Volume 14, Issue 2 April/May ConNotations 2004 The Bi-Monthly Science Fiction, Fantasy & Convention Newszine of the Central Arizona Speculative Fiction Society
The Borg Invade Las Vegas Featured Inside by Lee Whiteside SF Tube Talk Special Features All the latest news about The Borg Invade Las Vegas The Star Trek Experience at the Las techniques, other effects are used Scienc Fiction TV shows by Lee Whiteside Vegas Hilton has stayed pretty much the (poking, air blasts, moving floors, and by Lee Whiteside same since it opened in 1998. The Klingon surround sound) to create a fuller The Waldorf Conference: Encounter ride has been a popular one, experience. 24 Frames Microphones, Scripts, and Actors with fans being able to visit the bridge of Behind the scenes of the visual All the latest Movie News Part 2 the Enterprise D from Star Trek: The Next effects is Threshold Digital Research by Lee Whiteside By Shane Shellenbarger Generation and experience a motion Labs and a team led by George Johnsen, simulator shuttle ride that ends up on a former Babylon 5 producer, with visual Haunted History: now outdated flight down the Las Vegas effects artists such as Mojo working on Pointless Meanderings News and Reviews Pioneer Living History Village Strip. Aside from some updated displays in it. They have created multiple 3-D images by Dawn Mullan the History of the Future museum for the that are displayed on multiple screens on from the world of comics and Anime last Trek movies and Enterprise TV series, the ride to give the feeling of being in In Memorium the attraction has stayed pretty much the space and to heighten the tension when Musical Notes Michael L Jackson same. That has now changed with the the Borg are attacking. According to The latest news of Filk and Filkers Sameul Edward Konkin III introduction of the Borg Invasion 4-D that George Johnsen, in order to make the from Tom Tuerff Mark Siegel opened in March. effects work, they had to invent some Using current high definition technol- new camera and CGI technology. “In Videophile Ken Unferth ogy, live actors and visual and physical order to replicate the way the human eye Reviews of genre releases effects, the new ride creates a very realistic sees, we literally had to reinvent the way on DVD and VHS Plus our Regular Features: Star Trek experience. As visitors tour a movies are made, from building a new futuristic research facility, the terrifying camera for the live-action shoot to the Screening Room CASFS Business Report drones of the Borg Collective launch an animation and editing process,” Johnsen Reviews of current theatrical releases Event Calendar attack to capture and assimilate guests told the Hollywood Reporter. They also Area events, TV premires, using 24th century cybernetic technology. developed what they call “infinite focus” In Our Book DVD & Movie releases The 3D and 4D effects will merge to create which makes the 3-D images look real no Reviews of New SF/F Books FYI a chilling realization as the action culmi- matter where the viewer is looking from. News and tidbits of nates in a state-of-the-art theater providing This is also the first Star Trek produc- interest to fans an all-immersive tactile experience for tion to be shot totally digitally, the first Musty Tomes visitors to the attraction. The associated multiple angle 3-D production, and the Reviews of Classic Genre books film features Robert Picardo (The Doctor), first attraction to use 2K digital cinema Club Listings Alice Krige (BORG Queen) and Kate projection, which produces the highest- Convention List & Mulgrew (Admiral Janeway) as the starship resolution digital projection commercially Generic Registration Form Voyager gets involved with the events. In available. “This experience is much like addition to traditional motion simulator ( CONTINUED ON PAGE 9 )
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Country Club, Ste. 105, Mesa, AZ Toy Anxiety 85210 (480)649-0807 10210 N 32nd St, Suite B3, Phoenix AZ 4537 E Cactus, Phoenix AZ 85032 85028 (602)308-0292 ConNotations (602) 923-0733 ISSN: 1082-7765 3029 W Peoria, Suite CC, Phoenix, AZ PUBLISHED: Six times a year 85021 (602)395-1066 BY: Central Arizona Speculative 3155 W Chandler Blvd #5, Chandler AZ Fiction Society, PO Box 62613, Phoenix, 85226 (480)940-6061 AZ 85082 Samurai Comics ISSUE NUMBER: Volume 14 Issue 2 5024 N 7th St, Phoenix AZ (602)265-8886 SUBSCRIPTION: $15 for 6 ISSUES Page 2 ConNotations Volume 14 Issue 2 conclude the series. The announcement is making it next and also enlisting the SF Tube Talk mentioned the possibility of future TV 24 Frames services of Weta Digital and Weta movies, but Whedon has indicated that Workshop. Jackson wants to make this a TV News & Previews there is nothing currently in the works. Movie News faithful update of the original movie with With the advent of the Firefly movie (see current technology. The only cast By Lee Whiteside 24 Frames), Whedon will likely be pretty By Lee Whiteside announced so far is Naomi Watts as Ann The BBC has announced who will play busy with that for a while. Whether any of Lots of stuff in the news this issue Darrow. Expect more cast to be announced the lead role in their new series of Doctor the Buffy regulars will turn up to help end including talk about the hoped for prequel soon as production gets underway. Don’t Who. It will be British actor Christopher the series is unknown. Expect a few to The Lord of the Rings, Comic Films be surprised to see some LOTR alumni in a Eccleston. His most recent appearance surprises, though, when things finish up updates and a HitchHiker’s Guide movie few roles. Universal has this planned for a seen in the U.S. is as Major Henry West in in late May. When new episodes resume in finally. December 2005 release. 28 Days Later. He was also in the BBC mid-April, yet another Firefly regular will Following it’s sweep of the Oscars, Walt Disney will be jumping into the miniseries “The Second Coming” as turn up in the Buffyverse with Adam what’s left for Lord of the Rings. Well, epic fantasy arena with a live action Stephen Baxter, which was written and Baldwin (Jayne on Firefly) showing up as there is the DVD release of the theatrical production by Walden Media of Lewis produced by Russell T. Davies, who is Angel’s new liaison to the Senior Partners, version on May 25th and the extended Carroll’s Narnia story, The Lion, The doing the same for the new Doctor Who Hamilton, who is also trying to track down DVD release for the holiday season. But Witch and the Wardrobe. Directing will be series. In regards to Eccleston, Davies Eve. Angel and crew now realize that their what about that other Tolkien Tale that Andrew Adamson (Shrek) and it will be commented “This man can give the Doctor agreement to join with Wolfram and Hart should be brought to life as the trilogy filmed in New Zealand and will enlist the a wisdom, wit and emotional range as far- was a mistake and look to figure out a way was? No, it’s not the Simarrilion we’re services of Weta Workshop. Rumors have reaching as the doctor’s travels in time and to get out of it. This includes tracking talking about, but The Hobbit. Peter Nicole Kidman being lined up for a major space. It’s going to be a magnificent, epic, down Lindsey, who is trapped in hell (or Jackson has expressed interest of late of role, likely the White Witch. Walden entertaining journey, and I can’t wait to something like it), Other episodes will see turning the book into a movie. Ian Media does have the rights to all of the start!.” Filming is scheduled to start soon a return of Angel’s son, Connor, and some McKellen has been loud and long Narnia books and hopes to make this into in the UK for broadcast in 2005. There is of the ramifications of his new life. Gunn champing at the bit to play Gandalf one an ongoing series. Look for it in fall of still no word on where it will turn up in the will also break up a deal for a sacrifice, more time. But the movie rights are tied up 2005. U.S. likely drawing the ire of the Senior in a bit of limbo right now. New Line does Over in the comics world, Warner Bros. The fate of the Star Trek franchise Partners. Also happening will be more with have the rights to make a movie based on is gearing up for Batman Begins with may be in the hands of the Nielsen viewers Illyria/Fred where Illyria’s hold over Fred’s the original book, but MGM (via United casting set and filming underway starting during the final batch of Enterprise body starts to break down leading to Artists) owns the distribution rights. in early March. Starring as a young Bruce episodes in April and May. Executives at multi-dimensional activities. Spike and There may also be some parts of the rights Wayne (aka Batman) will be Christian CBS and Viacom have indicated they are Angel will make a trip to Rome, looking for controlled by the Tolkien estate. Assuming Bale, Ken Watanabe will be the villain Ra’s not happy with how Enterprise has been a being called The Immortal who is that New Line is able to make everything Al Ghul, Michael Caine will be Wayne’s performing and may elect to go with other apparently now hanging out with a certain come together, the earliest that production butler Alfred Pennyworth, and other cast programming next year if they feel they Slayer. Whether we will actually see Buffy could likely start is 2006, after Peter includes Morgan Freeman (Lucius Fox), have something better to show. With the or just fleeting glimpses of someone with a Jackson is finished with his remake of Katie Holmes (Rachel Dodson), Cillian continued success of America’s Next Top blonde wig is not yet known. Expect King Kong. Hobbit fans will just have to Murphy (Dr. Jonathan Crane), Liam Model and their comedies, UPN looks to somehow for all of this (Illyria, Wolfram be patient and they may eventually get Neeson (Ducard), Gary Oldman (Sgt. Jim only have Wednesday night for drama and and Hart, and The Immortal) to all come rewarded. Gordon), and Larry Holden (D.A. Fisk). if there’s two new shows they like more, together in a surprising way to finish off As mentioned above, Peter Jackson’s The movie will focus on a young Bruce Enterprise may not get renewed or may the series. next project is a remake of King Kong that Wayne shortly into his career as Batman end up taking a back seat. During March Tru Calling has managed to stay on he’s been wanting to do and almost got as he travels to London to deal with Ra’s and April, the show has been moved back the air despite expected low ratings started before he embarked on his Lord of Al Ghul. an hour during repeats so that UPN can opposite Friends and Survivor and will the Rings Odyssey. Jackson had actually Elswehere in the D.C. universe, we do showcase their CGI comedy series Game likely be getting a new push from FOX for been developing this movie back in 1997 have the Halle Berry Catwoman coming Over. When Enterprise resumes new it’s final run of episodes. Beginning in late when it was shot down by the studios. out this summer, with a tenuous connec- episodes on April 21, it is expected to March, Jason Priestly has joined the Now that Jackson has a bit more clout, he tion to the actual comics character. The move back to it’s regular time slot. show as Jack Harper, a new forensic ( CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 ) New episodes will resume with attendant at the Damage, following the cliffhanger from the morgue where Tru last new episode, Azati Prime, the Davies works. Al- Enterprise is left virtually helpless with though he seems like a several crew members dead and many nice guy, he has a injured. They must work together with the secret that may hinder crew from an Illyrian vessel that has been Tru’s ability to go crippled by spatial anomalies. In The backward in time to Forgotten, two high-ranking Xindi offer to save people who die stop the launch of their super weapon if unjustly. Upcoming Archer can prove they’ve been manipu- episodes include The lated while the crew deals with the loss of Getaway where Tru is a fifth of the Enterprise crew from recent being trailed by a events. E2 has an attempt to use a Xindi reporter when she is subspace corridor leading the Enterprise trying to stop a couple into a bizarre encounter with another on a crime spree. In Starfleet ship, an Enterprise from the Death Becomes Her, future! In The Council, Archer approaches Tru tries to save an the Xindi Council on their home turf to actress who is a bit too argue why they should make peace and successful at faking her not deploy the planet-destroying weapon own death because she on Earth. In Countdown, despite dissent- is being blackmailed. ing factions within the Council, the Xindi Two Pair sees Tru and prepare to initiate’s the weapon’s arming Harrison try to save sequence while Archer crew works to stop two people that get it from commencing. According to killed in a high stakes producer Rick Berman, Zero Hour - the poker game. In Rear season finale, will not be a cliffhanger but Window, Tru tries to may not fully resolve the Xindi storyline, save the life of a man, allowing it to continue into a fourth Chris, who has had his season, if it happens. identity stolen by a The WB has announced that it will not woman, now using his be renewing Angel for a fifth season and name. As the season made the announcement early so that Joss Whedon had a chance to properly ( CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 ) Volume 14 Issue 21 ` ConNotations Page 3 SF Tube Talk ( CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 ) the laws change but that people remain the make other people tell the truth, with episode each week. same. CBS describes the show as “In a dangerous results. “Memoria” will see Lex In other SciFi news, Battlestar progresses, Tru will learn more about Jack, time when judges can go before lawyers as having