Wow that Ergo Proxy post took weeks to do, but I'm happy enough with how it came out. I could have spent far longer on it but I didn't want to do a in depth review just some random thoughts.
I don't want this blog just to be media reviews and the like but the will be a fair bit it of it. (I am planing something else where I can do stuff like that) I hope to do more random posts like this one where I can ramble or rant about issues.
Onto the issues: Tech problems for the ages.
Where do I start? The broken internet, battle.net issues, phone issues, Minecraft problems?
The have been tech problems mounting up on me for a while, first my phone out of the blue decided not to play music through any audio jack interface at any kind of audibility. Its a odd issue with I can't fix and have found no one else with a similar issue. So I'm left without music when I'm out and about and I hate not having any.
The internet has been for a lack of a better word odd. It goes down most nights at about 8pm either for seconds or hours. The new router we were sent works but only has a connection speed of less that half that of our old router. And it works again when we put the old one back on a hour or so later. It strange and make little sense.
I've been playing a lot of Hearthstone lately and the was a new update to the game, but for some reason It is struggling to download. I'm getting continues errors and when It thinks its working it isn't.
Speaking of games I have wanted to get back into Minecraft for a while but for some reason it runs like crap for me. Even on the very lowest settings it can't get to 30fps and it chugs.
I'm at a loss at most of the problems but I hope at least some will clear up soon. I wouldn't be surprised if I have forgotten anything else but that's more than enough for me to worry about.
Tuesday 15 March 2016
Ergo Proxy
Ergo Proxy is a 23 part Anime from 2006. I had heard rumbling about around the net over several years but had never gotten around to looking it up. I stumbled
back upon it while finding out about Erased (witch I will write about
when it is done) and decided to give it a go. I watched all of the
episodes in about two weeks and loved it.
Trying to explain why I liked it to my
brother I said something along the lines
of this: “Its one part Ghost in the Shell, one part Blade Runner,
one part Aeon Flux with a hint of Neon Genesis Evangelion.” And that was my reaction after the first two episodes. To be fair the comparisons aren't great
but gives a bit of what the tone of the series is.
Though to he honest comparisons like that isn't fair, not only dose Ergo Proxy stand up one it's own it in some ways is so much more that just that.
Though to he honest comparisons like that isn't fair, not only dose Ergo Proxy stand up one it's own it in some ways is so much more that just that.
The setting is interesting if a bit
under developed, a post apocalypse world were most of the life has died out and humans are only around due to living in huge domed city's to protect them from the poisonous air. They seem to be doing ok and life seems good. As we get in deeper the are strange under currents in
the world and in the governance of the domed city.
I love the pace of the show, slow and steady but not so much that it plods. Even towards the end with what
could be considered filler the are still vital things to learn about
the situation and world. It fits into a standard show structure but keeps away from any tropes with no real filler.
The show is built around its themes, they run deep and there are a fair few. It focuses on the mind and what a person is as well
as the nature of a person and their sole. It is a deep psychological
show and explores some big ideas. The survival of humanity through cataclysms takes centre stage near the end, and it show more than one way to save a species. Though some in way that are disturbing and very controversial.
Re-l is a interesting person; a bit cold
and uncaring at times but keenly intelligent but also obtuse. Here name is strange but the is a side plot that show a possibility of where it came from and that her nature is most definitely a product of her environment.
Pino is a odd child. Seemingly there to provide a cute companion but her role is important. She adds the third side of the humanity question that runs through the show. Her development as the show goes on is very well handled and its hard at time to remember that she is a construction.
Pino is a odd child. Seemingly there to provide a cute companion but her role is important. She adds the third side of the humanity question that runs through the show. Her development as the show goes on is very well handled and its hard at time to remember that she is a construction.
The art is desaturated and muted to
help push the post apocalyptic feel of the show. Grey and blue
dominate the colour pallet with blue used well to set off Re-ls eyes. Though the show is mainly dull we now and then we get a contrast with some very
colourful events or episodes such as the game show one.
