Important Dates for Anime Junkies
For anime junkies, there are plenty of conferences from which to choose this year. Because there are many across the world, I’ll highlight the best ones and you can make a decision as to where you want to go. Anime Expo 2009 may have passed, but there are still quality anime and manga expos out there.
Saboten-Con (Phoenix)–This one has the makings of a major anime-manga-video game con. They appeared last year and had a turnout of around 1500. I was fortunate to have attended the first one and they were organized and professionals. This con will have screenings every day and will feature many great artists and programmers. The con takes place October 30-November 1. http://www.sabotencon.com/
Aki Con (Everett, WA)–I, too, was fortunate to attend the first annual con last year. This year’s location will be at the Holiday Inn whereas last year it was located in the city’s civic center. This one is geared toward the manga enthusiasts. This year will feature over 5,000 new graphic novels and comics. There are also screenings and cash prizes for numerous contest. This is also one of the cheapest cons to attend. This con takes place November 6-8. http://www.akicon.org/
Kajonk-A-Con (Knoxville, TN)–This con is located right on campus of the University of Tennessee. As you can imagine, there will be plenty of college students attending. If you’re an aspiring anime writer, animator or video game writer or programmer, this is the one to attend. This is a smaller con, but there’s not a better chance to shakes hands with some of the best in the business. This con takes place December 4-6. http://www.kajonk-a-con.com/
Keep in mind, there are plenty of other cons scattered across the country so feel free to break out a little bit and explore the world of anime. It’s a fun experience and you get to meet some interesting and exciting people.
Stargate Universe: Best in Series?
I was fortunate enough to be able to watch the official pilot of Stargate Universe. nmnm If you were a fan of Atlantis or SG-1, you might have mixed feelings about Universe. However, the problem therein lies with where your tastes are in the scifi genre. SG-1 was very conservative with the violence and action bit, while Atlantis was getting a little edgier with the violence and action. In Universe, at least the pilot, viewers are treated to a more action-oriented approach as opposed to character development. The main characters are likable, but don’t have quite the wit and intuitiveness as their counterparts on Atlantis or SG-1. Universe seems more serious than their predecessors and there’s nothing wrong with that. No major cameos, and lots of references to the previous shows. I like this one more because of the more serious nature of their mission. I think it adds a little more to the credibility to the show. It’s definitely worth checking out. This one should be an instant hit. There is lots of story development early on, too, which helps the action pick up. It’s a must-see. Check out and let’s talk about it.
Much Ado About Nothing: Fox Kiss in Body Not That Great
Many salivating guys across the country I’m sure are lining up to watch the Diablo Cody-written flick, Jennifer’s Body. Whether it’s the sultry actress Megan Fox or just the general love of scifi (probably the former), the movie expects to be one of the highest grossing this weekend, next to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. However, I must say I’ve seen the movie and guys will probably be disappointed with the onscreen kiss with Amanda Seifreid. Both are attractive, but there was something definitely forced in the scene(s). Guys, I’m sorry, but you’re going to be disappointed in seeing the movie if that’s what you’re banking on. The movie, however, is pretty good, not great. This isn’t my typical review blog, but I had to warn guys before they spend the money on Fox. In my movie, at least, I was able to get the teaser for Inception(It’s the same teaser everyone has seen). Nothing new was revealed, however, my Hollywood insider has told me that Inception is a movie that is based primarily on Joseph Gordon-Leavitt’s character, not DiCaprio. Much of the movie takes place in DiCaprio’s mindscape and nothing is real and there are agents that move between the dream world and the real. Think Matrix. This informant is shooting 70 percent, but there’s not telling where this info falls. Maybe that will be confirmed in full trailer set to come out in November. We’ll see. As far as Jennifer’s Body goes, it’s worth a look. It’s funny/horror/suspense and drama wrapped up into one. 7.
The Best Movie You Probably Haven’t Seen: Moon
It comes as no surprise that 2009 would have a sleeper scifi movie that would wow the senses and tantilize your movie taste buds again. That movie goes to Moon, a movie that stars Sam Rockwell (Hitchiker’s Guide and Charlie’s Angels) as an astronaut that is spending some time on the moon shipping back energy samples for study and development. Though the first 40 minutes or slow, it keys you in on important facts that eventually unravel for you in the end. This isn’t your typical science fiction movie, nor is it horror. It’s not drama or psychological. Perhaps it’s a blend of all; that I leave unto you. I will say this, as my typical norm here so as not to spoil ANYTHING, no one or no thing is to be trusted, not even the “narrator”. This is confusing for a reason as this movie will spin you in a moment of confusion that’s worthy of your praise. Think of it as a combination of 2001: Space Odyseey and Usual Suspects. There won’t be a lot of action in it, but it doesn’t need it for the director to pull off the value that is such an example of the human condition. Check it out! 10.
Why Science Fiction is so Great
One of the many complaints about science fiction is the fact that critics often think it’s a genre you don’t have to do much cirtical thinking over. Yes and no, but that depends on your motives for reading or watching science fiction. Can any critic rightfully say that Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was a not a good work of literature AND a work of scifi. It did do some things for the genre. In fact, it has been argued that it was the ground work for modern scifi, and it’s taught in practically every high school and college. Not much dumbing down there. You don’t have to dumb down the senses when you watch or read scifi or any work for that matter regardless of what you’re interests are. There are literary themes in scifi as much as there is your comedy or drama. Science fiction, I would argue, is so diverse you can add dramatic elements, comedic elements, allegorical elemenets or horror elements to it and still be good science fiction. It’s possible, but scifi is often relegated to pithy horror or attempts to garner shock value. I think Lovecraft, Poe and Bruce Serline would certainly have something to say about that. Science fiction is a great genre where you can let your guard down, but it’s also a genre where lit lovers will inevitably find something that’s worthy of discussion. It’s not a one-sided mirror as many think it is. There is much to like about science fiction. You just have to open up the book to find out.
Gamer Review: Awesome!
I think the title says it all. Gerard Butler puts in a scarily good performance. At some points in the movie, you don’t know if he’s being controlled or being himself. The direction is especially good for a movie like this. Action movies can leave lots of plot holes or they can get lazy with the directing, but this one is pretty complete. For those that are unfamiliar with this plot, Butler plays a human being controlled in video game fashion in a real gaming environment. Sure, the plot sounds cliche and done before, but this movie adds a few more twists than you expect. This is more than just a movie that appeals to nerds who love gaming. There is complete action, a pretty good storyline and a non-pretnetious protagonist. There’s nothing fantastical about the movie. It’s straight forward and in your face. Michael C. Hall, whom many of you know as Dexter, pulls off the kid you love to hate, but just can’t pull yourself from his charm. That might have something to do with you guys knowing him as Dexter. Kyra Sedgwick (Closer) is annoying and you do wish she would die (maybe you’ll get your wish), but overall, the performances are pretty good for an action movie. You’ll like the movie if you’re an action fan or a video game fan. It’ll suspend your reality for roughly two hours. Ludacris does play in this, but his performance is probably the worst. It’s passable, but annoying. Go check it out. This movie gets an 8.