Theme Park & Entertainment News!

I tried to tweet as much as possible as the news came in at this years Comic-Con, but unfortunately the network was extremely unreliable and it was nearly impossible to get secure internet. It became very frustrating at times and it quickly destroyed my battery on my sad, old iPhone 3G. Therefore, I had plenty more to post, but if you missed our tweets, here were the most recent (view them all at here):

1. America Dad panel is currently screening this year’s Xmas episode. Steve ends up killing a mall Santa by accident. Quite funny.#sdcc 1:07 PM Jul 25th via Twitter for iPhone
2. They are screening an entire episode of American Dad. First act still in sketches. #sdcc 12:44 PM Jul 25th via Twitter for iPhone
3. Snot loses his virginity to Roger in upcoming season of American Dad! #sdcc 12:43 PM Jul 25th via Twitter for iPhone
4. Mythbusters panel was surprisingly close to the funniest panel I’ve seen this year. #sdcc 8:16 PM Jul 24th via Twitter for iPhone
5. Mythbusters have signed for several more years. They’re claiming ‘a video game vs real life’ type show will come someday. #sdcc 8:14 PM Jul 24th via Twitter for iPhone
6. Check out the ComiTron Experience on 6th st. You won’t be disappointed. It’s no ordinary arcade. Tix at door http://twitpic.com/28d491 5:06 PM Jul 24th via Twitter for iPhone
7. Showed almost a whole scene from Let Me In! An interesting remake that seems to have a lot of heart behind it. Not just made to scare. #sdcc 2:39 PM Jul 24th via Twitter for iPhone
8. Whoa!! Where did Sucker Punch come from. This looks fantastic. Totally unique and different feel. http://twitpic.com/28ay8j 12:52 PM Jul 24th via Twitter for iPhone
9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows footage was just shown. Quite a bit… Looks epic!!!!!! #sdcc 12:39 PM Jul 24th via Twitter for iPhone
10. Reynolds just said the Green Lantern oath live in his deep serious voice just for a little boy. It gave me chills. #sdcc 12:25 PM Jul 24th via Twitter for iPhone
11. Reynolds says he would want to dress up as a wookie so he could be cute but dangerous. #sdcc 12:21 PM Jul 24th via Twitter for iPhone
12. Ryan Reynolds at the Green Lantern panel. http://twitpic.com/28ao1d 12:18 PM Jul 24th via Twitter for iPhone
13. Green Lantern footage was shown right off the bat. It was definitely just a teaser but well received by the audience. #sdcc. #wbpanel 12:13 PM Jul 24th via Twitter for iPhone
14. WB wins for best bag at #sdcc! Pockets even! Hehe. We received a free Potter shirt, Green Lantern comic, and other swag. First up… WB’s. 10:24 AM Jul 24th via Twitter for iPhone
15. Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter is in line for Hall H #sdcc 10:22 AM Jul 24th via Twitter for iPhone
16. RT @swissmt59: Old and new Bumblebee hanging out at the Sheraton Marina. #sdcc http://twitpic.com/288rue 8:45 AM Jul 24th via Twitter for iPhone
17. Our team is ready for Day 3 of Comic Con. Warner Bros. day. RT us if you are in the Hall H line. #sdcc 8:42 AM Jul 24th via Twitter for iPhone
18. Our staff wants to thank everyone following us at Comic-Con 2010! RT us and stay tuned for more updates! #sdcc 6:45 PM Jul 23rd via web
19. Will Ferrell states his hidden talent is he’s a gourmet chef. Loves the Thai food. #sdcc #theotherguys 5:14 PM Jul 23rd via Twitter for iPhone
20. Great hearing Ferrel say all his famous lines in person! #sdcc 5:12 PM Jul 23rd via Twitter for iPhone

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“Hell’s gonna walk the Earth”

Unfortunately the first time I wrote this my app crashed, but I’ll try again.

After about a 20 minute delay the panel began showing a few minutes of 3D footage. It’s interesting to say the least. Not sure if this film really needs the 3D but I don’t mind it. The film looks intense, bloody and definitely filled with cheesy goodness.

The actors seemed to really enjoy themselves up there and mentioned they really enjoyed filming this movie.

Nic Cage was his normal self with a good sense of humor. William Fichter seemed to still be stunned by the footage and couldn’t get it off his mind.

Drive Angry 3D drives in theaters 2/11/10

- Joel Covey

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Quite a day with a lot of announcements and surprises. All of our correspondents arrived tonight for Comic-Con so we’re sorry we missed the good stuff of today.

Biggest things would be Guillermo Del Toro to direct a reboot if Haunted Mansion that he stated will scare the kids! Jack Sparrow talked about Pirates 4 and Tron stunned the crowd with more footage and details of the movie.

