It’s been awhile since we’ve featured a new beauty on the site. What better way to reintroduce a new one than with the current and hottest talent to grace the big-screen this summer: Rebecca Ferguson.
Rebecca Ferguson has been kicking ass and taking names through her role as mysterious rogue agent Ilsa Faust in the blockbuster summer hit, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation. Her character has made her the new go-to name for all upcoming female action-hero roles. Whether it’s to be cast as Captain Marvel in Marvel Studios’ future superhero film of the same name to the female lead in the upcoming Gambit live-action film over on Twentieth Fox. While she hasn’t been cast for either role it hasn’t stopped fans and film writers from wanting her to take the next step into the superhero film realm.
Yet, before her breakout role as Ilsa Faust opposite Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt on Rogue Nation, Ms. Ferguson had early success in soap opera roles over on Swedish TV before branching taking on the lead role in the BBC 10-part historical drama The White Queen.
For now, as fans and the world waits to see what’s next for Rebecca Ferguson, people should go out and see her light up the big-screen as Ilsa Faust on Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation.
Skyfall was the James Bond that seemed to have resonated with the so-called millenials. For the most part, James Bond the film franchise was considered dated and quaint when compared to the more action-oriented and cynical spy thrillers like the Jason Bourne franchise. This younger generation couldn’t take seriously a superspy who dressed in exquisite suits and tuxedos. A spy who bedded beautiful women like young people collected causes to support and/or protest.
This type of generational ennui, thankfully, hasn’t truly hit the otaku set. No matter how old an anime we otaku would have heard of it, watched it and, most of the time, enjoyed it. We’re not just stuck on what’s the latest trend in the anime scene. We’ll search out old with the new. While the quality of the animation have improved since the early days of the medium the storytelling from way back still remains strong and resonates with the oldest and youngest crowd.
So, the latest “AMV of the Day” is a celebration of that appreciation for not just the now but what came before: James Bond with Cowboy Bebop (with some help from Fate/Zero).
So, after weeks of waiting we finally got the trailer for the Deadpool live-action film set to release on February 2016. I’m sure that people will be flocking to Youtube to look up two songs that were featured during the trailer. The latest “Song of the Day” comes courtesy of the second song in the trailer and a classic hip-hop track of the early 2000’s.
DMX was what one would call a giant of hip-hop when he first entered the scene in 1998 and dominated the hip-hop landscape in the next five year with five albums that debuted No. 1 in the charts. His presence and charisma was such that even Hollywood even came calling and DMX starred in several action flicks. It’s from his 2003 film Cradle 2 the Grave that our featured song comes from.
“X Gon’ Give It to Ya” was part of the soundtrack to Cradle 2 the Grave. Whether one actually thought the film was any good would be up for debate. Now the song itself was a hit and continued to cement DMX as the hardest and most recognizable voice in hip-hop at the time. Other rappers made more money. Others were more socially aware. Yet, when it came to just an all-out lyrical assault on listeners DMX still reigned supreme.
X’ Gon Give It to Ya
Arf arf, yeah, uh, yeah (Grr) Yeah, uh (Grr) Yeah, don’t get it twisted This rap shit is mine, motherfucker It’s not a fuckin’ game Fuck what you heard, it’s what you hearin’ (What you hearin’) It’s what you hearin’ (Listen) It’s what you hearin’ (Listen) It’s what you hearin’ (Listen)
X gon’ give it to ya (What?) Fuck waitin’ for you to get it on your own X gon’ deliver to ya Knock knock, open up the door it’s real With the non-stop pop-pop of stainless steel Go hard gettin’ busy wit it But I got such a good heart That I’ll make a motherfucker wonder if he did it Damn right, and I’ll do it again (Yeah) ‘Cause I am right, so I gots to win Break bread with the enemy (What?) No matter how many cats I break bread with I’ll break who you sendin’ me (Yeah!) You motherfuckers never wanted nothin’ but your life saved Bitch, and that’s for the light day I’m gettin down, down, make a nigga say “freeze!” But won’t be the one endin’ up on his knees, bitch please! If the only thing you cats did was came out to play Stay out my way motherfucker
First we gonna rock, then we gonna roll Then we let it pop, don’t let it go (What?) X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya First we gonna rock, then we gonna roll Then we let it pop, don’t let it go X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya
Ain’t never gave nothin’ to me But every time I turn around Cats got they hands out wantin’ somethin’ from me I ain’t got it so you can’t get it (Yeah!) Let’s leave it at that ’cause I ain’t wit it (Yeah!) Hit it wit full strength, I’m a jail nigga So I face the world like it’s Earl in the bullpen You against me, me against you Whatever, whenever, nigga, the fuck you gon’ do? I’m a wolf in sheep’s clothin’ (What?) Only nigga that you know that can chill Come back and get the streets open I’ve been doing this for nineteen years (What?) Niggas wanna fight me? Fight these tears (What?) I put in work and it’s all for the kids But these cats done forgot what work is (Uh-huh!) They don’t know who we be (Lookin’!) But they don’t know who they see, nigga!
