It has to be said that Prestatyn doesn't look like the sort of town that gets a lot of action. Traditionally, geeks don't either, so what better place to hold the 3rd annual SFX Weekender?!
SFX's 2nd event was impressive, but was the 3rd year better? Well, yes, it
was. How about Pontins? No. Hell no. Actually it was probably worse.
It's amazing how after a few minutes of downpour the entire holiday park
floods. It's strange how they think they can get away with keeping
almost every chalet freezing cold, holding back on the hot water,
supplying broken fridges and, most importantly, refusing to clean up the
majority of the previous holidaymaker's pubic hairs off the bathroom
floor.
Aside from the quite appalling accommodation (people PAY for this shit?!), SFX had a rather fantastic array of events, parties, movie screenings and general fun lined up over three nights and two days of OTT nerdy-ness. Some celebs couldn't make it because of a catastrophic train derailment from London Euston, but that's not the mag's fault! There were some let-downs - so what?! They more than made up for that with a vast range of geeked out stalls selling literally stacks of whacky merchandise, and entertainment throughout Pontins all day long (including a Dalek doing stand-up - a personal highlight!).
It'd
be nice if the folks on the panels had more of a debate over whatever
they were talking about - events such as the 'Just a Minute' spoof &
'Ready Steady Flash' were far more exciting to watch because those
involved were speaking up, getting over excited and loud! Nobody wants
to fall asleep watching a lecture on 'holiday'. The cabaret was a
mega-highlight (Chris Cross & his innuendos seemed to GO DOWN
well...) as were the SFX awards, hosted by Robert Rankin, who got
marched to the stage by about a thousand Storm Troopers. 'Twas epic. Oh,
and speaking of the awards, it'd be nice if SFX readers allowed some
other shows a chance to scoop up a trophy. I think Steven Moffat's head
might explode if you keep licking his ass any longer (Chris Cross might
agree). And - please - give Farscape some more attention. Greatest
science fiction show of all time. Really. Nevertheless, whatever you
find fault in, they did good. Where else can you dress up as Batman,
grab a beer, sit next to a wookie and participate in a Buffy sing along
screening of 'Once More With Feeling'? If you want to let your inner
geek out, here's the place to do it!
Roo