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diff --git a/content-org/brain-rot.org b/content-org/brain-rot.org index ff968e6..b7c75e4 100644 --- a/content-org/brain-rot.org +++ b/content-org/brain-rot.org @@ -8,1491 +8,12 @@ #+HUGO_SECTION: -* jBrain rot :@brainrot: -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot" -:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-r img-c rating image -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :image_dir "screenshots" :image_max_width 765 -:END: - -** DONE Brain Rots -CLOSED: [2024-05-24 Fri 16:22] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: brain-rot/_index -:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: recent-updates menu all-content -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot-fooo" -:END: - - -Hello. My name is Michał, and this website is dedicated to my reviews of books, movies, and games. -I try not to spoil things, as why would you read a thing about a thing from me /instead/ of experiencing the thing? -Instead the articles here show what I thought about a given piece, how I felt and if I think it's good. -Enjoy! - -#+attr_shortcode: "brainrot" -#+begin_recent-updates -Latest: -#+end_recent-updates - - -*** Table of Contents - -#+attr_shortcode: "brain-rot" -#+begin_menu - Dune -#+end_menu - - -#+attr_shortcode: "brainrot" -#+begin_all-content -All Titles -#+end_all-content - - -** Dune -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: american-scifi/dune -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: :primary_menu "brain-rot-dune" -:END: - -*** DONE Dune: Part One (2021) -CLOSED: [2024-04-13 Sat 21:33] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: part-one-2021 -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract My review of an adaptation of the first part of an amazing book -:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-c -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot-dune" :parent "denis-movies" -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :aliases '(/brain-rot/dune/part-one-2021) -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :rating 4.75 -:END: - -I'd like to call myself a Dune fan, but I am not. -I have finished my Dune adventure on /Heretics/ and only now am I planning to finish the saga[fn:witcher] -Though, I think this still puts me well above most people calling themselves fans now. -I loved eveything I've read, but I have never reached the end. - -/Dune: Part 1/ is the second movie based on the 1956 Frank Herbert's classic SciFi epic. -Well, it is not. -It is the third attempt to show the first half of the book. -There was the David Lynch verion (which I adore) and there was a TV Series. -There were also games, but only two of those have any resemblance to the plot of the book. -So yeah, Dune was considered impossible to transfer to any other medium. -Sadly, I still have to agree. - -I think everybody (and their dogs) know what /Dune/ is about but: -/Dune/ is a story of distant future, where all powerful houses rule the known universe. -The technological progress was halted thousands of years ago, after a thinking machines raged a war against humanity. -After their defeat it was forbidden to create such machines. -Arrakis (aka Dune) is a sand planet, the only known source of /Spice/ - a narcotic allowing humans to traverse time, and therefore spaceflight. -Spaceships are operated by mutated humans, who after exposure to Spice can see into the future and steer the ships. -Now, the Emperor orders the control of the planet to be shifted to th House of Atreides. -The previous stewards, House of Harkonen will not make it any easier. - -Ignoring the mutants, this sounds like a run-of-the-mill SF series. -But /Dune/ It is also story of social engineering spanning millennia, of false prophets, and a million other crazy things. -The first book keeps it /almost/ sane, but there is a significant dictionary attached, and the first time reader will need to use it extensively. -Later the saga goes completely off the rails. -We'll get back to this. - -Note, that /Frank Herbert/ wrote only the first few books. -After his death, his son - /Brian Herbet/ took over and wrote dozens of other ones. -The quality differs significantly, as I've been told. -I've read the /Houses/ trilogy, and it was quite nice. - -Now that we've got the introduction out of the way, let's go to the movie. -Let me start with saying that I adore it. -It's not what I'd want (as the young vloggers say "hear me out face value it's as close to perfect SF movie as they go. - -/Dune: Part 1/ is directed by Denis Vileneuve, who previously directed some of the greatest SF movies of this century - /Arrival/ and /Blade Runner 2049/. -His other movies are also amazing (I can't recommend /Enemy/ enough), so I was pretty stoked when it was announced that he will direct /Dune/. -I am no longer a movie buff[fn:critic], but he may very well be my favorite living director. - -Technically, I can not find any fault with the movie. -The story makes sense (I'll return to Lynch in a second), which by itself is an achievement. -The acting is superb, and works as a reminder that TV series are still not on the level of the greatest movies. -The special effects are astounding[fn:ornitopter]. -The music is, for the most part, at least great. -I hated the main theme with screaming lady. -Music is supposed to work with the movie, not to hide it with loud noises! -But that's the only thing I disliked. - -#+attr_shortcode: "dune-part1-001.webp" "https://movie-screencaps.com/dune-2021/" -#+begin_img-c -Jessicas portrayal is amazing. -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "dune-part1-002.webp" "https://movie-screencaps.com/dune-2021/" -#+begin_img-c -ALL costumes are amazing -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "dune-part1-003.webp" "https://movie-screencaps.com/dune-2021/" -#+begin_img-c -CGI is amazing. -The movie looks amazing. -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "dune-part1-004.webp" "https://movie-screencaps.com/dune-2021/" -#+begin_img-c -Have mentioned how amazing this movie looks? -#+end_img-c - -I loved the tempo of this movie, as I never enjoyed action-packed shoot fests of the /other franchise dominating cinema for decades/. -Everything is slow - the actors speak slowly, the scene have time to breath, the camera is moving on a low gear. -Even things fall down slowly! -This adds an amazing dream-like feeling to most scenes. -Sometimes I felt like I'm watching a /Tarkovsky/ movie and not a big budget Hollywood blockbuster. - -And this the greatest and worst thing here. -It's meditative. -You feel like yoy are in a trance. -You fully buy accept you see here. - -But the world of Dune is weird. -It is full of things that make you go "huh?". -It has mutants who traverse time, but it also got mutants who are computers. -There are reanimated corpses, living furniture, hollow planets, vision quests. -Denis omitted everything that was not essential to the plot, and what he left, he grounded in reality by omitting the /wtf/. -There are not even the crazy names! -Some strange things he left, but they are shown without explanation. -It's just there, without any context. -But, to be fair - context would only add confusion. - -But this is where /Lynchs/ version shines. -It makes little sense, it is rushed - sure. -But it conveys how twisted the world is. -It's not a trace, it's a full on narcotic trip straight out of some hippie story. - -And this is why I don't think that this movie is a /great/ adaptation of Dune. -It is a /great/ movie on its own. -It perfectly adapts the adaptable and pretends that there is nothing else. -It makes /Dune: Part 1/ the hit that it is, and it allowed us to get /Part 2/. -But since making this move appeal to mass audience is not my problem, I'd like to see the full picture. - -It'd also like to see the world less cold. -The architecture is devoid of heart, it's brutalistic. -It looks amazing (I think I mentioned that), but the crazy colors and abstract layouts we see in Lynch version is something else. -It's a Vileneuve style. -It looks exactly like his previous movies - it's controlled, clean, /cold/. -As much as I loved it in his other works, I'm not sure if it fits the degenerate houses we meet. - -But that's just me. -As it stands, this is a groundbreaking movie which makes me want more. -Not only more of /Dune/ but more of serious, intelligent SciFi movies. -We had those and may get more! - -It's better in any conceivable way compared to all previous attempts at adapting the source material, and I think all my nitpicks are kina moot. -It fits 2024 esthetic and it's crazy intelligent. - -Highest recommendation from me. -4.75/4 - -And, hey! -Sardukars no longer look like welders! - -[fn:witcher] Right after finishing the Witcher saga. -[fn:critic] not