Day 205, Another Update Part 1
:†:Overall:†:
Well, I hadn't updated in close to two weeks prior to my most recent post. And, some things have happened since then like: I've seen a few movies, broke up with a girlfriend, moved on to other women, went to a pretty big convention for anime, and started getting my college shit taken care of.
:†:Movies:†:
Well, All I can remember is seeing five movies of which two were anime and the other three, being one in theaters and two at home:
Only Yesterday:
This was a very good movie. I liked how the main character would keep reminiscening about her past in various times while holding a nostalgic tone to the memories. Although, it lacked in character support from the other characters within the movie, it didn't really need it to be any better than it was. The main character was just amazingly done from backstory to character development. Her love interest/male supporting char was done well, too. He accentuated her character with his interaction and conversations. Another one of Studio Ghibli's best, for sure.
Porco Rosso:
This was a great movie, too. Also called "The Scarlet Pig" or "Crimson Pig"... I think it kinda pays a little homage to the German 'Ace of Aces,' The Red Baron. The whole problem I had with it was they never really explained why the main character was turned into a pig; they kinda beat around the bush. They mention it several times, and even go so far as to say it is a "mysterious curse" but anything past that is non-existant, and even with that information it's kinda obscured. I think there is one scene in it that is done remarkably well, and might hint at an underlying theme of greediness, but I'm not really too sure. Just way too obscure to know for sure.
Napolean Dynamite:
Seriously, this movie had tons of funny parts in it. I'm not saying it had much of a plot, since it boiled down to the guy-finds-girl, then some trials and tribulations, cut to credits build-up; but it was just a movie that was about more-or-less a disgruntled, nerdy kid and you have to take it at face value. And, if you do, it turns out to be pretty funny with some of the scenes in it. Plus, it was a free preview. How pimp is that? And, I got a shirt for it! come on, that deserves extra points, you know it does.
Out of Time:
At first, while I was watching it... I was like, well it's not bad and not good. But, once you get to the end and everything falls into place then you start respecting it a bit more. The only way I can describe it is the first part is all just scattered puzzle pieces, until they give the massive puzzle piece that has several connected to give the idea much more clarity. It was obvious what was going to happen(except for one minor twist at the very end which was kinda poorly done, in my opinion), but I like to immerse myself in the movie and try not to think too far ahead of it so that way, I can enjoy the movie for what the director's intentions were, you know? And, I say that, 'cause if you think too far into it and figure out the movie before it's suppose to deliver the main idea, then you can't enjoy it as much. Also, you don't have enough time understanding small underlying, little themes in it like as it were in this case: temptation and a subliminal character in it like "heat" as far as setting and the sexuality within the movie. Sure, the outcome was kinda obvious... but if you just let it unfold like the director has it planned, then you'll pick up on small details which gives you a surreal feeling of being more satisfied overall. Now, it sounds like I'm critiquing it, but really it's all about having your disbelief suspended. Also, Eva Mendes is hot in this movie.
Man on Fire: I didn't get a chance to finish the movie yet, but I'll come back to it. *waiting for update*
I think there are really three kinds of actors in the movie and entertainment industry. And, I think two of these will be named as my archetypes:
1) 'Denzel Washington' Actors - I think he's an exceptionally amazing actor. But, he's the type that just make acting a role look normal. He fits the character and it's role with his own style, his own flavor, and his own uniqueness that he brings to that character and the set itself. He just has one of those looks about his appearance. He's extremely talented whereas that brings out even more into the role he's playing and it shows for it. Also, he's an actor that can play the good guy and bad guy roles and not garner any cognitive dissonance for why he played either. He's tremendously adept at playing both extremes. (Ex. Nicholas Cage)
2) 'Al Pacino' Actors - The actor's actor. The man's man. The ladies' man. He is the perfect actor. He has such dedication, patience, style, uniqueness, class, and involvement with his characters that he can play virtually any role you give him and do it with such professionalism that it's difficult to understand how he acquired so much talent. Setting the bar for actors with his own talent. Another one that chooses to play as the bad guy or anti-hero role, but in such a way that you don't even preceive him as that. Moreso, to the point, of where you'd rather play as a role he does, than someone else doing the same role, because he gives it a different spin. He's just awe-inspiring, and that's all I can really leave it off on. (Ex. John Travolta)
3) Everybody else - classify them as you will, but this is where everyone else will fall in after it's all said and done.
