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Anime Review: RahXephon Ep.25
By: samwiseb
Twenty-Fifth Movement: “God’s Uncertain Music (Dues Ex Machina)”
Ayato is now fully merged with RX, sprouting humongous white wings and raining feathers down out of a darkened sky. It’s all very psychedelic in the grand tradition of modern (post-Akira) anime. From safely ashore the disembarked civilians -including Haruka- look onto this spectacle with fascination and dread. Former inspector Makoto Isshiki meanwhile escapes from military custody and goes on a killing rampage. And Quon’s eerie singing continues from offscreen (“sinking, sinking… melting, melting…”).
Her squadron eliminated in the previous episode, Elvy crash-lands her Vermillion on deck of the Lilia Litvyak and takes off again in an old Shinsei aircraft, promising Sou Yagumo she’s not going out to kill herself. But moments after she’s airborne again, Litvyak itself is sunk at sea by an enemy D-2. Sou is impaled through the chest and begins to die a slow death. Elvy fires her TDD units at the enemy, intent on trapping Dolem Obrigato inside a miniature Tokyo Jupiter barrier, but she misses.
Mamoru/Obrigato swats several Federation ships out of existence as he makes his way to challenge Ayato/RX. He punctures RX’s chest to rip out the Throne of Sages, but non-corporal Ayato isn’t there. RX emits a super powerful sonic blast, and Mamoru dies while loudly refusing to accept that the murderer of his girlfriend is a true Ollin. Another blast from RX takes out most of the remaining Federation fleet. Sou is put out of his misery; Elvy also dies.
Lots of ambiguity here as to how much Ayato -whatever he is become- is really aware of the wide-scale destruction his little transformation is causing. And still Quon’s singing continues.
Having fallen back from the battle, Jumonji (formerly Futagami) and Watari discuss some last-minute details that remain to be taken care of in next week’s episode. Futagami addresses the TERRA director by his former title of “Professor Kamina”, confirming for us the earlier hints that Watari is Ayato’s biological father (this does not change what we learned last week about Ayato and Itsuki being test-tube brothers). With all the name-changing that goes on, it might’ve been better if I had skipped over details like this.
Isshiki finds Itsuki, Helena, and Bahbem hiding out in a nearby church. Several of the soldiers Isshiki has gunned down are shown to be cloned copies of himself. Unable to accept being an inferior, mass-produced expandable instrumentalist (a ‘D’), he shoots Bahbem in his wheelchair and gloats over having just killed the supposedly immortal Man Himself (a copy of The Wizard of OZ falls out of Bahbem’s dead hands). He is then shot down by Bahbem’s bodyguard and dies muttering “don’t call me a ‘D’”. Helena (who is still carrying her uncle’s consciousness within her body; I’m guessing the old man Isshiki just now shot was merely an empty vegetable) snidely exposits that ‘D’ stands for Designer’s Children, Dolem, and ‘defective’.
At a shelter full of injured refugees, Haruka sees an apparition of Ayato and follows him/it off into the forest. He tells her he “remembers” his life as Ayato Kamina (it’s all very 2001-ish) and he has come to her to say goodbye. Kim follows along; tries to shoot Ayato for killing her Sou (her bullets pass harmlessly through him, and she falls over sobbing). Rikudoh and Megumi are also present; the former, citing the prophecy of RahXephon, asks Ayato if there isn’t another to compliment himself. Ayato replies that “she” is indeed with him, she is calling him, and that one of them will determine the shape of the world as it is Tuned. Amidst Haruka’s pleas for him to not go (it’s not like anyone actually thought to warn her of this outcome or anything), he sprouts wings of light and vanishes.
Back on Mu Fortress Hiranipra, Maya, claiming her role as “conductor” is concluded, sends her sister Quon off to guide Ayato through Yolteotl. Quon undresses (no kidding) and merges with her own RX (which we never see in its ‘robotic’ form). RX/Ayato and RX/Quon face off against each other above the clouds; their musical harmonies converge as they prepare for the ritualistic battle/dance that awaits. Bahbem/Helena enthusiastically exclaims that he has waited forever for this conclusion! The Tuning of the World commences.
To Be Concluded!
Starting with this episode, the color becomes muted to almost black-and-white level proportions. It’s something that happens so gradually I didn’t even notice it upon my initial viewing. But it certainly fits the overall mood of the series at this point. Even more effective is the music for this episode. Mostly piano, it is all very soft and low-key, in sharp contrast to the amount of violence and destruction being depicted onscreen.
What can I find to complain about this week? Well, the ‘god’ version of RX lacks definition, visually speaking. It’s basically just a huge white featureless beast of a man, with enormous wings, and it has Ayato’s face. Other then that it seems to lack any distinguishing physical characteristics. I also feel cheated that we never see Quon’s RX prior to her merging with it. I mean, the thing came out of a black egg, right? We’ve seen the egg. Maybe the ‘movie’ version corrects for this? I don't remember. I'm picking at straws here, as the animation is first rate, and characters/story come before effects anyway.
We have just one more episode left… plus the movie I just mentioned (optional). So stick around. Oh, and Makoto? You’re only a ‘D’! I just wanted that to be the last thing you heard.
My score for this ep: 9.5 out of 10. Yeah, it’s all that. Now what did I do with my soundtracks?
Sci-Fi Brain News -- April 5, 2007
Two New 'Heroes' Previews
superherohype.com is reporting that you can watch new preview clips for NBC's "Heroes" at the link provided! The first clip reveals the abilities of a central character in the show.
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Richard Kelly Updates 'Southland Tales'
Richard Kelly posted in his recent myspace blog entry:
So we have finally gotten the greenlight from Sony for the additional round of visual effects for Southland Tales. This is VERY GOOD NEWS for the film!
We will now be able to finish the film properly. Phew!
The film will be completely finished for the first public screening sometime mid-summer.
Thank you everyone for your patience and I will let you know when the release date is decided upon and teaser trailer will be released (work is about to begin on the marketing materials).
