Getty Saturdays

 

 

 

 

Fusion Fridays at Pacific Asia Museum Begins

Summer Nights 2013
7:30-10:30 p.m.

 

 

 

Spazzkid Premiere <3 feat. Dream Panther//LA Girlfriend

must rsvp to attend secret event

May 16 8PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Modernica Factory Sale

May 18th 9am – 3pm

2901 Saco Street Los Angeles, CA 90058

 

Huge deals stylish furniture

 

Beverly Hills artSHOW

10 a.m. to 6 p.m

May 18-19

Beverly Gardens Park

 

Wine garden and art.

 

CRUSH, an artisanal wine and food tasting event

Sunday May 19
2-5 pm – General Admission
1-5 pm – VIP

18th Street Arts Center
1639 18th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404