The Geek of Oz

Matsubara Hidenori to Attend SMASH this August

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:55:00 +0000

Sydney's premiere anime convention, SMASH, has made yet ANOTHER massive announcement for this years con. Following the success of Japan Foundation's Evangelion expo and announcement of Evangelion 3.0 at Madman's REEL ANIME festival, SMASH announce the inclusion of Matsubara Hidenori!

UPDATE: SMASH have confirmed that Hidenori-san will be holding art workshops at SMASH!

Masakazu Morita, Haruko Momoi and now Matsubara Hidenori? Why isn't August here yet?

Full details after the jump.

Director Matsubara Hidenori to attend SMASH! 2013

Matsubara Hidenori ©CCSX

Sydney, NSW, May 22, 2013 – With less than three months until SMASH! (Sydney Manga and Anime Show), it has been confirmed that animation director Matsubara Hidenori will be joining Japanese voice-actors Masazaku Morita and Haruko Momoi as this year’s main guests.

Besides his acclaimed director title, Matsubara Hidenori is also a prominent character designer and illustrator for titles such as Ah! My Goddess, Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo, and the popular Neon Genesis Evangelion series and films.

With SMASH! being his first Australian appearance, Hidenori’s visit coincides with the Neon Genesis Evangelion art exhibition which is currently touring Australia’s east coast. SMASH! President Ray Elinon says Hidenori’s appearance ‘will definitely excite Evangelion fans’.

“We want every guest panel to be distinctive in its own way,” Elinon said. “To have a celebrated artist-director attending SMASH!, fans can expect a live demonstration and a Q&A panel with Hidenori-san on the day. This is a great chance for aspiring artists to meet and learn from him.”

SMASH! (Sydney Manga and Anime Show) is a one-day convention that will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2013. For more information, visit www.smash.org.au

Matsubara Hidenori (秀典松原) is an acclaimed character designer, illustrator and animation director who has worked for Gainax Company and is now working at Studio Khara.

He is best known for his work in animated titles such as Ah! My Goddess, Sakura Wars, Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo, Wolf's Rain, Steamboy and The Princess and the Pilot.

In addition to these titles, Matsubara Hidenori also played a vital role in the Neon Genesis Evangelion films and television series. Not only was Hidenori the chief animation director of Evangelion’s infamous episode 26, but he was also the animation director of the first two films of the Rebuild of Evangelion film series.

Tiger & Bunny Part 2 Review (DVD)

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

After giving such a glowing review to Part 1 of Siren Visual's Tiger & Bunny release, it feels great to jump straight on in and review Part 2.

Things are really starting to heat up in Sternbild City with Tiger & Bunny both facing off against the alleged killer of Barnaby's parents. This seemingly untouchable NEXT has taken down all who face him and looks to keep the secret of Ouroboros to himself. Will Bunny find out who killed his parents? Will Tiger score a damn point this season?

Something would have to be seriously wrong for me to dislike this second release and thankfully, all is right with the world. While Part 1 was awesome fun, Part 2 actually brings with it more heart and more reason to become emotionally involved with the characters in Tiger & Bunny. Kotetsu/Tiger especially goes through some real hard times that further reinforce that he's a heroes hero. He's not in it for the glory, the points or the fame. We start to learn why he became a hero in the first place. Knowing many people in law enforcement, emergency services and the military, it's a familiar story. Heroes, people who put their lives on the line for others, always have some sort of motivation that is bigger than themselves and it really felt as though this second part in particular promoted this fact. Even when his back was against the wall and he had no hope of getting back on his feet, he kept fighting. Simply put, Kotetsu/Tiger is just an out and out good guy and we see that through his interactions with his fellow heroes and family members.

In this part of the story the seclusion of Tiger was very well executed. After Part 1 did such a great job of focussing on most of the other heroes, Part 2 begins to wrap up the story with plenty of time to spare. Villains are revealed in shocking plot twists which, frankly, I didn't see coming. Bunny's character is explored so much more in the latter stages and, to be brutally honest, he's far less annoying and mopey than he was earlier on. There is just as much humour and even more action than before and as things progress, the action starts to develop some weight. The stakes are higher and the outcome less certain. In short, as the series begins to build to a thrilling crescendo, the drama swells and adds to what is undoubtedly a fulfilling payoff. The story still does a fantastic job of satirising American comic books and shonen manga/anime with catchphrases and cheesy poses galore. I also feel as though it has a dig at tokusatsu series like Kamen Rider with it's camp transformation cut scenes and voice over. You could almost interchange "Good Luck Mode" with Kamen Rider's classic "HENSHIN!" catchcry.

The animation in this part is every bit as fantastic as the first, however, there is a noticeable difference in quality between the DVD and Blu Ray releases. In no way could you say that the DVD release is bad, it's just that the Blu Ray release is superior in terms of picture and sound quality. This is the kind of series that all but demands to be watched in high definition. It almost feels like a disservice to studio Sunrise to watch it any way other than on Blu Ray. Thankfully, Siren price both their DVD and Blu Ray releases the same so if you already have a Blu Ray player, it won't cost you extra. Bravo Siren, bravo!

I can generally judge how much I like a series based upon how much I shop for merchandise after watching it. That said, I've spent hours looking at FiguArts figures, iPhone covers, t-shirts, tea towels, posters, clear files, wall scrolls... the lot! Tiger & Bunny is an incredibly exciting and dynamic series that I'm very pleased to have on my shelf. The fact that this release also comes with the same Hero Monthly magazines and trading cards is just the icing on the cake. That said, try and grab the Blu Ray release if possible, it's just that little bit more polished than the DVD incarnation. Heck, I may have to replace this DVD version!

Tiger & Bunny Part 2 is available from Siren Visual on DVD and Blu Ray from 23 May 2013.

Don't forget, Siren have also announced that they will be releasing the first film, Tiger & Bunny - Beginning, at some point in the near future. Anime News Network had reported at a July release but it looks as though it may be as late as September. Regardless, it's on its way!

Win a Sinister Prize Pack From Icon

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Wed, 22 May 2013 06:20:00 +0000

Ah, the good old "found footage" sub-genre. It works so well and for one simple reason, it grounds the events in reality and in return scares the bejesus out of me. Enter, SINISTER.

In Cinemas May 30, the new frightening supernatural thriller from the producer of the Paranormal Activity films and the director of The Exorcism of Emily Rose, SINISTER stars Ethan Hawke as Elison, a true-crime writer who lacks inspiration and decides to move into a new home with his family. When he discovers a box of disturbing 8mm films in his attic, he watches a series of gruesome crimes and begins to delve further into the story. He soon uncovers a terrifying truth that could put the lives of his family and his own at risk.

Check out all of the details after the jump and remember, you can score yourself an extra entry just by following us on Twitter or liking us on Facebook!

Thanks to our friends at Icon, we have 5x SINISTER prize packs comprising of the following:

- 1x in-season double pass to SINISTER
- 1x copy of LET ME IN on DVD
- 1x copy of INSIDIOUS on DVD
- 1x copy of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY on DVD

All you have to do is watch the trailer, answer a simple question and fill out the form below.

Entries close 11:59pm on Monday 27th May 2013. Your details will not be used in any way other than for the delivery of your prize. Geek of Oz and Icon do not take any responsibility for the loss, damage or delay of/to prizes sent to winners (blame Australia Post for that one). This is a game of skill, incorrect answers will be void. One entry per person, subsequent entries will be void. The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered upon. One entry per person. Prizes are not redeemable for cash or any other kind of trading currency such as creds, latinum, sen, kan, zeni, double dollars or Ankh Morpork dollars. This competition is only open to Australian residents. Any questions or queries can be submitted through the comment section at the bottom of screen. Good luck!

Batman: Arkham Origins Trailer Revealed

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:36:00 +0000

The more information that comes out about Batman: Arkham Origins, the more I want it to be here now! Unfortunately the all new trailer doesn't show any gameplay but what it does show is that the team in charge of the game has a knack for story telling. However, we do have a couple of screenshots that look as though they're from gameplay.

