ToyCon in the Philippines is just around the corner, and if you are as excited as I am, then you’ll make your way to the SM Mall of Asia grounds from June 14-16. There are a lot of toy related experiences to devour with your visit, and here are some of the events I’m looking forward to seeing this weekend.
Firstly, there will be new toylines, and limited edition collectibles released at ToyCon. Among them, two new toybrands will be released by MNDSTYL and the creator of Funko Pop. Toy exclusives from Solid Toys, RLux Custom, Armored Komodo, Devil Toys, Omo Collectibles and more than 50 other Designer toy artists will also be available. I’ll at least take a look at them, and save pictures. Maybe something will show up that I will be willing to spend my funds on? I can only hope.
Voltes V Display
Also, there will be a celebration of the Philippines favorite super robot, Voltes V. Telesuccess Productions, the producer of Voltes V: Legacy will be revealing a twenty foot Voltes V Legacy display at Toycon. And since GMA Network is celebrating its 74th anniversary, expect cast members from the GMA series to show up at the event. Of course, you’re sure to have other Voltes V displays at the event grounds as well.
Speaking of displays, there will be a lot more of these toy displays from your favorite pop culture characters. Whether these be from local cultural icons or foreign, there will be people showing their own collections from Darna to Wonder Woman to Arcee. Want to find out exactly which characters will have a toy display? Visit ToyCon to find out.
ToyCon is also a venue for cosplayers of different fandoms to share their love of their favorite characters. It’s always a visual feast when the cosplay community graces ToyCon. So, be ready with your cameras for photo ops. The photos will surely add more layers to your digital or physical pop culture collection.
There will also be displays, and spotlight presentations for upcoming movies. Some of the movies lined up include “Alien vs. Predator: Romulus”. “A Quiet Place: Day One”, “Deadpool and Wolverine”, “Friendly Fire”, “Horizon: An American Saga”, “Inside Out 2”, and “Transformers One”. Of these movies, I’m most looking forward to the Alien movie, and the Transformers movie, being a long-time Transformers fan. So, if you’re a movie buff, there’s also something for you at ToyCon.
Last but not the least, visiting the toy marketplace is a MUST for me. I enjoy the hunt even if eventually I don’t find anything I need. The interactions I get from sellers, and collectors are priceless. These interactions also provide you with some networking opportunities. In fact, I’ve made a lot of friends at previous ToyCons who are still part of my life now. It’s an excellent opportunity to create more ties in a community that I love.
ToyCon 2024 has many activities to offer to fans on this side of pop culture. These are just the ones that I will hunt down and participate in. Find out more about ToyCon and what caters to you by checking out their official social media sites where you can find them. See you there.
The highly anticipated adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction masterpiece by Denis Villenueve has finally made its debut, and what an impression it has made. If you are unfamiliar with Villenueve’s work, know that he is also the director of ‘Blade Runner 2049′, the sequel to the first Blade Runner film. However, unlike Blade Runner, Villenueve’s version of Dune is in no ways related to the first movie that came out in the 1980s, and has more similarity to the television mini-series that came out in the early 2000s.
The film chronicles the story of Arakis, Dune, the central planet of the Galaxy. Arakis is the only planet that provides the ‘spice’, a resource that allows interstellar travel. In effect, Arakis is the most important planet in the galaxy because without it travel across the planets would not be possible, leaving the empire unable to enforce its reign without the fuel needed to do so. Additionally, ‘Dune’ tells the tale of the socio-political important of this valuable resource within the landscape of the rivalry between two of the most powerful houses in the empire: Harkonnen and Atreides.
With the current COVID pendamic still by and large an existing threat to cinematic releases, ‘Dune’ follows the story’s central matra, and overcomes this fear of COVID by providing a movie that not only reflects the primary elements of Frank Herbert’s opus, but also encourages everyone to face their fear. Fear is the mind-killer, and ‘Dune’ shows us in spades how everything we ever wanted is on the other side of fear.
