Tagged: comedy

Webcomics You Should Be Reading: “Kawaii Not”!

  • News
  • April 6, 2009

I admit it… On the outside, I look like a big meanie. The motorcycle boots, the wallet chain, the free flowing beard… Yeah, it sure looks like I’m one tough cookie. But on the inside, I’m a pile of cutesy goo. Like a Lisa Frank Folder, coated with extra glitter and scratch and sniff stickers abound (and we’re talking ‘Strawberry Shortcake’ scratch and sniff here, not He-Man Masters of the Sniffing-verse). So, today, my inner me wants to share with all of you rabble-rousers a new webcomic to melt your heart. I mean… make you laugh.

Now, I’ll assume right now that some of you are waiting for the big 180 here, where I reveal a vile and disgusting comic devoid of anything but blood drenched fists soaked in farts, swimming in a pool of poorly worded racial comedy. Perhaps I’ve found some horrible webcomic starring a rotting zombie who tells Vaudvillian jokes whilst deficating on children stricken with disease… Alas, it isn’t true my BFF’s… today, I bring to you a comic so cute, so lovable, you could very well sqwee and die: Kawaii Not.

Since whenever she started it (let’s say 2007-2008’ish), Kawaii Not is the love child of cartoonist/illustrator Meghan Murphy. Taking the Japanese “Kawaii” (cute) concept to heart, with a dash of good old fashioned American sarcasm, and a pinch of “just evil enough to be funny”, Murphy makes a bi-weekly comic that follows a formula as simple as pie: A generous helping of saccharine sweet filling made of everyday objects betwixt a flaky crust of simple ha-ha’s. What does that mean exactly? You get a cutesy-wootsie character who says something mildly evil enough to make you blurt out a laugh. It made me laugh. Did I mention my motorcycle boots have the bad-ass metal plate on the toe guard?

Ms. Murphy’s site offers the complete archive of webcartoons alongside a heaping helping of free avatars. That she would be so generous as to share her wares with us so we can find the perfect avatar to represent out inner child (I personally can’t decide between the “I’m long, fleshy, and not a hot dog” and “I look like Poop; Ice Cream” avatars myself) this author applauds the site for not only being hilarious, but for being so generous with the humor.

And now we take a trip down the Rainbow Road of Infinite Cute-Wooty-Wittleness:

• Smoricide
• When Waffles Don’t Tell the Truth
• Alas, poor Cucumber… I knew him well.
• Click me, you pervs.
• I risk getting kicked in the nads for this, but men, is this not the truth or what?!
• Tomorrow is looking cloudy with a chance of hilarity.
• Put this on a shirt, and I’ll buy 100 of them.
• If you didn’t click the one above, click this, you skeevy pervs.

The Breakdown:

Drama: On occasion the strip will deal with terminal illness, incest, and rape. Wait, that’s Law and Order: the Webcomic. Sorry folks… Kawaii not is just 4 panels of a love delivered twice a week. 

Humor: Blend Lisa Frank, My Little Pony, a Gaggle of Giggling Japanese School Girls. Chill overnight. Pour into a tall pint glass and top with whipped cream, sprinkles (or Jimmie’s if you’re from out east), and 14 cherries. After ingesting, perform a dutch oven on your spouse. That is the humor of this strip.

Continuity: As a rogue scholar (as in, I mugged people outside taverns in college) I can conclude without a doubt that Kawaii Not is an epic journey of the subconscious through an alternative dimension where everyday objects celebrate their normalcy through 4 panel pictograms. In the end, it will save us all.

Art: See ‘Humor’ above, but perform the ‘Dutch Oven’ on a piece of pink construction paper. See that rainbow covered in glitter and sunshine? That is what the art is like. Great Japanese styled characterizations presented in a clean and happy site.

Archive: 246 strips, with 2 a week promised for the indefinite future. Enjoy!

Updates: Twice a week, per her FAQ.

Risk/Reward: Ok, here is the true debate. You risk your manhood (if you are a man) by visiting this site, and laughing out loud. Are the jokes deep? No. Are they going to make you smile? You damn straight they will. Peruse the archive (and if you’re so inclined like my fiance, squeal with joy every 20 seconds when you open the next one.) and give it a go.

Now, if you would all excuse me, I need to go watch the Care Bears movie, make some cupcakes, and have a good cry.

Manga Friday: The Dregs

Manga Friday: The Dregs

  • News
  • January 16, 2009

Manga Friday took a little holiday for the last couple of weeks, and it may take more holidays in the weeks to come. Looking back on my recent columns, I’ve said an awful lot of “and here’s the next volume in a series I’ve reviewed four times” and “this week’s books have nothing in common” – and neither of those are quite what I’d hoped. I think I’m reviewing too many of the same manga, too often, so I expect to cut back on Manga Friday substantially in 2009, unless I start seeing more different things.