More than just an awesome CGI clip, it shows a Batman who hasn't yet become as grizzled and surly as he was in the most recent games. It also shows a Batman who, while still kicking all sorts of butt, isn't quite as masterful as he will become.

It also shows that a CGI film needs to be made, now!

Check out the full trailer and details on preorder bonuses after the jump!

Deathstroke Confirmed as Playable Character in Batman: Arkham Origins Challenge Mode

Pre-Order Now for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC for Exclusive Early Access to the Deathstroke Pack

Today, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment confirmed that Deathstroke will be a fully playable character in the challenge mode for Batman: Arkham Origins™. Fans who pre-order the game for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 system or Windows PC will receive exclusive early access to the Deathstroke pack.

Deathstroke will come complete with his own unique weapons and special moves, and will be playable in all challenge maps in the game, as well as two additional challenge maps that will be included with the pack. The pack will also contain two alternate Deathstroke character skins.

Developed by WB Games Montréal, Batman: Arkham Origins features an expanded Gotham City and introduces an original prequel storyline set several years before the events of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City. Taking place before the rise of Gotham City’s most dangerous criminals, the game showcases a young and unrefined Batman as he faces a defining moment in his early career as a crime fighter that sets his path to becoming the Dark Knight. As the story unfolds, players will meet many important characters for the first time and forge key relationships.

Batman: Arkham Origins is the next installment in the blockbuster Batman: Arkham videogame franchise and will be available for the Xbox 360®, PS3™, the Wii U™ system, and Windows PC. The game will release worldwide Oct. 25, 2013 along with Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate™ for Nintendo 3DS™ handheld system and PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system.

Aussie Cricket Comedy, SAVE YOUR LEGS, Arrives in July

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:36:00 +0000

Confession time, I'm not a fan of cricket. That said, I will watch absolutely anything that Stephen Curry is involved in.

The good folks at Madman films have confirmed that SAVE YOUR LEGS will be released on DVD, Blu Ray and digitally Australia wide on 17 July 2013.

Full details below.

A SPORTING ODYSSEY FROM THE SUBURBS TO THE SUB-CONTINENT

SAVE YOUR LEGS! - COMING SOON TO DVD, BLU-RAY AND DIGITAL DOWNLOAD.

An inspirational adventure filled with comedy, cricket and camaraderie, SAVE YOUR LEGS! arrives to home entertainment formats, 17 July, 2013.

SAVE YOUR LEGS! is an uplifting story from the heart of Australia to the soul of India, where a group of men take a shot at international sporting glory and find themselves facing the hardest challenge of them all – mateship.

Edward (Teddy) Brown is obsessed with cricket. His whole life revolves around the game and his Abbotsford Anglers teammates. But now that they've hit their mid-thirties, his friends are starting to move on, trading in the team for their careers, wives, mortgages and kids. With one last, desperate attempt to keep his mates’ passion for the pitch alive, Teddy convinces his boss Sanjeet to let the Anglers represent Australia on a cricket tour of India.

Once there, Teddy discovers that his dreams of winning an international cricket tour might be harder than he thinks, as his two best friends are more interested in sampling the local customs than they are with picking up a bat. Throw in a bit of local team tension, hallucinogenic smoothies, Delhi belly and a dry cleaning disaster, and Teddy’s grip on all he holds dear begins to fall apart. Soon his passion for the game threatens to cost him not only his teammates, but also a chance at the heart of Sanjeet's beautiful daughter, Anjali.

Stephen Curry (THE CASTLE, THE CUP) heads up a stellar comedy cast for SAVE YOUR LEGS! including Brendan Cowell (NOISE, BENEATH HILL 60) Damon Gameau (BALIBO, UNDERBELLY), Darren Gilshenan (THE ELEGANT GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO KNIFE FIGHTING), David Lyons (E.R., SEA PATROL) and Bollywood beauty, Pallavi Sharda.

SAVE YOUR LEGS! is available on DVD ($29.95srp), Blu-Ray ($34.95srp) and Digital Download 17 July, 2013.

Tiger & Bunny Part 1 Blu Ray

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:11:00 +0000

Tiger & Bunny sure took its time getting to our fair shores but was the wait worth it? Hell yes.

I'd had my eyes on this series since it first hit streaming services and it always struck me as being an odd blend of American superheroes and Japanese animation. For once in my life, I was totally right.

Welcome to Sternbild City circa NC 1978. The city is home to millions of everyday folks and a handful of super powered individuals known as "NEXT". Of course, wherever there's superheroes, there will be supervillains. Each of these superheroes is sponsored by real-life corporations including Pepsi, Softbank and Bandai while they take part in a show called "Hero TV". Each hero is awarded points for their heroic deeds, all in the hopes of being named this seasons "King of the Heroes".

Being a longtime American comic book fan, I appreciate the amount of satire that is imbued into the shallow lives that are often put on show in capes comics. It really is the kind of silliness that deserves to be the butt of many a joke and Tiger & Bunny nails it. Satire aside, it also manages to deliver a story that focuses just as much on friendship as it does on superdudes. The relationship between Kotetsu (Tiger) and Barnaby (Bunny) is a rocky one to say the least. An odd couple from the get go, they slowly but surely begin to realise that they are both heroes for the same reason - they want to do good. Thankfully, this element of the story is intertwined amongst an overarching story involving a clandestine corporation and the killer of Barnaby's parents (Batman, anyone?).

We are introduced to a whole swag of heroes in this series and like any super team, they all have their own look and powers. The stars of the series are, of course, Tiger and Bunny, but each character seems to get their moment in the sun and enough time to validate their position in the series. The character designs by Masakazu Katsura are absolutely brilliant and show the forethought that was put into the overarching story and future merchandising possibilities. Small character design elements such as the opaque details on Tiger and Bunny's costumes just add to the effect. Not only do the characters look cool, but the product placement doesn't even look odd, unlike Greg Kinnear's "Captain Amazing" in Mystery Men. Each of these characters have their own egos which are as sizable as their feats of strength. While not an entirely new concept, Tiger & Bunny does it exceptionally well and refrains from making their occupations seem unsightly.

The animation quality is awesome which should come as no surprise considering the fact that Sunrise is responsible. What they bring to the table is not only experience in traditional animation but also in the integration of traditional and CGI animation as seen in Gundam 00. The characters costumes are predominantly CGI while their faces are hand drawn. Thankfully, it's generally seamless and the suits benefit from the level of detail that only CGI can provide. Keiichi Satoh, the man behind the brilliant mecha noir series Big O (Batman, anyone?) knows how to use a city and Sternbild is no different. The gorgeous, art deco inspired locale is absolutely inspiring and is a character in its own right. Unfortunately, the characters don't spend a great deal of time exploring the city unless they're busting it up but regardless, it looks incredible. This is the kind of series that you should grab on Blu Ray if possible. The picture is incredibly sharp and highlights the work that has been put into each character and background.

This is without a doubt one of the best quality and best value releases in Siren's catalogue. Not only do you get 2 HD discs of awesome anime, but you also get it housed in a beautiful cardboard slipcase which contains 4 issues of "Hero Monthly" and 4 trading cards. While Siren are generally known for releasing lesser known and less mainstream titles such as Shiki, Kaiba and No. 6, Tiger and Bunny seems to be somewhat of a flagship title for them and rightly so. I absolutely loved this release.

Tiger & Bunny Part 1 is available now on DVD and Blu Ray. Part 2 is available on DVD and Blu Ray from the 23rd of May.

Also, don't forget that the the Japanese voice of Barnaby, Masakazu Morita, will appear at this years SMASH (Sydney Manga and Anime Show) thanks to Japan Foundation Sydney.

Win Tickets to the Australian Premiere of WORLD WAR Z

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Mon, 20 May 2013 02:05:00 +0000

Thanks to our friends at Paramount Pictures Australia, we're giving our readers the chance of a lifetime!

