The next Doctor Who special should be coming on again soon. The UK is advertising it in November. Hopefully Australia won't be too far behind. It looks like it's going to be a really good one - very creepy.
I'm going to rant here briefly about something that's really starting to annoy the crap out of me. I know that triple or multi dipping on DVD releases has been going on for some time, but the current bout of misadvertising or misrepresenting what your actually getting in a release is taking things to a new level.
Firstly, I purchase Watchmen when it came out. All the info floating around had said there was a Theatrical Release and the Director's Cut with the additional footage, and amazing new commentary technology. So I went out and bought the Two-Disc Special Edition, thinking that this was the Director's Cut here in Oz, as they sometimes put different labels on releases over here. Special my ass! It was the standard theatrical release, with no special extras and no amazing commentary.
Quite a few people seem to have been sucked in by this, and the only response from the company distributing it was "The Director's Cut is not being released in Australia". Why?? I'll tell you, so they can suck in the early adopters, who'll then have to re-buy it when they do another release down the track. It's already bad enough that we get ripped off with what we're charged for DVD's here, vs what it costs in the US. But this intentional obfuscation of the facts, followed by re-releases later down the track is really starting to chaff.
Now I'm hearing Watchmen Director's Cut might be out here in December, and who knows when the Ultimate Edition is going to show up after that.
The latest one this week that really got on my wick was the release of Monsters vs Aliens. It was a movie released to theatre's in 3D, and it comes with 4x 3D glasses in the packaging, yet they don't upfront tell you that the movie release isn't in 3D, only the 15 minute short additional Bob's Big Adventure is. So your mislead into buying it, only to be disappointed, and what's to bet a 3D release will come out later??
So basically, now I'm stuck avoiding first releases of things, and I'll have to pay even more later for the subsequent releases because they won't come out with special first-release pricing, and I'll have to wait even longer.
Why can't they just release all the versions at once and you can choose which one you want to buy at the time? I mean Watchmen must have come out with at least 8-10 variations - I've seen the DVD, Bluray, lenticular pacakaging, Rorschach packaging, tins, steelbook, etc. Hell with Bluray why do they even bother with re-releases since I'm pretty sure most current releases probably don't fill the discs to their capacity?
You can't tell me people are going to go out and keep buying all the different variations and releases of these things? So what's in it for the movie companies?? Surely this has got to eventually be hurting their bottom line?
Firstly, I purchase Watchmen when it came out. All the info floating around had said there was a Theatrical Release and the Director's Cut with the additional footage, and amazing new commentary technology. So I went out and bought the Two-Disc Special Edition, thinking that this was the Director's Cut here in Oz, as they sometimes put different labels on releases over here. Special my ass! It was the standard theatrical release, with no special extras and no amazing commentary.
Quite a few people seem to have been sucked in by this, and the only response from the company distributing it was "The Director's Cut is not being released in Australia". Why?? I'll tell you, so they can suck in the early adopters, who'll then have to re-buy it when they do another release down the track. It's already bad enough that we get ripped off with what we're charged for DVD's here, vs what it costs in the US. But this intentional obfuscation of the facts, followed by re-releases later down the track is really starting to chaff.
Now I'm hearing Watchmen Director's Cut might be out here in December, and who knows when the Ultimate Edition is going to show up after that.
The latest one this week that really got on my wick was the release of Monsters vs Aliens. It was a movie released to theatre's in 3D, and it comes with 4x 3D glasses in the packaging, yet they don't upfront tell you that the movie release isn't in 3D, only the 15 minute short additional Bob's Big Adventure is. So your mislead into buying it, only to be disappointed, and what's to bet a 3D release will come out later??
So basically, now I'm stuck avoiding first releases of things, and I'll have to pay even more later for the subsequent releases because they won't come out with special first-release pricing, and I'll have to wait even longer.
Why can't they just release all the versions at once and you can choose which one you want to buy at the time? I mean Watchmen must have come out with at least 8-10 variations - I've seen the DVD, Bluray, lenticular pacakaging, Rorschach packaging, tins, steelbook, etc. Hell with Bluray why do they even bother with re-releases since I'm pretty sure most current releases probably don't fill the discs to their capacity?
You can't tell me people are going to go out and keep buying all the different variations and releases of these things? So what's in it for the movie companies?? Surely this has got to eventually be hurting their bottom line?
Went down to a friend's place on Saturday to watch Riverfire on the Brisbane river. Unfortunately turned up a little bit late for the Roulettes performing acrobatics, so only saw a little bit of that, but the fireworks were fantastic. Certainly much better than the New Years ones that they have at Southbank. And the view from the apartment was fantastic - eighth floor straight down the river. The fireworks went for about 30 minutes, ending with the dump and burn of fuel from the F-111 planes. This was the last year they were doing it, as they are being retired this year. Australia is the last country in the world to still be flying these planes, and will be replacing them with the Super Hornet shortly. Wonder what they'll be replacing them with next year as the Super Hornet can't do a dump and burn? There were so many people there for the event. The trains were absolutely jam packed on the way there and back.
