Bleeding Cool has a post up regarding the Blu-Ray and DVD release of Marvel's The Avengers (renamed "Avengers Assemble" in that territory, showing that there's been a subtle change in one of the key scenes the movie has. It's nothing that major, but it could be construed as something else given the nature of the "change" by fans who favor the character in that specific scene. SPOILERS abound by checking the link and details up in Bleeding Cool.
If you haven't been to a theater yet and caught PURE TESTOSTERONE ACTION with The Expendables 2, you're missing out on one of the BIGGEST and BADDEST films of 2012. Need a good reason why? Well, check out this review I made for starters, or simply see the trailer if you haven't yet for AWESOMENESS.
Via JEFusion, the second trailer for the live action adaptation of Nobuhiko Watsuki's Rurouni Kenshin. Starring Takeru Satoh of Kamen Rider Den-O fame as Kenshin Himura, the movie will focus on the first story arc with Kenshin's introduction and eventually squaring off against Jine, the Oniwabanshu, and Saito Hajime. Emi Takei plays Kamiya Kaoru, Munetaka Aoki will play Sagara Sanosuke, Yuu Aoi is Megumi Takani, and Taketo Tanaka will be Myojin Yahiko. Musician and actor Koji Kikkawa of Kamen Rider W fame (he played Kamen Rider Skull) will play the deadly Jine Udo, while Yosuke Eguchi will take on the role of Saito Hajime. If you haven't already, check out the second trailer below!
Rurouni Kenshin second trailer
Intended to be the first of a series of films that will also be distributed internationally, Ruroni Kenshin will be the live action realization that fans of the manga and anime series will absolutely want to see in theaters. For more information and details on the story, read up the source post at JEFusion!
Rurouni Kenshin slashes its way to theaters in Japan on August 25th!
Wow, this is the first serious movie review post I'm actually doing in months. Try as I might, I could never really find a good reason to properly review the previous movie I watched in theaters; that being Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Everything about that film just left me utterly disappointed, and while Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) did try to use his charismatic charms to win over audiences, it paled in comparison to the previous Pirate films, especially in terms of story cohesion and action. All things considered, I really felt the movie was forced and dragged on too much before we got anything decent to enjoy about it. This sequel had little to no redeeming qualities to it, and it surprises me why it HAD to be made at all. Not all sequels are bad, but this one takes the cake for "most disappointing" I've seen so far this year.
On the other hand, Kung Fu Panda 2 shines out like a diamond, and Jack Black and his ensemble cast of costars do more than make this fantastic sequel. They made this a fantastic sequel of AWESOMENESS!
Movie: Kung Fu Panda 2
Starring: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jacky Chan, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Seth Rogen, Michelle Yeoh, James Hong
Directed By: Jennifer Yuh Nelson
Certainly another instant classic for the caravan of people looking for some well-rounded family movie goodness, Kung Fu Panda 2 is definitely a must see for fans of the first film and newbies who have yet to experience the "Skadoosh" that Po the Panda (Jack Black) and his mighty Kung Fu friends share in the big screen. The sequel explores more of the fat Dragon Warrior's origins, and introduces him to a new threat in the form of Lord Shen (voiced by Gary Oldman), a the heir peacock prince of China who was cast out from his home due to an unforgivable incident that ties directly to Po's past. When Shen returns and wrecks havoc in the Valley of Peace and Gongmen City, Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) sends Po and the Furious Five to the rescue, only for Po to freeze at certain instances when he recognizes a symbol belonging to Lord Shen that causes his repressed memories to surface. Confused and determined to find out the truth about his past, Po joins the Five in a race to save the capital, as Lord Shen holds a mysterious powerful weapon that could spell the end of Kung Fu.
Kung Fu Panda 2 Theatrical Trailer
Without giving away too much, all I can say is it's been a damn good wait to see this movie and I thoroughly enjoyed everything about it. Back in 2008, Kung Fu Panda blew me away with its dynamic 3D animation and superbly written story that it was hard not to count it as one of my favorite movies for that year (next to Iron Man, Tropic Thunder, and The Dark Knight). This sequel proves no different in expectations, and delivers much more excitement, intensity, and hilarious moments from the cast at hand. Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jacky Chan, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, David Cross, Michelle Yeoh, and James Hong return to their respective roles in the movie, and they shine out as completely as they did before (especially Jolie's rle as Master Tigress, who gets more screen time as Po's closest confidant in the Five). Gary Oldman plays the role of villain once more as Lord Shen, and given how audacious and intimidating he can be on those types of roles, I wouldn't expect anything less but perfection from him, and he deliver alright. It was also a surprise to see Jean-Claude Van Damme among the line up for this movie, as he lends his voice to Master Croc of the Kung Fu Council. This all star power adds credence to what is already a fantastically animated film, and while majority of it is in 3D, there are stellar 2D animated sequences to that highlight Po's past with beauty. Oh, and the writing is simply cohesive and brilliant. Never have I felt laughter, sadness, and kung pow fury roll into an animated film so smoothly as this. I am impressed, DreamWorks Animation!