We're giving 10 lucky Geek of Oz readers the chance to win a double pass to the Australian premiere of the upcoming zombie blockbuster, WORLD WAR Z. But things just get better, Paramount have confirmed that director Marc Forster and Brad Pitt will be walking the red carpet in Sydney at the Australian premiere. See Brad Pitt walk the red carpet in Sydney on June 9th at the Australian Premiere of World War Z. For all the latest World War Z Australian Premiere information follow @ParamountAU on Twitter.

United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Pitt), traverses the world in a race against time to stop a pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatening to decimate humanity itself.

Only at the movies JUNE 20

All you have to do is check out the trailer and answer a question correctly to be in the running but don't forget to check out the conditions of entry.

Each winner will receive:

1 x double pass to the Australian premiere of World War Z
It is the winners responsibility to organise transport to/from event
The premiere will take place in Sydney CBD on Sunday 9th June
Entrants who are unable to take the prize on the above dates will be deemed ineligible to enter
Exact screening location and time will be confirm to winners on notification
Winners will be notified via email.
Entree passes to the premiere will be collected at the premiere itself. Photo ID will be required.
One entry per person.
Entries close 11:59pm on Sunday 2nd June 2013.
Don't forget, you can score yourself an extra entry just by following us on Twitter or liking us on Facebook!

Twitter - #WorldWarZ

Facebook - facebook.com/WorldWarZAU

Kids on the Slope Blu Ray Review

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:48:00 +0000

Way back in July 2012, I attended the Sydney Manga and Anime Show (SMASH) and reported on Hanabee's very first acquisition panel. At that time they announced titles Toradora, Dream Eater Merry and Red vs Blue before taking some questions from the audience. It was at this time that I asked Hanabee President, Eric Cherry, whether they would be pursuing Kids on the Slope. After umming and ahhing he finally said something to the effect of "I'd love to, it's a really great series and one that we'd be interested in releasing". In no way am I insinuating that I had anything to do with this decision but instead am of the belief that Hanabee were well and truly on the case even back in July.

Thank goodness for that.

Before even reading this review you can more or less rest assured that Kids on the Slope is a highly polished nugget of anime gold in terms of story, art and music. Reuniting the team behind Cowboy Bebop and Macross Plus, director Shinichiro Watanabe and composer Yoko Kanno, we are this time far removed from the flight and fantasy of space and are instead transported back in time to southern Japan circa 1966. What we are immediately faced with is a classic "odd couple" situation in which straight laced, straight A student Kaoru Nishimi begrudgingly unites with high school bad boy Sentaro Kawabuchi. The two find themselves united through a love of music, but not just any music, jazz music.

As far as a basic synopsis of the series goes, that's as far as I can get into it without spoiling certain elements. This is purely due to the fact that there's actually not too much to the story. At its core, this series is about the friendship between two boys. Unlike many other series, there is nothing untoward or even homoerotic about this particular element in the story and is without a doubt part of what gives this series its charm. The simple notion of exploring the friendship between to young males and their love of music is one that resonates personally with me, and I'm sure many others. Add to this a young and pure love interest and you've got a series that will undoubtedly resonate with anyone who still remembers their teenage years.

In no way would I suggest that Kids on the Slope is Shinichiro Watanabe's best work, there's not many series that could topple Cowboy Bebop. However, I will make the claim that this series in particular proves how fantastic a director he truly is. Cowboy Bebop is a fantastic series that benefits from a setting that is filled with whimsy and all things fantastical. Kids on the Slope, on the other hand, has to work harder to build on what is an everyday setting which is filled with rather unremarkable characters. Aside from issues with pacing, Watanabe makes it work. The issues with pacing seem to arise due to the fact that events still progress at a pace that you'd expect from an action, sci-fi adventure and not a slice of life series which would benefit from more time to explore the characters and especially more time to give us a more fulfilling payoff at series end. That said, it's an utterly delightful ride.

The visuals in this series are gorgeous and respectfully subdued. In this beautiful coming-of-age series, animation studios MAPPA and Tezuka Productions combine to deliver an overarching feeling of reminiscence through a the use of a gorgeously animated backdrops which benefit greatly from a HD, Blu Ray release. One of Kids on the Slope's crowning glories is the inclusion of composer Yoko Kanno. Her work on Cowboy Bebop was inspired and this series is equally as satisfying. What's different with this soundtrack, however, is the use of some very well known pieces from some absolute jazz legends. Hearing tracks made famous by Art Blakey, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis gives the entire series a feeling of reality and positively oozes cool. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the soundtrack is available on iTunes in Australia but if you have a Japanese account or are willing to order it from Amazon.jp, you won't regret it!

Kids on the Slope is a simple delight that delivers on every level. Sure, there are issues with pacing and the ending but overall, there's so much to love.

Kids on the Slope is available now from Hanabee on Blu Ray and DVD.

Siren Visual to release Naoki Urasawa's MONSTER on DVD

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:59:00 +0000

Siren Visual have announced via their Facebook page that they will be releasing Naoki Urasawa's (20th Century Boys) MONSTER in 5 volumes starting from November.

Set in Düsseldorf, Germany; MONSTER is the story of a Japanese brain surgeon who chooses to save the life of a young boy over the life of the city mayor. Bizarre serial murder follows.

Siren have confirmed that the release will feature both Japanese and English dubs as well as English subtitles.

This fan favourite psychological thriller will see all 72 episodes released on DVD but not Blu Ray. Siren have explained that this is purely due to the fact that no HD masters exist as yet.

Stay tuned as we confirm further details as they come to hand.

For further detail on the series, head on over to http://www.animenewsnetwork.com.au/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=3750

I ♥ RETRO: NEVERENDING STORY @ Hayden Orpheum

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:35:00 +0000

Calling all children of the 80s! Your services are required this Sunday at the Hayden Orpheum, Cremorne as the I ♥ Retro series continues with the 1984 classic The NeverEnding Story. Tickets are only $10 and there is a give away for best dressed. So dust off that Atreyu outfit, grab your rock biting and Falkor riding buddies and come down for the show.

Hayden Orpheum, 380 Military Road, Cremorne
http://www.orpheum.com.au.

The Call - Review by Stu

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Thu, 16 May 2013 07:57:00 +0000

The Call could be easily be mistaken for a straight-to-DVD late 90s film due to its generic look and feel. After perusing director Brad Anderson’s (The Machinist) filmography I wasn’t surprised to see that the majority of his work has been in the wonderful world of television. His latest effort feels like an extended episode of a nondescript police television show. Halle Berry stars as veteran 911 Operator Jordan Turner who is forced to face her demons as a call goes horribly wrong when a young girl is kidnapped by a potential serial killer. By no means a perfect film, The Call delivers enough thrills and takes enough chances to warrant a watch.

The film opens with an entertaining montage of 911 calls, ranging from the ludicrous all the way up to homicidal. One can only imagine the bizarre phone calls that would be received in such a role. The sequence quickly educates the audience in how to take an emergency call and how resources are dispatched. I appreciated that the film took time to show us how it is done; it showed respect for people in the role considering they deal with so many highly stressful situations. Anderson’s television background comes to the fore in his camera work. Without being too critical its best described as dull. There are very few interesting angles and the camera seems to hang around long enough only to catch the actors say their lines. instead it should be setting a mood or giving us further insight into the world he’s creating. Which is a shame, since this is a world that I would liked to have seen more of. The only time he did anything different was employ slow motion during scenes of ultra-violence. I found the decision a little disturbing as if he was relishing a little too much in moment. The slow motion really took me out of each scene, which I’m not sure was the directors’ intent. Despite this he at least keeps the action ticking over at a break neck pace. Again this may be due to the fact he's probably used to working within the time constraints of television.

