Paperclips Magazine Jan 2019 (#56) Alita: Battle Angel

TARGETING TRANSFORMATION every person, every day, every place, every time

Ray D. Ellis Targeting Transformation will be your guide to navigating a world where so many people seem bent on harming others.

This book gives you a workable plan, an up-to-date map and a personal strategy to focus your life – designed after the Master of Love, Jesus. This book will serve as your agent in growing relationships with people around you, and with The God who created you.

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What’s Inside

| IS SUE NO . 5 6

Trailer Breakdown 12

Isn’t It Romantic: A Rom-Com Date with Rebel Wilson

Spotlight 28 HTTYD 3: The

Hidden World, Here At Last!

34 A House of Horror:

Blumhouse Productions’ Touch of Gold

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Writer’s Pick 20

Lego Bricks Are Going Intergalactic!

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StoryLIne 42

20

Issues, Controversies and Revelations About Alita

Specials 62

2019 New Year’s Resolution

Books by Legaia

66 COVER PHOTO BY TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX

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Welcome Editor’s Note

Where the Brave Goes elebrating the New Year is the same as venturing into an unknown territory. No year is the same as last year.

You might think that you know what tomorrow brings, but life oftentimes play with a coin to toss your life into the interesting path or the mundane path. How much happiness you obtained in the past year may be as much sorrow you’ll have in the coming year. Only those who courageously face what life has to bring head-on can make the most of the experience.

To make life worth living, it is imperative to move forward to where the brave goes. Just like what Hiccup and Toothless did in How to Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World where they boldly ventured into the mysterious land at the edge

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of the world, despite not knowing what awaits them there, in the hopes of providing a new utopia for dragons and Vikings alike. Just like how the said film’s production team pushed through the obstacles despite all the rough twists and turns of their journey. They kept their eyes looking straight ahead and didn’t halt their steps.

Being brave doesn’t mean that you are totally fearless, though. It is okay to be afraid; take baby steps. Even the lionhearted Alita in Alita: Battle Angel willed herself to train before she became strong enough to protect the life she was blessed with, despite initially not having her memories. You can be clumsy as you slowly grapple with what life has to offer. Don’t be embarrassed to be just as awkward as Natalie when she was trying to come to terms with the changes that love brought to her life in the rom-com film Isn’t It Romantic. As long

Lara Kaye Editor-in-Chief

Sky Buchanan Senior Editor

Bruce Anderson Miller John Michaels Production Managers

as you don’t let your fear and “what ifs” paralyze you in place, you might find yourself becoming the hero of your tale - just like how Emmett Brickowski of Lego 2: The Second Part who, faced with the vast expanse of unknown that is called space, braced himself to save his friends, his family, and his home.

Even if you are unsure of what lies ahead of you this year, there is always one truth you can stick with: 2019 is full of possibilities. As long as you face forward and look toward a better tomorrow, the goal you have in mind may just come to fruition.

Paperclips Magazine team is just as excited and apprehensive as you as we welcome the New Year with our latest issue. Be it soda, tea, or wine, we wish to toast to you to start the year right. Here’s to a good year ahead of us all!

Lara Kaye Editor-in-Chief /paperclipsmagazine

Mary Sinclair David Whitaker Researchers

Nico Mac Larry Blanc IT & Creative Director

Alvin Wright Joseph Adams Keith McCain Nancy Price Marjory Lee Paul Austin Staff Writers

Bradley Perkins Marketing Advisor

Kyle Phillips Jesse Campbell James Wolff Frank Parker Greg Murphy Jim Belfort Michael Luke Martha Page Advertising Agents While every care was taken during the production of this magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information or any consequence arising from it. Paperclips magazine takes no responsibility for the companies/individuals advertising in this magazine. The magazine is produced only in digital format and no trees were wasted to produce these contents. All photographs are either provided to us by creator or courtesy of Shutterstock.

