豆腐

leixela @ 2008-06-06T03:39:00

2008-06-05T20:38:58Z

I have recently caught up with BSG and Heroes.

BSG is still fantastic, feels a little rushed and not as tight as before but still fascinating. I'm totally bouncing for the next episode. :)

Heroes is my new and shiny toy! Good, solid acting from the cast. Intriguing storyline, especially season 1. Season 2 seems to have run out of a lillte steam. I wonder if it''s not due to the writer's strike which forced a re-write of the last 2 episodes. Nevertheless, still very entertaining.

I love Hiro like most fans but I'm a firm Mama Petrelli fan girl! I hope she stays alive for at least one more season. I can't wait to find out the full backstory of the previous generation, especially of her and Papa Petrelli. What powers do they have? How did they find one another? Also, what's up with her and Kaito Nakamura?

My other favourite has to be Noah Bennet. Very well-crafted character. His motivations are consistent and easy to understand even if I don't agree with his actions most of the time. Such a character is difficult to come by on TV these days.

I also liked Claire Bennet in Season 1 but not so much now. The reason for the rebellious streak was not enough to justify her actions in season 2. Especially if the supposed One-True-Love didn't even convince me in the first place. Her character's development definitely went backwards. I have always felt that Claire showed a certain maturity beyond her years after the realisation of her own powers. I would have thought she would have understood the reasons for Noah Bennet's insistence on keeping aa low profile, especially considering what she went through last season. The change into typical teenager was quite jarring and the subsequent decline in her relationship with Bennet was in many ways a result of her immaturity. I was also quite put off by her consistent inability to come to terms with her powers. The writers casting her as a damsel-in-distress did not help either. I mean, she has the lowest chance of being killed so what's the deal with her needing to be rescued time and again? I wonder if this has anything to do with her blondeness. Heroes' gender stereotyping has me grinding my teeth sometimes. Just realised I've bitched quite a bit about Claire. Oops! I still like her though but I'm quite frustrated with what the writers have done with her this season. I hope Claire gets to do something kick-ass next season.

KRISTEN BELL!!! I loved her on Veronica Mars! I'm enjoying her performance on Heroes too! I love the smart-ass mouth and the dysfunctional relationship with her dad, Bob*stabs him*. She's perfect for the role with the little girl vulnerability but tough girl appearance. I pray that she stays alive and gets a more important role next season. I love Elle!!!

Also, loads of subtext in this show. The most I've seen since Smallville. Sylar and Mohinder, Nathan and Peter etc. My favourite? The Petrelli brothers. Sorry, the brothers from Prison Break and Supernatural, I've never been able to see the HoYay in those. But Nathan and Peter? Wonderfully slashy. Loads of chemistry. And it's canon. Nathan confesses to Peter in the season 2 finale. *loves* Can't wait for the next season to start. I hope the writing will be tighter with the longer break. Peter in season 2 has not been very smart. Next superpower for Peter? Some common sense would be good.
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Also starting on The Tudors. So far it's been good. Jonathan Rys Meyers straddles the line between the prince and the devil perfectly. I'm hooked!

Anime(A)/ Manga(M) List

2007-11-24T13:13:43Z

BL = Shounen-ai/ Yaoi
Recs are in bold

Ai no Kusabi (BL)
Angel Sanctuary &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts
Antique Bakery (BL)
Arislan
Banana Fish (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts
BLEACH &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts
Code Geass
D. Gray Man
Darker than Black &hearts&hearts&hearts
Death Note &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts
Card Captor Sakura
Count Cain
D.N. Angel
Earthian (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts
El Hazard
Fullmetal Alchemist &hearts&hearts&hearts
Fushigi Yuugi
Gakuen Heaven (BL)
Gintama &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts
Godchild
Gravitation (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts
Gundam Wing
Haru wo Daite Ita (BL)
Hana Kimi
Hana Yori Dango
Here is Greenwood (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts
Hikaru no Go &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts
Kaze to Ki no Uta (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts
Kizuna (BL)
Kyou Kara Maou! (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts
Let Dai (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts
Loveless (BL)
Love Mode (BL)
Ludwig
Mein Liebe
Mirage of Blaze (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts
Monster (extrardinary!) &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts
Neon Genesis Evangelion &hearts&hearts
Night Head Genesis
Ouran High School Host Club (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts
Please Save my Earth (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts
Princess Princess (BL)
Rurouni Kenshin/ Samurai X &hearts&hearts&hearts
Samurai Champloo
Slam Dunk &hearts&hearts&hearts
Sukisho (BL)
Thomas' Heart (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts
Tokyo Babylon (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts
X or X/1999 (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts
Yami no Matsuei (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts
Yu Yu Hakusho
Zetsuai/ Bronze (BL) &hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts&hearts

A couple of anime reviews

2007-11-22T20:06:36Z

1. Death Note (suspense, psychological)

I'm a year late but this show is a wonderful ride! Gripping, edge-of-the-seat suspense since I was totally unspoiled. Fantastic soundtrack too! No surprises that I love L. And Light too. That was surprising to me. But they've got such brilliant minds, one just can't help it. Can't say too much without giving away the plot but this is a definite must-watch!

