Paradox Alice
 

Just saw Paradox Alice by Mako and I must say the movie is excellent! The transformation scene is beyond words very well done!

Re: Paradox Alice
 

You saw it? Where?! I've wanted to see it since I heard about it.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

The movie is out on DVD in Japan (Region 2 DVD), so a few people are importing it to see it in their areas.

As for the U.S release that still in the works with the publisher. So maybe soonish for things here. Not sure if it will ever go digital or stream, but that would be up to Mako. :)

--Xavier :D

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Yes I had it imported but I paid a pretty penny but it was sooooooo worth it!

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Do you have an import link? For... reasons.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

I see that it's being sold on Amazon by third parties: http://amzn.to/14la7QO

Re: Paradox Alice
 

someone really needs to just rip out the transformation scene for us XD

Re: Paradox Alice
 

No, they really don't. It's a major selling point for an entire community (i.e. us), and so posting the TF scene here would be self-defeating for Mako and his publishers. While I'd like to see it myself, I accept that I must be a good consumer - especially to content providers like Mako, who is one of the few consistently awesome producers in our community - and buy the whole movie when it becomes available.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

You both make good points. On the other hand, the publishers here in the US are being useless. If only there was a way to help Mako and hurt them at the same time.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Well, at the rate things are going I don't suppose it would be horrible for Mako to have a Japanese distributor that loves him.

Please, no... we finally(!) have someone produce a feature film grade movie that's not presented as slapstick comedy and you would suggest discarding the rest of an artistic vision just to get to the bit you're most interested in? Sight unseen? Something that might as well be a unicorn for its rarity? I strongly disagree. Given the labor of love that this has been for Mako I would prefer to see it exactly as he envisioned.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

'Given the labor of love that this has been for Mako I would prefer to see it exactly as he envisioned.'

I absolutely agree.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

I almost... almost bought PA on Amazon, but then changed my mind at the last minute - I just couldn't justify £80 to have it shipped over from Japan!

I cannot wait to see it though, I really can't. But with all the work Mako and his cast and crew have put into it, and his very personal relationship with the community here, it would be heartbreaking if it was uploaded and distributed only for him to receive nothing for his labours.

I'm really hoping it appears in the UK market very soon.

BTW - how are you Reif? Haven't spoke for ages! Did you get my PM?

Re: Paradox Alice
 

I went ahead and bought it, but I don't think I'll be able to play it but I'll have to try to watch it at least once! If anybody has any solutions to play Region 2 DVDs in the U.S., please let me know. I heard VLC might play them, might not, and I've also read you can change the region when the DVD is first put into the drive, but can only do that a couple of times before it locks you out of doing that. But really, this movie is probably worth it, but I need to be able to watch it!

Re: Paradox Alice
 

yes download the vlc player it will play with no problem thats what I did

Re: Paradox Alice
 

You can search online, to see if there is a way to region unlock your dvd player, or use VLC.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

VLC would play your mircrowave connected to a vacuum cleaner. It does everything.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

I will be putting my paradox alice DVD on eBay tonight if anyone is interested

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Yes, what's your seller name.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

my seller name is lowes96 so sometime tonight when I get off work ill add it on my eBay so who ever wants watch out for it

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Just posted my copy of Paradox Alice DVD on ebay if anyone is interested. I won't post a link as per forum rules so you will have type the movie title to find it, thanks

Re: Paradox Alice
 

So several people on the forum messaged me about the TG transformation scene in Paradox Alice. Now I must say that I can't really give out much info about it as it would spoil the movie. What I will say is this Mako's best TG movie to date! The transformation is very violent and very detailed as you see the changes actually happening. So basically you all are in for treat!

Re: Paradox Alice
 

I wish to see the tg. Anyway we can post it on if we get Mako's permission?

Re: Paradox Alice
 

I very much doubt Mako will want his latest effort posted about anywhere right now since he put a lot of time and money into it. It may not be released in the U.S. yet, but I'm sure it will be at some point and you'll be able to throw the money down for it then. I snatched up a copy of the Japanese release from lowes96 up there (haha sneaky!) so you could pick up that version if you want to see the movie now. Otherwise, like I said, I doubt you'll see it for free anytime in the near future. Besides, stuff like this is hard to come by and Mako generally does pretty awesome work, why not support him by buying the DVD once it's out?

