Such a Pretty Mess.

YJ Runaways: Headcanons

hlwar — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 03:49:02 GMT

I'm re-watching Young Justice and need to fangirl. XD So I'm bringing over a meme from deviantART whereupon we ask for outside headcanons. It was meant for fan characters but this gave me the perfect excuse to talk Runaways, and offer my own headcanons for my favorite canon cast members. Mainly angst and dark ideas I've been harboring for fan fiction.

☑ Themes
I already did an entire Journal devoted to finding YJ Runaways: Image songs, but I always imagine "Team Runaway" when listening to the following songs, sorta like their themes. The lyrics remind me so much of them, and what they had to go through.

☑ "Only the subject doesn't care!"
I headcanon that if Ed had to get into hero work, he might later in life become addicted to prescription painkillers, out of necessity.

Heroes rescue people, but they made a point of clearly showing his teleporting with other people hurts like hell! Both parties. When saving his father both of them were so crippled by pain they couldn't even stand-up—even though Red Volcano was still right there! I don't believe anyone would automatically subject themselves to that again, especially considering Ed didn't even want to be a hero, instead wanting a cure for his meta-gene.

Proof of that is what he did after rescuing his father. He didn't teleport him outside to safety; Asami carried him. Ed didn't teleport anyone else trapped inside the collapsing wing of S.T.A.R.—be they random stranger, or someone he knew on friendly terms. On the contrary, to save Neutron and a few guards (including an injured man) he walked them to find an exit:

A lot of reluctance, and I see him more of an anti-hero—anti-heroes seem to fall from grace much harder. So if he had to get into the line of work where the chance he'd teleport others would be high, he'd really need that oxycodone or morphine, like his morning coffee, to keep going...

☑ Tribal Chief
Because Shelly is a widow and I just can't see Jaime's best friend being a gang-banger, I used the idea of Tye's father being killed in the Iraq War (I realize YJ made up countries to avoid RL political conflicts, but I roll real xD) to build on his past (and Shelly's very resigned misery) in Louder Than Words. I did the math and it could fit, so I used it to give a more emotional reason as to why he wears those standard military dog tags (they're his Dad's).

☑ Long Shadow
If you've read Louder Than Words then this one isn't new either: I had to think of something to call Tye's astral projection, because dubbing it Astral Projection was too much to keep typing, too dry sounding. XD Virgil refers to it as his "Long Shadow" (a throwback to his Justice League Unlimited Ultimen counterpart's power) but there's no way that could be used with a superhero alias; it throws secret identity out the window and exposes his poor mother.

So I took the Native American beliefs of the Spirit World as Tye's reasoning for his meta-gene to give him the powers it did (opportunistic, as Dr. Dorado said). Thus, I now call the "Big Man" his Spirit.

☑ Arsenal and the Runaways
This is more like a headcanon I do not share, more or less. I know many, if not all, fans saw this as a thing, something that would likely happen if the series continued, but oddly not me. My main argument is the end of their final episode "The Hunt":

[Jeez, I just noticed the bottom of Tye's skateboard looks to have a Native American design on it!]

Arsenal is chilling, casually watching the Runaways skateboard off. He's going nowhere. They're running away again. To me, that shows they made no alliances, and I figure the kids went into hiding. They rode off into the sunset, as it were. Now, I'm not saying we wouldn't see this team-up happening, but the fact they made it visually obvious they parted ways (in reality, they were only together for, like, an hour) leaves me thinking no.

Or rather, not much. Someone asked Greg Weisman if they keep in touch, and his reply was: "Some." That is loose, almost a throw-away, considering three of the four Runaways want nothing more to do with superheroes again, but it is also minimal enough to imply there's no major Arsenal and the Runaways plot-line coming.

I headcanon it would be rookie hero Static to bring "Team Runaway" back together, likely in whatever S3 episode or two they may have dedicated to Virgil (see below).

So what do I think would happen with Arsenal? While everyone else was yearning for a Red Hood and The Outlaws team-up, I was keeping my fingers crossed the writers would keep to the stories before New 52. They had already used Rise of Arsenal by taking Roy's arm and giving him the cyborg limb; I honestly wanted Arsenal to follow continuity and join Deathstroke and Cheshire on Titans: Villains for Hire. (I think I'm one of the rare few who did enjoy those comics. It had cool intentions, but like RoA it fell short on execution.)

The reason I could see this happening is because the Villain Titans' first "mission" is to assassinate Lex Luthor. Now tell me Arsenal wouldn't jump at the chance?! And that's what his character needs to progress, a chance to face those demons constantly hanging over his head, to get that rage out. (I also like the possible conflict of him being on a team with clone-Roy's wife. XD)

☑ "My folks and I, we're good."
My headcanon plot for Virgil getting back together with his friends stems from that single, telling line. How many Static Shock cartoon fans went (O_o) when he said that? XD Implying Mom Jean Hawkins hadn't (YET?!?) taken a stray bullet on the job as an EMT. And the writers already showed they liked homages and throw-backs and utilizing previous DC stories (Runaways and the Invasion)...

This was a major moment in my fanfic Rise of the Runaways, if I ever freakin' get over myself and my writer's block.

☑ Weaponize the meta-gene
Does anybody remember these? Probably not. ^^; But I never gave up on the idea of a AU warrior Runaways. XD I kept saying it was for a fanfic idea, though to be honest, I never had a solid plot aside from that headcanon. However, it was based around Bart's timeline, where the Reach succeeded in invading the Earth. I had wanted to make the Runaways into something like army lieutenants; being their first successful meta-gene subjects they'd be On Mode and in charge of leading ground forces, say, as human weapons. Yes, I was making their older versions bad-guys and of the Reach.

Back in April I started digitally inking Ed, but got stuck on his Ultimen/Reach hybrid armor, because I suck at armor and hero designs. Here's what I managed, though I plan to scrap it for something more techy sci-fi, less medieval pauldron.

This was my "how can I make them bad and cool" idea, but if I were to be serious about what would have become of them had the Team never rescued the Runaways and they remained test subjects, then they'd probably be forced into action like Neutron was. Tested harder and harder until they were killed, or their meta-gene overpowered and self-destructed, like what almost happened to poor Neut.

Possibly more later...

If you're a YJ fan, I would love to hear any random thoughts, opinions, or ideas you've ever had for Virgil, Eduardo, Tye, or Sam. As a "team" or separate, don't matter. Inquiring, crazy fangirl minds wanna know!

Glasses

hlwar — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 20:46:08 GMT

If you're familiar with my writing style, you probably know I don't have much of a funny bone. Sarcasm, sure, and maybe some wit, but classic comedy and laugh-out-loud? Not so much. But my friend Pretty Kitty had challenged me to try, and I started working on this little thing. Again, I went with a focus on Eduardo Jr., because I really wanted to put some spotlight on the fact we saw him in a S.T.A.R. Lab photograph wearing glasses:

Too cute! ♡ I wanted to explore them being reading glasses, since he obviously never wore them regularly to see throughout the series; I hinted at this in my previous fanfic Bring Him Home, but I thought I'd tease the poor guy a bit, since I love the brotherly dynamic between the Runaway boys. XD

Again I ran outta steam working on it, although I got some good feedback at deviantART and would like to conquer this challenge. I just... got intimidated by the moment where all hell should break loose and be funny. (My self-esteem this past year has dropped way low, and most of the time I second-guess everything I do, or get flat-out too scared to post it anymore.) I wanted it to be a wild ride in the same vein as Noises Off!, just a crazy clusterfuck of teens messing up and trying not to get caught. XD

Glasses
a Young Justice: Invasion fan fiction

Eduardo pinched the bridge of his nose and held his breath. It was all he could do to keep from snapping at Virgil as he waved yet another menu in his face.

"So what do you want?"

Without bothering to even check which take-out restaurant he was offering up for their evening meal, Ed replied, "I don't care."

"Aw, c'mon, man, don't pull that again. You obviously do care."

"What do you mean, obviously again? I'm not picky."

On the couch, Tye chortled to himself. "Yeah right." The impact of Ed's glare was so challengingly strong it broke his focus from his work on the laptop. He relented with a half-hearted, apologetic shrug, adding, "Sorry, man, but you did kinda throw a hissy last night."

"That was not a hissy. I just didn't wanna eat it."

"Hey, I just thought it would be nice of you, that's all. Do you know how hard it was to find that Asian grocer in the first place? And Sam's been a good enough sport to try all our crap cuisines, without complaining like some of us."

"You did nearly kill her with whatever hot pepper you added in the chimichurri," Virgil reminded with dramatic elaboration.

"Okay, first, I apologized for that. Second, I just... those dessert things she bought were weird."

"Mochi," Tye clarified. He always tried his hardest learning whatever Sam wanted to share with them.

"It felt like a boob."

"Like you know what a boob feels like."

Ed blanched, and then turned beet red when Virgil choked on a bark of laughter. "Oops, was that out loud?"

"Che, tomátela, boludos," Ed mumbled heatedly under his breath. Then he raised his voice in defense, trying to regain his composure and end the dialogue. "Whatever, it wasn't a hissy fit. But I wasn't gonna put that in my mou—"

Both Virgil and Tye's faces lit up, their ear-to-ear grins threatening to break into uncontrollable laughter; Tye thrust a finger at him as if daring Ed to finish that sentence.

Instead, he translated his Argentine bad-mouthing. "Hey, fuck you guys." Folding his arms across his chest, he leaned back into the armchair and turned his face away; the signal to end the teasing was clear in his mind.

Yet Tye had to throw in, "That's still not gonna help you there." He cupped his hands in front of his chest to emphasize the obvious missing fact, and Virgil dropped onto the sofa next to him in roaring stitches.

Just as Ed opened his mouth, ready to fire back with even worse slang they wouldn't understand, a feminine voice interjected: "Dōshita ka? Nani ga itta, anta-tachi no?"

All three boys fell into a quick hush when Asami walked into the living room, her eyes wide and questioning. "What going on, please?"

Tye and Ed locked gazes, the schoolyard-like stare down as if testing each other into who would take the blame for the ruckus. Meanwhile Virgil wiped his eyes and stood, a good-natured smile still plastered on his face, once more handing the menu to Eduardo.

"Hoo gosh..." Then he explained, "Nothin'. I'm just gettin' ready to head out and rustle up some grub. Once you guys tell me what to order."

Ed took the menu from him, not wanting to continue the fight in front of Sam, but he said again, "I really don't care."

It was evident Ed was the one upset, so Sam sat on the arm of the chair next to him. She looked down at the folded paper, shrugging herself at the menu. But they all knew Eduardo didn't have the same luxury.

"Well, there's other places—"

"Other menus," Ed cut him off with a dead-pan snark.

"Ed, give it up," Tye finally said. "What's wrong?"

Suddenly, the internal dam holding back his frustrations broke and Ed resentfully waved the menu back at them. "This, doesn't help."

"Dude, you're fluent."

"But I can't see—" Ed looked sheepish and wilted under the pressure. "I can't read the small print, okay? And it's not as easy for me, I can't just guess at these local mamá y papá dives with their silly names and food choices. I... forgot my glasses when we ran away."

"Oh, that's right," Virgil breathed, remembering Ed in his glasses when they were given paperwork at S.T.A.R. Labs. Trying to be nonchalant yet helpful, he waved a dismissive hand, saying, "Yeah, I forgot some stuff, too. But it's no big deal. I can read you the items."

"Please," Ed muttered, not interested in being treated like the ailing grandmother of the lot. It was bad enough being teased like the younger brother.

Tye grinned at the notion which came to him. "How about we ask Daddy Luthor to simply buy you a new pair?"

It was Virgil who shook his head. "He'd need the prescription."

Pulling from the words she understood, Sam offered quietly, "Ed-kun's Dad? No Luthor."

"My Dad?" There was a touchy quality to Eduardo Jr.'s voice, always awkward whenever his father was mentioned.

"Yeah!" Virgil chimed. "He'd take your things home, right? He is your relation, and he lives right here in Taos."

Ed looked from Sam to Virgil, then finally he shook his head. "You cannot be real? I thought we were running, laying low? You want me to go to my Dad and ask for my glasses back? He'd just call the League and ship me back to S.T.A.R.!"

"Not if he doesn't find out." Tye's voice was full of sneaky suggestion. "We don't have to knock on the front door, you know? I mean, we have super-powers, after all..."

"This is breaking and entering. You do realize that, right? That's still a crime in America, right?"

"Bro, chill."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure we've already broken several laws since we've been on the lam. Probably even before that."

"Watashitachi ga datsugoku-shūda nante ne." Sam giggled softly to herself, sounding excited with being an "escaped prisoner".

Hiding beneath the shadows of the towering row homes, keeping well within the dark confides of the alleyway, the four Runaways stared across the street at the apartment complex. It was a large block of aged stucco and withered Tex-Mex designs, and by the looks of the neighborhood it wasn't for the wealthy, nor the projects. A modest, working-class area, everyone was at their jobs or out and about in the early noon hours. Still, they had to be certain before they moseyed out into the open and tried picking locks.

"You sure this is the right place, Ed?"

Eduardo arched a sarcastic brow. "No. I just figured I'd run away with no real direction, only hope that I'd end up on his doorstep. I didn't even bother looking at the letters my Dad mailed me all these years. Planning and addresses are overrated."

"A simple yes would suffice, dude."

"O-KAY," said Virgil, a hand sharply raised to cut off their back-and-forth. "Which apartment?"

"Five-Oh-Five."

"Fifth floor." Virgil leaned his face into one hand as he thought, a finger tapping against his lips. "I was hopin' for a garden style place, but there's no decks. There's the fire escape, and then you can teleport inside."

"If I can see through any of the windows."

"Cross your fingers. I'm goin' to go into the lobby, and if there's no security doors and I ain't gotta be buzzed in, I'll head up and keep watch outside the front door."

"Do that first," said Tye. "We gotta be sure he's not home."

"His car's not here," said Ed surely.

"Then Sam and I will wait here and make sure the coast stays clear. Sound like a plan?" They all nodded, if somewhat hesitantly. Tye said with much mockery, "Good. Mission: Glasses Recovery, go."

Sam gave them a double thumbs up, as if to wish them luck.

Ed shook his head, having a bad feeling about the whole thing, then looked at the fire escape platform at the fifth level and teleported, just as Virgil casually stuffed his hands into his pockets and headed across the way. When Ed reemerged from the Zeta field of his power, his weight dropped heavily onto the rusted metal of the grated platform, causing it to heave a sudden groan. He scanned the sidewalks beyond, catching Sam tenting her arms over her head, bowing them to form an "O". He assumed that meant the coast was clear.

Leaning over the rail, he checked through each window along the wall, but as far as he could see all had blinds and curtains. The one which led outside onto the escape, however, was actually clear; the room inside black. Cupping his hands over the glass to get a view, he saw it was a small space his father appeared to use for storage. But he could see it.

So he teleported inside.

It wasn't a closet, it was big enough to be used as a bedroom. And it was precisely kept, clean and showing no signs of dust. There were shelves of plastic bins, a filing cabinet, and extra office supplies. But as he moved to the door, Ed saw a stack of boxes, one of which was labeled with a hand-written notation: Eduardito's Things.

His first thought was, Well, that was easy. But it was quickly over-shadowed by a feeling close to surprise, almost heart-warming. He swallowed down past a lump in his throat, a sense of appreciation. It felt... good to see his father thought about him in some way.

With no sense of urgency, Ed lifted the lid off the top box, finding photographs, some framed and some in albums, and his old school files and reports. As he riffled through them, he found a clear folder containing crayon drawings he must have done for his Dad when he was little. There was a vague embarrassment about seeing those awkward, horrendously playful and lovingly bright creations, but a tiny smile started to make its way to his face. Dr. Dorado was always so severe, almost callously professional, Ed never really believed his father would keep such "trivial" mementos.

As if carefully strolling through his own childhood memories, cautious as to what he might find, Ed sat that carton aside and hefted off the next box. It was full of random gift items—a lot of tech goodies, video games, comics, some articles of clothing—all still retail packaged behind cellophane. It only took him a moment to realize his father must stockpile purchases for his birthday and Christmas gifts. He remembers me... Even while shopping year-round, his father had his son in the back of his mind.

The box on the bottom drew his attention, and disregarding what he was there to search for, Ed pulled all the boxes off to reach that larger one. It was taped up, but he fingered the masking tape up enough to rip it back. Inside, he found... household stuff. Curtains, bed sheets, pillows, even a shag rug crisply folded. This was the package labeled with his name. He knew it wasn't about to be shipped to Argentina. Feeling overwhelmed, Ed knew...

This would be his room, and the items were to make it cozy and livable when he moved in.

"What the heck is taking him so long?" Tye mumbled. It felt like an eternity since they watched Ed disappear in a golden glow. "Super-powers! This was s'pose to be an in-out job."

Sam shrugged. "No idea. Luthor things motte iru hitsuyō ga arimasu ne?"

"Yeah, some communication devices would've been nice, but he didn't give us anything like walkie talkies. Damn, we need someone with telepathy in our gang, eh?"

"Virgil-kun?"

"Mmm, he should be fine. He's just a teen loitering 'round, there's no real worry there." Inwardly, Tye hoped his confidence in their abilities did not lead to a dumb plan. God, I hope this doesn't turn into a cluster-fuck.

Well, that was easy, Virgil thought as he came out of the stairwell and onto the fifth floor landing. There was nothing to block his easy entrance into the apartments, not even a maintenance man or complex supervisor to ask what he was doing or who he was looking for. Indeed, even Dr. Dorado's neighbors weren't about. A nice, quiet building.

At 505, Virgil rapped gently on the door, hoping the noise was muffled enough as not to alert anyone occupying the other flats. "Ed?" he whispered against the wood. He waited a moment, but didn't even hear footsteps within.

Virgil grasped the doorknob, and with his other hand he traced the round outline of the security lock above the handle. "Hmm," he pondered to himself. Should he try it? It wouldn't be too big a deal...

Then he pumped a tiny charge of voltage into the keyhole and lock. A sharp hissing sound crackled from the metal, and he swore he could hear the sounds of the latches and gears moving. As he let his meta-powers attack the security features, he kept twisting the doorknob—until it finally gave all the way, the door opening. And thankfully, as he figured with the nice, quiet building, Dr. Dorado's place did not have a security alarm.

He started over the threshold—

"Hermano, what are you doing?"

Virgil gasped, "Dammit, Ed!" Lowering his voice back to a whisper, he demanded, "Don't jump out at me like that, man." He closed the door behind him, just in case. "Did you find them?"

"Not yet. I'm still going through my stuff."

"Your stuff?"

"Yeah, there's... Never mind. I thought you were keeping watch?"

"I am, but I still got powers."

"Will my Dad be able to tell you busted his door?"

"It ain't busted; just lock it behind me. Unless you want me to help you look?"

"No," Eduardo said a little too quickly. He seemed a tad guarded, almost possessive about the place.

"Okay, well, hurry up. Don't wanna give the neighbors somethin' to feel suspicious about."

Sam suddenly grabbed Tye's arm, pointing towards a nearby side street. He saw a car parallel parking, and his jaw dropped when he caught sight of the driver.

"Oh no..."

They watched in growing dread as Dr. Dorado locked his car door, and then retrieved grocery bags from the trunk.

"No work?" Sam said.

"Day off?" Tye wondered. "We didn't think of that." But then why should they? Ed was always telling them how his father lived for nothing but his job. "Shit!" He pulled Sam back, giving them more shadowy coverage as Dr. Dorado made his way to the lobby doors.

"Now what, please?"

"Your powers are less, uh, distracting than mine," he said. What he was really thinking was how he didn't feel relaxed enough to raise his astral projection. "Can you get up to that window—" He pointed it out to help simplify his words— "where Ed went in? Warn him?"

Sam stared at him, not seeing him completely as her brain struggled to keep up with his fast English. Finally, she looked up to the fifth floor and her eyes lit with understanding. She nodded, and as soon as Dr. Dorado was inside she ran towards the alley beneath the fire escape.

Tye kept watch, knowing Virgil would need to withdraw, or hide, and thinking, Yep. Cluster-fuck.

