Viral Video Friday: Animated Games of Thrones Opening

gamesofthroneanimationA tribute to HBO’s Games of Thrones, animation students at Atelier de Sevres do a great job with an animated credit opening.  A big thumbs to Mathilde Loubes, Jory Bertrand, Alison Dulou and Ramin Djawadi.

http://vimeo.com/67200324

For more info, go to:  Vimeo – Games of Thrones Opening.

FOLK GUITAR: One man band talent – Shakey Graves

Shakey Graves - RetrendersI love classic Folk Guitar music, but there’s nothing better when it’s mixed with original creative pop riffs, smooth vocals and an entertaining way to play. I should have blogged this video awhile back when I was personally surfing for the latest Folk jams and stumbled across-ed it. Here’s Shakey Graves performing at the SXSW Utopia Session with his song Dusty Lion.

Viral Video Friday: LEGO Microfighters Animation!

lego microfightersLEGO presents their Star Wars Microfighters line-up with this Microfighters Animation.  I want them all!

The most looked forward to Indie Game for 2014

The Witness - Jonathan Blow - RetrendersOne of the most looked forward to Indie Game for 2014 is The Witness, created by Jonathan Blow, who also created the popular game, Braid, a game based on the simplicity, the innocence and the motivation of an teen-adult life in the magical realm of forces and struggles. Hence, life isn’t simple, but it’s attainable when you search and struggle for it. Jonathan rendered the nature of life in Braid , but what to expect from The Witness and what will it’s theme really mean overall – we hope to find out soon from players, reviewers and the creator himself. Here’s a snippet interview from Game Life WIRED

Click here for the list of most looked forward Indie Games for 2014

STAR TREK – Phase II web series continues the original “five year mission”

Created by EmbellishFor those of us that don’t know, there are Star Trek fans of the original 1966 series that have chosen to boldly re-create and go where a fan must go in order to fulfill the five year mission that the original series never completed for the final frontier. The original series was cut short of two years and Star Trek fan, James Cawley, founder of Retro Film Studios, has produced episodes as if the show hadn’t been cancelled!

Star Trek Phase II (formerly known as Star Trek: New Voyages)  Click here   Star Trek New Voyages   to go to the website

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=419hNYe2OaY&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLzimpQyaZ8ZD-gS1S_dLGE4MrN-0K2tTT

 

Pixel Pancho: Murals of the Robot Future

Art about robots is art about our future culture as artist, Pixel Pancho, conveys humanity emotionally interconnected and intermixed with androids and pop icons. Retrenders - Pixel Pancho

As with any art like the classics of Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci to Mexican mural artists such as Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros, we can see the glorification of humanity in all its elements of beauty, love, chaos, destruction and yes, even the propaganda – that art leaves you to think and feel your own thoughts of what is the meaning of this?

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Welcome to Cobra Island! Cobra La La Laaaa!

cobra rap songHere’s a neat little fan film music video for G.I. Joe enemies Cobra.  Artist Wordburglar raps all things Cobra with “Rap Viper (Welcome to Cobra Island)”.  I liked the fact that Cobra Commander is the DJ mixmaster.

 

Future Flicks: Cold Comes The Night

CCTN_poster_Chloe_HD for webDirector and co-writer Tze Chun does his own PR by drawing posters for his film Cold Comes The Night (Sony/Goldwyn).  The film stars Alice Eve (Star Trek Into Darkness), Logan Marshall-Green (Prometheus) and Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad).  The film opens January 10, 2014 in theaters.  Tze draws and paints 4 different posters that look really cool.

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Mighty Morphin’ Madness – 98 DVDs!

power rangers 00Are you a Power Rangers fan?  Check out this amazing Power Ranger DVD collection – 98 DVDs that contain 767 episodes – the Shout Factory! Power Rangers Legacy: The First 20 Seasons.

