Uwe Boll Postal Screening Vancouver Postal: It wasn't as offensive as I thought it would be.

A screening for Uwe Boll's much talked about 9/11 inspired licensed videogame film Postal, proved that, 1) the movie wasn't as bad as many have said it would be, and 2) the audience loved it, and were quite in support of the director.

Tickets for the screening were made available through various outlets, from local newspapers, websites like movieset.com, and businesses like Videomatica. Taking place at the Granville 7 Empire Cinema, with a Q&A by the director after the screening, the show was pretty packed with movie-goers who dared to see what this film was all about. Surprisingly when I spoke to people in the lineup prior to the show, many weren't angry Boll-haters. I noticed this again inside the theater where people applauded Boll, rather than booing. And cheered, rather than insulting. The Q&A after the show also didn't really have anyone making sarcastic remarks, but were more curious to see his thoughts on things like the Anti-Boll petition, the Michael Bay boxing invitational, and movies he enjoys. In other words, respectful. Being I forgot my camera, I unfortunately wasn't able to document this event in images/video.

Boll thanked everyone once they were seated for taking a chance on his indie film rather than the big Hollywood pictures like Speed Racer, from there the show began... This was the third time this week that I've been to a special screening in the same theater, the first being for the Cop drama Vice, (A movie that Boll was previously interested in during the script stage, but passed on it), then Syd Mead/Blade Runner Lecture, and now Postal with Uwe Boll. It definitely feels like film festival season, even though there is no festival going on.

Let me cut to the chase. Postal is a film that relies on politically incorrect humor, to convey Boll's frustrations with the events surrounding 9/11 -- George Bush, the Taliban, Germans, and organic loving hippie cults. The film opens with an amusing conversation of two middle eastern men piloting a plane, as they talk about the number of virgins they'll received upon their death as martyrs. As you would expect, passengers begin fighting their way into the cockpit, and eventually the plane crashes. This scene pretty much sets the tone for the rest of the film. The humor based on the beliefs of others, and how they go to the extremes to achieve their god given promises. The audience found this opening scene hilarious, and it seemed that Boll's film had an effect on them from the get go.

The story takes place in a small American town (actually filmed here in Vancouver), in which the main character who is down on his luck, can't seem to find a job, so he hatches a plan to make money, by stealing a shipment of penis dolls called "Krotchy". Osama and company express an interest in gaining these dolls too, as they hold little cylindrical containers with Bird Flu. Both camps collide and the movie ends up being a fight for these Krotchy dolls.

Personally I think the humor in the movie isn't anything new, brilliant or revolutionary. (A woman in the theater during the Q&A actually called Postal brilliant, which I beg to differ) Though the film is FUNNY, it ISN'T the greatest piece of cinema ever made, far from it. I've seen skits on various sketch comedy programs, that attempted the same type of gags, and many times they didn't work, but for some reason, Boll's writing got many laughs, which I noticed throughout the film, even when I thought that a lot of the jokes fell flat. I also don't think the so-called 'offensive' material was pushed ENOUGH, and though many weren't spared when it comes to the jokes, there's a lot that could have been said, (and done), that I expected, but never happened. Which has me wondering why 'people', critics who have seen it, are so repulsed by the material. Stuff like this is on American television all the time.

In fact, I've seen cartoons on SNL's TV Funhouse, and Cartoon Network's Adult Swim that are far far better in terms of pushing the envelope, being able to get a laugh out of how wrong the jokes are. Many in the theater compared Postal to South Park, which would be I guess similar in some respects, but if I had to compare Postal to live-action material, the movie would fall somewhere between a strange cross of Joel Schumacher's Falling Down, and Richard Kelly's Southland Tales, (which I enjoyed) but with less famous people. I would draw the comparison even further with the film sharing the same type of violent, stereotyping, satire that the Grand Theft Auto series is known for, and of course, the Postal game aswell. Which I think he was successful in that respect.

Now I know what you're thinking. How could this be? It's Uwe Boll, and most people hate him, for hating on his videogame material. Well, since I've been playing many hours of GTAIV the last few weeks, going into this movie seemed like a seamless transition. It was like watching a live-action GTA in a way. I know I'm gonna get shit for saying that, but I don't care, they are not that dissimilar from each other. A game that broke record sales, with millions of people sitting in front of their TV's doing exactly the same questionable actions that appear in this movie, gamers should at the very least find Postal humorous, and entertaining.