:†:Women:†:
Yeah, I pretty much broke up with the hot, nerdy chica, but not because of her; simply, because I don't think it'd advance to any great depth and she realized this, as well. There are a few girls I have been talking to, and seeing how the situations will come out.
:†:Metrocon:†:
I ventured out last weekend to the amazing Metrocon event. And, I'll say this much, it was so much more packed and crowded than last year. I'm thinking that if they were to have another outburst of people next year that is the equivalent to this year, then they'll definately have to get a bigger hotel for the next one. And, I'm totally down with a bigger hotel, and personally, I think it should be held at a Hyatt hotel. Those are so nice.
I saw a lot of people that I knew there, and got to meet a lot of them I had heard of from prior to the Con. I'm almost afraid to list everyone that I saw, but I guess I might as well: Jason(kamenriderfaiz), Mike(orochi_jounin), Nikita(cartridge_love), Galex(killer_phils), Jessica(happygiraffe), Ana(walledinoz), Dalex(notevenjoking), Liz(z3r0h3r0), Van(industrialdemon), Casey(dumshiet66), Dustin(Don't think he has an LJ, if he does, someone let me know or AIM name), AJ(meshortelf), Dara(j_trendz_anime), Kaze(psychostepper), Eddie(theonetrueninja), Brett(angelicgear), Devin(dark_joker), and a bunch of other people that I talked to for a few minutes or longer about random topics ranging from Starcraft to Unreal Tournament 2004. Holy shit... I almost forgot I met Casey Duncan there along with Erin Sprague's little sister(well, I only saw her). But, I got to talk to Casey for a good hour or so and do some catching up. I'm glad he's finally getting into college mindset. I mean he could get in to Duke University in 7th grade, how pimp is that? He is one of two people that intimidate me on a mental level(believe me... that takes a lot, a whole lot).
There were some other people to mention, too, like I saw a lot of the better DDR players like Kaze, Ewok, Tiger, and etc. I saw the black femme fatale K4z3. I saw a lot of great cosplay including a Paine from FFX-2 which she did an amazing job on her cosplay outfit, and prolly the best in my opinion the whole Con. A lot of people that I remember seeing from last year that pulled me aside for a moment to say hey to me. I saw Carolynn and she's pretty much a bitch... I mean, ok yeah I don't like your favorite band(Story of the Year or -Winds?), but what a great reason to ignore me and not talk to me or even communicate the problem out and patch things. Wow, way to be mature about it. 10 points, chica. Also, I saw Davolina there, as well, dressed in pink. I think she went to the FF Ball.
Actually, I got a chance to check out Naruto for the first time in the video rooms other than viewing the 55% of cosplayers that adorned that anime's characters' outfits. I didn't spend too much time at the video rooms, because a lot of it wasn't full series and like everyone knows, I like them subbed and completed before I watch them. And, a Halo-based anime called Red vs Blue I think; I had never seen that before and it had some funny parts in it.
I checked out the LAN gaming area, but it was mostly Halo, C&C: Generals, and some other games. I'd rather be a little nostalgic and go back to Starcraft... such an amazing game. Not another RTS in the world with more balance and perfection in the chemistry of three races within a game. There just isn't as far as RTS games are concerned. And, then I'm a total hardcore Unreal fan... so obviously, no other FPS game could ever compare whether it be Doom, Counterstrike, Quake, or the hundreds of other FPSs out there.
