Home Blog Page 13

Stigmatising wargamers needs to stop: A defence of Henry Cavill

Matt Geary
-
0
Stigmatising wargamers needs to stop: A defence of Henry Cavill

It is common knowledge that actor Henry Cavill is a proud Geek and one who seems to be happy to fly the flag for his passion and therefore us, in his social feed and even in interviews. Seeing an Instagram post of him reading a Black Library book, building a gaming rig, painting a Custodie or even talking about a Black Stone Fortress and World of Warcraft in interviews, warmed so many geeks’ hearts and made us feel; you know what? Maybe we are living in a time where it’s become acceptable to do this sort of thing without judgment.. Unfortunately, sadly, it would seem that we are not quite there yet.

A lot of people might have seen on the news and on their social feeds stories about Henry Cavill talking about Warhammer 40k on The Graham Norton Show.  Now whereas many have seen this as a great thing for the hobby, especially one that is deemed very niche and the bastion for, as my friend Phil put it in our gaming whats app “mum’s basement-dwelling, plastic crack addict, hobbyists”  I, and it would seem a few others, have come away feeling slightly saddened and annoyed by the way he was treated…

On one side it’s great that you have such a well-known and loved actor embracing his Geeky side and being proud to share that passion on TV, flying the flag for all of us. But on the other, you had a situation that felt like, well… bullying and I felt extremely uncomfortable watching it, getting memories of being asked similar questions and then mocked when I talked about it. HC, a professional actor, and a damn nice guy, seemed to just bat it all away with decorum and humour but part of me couldn’t help but feel that he seemed uncomfortable, not with discussing his hobby but with the reaction he was getting when he did.

I appreciate that Graham Norton is a Comedian and his job is to pick fun and make people laugh so you should take what he says with a pinch of salt, but having grown up hiding who I was, feeling awkward talking about my hobbies, and being laughed at and judged when I did, It made me feel very uncomfortable in myself and brought back bad memories of similar lines of questioning and the resulting mockery .. I can only imagine how he felt.

Do I think Graham Norton was being malicious, no, he and many others just don’t know any better. On top of this, despite geek culture being a bit more mainstream these days, with Marvel and DC films being all the rage, ( another irony that we had Superman and Spiderman on this interview), it’s ok to talk normally to people / actors who dress up fictional superheroes for other people’s amusement but when they play / paint toy soldiers for their own, its something some people struggle to get their heads around and therefore take the proverbial piss;  ignorance breeds contempt.

Do you like art and sculpture? Do you play games on Xbox, PC or Playstation?  Do you paint your nails elaborately, obsess over makeup, love soap operas and trashy TV / films or are obsessed with the gym? Do you like watching your favourite team play sport, even having a fantasy league where you buy, trade and sell players? Are you really into books, music, gardening, cooking? If the answer is yes, then you are no different than us. So how would you feel if you had to justify your passion to people who were mocking you for it? You’d feel somewhat upset, somewhat marginalised, somewhat annoyed right?

I started Geek Pride because of this and I remember very vividly why I did. I’d spend easily 30 + years of my life hiding away what I was because it wasn’t deemed “cool” or acceptable behaviour for a teenager, then and man now, to be into such things. Me and my mate Russell, who had been painting and playing Warhammer since we were 10 would sneak into a Games workshop now and again, buy some paints and a few miniatures., hide our purchases in a Game or Primark bag and then hurry home unseen to paint in our flat. It was one day though that I had been on one of these clandestine missions to GW in Manchester when I caught myself on.

Golden Demon Award – Painted by Andrew Wardle

The guy at the till, asked if I wanted a Games Workshop bag or a plain one, presumably knowing some punter’s reticence to walk around the Arndale with a logoed bag, and something clicked in my head. Why am I bothered by what people think about my hobby? A hobby that not only is artistic, creative and mentally stimulating but one that makes me happy and is no different than any other “normal” person’s hobby? Why does it matter that i’m seen swinging a Games Workshop bag around or that people know I play with painted moon men? Simple answer is, it didn’t and it doesn’t. I, therefore, took the GW bag, walked out loud and proud, started Geek Pride and haven’t looked back since.

