Warehouse 13 is a new show on Syfy in the US and SciFi in the UK. I hadn't heard of it before, but apparently each week, the team try to rescue artefacts for an ultra secret depository, a warehouse, if you like, run by the US Government. So far there have been 13 episodes, and 3 of the shows stars were on hand to meet and greet fanboys and newbies alike.
During the talk they had in one corner of the ExCel centre, the guy in the team, played by Eddie McClintock, recounted a tale from the previous night. They had been sight seeing by nighht, and had reached the Houses of Parliament. Seems someone thought it an idea to pose for some piccies whilst climbing the fence underneath the Clock Tower holding Big Ben. Apparently a policeman approached them, and Eddie thought he was playing around. That was until he was informed that if he didn't come off the fence, he might get arrested, fined and wake up next morning in a cell at Her Majesty's Pleasure. They got a moody shot with the Clock in the background though.
After the talk, a few folks queued up for a couple of autographs, and pics. Just after this talk, was another for the BBC show, Merlin, and they had some stragglers queueing up nearby to get the jump on autographs when they'd finished.
All 3 were signing for free. Like I said, some folks were doing the show to promote their show, and not necessarily earn themselves or the studio, cash in hand.
Tuesday 27 October 2009
Welcome to Deep Space
After getting over the diversity of costumed characters wandering round the ExCel Centre (if it's good enough for the G20, it's good enough for the fanboys..), I decided to check out some of the stalls.
Unlike many of these autograph shows, the video games industry had quite a showing. As well as a new RPG called Borderlands, where you're some sort of mutant rampaging round a post-Katrina style lawless terrain, they also had the video game to accompany Avatar, the new creation from James Cameron.
Depending on which games console you have, can lay down which storyline you can take in the game. From what I saw, you are exploring the same fantastical universe as the movie. However, the rep told me that both storylines are different from the movie, so if you haven't seen the movie before playing the game, the movie isn't ruined, and there are two versions of the game. Also, the game is available to be played in 3-D, if your TV allows it. Using the same Real 3-D glasses as the ones used to watch 3-D cinema movies these days, you can play this shoot 'em up. Whilst I didn't get my mitts on a gun or anything, watching the demo in 3-D was pretty impressive.
They also had a 'design your own Manga character' area. Manga is, as has been previously noted, a style of Japanese cartoon. There was also an area that at times, had a demo of drumming. If you recall the opening ceremony at Beijing, they had a few thousand of these drummers. Here they had 2-3. They went for it! They appeared to be doing demos during the day, as the room was filled with the not so distant sound of drums quite often.
Ok, now for the autographs...
On the website, the organisers had helpfully divided those folks being paid to attend by their tv network, and thus promoting a show/film or whatever, and thus signing stuff for free.. Those being hosted by a third company, so still charging, but there to promote company X, Y or Z. The most common category of guest were those who were charging to be there themselves. However, on the Sunday, there were only 3 guests in this category.
Ronny Cox was the bad guy in Total Recall and Robocop. He played Arnie's nemesis in Total Recall, the guy Sharon Stone worked for. In Robocop, he plays Robocop's enemy, Dick Jones. Despite Robocop and Jones both being cops, it seems Jones, played by Ronny, is actually the mastermind behind Robocop's demise in human and (so Jones hopes) Robocop form. He was very gracious and welcoming.
Next to Ronny were two stars from the Star Trek Universe. Both played different generations of the same character. Nicole de Boer played the younger version of 'Dax', and Terry Farrell played Jadzia Dax. I recall at the time, the angst the Trekkies were having about Nicole taking over the role of Dax from Terry, and would it work. As far as I was concerned.. yep.. LOL!
Since her stint in Star Trek Deep Space 9, Nicole has moved on to headline the long running Sci-fi channel show, Dead Zone. She was pretty easy to talk to, and we talked, as you do, about flight lengths, the silly rules the folks at Paramount Craft Services had to work by (NO Tuna sandwich to be made or eaten publicly at 10am or earlier, it might encourage your fellow thespians..), and stuff like that. Yep, world politics and the World of Miley Cyrus were forgotten temporarily. Nicole was cute as Ezri Dax, and remained cute.