Re: Paradox Alice
 

I too have a copy that I purchased from the Japanese Vendor, I put it on Ebay Today. Search "paradox alice" it's the only one on ebay.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

sold!

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Maybe we should pass it around like Netflix...lol

-C

Re: Paradox Alice
 

WARNING! POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD!

In the end, I couldn’t help it and buckled. I’ve been DYING to see Paradox Alice since the trailer appeared so long ago, so splurged the cash to get it sent over from Japan.

I’m posting this to go some way towards quenching people’s thirst for knowledge about the movie. I'm worried I'm going to get a load of IMs now asking me to describe it, I'm afraid I can't do that - so instead here's a mini 'review'.

So, let’s dive in with...

The Transformation

A confession. I could be all superior and say I patiently watched the film for the transformation, but actually, it’s the first thing I wanted to see.

This is the best male to female transformation I’ve seen in a film, ever. Period.

Is it the perfect, Rick Baker quality transformation that I imagined in my wildest tf dreams? No - how could it be? But - considering Mako’s limited budget it is absolutely awesome. Things have come a long way since The Kiss.

What it lacks in terms of money it makes up for in terms of imagination. I think a transformation like this could only have been thought up by a transformation fan, and Mako has done an incredible job.

It’s like an amalgamation of all the transformations we’ve seen previously in The Kiss, Eleven and The Last Piece Standing. We get close ups of body parts changing, mixed with reaction shots. My favourite transformation scenes are shown this way. CGI, Makeup and acting are used to tell the story of the transformation. To say anything else would genuinely spoil it. I’m not being difficult, or mysterious, it’s just that it’s clear that Mako has put so much work into this film, for me to describe his work on a forum and give away the secrets of Paradox Alice wouldn’t be fair. I’m sorry.

What I can say, is that it’s a very forced transformation and Ethan Sharrett does a good job at conveying the agony of the change. As a non-tf fan, I imagine it would blow somebody’s mind as it happens. You just wouldn’t see it coming. On this forum we’re a little more used to seeing these things - but that’s not to take away from it. Mako and the SFX makeup team do an effective job. The only thing I’ll say is that there’s nods to the chest burster scene in Alien and an incredible shot of his shoulders shuddering and crunching narrower, as he tries to resist. Once the physical transformation has taken place, a much subtler, emotional one kicks in over the rest of the movie. Oh Mako, my heart is aflutter.

The Biggest Surprise

So then I went back and watched the whole film - and it is fantastic. The theme of transformation runs throughout it, but Mako has assembled a wonderful cast (everyone is very well cast) and a tight, high stakes story. There’s some lovely foreshadowing of what is to come. There’s a very effective use of a gloomy, claustrophobic set. It reminded me in style of Wing Commander IV, for those of you who are ancient like me and can remember such things. There’s an undeniable sense of the loneliness of space.

I’m afraid I bought the film because I wanted to see the TF - such is the slightly shameful, voracious nature of having a tf kink. The biggest surprise was that I loved the movie as a whole. I connected to the characters and their plight. I was moved by it. I think you will be too.

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=BLSM-14

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Well I won't lie, it's why I generally buy or watch any film, short or clip that contains any sort of transformation scene. I judge the film on the merits of the transformation itself and then if that part is good, I'll give the entire thing a watch. I guess it's because there's so few really good transformations of any kind out there that I can say are just downright amazing to watch that if it sucks, then I could care less about the rest of the movie because if the budget wasn't put into the transformation, what was it put in?

I think there can be a good mix of the two things of course, but as a fan of transformations of all kinds, if somebody is making a film that has a transformation theme as a centerpiece or at least a major factor in the film, they better do it right! It's one of the reasons for example that I enjoyed the Underworld series but only watched the first two once. They set up a lot of money shots and then used CG and didn't give us a real meaty transformation scene, just bits and pieces of transformations with lots of cuts and with wolves that ended up looking more like cats. Good, but not great for me.

I can't wait to get home and unwrap my copy and of course, watch the transformation and hopefully get a real kick out of it. Then once I get off the floor from being blown over, I'll give the film a watch. :)

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Wow. That was awesome, Lampy! First I wanted to thank you for keeping many of the story and TF elements under wraps (unlike one specific person who just came across like a hater to me).