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THE FLIGHT OF THE VALKYRIE A novel by

ARTHUR CANTRELL A thrilling military novel inspired by the real-life intrigues of SS head Heinrich Himmler, The Flight of the Valkyrie probes into a Nazi's machinations for self-preservation during Germany's surrender at the end of WWII. This gripping historical ďŹ ction shines the spotlight upon today's terrorism climate.

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Trailer Breakdown

PHOTOS | IMDB.COM

Isn’t It Romantic: A Rom-Com Date with Rebel Wilson 12

PG-13 |

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T E X T BY A LV I N W R I G H T

young girl enamored with romantic comedy flicks (cue in Roy Orbison’s ‘Pretty Woman’) got a harsh wake-up call from her very own mother who tells her that love’s not a fairy tale that she can get; after all, she’s “no Julia Roberts”. Two decades and five years later, the perky girl grows up to become a disenchanted lady working as an architect smack dab in the middle of New York City.

She’s grown to be cynical of love, to the point of believing that the romance portrayed in rom-com films is a lie and scoffing at their terrible pop songs.

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Trailer Breakdown

Such a woman disillusioned by love will have an encounter that changes her life.

The “Beauty Filter” The fate of our main protagonist Natalie (played

by Pitch Perfect bella, Rebel Wilson) turns a sudden rose-colored turn when she encounters a mugger on the subway. Initially thinking that the handsome chap is hitting on her, things escalate when the man tries to steal her bag instead. In an attempt to thwart the thief’s plan, she fights back. She is able to get her bag back but is unfortunate enough to hit a steel beam, rendering her unconscious. Waking up in a chic emergency room becomes the starting point of her rom-com adventure. *cue in Vanessa Carlton’s ‘A Thousand Miles’* Natalie is amazed by the stylish hospital room; but what makes her jaw drop is the big change

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that she notice when she gets discharged from the hospital. For one, her apartment isn’t what she remembers it to be. It isn’t the regular single lady’s crib but a posh space with a walk-in closet filled with elegant shoes and clothes. It pretty much screams of a rom-com stereotype!

With her room transforming into a rom-com stereotype living space, Natalie’s not-so-typical reaction is not to admire her better-than-before accommodation but to call 911. Of course, the operator hangs up on her thinking that it’s just a prank call. Who would take a distress call seriously when the other party is saying that her old stuff got replaced with new and better ones?

Outside her apartment, it is glaringly noticeable how everything seems to be so “love-filled”.

There are flower shops everywhere. Guys look at her in the eyes. People break out into cheesy dances out on the streets. Men are proposing to their ladies.

Just what exactly is going on?!

The Romance Posh apartment. Check.

Spontaneous dancing on the street. Check.

A similar outfit to Julia Roberts in her Pretty Woman film. Check.

Natalie soon comes to a realization that her life has become a *insert curse word here* romantic comedy - and it’s PG-13 to boot, thus no cursing allowed!

of being in a PG-13 alternate universe. Originally, Josh is smitten with yoga ambassador Isabella (played by Baywatch’s Priyanka Chopra).

However, going into his role of being the other love interest, Josh and Natalie begin to have their moments. While the fateful encounter cliché can be crossed out from the checklist, the two share other spark-inducing moments such as a date in a club, a couple of dance scenes, and even a seemingly break up scene at the beach at night.

Who between the two men will sweep our female lead off her feet for a happy ending? Will Natalie eventually wake up from her rom-com “nightmare” after falling in love? Find out how Natalie’s fairy tale ends in Isn’t It Romantic this Valentine’s Day in theaters nationwide.

*cue in Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’* So, now what? How does she get out of this seemingly alternate universe and return to her real life? Is falling in love a solution?

To get back to her real world, Natalie aims to get a man to fall in love with her. As this is a romcom, there will always be a man or two to fill her requirements.

