But where is the blu-ray? This unusual release offers the complete season one in two different packages. Depending on the local or online retailer, there might be an added incentive. For example, Fox Connect has decided to include a toy incentive, a baby Toothless, from Spinmaster. The new toys are packaged as part of the Defenders of Berk line (both are set to appear in stores and on the boob tube this Fall).
Perhaps the new character designs are not the only thing viewers should be wary of in Warner Bros. Animation’s sixth iteration of what Batman means to the masses. In Beware the Batman, the character of Anarky (a political activist/vigilante) will be pivotal to the series run and the animation style will take a while to get used to. The characters have a similar look to that of the cancelled Green Lantern: The Animated Series that not everyone took to right away. GL made use of bold colors and caricature. This style worked great when most of the story took place in alien worlds. But with a human world as a backdrop, everyone is going to look like an over-emphasized archetype.
Interestingly enough, the Bats looks like a well polished land turtle. From a distance, the material of his cape looks more like a polymer shell and the skin textures appearing more plastic than natural. This new animation looks like it took a few computer shading algorithms from the latest iteration of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles just so it can be quickly rendered. When drawn, the character designs looks great, but when enhanced by CGI, the detailing cannot be appreciated as much.
Just when the days of light reading can’t be found, Curious Comics Books & Games in Victoria, BC has a Summer clearance store, aptly named Curious! Too, of all things pop culture to keep everyone sated. Well, that’s until the next Marvel Entertainment movie comes along … in the form of The Wolverine, due in theatres July 26th. There’s also the lesser known R.I.P.D. (Rest in Peace Department), based on a Dark Horse Comics property about a recently slain cop who joins a police department with an undead division. Could the latter be the next Men in Black? Who knows, but readers can find out with old comic books being offered at discount prices; plenty of 3 for $1 deals will be found. Graphic novels will be sold at 50% off cover.
But for the people interested in expressing their inner geek, action figures, t-shirts, posters and other sundries will also be offered.
This place will run throughout the summer from Weds to Sun, 10am-5:30pm and is located on 1319 Broad St. Tourists to one of the Pacific Northwest’s many gems, the garden city of Victoria, may well be able to find a few shining jewels of the geeky variety to marvel at during that journey home.
I’ll state right now that I’m not a huge fan of 3-D. There are few films that have truly impressed me with such technology. But there are films I will pay large ticket prices to see in the IMAX theatre, the original uncut Star Wars is one of those but for the other it’s the Wizard of Oz.
The 1939 film directed by Victor Fleming and starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Margaret Hamilton and Frank Morgan was a family favourite during my childhood years. It was one of the few films the family unit would make the time for.
But now the MGM colour classic will be screened in North American Imax theatres in honour of the film approaching its 75th anniversary. For only one week starting on Sept 20, 2013, audiences will be able to travel with Dorothy to the Emerald City on the big screen in 3-D no less. Following at the heels of the ruby-red slippers is a Blu-ray 3-D release for October 1st.
On a side note, I know there are many who enjoy the hit song from the film titled “Over the Rainbow”. The Academy Award winning song with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg has seen many versions over the decades. There are fans who prefer the original movie recording by Judy Garland but there is also over 84 million people who have listened to Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s reinterpretation. But when it comes to which Over the Rainbow I enjoy listening to the most, I would have to say Al Bowlly is the top.
Pacific Rim stars Charlie Hunnman, Rinko Kukuchi, Idris Elba, Ron Perlman and Charlie Day.
With what could be the biggest summer blockbuster of 2013, Warner Brothers is making sure the viewers of this clip are given sugar high with 1 minute and 11 seconds of big robot action.
In this video we see Raleigh Becket (Charlie Hunnam) and Mako Mori (Rinko Kukuchi) co-piloting a Jaeger as they wage an all-out brawl with a Kaiju. The punches sound hard and heavy and every connecting blow is visually impressive.
I know. There are others who’ve complained about the slow action movement of the titans but in all honestly I’m hypothesizing this was a deliberate in order to give each of the two characters on-screen a larger-than-life feel.
I’m keeping my options open this summer. I’m looking for a movie that doesn’t make one think deep thoughts and at the same time it will give me my action flick fix. Think Starship Troopers but a little more highbrow. And until the Gareth Edward’s directed Godzilla film comes stomping into theatres next year Pacific Rim will just have to keep this nerd happy.
Pacific Rim stars Charlie Hunnman, Rinko Kukuchi, Idris Elba, Ron Perlman and Charlie Day. Directed by Guillermo del Toro with screenplay by Travis Beacham and Guillermo del Toro. In theatres July 12, 2013.
Just when the days of light reading can’t be found, 