Monday, April 14, 2014

Apocalypse Kiss Review



Apocalypse Kiss is a sci-fi thriller much like Blade Runner only this time I could follow along. (Tho to be fair it's been years since I've seen Blade Runner now). With a murder mystery under foot and an apocalypse at its heels, Apocalypse Kiss is set in that futuristic sci-fi world with colorful video screens and oddities at every corner, strange people in every seedy setting... It's pretty cool.

The synopsis of the movie, taken from the Potent Media website:
In this futuristic science fiction thriller, government security agent Jerry Hipple has been unsuccessfully tracking the city's most infamous criminal The Red Harvest Killer. When two nomadic lovers, Katia and Gladys enter the city the death count rises and are being credited as Red Harvest killings. Obsessive compulsive Adrian, the actual Red Harvest Killer becomes furious that the sexy serial killing duo are grabbing media attention under his alias. Not only does Adrian attempt to reclaim his rightful reputation but he also decides to cleverly aid his detective counterpart through the case. All the while, killers and victims alike are unaware the world is about to reach an abrupt catastrophic ending.

Katia, played by Carmela Hayslett, is brilliant in one of the lead female roles. So diverse and playing a triple threat comes across so easily on screen. Gladys, played by Tammy Jean, was pretty effortless as a blonde bombshell who follows Kat around and who sometimes gets her hands dirty in order to survive.
The Red Harvest Killer, Adrian, played by D.C. Douglas, is pretty convincing as a crazy psychopath killer on the loose. He plays his role with some satire but it comes across wonderfully for this film.
Tom Detrik plays the detective trying to figure out whodunnit. I loved him as the noir Dick Tracy type with a sad backstory. I enjoyed his character a lot. I would love to have more on him. But he wasn't the focus of the film of course. I usually identify with the person who's trying to figure out the murder mystery, though.

The story was great. Writer and director Christian Grillo did an amazing job at the storyline and cinematography. The only gripe I have is that the apocalypse part within the story, never came across well. (And this is not a spoiler because it's in the title of the movie...) It was embedded in the middle of the film, or almost at the end really, in a one-liner from the Wizard character and it was easy to miss. I missed it the first time around, only to have it pointed out to me by my friend who watched it with me. And when the apocalypse starts being discussed as a plotline to the audience, it was like suddenly watching another movie, but only for a few minutes as its near the very end of the film. It was very abrupt and you almost felt like you didn't need it anymore as any plot device since it didn't add much else, other than wrapping up everyone's story in one big chunk. It was never a part of any of the characters lives within the rest of the film, except at that very end moment... So I'm not sure it was needed perse.

Other than that, the murder mystery was fun to follow and see the characters interact with one another. I liked how things had a slight twist to them. Tho I could see a lot of plot twists coming.

The amount of special effects for this low-budget film is pretty astounding. I was surprised how much special effects were actually used and utilized to great execution without it looking cheesy at all! It was pretty seamless with the rest of the film. From the technicolor Wizard's monitors and the creepy girls he had on screens, to the elevator doors opening/scanning and the scanning of the east sector, all blended in well with both the story and scenery.

I will say the soundtrack is pretty amazing. Totally helps tell the story and I can see myself getting a soundtrack to it if it were available. It definitely has the sci-fi gritty tone to it that the film needs. None of the songs are out of place or sound too pretty for the film.

And the end song, for the apocalypse is quite beautiful, if in a most haunting kind of way. The credits show vocals are done by Deb Portalatin. And she has an amazing deep dark voice that was perfect for those last minutes on Earth. And during her song, the montage they play of each characters last few moments on Earth, is done beautifully. I could listen to this song on repeat for a good few hours if not more...

I highly recommend watching this movie. It definitely doesn't feel or sound like an independent film or a low-budget film. It never comes across as hokey or anything. The camera angles are artsy and fantastic. The quality of both video and audio are amazing for the budget they had. Only in one part when everyone is yelling, can you hear the sound warble a bit. But it's minor. And I'm an A/V girl so I happened to notice. But really, go out and get this film however you can. It's pretty amazing. It's out on DVD at Amazon and on-demand from major cable companies. I will say it took awhile for me to find via my RCN on-demand but eventually I found it. I am currently waiting on my DVD from Amazon to arrive to watch it a few more times.

Oh and one disclaimer, there is full frontal male nudity which I was not expecting. I knew I'd see naked women based on the trailers alone, but not one of the males. So, fair warning haha.

I would also watch this video after you see the film. Love behind-the-scenes videos and this one is great. Some really good interviews with Chris Grillo and the cast and crew behind Apocalypse Kiss on how it was made on such a low-budget but never looking hokey. Enjoy!



This movie was produced by my friend, John Kent, but by no means was this review solicited by him or anyone at Potent Media and it is written with all opinions as my own.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

3D Sculpts Announced for Star Wars Weekends!

