Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The House that Skywalker built has been sold to a mouse

I still remember as a kid swinging branches around with other kids during recess pretending they were lightsabers, and believing that I could lift stones if I was able to focus hard enough and use the force......
If I only knew then what I know now...
After the prequels I all but accepted that my happy childhood memories were being recalled thru rose tinted glasses.  After the multiple revisions to the OT and various iterations of the Saga VHS/DVD/ Blu ray I thought the saga was complete regardless of the ever present rumors of episodes VII-IX out there in the vaults of Lucas Film buried deep in the Journal of the Whils. I was for all intents and purposes done with that galaxy far far away...
And then day before yesterday my wife shows me a tweet from Ewan Macgregor saying Disney has bought Lucas Film Ltd for 4 Billion Dollars. I scoffed at the tweet saying how do you know that's really Ewan MacGregor.....well that's poodoo on my face!
Seriously....4 Billion Dollars! Holy Sith Lords that's enough money to build a Death Star!
I posted on the Galactic Senate forums that I'm not feeling the hype the way I did back in the late 90's when I first heard about Episode I....before any of us knew what Jar Jar Binks was.
There was a time prior to TPM where I had read the Timothy Zahn EU Thrawn trilogy, and as far as EU novels go they are probably the best suited for an easy transition to film and would fit well with the continuity...actors aside.
But apparently contrary to all of Lucas' vehement denials that there was ever any plans for episodes VII-IX, here we are and the plans for episode VII have been given over to Disney writers, Which begs the question why?
I have a theory but it's grim and I hope I'm way off. Time will tell.




Friday, October 26, 2012

Fringe S5E91 The Bullet That Saved the World Preview


Hey it's Fringe Friday folks and tonight's episode The Bullet That Saved the World  sees the return of old man Broyles and more 80's references!
There's only 9 more episodes and I'm kinda on the fence with the shows momentum, I'm struggling to stay focused....every week I'm hoping for some interesting reveal like we got from the first two seasons...alternate universes, Angry Peter, Walternate and his gang.....something....anything, but all we have so far is tree bark people, jaded Etta, and the mystery of Walters VHS tapes....meh.

Life of PI: Trailer 2

I've seen a few TV spots for Life of PI and wasn't interested, but this trailer got my interest, it reminded me of the Black Stallion. Honestly this trailer showcases this films stunning visuals and gives the impression Life of PI is a hybrid of Fantasia, The Black Stallion, and Castaway....all great films.
Life of PI looks GGGGGrrrreat! 

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Video Game/Movie Inspiration: Street Fighter Alpha Colosseum Stage

Recently I've been watching alot of kung Fu movies, IP Man, IP Man 2, The Raid Redemption  ....not sure why, maybe because  I'm kinda excited to see The Man with the Iron Fists.
In the original IP man there's a part where a gang comes into the village to challenge the masters of the martial arts schools and in one scene there are a group of students in white Gi's performing what can only be described as the Hadoken move! Very cool! Video Games inspiring Movies. Today I found a clip from The Way of the Dragon where Bruce Lee fights Chuck Norris at the Colosseum and it dawned on me that I had seen this fight before, but not in a movie but  in a video game, Street Fighter Alpha!
Being a fan of Capcom's flagship Fighting Game franchise and fan of Kung Fu films this was a very cool discovery! It's a shame SFA didn't have Fei Long in the roster.
Extra bonus points for even getting the cat in the stage!


