I’d like to start off this portion of the recommended schedule by saying that I made a mistake when I said that viewing of all three parts of the Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog series would be “the perfect way” to end your Friday at the San Diego Comic Con because “perfect” is too weak of a word to use. Ending your Friday by watching Dr. Horrible would be so superlatively, stupendously, amazing that they would need to create a new word just to describe what a wonderful thing it is.
In a word, to borrow from one of Neil Patrick Harris’ TV characters, it would be totally awesome.
But let’s get to Saturday and Sunday’s schedule, shall we?
Saturday, July 26
10:00 am to 11:00 am Spotlight on Forrest J. Ackerman (Room 3)
Learn all about the history of horror films from the master himself, as he celebrates the 50th anniversary of his still-published Famous Monsters of Filmland. (Note: The actual anniversary panel takes place from 11 am to 12 pm in Room 10.)
1:15 pm to 2:00 pm Warner Bros.: Terminator Salvation (Hall H)
As of press time, there’s no word as to who’s going to be on the panel to introduce the trailer and talk about the movie. But at least it’ll be interesting to see how they plan on getting around the time paradoxes.
2:30 pm to 3:30 pm Disney Pixar: Bolt and UP (Hall H)
You may have to leave the room in order to get back inside, but it’s worth it to check out what will be coming up next from the House of Mouse and the company that an animated lamp built. Pay attention to the second part of the panel where director Peter Docter (Monsters, Inc.) introduces his newest comedy, UP.
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm Treasures of ASIFA Archive (Room 10)
Featuring animation director Ralph Bakshi (The Lord of the Rings), the ASIFA (that’s the International Animated Film Society) opens up its archive to show off rare animation footage and talk about the challenges of being an animator in today’s Wacom-tablet and Mac computer world.
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm Sony: Underworld: Rise of the Lycans, Quarantine, Pineapple Express (Hall H)
Sony Pictures bundles up three different genre films into one large session. First up is the third installment of the gothic horror Underworld series, starring Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy, and Rhona Mitra. Next up is Quarantine, a zombie horror filmed camera verite style, while the last movie to be featured is the latest Judd Apatow-produced action/comedy Pineapple Express, of which very little has been written in the program guide. Feel free to ask Pineapple‘s co-writers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg about the Green Hornet film, too.
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm In Search of Steve Ditko Documentary—Strange & Stranger (Room 5AB)
If you’re a fan of comics, you owe it to yourself to check out this documentary about comics creator and legend Steve Ditko, starring U.K. comedian Jonathan Ross (he who snogged British author Neil Gaiman at least year’s Eisner awards ceremony).
10:00 pm 12:00 am World Premiere! Mutant Chronicles (Room 6CDEF)
The Victorian steampunk genre is the newest “next big thing” and Mutant Chronicles will be one of the first live-action films to take advantage of its emergence. Stars Thomas Jane, Ron Perlman, and Devon Aoki will be presenting the “work-in-progress” film and take questions about it as well.
Sunday, July 27
11:30 am 12:00 pm Focus Features: Hamlet 2 (Ballroom 20)
Straight from the wintry slopes of the Sundance Film Festival comes this surprise hit comedy which can be best described as “sacrelicious.” In addition to featured appearances by Steve Coogan and Elisabeth Shue, there will also be some other surprise appearances.
12:00 pm to 12:45 pm Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (Ballroom 20)
Stick around for Kal Penn, John Cho, and the man himself, Neil Patrick Harris to talk about the second movie in the Harold & Kumar series. But honestly, it’s Neil Patrick Harris. Who couldn’t resist getting a chance to see him again?
1:00 pm to 1:30 pm Friday the 13th (Ballroom 20)
No word yet on who will be on hand to show off footage and talk about the retelling of the classic horror movie that spawned a horror movie subgenre.