Brad Bird's Iron Giant is one of my favorite animated movies and while watching it again it came to me that both dvd versions I own, are also my favorite dvd covers for an animated movie. It's the best example of capturing the whole feel of the movie in just one single image.
General Lee Wannabe Sunday, December 14, 2008
Those damn Clone Wars Friday, November 14, 2008
Ok let's get this straight. That Clone Wars animated movie sucked. In fact it sucked so bad, that you wished the Clone Wars only sticked to that one referencing line from Obi Wan in Episode IV.
And yes, I saw it in the theater, after all the bad press I wanted to see if it really was that bad. Damnit, it was even worse...
I had no high hopes that this would turn out the best thing ever in the Star Wars Universe, since the latest three Episodes were not that great either. But I hoped it would be a nice introduction to something fresh and if the following TV series would be worth looking out for.
"Well sir, at least you got rid of that pesky beard continuity problem."
While there is something to say about the art style, I found it not that bad. But there was so much else to complain about. The bad animation, awful annoying characters and stupid dialogue almost made me puke in my mouth and made me feel like I was a (stupid) 5 year old. I understand this was aimed at a young audience since the TV series is on Cartoon Network, but c'mon they could've made this so much more appealing to the older folks and geeks.
Not a suprise but funny fact those annoying characters are from the hand of Lucas himself. In my eye a director, producer and writer who built and delivered some great movie franchises but is now raping them one by one because of stubborn bad decisions. Because it's yours and because you can, doesn't mean you should always do it.
That's right, I said raping his franchises, a subject in this hilarious episode of South Park...
But geek and weak as I am, I still gave the Clone Wars a chance and watched some episodes from the TV series. And surprisingly, it's not that bad! In fact it works very well! How come? This was made for TV initially, but Lucas thought it would be a good idea to also make a feature film as an introduction for the series and for money making ofcourse. Bad decision. TV and cinema are not the same. Something you think Lucas should know.
In theaters your animated movie will be held against a different quality and standards from the competition, like this years Kung Fu Panda or Wall-E. Which are hi-end animated movies appealing to both young and old. Quite a different league. And next it will be against a whole bunch of facts of (animated) movie making when it comes to storytelling, length, pacing etc.
In the realm of TV there are some other standards, in competition as well in directing. Just watch the quality of some other 'saturday morning' cartoons in terms of animation and story and suddenly Clone Wars is quite good. Also the 22 minute timespan of each episode helps because the different (faster) pacing. There's some better balance when it comes to action and story. Those annoying lead roles have less unnecessary dialogue and make them somewhat bareable.
So for those who saw the movie and don't want to watch the series because of it, give it a chance. It's really quite enjoyable. Those who didn't see it but want to... don't do it! Just pick up on the TV series. It's just better that way...
Laat me Monday, October 7, 2008
Beautiful song from Ramses Shaffy, brilliantly performed by Herman van Veen. (in dutch)
Wall-e 50's posters Monday, October 6, 2008
I love Eric Tan's artwork and still want one of these...
Lived up to the hype Sunday, August 3, 2008
Yes they did! Last week it was WALL-E and the week before The Dark Knight... both delivered big time and are already my faves of this year.
Generation Kill Tuesday, Juli 22, 2008
New 7-part miniseries based on the book now playing in US. I've seen the first two episodes, really good stuff!
Star Wars poster art Friday, June 27, 2008
By Tom Whalen... I like these very much.
George Carlin dies at 71 Monday, June 23, 2008
His smart humour is timeless. His sharp take on language, politics, religion and (american) society is truly legendary.
Flight of the Conchords Friday, June 13, 2008
Business Time
Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros
The R2-D2 builders group Thursday, May 29, 2008
Didn't know there was one...
Some great photo retouching Thursday, May 29, 2008
really, really bad and creepy (warning: also hideous site design and long loading ahead).
The Clone Wars Wednesday, May 14, 2008
CG animated Star Wars, I'm so looking forward to this one. First in theaters, then as a television series. I Somehow have the feeling I'm gonna enjoy this more than the latest live action prequels... This better not dissapoint, damnit! Let's hope the european release will not be far far away... For those who haven't seen it already, here's the theatrical trailer.
Geeky Lego Friday, May 9, 2008
Great custom spaceships from nnenn
One Nation Under CCTV Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Nice one from graffiti artist Banksy. Did his thing at night while being watched by a CCTV surveillance camera... or it was all approved. Nevertheless a nice piece of art.