to brag, but I was a semiprofessional film critic during college years. -I had a press pass and all! -[fn:ornitopter] Ornititopthers look just like in the /Dune/ game! -This strangely works with how believable everything is. -All flying ships have this strange physics, which I have hard time explaining. -They are not like you X-Wings, but they fit the world. - -*** DONE Dune: Part Two (2024) -CLOSED: [2024-04-16 Tue 16:44] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: part-two-2024 -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract My review of an adaptation of the second part of an amazing book -:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-c -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot-dune" :parent "denis-movies" -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :aliases '(/brain-rot/dune/part-two-2024) -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :rating 4.75 -:END: - -It's here, it's finally here. -/Dune/ joins the very small club of SciFi books with amazing adaptations. -When /Part One/ hit the screens, people were amazed that it was so good. -Now, with /Part Two/, we hear that it's even better than the first one! - -But I was very skeptical. -The trailers seemed to indicate a train wreck. -They were full of explosions, angry screaming guys and the taglines about war. -Dune was never /about/ war. -War was in there, but it was never the point. -But cinema, SciFi especially, loves special effects, and big-booms are amongst the most used. -I dislike a lot of SciFi movies from the USA, as the (so called) spectacle is all there is[fn:iron]. - -But what the hell, I chose an IMAX experience nevertheless. -The first /Dune/ was breathtaking, so why not? - -And then the movie started, and my worries were replaced with anger. -What the hell is this? -Soldier banter? -Puppy-eyes? -Joking? -It's a SciFi war movie. -There are preparing for the /specle/ -/Dirty Fremen Dozen/! -/Independence Day of Arrakis/! - -#+attr_shortcode: "dune-part2-001.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Arrakis 90210 -#+end_img-c - -But, just as the action moved to Giedi Prime, the movie completely transformed. -What was mediocre, became absolutely marvelous! - -Now, after seeing and rethinking the movie, it makes sense. -It's a not /sequel/ to /Dune/, but /part two/. -It doesn't start in act 1, as that was in the last movie. -The first chunk of this movie is a cool-down after the ending in of /Part One/. -Both /Dune/ movies should be treated as one long movie. -Much more than Kill Bill, as we have no clear /ending/ between the two. -/Part One/ ends with finishing of the Harkonen attack plot, which only ignites events of this movie. -And looking at it as one one big movie, I have to say: wow! - -They made some changes to Herbert's text, but I like them. -Fremen are no longer a singular force that Paul uses. -The movie version of them is divided, having different cultures. -Maybe it's too black and white, but it's a nice change. - -Similarly, Chani become a multidimensional character. -And while yes, Jessicas portrayal makes Chanis character shine much less, it's still a great change. -But the way Rebecca Ferguson plays Jessica is nothing short of wonder. -She starts scared, but loyal to both, Paul and Bene Gesserit. -After becoming the reverent mother however she becomes menacing. -With this comes another change - Alia is not born here. -She is talking with her mother telepathically, but at the end of the movie she is still to be born[fn:prochoice]. -That's a dangerous change, but it works perfectly because the tone Jessica uses when talking with her - calm, silent, almost a whisper, yet still menacing. -I can not stress it enough - Rebecca is perfect here. - -But the biggest change is the introduction of scenes from /Dune Messiah/. -You see, /Dune/ was often seen as a savior story. -Paul was to be the good guy, who comes and saves the day. -This is as far from what Frank Herbert envisioned as possible, so he wrote a short sequel book. -This movie vision introduces plot points and scenes taken directly from that book, so the meaning behing the story is much more obvious. -I think it's a good change, as we already see folks arguing against /Dune/ due to this misconception. -This way it defends itself. - -#+attr_shortcode: "dune-part2-002.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Jessica in all of her glory -#+end_img-c - -Luckily, this movie is much weirder than /Part One/. -While last time Dennis omitted a lot, here he shows more /things/[fn:chairdog], but still there is no context. -We see the finger of the Baron, but we never learn what actually is there. -It comes as an Easter Egg for old time fans, which is nice as it takes nothing from the story. -But then there is Geidi Prime which is monochromatic, empty and cold - in the scariest way. -I'd love to see more of this side the world, but we got it spot on. -And Fayd? -Where Lynch gave us half-naked Sting, Austin Butler is a psychopath. -This is the Beast we all deserve! -This is the stuff nightmares are made of. - -I am happy to report that this is not a war movie. -It's /Dune/ full of plots within plots, mysticism and (lastly) war. - -Unfortunately, once again I am not happy with the music. -While most of the tracks are good (or great), the main theme is even worse than last time. -It's now layered over a lot more noise, making it this much more annoying. -It decreased my enjoyment of many of the greatest scenes. -Luckily, there is also new theme so this screaming woman may not follow us into the third movie. - -So, /Dune Part II/ is an excellent movie, but /Dune/ the complete story is a marvel. -It's the greatest thing I've seen in American SciFi in a very long time. -It's what it should be. -While not flawless, it's as close to what I'd imagine as a /perfect/ /Dune/ as it comes. -The movie gets a 4.75 from me (same as the first one), but looking at both /Dunes/ as a single movie? -Then it goes to a 5. -I don't think we will get anywhere close to this level of quality anytime soon. -What /Baldurs Gate III/ made for cRPG, /Dune/ makes to /SciFi cinema/. - -And, I love that Christofer Walken is once again in the Dune universe. -He warned us about the Worm years ago. - -#+attr_shortcode: "dune-part2-003.webp" -#+begin_img-c -Fayd in all of his glory -#+end_img-c - -[fn:iron] I still remember how bored I was when I watched /Iron Man 3/. -The last decade of the movie runtime was filled with a non-stop battle. -The movie stopped and all was left was CGI. -[fn:chairdog] No chairdogs though -[fn:prochoice] Kinda fitting. -/Arrival/ had a very similar take on what a human is. - - - - -** - - -** Patlabor -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: anime/patlabor -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: :primary_menu "brain-rot-patlabor" -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot-patlabor" -:END: -*** DONE Mobile Police Patlabor: The Early Days (1989) -CLOSED: [2024-05-06 Mon 22:38] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: mobile-police-patlabor-the-early-days -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract My review of the OAV -:EXPORT_HUGO_WEIGHT: 10 -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU_OVERRIDE: :post " OAV series" :parent "mtimeline" -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :rating 3.75 -:END: - -/Mobile Police Patlabor/ is a 7 episodes long OAV series which serves as an introduction to the more widely known movies. -The subtitle (/The Early Days/) says it all, as it depicts the humble beginnings of Special Vehicles Unit 2 (SV2), which we will follow in the later installments. -Think: the first few episodes of /The Wire/. -We see how they are preparing their base of operation, how they receive their Labors, and so on. -And that's pretty much all that's here. -No grand ideas (like in /Movie Two/), not even an attempt at those. -All we see is how the Unit starts and their first few cases. - -It's only this, but it never sets up itself to be anything more. -Not everything needs to be full of difficult questions and even harder answers. -/Early Days/ on its own is cool if you're deeply into Mecha, but I am not. -For me, this OAV is /only/ an addition to the Movies. - -But it changed how I look at the first movie. -I was not sure what it actually was all about. -Was it pro-technology? -Was it a warning? -Well, the opening here is a love song sung by one of the pilots towards her Patlabor (named Alfons). -Yep, it seems Patlabor was techno-fetishist all along. -Nothing here prepares us for /Movie 2/, but it makes the first movie better. - -#+attr_shortcode: 3.75 "patlabor-early-days.jpg" -#+begin_rating -Cover -#+end_rating -The seven episodes here are, in order: -- the start of SV2, and we get to know Noa (who is one of the main characters in /Movie 