#his voice actor was amazing!! did a great job sounding like the gremlin he is

[courtesanofdeath]

The Jester

[ultimatetcgplayer]

Team Fenrir Leader: Log 1

((To those that are about to read this log, I want to say two things. First, I’m sorry you made the choice to read this. Second, do know that this is how Rune would in character write a log such as this. This isn’t reflective of how I wo uld write this kind of thing myself so. Yeah.)) Captain’s log, I have no fucking clue what the date is. In troubled times it’s only natural that most would gravitate to the main character. I mean, shit, we all found ourselves in a creepy little room without a clue of how we got there or where we actually were, the formation of Team Fenrir wasn’t just bound to happen, it was destiny! Or maybe it was just pure chance, but destiny will sound way cooler for when I finally get out of here and turn these logs into an epic anime. Then again, there’s a chance I’m going to have to give up my life in an amazing heroic sacrifice which the audience will find both heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time, so maybe I shouldn’t assume that I’m going to be the one making that anime. I mean, it is going to get made, but just in case someone else finds this after I take down those birds in a heroic final showdown, giving up my life for the greater good in the process. This is the journal of Rune Fukuyo, wielder of the chains of Mjolnir, Ultimate TCG Player, motherfucking protaganist and now the leader of the newly formed Team Fenrir. Where to start… I mean I guess we could start in medias res, but nothing really cool happened that could be used as a starting scene if we do that. While it’s cool thrope, in this kinda story, I think it might be best if we really start from the beginning. I found myself in a weird little room surrounded by a bunch of unconscious people. Now while I wasn’t scared or anything, I was confused and later pissed off when I found that most of my shit had been stolen. But I tried my best to remain calm. Shaking up each of the people around me one by one didn’t seem like a good idea at the time and it later turned out that my gut feeling was right once again… Or I could say the necklace told me that shit. Yeah, let’s change it to that. Anyway, like a good protaganist does, I began to monologue and introduce myself and the situation I was in. If I don’t end up voice acting myself, make sure my voice actor puts some real fucking emotion and excitement into my name. I don’t do calm introductions, I’m motherfucking Rune Fukuyo! Anyway so, my monologuing woke up the people around me, who I later found out were a bunch of Ultimates. I hadn’t really taken a good look at all of them, but I was pretty sure I recognized at least a few faces. Now, this seemed like the perfect time to do introductions, have me meet each character one by one, show off their main character trait or gimmick so the audience has atleast a minor understanding of who everyone is before we delve deeper into their personalities later. But sadly, the others didn’t seem to have gotten their scripts as only a few properly introduced themselves to me. At the time, I was kinda bummed out by this. Now the audience would be left confused on who was important and who wasn’t, but luckily, I found two other main characters! I know, I’m pretty lucky, but if I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be the protaganist~ A little doodle is drawn here of Rune winking to the audience. It’s… Okay. Our first other main character is Rikka, who’s the main inspiration behind the name ‘Fenrir’. Now, if you look at it from the right way, we technically weren’t wrong when we both suggested the whole thing might just be one big escape room. I mean, it was? It’s just that we didn’t have all the facts at the time. But just the fact he agreed with me on the escape room idea and was so cool about it showed that I could trust him. I picked him to join the first version of Team Fenrir for that very reason. Second, there’s Flerida… Fleur.. Gremlin… I’ll just stick to Fleur for now since I’m pretty sure the audience isn’t going to like it if we keep calling her gremlin in the anime. We should probably just leave that out entirely. Anyway, I picked her because she was easy to pick up and drag away with Rikka. I later found out she’s actually pretty talented and smart as well, so, my luck saved the day again. Fleur’s talent is the Ultimate Illustrator, which is pretty cool, but the talent that I love the most is Rikka’s. Dude’s the Ultimate Vaper and can do some really fucking cool stuff with his smoke…? Yeah, let’s call it smoke. Anyway, dude can do like clouds and shapes and different colours, like art but floating. It kinda reminded me of Fenrir, so when we started working together as a team, I, our amazing team leader, came up with the idea of Team Fenrir. It’s a name that’ll probably go down in history as one of the best team names ever, you’re welcome future historians, I just made your job a whole lot cooler. Anyway, while Team Fenrir weren’t the ones to actually find the stupid code which I still think is stupid, we were instrumental in leading people onto the right path and finally getting us out of that damn room. But that only made things worse as we soon found out who had captured us. Now, consider this, I’m me and I got caught, so these robotic birds were pretty powerful. But they also look really stupid, since when are tits a kind of bird? For whoever ends up making the character designs for this anime, if you could just do me a big one and change them from fucked up pigeons to intimidating ravens, that would be great~ Anyway so, apparently we have to kill someone to get out of here and then not get voted as the killer in some courtroom anime kinda shit? I think I heard of something along the lines of that before, something about a Phoenix? I dunno, it was a game my ex played. Not the redhead, the other one. You can keep them out of the anime, they’re not really important. Maybe have them pop up in the manga for like a chapter or two? I like anime more than manga anyway so I don’t care what you do with the manga. We got some tablets and… Just ask some of the others about that scene, focus on their reactions instead of mine. Thanks. I just don’t want him to have to have to suffer anymore because of this shit. So… Just leave him out, okay? Anyway, after that ended and the birds fucked off to wherever the hell they went, I decided that as the amazing main character I should use my powers to give the spotlight to some of the lesser known characters and make them feel safe and welcome in our amazing team. So, I picked 3 others to join us! The angel with a beautiful voice Shizuka, the unlucky but big hearted Atsu and the amazing Hasanobu! Hasanobu’s title might change, just calling him amazing is a little boring but I can’t think of anything else at the moment. Our group went out to explore after we finally did some proper introductions for the sake of the audience. I found some interesting stuff in the kitchen, which I shared with my new friends, because friendship is the most important thing in the universe after all. We found a code but uh, for some reason, my protaganist powers kinda failed me because I had no idea what the code was. I think this might be a hint that I need to find someone who does understand the code and add them to my group? Or maybe find a mentor kinda character that can teach me. Seichou and Setsuko seem like the kind that would know how to do this, so I’ll go try and recruit them into team Fenrir. I mean, how could they say no with such an awesome cast already? I think that’s enough for today. I’ll try and find a schedule for these logs but, adventure is more important than keeping logs, so I might be late sometimes. Yours truly, the one and only -Rune Fukuyo