Second, I also want to acknowledge that pretty much everything you touched on - was the basis and love for wanting to make this movie. So just to hear someone like yourself get that - from just the viewing experience - really made my day :) The intentions and choices I made - you seemed to get - and that's so very cool to hear from a viewer.

So many people worked harder than I've ever seen them work on this small budget movie - that it's nice to hear someone recognize that rather than just try and find all the small cracks and blow them up to over exaggerated proportions.

Thanks Lampy :)

Mako

Re: Paradox Alice
 

While you're busy complimenting Lampy, any word on getting the rest of us to be able to see it?

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Depends on where you live? As of now if you live in Asia - the DVD is available on some Japanese Stores. If you live in North America - we are looking to share some good news soon about a potential wide digital release of the movie this Fall with a subsidiary of Sony Pictures. Fabrication Films is representing PARADOX ALICE in Cannes at the moment and there is the potential for it to be released in Europe - but I do not have any more info than that.

Or... you can always go to the TSA Bash this July and not only see the movie, but also a lot of the behind the scenes footage. Deleted scenes. And a chance to drill my head with questions :)

http://tsabash.org


Cheers!
Mako

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Just ordered mine on CDJapan with Registered Air Mail for $47.93 shipped.

May consider eBaying like lowes96 after I've watched it so keep an eye out!


-Chiaroscuros

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Not that I can do anything about it... But you guys do realize reselling Paradox actually hurts us more than it helps? Less units sold on the market means less coming back to help us recoup the costs of making the movie. Just a heads up.

Mako

Re: Paradox Alice
 

You're way too professional to be "that guy."
The beauty of the primary market is that it does a good chunk of the work otherwise left to either the secondary market, or the outright hostile notion of "if we don't sell it, you don't get to see it."
Many of your followers aren't going to be able to shell out for a plane ticket, so - unless you plan on pay-streaming TSA-Bash (not a bad idea in its own right) - they may never appreciate your artistic vision.

After all, there are far worse things people could be doing with your product; and the sooner you ink that distribution deal, the less time they'll have to consider alternative avenues - both legit and not-so-much. ;)

Enough lecturing from me, though; once I have the means, I will certainly be looking into picking up a copy - unless you'd like to note me details for a personal pressing (110% serious here)? :cool:

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Vincent... so that I may better understand and place context around your opinion - what is your professional experience? What sort of jobs and/or education do you have?

- Mako -

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Before this has a chance to ratchet up... just a request to move this sort of discussion to Flame & Bullshit or to carry it out privately. Specifically, the resale talk. Not really relevant to the film itself, I think.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Fair enough, I just want my stance to be publicly known about such matters, so with this post I'll have spoken my piece.

Admittedly I've not had much experience in the film industry; I've mostly pursued the retail sector after acquiring my A.A. As a consumer, though, I hardly think that's relevant; rather, the opinions of the producers in my life ultimately determine whether I'll give their products an even chance. I'm trying to provide a kind warning here, but there's no real way to sugar-coat this: making public statements that come across as economically tone-deaf as the apocryphal Jack Valenti's "the secondary market is - for all intents and purposes - akin to piracy" will never do you favors with your fanbase, particularly when they have no other legitimate option.

You're far too good a producer with far too loyal a following to be making political mistakes this early on. How is exposure a bad thing?

Re: Paradox Alice
 

And that's your subjective opinion, vincent. I don't necessarily agree with it... but I'll respect it.

- Mako -

Re: Paradox Alice
 

That's WHY I don't want to buy it in Japan. As much as I want to see it, I want to give you the money for it, not someone else, Mako. But my patience with distributors is pretty thin these days. Thinner than it's ever been. I know you have to deal with the current system, but in a world where there's no physical reason for a distribution system and the movie could have just been put on netflix after shooting and editing was done, at the very worst, I've lost all tolerance for the people in your industry who control the floodgates.

This is not me saying I intend to steal it or import it at this moment, but it is a reminder that the harder it is to legitimately buy something, the more likely it is that stealing or importing is going to happen.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Heck, if the industry had its first choice, I wouldn't even be able to play the disc I just ordered from Japan as it's not the same region code as the USA.

