Legendary Digital Networks will once again head down to San Diego for a 4-day takeover of Petco Park for a third year for Camp Conival: a trip back in time to everything that you loved about summer camp. Headlined by Nerdist and Geek & Sundry, programming highlights include panels and interviews with some of the biggest names in entertainment. Confirmed talent stopping by Camp Conival include: Luc Besson (Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets), Misha Collins, Cara Delevigne (Valerian), Bryan Fuller (American Gods), Josh Holloway (Colony), Robert Kirkman (Outcast), Leonard Maltin (Maltin on Movies Podcast), Ian McShane (American Gods), Adam Savage, the cast of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD, Ash vs Evil Dead, MST3K, and many more!
Nerdist and Geek & Sundry will kick things off on Thursday night as the official hosts of the Lionsgate Party in celebration of the upcoming POWER RANGERS movie. This invite-only VIP event will take place at Petco Park.
Best of all, the activation is open to the public allowing ALL attendees the opportunity to experience Camp Conival, which will feature returning favorite Nerdist laser tag, Geek & Sundry archery course and board game area, photo booth, beauty giveaways from Espionage Cosmetics and more! The activation will be open at Petco Park at the following times:
THURSDAY, JULY 21 and FRIDAY, JULY 22: 11 AM – 5 PM
SATURDAY, JULY 23 from 11 AM – 6 PM
SUNDAY, JULY 24 from 11 AM – 4 PM
For the most up to date schedule of Nerdist and Geek & Sundry Camp Conival activities and news, please stay tuned to www.nerdist.com and www.geekandsundry.com and follow them on Twitter @nerdist and @geekandsundry #conival.
Schedule of Camp Conival Events*
*Please note that the Main Stage and Meadows Stage are located on the second floor concourse at Petco Park. Guest lineup is subject to change.
THURSDAY
11:15am Bizarre States Live (Meadows Stage)
12:40pm Cast of Preacher (Main Stage)
1:00pm Nerve – Dave Franco, Emma Roberts, Henry Joost, and Ariel Schulman (Main Stage)
1:15pm Colony – Josh Holloway, Sarah Wayne-Callies, Ryan Condal, Adrian Pasdar, Tory Kittles, and Peter Jacobson (Main Stage)
1:30pm Paul Cornell signing (Meadows Stage)
2:00pm Scorpion – Katharine McPhee, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Jadyn Wong, and Ari Stidham (Main Stage)
2:30pm Power Rangers – Becky G, Ludi Lin, Dacre Montgomery, Naomi Scott, RJ Cyler, and Dean Israelite (Main Stage)
3:00pm Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets – Luc Besson, Cara Delevigne, and Dane DeHaan (Main Stage)
3:00pm Bizarre States meet & greet (Meadows Stage)
3:30pm Voice cast of Call of Duty (Main Stage)
4:15pm Wyonna Earp – Melanie Scrofano, Shamier Anderson, Tim Rozon, Dominique Provost-Chalkley, and Katherine Barrell (Main Stage)
FRIDAY
11:00am Dark Matter – Anthony Lemke, Jodelle Ferland, Melissa O’Neil, Alex Mallari Jr., and Melanie Liburd (Main Stage)
11:20am Rick & Morty – Dan Harmon, Justin Roiland, Ryan Ridley, Sarah Chalke, and Spencer Grammer (Main Stage)
11:30am Cavan Scott signing (Meadows Stage)
11:45am American Gods – Bryan Fuller, Michael Green, Ricky Whittle, Ian McShane, Pablo Schreiber, Yetide Badaki, and Bruce Langley (Main Stage)
12:15pm Firebrand – Jessica Chobot, Erika Lewis, and Claudia Aguirre (Meadows Stage)
1:00pm Genndy Tartakovsky (Main Stage)
1:00pm Firebrand signing (Meadows Stage)
1:25pm Geek & Sundry Twitch with Ivan Van Norman & guests (Main Stage)
2:00pm Cast of Fear the Walking Dead (Main Stage)
3:00pm Felicia Day Q&A (Main Stage)
3:30pm Revolution signing (Meadows Stage)