First we gonna rock, then we gonna roll Then we let it pop, don’t let it go (What?) X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya (C’mon) First we gonna rock, then we gonna roll Then we let it pop, don’t let it go (C’mon) X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya
Ayo where my niggas at? I know I got them down in the game Give ’em love and they give it back Talk too much for too long (What?) Don’t give up, you’re too strong (What?) Dog to the wow wow hunnies (Yeah!) Shoutout to niggas that done it (C’mon!) And it ain’t even about the dough It’s about gettin’ down for what you stand for, yo
First we gonna rock, then we gonna roll Then we let it pop, don’t let it go (C’mon) X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya (C’mon) First we gonna rock, then we gonna roll Then we let it pop, don’t let it go (C’mon) X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya (C’mon) First we gonna rock, then we gonna roll Then we let it pop, don’t let it go (C’mon) X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya X gon’ give it to ya, he gon’ give it to ya (C’mon)
The latest AMV of the Day comes courtesy of one of my favorite amv creators. Vivifx created this particular video almost 5 years ago.
“Gravity” is a beautiful video and really does a great job pairing Sara Bereilles’ song “Gravity” with the more lovely and bittersweet emotions that brings up the relationship between Ahiru (Princess Tutu) and ballet dancer Mytho. It’s just one aspect of the the Princess Tutu anime, but one that show’s the animated series’ very mature storytelling.
I still find it amusing that when I mention anime to the uninitiated they look at me funny. They still think it’s just cutesy cartoons from Japan that only cater children or just cartoon porn (hentai). Producers of anime do make them for kids, but they also understand that kids have enough mental and emotional capacity within themselves to handle some of the mature themes and ideas being told through the very cutesy animation presented to them.
I wrote a couple years ago that one such anime that people should be watching is the series Princess Tutu and this video just reinforces that recommendation even more. When paired up with another AMV of the Day (Danse de Raven) that also uses the Princess Tutu series as a foundation it should more than make some curious to check out the anime.
I know Lisa will appreciate that it’s a video that doesn’t just have dancing, but ballet…
Today is the birthday of one of the masters of horror. So, here’s wishing Wes Craven a happy birthday.
Now, go out there and check out his films. Here’s a four to try out. It’s got voodoo, a thing from the swamp, a street full of nightmares and, the one that started him off, the very last house on the left.
Another childhood hero has passed on undertake the last great journey. Rowdy Roddy Piper might have played the greatest of heels when he was in WWF (now WWE) as I grew up during the 80’s, but he was also a favorite wrestler and character. He seemed genuine in both attitude and charisma where I thought Hulk Hogan was all bluster and fake.
I’m sure I won’t be the only one to miss the Hot Rod. I pay tribute to the Man and the Legend in my own way by sharing one of the best moments of Roddy Piper’s career. It’s the greatest fight scene ever put on celluloid.
Anyone who says differently gets a boot to the face.
One of this year’s most-anticipated films (well, at least when it comes to award season) has a new trailer.
Black Mass stars Johnny Depp in the role of the infamous gangster Whitey Bulger who, as the film’s tagline states, became the most notorious gansgter in U.S. history. This is bold claim considering other gangsters in U.S. history such as Lucky Luciano, Bugsy Siegel, Vito Genovese and Meyer Lansky to name a few.