Now I don’t want to over-egg and dramatise what has happened, Geek culture, for the most part, is becoming more acceptable but it should just be accepted in general and absent-minded comedy like this, as much as it seems harmless, is stigmatising a section of society who have spent a lot of their lives either trying to fight that, or because of how people react, hide away from it and it needs to stop. To carry on is to keep the joke going and as much as a lot of us can take a joke, when you are perpetually beaten down by the same snarky comments about something you love all the time it takes a toll, can lead you to a very dark place and can make you someone who you aren’t.

For those of you reading this who feel the same way then all I can do is quote our motto, Don’t hide it, wear it. Being a geek is who you are, being a wargamer, a painter, a model maker an RPGer  is who you are and you should be proud and happy within that. If people can’t accept it…. well soon the God-Emperor will reveal himself and unify us all….

FOR THE EMPEROR!

Wales Comic Con – November 2021

Peter Ray Allison
-
0
Wales Comic Con – November 2021

November witnessed the return of Wales Comic Con (WCC), with a new venue and a cornucopia of guests from across the length and breadth of geekdom.

2019’s WCC, at Wrexham Glyndwr University, was less than impressive (as reviewed here), so this one had a lot to make up for.  It delivered in spades.

The guests were, of course, the big draw of the day. They included such names as Edward James Olmos and Mary McDonnell from Battlestar Galactica.  However, for some, it was the chance to meet Denis Lawson (Wedge Antilles from Star Wars) and James O’Barr (writer and artist of The Crow graphic novel), that was the draw.

There were some unfortunate cancellations, such as Evangeline Lilly, due to filming demands.  However, given the number of guests that WCC was hosting, this was to be an expected risk.

Throughout the weekend there were a variety of opportunities to meet the guests, such as through signings and photo opportunities, as well as a series of Q&A panels.  However, much of the focus was on the actors, with fewer opportunities for the other guests.  For example, despite James O’Barr’s success, he seemingly had little to do other than sign books and prints.

The biggest change to WCC was obviously the new venue, at the Telford International Centre.  Whilst moving from Wrexham to Telford meant it was no longer in Wales (the organisers dubbed it the “Telford Takeover”), it did mean that the event was both much bigger and under one roof (no walking between buildings for different parts of the event).  There was also plenty of carparking nearby, which made getting there far less stressful.

However, one thing that did not change was the huge queues, both to get in and for the photoshoots and panels.  The one to enter WCC stretched for nearly a kilometre, which saw some queuing for nearly 90 minutes before entering.

There were also a distinct lack of seating, which was particularly unfortunate for those who tire easily or wore a bulky costume.  There were limited food options inside the venue, and what was on offer was particularly overpriced.

The panels were compered by a variety of hosts, including cosplayer Tabitha Lyons (Artyfakes).  Whilst the panels were informative, they were subject to a variety of logistical issues, such as the aforementioned queues for panels held in dedicated rooms and background noise for those panels held within the halls themselves.

The size of the venue meant that there crowding was kept to a minimum (barring the queueing) and the event never felt claustrophobic.  It was most noticeable in certain areas, such as amongst the stalls and at the height of the convention (early Saturday afternoon).

There was a diverse range of stalls, from creators to merchandise, but the stalls were limited in number.  It was disappointing that merchandise stalls were in the majority.  Given the presence of James O’Barr, it would have been appropriate to have copies of The Crow on offer.

Nonetheless, WCC was a lot of fun and a welcome alternative to the formulaic MCM and Showmasters events.  If they can resolve the queuing issues and ensure a diverse range of stallholders, then WCC has the potential to be a global leader in the convention circuit.

The main question that should be always asked is if it is worth going to next time?  As Bruce Campbell will be a guest, the only answer could be: “Groovy!”