4:00pm Creators of Voltron: Legendary Defender (Main Stage)
4:15pm Maltin on Movies live with Doug Benson (Main Stage)
SATURDAY
11am The Woods – Adam Wingard, Simon Barrett, Keith Calder and Jessica Wu (Main Stage)
11:30am The Science of Star Trek with Kyle Hill, Adam Savage, Spyridon, and Diana Cowern (Main Stage)
11:30am Clod Read Radio Live (Meadows Stage)
12:15pm Legends of Tomorrow – Victor Garber, Brandon Routh, Arthur Darvill, Dominic Purcell, Franz Drameh, Caity Lotz, Nick Zano, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Phil Klemmer, and Marc Guggenheim (Main Stage)
12:30pm Geek & Sundry’s Critical Role (Main Stage)
1:30pm Outcast – Robert Kirkman, Chris Black, Patrick Fugit, Philip Glenister, Wrenn Schmidt, and Reg E. Cathey (Main Stage)
2:00pm Misha Collins (Main Stage)
2:00pm Geek & Sundry’s Critical Role meet & greet (Meadows Stage)
3:00pm Cast and creators of Lucifer (Main Stage)
3:00pm Sam Maggs signing (Meadows Stage)
3:15 Sherlock – Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, Sue Vertue, and Amanda Abbington (Main Stage)
3:30pm Agents of SHIELD – Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Chloe Bennett, Henry Simmons, Elizabeth Henstridge, Iain De Caestecker, Maurissa Tancharoen, Jed Whedon, Jeff Bell, Jeph Loeb (Main Stage)
4:00pm MST3K – Joel Hodgson, Felicia Day, Jonah Ray, Hampton Yount and Baron Vaughn (Main Stage)
5:00pm Ash vs. Evil Dead – Bruce Campbell, Dana DeLorenzo, Ray Santiago, Lee Majors, Ted Raimi, Rob Tapert (Main Stage)
5:15pm Half Hour Happy Hour Live (Meadows Stage)
5:30pm Fangirling Live! – Alicia Lutes, Rachel Heine, and Sam Maggs (Main Stage)
SUNDAY
11:00am Secret Headquarters Live! – Dan Casey & guests (Main Stage)
11:30am Inkshares – Ryan Copple, Jeremy Thomas, Mordicai Knode, Zach Linville, and Dave Barrett (Main Stage)
1:00pm Fallout: Nuka Break (Main Stage)
2:00pm Marc Guggenheim signing (Meadows Stage)
With more surprises and guests still to be announced! For live updates, please visit http://nerdi.st/CampConival
Schedule of Official 2016 SDCC Nerdist and Geek & Sundry Panels
Geek & Sundry Panel
Thursday, 7/21/16, 12:00pm – 1:00pm, Room: Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Nerdist Panel
Thursday, 7/21/16, 1:00pm – 2:00pm, Room: Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront
Nerdist TV Panel
Thursday, 7/21/16, 5:30pm – 6:30pm, Room: 6A
Geek & Sundry’s Live’s Trivia Panel
Friday, 7/22/16, 7:30pm – 8:30pm, Room: 8
Nerdist News Live
Saturday, 7/23/16, 4:00pm – 5:00pm, Horton Grand
Geek & Sundry’s Critical Role Cast Q&A
Saturday, 7/23/16, 7:30pm – 8:30pm, Room: 24ABC
“Mufasa: The Lion King” is a visually stunning addition to the beloved Lion King franchise, offering a fresh and emotionally resonant take on the origins of one of Disney’s most iconic characters. The film beautifully explores Mufasa’s journey, balancing heartfelt moments with touches of comedy that lighten the mood and make the story accessible to audiences of all ages. The animation is breathtaking, capturing the vibrant landscapes and lush environments of the Pride Lands, adding depth to Mufasa’s character and his relationships.
The storytelling is compelling, effectively pulling at the heartstrings while providing insights into Mufasa’s character before he becomes the legendary king. However, the setup for Scar’s betrayal feels somewhat underdeveloped, lacking the deeper motivation that could have enriched their complex brotherly relationship. This missed opportunity leaves a slight gap in understanding Scar’s actions, which could have elevated the dramatic stakes.