With all that said and needed to be said, Kung Fu Panda 2 is certainly the family-oriented animated treat kids and adults alike deserve and definitely need to see. I may get repetitious with my praising for this sequel, but I was highly impressed by the production values and time given to make this movie as awesome if not better than the first. Another sequel will certainly be in line after this, and I can't see why the studio wouldn't allow it either. Awesomeness is here, and the Panda and his posse deliver!
Once again, I was treated to another typical video game movie adaptation.
Movie: Tekken
Starring: Jon Foo, Ian Anthony Dale, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Kelly Overton, Luke Goss
Directed By: Dwight H. Little
For the life of me, I should have already learned my lesson on watching these flicks given the recent streak of flops and missteps, but I couldn't help myself with seeing the Tekken movie, based on one of my favorite brawling games of all time. Yes, Bandai Namco actually gave the go signal to a studio called Crystal Sky Productions to produce a live action movie based on their hit mixed martial art 3D fighting game franchise, and how did that fare out? Not too well I'm afraid, but I got to give the makers of the movie their just dues for trying to make a film based on the series alone. I'll get more into the details as I roll along with this review. For now, just make sure to brace yourselves for some spoilers.
Via Newsarama,Entertainment Weekly's official website has just revealed the latest issue of the magazine that features the full look and costume Ryan Reynolds wears when he dons the emerald ring and assumes the role of DC's cosmic hero, Green Lantern! Check it out and be amazed by GL's light!
Pretty Amazing! It's obviously enhanced with CG effects, but the look is too cool and feels just right for the film adaptation! Now I'm really looking forward to footage from this sure to be 2011 comic book blockbuster, and maybe the upcoming San Diego Comic Con will have a tease! Let's just wait and see. For now, here's the film's official synopsis from the official press release, as seen in Wikipedia:
"In a universe as vast as it is mysterious, a small but powerful force has existed for centuries. Protectors of peace and justice, they are called the Green Lantern Corps. A brotherhood of warriors sworn to keep intergalactic order, each wears a ring that grants him superpowers. But when a new enemy called Parallax threatens to destroy the balance of power in the Universe, their fate and the fate of Earth lie in the hands of their newest recruit, the first human ever selected: Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds).
Hal is a gifted and cocky test pilot, but the Green Lanterns have little respect for humans, who have never harnessed the infinite powers of the ring before. But Hal is clearly the missing piece to the puzzle, and along with his determination and willpower, he has one thing no member of the Corps has ever had: humanity. With the encouragement of fellow pilot and childhood sweetheart Carol Ferris (Blake Lively), if Hal can quickly master his new powers and find the courage to overcome his fears, he may prove to be not only the key to defeating Parallax…he will become the greatest Green Lantern of all."
Now THAT sounds like a Green Lantern premise! With Geoff Johns overlooking the project, and James Bond movie director Martin Campbell helmingthe project, Green Lantern is surely in good hands! Catch the movie when it comes out June 17, 2011!
If I recount my experiences with Japanese Animation, there have been several shows over the years that have impacted and influenced me a great deal. There'd be too many to list down if I started going through each and everyone of them, but fortunately, in relation to today's post, I'm going to concentrate on one anime in particular - Trigun. A futuristic space western tale set on the planet Gunsmoke, this series was the brainchild of one Yasuhirow Nightow, who wrote and illustrated the original manga before it was adapted for TV. Focusing on the story of a man known as "Vash The Stampede", Trigun follows the fellow's adventures, as he evades danger and save lives at the same time. However, his presence alone inadvertedly causes so much destruction and chaos, and one particular incident in his past left an entire city in ruins. As a result, Vash now has a big bounty placed on his head, leaving him constantly on the run from the law and the badguys who want to kill him! I could go on and on about how silly, cool and exciting this series is, but I'd best leave that for curious eyes to see for themselves. Just check out the intro to this classic and see what I mean.
