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Harry is off for Minnesota and the CONvergence fan convention!
Hey folks... Harry here. Well, in about 12 hours I'll be flying up to Bloomington, Minnesota for a convention called CONvergence. It's a fantasy/sci-fi convention that felt the strange and peculiar desire to invite me and Father Geek up to... well Be Harry and Father Geek.
I went because Forrest Ackerman is going, and well... he's cool. So I will go where the master goes!
The con begins July 2,3,4... well... Actually that's the dates... all of them... for the convention. It is being held at the Radisson Hotel South in BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA. I'm not entirely sure where this is. I heard it's somewhere around the Twin Cities... but... I really don't know.
I do know, that I'm supposed to be smart and entertaining. Hah Hah... How much you wanna wager on that? "Harry's a stupid fat fuck!"--- Most common phrase heard at CONvergence!
I'm supposed to be doing talks or panels I believe on the following subject matters. "The 10 Best Fantasy Films Of All Time" (hint... Beastmaster, Kull The Conqueror, Dragonheart... Just Kidding. Actually It'll probably end up being broader than that, since I loathe lists... Instead I'll be discussing the Fantasy film genre... Secret info on LORD OF THE RINGS, what's wrong with modern fantasy filmmaking. A look back at the magic that was... And what we fans, yes it'll be a discussion, really want from the genre)
Then there is the "IF IT AIN'T BROKE WHY REMAKE IT?" (I'm sure you can guess the subject matter of this panel. I'll be giving my thoughts on the theory of remakes. Ones that worked... Ones that didn't. And then we'll have fun playing like an idiot executive with a Maltin Guide finding 4 Star movies like HARVEY and BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN and think how we and our minimal creative brain centers will likely screw it all up!)
Next is, "STAR WARS - SO... HOW GOOD IS THE NEW ONE?" (Feel free to take part in what I anticipate to be a spirited screaming match. I'll be discussing... well, the goods the bads and the uglies. George Lucas, does he still have the magic? Is it time to hand it over, bring in a partner or breathe fresh life into it... or Leave it as is.)
And then it's, "HOLLYWOOD IS SO CUTE WHEN IT TRIES TO SHOW THE NET" (This'll be two fold. Talking about the wonderfully creative MAIL PROGRAMS hollywood versions of web browsers have.... As well as the annoying digital beeping of each letter depression. Then the way Hollywood depicts the internet to the media)
"WHY DID 'JOHNNY MNEMONIC' SUCK AND 'THE MATRIX' ROCK?" (Well duh... This will also go into, what goes into adapting fan based materials into cool movies successfully. We'll talk about the problems of the development process, why they never get smart and hire Paul Dini, the films that Hollywood still won't let the Wachowski's make, why Keanu Reeves isn't responsible for the success of THE MATRIX and so on)
"HAS THE RODDENBERRY LEGACY SPUTTERED OUT?" (We'll talk about the glory of the Star Trek high years, the coolness void that is the current management, the short sighted lack of faith that Paramount always seems to treat STAR TREK with. What we dream it could be, what it really is, and whether it's time for it to die for a generation or two)
Beginning tomorrow at sometime, I'll be staying at my hotel... The Radisson Hotel South. The phone number there will be: (612)835-7800, but I do not yet know my room number. I will be updating from the convention... And I look forward to partying with all them Vikings folks. By the way... It's now my understanding that the hotel is basically in Minneapolis.... It's called the Radisson Hotel South and Plaza Tower! Richard Elfman is showing a Vampire flick there. Apparently the convention has an autograph table for me... Though... for the life of me I can't imagine anyone having anything for me to sign. But if you come up to this table... it'll be the one that nobody is standing in front of... I'll be the fat redhead behind it with a look like.... "Wow... More nothingness standing before me. My... I love noble lonliness. It's sort of like them Gorillas on that mountain... Well... wait that was plural. Ummmm... Well hell... I don't know"
There are apparently all types of parties... where again I'll be the lonely guy in the corner thinking about how cool SLEEPY HOLLOW will be.
And remember if it looks like I'm gonna rape ya... that's just cause I'm so excited to see another human being. I don't get let out of my cage too often, so I might pull that Tarzan, hand, heart thingee. Hopefully, I'll see ya there! The convention hotline (24 hours) is 612-996-9224. Come on... keep me company. Ya can't hang at the mall everynight... can ya. I'll also be organizing the MALL OF AMERICA AICN ANTI-NRG INFILTRATION RING!!! So... come join the fun!
