Review: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part Two

WARNING!!! This post contains spoilers!

When I go to the movies, I try to be optimistic and believe the movie will be good and enjoyable, but I’m realistic. I know today’s movies tend to… well… suck. I’m not saying all movies suck, but there has been a considerable downturn in quality as of late. However, for the first time in years, I went into a movie not only excited but also certain it would be amazing. That movie was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow Part Two. Imagine my surprise when the movie I knew in my heart would be the most fitting and wonderful conclusion to a beloved series turned out to leave me disappointed and even a little angry.

If you have never read the books, then this movie is a great movie. It is well paced, well acted, and delivers great action. If you are like me and have read The Deathly Hallows ten to fifteen times, then you will find yourself getting absorbed in the movie only to be promptly yanked out of it when certain key moments or exchanges do not happen or are terribly altered.

CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS! DO NOT READ UNTIL AFTER VIEWING THE MOVIE. THEN COME BACK AND DISCUSS.

I know the movies are separate from the books. I know the story needed to concentrate on a central plot. I know many of the side characters would not get as much air-time as they deserved, but in order for me to fully get behind the movie, I needed certain parts to be there. These are what I wanted and how they were altered/cut:

1)   The Families. I was so upset that the Weasley family, excluding Ron and Ginny, was barely a part of the movie. They are there, but due to how the battle at Hogwarts was changed, the Weasleys barely speak. There was no Fred and George banter or Molly Weasley yelling at the kids while hugging the life out them or anything. I don't understand why Bill couldn't have had a line warning Harry not to trust goblins or why Percy's returning to the fold could not have been dealt with. I didn't even know Percy was in the movie until Wilderowens told me. This was an important plot point because it made Fred's death all the more painful. But it's not just the Weasleys I missed. There wasn't enough time to go into detail about Dumbledore's family, but even worse, Neville was denied a great moment because his grandmother doesn't get to join the fight and say how proud she was of him. To top that off, we're also denied Lupin and Harry fully reconciling, Lupin showing off his son and asking Harry to be godfather.

2)   Fred’s death. Why on earth was is not shown? It is one of the most emotionally gut-wrenching moments in the entire book. I cried when it happened. I’ve cried many times because the family has finally been completely reunited, only to have it brutally ripped away. Instead, we are treated to simply seeing his dead body, practically no Percy, and no seeing Ron’s grief and desire for revenge.

3)   “Not my daughter, you bitch!” Yes, it is in the movie, but because they lightened the emotional impact of Fred and barely showed the fight between Ginny and Bellatrix, it was just eh. It was cool, but I wanted to be able to cheer when this happened.

4)   The Elder Wand and Phoenix Wand. There is all this talk about wandlore and how the wand chooses the wizard, yet in the end, Harry explains why the Elder wand worked for him only to Ron and Hermione instead of Voldemort and everyone else. Worst of all, Harry does not use the Elder wand to fix his. He breaks it and tosses it. WTF? What is the point of putting it in if it's just going to be thrown away at the end?

5)   Ron/Hermione kiss. In the book, we all knew it was coming but we didn’t know when, and when it finally did, it was because Ron wanted to help get the house elves out and that meant so much to Hermione. In the movie, they go to get the Basilisk fang, kill the horcrux, get drenched in a trap of some sort, look at each other and kiss. Again, which one is more emotionally impacting? Would it really have killed them to just have Ron ask about the elves once they got back to Harry?

6)   Voldemort vs. Harry. I would have preferred the intense buildup of the book, where Harry is explaining everything to Voldemort as the tension grows until that fateful moment, but instead that’s not in there. The fall in the movie is cool but lacks the kick of Voldemort finding out about Snape, who the real master of the Elder wand is, etc.

