Geek of Oz

So, maybe it's not really anime but it is certainly something that anime fans would be interested in. Madman have announced that they have secured a distribution deal with Hasbro Studios meaning that we will have a local release of Transformers: Prime in June this year. Last week on a Qantas flight I managed to watch 2 episodes of Transformers: Prime and I've gotta say, I'm excited for more!  Check out the full press release after the jump!

Based upon the series of novels and manga of the same name by Tow Ubukata, Mardock Scramble ( マルドゥック・スクランブル ), is a journey back in time to the halcyon days of my very own anime fandom. The gritty dystopian cyberpunk stylings are reminiscent of titles like Cyber City Oedo 808 , Ergo Proxy and the ultimate in cyberpunk adventure, Shirow Masamune's Ghost in the Shell . From the get go I knew that this was going to be a wicked ride.

Creators of inward singing, face shredding Beezlebub slayers, the greatest band of all time... the D are back. If 2012 marks the end of the world you can be damn well sure that it will be due to a master exploder related incident at the hands of JB and KG. In case you missed any of that, Jack Black and Kyle Gass return to our ear holes as Tenacious D in their new studio album, Rize of the Fenix. Long time compadre, Dave Grohl of Nirvana, Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone age fame also returns as drummer on the new album which is due for release in Australia on May 11th. Check out  hilarious promo clip and title track from the album after the jump!

In his last few films, director David Cronenberg has explored themes such as the nature of violence, the morality of deception and the mechanics of middle American lifestyles. These themes have been at times confronting and thought provoking. In 2005’s A History of Violence we saw how violence has defined a nation and that at our core we can be primitive beings. In 2007 Cronenberg presented Eastern Promises, which dealt largely with Russian organised crime families and depicted how we can deceive ourselves and those we claim to love. A Danger Method sees Cronenberg examine sexual relationships and the genesis of psychoanalysis through a unique take on the biographic film genre. A film which tackles indulgence, adultery and forbidden pleasure is clearly too delicious for David Cronenberg to miss out on but sadly it falls just short of the mark.

I must admit that the "harem" genre has never really struck a cord with me. Maybe it's the female servitude or ludicrously overt doses of fan service, but for some reason I absolutely adored Heaven's Lost Property. "Tomoki's life was normal until a wish-granting angelic android named Ikaros fell from the sky and started calling him master! Of course, thanks to his raging teenage hormones, most of Tomoki's wishes have something to do with panties. And that makes things pretty complicated, because one simple wish can lead to a rampaging robot made out of frilly undergarments or turn bloomers into bombs capable of blowing up entire neighborhoods!  If Tomoki doesn't learn to control his impulses around Ikaros and be more careful with his wishes, the chaos will only get crazier. Luckily, even with such a dirty mind, Tomoki's heart is in the right place. His hands, however, are a completely different story."

Apparently every person in the world has already read The Hunger Games series written by Suzanne Collins and so they weren’t surprised when it was announced that the popular novels would be turned into a Hollywood blockbuster. I have not read the novels and knew little of the film heading into it, I hadn’t even seen the trailer which has been pretty hard to avoid. I loved this film for the simple reason that it was bold in its ideas and executed precisely. The Hunger Games should be a new bench mark in how books are adapted to films, they may be excellent novels in their own right but when a book is converted to film it has to obey the rules of cinema, otherwise it won’t be entertaining or engaging and The Hunger Games is exactly that. The Hunger Games is the story of a futuristic America which has been turned into thirteen districts, which consist of twelve rural/industry districts and a capitol which is a hive of flamboyant costumes and advanced technology. Approximately seven...

The anime voice over industry is a pretty tight one and many of the same names tend to pop up a fair bit. One such name is Todd Haberkorn, the voice of Takumi Nishijo in Chaos Head , , Italy in Hetalia , Android 19 in Dragon Ball Kai and Death the Kid and Natsu Dragneel in two of my new favourite new series Soul Eater and Fairy Tail. So, how did this man of mystery make it into the industry? How does he approach the role of a fire breathing wizard and what life changing event will occur if he makes it to 100 episodes? All of these questions and more will be answered after the jump!