Though for the most part the animation is basic it ramps up for some great action scenes. The
lack of emotion through almost no face movement is purposeful and adds to the feel of the show.
The end of the first episode stands out quality wise, there are two big set
pieces and both look awesome. The part where Re-l has a hand run down her face is both well done
and very disturbing.
Some 'grown up' shows are childish and
others play at being smart. Here is a show that isn't afraid to go
over the top at times but not to left field to be absurd. It's themes rule the show and it makes them front and centre for much of the run time. It keeps
what it wants to be at it core and is great.
What is in a name? Ergo Proxy is a name that works not because of any deeper meaning but just because it sounds cool. Is the a deeper meaning? who knows? I don't care to think about it.
Ergo Proxy is 23 episode of pure mind
bending, well written story that doesn't hold your hand. It makes you
think and you have to fill in some of the gaps with you imagination. This is a
show I will re watch for sure just like how
I watch Ghost in the Shell now and then.
Friday 4 March 2016
Lain Makes My Head Hurt
I'm only 4 episodes into it and I'm confused to hell.
The art and direction is fantastic and the story is cool but much of the deeper parts are hard to follow and the other stuff is just plain odd. The themes running through the story and art are mental and very 90s. The show is only a few years after the Ghost in the Shell film. And that is kind of how I would describe it, its Ghost in the the shell with no military bits and slower.
I will not do any kind of deep review for this show because I think I would need a JCB to dig deep enough. I will give a few thoughts when I'm done but not much.
I'm loving it so far and it may end up as one of my fave anime shows.
The art and direction is fantastic and the story is cool but much of the deeper parts are hard to follow and the other stuff is just plain odd. The themes running through the story and art are mental and very 90s. The show is only a few years after the Ghost in the Shell film. And that is kind of how I would describe it, its Ghost in the the shell with no military bits and slower.
I will not do any kind of deep review for this show because I think I would need a JCB to dig deep enough. I will give a few thoughts when I'm done but not much.
I'm loving it so far and it may end up as one of my fave anime shows.
Tuesday 1 March 2016
2016 The Year of Films [March]
This post will be my record of all the films I watch this month.
Now into March I am still trying to watch more films at home or the cinema. I will list them and write a line or two of my thoughts about it. I will also link to any reviews or deeper thoughts I have about the film.
Here is the link to the main index to go to each month.
01. Hitman [2007] (04.03.16)
It was ok. You can tell it was to be Bourne Identity so very bad, but it fails in many places where Bourne is fantastic. Agent 47 is just not a great character to hang a film around. The plot though basic was told ok and the were no major issues with acting or direction. Its a fast paced film but slows a bit about half was through but not in a bad way.
02. A Country Doctor (05.03.16)
A short Japanese animated film based on a short story by Franz Kafka. Dark, surreal and unashamedly weird. The art is creepy and the perspective is off, it bends and distorts to add to the feeling wrongness. Not sure what to make of it overall but I liked it.
03. Space Cop (06.03.16)
Schlock pure schlock! Is it still a parody when it becomes the things it's parodying? Red Letter Media have a thing for bad films and this is a great bad film. Strange and charming with some strait up good stuff. Loved it.
04. Wolf Children (11.03.16)
Wonderful! A lovely story and so well made and told through animation, music and style. It's like a Ghibli film where it wonders around a plot but in the end it's just a fantastic film. Now to watch more by Mamoru Hosoda.
05. The Cat Returns [Ghibli] (13.03.16)
A sort of sequel to Whisper of the Heart, it feels like it could have been a story written by the girl from that film. A very funny film with brilliant performances and awesome artwork. It goes out of it way to be different and it crazy and very fun.
06. Howl's Moving Castle [Ghibli] (21.03.16)
A fantastic film that meanders around (as Ghibli films do) and it is such a great spectacle. I loved how the magic looked and the animation quality is top notch. Hayao Miyazaki is a master at this kind of show.
07. Man of Steel (24.03.16)
Not a bad film but not a good superman film. It feels like it should have been two films. It is disjointed and I don't like how they characterised Superman. Some good action but nothing great but the plot was front loaded. I may do a full review soon.
