MomoCon 2018 – Phantom’s Picks

By Dave

This year, for the first time ever, your ol’ pal Phantom will be attending MomoCon!

I have no idea what to expect from this very different convention. Obviously parallels can be drawn between MomoCon and Dragon Con, but this one certainly seems to be aimed at a younger crowd. With a focus on anime, video games, and cosplay I’d imagine it draws the currently relevant “youth culture” much more than it does crusty old grumps like me. From looking at pictures it seems like the average attendee age might just barely be out of high school.

What that means is that this will be a fresh, new experience for me and that to a certain extent I will be much more of an observer; reporting on MomoCon in a much more traditional way than I usually do. I still plan to have fun, but I’m expecting much less interaction than a regular con.

Needless Things Podcast 213 – The Casket Creatures: Return to Wolfton

On this week’s episode of the Needless Things Podcast Dave interviews those lovable horror punks The Casket Creatures, LIVE in the Phantom Zone!

In a Land Without Dragons, Some Turn Lizards into Dragons

By Jerry Chandler

This is certainly going to be one of the more… different… pieces I’ve ever written for Needless Things. I’m usually fairly direct when it comes to things I’m writing about, but, at least right now, I’m being courteous about the matter. I’m not going to risk stirring up a hornets nest for someone/a group of people by addressing the matter directly and in detail. I will, it’s just going to have to wait a half dozen or so Thursdays before I can. In the meantime, I’m going to comment on various groups of people out there, sadly some in fandom, by discussing their mindset. Well, discussing might be the wrong word…

The 42 Secrets of Life, the Universe, and Everything

By Dave

I turned 42 last Thursday and, like all adults everywhere, the minute it happened I was blessed with knowledge of the meaning behind life, the universe, and everything. I will now share with you the 42 points of knowledge that represent the sum total of my life experience in the hopes that you will be able to apply these things to your own life and live excellently.

Unless you’ve already hit 42, in which case I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know.

The Top Ten Album Thing

By Dave

Sometimes I like to play along with the things on social media. One of the latest is a deal where you post your ten favorite albums, one a day, over the course of ten days. The caption reads something like this:

“Day ___ of my ten all-time favorite albums.

What really made an impact and is still on my rotation list.

Post the cover and nominate a person each day to do the same.”

Needless Things Podcast 212 – Renee Cooper from MomoCon

On today’s episode of the Needless Things Podcast Dave talks to Renee Cooper, Director of Media Relations for MomoCon!

The Art of Ambiguity in Film

By Jerry Chandler

So, starting with the shameless plug… We were recording an episode of The Assignment: Horror Podcast focusing on 1977’s The Haunting of Julia. On the podcast, another film came up as we were discussing films that had a very well executed aspect of intentional ambiguity about them. When done right, it’s something I love to see in a film. 

My Nerdiest Week Ever

by Beth

Okay well maybe Dragon Con is a nerdier week, but there’s also a lot of partying too. They’re generally nerdy parties though so maybe this is just my nerdiest week outside of Dragon Con. Regardless; I did a lot of things last week that could up my dork factor by a few levels at least. Try not to judge me too harshly. Or at least if you do don’t tell me about it. So here’s a rundown of everything I did last week (in no particular order) that made me into the new super geek you see before you.

Star Wars Toys: Bigger and Better(?)

By Dave

I missed May the Fourth Be With You by a few days, but I want to write about Star Wars toys.

I posted the above photo on Facebook on the Fourth and our pal, Head of Research Ryan, left the following comment:

“I see you creeping more and more into collecting the 6” line.”

He’s right, and I’m going to tell you why.

Needless Things Podcast 211 – Avengers: Infinity War

On today’s episode of the Needless Things Podcast the Irregulars assemble in the Phantom Zone to discuss the biggest superhero movie of all time – Avengers: Infinity War!

SPOILER ALERT!