The staff at Jason Harris Promotions want to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.
Pictures from Super Megafest 2013
By Jason Harris
The DeLorean.
Aaron Ashmore of Smallvile.
Characters from DC Comics.
From right to left: Draco and Lucius Malfoy of Harry Potter.
A Victoria Secret Angel.
Orko from He-man and the Masters of the Universe.
The crowds at Super Megafest.
Bronson Pinchot of Perfect Stangers.
Spider-man.
Rogue of The X-men.
Shredder and the Foot Clan.
Ron Jeremy of One-Eyed Monster.
The Emperor, Joker, and Batman.
Tom Felton of Harry Potter.
Dorothy Gale of The Wizard of Oz.
Superman and Supergirl.
Eliza Dusku of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (center).
Spider-man.
Robert Remus a.k.a. Sgt. Slaughter.
The Tin Man and Dorothy.
Vonn Ray, professional cosplayer.
The Evil Witch.
Steampunk Batman.
Barbie Jean Blank a.k.a. Kelly Kelly with a fan.
A Jason Voorhees’ candy dish.
Batgirl and Green Arrow.
I Dream of Jeannie actors Bill Daily and Barbara Eden.
Christopher Lloyd.
Darth Maul.
Jack Sparrow and companion.
Ernie Hudson.
Vic Mignogna of Fullmetal Alchemist.
Super Megafest Happens this Weekend
New England’s Largest Multimedia Fanfest, Super Megafest, takes place at the Sheraton Framington Hotel in Framington. This two-day convention will have celebrities from television, the movies, comics, wrestling, rock and roll and more. Here are some of the celebrities who will be at Super Megafest: Christopher Lloyd, Eliza Dusku, Ray park, Ron Jeremy, Sgt. Slaughter, Billy West, Jon Heder, and Tom Felton.
There will also be a music fest, which starts at 7: 30 p.m. Saturday.
Along with the celebrities, there will also be a comic and collectibles room.
The convention operates from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Click on the links in this post for more information and ticket prices.
Machete Slices His Way to DVD
DANNY TREJO, MEL GIBSON, MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ, SOFIA VERGARA AND A STAR-STUDDED CAST
BREAK ALL THE RULES IN THIS EXPLOSIVE SEQUEL
MACHETE KILLS
BE THE FIRST TO OWN IT ON DIGITAL HD JANUARY 7, 2014
AND BRING HOME THE BLU-RAY COMBO PACK
INCLUDING BLU-RAY, DVD & DIGITAL HD WITH ULTRAVIOLET JANUARY 21, 2014
Get ready for the knife-wielding hero to return in Machete Kills, the sequel to the hugely successful Machetefilm from acclaimed director Robert Rodriguez. Machete Kills arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack including Blu-ray™, DVD, & Digital HD with UltraViolet™ and On Demand on January 21, 2014, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The film will also be available on Digital HD on January 7, 2014.
Danny Trejo (Grindhouse,Machete) returns as legendary ex-Federale Machete Cortez in this action-packed thrill ride from innovative director Robert Rodriguez. In his latest mission, Machete is recruited by the U.S. President (Charlie Sheen/Carlos Estevez;Anger Management, Two and a Half Men) to stop a crazed global terrorist (Mel Gibson;Braveheart, Edge of Darkness) from starting a nuclear war. With a bounty on his head, Machete breaks all the rules as he faces death at every turn from an all-star cast of deadly assassins.
Featuring Michelle Rodriguez (Fast & Furious 6), Sofia Vergara (“Modern Family”), Amber Heard (The Rum Diary), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), Cuba Gooding Jr. (The Butler), and Demian Bichir (A Better Life), Machete Kills is one of the wildest save-the-world adventures ever captured on film.
The Blu-ray Combo Pack includes a Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD with UltraViolet.
