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June 27th, 2009
11:34 pm - JACT Meeting #4, #5, & #7
No the JACT blog is not dead. Due to my commitments to metrocon among other things I haven't had time to post. With that said, and going off memory i'm gonna try and list some of the latest happenings of the former meeting
JACT Meeting #4
Summer Semester
Location: 3rd Floor of the Student Union Across from the Kaplan Testing Center (Office)
Programming: Big O #4, Bokurano #4, and Ultraman Moebius #4
Feature: KANNAGI
Can't say I remember too much about this meeting other than the visit to I-Hop afterwards. Although one thing I forget to mention is that we have been switching between the english dub, and Japanese audio track of Big-O every few episodes. It appears the english dub (at a rare moment) is making more of a splash and has become favored over the Japanese audio track.
For the eat out afterwards we decided upon I-Hop being as Brendan, a new commer had never been. There we witnessed one of our officers attempting to eat a few pancakes with Tobasco sauce.
JACT Meeting #5
Summer Semester
Location: 3rd Floor of the Student Union Across from the Kaplan Testing Center (Office)
Programming: Big O #5, Bokurano #5, and Ultraman Moebius #5
Feature: Hatsukoi Limited (might of have these switched up, but oh well)
Again, a bit fuzzy but over all decent meeting. Hatsukoi Limited ended up being a huge hit as our feature, and looks to be a top candidate for our series for the Fall.
After the meeting we went to Cracker Barrel
JACT Meeting #6
I was unable to attend, and record due to my commitments to Metrocon
JACT Meeting #7
Summer Semester
Location: 3rd Floor of the Student Union Across from the Kaplan Testing Center (Office)
Programming: Big O #7, Bokurano #7, and Ultraman Moebius #7
Feature: KARA NO KYOUKAI
The feature had mixed reactions due the art house style of story telling. The animation, and art was really good, but the story was very hard to follow. Despite starting late, we managed to still end the meeting early due to the fact the feature was only a 50 minute film.
Prior to the meeting a few ideas were tossed around for FreeCon, and other club related and non club related events. No promises, but talks of maybe a rpg gaming night, or sewing night.
I'll be concluding this brief overview now, and will go back to my original style of meeting reports next weekend.
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May 31st, 2009
02:00 am - JACT Meeting #3 (Summer Semester)
JACT Meeting #3
Summer Semester
Location: 3rd Floor of the Student Union Across from the Kaplan Testing Center (Office)
Programming: Big O #3, Bokurano #3, and Ultraman Moebius #3
Feature: VALKYRIA CHRONICLES #1-3
(LQ cellphone pic)
Due to prior commitments I walked into this meeting a bit late. Fortunately the elevator worked so I was able to get in without any problems. Although I still had to knock on the door to the office area to get in.
The feature "Valkyria Chronicles" from what I saw was good, and I noticed it garnered a pretty good reaction. I also noticed that it got people interested in the game it is based on.
After a quick break we moved onto our regular programming starting with "Big O". "Big O" was really cool once we got to the third episode seeing as the acid induced opening is finally used from that point. The episode was also pretty decent, but I am worried if the series is going to take a monster-a-day style formula. The 3rd episode of "Bokurano" however was... well it was interesting enough. Since the last two were pretty introductory ending with some action, this episode was more character based. Finally we ended the nights programming with "Ultraman Moebius". "Ultraman..." unfortunately still gets some mixed reactions, but I suppose that can be expected from any show called "Ultraman...". The third episode was very special as the villain was a giant bird type creature with poison balls hanging from its chin. Overall tonights meeting was pretty straight forward and decent.
Ending the night everyone decided to go to Logan's. Unfortunately due to traffic problems amongst other things we relocated the after meeting dinner to IHop. Due to some turbulence me and my comrade were dealing with we did not know this until we realized they were not there. Thus I prompted to call another member to see what happened. Despite getting there late we fortunately did not miss out as everyone had not started eating yet. Due to the fun factor these dinners have been, and increasingly so it tends to be my favorite part of the meetings.
Personal Comments: I realized today that it may be a good idea to have a number of one or two of the regulars that go to the meetings. I also need to remember to bring my camera more.
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May 23rd, 2009
11:59 am - JACT Meeting #2 (Summer Semester)
JACT Meeting #2
Summer Semester
Location: 3rd Floor of the Student Union Across from the Kaplan Testing Center (Office), Skip's House
Programming: Big O #2, Bokurano #2, and Ultraman Moebius #2
Feature: VALKYRIA CHRONICLES #1-3, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home
At roughly 7:00 everyone had gathered in front of the Student Union, and was faced with a rather unexpected dilemma. We found ourselves locked out of the building due to what ended up being FSU resetting their lock codes required for entry every semester. After multiple attempts of trying to enter the building Skip gave the announcement that the meeting would then be held at his apartment.
Upon arriving, Skip displayed not only his credibility as a leader, but as a good host who provided everyone with cookies, and beverages. While settling in J provided some hilariously dubbed and edited anime intros he had taken part in many moons ago. Unfortunately once everything was set up, we ran into a technical difficulty with our feature “Valkryria Chronicles”. It seems as if divine intervention showed that viewing our feature was simply not ment to be in the end. From then we moved onto our regular programming starting out with an episode of “Big O”, “Bokurano”, and “Ultraman Moebius”. All seemed well until once again another technical error reared its ugly head smearing our showing of “Ultraman Moebius”. Due to the projected aspect ratio of the XBOX360, the subtitled were clipped making them hard to read so we decided to skip to the final breathtaking fight scene.