I expect to keep reviewing stuff here on Fridays, but there may be somewhat less of the specifically Japanese/Korean stuff for a while. (Or possibly not – whenever I try to predict something like this, I’m usually wrong.) But I’ll save the name “Manga Friday” for when I’m looking at books that would be called manga by that legal construct, the “reasonable man.”

So, for this week, I have three books, arranged in ascending order of volume number:

The Manzai Comics
Story by Atsuko Asano; Art by Hizuru Imai
Aurora, January 2009, $10.95

This opens with an odd hint of yaoi, as large, athletic, energetic, popular student Takashi Akimoto begs small, weak, timid (generic manga hero Type 1) Ayumu Seta to “please go out with me” and “do it with me.” Takashi actually wants to form a manzai comedy team with Ayumu, but he’s either too dim or too focused on himself to actually say that for several pages.

(Apparently – I have no personal knowledge of this, but several references agree – the dominant form of comedy in Japan is manzai, two-person acts, rather than sketch comedy or stand-up or improv. Think Abbot & Costello or Crosby & Hope.)

Ayumu is not just an ordinary shy boy – well, he’s a manga hero, so you know there’s got to be some horribly dramatic thing in his past – he considers himself responsible for the car-crash death of his father and older sister because he was clinically depressed (and completely untreated as well). So he has the standard “I just want to be normal” complex of the dweeby manga hero in spades.

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Stephen Chow Confuses Media

Stephen Chow Confuses Media

  • News
  • December 25, 2008

Depending on which report you read, Stephen Chow is Kato but will not direct The Green Hornet.  Maybe the Shaolin Soccer star will direct but not act in the Sony film, starring Seth Rogen. He may exit altogether, leaving the June 25, 2010 release without a director or co-star with production set to begin in the spring.

Moviehole was among the first to report that Chow is considering not playing Kato. “He’s blaming it on scheduling (saying he wants to film some Jack Black-Superhero film) – but that sounds like a tug,” they note.

An Associated Press story confirms that report, quoting Chow as saying, "If I direct The Green Hornet, the superhero comedy will have to be delayed for two years. The timing might not be right for a superhero comedy in two years. And I want to make a movie based on an original idea."

Stay tuned for post-holiday developments

Are you Prepared for ‘Lesbian Vampire Killers’?

Are you Prepared for ‘Lesbian Vampire Killers’?

  • News
  • December 14, 2008

Imagine being two lost Welsh men on holiday wandering into a town and selected to become sacrifices to the local lesbian vampires in order to keep the town’s women safe.

That’s the premise behind Lesbian Vampire Killers, a comedy from director Phil Claydon (Alone) working from a script by Paul Hupfield and Stewart Williams (Balls of Steel). James Corden and Matthew Horne (the stars of the BBC series Gavin and Stacey) topline as the would-be victims.

The project has been kicking around for some time, at one point being considered for Hammer Films before it was picked up by Momentum Films.  At the Cannes Film Festival in May, Claydon described the film as a comedy horror in the style of an old Hammer classic and told BBC News, “It will have you laughing and screaming in the auditorium.”

Associate Producer Rob Lewis told Fangoria, “I can’t quite believe that what started out as a drunken pub dare is going to be an actual film, with proper actors and everything. Thanks to Momentum, it’s going to be a decently budgeted slice of Brit comedy/horror—with one hell of a ‘come-on’ title.”

The film will open in the UK on March 20 and we will have to patiently wait our turn.

Nick Fury Returns for ‘Iron Man 2’

Nick Fury Returns for ‘Iron Man 2’

  • News
  • October 20, 2008

IESB attended a press junket for the upcoming Malcolm Lee-directed Soul Men starring Samuel L. Jackson and the late Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes. When asked if he’d be returning as Nick Fury for Iron Man 2, Samuel L. Jackson gave the thumbs up.

"Jackson replied that as a matter of fact, Iron Man director Jon Favreau spoke to him at the Scream Awards," reports IESB. "Favreau told Jackson that Nick Fury would have a much more prominent role in the second one."

The site is quick to point out that "[a prominent role] isn’t hard to accomplish considering he was relegated to the end of the film with a very short cameo."

Jackson later joked that he’ll make sure to sign a contract after Terrence Howard’s widely reported drop from the super-hero sequel. Don Cheadle will replace Howard as Jim Rhodes in Iron Man 2.