You can also access two clips from the Film Independent event from last month from www.richard-kelly.net - check out the new uploaded photos of second unit director Dee Robertson... when you watch the first clip... you will understand.
They. Are. Watching. You.
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Wednesday, April 04, 2007 |
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Sci-Fi Brain News - April 4, 2007
'Doctor Who' Star Freema Feels The Fear
digitalspy.co.uk is reporting that new Doctor Who star Freema Agyeman endured real fear when filming scenes for the hit show. She also had to contend with picking up a few knocks in the line of duty too.
Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, the Martha Jones actress revealed: "I genuinely get scared when I'm being pursued. I don't really like that... the adrenaline's pumping, your heart's running and someone's there behind you!"
Giving an example of such a moment, Agyeman said: "There was [a] scene when we were being chased, a late one in the series, and we're trying to shut people out, but the door's broken. It just makes my heart go now, thinking about it. You're putting yourself in that natural situation, and they're trying to bang the door and they're whacking it open!"
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Rhythm + Hues Creating Hulk Effects
superherohype.com is reporting that special effects company Rhythm + Hues has revealed on its official website that they are working on the F/X for Marvel Studios' The Incredible Hulk, which Universal Pictures will release in theaters on June 13, 2008. The film will be directed by Louis Leterrier from a script by Zak Penn.
The Dresden Files (1.10) “What About Bob?” – Review
By: jesuiscanadien
We open with a flashback of Harry, as a child, and his father, as his father dies from cardiac arrest. In the present, while Harry is sleeping, his lady friend Tara, who was “staying over”, steals Bob’s skull and uses magick to keep him from pursuing her. Harry wakes up and finds Bob’s skull missing, but when he tries to follow Tara, he is magickally tossed on his backside and rendered unconscious.
When Harry regains consciousness due to a ringing phone, he remembers what happened and exhibits frustration. It was Lt. Murphy who was trying to call him. She’s caught a closed case that brings up the death of Harry’s uncle Justin. A caller told Det. Kirmani that Harry murdered his uncle and Murphy must follow up on the lead.
Flashback to Harry’s childhood, when he has to move in with his uncle and he meets Bob for the first time. Harry’s education in the magickal arts has now begun. Back in the present, Harry is trying to track Tara down, but “uncle Justin” has had her killed for leaving behind an item when she left Harry the previous evening. Murphy shows up to question Harry about his uncle’s death, which ends up cheesing Harry right off.
Now that “uncle Justin” has Bob’s skull, he calls Bob forth. Bob is not happy, but during the discussion, Bob find out that this is a magickal clone of Justin Morningway. He’s been created to bring Justin back in the event of a disaster, and he needs Bob to do the bringing. He also has the cure to make Bob mortal again, but Bob must agree to bring the real Justin back to life using black magick.
Back at Harry’s, Morgan and Harry are talking about Bob and the situation with Murphy. Morgan gives Harry a crystal skull that will glow when Bob’s skull is unshielded, and will show Harry where it is. Flashback to Harry’s youth, and Bob is teaching him about defence against the black arts. Back in the present, Murphy has had Justin’s body exhumed and they are opening the coffin in the morgue. Murphy is going to have the body re-autopsied, but Harry has found out and he’s really angry about the whole thing.
Bob has been contemplating his decision about cooperating, and it doesn’t look good for Harry. Harry must be the power source for the spell, which will kill him. Even though Bob loves Harry in his own way, he chooses to go ahead with the work, and for his trouble he is returned to mortal status so he can complete the spell. Across town, Murphy is questioning Harry, and manages to get Harry’s prints on a bottle of her anti-anxiety meds.
Harry is contemplating Bob’s situation, when Bob’s skull is released from its shielding, and Harry sees his crystal skull glow. He grabs it and sees that Bob is at the Morningway estate. Murphy finds out during this reverie that Harry was present when his uncle died. Flashback to the night Justin died, and Harry has discovered that Justin had his father killed, and may’ve been involved in his mother’s death. Before Justin can kill Harry, he accidentally kills Justin using the old voodoo doll Justin used to kill his father.
Meanwhile, Harry goes to his old home and Bob uses his magick to knock him out. He brings Harry to the morgue, where Justin’s body is lying, and when Harry comes to; Bob apologizes and explains the situation. The doppelganger of Justin shows up, and Bob tells Harry that it’s a clone. Then Bob uses Harry’s hockey stick/blasting rod to bring Justin back to life. Justin’s clone replaces Justin in the coffin, and ceases to live, and Justin moves to finish Harry off. Bob picks up Harry’s stick and uses it to not just kill Justin, but completely annihilate him. Bob pays for his actions with his life, and Harry finds out that Bob had to do what he did to keep Morningway from coming back. Harry mourns Bob, but Bob is back as a spirit, attached to his skull. It’s not what Harry would’ve chosen, but he can live with it.
Murphy comes to Harry’s place the next morning, asking questions about the changed autopsy results. Harry cops to using black magick to kill his uncle, and says he needs Murphy and him to continue to work at making the world a better place. He tells Murphy that he saved her from black magick, and that’s why she’s having the nightmares. He also tells her that his father was killed by the use of black magick, which Murphy cannot accept. They agree to keep working together for as long as they can to right wrongs in the world. She gives him back a picture of him and his father that was in evidence lock-up before she leaves.
This was an enjoyable episode as it really gave one insight as to how Bob and Harry’s relationship works. I think that Bob needs Harry to try and rectify his wrong actions in life, and Harry sees Bob as a friend and confidant. They are somehow lesser when they aren’t working together. Before Bob met Harry, he was merely a tool for Justin Morningway. While Justin called him an old friend, it seems like Harry was closer to Bob than Justin was. Harry didn’t use black magick like Justin, and Bob helped to keep the temptation to use it at bay. Justin had nefarious plans for world domination, at least that was what was alluded to, while all Harry ever wanted to do was help people. While Bob didn’t always agree with Harry’s decisions, he seemed to respect them. I know some people may disagree with my assessment of their relationship, but this is what I got from the episodes I’ve seen, and I have to go with my gut.