7)   Neville and Nagini. One of the most kickass, amazing parts of the Deathly Hallows was  Neville Longbottom. From a gawky, clumsy kid to a young man willing to fight for what he believes in, Neville had one of the best character arcs of the entire series and his shining moment was when he stood up to Voldmort, was nearly killed by the Sorting Hat, rebounded with the Sword of Gryffindor, and sliced off Nagini’s head. It’s fantastic. So what does the movie do? It has Neville find the Sorting Hat, pick it up and see the sword in there, for no reason, and then when Voldemort asks for new Death Eaters, Neville gives a sappy speech about how even though Harry is dead, he still lives on in all of them and the work is not over. He eventually kills Nagini, but that was because it was attacking Ron and Hermione later on, not because Harry had told him to kill him.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of good in the movie too. The best example is how Snape is handled. I’ve always been a little annoyed at how Snape didn’t get nearly enough face time in the movies because a) he’s an important character and b) they had Alan fricking Rickman playing him! How do you not give HIM more screen time? That said his arc was handled perfectly. They finally did him justice. That was when I nearly lost it. It was beautiful.

The epilogue was also great. I loved that. The aging was subtle, but hilarious, particularly Ginny and Draco with Ron coming in third. It was just great. I couldn’t stop laughing. Maggie Smith's Professor McGonagall was fantastic. She's another one who never really got to show what she could do, but her scenes packed a punch. Hermione as Bellatrix was so funny and one of my all-time favorite moments was when the knights came to life. Badassery all around. I became giddy at that sight.

The movie isn’t bad, but I guess because of how practically pitch perfect Part One was, I expected more. I heard that this was the shortest of the Potter movies and if that is true, then they should have added a little more because they complicated parts that did not need complicating and watered down the emotional parts. If they had added just ten minutes with even a handful of what I mentioned above, it would have elevated the movie. What made Harry Potter so great was aside from it being a great fantasy epic, it was grounded by the depth of feelings that came from the characters. I wanted so much more from this movie but in the end, while it is decent, it did not truly live up to the high standards of the Harry Potter franchise. This was not how it was supposed to end.

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Time to get ready for SDCC Madness!

All across the interwebs you see planning for San Diego Comic Con. It has taken over every geek blog on the planet; it's inescapable. The kicker is that most of us are not going to San Diego Comic Con.


Despite my absence this year, I still wanna know what's happening at the con. Best way to stay up-to-date is that quick news site, Twitter! Here are a few bloggers that I will definitely be following intently during SDCC.  By no means is this all of the awesome people that will be tweeting this week.  For your convenience, we already created a handy twitter list with these and more!


GeekGirlDiva: She is one of those people at seems to know everyone and be everywhere! She will be hanging out at the Quantum Mechanics booth, guarding stuff that I want.


Amy_Geek: Amy will be part of multiple panels, getting all of the best news.


Buffyfest: Some of my fav whedon fans, they will be hunting down all of the Whedonverse actors and getting every juicy tidbit.


GeektoMe: Elliott will be roaming the panels and con floor. He always gets the best interviews and this time won't be any different.


TheNerdyBird: Jill will be my favorite resource on the floor this year, especially for any DCnU news.

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Sunday Links for July 17

Less than a week to go until San Diego Comic Con!  While IGH is not attending....*tears.......if you are, please send in any fun things you find out and we will post them!  Just email us at insertgeekhere (at) gmail dot com.

For everyone not attending, SiriusXM radio is dedicating a whole channel to con news.  Great way to catch some of the action as it happens.
(via MTV Geek)

For anyone in the NYC area that isn't attending SDCC, come and join us (yes, we will be there) at the Midtown Comics Not at Comic Con Party!  Fun contests, prizes and autographs gone wild!
(via Midtown Comics)

Did you ever dream of opening your own comic book store?  Well, now Marvel wants to help you do just that.  They will be providing a ton of support including promotion items, support from Marvel and Diamond staff, social media recognition, crazy big discounts and of course free comics!
(via The Beat)

LucasFilm proves what it means to be a big studio when it shuts down a small Star Wars marathon in Brooklyn, NY.  While I understand their need to protect the copyright, I doubt that this was going to eat into profits that much.
(via Cinema Blend)

EA announced that they purchased PopCap Games this week, which means one thing.  Bejeweled as a first-person shooter for XBox!  A person can dream!
(via Cinema Blend)

My personal favs, Seth Green and Matt Senreich, have started a new show on YouTube called Stoopid Monkey.  Featuring the cutest monkey ever, there are a few funny shorts up with new eps every Friday.
(via StoopidMonkey)


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Harry Potter Video Friday! 7/15/11

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 opens today. It is a bittersweet moment that has been long waited for but now that it's here, many of us wish we had a little more time. Since we are celebrating Potter this week, it's only fitting that Video Friday be all about Harry. So here are some great vids I found this week.