sessions to gain back some of his Galactica has been given the go-ahead and Jack will learn more about Tru, holograms, the firm takes on such morally memories, leading to flashbacks to much for a weekly series, main casting has been possibly leading to a major confrontation and ethically ambiguous cases as parents earlier in his life. Clark will also undergoes announced for both the Stargate: Atlantis by the end of the season. suing their doctor for withholding critical the procedure and have flashbacks to his series and Anonymous Rex pilot movie, Mid-March saw the debut of results of their unborn child’s genetic departure from Krypton. Beyond that, and current episodes of Gene Wonderfalls on FOX on Friday nights. mapping, and a man accused of robbery there’s not much advance info on the last Roddenberry’s Andromeda have joined There’s not much advance info on when he “steals” back his identity from his few episodes of the season. Stay tuned for the Friday lineup. episodes, though. Here is how FOX ex-fiancé who has uploaded his presence a likely cliffhanger... After taking some time to work out the described the show in their press release onto all of her electronics. As this diverse The debut of SciFi’s new Thursday details which included extending the actor for the series debut: Jaye Tyler is a smart group of attorneys find themselves in lineup has been a success, at least initially. options a month, SciFi has committed to a young woman who’s having some trouble uncharted legal territory, their cases Household ratings numbers for the debut weekly series of Battlestar Galactica with finding direction in her life. Beautiful and provide an eye-opening look into issues of Mad, Mad House were 1.35 (1.57 million an initial order of 13 episodes. The series well-educated, she lives in an unlikely confronting society in the not-so-distant viewers), Scare Tactics season two will be produced in association with Sky place: a trailer park near her parents’ home future.” debuted with a 1.5 rating (1.58 million) and One, the UK outlet for the series. Ron in Niagara Falls. She spends her days as a When Smallville returns in mid-April, Tripping the Rift debuted with a 1.8 rating Moore will be the executive producer and sales assistant in a gift shop for tourists it will bring back Christopher Reeve as Dr. (2.08 million), which is the second highest show runner for the series and has said that overlooks the Falls. But it’s here that Swann in “Legacy”. Lionel Luthor has a rating ever for the debut of a new series on that the weekly series will pick up shortly her life takes a strange turn, when the meeting with Dr. Swann who then warns SciFi behind the debut of Tremors: The after the miniseries left off. “A few days animal-shaped figurines on the store’s Clark that Lionel is getting close to the Series. SciFi is already casting for a have passed since the miniseries, and shelves spontaneously begin talking and truth about him. According to producer second series of Mad, Mad House, we’re in sort of a dire situation right from giving her cryptic advice. The show looks Miles Millar “When we bring Chris back, wanting to cast other types of alts such as the get-go,” Moore said in an interview. “I to be quirky and fun, if somewhat in the it’s always a mythology episode. He a necromancer, a yoga master and other think one of the hallmarks of the series will same vein as Joan of Arcadia but with a always gives a piece of Clark’s mythology, offbeat lifestyles. The show somewhat be that it’s always going to be a tense less serious bent. The series is scheduled his destiny. So for us, it’s always a big works as a cross between Fear Factor situation. These people are always going to air for seven weeks in the 8 pm MT time moment when he comes into the show. and Survivor, putting the normals through to be one step away from disaster. Which slot. Where the remaining episodes will air And I think it basically ... sends Clark into various tests. The initial show didn’t have doesn’t mean that the Cylons will be after that is unknown. a new direction. And it’s something that much time to dwell on the day to day lives attacking them every week. But I think the CBS’s mid-season genre entry Century will actually be going into next season. of the alts, which will likely get featured nature of their situation and the reality of City also debuted in mid-March on And it will be significant. I think it will be more as the number of normals decrease. what they’re facing out there alone, with Wednesday nights for a short run. Nestor every intriguing for people to hear what he As for Tripping the Rift, it definitely most of them left with the clothes on their Carbonell, Viola Davis, Hector Elizondo, has to say and the information he has for follows in the tradition of the original back and whatever food and supplies they Ioan Gruffudd, Kristin Lehman and Eric Clark.” In “Truth”, Chloe sneaks into a animated short, but may get a bit old happen to have on those ships when the Schaeffer star in this futuristic drama LutherCorp lab and is exposed to some trying to keep up the frenetic pace and bad events of the pilot occur is only, God, the where lawyers at the firm of Crane, kryptonite gas that gives her the ability to taste consistently over twenty minutes of Constable, McNeil and Montero find that (CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 )
Page 4 ConNotations Volume 14 Issue 2 SF Tube Talk (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 ) producers felt they could do justice to the over five straight nights will be Five Days where we get a glimpse of Beka when she dinosaur disguised as human visual to Midnight. The story revolves around was a little girl, and the two part “The beginning. And it’s going to take a long effects needed for the show. On the college professor J.T. Neumeyer, who Dissonant Interval” where fans should get time for them to get to any kind of stability casting of the two leads, Garcia said “we stumbles upon a mysterious briefcase out their hankies. It is describe on the or normalcy.” Moore also indicated he is got to see the two of them test together, containing a police file filled with details of official bulletin board by a crew member as open to having actors from the original and the vibe was electric, which is exactly a gruesome murder — his own. The file, “There are some great, great character series be part of it with guest roles as new what you want when you’re pairing up complete with photos of his bullet-strewn moments in this. Kevin Sorbo and Lisa characters and he may revisit some of the two actors who have to spend a good 50% corpse and a list of suspects, indicates Ryder deserve some sort of award, storylines from the original series, but of each show playing off each other. You that the shooting will take place in five everyone does a great job but those two nothing has been decided early on. can really believe, watching these two, days. Though skeptical at first, J.T. really stood out (to me). I won’t spoil this Stargate: Atlantis’s core team will Joe that they’re old friends, and that Baldwin realizes, when events begin to mirror those one, all I can say is “sometimes you have Flanigan (Profiler, Tru Calling) will play has Trammell under his wing -- er, his in the report, that the file is real and time is to lose the battle to win the war.” Very Maj. John Sheppard, a courageous and talon.” Look for it to possibly air late in the quickly running out. He has only days to emotional, the music used is Mozart’s gifted pilot, while Torri Higginson year or early next year. solve the mystery of his own murder and “Requiem”.” (TekWar) will portray Dr. Elizabeth Weir, SciFi has picked up Gene hopefully change the course of the future. Finally, there’s a few more things in the head of the mission and a diplomatic Roddenberry’s Andromeda as part of a Leading the cast as Neumeyer is Timothy works for the networks, some of which relations specialist. Rounding out the cast deal with Tribune Entertainment that gives Hutton. Nicole De Boer will play Chantal may get announced for the fall schedules are Rainbow Sun Francks as Lt. Aiden SciFi the rights to the first four seasons of Hume, the wife of Brad Hume, the brother (projects that have been green lighted are Ford, an enthusiastic young officer who Andromeda and makes them the place for of J.T.’s deceased wife. Angus McFadyen noted). becomes Sheppard’s second-in-command, the first airings of season five this fall. will take on the role of Roy Bremmer, a Empire (ABC) Historical drama about David Hewlett, reprising his Stargate SG-1 Currently, Andromeda has joined the shady figure and a suspect in J.T.’s future the power struggle in Rome following the recurring role as astrophysicist Dr. Rodney Friday night lineup running current murder. Randy Quaid plays Irwin Sikorski, death of Julius Ceasar - Stars Jonathan McKay, and Rachel Luttrell as Teyla, a episodes the week after they have aired in a homicide detective whose aid J.T. enlists. Cake (“The American Embassy”) and beautiful young leader among the primitive syndication. This will likely give the show The cast also includes David McIlwraith Santiago Cabrera (“MI-5”). ABC has alien civilization that the Atlantis team a chance to gain some new viewers who as Brad Hume and Kari Matchett as already ordered at least eight episodes. encounters. Robert Patrick (Terminator have given up trying to figure out where Claudia Whitney, J.T.’s girlfriend, who has Lost (ABC) - J.J. Abrams (Alias) 2, The X-Files) will appear as Col. the show airs locally. The deal also a mysterious past. created show about a group of plane crash Marshall Sumner in the two hour opener included the three seasons of Andromeda will resume new episodes survivors stranded on a Pacific island. along with Richard Dean Anderson as SG- Beastmaster, which will likely turn up on in mid-April, leading to a two part finale in Stars include Dominic Monaghan (“The 1’s Col. Jack O’Neill and Michael Shanks SciFi soon. late May. Episodes will also run on SciFi Lord of the Rings”), Ian Somerhalder as Daniel Jackson. There will be 18 one SciFi has also given the green light to on Friday nights as mentioned previously. (“Smallville”), and Jorge Garcia hour episodes in addition to the two hour a miniseries production of Ursula K. Since they weren’t sure if they were going (“Becker”) . opener beginning in July, where it will be LeGuin’s Earthsea, adapted from the first to go to a fifth season when filming the Medium (NBC) Drama about a woman paired up with the Eighth season of two of LeGuin’s famed Earthsea-trilogy season finale, two different endings were (Patricia Arquette) who struggles to Stargate: SG-1. SciFi describes the spinoff novels: A Wizard of Earthsea and The filmed. The one not used will likely end up balance her psychic abilities with her as: Stargate: Atlantis follows the adven- Tombs of Atuan. The script will be written on the DVD release in the future. Episodes family life. tures of the Stargate Atlantis team, which by Gavin Scott (The Mists of Avalon) and for the rest of the season include “Lost in Revelations (NBC) - Deals with the is formed after a secret base, abandoned will be filmed in New Zealand. Earthsea a Space that Isn’t There” where one of the final showdown between God and Satan by the original builders of the Stargates, is follows the tale of a reckless youth crew betrays Dylan and the Abyss strikes as foretold in the Bible’s Book of Revela- found buried in the ice of Antarctica. Their destined to become the greatest sorcerer out again against the Andromeda, tions. Six episode limited series. discovery leads to a daring expedition to that the mystical land of Earthsea has ever “Abridging the Devil’s Divided” where an American Dad (FOX) Animated family the distant Pegasus galaxy, where they known. When the young wizard Ged enemy from last season makes a comeback comedy from Seth McFarlane (Family encounter a primitive human civilization discovers that he possesses infinite in a big way and draws Harper into his Guy)that focuses on Stan, a right-leaning and a sinister new enemy that threatens magical powers, he seeks to master the plot. (Written by Gordon Michael C.I.A. agent; his wife; their two kids, human life everywhere. ancient arts. As he journeys to manhood, Woolvett), “Trusting the Gordian Maze” including a liberal daughter; a When Stargate SG-1 resumes in July, he will combat dragons, fall in love, cross with Peter DeLuise is the guest star (no housebound alien named Roger; and a expect a few changes there following the death’s threshold, and ultimately wield the other info released), “Asymmetry of french-speaking goldfish. season ending cliffhanger. Expect to see a power to reunite a kingdom. SciFi has Imperfection” which is a Rommie episode Mr. Ed (FOX) - A re-imagining of the promotion for Jack O’Neill with General scheduled it for their December event that has all the incarnations (the AI, 1960’s comedy David Alan Basche taking Hammond no longer in charge. There will airing. hologram and ship) working with and over the Wilbur Post role and Sherman likely continue to be episodes focusing on Debuting on SciFi in June and airing against each other, “Time Out of Mind” the other SG-1 team members as well as the (CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 ) return of some other characters such as Carter’s boyfriend Pete Shanahan (David DeLuise), the Jaffa warrior Ishta (Jolene Blalock) as well as now Vice-president Kinsey (Ronny Cox). The Anonymous Rex pilot movie started filming in March for SciFi in Vancouver. Leading the cast is Sam Trammell (Going to California) as Detective Vincent Rubio (who is also a velociraptor) and Daniel Baldwin (Homi- cide: Life on the Street) as his partner, Ernie Watson, who is also a dinosaur. The pilot is based on the second book in Eric Garcia’s mystery/scifi series, detailing the adventures of Vincent Rubio, private eye, who also happens to be a dinosaur disguised as a human. The premise of the show is that dinosaurs didn’t die out, they evolved, got smaller, and now live among us disguised as humans with elaborate latex outfits (and lots of buckles). The books go into the underground dinosaur subculture quite a bit and the pilot movie will deal with a back to nature cult that wants to see dinos get back to their roots. The series has been in development for several years and finally got the green light for the pilot movie last fall after the