Virgil closed the door and waited. He heard Eduardo turn the lock on the inner knob and then gave the outside handle a turn. It was once more secured. Hopefully now Ed would pick up the pace in his search, and all Virgil had to do was dilly-dally in the hallway a bit.

But then he suddenly heard footsteps echoing in the stairwell.

There was a swift moment of panic, a kid realizing he was doing something wrong. Then Virgil scolded himself with, Just be cool. No biggie. Yet a little alarm clanged an alert, his nerves prickling on edge, and he decided to take heed.

As the footsteps grew louder, and slowing towards the fifth floor, Virgil darted down the hall in the opposite direction. He reached a secondary flight, smaller and behind a door with a sign that glowed EXIT. He ducked inside just as he saw Dr. Dorado.

When Virgil was gone, Ed looked timidly around the rest of his Dad's apartment. It was white and barren and... sad. The place had neither the clutter of a well-lived in space, nor the unorganized mess of a brainiac bachelor. But it was still quaint and warm, diligently cared for.

To be continued...

YJ: Outsiders at Comic-Con

hlwar — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 20:49:23 GMT

As most fans already know, there was a panel at this year's San Diego Comic-Con (July 21st) for Young Justice season three, and even though there is still no release date or news about DC Comics digital download site, they did announce the new Team lineup and a confirmation of 26 episodes in Outsiders.

It goes without saying I am beyond immensely freakin' excited to see Virgil Hawkins as Static as the first in the Team showcase! My biggest fear was that he would be pushed to the sidelines as a new hero and only be given one or two episodes (a small story arc) to shine. But now there it is! He's one of the main cast! Which means a bigger possibility the Runaways will return!!

Although honestly, I'm not digging his new threads. It still looks like a civilian costume, not a superhero suit for someone who upgraded on the Team. And he has to be seasoned at this point—judging by not only Virgil's height and broader, more matured face shape, but also Blue Beetle's and Arsenal's, there's obviously a time skip. Not happy about that, because there's a chance they'll gloss over more facts and previous happenings that we'll feel left out of. Sometimes throwing us smack dab into the middle of future events can be confusing, along with hurling a bunch of new characters at us. However, I will be excited to maybe see an older Eduardo Jr.!! Like, oh my gawd, that would be worth the wait!! ♡

(Edit: In the press interviews with the creators, io9 asked about the character of Static and lead character designer Phil Bourassa explained why he chose to keep his hero suit "street style". And the other Runaways were mentioned, so that's exciting they haven't been forgotten! XD Read the article here.)

Speaking of new characters, totally surprised to see Thirteen (13). Guessing she's a re-imagined Traci 13, or Girl 13, a powerful Homo Magi who was Jaime Reyes' girlfriend in the Blue Beetle comics (2006-2009). Traci made a recent animated appearance in Teen Titans: The Judas Contract as the charity girl that Jaime had a crush on, wherein she was also redesigned to have auburn hair (originally black) as this character shows too. Considering Thirteen here is next to Blue Beetle in the lineup, I'm thinking, yeah, Traci.

(Edit: It was confirmed during the Q&A panel that yes, it is Traci 13.)

But like the Reach Scientist was a character embodiment of the Dominators from the Invasion! comics, I am actually pondering if Thirteen is not entirely based on Traci the Magic User, but... she actually reminds me more of Jaime's friend Brenda Del Vecchio. The red hair, freckles, the casual wardrobe, and a chest plate that tells me she has no powers, all screamed Brenda to me. And we know from the comics Brenda can kick some butt! It could be a sort of adaption, character merging of Traci and Brenda. (There were moments early in the comics where it was hinted there could be romantic feelings between Brenda and Jaime, so still a potential love interest for the Beetle?)

What makes having her in YJ so significant for me is the fact it would then tie in to the Reach invasion from the Beetle comics used in S2, and—maybe, maybe—something I've been low-key hoping for since reading the plot synopsis for Outsiders: the possibility of including La Dama, Diviner, and Warehouse 13. (And a great opportunity to use the Runaways, especially Tye as Jaime's best bro!!)

In the highly anticipated new season, the team faces its greatest challenge yet as it takes on meta-human trafficking and the terrifying threat it creates for a society caught in the crossfire of a genetic arms race spanning the globe and the galaxy.

Meta-human trafficking. That sounds like something up La Dama's alley, what with her plucking metas and magic-users off the streets to shelter and train them in secret at the Warehouse. Not to mention she got her weapons and tech from Intergang (who get it from Apokolips). That would be awesome! Of course I'm only offering some hopeful headcanons, but still, cross fingers. What would be cool, too, is then I actually would have an in-canon use for my OC Klaxon, finally. He never really fit into the Young Justice fandom, even though he was originally created for it, but I'd have some fun with aging him up to S3!

Other random thoughts:

✘ Nice to see Spoiler and Arrowette were not just teases and actually came back from their cameos in past seasons.
✘ Why the heck did Arsenal decide to come back to the Team, after all his ragefits?
✘ Someone said it was confirmed that's Tim, not Damian, despite the hood (and here I was hoping for Red Robin, wings and all).
✘ Boy, does Kaldur look different! And it's interesting that the old crew's new designs showed nothing but black tactical gear, so they're off espionaging, I guess. xD

(Edit: Comicbook.com has reported from an exclusive sit-down interview that the character with the original Team members Artemis, Nightwing, and Superboy is not in fact Aqualad, but Black Lightning. Read the article and see the video here. Which is curious, since he became the mentor to Static, who is still sporting more of a personal style suit. Guess he left Static to single-handedly watch Dakota City during whatever time skip is present? Also begs the question, where is Aqualad?)

Long time gone

hlwar — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 20:27:32 GMT

Good gravy, it's been well over a year since I last posted on here! My only real excuse is that I haven't had much to say, still struggling with figuring out what to do with my life, and spending most of my online time at deviantART; although admittedly, I've been pretty quiet there as well for much of 2017. It just hasn't been a very good year, sad to admit.

That being said, I have returned to my blog thanks to Photobucket now charging a fee for third-party linking, meaning all my "hot-links" here no longer worked, instead displaying an ugly ad telling me to give 'em money and upgrade. Needless to say, I won't be doing that. After a long, tedious process, I think I've managed to clean up all my posts, re-uploading all my pictures directly here to LJ's gallery. Ugh.

But I can't say it was a total waste of time, since it did bring me back and reacquainted me with my old thoughts, aspirations, and writing. I kinda feel inspired, which is something I haven't been feeling for months now. Don't know how long the motivation will last, but expect some more "writing dumps" from me soon.

Speaking of inspiration, I feel bad not updating last November when it was finally announced, but Hallelujah:

( Read one of the first news announcements here )

Obviously, I've been eagerly waiting for the new season—a season I honestly never expected to happen—but I also cannot help but feel some... dread, too. The anticipation for 2018 and DC Comics new digital streaming platform is leaving me with too much time to wonder if the Runaways will even be featured. Or worse, ruined for me, as I've had four years of contemplating these characters. I'm worried everything I love about them will be dashed by major changes, come about over the long hiatus. Still, I'm holding onto these gosh-darn high hopes, because I really need something to fangirl-love on again! XD

Go Team Runaway

hlwar — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 19:55:13 GMT

Pulling this off my Profile and archiving here. I put effort into the coding edits and graphics, and I just felt too bad to delete it entirely.

Go Team Runaway
Get to know your resident YJ Invasion Super Friends


		Virgil Hawkins \|\| Static \|\| 15 years old \|\| Adapted from the Dakotaverse, Virgil was not, in fact, abducted as a runaway. The Dakota City teen was kidnapped by members of the Light while waiting for his older sister, Sharon, at a train station. He was handed over to the Reach as a test subject. The aliens' experiments activated his dormant meta-gene, giving Virgil the ability to manipulate and generate electricity (fulgurkinesis/astrakinesis). Although not extensively shown, this includes the power to control magnetic fields and electrons in mechanical devices. Virgil is often seen riding a manhole cover like a flying disc, using his electrical currents to keep it afloat, and static cling to keep him safely attached. Unlike his fellow liberated Reach abductees, Virgil has a stable home life, and he is the only one genuinely excited to have superpowers. He jumps at the chance to join the Team, even gaining a Mentor in Black Lightning; but his first thought is to return home so his folks know he's alright. At the end of the Invasion, Virgil adopts the codename Static, even wearing a T-shirt with the lightning-bolt shield.				history episodes cameo shock voice song layout tag


		Tye Longshadow \|\| Apache Chief \|\| 16 years old \|\| A resident of El Paso, Texas, Tye is the best friend of Jaime Reyes, although he is originally unaware of the fact his friend is the superhero Blue Beetle. When living with his widowed mother, Shelly, and her physically abusive boyfriend proves too much for the headstrong teen, Tye decides to run away to Houston―but not before calling Jaime from the bus stop to inform him. It is here a henchman of the Light abducts the Mescalero Apache boy. Sent to the Reach alien ship as a research specimen, the experiments activated his dormant meta-gene, giving Tye the ability to project his energy into an astral form. His power is visible as a blinding golden aura of a human figure around his body, and at first Tye could only project the figure while asleep―proving he couldn't control it. Learning to master the outbreaks took some time, as Tye often subconsciously destroyed buildings or ran off with the other kids in order to protect them. However, when under control, Tye could choose how big or small to project his life-force, and the form acted like a barrier and shield. The astral body also possessed superhuman strength, yet was still capable of being damaged, inflicting pain back on the host body as well. At the end of the Invasion, Tye started a relationship with Asami Koizumi and decided to return home with her, discovering his mother had finally dumped her boyfriend. (As stated by creator, producer, writer Greg Weisman.)				history episodes cameo voice song tag


		Eduardo "Ed" Dorado Jr. \|\| El Dorado \|\| 14 years old \|\| From Argentina, Eduardo ran away from his abuelo's home in a reckless attempt to be with his father in America, where Dr. Eduardo Dorado Sr. had been living in Taos, NM―to work at S.T.A.R. Lab's Erdel Initiative as a research scientist in Zeta-teleportation. Kidnapped by members of the Light en route, Ed was sent as a test subject to the Reach. The aliens' experiments activated his dormant meta-gene, giving Ed the ability to teleport at will. His powers engulf his body in a golden glow with an uncanny likeness to the Zeta-beam his father studies, provoking more bitter fights between father and son. While being held at S.T.A.R., the scientists said he could only teleport himself along sight-lines. However, during an attack on the labs, Ed managed to rescue his father by transporting both of them, showing he had the capability to teleport others too; but at a price, as both portal and passenger experience near-crippling pain. Eduardo does not want his new powers; he has openly stated he desired a cure instead of answers. At the end of the Invasion, Ed chooses to mend his relationship with his father, who accepts him back into his life, giving him a home in the States. (As stated by creator, producer, writer Greg Weisman.)				history episodes bloodline voice song tag


		Asami "Sam" Koizumi \|\| Samurai \|\| 14 years old \|\| Not much is known about Asami in canon other than the obvious fact she is from Japan and was kidnapped as a runaway. She was abducted by members of the Light and sent to the Reach for testing. After being rescued by the Team, Sam refused to give out any information about herself, staying at S.T.A.R. Labs for research instead of going home. The Reach experiments activated her dormant meta-gene, giving Sam the ability to manipulate her chi (energy) as a physical power. Made visible by swirling circles of light and wind, Sam can generate a powerful impulsion to propel her body in any direction, with enough force (direct or backlash) to leap skywards, knock an opponent out, or even demolish weak structures. With practice, she's able to focus her energy into smaller ripple attacks. Sam is often seen igniting her power by clapping her hands together in a traditional Japanese prayer gesture. At the end of the Invasion, Sam chooses to live with her new boyfriend―Tye Longshadow. (As stated by creator, producer, writer Greg Weisman.)				history episodes 日本人 voice song tag

Runaways and the Invasion

hlwar — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 20:46:45 GMT

I was going through some of my old sketches, cleaning up the half-decent ones... And I wonder if anybody caught the DC canon throwback in my fanfic Into the Nothing, why I had Ed liken using his powers to snapping his fingers?

Anybody?

art by me on deviantART

Okay, maybe nobody finds this stuff as interesting as I do, but anyway. (LOL) Young Justice: Invasion was scripted around two previous DC Comic cosmic invader stories. Obviously the one we all know and love, The Reach Invasion from the 2006-2009 run of Blue Beetle, wherein the aliens arrive on Earth to find out why the Scarab "seed" was corrupted and subsequently plot their conquest. They are led by the Negotiator (changed to the more diplomatic English word Ambassador in YJ, maybe because Negotiator brings to mind police hostage situations? XD) and Dawur (the Security Chief Black Beetle is based on, except Dawur has no Scarab). But there is no Scientist; Negotiator is only interested in studying the rogue Infiltrator, but avoids butting heads with the "powered community" at large.

(Click pages for full view)

But still the Reach Scientist is not entirely unique to YJ:I. Because the cartoon series also taps into the less-remembered Dominator Invasion! from 1988. This three book mini-series attempted to explain the random human genetic anomaly that makes certain people super-powered: the meta-gene. ("Never meta-gene I didn't like!") The Dominators are intellects and scientists, and for their studies they kidnap humans from Earth to experiment on. They do the same tests as YJ's Reach Scientist: put humans under extreme direst and torture to see if the meta-gene could be triggered on. When six captives miraculously survive, it leads them to form an alliance with other aggressive alien races and wage war against Earth, all with the hopes to "weaponize" those with the meta-gene.

So while the Runaways as characters are based on the '70's Super Friends background members created to give ethnic diversity to the Justice League heroes, and Tye gives a name-nod to his Justice League: Unlimited counterpart, Long Shadow:

Their involvement in the actual story is pretty much a replacement for those six newborn superheroes from Invasion!, who later became known as The Blasters―in honor of not being killed in the Dominators' Blaster-Field slaughter:

(Click pages for full view)

And one of the Blasters is former JLA side-kick Lucas "Snapper" Carr, who develops the power to teleport himself, which he activates by snapping his fingers. Oh ho! There it is! :D

Snapper, you'll remember, appeared in Young Justice, voiced by Greg Weisman himself, although it was never revealed whether or not he had any superpowers in the show. (Here is his concept art as posted by the Warner Bros. Studio staff member on his deviantART: YOUNG JUSTICE: LUCAS 'SNAPPER' CARR by Jerome-K-Moore)

And like Eduardo Jr., Snapper discovers he can teleport with one other person:

I have way too much fun playing in the DC-universe canon pool. :D All my own comic scans, by the way, please do not take.

I also have this fan-theory that the creators of YJ made Tye and Asami a couple at the end of the Invasion as a throwback to the "bromance" between Long Shadow and Wind Dragon. XD (There was no El Dorado counterpart in Ultimen, unfortunately, instead Wonder Twin replacements.)

Halo (writing dump)

hlwar — Mon, 04 Apr 2016 20:25:37 GMT

Things still haven't been going so well, but I thought I'd drop by with a little update of some kind. There are uploads on deviantART called "sketch dumps", where artists just dump off all the doodles they've done, any practice works. I figured I'd continue my tradition of throwing my writing doodles at you guys here, because I do try writing every now and again.

Actually, this one is a year old now. I started it at random in March 2015, because I wanted to keep writing about lil' Eduardo. ღ I had a few ideas bouncing around my mind from reading the old '80s Invasion! comics; and it was also inspired by the totally coincidental crack-pairing with Starfire which happened outta the blue when my friend and I did a dA meme. (LOL) I got such a kick outta it, I redrew our happenstance moment, as well as an illustration for a scene I imagined:

At first I named the pairing "GoldenFire", but I soon started calling it "Halo" because all my scenes, all my character perspectives, all the messages I was hoping to convey, were beginning to be inspired by the song from Starset: ( listen here )

Now, there wasn't going to be much continuation with the whole Starfire ship. That was just for fun; at most, she was going to help Ed learn to cope with his powers. And maybe learn to accept some aliens, since I'm certain he'd thoroughly dislike aliens after the Reach's abduction and experimentation. Not something one would easily get over, I feel.

Anyway, Halo was still something of a headcanon at the start, in every sense. I was thinking about why the creators of Young Justice would change the origins of El Dorado, originally a superhero from Mexico. Ed Dorado Jr. made a lengthy runaway journey to be with his father, leaving from Argentina to Taos, New Mexico, U.S.A.; whereas Mexico would have been a bit more practical. So my geeky fan-theory was because it had something to do with Argentina's own DC canon superheros, the Super Malón. I kinda thought it might be cute to have their leader, La Salamanca, be Eduardito's mother.

I could babble for eternity on canon and ideas/reasoning, but I'll refrain. XD Here's what I wrote out so far, but I'm not sure if I'll ever pick this idea back up.

Halo
a Young Justice fan fiction

Chapter 1.

His father had been rather... abrasive the past few weeks, and Eduardo wasn't sure why. He kept wondering if he'd done something, but not a single occurrence came to mind. He was studying at his best level, he didn't get into fights anymore, and he only had a small group of friends in Taos. There wasn't much he could do wrong.

And he was still "retired" from heroics.

But lately his father barely spoke to him, and he was a little standoffish when he did. It was not like Dr. Dorado's tactics for trying to plead his son to visit S.T.A.R. Labs. Those had been meek and random, full of pleasant niceties in an attempt to win his meta-powered child over. Besides, S.T.A.R. seemed highly uninterested in finding a cure for the meta-gene, and he had no health reasons to return to the testing. His father seemed fine with leaving Ed be.

However, Ed was growing upset at the distance building between them of a sudden, and somehow he knew there was something wrong. It was his turn to not leave the other alone.

So in an attempt to break the morning hush, which became habitual, Ed said in cheerful jest, "Come on, Papá, just let me sign you up." He poked his finger on the laptop's screen, indicating the website he pulled up. "In this day and age, everyone gets girls online."

At the kitchen island, Eduardo Sr. suddenly tensed, shocked. "I thought you were raised better," he said, shaking his head with a slight look of disgust.

Ed laughed. "Sorry, that did not come out delicate. I meant Internet dating." When the senior huffed, he asked, "What are you gonna do when I go to college?"

"The same thing I did—before."

The slight pause near the end caused a pin-prick of old resentment to shoot through Ed; he knew his father was going to say: When you were in Argentina. Even though they had buried the proverbial hatchet, some topics remained touchy.

Maintaining his good humor, Ed tried to keep the conversation going. It was the most words they had exchanged in awhile, and the casual subject, despite the silly awkwardness, was better than the heavy silence. "I can keep it local. I know you are busy."

"Eduardo," his father cautioned, his tone implying his dislike for the topic.

Now feeling hurt, Ed rather forced a side-grin and teased, "Okay, then how about I sign myself up?"

Ever the factual scientist, his father said, "You are underage."

"Doesn't mean I can't tick the '18-plus' box on the user agreement."

It seemed like his Dad was no longer listening, his expression distant, a man lost to the buried thoughts in the back of his mind. "Enough," he finally replied. "Just finish your breakfast and get to school on time." He set his full coffee cup in the sink and picked up his car keys.

"You leaving for work already?"

"Sí, I have much to do."

Yet Eduardo Sr. stopped at the door. Without raising his eyes to his son, he opened his mouth to speak again, then thought better of it; he nodded a farewell instead. Ed bit his lip, knowing something was the matter and he'd been on the cusp of discovering what it was. But his father held back, shut him out, and Dr. Dorado left without another word. Always a rock, cold and stubborn, Eduardo Jr. knew his father would keep secrets to the grave if necessary.

He didn't like it. Since coming to America, and even after everything he endured, Ed finally gained the relationship he always wanted with his parent. Having that acceptance made him notice more than his childhood hopes and pained memories; all the effort to get noticed, the planning and running away, had paid off in the end. Now he actually felt bad for his father, the professional workaholic, especially because he knew how it was to be alone.

And if there was a problem—if he had done something wrong—he wanted to face it head-on.

Turning back to the computer, Ed set his fingers over the home-keys. He closed the online match-making site and opened the email server. He wasn't much of a hacker, but he knew enough to get him access to even cryptic messages. Ed was good at breaking rules, and it took him only four tries to crack the passwords and encoding.

