by: Jason Vaughn & Stacey Levin
Tonight we attended a sneak peek of “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.” Since the movie is based off of the much loved comic book series by Oni Press, we thought it only prudent to give you the heads up on the latest jump from print to big screen.
Edgar Wright has managed the impossible! He has the superhuman ability to do something that other more highly paid, sought after directors have failed to do in recent years – bring a true element of heart into a comic book movie. Neatly packaged in a shiny foil wrapper of mortal combat-like action, Wright has slipped us an unexpected ruffie of emotional tenderness which is made even more genuine by the performances of Michael Cera, Mary Winstead, and newcomer Ellen Wong.
And what performances they are. I heart Michael Cera who oozes with infinite nerdastic charm and laser sharp comedic timing. With just a look, Michael will break your heart and have you on the floor laughing at the same time. Few people have had the privilege of seeing Michael’s talent evolve and knew what he was capable of from the time he first start appearing on network television. I am one of those people. I can recall, but you’ll never remember, a short-lived Fox sitcom called “The Grubbs” that I watched come and go from my basement office back in 2002. A forgettable show, but there was this unforgettable kid in it who I knew we’d be seeing again. And we did just one year later when “George Michael Bluth” was introduced to the world in one of the best comedies to ever grace the television screen, “Arrested Development.” As first the publicist and then creative executive on the series, I was blown away weekly by a young Michael Cera both on and off the set. Brilliant on the show and even funnier when he was hanging out on my couch at barbeques, I knew it would just be a matter of time before this kid took over the world. His world domination has begun with “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.”
There was never any doubt to Edgar Wright’s film making prowess. With hits like “Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz” under his belt, we all knew Wright was capable of pulling off action, comedy and even “rom-com-zoms” with his own brand of British flare and box office success. “Pilgrim” could have hit any number of landmines that would have blown the whole thing apart faster than a Batman nipple suit. (Yeah that’s right, I’m looking at you, Joel Schumacher.) The movie could have come out too stylized, too overly mushy, too inside, or so close to the source material, anyone who hasn’t read the books wouldn’t get it. Not in this case. Wright manages to so beautifully navigate the kinetic story from one impossible fight scenario to the next, all of the over the top, 8-bit Nintendo style fighting felt earned and organic in moving the story forward. And speaking of the source material, if magna style comics, rock n’ roll, and an old Gameboy all had a love child, it would be this book. Wright took this high concept material and turned it into a sleepy summer hit that I’d gladly go pay to see again.
So, when this weekend rolls around and your choices are “Scott Pilgrim vs. Eat Pray Love” (it’s ok, we all love Julia Roberts), “Scott Pilgrim vs. The Expendables” or “Scott Pilgrim vs. The Other Guys,” we say bring it! We’re placing our odds on “Scott Pilgrim vs. The Box Office.” Game on!
Don’t forget to grab your back issues of Scott Pilgrim at Meltdown, and follow us on twitter: Stacey – @TVStaceyLevin; Jason – @GoTodash.
Don’t forget to grab your back issues of Scott Pilgrim at Meltdown
“Do I have any Scott Pilgrim jokes?” comedian Asterios Kokkinos asked as he stood on stage in the back of Sunset Boulevard comic book shop Meltdown.
Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour was upon us and, as the clock ticked towards midnight, fans of the indie comic juggernaut had gathered at
Meltdown for a night of comedy, music, cosplay and a chance to pick up the final installment of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s series. There were a few Ramona look-a-likes, a couple Roxies and one young man dressed as our hero, complete with a Sex Bob-omb t-shirt and a patch on his jacket commemorating the defeat of six evil exes. And, while Kokkinos’ jokes dealt more with Max Lord and Dungeons
and Dragons than Scott Pilgrim, it was enough to keep the energy high in the room.
