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Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Why I'm Going to Four Geek Conventions This Year

YTD: I have attended one geek convention and have tickets for three more. Even I know this is overdoing it, so I feel compelled to explain.

1. San Diego Comic Con

My badge for this event was purchased in February. I went last year and the same people I went with wanted to go this year. So did I, so that was easy. After the figurative magic I experienced last year, I wasn't going to say no this year. I'll go until I'm tired of going or until I want to save for a bigger trip, whichever comes first. 

2. Salt Lake FanX (or "wait, they're doing a second Comic Con?")

The first Salt Lake Comic Con last year wasn't all that great (understandably so, since they originally had the Sandy Expo Center booked and 2,000 people in mind) and the FanX event just seemed like a way to squeeze more money out of the public. I hadn't planned on going, but then they announced that James Marsters was coming. 


Seriously. How am I supposed to pass up the opportunity to meet Spike? That, plus my brother (who is currently in Afghanistan) asked me if I would take his daughter since he wouldn't be here to. Come on. Who says no to that? 


And look how cute she is in her Merida dress with the Ghostbusters gear! 

3. Salt Lake Comic Con

Yes, I have already purchased my ticket. Mainly because a 3 day pass generally costs $60, but they're way dang on sale right now and I got mine for $33. I'm not overly excited for anyone yet (some cool people, but no one draws me the way James Marsters did), but I figured, eh. I'm probably going to go anyway, might as well save some money. Oh, and turns out it was worth it so far because Eliza Dushku will be there. It's now my goal to get a picture with as many Scoobies as I can. Even though Faith wasn't ever tight with the group. Poor Faith... 

4. Fantasy Con

I saw a billboard for this and thought, 'that might be fun. Smaller turnout, maybe?' I was on the fence about going (again, 3 day passes are $60), but today I found out that Simon Pegg will be there. I love few people as much as I love Simon Pegg. He has long been my biggest celebrity crush (for I have many) and when I went to London a couple years ago, I actually daydreamed about bumping into him on the street. This is what a fangirl looks like. 

Sadly, that didn't happen, but I have been in fairly close proximity to him (four seats away to be exact - I'll never get tired of telling that story) and it was delightful. Hopefully this time I'll get a picture with him. 



And no, I don't go to cons just for the famous people. Although that is a big draw. Especially now that I have my "name dropping wall." 

I just added up about how much money I'll be spending at cons this year, what with tickets, merchandise, autographs, photos, hotel, food, gas... Sigh... At least only one of these is out of state! 

Monday, May 12, 2014

For Your Consideration

With all the awesome comic book movies coming out, it's got me thinking about all the awesome comic book movies that aren't coming out. Here's a few movie and casting ideas for WB/DC, Disney/Marvel, Sony, Fox, and any other studio who has the movie rights to super heroes (even though I really only trust Marvel to make really good super hero movies at this point). And yes, the majority of these are women, because duh.

Wonder Woman - Gina Torres


I think at this point there is more fan art depicting Gina Torres as Wonder Woman than any other actress. The amount of awesome that would exist if this movie were made would make geek world implode (except for those few, yet loud, douche bags saying, "wah! Wonder Woman isn't black, wah! Why is it okay to cast a black person for a white character but not the other way around? Wah!" Douche bags...)

Seriously though, first thing I'm going to do when I die is watch the first (for there are several) Wonder Woman trilogies written by Joss Whedon and starring Gina Torres. Even her husband (the great Lawrence Fishburne) has said that his wife is, in fact, Wonder Woman (she apparently has the lasso and everything!)


Jessica Jones - Tatiana Maslany


Alias is one of my favorite comics and I'm thrilled that they're bringing the story to the small screen through Netflix. Jessica Jones is a former super hero turned private eye and you get a viewpoint not generally seen with her. I'd like to see several actresses portray Jones, but my favorite right now is Tatiana Maslany. If you haven't watched Orphan Black, stop reading and go do that now. She plays a set of clones (eight that we've seen so far) and she plays each one beautifully. At first glance she probably looks a little young to be playing Jones (she's only 28 and someone older would be fantastic), but she could easily pull this role off.


Captain Marvel - Katee Sackhoff



Can we just take a moment to bask in the awesomeness of this artwork? First, Captain Marvel's new outfit is phenomenal and second, she's depicted in the classic power pose without being hyper-sexualized, yet I'd say few people wouldn't still find this sexy. Isn't it fun when you have the best of both worlds?

Anyway, this is definitely one of those 'well, duh!' for both character and cast and I am not the only person to independently come up with Katee Sackhoff to play Carol Danvers. She'd be absolutely perfect. Plus I'm sure Sackhoff would be thrilled to play her. A while ago the rumor was that Marvel had approached her, and I'm REALLY hoping it was for this. Danvers would be a great way to cross over the Marvel Cinematic Universe with The Defenders miniseries on Netflix.


Black Widow - Scarlett Johansson 


Let's face it, who doesn't want a Black Widow movie? At least out of those of us who are thoroughly enjoying this golden era of super heroes.

Black Panther - Chiwetel Ejiofor



Not having a Black Panther movie by now is almost as crazy as not having a Black Widow movie. Cause he's awesome. There are several men I'd love to see play the King of Wakanda (a couple of them are already a part of the MCU), but Chiwetel Ejiofor is a major contender. A phenomenal actor for a great character. Makes sense. Plus, he could totally hold his own standing next to the babe-squad that is currently the Avengers.



Storm/Ororo - Lupita Nyong'o



Please?

This movie likely wouldn't be a stand-alone Ororo movie. But she has often led the X-Men and watching that movie wold be fantastic. Especially if it had anything to do with Brian Wood's current story line (go read that if you haven't). Really though, X-Men needs a reboot. Let's give the movie rights back to Marvel, shall we? Plus, don't you think Lupita Nyong'o would totally rock the mohawk?! (I love the Internet)


Super Best Friends Forever


So, I started casting a live action movie (Emilia Clarke as Wonder Girl, Alison Brie as Batgirl, and Brie Larson as Supergirl), but I realized that SBFF is perfect the way it is. This needs to stay animated and come back to life either though a TV show, a full length movie, or more shorts. As long as Lauren Faust is behind it, I'll be on board.

If you haven't watched these shorts yet, I've made it easy for you to get started: