Sky Crawlers
9am
Ryerson Theatre
Sky Crawlers, directed by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell), tells the story of a not-so-distant future where genetically modified children fight never-ending World War II type air battles at the bidding of faceless multinational corporations.
If you think that sounds exciting and full of adventure and drama, you’d be absolutely wrong. There is some dog fighting at the very beginning and a larger invasion a little later on, but this film is primarily an introspective character piece. The action scenes take back seat to the film’s character development.
The story deals with the arrival of a new ace fighter pilot, Cairn, as he attempts to fit in at his newly assigned airfield.
The plot is carefully structured, with precise measured beats. Information is released in dribs and drabs, for example much is intimated about the bases’ sordid history but never explicitly stated, even at the very end. Every time you think a key piece of information is going to be delivered the director chooses to dance around the subject matter rather than approach it directly. In the end, you’re reduced to piecing together a story entirely from an absence of information.
It’s like being given a jigsaw puzzle, but with no final picture to assemble from. You know the pieces are supposed to fit each other, you’re just not quite sure how.
The film attempts to delve into some interesting interlocking philosophical concepts about the nature of youth, war and the modern corporation. But ultimately this deep introspection means the film appeals to an audience primarily on an intellectual level and never really connects with the viewer emotionally.
I enjoyed the film, slow pacing and all, but I’d hesitate before recommending it to a larger audience. If you need your anime to be ultra-violent and shoot’em up, this is not the film for you. But if you can appreciate a slow, methodical story that asks you to think a little bit about the way the world around you is developing, then I can think of worse ways to spend your time on a Saturday morning.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Cleaning house
The great purge continues…albeit veeeeerrrrrry slowly.
It’s official. Our little dwelling has run out of space. Prime culprit? Yours truly. I’ve brought in more books, DVDs and comics then our living space can currently contain. Unfortunately, I’m biologically incapable of getting rid of anything, a trait that I come by honestly. My mother has a problem with pack rat-ism that has gotten so bad, my parents are restricted to living in only one room of their house, the rest of it being stacked floor to ceiling with junk.
Things have come to a head in our own place with the influx of wedding related giftery. And while many of these generous gifts are meant to replace things we already own (pots and pans, dishes, etc.) we haven’t yet managed to squeeze the time out of our schedules to begin that replacement process.
I’ve been sorting and purging my comics for the last couple months and I’m starting to see the results of that decision in my purchasing habits. The light weeks are becoming more prevalent as I make the tough choices about what to buy and what to leave on the shelves.
A couple days ago I took a crack at my books, pulling nearly two dozen titles from my bookshelves in preparation for a visit to the used bookstore. A process I equate to ripping your own arm off and beating yourself in the face with it. Unfortunately, I suffered a setback on this front last night after stopping by Scottie’s for a round of video games. I ended up with leaving with a small handful of TPB’s that Scott earmarked for disposal. Scottie, FYI, is a purging master. That guy knows what he wants to keep and what has got to go. He has no sentimentality whatsoever about keeping something he’s not sure about. And since I have so much trouble letting things go, its awe inspiring to watch him at work.
Next up is the big purge, clothing. Its not that I’m attached to my old clothes that I don’t wear anymore (concert T’s notwithstanding) its just that I’m a sentimental bastard who can’t bear to part with anything. Although a tipping point was reached when I realized that I was taking up more closet space then my wife.
Truly, a milestone to be proud of
It’s official. Our little dwelling has run out of space. Prime culprit? Yours truly. I’ve brought in more books, DVDs and comics then our living space can currently contain. Unfortunately, I’m biologically incapable of getting rid of anything, a trait that I come by honestly. My mother has a problem with pack rat-ism that has gotten so bad, my parents are restricted to living in only one room of their house, the rest of it being stacked floor to ceiling with junk.
Things have come to a head in our own place with the influx of wedding related giftery. And while many of these generous gifts are meant to replace things we already own (pots and pans, dishes, etc.) we haven’t yet managed to squeeze the time out of our schedules to begin that replacement process.
I’ve been sorting and purging my comics for the last couple months and I’m starting to see the results of that decision in my purchasing habits. The light weeks are becoming more prevalent as I make the tough choices about what to buy and what to leave on the shelves.
