Snipes' Slight Return...

There are certain roles that define a successful actor's career. Irrespective of how many roles he's ever played, there's usually just one character that transforms him into a household name, and secures his place in our collective memory. 

For Wesley Snipes it was, and forever will be, Blade. He was literally built for the iconic role of vigilante vampire killer - tattoos, samurai sword and razor-sharp threads included...

Snipes had many headlining roles before that, but Blade clearly defined him, so much so that you could never imagine anyone else playing the part (as clearly demonstrated by the highly forgettable mini-series spin-off).

The problem was that after Blades 1, 2 and 3, what else could Snipes do with the role, and where else could he go?

Well as it happened, it turned out to be jail... Tax evasion doesn't pay, and Snipes learned that the hard way.

While he did his time, all thoughts of Blade were put on the backburner. Nevertheless the vampire genre continued to draw the crowds to the movies, even though the plethora of Blade-like characters on offer were just poor imitations of the original.

But now Wesley Snipes is back, and he's already made a comeback on the big screen in a number of supporting roles.

But us diehard Blade fans are now waiting for Snipes to sink his teeth into a part that suits his brooding demeanour.

As yet, no talks of any Blade sequels, but the other day I chanced upon a trailer for an upcoming movie called Gallow Walkers... starring no less than Wesley Snipes as a Wild West gunslinger hunting down a plague of evil undead... Cool!

I'd call it Cowboy Blade or something similar... the role looks that familiar!

But anyway whatever said and done, its good to have Snipes back where he belongs.

And hopefully this'll be a taste of more gory  good things to come...

(BTW - I would heartedly recommend NOT stopping the clip at 01:19...

LIFE LESS ORDINARY

I love telling personal stories; about how people are able to change themselves and the world around them. People who make an impact for the better...

Not only are they inspirational to me, but their work has a contagious effect that you can't help yourself being drawn towards...

I was asked to take part in the production of a series called Life Less Ordinary for Channel NewsAsia, and it was my particular pleasure to tell the story of Kiran Sethi - a game-changer in more ways than one!

Watch the full episode:

BOOMTOWN ASIA

It's been a busy New Year, and I have been hard at work on several programmes for Channel NewsAsia.

The station is really diversifying and spreading its reach across Asia and beyond, and so has provided some interesting opportunities in terms of subject matter and storytelling.

I just recently finished series-producing and co-writing a technology series for CNA, entitled Boomtown Asia; a local take on the ever-popular Megastructures series...

We were able to employ some cool graphics to create a glimpse of the future:

Watch the full first episode here:

Tuskerman Transmissions #04

DYNAMIC DUO:

So there I was quietly minding my own business with Prodigy on the i-pod. Had just disembarked from the train and was heading up the escalators, when suddenly some guy coming up the other way Hi-Five's me and shouts, "Yo dude!"

I think to myself, do I know this chubby little bespectacled fellow? And then I realized he was wearing a Green Lantern T-shirt... As we passed he was furiously pointing at my shirt and giving me an eager thumbs-up.

I forgot I was wearing my Batman T-shirt... and then I smiled rather sheepishly I think...

Yes totally nerdish, but strangely satisfying. Just Supernerds passing in the night.

Hell, us Justice Leaguers must stick together after all....

Tuskerman Transmissions #03

MAGIC IN THE WILDERNESS

It never ceases to amaze me how Nature continues to weave Her magic disappearing spells on us, even in this age of mass deforestation and urbanization.

As species go extinct as fast as the seconds hand on a clock, so too do others seemingly disappear and then suddenly re-appear like some monumental game of hide and seek.

A recent case in point is the beautifully enigmatic Borneo Bay Cat (Pardofelis badia). Although first identified 138 years ago, almost nothing is actually known about it. In fact the cat has managed to completely elude researchers and conservationists. The first photo of the cat wasn’t taken until 1998 and the first video was shot just two years ago, but that's about it - nothing is still known about its life cycle or behaviour.

You know, scientists dream as feverishly and as frequently as the rest of humanity, and someone's dream obviously came true when this gorgeous red and brown creature wandered through their camera trap earlier this month!


Photo by Jo Ross and Andrew Hearn/Global Canopy Programme

It disappeared just as soon as it appeared, but it was enough to rekindle that spark of enthusiasm that draws us back to the wild, time and time again.

Who knows when it will be seen again; who can predict when it performs its next magic trick? But just the very knowledge that something as sizable and as stunning as the Borneo Bay Cat can continue to elude us even in this ever-shrinking world; now that's a good feeling...

Tuskerman Transmissions #02

ARMPIT ALARM

I learned today, that the Silverback male Gorilla will emit a strong body odour from his armpits when he is either threatened or excited, and to also notify other gorillas of his location.

Of the 98.67% genetic similarities we share with this gentle giant, it figures that armpit odour had to be somewhere on the list...

So if you are ever fortunate enough to encounter one of our closest cousins in the wild, don't bring deodorant...

ART: You know you're in love when...

My fantastic in-laws managed to dig up this 'blast from the past'...

Its one of just a few portraits I have ever attempted (humans are much harder to render realistically than animals), and with good reason...

Yes, this is Kristen, or at least my rendition of her, way back in '97 when we were in the early days of courtship!

Yes, it is slightly lop-sided. And yes, Kristen laughs at it. But it took bloody ages to do, and I don't think its that bad.

In my eyes, almost 15 years after the event, it really does still capture her at the beginning of our big adventure together.

Time flies when you're having fun!

Tuskerman Transmissions #01

BEATING THE QUEUE: ATTENBOROUGH-STYLE

While stuck in an hour-long queue at the supermarket, (for example, on the last weekend before Chinese New Year), why not pass the time by pretending to be David Attenborough, and narrate a wildlife documentary in your head, using the people around you as your subjects/characters.

It is extremely entertaining, and becomes a fascinating expose of human behaviour, as you begin to identify family traits and the various subtle interplays of domination and submission within our strange society.

And hey presto... one hour has elapsed, the queue has disappeared, the smelly children have gone, and you at the checkout. Nice.

Tuskerman Transmissions: A New Year...

Over the years I have realized just how much anecdotal and useful bits of information I have come across on a daily basis - only to have them lost in the vacant recesses of my brain, to be lost for all eternity.

So this year, I shall endeavour to preserve them for posterity, here on the pages of this blog, so that others might find them of use, or at least a desperate talking point after dinner... And you never know, they just might help save your life...

So without further ado, welcome to the Tuskerman Transmissions...

Artwork: DEFIANCE

15 x 22, pastel, 2011