1/), -- mission to protect the mayor, -- underwater monster story (sic!), -- hostage situation, -- ghost story (sic! again) while the unit is on vacation (with mandatory hot spring scenes), -- the plot of second movie, but without the smart parts, -- a long chase scene. - -It's all light-hearted and more often than not a bit goofy. - -Technically, this is a very pretty anime, -The movies follow the style we see here, with bigger budgets though. -But what we see here is a great, old-school animation. -OAVs tend to look better than TV series, and this one is no exception. - -My gripes with the OAV are more with my expectations than with the /Early Days/ themselves. -It fulfills its aspiration to be a nice, short series. -Nothing here even points towards bigger ambitions. -But I saw it after /Palabor 2: Movie/ which was intelligent up to a fault. -And even though I deeply enjoyed every minute, it's not what I came for. - -So, if you liked /Movie 1/ and want more - sure, this series gets my thumbs up (and therefore rating). -But if the /Movie 2/ floored you but left hungry, don't expect this series to come anywhere that level of ambition nor quality. - -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-early-days-1.jpg" "https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0160423/mediaviewer/rm3156868353/" -#+begin_img-c -We've got regular mecha fights! -#+end_img-c -*** DONE Patlabor: The Movie (1989) -CLOSED: [2024-04-11 Thu 21:01] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: patlabor-the-movie -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract The proto-GITS is still very nice! -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :aliases '(/blog/patlabor-the-movie //brain-rot/patlabor/patlabor-the-movie //brain-rot/anime/patlabor-the-movie/) -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU_OVERRIDE: :parent "mtimeline" -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :rating 3.75 -:END: - -There was a time when /Patlabor/ was an established name. - -It was huge, it had /Mamoru Oshii/.Now, sadly, it's mostly forgotten. -/Patlabor: The Movie/ is the first from the universe. -I'll cover the following two soon, as thiis is my rewatch after decades. - -#+attr_shortcode: 3.75 "patlabor-1-movie.jpg" -#+begin_rating -Cover -#+end_rating -The story takes place in the distant future of 1999. -Manual labor is aided by Labors, huge exoskeletons. -Tokyo is undergoing a huge project, where old suburbs are demolished and artificial island are created on the coast. -Some Labors are going berserk, destroying everything on their paths despite being unmanned. - - -Let's start with the visual feast. -The movie looks stunning! -Yes, later movies from IG top what we see here, and sometimes the faces may look weird. -It's not perfect. -But if we would simply tell ourselves that this style of animations is the peak and let's just try to maintain the quality, I'd be more than happy. -The way this 35-year-old movie looks is a testament to the power of manual drawings. -The design, the camera work, the coloring - I loved every second. - -Another cute thing I've noticed: /The Movie/ is an Oshii-type of movie. -It came in this short period, where /anime/ was treating western culture as something alien and cool. -We're seeing this in Jin-Roh, Evangelion, GITS, and many others. -Here we've got the Bible. - -But this also shows the biggest problem of /Patlabor: The Movie/: it is shallow. -On surface level, we've got everything one could ever want: Unabomber-style genius on a quest to stop progress at all cost. -We're seeing how /old/ is discarded in the name of progress. -We've also got a huge computer system which is maintained without deep understanding of how it works. -Basically, 1999 is like 2024. -But none of this is really developed. -The main characters never stop and think, that maybe the world is not going the best route? -Eiichi Hoba, the aforementioned Unabomber, is just a plot device: the viewer is also never confronted with his viewpoint. - -As it stands, /The Movie's/ story is disjointed: -on one side we've got the real and interesting question. -On the other, no one looks for answers and just accepts the risks of unconstrained growth. -But maybe this was the point? -We're seeing the same today: the world is ending, and most people are racing to be the last one to shut down the lights. -It is scary how believable this is. -Even the main threat is solved by a software rollback... - -/Patlabor: The Movie/ is good on its own, but it suffers from being the proto Ghost in the Shell. -It's not near as good, nor is it as good as its sequel. -But taking it at face value is really solid. -I had huge fun rewatching it, but left unsatisfied for sophisticated sociopsychological treat Oshii is known for. - -My rating is 3.75/5 - -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-movie-1-0001.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Sucide is painless... -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-movie-1-0002.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -...It brings on many changes -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-movie-1-0003.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -For a mecha anime, we've got a lot of people talking in different rooms -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-movie-1-0004.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Hav I mentioned thast this movie looks stunning? -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-movie-1-0005.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-movie-1-0006.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -It always amazes me how many anime shows older guys in their undergarments. -I get, that Japan gets extremely hot during summer, but is it real that frequent? -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-movie-1-0008.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -One of many GITS-style scenes. -#+end_img-c - - -*** DONE Patlabor 2: The Movie (1993) -CLOSED: [2024-04-26 Fri 22:08] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: patlabor-2-the-movie -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract My review of a masterpiece -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU_OVERRIDE: :parent "mtimeline" -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :rating 5 -:END: -Ok, this one is a difficult movie to write about. -For a /gajin/ it may come as a visually beautiful, but very convoluted movie. -But inside, it's deeply rooted in Japan's history and one needs to understand a few facts before truly appreciating it. -So, before talking about the movie, allow me to take a brief jump into history territory. - -#+attr_shortcode: 5 "patlabor-2-movie.jpg" -#+begin_rating -Cover -#+end_rating -After loosing World War II, Japan was under the USA's occupation. -Their post-war constitution ha a very important "Article 9" under which Japan was allowed to have defense military force, but it was to be never deployed on foreign soil. -After few changes, the defense force became Japanese Self-Defense Force, the /JSDF/. -Decades pass and the population kind of forgot about the WWII. -Mind you, Nagasaki and Hiroshima lives in their mindset, but war becomes something that was in the past. -In June 1992, the National Diet passed a UN Peacekeeping Cooperation Law which permitted the JSDF to participate in UN medicalonal Diet passed a UN Peacekeeping Cooperation Law which permitted the JSDF to participate in UN medical, refugee repatriation, logistical support, infrastructural reconstruction, election-monitoring, and policing operations under strictly limited conditions[fn:wiki]. - -Amongst part of Japanese population it was seen as a dangerous precedence. -JSDF was, in fact, deployed on foreign soil. -Both creators of /Patlbor/, Mamoru Oshii and Kazunori Itō were vocal opponents of this decision. -/Patlabor 2: The Movie/ should be seen as their manifesto. - -So, knowing this I have to say: /Patlabor 2: The Movie/ is amongst the greatest movies I've ever seen. -I always say that for me, SciFi for SciFi sake is boring; it can be elevated by using the setting as a mean to tell a human story. -What's more, I like SciFi movies that are not action-fests. -And for both of those measures /Patlabor 2: The Movie/ *excels* all expectations. - -It is also a huge step-up from /Patlabor: The Movie/. -While that one had huge potential, but came out lacking in both, substance and form, the /2/ is a gigantic step. -There were only 4 years between release dates, but I am floored. - -Ok, back to the movie itself. -It's 2002, 3 years after the events of /Patlabor: The Movie/. -Yokohama Bay Bridge is destroyed by a missile shot from a variation of F-16 Fighter. -JASDF (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) is blamed for the attack, and a result JSDF is ready to deploy forces all over Tokyo. -Japan is close to martial law. -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-2-movie-0001.