All photos are by Peter Gatehouse and are used with permission.

Undying

Peter Ray Allison
-
0
Undying

With the current deluge of zombie games, the shambling undead have become the cannon fodder of video games.  Players have become so desensitised to the sight of a reanimated corpse, that shambling hordes of undead are now being mown down in a hail of bullets by players, leaping through the air with guns akimbo, John Woo style.  It has thus become challenging to actually do something new with zombies, but Undying has breathed new life into the genre.

Most zombie games are akin to the much-maligned World War Z film.  However, Undying actually make you care for the people involved, much like the original World War Z by Max Brooks.

Undying is an adventure game in which players take on the role of a mother during a zombie apocalypse.  The twist is that players have to protect the mother’s child, as well as defending themselves, from the undead.  The mother has also been bitten, and if they tire themselves out too much, they turn into a zombie.  This brings an added complexity to the mayhem and makes for an engaging premise.

Overall, the game is a mixture of action/adventure and base-building, similar in many ways to Dead State.  However, there is a much stronger narrative in Undying, with the focus of the story centred on the mother and her child.  This is a game that is just as much about family as it is about the rising dead.  Not only does the child need to be protected, but they can also become scared and need reassuring.

The action is slower than a typical zombie game.  These are the classic Romero shambling undead, and thus the game takes a slower-paced approach.  That is not to say it is in any way sedentary, as the zombie’s movement have a remorseless intent, which ratchets tension.  Yes, players can go guns-blazing, but failing to consider the child inevitably results in failure.

The game is graphically simplistic and all of the characters have blank faces.  This can be off-putting at first, but once players overcome this quirk, it allows them to imprint their own personalities on the characters, enabling players to connect with them on a deeper level.

The story is incredibly well written, perfectly portraying the relationship between a mother and child.  The mother comes across as exhausted but caring, whilst the child is sweet but never saccharine.  There is lots of background content that offers greater depth on the characters background, provided that players put in the effort to explore the world and interact with the environment.

Overall, Undying stands out from the shambling horde of zombie games to offer a surprisingly deep insight into a parental relationship.  Those looking for the next Call of Duty: Zombies adrenaline rush will be disappointed, but those after a deeper experience will be pleasantly surprised.

MCM Lite: London Comic Con 2021

Laura Benson
-
0
MCM Lite: London Comic Con 2021

October 22nd saw the return of mega American convention company ReedPop to the UK convention circuit, with its biggest and most well-known event; MCM London Comic-Con.

Nearly two years have passed coupled with ongoing restrictions and fears surrounding covid made this event an interesting test case for a return to ‘normal’ for the industry.  Sadly It felt like they didn’t even try.

Image showing MCM Comic Con
Inside the venue

The first thing that was noticed upon entering was how empty it looked. It was hard to tell if space had been made for distancing or a lack of vendors to fill what is a normally overflowing room. Based on the feedback from vendors, both on-site and those who chose not to come, it seemed the biggest factor was disorganization and alienation of long-time vendors.

Price hikes, lack of choice, no communication, demands for payment and overall lack of information lead to an exodus of longtime vendors who feel deliberately driven away. Certainly, previous staff, who have worked at this convention for many years, have not been invited back.

Even the regular corporate stalls were missing (although this is believed to be more to do with covid). There was less of an “Artist alley” and more just “anyone who would come” vibe going on.

In the past, MCM has showcased costumes and experiences from upcoming relevant Movies, TV, and games. None of this was on show this time (except for one Wheel of Time stall showing 15 minutes of episode one). The event is often accused of being nothing more than a glorified shopping hall, but without these displays or installations that description felt particularly apt.

There was even just a general lack of advertising for, well, anything. Even the passes people carried were blank and contained only basic information. This felt like an MCM with no colour.

To the observer, it seems that MCM invested its time and money more into the big-name stars. Unusually big by MCM standards, as it headlined with Loki star Tom Hiddleston and his co-stars Sophia Di Martino & Jonathan Majors.