That is not to say, that one should face their fear recklessly. ‘Dune’ shows through the eyes of its main character, Paul Atreides, that overcoming fear takes calculation and a lot of foresight. Decisions should not be made hastily, and the key to overcoming fear is a calm composure that is oftentimes lacking when people are faced with their fears. This is what makes ‘Dune’ stand out from other science fiction properties. The science fiction is just the backdrop for themes that focus on family, politics, religion, society and philosophy. This has been the case for Frank Herbert’s novel. This is also the case for Denis Villenueve’s Dune.
If there is any misgiving with ‘Dune’, it is that the film ends without completing the story. However, the ending sets up the coming of the messiah of which readers of the series are well aware of, and this is somethig worth looking forward to seeing. The pacing was necessary for viewers to properly grasp the interpersonal dynamics of characters with all the political intigue that accompanies them. We also get to see the transition of Paul Atreides from his sheltered boyish life to a gowing man who realizes that there is a lot o value following the destiny that is laid out for him. As he slowly realizes it, the film ends with Paul striking forth his destiny with a krisknife. With that act, there is no turning back, and we are set up with a cliffhanger for the next film that should be worth the wait.
As a result, ‘Dune’ is a welcome sight in a world that sees the reality of fear all around us. Yes, the fear can sometimes be paralyzing, but that should not stop us from moving beyond the fear until we are the only ones that remain: stonger and wiser because of the fear, and not overcome by it. Watch and enjoy this modern cinematic masterpiece.
How do I start talking about a movie based on a comic book team I utterly love to death? There are only two comic book super hero groups that I hold close to my heart. The Titans are one of them, and the Suicide Squad is the second (with the Legion of Super-Heroes a distant third). That being said I have decided to change my regular approach to reviews I make. And with the way this movie was made, I cannot help but spoil myself. So…WARNING THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS. You have been warned to proceed expecting there would be no spoilers would be….SUICIDE.
I’ll start with these two books. By now, it’s no secret that James Gunn shared one of his inspirations for ‘The Suicide Squad’ was the ‘Doom Patrol and Suicide Squad Special’. When that news came out I was wondering if he would copy the premise of this comic book. You see, if there was any one book that highlights what the Suicide Squad is like, it’s this book. It was a slaughterfest with only Rick Flag surviving the Task Force X unit that was part of the story. It also had the Thinker and Weasle in it, just like what was promoted in ‘The Suicide Squad’. Then the movie comes out, and this explains why James Gunn found inspiration in this book. It also explains why he had SO MANY villains cast: he wanted to kill them off. Most of them anyway. So here comes the film and BOOM, James Gunn has the audacity to do just that, even offing one of the staple of the Suicide Squad, Captain Boomerang, in the first act. Squad members fall like flies upon entering the fictional country of Corto Maltese, and the hits do not end there.
The second book is Suicide Squad 26 with Rick Flag on the cover. This is the issue where Rick Flag dies, albeit not by the hands of Peacemaker. Though he does die in a familiar place also mentioned in ‘The Suicide Squad’. This place is Jotunheim which is also used as an important location in James Gunn’s film. In fact, James Gunn blows Jotunheim up while Rick Flag dies in it. This is a blatant tip of the hat to this particular issue of the Suicide Squad. Speaking of blatant tip of the hat, take a look at logo of the comic book for Suicide Squad. The font used for the film completely mirrors the one used in the 1980s series penned by John Ostrander. James Gunn shows a lot of reverence towards Ostrander’s interpretation of the Suicide Squad enough to even cast him in the role of Dr. Fitzgibbon: the man who placed the brain bomb in Bloodsport’s head.
Next, I have two more books to show just how much detail James Gunn was in his casting and research. One of the beauties of the comic book series was its willingness to incorporate big roles to outlying characters. This was evident in the 1980s first issue of Suicide Squad. Writer John Ostrander did it by introducing John Economos in the very first issue. John is the jail warden of Belle Reve penitentiary. He is seen in ‘The Suicide Squad’ film as that bespectackled man taking and making bets as to which inmate would die on the assault of Corto Maltese. Suicide Squad is a series about characters, and James Gunn ingeniously incorporates that in his film. Also, here we find the first appearance of Jotunheim, and we already know what happened there. Fast forward decades later to the Rebirth era of Suicide Squad and he picks out another supporting character to round out his bevy of console jockeys who monitor the status of Amanda Waller’s Task Force X. This time in Suicide Squad: Rebirth #2, Gunn takes the character of Emila Harcourt. With Economos and Harcourt, Gunn provided a more layered set of characters to supplement the already strong character that is Amanda Waller within the confines of Belle Reve while her Task Force X does the dirty work on the field.
