Man of Steel: Kingdom Come Review

Man of Steel

Kingdom Come Review

While I understand that Man of Steel month is over, I couldn't help but giving Superman another go. Prior to my Man of Steel review I promised a look at where to start with reading Superman comics like I did with Iron Man.  

Unfortunately, once I sat down to put this list together, I realized that my Superman knowledge was limited and that complimented my own article regarding my non existent interest in the big blue boy scout. 

Then I got a chance to grab a bunch of Superman books, Man of Steel's release jogged a new ambition in me and now I hold seven special books on the first superhero in the world. 

These are the seven books, by the end of the year I will hopefully have reviewed all of them

So I've been on a kind of Superman binge this past month, any time I can catch break from work I pull out one of these bad boys and start reading. 

As you may have noticed my review format has changed. I'm tired of doing the formulaic method, instead I insist on just reviewing the book in a free style method. Its much more fun. 

Also from now on my reviews will reflect the format of the book I have; such as my Kingdom Come is a trade paperback edition, though you can get it in hardcover and Absolute editions. This is because, I've stopped reading comics from a illegally downloaded digital format (its the reason I actually stopped my weekly reviews), so as to save me from a guilty concious. 

Now onto the review...

My 5 Minute Cinematic Experience in the Theater

My 5 minute cinematic experience in the theater

As I sit here writing to you, it has been a couple of minutes since I reached home to vent my fury out on this blog. My boiling rage is targeted at the general public, what now I truly believe as the not so smart film-goer. 

For those people it seems cinema is a way to have some dumb fun with the family or friends. 

Yes, yes I know films are supposed to be for the entertainment of the crowd. But cinema itself was created as an art form, it is meant to be for a Director and his team as a painting is for a painter, especially for those with true creative vision. 

Just cause a few movies don't include crass jokes, spoon feeding amounts of exposition or high profile 'actors' (in quotes for obvious reasons...they can't fucking act!).

Ok so back to the point; I went today to watch a relatively low key Bollywood film by the name of Prague. Don't bother searching for showtimes in your areas, your bound not to find them easily.

Prague a true indie film in Bollywood may not have got overtly great reviews, but it did get some good recognition this past week. Unfortunately box office numbers would say otherwise, and thats where my experience comes in.

Prague would have been great to watch. Especially with it starring one of the most under-appreciated young actors working today; Chandan Roy Sanyal (D-Day, Kaminey)


I set out to watch the film close to a nearby theater, as I reached the ticket counter I was informed that the showtime had been cancelled and I was the first in three days to come watch this film. That angered me to ungodly proportions. I get that the movies showing is a business, and if a film doesn't run it needs to be removed.

But shouldn't it be fair, that any film be given a chance to survive through the weekend? After all it was a small film with only one showtime through the day. That means in a weekend there would be only three shows, and as far as I'm concerned in three shows one customer is better than none. In the end it seems from the timings I read, there was not other show set to replace Prague through the weekend. So clearly this theatre doesn't seem to want my money.

Maybe I'm looking at this from a selfish perspective, maybe this huge rant isn't justified but I still want to write (not that you have to read it).

All I know is that today I wasted 5 minutes and 80 rupees of my life just to catch a glimpse of what could have been a great intellectual cinematic experience.

What I feel sad for is the makers who decided to go ahead and distribute something as different as Prague knowing that they might not make their money back, what I feel sad for is the people who worked in making this film because they potentially lost at least four-five customers more that could appreciate their hard work.

Instead all those mindless fucking Indians can go watch the misogynist piece of crap that is Grand Masti (currently earning money that it isn't even worthy of).

Truly in some smaller way I have just seen a part of a smaller but greater class of Indian cinema die. I might be a bit bias, Prague might not be that great; but as I said it still deserved a chance to be seen.


Aneesh Raikundalia  

Justice will Prevail

Justice Will Prevail

 

 

For those not in the know, yesterday a devastating attack occurred at the premier Kenyan shopping mall Westgate by the terrorist forces known as the Al-Shabaab. As of yet it is day two in a stand off between Kenyan forces and a part of this terrorist organization at the mall, in the crossfire till now there are multiple innocents stuck. 

There is no knowing how many they are or how hurt they are, some could also be unfortunately dead. 

By yesterday many innocent shoppers have either found their way out or been rescued, some have succumbed to their wounds others still battle for life in countless hospitals around the city.

To those suffering, to those hurting and to those victims of this cowardly attack, I say; I am not a godly man, but I pray for you today in hopes that if there is a god may you get well and may you prove to these spineless people (who sought to destroy our great nation by this heinous crime) that the spirit of humanity and the spirit of our beautiful nation remains intact. 

To those who we call our leaders, no matter who you are or what position you work in; it is to you our country looks for strength and hope in such crises. It will be you who will help rebuild this nation to a better position than it ever was after this destruction.

To those lined up hour after hour in hopes to help give blood to our fellow man, I say; Thank You. You prove that above all humanity prevails, your bravery and kindness shows the unity this country is bound by. 

To those fighting the evil outside Westgate.  We cheer you on, we know that those passed away cannot be brought back, but your fighting will at least save those that can be brought back. 

To those whose families are safe, cherish these moments but don't forget the one's we lost. As a country we are a family, don't forget the ones passed away are not just nameless faces but also they were Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, Sisters, Daughters and Sons.

And finally to the attackers, I weep for you. I weep for you, knowing of your closed mindedness against accepting those of a different cast, race or religion because it doesn't matter. After all we are all human. I know one thing, your crimes will never be washed away. You will fall and Justice will prevail. 

