A friend of mine just passed this series along to me, and it's the best thing I've ever seen come out of flash. Apparently, according to wikipedia, the first one was really popular in 2004, but I've never heard of them before now. They're great videos, though, only 3-5 minutes each, and I recommend them all. (especially the last one, how I love the music!) The first one was called "There She Is!!" and so that's the title of the whole series, with steps 2-4 having subtitles after that. They were made by SamBakZa, three Korean animators. (amalloc, sogong, and songhwa) Enjoy!

Step 1: http://www.sambakza.net/peom/tteotta_eng.htm

Step 2, Cake Dance: http://www.sambakza.net/peom/cakedance_eng.htm

Step 3, Doki and Nabi: http://www.sambakza.net/peom/dokinnabi.htm

Step 4, Paradise: http://www.sambakza.net/peom/paradise.htm

Step 5, Imagine: http://www.sambakza.net/peom/imagine.htm

When last I updated, I was in a Code Geass obsession. Well, I finished the angst-y anime, and after jumping around between Nartuo, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Sugar Sugar Rune (actually, it's a pretty good fantasy manga), I've gone to a movie I actually saw this summer. WALL-E.

I've always been a Pixar fan, since Pixar is the only animation company left in this country that makes good films. I lost all respect for Dreamworks with Shrek 2 and 3. I couldn't even FINISH 3, it was so bad. Meanwhile, the only sequel Pixar currently has out is Toy Story 2, which was very good for a sequel, and certainly not abad movie. They've got Toy Story 3 and Cars 2 in the making, as well, but I have faith that they'll be good. Not to mention that Pixar has always been the fore-runner in the computer animation world. That probably has something to do with them starting as a branch of Lucasfilm.

Anyway, I love all the Pixar films and shorts, but WALL-E is by far, the best and my favorite. I don't know if I ranted about it when I saw it in theaters (most likely not, since that was right before I left for Australia) but it is quite honestly the best film I've ever seen in theaters. Maybe I shouldn't praise it too much, in case I get all yourexpectations too high and it lets you down, but I really don't see how it could. First off, the main two protagonists are basically slightly more articulate R2D2s (three if you count M-O), and the first 45 minutes of the film has no speaking characters outside of a 30-60 second explanation of why the earth is covered in trash (courtesy of Fred Willard as CEO of a fictional superstore/governement) and a couple clips from the 1969 version of Hello, Dolly! We're doing Hello, Dolly! for the spring musical this year, and I decided that was a good enough excuse to go rent WALL-E, since I loved it so much the first time around.

Despite the protagonists not "talking" (they are able to speak each others' names, which is honestly all that was needed. Elissa Knight and Ben Burtt did a fabulous job with convenying emotions though only 3 words and a bunch of beeps and non-word noises) I was not bored once though the film, though since I'm an anime geek, I'm getting used to long uninteruppted shots of characters staring into space and not talking. (especially since I'm in the middle of .hack//sign) Thomas Newman had a fantastic score, and if you don't melt at "Define Dancing", you have less of a heart than the robots.

The most surprising thing about the film is that it's a romance, since it wasn't especially marketed as such. Yes, it's most definitely sci-fi, and it's got drama and adventure, but main plot of the movie as driven by WALL-E, is a romance. Sure, there's the whole plant thing, but it's EVE WALL-E cares about, not the plant. (or at least not as much the plant) There has been a lot of criticism of the "messages" that the movie supposedly conveys, and they are all unintentional. I've heard everything from the first trailers to director Andew Stanton's commentary track on the movie, and he never intended to comment on anything political/social. He wanted to make a movie about the last robot on earth, who also happened to be a garbage compactor because that's about the lowest job he could think of. The plant, EVE, and the whole second and third acts came from there. I'm currently looking into this, but I suspect that a recent movie that DID have a political agenda was Happy Feet. I just can't see all that stuff being crammed into a movie without a reason. But that's what WALL-E looks like, so I'll research and get back to you.

Amazing VISUALS!! Pixar has outdone everything you've ever seen with this one. Things honestly look real. Live-action. That is why I look down on Disney and the rest jumping on the CG bandwagon, but applaud Pixar. They started it, and they're the best.

So in short, if you haven't, see WALL-E! It's my vote for the best movie of the year, and I'll be eagerly waiting for the Oscar nominations to see if it can squeeze into the Best Picture category.

Well, I'm still going in and out of Suzaku/Euphie, but Villetta/Ohgi's a definite. Although now that I've seen all of season 1, Chigusa is like a completely different person. So much that I'm not going to call her Villetta. Seriously. It's Villetta's Rin and Chigusa is Tohru. Or Kisa. O_o;; Even with selective amnesia... dang. Not to mention it's Megan Hollingshead's voice coming out of nice character. And not the Nurse Joy voice. The Mai voice. Weeeiiird.