The musical score is impressive, featuring memorable songs that enhance the emotional impact of pivotal scenes. While there are several standout tracks, one song, in particular, resonates deeply and is sure to linger in viewers’ minds long after the credits roll. Overall, “Mufasa: The Lion King” is an amazing film and a worthy addition to the Lion King lore that manages to deliver both laughter and tears, offering a rich tapestry of storytelling that fans will appreciate.
“Kraven the Hunter,” directed by J.C. Chandor, aims to introduce a beloved Spider-Man villain to the big screen, but unfortunately, it falls short of expectations. The film suffers from noticeable issues, notably an overuse of ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement), which detracts from the authenticity of the characters’ interactions and contributes to an uneven audio experience. This technical flaw is compounded by rough storytelling that feels disjointed and lacking in coherence, leaving viewers struggling to connect with the narrative.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson delivers a commendable performance as Kraven, showcasing the character’s gritty nature and complex motivations. His portrayal has potential, and it’s evident that he could elevate the character far beyond what is presented with a stronger script and direction. However, the absence of Spider-Man, a central figure in Kraven’s lore, leaves a void that the film struggles to fill. Without this critical connection, the plot meanders and fails to create the tension or stakes that fans of the superhero genre crave.
Additionally, including Rhino as a villain feels like a missed opportunity; he is presented more as a gag character with limited screen time, undermining any sense of threat or depth. For the average moviegoer, “Kraven the Hunter” might entertain but ultimately feels like a mediocre viewing experience. Comic book fans, however, may find disappointment in this lackluster attempt to create a solo character film. Instead of an exhilarating dive into Kraven’s world, the film presents a watered-down version, leaving audiences wishing for a more cohesive vision that honors its comic book roots.
A Year Without a Santa Claus, the 1974 stop-motion holiday classic produced by Rankin/Bass, is a heartwarming and whimsical tale that has cemented its place in holiday traditions. Based on Phyllis McGinley’s 1956 book, the story revolves around a disheartened Santa Claus who, feeling unappreciated, decides to take a year off from his Christmas duties. It’s up to Mrs. Claus and a pair of well-meaning elves, Jingle and Jangle, to reignite the Christmas spirit and show Santa the world’s unwavering belief in him.
The movie is beloved for its unforgettable characters, especially the bickering Miser Brothers, Snow Miser and Heat Miser. Their catchy, vaudeville-style musical numbers, “Snow Miser Song” and “Heat Miser Song”, are so iconic they’ve become cultural touchstones, often parodied and celebrated decades later.
Directed by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, the film continues the duo’s tradition of stop-motion magic, blending heartfelt storytelling with quirky humor. The voice cast, featuring Mickey Rooney as Santa and Shirley Booth as Mrs. Claus, delivers standout performances. Booth’s warm narration was her final acting role before retirement, adding a layer of poignancy to the film.
Initially released on December 10, 1974, on ABC, the special didn’t immediately achieve the legendary status of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. However, it gained a dedicated following through annual holiday airings, nostalgic appeal, and its distinct charm.
The film’s themes of hope, unity, and rekindling joy remain timeless, making it a perennial favorite for audiences of all ages. Its blend of humor, catchy songs, and a touching message about believing in magic and goodwill ensures its enduring legacy during the holiday season.
For fans of holiday classics, A Year Without a Santa Claus is a must-watch that never fails to warm hearts and spread cheer.
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ Will Leave You Breathless
Is ‘Kraven the Hunter’ a Total Letdown?
A Brief Review and History of A Year Without a Santa Claus
Review: Pushpa: The Rise (2021)
KGF: Chapter 2
Kyle Gallner May I?
A Review of Krampus: A Horror Fan’s Ultimate Christmas Treat
Review of Black and White Spoon on Netflix
Holiday Movie Review: Violent Night
Y2K: Get up and Break Stuff!
Comic-Con 2024: Arthur C Clarke’s Venus Prime TV series
Comic-Con 2024: Max Collins’s TRUE NOIR
Comic-Con 2024: Will Wight’s Cradle
Interview With Heroes & Villains Creative Director Doug Johnson
Thatsmye Interviews: Les Weiler on Henchin’: the Series
