 |
 "Eat Pray Love" |
 |
 DVD Reviews: Roger Corman’s Cult Classics |
 |
 Summer Memories: Storytown USA |
 |
 Zeiram |
 |
 #1 .... Give Til It Hurts (the Bottom Line) .... .... .... .... .... .... .... Mike's Record Shelf
1 |
Assistant Editor / Co-moderator: Terence Nuzum
Established A.D. 2000, March 19. Now in our eleventh calendar year!
Number 542 (Vol. 11, No. 33). This edition is for the week of August 9--15, 2010.
Friday The 13th The R & R is doing me a world of good, happy to say. Not to fret, of course, I will be back in step with publishing commitments again next week.
This past Sunday was the last Tampa Giant Comic Con and Toy Show produced by long-time promoter Tim Gordon after a ten-year run, so it was a very special ocassion we definitely didn't want to miss. Tim explained to me that the three-times-a-year-show is more of a full-time job that it might appear and he's been wanting some more free time for himself to write and do other things. We wish Tim the best of luck, of course, and from here on it's up to his successors to carry on the tradition.
But, I'm getting ahead of myself.
Upon arriving at the MinnReg building in Largo, the event's current location, PCR co-editor Terence Nuzum and I did our usual quick sweep of the environs to establish who was there, who wasn't, and look for our PCR comrades. For the first time in a long time, it looked to be that we were the first arrivals from our group.
I saw Tim Gordon almost immediately and did a quick on-the-spot interview to get his situation outline I described above. It's always great seeing Tim and he assured us that, although he may not be running the show anymore, it didn't mean he wouldn't be participating as a dealer in the future! Good to hear.
Terence and I then greeted B-movie legend Joel D. Wynkoop and company, located near where several of our favorite booth operators usually are. Not present in her usual spot, however, was goth authoress Andrea Dean van Scoyoc. Miss you girl! Near where Andrea used to be were video producers/fiction writers Tony and Glenda Finklestein, who I usually don't see! We also noticed a near complete drop in DVD dealers, very unusual. Kind of weird all 'round. Pressing on...
Near Joel's table was a glass exit door where we could see the Batmobile from the first Tim Burton Batman films! That was a first. Obviously a non-functioning prop, but a gorgeous specimen nonetheless (see pics).
Old friend and indie artist Joe Leone was holding court and drawing pictures near another local indie shaker Greg Vondruska, and friend (I'm sorry I've misplaced his name).
Where the "pro" artists are, I managed a brief interview with Michael Golden (Micronauts, Mr. Miracle, Superman, Batman, She-Hulk, scads of others). We discussed a favorite topic of mine, about how the older comic artists descend from the commercial art field, whereas younger artists learned to draw from comics themselves. I always felt that gave the look of comics a "derived" feel, versus a more distinct original take, and Mike seemed to agree.
By this time, friends and fellow PCR columnists Chris Woods, ED Tucker (with wife Cindy), and Lisa Scherer had arrived and were busy mingling.
After touching base with Doug Vader (Creature Film Fest), John Lewis (Creature Productions), Nick Cuti (former writer for Warren Magazines and currently a filmmaker), and making sure I said HI to everyone at least once, I actually did a little shopping of my own.
I usually do more surveying than buying at Cons, but this time was a rare exception. From a first-time dealer (I didn't remember him, anyway), I bought a copy of Monster World from 1975, a Mayfair Publication, not to be confused with Warren's magazine of the same name. I'd never seen that one before. Also, I got a copy of a 1933 edition of Amazing Stories (!!) in really decent shape from Tim Gordon himself. These purchases didn't set me back too badly, thankfully, and I'm always happy to find something I don't have....that isn't priced near four figures!
Althought the dealer turnout seemed a little sparcer than in recent memory, we all had a great time being together and celebrating Tampa comic fandom.
For more information on this and future conventions, please visit the newly-refurbished (and slightly renamed) Tampa Bay Comic Con website.
As if this month's ominous date of Friday the 13th weren't enough to anticipate a horror-filled weekend, be it known that Ye Olde Editor turns 55 years old, double nickels, on that exact day. Officially a senior citizen in most quadrants, and including, I assume, a discount at restaurants and other places I should get used to thinking about.
I will be on vacation over the next week's time, my first in several years, but that will not impede any updating of PCR, of course! I have a few personal things planned, pleasure outings and such, but the newly-coined "stay-cation" concept the country has recently embraced will be largely my approach as well, since money is not in abundant supply, unfortunately. In any event, I do plan on taking it easy, and, you know, maybe get a few things done I haven't been able to get to before now.
Actress and genre fan favorite, Patricia Neal, recently passed away at the age of 84 and I wanted to add one important credit overlooked by nearly all news media that I saw, save for one mention on AOL.
I am flummoxed at how her role opposite Michael Rennie in 1951's The Day The Earth Stood Still escaped so many obit writers, including, shockingly, our own Mike Smith. Her filmography is very impressive and can be read on Mike's otherwise wonderful and exhaustive piece in last week's Mike's Rant.