Fortunately there are workarounds.

Best,

Chiaroscuros

Re: Paradox Alice
 

I don't disagree with you Nightstar. I'm someone on both sides of the fence. I can see both sides of the issue here.

When I started in Animation - everything was mainly hand drawn. It was an art form for sure. And I was around in the business when TOY STORY came out and changed everything. For the next 7-8 years that followed - a major transformation happened. And most Animated Movies went from Traditional to CG.

This did not effect me as much cause I am a film editor. But many of my animation friends around me screamed and kicked at the idea of losing traditional animation. They fought the system, many did not want to touch a computer... and most are no longer in the film business.

I see some of the same thing here - where you have people from one generation fighting to maintain a more traditional approach to the way "things were done". I'm not saying this is right... just saying I can empathize. I do feel the people in this group who can evolve and embrace changes that will eventually HAVE TO HAPPEN... will survive. And I also agree that it's just a FACT of the marketplace and how it will drive what will eventually happen.

Hence my frustration - like yours - is with the distribution process. When I look back at how we did with our short movies (TLPS, The Kiss) we never really made back all the money we put into them. With PARADOX ALICE - we spent 10x the amount of money. And I felt in order to try and get more of that investment back - we needed to think bigger and go with an actual distributor. Especially since we also had a FULL BLOWN movie on our hands that I felt really good about. I really want nothing to do with the distribution myself. That's not something I can or want to do. My focus has always been creating. It's like me asking David Fincher to make DVD's for me and I'll pay him. (Not that I'm comparing myself to him - but it's an example).

Anyways... I get what you are saying Nightstar. And the timing of all of this kind of sucks not only for peeps like you - but for me as well. We are under contract - so my hands are tied. But not indefinitely ;)

- Mako -

Re: Paradox Alice
 

And, because of you, I am getting into the film industry, so... ;)

Re: Paradox Alice
 

DVD just arrived, so it took about 7-8 days to get here (MA) via Registered Air Mail.

Best,
Chiaroscuros

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Just finished watching. Curious what the total budget was - a number of aspects are impressive for an indie scifi film.

Not sure how much I want to comment to avoid spoilers.

-C

Re: Paradox Alice
 

You can always send me a PM if you have any questions or are not sure about something :) A number of peeps having been doing that. Thanks for supporting us, Chiaroscuros.

Cheers,
Mako

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Yeah best bet to PM mako here or at TG Comics if you have spolier-ish questions. Although at TG Comcis, I can zap spoilers, posted in public, with no problem... here not so much.

Then again I have yet to see the movie... so I might not know what is giving it away from not... :D

--Xavier :D

Re: Paradox Alice
 

This may seem like a totally random question, because it is, but... is #fictionmania still a thing? Really? I've not been on the irc channel in years.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

I got to be honest.. I want to see that transformation in the movie VERY BADDLY.
I'm thinking about buying the movie but I gotta know what I'm buying before I do.
From the replys I see that its a painful transformation with reactions in it. (love that)
But I got to know more.....
Is the transformee fullly nude, do you see all the body change, (do you see the penis turn into a vagina), how big do her breasts get.....etc.
Please I have to know before I buy.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Another copy is up on ebay for anyone interested - just search for the title.

Gone

Re: Paradox Alice
 

My copy is up on eBay - as others have said, search for the title. Listing should be live soon.

Best,

-Chiaroscuros

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Hmm, can't find it when I search for "Paradox Alice"

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Oh. Sorry. It sold quickly!

Best,
-C

Re: Paradox Alice
 

love people for thinking the listing will be up for days don't they know this film is hot

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Heh, I could hope. And besides, usually these are auctions. Take days to go. Didn't know it was a buy now lol =)

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Could always purchase the Will Smith "I am Legend" poster as a consolation prize. It's the top search result when searching for it, hah.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

*Shudder*

Why do you have so much hate in you?!

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Here we go....


http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news...-paradox-alice

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Looking forward to purchasing it on itunes! Great call to release it there as well as DVD.

Re: Paradox Alice
 

Yay

Re: Paradox Alice
 

awesome. Looking forward to it