Trigun Intro
Now that I've talked about the show, it's time to get to the heart of this post - a review on the newest toy based on Vash and out for the collectible to buy and share with the world. I'm talking about none other than Revoltech Yamaguchi's Vash The Stampede action figure, and by golly, it's an amazing toy that is a must have for the definite Trigun fan! Why do I say this? Because this baby packs several swappable parts and interchangeable pieces, not to mention a body full of poseability, articulation, and action! Take a look!
Ok, now that I've squealed and ranted about the figure in a positive light, I'll move on to a detailed review of it now.At first glance, The Revoltech Yamaguchi Vash (designated "Series No. 091") can look deceptively small, especially with the way it's positioned inside the box. True, no one knows exactly how a figure's gonna fare out to them unless they open it, but in this case, many may make the mistake of immediately passing on what is already proven to be a top-selling figure. I picked this cool dude up a week ago, and I'm still in disbelief that it's going hot like donuts.
Vash is packaged inside a white box with a see through plastic screen that exposes the toy and its numerous parts inside. The figure itself is positioned in the center, with its legs spread out and the upper body hunched to make it fit inside the packaging. Like I said, it makes the figure look smaller than it should be. That's a matter of perception though, and anyone who needs their doubts dispelled can easily check the various poses pictured at the back of the packaging to get an idea just how articulated and tall this figure can be.
Once I opened this baby, I could very well see how much the Revoltech line has grown considerably since its early iterations all those years ago. Articulation and detail have been the prevailing points for the Yamaguchi line of figures, and no expense was spared in crafting a fine and well sculpted Vash The Stampede, based on his appearance on the recent Trigun movie: Badlands Rumble, which debuted in Japan last end of April. This particular look of Mr. Humanoid Typhoon looks more like a hybrid of his Manga and Anime appearance, with more emphasis on the former for the extra details he gets on his suit. That's probably a good thing, and getting the best of both worlds is great for me.
I took the guy out of the plastic and started fiddling with the various joints and accessories. Keep in mind, Revoltech prides itself in interchangeability and variation, so there's A LOT of ways to play and make Vash look extremely cool. The only gripe I have is that his .45 is stuck in the one right hand accessory it is attached to, meaning he can't use the gun on the left one. A minor quirk, yes, but I would have loved to switch and play with his main gun accessory.
The left arm is actually a prosthetic that conceals a machine gun inside, which can be interchanged again with the one left hand exposing and using said gun. Fancy stuff to play around with different concepts here, but I prefer Vash holding and posing with his .45 while seated on a damaged concrete surface.
Ok, now that I've pointed out the main stuff, all that's left to critique is the paint. I choose well and hard over two other pieces of this figure, and being mass produced, paint is an issue that must be carefully addressed before picking up a Revoltech figure. Some of the other Vashs has paint chips and smears, but I got lucky plucking out a good one. Also, with the numerous pegs and accessories coming along with this figure, it's easy to lose track or misplace these items, so Revoltech was nice enough to include a small mini orange box just to store said items, only with the used ones, plastic stands, and explosive peripherals unaccounted for. Be sure to handle the figure with care, as the tight joints may loosen over time or with excessive play and use.
Bottomline, while I already have a Vash figure with the McFarlene release, I love this rendition a lot more and am very pleased with having it. As a big fan of the character and Trigun, I couldn't pass this guy up when I saw it out at my local hobby shop. As I mentioned earlier, this figure is going fast, and there's no doubt why that's so. He's just too cool to be missed, and even if he's a pacifist gunslinger who advocates no killing, he has a heart of gold and a mission of love and peace, which makes him an awesome hero in my book.
Comicbookresources has revealed that actor Peter Sarsgaard, star of films "Jarhead", "Boys Don't Cry", and "Orphan", has been cast as the telepathic villain Hector Hammond in the upcoming Green Lantern Live Action Film!
Also known as the husband of "TheDark Knight" actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, Sarsgaard will assume the role of one of GL's oldest and toughest foes, as Hammond can read minds and use telepathy to get what he wants, when he wants it. Hector also has a supposedly close relationship with Carol Ferris, the boss and love interest of Hal Jordan/ Green Lantern, with both characters being played by Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds respectively. Set for a June 17, 2011 release date, Green Lantern begins production on March this year. Can't wait!
Yeah, you heard right. Movie site Slash Film reported and You Tube has shown this apparently leaked trailer of the remake of one of the most action packed TV series of the 80's ever. With every show and film from that era getting the remake treatment, Hannibal, Face, Murdock, and B.A were slated to get their appointment soon. Now a trailer's out and things are looking real interesting...
