Amongst my friends and family I am considered something of a laugh-snob. I hardly chuckle and rarely have I been heard to guffaw out loud unless I find something truly Hi-Larious. Because of my snooty high standard for humor I didn’t expect to be as impressed by Kung Fu Panda as I was. This film is so cute and delightful, so wonderfully terrific, I actually smiled and smirked and generally laughed throughout. On top of all its great hijinks and goofbally excellence this computer-animated romp is filled to the brim (and beyond) with all out “hiii-ya” and “haaa-ya” action!

In fact, I can’t quite decide if I loved the humor or the action more. There were moments during Kung Fu Panda when I actually uttered “cool” while watching in rapt attention at some of the action scenes (the big jail house break particularly). This animated flick is so stunningly expressive and invention that real-life acted-action movies need to stop and take notice. It’s hard to bring anything fresh to the often over-stuffed action movie genre - being surprised and slack-jawed from a mind-blowing action seems to be a thing of the past - but wowie-bowie did this cartoon managed to be as actiony good, if not better, than the some of the summer movies so far (I’m taking to you Indian Jones. But not you Iron Man, you rocked!).

Kung Fu Panda is as much fun for kiddies and adults (I know because I sat next to my two wee nephews who giggled with joy and sat saucer eyed at the action scenes) because it also oozes plenty of non-smarmy heart. The loveable, though thoroughly inept main character (the Panda in the Kung Fu part of the title, played by the always insane-in-a-good-way Jack Black) is such a likeable loser that you can’t help but feel for him. And when Po the Panda proves, against all odds, that he is so much more than his girth, you can’t help but cheer for him. Heart, Kung Fu action and loads of ticklish fun? Kung Fu Panda has something for everyone!

Touche with your Electric Blue, Troy. I must Ying to your Yang, my friend.

Today’s moments come to us from Australian band Icehouse. We think they named the beer after them, but we’re not sure.* At any rate, here’s their two big U.S. hits: “Crazy” and “Electric Blue”.

*Actually, we’re pretty sure they didn’t.

This week, the Florida Bar has requested anti-video game attorney Jack Thompson’s disbarment, finding him guilty of 27 counts of misconduct. Mr. Thompson prepared a written objection to the ruling and requested to read it aloud to Judge Dava Tunis and the courtroom, but was sagely blocked from doing so. When silenced, Mr. Thompson stormed directly out of the courtroom, appearing quite enraged. Our ace Shotgun Reviews photographers were on the scene and were fortunate enough to snag a shot of Mr. Thompson as he was leaving the courthouse.

There is a street where no one lives, where ghostly lights flicker in the shadows. It is whispered that children who play hide and seek there after dark are kidnapped by demons and disappear forever. A boy named Hikora joins the game in search of his missing sister. Eight children gather. The street lamps flare though no one is there to light them. The game and the terror are about to begin!

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Manga giant Tokyopop announced on the 3rd of June that it will be splitting into 2 separate entities. Creating Tokyopop Media LLC for its comics-to-film and digital units, and that its Manga publishing operations will remain in Tokyopop. There Publishing production will be reduced by roughly 50% for the rest of 2008, cutting Tokyopop’s Manga output to roughly 200-225 titles per year for a planned total of over 500 titles. Tokyopop CEO and Chief Creative Officer of the Tokyopop Group, Stuart Levy, explained the reasons for the reduction in output:

“The time is now for us to focus our publishing business to overcome current market challenges. Few releases will allow for less cannibalization at retail.”

The company is also cutting down on its workforce by 39 positions, in line with the changes.

“We must adjust our overhead to properly execute this new business plan,” Levy said. “We are doing it with a heavy heart,” he continued. “It involves saying goodbye to 39 of the most talented, creative and compassionate people I’ve ever known.”

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A quote on the book cover for The Astonishing Adventures of Fan Boy and Goth Girl boldly states “what a find!” Well, “what a find” indeey! I enjoyed the hell outta this novel! I randomly picked up this young adult novel one day after perusing the teen lit aisle (I’m such a sucker for a good drama-filled young adult book) and I nearly squealed out loud when I saw “Fan Boy” in the title. I just knew the book had to have something to do with comics, and after a quick scan of the story synopsis I happily knew it did! It was yummy enough to eat!

Being the life-long comic book reading and loving nerd that I am it seemed impossible that this book would do anything but bring me joy. Devil take the fact that it’s a novel geared towards the teeny-bopper set, because as far I was concerned any book involving a full-on geeky outsider trying to survive High School, his evil Step-Fascist and the riggers of trying to create his very own graphic novel had far too much going for it to not be great.

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Today, we acknowledge Richard Marx. Though quite possibly best known these days for subscribing to the oft-repeated theory “Nobody ever went broke writing songs for chicks”, Marx did stray to the rockier side of pop-rock in his career. These days, Marx’s biggest success is as a songwriter. From the ’80s to today, the man has worked with a staggering array of talent. He actually sang back-up on Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long” and Madonna’s “True Blue” album, and went on to be an in-demand writer as his solo career cooled a bit. He co-wrote (with Fee Waybill of The Tubes) Vixen’s immortal “Edge of a Broken Heart” as well. Crazy! Anyway, here’s Richard with his rockier tune, “Should’ve Known Better”, and bonus Vixen after the jump.

