Salt Lake Comic Con announces guests from Arrow, Big Bang Theory

I didn't realize so many people would be there. But hey, when you offer free multi-passes for people who show up in costume, I guess that's what happens.

Salt Lake Comic Con held press conference at the Leonardo in Salt Lake City this morning to update their fans on a few things and, more importantly, to announce another handful of celebrity guests. I made my way to the north side of the crowded lobby, which was packed with Comic Con enthusiasts (most of them in costume). A few minutes after 11:00 a.m., Salt Lake Comic Con co-founders Dan Farr and Bryan Brandenburg headed to the pulpit to address the big crowd, accompanied by thunderous applause.

"Tell me how you really feel," Brandenburg joked before thanking some of the convention's sponsors, which include Rocky Mountain Chevrolet, Marvel and Dark Horse Comics.

Brandenburg announced that the event's organizers are anticipating upwards of 120,000 people in attendance for the September convention, which will run from September 4-6 this fall. In April, Salt Lake Comic Con's FanXperience shattered its own attendance record, drawing an estimated 100,000 fans, making it the third largest Comic Con event in the United States. Brandenburg expects there to be nearly 200 panels to go along with 250 special guests and panelists, including celebrity guests, artists, and vendors. Brandenburg mentioned that the September Comic Con will expand its space, utilizing more downtown venues and ensuring that the convention will not "be nearly as crowded as our first event last year, certainly."

 The Salt Lake Comic Con Film Festival will also be expanded in comparison with last year's function. "Our goal is to be right up there with Sundance," Brandenburg said. The festival will be held during Comic Con weekend and hosted at the Gateway mall downtown.

The popular KidCon pavillion, which was introduced in April, is back this fall, providing family-friendly entertainment for families and young attendees. Another returning event will be the Zombie Walk, which Brandenburg announced will be held on August 10. More detailed announcements about these events will be rolled out via social media in the next few weeks.

Brandenburg passed the mic to Farr, who thanked the crowd for their patience in awaiting new guest announcements. Previously, Farr and his team had announced the convention's initial celebrity lineup which included names like Christopher Lloyd ("Back to the Future"), Cary Elwes ("The Princess Bride"), and Ernie Hudson ("Ghostbusters"). Since the last press conference, several more names had been announced on social media, such as Eliza Dushku ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer"), Michael Rosenbaum ("Smallville"), and Giancarlo Esposito ("Breaking Bad").

In recent days, Salt Lake Comic Con had teased fans with several hints that stars from CW's "Arrow" and CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" would be announced at the press conference. A brief highlight package introduced the next batch of stars that are headed to Utah this fall:

• Jon Heder ("Napoleon Dynamite")
  
• Stephen Amell ("Arrow")
  

  
• Manu Bennett ("Arrow")
  
• Dean O'Gorman ("The Hobbit")
  
• WETA Workshop (special effects, "Lord of the Rings")
  
• Simon Helberg ("The Big Bang Theory")
  

In an interview with Signs of the Times, Farr expressed his excitement for September's convention. "I am so excited just to see the fans' reaction when we have the event," he said. But, in typical Dan Farr fashion, he remained somewhat tight-lipped about which stars he, personally, is most excited about.

"That's always a tough question because I get excited about all of them," Farr said. "Even if it's someone that I haven't followed before, if I know that the fans are excited, then I get excited about it."

He mentioned that he has never really gotten into the ultra-popular BBC show, "Doctor Who," but he always looks forward to booking stars from the show because he understands how beloved those characters are to fans of pop culture. Karen Gillan, known for her role as the Doctor's companion, Amy Pond, appeared at FanX in April - and even stuck around to catch a Mormon Tabernacle Choir performance that Sunday.

"I'm almost afraid to start watching it," Farr said of the BBC series. "I know that, with my personality, I'll get so embedded in it that I'll have another addiction."

Farr said that he and his Comic Con team have learned a lot since their first convention in 2013 and that they continue to evolve as time goes on. "We're always learning," he said. "We're trying new things. We attend a lot of other conventions, as well, to see what they're doing. A lot of things, as far as organization at the con, [we've improved in] that area. The biggest thing is just finding out what people are attracted to - what they like. What is it that people want to come see? ... That's the most I've learned."

For those that are keeping track, the record-setting Salt Lake Comic Con returns in 57 days and 21 hours. Tickets are on sale now at saltlakecomiccon.com. And, as always, more information about the convention and its star-studded lineup of celebrity guests can be found by following Salt Lake Comic Con on Facebook and Twitter. To read the press release from this morning's event, click here.

Looking for some hidden treasure? Netflix marks the spot.

I have a problem. It only happens in the summer starting around May and ending sometime in August/September. It’s called television withdrawal. As soon as my favorite shows start ending their seasons, I’m faced with one question. The question that will haunt me for the entire summer: What do I watch now? For many years, there was no answer. My summer nights were filled with movie watching and reruns.  Then along came Netflix and the question was answered.

In the past few years, Netflix has been building their streaming library and I for one am continually grateful that they have. Now I have a vast number of movies and television shows at just the click of a button. But there still remains one problem. How do you search through the vast library to find something that is actually good? Let me help you with that. Here are five shows that I recently discovered that deserve your attention.