Meet Blake (played by Hunger Games’ Liam Hemsworth), a client in the firm that Natalie works at and one of her love interests. He fits perfectly well into the classic rom-com male lead molds of Richard Gere and Hugh Grant. He basically goes through a number of romantic comedy clichés with Natalie - a fateful encounter on the street, flash mob dancing, kissing in the rain, and a hot kiss which eventually ends up in a one-night stand.

And then there’s Josh (played by Pitch Perfect’s Adam DeVine), Natalie’s dorky best friend and co-worker. Natalie initially tells him her dilemma

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"A reflection on a complex and often prickly father/daughter relationship"

PA M E L A B R A D L E Y In Maybe I'll Be Cleverer Tomorrow, author Pamela Bradley shares an honest and personal memoir told with insight, humour and tenderness as she seamlessly moves between past and present.

Throughout the story, she weaves some of the vital issues about loss, ageing and death that aect everyone, while the vignettes of a childhood and adolescence in the 1940s, '50s and '60s oer glimpses into an Australia that has long since disappeared.

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Writer’s Pick

Lego Bricks

Are Going

Intergalactic!

P H OT O S | I M D B . C O M

NR |

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R E S TO R I N G H O N O R B A C K TO J U D A H APOSTLE JACQUES C. COOK There are too many deaths, too much sickness, and too many repercussions for us not to yield to reform. Davidic Reformation is an encapsulated message about restoration that debunks the pseudo form, distorted, and manipulated view of man’s definition of praise and worship to God’s heart given intention of worship.

Apostle Jacques Cook takes us on an intrinsic journey of exposure, correction, and love in our humanity that seeks to have a closer more intimate experience not only in your worship services but your homes and every area of your life.

He literally

through the Holy Spirit resets your preset ideals and traditions to release prophetic acclimation that creates a conducive move of God for all nations.

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Writer’s Pick

T E X T BY N A N C Y P R I C E

Just when you thought that sequels ended with 2018’s peak season for remakes and sequels, The LEGO Movie franchise is still on the count for a seemingly longer chart of follow-up movies and films. And it’s up to deliver even teaser footage that actually feels fresh.

We all had a fair share of gut-busting laughs from the hilarious and inventive 2014 original. The first LEGO Movie animated adventure was such a huge hit that it almost immediately spawned spin-offs, including The LEGO Batman Movie and The LEGO Ninjago Movie. Now, Warner Bros. Animation is giving a straight-up sequel for another awesome adventure and this time, they’re going space!

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is set four years after the fateful Taco Tuesday that ended

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the first film. Things have drastically changed since then, to say the least. The deceptively cute aliens from Duplo have actually made right by their promise to destroy Bricksburg, descending many lives into chaos. But although a lifetime has passed, some people (lego) doesn’t seem to be washed away by change. Well, not the good old Emmet who disrupts Wyldstyle’s theatrical reveal with a coffee order and definitely not the weak, naïve, simple, powerless, less than special Master Builder and Chosen One. Well, not my word but Mayhem’s (but this assessment is pretty much an honest judgment). But hey! These must be the most endearing imperfections you’ll ever have.

The trailer introduces us to a grander adventure with some inexplicably ridiculous action. And our special hero Emmet is there to save the day!

Emmet’s task is to save his girlfriend and the crew

from being kidnapped by Sweet Mayhem and brought back to her realm somewhere in space.

Thus, the adventure begins! Perhaps one of the ways Emmet ends up proving himself is Master Building some engines into his own house. He’s not called a Master Builder for nothing, after all.

And just how it goes, his determination will serve him well as he reacquaints himself with his inner hero. This reminds us how effectual the character can be, and his big heart is his most prized asset.

Set to be directed by Troll’s Mike Mitchell and with original directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller returning to write, it’s sure to have the same subversive bent that made the original such a hit. The original premise surrounding the comingof-age of Emmet Brickowski remains the beating heart of the franchise though it seems to have a

higher dramatic stake than the previous one. And the fun remains an element of awesomeness, as plenty of space action and musical comedy find their way into this sequel.