What makes this film so interesting is the fact that we finally get to see Depp return to acting real, complex characters instead of just acting like a character these past decade. Plus, have you seen this cast supporting Depp: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon, Joel Edgerton, Corey Stoll and Jesse Plemons just for starters.
Black Mass is set for a September 18, 2015 release date.
Michael Peña was, for me, a major highlight in the recent Marvel Studios film, Ant-Man. His role as Scott Lang’s former cellmate and buddy once out of San Quentin was the linchpin of the film’s comedy side. Michael Peña has had quite a string of very good work on the dramatic side of things (End Of Watch and Fury), yet he has also done some great comedic work.
One great comedic turn comes from the little-seen, but very funny dark comedy, Observe and Report. This film has earned a negative reputation due to one scene between Seth Rogen’s character and that of Anna Faris. But that’s a scene that doesn’t bring me back time and time again to watch this cult classic in the making.
Michael Peña’s character is a fellow shopping mall security guard by the name of Dennis Shavante and he’s sort of the right hand man to Seth Rogen’s bipolar Ronnie Barnhardt who also happens to be a fellow security guard. Peña’s scene in the middle of the film right before he takes Ronnie under his wing was one of the funnier monologues I’ve watched on the big-screen in many years. The follow-up postcard narration later in the film just became the icing on that monologue’s cake.
Here’s the postcard monologue to make it easier to understand one Dennis Shavante.
Dennis Shavante: Whatsup mo’fackle? How’s your dick hanging? Low I hope. I just wanted to write you and say that, you know I really am sorry for the way shit like went down and stuff, my bad, my blunder. I just wanted you to know that you really are my best friend. Problem is I’m a criminal man who doesn’t care and your crime is… you care too much. Regardless of our differences, I hope you know that I always respected you. It’s not every day that you meet someone who stands for something in this world. Anyway, no hard feelings okay, but if you ever want to party, just get your ass to Mexico, the beers are cool and the girls are wet.
It’s been awhile since we’ve had a new AMV of the Day. With con season in full gear it’s been tough waiting to see what new AMV’s come out of these conventions. The problem with finding new and interesting anime music videos, especially in the United States, has been the tendency of the same videos winning awards at North American conventions. Name recognition has become the norm when voting which videos make the grade and, in the end, win the prize in their chosen category.
Not saying that these videos and their creators don’t deserve the recognition and accolades for their work, but it does make finding new fresh voices and visual styles in the field harder and harder to discover. Foreign videos tend to be the last realm for people who are into AMVs to find rare gems in the rough.
This latest AMV of the Day is “Breaking” and by the creator Pat [AMVCON-2015] and meshes together some of the more popular and action-oriented shonen (and some shoujo) anime to the tune of Linkin Park’s “Breaking the Habit.”
Anime: Amagi Brilliant Park, Bleach Movie: Hell Verse, Btoom!, Ga-Rei Zero, Kokoro Connect, Kyoukai no Kanata, Madoka Magica: Rebellion, Naruto: Road to Ninja, Nerawareta Gakuen, One Piece: The Movie 70, Persona 3: Spring of Birth, Ookami Shoujo to Kuro Ouji, Sword Art Online 1 and 2, Steins;Gate: Fuka Ryōiki no Déjà vu, Suzumiya Haruhi no Shōshitsu, To Aru Agaku Railgun S
Typically, site anime expert pantsukudasai56 would be the one to recommend anything and everything anime. Anime in its series form, OVA (original video animation) and/or straight up film. I like to think my knowledge of anime is second only to his.
While I’ve had an off and on love affair with anime throughout the years I have seen my fair share of anime film. From pantsukudasai56’s viewpoint, only those anime that were produced from beginning to end with the intent of having a film release qualifies as anime film. OVA productions he sees as a sort of straight-to-video releases and shouldn’t qualify. his own initial 4 Shots From 4 Films entry were all anime films.
With his example as a guide I have chosen four anime films that veteran and burgeoning fans of the art form should check out. Two come from the heir apparent to the great Satoshi Kon. Another is a hyperkinetic (even for an anime) traditional hand-drawn anime which has had a major influence on the more recent Fast and Furious films. The fourth is a film from the late 80’s which rekindled my love for anime during my high school years.
Through the Shattered Lens 