ID10T Music Festival & Comic Conival, the groundbreaking, first of its kind event that will combine chart-topping musicians, renowned comedians, makers, and some of the most influential people in the entertainment industry, together in one place for a once-in-a-lifetime weekend experience, has announced its first wave of panels, which include famed shows Portlandia, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Harmontown, and Stan Against Evil. A second announcement will be released soon, revealing even more exciting panels and guests. Created and hosted by Chris Hardwick, ID10T (pronounced I-D-ten-T) will take over the Shoreline Amphitheatre and surrounding grounds in Mountain View, CA on Saturday, June 24th and Sunday, June 25th.
Confirmed show panels and guests are as follows:
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Portlandia, featuring guests Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, moderated by Chris Hardwick.
IFC’s Emmy-nominated comedy Portlandia is currently in production for its eighth and final season. Created by Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein and Jonathan Krisel, Portlandia explores the eccentric misfits who embody the foibles of modern culture, starring Armisen and Brownstein. The series is executive produced by Lorne Michaels and produced by Broadway Video.
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Mystery Science Theater 3000, featuring guests Jonah Ray, Hampton Yount, and Rebecca Hanson, moderated by Wil Wheaton.
For almost 30 years, the award-winning comedy television series Mystery Science Theater 3000, created by Joel Hodgson, has been known as one of the best cult TV shows of all time. Following its record-breaking #BringBackMST3K Kickstarter campaign, fourteen
brand-new episodes of the cult television show Mystery Science Theater 3000 launched on April 14, 2017, exclusively on Netflix. In the new season of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (aka MST3K) Kinga Forrester (Felicia Day) and her loyal henchman, Max (Patton Oswalt), have revived the infamous experiment started by Kinga’s father twenty-nine years earlier: How many cheesy movies does it take to drive a person mad? In this latest reiteration of the show, her test subject is Jonah Heston (Jonah Ray), a space pilot for Gizmonic Institute who gets trapped responding to a distress call from the dark side of the moon. Confined aboard the Satellite of Love, Jonah lives with his robot friends, Gypsy (voiced by Rebecca Hanson), Tom Servo (voiced by Baron Vaughn), and Crow T. Robot (voiced by Hampton Yount). Confronted with Kinga’s choices in torturous films, Jonah and the bots band together to ward off lunacy by continuously riffing on the movies in rapid-fire succession.
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Harmontown, featuring guests Dan Harmon, Jeff B. Davis, and Spencer Crittenden.
Dan Harmon (Community, Rick & Morty), alongside “comptroller” Jeff B. Davis (Whose Line Is It Anyway), and game master Spencer Crittenden (HarmonQuest), will bring his wildly popular podcast “Harmontown” to the festival — LIVE. Expect ineffectual rants, raps, shameful stories and special guests. Dan Harmon is the Emmy® winning creator/executive producer of the comedy series Community as well as the co-creator/executive producer of Adult Swim’s Rick & Morty.
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Stan Against Evil, featuring guests John C McGinley, Janet Varney, and Dana Gould.
IFC’s original horror comedy series Stan Against Evil is currently in production for its second season. Created, written and executive produced by Dana Gould (The Simpsons, Parks and Recreation), Stan Against Evil stars John C. McGinley (Scrubs) and Janet Varney (You’re the Worst). Stan Against Evil follows Stan Miller (McGinley), a perpetually disgruntled former sheriff of a small New England
town who was forced into retirement. Stan has trouble relinquishing his authority to Evie Barret (Varney), the tough and beautiful new sheriff in town, but they form an unlikely alliance when both begin to realize things are not quite right in their quaint New England town. Together, they valiantly fight a plague of unleashed demons that have been haunting the town, which just happens to be built on the site of a massive 17th century witch burning.
Information on tickets, pricing, VIP packages, and more is available at www.ID10TFest.com. ID10T boasts a massive festival area directly adjacent to the amphitheatre’s music stage. All tickets including festival general admission, reserved seating and VIP have free roaming access to the festival area, which includes the Mad Decent Dance/Cosplay Tent, Monster Energy Comedy Tent, and full exhibitor village. Kids 10 and under are free with accompanying paid adult admission.