It was a big moment. Meltdown announced on the store’s blog that 20,000 people had tuned into the Stickam broadcast of the party. In between the events, which included stand-up from Kokkinos and Shannon Hatch and a cosplay contest, there was a countdown to the moment when Scott Pilgrim’s Finest Hour was released. After the cosplay contest, the countdown grew more intense. Five minutes. Three minutes. Fans darted from the back room of the store to join the line that was winding down Sunset Boulevard. It was like New Year’s Eve with comic books instead of smooches.
But Monday night’s event wasn’t just about Scott Pilgrim. Comic-Con was a major topic of discussion throughout the night. What panels are you attending? Who is hanging out at which booth? Did you actually get a hotel room this year? It was part release bash, part pre-party before the annual pilgrimage to San Diego. Given the hefty presence the franchise will have at Comic-Con,
particularly forthcoming film Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, this was apropos. Monday’s event was a prelude of what’s to come over the next week. This is Scott Pilgrim’s moment.
More pictures after the jump Continue reading »
COMEDY AT MELTDOWN COMICS.
Attention all geniuses NOT going to COACHELLA. This show is a far better substitute than standing in the heat around a bunch of assholes. Come and hang out, should be a lot of fun.
We got pick of the week in the LA WEEKLY: http://www.laweekly.com/events/jonah-rays-meltdown-905773/
Here’s the line up:
HUGH MOORE: Hugh Moore is one of the hardest working comics around right now. You would never think by watching him though. His laid back style is juxtaposed against an onslaught of great joke after great joke. A writer for the short lived CHOCOLATE NEWS is a comics comic. Always generating new material that seems as honed and perfected as anything he’s been doing for years. You will see him and be blown away, I guarantee.
MARY LYNN RAJSKUB: Mary Lynn is best known for her role in FOX’S show “24” starring Kiefer Sutherland. But she’s been a personal favorite of mine as a comic ever since her days on HBO’s MR. SHOW with Bob and David. Never one to say a joke and mean it, Mary Lynn takes you on a weird path down a street yer not quite sure exists. You go along with her, you think to yerself “fuck it, wherever she takes me I’m sure it’ll be awesome.” And it’s true.
LAURA KIGHTLINGER: A legendary stand up comic. A former SNL cast member and the Creator/Star of her own show on IFC (The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman.) Laura Kightlinger is a mainstay. I’d say that I’ve been a fan since I was a kid but that would just upset her. Taking self deprecation and self medication to a heightened level of art, Laura has a timeless sensibility that doesn’t age…just like her.
STEVE AGEE: Part of one of the best comedic ensembles on TV (the Sarah Silverman Programme) Steve has a lot going for him these days. But don’t tell him that. You see, Steve is one of the happiest curmudgeons you’ll ever meet. And that’s what makes me such a huge fan of his. More than anybody I know, Steve is constantly convinced he is about to die. So, he will come onto stage in his monthly conversation with me about his hobbies that include: Death Notes, Self Help Tapes, Constantly Getting Sick, and Being single at 40 years old.
DANA GOULD: Mother Fucking DANA GOULD. I would use the term “powerhouse” if I was the type to use such a term. But it’s the only thing I can think of to describe seeing this former writer/producer of the SIMPSONS perform. No matter how long he performs it never seems like enough. If you’ve never seen him perform then stop missing out and do your self a favor by watching him.
If that wasn’t enough, there will be other surprises throughout the show. Including a performance from comedic musician ELI BRADEN. And a sketch by Marley Halpern-Glaser and Elisha Yaffe.
And to top it off: Free beer, The Crepe’in Around (crepe truck), and comic books.
Meltdown Comics Celebrate Free Comic Book Day with Sam Humphries, Jeremy Love and RED FRAGGLE with a side of The Grilled Cheese Truck May 1st, 11AM
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
RED FRAGGLE™ MAKES LIVE APPEARANCE ON FREE COMIC BOOK DAY TO CELEBRATE RELEASE OF ARCHAIA’S ‘MOUSE GUARD/FRAGGLE ROCK’ FLIP BOOK
WRITER SAM HUMPHRIES AND ARTIST JEREMY LOVE ALSO ON HAND TO SIGN COPIES FOR FANS
Los Angeles, CA (April 9, 2010) – To celebrate the release of its widely anticipated Free Comic Book Day flip book featuring fan-favorite properties Mouse Guard and Fraggle Rock™, Archaia is excited to announce RED FRAGGLE will make a live appearance on Free Comic Book Day (May 1, 2010) at Meltdown Comics in Los Angeles, Calif. to lead a short sing-along of favorite Fraggle Classics, take pictures with fans and sign comic books. RED and world-renowned puppeteer,KAREN PRELL appear courtesy of The Jim Henson Company, Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Archaia Entertainment and Meltdown Comics.