The fallout that Murphy suffered from regarding the incident when her body was taken over by a murderous spirit was good to see. She seemed to not have suffered too many ill-effects from the transference until we see what she’s been hiding in this ep. Having missing time and knowledge would be a frustrating and scary thing, as the subconscious will try and fill in the gaps. Her nightmares and frustration with Harry was understandable, as she cannot for the life of her, figure out what’s going on. She needs order and reason to cope with her universe, and Harry’s magickal world is too much for her to be able to cope with. I hope they continue to develop her relationship with Harry, because she seems to be an interesting foil for Harry’s weird world.
I found Harry’s sleeping with Tara a bit odd. Harry seems to have trouble finding women, until it becomes necessary for the storyline. Harry has a Quixote complex, which also means he has difficulty establishing relationships with the opposite sex, so Tara was not terribly believable. Even Bob has mentioned that Harry doesn’t bring many babes home, so I think it would’ve been more convincing if Tara had been a potential client, as opposed to a lover. This was vexing, but hopefully they will even out Harry’s relationship choices and make them more believable.
I think this was a good episode overall and I give it an 8.5 out of 10.0 for this week.
Sci-Fi Brain News -- April 3, 2007
Report: Tennant Signs For More 'Doctor Who'
digitalspy.co.uk is reporting that David Tennant will be reprising the role of The Doctor in a fourth season of Doctor Who, according to an article in The Guardian.
The newspaper's 'Media Monkey' column, which contains insider news from the industry, claimed on Monday that "fans will be pleased to learn that a third series with Tennant in the lead role is guaranteed.
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'Small Soldiers' Sequel In The Works
moviehole.net is reporting that only a week or so after the scribe of the first film, Adam Rifkin, told us that there’s no real movement – as far as he knew - on a “Small Soldiers” (1998) sequel, The Hollywood Reporter busts in with a different answer to that question: Seems there is a sequel to the Joe Dante-directed family pic in the works.
According to the trade, Dreamworks have assigned Alan Schoolcraft & Brent Simons the task of writing the sequel to the film.
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Anderson Talks 'X-Files' Sequel
moviehole.net is reporting that today, some ‘Real’ news on “X-Files 2” – ironically, it’s Gillian Anderson saying that the film is definitely happening.
“They’re starting to talk about doing a feature again”, the spunky redhead tells Empire Online. “Every year or two they talk about it again, but it seems like it might be for real this time. Somehow it seems like somebody’s really serious about it. I know that Chris’ [Carter] lawsuit with Fox is over, so maybe now it can be done”
Roswell (3.04) “Secrets and Lies” – Review
By: jesuiscanadien
The episode starts in L.A., as the person who warned Michael and Max to leave things alone, is killed by alien means. Joey is fried by shapeshifter powers, witnessed after the fact by his girlfriend “Bunny”. The cops find a licence plate in Joey’s glove compartment, and this leads them straight to Max Evans.
A sheriff’s deputy questions Max, but Max doesn’t know Joey. Michael recognizes Joey and once the deputy leaves, he tells Max, who in turn tells Liz. Max wants to go to L.A. because he knows that a shapeshifter must be there. Liz must remain behind and pretend everything is normal. In class, she pairs up with Kyle for a journalism assignment, but Kyle gets news from his father that his grandfather had another “incident” at the nursing home, and Kyle must take care of it. Over at the Crashdown, Isabel and Jesse are having lunch, as Jesse is giving her the engagement ring. Isabel admits to not having told her folks about the engagement, never mind even dating Jesse, but she promises to tell her mother that night. During the visit to the nursing home by Kyle and Liz, Kyle’s grandfather becomes active, and grabs Liz, saying, “They are among us. They are among us.”
Max has made it to L.A. to find this shifter, and Liz calls to give him a theory on finding the shifter. Max decides to follow Liz’s advice, but first he attends Joey’s funeral where he gets hit on by a talent agent looking for the next big thing. Back in Roswell, Liz is filming Kyle for the school project when Valenti comes in. Kyle, Liz, and Valenti talk about grandpa’s words to Liz, and Jim explains about “They Are Among Us” was a ‘B’ movie shot in Roswell back in the 50’s. An actress was killed, but grandpa thought it was a murder and the case got him fired. Isabel is trying to tell her mother about her engagement, but her mom is too concerned about her son, Max, to listen to Isabel. Isabel talks to Max, but Max won’t come home or talk to his mom. He instead speaks to the agent about Joey. Liz calls Max as he’s going through Joey’s stuff, and tells him about the ‘B’ movie and the death. Bunny finds Max and he finds out about what she saw the night Joey was killed. Liz and Kyle get the skinny from one of the makeup artists on the flick, and they find out that grandpa suspected the clapper-loader. She tells Max about the story and postulates who the suspect may be and how to find him. Max goes to the agent to “become an actor” and gets an audition on the Paramount lot, so he can see the film dailies to find the shifter.
Isabel is having a hard time telling her folks about her engagement, so Jesse gives her a pep talk, and during lunch she manages to blurt it out. Afterwards, Isabel feels better, much to her parent’s shock. Liz makes Kyle confront his father about their relationship and the relationship between Valenti and his father. Valenti goes to see his father, and realizes that he must be a more regular presence in his life. Max has his audition at Paramount for Star Trek: Enterprise, but fails due to not being “alien enough”. Max gets into the film vault and finds out that the shifter is now a film producer, who’s made it big in Hollywood. The shifter finds Max and threatens his life, but doesn’t actually harm him, by throwing Max against a wall at the end. This is “to be continued”…
All right, now Isabel has told her folks about the engagement. I can see this going poorly. Isabel should’ve never kept the relationship from them. They needed to be involved for more than thirty seconds to get over the engagement; they needed to be involved from maybe the third week of dating. It would make the blow of losing their baby much easier.
Not much on the Bickersons here, but I am sure it is temporary, considering the last ep was so Michael/Maria heavy. However, the relationship between Liz and Max is getting slightly boring. It’s all about Max finding and rescuing his son, and Liz needs a more even relationship, beyond that of being the supportive girlfriend. Liz needs someone who will be there for her, and not some invisible child. Max can’t do much for his son, but he seems to not see that he needs to concentrate on what he has, not what he thinks he might have.
