Sunday 21 April 2019

The Promised Neverland [Yakusoku no Neverland]

It is rare that a story with such heart also has other elements that are required to elevate it towards greatness. The Promised Neverland is such a great story, with very interesting world building and characters that have depth but are also so very human. It has plotting and a narrative that weaves delightful turns and twists that pull emotions trough every possible passage towards its climax. Then when is is said and done we know that there will be more to come.

I have a solid history with this creation. I have read all the chapters every week as they have come out since day one. I own all the current volumes in paper and I was enthralled by the animation. It is something that I need to talk about. I have often been absorbed by media I consume, they all hook onto my imagination and I find myself lost in thought at times.

 

We start at an orphanage, a nice secluded country place run buy a kind middle aged woman who cares for a bunch of children. From baby's to 12 year olds, they live in peace which is only disturbed by the chaos of children going about the activities of youth. The children are varied but kind, helpful and little bit special. They have school lessons and most would be coincided smart, even a few could perhaps be called geniuses. They also all have numbers on their necks, marked like brands.

Grace field house is a farm. It rases children, smart and compitiant children then they are a certain age they are 'adopted' or if they fail to meet the standard they could be adopted at a younger age. When this happens two of our main characters sneak to see their sister off and deliver a lost toy. They instead see something to chill the bones and scare them to high heaven. Now they must escape it they want to live.

The only issue is, their Mom is in on it!


Cat and mouse doesn't cover the mental battles and scheming that goes on. for many episodes it is a game of discovery and counter plays. Hands are played and countered and options removed and barriers constructed. The kids verses the adults and the system. The children are smart but age counts against them as dose the cold methods of their mother.

The way this show sets out all the options as time goes on is masterful. The catharsis of a small victory next to the terror of discovery or worse is balanced finely. Thinking ahead is never the problem, being able to see the rules to their strange world and discovering obstacles before they become an issue is.


The way our three main characters are rendered is past the typical tropes. They have a past life and decisions have meaning. From wanting to save all the children at once to if the is a need to kill. They come at the options with finesse and heart. That they care for each other is a given but how it is portrayed gets you in the guts. They are children and trying to live as before with their new knowledge is hard to watch.

This season covers this plot line with such skill it is easy to forget this is only a preamble to a larger plot and world to come. I have read well into the third arc but it is that first escape plot that sets the tone and feel of the way the author will show any story to us. The clues dropped and world that expands slowly revel questions that will get answered but not for quite some time. Its plotting is some of the best around.


The animation direction and voice acting are routinely great with some stand out moments. The is a lot of times where it is two or three characters just talking but it is made in such a way that the tension never leaves. The art style carries over from the manga nicely, the are of Posuka Demizu is atypical and the sketchy, messy style works well on the on paper and on screen. As a side note this manga is the only one I know of that pulls of a jump scare in a book.

The editing helps with the seance of unease, life is not normal we know this from the outset but the edits and camera moves but we don’t learn until the end of episode one. Such cleaver tricks are used throughout to good effect. It piles on the emotions when needed and not gust terror but times of pure joy and happiness. 


Tears almost came at several points, bearing in mind I know the story all the twists and the future but it is sold to me and I buy it up and invest wholesale. It is a story in which I loose myself, 24 minutes seems like 5 it flys and leaves me wanting more. The cliff hangers are so well placed not enough shows have good enough hooks theses days.

The music, the ‘bad guys’, the punches it doesn't pull and the imagery. The is much more to mention or dissect but that I will keep in my mind for now.


This is a show that delighted, horrified and most of all engaged with me on a deeper level. I can’t wait to watch the second season but in the meantime the manga is entering its endgame.

Wednesday 13 March 2019

2019 In Film [Part 1]

No point in going month by month this year. I've got busy and my sleep schedule had changed so I have less time in the evenings but I still want to log the films I have watched. I will do a new post after 20 films or so.

