MidAtlantic Nostalgia Convention Strikes Again

The annual MidAtlantic Nostalgia Convention was another impressive display of movie/TV memorabilia with a mixture of new and old vendors selling posters, comics, dvd’s,  games, and much more. 

It was an opportunity to finally welcome actor Robert Conrad who has been sought after for years to visit Baltimore.  Conrad was extremely popular with constant long lines of fans who showered him with adoration for a long career especially on TV’s The Wild Wild West. I got a photo with the man and told how I grew up watching the show with my dad and how we loved his work and stunts.  Actor Robert Fuller made his fame in TV westerns like Laramie and as a doctor in Emergency. His lines were surprisingly huge and he was wonderful with his fans.

Other stars included two Bond girls, Britt Ekland (The Man with the Golden Gun) and Luciana Paluzzi (Thunderball) who were often posing in tandem for photos with loyal fans. Likewise were Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood the stars of 2001: A Space Odyssey.  I remember my dad worked for the  Naval Research Lab, and we were invited as a family to see the premiere of 2001 at the Uptown Theater. Lockwood said that was actually the world premiere. Kent McCord (Adam 12) was terrific with fans as was Kathy Garver (Family Affair) who was just as exuberant as her character Cissy.  There were several other celebrities including mentalist, Kreskin, and TV favorite, Bernie Kopell.

The folks behind this convention always do such a nice job of creating an experience for fans and we can’t wait for next year’s lineup. Thanks to Laura who had her vendor table buzzing.

SULLY and the Essence of a Hero

Sully, the dramatization of Captain “Sully” Sullenberger’s amazing water landing of a passenger jet in the Hudson River when both engines failed at once, serves as a jumping point for a deeper story of the subsequent NTSB investigation of the contradicting evidence of why the plane did not attempt an airport landing.  It is a fascinating, sobering examination of the possibility of human error and self-doubt that creeps into what should have been a celebration of courage under fire.  Reminiscent of films like Fate Is the Hunter and Courage Under Fire, where the narrative flashes back and forth with different points of view, the film is very much a study in the nature of heroism.  Tom Hanks is a wonderful embodiment of Sully while Aaron Eckhart gives good support as co-pilot Jeff Skiles. The actual flight is effectively rendered in great detail by director Clint Eastwood who never fails to maintain the human element that culminates in a powerful, emotional resolution. Well done.     

*** of **** stars