Image of Tom Hiddleston Sophia Di Martino & Jonathan Majors.
Image via MCM Press

Sadly, due to the costs involved, many felt priced out of the experience and/or unwilling to engage with the current covid protection in place (perspex screens for photos, at booths, testing, etc). It is difficult to say whether the guests alone provided the expected value to the average punter.

Everyone will have to make up their mind on if this event was a success or not, and if it meets the expectations they had. For me, it was Comic-Con to forget and a little bittersweet.

MCM returns yet again in only two weeks in November at the NEC Birmingham. With such a short time between events, it is unlikely to be much different. But hey, Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker) and Ian McDiarmid (Palpatine) will be attending and that’s pretty cool.

Check out tickets for MCM here 

Halloween Kills

Peter Ray Allison
-
0
Halloween Kills

In 2018 all of the Halloween sequels, including the divisive Rob Zombie Halloween films, were retconned out of existence by the release of Halloween, which acted as a sequel to the original film.  The Halloween film released in 2018 was surprisingly good, as it brought the story back to its roots and concluded with Laurie Strode finally confronting Michael Myers.

Halloween Kills seeks to continue their story.  Michael Myers is still not dead, and the residents of Haddonfield, the fictional town that he stalks, seek to face their fears.  This is where the film falls apart.  The Halloween films have always been about Michael Myers’s obsession with Laurie Strode.  Introducing the wider Haddonfield community dilutes the original theme and plot.

That said, Halloween Kills is not a badly made film.  It looks amazing, and has some fantastic shots.  Of note is the scene where Michael Myers (played by James Jude Courtney) stands backlit by flames as he confronts firemen.  Likewise, Jamie Lee Curtis is fantastic in the role of Laurie Strode, as she carries the haunted look of a survivor who is slowly overcoming her demons.

Likewise, the rest of the cast are well played.  There is a moment during the film where everyone is celebrating the anniversary of Michael Myers’ capture and each person has a smile filled with regret.  The problem is that the mob that forms to defeat Michael Myers is too large, limiting the amount of time for developing their characters.

The result is that when they do perish (it is Michael Myers after all…), we feel no sense of loss for their deaths.  Instead, we simply move on.  The deaths are suitably graphic and gruesome, with some truly amazing special effects.

Unfortunately, it is the plot that lets this film down.  Whilst the dialogue is fine, the plot never really justifies the existence of this film, as the entire storyline of Halloween was concluded with the previous film; Laurie confronted Michael and won.  Even Laurie spends most of her time in hospital, leaving the mob to confront Michael Myers.  This film, as well made as it is, just never feels necessary.  At best it is an unnecessary sequel and at worst it is a shameless cash grab.

My other criticism is that the sound levels are all over place.  Whilst there is a need for screams and jump scares in a slasher movie, Halloween Kills would have benefited from tighter sound editing, as there were time when critical dialogue was difficult to hear over the carnage.

If there was sufficient reason developed in the plot for this story to be told, Halloween Kills could have been a fantastic sequel to amazing film.  As it stands, Halloween Kills feels shallow and unnecessary.  There is even another sequel planned, called Halloween Ends.  The story ended in 2018.

Dune 2021 spoiler free review

Matt Geary
-
0
Dune 2021 spoiler free review

I feel like there are going to be 3 types of people who watch Dune, those who have read the books by Frank Herbert, those who have seen the old and extremely bizarre David Lynch film and those who haven’t. For those of you who have read the books, and I, to my chagrin, have not, then I believe/have been told it is closer to the source material than Lynch’s film; by a long way. For those who have seen the old film, and I have, fear not it puts that mess to bed.. and before all the Lynch fans, well, lynch me, even David Lynch hates that film… lynch, the word’s lost all meaning.  Finally, if you haven’t read the book, or seen the meaningless word film, then you are in for a treat. One with lots of questions and an “aww maaan” when it ends prematurely, but a treat all the same.