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I’m not much of a Spider-Man fan. He’s cool and all - and I wholeheartedly recognize and applaud his iconic status - but in general I don’t feel much for the character, besides ”eh” (picture shoulders shrugging).

So imagine my utter shock when I discovered how much I thoroughly enjoy the new Spider-Man cartoon on the CW (formerly Kids WB). Yeah, it’s really, really, really good.

Aside from the slightly weird drawn noses on some of the characters (what’s up with Peter’s piggy/razor sharp snout), and aside from how jarring Spider-Man’s internal dialogue is (it’s sometimes hard to distinguish between when he’s speaking or thinking), this show is full of action, drama, and thoughtful characterization (even the second tier characters get screen time and development).

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The Weta workshop first came to worldwide prominence for its work on the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.  Founded in 1987, Weta Workshop along with Weta Digital has become one of the premiere physical and special effects companies in the world.  Their latest undertaking is yet another fantasy epic, C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia.  Their incredible work on the first two films in the series are covered in a dazzling new book from Harper Collins, “The Crafting of Narnia”.  This 304 page hardcover treasure gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at Weta’s work on these films through photography, illustration, sculpture, and the crafting of models, costumes and props.   

The book is split into sections covering each film.  You’ll get the sense of just how much detail and planning goes into Weta’s work.  Their attention to detail is impeccable.  Sketches and paintings are composed long before any filming takes place.  Hundreds of black & white and color illustrations are created before the filmmakers decide on a final look to various settings.  The concept art alone is priceless!  In the design of costumes and armor, Weta begins the process with rough sketches first, before moving onto more detailed and finished pieces of art.  Literally dozens of different swords, helmets, shields, and other implements of war are created on paper first.  There are no cookie cutter pieces here… 

Creature creation is a Weta specialty and you get to see how creatures like the ogres, Boggles, Harpies, Hags, and assorted other beasties are made beginning with various concept drawings to the sculpting of maquettes.  These 3D maquettes are eventually scanned into a computer and digitized by Weta Digital so they can now bring these monsters to life on film. 

The sheer number of illustrations and props that have been created for the first two films is staggering!  It is this diligence that sets Weta apart from much of its competition.  I mean, who would think you’d need to created dozens of different types of quivers and shield crests but this is what makes Weta so special. 

This is a book designed not just for fans of the films but for collectors and fans of film in general.  It’s beautifully produced with brilliant photography and well worth the $35 cover price (although you can certainly find it cheaper at notable online retailers)  Simply a must have book for fans of Narnia. (Harper Collins)

Grade A

Synopsis:

Toraji Ishida, kendo instructor, has a problem. He’s made a wager with an old Sempai for a year’s worth of free sushi; all he has to do is get together a team of 5 girls who can beat his team in a kendo contest. The trouble is, Ishida’s kendo club isn’t exactly successful, in fact, he only has one member, the energetic kendo enthusiast Kirino Chiba. Ishida needs to find more members for his club quick!

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The more I see about this game, the more excited I get. I’ve long been into Capcom fighters more than any others (I still dig out Marvel vs Capcom 2 on a somewhat regular basis), and can’t wait to finally get a good new Street Fighter. Check out the trailer, with introductions of most of the characters in the game, some amazing gameplay footage, and more of the cool animation cutscenes they initially showed off last year.

 

 Online Video: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

When someone offers me a free comic book—I take it. Good, Bad, Ugly—you never know what you’re gonna get but it’s free…and free is good. In this case, it was very good. I was one of the few folks who responded to Mark Millar’s offer for a free, lettered electronic copy of Kick-Ass #3 on his forum on the MillarWorld website in exchange for a review of the book. I’ve been reading this title since it started, several months ago, and, so far, it’s kept my attention with its over-the-top hyper-realism, violence, and social commentary. As a cautious reader, I realized quickly that there is more to this story than the surface “real life superhero” premise so I’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop on Kick-Ass protagonist, Dave Lizewski, since the first issue.

Something tells me that the aforementioned “other shoe” has begun its tumultuous journey with the advent of the climax of Kick-Ass #3.

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STREETS OF FIRE EDITION!
This one’s for Matt Brady.

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Production IG will produce an Anime television series based on Sega’s recently announced sword & sorcery fantasy RPG called: “World Destruction”. The Anime adaptation will be directed by Shunsuke Tada, who recently directed Production IG’s Tsubasa: Tokyo Revelations OVA series.

The Anime series will focus on Kirie Irunisu a young man who secretly possesses the power to destroy the world. He is forced to join a party that aims not to save the world, but to eradicate it and start anew. The show will also feature a young heroine named Morute Ashera, who will play a big role in the series next to Kirie Irunisu.

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