The Five Best Bets for Movie Buffs at Motor City Comic Con
Dane Jackson
Novi, Michigan – Gone are the days when comic conventions were solely places for fans to search through long boxes for that one issue that completes their collection. Pop culture and movies have long since taken over these events to create massive celebrations of all things geek. While the Mecca for all cons is in San Diego, Metro Detroiters are lucky to have a con of their own – the Motor City Comic Con.
Now in its twenty-fifth year, Motor City Comic Con 2014 will be taking place on May 16th-18th at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. There are plenty of TV favorites, comic artists, and professional wrestlers to see while you’re there, but since we care more about movies here at CinemaNerdz, I give you the five best bets for movie enthusiasts at this year’s con.
5. The Nightmare Before Christmas
This year, Motor City Comic Con will be hosting the voices for Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie from The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – Chris Sarandon and Ken Page. Not only is this a Disney favorite, but it’s one of Tim Burton’s best animated efforts. If the Jack Skellington link doesn’t intrigue you enough, you may also remember Chris Sarandon as Prince Humperdinck in The Princess Bride (1987).
4. Cobra Kai
How can anyone forget the torment Johnny Lawrence and the rest of the Cobra Kai dojo members inflicted on Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid (1984)? The members of Cobra Kai were relentless, which is why the film was such a great underdog story. Billy Zabka, Johnny Lawrence himself, will be at this year’s event. Joining him will be everyone’s favorite sensei, John Kreese (Martin Kove). Kove and Zabka will be hosting panels throughout the weekend. Sweep the leg!
3. Ghostbusters
Michigan native, Ernie Hudson (Winston Zeddmore from Ghostbusters [1986] and Ghostbusters 2 [1989]) will be bringing Ecto-1 to the Suburban Collection Showcase. As cool as it’ll be to see Hudson, especially given his long body of work, seeing Ecto-1 takes another famous movie car off my movie car bucket list. If you’re a fan of The Crow, Hudson will be joining Crow comic creator James O’Barr for a panel as well.
2. Karl Urban
Looking at Karl Urban’s movie career is like looking over a geek’s shoulder as he writes out his filmic dream list. Lord of the Rings? Check. Riddick? That too. Red? You bet. Dredd? Future cult classic. Oh yeah, he’s also Bones in the Star Trek reboots. Sure J.J. Abrams is busy working in a galaxy far, far away these days, but there’s no forgetting how well Urban re-imagined the role of McCoy. If you’re a true fan of all things geek and pop culture, meeting Urban should be high on your list of things to do at this year’s con. Urban will also be answering fan questions during his own panel.
1. William Shatner
Speaking of Star Trek, one name synonymous with the series is William Shatner. The original James T. Kirk will be in attendance, and for the right price, you can even share a toast with him at a private cocktail reception. Seriously, what else is there to say? It’s William Shatner!
Dane Jackson has been writing about movies since high school when he had a monthly column in the school paper about cult movies. His cinematic tastes have matured (slightly) since then.
