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Film & TV on DVD - John Doe News & Reviews

 
Greetings Film Fiends and welcome to John Doe's Film Blog. 30 years of dedicated celluloid obsession has meant that I have seen a few films. Drawing attention to some of the lesser discussed gems that I love. Cult classics, obscure curios and quality genre pictures. This blogs purpose is to translate some of my passion for these films and with luck, inspire you the reader to go check em out.

Akira 2009

March 29th 2008 12:36
Akira is one of my favourite films of all time. Released in 1988, it’s an achievement not just in Japanese animation of it’s time, but continues to demonstrate a quality of animation that equals that of modern cartoon animation.


Original Japanese Trailer.

Akira is an incredibly complex film. The government, the military, the scientists, the anti-government rebel groups, the delinquent children, the New age psycho hippies, the biker gangs; each live in a kind of intertwined struggle – each fighting against one other for power, frighted of each others potential. There’s a lot of varied motivations intertwined here, and it’s easy to loose track.


The film touches on many themes, but the most prominent is of the concept that ‘all power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ The above groups are locked into their own power struggles, which are soon dwarfed by Tetsuo’s new, military testing induced psychic powers. As Tetsuos power grows, his control wanes, and everything spirals desperately out of control.

One of the things I love so much about the film is it’s soundtrack. The following video features one of the songs from the film. The visuals are enjoyable too, but I’d simply like to share the music with you. (Does contain violence).




Song: 'Kaneda' by Geinoh Yamashirogumi.

Lyrics; Japanese;

Arashi, gareki, honoo, kakera, machi, tatsumaki, chikara, hikari, yatsura, matsuri, sora, nakama, hashiru!
RASSERA, RASSERA, RASSE, RASSE, RASSERA!
RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSERA!

English: Storm, Rubble, Flame, Shards, City, Tornado, Power, Light, Them, Festival, Sky, Friends Running.
RASSERA, RASSERA, RASSE, RASSE, RASSERA!
RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSERA!

More information on the original Soundtrack can be found here.

The following video features the opening six minutes of the film, including the famous opening explosion.



The reason that I’ve been put in the mood to rant and rave over this film in particular, is that at present I’m equal parts nervous and exited over the announcement that there’s a new Akira film in the works.

Unlike the animated film which manages to squish six massive volumes of comics into one relatively small film, the live action film will be done Lord of the Rings Style, in two parts. This is probably for the best, as the current film is essentially a rough adaptation.

It is set to be produced by Leonardo Di Caprio, Andrew Lazar and Jennifer Davisson. No, I’ve never heard of those last two either. The script is said to be written by hardened computer/comic geekmaster Gary Whitta. Wikipedia in it’s wisdom has given rumour that Di Caprio is to play Kaneida, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is to play Tetsuo.

I have high hopes for the film, so let’s all cross our fingers and hope we don’t end up seeing it all set in America or anything silly like that.
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Supanova 2008 - A Preview

March 10th 2008 00:01
Supanova Nirvana Returns.


Hands on and completely interactive, this year “Supanova” returns to Australia with a cavalcade of familiar faces that have John Doe ready to attack the nearest clone if it sped up the events arrival.

For those of you who have not entered this alternate universe, “Supanova” is essentially a pop-culture expo that spreads through comics, anime, videogames, cult classics and anything else commonly associated with us fantasy obsessed beings.

Bringing a calibre of quality that for a long time was only available in the motherland (ship). These are the stars, creators, animators and other visionaries associated with the creative and imaginative works that have inspired passionate devotion in audiences.

Johnny D missed last year’s event which featured guests including Lando Lando Calrissian himself, Billy Dee Williams, Sam J Jones (Flash Gordon) and Bruce Spence (Mad Max 2).

Scrolling through the latest issue of FilmInk you will find a two page advertisement for the 2008 landing and the schedule is shaping up nicely. It’s hard to say who is the most exciting face to coming down under but, John Rhys Davies (Sala in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Gimli in Lord of the Rings) would surely have a few anecdotes JD would be interested in.

john rhys davies, david harris
John Rhys Davies and David Harris


For the Melbourne and Brisbane 3 day Extravaganza, The Warriors is an all time classic and the chance to meet David “Cochise” Harris has Mr Doe ready to “come out and pllllaaaayyyaayyy”. (Shame it’s in the wrong state)

jewel straite firefly serenity
Jewel Straite at another Convention


Chronic cutie Jewel Straite (Kaylee on Serenity, Heidi Gotts on Wonderfalls), the real Incredible Hulk Lou Ferrigno, Police Academy’s Michael Winslow and James Kyson Lee (Ando in Heroes) are also due in.

lou ferrigno incredible hulk
Just don't make him made!