* * *

Eduardo Dorado Sr. quietly sat in the briefing room with the other department chiefs. Not that he had received a promotion, but since Adam Strange was currently on Rann it left him in charge of the Erdel Initiative. He hadn't expected the prompt request for his presence upon his arrival at S.T.A.R., but then open availability was often a requirement when the Justice League was involved.

Black Canary was saying, "We received these images from N.A.S.A.'s observation satellites, taken last month at random in the sector surveillances." The room went black to allow the video monitor to project stills animated in sequence. "It's hard to see, and the satellite doesn't circle completely."

Dr. Dorado tilted his head as he gazed at the space images. It was indeed difficult to discern anything other than darkness and stars, but a grainy haze outlined a shape in the sky.

"A cloaked vessel or container?" a scientist offered.

"That's what we thought," Canary said, "so we've pulled up this video feed from the Watchtower's own surveillance systems."

Now the stop-motion satellite images were replaced with real-time footage. Yet the object in question seemed even more elusive and vague as it disappeared in an instant. The video was repeated, over and over, for them to judge.

"You can see it's there, then gone, which is why N.A.S.A. wasn't all too concerned." Not typical of him, Eduardo felt a rise at that, considering how close Earth had come to destruction from both the invading Reach, as well as the alien Warworld. "We just want to make certain there is no cause for alarm."

A few voices lifted in theories, several in agreement that it was most likely nothing. Eduardo remained silent as he watched the video loop, and, staring at it so openly, he noticed the outline flicker only once, fast, in a ring of dim golden light.

Standing inconspicuously off to the side, the young leader of the Team seemed to catch his narrowed eyes. Aqualad was perceptive for his age, and he asked, "Do you see something, Dr. Dorado?"

Feeling slightly unsure, Eduardo unconsciously smoothed his goatee as he pondered the variables and conditions. He replied, "A hyper-jump. But perhaps..."

"Doctor?"

"It looked like Zeta light."

Now the room came alive with hushed voices. "Is that even possible?" someone asked from behind him. "What about the shield?"

And that's where Eduardo knew his doubts stemmed from. He shook his head. "It should not be possible."

"There could be a breach in the shielding?"

"I will run another diagnostic."

"We need to consider what jumped, and whether or not it's still in Earth's atmosphere," Black Canary said. "So far we see no evidence of any other aggressive alien activity, or any signs of foul play. But after everything else, better to be safe than sorry."

"I feel like we've become the offices for the Men In Black." The displaced joke earned some guffaws and snickers.

"Could it simply be an optical phenomenon?"

"Whereabouts was this seen?"

"Over the South-Western Hemisphere."

As the discussion escalated into various thoughts, opinions, and possibilities, while others still planned out their tests and courses of action, Eduardo couldn't help but feel even more weight settle across his shoulders. He helped construct the Zeta shield, and with Dr. Strange off-world it would become his sole responsibility to resolve any issues. It couldn't have happened at a worse time.

Because he still had to deal with his son...

* * *

After the long day and over-time hours he clocked, Eduardo Dorado Sr. was not ready to face the wrath of his child. He had intended to put the news off awhile longer, especially now. But Eduardo Jr. was not about to give him the chance.

"How could you not tell me?"

The anger hit him like a slap in the face as soon as Dr. Dorado opened the front door and crossed the threshold. It startled him, quite direct and sudden. Ed was standing in the living room, fuming, and it looked as if he had been there all day, impatiently waiting for his father to come home.

His paternal instincts kicked in and he couldn't stop the irritated thought. "Did you not go to school?"

"How could I, after finding this?" Ed went to the table, picking up computer print-outs and holding the stack out to him, an accusation. He repeated, "How could you not tell me?"

His father sensed old days and past fights resurfacing, and his internal barriers rose up in defense. Sighing in frustration, Eduardo Sr. finally closed the door. He was certain it was found out, but still he mumbled heatedly, feigning ignorance much to his discredit, "What are those?"

Ed gave a breath of laughter, a sound of nasty sarcasm. "Your emails, Papá. Your letters to grandfather."

The full gravity of the day—the past month—dropped down on the scientist like the world collapsing. He felt physically drained and browbeaten, pummeled to the floor. However, his son's attitude was harsh but not as he expected; he was sure the severity of the situation still had not presented itself, his junior as yet unaware of the bigger picture. And even now it was too hard to handle.

Passing a hand over his face tiredly, the senior said, "I would tell you in my own time, Eduardo. No entrometerse en mi cosas personales. I will not stand for it."

"¿Me estas jodiendo?" The disbelief in his son's eyes was overwhelming, the rage almost tragic. "Benjamín is my friend. Why would you not tell me he's missing?"

"Did you not phone your grandfather?"

Ed blinked, and the morphing emotions turned to a query, taken aback. "No. Why?"

"So you do not know everything." It was not a question in turn; his son obviously did not learn the entire truth from the computer communications—because a lot of it was too personal and needed to be discussed directly.

"Abuelo, he did not say much else..." The child's hands crumbled against the sheets of paper. The wall went up, Eduardo Sr. could tell; Ed Jr. sensed there was something else to the information, something he didn't truly want to hear.

"Sí, not in emails. We stopped exchanging letters when—"

Oh God, he couldn't say it; he didn't want to. But the boy stared at him expectantly, reproachful, and Ed was right after all. The children were friends and his son needed to know. "Benjamín murió, mijo."

"Died?" At the abrupt word, Ed's eyes widened, first in disbelief and then in shock. He seemed to struggle with the sudden knowledge, and he began moving his head from side to side, slowly, as if the action would make it untrue.

"No, that's not—I-I mean..." In the muted light, his father saw his eyes become glassy and his voice softened into a confused hush. "What happened?"

The grief-stricken child before him was the very reason Eduardo Sr. had such trouble with sharing the news. But it was not the only reason. Uneasily, he answered, "It must have been an accident. He did not go missing, mijo. He ran away."

Ed's head lifted proudly at the phrase, but the glint in his eyes hardened once more. "That's ridiculous. Ben wouldn't run away. It was not in him."

Eduardo Sr. fought to keep his expression passive, but he obviously failed to stay the grave disappointment from his face because Ed's suspicions and sadness turned to a pained offense.

"What?" the son demanded of the father. "I am not stupid. There is something else, isn't there?"

The senior's lips sealed tightly, but he knew the look he fixed on Ed was enough to explain.
"They blame me. Because I ran away. That is what grandfather is saying?"

There was an inner voice telling him not to do it, that his son had enough information to process for the moment, but Eduardo Sr. felt it necessary to put the entire truth out there. "He was your friend."

Ed was slack-jawed and his brows set low defiantly, obviously hurt something so horrid could be pinned on him, like some sort of ringleader. His father saw the tenseness in his frame, his hands curled into fists, and he looked ready to flee. Again.

The flush in his cheeks drained away, leaving the child looking pale and weak. Ed began shaking his head again, his glassy eyes red-shot and angry. "That cannot be. This is insane! They—" Suddenly, those tormented brown eyes held his father's in a challenge. "Do you think this is my fault, Papá?"

He didn't know how to respond, but Eduardo Sr. heard himself say, "It does not matter, Eduardo. You are in America now, you chose to come here. What they do is not your concern."

He did not mean it to be heartless, only as some kind of safety net; he wanted to protect his son, despite the fact he knew children often followed from example, influenced one another through peer pressure and a herd-like mentality to fit in. It was likely a chain reaction. But he didn't want to make matters worse, and so he spoke the words with little reluctance, thinking the facts consoling, the distance between countries a buffer from the accusations.

It didn't prove such as the tears finally fell from his son's eyes. Biting his lip, fighting back another verbal attack, Eduardo Jr. turned away. His father reached for him, trying to find a way to show sympathy, emotions still difficult for him to display openly, but his son jerked his arm away.

"Just leave me alone," he growled, stalking to his room.

Eduardo Sr. could do nothing but curse his own inhibitions and let him go.

* * *

Ed slammed his bedroom door shut. "Asshole," he muttered hotly to the closed entryway. But he wasn't certain who deserved the admonishment more, his father or himself.

To be continued... maybe...

It's already over

hlwar — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 22:36:15 GMT

My first post of the New Year! I apologize for my lack of updates and just generally keeping quiet, but after Tjitse died I basically shut down. I haven't felt like myself for the past several months to be honest, and I fell back into a low, melancholy mood. I gave up on life, really, just going through the daily grind because... well, because that's my life. I'm finding it harder and harder to stay positive, supportive, and productive.

My Christmas was okay, rather a whirlwind of events because I was ill-prepared for it. Dinner with the family went by fast and without a hitch; no major gifting was done this year since we all are in a tight spot; and three days of cleaning the house for a four-hour get-together was over in the blink of an eye.

And the following Monday I found out my grandmother (on my father's side) passed away December 26^th. The day after Christmas―that is tragically unfair. May she rest in peace. (;;_;;)♡

Recently, I've found myself pulled into a lot of negativity, most of it being online. God, all the bullying I've been witnessing at deviantART, it even made my one friend suicidal last week! :( So 2016 did not start out on the best foot, for anyone it seems. I was hopeful once the year was over I might have that refreshed, almost relieved sensation which normally comes with New Years and setting goals. But this black cloud hangs on strong. I'm thinking I need to step back from the social part of dA, which is where I spent my free time, and focus again on me. Because I lost myself for awhile there.

“The person in life that you will always be with the most, is yourself. Because even when you are with others, you are still with yourself, too! When you wake up in the morning, you are with yourself, laying in bed at night you are with yourself, walking down the street in the sunlight you are with yourself. What kind of person do you want to walk down the street with? What kind of person do you want to wake up in the morning with? What kind of person do you want to see at the end of the day before you fall asleep? Because that person is yourself, and it's your responsibility to be that person you want to be with. I know I want to spend my life with a person who knows how to let things go, who's not full of hate, who's able to smile and be carefree. So that's who I have to be.” ― C. JoyBell C.

Highlights of 2015

My year was spent learning a lot of art. I fell out of writing once I started sketching almost every night. Around April and May I decided to go full force with digital; I had been gifted a tablet at the end of 2014, but it wasn't until then I began to use it in earnest. Although I still can't sketch from scratch directly on it, I started taking the time to ink line work, and exploring different digital painting styles. I even made some animated .gifs and pixel art for the first time. And I was proud of it all.

My deviantART Summary of Art

Resolutions for 2016

I learned a lot last year about art. But when the year ended in a miserable blur, my basic foundation had taken a major hit and I've gone back to all my old flaws, so I'm basically back to ground zero, I feel. I'd like to get back to where I was, unafraid of trying new things, unafraid to fail.

Having said that, I desperately miss writing. I'm tired of getting out one or two solid stories, and then hitting the wall so bad I don't write again for years. Plus, I recently received my first feedback on Archives of Our Own, and it was positive and motivating. Someone even suggested I get a tumblr, which made me think they felt I was worth getting out there. (^_^) So if I have one resolution, it's to get back to the place where I started in 2014 with Into the Nothing and drawing as a hobby. I enjoy art, but my passion was always words, not colors.

Otherwise, I still have some personal goals I'd like to set, even if it's only in scaled down version. I guess we shall see. I'm just awfully tired of my life feeling so ordinary...

Writers Questionnaire

hlwar — Sun, 24 Jan 2016 20:02:10 GMT

I decided to take a moment and participate in a Writers Questionnaire over on deviantART. I actually commend the member who created it, NemoX7, for taking this initiative because I've noticed two things about being a writer on deviantART: One, we're on the sidelines of the community, since Visual Arts garner more interest; and two, writers are notoriously "bubble creators" and we don't seem to socialize with one another, at least not to the extent that artists do in my humble opinion.

For my personal space here, however, I will leave out the questions pertaining solely to dA. Anyway, to quote some Dead by April song lyrics: "I clutch my fist in the air and here I go~"

1. How long have you been writing?

I've been writing since I could hold a pencil, and I'm not trying to be witty or sarcastic there. I've literally always enjoyed writing down my imagination, in some form or fashion. I remember being very young and wanting to be an author. I would hand write my own stories, illustrate them with crayons, and then staple or tape the pages together into makeshift books.

2. Why did you become a writer? Is your reason to write the same now as it was then?

Originally, it was a source of entertainment. Always a daydreamer and voracious reader―and a bit of an ignored loner―I enjoyed creating my own fantasy adventures for fun. But as I got older, writing stories became more of an escape, since I was painfully shy and didn't set foot outside the house except for school, where I was bullied. Leaving reality for sword-and-sorcery worlds, becoming characters not at all similar to me, was a coping mechanism.

“I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things I'm afraid of.” ― JOSS WHEDON

Now that I'm all grown up, I write to keep doing what I love; it's a deeply rooted part of who I am, the one thing I continue to go back to. I spent the past few years learning the art of writing and honing the technical aspects of the craft, and now I enjoy editing and proof-reading too. Plus, I've always been a word-whore, to the point I like browsing the dictionary, reading thesauruses, and trying to learn languages. I just... really like words.

But as a storyteller, I've definitely matured. I gave up writing big fantasy adventures and creating magical worlds; I'd rather explore the horrors of our own. I guess it's a way to share bits n' pieces of myself, and often times I find it hard to explain just how personal my stories are to me, why I'm writing them. I cannot just write anything; it has to mean something to me, the stories―and more so the messages―have to matter. Not just for myself, but hopefully on levels where other people "get it" too.

“We are lonesome animals. We spend our life trying to be less lonesome. One of our ancient methods is to tell a story begging the listener to say―and to feel―'Yes, that's the way it is, or at least that's the way I feel it. You're not as alone as you thought'.” ― JOHN STEINBECK

I'm going to put an addendum and explain why I write fan fiction. And it's for the love of the characters, those fictional people who I enjoyed and connected with. Although not of my own creation, I do grow so invested in certain characters and their lives to the point I feel they have so much more potential than was shown (and in many cases they were overlooked in their titles completely). I love to explore not only their psyches, but my own perceptions and attachments, while attempting to stay true to who they are in canon.

A long time ago, back when I lived and breathed musical theater, the producer of Les Miz said something in an interview which stuck with me, and I adhere to it when I write fan fiction:

“The magic in Les Misérables, I think, will always be personal… it is very rare in popular entertainment to have something both entertaining, thrilling, and moving, and you come out of the theater feeling that you've learnt something about yourself and about your fellow man.

“…the brilliant job Alain [Boublil] and Claude-Michel [Schönberg] have done is to write a truly popular work which never once betrays its original source material. And I believe if Victor Hugo saw it he'd be very proud of it.” ― CAMERON MACKINTOSH

Of course nothing I write will ever be on such a memorable and gorgeous scale as the musical adaption of Les Miz, yet the idea behind this thought is beautiful, something I aspire to, the sense of interconnection within a fandom. And do I think my Young Justice fanfics would make creators Greg Weisman (a published author himself) and Brandon Vietti proud? I hope so. Let's just say I wouldn't be embarrassed to let them read my stories.

3. Do you compose haiku? Or are you a dabbler in six word stories? Share what type of literature is your go to when you put pen to paper.

I struggle with brevity, I'll admit, and I do not actively enjoy any form of poetry, reading or writing it. However, I do wish I could write song lyrics, since I adore music and use it often as inspirational backbone.

Being rather long-winded, I consider myself a novelist, more specifically in the novelette-novella range. I like writing fiction prose, in modern settings with a hint of supernatural suspense.

4. What in your opinion makes a good writer?

Passion! I like to read stories that make me feel, where I can connect to one or more characters. When something is written with passion, it has a clarity you can't over-analyze―it makes you want to keep on reading, even if it means staying up until 4 a.m.. And you can forgive flaws or faulty plot points if the writing is passionate. When a character expresses an emotion strongly enough to move the reader to tears, or burst out laughing, or share their anger―it's something you don't ever forget.

“You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend.” ― PAUL SWEENEY

Passion also extends to how you write, attention to detail. I like to see writers take even the tedious technical aspects seriously. I don't care why you're writing, or what you've decided to write about, I just want people to appreciate every little nuance that is authoring a work. Whether you're writing an informative blog post, sharing your crackfic fandom ideas in a fan fiction, or penning the next New York Times best-seller: write it like you mean it!

“He who writes carelessly confesses thereby at the very outset that he does not attach much importance to his own thoughts.” ― ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER

5. Share a literature piece you wrote that you're proud of.

Bring Him Home is up there. It received a Daily Deviation and resides in the folders of Clash-Of-The-Titans at deviantART which made my jaw drop, to be considered good enough to sit beside some dA heavy-hitters. I'm honored and very proud, and of course this character introspect was written completely heartfelt, because the family relationship is one that rather hits close to home for me. Being able to delve into the parent's mind-set was like asking Ed Jr. to go a day in his father's shoes, and it helped me explore, even realize, a thing or two...

But my most recently completed fan works are those I'm very proud of them:

Into the Nothing

Louder Than Words

Not only did I have a lot of fun writing these under-appreciated characters, but I'm finally happy with the quality of my storytelling (I never like anything I do, to be honest). I feel like for once I achieved what I set out to do, and that's to tell a story with purpose. I put the characters through Hell, in plots respecting of their canon source material and who they are within that fandom world, but I managed to explore heavy, personal issues which are near to me, and (I hope) relatable to others as well. I'm proud of that because it's like, finally! This is me, as a writer. And they're actually finished, not sitting in limbo like my original stuff.

6. Writers, share a literature piece you wrote which you don't like. Briefly explain why.

There's plenty of trial-and-error, unfinished, and just generally crappy writing all over this Journal. XD However, I did at one time write a fan fiction multi-chapter which seems to be my "legacy" on FanFiction.net, but I sadly fell to the pressure of hopeful reviewers and included a specific "near kiss" scene for the readers who wanted yaoi. I regret that. I'm happy I made people happy with it, but for myself, I felt like I sold out because it wasn't what I intended from the get-go.

7. As a writer, what are your literary goals?

I learned we all cannot be Stephen King or J.K. Rowling, a.k.a. full-time career writers, which was my childhood dream. So I just want to have one novel professionally, traditionally published before I die. Just once to see my name on the cover of a book (first edition hardcover, with subsequent issues in paperback, old-school style), filed away on the shelf of a book store or library. (Although with the growth of eReaders and online self-publishing, I'm sure by that time there will be no more book stores around...)

8. Using six words, what advice would you give to new writers?

Just keep writing no matter what.

“You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.” ― RAY BRADBURY

9. Who or what influences you as a writer?

Music is my biggest inspiration. Songs have this way of bringing life to words, capturing a feeling through music, and being open to personal interpretation. It helps me focus. There's nothing quite like relaxing to soundtracks or ambient music and just letting your mind go wherever. It's how all my stories start, watching a scene in my head set to music or songs. For instance, Louder Than Words started with a what-if Tye and Ed went head-to-head in a fight, and the specific idea I envisioned while listening to Starset's "Point of No Return". That moment built into the whole plot by asking questions of how and why that might happen.

Characters are also everything to me. Every story has already been told, and there is hardly any originality left in the world as far as plots go. I believe it is the characters that move the tales forward, who make the outcomes different, because each individual makes different choices. This is true even in fiction. So I focus a lot on characters, how they react, their emotions and inner thoughts, and I let them inspire me.

10. Have any published poets, authors, or playwrights, living or dead, inspired you as a writer?

Not greatly. Stephen King, of course, has given some of the best writerly advice (see here). And actually falling in love with Neil Gaiman's works have shown me novels don't have to be three-book epic monsters; you can create something just as fantastical and rich in one, under 200 pages book as you can with 800 pages each in a trilogy. It inspired me to be as clear-cut with my writing as possible.

11. List five things about literature you love.

The fact we can create amazing stories with just words. We don't have the luxury of emotional music, talented actors, pretty pictures―yet we can achieve the same epic results without them. I think that's pretty cool.

The ability to both dream and learn, think and feel: "Some books make us dream, others bring us face to face with reality. What matters most is the honesty with which a book is written." (unknown)

BOOKS. I love books, especially old-fashioned hardcovers. Keep your swipe-screen Kindles, I like turning pages and using tassel-ended bookmarks.

Flexibility. For all the formatting rules of the written language, writing itself is free and open-minded. I like literature where there's style and individual voice, it shows a creativity which makes each book or article personal.