In terms of casting Halle Belly is great as the lead. I’ve always been a huge fan of her work. Despite films like Catwoman and Die Another Day, she has taken on some far meatier roles resulting in Monster’s Ball, Losing Isaiah and even Cloud Atlas. She really has a great presence on screen. She has an ability to convey warmth and integrity and I hope she returns to more substantial performances. However if they ever made a Bobby Brown bio, Halle Berry with her cropped perm hair cut is a dead ringer for a young Whitney Houston. I’m not sure if the world is ready just yet for that one though. Abigail Breslin of Little Miss Sunshine fame has the bulk of screen time and performs admirably as Casey Welson the victim of the kidnapping. In a role which could have easily become tedious. Rounding out the supporting cast is the always smooth Morris Chestnut (pictured above) as Officer Paul Phillips and Michael Imperioli (Sopranos) as the world's most unfortunate limousine driver.

Without engaging in any spoiler shenanigans I have to address the final 20 minutes of the film. The Call gets my respect because it at least attempts something different despite trudging through the usual clichés of the genre. I came away from it thinking, they didn’t quite stick the landing but it was a hell of a shot. This isn’t a particularly memorable film but will satisfy your cravings if you’re looking for something trashy.

The Call is in theatres from the 16^th of May. If you see the film and agree or disagree with my thoughts feel free to leave a comment below.

Interview with Robotech Love Live Alive Associate Producer - Steve Yun

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:48:00 +0000

Robotech is responsible for introducing many an anime to Japanese pop culture. Unlike many other adapted series of the time, Harmony Gold and writer Carl Macek openly promoted the show as being of Japanese origin. The series featured some rather progressive topics for its time as well as design elements that were much more detailed and intricate than others at the time.

Thanks to our pals at Beyond Home Entertainment, we managed to chat with Associate Producer Steve Yun about Love Live Alive and Robotech in general.

Ryan: Robotech is one of those legendary franchises that means a lot of things to a lot of people. What does it mean to you?

Steve Yun: I grew up on Robotech myself. As a young kid it helped me adjust with moving to a different state and helped me make new friends. On top of that it was my introduction to more sophisticated stories. People actually died and stayed dead? Interracial dating? The only characters who want to fight and blow stuff up all the time are portrayed as deranged maniacs? Suddenly every other cartoon seemed so childish to my 10 year old mind.

Before we actually start talking about the pending release of Love Live Alive - I wanted to clear the air over something that seems to be quite controversial among anime "purists". There are some that question the validity of Robotech as a series. These people claim that it doesn't properly reflect the original vision of the source material. Personally, I've never seen the issue and I happily categorise it as an all time classic. How do you respond to these kind of statements?

Robotech served an important role in popularizing anime around the world. For many people, they saw shows like Astro Boy and Speed Racer and had no idea that they were Japanese shows that were adapted for English-speaking audiences. Robotech was unique in that it was adapted from three different Japanese shows. Fans became aware of this and were consequently tipped off to the fact that there was a whole world of anime in Japan just waiting to be discovered. Carl Macek, the original producer of Robotech, also promoted the fact that Robotech had its origins in Japan, releasing the original Japanese versions on VHS and DVD.

On top of that, Robotech was very careful to maintain important themes from the original series that it was adapted from. Unlike many other adaptations, Robotech kept many of the important character deaths, and made sure to maintain some of the messages of the show; that war isn't all fun and games and that meeting your enemies in person might show you that you're not so different after all. Even if storylines were changed, Robotech made sure that the point of the show was still intact.

Lastly, Robotech and most other animated shows are entertainment. They're there to entertain you and enrich your life, and maybe even teach us some positive things along the way. If people are spending time getting angry and upset over their entertainment, then maybe they need to look at their entertainment differently.

Now, onto the exciting news. You've recently announced that Love Live Alive will reach Australian shores thanks to our friends at Beyond Entertainment. Is this the same Genesis Climber Mospeada Love Live Alive that was initially released in 1985?

No, actually it's an adaptation of that in the same way that Robotech is an adaptation of Japanese anime shows. We added several new scenes and animation to focus on a story that's more customized to Robotech's universe.

I'm lead to believe that Love Live Alive takes place at the same time as The Shadow Chronicles. Will the upcoming your planned sequel, Shadow Rising, tie into both?

Shadow Rising will be a sequel to Shadow Chronicles. I like to think of Love Live Alive as more of a side story, or as they call it, a Gai-den in Japanese

The first that we heard of Love Live Alive was during Carl Macek's memorial in 2011. Being such a large part of the Robotech world, was it daunting to take over the helm following Mr Macek's passing?

Definitely, Carl has a huge legacy of introducing anime to most western audiences, and many of our colleagues say that the original Robotech was what got them working in the anime industry in the first place. We luckily had some of his notes and we had several meetings with him over Love Live Alive so we had a rough idea of what we wanted for it.

Of course, in classic Robotech fashion, we're introduced to yet another "idol". What can you tell us about this one? He seems to be quite different to those who have come before.

Lancer is actually from the last season of the original series. His stage persona is Yellow Dancer, and was somewhat ground-breaking at the time for being a cross-dresser in something that wasn't Looney Tunes or Tom & Jerry (although a lot of his scenes were played for laughs). I recall it being controversial enough that some international TV markets refused to allow it on the air unedited, and they rewrote Lancer to be a female, going so far as to have a female voice actor for it and removing any scenes where Lancer was shirtless.

We've been told that the film will present some all new material. Just how much new footage will we get to see?

Love Live Alive was never previously released outside of Japan, which was made of new animation connecting several flashback scenes from the series. On top of that, our new adaptation is roughly half an hour longer and features some newer animation as well.

Is this film focussed on long-term fans only or can new viewers jump on in?

The film's main audience is long-term fans, but luckily because it features Lancer reminiscing about his experiences over the course of the show, it acts as a summary of the third season of Robotech and can get new fans caught up for Shadow Chronicles.

Do you have any tips for anyone interested in starting their Robotech viewing experience?

It's always best to start at the beginning. The original series is available now, remastered and very affordable now in a single box set. For someone who grew up on anime VHS tapes that only had 2 episodes per $20, it's a very easy time to be a fan right now!

And finally, Roy's Valkyrie is the coolest ship in the squadron. Am'I'right?

I like to point out that over the course of the Macross Saga, it is never destroyed. It loses its first pilot, it loses its arms, it got shot up but it always came back to fight again.

A massive thanks to Steve for taking the time to speak with us and, of course, Beyond Home Entertainment!

Iron Man: Rise of Technovore Behind the Scenes Featurette - War Machine

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Tue, 14 May 2013 11:29:00 +0000

Released a couple of weeks ago now, Iron Man: Rise of Technovore is the latest anime collaboration between Marvel and Madhouse. If any characters would benefit from the incredible mech design sensibilities that Madhouse has to offer, it'd be Iron Man and War Machine.

Follow on after the jump for a look at the very cool design of Iron Man's offensive offsider in a special behind the scenes featurette.

It seems as though a few people are having trouble with the video above so if you have no luck, head over HERE and check it out. If you still have problems, please let me know in the comments section.

Ace Attorney DVD Review

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Sun, 12 May 2013 04:51:00 +0000

Japanese film director Takashi Miike is really something else. He creates films like no one else on Earth and this is no doubt in part due to the sheer volume of work. Perhaps his skill is a direct result of what Malcolm Gladwell described in Outliers as the "10,000 hour rule".

One particularly pleasing aspect of Miike's career is the sheer diversity of his portfolio. From the disturbing and overtly violent Ichi the Killer to the colourful, delightful and child-friendly Ninja Kids, Miike has shown that he is a master filmmaker regardless of genre. Enter Ace Attorney.

Based upon Capcom's series of Nintendo games, Gyakuten Saiban, tells the story of rookie defense solicitor, Phoenix Wright. In the near future mandate dictates that all trials, regardless of the severity of the charge, are to be dispensed with in a paltry 3 days. In his very first case, rookie defence attorney Phoenix Wright (Hiroki Narimiya) finds himself defending an old school friend, Larry Butz (Akiyoshi Kakao), who is charged with the murder of his ex-girflfriend. The story is somewhat of an amalgamation of a few of the cases from the first video game. While purists may not see this as a positive, it definitely assists in moving the story along at an exciting pace.

