A "Darker than Black" Saturday

So, this past Saturday was Laundry Day which actually means I either do a month's worth of laundry or just go naked....ugh! I. Really. Hate. Laundry. I had to do about 10 loads! It really, really, sucked. (Ok, you can stop playing your damn small violin now.) Anyways, the good part about Laundry Day is the fact that while I'm sorting through mounds of dirty clothes and taking my time folding, I can binge through TV shows!

For awhile, I've been on the lookout for new anime to watch that's interesting yet action packed. Recently I came across a comment on FB mentioning "Darker than Black" to be a pretty awesome show. So, I gave it a chance. 

Here's my review after watching all three seasons: 

Honestly, I'm still confused about this show. Bones, the creator, leaves you with so many unanswered questions and open-ended conclusions. I hate doing this, but I actually had to look through forums just to make sure I actually understood what was going on! And even after all the blog reading and comment trolling I still don't really feel like I get it. But the funny thing is...I want more!

To give you a sense of the plot without giving away any spoilers, the show is set in the future where from out of nowhere a gate called "Heaven's Gate" arrives in South America and a gate called "Hell's Gate" arrives in Tokyo. When the gates arrive they remove the current sky and put in place a "fake" one where each star represents the life of a Contractor. Contractors are humans who were given psychological powers when the gates appeared. Also, the presence of the gates caused some humans to turn into Dolls; unemotional beings used by Contractors who are able to track the whereabouts of others by projecting themselves through physical objects, such as water or glass. Contractors are currently being used by the government and other high powered organizations as weapons. They have no emotions and can only think rationally. Because of their powers, they make great assassins. They are called "Contractors" because in order to use their power they must fulfill a "contract", also known as a "remuneration", which requires them to do very odd tasks, such as flip shoes over, smoke a cigarette, or give someone a kiss. (Yes, very weird show so far, right?)

The main character of the show is Hei. He is an assassin working for a team called "The Syndicate". He has several team members who help him with his missions, my favorite being Mao.

Hei is sooo badass! I loved his moves and how quick he was (even though for the life of him he could never keep his mask on...like honestly what was the point of it?) There is also a perfect mix of gore to go with the action. It isn't overbearing as I've seen in some other anime shows. The action sequences though are pretty dope, and music to go along with it was rightly chosen. Check this out...

 Action aside, the point of the show, I guess, is to follow Hei as he goes through life as a Contractor tackling his internal demons and memories from his past. You also try to learn about the gates and why all this happened. This is the part I'm not really clear on but some forums helped me get a better understanding. You also learn about how humans, overall, especially in Tokyo are dealing with this phenomenon.

I loved this show! Hopefully, Bones comes out with another season. I mean, he really has some explaining to do. As I could tell from the reaction in various forums, we're just all too confused. Reading through all the philosophical interpretations hurt my head!

The action was great and the plot was moving. Season 2 is my favorite because of how they showed Suou's transition into being a Contractor. Plus she had awesome chemistry with July which was too cute!

I don't want to give away too much, but hit me if you want to chat about it. Otherwise, check it out. It's definitely worth the time.

Other anime I'm watching:

Sword Art Online II
Akame ga Kill!

DO NOT SEE TMNT 2014! You've Been Warned!

Bryce, I'm sorry to say that TMNT was incredibly whack! You were completely spot on from the terrible plot, the horrible acting of Megan Fox, and the twisted re-vamped look of all the main characters. Fifteen minutes into the movie and I was checking my watch to see how much time was left. IT WAS SOOO WHACK! It took everything in me (and the fact that I spent $7) not to get up and leave! It definitely should have went straight to TV. Nickelodeon should have done a TV special instead of shoving it off to theaters. Unfortunately, they did make $96 million over the weekend and decided to come out with a sequel. Ha! How you like those Michael Bay apples?!?

I was highly disappointed, but from what I hear, kids seemed to like it. Of course they don't know any better, but hey, it's for the kids right? Unlike you, I thought the voice actors of the Turtles were horrible and that the humor was lacking. I really wish the plot focused more on the Turtles and their personalities versus April. No one cares about her! I feel like the story was directed to an audience who already knew them, which in my opinion was a mistake. The movie should have been called, "April and her Ninja Turtle Friends", especially because they were revealed to be her "pets". How infuriating!!

I'm sad that I never got to see the 90's versions. I may have to do an illegal movie night to see them. I heard they are a little corny but legendary compared to the garbage I saw this past weekend! Everyone, please go see Guardians of the Galaxy instead...i'm just saying.

This brings me back, man, to Saturday Morning cartoons! The good ol' days!

Ninja Turtles?? Really?? Can we talk about this?

Jeneen!! Can we please talk about Ninja Turtles because I am feeling some type of way. When I first heard of another ninja turtles movie I was excited. The idea that they were going to make them live action (which I will address in a min) made me even more excited. And then I seen the trailer... and this was my reaction.

SIGH....... there are a lot of things I want to say, but let me show you the best trailer I seen thus far before I do.

