June 2014 | Otaku No Culture

Celebrating 5 Family Friendly Funny Father’s Day Films

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

finding_nemo_ver8

Happy Father’s Day to all, and to some, it’s time to sit back and relax. That includes looking at what films are a fun watch for everyone after a long day. My criteria is to consider films that can do for the good of the family, with father (or a father figure) as part of the plot or not. Or in how easy or uneasy it is for dad to manage the family unit.

Finding Nemo (2003) – There is a lot of charm in this father-son tale where Marlin, a clownfish, realizes there has to be a time where he has to learn to let go, and let his little boy grow up. Pops is devoted to what’s left of his family, and how he feels may well be a good life learning lesson for any real life family dealing with heartbreak after the loss of someone near or dear at any stage of that bonding process.

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Horror Actress/Director Jessica Cameron added to IF Con 2015!

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Photo by Kam Gill www.ksgphoto.com. Hair by Natasha Compton Ohio. — Photo by Kam Gill http://www.ksgphoto.com.
Hair by Natasha Compton Ohio.

When it comes to a picturesque seaside city like Victoria, one would think sightseeing is the only activity year round. But for those visitors wanting other activities to do, you don’t have to look too deep to learn there’s more to Victoria than something to stare at.

And one of those is geared towards fandom. Island Fantasy Con (IF Con), is doing its bit to make geek life on the island a little more thrilling. Named after a local comic book store that was popular back in the 80’s, the convention will bring the best of horror, fantasy, and comic book fandom into our area.

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The Legend of Korra’s Trailer for Book 3: Change

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Legend of Korra

The next season of The Legend of Korra is most likely going to get a September release on Nickelodeon if the past year’s schedule and yesterday’s debut trailer is any indication.

The first trailer for Book 3: Change teases at what may be a blending of themes that the previous two seasons have focussed on. This time around, the adventure may rest upon a tale of two cities. One set looks heavily inspired with its massive bridge that may well mirror that of San Francisco’s own Golden Gate, and the other seems to be taking its cue from Sazan Eyes, especially with a mysterious three-eyed vixen casting her spell upon someone. And this time around, the Air Benders may be more involved in a plot that will send Korra to different ends of the earth to prevent a new war from happening. More can be seen from the trailer below:

Fans can get caught up in the Legend of Korra by ordering The Legend of Korra – Book One: Air and pre-ordering Book Two: Spirits (due July 1st) on Amazon.

The Penguins are Back! Madagascar Look Out! Trailer Released Today (and Thoughts)

Freshly released from their New York Zoo, the Penguins of Madagascar are going international. Or rather, headed North and perhaps East to front a mission to save fellow animals, if not themselves, from an octopus named Dave (John Malkovich). Actually, according to the plot summary, this multi-limbed menace is after the Penguins and an international task force, North Wind, led by a timber wolf (Benedict Cumberbatch), is going to be protecting them, much to the chagrin of the organization, if this trailer is any indication.

As for whether or not Dr. Blowhole (the dolphin) will also make a comeback, that can make for an interesting film when all of the Penguin’s aquatic enemies gather together. From the television series, they have faced adversaries like The Red Squirrel and Hans the Puffin have managed to come out on top. But they did little in terms of putting them away. With very little of this film’s whole story revealed so far, maybe the inclusion of North Wind will help expand the mythos just enough so that when there are new threats, the bad guys have a prison to go to. Continue reading “The Penguins are Back! Madagascar Look Out! Trailer Released Today (and Thoughts)”

DreamWorks’ Dragons are Found! Titan Comics’ “Dragon Down” Reviewed

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Dragon Down

Whatever the reason is for the transition, fans of the Dragons: Riders of Berk / Defenders of Berk television series can find the graphic novel at their nearest comic book store or available on Amazon. Instead of APE Publishing printing and distributing the book, Titan Books took over. They will release the two issues previously solicited from last year in May and August, and will continue with all new stories.

In these new adventures, the dragon riders will have to face new threats from within the Archipelago. The first issue, “Dragon Down,” finds Snotlout’s dragon Hookfang shedding blazing hot scales that’s causing havoc for Berk. With most of the town very flammable, this dragon has to find a new habitat to live in. If that is not enough for Hiccup and gang to deal with, Alvin the Treacherous is on the prowl too.

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A How to Train Your Dragon 2 Merchandise Update

By Trader Johann (Trader at Large)

amctheatre

How to Train Your Dragon fans will soon be inundated with merchandise from various fronts. Lucky AMC theater goers who attend a special screening Jun 12 (and who may have to be part of the AMC Stubs program) will get a commemorative dragon pin. Over on Walmart.com, there is a ZinePak exclusive for people buying the soundtrack — it comes with a nifty looking Nightfury patch. Topps also will have trading cards ready for some outlets to carry, but the list does not end there.

The real good stuff has to belong to the two books (one now available) that Cressida Cowell, original author and creator of this exciting series, has penned. These books expand her literary HTTYD universe with The Complete Book of Dragons: A Guide to Dragon Species (How to Train Your Dragon) and How To Train Your Dragon: Incomplete Book of Dragons.

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