DVD: Batman and Robin

I read the bad raps about the 'Batman and Robin' movie but that didn't stop me from making it my latest DVD purchase. I remember it being a good watch back in the day and I wanted my son to get the same experience I have had.

Well the film goes like this; Batman is now an accepted figure in the police force and the public, new villains arrive at the scene, Batman and Robin saves the day, enter additional vilain, springs other villain, they fight it out and Batman saves the day again. In the background, there are underlying issues about the trust in Batman and Robin's partnership, Alfred's illness, and the addition of Alfred's niece who ends up being Bat Girl.

While watching the movie, I noticed...I didn't enjoy the film as I used to before. The script was like a string of corny on-liners and/or wise cracks/ comebacks...specially for Poison Ivy and Mr.Freeze. And the way it was done...uggghh...it made me sick and then some. Talk about overacting. It did occur to me that the film has that circus-like feel to it. With all those neon colored stuff and excessive use of black light and baby color tones.

My son liked it though...one might wonder what he would think about it when he grows up.

I also hated the special features because it was in text format. If I wanted to read about something, I'll get a book. Imagine 'reading' the behind the scenes and various other featurettes instead of watching them.

I'm not sure if this is for the Philippine edition DVD only. But I must say that this one sucks.

I recommend not wasting your time and money on the DVD. If you really just want to watch the movie, just go out and rent one.

DVD: Ghostbusters Movie box set

I happen to come across a DVD box set of one of my childhood favorite movie franchise. 'The Ghostbusters' movie box set includes the DVD of the 1st and second movie.

It was fun to see them again in action, and the antics of Harold Ramis, Dan Akroyd, Bill Murray and Ernie Hudson still is funny to me even until now. Its one of the few film franchise that I believe would still appeal to the newer generation of viewers. As proof, my son named these films as one of his favorites (alongside Garfield, Avatar and Alvin and the Chimpmunks).

I had to admit that my preference in characters had changed. During my childhood, I looked up to Peter Venkman... now, I prefer Ray and Winston. Their one liners gave the story some enjoyable punchlines.

As the film is not much of a laugh-fest...it is still enjoyable to watch because of the story, the dynamics of the characters, and the situation they all get themselves into.

As much as the film brought a lot of laughs, viewing enjoyment, and a bit of nostalgia, the special features left a lot to desire for. The featurette about the special effects used was a total bummer, it made me fall asleep at least three times. I was expecting the same featurette I saw back in the 80's. It was more of a documentary back then...now its like a long commentary with the effects supervisors chat it up.

(J-Drama) Atashinchi no Danshi

I wrote a few months back about my anticipation for the then latest drama starring my fave Maki Horikita. Well, for me the wait was over after I finally watched it. 

As mentioned before, the drama revolves around Chisato, played by Maki,  who lost her mother at an early age and was rendered homeless as her father incurred a very large gambling debt and skipped town. She moves from park, to field, to a net cafe owned by her highschool friend dodging the men who her father owes money.

When the bad guys catch up with Chisato, she was rescued by an eccentric millionaire Shinzo Okura, paying off her father's debt. In return, she has to be her wife for the remaining few months of his life. Along the series, she reminices their time together, through flashbacks, where he teaches Chisato a lot of things about life and family. 

After Shizo's death, Chisato learns that along with other conditions she failed to read in their agreement, she has to perform motherly task to Shinzo's 6 adopted sons. This is to relieve Chisato from paying back the money Shinzo used to pay off her father's gambling debt.

The problem is, the children don't recognize her as their step-mother and shrug off any attempts to get them together and be a family. But slowly, she accomplishes feats that earns her their trust and affection.

Within the series, the 6 adopted sons also had to face their difficulties in relating with their siblings, getting a grip on the concept of 'family' and facing their own past.

The amusing theme in the series is, as the boys warm up to their step-mother, they get into circumstances that , may appear common place in families, becomes humorous since the boys are used to being with just guys, and because of the fairly young age of their step-mother.

As things go crazy at the least few episodes, there were a lot of plot twists and shocking revelations that made the series very intresting. In the end, the boys decided to return to their roots, face their past, go their seperate ways and move on. They left the house as Chisato was finally feeling that she now has a family of her own.

As Chisato gloomily sits by herself at the dining hall, the doors burst open with the noisy banter of her 'sons' returning with each having a different story that things didn't go as planned and they needed to return to the house. 

So continues the life of Chisato in the house of her new family and with another story, albeit romantic, on the sidelines.