This trailer was the best I seen and still there is nothing that makes me want to spend money to watch this movie. Red Box maybe, HBO definitely, movies no. I have a couple of issues with the whole concept. First of all when I seen Michael Bay was making the movie I was like okay cool, not a bad choice I am a fan of him to a certain extent. But then I seen her.... The beautiful woman who messes up every movie she's in becuz she can't act to save her life... Meagan Fox.  Then I thought about it... Oh yeah Michael Bay smh. So I'm pissed she's April. Why!!??? Out of all the actresses known and unknown Megan Fox is April. Really? Sigh... But still it can still be a cool movie thought its live action its been a min since anyone has mad a live action Ninja Turtle Movie. I think the last one was in like 1993 or something like that. Since that time every movie has been animated. Some good, Some bad but animated non the less. So the concept of it being live action is a plus in my book. But then I heard the plot ... Sigh..... for those that do not know the ninja turtle story (I speak to the youth and ninja turtle aware people)  Story time!!!!!!

The ninja turtles were not created because the city need a hero, as stated in the movie, which sounded a lot like Batman. The were a accident made by a evil alien race called the Krang. They spilled a mutation goo that mutated a man into a rat and 4 turtles that... The rat man (Master Splinter) raised the mutant turtles as ninjas because that's what he was and his discipline. Once the turtles were teenagers they wanted to go out and help people as real ninjas do at night. But master splinter wanted them to stay low key because they were suppose to be hiding from splinters enemy the shredder (i will address this in a moment). this is where the concept of Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles comes from. 

Okay, back to my rant. Now Shredder seems to be a robot.. this pisses me off. He is not a robot that has all these knifes, he is a ninja. And a beastly one at that. If shredder had all that armor on, how could he move or be as quick as he is in the animated series, tv series, old movies, comics,  and animated movies? HMMMMMMM????? smh sigh...

The last thing that I wanna discuss is the turtles. They looked dope and ugly at the same time. First off their shells seem to big. Like they all look hunch backed. Their personalities and voices are great. I am a fan of a good voice actor. So everything about them is really cool they just look ehhhh... I can really get with the program, I can look past the idea of a ugly mutated ninja turtle. But the plot is whats really hurting me rite now and the fact Meagan Fox is in the movie pisses me off... But I do wanna give big ups to Whoopi Goldberg still finding work. Yes, Whoopi Goldberg is in the movie. 

I don't know her role but she's in there. Haven't seen her since Sister Act hahah or Ghost. (I don't follow her work hahaha) Jeneen I am disappointed... I hope I am wrong and the movie is really good because I am a ninja turtle fan but I am going to need you to tell me if I should see it or not cuz I'm sure you will before I do. 

Hunger Games Series

I finally started reading the Hunger Games Series and I must say I am impressed... Yes, I know... I'm very late but give me some credit. I was finishing my Master (which I have completed.... round of applause ::bows::) and job searching. So there has been a lot on my mind. But, to take me away from my everyday struggle was the horrific struggle of Katniss Everdeen. This girls life sux haha. But it is a really good book series.

Sadly, I watched the movies before reading the books so I kind of knew what to expect. If you haven't read or watched I won't spoil anything however book two was LIVE!!!!! FINNICK ODAIR IS MY DUDE!!!! And I truly believe that Finnick Odair is really Aquaman. Boom!! I said it and I'm sure I'm not the only one who believes this.

 I can really see him playing a young Aquaman if they ever made a movie or a tv series. (hint hint DC)  I know, I know its cliche but how he is described in the book, and how he is depicted in the movies both scream I AM AQUAMAN lol.

Look how can you not see it. Even in the face ... yup he's Aquaman. ....Anyways

What I am enjoying most about the series and the movies is the difference in perspectives. The book series really takes the reader deeper into the perspective of a teenage Katniss Everdeen. This becomes annoying. Basically you have a front row seat into the mind of Katniss as the world continues to change around her. How the trauma of the games is and has continued to affecting her, and lastly her personal thoughts and feeling about the different characters. which was so interesting. It was annoying as hell. Reading every little feeling a teenage girl has about boys is such a good read. It kept me glued to the pages.  The movies bring a real world perspective. The movies are not so much in Katniss's head but more showing whats happening around her and how she reacts to different circumstances. For example a riot may break out and in the movie they will show the riot and how the district is under attack. Where in the book Katniss will not learn about whats happening around her until the her personal issue is settled or has calmed. Both do a great job bringing the idea and the series of the Hunger Games to life.

Anyways, overall I am digging the book series its really dope. I have just started the last book and am trying to finish it before the 3rd movies comes out. The trailer has been released so if you haven't seen it check it out ... It really didn't get me to excited but .. each movie was really good so I'm not worried.

Even More Talk About Korra

So I just learned Nickelodeon will no longer be showing Avatar the Legend Of Korra Season 3. Apparently,  last weeks San Diego Comic Con announced that Nickelodeon will be pulling the final 5 episodes.

Like everyone else I thought this was due to the low rating of the show. However, I was very much wrong. Nickelodeon agreed that majority of the Korra fan base watches online so that's what they are going to do. They are bringing it to digital copy.  It will be 100% online and only accessible online. As I stated before I was having trouble recording the series on my DVR.  This was the resin why. Soooooo anime watchers BACK TO THE ANIME SITES WE GO!!!! You can also watch on Hulu and Nicks website but you'll have commercials. There is a kicker tho. Only one episode will be released every Friday at 12p.m. until the season finale. A lot when down at SDCC and I'm still learning new things everyday so .... well keep u updated.