The con begins July 2,3,4... well... Actually that's the dates... all of them... for the convention. It is being held at the Radisson Hotel South in BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA. I'm not entirely sure where this is. I heard it's somewhere around the Twin Cities... but... I really don't know.
I do know, that I'm supposed to be smart and entertaining. Hah Hah... How much you wanna wager on that? "Harry's a stupid fat fuck!"--- Most common phrase heard at CONvergence!
I'm supposed to be doing talks or panels I believe on the following subject matters. "The 10 Best Fantasy Films Of All Time" (hint... Beastmaster, Kull The Conqueror, Dragonheart... Just Kidding. Actually It'll probably end up being broader than that, since I loathe lists... Instead I'll be discussing the Fantasy film genre... Secret info on LORD OF THE RINGS, what's wrong with modern fantasy filmmaking. A look back at the magic that was... And what we fans, yes it'll be a discussion, really want from the genre)
Then there is the "IF IT AIN'T BROKE WHY REMAKE IT?" (I'm sure you can guess the subject matter of this panel. I'll be giving my thoughts on the theory of remakes. Ones that worked... Ones that didn't. And then we'll have fun playing like an idiot executive with a Maltin Guide finding 4 Star movies like HARVEY and BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN and think how we and our minimal creative brain centers will likely screw it all up!)
Next is, "STAR WARS - SO... HOW GOOD IS THE NEW ONE?" (Feel free to take part in what I anticipate to be a spirited screaming match. I'll be discussing... well, the goods the bads and the uglies. George Lucas, does he still have the magic? Is it time to hand it over, bring in a partner or breathe fresh life into it... or Leave it as is.)
And then it's, "HOLLYWOOD IS SO CUTE WHEN IT TRIES TO SHOW THE NET" (This'll be two fold. Talking about the wonderfully creative MAIL PROGRAMS hollywood versions of web browsers have.... As well as the annoying digital beeping of each letter depression. Then the way Hollywood depicts the internet to the media)
"WHY DID 'JOHNNY MNEMONIC' SUCK AND 'THE MATRIX' ROCK?" (Well duh... This will also go into, what goes into adapting fan based materials into cool movies successfully. We'll talk about the problems of the development process, why they never get smart and hire Paul Dini, the films that Hollywood still won't let the Wachowski's make, why Keanu Reeves isn't responsible for the success of THE MATRIX and so on)
"HAS THE RODDENBERRY LEGACY SPUTTERED OUT?" (We'll talk about the glory of the Star Trek high years, the coolness void that is the current management, the short sighted lack of faith that Paramount always seems to treat STAR TREK with. What we dream it could be, what it really is, and whether it's time for it to die for a generation or two)
Beginning tomorrow at sometime, I'll be staying at my hotel... The Radisson Hotel South. The phone number there will be: (612)835-7800, but I do not yet know my room number. I will be updating from the convention... And I look forward to partying with all them Vikings folks. By the way... It's now my understanding that the hotel is basically in Minneapolis.... It's called the Radisson Hotel South and Plaza Tower! Richard Elfman is showing a Vampire flick there. Apparently the convention has an autograph table for me... Though... for the life of me I can't imagine anyone having anything for me to sign. But if you come up to this table... it'll be the one that nobody is standing in front of... I'll be the fat redhead behind it with a look like.... "Wow... More nothingness standing before me. My... I love noble lonliness. It's sort of like them Gorillas on that mountain... Well... wait that was plural. Ummmm... Well hell... I don't know"
There are apparently all types of parties... where again I'll be the lonely guy in the corner thinking about how cool SLEEPY HOLLOW will be.
And remember if it looks like I'm gonna rape ya... that's just cause I'm so excited to see another human being. I don't get let out of my cage too often, so I might pull that Tarzan, hand, heart thingee. Hopefully, I'll see ya there! The convention hotline (24 hours) is 612-996-9224. Come on... keep me company. Ya can't hang at the mall everynight... can ya. I'll also be organizing the MALL OF AMERICA AICN ANTI-NRG INFILTRATION RING!!! So... come join the fun!
I'm supposed to be doing talks or panels I believe on the following subject matters. "The 10 Best Fantasy Films Of All Time" (hint... Beastmaster, Kull The Conqueror, Dragonheart... Just Kidding. Actually It'll probably end up being broader than that, since I loathe lists... Instead I'll be discussing the Fantasy film genre... Secret info on LORD OF THE RINGS, what's wrong with modern fantasy filmmaking. A look back at the magic that was... And what we fans, yes it'll be a discussion, really want from the genre)
Then there is the "IF IT AIN'T BROKE WHY REMAKE IT?" (I'm sure you can guess the subject matter of this panel. I'll be giving my thoughts on the theory of remakes. Ones that worked... Ones that didn't. And then we'll have fun playing like an idiot executive with a Maltin Guide finding 4 Star movies like HARVEY and BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN and think how we and our minimal creative brain centers will likely screw it all up!)
