TIGERS COME FROM BEHIND W IN ANAHEIM

The Detroit Tigers secured a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against the Los Angeles Angels in the teams July 17 matchup. Down to their final out in the ninth inning, Hao-Yu Lee blasted a clutch two-run double to put the Tigers ahead on the scoreboard. 

How Detroit Stole One in Anaheim: 

Tigers Win in the 9th! Whew, did anyone else's heart almost stop last night? If you stayed up late to watch the Tigers kick off the second half of the season against the Angels at Angel Stadium, you were treated to a masterclass in never giving up.

Pitching Kept Tigers Alive:

First of all, shoutout to Troy Melton. The 25-year-old righty was pitching right in his own backyard, and he absolutely brought it. He grinded through 5.2 innings, allowed just one run, and racked up an impressive 9 strikeouts. He got into a little bit of trouble with walks early, but he settled down like an absolute pro.

But the real MVP of the night might just be Keider Montero. When he came in, our bullpen absolutely locked it down. Montero went 3.1 innings and gave up just one hit while striking out five! When the Angels threatened in the bottom of the ninth, he stayed cool as ice to secure the final out.

Ninth-Inning Magic:

Let's talk about the drama in the top of the ninth. Things looked bleak. Tigers were down 1-0 and down to their final out against Angels reliever Kirby Yates. But this team just doesn't quit.

After some gritty baserunning, Detroit had guys on the bases. Then, Hao-Yu Lee stepped up to the plate and delivered the absolute dagger! He lined a two-out, two-run double into right-center field. Seeing Riley Greene and James Outman come crossing home plate to take the 2-1 lead was a shot of pure adrenaline.

Defensive Jewels:

The Tigers couldn't have pulled this off without some serious leather work in the bottom of the frame. With two runners on, third baseman Kevin McGonigle made an unbelievable, leaping grab on a high chopper and fired a rocket to first! That play saved the game and gave Montero the breathing room to shut the door on an Angels comeback. 

A win like this—scrappy, pitching-heavy, and decided by late-inning heroics—is exactly the kind of momentum the team needs heading into the rest of this grueling 13-games-in-13-days stretch of their schedule. Having stumbled through a disastrous May, the remainder of the month of July really is a make it or break time if the team has hopes for a postseason appearance.

THE PRINCESS BRIDE SCREENING WITH ACTOR CARY ELWES

Journey back to the fantastical lands of Florin and Guilder for an adventure filled with fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, chases, rodents of unusual size, near escapes, miracles, and, of course, true love. So don’t be a “Humperdinck”, make haste to see “The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes” for a night you will always “tweasure”. Cary Elwes (Westley) is hitting the road to share personal accounts and behind the scenes stories from the making of a piece of cinematic history, “The Princess Bride.” After a screening of the beloved film, Elwes will engage in a moderated discussion revealing an inconceivable look at life on and off the set of the iconic movie.

Elwes is coming to Detroit’s Fisher Theatre Saturday, August 29 at 7:00 p.m. for a special screening of “The Princess Bride” followed by a post-show conversation. Tickets are available online at us.ATGTickets.com/Detroit. Tickets start at $31.50 (includes parking & facility fee). A limited number of VIP packages are available which include the best seats in the house, a private Meet and Greet with Cary, and a signed copy of his New York Times best-selling book, “As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride.”

Cary Elwes has starred in a multitude of films and tv shows including “Seinfeld”, “Robin Hood: Men in Tights”, “Bram Stoker’s Dracula”, “Saw”, “Days of Thunder” “Twister”, “Liar, Liar”, “Stranger Things”, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, “Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre”, and “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning.” He has just completed Gus Van Sant’s, “Dead Man’s Wire” and the first season of “M.I.A.” produced by the creative team behind “Ozark.” He is about to start work on a pilot, “Very Young Frankenstein” with the Oscar winning team of director, Taika Waititi, and producer, Mel Brooks.

LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES PROMOTION HYPES RETURN OF TNT TV SERIES

Debuting this week on the TNT cable network is a spinoff series of the fantasy adventure movies and television show The Librarians which starred Noah Wyle of E.R. fame that were released between 2004 and 2018. All four seasons of The Librarian series are available now to view on Amazon Prime if you didn't catch them during their cable tv run. This new original TNT series premiering on May 25, 2025, THE LIBRARIANS: THE NEXT CHAPTER features its own cast starring Callum McGowan, Jessica Green, Olivia Morris, and Bluey Robinson.