I was just watching 22 (Bloodstained Euphie) on youtube. and there were bunched of comments to the effect of "poor Lelouch!" THE HELL WITH LELOUCH! Euphie's five hundred times more innocent that he ever was, and you're sympathizing with him?! I don't care if it's not his fault!

Anyways, now I'm a Code Geass fan. I've watched a bit of R2, and now I have a question. I watched all of episodes 15 and 16; how in the world do Ohgi and Villetta survive the fall? And the kunai? They fall, and the next thing I knew, Ohgi was back on the ship and giving Dieter funny looks. No explanation at ALL. Did they explain it beforehand somehow and I missed it?

I forget how this all started now, but after discovering that Megan Hollingshead does voices for both Gurren Lagann and Code Geass, I spent the afternoon watching said series. I started Gurren Lagann from episode 15, then jumped back to 11 and 12--not watching all of any episode--and started Code Geass at 14 and watched through 17. Yes, I am very confused. ^_^;; I am also impatient, and unable to find information on her characters since they're sort of minor, SO:

Any Code Geass fans out there! Can anyone tell me what episodes the character Villetta Nu is in? I've seen 14, 15, and 16, but from the summaries, it looks like she's in earlier ones, too. The dub only goes up to... 23? And it looks like there's cool stuff with her and Ohgi later on, so I'll just have to wait for those. I don't care about spoilers. I already read everything on wikipedia. I saw who dies, gets shot, stabbed, married, etc. I'm thinking her and Ohgi are going to become one of my new favorite pairings... and NOT just because Megan voices her. Though I have been fangirl-ing over her all afternoon. Does that sound weird? I just really like strong female characters. (why I like Rukia or Tatsuki with Ichigo rather than Orihime, for example) Kind of in a role model way, only not THAT much. Just... it's cool to have strong women in anime to relate to. Or something. Whatever. And Megan's half of my favorite pairing, as you all know. I'm thinking of tracking down all her voice work in other animes and trying to fit it into season 4 of Yugioh. Or really wishing SOMEONE would. I don't really have the time. I don't have the time to watch these series, either!

You know you want to!! It's the infamous, the legendary...Computerfreak101's Yugioh Challenge Pairings Fanfiction Contest!!! Season 5. http://www.fanfiction.net/topic/14638/9457493/1/#9678290

You get a pairing. You get a week to write a one-shot. At the end of the week, everyone votes. Whoever has the least votes is nicely escorted off the premises. It's insanely frustrating at times, challenging, and completely worth it. You'll have a load of fun, and get better as a writer. So come on! Join the fanfiction contest!

On September 30th, a protest is being staged on tv.com per the new changes. I believe it has something to do with CBS buying tv.com, they made all these changes and didn't ask the users, when tv.com IS A USER-RUN WEBSITE. We submit the information, we moderate the forums, we edit the shows . Basically all the tv.com staff does is maintain the website servers and stuff, as far as I can tell. (I apologize if I'm wrong)

So, on September 30th, we're protesting. The way it works is you just don't log in to tv.com AT ALL on September 30th, and it'll show up on all our profiles and the website traffic that no one was on the site that day. To spread the word, here's an icon for uploading: http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd330/tjaman/tvdark.jpg

No, not the Chris Columbus-directed version from 2005. RENT was filmed on Broadway, and that film is being shown in movie theaters across the country this week!

http://www.nationalamusements.com/events/current_events.asp?page=9

I most likely won't be going, since it's $20, and I spent a good deal of money last week for THIS:

...yes, it was unnecessary to post the whole ticket. Can you blame me? I don't meet famous actors very often.

I can't believe I forgot. I don't desesrve to call myself a RENT-head anymore.

This past Sunday, September 7th, RENT had its final performance on Broadway.

http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=32066

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/09/08/theater/0908-RENT_12.html

I wish I lived in New York.

Also, there is a version of RENT filmed live on Broadway that will be in theaters on September 24, 25, 27, and 28th. (wed, thurs, sat, sun) Details can be found here: http://www.thehotticket.net/rent/.

And now I'm off to finish my paper on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder...

In keeping with my previous post about Miyazaki-sensei's latest movie, here's a bit about his classic, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. I was rewatching it today, because it's one of my favorites of his. I won't describe what happens in this part of the movie this is for fear of spoilers, but it's at the end of the movie, and those who have seen it will hopefully be able to identify it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhXjbGJefJk

From :25 - :40, does anything sound familiar?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BQMgCy-n6U

About :41-:53 would be the corresponding part. Nausicaa borrows music from West Side Story.

Yay! ANN posted that Times confirmed that Disney is releasing Ponyo on a Cliff next year. (lol, enough sources?) ANN article

So, what's everyone's thoughts on Ponyo? I have to admit, it's not the kind of film I'd normally watch, but it's Miyazaki-sensei. I prefer a little more... action, I guess. ^_^;; My favorite Miyazaki is Princess Mononoke, then either Nausicaa or Spirited. (though I also have to admit, Kiki ALWAYS makes me smile. I can't walk away from that movie in a bad mood.) What are your guys favorites?

