Joe Sergi's Cup of Geek
 Universal has announced a brand-new microsite for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Accessible through UniversalOrlando.com, the site currently features:
The website begins a new brand campaign – “Be Courageous. Be Outrageous. Be Extraordinary.” – showing viewers that Universal Orlando Resort is the only theme park destination in the world where you can soar above Hogwarts castle with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man and help Shrek save Princess Fiona in Shrek 4-D and more. “We are incredibly excited to be launching our new brand campaign for Universal Orlando Resort with a glimpse of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” said Alice Norsworthy, executive vice president of marketing and sales for Universal Orlando Resort. “We know our guests will be thrilled to see the excitement in store for them once this new area opens this spring.” Inspired by J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will provide visitors with a one-of-a-kind experience complete with multiple themed attractions, shops and a restaurant. This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar. Abraham Lincoln in Science Fiction 02/15/2010
 It’s President’s Day in the United States. Originally, called Washington's Birthday, the federal holiday was originally created by the United States Congress in 1880 for government offices in the District of Columbia and expanded in 1885 to include all federal offices and was the first federal holiday to honor an American citizen. Originally, celebrated on February 22 (Washington’s real birthday), in 1971, the federal holiday was shifted to the third Monday in February by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. In true government efficiency, this means that the holiday can never actually fall on Washington's birthday. Because of the close proximity of Lincoln's and Washington Birthdays, Washington's Birthday holiday would become known as Presidents Day. In honor of that day, I thought I would highlight top appearances of Abraham Lincoln throughout Science Fiction. New Toy Story 3 Trailer 02/12/2010
 ScifiWire has the new Toy Story 3 Trailer. I can't wait for this movie; especially since I was able to experience Toy Story 1 and 2 on the big screen my four year old daughter during its most recent rerelease. With regards to Toy Story 3, i expect creative gags and a compelling story. I also expect there to be an opening montage that shows how Andy has outgrown his toys will make me openly weep (like I did in Pixar's Up). The movie opens June 18, 2010.  On June 1, 2008, a three alarm fire broke out on the backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood. Several areas were destroyed, including Brownstone Street, New York Street, New England Street, the King Kong ride, some structures that make up Courthouse Square, the War of the Worlds movie set, and the Video Vault had burnt down Days after the fire, however, it was reported that the King Kong attraction would not be rebuilt and would eventually be replaced by a new attraction that had yet to be announced. In August 2008, Universal changed its position and decided to rebuild the King Kong attraction, basing the new attraction on the 2005 film adaptation. Well, Universal has finally released the details of the attraction in a new press release. More after the jump. Comics Experience Book Club: Sandman 02/10/2010
 Last night, we had our Comics Experience Book Club. Once again, it was a great experience, which I highly recommend for both fans and aspiring comic's creators. This month's book was Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman. Not only did we discuss Gaiman's history and the elements of the story. But, we also delved into the story structure, art framing, and creative choices made by Gaiman. For example, we discussed the fact that Morpheus really doesn't behave as a typical protaganist since he is not the one who brings about the climax of the book. I won't say more for fear of spoiling the story. It is exactly this type of insight that makes these monthly book clubs a joy to take part in. More after the jump. Disney Shuts Down Miramax 02/09/2010
 Disney has decided to shut down Miramax Films, the art-house production company founded by brothers Bob and Harvey Weinstein in 1979 and bought by Disney in 1993 (The Weinsteins left in 2005 over a creative dispute). Miramax has been credited for launching the careers of directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith and Steven Soderbergh. produced Oscar winners such as “Shakespeare in Love”, “The Piano” and “Chicago”, has been closed down by the Walt Disney Company, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday. Apparently, Disney plans to keep Miramax alive as a brand in name only. This means that around 80 people in New York and Los Angeles offices will lose their jobs. Planet Hulk is Fun, but may be inaccessible to new viewers (potential spoilers behind bars) 02/08/2010
 I really enjoyed this. I liked that they replaced Silver Surfer with BetaRay Bill since it tied Korg's back story into the main story. The only problem I had with the movie was accessibility. If someone didn't read comics and learned everything they knew about Hulk from mainstream media, I think the idea of a thinking Hulk (who doesn't change to Banner when he is knocked unconscious) would be jarring. I wonder, in hindsight, if they should have added a scene explaining how this evolved (or even changed it to a dumbed version that being on the Planet made him able to think.) Then again, I have been reading comics for nearly 35 years and I can't really consistently explain why there were Hulk Smash comics out at the same time as Intelligent Hulk comics. I will also say that one of my favorite moments in the series was omitted where Hulk shows Caiera that he is also Banner. Nonetheless, a great movie and I enjoyed it immensely. The action scenes are strong. Be warned if you have kiddies, the movie is unrated. But, I think it earns a PG-13. The Thor: Tales of Asgard preview wasn't bad, but was reminiscent of Avengers Next movie. I would rather have had another mainstream movie. I hope Marvel (like DC) continues the trend of animating great comic story lines. However, I hope they avoid the Hulk for a while since he was featured in six of the last eight Marvel animated movies. Marvel has over a thousand characters; it's time to have another one share the Hulk's spotlight. Interesting DVDs and Blu-rays Out This Week 02/04/2010
A couple of interesting geek movies came out this week.  Zombieland was a great movie. I reviewed it here.   Planet Hulk. I picked this up, but haven't finished it yet. What I have seen has been true to the original storyline. I will review it when I finish it. I actually am very interested to see if they set up the potential for World War Hulk at the end. Transformers is the Avatar of the Razzies 02/03/2010
 The Golden Raspberry Awards, frequently called the Razzies, is an award ceremony to recognize the worst in film. Founded by American copywriter and publicist John J.B. Wilson in 1981, the event precedes the corresponding Academy Award ceremony by one day. The awards themselves cost US $4.79 each, in the form of a "golfball-sized raspberry" which sits atop a Super 8 mm film reel; the whole of which is spray-painted gold. I have heard people discussing the fact that Sandra Bullock may be the first person to ever be nominated for an Academy Award and a Razzie in the same year. What I found even more interesting is that fact that Jonas brothers were nominated for playing themselves. I also strongly believe that Halle Berry (who also has an Oscar and a Razzie) was robbed as Catwoman was clearly one of the worst movies of the decade. Perhaps they went easy on her since she actually picked her Razzie when she won for the film in 2005. She took the stage carrying her Monster’s Ball Oscar and said, “"I want to thank Warner Brothers for casting me in this piece of ****." She then dragged her agent on stage and warned him "next time read the script first." The press release and a complete list of 2009 nominees after the jump.  Since he first appeared in Steam Boat Willie (or Plane Crazy if you count being drawn as opposed to being released), Mickey has captured our hearts. Now, the Disney Store wants you to open your hearts to celebrate "I Love Mickey Month" and have planned some fun free events for kids and some lower priced items for adults. Details after the jump. | Joe's Cup of GeekTrying to keep you up with all the news, reviews and views that's fit for geeks. ArchivesMarch 2010 |
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