[rob-blog1234]

WEEKEND TV HOT FILM PICKS!

Check out my guide to the top films on TV this weekend and the best of the rest. Enjoy!

LATE FRIDAY 26th JANUARY

HOT PICKS!

Horror @ 2100    Tucker and Dale Vs. Evil (2010) ****

Tucker and Dale vs. Evil is a stand out comedy from 2010. Although less effective after a few re-watches it still pulls enough laughs to stay up in 4 star territory. For those who have not seen this film please do! It was one of my favourite comedies of 2010 with its great storytelling and the way it tips all expectations on their head. This film had a remarkably fresh feel. Alan Tudyk and Tyler Labine work well together and are a great comedy duo. This is comedy horror done well. Just what the genre needed. Get this on record.

BBC2 @ 2305      Drive (2011) *****

My top film of 2011 by a long mark. Nicolas Winding Refn goes from strength to strength. Subtle, stunning, a stellar soundtrack and great performances from everyone involved. The glances and looks between Mulligan and Gosling are brilliant. So much is said with so few words. Refn is my currently one of my favourite Directors. Each and every shot is perfect in this film. After ump-teen re-watches, it simply gets better and better. This will no doubt become cult cool. In my book it already is.

Best of the rest:

5* @ 2100          Sleepy Hollow (1999) ****

Film4 @ 2100    The Abyss (1989) ****

ITV4 @ 2300      The Blues Brothers (1980) ****

TCM @ 2305      Full Metal Jacket (1987) *****

Horror @ 0035  The People Under the Stairs (1991) ***

ITV3 @ 0250      The Sting (1973) *****

SATURDAY 27th JANUARY

HOT PICKS!

TCM @ 2100      Full Metal Jacket (1987) *****

I’ve had many discussions regarding people’s favourite War movie? …and this is mine. Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket is superb. It’s full of classic Kubrick shots and some stellar performances making this a true bona fide classic. The film has 2 clear parts; the first part of the film goes through the marine training from day one of their induction, with a powerful opening scene of each character getting their heads shaved, removing their identity. This training part of the film is bar far the highlight of the movie. The second part, although different is extremely complimentary and deals with their introduction to real army life out in their new various roles, specifically focusing on “Joker” in his role as war correspondent for the Stars and Stripes publication. The film shows the Vietnam War from their perspective and how their lives are consumed by it.  It is full of interesting characters, particularly Private Pyle played by the brilliant Vincent D'Onofrio. Lee Ermey’s wild eyed and aggressive drill instructor is almost cartoon in his extremes and pushes the new recruits to the very limit of their capabilities… and in some cases beyond.  Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket is a triumph of cinema and a much watch film. Like War films? Love this.

BBC2 @ 2230    Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014) *****

Birdman holds up strong on re-watch - It's totally immersive and with some of the best performances I've seen for a while. On second watch I was particularly impressed with Emma Stone who owns the screen with her presence and delivers her lines with commanding assurance. I rate this up there in her performances of mention.

Keaton is an aging actor on the downward spiral out-of-fame after a career as a superhero Birdman. Similarities with his role as Batman are noted and make this all the more interesting. In an attempt to stay relevant he is directing and starring in a stage performance and we follow him on this ill-fated journey to bring his creation to the stage. Keaton is outstanding here and this reinforces my already strong appreciation of his talent. Where to next? Well ALL the cast are phenomenal and I could go on about them all, Galifianakis is perfect- just restrained enough to keep the right tone of the film, Ed Norton is superb and Emma Stone pulls a storming performance out of the bag. Everyone does a sterling job.