I'm digging into 80's nostalgia again! Can't wait for this to drop later this year!
Gaming blog siteKotaku has posted up the official Japanese poster of the upcoming Tekken live action movie, and as a fan and player of the games themselves, I've gotta say, this poster actually looks pretty good. The story alone sounds compelling enough to perk my interest, and for someone who's particular about video game movies, I'm hopeful the film lives up to expectations. Since the first Mortal Kombat movie's success, other fighting game films haven't fared well in the leap to the big screen, and with the way Street Fighter: The Legend Of Chun-Li turned out, it'll take a miracle to see a brawler movie done right for once. So far, the Tekken film has incorporated pretty much the main story of Tekken 3, and by casting Jon Foo as Jin Kazama and the legendary Cary-Hiroyuki Tanada (who also played Shang Tsung in the first MK movie) as Heihachi Mishima, there are fine actors and martial artists in the cast that may just make this movie a great one. Still slated for a March 2010 release, let's hope the Iron Fist holds up and delivers spectacular God Fist action when it comes out.
Pretty Amazing! It's obviously enhanced with CG effects, but the look is too cool and feels just right for the film adaptation! Now I'm really looking forward to footage from this sure to be 2011 comic book blockbuster, and maybe the upcoming San Diego Comic Con will have a tease! Let's just wait and see. For now, here's the film's official synopsis from the official press release, as seen in Wikipedia:
Ok, now that I've squealed and ranted about the figure in a positive light, I'll move on to a detailed review of it now.
At first glance, The Revoltech Yamaguchi Vash (designated "Series No. 091") can look deceptively small, especially with the way it's positioned inside the box. True, no one knows exactly how a figure's gonna fare out to them unless they open it, but in this case, many may make the mistake of immediately passing on what is already proven to be a top-selling figure. I picked this cool dude up a week ago, and I'm still in disbelief that it's going hot like donuts.
Vash is packaged inside a white box with a see through plastic screen that exposes the toy and its numerous parts inside. The figure itself is positioned in the center, with its legs spread out and the upper body hunched to make it fit inside the packaging. Like I said, it makes the figure look smaller than it should be. That's a matter of perception though, and anyone who needs their doubts dispelled can easily check the various poses pictured at the back of the packaging to get an idea just how articulated and tall this figure can be.
Once I opened this baby, I could very well see how much the Revoltech line has grown considerably since its early iterations all those years ago. Articulation and detail have been the prevailing points for the Yamaguchi line of figures, and no expense was spared in crafting a fine and well sculpted Vash The Stampede, based on his appearance on the recent Trigun movie: Badlands Rumble, which debuted in Japan last end of April. This particular look of Mr. Humanoid Typhoon looks more like a hybrid of his Manga and Anime appearance, with more emphasis on the former for the extra details he gets on his suit. That's probably a good thing, and getting the best of both worlds is great for me.
I took the guy out of the plastic and started fiddling with the various joints and accessories. Keep in mind, Revoltech prides itself in interchangeability and variation, so there's A LOT of ways to play and make Vash look extremely cool. The only gripe I have is that his .45 is stuck in the one right hand accessory it is attached to, meaning he can't use the gun on the left one. A minor quirk, yes, but I would have loved to switch and play with his main gun accessory.
The left arm is actually a prosthetic that conceals a machine gun inside, which can be interchanged again with the one left hand exposing and using said gun. Fancy stuff to play around with different concepts here, but I prefer Vash holding and posing with his .45 while seated on a damaged concrete surface.
Ok, now that I've pointed out the main stuff, all that's left to critique is the paint. I choose well and hard over two other pieces of this figure, and being mass produced, paint is an issue that must be carefully addressed before picking up a Revoltech figure. Some of the other Vashs has paint chips and smears, but I got lucky plucking out a good one. Also, with the numerous pegs and accessories coming along with this figure, it's easy to lose track or misplace these items, so Revoltech was nice enough to include a small mini orange box just to store said items, only with the used ones, plastic stands, and explosive peripherals unaccounted for. Be sure to handle the figure with care, as the tight joints may loosen over time or with excessive play and use.
Bottomline, while I already have a Vash figure with the McFarlene release, I love this rendition a lot more and am very pleased with having it. As a big fan of the character and Trigun, I couldn't pass this guy up when I saw it out at my local hobby shop. As I mentioned earlier, this figure is going fast, and there's no doubt why that's so. He's just too cool to be missed, and even if he's a pacifist gunslinger who advocates no killing, he has a heart of gold and a mission of love and peace, which makes him an awesome hero in my book.