Once again may god bless those in trouble. Kenya stand strong, stand unified, stand proud, we will not lose this fight. 

Aneesh Raikundalia 

Writing Comics: Playing With Others Toys

Writing Comics

Playing with others toys

 

Sorry for a late post, my net has been iffy at best and even now it isn't top notch. I still have a post pending on Grant Morrison's beautiful Batman run that ended quite a while ago. This seems appropriate with the latest news hitting us that Ben Affleck will be our new Batman, another post on that also in the works. 

Anyways onto this post.

As an aspiring comic book writer its fun to come up with my own ideas for both lengthy graphic novels and monthly series. I already have a major plan revolving around my own type of Marvel/DC superhero universe called the Hero-Verse (I know, I know).

However for some few months now it seems I am interested in playing with the preverbal second hand toys. What this means is, I'm getting focused on writing about existing characters such as Batman and etc.

It might be the over abundance of reading comics or constantly watching Batman: TAS and Superman: TAS, but the fact is writing characters from the big two has started becoming appealing.

Some ideas have been streaming through my head for these character particularly and ironically those from the DC side of things. These ideas are  strictly formed as out of continuity for the characters, so as it can be easier for me to write. Most importantly though, most of these stories form up as lengthy graphic novels rather than long runs or one-shot issues. Although there is one idea for a long running series but still out of continuity.

The characters/stories I have been thinking about include;

The Specter (In a novel called The Specter: Last Vengeance)

Jor-El( El of Krypton)

Batman/Bane (Batman: Bane's Reckoning, which I have already started writing)

Batman/Mr. Freeze (Batman: The Long Winter)

Batman: Tales of the Asylum (A lengthy series detailing the life among the Arkham inmates)

Dr. Fate (No title yet, just want to write the character)

Justice Society of America (Really want to write these characters)

Hopefully in the near future, you may see some of these ideas bear fruit. It would be great to know that I can leave a stamp (even if it's a bad one) on some of my favorite characters.

These are just some characters I wish to write now, I can see that getting my own characters out of the ground will be difficult.

I myself seem to aspire too high and think it will be to establish my own ideas, there's nothing wrong with that. But to accomplish such a thing, playing with other creators isn't necessary but it can help a lot.

Just my own thoughts.

'Nuff Said

Aneesh Raikundalia

 

Breaking Bad: Better Call Saul...Cause He Deserves A Spinoff

Breaking Bad

Better Call Saul

First of all this will be a relatively short post.

Now onto the post, unlike many a viewers (such as you BB faithfuls) I haven't been quick in my following of what could become one of the greatest TV shows; Breaking Bad.

At this point I am half way through Season 3, in hopes to catch up to the finale that takes place this Fall TV season. 

So with that out, this news might be old.

Show creator Vince Gilligan has hinted and now confirmed that they are fast tracking a spin-off on the eccentric and morally wrong attorney that is Saul Goodman. 

This spin-off better be good!

Now I understand TV spinoffs don't have a healthy track record (who remembers Joey?), but still if you're a regular watcher (or in my case catch upper) or a die hard fan of the show than you know there's no one better to call up (see what I did there) for a spinoff than Saul Goodman.

And here's why...

Don't worry I won't give any lengthy lecture-type reasons

a) Cause its Saul Goodman

Forget Jesse and forget Walter, Saul is actually the most interesting/fun character on the show to watch. 

Now I understand, such characters like Saul are fun in spades but when you give them a spin-off something bad happens (I will once again refer you to Joey). 

Still I believe Saul can handle his own show and this is why...

b) Better Call Saul

If you haven't checked out the minisodes yet I suggest you do, the Better Call Saul shorts on the Season 3 extras are a riot to watch.

These accompanied by his job as a criminal lawyer for gangsters and crooks within the Breaking Bad universe, could cause on fusion of the thrills provided by the Breaking Bad in a twisted comedic sit-com starring the character. 

But the comedy in such a situation has only held weight because of one man...

c) Bob Odenkirk

Odenkirk who portrays Saul has been by far one of the most funniest men in modern television history. His regular appearances on HIMYM's latter seasons has made dull episodes bearable. His work plus writing in Tim and Eric's Awesome Show is damn hilarious. 

More so his performance as Saul has that right touch of wickedness and eccentricity among splendid comic timing. 

So I would suggest to whatever network handling the spin-off (if it isn't AMC), you

Better Call Saul

and...cause I know you most likely will...

...S'all good, man!

Aneesh Raikundalia 

Top Secret: Sketch-Motion

Top Secret

Sketch Motion

 

Welcome to the second edition of Top Secret

This post relates to my College project regarding stop-motion animation

First, What's Stop-Motion?

This is animation using photography, a certain object is taken photographs of after being moved slightly between frames thus creating the illusion of movement whence viewed all together. 

It can be done using any objects or live with yourself, any action can be done as long as there is only slight movements between frames.

My project ran for 1 week, discounting mine and my friends previous failed attempt, check out our Stop-Motion process below...

Magneto's Movies: Movie Mania

Magneto's Movies

Movie Mania

Short Reviews

Welcome to another edition of movie mania, here I will post a few short reviews of movies I have had the chance of watching or re-watching in the past few months or so. Since a long time has gone into some of these reviews they might be inconsistent, the score also applies from full reviews where I have considered story, directing etc. and then calculated the overall. Enjoy!