A couple days ago I took a crack at my books, pulling nearly two dozen titles from my bookshelves in preparation for a visit to the used bookstore. A process I equate to ripping your own arm off and beating yourself in the face with it. Unfortunately, I suffered a setback on this front last night after stopping by Scottie’s for a round of video games. I ended up with leaving with a small handful of TPB’s that Scott earmarked for disposal. Scottie, FYI, is a purging master. That guy knows what he wants to keep and what has got to go. He has no sentimentality whatsoever about keeping something he’s not sure about. And since I have so much trouble letting things go, its awe inspiring to watch him at work.
Next up is the big purge, clothing. Its not that I’m attached to my old clothes that I don’t wear anymore (concert T’s notwithstanding) its just that I’m a sentimental bastard who can’t bear to part with anything. Although a tipping point was reached when I realized that I was taking up more closet space then my wife.
Truly, a milestone to be proud of
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Hockey Talk
Some Hockey Talkery as Steve and I dissect the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs…for only the tenth time this week.
Steve:
this guy is a shock writer who isn't seeing a bigger picture... We will get all the draft picks back at the trade deadline...when other teams are making their push for the playoffs and/or cup, and we are sitting near the bottom, we will become sellers...we will have the big fast D that teams will want heading into the playoffs, and that will give us the chance to reacquire our draft picks.
I think Fletch is doing a bang up job...we have a big D in place and they will develop over this season, and hopefully a few of our young forwards will turn into something and then we add a big UFA with all the cash we have now and suddenly we look good again in 2 years....
Chris:
TML are going about this all bass-ackwards.
Build a team through drafting and developing.
Steve:
didnt you read what I said?
we are getting all these young big strong D players and will sell them off at trade deadline and get our picks back...
this way we get rid of our losing core, bring in some youth and let the cream rise to the top...the rest gets traded off for picks and we get more youth...
this is building through the draft...
Chris:
No that's what you think will happen, that's what you hope will happen.
But we have no idea if that's what will ACTUALLY happen.
Could be these guys will all turn out to be fantastically mediocre and that there's no real demand for them at the trade deadline. Then we've lost picks and we're stuck with a losing team.
A pick in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Steve:
but without doing what Fletcher has done, we would have the same guys on this team for the 4th year in a row... the team needs to change...we cant keep going with the same crap and hope that they will all magically bond THIS year! it's a painful process, but at least there is a direction...listen to all the interviews...look at who is being brought in... with Wilson at the helm, and all the big defensive players we are getting, it is obvious that we are heading into a trapping, hard backchecking era...getting away from the run and gun style of the past 5 years...
about time!
Chris:
There's nothing obvious about it.
They're making questionable trades because they're worried about how the team looks (McCabe) rather than how they actually produce on the ice.
They're trading away the future on the hopes and prayers than down the road they'll be able to get something at the trade deadlines. (No guarantees there whatsoever)
They're screwing around in the front office (Fletcher) hoping that Burke will somehow weasel his way out of his contract and come to Toronto...the land of milk and honey...just because he wants to be closer to his kids.
COME ON!!!!!
Change is necessary. Change for the sake of change, especially when it's not thought out, can be more harmful then helpful.
Steve:
totally disagree...they have thought this through for sure... we have guys like Antropov that can be traded if some of our newer guys don't shape up...we still have assets and so what if they are trying to get Burke...wouldn't be the worst thing to do.
We have a great coach, have a hired a whole new (and well respected) scouting team and finally have a roster filled with youth rather than overpaid aging vets that dont really show up every night.
Chris:
Look at how you're talking.
You're looking at the team primarily from the standpoint of assets.
Tradeable assets. You've already conceded any hope of having a competitive season.
Steve:
no I haven't...
we will be a rough team to play against...we will punish a lot of forwards coming into our zone..it will be great to watch... Do I think we will win the cup with this roster? no...but do I think we will be fun to watch...YES! We will pull out some wins based on defence alone...I am waiting to see if out forwards can produce more this year than in years past... guys like Blake and Stajan need to really pick things up in order for this to be a successful year...
but I also realise that we need to go backwards to go forwards...if we end up with another high draft pick, it wouldn't be the worst thing for us.. look at Pittsburgh or Philly or Chicago..they all went down, got some good draft picks, loaded up on youth and then in 2-3 years are either fighting for the cup, or are well on their way...
that's where the Leafs are headed...
