F’ it, we’ll do it live! Thoughts on Live Action Adaptations.

By: Luiggi Cavanna

Lately, we’ve been getting a lot of live action adaptations of anime, and with that, fans worry if their favorite franchises are properly adapted. This past week, Netflix finally released the first trailer for its upcoming Death Note movie adaptation, and the fan base could not be more divided.

“Not my Light!” Cried millions of nerds.

Live action adaptations are a hit or miss, and fans are concerned for a good reason. We have a tremendous library of anime live action adaptations that are plain violations of human rights because nobody should be subjected to watch those monstrosities. Heck, not even Japan seems to be able to make movies based out of anime that don’t offend human sensitivity, I mean, do you remember Attack on Titan?

 I don’t have a joke for this, the joke is the movie.

I might be exaggerating a bit, but not even when the movie is not that bad, they still seem to miss the mark. Take for example Ghost in the Shell, the movie was ok but still did not meet the success that you would’ve expected from the franchise. To be honest, I don’t know who was the target demographic for this movie. The philosophy that was the core of the franchise was dumb down effectively alienating hardcore fans, and by giving us another revenge story Hollywood gave people “Robocop: now with tits edition”. The movie still looks good though, I guess it was all shell and not so much soul.

 “Now listen here Murphy or Mira or whatever your name is….”

That’s the main problem with anime adaptations, you can change all you want as long as the core, the soul and heart of the source material are still there. An adaptation is not doom to fail, sometimes they can even surpass the originals. We‘ve had great movies that were adaptations from something else, like how The Magnificent Seven was an adaptation of Seven Samurai, or if you wanna go with something closer to the topic, Edge of Tomorrow was an adaptation of the light novel/manga All You Need is Kill.

“Okay partner, where is my anime adaptation?”

I know we the fans can be difficult as well, we want our movie adaptations to be picture by picture, word by word the same as the source material. We have to understand that this is a different medium and some things might not translate so well into a live action adaptation, so some changes are needed. Actually, there’s some anime that just look like they will be impossible to have a live action adaption! I mean, imagine if there was a JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure movie eh?

Oh, wait! There is one.

I’m not going to lie, I want to see that movie so bad! I don’t care that common sense dictates that it won’t work. With the seriousness that the characters have in conjunction with the wackiness of the world, the manly effeminate poses, and the wonderful contradictions that are JoJo won’t translate very well to a live action adaptation but damn it’s JoJo’s BIZARRE adventure! Bizarre is the damn name so we’re good.

I forgot that we were talking about this movie for a second there.

I want to talk to the fans of Death Note now. Listen, I know how you feel but let’s watch the movie first and then we can talk if it was bad or not. Let’s put aside the whitewashing thing and how you think ‘L’ isn't supposed to be black, this movie takes place in America so it kind of makes sense dude. I would definitely understand if the movie were to take place in Japan and Light was still white, I would be there with you but this is not the case. Besides…..

...Nothing can be as bad as this movie!!

What’s your favorite anime live action adaptations? What’s the worst one in your book? Want me to talk about one in specific? Let us know. Now I return to the deepest darkest corners of my dwelling. Goodbye, for now, my friends.

BUY BLOODY MARY HERE

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American Gods: WHY AM I SO LATE!?

By Corey Floyd

I recall some time ago ads for a show called American Gods.It’s based off a book series. Really wasn’t sure what the hell it was about but people started talking about a lot. Mainly one scene in particular. Since no one could tell me what the show was about I began to ignore it completely. I finally sat down and watched this show and it pretty awesome. It's a clash between what was worshiped and what is worshiped now. Plus we get a really good modern look at some very old stories.

The story is about a newly released convict by the name Shadow Moon played by Ricky Whittle ( Lincoln, the 100) is burdened by the death of his wife and has to tend her funeral. Along the way, he is encountered by a mysterious yet friendly fellow who goes by the name Mr. Wednesday  (who is actually Odin)played by Ian McShane ( Winston, John Wick) give him an offer he can’t refuse. The job is to follow him on the road as they meet with other people and form an army. Moon soon discovers that these are not y

our regular soldiers.

One of them is Mad Sweeny. A surly Irishman who drinks like fish and has no problem pissing people off. Pablo Schreiber who everyone should remember as Prostate from Orange Is The New Black as the corrupt guard plays a real life Leprechaun. Forget about making him a little person. Apparently, that's just a myth besides his 6’5 stature is very fitting for this character.

Even though he looks like a smaller version of WWE superstar Sheamus don't let the hair fool you he gets a fair share of fights

The next character has only been in two scenes in the first season but is responsible for one of the most quoted scenes in the series thus far. “Evil gets shit done!” By Mr. Nancy aka Anansi. A character of West African folklore. His specialty is Knowledge of stories and in this show, he is also a snappy dresser. He is played by Orlando Jones who in my opinion is one of the hardest-working men in the business. 

He is a smooth talking storyteller that steals the scene and leaves you speechless he will easily become one of your favorites.

Now to talk about the baddies. So far the new gods based off modern Tech. While they are few in numbers their real goal is to bring the gods over to their side and merge them with modern technology which is worshiped more than the gods of old. Besides there's no App for a human sacrifice, they realize time and attention is easier than blood. The baddie above this is Technology Boy played by fresh unknown Bruce Langley. TB is an ignorant young disrespectful douchebag. These are his good qualities!! He’s everything you would hate if you're above 25. He’s is definitely a character you would love to hate.

X-Files Gillian Anderson is Media. This God is very interesting. Every time she shows up on screen she looks like someone else in media. Here she is as Marilyn Monroe. She tries to scout Moon but he’s still confused about what’s going on. she immediately separates herself from the other baddies by coming off very kind but stern. 

She also seems to be the enforcer of rules on her side as well. I can't wait to see more of her and you will too. Mainly because you will wonder who she will look like next.

Last but not least, the leader of the Tech pack is Mr. World played by Crispin Glover (Charlie's Angel’s, Willard). 

Who career is built off playing odd creepy characters? He fits right in as Mr. World who seems to use the web as his main source of power. He tries to be charismatic but it comes off as creepy and untrusting. I’m not sure if that is intentional or not but it makes TV. I haven’t given away much as in plot but this a show you need to check out.  I see this show hanging around for a while as for season one it’s a bloody good time.

Season grade A. Don’t forget to check out the best book of the summer Bloody Mary: The Coven Book one @ https://www.amerimemedia.com/shop-1

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