Nothing much during my Raya week. As we gets old, the less we enjoy the little things. Well, gotta enjoy holiday like an adults did, by watching movie. And it’s a sequel to the previous Resident Evil movies, Resident Evil: Afterlife.

Nothing is better than enjoying a movie out of a blue. So we hang around animeshrine msn channel and suddenly I’m at Ikea Damansara enjoying a meatball dinner with yafex_shogoki and ultimaweaponx. Though I want to invite maskawaih to watch the movie but he’s not online at the time. My legs are hurting during the week due to the un-ergonomic nature of Malaysian made cars, so a walk from Ikea to eCurve is a kinda enjoyable is a masochist way. Not to forget my usual routine of dropping by Bentley Music and scouting for good guitars.

On to the movie, so I was expecting something good and bought a ticket to watch it in 3D. Started off with clones of Alice raiding the Umbrella facility. And there’s farking Wesker, though seems a bit weaker compared to the game potrayal. Overall the effects was really stunning in the beginning with lots of pew pew here and there. The story drags until Chris was introduced. And it was hilarious when he said he can get Alice outta there, you’ll see why(hint:prison break.)

Easily said, it turns bad from there on, everyone is dead except the 3 main character and the large hammer weilding majini came out only to be killed by two blast of shotgun barrel. Notice that the fighting scene between wesker and chris is copied exactly like in RE5, replacing Sheva with Claire. Cliffhanger ending as usual, showing Jill with a battalion of armed umbrella corps assault troop preparing to kill the protagonist.

That should be all about the movie, nothing much, but a stunning visual effects with lots of bullet time. Guess the critics was right about the movie script being horrible and all. In the end, all that I remembered is the delivious Ikea meatballs. What pique my interest is the trailers before the movie starts. From the director of my favourite movie, Hot Fuzz, featuring guitars, bands, and flashy comic book superhero wannabe, ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. The World’ is something I’ll look forward to.

Damn 2.0 was good.

Couples of weeks back then, Cathay Cineplex brought Evangelion 2.0 : You (cannot) Advance, which is quite a blessing to me and all Evangelion fan in Malaysia. Linkinstreet manage to book one cinema to be filled with self-proclaim elite malaysian otaku(including me of course). Though something went wrong and he’s on hiatus since then.

Me and Evangelion goes way back to my high-school years in 2001, though by that time i’m still watching vcd quality anime. Gotta admit that I fell in love with Rei at that time… who wouldn’t anyway? There was as also the time where I was too hardcore about Evangelion and listen to the OP everytime after I got back from midnight tuition. What do you expect from a kiddo? Well, time passes and I’ve become a batman now and all is right with the world.

Anyway, the movie was stunning. Unlike 1.0 which is like keikaku doori, there’s a slight deviation from the original storyline. Among all, everyone who watched it surely impressed with the music used. Thinking that everyone download/bought it after watching the movie. I had them in the first place but hearing it during the movie is really different, with the stunning scene and all. You can see complex mechanical design implemented on Tokyo-3 while ’2EM09_YAMASHITA’ was playing in the background. Most of the other BGM is something from the past with added guitar solo etc2. To be noted, 2 special song for the series ‘今日の日はさようなら’ and ‘翼をください -Tribute to “Sound of Music”‘ was played during crucial moment of the movie, greatly increase the dramatic effect of the scenes. My conclusion, the movie is about Rei Ayanami and her ‘ポカポカ’ scene.

So… watching once wasn’t enough, so I watched twice with Czero, Yafex and Dark Steno. This time I’m paying attention to the story and fighting scene. Though basically an angel defies all odds so watching how a 14 years old boy beat them is somewhat enjoyable in a sense, not that I’m a sadist and enjoy looking them grieving in pain or anything. And certainly, I don’t like watching that baby-faced Rei mourns in pain when she was fighting an angel. Dunno if the sales are good, but from my optimistic view I hope they will continue to bring such movie here in Malaysia.

Gekijouban Macross F -Itsuwari no Utahime- ED & Insert Songs Album - CM Ranka

My iTunes library just hit 7000+ song yesterday, so it was a cool story. Started out with 700 songs in 2006, 4 years of collecting, hope my HDD wont die on me until I get a replacement. Long story short, here’s a review of what I’ve been listening to in 2010. Above is the album for Macross F the movie “Itsuwari no Utahime”. Contains insert songs such as ‘ダイナム超合金’, ‘ファミリーマート・コスモス’, ‘恋のドッグファイト (ちょっとだけ)’, and not to forget ‘ニンジーン Loves you yeah!’. While movie is fukken where, the ending song ‘そうだよ’ is included in this album. Reminds me of Dark Steno Ranka which is not finished yet.

Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha The MOVIE 1st Theme Song & Insert Song Single - PHANTOM MINDS

Another soundtrack for a movie fukken where, PHANTOM MINDS. I didn’t download this album just because it’s Fate-chan or because she’s an A cup, really! But I really like most of her song, too bad I couldn’t afford the whole collection. Track includes:

1. PHANTOM MINDS
2. Don’t Be Long
3. Song Communication
4. 十字架のスプレッド

Shinkai Makoto Sakuhin Image Album "Promise"

After having a Global Makoto Shinkai Day, this multi award winning director wouldn’t be complete without one or two tribute albums. Performed by Eminence Symphony Orchestra, founded by Hiroaki Yura in 2003 and currently based in Sydney, Australia. The albums holds the most memorable song in Makoto Shinkai works from Byousoku 5cm to Kanojo to Kanojo no Neko. Something you wanna hear when you are drinking your midnight coffee in a dim light. First 3 song are from Byousoku, next 6 songs are from Place We Promised in Our Early Days, 2 more songs are from Hoshi No Koe, last 2 songs are from Kanojo to Kanojo no Neko.

1. One more time, One more chance (Instrumental)
2. 思い出は遠くの日々
3. カナエの気持ち
4. 雲のむこう、約束の場所　メインテーム
5. 二人の計画 / 希望と憧れ
6. サユリ
7. 雲のむこう、約束の場所　メインテーム (Piano Version)
8. 二人の葛藤
9. きみのこえ (Instrumental)
10. THROUGH THE YEARS AND FAR AWAY
11. ミカコからの便り
12. 彼女と彼女の猫 メインテーム
13. 彼女と彼女の猫 (Piano Version)

0079-0088

Gackt album, includes 哀戦士 gundam NEXT PLUS version. I’m not familiar with the other songs so 哀の戦士 is the only song I hear in the album. Prefer the old version of 哀戦士 though.

Fate/Zero Original Soundtrack Return to Zero

I really dislike the game due to VERY complex japanese that my translating machine can’t understand,so my japanese understanding is out of question. Enough talk, I uninstalled it before I can finish. Unlike the other Fate series(or any other Type-Moon series), the game feature full english song for OP (‘Starlit Faith’ by Watanabe Kazuhiro) and ED (‘Beginning Oath’ by Itou Kanako). Screw this I have Melty Blood Actress Again!

Kanamemo ED Single - YAHHO!!

I’m not really a fan of Yui Horie even though I played To Heart, but her role as Toradora’s Minorin changed that. I’ve been following her trails ever since then, superb stalker I am. Kanamemo was good, slice of life with moe-blob humor, not the best but something you can watch without feeling troubled. So do the songs, especially the ED with is kinda modern punk rock oriented. One thing is the drum beat is fun to hear. Filler song ‘daisy’ was more like a typical J-pop tho even with the added guitar solo, probably due to excessive trumpet sounds.

Top wo Nerae 2! Original Soundtrack

Old soundtrack which I found very suggoi in term of melody, composed by Tanaka Kouhei. 2 songs, ‘Tatsu Tori Ato wo Nigosa zu’ and ‘Inazuma Double Kick’  enough to put make me gets a hard on. Tatsu Tori Ato wo Nigosa zu give me the feeling of everything was over for now, and I should really go to bed. Inazuma Double Kick, despite the song title, was actually a symphonic ballad which reminds me of the strong bond between nono and lal’c in the final showdown. Gainax was probably a studio like no other and still irreplaceable up til now.

Bakemonogatari ED Single - Kimi no Shiranai Monogatari

Kimi no Sugoi Monogatari. Supercell is the picture of what anime music will become in 10 more years. They can be said as an inspiration to many song composers in japan, pro or noob. Something simple and feels good to listen to, accompanied with cool graphics, otaku strike zones are critically damaged. Enough of the compliments, album feature various version of ‘君の知らない物語’ , one filler song ‘LOVE & ROLL’, and the theme of ‘CENCOROLL’. That’s it for review, my back is aching from sleeping on the floor last night.