Terry Farrell was pretty stunning as the Jadzia incarnation of Dax, which made Nicole's playing of her incarnation important in the Trek Universe. She's still pretty stunning now, a few years later. She moved onto another long running show called Becker. No, it's not a reality tv show following the life of 'Britains favourite German', but a show about a Doctor, and his environs. It starred Ted Danson of Cheers and 3 Men and a Baby fame.
Unlike many of these autograph shows, the video games industry had quite a showing. As well as a new RPG called Borderlands, where you're some sort of mutant rampaging round a post-Katrina style lawless terrain, they also had the video game to accompany Avatar, the new creation from James Cameron.
Depending on which games console you have, can lay down which storyline you can take in the game. From what I saw, you are exploring the same fantastical universe as the movie. However, the rep told me that both storylines are different from the movie, so if you haven't seen the movie before playing the game, the movie isn't ruined, and there are two versions of the game. Also, the game is available to be played in 3-D, if your TV allows it. Using the same Real 3-D glasses as the ones used to watch 3-D cinema movies these days, you can play this shoot 'em up. Whilst I didn't get my mitts on a gun or anything, watching the demo in 3-D was pretty impressive.
They also had a 'design your own Manga character' area. Manga is, as has been previously noted, a style of Japanese cartoon. There was also an area that at times, had a demo of drumming. If you recall the opening ceremony at Beijing, they had a few thousand of these drummers. Here they had 2-3. They went for it! They appeared to be doing demos during the day, as the room was filled with the not so distant sound of drums quite often.
Ok, now for the autographs...
On the website, the organisers had helpfully divided those folks being paid to attend by their tv network, and thus promoting a show/film or whatever, and thus signing stuff for free.. Those being hosted by a third company, so still charging, but there to promote company X, Y or Z. The most common category of guest were those who were charging to be there themselves. However, on the Sunday, there were only 3 guests in this category.
Ronny Cox was the bad guy in Total Recall and Robocop. He played Arnie's nemesis in Total Recall, the guy Sharon Stone worked for. In Robocop, he plays Robocop's enemy, Dick Jones. Despite Robocop and Jones both being cops, it seems Jones, played by Ronny, is actually the mastermind behind Robocop's demise in human and (so Jones hopes) Robocop form. He was very gracious and welcoming.
Next to Ronny were two stars from the Star Trek Universe. Both played different generations of the same character. Nicole de Boer played the younger version of 'Dax', and Terry Farrell played Jadzia Dax. I recall at the time, the angst the Trekkies were having about Nicole taking over the role of Dax from Terry, and would it work. As far as I was concerned.. yep.. LOL!
Since her stint in Star Trek Deep Space 9, Nicole has moved on to headline the long running Sci-fi channel show, Dead Zone. She was pretty easy to talk to, and we talked, as you do, about flight lengths, the silly rules the folks at Paramount Craft Services had to work by (NO Tuna sandwich to be made or eaten publicly at 10am or earlier, it might encourage your fellow thespians..), and stuff like that. Yep, world politics and the World of Miley Cyrus were forgotten temporarily. Nicole was cute as Ezri Dax, and remained cute.
Terry Farrell was pretty stunning as the Jadzia incarnation of Dax, which made Nicole's playing of her incarnation important in the Trek Universe. She's still pretty stunning now, a few years later. She moved onto another long running show called Becker. No, it's not a reality tv show following the life of 'Britains favourite German', but a show about a Doctor, and his environs. It starred Ted Danson of Cheers and 3 Men and a Baby fame.
Monday 26 October 2009
Zombieland!
Sunday, I decided to head to Docklands to try out the Docklands Light Railway. Yep, I know how to live, don't I......
I was aware an autograph/gamers show was on at the ExCel Centre, and hadn't done that one before.. Quite a culture shock, I can tell you.
There are a few shows I've done where you get the odd person dressed up as A Character from A Comic or Computer Game. It's called Cosplay. Can't really see the point but hey.. Usually it Star Trek, The Next Generation, or Stormtroopers, or Lara Croft. There have been occasions where armed Police had been called out because some member of the Public had been alarmed by a guy in dark suit, shades, and carrying two rather large hand guns, thought walking round a open, public shopping space was a good idea, because hey, he's Agent Smith from The Matrix Trilogy, and EVERYBODY knows who that is, right? Old Grannies etc?
