Telltale Games goes Back to the Future

Rev your engines and adjust your Flux Capacitor, because Back to the Future: The Game is coming to PCs and Macs on Wednesday, December 22, 2010.

Telltale Games advises that there are few days left for special preorder as the game will make its debut on Wednesday. The five-part season's first episode "It's About Time!" will be available for PC and Mac platforms. Fans can still get the bonus Puzzle Agent game free with their preorder from http://www.backtothefuturegame.com.

Telltale also donates $1 to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation with each purchase up through the launch. The series will debut on the PlayStation Network and iPad platforms in early 2011.

Back to the Future: The Game brings the iconic 'Marty McFly', 'Doc Brown' and the DeLorean Time Machine together in a completely new cinematic adventure, which unfolds over five episodes. Six months after the events of the third film, the DeLorean Time Machine mysteriously returns to Hill Valley. 'Marty' must go back in time and recruit aid from a resistant teen=age 'Emmett Brown', or else the space-time continuum will be forever unraveled.

Back to the Future: The Game features the likenesses of the original stars that made the characters of 'Marty McFly' and 'Doc Brown' legendary: Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd.

Lloyd is voicing 'Doc Brown' for the full game series.

Bob Gale, the co-creator and co-writer of the landmark films says, "Telltale's Back to the Future game is the first videogame in the space-time continuum to be truly worthy of being called 'Back to the Future.' This new adventure of 'Marty McFly' and 'Doc Brown' is true to the spirit of the movies, and I couldn't be happier about the great working relationship I've developed with the team at Telltale. Via the game, the player gets to explore and experience more about the history of our characters and Hill Valley... along with some very interesting alternate time lines. It's a game for people who loved the movies, made by people who loved the movies."

"It's a testament to the commitment and creative energy of our team that Telltale can deliver high-quality gaming experiences with such a timely schedule," comments Dan Connors, Telltale Games CEO. "And what a great way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of this all time great franchise."

"Back to the Future is one of the true gems of the Universal Pictures library," says Bill Kispert, Vice President and General Manager, Digital Platforms, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. "The collaboration with the talented team at Telltale Games and Bob Gale was fantastic, and we are excited to deliver all-new interactive adventures to fans of the franchise."

Telltale will also offer Back to the Future: The Game with complete voice and text translations for German language speakers, as well as a version with French text localization. The German language version will be available from Deutsche Telekom AG's gaming platform Gamesload (http://www.gamesload.de), as well as from telltalegames.com and Steam. The channels will share more information on localized versions as they prepare for release.

Full game information including videos, story synopses, character profiles, and more is available at http://www.backtothefuturegame.com.

The Big Bang Theory and channelling the inner geek

Okay, I admit it. I've fallen under the spell of The Big Bang Theory.

I thought at first that it made fun of people who were like, well, me. The kids in school who raise their hands in class. The kids who collect comic books. The kids who dig Star Trek -- classic, Next Generation and J. J. Abrams-style.

Now  I'm embracing my inner geek. And thanks to CTV, I can "Big Bang Myself." You can see the results on the contest website. Visit and help me get lotsa points. The scary part is, I already have a Supergirl costume. Go figure.

And to keep the geek-fest going, the folks at Entertainment Earth have passed along their top ten geek gifts for the holidays: 

1.    Star Wars Slave Leia in Metal Bikini Bust, $60 
Star Wars gets sexy with a hand-numbered collectible resin bust from Gentle Giant.  Inspired by Carrie Fisher's riveting (and rivet-full) outfit from Return of the Jedi, the captivating work stands 10" tall, including her Vibro Ax weapon. Limited edition of 4,200 pieces.

2.    Doctor Who 11th Doctor Sonic Screwdriver Flashlight, $12 
Based on the latest incarnation of The Doctor's handy tool in the hit BBC series, this unique light replica from Underground Toys is set to get fans out of darkness-related jams on Earth or any other planet from here to Gallifrey. Measures about 6" long.

3.    Star Wars Boba Fett Jet Pack Backpack, $35
Every kid imagines getting a rocket pack, and here's your chance to own one.  Sadly, it doesn't fly, but the intergalactic bounty hunter's jet pack can store your gear while you're at Comic-Con, school, or out hiking.  The soft plush replica from Comic Images measures about 26-inches tall.

4.    Star Trek Original Series Exclusive Geological Tricorder, $45 
This a low-cost replica of a prop in the original series. Detailed, the 1:1 scale instrument measures 7 3/4" long and features lights, sounds, and the voice of the computer. 