The dealer rooms were fucking packed it was great. I can't believe Eddie... what an ass. He bought the fucking Scrapped Princess poster I wanted; that would have increased my morale a thousandfold being able to purchase that. We battled in Rock-Paper-Scissors while Devin watched, and afterwards I remembered that there ARE NO ties in RPS! It's just a re-do until someone wins. We played best two of three. Two ties and one loss for me. Also, I was down by three dollars exactly, and I remembered afterwards that Dalex owed me three bucks from the Taco Bell! So, that sucks, but I'll get my own Scrapped Princess poster some day. A better one, biatch! Devin knew I was screwed out of that. ;[
I ended up buying three posters all from the Kenshin Rurouni series:
1) A side-by-side face-and-sword shot of Kenshin and Aoshi.
2) A pose by Tomoe's younger brother, Enishi.
3) Close-up shot of Sagara Sanosuke.
There were some others I would have liked to have purchased, but I waited till the last day to go ahead and throw down the cash for them. Damn you, Eddie... seriously. I wanted that Scrapped Princess poster. ;[
At one point, I left right before the DDR Tournament on Saturday, because just way too many people were everywhere. Everyone thought I went home to sleep, yeah no, I went home to play Age of Mythology for like nine hours straight. At the end, of Metrocon I had a bodycount of 51+ hours of sleepless awake. All in all, I had a great time and hope to be cosplaying by next year.
Also, one thing I'll leave you on as I finish this update. My immune system is probably one of the strongest in existence right up there with George Carlin. I'd be able to take nuclear radiation for over ten years with no chemical imbalances, all the while, fighting rare cancers, the ebola virus, and the bubonic plague; but the down side to having my immune system is that it's totally weak to the gastrointestinal system in the region of my stomach. I get wicked stomach cramps like once every week, and there's no serious problem with me... but it just hurts like hell. *sighs* Unreliable stomach! I guess it's a good trade-off, though.
I'll add more to the next part with pictures, some places online haven't gotten all their pics up from the event and I might be caught in a few of those, perhaps. I'll update about tonight and the coming days in the next update. Latez.
Well, I hadn't updated in close to two weeks prior to my most recent post. And, some things have happened since then like: I've seen a few movies, broke up with a girlfriend, moved on to other women, went to a pretty big convention for anime, and started getting my college shit taken care of.
:†:Movies:†:
Well, All I can remember is seeing five movies of which two were anime and the other three, being one in theaters and two at home:
Only Yesterday:
This was a very good movie. I liked how the main character would keep reminiscening about her past in various times while holding a nostalgic tone to the memories. Although, it lacked in character support from the other characters within the movie, it didn't really need it to be any better than it was. The main character was just amazingly done from backstory to character development. Her love interest/male supporting char was done well, too. He accentuated her character with his interaction and conversations. Another one of Studio Ghibli's best, for sure.
Porco Rosso:
This was a great movie, too. Also called "The Scarlet Pig" or "Crimson Pig"... I think it kinda pays a little homage to the German 'Ace of Aces,' The Red Baron. The whole problem I had with it was they never really explained why the main character was turned into a pig; they kinda beat around the bush. They mention it several times, and even go so far as to say it is a "mysterious curse" but anything past that is non-existant, and even with that information it's kinda obscured. I think there is one scene in it that is done remarkably well, and might hint at an underlying theme of greediness, but I'm not really too sure. Just way too obscure to know for sure.
Napolean Dynamite:
Seriously, this movie had tons of funny parts in it. I'm not saying it had much of a plot, since it boiled down to the guy-finds-girl, then some trials and tribulations, cut to credits build-up; but it was just a movie that was about more-or-less a disgruntled, nerdy kid and you have to take it at face value. And, if you do, it turns out to be pretty funny with some of the scenes in it. Plus, it was a free preview. How pimp is that? And, I got a shirt for it! come on, that deserves extra points, you know it does.