Of course, there's more to the story than this and more cases to be fought and this is where the fun comes from. It takes a special breed of filmmaker to make a courtroom setting enjoyable, not just enjoyable but lighthearted and fun! Frankly, the first case which outlines the murder of young lady shouldn't have been as funny as it was. Writers Takeharu Sakurai, Sachiko Oguchi and director Takashi Miike seem to have injected levity into what should have been more stoic situations by introducing not only comedic elements but also cartoony "Minority Report" looking graphics that, while outside of canon, adds so much to the film. In fact, the overall aesthetic is one that seems to blend cartoon, futuristic sci-fi and steampunk elements and it works so well. The costumes and general appearance of the characters was a constant reminder that this is a film based on a video game.

While the look of the film is overwhelmingly cartoony, the performances in the film are slightly less so. Although Larry Butz, Yanni Yogi, Dick Gumshoe and Phoenix himself give some fantastic, light hearted performances, they are counter balanced by those given by Miles Edgeworth and the Judge who is portrayed by legendary actor and Japanese Academy Award winner, Akira Emoto. For such a sizeable cast we are treated to an equitable amount of insight into each character while giving the main focus to the main characters.

The release of Ace Attorney is a blessing. This film is one of the best executed, fun filled romps in recent memory. From start to finish, Ace Attorney proves that films based on video games CAN be worth the watch. The only downside is that it makes me wish Ninja Kids had a local release!

Ace Attorney is available from Madman now of DVD.

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX Release Details Announced

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:26:00 +0000

I think we've already been through this but... I'm ridiculously excited for the release of Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX.

Having missed it upon initial release, Square Enix' announcement of the Australian release is welcome news as are the details for a Limited Edition Art Book release!

This truly looks like a special game which anime, Disney and Square Enix fans would love.

So, for details of the Australian release and the low down on the Limited Edition Art Book release, follow on after the jump.

KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 ReMIX

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Limited Art Book Edition Available From Selected Retailers

SYDNEY (10th May 2013) - Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products, today announced that KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 ReMIX is now available for pre-order in Australia & New Zealandexclusively for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. Fans who pre-order the game will be able to choose from a standard edition, or from selected retailers, a special limited run art book edition, full of lovingly crafted artwork for each of the titles. KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 ReMIX will be released in Australia & New Zealand on September 12th 2013.

Fully remastered in HD, and updated with enhanced gameplay mechanics, KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 ReMIX includes the critically acclaimed KINGDOM HEARTS FINAL MIX and KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories, never previously available in Europe and PAL territories. In addition, it will feature HD cinematic story videos from KINGDOM HEARTS 358/2 Days, as well as PlayStation®3 system trophies. Players can now relive the origins of the celebrated franchise with Sora, Riku and the colorful cast of Disney characters, including Mickey, Donald and Goofy.

For more information on KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 ReMIX, please visit: KingdomHearts.com

Click to enlarge

Superman: Unbound flies onto Australian shelves June 26

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Fri, 10 May 2013 04:01:00 +0000

DC Universe Animated Original Movies are fantastic. This may sound like blanket statement and frankly, it is. Sure some of their movies have been better than others but overall they make a bloody good film!

The latest of which is SUPERMAN: UNBOUND. Based on Geoff Johns' Superman: Brainiac, UNBOUND pits the Man of Steel against an all but unstoppable force.

Follow on after the jump for more details, a look at the trailer and the low down on the awesome special features on the Blu Ray release!

A destructive force is devastating planets across the galaxy – with Earth next in its sights – and even Superman may not be capable of halting the terror in SUPERMAN: UNBOUND, the next entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies. Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the all-new film arrives June 26, 2013 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Blu-ray™ ($24.95 RRP) and DVD ($19.95 RRP) and for Digital Download.

SYNOPSIS

Based on the Geoff Johns/Gary Frank 2008 release "Superman: Brainiac," SUPERMAN: UNBOUND finds the Man of Steel aptly handling day-to-day crime while helping acclimate Supergirl to Earth’s customs and managing Lois Lane’s expectations for their relationship. Personal issues take a back seat when the horrific force responsible for the destruction of Krypton – Brainiac – begins his descent upon Earth. Brainiac has crossed the universe, collecting cities from interesting planets – including Supergirl’s home city of Kandor – and now the all-knowing, ever-improving android has his sights fixed on Metropolis. Superman must summon all of his physical and intellectual resources to protect his city, the love of his life and his newly-arrived cousin.

The film’s stellar voicecast is led by Matt Bomer (White Collar) as Superman, John Noble (Fringe, The Lord of the Rings films) as Brainiac, Stana Katic (Castle) as Lois Lane and Molly Quinn (Castle) as Supergirl. Additional voices in the cast include Golden Globe Award winner Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under) as Ma Kent, Wade Williams (The Dark Knight Rises) as Perry White, Diedrich Bader (The Drew Carey Show, Office Space) as Steve Lombard, Stephen Root (Boardwalk Empire, Justified) as Zor-El, and Alexander Gould (Weeds) as Jimmy Olsen.

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES

Sneak Peek at Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie
Featurette – “Kandor: History of the Bottle City” – An all-new featurette. Kandor: a peaceful scientific community dedicated toward the preservation of all that is good on Krypton, the home world of Superman. That is, until the city was ripped from its world and placed into a small glass bottle! This is the short story highlighting the shrunken city of Kandor. Its history just as fascinating as it is unique, here is how it ties in directly with the Man of Tomorrow.
Featurette – “Brainiac: Technology and Terror” – An all-new featurette. Mostly machine, but part sentient being, Brainiac steals cities and destroys worlds. Is he the most vile of Superman’s villainous foes? Experience the Brainiac mythology and find out why Superman barely stands a chance!
Audio Commentary – Featuring members of the creative team: Mike Carlin, Bob Goodman and James Tucker.
Four bonus episodes from Superman: The Animated Series (“The Last Son of Krypton, Part 1”; “New Kids in Town”; and “Little Girl Lost, Parts 1 & 2”), all handpicked by producer Alan Burnett.
Digital Comic – Excerpt from the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

Sneak Peek at Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie

CLOSED Win part of Hanabee's May Releases

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:49:00 +0000

Thanks to our pals at Hanabee, we have a BEVVY of their May titles to giveaway! If you're lucky enough, you could get your hands on one of the following DVD collections:

Hakuoki: A Memory of Flowers
Kids on the Slope
Nisemonogatari Part 1

All three of these titles are incredible for their own reasons. Hakuoki is a gorgeous example of the chanbarra genre and brings with it an aesthetic and sensibility that is sure to make you smile. Aside from being a brilliant and thrilling supernatural romp, Nisemonogatari is beautifully presented in its very own art book. Finally, Kids on the Slope. Every single thing about this series is beautiful, the story, the visuals and the music... ESPECIALLY the music!

All you have to do is follow on after the jump and fill out the form and you're in with a chance to win one of these titles which will be chosen at random! Don't forget, you can score yourself an extra entry just by following us on Twitter or liking us on Facebook!

THIS COMPETITION IS CLOSED

Entries close 11:59pm on Sunday 19th May 2013. Your details will not be used in any way other than for the delivery of your prize. Geek of Oz and Hanabee do not take any responsibility for the loss, damage or delay of/to prizes sent to winners (blame Australia Post for that one). The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered upon. One entry per person. Prizes are not redeemable for cash or any other kind of trading currency such as creds, latinum, sen, kan, zeni, double dollars or Ankh Morpork dollars. This competition is only open to Australian residents. Any questions or queries can be submitted through the comment section at the bottom of screen. Good luck!

