ROYAL OAK HOSTING WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW HORROR FLICK

Emagine Entertainment will be hosting the North American Red Carpet Movie Premiere of Dark Planet Releasing’s highly anticipated horror movie Thorns, at their Royal Oak, MI theatre on Saturday, February 17, 2024. The premiere will feature red carpet arrivals by key cast and crew including horror film legend Doug Bradley, and Michigan natives, Writer and Director, Doug Schulze and Editor and Co-Producer Julie Schulze. There will also be a live Q&A prior to the film hosted by Anthony LaVerde, CEO of Emagine Entertainment. Emagine Royal Oak is located at 200 N. Main Street in Royal Oak, Michigan. Tickets are on sale now and available at www.Emagine-Entertainment.com.

In Thorns, Archbishop Jenkins (played by Doug Bradley) mentors an ex-priest working for NASA who is sent to investigate a remote observatory that went silent after receiving a mysterious radio signal from deep space. Upon arrival, he discovers the signal opened a portal unleashing a thorned monster. The former priest must now summon his lost faith to stop the signal from spreading hell on earth.

Thorns will have a limited engagement beginning February 23 at select Emagine theaters before a wider release later in 2024. The film will be shown at Emagine Royal Oak, Emagine Canton, Emagine Novi, and Emagine Rochester Hills during its first run. Thorns, which was shot entirely in Michigan at the Motion Pictures Institute in Troy and in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, was created by Michigan based independent filmmakers Doug and Julie Schulze.

The Red-Carpet event begins at 6:30 on Saturday, February 17. At 7:00pm Doug Bradley and Doug Schulze will answer questions from the audience during a live Q&A. The film will begin immediately after the Q&A at approximately 7:45pm. Tickets for the Red-Carpet Premiere and Q&A are $13.25 and available now at www.emagine-entertainment.com.

Thorns has played to rave reviews and enthusiastic audiences at film festivals worldwide, including Sitges Brigadoon Festival, Fright Fest in London, Monsters of Film and was the closing night film at the New York City Horror Film Festival. Thorns features horror icon Doug Bradley, who is well-known for his role as the lead Cenobite “Pinhead” in the Hellraiser franchise films and winner of the 2023 New York City Horror Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

NEW IMAX MOVIE HIGHLIGHTS NASA JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE

This looks like a movie I'd like to see on the Michigan Science Center's IMAX Dome Theatre. The theatre has recently been renovated with 239 brand- new, custom-designed seats featuring FreeForm Trim technology generously designed and donated by automotive supplier Magna. The Science Center's 3-story-high dome is a great spot to immerse yourself in an IMAX film. 

DEEP SKY is a new documentary about NASA’s Webb Telescope (James Webb Space Telescope JWST). The 40-minute short film is narrated by Oscar®-nominated actress Michelle Williams, and is currently slated for release across IMAX’s institutional theater network in October 2023. DEEP SKY is written, produced and directed by Nathaniel Kahn. IMAX co-financed the film with major funding provided by the Northrop Grumman Foundation.

DEEP SKY goes behind the scenes of JWST, capturing its launch and the release of the mind blowing first full-color images from space pictured by the telescope. The film is a thrilling story that begins during the telescope’s construction, following it to the harrowing launch stage, and through the release of the first full-color images to the public on July 12, 2022.

“If there ever was a subject tailor-made for IMAX screens, this is it,” Director Nathaniel Kahn commented to ageekdaddy.com. “The IMAX format allows you to appreciate the astonishing resolution of NASA’s new telescope and to immerse yourself in cosmic landscapes that leave you filled with awe.”

NEW MOON MISSION PLANS

My family has been having a blast with lots of space themed fun recently. We participated in an Apollo 13 movie viewing party on Twitter live chatting with with Director Ron Howard and Scott Kelly from NASA, my kids tried out Tang for the first time to experience the type of beverages people drink in space, interviewed real life astronaut Mike Massimino and watched the blast off of the first manned space mission to be launched from U.S. soil since the shuttle fleet was retired. Yes this dad blogger is a space geek!

This week we added to these activities by watching a new animated presentation released by NASA that shows how it plans to send astronauts to the moon. Called mission ARTEMIS this ambition plan will not only have people walking on the moon again but will serve as a gateway for sending astronauts to explore mars, the asteroid belt and onward to the rest of our solar system. This ambitious plan not only involves sending rockets to land on the moon but includes a space station that will be continuously orbiting it.

