Fantasia Film Festival 2014: ANGRY VIDEO GAME NERD: THE MOVIE Review by Peter Georgoulis

In his attempts to get the world to forget the atrocity that was ET for the Atari, the constantly scowling Angry Video Game Nerd embarks on a quest to disprove the myth of the ET landfill. The Nerd is aided in his quest by his energetic camera man sidekick and fellow girl gamer, who is actually part of a plot by gaming corporation to use the nerd to promote their horrible ET sequel. Together they get themselves in way over their heads with the military, aliens and ancient low budget deities.

Now you would think this movie would be, in the style of James Rolfe himself, a Bleep Bleeping bleep of a bleep on a bleep sandwich, but instead this is a lot of fun for fans of games, geek culture and old school cinema. The movie uses a good mix of practical and special effects capturing the fun and low budget feel of classic cinema mirroring the styles of old zombie, monster and sci-fi movies. Although this is truly a movie for the fans as it is littered with references and in jokes from the various Video Game Nerd reviews from Ninja Turtles three to a hilarious nod to Top Gun.

The movie will always keep you smiling with just how over the top it can be especially the villains. Your standard evil military villains, but quite honestly they are one of the best things in this movie. The back and forth with the general and his personnel is the stuff of cringe worthy glory in just how insane this man can be. The same can be said with our little green friend whose very existence lets you know this movie does not take itself seriously. They are not the only interesting faces some rather important cameos can seen across the movie.

The nerd does what he does best in this movie, tears bad games a new one while at the same time offering up interesting critics on gaming then and gaming now. As I said earlier, this is a movie for the fans, yet it can still be enjoyed by those who have not watched the series. James Rolfe brings us a movie filled with everything that makes the Nerd the profanity spewing rage filled gamer we all know and love.

Fantasia Film Festival 2014: ANGRY VIDEO GAME NERD: THE MOVIE Review by Ous Zaim

The beloved interwebz sensation makes it to the big screen with a self titled movie. Experience the nerd's most traumatic, video-game involving childhood trauma. Low budgeted and with a cast of "actors" I've never seen before, the nerd leaves the basement and embarks on a journey of truth to face his demons. Must love AVGN to enjoy this movie because otherwise you will be lost and think that the movie audience is insane.

Fantasia Film Festival 2014: RUROUNI KENSHIN - KYOTO INFERNO Review by Ous Zaim

New to the franchise, i didn't know what to expect. But the results were great! Colorful cast of characters set in a late 1800 feudal Japan backdrop, KENSHIN picks up the pace from the get go. Extremely engaging with its super-speed sword fighting choreography. Dreamy eyed, soft spoken, hope inspiring, Kenshin is a pony-tail having, sword carrying Sonic The Hedgehog. I love character driven stories! And this movie is fucking poetic. Also, this is a second entry to feature actor Tatsuya Fujiwara in FANTASIA 2014 and this performance highly redeems him for the let-down that is MONSTERZ. Go discover something new, foreign and exciting in KENSHIN!

Fantasia Film Festival 2014: ZOMBEAVERS Review by Ous Zaim

So. Zombie Beavers. Bikinis. Babes. A cabin in the woods. Obnoxious, oversexed, death-deserving boyfriend. And Beavers. Disgusting and purposely-cheap SFX embedded with a funny bone. Thankfully quickly but deliciously bloody. Over the top but doesn't topple itself over. Zombie Beavers.

Fantasia Film Festival 2014: METALHEAD Review by Ous Zaim

Touching tale of loss and extended grieving. Young Hera uses Metal as an outlet and lives a life that is anything but ordinary in a quiet town. Loving, supportive parents aren't enough to quell the wrath of this town's black sheep though. A coming of age story that stems from tragedy, HEAD also reminds us that human beings are more complex, forgiving, and understanding then they will let on. A simple film that will tug at your insides.

Fantasia Film Festival 2014: FRANK Review by Ous Zaim

Sad and unfiltered, welcome to the musical world of Frank. A trek of finding yourself as well as the reveal of unintended, attention seeking, selfishness. Aside from that, the lesson here is freaks fly together. Not what I expected. A quiet, muffled performance by Fassbender, FRANK portrays that sometimes, litters shouldn't be separated.

