Legion M, backed by its more than 100,000 members and 16,000 fan-owners, returns to San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) for its biggest activation yet, hosting star-studded events, industry parties, two fascinating panels—including an in-depth look at Legion M and Screen Media’s feature-length documentary “Memory: The Origins of Alien” which was acquired early this year at Sundance using Legion M’s innovative Film Scout platform—and amazing experiences for SDCC attendees to celebrate the power of fandom and see first-hand how the world’s first fan-owned entertainment company is revolutionizing Hollywood.
Legion M’s SDCC event schedule includes the late night (Friday, July 19 at 10 p.m. PDT) fan-premiere of the critically-acclaimed Sundance favorite “Memory: The Origins of Alien” followed by a special Q&A with the film’s director Alexandre O. Philippe (“78/52,” “The People vs. George Lucas,” “Doc of the Dead”) in the all-new TCL Chinese Theatre at Theatre Box®. The feature-length film, which premiered to rave reviews in the Midnight Section at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, unearths the largely untold origin story behind Ridley Scott’s cinematic masterpiece, and reveals a treasure trove of never-before-seen materials from the archives of “Alien” creators Dan O’Bannon and H.R. Giger. “Memory: The Origins of Alien” screening and Q&A hosted by Legion M and Screen Media is a must-see SDCC event for “Alien” fans celebrating the epic horror/Sci-Fi film’s 40th anniversary. Ticket information for the screening is coming soon on the legionm.com website!
Legion M’s Fan Lounge, presented by The Pop Insider, will take over Gaslamp Quarter’s Theatre Box and its brand-new Chocolate Lounge and rooftop bar and lounge at 701 Fifth Ave. (Fifth Ave. and G St.). SDCC attendees can grab a cocktail (cash bar), relax, recharge and enjoy a full slate of fan-centric activities, appearances, giveaways and exclusive events on Thursday and Friday, July 18-19 (12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. PDT) acomic con
Saturday and Sunday, July 20-21 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. PDT). Inside, The Pop Insider, a daily pop culture news and review site for superfans, will give SDCC attendees a chance to “Fuel Their Fandom” with special Angry Birds phone charging stations. Fans can also stay up-to-date with all things pop culture by picking up the Con-exclusive, limited print edition of The Pop Insider magazine.
The Pop Insider will also be hosting a series of afternoon events and activities on the Theatre Box rooftop bar and lounge from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. PDT each day July 18-21, including a cosplay dance party and karaoke showdown. Cosplayers looking for a quick spruce-up can stop by the Cosplayer Repair and Pro-Artist Makeup Station sponsored by Spirit Halloween, get professional photos taken to commemorate the occasion, and may even star in an upcoming “Cosplayers Getting Coffee” YouTube episode. For the most up-to-date Legion M Fan Lounge and rooftop schedule, please visit www.legionm.com/sdcc2019. Activities will be added as confirmed.
Be sure to also check out two Legion M-hosted panels at San Diego Comic-Con. On Thursday, July 18 (7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. PDT, Room 6BCF), “Fans Celebrating 40 Years of Alien,” co-hosted with Screen Media, will take a deep dive into the origins of “Alien” and its fandom while celebrating the classic horror/Sci-Fi film with the director of “Memory: The Origins of Alien” Alexandre O. Philippe, along with Legion M’s vice president of development David Baxter, Diane O’Bannon (Dan O’Bannon Estate), Will Linn (Joseph Campbell Foundation) and other special guests as they discuss Philippe’s upcoming feature documentary and debut the trailer for “Memory: The Origins of Alien.”
On Thursday, July 18 (2 p.m. to 3 p.m. PDT, Room 7AB) learn how you can become part of a Hollywood revolution and get involved directly in films, TV shows and digital content when Legion M executives host “Legion M: Fans Unite to Take Over Hollywood.” Legion M cofounders Paul Scanlan and Jeff Annison, along with Legion M COO and head of content Terri Lubaroff, vice president of development David Baxter and special guests, will reveal how Legion M is involved with films like the upcoming Kevin Smith “Jay and Silent Bob Reboot,” along with “Colossal,” “Mandy,” “Tolkien,” and “Memory: The Origins of Alien.” Legion M has made it possible for anyone to become a fan-owner. Find out how you can join the more than 100,000 Legion M members who have access to special screenings, industry events, and exclusive Legion M meet-ups.