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Don't get used to the old main characters. -They are barerly here. -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-2-movie-0002.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Even the trickiest of perspectives are spot on. -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-2-movie-0003.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Not much for mecha fans, but quite a lot for aviation fans. -#+end_img-c - -One thing to get straight of the way: there's not much of Labors here to be seen. -I think there are more shots of fighters and tanks, than there are of the mechs. -This /not/ a mecha anime even though it is set in a mecha world. -It's also not an action movie, as most of the scenes are two/three people talking. -/P2TM/ requires significant attention, as it's all about those dialogues. -The message is more said than shown and it may be not to your liking. -Anime is mostly known for imaginative fight scenes and fan service. -This not that kind of movie. -It's slow and methodical. - -But there are action scenes, and they are glorious. -/PTM/ was looking great; /P2TM/ sets incredible standards that are often unmatched even today. -I found it interesting, that the first portion of the movie uses very small color palette - everything is overblown, like in full sun, or lighted by fluorescent lamp. -People look more like cyborgs than living things. -Then, when authors start conveying their message, it all changes - the palette broadens and characters even get some tam. -Subtle and effective. -The city look incredible, the machines look amazing and characters no longer have perspective problems (like they had in /PTM/). -Overall, the presentation is perfect. -Unfortunately the style here seems mostly abandoned. -It's /distinctly/ Oshii and /Production IG/. -Anime no longer looks like this movie. - -The only nitpick I can find when it comes to the visual aspect is that in a few scenes the snow looks bad. -That's all. - -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-2-movie-0004.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -This made me feel things. -I'd give a lot for such audio setup. -It even has a great CD transport! -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-2-movie-0005.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Basset, reporting in. -#+end_img-c - -The music is great. -It's not /Ghost in the Shell/ but Kenji Kawaii is a master of his craft. - -The only negative I can find is the main villain. -He is absent from most of his movie and his motivations are hidden until the very last few scenes. -His work is ever-present, but he is not here... which is fitting. -Oshii said that the "evil" character here is himself. -Everything the villain say is what the director thinks. - -/Patlabor 2: The Movie/ is a masterpiece. -Oshii is one of the most brilliant directors in history, and this movie is one of his magnum opuses[fn:osh]. -It's not only something *every* fan of anime should watch but everyone who enjoys cinematography. -It's smart, beautiful and haunting. -It is also a very strong anti-war manifest. -It dares to put a mirror in front of our faces and /as of this/ type of movie, I fail to find any real flaw. - -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-2-movie-0006.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -There's some eye candy here. -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "patlabor-2-movie-0007.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -It's not there are no mechs here. -They are, in very small doses. -#+end_img-c - -[fn:wiki] Source: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Self-Defense_Forces#Peacekeeping][Wikipedia]] -[fn:osh] How many directors have achiever greatness on a few occasions? -Oshii certainly did! - - -** Lawnmower Man -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: american-scifi/lawnmower-man -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot-ascifi" :parent "lawnmower-man" -:END: - -*** DONE Lawmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace (1996) -CLOSED: [2024-02-23 Fri 20:29] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: lawmower-man-2-1996 -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract My mirco reviview of the sequeo to a vr killer thriller -:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-c -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :aliases '(/blog/2024/lawmower-man-2-1996// brain-rot/lawnmower-man/lawmower-man-2-1996/) -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :rating 3.75 -:END: -Fun fact: I remembered close to nothing about this movie back. -When I was watching the first, everything seems familiar. -Here? -Not so much. -Guess /Polsat/ consider the second one too expensive for regular broadcast. - -In /Lawnmawer Man[fn:reviewlm]/ we meet Jobe, now a genius being living in the cyberspace. -But not so much, because in the first few minutes of /Lawmnower Man 2/ we learn that he has not left his meatsuit for the cyberspace. -The explosion at the lab left him an amputee. -But his talents are now in use of the Evil Corporation designing the future of cyberspace. - -Of course, Jobe wants the cyberspace for himself. - -The general plot seems similar to the first one, but they are very much different. -The plot is much more complex, there are many more explosions and I think it makes much less sense than the first one. -I would rate it at 2/5. - -But the biggest difference is that this movie is target towards certain audience. -/Lawmower Man/ was a kid-friendly horror. -/Lawmower Man 2/ is a kids' movie. -They completely removed the part which tried to be scary. - -We've got bunch od kids (and a dog) fighting and winning against a grown-up. -Yes, they get the help from an adult - the creator of cyberspace. -But the main heroes are the kids. -And the main target are the kids. - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0002.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Kids flying in cyberspace -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0012.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -And flying even more. -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0003.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Dog preparing to save a day... -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0004.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -And saving the day by inserting a CD in the drive. -How can anyone consider this to be a movie for adoults? -#+end_img-c - -I've read that the director was locked out of the editing room as he was trying to make a different movie. -The producers said a firm "no" and made /Lawmower Man 2/ close to the likes of /Goonies/, /Explorers/ or /Flight of the Navigator/. -It never reaches the coolness of those, but it tries. -A lot of people on the interweb bash the movie on logical problems or being goofy. -Yes - occasionally the plot makes so little sense that they needed to add voice over explaining why the hell the /gang/ is going where they are going. -Yes, it has a dog who saves the day. -38 years old me was not amused, but the 10-year-old inside me screamed "yeah! Radical!". -He was not doing well with being /modern/ back then as well. - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0005.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Her hair is the closest thing to a "scare" in the entire movie -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0006.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -This hippie is the inventor of VR. -Tech geniuses leaving all the tech behind to live in the wild is now more real than ever -#+end_img-c - -Jobe is being played by Matt Frewer, who quite often acts like Jim Carey, which is fitting. -He is not the magical-killer he used to be. -He is goofy. - -Even the music sounds like something Spielberg would use. - -There is no Pierce Brosnan here, as only Austin O'Brien returns from the first one, once again reprising the role of Peter Parkette. - -My biggest gripe is the special effect here. -The movie takes place in the future, so we're no longer seeing green grass. -The real world vibe is close to /Blade Runner/ or /Dark City/. -I dig it! - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0001.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Cyberpunk! -I'm pretty sure that almost all those scenes happened on the same crossroad. -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0011.