Category: Home Entertainment

Voltasaur Tobaspino Toy Review

If you can understand japanese then you are one jump ahead of this writer. Trying to keep up with what’s being said or written is still one of my struggles. But lacking subtitles I can still piece together that this is the toy review for the Voltasaur Tobaspino from Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger. My first taste of sentai was Kagaku Sentai Dynaman in the 1980’s but I’ve been a steady fan of such series since Gosei Sentai Dairanger (1993-94).

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-QoyuxPB-M&w=560&h=315]

Pike’s Work to Manifest Itself on TV

SpooksvilleThe trailer for Hub Network’s newest live action series Spooksville is available to view online. Based on the series of acclaimed children’s novels by Christopher Pike, the series was shot entirely on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Locations like the Duncan Curling Club, Craigdarroch Castle, Fisgard Lighthouse and Duncan city hall were all used as the backdrop for Springville, nicknamed by the locals as Spooksville. From Victoria to the Cowichan Valley, filming elsewhere could not have created the unique atmosphere needed for this comedy-adventure series.

Continue reading “Pike’s Work to Manifest Itself on TV”

A Monster in Paris. Comparing the R1 and R2 Home Video Releases.

The songs featured in A Monster in Paris are timeless, evoking images of Édith Piaf gracing a nightclub stage, and its tough not to fall in love with a flea dressed up like he belongs to the Caribbean.

Monster_in_paris_theatricalDisney’s writers could learn a thing or two from A Monster In ParisA Monster in Paris, now available to North America courtesy of Shout! Factory. But viewers are advised to find the Alliance Films release since it carries bonus material. Not only that, but viewers get to meet the faces behind the two leading characters. They explain just how much of themselves is put into the role, and when there is a flea going by the name of Francœur (voiced by French singer-songwriter M) to be adored, this movie is one to watch.

This film engages audiences with an imaginative reworking of the Phantom of the Opera formula with the visual stylings of the Hunchback of Nortre Dame.

That said, yes this computer animated product has some Disney-esque elements to it—namely with Charles the monkey providing some comedic relief—but at least this simian proves to be smarter than the average man. He’s the maestro to which Florquer has sprung from. While spinning many a tune from his musical box, the flea which has been living on him grew to become the exceptional singer. The irony is that he has also been hit with an experimental fertilizer, a growth formula, which causes him to be the monster that all Parisians fear.

Continue reading “A Monster in Paris. Comparing the R1 and R2 Home Video Releases.”

Davies’ Wizards Vs. Aliens Nominated for Three Bafta Cymru Awards

wizards_vs_aliensThe hit CBBC series Wizard’s Vs. Aliens has been nominated for three Bafta Cymru Awards which is a UK award that recognizes achievement by performers and production staff in Welsh-made films and television programs. WvA has been nominated in Production Design (Arwel Wyn Jones), Costume Design (Ray Homan) and Children’s Programme.

The show was a replacement for The Sarah Jane Adventures after the death of its lead, Elisabeth Sladen, ended the series. Created by Russell T. Davies, who breathed new life into Doctor Who, and lead SJA writer Phil Ford, the series was well received by audiences. A second series is expected to appear in late 2013 with 14 new episodes. WvA sees 16-year-old wizard Tom Clarke (Scott Haran) and his scientist best friend Benjamin “Benny” Sherwood (Percelle Ascott) pair up as they battle the Nekross, an alien race who have invaded earth to devour anything and anyone that contains magic.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg7cJIf8JSg&w=560&h=315]

JTV’s Best of Anime! Summer 2013

My experience with anime started with Battle of the Planets in the late 1970’s and it finished with anime programs in the mid to late 90’s. I had somehow lost interest. I guess one could say it was the changing style, that anime was for the young or it could’ve been the boob and panty shots that were becoming so prevalent.

Whatever the reason, I walked away. I made an attempt to watch anime again in 2004 and I admit there were a couple of shows that held my interest. But now with my third attempt I’m determined to see the good amongst the bad (or the most horrid) that is out there. To become a true geek I shall have to reacquaint myself with anime, one of my first loves. Maybe I’ll even attend a anime con or two in 2014 (My last con was AX ’95). But for the future I plan to write seasonal Japanese television reviews both animated and live action. Enjoy!

Continue reading “JTV’s Best of Anime! Summer 2013”

So where’s the Justice League in Flashpoint Paradox?

When Flash is the protagonist, shouldn’t this movie simply be titled The Flash: Flashpoint Paradox instead?

dvd justice league the flashpoint paradoxSpoiler Alert

When Cartoon Network’s DC Nation is now comprised of Beware the Batman and Go Teen Titans Go, just where will comic fans get their Justice League fix? With Young Justice gone, fans of DC’s animated products do not have much left over to enjoy. This particular universe has a great diversity and great storytelling backing it. But with the new products showing a divergence than convergence, only the direct to video releases, namely Justice League: Flashpoint Paradox will prove that there can be only one.

And Barry Allen is stuck right smack dab in the middle of a coming apocalypse. Finally, some other heroes are getting the center-stage, and The Flash shows that one wrong mistake can mean one fractured time-line. Flashpoint is based on the 2011 comic of the same name, where the speedster awakens in a universe not quite his own.

Continue reading “So where’s the Justice League in Flashpoint Paradox?”