5.    The Venture Bros. Henchman 21 and 24 Action Figure 2-Pack, $40 
Who would win in a fight between Anne Frank and Lizzie Borden?  That's the kind of thing these two guys discuss on the Adult Swim series The Venture Bros.  Featuring Bif Bang Pow!'s retro, vintage-style sculpting and real fabric clothing, The Monarch's longest-living henchmen, Number 21 and Number 24, stand about 8" tall in this San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive set.

6.    Cthulhu Bobble Head, $13 
The works of H.P. Lovecraft have inspired a generation of SF and horror writers, and a bunch of toymakers.  Straight from Funko and the sunken city of R'lyeh, the terrifying beast known as Cthulhu is now a bobble-head. He stands about 6" tall.

7.    Back to the Future II Exclusive DeLorean, $45
Doc Brown built a time machine out of a DeLorean, and now fans can have one.  Measuring 13" long and compatible with many 3 3/4" action figures, this limited-edition Entertainment Earth Exclusive celebrates 25 years of the series in style, complete with lights, sounds, opening gull-wing doors and pivoting "hover mode" wheels.  Figures not included.

8.    Ghostbusters ECTO-1 License Plate Prop Replica, $30 
"Who ya gonna call?"  The awesome ambulance from 1984's Ghostbusters movie is one of the most memorable vehicles of the decade. Its famous license plate has been crafted in 6" tall x 12" wide detail.

9.    LEGO 6177 Builders of Tomorrow Set, $35 
Just bricks!  The LEGO Builders of Tomorrow Set is a box of 650 bricks in a multitude of bright colors.  No figures, no windows, no tires, no nothing to get between the recipient of your gift and creating something really fun. The only limit is their imagination.

10.    Ultimate Geek Pen, $10 
The Ultimate Geek Pen delivers on its name. A UV light, laser pointer, flashlight, ballpoint pen, and stylus tip are all integrated into this nifty silver pocket-sized contraption from Accoutrements.  What a great stocking stuffer!

For more cheeky, geeky gifts from Entertainment Earth, visit entertainmentearth.com.

CTTC announces award-winning toys on November 19

The children of the Canadian Toy Testing Council (CTTC) will present the top toys of the year awards on Friday, November 19, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Brookstreet Hotel’s Ballroom, Ottawa.

With 58 years’ experience dedicated to enhancing the design, manufacture and play value of toys and books that meet children’s needs, the CTTC is Canada’s leading authority on learning through play.

Each year, over 1,000 children test hundreds of toys to ensure the reliability, quality and fun of toys in the marketplace. Similarly, the Council’s Literacy Program, offers children the opportunity to read a wide array of Canadian children’s books to support a love of reading.

CTTC's young toy testing experts will announce the CTTC/ENERGIZER BATTERY-OPERATED TOY OF THE YEAR, the CHILDREN’S CHOICE and BEST BET AWARDS as well as the GREAT BOOKS for Children.

A spellbinding Halloween for Janet Hetherington

My  workplace holds an annual costume competition in support of the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign, which raises money for the United Way and other charities. I enter with a new costume every year.

This year, I was a sorceress (sorcière). I tend to "assemble" my costumes from various pieces, and this one was put together from things I found at Dollarama, Value Village and accessories I already have (like the gloves and shoes). Make-up was purchased at PharmaPlus.

I'm happy to report that my costume won first prize for the "solo" entry.

I'll pass along info when I find out who won the "best group" entry.

Castle speaks... from the grave... about film screenings

I'm no Alison DuBois (Medium), but I've received a message from a famous Castle, and I'm not talking about the hunky mystery writer Castle played by Nathan Fillion.

I'm talking about William Castle, the B-movie shockmeister who treated fans to such fare as The Tingler and House on Haunted Hill. "Yes, I am fully aware that I died in 1977," Castle says. "But you didn't think a little thing like rigor mortis would prevent me from attending the upcoming William Castle's Shockers retrospective in LA did you? Of course you didn't."

William Castle's Shockers, presented by the very undead folks from Cinefamily at Hollywood's iconic Silent Movie Theatre, is running Saturday nights in October. There's a double feature Halloween night, Sunday, October 31, 2010. The Silent Movie Theatre is located at 611 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90048; phone: (323) 655-2520.