As the series was a bit dragging in the middle, it was quite a watch in the early parts and the ending. Maki does a good job in her potrayal of the role with her unique quirps and expressions. Although it is a good series, I didn't watch it again afterwards, unlike her other series which I watched again and again.

Anime: Dance in the Vampire Bund

I found an interesting anime in the web the other day. Its entitled "Dance in the Vampire Bund". Unlike most of the animes based on the vampire lore, it has a single twist of its own; Mina Tepes, the decendant of Vlad II (therefore the princess of all vampires) decided to expose their kind to the world and plans to create a country for vampires off the coast of Tokyo Bay called 'The Bund". She wants the vampires to coexist with the humans, to the dismay of other groups, human and non-human alike.

Accompanying her is Akira, an amnesiac-student-by-day werewolf who swore to protect Mina forever.

The first episode was a doozy, I didn't like it that much but the story left me in anticipation for the next episodes. Although a serious romance-action anime, it has its share of goofy parts. Also, it has a lot of 'lolita' aspect woven into it as Akira has grown from boyhood while Mina stayed almost the same (I was a bit surprised about the 'puting the lotion on a nude adolescent vampire princess' portion in the second episode.

Its still a good anime to watch, as it is still an ongoing series.

Game: StarWars Battlefront (Renegade Squadron)

"Starwars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron" for the PSP is not a new game, I've had it for a while and finished it before. But with my new Super Bass headphones, I began to love this game again. In the instant action mode, you'll be drawn in by the great sounding explosions, blaster fire and others.

While rekindling my new found love for this game, I started playing the Galactic Conquest mode also. This gave the 'instant action' mode meaning and direction. 

While the 'instant action' puts you into various battles of your choosing, the 'galactic conquest' lets you take the tactical approach in conquering your enemy. This game mode revolves around phase changes, much like your basic card game. You complete your set of phases and within those moves, the enemy can counter move as needed.

The first phase is the Purchase Phase where you buy technology and troops to capture a planet. Spend your credits wisely. If you don't need to move or reinforce your troops, save your credits to enable you to purchase the tech needed to improve your troops. The number of planets you hold and the heroes you recruited influence the credits you earn at the end of each player phase.

The second phase is the Troop Movement Phase where you either position your troops for an impending attack or to invade a planet. If you are invading, your enemy will counter by defending their planet. In this you can either select 'attack', where you join the invasion therefore switching to a 'instant action' sort of game, or you can also choose 'auto-resolve', where the CPU uses random possibilities to who wins or looses. I rather choose 'Attack/Defend' since when I chose 'auto-resolve' 98% of the time, you will lose. And the number of your troops will decrease dramatically.

The final phase is the Reinforce Phase, where you transfer troops where they are needed. Oftentimes, after an assault, your troop number will dwindle due to battle casualties. This will be a chance to reinforce those planets to give you a better army in case of a counter attack.

Joining the fray makes this game mode tons of fun. Of course, they all use the conquest type of game, so you have to increase your capture rate. The less bases the enemy has, the less chances there is for their reinforcement. In the event that you are able to capture all the bases, the game will automatically end in your fave, even if the enemy has a lot of units to spare.

For head on action, which are needed in planets like Korriban, Mygeeto or Saleucami; I combine the shotgun and cluster grenade for maximum melee or surge damage. In some planets, like Ord Mantell or Geonosis, Its better to keep a safe distance. Let your troops fight head to head with the enemy while you pick them out one by one with your sniper rifle. If anyone comes close, use your explosive blaster pistol for that one shot-one finish delight.

Some planets needs an upgrade in your tech to enable you to play them, like Alderaan or Space Saleucami, where your need at least a level 2 in space technology

All in all, this feature gave me, like, a new game to play with. Combining tactical troop movement and fiece combat skills in one awesome package,,,with great sounds to boot.

TV Series: Ghost Hunters

Scanning through some TV Series, a certain reality format program caught my attention. Its entitled "Ghost Hunters" of the Sci-Fi channel. Its about the group called "The Atlantic Paranormal Society", or TAPS for short, run by the 2 'Roto-Rooter plumbers-by-day' guys, Grant and Jason.

I got to watch the series early on their second season, where they transferred from their make shift headquarters at a trailer in Jason's backyard, to a storefronted office in Rhode Island, complete with equipment vans and a mobile headquarters.

Using various scientific equpment such as surface thermometers, EMF meters, thermal cameras, and an array of digital video and audio recording equipment, they go to a reported 'haunting' and try to debunk it using the evidence they gathered and by finding a rational explanation to what goes bump in the night.

