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Godzilla Singular Point’s Mixed Metaphor

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Gojira has evolved with the times. Previous treatments during specific decades saw him as either a metaphor of systematic destruction, humanity’s relationship with nature, or simply be a reluctant hero. Ever since his introduction in 1954, the story direction had no definitive bible for future filmmakers to consult or even abide by. That eventually changed circa 1984 with Return of Godzilla (known as the Heisei era) where each film interconnects and again 1999 (Millennium). The ideas being offered per movie didn’t always pan out and the latest, starting with Shin Godzilla (2016) is getting way out there.

The series Godzilla: Singular Point depicts him as absolutely primordial. He is on an evolutionary path to destruction and rebirth. From a giant sea wurm to a dinosaur, he’s not to be reckoned with. Instead of a relic of a prehistoric age, he’s now a nexus point where all things (not necessarily human life) begin and end.

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Who’s the Star with Netflix’s Wish Dragon?

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Now playing on Netflix

Sadly, Wish Dragon is a very paint by numbers Disney-style product. It has elements of Aladdin, Mulan and Raya and the Last Dragon all mixed in, and I’m fairly sure writer/director Chris Appelhans even drew upon the song When I Wish Upon a Star for inspiration. This blending delivers on the meaning behind the lyrics, “The sweet fulfillment of their secret longing…” but fails when considering other details. This work can’t decide if it wants to be a social commentary/comedy ala Crazy Rich Asians or a tween romance. The balancing act isn’t well done.

The introduction establishes Din (Jimmy Wong) and Li (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) as kids promising to be best friends forever, a la Lilo & Stitch. Both are troublemakers and it’s cute to see them together. Unlike this franchise, they eventually get separated. The girl becomes a model and has forgotten about her past. Her dad’s motives are good, but it turns out he has an “evil” agenda. He’s searching for that magic lamp to grant him a better life for his family.

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The Mitchells vs. the Machines vs. Pleasing the Masses

Despite borrowing from the likes of past works I’ve enjoyed, this animated film shines with its kinetic production design.

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Available on Netflix

The Mitchells vs. the Machines is certainly a very colourful and crazy mixed media movie about a not so normal family. Katie (voiced by Abbi Jacobson) is about to leave the nest. She’s an artist and a videographer. Her love for theatrics (aka storytelling) is something her dad doesn’t get. He refused to take challenges and was unadaptable. He’s hilariously sad since staying up to date is as foreign to him as kids of today are to punch card technology.

Even the younger brother Aaron (Mike Rianda) is odd. He loves dinosaurs, which is typical for any lad, and is obsessive as Hudson Harper from Lego Jurassic World: Legend of Isla Nublar. Linda (Maya Rudolph), her mom, is about the only voice of reason to keep the clan together. The family dynamics are at the heart of why this film is adorable. This oddball clan is just that, and honestly, it’s Munch the dog who steals the show. This exotropia and bug eyed pug is very familiar tho’, and when I’ve seen a whole ton of animated shows, it’s easy to see what series Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and the writing crew picked from when creating this film.

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Reading Between the Lines in How Netflix’s Ragnarok May End

Technically, the Jutals simply want to destroy humanity by allowing one of their operations to pollute the local water reservoir. Since they’re long lived anyway, the wait may well be a blip in their lifetime.

Spoiler Alert

Just how many seasons of Netflix Ragnarok can run for will be tricky to determine. Binge watchers who finished viewing season two will no doubt want the next set to broadcast sooner than later. The end times will come, and the question I have concerning this rebirth of the old gods is how often does this apocalypse happen? This series may have been influenced by the writings of Matthias Gardell’s book, Gods of the Blood: The Pagan Revival and White Separatism (Amazon USA link).

My guess is that whenever Loki’s spirit is truly locked up for good and he cannot be reborn. Laurits embodies this trickster god and Jonas Strand Gravli is simply amazing in giving this modern reinterpretation a lot of soul. He’s struggling with identity (“Brothers in Arms”) and becomes a goth mid-season. Much like Marvel Entertainment’s version played by Tom Hiddleston, his agenda is multifold. He wants to be loved by his blood parents, but they use him (Vidar seemingly comes around in “Power to the People”). His loyalty to his half-brother is half-hearted despite Magne (the reincarnation of Thor) always coming to his aid.

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It’s better to Fight, than Let the Monster Run

The idea to adapt the American book into a Chinese film, Monster Run, is odd. This country is better off taking concepts from their own vast catalogue of lore than to look across the Pacific. The plot outline of Monster by A. Lee Martinez is also very familiar.

Monster Run (2020) - IMDb By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Available on Netflix

The idea to adapt the American book into a Chinese film, Monster Run, is odd. This country is better off taking concepts from their own vast catalogue of lore than to look across the Pacific. The plot outline of Monster by A. Lee Martinez is also very familiar.

Some ideas are good, like the comic relief from a smart-mouthed animated piece of paper and a heroine who is not fully aware of her psychic abilities. Ji Mo (Jessie Li) can see monsters. However, she is not in full control of her abilities and she thinks she’s an odd duck. She’s like Pai in the Japanese manga Sazan Eyes by Yuzo Takada, innocent and cute. However, she doesn’t have Sanjiyan’s confidence, another personality hiding within her, to control the beasts. That belongs to her rival, Lotus (Kara Hui).

Meng (Shawn Yue) is the only person who can help. One night, while Mo is handing out flyers for the grocery store she works at, he is hunting for a nearby sleeping beast. Their meeting wasn’t easy; he is a conceited fool, as annoying as Han Solo when Leia first met him, but in control of the situation with Paper, his partner (voiced by the scene stealing Qiao Shan) providing support. This possessed piece of stationery is hilarious and the many forms he can fold himself into give this film an air of originality!

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How to Cinematically Rock Chinese New Year 2021

Nezha Reborn Movie Poster Chinese New Year is today and while it feels late when compared to previous year, that’s because this celebration follows the tides of the moon. A few new films from this country are attached to this time of the year but this time ’round not so much thematically.

Not to flog a dead horse (or ox, as this year represents), the pandemic has done enough to cause problems for the timeline when certain movies are released. Some are developed with the hashtag #blockbuster in mind, and others to show renewal.

Only three works in the fantasy front pop because there’s no more. I hoped for Deep Sea to debut, and it’s no doubt delayed. In what we can enjoy after their release in the homeland and in other territories by Well GO USA are:

Gods: Nezha Reborn
Feb 12-15

This modern update of Nezha sounds very promising, especially when the trailer takes on tones of Akira, Blade Runner and Mad Max! What can go wrong? If you’ve enjoyed White Snake from a few years ago, then Light Chaser Animation Studios and Warner Bros Eastern Division have a hit!

Synopsis: Three thousand years ago, both humans and gods faced a great catastrophe. Not wanting Nezha’s soul to escape the net of heaven and earth, they placed him into a cycle of constant reincarnation. However, the dragon clan’s grievances towards Nezha did not let up, and Li Yunxiang, who had the primordial spirit of Nezha, lived in fear for his life. With the East China Sea at stake, Yunxiang will have to fight alongside Nezha to defeat the dragons and become a hero. [© Far East Films]

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