Volume 14 Issue 21 ` ConNotations Page 5 her twin sister (also played by Weisz), but also with the obsession of youth and bigger, more epic than anything you can (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 ) SF Tube Talk their investigation takes them through the mortality.” The script is currently being do in a series.” The movie will be set about Hemsley as the voice of Mr. Ed. Also stars world of demons and angels that exists written and they hope to have it in six months after the events in the TV Sheryln Fenn as Wilbur’s wife. just beneath the landscape of contempo- theatres in 2005. series. Whedon will direct with filming Point Pleasant (FOX) - Drama rary Los Angeles. Caught in a catastrophic Finally, in the TV to film realm, there’s starting in June. described as a cross between “Peyton series of otherworldy events, the two lots of action happening. Joss Whedon Rumors and a few facts are still Place” and “The Omen” that takes place become inextricably involved and seek to has the green light for a movie based on floating around about a possible Babylon in a town shaken one summer when a find their own peace at whatever cost. his Firefly TV series about a group of 5 theatrical movie. J. Michael Straczynski mysterious girl washes ashore. Look for it to hit the screens in September. spacefaring renegades. The movie will be has been writing a script for a Babylon 5 Spellbound (FOX) - A romantic On the Marvel front, we’ve got The called Serenity (which is the name of the project of some sort, but is not able to comedy about a male witch who falls in Punisher, Spiderman 2 and Blade: ship, which is a Firefly class) and will admit what it is until it gets formally love with a mortal, creating family turmoil. Trinity, and Man-Thing coming out this feature the cast from the TV series. announced by the production companies Dark Shadows (WB) An updated year. Next year will see The Fantastic According to Whedon, “The movie is version of the classic 1960’s gothic soap ( CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 ) opera (also remade in the early 1990’s on Four, Elektra, Iron NBC). This looks likely, especially Man, Ghost Rider and following the cancellation of Angel and Luke Cage all planned the ordering of six additional scripts. for 2005. According to World Horror Convention 2004 Global Frequency (WB) - Adaptation Marvel Studio’s Avi of DC/Wildstorm comic about an indepen- Arad, planned for 2006 April 8-11, 2004 dent defense intelligence organization are X-Men 3, The Embassy Suites Phoenix North, Phoenix, Arizona Hulk 2, Namor, The connected by a worldwide telecommunica- tions web that uses ordinary individuals Punisher 2, plus Iron as agents around the world to fight black Fist, Black Widow www.whc2004.org ops projects, unexplained phenomena and and Deathlok as other problems the government agencies possibilities. Don’t World Horror Convention is THE annual event for have struggled with. Probably too complex expect to see a third Spider-man movie Horror Professionals and Enthusiasts! a premise for them to make it a series... The Robinsons: Lost in Space (WB) until 2007, though. Update of the 1960’s series. Stars Brad Marvel is also looking Author Guest of Honor: Douglas Clegg Johnson (John Robinson), Ryan into bringing Captain Author of The Hour Before Dark, The Priest of Blood, Malgarini (Will Robinson), Jayne Brook America and Nick and Red Angel (writing as Andrew Harper) (Maureen Robinson), Adrianne Palicki Fury to the big screen (Judy Robinson) and Mike Erwin (Don as well. Artist Guest of Honor: Caniglia West). There is no Dr. Smith but there is a On the adaptation front, the movie An artist of strangely skewed visions of horror and the macabre. robot. John Woo and Doug Petrie are Illustrator and cover artist for many books and magazines in the genre. producing. The WB is likely to go for a version of Douglas series if the pilot looks good. Adam’s Hitchhiker’s Editor Guest of Honour: Stephen Jones Silver Lake (UPN) Aaron Spelling Guide to the Galaxy is finally going forward Stephen has been editor & writer of more than 70 books. He has accumulated over twenty awards including drama that revolves around a record store Bram Stoker Awards, British Fantasy Awards, World Fantasy Awards, and IHG Awards. owner who uses his psychic abilities to with filming starting in communicate with the dead and help them April. It is based on a : script from Douglas Toastmaster David Morrell resolve issues they left behind. Award winning author of twenty five novels of international intrigue, horror, and high-action thrillers Dead Lawyers (SciFi) - A drama about Adams with a rewrite a law firm on earth composed of dead by Karey including Black Evening, First Blood, The Fifth Profession, The Totem, Assumed Identity, and The Protector lawyers, all trying to right miscarriages of Kirkpatrick(Chicken Media Guest of Honor: justice in order to redeem themselves. Run) and will be Dee Snider Stars F. Murray Abraham and Sean directed by Garth Star, writer and producer of Dee Snider’s Strangeland, a horror cult classic movie, producer of Van Helsing’s Curse – a Patrick Flanery. Jennings (first time Halloween Orchestra stage show & album, singer for Twisted Sister Rock band, & host of The House of Hair radio show. The Coven (Lifetime) A drama about a movie director from the group of modern-day witches. “Hammer and Tongs” Special Guest: Adam Niswander Frankenstein (USA) - 21st century music video and Author of The Shaman Cycle novels as well as non-shaman novels The Sand Dwellers, and The Repository, A Novel of take on the classic “Frankenstein” story commercial production Magik and the Occult. His short fiction (including many horror stories) has appeared in many anthologies and magazines. as the doctor and his monster are discov- team). Starring as ered in present-day Seattle. Scripted by Arthur Dent is Martin Writer’s Workshop Guest of Honor: Mort Castle Dean Koontz with Martin Scorsese Freeman, Mos Def Mort Castle has been writing since 1967 and writes everything from novels to poetry. producing. (Ford Prefect), Zooey He will be running the Writer’s Workshop at this year’s convention. Deschanel (Trillian), Bill Nighy Editor’s Workshop Guest of Honor: Nancy Kilpatrick 24 Frames (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 ) (Slartibartfast), Sam Nancy Kilpatrick is the author of 13 novels, the forthcoming non-fiction book Rockwell (Zaphod Superman movie seems to be back in The goth Bible: A Compendium for the Darkly Inclined and editor of 8 anthologies, including Gothika Beeblebrox), and limbo for now with a major rewrite in the (co-edited with Nancy Holder). Nancy will be hosting the Self-Editing Horror Fiction Workshop at this year’s Warwick Davis happening and most of the previously convention with guest editors Don D’Auria, Jo Fletcher, and Editor GoH Stephen Jones. (Marvin the Paranoid identified production personnel going off Robot). to other projects. Wonder Woman is the World Horror Convention 2004 will feature an Art Show, Programming and Discussion Panels on Also in line for a only other DC property with any likelihood Horror Writing and Horror Art, Author Readings , a large Dealer’s Room, & a Hospitality Suite . new adaptation is of happening anytime soon but it has Special events include a Charity Auction, Artist Reception with Wine & Cheese Tasting, Logan’s Run. X-Men mainly been rumors about Sarah Michelle producer/director an Independent Film Festival, Writer’s Workshop, Mass Autographing session, Flash Fiction Contest, Gellar or Charisma Carpenter in line for Bryan Singer will Gross Out Contest, IHG Awards Ceremony, and World Horror Convention Grand Master Award. the role. Don’t hold your breath on that direct a remake of the one. 1976 movie Logan’s Embassy Suites Phoenix North Contact Info: One DC related project is getting made, Run for Warner 2577 W. Greenway Rd., World Horror 2004, though, Constantine. It is based on the Memberships are Brothers and producer DC/Vertigo comic book Hellblazer and Phoenix, AZ 85023 c/o Leprecon, Joel Silver. Singer US $130.00 at the door. written by Kevin Brodbin, Mark Bomback (602) 375-1777 P.O. Box 26665, says that he will bring Daily Memberships US $35 and Frank Capello, Constantine tells the Room Rates: $88 S/D/T/Q plus tax Tempe, AZ 85285 the mandatory death story of irreverent supernatural detective age down to 21 as it Group reservation code “OWH” Phone: (480) 945-6890 John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), who was in the original Rooms are two-room suites that include a Fax: (480) 941-3438 has literally been to hell and back. When novel. According to made-to-order breakfast and nightly happy hour. Email: [email protected] Constantine teams up with skeptical Singer, “This deals policewoman Angela Dodson (Rachel with a utopian society, Weisz) to solve the mysterious suicide of Page 6 ConNotations Volume 14 Issue 2 fierce red skin, a tail, a giant armored action than the first half. Troy - Legolas & Boromir Alert! In 24 Frames ( CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 ) glove, and two large circles where his The Punisher - Frank Castle (Thomas 1193 B.C., Prince Paris (Orlando Bloom) of involved. Rumors are that it will be a horns should be (if they ever grow back, Jane) is a man who has seen too much Troy stole the beautiful Greek woman, theatrical film produced in England. Where Hellboy is quick to break them off). Now, death in his life, first as a Delta Force Op Helen (Diane Kruger), away from her it will fit into the Babylon 5 storyline is the adult Hellboy, an investigator of the and later as an FBI special agent. He has husband, Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson), unknown. It’s name is unknown, however paranormal, is sent on a mission that managed to beat considerable odds, and is the king of Sparta, setting the two nations Straczynski has indicated an abbreviation brings him back in touch with the evil finally moving out of the field and into a at war with each other, as the Greeks for it B5: TMoS. As he said in a recent genius that started it all... that Nazi wizard normal life with his wife and son. On his began a bloody siege of Troy using their posting, “The only things I can say right (and just who is *he* anyway?). Accom- final assignment, Castle plays his under- entire armada, led by Achilles (Brad Pitt), now about B5:TMoS is that now that all panying him along the way are other cover role perfectly, but the operation that lasted over a decade. Also stars Eric the correct agreements have been signed, agents, including Liz, a pyrokinetic woman spins out of control. This places the FBI Bana as Hector, Sean Bean as Odysseus, sealed and delivered, the draft has gone in, Hellboy has feelings for, and Abe Sapien, a on the wrong side of Tampa businessman Peter O’Toole as Priam, and Brian Cox as met with great enthusiasm all around, mysterious amphibian hominid... Stars Ron Howard Saint (John Travolta) and his Agamemnon. Directed by Directed by notes have been received, and the next Perlman as Hellboy with David Hyde glamorous wife Livia (Laura Harring). Wolfgang Petersen and based on some draft is in process and has to be delievered Pierce, Doug Jones, Karel Roden, and Notwithstanding their glossy social poem by some guy named Homer. Look for within two weeks so that certain other Jeffrey Tambor. profile, the Saints are no genteel Florida a sequel called Odysseus if this does well... steps can be set into motion. I still can’t Ella Enchanted - Ella (Anne Hathaway couple; behind their copious wealth are Shrek 2 - Picking up exactly where the tell you what it *is* because that has to of “The Princess Diaries”) lives in a violent beginnings, underworld ties – and first movie left off, this movie takes us to come from the proper people through the fanciful and magical world where all a chilling capacity for brutality. Castle’s the kingdom of Far, Far Away as Shrek proper channels at the proper time...but I children are given a “gift” from a fairy worst nightmare is about to come true, as (Mike Myers) and Fiona (Cameron Diaz) can tell you a few cases of what it Godmother at the moment of their birth. Howard Saint and his lieutenants unleash return to her homeland to tell her parents *isn’t*...it isn’t a novel, or a short story, a Little Ella’s birthright is the gift - and curse hell at the Castle family reunion. But (John Cleese, Julie Andrews) the good comic, an animated series, a radio drama or - of obedience. As a result of this unfortu- Castle, to his everlasting torment, sur- news. Not everyone is happy to find her a stage play. Beyond that, deponent nate circumstance, Ella cannot refuse any vives. Drawing upon all he has learned in married to an ogre, with the most irate in sayeth not.” command, and is often left at the mercy of 20 years, Castle sets in motion a brilliant this group being Prince Charming (Rupert Also starting filming this summer is a unscrupulous personalities. In a bid to plan to punish the murderers. He takes up Everett), who was supposed to be the one movie based on Bewitched, with Nicole regain control of her life, Ella goes on a residence among in a dilapidated tenement who lifted Fiona’s curse. We’re also Kidman as Samantha