Later at the junket, Latino Review got the chance to ask Soul Men director Malcolm Lee if he’d ever be interested in working on a super-hero franchise. Lee replied that he’d love to direct an Iron Fist and Power Man dually headlined film. The two are commonly known to comic fans as Heroes for Hire.

"You got a white karate dude and a big blaxplotation dude," says Lee of the property. "I want it to be an action-comedy."

He described his desired tone for the movie as an aciton-comedy "in the vein of Bad Boys … as far as the comedy dynamic [goes] between [Luke Cage and Danny Rand.]"

While Lee wouldn’t talk about his ideal casting, there have been previous rumblings of a Tyrese Gibson starring Power Man and a Ray Park starring Iron Fist. Gibson reprises his role as USAF Tech Sergeant Epps in the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, while Park will be seen next summer as Snake-Eyes in G.I. Joe.

McClammy Directing ‘Boldly Going Nowhere’

McClammy Directing ‘Boldly Going Nowhere’

  • News
  • October 7, 2008

The director of almost softcore porn viral videos I’m F–king Matt Damon and I’m F–king Ben Affleck is set to tackle an all-new frontier: space.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Wayne McClammy will direct Fox’s single-camera comedy pilot Boldly Going Nowhere. The series is a "high-concept comedy is about what happens day-to-day on an intergalactic spaceship helmed by a rogue captain." Sounds something like The Office in space.

Boldly Going Nowhere comes from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia masterminds Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Glenn Howerton. McElhenney acknowledges McClammy’s relative inexperience with studio projects, but still has full confidence in the director.

"He might not have a ton of experience, but he had a creative and specific vision for the look, the feel and the tone of the show and how he wants to shoot it," McElhenney said. "And he makes you laugh with what he’s does."

To frame it in contemporary political terms, one might say that McClammy is a Hollywood outsider; a maverick, if you will. Aside from the aforementioned viral videos, McClammy has directed episodes of The Sarah Silverman Program and some segments of The Jimmy Kimmel Show. Though the resume may be short, there’s no denying that McClammy can direct high profile actors, as seen in his star-studded work with Damon and Affleck, the former of which he recently earned an Emmy for.

Just don’t expect Boldly Going Nowhere to be a science fiction show — that’s not how the creators see it.

"What we’re really interested in is a different take, a new twist on the workplace comedy," says McElhenney. "We wanted to make sure it is relatable, it just happens to be set couple hundred years into the future."

Yep, definitely sounds like Dunder-Mifflin in space. Get Stephen Colbert on board as ship captain Tek Jansen and we’ll be completely sold.

Boldly Going Nowhere is based on an idea from Adam Stein. Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton, Jonathan Goldstein, Michael Rotenberg and Nick Frenkel will serve as executive producers.

‘Chihuahua’ Takes Box Office Biscuit

‘Chihuahua’ Takes Box Office Biscuit

  • News
  • October 5, 2008

Filmgoers like dogs it seems as Disney’s Beverly Hills Chihuahua captured the box office crown this weekend.  According to estimates from Box Office Mojo, the film took in an impressive $29,000,000.

Other first-timers include Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist with Kat Dennings and Michael Cera, bowing in the number three slot with $12,000,000. The mean spirited political satire, American Carol, took in just $3,810,000, good for ninth place. Right behind it was Lionsgate’s Religulous which earned $3,500,000. The more limited release of Greg Kinner’s Flash of Genius grabbed just $2,328,000 but had the more impressive per screen average of $2120.

Eagle Eye, despite poor reviews, had a below average sophomore week dip of just 39.3%, earning $17, 700,000 pushing its total to $54,605,000. Warner’s Nights in Rodanthe had a sharper slip of 45.2%, bringing in just $7,355,000.

Appaloosa, going into wide release, earned $5,015,000, totaling $5,570,000.  The buddy western, based on Robert B. Parker’s novel, got reasonable reviews and adapting the sequel is already on the drawing board.

The variety of movies is wider than it has been in months and people seemed to spread across the genres. Comedy seems to be ruling over drama and romance as people seek a distraction from the tumultuous economy and presidential campaign.

Having said that, not every comedy has clicked with audiences.  The Coen Brothers’ Burn After Reading continues to chug along while Paramount’s Ghost Town hasn’t a ghost of a chance of earning back its $20 million budget through domestic release.  After three weeks, it has earned a paltry.

Another disappointment has to be The Women, the tepid remake of the classic female ensemble film.  It sank to 22nd place, behind The Dark Knight (yes, still in theatres and still raking in the bucks — $525,833,000 and counting), bringing in only $795,000 on over 1000 screens.

In the coming weeks, a flurry of horror films will be opening to capitalize on Halloween while other films, such as The Duchess, go wide.  Oscar contenders will start to turn up as well, beginning with Ridley Scott’s Body of Lies, providing additional depth and distraction.
 

