Jyu-Oh-Sei (Planet of the Beast King): The Complete Series

Jyu-Oh-Sei (Planet of the Beast King): The Complete Series Review

How is it that this show isn't better known? "Jyu-Oh-Sei" is an 11 episode series that manages to stomp nearly every full-length sci-fi anime series out there in spite of it's briefness. At the end, it seems impossible that such an epic and perfectly-paced storyline could be over so quickly and leave such a large impression. That is a true testament to the writer and the director of this series. Guaranteed to thrill any sci-fi fanatic.

The story begins as a simple revenge tale. It takes place in a human colony in the Balkan star system hundreds of years in the future. Our hero Thor and his twin brother Rai (both 11 years old at the start) are mysteriously kidnapped after discovering that their parents have been murdered. They are dropped off on the planet Chimera, which is a world used by the colonists for capital punishment. The worst criminals are abandoned there and are either soon dead or wish they were. The planet is as harsh as they come; monstrous plants are the top of the food chain and a single day and night cycle takes an entire year. Half of the year, the plants flourish and the planet is one massive carnivorous jungle and the other half is complete darkness and Siberian weather. Great setup.

Thor soon learns just how harsh Chimera is. It is kill or be killed; but he soon finds that he has an uncanny knack for survival. He also finds that there is civilization on this harshest of planets. The people of Chimera are a tribal lot broken up by skin color into a series of clans known as Rings. Each ring is lead by a Top, a Second, and a Third with the Top position being decided by single combat within each Ring. If a Ring's Top is able to defeat each of the other Rings, he becomes the Beast King and is able to return to the colony. In other words, if Thor wishes to return home, solve the mystery of his parent's death, and exact his revenge he has his work cut out for him.

"Jyu-Oh-Sei" would already be an outstanding series based on premise alone. The planet is so intriguing a setting and the characters so strong that it could have cruised almost indefinitely without losing the viewer's interest. But the story flies by with amazing velocity, even jumping several years ahead at one point. It's got places to go and people to see, that's for sure and not one minute is wasted. The show is merciless and unpredictable -which it displays very early on- and filled with twists and turns of the best kind. Even though a savvy viewer will likely soon suspect which character is pulling the strings, the purpose remains an unsolvable mystery until the final episodes which feel like an all-out mental assault on the viewer as bombshell after bombshell hits. The final act is absolutely amazing and jam-packed with pure genius. It's extremely easy to lose track of the mysteries altogether as you become wrapped up in the intrigue, romance, and drama of the story, which makes the effect of the barrage of revelations even more shocking. Without any major spoilers, I'll just hint that perhaps the world where mankind's forsaken are sent may in fact be their only hope for survival. Like I said, epic.

While the price of this set is pretty exorbinant considering the small number of episodes, it's well worth it if you've got the bucks. This is a top-flight work of science fiction that should enthrall both anime newcomers and veterans who've seen it all. There is no weak link in this series; every aspect seems to have achieved near-perfection. I was legitimately sad to see it end; but that feeling may have been partly because of the cheap shot near the end that seems to have no purpose other than to break the viewer's heart. Cheap shot aside, "Jyu-Oh-Sei is animated sci-fi greatness. All who profess to love the genre must not hesitate in seeing it.

Jyu-Oh-Sei (Planet of the Beast King): The Complete Series Feature

• In the distant future, humanity has migrated into space to settle in the Balkan System, leaving behind them a dying Earth. With the loss of their native home, the race has suffered. Safety is an illusion Their parents murdered and their easy life at an end, young twin brothers Thor and Rai find themselves jettisoned off-world and abandoned to their fate: Chimaera, a hostile planet where only t

Jyu-Oh-Sei (Planet of the Beast King): The Complete Series Overview

JYU-OH-SEI PLANET/BEAST KING COMP SERIES (DVD)

Jyu-Oh-Sei (Planet of the Beast King): The Complete Series Specifications

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Star Wars Halloween Costume Ideas

Each of our traditional ceremonies was developed by our ancestors to enjoy our life to the fullest. Halloween is one among the ancient traditions, with which you can live your dreams, at least for a few moments in your life in your favorite Star Wars Halloween costume dressed. While you can get to satisfy your needs, you should be in the choice of costume that is not only great pleasure that I could, but cautious on each of your familyand friends.

