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Friday, August 31, 2012

The Pirates! Band of Misfits Short Review

 
Forgettable and undoubtedly not the best Aardman can muster is how I would describe this tale of clay model pirates. I remember seeing the specials on "The Pirates!" and how it spouted the largest clay cast ever in a film. I guess you can throw as much money into the ocean as you want, but it won't make a minor movie better. Peter Lord of Wallace and Gromit fame misses his mark with poor writing, a cast of characters whose names are meant to be forgotten and a very badly made moral message of friends mattering over fame and glory.

There are traces of the Aardman humor, but it goes overboard by not being as inventive as past films. Inventive like the airplane made in Chicken Run or the countless inventions of Wallace in Gromit are no where to be seen in this film. It's like they got a bigger budget, maybe the biggest in the studios history and put nothing worth while on screen.

It's not even worth a rental for both kids and adults who sometimes like an animated tale.

It sunk.

The Pirates! Band of Misfits

Murder LA 000006: Stay Inside Moving Vehicles


by James Cohen

Wednesday, June 27th 2012, 9am, Mission Viejo -- A car travels north on the 5 freeway with five people inside. One of them, 51-year-old Linda Von Trapp, gets out of the car when it slows down in traffic and runs across lanes into oncoming vehicles until she's struck and killed by a 19-year-old woman.

It certainly sounds like a suicide but a search on the woman turns up no new information. It does, however, lead to several women jumping out of cars in recent years. Before we get to that, though, one unfortunately-phrased result in regards to Ms. Von Trapp:



Shame on you, classmates.com. I'm not even going to provide a hyperlink.

Moving on.

September 24th, 2010: A man witnesses a woman flip "head over heels" on the 22 freeway in Garden Grove. The unidentified woman reportedly jumped out of a vehicle after an argument with the driver. Rejoice, gentle reader, because no matter how terrible your relationships have been, you've probably never jumped out of a moving car and onto the freeway rather than talk to someone. She survived, but hopefully that relationship did not.

December 14th, 2011: Police are called after a woman tries to get out of a car in Downtown LA but is pulled back in by her estranged husband whom she's divorcing. Reports vary on whether she later bailed out of the car or was pushed, but either way her husband followed suit and the car crashed into the center divider. Both survived and the man was arrested.

March 19th, 2011: Yet another woman fell or jumped out of a car on the 22 freeway in Garden Grove in the very early hours of a Saturday. Reports vary again, so either the driver of the car or a passing motorist picked her up and TOOK HER BACK TO HIS PLACE, where he later alerted authorities about the woman with fatal head trauma. It sure is good that he was there to eventually get help. After stopping at home. Did I mention the fatal head trauma?


It goes unsaid all too often, but we here at TTDILA urge you not to jump out of any moving vehicles. There are plenty of other good and positive Things To Do In LA instead.

The Yellow Line Project @ California Transportation Museum ... Wait, We Have A California Transportation Museum?


Let me say this post has two parts. First sharing about a new art exhibit you can check out now. Secondly, how a museum doesn't exist that it's housed in and that Caltrans has too much power and  money.

BLDBLG brought to my attention the work of Simon Rouby's Yellow Line Project, currently up at the death fortress, I mean housed in Caltrans District 7 Headquarters, which you might have seen in the Disney movie about hamsters G-Force. It's in the so called California Transportation Museum, which has no website that I can find nor has and section or updates on the Caltrans 7 site.

The Yellow Exhibit itself follows Simon studying LA's Striping crew that pours endless miles of unedible Yellow 5 colored paint on our streets. This is shown with documentary video and art based on the yellow line. It's cute, and a novel concept and if  your near the death fortress check it out if it's free to the public.




The reason I don't know if it's free is there isn't a website for the California Transportation Museum. Strange, if there's no website and it does exist in some real capacity or it's just a temporary thing Caltrans does from time to time. It lessens the value of writing you were shown at it.

Caltrans District 7 is an amazing eyesore of downtown. If you've been following the site I've written about it multiple times and hearing about this art show angers me again. I don't know why Caltrans corporate needs this much lavish space, when it's just office space. It's a monument to them having our money and to do whatever they Hell they want with it, because LA can't manage it's own streets. It doesn't support the real work crews, it doesn't have some section to supply all the infrastructure of their different vehicles and vast equipment. It's a monument of vanity, with wasted space, like the courtyard area. I don't hear of any events taking place in the courtyard in all the years it's been around. What part of the community is that?

Though it's amazing to seen in person, if you think about it show how naive we are to give money to them and not think about what they really do with it. The make giant, lavish buildings for upper management and can't fill in pot holes fast enough.

