The Week In Watching (Early April 2011)

It's Friday evening out here, and that means it's time for a quick run-through of what's been shaking in the watching department, along with progress report on gathering back lost steam. That's right, as of this weekend, the Kaijyu shall be back to full speed with renewed energy, including all the activity one comes to expect from the several sites I dedicate time to.

So let's just get into some digests of what I've recently checked out:


Well I finally got around to catching the Smith-produced remake of The Karate Kid, starring their still larval-staged son, Jaden alongside the legendary Jackie Chan, and I have to say that despite my fears, this wasn't as horrid a project as I had feared it would be. Which isn't to say that this isn't a desperate, arch, shallow attempt at co-opting American nostalgia, which it truly is. But it at least offers enough new tweaks, and accents to the familiar story to make it at least watchable. By setting this version in China, and enlisting the production cooperation of the government, it creates a whole new cultural disconnect that transcends some of the more oversimplified elements of the original. Especially impressive is in how the script takes the time to allow these characters to breathe within those early stages of the story, before our titular kid begins to look for help from the mysterious local handyman in Mr. Han (Chan). It is clear that Smith's Dre Parker is a charismatic, likeable presence, that while is essentially the same character as Ralph Macchio was in the '84 film, has a completely new set of quirks and issues. And in the role of the teacher, Jackie shares what is easily the best english language role of his career. It is perhaps in this dynamic that allows the film to actually deliver in ways the original wasn't allowed to. And while the film does run a bit too long (2hrs and 21 minutes is asking a bit), it is hindered by a rushed finale, and a few annoying reminders that we are also watching a Chinese travel brochure in action. And lastly, henceforth, I will continue to call this film by its rightful name because there is no hint of karate to be found.


After years of putting it off for a number of reasons, I finally went ahead and took the amber plunge with Oshii's digitally "enhanced" version of his seminal anime classic, Ghost In The Shell. And all I can say is..WOW. There is no reason GiTS 2.0 to exist other than for some bizarre market subset not me. It's the very reason not to do a re-issue. For my whole review, please check this out. And the saddest part of it is, is that it feels closer in feel to the late 90s Star Wars Special Editions than anything. If there's a fate worse than some half-baked, bargain bin "special edition" dvd sold in a liquor store, this is it.


Also this week, I had the chance to revisit s film that I hadn't seen in the years after the overnight success of their second film, The Matrix. Seriously, I hadn't watched 1996's BOUND since it first came to home video well near fifteen years ago, and boy so much came rushing back reminding me of what made this sibling duo's work so entertaining, albeit removed from any sort of reality. The Wachowski's if anything are masters at styling up noir environments with hammy characters, and exaggerated actions. I remember chuckling like crazy at just how far they went toward portraying this pair of sexually confined leads as they attempt to dupe the mob out of 2 million. As much as some attempted to say that this film was a sort of first for LGBT-laden thrillers, there is so my hyperbole in character mannerisms that it borders, no strike that, reaches cartoonish heights. And even back then, I found Gina Gershon's jeans-wearing, tattoo-sporting ex-con, Corky to be little more than an exaggerated stereotype hidden under a fun performance.(swing that lugwrench!) And Jennifer Tilly's sultry & borderline desperate Violet have much to contend with as the ever master scene-larcenist, Joey Pantoliano struggles to outwit the pair of would-be runaway thieves. And yet this critically-acclaimed film never lets us forget that we're watching a movie-movie, and that it's all about assured style & over the top antics. Which clearly worked, as it opened the door for their biggest claim to fame three years later. And no matter how this film still makes me laugh, there is certainly a telling amount of material in this film for more Matrix fans to mine from regarding how much cinema has indeed changed since then. Also worthy of note is the still brilliant photography of Bill Pope (Matrix, Spiderman 2, Scott Pilgrim) which was apparently done on the cheap, and still looks phenomenal.

And lastly, after nearly two months of struggling with re-editing, tweaking, and generally rearranging, a new special episode of the Combo Attack podcast is on the air. Highlighting our Top Five Special Effects Milestones, this long in the making 90 minute episode features a return visit from old friend, and CG Texture artist, Krystal S., who also offered a list of the films that inspired her to become part of the FX community, as well as gives us a lot of insight into working on Cameron's FX landmark, AVATAR. It's a scrappy, illuminating, and monstrously geeky good time. Check it out!

The End Of This Pilgrim's Journey?

And so sound the viola...or lone acoustic Fender?

That's right, it's time to put another toy back into the box, end the waltz, shovel the dirt. After over three-plus months of reporting about both the comic & movie versions of Scott Pilgrim, it is now time to say goodbye in fitting fashion.

                           This weekend's latest Combo Attack!! podcast, while filled with musings, and explorations of Bryan Lee O'Malley's signature comic opus, obviously left the batch of us bereft of one of the most fun pieces of cross-media to have come around stateside in quite some time, but the guest star of the show makes such a ceremony something for the history books. My buddy & cohort from Adventures On Infant Island, Jenny Park joins the team this time, and gives an entry worthy of the greats as we also celebrate today's dvd/Blu-ray release of the movie

And watch out for extras!

Check It All Out Here!

