The TOY HUNTER is back on The Travel Channel – digging in at attic or basement near you. Jordan Hembrough has begun season three with some big guest stars and some great finds, and he shares them here. Plus VAMPIRE ACADEMY goes from big book to big screen. Actors Luci Fry, Zoey Deutch, Sami Gayle and more talk about what fans of the series can expect in the film.
It’s Superman, Wonder Woman and even Batman on the big screen. Move over Affleck, Will Arnett talks about how he found just the right voice for The Dark Knight in LEGO THE MOVIE, plus more on THE BLACKLIST as cast member Parminder Nagra and show runners John Eisendrath and Jon Bokenkamp teased us on when we can expect some big reveals.
Of the myriad of characters that exist in Westeros, apparently I’m most similar to Tyrion Lannister. When it comes to the cast at Hogwarts, I could stand in for Hermione. And in a galaxy far, far away, I’m interchangeable with R2-D2. All of these results were drawn from online quizzes, but I probably didn’t have to tell you that. Your Facebook feed is likely as full as mine of results to the same (or similar) questionnaires.
The first memory I have of a “where would you fit in the world of (insert pop culture reference here)” quiz is one featuring the Hogwarts Sorting Hat placing the user in one of the school’s four houses. I recall seeing it online shortly after Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone became a huge hit in theaters, and my reaction to it was, How cute, I bet little kids will get a kick out of doing that. Today though, this bite-size pop culture personalization is a daily occurrence amongst my adult friends. With so much of ourselves represented in social media, it’s natural to want our interests in entertainment reflected there, but lately I’ve been wondering why that expression now comes so commonly in this quiz form.
I’m sure some of the draw is in the unique style of fan service these quizzes offer. They encourage geeking out by breaking down shows and movies in a way only fans would understand, and do so in an interactive and personalized manner. Obviously anyone could take a quiz to learn which companion they’d be if they found themselves in the TARDIS, but only a Doctor Who fan would appreciate the difference between being told they’re a Donna or an Amy. This active invitation to the user to move beyond simply thinking about the property’s world and into thinking of themselves as part of the property’s world is hard to replicate in other things aimed at fans. And since fancying yourself similar to a character you love is obviously going to be flattering, it’s no surprise the bulk of these questionnaires are aimed at telling people which character they’re most like.
So the impetus to take the quizzes makes sense. But why post the results on Facebook? Sure, sharing our favorite entertainment with friends is nothing new, but proclaiming I love the BBC’s Sherlock is very different from posting that I got Sherlock Holmes in a “Which Sherlock Character Are You?” quiz. The former reveals one of my pop culture touchstones, but the latter takes things a step further by letting me define a bit of myself with that specific touchstone acting as a yardstick. And silly as it might be, I have to admit it’s actually possible to tell things about people based on their results.
This week, a questionnaire telling the user what Muppet they would be was particularly popular amongst my friends. Looking at which Henson creation everyone got, I saw a correlation between the traits of their designated Muppet and the traits those friends prize in real life.
Is this a shallow way to think about people? Yes. But, weirdly, it works, at least to a certain extent. It also explains something I hadn’t ever understood before: people answering the questions in a way they think will yield a particular result, or re-taking a quiz until they get their desired answer. If we put enough stock in the results to be pleased when aligned with a favorite character, and we find other people’s results to the same quiz to be generally accurate, then I suppose it stands to reason that receiving a result comparing ourselves to characters we don’t like would be undesirable.
At the end of the day though, the lifespan of the results of these quizzes is the same as that of the quizzes themselves: extremely short. Accurate or not, today’s Downton Abbey questionnaire will be replaced by one about The Hunger Games tomorrow, and both will be forgotten by next week. But maybe this actually contributes to the popularity of these quizzes in a way; they’re quick bursts of fandom made no less fun for their brevity. If movies and TV act as pop culture meals, then these questionnaires are pop culture amuse-bouches. And they fulfill that role well.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to see if I can get someone other than Lady Edith on this Downton quiz.
Thanks to an added boost from DVR users, NBC’s THE BLACKLIST continues to be the fastest growing, and only real breakout hit of the TV season. We talk to the folks from behind and in front of the camera, including cast member Parminder Nagra, to find out the secret of their success. Plus GHOST IN THE MACHINE might actually be a movie, and that POWERPUFF GIRLS cover…..really?
A few days ago, THE FOLLOWING premiered to their biggest audience ever. we continue our interviews with cast members Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy, Shawn ashore and Valorie Curry with a few hints while no one should get comfortable this season. Plus Wonder Woman has a great week and here comes Deathlok on AGENTS OF SHIELD.
It’s a thrill ride both old and new. Fox’s second season of THE FOLLOWING has begun, and we talk to Kevin Bacon, Shawn Ashmore, and new cast member Connie Nielsen on the pressure to keep things moving this year. Plus Angry Birds come to comics and SUPERMAN/BATMAN gets bumped big time.
The work of NY Times best selling author, Kelly Armstrong, is brought to life in the new SyFy series, BITTEN. We talk to Kelly and BITTEN star Laura Vandervoort about the challenges of going from page to production, and portraying a strong, female character. Plus more on the Starz series BLACK SAILS and another epic fail for Wonder Woman.