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Dance in the Vampire Bund

Keeping with the theme of the month (monsters derp) lets talk about another anime I've recently watched, Dance in the Vampire Bund. DitVB falls in the same realm as Twilight and Underworld, Vampires & Lycans romance political intrigue yada yada yada
Unlike Twilight this anime is good!
The story revolves around a high school student named Akira and his relationship with Mina Tepes lord of all Vampires.
This is where the anime becomes a bit controversial...Mina is a pure blood Vampire and is hundreds of years old but she is trapped in in a tween's body and has feelings for Akira her sworn protector.
There are scenes that imply Mina and Akira's friendship is more than just platonic...this is a perfect example of how Japanese and American cultures differ on what is considered "Taboo". Here in America this would be seen as a Teenage boy having sex with a minor....:(
Getting back to the Anime, I liked how the series starts of with a live talk show/reality TV with celebrity guests chiming in on the subject of vampires....real or myth?
The story, albeit not anything ground breakingly original kept me interested till the end and the romance between Mina and Akira was kept at bay and din't meander into the realm of twilight-nausea-inducing-stupidity.
I also liked how the show kept the viewer guessing about some characters allegiance and affiliations.
DitVB delves into vampire lore but never gets bogged down by too much detail but tackles the lore in a simple yet intelligent manner.
I found Mina to be the most interesting character by far as she fluctuated from mature far beyond her physical appearance to juvenile behavior that coincides with her physical appearance throughout the show.
Dance in the Vampire Bund is good anime series that ends with such a way that begs for a second season.
The animation is well done, the characters are above average....some are your typical cliche'd anime stereotypes but the character Mina Tepes is interesting enough to keep you wanting to see the next episode and seeing her "true Vampire form" is also contradictory to the Vampire mythos of a hideous-monstrous demon like creature. She appears more as a succubus.
And we get some hot Vampire Vs Lycan and Lycan Vs Lycan battles!
B-


Transformers Prime: Regeneration promo trailer

This Fridays episode of Transformers Prime, somehow the forge of Solis Prime makes it's way back to team Prime where Optimus restores the Star Sabre. The Autobots somehow make it back to Cybertron to thwart Megatron and the cons from activating the Omega Lock.....

The Evil Dead Red Band Trailer

Here's the official Red Band Trailer for the Evil Dead 2013 remake! Looks sick!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

The Walking Dead S3E22 Walk With Me preview

Here's a sneak peak at next Sunday's episode of TWD....there's alot of walking going on! Michonne and Andrea are walking with two "pet" walkers towards a plume of smoke....

Iron Man 3 Trailer

Iron Man 3 has just claimed May 3, 2013! All other movies that week are are doomed at the BO!
OMFG this trailer is epic....Ben Kingsley as The Mandarin!
The rings are confirmed via the trailer but will we get a glimpse of the remains of Axon-Karr and his Starship with the origin story of the Mandarin??? I hope so!
I expect the next trailer we see will show Ultimo...
I can't wait! 

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Transformers Prime: Patch promo trailer

Episode synopsis: Starscream proposes a truce with fully recovered Decepticon leader Megatron, but his new first Lieutenant Dreadwing threatens to stand in the way of the allianceeven going so far as to coax Megatron into subjecting Starscream to a mind probe to find out his true intentions.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

High School of the Dead

Since we're on the subject I recently watched  High School of the Dead....13 episodes of heart pounding zombie chaos and panty shot fan service that borders on mild hentai action!
Good stuff....
Basically 5 high school kids and the school nurse band together to survive the zombie apocalypse.
The main character is Takashi the typical emo high school student who broke up with Rei, who's now dating Hisashi, Takashi's friend....uhh oh! Then there's Saya the spoiled daughter of a wealthy Japanese family and Kohta the quiet geeky character with an unhealthy obsession with guns and finally there's Saeko (pronounced psycho), she's the president of the high school Kendo club...she reminds me of The Walking Dead's Michonne mixed with Saya from Blood+.
HotD is definately for a mature audience, the blood and gore is in your face no holds barred as is the T&A.

This is not a show you'll find even on adult swim!
The best way to describe how you'll feel after watching HotD....is the way you felt after watching Sucker Punch...You found yourself disgusted by Blue and the High Roller who enjoyed babydolls "dance" then realize you enjoyed the fantasy world that Babydoll retreated to in her mind to escape the horrors of the asylum and you yourself feel "icky"
Oh and then theres that creepy teacher Mr Shido.....that scene on the buss was disturbing!
HotD was a fun Anime, with mature themes dealing with subjects like rape, murder death, sex and pandemics....definately 18+


Klatuu Verata Nicahrmcoughcough....Evil Dead remake trailer

Where is Ash!? This ain't the Evil dead I grew up with! This shit looks legitimately scary!
It looks like most of the original material is back including the tree rape scene!
Looks like the horror genre is reborn with the Walking Dead leading the charge, and World War Z, and now The Evil Dead remake!
Krogenar's life will be complete if they do a remake of the Reannimator!

