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Nostalgic Toys, Wrestling Legends, and Iconic 80s’ Faces Invade Las Vegas Toy Con!

Image February 18, 2020 Patti PaulterGeist Leave a comment

So you’re telling me- an entire weekend con, (not just one night) featuring the best of 80s’ toys, wrestling legends, Garbage Pail Kids artists, and for the love of the best damn cinematic American patriot Apollo Creed, Carl Weathers, all together at once in my hometown?

This GIF is a big mood, guys.

Because you know, it’s clearly not like I dedicate a part of my life to this or anything.

Anyways, YES- the 12th annual Vegas Toycon is back and better than ever with an entire weekend full of childhood fuzzies that will take you through a time warp of wonderful childhood memories including a slew of celebrity guests that are sure to make even the manliest of men shed a tear of nostalgic joy.

Held at the Las Vegas Cannery, March 13-15th, 2020, Toycon is breaking out the red carpet for such guests as Carl Weathers (The Mandalorian, Predator, Rocky Films Saga), Ryan Hurst (The Walking Dead, Sons of Anarchy), Jimmy Vee (R2D2-Star Wars), Dominic Pace (The Mandalorian), along with Optimus Prime and Megatron themselves Peter Cullen and Frank Welker!

Appearing alongside these screen gems are a couple of WWE legends prepared to sign autographs with photo ops as well! The attendance roster includes Scott Hall (Razor Ramon), Kevin Nash (Diesel), Sting, Jon Moxley, and Fred Ottman (Tugboat, Typhoon)!

So much machismo.

If that’s enough to rattle your inner 80s’ kid, the cast from Steven Spielberg’s E.T. and a select slew of the Netflix giant Stranger Things will be on hand as well and if that’s not enough for you- then I honestly should just stop right now and kind of give up. Let’s get real- Dee Wallace is an absolute treasure beyond her E.T. fandom, i.e Cujo, The Howling, Critters and more.

Ok, that’s the fangirl talking. Let’s move along.

And for all the Garbage Pail Kids fans out there, (everyone am I right?!):

Beyond the overwhelming appearances, and honestly, there are so many more but I could be here all day, are tons of family-friendly activities. Funko Pop giveaways and scavenger hunts, custom toy contests, original artwork, cosplay, and tons of awesome toy and comic vendors!

Tickets are available here directly through the TOYCON website. Check the website thoroughly for days and photo-op times of celebrity appearances and kids 12 and under are free!

I will be there covering the event for Nightmare Nostalgia so if you see a tiny girl in an Apollo Creed shirt covered in tattoos, run up to me with the password phrase “I WANT YOU CHUMP!“, and I MIGHT just have a little gift for you! Happy hunting and see you at Toycon folks!

Editorials

Let’s Be Thankful Stephen Gammell Illustrated a Thanksgiving Poems Book

Image November 27, 2019 Patti PaulterGeist Leave a comment

Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark made him a household name to kids in the ’80s, and public enemy number one to the Karens’ of School Public Libraries all over America. Gammell’s illustrations captivate, excite, and leave us uneasy with his unique interpretations of art imitating life. If one is familiar with his work, he’s pretty easy to spot in other literary and exhibit endeavors; and the “Thanksgiving Poems” book is no exception as that accustomed awe-inspiring creep factor captures the very essence of Autumn and Thanksgiving through visual imagery.

First published in September of 1985, the “Thanksgiving Poems” book collected and sorted by Myra Cohn Livingston is a collection of 16 poems and songs from various storytellers’ including musical excerpts from the Osage and Navajo nations. Ranging from contemporary, comical, to a little preachy, (there are some King James verses in this thing). The book is a short 32-pages and the poems discuss trees, turkeys, families, and food; giving thanks, what happens when families congregate during thanksgiving, and the history of thanksgiving can all be found in this little diddy.

However, Gammell is the clear winner here as he blows out a vessel of watercolor hues of orange, white, and blue with powerful illustrations accompanying each entry. I could go on, but hey, a picture is worth 1000 words so here you go!

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Fantastic. For those interested in adding this unique piece of work to your library, you can get it from Amazon here!