"I'm looking forward to seeing my daughter Terry there," Castle advises. "We've been having a little trouble connecting these past few years. She always loved my story about coming up with the idea for The Tingler while standing in line outside ... The Silent Movie Theatre!  Terry's got a few tricks of her own up her pretty sleeves. It's in the genes. Maybe I'll see you there too."

Castle continues, "You know, I made over forty B movies following a formula for box office success: low-budget chillers geared to the burgeoning boomers. The Tingler, House on Haunted Hill, Thirteen Ghosts, Macabre, Strait-Jacket (scripted by Psycho's Robert Bloch), and Homicidal – which TIME magazine liked better than Psycho."

"But they called me a master of ballyhoo who shamelessly promoted his pictures with gimmicks like The Coward's Corner and Percepto seat buzzers," Castle says. "Gimmicks!  What utter nonsense."

Castle notes that getting ready for Halloween was always one of his favorite things when he was alive.

"Still is," Castle says. "This year I decided to write a horror novel ... with a little help from 30 writer friends. I wrote Chapter One of Scare It Forward and posted it on October 1. Every day this month, one of my friends will post a new, sequential chapter. The final chapter, 31, will be posted on Halloween night. I guarantee it will scare a corpse out of his own grave. If you dare, you can read each day's installment of Scare It Forward.

To read the latest messages from, leave a message for,William Castle, or buy his recently re-released autobiography, Step Right Up! I’m Gonna Scare the Pants Off America, check out:

• http://www.williamcastle.com
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100001154126369
• Twitter:  @billcastle
• William Castle's Shockers program info

Comics fans wanted in UK - Indy feature PULP shoots October 16, 17

Dare Productions reports that British Indy feature film Pulp will begin filming at the British International Comics Show (BICS) at the Birmingham Thinktank this weekend (October 16 and 17).
Pulp is a comedy feature film set in the irreverent world of comic book publishing and its producers, Dare Productions and Reels in Motion, are ensuring an authentic feel by inviting all comic book and movie fans to come along to BICS this weekend to be be part of the filming.

“Pulp is a homage to comic books and movies. We’re asking fans to come to the British International Comic Show and be part of this exciting independent feature film,” said producer Adam Hamdy.

In addition to being part of the crowd, fans will have the opportunity to be featured in Pulp. Using a technique similar to that used in When Harry Met Sally, the narrative story will be punctuated with real interviews with fans.

“We’re going to be intercutting the film with fan interviews. It’s a great opportunity for the world to hear your views on comic books and movies,” said producer Phil Bland.

Written by newcomer Bode O’Toole, and directed by award-winning commercials and animation director, Shaun Magher, Pulp will be produced by Adam Hamdy for Dare Productions, and Phil Bland for Reels In Motion. It is the first of three ‘Geek Trilogy’ films. The second feature, The Mystic, is scheduled for production in 2011.

Director Shaun Magher is excited about the shoot. “Bode O’Toole has done a great job. We’ve got a script that treats the subject matter with just the right blend of love and irreverence.”

In Pulp, Tony Leary is the nice-guy owner of Junk Comics who is gearing up for one last roll of the dice. Nothing will stop his new superhero comic The Sodomizer from being a success except a gang of Geordie criminals who are using another comic company to launder their dirty money. Aided by his trusty geek sidekicks, Rick and Keith, Tony must defy the odds if he is to become a real life hero.

Born out of the madness that is the world’s largest comic fair, San Diego Comic Con, Pulp raced from inception to shooting in three months. Produced using a collaborative approach, it will be shot on Red camera in the West Midlands with Birmingham’s striking Thinktank playing centre stage.

Hamdy said, “Comic fans should love it, as should anyone who likes to laugh at irreverent comedies like The Hangover, Kingpin and The Big Lebowski. The film is packed with comic book and movie references for fans to discover.”

British International Comic Show organizer Shane Chebsey said, “Our show is dedicated to celebrating comic books as an art form. We’re very excited that the producers have chosen to shoot Pulp at the British International Comic Show. It’s a rare opportunity for comic fans to see a work of art being created, and to be part of the filmmaking process.”

The British International Comic Show takes place at the Thinktank in Birmingham on October 16 and 17, 2010.

OIAF 2010 - Ottawa Gets Animated

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is offering a variety of activities for all ages at this year’s festival, which runs from October 20 to 24, 2010.

More than 27,000 film buffs, art lovers, producers, and cartoon fans from around the world are descending on the nation’s capital to attend the OIAF 2010.   

