The most complimentary thing I can start my review of  Dark Shadows with, is that the film bares little to no resemblance to those horrible trailers that peg the film as a fish out of water comedy. I can happily report that Dark Shadows is first and foremost a horror film with some comedic, Tim Burton wackiness… that somehow still manages rack up a pretty decent body count.

Dark Shadows focuses on the story of Barnabas Collins, a wealthy playboy whose family owns almost the entire fishing town of Collinsport. After finally finding true love, a spurned servant who just happens to be a powerful witch kills the woman he loves, turns him into a vampire and buries him for 220 years.  He is then accidentally dug up in 1972 and must not only acclimate himself to his new surroundings, but battle the witch who cursed him and his family.

Dark Shadows is typical Burton fare and is one of his better films in recent memory. The film actually started as a passion project for Depp, who purchased the rights to Dark Shadows just so he could eventually play the role of Barnabas, a childhood hero of his.

The source material and Burton’s usual style of directing compliment one another, as the television show was known both for its bizarreness, cheesiness and also its overdone melodrama.

Continue Reading…

On Tuesday May 15th, The Awesome Fest is teaming up with the folks over at the Trocadero for a screening of Father’s Day, hosted by Mr. Troma himself Lloyd Kaufman. Father’s Day is the deranged tale of a serial killer/urban legend known as the Father’s Day Killer, that you guessed it kills exclusively fathers.  I will admit it’s a lot more sick and twisted then that, but coming from Troma I think you kind of expect it.

While the film is not for everyone, if you’re into exploitation throwbacks you might enjoy it. We’re giving away 2 pairs of tickets to check out the movie. Simply comment with your favorite Troma film by May 13th and two folks will picked at random thanks to Josh Goldbloom over at The Awesome Fest. Check out the trailer below. Continue Reading…

It seems like I can’t go down to my local comic shop lately without seeing a brand new, must buy Image title on the stands. The list of quality titles they have published over the last few months just goes on and on. But one that has stood out from the pack for me and is always at the top of my reading list is No Place Like Home.

This reimagining of the story of Oz by Angelo Tirotto and Richard Jordan has intrigued me like few comics manage to these days. And a big part of the reason for that is the artwork of Jordan. His style is unique in comics today and mixes equal part creepy visuals with solid, straight forward storytelling. He was nice enough to answer a few questions via email about No Place Like Home and his artistic process.

How did you become involved in working on No Place Like Home?

It seems like a long time ago now. Back in July 2010 I had put some sequentials of Catwoman up on the comic art forum Penciljack, I got a decent response from people wanting to collaborate. Out of the offers Angelo’s ideas struck a chord with me most and he came across as more experienced and professional.

We pitched a WW2 vampire idea to Image initially and then almost as an after thought he asked if I would like to pitch NPLH too. As I started working on it I realized that NPLH was the book I wanted to work on. Fortunately Image saw both pitches and decided they wanted us to do NPLH first. Score. Continue Reading…

Guest Post by Karl Cramer

Nobody would really want to be transported to the world of The Walking Dead. It’s a horrible place full of tension and death at any moment. But fans of the comic book and TV adaptation love to play the “that’s not how I would’ve done it” game.

Telltale Games gives those zombie wise guys a chance to put their money where their mouths are. It throws you into the life and death situations, forcing you to make difficult choices that aren’t clearly good or bad. Who do you ally yourself with? Do you help people who gave you grief? Between two friends, who do choose to live and who suffers a fate literally worse than death?

The first episode in the Walking Dead game thrusts you in the role of Lee Everett, a man convicted of murder and on his way to prison. This review is spoiler free but it’s no surprise that things don’t go according to plan. The intro does an excellent job of making you forget yourself and putting you in this role. Throughout the game you’ll be preoccupied with Lee’s guilt or innocence. Bits of dialog and other clues have you flipping from one side to the other several times. Continue Reading…

This week we talk to Tara Bennett. You might know her from… oh man, where do I start?! Tara is one busy geek!

She is currently writing for SCI FI Magazine, SFX Magazine, FEARnet, Blastr, Snakkle.com (to name a few), has co-written the Official “Lost Encylopedia”, “Firefly: Official Companions 1-3” as well as authoring “300: The Art of the Film” and all four of the “24: Official Companion Guides.”

Whew! That’s a lot of pop culture awesome right there! We spoke to Tara about all of this as well as living in the Philadelphia area.