In THE LIBRARIANS: THE NEXT CHAPTER, a Librarian from the past time travels to the present and finds himself stuck here. When he returns to his castle, which is now a museum, he inadvertently releases magic across the continent. He is given a new team to help him clean up the mess he made, forming a new team of Librarians.

To mark the return of The Librarians, TNT has partnered with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Little Free Library, to distribute books and custom swag to more than 200 library stewards in their network. Each participating Little Free Library will host a selection of books curated by the Little Free Library team and TNT, including The Librarians tie-in novels, collectible branded bookmark charms and window vinyls. 

You can search for the participating Little Free Library in the Detroit area through their online map starting May 25th. The promotion is scheduled to run for three months. When looking over the Little Free Library map I noticed four participating locations within 2 miles of my house. Check out if there is one near you to take advantage of joining in on this fun promotional event.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST AT FISHER THEATRE

The traveling musical stage show of Disney's BEAUTY & THE BEAST will be starting off a new season for Broadway in Detroit with a Fall appearance at the City's Fisher Theater. Following the show's two week October 1 - 12 run, the Broadway in Detroit 2025-2026 theatrical season will also include performances of Back to the Future, Hell's Kitchen, Shucked, The Outsiders, & Juliet and Suffs. Tickets for Disney's BEAUTY & THE BEAST will be available to purchase starting Friday, June 13 at 10 am via BroadwayInDetroit.com. Tickets start at $40.00 (includes parking & facility fee). Additionally, season subscriptions to attend Broadway In Detroit's full series of 7 shows at package rates starting at $317 are still available.

Based on the 1991 Academy Award®-winning animated feature film, BEAUTY & THE BEAST directed & choreographed by Matt West, features Alan Menken’s Academy Award®-winning score, songs by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman (including the Academy Award®-winning title song and the show-stopping “Be Our Guest”), plus songs written especially for the stage by Alan Menken and Tim Rice (including “If I Can’t Love Her” and “A Change In Me”). The production features a book by Linda Woolverton, author of the original screenplay. Sets are by Stanley A. Meyer, costumes by Ann Hould-Ward (Tony Award® winner for Beauty and the Beast) and lighting by Natasha Katz.

Performance schedule for BEAUTY & THE BEAST appearing October 1 – 12, 2025 at the Fisher Theatre located at 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI are: 

 • Tuesday through Saturday evening performances at 7:30 p.m. 

 • Saturday matinees at 2:00 p.m. 

 • Sunday matinees at 1:00 p.m. 

 • Sunday evening performances at 6:30 p.m. 

 • Additional matinee on Thursday, October 2 at 1:00 p.m. 

 • Special Open Caption performance on Sunday, October 5 at 6:30 p.m.

TWILIGHT IN CONCERT NATIONAL TOUR COMING TO DETROIT

Coming to Detroit in November will be a showing of the film Twilight accompanied by a 12-piece orchestral ensemble that will perform the movie's score live for audiences at the Fisher Theatre. Detroit is one of 60 cities that will be hosting a performance of the Twilight in Concert tour. Tickets go on sale today at broadwayindetroit.com.

Set in an enchanting candlelit setting, Twilight In Concert offers a unique opportunity for audiences to relive the film that started it all in a cinematic live-to-film experience with a sensational live band. Musicians will take the stage to perform the beloved film score in perfect synchronization with the original movie, presented in its entirety on a massive cinema screen. Audiences will be completely captivated by the magical atmosphere with more than one thousand twinkling candles illuminating the grand stage, creating an ambiance that sets the tone for a truly romantic evening.

The Twilight Saga is one of the most successful young adult film franchises of all time. The five films (Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Parts 1 & 2) have grossed more than $3.3 billion at the worldwide box office. The films were adapted from “Twilight” creator Stephenie Meyer’s acclaimed series of books that won multiple awards, sold over 160 million copies worldwide and were translated into 49 different languages. Lionsgate’s TV adaptation of Stephenie Meyer’s novel “Midnight Sun” has been picked up to series at Netflix.

As the Twilight film adaption of Stephenie Meyer's novel celebrates its 20th anniversary, the Twilight in Concert experience featuring the original movie accompanied by rock and orchestral musicians on stage will transport audiences on a journey deep into the heart of this romantic story. Whether you’re Team Edward, Team Jacob, or Team Bella, Twilight In Concert promises an unforgettable evening for fans of the beloved The Twilight Saga film franchise -- and music enthusiasts alike.