As always I’m not going to bore you with reams of story plot and potential spoilers as that’s kinda what watching the film is all about but  basically its Like Star Wars, set solely on Tatooine, meets Stargate, meets Game of Thrones, meets Preacher (if you know you know) and is riddled with stars from your favourite Sci-fi and Superhero films; Josh Brolin, Jason Momoa, Oscar Isaac to name but a few.

To go with these big names Dune is visually stunning, musically evocative and narratively well-paced; albeit you have understand this is the first part of what it likely to be a trilogy so there is no “payoff” at the end. Also, it doesn’t spend ages with back story and doesn’t go into loads of detail re the tech and circumstances but pretty much lets you make up your own mind and or do your own research after.. Why do they all carry blades instead of guns? Personal shields prevent fast projectiles from penetrating but slower attacks, like those from melee weapons can get through; simplz.

Fights are visceral, Characters are relatable and the setting, in what is a complex set of lore from the books, is portrayed well and despite the Fellowship of the rings, walking off into the distance sort of ending it leaves you wanting more and looking forward to the next film; definitely worth watching!

Dune is out on general release 22nd October

Blade Runner: The Roleplaying Game

Peter Ray Allison
-
0
Blade Runner: The Roleplaying Game

Los Angeles, 2021

Since Blade Runner debuted in 1982, the franchise has become a legacy spanning two seminal films and a growing library of books and comics. In celebration of Blade Runner’s forthcoming 40th anniversary, Free League Publishing invite fans to explore that iconic sci-fi universe in a new roleplaying game (RPG).

 The Blade Runner RPG will propel players into the neon noir streets of Los Angeles as Blade Runners with different specialties, personalities and memories. Set in the year 2037, the Core Rulebook begins the adventure shortly after the Wallace Corporation debuts the new Nexus-9 replicants on Earth, giving players the choice to play as either human or replicant Blade Runners.

“It is important for us to fully capture the Blade Runner experience and themes from all perspectives,” says game director Tomas Härenstam. “Regardless of what you are, you’re always a Blade Runner first and foremost; the ultimate outsider who must walk alone in a complex city and system where everyone could be a threat and no choice is without its compromises or consequences.”

The Blade Runner RPG, and its line of future expansions, will push the boundaries of investigative gameplay in tabletop RPGs, giving players a range of tools to solve an array of cases far beyond retiring replicants.  Apart from the core casework, the RPG will also showcase key themes of Blade Runner; sci-fi action, corporate intrigue, existential character drama and moral conflict.  This will encourage roleplay and challenge players to question their orders, empathize with enemies, and make hard calls with high stakes and long-lasting implications.

The roleplaying game will draw inspiration from the entire Blade Runner universe, spanning four decades of world-building across all forms of media.  “Apart from the films, only the Blade Runner prequel short films are considered truly Blade Runner canon at this point,” says Härenstam. “The 1990s novels have a very different story for Deckard and Rachael than Blade Runner 2049 does.”

Joe LeFavi of Genuine Entertainment is the lead setting writer, brand manager, and producer for the game series. LeFavi is also a producer for the forthcoming Blade Runner: Enhanced Edition video game and previously produced The Art and Soul of Blade Runner 2049.

Symbaroum: The Throne of Thorns

Peter Ray Allison
-
0
Symbaroum: The Throne of Thorns

The Throne of Thorns is a colossal seven-part campaign for the dark fantasy roleplaying game Symbaroum.  The storyline follows the quest to find the mythical throne of thorns and unearth the secrets of the fallen civilisation of Symbar.

Each episode is contained within a separate book and can be played consecutively, as a single campaign, or interwoven into an existing ongoing campaign, potentially creating multiple campaign threads for the players to follow.  It is also possible to run each scenario independently, as a one-off adventure.  However, the consecutive interconnected of the storyline would require some juggling of the plot by the games master to run some of the later episodes.