You are writing for a ton of awesome publications and sites and have also written extensively about 24 and LOST. How did you get started in “geek related” journalism?

Tara Bennett: I’ve loved film and television since I was a kid. There was nothing better than setting myself in front of the TV after school watching my favorite shows or having my parents take me to the movies. My dad is a huge cinema fan too so we had a huge library of VHS, Laserdiscs and then DVDs with our favorites playing on a loop any given night or weekend. I was a voracious reader of all things Hollywood from behind the scenes magazines like Starlog to novelizations of every movie that interested me. My passion for storytelling became my career goal.

I went to Rowan University (at the time Glassboro State) for their Radio/Television/Film program, graduated and went into corporate and then then live TV production. I loved it but I didn’t love the content I was producing. I wasn’t able to relocate at that time to pursue the kinds of entertainment I always dreamed of making so I actually fell into writing with my day job. I’d write scripts and eventually was a contributor for @Home as a film reviewer.

I stepped up my online writing to include interviews and features and really fell in love with it. In 2003, I got downsized from my producing job and it became the perfect moment to give writing a try as my new full-time profession. Gratefully, I managed to get in the door of some magazines covering sci-fi shows and I never looked back.

As a self-proclaimed LOST-ie, I read the LOST Encyclopedia front to back. How long did it take you and co-author Paul Terry to compile all the information for that epic tome?

Tara Bennett: We love to meet new Losties! The LOST Encyclopedia was hands down the hardest book I’ve ever had to wrestle into submission. It was Paul’s first authorship on a book and it sure was an introduction and a half for him. In November 2009, we basically started breaking down every element of the show alphabetically into an Excel file and ranked everything according to importance.

We then submitted that to the LOST writing team for approval. With everything sanctioned, we broke all of the entries in half and then spent from January 2010 to May 2010 writing every entry of the book with the guidance and clarification of the show’s writing team. They vetted all of our copy, tweaked it and then approved it.

The extra fun part was that we were writing as the last season of the show was unfolding so after every episode we had at least 4 – 10 new entries and we had to continue to add to every existing entry as more story was revealed. We were pretty wiped out by the end of the show and the book.

I can only imagine! It’s a great read. Who is your favorite LOST character (if you had to pick JUST one)?

Tara Bennett: That’s such a hard question and one I can never answer well. I loved so many but I usually lean towards Sawyer, because I am such a sucker for a character’s redemptive arc. I think Josh Holloway really came into his own playing Sawyer and taking him from a surly jerk to a man who learned through love how to be a selfless hero at the end.

My other pick is Ben because he was such a deliciously deceptive and manipulative character. Michael Emerson made him an indelible part of that show’s mythology and an absolute scene stealer that had me riveted to my TV.

You also list comics, toys, movies, TV, and music as your other interests. Name what you’re currently geeking out to in those categories.

Tara Bennett: Comics, I am behind in my comics reading but I was last reading The Walking Dead and Chew.

Toys? I am the proud owner of a Katniss Everdeen action figure by NECA on my desk right now. She’s right next to my Jim Henson by the sadly defunct Palisades Toys and my Bad Robot maquette from QMX. My desk says everything you need to know about me with toys.

I am behind on movies right now too but I did take a breather the other night to re-watch J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek (which is still awesome) and I can’t wait to see what Gary Ross does with The Hunger Games.

TV? Fringe! Such an amazing show with such incredible fans akin to the Losties. Music, I went to see Zola Jesus a few weeks ago and she put on a great show.

Fringe is so great! Definitely one of my faves as well! What are some of your places in Philly?

Tara Bennett: I’m usually in Philly to catch a live show with friends so I love the TLA (meandering on South Street before to soak up the sights and sounds and food), WXPN’s World Cafe or the new Union Transfer club. Philly has amazing restaurants so my friends and I like to hit Penang on 10th, either of the Continental’s, or do a chocolate walk at any of the city’s sweet cafes. If you can get access, Ralph’s Cafe in the Comcast Center has the best view of the city.

—

Tara on Twitter and scope out her website and personal blog.

Once upon a time, malls had science stores in them. The science stores had every different kind of rock and mineral displayed on in a compartmentalized wooden case. You could score through them for as long as you’d like and pick the perfect Tiger’s eye. Seriously, remember The Nature Company?