“This is such a nice treat for fans, and we couldn’t be happier to be able to work with the great folks at The Jim Henson Company, Lionsgate and Meltdown to make this possible,” said Archaia Marketing Manager Mel Caylo. “Karen and Red’s appearance at San Diego Comic-Con was highly anticipated and well attended, so we’re excited for them to come to Los Angeles and share their special magic in celebration of the release of our Free Comic Book Day issue.”
Archaia’s Mouse Guard/Fraggle Rock Free Comic Book Day flip book will feature a brand-new Fraggle Rock story by written by SAM HUMPHRIES (CBGB: The Comic Book) and drawn by Eisner Award-nominated artist JEREMY LOVE (Bayou). Humphries and Love will be on hand at Meltdown Comics with RED FRAGGLE to sign copies of the free comic for fans.
The pair join an already star-studded lineup between the covers of Archaia’s Free Comic Book Day flip book, which also features an original Mouse Guard story by David Petersen, and another never-before-seen Fraggle Rock story written by Nichol Ashworth and drawn by Jake Myler (Undertown).
In addition, Lionsgate Home Entertainment will display a collection of Fraggle Rock DVDs from the original series that started it all, including FRAGGLE ROCK: THE COMPLETE SERIES COLLECTION, which includes the entire award-winning series with over 47 hours of content on 20 discs, as well as FRAGGLE ROCK: THE ANIMATED SERIES, now available for the first time on DVD.
Free Comic Book Day is a single day—the first Saturday in May each year—when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE to anyone who comes into their stores. Fans at the Meltdown event will be able to sample some of the best talents and stories in the industry, free of charge!
Red Fraggle is one of the five main characters of the “Fraggle Rock” TV show, an award-winning television series launched by The Jim Henson Company in 1983 about an imaginary, colorful and fun world comprised of creatures called Fraggles, Doozers and Gorgs. The show ran for four seasons and became an international sensation. This global fan-favorite brand is as popular today as it was when it premiered more than 25 years ago with a robust consumer products plan featuring apparel, plush toys and even designer jewelry.
The fun starts at 11 a.m. local time on May 1, 2010 at Meltdown Comics (7522 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. 90046, 323-851-7223, www.meltcomics.com). Red Fraggle, Karen Prell, Sam Humphries and Jeremy Love will be ready to greet fans and sign autographs. As an added bonus, the fan-favorite Grilled Cheese Truck, a mobile kitchen that creates gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, will set up outside of Meltdown Comics to sell its wares to fans during the Free Comic Book Day event!
In a few weeks, Archaia will announce additional Free Comic Book Day signings taking place all over the country. For more information on Free Comic Book Day, visit http://www.freecomicbookday.com.
UPDATE: Just Added @smellyi (Charlyne Yi) @paulrust (Paul Rust) as The Glass Beef! Battleship Pretesion Live! @MeltdownComics, June 5th
@thepretension Just Added, @smellyi (Charlyne Yi) performing alongside Paul Rust as
The Glass Beef! 6/5 8pm @meltdowncomics
Other Guests will be @thepretension Live Lineup: @EdASalazar @PaulGoebelShow @the40yearoldboy @smellyi @paulrust @SklarBrothers!
Only $5!
Comedy Meltdown » UPDATE: Just Added, @smellyi (Charlyne Yi) Paul Rust as The Glass Beef! Battleship Pretesion Live! @MeltdownComics, June 5th.