2. Monster (drama, suspense, psychological)

This is one of the most complex and darkest piece of work I've ever seen on anime. It's an exploration of humanity at its best and worst. Wonderful art, animation (fantastic opening and ending themes) and the most masterful story-telling ever. It's a journey that is at times difficult to continue. The kind that is subtly agonizing but so intriguing and provocative, with tiny rays of optimism interspersed seamlessly that you just can't help watching, though you know it'll break your heart eventually. I don't think I can watch this again anytime soon. The hurt lingers on in your heart after the wound has disappeared, leaving a poignant memory of remembered pain. Words cannot described this labour of love from the author and animators. It's a long 74 episodes but every one is well worth the time.

All I want for Christmas is...

2006-12-22T16:38:21Z

... to speak to 曹雪芹. Probably make a video of him talking about his novel. An interview from the grave.

《红楼梦》 is an amazing piece of writing. I'll be the first to admit there are many areas that elude me due to the archiac language BUT! it's wonderful reading BBS boards and discovering and understanding the different puns and imagery hidden within. The other worldly aspect of the novel gives it an added ethereal quality. And the foreshadowing! The beautiful prose and poetry have so many layers to them I'm giddy! Especially 黛玉's lines - such elegance and raw emotion. Certainly helps that the TV adaptation has a beautiful soundtrack that makes it easier to remember the poetry. Ironically, my two favourite lines have no accompanying music: 寒塘渡鹤影，冷月葬花魂。Look at how the phrases match up! I love love love these lines so much. There are no words.

Birthday Post and KKM 74

2006-12-08T15:03:38Z

I'm thankful this birthday. Had a quiet celebration with family but 1st time without sister. Feels kinda weird. Miraculously got a birthday present... KKM 74 eng sub is out today! Very... blessed... is the word I guess. Made the usual wish. Have been granted it every year so am thankful. Kids also gave presents. Very surprised. Also, I bought myself Ouran as a birthday gift! Haven't read it yet but will be starting later today. YAY!

New KKM reveals lots of exciting info and is further fodder for Shinou/Sage fans. Love Shinou. Reminds me of Tamaki from Ouran. Don't know why since they are total opposites in character. Must be the blond thing and the showmanship. I felt bad for Shinou though he botched the sealing of Soushou. Wolfram's death did not have much emotional impact on me. Could be due to the long wait for the new ep to be subbed. But I think hasty story-telling had a lot to do with it too. Not much time was spent on nor tears shed for poor Wolf. At no time did I believe he was gonna remain dead, unlike my WTF reaction when Conrad's arm was cut off. I guess running out of episodes to complete the story could be a reason. Why didn't they continue? So many characters and their backstories to work with?? WHY?! This is a great anime which has only gotten better and better. If there were a manga I would definitely buy it.

Also, Shori is an ASS! It's official. He's been getting on my nerves ever since he came over to Shin Makoku. He's insensitive and obnoxious, having the cheek to express his disappointment in Conrad and gang's ability to protect Yuuri, his brother, when they could not even protect their own brother, when said brother (Wolfram) is lying on the bed, very recently deceased. No consideration for their grief at all? HELLO? How's that for self-centered? He strut around blaming others instead of his own brother who was supposed to seal the boxes, in front of their mother, former Maou? *shakes fists* (I agree with Yuuri that he probably should have completed the sealing. He was distracted but if I remember correctly, he was not the one being attacked. Conrad was fending of Wolf so he should have concentrated on his job.) His role might have been protective brother but that's a shallow reason now that he's supposedly regretful and had learnt from his misuse of his power previously. Shori is just too flat a character so far. No character development at all. I hope he says something useful and soon. Not many episodes left for his stupidity.</div>

Backup Links

2006-12-01T08:40:11Z

**Links**
Elouai.com IGO Torrents Mininova TV Torrent Spy Seedler ISOHunt	Battlestar Galactica (Original) Original Apollo & Starbuck Slash The Celestial Dome Old By Your Command New By Your Command	Battlestar Galactica (Current) Fandom News Pretty Pilots LJ Fiction The Fallout Shelter	Multifandom Archives Full House Slash Archive Crack Van Recs Stories I Love Graphics Comms Icon Communities
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Mirage of Blaze Novels plus some Kenshin

2006-10-13T17:58:31Z

Went to Kino to get the novels today. Am beginning the ardous task of "reading" it. Should I get an electronic dictionary? Maybe that'b be a good idea. Can learn how to read too, if I get one of those with voice reader capabilities. So tempted! Also ordered a Sengoku samurai book. Looked very interesting. Am so lucky that I saw it while waiting for the sales assistant to get the novels. Such a coincidence that I saw the samurai cover! *glee*

