Tag: Mythology

When Mantra Warrior: The Legend of the Eight Moons Lands At Fantasia 2024…

After Fantasia Film Festival 2024, Google Search says Mantra Warrior is destined to Netflix next!

Mantra Warrior: The Legend of the Eight Moons
Played at Fantasia Film Festival on July 21, 2024 1:50 PM

Every country has a legend, and in Thailand, The Ramakien is one of several epic tales that paint a solid picture of good triumphing over evil. Here, King Rama and Tosakanth are opposites, and when the latter kidnaps the queen because he’s in love with her, this lord will fight back! What’s presented in Mantra Warrior: The Legend of the Eight Moons requires knowing the source material to truly appreciate it; otherwise, what’s presented like a Siamese version of Final Fantasy on steroids.

That’s because of the bold character designs and colour choices used to bring this mythic world to life. I want to compare this work to Gundam because of all the giant robots featured. Even though they look nothing like, the fact they carry oversized weapons with crazy nicknames is enough to make me think that director Veerapatra Jinanavin had this anime in mind!

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Thoughts on Star Wars: The Acolyte and Ideas on How to Save It (From Total Disaster)

Although production of season one is finished and all worse for wear, there’s a change to salvage The Acolyte should season two get someone new in charge and takes note of the ideas presented here on what can be done to fix it.

The Acolyte Official PosterNow on Disney Plus

The latest instalment of Disney’s Star Wars takes fans to the High Republic years and offers a familiar tale. The Acolyte does not differ from Ninjago’s early seasons regarding siblings at odds. I feel this series set the bar regarding how Sensei Wu and Lord Garmadon represent two extremes but still remain family, and I have yet to see another tale that can do better. There’s Dragonlance with Cameron and Rastilin, but I digress.

But here, they are twins created under mysterious circumstances, and I doubt their nature was modified by genetics. Instead, it was through the bending of midichlorians to create the next generation of witches belonging to the Brendoks Sisterhood. By nature, one is kind and the other heartless. While I don’t care how the tale is from a matriarchal perspective, I want something that focuses more on the mystique that made Episode IV and V spectacular.

With this series, we’re dealing with a very weak murder mystery, which is the grander arc (and revenge fantasy if Mae was the focus; there’s potential to make the series good if she was in charge, but it’s not). The priority is really on Osha (Amandla Stenberg plays both characters), despite the fact the first episode begins with the other challenging a Jedi to the death. Most tales commonly start with introducing the protagonist, and it’s rare to deviate from that. In this case, we see Mae is out to kill four specific individuals from the Jedi Order because her Master ordered it.

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Mami Wata at Fantasia 2023. It’s All About Absolute Faith.

Students of folklore and the humanities will adore Mami Wata, a goddess whom not everyone is aware of.

Playing July 20 and 21st at Fantasia Film Festival 2023
For tickets, please visit this link.

Beliefs in the goddess Mami Wata stretch from Senegal to as far as Zambia and in what C.J. “Fiery” Obasi’s crafts in his movie about her is not only mesmerising but also modern. She’s more than just another mermaid / patron deity to those cities that still venerate her to this day. Her ability to cure ailments isn’t the only reason. The enormous snake that accompanies her is a symbol of her divine authority.

In the isolated village of Iyi, what the people are facing is multifold. Mama Efe (Rita Edochie)’s role as ruler is challenged. That’s because some people are dying from an unknown disease, and she can’t cure this ailment. One child has crossed over already. While some want her to step down, others are asking if their goddess has forsaken them.

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Krut The Mythic Wings and The Himmaphan Warriors. On What’s Wrong and Where to Find it

The 3D illusion in Krut The Mythic Wings is a pleasant touch. The only shame is that you can not run and fight in all four directions like some modern fighters.

Krut The Mythic WingsPlayers must master dodging and be skilled at slaying enemies in Krut The Mythic Wings without getting hit if they are to survive this multi platform video game. It’s available on many systems. If that isn’t hard enough, collecting the soul orbs is even worse. Thus, only the worthy need to apply. Here, you play an eagle-headed warrior of the Garuda race and have to overcome all the obstacles in six levels to master the elements. Having that skill is required before being allowed to get mystical armour before taking on the rock ogres again.

If you have seen the Indonesian movie, Krut: The Himmaphan Warriors, which this game is inspired by, then it’s almost worth comparing. The trailer (see below) shows off a PS3 level graphics akin the very first God of War PS3 videogame. The version we get to play is crisper and much more colourful. And by the mid-way point, we see how this version of Krut gains his Mythic Wings. To note, despite what Google says, it is not available on either Disney Plus or Netflix (Canada). I had no luck finding it from online sources. The cost to import the DVD from YesAsia is crazy when you don’t take advantage of the free international shipping offer (i.e. order a lot), or you can search eBay for it.

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The Zen of “Demigod The Legend Begins” at Fantasia 2022

Demigod, The Legend Begins may well be a prequel to Legend of the Sacred Stone, because Su Huan-jen is part of the cast.

Demigod The Legend BeginsPlayed at Fantasia 2022 July 23, 2022

Demigod The Legend Begins, is a visual treat. Not only do we get to watch Taiwanese glove puppet theatre on the big screen, but also the story is epic! Through the magic of editing, these characters come alive.

However, I must wonder if Bunraku is the appropriate term to use to describe this style of puppetry. The motions of these medium-sized dolls are achieved via hiding the puppeteers with simple tricks of the camera. Instead of watching a stage show, we are watching it though the eyes of the cinemtographer–where we have medium shots and closeups of the characters instead of wide shots to show these action figures in motion. In truth, this technique is the centuries-old tradition of budaixi—Chinese opera using glove puppetry. This movie updates the music with modern day electric guitars, and I’m fairly sure one song is taking cues from Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain.”

When a robe needs to look like it’s rustling, good ol’ fashioned fans are used. When the background needs to come alive, we have CGI replacing those green screen moments. Also, we have some well placed smoke effects and cups of blood to splash around when needed! The presentation is as good as those classic wuxia Hong Kong films from the 80s. But I can’t help but chuckle when they move off camera like a Muppet. That’s okay; Demigod The Legend Begins is not meant to be as perfect as other films using marionation.

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Krut: The Mythic Wings Puts the Legends and Lore of Southeast Asia on the Spotlight

Krut The Mythic Wings

Krut: The Mythic Wings is coming soon for gamers to take delight in! Not only is the artwork fantastic but also it takes inspiration from the legends and lore of Southeast Asia. To see the fusion of Indonesian, Cambodian and Thai beliefs (to name a few) makes up what I’m finding in this recently released trailer (see below).

There’s a lot to like if the trailer is any sign. Trying to identify the menagerie of creatures won’t be easy unless you know the legends, but they certainly demonstrate their ruthlessness in this hack-and-slash! Personally, I’m hoping the success will mean toys or a digital product line so I can have it grace my computer screen or wall. 

This a side-scrolling platformer from publisher Blowfish Studios, developers GoodJob Multimedia and Pixel Perfex, and producer RSU Horizon. A century-long battle will be rekindled on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, as well as PC and Mac via Steam, on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, as revealed in Indie Live Expo.

 

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