Stephens and Will quest to free herself from this mysterious building on Tampa’s industrial waterfront, introduced to the mysterious Fairy Ferrell as Darrin Stephens. Also just curse. Ella must outwit a kingdom filled where his fellow tenants include Joan Godmother (Jennifer Saunders), and a bar announced is that Kevin Smith will be with ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos), a waitress at a called the Poison Apple, where the villains writing and directing a Green Hornet talking books and evil plots. And, if she’s nearby diner who is trying to put her life of the fairy tale world hang out, including movie set for release in August 2005. Smith lucky, she may find love along the way. back on track. Castle’s neighbors become the great ogre-slayer, Puss-in-Boots says the movie will be a serious approach Also stars Joanna Lumley, Cary Elwes, his last link to the idea of human commu- (Antonio Banderas). Yes, Eddie Murphy is and true to it’s source. Minnie Driver, and Steve Coogan. nity and warmth. It is this makeshift family back as well, making a donkey of himself Movie Previews for April and May Kill Bill Vol 2 - An assassin called the – forgotten men and women with no one again. The year’s genre movie season is Bride is shot down, with child, by her to protect them - who enable Castle to find The Day After Tomorrow - This movie kicking into full gear over the next two employer, Bill and other members of their the one thing he least expects: redemption. takes a big-budget, special-effects-filled months. April features with two comic assassin circle, at her wedding. Everyone Godsend - After their young son, look at what the world would look like if adaptations and the conclusion of Quintin at the wedding is shot as well, and Bride Adam (Cameron Bright), is killed in a the greenhouse effect and global warming Tarantino’s Kill Bill. May picks up more receives a bullet to the head, that keeps freak accident, a couple (Greg Kinnear, continued at such levels that they resulted steam with A Universal Monsterfest, an her in a coma for five years. Emerging from Rebecca Romijn-Stamos) approach an in worldwide catastrophe and disaster, epic fantasy, a sequel to one of the biggest the tranquil state, the Bride wakes up expert (Robert De Niro) in stem cell including multiple hurricanes, tornadoes, non-Disney animated films, and Roland pissed off, soon setting out to seek research about bringing him back to life earthquakes, tidal waves, floods and the Emmerich’s look at the end of the world. revenge on her former master and his through an experimental (and illegal) beginning of the next Ice Age. At the Hellboy - When a Nazi mystical deadly squad of assassins. One by one, cloning and regeneration process. When center of the story is a paleoclimatologist experiment goes awry in 1944, the target of she kills the various members of the Adam comes back to them, however, he’s... (a scientist who studies the ways weather a wizard’s spell, the child of Satan, assassin group. She saves Bill for last. The different. patterns changed in the past), Professor Hellboy, is wrenched from his home, and second half of Quentin Tarantino’s three Van Helsing - Set in the late 19th Adrian Hall (Dennis Quaid), who tries to adopted by the U.S. agents who intercept hour movie that was split in half. Part two century, monster hunter Dr. Gabriel Van save the world from the effects of global his arrival. Raised as a force of good, sees Uma Thurman’s Bride confronting Helsing (Hugh Jackman) is summoned to warming while also trying to get to his Hellboy grows up to be a full-fledged David Carradine’s Bill. Expect even more a mysterious land in East Europe to son, Sam (Jake Gyllenhaal), who was in demon in the form of a man, complete with New York City as part of a scholastic competition, when the city was over- vanquish evil whelmed by the chilling beginnings of the forces... evil new Ice Age. In addition to all of the other forces with challenges Dr. Hall faces, he’s also going names like against the flow as humanity races south Count to warmer climes, and he’s nearly the only Dracula one going north. Produced and directed (Richard by Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, Roxburgh), Godzilla). the Wolf Man Harry Potter and the Prisoner of (Will Kemp), Azkaban - It’s based on the third book by and J.K. Rowlings. Starting during the summer Frankenstein’s before Harry’s third year at Hogwarts, this Monster is the adventure that happens when he (Schuyler has to go on the run after an incident Hensley). where he was unable to control his anger... Assisting him getting on a bus, he hears about Sirius once he gets Black, a renegade wizard who was a there is Anna Prisoner at Azkaban. What Harry doesn’t (Kate suspect is that Black escaped to look for... Beckinsale), him. Everyone will be back except for the heir of a Richard Harris, who passed away after long-running the second film. Michael Gambon takes family over the role of Dumbledore and Gary committed to Oldman is Sirius Black. hunting Also coming out later in the summer down and are The Chronicles of Riddick (June 11), destroying bringing back Vin Diesel’s Pitch Black Dracula. character of Riddick for the first of several
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 8) Volume 14 Issue 21 ` ConNotations Page 7 Council Chambers on the second floor of conventions, several music CDs and some 24 Frames ( CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 ) FYI the downtown library, 22 S. Delaware St. of the best-selling DVD collections on the Festivities include a costume and look- charts. planned movies, The Stepford Wives (June CASFS Book Discussion Returns a-like contest, trivia and art contests, The City of Chandler Public Library, 11) with Nicole Kidman as a housewive writing and poetry contests, and showings and the Friends of the Chandler Public discovering there is something very The book discussion group will meet of some of the best episodes from the Library are the sponsors of On Patrol in artificial about her new neighborhood, on April 21st, 7PM, at Mary Coyle’s ice seven seasons of Buffy Contest rules and Chandler, AZ. For more information, Around the World in 80 Days (June 16) cream shop, 5521 N. 7th Ave, north of with Jackie Chan as Passepartout and entry information are on the Chandler contact Craig Younger at (480) 782-2701. Camelback. We will discuss and dissect Library Web site at Steve Coogan as Phileas Fogg, Garfield ‘Good Omens’ by Terry Pratchett and (June 25) with Bill Murray (voice of www.chandlerlibrary.org. David Levy Lecture on Space Policy and Garfield the Cat), Breckin Meyer (Jon Neil Gaiman. The keynote speaker for the event is America’s Future Arbuckle) and Jennifer Love Hewitt (Dr. On May 19th, at 7PM, we’ll be back at Bill Goodykoontz, the television critic for Liz Wilson), Sky Captain and the World the Barnes & Noble bookstore at the Arizona Republic, who has been an On Feb 18 David Levy delivered a of Tomorrow (June 25) that has a very Metrocenter, 10235 N. Metro Parkway avid Buffy fan since it premiered and who passionate polemic on the future of Man cool trailer with Jude Law (Captain Joseph East. We’ll discuss and dissect ‘Fahren- helped introduced many others to the in Space. I attended thinking I would be Sullivan, AKA Sky Captain)and Gwyneth heit 451’ by Ray Bradbury. show through his column. exposed to a dry exposition of Government Paltrow (Polly Perkins), Spider-Man 2 For more information contact Catherine The event is free and food and Space Policy and discovered a man as (July 2) with Alfred Molina (Dr. Otto
Page 8 ConNotations Volume 14 Issue 2 Convention X Announces FYI ( CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 ) Borg Invasion (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ) admission, which gets you one ride on its First Ever Gathering each of the two rides, the original Klingon He addressed the filled Katzin Concert when stereo went to surround sound,” Encounter and the Borg Invasion. No all Hall holding the audience spellbound with Minneapolis, MN ¡Convention X Johnsen said. “You’ll never go back day or multi ride passes are currently his passionate and cogent arguments. Mr. announces that they will be hosting their again.” available. That does ensure that people Levy, best known as one of the co- first ever gathering from November 26th ¡ Putting this all together makes for a will generally take both rides, which will discoverers of the spectacular Shoemaker- November 28th 2004, to be held at the pretty impressive ride. It uses some of the give them a chance to see how much Levy 9 comet, is offering the course “From Hyatt Regency Hotel, and at the Millen- techniques seen in Terminator 3D with difference six years of technology can Shakespeare to Space” at the Barrett nium Hotel, in Minneapolis. actors in the audience crossing over to the make on the ride experience. Honors College at ASU this semester. He 2004’s Convention X will have a 3D screen with the Borg characters and is holder of the John J. Rhodes Chair in Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Gaming joining in the action. The screen effects Public Policy and American Institutions theme, as well as promoting a positive are very realistic, and when your damaged for the Semester. He has discovered of 21 atmosphere focusing on wellness and well shuttle is pulled into the Borg Cube with a comets since 1984. He is author of 30 being, with an emphasis on metaphysical tractor beam, the various effects simulates books on science and astronomy and is and healing arts. There will be speakers the action quite well. When The Borg science editor for Parade Magazine. He will and events from such diverse areas as film starts trying to assimilate the audience, the give at least one more public lecture for making, martial arts, wellness experts, and added effect in the seats add to the the Spring 2004 semester and is hosting other diverse areas. Other surprises are experience. The ride also can handle more regular telescope nights at the university. planned as well. people at a time (approximately 50) as These are open to all comers. “Everyone who attends should have a opposed to the 27 with the Klingon David Levy is a fascinating man. His great time, no matter what their back- degree is in English Literature. He made ground is,” said one of the organizers of Encounter. However, with a larger crowd, his mark in science as an amateur astrono- the event. “This will be an event that will more room is required for the larger group, mer. He has an extensive group of attract the interest of not only the gaming making things move a bit more slowly. telescopes at a private observatory community and hard-core sci-fi fans, but The nice thing with the original ride, is it is located at his home near Tucson. He is families with younger children, teenagers, a small enough group of people, that they presently working on his doctorate in music fans, and that’s really just the tip of can move quickly and can get into a English Literature. It is his background in the iceberg.” smaller, more confined space, especially a the Liberal Arts which gives him a unique Confirmed guests of Convention X are turbolift. Also, being on one side of the perspective on science and astronomy. - Mike Jittlov, Dave Arneson, and Allison group means that you may not see all that Gary Swaty Crowe. http://www.convention-x.com is going on with the Borg attack. In case you are wondering what this new ride will set you back, it is now $29.99
Volume 14 Issue 21 ` ConNotations Page 9 Page 10 ConNotations Volume 14 Issue 2 IN MEMORIAM by Las Vegas’ own Joyce Worley. St Echo and Narcissus, and a biography of of their own vision to those of the writers, LouisCon was Sam’s first SF Con and he James Tiptree, Jr, as well as short stories in director, and actors. “The Exonerated,” a Michael L Jackson went on to become well known by scores Writers of the Future XVI, Ideomancer, play by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen of Fans across the country. Sam was a Chiarascuro and other publications. His Sameul Edward Konkin III diehard anarchist Libertarian, he consid- “The Ghost of my Sex Life With K” won concerning death row inmates who were Mark Siegel ered those who join the Libertarian Party the Coffeehouse Short Fiction Award in innocent, is also a ‘staged reading” that Ken Unferth to be “sellouts” to the cause. In 1969, the 2001. allows the actors and the audience to Libertarian Party was formed at a political Donations in Mark’s memory can be concentrate on the performance. Less, in convention in St. Louis, MO during the made to the American Foundation for both of these plays, is definitely more Michael Lee Jackson same weekend as St LouisCon. Sam AIDS Research, 120 Wall Street, 13th 1964-2004 The passion of the actors brought to traveled to St. Louis from NYC to attend Floor, New York, NY 10005-3902. life twelve men condensed down from the this seminal event in Libertatian Politics Michael Lee Jackson, born on August and took advantage of the opportunity to John Kenneth Unferth forty-eight movie studio executives who 9, 1964 at Macon, Missouri, passed away attend the WorldCon (and he was met on November 24th, 1947 to decide the unexpectedly on March 8, 2004 at hooked). Local fan, gamer, and UFP member, fate of the movie industry in the United Maricopa County Medical Center leaving Sam went on to attend cons across the Ken Unferth, 38,died on March 19, 2004. States of America. As audience members, behind his mother, Sharon Kay Stalter, country and even made it to a WorldCon Survivors include his parents Nancy and Laurie and I were amazed at the talent sister Julie Firebaugh, brother Ken or two in Europe, he was originally from Robert Unferth, sisters Deb Olin Unferth Jackson, anam chara Kathleen McDonald- amassed on the stage before