Ending everything off with another endearing joke as well as more Wyldstyle wisdom, The Lego Movie 2 absolutely looks primed to be a worthy follow-up to one of the most original animated films of recent years.

With both new and returning characters completing the crew, another epic, multifaceted humor is about to land. Better buckle up as it reassembles in cinemas on February 8 and will send us on an epic building journey for even bricker adventures. Until then, we’ll see just how many remixes of ‘Everything is Awesome’ can the world endure.

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Spotlight

P H O T O S | D R E A M W O R K S A N I M AT I O N

HTTYD 3: The Hidden World, Here At Last!

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PG |

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Spotlight

T E X T BY J O S E P H A D A M S

irector Dean DeBlois is returning to the

to the fact that he helmed the extinction of the Night

big screen with the last installment of

Furies - save for Toothless. Now, banking on his string

the fantasy trilogy How to Train Your

of successful dragon slaying/enslaving activities, he is

Dragon. How to Train Your Dragon 3:

out to push the entire dragon species off the brink of

The Hidden World picks up a year after

extinction. Grimmel’s existence is definitely a bane for

the end of HTTYD 2. Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel)

Berk, the home of not only the last Night Fury but also

successfully became the Chief of the tribe while

of a storm of dragons.

Toothless grew into the Alpha of all dragons. Handin-hand, the two created a utopia where dragons and

The twist of the story makes it even more imperative

Vikings co-exist in peace right in the Viking village of

that they defeat Grimmel. Through the trailer, we

Berk.

witness the heart-thumping moment of Toothless meeting another of his kind. The ensemble meets a

However, this tranquility is soon threatened with the

Light Fury, a dragon species that is a close relative to

existence of an insurmountable threat rearing its ugly

a Night Fury species. Toothless is not the only one of

head at not only the last Night Fury of its kind but the

his kind then! How ecstatic could Toothless be to find

entire dragon species. The film introduces the villain,

another dragon who hails from almost the same dragon

dragon-killer Grimmel the Grisly (voiced by F. Murray

species as himself? That he is not alone? Of course, it

Abraham). As a dragon-killer, he feeds on the belief

is a nice surprise that the Light Fury is of the opposite

that dragons can never co-exist with humans; that

gender, which means that spring is just right around

they are better off killed or enslaved. He enjoys quite

the corner for our beloved Strike Class dragon.

a stellar reputation among dragon hunters, all thanks

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Defeating Grimmel means securing a life without

impossible to meet. Many processes are involved in the

worries for all surviving dragons. However, such a

making of the film, after all - from outlining to writing

strong opponent is not easy to topple. Backed into

the screenplay, from building models to animating,

a corner, Hiccup taps into old seafaring legends his

from storyboarding to the actual shooting, and so on.

father used to tell him. The mariner’s myth talks about

DeBlois stressed that after thorough discussion with the

the land at the edge of the world where all dragons hail

production team and considering the practical terms,

- The Hidden World. Perhaps this hidden world is the

they agreed to change the promised release date to

key to the survival of the remaining dragon species?

June of 2017. Unfortunately, fans were once again

Perhaps a tactical retreat to the land where dragons

disappointed as the film’s release date changed to

live without human interference is better?

June 2018 due to corporate restructuring and massive layoffs. It eventually changed to May 2018 then March

Fight or flight? Backed into a corner, Hiccup and

2019 before finally settling on February 2019.

Toothless will have to make choices that may change their lives forever.

A Rough Ride to the Goal Avid fans of How To Train Your Dragon trilogy will definitely be rejoicing over the fact that the third installment is finally going to grace the silver screen.

After all, the production team of the film didn’t have a smooth journey when they were making the film.

Fans will probably remember by now that this film was initially set to be released on June 2016. 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks Animation made the initial announcement way back in September 2012.