2 times Raul Midón Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Raul Midón got his slap and mouth technique down... and hey, we're talking music here. Just brilliant performances...
Attack of the clone beard Monday, March 31, 2008
I'm watching the Star Wars saga again and landed on Episode II Attack of the clones. While there's enough to be annoyed about in the latest Star Wars movies, this one thing in this episode was a reminder since I saw it in the theater years ago. And it certainly annoyed the hell out of me. Not really a story wise issue, but it does raise the question; What the fuck is wrong with Obi Wan's beard?
This goes on the entire movie, one shot Ewan McGregor has a nice real trimmed beard, two seconds later he looks like he got pranked with the pubic hair from the guys of Jackass...
"George (Lucas) is all about the details and continuity " they say. You see him nitpicking on clothing, props, buildings, digiital characters etc., but he just couldn't get this damn beard straight...
"Damnit, this Diner scene is a lot harder than I thought... let's get my stunt double"
Yes, much better...
"May the beard be with you"
"Luckily 'those real' die hard Star Wars geeks will have an explanation for this, they always have."
Got the new yellow PSP slim as a birthday present, replacing my 'old & fat' one. With the improved digital pad I will whoop more ass when playing my fighting games on the go... Wanna play?
The brilliance of Bobby McFerrin Tuesday, Januari 22, 2008
State of mind Tuesday, Januari 15, 2008
I followed the Keynote liveblog on macrumorslive.com, but I'm in such a state of mind right now that I can't enjoy the new stuff ... not even the world's thinnest Laptop. Maybe later...
Whatshmup?! Wednesday, Januari 2, 2008
Since I'm in a rekindled romance with Japanese Shooter games, here's a nice documentary about them shmups. It's in french, so don't forget to select the english subs.
Don't like it... Wednesday, November 28, 2007
It's funny... well, not so funny, to see two things together you really love and hate. That happened in Apple's latest iTunes/ipod ad. I love most things Apple... but with that same amount of passion I can't stand Mary J. Blige. Can't hear her singing, can't watch her dancing (if you can call it dancing). Also, time for something new Apple? The silhouette thing is getting tiresome...
Miss Blige in one of her typical and elegant poses...
Street Fighter IV Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Street Fighter IV has finally been announced, though Capcom is still teasing. No knowledge about what platform it will be released on. My guess is it will hit japanese arcades first...
Leopard is coming Tuesday, October 16, 2007
I'm really looking forward to it...
Mitsuyuki Ishibashi Saturday, October 13, 2007
Two animated videos by Mitsuyuki Ishibashi. Saw some of his work on last years Animation Film Festival. The first one is a videoclip from japanese punkrock band Bloodthirsty Butchers, the song is called Jack Nicolson... great song. The second one is a funny samurai fight...
Pixelmator 1.0 - A happy Snappy little Appy Wednesday, October 3, 2007
When it comes to image editing I use Photoshop, but it's apps like Pixelmator which make it so much more fun to enhance or create images. Pixelmator relies on the full power of Mac OS X. So it takes advantages of Core Image, Open GL, Automator, Spotlight and more. It looks so cool, it's real fast and snappy and has a lot of features. While it's no Photoshop, it comes real close. The built-in features like the iphoto browser, Automator actions, and the ability to import and export to most formats, makes it stand it's own for a lot of use...
Bought it on the fly!
Nike Air Jordan 4 Undefeated Monday, September 24, 2007
I'm a Sneaker Pimp. I F#(<!NG love sneakers. Especially those retro Air Jordans. While I've got quite a collection, there's no way this one will be in it. Released in 2005 and Limited to 70 pairs worldwide, with a pricetag ranging from 3000 to 6000 dollars.
Somehow it also looks like a Halo 3 themed Jordan...
Aaahhh fresh New iPods Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Thanx Apple... not so sure about the nano though. Looks like there's a midget in the family.
SF turbo HD remix Saturday, August 25, 2007
At this point, the more I see of this game, the more I start to dislike it...
It's quite an old one, but still fun and cool to play with
Ratatouille Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Damn... did see it again...
Ratatouille Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Damn... want to see it again...
Added a video page Saturday, Juli 21, 2007
Well, since we're in this youtube era, here's a page where I can add and share some vids...
SSFIITHD Remix Friday, June 8, 2007
For all you SF fanatics, here you'll find the latest news on the Super Turbo HD Remix...