While watching one of Simon's video I noticed he was given a huge amount of space to do his work inside of Caltrans. I'm unaware if parts of Caltrans District 7 are just empty and not used, which is a waste of space or that he worked in the so called museum section.

I guess I see the museum as a joke, because there is no effort by Caltrans to show it exists.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk Over Santa Monica

If you've enjoyed the Dreamworks Dragon franchise your in luck this weekend as dragons will be covering the beach skies in Santa Monica for the new Cartoon Network series Dragons: Riders of Berk. So check out the dragons this weekend then the show later this week.

Details below:

Saturday, Sept. 1 and Sunday, Sept.  2
11:00 AM- 5:00 PM


Santa Monica
415  Pacific Coast Highway,
 (Annenberg Beach House)


In celebration of the premiere of Cartoon  Network’s newest series, DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk, dragons  are taking to the skies!  Over Labor Day Weekend, Cartoon Network will  be at family destinations across the country.  

Can you spot a dragon?   In honor of the  upcoming animated series, Vikings will be flying a fleet of 8-10 DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk kites  on the beach.  Throughout the weekend there will be 4,000 diamond kites giveaways for fans along with photo opportunities.


DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk premieres Tuesday,  Sept. 4, at 7:30 p.m. (ET, PT) on Cartoon Network.  This weekly animated series  follows the continuing adventures of Hiccup and his dragon Toothless on the  Viking island   of Berk, along with the  band of dragon trainers, all of whom now have dragons of their own!   Through their training, the kids develop special bonds with their dragons by  learning about each dragon’s unique powers, discovering entirely new  species and battling against new villains as they explore whole new worlds  they never dreamed existed. 

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Stan Lee's Quite Insane Now

With his convention happening later this September, Comikaze Expo Sep 15-16, one wonders what frame of mind Stan is in. His friend and attorney of many years died a few months back and he's still under legal problems over his Internet Pow Entertainment label. He had to cancel a Q and A at this year's Hero Complex due to these factors.

Other than slapping his name on the expo, I have no idea what will change about it. As Comic-Con, PAX(this weekend), and AX all happened relatively recently, what is the point to have another expo now?

I'll update you on more about the expo when the expo site actually updates with useful info.

Weekly What To Do: Eat Watch Listen

Los Angeles Times presents THE TASTE


THE TASTE, Los Angeles Times' annual celebration of the Southern California food scene, brings five themed events to Paramount Pictures Studios over Labor Day weekend. Each event will feature unlimited food and drink tastings from more than 40 of the area's top restaurants along with live cooking and mixology demonstrations, wine seminars and panel discussions. Tickets are $65 per event, $75 at the door.
Saturday, September 1, 2012 11:00 am -
Monday, September 3, 2012 11:00 pm
Paramount Pictures Corporation

5555 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 462-1977

Cinecon Classic Film Festival

Cinecon 48 is a five day celebration of the movies which will be held over Labor Day weekend, August 30th to September 3rd 2012, in Hollywood. We will be showing nearly thirty rare silent and early sound feature films and as many short subjects from the nation's leading film archives and Hollywood studio vaults, and Cinecon is dedicated to showcasing unusual films that are rarely given public screenings. Celebrity guests will attend a screening of one of their films and participate in question and answer sessions following the film. You can buy great movie memorabilia in our six fabulous dealers' rooms and the Cinecon Career Achievement Award celebrity banquet takes place on Sunday evening.

Grauman's Egyptian Theater6712 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028

August 30th to September 3rd 2012


Movie on the Plaza @ the JACCC

Food, family, and fun come together on the JACCC plaza as this year’s FilmFest features, Gigantor (1964) and the New Treasure Island (1964), two of the finest anime movies to come out of Japan in the early sixties.
Free

Friday, August, 31, 2012, at 8pm
244 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012









The Ambassador @ The Cinefamily


Friday, August 31st: 8:00pm (OPENING NIGHT PARTY, director/star Mads Brügger in person!)
Saturday, September 1st: 7:00pm (director/star Mads Brügger in person!)
Sunday, September 2nd: 7:00pm
Monday, September 3rd: 3:00pm, 5:15pm
Tuesday, September 4th: 10:50pm
Wednesday, September 5th: 10:15pm
Thursday, September 6th: 10:40pm

Slacker Week @ New Bev
Slacker movies all week at the New Bev

















FYF Fest
Sep 1-2

Beauty Is Embarrassing Date: Tuesday - August 28, 2012 - 08:00 PM
Location: Nerdist Theater (8) - Los Angeles - General Admin
Doors Open 07:45 PM


Ever wonder who created Pee-Wee's Playhouse, well it wasn't the talking chair it was this guy.

