Fandom Videos

Hey Guys, The Shades here, and it feels good to be back on Fandom Paradise. For my first week back, we look at a subject of anime culture that has been neglected. We also look at a photographer who takes this subject to it's fullest potential. Before i forget, here's the link for you to check out his gallery: http://behindinfinity.deviantart.com/

Fandom: Supernatural Song: United States of Whatever - Liam Lynch This transformative work is not for profit. Clips copyright of Warner Bros.

This week, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released Leon: The Professional on Blu-ray, and because I have the best job in the world, I got to watch it for this column. The truth is that this was a formative movie for me, not only augmenting my budding cinephilia in terms of attention to and interest in strongly visual filmmakers, but in understanding the technical and artistic value of widescreen cinema. Before the film was released on widescreen VHS and later, DVD, I watched the pan-and-scan version when it was first released on video and almost got sick from the cropping and scanning of director Luc Besson's balletic camerawork. Thankfully, I never have to watch it via that sort of butchered presentation again, and even if you don't think the movie is a masterpiece, at the very least, SPHE's new Blu-ray offers a gorgeously rich transfer that fully celebrates Besson's cinematography. But even though this is a film I've revisited several times since its original release in 1994, I was curious to see how well The Professional would hold up some 15 years later - which brings us to this week's "Shelf Life." Filed under: Fandom, Home Entertainment, Shelf LifeContinue reading Shelf Life: The Professional Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ladies, I have important news: we've got another Robert Pattinson movie to "squeee" over. The New Moon heartthrob stars in Summit's romantic drama Remember Me, in which RPattz apparently gets to -- dare I say it? -- act his little butt off. By which I mean, throwing punches and yelling at James Bond and being sensitive and making out with Emilie de Ravin, all while rocking an American accent! Sigh. I can't wait. Ok, so Remember Me is a gimme - of course every Twilight fan is going to run to buy tickets to watch Edward Cullen Rob Pattinson be romantic and emo and, most importantly, have a sex scene or two or three. (I'm extrapolating from the one shot of Pattinson and de Ravin with an L sheet covering them in bed in the trailer.) And your boyfriends and husbands probably won't want to be dragged to see it any more than they did the Twilight films. But judging from the very first trailer, Remember Me might just offer Pattinson his first big chance to prove his acting chops in a widely seen release, following dramatic but quirky turns in indies like Little Ashes and How to Be. Watch the trailer debut for Remember Me after the jump, stat!Filed under: Drama, Romance, Fandom, Newsstand, Movie Marketing, Trailers and ClipsContinue reading OMG! Rob Pattinson In the 'Remember Me' Trailer! Permalink | Email this | Comments

While the wheels on the Wagon Queen Family Truckster are still in motion with regards to a brand new Vacation film as told through the eyes of Clark Griswold's son Rusty and his family (which New Line is currently working on alongside David Dobkin), the original Clark and Ellen Griswold (Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo, respectively) will be making a return appearance this February on the small screen as part of a Superbowl commercial for HomeAway vacation rentals. Yup, Chase and D'Angelo will be reprising their characters for a commercial that US Weekly says will pay homage to the 1983 original film, National Lampoon's Vacation. Says Chase, "To this day, people ask me, 'When is the next Vacation movie?" So I'm sure everyone will get a kick out of seeing the Griswolds and their misadventures once again." D'Angelo adds, "Clark and Ellen have one of the most enduring marriages ever to come out of Hollywood. I am thrilled that HomeAway is reuniting Chevy and me." Aside from Chase and D'Angelo, the TV spot will also reportedly feature an exact replica of the iconic station wagon featured in first film. Though it's not exactly a big-screen reunion for the original Griswold parents, it'll be fun to see them back together again for what I hope will be an entertaining Superbowl spot. And, hey, I guess after watching that we'll know whether or not we want them back for cameo appearances in the next Vacation movie, too.Filed under: Comedy, Fandom, Home Entertainment Permalink | Email this | Comments