Bonus Features on Blu-ray and DVD
· DELETED & EXTENDED SCENES
· Making of Machete Kills
CAST AND FILMMAKERS:
Cast: Danny Trejo, Mel Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez, Sofia Vergara, Jessica Alba, Charlie Sheen/Carlos Estevez, Antonio Banderas, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Lady Gaga, Amber Heard, Vanessa Hudgens, Walt Goggins, William Sadler, Demian Bichir, Alexa Vega, Marko Zaror and Samuel Davis
Directed by: Robert Rodriguez
Screenplay by: Kyle Ward
Story by:Robert Rodriguez & Marcel Rodriguez
Producers: Robert Rodriguez, Marcel Rodriguez, Rick Schwartz, Sergei Bespalov, Alexander Rodnyansky, Aaron Kaufman, and Iliana Nikolic
Executive Producer: Boris Teterev, Jere Hausfater, Paris Kasidokostas Latsis, Terry Dougas, Anthony Gudas, Sam Englebardt, William D. Johnson, Alfonso Barragan, Jr., John Paul Dejoria
Associate Producer: Marina Bespalov
Director of Photography: Robert Rodriguez & Marcel Rodriguez
Production Designer: Steve Joyner
Editor: Robert Rodriguez & Rebecca Rodriguez
Original Music by: Robert Rodriguez & Carl Thiel
Costumes by: Nina Proctor
TECHNICAL INFORMATION – BLU-RAY
Street Date: January 21, 2014
Copyright: 2013 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Selection Numbers: 61126912
Running Time: 1 hour 48 minutes
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 1.85.1
Rating:R for strong violence throughout, language and some sexual content
Technical Info: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
TECHNICAL INFORMATION – DVD
Street Date: January 21, 2014
Copyright: 2013 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Selection Numbers: 61126913
Running Time: 1 hour 48 minutes
Layers: Dual Layer
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Rating:R for strong violence throughout, language and some sexual content
Technical Info: Dolby Digital 5.1 (English)
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Movie Review: ‘JFK Remembered: 50 Years Later’
By Stacey Longo
JFK Remembered: 50 Years Later, directed by Robert Kline, is one of a trilogy of documentaries that Warner Brothers Home Entertainment released on November 12, 2013 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
The documentary opens by asking why JFK’s presidency is still so memorable. The narrator offers a few answers: President Kennedy was vibrant, charismatic, and full of hope and idealism; however, these are just words. A better response would be “Here. Let’s just show you.”
For show us the documentarians do. The footage begins with a young John Kennedy announcing his candidacy for the presidency. The viewer is treated to rare footage from the campaign trail, and includes a memorable snippet in which the candidate addresses the issue of his Catholicism. “It matters not what kind of church I believe in . . . but what kind of America I believe in.” If you have no idea what kind of man President Kennedy was, you will soon come to realize that he was infinitely, undeniably, deliciously quotable.
The highlight of this section is not the 1960 televised debates in which Kennedy famously comes off as cool and polished while his opponent, then-Vice President Richard Nixon, seems shifty-eyed and nervous. It is instead the audio of one of Kennedy’s campaign ads, a catchy jingle proclaiming “It’s Kennedy, Kennedy, Kenn-e-dy for me!” It is a reminder of what an innocent time 1960 was, a contrast to the slander campaigns of today.
For a man who was only president for 1037 days (in comparison, by next September President Obama will have served for twice Kennedy’s term length) a lot happened during his tenure. After the election night coverage in Times Square, the documentary features footage from many of Kennedy’s presidential highlights: the formation of the Peace Corps, the Bay of Pigs invasion, granting the largest tax break in history, the desegregation of southern schools and the civil rights movement, the March on Washington, John Glenn’s space mission, Kennedy’s much-admired and still studied speech on peace and nuclear disarmament at American University, and more. Scenes from his visit to Berlin in June of 1963 are amazing. If you had any doubt that Kennedy wasn’t a phenomenon not only in his country but also around the world, this visit alone will convince you otherwise. The crowds of Germans cheering for him are in the hundreds of thousands—putting the Boston crowds after the Red Sox won the World Series to shame.
The film highlights the Cuban Missile Crisis, and JFK’s press conference announcing the missile activity and the evidence that the Soviet Union had lied is still riveting to this day. Thirteen days later, when the President announces that the crisis has passed, the stress and wear on his face is evident.
Sadly, we all know how this story ends. The documentary doesn’t delve into conspiracy theories, stating only that shots rang out in Dealey Plaza on November 22, 1963. The film ends with footage of the funeral, the grieving family, and reflections from two other charismatic presidents—Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan—remembering the vigorous, vibrant President of an earlier, more innocent time.
I would absolutely recommend JFK Remembered: 50 Years Later not only to those who want to recollect the captivating and engaging president of their youth, but to new generations who just don’t understand what all the fuss was about. John F. Kennedy was a communicator and a leader.
But these are just words. Let me just show you.
JFK Remembered: 50 Years Later is available through Warner Home Video individually or as part of the JFK 50th Commemorative Ultimate Collector’s Edition.
Pictures from Anthocon 2013
by Jason Harris
The third Anthocon has come to an end. All we have left are good memories and pictures until next year’s convention. Anthocon is organized by the Four Horsemen ( Timothy Deal, Mark Wholley, ZjOhnny Morse, and Danny Evarts). It’s an excellent convention where there are panels, author readings and vendors selling everything from books, t-shirts, wooden bookmarks and even lemon curd.
