Cyborg: Death Machine was Directed by the MASE BROTHERS and dubbed in English, C:DM is an obvious and well-made short film that pays homage to the Action movies and Science-Fiction films of the 1980’s and 90’s. Taking inspiration from films such as The Terminator, Cyborg, Hardware, NEMESIS and even video games like Contra and Aliens vs Predator, there’s plenty of references all throughout this film.

Set in a dystopian future where machines have risen to oppress and exterminate mankind; armies of cyborgs created by the Magnatron Corp. seek out and destroy any and all humans left to starve in the ashes of the fallen civilization that was modern life.

I feel like this is the live-action CONTRA movie that I always wanted. And definitely a better Terminator film that the last few Terminator sequels could attempt to be.

From the start the film sets the tempo and atmosphere for this dark future straight out of a James Cameron film. The soundtrack was composed by Meteor and Pixions and is very, very, good at capturing that dread that should weigh down a story setting like this. I can only compare it to the composer that inspired this project; the composer of the original Terminator – Brad Fiedel.

Our hero is Alex Rayne, a militant cook (Under Siege reference) living in the wastelands accompanied by his friend and A.I. “Barry”. Barry is the heart of most of the humor sprinkled here and there and the overall humor was well executed giving needed counter-weight and balance with the violence.  Both Chef and A.I. are hunted by a lone cyborg sent by Magnatron. They eventually link up with members of the resistance for one last strike against the machine hordes. The cyborgs are basically Terminators with a dash of the Jin-Roh military police from the Kereboros saga. For a better comparison, go and watch Mamoru Oshii’s Kereboros films like Jin-Roh, Stray Dogs and the Red Spectacles as well as the manga that inspired them all.

The film is an English dub over the original language but, I have to say I really like the voice over acting. It complements the dialogue that thuds along like a Kojima script for MGS. The storyline is sufficient being that this is a short film that carries the impending doom of an M.D.GEIST OVA.

I loved the gameplay footage from the Robocop vs Terminator video game. Robocop vs Terminator is probably Frank Millers most underrated graphic novel, in my opinion.

The cinematography was actually well done and the set pieces were well done. Although some of the daytime scenes did pull me out of the overall mood and feel of the film. Luckily, those were few and in-between. The visual effects were good for a low-budget fan film. The action scenes were really good. The fights were well choreographed and the gore was satiating. There was no shaky camera and only one slow-motion sequence. And “Oh boy”, does the film close out with a banger. The last action scenes are just retro-perfection when the film transitions into a side-scrolling video game and then a Robot Jox type stop motion animation climax.

I highly recommend this film. Now streaming on NRW TV and on the MASE BROTHERS  Youtube channel.

And did I mention there’s a friggin’ post-credit scene?

Three thumbs up!!

Stay safe, stay away from Mega Corporations and their A.I.
And Keep your fingers on that Rewind Button.

I am very pleased to see that this film is doing well in theaters and overseas. I remember there not being that much hype for this film when the trailers dropped. In fact, we are still living in the wastelands of Disney superhero films dominating the cinemas, so I wasn’t surprised when I mentioned this film and got the “Oh yeah, that movie”. My coworker even complained about there being no post-credit scene which was followed by my obvious reply of, “What are you a jagoff?”. Laugh a little. It’s a good time.

Post-credit scene or not, this is a fun film. It’s without a doubt a beautiful movie; absolutely worth 3D. James Cameron has finally given us his long in developmental limbo adaptation of ALITA. Thank goodness this film was released now and not back in the 90’s with his first choice for the starring role “Jessica Alba”; the horror.

Now I was initially skeptical about Robert Rodriguez directing; yeah, yeah, I know he directed SIN CITY but, he also directed SharkBoy and the Machete films. However, R.R. is a big nerd and he loves anime as much as he does Frank Milller so, him helming a film around a James Cameron script shouldn’t and isn’t a complete disaster. Everything thing was laid our for him to just get the job done. And in all honesty, James Cameron has made millions from making movies off of other creators properties (whether they know it our not) making James Cameron the king of the adaptation. All dem things stewed deliciously together into a pretty, beautiful and glittery film.

The film if not entertaining is a testament to the skill and talent of WETA Digital as digital effects, motion capture technology and live action acting come together and form the voltron of anime films. If anyone says this film is just James Cameron flexing his film technology muscles at audiences should be smacked with their own copies of AVATAR. Because, Avatar although good looking was a shallow attempt to WOW film goers with digital effects and color slapped on-top of a Dances with Fern Gully remake. Alita is a better film than Avatar.

The casting was very well designed. Rosa Salazar. Rosa Salazar has been on my “I’d fall in love with” list since I saw her in that really terrible CHIPS remake and I was like “Oh My”. She doesn’t change the world but she absolutely gets the job done in her performance here. I’m a fan.

The film speeds through it’s 122 minutes rather fast. There’s a lot of story and relationships to evolve in such a short time and the main relationship is rushed in a way that many have already seen as a bit problematic.

I won’t compare this to the original anime or manga. I’m just calling it as it is. The film is not reinventing the wheel but, it’s very well made and entertaining. I’d recommend taking your daughters to see it. ALITA is probably the first successful live action we’ve had in movie theaters. Definitely more successful than the recent Ghost in the Shell live action film that I actually liked. I liked the Ghost in the Shell film in spite of all you wet tissue weeping numb-nuts that were out bashing that film.

I may not be sure if ALITA: Battle Angel is the dawning of the Great wave of live action anime adaptations but, I do know that this is another cool chapter in a resurgence of cyberpunk. And Cyberpunk is the future-present.

Go see ALITA.
Directed by Robert Rodriguez, written by James Cameron and Laeta Kalogridis. Produced by Cameron and Jon Landau. Rosa Salazar stars as the titular Alita, a cyborg who sets out to learn about her past after she awakens in a new body with no memory of who she is. Christoph Waltz, Jennifer Connelly, Mahershala Ali, Ed Skrein, Jackie Earle Haley and Keean Johnson.

kEEP your CYBERnetics in check and your analog dials on the REWIND button.

Ryan Gosling in Blade Runner 2049 in association with Columbia Pictures, domestic distribution by Warner Bros. Pictures and international distribution by Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Now news has surfaced via CBR.com that London based publishing company Titan will be co-publishing with Alcon Media a BLADE RUNNER comic book set in-canon with both Blade Runner films. That means that the drama taking place on the page will be happening in the same universe as Deckard and K.

“In partnering with the exceptional Titan Comics and Titan Books,” Kosove and Johnson said, “we’re confident that the world of Blade Runner will continue to organically grow in a way that refuses to sacrifice the quality, tone and high standards of this beloved property.”

Landau and Cheung added:

“We are extremely excited to be publishing Blade Runner comics and illustrated books. The Blade Runner universe has barely been explored; there is so much more there. It’s an honour to be bringing this world to life in new ways for a new audience — and to reveal tales from that universe that you’ve never seen before.”
– Titan’s co-founders, Nick Landau and Vivian Cheung.

That quote was from a statement made with Alcon co-founders and co-CEOs Broderick Johnson and Andrew Kosove. They also mentioned that the companies are set to develop a mix of Blade Runner comics, as well as a “a variety of publications focused on the visual and technical sides of the production process.”

I’m nowhere near on the moon but, my excitement is in the red. I just hope for a good team of creators to sign up for the project and deliver. It’s a good time on the horizon for people that relish in the HI-TECH, LOW LIFE aesthetic and pessimism of technology putting the polish on this turd of civilization while the concrete jungles of the world are crumbling around the sheep surrounded by hungry wolves.

Keep your head up. Keep your fingers on that rewind button.