DVD Review - Dog the Bounty Hunter: Crime is On the Run

After finally watching Dog the Bounty Hunter, I am happy to say that I am now officially hooked! The latest DVD, Dog the Bounty Hunter: Crime is On the Run was sent to me early July. It sat in my pile of DVDs for quite some time but after viewing, I immediately put the best of the show's previous seasons in my Netflix queue. The show has been on since 2004, so I have a lot of catching up to do!



Release Date: July 27, 2010
Running Time: 176 minutes

This Dog doesn’t just hunt – he’s the toughest law enforcer on television with thousands of captures already under his belt, tracking down bail jumpers, escaped criminals and vagabond outlaws with passion, determination and a whole lot of bone-bruising action.

DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER CRIME IS ON THE RUN includes eight top-rated episodes, previously unreleased on DVD, from the 2009-2010 season – a season that saw Dog back in Denver and Colorado, hunting down fugitives with his trademark grit and determination. Alongside his wife Beth and their fearless posse, Dog rebounds from a tumultuous year to reflect on the past, reunite with some long-lost relatives.

Who knew that watching a family of bounty hunters, tracking down fugitives from the court could be so interesting? I've watched family reality shows and I've watched COPS before but seeing the two merge in a sense is actually quite a fun way to spend my Saturday...which is exactly what I did when I put in this DVD. I think I had a preconception of the show that it would be thrilling but there would be too much drama. There really is no room for anything to be staged or any unnecessary drama. This is a genuine reality show with a family who is genuinely close and passionate about their line of work and that is what sucked me in. The family being Christian is also quite nice, as I am a nondenominational Christian myself. I do have to admit, it is quite odd and funny to hear the family curse up a storm and then pray. Regardless, everyone in the family really is inspiring in more ways than one. They inspire people to be driven in the work force and encourage people to not give up in life in general, to live positive lives. Heck, Dog himself is inspiring as he was once in the shoes of those in court for their wrongdoings. He turned his life around and is attempting to help others do the same. That's it in a nutshell but their inspiration knows no bounds. I will admit that I cried a few times...this show is not just action, it hits your emotional buttons! But anyway, the family has a house in Colorado and the majority of the episodes on this DVD are set there. Though I especially loved the episodes set in Hawaii, their other hometown. All in all, I was quite satisfied with the use of my time after viewing this DVD and do encourage everyone to watch this show on A&E.

There are no Bonus Features on this DVD and that's a shame because I would love to see some deleted scenes! I wonder if the show's previous seasons have bonus features on their DVDs. Hmm...

Own Dog the Bounty Hunter: Crime is on the Run on DVD today.

What I Am Looking Forward To At San Diego Comic Con 2011

San Diego Comic Con 2010 was great! The previous years were equally as great! And 2011 will be just as amazing though unlike any other year for me and here's why...

I'm a panel girl. I have run into people who have been going to Comic Con for years and have never been to a panel. But me...I've always been a panel girl.

Typical Comic Con Schedule:
Wednesday: Preview Night
Thursday - Sunday: Wait in line for panels/Go to panels, attend advanced screenings or night time programming events (attended Masquerade once in 2008)

Next year will be different and here's how...

Wednesday: Preview Night + Night time programming
Thursday - Sunday: Attend 1-4 Panels per day, autograph signings, walk the exhibit hall everyday, attend advanced screenings and night time programming events, attend Masquerade

Panels
I will attend just one television show and/or movie panel per day instead of attending as many TV/Film panels as I can each day. I will also attend panels that have to do with writing for television, fan groups, and podcasts. I will not wait in line for a panel any earlier than 2 hours.

Autograph Signings
I've attended a handful of autograph signings but I am generally not an autograph person unless I am getting one of my books signed by an author. So next year, I plan to take part in a variety of autograph signings, particularly and most likely only for authors. I never considered taking part in an autograph signing in the exhibit hall, simply because I am always annoyed with the amount of traffic that is caused because of them and the promptness in the signing...there is no time at all to say anything other than "Hi" to the talent and all of that waiting in line is not worth it to me. The signings in the pavilion are a bit more generous with time, especially if the lines aren't crazy long. So I will most likely just be sticking to the pavilion for autographs.

