Elfen Lied

Note: This review contains several spoilers.





Well, actually, Elfen Lied's main excitement does not come from the plot itself (hence, plot spoilers won't actually diminish your enjoyment) but from the intensity of the characters. I think, this is where the main strength of this anime lies.



Actually, plotwise, it is extremely weak (bordering on cliched). Mutant beings start wreaking havoc on humans in the most gruesome way possible, and the next 13 episodes depict that story. It is mainly tragic and its violence (and nudity) gratuitous.



But it can't be denied that both those elements contribute to the story well, and without them Elfen Lied would be practically nothing. Its greatest strength is its weakness.



What does it say about a show that needs to insert Happy Tree Friends style violence and lots of prepubescent nudity merely to gain such a reaction?



Desperate, surely. But again, it does help the story very well.



The main protagonist is (coincidence, coincidence) a person who had a terrible childhood thanks to a mutant (they're called Diclonius) and, a few years later, meets the very same person at a beach.



Lucy/Nyuu (referring to her split personalities- one evil, one innocent) is the main Diclonius here, where she meets Kohta (main protoganist). She loves him, apparently, but also was the cause of his father's and sister's demise. Kohta, of course, has repressed his memories of this, and not until the end does he find out.



Which is puzzling, because he also admits his love for the woman who killed his family. I scratching my head by then. But alas, for the sake of the story, this needed to happen.



While all this makes it one of the best anime I have ever watched, many elements (as I have noted earlier) weaken it. Some might say that they actually strengthen it.



Some aspects, yes. Elfen Lied would not be that good without that much fanservice, dismemberings and what have you, but that (as I pointed earlier) shows how much it lacks.

Introducing...Business Law

College was breezing along just fine. First came Economics, which was terrible enough, but we made it through unscathed (at least, most of us). Then came another major hurdle- Marketing. Most of us, again, got mud raked at us, and were told to understand why. Again, most survived.



Then came Accounting. Which was okay, because we learned most of it already in our previous year (our previous accounting lecturer had to be one of the most eccentric ever).



Along came Business Law. Wow.



I've read a law text book before, and it was just...barely comprehensible. I got a few stuff, but got lost with all those references to Sections and Acts.



Okay, Introduction to Business Law couldn't be that hard (at least, compared to that text book I read) could it?



How wrong I was. We were assaulted with wonderfully (complex) constructed sentences and esoteric words that we had to ask someone to bring a dictionary.



We have decided to put the blame on the compiler of our textbook, a certain Ms. Lee.



In her haste to not make her work look like a cut and paste job, she decided to rehash the wording to make it more original. Of course, all it did was to confuse us (and our lecturer) even more.



Someone noted it was reminiscent of an Aron Tan job (referring to a student who copied and pasted his assignments and just changed the wording to make it look un-plagiarized).



But I think we must make some concessions for our dear Ms. Lee. Perhaps she was working under pressure, or perhaps law is just that way- extremely, frustratingly, complicated.



And as for Jared, who's interested in law...



Good luck!

Anna Karenina- A Few Thoughts

I must confess, there can be nothing new said about this book, considering it has been dissected, reviewed, analyzed (insert other synonyms) by countless of lit- crits.



So, I have very little to add here: A very interesting book (and looooong, so it says something about Leo Tolstoy's- or at least- the translator's aptitude here).



That said, despite its size, I finished it rather quickly. It was enjoyable. The characters were multi-faceted/dimensional, I enjoyed them (they were the only reason this book was enjoyable). Plotwise, it's just a simple tale of a man and his farm and a lady and her lover.



Well, that's to simplify things grossly (but still, it is in essence, about that!).



So yeah, after that, I can say it was rightly called a remarkable book. And now, I can finally boast that I've finished two of Tolstoy's great works, War & Peace, and Anna Karenina.



Three cheers to myse--



Oh, nevermind.

Can A Christian Ever Be An "Honest" Truth-Seeker?

It goes without saying that, once you are truly a Christian, you do indeed accept the reality of Jesus Christ and God.



But therein lies a problem. Suppose you are not sure that Christianity is true, or God exists? Does that make you somehow, not a Christian? After all, a true Christian believes in the existence of Jesus and God. So how can one be an honest doubter and be a true Christian at the same time?