Next is, "STAR WARS - SO... HOW GOOD IS THE NEW ONE?" (Feel free to take part in what I anticipate to be a spirited screaming match. I'll be discussing... well, the goods the bads and the uglies. George Lucas, does he still have the magic? Is it time to hand it over, bring in a partner or breathe fresh life into it... or Leave it as is.)
And then it's, "HOLLYWOOD IS SO CUTE WHEN IT TRIES TO SHOW THE NET" (This'll be two fold. Talking about the wonderfully creative MAIL PROGRAMS hollywood versions of web browsers have.... As well as the annoying digital beeping of each letter depression. Then the way Hollywood depicts the internet to the media)
"WHY DID 'JOHNNY MNEMONIC' SUCK AND 'THE MATRIX' ROCK?" (Well duh... This will also go into, what goes into adapting fan based materials into cool movies successfully. We'll talk about the problems of the development process, why they never get smart and hire Paul Dini, the films that Hollywood still won't let the Wachowski's make, why Keanu Reeves isn't responsible for the success of THE MATRIX and so on)
"HAS THE RODDENBERRY LEGACY SPUTTERED OUT?" (We'll talk about the glory of the Star Trek high years, the coolness void that is the current management, the short sighted lack of faith that Paramount always seems to treat STAR TREK with. What we dream it could be, what it really is, and whether it's time for it to die for a generation or two)
Beginning tomorrow at sometime, I'll be staying at my hotel... The Radisson Hotel South. The phone number there will be: (612)835-7800, but I do not yet know my room number. I will be updating from the convention... And I look forward to partying with all them Vikings folks. By the way... It's now my understanding that the hotel is basically in Minneapolis.... It's called the Radisson Hotel South and Plaza Tower! Richard Elfman is showing a Vampire flick there. Apparently the convention has an autograph table for me... Though... for the life of me I can't imagine anyone having anything for me to sign. But if you come up to this table... it'll be the one that nobody is standing in front of... I'll be the fat redhead behind it with a look like.... "Wow... More nothingness standing before me. My... I love noble lonliness. It's sort of like them Gorillas on that mountain... Well... wait that was plural. Ummmm... Well hell... I don't know"
There are apparently all types of parties... where again I'll be the lonely guy in the corner thinking about how cool SLEEPY HOLLOW will be.
And remember if it looks like I'm gonna rape ya... that's just cause I'm so excited to see another human being. I don't get let out of my cage too often, so I might pull that Tarzan, hand, heart thingee. Hopefully, I'll see ya there! The convention hotline (24 hours) is 612-996-9224. Come on... keep me company. Ya can't hang at the mall everynight... can ya. I'll also be organizing the MALL OF AMERICA AICN ANTI-NRG INFILTRATION RING!!! So... come join the fun!
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Sorry but this is my first time.
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Well, Harry (and those upper Midwest AICN fans), CONvergence 1999 is being held at the RADISSON HOTEL SOUTH near the NW corner of the Interstate 494 / Hwy.100 Interchange at the 77th Street exit off 100. The convention runs Friday through Sunday, and the at-the-door price is $40 for the whole weekend. Besides Harry and Father Geek, we have Forrest J. Ackerman, Gary Russell (Dr. Who novelist, and others. There's a masquerade,a 24-hour film room, a 24-hour anime room, a dealers room, a coffee/music bar, and oodles of geeky panels! FFI, check out http://www.convergence-con.org - hope to see you there! (I'm just happy I get to do a "Star Wars" panel with Harry!)
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I don't have a goddamn thing to say.
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We can hardly wait to see if Harry goes along with Moriarty on Wild Wild Waste (since a presupporting prize is a trip to WWW with Harry). And to get the inside scoop on all the Cool news. Anybody else coming to CONvergence?
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It's George's baby, for good or ill. He owns it lock, stock and cliche.
I suppose that if he wanted to pass the reigns to some one else, he could, but that doesn't mean that it would get better. Has Star Trek improved since Roddenberry's death? That's debatable, but I'll bet most people would say, NO. Trek was geting battered a bit by Babylon 5, and started to shift their stories in that direction. I think that Roddenberry would have resisted that temptation and gone in the opposite (or different) direction. But who am I to second guess what anyone else might do?
