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New to DVD this week is the martial arts gore fest Ninja Assassin. Directed by V for Vendetta’s James McTeigue and staring Korean superstar Rain, Ninja Assassin is a story about a rogue-ninja taking on his former clan and avenging the death of the woman he loved…. or something close to that. Honestly, we don’t watch a movie like Ninja Assassin for the plot.

What we do expect from a movie called Ninja Assassin are action sequences, martial arts and people dying violent deaths. Ninja Assassin delivers on all of these counts and at a production value far beyond what you would expect from a movie actually called “Ninja Assassin“.

The biggest surprise is the sheer amount of carnage that takes place in the movie . There is more blood and severed body parts in this thing than you find in most horror movies these days. Although our favorite “Oh Wow!” moment was probably when we realized the head of the evil Ninja Clan was being played by non-other than Sho Kosugi.

Some of you long time ninja-geeks like us may remember Kosugi from his hey day in the 80’s, starring in classic ninja movies like: Enter the Ninja, Revenge of the Ninja and Ninja III: The Domination.

All in all, if you’re the type of person who thinks they would enjoy a fast-paced martial arts movie with lots of blood and gore, you should check out Ninja Assassin. If you don’t think you’re this type of person, you might want to take a pass at this one, or go ahead and check it out anyway, you might find out something new about yourself.

Coming to theaters this April is the comic book inspired film Kick Ass. On initial viewing of the theatrical trailer, one may be inclined to think that the movie looks very much like a Nickelodeon/Disney tween actioner similar to a Sky High. But don’t let that fool you. If you look closer, you may notice that the film is actually rated R and not something to let your teen just run off to all willy nilly. Also upon a brief examination of the internets, one can find the R-rated trailer that has been released and a clip from the movie of Nicholas Cage shooting his daughter. (Both of which are below to save you that search) The former provides plenty of blood, language and action in the form of a 12 year old vigilante called Hit Girl and the latter showcases a dysfunctional family dynamic and sets a darkly comedic tone.

Today’s Recipe for Super Awesome Crazy International Television Show:
- Take one part Marvel’s Spiderman (strained to remove storylines)
- Mix with one part Power Rangers
- Add a splash of martial arts & Japanese sensibilities
- Combine in the late 70’s
- Garnish with campy special effects and weird editing techniques
- Enjoy, you are watching Japanese Spiderman

Japanese Spiderman

This Japanese version was developed by the Toei Company in 1978. The plot (like you really need one) involves a motorcycle racer named Takuya Yamashiro, red and blue spandex, an UFO/Robot named the “Marveller” and an evil alien called Professor Monster and his evil Iron Cross Army.
The fine cooks at Marvel comics currently have all 41 episodes of this crazy, campy goodness posted on their site. Episode 0 (yes, I said 0 not 1) is below, if you want more, go bug them.

The guys at ATHF know how depressing the holiday season can be, so they have apparently decided to make it funny by releasing their very own Christmas album titled ATHF: Have Yourself A Meaty Little Christmas. The album has some of the classic songs you love (kinda) like “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”, “Feliz Navidad”, and “Silent Night”; as well as some new instant favorites such as “I Sure Hope I Don’t Have to Beat Your Ass This Christmas” and “Santa Left a Booger In My Stocking” featuring Neko Case. So whether you’re listening to this album while sipping cocoa with your family in front of the fireplace or having it piped in over the speakers at the local Zombie-Mart Megastore; we promise you’ll exchange WTF looks with the people around you and proceed to chuckle like you have a bowl full of jello.
For those who want to pick up your very own copy of ATHF: Have Yourself A Meaty Little Christmas just visit the Adult Swim Shop and let the funny begin. In the meantime, here are a couple of free streaming tracks for your listening pleasure.

Most people only know of Bobby McFerrin as the guy who sang that “Don’t Worry Be Happy” song. A slim few know of him as Bobby McFerrin; composer, conductor and all around musical madman (who also sang that “Don’t Worry Be Happy” song). Here he is at the 2009 World Science Festival showing off his special kind of madness by demonstrating the power of the pentatonic scale, using audience participation.

Dave and Thomas’s favorite cartoon returns to Adult Swim tonight for a new season of venturific fun and excitement. The guys are a’giddy with anticipation as the new season draws closer, in the hopes that the answers to their questions from last season will be revealed. What will the Ventures do now that Brock has left? What will 21 do now that 24 is dead? Is Dr. Girlfriend really Dr. Guyfriend? What will Dave & Thomas do until tonight?

A neat little animated take on what can happen when someone loses their head. A very cool cartoon with an even cooler animation style. Somewhat reminiscent of Plymptoons.

VIDEOGIOCO by Donato Sansone from Enrico Ascoli – Sound Design on Vimeo.