Perhaps a solution lies in how we look at the evidence for and against Christianity. I think we should follow it this way: If Christianity is true, then the evidence will speak for itself*. If it isn't, then naturally, the evidence will show us otherwise.



In all this, we approach with the firm conviction in our hearts that Christianity is, indeed, true. And so, we approach the facts not with selective picking (of what will support us and throwing away what doesn't) but with honest seeking, knowing that if it is indeed true, the hope that is within us, we will know that it is true.



But is the tension really resolved? One can say so, but certainly, you cannot go around believing in something without some proof. Such will amount to nothing more than wishful thinking, and our faith will go no further than such.



On the other hand, as William Craig put it, faith cannot hold its breath while reason finds the truth. Why so? Because we do not wait until we are absolutely certain. Psychological "certainty" is very much elusive. What we need is reasonable proof (which is, by itself, very much subjective).



But if we were to wait until old age, until we are sure, after studying all the religions in the world, all the philosophies, all the facts, that Christianity is true, then we will have missed a lot had we trusted much earlier.



So should we have a "belief first, proof later" attitude? Or should we (as some, like Craig) assert that religious experience is a good enough foundation? That, I think is debatable, but the Bible clearly shows us- the Holy Spirit regenerates people whether or not they care about the evidence.



What was important was the Message being preached. And that is the confirmation of our faith, on Jesus Christ does our faith stand or fall.

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* "Letting the evidence speak for itself" is very much a loaded term, since evidence is almost always subject to interpretation. That said, there may be some evidence that are plainly perceivable, and easily understood by all.

Yes, We Speak Better Cause We're Wrong

A most hilarious comment on the Atkins vs. McGrath debate on Richard Dawkins' site:



Yes, I've noticed in many of the ID v Evolution and God v Atheism debates, the theists are the better, slicker, more articulate speakers.



Obviously if you have facts and logic on your side, you feel you don't need charm and if you're in a logically weak position, you have to compensate with charisma and

wit.



In an ideal world, debates aren't decided by rhetorical skills, but by evidence.





Someone please tell the atheist lecturers to start boring people now!

*Sigh* Computer blues...

The computer is acting up again. Called the PC Tech, says its a virus. I disagree. That's an insult to my intelligence. It's a darn hardware problem, and I have a blue screen to prove it. Heh.



Oh well, let's hope it stays fixed. Did some stuff, seems to be fine, so far. Sheesh. Doesn't it make you angry and frustrated when the PC acts this way? It's like, your life man.



Oh wait...that's rather revealing of how dependant I am on the computer.



Hehe.

The Pants Are Tight- A Simple Parody

This will, hopefully, be the first in line of my regular line of blog updates. Which should continue…regularly.

Ah yes, those of you familiar with the song “It Ends Tonight” (watch it here) by the All-American Rejects would perhaps…like our parody of it. Enjoy!

“The Pants are Tight”

(Verse 1)

These Levi Jeans,

They Strangle Me

I don’t have any room at all…

My girlfriend bought ‘em

For $3.70

At a clearance sale in a mall

(Pre-Chorus)

Have trouble breathing

My jewels are shrinking…

It’s not my fault I’m just big boned

It’s just not working

Weight’s unnerving

I think they’re going to blow

(Chorus)

No matter how I fight

The pants are tight (x2)

It’ll be alright

Have less to bite

The pants are tight (x2)

(Verse 2)

Now time has passed

And I’ve dieted

It’s time to try those pants again

But what is this?

They just won’t fit

I don’t know why I tried so hard…

(Then go to Pre-Chorus, then Chorus)

(Bridge)

Now I’ve given up hope

It’s better than eating eggs without yolks

Least I tried, but it weren’t enough

It’s better than being a cheese buff

Guess those pants just won’t come on

I’ll get some bigger ones…

Lyrics by Ian Cheah with Yours Truly

Plans for this little blog.

Firstly, a facelift. Blogger's new format is too restrictive, and if I were to tinker with the HTML again things would get screwy sooo...well, I'll see what I can do.

