Link of the Day [7.07.15]

Mecha battle — BEGIN!

USA vs. Japan!

Who has the best mech?

And why from the pictures in today's link does each mecha looks like what you'd expect from each country. Japan's is sleek and looks like it's from Patlabor. USA's looks like it was ripped from the James Cameron film, Avatar. I like the Japanese mecha better.

After this battle, will we be able to get our own Landmates?

http://makezine.com/2015/07/06/usa-vs-japan-giant-robot-battle/

Link of the Day [6.25.15]

I don't like business or finance, because of their relentless focus on making money without a care for how it affects the world. They have taken to heart the mantra: 'make money, make money, money, money.' Who does that philosophy put first? It certainly isn't employees, consumers, the economy, or the country, but the corporations, banks, and financial industry. There is nothing good when money is the sole focus of an endeavor. Especially, if you make it an excuse to gobble all the resources for yourself.

WWJD?

http://www.cringely.com/2015/06/24/the-u-s-computer-industry-is-dying-and-ill-tell-you-exactly-who-is-killing-it-and-why/

When Marnie Was There

And Studio Ghibliends their Miyazaki era with a quiet film, When Marnie Was There. It’s not one of their greatest, but it continues the tradition of excellence they are known for.

Marnie is a story about a lonely young girl, orphaned, living with adopted parents, shipped out to the country to spend summer vacation away from Tokyo. She takes this as a sign that her adoptive parents are tired of her. Also, because they receive a stipend from the government to take care of her, Marnie gets the idea she is not really loved. While in the country, she keeps meeting a mysterious girl who lives in a derelict house. Only she can see her and the magnificence of the house when it was filled with people. She feels a connection to this girl. How? Why?

Although, the story was contrived to end with, the film was decent. Ghibli films always are. The animation is high quality.

I caught the English dub. I was hoping for subtitles, because I believe that Japanese anime needs to be seen with the original voice actors.

Watch only if you are a Ghibli completist. I am, so I did.

3 of 5 stars.

Spy

I wish the guys who did The World’s End, Hot Fuzz, and Shaun of the Dead had done Spy, because it would’ve been funnier and more action packed. It was fun and funny, but it could’ve used satire a bit to make fun of the spy movie genre. It was flat in points, and its tone was mixed through the movie. Was it supposedly a satire or was it a real action movie? Who knows? That’s why you don’t even remember that it was in the theatre just last month.

Hunh? Where’d it go? Here! On this blog post which I done wrote a few weeks after I had watched it.

3 of 5 stars.

It should’ve starred Simon Pegg.

Hopeful Refrain

Did you study? Do you know who is who? Are you as excited as I am to catch this video?

I am an idol otaku at the moment.

Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland continues Brad Bird’s infatuation with Specials. The spunky girl protagonist is special. The young George Clooney is special. House is special. Only special people have the wherewithal to make the world a better place. Yeah, that message is tired and needs to be retired.

With that said, I enjoyed the movie. It may not be a good one, but its earnestness with trying to make the future a better place is nice to have in this day and age. Tomorrowland is future and hopeful.

Also, CG is bogus after you have seen Mad Max: Fury Road. The first jet pack flying seen? Its not as shiny and chrome as actual War Boys on poles catapulting after cars. CG? THhhphhhtttt!

3 of 5 stars.

Placard of the Heart

Amazingly, I’ve caught up with the history of AKB48. It was only two weeks ago that I started watching their videos on youtube. I moved onto watching as many AKBINGO! shows on youtube as possible. There are over 200 episodes, and many have been subbed in English. I’ve gotten some favorite segments on the show. You can’t beat cute girls trying to cook or competing in a dodge ball match in which, when you get knocked out, you have to perform some crazy stunt. They also do a thing called ‘shoujiki shougi’

I’ve been watching their videos day and night. It’s so many I’ve gotten to know the girls.

Now it’s your turn.

This video features Mayu Watanabe in the center position. She won last year’s General Election becoming the fan favorite for the past year. She lost this year’s General Election to Rino Sashihara. You can catch her in the blue to Mayu’s right. Also, in this one is Minami Takahashi, the short one. She’s AKB48’s mother hen, and she’s retiring this year. Jurina Matsui is the young one. Yuki Kashiwagi is the first runner up. Kojima Haruna is there, too.

Dang. I’m starting to recognize them!