Empathy. Writers have the unique ability to understand everyone, protagonists and antagonists, broken minds and happy homes―writing every character deeply, as realistic individuals, writers have to be something of a psychologist and social worker. Putting parts of ourselves into characters who also give back traits we normally don't have in us. It's quite eye-opening.

12. List five things about literature you hate.

Writer's Block and Doubt. Not having motivation, or feeling not good enough, hurts.

The slush pile. I like quality control, but damn.

How much attention is put on mainstream genres and marketing mediocre novels to Hollywood.

Writers who Internet self-publish without bothering to even spell-check, let alone self-edit grammar, punctuation, etc.. Hate to tell ya, but you cannot skip the tedious editing process, it's part of lovin' Lit.

The idea fan fiction cannot be quality literature.

13. Final question. Are you happy with the state of the literature community? If not, why?

(I'm keeping this question because I find it true for all Literature groups.) Not really, no, but the reason for it... yeah, I'm guilty of myself. As I said at the start, writers seem to stay in their own little bubbles. We all complain no one reads our works, no one offers feedback or comments, and yet we sit back and do nothing ourselves. Nobody seems willing to critique-for-critique, and we're all so caught up in our own works that we don't think about talking to other writers about their ideas and struggles. I see a lot willing to offer technique advice and harsh opinions about the industry, but more than often it comes across... well, jaded, snarky and defensive. Which is a reason I stopped visiting most Literature Forums.

It seems to me, too, the Lit community is slight and tight-knit, and it makes newbies and outsiders feel unwelcome. I tend to keep to myself nowadays because there's this intense clique vibe about most Groups which I personally don't favor. I had enough of that in grade school.

A gift

hlwar — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 19:37:06 GMT

Whoa! I received a belated surprise birthday gift which really left me dumbstruck, in the happiest of ways. This incredible "movie poster" fan art was done by the amazingly sweet ArtCrawl on deviantART, who is one of my favorite artists; I aspire to her level! Please be sure to click on the image to check it out—in all its epic glory—at her Gallery.

Thank you, ArtCrawl! I love it!!

Now, as for the simplistic title of this Journal entry, it's actually a throwback to dialogue in the 2013 DC animated film Justice League: Flashpoint Paradox. Another epic in terms of artwork, storytelling, and soundtrack, it is my favorite of the DCAU feature-lengths. I happened to re-watch it again the other night, and was surprised to suddenly spot Dr. David Wilcox (Young Justice: Invasion) making a cameo in the background:

I offered YJ screen captures of the S.T.A.R. scientist here, for reference, and I write him often in fanfics. His appearance isn't surprising though, given Phil Bourassa was the lead character designer on both shows, and the Warner Bros. studios have already proven they enjoy nods back-and-forth with cameos. Everyone at the time was already well aware other YJ cast members were featured, notably the updated, matured designs of Kaldur (Aqualad), Tula (Aquagirl), and Garth (Tempest).

Awhile back I read an interview with the minds behind Young Justice, explaining the Atlanteans appearing in Flashpoint. If memory serves, at the time Aqualad had not yet made his appearance in DC Comics New 52 reboot, so they sorta had free-reign on designing and using Kaldur'ahm, who later became Jackson Hyde in comics. However, after I saw Dr. Wilcox, I hawk-eyed on the rest of the movie. Unfortunately, no Eduardo or Asami still, but I did catch an obvious walk-on by B'arzz O'oomm (Green Beetle) in his human guise, as well as characters who resembled Lucas Carr and Dr. Serling Roquette.

Korean Movie Review: 남극일기 (Antarctic Journal)

hlwar — Sun, 01 Nov 2015 05:23:02 GMT

A Korean expedition tackles the challenge of becoming the second to reach the Pole of Inaccessibility in Antarctica, not realizing the frailty within their team. A creepy psycho-thriller.

"Namgeuk ilgi"
Release Information:
Directed by: Im Pil-seong
Released by: Showbox (2005)
Running time: 115 minutes
Genre: Suspense/Thriller | Adventure

Purchase from Specialty Shops:
YesAsia | AsianDB | CDJapan

✧ Buy on Amazon

Synopsis
"I just wanted to go somewhere, a place where not just every man can come and go. I thought it would welcome me..."

The Pole of Inaccessibility (P.O.I.) marks a polar location that is the most remote and challenging point in Antarctica. At a latitude bearing of 82 degrees eight minutes south and longitude 54 degrees 58 minutes east, it is the point on the continent farthest away from the ocean. It is located 288 miles from the South Pole. The surface elevation is 12,198 feet. It was reached only once in 1957 by a Soviet expedition for International Geophysical Year research work.

A Korean expedition team of six men tackle the challenge of becoming the second to reach the Pole of Inaccessibility, and delayed by preparations, they find themselves on a tight schedule to make it to the point before the sun sets; in Antarctica, the sun only sets once and there is six months of daylight and six months of darkness. Lead by pro-explorer Choi Do-hyung, and with rookie Kim Min-jae, who eagerly joined to work under his idol, Captain Choi, the expedition party braves the minus 89.4°C temperatures, dry ice flatland, snowy hills, the blizzards and the whiteouts—taking Mother Nature all in stride.

When the team stumbles upon an old flag marker, they dig up a blackened, smudged book appropriately titled in English "Antarctic Journal". It appears to have been a log kept by a British expedition team in 1922. Though largely unreadable, the journal features sketches of the British team (also six men) who quite strangely enough remind Min-jae of their own party. The young member begins to feel an odd premonition about both expeditions, and when things start to go poorly, the other members begin to feel it, too. One is stricken with a sudden illness, while another grows infinitely suspicious of his "insensitive" teammates. And all the time, their Captain seems detached, silently drawn to the snowy world around him.

Soon the men begin to feel haunted by the cold, white wastelands, as if some unforeseen force is stalking their every step. Yet they are driven ever onward by fiercely determined Captain Choi, whose earnest desire to reach P.O.I. forces his team to wonder about his sudden instability and tragic past. As they slowly begin to lose each member by curious circumstances, Min-jae is forced to question what exactly became of the British expedition—and if their own will be forced to repeat their steps...

Trailer

Review (Spoiler Warning)
What at first glimpse may seem like another human story of survival, Man against Nature, Antarctic Journal turns the tables and proves to be an ever-morphing mixture of genres. The first full-length film by director Im Pil-seong also proves to be a rather adventurous, mysterious, and grossly entertaining story!

The story itself is pretty straight-forward, which lead to the assumption that it was a drama more than anything else. A story of "I climb mountains because they're there" type men in an expedition across the Antarctic for a single purpose: to get to P.O.I. A simple enough adventure. In truth, if this film had only been about such, I would have fallen asleep in minutes; I find my thrills in the action of something happening, and not just in the process of doing. If this were about men braving the bitter cold to get to a point, I'd be so bored with the overall journey.

I was also unsure of what to think of the film after reading that the director set out to create a "commercial blockbuster". It was said much of the film was used with CGI rendering, and in combination with the big budget production, I was afraid this was going to be some movie in the likeness of all the shallow, unimaginative and thoughtless Hollywood productions, which thrive merely on their special effects and little on their character developments and interaction.

Thankfully, this was not the case! Thankfully director Im has an eye for the psychological thriller, and decided to flavor his movie with eerie little tidbits of suspense that play with your mind. Indeed, Antarctic Journal is more than just about adventure seekers. It is actually a very well disguised character study that delves into human nature, and how emotions can escalate into something truly ugly under dire, challenging circumstances. And what could be more frightening than being isolated in the remote Antarctic planes, with the ever-present "thing that goes bump in the night"? Though that ghoulish "thing" turns out to be their own individual mental states, it still is a gripping suspense. Truly an original idea, much like the backdrop presented for the horror film R-Point.

Antarctica proved a valuable asset to not only the action/adventure part of the film, but also in establishing the thriller part, too. There were the sudden holes that would appear through the snow, and at any given moment could collapse under the weight of a man and send him into a dark, icy precipice; or the blizzard (which is like a sandstorm since very little precipitation actually falls there) causing a wall of snow to pound the explorers. But there is also that sense of loneliness and isolation, with no geographical features or inkling of civilization nearby, one could feel trapped and panic. Whiteouts can cause a loss of depth perception, even create a sense of illusion, like a desert mirage, because there is no shadows or contrasts to any objects or scapes. One could inevitably end up with a condition close to Cabin Fever, even hysteria. And what would happen if you started seeing things, like say, a white hand reaching up out of the snow? Or an extra figure at the end of your line?

By the way, the amazing scene-scapes are not filmed in the Antarctic, but on location in New Zealand, using some of the crew who worked on Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The rest is shot in a studio and CG-painted in. The LOOK is blindingly lovely, nonetheless!

While choices in editing may have left certain aspects of the film a bit flat, on a whole it is very intriguing and enjoyable. The simple story sets the stage, and each strange little occurrence or accident that happens begins to eat away at the expedition members. What I liked is that these eerie occurrences are not your standard shockers, they are actually thoughtful little facts, such as a sudden illness, even when no virus could survive the below freezing climate, and the discovery of the decrepit journal—which should not have been so decrepit since it was buried. Rather, it should have been frozen in time, well preserved in ice. These thoughtful little notions make you wonder: is there something unusual going on?

Slowly the tensions build, yet the pace of the movie is very driven—there is always that urgent feeling of time running out, when they are struck with a setback that brings the sunset closer and closer. With the tight schedule, the team leaders are forced to make harsh decisions, which don't sit well with some of the men. And Captain Choi always seems to crack the whip, pressing them on and on, even when he tells Min-jae that the members are like his family. This gives everyone the false hope that the captain is pushing them so hard not because he is heartless, but because he does care and with his experience, he knows exactly what to do.

And it is with these major characters that the story stays alive, for it's their own motivations and decisions that ultimately keep the pace flowing and give insight into the events. Captain Choi is the foremost inspiration for the men, but soon becomes the biggest roadblock. Played masterfully by Song Gang-ho, who breathed such life into Joint Security Area, among many others, the captain is a devilishly astute man, yet still bearing a likable charisma. He may think of himself as a fatherly figure, but he is too driven to "tough love" in order to attain his only goal. His desire to reach P.O.I. is so great it borderlines obsession. And you wonder why exactly he needs that goal so much, especially since we learn he had failed the last time.

That "last time" is actually what hounds his steps. It wasn't so much a failure as a regret. We learn that the captain's personal life was full of tragedy, and he has nothing left but to conquer the Antarctic, a place he says feels more home to him than anywhere else. This is his purpose in life and so passionately he pushes on, blinded to the fact he is also jeopardizing his men's lives as well. Indeed, he actually sabotages their mission by destroying and holding hostage communications equipment!

The captain's tragedy is also the basis for the ghost story part of the film. In his mind, he is haunted by that death. But are the other members haunted by it, too? Is there some supernatural force that keeps Captain Choi in Antarctica, even at the cost of his family? Or is this all purely a state of mind?

Right at the opening the story is told through young Kim Min-jae's eyes, and at times he seems to be merely the witness to the events, never really having a hand in any one situation. Which would fit, seeing as how he is the youngest and least experienced in the field. But when their cameraman and archival technician, Jae-kyung, turns ill and then disappears, Min-jae blames himself for not looking after him and for his inexperience, and this sets the stage for his own slight mental breakdown. He is so devoted to the captain as well, that he fails to see the warning signs until it is too late and everything is in confusion. Yu Ji-tae brings immense talent to his role. The character of Min-jae is so believable, full of boyish charm yet a mature distinction; Yu is able to pull this off because of his natural ability to become his personae, bringing the character all the traits he needs to stand out, yet still maintaining some of Yu's own personalities and realities. He is a very profound and flexible actor.

The team lieutenant happened to be my personal favorite among the small cast. The character of Lee Young-min was professionally reserved with a very melancholy demeanor, quite and brooding, somewhat of a loner. He seemed entirely devoted to Captain Choi's command, but if this was out of any sort of respect or likeness, it isn't apparent. He is also the only one to know exactly what happened before in regards to the Captain's family. However, he never voices many opinions, just dryly states facts to their situation, and follows the captain's lead. When he finally braves to disagree with Choi it is certain things are in bad shape and for the worse. Young-min is also one who shows the greatest lunacy when they start breaking apart, which is interesting to note. Theatre-trained actor Park Hee-soon does a handsome job at portraying quiet Young-min, bringing a solemn courage to the character that's hard to miss. I really enjoyed this actor and hope to see him in more features to come!!

If Young-min seems stoic and business-like, then the expedition's communications expert, Seong-hun (Yun Je Mun) is temperamental, outspoken, jealous and brash—everything the lieutenant is not. This clash of personalities eventually causes a rift between the characters, leading to hostility and yes, psychological meltdown. Seong-hun's jealously also leads him to dislike young Min-jae, especially when the captain gives the rookie the possibly valuable journal. Min-jae senses his aggression, so much so that his suspicions rouse when he finds the journal missing.

Yang Geun-chan (Kim Kyeong-ik) is the team's self-appointed cook, and he is a lively fellow with a good heart and seems to genuinely care about the other men on the expedition. He is always the one to lend an ear to Min-jae, and actually knows about the captain's history. Geun-chan seems the best to keep it together when things turn ugly, although he is not above pleading for a rescue. He is a follower, and seems a bit of a coward, but it's this kind of personality diversity that makes the team interesting.

Lastly on the journey is Seo Jae-kyung (cameraman and archival technician) portrayed by Choi Deuk-moon. Jae-kyung is perhaps the most sympathetic man on the journey because he announces that once they reach P.O.I. he will retire and spend more time with his wife and two children. Sadly, his role in the film is small.

Also having a small role as the only woman in the movie is Kang Hye-jeong, who stands at the team's base and mans the radios, monitoring their progress. The character doesn't do much except bear witness to the mysterious tragedy, although the scene of her finally getting visuals through a storm is scary—she sees a black-and-white image of men with older looking sleds, and hears in English "Save us ..."

So what does the British expedition of 1922 ultimately have to do with the story? They serve as a warning. If you wondered about the significance of Young-min always snapping photographs, they were suppose to tie in to the sketches in the journal, although it was never established in the movie. Another hint that the Korean team was bound to the same fate, as Young-min did suggest in his final scene.

Although the correct coordinates for P.O.I. I've found is 85°50'S, 65°47'E, much of the film is realistic, save for a few artistic licenses drawn. The idea of the dilapidated buildings that they come across may seem out of place, but actually this is not unheard of as there are and have been stations built on the continent for observations. In fact, I read that today a building still remains at the real Point of Inaccessibility from when the Soviet mission found it; it is marked by a statue of Vladimir Lenin, and is protected as a historical site. And the scene where Young-min falls through the ice and nearly drowns turns out to be his hallucination; good, because realistically, there'd be no flowing water on a continent of ice. Everything makes sense if you think about it, or watch the extras on the special feature DVD.

I knew right away that I would at least enjoy the movie because of the opening music! I love a good OST and the score, in my opinion, can make or break a scene. Antarctic Journal immediately opened with music that was simply riveting, sounding very much like impending doom. Though the rest of the score may not have stood out as nicely as this particular piece, Japanese music director Kenji Kawai did a fantastic job! I even bought the CD!

In the end, Antarctic Journal may not have been applauded by the critics and some viewers may find it confusing, even disappointing, but for me, this was a fantastic journey! It had just enough psycho-drama and thoughtful intrigue to keep me hooked, realism to keep me happy, and enough mental-horror to appease the fantasy fan in me! Kudos to phenomenal actors as well, since they were not only directly in the spotlight for the story, but also before the cameras as there was virtually no background noise to hide behind. I've watched it numerous times already, and I know I will be watching it many more times!

(Originally published as nozomu_bunny to korean_cinema sometime in 2005.)

Thank you [Birthday Feature]

hlwar — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 23:54:05 GMT

Oh my gosh, thank you to everyone! My birthday was on the 23^rd, and I'm usually quite flippant regarding it. After so many years, it does become "just another day" since I am not a party-type with many friends where I live. Also being a twin, it's not a special day for only me, so there's two adult people involved which makes planning things tough. Family gets in the mindset where it's both, or nothing, so if one of us is unavailable... well, then, maybe next year?

It no longer bothers me as much as it once did. Actually, October is my favorite month regardless, because the autumn season is in full swing and Halloween is my favorite holiday. Not to mention ever since seeing the psychological thriller movie The Number 23 with Jim Carrey, I'm pretty happy with having a birthday falling under the 23 enigma. XD

However, this birthday was made memorable thanks to all my great friends here online! Like, wow! I was honestly quite surprised by the amount of warm wishes I received, both here from the lovely laurose8, and then everybody on deviantART.

And lookit! I received some epic and gorgeous gift-art which I must, must, must show off! And while the fangirl inside me pretty much exploded, my friends also had the nicest things to say, I can't even:

You'll also notice this adorable lil' blinking couple: Who are now my default icon here. Yes, that would be a pixel-chibi version of me, holding hands and wrapped up with Eduardo Dorado's scarf. *blushes* The fangirl lives, ya'all! She lives!!

I even received some gift-fics by a few dear friends and fellow writers:

☆ Journal About Heather by Jakers-Reviews
☆ Make a Wish by PrettY-kItty-luvs-u

Aren't they all fabulous beyond words?! Ohmagawd I can not even! *cries happy tears* Please be sure to click each and every thumbnail and link! You'll be taken to my talented friends' pages where you can see these beauties in larger, glorious detail. Go send them some love and comments, too! They deserve them for being awesome!!

And to top it off, my friends MizDawesome and sindah snail-mailed me fun and cool delights! Thank you, ladies!! And somehow MizDawesome managed to make her parcel into a mini-surprise party, mixing my mundane with the virtual love on dA. Whaaaat?! (*_*) Check it out here. Seriously, that was my first-ever surprise party, and it worked—I had no clue she was getting some of my dA buddies involved, and I was floored. Jaw on the floor, body bouncing around, floored! Well, you can probably tell by my comments to her journal. Speechless, yet I can still squeak out: thanks!

♥ Thank you everyone!! ♥
You guys made this birthday one I'll always treasure!

Astoundingly, I was able to swing a late birthday dinner out with my twin sister and the family on the Wednesday before. And we actually had a fun time! My sis gave me the best card, too: Wonder Woman and her fabulous boots! :D

Korean Movie Review: 천년호 (Thousand Years Old Lake)

hlwar — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 04:50:16 GMT

"Cheonnyeonho"
(More commonly known as Legend of the Evil Lake)

Release Information:
Directed by: Lee Kwang-hun
Released by: Cinema Service (2003)
Running time: 92 minutes
Genre: Historical Drama | Romance | Supernatural/Dark Fantasy

Purchase from Specialty Shops:
YesAsia | AsianDB | CDJapan

✧ Buy on Amazon

Synopsis
The age of primitive tribes and ancient sorcery is coming to an end with the rise of civilized kingdoms, and the great ruler of the Shilla Empire, Park Hyokkose, battles for the New Age. Under the pale light of a blood-red moon, Park's troops massacre the last tribe, led by the dark sage Auta, during their ceremony to honor The Great Tree. Against Auta's strong magic, Park's arcane defense seals his evil to the spot and uproots The Great Tree using his sword, buried into the ground, as the key. Blood of the tribe fills the hollow crevice, and there Auta's hatred seethes under the ripples of the new lake.

1000 years have passed, and 896 A.D. is opening into the ninth year reign of Queen Jinsong whose rule of Shilla is approaching downfall as the nation is besieged by warring sides and rebels from within. Against all the battles, the Queen sends her Leader of Military Defenses, the great General Biharang, who has not only claimed every victory, but also her Majesty's heart. After returning to the Empire, Biharang is met with resentment from the Office Ministers, especially the outspoken Mun-soo and the Captain of the Queen's Guards, General Bang Oh-rang; everyone in the capital distrusts the Queen's affections towards Biharang.

However, despite her Majesty's hopes, Biharang is in love with a common girl, Jaunbie, who is the daughter of an executed rebel. Living in peaceful seclusion and marrying Jaunbie is Biharang's only wish, but every happy moment with his love is ended by a call back to the front. When tensions concerning this fateful love triangle run too high, assassins are sent after the first of all the distractions. And while Biharang is away at war, Jaunbie is attacked by two armored men. On a perilous dash through the woods, Jaunbie stumbles wildly upon an ancient blade buried under earth and leaves. Wrenching it free, she tries in vain to defend herself, but her only means of escape is to jump off a cliff into the nearby lake, where the malicious spirit of Auta lies in wait...