Watching the Meiji Tales of the Kenshin anime. The storylines are definitely weaker. It's more an assortment of tales then a whole story arc like the Kyoto story. I don't care as much for the antagonists and there's a bit too much feel-good optimism that departs from the realism in the previous stories. No more Saito too! I really hope there's a plotty story that features him later on, but I'm not optimistic. It feels like the focus is on the 'little people' so far. Somewhat surprised that the anime did bring in Katsu-sensei, the guy who historically, negotiated a peaceful resolution to the Choshuu and Satsuma hostilities by surrendering the Tokugawa's Edo castle pre-Meiji. The character marked a rather abrupt turn back to history even though the other tales were more lighthearted. Not done with it yet so I can't say much. Am hesitant about watching the OAVs. It's about Kenshin's crossed-shaped scar so will be painful to watch. And Tomoe? Kinda conflicted here because Kaoru is a favourite. Tomoe's ok but the sorrow!!! Also saw some cover art of the young Kenshin with Tomoe. Think it's from the cover of the OAVs. Can't say I like the art. I's not Watsuki-sensei, I think, but I'm not entirely sure. It looks different from the manga's young Kenshin. Will probably watch it but I'll have to psych myself to do it though. No sense looking for more sadness.

Also, looked for Kenshin mood theme but there is NONE!! How can that be? Where's the love? Where's the fandom, for that matter? It used to be so vibrant when I was reading the Aoshi/Misao fics! But the archives are gone or done now. I remember there were many good stories. Not of the same caliber as X or Smallville, but still enjoyable reads. Even joined the Aoshi/Misao list again to re-read some of the old fics. No interest in the KK fics. I guess the manga and anime have done a good job so I don't have a need to 'fix' anything for KK. Aoshi and Misao, on the other hand, I want more of them! Aoshi is hardly present. And their relationship has stalled. Really frustrating. Also, whatever happened to Sano and Megumi? Watsuki-sensei intended them to be a couple if my memory serves me correctly. So where the hell is the doctor? Even Dr. Gensai and Ayame and Suzume are conveniently forgotten. Not to mention the Akabeko, Tae and Tsubame. Poor Yahiko! Still, the anime is not bad. Just many loose ends that the creators of the anime have abandoned for reasons that remain a mystery to me since Kenshin's obvious selling point was the great cast of well-developed characters. Damn!

Kenshin thoughts

2006-10-12T17:03:49Z

Been revisiting old favourites lately. Like Kenshin. Never watched the anime except for a few episodes back in uni times. Has it almost been 10 years already? Time has passed by so quickly. It's wonderful to finally watch it. I thank the lords for youtube! It's such a handy way of relieving boredom. Am up to 70+ episodes of 95 and 3 OAVs. I love this anime so much for following through with Watsuki's original manga, at least up to the Kyoto arc. I'm grateful for that. It's pure delight to see Makoto Shishio and Soujirou come alive. Pity the Oniwabanshuu backstory was not as detailed. Would have loved to see Hannya's past. It would explain better why Misao's love for Aoshi is not just plain puppy love.

I'm surprising myself lately. My favourite couple is Kenshin and Kaoru. One of the most moving scenes in the anime was the firefly farewell scene. How Kaoru collapsed to the ground and wept desolately was heartbreaking and excellently done. Used to love Aoshi and Misao. Still do but I guess I might have grown up a little after all. It's the subtle bond, deep, quiet strength and lack of drama and theatrics in KK's love that draws me. I can even see the yaoi in the anime but surprisingly, I prefer Kenshin and Sano to stay friends. It might be that I love the women in the anime. They are strong and one-of-a-kind in their own way. I love that everyone is trying their best to live fruitful lives in their own simple way.

Favourite character is Kenshin, of course. The revelation about the succession technique strikes me as rather cliche now that I'm older. I remember the first time I read it in the manga, it was truly inspiring. Even now, I'm moved, not so much as by the revelation itself, since I'm more cynical now, but by the way Kenshin arrived at it. The manga did a much better job at conveying the self-loathing within Kenshin and how his lack of self-worth was such a painful thing to bear for the ones who loved him. The impact of the revelation was stunning then. Hiko's near-death also left my heart pounding. He's such an endearing bastard! :>

There are so many more things I wanna say but it's hard to put it into words. Rurouni Kenshin is just an amazing creation. It's the first ever manga I read and I still love it after all these years. And I suspect, always will.

Icon Post #2

2005-05-31T22:59:13Z

I'm really enjoying this... and the dolls are awesome! Squee! Gonna make more later when I come back from work... *rubs hands in glee*

Dolls from candybar

Clex Dolls

01. 02. 03. 04. 05.

Icon Post #1

2005-05-29T16:49:33Z

Wheee! I actually learnt to make icons! All thanks to icon_tutorial .

Please do not take #3-5. I'm putting them up to properly credit crumblingwalls from whom I took the brushes. Only 2 of the animated Clex ones are small enough for use on lj.

Clex

1. 2.

Other random ones

3. 4. 5.