The complex relationship between Jim Valenti and his father was interesting to watch. It’s funny how roles change between children and parents as the children reach adulthood. It can disintegrate so easily, but all the child remembers is their own hurt, and not that the parent is fallible. They should know from their own experience with their own kids, and be able to forgive the parent for their failings based on their experience.
I remember this ep from the original airing, but I won’t say how it ends. Just put it this way, things are going to go badly for Max, Liz, Isabel, and her folks for a bit. I’d give this episode a 7.3 out of 10.0, based on the lack of completion. I am sure the conclusion will push the rating higher in the end.
Sci-Fi Brain News -- April 2, 2007
'Doctor Who' Return Reaps Over 9 Million Viewers
digitalspy.co.uk is reporting that an overnight average of 8.2 million viewers tuned in for the opening episode of the third season of revived family drama Doctor Who, making it the most-watched show on Saturday by over 1.5 million.
Last night's 45-minute adventure 'Smith and Jones', which introduced Freema Agyeman as new companion Martha, peaked at an audience of 9.11 million during the last ten minutes - double the amount watching Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on ITV1 at the time.
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Gruffudd Prepares for 'Fantastic Four' Reshoots
rottentomatoes.com is reporting that as the release of "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" approached, star Ioan Gruffudd is gearing up to go back to work. Don't worry, these aren't major reshoots, but there are things that need to get done.
"I’m actually going to do some re-shoots this weekend, but nothing too drastic," he said. "It’s just picking up the list of shots, because there was a lot more green screen in this one, so I think there are certain angles they’re looking for. I think no news is good news actually in this circumstance. I think we’d certainly know and we’d been working on it sooner if there was a problem with it."
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'Smallville' Heads Toward Cliff
scifi.com is reporting that Steven DeKnight, co-executive producer of The CW's Smallville, told SCI FI Wire that Lana Lang's (Kristin Kreuk) pregnancy will be the main focus of the series when it returns with original episodes, starting on April 19 with "Progeny," an episode that features former Wonder Woman star Lynda Carter. "That's going to come to a head," DeKnight said in an interview. "It won't be resolved, but twist and turns will be revealed. ... Definitely. The triangle [of Clark, Lex and Lana] will definitely become more pointed on all corners. Cross my fingers, the end of the season looks pretty damn exciting."
Lost: "Expose" Review
By: jiggyj
For a while now I'd heard people talking about this episode, but I didn't know why exactly. Was there some major revelation? Would the smoke monster reveal itself again? Though there were no big reveals or anything to advance the story, I'm still surprised by how much I enjoyed this episode; it was the ultimate inside joke/treat for fans. The central story was that Nikki stumbled out of the jungle, struggled to tell Sawyer and Hurley a message, and then died. The guys then found Paulo, who was himself very much dead as well. So who killed our two favorite Lost characters? The truth is we didn't care anything about these two, and whether they were planned to be killed off this way from the beginning or whether fans were so irate over their inclusion they killed them to appease them we will probably never be known.
The flashbacks started off like usual, acting like we was going to get some grand flashback story to make us care about these two, and though the flashbacks did indeed have a beginning to end arc, they were mostly there as a clever and funny clip show and inside joke to the fans. In the flashbacks, we got to see Shannon and Boone again, such as the scene after Jack tells Boone to find a pen in the pilot episode, plus we got to see Artz again, Ethan, we see that Nikki and Paulo had actually discovered the plane and hatches before the show really did, and all other sorts of joke. It was just funny and amusing to sit there, watch the show, and wonder what would happen next.
And then you got the end, and oh what a great ending it was. To learn that Nikki had thrown a Medusa spider on him – one of Artz' finds – and that it had only paralyzed him to make him look dead was a shock. It was shocking because at that moment we then finally learned that the two castaways weren't dead, but paralyzed, and they were seeing, hearing, and experiencing everything going on and they couldn't say a thing. And then, of course, you have the two characters being buried alive, with now Sawyer, Hurley, and everyone involved essentially being murderers now in a way. Though it was a great ending and twist, we also acknowledge it isn't fully unique, as it is an idea that has been done before, such as in Stephen King's "Everything Eventual" short story collection story 'Autopsy Room Four.'
In the end, nothing really advanced forward plot wise, but it was still a really fun episode, which had us laughing from beginning to end and wondering what side story reveal would happen next.
8.7 out of 10
Sci-Fi Brain News -- March 30, 2007
John Simm Reveals 'Doctor Who' Inspiration
digitalspy.co.uk is reporting that John Simm has revealed that he felt duty bound to accept a role on Doctor Who because his young son is such a major fan.
The Life On Mars actor, who will play politician Mr Saxon in the upcoming season, told The Times how his five-year-old's devotion to the show led to him becoming involved: “He’s Doctor Who mad. He’s got the lunch-box, the dolls, the screwdriver. As the dad of a small boy, you kind of have a moral duty to be a baddie on Doctor Who if you can, don’t you?”
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Are You the Ultimate 'Transformers' Fan?
superherohype.com is reporting that grab a camcorder and show the world that you're not just a "Transformers" fan – you're a Fanaticon. Three winners will get a trip for two to ILM Studios, the digital masterminds behind Transformers, to watch as they put the finishing touches on the movie.
Maybe you have the entire collection of "Transformers" action figures in a climate-controlled case. Maybe you quote Optimus Prime in everyday conversation. Or maybe you and your friends like to act out scenes from the Transformers cartoons in suits made of aluminum foil and popsicle sticks.
Whatever it is, film it and then submit your video here below starting March 26. The expert judges will review the videos and pick three true Fanaticons on May 14.
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SCI-FI BRAIN NEWS
Anime Review: RahXephon Ep.24
By: samwiseb
“Sleeping, sleeping… praying, praying… sinking, sinking… melting, melting… Ra-ra… Ra-ra..? Ra-ra…” -sample of Quon Kisaragi’s creepily depressing music.