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Viral Video Friday: Animated Fun

star warsWhat if Star Wars had a 80’s-style cartoon feel?  Well, this is it by Nacho Punch – the Star Wars:  The Lost 1980’s Anime:

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Cosplay model YAYA HAN at NYCC

Ramen and a Half’s Jonelle Marie interviews pioneering cosplayer model – Yaya Han, at New York Comic-Con.

Retrenders - Cosplay model Yaya Han - Ramen

Cosplay Model – Yaya Han

Back then when the term “Cosplay” was unheard of – Yaya Han and very few alike, simply loved the art of creating costumes of super heroes, villains, and not to mention fantasy and science fiction characters in between. The art of what became Cosplay for them was simply how convincing, how imaginative, and how ornately detailed their costume design can be from make-up to inseam.

Yaya Han : www.yayahan.com   facebook/yayahan   yayahan.bigcartel 

Viral Video Friday: 850 Meters Animation

knightIf you have some spare in your cubicle today, check out this animated short film about a wacky knight trying to save a princess, but the jokes on him in the end.

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Viral Video Friday: Oru Burus

oru burus coverThis cool animation turns out to be a graduation project by Anton Brand, Guillaume Klein, Charlotte Quillet and Raphaël Théolade.  It’s about a king who loses control of the sun and smashes a train into his eyeballs.

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Welcome to NINJA NEW YORK

While we enjoyed NYCC by day we ended up dining at NINJA NEW YORK by night.

Ninja New York Restaurant -RetrendersOur host of Ramen’s other Half, Jonelle Marie, shares her first impression of fine dining in Tribeca’s one-of-a-kind Ninja New York Restaurant!
While there, we were looking for that secret door – you know, the one you would open and discover the artistry of Ninja acrobatic sword fighting and trickery like a James Bond flick, but it was impossible.  The place was a maze and when we asked to take us to your leader, they sent us numerous of Ninja PR henchmen to divert us from straight answers about what laid behind the echoing walls of their zigzagging cave-like paths that only Batman would appreciate. Though mystified by their stories, we had one of the most entertaining dining night outs I’ve had in a long time.

I would have to say Ninja New York is one of the most entertaining and delightful places to dine if you’re looking for fun and hearty authentic Japanese cuisine food. And you’re almost guaranteed not to have a dull moment from your first step in and out of this place!

Take FLIGHT. with sneakers

flightIt’s late at night, a young man wandering in the streets finds a pair of magical sneakers on the streets.

Plush Lamb Toys Crying for Help

banksyUK-based street artist and political activist Banksy always has something to say and point out.  Check this short clip out:

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Sights, Sounds and Music Thru Tokyo

japanTake in the sights and visuals of Tokyo with music and sounds remixed by musician and video artist Kutiman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QekSE3NBf7s

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SPOTLIGHT: Central Valley Lowrider Car Show in Lindsay CA

Retrenders Spotlight - Lindsay Lowrider Car Show - Ruben Gonzalez & Danny De La PazRetrenders Spotlight - Lowrider Car Show - ChevroletThe Central Valley is well known for putting on the best of Lowrider Car shows and this one took place in Lindsay, California. Here you can meet the pioneer and founder of Lowrider Magazine himself, Sonny Madrid, and actor Danny De La Paz, who starred in films American Me and Boulevard Nights. His most recent film is “Kill Kapone“. I was only able to catch Danny as he was having a conversation with Lindsay’s Lowrider Car Show Promoter, Ruben Gonzalez.

The Lowrider Car Show proudly brought together a floor full of classic to modern Lowrider vehicles showcased at McDermont Field House & Sports Center in Lindsay, California. We talked to Sal Sierra about his 1936 Pick-up Truck along with a few other Lowrider and aficionados themselves: Roy Tolentino, Alfred & Mary Torrez, and Yoli Preciado. Even the Mayor of Lindsay, Ramona Padilla, had a few words to say about the car show.