Hallows (Harry Potter Parody of Halo by Beyonce) - watch more funny videos

So long Harry, Ron, and Hermoine! Thanks for the memories.

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Goodbye Mr. Potter, for now

This weekend brings the culmination of a story that started with a boy staring at a spider that entranced the world.  With it all getting ready to end, I am faced with a deluge of emotions.  Part of me is excited to see this film, the last one in a long line of films.  Part of me is even glad to see the Pottermania end, if only to let something new and exciting fill its void, and part of me is understandable sad to lose something that has been a part of me for a decade.  It feels like we are graduating with the Hogwarts Class of 2011.

For me, it all started in 2001, when my mom, the librarian, told me I had to read these books during my college break. I was a little hesitant to read what I thought were children's books but rather than listen to her nag, I read them. It was all downhill from there.  All of my friends read them, and we started attending the midnight releases. When the candy came out, Getsuyobi and I sat in Dunkin Donuts in the middle of the night, sorting out and trying each Bertie Botts flavor we had. I bought my mom a replica wand for her birthday, and of course, I went to midnight movie premieres.

The movies were the Potter thing I attached to the least at first. With the tremendous detail of the books, why bother getting too excited with the films? Of course, I was wrong again. These films stand on their own right and need to be seen as such. Once I was able to separate the two, I truly enjoyed them. Now, I am more excited to see how it all ends on film. I am even avoiding spoilers because if there are any changes from the book, I want to be surprised, even though I am always rereading the books.

So, until Pottermore releases, this is the end of new Harry Potter tales.  At least, I can revisit Harry, Ron and Hermione at Hogwarts every time I read the book or watch a movie. Because even if the story doesn't continue, I am content to go back to visit this fantastic world that J.K. Rowling created.

Let us know your favorite Harry moment in the comments!


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Pottermania Around NYC!

It's Harry Potter week here at [insertgeekhere]!

 

If you haven't heard by now, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two comes out this Friday (you didn't hear? Are you living under a rock?). Since this is the climatic ending of the beloved movies, people are trying to put together events to celebrate. Here are a few in and around New York.

The Muggle meet-up group, The Group That Shall Not Be Named, has several events planned including wand dueling lessons in Central Park on July 14th and a Victory Over Voldemort party in NJ on July 16th. Visit their Facebook page for more details on all the events going on.

On July 14th, Potterpocalypse! will be taking place at the Galapagos Art Space. There will be trivia, readings, costume contests, and even Potter themed burlesque performances.

If you are looking for a very special treat, stop by the Upright Citizen's Brigade Theatre on July 15th for A Harry Potter Musical performed by the Kirk Cameron Repertory Players (you read that right). Bringing Harry Potter books and Leonardo DiCaprio dvds is encouraged.

After the musical, feel free to stick around and catch the Hogwarts Improvisation Society's Annual Gala. Be sure to wear your house colors to support your house as battles are fought for eternal glory.

July 16th, Watson Adventures will be hosting a Harry Potter scavenger hunt at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Discover (rediscover) new and exciting art as you look for unicorns, mermaids, giants, dragons, and more. It's available for anyone ages 10 and up. Adult teams welcomed.

The team from New York Comic Con is hosting a meet-up at the legendary Ziegfeld Theatre on July 16th and 17th. Join them and other con goers for a fantastic time, which will include trivia and possible swag. Be sure to print out the coupon for a free 85 oz. popcorn (who eats 85 ounces of popcorn?)

Finally, if you need your Potter fix right now, head over to Harry Potter: The Exhibition at Discovery Times Square. It is filled with over 200 props used in the past seven movies including the Sword of Gryffindor. Wilderowens has been there and will be posting her take on it later this week.

Have you heard of any other events going on? How do you plan on celebrating the end? Let us know at insertgeekhere@gmail.com.

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Sunday Links for July 10

This was a wacky week with the release of San Diego Comic Con programming schedules.  So, that means that the majority of news is that the programming schedules are being released.  Here are some other tidbits that you might have missed....