Exhibit Hall
I will walk around the exhibit hall every single day and take advantage of the daily giveaways, contests, raffles, booth events, merchandise sales, and more. I will take some time out to watch G4 airing live from the exhibit hall and will get to know the exhibit hall like I never have before!

Surprise
I do plan to wear a costume next year! No, I will not wear one all 5 days. No, I do not know what it is but yes, I do know that I need to plan early. On the days that I am not dressed up, my camera will be ready to take pictures of those who are!

I look forward to my plans for next year and cannot wait to experience Comic Con in a different way!

My Sunday at San Diego Comic Con 2010

Sunday’s events included five panels that I attended, starting with Smallville.

Note: Click photos to enlarge.



Smallville
As someone who wants to own the entire Smallville series on DVD and watch it for the first time marathon style, it was quite an incredible experience being able to attend the last Smallville panel. Not only was it epic to begin with but the video reel gave me a sneak peek into all 10 seasons! The fans were very energetic and it was a really heartwarming moment for the fans, cast, and crew. There was a lot of talk about what to expect for the last season and what the writers are still open to doing. A few former cast members will be back – and the crowd cheered at this news, as some former co-stars were shown on screen and some announced. In fact, John Schneider made a surprise appearance at the panel! This panel was loads of fun and has made me anticipate watching the series even more once the complete collection is on DVD.



Supernatural
This is another show that I want to watch when the series is over eventually on DVD marathon style. I attempted to watch this show when the series first premiered, but as it seems, I am a big baby and would rather not watch this show at night. Clearly, this show is amazing and the clip shown at the panel proved why! The cast is brilliant and the chemistry amongst them all is just as positive as one would expect. There was not much given away about the upcoming season, so I didn't get as much out of this panel as I did the previous one...but I'm okay with that because I like the mystery and suspense. I may just start watching earlier than planned…Netflix here I come to update my queue!



American Dad
It seems that I always end up sitting through an American Dad panel and this year it seemed a few thousand people were as well. There were some cheers here and there but unfortunately, the crowd was not as enthused as they were in previous panels. The Q&A was quite boring. Sorry, but it was. An episode of the show was aired, it had a Christmas theme. The episode was slightly humorous but I’ll stick with Family Guy if I really want to laugh.





Glee
This was the panel that I was looking forward to the most! Glee is the reason why I was first in line to camp out at 6:45pm the previous night to get a good seat! It was all worth it! There was lots of news shared…Rocky Horror will be attempted, the Britney Spears episode will be titled, “Britney, Brittany,” and Kurt will go to church with Mercedes! If you are looking for a spoiler about relationships...Tine falls out of love with Artie and in love with Mike! This is just a small handful of all that was shared during the panel. The cast discussed their favorite songs, answered fan questions, and seemed to be just as entertained with the video reel as the audience. The reel showed a few key moments from season one, including Artie’s dream sequence, the football team dancing to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” and Kurt’s dad kicking Finn out of his house because of his hurtful words. There were 50 dancers, 200 extras, and actual mallgoers used for Artie's dream sequence! The energy was very upbeat and the cast was thrilled to experience Comic Con for the first time…the response was very positive, so hopefully they will be back next year!







F/X Presents Sons of Anarchy and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
These panels went by way too quick. There wasn’t enough time for a Q&A and I feel like I didn’t get anything out of the Sons of Anarchy panel or much insight into the new season of Sunny – that is aside from the episode that was screened, “Who Got Sweet Dee Pregnant?” Since Kaitlin Olson is pregnant in real life, the pregnancy was written into the show and what an entertaining season this will be! Last season was amusing but not as engrossing as previous seasons, but with this new story line…this opens the door to so much comedy! I cannot wait until the new season! Though the panel was incredibly short, it was quite nice to see the entire cast of Sunny since the last time I attended a Sunny panel, Rob, Charlie, and Glenn were there. Even David Hornsby (Cricket) was at the panel! Though he was in the audience until the cast called him up. But there was only about 3 minutes left by the time he came up. Still, it was nice to see the whole gang and I look forward to the upcoming season!