However, the promised 2016 release date was, as the film’s director DeBlois admitted, way too ambitious and

The film is finally - finally - going to be shown on screen!

While that is exhilarating in and of itself, we should not forget that this film will also be the culmination of the much-loved Vikings-and-dragons trilogy. The epic tale of Hiccup and Toothless will finally come to close after almost a decade since its first release. This coming February 22, prepare your Viking horns and be sure to catch the heart-rending finale in the third installment, How to Train Your Dragons 3: The Hidden World!

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Spotlight

PHOTOS | IMDB.COM

A House of Horror: Blumhouse Productions’ Touch of Gold 34

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Spotlight

T E X T BY J O S E P H A D A M S

Horror fans take the biggest chunk of the pie called

company follows a business model of only providing a

“movie goers�. According to Movio, a movie-marketing

small budget for production, inviting critically acclaimed

software provider, the frequency that horror fans go to

directors over, and allowing the production team as

watch movies is 4% more than that of an average movie

much creative freedom as possible. This business

audience. Thus, it is quite reasonable for horror films

model may just be the right recipe in filmmaking. After

to do well in cinemas - unless that film has extremely

all, Blumhouse has proved this model to be extremely

horrible cinematography, acting, and script.

successful as most of the movies under its portfolio have generally become box office hits. Movie critics

Noting the statistics, any horror film can gross a

highly appreciate the stellar quality of the script and

decent amount. However, a production company that

the natural jump scares.

specializes in the horror genre had landed a pot of gold not because of the fact that there are many horror

It is a common sight for horror films under the

fans but simply because it successfully captured the

Blumhouse Production banner to be high-grossing.

essence of what makes people scream.

From a seven-figure budget, Blumhouse has an impeccable record of turning that into at least an eight-

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Blumhouse Productions, a production company that

figure gross worldwide. Take a look at some of their

only produces horror films, nowadays, has become a

films, their production budget, as well as their recorded

daunting name in the horror filmmaking industry. The

worldwide gross sum.

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Paranormal Activity

Budget $15,000

Budget $1M

Grossed $193 M worldwide

Grossed $64 M worldwide

she already escaped from. However, this time, it isn’t

Grossed $97 M worldwide

Grossed $87 M worldwide The Purge

Budget $3M

Grossed $89 M worldwide Truth or Dare

Budget $3.5M

Grossed $94 M worldwide Get Out

Budget $4.5M

Grossed $255 M worldwide Happy Death Day

Budget $4.8M

Grossed $122 M worldwide The Gift

Budget $5M

Grossed $59 M worldwide Split

Budget $9M

ending murder birthday in the last film, she once again finds herself stuck in the same time loop she thought

Sinister

Budget $3M

fully enjoy her perfect life after resolving her never-

Unfriended

Insidious

Budget $1.5M

Before Theresa “Tree” Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) can

Grossed $278 M worldwide

just her who ends up getting killed. The baby-masked killer is after her friends too.

Happy Death Day 2U is more than a retread of the first film. Unlike other movie franchise that only repeats the recipe (yes, think of Scream and Final Destination) that brought about its initial success, Happy Death Day 2U promises that it will take more than just repeated deaths and turning the table against the killer. In this sequel, Director Christopher Landon stresses that the film will focus more on how Tree fell into this time loop in the first place.

Happy Death Day 2U is pretty much a spoiler for the first film. It is easy to guess that much just from its official trailer alone. Horror fans should watch the first film, Happy Death Day, first before clicking on that YouTube link for the sequel’s trailer then.

Aside from Jessica Rothe reprising her role in this film, other cast members joining her on the silver screen include Ruby Modine, Suraj Sharma, Israel Broussard,

In the business’ perspective, the business model works

and Phi Vu. Bring your date for a good scream

as Blumhouse is able to enjoy a strapping ROI for the

this Valentine’s Day to the premiere of Blumhouse

films with its brand. With such a killing, Blumhouse

Productions’ Happy Death Day 2U.