Are you looking for a fascinating costume to lure everyone around you in this Halloween celebration? Try the characters of an unparalleled epic fantasy, Star Wars, which can never be defeated! Braid hair and dress in "Star Wars Princess Leia Slave Adult Costume and surprise everyone with the creatively designed replica of the Star Wars heroine and fulfill your dreams of Star Wars. Science fiction has always been extremelyplease, enjoy this Halloween as a Star Wars Halloween costume character from the earlier Star Wars movies or the latest Clone Wars movie.

All Star Wars films have their own unique characters. If you want to sparkle in a Star Wars costume here are some of the best decisions for both children and adults, such as Star Wars Animated Clone Trooper Leader Rex Child Costume, the classic character and ultimate hero Luke Skywalker Deluxe Child Costume, Amidala Jumpsuit AdultCostume, Darth Vader Standard Child Costume, Jedi Knight Adult Costume, and much more. With your Star Wars costumes to take advantage of the ubiquitous power of your imagination and rise to the status of these supernatural beings.

Well, where to find the best solution for you and your children? When it comes to shopping for an innovatively designed Star Wars Halloween costume, the world of the Internet, providing you with fantastic varieties of Halloween outfits. The great advantage ofBuying a Star Wars Halloween costume online is the comparability of prices and the quality of different providers. You have better chances of buying quality costumes at affordable prices.

Dramatically increase a little attention to the food, the furnishings and the like could be the fun in your Halloween party. See to it that correspond to your drinks with the Star Wars theme, so you could enjoy your costume and party guests in luxury and style. Although the saying goes, a task is a good starthalf out, ending the party in a professional manner is more important than all the care you had to take a smooth execution.

While it may issue a one-time it could have been an everlasting impact on your day. The greatest attractions is the fact that you cherish will never forget the moments that you enjoy, if you look at your pictures years ago with your Star Wars Halloween costume included!

Spectres of the Spectrum

Spectres of the Spectrum Review

This is a colourful and original attempt to present the history of the development of mass communication in the twentieth century as a series of competing narratives.

There are two basic threads. The first is a comically paranoid, alternative "history" of the development of mass media, weaved out of footage of real twentieth century events. It's very well done, mining imagery from hundreds of old movies, airforce footage, cheesy old 50's science programs, and is also amusingly outrageous. I have to credit Baldwin for working the relationship between rocket pioneer Jack Parsons and L. Ron Hubbard into the story, which, despite appearing in the fantasy part, is almost entirely true!

The second thread consists of interviews with serious commentators, or "activists", as they tend to describe themselves, who provide insights into the real development of the communications industry. This is also illlustrated by archival footage but in this case the clips often playfully or ironically underline the narratives of the commentators.

There are two criticisms I'd make, though.

The first part is somewhat let down by average script writing and very amateurish acting. I found the acting in particular quite grating at first, although I found that eventually I could accept it as part of the joke, in an Ed Woodish sort of way.

The second half is rather too bogged down with the commentators, who tend to overstate their own importance. Beyond some interesting facts about the relationship between early media experiments and mysticism, most of what they say tends to be fairly conventional, and was familiar territory, at least for me. And other than the observation that owners of communications companies have lots of power and money, and like having even more power and money, they don't have many insights of any real originality to contribute, and seem hamstrung by the lack of any coherent theoretical perspectives.

Perhaps one interesting point is that some of the schemes of pioneers like Tesla now strike us as just as bizarre as the fictional strand presented by the film. Indeed, in the case of Tesla, the fictional and real narratives come dangerously close to overlapping.

So overall, despite the film's eagerness to represent itself as an exercise in culture jamming, the final effect is ultimately rather benign.

All the same, it's well conceived and executed, is a lot of fun, and well worth watching.

Spectres of the Spectrum Feature

Spectres of the Spectrum Overview

Agitprop genius Craig Baldwin, director of TRIBULATION 99 and SONIC OUTLAWS, returns with his grandest work to date! SPECTRES OF THE SPECTRUM plunders Baldwin's treasure trove of early television shows, industrial and educational films, Hollywood movies, advertisements and cartoons, combining these with live-action footage, no-budget special effects, and relentless narration to generate a wholly original paranoid science-fiction epic.