Twenty-Fourth Movement: “Doorway to the Tuning (Twin Music)”
TERRA aircraft carrier Lilia Litvyak. “Reporter” Futagami shows up and finally reveals his true identity as Jumonji of Federation Strategic Intelligence. This is all very nice and confusing, so I’ll just keep calling him Futagami. He acknowledges the unfortunate loss of Commander Kunugi and gives Sou their operation instructions. Maya meanwhile pays her “father” Rikudoh a metaphysical visit to tell him goodbye. Makoto Isshiki, under lock and key, madly swears revenge on everyone who “set him up” and promises to kill anybody who calls him a ‘D’! The Bahbem Foundation no longer acknowledges his relation to them.
Itsuki explains to Haruka that he and Ayato are brothers, and that the two of them were raised by the Foundation as Ollin, created from the genetic material of Quon -now confirmed as one of the twin girls found forty years ago in front of the Small Shrine of Time (Maya is the other). Quon had remained in some kind of stasis most of her life, hence her and Ayato now appearing the same age.
On Hiranipra fortress military chick Miwa -who’s had all of twelve lines in the series- has just been promoted to full-time Mulian. Quon warns Maya that Mamoru has “lost sight of himself” (reasonably fair assessment), then refers to Bahbem as “the descendent of the Brother of Naacal” and “one who created a god and was driven to this land by that god.”
Disembarking from Lilia Litvyak with the rest of the civilians, Megumi sees her sister Haruka standing on the deck with Ayato. She shouts out to them to wish them luck, confessing that she “used to” have a crush on Ayato but not anymore (she then falls apart in her uncle’s arms once they aren’t watching). Haruka tells Ayato that she dated him before the war; Ayato admits he doesn’t remember the past, but he knows who’s been looking out for him in the present. They finally kiss; audience applauds.
The Vermillion mecha are deployed against the Mu, and an epic scale battle unfolds. Dolem Allegretto appears, begins making quick work of Elvy’s squadron. Nameless Blond Chick (actually, her name is Cathy) summons the Evil Spirit of Impending Death upon herself by swearing she’ll never get shot down; Allegretto captures her and ‘skins’ her Vermillion alive (revealing a Dolem-like creature beneath its armor). Miwa loses her Dolem to an enraged Elvy and babbles on about having a vision of the Tuning even as her body subsequently disintegrates. Dolem Obrigato goes on a killing rampage, just to show us Quon wasn’t kidding about Mamoru’s emotional instability (one of his victims is a mass-produced Vermillion-like mech piloted by a clone of Makoto).
While all this is happening, Bahbem (inside Helena’s body; with Itsuki also present) finds Ayato and informs him that his time as a human is basically up: “Xephon is incomplete. Guiding it to become the true RahXephon that will tune the world, is the reason you were born into this world. You will attain a perfect state that no human can trespass upon”. As we cut back and forth between these last two scenes, we’re treated to a fast paced, bombastic instrumental remix of the series closing theme… it’s all epic and grand and operatic and all of that wonderful stuff (actually, it really is).
Ayato finally gives in to his fate, making it clear that it’s not because he gives a damn about the Foundation or their lofty plans for RX. He has someone he wants to protect, because doing so, he will remain himself. Ixtli/Reika appears and accepts Ayato on these terms, and the two of them merge with RX in a visual effects sequence that seems deliberately minimalist (who has seen the last two episodes of Evangelion?).
From the bridge of Lilia Litvyak, Sou looks on to a brilliant display of light and raining feathers. Poetically Ominous Expository Monologue from Quon establishes that the Tuning is about to commence: RahXephon is now awakening in true… and this time He don’t look like no shining robot. To Be Continued!
Obviously the real payoff of here is Ayato finally coming around to realize how much Haruka has sacrificed for him and that she is the person he loves. Of course this has to happen in the same episode that Ayato finally accepts his destiny, and naturally there is no time to say goodbye to Haruka or warn her that she’s about to lose him again (who would write this story any other way?). Ayato’s promise to return to Haruka (made before he realizes how immediate his destiny is) is really the last shred of hope we have for a happy ending before we plunge into the climax.
It still seems kinda wrong though, given the age gap between them. Maybe I’m just jealous: seeing Haruka’s affections wasted on a boy who’s not even reached the age of consent. I also find it cruel that Itsuki can’t be more sympathetic about his own brother wanting to not have his life. If I had to give up the physical pleasures of being human, I’d want just a little more of an explanation than “because it is your destiny”. Although granted this was potentially Itsuki’s destiny at one time, and (unlike Ayato) he was raised to want it.
As always, it is the human moments that sell the episode, in contrast with the awesome scope of the battles and the ominous doubletalk of things to come. It’s characters like Megumi, Kim, Futagami, Rikudoh and Sou carrying on like they still have their lives, even though at least some of them seem to have an idea about the Tuning (more so than we do, anyway) and what it could mean for the world.
On the production side of things, the animation is as beautiful as always, with the only exception being the scene in which Ayato and Ixtli merge. But given the information portrayed in this scene, the minimalist cut-and-paste approach utilized here works more effectively than anything else I can visualize. The music is consistently solid, with the powerful ‘Mu battle’ version of ‘Yume No Tamago’ being the only piece that stood out to me as new this week.
If I had one real complaint this week, it would be that the implosion of Cathy’s Vermillion unit (with the violent living creature revealed under its casing) seemed just a bit too Evangelion-esque. This is not to awaken the tiresome Eva vs RX fan debate, as both series have equal merit in my opinion. Only that I’ve seen the effect before, and the novelty is sort of worn off. The Dolem are already established as clay figures (with blue blood), and not typically that animated in their movements; I see no reason why the Vermillion, of presumably identical technology, would appear any differently.
Score for this week: 8.5 out of 10.