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Almost Blade Runner. -#+end_img-c - -But then there is the /cyberspace/. -In /Lawmower Man/ we had amazing, early CGI closer to an acid trip than anything else. -Here, the cyberspace looks like ours. -They just added CGI here and there. -It looks like an episode of /The Next Generation/, but without most of the campiness. -For the most part it is competent, but there is no spark. -It's not /cool/. - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0010.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Our first meeting with new Jobe in the cyberspace. -Yes, this is VR-forest. -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0007.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Cyberspace here give more of FMV-game kind of vibe than I would have expected -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0008.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -The VR here more social than what Apple showed. -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-2-1996-0009.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Luckily, sometimes the VR almost delivers. -#+end_img-c - -But the 10-year-old me would not care. -He would rate it as 3.75/5 or "that was cool!". -But he he wasn't picky at all. - -[fn:reviewlm] Vide: [[/blog/2024/lawmower-man-1229/][my review of Lawmower Man]]. - - -*** DONE Lawnmower Man (1992) -CLOSED: [2024-02-19 Mon 23:03] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: lawmower-man-1992 -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract My mirco reviview of a vr killer thriller -:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-c -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :aliases '(/blog/2024/lawmower-man-1992/ brain-rot/lawnmower-man/lawmower-man-1992/) -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :rating 3.0 -:END: - -Back in the glorious 90s, when kids still enjoyed linear TV, we had /Polsat/. -In the post-communist Poland, this was the first /western/ TV station. -Filled with western movies, and western series[fn:series] -Among those, there were constant replays of /The Lawnmower Man/[fn:trans] -I watched it on every occasion and loved it. - -Now, 30 years later it is time for a rewatch. -No cyberpunk deep dive can be considered a good one without /The Lawnmower Man/. - -/The Lawnmower Man/ is a movie about a disabled lawnmower man, Jobe, who, with the usage of virtual reality, becomes a genius. -Soon after, an Evil Company, stars secretly giving him drugs contracted by the military. -And as result, he starts exhibiting mind reading abilities and telekinesis (because, obviously, why not?). -We've got the (popular at the time) subtext about the dangers of corporates who, without supervision, play God. -Somehow we stopped doing that, and now we've got Altman killing humanity with the clap of happy crowd. -/Lawmower Man/ is a movie about a great technology twisted by corporate overlords. -Fitting. - -Jobe becomes a psychic, genius killer (like every mad genius), who decides to take over the cyberspace. - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-1992-0001.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Remember when huge companies were scary? -#+end_img-c - -The movie was initially released as a /Stephen King/ movie. -King, however, sued the producers, as the movie has nothing to do the short story of the same name. -And he won, because it was based on original script called /CyberGod/. -Damn, I miss /cyber/ sounding cool. -They should have the original name, instead of forcing King on everyone. -And yes, I know King was the king back then. - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-1992-0002.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -That's one way to save your neck from Apple Vision -#+end_img-c - -The movie is we have here is a much dumbed down version of /Flowers for Algeron/, which I intend to finally read. -I don't think anyone ever called it a /good/ movie, and for a good reason. -It's cool, it's got great cyberspace CGI, it's got Pierce Brosnan. -It also has an opening scene with a monkey using a gun, so yeah. - -Story-wise is as straight forward as it gets. -The first half is full of sweet shots of grass and sexualization of a lawnmower. -And the most awkward sex scene I've seen in ages... or two. -Then, through a heavy-handed comment about religion and corporations we go the killing part. - -This movie fails as horror (there is not even blood or any scare here), and fails as morality play (it's not smart enough). -But it is a testament to the glorious time, when /cyberspace/ was magical and full of potential. -We sure deserve more of that. - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-1992-0006.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -The cyberspace we all need. -#+end_img-c - -I give it a 3.0/5. - -I was *sure* the ending of this film was from the sequel. -But nope - I don't remember anything from the second one. -Therefore, see you on the other side, /Beyond Cyberspace/. - -If anything, it's a great movie to show everyone how amazing trackballs are. -And we all know it is a fact. -No one can tell me otherwise. - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-1992-0004.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -The hidden star of the movie, right behind that hairy guy. -Look at that keyboard! -Look at how beige it is! -#+end_img-c - -#+attr_shortcode: "lawnmower-man-1992-0005.jpg" -#+begin_img-c -Cyber God indeed. -#+end_img-c - -[fn:series] And Polish version of those. -We had a great copy of /The Honeymooners/ named /Miodowe Lata/. -The translation of the title is surprisingly spot-on. -[fn:trans] Under an amazingly translated title, which would translate back as /The Lawmower Man of Minds/. -Perfection. -We knew /Dirty Dancing/ as /Spinning Sex/ and /Die Hard/ as /Glass Trap/. -Those were simpler times. - - - -** Dragon Ball -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: anime/dragon-ball -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot-anime" -:END: - -*** DONE Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022) -CLOSED: [2024-05-08 Wed 23:20] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: dragon-ball-super-super-hero-2022 -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :rating 1.25 -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract My mirco reviview of the 2022 Dragon Ball movie -:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-c rating -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: :primary_menu "brain-rot-anime" -:END: - -Even though I was raised on /Dragon Ball/ and I adore it up to this day, /Super/ was a huge letdown. -It played as a washed-out version of /Z/ - there was no tension, the new characters were bland, and it was simply boring. -The fact the only not-terrible part of the series was one huge tournament didn't help. -Just give me an adventure! - -I also can not say I enjoyed Dragon Ball movies. -There are a few enjoyable, but most of the time they are either bad or incredibly bad. -They try to condense interesting story lines into a few dozen minutes, failing miserably. -Say what you will about pacing, but Toriyama sure knew how to build tension over a hundred episode fight. - -And therefore we are here, the /Super Hero/ movie. -It's the last Toryiama's Dragon Ball. -I expected nothing and still left disappointed. - -The story exists, which is nice. -We're after the last /Broly/ movie. -Red Ribbon army still exists, and they want to take over the world again. -Goku and Vegeta are training, so they won't help. -It's all up to Picollo, Androids and the young Sayians to save the day. - -Who is the main enemy this time? -A new Cell. -Yes, Red Ribbon's latest acquaintance happens to be a genius capable of creating a better Cell, Cell Max. -And this is where the good things about this movie end. - -Remember Cell's saga? -It was long, it was interesting. -It gave us Android 18. -It was full of development, horror and surprises. -None of this is present here. -The new Cell looks worse than the original, doesn't have any forms nor any spoken lines. - -Moreover, the animation is terrible. -Yes, CGI looks great when still, but when we start to see any fight it becomes unwatchable. -It's the kind of CGI that is not bad per-se, but still obvious. -It's clear that what we're seeing here is made by a soulless computer. -They don't even try to hide it with constant camera shifts. -CGI can look great, but here it looks lazy. - -#+attr_shortcode: 1.25 "db-superhero.jpg" -#+begin_rating -Cover -#+end_rating -So, wasted Cell and bad animation. -Do we get anything instead? -We do - a lot of fan service. -We meet people from all other series and hear about even more. -We see return of figting Gohan and a few thinks we've been waiting for since the 90s. -It's fitting, as we're decades into Dragon Ball. -The problem is that they are just there and if they weren't, there would be difference. -Those cute scenes try to mask absence of anything new and