01. Capitan Marvel [cinema] (13/03/19)
Marvels answer to Superman, a hero with strong powers but unlike Superman one that has a rounded character. Such a cool film, a few issues here and there but very fun. I love the direction they are going. Not long now until Endgame.

02. Avengers Infinity War (16.03.19)
The trailer for Endgame made me want to watch this again. Thantos is a fantastic villain and his henchmen are great too. Such a great film, so many great moments that all add up to a greater whole.

03. Paprika (20.03.19)
Always something new to pick up on. The subtle references to how the two machines were stolen in the first place weren't clear to me until this time trough. Perhaps I need to track down a different translation but I think it is very initial that things are left obtuse. I love the blocking and character movements, this like his other films are a love letter to film. So much more to dive into, i'll have to re read my old post on this film and see what has changed. A classic.

04. Atomic Blonde (23.03.19)
Been meaning to watch this one for a while. Very good if a bit too over the top in places. The plot is kind of all over the place but it is meant to keep you guessing. A few good twists but not quite enough there to work fully. Still it is a good bit of action.

05. Spirited Away (30/03.19)
Then this happens, then this, then that, and then, then… No plot as such just a fine story. It has some magical moments and the whole thing is just delightful. 

06. Containment [short] (31.03.19)
An official fan film to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Alien. The only things that give it away as a fan production is the script and acting. Other than that its kind of cool.
 
07. Spring [short] (06.04.19)
The photo realistic landscapes are something to behold. Blender animation studio have created a beautiful little film. The direction and story are both solid as is the music. It is the animation quality that sets it apart. Very cool little film.

08. John Wick (21.04.19)
Such a good film. It is smart in its set up and the extended payback is so damn good. All the motivations work and surprisingly for a film of this type the is a fair bit of world building. Looking forward to the third film.

09. John Wick Chapter 2 (22.04.19)
The world got bigger but the driving force is still grounded. It all keeps coming back to decisions made and not just the ones you have control over. Really can’t wait for the next one.

10. Avengers Endgame [Cinima] (26.04.19)
How can they hit every home run so well? It works and it takes 11 years of films and tops it off with a nice bow. Some great moments brought together by a well worked plot. I even love how they handled Thanos, he had his victory and they didn’t take it from him but they did get their win. Marvel built something great with this franchise and the is nothing quite like it.

11. The End of Evangelion (27.04.19)
The film to finish of the 26 part anime series from 1995 ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’. It runs along the very divisive and bizarre final two episodes. The end of the world on a timetable made by man but with no consensus on how exactly the end should come. (also not an end but a new begging) The film and series both focus on mental well being and the struggle for life. Made as a response to Japanese social fears in the generations following world war two and some other events it looks deep and very abstractly into fears of death and the painful choice, or worse not choosing. So much can and has be said about every little detail and the macro aspects of this story. And its not even done.

12. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (28.04.19)
I’m not sure how they fit so much in. Then the is the style and animation quality... One of the best comic book films ever made.

13. Avengers Endgame [Cinema] (01.05.19)
I saw it again.

14. The Raid Redemption (06.05.19)
Though the plot is largely superfluous to the film but it has a few issues, mainly character motivations. It may have been clearer if I didn’t have to pay attention to the subtitles. Solid action boarding on brilliant at times. Solid film.

15. Glass (10.05.19)
The third in a bizarre set of films. M Night is known for his twists and the few he managed to put in this one were great. Give a lot to tink about. Some doggy shot choice but other than that a competent film if noting visually special. A nice way to make the story work.
16. The Raid 2 (15.05.19)
A bit of a different beast this one. Keeps a lot of what made the first one so good but kills the personal element early on. Family is always more interesting than gangster politics. Fantastic action, a bit over the top but it makes it a art form.

17. Thor Ragnarok (20.05.19)
Such good fun, but with moments of depth. The soundtrack goes many places and is great. Not a dull moment.

