VFTF1

You do realize that Alien was itself a re-make of "It! The Thing From Below" don't you? That was and still is a fantastic and haunting movie, despite being made in - what - they 50s? The key, of course, is not FX, but the fact that you barely get to see the Alien at all added to the claustrophobia. Aliens (2) managed, on the other hand, to be good on account of being a kind of "war movie" type film - but that trick only works once. Aliens3 I enjoyed due to the religious themes and the context of prisoners/convicts/criminals and redemption. But I do realize that what essentially happened was that Alien 3 basically tried to use the "tricks" of Alien (don't see the Alien much + claustrophobia) while Alien 4 tried to do what Alien 2 did (war movie - just better FX). In both cases, 3 and 4 basically fell flat and couldn't really stand on their own merit because they were just a re-imaging of the basic concepts from 1 and 2 albeit with better tech/FX (which didn't help). I kind of actually regret 4 the most because it had slight strains of the plot from Darkhorse's ALien: Labyrynth, which to me was one of the best stories. The concept of scientists doing crazy experiments and it all going afoul is great - but I just got the feeling that while 4 might have gotten off to a good start it just ended up getting way too ...I dunno...the plot just fell to pieces and there was too much going on - hard to say. Winona Rider didn't help with her bad acting either.... Anyways - considering that Alien was made in 1979 (so about 30 years after "It: The Thing from Below") - making A NEW Alien movie 30 years after the Ridley Scott version is not cause for alarm or unheard of. Which doesn't mean it'll be good. Pete

Moving away from mecha and back to cute girls for a moment... Is everyone familiar with Misa Kikouden's Haruhi Suzumiya cosplay? Has this been posted and I'm late to the party or have I managed to give people a nice surprise? Pete

Very nice Doodler7. Really love how you set up the 1J and the camera angle. It looks fantastic. But I would prefer a 1/60 PG Gundam posed with a 1/60 VF-1 - to finally get an accurate picture of what things would look like .. . Pete

Going to see this on Friday. Very excited. Pete

Speeking of playful - it's interesting to note that this anime has the same occasional background music as the "high school scenes" from Neon Genesis Evangelion - specifically the "chirping crickets" sound, as I call it. I've watched about 7 or 8 episodes - can't really remember because I think I fell asleep at some point - I know I made it through the island episode and the one after that probably half way but it's kind of a blurr. The "Boredom/Baseball" episode is one of my favorites. In general, it seems interesting to me that Asahina and Haruhi are contextual inter-changeable mobile polar opposites. What do I mean? Well - notice that in the context of a group setting, Haruhi is loud, blusterous, talkative and extrovertive. In the same context of a group setting, Asahina is shy, bashful, ashamed - I wouldn't say "intro-verted" but certainly passive as opposed to Haruhi who is active. But When the context changes, and Asahina is in more intimate settings (namely with only Kyon OR with Kyon's sister) - she becomes playful, spontaneous, happy - active. Haruhi on the other hand, when she is in similar settings (with Kyon) becomes remote, melancholic and oscilates between "baka!" type statements or making distant faces. If Haruhi is God - then does this make Asahina God's opposite? Asahina is the devil? In any event - this is by far one of the best shows (not just anime) that I've watched since...well...in a long long time. I'm not going to compare it to super robot or mecha anime because that would be unfair. So - this is probably one of the best shows I've watched since...hm... let's see...what did I watch a long time ago and like... hmm... You know - the only thing I can think of is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - which was downright fun - but totally different ball park. I can't say I recall ever watching a non-super/real robot anime that I enjoyed as much as I'm enjoying this. That's a good thing - because often times one gets the impression that anime might be impossible without robots. Clearly this shows proves otherwise. Although it would be nice to muse on what kind of mecha these people would use - if ever Pete

I forgot to add - this anime would make a great theater play. It's like tailor made to be acted out on stage IMO, which is one of the things that makes it all the more lovable (for me). Pete

I'm not interested in the fears of mere mortals! I'll only be remotely interested in your fear if you've got psyonic powers and are able to project that fear onto others thereby de-stabilizing the quantum flux wave particles that bind the universe together and threatening the existance of everything. Then I MIGHT be interested Pete

I don't use torrents. I'm already downloading episode 3 Using Flashget and some Lithuanian thingy ... Anyways - I'm watching episode 1 - half way through - but here are my impressions: I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is fantastic! I love the camera work! I love the music, the faux "anime battles" and I love the cameo by Haruhi and all of the "errors" and "non-scripted" things - like when the witch is walking away after delivering her ominous thread and we see a guy get into his car in the background, and then as she turns to walk away we hear the banal, every day sound of a car starting and joining up with traffic. BRILLIANT I love the little details - like when she keeps adjusting her cat who keeps falling off. But of course Asahina is stealing the show "psst! This is where you faint!" She's truly great What a wonderful poetic beautiful anime I can't wait for my figma figures. Weeeeeee!! Pete

Yeah - I agree - after researching a bit, I'll grant that the Figmas win. But mainly because there is a greater variety of the cast. Thus - I'm going with figma after all. Wanna get em all Right now I'm only moments away from downloading episode 00!! My usual source failed on me, but luckily I found some server in Lithuania. Originally I was like "Hm... I shouldn't...it could be a virus...it's from Eastern Europe after all" - but then I was like "what the hell!? I'M from Eastern Europe!!" And it seems to be the real deal so... my debute is nigh upon me! Ooooo yeah Pete