Some of the car clubs that could be found at the show were: Lindsay’s Finest, Nuestro Pride, Nuestro Estilo, Rollerz Only, and Brown Effects.

FILMED: Short Doc / Magazine Style (Shot on the Fly)

Produced & Edited by Johnny Moreno.

I apologize for those that I was unable to film and interview. Telling everything about Lowriders definitely needs an in depth – present to historical visit about Lowrider culture and the people that are involved and making a difference. This video is simply a taste about the Lowrider world.

Viral Video Friday: The Mega Plush Part 1

megaplushThis is not family friendly The Care Bears, it’s The Mega Plush fighting evil in a dark city against chimps who call themselves the Society of Chimps (SOC).  Four plush bears – Mega Bear, Mega Tiger, Mega Elephant and Mega Gorilla will dole out their vigilante justice.

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The Big Wow! Comicfest Wrap-Up!

Retrenders - Eddie Ballar & Ramon Angel - Johnny MorenoYes, it was a long weekend for the Ramen crew, but here is an “End-All” rundown on what “The Eddie” and Ramon have accomplished at Big Wow Comicfest. And not to mention, being a bit silly and fatigued from a long adventurous weekend.

Hosts: Eddie Ballar and Ramon Angel
Producer: Johnny Moreno
Executive Producer: Stephen Jang

From BIG WOW! Comicfest: Ivy Doomkitty, Cosplayers and we finally get our comics autographed by Stan Lee!

The “Eddie” and Ramon have made it to the end of the line – sort of like coming to the end of the yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz, but here at Big Wow! Comicfest, we’ve come to the end to meet Stan Lee!Retrenders - Ivy Doomkitty and Black Cat & Wolverine Cosplayers - Johnny MorenoWe also get to talk to a couple more cosplayers, three girls promoting Castle Corsetry and a local comic artist, and we interview Ivy Doomkitty to find out about her role at Big Wow! Comicfest.

Fan Film: The Dark Knight Legacy

red hoodRed Hood on film!  Well, this is a fan-made film, but it’s pretty darn entertaining.  If you’re a fan of DC Comics’ Batman universe you will probably enjoy watching this short directed by Brett Register.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmLXTFWgX2s

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From Big Wow Comicfest : Toshio Maeda (前田俊夫) – Famous Japanese Comic Artist

“The Eddie” was able to get a brief interview with Japan’s famous adult manga (comic) artist or Hentai (perverted) comic artists, Toshida Maeda.  Click on his name to view his website.Retrenders - Toshio Maeda - Japanese Manga Comic Artist - Johnny MorenoHe’s very well known and we feel pretty lucky have interviewed him. His comics may be for adult eyes only, but he definitely has solid good advice for anyone – including young artists wanting to get into comics and make it as a career.

Interview with Voice Actor – Darrel Guilbeau

The Ramen Crew caught up with Darrel Guilbeau at FanimeCon for a one on one interview on voice acting for Anime.  Retrenders - Johnny Moreno - voice actor Darrel GuilbeauHe has been a voice actor for several anime series such as Durarara!, Nura, and even video games, and continues to take on new projects. The Ramen crew completely sees Darrel doing just about anything – not just anime, but television comedy to film. He’s completely down to earth and has a kid-around personality.

Recorded May 25th 2013 at FanimeCon.
Host, The “Eddie” Ballar with Co-host, Reyson Sioson.
Produced by Johnny Moreno.

K-Picks: Crayon Pop 크레용팝 빠빠빠 (Bar Bar Bar)

crayon pop bar bar barAccording to my friend in South Korea, this is the latest and hottest girl group on the Kpop charts – Crayon Pop with “Bar Bar Bar”!  The song went viral and straight to Number 1 on the Kpop Billboard charts.  The 5 members are:  Baek Bo-Ram, Kim Min-Young, Heo Min-Jin, Heo Min-Seon, Park Hye-Kyeong and Sekine Arisa.

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