CLOSED Win Pokemon Movie 14: Black and White Double Pack on DVD

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:19:00 +0000

Thanks to our friends at Beyond Home Entertainment, the people responsible for Australia's awesome Poké-releases, we have 5 copies of Pokemon Movie 14: Black & White Double Pack to give away on DVD.

A Hero Must Choose: The Power of Ideals…or the Courage of Truth? When Ash wins the annual battle competition in Eindoak Town with the help of the Mythical Pokémon Victini, he and his friends Iris and Cilan begin an exciting adventure that could follow two different paths—but you can follow both of them! In Pokémon the Movie: Black—Victini and Reshiram and Pokémon the Movie: White—Victini and Zekrom, Ash must make different choices if he is to earn the help of Reshiram—or Zekrom —to rescue Victini from the clutches of the misguided Damon and save Eindoak Town from disaster! It’s twice the Pokémon adventure! - Beyond

All you have to do is follow on after the jump and fill out the form and you're in with a chance to win! Don't forget, you can score yourself an extra entry just by following us on Twitter or liking us on Facebook!

THIS COMPETITION IS CLOSED

Entries close 11:59pm on Sunday 19th May 2013. Your details will not be used in any way other than for the delivery of your prize. Geek of Oz and Beyond Home Entertainment do not take any responsibility for the loss, damage or delay of/to prizes sent to winners (blame Australia Post for that one). The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered upon. One entry per person. Prizes are not redeemable for cash or any other kind of trading currency such as creds, latinum, sen, kan, zeni, double dollars or Ankh Morpork dollars. This competition is only open to Australian residents. Any questions or queries can be submitted through the comment section at the bottom of screen. Good luck!

Madman deliver a Mad May for Japanophiles

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Wed, 08 May 2013 07:04:00 +0000

May might very well be the best month to be a Japanophile. Not only does it see the Evangelion Art Exhibition reach Sydney and Melbourne after the Gold Coast, but we also have a whole swag of incredible Japanese cinema in stores now.

Godzilla Millennium Series Boxset

Godzilla is a mainstay of the kaiju genre and with Guilermo Del Toro's Pacific Rim just around the corner there's never been a better time to jump on the bandwagon. If you always found the original film a little too old, you're in luck. Released in 1999, Godzilla 2000 rebooted the franchise which ultimately finished with Ryuhei Kitamura's Godzilla: Final Wars.

Not sure where to start your education into all things kaiju? Start with the Millennium Boxset for something a little more current before revisiting the original Heisei and Showa sets.

Lady Snowblood Movies 1 & 2

Credited with being the inspiration for Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill, Lady Snowblood is a blood soaked story of betrayal and revenge. Somewhat of a grindhouse film in its own right, Lady Snowblood hase rightfully earned the "classic" label that many a cinephile have bestowed upon it. In short, it's like the samurai lovechild of Sympathy for Mr Vengeance and I Spit on Your Grave.

While it may be a highly regarded cinema study, it's perfectly enjoyable on its own and a must watch for Tarantino fans - see how many carbon copy shots you can spot!

The Samurai Trilogy

I could bang on all day about how great the final battle is at Ganryu Island but realistically, the fact that the first film in this trilogy won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film should be praise enough.

Released between 1954 and 1956, the golden period of Samurai cinema, the world's best known Samurai, Toshiro Mifune, took a break from starring in Akira Kurosawa films to star in the incredible Samurai Trilogy. Equal parts cinema and history lesson, Mifune plays the role of the world renowned Samurai, ronin, tactician and author, Miyamoto Musashi.

Lone Wolf and Cub Ultimate Collection

Do you like your samurai stories a little more blood soaked? Well if Lady Snowblood had too much and The Samurai Trilogy not enough, there's always the Lone Wolf and Cub Ultimate Collection.

Based upon the 1970 manga series by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima, Lone Wolf and Cub is yet another revenge story. In fact, it's almost a mix between Lady Snowblood and The Samurai Trilogy. After his wife is murdered and he is stripped of his title, former samurai executioner Ogami Itto embarks on an epic tale of adventure, revenge and retribution.

Weatherwoman Movies 1 & 2

What would you do to get to the top? Beg? Borrow? Steal? FLASH? Well that's exactly what a rookie Weatherwoman does to raise her profile. Spoiler alert... it works.

Weatherwoman has gained somewhat of a cult following and seems to be on latenight SBS at least a few times each year... since the late 90's. In fact, if there's anything I remember from SBS in the 90's it would be Neon Genesis Evangelion and Weatherwoman. Rude, crude and devilishly funny.

(Star Trek) Enterprise Season 1 Blu Ray Review

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:44:00 +0000

Those in the know would be aware that the prequel series, Enterprise, was known solely as Enterprise until season 3 in an attempt to somewhat distance itself from the franchise. This series was supposed to be a prequel to all that had come before it albeit one that would be accessible to an all new audience.

Unfortunately, in attempting to be all things to all people, Enterprise season 1 is somewhat of a technical failure. That said, it's a failure that I thoroughly enjoyed under the pretence of being a life-long Star Trek fan. While nowhere near as successful as JJ Abrams reboot, Enterprise was a great introduction to Star Trek from it's very beginnings.

Released hot on the heels of Star Trek Voyager's final season, Enterprise starts off with a bang. The double episode "Broken Bow" presents a slightly different Federation of Planets than we're used to. What we see is a fledgling world of spacefarers who, instead of actively seeking new life and new civilisations, are wary of making themselves known in the big, bad universe. Aside from the unofficial Human-Klingon first contact in The Next Generation season 6 episode 1, we witness the first meeting of humans and the warrior Klingon race in Broken Bow AND first contact with the freaky, shape shifting Suliban who wind up being the predominant antagonist throughout the season. While it's awesome to see the first contact between races, it felt as though the Klingon meeting was rather rushed and quickly forgotten. The Suliban, however, get a whole bunch of screen time thanks to their standing in the overarching "Temporal Cold War". Time travel is a plot device that rarely works and it doesn't particularly work in this instance either. Frankly, bugger all happens until the very last episode of season 1.

There are a few episodes that just don't work and appear to be trying NOT to be Star Trek but only seem to be more Star Trekky than not. Luckily, sub-standard episodes like "Terra Nova" and the HUH-worthy "Acquisition" are counterbalanced by the fantastic "Dear Doctor" and the wonderfully compact "Shuttlepod One". The reason that these episodes work so well is because they focus on telling a character filled story instead of zooming in solely on the incident. After all, this is an all new crew and we want to get to know them!

Of the cast, Scott Bakula is a standout. A sic-fi staple, Bakula positively oozes Captaincy. His rugged, good-ol' American boy charm is a great fit for the captain of a starship. His 2IC, Trip Tucker is played by Connor Trinneer. Relatively unknown before Enterprise, Trinneer brings a series of fantastic performances that highlight just how "human" the characters are as opposed to the often sanitary characters in previous series. Add to that Jolene Blalock as T'pol and you have a triptych of characters that offer a full range of emotion and inner turmoil. Star Trek has a long history of awesome Doctor's and John Billingsley as Dr Phlox is no different, he shines in every single scene that he's in with his quirky, unnerving yet always upbeat performances.

The effects in this season are fantastic and even though Voyager and Enterprise were filmed almost back to back, there's a noticeable difference in quality. That's not to say that Voyager was lacking, it's just that Enterprise took full opportunity of it's massive budget. Thankfully the powers that be decided to bring legendary production designer Herman F. Zimmerman back to the franchise. He and the Okuda's designed and created a ship interior that is both original and yet reminiscent of Kirk's Enterprise. In fact, the utilitarian aesthetic of the NX-01 makes the inaugural incarnation of the Enterprise look like the love-child of a Russian nuclear submarine and the NCC 1701. The external design of the ship garnered a whole lot of controversy when first released for looking too advanced. Unfortunately for designer Doug Drexler, his incredible design was actually maligned for looking TOO good! While I have a tendency to agree that the ships exterior does look rather advanced, it also looks awesome so no complaints from me.