Though, it isn't perfect, and it felt sometimes as if there wasn't anything worth caring about in the movie, not the main characters, no one. I think the movie starts to slow down during the last half of the film, rather than coming to an exciting climax, it becomes a mess of 'stuff happening' on screen that kinda bored me. There's this one scene in particular that involves a massive shootout, and a speech that the main character gives, which seriously irked me, it wasn't funny, just badly done. To top it off there are many shots of female breasts, and nudity if that's the only thing that'll get you to watch the movie.

If anything Boll is successful in making an odd comedy, and perhaps should stick to this type of genre. His next few films though, definitely sound much more serious.

Boll, on feeling like a Black Sheep, and struggling indie filmmaker.

During the Q&A Boll expressed his dislike for Hollywood, and the machine in which movies are made. He mentioned that a few Sony executives saw Postal, and enjoyed it, but turned it down for distribution because they felt "they're demographic wouldn't get it". Boll thinks that the entire Hollywood system is fucked up, when someone like Michael Bay who made such an expensive blockbuster gone wrong (Pearl Harbor) continues to make movies. He also mentioned that Bay's lawyers have stopped him from making Boxing challenges. Boll, also felt sorry for investors of Hollywood films, saying that only people at the top of the chain make money whereas those at the bottom, never really make big bucks from their investments, and used The Lord of the Rings as an example. He had an LA agent for 3 weeks, but then fired him, and prefers to get his films out there himself. Europe also has been unkind to his movie Postal, being unable to secure theaters in UK.

In the end...

I can't argue against a theater packed with people who laughed with the movie, rather than at it. It was a funny movie. Whether it was a good movie, is an entirely different thing. Is the world coming to an end? Maybe. Watch it and you be the judge. That is all.

related: Raging Boll Boxing Match, Signing the Petition?, "They Wait" Horror Film

Syd Mead Visual Futurist at Granville 7 Empire Theater, Vancouver Siggraph

The Future as foretold through the eyes of artist, Syd Mead.

If you haven't heard of Syd Mead, you must not be a fan of science fiction. In fact, you must not be an artist in the filmmaking, animation, or visual effects field. You're probably not even a fan of the movie Blade Runner. And if you are, and you don't know who Syd Mead is, you should be ashamed of yourself.

Last night Syd Mead -- world renowned artist, conceptual designer, and 'visual futurist', whose credits include a long list of futuristic fantasy concept art for film, animation, toys, advertisements, automobiles, restaurants, and bars, came to Vancouver to give a lecture on his career followed by a Q&A and special free screening of Blade Runner: The Final Cut. The event was hosted by Siggraph Vancouver Chapter.

This was definitely a once in a life time opportunity, because it isn't often that Mead visits Vancouver. I believe the last time he was here, was in the 80's. The theater was packed with students, and professionals working in the movie and video game industry. Mead kept his lecture full of energy with witty commentary about his art, dealing with clients, and the stories he creates in each piece. From the vehicles, to the people populating the scenes. He also discussed his process, (before the time of photoshop layers, and compositing images). There was one particular image about Time-Travel capsules, that he used ink on board and by tilting the board in different directions he was able to get a very organic feel. It was a very informative, and inspiring lecture.

Lots of surprises were in store for the audience, including Full Licenses of Softimage XSI Educational edition to all students in attendance.

Thank you Siggraph Vancouver Chapter, Softimage XSI, and the other sponsors, for organizing such a fantastic and inspiring event.

Be sure to sign up for your Siggraph Membership, for discounts to all their events.

Newest Guest Editor on Tomopop, Albert Art! Miku, from Dan Lam's Anime figurine collection, featured on Tomopop.

Another addition to my internet resume...Tomopop.

The folks over at Tomopop,(Destructoid's vinyl toy sister site, published by Modern Method Network) have invited me to participate in their community as a guest editor. That means I come around from time to time with what ever is on my mind about toys, and art and post it on Tomopop.

For my first post, I've plugged a friend of mine whose collection of anime figurines remains one of the most impressive collections that I've ever seen. Though it may not be as big as other collections out there, his collection is definitely quality over quantity. And what an expensive life toy collectors live. With figurines averaging around the 90 dollar and up price range, the value of this collection, is well... valuable.

Tomopop launched back in February, but it has already gained considerable traffic, and content. Send me links to your collections, and maybe you'll appear on Tomopop!

Check it out!

What's your preference, AIM or MSN, Facebook, or Myspace?

Americans really do use America Online?