Sci-Fi Brain News -- March 29, 2007
'Stargate Atlantis' Will Surprise, Shock
scifi.com is reporting that Joseph Mallozzi, executive producer of SCI FI Channel's original series Stargate Atlantis, told SCI FI Wire that there will be "surprises and shocks" when the series returns with new episodes on April 13 for the second half of the third season. "The Replicator threat mounts over the course of this third season," Mallozzi said in an interview. "And there's a powerful palpable loss in one episode in particular that I'm sure will shock the fans."
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It's a really, really slow news day, so check this video out of people in Transformers costumes that actually transform. It's like watching Transformers breakdance. Very cool. Transformers video
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Wednesday, March 28, 2007 |
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Battlestar Galactica (3.20) “Crossroads Part 2” – Review
By: jesuiscanadien
Previously on BSG, the Galactica is plotting a course to the Ionian Nebula. Baltar is on trial for his life for crimes against humanity. Several people aboard the Galactica are hearing mysterious music. And, Lee Adama has quit his commission over an argument with his father regarding the defence of Baltar.
When we join the intrepid human fleet, Admiral Adama is shaving when President Laura Roslin calls for an early morning order to get her butt out of bed. Chief Tyrol wakes up hearing music but can’t place it, and Sam Anders and Tory Foster (the Chief of Staff to President Roslin) are getting hot and heavy when they hear music as well. Lee Adama is in a defence meeting with Dr. Gaius Baltar and Romo Lampkin, and he suggests they ask for a mistrial based on his father’s admission that he felt that Baltar was already guilty. And, during a Raptor flight training lesson, Anders overhears Chief Tyrol humming the song that he’s been hearing all over the ship.
During a medical treatment for Roslin’s cancer, she and Sharon “Athena” Agathon have a simultaneous vision about Hera, with Baltar and Caprica Six involved. They both go to see Caprica Six in her prison to talk about their combined vision, as Six had the same vision. Colonel Tigh confronts the Admiral about the music he’s hearing on the ship, and Adama promises to look into it. Lt. Felix Gaeta perjures himself on the stand regarding the actions taken by Baltar on New Caprica.
Romo Lampkin moves for a mistrial, based on what Lee told him in the meeting, and calls Lee to the stand to testify regarding the Admiral’s preconceptions of Baltar’s guilt. Lee goes on to give an impassioned monologue regarding the state of the fleet’s system of justice, Baltar’s course of action on New Caprica, and which actions that have been taken by officers of the fleet that have been forgiven. Lee is the only witness called on behalf of the defence, but the ploy works.
When the tribunal resumes, they find Dr. Baltar not guilty of the charges filed against him. Mass confusion breaks out at the verdict and the military are called in to resume control. Of course, Baltar is back to being pompously over-confident afterwards. Roslin and Adama discuss the verdict and Adama admits that he voted to support the not guilty verdict. Roslin is very unhappy in regards to his decision. Adama orders the jump to the Ionian Nebula, but during the jump, the entire fleet loses power. Roslin gets a bit sick just before the loss of power, but regains equilibrium afterwards.
During the confusion, Baltar is spirited away by a group of supporters who have somewhat deified him. Six has a vision of the final five cylons, where she and Baltar are in the opera house onstage, with Baltar holding a child. Tyrol, Tigh, Anders, and Tory are all hearing the song in their heads and follow it to a central spot on the ship. When they see each other, they realize they are cylons, but Tigh refuses to act on the news and tells everyone that he will die as the man who is an officer of the fleet. The power comes back up on the ship, and the cylon fleet shows up suddenly, so Adama orders prep for immediate jump. The four newly revealed cylons return to their posts. Lee feels that since the trial is over, he needs to be back where he belongs and mans a viper to help in the battle with the cylons. Lee sees a bogey while he’s out and investigates. That bogey turns out to be a newly resurrected Kara Thrace, who claims to have been to Earth and she’s going to lead the fleet there.
Okay, I’ve heard the scuttlebutt out there regarding this episode, and I want to throw in my two cents on this issue. I liked this half of the finale. While the first half didn’t exactly enthral me, this half sure did kick some serious fanny. Kara Thrace is alive! I kinda knew that she wouldn’t be dead forever from some spillage in the spoilers department, but I was glad to see they let her come back before the beginning of the fourth season. That admission that she had been to Earth just blew me away though. Talk about not expecting that tidbit.
I enjoyed the shared visions that Six, Laura, and Athena were having, but I would’ve liked to see exactly what they were discussing before Laura went to the trial. I just know that it wasn’t simply the stuff they covered onscreen. The writers would’ve fleshed those visions out and I would assume that the conversation would have been more intense and developed that what viewers saw. Maybe it’s just curiosity that drives my thoughts in this regard, but that’s just the way I feel.
The trial just didn’t rivet me, but I’m no fan of courtroom dramas. While I realize that they’re following a rule of law that is not clearly defined for the viewer, the way they shot the trial just didn’t hold my attention. Even Lee Adama’s impassioned speech didn’t move me terribly. I’m not expecting American Rule of Law to be followed, but Lee’s histrionics really seemed out of place in a trial setting, even with a tribunal. While objections were registered, the court rarely acts out of personal curiosity, and defence council generally doesn’t put their own lawyers on the stand for a diatribe. The trial seemed to be a way to get Baltar off the hook so the writers can do more with his character.
The revelation of four of the final five cylons was nifty. While I personally like Jimi Hendrix’s version of “All Along the Watchtower” better that the version they used on the show, which I understand to arranged be by Bear McCreary; it was an effective use of music to set the emotional tone of the four cylons. Their confusion and distress at finding out what they really are was helped by this arrangement. Ronald D. Moore has confirmed that these four really are cylons, so the debate that I saw on the web regarding the four about their cylon status really is moot. These four now have to decide whether or not they’ll fight any cylon programming that may have been triggered by their personal discovery. I think Tigh, Tyrol, and Anders will definitely side with the humans, and while I am not really sure about what kind of person Tory is, I think her loyalty to Roslin will outweigh any other predispositions. At least I hope so.