Post Mortem Press table.
Author and Books and Boos co-owner Stacey (Longo) Harris.
Authors Thomas A. Erb and T.G. Arsenault’s table.
The New England Horror Writers’ table.
Author Holly Newstein Hautala giving Anthocon’s Keynote address.
From left to right: authors Morven Westfield, Errick Nunnally, Trisha Wooldridge, and Jennifer Allis Provost.
Artist Stephanie Johnson’s artwork in the Art Show.
Author and editor Stacey Longo introducing Wicked Seasons, which she edited for the New England Horror Writers.
Author Kristi Petersen Schoonover reading her story in Wicked Seasons.
Anthocon organizer Tim Deal.
The Gnombies table.
Author T.T. Zuma behind the New England Horror Writers’ table.
Paranormal author Jolynne Valerie.
From left to right: authors and NEHW members Morven Westfield, Scott Goudsward, and Gordon Bean.
Anthocon’s vendor room.
Authors John Goodrich and T.T. Zuma.
Authors K. Allen Wood and Catherine Grant.
Secret Things author Stacey Longo reading her story in Anthology: Year Two: Inner Demons Out.
Author David North-Martino reading his story in Anthology: Year Two: Inner Demons Out.
Author Tracy Carbone at the Shadowridge Press table.
Items on the Books and Boos table.
Author Catherine Grant signing a copy of Wicked Seasons.
A lot of activity at the Books and Boos table.
Author Scott Goudsward reading his story in Wicked Seasons.
More artwork in the Art Show.
Author Tracy Carbone reading her story in Anthology: Year Two: Inner Demons Out.
Authors Gordon Bean and Jennifer Allis Provost.
Authors Stacey Longo and Trevor Firetog.
The offerings of Shock Totem.
Author K. Allen Wood.
Authors Laura Hickman and Kelli Jones.
The artwork of Charles Day.
Authors Peter Dudar and L.L. Soares.
Authors Errick Nunnally and Trisha Wooldridge.
Authors Kelli Jones and L.L. Soares.
Authors Scott Goudsward and Kristi Petersen Schoonover.
Author Rob Smales.
Author Rob Smales reading his story in Wicked Seasons.
Date for ‘Riddick’ DVD Announced
VIN DIESEL RETURNS AS THE MOST WANTED MAN IN THE UNIVERSE IN A STUNNING NEW CHAPTER OF THE EXPLOSIVE SCI-FI ADVENTURE FRANCHISE
RIDDICK
BE THE FIRST TO OWN IT ON DIGTAL HD DECEMBER 17, 2013
NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN UNRATED DIRECTOR’S CUT WITH ALTERNATE ENDING COMING TO BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK INCLUDING BLU-RAY, DVD
& DIGITAL HD WITH ULTRAVIOLET™ JANUARY 14, 2014
ALSO AVAILABLE: RIDDICK: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION INCLUDING RIDDICK, PITCH BLACK AND THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK PLUS THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK: DARK FURY
Vin Diesel returns to the larger-than-life role that made him a global superstar as Riddick blasts its way onto Blu-ray Combo Pack including Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD with UltraViolet on January 14, 2014, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The film will also be available on Digital HD December 17, 2013. The third feature film installment of the blockbuster series returns to its hardcore action roots with an all-new, no-holds-barred adventure from writer and director David Twohy, creator of the hit franchise.
Debuting an Unrated Director’s Cut with even more intense, heart-pounding sequences not shown in theaters and an alternate ending, the Blu-ray Combo Pack includes bonus features that reveal the behind-the-scenes secrets of the heart-stopping thriller’s incredible cast, uniquely talented crew and cutthroat characters. In addition, Riddick will be available in a new collection that includes all three movies in the groundbreaking franchise: Pitch Black, The Chronicles of Riddick and Riddick plus The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury from Emmy Award-Winning animator, Peter Chung (“Æon Flux”).
In an electrifying return to his signature role, Diesel heads up an internationally acclaimed cast that includes Karl Urban (Star Trek franchise), Katee Sackhoff (“Battlestar Galactica”), Jordi Mollà (Columbiana), WWE superstar Dave Bautista (upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy), Noah Danby (“Defiance”), Danny Blanco Hall (Immortals), Bokeem Woodbine (Total Recall), Matt Nable (Killer Elite), Raoul Trujillo (Apocalypto), Conrad Pla (Immortals), Neil Napier (White House Down), Nolan Gerard Funk (“Aliens in America”) and two-time Grammy Award nominee Keri Lynn Hilson.
The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack includes a Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD with UltraViolet.
- Blu-ray™ unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
- DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.