So went down to Supanova on Saturday. The line was out the front door, up the street, around the corner, down the road behind the full length of the showground, around two more corners, and up the next road. I keep saying every year I'll buy tickets from Ticketek but I'm ABSOLUTELY doing that next year. To Daniel's credit though, he came out and walked the line speaking to people, and then opened another entrance for people to come in through, so the line got moving pretty quickly. We got there at 11 and it opened at 10, so the line was pretty massive. Place was packed as usual, and despite the recession, seemed to be doing a good trade. Shame we weren't able to get a booth for New Ground this year, but I caught up with Daniel briefly and said "hi". Hopefully next time things will be better and Jeremy can get a booth, otherwise I might ask some of the local dudes if they want to go in on a booth and do something myself. Had a few more ideas for art, and feeling motivated again after seeing stuff on Artists Alley.Micky wanted to go see Hayden Panatierre. She'd been waiting since last year when there were hints she was coming. She saved up her money from cleaning the neighbours car, and queued up, paying extra for the photo with her (unsigned too! - $50 for a photo, with another $40 for signature. Micky reckoned the usual signed photos were pre-signed too; Also Security were stopping people from taking pictures of her). She was gutted when she came back. Hayden wouldn't speak to her. She got shoved in and told to "Stand here". Took her picture, and pushed out the door. She said next time, she will just spend her money at the shops on geeky things. I felt bad that she was so disappointed. Then I was surprised to see the article in the Courier Mail on Sunday (http://tinyurl.com/da7gdm), complaining about Hayden's prima donna behaviour. Celebs need to remember that this is a PR exercise for them, and be friendly and gracious. These people have spent time and money to come here and see them because they admire their work - if you can't be gracious and pleasant then don't bother coming. Obviously it's just about the money or opportunity to travel. I said to her, at least she had an experience with this person, even if it's not what she was hoping for - I'm not sure it made a difference though.
The video games were a hit with Beeb though (the new Ghostbusters game looks amazing!), the wrestling, and free Laserstrike game was also good stuff. A little annoyed with Atari demonstrating the Afro Samurai game. Apparently it's okay for an eight-year-old to stand there and watch the game for 30 minutes, but when it's time to have a turn he can't play it because it's rated 15 years and over. Hmmm but it's okay to watch the violence? Just can't cause the violence?? WTF?!
Saw a few artists on Artists Alley pushing their own anthology books. Jon Sommariva's stuff looked great. Had a good look at the Cintiq and tablets on the Wacom booth - nice conversation with the Wacom lady about the tablets. Didn't find Todd McFarlane - where the hell was he? Went to see Jhonen Vasquez - crushing disappointment! The queue to meet him and have something signed went across the con, out the door, and around the corner of the building!! WTF?! Went to join the queue, but they closed the line when I got there and so I was rejected! Really annoyed because he was the only celeb I specifically wanted to see. Don't worry Jhonen! I don't blame you though. Obviously the organisers underestimated his popularity as he wasn't placed somewhere that catered very well with the queue. Perhaps they can get him back again. I had to placate myself with his Fillerbunny 3 book instead (and I have enjoyed the sick and disturbing artwork again and again).
Not really many deals going on merchandise - pretty much all the same kind of prices you get if you walk into the comic shop right now. So didn't really pickup anything much - got a cool mini movie poster of AVP2 from Japan which was quite striking - it's gone up on my studio wall.
Left about 5 o'clock because the parking says closed at 5:15 sharply! Bit stupid, considering the con doesn't close till 6?!
So in summary, had a great day, couple of niggles, but still enjoyed the mass gathering of geekiness. Saw some fabulous costumes, and everyone was very friendly and polite.
If your wondering what emoticons Facebook chat supports, here is a complete list:
Happy emote: :) or :-)
Really happy emote: :D or :-D
Wink emote: ;) or ;-)
Happy eyes: ^_^
Laughing eyes: >:o
Cat smile: :3
Grumpy: >:-(
Sad: :( or :-(
Crying emote: :’(
Shocked emote: :o or :-o
Glasses emote: 8) or 8-)
Cool shades: 8-|
Rude: :p or :-p
Woot?!: O.o
Dork emote: -_-
Duhhh emote: :/ or :\
Devil emote: 3:)
Angel emote: O:)
Kiss emote: :-* or :*
Love emote: <3
Pacman: :v
Robot: :|]
Weird guy’s face: :putnam:
Happy emote: :) or :-)
Really happy emote: :D or :-D
Wink emote: ;) or ;-)
Happy eyes: ^_^
Laughing eyes: >:o
Cat smile: :3
Grumpy: >:-(
Sad: :( or :-(
Crying emote: :’(
Shocked emote: :o or :-o
Glasses emote: 8) or 8-)
Cool shades: 8-|
Rude: :p or :-p
Woot?!: O.o
Dork emote: -_-
Duhhh emote: :/ or :\
Devil emote: 3:)
Angel emote: O:)
Kiss emote: :-* or :*
Love emote: <3
Pacman: :v
Robot: :|]
Weird guy’s face: :putnam:
All the mess with Watchmen has finally been sorted out and it's on track to be released here on March 5th. Can't wait to see it, and the final poster has been previewed today.Check out the official site at http://watchmenmovie.warnerbros.com/
Still frantically busy with stuff. The house is coming along. We just completed all the soil around the pool, and retaining around the base of the pool fencing to stop any little'uns from getting in and drowning. The spray coat lining for the pool is being done today, so we should be good to get it filled soon. The front and side gardens are done, and we're progressing on some more small rock walls. The gully is going to take a bit longer though, and is probably going to be an ongoing project for some time.
Instead of Australia Day this year, we're celebrating New Zealand Day (we've hijacked their holiday), and we'll be having some people round, and a BBQ with delectable NZ goodies. Something we're definitely looking forward too.
Instead of Australia Day this year, we're celebrating New Zealand Day (we've hijacked their holiday), and we'll be having some people round, and a BBQ with delectable NZ goodies. Something we're definitely looking forward too.