Speaking of characters, aside from Amanda Waller, Harley Quinn was one of the more important members of the Suicide Squad. James Gunn’s inclusion of her in his film not only provided star power in the form of Margot Robbie, it also gave the film pop culture power as Harley is one of the most popular comic book characters around. Harley Quinn became a member in the New 52 iteration of the Suicide Squad written by Adam Glass. Additionally, another important character who joins the team (and arguably THE breakout character of the movie) also makes his appearance here: Nanaue aka King Shark.
From what I’ve seen, James Gunn was willing to take from different itterations of the Suicide Squad, and incoporate them as his own. This worked to his advantage, and the result is one of the best movies, not just comic book movie, of 2021.
‘The Suicide Squad’ is a mix of grit, action, violence and comedy that pays homage to its comic book roots. Ten minutes into the film, I couldn’t stop myself from laughing and clapping my hands to the movies sheer beauty and spectacle. Yes, the movie is not for children. But, the Suicide Squad as a comic book tells its best stories with violence and villainy even among its members. Amanda Waller is manipulative and conniving. Harley Quinn is charming and crazy. Nanaue is your gentle man-eating monster. Bloodsport is your antiphero hero. These are just some of the characters with mismatched personality quirks. At their surface, they shouldn’t be able to work together. And yet, with James Gunn’s guidance, they complement each other and ‘The Suicide Squad’ benefits from it.
If you are expecting a film that follows the traditional super-hero trope, then prepare to be disappointed with ‘The Suicide Squad’. The movie is one big funny and bloody mess which justifies its ‘R’ rating. I don’t think you can make Suicide Squad into a proper film withou the rating. These are villains not the heroes. However, ‘The Suicide Squad’ introduces us to a completely different type of hero: one that comes from being the villain.
With the fate of the world in the balance, ‘The Suicide Squad’ shows that it is part of basic human nature to seek redemption. And, though our heroes are essentially villains, when it boils down to it, the call for redemption cannot be dennied. So, if the vilest of villains have a chance at redemption and make it, what more for the rest of us who are not so far off? To cite a critical scene in ‘The Suicide Squad’: even rats can play an important part in saving the world.
Seven Years. Seven grueling years. That’s how long it took for ‘Rurouni Kenshin: The Final’ to come out. I have to give it to the creators of the live-action franchise. They focused on stories that highlight what Kenshin’s life is all about. The latest film in the Samurai X franchise highlights that as well. This movie series is one of the best anime adaptations to come out, and it really shows.
The story begins after the events of ‘Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends’. With Shishio gone, what’s life like in Japan? As soon as you thought that Kenshin and Kaoru will have a peaceful life, an element from Kenshin’s past shows up which explains why Kenshin is so daft in expressing his feelings towards Kaoru. Behind that smile, Kenshin has always been a tragic hero,and this further highlighted in ‘Rurouni Kenshin: The Final’. There’s never a dull moment for the former Battosai, and his former life as a killer haunts him in this movie.
Aside from Kenshin and Kaoru, we have a lot of returning characters but not all of them get to see the end of the film. As this is further down the line in Japanese history, there are a lot more technological improvements particularly in the existence of firearms which are now more prevalent. In spite of this, we get to see just how legendary Kenshin’s skills are even though he continues to use his reverse-blade sword. Reformed from Kenshin’s life as Battosai, he continues to honor his promise to not kill people even though this code is really put to the test amidst the deadly past that haunts him. Truly, his entire moral code is tested in the film as he continously comes to blows not just with his adversaries, but also with mistakes made in his past life as Battosai.
