‘Nintendogs’ the Next Best Thing to a Real Pet
DALLAS –– From DigiMon to Tamagotchi, there are dozens of choices for the virtual pet lover. The latest, “Nintendogs,” debuts exclusively for the Nintendo DS handheld game machine.
Just now being released in the U.S., “Nintendogs” is a lifelike digital rendering of perhaps the most universally admired of all domestic animals: puppies.
As in the real world, obtaining a pet starts with a visit to the kennel.
The dogs are shown in 3D and mimic the real thing: they sniff around, pant and bark when excited. (They even engage in some unpleasant but necessary business).
You can “rub” your pet by stroking it on the bottom screen. You teach your pet various tricks by speaking into the microphone, then rewarding your dog with a rub on the back or behind the ear.
1st Joint Animated Feature by two Koreas
SEOUL, South Korea –– The first-ever animated film created together by South and North Korea opened in theaters in Seoul and Pyongyang.
Empress Chung, produced by filmmaker Nelson Shin –– who is originally from the North and does animation for the U.S. series The Simpsons –– was animated entirely by hand at North Korea’s animation studio SEK. The background music was also composed and recorded in the North.
The premiere comes after seven years of production. Empress Chung has already received multiple awards and has been invited to numerous international film festivals.
‘Matrix’ Choreographer to Direct Thai Action Star Jaa
HONG KONG –– Up-and-coming Thai martial arts movie actor Tony Jaa may star in a Hong Kong action movie directed by Yuen Woo-ping, a fight choreographer for two of the Matrix films.
The unnamed $6.4 million movie, will pit Jaa against Wu Jing, a martial arts actor trained by Jet Li’s teacher, in a Thai kickboxing versus Chinese kung fu martial arts extravaganza, The Apple Daily reported.
Talks on the project, to be produced by Peter Chan, director of the 1999 U.S. film The Love Letter, are still ongoing.
Pakistani Artist Showcase
EVENT: Exposing the Source: The Paintings of Nalini Malani
BACKGROUND: Paintings and watercolors full of imagery of women’s lives and India’s urban culture. Part of the Chester and Davida Herwitz Collection of Contemporary Indian Art.
INTERESTING: Pakistan native Nalini Malani was the first Indian artist with a solo exhibition in the U.S.
DETAILS: $9-13, Opening Aug. 27, Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, Salem, Mass., (978) 745-1876, www.pea.org.
San Jose Taiko Drumming
EVENT: Japanese Drumming with San Jose Taiko
BACKGROUND: San Jose Taiko drumming performance program.
INTERESTING: History and cultural discussions with audience.
DETAILS: $7.50-15, Aug. 28, 5:30-7 p.m., Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Rd., Los Altos Hills, Calif., (650) 949-8653, www.hiddenvilla.org.