Tag Archives: Fantasy

Anyone Can be One of Studio Ponoc’s Modest Heroes

11 Jun

Preorder on Amazon or from Shout! Factory

Release Date: June 18, 2019

Studio Ponoc’s Modest Heroes is a collection of tales which shows how life must go on despite the obstacles that come what may. They are all heroes in their own unique way. This collection of animated shorts encompasses a wide range of genres, and it honours the precedent Studio Ghibli set in their films, and that’s to focus on vivid characterization.

Originally, this work would include four animated shorts, but the untimely passing of Isao Takahata did not dampen spirits. To make the theatrical experience a touch more worthwhile, a featurette with founder Yoshiaki Nishimura was included in most screenings, which discusses the design of each piece.

Continue reading →

Advertisements

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Mononoke Hime Collector’s Edition to hit Shelves May 14th!

10 May

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Fans of Hayao Miyazaki can rejoice! The next title in GKIDs and Shout! Factory‘s Studio Ghibli Collector’s Edition release is Mononoke Hime. This film is one of this filmmaker’s finest. An all new essay in this package explains the themes so everyone can enjoy this work as this director intended. Included in this box set is a 38-page booklet, the soundtrack and images from the Art of publication.

As a lifelong fan of this studio’s works, I have no problems buying this title again. Perhaps, in the future, a digital code can be offered so we can enjoy both the movie and music on the go.

Continue reading →

Tags: , , , , ,

Hunting for The Missing Link in Studio Laika’s Latest

8 May

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Studio Laika always impresses. Their catalogue of works always offers insightful looks into the human condition. More often than not, they explore aspects of the supernatural world in relation to mankind. Missing Link considers what drives certain individuals to become what they are. This film suggests what makes homo sapiens superior to other forms of life, and when Charles Darwin is involved, it’s not always about survival of the fittest. Are they doing it for themselves to raise their self-esteem, or something else?

Enter wannabe world-renowned explorer Sir Lionel Frost (voiced by Hugh Jackman in his best British accent than Australian). He’s chasing after cryptids and he wants to join the prestigious Optimates Club. However, Lord Piggot-Dunceby (Stephen Fry) thinks all such creations are pish-posh; he believes mankind is superior and is supposed to dominate.

Continue reading →

Tags: , , , , , , ,

How to Deal with the Magi Order in Excellence, an Interview w Khary Randolph

6 May

 

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

In comic book stores May 8th.

Excellence is a terrific comic book series soon to be released by Image Comics and Skybound Entertainment. It arrives in stores a little more than a month after the Netflix program, The Order, debuted. It’s merely coincidence that both are similar. Core to the central tale is in how both heroes are out to disrupt the secret societies they are entering into because of something they did (or now represent). I’m being vague as to not spoil the fun in reading the first issue.

Writer Brandon Thomas (Voltron) and artist Khary Randolph (Noble, Tech Jacket) has been working on their version for the past two years and their work takes a bit of inspiration from here and there. Their story concerns Spencer, a young lad coming of age and thinking he has all the answers. The Aegis are the guardians of humanity, if not the protectors of sacred knowledge. When this lad is about to be inducted, he learns about the things they have done and figures there are better ways to deal with it. However, in what he proposes, not everyone agrees.

I chatted with Randolph about this work during Emerald City Comic Con 2019, and what readers can expect:

Continue reading →

Tags: , , , , ,

← Older Entries