For the Sydney and Perth people there is an impressive line up forming. At the front of the queue is Heroes head cheerleader Hayden Panettiere.

hayden paniterrie heroes
Save the cheerleader...save the world


The Trekkie in Doe finds the prospect of seeing Nichelle Nichols (Nyota Uhura) brings out his inner Starfleet Academy cadet.

Morena Baccarin (Inara from Firefly/Serenity), Mark Sheppard (Bionic Woman) and Daniel Logan (Jnr Bobba Fett) are also invited.

Expect a JDM exclusive report from the Sydney leg of the journey.

femtroopers
Femtroopers of the starboard bow


Rest assured Cib, John Doe will be keeping his phaser set to stun if he sees any Fem-Troopers. Click here to find out more about femtroopers

Dates are as follows:

MELBOURNE 2008
March 28-30, Royal Showgrounds

BRISBANE 2008
April 4-6, RNA Showgrounds

SYDNEY 2008
June 20-22, The Dome, Olympic Park

PERTH 2008
June 27-29, Claremont Showgrounds

For further information including Anime and Comic guests plus bookings check out supanova.com.au


Watch “Sharpy’s” visit to last years Supanova in Brisbane


Here is a clip from the 2005 show


Another clip from previous years Supanova


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Shrek the Third – A Fimink Review

August 8th 2007 02:38
Shrek the Third – A Fimink Review

Regular visitors to the site will know that I freelance for FilmInk magazine. The new issue is on the shelves and a few of my reviews are published online so Johnny thought he would partake in a bit of self promotion. Hope you like them.

Shrek 3 poster
Cinema Poster
Title: Shrek the Third
Rating: TBC
Time: TBA
Country: U.S.A
Director: Chris Miller & Raman Hui
Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, John Cleese, Ian McShane, Julie Andrews, Rupert Everett, Eric Idle, Maya Rudolph, Cheri Oteri, Justin Timberlake
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Worth: $9.00
Released: June 7


The Dreamworks Ogre chronicles continue. Starting life as an animated adaptation to a self aware, Princess Bride style fairytale by William Steig’s, Shrek has gone on to become the first chapter in one of the most successful film series of all time.

Shrek the Third, (not to be confused with Shrek 3-D) sees most of the familiar faces and voices returning. The story picks up with Shrek (Mike Myers) and Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) having taken over regal duties in Far, Far Away Land to stand in for the ailing King Harold (still a toad).

Unhappy with tedious dinners and accident prone lording, the big green one just wants to get back to his swamp. The responsibilities of being first in line to the throne are taking their toll on the marriage and his patience. Soon a desperate quest is on to find another with royal blood so husband and wife can get home to deal with something vastly more personal.

Further visually honed, a higher picture quality sees the quandary of CG rendered fire, water and hair gone, the results are striking. The Painstakingly constructed digital images are impressive but their almost the only thing that feels fresh about the film.

The plot is an obvious follow on from the 2nd and the early promise of a tale told from the villain’s perspective as “losers” turns out to be wishful thinking.

There is still charm and some solid laughs to be found, Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss-in-boots (Antonio Banderas) providing the majority of both. The cavalcade of characters amuses, but the jokes like the underlying message just seem a recycle of the previous outings.

Following the “Give em more of the same, they liked it the last time” sequel credo, the movie does satisfy as above average by the company it keeps.


The Shrek 3 Trailer
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Classic Disney Tunes have John Doe in a trance - HELP!


[ Click here to read more ]
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What’s your Favourite Looney Tunes Toon?


Looney Tunes
US DVD Box Set- Available individually in Australia
Whacky, self referential, slyly ridiculing the artistic elite, adult ettitquette and cultural idiosyncrasies, the WB Looney Tunes remain hysterically funny regardless of chronology or maturity.
[ Click here to read more ]
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Wicked City (1987) - Footage Included

January 30th 2007 00:46
Wicked City

Wicked City
DVD Cover
Director:Yoshiaki Kawajiri
[ Click here to read more ]
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Iron Giant (1999)-Footage Included

December 15th 2006 01:41
Iron Giant


Iron Giant
DVD Cover
Writer/Director:Brad Bird
[ Click here to read more ]
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