There were bugs, moths and butterflies in glass cases, and those static electricity balls that put your hair on ends. It was like Spencers sans goth medallions and sex toys. As a child, it was the only reason to go to the mall.

For those of you naturalists who remember science stores—or better yet, who enjoy all the super awesome stuff that biodiversity and sediment have to offer, the Wagner Free Institute of Science is ready to examine your collection during their Natural History Road Show. The Institute will be accepting and examine specimens brought by attendees for a never-before-done temporary exhibit in the Victorian era museum.

Your specimens will be identified by a panel of experts including Elana Benamy (Academy of Natural Sciences, Department of Invertebrate Paleontology and Botany), Paul Callomon (Academy of Natural Sciences, Department of Malacology), Greg Cowper (Academy of Natural Sciences, Department of Entomology) and Scott Peters (mineral enthusiast and former President of the Delaware Mineralogical Society).

The event will also include museum scavenger hunts, Biodiversity lectures and photo opportunities with critters and a special presentation by Philadelphia firefighter Olly McDonagh called “The Big Bug Show.”

This event is FREE, open to the public, and will be ASL Interpreted. For more information, visit the Wagner’s website.

The end of the world turned out to be a bust. Penn Museum’s Mayan sand sculpture was canceled. The mighty Lords of Time were defeated by lowly PennDOT! You’re lost and confused. Listless. Your whole world is crashing down around you. So what’s a kid to do when his or her chosen apocalypse turns out to be hokum? You look for answers in other ancient traditions!

Just in time to cure those End of Days blues, the Franklin Institute presents a lecture series to accompany its newest exhibit, Dead Sea Scrolls: Life and Faith in Ancient Times. Who needs some dumb old Mayan eschatology when you can receive guidance right from the mouths of a bunch of grumpy cave-dwelling ascetics? ESSENES VERSUS MAYANS DEATHMATCH.

The lecture series begins this Sunday, May 13th and runs through Thursday, October 11th. GASP as archeologists discuss their latest findings and THRILL as renowned scholars explain the ancient world in which the Dead Sea Scrolls originated and their continuing influence today. Topics range from the history of Jerusalem to the intersection of science and religion to the more technical aspects of the discovery and preservation of these priceless artifacts. Disappointed Mayan-sympathizers may wish to attend the lecture held on Thursday, August 9, which will focus on ancient astrology.

Lectures will take place at the Franklin Institute. Attendance for the first two talks is included in the cost of admission to the exhibit. All lectures from June 14 forward are $5.00 and attendance at the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit is not required. But whywouldn’t you want to go? This might be your only opportunity to see such ancient and significant pieces, which include—and this is very cool—a three-ton stone from the Second Temple’s Western Wall. So get a move on. Just in case the Mayans were right.

Franklin Institute Dead Sea Scrolls Lecture Series
Now through October 11th, 2012
www.fi.edu/scrolls/programs.php

Steampunk has long been one of the most underground of underground subcultures. Just try to explain what Steampunk is to someone and you might understand why. It is a genre that oftentimes defies description and can result in blank stares from those who don’t “get” it.

But over the last few years, Steampunk has become more and more mainstream, with the genre being a large plot point in the fifth season of The Guild and even having an episode of ABC’s hit series Castle devoted to it.

And now, anyone can go and experience the thrill and uniqueness of Steampunk at the Steampunk World’s Fair taking place on May 18th through the 20th at the Radisson of Piscataway in New Jersey. There you will be able to enjoy what is billed as the best Steampunk Festival in the world. It will include guests such as Leanna Renee Hieber, V is for Villains, PJ Schnyder and many more as well as a midway, an Absinthe tasting, a costume extravaganza and too much more to describe here.

Tickets, hotel information and more can be found on their website. So whether you are an old hat to the world of steam or if Steampunk is something that always intrigued you but you didn’t know where to start, The Steampunk World’s Fair is where you probably want to be.

Steampunk World’s Fair
May 18th – 20th, 2012
http://steampunkworldsfair.com

The second annual Philadelphia Geek Awards are coming up this August and this year, instead of begging folks to enter into our new awards ceremony, I’m putting out an open call for entries.

After our first awardw show, I had quite a few folks ask how could they could enter next year. Well here is your chance to enter your film to be judged by the Geekadelphia Film Committee.

Want to submit your film for a chance to be nominated? Simply drop me a line at dan@geekadelphia.com with “Geekadelphia Film Submission” in the subject line and we will work out logistics and format. There is no charge (and there never will be) for entering your film.

