FRIDAY, JULY 25th, 2008
It’s “Star Wars” Day at the Comic-Con, which should probably be re-named “Broken Hearts and Crushed Dreams” Day. I know this is going to hurt some people to hear, but Lucas KILLED “Star Wars.” It’s over… or at least it should be…
10:00-11:30, Room 26AB – Comic-Con Film School 102: Production — The education continues with all you need to know about what happens when the camera begins to roll. Again, for the filmmakers out there.
11:55-1:00, Hall H – Warner Bros.: “Watchmen” – Be honest, this is the only reason to attend the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con. No? Well, takes all kinds. They’re being coy about who will be attending this panel, but considering Zack Snyder will be on another panel later in the evening, my guess is that he’ll be here as well.
12:30-1:15, Room 6A – “Spaced” – Before there was “Shaun of the Dead” or “Hot Fuzz,” there was “Spaced.” Director Edgar Wright and stars/creators Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes will be at the Con to celebrate the U.S. DVD release of the series. They got a s**t time-slot opposite “Watchmen,” but I have a feeling they’ll do okay.
2:00-2:30, Hall H – Universal: “The Wolfman” — Oscar-winning special effects artist Rick Baker will be unveiling bits of the upcoming “Wolfman,” but on the heels of the “Watchmen” panel… I feel sorry for old Rick.
2:45-3:45, Hall H – Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment: “The Spirit”, — Can Frank Miller do any wrong in the eyes of the comic book faithful? We’ll find out when he unveils a preview of “The Spirit” in front of the Con crowd. He won’t be alone either, he’s bringing stars Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, and Eva Mendes.
3:00-3:45, Room 26AB – Indie Genre Films — Everything you wanted to know about the making of indie sci-fi, horror and genre films direct from the filmmakers themselves. The panel, moderated by AICN’s Drew “Moriarty” McWeeny, will include The Dowdle Brothers (co-writers/director, “The Poughkeepsie Tapes,” “Quarantine”), Oren Peli (writer/director/producer, “Paranormal Activity”), Jacob Gentry (co-writer/co-director/producer) and Dave Bruckner (co-writer/co-director), “The Signal;” Eric Zala (director/actor) and Chris Strompolus (producer/actor), “The Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation;” Adam Wingard (co-writer/director/producer of “Pop Skull”), Chad Feehan (producer) and Thomas Hammock (production designer, “All the Boys Love Mandy Lane”).
4:00-5:00, Hall H – The Saga Continues: “Star Wars” 2008 — The new “Clone Wars” movie will get the main focus of this panel, along with bits about the upcoming video games. Personally, I’m all about using the wii controller as a lightsaber, so maybe “Star Wars” hasn’t completely let me down… yet.
5:15-6:15, Hall H – Entertainment Weekly’s The Visionaries: Filmmakers — This marks the third powerhouse panel of the day, and includes two of the participants of the previous two. Frank Miller, Zack Snyder, Judd Apatow and Kevin Smith will be talking all about their latest films, and what it’s like being Geek Gods. Smith in particular is always entertaining at the Comic-Con, so couple him with Judd Apatow for humor and Miller and Snyder for comic reverance and you have a can’t miss event.
6:30-8:00, Hall H – Kevin Smith Makes a “Porno” — Remember what I said about Kevin being entertaining? His solo panels tend to be one of the annual highlights, and this one, when Smith focuses on his newest film, “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” will likely be no exception. The Comic-Con schedule hints at guests, and since there’s a “Pineapple Express” event the following day, perhaps, maybe there will be a Seth Rogen appearance. But I promise nothing.
7:15-8:15, Room 6B – Mystery Science Theater 3000 20th Anniversary Reunion — This could be the sleeper event of the Con, a panel hosted by comedian Patton Oswalt, bringing back together all of the MST3K folks you know and love. Who’s going to be there? How about creator Joel Hodgson, producer Jim Mallon and fellow writer/performers Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy, Trace Beaulieu, Frank Conniff, Mary Jo Pehl, Paul Chaplin, J. Elvis Weinstein, Bridget Nelson, and Bill Corbett. Hopefully the audience will shut up long enough for the experts on stage to make the wisecracks.
9:30-10:30, Room 6CDEF – Worst Cartoons Ever! — Animation historian Jerry Beck brings the worst in animation to the Con crowd for their amusement and happy disdain.