FLASH GORDON MOVIE SCREENING WITH SAM JONES

Detroit area sci-fi fans won't want to miss out on this! In advance of his appearance at this year's Great Lakes Comic Con, Sam J. Jones who portrayed the lead character in FLASH GORDON (1980) will be participating in a special screening of the movie on Thursday, February 20 at Patridge Creek's MJR theatre in Clinton Twp. The event begins at 7 pm and should wrap up around 9:30 pm.

Sam J. Jones will introduce the movie, then after the movie there will be a brief Q and A with him. Autographs or photo-ops are not included with this movie night. Sam J. Jones will then be at the Great Lakes Comic-Con, February 21-23, 2025 for photo and autograph opportunities. The movie night does not include admission to the Great Lakes Comic-Con. Comic-Con tickets must be purchased separately.

Limited seating available for this special movie screening. Advanced ticket sales through Eventbrite only. No ticket sales are offered at the event. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets!

Included with your movie ticket: small-sized popcorn (1 free refill) and pop (1 free refill). Who else is GEEKED about the chance to watch FLASH GORDON with Flash Gordon?!

GREAT LAKES COMIC CON 2025

Be ready to march over to Macomb County Community College's South Campus for a weekend of full of comic books, cosplay and celebrities. The 2025 Great Lakes Comic Con will be taking place February 21 - 23 at the college's Sports & Expo Center in Warren, Michigan.  The event will feature more than 150 vendors and crafters, as well as artists and entertainment personalities who will greet fans, sign autographs, provide photo ops, and participate in panel presentations.

Special guests at this year's Great Lakes Comic Con include Kevin Eastman (Co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Sam Jones (Flash Gordon [1980] actor), Demolition: Ax & Smash (Three-time WWF World Tag Team Champions), Bill Morrison (former editor of MAD Magazine), Lisa Trusiani (writer for Marvel Comics' Barbie series and Kim D.M. Simmons (official photographer for Kenner Products marketing of Star Wars toys). They will be participating in panel discussions that are included with the show's price of admission and signing autographs and providing photo ops at an additional expense to attendees who wish to interact with them.

Admission costs $55 per person (Children under 10 FREE) for a weekend pass or individual day passes can be purchased for $20 (Friday), $25 (Saturday) and $25 (Sunday). CLICK HERE to purchase Great Lakes Comic Con admission tickets online. This year's event hours are Friday, February 21 (5pm to 9pm), Saturday, February 22 (10 am - 6pm) and Sunday, February 23 (10 am - 4pm). Note that Kevin Eastman will only be appearing on Saturday and Sunday,

Scheduled events for the weekend include:

• Adult Costume Contest: on Saturday, February 22nd at 3:15PM;
• Children Costume Contest: on Sunday, February 23rd at 2:00PM; 
• Gaming – hosted by i-Con Tournaments – Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart; 
• Magic the Gathering and Pokémon – open play on Friday, then tournaments on Saturday and Sunday – hosted by Game Players;
• A Dungeons and Dragons Campaign – No experience necessary! Available all three days – hosted by Game Players; 
• Face Painting by Chantel – bring the little ones, and the older ones, to have their faces painted; 
• The Balloon Sculptor – Witness the talent of Tim Thurmond the Balloon Sculptor.

For more information about this event, visit greatlakescomicconvention.com. The Macomb Community College's Sports & Expo Center is located at 14500 E. 12 Mile Road. Hope to see you there!

MANDOVERSE DROID PERFORMER COMING TO MOTOR CITY COMIC CON

Fans of the Disney+ Star Wars: The Mandalorian and its spinoff shows on the streaming service will be GEEKED to know that Chris Bartlett who is known for portraying droids within the "Mandoverse" will be a guest at the Spring edition of the Motor City Comic Con taking place May 16-18, 2025 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. He's known for playing the acting role of robotic characters known as droids and actually builds the costumes himself he wears for the productions. Anybody who is into cosplay has to love this guy!