HD Hadoken Thursday, May 31, 2007
Here's the first image of the Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix. This redrawn thing is going to look so good in full 1080p. I threw in an upscaled image of the old hadoken frame to get a sense of things...
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix Tuesday, May 15, 2007
It was something I was thinking about and hoping for the last few years. So when Capcom announced it a month ago, I was really happy and now I'm really looking forward to it.
A redrawn version of one of the finest and best balanced fighting games, Super Street Fighter II Turbo. Every single sprite and frame of animation will get a high definition overhaul including backgrounds and effects.
Ofcourse there's alot more to it than just redrawing, keeping the exact gameplay intact is one hell of a job. Luckily, SF veteran and game designer David Sirlin is on the project...
Volver Monday, September 4, 2006
After a couple of crappy movies. Volver was such a welcome treat. A typical and colourful film by Pedro Almodóvar. Taking his time and the right pacing to tell a strange and intriguing story, making it believable and funny to watch. This film is mostly about women, it can be mistaken as an average foreign chick flick, but it's not. Performances are strong, especially the lead by Penelope Cruz. She's simply gorgeous as Raimunda and gives her best act yet. The soundtrack by Alberto Iglesias is great too.
What the hell is wrong with you Mann?! Friday, August 18, 2006
OK I wasn't expecting much of Miami Vice after a lot of bad reviews, but I really like Michael Mann's movies and visual style so I gave it a shot. Boy what a bad movie it is. Where do I start? Terrible story, bad acting, bad cast...it's just a cliche filled movie which looks good but is empty and doesn't entertain. Also, Collin Farrell is the biggest miscast. He's probably got the most ridiculous look and stupid face I've seen in a 'serious' movie. What's with the Fu Manchu?! Jason patric looked cool with it in Narc, but here it doesn't fit or look cool. His bushy eyebrows in a constant dumbass frown. And watching him you just can't take anything serious. He really looks like a crossover between Nic Cage in Con Air and George Clooney in Brother where art Thou. Yes, that stupid! Hey and on top of that, let's give this man some stupid lines to say, because the dialogue sucked.
Well that sums it up. This is by far no Heat or The Insider, hell it's not even close to Collateral, which was already on a downslope. I tried to find some pics from Collin's mug in this movie, but I think the people at Universal Pictures had a hard time getting pictures where he doesn't look like an ass. That's why there are so few.
You ain't cool, you ain't fly?! The truth is, you look stupid Sonny...
United 93 Wednesday, August 2, 2006
Sometimes film is meant to serve as an important document rather than art or pure entertainment. United 93 is one those movies. You're not going to watch this because you want to have a good time, but because it's an important movie.
Shot in documentary style with a cast of relative unknown actors, it tells the story of what happened on flight 93 of United Airlines during the events of 9/11. Showing more perspectives of what happened, from ground control to the people on the plane, you feel you're right in the middle of it all. It catches true human spirit and emotion and therefore sometimes not easy to watch. A powerful, impressive and well crafted movie. Hats of to Paul Greengrass.
Akira Kurosawa's Shichinin no Samurai (Seven Samurai) is one of my favorite movies and now it's getting an all new 3 disc DVD release by Criterion. Since their single disc is problably the best polished up version, this 3 disc version with all its features is a must have for fans or movielovers in general. Jeez, sounds like I'm selling the thing...
But what makes this movie so special?
At the time (1954) it was groundbreaking for its epical storytelling, camerawork and editing and set a new genre; the 'action' movie. By todays standards, it may be too long and the action is tame, but there so much in this movie. When viewing this with explanation, it really makes you smile and you'll understand why this was so groundbreaking and important for moviemaking. The theme of the film has also been used in many movies, A bug's life by Pixar is one of them...
Cars, shmars... Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Last night I saw the new animated movie Cars. I had some doubts when I saw the first teaser way back, the second trailer also didn't have that Pixar magic. C'mon this is Pixar right?! They won't screw it up? But I was really dissapointed...
Normally Pixar creates the most believable worlds when it comes to their characters and their surroundings, but I just couldn't get into this 'all' car world. The story had that standard 'Hollywood feel' to it which I really didn't like. This was done by John Lasseter, the famous Toy Story 1 & 2 director, who has a heart for story. Sure, it had it's funny moments and it looked great...in the end it was nice, but not Pixar great. Oh, stay with the end credits which really had something funny that made me leave the theater with a smile after all...