This week is really the beginning of the end with the final film installment of the Harry Potter series.  I hope you got tickets because over 2,000 screenings have already sold out, making it Fandango's "fastest-selling title of the year so far."

(via Cinema Blend)

Rumors are flying that the Playstation 4 will debut in 2012.  This new system will be upgraded with motion technology similar to kinect.  Hopefully, the one feature they leave behind is the crazy high price.

(via Mashable)

With all of the media overload, it is nice to look back and see what made you a fan.  JR Pepper of Pink Raygun does just that in this sweet article.

(via Pink Raygun)

Paramount has set up their very own animation studio.  With a new studio in house, Dreamworks Animation is being kicked to the curb.  

(via Den of Geek)

On the creepy newsfeed, this guy installed spyware on random computers in Apple Stores to take pictures of people for his art project.  Apple found out and the Secret Service shut him down.  I really hope he doesn't have a picture of me drooling over a laptop.

(via Geekologie)

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Video Friday! 7/8/11

Here are some great videos floating around that little 'verse we call the interwebz.

This is just too great! Shopping while you wait? Sign me up!

(via Geeks Are Sexy)

This is a gorgeous rendition of The Game of Thrones theme, which I found via Ms. Felicia Day on Google+. It's moments like these I wish I still played an instrument. Jason Yang is simply wonderful.

It's about time someone had some fun with the NFL lockout.

Field of Dreams 2: NFL Lockout with Taylor Lautner from Taylor Lautner

This just became one of my favorite True Blood parodies. Bill and Sookie's accents are spot on. Thank you Geek Girl Diva for posting this.

Nathan Fillion wants to help you combat a terrible problem afflicting gamers.

(via Break)

Have a great weekend everyone! Next week, it's all about Harry Potter!

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Review: Karate-Robo Zaborgar @ NYAFF

We live in an era where beloved franchises are given new life through reboots and remakes.  So often we see a new film or series trying to recapture the hearts and minds of today's youth using the very same characters and stories that captured our own.  For the most part all of these attempts turn out to be complete and utter crap.  Now imagine a director who pays homage to yesterday's characters with the loving humor and crass vulgarity of a Friar's Club Roast... can you see it?  Did you envision a sweets-obsessed special agent and his transforming robot/motorcycle best-friend?  If so, you are either a complete weirdo or grew up in 1970's Japan, because what you see before you is Karate-Robo Zaborgar!

This past weekend we had the pleasure of experiencing this cinematic roasting first-hand, thanks to our great friends at Midtown Comics and the New York Asian Film Festival.  The NYAFF, as it will be referred to from here-on out, is a celebration of film from the Far East.  You can see some of everything here: classic Kung-fu from Hong Kong (Zu: Warriors from the Magic Mountain - 1983), Family Comedies from Japan (Ninja Kids!!! - 2011), your favorite Manga brought to life (Gantz & Gantz: Perfect Answer - 2011) and even Rock & Roll Zen Buddhist Monks (Abraxas - 2010).  These are just some of the over 40 titles screening at the NYAFF, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.  You can check it out now through July 14th at the Walter Reade Theater in Lincoln Center. Subway Cinema & the Film Society Lincoln Center have joined to bring a fantastic selection of movies that will capture the imagination of all movie-goers.

Back to this crazy-ass robot-kung-fu-cyborg-monster-mash that is Karate-Robo Zaborgar.  The concept in and of itself is pretty insane.  Would you ask a director who's got more "adult videos" on his wikipedia profile credited to him than anything else touch your childhood memories?  (Insert pedophile and/or cheesy porn title joke here.)  Despite what outsiders may consider a shady history, director Noboru Iguchi, who is apparently best known for crude jokes and ultra-violence, pulls together a wild but family-friendly adventure.  My first impression was "what if Quentin Tarantino was tasked with creating a PG remake of the Power Rangers."  Are you scared?  Rightfully so.  Excited? You are my people.

If you don't like it they will Triple Dragon-Kick your face in.