Legion M 2019 San Diego Comic-Con Fan Lounge and Events Calendar
(All times Pacific)
To sign up for Legion M SDCC activation information: www.legionm.com/sdcc2019
Wed., July 17 (7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.) The Pop Insider San Diego Con Kickoff Event!, Coin-Op Game Room, 789 Sixth Ave.
Fuel Your Fandom at the ultimate Con kickoff party! The Pop Insider is hosting a can’t-miss pre-Con rager complete with retro gaming, dancing, giveaways and more, with Legion M, Spin Master Games, ARCADE1UP, Disguise, Inc., and Cosplayers Getting Coffee. This event is sold out. Limited press passes are still available. Members of the media can contact Kristen Joerger at kristen@lkprinc.com or 646-484-4577 to apply for press credentials. (Age 21+)
Thurs. and Fri., July 18-19 (12:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.) and Sat. and Sun., July 20-21 (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) Legion M Fan Lounge presented by The Pop Insider @ Theatre Box Chocolate Lounge
Relax, recharge and have FUN at the Legion M Fan Lounge presented by The Pop Insider every day during San Diego Comic-Con. Mix and mingle with friends, Legion M executives and members, and other SDCC attendees while celebrating the power of FANDOM in the fan lounge. Fans will enter the Legion M Fan Lounge through a 45-foot facade of the Quick Stop featured in the upcoming Kevin Smith feature film “Jay and Silent Bob Reboot.” The perfect SDCC photo opp will feature props from the actual Quick Stop set!
Thurs. and Fri., July 18-19 (12:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.) and Sat. and Sun., July 20-21 (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.), Stargate Command, Theatre Box
MGM’s Stargate Command will present a replica “Stargate” photo opportunity in the Theatre Box lobby for the whole weekend and will give attendees a chance to spin the prize wheel for unique “Stargate” prizes, including mini-posters, pins, buttons, original SuperFan creations and more! Talent will be dropping by for autographs as well! Look for more information about schedules, podcasts, and more fun all weekend! www.stargatecommand.co/articles/events
Thurs., July 18 – Sun., July 21 (12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.) The Pop Insider’s Rooftop Pop-up Party! @ Theatre Box Rooftop Bar and Lounge
Join The Pop Insider as they “Fuel Your Fandom” with fan-focused events on the Theatre Box rooftop bar and lounge each day, including a cosplay dance party with DJ (12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.) and karaoke showdown (2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.). Stop by the Cosplayer Repair Station and Pro-Artist Makeup Station sponsored by Spirit Halloween any time!
Thurs., July 18 (2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.) “Legion M: Fans Unite to Take Over Hollywood” Panel, Room 7AB, San Diego Comic-Con
How can YOU become part of Hollywood, and get involved directly in films, TV shows and digital content? Legion M is the world’s first fan-owned entertainment company. Through equity crowdfunding, we’ve made it possible for anyone to become an entertainment investor and fan-owner. And it’s more than simply being a “shareholder,” members have access to special screenings, industry events, and exclusive Legion M meet-ups. Our panel of Legion M executives Paul Scanlan, Jeff Annison, Terri Lubaroff, David Baxter and special guests will reveal how Legion M is involved with films like “Bad Samaritan,” “Colossal,” “Mandy,” “Tolkien,” our latest films “Jay and Silent Bob Reboot,” directed by Kevin Smith (“Clerks” and “Dogma”), as well as “Memory: The Origins of Alien” directed by pop culture documentarian Alexandre O. Philippe (“The People vs. George Lucas”). Updates will also be provided on Legion M projects in development.
Thurs., July 18 (7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) “Madness in the Method” sneak preview, TCL Chinese Theatre at Theatre Box
“Madness in the Method” – Jason Mewes’ (“Clerks,” “Mallrats,” “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back”) directorial debut is a hilariously insane crime comedy in which Mewes also stars, alongside Vinnie Jones, Gina Carano, Danny Trejo, and his View Askew costars Kevin Smith, Stan Lee, and Brian O’Halloran. Mewes will participate in a special Q&A after the debut screening. Ticket info coming soon!