Films do have to have a minimum length of 50 minutes, and be filmed/produced independently in Philadelphia. Those are the only rules.

Good luck!

Seaworld orlando discount

If you’re not familiar with The Secret Cinema, they screen great 16mm films at various venues throughout the city and have been doing so for over 20 years. However this Friday, May 11th, at 7:00pm they will be doing something a little different with A Secret Cinema Blind Date: 35mm Archival Surprises at the iHouse.

Its called a blind date because they will be screening various 35mm films and shorts that they themselves haven’t seen, since the Secret Cinema hasn’t owned a 35mm projector for quite some time.

If you’ve been to any of their events you know you’re in for a treat and you are going to see some things you probably won’t see anywhere else. Tickets are a mere $9 for regular folks and $5 for iHouse members. Find out more on their Facebook page here. See you there!

I hope everyone had a great Free Comic Book Day and enjoyed all the freebies up for grabs at comic shops across the country. This week I review two of the DC Comics New 52 Second Wave of books, Earth 2 and Dial H as well as the return of Valiant Comics with X-O Manowar.

Earth 2 #1
By James Robinson and Nicola Scott

I was always a fan of DC’s Earth 2 concept. I liked the idea of a parallel earth where older versions of Superman, Batman and their children lived and fought crime as the Justice Society of America. When it came to an end in the pages of Crisis on Infinite Earths, I missed it, but thought the idea had probably run its course. Now DC has revived the idea for the Second Wave of the New 52 and, wow, I really wish all comic books were like this.

On the new Earth 2, an interdimensional war has ravaged the planet and cost it the lives of all its heroes. Now, 5 years later, a new crisis has emerged and a new generation of heroes must stand and fight. But that barely covers what goes on in this first issue. Robinson is taking the idea of “world building” to another level and creating a whole new mythology, one that may be a bit more familiar to fans of the pre-Flashpoint DC Universe. And Scott, who previously was only known for work on books like Secret Six and Birds of Prey, may give Bryan Hitch and George Perez some competition in the widescreen, epic art department. Her work here is just off the scale and makes you wonder why she isn’t drawing Justice League.

Earth 2 is epic in every sense of the word. Start reading now and watch an entire world come to life a page at a time. A definite must-read. Continue Reading…

It’s been a little while since we talked tabletop games here in the weekly Kickstarter spotlight, but today we’ve got a real doozy. Civil War? Check. Alternate history? Check. Modern day undead uprising? Check, check, and check. Let’s talk Southern Rising.

“Monsters are real. They have always been real. Grant understood that when he ordered Vicksburg quarantined to prevent the plague from leaving the city, Sherman understood that while laying waste to the land, consecrating the dead so they remained dead, and my great grandfather understood that when he put a bullet in the brain of that abomination.” – Jake Booth, descendant of John Wilkes Booth.

Southern Rising is a roleplaying game in which players take on the roles of average citizens (businessmen, school teachers, public servants, police officers, and/or soldiers) trying to stop the rising of the confederacy by any means necessary.

Set in 2011 the game allows modern player characters to take on undead soldiers of the Confederacy, making this a mash-up of genres. It is a skill-based table-top RPG which begs the question, “What if the South did rise again – as UNDEAD!

But wait there’s more – Southern Rising is not the typical skill-based role playing game. it has a unique twist. It is three games in one!

To top it all off, previous Geek of the Week and composer extraordinaire Matt Campana is involved, and will be contributing an original soundtrack if a certain over-funding threshold is reached. C’mon… we all know you’re gonna go see Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter next month. This is just the next logical step.

The Project: Southern Rising RPG

Creator: Ronald Corn

The Sweet Spot: You can get on on the ground floor with a physical copy of the Southern Rising RPG and an additional PDF rulebook for $30. Really digging this idea and have a few open spots in your weekly game? For $200 you’ll get a couple signed copies of the game and the creators will even play a full game with your group via Skype! Authentic Civil War era attire optional, but strongly encouraged (by Geekadelphia).

Funding Deadline: June 19th, 2012

More Info: Check out the Kickstarter page, friend game designer (and history teacher!) Ronald Corn on Facebook, and read more about composer Matt Campana on his site.

Every Monday Geekadelphia features a Kickstarter created by locals. Check ‘em out and support our local geek scene. If you have a project that you’d like featured on site, contact geekadelphia@gmail.com