My Saturday at San Diego Comic Con 2010

Saturday’s events included five panels that I attended, starting with the Warner Brothers presentation for Green Lantern, Sucker Punch, and Harry Potter.

Note: Click photos to enlarge.







Warner Brothers Presents Green Lantern, Sucker Punch, and Harry Potter
There was some killer footage shown of Green Lantern, which made me consider not doubting the casting for the film. As far as the cast goes, Blake Lively got all dressed up for the panel…which she really didn’t have to do but she looked great and she’s known for her great fashion choices so it works. It’s her. Ryan Reynolds gave an autograph to an adorable little boy who asked him what it was like to be the Green Lantern and speak the oath. Not only did Reynolds say the oath but he did a fist pump with the little kid, each of them having their own green ring on. So sweet! Sucker Punch was even better, showing some incredible footage of the film which introduced us to some characters and the overall plot of the film. The cast came out along with writer, Zack Snyder who has created his own original masterpiece instead of adapting…and the outcome is brilliant. Stay tuned for lots of Sucker Punch coverage on Hollywood the Write Way from now on! If you want to see young woman kicking ass in the real world and in a fantasy world, this is the movie to stay tuned for! As for Harry Potter, there was some incredible footage shown that I can't even begin to talk about. I can hardly believe I saw it myself. But aside from the footage, Tom Felton who plays Draco Malfoy made a surprise appearance! There were rumors that 1-2 cast mates would stop by the con and now that I think about it, it totally makes sense that he would come because he is really involved with the Harry Potter fandom. So thanks Tom for coming!



Let Me In (Overture)
I would not particularly call myself a horror fan but luckily you don’t need to be one to view this film. After viewing footage of this remake, I must say that there’s more to this film than the horror element. This is a beautiful coming of age story with an unfortunate and terrifying vampire-esque twist. I look forward to reading about in the book before I watch the original film. The two main cast members are quite young and did not have too much to say, but it was fun hearing how Chloe Moretz (Kick Ass) picks her roles. Overall, while the panel wasn’t all that fulfilling, the film looks good!

3D Trailer Park
So the majority of the films shown were not only not in 3D but were not new trailers. Looking back, there were only about 2-3 trailers that caught my interest, an unfortunately they must not have stood out too much since I do not remember the titles of the films! Better luck next time Comic Con.



Screen Gems presents Resident Evil: Afterlife
Milla Jovovich was incredibly ecstatic about this panel and pregnant co-star Ali Larter looked gorgeous and was quite thrilled to be on the panel as well. Though Milla’s excitement was truly the most excitement I have seen from an actor at the con this year. She was truly over the moon and was involved in basically every answer during the Q&A. She loved the clip that was shown just as much as the audience did and had lots to say about filming and the franchise as a whole. I have always had this franchise on my Watch List but it has definitely moved up a few notches thanks to Milla’s enthusiasm!




Universal: Paul and Cowboys & Aliens
The Alien segment is here. Both Paul and Cowboys & Aliens have all star casts and very creative plots. One is a comedy and the other seems like a drama with some western action and light humor. I would willingly pay to see one, and the other I’d only go to see on a Friday or Saturday night with a group of friends to make the film more entertaining. The footage show for both films caught my attention, especially since Paul reenacts Comic Con! Harrison Ford made a surprise appearance to promote Cowboys & Aliens, making it his first Comic Con appearance ever! That was fun, considering how many video messages I have sat through over the years at comic con of him saying he wished he could be here. Anyway, I believe that both films will do very well amongst the viewers it is aimed towards. Outside of that, I am unsure how well received these films will be received but I am sure that they will do quite well!

