KaCSFFS meets THIS SATURDAY July 14, 2018

Save that CHANGED date!
When: This coming Saturday, July 14, 2018
Time: 6:00 p.m. Set-up; 7:00 p.m. Program
Where: The Writers Place, 3607 Pennsylvania Ave., Kansas City, MO 64111
Food Theme: Movie munchies
Program: Filmmaker Kevin Willmott discusses and screens one of his movies.

Kevin Willmott

KaCSFFS Welcomes Kevin Willmott
We're incredibly honored to host American filmmaker and KU Professor of Film and Media Studies, Kevin Willmott.

His reputation has been growing for several decades. He's been involved in many aspects of writing and filmmaking for both movies and television. An early project which he wrote, produced, and co-directed was Ninth Street, an independent film based on his boyhood in Junction City, KS, that starred Martin Sheen and Isaac Hayes.

He's also worked with well-known director Oliver Stone, and on a project that Whoopi Goldberg executive-produced. His 2004 film, CSA - The Confederate States of America, is an award-winning comedy/drama alternate history, which he wrote and directed.



His comic foray into science fiction was 2013's Destination: Planet Negro (instead of landing on Mars in 1939, they time-travel to . . . Kansas City in 2013).



Most recently he's received even more acclaim. His 2018 project with Spike Lee, BlaKkKlansman, a comedy/drama set in the 1970s, recently earned him a 10-minute standing ovation and the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.



Prepare to have your consciousness raised, particularly if you're not a person of color. This should be a fascinating, provocative, and entertaining evening. Don't miss it!

IMAGE AND VIDEOS: Many thanks to KU's faculty page for the photo of Kevin Wilmott, and to their respective IMDB pages for the Destination: Planet Negro, and CSA - Confederate States of America film trailers and to YouTube for the official BlacKkKlansman trailer. 

Laser Rangers 2013 September Meeting

"Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes?

Special Briefing Specs: Redacted*

Date: September 14, 2013

Time: 4:15pm Hang with us at 3:45pm to chill out. NEW EARLY TIME!!!
Secret Base: Laser Visions Institute - David Sooby’s home theater with 51-inch Samsung HDTV, a 5.1 Surround Sound Dolby Digital sound system, a full set of audiophile-grade speakers, and upgraded seating for about 15 people without crowding.
Fearless Leader: Jaymes Logan Williamson
Check out Jayme's Geekvolution site at WeAreGeeksNotNerds.com.
Superfoods: Barbequed and Fried.
Attire: Superhero Costumes

*Highlight to reveal text.

  Additional mission specs and sign-up can be found at the Facebook Event Page. 

Special Presentation by Ken Keller after the main program.

The Watchmen

MAIN PROGRAMMING!

(2009, 215 minutes, Blu-Ray)

Synopsis

In an alternate 1985 where former superheroes exist, the murder of a colleague sends active vigilante Rorschach into his own sprawling investigation, uncovering something that could completely change the course of history as we know it. -IMDB

Cast

Malin Åkerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Carla Gugino, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson

Behold! The trailer!





Next month: Atom Age Monsters: A Tribute to Bill Ostrander!

Featuring: Godzilla King of the Monsters and Them
(For real this time!)

 
The home of the Laser Rangers is located about four miles north of the Kansas Speedway, NW of the intersection of I-70 and I-435 on the Kansas side of the Greater Kansas City area.

IMAGE CREDITS: The information for all of these shows come from the invaluable IMDB. The movie posters come from Wikipedia or the movie's respected distributors.

The movie screen frame image used for the Laser Rangers contact information is courtesy of Psychology Today Online. Many thanks to these websites!

Heads-up for SF&F Literati

Yes, they did just meet.  But the next meeting is a week early, and it's time to find and start reading the May selection!

SF&F Literati go Into the Storm, in May!

Selection: Into the Storm, by Taylor Anderson
When: May 20 (third Monday!), 7:00 p.m.
Where: Oak Park Barnes & Noble Bookseller, 11323 W 95th Street
Overland Park, KS 66214, on the 2nd floor.

Order this book from Barnes & Noble, or other fine booksellers.

Overview from Barnes & Noble:

Pressed into service when World War II breaks out in the Pacific, the USS Walker, a Great War-era destroyer, finds itself retreating from pursuing Japanese battleships. 

Its captain, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Patrick Reddy, desperately leads the Walker into a squall, hoping it will give them cover, only to emerge into an alternate world. A world where two species have evolved: the cat-like Lemurians and the reptilian Griks, and they are at war.

With its power and weaponry, the Walker’s very existence could alter the balance of power. And for Reddy and his crew, who have the means to turn a primitive war into a genocidal Armageddon, one thing becomes clear. They must determine whose side they're on. Because whichever species they choose is the winner.

Note: there are four books in the “Destroyermen” series; this is Book 1.

IMAGE CREDIT: Many thanks to Taylor Anderson's website for the cover art.

Laser Rangers 2013 April Meeting

Parallel Universe Nazi Killers

Datum (Date): April 13, 2013
Uhrzeit (Time of Day): 4:45pm (Fhanish time) Meet at 4:15pm for pre-show conversation.
Stelle (Place): David Sooby’s home theater with 51-inch Samsung HDTV, a 5.1 Surround Sound Dolby Digital sound system, a full set of audiophile-grade speakers, and upgraded seating for about 15 people without crowding.
Führer Laser: David Bridges
Lebensmittel (Food) Theme: German Food!
Kleiden (Dress) Theme: Nazi/WWII

Learn German from the English!

