Jul 2 2016

Wreck-It Ralph is Coming Back for a Sequel

WALT DISNEY ANIMATION STUDIOS WELCOMES WRECK-IT RALPH BACK TO THE BIG SCREEN FOR A SMASHING SEQUEL

Original Voice Cast Members John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman Set to Return

Ralph Wrecks the Mobile Game Disney Crossy Road in Celebration of the Announcement

Wreck-It Ralph is heading back to the big screen, and this time, he’s wrecking the internet. The Oscar®-nominated Walt Disney Animation Studios team from the original film is reteaming for the follow-up, including director Rich Moore (Zootopia, The Simpsons) and producer Clark Spencer (Zootopia, Bolt). Phil Johnston (writer, Wreck-It Ralph, Zootopia, Cedar Rapids) joins Moore as director and a writer on the project. John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman return as the bad-guy-turned-good, Ralph, and the girl with the game-winning glitch, Vanellope von Schweetz. The untitled sequel will hit theaters—literally—on March 9, 2018.

The filmmakers and Reilly made the announcement on Facebook Live on June 30.

“From the moment we started working on the first Wreck-It Ralph, we knew there were so many possibilities with these characters,” said Moore, who has been developing it since shortly after the release of the first film, and while directing this year’s critically-acclaimed hit Zootopia with Byron Howard. “This time, Ralph’s wrecking wreaks havoc on the Web—as only he can do. Characters we loved in the first film are back and we are ecstatic to be working with them—and the actors who voice them—once again.”

The world of the internet is the perfect place to send Ralph and Vanellope,” said Johnston. “The scope and scale are so vast and the possibilities for comedy are endless.”“Ralph is a character very near and dear to my heart,” added Reilly. “I’m really looking forward to playing the big lug again. Making the first ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ was one of the most special experiences I’ve ever had and I’m really looking forward to bringing him back to life. So many kids I’ve met all over the world are excited to see him again, too. They tell me all the time!”

Wrecking the internet.

When Wreck-It Ralph opened on Nov. 2, 2012, it turned in the highest opening weekend ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film at the time of release. Nominated for an Oscar® and Golden Globe® for best animated feature, Wreck-It Ralph won the PGA Award for outstanding producer of an animated theatrical motion picture as well as five Annie Awards, including best animated feature, director, cast and screenplay. The film was named best animated feature by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, earned outstanding achievement in casting for an animated feature by the Casting Society of America, and won the Kids’ Choice Award for favorite animated movie.

DISNEY CROSSY ROAD WRECKED

As Moore, Johnston and Reilly revealed the news on Facebook Live on June 30, Disney’s hit mobile game, Disney Crossy Road, was wrecked by Ralph in celebration of the announcement. Starting today, as fans play through the 12 different Disney and Pixar worlds of Disney Crossy Road, Ralph may appear and ‘wreck’ part of their gameplay.

“Wreck-It Ralph has been one of the most popular worlds to play in Disney Crossy Road, so it made perfect sense to celebrate Ralph’s return by letting him go outside his world and ‘wreck’ other parts of the game,” said Chris Heatherly, SVP & GM, Disney Apps and Games. “We are big fans of the first film, as are our players, and can’t wait to see how the next chapter unfolds.”

“GIGANTIC” DATE-CHANGE

The animated feature Gigantic, originally announced as Disney’s March 9, 2018, release, will be released on November 21, 2018.

Jun 15 2016

Robbie Amell Needs a Date to the LA Premiere for ‘Nine Lives’

Calling all felines.

Robbie Amell needs a plus one to the LA premiere of Nine Lives, and he wants it to be you! Full disclosure: you weren’t the first choice.

EuropaCorp has partnered with Omaze to offer fans the chance to win a photo shoot with the world’s most famous cats (Lil BUB, Nala, Waffles, Pudge and more), and meet Robbie at the LA premiere. Fans can enter for the chance to win for as little as $10. All proceeds will go to the ASPCA and Best Friends Animal Society.

Watch the Omaze video HERE:

For more information, click here ME-OW.

Nine Lives hits theaters everywhere on Aug. 5.

Jun 12 2016

Pictures from Scare-A-Con New England

By Jason Harris

Scare-A-Con took place the first weekend of June at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA.

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Sean Whalen (The People Under the Stairs, Twister)

Steve Marshall and Jill Whitlow (both star in Night of the Creeps)

Author Stacey Longo.

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Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters, Grace and Frankie)

Freddy Krueger enjoying a cocktail.

Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp).

Jordan Ladd (Death Proof, Club Dread).

The Massachusetts Ghostbusters.

Michael Myers.