Spectres of the Spectrum Specifications

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The Vampire Bat

Who is the vampire's best friend?

The vampire bat, of course!

Every time a vampire in the movies, he is surrounded by small furry companions to accompany him on his nocturnal depredations. When a vampire must make a quick exit, he often turns into one of these weird creatures. But what is a vampire, and they suck blood from unwilling host? Are they evil creatures, hiding in dark caves and castles? Surprising how little scientistsasked that they find their bloodthirsty habits may be helpful to mankind.

Picture a creature with a small head, shining black eyes, and a squashed nose, almost like a pig's snout. The animal has big ears to help rounded and sharp cutting teeth a overbite. It has a wingspan of eight inches, with a soft, brown furry body the size of the thumb of a person. It weighs about three ounces. It is obvious from the long name Desmodonitidae rotundus, but rather be calledthrough their everyday name, the Common Vampire Bat.

The Common Vampire Bat lives in Central and South America, along with their cousins, the White-Winged Vampire Bat and the Hairy-Legged Vampire Bat. The common vampire bat is the only one that loves to eat mammals, birds prefer the other two. They have been at least six to eight million years, with fossil records going back that far.

They love to live in caves, abandoned mines, tree hollows and sometimes abandoned buildings. AsMost bats can see, but use echolocation to find their prey. Living nine years in the wilderness, they have a baby a year, and nest in large family groups, sleeping on his head.

Time to hunt! The young bats will blow out of their caves to cozy evening in search of fat cattle or pigs sleeping in the vicinity of landscape. The vampire bats consume only blood to nourish. They drink about two tablespoons of blood a day, and must drink at least every other day, or they starve to deathDeath.

Ah, a nice big bedroom cow. The vampire bat swoops to break through the back of the cow, and quickly hide the sharp incisors, two small holes (just like Dracula!). The bat then laps the blood in his mouth with his tongue, sucking like nothing more than sloppy. Imagine your pet cat lapping at a bowl of milk.

Special anticoagulants to prevent, or chemicals that help the clotting vampire bat drink enough blood before the blood of the animal dries out, likea mosquito. The bat also has a "stunning" Agent to be eating from waking up and starting to take hold!

Scientists study the anticoagulant in the vampire bat and have a drug has a "Draculin in anticoagulation for heart patients aid. Other scientists are helping with the links to stroke patients limit the effects of blood clots in the brain.

Unfortunately, the vampire is as a nuisance because the bat population has grown tremendously since tropicalForests have been reduced to allow more grazing land for their cattle. With the addition of more livestock were more bats. Ranchers kill bats in large numbers, along with insect-eating bats.

Dracula's best friend, his good friend of humanity in the scientific community to help fight heart attacks and strokes. I hope people can be, brought up to the true nature of the little bat and not continue to kill a helpful beings from ignorance and superstition.

Here's to theVampire, and all the creatures that go bump in the night!

Mothra vs. Godzilla

Mothra vs. Godzilla Review

Mothra vs. Godzilla is one of the best Godzilla films ever. The bright colors, the excellent special effects, the monster action, and a basic, yet interesting plot all come together and make this movie what it is. This movie is just pure fun for any fan of giant monsters and/or old-school sci-fi flicks. This movie is also a lot less campy than the future films in the series. As a sci-fi film, it's four stars, but among Godzilla films, it's easily five.

If you're already a Godzilla fan, don't hesitate to pick this up as soon as you can!

Mothra vs. Godzilla Feature

Mothra vs. Godzilla Overview

This classic science fiction epic pits the fire-breathing monster Godzilla against a giant webspinning moth. Two mysterious tiny twin girls hold the secret to the control of the destructive insect which nearly destroys Japan.

