May 20, 2011

  • Goodbye Xanga

    I'm sorry Xanga, it's time I moved on.

    Just as every CD player is eventually swapped out for an iPod, every CRT computer monitor for a flat screen LCD -- the time has come for the Xanga to be replaced with... the WordPress.

    Fresh start in new digs.  

    Thanks for housing my musings these past 7 years and for those who have continued to read and stop by.

    However this is not the end but the start of a new direction.

    Blogging from now will take place here: http://parryshen.wordpress.com/

     

    It's not you Xanga, it's me... well maybe a little bit of you too (never figured out why you were pronounced with a 'Z').

    XOXO

    -p 

     

March 30, 2011

  • SI, BLT & Motel Auctions for Japan

    The SI Universe has thrown its hat into the ring in helping to raise money for Japan.  

    Over the next few weeks, fans will be able to bid on everything from original artwork, action figures, t-shirts, DVDs, CDs, comics, books, and other unique items donated by some of the creative talent behind Secret Identities.   100% of proceeds will go towards GlobalGiving's Japan Earthquake and Tsunami relief fund. 

    Check eBay seller ID “siuniverseforjapan” daily for the latest items.

    The first several packages on the auction block are:

    1)  A copy of Secret Identities + a bookplate signed by the editors + a sweet Voltron sketch by art director, Jerry Ma - You may find the auction here.

     

    2) A “Better Luck Tomorrow” DVD signed by the ENTIRE CAST (extremely rare - one of the few with Jason Tobin's) + signed CD Soundtrack + signed 11” x 17” theatrical poster + BLT button pin + BLT promotional sticker + BLT promotional postcard.  If you’re a fan of the film or know of one - bid today to grab this rare bundled package of BLT goodies for a great cause!  You may find the auction here.

     

     

    3) A signed DVD of Mike Kang's "The Motel".  You may find the auction here.

March 21, 2011

  • DUCK MOB

     *Warning - this is probably not the best animal film for kids to watch unless you're looking to educate them in lynch mob mentality.

    My video camera caught these 2 male mallards chasing each other at the San Diego Zoo a few weeks ago.

    Now, I don't know what the other duck did to piss off the Alpha male but he got taught a lesson by the boss and his pals

    The whole thing reminded me of Jane Goodall's findings about Chimpanzees.  That although they are usually seen as gentle creatures, she discovered that they were also capable of being incredibly vicious and brutal -- sometimes hunting or even eating smaller monkeys.  Females killing the offspring of other females in their troop to maintain their dominance, sometimes going as far as cannibalism.  It was fascinating yet disturbing to watch at the same time. 

    Now before I get any flack -- I know enough about animals to know that you just don't interfere with nature.

    Had I thrown rocks at the ducks to break up the fight, it might have come attack me, nearby patrons or children.  Unfortunately, it's just one of those situations letting nature run its course - sometimes the Snow Leopard runs down the rabbit. 

    And who's to say the other duck didn't have it coming?

    In further research, I discovered that the mallard will sometimes isolate a female duck of a different species, peck at her until she weakens and then the males will take turns copulating with the female. 

    Dubbed 'Attempted Rape Flight', male mallards will also occasionally chase other male ducks in the same way. In a documented case, a male mallard copulated with another male he was chasing after said male had been killed upon flying into a glass window.

    Sounds a lot like convicted felons in prison to me.  

    Ya learn something new everyday.

March 17, 2011

  • The Other Asians

    Inspired by the moniker of Harry Shum, Jr.'s character -- Mike "Other Asian" Chang from "GLEE", the creators of the new online magazine The Other Asians interviewed me a few weeks ago.  

    They asked some fun and good questions but I am most impressed with the foresight I had in wearing a green shirt weeks before the article rolled out in time for St. Patty's Day (not).

    Thanks so much Benny, Melly & Julie! You can read the feature here

February 14, 2011

November 30, 2010

  • SCALE

    I have a thing about scale when it comes to the kids.

    I mean, how can you tell the perspective of anything without some form of yardstick?

    Here's a few examples I've taken in the past.

    Then a few weeks ago when I got out the Christmas decorations and referenced my decoration reference photos to see what went where -- I found a picture of Avery in front of the Christmas Village exactly 3 years from the age Kori currently is.  

    So of course I hunted down the same sweater, locked in the same pose and, voila....

    As you can see, Kori is a tiny bit taller than Avery was at this age if you use the edge of the table for reference.

    I couldn't find anything online about this type of compulsive behavior.  Every time I type in "Scale OCD" -- sliding scales of OCD traits pop up instead.

    Anyway, tonight is the HATCHET Double Feature at The New Beverly.  The 3-hr epic saga for only $7 - get tix here.  

    And then tomorrow Hatchet II goes up On Demand and then on Blu-ray & DVD early next year.

November 9, 2010

  • East Coast "Mini" Tour

    Starting tomorrow I will be hopping around the East Coast to speak at several schools this week, hence it being my "Mini" Tour -- and no this shirt is not real, as I'm sure to get an earful from Jerry as to why I didn't ask him to design it.

    I will also be making a stop at my childhood home in NYC and officially 'move out' -- meaning I will be boxing up my entire comic book collection and ship them out to join me in California.  

    *Sigh*  I suppose it's time the girls were introduced to "Crisis on Infinite Earths", "Secret Wars" and "The Killing Joke".

    Sniff, they grow up so fast.

October 11, 2010

  • SECRET IDENTITIES: Volume II, Shattered

    So here we go again.

    For the past 18 months since the publication of the first volume, we've observed and taken note of what worked in Volume I and what didn't, what we wanted to keep in and what was out and now once again the call goes out to find voices to fill this anthology.

    This time, we're expanding to a broader range of comic genres including: pulp, adventure, martial arts and science fiction. 

    The press release is below regarding what we're looking for.  A downloadable contributor's guide can be found here - and all sequential art submissions/story pitches should be sent to: submit@secretidentities.org.




September 30, 2010

  • Hatchet 2 Promo (4 of 4) / Dedication to the fallen soldier

     

    So Tuesday night was the big premiere of "Hatchet II".  

    First time seeing it.  Bigger and better than the first one.  Works as a stand alone if you haven't seen the first one but also rewards those who have with some nice inside references.  Same humor from H1 embedded in some great, innovative, non-CGI, gore and effects.   

    Now just from hearing reactions from some fans, friends and family -- I know there is a good portion of folks who aren't into these slasher films nor grew up with them -- but there's a really touching experience with this franchise that took me aside when a fan came up to us during our signing at San Diego Comic Con this summer.

    He was a former soldier in our armed forces.  And he shared with us that he and his three friends would watch "Hatchet" every Saturday while stationed in Iraq because it made them laugh so much.  "It really cheered us up during the times we needed it", he said.  

    Three of them made it safely back home... their fourth buddy didn't.

    Now they're all home and live in different parts of the country.  But when "Hatchet II" comes out, he said they were all planning on meeting somewhere and seeing it together to honor their friend.  

    Man, I wish I was there see it with them. 

    It just goes to show how you never know what wonderful, unexpected connections might emerge from the least "likely" of projects.

    Find the most updated list of theaters near you when it opens tomorrow -- Friday, Oct 1st at: www.Hatchet2.com

September 22, 2010

  • Hatchet 2 Promo (3 of 4)

    9 days and counting until the widest release of an unrated film in 25 years hits theaters.

    They've also gone and added a bunch of midnight screenings on Friday at 12:01am -- which totally makes sense for this film. 

    And if you want to attend the premiere next Tuesday, Sept 28th, they're opening up a section for the public to get tickets here.