This is a mammoth storyline, with each book coming in at least 150 pages and broken down into three sections.  The first section, intended for both players and games master, introduces the locations for that episode.  The next two sections are for GMs only, with the first offering a deeper look at the locations, including information that the characters will not know, whilst the final section details the adventure itself.

The first episode of the chronicle is focused on the fortress town of Thistle Hold, with some detours into the dark woods of Davokar.  The introductory nature of this episode allows players and characters alike to acquaint themselves with the setting and factions within the chronicles.

The second book explores the Barbarian’s meeting place of Karvosti, as the conflict escalates between the various factions. The Queen seeks the witches in order to learn Symbar’s location, whilst tensions within the Priesthood flare up act as a backdrop to the storyline

The third episode of the chronicle is mainly set in Ambria’s capital Yndaros, as characters uncover connections between Symbaroum and the realm of the Dark Lords, which the Queen wants to be kept hidden. As other factions learn about the cover-up, it is up to the characters to unravel the situation.

The turning point of the chronicle is inside Davokar itself, where much of the storyline describes the journey into the darker parts of the woods.  The episode reaches an epic conclusion within the ruined city of Symbar and the characters unearth what is at stake.

Alberetor, the former homeland of the Ambrians, is the setting for the fifth episode, including the fortress where the Queen was imprisoned by the Dark Lords.  Characters will discover further clues on the fate of Symbaroum and the realm of the Dark Lords, as well as implications for what is happening in Ambria.

Ambal Seba, the seat of Symbaroum’s most powerful mages, is the setting for the sixth episode (to be released).  Characters will learn the secrets of the alleged arch magic; a form magic free of corruption.

The final episode (to be released) is set within the darkest depths of Davokar itself, where the characters will venture for Symbar. The story builds to an epic crescendo, as the player characters decide the ultimate fate of the realm.

Having each episode focused on a different location within Symbaroum’s setting allows players to properly explore each area.  This also allows each book to delve into the mysteries of that area, rather than only giving them scan consideration.  This wealth of background material enables the GM to provide the players with an immersive experience of the setting.

What was particularly impressive about Throne of Thorns is that each episode has an open box approach to the game.  Instead of leading players through the story, each book establishes what is happening and it is up to the player characters to intervene, however they wish.  As the chronicle progresses, previous decisions will affect subsequent events.

Given the cataclysmic storyline, Throne of Thorns should not be considered as an introductory adventure.  Instead, it would be best to run this chronicle once the players have become familiar with the setting and factions of Symbaroum.  Doing so will deepen the impact that the repercussions of the character’s actions will have.

If there is one complaint with this chronicle is that it is almost too big.  There is a lot of information condensed within these books, which can be overwhelming to those who are new to roleplaying games or have limited time.

That said, the books are incredibly gorgeous and the images are amazing, having an almost eastern European feel to the artworks.  Each book also comes with a plethora of handouts which can be photocopied or downloaded from the Free League website.  The maps are particularly impressive, as their artstyle is fully in keeping with the aesthetics of the game world of Symbaroum.

Overall, the Throne of Thorns is an excellent storyline and acts as a fantastic example about the type of storylines that can be told through the Symbaroum RPG.

MCM Expo NEC Birmingham 2021 “It’s the return of the, oh wait, no way, you’re kidding”

joshkingofgeeks
-
0
MCM Expo NEC Birmingham 2021 “It’s the return of the, oh wait, no way, you’re kidding”

MCM Expo/Comic con Birmingham 2021 “Greetings Programmes!”

So, you want to hear a story aye? A Tale of high adventure and impossible travel plans with sold out hotels. Yes my gentlegeeks, ReedPop and the NEC Birmingham welcome back “The” Finale of the convention season with MCM Expo November 2021.

Its been since 2019 till we last stood in the mighty halls of the NEC for Expo, 2 years since I saw my friends properly, amazing cosplayers, awesome merchandise and the overwhelming atmosphere that MCM Expo delivers. I love this show every November!

What can we Expect?