Learn more at This Month's Facebook Event Page! 

A short will precede our first feature!

Iron Sky

(2012, Appox. 93 minutes); Julia Dietze, Christopher Kirby, Götz Otto, Peta Sergeant, Stephanie Paul, Udo Kier

The Nazis set up a secret base on the dark side of the moon in 1945 where they hide out and plan to return to power in 2018.

Check out this awesome trailer!









~~~~~
Between features, we will have our traditional potluck. Please bring something that matches our food theme above or bring something for yourself.
~~~~~

There will be a special showing of a chapter of Republic's Captain America movie serial between dinner and our main feature.

Inglorious Basterds

MAIN FEATURE!
(2009, 153 minutes); Starring Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Michael Fassbender, Eli Roth, Diane Kruger, Daniel Brühl, Til Schweiger, Mélanie Laurent

In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, a plan to assassinate Nazi leaders by a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers coincides with a theatre owner's vengeful plans for the same.

A truly fantastic reimagining. The Führer says to enjoy the awesome trailer!

The home of the Laser Rangers is located about four miles north of the Kansas Speedway, NW of the intersection of I-70 and I-435 on the Kansas side of the Greater Kansas City area.

IMAGE CREDITS: The information for all of these shows come from the invaluable IMDB. The movie posters come from Wikipedia or the movie's  respected distrubutors.  

The movie screen frame image used for the Laser Rangers contact information is courtesy of Psychology Today Online. Many thanks to these websites!

The 50-Word Review Challenge

We know you're Doing It!  So tell us about it!

A bookshelf wall at Prospero's Uptown Books.
KaCSFFS members can buy reviewable
materials with a club-member discount, there.

What was the last book you read?

What was the last movie or anime you saw?

Been to any good dramatic readings, lately?

Enjoyed any comics? Manga? Web comics?

Listened to any good podcasts?

Played any good games?

If any of these things were related to science fiction, fantasy, horror, Steampunk, alternate history, or other sub-genres within our mission, it is likely that other KAXFEN will enjoy hearing your thoughts about them.

The review subjects do not have to be new releases. Not everyone has time to read or view every new item that comes out, at the time it is published. Any time we publish a review of anything, it is guaranteed that someone in our readership hasn't read/seen/played it yet. Others may already know the material, but may want to read what others think of it.

You, too, can write a Review!
When there is a new review, our Reviews page is one of our most popular items--and that's why we need your help.

We need more reviews--in any or all of the categories above.  And we'll make it as easy for you as possible. Just take our 50-word Review Challenge.

You don't have to write a "book," or even a long article (though longer reviews are welcome).  A 50-word review is enough to get you published here! (We wrote almost 50 words, just asking the questions above).

Yes, we are posting this on "SF&F Literati night" on purpose.  If you were disappointed to miss the discussion (snowed out) please use your "discussion powers" to take our challenge!

The 50-Word Review Challenge:
Win fame and accolades! This challenge is sponsored by the KaCSFFS Communications Committee.

Here are the terms of the challenge:

1. For the next three months (until ConQuesT in May), we will accept and publish all reviews of sf, fantasy, horror, Steampunk, or other related subgenre works, in any of the media listed in the questions, that we receive from readers of this blog.  
2. Anyone who reads this blog is eligible.  You do not have to be a member of KaCSFFS.  We have readers all over the world, and we are opening this challenge to ALL of you.
3. Reviews should be 50-100 words in length, and submitted to Jan Gephardt as inline emails. Please submit them in English.
4. We reserve the right to edit for grammar, spelling, and family-friendly language. We also reserve the right to reject libelous or plagiarized material, or any email that contains a virus.  
5. Whenever possible, we will illustrate reviews with cover art, movie posters, or other appropriate, related graphics. You do not have to submit illustrations, but if you do, please credit your source!
6. You must agree to allow us to sign either your name or a "fannish pen name" to the review, and we need to know who you really are, if you use a pen name.
7. We will post each review as an individual blog post, and also add it to the "Reviews" page.
8. Here's the "Fame and Accolades" part: We will announce winners in two categories, listed below. Winners will be announced in three places: at ConQuesT, at the June meeting of KaCSFFS, and on this blog. Winners also will receive special certificates, which we will personalize with calligraphy and either present to you (if you can attend ConQuesT or the June KaCSFFS meeting) or mail to you wherever you live, anywhere in the world (note: we'll need an address!).
9. The first category is Most Reviews Submitted. This will recognize the person who sent us the greatest number of useable reviews during the three-month period.
10. The second category is Most Popular Reviewer. Popularity will be determined by blog metrics: Blogger analytics tell us what entries inspire the most responses. We will determine this winner by adding up how many views that Reviewer's contributions generated during the Challenge period.

Now the "ball is in your court." Will you accept the Challenge?

IMAGE CREDITS: The photo of the bookshelf at Prospero's Uptown Books is used by permission of Jan S. Gephardt. The image of the person typing on the keyboard is from the Design Tech Tonics website. The "Challenge" graphic is from the Just Joan website.