DVD Review: The Losers

Release Date: July 20, 2010
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 97 minutes

An explosive action tale of betrayal and revenge, The Losers centers around an elite Special Forces unit sent to the Bolivian jungle on a search-and-destroy mission. But the team – Clay, Jensen, Roque, Pooch and Cougar – soon find that they have become the target of a deadly double cross instigated by a powerful enemy known only as Max. Making good use of the fact they’re now presumed dead, the group goes deep undercover in a dangerous plot to clear their names and even the score with Max.

What I really enjoyed about this film is that it is one of the few comic adaptations that is not so incredibly dark and serious. There's definitely conflict but all throughout, the mood is as action packed as it is fun and comedic. I think that makes up for the predictable and not so original story line at hand. It's like The A Team's little sibling. The casting was smart, with the exception of Óscar Jaenada who was kind of just "there." Whether that has to do with what he brought to the role on top of what he was given or the screenwriting is beyond me. Although it might have been the screenwriting, because I noticed the dialogue was incredibly simple. Regardless, each of the other main cast members really brought their own likability to the characters...and made me want to read the graphic novel to find out more back story. Honestly, I would have liked to have seen more from the graphic novel play out as the film seemed quite short in time. Speaking of time in general, I think more time should have been spent on the screenwriting and quality of appearance...because it clearly seems like a fun B movie and nothing more. If that was the intention all along though good work. Though not a summer blockbuster or a film with a strong message in mind, this movie was quite enjoyable and should not be passed up if you like action and comedy. It will draw you in and once it does, just sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Bonus Features:
“Zoe and the Losers,” “Band of Buddies: OPS Training” and “The Losers: Action-Style Storytelling” featurettes, deleted scene, and a sneak peek at “Batman: Under the Red Hod.”

Own The Losers on DVD, Blu-ray, On Demand, or download today.

My Friday at San Diego Comic Con 2010

Friday’s events included eight panels that I attended, starting with Stargate Universe and Caprica.

Note: Click photos to enlarge.






Stargate Universe and Caprica
I was incredibly excited about the footage that would be shown for the upcoming seasons of these shows, since both shows reached the top of my lists for incredible mid-season finales. There was so much shown in the sneak peeks, that I fear I would not even know how to explain it all! So I won’t. Lots of spoilers were shown, nothing incredibly major but just enough for me to understand the direction both shows are going when they return. The casts and crews did not hold back during the panels, which made me incredibly excited. If they were able to show all that they showed and give away all that they have, there has got to be even more in store for the season that has yet to be revealed. So there is no doubt that I am looking forward to the return of both shows. I will share two things…Young has knowledge that he is unwilling to share with those on board Destiny and the cylon is not the only version of Zoe. Also, shout out to David Blue for having his Twitter followers shout “Whoop Whoop” when he walked out on stage for the SGU panel! I whooped. Did you?





The Big Bang Theory
This show was always on my radar, but it wasn’t until 2 years ago that I sat through a Big Bang panel to see another one that I actually became more interested in actually watching the show. I was incredibly entertained by the cast in the show’s panels over the past few years and this year did not disappoint. Though there weren’t nearly as many hilarious stories from off the set, there was still a lot to appreciate…including the surprise performance by Barenaked Ladies, who sing the show’s theme song and Kaley Cuoco leading the audience into the "Soft Kitty" song. Let’s just say, if the cast had a musical episode, this is the perfect lead in panel into that! The question was asked if the cast would ever shoot an episode at Comic Con and of course it would be too hectic, but if they find a way to replicate it on stage, they will! There was no new footage to show as usual, so a Season 3 highlights reel was shown and that was just as satisfying. If you go to Comic Con and you do not watch this show, something is seriously wrong with you!



Bones
Ever since Bones began its syndication on TNT, I have been watching the show. While I have not watched everyday and do not watch the show live (aside from holiday themed episodes and episodes with certain guest stars), I was quite excited to see Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz, especially since David was unable to make it to Comic Con last year due to the approaching birth of his baby. There seemed to be more Vegan jokes than anything else and as a former vegetarian and someone who wants to become a vegetarian again, Emily is inspiring. But the point of the panel was for Bones and if you want some scoop, you should head over to a Bones fan site since I don’t have it. What I do have to share is that Emily and the cast would love to have Emily’s sister, Zooey guest star again. I would love that too! How about you?