08. Cloverfield (25.03.16)
This is the first 'found footage' film I have seen. I wont be going out of my way to see any more. It is a good film but why not make it like one, it dragged me out at times when they had to get around the constraints. I can't just be because of the ending they went with. Like I said its a good film just a bit annoying at times.
09. Sicario (27.03.16)
It is a good film. I have issues with it, mostly i am struggling to set the problem in my mind. It looks cool but some of the night views are a bit off. If it set out a bit differently it would have been awesome, the ending was great.
10. Plague Dogs (28.03.16)
Unlike Watership Down this is a survival story not a journey. Two dogs with little hope and the mess they leave in their wake. Very sad at times and it doesn't push its messages down your throat. Well animated in a style I with would make a come back.
Another month gone. Only the ten this month and they were a mixed bag. 5 of them are animated two of witch are Ghibli. Best of the month? Wolf Children I still think about it a bit. Worst? Man of Steel was the most disappointing by far.
Now into March I am still trying to watch more films at home or the cinema. I will list them and write a line or two of my thoughts about it. I will also link to any reviews or deeper thoughts I have about the film.
Here is the link to the main index to go to each month.
01. Hitman [2007] (04.03.16)
It was ok. You can tell it was to be Bourne Identity so very bad, but it fails in many places where Bourne is fantastic. Agent 47 is just not a great character to hang a film around. The plot though basic was told ok and the were no major issues with acting or direction. Its a fast paced film but slows a bit about half was through but not in a bad way.
02. A Country Doctor (05.03.16)
A short Japanese animated film based on a short story by Franz Kafka. Dark, surreal and unashamedly weird. The art is creepy and the perspective is off, it bends and distorts to add to the feeling wrongness. Not sure what to make of it overall but I liked it.
03. Space Cop (06.03.16)
Schlock pure schlock! Is it still a parody when it becomes the things it's parodying? Red Letter Media have a thing for bad films and this is a great bad film. Strange and charming with some strait up good stuff. Loved it.
04. Wolf Children (11.03.16)
Wonderful! A lovely story and so well made and told through animation, music and style. It's like a Ghibli film where it wonders around a plot but in the end it's just a fantastic film. Now to watch more by Mamoru Hosoda.
05. The Cat Returns [Ghibli] (13.03.16)
A sort of sequel to Whisper of the Heart, it feels like it could have been a story written by the girl from that film. A very funny film with brilliant performances and awesome artwork. It goes out of it way to be different and it crazy and very fun.
06. Howl's Moving Castle [Ghibli] (21.03.16)
A fantastic film that meanders around (as Ghibli films do) and it is such a great spectacle. I loved how the magic looked and the animation quality is top notch. Hayao Miyazaki is a master at this kind of show.
07. Man of Steel (24.03.16)
Not a bad film but not a good superman film. It feels like it should have been two films. It is disjointed and I don't like how they characterised Superman. Some good action but nothing great but the plot was front loaded. I may do a full review soon.
08. Cloverfield (25.03.16)
This is the first 'found footage' film I have seen. I wont be going out of my way to see any more. It is a good film but why not make it like one, it dragged me out at times when they had to get around the constraints. I can't just be because of the ending they went with. Like I said its a good film just a bit annoying at times.
09. Sicario (27.03.16)
It is a good film. I have issues with it, mostly i am struggling to set the problem in my mind. It looks cool but some of the night views are a bit off. If it set out a bit differently it would have been awesome, the ending was great.
10. Plague Dogs (28.03.16)
Unlike Watership Down this is a survival story not a journey. Two dogs with little hope and the mess they leave in their wake. Very sad at times and it doesn't push its messages down your throat. Well animated in a style I with would make a come back.
Another month gone. Only the ten this month and they were a mixed bag. 5 of them are animated two of witch are Ghibli. Best of the month? Wolf Children I still think about it a bit. Worst? Man of Steel was the most disappointing by far.
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