Trailer

Review (Spoiler Warning)
This remake of the 1969 film was almost a labor of love for director Lee Kwang-hun, who meticulously had professionals go over every detail, from the period costumes and historical landscapes, to the martial arts skills of the actors. Following in the wake of equally less successful Korean fantasy-romances like Bichunmoo and traditional Chinese "wire-fu" sword-and-sorcery epics, this film has the ambiance of an instant classic.

In my opinion the movie does not quite reach epic standards, yet even so it is a good, solid movie worthy of being seen. The historical aspect of it alone makes for a visually pleasing spectacle ―the clothing, armory and sets (filmed in mainland China at the same palace as Hero) are absolutely gorgeous, and the actual cinematography does not inhibit or undermine it in any way. The battles were well filmed, with a decent mix of full shots and close-ups, some limb hacking, and one-on-one duels; I particularly liked how the close of the first battle was shown in slower shots, to the backdrop of almost sad music. War isn't anything to be admired, and I appreciate that scene because it gives a sense that Biharang does not enjoy his fame as a war-hero or the killing that goes with it. Indeed, he has his right-hand man spare a young rebel peasant girl even when she tries to provoke them.

My only fault with the filming is in the sudden and horribly placed techniques such as slow motion shots, and where the actor stands still but the background rushes to signify fast movement (sorry, don't know the correct term). Tweaking out these few cheesy shots really would have helped.

I was happy as can be when I saw Lee Dong-jun credited as the composer. Lee breathes life into any film he works on by the sheer beauty of his music, and although the OST for 2009 Lost Memories and Libera Me are much better, the music for this movie still stands above the rest. Not as much "oomph" as I would have liked, it does bring a romantic sense to this supernatural tale. And okay, I got teary-eyed at the end, the final sacrifice for love, simply because the music emphasized it gorgeously.

Probably the only thing I found negative in this movie was the emotional aspect of it. Granted, I may be more sensitive to those types of films than others, but I feel the feels here could have been more played upon through expressions. This is not to say the acting was bad per se, because on the contrary, it was fine enough to carry the slim yet stable plot. Jeong Jun-ho was pleasing as Biharang, although I can't say he was at his best. His handle on the tragic romance aspect was over done; Biharang spent much of the movie running to demon-Jaunbie's aid with a frantic look, calling her name over and over. And over. Very much like Jinha of Bichunmoo, or for those of you who watch anime, like Tamahome in Fushigi Yuugi. Like those characters, it tends to get redundant. His warrior moments were much better, and he has a great "medieval" look.

And though I have heard others bash model Kim Hyo-jin in her first major role as Jaunbie, I think her inexperience helps her character as the commoner girl is rather naive and demure. She achieves a hauntingly placid, expressionless face when possessed by the demon, with a good open, evil stare. While some may say her blank looks are a result of poor acting, I think it lends itself well to the idea the girl's body is just an empty shell, nothing of Jaunbie showing on the outside. Kudos to her, also, for attempting almost all of the wire work!

The other lovely leading lady, Kim Hye-ri, had amazing on-screen presence and a maturity that made her perfect to play a Queen ruling over a court of suspicious men. Unfortunately the character at times felt like nothing more than a jilted lover, even though one could at times feel sorry for Jinsong.

Not really any one actor or character stands out in the movie (another weak point) yet I did in fact see it originally for Lee Han-garl, who plays Biharang's army lieutenant and loyal friend, Talwi. Maybe I'm biased, but this is a character that does achieve a little individuality among the ensemble as his unabashed loyalty leads him to many sacrifices, sometimes not always in his General's best interests. Fie on the director and cinematographer for his final scene, though ―why a slow-mo run? Yuck.

Choi Won-seok had a commanding presence as Master Myo-hyeon (the man entrusted with the security of the Lake, as well as raising Jaunbie) and offered a stable foothold for the other characters during the film. The man had some adorable expressions, as well, which made him likeable. And Ho San as the proud and shrewd General Bang had a great look, but sadly I found his character underappreciated.

I've never been a big fan of movies featuring curses and demon possessions, but the action scenes in the film were well done. The wire work was good, and the CGI was not as lame as I had expected. In fact, I rather liked the way Auta's powers materialized like ripples of water, which the sound effects also signified. People who like blood gushing and combat-magic will enjoy the scenes of Auta-Jaunbie laying siege on the palace; several guards get chopped apart and gush blood like a lawn sprinkler. Actually, I was quite reminded of old Japanese movies like Makai Tensho: Samurai Resurrection while viewing it, if that gives you any idea as to the overall feel of the film and genre.

On a whole, Thousand Years Old Lake keeps true to its plot and style, never going overboard or succumbing to the ranks of "just another foreign wu xia film". It does a damn fine job of introducing its characters and story, giving them a solid goal to work towards, and then finishing with a stable closure, complete with tragedy and blood. It never tries to be more than what it is, and what it is is a GOOD historical fantasy. With only minor faults along the way, Thousand Years Old Lake should please all walks of Asian cinema fans. Definitely give it a try!

(Originally published as nozomu_bunny to korean_cinema circa 2004.)

[ for dessert ] Praline Peanut Cheesecake

hlwar — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 03:46:59 GMT

I have a new-found love of making cheesecakes. And since one of my most favorite things is peanut butter I decided to make a peanut butter cheesecake. However, around the time I conceived of this dessert I'd had a wonderful limited edition flavor of ice cream from Turkey Hill which was peanut butter and vanilla and had praline peanuts inside. So I went that step further with this baby!

Let me tell you this is one decadent dessert, very heavy and rich. There is ground, dry-roasted peanuts in the crust and a praline topping which adds a sweet touch to the not-so-sweet cheesecake. It was really good!

It also turned out to be needed since I made this a day or so before Hurricane Sandy hit (yeah, took awhile to upload and do this write-up). Now, I live far enough inland in New Jersey that the storm wasn't as devastating, but we were struck with very hard, high winds which knocked down even old, ancient-rooted trees. It was the first time I'd stood outside and thought I was on the beach, the air was humid and smelled like salt water and fish! And by nightfall on the first day we were drowned in a total blackout. In my neighborhood power was out for three days and since dairy wouldn't last obviously, this cheesecake was my protein-rich meals for those days of no heat, electricity, or hot water. (O_o;)

Our resources were gratefully returned late afternoon on Halloween 2012, but many nearby remained with power failure and had to live in a state of primitive means for nearly an entire month. And I couldn't even begin to imagine those living on the coastline, especially after seeing the photographs from Atlantic City and NYC. So sad! For info on Sandy efforts please visit here.

For the recipe for this wonderful cheesecake, click below:

Praline Peanut Cheesecake

Peanut Crumb Crust:

¾ cup finely ground dry-roasted peanuts

¾ cup graham cracker crumbs

⅓ cup shortening, melted

1. Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F.
2. Combine the ground peanuts and crumbs with shortening until moistened. Press firmly on bottom of 9-inch springform pan.
3. Wrap the bottom and sides of the springform pan in tin foil.
4. Fill a baking dish or sheet tray (large enough to fit the springform pan) with warm water, only an inch or two is enough, and set inside the oven.

Peanut Butter Cheesecake filling:

4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, at room temperature

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

4 eggs, at room temperature

1 cup peanut butter

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon peanut butter extract

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy.
2. Gradually blend in peanut butter and then sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
3. Gently beat in eggs, one at a time, and extracts.
4. Pour into prepared pan.
5. Set pan in water bath inside the oven and bake for 45-55 minutes or until the edges are blushed-golden and center is still loose. Do not over-bake!
6. Turn off the oven, crack open the oven door, and allow the cheesecake to cool off inside.
7. Remove from the oven and completely cool down.

Praline Topping:

½ cup firmly packed brown sugar

¼ cup butter or margarine

1. In small saucepan, combine topping ingredients and cook over medium heat until thick and well blended, stirring constantly.
2. Spread evenly over top of cooled cheesecake.
3. Garnish with chopped, salted peanuts if desired.
4. Chill at least four hours or overnight (this sets the center) before serving. Refrigerate any leftovers.

We are lost inside our scars

hlwar — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 01:57:50 GMT

Last month, at the urging of a friend, I finally decided to give Archives of Our Own a try. I never liked the aesthetics of that fan fiction website very much—the flow, the label icons, and the self-imposed tagging system (people create their own and it's like hash-tag bombardment); not to mention their search engine is not title specific, making it an overall messy place.

I was honestly quite amazed it's still considered in beta stage and I had to request an invite. But even stranger, AO3 was founded in 2007. That's one damn long beta stage! Meaning, I guess, things will still be unreliable. If anything it's an experiment and a place to archive. Right now my account is focused on the Runaways. I was hopeful the fact there is only 3k YJ fanfics, whereas FanFiction.net has well over 16k, might mean better exposure. But no, it's just not as busy a site.

Anyway, I just posted what I was fondly calling How I Met Your Mother. It's cleaned up as best I could manage, and there's a chance it might have another part someday, from Shelly's perspective instead. The parts are now titled using lyrics from the song "Inside Our Scars" by The Veer Union. I felt it had a nice range of open, perceptible themes and emotions for the parents towards their children, and possibly between each other.

I have fumbled into the second half, but I don't think I'm keeping any of it. It's just to get me more in-tune with Shelly. Since I usually post random, babble writings here, I'll keep that tradition alive:

"You blink an eye and then they're gone"
a Young Justice: Invasion fan fiction

Shelly wasn't sure what to expect when Dr. Dorado led her into the back building of the research facility. Honestly, she had no idea what S.T.A.R. did as a corporation. Did she even know what all the initials stood for? But she was relieved to see it was just another office building, long overlapping halls and rooms which resembled high school labs or dentist rooms. She felt better about leaving her son here.

She noticed she was holding her hands so tightly her fingers ached, the joints gone white; she wished she hadn't left her purse with Maurice, needing something to fidget with, her nerves on edge. With a steady breath, she dropped her arms and watched Dr. Dorado's back, wondering how he knew which way to go without fail.

The air was warm and old, as if the building never allowed one window to be opened, even in the blistering summers of Taos. It wasn't unlike El Paso, the climate and scenery, and she thought, It's more like home for him. And immediately regretted it.

No, this was nothing like home.

With every step her eagerness faded, and now she stared at the scientist with a morphing range of emotions, mainly curiosity. He seemed like a nice man, quiet, professional, and the fact he was readily willing to offer favors made him come across genuinely kind. She didn't ask him for anything, he was simply being a considerate parent. She could trust these people with her baby, right?

Despite the walls she was used to building around her, she had noticed his behavior with his own son, as well. It was guarded, almost passive, but still strong enough to butt heads with the younger teenager when he got pushy. Didn't the doctor say he had just as much trouble communicating with his son? They seemed to be in the same proverbial pickle.

God, this is like some AA meeting for parenting... The thought made her hug herself in a self-conscious bitterness, feeling suddenly as if she were the one here for counseling and observations.

And now she had to think of what to say to Tye. She never had the right words, not the ones he wanted to hear, anyway...

Suddenly they came to a security door, and she had to wait while Dr. Dorado swiped his ID card to undo the locks. When the red light turned to green, allowing them access, Shelly felt even more stifled and unsure. But Eduardo Dorado stood aside, holding the door for her, and she had to push herself to move over the threshold.

Hearing the buzzer of the door-bolt behind them, she asked, "So they're locked in?"

For a moment, Dr. Dorado seemed confused to her meaning, undoubtedly too used to the high security and lock-downs. He said, "It is private property and we do not allow the general public into the science wing, for the safety of everyone here."

His tone was casual, normal, and while the overall idea of safety was comforting, Shelly couldn't help but feel intimidated by the all the added features. And then they passed by an enormous room, left visible by a wall of windows, and she saw within an observation studio looking out over various exercise equipment and static gurneys. It looked like a cross between a recreational room for inmates, and a sports viewing lounge.

Once more Shelly heard Maurice's voice in her head, goading, "I told you he'd end up behind bars." Uneasy, she hugged herself tighter for support, a sense of grief and shame coming down on her shoulders with a horrible weight.

"How long have you worked here?" she heard herself ask. Small talk.

"Awhile." He actually sounded uncertain of the exact number. She could appreciate that; all the days and years had a tendency to blend for her, as well. All the same days, all the same problems. "I started on campus labs in Argentina."

Robotically, she said, "Oh, is that where you're from?" And then felt stupid because he obviously had a thick accent.

"Sí," said Dr. Dorado. She wondered if he were again trying to make her feel better because he asked civilly in turn, "Where did you drive from?"

"Texas. El Paso. Not too far." Although six hours in the car was a long ride to feel so guilty and anxious. And listen to Maurice scold her for being too lenient on Tye all these years, how it just made things inconvenient for them now...

She sighed, tired and beat down, and stared at her folded arms for a time. When she lifted her gaze again she saw another familiar face down the hall, Dr. Wilcox. Being caught between both of the scientists made her feel inadequate, especially when the bespectacled man seemed to eye her in a lazily suspicious way. Maybe Dr. Dorado did her a bigger favor than she was aware?

* * *

"He ran away again." It wasn't a question, but Eduardo Sr.'s voice was still dumbfounded, as if seeking answers from the air.

"Again again," David Wilcox added with blasé frustration. His glasses were bent off the left ear in a direly comical reminder of the hellish night.

The Taos Labs were more than fifty percent in ruins after the attack by Red Volcano, and only the front executive wing was left standing without much damage. At the crack of dawn, the battle which had raged last night seemed like a terrifying, bad dream. Except for the wake of destruction, and the fact that—

"He ran away again." No matter how many times he repeated it, the idea was strange to the father.

Black Canary said, "It would seem they only came back to help." She gave a small, admiring laugh. "Like little heroes."

"Do not say that," said Eduardo quickly, the weary sharpness of his words overly forceful. "No. No, I do not want my son doing this."

At the memory of his son's reckless heroism, Dr. Dorado laid a hand over his chest, recalling that flash of pain, the lingering ache, from being teleported through his son's power. And that was just from being a passenger; he couldn't—he didn't want to imagine what his son felt. If that was the cost of having super-powers, he didn't want his only child engaged in super-hero work. Not without further studies, further facts. He did not want to cause his son anymore pain.

"Captain Atom is handling the reporters," Canary continued, her tone carrying a hint of sympathy, "and we will be debriefing Blue Beetle and collecting the remains of the robot." Turning to the two scientists she said firmly, "Eduardo, David, you both need some rest. You've been through a lot, stayed here all night. There's nothing more you can do right now."

"My work is here," Eduardo said immediately, not even certain what his defense was.

"Your work is buried under plaster and concrete."

"I cannot—"

"Doctor, I think we've more than earned a break."

"I cannot just leave him."

Black Canary shook her head sadly, trying to persuade him with a strong smile. "They're flying under the radar now, and with so much time in-between... it's going to take some time. The local police and State are watching, as are we. But right now, you need to take care of yourself."

to be continued [never]...

Commissioned art by CassperClearie

Lost in translation

hlwar — Sat, 10 Oct 2015 01:47:21 GMT

「もう~やだアァァ!! 分かりない… 私はついていけない。」
Art by me

I'm sure this topic has already been done to death by other Young Justice fans back when the series was still new on television, but I just thought I'd give my own two cents on poor Asami's language skills. Since I've been in the same boat, reversed, trying to teach myself Japanese. And because I've nothing else to talk about.

I know a lot of fans were disgruntled with the fact there were no subtitles provided, but c'mon, it's not a made-up language like Atlantean or Reach. Get some culture, peoples! I, for one, enjoyed the fact it felt rather like being dropped into a foreign country and left to your own devices. Which is 100% what happened to our little Sam-chan. Plus, it was amusing watching the boys with that perplexed look of WTF?

What do you call someone who speaks three languages? Trilingual.
What do you call someone who speaks two languages? Bilingual.
What do you call someone who speaks one language? American.

However, I'm fairly certain most anime viewers in the fandom cringed as soon as the Runaways were given speaking roles, because all Sam would say over and over again were the same two redundant replies: Suimasen and doumo.

「すいません」 is a shortened slang form of sumimasen and is an apologetic expression meaning "excuse me/pardon/sorry". I guess it is similar to saying "gimme" instead of "give me", and would be appropriate for Asami to use when speaking to the teen boys.

「どうも」Doumo, or dōmo, is a basic "thanks". From my experience, I've heard it used more often to express gratitude when someone does something for you, a minor favor like passing the salt at the dinner table when you ask, kind of thing.

Using these words as she does is not technically wrong by the dictionary sense, but it most certainly is not to context for a native Japanese speaker. I just thought it was weird to adhere to these two words alone, when anyone who even casually watches subtitled anime will find other one-word sentences to use instead. Heck, you could use Google Translate and get different choices, probably even better ones for certain scenarios.

On his website, someone asked writer/producer Greg Weisman about Sam's dialogue, and he provided the Japanese directly from the script for the episode Runaways. He responded:

"I want to state in advance that we did the best we could. The translations and transliterations were all run by a Japanese native in advance. And the actress who played Asami, Janice Kawaye, is fluent in Japanese. I have no way of knowing if there are errors, but no one can claim that we didn't do our very best to get it right."

Indeed, props to everyone for trying! Japanese ain't an easy language to learn by any means, especially on the fly. And I'd also like to point out even though Janice Kawaye is fluent, most likely she would've only had access to the script shortly before recording the voice-over work; most studios do post-recording where all the actors in the scene stand in one room and basically read along. So if she noticed any errors, she couldn't do anything at that point because she could only change the dialogue if the syllables fit with the timing and character's mouth movement.

But for the heck of it―edits and stuff! 'Cuz I can. (LOL)

Dr. David Wilcox tells her: "Mō oshimai. Oyasuminasai, Asami-san." [That's enough for now. Goodnight, Asami.] Short n' sweet is fine for Wilcox considering he's American, but instead of answering him with a serious "Doumo", I would have had Sam reply: "Otsukaresama deshita."

They were clearly making her out to be rather professional about the S.T.A.R. Lab testing, and watch any Japanese program and you will hear that phrase a lot. It's what people at work say to one another.「おつかれさまでした」where「お疲れ様」expresses appreciation for a job well done. It's kinda a farewell to the shift too, and would fit that moment better.

This is a questioning suimasen when asked if she's running away with them. I would have stuck a "Hai?" here instead, because she knows she's been addressed yet still didn't catch the drift. I kinda suspect that would be more recognizable to many English-speakers, too, giving them at least a tiny glimmer of understanding. Let the kids feel smart!

A quick OMG suimasen when they've been caught trying to run. I think Japan has some better words here, like abunai「危ない」 meaning "Watch out!". A sharp, directing "Hey!" would be an "Ōi!"「おおい！」interjection. Even minna「皆」to say: "Guys!"

Oh, look, the door's unlocked suimasen, followed by another "Suimasen?" when Virgil excitedly tells her what a genius she is. Maybe an "Eeto..." (「えーと…」which expresses something like: "Umm...") or "Nani o?" (「何を？」meaning "What?") would have been better the second time, just to shake things up a bit.

And then she was all like...

「やばい! 奴らがくる。」"Yabai! Yatsura ga kuru." [We're in trouble! They're coming.]
Virgil: "... I have no idea."

「助けてくれるの？」"Tasukete kureru no?" [Will you help us?]

「なんだかよく分かれないけど、じゃ、一緒にいくはよ。」"Nandaka yoku wakarenai kedo, ja, issho ni iku wa yo."
[I really don't know what's going on, but I'll go with you guys.]

「どういたしまして。じゃあーちょっと、すいません！」Dōitashimashite. Jaa―chotto, suimasen!
[You're welcome. Well―just wait here. Excuse me!]
Breaking down language barriers, Asami's fragmented speech makes sense because she's not only in a rush, but has just been bombarded with both Spanish and English from Dr. Dorado, Eduardo's Dad.

Okay, for some odd reason this one irritated me the most. Here, Dr. Wilcox tells Asami "doumo" for saving them from the collapsing wing of S.T.A.R. and I was like: Dude! She just saved your life. I think an "arigatou" would be better suited, seriously!