Guests: So far, with more expected! “The Darkside of the force is a pathway to abilities some would consider, unnatural!” the words uttered to Hayden Christianson by Ian Mcdiarmid, Two of the amazing guests already lined up for this years show!

Panels: The MCM stages will be home to cast interviews, previews and so much more. Often the mighty stage is captained by the beautiful and talented Tabitha Lyons (@Artyfakes) and her partner in crime Chris Allan AKA Cj the geek! It will be a welcome return for the both of them I can assure of that.

Cosplay: Cosplay is a massive part of every MCM Comic Con! Children and adults alike, dress to impress and display their love for their favourite characters and fandom. So if you’re considering attending in cosplay as your favourite superhero, anime or video game character; Batman, Superman, Spiderman, from Marvel to DC, Star wars to Star Trek – you won’t be alone! At MCM Comic Con, you’re in good company. *

*Please note: Due to safety and security issues we will no longer be able to assist cosplayers with baggage storage, please use the cloakrooms provided by the venue. If you have a particularly large costume or prop you may need assistance with at the show please get in touch with the Cosplay Team in advance to discuss if we can assist you: [email protected]

Cosplay Masquerades: The ever-popular Cosplay Masquerades are held on both Saturday and Sunday on the Main Stage. They give cosplayers the chance to showcase their handmade costumes and amazing performances in front of a packed audience. There are prizes for Best Costume and Best Performance but cosplayers are free to take part just for fun if they do not wish to be judged. It is free to participate in it or to watch!For the latest on masquerade rules learn more.

Registrations for Birmingham open 27th September.
Costume Display registration: https://register.growtix.com

Performance Applications close 27th October.
Performance Applications registration: https://register.growtix.com/

SideQuest: Probably my son’s favourite area, board games? button mashing master? Then it’s time to “level up” in the Gaming Zone! Whether you’re hardcore or casual, digital or analog there’s something for everyone. Featuring organised play, tournaments and freeplay for all the hottest new games, retro favourites and can’t-miss classics, the Gaming Zone is the perfect place to take a short rest. It’s dangerous to go alone so grab your friends and head on over because “Ready Player One!”

If this hasn’t already tickled the pickle then let’s talk about the plethora of vendors! Its like being in the most amazing Geeky Bizarre to ever quench your memorabilia thirst; T-shirts, models, Art, toys, cards and games…oh my! There is something for everyone and everyone’s tastes. One vendor even had Dracula wine!

To say im excited is an understatement, I’ve looked forward to this all year and im really looking forward to doing my coverage of the event and to seeing all the amazing people and staff at Reedpop and MCM Expo. See you there!!

For more up to date information check out https://www.mcmcomiccon.com/birmingham/en-us/home.html

Before I go, if anyone wants to grab themselves some MCM Expo merchandise, head on over to https://store.reedpop.com/ for the latest and greatest of 2021.

Follow Mcm on all their social media: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LondonComicCon), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mcmcomiccon), Twitter (https://twitter.com/MCMComicCon) and Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/user/mcmexpo)

Until next time!  “End of Line man” – Kevin Flynn

Lie To Me* The Hidden gem 10 years on.

joshkingofgeeks
-
0
Lie To Me* The Hidden gem 10 years on.

There Have been many shows that have fallen into the “hidden gems” category over a ten year period and Tim Roths  led “Lie to me*” is one of them.

Lie to Me (stylized as Lie to me*) is an American crime drama television series. It originally ran on the American Fox network from January 21, 2009, to January 31, 2011. The show follows Dr. Cal Lightman (Tim Roth) and his colleagues in ‘The Lightman Group’ accepting assignments from third parties (commonly local and federal law enforcement) and assist in investigations, reaching the truth through applied psychology: interpreting micro expressions through the ‘Facial Action Coding System’ (FACS) and body language.

