“My tale is the most bitter truth:
Time pays us but with earth and dust, and a dark, silent grave.
Remember, my child: Without innocence the cross is only iron,
Hope is only an illusion and Ocean Soul’s nothing but a name…”
from “Bless the Child” by Nightwish
Listening to: “Dead Boy’s Poem” by Nightwish
I promised I’d make a “Jack Sparrow” drawing if I pass my “L 101″. It was a “landmark” exam, which became the deciding factor, whether we are to continue on to the next “phase” of the training; or not. Thankfully, I made it (instead of studying seriously the night before the exam, I chose to watch a movie and go “music-tripping”, while reading snippets from my “notes”, bit surprised that I got the highest score). I have “mixed” opinions about this job though, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Let’s see what happens next. It’s like high school all over again at some point (I have to work a bit harder than usual, because I dislike memorisation)!
But enough of that. Spent most of the day sleeping. Just finished the latest “John Rambo” movie, just out of curiosity. Not too bad, but not winning any awards either. “Note-worthy” scenes can be found occasionally. There’s one where men, women and children where forced to run through rice paddies filled with land mines, those who survived were then systematically gunned-down. As opposed to glorifying the violence, it was done in such a way that it repels the viewer with it’s “barbarism”.
This time around, a brooding and disillusioned (aren’t they all?) John Rambo was to be found living in an unnamed fishing village in Thailand. He earns extra money catching cobras (and other poisonous things) for the Thai version of “sabong” (cock-fighting in the Philippines). Enter a group of missionaries who would like to hire his services; basically all he needs to do is take them upriver, to war-torn Myanmar. John refused (what do you expect?) at first, but finally caved-in after “a-standard-conversation-with-the-female-lead”. He does the job successfully, but later learns that the group has been apprehended by “the-evil-general”. Out with the “bolo-n-bandanna”, and you can probably figure out the rest. Yes, the movie was pretty generic, but compared to the previous “Rambo” films, this has a little extra depth. It compares favourably with the final “Rocky Balboa” movie. Both characters come full circle (John finally comes “home”).
On another matter, I’ve seen Episode 16 of “Gundam 00″, a couple of days ago. New Opening and Ending songs were introduced around episode 14, I believe. Both were not to my liking (the singer sounds like she has a head-cold). The story’s still as interesting as ever (the plot-soup thickens), but for some reason I’m starting to get a little annoyed. Three (!) more Gundams appear (just when Setsuna’s about to be done-in by Ali Al Sarges, in a very “deus ex machina” moment; but I’m suspending judgment for the time being ). They’re called Thrones (named after German numbers – Eins, Zwei, and Drei ), another “ambiguous” character was introduced, along with the members of the AEU “Over Flags”. I still don’t understand Louise and Saji’s “significance” to the plot (although I have a vague suspicion that they are supposed to “represent-the-ordinary-people” and how the current situation will affect their lives or something).
Basically, my little complaint here is that the creators are introducing new characters whilst not really expanding on those who have been there the longest (although it can be argued that the new ones were there to further the plot and consequently reveal more information about the main characters, who knows?) Mostly, I’d prefer if the a show has fewer “players”, but has “excellent” character development (Death Note, Cowboy Bebop or most of the older Gundam Series ). And the “blatant” romance must be kept to a minimum please! A fan gave this comment on the CR Forum: “I like Gundam SEED because it has comedy and romance”. Huh? So what about the themes of “war and peace”, humanity, “race” (coordinators vs. naturals) and things like that? Don’t get me wrong, even I like “comedy and romance”, but for that I watch “Hanazakari no Kimi Tachi E”…not Gundam. Oh well, just my little rant there.