Not your ordinary cosplay: Awesome fan-made short films

We’ve seen a lot of popular comics and cartoons these days turned into big budgeted live-action movies by Hollywood. Examples are of course the upcoming movie of the Avengers, Transformers, Superman and a whole lot more. Not anymore strange, since television in the 60’s had been already showing series about the Green Hornet and Batman. Also is a typical scenario in Japan, where the sequence begins with stories in manga form, turned into anime and lastly played in live form by local actors (Death Note, Beck, Sailormoon to name a few).

However, one can find greater delight in watching movies made by hardcore fans themselves. Not just the typical cosplayers on conventions doing a specific scene or portraying their character’s signature moves. I’m talking about fans (or a whole mob of them) who used their talents to create breathtaking independent short films based on their favourite cartoons or games. Watching their works can make you sense their passion and eagerness to bring into life the icons that are part of their lives. Even better, they spark more inspiration to their fellow fans.

I’ve picked out the best independent live action short films uploaded over the Internet. Thanks to YouTube, their works can be seen online and is going viral already, reaching other fans across the globe.



Naruto Shippuden: Dreamer's Fight (created by RivenX3i)

This is video that sparked the interest to write this article. It is just spectacular. At first I thought it was just centered on drama between Rock Lee and Naruto. But after the opening dialogues, and the fighting scene comes in, it just took my breath away. Brilliant martial arts sequence, superb camera angles, and special effects staying true to the anime style. And hey, that Rock Lee actor's really got the moves of Bushy Brows! Since the title says Part 1, expect more Naruto movies from the creators of this one.

Hungry for more? Check out more fan-made videos after the cut!

An interesting story about Mr. Nobody

Mr. Nobody (2009)
Movie Review

What if you have been given the gift to see the future of each life-altering decision before you decide? What if you can experience them all first before picking the right one? For a certain man named Nemo Nobody, it wasn’t a gift he asked for. He never wished for the power to see the future. Like everybody else, he just wanted to love, and live a happy life.

He did get what he wanted, although the life he lived was a tough one. Welcome to the complicated world of Mr. Nobody.

The movie: Mr Nobody is a 2009 science fiction movie by Belgian director Jaco Van Dormael, and features Jared Leto playing the title character. Diane Kruger plays Anna, one of the three love interests of Nemo (and the one he truly loves), along with other actresses Sarah Polley and Linh Dan Pham. The story opens in the year 2092 where we see Mr. Nobody as an 118 year-old man, and the last living ‘mortal’ as all the people in the world have been ‘telomerized’, explained as making a person quasi-immortal and living with ageless beauty. As Nemo is being interviewed by his doctor, and then with a reporter later in the movie, he recounts his life from three major stages in his life: at aged 9, while 16, and at 34 years old, with a non-linear sequence in the movie. As it progresses (and while the watchers of this film go confused at why the events are happening), the main purpose of Nemo’s existence will be revealed. The film also integrates its views on scientific elements like the Big Bang Theory, parallel dimensions, etc and how it is related to Nemo’s life as it ages.

Designers should be Objectified

Objectified movie poster, image from http://www.wired.com

For the past days since starting this Extra Kanin blog, I was trying to write an article that will give our readers the basic definition of industrial design. Many people don’t even know what industrial design is and what the profession is for. We always come across friends and acquaintances back in college asking us what we do, and what makes us different from more popular courses like architecture, interior design and fine arts. From a point of view of an outsider, industrial design is an unknown degree with no solid future. However, for those who practice it, the profession is prestigious.

Just last night, I finished watching this 2009-released documentary about industrial design (much thanks to Nian Suministrado for referring this to me). The movie is entitled Objectified, directed by Gary Hustwit, the same man who created the Helvetica movie (next on my to-watch list). For the people who don’t have a clue, now you will get the chance to better understand the nature of our profession. Objectified is the 90-minute tour to the world of simplicity, common sense, modernism and creativity as ingredients for design.

Flipped: Love As Told From Both Sides

Flipped (2010)

Flipped poster. from www.tribute.ca. 

It all started on their first meeting, when second-grader Julianna Baker instantly fell in love with second-grader Bryce. What comes next was predictable to tell, but after watching both sides of the story, you may want to think over those memories you had in your childhood puppy love years.

Here’s the quick rundown on the story (skip if you have plans on watching the it first): Bryce and his family moves in to a new house in the village, where Julie lives across the street. He felt annoyed on the troublesome girl, but on the girl’s side, it was love at first sight. First time I saw him, I flipped, she said. Right then on, Julie never ceased to express her love for young Bryce. It became her ultimate goal to have that special kiss from her first love. Bryce on the other hand tried everything to keep the girl out of the way. That lasted for the next few years, until Bryce committed some foul mistakes that hurt Julie. Then the story, umm, flipped. Now the boy began going for the girl, and that made little Miss Julianna confused over her feelings. It even made her angrier at some point. There came a moment when the anticipated kiss was almost there, but then it was all wrong timing. Then she walked out away. Then there were tears. Then there was a tree planted in the front yard of the Bakers. They were smiling. End of story. Haha, just go watch the movie. Reserve the sweet feeling and know why you should feel it after watching the flick.