]]> http://eccen.wakarimasenlol.com/2010/01/18/january-playlist/feed/ 0 http://eccen.wakarimasenlol.com/2010/01/14/what-i-hope-for-2010/ http://eccen.wakarimasenlol.com/2010/01/14/what-i-hope-for-2010/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:13:52 +0000 eccen http://eccen.wakarimasenlol.com/?p=553

The year of riding Taiga, lucky dragon.

Year of the Taiga had come, HHNNNNGGGGGRRRHHHH!!! Though I rarely watch anime now, but a certain anime, you can just let it slip past your bandwidth. This year seems to promise me my favourite series movies and OVA.

My heart just stopped.

Look at her height, her slender legs, her flat chest, her deadpan impression... I'm totally sold...

First things first, Haruhi movie, The Vanishment of Haruhi Suzumiya. So what if I already know what will happens? Wall of text doesn’t amuse me. Good directing + background sounds + insert songs + good seiyuu + animated nagato pwns. From the melodic trailer, I can see that the movie will be loaded with serious stuff. Hope the forgive me for my sins of downloading endless eight and goes into DVD production soon.

Everyone with their respective Tengen Toppa, btw total remake fighting scene boils my spiral energy

It's a Tengen Toppa warehouse sales!

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann 2nd movie : The Spiral Stone Chapter, fukken where? Okay just 2 weeks to go for a DVD release(27th January). I already posted up most of the screenshot here but it seems like no one was interested(yeah, people don’t like shounen kinda show nymore). I’m happy as long as I can watch what I want, to hell with what people say.

Full armoured Unicorn Gundam, tell me you watch the series because of the mecha.

Destroy mode which said to be superior than Trans-Am.

Unicorn Gundam OVA. Among the UC novel which makes it to the screen. Where’s my Advance of Zeta? Okay, seems like Super Saiya mode mecha are the hot trends now. No more mecha which is piloted with tactics and skills. You know what, if they make someone more moe than Christina Mackenzie as a protagonist, that will surely boost their sale don’t you think? But no! So enjoice your second Kamiru Bidan.

Ooops, sorry, wrong images.

00Q - Gundam 00 Quanta

00 Gundam Movie. I am Gundam. Sequel to the series which goes so well but ended up horribly. Why the hell do they Trans-Am those suicide bombers? Anyway the latter part was good. A bishonen gundam done right. Still in development.

2.0 DVD is around the corner

The much waited Makinami Mari Illustrous

If the rumors were true then I can watch them on the big screen locally. Save up my bandwidth of 20GBs. Btw, eva do brings up my own personal memories of the old days. DVD launch is nowhere near, I know most of my friend had streamed it or watched in during AFA 09, only good reviews so far. So yeah, bring it on!

Gained 90% in Rotten Tomatoes

My internet is totally FUBAR for now, Packet One failed to provide additional backup, all hope is lost, I repeat, all hope is lost. Whining about my slow speed doesn’t fix anything, so lets do a review of an old movie from my movie folder. Hot Fuzz(2007). Directed by Edgar Wright, written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Anyone familiar with Shaun of The Dead surely remember these guys.

Timothy Dalton winning smile

What I usually expect from a British movie is zombies, a shooting cop action movie from england? Nope, haven’t watch any yet. Story revolve around Sergeant Nicholas Angel, an officer working in London’s Metropolitan Police Service. He was the jack-of-all-trades, enough to make his peers jealous. So being tldr doesn’t always reward him handsomely as he’s being kicked away by angry-mods to the middle of nowhere.

My dad was a sergeant, not enough ranks to make people dissappear.

Sandford looks like a normal village in a rural area. So peaceful that an active spammer like him can’t slow down to the pace. His paranoid sense seems to be a joke for the whole village and his strict nature makes him hard to adapt. All things was rather entertaining until the series of so-called accidents. So I’ll just reserve the spoiler here, go to wiki if you really want to know what happens. The next thing I know, is the gun fight. Although that this is a comedy film, things can get pretty messy and there’s blood all over, same goes for Shaun of The Dead.

Bloody that's must've hurt!

So what I do like about this film? The camera directing, which flow so smooth to make a tacticool feel mixed with comedy in place. Plot is rather shocking, dark but mixed with comedy along the way. Shooting and blowing things up was a so-so, it could be better. I was kinda disappointed that there’s less comedy during the shooting part, but they make up the lack by cool parodies and tacticool action. Simple movie that looks rather low budget compared to a standard british zombie movies. I rewatched it out of boredom, so it has less impact compared to the first time I watched it. Then again, it wasn’t so bad compared to surfing the net with capped speed.