This time, those dressed as Storm Troopers, Darth Vader etc were swamped by Manga (ie Japanese) comic characters. Full-on costumes, hair-dye, wooden weaponry.. everywhere..
Two guys walked round connected by a chain, eventually I asked one, who to me looked like a wolf/Balrog cross. Apparently his costume was some character that was a demonic creation from some level of a version of Final Fantasy. How silly of me not to know! His friend came as a wolf. Didn't ask, buy it hopefully was too obvious...
One person came as a banana. Another, as Hello Kitty.
I followed into the centre, a guy dressed as Morpheus, from the Matrix Trilogy. Black leather coat, bald as a coot, armless glasses, the lot.. VERY cool. Later saw him and a Neo posing for a professional photographer. They also had The Mother Alien from the Alien movies. He's quite common. There was also another guy dressed as an Alien with a more pronounced dome of his head. There was also a Predator. I might post shots of them later.
Another bunch I shot was of Power Rangers, with an absolutely amazing Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer version). There was also a Halle Berry version of Catwoman. No signs of Eartha Kitt-style Catwoman, but that WOULD be expecting.. Or Julie Neumar.
I was aware an autograph/gamers show was on at the ExCel Centre, and hadn't done that one before.. Quite a culture shock, I can tell you.
There are a few shows I've done where you get the odd person dressed up as A Character from A Comic or Computer Game. It's called Cosplay. Can't really see the point but hey.. Usually it Star Trek, The Next Generation, or Stormtroopers, or Lara Croft. There have been occasions where armed Police had been called out because some member of the Public had been alarmed by a guy in dark suit, shades, and carrying two rather large hand guns, thought walking round a open, public shopping space was a good idea, because hey, he's Agent Smith from The Matrix Trilogy, and EVERYBODY knows who that is, right? Old Grannies etc?
This time, those dressed as Storm Troopers, Darth Vader etc were swamped by Manga (ie Japanese) comic characters. Full-on costumes, hair-dye, wooden weaponry.. everywhere..
Two guys walked round connected by a chain, eventually I asked one, who to me looked like a wolf/Balrog cross. Apparently his costume was some character that was a demonic creation from some level of a version of Final Fantasy. How silly of me not to know! His friend came as a wolf. Didn't ask, buy it hopefully was too obvious...
One person came as a banana. Another, as Hello Kitty.
I followed into the centre, a guy dressed as Morpheus, from the Matrix Trilogy. Black leather coat, bald as a coot, armless glasses, the lot.. VERY cool. Later saw him and a Neo posing for a professional photographer. They also had The Mother Alien from the Alien movies. He's quite common. There was also another guy dressed as an Alien with a more pronounced dome of his head. There was also a Predator. I might post shots of them later.
Another bunch I shot was of Power Rangers, with an absolutely amazing Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer version). There was also a Halle Berry version of Catwoman. No signs of Eartha Kitt-style Catwoman, but that WOULD be expecting.. Or Julie Neumar.
Glug, Glug...
Friday, another trip to the City. This time to stay in the Islington/Kings Cross area for a consumer show. The London Wine Show. Held at the Islington Business Design Centre, it's where wine merchants and producers can flog their wares to the public, either by mail order, or internet.
Once inside the hall, you pass by offices for various companies like the Dyson Airblade dryer, and wander round tasting the vino. It was quite busy, and reasonably smartly dressed. On the Friday, quite a few looked dressed to go out for dinner later, especially the girls.
Oz Clarke was set to do a tutored tasting, sponsored by Sainsburys, but had to be replaced due to ill health, by another TV wine Expert, Olly Smith. It turns out that Oz had food poisoning, or so he said on the Saturday, when he made it it.
The exhibitors were mainly from New Zealand, Australia, and the Iberian Peninsula. Quite an impressive showing by the non-Port Portugese producers. Price points from a fiver up to 20 quid.