For those who have instantly dismissed 21 Jump Street as a remake of an 80's property that, for better or worse, should have remained dead I say "hold up, home boy!". Well, maybe I wouldn't exactly say that but I would say that you should think twice. 21 Jump Street manages to deliver with tongue wholeheartedly in cheek. Unlike recent remakes such as Tron: Legacy, The A-Team and Clash of the Titans this film isn't trying to reinvent the wheel, to a certain extent it shows us the mindset of the current generation as opposed to the 21 Jump Streeters of yore.  In High School, Jenko ( Channing   Tatum ) and Schmidt ( Jonah   Hill) were at opposite ends of the social spectrum. Jenko was the handsome chap that he is now and Schmidt... well... he was Jonah Hill. Although they were never friends in school, fate brought them together when they entered the Police Academy where our story begins.

Check your calendars, true believers! In just over a months time The Avengers will assemble on cinemas screen world wide. I will finally see Earth's mightiest heroes come together on the big screen, the realisation of a childhood dream. My favourite super team is almost here. Check out all of the posters after the jump and make sure you click to enlarge!

When I first heard that they were releasing a film version of 21 Jump Street I was skeptical to say the least. When I heard that it was going to star Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, I scoffed. But after seeing a few clips I have to say that I think it's going to be a fun film! Sure, it doesn't seem to have the edge or angst that permeated the Johnny Depp/Holly Robinson series but this is a new interpretation for a new time.  Another thought springs to mind... the bulk of audiences will probably be blissfully unaware that there ever was a 21 Jump Street TV series or that Johnny Depp even started acting before Pirates of the Caribbean! Either way, check out this very funny clip before you make up your mind.

Just last week we announced with much joy that Verbinski and Bruckheimer's Lone Ranger film had started production. So just a few days later we get our very first look at Johnny Depp as Tonto and Armie Reed as John Reid/The Lone Ranger. Check it out after the jump!

With an estimated 93% share of the Australian anime market there's no doubt that you'll be able to find your top 20 anime titles in Madman's back catalogue. Will you go for some time tested classics like Akira and Ghost in the Shell or something outside the square like FLCL or recommend Raxephon for the wild card slot? Well, whichever way you vote you will go into the draw to win the final Top 20 list! It's like Triple J's Hottest 100 but with more otaku and less hipsters! Check out our Top 20 list after the jump and let me know yours!

Any chef in the world knows the secret to fine cuisine is the ability to take high quality ingredients, combine them well and serve lovingly to an awaiting audience. Ingredients can be as simple or complex as per the needs of the meal, some of the greatest dishes in the world consists of as little as three or four ingredients. The challenge therefore is to discover which ingredients work best together in order to enhance the overall qualities of each individual flavour. The balance of contradictory flavours can be enticing and supremely satisfying. It is this idea of balancing of flavours which must be kept in mind when thinking of Carnage, the latest film by Roman Polanski. This film is a drama based around the interaction of its four protagonists and what they individually bring to the table. Ultimately, this interaction should deliver a stimulating and enjoyable experience to its audience.

*GASP* What a mouthful! You almost need to have ninja skills just to get the title out in one breath. Anyhoo, Namco Bandai Australia have announced that NS:UNSG has entered the manufacturing phase in preparation for its March 29 release but if you want a taste of what's to come you can download the demo now from Xbox Live or the Playstation Network. Otherwise, check out the latest press release and a couple of anime cut scene trailers after the jump!

The latest in the DC Universe's string of animated feature films is Justice League: Doom which is inspired by the Mark Waid penned JLA: Tower of Babel from JLA #43-46. There are a number of differences between the book and the film but none that detract from the story, the core story remains and delivers the best DC Universe Animated Film yet. "The Justice League consists of Earth’s finest super heroes and protectors of humanity. But in the mind of the Dark Knight, it contains potentially the most dangerous people on the planet. Over time, Batman has compiled top-secret contingency plans should any of them go rogue. When these files are stolen by a rising group of super villains, the Justice League embarks on a collision course that will test the very fabric of its alliance. With a stellar voice cast headed by Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly and Nathan Fillion, this thrilling DC Universe Animated Original adventure will challenge what you know about the Justice League as well as rede...