Thurs., July 18 (7:15 p.m.-8:15 p.m.) “Fans Celebrating 40 Years of Alien” Panel, Room 6BCF, San Diego Comic-Con
A deep dive into the origins of “Alien” and its fandom with documentary director Alexandre O. Philippe (“The People vs. George Lucas,” “Doc of the Dead,” “78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene”), Diane O’Bannon (Dan O’Bannon Estate), Will Linn (Joseph Campbell Foundation), David Baxter (Legion M) and special guests as they discuss Philippe’s upcoming feature documentary “Memory: The Origins of Alien” and the sustaining power of Ridley Scott’s horror/Sci-Fi masterpiece with fandom. Trailer debut from the “Memory: The Origins of Alien” documentary will be shown.
Fri., July 19 (10:00 p.m.- 12:00 a.m.) “Memory: The Origins of Alien” Fan Premiere and Q&A, Theater Box
Come see the critically-acclaimed documentary “Memory: The Origins of Alien” followed by a special Q&A with the film’s director Alexandre O. Philippe (“The People vs. George Lucas,” “Doc of the Dead”). The feature-length film, which premiered to rave reviews in the Midnight Section at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, unearths the largely untold origin story behind Ridley Scott’s cinematic masterpiece, and reveals a treasure trove of never-before-seen materials from the archives of “Alien” creators Dan O’Bannon and H.R. Giger, including original story notes, rejected designs and storyboards, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, and O’Bannon’s original 29 page script from 1971, titled Memory. The documentary also takes fans on an exploration of the mythical underpinnings of “Alien” and dedicates focus on the film’s iconic “Chestburster” scene. “Memory: The Origins of Alien” screening and Q&A hosted by Legion M and Screen Media is a must-see SDCC event for “Alien” fans celebrating the epic horror/Sci-Fi film’s 40th anniversary. Ticket info coming soon at www.legionm.com/sdcc2019!
Sat., July 20 (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) The Night Time Show, Legion M Fan Lounge @ Theatre Box
Hosted by Nickelodeon star Stephen Kramer Glickman, Mike Black, Matt Walker, and Emmy Nominated writer Mike Glazer, The Night Time Show is one of the top entertainment industry podcasts in America. They are teaming up with Legion M and ASIFA to record interviews with award winning actors, legendary directors and industry giants.
Sun, July 21 (3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.) Potterhead Party, The Pop Insider’s Cosplay Dance Party on the Roof @ Theatre Box’s Rooftop Bar and Lounge, with Fantastic Beasts Dan Fogler podcast recording.
Join Legion M and The Pop Insider to close out SDCC with a Potter-themed event with giveaways, potion drinks, and a cosplay meetup, featuring star of Fantastic Beasts Dan Fogler! Then, join Dan as he records his popular podcast 4dXperience! from the roof at 5:30 p.m. Ticket information to follow on www.legionm.com/sdcc2019
For more information about Legion M and the Legion M Fan Lounge at San Diego Comic-Con, please visit www.legionm.com/sdcc2019. Be sure to follow Legion M on Instagram and Twitter at @LegionMOfficial for more SDCC announcements!
A gang of misfit kidnappers find their tiny target far more bloodthirsty than they bargained for!
So, unfortunately, the trailers gave it away and let’s be real that’s why most of us are here, the knowledge that the kidnap victim Abigail (Alisha Weir), codenamed by the would-be kidnappers appropriately as ‘tiny dancer’, is in fact, a vampire. Not a spoiler, point of fact, one of the film’s actual great selling points. And the reactions from the misfit club when faced with a real actual f*cking vampire, range hilariously from the blunt “no such thing as vampires” all the way to, “Are we talking True Blood or Twilight rules or what?” all while covered in buckets and buckets of blood.
Anyway, the gang manages to subdue and abscond with the aforementioned Abigail, in a pre-prepared duffle bag, like you do, and converge to a new location, a house oddly similar to the one she was just taken from. Welcomed and given codenames by a man who introduces himself as Lambert (Giancarlo Esposito), our misfit club is told to simply hold down the fort in this strange old house with the girl chained up in a room and one person to attend her, for twenty-four hours, and they’ll all get paid.