The Joss Whedon Experience
I felt like once you’ve been to a “Joss Whedon Experience” panel before, you don’t necessarily need to go again unless you have a question for Joss. Joss talks for the first few minutes and then leaves the rest of the time open for fans to ask questions. One question and answer I found to be pretty rad. The questioner said that Joss has created so many strong female leads for shows but would he be open to creating a strong gay character as a lead. Joss said yes, which is awesome. Groundbreaking. So I am looking forward to where he goes with those possible plans. There were lots of great questions asked and it was such a nice intimate setting with the fans that fans could clearly tell Joss appreciated very much.



Entertainment Weekly presents Women Who Kick Ass
This panel is always quite fun since there is always a variety of incredibly talented, strong, sexy, and thought provoking women who have made and are making a strong impact as a female actress in Hollywood. Some spoke more than others (cough*Jena Malone, who I now admire*cough) but everyone was very well spoken and the conversation flowed quite nicely as opposed to it being some sort of feminist debate. The self analysis of these women as individuals and of the roles that they have played was interesting to say the least. I cannot wait to see each and every one of them on the small screen and big screen later this year, next year, and so on.




True Blood
Most of the Comic Con attendees in Ballroom 20 on this particular day where here for one panel and that panel was the True Blood panel. The crowd was ecstatic about the cast making an appearance…it was quite a surreal experience to be part of. The cast of True Blood seemed like The Beatles for a moment. My only complaint is that author, Charlaine Harris couldn’t get too many words in and since I missed her panel I wanted to get a handful of input at this panel. One thing that she did say was that what’s in the books should not necessarily be expected on screen since her and Alan Ball have different visions for where they see these characters going. So I definitely need to pick up the series to get the best of both worlds. If you missed this panel, you missed out on True Blood fan hysteria and a bit of insight as to what to expect for the future of the series.




TV Guide: The Hot List
As always, Zachary Levi (Chuck) dominated this panel. His fans, myself included cheered him on after every word. Everyone on the panel was fascinated with how vocal his fan base was during the panel but everyone did get a chance to speak (whether heavy crowd cheering or polite clapping ensued). One clip was shown per show represented on the panel and the only new clips were the two representing the new series, No Ordinary Family and The Cape. It’s interesting because I don’t feel that the clip chosen for No Ordinary Family was intriguing and I am interested in the show, but the clip for the show, The Cape was intriguing and I am not all that interested in the show. So it will be interesting to get the feedback for the Pilot of both shows once they air this fall.

My Thursday at San Diego Comic Con 2010

Thursday’s events included eight panels that I attended, starting with MegaMind, an upcoming Dreamworks Animation.

Note: Click photos to enlarge.



MegaMind
Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, and Jonah Hill came out to talk about their characters and the film…but overall it seemed like quite the comedy act. Ferrell dressed up as his MegaMind character, Fey had her arms all over the Brad Pitt body cut out (since he was unable to make it to the panel), and Hill surprisingly sat on the sidelines….I guess leaving the funny to the vets, perhaps. The scene that was shown brought quite the laughs and it is safe to say that the audience is looking forward to this film. What if the bad guy won? That’s kind of the lead in to this film, what the bad guy would do if he won the battle between good and evil and took over the world. It’s a refreshing take on things that families everywhere will be sure to enjoy. I’m going to see the film when it releases, will you?



Walt Disney’s Tron Legacy
Eight minutes of footage was shown, which was technically 1-2 scenes and then a compilation of scenes. Jeff Bridges discussed playing two characters, one significantly younger than his current age. I found this to be interesting, along with the answer to why this film was titled Tron Legacy as opposed to Tron 2. Since the film is following the son of Bridge’s character in Tron, it was more fitting. The questions asked during the fan Q&A seemed a bit repetitive and general but after viewing the footage and watching the cast discuss the film, I am even more excited for the film’s release.