In anticipation for the release of Beauty is Embarrassing on September 7th at the brand new Sundance Cinemas, LA landmark Nerdist Theater at Meltdown Comics will host an evening with artist Wayne White, director Neil Berkeley and special moderator Rob Schrab, for a one-night-only show about comics, art, creativity, inspiration and finding your inner-artist. These themes and more are the foundation for the new film, coming to LA, NY and Seattle on September 7th.

Rob, Wayne and Neil will look at clips from the film, Wayne's own art and anything else that might sneak its way into the mix, and provide you with an evening that will likely leave you wanting to grab whatever pen/pencil/paint brush/hacksaw you can find and start creating.


Gallery 1988 Two Openings

Monday, August 27, 2012

PaleyFest: Fall TV Preview Parties

All the major networks are showcasing their new shows next week and further into September at the Paley Center in Beverly Hills. Try and grab tickets to these free events while you still can. It'll have the stars in person to answer questions or be told how they're are loved by you. There even showing Arrow, CW's take on DC Comics' Green Arrow.

Check out all the new shows here



The Art of Devotion in the Middle Ages


 August 28, 2012–February 3, 2013

"Prayer, both personal and communal, was an integral aspect of life in Europe during the Middle Ages. The readings, rites, and prayers contained in medieval Christian devotional books were often accompanied by lavish decorations that were key in both fostering and expressing the religious zeal of the faithful. Drawn primarily from the Getty Museum’s permanent collection, The Art of Devotion in the Middle Ages, on display August 28, 2012–February 3, 2013, at the J. Paul Getty Museum, Getty Center, features elaborately illuminated books executed in precious pigments and gold. These prayer books not only played an important role in everyday worship, but also served as material testaments to the piety of the books’ owners."

Early Crash Test Dummies Were Pigs

After going over the popularity of the crash dummies in the 90's that spawned a video game, comics and a cgi special I wondered who owned the property. It seems two toy companies Tyco and Mattel did at different points, but while learning about the toys I learned how dead bodies and pigs were used for early car safety.

Early in the car industry dead human bodies were mainly used to see how impacts affected people in cars. Around the 1950's they switched to animals. A quote from wikipedia tells us how odd it got.

"We saw chimpanzees riding rocket sleds, a bear on an impact swing...We observed a pig, anesthetized and placed in a sitting position on the swing in the harness, crashed into a deep-dish steering wheel at about 10 mph."


Pigs were used often as they have a similar biology to humans and could be seated some what like a person. Don't worry for animals now as they stopped doing live testing in the early 90's in the car industry, but I wonder if they had a lot of barbecues every time a pig crashed.


Read more about it here.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Sundance Cinemas Starts Soon

 The brand new Sundance Cinemas was being built around me with finishing touches be applied. As mustached workers cobbled and clanged around me I thought how annoying it would be if I was seeing a movie and they would be outside. This was all for Sundance Sunset 5 opening to a sold-out opening at the end of the month. .
This theater was made with adults in mind with the place being 21+ starting at 4pm with plenty of places to relax, talk and share a kiss. Don't forget getting a drink and being to take in anywhere including outside.The best two parts of the new theater are the brand new seats giving you more arm room and the reservation seating

There will be an art gallery space with local artists only coming in out every month. The only concern is pricing might go up and be on par with the price of 3D films even though they won't be.Sundance will be making up to you with no commercials before a movie, but still that's expensive.


Look forward to some independent films from the small distributors in LA. However, Sundance didn't have any line-up and was shy about what films would be actually playing. Check out their site in the following weeks for more content.


Thursday, August 23, 2012

Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Movie Screening in 3D

After the bizarre showing of a Hatsune Miku concert in LA, I don't mean a real concert I mean a 3D movie, more Japanese content is popping up. Instead of the 35th Anniversary of Power Rangers you get a cute pop singer in 3D.

Ayumi Hamasaki Concert Movie Screening in 3D
Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 3:00 PM - Sunday, September 2, 2012 at 6:30 PM (PDT)
Los Angeles, CA
Downtown Independent 251 South Main Street Los Angeles, CA 90012
The screening will feature two different contents A3D ARENA TOUR ~NEXT LEVEL~ and A3D II ROCK'N'ROLL CIRCUS TOUR FINAL ~7DAYS SPECIAL~ in Dolby Digital 5.1.
In 2009, Ayumi Hamasaki went on tour for the ARENA TOUR ~NEXT LEVEL~ that attracted more than 300,000 fans at 35 shows, in 12 cities throughout Japan. Performing all of her hit songs from the past to present, Ayumi's dance performances and vocals will have you on the edge of your seat!