Discovered a wine producer from New Zealand, who is imported by a guy from Peterborough, who plays golf at a nearby Golf Club. I asked for a case to be delivered, and the guy said he'd deliver it personally, because he plays nearby! Also a South African producer with a quite extraordinary Pinot Noir wine. What appeared to e the entry-level wine was more memorable than the signature cuvee.
On the Saturday afternoon, after a repast of McDonalds the previous evening, and a quick breakfast at the b&b, I made a quick visit to Leicester Square to pick up a programme for the Film Festival. Quite a few details of screenings etc had changed since going to press, but it was a nice reminder and guide to what's hitting the big and small screens in the next few months.
Back up to Islington, and I got a cheap ticket off a woman who had bought a set of 5tickets to get a discount, and had an extra one for her group, which included the Oz Clarke tasting. He was there in body, if not spirit. Quite often you could see him gulp as if trying to get past feeling nauseous. Despite him sitting all the time, and not bouncing around like on TV, it was quite interesting. During this sitting, I tasted more wines, including Portugal, New Zealand and Australia, including a fizzy Shiraz. In all the tastings, apart from the Sainsburys (OZ Clarke) one, the measures barely covered the bowl of the glass.
Once inside the hall, you pass by offices for various companies like the Dyson Airblade dryer, and wander round tasting the vino. It was quite busy, and reasonably smartly dressed. On the Friday, quite a few looked dressed to go out for dinner later, especially the girls.
Oz Clarke was set to do a tutored tasting, sponsored by Sainsburys, but had to be replaced due to ill health, by another TV wine Expert, Olly Smith. It turns out that Oz had food poisoning, or so he said on the Saturday, when he made it it.
The exhibitors were mainly from New Zealand, Australia, and the Iberian Peninsula. Quite an impressive showing by the non-Port Portugese producers. Price points from a fiver up to 20 quid.
Discovered a wine producer from New Zealand, who is imported by a guy from Peterborough, who plays golf at a nearby Golf Club. I asked for a case to be delivered, and the guy said he'd deliver it personally, because he plays nearby! Also a South African producer with a quite extraordinary Pinot Noir wine. What appeared to e the entry-level wine was more memorable than the signature cuvee.
On the Saturday afternoon, after a repast of McDonalds the previous evening, and a quick breakfast at the b&b, I made a quick visit to Leicester Square to pick up a programme for the Film Festival. Quite a few details of screenings etc had changed since going to press, but it was a nice reminder and guide to what's hitting the big and small screens in the next few months.
Back up to Islington, and I got a cheap ticket off a woman who had bought a set of 5tickets to get a discount, and had an extra one for her group, which included the Oz Clarke tasting. He was there in body, if not spirit. Quite often you could see him gulp as if trying to get past feeling nauseous. Despite him sitting all the time, and not bouncing around like on TV, it was quite interesting. During this sitting, I tasted more wines, including Portugal, New Zealand and Australia, including a fizzy Shiraz. In all the tastings, apart from the Sainsburys (OZ Clarke) one, the measures barely covered the bowl of the glass.
Wednesday 14 October 2009
The Fantastic Mr Clooney
Another night, another trip to London, another Movie Premiere. This time it was the Times/BFI London Film Festival Gala Opening Night. The film opening the Festival was Wes Anderson's animated adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Fantastic Mr Fox. Most of the cast were expected. Sadly Meryl Streep had gone down with flu, so had to drop out.
Instead we had to put up with, as he mockingly titled himself at the Oscars in 2007, 'Sexiest Man Alive, Oscar winning Actor' George Clooney. Mr Ocean himself!
Whereas last week the barriers were pretty lightweight and not exactly fixed, this time, they were higher up, and weighted so you you stand on the base, and the barriers would require more force to shift.
George Clooney's standard 'Premiere' Autograph is a GG in capitals, could be a GC, with a tail, but looks like a GG. Guys I was standing with before the event were comparing autographs they had got from earlier brushes with 'The Man Who Killed Off the Batman Franchise (before Christian Bale injected some life into it)'. Apparently to their eyes, the tail on the second G made it a 'proper, fuller' signature.