us. Visions of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. In his 20s he and Katherine Amy Unferth, and Lou Grant, Neelix, The EMH Doctor, and Q Neal and countless friends. Michael was went to NYC for Graduate School and also grandmother Rosalyn Olin Porte. an avid World War I aircraft history buff; a attended a school in Madison, WI. Sam He sometimes went by John or Kenny. faded as the talented actors supplanted founding member of the Frank Luke Air was a founding member of the SF Club at He worked at Christown at the magic shop the characters they are best known for Corps; a frequent volunteer staff member NYU and participated in other NYC Fan for a while. Ken was a long time friend of with the motion picture moguls of a at local speculative fiction conventions; Clubs. the late Robert “Ozzie” Osman and would bygone era. Harlan Ellison proved that his and an enthusiastic fan of the card game Sam pubbed his ish 101 times weekly make balloon animals for kids in the Con acting is as worthy of note as is his Shadowfist which he actively supported over a two year period in the 70s. New suite to make up for Ozzie’s loss. by running regular tournaments at his writing. Outstanding in this superlative Libertarian Weekly attracted much Memorial contributions may be made cast were Ed Asner as Louis B. Mayer and favorite game store. He had recently been attention due in part to its uniquely regular to Make-a-Wish Foundation, 711 E. employed by Artifact Entertainment’s publication schedule and in part to its hard Northern Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85020. Robert Picardo as Dore Schary. Their MMORPG Horizons. Michael will ever be hitting policy of giving voice to all battle of words and wills on that stage remembered by those who knew him for factions within the Libertarian movement. gave insight and substance to the real men his playfulness, his supportiveness and Its slogan, “Everyone appearing in this The Waldorf Conference: they portrayed. for the loving and forgiving way he treated publication disagrees”, celebrated this Microphones, scripts, and After the play, we spoke to Susan everyone. He will be sorely missed. practice. In lieu of flowers, please send a Ellison who had seen the play with friends. New Liberterian Weekly contained actors - Part 2 While waiting to speak to Harlan Ellison, donation in Michael’s name to the much news about such SF notables as Museum of Flight in Seattle, Personal Robert A.Heinlein and other material of By Shane Shellenbarger Robert Picardo (The Doctor on Star Trek: Courage Wing (Champlin fighter collec- interest to SF Fans. In fact entire issues Voyager) approached us and graciously tion) 9404 E Marginal Way South, Seattle, were devoted to SF as a way to influence To briefly recap, it was the evening of thanked us for our support. We were WA 98108, 206-764-5700 specifying that the culture in a Liberterian direction, in the November 24th, 2003, and my wife, Laurie, speaking to the Ellison’s when I asked funds are to be used for preservation of tradition of Orwell, Bradbury and Huxley. and I were attending a benefit for the Harlan to do me the favor of introducing WWI aircraft. Sam has also pubbed his ish, Daily Hollywood American Civil Liberties Union Lauren to Ed Asner. Harlan agreed and FreFanzine, designed to compete with the and the Writers Guild Foundation, “The called out, “Hey, Eddie, I’ve got some Samuel Edward Konkin III official daily organ of the given Con. Sam 2004 pubbed Daily FreFanzine each day of Waldorf Conference”, a radio play people I want you to meet!” “What is it every con he attended since its inception performed at the Writers’ Guild of America now, Ellison?” asked Asner, who turned in Longtime Fan & Mac User Samuel at the El Paso Westercon. Theatre in Beverly Hills. The show was our direction as we approached. “For some Edward Konkin III was discovered in his Sam leaves behind a brother in written by Nat Segaloff, Daniel M. Kimmel reason, my friends Laurie and Shane apartment having collapsed in the shower, Edmonton and his son, Samuel Konkin IV, & Arnie Reisman, produced by Nat Shellenbarger want to meet you. Don’t ask cause of death is presumed to be natural in addition to those in his chosen Fan and Segaloff and Directed by John de Lancie me why,” replied Ellison. Asner turned to causes. Libertarian families. with the following cast: Edward Asner as us, “You need a better class of friend,” he Westercons and Worldcons which Memorial Services are being planned have representatives in G.B, Europe or for the L.A. area. Louis B. Mayer, James Cromwell as James joked, shaking our hands and creating an even Austalia, have nothing on VegaCon Woody Bernardi VegaCon I ConChair The F. Byrnes, John de Lancie as Eric unforgettable moment in our lives. I. VegaCon I now has a representative in a Vegas SF Association (VSFA) Johnston, Harlan Ellison as Barney We spoke to the Ellisons for about whole other realm.Sam is the Publications Balaban, Michael Laskin as Mendel thirty minutes more when Harlan said, “I Director of VegaCon I (Following the LSFS Mark Richard Siegel Silberberg, Paul Mazursky as Samuel suppose that since you came all the way motto, death is NOT going to release 1949-2003 Goldwyn, Kenny Morse as Spyros from Phoenix you want to go out with us?” him!). Mark Richard Siegel, 54, of Mesa, AZ. Skouras, Ethan Phillips as Harry Cohn, I fought down the urge to say, “You bet!” Having recently returned to L.A. after died unexpectedly on November 12, 2003. a couple of years in Las Vegas, Sam was a Mark was a native of Buffalo, NY. He Robert Picardo as Dore Schary, Lawrence and instead I remarked that he looked tired an activemember of the Vegas SF Associa- had a BA from Williams College, an MA Pressman as Albert Warner, Jacob Snyder and it was perfectly fine if he wanted to tion (VSFA) and recent member of from SUNY Buffalo, PhD from University as William Goetz, and Alan Toy as call it a night. Ellison allowed as how it had SNAFFU (The Southern Nevada Area of Arizona and a JD from Arizona State Nicholas Schenck. been a long week as well as a draining day Fantasy Fiction Union). As a longtime College of Law. The cast was excellent, quickly and he welcomed the opportunity to go to resident of LA, he has attended the LSFS From the early 70’s to the mid 80’s he weaving a tapestry of words and emotions bed early. Laurie and I walked the Ellisons scores of times over the past 30 years and was an English Professor, mostly at that drew the audience into a willing to their car where we said our goodbyes. longtime member of LosCon. Samattended Arizona State University and the Univer- every LosCon through the 70s and 80s. sity Wyoming, with a stint in Japan. suspension of disbelief. Soon, the theatre As Laurie and I drove back to our hotel To know Sam was not necessarily to He became a lawyer in Phoenix, AZ in was gone, the stage was gone, the room near LAX we reveled in experience love him, however, it CAN be said that to 1991. He ran the People’s Law School from microphones disappeared and the illusion and felt not a little remorse that the night know him was most certainly to excite the Arizona Trial Lawyer’s Association of twelve men fighting for survival and and the performances by those actors much passion. Sam has left many friends and was a founding board member and wrestling with their ethics became real would only be contained in the memories behind, but he was never one to leave you Chairman of the Modest Means Project, before the eyes of the audience. There was of we few fortunate folks. wondering where you stood with him. which provided free legal assistance for no intermission in this play of approxi- http://www.waldorfconference.com/ There are those, with whom he clashed. the working poor. Although he made a living as a typeset- Mark wrote half a dozen books and a mately ninety minutes and no interruption http://www.waldorfconference.com/ ting and layout professional, he was most hundred articles on literature, film and would have been welcome. Without the audio/prologue.mp3 proud of his Fan publishing credentials. In popular culture. In 1991, he wrote a true distractions of costumes, set design, http://www.waldorfconference.com/ this regard, he would certainly agree that crime book called Rocky Point, about the sound effects, and all of the elements that prologue.html even bad publicity is good publicity. Willoughby Murder case. make up a “fully staged production,” the http://www.waldorfconference.com/ Sam has been in Fandom since His genre work includes the novel, attending St LouisCon in 1969, cochaired audience was able to contribute elements production.html Volume 14 Issue 21 ` ConNotations Page 11 (usually) what time period any song is here, but he’s augmented them with a live, feel of the land. Something, or someone, Musical Notes from by just listening to it. all-banjo performance from 1996. So you pulls you toward these residences. The (Come to think of it, you can’t tell that get more cuts for the price of one CD. other motivating factor, the feeling of being by Tom Tuerff by reading the liner notes, either, which Nifty, eh? watched as you move through the build- don’t date the songs at all.) With Joe Bethancourt, you get what’s ings and property. Balticon Tapes -- 1978-2003 *** What this CD does, better than promised, 18 banjo tunes and a lot of Joe’s The Opera House looming large seems Kludge CD-120 anything, is show to filk snubbers that a bizarre, between-song humor. (Those of to watch visitors even from afar. Walking typical filk session is not song after song you who remember when Joe played out at into the first floor, the heavier the place Filk recordings, as a rule, run the about Mr. Spock’s nose hairs. There are the now-defunct Funny Fellows may want feels toward the stage. Though no orbs gamut in quality, as well as coincidence. some straight-ahead folk songs on here, to whip up a toasted-roll hoagie and a came from pictures taken at the stage, other More often than not, if a filker gets totally original stuff about nothing in brewski, with a side of chips, served in a pictures taken in the reception area of the recorded at a convention, it is only particular, and everything in between. red plastic basket, before popping this on hall do reveal that orbs were watching us because somebody has brought a hand- Standouts Leslie Fish’s take on the old for full effect.) investigate. held recorder, or an old cassette recorder standby, “Which Side Are You On,” He can go from silly (“Cindy Cindy”) The Victorian House northwest of the with questionable batteries, and recorded Duane Elms’s interpretations of his own to serious (“Lonesome Water”) at the drop entrance is open to visitors, but the home the proceedings as they occur. “Dawson’s Christian” and “Falling Down of a hat, and have you hanging on every was only for observation as the rooms were Of course, these tapes usually sound on New Jersey,” and several tunes from note. And while he usually stays away sectioned off by ropes. Several investiga- terrible, but it doesn’t keep fans from the ever-goofy Michigan songwriter from being political, even his pro-gun tors noticed on a light breeze day at the passing them around. extraordinaire Tom Smith. song, “Me and My 30.06,” makes fine back of one of the rooms with no air current Which is what makes “Balticon Dorsey went out of his way to choose points that even a gun-control activist that the curtains moved by themselves on Tapes” all the more remarkable. Most of an incredible lineup of different performers can’t really argue with. the far side of the wall. On my visit, I felt as the performances here were recorded over and song titles. This is a very entertaining Joe doesn’t get out to local cons much if a presence was there of a small child and a 25-year period by Scott Dorsey of set. Look for it the next time you’re at a anymore, so if you need a banjo fix, I when I went out the back door onto the Kludge Audio (note to Scott sign your con CD table and give it a shot. suggest going to random-factors.com right porch, a small voice murmured to me. liner notes next time!), who started ------now and picking this up. Another investigator heard a dog barking in recording filk on an old Nagra tape deck in Joe Bethancourt, Naked Banjos ----- that vicinity, but there are no dogs on the 1978, and basically hasn’t stopped. He’s RF-1007 **** Tom Tuerff writes filk and folk reviews for property only penned chickens, wild gone to Balticon, the annual Baltimore SF ConNotations. rabbits and other natural desert wildlife. convention, every year since or has I know what some of you are thinking. If you have a tape or CD that you’d like him to Jack’s House stood the farthest to the tracked down cuts from other tapes if he “Naked Banjos?” Again? Didn’t Joe review, parade naked in front of John north and west on the property and was was missing something. Bethancourt already have an album called Ashcroft’s house until word gets back to Tom intriguing since one of the other investiga- This is a remarkable 2-CD set. For the “Naked Banjos?” that you have a CD for him. Or, take the easy tors saw the shadow of a child sitting at the route and contact Tom at [email protected] to most part, the songs have been well- Well, yes and no. Parts of that original kitchen table. Peering through a window, get his mailing address. engineered to sound as if they’re coming album, originally released on cassette, are this investigator found a vase with plastic from the same source. You can’t tell flowers that had been dumped on the floor from a nearby bookcase even though no visitor is able to get into the house. Only Haunted History one open door with bars is given to see the ConRunners 8 By Dawn Mullan old furniture inside but this gate is padlocked. Readings on the temperature June 12, 2004 When visitors first