First Annual D23 Expo
To a Disney enthusiast, the idea of a convention organized by the Mouse himself is major excitement overload. The D23 Expo premiered for the first time last month and was exactly what you’d expect from a first year convention. Despite taking place right next door to Disneyland at the Anaheim Convention Center, it was surprisingly un-crowded. In March 2009, the first official online, members-only Disney fan club was launched, D23 (Walt Disney founded what would become the Disney Studios in 1923). The D23 Expo was then organized to serve as an annual meeting place for not only members of D23, but any Disney-loving member of the general public.
DVD Review: The Story of Saiunkoku – The Complete Season One
The Story of Saiunkoku is a shōjo supernatural romance-comedy anime set in the titular mythical/historical realm. Saiunkoku is heavily influenced by Chinese mythology. While there is no exact year, the setting seems to be based very loosely on one of the more stable periods between the late Han Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty as the bureaucratic system established during the Han period is well entrenched while the development of gunpowder has yet to be discovered; however, the series is clearly not historical fiction.
Blu-ray Review: Van Helsing
Since the dawn of film, there have been many many attempts to bring the story of Dracula to life on the silver screen from Nosferatu, to the more well known films such as Universal's Dracula starring Bela Lugosi and Bram Stoker's Dracula (Many of which, including this reviewer, think is the most accurate adaptation done in film thus far). Once again Hollywood has decided to try its hand at redoing the ol' Dracula mythos with Van Helsing, only this time hot off the heels of movies like Underworld, this version of the tale takes a more gothic action popcorn flick approach to the timeless story.
Blu-ray Review: An American Werewolf in London
David regains consciousness in the hospital to the care of Nurse Alex Price (Jenny Agutter – Child’s Play 2), who also takes him home for further recovery when he is discharged from the hospital and has no where to go at the time. David begins having strange cravings and visits from Jack, who tries to convince David to kill himself so he can move on. To make matters worse, David begins waking up in strange places naked, and Jack's visits are accompanied by other apparitions that aren’t happy with him.
An American Werewolf in London is an excellent movie that mixes an appropriate style of comedy to compliment the horror, but what would you expect from John Landis (Animal House). Add the cutting edge special effects that still hold up today, and you have fun flick with a pleasant mix of laughs and gasps.
Manga Review: Viz – 20th Century Boys
Naoki Urasawa, acclaimed manga artist for decades, is back with another thriller in 20th Century Boys. When Kenji was a boy during the 1960s he had dreams like any other kid. He watched the moon landing in 1969 and wanted to be an astronaut. He read comic books and wanted superpowers to save the day. He wanted to be tough enough to be able to beat up the bigger kids who picked on him. But most of all he listened to rock and roll, and wanted to be a rock star. Kenji's friends have the same ideas, and, one summer, they decide to create the Book of Prophecy, a picture book starring themselves as nine warriors who rise up to defend the Earth from the amorphous League of Evil, who are planning to bring the end of the world on December 31, 2000.
Manga Review: Magic Touch – Volume 4
Magic Touch is a shōjo romance-comedy centered around the high school romance of Chiaki Togu, a cute and shy girl and member of a club, the Massage Research Society, who falls in love with Yosuke, the hottest guy in school, after seeing his back and wanting to massage it. Volume 4 continues to develop the romance between Chiaki and Yosuke, add some more comedic chapters as well as develop some of the side characters.
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DVD Review: Doctor Who- The Next Doctor
Nothing says Christmas like evil robots and time traveling Doctors! Doctor Who returns for his annual Christmas Special in the standalone story The Next Doctor, which is now available for you to own on DVD.
David Tennant continues his incredible tenure as The Doctor, this time venturing back to London in the year 1851. There he encounters some old friends, The Cybermen, and gets the opportunity to meet another version of himself (played by David Morrissey)! But wait… how can there be TWO Doctors? Now the two men must work together to stop the Cybermen from altering history and ruining Christmas (the Christmas part is more important).
Book Review: Starting Point 1979 – 1996
Hayao Miyazaki is arguably one of the greatest animators of our time. Starting Point 1979 – 1996 is a series of essays, interviews and memoirs that are compiled to cover the first 20 years of Hayao Miyazaki’s career.
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Convention Coverage: Archon 33 Masquerade
Over the years the Masquerade has become a big event at many conventions, and Archon is no exception. It can also be argued that it is the focal point for many of these conventions. Nevertheless, Archon has become recognized as one of the top, if not the best, regional Masquerades around.
Book Review: The Lost Symbol
The Lost Symbol, by Dan Brown, starts off a little slow in comparison to his previous novels, but when the pace eventually picks up, it proves well worth the wait. The story is set in Washington DC and manages to stay there; although the characters certainly spend their time running frantically around the city almost as much as Brown’s prior novels have them running about the globe.
DVD Review: Bleach: The Rescue, Season Three Box Set
To save Rukia, Ichigo must master his Bankai. It takes ten years to do this, but Ichigo has only three days. With the help of Yoruichi, can Ichigo do it and get to the level it will take to save his friend form the execution she is now marching toward? And what about the death of Captan Aizen, is it related or is there something else going on?
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