ROCK'N'ROLL CIRCUS TOUR FINAL ~7DAYS SPECIAL~ is the part II of her 3D live concert series in which the final 7 days of the tour were documented into an emotional montage of laughter and tears.
Share the excitement and thrill of watching Ayumi Hamasaki in 3D! With quality sounds and popping visuals, you will feel as though you are there in the moment!
*Ticket prices for each screening: Advanced sale tickets $18 / At the door $25
(Tickets at the door are cash-only)
Official Ayumi Hamasaki gifts would be distributed to all participants

Oootopia Adventure Time Secrets


 What's that behind her head? A poster from Adventure Time! TTDILA made some and put them up to excite fans before entering.

Did anyone pick up the crayons I hid in the gallery? If you remember, I made some Marceline drained red Candy Kingdom crayons and put them all over the place opening night.


If you doodled in the book their made for doodling you could have got one.

 Props to Nucleus again, for naming the pinches after Marceline and PB.










Echo Park Rising

Echo Park Rising is a music, arts and local business celebration that will take place along the Echo Park streets of Sunset Blvd, Echo Park Ave, and Glendale Blvd on August 25, 2012!

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Weekly What To Do: Recall Pixar and Taste


H2O Music Festival




1245 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Sat, Aug 25, 2012 03:00 PM






777 Chick Hearn Court, Los Angeles, CA 90015 Fri, Aug 24, 2012 08:00 PM















Join us as we welcome bestselling author Danica McKellar as she discusses and signs her new book, Girls Get Curves: Geometry Takes Shape. Come hear how she makes geometry fun and comprehensible! We will see you there!
Thursday August 23, 2012 7:00 PM
Glendale Americana
The Americana at Brand, 210 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210, 818-545-9146

Special Instructions
Proof of purchase of Girls Get Curves will be required in order to enter the signing line.


Discussion following with director Paul Verhoeven.
Egyptian Theatre
6712 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028 Map
Fri, August 24
7:30pm






Friday, August 24th @ 8:00pm
Dorothy Collins Brown Amphitheater at LACMA









2:00pm until 6:00pm @ Meltdown

SUPER*MARKET at Meltdown Comics, once again, gathering all of the most awesome nerd gear in So Cal to create a metropolis of kickass shopping in one place.

Guests can party down with live entertainment, refreshments, and a chance to mix and mingle with other colorful and fun patrons.

Super*Market vendors will specialize in the bright, geeky, girl-friendly, and super unique. Jewelry designers, unique clothing designers, and even second hand clothing from Japan will all be sold for the first...
time in one place at this fashionably nerdy event.

Complimentary drinks will also be provided for shoppers to help them party the day away. MUST BE 21+ TO DRINK, BRING VALID ID!!

FREE ADMISSION!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Vibiana 214 South Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Join fellow foodies in Los Angeles while we explore our shared passion for food. There will be over 500 boutique wines and spirits, cheeses, spices, coffee & teas, charcuterie, olive oils, mushrooms, organic chocolate, meat, fowl, fish, produce and much more….


Session One (from 3 to 6PM): includes Epicurean Cup, DJ & Entertainment.
Session Two from 7-10pm: includes Mixology Demonstrations, DJ & Entertainment.


OC JAPAN FAIR

Aug. 25th Sat. 2012

10:00 am - 10:00 pm

@

The Outlets at Orange

Interviews with Rita Repulsa, Lord Zedd and Goldar




From Power Morphicon interviews with the voice actors behind Rita Repulsa, Lord Zedd and Goldar.

Power Morphicon 2012 : Mega Force and the Blue Ranger

Power Morphicon filled the halls of the Pasadena Convention Center covering it in a rainbow of both power and ranger.

The event saw the new kids who will be doing Power Rangers Mega Force on Nickelodeon or one of it's channels. With it came the announcement that they'll be using the footage from the 35th Anniversary movie, which contains every known Power Ranger fighting! I have no idea how it will be re-dubbed as some of the power rangers are Japan only.

One of the more strange events was the special panel for David Yost, the original Blue Power Ranger. It was just him talking about his life which included coming out as gay, having a mental breakdown, and accepting himself while chilling out near the beach in Mexico. Questions from fans were mostly praise for his portrayal of Billy on the show. He also gave out prizes for the best questions. He's also with a group that's around for youth suicide prevention.

There was plenty more panels of different rangers to get lost in and plenty of past rangers to sign your helmets and toys. If you enjoyed the show in your youth or just started it was the best place to be for it.







more pictures after the jump