OIAF 2010 features the best new animated movies, short films, and music videos from Canada and around the world, and a guest list to match.  This year’s extravaganza of screenings, workshops, and special events are taking place at venues such as Bytowne, the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Arts Court, and Empire Theatres – Rideau Centre. 

Selected from this year’s 2091 entries, the Official Competition screenings collect 90 of the top, new animated works. Attendees of the festival get a chance to view Oscar-winning films such as, Logorama, an entertaining film that illustrates everyone and everything as advertising logos.  

This year, the “Feature Competition” includes: The Illusionist (France) by Sylvain Chomet, a follow-up to Chomet’s Oscar-nominated film, The Triplets of Belleville; Goodbye Mister Christie (Canadian Premiere) by Phil Mulloy (United Kingdom); One Piece Film – Strong World (Canadian Premiere) by Munehisa Sakai (Japan); Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then (Canadian Premiere) by Brent Green (U.S.A.); and Midori-Ko (World Premiere) by Keita Kurosaka (Japan).

There are also many great films that are not in competition but are being shown through the OIAF’s “Out-of-Competition” Showcase.  Audiences have a chance to view films such as the National Film Board of Canada’s award-winning Lipsett Diaries by Theodore Ushev; Pixar’s acclaimed new short, Day and Night; and the ever-popular Walt Disney’s latest short, Tick Tock Tale.

Also this year, the OIAF is paying homage to Japanese animation with a four-part program showcasing independent filmmakers, including the godfather of anime, Osamu Tezuka. 

 

The following are other highlights of the OIAF 2010 “Special Screenings:”

• “Furniture of My Mind,” an engaging look at our relationship with our furniture;
• “Let’s Go Crazy,” a selection of films and new independent shorts about mental health;
• “XX in Animation: Taking a Peek at Work by Women,” a collection of films by women, about women;
• “Winnipeg DIY Animation: Improvised Art Explosions or Cheap Skates,” focuses on Winnipeg’s overlooked animators, those who chose to improvise and create animation on the cheap rather than get left behind;
• “The Inappropriate for Children Show,” a midnight movie collection of wild and unsettling cartoons originally meant for kids, but almost too strange for adults; 
• “Solve Et Coagula: Surrealism and Magic Realism in Czech Animation,” a unique collection of films by Czech animators who infuse personal style, political and social beliefs into their work;
• “Under the Sun: BravoFACT! at 15,” features highlights from Bravo!FACT’s animation oeuvre, from breakout hits like the Oscar-nominated I Met The Walrus through mobile phone delights like Theodore Ushev’s Sou.

OIAF 2010 Family Activities

The OIAF is offering an Animation School Fair for anyone interested in a career in animation on Saturday, October 23 and Sunday, October 24 at the Arts Court.  Teens are FREE on Saturday, Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can also attend a FREE hands-on workshop presented by the National Film Board of Canada, “Introduction to Animation.”  Teens must obtain an Adobe Toon Apprentice pass in advance by contacting the OIAF before October 14 or they can pick up a pass in-person at the OIAF box office on October 18. Pre-registration is required for the workshop by calling: (613) 232-8769.

Bring your kids to the “Short Films for Kids” competition (October 23 and 24), the “TV for Kids” competition (October 21 and 23), and the FREE hands-on workshop at the Arts Court on October 24.  Pre-registration is required by calling: (613) 232-8769. 

Plus, get a free sneak peak of the new Teletoon series, Skatoony, and participate in an interactive activity, “Get Your Skatoony Game On,” on Sunday, October 24 at the Arts Court. 

Tickets to the festival are $12 (adults) and $7 (children) at the door.  You can also purchase a flexible animation six-pack (6 tickets at the cost of 5 tickets) to avoid the line-ups. 

For more information or a complete list of films, schedules, special screenings, workshops, and events at this year’s festival, please visit the OIAF website at: www.animationfestival.ca or call: (613) 232-8769.

About the Ottawa International Animation Festival

The Ottawa International Animation Festival (OIAF) is one of the world’s leading animation events providing screenings, exhibits, workshops and entertainment since 1976. OIAF is an annual five-day event bringing art and industry together in a vibrant hub. More than 27,000 film buffs, art lovers, producers, and cartoon fans are expected to attend the OIAF, the largest animation event in North America. OIAF 2010 is taking place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada from October 20 to 24.

Boob Tube: ELVIRA’S MOVIE MACABRE Returns

I attended the Elvira (Cassandra Peterson in full garb) press conference at Comic-Con in San Diego in July when she announced MOVIE MACABRE is coming back to television.

