I haven't heard much about these, so I'm wondering if anyone purchased them at the fest, and if so, what do you think of them? I'm interested in buying them but I'd like to hear some reviews first.

I've been to two fests--06 and 07--and both were great experiences for me where I met people from this board (hi retzev!!!) and talked with tons of others who may or may not be on this board. The actors are all very open and welcoming, some certainly more than others (usually those who aren't exhausted from huge lines, and thusly have some extra time to sit and chat), and will talk to you for quite some time if they're free.

During my first fest, John Karlen moved from table to table to table at the banquet, talking to everyone (the actors usually sit with people they know or are familiar with at the banquet) and having a great time. Also, at the same fest, my mom and I split up to get autographs and stuff in different lines, and when my mom went to Jerry Lacy's line and asked him to sign my book, he asked if I was unable to attend. When she told him that I was there, but we had split up to get autographs, he told her to make sure she brought me by to meet him later. That was nice, to be sure, but when I went by later and purchased one of his photos, I asked him to make it out to "Brandon". He looked up and smiled, and seeing my mother, said "Well, I'm glad you got a chance to come by the table," then proceeded to have a short conversation with me, even though there was a line. (The other stars do the same, which can make the autograph lines horribly long sometimes).

The only downfall to the fests are the lines, but, as someone mentioned earlier, they are a great place to get to know people and make new friends. The banquet line, the registration line, and the autograph lines (if you hit them at peak times) can last for HOURS on end, but if you don't mind waiting and standing, they're great.

I'm sure you'll have a great time when you get to go, and I'm hoping to go again next year as well since I was unable to make it this year.

I started watching DS from the beginning as well, but I only have the first two Beginning sets so I decided to stop until I can grab the others that are released.

The show definitely has a different feel to it, and all the characters are so incrediably different that its hard to believe how much they changed after Barnabas arrived and everything supernatural really started to kick up. Some have labeled these early episodes as "slow moving" or "boring", and I used to be one of them. But now that I can appreciate the atmosphere that's been created, not to mention some of the STELLAR camera angles that were used (and in a daytime soap opera, no less!), not to mention the set design, music, the acting, writing, directing, and everything else that I've forgotten, these episodes definitely stand out as some of the best of the series. They're not rushed, they're well put together, and what amazes me is that each episode seems to satisfy you while leaving you with more questions at the end.

1) BATMAN--I like the first film in the original franchise of films, but I liked Batman Returns better. The Peguin wasn't too good, but I love some Michelle Pfieffer as Catwoman, so I watch the film just for her. Both are great.

2) MARS ATTACKS-- When this originally came out, I didn't get the humor because I was younger. I haven't seen it in years, but I remember liking it when I watched it when I could actually get the humor.

3) SLEEPY HOLLOW--I completely love this movie. Depp's Ichabod Crane is just awesomely funny and quirky, and I think this definitely the best adaptation I've seen of the book. The atmosphere is great, the music is spectacular, and the visuals are stunning.

4) PLANET OF THE APES-- I don't remember this probably because I saw it once and hated it, since I'm a huge fan of the original. But one clunker of five choices really isn't anything to be upset about.

5) CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY-- It was more true to the book, and I abhored it when I first saw it because I, like many, compared it to the original which you cannot do. I love the original version a ton. When I took the Burton/Depp version on its own merits, I realized that its just as good (not better) as the original. I especially enjoy Depp's performance, and his similar dismissal of the children's stupid/idiotic questions as Wilder in the original.

I can't really see much CGI being put into the DS movie. Where would it even be appropriate other than maybe Barnabas changing from human form to bat form and other types of supernatural effects that might have to do with ghosts or even Angelique and whatever spells she might conjure up. Realisticly, if the film is done right, the film shouldn't really rely on these effects too much anyway, because DS was always more drama than effects.

I'm glad Big Finish is coming out with something new. I'm definitely anticipating these discs. I wonder if these will have any clues as to the continuation of the story that was set up in the first four discs, because from what's described here, the two new ones seem to be more standalone than the others.

If the 2004 45 minute pilot cost six million dollars I can't even begin to think how much this movie will cost with Depp's and Burton's salary and not even considering the CGI effects, entire cast, location shots , interior shots plus marketing etc......

I'm betting that this film will have the modest budget range of probably $40 to $60 million. (Or less).

Didn't Jenny and Quentin have two kids? And didn't the little boy die? I don't remember when he bit the dust, but that certainly would've sent her over the edge, or worsened her condition.