They start by interviewing their 'clients' as to what supernatural events has transpired and where they commonly occur. After leaving their recording equipment in these 'hotspots', they go around investigating the area. After at least 8 to 12 hours of investigation, they retrieve all their data and equipment and review them. They move by process of elimination wherein the staff view and listen to the recorded data and, when they find something strange captured in their recordings, they debate if that piece of evidence is noteworthy or something common or rational which was viewed wrong (i.e., dust, reflections, creaking floorboards, water heater starting, etc...).

In between the investigation, they are some human intrest drama going on which gives the series the documentary - reality show feel to it. They also present some valid deductions or information which makes sense when debunking.

But as the series progresses, the formula of the program becomes boring. Maybe due to the fact that most of the times, its not a haunting that occurs. Maybe its the frustration of seing the investigators seems to insinuate or prove a haunting with certain feelings and observations, like when they said that they can feel the temperature change rapidly, or they smell something different, or when they see a moving shadow at out of the corner of their eye...you expect some evidence to back it up. But in the end, they capture nothing.

Well, as Jason once said, "sometimes they play, sometimes they don't".

Avatar on I MAX

Last New Year's eve, I wen to see James Cameron's latest epic 'Avatar' on I Max. I first viewed the trailers and effects shots from their official page before deciding on watching it there. 

I was right.

Watching this movie on digital 3D on I-Max really immerses the viewer in the sorroundings and action within. You can also appreciate not only the panoramic landscape of Pandora, but you could also savor the detail of various element within the movie. When they fly or speed across the jungle, you feel that you fly along with them. There were also certain angles that impressed the audience, which could have been lesser reception on a normal movie screen. Even the close-ups or narrow shots were imposing. It complements the mood of the scene without straining your eye on seeing who's who in that sequence.

The characters were developed in an acceptable pace in the movie. Not too hurried, but just enough to feel a bit attached with them as the story progresses. You also have to give props to the lesser known actors that gave an impressive performance, along with the veterans.

The effects were astounding, the characters larger than life (no pun intended), and the overall set design and mechanical design was a treat. But the plot wasn't something new...nor was it an overused one. For a such a visual extravaganza, I  have hoped for something more groundbreaking in terms of plot or story telling.

Me and my cousin talked about this and it reminded us of some movies, I said it was like 'Dances with Wolves' meets 'Starship Troopers', or 'Last Samurai' mixed with a little 'Platoon'. In a sense they all coincide with the occuring theme of the movie. The main motif was the 'Dances / Last Samurai' part where the main character "goes native" and fights his superiors. The 'Platoon' part... well in an interiew they said they wanted to inject a 'Nam' feel for the military aspect.

There were a lot of negative buzz generated in the internet; that the movie is just an eye candy, or that the plot was a flop, or it promotes racism... (eh?). Well its understandable because the story does leave one hoping for more. All that hype in the media raised the people's expectations. To a point that the story alone cannot satisfy their pre-concieved notion of the movie. It might not be 'all that' in terms of plot,  what's important here is that you enjoyed seeing the movie, you are drawn in by the characters, and the movie just leaves you begging for more.

Now...what burns me out are these conservatives who view too much into the movie that take it at entertainment value...its a blorg -dammed movie...made for your enjoyment and maybe carry a message or two. The uptight suits said it promotes racism, the anti-smoking movement lashed out on Sigourney Weaver for smoking in the movie, the Vactican is upset for showing beings that worship nature instead of their god. What the F*_+>?+!:., maybe they just want you to see a movie of 2 dogs staring at each other....wait, then the animal rights movement will join the fray, and some minority group would cry out that these dogs has some hidden degradory message if you flip it upside down, back mask the audio, tweek it to 2.4 kHz, and put white hoods on the dogs. AAARRRGRGGGHHHH!!!! *pop*

Well, I suggest that you see this movie (I heard its still out there) with an open mind and just have fun....coz thats what movies are primarily for anyway.

Anime: Sekirei

Gaudily dressed buxom beauties with various elemntal powers and a knack for mixed combat capabilities. Welcome to the world of Sekirei. In the near future, the new Japanese capital of Shintou is threatened to be bought out by the gigantic MBI company, whose goals are larger than simply setting itself as a financial power.

at the same time, Sahashi Minato is a 19 yr old rounin who fails to enter his desired college twice. On his way home, a girl literally fell from the sky fighting two lighting weilders and accidentally gets mixed with these people. Minato ends up taking the girl home gets thrown out of their apartment (because its only a single's apartment).