Being shot in HD from the get go means that Enterprise season 1 looks gorgeous on Blu Ray. Add to this a whole bunch of special features and you've got a fantastic addition to any Trek fans collection. Among the special features are a series of candid interviews with creators Brannon Braga and Rick Berman. These interviews address a number of the issues with the series in a refreshingly honest manner with Brannon Braga particularly owning up to some gigantic errors in judgement. He refuses, however, to take responsibility for that god awful episode opener. That song truly needs to be burned in the Klingon fires of Kri'stak.

Enterprise Season 1 on Blu Ray is a fantastic release which looks and sounds fantastic. The story tends to falter here and there but overall, it's a thoroughly enjoyable ride and a great introduction to the world of Star Trek.

The Place Beyond the Pines - Review by Gene Rich

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:37:00 +0000

Gosling and Cooper deliver spellbinding performances as their lives intertwine in this dramatic powerhouse of love, death, crime and punishment.

There is no simple way to explain this film. It is part love story, part thriller, part action and all drama. There is not a single weak performance from the entire cast and Cianfrance’s direction and script are superb in their ability to be astounding and understated in equal measures, an achievement unto itself. In a movie that could easily be made into two separate films, Cianfrance has been able to seamlessly tie the two parts together with great effect leaving the audience full to the brim. This is not a happy movie, I’ve just gotta say that. There are times when I was cringing to the edge of my seat; I just wanted it to end but the ability of all the actors to convey their emotions without overacting was a beautiful thing and it kept me interested and engaged throughout, that and an intriguing story.

It would be an outrage if I were to review this film without spending a little time on the two main actors, right? Ryan Gosling, super crush of all girls world wide and indeed many a man crush, delivers yet another flawless performance. If you’re thinking to yourself, “What? That guy from The Notebook and Crazy Stupid Love?” then do yourself a favour. Go out and rent, buy or download three films; Drive, Blue Valentine and Lars and the Real Girl (he plays a weirdo who falls in love with a mannequin, need I say more?). If you’ve seen these films, or even if you haven’t and want super intense, ‘you can see all the emotion leaking out of my face without saying a word’ kind of acting that Gosling seems to be able to do with the maturity of a well-seasoned actor, then watch this film – he is unmatched.

The other main actor in the film is of course Bradley Cooper. Perhaps best known for his comedic roles in Wedding Crashers and The Hangover series, Cooper is starting to assemble a very respectable back catalogue of serious films including Silver Linings Playbook, Limitless and The Words. All fine films and his performances outstanding but in my opinion in this film he’s really hitting his stride. As a cop struggling to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder, corruption within his own precinct, a wife who wants him to leave the force and an overbearing father who wants the same, Cooper keeps it all together in a performance leaving us rooting for him in an unlikely way and feeling for him all the while.

The support cast, if you can call it that, is truly remarkable. Eva Mendes is great as Gosling’s long-suffering Latino lover. Ray Liotta is formidable as the colleague of Cooper. The two young men who practically steal the show, Emory Cohen (TV series Smash) and Dane DeHaan (Chronicle and Lincoln) are equal to anything their seasoned counterparts throw at them and complete this film in the same way it started, unabashed, simple and understated. We’ve even got our Australian contingency in Rose Byrne and Ben Mendelsohn, playing major supporting roles and as always, doing a fine job of it. Mendelsohn is on a role after his critically acclaimed performance in Animal Kingdom and has scored some choice roles in Killing Them Softly, The Dark Knight Rises, Knowing and even a cameo in the massively successful HBO series Girls. Rose Byrne, perhaps best known for her role in Bridesmaids, has been doing well in Hollywood for a while with roles in Get him to the Greek, X-Men: First Class and her major role in the TV series Damages.

David Cianfrance directs and co-writes this movie and it is his second collaboration with Ryan Gosling after their critically acclaimed Blue Valentine. Cianfrance has been able to achieve performances from his actors generally reserved for the highly experienced directors and is the envy of all up and coming film makers of today. His shot choices are so well juxtaposed with the dialogue that it makes even the most pleasant of scenes uncomfortable and the most dramatic, beautiful; a technique usually left for arty French films, yet he’s done it in a way that helps rather than hinders the plot. One of the main factors must be his Director of Photography, Sean Bobbitt, known mainly for his work on the beautifully shot 2011 film Shame. The score of this film was created by Mike Patton, of ‘Faith No More’ fame. This is his second attempt at the job after Crank: High Voltage and I must say, he’s done a pretty good job. As you would expect, if you are aware of his work, menacing at times and angelic in others, Patton has found a way to squeeze even more emotion out of a scene that already feels like it’s about to explode and does so with a deft touch. Hats off to the man.

All things taken into account, this film is extremely good. The story is beautifully crafted and intricately told. The world Cianfrance has created is believable, tangible and gritty. The performances leave nothing to be desired and give the audiences much to think about once the movie is finished. Highly recommended for the film buff, drama junkie or Ryan Gosling fans out there (are there any left?).

Spring Breakers - Review by Stu Coote

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:22:00 +0000

From what I can gather, American students see spring break as an opportunity to ditch their text books, morals and clothing and hit the nearest beach, basically converting it into Sodom and/or Gomorrah. Spring break is so popular that it’s spawned an entire industry of film makers following drunken almost-women around as they debase themselves. Spring Breakers, the latest film by provocateur Harmony Korine (Trash Humpers, Gummo), follows four friends who risk everything just to join the party, but ultimately each getting far more than they bargained for. Korine skewers the spring break dream with a bitingly cynical look at a generation of lost souls all searching for their meaningless fifteen minutes of fame.

Spring Breakers will offend people. In fact I predict the opening credit sequence alone will have people questioning why they slapped down their hard earned cash. We are treated to a montage of topless women bouncing around on a beach, jock quarterback types holding beer cans at their groins to simulate urinating into a woman’s mouth and a shot of twelve or so bikini-clad teens practicing fellatio on their ice blocks. To make matters worse, it’s all glossy, stunningly photographed and all highly exploitative. You’ve got to admire the courage of a director who comes out guns-a-blazing leaving no one wondering what the film will be about. It’s about sun, sex and booze. Got that?! Good, because you’re going to get sick of all three by the time this film is done. ‘How is that possible?’ I hear you say. Simply put, the film harnesses repetitive imagery to strip away the glitz and glamour of the party lifestyle and shows how destructive it can be without becoming a melodramatic midday television movie.

The film focuses on the efforts of four friends making their way down from college to the spring break action. Candy (Vanessa Hudgens), Faith (Selena Gomez), Brit (Ashley Benson) and Cotty (Rachael Korine) have pooled their savings but sadly come up short of the required funds. Naturally, their only option is to rob a fast food restaurant, which goes off without a hitch and funds their adventure. I loved this: the lure of spring break is so great it will corrupt people to such an extent that they will risk all for sun, sex and booze. One the girls hit spring break there’s no holding back.

Much has been made of the casting of this film. Namely because of the ‘Disney princesses gone bad’ angle that the marketing has taken. Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens especially impressed me. Gomez’s Faith seemed to have been given the more challenging role as the moral compass for the quartet. Vanessa Hudgens excels playing the outrageous Candy; albeit a far showier performance, it showed just as much discipline as Gomez. Begrudgingly I have to recognise that the true stroke of casting genius is that of one Mr James Franco as the drug dealing hip hop extraordinaire Alien. I have a long and tortured love/mostly hate relationship with James Franco. This stems from the fact that he is wildly inconsistent and often looks to be sleepwalking through his films. But when he gets the right role, all sins are forgiven. Korine uses Alien to perfection as a means to expose the seedy underbelly which feeds off the spring break scene.

Korine skilfully flexes his muscle behind the camera, resulting in some phenomenally gorgeous cinematography which is complemented so well by the, at times, non-linear storytelling. Where some films employ humour to reduce the tension, Spring Breakers used repetitive images of bikini clad women to achieve an ironic monotony, suggestive of the absurdity of the whole spring break concept.