Dave and Thomas have noticed a trend in Hollywood over the past few years. As the economy has tanked the studios have resorted to producing a lineup of remakes and sequels, capitalizing on the popularity of well established titles to draw in audiences who are learning to be more frugal with their disposable income. This acts as kinda a safe bet for them. Why produce a completely new and original idea, when you can reproduce an existing story with a built in fan base? They know that with a remake, at least the fans will show up and pay to watch their childhood heroes twisted and destroyed.

Or it could be that Hollywood has just run out of original ideas.

Whichever it is, nowhere has the remake surge been more noticeable than within the horror genre. With keystone titles, such as “Texas Chainsaw Massacre”, “Friday the 13th”, “Halloween 1&2″ and “My Bloody Valentine”, having already been reworked and rejuvenated for a younger audience, it came as no surprise to hear that the gloved one himself, Freddy Krueger, was getting an overhaul. Well, the teaser trailer is now out for the new and improved “Nightmare on Elm Street” and it looks like, as with the original, the focus is going to be more on the horror aspect of the Elm Street franchise, than with the campy schlock the series quickly developed into.

This time out, Robert Englund is replaced as Freddy Krueger by Jackie Earle Haley, whom most will recognize as Rorschach from the Watchmen, and some of the older ones may remember as Kelly from “The Bad News Bears”. It will be weird to hear Krueger speaking with a new raspier voice as opposed to Englunds sarcastic tones, but maybe that’s just what the series needs to tone back the camp and dial up the horror.

And don’t be surprised when you start seeing favored horror titles like “Child’s Play”, “Poltergeist”, “Creature from the Black Lagoon”, “Predator”, “Hellraiser” and “Attack of the Killer Tomatoes”; all of which are slated for remakes and that’s just the tip of that iceberg.

Brooks Benjamin is a talented, resourceful and gifted filmmaker from East Tennessee, and he’s a big fan of both Dave & Thomas as well as Juvenile Minds, and they are like wise a fan of his, or at least that’s what his agent tells them. They’re inclined to believe him, he’s very persuasive.

Well, Brooks has this awesome movie he shot coming out on DVD called “Boys of Summerville” and since Dave & Thomas are such big fans they thought, “Hey, we want one.” To which Brooks replied that he could do better than just one little ol’ DVD, he could give them a whole “Boys of Summerville” gift pack, but only if they promised to give it away to a one lucky fan. Well, Dave & Thomas were a little perplexed by this, as they failed to see anyway this helped them get their own copy, but none the less, they agreed it was a good idea and possessed merit.

After a long and reasonably rational discussion on how they should go about awarding the “BoS” Gift Pack to this one lucky fan; Dave and Thomas cleaned up the blood, repainted the living room, bought new furniture, apologized to the cat and announced to everyone that they had agreed to give the much coveted “BoS” Gift Pack away as a door prize at their Juvenile Minds reception, during the Secret City Film Fest on Friday night, October 9th.

Anyone attending the screening of “That Evening Sun” and subsequent Juvenile Minds Reception on Friday, October 9th, can register at the door with Juvenile Minds to be entered into the drawing for the “Boys of Summerville” Gift Pack. The gift pack contains: A signed Boys of Summerville DVD, An official Boys of Summerville softball cap, An official Boys of Summerville jersey, Actual pom-poms and plastic megaphone used in the movie. The drawing will be held after the “That Evening Sun” screening at the beginning of the Juvenile Minds reception.

For those of you would rather not put all your faith in some random act of chance or those of you who find yourself after the drawing with no gift pack and crushed hopes, but still wanting your very own copy of the “Boys of Summerville” DVD (and we know you’ll want it), you are in luck. Brooks will be selling copies of his most excellent DVD at the festival, so you will still have a chance to purchase your very own copy.

For more information on Brooks and his production company, check out Lycan Entertainment. For more on the movie, check out the trailer below and the “Boys of Summerville” website.

It’s almost that time in Oak Ridge, TN again. The Secret City Film Fest is set to start this weekend. Filmmakers will gather, movies will be shown, viewers will “ooh and ahhh” in the appropriate places (usually), and a layer of B.S. will cover the floors as filmmakers and film fans mingle and discuss their projects, both past and future. It’s one of the funnest events in all of East Tennessee, and you know Dave and Thomas are going to be there.

In fact, Dave and Thomas enjoy the festival so much, this year they are sponsoring a reception with their buddies, the Juvenile Minds. This quasi-prestigious event will follow a special screening of the award winning, East Tennessee produced film, That Evening Sun, on Friday the 9th. So feel free to join Dave and Thomas for barbecue and beer at the Secret City Film Fest and if you don’t care for D&T check out the other events at the festival. There are many films, panels, workshops and events at the festival that are worth checking out. For more information on the Secret City Film Festival check out their website.

If you’re interested in winning a couple of free all-festival passes, check out the Dave and Thomas SCFF competition.