Tag Archives: Adventure

Who’s on Second? Lupin the III or The First? And Landing on Home Video

20 Oct

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Limited Screenings
Japanese Language with Subtitles
October 21

Please local listings for showtimes

Coming to Digital
December 15, 2020

Steelbook, Blu-ray and DVD
January 12, 2021

Lupin the Third joins the long line of anime heroes given the CGI upgrade, and honestly, he looks terrific! This master thief’s legacy will continue for as long as Monkey Punch wants. Whether or not it’s on hold since he passed away last year, I’m sure other directors have ideas on how to continue this gentleman thief’s adventures for years to come. But for anyone new to this popular character, I recommend checking out The Castle of Cagliostro (Netflix link) before seeing this movie.

Simply titled Lupin III: The First, this outing shows how this family line continues on their quest for the Bresson Diary. It was thought to be lost, but it has since been found. The actual book is tucked in a very elaborate clock-like tableau that, if opened, reveals notes to some ancient treasure even Alexander the Great would want. Well, maybe, but to say too much will ruin the reveal.

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Too Fast & Furious? On Jiang Ziya: Legend of Deification

16 Oct

JIANG ZIYA (2020) - Official Movie Site - Get TicketsBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Although studios aren’t giving Jiang Ziya: Legend of Deification (姜子牙) the fanfare it needs for an Autumn 2020 release, at least the bonus post credit sequence is in theme! Word of mouth isn’t enough to announce to the world that the sequel to Ne Zha is as colourful and visually spectacular. Eventually, fans of this shared universe will see the heroes we are being introduced to embark on a combined adventure.

This former general of the celestial army was banished from Kunlan, a city in the clouds which represents one of several heavens, because he disobeyed his lord’s order to kill Su Dajin, who is possessed by Nine-Tailed (Ji Guanlin), a fox demon. But before he could execute her, she showed how her supernatural life connects to a mortal, Xiao Jiu (Yang Ning), a young girl. He can’t destroy a soul at the cost of another.

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Catching a Costume for Nicolas, A Movie Review

25 Aug

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Playing at Fantasia Digital Film Festival 2020 On Demand till Sept 2. Buy your virtual ticket here.

North American Premiere

A Costume For Nicholas is a wild and fancy free animation for all to enjoy. It’s not only a delightful and heartfelt adaptation of the children’s book Pablo y El Baúl by Jaime Mijares but also no prior knowledge is needed! The titular protagonist has Down’s syndrome. He lost his mother just minutes into the film (it’s easy to surmise because his grandparents take him in). Thankfully, adapting to life in an unfamiliar environment is hardly difficult at all.

David is his cousin, older by a couple of years, and though the two initially struggle to get along, it will take a magical adventure to see them bond. The tween has nightmares and they manifest strongly enough for Nick to see and he offers to help. However, before he involves David, he chases after the beast by himself and finds himself in another world via an old clothes trunk. Thankfully, the dangers he faces alone are not as dangerous as The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

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More Than Just a Breakdown of Wizards: Tales of Arcadia

11 Aug

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Netflix
Available Now

The third chapter to the Tales of Arcadia saga is finally here! Sadly, Wizards is the shortest of the three series. We see our heroes from Trollhunters return and shifts the focus to Douxie (voiced by Colin o’Donoghue). He has big shoes to fill as a wizard-in-training. Merlin is his teacher. The Arcane Order is the big bad in this world, and not everyone can deal with these elemental masters! But they are more than just that. They watched over magic since the stars were young, and one of the members said, “Since man destroyed their palace.”

The first episode functions more like a catch-up reel. The next episode reveals the Arthurian connection and establishes the true villains–Nari of the eternal forest, Skrael of the North Wind and Bellroc, Keeper of the Flame–serving a different purpose. They are guardians who (like in Avatar: Last Airbender) work together to keep a balance between the elements. Strangely missing is air. In this world’s case, they talk about the imbalance between the world of magic and the rise of mankind. The mortals of Earth are fearful of the supernatural and seek to suppress it.

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