Wow! Who wants to go on an adventure to the moon?! Take a journey there by watching this animated short video that highlights the plans for the upcoming ARTEMIS missions.



Who else is geeked about the next generation of space exploration?!

CAN YOU STILL BUY TANG

We've been geeking out about space travel recently. First, this dad blogger participated in a virtual movie watching party on Twitter to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film APOLLO 13 live chatting with Director Ron Howard and astronaut Scott Kelly. Next my son and I recorded a video of us interviewing former astronaut Mike Massimino for the blog about his experiences in space and the historic Space X rocket launch that is taking place on Wednesday, May 27. Finally, we are going to be watching on the Discovery Channel this week when for the first time since the space shuttles were retired NASA launches astronauts from American soil into outer space.

While all this is going on, I wondered if the astronauts going up into space this week will be taking Tang along with them on their trip. This flavored drink created by mixing an orange tasting powder with water was made famous by astronauts using it from the early days of space travel through the space shuttle era. Advertisements for Tang highlighting this space connection were prominently featured during my childhood in the 1970s-80s among the commercials aired with Saturday morning cartoons.

While Tang was included on the menu for the first astronauts during their star treks, it wasn't actually developed specifically for use in space. It was actually created by William A. Mitchell, who also invented Pop Rocks candy and Cool Whip desert topping, for General Foods Corporation as an alternative to fresh juice and frozen concentrates. The product caught the attention of NASA who included it in eating experiments they conducted with Mercury astronaut John Glenn while he was orbiting the Earth.

Tang took off from there being a part of astronauts diets during space missions for decades including the Apollo missions to the moon. Mike Massimino mentioned to us he drank Tang during his space shuttle missions. Generations of kids also drank Tang they had parents pick up from grocery store shelves so they could feel like astronauts themselves.



Yet I can't remember the last time a Tang advertisement caught my eye, saw a package of the stuff on a store shelf, or witnessed someone taking a sip of this orange flavored drink. Just as space travel has slipped from the public eye since the shuttle fleet was retired in 2011 so has Tang diminished from popular culture. Can you even buy Tang anymore?

The answer is YES you can! The product is now produced by Mondelēz International, a Chicago-based corporation that is one of the largest snack making companies in the world. In fact, they sell almost a billion dollars worth of Tang every year. Tang orange flavored breakfast beverage is currently sold in 35 countries and is especially popular in Argentina, China and the Middle East. And if you want to bring some home to drink here in the United States, Tang is available from Walmart.

To get in an astronaut state of mind and do something out of the ordinary, we picked up some Tang from Walmart to drink while watching the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley in their Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station. Will be giving a Tang toast to these astronauts, all the brave men and women who proceeded them, and all those still to come.

ASTRONAUT MIKE MASSIMINO

My son and I had the chance to chat with former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino about the upcoming SpaceX rocket launch and his own experiences in outer space. Mike flew in a number of shuttle flights and participated in space walks to update and repair the Hubble Space Telescope during his NASA career. He will be providing commentary on the Discovery and Science Channel simulcast of the first private company launch American astronauts into space on May 27, 2020.

It was exciting to have a guest lecturer as we homeschool because of the coronavirus pandemic. Mike shared with us insights into what it takes to become an astronaut and the types of things you eat while on a space mission. He also told us about why the SpaceX launch on Wednesday is a big deal.



SPACE LAUNCH LIVE: AMERICA RETURNS TO SPACE begins at 2pm ET / 11am PT on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 on Discovery and Science Channel. The live broadcast will feature expert commentary from Mike Massimino as well as active astronauts Jessica Meir and K. Megan McArthur plus an interview with Astronaut Chris Cassidy from the International Space Station (ISS). It will also include live appearances by singer Katy Perry, MythBusters personality Adam Savage, YouTube sensation (and former NASA engineer) Mark Rober and other surprise celebrity guests. The televised event will conclude with the live blastoff of SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida at approximately 4pm ET / 1pm PT.

If you are going to be home due to the COVID-19 quarantine, tune in to Discovery or Space Channel to see this special broadcast. It is sure to be both educational and entertaining. A nice way to make homeschooling extra ordinary and get an interesting science lesson in for kids.