Monsters Onward! : Sights & Sounds (Labor Day Weekend 2010)

Things are on full here as the transitional life takes hold once again. But one of the cooler parts of this is the extra time I'll likely have to watching and studying materials for further posts & shows.

And speaking of shows, Combo Attack!!'s take on 1980s video game favorites comes to an at times hysterical conclusion this week. Recorded two weekends ago in Little Tokyo, Welcome To The Pixeldome was easily the closest we've come to an on-location broadcast, where anything goes, and edits were scarce. (And don't miss the musical interludes throughout, featuring the evercool sounds of NVR-NDR! - and...me, having some fun at the expense of a most particular rant.)



This particular weekend was geared more toward recreation than anything, so the roomie and I shot off to various stops in L.A. for Korean BBQ, boba-slushies, and some peeking at pop culture finds! A rare kind of day that will likely be best remembered for the great food, sights and pictures taken. Some know me to not be the most enamored with the facsimile Hollywood fantasy, but to dig deeper, and seek the geeky stuff(especially during a busy holiday weekend) makes it all worthwhile.

Also on the horizon, is an all-new Adventures On Infant Island involving (gasp!) Giant Monsters! Stay tuned for that, and more on the way.

The State Of The Kaijyu (August 31st, 2010)

Well it looks like there may be a great deal more happening on these pages than previously for a while. In between occupations is not a bad place to be, and it also offers many a great opportunity to reach deeply for some above caliber material. Not a bad challenge.

But until that happens, there will likely be more than a few brief-shots occurring here than usual. Getting acclimated to this new schedule is going to take a little time. Steam will gather for sure, but just as a calm before the storm, I felt it best to make a note to not only my fellow readers, but myself as well. The events of last week couldn't have been more polar in extremes, so this only makes sense. One moment we're celebrating friends, and expressing in a myriad of method, the next, a major inspiration vanishes from view, and leaves the mediasphere (Fans & creators) in a most uncertain place..Perhaps it is time for a long neglected recharge of battery.

And on the same token, I will also likely have some more goodness happening at Variable Zero (since this is one of the very best places for me to work things out on a less intellectual level). And of course, Anime Diet will remain host to some of my stranger rants. There are still some vivid memories, and concerns to tend to on that front for sure. In a time when High School Of The Dead comes off as the one show not to miss, you know I have to chime in somewhere.

Also looking out for pals, and keeping up the daily on Twitter. Quite often you'll find me up to some mischief there, as well as sharing some of the most unusual findings too tiny for a mere post here. All in all, I'm still very much around, and there is a fun little review coming very soon. And hey....how about some podcasting? The latest episode of Combo Attack!! is the first of two incredible (albeit terribly informal-fair warning) shows featuring some love for seriously old school arcade games, and consoles. (and btw- check out my co-host's new blog for more dives into oceans of geek.)

Oh, heck. Let's just share this unique event right here. 

So yes. Plenty happening, and will accelerate as time allows. But give the other options a spin. I'll do my part to make them worthwhile.

Combo Attack!! 's Next Target Is...

And so the radio silence ends, and the real chat begins...


What is the trio to take on for their first official episode of the Combo Attack!! podcast?

Do we even need to say it?



Combining the visuals of comics, the framework of video games to come, and the experimentation of sheer cinema, it's a movie Combo Attack!! was made for.


Soon.

Basking In The Ember Glow

Still recuperating from a week of settling back into work, as well as writeups on Anime Expo, but it felt peaceful just long enough to put a spotlight on some house objects scattered about.

At the moment, trying to set aside time for some fun editing for something hopefully very fun this weekend.

With Anime Diet, columns like Bridging The Gap, Otaple Talk, and Analog Diaries will in fact be continuing very soon. As of right now, I'm formulating where AD is going specifically. Just so many memories in that particular pool to dip from, it was really tough to pick a single one for the next post. And Otaple Talk is definitely something I'd love to do more of in the near future. Always a fun time to help better meld the 2D vs 3D in strange, hopefully revealing ways. As always, BDG is perhaps the one most closest to my heart.

Perhaps now would be as good a time as any to remind readers that The Kaijyu will again be in the audio form within the coming weeks. As time zero stands at almost night, I can best sum it all up by saying that the planning has been as good as is possible given the technical limitations we have. So I guess I just want folks to know that even if the first few episodes begin with a scrappy feel, we are aware of these and hope to have a final format & maintenance system down. Until then, I hope we can offer an insightful look at pop culture events large and small from three wildly diverging viewpoints. In the past several weeks, it has become crystal clear just how different the three of us are. And in this, the hope is that we can cover an impressive range of viewpoints, and maybe, just maybe...offer something altogether new in the podosphere (is that even a word...yet?).

Also very overdue is another Infant Island Podcast, which should reemerge very soon. The Kiyo and I have been incredibly busy with watching and discussing shows old and new. And I'm certain that we have a memorable one for our next show. This is one that is a little easier to produce as (surprise!) it's all in house with us here at The Cube. As for when, it truly depends on our respective work situations before a new installment can become a reality.

So on one level, I'm a little relieved that con season is almost over, and the new anime season seems to be under way. Whether it'll be fun, or another dark, tarry abyss remains to be seen. (the guys at Diet have been getting some peeks, and seem to like a few- personally I just want to see Occult Academy)

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