Chris:
It's too early to make that call. I think their lack of goal scorers is their biggest problem.
D helps you hold on to wins, it doesn't score goals for you.
Steve:
this guy is a shock writer who isn't seeing a bigger picture... We will get all the draft picks back at the trade deadline...when other teams are making their push for the playoffs and/or cup, and we are sitting near the bottom, we will become sellers...we will have the big fast D that teams will want heading into the playoffs, and that will give us the chance to reacquire our draft picks.
I think Fletch is doing a bang up job...we have a big D in place and they will develop over this season, and hopefully a few of our young forwards will turn into something and then we add a big UFA with all the cash we have now and suddenly we look good again in 2 years....
Chris:
TML are going about this all bass-ackwards.
Build a team through drafting and developing.
Steve:
didnt you read what I said?
we are getting all these young big strong D players and will sell them off at trade deadline and get our picks back...
this way we get rid of our losing core, bring in some youth and let the cream rise to the top...the rest gets traded off for picks and we get more youth...
this is building through the draft...
Chris:
No that's what you think will happen, that's what you hope will happen.
But we have no idea if that's what will ACTUALLY happen.
Could be these guys will all turn out to be fantastically mediocre and that there's no real demand for them at the trade deadline. Then we've lost picks and we're stuck with a losing team.
A pick in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Steve:
but without doing what Fletcher has done, we would have the same guys on this team for the 4th year in a row... the team needs to change...we cant keep going with the same crap and hope that they will all magically bond THIS year! it's a painful process, but at least there is a direction...listen to all the interviews...look at who is being brought in... with Wilson at the helm, and all the big defensive players we are getting, it is obvious that we are heading into a trapping, hard backchecking era...getting away from the run and gun style of the past 5 years...
about time!
Chris:
There's nothing obvious about it.
They're making questionable trades because they're worried about how the team looks (McCabe) rather than how they actually produce on the ice.
They're trading away the future on the hopes and prayers than down the road they'll be able to get something at the trade deadlines. (No guarantees there whatsoever)
They're screwing around in the front office (Fletcher) hoping that Burke will somehow weasel his way out of his contract and come to Toronto...the land of milk and honey...just because he wants to be closer to his kids.
COME ON!!!!!
Change is necessary. Change for the sake of change, especially when it's not thought out, can be more harmful then helpful.
Steve:
totally disagree...they have thought this through for sure... we have guys like Antropov that can be traded if some of our newer guys don't shape up...we still have assets and so what if they are trying to get Burke...wouldn't be the worst thing to do.
We have a great coach, have a hired a whole new (and well respected) scouting team and finally have a roster filled with youth rather than overpaid aging vets that dont really show up every night.
Chris:
Look at how you're talking.
You're looking at the team primarily from the standpoint of assets.
Tradeable assets. You've already conceded any hope of having a competitive season.
Steve:
no I haven't...
we will be a rough team to play against...we will punish a lot of forwards coming into our zone..it will be great to watch... Do I think we will win the cup with this roster? no...but do I think we will be fun to watch...YES! We will pull out some wins based on defence alone...I am waiting to see if out forwards can produce more this year than in years past... guys like Blake and Stajan need to really pick things up in order for this to be a successful year...
but I also realise that we need to go backwards to go forwards...if we end up with another high draft pick, it wouldn't be the worst thing for us.. look at Pittsburgh or Philly or Chicago..they all went down, got some good draft picks, loaded up on youth and then in 2-3 years are either fighting for the cup, or are well on their way...
that's where the Leafs are headed...
Chris:
It's too early to make that call. I think their lack of goal scorers is their biggest problem.
D helps you hold on to wins, it doesn't score goals for you.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Declaration of Principles
Hey!
So what kind of blog is this going to be?