Retire. I am starting to hate that word in Hollywood. Most of the time it doesn't mean what it suggests. Retirement means ending work, maybe taking on a side gig if you really need to or are really bored, but for the most part, it's ending life in the workforce and enjoying a life of leisure. In cinema, however, it seems to be anyone who is taking a break from the biz. Luc Besson's "retired," as is Sean Connery. Now ... Robert Downey Jr.? The ever popular actor has told Entertainment Weekly that he might quit acting. "I've never had it this good -- this is my day in the sun -- and I certainly don't want to look a gift horse in the molars. But [my wife] Susan and I want to begin to be in our lives as much as we are in our jobs. I'd love just to sit here and say, 'What movie's playing tonight?' I'd love to finish the new book about D-day I'm reading. I love painting, I love music." And if you can get through that without your gut falling out in dread: "But here's the thing: I can only be a guy on a call sheet probably, I don't know, maybe a couple more times. It's something I'm so grateful to have in my palm, and yet I already see its inevitable decay." He does leave room for hope by saying: "If Sherlock Holmes performs well, I could be busy for the next 5 or 7 or 10 years." But who knows whether that's just him appeasing potential fan backlash, dread at the thought of never catching a break, feeling uncertain in his career, or some other reason altogether. But if it's true and does happen, I shudder to think of Hollywood without his talent.Filed under: Celebrities and Controversy, Fandom, Newsstand Permalink | Email this | Comments

The Twilight Saga has whipped up a frantic fervor in fangirls, opening doors to female fandom while sticking incessant and neverending thorns in the folks who want Bella and Edward to go far, far away. But it's also brought up a pretty interesting argument: What makes a vampire? I teased about the notion yesterday when I wrote about the Daybreakers PSA; however, can we really define what makes a vampire beyond sharp teeth and a thirst for blood? And if we can, what is necessary and what can be finagled? Vampires have been around forever in some shape or form, flying through the worlds of folklore and darkness before shuffling into their modern guise of pale, 19th century blood drinkers. In 1819, John William Polidori presented The Vampyre ushering in this idea of the mysterious man entering high society, seducing young women with vampiric charm. "In spite of the deadly hue of his face, which never gained a wanner tint, either from the blush of modesty, or from the strong emotion of passion, though its form and outline were beautiful, many of the female hunters after notoriety attempted to win his attentions, and gain, at least, some marks of what they might term affection." From then on, no lady was ever safe. Filed under: FandomContinue reading What Makes a Real Vampire? Permalink | Email this | Comments

A whole bunch of casting rumors have arrived online this week, pushing some, like CHUD's ever-vocal Devin Faraci, to write an editorial-ish piece on why we shouldn't really be paying too much attention to these rumors because, well, they're rumors. And while your parents may have told you that rumors come from a stork who brings them in its mouth and drops them off on your pillow, the reality of the situation is that rumors can start from just about anywhere -- whether it's something overheard by some blabbermouth low-level assistant at an agency or something that's completely fabricated for more internet traffic (I'm looking at you The Sun and The Daily Express!), these days it's really hard to tell. That being said, rumors can be fun because they foster discussion and get those inner studio exec wheels turning in our brains, so here are a few making the rounds right now. Spider-Man 4 Who: Julia Stiles Role: Unknown, though with recent information somewhat confirming that Black Cat will be a character, folks are assuming she tried out for that part. Source: UGO are the ones claiming Stiles met with a casting company in New York City to discuss joining the film in some capacity. Our Thoughts: Stiles has been in a lot of films throughout her career, though she's dabbled in the big-budgeted before playing Jason Bourne's sidekick in all three Bourne movies. Thus, she definitely brings enough bad-assery to play a Spidey villain, and also enough sincerity to play a Spidey ally. Good choice for Black Cat in my opinion.Filed under: Action, Comedy, Casting, RumorMonger, Fandom, Comic/Superhero/GeekContinue reading Casting Rumors: Julia Stiles in 'Spidey 4', Steve Carell in 'Young@Heart' and More! Permalink | Email this | Comments

A great panel for Twilight haters. From Bakuretsucon 2009 (October 29th-November 1st, 2009)

News: Apparently Woodbury loathes ICP as much or more than furrys. Parody of the Akuma remix recorded by me and a good friend of mine. All footage taken in Second Life. Cast links: Fuzzy: http://www.facebook.com/people/Steve-Walker/553113090 Hydra: http://www.facebook.com/people/Hydra-Shaftoe/1065911620 Roland: http://www.myspace.com/x11joex11 Tizzy: http://twitter.com/tizzers Sevask: http://www.myspace.com/sevask