The girl, Musubi (number 88), turns out to be a 'Sekirei'. They are powered beings discovered from an island that rose up from the sea with containment units that suggests a race more advanced that humans. Sekirei's are search and fight for their 'Ashikabi's who are said to able help them ascend to heaven. When a special bond with their Ashikabi's come to fruition, they are capable of unleashing a great power within them. Their 'prayer' can only be activated when the Ashikabi 'wings' their Sekirei's (usually with a passionate kiss). If an 'Ashikabi' wings a 'Sekirei', they are to stay together forever...like being married.

The more Sekirei's they 'wing', the more powerful an Ashikabi becomes, which complicates Minato's life as it turns out he was destined to become the Ashikabi of 3 more Sekirei's. With this he ends up 'wing'-ing the shy but impulsive child called Kuu (number 108), with the power to control trees and plants, Matsu (number 02) the computer geek with the power of technology at her side, and the violent, stubborn and possesive Tsukiumi (number 09) with the power of water (she is adamant in declaring that she is the legal wife, despite living a life of hatred towards Ashikabi's).

As majority of Sekirei's are winged, the MBI corporation reveals its plan to pit Sekirei's against each other until only one is left. It is said that the remaining Sekirei will ascend along with their Ashikabi. The losing Sekirei wouldn't be able to be with their Ashikabi again and collected by MBI. As this plan comes out, Minato is determined to protect Musubi, the Sekirei who he develops strong feelings for.

Along with having an averagely good animation and upbeat overtones with an underlying love story, Sekirei has a interesting storyline and concept. The only thing that looks out of place is the Sekirei's center of gravity jacked up way high (a minimum of HH cups I think). Although Sekirei was included with a lot of 'fan service' to make it more popular, I feel that it can do without too much of it. The fight scenes are not that cool, except for some 'single number' Sekirei's.

This anime plays around the 'harem' genre as Minato is coupled with almost every 'girl flag' in anime. The air-headed, kind and bubbly girl in Musubi, the quiet and scheming geek in Matsu, the strong willed but mushy type in Tsukiumi, and Kuu for the 'Lolli' fans.

And the funky ending theme is very catchy. There were also a lot of cliffhangers and unclosed issues that suggests a second season.

Anime: Ikkitousen

If scantily clad pubescent school girl cat fights are your thing, then the series 'Ikkitousen' may be the anime for you.

The series revolves around a group of fighters representing various schools in the Kantou area of modern day Japan. The winner of the major tournament gets the seal of the first true emperor (as the story goes) and controls the Kantou area.

The fight scenes are not that intense and doesn't drag on to more than two episodes but the intresting aspect of the series is the Megatama. They are one piece earings in the shape of the number 9 with something sealed inside which are somewhat attached to some historical figure (or so the series narrates). The owner of that Megatama not only posses the strenght and power of the previous owner but also their destiny. The story proves itself more better than the fight scenes as it unravels the past of the previous owners and how it affects the relationships of the current owner. The main character is a buxom girl named Hakufu who posseses the most unstable fighter who, in an uncontrollable rage, also destroyed himself.

Other Megatamas also contains various historical generals. My favorite is Ryoufu Housen. His Megatama is under the ownership of a 'kogaryu' who is a heterosexual (she plays with both girls and boys) who packs a mysterious almost invisible punch.

The series offers a lot of 'fan service', giving the viewers a lot of 'upskirt' shots, panty shots and boobie shots. There's also a lot of 'sexual encounters (hetero and lesbian alike) although not shown graphically so I don't recommend this for the youngins.

Overall I liked it for the story and historical reference since I like history. It teaches that if you enslave yourself to the strings of destiny, you will find yourself entrapped in its eternal vortex.

Anime: TonaGura

Tonagura is a comedy anime about the the reunion of childhood friends Kazuki and Yuuji after being seperated for about 10 years. Kazuki was hoping for her 'first crush' to grow up to be a fine young man, but unfortunately, Yuuji grew up to be abnoxious and lecherous guy. And because she built up his reputation to her friend Chihaya and the others in his absence, she tries her best to hide Yuuji's negative, perverted side.

Although their encounters at home, at school and outside always end in fights and disaster, Kazuki and Yuuji display a sort of platonic relationship where everything is clear and vague at the same time. But they both display a soft demeanor to each other and at times jealousy.

Kazuki goes about telling Yuuji how negatively he's changed, to the confusion of Yuuji, his younger sister Marie and Kazuki's older sister Hatsune. As it turns out Yuuji was always like that from the start, and that he's the only one that goes along with Kazuki's pushy behavior. As Hatsune once said; people only remember the good things as they live life longing for that person.