D-Tech has been announced for this years Star Wars Weekends!!

Back at Hollywood Studios, Star Wars Weekends always has this awesome opportunity to create your likeness as a Star Wars character using 3D technology.

This year you can have a 3D sculpture made of you as Leia in her Star Wars: A New Hope white frock or a Rebel Alliance pilot. Those are the two new ones this year. 

Same price point as previous years, for 7" scale figure it will cost you $99.95/figure, plus appropriate sales tax and shipping charges.
Photo courtesy of Disney
In addition, they will have the Han Solo in carbonite and Stormtrooper figures that was there the last year. The stormtrooper will still have the woman's body option, which is cool. 

And both the Leia and Han in carbonite figures will come in the kids sizes as well, which the carbonite one has had in previous years. It just meant you had a shorter body then what you see below. The head is actually probably around where the neck begins and the feet are up a little higher as well.

Me in Carbonite figure
Me as a Stormtrooper, female body form
This year, they are also introducing a large-scale 16" figure option, if you'd like. This option will run a pretty penny of $1499.95. Yes, you read that right, about 1500 bucks for the large-scale.


You get your head scanned on property, only on the Star Wars weekends dates, which run each weekend from May 16th through June 15th. And you can make appointments ahead of time by calling 407-WDW-TECH (407-939-8324). You can usually do walk-ins as well, which I did last year. I just made sure it was the first thing I did when I got into the park. No real lines at that hour. Then had rest of the day to enjoy the park and SW Weekends festivities.

In past years, this experience has been located at Darth's Mall, behind the Rock n Roller coaster area. This year they are moving Darth’s Mall to Soundstage 1 area between the Studio Backlot Tour and Toy Story Midway Mania. Makes me wonder how much more packed that area will be, and it's an already high-trafficked area thanks to Midway Mania.

You can check my blog post from last year when I talk about some of the DTech experience and the whole SW Weekends as a whole.

As much I don't care for this Leia outfit, and I'm almost more interested in becoming a Rebel Alliance pilot instead, I know I will end up getting both of these figures of myself. I want to collect them all unfortunately. haha.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Super Robots Giant Monsters

So this past weekend, I was fortunate enough to go to a small toy show, Super Robots Giant Monsters, up in Lowell, Massachusetts to help sell my portable Mordles (keychains) that my friend John Kent let me work up.

Ride up was fun with mutual friends. We got to see our friend and Glyos keeper, Matt Doughty that night. Had tons of fun with him and catching up on things.

Saturday I spent the day at the table. Only really walked around once to the other booths. It was a small show so it was nice to take about twenty minutes to do that. Then John was able to do the same a few times as well as I watched the table. It's funny being a vendor for a whole day. It's something I haven't done in a long time. And having to make the same speech over and over again. But I had a good time doing so and helping out John as well.

I didn't take as many pictures because I was at the booth for the day and also I didnt think it was right to take pics of some tables with artwork and such. Yes, I can ask permission first but since I wasn't really there for PR or blogging purposes, I decided to just stick with being a vendor and common man that day.

So here's the things I did buy tho.

Of course I bought things from Toyfinity. Both Roboforce bots from the latest drop and the giant grey Jaws-inspired Mordle and the normal grey mordle pack, along with a giant glow in the dark Mordle.

From Glyos, I bought these: NEO GATEKEEPER SULLONEV PHEYDEN (pink/purple guys) and INFECTION EXELLIS (red clear)

And from Calgrim I got this awesome older fig -- Strawberry Shortcake inspired INFECTION
EXELLIS and yes, it actually smells like Strawberry Shortcake!!! 
I found this cool artist that did mini paintings on small tiny canvases of superheroes and such. So chibi! So I had to buy them. Superman and Captain America. The Martian the Manhunter was uber cute too but I had to limit my purchases…



Then I got one David Leblanc's magnet postcards. I love his impressionistic take on the heroes. Impressionist art is my favorite kind. Great job. I just wish I could afford some of his real paintings…

I brought my devils food cake cupcakes and homemade R2D2 cake to the show for the nerd boys (and the few girls) in our Glyos family to eat during the show. R2 took a beating coming up to Lowell tho where his feet broke off. oh well. But he tasted good all the same.

Doomkick posted about the show as well and gave me a nice shoutout. Thanks, Jesse!

I had a great time with my nerd/toy buddies at the show and the "after dinner party" at Elliots, a nearby burger/hot dog joint. Hearing stories of old times and stories of Matt and his father-in-law or between him and Calgrim keeper, Jesse Moore. I had a lot of fun catching up with those I only get to see once a year at NYCC, maybe twice with ToyFair for those who are lucky enough to go to that show. In the process, I've made some new friends as well from the group. And that's what I love most, connecting with everyone again.

Thanks everyone for the memories!! <3

Until NYCC or if anyone comes down to NYC before NYCC let's get together!