Kenshin not only wrestles with his moral code, but he also grapples with his feelings towards Kaoru. His desensitized feelings towards Kaoru are further explained if not justified by his previous romantic relationship. Kenshin struggles to come to grips with his past failure, and this curtails his decision-making on what he needs to do. Thankfully, he is able to resolve this inner conflict in time to the benefit of his friends, and the current Japanese status quo he swore to protect. This leads to an action-packed conclusion that puts into display why this Rurouni Kenshin franchise is one of the best anime adaptations ever created.
Having said that, ‘Rorouni Kenshin: The Final’ is a story about moving on from the past. Everybody deserves to be happy, and that includes our tragic hero, Kenshin Himura. This film, allows for Kenshin and the rest of the characters to move into a Japanese future of peace in the new regime. Here we see that the internal struggles are self-inflicted, and hamper one’s perception of an individual’s surroundings. As shown in the film, once these internal demons are overcome, the present and future become more of a blessing than a burden. True, there are some differences between the original anime and this film, but I see no problem with giving Kenshin the ending he deserves.
All in all, ‘Rorouni Kenshin: The Final’ does not skip a beat, and continues the tradition of providing beautiful storytelling coupled with exhilirating action scenes that its predecessors in the movie franchise provided. I’m sad to see it all end, but if this is how it ends, then it is a fitting ending to this film series.
‘Rurouni Kenshin: The Final’ is now streaming on Netflix.
There are no shortcuts to success. That is the message that the film conveys at the onset, and it permeates throughout the film. Though this sequel proceeds, albeit a few decades in time after its predecessor, Wonder Woman 1984 has its own voice, and it takes Diana on a voyage of self-reconciliation amidst the backdrop of man’s world that she is now completely immersed. Joining Gal Gadot in her journey as Wonder Woman are actors Pedro Pascal who plays Maxwell Lord, a self-professed businessman on the cusp of greatness, and Kristen Wiig who portrays Barbara Minerva, and later Cheetah. Both Maxwell Lord and Cheetah are well-known characters in DC comic book lore. Maxwell Lord and Cheetah, though they play the parts of antagonists to Wonder Woman, help Diana reconcile some inner pains experienced in the first Wonder Woman movie. Reprising his role as Steve Trevor, Chris Pine provides ample fuel to the outcome of Diana’s self-reconciliation. However, Steve’s ‘resurrection’ comes in a manner not even hinted on in the promotional trailers.
If you are a DC comic book reader, you might get surprised with the film’s depiction of Maxwell Lord and Cheetah. The story of Wonder Woman 1984 takes liberties to both characters’ origins and even with their powers to come up with a unique pair of antagonists for Diana in this movie. The names might be the same, but the story of the characters are quite different from what fans are familiar with in the comic books. As to Steve Trevor’s return, there is a bit of wishful thinking involved here which lies at the core of Maxwell Lord’s, and even Barbara Minerva’s motivations. This leads to a most unanticipated twist in the story that creates the mayhem, and at the same time the crux for the movie’s resolution.
As the story progresses, we get to see Diana get what she wants to resolve her relationship with Steve. Similarly, we get to see Maxwell Lord and Barbara get their heart’s desire as well in the film. Or do they? This goes back to the very beginning of the story when Diana is made to understand that there are no shortcuts to success…which also includes her own happiness. Diana realizes this painfully, as she comes to a decision on how to resolve the return of Steve Trevor, and her love for him. Fortunately, Diana gets back to form in due time to vanquish the threat of Maxwell Lord, and Cheetah in a most unexpected way.
In the end, even with Diana’s resolute drive to once again save humanity from the pitfalls it has created, she cannot do it alone, and it is humanity itself who saves itself in its hour of need with Wonder Woman’s urging. The result is a realization by humanity that they can be the solution to the problems that they themselves created. It took a Wonder Woman for people to realize that, and follow Diana’s own sacrifice to save the day.
All in all, Wonder Woman 1984 is unlike the first film in form and substance. Viewers will appreciate it more if they focus what it provides rather than what it does not. Wonder Woman 1984 gives us a timely reminder that there are no shortcuts to success, and that we can be our own heroes in our own lives if we are willing to make the right choice.
Obskura And Then Some 