Chris Bartlett has taken on the role of a number of different droids in a variety of The Mandalorian episodes as well as made appearances in Ahsoka and The Book of Boba Fett. One of the most popular Star Wars appearances by Bartlett has been as Q9-0 a protocol droid turned mercenary in the first season of The Mandalorian. He also has taken on one of the most iconic roles within the Star Wars galaxy as C-3P0 in Disney+ Star Wars: Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Chris Bartlett will be appearing all three days of Motor City Comic Con (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Hear his stories from behind the scenes of these Star Wars shows during a panel discussion at the Con where he will share insights and inspiration with fans. Which Star Wars droid do you think is his favorite? Ask him at Motor City Comic Con! He will also be providing autographs for $40 and photo ops for $50 during the event.

Tickets for admission to Motor City Comic Con are available online at MotorCityComicCon.com:

Adult admission tickets (ages 13 and up) 

Friday Pass $35* online purchase / $40 at the door 

 Saturday Pass $45* online purchase / $50 at the door 

 Sunday Pass $40* online purchase / $45 at the door 

 Adult Weekend Pass $100* online purchase / $110 at the door  

Children admission tickets (ages 6-12) Kids 5 and under are FREE all weekend with a paid adult.

Friday Child Pass (ages 6-12) $5* online purchase / $10 at the door 

Saturday Child Pass (ages 6-12) $10* online purchase / $20 at the door 

Sunday is Kid’s Day All children under 12 are FREE with a paid adult 

Child Weekend Pass (ages 6-12) $15* online purchase / $25 at the door

*Additional processing fees will apply with online ticket purchases. Online sales will end at 8:00am each day, May 16-18. After 8:00am tickets will need to be purchased at the box office.

THE LAST OF US FIRST SEASON STEELBOOK

If you haven't seen the first season of HBO's acclaimed television show based upon the sci-fi/horror video THE LAST OF US now is a good time to consider a binge watch before the second season is released this April. Catch up on all 9 episodes plus 3 hours of special features with the limited edition 4K Ultra HD Steelbook of The Last of Us: The Complete First Season available for preorder now with a March 18, 2025 scheduled delivery date from Amazon.com. 

In 2003, a parasitic fungal infection ravages the planet, turning humans into violent creatures known as the Infected. Twenty years later, hardened survivor Joel (Pedro Pascal) is hired to smuggle 14-year-old Ellie (Bella Ramsey) out of an oppressive quarantine zone in hopes of delivering her to the rebel Fireflies. But what should be a quick job soon becomes a brutal and heartbreaking journey as they traverse a desolate U.S. – while depending on each other’s unique skills for survival. Created, written, and executive produced by Emmy® winner Craig Mazin (HBO’s Chernobyl) and Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann, this riveting series brings a video game world to life, painting a grim vision of the future of humanity – and the lives of those who would risk everything to save it.

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DETROIT KEEPS COLLEGE BOWL GAME AT FORD FIELD

Detroit will be hosting a football game downtown again this year during the College Bowl Season with a new title sponsor. GameAboveSports has been named the new title sponsor for the annual college football bowl game that takes place at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. The 2024 game, now titled the GameAbove Sports™ Bowl, will be played on Thursday, December 26 with kickoff at 2 PM ET. Tickets start at $29 and will be available for purchase at www.gameabovesportsbowl.com beginning Wednesday, October 16 at 10 AM ET.

The GameAbove Sports™ Bowl will feature teams from the Big Ten and the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Marking the 10th annual game at Ford Field, this new partnership promises to further the impact of the event bringing together college football fans from across the country and continuing the tradition of excellence that has made this bowl game a highlight of the postseason.

For more details about the upcoming event, follow @GameAboveBowl on Twitter (X). While there give me a follow at @Geekdad248 too! Which teams do you think might be facing off against one another in this Bowl game?

ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?

Nickelodeon relaunched the ‘90s kids’ cult classic, Are You Afraid of the Dark? in 2019 with three more seasons of the show featuring all - new Midnight Society groups of kids who tell terrifying tales that lead to spooky and shocking revelations. Available beginning October 15, 2024 from Paramount Home Entertainment and Nickelodeon will be a three disc DVD collection containing 2019's Are You Afraid of the Dark?, 2021's Are You Afraid of the Dark? Curse of the Shadows and 2022's Are You Afraid of the Dark? Ghost Island. Are You Afraid of the Dark? The Limited Series Three-Season Collection on DVD can be purchased from Amazon.com.