interesting. - -Unfortunately, we also see Shenron. -In the old series, every time he was summoned, it was a spectacle and a memorable moment. -With each occurrence however the characters stop treating him as a force, but more of a goof ball. -Yes, the first wish we see him fulfilling was creation of pantyhose, but it was part of the plot. -Here? -Here Bulma uses him for butt-lift and wrinkle removal, as he became useless. - -And this sadly summarizes all modern Dragon Ball. -It's a low effort, forced return of an old legend. -It should stay were it was. -And this movie is one of the worst parts of /Super/. -It's not *as* bad as Gohan's[fn:whistle] whistle-dance, but the fact that it's not the worst of DB doesn't save it from being a insulting goodbye to the Dragon Ball world. - -[fn:whistle] I've been told that /Dragon Ball Z Movie 4/ has its share of fans, but I've got no idea how. - - - -** SciFi from the Eastern Block -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: eastern-block-scifi -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot-ebscifi" -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :primary_menu "brain-rot" -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :menu_order name -:END: - -*** DONE SciFi from the Eastern Block -CLOSED: [2024-06-25 Tue 21:44] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: :primary_menu "brain-rot" -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: _index -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract My reviews of SciFi from the post and current soviet countries -:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: menu -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot" :weight 1020 :parent scifi -:END: - -#+attr_shortcode: "brain-rot-ebscifi" -#+begin_menu -Dune -#+end_menu - - -*** DONE Dead Man's Lettes (aka Lettes from a Dead Man, 1986) -CLOSED: [2024-06-25 Tue 22:56] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: dead-mans-letters-1986 -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract A short review of SciFi classic -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :image covers/dead-mans-letters.jpg -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :rating 5 -:END: - -Let's get this right of the bat: /Dead Man's Letters/ is a masterpiece; one of the greatest movies I've ever witnessed. - -A Russian town after nuclear war. -Professor Larsen, a Nobel Prize in Physics laureate, lives with his sick wife and few other survivors in the basement of a museum. -For the next 88 mins you will witness pure, soul eating /bleakness/. - -Talking about the story doesn't make sense, as it's not the point. -/Dead Man's Letters/ is very much akin to Tarkowsky's movies. -It's poetry and meditation on human condition. -There are long stretches of nothing but inner monologue of main character who /thinks/. -Not much of /comment/, but rather a /study/. -I don't think I've ever witnessed this type of movie outside Russian cinema. -It's not Bunuel, it's not Kubrick - but at the same it's very much /this/ type of movie. -More of an experience, than a 3 act story. - -#+attr_shortcode: 5 "dead-mans-letters.jpg" -#+begin_rating -Cover -#+end_rating -It's also one of the saddest movies I've experienced. -No one is fighting for the future. -They simply exist, waiting for the end. -The only glimmer of hope is Larsen who thinks the was ended. -But no one believes him. -Maybe he even doesn't believe himself? - -The visual side very much reflects it. -There are no real colors, everything is monochromatic but colorized. -Just like in German Impressionism or /Stalker's/ scenes outside of The Zone. -The movie is full of special effects, but none of them aim at wowing the viewer. -You witness despair and the despair becomes part of you. -Luckily, this is only 88 mins long - anything longer and it would be unbearable. - -#+attr_shortcode: :file dead-mans-letters-1.jpg -#+attr_shortcode: :alt An old, white man wearing glasses. In sepia -#+attr_shortcode: :source https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091759/mediaviewer/rm794067713 -#+attr_shortcode: :class centered -#+begin_image -The "hero" -#+end_image - -#+attr_shortcode: :file dead-mans-letters-2.jpg -#+attr_shortcode: :alt Two characters sitting by a metallic table. On the left, an old man hiding his face in his hands. On the right a balding white man. The scene is blue. -#+attr_shortcode: :source https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpreview.redd.it%2Fbyjma8jabmc61.jpg%3Fwidth%3D964%26format%3Dpjpg%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D02b9a40ac8c094bc25d79890adb64b07c86c26e5 -#+attr_shortcode: :class centered -#+begin_image -You won't glimpse much happiness here. -#+end_image - -The movie is a directorial debut of Konstantin Lopushansky and was co-written by Boris Strutsky. -Strugatskys Brothers are one of the greatest writers of /intelligent/ (up to a fault) SciFi, and Borise's talent is clearly shown here. -Just like in their books, the story is there as means to an end; a medium to discuss humanity. -It's not an easy movie to watch. -It requires focus, dedication and a lot of thinking. -You will get lost in it, and the movie may stay with you for a while - even though it won't ever be pleasant. -It's an unforgettable experience. -Too bad it's not widely known in the west. -Maybe it's simply too convoluted? -Or maybe it's just too different. -Anyway, a masterpiece. -I encourage everyone to at least /try/ to experience it. - - - - -** European SciFi -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: european-scifi -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot-eurocifi" -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :primary_menu "brain-rot" -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :menu_order name -:END: - -*** DONE European Scici -CLOSED: [2024-06-25 Tue 21:44] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: :primary_menu "brain-rot" -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: _index -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract My reviews of SciFi from the post and European countries -:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: menu -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot" :weight 1010 :parent scifi -:END: - -#+attr_shortcode: "brain-rot-eurocifi" -#+begin_menu -Dune -#+end_menu - - - -*** DONE Run Lola Run (1998) -CLOSED: [2024-06-29 Sat 22:26] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: run-lola-run-1998 -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract A short review of the German thriller -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :image covers/run-lola-run.jpg -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :rating 3.75 -:END: - -Sometimes you find SciFi in the worst places, like Disney. -Sometimes you find it in a strange German techno thriller. - -The story of /Run Lola Run/ is one of the simplest I've ever witnessed: -Lola's boyfriend, Manni, screwed delivery of 100000 Detche Marks (close to 83k Eur in 2024) and now his boss is going to kill him within 20 minutes. -It is up to Lola to get the money, and then run as fast as she can to him - before he does anything stupid. - -#+attr_shortcode: 3.75 "run-lola-run.jpg" -#+begin_rating -Cover -#+end_rating -This does not sound /scifi/ but there is one element that convinces me: butterfly effect. -The one from the mediocre Ashton Kutcher movie and a great movie from Kieslowski. -We rarely speak of it today, but a few years ago it was quite popular. -In /Run Lola Run/ we see different outcomes depending on a very slight changes. -This, and Lola's /magical scream/ are the only fantastical elements here. -Enough for me! - -The story is serviceable - it's not bad, but it's also not memorable. - -What is memorable is how the movie is made. - -#+attr_shortcode: :file run-lola-run-1.jpg -#+attr_shortcode: :alt Red haied girl running on the left. A blurry building in the background -#+attr_shortcode: :source https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/104-lola-rennt/images/backdrops -#+attr_shortcode: :class centered -#+begin_image -There are quite a few running scenes here -#+end_image - -There was this short period of time, when a few ultra-energetic movies were made. -Think Pi, or Human Traffic. -They seem more like something you would see on MTV than a full length movie. -Lola runs, some powerfully techno music plays /loudly/ and that's basically it. -We've got some breaks with dialogue, but most of the movie is pure, raw energy. -Think /Mad Max/ has aggressive montage? -Check again. - -#+attr_shortcode: :file run-lola-run-2.jpg -#+attr_shortcode: :alt Two people poiting pistols: red haired girl and blond male -#+attr_shortcode: :source https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/run-lola-run -#+attr_shortcode: :class centered -#+begin_image -Unmistakable 90s -#+end_image - -/Run Lola Run/ is a midbudget (low?) thriller with SciFi elements which is very much a forgotten genre. -It's also very, deeply /european/, which I love[fn:pl]. -It's an enjoyable, non-insulting ride. -But it's a not lost classic. - -[fn:pl] -Berlin, where action takes place, is so clean here. -I say that as a Pole. -Our cities back then were far from being nice to look at. -It improved though! - - -*** DONE Mars Express (2023) -CLOSED: [2024-07-29 Mon 21:54] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: mars-express-2023 -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract My review -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :image covers/mars-express.jpg -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :rating 4.75 -:END: - -On the surface, /Mars Express/ is a detective story about a female detective and her robotic partner. -We've seen a lot of those, but they were mostly terrible. -/Mars Express/, on the other hand, is one of the greatest SciFi movies I've seen. - -It is often compared to /Blade Runner/ and /Ghost in the Shell/. -And while yes, those are the two big titles /ME/ takes from - there is so much more here to marvel. - -I don't want to spoil the story, but let me tell you it's great. -This /could have been/ another limited run TV series - but luckily, it is not. -We've got 88 minutes of great SciFi detective work which has already gone to history as a modern classic. -Enough said that it smart, makes sense and it's worth to experience without spoilers. - -#+attr_shortcode: 4.75 "mars-express.jpg" -#+begin_rating -Cover -#+end_rating -However, the biggest problem with /Mars Express/ is its older peers. -This film takes from numerous other movies - not only the /big 2/, but also 2001, /Akira/, /Armitage III/, and even some Cronenberg. -All of this works great - never have I felt that anything is a pointless reference[fn:marvel]. -The director and writer duo - Laurent Sarfati and Jérémie Périn - blend all those ideas perfectly, each borrowed /thing/ is their own in the context of this film. -But it also creates a lot of unexpected foreshadowing. -Now, I did not expect the ending - the film had a chance to end 3 times before the credits rolled. -There were moments where authors could call it a day and still have a great film. -But the story continues, becoming better and better each time. -As a whole, I left very much surprised. -Yet, a lot of twist and turns came as "hey, I've seen that already". -Sometimes in better form, most often in worse. -However, if you are the kind of person who tries to guess what's going to happen[fn:flow], you may leave unchallenged. - -But you will still marvel at the animation. -The French were always the champions of European animation, and this is another proof. -/Mars Express/ is breathtaking. -It looks 2D, and even when the CGI rears its ugly face, it's just for a brief moment. -We're seeing clear inspiration from /Production IG/, which is the best kind of inspiration. -Anime no longer looks as good as it looked when /Mamoru Oshii/ ruled the scene, and /Mars Express/ fill a huge void in my heart. - -Not only because the animation is spot on, but also because we rarely see such a vivid SciFi world. -It's often just a steel wall here and there, a bit massive computer, maybe. -But /Mars Express/ fills the world with believable nuances - the "Police" tape is holographic, the roads react in a cool way to accidents, and even the gadgets are cool. -I could not smile wide enough to show how much I loved it. -They could have just made the bare minimum (like it often is), but they went the extra mile. -As it stands, /Mars Express/ is one of the greatest SciFi worlds I can remember. - -#+attr_shortcode: :file mars-express-1.jpg -#+attr_shortcode: :alt On the left a woman is sitting on a table. Another woman is standing above her. -#+attr_shortcode: :class centered -#+begin_image -It's not anime, but it's breathtaking -#+end_image - -This is the film to see. -I know there is another blockbuster in the cinema you may want to watch, but please - give /Mars Express/ a chance. -It's not a modern film, it's not an action film (even if the action is 10/10). -It's a smart story, like we used to experience 20 years ago. -They don't make movies like this very often, and we are lucky to have it. - - - -[fn:marvel] Hello Marvel -[fn:flow] I never understood that. -When I watch a film, I try to go into a meditative state. -I try not to think of the story as a jigsaw, but as an experience. - -** Severance -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: american-scifi/severance -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot-ascifi" :weight 99999999 -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: :primary_menu "brain-rot" -:END: -*** DONE Severance (Season 1) -CLOSED: [2024-04-24 Wed 22:26] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: season1 -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract A short review of SciFi classic -:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-r rating -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :aliases '(/brain-rot/tv/severance-season1//) -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :rating 4.0 -:END: - - -Oh how I love SciFi without action scenes! -Sevarance is a story based on a great premise: an all powerful company is able to sever a person into two. -One gets to live outside the company clock; the other only in the office. -Both share the same body, but are completely different and have their memories separated. - -#+attr_shortcode: 4.0 "severance-s1.jpg" -#+begin_rating -Cover -#+end_rating -Apple tried to position itself in a small niche of the wider streaming service pool. -When Netflix and others produce one mediocre show after another, Apple is much slower and (seems to) focus on quality. -It allows itself riskier productions. - -/Severance/ plays very much like an independent movie. -It's minimal in presentation, I would even call it /cold/ as everything serves a goal. -Most of the show happens either in a soulless office building, or in a few semi-empty locations. -Somehow, for the first few episodes I had strong reminiscence of Shane Carruth's works. -Those have close to nothing in common with /Severance/, but the feeling was there. -And I love Curroths's works! - -The plot develops slowly and in an interesting way, everything points towards a great SciFi. -I was heavily invested in the plot, wanting to know what was hidden underneath. - -Unfortunately, it's a typical modern TV series. -Its runtime is expanded thin, we've got romance and unnecessary threads. -Remember when they made three huge movies out of Hobbit? -Yeah, it's the same here. -What would have been an /amazing/ movie is a /good/ TV show. - -It's stretched /almost/ into a self-parody. -They tried to have a mass appeal and with it, they lessen the story significantly. -I think they had material for 2 hours movie, maybe a miniseries. -But for multiple seasons? -I sure hope to be wrong, but it seems that it will the same as it was with /Westworld/. -Great start, but it's all downhill from here. - -The biggest offender here is the last episode which serves only the second season. -Such high-addrenaline scene had no place in /this/ story. -But hey, let's make people remember about that season 2 that we will make someday. - -For me /Severance/ is a perfect example of current TV drama state. -You can clearly see that it was made with passion, it could have been great. -But screw that, let's have it for four years. -Fill her up, please. - -It's very good as a TV show nevertheless. - - - - -** Anime -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot-anime" -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: :primary_menu "brain-rot-anime" -:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: anime -:END: - -*** DONE Anime -CLOSED: [2024-05-08 Wed 16:50] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: anime -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: _index -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER: :primary_menu "brain-rot" -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract Amime -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot" -:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-r menu menu-info -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :menu_order name -:END: - - -#+attr_shortcode: "brain-rot-anime" -#+begin_menu -Dune -#+end_menu - -*** DONE Attack on Titan (2013-2023) -CLOSED: [2024-06-09 Sun 17:10] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: attack_on_titan_anime -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract My review of the anime -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :rating 3.5 -:END: - - -/Attack on Titan/ may very well be the defining anime of this decade. -It started