I need to say that I have no idea what the original series, Denjin Zaborgar, was like.  I also have no intention of finding out.  You can't judge me, you weren't going to check either.  The plot plays out like any family adventure, our Hero teams with a fantastical robot, Zaborgar, to fight the mad plans of an evil organization, Sigma.  If you look back at any of your old favorite TV shows you begin to notice all of the gapping plot-holes that are covered up with action and silly jokes.  In Zaborgar, these holes are not just left as is, instead it feels like Trey Parker & Matt Stone played mad-libs with the original plot.  The main character had a twin brother who died of (blank - noun)... "How about male breast milk?"  Did I make that up as a joke for this post or is it really in the movie?  You'll get the answer at the end of this post.  These funny moments come completely out of left-field and keep the adult viewers from getting bored with the sillier main plot.

Zaborgar Versus Diarrhea Robot
I wish I was making it up...

All in all it was a fun experience that makes me want to check out the rest of the lineup at NYAFF. Even if this movie isn't for you, there's plenty to see, so check them out at subwaycinema.com.  If you do check them out this weekend you just might run into a member of IGH.  I hear Wilderowens is totally going to see Horny House of Horror.

Btw, the answer is yes.

O tanoshimi kudasai!


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Torchwood Miracle Day NYC Premiere

Crazy line before
the Torchwood premiere!

Last night was filled with awesomeness because I got to attend an early screening of the first episode of the new Torchwood season.  Now let me tell you what I think. ;) This was a great event held at the Landmark Sunshine Cinema and sponsored by Starz Entertainment. Big thanks to Landmark and Starz for hosting such a fantastic event. They were so great and I even got my very own tiny Torchwood squishy world to take home!

But first, just in case you haven't watched Torchwood, here is a really quick recap. It is about a clandestine agency that protects the British realm from alien forces. In the past seasons, the Torchwood team has run into a lot of problems, leaving only two survivors, Captain Jack Harkness and Gwen Cooper. Now they are hiding out from anyone that comes looking, except then a miracle happens and "Torchwood" is the key.  The miracle is that no one dies anywhere. This sends Mekhi Phifer's CIA agent Rex Matheson on search to discover why he and the world are surviving.  FYI, this is actually the fourth season of Torchwood but the first that is being co-produced by Starz and BBC. Unfortunately, I can't give away too much without spoiling everything, so I'm gonna be vague. Sorry but it's for the best since it is premiering a week later in the UK.

Now I know what some of you are thinking, "I didn't watch Torchwood before this, will I understand what's going on?" Well, you have two options. One, go on Netflix and catch up. There aren't many episodes so you can totally call out sick and make it through the series before the premiere. Two, the first ep gives enough backstory to catch you up pretty quickly. You may not catch all of the little jokes but you won't be lost by the story.

For fans of the show, this definitely has a more "American" feel to the show. There is a noticeable difference in how the story unfolds, everything seems a bit more rushed. However, don't worry. Russell T. Davies is still at the helm and you still get warm, naughty fuzzies when Capt. Jack takes the screen.  Yeah, I went there.

The cast is superb all around. John Barrowman and Eve Myles bring their characters back to life with ease, like they never left.  It was also great to see Kai Owen back as Gwen's other half, Rhys.  He looks so comfortable with the baby!   Bringing up the old cast is Tom Price as Andy, Gwen's former partner and he is as sturdy as ever.  For the newbies, we have Alexa Havins as Esther Drummond, the CIA agent that uncovers Torchwood.  She needs to have a bigger role because it felt at times as if she was being overshadowed but it feels like this actress can do more.  Mekhi Phifer brings his strong character to life and brings out his comedic chops at all the right moments.  Bill Pullman is kinda weird and dry, but I believe that there is a bigger purpose to that.  He does play a pedophile/murderer, so I think he supposed to creep me out. Good job Bill. My one disappointment was no Dichen Lachman in this episode. After the trailers, I was dying to see her. We got to see a sneak at the end and it looks like she makes her entrance in ep 2.

To recap, cancel all of your plans for this Friday so you can hangout with Torchwood as they save the world from humanity.


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Happy Fourth of July!!!

All of us at [insertgeekhere] wish you a Happy Independence Day!  We urge you to take a moment to think of our soliders who are abroad, our veterans who have served, and the ones who gave their lives, in every war, for our freedoms.  Also, please remember that booze and fireworks don't mix but if they do, film it for Youtube.