Productions isn’t stopping anytime soon in producing horror films that horror fans will patronize.

Happy Death Day 2U This coming Valentine’s Day, Blumhouse Productions is once again making waves with their newest horror flick, the sequel to Happy Death Day, Happy Death Day 2U. The cast members from the previous film will reprise their respective roles in this chilling thriller of murder and time loops.

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Movie Guide

MISS BALA

PIERCING

Motion Picture Rating: PG-13

Motion Picture Rating: R

Release Date: February 1

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Release Date: February 1

COLD PURSUIT

WHAT MEN WANT

Motion Picture Rating: NR

Motion Picture Rating: NR

Release Date: February 8

Release Date: February 8

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THE PRODIGY

EVERYBODY KNOWS

Motion Picture Rating: R

Motion Picture Rating: R

Release Date: February 8

Release Date: February 8

FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY

RUN THE RACE Motion Picture Rating: PG

Release Date: February 14

Release Date: February 22

Motion Picture Rating: PG-13

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StoryLINE

Issues, Critics and Revelations about ALITA T E X T BY K E I T H M CC A I N

P H OT O S | I M D B . C O M

PG-13 |

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oing back nearly three decades ago, Alita: Battle Angel began as a manga (graphic novel) series by Yukito Kishiro called Gunnm and was later carried on in two anime original videos. The story takes place in the post-apocalyptic 26th century where the wealthy live in the flying city of Tiphares while the poor live amongst their garbage on the ground. The story revolves around Alita – originally named Gally in Japanese – an amnesiac female cyborg found in a scrapyard by a doctor, rebuilt, and then set on a path of hunting down vicious criminals.

In development since 1999, Alita: Battle Angel was first picked up as a feature film project with James Cameron, director of Titanic and Avatar, in the director’s chair. This manga movie seemed to stay in pre-production limbo for several years until director Robert Rodriguez was tapped to handle the film by Cameron and Titanic producer Jon Landau. During San Diego Comic-Con, Landau and Rodriguez discussed how the manga got the Hollywood treatment and why it took so long to develop this movie.

James Cameron first began adapting the source manga in 2000 with an eye toward directing the project himself, before he switched focus to work on Avatar. He brought on Rodriguez to condense his 180-page original screenplay (plus 600 pages of notes) into a shooting script.

Rodriguez was able to pare the story down while still maintaining the core scenes. The long journey from manga to movie for this iconic sci-fi

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Storyline

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manga series has finally claimed greater light when its production began in 2017. The delay and long years of working progress have been, in a way, good in the long run as technology, 3D effects and filming have been advanced enough to properly realize the story for the big screen.

However, its first trailer debut on December 2017 caused havoc with the series’ old guard anime and manga fans’ clamor over its perceived whitewashing and uncanny valley critique about its eyes. But these controversies were rightfully addressed. Landau made it abundantly clear that there is no whitewashing in any of its characters – because none of them were specifically Japanese in the comics in the first place. He told Vulture that the author did something different: he wrote it that it’s not set in an Asian world. The story was set in a place called Iron City, which is a melting pot and actually set it in Kansas. In dealing with the character’s look, Rodriguez explained that Cameron’s vision, since he obtained the rights

to the property, was to bring manga to life which includes the character’s look to be more likely on the page to be realized in a three-dimensional form and look as real as possible. Cameron wants to stay true to the character and her manga origins.

“It was always Jim (Cameron’s) intention to create a photo-realistic version of the manga eyes that were so accustomed to seeing. We really wanted to honor that tradition and see that look standing next to any human character. To have the right person to emote behind it was really essential. Her origins are in the film and you understand why she looks that way. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, we have some pretty big windows. You can see a lot going on in there! When it gets to the emotional scenes it’s really uncanny and striking.

And captivating!”

By the speech well-delivered, and committing to the look of Alita’s origins, they’re doing so a pretty awesome reason.