Each day, pop culture enthusiasts will have the opportunity to roam exhibitor booths, meet comic book artists, and catch their favorite TV and movie casts on back-to-back panels and podcasts, including a special live taping of Hardwick‘s own Nerdist Podcast. In the evening, the grounds will transition into a music and comedy hall for live performances from some of today’s top artists and comedians. With panels from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., comedy from 4:30 p.m to 8:00 p.m., and music from 4:00 p.m to 11:00 p.m., attendees can expect a full day packed with entertainment, all in an outdoor setting.
The festival will also host a juried cosplay contest. Details on entry, prizes, and more will be announced soon, but interested participants can click here for a taste of what to expect: https://www.facebook.com/id10tfest/videos/1263934146994137/
Musical, comedy, and comic talent is as follows:
- The Shoreline Amphitheatre Main Stage will feature a diverse musical lineup with performances by Weezer, Girl Talk, Lord Huron, Crystal Castles, TV On The Radio, OK Go, Animal Collective, Car Seat Headrest, The Mowgli’s, Robert DeLong, Mothers, Ron Gallo, and Tank And The Bangas.
- The Mad Decent Dance/Cosplay Tent will feature some of today’s premier DJs and electronic music acts with performances by Madeon, Zeds Dead, Jai Wolf, TroyBoi, Gryffin, Party Favor, Ape Drums, 4B, and Wax Motif. The tent will also host nightly cosplay contests.
- The Monster Energy Comedy Tent will feature sets by some of today’s most entertaining comedians in an intimate, club-like setting. Hosted by April Richardson, performers will include Demetri Martin, Michael Che, Nikki Glaser, Garfunkel and Oates, Michael Ian Black, Brian Posehn, Greg Proops, Brent Weinbach, Hampton Yount, Matt Braunger, Dan Mintz, Marcella Arguello, Jonah Ray, Mike Phirman, and Yassir Lester.
- Participating comic companies include Skybound, Valiant, Oni, Boom! Studios, Top Shelf, AfterShock, Insight Editions, Aspen, and HowToons.
- Comic artists include Andre Parks (Green Arrow, Ciudad), Andrew Robinson (The Fifth Beatle, Superman: Red Son), Andy Belanger (Southern Cross, SwampThing), Babs Tarr (Batgirl of Burnside, Motor Crush), Becky Cloonan (Southern Cross, Punisher), Brent Schoonover (Howling Commandos Of Shield, Antman), Cameron Stewart (Fight Club 2, Batgirl), Chris Burnham (Batman Incorporated, Officer Downe), Dennis Hopeless (Spider-Woman, WWE), Donny Cates (God Country, Redneck), Farel Dalrymple (Pop Gun War, The Wrenchies), Gary Brown (Black Road, Catwoman), Gerry Duggan (Deadpool, Guardians of the Galaxy), Ivan Brandon (Drifter, Black Cloud), Jai Nitz (Suicide Squad’s El Diablo, Dream Thief), Jason Shawn Alexander (Empty Zone, Abe Sapien-The Drowning), Justin Greenwood (The Fuse, Stumptown), Matt Hawkins (Think Tank, Aphrodite IX), Matt Wilson (Batman & Robin, Joker), Mike Costa (Venom, Lucifer [FOX TV]), Morgan Breem (The Family Trade, Valor: East of the Sun & West of the Moon), Ngozi Ukaza (Check, Please!), Nick Dragotta (East of West, Howtoons), Phil Hester (Shipwreck, Green Arrow), Phil Noto (Black Widow, Star Wars), Ramon Villalbos (Nighthawk, E Is for Extinction), Rick Remender (Deadly Class, Fear Agent), Robert Wilson IV (Heartthrob, Bitch Planet), Shawn Martinbrough (Thief of Thieves, Luke Cage Noir), Van Jensen (The Flash, Cryptocracy), and Wes Craig (Deadly Class, Guardians of the Galaxy).
ID10T is produced by Live Nation and Synergy Global Entertainment (SGE).