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Tony Moran

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Adrienne Barbeau (Swamp Thing, The Fog)

Tom Atkins (Night of the Creeps, The Fog).

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Jason Lively (Night of the Creeps).

Joe Bob Briggs.

Me with P.J. Soles (Halloween).

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Authors Matthew M. Bartlett and Tom Breen.

Wrestler Greg the Hammer Valentine.

The crew behind Fat Foot Films.

James Lorenz and Patty Mullen (Frankenhooker).

Butch Patrick (The Munsters).

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Glenn Hetrick.

Ernie Hudson.

Jun 8 2016

Help a Connecticut Business

S & L Editing is a Connecticut-based business that offers professional editing and proofreading services for authors, students, and business professionals. They are trying to win a $25,000 grant from FedEx.

You can find read S & L Editing’s “elevator pitch” and find out about the business here.

To help them in their cause, click here. People can vote once every 24-hour period until June 13.

Check out their website here and their Facebook page here.

Jun 1 2016

Dory After Dark

Fans Invited to Dive into a Double Dose of Dory After Dark on Thursday, June 16, 2016

Dory won the hearts of fans worldwide in 2003’s Academy Award®-winning Finding Nemo. This summer, that forgetful blue tang is back on the big screen in Finding Dory. On Thursday, June 16, 2016, the day before the movie officially opens in theaters, Dory’s biggest fans will have an opportunity to see both movies back to back with Dory After Dark.

More than 90 locations in North America will take part in this one-night event, when moviegoers will be treated to a late-night screening of Finding Nemo before joining a select few fans as the very first to see the much-anticipated follow-up, Finding Dory.

Kicking off at 9 p.m. (exact time may vary by location), Dory After Dark is more than a double feature, it’s a celebration that invites fans to dive in with Dory, Marlin and Nemo, plus new friends Hank, Destiny and Bailey. Guests will receive an event-exclusive Dory After Dark reusable bag and an “I Speak Whale” button. There will also be opportunities to share the experience throughout the evening with custom Snapchat filters.Tickets are on sale now. Here’s a list of theaters: https://ohmy.disney.com/movies/2016/05/31/see-a-double-feature-screening-of-finding-nemo-and-finding-dory-at-dory-after-dark.

FINDING NEMO AS TOLD BY EMOJI

In anticipation of the release of Finding Dory, Disney presents the latest in their series of emoji-infused retellings with Finding Nemo As Told By Emoji.

Dec 1 2015

New ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ Trailer Debuts Wednesday

A new trailer for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice debuts this Wednesday. All you have to do to watch the new trailer is tune in to Jimmy Kimmel Live tomorrow, Dec. 2, at 11:35 p.m./10:35 CT. Here’s an exclusive sneak at YouTube: https://youtu.be/6as8ahAr1Uc.

Nov 19 2015

Talking with Ken Reid, The TV Guidance Counselor

By Jason Harris

Courtesy of Ken Reid’s Tumblr page.

Ken Reid is a stand-up comedian and a podcaster, TV Guidance Counselor. He will be attending the New England Super Megafest this weekend. He will be performing Friday night at the Cosplay Comedy Kickoff Party. I had the pleasure recently to ask a number of questions about

Q: In 2003, you decided to try your hand at stand-up. What was the impetuous behind that decision?

A: I had been in bands from 1996-1999 or so, I am in no way shape or form a musician, but always wanted to perform. Once the band broke up and I had no musicians to ride the coattails of I thought stand up was my only route. I always liked comedy and watched tons of stand up, so i gave it a go.

Q: How many stand-up engagements do you perform in a year?

A: I average about 2 a week so 100-150 a year is probably about the normal.

Q: Do you have any engagements coming up? If yes, where and when?

A: I’ve taken the rest of 2015 off for the most part for a much needed breather, but I’m still doing the podcast weekly and will be back to frequent shows in 2016. My updated schedule is always at ikenreid.com

Q: When did the idea for your podcast, TV Guidance Counselor, come about?

A: Friend and fellow comic Sean Sullivan basically told me that I have all these TV Guides, when people come over my house we often will flip through them and discuss old shows, why not just do that as a podcast? I wanted to do a podcast for a long time but didn’t have a great idea that would be different from the usual two comics just chatting format, until Sean threw that at me. I also do almost no pop culture stuff in my stand up, despite that occupying a huge part of my brain, so it was a great excuse to exercise a lot of that stuff.

Q: When did you start collecting TV Guides?

A: As early as I can remember. There are photos of me at age 2 with a TV Guide in my hand.

Q: What issue made you want to collect TV Guides?

A: Not sure if it’s a specific issue really . I like having the little digest sized time machine on hand.

Q: Are you still collecting?

A: Not new issues, but if I see some old ones I don’t have, I grab them.

Q: What were some of your favorite shows growing up?

A: Just the Ten of Us is a lifelong favorite, Newhart, Parker Lewis Can’t Lose, The Adventures of Pete and Pete. The Facts of Life. Weirdly I’ve been lucky enough to have people who’ve been on all those shows guest on my podcast.

Q: What are some of your favorite shows now?

A: Weirdly I don’t watch too much new stuff. I like The Flash, and I still watch Supernatural. Fringe was the only show I watched weekly as it came out and LOVED in the last few years. I think it is the best sci-fi show of all time.

Q: Who are some of the people you would like to have on your podcast?

A: I do have some dream guests. Paul “Pee Wee Herman” Reubens, Cassanda “Elvira” Peterson, John Larroquette, John Waters.

Q: You will be at Super Megafest in November and the Pop Culture Expo in December, are these the first conventions you have been a guest at?

A: Weirdly no. Gary at North East Comic Con has had me do live TV Guidance Counselors at the last few. I always have a good time. Last year, I did the stand up show at Super Megafest, which was also fun.

Q: What drew you to being a guest at a convention?

A: They asked, and I’m almost always there anyway, so it’s a win-win.

Q: Are there any comedians you looked up to growing up?

A: Dana Gould was my absolute #1 for sure. I was also always a huge Bob Newhart fan.

Q: Who are some comedians today that you would suggest people go see?

A: Hmm….I’d still go with Dana Gould.

Q: Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to become a comedian?

A: Don’t do it! But if you must be prepared to be terrible for at least two years even if you think you are. Don’t do it with a goal in mind, just do it to enjoy doing it and you’ll be fine.

If you are free this weekend, go to Super Megafest to hear Ken and to meet a lot of celebrities. Find out more information here.

Aug 26 2015

Find Out about ‘My Peculiar Family’

By Stacey Longo

About a year ago, the crew over at Sci-Fi Saturday Night contacted me about a book project they were thinking of putting together. The Dome enthusiastically described how he had a bunch of old photographs of people. What did I think of the idea of sending those photos to various authors with just a character name and occupation, and having the authors write the stories of those people’s lives?

It sounded like a heck of a lot of fun to me. Some time later, I got an e-mail.

Stacey,

Your character’s name is Gussie, and she works in an apothecary. Other than that, go for it!

As soon as I saw the cheerful, bright-eyed young woman in the photo, her story started coming to me. Taking a page from William Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, I decided Gussie would be the person the women in town would discreetly visit when they found themselves with a problem. Perhaps they were unhappy about being in the family way. Or were in need of a way out of an abusive marriage. Woman problems. You see.

But what town? Gussie looked like a sturdy New Englander to me. And in what town, did I think, would women who had . . . problems . . . seek dark solutions? Fall River, Massachusetts, of course. I had the first draft of “Miss Elizabeth’s Poison” done in a week, and the final version done within the month.

It was a blast to write. Now we need your help to get it in print.

Sci-Fi Saturday Night has started a Kickstarter program to fund the final publication of My Peculiar Family. There’s an impressive lineup of authors in the anthology, including James A. Moore, Tracy Hickman, and William Meikle, among others. To donate (and snag some impressive rewards), please visit here; and support the arts.

You’ll be glad you did, I can promise you.

May 31 2015

Connecticut Author to Discuss Her ‘Ordinary Boy’

Author Stacey Longo, who has had two books published this year by two different publishers, will be discussing one of them this coming Wednesday, June 3, at the Douglas Library in Hebron, Connecticut. She will be reading and discussing Ordinary Boy, which was published by Dark Alley Press, an imprint of Vagabondage Press, in March. The event runs from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. The library is located at 22 Main St.

My Mom Has MS, is the second book Longo had published this year. It was published by Books and Boos Press. The book was inspired by Longo’s friend, Renee Holder’s child, Patrick, who has been asking friends to donate to the MS Society for his birthday instead of buying him birthday presents. He’s been doing this since 2008, when Renee was diagnosed with the disease.

My Mom Has MS, which is geared towards children, was written and illustrated by Longo.

Convention

Her newest books and her short story collection, Secret Things, will be available at the Books & Boos table at AnthoCon this coming weekend. There will be a number of anthologies she has had stories published in, including Insanity Tales, available at the table as well. Longo will be available at the table throughout the weekend.

Bookstore Event

On Saturday, June 27, Longo will be reading from Ordinary Boy at the Book Club in Broad Brook, CT. The event runs from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The bookstore is located at 100 Main Street.