Month: March 2021

The Hardy Boys Hardly Excels in Captivating Interest

The early books were distinctive by being a product of its time, and for this new series–a modern setting takes fans out of the zone.

The Hardy Boys

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

On YTV (Canada) and Hulu (USA)
Please check local listings for accurate showtimes

The television show, Hardy Boys, is finally broadcasting in Canada! Since making its debut in the States, I think interest has been minimal. Nancy Drew is better because it has a paranormal edge. Sadly, this series is being handled by another studio, so no crossover is expected. Had it, I would’ve been more invested in the ongoing narrative concerning a mysterious Tall Man and digging into the D. B. Cooper trope.

This version sees the duo differing in age by a wide margin. Anyone familiar with the books knows they are a year apart. In the live action, the five-year difference is also in their attitudes towards one another. The eldest is a teen. This detail makes for a different dynamic in their relationship. It’s reflected in how they feel when their mother dies under mysterious circumstances. She was killed while writing about something.

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When Queen: Rock Tour Comes to a Screeching Halt

Queen Launches 'Rock Tour' Mobile Video Game | SPINBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Available on Android and iOS

Rhythm games are a dime a dozen, and not even Guitar Hero stands out as iconic. The game doesn’t replicate the feel of truly playing that stringed instrument. Somehow, the brand persevered before its eventual decline and reinvention in the virtual reality environment. Beat Saber is king for a reason, and since then, no other release has unseated its position.

The rock band Queen is attempting to break that and their own take, Rock Tour, a mobile game featuring a catalogue of the best hits, isn’t a game changer. Nimble fingered players can tap to “We Will Rock You” and other songs. After achieving a certain level of skill in select songs, other tunes can be unlocked, and the list of albums only go up to A Kind of Magic. Also, archival material and assorted trivia about this group become available. Most of this added media are recognizable, and can be found in print or online elsewhere. So far, I have not found anything new, and I don’t recommend this game to anyone who has been a long time Queen fan.

I’d rather wait for a new publication about the history of this band than play this game to learn about.

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Korra: The Art of the Animated Series Gets More Than a Second Wind…

As for what this book offers is additional artwork. There’s twelve chapters, and while the first half is familiar content, it’s the last sections I enjoyed flipping through the most. “Skeletons in the Closet” has information about the darker aspects of this universe. We learn about blood bending and even more production design pages to admire.

The Hardy BoysBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Dark Horse Comics
Available March 10th, 2021

Click here to order on Amazon USA

The difference between the previous release of The Legend of Korra: The Art of the Animated Series–Book One: Air and the new is that it’s almost double the size. This book is enormous! Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko have a lot to say, and this edition could not be any more timely with the big news about Nickelodeon’s Avatar Studios opening shop to expand the universe!

Anyone wanting to read about the production process for making Korra is in for a treat. These two creators cover a lot of ground in short expositions instead of a lengthy essay. There’s plenty more they can say, and anyone needing to catch up can also purchase the revised edition of The Last Airbender. Preview pages can be found on Dark Horse Comics’ website.

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When Infighting Causes Problems with a Nest of Vampires

The world is very familiar, and anyone not paying attention will miss the punch line early in the film. We’re led down a story that’s one part heist (seeing an innocent girl get kidnapped) and another part recovery (of said woman) and vampires are involved!

The Hardy Boys

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Coming to Digital
March 15th
Amazon, Tubi, iTunes

Exclusive screening on Facebook March 13, 2021 at 1 PM PST

When human blood suckers gather, what are they called? Is it a coven or a cauldron like the bats they are? It’s hard to say, but Chris Sanders’ Nest of Vampires is an aptly named film about a cadre who is having trouble keeping quiet in a small town in England. Kit Valentine (Tom Fairfoot), a top MI5 agent, lost his wife to a group of them and the authorities are not investigating. His daughter, Anna (Daria Krauzo), is kidnapped and no self-respecting father will let this case go cold.

Had Dracula ever wanted to lay down an empire as detailed in Bram Stoker’s novel, this movie would be a perfect followup! There’s no relation to the Victorian work. Instead, this crowdfunded film project by Sanders is styled to fit in the world of The Lost Boys. Yes, the setup is cheesy, and this nest is in over their heads, but the concept nicely works.

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On What Raya and the Last Dragon Lacks…

Without the proper cultural milieu made front and center, Raya and the Last Dragon feels like another atypical Disney Princess origin story.

Raya and the Last Dragon Movie PosterDisney‘s Raya and the Last Dragon is a very paint-by-numbers animated film which lacks originality. We are introduced to another princess with her pet, and we get to visit a distinct part of Asia! If I had to say which movie knows its mythology, Moana wins hands down!

The world of Laos, Malaysia and Indonesia is the spotlight and sadly, the missed opportunities I noticed are plentiful. The distinguishing features of each region aren’t really played up. The details don’t show how the people are unique. Each nation has lost their focus ever since a magical crystal that can keep the Druun–rejected shadowy entities from Studio Ghibli’s Mononoke Hime–shattered.

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On-Gaku Our Sound and the Post Punk Movement?

The home video release has a great selection of featurettes which not only goes behind the scenes but also gets you in the mood to see the film again! Even better are the live performances of nearly half the soundtrack! 

On-Gaku: Our Sound - - Blu-ray/DVD
Available to pre-order on Amazon USA

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Shout! Factory
Release Date: March 9, 2021

Defining On-Gaku: Our Sound will not be easy. We hear a cacophony of musical genres, and not all of them are mainstream. Perhaps it’s because Writer/Director Kenji Iwaisawa was very DIY in his approach. He went old school (hand-drawn) to craft this unique film, and his art style is very non-traditional. We don’t get the wide-eyed manga work. Instead, it’s a mix of Constructivism, Minimalism and maybe Dada. The way he draws his character’s eyes tells all here, and the fisheye look gives his character designs a quality which is very hypnotic.

I particularly like the fluidity found when rotoscoping frames of a film camera onto paper. I’m fairly certain Dire Straits music video “Money for Nothing” is an influence and instead of being very artsy, the technique is more earthy and subdued.

The home video release has a great selection of featurettes which not only goes behind the scenes but also gets you in the mood to see the film again! Even better are the live performances of nearly half the soundtrack!

Continue reading “On-Gaku Our Sound and the Post Punk Movement?”