Fantasia Film Festival 2014: The Zero Theorem by Panagiotis Drakopoulos

Meet Qohen Leth (Christoph Waltz), he's eccentric and anti-social programmer who's hoping and waiting for a special phone call that will tell him the meaning of life. A weird and trippy film from the mind of visionary director Terry Gilliam. If you like Gilliam's other works like Brazil and 12 Monkeys you will love this film, if not, you might not like it. From the great acting to the Jean Giraud inspired backgrounds, Therorem is a cinematic orgy of vivid imagery with a great social commentary on top.

Fantasia Film Festival 2014: To Be Takei by Panagiotis Drakopoulos

Jennifer M. Kroot's film To Be Takei looks at the amazing life and career of one George Takei. It's a fun and emotional that explores this pop culture icon and activist. At the core of this film, it's about his relationship with his family and husband Brad. George and Brad have a very sweet and joyful relationship that will put a smile on your face and laugh out loud, too. By far the most integrating aspect of this film is Takei's childhood and how Pearl Harbor changed his life and the relationship with his parents. After Pearl Harbor George and his family, and many other Japanese-American West Coast citizens on the West Coast were forced out of their homes by the government and sent to a War Relocation Camp or internment. Very emotional, touching and even horrifying to see how the Americans treated their Japanese-American citizens. In all, a must watch film.

   

Fantasia Film Festival 2014: Dancing Karate Kid Review by Panagiotis Drakopoulos

Dancing Karate Kid aka Ryukyu Battle Royale is all around one big fun and entertaining film. The pilot is somewhat similar to the Karate Kid but is completely different and played for more laughs. All of the fighting scenes were really smooth and awesome. A perfect blend of comedy and martial arts, that mixes well together. DKK isn't the greatest film of all time, but it's fun movie that will leave a smile on your face when the credits roll. 

Fantasia Film Festival 2014: Hunter × Hunter: The Last Mission Review by Panagiotis Drakopoulos

If the Phantom Rouge film was a huge disappointment to the Hunter x Hunter franchise, then The Last Mission is a big step forward. The second film has great action and fighting scenes, great back story involving Netero and history of the hunters, interesting antagonists, great production, a good story and it doesn't feel like a filler episode from the television series.  But there was still a few problems I had with film like Gon and the rest of the team using their old weapons and referencing how great the old times were, Hisoka doing almost nothing and an ending that felt a bit predictable. Overall, I had an enjoyable time viewing this film and strongly recommend this film for HxH fans to check out.

Fantasia Film Festival 2014: Hunter × Hunter: Phantom Rouge Review by Panagiotis Drakopoulos

If you're a huge fan of the popular manga anime series Hunter x Hunter, then the first feature-length animated film in this successful franchise will disappoint you. Don't get me wrong, the production value of this animated film is incredible, but the story itself really drags this film down. The story takes place shortly before the Greed Island arc, and Kurapika notices a familiar child, who happens to be his close childhood friend from the Kurta Clan, Pyro. Kurapika's moment of happiness soon turns into horror when Pyro steals his eyes  It's up to Gon and the rest of the group to get back Kurapika's eyes and figure out what's going on. The film feels like a three filler episode arc from the television series that got a movie budget. It's an awful story that offers nothing special to the Hunter x Hunter and follows the similar formula we see in other popular shonen series getting animated films, where the movies aren't really officially part of the cannon. Fans of this series should definitely skip it.

Fantasia Film Festival 2014: Interview with Director/Co-writer Keishi Otomo & Executive Producer Hiroyoshi Koiwai of the Rurouni Kenshin Film Series

Last year at Fantasia, the first live-action film based off the popular Weekly Shonen Jump manga, Rurouni Kenshin created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. The Canadian premiered in front of a sold out crowd. The film thrilled and wowed the Fantasia audience to a massive standing ovation. Due to the box office success of the first film, director and co-writer Keishi Otomo returns to the franchise to cover the classic Kyoto Arc from the manga. The Kyoto Arc is split up into two films: Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Taika-hen and Rurouni Kenshin: Densetsu no Saigo-hen. Kyoto Taika-hen was released in Japan on August 1st to box office records and Fantasia hosted to the international premiere on August 3rd. Meanwhile Densetsu will be premiering in Japan next month. Both Otomo and Executive Producer Hiroyoshi Koiwai had been busy traveling and promoting both films across the globe. CBNAH staff writer Panagiotis Drakopoulos was able to interview both Otomo and Koiwai to discuss the film series, Watsuki's thoughts on the first film, the intense training that the actors went through and more.