News

Blood Blockade Battlefront: Beautiful!

Published

9 years ago

June 28, 2015

“This city’s name is Hellsalem’s Lot. Just three years ago, New York City sat on this spot. Today, it is the place where our world intersects with The Beyond.”

A seemingly random dimensional rift nearly destroyed, then rebuilt what is now called Hellsalem’s Lot. All manner of bizarre (but mostly friendly) beings from the other side has immigrated to America’s greatest melting pot. The story follows Leonardo Watch, an impoverished young man who tries to make it in the mutated Big Apple. Leonardo also trying to support his blinded, and wheelchair-bound sister who lives outside the city. Having lost her sight when a strange eldritch entity forcibly granted Leo ‘The Eyes Of The Gods’ when first visiting the city but allowing him extraordinary vision-based abilities. By a twist of fate, he ends up accidentally recruited by LIBRA. An organization of super-powered specialists who seek to preserve some semblance of peace in the city. But with all kinds of other-worldly creatures ready to run amok, and a vast literal/figurative criminal underworld to contend with, they have their work cut out for them.

The latest series by Yasuhiro Nightow, the creator of the manga/anime Trigun. Blood Blockade Battlefront (or Kekkai Sensen) is similarly influenced by western works, though more of a blend of horror and noir mediums. The show is just as hyper-kinetic in style and action. Mis-En-Scene being a major keyword, as we are dropped headfirst into the conflict and plot, with no sign of hitting the brakes. This may be seen as a negative trait by some first-time viewers, getting rushed faster than they can absorb the story.

The manga takes a more non-serialized approach, almost every chapter seeming to be a stand-alone. The anime produced by Studio Bones, however, has its own original overarching storyline with exclusive characters. The series also features some amazing animated fight sequences through the H.L. metropolitan areas. Usually accompanied by the series’ energetic, jazz/funk-fueled score which only accentuates the style of these sequences.

Though there is plenty of emphasis on action, the series definitely has a major root in western horror. There are multiple references to the works of Stephen King, like New York City being renamed ‘Hellsalem’s Lot’ similar to Jerusalem’s Lot. This also makes sense due to a major recurring threat to the peace being The Blood Breed, otherwise known as Vampires. The dimensional hole releasing a seemingly endless fog like the dimensional breach of The Mist. There have also been a few scenes through the series that homage such films as diverse as Scanners to Twins!

Perhaps the greatest strength of the series is its varied, and often eccentric cast of characters. Some of the other members of LIBRA include its leader, Klaus V. Reinherz. A giant, tusked, mountain of a man, whose physique hides his caring and gentlemanly nature. Zapp Renfro, the foul-mouthed, foul-tempered, and just plain foul enforcer. Their recon specialist, Chain Sumeragi, who’s described as an ‘invisible werewolf’ capable of phasing in and out of dimensions. And that’s only the tip of the ensemble defending the city. Interestingly, our heroes are a bit of a ‘monster squad’ in their own right. Several characters being practitioners of ‘Blood Battle Styles’ that utilize their own blood as weapons, and their members include a mummy-like man, a merman, and even a vampire hunting relative of Van Helsing.

Despite such a large cast, Leonardo stays consistently the protagonist, and audience surrogate. Cursed with the amazing gift of his godly eyes, he also becomes wrapped up in the new major plotline of the anime adaptation, revolving around a mysterious girl he meets at the hospital, and an insidious supernatural conspiracy. With its interesting wide cast, bizarre plots, and over the top action fused with comedy and horror, BBB is one unique take on urban fantasy worth checking out.

The manga is currently being released through Dark Horse Manga, currently up to Volume 7. The anime is being simulcast subbed online through Funimation and Hulu, with a dub version available exclusively through Funimation. The Season One finale airs on July 4th!

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

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Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

18 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

News

Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

20 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

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Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

Movies

’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

Published

22 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

**Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes**

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.