I might be the only one who has noticed this, but when it comes to the internet, there are certain things that Americans are more likely to use as compared to Canadians, or other citizens of the world. I know that sounds like a generalization, (that's because it is), because I never really took an official survey per se (unless of course you count this post). For example, many people I know who are from the US, use AOL Instant Messenger, AIM. They use it for work, school, and as part of their usual social life. I started out using yahoo messenger which changed when I changed my email address to hotmail, so I started using MSN, but when I began doing freelance writing for various sites in the states, their messenger of choice was AIM. So I had to download AIM as well.

Now I don't know about you, but I prefer to stick to one Instant messenger. Makes life easier without multiple logins, but sometimes it's unavoidable. That's not to say that Americans don't use MSN, it's just that I get the impression that Americans are really into supporting America Online.

The same goes for social-networking sites, in that a couple of my American friends just can't get used to using facebook, and prefer to use Myspace. Which is funny because myspace, is adopting facebook-esque features to their overall design. Canadians are obsessed with Facebook, and MSN. Maybe it's just Vancouver in general, but these are 2 things that people young and old (mostly preteens to 30's) are constantly using in their daily life. Myspace has gained the reputation for being for Teens, and High School students, which is part of the reason why many former myspace users are moving to facebook. Also the over customization of myspace, has got on many nerves, and facebook offers that clean, organized interface.

See more funny videos at CollegeHumor

Here's a funny video (if you haven't seen this already)that I think pretty much sums up the myspace demographic! "18!!!"

So I pose the question, AIM or MSN, Facebook, or Myspace? And Why?

Passed up Speed Racer for "Vice" the Movie, and Liberty City ...

Violent movies, and Violent videogames, Jack Thompson would be proud of me.

So on Friday I caught a special screening for a film called Vice starring Michael Madsen, and Daryl Hannah, about corrupt cops, which featured the usual fare of drugs, hookers, and people getting shot. I passed up Speed Racer for this movie, after hearing about it on Urban Rush. The screening featured a Q&A with the director, producer, and some actors, and based on the trailer, I thought I'd be good. Sadly I was disappointed, and you can read about what thought here. (Besides, I would have been disappointed with the Wachowski siblings Speed Racer anyway, those are some pretty bad reviews on rottentomatoes. I knew it'd be bad, just not THAT bad.)

Vice was however ideal preparation for a little game called GTA IV. I've decided I would give Rockstar my money, in turn for the experience of playing a Serbian immigrant who gets by, by doing the dirty work of Liberty City's crime world. I've criticized Rockstar and GTA in the past, so why'd I pick it up? Hype, the positive reviews, friends, co-workers, and the desire for a gritty open world game for my 360 collection. I've never been big into GTA, never bought any previous GTA's, but I've played them so I knew what to expect. Getting GTA IV doesn't make me a GTA fan of the series either. I like the game, just not enough that I'm jumping out of my seat for it.

So far I've clocked several hours into GTA IV. Killed a bunch of people, cruised around in many cars all over the city, enjoying the radio stations, gone on many dates with Michelle, and random encounters with women on the street who have offered their "services". I've been to the Cabaret, Strip Clubs, and have even gone gun shopping. GTA IV isn't just about that though. It's about living the life of this guy who comes from a shady past, who is flung into a world that he can't really avoid. How you play Niko is entirely up to you, but there are some things that are a given to the characters persona. He definitely likes those lap dances, especially after a difficult mission.

I think what works for me the most in GTA IV are the games storyline, dialogue and voice-over, which are really well done, and if it wasn't a videogame, surly it would be a movie. I especially like the dynamic between all the characters, because you really get an idea of their personalities, and the cinematic feel throughout the game is great. The pretty graphics come second, making for an immersive and atmospheric experience as expected, (though I think EA's Skate has some pretty impressive open-world environments too). Sadly I can't say the same positive things about the animation/motion-capture in GTA IV and Rockstar games in general. (View video to see what I mean).

AHHAHAHAAH! SNL got it right.

Things that bother me include the combat system which is pretty basic, whether hand-to-hand, or targeting, and shooting, combat can feel too slow, and stiff, but that's just me. On the other hand I find the driving mechanics to be enjoyable for each vehicle, except for that fast little motorcycle, which is a bitch to handle.

The missions have been pretty good so far, some more challenging than others. With all that is there to see and do in GTA IV, here's hoping it doesn't get repetitive. Oh wait, it already has, but I have to find out how this crime drama plays out, and that's what's keeping me most interested in the game.

I also dig the art style of the promotional art. Definitely reminds me of the flat cartoony rotoscoping of A Scanner Darkly. Too bad the actual game doesn't look like this. If GTA were to be a movie, I think this style would suit it.

Anyone up for Multiplayer?