Surprise Announcement
Guillermo del Toro is set to write and produce the upcoming Disney remake of Haunted Mansion!





Sony’s Battle: Los Angeles and Salt
Battle: Los Angeles is a war movie along the lines of Black Hawk Down and Saving Private Ryan but with aliens. It is shot from the view of the soldiers and does not include the point of view from state officials and such. In the footage, I watched as the soldiers attempted to get civilians to safety while fighting off a new and incredibly destructive unknown enemy. As someone who enjoys alien movies but is not a fan of these type of hardcore war movies, I was not immediately encouraged to see the film. But it seems like it will be next year's District 9 in terms of fandom, so I cannot wait to see the film! No matter what your movie preference, you will be impressed with the trailer once released.

As for Salt, this was one of my most anticipated panels of the day. I was thrilled to see Angelina Jolie and as I mentioned in an earlier post, Angelina had such a fun and casual time on the panel. The footage shown, if I remember correctly was just the trailer. Even though I was slightly disappointed with no new footage, the film did come out the next day and I think fans wanted to see more of Jolie in person than on screen. Angelina was very well spoken and so were the fans during the Q&A. This was such a fun experience and I couldn’t have had a better experience seeing Jolie for the first time. She really understands Comic Con and appreciates the fans and it really shined through in her demeanor and answers. Thanks for taking the time out to come Angelina.



Summit’s Red
This is an adaptation based on the DC Comics graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hammer, Honestly, I feel like this is something that should have stayed in its original format. While I love Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren, and Bruce Willis, I found the overall casting for this film to be quite odd and I find Mary Louise Parker to be bit boring so that didn’t really help bring more interest into this film. The footage was somewhat fun, but some lines seemed a bit forced, and if I had to choose… I think that Sylvester Stallone’s The Expendables will do much better than Red. I’ll discuss The Expendables panel in just a moment.





Entertainment Weekly’s Abrams and Whedon
One of the most anticipated panels of this year’s Comic Con for TV fans was this panel right here. Seeing two television legends talking side by side about their work and their lives was one of the coolest moments ever. Not only did I learn a lot about the two, but I laughed a lot as well. It was quite interesting because the two are quite similar and yet incredibly different. When J.J. Abrams answered a question one way, generally Joss Whedon had the opposite answer. It was quite a fascinating learning experience to find out how these two masterminds work patterns and think. I could sit down and listen to these two guys all day, so this was definitely one of my most anticipated and favorite panels of the day. Coming away from that panel, I can only hope that the two team up to teach a workshop at the Creative Screenwriting Convention sometime in the near future.





The Expendables (Lionsgate)
This panel took me by surprise. I have to admit, I never made myself familiar with Sylvester Stallone’s work (aside from Rocky) because of its graphic action which I am not a fan of. But, after viewing footage of this film and sitting through this panel, I am definitely going to see The Expendables and plan go Netflix Stallone’s past work. Stallone really made quite an impression on me. His drive, his passion, his love for his work and positive attitude towards getting things done are just a few of his characteristics that I saw in him and see in myself. Sylvester Stallone is incredibly admirable and someone I really look up to in this business. Whatever he wants to do in the industry, he gets it done, and he has fun with it. The movie looks quite fun as well and the cast has great chemistry so I am really looking forward to seeing this film. On preview night, I actually got a temporary tattoo of a skull that says “The Expendables” at the bottom. Check it out above. It's pretty rad!




Universal’s Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
This film took over Comic Con 2010! This film was promoted on the side of the Hilton Bayfront, in front of the Gaslamp Quarter entrance, in the exhibit hall, at a local movie theater where the film had a few advanced screenings, and here at the panel with the cast and crew. The crowd, all 6500 people in hall h cheered the cast and crew on – especially when Michael Cera came out dressed as Captain America and later on said that there is no news on an Arrested Development movie but he is all for it! Cheers were also heard when director, Edgar Wright's buddies, Simon Pegg & Nick Frost came out for a moment. Back to the film though...viewers got to see quite a few minutes of footage and each character was introduced with individual footage. The author (Bryan Lee O'Malley) of the comic book series which the film is based off of is who I was and still am the most interested in. Before I go to the theaters, I will definitely be picking up the comic books because seeing the film will be ten times more fun having read it. Seeing these words and pictures come to life in a way so incredibly unique compared to every other comic book adaptation and seeing the incredibly positive response from the fans…it makes me believe that this film is groundbreaking and one of the best of the decade!