「君の力になりたいんだ。」Kimi no chikara ni naritainda.
Worldly businessman Lex Luthor surprises them by including Asami in their conversation, by using Japanese. Weisman's script translates it literally as: "I want to be the power behind you." I dunno, I think this sentence would come off suspicious to Asami. I just took it to mean "Let me help you with your powers." But still, the Runaways have shown they don't really want adult supervision...

So frankly, I would have left Sam speechless, since she does come off stunned by his sudden language skills and unsure of his presence. But let's add another "doumo" to the mix:

I suppose the writers might have considered Asami would stick with only two words, her thinking perhaps they would eventually be understood. But when all is said and done, the over-use of suimasen was probably build up for the ending cuteness of the episode:

"Suimasen!"

"Suimasen... That means trouble, doesn't it?"

"No idea!"

Have you seen The Amazing World of Gumball: The Boombox? Even kids know this is accurate.
We laugh because it's funny and we laugh because it's true. (>y<)

One of the reasons I enjoyed self-studying Japanese was because it's so easy on the ears. Meaning whatever is said, sounds exactly as you would write it in Latin script (Romanization). So when you hear Sam say 「やばい！」 you can sound it out, ya-ba-i, and look it up in a dictionary to find the kanji/hiragana and definition. I learned a lot by transliterating song lyrics in that way. (But that's also why I still struggle with grammar and sentence structure, since lyrics often wax poetic in a unspecific way.)

In their second and final episode, The Hunt, Lex Luthor asks them to rescue the Team members being held captive by The Reach. And Asami breathes: "Kamikaze!" That one should need no translations, being a familiar term in English, too.

And you know what's sad? I used her Japanese to understand Eduardo says: "Misión suicida."

Learning Spanish through Japanese as a native English speaker? ... Gawd. ^^

Comedian Eddie Izzard gets it

Runaways Image Songs

hlwar — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 05:44:40 GMT

This might be something more recognizable to anime fans, but image songs are songs specifically designed to fit the personality of a fictional character, usually performed by the original voice actor (seiyuu in Japanese). They're often released with tie-in albums for anime, manga or video games, including soundtrack CDs and often as special bonus material on drama albums (otherwise known as radio/audio plays).

My time spent as an otaku, a hardcore anime fan, was primarily focused on seiyuu. It was just entertaining and awe-inspiring to watch these folks become the characters through their voices, with gusto and humor, so image songs were something I wholeheartedly loved.

My introduction to them was through Gundam Wing, but I started on GW English dubbed so I didn't connect. It was until my fangirl affair with Weiß kreuz did I truly appreciate the dramatic image albums and character songs. In fact, my introduction to the boys of that show didn't begin with the anime; it was Omi Tsukiyono's character song "Suicide Seaside" as performed by the VA of lil' Omi, Hiro Yūki. The song has a wonderful beat and succinctly captures Omi's personality.

From this, you can kinda see the fan idol appeal, because honestly Yūki-san is not a technically perfect singer. Despite the fact not every seiyuu can carry a tune, all still perform character songs, while in-character. Sometimes they even got their own PV, such as the animated character pieces made for the drama CDs for Velvet Underworld (watch here).

Anyway!

I've often lamented how other voice actors don't get the same spotlight as Japan's seiyuu, and wondered how cool it would be if cartoon characters here had their own image songs. So I bounced ideas off of my friend Yoruhoshi at deviantART and, to be a complete fangirl, thought these genres, style, theme and/or lyrics would fit best with the Runaways...

I see Sam being a pop music lover, maybe a lil' hipster under that street-smart guise, and this song by [Alexandros] (formerly [champagne]) jumped out at me immediately, for several reasons. The title being the most obvious, then the trendy aspect of the musicians and the theme; but what caught my attention the most was the opening and ending scenes with the girl staring off at the sea... if you read the fan-theory in my fanfic Louder Than Words you'd catch the similarity I saw.

Although my Japanese has gotten way rusty, the lyrics seem pretty basic: unable to sleep, feeling stifled by faking the life that others want you to have, and being told to be satisfied with half-hopes and regretting the past. So run away, be yourself, don't settle for someone else's second best. A spirit I think Sam represents. (Although I apologize to voice actress Janice Kawaye for picking a song with so many high notes! xD)

There is so much about Tye's personality which I connected to, and given how he fled in rage, with his dark, brooding, and dejected attitude—not to mention the studded rocker wristband he wears—I felt he'd also enjoy some kick-ass Disturbed and "Down With The Sickness" seemed appropriate. Metal music to release and express anger, a coping mechanism for when he tries not to get into it with Maurice. If you don't know Disturbed then be warned: there is explicit language. (Another song I thought might represent his feelings towards his mother's situation would be Disturb's "Façade".)

Interestingly enough, Tye's voice actor, Gregg Rainwater, actually does sing. He traveled as part of a choir in his youth and always listed singing as a hobby he enjoys. Wonder if he'd like a less-classical, more death-vocal song? ^^

Ed is like my own little hero, and I would love him to be into head-banger music too, really because he has the perfect hair for it. XD While I do picture his style to be heavy, I imagine with his emotional conflicts and struggles he'd be more emo, less screamo. I chose his image song "Erased" from Swedish band Dead by April because it's got Jimmie Strimell's awesome screams, but there's also a gorgeous intensity in the notes and perfect lyrics; he is the one who wants a cure, so obviously he feels changed, something erased, and wanting someone (his Dad) to understand his feelings. I also typically use light references when thinking in terms of Ed, and you'll hear some in this song. Freddy Rodriguez in this style? Yes, please!

If we take him back home, before everything, I can kinda see him enjoying the nu-metal grunge of Argentina's own wicked PR3SSION: "Blind Soul". (My Spanish sucks, but watch out for language with this band, too.)

Okay, I'll admit, Virgil stumped me. For whatever reason, I couldn't picture him a music lover. I felt like Virgil might be one of those who enjoys whatever plays on the radio, but easily enough tunes it out. This was originally why I went running to fellow music aficionado Yoru, to get some help with his selection. I noted how a lot of people say intelligent types listen to classical, but I couldn't see Static playing Beethoven while he studied.

And Yoru recommended a video game soundtrack instead, which I found brilliant as Virgil can come across as a bit of a nerd. XD So in honor of that brainiac gamer spirit, I went with a Rudebrat dubstep drop. Again, I know VA Bryton James is a singer himself, but hopefully he'd be okay with being DJ instead. :D

Korean Movie Review: 아나키스트 (Anarchists)

hlwar — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 03:46:14 GMT

In 1924 Shanghai, a simple young man, Sang-goo, becomes another renegade fighter of the Korean provisional government. A band of different men, with different standards and reasons, all brought together for revolution. But will their efforts be in vain—will they even be remembered?

"Anakiseuteu"
Release Information:
Directed by: Yu Yeong-shik
Released by: Cineclick Asia (2000)
Running time: 108 minutes
Genre: Action | Historical | Drama

Purchase from Specialty Shops:
YesAsia | AsianDB | CDJapan

✧ Buy on Amazon

Brief History [on Japan's overwhelming presence]
In 1894 Japan sent troops into China, and under the Shimonoseki Treaty Japan was given the island of Taiwan. Now free from Chinese influence, Korea had to suffer economic exploitation and political imperialism from Japan. After the Russo-Japanese War of 1904, Japan won a serious victory against Russia and Korea was annexed in 1910. After the modernization of the Meiji era, under the Taisho emperor and from the years between 1912-1937, Japan was undergoing a radical upheaval as individual ideology and political extremism threatened what was known as the Taisho Democracy, where acts of terrorism and sabotage were not only punished, but also "thought crimes" or organized expressions of revolution. This extreme suppression and protection of the national entity included the arrest of almost 3,500 people in 1928 Japan for violations against the peace preservation laws. With strategic and economic interest in Korea and Manchuria, Japan was situating itself as a powerful figurehead in Asia.

Synopsis
In 1924 Shanghai, young Sang-goo (Kim Im-kwon) is about to be publicly executed by the Japanese after finally being caught for torching Japanese-owned buildings and killing soldiers to avenge his parents who were massacred in Kyongshin. He is rescued by four members of an anarchist group who then take him under their wing. Taught how to fight by the group's charismatic, reckless loner Seregei (Jang Dong-gun) and humble yet royal-born Yi-keun (Jeong Jun-ho), how to avenge and love life by hot-tempered Dol-suk (Lee Beom-soo) and how to realize their ideals through righteous politics by cold-blooded, suave Han (Kim Sang-jung), Sang-goo soon becomes another renegade fighter of the Korean provisional government.

In a city where many foreign armies are stationed and Korean peoples are sheltered by the French and like-minded Chinese, the Anarchists are able to hob-knob with the elite and manage to secure means of gathering information against the Japanese imperialist forces. At the glamorous Red Rose Cafe, Sang-goo finds the group is not without their internal problems; Seregei suffers in silence from an opium addiction, which gets him into trouble with the drug dealers about town, all the while Yi-keun is in love with Seregei's adoring girlfriend, nightclub singer Kaneko (Ye Ji-won). Dol-suk has a tendency to draw unwanted attention to himself through his brash mouth and flying fists, all the while Han seems to be playing the game on another level. Sang-goo, on the other hand, becomes infatuated with the naive and sweet Ling-ling (Zhu Ying) a bubbly Chinese girl whose grandfather runs a photography shop and does all the archival photos of the Anarchists.

When they are confronted by freedom-fighter Ahn Chang-ho to stay their terrorist attacks, the men are disinclined to agree with his thoughtful ideology: for revolution through enlightenment, not the barbaric terrorism with which they go against the Japanese. Even though Ahn fears their brazen attempts will force the Japanese to hold tighter rein on the city and go after every Chosun-born, the group decides to continue their bombings and assassinations.

One such assassination is to target the man that stole Russian funds from their underground forces, which sends Seregei and Sang-goo on the hunt. The killing is successful, but much to their dismay, Seregei disappears—taking the reclaimed money with him. The provisional government brings him back by force, tortures him and finally decides to put him to good use on a kamikaze mission. This sets off a horrible chain reaction that forces the group underground, fearing that their cover has been blown against the Japanese and Chinese governments hunting them, and that their own boss may forsake them.

Trailer

Review (Spoiler Warning)
Although the concept of Anarchists sounds quite heavy and politically-driven, it actually is not so. Director Yu Yeong-shik opted to use the fight against Japanese imperialism as a backdrop to the story rather than a sub-plot; the film focuses more on the introduced characters as individuals in the fight, rather than the fight itself. So in a way, Anarchists is more of a Triad-buddy flick than a poignant introspective on a critical time in Korean history —which is why I started this post with a rundown of Japanese influence over Asia at the time, because I feel at times the conflict between nations is downplayed. You will not get a good grasp on history from watching the movie, but you may just understand individual perspectives on bits n' pieces of it.

Historical aspect aside, the characters are what flesh out the film and give it substance. Unfortunately, the characters alone cannot carry it. Sang-goo is the prime subject, since the film opens and closes with his matured narrative and some vague commentaries on the well-known freedom fighters and Korean government. But I did not like Sang-goo. He was homely, much too quiet, and more often than not he was simply there. I don't like narrative characters who are there to focus only the audience, NOT the story. He needed to participate a lot more in my opinion, and his puppy-love with Ling-ling (though cute) was shallow. In fact, I feel it was only introduced to give Sang-goo an "escape" route for the ending shown-down. Kim Im-kwon was, however, perfectly cast for the blank, naive Sang-goo, even though at times he felt more like comic relief than anything else.

On the opposite end of the character spectrum, no one says COOL like Jang Dong-gun, and Seregei feels as if he was created solely to cast the actor for he does nothing but charm the glitzy cafe, wallow in his melancholy and drug-induced stupor like the true misunderstood badboy, and bounce off walls with ease during gun battles like a careless hero. Even Sang-goo notes in retrospect that Seregei was not the usual radical freedom fighter, and perhaps didn't belong with the Anarchists. There is no real development or growth for Seregei other than to be the point of interest for the corruption within the group, and Kaneko's turning point. While I appreciated his brief time on-screen, the created character lacked the emotional luster that the actor himself is capable of portraying. This particular movie for Jang was definitely only to showcase his pretty-boy face!

Jeong Jun-ho has some sympathetic appeal as Yi-keun, the man who apparently gave up a noble Chosun birth to help free his country and all the while pining for a woman who doesn't return the feeling. You do feel as if Yi-keun is living under Seregei's shadow, that these two are perhaps the closest of the group as friends, but it's forsaken, just a tad, for the girl. Again, emotions that are implied but never put into good use. As an Anarchist, he is the voice of reason and the humane one, which obviously pits him unfavorably against Han. The best character developments bounce back and forth from this character.

I liked Han the best as he seemed to convey the most stable personality. Kim Sang-jung has a mature stature and intelligent air about him which fits perfectly to Han, who is detached from the other members and seems to have an emotional void; his cold-blooded-ness is not above using others' emotions to do the dirty work for the group. He rationalizes everything and never acts in haste. Han seems to realize that while their ideals may survive and supersede them, people themselves have a short fight—perhaps a fact made tangible by his suffering from tuberculosis later on. He is also the one to accept the fact the provisional government turns to socialism and becomes leftists working out of Kwangjung, although he opts to remain with his comrades and lose the support of their leader Kim (obviously getting no government or financial support).

It is this turn-around that leaves the Anarchists fighting on their own and trying to scrap a living without the backing of their leaders, and here is where rough-and-tumble Dol-suk proves useful. During the beginning of the film, Dol-suk seems to do nothing but provide the back-talking comic relief, but when they are out on their own, he is the one that inevitably keeps them alive and kicking through his sauntering brawn. For all that outspoken fist-flying, Dol-suk is honestly good-hearted and ambitious to their plight, wanting to see them remembered in history. You cannot help but to like this fellow!

Ling-ling was adorable, and it was actually sweet to watch her love affair with Sang-goo as the two didn't really communicate out loud often (realistically him speaking Korean, her Mandarin). This innocent and lively girl was a stark contrast to mature, vibrant Kaneko who suffered much at everyone's hands but ultimately gains nothing herself. The female leads in the movie show different perspectives and cultures and stories to follow.

Even though every character in the film is sketchy at best, and it is hard to get worked up over their actions and outcomes, there is a quality about them which is enjoyable and therefore you like them in passing. You might not remember them after the movie ends, but while you're watching it, you do care. Someone likened Anarchists to the USA western comrades-in-renegade-arms films Young Guns, and I have to agree. Though totally different in every other sense, both do share the same "pals until death" ambiance, as well as the flippant harsh gun battles all in the name of the suppressed people (but really the characters just seem to be doing it for the kicks).

Out of the entire movie, the scene of photographing corpses in the street is the most gut-wrenching and memorable, and the dreary rainy day with Sang-goo's saddened statement that even after their demise, they wouldn't be allowed back home to Korea, is the only testament of what the anarchists during that time actually had to suffer.

Despite bombs and guns, the movie actually clomps along at a sluggish pace. There is no sense of urgency or suspense, just a story with an outcome that is obvious to predict. Cinematography doesn't help this, with no vital shots or techniques employed, but rather filming the scenes in a nostalgic lighting, opting for a more dramatic look rather than action. Even so, I felt like I was watching a standard gangster flick and not a historical drama. Nothing really stood out, except for maybe the neon-engulfed nightclub scenes with the dazzling costumed ladies and Ritz-audience. Music... I don't even remember it.

All in all, don't watch Anarchists with the assumption you'll be watching rich and diverse history unfold. Watch it thinking it's a manly buddy-buddy drama, with quirky scenes and a dash of political agenda. It won't make you think, and it won't make you feel, but it will make you enjoy these guys for all of 108 minutes.

(Originally published as nozomu_bunny to korean_cinema circa 2005 or earlier.)

Korean Movie Review: 휴머니스트 (Humanist)

hlwar — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 01:59:46 GMT

"Hyumeoniseuteu"
Release Information:
Directed by: Lee Moo-yeong
Released by: Bear Entertainment (2001)
Running time: 100 minutes
Genre: Dark comedy | Crime Drama | Adult Situations

Purchase from Specialty Shops:
YesAsia | AsianDB | CDJapan

✧ Buy on Amazon

Synopsis
Ma Tae-ho is the son of a rich real estate broker, a clean-cut and haughty young man whose only happiness has stemmed from his father's money. He is indifferent to the humanism of society, used to his father's brutal domineering ways, and aloof to his new, young stepmother. As a retired Army General, Tae-ho's father is strict on sending his college drop-out son off to the military, yet Tae-ho won't hear of it! Instead, he'd rather spend his time uselessly hanging out with his only friends, the artistic and eunuch Euglena, and Amoeba, who is as slow-witted as he is strong.

But one night of heavy drinking and behind the wheel of his father's BMW, the three friends accidentally kill a police officer, after foolishly trying to avoid a routine DUI roadblock. And the cop's partner threatens them, deciding to milk the tragic situation by extorting money from the wealthy Tae-ho. When the initial fear wears off, Tae-ho finds himself presented with the perfect opportunity to get the money he needs to avoid being drafted, and perhaps have a bonding experience with Dad. So Tae-ho and his friends devise a clever scheme to kidnap his father and ransom him for the money. It's the perfect plan...

Review (Spoiler Warning)
Marking the movie debut of director and writer Lee Moo-yeong, Humanist is one of those films that boldly and without shame examines (and even ridicules) modern day society through the eyes of a younger generation. Like a crude, cultural character study, the film has its ups and downs. Although much of the story won't appeal to everyone—probably only to those with a very dark, moody sense of humor—the film is indeed worth a watch.

The movie starts where Tae-ho ultimately ends up: in jail. The pompous, well-spoken and smooth young man sits in chains, sporting black shades and seemingly telling his tale with little remorse to a detective recording his statement. Right away you're intrigued to know his story, why and how such a cool, wealthy kid ended up there.

He describes, without any discretion, his shrewd and greedy family. His father, played with the usual smarmy-maturity of Park Young-gyu (Attack the Gas Station and Spark the Lighter) is a hardened ex-military man grown unobservant by his success. He is self-indulgent, keeping a young wife and an even younger mistress, and is the type of parent who is strict that his children be molded after his likeness. Which of course Tae-ho is not, and indeed he threatens his father's ideals and orderly household with his bold excuses and flippant lifestyle. We understand that there always had been a clash of wills between father and son, yet Tae-ho's resentment and disdain never seems to mask hatred; indeed, he states quite often he loves his father (if in his own way).

His stepmother (No Gyeong-hye) had once been his father's secretary, and now she seems more than happy to sit at home as a rich man's wife. Poised and vain, she too keeps a lover on hand, whenever her wealthy husband is away. She cares little for Tae-ho, but focus what little extra attention she has on her own son. Tae-ho doesn't seem to give any regards to her, either; both seem to be on the same mutual, aloof grounds. He does state that his new little step-brother is perhaps the only one in his family he can enjoy being around. And indeed, he takes the quiet, spoiled boy to arcades and such.

Although he admits, his interest in his stepbrother started when he met the lovely Sister Rosa (Myeong Sun-mi) who teaches the kindergarten-aged kids at the Catholic School. The Sister has an interesting role throughout the film. Not really a love interest, but a passing fancy that Tae-ho often daydreams about, the Sister finds herself held in disdain by arrogant Stepmother, who cannot stand the queer dialect the nun speaks with - which is also rubbing off on the children. I'm not sure in manner of speech it is that taints Rosa words, but the subtitling was a pain to read through! Tae-ho, unlike his stepmother, finds her speech endearing, and uses his brother as an excuse to visit and chat with her. In the end, helping Sister Rosa becomes the one thought in Tae-ho's mind, as he says, a humanistic endeavor that blinded his realistic plight.

These smaller characters are what actually seem to keep the plot moving forward, inspiring Tae-ho to press his luck. For instance, there is the beggar who sits outside the church that the Ma Family attends, who is outlandishly friendly despite his rancid appearance and his torn, rotting, maggot-infested leg. Tae-ho states that he often wishes to play humanitarian and have the beggars leg removed; a decent thought, until his daydream includes a desolate night and a big old ax! This childish imagining gives way to an actual decent heart, though, as Tae-ho gives the beggar a part of his allowance (or rather, bribe, since he only attends church because his father pays him—but he's still a good kid deep down!)