The series rakes in points for animation and non-over the top voice actors, but the cliched storyline and outcome leaves it at a decent 5 out of 10. The instances within the story are a bit Ken Akamatsu-ish at best. A nice touch for the gun crazy, silent and shy little sister Marie though. And I can't get enough of Chihaya's 'Kansai-ben' (or is it Kyuushu-ben). I always find that dialect cute.

Still, this 13-episode series is good as a light viewing material.

TV Series: Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory is a live comedy series about 4 scientists/ college researchers/ nerds and 1 beautiful blonde. The group consists of the quantum physicist who tries to be normal Leonard, the O.C. socially clueless theoretical physicist Sheldon, the womanizing Jewish engineer Walowisk and the Raj, the astrophysicist who can't speak with women unless he's tanked. 

A common arc within the series is the stuff that happens as Leonard pursues Penny, the blonde across the hall who works as a waitress as she tries to be an actress. Another reoccuring theme is the inability of Penny to comprehend or join in the discussion of the four scientitsts, or other people as wel as they venture into various social interacions outside their circle. Further along the second season, Penny begins to manifest the same speech patterns of Leonard and Sheldon...to her chagrin.

I have not encountered a comedy with such a play on scietific terminologies and social idiocricies which tickles the mind and the 'funny bone'. Not only do you laugh from their encounters but you learn a little something every episode.

There are a lot of references to American 'geek' culture consisting of in-depth knowledge of comic book characters, Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Terminator, and other sci-fi movies and popular PC and X-Box games. Being having the same experiences in highschool and college, I find the characters lovable and extremely witty.

Every season ender has a cliff hanger about a development between Penny and Leonard that makes you look forward to the next one. 

Anime: School Days

School Days is a short anime series based on the adult PC girl-game of the same title.

Itou Makoto is a quiet first year highschool student who is infatuated with a girl who he always ride the same train to school with. He is always looking at her from afar and keeps his feelings to himself. He has a stolen shot of her in his cellphone and set it as his wallpaper under the premise of a legend that if you keep it as your cellphone wall paper for a week and no one finds out, your unrequited love will come to fruition.

Katsura Kotonoha is a quiet girl who rides a train with a guy who she feels is always watching her. Over time, she starts to be fond of him but, because of her shyness, keeps watching from afar and refrains from approaching him.

Saionji Sekai is Makoto's seatmate and the person who happens to see his cellphone's wallpaper. With that, she does her best to make Katsura and Makoto get together.AFter a lot of pushing and support, she finally got the two to confess to each other.

Makoto was very grateful to Sekai for all the things she had done for them and tells her that he will pay her back someday. As Sekai's train comes she steals a kiss on the lips from the startled Makoto and runs. As it turns out, while helping him get together with Katsura, she develops feelings for MAkoto.

As time goes on, Makoto decides to take his relationship with Katsura to the next level. But the bashful Katsura always rejects his advances. Being clueless to the ways of women, Sekai offers herself as a training partner to make him a better lover for Katsura. Because of this, things also becomes serious between them, mostly having them ending up spending the night together in bed...almost everyday.

Things get worse for the three starting from the school festival as a lot of other girls started to show interest in Makoto. With his new found confidence in dealing with women, he starts having sex with all the girls that shows interest in him, lying to them that they are the only one for him. Slowly, he's turning into a player...a beast...preying on the emotional weakness of his targets.

All things that he has done finally catches up with him at the final 2 episodes, taking on a more darker tone.

Although the animation is well drawn, I can't seem to take interest in the story. It looks like a story of a whiny guy who cries about getting laid since he can't hold it in. He feigns sincerity to the girls to make them give themselves up to him. Only the last 3 episodes got me interested because you would want to see how things will turn out for the player Makoto.

I think this anime is made for the fans of the game or for those who actually played it. But for the ones who didn't get to play that particular game, it would seem like a dragging emo kid that wanna get laid story.

The Mechanical Man (L'uomo Meccanico)

Last Aug. 6, the Italian Embassy, in cooperation with Shangri La Plaza in Mandaluyong City, presented their entry in the 3rd Silent Film Festival.

Their entry is entitled 'The Mechanical Man' (L'uomo Meccanico). This 1921 sci-fi/ thriller flick is about a city terrorized by a remote controlled mechanical robot, rampaging, destroying, stealing and killing. The robot was designed by a scientist but built by a mysterious woman who escaped from a prison hospital. The police are unable to stop this monstrosity. But with the help of a second robot built by the scientist, the two mechanical men faced off in a social gathering run amok with the presence of these metal monsters. A fight between the two ensued and after the smoke clears, both robots were destroyed.