At any rate, Star Wars is a statement by Lucas, for good or ill. When the last episode id done and a few years pass, and the high emotions of the fans have mellowed, we can look back and reasonably decide if Lucas created a masterpiece, or the silliest six films of all time. I say that based on what critics often do: change their opinions over the years. What was a bomb in 1938 is now a "classic" on AMC or Turner Classic Movies. If it isn't a classic, then it shows up on MonsterVision with Joe Bob Briggs, and becomes a cult favorite of some kind. So, time will tell (more cliche phrases are coming, Im certain). So far Star Wars has passed the test of time. Episode One is a weak link (right now), but who knows. Some one might see it as the Best of the series 50 years from now. I doubt it, but by then I'll be dead, so it won't matter. -
Harry, we Minnesotans are looking forward to having you here! I'll finally get the chance to thank you almost getting me into the Titanic premiere -- we were mailing back and forth and you managed to get the theater name for me but I arrived five minutes too late, and my friend Tybalt with the pass I'd lined up didn't wait. FWIW, I have a couple of friends that are going just to see you, and they sadly didn't know who 4E was.
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First let me just say that I still believe Lucas is the man. He's a powerhouse, but......I think he needs to bring in a collaborator or two and maybe a director. I just saw TPM for the sixth time last night and I love the flick but there is just some things that are inexcusable. At FOUR times during the film the lame plot device of a power loss was used as a way to add dramatic tension (queens deflector, bongo, pod, anakins fighter). I can see once, but FOUR? And three of the four times the fix was to simply (and manually) move a wire and re-route the power!! Its laughable!! ..............Star Trek is tired. Insurrection SUCKED. I'm not a big fan of the tv series, but thats only because I don't have the time, but I do like them. But that last movie.....peace
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...is probably "Revenant" aka "Modern Vampires". I saw it a few months ago and sent a review to Harry. it sucks, really! It's without a doubt one of the biggest pieces of shit I've ever seen. I hope Harry won't come back telling us he liked the flick, or my whole world will shatter. Harry, don't even bother seeing it!
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just for the record Harry....Bloomington is the 3rd largest city in the Land of 10,000 lakes, and Home to United State's Largest Tourist Trap, AKA the Mall of America. Hey I have some sort of home town nationalism and just thought I'd let those of you who really don't know.
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I have a correction in the subject box, it was my first post in a long-ass time, I got ansy I got excited and I jumped the gun. I did a stupid thing. I misspelled the name of my own city, well I just typed to fast and didn't read over and put in the t-o-n
Well
what the subject should read
"Bloomington, not just a place but a state of mind"
again I'm tellin' those who didn't care or ask in the first place. -
I was just wondering if the Con is a regularly happenin' event...
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Don't want to sound paranoid, but it sounds to me like this is a set-up. Perhaps some not so loving fans plan to slaughter your ass. If life were a movie....
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Okay... That was enough to finally get me to post.
As a Minneapolis resident, an admirer of bad cinema (okay, some good stuff too), a regular reader of your web page AND a guy who'll be attending CONvergence... Harry, I'm happy as hell you're going to be there!
Now I just need to decide what tape box I'd like you to autograph... Max Headroom (brit version)? Enter the Dragon? Kentucky Fried Movie? Fritz the Cat? Decisions, decisions... -
We had a pre-con 'reception' with the guests of honor tonight, and I got a chance to talk with Harry and Father Geek! It was great finally meeting these guys. BTW, this is the first CONvergence. Next year we've got Neil Gaiman! If you come down to the con, say hi! I'll be on Friday night's "Bring Me The Head of Akiva Goldsman" and Saturday's "Episode I - Jar Jar Must Live / Die (Circle One)" with Harry.
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Cool shit. That's all I can say about seeing Harry during a should Star Trek continue panel at CONvergence. Only about 30 of us there, but it was about 4:45 when I walked in. There was one outspoken dude that had a lot of ccol stuff to talk about, but we was probably an E on that extroverted/introverted test they make us take in cubicle-land. Anyway, Harry had some great insights about Star Trek, but things quickly changed to movies(He got pissed off at a dude that thought George Clooney was the worst thing about Batman and Robin, Harry thought he was the only redeeming quality of the film.) We talked about 2001, Babylon 5, and a whole bunch of other films. Overall a great 1:15. Being my majorly cool self, (I'm an I by the way) I came up to him and said in my coolest voice "I like your stuff" Man what a puss, but he was with father geek, and I didn't want to bother him to much by telling him how much I enjoy coming in to the office in the morning and seeing what he says about flicks. Anyway, tomorrow I get to see what he has to say about the top 10 Sci-fi movies and a couple of other panels. Later.
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