Harmony Korine has a reputation for shock which is well earned. I can’t think of many directors who would be as capable of pulling off this film in similar style and with as much precision. It weighs in at a skinny 94 minutes, but packs a big punch. The film boasts one scene in particular which alone was worth the price of admission. Let’s just say that it included James Franco, a piano, three women in ski-masks and iconic pop princess’s ballad. Let me stress, I’m not praising this film because of the women jumping around in bikinis acting outrageous. This film is a truly original, daring and challenging work of art which will definitely feature in my top ten of the year.

Japan Foundation presents Masakazu Morita at SMASH 2013

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Sun, 05 May 2013 11:26:00 +0000

In only 5 days time, Japan Foundation Sydney are bringing the highly acclaimed Evangelion Art Exhibition to Sydney. In what is yet another boon for the Sydney anime scene, Japan Foundation and SMASH! have announced a very special guest at this years show.

The voice of Ichigo from the smash hit Bleach and Barnaby Brooks Jr from Tiger & Bunny, Masakazu Morita is a certified superstar.

Having previously visited Australia for the Gold Coast Film Festival, Morita returns to our fair shores but this time exclusively thanks to Japan Foundation and the Sydney Manga and Anime Show!

Sydney, NSW, May 2, 2013 – Sydney’s favourite Japanese pop culture convention SMASH! (Sydney Manga and Anime Show) will be celebrating its seventh year this year, and it has been confirmed Japan Foundation, Sydney will renew itself as one of the key sponsors for SMASH! 2013.

Sharing their enthusiasm and ongoing support for the convention, Japan Foundation, Sydney is proud to present voice actor Masakazu Morita as a confirmed guest to attend SMASH! in August.

Masakazu Morita (森田成) is a prolific Japanese voice actor who is best known for his roles as Ichigo Kurosaki (Bleach), Kazuya Hiramura (Bakuman), Barnaby Brooks Jr. (Tiger and Bunny) and Auel Neider (Mobile Suit Gundam Seed). Morita’s success as a voice-actor is affirmed by his ‘Best Rookie Actor’ award at the first Seiyu Awards in 2007 where he won for his role as Ichigo Kurosaki.

In conjunction with his extensive voice-acting career, Morita is also a motion-capture actor for various films (Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Final Fantasy VIII) and hosts a radio show called ‘Bleach B-Station’ which consists of interviews and talks amongst the voice actors of Bleach. Japan Foundation, Sydney’s Amanda Thompson regards SMASH! as a “wonderful event where industry, fans and talents come together to support what they love”.

“We have always enjoyed being part of SMASH! and the anime community in Australia so we are very excited to sponsor Morita-san to not only come to Australia, but Sydney for the very first time,” Thompson said.

“We feel it’s a perfect fit with Japan Foundation, Sydney’s vision of promoting Japanese culture and being part of the bridge for cross-cultural communication. We hope Morita-san enjoys Sydney’s culture and the SMASH! convention.”

SMASH! President Ray Elinon believes Morita’s upcoming attendance as a guest would have been “almost impossible” without Japan Foundation, Sydney’s sponsorship.

“It is not an easy task to acquire special guests like Morita-san to come all the way from Japan,” Elinon said. “And to have Japan Foundation, Sydney on board as a principal sponsor, we would like to thank them for making this opportunity possible. We’re sure many fans of Morita-san will be ecstatic to see him at SMASH! 2013.”

SMASH! (Sydney Manga and Anime Show) is a one-day convention that will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2013. More information will be published over the next few months as the convention draws closer. For general information, visit www.smash.org.au.

ABOUT THE JAPAN FOUNDATION

The Japan Foundation aims to promote cultural and intellectual exchange between Japan and other nations through a diverse range of programs and events. The Japan Foundation, Sydney runs a gallery space, library and Japanese language courses for all levels catering from beginner to advanced. The Japan Foundation was established in 1972 with a global network of 23 offices in 21 countries. The Australian office was founded in 1977.

ABOUT SMASH! (SYDNEY MANGA AND ANIME SHOW)

SMASH! (Sydney Manga and Anime Show) is a Japanese pop culture convention that is devoted to artists, creators and fans alike. Our primary focus is to allow fans to meet and interact with other like-minded people, show off their own creative talents, buy anime and manga related goods and celebrate their fandom in a social environment.

Jupiter's Legacy #1 Review

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Sun, 05 May 2013 10:55:00 +0000

Image Comics have always excelled at two things: bringing astounding new talent to the attention of readers and giving well established talent a place to truly cut loose and experiment. Jupiter's Legacy #1 is a wonderful example of the latter. Mark Millar and Frank Quitely, although both well established creators in their own right, team up to bring forth a book which is nothing short of a fully realised alternative superhero comic.

Before I go any further, I should probably 'fess up to being a raging Mark Millar fanboy. I pretend to want intelligent, thought provoking and conceptually mature comics but at the end of the day all I really want to see is two jerks in capes beating the living snot out of each other and Mr. Millar is all too obliging. Make no mistake, Jupiter's Legacy is nothing more (or less) than a tale of sex, drugs and superpowers.

The first six pages of Jupiter's Legacy take place during the great depression where we are introduced to Sheldon Samson. Like so many other business men of the time Sheldon loses his fortune in the stock market crash and is completely shaken. Sporting a social conscience rivaled only by Superman, Sheldon begins to grow more and more disturbed by what the great depression is doing to his beloved United States.

This concern culminates in his obsession with an island he envisions in a reoccurring dream. Convinced that this island holds the answers to America's problems he sets out to find it aided only by his closest friends, his brother Walter and a cynical sea captain.

These introductory six pages end with the discovery of the mysterious island and are easily the strongest part of the book. It's clean cut and makes for a wonderful change compared to the usual breakneck pace of superhero comics. Quitely's artwork, particularly his character work, is stunning in this prelude. No doubt aided by the fact that the young Sheldon Samson bears an uncanny resemblance to Clark Kent in 'All-Star Superman'.

Flash forward to 2013 and Sheldon Samson is now the Utopian, the world's greatest superhero. Aided by his brother and everyone else that accompanied him to the mysterious island he defends the earth from what little super-villains remain. You immediately pick up a strong Watchmen vibe, this sense that evil no longer has a tangible form that can merely be punched into submission. The Golden age of superheroes has ended.

The remaining pages of the book share a lot in common with Mark Waid's Kingdom Come as we meet the spoiled children of the ageing Utopian, children who have no interest in carrying on their father's legacy. Take note of the fact that Jupiter's Legacy is highly derivative. Not only of comics and characters by the big two (I of course refer to Marvel and DC) mind you, but of Millar's previous creator owned titles which are in turn highly derivative. Mix Watchmen, Kingdom Come, Kick-Ass, Superman, and add a dash of Wanted and you get Jupiter's legacy. However, within this mix of cliche and archetype there is something that resembles an original story.

But if you're a Millar fan like myself, you're not after originality, are you? You just want action, some innuendo and of course a sweet, sweet super-powered beat-down or two. This book certainly has you covered. Oh, and the gorgeous art of Frank Quitely doesn't hurt either.

Star Trek Into Darkness Audio Review

ryan@geekofoz.com (Geek Of Oz (Ryan Huff)) — Fri, 03 May 2013 12:45:00 +0000

For something a little different, Stu and I thought that we would share our views on Star Trek Into Darkness on audio! That's right, give your eyes a rest and listen in as I (a lifelong Trekkie) and Stu (not) compare notes on JJ Abrams latest foray into the United Federation of Planets. WE'RE THE ORIGINAL ODD COUPLE!

As an extra special treat, we've added a clip of our interview with JJ Abrams on his recent visit to Sydney. Check out our review after the jump!

Feel free to stream our review or right click HERE and save the MP3 for later.