Hands-On: ‘Spider-Man: Web of Shadows’

Hands-On: ‘Spider-Man: Web of Shadows’

  • News
  • September 18, 2008

As sure as the sun rises, sure as night follows day, sure as MJ loves Pet…oh, wait, scratch that one…um…as sure as humans breath in oxygen and expel a form of carbon, there’s sure to be a new Spider-Man video game. And unlike even vs. odd numbered Star Treks, the quality of Spider-Man games (or super-hero games at all) is sketchy at best.  Sure, you’ll occasionally hit a milestone gem like the game based on the Spider-Man 2 movie, but then you’ll follow it with duds like Spider-Man 3 and Friend or Foe.  Thankfully, the developers at Shaba Games have taken the mold from the good Spidey titles and built an even better game around some new ideas that make this feel like the best wall-crawling escapade yet. 

That’s right, I said feel.

I recently had an opportunity to play a preview build of Web of Shadows for Xbox 360, and let me tell you, as a hardcore Spider-fan, this is the one we’ve been waiting for.  As fantastic as the swing mechanics were in Spider-Man 2, this takes everything up a notch with quality camera control, new combat maneuvers, a great story, and, finally aerial combat.

Admit it…even if he is a nerd, Parker has some bad-ass moves.  The way he hurls himself through the sky, zipping along a webline is graceful, dynamic, and awe-inspiring.  The animation team at Shaba has done a wonderful job of upping the ante with his swing animation, and everything flows just the way you remember from past games.  That’s the good thing.  The even better thing is how you transition from swinging to fighting.  Even while gliding through the air, you can target the nearest enemy by clicking the left trigger, and the camera stays focused on your foe (unless you tap the right analog stick).  Tap the Y button and Spidey will shoot out a webline straight for his target, either pulling his foe to him or him to it.  With careful timing, you then tap Y again once the two are about to connect, and you’ll begin the attack sequence.  Under a flurry of blows, ol’ Webhead can punch, kick and web up his foes, bouncing from target to target with ease.  With a few simple controller taps, you’ll be ping-ponging between enemies at a fast rate, and scoring some serious upgrades.

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‘Sherlock Holmes’ Up Next for Downey Jr.

  • News
  • July 11, 2008

Variety is reporting that Robert Downey Jr. has signed up to play titular detective Sherlock Holmes in the upcoming Warner Bros. movie to be directed by Guy Ritchie.

Shooting starts this fall, which means it shouldn’t get in the way of Iron Man 2, which Downey also has on the table with a prospective 2010 release date. Marvel also apparently just brought back director Jon Favreau for that sequel.

Strangely, this is one of two competing Holmes movies, Variety says:

With Downey aboard, the film will go into production before a comedy that just coalesced at Columbia Pictures, with Sacha Baron Cohen playing Holmes, and Will Ferrell playing his crime-fighting partner Dr. Watson.

Columbia is fast tracking its project, which is being written by Etan Cohen ("Tropic Thunder") and produced by Judd Apatow and Jimmy Miller.

One might wonder, then, what this news portends for Downey’s supposed interest in a film version of Cowboys & Aliens. Platinum Studios leaked word of that, going so far as to say the film would have a 2010 release.

File that one under "doubtful."

Review: ‘Hellboy II: The Golden Army’

Review: ‘Hellboy II: The Golden Army’

If there is one absolute statement that can be made about [[[Hellboy II: The Golden Army]]], it is that this is easily director Guillermo del Toro’s lightest and funniest film — which may just be its greatest downfall. If the first film were to be classified as a “horror/action with comedic relief”, this film is most definitely a “horror/comedy with action sequences,” and that could be what hurts the film the most.

The story picks up about a year from where the first film leaves off: the [[[B.P.R.D.]]] has grown, with the addition of Liz Sherman (Selma Blair), who is now Hellboy’s live-in girlfriend. Tom Manning (Jeff Tambor) is still in charge of the team and is trying his hardest (“trying” being the operative word) to keep it all a secret from the public. There’s all of this, and then there’s also an epic war being forged between a renegade elf prince and mankind.

The film starts off sweet enough, on a military base on Christmas during one of Hellboy’s adolescent years.  A cameo from John Hurt gets the audience excited right off the bat. Hurt then tells a young Hellboy the story of the first Human/Elf war. This is where we set the mood for the rest of the film. The story is told using computer-generated wooden dolls, rather than actual elves or humans. While Guillermo is known for his imagination with monsters and/or children, this may have been a bit much in the direction of puerility. Instead of giving the impression of a childhood story, the CGI comes across as sloppy and unfinished.

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