Out of Time:
At first, while I was watching it... I was like, well it's not bad and not good. But, once you get to the end and everything falls into place then you start respecting it a bit more. The only way I can describe it is the first part is all just scattered puzzle pieces, until they give the massive puzzle piece that has several connected to give the idea much more clarity. It was obvious what was going to happen(except for one minor twist at the very end which was kinda poorly done, in my opinion), but I like to immerse myself in the movie and try not to think too far ahead of it so that way, I can enjoy the movie for what the director's intentions were, you know? And, I say that, 'cause if you think too far into it and figure out the movie before it's suppose to deliver the main idea, then you can't enjoy it as much. Also, you don't have enough time understanding small underlying, little themes in it like as it were in this case: temptation and a subliminal character in it like "heat" as far as setting and the sexuality within the movie. Sure, the outcome was kinda obvious... but if you just let it unfold like the director has it planned, then you'll pick up on small details which gives you a surreal feeling of being more satisfied overall. Now, it sounds like I'm critiquing it, but really it's all about having your disbelief suspended. Also, Eva Mendes is hot in this movie.
Man on Fire: I didn't get a chance to finish the movie yet, but I'll come back to it. *waiting for update*
I think there are really three kinds of actors in the movie and entertainment industry. And, I think two of these will be named as my archetypes:
1) 'Denzel Washington' Actors - I think he's an exceptionally amazing actor. But, he's the type that just make acting a role look normal. He fits the character and it's role with his own style, his own flavor, and his own uniqueness that he brings to that character and the set itself. He just has one of those looks about his appearance. He's extremely talented whereas that brings out even more into the role he's playing and it shows for it. Also, he's an actor that can play the good guy and bad guy roles and not garner any cognitive dissonance for why he played either. He's tremendously adept at playing both extremes. (Ex. Nicholas Cage)
2) 'Al Pacino' Actors - The actor's actor. The man's man. The ladies' man. He is the perfect actor. He has such dedication, patience, style, uniqueness, class, and involvement with his characters that he can play virtually any role you give him and do it with such professionalism that it's difficult to understand how he acquired so much talent. Setting the bar for actors with his own talent. Another one that chooses to play as the bad guy or anti-hero role, but in such a way that you don't even preceive him as that. Moreso, to the point, of where you'd rather play as a role he does, than someone else doing the same role, because he gives it a different spin. He's just awe-inspiring, and that's all I can really leave it off on. (Ex. John Travolta)
3) Everybody else - classify them as you will, but this is where everyone else will fall in after it's all said and done.
:†:Women:†:
Yeah, I pretty much broke up with the hot, nerdy chica, but not because of her; simply, because I don't think it'd advance to any great depth and she realized this, as well. There are a few girls I have been talking to, and seeing how the situations will come out.
:†:Metrocon:†:
I ventured out last weekend to the amazing Metrocon event. And, I'll say this much, it was so much more packed and crowded than last year. I'm thinking that if they were to have another outburst of people next year that is the equivalent to this year, then they'll definately have to get a bigger hotel for the next one. And, I'm totally down with a bigger hotel, and personally, I think it should be held at a Hyatt hotel. Those are so nice.
I saw a lot of people that I knew there, and got to meet a lot of them I had heard of from prior to the Con. I'm almost afraid to list everyone that I saw, but I guess I might as well: Jason(kamenriderfaiz), Mike(orochi_jounin), Nikita(cartridge_love), Galex(killer_phils), Jessica(happygiraffe), Ana(walledinoz), Dalex(notevenjoking), Liz(z3r0h3r0), Van(industrialdemon), Casey(dumshiet66), Dustin(Don't think he has an LJ, if he does, someone let me know or AIM name), AJ(meshortelf), Dara(j_trendz_anime), Kaze(psychostepper), Eddie(theonetrueninja), Brett(angelicgear), Devin(dark_joker), and a bunch of other people that I talked to for a few minutes or longer about random topics ranging from Starcraft to Unreal Tournament 2004. Holy shit... I almost forgot I met Casey Duncan there along with Erin Sprague's little sister(well, I only saw her). But, I got to talk to Casey for a good hour or so and do some catching up. I'm glad he's finally getting into college mindset. I mean he could get in to Duke University in 7th grade, how pimp is that? He is one of two people that intimidate me on a mental level(believe me... that takes a lot, a whole lot).
