Category: Cinema

Going Behind the Scenes with The Creation of the Gods in Chinese Lore

The look behind how The Creation of the Gods 1: Kingdom of Storms is made defines why this home video release is vital.

Now available on home video
The Creation of the Gods 1: Kingdom of Storms BlurayFor the movie review, please click here.

The Creation of the Gods is going to be an epic trilogy when it all comes out, and in the meantime, fans of Chinese mythology can marvel at part one, titled Kingdom of Storms at home. The video is beautifully crisp and colour saturation in par with the film version I saw many moons ago, and to be able to pause and take breathers between chapters was heartily welcomed. Had there been a 4K release, I’m sure the flaws can be seen a mile away. Not all of the effects are immaculate and require a bit of suspension of belief (like setting the characters riding on a horse on fire during an early scene).

Also, to learn about the behind the scenes, there’s four featurettes made to reveal how this film was put together. From makeup to set designs to special effects and onset lighting, the gambit is well covered.

Continue reading “Going Behind the Scenes with The Creation of the Gods in Chinese Lore”

Remembering Roger Corman, the Marvel Comics Connection, and the Love for E.A. Poe. Part Two

The reason why Roger Corman is exceptional is because he’s willing to take chances, and also find creative ways to save a buck or two.

Roger CormanRoger Corman is a cinematic maestro who sadly passed away late last week, and the outpouring of affection continues. Even though he’s regarded as retired, there’s still some output. He’s executive producing and I can’t wait for the release of Little Shop of Halloween Horrors, a reboot of the movie that made me a fan of his works. Technically, I first saw the musical and upon learning right away that it was based on a darker version, I had to see it. Afterwards, I had a tough time deciding which one I loved more. Both have their merits.

As for being a filmmaker at the height of his career, the 60s, he gave many young talents getting into the industry that break. He also helped mentor them to be even more successful than he was. At the time of writing, the outpouring of affection from Ron Howard and John Carpenter say more than what I can put to words. There’s also bound to be more social media posts from other industry leaders. Even the heads from Shout! Studios, an early distributor of his works, have paid tribute. Continue reading “Remembering Roger Corman, the Marvel Comics Connection, and the Love for E.A. Poe. Part Two”

Remembering Roger Corman (Part One). The Beast from Haunted Cave Remastered.

Although Beast From Haunted Cave is not one of Roger Corman’s best, it’s notable for other reasons in this retrospective of this filmmaker.

Beast From Haunted Cave and Ski Troop Attack
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

The Beast from Haunted Cave (1959) won’t win awards for its schlock, but for B movie enthusiasts, to see it offered side by side with Ski Troop Attack (1960) can make for a fun weekend at the movies–especially if you’re the type who love those drive-in type affairs. Film Masters released this pairing back in October as a look at what the Corman brothers did early in their career. Roger produced the former and got his brother Gene to direct.

Strangely, what I wrote before and thought I had posted has disappeared. Perhaps that monster chewed it up because it didn’t like what I wrote. But after hearing of Roger’s passing, I had to delve into my library and select a sampling of works to remind myself about why this filmmmaker is revered.

Continue reading “Remembering Roger Corman (Part One). The Beast from Haunted Cave Remastered.”

The NFB at Sommets du Cinéma D’animation 2024

There’s a lot of amazing talent to find at Sommets du Cinéma D’animation and although I’m focusing on TheNFB, there’s much more to experience during closing weekend.

The NFBSommets du Cinéma D’animation has an enormous presence at Montreal’s Sommets du Cinéma D’animation (May 6–11) with eleven productions and co-productions. With almost half being world premieres, it’s a good time to celebrate why filmmakers like animating their projects than go live-action. Sometimes, its due to what the visual arts can offer through direct symbolism.

And what I present are my takes on those works which impacted me the most. It was tough to nail a top five, so to break from the norm, I present my favourite three.

As this festival is all about celebrating why animation is wonderful. Sometimes what’s presented is heavy, and other times it’s light-hearted. There’s a bit of everything to enjoy, and for up-and-coming talents, who knows, they might find a job with a studio in town or somewhere in Europe next. Not everyone wants to work for specific studios, and to have a place to present their innovative works is important.

Continue reading “The NFB at Sommets du Cinéma D’animation 2024”

Going Behind the Scenes. Secrets From The Inventor as Revealed by Jim Capobianco

In order to make sure The Inventor would appeal to all ages, writer-director-producer Jim Capobianco spent more than a decade fiddling with getting all the details right, like the Maestro would do too!

Jim Capobianco, producer, writer, director of The Inventor (2023)For our readers unfamiliar with your work, can you please introduce yourself.

I’m Jim Capobianco and have worked in animation for something like 35 years and my latest film is The Inventor, which I wrote and directed. I got my start at Walt Disney Studios working in their story department, and my first work was with The Lion King–I stayed there for five years. Afterwards, I moved to the Bay Area to work at PIXAR (for 19) and have credits on many films, from Bugs Life to Coco.

One movie I’m particularly proud of was Ratatouille, where I wrote the first draft of it with Jan Pinkava, the director, and we were honoured with an Academy nomination. I left PIXAR in 2016, and then it’s proven pretty good. I worked on Mary Poppins Returns and directed the 2D animation segments, and then followed that up with a project called Philharmonia Fantastique–which was kind of a Fantasia piece, and directed the animation for that. And that plays with a live symphony orchestra.

Continue reading “Going Behind the Scenes. Secrets From The Inventor as Revealed by Jim Capobianco”

Hopes and Dreams for the Future of Legendary Picture’s Monsterverse

It’s safe to say that not everyone wants more of Kong with Godzilla should the Monsterverse continue. Now that the film is leaving theatres, we offer some thoughts:

Godzilla King of the Monsters Movie PosterIf we’re supposed to believe all the Monsterverse films share the same DNA, then the slow reveal about an ancient civilization as Earth’s true guardians must hint at a greater plot. Now that the latest film Godzilla X King Kong is leaving theatres, I can offer some thoughts after repeated views. I’m willing to support this film franchise for so long, and hope it can be steered back to what it was.

When Gareth Edwards made his 2014 film, all he wanted to do was to make a movie that is a love letter to TOHO. His take had Yoshimitsu Banno‘s blessing and I’m sure the later instalments did not. This Japanese studio sent this director (best known for Godzilla vs Hedorah) to look at how Japan’s most iconic antihero, would be remade for American sensitivities. Back then, what he saw excited him. The idea of creating a shared universe didn’t happen right away and this film was considered a modest success before the King Kong movie revealed a greater concept. Michael Dougherty and Adam Wingard‘s take is decent enough where it made enough callbacks to the ol’ classic style, but it’s not as well thought out as Edward’s vision.

Continue reading “Hopes and Dreams for the Future of Legendary Picture’s Monsterverse”

WP Twitter Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com