Book Review: THE RING COMPANION by Denis Meikle

There are good horror films and then there is phenomenon known as Ringu (or more commonly known as The Ring in the US).  What started as a trilogy of novels by Koji Suzuki (i.e. Ringu, Spiral, and Loop) became a Japanese television surprise hit and then the series of feature films (both based on the original first two novels and an extension of the original film) before becoming the Korean hit The Ring Virus and the American version The Ring (and its sequel The Ring Two).  Denis Meikle delves into all aspects of the Ring phenomenon in his book The Ring Companion.

Meikle’s book is not just a breakdown of all the films that are associated with the Ring phenomenon but his book also delves into its place in the larger spectrum of Japan’s history in horror cinema most importantly in the way in which Suzuki’s novel changed the face of the  wronged woman who returns to seek vengeance for her death (and birth of the long black haired ghost made famous in the first theatrical film).

For those who did not know there are two Ring television series (Ring: The Complete Edition, Ring: The Final Chapter), three Japanese theatrical films (Ringu, Ringu 2, Ringu 0: Birthday), the Korean remake – The Ring Virus, two American films – The Ring and The Ring Two, and the two films based on the sequel novel Spiral (Rasen and the television version of Rasen).  The films have grossed over $200 million worldwide and jump started the American remake of Asian films which continues to this day.

Meikle’s book is most effective when it draws parallels from past films and novels while delving into what made Suzuki write the book in the first place.  In fact, Meikle spends the majority of the first third of the book explaining the history of Japanese horror cinema (and its most influential films) in order to put the success of the Ring franchise in perspective for the reader.  For those who love the Ring films this book will be an eye opener as Meikle puts all the films into perspective as well as takes each of them apart both for the good and the bad.

Book Review: SPEED RACER: THE OFFICIAL 30TH ANNIVERSARY GUIDE by Elizabeth Moran

Originally known as Mach Go Go Go in its native Japan, the animation known as Speed Racer became a cultural phenomenon when it made its way to US television sets in 1967.  Despite only having 52 original episodes its stayed in the public consciousness for decades until being unearthed again in the ‘90s and becoming a cult phenomenon.  In her book Speed Racer: The Official 30^th Anniversary Guide, Elizabeth Moran delves into the history and the cultural significance of Speed Racer and how it would influence the anime explosion of the ‘90s.

Moran’s book is a treasure trove of information on the animated series.  It breaks down all 52 episodes of the series while also going to more technical aspects of the show (mostly from the American version perspective) such as interviews with the American voice actors and how they were picked for the show and the technical specs for Speed Racer’s Mach 5 vehicle as well, among other things.  The book is well researched and instrumental for fans of the series.

Even if you are not familiar with the original series itself Moran also delves into the ancillary markets that the character was used in such as the NOW! Comics ‘90s comic book series (and its spin-off series and reprints of the original Japanese manga) and the NASCAR commercials of ’96.  Moran also gives a little background on the animated film The Speed Racer Show (1993), which is three of the original episodes edited together but had a huge impact on resurrecting the character into the consciousness of audiences throughout the ‘90s.  The book ends by examining the Americanized The New Adventures of Speed Racer (1993).  Since the book was published in ’97 it does not touch upon the more recent animated series Speed Racer: The Next Generation nor the live action big screen film from the Wachowski Bros. (allow Moran does indicate that the live action film has been in development for a very long time).

Speed Racer has been instrumental to spreading anime to American audiences and for many it was the first animated series from Japan that they experienced.  Moran’s book is an excellent way to look back at the series or to learn about it for the very first time.  For more info on Speed Racer visit the Official Speed Racer website at www.speedracer.com

Web Series Review: "NYPD M"

Over the last few months I’ve watched several different web series to understand the medium and the many different ways in which it can and has been used.  There does not seem to be any one right way or wrong way to produce a web series which is where the web series “NYPD M” comes in.  This series is created by Hal Jordan and concerns two police detectives Anderson (Janelle Giumarra) and her new vampire partner Grimm (Jilon Vanover) whose cases ire on the side of the more supernatural.  This being said the premise is very much like The X-Files or Forever Knight or more recently the short lived Moonlight.

What the series excels in is the better than average production design, cinematography, and art direction.  What the series lacks is interesting characters and an engaging mystery and villain.  Because each episode of the series averages 5 minutes very little time is spent on characterizations or the case itself.  The entire first series (8 episodes) comes off as one single pilot episode broken up into 7 bits and because the final episode is also only 5 minutes long the series’ story wraps up too fast and is very anticlimactic.   This is where I believe that many web series fail.

It is my belief that the more successful web series may present an ongoing storyline throughout an entire season but each episode is a mini-movie unto itself so enjoying each individual episode is just as exciting as watching the entire season.  If an episode is revealed (or aired) in a timely fashion (i.e. once a week, once a month, etc.) than the anticipation between episodes is so much greater and the enjoyment so much better.  If all the web series is, is a movie broken up into parts then the series will lack the drive of making someone want to wait for each episode when they are released.  This is how I feel about “NYPD M.”  Despite the very well done end product, if I hadn’t been able to watch the whole series at one time, I wouldn’t have bothered coming back for each individual episode because there just wasn’t enough substance for me.

Many web series have gone in the same route as “NYPD M” and I’ve come to the conclusion that these types of series just aren’t making the most of the medium since there were alternative ways to utilize the medium and still tell a more engaging and interesting story.

To watch "NYPD M" go to http://blip.tv/nypdm