Every morning I scan through a prodigious amount of bloggery on a number of different subjects. For me blogs that are done well, and are interesting to read, are the ones that pick a specific subject and then adhere to that topic as closely as possible. I’ve been banging out a blog with varying degrees of success for a couple years now. But for the most part, it’s all been pretty random, stream of conscious stuff with some comic book laced overtones. That’s not the kind of blog I want to write anymore.
So what kind of blog is this going to be?
I could make this a blog about comics. But frankly, the world needs another blog about comic books like I need prune juice enema.
I could make this a blog solely about shit that is going on in my life. But that’s only good readings if you know me personally, have an unhealthy interest in listening to me bitch about how everything pisses me off or if I had an exceedingly interesting life. Frankly we’re just not that close.
Personal finance blog? Let me sum that up for you. I do all right, but I always wish I had some more scratch….and out dated slang.
Books, movies, music review blog? Who wouldn’t want to listen to another uninformed opinion? And trust me, my opinions are among the most uninformed out there.
In the end, I decided to ignore my observations. I’m not going pick a specific subject and adhere to it as closely as I can. I’m going to talk about any and every thing that I feel is worth talking about. That means I could write about anything from comic books, to my irrational fear of flying to my growing interest in environmentalism.
In the end, I’m looking for more than just a platform to scream about the stuff that bothers me. Sometimes I’m looking for a frank and open discussion about a weighty subjects, sometimes I just want to nerd out and talk about Transformers.
I promise to try and blog everyday. And let me tell you right now, I will horribly fail that goal before the week is out. But I still promise to try.
So what kind of blog is this going to be?
I don’t know really. It’ll be a blog about me I suppose. Hopefully something interesting and insightful, but only time will tell.
Blog on.
So what kind of blog is this going to be?
Every morning I scan through a prodigious amount of bloggery on a number of different subjects. For me blogs that are done well, and are interesting to read, are the ones that pick a specific subject and then adhere to that topic as closely as possible. I’ve been banging out a blog with varying degrees of success for a couple years now. But for the most part, it’s all been pretty random, stream of conscious stuff with some comic book laced overtones. That’s not the kind of blog I want to write anymore.
So what kind of blog is this going to be?
I could make this a blog about comics. But frankly, the world needs another blog about comic books like I need prune juice enema.
I could make this a blog solely about shit that is going on in my life. But that’s only good readings if you know me personally, have an unhealthy interest in listening to me bitch about how everything pisses me off or if I had an exceedingly interesting life. Frankly we’re just not that close.
Personal finance blog? Let me sum that up for you. I do all right, but I always wish I had some more scratch….and out dated slang.
Books, movies, music review blog? Who wouldn’t want to listen to another uninformed opinion? And trust me, my opinions are among the most uninformed out there.
In the end, I decided to ignore my observations. I’m not going pick a specific subject and adhere to it as closely as I can. I’m going to talk about any and every thing that I feel is worth talking about. That means I could write about anything from comic books, to my irrational fear of flying to my growing interest in environmentalism.
In the end, I’m looking for more than just a platform to scream about the stuff that bothers me. Sometimes I’m looking for a frank and open discussion about a weighty subjects, sometimes I just want to nerd out and talk about Transformers.
I promise to try and blog everyday. And let me tell you right now, I will horribly fail that goal before the week is out. But I still promise to try.
So what kind of blog is this going to be?
I don’t know really. It’ll be a blog about me I suppose. Hopefully something interesting and insightful, but only time will tell.
Blog on.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Break time is O-VAH!
And so, I’m back…from outer space.
Still getting acclimatized to my looming work deadlines and overflowing inbox.
Will this picture suffice, with the promise of more interesting blog type material to come?
Let me know.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Dear Amanda Palmer
I wish I could see you play at your latest concert.
I like your music an awful lot and unfortunately I missed you on your last tour through town.
But I'm getting married and that means I'll be very busy that night.
I know you'll understand, because you seem pretty cool like that. But I just wanted you to know anyway.
But I'll see you next time you play.
That's a promise
I like your music an awful lot and unfortunately I missed you on your last tour through town.
But I'm getting married and that means I'll be very busy that night.
I know you'll understand, because you seem pretty cool like that. But I just wanted you to know anyway.
But I'll see you next time you play.
That's a promise
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