But true to its sense, Hollywood manga movie adaptations have had a spotty history with critics, anime/manga fans and at the box office.

Hollywood is in the midst of an unprecedented push to monetize manga – even if there has been no significant return on investment to date.

With its sheer visual density that is quite distinct from American superhero procedurals, and with such devoted readership that follows manga’s installments with nearly religious fervor, Hollywood hasn’t done a great job of taking from the page and portraying it in a Hollywood, cinematic way.

Hollywood has tried to do live-action versions of Japanese anime and manga, like Fist of the North Star, Fullmetal Alchemist, Death Note, and Ghost in the Shell to name a few, but it has yet to capture the essence of the stories and characters. But with the team and Cameron’s driving force behind getting this made, Alita: Battle Angel shows a lot

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Storyline

Having seen his recent works, you know he always presents something you’ve never seen before, whether it’s the silver T-1000 or liquid metal, or the Titanic sinking, or a fully-realized race of people in Avatar. With Cameron, you know it’s in the right hands.

more promise in the manga-to-feature genre than any of its predecessors. And its box-office viability is hardly a foregone conclusion.

For all the fans that are dismissing the live-action Alita on sight, here are some revelations that would make them be ecstatic to see the adaptation.

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Cameron had already focused on the parts of the story that were meaningful, so his take on the story was already pretty exceptional. The character of Alita is a computer generated, motion-capture creation, just like Neytiri from Avatar or Caesar from Planet of the Apes. As with Avatar, Alita is also in 3D. There were a couple of moments in the scenes shown where shots were set up purely for the ‘it’s coming right at you’ effect for the audience. Several of the scenes are shot-for-shot, following the panels of the manga. Even when some things looked a little rough, it still looked cleaner than most of the CG. More than anything else, this movie will be a showcase for what CG should look like. Another thing about Alita is, unlike other superheroes, she doesn’t come into this world with known special abilities. It’s the idea that she’s not a superhero; she’s a true hero and each one of us can be a hero.

To make things even more appealing, you might want to look at the visionary – getting one of the best producers on the planet. Cameron is an engineer by trade. He can engineer a ship that can break the world record in diving, and can do so with a movie that will appeal to the entire world, because that’s the kind of mind he has – a mix of engineering and creativity. Having seen his recent works, you know he always presents something you’ve never seen before, whether it’s the silver T-1000 or liquid metal, or the Titanic sinking, or a fully-realized race of people in Avatar. With Cameron, you know it’s in the right hands.

So, after some drastic changes with its release, Alita finally settles on February 14 flick to come in cinemas. And what’s left to be ecstatic about is putting your trust in the ‘visionaries’ working on the film, assured that Robert Rodriguez, Jon Landau and the rest of the crew were first and foremost fans of the source material.

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The Concept of "FaceTime" with Jesus 50

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T E X T BY B E N JA M I N J O H N AU T H O R O F FA C E T I M E W I T H J E S U S THE FIGHT FIR IMAGE

I

n this day and age, social media has opened a wider world for everyone, especially for millennials. Through the diverse social apps that are made available via smartphones, tablets, and computers, one can instantly connect with friends, family members, and even colleagues anytime they want. Moreover, there are even cases when one gets to know one’s life through social media posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and many others.

The wide reach of social media is a good thing if one considers the original purpose it was made for to connect to people one cares about. However, the power behind the social media technology has made it easy for negative influence to breach through as well. No matter how much one “child proofs” a phone, there will always be one or two rotten apples that can significantly distort a person’s morality, justice, faith, or righteousness. That is the risk that one has to face when they engage themselves in social media.

What makes it sad is that social media could have been a positive influence that hones a person to be better. In terms of spirituality alone, numerous apps and ebooks are available online that one can download to cultivate their spirit. If one is inclined to do so, it is even possible to download the Holy Scripture.