The Day The Earth Stood Still is regarded then and now as one of the finest science-fiction films of all time. Neal played Helen Benson who is contacted by the alien Klaatu (Michael Rennie). He lives with her and her family while trying to convey a warning that Earth is being monitored by superior beings. And that if we are thinking of taking our aggressive ways on the road to outer space, we will be destroyed.
Klaatu trusts Helen with the one phrase she must tell the robot Gort (who traveled with him to Earth) in case anything happens to him to prevent Earth's destruction: "Klaatu Barada Nikto" (or "Niktu" as it sometimes sounds). When Klaatu is mortally injured during a chase, she does just that. Gort finds Klaatu, temporarily revives him, and they leave.
Much has been written about what "Klaatu Barada Nikto" means as it was never translated and Neal's character never asks. Many think it simply means "Klaatu orders you to stop", but that wouldn't have initiated any rescue. My personal feeling is it's something along the lines of, "Klaatu injured/incapacitated, initiate Plan B" (which would include a "cease-destruct" understanding).
Patricia Neal's sympathy and natural vulnerability make these scenes work well.
She was a fan favorite, a wonderful actress and will be sorely missed.
Weekend Video Takes Weekend Off
Tampa Comic Con for August
Friday the 13th
R.I.P. Patricia Neal, 84
WEEKEND VIDEO TAKES WEEKEND OFF
POSTED BY NOLAN B. CANOVA, SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 2010
Although my intention was to post something before my Friday night/Saturday morning window expired, Ye Olde Editor's frenetic vacation schedule and non-stop galavanting has prevented much in the way off video editing, however counter-intuitive that may sound. Sincere apologies to any and all Weekend Video fans.
As submitted by PCR writers, compiled by Chris Woods
RETRORAMA: MANSON AT THE MOVIES
From 2009, ED Tucker reviews films and documentaries about The Manson Family on the 40th Anniversary of the Tate and LaBianca murders.
TAMPA COMIC CON FOR AUGUST
POSTED BY NOLAN B. CANOVA, FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2010
Click on images to enlarge. A new browser windown will open. 
Tampa Comic Con's legendary promoter, Tim Gordon, left, with Ye Olde Editor. 
Local B-movie legend Joel D. Wynkoop, left, shows PCR co-editor Terence Nuzum his gratitude for positive reviews. 
Great shot of the famous Batmobile from the Burton movie series. 
Nolan B. Canova, crimefighter and friend to famous movie props! 
The flaming rear-end of the Batmobile. 
Veteran fanboys and former band-mates John Lewis, left, and Nolan Canova, right, in a rare synchronous rock n' roll salute. Far left, Larry Christy approaches! 
Bird's-eye view of the MinnReg auditorium nearest the entrance. Near the top and left of the exit door, find Lisa Scherer conversing with Cathy Wynkoop. Farther to the right, ED Tucker and Joel Wynkoop.
Click on images to enlarge. A new browser windown will open. 
Side of the auditorium opposite the entrance. All the pro comic artists are against the far wall. 
Our traditional group portrait. L-to-R, Terence Nuzum, Chris Woods, Nolan Canova, Lisa Scherer, ED & Cindy Tucker. 
The "indie wall" finds, L-to-R, Cathy Wynkoop, Glenda & Tony Finklestein, and Jeffrey Brauslauer. 
Fan and former band-mate Larry Christy, left, talks with indie comics artist Joe Leone about his art. In between the two, at the next table, is the shining pate of Greg Vondruska. 
As Joe continues his rant, his booth-mate Ken Drab shows off Nick the Stick! 
Former Warren writer and now filmmaker, Nick Cuti, displays a spaceship movie prop from one of his science-fiction indie films. 
Veteran comic artist Michael Golden discusses his art with comics fans like Ye Olde Editor.
FRIDAY THE 13TH
POSTED BY NOLAN B. CANOVA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2010
R.I.P., PATRICIA NEAL, 84
POSTED BY NOLAN B. CANOVA, TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2010
| Please consider making a donation to help support Crazed Fanboy! Click on the "donate" link below and give whatever you can. I sincerely thank you for any and all consideration.---Nolan |
Crazed Fanboy dotcom is owned and operated by its founder, Nolan B. Canova
Crazed Fanboy.com is a Tampa-based fan outlet for many creative endeavors, including, but not limited to, independent film, video, music, original artwork, and media commentary.
To send me anything like books, posters, VHS tapes, CDs, or DVDs for review or to simply correspond non-electronically through regular mail, please send all relevant material to:
P.O. Box 13991
Tampa, FL 33681-3991
Otherwise, if you have any questions, email me at
I appreciate your support.
Sincerely,
Nolan B. Canova
Crazed Fanboy® is based in Tampa, Florida. Webpage design and all original graphics herein are creations of, and copyrighted by, Nolan B. Canova ©2010.