The film is amusing despite the primitive special effects. The robot suit is well made and the movement was adequate. You'll be drawn in by the actors' over the top facial expression and physical method acting to be able to convey their emotions since there were no sound to convey them clearly. I also noticed that some parts are a bit risque for a 1920's film. From what I know, people back then were a bit conservative when it comes to showing skin. But there was a scene with a naked woman lying face down, and another scene where the antagonist raises hes skirt up to her knockers to inject herself with something or whatever. Anyway, its a shame that they were only able to recover 40% of this film as it is considered a very rare movie. Most of the early parts of the story were conveyed via text projected on the screen, which made it hard to get the full extent of the human side of the story.

The setup for Caliph8 and company.

In the days of the silent films, a pianist or orchestra usually accompany the film viewing to set the mood of the story. For this event, in leiu with their theme of art and technology standing side by side, the Caliph8 was tasked of setting the mood by using synths, drum machines and other remixed ambient sounds to augment the film. Along with Kalila Agilos, Malek Lopez, Pasta Groove and Tad Ermitano, they gave the film a score with a modern funky house/ drum and bass twist to it.

The rest of the viewing comprises of a movie deconstruction by the group. Its done by taking visual allusions and actual parts from the film, digitally manipulated and scored in real time. Like the cartoon-music remixes presented in Cartoon Network. To me, the presentation was an impressive display...like a freestyle face-off, both audio and visually. It was like having a trip without the illegal substances. Their performance was greeted with a round of applause from an impressed audience.

I would have loved to see the movie in its entirety. For all its flaws as a primitive film, its still a good watch.

The 3rd Silent Film Festival highlights entries from Japan, Spain, Germany, France and Italy through Goethe-Institut, Instituto Cervantes, Japan Foundation, Republique Francaise, and Republica Italiana.

Anime: Black Lagoon

Black Lagoon is a fast paced action anime about the lives of the mixed race pirate crew that operates in the Southern Seas of Asia. Their adventures stretch from Thailand, to Malaysia, to Indonesia, to the ports of Basilan and Zamboanga. 

They consist of the cool and tough Black guy called Dutch, the IT and equipment specialist from California called Benny, the hot-headed, gun totting Chinese-American female assasin, Levy and the Japanese salayman, Rock (derived from his real name Okajima Rokuro), who was initially a hostage, before his supervisors decided to sacrifice him in order to protect some company secret. Aside from their delivery service company, they also do some shady business on the side which gets them in trouble with the law. 

They operate in the fictitious city of Roanapur, a city where evil prey upon the evil, a place for the villains among villains, and any goody two shoed person will immediately become a victim upon landing on its shores. The city is shared by the Russian Hotel Moscow, the Chinese Triads and other South American cartels doing business in the area. Although a fictional city, most of the writings are obviously Thai...or Cambodian.

Things start to change as Rock introduce and live out various codes of duty, honor, responsibility and trust. Things that earned the respect of the tough Dutch and Valalaika of Hotel Moscow.

There are a few things worth pointing out. At the first episode, why are they afraid of the Philippine Coast Guard, while they are using a Torpedo PT boat, complemented with anti-tank rifles. Theres also a story arc about a Japanese terrorist teaming up with Muslim extremists in Basilan. The character I liked the most is the Taiwanese female assasin called Shenhua. She's fierce and skilled with bladed weapons, but her Japanese and English never fails to amuse me. I find it very cute. There's also this adrogenous, love-hate tension between Rock and Levy that escalated at the 7th episode.

This anime is not recommended for the youngins as they display graphic violence and bloodshed, as well as dark, twisted humor about kiling. A prominent feature of the series is decifering the real right from wrong. Where being 'right' depend on the social status, upbringing and the harsh reality they were brought up with.

There are rumors in the vine that a third season is in the works. I do look forward in seeing the new adventures Rock and Levy would get themselves into this time.

Anime: K-ON!

When my officemate and fellow anime otaku ,Vince, told me he has an anime about a highschool band, I told him I want to borrow. But since it wasn't finished back then, I told him I'll wait for it to finish. Little did I know that the anime he told me about was K-ON, the series I read about in Hanner's anime blog (I read that blog to know about animes that I didn't get to hear about, I'm quite out of the loop recently because of work).

