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The Genius with LEGO Star Wars The Freemaker Adventures

The computer animated series Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures (originally broadcast on DisneyXD) does what very few expanded universe spin-offs can do, and that’s to engage viewers with an adventure faithful to the mythic narrative style the original trilogy represented.

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Trying to recreate the magic of the original Star Wars films can sometimes be hard. Trying to build and expand upon it is even tougher. The computer animated series Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures (originally broadcast on DisneyXD) does what very few expanded universe spin-offs can do, and that’s to engage viewers with an adventure faithful to the mythic narrative style the original trilogy represented.

In this animation, the Freemakers are a family of mechanics — Rowan is the kid with the gift (a future Jedi), Kordi is the elder and overly overprotective sister and Zander is a freewheeling brother — who salvages and repairs spaceships. R0-GR (“Roger”) is this group’s servant of sorts; after being reprogrammed (he was once a B1 Battle Droid) and the adventures they share, he becomes more than a faithful companion. When this family is at work, the spirit of what the LEGO brand represents can be seen in the ships they rebuild and in what the boy can imagine up.

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Eerie Ed’s Top 10 Must Watch Music Videos For Halloween

Music Videos by Your Host, Eerie Ed By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

The music videos made in the past weren’t all designed or developed for the All Hallow’s Eve season. Some are just designed for horror film enthusiasts to enjoy and others can be listened to anytime. Some bands base their schtick around this genre, and immediately, I think of Zombina and the Skeletones. Sorry KISS, but you’re so last century. Gwar leads the pack and The Misfits follow behind.

When I want to get my spook on, I must admit I’m an 80’s child. While most of my picks come from that era, I do not think Michael Jackson’s Thriller is the best number one song representative of the season. I give that honour to his other work, Ghosts. The following is just a music video instead of the full-length production.

Stan Winston directed this work and it’s an extended music video which features three numbers instead of one. Some of the animation looks dated now, but back when it was first presented, I feel it’s a great piece to experience. It leads my list of videos as it is tailed for this All Hallow’s Eve season.

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How Many “Shogun” Warriors are in Tow in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow?

When DC’s Legends of Tomorrow are going from set-piece to set-piece (i.e. one time period to another), just what the second series is doing is to slowly reveal a greater plot.

legends-of-tomorrow-shogun-nate-heywood

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

*Spoiler Alert

When DC’s Legends of Tomorrow are going from set-piece to set-piece (i.e. one time period to another), just what the second series is doing is to slowly reveal a greater plot. There’s a warning from the future which n body is in on, but it will come into play in later episodes. Without giving too much away, any side-effects from altering the natural course of the timeline (from another series) will take on a butterfly effect.

As much as I like the visit to Feudal Japan, I thought the trip to the Wild West (“The Magnificent Eight” from last season) was better. Both this and last week’s “Shogun” are tributes to Akira Kurosawa’s The Seven Samurai. The latter is more blatant, and the reason why I prefer it is because of Jonah Hex. He makes for a mean hombre. Steel, the new one, is only getting started. Nate Heywood makes for a good addition to the team but he has no clue in what he’s doing. Both he and Ray share similar insecurities. They do not have super abilities. That’s not until Ray injected Nate with the super serum to make him a super soldier. While some childish fun ensues to test Nate’s newly formed skin, just how well he wears it will eventually define who he is as Commander Steel.

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Loving the LEGO Ninjago Early Halloween Treat, Day of the Departed — A Review

Fans of LEGO Ninjago living in Canada were treated to an early broadcast on Oct 26 of Day of the Departed on Teletoon.

lego-ninjago-masters-of-spinjitzu-season-6-episode-5-peak-a-boo By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Fans of LEGO Ninjago living in Canada were treated to an early broadcast on Oct 26 of Day of the Departed on Teletoon. The American broadcast is slated for October 29, and it will most likely be on Cartoon Network. This animation continues after the events of season six where Nya was meant to die (a plot point to recall) but due to a wish, the event was undone. A few months have passed and Sensei Wu, Cole, Jay, Kai, Zane and Nya honouring their fallen comrades and respected ancestors in this world’s version of Halloween.

Technically, the time spent feels very much like Chinese Ghost Month being compressed to a night. During this year’s celebration, the moon is going to eclipse and will take on the look of yin and yang. This omen can bring either good tidings or mourning for all of Ninjago.

In the spirit world, the enemies have gathered to talk about what they want to do to Cole and team. Revenge is on their mind and each of them wants to take their grievance upon their mutual rival who sent them to the Cursed Realm. For example, Wu and Morro have a sordid history together. Wu recruited him and when the young warrior was in training, he believed he would become the Green Ninja. As most viewers know, that honour went to another lad.

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[Vancouver, BC] Samuel Beckett’s Foray With “Notfilm” Screening

notfilm-md-web By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Plays at
The Cinematheque
200 – 1131 Howe Street
Vancouver, BC

Thursday, October 27, 2016 – 7:00pm
Tuesday, November 1, 2016 – 7:00pm
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 – 7:00pm

Writer Samuel Beckett is one of those special talents whose works helped influence several generations. As a playwright, theatre director and poet, the material he penned paved the way for Critic Martin Esslin to coin the term, “Theatre of the Absurd.” This categorization of works shows mankind’s reaction to a world that seems to have no meaning. Either he or she is a puppet controlled or manipulated by outside forces. To see this style get represented in cinema requires a person of vision to explore Beckett’s foray into film. The aptly titled documentary Notfilm by director Ross Lipman will be the spotlight starting this Thursday at The Cinematheque in Vancouver, BC.

The product Beckett made, Film is considered by cinema buffs to be an “interesting failure.”

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Ed’s Pokémon GO Journals – The Upcoming Halloween Treat is Not all that Sweet

The latest two updates for Pokémon GO has been lacklustre. Either Niantic is simply releasing simple tweaks of the game in hopes players will remain interested or they are struggling to think of creative ways to maintain its user base.

pokemon-go-halloween-169-en By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

The October 10th release made the life of a trainer a touch easier with catch bonuses — which is much needed — and a better method to train up a gym from the same team as the player, but that hardly felt like enough to maintain my interest. I still play, but not as much. I’m nearly completing my Pokédex in terms of pocket monsters fought or caught in North America, and I’m still pining for a proper tracker.

The latest fix released this week is merely cosmetic and adds functionality for Pokémon GO Plus users (to which I do not have). I see no reason to upgrade the game because I assume the bonuses offered are being handled server side than local. Beginning Oct 26th and lasting for a week players can continue catching, grinding and walking any Pokémon to net extra candy. More ghostly Pokemon will appear (and Cubones). When there’s only three in the generation one set, why? There’s no Mega Gengar I can evolve. This game is not Pokémon Shuffle — where this spirit’s special ability is useful. Generation two does not add to this category save for one: a Misdreavus. Certain Psychic types will appear more, which means swarms of Drowzees (the city I live in is overpopulated with them and they deserve to be washed away with the torrential rains my hometown often gets). Based on the lists I’ve been seeing, other creatures from this category, namely Abras, are not included. Shame! I do not mind the Zubats. They make sense for the season of the witch. Their evolved forms are said to make appearances too.

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