The Evil Dead 2013


The Evil Dead 1983

Monday, October 15, 2012

The Walking Dead S3E20: Seed


Overall a decent episode, I had a few issues with it though. They pretty much went around in a big circle during the winter and ended up right back where season 2 ended!? And now they find the prison......?
Did they not look at the map before and see the state prison? Doesn't that Hyundai have GPS built in? Wouldn't it give them the best route to avoid traffic and/or walkers?
Has Rick given up warning Morgan and his son Duane? What ever happened to them!?
Season 3 is here and it's official Walkers are awesome at neighborhood watch! 
So our little fellowship has found a home or perhaps a base of operations, It was good to see that they have become united under the Ricktatorship (throws Krog his royalty check for using the term Ricktatorship) and seeing them kick walker ass! 
It was great seeing Maggie shank the riot walkers...very cool BTW. I love the variety of walkers we're seeing already this season.
And Lori I would hate you also....deal with it! I haven't read the novels but if Rick keeps treating her like shit and then she gets bit....that'll be some awesome drama! Zombie fetus' bursting out of Lori's vajayjay! That would be must see TV!
Poor Hershel I guess you won't be planting any seeds after all....personally if that were me I'd opted out with a slug to da head versus having my leg hacked off with an ax at the shin!



Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The Walking Dead Season 3 in T-minus 5 days!

Season 3 of The Walking Dead begins Sunday October 14th! AMC is running a TWD marathon starting Saturday October 13th at 10:00 AM with S1E1 Days Gone By and will conclude with the S3E1 premier Seed!

Prometheus has landed......on Blu Ray today

Prometheus has landed... on Blu Ray....today. I know i am of the minority because I enjoyed the movie. I also understand people's reasons for disliking the movie, I agree with them! My review can be found here: Movie review: Prometheus
I'm glad Fox has green lit the sequel, I'm hoping some of the original writer's vision finds it way into the sequel!




 Oh and there's also this jem of honesty I found from screen Junkies!


Sunday, October 7, 2012

Fringe S5 E89: In Absentia

Friday's episode, In Absentia we get a closer look at the state of Humanity since the Observers have arrived. Humanity is split between Loyalists and Rebels and how the harshness of this reality has changed us. As a parent of a soon to be 3 y/o I may have related to Olivia's situation more than those without children. One of the things I worry  about is my son losing his childhood innocence. The episode really did a great of showing how the harshness of the this realities timeline has stolen Peter and Olivia's child's innocence and made her a cold calculating, merciless rebel.
The highlight of this episode for me was the conversation between  Olivia and Etta during Manfretti's interrogation...

Etta: You don't know my world.
Olivia: You're right, I don't know your world. But I had hoped for you that, wherever you were, you weren't hardened by what had happened to you.And it not that I don't see what the observers have wrought I do. But what concerns me is what they've taken away.
Etta: This is the world, it is what it is.

That conversation saddened me because it could easily be a conversation between a parent and child in real life today.
Overall the episode did what it had to do, it showed the effects the Observers have had on humanity and the dire state we are in, you either become a pet of the Observers or a lab rat. Other than that the Fight for the Future barely moved forward.
I am curious what, if anything, we will find if Olivia goes to the address Manfretti gave her....obviously not his son.
So once the team got power back to the lab we finally begin making progress on the plan to save humanity from.......humanity.
A couple questions crossed my mind after this episode, if September (an observer) was able to travel around time and across alternate universes why is it Captain Windmark and the observers having such difficulty finding Walter and the gang.
The other thing that struck me as odd was the VHS tape, something just seemed wrong with that scene, why is Walter recording on a VHS tape....and what's the significance of the comment about the grape twizzlers! Was that a different Walter recording that message?
And where is that cow?!
2 down 11 to go.....



Friday, October 5, 2012

Skyfall Opening Theme Song by Adele

Not bad, still prefer You Know My Name by Chris Cornell better.

Transformers Prime: Inside Job promo trailer

Next weeks episode has Smokescreen prisoner aboard the Decepticon Warship, while there he discovers the location of the final Omega key, he attempts to recover the one Megatron posses to tilt the odds in the Autobots favor.