I cannot believe that the producers of the show are making us wait until January 2008 to show us what happens next, but I am looking forward to seeing how this story progresses. I know some people didn’t care for it, saying they felt that the creators may have “jumped the shark”, but I respectfully disagree. It was some good storytelling, and that’s what I’m all about. Sure I could wax poetic about symbolism, foreshadowing, and the use of irony in the episode, but that strikes me as something an English major would do, and I’m a Philosophy major. We’re cooler than that. So, here’s my brief concluding statement. This was a very good episode and I rate it a 9.0 out of 10.0. Can’t wait for the next season!
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Wednesday, March 28, 2007 |
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Sci-Fi Brain News -- March 28, 2007
'Life On Mars' Star Glenister Praises Writers
digitalspy.co.uk is reporting that Life On Mars star Philip Glenister has praised the show's writers for crafting his character of Gene Hunt, although he was initially unimpressed when he started reading the first script.
"I look on Life On Mars as a western - and I'm the sheriff," Glenister told the Radio Times. "I like DCI Hunt - a gift of a part, so well written and some of the one-liners are amazing."
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'Doctor Who' Star Freema's Thrilling Dalek Encounter
digitalspy.co.uk is reporting that new Doctor Who star Freema Agyeman has spoken of her first on-set encounter with the Daleks that left her thrilled, until a bit of malcoordination left her laughing.
Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, Agyeman, who plays new companion Martha Jones, enthused about meeting the malevolent monsters for the first time: "It was amazing. I'd never seen the Daleks for real, until we did the scenes. I remember one day I walked into the studio and there was half a Dalek in the corner, and I averted my eyes. I thought 'I don't want my first experience of a Dalek to not be in its entirety', but I was so excited when I knew it was going to be a Dalek day."
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'X-Files' Movie Finally Happening?
moviehole.net is reporting that David Duchovny – whose career hasn’t really amounted to much since he left the series, though he has still been in work (anyone else see “Trust the Man”? No? Just me?) – tells the site that final negotiations are happening this week, and that it looks like they’ll be filming next year – if not earlier on the new “X-Files” movie.
Though Duchovny says there’s no complete script yet – I assume that means they’ve at least got a scriptment or treatment for it – he can confirm that the new film (which won’t be directly connected to anything that happened in the series) will have a “supernatural thriller” element to it. The bulk of the story will revolve around “Gillian’s character, Dana Scully, and my character, Fox Mulder”.
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Interview: Sigourney Weaver Talks 'Avatar'
iesb.net is reporting that Sigourney Weaver is in two of my favorite alien ass-kicking movies of all time, Alien and Galaxy Quest. Plus the best ghost ass-kicking movie franchise of all time, Ghostbusters.
Will she be kicking ass in her next role? We'll see...her next project is Jim Cameron’s return to the big screen which looks like it's going to be a doozy. Avatar sounds more and more complicated everyday.
The IESB sat down with Sigourney Weaver, who will appear as Grace in the film, during the TV Set press day to talk about her role in Avatar and just what this photo realism stuff is all about.
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Andrews: 'Lost' Mulls January Start
scifi.com is reporting that Naveen Andrews, who plays Sayid on ABC's hit series Lost, told SCI FI Wire that he believes the network may be mulling a later start for the upcoming fourth season, which would begin in January and run straight without a break, a la Fox's 24. "I believe that's the plan," Andrews said in an interview while promoting Grindhouse, in which he has a role.
This year, Lost premiered in the fall, ran for six weeks, then took a 13-week hiatus before returning in March with original episodes. The audience for the once-white-hot series cooled considerably, though it remains a top-10 show. The show also moved to a later timeslot, Wednesdays at 10 p.m., which may have been a factor in the audience drop.
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SCI-FI BRAIN INDEX
The Dresden Files (1.09) “The Other Dick” – Review
By: jesuiscanadien
Harry Dresden has to get his P.I. licence in order to continue getting work paid for by the Chicago PD, so he is taking a course to get his licence given by a P.I. named Jim Brennan. He’s an old gumshoe, following the stereotypical P.I. credo of “keep your mouth shut” to his own detriment. Brennan ends up dead by supernatural means, and his associate Liz Fontaine, doesn’t know what Brennan was doing before he kicked it.
Even though Harry found the body, Lt. Murphy wasn’t charging him with the crime, and Harry tells her that he’ll look into the case free of charge. Harry then gets a lead from some notes that Murphy gave him. As Harry is tracking down the lead, a Ronald Jones who works in HR for a meat processing company, Liz Fontaine shows up and they decide to work together.
Liz doesn’t believe Jones’ story, and Harry plays along. They track Jones’ wife for a day and see her going into a fertility clinic. They surmise that Mrs. Jones is trying to get preggers, but the Mr. is shooting blanks. That is until Harry, doing some recon while Liz is in with the fertility doctor, finds a room with clear supernatural overtones. While he takes some loose “tea”, he has to hide because Mrs. Jones and an aide have come into the room. Harry gets out, but not before he gets some photos.
Bob is helpful in ascertaining that the “tea” can be used to wipe out one’s memory while loosening inhibitions. Liz gives Harry the photos, and while she’s questioning him, a bomb gets tossed through his window. Harry has to use his mojo to save them from the bomb, which raises more questions for Liz. Then Bob comes in, making a confusing situation more so. Liz, once sufficiently recovered, gives Harry the intel on the fertility doc, Dr. Overland, and the scoop on his assistant, Anya. Bob’s already told Harry that an incubus is involved.
Liz and Harry break into Overland’s office, and find him dead. Harry ascertains that Overland died the same way as Brennan. Murphy’s not pleased that her evening has been interrupted, but is even more irascible due to Liz’s involvement. Bob has found out that the pictures that were on Brennan’s camera contain an infant incubus that is trapped. While Mrs. Jones was undergoing some supernatural fertility processes to extract the infant incubus, Brennan’s camera captured the infant spirit before it could complete its journey in a photograph.
While Bob’s explaining this to Harry, Liz takes off to confront the Jones’, and get to the bottom of things. She has a tussle with Anya, knocks her unconscious, and before she can kill Anya, has her will usurped by the incubus-Mr. Jones. Jones tells Liz to kill Harry Dresden and cop to the murders, and Liz agrees.