As per usual at these things, Celeb gets out of Mercedes car to screams from girlies. Then either hits a few folks for autographs, or, if they're Cruise or Wil Smith, or seemingly Mr Clooney, walks along the lines, signing more or less anything in front of him. Tom Cruise will apparently do this for AGES, in some kind of a bid to make his signature worthless to dealers and scalpers.
Whilst this is going on, Celeb's date for the night tends to stand around watching, chatting with event security, or what looks like a PYT from film company.
George's date for this appearance is Italian Supermodel Elisabetta Canalis..
Considering the Old Hands at the thing, I'm surprised no one made a fuss of her, but then, they all had photos to get signed, and didn't bring any of her. And I forgot who his girlfriend was...
Monday 12 October 2009
Hello Mr Pickles
Rachel, my sister, has just bought a new kitten. Pickles the Ginger Tom. I went down for Sunday lunch, and to be introduced to the new addition to their menagerie. They already have 2 Choc Labradors, a mother and daughter, and a bowl of assorted guppies.
They chose the name Pickles, and then recalled someone had something called Mr Pickles. I reminded them that Daily Mail favourite, Jonathan Ross named one of his pug dogs, Mr Pickles.
He, Ross, likes to dress his dogs up. The latest incarnation was 'Dogs dressed as Barbara Streisand Movie Characters'.
Unwanted Anniversaries
Last week was the third Anniversary of my Dad getting diagnosed with his Neuro-Endocrine Cancer.
Some stage this week, it might be said I celebrate my 1-year Anniversary being diagnosed with my Diffuse B-Cell Lymphoma, and in early November, it's the anniversary of me being committed to hospital.
Some stage this week, it might be said I celebrate my 1-year Anniversary being diagnosed with my Diffuse B-Cell Lymphoma, and in early November, it's the anniversary of me being committed to hospital.
Wednesday 7 October 2009
Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Premiere
Ok, not blogged in yonks, lots to catch up on.. but first..
Last night, at the Empire Leicester Square, London, I joined a few thousand movie fans and passers by in observing the Red Carpet for the UK Premiere of the new Terry Gilliam movie, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. This is the movie that was nearly scrubbed when Heath Ledger overdosed in his NYC flat during a break in filming.
Heath's roles were then taken up by Colin Farrel, Jude Law and Jonny Depp. none of these three were expected, as Law was opening as Hamlet on Broadway, and who knows what Depp and Farrel were up to. Those who did show up from the film included the director, Terry Gilliam, model/actress/student Lily Cole,
Also showing up from the film, were Verne Troyer, who plays the dwarf, Percy, and the films co-writer Charles McKeown, who was also in Time Bandits, which was regularly screened in my days at Buckfast Abbey School.
Big surprise of the night was LaToyah Jackson, who, as written elsewhere, looked like she'd been poured into a black strappy number. She was apparently there to support Verne, but signed quite a few autographs. My catch of the night was Rock God Nick Mason, AKA the drummer in Pink Floyd, and classic car collector par excellence. One of those next to me thought he was Michael Palin, or was it Eric Idle, but realised his mistake. We still managed to beckon him over to signed a few things.
Also showing up from the film, were Verne Troyer, who plays the dwarf, Percy, and the films co-writer Charles McKeown, who was also in Time Bandits, which was regularly screened in my days at Buckfast Abbey School.
Folks not involved with the film, but showed up, included Tamara Ecclestone, (Reality Star, Socialite, and daughter of F1 Supremo Bernie), Entourage/Old School star Jeremy Piven, who was surprised at being recognised.
Big surprise of the night was LaToyah Jackson, who, as written elsewhere, looked like she'd been poured into a black strappy number. She was apparently there to support Verne, but signed quite a few autographs. My catch of the night was Rock God Nick Mason, AKA the drummer in Pink Floyd, and classic car collector par excellence. One of those next to me thought he was Michael Palin, or was it Eric Idle, but realised his mistake. We still managed to beckon him over to signed a few things.
Also showing up was music star Paloma Faith, who showed up with two friends. Paloma is in the film, but I don't think her friends were. One was dressed as a bright version of Elsa Lanchester/Bride of Frankenstein, and the other, a drag version of a lion, I would guess. He was pretty tall, and quite a sight, I must say.
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