COMET TV SOLAR ECLIPSE GUIDE + GIVEAWAY

On Monday, August 21, 2017 there will be a stellar event taking place in the sky over much of the continental United States when a solar eclipse will occur.  My friends at COMET TV don't want A Geek Daddy's readers to be left in the dark about this incredible occurrence so they've create a special solar eclipse resource guide on their website for us to share with you.  WHEN THE MOON THROWS SHADE -- AN ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ECLIPSING describes what a solar eclipse is and provides instructions on how to view it safely.  There really is some great information here!

While visiting the COMET TV website check out what new movies they are airing in August.  They are always broadcasting different rotations of classic horror and science fiction films.  This month's films for example include An American Werewolf in London and Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

An American Werewolf in London 

One of the greatest horror films of all time is headed to COMET! Check out John Landis’ often imitated but never duplicated 1981 classic, An American Werewolf in London, and discover why it’s always a good idea to “stay off the moors.” The film airs on COMET on August 18 at 8pm ET/PT, and again the following night  (Friday, August 18) at the same time.  Check COMET TV's schedule for additional broadcasts.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers 

 Most of the time, we’re not big fans of remakes. But once in a while, a remake comes along that vastly outshines its inspiration. Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the 1978 reboot of the 1956 sci-fi thriller, is one of those remakes. Not only that, it’s maybe the best remake ever made, and with stars like Donald Sutherland, Jeff Goldblum, and Leonard Nimoy, it’s not hard to see why. The invasion begins on August 25 at 8P/7C, with an encore airing at 8P/7C on August 26.

GIVEAWAY

Also don't miss out on the COMET TV solar eclipse themed giveaway A Geek Daddy is hosting.  The prize pack contains:

1 - “Total Solar Eclipse” Collectible First Day Issue Stamp - Straight from the USPS this is the official commemorative first day issue stamp.

1 - Comet USB Charging Bank - Do you want to snap a selfie and oh no, you only have 10% power left? Fear not, Comet has you covered. This awesome charger is the perfect save for any emergency situation!

1 - Comet Embroidered Hat - An official Comet TV hat is perfect for any ensamble. It will protect you from the sun, while you look more stylish and awesome than you already are!

 1 - Comet Cooler Bag - This fun portable travel cooler is the go-to gear for your sodas, snacks and anything else you want to put it in. Take it to the park when you’re about to watch the eclipse and let your beverages stall chill and frosty, just like you!

 1 - Limited Edition Comet SPF 30 Sunscreen Squeeze Pouch - We can’t let you get toasty out in the sun! This limited edition SPF 30 sunscreen pouch can go in your travel bag and let you avoid a nasty burn!

For a chance to win it please follow @Geekdad248 on Twitter and retweet the embedded message below before 11:59 pm ET on August 22, 2017.  Must be a US resident over 18 years old to participate in this promotion.

Follow @Geekdad248 and RT before 8/23/17 for a chance to win a SOLAR ECLIPSE themed prize pack from @WatchComet #ad pic.twitter.com/xRFNW0p4jJ

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) August 17, 2017

COMET TV is an overair broadcast network that can be tuned in with a digital antenna that specializes in science fiction and horror programming.  You can watch COMET TV in the Metro Detroit area of Michigan via digital antenna on Channel 19-7.  CLICK HERE to see if COMET TV is broadcasting in your area.  If not, COMET TV can also be viewed for free by utilizing its app on Apple TV and Roku or watching its live website stream at CometTV.com.

If it is cloudy or rainy on August 21st or you just can't get outside to view the solar eclipse NASA will be live streaming video from the international space station and prominent locations across the United States.  CLICK HERE to view their live eclipse feed.  Or of course you could always watch what is airing on COMET TV instead!

Disclaimer & Rules:  A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this endorsement or hosting the giveaway but was provided the same items being provided as a prize for personal use. The prize is provided by COMET TV and A Geek Daddy is hosting the promotion as a benefit to our readers. Must be a US resident over the age of 18 to participate.  One entry per mailing address and winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries.  If you have already won this prize through another blog participating in this promotion, your entry will be disqualified.  By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No P.O. Boxes allowed for delivery of the prize. COMET TV will be responsible for shipping the prize to the selected winner.  A Geek Daddy is not responsible for delivery of the prize.