ID10T is proud to partner with the following sponsors in its inaugural year: SiriusXM, Monster Energy Drink, hosting the ID10T Comedy Stage, Toyota, the exclusive automotive partner, Snickers, Krave Jerky, Peet’s Coffee and Tea, Musicians Institute, Lyft, and many more.
For more information on ID10T Music Festival & Comic Conival, please visit:

Movie
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom: The Game-Changer Marvel Desperately Needs?

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, Marvel Studios has officially announced that Robert Downey Jr. will return to the MCU—but not as Iron Man. Instead, he will take on the role of Victor Von Doom, a.k.a. Doctor Doom, one of Marvel’s most iconic villains. This unexpected casting has ignited speculation: Is RDJ’s Doom the key to saving the Marvel Universe?
Ever since Avengers: Endgame (2019) closed the book on the Infinity Saga, the MCU has struggled to find a clear direction. While there have been occasional successes (Spider-Man: No Way Home, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), the franchise has faced box office disappointments (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, The Marvels), lukewarm fan reception, and behind-the-scenes issues (the Jonathan Majors controversy affecting Kang’s future).
With Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars approaching, Marvel needs to regain fan excitement. Bringing back RDJ—this time as a villain—could be the bold move necessary to reestablish its dominance.
RDJ’s portrayal of Tony Stark turned him into the face of the MCU for over a decade. His charisma, screen presence, and ability to balance arrogance with complexity made Iron Man one of the greatest cinematic superheroes. Now, that same energy could be channeled into a very different kind of character—one who could redefine the MCU’s villain landscape.
- A Much-Needed Powerhouse Villain
Since Thanos, the MCU has lacked a truly compelling antagonist. Kang was supposed to fill that role, but uncertainties surrounding Jonathan Majors have left Marvel scrambling for a Plan B. Doom is a far more beloved villain in Marvel lore, and with RDJ portraying him, the hype would be off the charts.
- A Villain With Depth and Charisma
Doctor Doom is not just another world-conquering maniac. He’s an intellectual, a strategist, and a ruler with a sense of nobility. RDJ’s ability to blend charm with menace could make Doom an unforgettable villain, perhaps even rivaling Thanos in impact.
- A Connection to Iron Man’s Legacy
Fans will inevitably draw parallels between Tony Stark and Victor Von Doom—both are genius inventors with massive egos. RDJ’s return as Doom would be a poetic way to continue Stark’s influence on the MCU, this time through his greatest ideological opposite.
- Boosting Secret Wars
In the comics, Doom plays a massive role in Secret Wars, becoming one of the most powerful beings in the multiverse. If Marvel is setting up Secret Wars as their next Endgame, having RDJ as Doom leading the charge could be the blockbuster moment they need.
- RDJ’s Star Power Can Revitalize the MCU
Let’s face it—Marvel’s recent projects have lacked the larger-than-life appeal that defined its peak years. RDJ’s return, even in a villainous role, would restore some of the MCU’s lost prestige and bring back casual audiences who have checked out.
RDJ has been synonymous with Iron Man for so long that some fans may struggle to see him in a villainous role. However, this could work in Marvel’s favor—Doctor Doom, like Tony Stark, is a complex character with layers beyond just being evil. If RDJ leans into Doom’s tragic backstory, intelligence, and ruthless ambition, he could redefine how audiences see MCU villains.
With Marvel at a crossroads, RDJ’s return as Doctor Doom feels like a masterstroke. It’s unexpected, exciting, and exactly the kind of shake-up the franchise needs. If handled correctly, this could elevate Doom to the top-tier villain status he deserves and give the MCU a new, compelling narrative direction.
What do you think? Is RDJ as Doom a genius move, or should he have stayed retired from the MCU?
Movie
Is ‘Call Me By Your Name’ Really A Romantic Movie?

I would like to start with one of my usual prefaces; this is one of my favourite movies so I am loathe to criticise it. It is also not the type of film I usually gravitate towards (my back catalog on this site will show you as much). Despite thoroughly enjoying the book the film is based on, I have to say the film is better.