Now for your enjoyment, take a look at some true patriots! 

Have a fantastic 4th!

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Sunday Links for July 3

Another fun and exciting week in the Geek Universe...

In DC reboot news, it turns out that some fans are upset about the upcoming changes. Who would've thunk it? Well they are taking the fight public with a protest at San Diego Comic Con. In other related news, Bleeding Cool's Rich Johnston points out how pointless this protest is and starts a protest of their protest. In the end, the change is happening no matter what, so we all need to deal with it.

(via Robot 6, Bleeding Cool)

Google+ debuted this week with a little fanfare. Wysefyre managed to get in but can't send out invites yet. For a fun look at birth of a network, check out XKCD and Mashable.

(via XKCD, Mashable)

We are getting closer and closer to the final premiere of the final Harry Potter film....EVER!  *sad face*  To get you in the mood, go check out this Parseltongue translator.  It is kinda creepy, especially if you forget how loud your speakers are...

(via Parseltongue Translator)

MTV Geek found out that there are still plans for a Masters of the Universe movie.  This is more terrifying than the Parseltongue translator.  I fear for my childhood.

(via MTV Geek)

Have a Happy and Fun Independence Day!!!

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Video Friday!!! 4th of July Edition

Ah, Independence Day! This is the time we celebrate with BBQs, fireworks and most importantly, remembering and honoring the soldiers who have served our country and the ones who serve today. This is for all of you!











Thank you to all the men and women in our armed forces!

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

It's Shindig Time!: Can't Stop the Serenity 2011

It is my favorite time of the year because it is time for all the Browncoats to come out and get together!  That's right, because it is Can't Stop the Serenity 2011!  I went to the Browncoats of NYC event this past Saturday and had a blast.  

So, in case you don't know, Can't Stop The Serenity is a fan-run event started in 2006.  It is a chance for fans to get together and re-watch Serenity, the little movie that could.  This event began so fans could thank Joss Whedon for all he has done by raising money for his charity, Equality Now.  

Equality Now is an international women's rights advocacy group that was started by a student of Joss’s mother, so he grew up with this cause.  EN works towards the protection and promotion of the human rights of women around the world. Working with national human rights organizations and individual activists, EN documents violence and discrimination against women and mobilizes international action to support their efforts to stop these human rights abuses.  Since 2006, the Browncoats have contributed over $557,000 to the cause and that number just keeps climbing!

As I said, I attended the NYC event this weekend.  The Browncoats of NYC are such a great group of people, and I had been looking forward to this for weeks!   At each event, the custom is to re-watch Serenity but there is so much more!  Plenty of people come in costume, with music, dancing, crazy food, amazing auctions and Jayne hats as far as the eye can see!  I was pretty lucky to walk into the music of Ramblin Andy and the See Ya Laters.  I said hi to some friends, then I hit the auctions and raffles and my bank account is still crying.  Then as we got ready for the movie, we got a surprise video message from the man himself.

So, next year is a biggie.  Next year, Equality Now will celebrate its 20th Anniversary and Joss is excited.  He sent a video message to every event saying that 2012 is going to make some serious noise and he is leading the charge.  While he doesn't give much detail yet, he is excited and it makes me excited.  *You can kinda hear this video if you watch the streaming feed of California Browncoats event.  

If you are not excited yet, I have no idea what will make a difference.  Go find your local event and show your support for this great cause.  If you don't have a local event, find your local Browncoats and start one for next year!  Just remember, you can make a difference.  People, fans just like you and me, built this event and helped change lives.  If each of us makes the choice for equality, we can spread it like wildfire.

"No Power In The 'Verse Can Stop Us" - Firefly

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Sunday Links for June 26

The big news of the week was the unveiling of Pottermore, the newest addition to the Harry Potter universe.  It seems to be an expansion pack to the books, with additional backstory and an interactive element.  Even with the small amount of info given in the press release, this still seems like a shaky concept.  However, time will tell, so go and sign up for opening day.

(via Bleeding Cool, Pottermore)

We are wishing a Happy 10th Anniversary to American Gods, that released a bigger and better Anniversary edition this week. 
(via NerdBastards)

Image Comics announced that they are mimicing DC Comics' rating system due to customer requests.  With two large publishers following this system, will more follow?