as a huge hit, then it faded into obscurity, just to return with a huge bang and end with huge disappointment. - -The premise is quite interesting: -pre-industrial age; humanity is close to extension, locked behind gigantic walls. -Outside lives the biggest threat man has ever faced - Titans. -Race of gigantic, humanoid beasts whose only purpose in life is to attack and devour humans. -We meet our main heroes - Eren, Mikasa, and Armin, just before the Titans breach one of the walls. - -The following 4 seasons differ in quality. - -The first one is interesting, but suffers from terrible narration where we are constantly interrupted by internal monologues. -We either learn what we already know, or random ideas are thrown at us. -The second one has no idea what it wants to be, and this is where viewership dropped sharply. -Then came the third one. -It seems to continue to downward trend from s2, but halfway through everything changes. -Without spoiling anything, /AoT/ stops being dumb fun and seems to become an intelligent commentary on human condition. -Before that, I was watching the series because I had nothing better to do. -After /this/ scene I instantly became invested and shocked. -Then the fourth came out, developing on what made the third great. -I was close to calling this a great series, but unfortunately it's all thrown out the window with the 2.5 hours long finale, which is almost entirerly one, long fight. -So much potential, such great buildup. -All wasted in the name of a boring action scene. -I don't remember when was the last time I felt so betrayed. - -The great part of /AoT/ takes a lot from history and great fiction like Dune. -We're seeing great idea one after another. -The story is full of interesting twists. -By the end, it's all meaningless. - -#+attr_shortcode: 3.5 "attack-on-titan.jpg" -#+begin_rating -Cover -#+end_rating -Story-wise, the only two redeeming qualities of this series are personal journeys of Eren and Gabi (introduced in S4). -Only their stories interest me. -Not that there is anything bad about the rest of the characters, they are ok[fn:armin]. -Run-of-the-mill anime characters. - -Yes, the series looks and sound pretty. -It's full of nicely animated action scenes. -But I can't stop comparing it to /Evangelion/. - -Both series start cool, but are not memorable. -Then they develop into marvels, pure greatest. -But /NGE/ never stopped being great. -After it gained actual meat, it developed it culminating in the greatest movie I've ever experienced. -Full of story, drama, meaning, and emotions. - -/AoT/ ends in /Iron Man 3/ - a prolonged, boring fight scene. - -And while the scenes shown during end credits return the series on its track, it changes nothing. -They nicely connect and develop the great ideas behind the /golden era of AoT/, but they should not be the one good part! -The ending should be it, as the way it happened is I wasted 2.5 hours filled with boredom. - -/AoT/ could have been great, but it is not. -It's an ok action series with huge unresolved ambitions. -If it was just a dumb action show, then ok - I would have some fun, then forget it. -It would fail in comparison of other shows we see now, like Jujtsu Kaisen, but it would be very much ok. -Unfortunately with added ambition, it ends in a huge disappointment. - -It was very close, everything was going great. -And then it hits a wall. - -[fn:armin] Except of Armin who single handely ruins the first few seasons. -He is the character who is able to calculate probability to 4 decimal places. -I see this kind of characters all around modern anime, and every time I have to roll my eyes. -Remember how /Big Bang Theory/ was often describes at how "dumb people think smart people are"? -Yeah, that's Armin. -The same kind of bullshit ruined shows like Kaji or Code Geass for me. - - -*** DONE Patlabor -CLOSED: [2024-04-26 Fri 19:11] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: _index -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract The Patlabor series -:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-r menu menu-info -:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: anime/patlabor -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU_OVERRIDE: :post "series" -:END: - -Patlabor is one of forgotten great anime series of the past. -Created by Headgear (Masami Yūki, Mamoru Oshii, Kazunori Itō, Yutaka Izubuchi, and Akemi Takada). - -In the not-to distant future humanity develops Labors, humanoid mechs, used in heavy construction. -With their introduction a new type of crime starts showing up. -To combat that, a dedicated police force called Patlabor is created. - -We've two separate timelimes: following the movies and following the TV series. - -#+attr_shortcode: "brain-rot-patlabor" -#+begin_menu -Patlabor -#+end_menu - - ** Hacker movies :PROPERTIES: :EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot-hackers" :EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: hackers/ :EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :menu_order name :END: - -*** DONE Hacker movies -CLOSED: [2024-04-14 Sun 18:10] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: _index -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot" :weight 2000 -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract Stories about hackers -:EXPORT_HUGO_PAIRED_SHORTCODES: img-r menu menu-info -:END: - - -#+attr_shortcode: "brain-rot-hackers" -#+begin_menu -Witcher -#+end_menu - - -*** DONE Sneakers (1992) -CLOSED: [2024-07-29 Mon 21:12] -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_FILE_NAME: sneakers-1992 -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :abstract My review -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :image covers/sneakers.jpg -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :rating 4 -:END: - -/Sneakers/ is a 1992 movie starring a huge cast of brightest stars about penetrating testers hired by NSA to recover a Russian-founder black box codename "Setec Astronomy". -Things get complicated and (as it was in the 90s) full of conspiracies. - -I watched this film /only/ because it is about hackers. -And let me tell you, I did not leave disappointed. -We sure got some red team hacking. -Computers get hacked, doors get unlocked, cameras get taped. -If this is all you want - sure, /Sneakers/ is great. -All of those actions are believable, hackers are not the scum of the earth (as they tend to be in later movies) and it's just plain cool. - -What I was not expecting was a great plot! -It's clear that the task is not what it seems. -It's not X-Files level of conspiracy within conspiracy[fn:xf], but we've sure got some rollercoaster of those. -It _is_ the 90s, so government are evil and private business is good, but even being raised on those ideas, I had a blast. -Even after the /evil mastermind/ laves the shadow, it doesn't break anything. -It may be a bit too-obvious, but what the hell. 80% of the story is great. - -#+attr_shortcode: 4 "sneakers.jpg" -#+begin_rating -Cover -#+end_rating - -And the movie is simply beautiful. -It has /that/ 90s look, which can not be reproduced with modern digital effects. -But the camera work is stop-on. -When I pressed "play" on this hacker movie, I was not expecting such A-game. - -But as the movie started to show its cast, it was obvious - this was to be a blockbuster. -An /Ocean's 11/ for the cyberage. -Just look at the poster - Robert Redford is here! -But, for me, Dan Aykroyd and David Strathairn stole each scene they were in. -Aykroyd played Mother, a young hacker and conspiracy theorist ("the moon landing was fake" kind of, not "Melissa Lavigne"), and Strathairn played Whistler, a deaf phreaker[fn:phreak]. -Both played just the perfect amount of over-the-top characters - anything more, and they would be annoying. -Everyone knew when to stop. - - -All in all: great cast, beautiful cinematography and interesting story. -And the hacking isn't brain rotting! - -#+attr_shortcode: :file sneakers-1.png -#+attr_shortcode: :alt Blue computer screen reflecting in black glasses -#+attr_shortcode: :class centered -#+begin_image -Monitors reflected on glasses can not be not cool -#+end_image - -[fn:xf] But nothing is -[fn:phreak] This movie is so old, that viewer is expected to know what a phreaker is! *** TODO Hackers (1995) There are movies which I absolutely despised when I first saw them. @@ -1539,14 +60,7 @@ You wage wars, murder, cheat, lie to us and try to make us believe it's for our #+end_quote -** Fantasy -:PROPERTIES: -:EXPORT_HUGO_MENU: :menu "brain-rot-fantasy" -:EXPORT_HUGO_SECTION: fantasy/ -:EXPORT_HUGO_CUSTOM_FRONT_MATTER+: :menu_order name -:END: -** Modern Games @@ -1556,4 +70,4 @@ You wage wars, murder, cheat, lie to us and try to make us believe it's for our - monkey 2 - poniedzialek zaczyna sie w... - internet's own boy -- +- armitage iii |