The beggar, played amusingly by Kim Myeong-soo, pops up again after the stage has been set and Tae-ho's ransom plans laid out. He makes friends with Euglena and Amoeba, who share his pain of being penniless, and the three learn that he was once in the military that Tae-ho hates so much. In fact, he shot a man and was on the lamb for years, even missing his own mother's funeral, only to spend his days living in the streets. His story seems to touch Tae-ho, who is the direct opposite of the beggar. Always trimmed and clean, Tae-ho and his family show the wealthy and elite side of society, who actually lives a materialistic life of corruption, while the dirty, poor beggar lives by his own means. A realization that doesn't detour Tae-ho's plans in the slightest.

Then there is the embittered, self-righteous cop (Ahn Seok-hwan) who at first appears rather eccentric, so distraught by his partner's murder that he holds the three young men at gunpoint and slaps them around a bit. He clearly voices his rage of people who drive carelessly around in BMWs while people (like the cops) who scrap together a living get no thanks or glory or nice things. This speech gives him the idea to let them go, but he phones Tae-ho and guilts him into attending the funeral. Then with his dead friend's wife and daughter in the background, he tip-toes around threats and blackmail, asking for 2 million won to cover their grievances. This in the end makes the hard-working, middleclass man no better than the depicted wealthy, even though his heart, too, may be in the right place; he has a soft spot for his friend's widow.

But this is what lands the young men into trouble, and though afterwards Euglena and Amoeba do not seem bothered by the blackmail, Tae-ho uses this as his means of getting a million won for his army-diversion. He promises his penniless friends money, too. And this is where the true troubles start.

Euglena and Amoeba have little sincere fondness for their rich friend. In fact, they have always been ruled by his money. When Tae-ho was little, he transferred schools and in order to make friends, he bought them. This seemed right as rain to Tae-ho, growing up with the illusion that money buys everything, so he figured there was no anomosity between them. Amoeba agrees, finding that having a wealthy friend could cure all grievances. Amoeba is happy to follow Tae-ho around, and be ordered around by him; it doesn't bother him, and he naively understands their different ways and thinks that they are all close friends. Park Sang-myeon was born for these sort of comedic roles, and he has been in all but one of real-life friend Ahn Jae-mo's films as his sidekick.

Euglena proves the hot-headed, brash one. Despite the years of friendship, he holds a great bitterness for the power of money that he feels Tae-ho holds over them. He feels absolutely used, and is ready to break free from the rich boy. He is a time bomb waiting to go off at any second, and ultimately Tae-ho knows this and adapts his plans accordingly. Yet still all hell breaks loose as everyone involved shows their darker sides. Euglena and Tae-ho especially clash, revealing true cold-hearted nature. As Euglena, Kang Seong-jin seems type-casted as this sort of person, which he masterfully pulls off with devilish looks and amusing, high-pitched yelling!

As rich boy Ma Tae-ho (christened by English subtitles as Matthew) Ahn Jae-mo fit the bill perfectly and does a wonderful job at playing the high-and-mighty friend, used to getting his way but disillusioned by the means. He also does a beautiful job at keeping the character quite human - despite being wealthy, he is not "bratty" nor heartless to the less fortunate; he even shows signs of being bullied by his father, flinching unconsciously whenever his elder raises a hand, or being kicked around literally whenever he disobeys his father's will. He has a boyish charm that makes you love this character, even after everything that unfortunately happens. And yes, the man is extremely handsome and coolly charismatic; it's not hard to be beguiled by his business-suited charm. I love this actor to death, I don't mind saying!

Once you've studied these characters, you do end up wondering about the title. Is Humanist in regards to the fact that no one is entirely bad, and that deep down the most wicked of intents can be swayed by a little understanding and caring for another person? Like Tae-ho willing to be caught in his plans merely to save Sister Rosa, even though (no spoilers) his intent may have ended up hurting her, too. Or is it in askance of the apparent LACK of humanity the film depicts? In the very end, Tae-ho mentions about his father perhaps dying, and then says something really selfish—and grins.

All the standout moments are backed by a truly unique score, using songs from smaller, independent bands that feature gritty content and strange music. For instance "Connected" by Stereo MC, or Nick Cave's "Death is Not the End". And who could forget the track during the beggar's flashback, where the singer sounded like a dying, howling badger? Personally, not my type of music, so at times this movie felt WEIRD to me.

Weird it may be, but I still liked it fair enough for its attempt. The filming itself is starkly energetic and often times bizarre; it is definitely a movie for the younger audiences who will appreciate the darkly amusing and very morbid roller-coaster ride. If you liked the laughs in Oldboy, then you'll enjoy Humanist.

(Originally published as nozomu_bunny to korean_cinema circa 2005.)

Korean Movie Review: 가족 (A Family)

hlwar — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 23:32:39 GMT

After getting out of prison, home is the last place Jeong-eun wants to go. Returning to a rocky relationship with her father and finding her old life hard to escape, she discovers family may be what's most important now.

"Gajok"
Release Information:
Directed by: Lee Jeong-cheol
Released by: Tube Entertainment (2004)
Running time: 94 minutes
Genre: Drama | Family

Purchase from Specialty Shops:
YesAsia | AsianDB | CDJapan

✧ Buy on Amazon

Synopsis
Having a rebellious spirit, young Jeong-eun (Su Ae) has never gotten along with her father (Joo Hyeon), always enraged at his strict treatment of his children and abuse of their mother. She blamed him for their family's hard life. Home was the last place she wanted to be, but after being in prison for two years on charges related to a gang stabbing, Jeong-eun finds herself released on parole and back in her hometown.

Devotion to her little brother, Jeong-hwan (Park Ji-bin), and wishing to hold a memorial ceremony for her mother (having missed her funeral while in jail) leads Jeong-eun back home, but her father, a gruff fish-monger, is less than welcoming. Jeong-eun bitterly explains that she has no intentions of staying, having been given a job at a hair salon as part of her work release. She plans on turning her life around by opening her own beauty parlor somewhere else, far away.

However, her father's harsh rejection of her causes Jeong-eun to seek out her old gangster friend, Park Chang-won (Park Hee-soon) for support, not knowing the two years has completely changed him into a professional crime lord. Seeking to claim compensation for taking the fall for the gang and going to prison, she finds him at his local night club. But ruthless Chang-won gives Jeong-eun anything but a warm welcome, instead threatening her and her family for money which went missing after the incident, money Jeong-eun knows more about than she lets on.

Knowing the dire consequences that await her and her family from Chang-won's spiteful wrath, Jeong-eun finds herself torn. Her life changes even more after her little brother tells of their father's illness. Jeong-eun learns that, despite everything, family matters most. But does her realization come too late?

Trailer

Review (Spoiler Warning)
A Family was the award-winning debut film from director Lee Jeong-cheol, who adapted incidents from his own childhood into the heart-warming, cruelly realistic story invoking a passionate family drama that's sure to touch even the harshest of film fans. Needless to say, it is a wonderful movie!

What really struck a chord with me first was the father-daughter relationship, how their father basically ignores the existence of his criminal daughter, no doubt finding her childishly stubborn and reckless. He seems beyond attempting to get involved with her life, bluntly speaking to her and attempting to drive her away. Jeong-eun takes his behavior as callous and selfish, wishing to break away from his cold household anyway. Yet their undeniable connection ultimately keeps them together, but miserable in their misunderstanding of each other. The tension in the atmosphere is one of unspoken secrets and thoughts, of a daughter desperately crying out for parental support and a father misinterpreting her emotions and words.

I felt a strong relation with Jeong-eun, having had much the same emotional experiences, and I do think many will also feel the same. It makes her dilemma and her resolve to have a new life of her own—yet somehow unable to do so—all the more real and engrossing. Su Ae, although at the time a relatively young, new actress, has such a mature demeanor and a dramatic presence that she simply shines, and her manner of speaking and voice is commanding—she is absolutely beautiful, and I couldn't imagine any other actress in this role! She truly makes you feel for the characters and story. K-drama fans will recognize her from the fantastic sageuk (historical) series Emperor of the Sea.

The main connection in this family, because of the messed up emotions, was happy-go-lucky Jeong-hwan, still too young to understand his older sister's anger and their father's silence. You know he senses the tension between them, but that doesn't stop him from innocently asking Jeong-eun be nice to their Dad. Jeong-eun feels like she needs to protect Jeong-hwan from having a harsh childhood like her, while their father would rather see Jeong-hwan go to school than be like his older sister in a gang, which is why he lied on her behalf, saying she merely went to Japan to study, not sent to prison.

Joo Hyeon is a veteran actor, and although I felt he was overshadowed by Su Ae, he definitely had the look and heart to play the role of the resentful, ill father. We learn through the character Byeong-chun, a family friend (and doctor) that he had to withdraw from the police academy because of going blind in one eye. Now being old enough to understand, Byeong-chun reveals to Jeong-eun the secret of what happened. He pleads with her to understand her father's situation and his relationship with his family, especially after she finds out about his chronic leukemia.

Jeong-eun is angered no one told her about her father's illness, and even more angry her father didn't ask her to take the test, to see if she'd be a match for the bone marrow transplant, though little Jeong-hwan was already tested. Feeling rejected, Jeong-eun feels like Byeong-chun is trying to guilt her into taking the test. Yet in the end she does, silently seething about the whole situation; it is indeed hard to think your own parent would rather die than ask you for a favor, especially something as life-threatening as this.

However, before leaving the hospital, Byeong-chun does one last thing to make her understand and reflect on her father. He hands her an envelope of old photographs, showing her young father and mother, and her as a baby with her Dad doting on her. Photographs of a happier time. At first, I found this to be totally unfair to poor Jeong-eun, that they place so much more guilt on her. But, in retrospect, this moment helped to break a near lifelong silence between father and daughter and open her mind up to finally understanding his moody behavior.

If you liked the drama in The Way Home you will appreciate this much more devastatingly torn family. However, A Family is not as slow paced as the aforementioned, and in fact I relate A Family to a sort of feminine version of Friend, which also tells the twisted relationship between gangster friends. This film draws its engrossing action sequences from the same emotional source.

Once again Park Hee-soon (Antarctic Journal) proves he can master any personae as he plays Chang-won. The character seems a friendly enough guy, trying to fit his elite status yet still remaining youthfully lazy, and Park does a brilliant job at making you dislike him. From his haughty presence to his oily charm, he is a truly heartless Boss whose only concern is getting his own way. He is reminiscent of a schoolyard bully and one does wonder how Jeong-eun ever got involved with him. Possibly as a protector, dare I say, a father figure, since she was so readily accepting of going to jail on his behalf—since it was actually Chang-won who stabbed the rival gang member.

Although loyalty in a gang definitely only goes so far, and having enough foresight, Jeong-eun does indeed steal money from the gang, making it look like a rival robbery. I suppose she figured her stay in prison would be long enough to have the incident fade away, but then making the mistake of confronting Chang-won again later and adding fuel to the fire.

Despite her father's heartless attitude, he knew all too well her involvement in the gang—enough to know she only returned home to find her stolen money. He tells her to take it and leave, to open her shop and get away from the gang. I do get the sense Jeong-eun believes her father thinks that she is incapable of change and would forever be a delinquent, which is probably what drove her to see her old friends; in her mind the punks were in the same boat and understood her better. And a bit of selfishness, too, demanding money without thought. One might say she was digging her own grave, and I think she knew it, afterwards.

This gave an even more desperate scenario to an already building tragedy. Now faced with his daughter's dark past returning to potentially ruin her attempt for a new life, her father tries to be fatherly by taking matters into his own hands. He pays back the money, which only infuriates his daughter more for butting into her life. She tries to settle things with Chang-won, who has a new proposal for her—to sleep with the police commissioner in order to maintain criminal silence from the cops.

All of this boils down to one final decision for the daughter and the father, that ultimately changes the mundane course of both of their lives. I'm still torn as to think if this family drama had a happy or sad ending. But I do know I cried so much!

This movie is superbly acted and directed, wonderfully filmed and scripted, paced not too long, yet not at all slow, with music that was well fitted. Still, all of that biz glamour is meaningless in the end, because it is the characters and story which make this a brilliant movie! Definitely see A Family!!

(Originally published as nozomu_bunny to korean_cinema circa 2006.)

Beta Readers: What They Are and How to Find One

hlwar — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 18:10:33 GMT

So you've finished your first story or article? Great! Now you need someone to beta-read it. Yet some new or hobby writers don't know what that means, what a beta reader does, or where to find one.

I've been a storyteller for as long as I could hold a pencil, but when I first began to seriously write a book as a teen I never gave much thought to extensive proof-reading. After all, I wanted to be professionally published, have real printed-and-bound books made from my manuscripts. And wasn't that what the editor at the publishing house was for? To accept—then check—the new material?

However, today I know better. In reality it is your job to edit your work before submitting it for publication. Even if you're a veteran writer with numerous books under your belt, you want to make sure to present a polished, perfected manuscript. And in this day and age self-publishing is wildly popular with newbie and indie authors, and the only person in control of your book is you.

It's hard to dissect your own writing sometimes. Many of us put our hearts and souls into the work, become deeply attached to the original text and characters, so finding negative aspects (aside from typos) is rough. This is where a beta-reader comes in handy.

What is a Beta Reader?

A Beta Reader is usually a non-professional proof-reader, your initial reader and editor. It's someone who will pre-read and critique the work, find flaws, and offer advice on improvement before publishing. Think of them as your "writing spotter".

Depending on what you need and what they offer, a Beta Reader's job is, first and foremost, to give you feedback on the story itself; the pacing, the progress, the ideas. Many also do the same as a professional proof-reader or editor. The only obvious difference is professionally-working editors are trained to spot technical flaws and have the experience to do so. If you'd rather go that route, you can always find pro's to hire. However, since you're paying for their work make sure to check their résumé and get references.

Types of Beta Readers

Basically, anybody can serve as your beta, be it your best friend, classmate, or that neighbor who is a glutton for new books. They're all a fresh set of eyes to check the work. And if you're merely a hobby writer (like fan fiction or the occasional blogger) than someone like that is all you need. Outside of spellcheck and self-editing, they'll be able to notice the obvious.

For those serious about publishing and finding a market, it would be wise to make a plan of attack for choosing an outside beta. Decide what type of reader you'd rather work with, and how often you plan to use them.

Different Types:

✧ One-on-one readers : Working exclusively with a solo beta
✧ Writer Exchange : you proof-read me, I proof-read you
✧ Group or community : ask at a public forum, get public critiques
✧ Paid for : sometimes you can hire a beta for a small fee or gift/sponsor
✧ Reviewers : post and see if the audience points out mistakes.

I wholeheartedly recommend the first option, while the last—throwing your manuscript to the wolves—is obviously going to be the least helpful. Although getting feedback of any kind is nice, I've notice many reviewers are quick to call you out based on opinion, and usually not in the areas you feel you need assistance.

Your Expectations for a Beta

You also have to decide what you hope to gain from a Beta Reader. This requires you to understand yourself as a writer, to dig deep and discover the negative nitty-gritty. After all, it shouldn't be left entirely up to the beta to make you a better writer.

Things to ask yourself:

What do I enjoy writing? Dislike?
What do I think are my strengths?
Where do I fall short technically?
What are some things others have already pointed out as faults?
I suck at _____! I think I need help...

When you're ready to send out that S.O.S. you now know the areas in which you could use some improving. And once you understand your shortcomings it's easy to find a beta-reader who complements you.

It is wise to have some goals in mind, then make sure you find someone who fits that current criteria. In the follow-up entry Benefits of a Beta I discussed how I chose my own fan fiction beta. I believe the best way is to work with someone different than yourself. Learn from someone who writes the opposite way you do. You'll not only fix what's wrong, but improve your skills and grow in the process.

If you are unsure of things like grammar and punctuation, than you would look for someone who has technically spotless writing. If you think your dialogue is unrealistic, check for someone with strong characterizations, or even a scriptwriter or playwright. If you're a procrastinator, find a beta who is punctual enough to push you.

Perhaps your biggest concern is motivation. Having a beta-reader is an excellent way to stay on your toes because knowing that someone else is waiting for their next assignment, you invariably create a deadline. But make sure the beta has a forgiving and positive attitude; if you want someone to help build you up, they need to have a confident personae themselves.

And always remember: you asked them for help. Be sure to take any advice like a professional, with an open mind and critical foresight.

Where to Find Beta Readers

It might seem like a daunting task, but actually it's quite easy to find someone willing to spot-check you for nothing more than their time and knowledge. There are organized databases and request forms available at many writing resources and communities.

Looking for a beta-reader? You can search the listings at websites such as:

✖ GoodReads
✖ FictionPress
✖ FanFiction
✖ deviantART
✖ LinkedIn
✖ tumblr
✖ Critique Circle

Random Fandom Thought

hlwar — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 20:28:10 GMT

A fairly pointless post. Is it just me, or does Young Justice: Invasion Jaime Reyes look more like the son of Dr. Eduardo Dorado than Eduardo Jr.? They all arch the same angrily thoughtful eyebrow, too. XD

Korean Movie Review: 혈의 누 (Blood Rain)

hlwar — Sun, 12 Jul 2015 17:07:32 GMT

In 1808, a mysterious crime and ghostly serial killer plague the isolated island community on Dong-hwa. Government investigator Won-gyu is sent to investigate, but how do you solve a Curse?

"Hyeolui nu"
Release Information:
Directed by: Kim Dae-seung
Released by: Cinema Service (2005)
Running time: 119 minutes
Genre: Mystery | Thriller | Historical

Purchase from Specialty Shops:
YesAsia | AsianDB | CDJapan

✧ Buy on Amazon

Synopsis
In 1808, during the Choseon Dynasty, a series of unfortunate events and gruesome murders plague a small island community. The remote village has grown successful and prosperous thanks to their innovated paper mill, a staple of the island with a market extending into Ming (China). But once a year a shipload of the best paper is sent to the royal courts as tribute, and it is during the ritual to bless the cargo and islanders that disaster first strikes. The ship is burned and the tribute destroyed. Then the next morning a man is found dead and impaled.

Government investigator Won-gyu (Cha Seung-won) is sent with an emissary to investigate the criminal and treasonous act. Finding the Commissioner in a poor state of health, Won-gyu is assisted by his son, Kim In-kwon (Park Yong-woo) a quiet and knowledgeable businessman. But as soon as he sets foot on the island, Won-gyu finds the dire atmosphere is due to more than just the loss of the tribute.

Many of the villagers insist that they are cursed, with signs ranging from a sea of dead fish, to a foul stench in the air and water. It is the grudge of the ghost of the original Commissioner, Kang Gaek-joo (Cheon Ho-jin), the man who built the paper mill on the isolated island in order to ensure his trade secrets. A man who was also executed for treason seven years ago.

Soon more men are strangely murdered, and on an island full of suspects and mystery, Won-gyu must uncover the reason behind Commissioner Kang's execution and discover the real horrifying truth behind the bloody retribution.

Trailer

Review (Spoiler Warning)
From noted filmmaker Kim Dae-seung comes a movie I had been much anticipating, and my earnest desire to see Blood Rain may have been my downfall as far as viewing enjoyment is concerned. I wasn't as impressed with this lavish historical thriller as I'd hoped. In fact, later scenes were a complete turn-off for me!

The first setback for the movie was its mishmash of genres. Some stories can keep true to its plot and maintain a stable quality even when morphing through genres, but unfortunately Blood Rain couldn't pull it off. In the beginning there is a thick tension among the characters and the beguiling mystery element is heavy in the story. The very opening we are shown a girl running for her life from an unknown assailant. Who is she? Who is after her? These questions, when answered, are perhaps the most intriguing of the entire film—but not potent enough to save it.

Then when Won-gyu comes to the island he immediately sets in with true sleuthing ease. It very much felt like an old-fashioned Agatha Christie whodunit, which is something I've always enjoyed! Although I should state that like many Christie mysteries, it takes time to grow on you and might feel a little boring at first.