5. The Intouchables

If you’re not afraid to read subtitles, then give this movie a try. The Intouchables tells the true story of a rich quadriplegic man who hires an ex-con to be his caretaker. As the ex-con learns to care for this man with whom he has nothing in common, a friendship develops that makes them inseparable. Fully of witty humor and heart-warming moments, this is a great feel good movie.

4. Much Ado About Nothing

If you’re like me, you’ve been brought up on Shakespeare’s plays. And, if you are also like me, you love them but have a hard time sitting through them. This movie is your answer. Seriously you can’t go wrong with a William Shakespeare play directed by Joss Whedon. This movie feels like a bunch of friends got together one day and decided to make a movie. Ironically, that is exactly what happened. This movie was filmed in about 12 hours at Joss’ house. The actors completely succeed in bringing this play to life.

3. Crossing Lines

I have a confession. I love crime dramas. I also love people with accents. This discovery was a match made in heaven for me. The premise of this show is a group of detectives from various law enforcement agencies around the world gather together and solve crimes that cross international borders. This is a fun and interesting new take on the crime drama genre. The only downfall is that only the first season is available on Netflix right now. Oh well, at least there is something to look forward to.

2. Royal Pains

I know that everyone loves a good medical drama, but sometimes you just need something a little lighthearted. This show is a great compromise. The story focuses on an up-and-coming ER doctor who is fired from his job in the big city. His last minute trip to the Hampton's becomes a permanent stay when he becomes a Concierge Doctor to the rich and famous. Hilarity ensues.

1. Doctor Who

Could there be any other show as my top pick? This may not seem like hidden treasure, but it was for me. Let me just tell you that when I first watched Doctor Who I thought it was the weirdest show I had ever seen. But, once I got past the first couple episodes I was hooked. I mean what could be better than a two-hearted alien who travels through time and space in his blue police box shaped ship (aka the TARDIS) and takes human companions along for the ride. This is a thrilling ride for all ages.

There you go. My five top picks. What about you? Do you have any great new discoveries on Netflix? If so, let me know in the comments so I can check them out.

Modge Podge of Delightfulness

It has been a little while since I have blogged and for that I am sorry and I will be better! This blog is going to be a modge podge of Music and a little bit of Whovian-ness.  First let me say I have been to a few shows over the last few weeks and I enjoy the musical styling’s of many but it really irks me when one of the bands I enjoy works really hard for a long time and out of nowhere releases an amazing new album. Then not to long after they have released said new album another band releases an album that has a song or two or three that sounds an awful like the other band. I know this happens quit a bit and is no big deal but sometimes I just feel like it is not the business. With that being said I still love my music! J I recently found an AMAZING Local band, for me at least, it is the best since Imagine Dragons. They are called The New Electric Sound http://www.youtube.com/user/thenewelectricsound?feature=watch,(my favorite is Heartbeat). I know I am late to the game but I really enjoy the fresh sound they bring to the table of music, especially when there are so many copycats out there. Speaking of local, I had the wonderful opportunity of working U92’s Summer Jam it was interesting to say the least. If you ever want to go to a place or event to people watch, that would be it! So many people of different ages coming out to hear the likes of Tyga, A$AP Rocky, Kid Ink and more, it is one for the books for sure. On a different side of the scale I went and saw She and Him, Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward are so dreamy together. If my heart could write songs they would sound much like them J (name that quote) ha ha, but for real it was an incredible night of music and people watching, you will quickly learn that I am a major people watcher, people just fascinate me. Not in a judgmental way but a truly curious way as to why people act they way they do. My music life over the last few weeks has not been dull for a moment and I love every minute of it. I am lucky to go to and meet many of the Artist’s that perform and it is truly a blessing.

Ok now for the Whovian topic, I am proud to say I am a geek of many sorts, I am part of many Fandoms and I associate with many varieties of geeks, I call it my fandomonium. Anyway on to the point at hand Sunday at 4pm British time, the 12^th Doctor was announced and there were mixed feelings across the internet because first he has already been in episode of Doctor Who and secondly he is older but there are things that are brought to mind. For example number 10 already met number 12 AND he shook hands with him, which breaks the paradox rule, you are NOT allowed to touch your parallel self or it results in a paradox shift. But the twist also might be that when the paradox was created is when Jon Hurt’s character was born and thus we have “the man with no name”.  However I also understand Steven Moffat kind of does whatever he wants and that the story will still work. I am excited for the new Doctor and new adventures, I am going to keep an open mind because he is a tad older then the regenerations I have recently come to love and he is not a ginger L but I am willing to see what happens and LOVE The Doctor no matter what, because really The Doctor is and always will be The Doctor. Sorry if you were lost in the Whovian talk I just had to get it out there also maybe it will peek some more interests and the Whovian world will grow. But for now I hope you enjoyed today’s blog. Till next time DUM DUM DUM WHOO WEE WHOO DUM DUM DUMM WHOO WEE WHOOO ;) 

Love, Crystal