The reimagined “Are You Afraid of the Dark? ” premiered in October 2019 as a limited series and introduced a new Midnight Society as they tell a scary story only to have the events of the story come to life. Season two Are You Afraid of the Dark? Curse of the Shadows, premiered in February 2021 and followed a new group of kids, who learn of a terrifying curse cast over their small town and are haunted by a mysterious creature. The third chapter, Are You Afraid of the Dark? Ghost Island, premiered in July

2022 and features another Midnight Society as they go on vacation on a resort island, until they learn about something sinister haunting the guests. Enjoy hauntingly good scary stories with The Limited Series Three-Season Collection, just in time for spooky - season and Halloween!

[Disc 1] Are You Afraid of the Dark? Returns in this nightmarish three - part limited series event filled with scorpions, eyeless men, disappearing children and the creepiest carnival of all time! Rachel has a chance to join the secret Midnight Society. All she has to do is tell a truly terrif ying story. But when the chilling events of her “Tale of Mr. Tophat” and the “Carnival of Doom” start to actually come true and her friends’ lives are at stake, Rachel must face her fears and end Mr. Tophat’s reign of terror.

[Disc 2] Curse of the Shadows – An all - new Midnight Society location brings fresh scares when the group’s leader suddenly vanishes. The remaining members must follow the clues, confront dark forces, and ultimately uncover the truth behind their town’s terrifying curse. Will they break the curse of the shadows...before it’s too late?

[Disc 3] Ghost Island – Four best friends and members of a Midnight Society get more than they bargained for when what they think is a fun summer vacation on a resort island turns into something sinister. They encounter genuine terror locked away in one of the rooms after checking into their hotel, and as the kids try to enjoy their vacation, they are pulled back into the mystery of the island’s ghosts, ultimately leading them to a terrifying and shocking revelation: many guests check into room 13, but they never check out.

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A STAGE OF TWILIGHT MOVIE GIVEAWAY

In recognition of beloved Indiana Jones actress Karen Allen's May 17 - 19 appearance at Motor City Comic Con, I'm geeked to host a Digital Code giveaway for her new movie A STAGE OF TWILIGHT courtesy of Cardinal Flix. The movie, which has received accolades at Sonoma International Film Festival, Big Apple Film Festival, Calgary International Film Festival, and The Santa Fe Film Festival, can now be digitally streamed online or watched by video on demand on cable through a number of platforms including Vudu, Vubiquity/Verizon Fios, Hoopla, Charter/Spectrum, Comcast/Xfinity, and Cox. A STAGE OF TWILIGHT can also be rented or purchased on Amazon Prime.

A STAGE OF TWILIGHT is a love story set in the final chapter of Cora (Karen Allen) and Barry's lives. When Barry (William Sadler) is confronted with a terminal diagnosis, he is compelled to make a decision that his wife cannot support. This end-of-life struggle is heightened further when Joey, a neighbor boy who acts as a surrogate son to the childless couple, reaches a critical crossroads for his own future. The film explores whose right is it to make life's inevitable impossible decisions when the impact will be felt by the people we love most?

I have a few digital codes for viewing the movie on Vimeo to giveaway. Just complete the rafflecopter entries below by the start of Motor City Comic Con on Friday, May 17, 2024 to be one of the randomly selected people to get one. Entries for this A STAGE OF TWILIGHT movie giveaway must be received by 11:59 pm ET on 5/17/24. Must be a United States resident over 18 years old to participate. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you want to see Karen Allen in-person head over to Motor City Comic Con at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan from May 17 through May 19, 2024. Get an autograph or selfie for $40. You can also get a picture with her taken by a professional photographer for $60. She will also be doing a Question & Answer session that is free to attend with event admission on Sunday, May 19 at 2:30 pm.

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CELEBRITIES VISITING DETROIT FOR SPRING COMIC CON EVENT

Motor City Comic Con, one of the largest conventions in the Midwest, takes place yearly in both the Spring and the Fall at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan. This year's Spring event is May 17 - 19, 2024.Throughout the three-day weekend attendees can participate in autographs and photo opportunities with fan favorite actors and actresses from movies and tv. Attendees can also participate in various panel discussions, attractions, events, and explore various exhibitors. Artists, writers, and illustrators will also be featured throughout Artist Alley over the three-day convention. In addition, there will be venders offering a variety of merchandise including comics, toys, art, unique jewelry, clothing, memorabilia and much more! 