Mothra vs. Godzilla Specifications

More visually splendid and imaginatively written than the other Godzilla sequels, this (the fourth in the series) starts when Mothra's gigantic egg washes ashore in Japan, having been dislodged from Mothra Island by a hurricane. Two tiny twin girls (sometimes singing like dual-diminutive Dorothy Lamours) from the island come to plead for the return of the egg by the greedy business guys who bought it for a tourist attraction, but to no avail. Radiation from nuclear testing revives Godzilla from the earth, who proceeds to threaten the egg and the cities, unless Mothra and his larvae hatched from the egg can stop him. The battle sequences between Mothra and Godzilla, and between Godzilla and the larvae, are spectacularly vivid and colorful. The DVD gives you a choice of cropped-frame or letterboxed in terrific Tohoscope, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround or Mono, and some more extras. Oddly, the DVD contains no time code, so you never know how far into the movie you are at any given point. It is also available in a boxed set with four of the other best Godzilla flicks by director Inoshiro Honda. --Jim Gay

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Godzilla: King of the Monsters

Godzilla: King of the Monsters Review

When I was my nephews age I enjoyed Godzilla very much. Now that I am much older and this movie is much older too (at least 30 years ago) I was very very surprised that my nephew gave this movie 4 STARS when I asked him how many he would give it. When a movie like Godzilla can still touch my nephew soul just as the way it touched my soul as well as my brothers soul when we were his age this is truly how to define a movie a CLASSIC :)

Godzilla: King of the Monsters Feature

Godzilla: King of the Monsters Overview

The testing of nuclear weapons in the Pacific Ocean triggers the awakening of a dreadful 400-foot-tall fire-breathing prehistoric lizard who commences to wreak havoc on the city of Tokyo. The original Japanese version of GODZILLA without the Americanized addition of Raymond Burr.Run Time: 78 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: NR UPC: 796019797856 Manufacturer No: LVD54623

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Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition)

Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition) Review

back in the 70's i had to kill a couple of hours before work.i wandered into white flint mall in rockville md,and walked into the original star wars the day it opened.i was one of three in the theater.
this was a gift for a young man.it is what a movie should be.we care about the good guys.many years later.

Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition) Feature

• For the first time ever and for a limited time only, the enhanced versions of the Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi will be available individually on DVD. Plus, these 2-Disc DVD's will feature a bonus disc that includes, for the first time ever on DVD, the original films as seen in theaters in 1977, 1980

Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition) Overview

For the first time ever and for a limited time only the enhanced versions of the Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi will be available individually on DVD. Plus these 2-Disc DVD's will feature a bonus disc that includes for the first time ever on DVD the original films as seen in theaters in 1977 1980 and 1983.System Requirements:Running Time: 135 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: SCI-FI/FANTASY Rating: PG UPC: 024543263937 Manufacturer No: 2236393

Star Wars Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983 & 2004 Versions, 2-Disc Widescreen Edition) Specifications

The 2006 limited-edition two-disc release of Return of the Jedi is not only the first time the movie has been officially available by itself on DVD. It marks the first-ever DVD release of Jedi as it originally played in theaters in 1983. What does that mean exactly? The film is without the various "improvements" and enhancements George Lucas added for the theatrical rerelease in 1997 as well as the DVD premiere in 2004. So Sebastian Shaw reclaims his spot as the man behind Darth Vader's mask, and we don't see the otherworldly celebration (including the Gungans) at the end of the movie.

What do you lose by watching the 1983 version? Dolby Digital 5.1 EX sound, for one thing (only 2.0 Surround here), and digital cleanup. But for home-theater owners, the biggest frustration will be from the non-anamorphic picture. On a widescreen TV, an anamorphically enhanced (16x9) picture at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio will fill the screen with the exception of small black bars on the top and bottom. The original edition of Jedi, however, on a widescreen TV will have large black bars on the top, the bottom, and the sides unless you stretch the picture (and distort it in the process, especially considering the substandard picture quality). If you're watching on a standard square-shaped (4:3) TV, though, you won't notice a difference.

Yes, it's true that serious home-theater lovers who want spectacular sound and anamorphically enhanced picture can always watch the 2004 version of the movie also included in this set. But chances are good that they already picked up the trilogy edition of all three films, so their decision to buy the 2006 two-disc edition depends on how much they want the original film. The official LucasFilm stance is that this is an individual release of the 2004 version of Return of the Jedi, and the 1983 version of the film is merely a "bonus feature." Common speculation is that the only reason the original versions are seeing the official light of day at all is to undercut the booming black market for the laserdisc version. Star Wars fans will have to decide for themselves if that's worth the purchase. --David Horiuchi

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