Grab a MoonScope to view Sunday's rare super moon eclipse

My daughter loves to solve puzzles and tinker with things so it seems a career path in engineering or science might be something to keep in mind as she progresses through school. While many STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields provide interesting and financially lucrative career opportunities these jobs also are dominated pretty exclusively by males which has to be an issue of concern for the father of a little girl who doesn't want to see her future limited from pursuing any endeavor she may choose. According to research from the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP), women make up 47% of the overall workforce in the United States but only 28% of females have jobs involving science and engineering.  Researchers looking into this huge workforce differentiation have had the insight that boys tend to have more activities and play time as children that relate to STEM so they tend to consider these fields more interesting and fun than girls do.  Therefore parents and educators are being called out to become more engaged in encouraging girls to have fun with STEM at an early age so they may have more of an interest in growing up to become a future computer programmer, scientist, or astronomer.

As a parent of a young daughter myself, I was thrilled to discover the Nancy B Science Club from Educational Insights that makes STEM topics fun by encouraging girls to engage in exploring and learning through a variety of cool scientific gadgets.  Nancy B Science Club products include among other things a black light illuminator kit for science sleuthing activities, binoculars with a built in compass for exploring parks and nature trails, a microscope to examine the intricate detail of things in the world around us, a Stir-It-Up Chemistry Lab to experiment on how things react and a MoonScope to gaze into outer space.  These science club products are actually designed by "Nancy B" who is a science product designer, former science teacher, and an all-around science enthusiast who want to inspire girls to share her passion for science, technology, engineering and math.

My daughter was so excited when I brought home a Nancy B's Science Club MoonScope for us to check out the upcoming super moon eclipse.  This is a very rare phenomenon taking place from approximately 10:11 to 10:47pm E.T. on Sunday, September 27, 2015 where you will see a giant red moon.  That night's full moon will appear about 14% larger than normal creating a "super moon" effect because it will at the closest point (known as its perigee) in its orbit of the Earth.  It will also appear blood red in color during the total lunar eclipse; which is when the Earth passes directly between the sun and the moon.  Our planet blocks most of the sun light from illuminating the moon at this time, but some light does  reflect through the Earth's atmosphere giving the moon a red tin similar to the effect you see in the sky during an evening sunset.  How great is that to start off the Halloween season with a Blood Moon to have a teachable moment with your children and get them excited about science!



So we put together the Nancy B's Science Club MoonScope and tested out calibrating and focusing the lenses to make sure it was ready to go so we wouldn't have to be monkeying around getting it ready when wanting to view the big event in the night  sky.  It's instructions recommend putting it together during the day and testing it out on some objects like trees to make sure it works properly and to learn how to focus the lenses without it being dark out.  Everything worked great and we're ready to go for Sunday night!

The MoonScope, which has received The National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval, does a remarkable job of providing a clear view by magnifying the night sky by 18x to 90x through transferable 20mm and 4mm all-glass eyepieces.  The MoonScope requires 2 AA batteries to power a red light at the base of its tripod that isn't used for the function of the telescope but rather provides a way for kids to reference the included activity journal without hurting their night vision. I found the MoonScope, which was a 2014 nominee for Best Educational Toy of the Year by the Toy Industry Association and received a Silver Honor from the Parents Choice Foundation, easy to assemble and most importantly my daughter found it easy to use when she tried it out.

The only thing that took her a bit of getting used to was looking through one eye to see through the MoonScope's eyepieces, which I have to admit I'm not very good at either.  Make sure to take advantage of the pre-aligned finderscope next to the eyepiece on the MoonScope to line up your targets as it can be difficult to find things just by using the telescopic lenses.  The finderscope even has a glow-in-the-dark ring on it to help you target things in the night sky which we thought was pretty neat.  Also you will want to have a table or something sturdy to place the MoonScope on because its tripods aren't very tall making it challenging at times to get the right angle for a view if you don't have something to prop it on.

So we checked everything out during the daylight, gave it a test run the other night, and we are ready to go for viewing the Super Blood Moon!  Don't miss out because the last time there was a blood red super moon was when I was a third grader in 1982  - in fact since 1900 it has only happened 5 times (1910, 1928, 1946, 1964 & 1982) - and it won't occur again until 2033.  You don't want to wait another 18 years for another chance to get a glimpse of this special astronomical event. 

