Yes, it really exists; thanks to Laughing Squid for the heads up on this one…
This is one of those rare weekends with multiple genre films being released together, starting with In Time. This story explores what might happen if the gene responsible for aging (telemerase is the enzyme that governs its expression, and therefore the switch) was turned off. Obviously, the world would be overpopulated pretty damn quick, so to keep everything in balance you have to pay with your days, weeks, and years to purchase anything. Pretty much the talking heads quote goes here, Same As It Ever Was. Now there is a temporal Robin Hood, and he could ruin everything for the folks in power by giving time away to the poor.
Also out this week, Anonymous, the tale of what happens when someone hands Shakespeare his plays and demands he perform them on stage. A historical epic fantasy, this one explores some possibilities a number of scholars would prefer you avoid.
On a completely different note, Sleeping Beauty is a romantic fantasy that goes back to the original story you remember, but only if you remember the adult version of it.
Finally, there are 2 rather strange movies this week, but still genre. Johnny English 2 tells us what would happen if James Bond were really Rowan Atkinson, and The Rum Diary returns Johnny Depp to the roll of renowned journalist Hunter S. Thompson. Either of these would be silly. Both of them together pushes us to the realm of the absurd.
Top movie choice for the week has to be Captain America: The First Avenger. This one actually exceeded my expectations, and it is a suitable prelude to next year’s Avengers movie. Also out this week, Shaolin stars Andy Lau, Wu Jing, Jackie Chan, and Nicholas Tse, in a epic historical drama well worth watching. If it seems like I had already said it was coming out in an earlier week, I had. Which week it is coming out depends on who’s web site you believe, so I figured if I mentioned it both times there was a 50/50 shot I would be right one of the weeks.
There is an amusing looking documentary coming out this week; The People vs. George Lucas.
The TV choice for this week is also the western animation option, in the form of Robot Chicken: Season 5. Do not think this show has become any more subtle recently, it just gets more outrageous and hysterical with each new season.
In Anime I feel a little more confident saying that Himawari! Season 1 will be made available this week. Himawari is going to Ninja school but is not well prepared for the experience, even having to get rescued by a non-ninja teacher on her first day. Another combat high school series comes along in the form of Ikki Tousen: Great Guardians Part 2. In this series, great warriors of the 12 Kingdoms era are reincarnated as modern high school students, and continue their age old conflicts.
There is also a feature length film anime this week: Naruto Shippuden The Movie: Bonds. I am not sure exactly where this fits in the story arc.
Finally a re-release of a classic in a more cost effective package. You can pick up Witchblade – Complete Collection for as little as $21 if you shop around in its new Classic Collection version.
BBC America has announced that it will be carrying Primeval Season 5 beginning November 12th. I am very glad to hear it, but as someone who just spent the last week or 2 in the UK, I seriously want to know when we will be getting either Misfits or Car Wars over here. The new season of Misfits rolls out on October 30th in the UK (I was watching season two reruns), while the Driving Wars premiere episode just happened this past Wednesday, but those are two programs I would love to be watching on a regular basis. It looks like I may be able to buy episodes on iTunes for Misfits at least, but not so much for Car Wars.
Some of the music (OK, a LOT of the music) Shatner has created has been sad and hysterical at the same time, like his early 70s rendition of Rocket Man. A much smaller number of his songs have been better than the original versions, like his go at Common People. And on very rare occasions he has given us an original work or following up on. But this one is flat out scary; Part of the creation process for his new song, a cover of Iron Man. I can’t wait to see the finished product.
If you are looking for something unique to do this Halloween, you might want to consider the Doctor Who Experience Halloween weekender. Kids dressed up as Who characters get in free (one costumed child for each fully paid adult, I believe), always a plus. On Friday the 28th of October they have the Walk like a monster class, in which Ailsa Berk (choreographer for Doctor Who) will be showing you how it’s done. Word is both a Cyberman and a Scarecrow will be there helping her demonstrate the proper technique. On Saturday the 29th there will be face painters and live monsters entering the experience, visitors will have a chance to be made up like Doctor Who monsters. And on Sunday the 30th the Cybermen and Scarecrows return for the Monster Meet and Greet. Happy Halloween, Whovians!