Tag Archives: Fantasy

PIXAR’s Onward and Upwards Ho!

16 Mar

Image result for onward posterBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Spoiler Alert

Fans of TSR’s Dungeons and Dragons will certainly get a kick out of Disney*PIXAR’S Onward. Not only are all the references straight out of the monster manual, I acknowledge the acquisition from Wizards of the Coast–but they are not the true creators of this role playing game system. After saving this property from TSR’s failing infrastructure, they simply fixed it up. That being said, the world building and revolution that creators Dan Scanlon, Jason Headley and Keith Bunin crafted up is one I’d love to revisit!

Once upon a time, in a world far, far away was a world of magic. Sadly, it disappeared in favour of technological progress. Apparently it took place faster than anyone can realize–perhaps the only failing of this film–and pretty soon fairies, dwarves, elves, centaurs and many more had to embrace change. If they don’t stay progressive, any species I have not mentioned will be left behind. Onward is hardly subtle in this theme of forgetting the fast, and it establishes how this realm has become much like human society, dependent on technology to get by.

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Top Blockbuster Films to Look Forward to in 2020

4 Jan

Image result for dolittleBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Plenty of films are coming this year to make Disney the dominant force in entertainment again. Good or bad, this company is the engine that keeps on churning them out.

Tom Holland is keeping busy as details for the third Spider-Man film are being hammered out. As much as I like to see a certain anvil shaped villain enter the fore, it’s unlikely and the next film feels like it’s two years away than happening soon. After the success of Far From Home, I’m wanting more of this brand of Marvel and Sony Pictures magic!

On the live action front, I’m honestly impressed The Mouse is bringing the first title back to its roots. Thus begins a chronological list of films worth checking out:

Dolittle

January 17, 2020

Robert Downey Jr. will forever be remembered as Tony Stark Jr., aka Iron Man. Some may even cheer as he’s also Sherlock Holmes. Very few fans of this man will recall he was Chaplin—perhaps the best work he’s done in his prime. Now this man of a thousand characters is the seminal Doctor Dolittle, a Disney film which finally honours the setting to which the original stories by Hugh Lofting took place. Star power is definitely needed here.

Love those movies or hate ’em, I had no problems with Eddie Murphy’s version. They were made during a time as he shifted from a raunchy comedian to family guy. The studio was willing to take a chance on him, including suggesting a next generation to keep the franchise alive (which thankfully never happened)

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When It’s Not Two Frozen for Arendelle’s Future

30 Nov

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Mild Spoiler Alert

“Show Yourself” may not be the definitive musical number to inspire in Frozen 2. Unlike the first film with its spectacular set pieces, this sequel tries too hard to offer refreshing ideas. It’s tough to outdo “Let it Go” because of its many meanings. This sequel at least delivers a story which answers a few questions, has a cultural sub-context which will definitely be of debate for years to come, and looks at how this kingdom continues to survive.

The expected economic examination is ignored. Instead, we find Elsa (Idina Menzel) acting a little off lately. In the side-lines, Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) is trying to figure out the perfect moment to propose to Anna (Kristen Bell). As the trailers have shown, the Queen of Arendelle must heed the siren’s call.

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The Rise of the Kung Fu Dragon Master Kickstarter Breaks Demand with a …

12 Nov

RotKFDM_CVR.jpgDue to popular demand, the soft launch of the Rise of the Kung Fu Dragon Master on Kickstarter is getting a print edition. The digital-only option remains $20, while a print and digital tier has been added for $30. “You spoke, we listened,” said writer Chris Mancini.

All tiers above the $30 level, including the digital comics collections of Starburns Press and of Mancini and artist Fernando Pinto’s previous releases, will receive this and along with the print edition of the new book, the campaign now also features physical add-ons that can be purchased through Backerkit–including The Comedy Film Nerds Guide to Movies, Mancini and Pinto’s previous graphic novel Long Ago and Far Away, and DVD copies of Mancini’s film Ear Buds: The Podcasting Documentary.

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