World Premiere of Lost Boys: The Thirst
There are a few night time panels and one of them was for Lost Boys: The Thirst. Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander came out for a short panel before the world premiere of the third film in the franchise, which was much better than the second film (though filmed in a lesser quality). I found the panel to be quite interesting because I found out a lot about the franchise. For one, it was really supposed to be about the Frog brothers, not about Corey and Corey. But it became all about those two and it was great…so great that Feldman called up Haim about how they would incorporate him in the third film. Unfortunately, Haim’s death prevented this but Feldman says that he has three more Lost Boys films planned and is interested in bringing back some past characters. The making of and release of the next 3 films would of course depend on the success of the Lost Boys: The Thirst DVD sales. The DVD releases October 12, 2010 and if you are a Lost Boys fan, then you should definitely pick it up!

Who Was I Thrilled to See at San Diego Comic Con 2010?

Well, the answer to that is quite long but I will tell you the five people who I was incredibly intrigued by! (Click photos to enlarge)



Michelle Rodriguez
I had always thought of Michelle Rodriguez as a lot like the characters that she has played throughout her movie career. No, I am not naïve but I have found that many people who are typecast (personality wise), they are generally like what is acted out on screen. While there is no doubt that Michelle is a strong and tough woman and admitted herself that she has played a lot of butch roles – she is such a girly, girl. Her laugh is constant and contagious and she brought a lot of fun energy onstage, where she was the only female on the panel. She was not intimidating at all and not only that, but I could tell that she really enjoys her work and spending time with the fans. Michelle Rodriguez, I love you girl!




Angelina Jolie and Helen Mirren
Based on the kick ass job Angelina and Helen do in each and every film, it is no secret that these ladies take their craft and pleasing the fans seriously. And that’s just it…serious. I had expected these women to come to the panel with a serious mindset and react to questions as if it were a professional press conference, giving standard Hollywood answers…aka not giving anything away and being short and simple with what is open to discussion. But Angelina gets Comic Con. She’s been here before. I am unaware when and how many times. Regardless, she gets it. And Helen is just a ball of joy and has such a youthful and positive spirit. Both ladies had a fun time with the fans and I really could not have had a better experience seeing them both for the first time.



Sylvester Stallone
Prior to this panel, I was aware of the passion Stallone has for the films that he chooses to make. But I did not take the time to really appreciate it. After sitting through this panel, I have a new found respect and appreciation for Sylvester. A lot of the qualities he has I see in myself and I never thought I’d be saying this, (simply because I was not familiar enough with Stallone as an actor and as an individual) but I really admire and look up to Sylvester Stallone! So thank you Sylvester Stallone for coming to Comic Con because you have gained one big admirer.



Jena Malone
Aside from having seen Step Mom and Saved and having Pride & Prejudice and The Messenger on my "To Watch" list, I was really unaware of Jena Malone before Comic Con. Though after seeing her speak on two panels, she has made quite an impression on me since. This young woman really knows her craft. She is an incredibly intelligent actress who does not simply remember lines, come to work, and give life to those words. She gives meaning to the life behind the words she is speaking on screen. She is so eloquent and so passionate about not just her craft but life. That is truly commendable and that is what makes me want to learn as much as I can about her and follow her career from hereon out. So don't be surprised when I continue to talk about Jena even after Sucker Punch releases in theaters and then on DVD/Blu-ray.

My Arrival at San Diego Comic Con 2010

San Diego Comic Con kicked off last Wednesday to a fabulous start!