(via Newsarama)

This week, it was announced that David Goyer will be bringing 100 Bullets to the small screen.  Showtime has jumped on the graphic novel bandwagon and I am glad they are bringing a comic veteran to work on this project.  

(via HyperGeek)

Torchwood: Miracle Day is fast approaching and this time it comes with a fun side story.  They are releasing a motion comic to watch along with the show, starring Eliza Dushku.  The only downside is that you have to pay to watch and play along, with the entire comic costing $2.99 on iTunes.

(via Geek to Me)

In the awesome column this week, check out this Lego rendition of Rapture from Bioshock.  This is a crazy amount of detail, which is just mind-boggling!

(via Geekologie)

Now go and get ready for tonight's True Blood premiere and I will see you next week!

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Video Friday! 6/24/11

Hello everyone! I have returned from my adventures. I can't remember the last time I was so unplugged from the world. It was nice, but now I'm playing catch up, and it looks like I've missed a lot. Here's some of what's been going on.

(via cinemablend)

Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it) from Joe Nicolosi on Vimeo.

(via Geeks Are Sexy)

(via The Mary Sue)

(via Babelgum Film)

(via youtube)

For this last one, I kinda nearly fell over watching this. It's almost my most geeky dream come true - Wolverine and Barney Stinson singing and dancing! All I need is for Mal Reynolds to join and I would've died with happiness. If someone want to make that happen, I'll gladly support it. 

Have a great weekend!

What Makes a Great Volunteer?

I recently shared a few ways to help my fellow geeks afford comic cons.  One of my moolah-saving suggestions was volunteering at events.  Personally, I have volunteered and managed volunteers at a lot of different events over the past few years.  In that time, I have worked with some really dedicated, caring people that believe in the event they are working.  If you want to volunteer, make sure that you are committing fully because the effort will be worth it. 

Despite my experience, I went to someone that works with geek volunteers for a living to tell you how to be the best con volunteer possible. I got to email the person with all of the answers, Kristin Heise, the Community Manager of ReedPOP.  She manages all of the volunteers for some of the biggest geek gatherings in the country, including New York Comic Con.

What are the driving factors for someone to volunteer?

I am sure the factor(s) vary by person, but below are a couple reasons I have heard more than once from a volunteer use as their primary motivation:

 ·To give back to the community they love. The positive energy at any well-run show is infectious, and we usually attract individuals who want to contribute and promote that sort of atmosphere at New York Comic Con. Ironically, by gathering a group of passionate individuals together to support a common goal, they in-turn create their OWN niche community of fellow crew and staff members—a welcome bonus to hard work!

· The volunteer program lets fans 'peek behind the curtain'. It's a great way for recent graduates and professionals alike to gain more experience while they observe key aspects of event planning and execution.

Do volunteers need to have any specials 
skills?

Besides impeccable hygiene and never-ending enthusiasm? Nope! (Author's note: Impeccable hygiene is also a must for every attendee.)

However, we do ask volunteer applicants to tell us about their skills and interests so we can assign them to an area in which they feel comfortable and excited to help.

What are the top characteristics you want in a volunteer?

The typical laundry list that makes any person awesome: proactive, resourceful, patient, friendly, understanding, engaging and, above all else, willing to help.

What are some of the things that volunteers never expect to do, good or bad?

ReedPOP staff members always balance working hard with having fun. Likewise, we encourage volunteers to not only enjoy the convention on down-time, but to OWN their role. In other words: Laggards need not apply!  (Author's note: I totally agree!  Nothing is worse than having to cover for another volunteer!)

How early should someone try to volunteer to make sure that they get in?

We released the application mid-May and will begin accepting volunteers on a rolling admissions basis beginning the end of June through September 16. However, we may fill up slots before September, so the best rule of thumb is to submit an application as early as possible.

A final note is the time WHEN one signs up matters less than WHAT they can bring to the table as a potential volunteer. We aim to recruit helpful, great people to run a fantastic event for our fans—if that sounds like you, give the program a shot!

If volunteering still sounds like a fun idea to you (it really is), then start applying now!

  
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