As inevitable as the tides, the dopey druggie Dean (Angus Cloud) is the first to die, and we’re going to give that death-style points for inspiring terror right off the bat. The very controlling Frank (Dan Stevens, holy crap yes that is the guy from FXs Legion) is also of course the most suspicious – of everyone around him, sure, but also he himself is totes sus. We don’t learn terribly much about the musclebound tank who gets dubbed Peter (Kevin Durand), he’s your pretty typical little-brains-heart-of-gold muscle-for-hire any proper gang needs, right down to the bottle problem. Sammy (Kathryn Newton), well, even for being a purported hacker-type, she has, like, reality issues. Rickles (William Catlett), he’s arguably the most dangerous among them, ex-military and yet somehow here and involved in kidnapping for a few mills. Joey (Melissa Barrera) is our Final Girl, and though she has the inevitable problems in her recent past, she seems more capable of doing the hard thing and still somehow empathizing at the end of the day. Must be her burning desire to get back with her son.
The fit hits the shan pretty quickly, and Abigail morphs from tiny dancer to tiny monster, though honestly, the way Abigail spoke the entire time in the film, if the ‘nappers had been paying close enough attention, would have been a solid clue. The performance from Alisha Weir as Abigail is incredible, as she literally dances a fine line between comedy, tragedy, and outright monstrosity. With a face full of makeup and the force of a tiny tornado to back it up, Weir brings to mind the great performances of the vampires in 30 Days of Night who saw the practicality in the need to trap their food, but also, play with it a bit first before feasting! Anything else would give away the absolute fun time that is Abigail, so you should go see it, out in theaters now!
Fans of the beloved medical comedy series Scrubs were recently treated to a thrilling surprise when John C. McGinley, who portrayed the iconic Dr. Perry Cox, dropped a photo on Twitter hinting at a potential reunion project. The image, showing McGinley alongside his former co-stars, sparked a wave of excitement and speculation among fans who have been longing for more adventures with the beloved Sacred Heart Hospital staff.
While details about the reunion project are still scarce, the mere possibility of seeing the gang back together again has sent waves of nostalgia through fans who fondly remember the show’s original run from 2001 to 2010. Scrubs was not just a sitcom; it was a heartfelt exploration of friendship, love, and the chaotic world of medicine, all wrapped up in a quirky and often hilarious package.
At the heart of the show was the bromance between JD (played by Zach Braff) and Turk (played by Donald Faison), whose antics and deep bond served as the emotional anchor for the series. Their dynamic, along with the sage wisdom (and relentless sarcasm) of Dr. Cox, provided viewers with memorable moments that have stood the test of time.
As we eagerly await more news about the Scrubs reunion project, one thing is for sure: it’s time to dust off those old DVDs, rewatch our favorite episodes, and get ready to welcome back our favorite gang of doctors, nurses, and janitors for what promises to be a memorable reunion.
But Scrubs was more than just its main characters. The supporting cast, including the eccentric Janitor (played by Neil Flynn), the neurotic Elliot (played by Sarah Chalke), and the wise-cracking nurse Carla (played by Judy Reyes), each brought their own unique flavor to the show, creating a rich tapestry of characters that fans grew to love.
While the photo shared by McGinley has fueled speculation about what the reunion project might entail, whether it’s a one-off special, a new season, or something else entirely, one thing is certain: fans are eagerly awaiting any opportunity to dive back into the world of Sacred Heart Hospital.
In an age where reboots and revivals are commonplace, Scrubs stands out as a series that has the potential to recapture the magic that made it a fan favorite in the first place. With its blend of humor, heart, and unforgettable characters, a reunion project has the opportunity to not only satisfy longtime fans but also introduce a new generation to the joys of life at Sacred Heart.
The story of the rise of Coriolanus Snow, from teenage Capital City pawn to rising Dictator of the Hunger Games!
Apparently no one out here in post-apocalyptic Panem has heard of irony and so they name their children things like Coriolanus (Tom Blyth), Tigress, and further off in Hunger Games lore, after swamp plants like Katniss. Corio’s father was a legendary general and that is pretty much the only reason young Snow and his meager family of grandmother called Grandma’am (Fionnula Flanagan) and sister Tigress (Hunter Schafer) are tolerated here in the Capital City at all.