I got an email from the Riesembool Rangers (yes, I know that's not how Resembool is normally spelled, but that's the way the club spells it. ::shrugs:: ) that today is Vic Mignonga 's birthday! Happy birthday, Vic-sama!!

Also, here's a great tribute to Yugioh Abridged for all you fans: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F7oIejPmTE

http://yugiohtheabridgedseries.com/

It's on the front page, or in the episodes section.

(omg m. nighy shyamalan was right! If you got that joke, you might also like The Happening in 15 minutes.)

Here's the link to the ANN article.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-08-20/new-fullmetal-alchemist-tv-anime-series-confirmed

Another FMA series!! Whoot! Any guesses as to what it'll be about? Completely new storyline, after the events of the movie? Redo the whole series following the manga more closely? (a la Hellsing Ultimate) A bunch of adventures (or new storyline) that take place during the timeline of the first series? The first series from different character's points of view?

Yeah, I know it's dubbed by 4kids, but my the Yugioh fan in me won't let me ignore the new series. Matt_Purosky was nice enough to post it on the Yugioh boards that 4kids is letting the fans pick the new theme song for Yugioh 5Ds. http://www.4kids.tv/pickatheme

There's 8 choices, and some of them are even pretty good. Though, to be honest, except for the "D-d-d-d-d-d-duel!", I rather liked the theme song music they had for the original series. Heck, that's what got me watching the first episode. The only 4kids theme song I actively disliked was the One Piece theme, and maybe a little bit the GX theme, but I suppose it could've been worse. Anyway, if you'd like to help influence the 4kids dub of 5Ds, here's your chance!

Haha, no, defintely not. (or if it is, there's still many much better videos out there) I just wanted to see if the title would get anyone's attention.

Anyway, without further ado, I give you Elephant Love Medley! Featuring Jou as Christian (Ewan McGregor) and Mai as Satine (Nicole Kidman). Audio taken from the Moulin Rouge (that'd be the movie it's from) OST.

EDIT: I want to apologize for how the entry was worded before. I meant to offense to my fellow video-makers and friends on tv.com or anywhere. At the time of posting, I was rather annoyed with the way of the internet, and how people who put little effort or thought into their stuff get attention while people who work hard and produce something half-decent don't get any recognition. BTR, I thoroughly enjoy your videos, and was not in any way referring to you when I mentioned slideshows. Your stuff falls into the ever-frustrating "you-put-a-lot-of-work-and-or-thought-into-your-work-but-no-one-appreciates-it-and-the-folks-who-throw-a-bunch-of-crap-together-get-all-the-good-reviews" category.

So I've decided that I want to make this cosutme for the convention next year instaed of this one. And I've been reading up on armor-making, but I wanted to see if any of you guys had any tips before I started to work on it. I'm practically a total newbie cosplayer. All I've ever made is a shoddy-looking t-shirt and a jacket that wound up being too small because I cut the fabric wrong and ran out of time. I'm taking my time with this one, and I really want it to turn out well. (advice for the reject armor idea would be appreciated, too, because I want to make it someday)

RB reviewed the fic and BTR commented on the video, but for the rest of you, I've got some new stuff. First off, a new polarshipping fanfiction. Another fluffy one, oddly enough. That's two in a row now.

Who I Am Hates Who I've Been

I've been working on the AMV on and off for a month, but only got about a minute into it until I was stuck at home recovering from my wisdom teeth. The last three minutes I mostly made in the last 4 days. The first 8 seconds are from the end of the song "Someone Else's Arms" and the rest is "Suspension". ("The Everglow" is a... I don't know if this is the right term... concept album? It all follows the same theme, and all the songs run together; that is, when you listen to the album all the way through, there are no breaks. Anyway, I always thought Suspension sounded cooler after listening to the end of Someone Else's Arms)

Suspension

It's weird... I'm really proud of certain parts of this video, but as a whole, I'm not at all satisfied with it. (probably because I LOVE the song to death) But all the feedback so far has been better than In Love With A Girl, which I was much more satisfued with. Oh well... it's not a bad way to kill 4 minutes, anyway.

(I'm expecting the appropriate response from you Australian folks)

Australia was AWESOME. 500,000ish fellow teenage Catholics, from every country you can think of. Though it is nice to sleep in a bed and eat food that isn't out of a can/bag. Just got home, too tired for details now. More to come.

EDIT: Just saw the last six episodes of Avatar. I WAS RIGHT ABOUT KATARA!! Rather than spoiling it for you all, however, I'll leave it at that.

...

Oh it feels so good when the pairing you love wins. WHOO!!!