Hawk’s Babble-Log

Not a bad little series. I quite enjoyed it, and was always eager to move on to the next show. This may be because the main plotline moves so slowly, but that’s okay because most of it was fun anyway.

The ending was even okay. I mean, it was pretty good, as far as anime endings go. They left a few strands untied, but this may be a set-up for “R.O.D. the TV the 2″, or “R.O.D. the TV the II”, or “R.O.D. the TV the Next”.

I’ll probably end up buying it as I’d like to watch it again, and I’d like to show it to my roomie homie, and I’d like to watch the commentary.

It’s based on the original anime “Read or Die”, but some characters have been changed, and I don’t think they’re all good changes. Some are good, but not all. So realize that you’re watching a slightly alternate “Read or Die” universe, and then you can have fun.

Directed by Kouji Masunari.

Fantastic! And a whole lotta fun! It’s so nice to watch a good adventure story _without_ all the drama of a “message”. One of the most annoying things about SteamBoy was being preached to about the evils of war (as they went to war) all throughout the film. That’s probably why I have no intereste in seeing it again.

But this one has no message whatsoever, except to have some fun! And they do. In spades. She’s a “PaperMaster”, someone who can control paper, make it form shapes, make it slice things, make weapons, make it fly, etc. Really awsome to watch. And lots of fun. I probably mentioned that already.

Her partner can move through things, become “non-corporeal” (the new popular term). Both of these characters are way cool. There are other fantastic characters, but I’m not going to go into that here. Lots of fun.

I’m definately going to buy it as I do want to see it again. Did I mention that it’s lots of fun?

Also of note is the great job the english actors did. The english dub actors are (generally) getting much, much better from the good ol’ days of ADV where they just conned their friends into it because they were all too broke to hire real actors. These days, the english dubs are very well done.

P.S. Don’t confuse this with a series called “R.O.D. The TV”. Yes, that’s really what it’s called. The Japanese guys were very specific about this. It’s not exactly Read Or Die, but shares elements, and it seems to take place _after_ the OAV (Original Animated Video). I’ll be writing my review on that series next week.

Outstanding! This is a wonderfully educational and entertaining program. This is a set of 13 episodes, each one excellent.

I love the way Carl Sagan can take a section of history–which does not seem to be related to anything–and then show how it relates to the universe. The guy is amazing. Smart, too.

I’ll have to get around to reading his book, Contact. You know, the one they made the movie out of starring Jodie Foster? Yeah, that one. I loved it.

At the end of some episodes, there are Cosmos Updates, where Carl gives a brief update on what was discussed in the show. The surprising thing is that there was little to update. Even a decade after it’s initial release, the show is still excellent.

I’m going to buy it.

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Colin Farrell, Gong Li, Naomie Harris, Ciaràn Hinds, and John Ortiz.

Written and directed by Michael Mann.

This movie _soundly kicks ass_.

Things that I liked about Miami Vice:

- The realistic way events occur and unfold. When something unexpected happens, the people involved investigate and figure out what’s going on. This happens in a regular progression of communication, assemble new data, conclusion, more communication, etc. I’ve noticed this with other Mann movies as well, especially Heat.

- Nominclature. Actually, this is both good and bad, and somewhat annoying, as I don’t know all the terms and slang used in the movie. I only picked up maybe 60% or 70% of what they were saying.

- The realistic violence. I don’t like real violence, but I do like an accurate representation of it, and this movie really delivers. If you’ve got a weak stomach, don’t see it.

- The realistic way the guys (and gals) assault a fixed position. They don’t mess around, they don’t whine to eachother about their problems, and they don’t hesitate. They know their jobs, what to do, what to expect from eachother, they’re in communication just enough to get the job done, and they know eachother without even having to speek. What’s this? The bad guy is still moving around? Bam! A .45 round to the back of the head fixes that. Done.

By the way, I just have to take a moment here and comment on this gal, Elizabeth Rodriguez (who plays Gina). This chick with the assault rifle next to Jaime Foxx is awsome. She told the guy what would happen if he didn’t drop the shit. She gave him fair warning. He started to tell her to go to hell or fuck off or something, so she did exactly what she told him she would do. That’s my kind of girl. No hesitation, no whining, no doubt-filled looks to her partner (soap). I’d have this girl on my team anytime. Or I’d be on her team anytime.

- Competence. These people know their jobs, they know what they’re doing, and they do it. For example, the tough old bird who plays the Captain: He’s competent, knowledgeable, knows what he’s doing, knows what the enemy is going to do, and plans accordingly. When it’s time for action, he’s there and he gets the job done. Same with all of ‘em. They’re friggin’ competent. None of this, “Ohh, what am I doing here? Ohh, I’m in so deep, what ever shall I do? Ohh, can I handle it? Ohh, what if I can’t? Ohh, people are depending on me, what if I crack under pressure?” I have a phrase for that: _Hollywood soap bullshit_. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen and make room for one of these people in Miami Vice.

- Respect. I mentioned the tough ol’ Captain. If he says, “Calm down,” they calm down. If he says, “We do this my way,” then they do it his way. None of this Hollywood soap bullshit of “Cover me, I’m goin’ in!” and then the hero dives directly into the line of fire, shooting sideways as he flies through the air. No, I don’t think so. It’s going to be pretty tough to suspend that disbelief. Don’t get me wrong, I can enjoy a good John Woo movie, but that’s because I know it’s all fantasy from the start.

Things that I didn’t like about Miami Vice:

- Nominclature. I know I mented this in the “things I liked” section, but it’s a two-way street. On the one hand, I like that they’re talkin’ their own language. On the other, it would really be nice if I knew what they were saying.

- The bad guy didn’t get tortured enough at the end. I felt that he really needed to experience pain in all it’s painful glory. For weeks.

- Crockett & Tubbs get to ride around in zillion-dollar Ferrari’s and I don’t.

- Crockett & Tubbs get to play with fully automatic assault rifles (with cool factors of 10) and I don’t.

All in all, the movie kicks some serious ass, and I’d see it again in a heartbeat. I’m definately going to buy it when it comes out on DVD.