Next week, we will focus on something a bit more formal. We will look at some Newbury Award and Newbury Honor Books.
Apparently, the Newbury logo is copywrited.
So here is a picture of Jerome stuck in LA traffic.
Showing posts with label Ninjas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ninjas. Show all posts
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Ninjas
So we regretfully end our review of ninjas. Naturally, there are more resources out there, including Ninja Burger, Naruto, Shogun Assassin, and Enter the Ninja. Yet, the reviewed items may provide a good overview of some of the variety surrounding shinobi.
Next week, we will focus on something a bit more formal. We will look at some Newbury Award and Newbury Honor Books.
Next week, we will focus on something a bit more formal. We will look at some Newbury Award and Newbury Honor Books.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Ask a Ninja Presents The Ninja Handbook : This Book Looks Forward to Killing You Soon
Plot: Ninjas represent the epitome of killer sapiens. Yet, most non-ninjas remain sadly uninformed of the ninja, their powers, and their sheer awesomeness. To remedy the situation, the "Ask a Ninja" Ninja, with the permission of the International Order of Ninjas, produced this handbook. The book will guide non-ninjas to the path of "Is That A Ninja," the highest order of non-ninja attainable. Packed with pop culture references, mythical mash-ups, and quick guides, the book reflects the creativity and quick-thinking of the Ask A Ninja podcasts.
Genre: Humor, Ninjas
Reading Level: Some language, gore, and sexual references, so not suitable for younger readers.
Similar Titles: REAL Ultimate Power: The Official Ninja Book, Ninja Burger: Honorable Employee Handbook
Personal Thoughts: I read this after reading Ninja Attack! True Tales of Assassins, Samurai, and Outlaws. It was a contrast. True, I like the crazy humor of Ask a Ninja, but the comparison between the "real" ninjas and cultural perception of ninjas was overwhelming. A similar contrast would be watching Monty Python's Holy Grail after reading Malroy's Le Morte d'Artur. Both are very different, but experiencing both creates (in my opinion) a more complete picture of history and its long-term effects, since even the humorous interpretations reflect, admittedly distantly, a mostly-fictitious historical concept.
As a side note, Toothless seems to be practicing for something between movies.
Ninja Attack!: True Tales of Assassins, Samurai, and Outlaws
Plot: Yoda and Alt make a solid attempt to separate fact from fiction in this history book. Ninjas, they explain, were not the black-clad shinobi recognized today. Instead, ninjas provided information and assassinations, usually for a price or for country, disguised as "plainsclothes" - farmers, servants, and other, normal, people. Yet, ninjas enjoyed a mythical status even early in their creation. As a result, the two authors discuss factual ninjas, mythical ninjas, non-ninjas (with ninja-like behavior), and Oda Nobunaga, the ultimate ninja killer.
Genre: History, Ninjas, Myth, Folktales
Reading Level: Most of the writing is fairly high-brow, but information about assassins, spys, and femme fatales may not be suitable for younger readers.
Similar Titles: Ninja: The Shadow Warrior, 101 Great Samurai Prints
Personal Thoughts: I would definitely recommend this to any ninja (and even most non-ninja) fans. The book considers both the modern view and influence of ninjas as well as the actual origins of the so-called dark warriors in a comprehensible manner without being patronizing. Additionally, the illustrations attract attention while adding to the stories of the larger-than-life individuals.
As a side note, there is nothing special about the photo. It is just a standard mosasaur in a woven jewelry box.
Ask A Ninja
Ask A Ninja
Plot: Everyone knows about ninjas...or do they? The "Ask A Ninja" Ninja attempts to reveal the power, awesomeness, and pop culture savvy of ninjas every week through his vblogs/podcasts/videos. Users are invited to ask the ninja questions about ninjas, family, social situations, politics, and more to get direct answers from the man in the black mask. Expect hyberboles, obscure references, and mythical mash-ups on a weekly basis. Also, the ninja has varied his usual blog, adding interviews, "The Stare" (a review of the week's news and popular YouTube videos), and "Ninja Movie Show" (the ninja's methodical links between the week's movies, both on screen and in video).
Genre: Website, Ninjas, Humor
Reading Level: Usually pretty clean, but occasionally some language, so sensitive viewers may need caution.
Similar Titles: I usually do not follow podcasts, so I am not sure. Leave a comment if you know of a good one.
Personal Thoughts: This is the website that made ninjas wonderful for me. I just love how over-the-top the ninja is.
Side note: I tried a mirror shot for this picture. I'm not sure if I'll try again.
Edit: The photo just did not work. So I replaced it with a screenshot from Wiki Commons.
Mythbusters: Ninja Myths 1 + 2
Plot: How do you test the mythical? The Mythbusters, never daunted by a challenge, seek to prove or bust some myths about the shinobi. In the first episode, they test if a ninja can catch an arrow or stop a blade with his (or her) bare hands. Additionally, they discover if ninjas could, in fact, walk on water. Sadly for ninja fans, they manage to bust all myths. Some fans apparently refused to take "busted" for an answer, and the Mythbusters revisit the myth of catching an arrow in a second episode. They also prove ninjas could have used blowguns underwater to commit assassinations and the power of the one-inch punch.
Genre: Documentary, Ninjas
Reading Level: The shows were not rated, but I think they were labeled TV-Y or TV-G.
Similar Titles: Dirty Jobs, Mythbusters: Pirate Myths 1 + 2
Personal Thoughts: The Mythbusters provide the usual entertainment and education in two shows. Also, the first episode also includes the "Ask A Ninja" Ninja as a cameo, which displays their goal to connect with viewers on an everyday basis. Adam also gets very wet, which is an additional plus.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles Forever
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles Forever. Produced by 4 Kids Entertainment. 2009.
Plot: In some way or form, most people have had contact with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The series has spawned several television programs, movies, video games, and comic books. Yet, each incarnation remained independent of the others...until 2009.
The turtles from the original 1987 cartoon inexplicably find themselves in the more "serious" world of the 2003 cartoon. As the eight turtles find themselves foreigners to their own selves, they discover multiple universes of turtles stalked by foes (old and new), allies (old and new), and an unexpected origin.
Genre: Ninjas, Movies
Reading Level: Not Rated, but I think it was labeled as TV Y-7.
Similar Titles: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1987), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2003)
Personal Thoughts: While some may argue (justifiably) that the turtles are a bit of a stretch of the "ninja" theme, they provided many childrens' first encounter with the concept of a ninja. As such, this merits inclusion. Anyway...
By all rules, this should not work. The context is geeky, the series are too wide apart, 2003 Splinter's design is wrong, and the original actors are all silenced by the union. Yet, despite the rules, the movie works believably (in a sci-fi kind of way), unexpectedly, and naturally. The characters remain true to their sources and respond to the situation in a characteristic way. However, the story also manages to avoid becoming contrite or predictable. Even the ending, which could easily become sappy, manages to provide a pleasant surprise. Overall, the movie is definitely a must-see for any TMNT fan.
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