After a 10 year hiatus, this humble geek decided to shed some much needed light on this 3 season series that a lot of people have no idea exists, that in itself is a tragedy. The show is inspired by the work of Paul Ekman, a specialist on facial expressions and a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, Ekman has been an advisor to police departments and anti-terrorism groups and he was a scientific consultant in the production of the series. The lead character of Lie to Me, Cal Lightman, is based on Ekman.

In my humble geeky opinion, this being one of his best roles, Tim Roth plays Dr. Cal Lightman. He is “the world’s leading deception expert”, and the main character of Lie to Me. He founded the Lightman Group with Gillian Foster (played by Kelli Willams)and says that he can “tell if you’re lying, but not why.” Though often confronted by people’s skepticism, Lightman uses any technique he deems necessary to reach the truth, however elaborate or confronting.

Tim Roth as Cal Lightman 

Lie To Me* ran for 3 seasons before it was cancelled on May 11th 2011 after 48 episodes, as the way of all great TV series done by the Fox Network, I mean for goodness sake NBC gave us 20 seasons of the Kardashians, who needs that!

The Plot and Pilot of the shows Season one opens with Cal and Gillian hiring a new associate: TSA officer Ria Torres (Monica Raymund), who scored extraordinarily high on Cal’s deception-detection diagnostic and is in turn labelled a “natural” at deception detection. Her innate talent in the field clashes with Cal’s academic approach and he often shows off by rapidly analyzing her every facial expression (like a brother teasing a younger sibling). She counters by reading Lightman and when he least expects it, peppers conversations with quotes from his books.

It was gradually revealed that Dr. Lightman was driven to study micro-expressions as a result of guilt over his mother’s suicide. She claimed to have been fine in order to obtain a weekend pass from a psychiatric ward, when she was actually experiencing agony (which parallels an anecdote in Paul Ekman’s book “Telling Lies”).

For a small number of the early episodes, Lightman would team up with Torres to work on a case, while Foster and Eli Loker (Brendan Hines) would team up on a separate case. Occasionally, their work would intertwine, or Foster and/or Lightman would provide assistance on each other’s cases. As the first season progressed, the cases became more involved and all four of the main characters would work together on one case for each episode.

In addition to detecting deception in subjects they interview, Lightman and his team also use various interviewing and interrogation tactics to elicit useful information. Rather than by force, they use careful lines of questioning, provocative statements, theatrics and healthy doses of deception on their own part. In the show’s pilot episode, Lightman is speaking to a man who is refusing to speak at all, and is able to discern vital information by talking to him and gauging his reaction to each statement.

The show received mostly positive reviews from television critics. It gained a score of 64 on Metacritic from 24 reviews. Entertainment Weekly’s Ken Tucker awarded Lie to Me a B- rating and wrote “Lie to Me is derivative yet well crafted, predictable yet ever-so-slightly novel, it’s no wonder that Fox thinks it’s got itself a potential hit”. However, he also commented “if this review were a face, Dr. Lightman would say it had a forced smile: hopeful, but dubious, about Lie’s chances.”. Tom Shales, writing for The Washington Post said “Lie to Me seems an unusually meaty, thoughtful and thought-provoking crime drama – another police procedural, yes, but one with a dramatic and mesmerizing difference… easily one of the season’s best new shows.”

Now, most critics are ambulance chasers looking for a paycheck or they encourage you to first “like and subscribe” before delivering some form of narrative, thankfully, I’m not.

I love this show, Tim Roth gives an eccentric performance that keeps you coming back to ask the question “What craziness will Cal do this week?”. The actors that portray his team are well knitted together and bounce off each other beautifully, like well-oiled cogs in a Biometric machine. One thing this show brings is you’ll begin to start noticing things in your life you’ve picked up from the show, which in this day and age when everyone is afraid to speak their mind, is a welcomed addition to any introverts quiver.

Lie to me* is available to stream on Disney+, Amazon prime and I think Netflix, so there’s no greater time to have a streaming service and enjoy a slice of fried Tim Roth Gold.

1...121314...362Page 13 of 362