Oh yes, I've read some stats that say only 10% of all blogs are regularly updated. Being a guy who doesn't like to feel left out, I decided I should be in that ten percent. Hence, this blog will be regularly updated from now on. How regular, I don't know. Regular is subjective. Kind of like...Premium and Regular petrol. You know, some drivers say one is better, some drivers say the other is.

Er, yeah.

Well okay, maybe at least 4 or 5 times a week. Definitely not less than 3. Maybe less than two or not at all. Regular is subjective, you see.

Alright, seriously, I'm gonna update it regularly.

Tschus!

Reviews Etc.

The following is a listing of all my reviews posted on this blog. Constantly being updated. Also, I've attached a quick and easy rating to it. They are in no particular order, because I'm lazy to arrange them. Hehehehe...

__________________________________________________

Movie Reviews

The Mist (B-)
There Will Be Blood (A-)
10,000 B.C. (D+)
Jumper (C+)
Away From Her (B-)
Michael Clayton (B)
I Am Legend (B-)
The Golden Compass (B)
The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (A-)
Cloverfield (B+)
Juno (B)
Persepolis (A-)
American Gangster (B)
No Country For Old Men (A-)
Once (A-)
Pan's Labyrinth (A-)
300 (B)
The Fountain (B+)
Sunshine (B)
Spiderman 3 (B-)
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (C+)
Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix (B-)
The Simpson's Movie (B)

"A Must Listen!"

So say many about this sermon. What sermon? By a certain Paul Washer, which happens to be a youth message preached to uh...youths.



In all respects it is, as many say, well delivered. And the tagline at Sermon Audio, where it can be found declares: "So shocking and biblical that the preacher was never invited back."



Oh? Well, it is disturbing. Be it the fact that people were offended at his message or that he preached such a message.



So I listened to it. It was really amusing. Well, the reaction that is. When the speaker goes into a long winded biblical section in his speech, we hear the typical applause and cheering (if you've attended any youth conference, you'll know what I mean). You should hear his reaction to it. It's something that no other youth pastor would say (or at least, so far as I've heard).



If you're too lazy to slog your way through this sermon (although I do recommend listening to it), it basically goes like this: The way to heaven is narrow, and thus, many will go to hell. Many "Christians" are, well, unsaved. (Interestingly, I raised a similar issue in my former blog, except in a "what if" question)



What's so offensive? Well, many more people are going to hell than you think (so he says). That's always offensive, no?

300, or the Spartan Matrix Reloaded

Seriously.



Me and a friend rushed over to Mid Valley as soon as our college was over (well, it wasn't, actually, but we're on good terms with our lecturer...hehe).



And it was good. As good as I expected. But it very much differed, nevertheless, from what I was expecting.



300 is a tale of a brave fight, a tragedy (if you will), the Greek Alamo (as it has been called).



It is also a movie wherein in every single fight sequence, there must be a slowmo. Matrix style. The epitome of stylization of action.



This is a movie that will appeal to all those who enjoyed the Matrix (especially the latter two movies in the trilogy). The fight sequences are straight out from those movies. Slooowmotion. Watch that dismembered limb flyyyyy!



And if you didn't like either the Matrix, or Troy (or other related movies), then stay away from this like the plague. Because you'll be chuckling when the person next to you (who does enjoy it) drools at the intense swordfights.



There's other stuff for males like us to drool over. Like the scene with the Oracle. So ludicrously stylized as well. Expect the usual- writhing females (a couple of those scenes, in particular) with either see thru or barely there clothing. As the boys like it.



Well, the violence as well. Sometimes its so cool; sometimes its so overdone, you'll be laughing (I had to stifle mine). Let it be said, this is a 70% CGI movie. I can even animate the blood spatters myself. After Effects. Heh.



But being a close to completely CGI movie has its advantages. There is no lack of brilliant visuals in this movie. Very similar to Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, its visually unique. And I find it very nice. But its fake, and that sometimes is quite off putting.



Well that's all I have to say. Very little original in this movie, epic movie- epic characters. And although this is suppose to be based on history (albeit, stylized history), some scenes look like they were straight from the Lord of the Rings. I wonder why Orlando Bloom is not in this one. He seems to be a staple to almost every movie in this genre.