There were some other people to mention, too, like I saw a lot of the better DDR players like Kaze, Ewok, Tiger, and etc. I saw the black femme fatale K4z3. I saw a lot of great cosplay including a Paine from FFX-2 which she did an amazing job on her cosplay outfit, and prolly the best in my opinion the whole Con. A lot of people that I remember seeing from last year that pulled me aside for a moment to say hey to me. I saw Carolynn and she's pretty much a bitch... I mean, ok yeah I don't like your favorite band(Story of the Year or -Winds?), but what a great reason to ignore me and not talk to me or even communicate the problem out and patch things. Wow, way to be mature about it. 10 points, chica. Also, I saw Davolina there, as well, dressed in pink. I think she went to the FF Ball.
Actually, I got a chance to check out Naruto for the first time in the video rooms other than viewing the 55% of cosplayers that adorned that anime's characters' outfits. I didn't spend too much time at the video rooms, because a lot of it wasn't full series and like everyone knows, I like them subbed and completed before I watch them. And, a Halo-based anime called Red vs Blue I think; I had never seen that before and it had some funny parts in it.
I checked out the LAN gaming area, but it was mostly Halo, C&C: Generals, and some other games. I'd rather be a little nostalgic and go back to Starcraft... such an amazing game. Not another RTS in the world with more balance and perfection in the chemistry of three races within a game. There just isn't as far as RTS games are concerned. And, then I'm a total hardcore Unreal fan... so obviously, no other FPS game could ever compare whether it be Doom, Counterstrike, Quake, or the hundreds of other FPSs out there.
The dealer rooms were fucking packed it was great. I can't believe Eddie... what an ass. He bought the fucking Scrapped Princess poster I wanted; that would have increased my morale a thousandfold being able to purchase that. We battled in Rock-Paper-Scissors while Devin watched, and afterwards I remembered that there ARE NO ties in RPS! It's just a re-do until someone wins. We played best two of three. Two ties and one loss for me. Also, I was down by three dollars exactly, and I remembered afterwards that Dalex owed me three bucks from the Taco Bell! So, that sucks, but I'll get my own Scrapped Princess poster some day. A better one, biatch! Devin knew I was screwed out of that. ;[
I ended up buying three posters all from the Kenshin Rurouni series:
1) A side-by-side face-and-sword shot of Kenshin and Aoshi.
2) A pose by Tomoe's younger brother, Enishi.
3) Close-up shot of Sagara Sanosuke.
There were some others I would have liked to have purchased, but I waited till the last day to go ahead and throw down the cash for them. Damn you, Eddie... seriously. I wanted that Scrapped Princess poster. ;[
At one point, I left right before the DDR Tournament on Saturday, because just way too many people were everywhere. Everyone thought I went home to sleep, yeah no, I went home to play Age of Mythology for like nine hours straight. At the end, of Metrocon I had a bodycount of 51+ hours of sleepless awake. All in all, I had a great time and hope to be cosplaying by next year.
Also, one thing I'll leave you on as I finish this update. My immune system is probably one of the strongest in existence right up there with George Carlin. I'd be able to take nuclear radiation for over ten years with no chemical imbalances, all the while, fighting rare cancers, the ebola virus, and the bubonic plague; but the down side to having my immune system is that it's totally weak to the gastrointestinal system in the region of my stomach. I get wicked stomach cramps like once every week, and there's no serious problem with me... but it just hurts like hell. *sighs* Unreliable stomach! I guess it's a good trade-off, though.
I'll add more to the next part with pictures, some places online haven't gotten all their pics up from the event and I might be caught in a few of those, perhaps. I'll update about tonight and the coming days in the next update. Latez.