Searching For Survival

I haven't given this blog much thought as of late, or if ever, but that will change soon enough.

Hopefully much sooner rather than later.

Laurean Leigh was spirited away at 6:49 AM
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I am legend animated comics

So, I started watching I AM LEGEND yesterday. As far as post-apotolyptic zombie - world has been overcome by a horrible virus go, its decent. Actually, it is more than decent, it is a great movie, I just can't understand why it didn't do as well as it could have.

Perhaps audiences do not have the patience nowadays to keep their attention focused on one man. Most of the movie just follows Will Smith's character and his dog. I do think the actor does an amazing job of sucking you in, and realizing his slowly forming madness due to isolation. Some of his acting in this movie is astonishing.

Anyways, the movie is decent, and you should watch if it you get a chance. It's not really the gorey kind of zombie horror movie people may be used to. Most fight scenes involve jumps and attacking, but no ripping of flesh. (Obviously, since there is only one primary character in the movie, can't kill him.) The story is told through a series of flashbacks, although just when you think you will be told all the information on what happened...you aren't.

Btw, Emma Thompson creating a virus that ends up destroying the world - fantastic.

When I was learning about the movie, I was pleased to learn that this movie is based on a book (by the same name) written in the 1950s. What's even more interesting, is that the book itself is said to be the primary influence of all modern vampire & zombie mythos and culture as we see it through the media. It is also argueably the influence for the concept of a post apcotolyptic destroyed world - according to wikipedia. However, I don't think the book can take entire credit for the latter, since with the creation of the Atom Bomb and major cold war scare, this concept of the world being destroyed in mere moments was on everyone's minds in the 50s.

I must pick up a copy of the book now, because I'm intrigued about the whole zombie horror genre from a psychological standpoint. That is also why I'm a HUGE fan of the Zombie Tales comic book stories.

A cool feature of the 'normal' DVD is that included on it are four animated prequel comics to the movie. None of them show Will Smith's character, instead, they tell the stories of other people (and places) in the world and how they are coping with the viral outbreak. These kinds of 'pocket stories' always intrigue interest me. Even if the main story itself may be poor, I find that these smaller suplimental stories (that are growing ever popular) help fill in the gaps and pull us into the overall world even more. I almost wish they would have done a story concerning survivors on a Red Cross Ship (like they mentioned in the movie) that would have also been pretty cool!


Shelter - Possibly the BEST of all four, (and a concept I've seen used on an old Twilight Zone episode). This story takes place in India, about a girl, her family, the man she loves, and a bunker.

Death is a gift - my personal favourite. The animation on this story is simple, subtle, but strikingly beautiful. The ending, sad and powerful. The story takes place in Hong Kong.

Sacrifice the few for the many - Taking place in central America, this story shows pretty much the basic 'survival of the fittest' mentality...and even then sometimes it doesn't always work. (The curious part of me wonders if this is how the virus became airborne in the movies).

Isolation - not really the best story. I like the angle they used here, but it just didn't feel like it was making sense or clearly thought out. I do however like how the protagonist is sketched out and coloured.

So, there you go! Horror comics, beautifully drawn and animated! Check them out! I just wish these had took off more and more had been created, they're pretty poignant in their messages.

Laurean Leigh was spirited away at 4:24 AM
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Release!

Slow week. Reviews coming for Rinne (2005) and Alone (2007) as soon as I get my capture card working once more.

Meanwhile...be amused by this really creative Bleach/CardCaptor Sakura Parody.

Laurean Leigh was spirited away at 3:54 PM
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BIOSHOCK

Everyone is talking about this game. I remember when I first received information from Take Two UK about it. I had only glanced at it (given I was more hyped up in reporting their European release of Fatal Frame III: The Tormented.), it seemed at first glance to be some sort of bizzare wargame being passed off as a thriller.

I wasn't impressed, so I moved on. I regret this now.

Well, it wouldn't leave well enough alone. 'Have you seen Bioshock? You Should check out Bioshock! Have you heard about Take Two's Bioshock?'.

Again, I would wave off fate because again, didn't really get a good close look, and I was sticking to my initial first impression.

It wasn't until my husband downloaded the Demo from Xbox Live that Bioshock finally took my attention. I can now see what the hype was/is about...and I admit I am waiting anxiously for a good excuse to go buy this game. After seeing the gameplay of the demo, it definately looks interesting.

The demo appears to be the first chapter or so of the game. Your plane crashes and you wake up in this iron bathsphere...which takes you, low and behold...into a underwater retro paradise. Although, I do have to question...what actually keeps the huge blue whale from the FMV from not randomly hitting buildings with the back of it's tale. The city is called 'Rapture'...which...having a name like that, and being a survival horrorish game..you know the city probably doesn't have the best chances of being the utopia its plugged to me.

The conceptual art for this game is pretty savvy too. Best job ever, drawing mechanical killers spliced zombies, and deformed creatures.




So, I eat my words, I will play this game..and I think I'm going to enjoy it. The look and feel reminds me a lot of The Suffering games...except the plot seems more eye catching and intriging...and being stuck in the center of the ocean is a nice twist.

While having their normal gamesite ( www.2kgames.com/bioshock/) there is also a secondary site called the 'cult of rapture'. (http://www.2kgames.com/cultofrapture/) It's sort of an official soundtrack with all kinds of information for fans plus articles on the game itself.

Take Two appears to have great things riding on Bioshock...as they should. Count me amongst one of The Cult of Rapture please.

Laurean Leigh was spirited away at 8:17 AM
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Alone (2007) Thai Movie

My initial first thoughts when hearing about this movie: If this movie doesn't prove that directors Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom are Fatal Frame fans, no movie will.

The two Thai directors are responsible for the hit 'Shutter'. Which, while outright doesn't have any nods to the popular videogame series, definately lends similar imagery and the theme of spiritual photography.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE Shutter. In fact, you can now get the DVD in the states, and I suggest you go and buy it. Most asian movies, I'd say 'rent first', but this is one of the exceptions.

So, when a girlfriend told me about this movie, I admittedly have been trying desperately to get my hands on something more than just it's taunting trailer. The theme of the movie (ironically, the exact same as found in Fatal Frame II:Crimson Butterfly) concerns twins and the tagline "We promised to be together, forever."

The story centers around the story of a pair of conjoined twins, Pim and Ploy, who are put through a seperation operation...where one of the girls dies. Years later, the surviving twin, who has put her sister's death and her past behind her, must return back to her home and memories. As these memories flow back, Pim starts to realize that these memories aren't just memories...but something..that doesn't want to be forgotten.

The english version of the website is really cool, and well done. (As to be expected, since the Shutter website was just as detailed). It's very english speaker friendly, so intrigued asian horror enthusiasts should check it out.

The full trailer for the movie can be found on youtube.


On a final sidenote....the main music themesong of this movie, is pretty sweet yet eerie at the same time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e_bxy9UVxQ

As soon as I get my hands on this movie, I'll give a more full and accurate review of the entire thing.

Laurean Leigh was spirited away at 2:44 PM
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