After picking up my badge, I was able to snag a free slice of pizza and small drink at Ciros Pizzeria in the Gaslamp District thanks to Cartoon Network teaming up with the restaurant and a Twitter notification about flyers being handed out to obtain the free goods. I had a pepperoni and sausage slice along with root beer…and kept the Cartoon Network cup that was given out. At the pizza restaurant, 2 television screens ran on a loop, promoting the network’s new series and seasons of shows and the restaurant was decked out with Cartoon Network art. It felt like I walked into a Cartoon Network art gallery for a moment.



At night, a variety of events took place, including “Preview Night” in the exhibit hall. The CW’s upcoming new series, Nikita was screened early and was very well received. I absolutely loved watching the Pilot in early June and have been anticipating more positive feedback since. Needless to say, I was very thrilled to learn that others are just as excited as I am. Nikita premieres September 9, 2010 at 9/8c on The CW.

As for preview night…the exhibit hall gets more crowded each and every year. So a few years ago, I decided that I would not walk down every single aisle of the exhibit hall. Instead, I pick out the booths that I want to visit ahead of time and hit those spots. So, I visited about a dozen booths and one in particular really stood out. The film, Buried releases in select theaters September 24, 2010 and I was filmed buried alive. Check it out here. I even got a pin that reads, “I Got Buried at Comic-Con 2010.” Another fun area on the floor was an area for Gleeks to sing karaoke…I recorded myself but am embarrassed to post! Here are some photos that I took around the exhibit hall:









All throughout Comic Con, fans receive a number of flyers and swag. One of the flyers shared the great news that for a limited time, Comic Con fans get a 10% discount on the Stargate Universe 1.5 DVD or Blu-ray! I don’t have a place to keep magnets, but one that I was intrigued by was a magnet which promoted The Three Musketeers film, which releases in 3D in 2011. As for the swag…I scored a cool pair of sunglasses, which ties into the upcoming comedy, Paul. I received a pin promoting the film, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World which was the movie of this year’s Comic Con. I received a DC Comics lanyard which I gave away to a woman who needed a lanyard. I received what you see Yvette Nicole Brown (Community) wearing around her neck in the picture below. Go TV Guide! Thanks Yvette for the picture, especially since it was around 2a.m.! I also received a MegaMind decorated watch and Sucker Punch asylum bracelet. Those are two movies I am looking forward to very much, especially Sucker Punch, so you will definitely see me wearing these two items. Of course I won’t wear the asylum bracelet until it gets closer to the release of the film…otherwise I’ll look odd. The best swag had to be the Harry Potter t-shirt and WB bag that was given out for those who were in Hall H on Saturday.









I camped out in line each night, which marks the first time I’ve camped out every single night at the con. I camped out for Twilight and New Moon in previous years but never for any other nights. This year, I figured it would be fun to camp out each night and it was quite an experience! Saturday night for Sunday’s events had to be the best night…as I made friendly with a bunch of Smallville fans and on our way to the bathroom and to find an outlet to charge our phones…we bumped into Cassidy Freeman (Smallville), Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory), and Joss Whedon (Dollhouse). As for the last photo…we were crossing the street going from the convention center to the Hilton Bayfront, and as I was about to snap the photo, a car started to come our way. Hence the reason I rushed to take the photo with my camera phone instead of my actual camera. Thanks Joss for stopping in the middle of the street for a photo! Thanks Simon for taking a photo even though you were incredibly tired, on your way to crash at your hotel! Thanks Cassidy for taking the photo and thanks friend of Cassidy’s for taking the photo without me even having to ask! That was very much appreciated!







That’s not all! Pauly Shore and Nathan Fillion crashed two panels separately, one in Hall H and the other in Ballroom 20. Jerry O’Connell sat down to watch the panel activity in Hall H on one of the days that I was in that hall as well. I sat in Hall H all day Thursday and Saturday and in Ballroom 20 all day Friday and Sunday. Aside from the panel crashers, there were a handful of surprise guests, some very entertaining footage was shown, and lots of news was announced about upcoming films and seasons of television shows. There’s so much to write, so you’ll have to stay tuned for my day by day coverage later today and tomorrow!