IMAX’s Fanfix 2014: Divergent gets an Inspired Poster

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

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Perhaps both the filmmakers and IMAX are being selective in what films will get the FanFix upgrade. This program is designed to give the hard-core fans a treat for being first in line for certain movies, and the 2014 year begins with a gorgeously 70’s deco inspired print (almost ala The Matrix meets Pink Floyd) by artist Victo Ngai for the movie Divergent.

This talented illustrator from Hong Kong is based out of New York and she has done works for clients like The New Yorker, The New York Times, Leo Burnett, McDonald’s, WIRED, Plansponsor, International Herald Tribune, The Progressive, Tor Books and many more. Her work has been in shows in New York, Los Angeles, London, Germany, Australia, China and can be purchased from galleries/stores including the Victoria and Albert Museum Shop.

But for people curious about the books that this movie is based on, including this author, the official synopsis is as follows:

“In a future world where people are divided into distinct factions based on their personalities, Tris Prior is warned she is Divergent and will never fit into any one group. When she discovers a conspiracy to destroy all Divergents, she must find out what makes being Divergent so dangerous before it’s too late.”

Divergent releases Thursday, March 20th.

For a list of participating theaters, click here.

Taking Our Time to Unearth the Dinobots in Transformers 4: Age of Extinction

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Yes, Marvel Entertainment’s big two movie trailer releases (Spider-Man 2 and Captain America: Winter Soldier) eclipsed Michael Bay’s Transformers 4 by more than a long shot. Although all three films are heavy hitters for the spring/summer blockbuster season, there is no denying that the battle for box office dollars will be owned by a comic book company than a director who simply loves it loud — namely to put in as much fast action, explosives and wow-factor into a jam-packed 100 minutes of intestinal fortitude.

There’s no official word as to how long this film is, but the trailer certainly has all the above mentioned traits to make dissecting this product a bit tough. Here are guesses at what each frame represents, after it has been hacked at by The Vintage Tempest’s sword.

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Although dark and grey, this Continue reading “Taking Our Time to Unearth the Dinobots in Transformers 4: Age of Extinction”

[Victoria, BC] Gracepoint Pt 2; Pictures at Clover Point

Photography by Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

When we of Otaku no Culture are able to (and that locations are publicly known), we may head out to check out the current day’s film set activities of FOX TV’s Gracepoint. Although we arrived as crews were wrapping up for one location, a little birdie flew by to give us hints of where filming is happening later that day.

But with other work ahead of us in prep for the Victoria Film Festival (who knows, maybe some of the cast may take in a film to relax after a long day), here is a tease of what roving photographer Eddie found:

Continue reading “[Victoria, BC] Gracepoint Pt 2; Pictures at Clover Point”

The Complete How to Train Your Dragon 2 Poster & Trailer Line-Up!

Here’s a rundown of all the posters released to date (this page will be updated as new images are made available)

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Updated May 3rd, 2014

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The countdown is on for How to Train Your Dragon 2 merchandise and collectible products.

J-14, an online Teen Celebrity Magazine got the exclusive to show the latest in a series of posters being released and Teen.com may well have the final piece. In January, the first poster of the lot featured Ruff and Tuff, and the detailing is looking very exquisite. Their sneer is very àpropos and the detailing will make watching the movie on a proper IMAX screen a beauty to behold. That’s if this movie will get shown in this format. Fans can only hope.

Continue reading “The Complete How to Train Your Dragon 2 Poster & Trailer Line-Up!”

[Victoria, BC] The Many Views of Gracepoint

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

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Fans of Kevin Zegers no doubt have been thrilled to see him on set today in Victoria, British Columbia as Gracepoint is being filmed. He starred in The Colony, a sci-fi thriller that was directed by Jeff Renfoe, who happens to be raised in Victoria. But his geek culture connections do not end there. I remember him in X-Files “Revelations” and Smallville “Magnetic.”

In this new crime drama series, he’s playing a roving reporter, whom that (I assume) breaks the story about the discovery of a child found dead at a beach. Foul play is eventually suspected and therein lies a vaguely Twin Peaks styled story (minus the David Lynch influence) that will be the thread of how each episode will tie together. This series is loosely based off the BBC production Broadchurch.

Interestingly enough, the two shows will have one special connection that will no doubt have David Tennant fans living in the Capital Region squealing with delight. Yes, this exceptional actor will be in Victoria. I loved how he played the character of Barty Crouch Jr. in the fourth Harry Potter film — his manic zest was perfect — and he was great as the young Casanova. Doctor Who only elevated his status as a beloved actor. If he is not here yet, he soon will be. My guess is that he will reprise his character of Detective Inspector Alec Hardy from the original series. In Gracepoint, he is known as Detective Emmett Carver. Other performers that are in town include Nick Nolte, Anna Gunn, Jacki Weaver, Michael Pena, Kevin Rankin and Virginia Kull.

Continue reading “[Victoria, BC] The Many Views of Gracepoint”

Finding Geekdom at Saturday Games

By Otaku no Culture

Saturday Games
Plenty of board games (some Asian) can be found at Saturday.

Saturday Game House
101 – 1551 Cedar Hill Cross Rd.
Gordon Head Municipality
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada
(250) 412-9472

E: I can’t help but start to hum along to the song, “Hot Patootie” by Meatloaf from the Rocky Horror Picture Show whenever I talk about Saturday Game House. This operation is relatively new. They cater to the board game crowd and to youths looking for something to do after school.

But when it comes right down to it, is there anything to do in my municipality of Gordon Head? Whatever happened to Saturday night when you dressed up sharp and you felt alright? There’s no rock n’ roll show anywhere nearby and a few naysayers might point out that the University of Victoria’s Farquhar Auditorium hosts the odd concert, but that’s beside the point.

Continue reading “Finding Geekdom at Saturday Games”