Copenhagen airport
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So my 14th (!) trip to the US started with a flight to Amsterdam where I had a short layover before heading to Chicago. The flight to Amsterdam was short and sweet, and I didn’t have much of a wait in Amsterdam before the second leg of the journey.
The big ol’ 747-400 jumbo jet is always impressive, and KLM is a really great airline. Even in economy, I thought the food and service was exceptionally good. The entertainment system screen was a bit on the small side, but among other things I watched an 80s comedy, and a brand new remake of it right after. Of course, I also watched a few episodes of The Big Bang Theory. I don’t think I’ve ever been on a long haul flight that didn’t have that show in their entertainment portfolio.
After a flight of about 9 hours, we got into Chicago on time. It’s a very busy airport though so it took quite a while to get through immigration etc. Always my least fav part of visiting the US.
When finally getting out of the airport, I eventually boarded the train for just one stop to Rosemont where I’m staying for the night. It’s about an hour outside the city, but I got a great view of the skyline when approaching the airport.
I’ve been to Chicago one time before and this time around I won’t be able to make it there since I’m going to the next destination - Indianapolis - already tomorrow afternoon. Chicago is basically just a stop on the way there.
Rosemont is the host of a major four day comic con called Wizard World. I was also here two years ago, when they had a really cool guest lineup. This year it’s quite dull sadly, but I figured I could stop by on my way to Indianapolis.
Wizard World opened at 4 pm today which was around the time I arrived at my hotel, just across the venue. I was there for a couple of hours, checking out the many stalls and traders. There were also some interesting picture cars from Jurassic Park, Batman and other movies. Before leaving for the night I visited a panel about the ‘best worst movies’! Pretty amusing. The con was not busy today at all so it was easy to browse and get a feel for it.
After the con I had dinner at a nice steak house that is connected with my hotel. A table with eight diners close to mine had apparently ordered way too much cake so they gave me their remaining cake... and it turned out to be a HUGE piece that could have fed the whole restaurant!
A long day of travelling, concluded with a taste of comic con and steak! (and cake)Weiterlesen
Good first day!
Wizard World didn’t open until noon today and there wasn’t much to do before then, except grab some breakfast and relax. Once I got to the con again, I only had one mission for the day: meet Ernie Hudson! He’s best known for his part in Ghostbusters, even though he’s got more than 250 acting credits to his name. I met Dan Aykroyd a few years ago, so it was great to meet another Ghostbuster since it’s always been one of my fav movies. Unfortunately I had very limited time at the con, as I had to catch a flight to Indianapolis in the afternoon, and Earnie showed up more than an hour late for his autograph session. I was happy I got to meet him though and talk a little bit about the movie.
After leaving Wizard World, I raced to the airport in a taxi and just got to the gate when they started boarding. Phew. Pretty stressful. I had a First Class ticket for the trip, in seat 1A no less, but it only took about half an hour to fly to Indianapolis, so the First Class Experience as it were was rather brief.
Once I got to my hotel in Indianapolis, the very luxurious Conrad, I left to visit another luxurious hotel - the JW Marriott which is the host hotel of HorrorHound, my second comic con in as many days. As the name suggests, this particular con is mostly focused on the horror genre.
My first panel didn’t really fit into that genre, however, but it was one I had really looked forward to: Cobra Kai. Almost 35 years ago, the original Karate Kid was released. One of the big classics of the 80s and a really great movie. This year they released a spin-off TV show (Cobra Kai) with the same characters from the movie, focused mainly on William Zabka’s character, Johnny. Zabka was at the panel along with Martin Kove who played his sensei Kreese in the original movie, and who will return in the next season of Cobra Kai.
I really liked the original movies, and I think the new show is amazing, so it was a lot of fun and very interesting to watch the panel. I got a great spot in the front row, and even worked up the courage to ask a question. I ended up asking about their experience working with Pat Morita, who played the legendary Mr. Miyagi. They shared some funny and warm stories about the late actor.
The next panel was focused on an old horror classic, Evil Dead II! I barely remember watching the movie, but I wanted to see the main star of the film, and a bit of a cult legend - Bruce Campbell! I’ve seen him twice before, but he is always very entertaining and tonight was no disappointment.
More HorrorHound tomorrow!Weiterlesen
Fun day at HorrorHound! After a short walk around the show floor, I attended a Billy Zane panel. He has done a lot of different parts over the years, but he is probably best known for portraying the villain in Titanic (not the iceberg). His panel was quite fun and interesting. He also talked briefly about his first acting job in Back To The Future II! Not a bad way to start out, even though it was a small part.
I also visited a panel for A Nightmare on Elm Street. Several actors from the franchise were there, including Freddy Krueger himself, Robert Englund. He is possibly the biggest name in the horror genre and definitely the most popular guest at this con. While I’m not a huge fan of the Freddy films, I really like Englund and it was great to hear some stories from the set.
Another horror legend is Kane Hodder, who played Jason in some of the Friday the 13th films. He introduced a new documentary about himself, and then conducted a very fascinating Q&A. Aside from his stint as the iconic Jason Voorhees, Hodder has worked on a ton of other films in various capacities. Great guy.
Speaking of Friday the 13th, I saw a screening of Never Hike Alone - a fan film that uses the Jason character and the location of the original film. It was actually very well done.
My personal highlight of the day was getting a photo with none other than Kiefer Sutherland! He’s done so much amazing work over the years, most recently as the President in Designated Survivor. This was his first con appearance and the main reason I decided to go to Indianapolis - of all places!
I also met the Cobra Kai guys to get autographs, as well as another acting legend - Lou Diamond Phillips! He was very nice and pleasant, and gave hugs to everyone. He was in the same room as Kiefer, his old friend from Young Guns.
Finally, I met Judge Reinhold - another 80s star who, of course, played Billy Rosewood in Beverly Hills Cop! He was super nice and he was very fond of my Pearl Jam tshirt.
After a long day at the con, I had dinner at the local Hard Rock which is a bit of a holiday tradition by now. Funnily I ran into Lou Diamond Phillips at my hotel when I got back.
I look forward to another HorrorHound day tomorrow!Weiterlesen