Most of the snotty youngsters at the academy won’t let Snow forget how far his family has fallen, but he’s generally not concerned with them. What is concerning is the strong disapproval of the drugged-up Dean Casca Highbottom (Peter Dinklage) and the creepy attention of Dr. Volumnia Gaul (Viola Davis) as she lurks in the classroom sniffing out talent. The Dean feels very strongly the annual Hunger Games should end, while Gaul is violently adamant that not only do the Games continue, but that they get as much more attention as possible. And young Snow is stuck in the middle, when the yearly prize money normally awarded to the academy student with the best grades gets switched out for, you guessed it, the student that can make this years’ Hunger Games as entertaining as possible.
Whilst the students are protesting this sudden change, the annual Reaping is about to commence, and big shock and surprise, Corio’s candidate from District 12 Lucy Grey Baird (Rachel Zegler) is chosen as a Tribute. This is where the film begins to really take off on musical wings, for as it turns out, Lucy Grey can sing. Boy, can that gal sing! She can sing, she can play guitar, she can work a crowd, she can calm things down, she can fire ‘em up too! And Corio, being no dummy himself, instantly plots ways to use his Tributes amazing voice to draw attention to her, and admittedly his own, plight!
Though far too many people sneer at the idea, Corio takes his position as Mentor to his Tribute seriously enough to sneak onto the tram taking the Tributes to their habitat, which turns out to be a completely appropriate moniker, as this year the Tributes are held before the Hunger Games in a large zoo habitat so the weatherman ‘Lucky’ Flickerman (Jason Schwartzman), host of this years games, can MC the hell out of everything up close and personal!
What happens at this years Hunger Games and the subsequent consequences to both Corio and Lucy Grey is actually only half the story, and the movie. Coriolanus has always had to be opportunistic, but learning to be absolutely ruthless when necessary under the tutelage of Dr. Gaul, who basically thinks it’s always best to be merciless, is an eye-opening education indeed. Even after they’ve both been consigned to military service and his friend Sejanus Plinth (Josh Andres Rivera) decides to finally rebel, Corio and Sejanus continue to deceive each other and themselves, to accomplish their separate goals. Not even the love Corio swears he feels for Lucy Grey can save him, or them, from the adamant absolute necessity of the Hunger Games continuing. And after all that’s happened, Coriolanus Snow has gotten a terrific education in the best way to be the absolutely ruthless next Hunger Games advocate, and oh yeah, President of Panem.
The movie does itself no favors by trying to stuff not one but two major storylines and a bunch of side storylines sadly introduced and then ignored, into the film. It would have been entirely possible to turn Ballads of Songbirds and Snakes into two different movies, separated between feathers and scales if you like, and do justice to the major storylines in both. Blyth gives a fine performance as a young Coriolanus Snow, but the fact that President Snow is played by Donald Sutherland in all three of the Hunger Games films means Blyth has incredibly large shoes to fill. Rachel Zegler as Lucy Grey is absolute fire, and yes the actress did sing the songs in the film herself, including the Hunger Games franchise epic song, ‘The Hanging Tree’. Every time Lucy Grey opens her mouth and sheer soul-searing music comes out, it provides a distinct counterpoint to the soul-crushing ambition of Coriolanus Snow and further demonstrates the District and Caste separation Hunger Games is known for. And if, by the end of the film, Coriolanus Snow has come to agree that the Hunger Games must continue but perhaps under his own auspices, he has no one but himself to blame when another younger but still rebellious female blows it all up in his face!
Choose rebellion or conformity for yourself in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes!
‘Abigail’: Bite Me Harder Tiny Dancer
Scrubs Reunion: The Band Gets Back Together
‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’: Rebellion with a cause
Wondercon 2024 presents The Spiderwick Chronicles
WonderCon 2024:Day Three
WonderCon 2024:Day One
Scrubs Reunion: The Band Gets Back Together
‘Abigail’: Bite Me Harder Tiny Dancer
Wondercon 2024 presents The Spiderwick Chronicles
WonderCon 2024:Day Two
Thatsmye Interviews: Les Weiler on Henchin’: the Series
Disney Legend Andreas Deja’s Hand-Drawn animated short MUSHKA premiere
Resetting Mortal Kombat A New Beginning with Mortal Kombat 1
William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill
The Les Files With John C McGinley