Horatio mode.

Nanny, please don't try this at home.

This is what I called believing in science.

Fag!

Song “Tsubasa wo Kudasai” sung by Megumi Hayashibara. This is the full version, only a fracture of the song are used in the movie. The melody reminds me of Komm, Susser Todd. Neway, check the K-On version.

Also another version spinoff from the K-On version, Kanojo wo kudasai, thanks to ultimaweaponx for pointing it out.

Up to you to choose which is better.

Credit to Ultimaweaponx for this awesome Nagato pic.

A modded SG that Jack gave Krauser

Feature the almost the same spec as Les Paul, this twin-humbucker guitar only makeover is the twin-cutaway feature, adding a sinister looks to it’s body. Stop-tail bridge, 22 frets, what do I want to elaborate more?

One reason that makes this guitar very awesome is that, Nagato Yuki, our beloved alien human-interface use it. Well, that’s not all, Krauser-san’s guitar( the one that he got from Jack, his initial guitar is Gibson Explorer), both from the movie and anime, are modified SG model. Sawako-sensei from K-On(reference from the 4 koma) also own this babe during her early metal years( which she later switch with a Gibson Flying V). To be noted, these anime characters are portrayed to be extremely skilled and at a level of a shredder, so do you get how much of Gar level increment if you get a hold of one SG? Okay, I’m just exaggerating things.

Sawako is a former SG user, didn't included in the previous anime.

Some great guitarist do use them are Susumu Nishikawa( who serve as a vector for Nagato Yuki solo in Haruhi’s anime ) , Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Daron of System of a Down, Dave Ghrol of Foo Fighters, and Gary of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Well, Gibson aren’t the only brand in za warudo but it’s one of the best selling guitar. Dunno with these japanese fanboyism with Fender and Gibson whilst they have their own high-quality guitar. Maybe this is a reference to how much a country hates their own local product. Prices for a SG should be around a LP. And there’s also a cheaper and much cheaper alternatives.

Death to those deceptikons!

Transformers : Revenge of The Fallen DVD and Blu-ray version is out for quite some time, and here we show another unique feature of the original package that you can’t get by torrenting. Credit to Paramount Picture marketing strategy.

The Optimus Experience is an augmented reality application that allow people to play with optimus prime on their computer screen via webcam.  Here’s a video of the package promo (*only available on the two-disc editions of the movie, DVD and Blu-ray counts).

Cool isn’t it? For anyone who already have the package. You can visit this site HERE to test it out.

PC Suggested Configuration
Hardware: Processor: Intel Dual Core (or core 2 duo) 2.4GHz or AMD equivalent
Main memory: 1 Go Ram
Graphics cards: Most supported except Via chipset
Operating Software: Windows XP with DirectX 9.0 (or Windows XP SP2), Vista

"Watashi no koi wa Awutobottsu!"

Don't you think it's scary and cold tonight? Let Oniichan give you his hands.

Halloween trick or treat is still everywhere on the interweb. While some are just lame jokes, there’s still serious people out there who know how to scare people while browsing through. No, I’m not talking about spyware or adware, but cyberpunk horror. There’s a few movies I know close enough to the genre, but the best is Jisatsu(suicide) Circle.

By Furuya Usamaru

Manga version of Jisatsu Circle is about a school girl named Saya Kouta. Mainly, she a broken rape victim turns prostitute. Suffering from trauma until she met this ‘Mitsuko‘ which cuts her connection with herself. Story progresses until she becomes another ‘Mitsuko’ who’ll lead another suicide circle as her best friend Ryoko try to stop her plan of committing another massive suicides. Contains gore, violence, and nudity.

The previous Mitsuko and several myspace kids.

TMALive Action version is somewhat more creative and enjoyable. I give 5 stars for music and graphic depiction. SPOILER ALERT! Movie about a loli idol group named ‘Desert’( no actual band reference ). Well, behind this cute idol dancing lies a darker suicide cult. It questions present time mass media that becomes our trendsetter and “our connection to ourselves”. Not in the mood to create a tl;dr post to explain it but I highly recommend watching it. Contains gore, and minimal nudity.

A similar opening to the manga.

Look like a LP but probably a Washburn guitar.

Some guro moments, the song during this time are quite catchy.

SPOILER! 3D Lolies, they're the culprit!

Old movie is old, but thumbs up for the director for combining horror and musical.