For more information about the MoonScope, visit nancybscienceclub.com

If you don't have a MoonScope of your own to view the Super Moon Eclipse with, NASA will have a live feed from 8:00 pm through 11:30 pm ET streaming views of the eclipse from the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California, Adler Planetarium in Chicago, and Fernbank Observatory in Atlanta, Georgia among other locations across the United States.  NASA solar physicist Mitzi Adams will discuss the eclipse and answer questions from people on Twitter using the hashtag #askNASA during the broadcast.

** Disclaimer:  A Geek Daddy received a complimentary Nancy B's Science Club MoonScope to review.  The opinions in this post about the product are my own and a positive review was not mandated for this blog to receive the product.  **

Avengers Assemble for Times Square Exhibit

If you are going to be in the vicinity of New York City this summer you should swing by the DISCOVERY TIMES SQUARE MUSEUM to check out their newest exhibit: Marvel's Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.  It is an out of this world experience where Marvel & NASA have teamed up to promote S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) lessons in a fun way through immersing visitors into the cinematic universe of Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor.  I haven't been to it yet, but a friend of mine took his kids and gave the experience a big green Hulk's thumbs up!

Apparently walking through the exhibit is like having a walk on role in a Marvel Super Heroes movie and the whole experience stays in character to a point that it feels as if you are part of a comic book adventure.  The theme of the exhibit is that you have been recruited to become S.H.I.E.L.D.'s newest agent and you are attending the top secret Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. (Scientific Training & Tactical Intelligence Operatives Network) to be initiated and trained about the history and secrets of the super heroes you will be working with in your new job.  The exhibit is filled with movie props and replicas from the Marvel films plus high-tech displays and experiments that utilize super hero and villain themes that make educational lessons entertaining. As you walk through the S.T.A.T.I.O.N., you are funneled through various rooms dedicated to each of the main Avengers characters.

For example, Captain America has relics from his World War II days, the super soldier chamber that gave him his special abilities, and his current Avengers costume on display.  There are a variety of challenges in his room where you can pit your strength and reflexes against his.  Thor's area features a star map with a focus on astronomy where you can locate Asgard and other spacial items.  The Hulk's room is filled with microscopes and discusses the science behind Bruce Banner's transformation.  While you can't wear the armor, you can get a good look at an Iron Man suit from the movies.  Plus there are what are called JARVIS visors that give you the experience of being in control of Iron Man through scanners that track your eye movement.

In addition to the tier one characters, they also have the outfits for characters like Hawkeye, Black Widow, Loki, and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Agent Coulson....plus a bad guy from the first Avengers movie captured in suspended animation after the Battle of New York, a Chitauri (also know as a Skrull to those of us who grew up reading comic books but Fox owns the movie rights to that name through its Fantastic Four license so the name was changed in the film)

My friend who visited said that while the Marvel props are a thrill to see the best part of the exhibit is experiencing all of the interactive features available to play around with.  So don't rush through the displays are meant for people to linger.  Taking that into consideration you may want to plan a visit avoiding peak attendance times so you have the least crowds to contend with.  Admission is by time slots so it does appear as there are some limitations to help provide everyone a nice opportunity to enjoy themselves without it being too hectic of a surrounding.

Marvel's Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. really looks to be an exciting opportunity for both kids and kids at heart. This Geek Daddy really tries to focus on making education entertaining for my children and this exhibit really seems to take this attitude to heart.  I really like the NASA partnership to combine its science with the fiction of Marvel to create a scifi event that showcases how science and math can be cool.  I'm really hoping we have the opportunity to take a family roadtrip to New York this summer or fall to experience Marvel's Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. at the Discovery Times Square Museum.

The one downside is that like all things in the Big Apple it seems a little pricey.  Tickets are $27 for adults, $19.50 for kids 3 to 11 (children 12 and over are adults prices - yikes!) and Seniors 65+ are $23.50.  So a trip to this exhibit would cost my family $93....ouch!  Plus they charge extra for things like digital photo ops and other souvenirs, you didn't think you could leave without exiting a gift store did you?  They do offer a nice $25 parking deal with ticket packages which sounds like a bargain if you are driving into Manhattan and if you are going take advantage of the American Express sponsorship deal that gives you a free digital photo op at the exhibit if you buy your tickets with their credit card.

For more information about Marvel's Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. visit www.discoverytsx.com