After two weeks fighting “The Christmas Crud”, we are back and jumping right in with an exclusive look at the new Starz historical series, BLACK SAILS. We talk to the cast and creators about why this isn’t just “another pirate movie” and how Michael Bey is a big part of it all. Remember, BLACK SAILS premieres on January 25th on Starz. Plus more news from The CES and Stephen Moffat promises non-stop WHO in 2014.
Crime has a new enemy, and justice has a brand new face. Fans of visionary director Sam Raimi (The Spider-Man trilogy) know well the story of Dr. Peyton Westlake and his tragic transformation into the action hero known as Darkman. Based on Raimi’s short story “The Darkman,” the popular crime-fighting master of disguises comes to life in the 1990 film adaptation DARKMAN, starring three-time Golden Globe® nominee Liam Neeson (Taken) and Oscar® winner Frances McDormand (Fargo). Directed by Sam Raimi, this explosive, action-packed thriller also stars Colin Friels (Dark City), Larry Drake (Dr. Giggles), Dan Hicks (Evil Dead 2) and Nicholas Worth (Swamp Thing) and features soundtrack by award-wining composer Danny Elfman. On February 18, 2014, SCREAM FACTORY™ will release DARKMAN COLLECTOR’S EDITION Blu-ray, featuring all-new interviews with Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand, Larry Drake, Danny Hicks, make-up effects artist Tony Gardner, production designer Randy Ser, art director Philip Dagort and much more! This definitive collector’s edition also contains a collectible cover featuring newly rendered retro-style artwork, a reversible cover wrap with original theatrical key art. A must-have for loyal fans, movie collectors and pop culture and comic book enthusiasts to complete their entertainment library, DARKMAN COLLECTOR’S EDITION Blu-ray is priced to own at $29.93 SRP.
Avid fans and collectors please take note: those who order DARKMAN COLLECTOR’S EDITION Blu-ray from ScreamfactoryDVD.com will receive the exclusive 18”x24” poster featuring the newly commissioned artwork! These are only available while supplies last.
In the darkest hour, there’s a light that shines on every human being, but one….
Liam Neeson and Frances McDormand star in this explosive, action-packed thriller from director Sam Raimi. Dr. Peyton Westlake (Neeson) is on the verge of realizing a major breakthrough in synthetic skin when his laboratory is destroyed by gangsters. Having been burned beyond recognition and forever altered by an experimental medical procedure, Westlake becomes known as Darkman, assuming alternate identities in his quest for revenge and a new life with a former love (McDormand).
UNIVERSAL PICTURES presents LIAM NEESON FRANCES McDORMAND “DARKMAN” COLIN FRIELS LARRY DRAKE
Music by DANNY ELFMAN Make-up Effects by TONY GARDNER and LARRY HAMLIN Production Designer RANDY SER
Director of Photography BILL POPE Line Producer DARYL KASS Story by SAM RAIMI
Screenplay by CHUCK PFARRER and SAM RAIMI & IVAN RAIMI and DAN GOLDIN & JOSHUA GOLDIN
Produced by ROBERT TAPERT Directed by SAM RAIMI
Special Features:
Interviews with Liam Neeson and Frances McDormand
MY NAME IS DURANT – interview with Larry Drake
THE FACE OF REVENGE – interview with Makeup Designer Tony Gardner
HENCHMAN TALES – Interviews with actors Danny Hicks and Dan Bell
DARK DESIGN – interview with Production Designer Randy Ser and Art Director Philip Dagort
Audio Commentary with director of photography Bill Pope
Vintage “Making of” and interview Featurettes featuring interviews with Sam Raimi, Liam Neeson, Frances McDormand and more…
Vintage full-length interviews, not used in the featurettes, with Sam Raimi, Liam Neeson and Frances McDormand
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spots
Still Galleries – Posters & production stills, Behind the Scenes, Make-up Effects and Storyboards
1080p High-Definition Widescreen (2.35:1)/ DTS Master Audio 5.1/1990/Color/96 minutes/Subtitles: English/Special Features are Not Rated.
Minneapolis, MN (January 2, 2014) Mill Creek Entertainment rings in the New Year with their first collection of TV on DVD releases for 2014. Sure to bring back great memories, this release group includes seasons one and two of The Cosby Show, Bewitched, Married With Children, Just Shoot Me and Good Times along with Charlie’s Angels Season 1, Dilbert – The Complete Series, Highway to Heaven Season 3 and Wings Seasons 3 and 4.
Available for the first time on home video are the original uncut broadcast episodes of season one of The Cosby Show and the original theme song, Love and Marriage by Frank Sinatra, on the Married With Children releases. Many of these TV series aired for more than 5 seasons as well as in syndication and made a significant impact on prime time television and our culture.
Audiences will experience the laughter and entertainment all over again with pop culture icons Cliff Huxtable TV Guides’ #1 ranked TV Dad, Samantha the witch who adorned TV sets with her magic for many years, J.J. who coined the phrase “Dy-No-Mite”, the infamous couple Al and Peg Bundy, Dilbert who continues to humorously navigate corporate culture, the three angels, Kate Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Jaclyn Smith in Charlie’s Angels and the angel himself, Michael Landon, in Highway to Heaven.
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These DVDs will release January 21, 2014 for only $9.98 SRP for single seasons and $14.98 for the 2 Season Combo Packs and will be available at major online and retail locations everywhere.