Thanks guys. I'm gonna stick with the Revoltechs for now and hope that they make more of the cast. I always prefer the sculpts on Revoltech - it's not just the revolver joints, but the sculpt and detailing is much better. Plus I'll probably regret the ball joints when they start to wear out. I'm constantly playing with my toys, so I appreciate the revolver joints for not dying. As to the anime - hopefully tonight I'll be able to download the first episode and watch it properly. At this rate, I'm going to have to purchase some kind of memory storage drive just to keep my anime on it. I recently thought I was "saved" when I noticed DVDs of NGE, Macross Frontier and Gurren Lagann for sale in Poland - until it turned out that they were bootlegs... not just bootlegs but horendously bad bootlegs that are basically unwatchable. I don't understand bootlegs sometimes - where does the demand for low quality un-usable crap come from? Anyways - I really like the theme of this anime. And the girls. Oh - and it's nice to see that Alto's brother got an acting job in this anime. Pete

Well - I caught some terribley formatted parts of the Adventures of Mikura Asahina on youtube as well - later - and I really really liked it. I kind of understand what this is about now - and the episode was a bit lighter in tone and not so terribly esoteric. That or maybe I really like Mikura Asahina in that pink outfit Will certainly be downloading this in full. Now - as to the Revoltech figures - other than Mikura Asahina and bunny Haruhi ... we have gotten no other frauleins, yes? Pete

AWESOME! This is great to read. I always loved director's commentary - this form is good too Pete

I was always curious WHO was originally in Skull Squadron alongside Roy? Because in SDFM TV Hikaru, Max and Kakizake were Vermillion Team, with Hikaru being Vermillion 1 (Team Leader). Did Hikaru take over Skull Squadron when Kakizake was killed and Max promoted - leaving Hikaru to take Roy's place as Skull Leader? And what ever happened to the "rest" of Vermillion Team? Just how big are these squadrons? If Alto, Micheal and Luca are part of Ozma's Skull squadron - then does that mean a squadron consists of 3 to 4 valkyrie? Pete

If Yamato were to sell such an intricate transformable figure, it would look exactly like the CGI model in your post, rather than looking like a sleeker version of the original toy that looked nothing like the CGI model. I'll give them this much: It does look great; it looks much better - but it's STILL NOT SHOW ACCURATE - and I'm not even being picky here. This this is way off. I mean... just compare them side to side. There's a million little differences that add up. Takara-Tomy will hopefully one day (before I die) make a Masterpiece Movie Prime. Meanwhile - at 44 dollars this will do. by the way...44 dollars? BBTS has it for 54 dollars. Am I to understand that Walmart or whatever has it for ten bucks less? Just curious - not that I'm buying from either of them... Pete

Well - I went ahead and watched the first episode, with subs, on youtube. Impressions: Certainly not what I expected. Then again - I really didn't know what to expect. It was very poetic. I liked it. It was a tad enchanted. Naturally, I don't understand a thing. However, I like how they talk about time travel, and how it is portrayed. I thought that was very touching. Sorry - too early to really come up with any thing more concrete to say; far too much that I don't understand. For a "first episode" it certainly felt very en media rex - except that there was no action to be thrown into. It was "just another day" - but I guess I will give it one thing; the title has "melancholy" in it. The show is DEFINITELY melancholy. I will watch more with interest. I wonder what this is all about. Edit: OOOPS. That was episode 1 of season 2.... dag nabit!!! Why can't I just walk into my local freakin' movie store and BUY ANIME ON DVD?!?! AAARRRGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will just have to download the series. Pete

As usual, Gubaba has the best ideas around. And yes - Misa was there in the lingerie shop with Kimmii and Shammy. Vannessa wasn't... I should know. After all I am... MR. LINGERIE!!

I didn't like people's noses in Macross Plus. Particularly the girls. All of them needed nose jobs. Pete

I too can't wait on my Optimus Prime. I'm on the fence about the others. He's gonna retail for 15,000 JPY in Japan. That's more than a Yamato Valkyrie. That's more than a Masterpiece Transformer. That's crazy. I hate this. Stupid Transformers. Stupid Transformers collecting. Stupid movie line... grumble... I still need Wreck Gar from Animated - and Swindle - to make my life meaningful. Pete

I'm surprised nobody tried this before... but doesn't YOUR SDF-1 Macross need a Pin Point Barrier System? Look sharp Hikaru! Time to fend off the Zendradi Swarm! Sempai is on the way to save the day! But just in case Sempai and the Pin Point Barrier System are not enough - the forever truest Galactic Idol Lyn Minimei!! (with 1:48 protection!) Pete

I like my YF-19. I'll be getting another one when I can anyways. If they do make a "new" one - it had better be either ridiculously better or just a tad bit tweaked. I don't want them making a new mold or whatever just to have it come out the same... Besides - what could they possibly do more? I mean - technically they could work on making it more poseable... but then again - look at the DX... Pete

Nice review I was hoping it'd be something like this I really wanna get this/see this at some point Pete

So did that sketch ever sell? That's just beautiful it is... sniff...sniff....gotta go to Japan. It is...my...destiny Pete

I think the ending of ROTF will feature Mikhaela in a white dress with pink linining singing Do You Remember Love? to the Decepticons who all then give up. Pete

You guys don't even know how lucky you are. In Poland, there are no ramen noodles. There are these similar things - but it's never as good as the real Ramen noodles. Pete Accepting Care Packages of Ramen Noodles

You guys remember the scene in Borat where he comes into the hotel in NYC, and the clerk is like: "Ok, that'll be 150 a night." and Borat spits in his hand, and extends it and says: "80!" The mods just need to give a week long custom sig of Borat to anybody who does that in the for sale threads and problem solved Pete