18. Out of Sight [short] (22.05.19)
Well that was a bit special. I love how the world fills in bit by bit, with every sense adding its own little detail. I caught the drift fairly quickly but its cool how it doesn't draw attention to the issue.

19. The Matrix (24.05.19)
Its odd what you notice on additional viewings, Agent Smith has a gold lined suit. Not sure it has much thematic relevance but in a film like this that has so much though put into it (even if the themes aren’t that deep and very of its time) it could mean something. Still a great film even after 20 years. I wonder if the other two hold up?
 

20. Jason Bourne (25.05.19)
Oh boy. The thing is it is almost great, but they lose a few things that make Bourne great. The are some dumb tech moments and stupid duologue but it is the loss of the tone and settings that effect the film most. It doesn't work when it is in the US and when it tries to be flashy. This isn’t Bond it should be what Bond can’t be. But the ending kills the rest of the film. I could go in-depth but I don’t want to work myself up.

21. The Lego Movie 2 The Second Part (05.06.19)
Up there with the first one. It takes the heart of the original and adds to it, less of a mystery but the pace is fast and the are some very cool moments. 

Tbc...

Monday 31 December 2018

The Long Path Continues Into 2019

This must have been the longest year to have lasted as long as a year.


All things come to an end, apart from the ones that don't. I am ever-increasing given to the position that the construct of years is far too heavy given credence over our lives. (side note: what dose it say about me that my life is a path not a road?)

Like birthdays I find it to be tedious and rather dull. Life is far too complex to break down in equal chunks. My life has had many parts but not near as many as years I have been alive. I live by eras and I like the one I am in, one that I could say started this year but then it isn't also a clean line.


No looking back this year, only forward. Leaving behind me a wake of unwritten posts and other things that will be better for my life to be left behind me. The impact of the past on your life is massive but the past that you will make next will be greater if you focus on it.

I've not even had a drink yet and I'm being very abstract. I am finding the list of talking points I made for this post to be a mental wall, I think I will go back to having these posts as places to let free my wondering mind and clear up my head space.


Here's to the future. And here's to living in it.

Monday 24 December 2018

One Christmas Song - I Believe In Father Christmas

Track 9 - Works Volume 2
Greg Lake

One of my favourite “popular” Christmas songs. Though it is not a Christmas song. Perhaps?
 



Death of the author is a cool concept. Art is what people see or hear it to be, so if the public at large believes this is a Christmas song who am I to argue? Well part of said public I suppose.

They said there'll be snow at christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
But instead it just kept on raining
A veil of tears for the virgin's birth
I remember one christmas morning
A winters light and a distant choir
And the peal of a bell and that christmas tree smell
And their eyes full of tinsel and fire

A look at Christmas from the eyes of someone out of the loop as such. Taking all that we have come to accept as the perfect Christmas at heart and being disappointed by the reality. Also it is a lament on the lost meaning of Christmas, and at the magic that doesn't exist.

It even goes deep into the outsider view and the are some very cute misunderstandings. It also shatters innocence, seeing who is acting as Santa. It is all wrapped around a hopeful facade of Christmas cheer and traditions.

They sold me a dream of christmas
They sold me a silent night
And they told me a fairy story
'till I believed in the israelite
And I believed in father christmas
And I looked at the sky with excited eyes
'till I woke with a yawn in the first light of dawn
And I saw him and through his disguise

It ends on a brighter note, wishing us a happy Christmas, but it has a sting in its tail. What Christmas do we deserve? Dose it even matter what kind of Christmas you celebrate?

The musical crescendo near the end and the power in the vocals makes me shiver, it is one of the few songs to have a physical impact on me. His voice is fantastic and the performance is alive and emotive, you feel his sadness and hope.

I wish you a hopeful christmas
I wish you a brave new year
All anguish pain and sadness
Leave your heart and let your road be clear
They said there'll be snow at christmas
They said there'll be peace on earth
Hallelujah noel be it heaven or hell
The christmas you get you deserve

I love this song and I love that it is a Christmas song.