Oh well, such is my response after seeing this. I think it was nice I was one of the first few to witness it (today's the opening day in Malaysia) on the silver screen.



Don't buy it on DVD. Watch it in cinema. Because it's not for children. I find it quite silly at times, despite its stylish brilliance. But that's me, and it's up to you if you want to see it. You won't miss much, except...slow mo action! Yeah.



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Addendum:



Plugged In with their take on it.



Ben Witherington's (in case you don't know he's a theologian/biblical scholar) review.



The latter is surprisingly positive. For a theologian. Heh.

Final Fantasy X

Let's try this again.



This, I think, was the first Final Fantasy released for the PS2. There are now voice-actors too, definitely a first since the PSOne...



But the voice acting, I must complain about. Tidus voice is overly squeaky and over the top. The rest are good, if not just ranging around average in genuineness and distinction. But let me just give some concessions here- this is an English voice over when most if not all English voice-actors for video games were not all that good. Apparently, the Japanese was much better. That I cannot know for sure, because I know nothing about that language. Heh.

Oh yes, and this game has a distinctly Japanese feel to it. Tetsuya Nomura's characters are almost always Japanese in looks. I don't know why they went with that, but I don't mind. Although I did think the distinctly medieval European feel to FF12 was a notch better, and more convincing.



Final Fantasies are either set in the distant future or in a medieval/dark age period. This one goes for in between. We see Tidus alternating between the futuristic Zanarkand and the somewhat backward world of Spira (compared to Zanarkand, at least).



Gameplay? Bad! The major feature of FFX's leveling up system is something called the Sphere Grid. You don't "level up" like you used to in the good ol' RPGs. Instead you gain sphere levels which you expend on advancing your stats/skills in the sphere grid. I find that highly annoying, and it took awhile for me to learn. Major letdown here.



Battles are random, and I you would've think the folks at Square have thought to do away with them. But no, they're here, and that annoying cheesy battle music will always be stuck in my mind. It basically becomes a nuisance. Three cheers to real time combat!



But the story, I think, more than makes up for it. Whereas FF12 was criticized for its almost non-existent plot, this one is rich with it. The plot is highly confusing at first, and even after the story ends somethings are somewhat unresolved. Hence, FFX-2. I'll be playing that soon, despite the horror stories. Hehe.



Ah yes, and that love story. There usually should be some kind of overt love story. FF7, 8 and yes, even 9 had it. For some reason there was a noticeable lack of such for 12. I didn't mind, though. For X, it's not that bad, really. But it will be unbearable if you can't stand teenage "oh, I'm suddenly so in love with you" romances. Thank goodness it's not that bad as that other romance contained in Star Wars. You know what I'm talking about.



Also, as you should already know by now, most FF games very much have spiritual/mythological backgrounds, this is no exception.



I don't want to have any spoilers here (actually, I'm too lazy to write all of that) so I refer you to Wikipedia on that. I must say though, the plot behind this aspect is rather confusing (to me at least).



So we have a game that makes a clear distinction between good and evil (good for the children who should ever play this game, heh) and supports those who do what is "right".



***Spoiler!



Then we have those who rebel against religious teachings, but only after they find out they are wrong. Up to you to interpret if Square is dissing anyone here.



Yeah that's about it. I think it's worth played for the storyline alone, and the gameplay is something you would have to live it. And don't get me started with those annoying temple puzzles! Of course, I basically just did them in one go using guides. Yes, lazy me.

This is so unfair...

I'm like, been sick with the flu for over a week, and it pretty much stays about the same. Well, has gotten a little better, but not much. I'm never going to Fraser's Hill again. Ugh.



And the procrastinator in me says...do your assignment in the last minute. Which would be okay, except now I'm sick, and college starts this Tuesday, and I can't write (well, I'm writing this, but I'm not up to any hard thinking right now).



Don't you just hate your body for doing this to you? Or maybe you can hate people with their deadlines. Well, which one is up to you.



Oh yeah, I didn't sleep last night, because I dozed off the whole afternoon yesterday. So now, I'm feeling rather sleepy. Wonderfully convenient time. Ah well.