Tag: 25th Anniversary

Stephen Sommers’s The Mummy at 25 Years!

If you haven’t gone to the theatrical celebration, that’s okay. We can still have cake to celebrate The Mummy’s Silver Anniversary!

The Mummy PosterToday marks The Mummy’s anniversary! This reboot of the Boris Karloff classic debuted on May 7, 1999, and while I could’ve gone to a theatrical celebration, sadly there wasn’t one screening in my city. The reason this film stands the test of time is that it’s simply fun! It captures the true essence of what pulp fiction should represent and gives us characters I want to root for. It’s not just another Brendan Fraser film. Instead, it’s a career launcher for the other two main leads, namely Rachel Weisz and Arnold Vosloo. The former loves appearing in indie films more than mainstream ones, and the latter continues to pop up in fondly loved projects, ranging from Veritas: The Quest (which I feel deserves a reboot) and even Condor’s Nest to show the type of roles that challenge him as a Hollywood actor.

However, I must note that Kevin J. O’Connor stole the show. As a cowardly and conniving Beni Gabor, without him, I doubt the search for The Mummy’s treasures would’ve been known, and although Evie was the reason for his awakening, both had important roles to play! Continue reading “Stephen Sommers’s The Mummy at 25 Years!”

Celebrating 25 Years of Cowboy Bebop. Complete Soundtrack Coming Soon to Vinyl and Everything You’ll Want to Know

To bring the anniversary of Cowboy Bebop to a close, coming Dec 13, 2023 is the vinyl release of the complete soundtrack of the series (in all its forms)!

Cowboy Bebop LP Box SetPress Release

The original anime Cowboy Bebop, directed by Shinichiro Watanabe, was broadcast on TV in 1998. Its stylish visuals left a profound impact on viewers, transcending the boundaries of anime and inspiring numerous fans. The anime TV series achieved immense popularity, not only domestically but also internationally. It was subsequently adapted into a theatrical version and even a live-action series on Netflix.

Notably, the music composed by Yoko Kanno, which accompanied the visuals, gained significant recognition. The soundtrack’s first volume, titled “COWBOY BEBOP,” included the iconic opening theme “Tank!” and achieved tremendous success. It was awarded the 13th Japan Gold Disc Award for Animation Album of the Year. The music’s versatility spanned genres from jazz, rock, and French pop to house music. Additionally, the renowned jazz engineer from Blue Note Records’ golden era, Rudy Van Gelder, contributed to the production, further elevating its reputation beyond the confines of anime music both domestically and internationally.

Addendum: Tim Jensen helped co-write the lyrics to at least ten songs, which includes, “Blue,” “Words That We Couldn’t Say,” and
“Ask DNA (sung by Raj Ramayya).

Now, an 11-disc box set, encompassing all 7 albums and maxi-singles of the Cowboy Bebop soundtrack, is set to be released on December 13, 2023. Encased in a deluxe box, each title’s jacket will sport its original design. The artwork, which received high praise at the time of the CD releases, will now come in LP size, a tantalizing prospect for collectors.

Continue reading “Celebrating 25 Years of Cowboy Bebop. Complete Soundtrack Coming Soon to Vinyl and Everything You’ll Want to Know”

Fantasia’s 25th Anniversary Goes Virtual!

In what’s known is how important Japan’s culture has played across Fantasia’s history. There’ll be an enhanced focus, and this enthusiast can’t wait to see what’s coming! I hope they can secure the rights to show the full run of Evangelion films in its entirety! 

FantasiaBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

For the latest updates, please visit the official website.

Montreal’s Fantasia International Film Festival is going half and half, with a mix of physical events and digital for the genre enthusiast. The 25th Anniversary can’t be just one without the other because of the current global medical crisis, and the organizers can’t say for certain if the pandemic can be contained by the time summer rolls around. This event will include scheduled screenings and premieres, panels, and workshops, with films once again hosted on the leading-edge platform created by Festival Scope and Shift72. The number of physical events will be based on what the province’s health authority says, and this news don’t drop until closer to the event.

In what’s known is how important Japan’s culture has played across Fantasia’s history. There’ll be an enhanced focus, and this enthusiast can’t wait to see what’s coming! I hope they can secure the rights to show the full run of Evangelion films in its entirety! 

Continue reading “Fantasia’s 25th Anniversary Goes Virtual!”