K-ON (derived from 'kei ongaku bu' which means light music club) is about the air headed and indesicive high school student Yui Hirasawa as she struggles to find anything to do worthwhile in school. Eventhough she doesn't know anything about instruments and music, she enters the club under the impression that they are going to use light instruments (like castanets or recorders).

In there she is accepted by the current members; the boyish and hyper drummer Ritsu Tainaka, the cute but serious bassist Mio Akiyama and the gentle and mellow keyboardist Tsumugi Kotobuki. And in order to be officially recognized, they blackmailed their music teacher, Sawako, a former guitarist of a heavy metal band, to be their advisor.

The stories centers around the friendship and their adventure as members of the 'kei on bu' more than their musical exploits. Enjoying their after school tea time and goofing around more than practicing, to the dismay of Mio.

The anime is quite entertaining. You won't find love stories here or plot twists. Its straight up story about friendship and trying thieir best to attain their goals.

What I like about this anime is their accurate animation of instruments playing. And the hardships of setting up a band, like what I went through in highschool. Although I identify more with Yui because back in highschool, me and my cousin decided to form a band because we wanted to make music but don't know how to play instruments.

This anime is very good watch for a light viewing pick and has a very catchy ending theme.

Anime: Ergo Proxy

The distant future. Earth became a barren place. Land, water and air is infected with lethal particulates. The environment is so damaged that humans live in domes cities as they wait for the Earth to heal itself. Eventhough they live in a consumerist society, maintaining the lifestyle they once had and used to, the city's council control every aspect of the citizen's lives...under close survailance and stringent information control. With the help of humanoid robots called 'autorave', the council keeps close watch over the citizens and the goverment employees. A model of socialist/ totalitarian rule...and the people are somewhat used to it. Never questioning...always obeying.

Welcome to the world of Ergo Proxy.

The story is about the exploits of Autorave Control specialist Real Mayer and immigrant Vincent Law, as they sought the reason behind the recent infection of autoraves, civilian killings and the emergence of powerful and mysterious beings referred to as 'proxies'. Their actions not only create a conflict of ideals between Real, Vincent and the controlling council, it also made them into outcasts and outlaws as they search for the truth about what is happening to the world.

A few episodes past halfway of the series, the theme of the story becomes a set of mind games. Psychological to say the least. It seems to connote the toll their journey takes on the psyche. Being alone, traveling amidst the desolate landscape, without any other human contact except amongst themselves.

There is also a sort of love-hate tension between the main characters, Real and Vincent, which was explained at the closing episodes of the series. All the things they have done and felt is deeply rooted in their past, as their existense, it seems, are just shadows of proxies and people who are responsible for the creation of their society.

As an anime, Ergo Proxy presents itself well with thought provoking lines and seemless animation. The overall theme is like a clash of scientific, psychological and theological ideals presented with dark overtones of a future filled with deception, despair and hope.

Anime: Basilisk

Like any other anime fans out there, I enjoy the ongoing series about a demon possesed ninja boy called Naruto,going so far as to do a cosplay with my then officemates.

But the sheer length of the series, along with dozens of unrelated side-arc stories were enough to make me lose intrest in the series. I still love the characters though.

A few years later, I was again drawn in to the ninja face-off genre with the anime series 'Basilisk'.

It is about the continuation of hostilities between the 2 warring ninja clans after their peace accord was terminated. Along with exciting battle scenes are a lot of scheming, conspiracy and treason as each clans try to outsmart and outflank the other.

You will marvel at the intense fight scenes where ninjas with various special ninpo skills duke it out, with the successor of the next Tokugawa shogunate at stake.



But behind the scenes lies the 'Romeo and Juliet' like romance of the heirs from both sides, Gennosuke of the Kouga clan and Oboro of the Iga clan. Their ninpo skills are regarded by their respective clans as more of supernatural in nature than ninja techniques.

Each 'death duels' are unique as their respective skills which leaves you in awe and make you look forward for the ending of the match.

Just a thought...if ever the Gennosuke-Oboro match did take on earlier in the series what will happen? Gennosuke, whose power is using the killing intent of his opponent against themselves, will not work on Oboro since she does not have any intent to harm her beloved. Since Gennosuke's power cannot be activated, there is nothing Oboro's power, which is to negate any ninpo skill applied against her, will nullify.

In terms of sword skills, Gennosuke has the upperhand since Oboro has no offensive ninja skills at all. And both of them would rather die than to take the life of the other.

Kinda hard to think of an outcome.

Anime: True Tears

"...I will take your tears with me to heaven so you won't cry anymore..."