From the pages of Edgar Rice Burroughs' "Barsoom" novels, we get get Disney's JOHN CARTER and it's about time. Rumour has it that this film has been in development on and off since the early 1930's by various persons and studios. Well, it's finally here and it is big! John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) is a veteran of the Civil War, a confederate soldier. His part in the war has changed him in more ways than one and leaves him drawn to the wild west for the promise of gold. Even though Carter tries his best to avoid trouble, for some strange reason it keeps finding him. Drawn into a battle, he hides out in a nearby cave which is the source of fear to his Native American pursuers. Soon after he finds himself inexplicably transported to a seemingly uninhabited and arid world known as Barsoom, this is where the story really begins.

The Men in Black return this year and it looks to be just as fun as previous outings. We are reunited with J and a suspiciously youthful K (botox much!?!). No, no botox, just a touch of time travel. Josh Brolin steps into the shoes of a young Tommy Lee Jones and boy does he look, and sound, the part. J steps back in time to a place when spacemen weren't wisecracking Pugs but little green men with fish bowls on their head. This was a simpler time when Agents wielded six shooters instead of THE CRICKET!  I was always a fan of the MIB franchise, the films, the cartoon and before all else the comic book so you can colour me excited for this latest foray into the unexplainable. Check out the brand new trailer after the jump!

I don't know what it is about the month of May that seems so underwhelming. Perhaps it has something to do with its placement. Its certainly not the beginning of the year but doesn't quite make it halfway. Plus, there aren't even any public holidays that spring to mind. It lacks certainty,  even its name makes it sound like a half baked effort; "I may!" Most noticeably, however, is the distinct lack of letters. What self respecting month has only 3 letters to its name? Sure, size isn't everything but I hear that November and December are much more popular with the ladies, April and June. Luckily for we anime geeks, Madman has a veritable swathe of anime being released to get us through the uncertainty, insecurity and undoubted self loathing that is the month of May. Find out what's on its way in May after the jump!

Based upon the eponymous manga series by by Yumi Unita, Usagi Drop ( うさぎドロップ ) has been turned into a feature film starring superstar Kenichi Matsuyama and also an 11 part anime series. Siren Visual have pulled off a massive coup by being the only distributor outside of Japan to release the DVD. This of course means that there is no English dub available but this should in no way, shape or form influence your decision making. In fact, I believe that the folks at Siren should be applauded for releasing a series based upon its merits regardless of whether an English version has been dubbed. Usagi Drop is every bit as beautiful and heartfelt as its namesake. Follow on after the jump to find out more!

In my last post I went all gaga over Chris Samnee's art in Daredevil #12. Well it looks like it's going to be a good day because Marvel have also sent through a few pages from Secret Avengers #24 by Rick Remender, Gabriel Hardman and ever beautiful colours by Bettie B. Well Bettie B can colour me excited because this looks incredible. Check out some images after the jump.

Just when I thought Mark Waid's Daredevil couldn't get any better, they get one of my personal favourite artists on board in the form of Mr Chris Samnee. He is the perfect artist for the job and I can only hope that this isn't just a one time deal. I certainly love Paolo Rivera's art but Samnee is one of the greatest visual story tellers in the biz. Check out a special sneak peek after the jump!

Do you like free stuff? Do you like anime? Do you like free anime? OF COURSE YOU DO! Well thanks to Madman, you can stream new anime every single day of the week for exactly zero earth dollars! We're talking Deadman Wonderland, Steins;Gate, Gosick, Last Exile - Fam The Silver Wing, Persona 4, Nichijou - My Ordinary Life and the upcoming Guilty Crown. So forget about your stupid internet piracy, get your anime for free with Madman. Check out the full press release below!

Wow, just wow! Little known fact, the silver foil covered Avengers vol. 1 #363 by Bob Harras and Steve Epting was the very first comic book that I bought with my own money all the way back in 1993. I read that book from cover to cover an incredible amount of times, certainly getting my moneys worth.  So it should be no surprise that I am waiting with bated breath for The Avengers to hit the big screen. Seeing them all separately has been great but seeing them together is going to be the realisation of a childhood dream. So without further ado, here is the newest trailer from the good folks at Disney!