Not only is Call Me By Your Name a juggernaut of queer cinema it is also the film where the world fell in love with Timothée Chalamet. It’s hard to imagine it now, but he was an unknown at the time (2017). However, his sincere acting ability, kaleidoscope eyes, and aerodynamic hair won the hearts of many. Chalamet plays 17-year-old Elio Perlman a young musician. Elio is an extremely talented pianist, well-read, and bilingual. You would really hate him if he wasn’t played with the heart-rending vulnerability Chalamet brings to most of his characters.
While this cinematic masterpiece earned Chalamet his first Oscar nomination at the tender age of 23, it was the film’s second leading man who was truly surprising. Armie Hammer plays Oliver (no surname) the 24-year-old American graduate assisting Elio’s father, a professor in archaeology, at their holiday home in Lombardy, Northern Italy. This role was before Hammer effectively torched his career with certain accusations which I won’t go into (we literally don’t have the word count). However, at the time Hammer’s portrayal of Oliver proved that he was more than just a cookie-cutter Hollywood handsome hunk.
At the time of the film’s release, there was plenty of discourse about the age difference between the two young men. In both the book and the film there is 7 year age gap between the pair. At certain stages of life, this wouldn’t be a big deal. In fact many argued that in so many romantic films the age difference is somewhat questionable (for example; in Titanic, Rose is 17 and Jack is 20) it only seems to be a problem when the relationship is not heterosexual. Under Italian law at the time of the film being set (1983) Elio and Oliver’s relationship is not illegal, but is it moral?
I have watched the film numerous times but this time I decided to watch it with an eye for Oliver not in fact being a charming foreign student who sweeps young Elio off his espadrilles, but instead being… predatory.
As stated Elio is 17; Chalamet with his slight figure and elfin features can easily pass for a teenager despite being around 21 at the time of filming. Elio is a prodigy and spends his time reading, transcribing, and composing music. The only child of two academics Elio seems somewhat sheltered. He is doted on by his mum Annella (who is low key goals) and even curls up in his parent’s lap to be read stories while his father refers to him as “Elly-Belly”. A deep thinker Elio is all too well aware of his downfalls. He even states to Oliver that he knows very little about “…the things that matter”.
In contrast, Oliver is a self-assured student who has essentially traveled across the world to spend the summer with relative strangers. Everyone is beguiled by Oliver’s good looks, Annella even refers to him as a ‘movie star’ and is endeared by his brutish Americanisms.
It doesn’t help that Hammer was around 30 at the time of filming and between his impressive height at 6 ft 5 and even more impressive body hair, looks every one of his three decades. Elio is not short but is dwarfed in every sense of the word.
Much like the audience, Elio can’t figure Oliver out. The student switches between friendly and standoffish with alarming frequency. I won’t pretend to know the intricacies of flirting between two men but Elio is extremely unsettled. Particularly during a game of volleyball with Elio’s friends where Oliver attempts to give Elio a shoulder massage because he is ‘tense’. Oliver later tells Elio that this is to show Elio that he ‘liked’ him. On this viewing, I noticed the imprint of Oliver’s fingerprints on Elio’s pale bicep from where he was grabbed.
Call Me By Your Name is described as a coming-of-age film and Elio does lose his virginity to his girlfriend Marzia during the film. An embarrassing fumble by a lake for their first time after which Elio becomes remarkably more confident for their second. As the audience we can only wonder what brought on this drastic change. Was it knowing he had captured the attention of an older man? His sexual awakening? Suffice it to say Elio is experienced before ever doing anything sexual with Oliver.
Both the book and film are from Elio’s POV so we can only glean Oliver’s thoughts and motivations from his actions and facial expressions. Oliver barges into Elio’s room whilst knocking where Elio happens to be touching himself. If that’s not enough he tries to make Elio go swimming with him whilst Elio is trying to hide his erection. Was Oliver toying with Elio? In the book, Elio’s anguish over Oliver’s moods is more poignant. Elio even tries to anticipate Oliver’s daily moods by the graduate’s color choice of bathing shorts. Clearly trying to harness any kind of control over the situation, no matter how tenuous.
When Elio finally admits his feelings for the other man Oliver tells him they can’t discuss “such things”. Then shortly after Oliver initiates their first kiss then abruptly tells Elio they need to stop and haven’t yet done anything to be “ashamed of”.