Now, the wait is finally over. This weekend, ELVIRA’S MOVIE MACABRE will premiere throughout the U.S.. The show will present a weekly movie hosted and roasted by the Queen of Halloween.

Here's where it's being aired (U.S. stations):

MARKET	STATION	DAY	TIME
Albany-Schenectady	WNYA	SAT	12:30 AM
Albuquerque	KWBQ/KASY	SAT	12:30 AM
Anchorage	KYES	SAT	10:00 PM
Atlanta	WATL	SAT	12:00 AM
Augusta	WRDW/WRDW-DT2	TBA	TBA
Austin	KNVA	SAT	12:00 AM
Austin	KCWX.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Bakersfield	KUVI	SAT	12:00 AM
Baltimore	WBFF.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Baton Rouge	WVLA.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Birmingham	WVUA	FRI	1:00 AM
Boise	KNIN/KIVI	SAT	3:00 AM
Boston	WHDH	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Burlington-Plattsburgh	WPTZ.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Cedar Rapids	KWKB	TBA	TBA
Champaign	WBVI.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Charleston - Huntington	WSAZ.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Charlotte	WMYT	SAT	12:30 AM
Chattanooga	WTVC.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Chicago	WCIU	SAT	3:00 AM
Cincinnati	WKRC	SAT	3:00 AM
Cleveland	WUAB.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Colorado Springs	KKTV/KKTV-DT2	SUN	1:00 PM
Columbia, SC	WZRB	SAT	12:00 AM
Columbus, OH	WWHO	FRI	3:00 AM
Corpus Christi	KTOV	SAT	9:00 PM
Dallas	KDAF	SAT	TBA
Dallas	WFFA.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Davenport	WBQD	SAT	10:00 PM
Dayton	WRGT.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Des Moines	KDMI.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Detroit	WDIV	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Dothan	WDFX	SAT	2:00 AM
El Paso	KDBC.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Elmira	WETM/EETM	SAT	10:00 PM
Eugene	KEVU	SUN	8:00 PM
Evansville	WAZE	SAT	12:00 AM
Fargo	KCPM	TBA	TBA
Flint	WNEM-DT2	SAT	12:00 AM
Fresno	KMPH.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Ft. Myers - Naples	WFTX	SAT	12:30 AM
Ft. Smith	KFDF.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Green Bay	WIWB	SAT	3:00 AM
Greensboro - H. Point	WGHP	SAT	3:00 AM
Greenville - N. Bern	WCTI.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
GSA	WNEG.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Harlingen - Weslaco	XHRIO/KSFE	SUN	2:00 AM
Harrisburg-Lancaster	WGAL.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Hartford & New Haven	WTIC.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Honolulu	NHON	SUN	2:00 AM
Houston	KIAH	SAT	2:00 AM
Huntsville - Decatur	WTZT	SAT	9:00 PM
Idaho Falls	KIDK/KXPI	TBA	TBA
Indianapolis	WTTV/WXIN.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Jackson, MS	WRBJ	SAT	10:00 PM
Jacksonville	WCWJ	WED 2:00 AM	SAT 2:00 AM (OPT)
Kansas City	WDAF	SAT	2:00 AM
Knoxville	WVLT/WVLT-DT2
Lansing	WSYM	SAT	2:00 AM
Las Vegas	KVVU	SAT	2:30 AM
Lexington	WTVQ-DT2	SAT	11:00 PM
Little Rock	KARZ	SAT	12:00 AM
Los Angeles	KDOC	SAT	12:00 AM
Louisville	WYCS	SAT	1:00 AM
Macon	WPGA	SAT	5:00 PM
Madison	ETVW	SUN	1:00 AM
Memphis	WMC.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Milwaukee	WMLW	SAT	12:00 AM
Minneapolis	KSTC.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Mobile	WFNA	SAT	12:00 AM
Montgomery	WCOV.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Myrtle Beach-Florence	WMBF.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Nashville	WTVF.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
New Orleans	WUPL	SAT	12:00 AM
New York	WPIX.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Norfolk - Portsmouth	WSKY	SUN	2:00 AM
Omaha	KXVO	SAT	7:00 PM
Orlando - Daytona	WKCF/WESH	SAT	12:00 AM
Panama City	WJHG	TBA	TBA
Parkersburg	WTAP	TBA	TBA
Peoria	WAOE	SAT	1:00 AM
Philadelphia	WPHL.2	FRI 2:00 AM	SUN 1:00 AM
Phoenix	KAZT