Sunday 9 December 2018

2018's Film List [December]

INDEX

01. Flatline - How the Amiga Languished (09.12.18)
Another great documentory by Ahoy. Classy and very well put togther it tells the stroy of the creation and life of the Amiga computer.

02. Unforeseen Consequences - A Half-Life Documentary (15.12.18)
One of the best games ever made. I played it for the first time around 2002 and even then it was what cemented my love of FPS. This is another gret doc by NoClip that lookis into how the game and its sequel forever changed the landscape of gameing.

03. The Nightmare Before Christmas (19.12.18)
Didn't know Jack was voiced by Danny Elfman. My first time seeing this all the way through, it is famous for it's introduction song and it is class. A good film very well put together though the could have been more to the story.

04. Avangers Infinity War (21.12.18)
I have already made up my mind, this is my favorite film of the year.

05. Star Wars The Force Awakens (25.12.18)
Nothing good on TV tonight, needed something to enjoy as I relaxed.

06. Guardians of the Galaxy (26.12.18)
This film has a lot of heart. Fun and moving with some very very cool moments.

07. Mission Impossible - Fallout (30.12.18)
It's got ist head too far up its own continiuity. A good film if very predictible. Good action but I think it was plotted using dart board... in the dark... with a shotgun.

08. Ant-Man and the Wasp (31.12.18)
Such a fun film. A few strange edits that feel like they were for time but on the whole it works well. The use of the powers was good and the villian was strong but not thin.

So that is it for another year. Started strong but the last few months were very slow.

Best? Has to be a tie between two films I haven stopped thinking about since I watched them.
Avengers Infinty War - and - Annihilation

Monday 12 November 2018

2018's Film List [November]

INDEX



01. They Shall Not Grow Old (12.11.18)
Aw we who are left grow old... On a pure technolical level this documentry is great. The direction and editing are what makes it a spectical. This is the kind of feilm we need, one that shows as much as it can. Required watching.

02. Neila [short] (30.11.18)
It both tries too hard and also dosent earn what is it aiming for. Good little film but it needed more breathing space.


Oh boy what happend this month? I shold get a bit more time in December.

Monday 29 October 2018

Broken for Now

It has been a troubling few months. It’s been hard work all around. Even though It is coming up to a very busy time of year, I feel like I'm good to go.

 Surrounded by Ghosts

Do first off my knee. It still looks ugly and red, but the is no pain and seems like it will slowly end up as a ugly scar. It took far too long to heal up and the was a small fear of infection but a week later it was on track.

From my knee to my mouth. I kind of knocked out a tooth. Upper front as well, I banged my head (a far too common occurrence of late) and it cracked and came out a day later. The roots are still in as well. The dentist made expensive sounding noises when he looked in my mouth. So I have five appointments coming up and will need a few teeth out. That is not going to be fun, or cheep.

Ouch!

I have finally decide to give John Scalzi a go. He is a Sifi author and I have jumped into his first book. 'Old Man’s War' is was good I feel like it could have dome more with the premise but it is a solid space marine story. I've just about done with the sequel as well.

The style is good and had given me a push into getting back into writing myself. I have decided to give NaNoWriMo a shot this year. I have three ideas of different sizes to focus on and I will keep a daily word count. It should be a good bit of fun. I just ned to find time to give it a go.


Light Drawings

I had a crazy evening a few weeks back, I had two days notice that a choir wanted their concert recording. I didn't have access to all my kit and no time for a good set up but I somehow pulled it off. The edit was a pain having four cameras running at different times. It came out well enough. It could be better but everyone is happy with it.

I even have been asked to do two more recoding for the church in December. They should be a fair bit less stressful. I think I know how I want to do it, though I will need to borrow my brothers camera as well.

The Edit

The was plenty more I wanted to say but this blog has been in the works for weeks so things have fallen away. Oh and here are some photos of fireworks from last weekend.