Here are some of the celebrities scheduled to be in attendance at the 2024 Spring Motor City Comic Con. Be aware that meet and greet opportunities with the show's celebrity guests often involve an extra fee beyond your admission to the event. If you purchase an autograph, note that many of these people will also require more money if you want to get a selfie with them at that time too. Professional photo ops also are offered for many of the celebrities in attendance and can be a nice souvenir where you don't have to worry about handing your phone to someone to take the picture for you. Checking out the pricing and availability of the scheduled celebrities during the show at the Motor City Comic Con website in advance can save you from some unexpected surprises or disappointments when it comes to these interactions.

William Shatner 

Best known for his portrayal of James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise. He has also in movies and television shows like Hawaii Five-O, Miss Congeniality, and Boston Legal Appearing: Saturday 5/18, and Sunday 5/19 Available for autographs ($120), memorabilia autographs or 8x10 with inscriptions ($150), professional photo ops ($140)

Ron Perlman 

Actor best known for his roles in Hellboy, Quest for Fire, Cronos, The City of Lost Children, and Alien Resurrection. He was also in season 6 of Sons of Anarchy. His distinctive voice has garnered him roles in many animated films and series, commercials and video games. Appearing: Saturday 5/18 and Sunday 5/19 Available for autographs ($60), funko pop autographs ($75), professional photo ops ($80), duo photo ops with Charlie Hunnam ($200), duo photo ops with Katey Sagal ($180), and Sons of Anarchy trio photo op with Katey Sagal and Charlie Hunnam ($280)

Katey Sagal 

Katey became a household name in the 80s when she played Peg Bundy on Married with Children. In 2008 she took on the role of Gemma Teller Morrow in Sons of Anarchy. Appearing: Saturday 5/18, and Sunday 5/19 Available for 8x10 autographs ($100), autographed items ($120), selfies ($90), 8x10/selfie combo ($175), item/selfie combo ($200), professional photo ops ($100), duo photo ops with Charlie Hunnam ($210), duo photo ops with Ron Perlman ($180), and Sons of Anarchy trio photo op with Charlie Hunnam and Ron Perlman ($280)

Charlie Hunnam 

 Actor best known for his role as Jax Teller in the FX series Sons of Anarchy. Appearing: Saturday 5/18, and Sunday 5/19 Available for autographs ($100) and professional photo ops ($125), duo photo ops with Ron Perlman ($200), duo photo ops with Katey Sagal ($210), Sons of Anarchy trio photo op with Ron Perlman and Katey Sagal ($280)

Karen Allen 

Best known for her roles in the comedy Animal House and as Marion Ravenwood in the Indiana Jones films Appearing: Friday 5/17, Saturday 5/18, and Sunday 5/19 Available for autographs ($40), selfies ($40), autograph & selfie combos ($60), professional photo ops ($60)

John Ratzenberger 

John is best known for his role as Cliff Clavin in the comedy sitcom Cheers for which he earned two Primetime Emmy nominations. He has also been the voice of animated characters in Disney Pixar films like Toy Story and Monsters University. Appearing: Friday 5/17, Saturday 5/18, and Sunday 5/19 Available for autographs ($50) and professional photo ops ($50)

Katee Sackhoff 

Actress known for Battlestar Galactica, Another Life, The Mandalorian and voicing characters in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels and Robot Chicken. Appearing: Saturday 5/18 and Sunday 5/19 Available for autographs ($100), professional photo ops ($120), duo photo ops with Simon Kassianides ($190), duo photo ops with Giancarlo Esposito ($230) and trio photo op with Simon Kassianides and Giancarlo Esposito ($290). 

Simon Kassianides 

 Actor, Director, Producer and Screenwriter. Known for The Mandalorian, Unforgettable, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Quantum of Solace. Appearing: Saturday 5/18 and Sunday 5/19 Available for autographs ($60), autographs on Star Wars merchandise ($90), professional photo ops ($80), duo photo ops with Katee Sackhoff ($190), duo photo ops with Giancarlo Esposito ($160) and trio photo ops with Katee Sackhoff and Giancarlo Esposito ($290). 

Giancarlo Esposito 

Actor known for Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Boys, Malcolm X, and The Mandalorian. Appearing: Saturday 5/18 and Sunday 5/19 Available for autographs ($80), Selfies ($60), autograph and selfie combo ($120), professional photo ops ($90), duo photo ops with Katee Sackhoff ($230), duo photo ops with Simon Kassianides ($160), and trio photo ops with Katee Sackhoff and Simon Kassianides ($290).