- DIGITAL HD with Ultraviolet lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download movies to watch on iPad®, iPhone®, Android™, smart TVs, connected Blu-ray players, game consoles, and more.
Bonus Features Exclusively on Blu-rayTM
- The Twohy Touch—In this short film, writer and director David Twohy explains the development of Riddick, the third feature film in his high-concept sci-fi series. Interviews and on-set footage detail Twohy’s vision and inspiration, as well as the creative collaboration between the filmmaker and star Vin Diesel that takes the cult franchise to a new level.
- Riddickian Tech—The filmmakers, including Riddick’s amazing effects team, talk about the extraordinary technologies used to create Riddick’s eye-popping sci-fi elements, from the practical effects to the green screen wonders that made it possible to bring this high-intensity, futuristic thriller to the big screen.
- The World Of Riddick—Key members of the filmmaking team, including director David Twohy, production designer Joseph C. Nemec III and director of photography David Eggby talk about the inspiration and influences behind the film’s vivid and unique visuals and savage predators.
Bonus Features on Blu-rayTM and DVD
- Vin’s Riddick—Vin Diesel, his co-stars and the entire filmmaking team provide an inside look at the superstar’s passion for everything from the film’s production and development to his intensive physical training, as well as just what makes Diesel ideal for the role of the indestructible Richard B. Riddick.
- Meet The Mercs—From Karl Urban and Katee Sackhoff to Jordi Mollà, Dave Bautista, Bokeem Woodbine, and Nolan Gerard Funk, this featurette spotlights the dynamic supporting cast of Riddick and the characters they portray, exploring what the actors bring to their roles, as well as the weapons and clothing styles that define them to enhance this heart-stopping thriller.
- Riddick: Blindsided—A motion comic prequel to Riddick that fills in the gap since 2004’s The Chronicles of Riddick.
SYNOPSIS
Global action-superstar Vin Diesel reprises his breakthrough role in Riddick, the much-anticipated new chapter in the epic adventures of the most wanted man in the universe. The all-new thriller finds the title character trapped on a sun-scorched planet and pursued by ruthless bounty hunters eager to collect the reward for Riddick’s capture—dead or alive. Savage alien creatures, expansive desert landscapes, monster storms, jet hogs and an arsenal of futuristic weaponry make this the most exhilarating episode to date in writer and director David Twohy’s breathtaking series of futuristic blockbusters.
CAST AND FILMMAKERS:
Cast: Vin Diesel, Jordi Mollà, Matt Nable, Katee Sackoff, Karl Urban, Dave Bautista, N, Bokeem Woodbine, Matt Nable, Raoul Trujillo, Nolan Gerard Funk, and Karl Urban as Vaako
Directed by: David Twohy
Screenplay by: David Twohy
Based on Characters Created By: Jim Wheat & Ken Wheat
Producers: Vin Diesel, Ted Field
Executive Producers: Samantha Vincent, Mike Drake, George Zakk
Director of Photography: David Eggby, ACS
Production Designer: Joseph Nemec III
Editor: Tracy Adams
Costume Designer: Simonetta Mariano
Original Music By: Graeme Revell
TECHNICAL INFORMATION –BLU-RAY™
Street Date: January 14, 2014
Copyright: 2014 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Selection Numbers: 61125056 (US)
Running Time: 1 hour, 59 minutes/2 hours, 7 minutes (Unrated)
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2.40:1
Rating: R for strong violence, language and some sexual content and nudity/Unrated
Technical Info: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/DVS DD 2.0 (English); Digital Surround 5.1 (Spanish)
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
TECHNICAL INFORMATION – DVD
Street Date: January 14, 2014
Copyright: 2014 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Selection Numbers: 61124928 (US)
Running Time: 1 hour, 59 minutes
Layers: Dual Layer
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1
Rating: R for strong violence, language and some sexual content and nudity/Unrated
Technical Info: Dolby Digital 5.1/DVS DD; Dolby Digital 5.1 (Spanish)
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
The movie’s official website is www.riddickmovie.com
Pictures from the 2013 Rhode Island Comic Con
By Jason Harris
The second Rhode Island Comic Con held at the Rhode Island Convention Center was a big success. The attendance for this year was around 33,000, which was close to 11,000 more than last year’s convention. There were some issues with pre-sale tickets and a few celebrities such as Anthony Michael Hall, Jett Lucas, and Nichelle Nichols weren’t able to make it because of the gunman who shot up Terminal 3 at the Los Angeles International Airport Friday morning. Nichols felt so bad about missing the convention that she has already signed on for next year’s convention.