Harry then turns up at the scene and tries to negotiate for Liz’s safe release. Jones doesn’t go for it, so Harry burns the photo with his trapped child in it. Before it burns completely, Harry uses his blasting rod on Jones, turning him back into a non-corporeal being and watches as Jones and his newly freed child escape into the incubus portal above the bed.
Liz regains her senses, and Harry and Liz come up with a cover story to tell the police. Later the next day, Harry tells Liz she should be a P.I. She disagrees, and Harry tells her that he can help her get her permits. He leaves her in Brennan’s office, changing the door sign to read, “Liz Fontaine, P.I.”
This was not as good as the previous episode, “Storm Front”, as I was entirely distracted by the Liz Fontaine character, which detracted from the storyline and upset the delicate balance of good storytelling. While I love Claudia Black on “Stargate SG-1” and “Farscape”, I was deeply annoyed at the awful accent that she took on as an American from Chicago. Perhaps there are some people who speak in a flat monotone, but I’ve heard a lot of Midwestern accents, and I am hard-pressed to find one that grating. As well, the writers had Liz spouting clichés from old pulp-fiction detective novels from the fifties, which while slightly amusing, made Liz sound like an utter moron. There was no quick banter between the characters, which helps make the dialogue more convincing. The writers were no doubt trying to re-enact some of the sparkle from films of that era and genre, but they failed miserably. Harry isn’t a quick-patter kind of guy, so having Liz spew her cliché-laden lines at the mellower Harry threw off the rhythm of the dialogue. This was to the detriment of how the episode worked overall.
I enjoyed Liz’s reactions to Harry’s world, for instance her desire to have a lethal hockey stick like Harry’s, and her confusion regarding the appearance of Bob. She may have been suspicious of Harry at the beginning, but she sure became a one-woman fan club later on. She ended up accepting Harry’s lame explanations, which was odd for someone like her, but that could be due to the not biting the hand that feeds syndrome. Harry had supplied her with an acceptable conclusion to the investigation of the murder of her boss, and she couldn’t very well doubt that; for if she did, she knew she’d be opening a whole other can of worms.
Murphy didn’t have much to say in this episode, which was odd, as she strikes me as being somewhat of a pitbull when it comes to issues. Murphy wouldn’t just let Harry fiddle around, left to his own devices on a police matter. She’d be the type to nose in as much as possible, trying to suss out the truth. At least, that’s how I feel she’s been written.
When Bob was talking about the incubus and the set-up at the fertility clinic, I had a good laugh. If Bob could be anything, I am sure he’d want to be an incubus. He is such a horndog, and he expressed such longing at the purpose of the incubi. That one monologue alone made the episode worth watching. Two minutes of glory, and afterwards you’d wonder if a shower in Lysol was in order.
This episode gets a 7.0 out of 10.0, simply for Bob’s glorious longing and clear lack of satisfaction.
Sci-Fi Brain News -- March 27, 2007
New 'Transformers' Posters Online
darkhorizons.com is reporting that two new posters for Michael Bay’s "Transformers" are set to be published in today's USA Today.
Aint it Cool however got their mits on that artwork early and have posted high-res versions.
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SG-1: There Be Dragons
scifi.com is reporting that Joseph Mallozzi, executive producer of SCI FI Channel's original series Stargate SG-1, told SCI FI Wire that the 10th-season will wrap up with a dragon, a Goa'uld fistfight and the Holy Grail when the series returns with new episodes on April 13. The first new episode, "The Quest, Part 2," debuts in the show's Friday 8 p.m. ET/PT timeslot. And SG-1 will have to contend with a fire-breathing monster in its quest to find the Sangraal, otherwise known as the Holy Grail: the weapon that just might hold the power to kill ascended beings and help Earth defeat the Ori.
"Maybe some of them do [survive the dragon], and maybe some of them don't," Mallozzi said with a laugh. "Just for argument's sake, if one of them were to survive—if he or she would reach the Sangraal—they'd be in for a bit of surprise."
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SCI-FI BRAIN INDEX
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Horror_Brain
Apr 6 '07 6:33 am PST
Horror Brain News -- April 6, 2007
Ghost House Pictures Releases Original Horror Shorts If you head on over to the official...
sng-ign
Apr 6 '07 1:07 am PST
Sign of the times!
I bet the lot of you don't come to IGN for thoughtful anything (except the head-to-heads),...
Next-Gen-Gamer
Apr 5 '07 11:21 pm PST
WRUP - New Console Edition
Consoles: Wii, 360, PS3 1. SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 2. Wii Sports (damn you addictive...
PikaPal13X
Apr 5 '07 11:13 pm PST
The First Super Paper Mario Ad!
(Short entry tonight guys... busy writing a paper for class that's due tomorrow.) ...
MassiveGameDude
Apr 5 '07 4:21 pm PST
Super Paper Mario, New Wii Remote & Nunchuck colours, & Big Brain Wii gets a name!
Welcome, loyal readers!!! There's lots to talk about today; everything from Super Paper Mario,...
Erik-IGN
Apr 5 '07 2:51 pm PST
Nintendo, It's Time to Get Your Shit Together
As many around the office know, I've been looking for a Wii for several months now with no...
AlloyNES
Apr 5 '07 12:13 pm PST
NES is back & "State of the Game Industry" address!
Hey, Paisanos! I've decided to make my comeback, and how lucky you are to witness it. ...
TomG1992
Apr 5 '07 10:41 am PST
PS3 Price Slashed in the UK!
If I must say so myself, I am really surprised that the PS3 has been slashed from £425 to...
Ottsel
Apr 5 '07 10:21 am PST
Gamestop customers: Almost as stupid as the employees.
I don't know what it is about contollers, but they turn people into complete retards. These...
samwiseb
Apr 5 '07 1:58 am PST
Anime Review: RahXephon Ep.25
Twenty-Fifth Movement: “God’s Uncertain Music (Dues Ex Machina)” Ayato is now fully merged...
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