But… This all deserves a full post. So join us tomorrow for full details of the craziness that is COMIC-CON!

- Joel Covey

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- Joel Covey

Location:L St,San Diego,United States

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This is really just a test and post to say that the 2010 San Diego Comic Con has officially begun. We will be there this evening through Sunday!

Post links to photos and comments here or mention @Socalthrills on twitter and we’ll try to repost.

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We realize there haven’t been a lot of updates as of recent, but we plan to change that starting Thursday with full coverage of this years Comic Con! Check here frequently for up to the date news as well on Twitter @socalthrills.

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A couple weeks ago Roger Ebert posted a little editorial explaining why he hates 3-D and why we should too.  He posted his key points and had his reasoning behind each one of them.  I’m actually quite surprised at the amount of people backing Ebert on this one, but I however disagree with most of his points and think 3-D is a great addition to the theater experience.  If I may, let me counter examine his points.

1. It’s the Waste of a Dimension:
What a ridiculous, childish claim from Mr. Ebert. I feel like we’re five years old coming up with anything to cover a point. Ebert claims that “When you look at a 2-D movie, it’s already in 3-D as far as your mind is concerned”. Well, sure Bob, can I call you Bob… our minds do play tricks on us and does provide a principle of perspective to create that third dimension without any camera trickery, however I think both of us know that it’s not the same thing here. 3-D DOES make you feel more immersed in the movie as if you are actually in it more so than the tricks our minds plays on us while watching 2-D.

Now I realize that it’s different depending on the moviegoer. Some people do get headaches and some people can’t even see the third dimension. So I’m well aware this problem however am not concerned about it as long as movie theaters continue to offer 2-D showings of the 3-D capable films.

2. It Adds Nothing to the Experience:
WHHAAATTT!?!? Ebert asks if the greatest moviegoing experiences of our lifetime needed 3-D using examples of Fargo, Precious and Casablanca. Well, absolutely not. Although, are we talking about movies like the former? I don’t think so! I believe the films that have been FILMED in 3-D have deserved the added dimension. I don’t believe too many people out there are looking for films like Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction to Citizen Kane to be in 3-D. 3-D has been reserved for epic action-adventure movies to cheesy horror flicks. The 3-D technology is not taking away anything from these huge pictures that are really created for a more “fun” moviegoing experience.

3. It Can Be a Distraction:
Ebert brings up points about poorly made 3-D films where everything remains in focus and where some objects just float about others. 3-D CGI movies are not using it in this way and others are starting to use the technology correctly. Directors and filmmakers are still looking for the correct way to use the new BETTER 3-D technology, which isn’t the same as it was used back when Birds came to theaters. If we are comparing super artsy films, then I hope they are shooting the film using the same techniques that have worked for many decades. The art of quality cinematography is not going anywhere.

4. It Can Create Nausea and Headaches:
Yes it can and that’s why 2-D showings of each 3-D film still exist. I’m under the assumption that most people with these visual problems are aware of them by now and if not, they aren’t going to suffer through 3-D films after the first one they see since they will know not see it in that format. I felt as the 2-D version How to Train a Dragon still looked very three dimensional, but just lacked the total immersion capable with 3-D.

5. Have You Noticed That 3-D Seems a Little Dim?
Heh, I actually didn’t realize this till I recently read about how 3-D is actually dimmer. I’ll admit that this stinks, but I must not be knowledgeable enough to notice or even care. I hope that this is an issue being addressed for future films, but for now I don’t know if this is really a complaint from the common moviegoers.

6. There’s Money to be Made in Selling New Digital Projectors:
Ebert seemed a little harsh about how these new digital projector exhibitors are rudely making theaters remove their analog projectors for these expensive new ones. I’m sure there is a little money hungry projector makers that are trying every way they can to get these new projectors sold, but I actually like the new digital projectors so it’s fine by me. I was recently very disappointed by a visit to the theater when the film started and it was analog. Sorry, guess I’m not a traditionalist enough to respect film, but the fact of the matter is that digital is clearer. There are no spots where they have glued the film together and it doesn’t begin to wear out like film does. I have much respect for traditional film, but am starting to prefer the clearer picture.

I’m very aware of the problems that occur from 3-D, but I don’t think the cons outweigh the pros. By no means do I want to see every picture in 3-D! I also don’t want to see directors substituting classic film techniques for new technology. If 3-D filmmakers can create movies that are just as pretty as Avatar and are artistically just as sound as great films from the past, I welcome 3-D with great big arms.

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To find out how the Jungle is maintained day to day, check out this video featuring David Berrio and Abel Cazares of the horticulture team.

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