Alejandro González Iñárritu's direction and Emmanuel Lubezki's cinematography are on full show here. Birdman masquerades as one continuous take but is made up of many long takes sewn together. An editing nightmare for sure, but handled fantastically. As the camera follows and leads us around the story, to the unusual and amazing drum work which is almost always playing, I was left open mouthed in astonishment at this wonderful spectacle. Cleverly filmed with many shots into mirrors with no camera to be seen, this film quite simply pops. All my buttons were being pressed - all the time.

This film isn't just a clever visual spectacle - it's packed full of food for thought. It's dark comedy off set with some serious issues, evidently Keaton is playing a man with many inner demons and this film treads the fine line of decency, treating its subject matter with care and attention.

I really want to go and watch this all over again. It's packed with ideas and the more I sit back and think about it - the more I find. Birdman is a triumph. Don't miss this.

Sony @ 2345    The American (2010) *****

An absorbing and beautifully shot slow paced thriller with Clooney pulling another sterling and affecting performance out of the bag. He really is very good at these type of characters. After I recently watched him in the fantastic Michael Clayton, I immediately wanted to see The American again. Although his character is a closed book we see enough of Jack’s inner anguish and emotion to really buy into his character, his situation and his decisions.

The stylish cinematography and the amazing backdrop of the village of Abruzzo really turn this into a feast for the eyes. Every shot with precision and focus. It is a visually stunning film. The poster and marketing really did not help this films cause. If you come in expecting gun toting gangsters and lots of chases, then you will be disappointed, this is an understated and calm affair with a subtle power over its audience. With Clooney at his expected best this is a superb slow burn thriller from a Director with a great eye for style and suspense

Best of the rest:

ITV2 @ 1330      The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) *****

ITV4 @ 1600      Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) *****

Film4 @ 1750    Avatar (2009) ***

TCM @ 1900     Gremlins (1984) *****

More4 @ 2100  The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011) ****

5* @ 2100         V for Vendetta (2005) ***

Syfy @ 2330     In Time (2011) ***

SUNDAY 28th JANUARY

HOT PICKS!

Sony @ 1905     Another Earth (2011) ****

Through all the improbabilities and implausible ideas in this elaborate work of fiction, Mike Cahill brings us a subtle, affecting and intimate story that takes place as we discover another planet, another Earth, getting closer and closer to our planet. An exact replica. This huge and admittedly outrageous Sci-Fi concept is merely a sub plot to the main event - It is a story of how two people meet and how their relationship, forged through tragedy, grows.

Brit Marling, who not only co-wrote this film but it is also her fantastic debut in the lead role as Rhoda, turns this light weight, low budget story of a tragic relationship into a serious heavy weight contender. This is no doubt the start of a great career for her. I still haven’t managed to catch her in the 2012 release Sound of My Voice which I’m very much looking forward to.

The film does raise a ton of unanswerable questions but sensibly chooses to stick to its guns and focus purely on Rhoda, her decisions and the reasons for the path she takes. This emotionally charged Indie Sci-Fi fascinates and mesmerises with its subtle, slow pace, mysterious soundtrack and affecting performances.

Film4 @ 2100   The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) *****

Check out Scorsese’s balls-out look at some horrible people doing repugnant things with so much swearing if it was edited it would end before it started. This is a film of excess in every way.

DiCaprio is Jordan Belfort and the film follows his rise and fall in Wall Street. It’s hilarious and repulsive in equal merit, but where this film worked for me is it didn’t seem to be telling me something clever, having an opinion or educating us on what is right or wrong - it simply shows us the American dream encapsulated in one man’s story to power and money. It’s crass, crude and unabashed about what it is. But no matter how much I dissect it I was addicted to this story and could help but follow along wide eyed and mouthed. It’s worth it just for the Lamborghini scene alone. Don’t miss this.

C4 @ 2300   Side Effects (2013) ****

Soderbergh’s Side Effects is one of those films that is incredibly difficult to talk about without ruining it or giving away some of the lovely points and twists of this film. I have always liked Soderbergh’s films in the most part. He has always handled complex characters extremely well and his films have a heavy focus on people and relationships. Here we seen Rooney Mara in a fantastic role. She plays a woman who turns to prescription medication for her anxiety as her husband is released from prison. The film is as much about her story as it is about the pharmaceutical companies that create new drugs on unsuspecting patients. It really touches on some serious issues. Side Effects is simply fantastic. I was blown away on my first viewing and became one of my firm favourites from 2013. If you like thrilling Crime Dramas then this is going to tick all your boxes. Don’t miss this.

Best of the rest:

Film4 @ 1100      The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) ****

C5 @ 1315           Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) *****

5* @ 1545             Footloose (1984) ***

C4 @ 1655           How to Train Your Dragon (2010) ****

ITV2 @ 1745        The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) ***

Comedy @ 1745  Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) ****

5Spike @ 1750    Where Eagles Dare (1968) ****

Syfy @ 2100        Pitch Black (2000) ****

ITV4 @ 2230        Harry Brown (2009) ***

TCM @ 0000        Escape from New York (1981) ****

Film4 @ 0030      Red State (2011) ***