Scene & Seen

From fan expos to thrill rides, theatre premieres to comedy festivals, Scene & Seen delivers convention coverage and theme park reviews alongside immersive takes on plays, special events, and cultural happenings.

  • Review: ‘Doctor Who’ VR game takes players out of this world (Includes first-hand account)

    We live in an age in which technology that blurs the line between fantasy and reality is being frequently developed and improved. With virtual reality, users can enter another space without physically being there, while augmented reality allows the user to alter their real-life perspective. These applications have practical and professional uses, but most people are primarily interested in the enhanced entertainment experiences they’ve provided. From being in the driver’s seat during a Formula One race to having a lightsaber battle with Darth Vader, people’s imaginations are the limit. The latest immersive videogame to be announced takes fans into a 55-year legacy: Doctor Who: The Edge of Time.

  • Review: Fan Expo is the home of celebrities & disorganization (Includes first-hand account)

    First, a few facts. In its 24th year, Fan Expo is the third largest fan convention in North America. The yearly attendance average is 140,000. Celebrities such as William Shatner, Norman Reedus and Stan Lee have returned to the event multiple times. Kevin Smith hosted a live podcast a few years ago and the con has presented cast reunions for the original Degrassi, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Student Bodies and most recently, Back to the Future. On paper, this is one of the greatest fan conventions on the continent… unfortunately, that’s not always the impression on the ground.

  • Review: Escaping the cold with a first-time trip to Disney in your 30s (Includes first-hand account)

    When someone mentions “the happiest place on Earth,” people recognize the reference to Disney and their assorted theme parks. But it’s difficult to gauge the truth of this statement if one’s relationship with the fantasy creators has only been through the screen. As audiences fall in love with the wonderful characters that range in size, species and disposition, they attempt to recapture the blissful feelings these characters evoke by buying and collecting related merchandise.

  • Review: Halloween horror comes in a couple of flavours in California (Includes first-hand account)

    When most people are bitten by the travel bug, their journeys take them to exotic countries and foreign landscapes. But a few years ago I got a slightly more specific sightseeing itch to visit various amusement parks across North America and more specifically ride some of the biggest rollercoasters they had to offer. I’ve shared some of these experiences here on Digital Journal, but this year I decided to modify my adventure-seeking expedition in search of a different adrenaline rush. So I travelled to California to check out a couple of the most popular Halloween destinations for those brave enough to enter: Knott’s Scary Farm and Universal Studio Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights.

  • Motion capture process becomes less mysterious at NY Comic Con (Includes first-hand account)

    In 1968, when Stanley Kubrick wanted to include apes in his sci-fi saga, 2001: A Space Odyssey, he used costumed humans so convincing co-writer Arthur C. Clarke believed the Academy refused to award the picture best make-up and costuming because they thought they were real animals. That same year, Planet of the Apes would also use a combination of uncomfortable make-up and costumes to bring their simians to life (consequently earning them the above-mentioned award). When the series was rebooted with a new trilogy of films, they employed motion capture technology to still use actors to portray the apes while altering their appearance with CGI.

  • Review: ‘Potted Potter’ is a hilarious companion to the famous series (Includes first-hand account)

    If you haven’t read the latest popular series of books or watched their inevitable screen adaptations, you’ve probably missed a few punch lines and been left out of a few conversations. These characters and their adventures become ingrained in pop culture and thus a part of our daily lives… and now they’re taking over the stage. Live renditions or extensions of these beloved stories have been regularly appearing on stage for several years. However, the change in venue and restrictions of theatre have generated some very interesting takes on movies that rely heavily on special effects. Potted Potter is the Cliff’s Notes version of the series and it’s a must-see for fans.

  • ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’: the height of Caesar’s journey (Includes first-hand account)

    One of the great things about big conventions is studios reward people’s fandom with free swag and sneak peeks of their latest projects. Every day there is a panel with directors and cast of a certain TV show or movie in which they answer questions, drop hints about what’s to come and, most coveted, share exclusive clips that may never be seen again outside of that room. At New York Comic Con, lucky fans were provided a first look of next year’s War for the Planet of the Apes.

  • Review: Tastemakers Lounge provides brief but luxurious reprieve at TIFF (Includes first-hand account)

    Many film festival goers and celebrity gawkers look forward to the star gazing such events bring to the host city. Premiere screenings and promotional obligations promise to bring any number of famous personalities, presenting the chance for an in-person glimpse, autograph or perhaps even selfie. It’s quite obvious what the public gets in exchange for their time and/or money, but what do the stars have to look forward to when they attend these events? Talking to press and dressing to impress can be exhausting – therefore in their “off-hours,” they’re invited to attend various gift lounges. These conveniently stationed rooms offer a variety of new, useful and/or delicious products and services for celebs to enjoy… and if they’re wont, to mention to their friends and followers. The annual Tastemakers Lounge is definitely one of the top events in this category and we had a chance to preview this year’s offerings.

  • Review: Emo Philips doesn’t go for easy laughs at Montreal comedy fest (Includes first-hand account)

    There are undoubtedly different types of comedy that appeal to different people. Some have more limited audiences than others, whether it’s because of unshared politics, a distaste for raunchy humour or jokes that require too much thought. While there are comedians that integrate all of these styles, Emo Philips leans towards the latter, much like Andy Kaufman. Playing a darkened, small venue at Montreal’s Just for Laughs comedy festival, the audience often found themselves mulling over a joke as he transitioned to the next.

  • Review: Just for Laughs has a distinguished British accent (Includes first-hand account)

    Not all senses of humour are universal, but the Brits have been making people laugh the world over for decades. BBC comedies have dedicated followings and troupes like Monty Python have captured the adoration of audiences for decades. Therefore it’s not surprising there would be a programme at the Just for Laughs festival dedicated to comedians from the UK. Hosted by Mark Watson, “Brit(ish)” delivered six comedians whose one commonality is their citizenship.

  • Review: Jimmy Carr is a Just for Laughs regular with good reason (Includes first-hand account)

    A 20-plus-year comedy career is more than enough time to experiment with various types of humour, determine one’s skills and discover what makes audiences chuckle. Thus, going to a veteran’s stand-up comedy hour is nearly a guaranteed fun night out filled with laughter provided by a well-developed talent — assuming of course you share the entertainer’s sense of humour. “Jimmy Carr: Funny Business” didn’t disappoint in the least, delivering a night of absolute enjoyment at Just for Laughs.