BritCon to Fill the Void & It’s Not Just About Doctor Who!

BritCon is designed to fill the void left behind by the other. Anglicon folded due to many reasons.

BritCon Paul PosterAug 14-16, 2020
Hyatt Regency Bellevue
900 Bellevue Way NE
Seattle, Washington

The popularity of British media in America is at an all time high. It’s not just because of Doctor Who, but also with news of Red Dwarf getting the big screen treatment. And it’s not just about talents from across the pond making that successful transition to Hollywood–namely Karen Gillan. From a companion to leading lady in the upcoming Jumanji: The Next Level, who else can we expect?

To keep up with news leaves fans wondering where can they get the latest updates? The Internet can only offer so much. Not many followers of this world are aware of the importance of PineWood Studios and many British actors played when Star Wars original trilogy was being filmed. Michael Sheard (Admiral Ozzel of Empire Strikes Back) made an appearance in the Pacific Northwest a long time ago, but since then, appearances of these fantastic talents depends–is it even possible to convince John Cleese to appear at a convention? He certainly loves putting on shows in Victoria, BC but that’s besides the point.

Fortunately, in the Pacific Northwest–specifically in Seattle, Washington–we have BritCon to fill the void left behind by the other. Anglicon folded due to many reasons.

After a successful week since BritCon launched on KickStarter to raise funds, I had the opportunity to correspond with Dawn Shaw, one of the co-founders of BritCon. She is part of a very special team whose knowledge goes beyond running a typical sci-fi convention. On this list is Abie Ekenezar (guest relations), Shannon Reagan (Vice-chair . programming). Together, they want attendees to know that their voices are being heard to make this convention the best and most inclusive in the Northwest.

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The Days of Future Past with Terminator: Dark Fate

Terminator: Dark Fate reveals a new threat, an AI with an ominous name of Legion.

Terminator: Dark Fate Movie PosterThe meaning behind Terminator: Dark Fate may well on how destiny can’t be changed. Sarah Connor tried to keep her young son John safe and in the future, the elder version reprogrammed a T-800 to prevent his death. When Skynet can mess with the past by sending a bunch of robot assassins to various moments in time, the inevitable has to happen and the question has to be asked, do they go Back to the Future?

A lot of questions are raised in light of the grander picture. Time travel stories are always going to be a head scratcher because of the effects of Schrödinger’s cat in the timeline. Robert Zemeckis’ film (and Legends of Tomorrow) explains that alternate time-lines can be shut down so long the heroes act fast enough before the effects become permanent. That way, only one continuity exists. James Cameron (who’s taking far too long to make sequels to Avatar) returned to his seminal creation to say everything we saw that he wasn’t involved in is all alternate universe material.

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Classic Halloween Games to Get Your Spook On!

Here are some games I would recommend checking out to get in the mood for thrills and chills. It has everything from lighthearted spooks to in your face jump scares!

Dreaming in Digital
By Shawn Trommeshauser
(Dreaming in Digital)

Halloween is just around the corner and that means it’s time to break out the scary movies and games! (Is it ever a bad time for that?) No matter how you celebrate this day, something on this list is sure to appeal to you.

Even if not, there are countless other horror and monster themed games out there from the famous titles like Alone in the Dark and Ghosts & Goblins to the letter known indie thrillers such as Doki Doki Literature Club and Pony Island, there’s always something to play alone and in the dark.

Here are some games I would recommend checking out to get in the mood for thrills and chills. It has everything from lighthearted spooks to in your face jump scares!

 

Luigi's Mansion

Luigi’s Mansion

Luigi from Super Mario Bros searched for his missing brother, Mario, while clearing ghosts out of a haunted mansion with a vacuum cleaner-like ghost trapping device. The Luigi’s Mansion series by Nintendo began on Gamecube with both a remake and a sequel available for the Nintendo 3DS/2DS systems. Give it a shot to prepare yourself for the anticipated third game in the series coming soon to Nintendo Switch!

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The NFB Celebrates International Animation Day with New Work!

Animation Day

This week is filled with two celebrations! It’s not only International Animation Day (October 28) but also All Hallow’s Eve (Oct 31st). The two can go hand in hand acknowledging the season (one such work does), but for The National Film Board of Canada, they are acknowledging four works by women as well as new Indigenous animation from the Hothouse Animation Apprenticeship program. They are now available for streaming online at NFB.ca

The releases are:

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Ezra Daniel’s Sci-Fi Upgrade Soul gets a Digital Facelift!

Animation DayEzra Claytan Daniels‘ digital comic Upgrade Soul is literally getting an upgrade. This version of the 3D comic will relaunch on October 25th with the more content. The original release was never complete. When considering how often the graphics engine has improved over time, perhaps the effects will truly leap at readers. The ‘free’ version offers chapter one for all to read, and for the remainder of October, the entire digital comic can be unlocked for $6.99 USD. On November 1, the price will increase by $1.

The haunting soundtrack from Alexis Gideon gives the reading experience a unique pleasure. The compositions truly add to the atmosphere because it’s in sync with the narrative. FPE Records vinyl release makes for a terrific side-journey for those nights when all folks want is a little ambience for the Halloween season. If you like the music from Goblin, then this album is for you! Two versions are available for purchase: a regular black and a limited edition run on translucent orange, with red markings and a signed print by Daniels. Of the latter, only 100 copies will be released worldwide.

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Studio 4°C Genius Party is Happening Oct 15th! in North America

Although it took a long time for Studio 4°C Genius Party make it to North America, the wait was certainly worthwhile.

Genius Party Blu-ray Case
Available to purchase/preorder on AmazonAnimation Day

Shout! Factory & GKIDS
Release Date: Oct 15, 2019

Coming to home video in North America is Genius Party Volumes 1 & 2 (ジーニアス・パーティ) offered in one disc. Studio 4°C is behind this anthology series, and all twelve shorts are offered instead of the original Japanese editions where both were sold separately–originally released in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Anime fans who have yet to discover this bonanza will be thrilled to find many storytelling genres realized by top talents. The shorts I loved the most were the fantasy type works.

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