Comic Con had the entire convention center this year so the organizers were able to make more room in the aisles so there was plenty of room to browse the vendor tables and get pictures of the cosplay that were on display around the entire convention. There were people dressed as characters from movies, television, comic books, video games and books.
C. Thomas Howell
J. Jonah Jameson
Julie Newmar
Author Rob Watts with some Visitiors.
Abby Sciuto of NCIS.
Burt Ward and Adam West on the Batman panel.
Author Eric Dimbleby
WWE wrestler and author Kenny Dykstra (Billy’s Bully)
The Connecticut Visitors (www.facebook.com/CTVisitors)
Jonathan Silverman
Authors Erin Thorne, Stacey Longo, and Rob Watts at the Books and Boos booth.
Danny Glover
Sarah Douglas
A member of the Connecticut Visitors
WWE wrestler Kevin Nash.
The Dome of Sci-fi Saturday Night talking with Nicholas Brendon.
James Tolkan from the Back to the Future movies.
Jim Dyer of Fenham Publishing.
SWF wrestler Yukon Jack
Nikki Clyne with some fans
Survivor’s Richard Hatch talking with author Stacey Longo.
Barf with author Rob Watts
Ernie Hudson
WWE wrestler Danny Davis
Author Stacey Longo with Sloth.
Author Erin Thorne with some Steampunk characters.
WWE announcer/referee Howard Finkle
Artist Seth McCombs.
Authors Rob Watts and Stacey Longo
Billy Dee Williams
Me with Leslie Easterbrook. Photo by Stacey Longo.
I hope everyone enjoyed the pictures.
An Interview with Author Joe Knetter
By Jason Harris
Author Joe Knetter holding Vile Beauty.
Author Joe Knetter started writing ten years ago after being a lifelong horror fan. His start came when he was online and found a publisher who was looking for stories.
“I thought it would be fun to give it a shot, so I wrote four and sent them in.”
All four of his stories were accepted, he said. Since then, he has written many more stories with interesting titles. His favorite title is “For the Love of Orson Welles’ Fat Black Ejaculate,” which can be found in his collection, Vile Beauty.
“It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever,” Knetter said about the title. “I was stoned one night. I just randomly said that. I can’t remember what about.”
He ended up writing that story for a gross-out contest. After submitting it and people started reading it, the contest organizers changed the rules so that his story was excluded, Knetter said.
“Vile Beauty is really nasty. It’s more for shock value and over-the-top stuff. The other stuff is a little more mellow. Zombie Bukkake is obviously pretty out there.”
There are times Knetter will come up with the title first, then work the story around it.
He has a new story, “Crack in the Sarcophagus,” appearing in Canopic Jars: Tales of Mummies and Mummification, which debuts this month at Anthocon.
“I think it’s going to be a fun book.”
He loves attending horror conventions, and attends quite a few. When he first started out, he would attend up to 14 a year. This year he has only been to three, including Rock & Shock.
“Being that there are so many shows across the country, it kind of gets oversaturated a little bit.”
At his first convention, his goal was to sell one book. At one of the many conventions he has attended since that first one, he met his girlfriend of four years, Sarah French.
“The goal is always to make money, but it’s just as important for me to network,” Knetter said about conventions. “The shows are fun. It’s great to meet people.”
He did have a fan come to a show once whom he later found out was disturbed. This fan later arrested for putting bombs in vibrators, which is what Knetter used in one of his stories, he said. The fan was caught before anyone got hurt. He would have felt bad if someone had gotten hurt, but realized that if the fan didn’t react to something he wrote, he would have reacted to someone else’s work.
“Lucky enough, he was stupid enough not to do it right. Thank god. Horror fans are good people generally. They’re not troublemakers.”
He did have another fan buy one of his books that was poorly edited early on in his career. This fan highlighted his mistakes in the book then brought it back and gave it to him, Knetter said. “That was pretty comical, actually.”
Inspiration strikes Knetter everywhere. He has used an old mental hospital his mother worked at as a setting in a few stories. He has also written about a haunted hotel his girlfriend lived in while growing up. His story, “Room 17,” describes what happened at that hotel.
“I had to change the name of the hotel by one letter. Legally, I’m good to go now.”
He has been inspired by the early work of Clive Barker and is a huge Stephen King fan. His work has been compared to Wrath James White and Edward Lee.
His advice to writers is to just write, but don’t expect to make money, because writers don’t make much.
“Write because you have to tell the story and hope that you get lucky enough that it finds someone who likes it. You have to keep writing.”
You can find out more about Knetter on his website, click here.
Happy Halloween!
Everyone at Jason Harris Promotions wishes you a safe and Happy Halloween!