For a full list of activities and celebrity appearances visit motorcitycomiccon.com 

EMPIRE OF THE ANTS VIDEO GAME

Entomologists, zoologists who study insects, as well as those of us who are fans of Disney's "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" movies are sure to be geeked about an upcoming video game coming to PC, PlayStation and Xbox later this year. Video game publisher Microids is creating a 3D strategy game based upon author Bernard Werber's popular Empire of the Ants novel. In Werber's science fiction fantasy, ants are the heroes of the story while humans are the pesty antagonists. The upcoming video game will allow players to explore a vast photo-realistic world inspired by Bernard Werber's book viewed from an ant's perspective. 

Microids just released a trailer of its work in progress for Empire of the Ants. The video game looks amazing! Check out the Microids Empire of the Ants trailer:

In the Empire of the Ants video game, use every move to your advantage on the path to world domination. Strategy, exploration, conflict, and alliances with local wildlife species will be essential for your colony’s survival. Stand out elements of the game include:

• Take part in an epic adventure - Take the role of a brave ant through a third person view and explore unique abilities that can help you in battle and exploration. 
•  A 3D real-time strategy game with progressive difficulty - The game offers an intuitive experience with tutorials for newcomers to learn RTS fundamentals, while providing scalable difficulty and advanced mechanics for veteran players. 
•  Explore vast environments and meet the local wildlife - Empire of the Ants will invite players to sink their teeth into a photorealistic forest where they will meet and interact with other ants and forest dwellers throughout their journey. 
•  Immersive and photo-realistic - Unreal Engine 5 pushes the boundaries of photorealism - just look at the plants and wildlife! 
•  Narrative based on the seasons - The game features a narrative that follows the rhythm of the seasons and affects wildlife attributes such as speed, resistance, buffs, and more. 
•  Day and night environments - The maps in the game will also change depending on the time of day (day, night, dawn, and twilight).

For more updates on the video games release, visit microids.com

One of my favorite scenes in the Empire of the Ants video game trailer was watching the appearance of the Praying Mantis. They are one of my favorite insects. I'm always geeked when catching a glimpse of them hunting around our backyard landscape and pool.

If you want to get a close up look at insects like praying mantis, ants, butterflies, and lady bugs in real life check out insectlore.com. They have kits where you can order insect eggs or larva and watch them hatch. My kids loved it when we watched caterpillars that arrived in an Insect Lore kit create cocoons them emerge as butterflies. Read our Insect Lore review here. You can find Insect Lore kits on Amazon.com. 

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RICK AND MORTY COMPLETE SEVENTH SEASON

I was GEEKED to get home from work tonight and find RICK AND MORTY: THE COMPLETE SEVENTH SEASON on Blu-ray had just arrived in the mail courtesy of Warner Bros Discovery Home Entertainment promoting its home video release. You know what I'll be doing this weekend → binge watching the new intergalactic adventures across the multiverse of a mad scientist and his family. The Blu-ray and DVD for RICK AND MORTY: THE COMPLETE SEVENTH SEASON which contains all ten episodes of the Adult Swim animated series seventh season and a number of special features is available now on Amazon.com.

The show nominated for a 2023 Emmy in the Outstanding Animation Program category is back for more adventures with Season 7. The possibilities are endless with this show: what's up with Jerry? EVIL Summer?! And will they ever go back to the high school? Maybe not! But let's find out! 

Special bonus content for the home entertainment Blu-ray and DVD release of RICK AND MORTY: THE COMPLETE SEVENTH SEASON include these featurettes:

• Inside the Episodes -- Take a deeper look into each of the ten episodes from the season;
• Directing Unmortricken -- Jacob Hair walks viewers through the challenges of making one of the most ambitious and action packed episodes in the series history;
• The Characters of Season 7 -- A wide-ranging look at how the character team crafted this season's new designs.
• Inside Season 7 -- A look at the making of the season from the perspective of various members of the crew.

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FIVE GENERATIONS OF THE BATMOBILE ON DISPLAY IN DETROIT

Holy Hotrods Batman! Five generations of Batmobiles will be on display in the Motor City at the 2024 Autorama show being held in the Huntingon Place convention center from March 1 - 3. Featured will be the original batmobile from the 1966-live action television series as well as the cars the Caped Crusader used in the movies Batman Begins, Batman Returns, Batman Forever and Justice League. Don't miss out on the chance to get an up close look at these super hotrods from Gotham City! 