This is the premise behind the friendship between the wierd, enigmatic Noe and the stoic and indecisive Shinichiro. Having met by accident beside the school chicken coop, they developed a bond as they go on with their highschool life, supporting each other as they aim to move on from their past and their corporeal restrictions.

Eventhough the series is well drawn and well animated, the first few episodes are a drag as they focus more on being 'emo' and enigmatic. Things pick up as various characters are developed into the story.

Complicating Shinichiro's life is his infatuation with his childhood friend Hiromi, who also lives with them after her parents passed away. The misunderstanding about the relationship between his father and her mother also sets a foul mood with Shinichiro's mother.

But as Shinichiro and Noe live on with their 'emo' partnership, Hiromi and Ai (Shinichiro's other childhood friend) harbors platonic feelings for Shinichiro. Both are indecisive because Hiromi thinks she is Shinichiro's half-sister and Ai is Shinichiro's bestfriend's girlfriend.

Things get weirder as Shinichiro declares he plans to date Noe. This turning point forces Hiromi and Ai to act on their feelings. In the end...who will be the last girl standing?



While watching the first few episodes, I was complaining to the culprit, my officemate Vince, about how very dragging the series was. A lot of misunderstandings coupled with 'emo' highschoolers blessed with a lot of free time so all they think about are 'emo' thoughts. And did I mention the characters are so 'emo'. (word of the day...'emo').

The series slowly progressed into intresting as complicated human relations spice up the story.

I recommend this series to love sick 'emo' kids out there.

J-Drama: Teppan Shoujo Akane

やっと見ました！！！

I finally saw it...at long last.

The first starring role of Maki Horikita (so I heard). I was also surprised to see some members from 'Kekkon Dekinai Otoko', 'Attention Please', 'Densha Otoko', 'Gokusen' and 'Operation Daisakusen' in one drama.



The story centers around the 17-yr.old steel plate fry cook Kaguya Akane, whose mother died at least two years before the events in the series and his father runs away as he lost his strength and will to cook. As her store falls into a tight spot due to some debt incurred by her father, she goes around the country searching for him. Through different packages sent by her father, Akane searches for the address where they were sent from...which ends up in various cook battles to test that tests her skills, creativity and will.

The plot goes through a lot of twists and surprises which I come to expect from Japanese dramas..that's why I enjoy them so much. Every episode shows an underlying message of giving importance to family and tradition, to fight for your beliefs and to develop ones self to find their identity.

My wife and I muse at the fact that 'Kekkon Dekinais' "Eiji-kun" (I forgot the actor's name) and Maki Horikita looks good together as a pair. The only thing my wife didn't like in the drama is the scenes where Akane call upon the power of her father's steel plate 'Ittetsu'. Well, I find that scene amusing and cute...like straight from an anime.

Over all, I find the series a very good one to watch not only because of the chemistry of the "Eji-kun"-Maki Horikita pairing, but also because of all the twists and turns the story goeas along. Be sure to pack some food while watching as you tend to get hungry as you see various tender and juicy morsels being cooked.

Diamond in the Rough: Nerveline "Anesthesia"

While in Robinson's Boni, I saw a P20 CD bin in a CD sale. This gave me the opportunity to do the same review I did while in Japan; looking for rare finds in sale bins where you could get nice sounds for a price that is applicable for a cheap bastich like me.

First up is the Nerveline's 2005 album 'Anesthesia'. I heard this band in one of the discussions with our guitarist, since he's such a music adventurer. Seeing this in the same bin, I decided to give it a shot.

I never heard of this band before, so I concluded that this wasn't a commercial hit... then again, I never listened to local radio since the Emo band explosion.

It seems that they were a bit ahead of their time, as their sound is like a Ubandub and Kjwan joint project, with a bit of grunge and heavy alternative groove to it. 

The first track'Tear you up' is not much to listen to...too 'magulo', but the second track 'Missing' became my instant Nerveline fave. 'Dry' gives the most Nirvana-ish feel in the album. While 'Sunday Paint', 'Notice Granted' and 'I Told You So' shows a more modern alternative side of the band. 'Wreck' and 'Cradled Soul' are catchy, heavy riff laden songs that sounds like a subdued Tool-Sevendust combo. The title track 'Anesthesia'is a gloomy, creeping heavy rock song, though a bit operatic in the lyrics. The lone tagalog track 'Basang Labi' and 'The Nerve' gives a gloomy but heavy 90's pinoy alternative feel with a modern riff twist to it.

Although the riffs seems the same, because of their approach in arrangement and harmony, it still is a good buy for 90's alternative enthusiasts.