enter the Pioneer gauge showed erratic shifts bolting across Living History Village, they see the dirt the room like a small child running back and Site: TBA and desert landscape with preserved, forth in front of the door as if to play with Admission: $15 refurbished, and sample buildings scat- our meter. tered about the property exhibiting The historical museum is also full of wonders and items from Arizona’s Territo- ConRunners is WesternSFA’s thrice annual one-day Arizona’s Territorial days. What visitors may not realize is that the grounds are rial past from the 1880’s to 1912 including a seminar on various aspects of Fan-Run Science Fiction alive with history in more ways than was blacksmith, bank, jail, teacherage, church, Conventions. If you are interested in the behind the scenes specified on the website. Walking dress shop, gun fights and fascinating around from building to building, some pioneer objects from scissors to eye- aspects of fan-run conventions then this is the place for you. visitors have seen and heard unexplain- glasses. Learning about the west and how Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. able things as well as had strange far Arizona has come since Statehood is a truly unique and exciting experience. Topics this time are: feelings when entering a few of the buildings on the property Though, if you like your history haunted, At least four of the museum’s well, the Pioneer Living History Village has 9 a.m. —12 Noon 2:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. buildings give even the most skeptical that too. The Pioneer Living History Village is Hot Topics for WesterCon Website Design visitors a weird sensation. Two of these buildings have had recent sightings. The located by taking I-17 North to Exit 225 (Pioneer Road), one mile north of Carefree 12:00 Noon — 2:00 p.m. Opera House, the two story building near 4:00 p.m. — 6:00 p.m. the entrance, has had a specter of a Highway. Website: http://www.pioneer- Lunch LepreCon 30 woman in 1800’s period clothing seen in arizona.com/ Analysis and Discussion one of the upstairs rooms. At another building, strange occurrences abound For more information check our web site at when one morning a security guard wrote www.westernsfa.org or in the log about someone leaving a light on, though there is no electricity or any contact us at [email protected] other light source connected to this ConRunners, particular building. PO Box 67457 While investigating the village, there was no problem finding the four Phoenix AZ 85082 buildings that had sightings just by the
Page 12 ConNotations Volume 14 Issue 2 Calendar of Events - April/May 2004 To have your event or meeting listed please email [email protected] - Deadline for June/July Submissions - May 15, 2004 (This is a free service. All release dates are tentative) April April 17 - Saturday April 30 - Friday May 21 - Friday
April 2 - Friday Meeting: ConKopelli Committee Meeting Movie: Godsend Movie: Shrek 2 2PM, CopperCon 24 Committee Meeting Meeting: CASFS Monthly Meeting 7PM Event: Fannish Open House at Craig & Movie: Hellboy 4PM - JBs I-17 & Indian School. Info: Mike JBS I-17 & Indian School Info Stephanie’s Info: [email protected] Willmoth
April 9 - Friday April 25 - Sunday Movie: Troy Meeting: WesternSFA Quarterly Meeting Movie: Ella Enchanted Meeting: SouthWest Costumers Guild 7PM Info: [email protected] 1PM - ww.southwestcostumersguild.org April 13 - Tuesday May 16 - Sunday April 27 - Tuesday DVD: Kill Bill Vol 1 Meeting: ConKopelli Committee Meeting DVD-TV: Babylon 5 Season 5, Highlander DVD: Big Fish, Timeline 2PM, CopperCon 24 Committee Meeting Season Four DVD-TV: Mutant X Season Two 4PM - JBs I-17 & Indian School. Info: Mike April 16 - Friday April 29-May 2 Thursday-Sunday Willmoth
Movie: Kill Bill Vol 2, The Punisher Event: Camarilla’s Southwest Regional May 18 - Tuesday Event: Fannish Open House at Craig & Event - Embassy Suites Phoenix Airport Stephanie’s Info: [email protected] Info www.swre.org DVD-TV: Star Trek: Voyager Season Two
Ongoing Events Wednesdays New Comics Arrive! Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback www.samuraicomics.com 6pm Hero Clix Tournamets Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback www.samuraicomics.com 6pm Mech WarriorTournaments Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback www.samuraicomics.com 6pm L5R CCG Imperial Outpost, 49th Ave & Thunderbird www.imperialoutpost.com Thursdays 6pm Camarilla Anarch Game Kiwanis Park www.titheofsouls.com 6pm Mechwarrior Dark Age Tournament Imperial Outpost, 49th Ave & Thunderbird www.imperialoutpost.com 6pm Magic ThG type 1.5 Tournament Imperial Outpost, 49th Ave & Thunderbird www.imperialoutpost.com 6pm Warmachine League Imperial Outpost, 49th Ave & Thunderbird www.imperialoutpost.com Fridays 6pm Magic the Gathering DCI Sanctioned Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback www.samuraicomics.com 7pm HeroClix Tournament Imperial Outpost, 49th Ave & Thunderbird www.imperialoutpost.com 7pm Magic: The Gathering Tournaments Game Daze 2140 E 5th St #11, Tempe AZ 85281 Saturdays* AllDay Warhammer Fantasy & 40K Imperial Outpost, 49th Ave & Thunderbird www.imperialoutpost.com Noon Hack Tournament Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback www.samuraicomics.com Noon Duel Masters Tournaments Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback www.samuraicomics.com 3pm YU-GI-OH Tournaments Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback www.samuraicomics.com 6pm Anime Club Meeting Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback www.samuraicomics.com Sundays* Noon YU-GI-OH Tournaments Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback www.samuraicomics.com 3pm Dragonball Z CCG Tournament Samurai Comics, 7th St & Camelback www.samuraicomics.com Volume 14 Issue 21 ` ConNotations Page 13 had my latest copy of Pointless Meanderings Superman or the X- by Brandon Huigens Men nearby. After getting my Masters, I After returning from the Alternative began teaching full Press Expo in San Francisco this past time at Phoenix College February (my first time as an exhibitor at a (PC). It was there at PC comics convention), one might suppose that I found I had this article would be relative to that enough freedom to subject-anyone that knows me knows that begin developing the APE has become the single event I look course. forward to each year. However, for this Up to this point, I issue of ConNotations, I was given an was teaching a opportunity to write about something combination of more important than my own experiences composition, creative as a comics creator. So, APE next time, writing (poetry) and folks. some American Indian This time learning how to create Literature, but I have comics, as relevant literature, in school. always had the desire And not at an elementary level. to teach my abilities, Personally having the time to only and understanding the attend class in small segments, I recently process of comics is learned of an amazing opportunity to learn one of them about comic books and sequential art at a Growing up, going collegiate level. The class is the first of to school, I first it’s known kind in the country a course learned everything I exclusively dedicated to teaching students knew from reading how to write in the field of comics. Most comics. However, it comics creators will tell you that in general was never taught. Not college (and sometimes art schools), in high school, not in instuctors are rarely supportive of creative college, not even in aspirations in the field of comic books and the real world. The graphic novels. That said, there have only places I ever saw been boundless opportunities for artists to others passionate attend schooling about the visual artistic about this subject was aspect of comics, such as the renouned the local comic book Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic store or the major Art. What there haven’t been, though, are comic book conven- how-to write comics classes. tions. I would love to Enter Phoenix College Creative Writing have studied literature professor Hershman John. through reading Mr. John, a familiar face to any comics graphic novels, or take retailer in Phoenix the last decade, is owed a creative writing a debt of gratitude from every comic fan course in comic book that’s ever dreamed of writing a Spider- writing. But, alas, man or a Batman story, or a comics story there were no such about a troubled relationship, but wasn’t courses at ASU or the sure how to go about doing so. How does community colleges. one script a comic for an artist? How As a result, I took much does continuity really matter to my it upon myself. I stories? Where does one go for refer- approached our ence? These were some of the questions I Creative Writing personally had, having self-published and program and sug- never having to work with an artist or on gested the concept. I any characters that required extensive was told “it sounds research. like a great idea.” Recently, I was able to talk a bit with So came my first Hershman John about the course he’s proposed course in teaching, his love for comics, and how it’s Creative Writing CRW time for comic books to stop being ignored 271 Introduction to as literature. Enjoy! Comic Book Writing. Brandon Huigens: What prompted you to This is the first such approach the PC faculty about teaching course I’ve ever heard comics scriptwriting? of—I’ve even gone on Hershman John: What prompted me to line to many universi- create the class basically was my love for ties to check out their comics. I have been reading comics for course schedules and about 22 years now. My journey first found no similar class. started as a Christmas present, three I was trying to find a consecutive issues of the Teen Titans. successful course that someone else was was with a new course in my hand and it comic books. For example, I consider Stan Ever since then I was hooked. I spent doing, but there were none. I had to start was full. Lee / Steve Ditko’s run on Spider-Man, a every nickel and dime of any money I have from scratch and just began developing BH Why do you feel comics are only now, great American novel. I have enjoyed the ever received on comics since. After high and imagined if I was a student in such a after years of publication, receiving more Watchman and grittier stories that school, I went onto college and received a class, what would I like to learn about? merit/consideration as a relevant, worth- followed. I like the creation of the many degree in Creative Writing—in the area of With the first course in the new PC while form of literature? characters in Comic-dom and consider poetry. course catalogue, would anyone sign up? HJ I feel comics are only now being them greats. Greats like Steinbeck’s BH How did that educational and teaching That I didn’t know. A week before school viewed as literature as they have stood the characters from the Grapes of Wrath or experience in other literary fields develop started I found out that the course was test of time since World War II and the Toni Morrison’s Beloved. Maus, Super- into your wanting to teach people about full. And this was a late-start course too. I Depression. Furthermore, Maus has gone man, The X-Men, Fathom-these are my how to write comics? was surprised as only a few new creative onto win the Pulitzer Prize, something classics. HJ I couldn’t ever forget my roots. Along writing classes ever get enough students unheard of for a work of this type. Furthermore, from the success of Like I said before, I would have like to with reading poetry and poetic theory, I to make it a “go” for the course. But, here I (CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 ) have learned some of my literature from Page 14 ConNotations Volume 14 Issue 2 develop some partnerships with comic Ramsley, the evil butler, need Sara to Pointless ( CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 ) book companies and hopefully some thing Screening Room marry Gracey in order to break the curse. movies comes more notoriety of [comic more in the way of sponsorship could Jim and his children Michael (Marc book] characters. The characters have come about. Hildago Jefferies) and Megan (Aree Davis) stand become living icons for the many comic But, I won’t know anything until I propose 133 mins, PG-13 in the way of heavenly bliss as well as book companies out there. It’s rare to see and speak to different people at the their accomplices: the Servant (Wallace many of our “literary” classics become big different comic book conventions. Keep Frank T. Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen) Shawn), the Maid (Dina Waters) and icons like Superman. However, many of your fingers crossed, I guess. and his Mustang, Hildago (T.J.) entertain Madame Leota (Jennifer Tilly). the comic book superheroes/villains BH What should students expect of your in Wild Bill Cody’s Wild West Show but From the last few Eddie Murphy films, achieve this level. It is a level where their class? Do interested parties need previ- Frank does more drinking there then I expected this film to be horrible. Instead stories should become worthwhile ous knowledge of specific comics? entertaining the audience as he tries to run Haunted Mansion was an above average literature. HJ What should you know before taking away from the past. While he was a movie. Obviously, this movie is geared BH Since the initial class has been a my comic book writing course Well, dispatch rider, he gave important instruc- toward children as the plot of the film and success so far, what are your future plans anyone can take the course. However, the tions to the cavalry and leaves. Instead of points of overacting contends even for classes of this nature, at Phoenix course is based first on the superhero disarming the Native Americans, the though some of the images are disturbing College and elsewhere? genre. You should have some foundation soldiers over-reacted and killed everyone for those under ten. This film is fun and HJ I guess initial success means that the of reading comics. You should have some in the tribe. Hildago hearing the initial funny, better than I thought it would be. - class met with the required amount of love for writing. Come to the class with scuffle turns the concerned Frank around Dawn Mullan students and no one has dropped yet. I your knowledge of your favorite comic and heads them back to the scene of the notice each week, the students are book heroes / villains. gunfire. Frank is mortified believing he had interested in learned how Stan Lee, Devin Our texts include Ultimate Spiderman assisted in the massacre. From then on Grayson, Michael Turner, and Brian (vol. 1 trade paperback), Wonder Woman- Frank is an unproductive member of Michael Bendis writer their stories. How the Hiketa (trade paperback), and a text on society taking in more liquor then doing do they do it? Well, this is the class for comics scriptwriting called Writers On his job as an entertainer. Videophile you. Comic Script Writing. All three of the Considerable time passes before two Splash BH What are your future plans regarding books delve into understanding the genre men confront Frank and Bill Cody. teaching comics writing? Cold Creek Manor of comic book writing. I encourage Insulted by the show’s claim that Frank T. Sing Along Songs - Home On The Range HJ My future plans are to create new anyone who wants to become a comic Hopkins is the best endurance rider in the Lizzie McGuire: Star Struck & Totally courses in Comic Book writing. I will teach book writer, or who just wants to be in a world, the two men challenge Frank to the Crushed an Intermediate Comic Book Writing classroom full of your peers who love ultimate test: a three thousand mile race Brother Bear course in Spring 2005, open only to comics, take the course. Come and enjoy across the Arabian Desert called the Pirates of the Caribbean students who have completed the this new and unique learning experience. “Ocean of Fire” against the purest bred Freaky Friday Introduction to Comic Book Writing BH Thank you, Hershman. Amazing what horses in the world. Eloise At the Plaza course. Be on the look out for this. I also passion and drive can do. I’m taking this On this journey, Frank must not only Splash - 20th Anniversary Edition plan to develop a literature course where course right now, and I love it. fight for his pride and honor but for his we spend our time studying graphic Buena Vista,111 mins, PG In just a short time thus far, Mr. John’s identity. Only Hildago and Frank’s $29.99 DVD novels like The Watchmen, Maus, class has been extremely helpful. It courage will be able to sustain them both Ultimate Spiderman, Wonder WomanThe provides a much-needed forum - a against the harsh sun, lack of water, sand We are all familiar with the plot of Hiketa… We read and react and write on sounding board, for ideas about every- storms and treachery. Though the race Splash. Allen Bauer (Tom Hanks) is a the greats or drawback of comic books. thing from scripting format, to how to write brings Frank back to himself, he embraces workaholic who is completely convinced One day, after the success of the courses, believable dialogue, how to use the who he is only in his darkest hour. Being he can’t fall in love. Then a mystery I’ll develop a Graphic Novel Literature revisionist myth technique, and even how half Native American and hiding his woman ( Daryl Hannah) rescues him from course. to communicate with an artist. This initself heritage from the white culture of the time, a boating accident. She and Allen are Along with the success, I’m trying to swept up by romance until the world is helpful in that the consensus is of your Frank comes to terms with his ancestry. In learns her secret. get some courses started at ASU, as well. serious creative peers in an educational doing so, he becomes whole and wins The idea of teaching comic books, I Ron Howard was relatively unknown environment, not in a book, and not online more then money can buy. as a director when he cast Tom Hanks, believe is essential to creative writing. It is where one can’t be sure of other’s Even though this movie is “based on a Daryl Hannah and John Candy in this film. a genre that has been universally ignored, intentions. true story,” this statement may not be It made stars of all of them. I thought the unlike poetry, fiction, non-fiction, These tools, and more, have proven accurate. Frank T. Hopkins wrote Hildago film might be dated after 20 years but it playwriting, music, etc. immensely valuable to me personally thus and his adventures but there are no remains a wonderful romantic comedy/ BH What makes writing comics unique? far, as I am currently developing a records confirming any part of this story fairy tale for grown ups. HJ Comic book writing is so different from property for a comic book company, and that can be found. Don’t see this movie The DVD extras include Tom Hanks any creative writing genre. It’s different in scripting for a penciller is required. based on historical significance; see this and Daryl Hannah’s auditions as well as its ideals and format. It may follow some commentary by Ron Hanks and a new Which tools have worked specifically? film for its adventure, cinematography, “making of “ featurette. A wonderful elements of play/screen writing, but it Well, for that, you’ll have to take heroics, and of course, Viggo Mortensen. - does not follow the rules. addition to our collection and one we are Hershman John’s class. Dawn Mullan sure to watch over again. Recommended - Comic book writing is detailed in For those interested, the next course Stephanie L Bannon dialogue and history. It is riddled with offering at Phoenix College will be Fall Haunted Mansion staying true to characters that have been 2004 for CRW 271Introduction to Comic 99 mins, PG Cold Creek Manor in over 200 serialized issues. It is a genre Book Writing. The class will take place Buena Vista, 119 mins, R for someone who loves to read comic Tuesday night, late start, 12 weeks, 600 – Jim Evers (Eddie Murphy) is a real $29.99 DVD books. This genre is very collaborative, 920 pm. estate salesman along with his wife Sara unlike other genres like poetry, which is From the back cover: “New Yorkers Also of note Spring 2005CRW (Marsha Thomason) and they go to visit a Cooper Tilson (Dennis Quaid), his wife very personal and private. It is unlike 271Intermediate Comic Book Writing, mansion the owner would like to sell. fiction writing, which likewise is private, Leah ( Sharon Stone), and their two Tuesday night, late start, 12 weeks, 600- Supposedly going to the “lake” for a break children move into a dilapidated old and takes years to write a book. Comic 920 pm. AND CRW 271Introduction to from the real estate business, Jim Evers mansion still filled with the possessions book writing is quick...3-weeks for a script. Comic Book Writing, Thursday night, late cannot pass the chance to sell the of the previous family. Turning it into their A lot of collaboration goes on between the start, 12 weeks, 600-920 pm. Check the property and make money. His increasing dream house soon becomes a living editors, the writers, and the artists. Ideas Phoenix College class schedules for antics upset his wife and children as the nightmare when the previous owner are bounced back and forth; as a result, correct times / start dates. family becomes stuck at the mansion (Stephen Dorff) shows up, and a series of comic book writing is not a private (Remember only those who have because of a sudden rain storm that floods terrifying incidents lead them on a spine- journey. I know the word about this completed the introductory course are the property. tingling search for clues to the estate’s course is getting out as I am giving a dark and lurid past.” allowed into the intermediate course.) Little does anyone know that the real This wasn’t as frightening as the TV workshop at the University of Hawaii, in reason that the owner, Master Gracey, Hilo, on this very topic. My presentation commercials made it seem. It is an OK asks for Mrs. Evers to sell his home is thriller whose thrills are mostly predict- is called “Taking & Teaching Comic Book because he believes Sara is the reincar- able. Still and all, it is an entertaining Writing.” nated spirit of his lost lover who he found evening’s viewing. BH You’ve mentioned something about after she committed suicide. Her death The extras include the obligatory asking a major comics company to provide prompts Gracey to hang himself and thus commentary, two featurettes, deleted incentive of some sort to your students- the house becomes cursed. Those souls scenes and an alternate ending. - could you elaborate on that? who catered to the house in the past Stephanie L Bannon HJ This summer I’m going to try to remain after death. Master Gracey and ( CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 ) Volume 14 Issue 21 ` ConNotations Page 15 (voiced by Joaquin Phoenix) in prehistoric feelings, Will is mired with hatred for a made for TV film in 1995 with Shelly Videophile ( CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 ) North America who kills a bear then is pirates and the actions of becoming one Long and Gaby Hoffman. This update of turned into a bear himself and hunted by in order to save his childhood love. Then the original film is masterfully done. The Sing Along Songs - Home On The Range his own brother. The story focuses on the the real fun begins . . . casting is superb and it is sure to be as Disney, 97 min, NR growing relationship between Kenai and What a ride! Love this movie. Johnny much of a classic as the 1977 original $14.99 VHS, $19.99 DVD an orphaned bear cub named Koda Depp was brilliant and creative. Orlando (which is being released in June) I highly (voiced by Jeremy Suarez) as Kenai learns and Keira are wonderful. Last but not recommend this film to everyone, a From the back cover: “Get set to raise a lesson about love and loss. The pair of least, Geoffrey Rush is the best villain on wonderful afternoon of entertainment. - the roof and bust a moo with none udder moose voiced by Rick Moranis and Doug the high seas. AHRRrrgh! Apple anyone? Stephanie L Bannon than Maggie—that lovable, wisecracking Thomas in their McKenzie brothers/ Of course be sure to watch this DVD cow from Disney’s hit “Home on the Canadian dude mode almost steal the with several not-to-be-missed extras Eloise At the Plaza (11/2003) Range.” Count on the wacky wit of this movie. including 19 deleted or altered scenes, a Disney, 90 mins, G bovine beauty to keep the hilarity and This 2 disc set is chock full of extras blooper reel, and a script scanner until the $19.99 VHS, $24.99 DVD harmony going strong from song to song! and contains two widescreen anamorphic next adventure is released. Read along the With foot-stompin’, toe-tappin’ musical formats: 2.35 (theatrical) and 1.66 (family- movie and see what lines were changed or Eloise at the Plaza is based on the numbers from “Home on the Range,” all- friendly), as well as Fully Animated omitted. The extras are great and easy to best-selling children’s books. Eloise (Sofia time classic tunes and more, this Sing Outtakes, an hilarious commentary by the use for instance: Audio Commentaries Vassilieva) is a fun-loving six-year old girl Along Song title takes you on a rip-roarin’ moose brothers Rutt & Tuke, deleted from Cast and Film Makers. Change your who lives at the Plaza Hotel in New York.. romp through a Wild West wonderland of Scenes, a fascinating featurette Paths Of appearance with the Special Effects With her wonderful nanny (Julie knowledge, excitement and entertainment Discovery: The Making Of “Brother Bear” Studio. A history of Pirates and the Andrews) chasing after her, Eloise finds that’s tons of fun for the entire family.” (48 mins.), two games, songs from Phil Disney attraction are included along with adventures everywhere she looks. As she This DVD contains 11 songs as well as Collins and more. the Producer’s Photo Gallery, Scene tries to arrange an invitation to the three vocabulary activities and a karaoke I picked this up for the kids and ended Progression, Image Galleries, Story Board society event of the season, the Debu- feature. I have no idea what the movie up enjoying it as much as they did. This is Viewer and more. This set comes with two tante Ball, Eloise also looks for a Prince itself is going to be like since I am writing a permanent addition to our collection. separate DVDs for all the swag that’s who is supposed to be at the hotel and this review before the movie’s release but Highly recommended. - Stephanie L aboundin’ on them for your treasure plays matchmaker for Nanny. this sing along DVD is a great hit with my Bannon chest. - Dawn Mullan This is a delightful family movie that 5 year old nephew who has watched it will appeal to the kids as well as their over and over for the last two days. - Pirates of the Caribbean: Freaky Friday (12/2003) parents, who probably grew up reading Stephanie L Bannon The Curse of the Black Pearl Disney, 97 mins, PG the Eloise books. The casting is superb Disney, 143 mins, PG-13 $24.99 VHS, $29.99 DVD and elevates what could be cliched Lizzie McGuire (TV Series) $24.99 VHS, $29.99 DVD material into a wonderful romp through Volume 3: Star Struck In Freaky Friday, teenager Anna the several sub-plots. Volume 4: Totally Crushed A dream sequence opens the film as (Lindsay Lohan) and her forty-something I borrowed three kids for and after- Disney, 87 min each, NR Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) at the psychiatrist mom Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) noon, ages 