The show takes place Friday, March 1, 2024 from Noon to 10 pm; Saturday, March 2 from 9 am to 10 pm, and Sunday, March 3 from 10 am to 7 pm. Adult general admission is $27; Kids (6 - 12) admission is $10; Children under 5 are FREE. Also discounted tickets are available at O'Reilly Auto Parts stores.

In addition to the batmobiles, hundreds of classic cars and hotrods will be showcased during this three-day event. For more information, visit autorama.com 

MICHIGAN AUTO LAW KELSEY'S LAW SCHOLARSHIP

Know a Michigan high school student in the 11th or 12th grade planning on attending college? Let them know about this contest hosted by Michigan Auto Law which promotes bringing attention to the problem of distracted driving that has scholarship money for prizes. The law firm hopes to inspire change and raise awareness, by encouraging Michigan high school juniors and seniors to submit a persuasive message about the dangers of distracted driving for young drivers. Applications for the 2024 scholarship are being accepted now through March 31, 2024, at MichiganAutoLaw.com. 

The contest and scholarships are in recognition of Kelsey Raffaele, who tragically lost her life in a cell phone-related automobile crash in 2010 at the age of 17.  Her mother Bonnie lobbied for the passage of Kelsey’s Law which was passed in Michigan in 2013 that prohibits cell phone use by new drivers.  Bonnie Raffaele provides guidance and helps select the annual winners to receive the Kelsey's Law scholarships.

Kelsey Raffaele

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, nearly 23% of distracted driving-related crashes in Michigan in 2021 involved drivers aged 15 to 20. Furthermore, 8% of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2020 were teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19. These statistics emphasize the urgent need to address distracted driving among young drivers.

To be considered as a recipient of the 2024 Kelsey's Law Distracted Driving Awareness Scholarship, Michigan students are invited to submit compelling videos, graphics, or tweets that resonate with their peers and influence safe driving behavior. Entries will be judged based on their ability to persuade others to stop texting while driving, grab the attention of friends and family, deliver a clear and understandable message, and showcase personal creativity and ingenuity. The scholarship offers various award amounts, including $2,000 for the overall best submission, $1,500 for the best video submission, $1,000 for the best graphic submission, and $500 for the best tweet submission. Each student is limited to one type of submission.

TRUE DETECTIVE NIGHT COUNTRY ON HOME VIDEO

Don't have HBO, but have heard about its hit show TRUE DETECTIVE. The most recent season of the Emmy Award winning show, TRUE DETECTIVE: NIGHT COUNTRY, is being released on home video if you want to check it out. All 6 thrilling episodes from Season 4, along with bonus content are now available to purchase digitally and will be released July 9 on Blu-ray and DVD.

When the long winter night falls in Ennis, Alaska, the eight men who operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station vanish without a trace. To solve the case, detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis) will have to confront the darkness they carry in themselves, and dig into the haunted truths that lie buried under the eternal ice. The show is rated TV-MA. 

Bonus content includes:

• Meet the True Detectives - Cast Q&A 
• New Chapter – Issa López (Showrunner/Writer/Director) and cast discuss Night Country’s unique role in the series. 
• Exploring Indigenous Themes - Delves into Alaska Native culture and how it has informed this season. 
• Max Inkblots - Get to know cast through show-themed inkblot interpretations. 
• Setting Featurette - Sets up Alaska as a pivotal character in the story. 
• Atmospheric Teases - Social environmental shots to tease key moments from the series.

VALENTINES DAY DINNERS IN HEATED IGLOOS

Looking for something out of the ordinary to do this Valentine's Day? Enjoy a romantic dinner with someone special in a heated igloo on the grounds of the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Experience a sumptuous feast under the stars with their $200 per couple Valentine's Day dinner package which includes:

• Exclusive dining experience of a four-course meal in a heated igloos; 
• Complimentary bottle of Champagne (non-alcoholic beverages also available); 
• Two commemorative glasses for keepsake; 
•  A special gift for you and your loved one.

To view the menu and make reservations for your romantic rendezvous, click here. 

Dinner reservations are from 6 to 8 pm on the following dates: 

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 9th, 10th & 11th; Tuesday and Wednesday, February 13th & 14th; Friday and Saturday, February 16th & 17th.

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.