However, as soon as woeful Commissioner Kang is introduced there becomes a starkly obvious supernatural horror overtone. Rather instantly, for as soon as you hear his name whispered about: BAM! There's a ghostly possession of the little shaman woman. There's no transition and no introduction. It just happens, and you have to accept it. One might at first think perhaps the shaman is a part of some scam or cover-up in order to keep the classic murder mystery alive, however we know that's not true because the voice of the dead man comes through her in pure B-horror fashion, reminiscent of many old Japanese movies I've seen.

This sudden introduction of the ghastly horror element also limits the actual shock, and takes away from any possible scariness one might expect from a ghost story. Instead, whenever we see the masked murderer wearing a white robe slinking about, it feels more like a Scooby-Doo mystery than a serious supernatural suspense.

And then there is the character drama, which is so underplayed it's hardly evident. The people or their motives are not even explained in any subtle, thoughtful way and everything is just bluntly stated. It's like: here is the story, the characters, what happened seven years ago, and what's happening now. Straight facts told very straight-laced. Not at all riveting and therefore you just don't care about the people involved. All the characters were such a let-down.

Because of all these slapdash elements, the only thing that grounded the movie was the killings, which were done in methodical fashion and were always pretty damn gory! If you're of the squeamish kind (like me) you will be hiding your eyes on several occasions. In fact, I would counter the bloody elements were utter overkill, especially in the end where seemingly everyone just kept slashing and hacking and blood gushing and—at long last—the actual blood rain curse. Much too much for my taste.

Unnecessary to the point of being abusive, which is what totally killed the movie for me. As an animal lover, I have to protest the use of the animals in Blood Rain. My first stomach-tightening experience happened during the chase sequence, when Won-gyu's horse falls and throws him. I never like to see horses heads bend in those awkward angles, but I do know the specially trained among them can perform in such a way. But then the next instant we see the horse's rear end thrashing madly, and all I could think was: "Oh God, it did hurt itself!"

Realistically thinking, I calmed myself down, reasoning that some folks off-camera were just holding the panicked animal down by the reins, which is why you don't see its head. If it's not a trick-trained horse, it would thrash in an effort to stand, out of instinct; not that it was actually hurt.

So I continued watching the movie.

And then came the now-infamous chicken scene, and here I thought I would sick up! I do know in some occult rituals animal blood is used to combat evil spirits. I do know animals are slaughtered every day for food; I eat meat, too. However, I do not want to see it happening, and the fact we instantly witness several real-life chickens getting their heads chopped off, up-close and personal, is overwhelming, disturbing, and disgusting! I was so upset it took a great effort to finish the movie, even though by that point I knew I would forever have an aversion towards it!

So if you were grossed out by the squid scene in Old Boy and have a pure affinity for the well-being of animals, then do not see Blood Rain, ever. More intelligent sentiments on this is reflected by Darcy Paquet's review.

I think the only good aspects of the movie were the lush and gorgeous landscapes, which were richly captured on film and showing fresh, picturesque 19th century Asia in all its beauty. The costumes were wonderful, even though they transported me back to my weeknights spent watching The Immortal Lee Soon-shin, also set during the Choseon Dynasty (anyone else think that Doo-ho, played by pretty-boy Ji Seong, looks like Nalbal's brother? XD) And the musical score was lovely, even though I might protest at times it felt too vibrant and epic for the overall concept.

The only other thing I enjoyed in Blood Rain was the primary actors. I have always been an adamant supporter of Cha Seung-won in dramatic roles, and he wore the layered period costumes extremely well. I hope to see him portraying more characters of this sort in period pieces, sans the poor story-line. And speaking of Lee Soon-shin, I was happy to see actor Park Cheol-min as Director Jo, a hard and shrewd businessman who had no sympathy for his overworked staff. It was a darkly different character than the wacky, good-natured and loud-mouthed Captain Kim Wan he portrayed in the KBS TV drama. So that was neat.

For those who enjoy a mystery with a generous bloodbath, and are not overly sensitive, you'll probably like it. It has its faults, with few good moments, but you could do a lot worse than Blood Rain, I suppose.

(Originally published as nozomu_bunny to korean_cinema circa 2005.

Korean Movie Review: 알포인트 (R-Point)

hlwar — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 17:25:00 GMT

During the Vietnam War, a group of South Korean soldiers mysteriously go missing outside Ho Chi Minh City in an area known as R-Point. A unique horror tale where those with blood on their hands can never return.

"Ar Pointeu"
Release Information:
Directed by: Kong Soo-chang
Released by: Cinema Service (2004)
Running time: 106 minutes
Genre: Horror | Thriller | War

Purchase from Specialty Shops:
YesAsia | AsianDB | CDJapan

✧ Buy on Amazon

Synopsis
During the Vietnam War a group of South Korean soldiers mysteriously go missing outside Ho Chi Minh City, in an area known as R-Point. Only the commanding officer is found, babbling incoherently and practically mutilated; despite his injuries, he swears there were no Viet Cong in R-Point. More disturbing, even after months had passed, Choseon headquarters still receive radio transmissions from the men asking for help. In order to clear it up, stoic Lieutenant Choi Tae-in (Kam Woo-seong) is recruited to head a platoon into R-Point to find any evidence of the missing soldiers, or the whereabouts of the transmissions.

The men for the platoon are recruited from a squad a week away from being sent home, lured with guarantees that R-Point is a 'no combat' zone and the mission will only last seven days. Better still, upon completion the men will be immediately flown home without having to wait on a carrier ship to return. The seven soldiers who sign up are casual on the mission, even if a little leery of their commander, an officer trusted as a warrior but known for his heartlessness in combat. However, they are more concerned when quiet, brooding Tae-in shows up to lead the platoon; he has a reputation for getting his men into deadly situations.

And so the hopeful group enter their designated area, only to be immediately attacked by a lone gunman. The shooter turns out to be a young Vietnamese girl whom they leave wounded and for dead. Coming upon a gravestone written in Chinese characters, the soldiers learn their destination is a cursed place, and "those with blood on their hands can never turn back". By nightfall, the men become more and more tense, sharing stories of their commanders and the fate of the missing men.

By morning, the platoon find themselves before a huge, decrepit building, empty save for a few leftover odds and ends. They set up base inside and begin combing the area for any sign of the missing soldiers. Things start to turn ugly when each of the ten men start to see strange things, and believe in the worse. An old shrine area is found, where incense is mysteriously kept burning by an unknown force. And their radioman begins to receive transmissions from a French soldier, on the same night as American soldiers chopper in to check the batteries in the building—American soldiers who also warn them of the dangers. Soon the men are at each others' throats, believing in the curse of R-Point and wondering if they'll actually make it home alive.

Review (Spoiler Warning)
Apparently based on true events, R-Point is a cleverly disguised horror movie! I was quite intrigued at the idea of a ghost story set during a war, and while it may not have been as scary as I was hoping, the movie does deliver some interesting turns and creepy moments.

I'll admit, it took me several viewings to fully realize what was going on. Not for bad reasons, mind, but rather intelligent ones; you have to pay attention. The first time I saw it, it proved too much for me, simply keeping up with each character (everybody looked the same in the camouflage, helmets, and nighttime filming) so I missed out on the major twist—if you noticed in my synopsis and did the math, the platoon starts out as nine men, and suddenly becomes ten. Where do you suppose the extra man came from, and why? Enter creepy overture music here.

After the second time, I found it very chilling and actually had nightmares that night. So as far as genres go, it gets good marks from me. (LOL) R-Point is definitely not like your run-of-the-mill horror flick, and thrives on its taut sense of enclosure, the suspense of knowing something is near and coming for you. And knowing too that you can't get away. I really recommend this for people who enjoy psychological thrillers, quite an original story!

All of the actors were great at keeping the feel of the movie. No one character truly stands out among the recruited soldiers (although they all have their own personalities and way of dealing with the terror at hand) and I think this helps to maintain the mass-hysteria of the horror aspect, showing how a group can turn into a panicky mess under pressure. There is a bit of a side-story going on as one of the men has ties to a M.I.A. soldier—and their relationship wasn't exactly that great, leading up to a lot of guilt. While this did add to the story, I unfortunately did not get much emotional impact to those characters involved, overall.

I did, however, enjoy Gam Woo-seong's performance as Tae-in, the charismatic loner. He stayed perfectly true to his character throughout the entire film, keeping his head in a realistic fashion during some truly unrealistic times.

For me, the best scene was when the Vietnamese girl they encountered at the start appears outside the building, almost taunting Tae-in to come out. Chasing her through a storm, Tae-in loses her by the statue of an ancient God. And then the lightning flashes, showing all around him a bevy of white crosses. All marked with departed French soldiers. The truth of the American soldiers, when they find their fallen chopper, is a slight jump to the nerves as well.

The ending may be a bit disappointing; none of the original curse of R-Point is ever explained. However, I think this is something you have to accept to appreciate the movie in full. R-Point is like the Bermuda Triangle or the Loch Ness Monster. It can never be explained with details, but it's fascinating and frightening nonetheless. Definitely see this movie!

(Originally published as nozomu_bunny to korean_cinema circa 2005.

Rise of the Runaways

hlwar — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 17:11:15 GMT

I wasn't planning on starting any other large YJ Runaways fanfics, but then I ended up with two story ideas and a handful of scenes imagined—so here I go again. XD I don't know how solid the timeline is for this one, and I haven't broken down the chapters yet in any sort of guide; it might be a slow progress as I build on action and those scenes in my head. Although this story I'm purposefully making the chapters brief, in hopes of luring in new readers who maybe didn't give my long-ass Louder Than Words a chance due to scrolling length.

For Rise, I really just wanted to write something with the Runaways and Klarion Bleak, because he's a great antagonistic anti-hero and deserves more attention; he was hardly touched on in season one and did nothing in Invasion. Originally, I might have been too intimidated to attempt writing the Witch Boy—I don't think he's that beloved either, as far as characters go, yet he was re-invented for YJ as an immortal-type Lord of Chaos and I'm not sure how to take that.

I also fretted about writing his familiar-cat, Teekl. A few friends in the DCAU were earnest in disagreeing with me on calling Teekl a "he" in conversations. Although a sex is not often clear, I'm assuming it's because the "were-cat" depiction from Batman: The Animated Series had breasts. However, for me, I just think of the familiar as a demon, a magical extension of Klarion. That, and this will always be the best version of the character—and likely why I automatically consider his cat male:

Grant Morrison's Seven Soldiers: KLARION, Issue #2 (my own scan)

Anyway, I will be interested to see if anybody guesses where I'll be going with this one... Hopefully you'll come along with my throwbacks and DCAU continuity blends. I am worried the plans are perhaps too much, too dark; and I'm incredibly worried I got "too descriptive" again. I just don't know how to divulge the plot, or integrate the borrowed characters, without descriptions. And I hope it's suspenseful, not confusing. Sigh. Go away, Writer's Doubt. Just go already. (-_-)

Rise of the Runaways
a Young Justice fan fiction

Prologue / Another Reign

"The readings are... okay."

"That is hardly a scientific appraisal, doctor."

"Well, I could offer 'fair', but in my scientific opinion even that is an optimistic stretch."

"On a scale from Moderate to Severe, you think their condition is closer to Severe?"

"I wouldn't go so far just yet. There's still some time, but that's leaving them as they are now. What you've been suggesting—"

"May not be able to wait any longer."

"I've run several analysis and health scans, and I can show you the numbers..."

More numbers! How boring! As the two men—one in a fabulously pressed and expensive business suit, the other a worn-out dress shirt and slacks, hidden behind a white lab coat—continued to prattle on with their science, he turned his attention back to the long aisles.

Row after row of nothing but grey metal columns and smooth tubes, electronics giving half-hearted light, and all inside a callous cement box without a single window. The most light came from the reflections off the tubing, the gel-like fluid inside giving a pale-blue, winding aura to the space. It was wonderfully dark and spitefully cold. It reminded him of home, and it was just as monotonous. So borrring! he thought again. Ancient frustrations rippled inside him, making him frown at the memories percolating; he really wanted to huff out a sigh.

Instead, he wandered around the work stations, no more than another shadow in the room. The computers were bleeping and scrolling of their own volition, churning out numeric data and keeping tabs on automatic feeds: vital signs, IV regulations, future calculations. Blah, blah, blah. I shall die of boredom! Why was I even asked here?

I wonder, the other voice in his head mused. We've never been part of their genetic trialing before. I say though, I am vexed. These... things! Look at all these things! What manner of beasts are they? He could smell formaldehyde like second-hand smoke, and a hissing sound echoed softly from somewhere in the gloom. Mayhaps it is I they really want, to add to their collection?

Then too bad for them.

He snatched up a white coat left behind, slung over the back of an empty chair. Without care of ownership and draping it over his shoulders like a gleaming cloak, he sat into the seat with annoyance. He whirled it in a full circle once and then propped his elbows on the desk. He wasn't often a scientist, more of an adventuring scholar, but he knew his way into Technology's infrastructure.

It seemed his clacking on the keyboard announced his impatience because the voices rose. Suddenly, promising dialogue caught his ear. "Even with Savage still off-world, I think it's best we take this to the next level."

Finally the two men turned to regard the ageless youth. "What do you think, L-7?"

He chose to ignore them for a moment, pretending to be engrossed with his hacking. Then excitement prickled over his skin too greatly and he breathed happily, "Mmm, I think I like it when you call me by the code. It makes me feel like a super-spy!"

"I'm glad you think so, because this early stage will require a subtle touch and a good deal of anonymity. Are you up to the task?"

"Why, I do believe you think I'm incapable of working on the sidelines?"

"Secrecy is not Attention's middle name."

The boy wickedly laughed. "It is when I want it to be." He spun the chair again, halting it with a quick foot to directly face the men. He crossed his legs and tilted his head. "So what do you fuddy-duddies want of me?"

"You hadn't guessed? These are your new toys. Batteries already installed, and I'm sure you know what I mean."

"Aaahh, so it's that game again, huh? Excellent well! And I am allowed to play with the toys—just me? Till they break?" He received a nod in response, and his black eyes sparkled as they took in the tubes, the boxes wrapping his unexpected gifts. "Then I can play by the rules."

For how long remains to be seen.

"I'm pleased to hear that. I will check in on you, of course, but running for a political office is quite an arduous under-taking so I won't be able to play for long. You may have full control of the board, but remember I will be monitoring the overall efforts. The game-play is still my design and I own the pawns."

The pale lips stuck out in a thoughtful pout, but the boy shrugged as if unconcerned either way. Still, he added with a rather defiant, warning smirk, "I've earned my place just the same as you, Lexie."

"Indeed you have, Mr. Bleak. I wouldn't have called on you otherwise. However, there is something you must do first." Klarion the Witch Boy's eyes narrowed as Lex Luthor offered a smile, both devilish in appearance. "You will need to procure our old team, so we can set the board properly."

"Oh? You mean this baby team?" Proving he had a sharper attention span than they were probably giving him credit for, Klarion reached over to the terminal he was working on and smacked the Enter key. A four-way split screen illuminated the computer's face, showing four minority teenagers with S.T.A.R. Lab files.

"Piece of cake. Right, Teekl?"

A hollow, low growl resounded, and suddenly the familiar darted between the two men, making the scientist jump. The cat leaped onto Klarion's lap and meowed emphatically in affirmation.

One / The Harvest

He saw it; he was sure he saw it. A quick flash of light, a reflection from the waning moonlight off a shield. And not just any shield, a large, encircled 'R' symbol. Robin was moving in.

Okay, almost there. Virgil Hawkins took a deep, readying breath, but he didn't feel nervous at all. Honestly, he was excited to be on his first mission as part of the Team. It was just for recon purposes, infiltrating the offices of the Nuvo-Gen research labs in Metropolis to set cameras and do a bit of their own research; the Team was, after all, just invisible watchdogs for the League. He didn't expect to see any real action tonight, and Virgil was certain that was why he was sent.

He was a bit offended, but it was understandable; he had to get his feet wet first, before Black Lightning shoved him off the high-board and into the deep end. Maybe by that time he could prove to them all he was not only able to swim once pushed—he'd fly.

Suddenly he heard Robin's whispered order over the com-link in his ear. "Circuit breaker."

Detaching himself from the shadow of the perimeter wall, Static moved over to the main power switchgear. Looking up the pole with its rubber-coated rungs and draping distribution lines, he saw the central fuse box and electrical cables. And with one pulse of high voltage, he killed the system. Sparks crackled momentarily, until the power drained. The blackout fell on Nuvo-Gen and the neighboring block.

"Broken," he confirmed over the line. He estimated he had about ten or fifteen minutes before the overnight security guards checked the building's breakers, and then came to test the street-side conduit. "Movin' in."

"Moving in," Robin added too. Now that security had something to investigate, they were free to sneak around.

It wouldn't be smart to charge up the Static Saucer, illuminate his path, so Virgil was forced to proceed the old-fashioned way. It was amazing sometimes just how dependent he was on surfing the electrical currents; he was quite happy with his power, making him wonder if the Reach would have been pleased with his attachment. The guinea pig shouldn't be grateful and live happily ever after, should it? Static grinned to himself as he ran to the employees' recreational patio, lightly jumping over the low hedge-line and putting his back to the wall.

Inching forward, he peered sidelong through the first level window. He saw no movement and no flashlights. Spot-checking, Static saw the coast was one hundred percent clear. He reached over and sent a tiny flow of static under the window pane, using his power on the metal hinge bolts and locks. Almost like a magnet, the force undid the security features. He quickly lifted the window, slipped inside, and closed it again.

He was in the building's cafeteria, and according to their downloaded schematics and architecture floor plans, the lobby was just outside. But so was the prime security station, making his mission slow and cautious.

He knelt down besides the double doors, set on swing hinges. With a deliberate snail's pace, he inched the door opened enough to see beyond. He was already accustomed to the dark, not even bothering to turn on the night-vision on his goggles. No guards were left behind. Of course; there was nothing for them to watch on dead monitors.

Like a lightning streak, Static dashed through the doors with such a practiced stealth that neither side swung more than once. He went to the huge receptionist block, a curving, high polished desk with all the computers and call-center switchboards, the cyber-hub. Within moments he set up the Team's devices, Cyborg's micro-tech converters to tap each phone line and every computer grid.

The implant hidden and done, Static slid out from underneath the desk and whispered, "C'mon, baby, tell me all your dirty lil' secrets."

In the morning, when the power company had the electricity back on and the systems rebooted, no one would know their hack-tech would automatically bug Nuvo-Gen and start feeding them files and conversations. Who knew superheroes made the best espionage spies?

With a satisfied nod he reported to Robin, "Done."

"All cameras almost set. Two minutes, then rendezvous."

"Confirmed."

Turning back towards the hallway, ready to make his escape, Static stopped dead when his eyes skimmed the welcoming Nuvo-Gen plaque behind the workers' station. It listed floors and rooms, but nothing there caught his attention. It was the conglomerate subtitle, set in smaller brass letters beneath the lab name, which made his lip curl.

A Division of Lex Corp.

It always goes back to him, Virgil thought bitterly. With me, it always seems to go back to that asshole. In fact, the League felt the infiltration was necessary because Nuvo-Gen was a newborn company researching the modification of food genetics. Like Lex Luthor had done with the Reach. Pluots in spring, tomatoes in the Arctic, anyone?

No one in the Watchtower believed the Reach's presence had been entirely cleansed from the planet, and they had to be positive Nuvo-Gen wasn't following in their footsteps with borrowed, or stolen, alien science. Plus, Luthor was forever at odds with the heroes, always a clash of titans, and it wasn't easy to judge where his current allegiance rested. Well, guess we'll soon find out...

The echoing hush of voices told Static it was time to scram, the security guards making their return to the front station. He did listen for a moment, thankful when he heard their dialogue was casually bemoaning the loss of their electronic coffee maker for the rest of the night. No suspicions were raised, and his pride boosted.

Back outside on the patio, his stealth-mode uniform gave away nothing in the perfect dark of his meta-man-made blackout. So he didn't worry when he heard the dog start barking a warning from across the street.

He did, however, stifle a laugh when he heard two passing guards talking. One older man said, "My eyes ain't what they used to be, not at night, anyways. I swear that dog was green."

... to be continued

Ah yes, it is titled after the Crown the Empire song of the same name. After I was introduced to this band and discovered the track, it's kinda been my go-to theme song for the under-appreciated kids.♡