4, 7 and 9, and they were spell $19.99 each DVD age of ten sails on a ship with her father, have sunk into a rut of frustrated bicker- bound. Not only that, I enjoyed it as well. the Governor, to the Caribbean Fort in ing—until a magic spell causes them to There aren’t many extra features on the These are volumes 3 and 4 in a Port Royal on the crossing from England. switch bodies. Suddenly Tess finds DVD, only two, but the making of compilation of episodes from the Lizzie Soon enough, Elizabeth sees a parasol herself faced with the perils of high featurette was interesting and the kids McGuire TV series. For those unfamiliar floating on the water then a boy about her school, while Anna has to cope with her enjoyed the art lesson by Hilary Knight. with the series it’s all about the adven- same age. Upon calling the attention of mother’s patients and her fiancee (Mark Highly recommended. - Stephanie L tures of a junior high student and her two the crew the boy is brought aboard just in Harmon). Bannon best friends as they try to deal with the time to see the merchant vessel in flames. This is the third version of this film ups and downs of school, popularity, Waking but for a moment the two which is based on the Mary Rodgers boys, parents, a bratty little brother and children exchange introductions. Passing book. It was filmed in 1977 with Barbara life in general out again the boy is in Elizabeth’s care as Harris and Jodie Foster and then again as Volume 3 - Star Struck contains the such she notices the pirate’s medallion following episodes: Here Comes Aaron around his neck and hides the trinket from Carter when Aaron Carter does a video the crew. Curiously Elizabeth glances shoot for “I Want Candy” and Lizzie and toward the ocean to see the ghostly ship the gang sneak in; Lizzie in the Middle - of the Black Pearl sailing away into the where Frankie Muniz comes to town and unknown. With that, Elizabeth wakes with hangs with Lizzie; Xtreme Xmas - where a start and brings out the medallion from a Steven Tyler helps make Lizzie’s Christ- secret compartment in her bureau drawer. mas parade float by singing “Santa Claus Taking the medallion with her to the is Comin’ To Town”; Grand Ole Grandma ceremony for the Commodore, she faints - where Doris Roberts plays Gordo’s in her new tightly-fitted dress and lands in grandma and stays with Gordo while his the ocean below the fort. parents are away and finally El Oro De Immediately, the medallion calls to the Montezuma - where Lizzie and the gang Black Pearl. The ship returns that night to go on a Spanish game show reclaim its gold, but not before the pirate, Volume 4 - Totally Crushed contains Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), the following episodes: First Kiss - where saves Elizabeth from the ocean, is Lizzie goes out with her paper boy; The arrested, escapes, and confronts Will Greatest Crush of All - where Lizzie has a Turner (Orlando Bloom), the boy who was crush on her substitute English teacher; saved from the merchant vessels eight Just Friends - where Lizzie tries to become years prior. Ethan Craft’s perfect girl; Scarlett Larry - After the encounter with Will, the where Lizzie and Larry Tudgeman are an pirate captain is again caught and put into item and finally The Courtship of Miranda a jail cell awaiting his execution as the Sanchez - where Miranda has a crush on a Black Pearl comes for its bounty. Pirates guy in her drama class and Lizzie tries to raid the settlement of Port Royal, taking get them together, but eventually leads to Elizabeth and leaving with their gold. Will the guy thinks that Lizzie likes him and doing his best to fight the pirates is not Miranda rendered unconscious and upon his Since this show appears to e aimed at waking he boldly makes a stand to find girls 9-14 I borrowed the neighbor’s Elizabeth but is turned away by the daughter and her three friends, all aged Commodore and the Governor. Will then about 12. They sat still and watched both goes to the jail to enlist the assistance of volumes and, judging by the giggles, Captain Sparrow. Following Sparrow, the throughly enjoyed all the episodes. They two commandeer one vessel, the Daunt- were disappointed I didn’t have Volume 1 less, to trick the fleet to giving him and 2 for them to watch. Overall these another, more speed worthy vessel, the seem to be successful and the girls want Interceptor. to have their own copies at home for Unable to catch the pair, the Commo- repeat viewing. - Stephanie L Bannon dore watches Sparrow and Turner sail away with a ship of the fleet in his Brother Bear sabotaged vessel. Next the two ship Disney, 85 mins, G stealing comrades go to Tortuga to find a $24.99 VHS, $29.99 DVD crew and then speed off to rescue Brother Bear is a coming of age story Elizabeth, but not before Will discovers he about a young hunter named Kenai is the son of a pirate. Unsure of his Page 16 ConNotations Volume 14 Issue 2 and titles and the hierarchy sounds very Flinx must die to allow Death to come for to become a free person like the movie’s In Our Book tsarist. us all. Flinx is the key to stopping this but hero Neo. This is a nonfiction work, read- This is a meaty, rich novel. And with he doesn’t know how. ing popular philosophy out of the trilogy. Lord of Snow and Shadows plenty of wonderful sections full of fire Flinx also returns to his great crush It’s written in a hip, informative, easy-to- by Sarah Ash and ice and dramatic battles. Clarity Held. He explores his thoughts and read style. Bantam Spectra, $21.95, 480 pps. This is also (of course) the start of a feelings about her and how it affects his The author cites Carlos Castaneda and series and I say, bring them on! - Sue Mar- future. Her current boyfriend has reserva- Philip K. Dick as his inspirations while he Boy, this was a fun and entertaining tin tions about Flinx and her feelings for him. analyzes The Matrix. Let me just say that read. My kind of fantasy. Magic, strange Pip continues to protect her master and the only movie I’ve ever seen that re- locales, costumes, castles, and romance Flinx’s Folly friend, but new ways are found to avoid sembled PKD’s work so much that it too. by Alan Dean Foster her lethal venom. Unlike most of the series seemed directly written by him is the Os- I have not read Ms. Ash before, but if Del Rey/ Ballantine Books this one is more of a bridge and you need car-winning ‘A Beautiful Mind.’ But I sup- this book is any indication, I shall seek her Hard Cover $24.95 to know something of the other books to pose you can achieve enlightenment from other novels. She writes very well and her get it’s full impact. That said I think it an- herd mentality if you follow this book, or descriptions are wonderful without being This, the eighth book in the ever popu- swers almost as many questions as it does that make you part of the author’s over done. lar Flinx of the Commonwealth series con- poses and is an important piece of the herd? Ahhh, philosophy. - Mike Griffin This is the story of the poor farm boy tinues his journey of discovery to find out story. - Bob LaPierre who will save the galaxy---no wait, sorry, who and what he is and where he comes The Rough Guide to wrong tale! Anyway, this is about a young from. Foster begins the story with Flinx Matrix Warrior: Being the One The Lord of the Rings man Gavril Andar, a genteel portrait being wheeled into the emergency room. by Jake Horsley Thomas Paul Simpson, Helen Rodiss, Michaela painter, who lives in a warm southern clime We later find out the reason is that he Dunne/St. Martin’s Griffin Books, 223 Bushell, editors called Smarna with his mother. And he along with several others were struck un- pp. $13.95 Penguin Books; 304 pp. $12.95 US falls in love with one of his commissions, conscious. We also find out that there are Astasia Orlov, daughter of the Grand new enemies searching for him, the Order “Perhaps one in a thousand of those The Rough Guides are better known Duke. But of course, he is not in her class. of Null. The Order is composed of beings who see the movie will recognize or even for their travel handbooks than for literary Shazaaam! Everything changes, when who are awaiting the “Great Emptiness” notice its true message,” writes the author, expertise, so the reader might be justified news reaches he and his mother that his that awaits. It is apparently a sentient en- citing it as the method to unplug yourself in mistaking this pocket-sized volume for a mysterious (and hitherto unknown) father tity of evil. I like the Order; they are very from the illusion of consensus reality, to bit of fluff tossed off to ride the Peter Jack- has died. His father, the Drakhaon, has calm collected individuals, who believe take control of your own life and destiny, been murdered, making Gavril the next ( CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 ) Drakhaon of Ashkendir, an icy land to the north. Before Gavril can think, he is kidnapped by his father’s right hand Bogatyr, Kostya and taken to Ashkendir. There he finds himself embroiled in dark secrets, blood feuds, mysterious alchemi- cal workings—and his rather frightening heritage. And then there’s a young woman named KiuKiu, a kitchen drudge in the “kastel” Drakhaon—who is also more than she appears. She discovers she has not only an unexpected heritage as Gavril does, but an unexpected talent that just might save Gavril, and Ashkendir. There are plenty of folks, of course, who do not want Gavril to survive as the next Drakhaon. We have a prince with delusions of being emperor. We have a conniving court lady Lilias, who claims she is carrying Gavril’s half brother---but is she? Lilias is playing several ends against the middle. There is a spymaster (Count Velemir) manipulating the strings of several characters. There are even revolutionaries stirring the populace. (shades of Lenin!) Gavril, confronted by a world he does not understand well and dealing with people with several agendas, works hard to keep his humanity in all the machinations swirling around him. I loved it. The whole world of “Snow and Shadows” is based loosely on Imperial Russia. Prince Eu- gene sounds very much like Pe- ter the Great, even to the build- ing of Peterhof (Eugene calls his palace Swanholm). There is the land of Muscobar (Muscovy?) and Mirom (St. Petersburg?) on the river Nieva (the Neva?). There are pseudo Russian names
Volume 14 Issue 21 ` ConNotations Page 17 on the last Friday of each month in January the annual meeting where board positions are In Our Book ( CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 ) Club thru September and the second Friday in deter-mined. For more information, write PO son wave. On the contrary, the contribu- October, November and December at JB’s Box 26665, Tempe, AZ 85285; call Mike tors obviously love their subject and have Restaurant, 2560 W. Indian School in Phoenix, Willmoth, 480-945-6890, Email employed TARDIS technology to pack Listings AZ. Write PO Box 62613, Phoenix, AZ 85082- [email protected] 300-odd pages with fact, folklore, and 2613 or call Stephanie L. Bannon (602)973- www.leprecon.org (EDITOR’S NOTE: This list will be 2341 for information. Web www.casfs.org trivia. Included are a biography of Tolkien; revamped for the coming year. Please check the books, their influences, and journey to MIB The Men in Black is the official organiza- your club listing for errors and send corrections C.R.O.F.T. Celtic Reenactment of Fellowship tion of field operatives for Steve Jackson publication; the screen adaptations; criti- and updates to the editor in writing to P.O. cism and pop-culture (Leonard Nimoy, and Trades is Phoenix based Reenactment Games. They attend local con-ventions to Box 62613, Phoenix AZ 85082 or via email at group specializing in the western European demonstrate and promote products of Steve anyone?); and yes, a tongue-in-cheek [email protected]) chapter devoted to sightseeing and ac- renaissance. As an org-anization, it is our goal Jackson Games. The also schedule demos in to promote felow-ship while researching local gaming stores. If you have a gaming store commodations in Middle-Earth. ADRIAN EMPIRE A medieval and renaissance Surprisingly, the Rough Guide to lifestyles and trades concurrent with the Celtic or convention that you would like to have recreationist club. Sword-fighting, arts, Peoples from 400 BC until 1746 AD. Although official Steve Jackson Games represen-tation LOTR goes into more detail than most banquets, masquerades, dances. meets every books of its type. For example, any survey most members claim Scots, Irish or Welsh an- at, please contact the MIB Arizona Cell Leader Wednesday night from 7-10pm at Encanto cestry and do Celtic re-enactment, it is our at [email protected] of Tolkien will mention his friendship with Park. All are welcome. Free. C. S. Lewis, but few discuss their differ- intent to open participation to anyone with an interest in period crafting and enter-tainment, ORANGE COUNTY SCIENCE FICTION ences. The pop-culture section includes Aerial Mirage Jugglers. Meets Wednesday communes and long-forgotten bands that no matter what his/her ethnicity. The sense of CLUB meets last Wednesday of every month 7-10pm in Encanto Park, 15th Avenue, south being a real village surround-ing Croft is vital to (except Dec.) We frequently have author guest came out of the Great Tolkien Scare of the of Encanto. No dues, everyone welcome. All 60’s. The chapter titled “Locations” cov- promote a feeling of family and fellowship speakers. You’re all welcome levels skill exc-hange in many areas of object which was a reality in earlier times. Croft is a to come if you’re in the area. We meet in ers England and New Zealand, but also manipulation Dave Davis influential places from Tolkien’s childhood family-oriented and kid-friendly Fullerton, about 5 miles north of Disney-land.