Nick booker nicker booker number 9

Alas, the animated awesomeness continues.
Keeping with the dark theme of the past two animated films I wrote about, this little gem looks likely to redefine a few genres. It is called 9. Yep, just 9. And please don’t confuse it with the Daniel-Day Lewis, Nicole Kidman musical of the same name as that would be a grave mistake. 9 is a complex tale about a world parallel to our own where humanity is threatened. A group of sapient rag dolls, living a post-apocalyptic existence find hope in the strength and leadership qualities of one of their own, 9 (voiced by Elijah Wood). The conflicted, but resilient group includes 1 (Christopher Plummer), a domineering war veteran; 2 (Martin Landau), an aged inventor; 5 (John C. Reilly), a stalwart mechanic; 6 (Crispin Glover), a visionary and artist; and 7 (Jennifer Connelly), a brave warrior.

Firstly you must watch the trailer as merely explaining the concept of the film doesn’t do it justice. I have honestly never seen anything like this before and the 2.24 minute trailer blew me away. 9 is directed by Shane Acker who has come from working as an animator on The Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King so he clearly has expertise in the artistic feel and execution of the film. 9 is adapted from a short film of the same name which he also created and scored an Oscar nomination for back in 2005. Clearly some major movers and shakers have recognised his talent and names such as Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov (visionary Russian director behind the Nightwatch series and Wanted) have jumped on board to produce. The only probem is, 9 doesn’t come out in the land of Oz until sometime in late September, early October.
Get your juices going and watch the trailer here.

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Ed Wood October 10, 1924 – December 10, 1978

Okay so I may be a few days late but the important thing is I semi-remembered to write a post commemorating the death of kitsch director Ed Wood. Made famous by Tim Burton’s 1994 biopic of the same name, Ed Wood is widely regarded as the best worst director of all time. Follow me? Basically the concepts of his movies were a tad outrageous considering the time they were made in and are still ridiculous even by today’s standards. For example he wrote a film about a newlywed who was struggling to come to the terms with the fact she was a gorilla in her past life. His writing aside, Wood is better known as a director for such dud-licious classics like Glen or Glenda, Plan 9 from Outer Space, Night of the Ghouls, Bride of the Monster and The Young Marrieds. I mean, how can you not love a director who mid-scene will cut to a shot of a fan simply because he needed a cut away? Hilarious. Born on October 10 1924, Wood passed on December 10 1978 and has left behind legions of fiercely dedicated fans. For example, the University of Southern California holds a yearly `Ed Wood Film Festival’ where students are challenged to form teams to write, film and edit an Ed Wood-inspired short film based on a preassigned theme. A reverend in California created a legally recognised religion with Wood as its official saviour. The Church of Ed Wood has over 3,500 legally baptised followers called Woodites and who celebrate Woodmas on October 10, his birthday (like Christmas). However, cult status and daggy awesomeness aside, Wood’s work is surrealist brilliance which has lived on long after he has passed- for good reason. My favourite Ed Wood quote is as follows:

“If you want to know me, see Glen of Glenda. That’s me, that’s my story, no question. But Plan 9 is my pride and joy. We used Cadillac hubcups for flying saucers in that.”

Empire Online are running a very fitting Ed Wood tribute which you can visit here: http://www.empireonline.com.au/news/story.asp?NID=1000003722

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