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While it may be disheartening to realize how social media has deviated from what it was expected to become from the start, there is one thing to appreciate with it: it taught us the contemporary concept of “FaceTime”. The term “FaceTime” is popular with iPhone users as it is a well-used app that people use to talk to their family and friends at no cost. Through “FaceTime”, people can easily chat with those important to them vis-à-vis even when they are miles apart. When they are sick, worried, or lonely, they can “FaceTime” whoever they want and they’ll feel better right after.

Just like that, how would it be if the one we “FaceTime” is Jesus?

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. —Romans 10:9 A “FaceTime” session with Jesus unequivocably provides an image that one can follow for spiritual growth. As one is able to perceive the Lord’s image, it is easier to fully appreciate the Lord’s thoughts, intentions, and disposition.

Through “FaceTime” with Jesus, one will have an opportunity to envision what He wants them to do in life, whether it be to move forward or to be an instrument in some other person’s life. Facing Jesus can imprint God’s awe-inspiring image and ordinance, which then feeds one’s desire for spiritual enlightenment and development.

To add to that, just like with the original modern “FaceTime” that bridges people closer to each other, the concept of “FaceTime” with Jesus is to develop an intimate relationship with God. Talking with God about one’s future plans, worries, encounters, and expectations can help cultivate one’s faith. God will then help one prevail over

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FaceTime with Jesus is the means by which Christians engage intimately with God in the fullness of His glory.

difficulties that are seemingly impossible to overcome.

How do you “FaceTime” with Jesus?

One of the most plausible way to “FaceTime” with Jesus is by reading the Word of God. The Holy Scriptures contain passages that fortify His image and His Words, which then guides a person to the right path.

“FaceTime with Jesus is the means by which Christians engage intimately with God in the fullness of His glory.”

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. —Psalm 91:2

“FaceTime” with Jesus doesn’t necessarily mean that one sees Him with the eyes nor perceives Him with natural senses. It doesn’t mean being physically in front of the Almighty Being. Conversing with Him means feeling His glory and presence.

Grow your faith and spirituality by facing Jesus.

Establish a personal relationship with God as intimately as possible. Be guided through the process with Benjamin John’s FaceTime with Jesus: The Fight for Image.

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BOOKS

by Legaia 54

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Amanda

the Panda Louise Majeski

Amanda the Panda is about the unlikely friendship that develops between an unhappy panda living a life of captivity in a zoo and a young girl sharing similar feelings of loneliness. Highly recommended for preschoolers, this book is not merely about loneliness but also about the healing power of friendship.

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PAUL MARKLAND This collection of comics follows

BOOK SERIES

a taxi driver as he navigates the treacherous Schuykill Expressway and the twists and turns of everyday life. Inspired by the author's twenty years spent driving over 500,000 miles on this same highway, this hig beautifully illustrated compilation is sure to entertain anyone who has ever endured life on the highway.

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Shekinah Unveiled JOHN WHITMAN

Is the bride of Christ really the Church? Is Isreal truly Yahweh's wife? Author and theologian John Whitman reveals who the true bride of Christ is and the wives of Yahweh are. But what does it matter if we are enlightened of this matter? Read Shekinah Unveiled to uncover the truth.

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SPECIALS

2019 New Year’s

Resolution 62

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1 Watch 7 amazing documentaries on the art of filmmaking.

2 Watch 7 great silent movies of all time.

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SPECIALS

3 Pick a director and watch every film they directed.

4

Pick an actor and watch every film they acted in.

Watch one classic film (same genre) for every new film you pay to see in the cinema.

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6 Watch all Marvel movies in order before the premiere of Avengers: Endgame.

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8

7 Buy a ticket

Purchase a copy of your

to a local film

highly recommended

festival.

movie each month and

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give them out to a friend for free, on the promise that they’ll pass it on to another friend (who will pass it on too) after

Ignore movie fans

watching it.

who say dumb stuff on social media.

Pledge a sum to at least three promising independent film crowdfunding campaigns.

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