10:15-11:45, Room 6A – “Spaced” Screening — If you missed the “Spaced” panel earlier in the day thanks to “Watchmen” madness, do not fret. Edgar, Simon and Jessica will be having a special latenight screening of their favorite episodes for you to enjoy. At an hour and a half, we calculate two episodes with lengthy conversation, or three episodes with little conversation.
10:30-12:30, Room 6CDEF – Spike & Mike: The Gauntlet – You get to decide via audience applause which animated films make it into the annual “Spike and Mike Sick and Twisted Festival” when you screen the contenders during this latenight Con event. Spike and Mike events are always a good time.
10:45-12:00, Room 6B – Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog — Those of you who are Whedon-iacs will likely find this three-part musical, premiered for the first-time in its entirety, as the perfect way to end your Friday night. Me, I’ll likely be drinking somewhere.
SATURDAY, JULY 26th, 2008
Not going to lie, today is more about all the great television shows out there than the different movies coming up. Since I’m keeping this film-centric, I’m not going to go on and on about the “Lost,” “Office,” or “Battlestar Galactica” panels so, if you dig TV, check out the schedule beyond my suggestions here lest you miss out on a ton.
10:00-11:30, Room 26AB – Comic-Con Film School 103: Working with Actors and a Crew — This should be called “Keep Everyone Happy” Day, as the main focus is about dealing with actors and crew. I suggest lots of bagels and cream cheese. Oddly enough, I haven’t made a movie in a while…
1:15-2:00, Hall H – Warner Bros.: “Terminator Salvation” — I personally don’t give a s**t about the “Terminator” franchise anymore, but I know that a lot of people do and, well, the fact that Christian Bale is starring in the latest film has me interested… but skeptical.
2:00-3:00, Room 3 – “Attack of the Show!” — Film Threat founder Chris Gore routinely appears on G4’s “Attack of the Show!” and, while he may not be officially listed as being on the panel, I have it on good authority that he may be there anyway… possibly sitting next to you. Officially on the panel, however, will be co-hosts Kevin Pereira and Olivia Munn, and they will be joined by comic geekess Blair Butler.
2:30-3:30, Hall H – Disney Pixar: “Bolt” and “UP” — I used to think that Pixar could do no wrong, and then I saw “Cars.” Then I saw “WALL-E” and… they had me a robot’s squeek. All the interest I thought was gone has come back, and I’m very interested in anything concerning Pixar’s “UP.” How interested? Enough to sit through anything about Disney’s “Bolt.”
3:00-3:45, Room 26AB – Music for My Indie Film: How and How Much? — Music rights are always a confusing and annoying situation to deal with when making a movie, but the best solution is to know as much as you can ahead of time. This panel should give you a nice primer. Feels out of place at Comic-Con, but knowledge is knowledge.
3:45-5:15, Hall H – Universal: “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” and “Death Race” — “Land of the Lost” and “Drag Me to Hell” will also be getting some exposure at this panel, so don’t run away just because you don’t care about another “Mummy” film. Especially considering how soon it’ll be in theaters.
5:30-7:00, Hall H – Sony: “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans,” “Quarantine,” “Pineapple Express” — This panel is loaded! Rhona Mitra, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen and director Patrick Tatopoulos will be on-hand for the “Underworld” sequel, but the real draw will be when Judd Apatow takes the stage with the “Pineapple Express” gang, director David Gordon Green, Seth Rogen, James Franco, Danny McBride, Amber Heard and Evan Goldberg.
7:00-8:30, Room 5AB – “In Search of Steve Ditko” Documentary — If you’ve ever wondered about the life of comic’s legend Steve Ditko’s life, then this documentary is for you. Plus, it’ll kill time until the Masquerade Ball.
8:30-11:30, Ballroom 20 – “Tru Blood” Presents: Comic-Con International Masquerade — The highlight of every San Diego Comic-Con is the Masquerade Ball, wherein one finds out just how much of a geek they really are. Hint: if you’re not in costume on stage, you’re much lower on the geek totem pole then you may’ve thought. You can watch the event in the main ballroom, or head to Sails Pavilion and drink, dance and watch with the rest of us.
10:00-12:00, Room 6CDEF – World Premiere! “Mutant Chronicles” — Stars Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman and Devon Aoki host this special screening of the new steampunk action-adventure “Mutant Chronicles.” Of course, this is also a work-in-progress screening so it could be s**t, half-baked s**t or good, but needs work. Keep that in mind.
Will Sunday be as low-key as it has been in the past? Find out in Part Three of Film Threat’s Guide to the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con>>>