Oliver also initiates their first sexual encounter. After days of silence, Elio can’t stand it anymore. We get a peak into Elio’s journal where he chastises himself for being ‘too harsh’ towards Oliver and worrying that Oliver hates him. He slips a note under Oliver’s door pleading to talk. Oliver answers in kind with a note left on Elio’s desk telling him to ‘grow up’ and that he’ll meet the young musician at midnight. Is Oliver being facetious by saying ‘grow up’? Or does he genuinely want Elio to age about 5 years before midnight?
At midnight the two consummate their situation. And Oliver does ask Elio’s permission to kiss him. The next morning Elio appears maudlin. He rises out of Oliver’s bed without meeting the man’s eyes, ignoring inquiries about his well-being from a nervous-looking Oliver. Elio requests they go swimming. Elio looks extremely vulnerable and young in his oversized jumper. None of the confident swagger after his first time with Mariza. Without being too blunt can we ascertain that this is because Elio was the one who penetrated this time?
Oliver handles this situation by telling Elio to check if he can still get “hard”. Whether this is to assuage any notions Oliver might have about Elio regretting the sex, despite asking for verbal confirmation in a later scene that he doesn’t.
As much I love Elio’s parents in the film I do end up questioning their judgement. They know their teenage son is carrying on a clandestine affair with someone they opened their home to. They then encourage Elio to go on a trip with Oliver to Bergamo (a nearby city) for a few days where Oliver will board a train to begin his journey back home to New England. I know Elio’s parents are bohemian academic types and I know it was the 80s when everyone went home when the streetlights came on and drank hose water by the gallon. But they are sending their teenage son away with someone with someone who could be a serial killer!
Oliver and Elio exchange a tearjerking goodbye at the train station and they don’t speak again for a few months until Winter. Over the phone, Oliver tells Elio he is engaged to be married in the Spring. Oliver also has the nerve to ask Elio “Do you mind?”! How is anyone meant to answer that? Let alone a teenager? We do get a slight insight into Oliver’s family when he says that if his father found out about his relationship with Elio he’d send Oliver to a “correctional facility”.
This all culminates to the iconic final scene which probably earned Chalamet his Oscar nomination; Elio crying in front of a roaring fire.
The cinematography, acting, score, and direction of the film are perfect despite the problematic premise. There are moments that are truly touching moments that make you think that maybe Oliver truly did care for Elio. Or maybe he left a trail of broken-hearted boys and girls across Europe? It is a film to be feasted upon, not unlike the numerous peaches that litter the film’s premise (read into that what you will). I just hope I haven’t ruined it for anyone, or indeed myself!
Movie
Captain America: Brave New World delivers on its title

Director: Julius Onah
Writers: Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson
Cast: Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Carl Lumbly, Xosha Roquemore, Giancarlo Esposito, Liv Tyler, Tim Blake Nelson, Harrison Ford
Music Composer: Laura Karpman
Rating: 7/10
Where to start? Captain America: Brave New World delivers on its title, introducing audiences to a shifting world order in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Anthony Mackie steps into the Captain America mantle with a performance that balances self-doubt and leadership. His portrayal of Sam Wilson still grappling with the weight of Steve Rogers’ legacy adds a grounded, human element to the film. However, his mentorship of Joaquin Torres, played by Danny Ramirez, provides an engaging contrast. Ramirez brings just the right mix of comedic relief and eager ambition, making their dynamic a highlight of the movie.
Harrison Ford’s take on Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross is nothing short of phenomenal. The film explores Ross’s internal struggle—trying to turn over a new leaf while still being haunted by his past. This tension builds effectively to the long-anticipated reveal of The Red Hulk, a moment that delivers on both spectacle and narrative weight.
The film’s pacing and story flow maintain an epic feel, successfully laying the groundwork for future installments in the Marvel Cinematic Timeline. And for longtime fans, Liv Tyler’s return as Betty Ross may just be the biggest Easter egg of all—one that teases exciting possibilities for The Hulk’s future in the MCU.
While not a flawless film, Captain America: Brave New World does its job in expanding the MCU and setting the stage for what’s next. A solid entry with strong performances and thrilling reveals.