I truly hope anyone reading this has a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving! Whether you choose to celebrate or not, whether you’re with family or alone, I don’t know you, but you are a wonderful human and deserve all the wonderful things this beautiful life has to offer. Thanks for being on this nostalgic trip with me for the past year and a half!

Home Video Releases

Arrow Video Releasing 4k Restoration Steelbook of ROBOCOP

Image November 5, 2019 Patti PaulterGeist Leave a comment

I’d buy that for a dollar!

Well, it’s definitely worth more than just a paper Washington; but I had to throw that line in here somewhere.

With only two months left in this wild decade, Arrow Video is pulling out all the stops with all-new releases, including an amazing limited edition AND steelbook version of Paul Verhoeven’s action-packed classic, RoboCop. This highly anticipated release features the director’s cut and the original theatrical release, both presented with a 4K restoration approved by Verhoeven himself.

Ahhhh. Dead or alive, it’s coming with me.

Per Arrow films, here’s what you’ll get in these must-have collector Blu-rays:

ROBOCOP (STEELBOOK EDITION)

ROBOCOP (LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY)

4K restoration of the film from the original camera negative by MGM, transferred in 2013 and approved by director Paul Verhoeven
Newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper
Director’s Cut and Theatrical Cut of the film on two High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray™ discs
Original lossless stereo and four-channel mixes plus DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound option on both cuts
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on both cuts
Six collector’s postcards (Limited Edition exclusive)
Double-sided, fold-out poster (Limited Edition exclusive)
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork
Limited edition collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Omar Ahmed, Christopher Griffiths and Henry Blyth, a 1987 Fangoria interview with Rob Bottin, and archive publicity materials (some contents exclusive to Limited Edition)
Archive commentary by director Paul Verhoeven, executive producer Jon Davison and co-writer Ed Neumeier (originally recorded for the Theatrical Cut and re-edited in 2014 for the Director’s Cut)
New commentary by film historian Paul M. Sammon
New commentary by fans Christopher Griffiths, Gary Smart and Eastwood Allen
The Future of Law Enforcement: Creating RoboCop, a newly filmed interview with co-writer Michael Miner
RoboTalk, a newly filmed conversation between co-writer Ed Neumeier and filmmakers David Birke (writer of Elle) and Nick McCarthy (director of Orion Pictures’ The Prodigy)
Truth of Character, a newly filmed interview with star Nancy Allen on her role as Lewis
Casting Old Detroit, a newly filmed interview with casting director Julie Selzer on how the film’s ensemble cast was assembled
Connecting the Shots, a newly filmed interview with second unit director and frequent Verhoeven collaborator Mark Goldblatt
Composing RoboCop, a new tribute to composer Basil Poledouris featuring film music experts Jeff Bond, Lukas Kendall, Daniel Schweiger and Robert Townson
RoboProps, a newly filmed tour of super-fan Julien Dumont’s collection of original props and memorabilia
2012 Q&A with the Filmmakers, a panel discussion featuring Verhoeven, Davison, Neumeier, Miner, Allen, star Peter Weller and animator Phil Tippett
RoboCop: Creating a Legend, Villains of Old Detroit and Special Effects: Then & Now, three archive featurettes from 2007 featuring interviews with cast and crew
Paul Verhoeven Easter Egg
Four deleted scenes
The Boardroom: Storyboard with Commentary by Phil Tippett
Director’s Cut Production Footage, raw dailies from the filming of the unrated gore scenes
Two theatrical trailers and three TV spots
Extensive image galleries
Archive commentary by director Paul Verhoeven, executive producer Jon Davison and co-writer Ed Neumeier (originally recorded for Theatrical version of the film)
Two Isolated Score tracks (Composer’s Original Mix and Final Theatrical Mix) in lossless stereo
Edited-for-television version of the film, featuring alternate dubs, takes and edits of several scenes (95 mins, SD only)
Split screen comparison of Theatrical and Director’s Cuts
RoboCop: Edited For Television, a compilation of alternate scenes from two edited-for-television versions, newly transferred in HD from recently-unearthed 35mm elements