Month: June 2016

A Fantastic Slug-Fest is Coming in Predator vs Judge Dredd vs Aliens Starting Next Month! A Review

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By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

With the chilling words from a mutant from the Judge Dredd universe registering the imminent, “With the right DNA, Doctor Reinstöt can do almost anything,” I’m immediately captivated. This mad scientist recognizes the possibilities when playing god, and yes, he’s going to make an all-new Modern Prometheus if I’m correctly reading in-between the lines.

Predator vs Judge Dredd vs Aliens is coming July 27th by Dark Horse Comics. If only I had a time machine to leap ahead so I can grab each issue right away, then I would know if my assumption is right or not. This epic story is written by Eisner Award–winning writer John Layman and wonderfully constructed by artist Chris Mooneyham. To add to this comic’s allure is the subtle film-like textures in the backgrounds by colourist Michael Atiyeh. If the fabulous covers drawn by Glenn Fabry are not enough to grab people’s attention at the comic book store, well… The way this team has worked together to make this comic a fun read can be felt on every page. Dredd is always moody (he has to be), and in what I appreciated looking at is in how easy this tale is to read.

While out in the Atomic Wasteland of Cursed Earth, this cop is searching for Archbishop Emoji. He does not realize a member of the Yautja is prowling about and when he does, I can not wait to see how he will react! That will not happen until issue two. In this multi-crossover debut, this Predator is not the hunter. He is prey, and the good doctor’s minions caught him ill-prepared; the targets he is after are perhaps even more resourceful. When these mutants stumble upon his ship and have found a certain “Alien” skull, that’s going to be trouble.

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Wind up Geek’s Cool Japan: Ghostbusters Music Vid Offers Best of Old and New

GhostbustersJapanBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

If Fall Out Boy‘s version of the Ghostbusters theme song is not for you, then stop your crying and dry your eyes because Japan has something a little more retro to offer (and sweeter on the ears).

Japanese comics Tomochika (Why Don’t You Play In Hell?), Oniyakko Tsubaki (Miss Kurosawa Film), Naomi Watanabe (Tug of War!) and Shizuyo Yamasaki (Maniac Hero) star in this homage to the original Ray Parker Jr. music video, complete with neon lights. While the music video was shot on a soundstage, the reason behind such a move may have been to give it a retro feel. But the reboot still retains a presence throughout, the female Ghostbusters are all donned in the latest uniforms and carry the 2016 edition Proton Packs. One the director’s instructions may have been to “have fun” because the female cast (and the ghostly dancers) have taken it to heart.


 

Source(s): Polygon.

Video Source(s): Ghostbuster News.

Overlooked Gem, Microbe and Gasoline gets a State-side Release July 1st

microbe__gasoline_key_art_posterBy Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

* This subtitled film is finally getting an American-side release come July 1, 2016 courtesy of Screen Media Films. Please check local listings for screenings and locations.

Microbe and Gasoline is a charming, optimistic and insightful coming-of-age story of two young boys. Together, they embark on an epic road trip when life at home simply sucks. Just how they managed to build a vehicle in the shape of a tiny cabin with a small engine to traverse France is beyond me, but this leap of faith works. The idea puts this film into the realm of escapist fantasy. When their decision to leave is based on the fact they wish to put behind a miserable life, I can certainly see the reasons why.

Both are outcasts. The younger of the two, Microbe aka Daniel (Ange Dargent) is the quieter of the two (and runt of the family). He gets bullied at school. Théo (Théophile Baquet) is nicknamed Gasoline because he often smells like he works at a garage. Nobody at middle school is fond of being near him. He does not let the insults tossed at him hurt. He wears a stylish imitation leather jacket that Michael Jackson might envy.

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Dark Horse Comics, Ed’s Picks of June and July 2016

Dark Horse LogoBy Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

As the month of June winds down and I need comics to read as those dog days of summer approaches, I’ve amassed enough graphic novels and comics to make my local comic shop owner give the thumbs up. A few have yet to be released, and thanks to Dark Horse Comics for providing enough of a sample to know I should start adding more titles to my comic book store’s subscription box. My picks range from all-ages (kid friendly) to ultra-violent (not so kid friendly).

Nothing against the superhero genre, but when this company does more for the independents and carries quite a few horror titles, I know where my money is going. Plus, with the Hellboy saga over, I hope an omnibus is being planned. I have lost track of the reading order and a collection can make for a perfect Halloween treat.

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TMS to Release “Shin Tetsujin 28-go” on Japanese Blu-ray!

Gigantor1By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

TMS Entertainment, the company that brought you the big robot goodness of Rokushin Gattai God Mars and animated The Mighty Orbots, have announced an official Blu-ray release of the 1980 animated series Shin Tetsujin 28-go (The New Adventures of Gigantor). Shin Tetsujin 28-go will be remastered from the series’ original 35mm prints. All 51 episodes will be made available on two individual box sets to be released October 26 and December 21, 2016. Extras for the box sets are tentative and could be changed before they hit retail outlets. As of now, each set will include a booklet with Box 1 containing credit-less series opening and first ending. Box 2 will have the second credit-less ending. Both box sets will retail for approximately ¥ 40,000 ($393 USD, $512 CAD) excluding tax.

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Playing Video Games Can Be Dangerously Real in the Film “Beta Test”

BetaTest_KA_FINAL

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Beta Test is an upcoming independent movie scheduled for cinematic release July 22nd and it shows how dangerous augmented reality can be. When champion gamer Max (Larenz Tate, House of Lies) is given a new video game by his employer / benefactor (a company known as Sentinel) to test, very little does he know that he’s controlling another individual to commit crimes in the real-world? Somehow, he must discover how to free Orson Creed (Manu Bennett, CW’s Arrow) from mind control in order to unravel a greater conspiracy. In what the two discover is a bigger game of cat and mouse neither are prepared for.

Both have different stakes. Creed’s wife is kidnapped and unless he complies, she will die. Max has social issues. Ever since his beloved pet died, he’s led a sheltered life. This film has some good depth in the development of its characters. For once, Bennett gets to play a good guy and I liked hearing him wax poetic about how nobody has the right to play god. After all, aren’t we living in The Matrix?

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