In order to make up for the lack of a feature, Skip, J, and a few others looked through the provided DVD collection throwing out suggestions on what to watch. During the feature hunt I found a copy of “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” which generated quite a demand as our feature. In this case though we may have broken away quite a bit from the usual formula, everyone had a blast watching the movie.
Afterwards most everyone decided to call it a night, and skip eating entirely afterwards. Heading out, I and a fellow officer decided to hop over to Whataburger where I came up with the idea for this blog.
Personal Comments: Even though we ran into problem after problem, I believe everyone had a great time. There is much to be appreciated in the team work, volunteering, and team work involved from making these problems not overshadow the enjoyment shared at this meeting. The only gripe that was given was one person felt that people were talking too much during “Bokurano”. Although that person later on told me that despite that, they enjoyed what ended up being their first time attending a JACT meeting.
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May 16th, 2009
11:59 am - JACT Meeting #1 (Summer Semester)
JACT Meeting #1
Summer Semester
Location: Moore Auditorium
Programming: Big O #1, Bokurano #1, and Ultraman Moebius #1
Feature: Otaku no Video (Part 2)
The theme pitched for this semester is "Mecha Summer". Therefore most of the programming provided will be related to giant robots. Although many of the features will serve to make the meetings more diverse and not completely overshadowed by the robot action.
The first meeting took place at the most luxurious Moore Auditorium. Prior to the meeting J provided a real treat for us with a slew of home baked metroids. Since I had taken the position of Historian I decided to bring my camera along to get a few pictures of some of the action that would go down.
As the meeting started an announcement was made stating that they will be experimenting with the usual formula by showing the feature programming first, rather than last. After a few tech errors which delayed our programming for a roughly 15 minutes everyone went smoothly. The feature "Otaku No Video" as well as our Summer series. "Big O", and "Bokurano" received a very positive response. While the live action series "Ultraman Moebius" received mixed reactions which generated from the shows use of budget, and special effects.
After the meeting, many of us met up to eat at Cracker Barrel.
Personal Comments: None
( Pictures )
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April 22nd, 2008
10:17 pm - Ken Ki (1965)
The trilogy finally reaches a conclusion with....
Ken Ki (1965)
The Sword Trilogy : Part 3
This stands as the last film of the loosely linked trilogy. The first thing I noticed was how different Ichikawa looked in this film, compared to other films i've seen him in. Gone is his male beauty form seen in Kiru, or Sleepy Eyes of Death. Nor his sophisticated look seen in Ken. When I first watched this movie, I thought I was watching the wrong movie at first.
With that out of the way, the protagonist played by Ichikawa is named Hanbei. Similar to Kiru, Hanbei is adopted at birth after the tragic death of his mother. Hanbei has it a little rough, as people believe Hanbei's father is a dog, and is sometimes referred to by his ridiculer as Dog-Hanbei. After many years have passed, Hanbei's adopted father tells Hanbei that he does not have much longer to live. He also tells Hanbei that even though the rest of society may not love him as much as he does, he must seek a unique skill in order to be able to make it on his own. Hanbei takes this advice, and becomes a very talented florist. After gaining recognition Hanbei finds a wandering ronin who teaches him the truth and the simplicity of swordsmanship in just three moves "draw, kill, and sheath.". It is very ironic that this is all Hanbei needs when he is pitted against more experienced swordsmen. Hanbei is offered opportunities to gain a title by killing spies. Unfortunately this turn of events makes him feel guilt, and instead of being ridicules as Dog-Hanbei, he is now Killer-Hanbei. Yet this begins to change through the discovery of an evil sword named the azamaru.
This entry in the sword trilogy was a little more light hearted compared to the others. Yet like the other two movies, it still carries the same themes. Throughout this series Ichikawa portrayed three men who struggle with their virtues, as well as their near invincibility. Although unlike the other two, the conclusion to this film is less bleak. Where as Shingo and Kokubun become locked into their problems, Hanbei is guided by the will to survive. Even though the future for Hanbei is uncertain, and doubtful, the film leaves a very small shred of hope. The ending to this film is a fitting conclusion to an excellent trilogy.
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09:29 pm - Ken (1964)
This next one is one of my favorites,
and I felt very fortunate in finding it.
Unfortunately this movie is just as good as it is obscure.
Ken (1964)
The Sword Trilogy: Part 2
The second film of the trilogy, and ironically shares the same name as myself. This is very unique film in that it is the only contemporary film directed by Misumi. It is also the only film I have seen of his to be filmed in black and white. While the era may of been shift to a present day setting, some of the same themes are still present.
The film opens up with Kokubun (Ichikawa again) running towards the sun, and states he wish he could be be absorbed by it's glistening light. Kokubu believes he too can shine just as brightly as the sun through Kendo. It is through this sport he seeks honor for himself. Instead of a duel of swords, this movie is instead a duel of minds. As Kokubun finds a rival in his co-captain Kagawa. Kagawa hates Kokubun who was chosen to be the captain, for being innocent and pure of heart. Kagawa believes that the only way he can be strong and defeat Kokubun is to corrupt him. Like Kagawa, other also feel the need to corrupt Kokubun so he can "lighten up". In a world full of temptation, Kokubun's morals stay strong, and his dedication unhindered. The movie leads up toward a harsh training regime in which Kokubun's students begin to lose faith in him. Although it is only when his students begin to regain their faith, Kagawa poses to defeat Kokubun once and for all. In the end, Kokubun proves how even in a world full of evil, he will always stand undefeated.
Though this may not be a movie I will see in constant viewings, it is a movie that manages to stick with me. The climax while subtle, managed to feel unforgettable. Without the use of color or swords, Misumi is still able to deliver suspenseful and wonderfully shot scenes. Even though the scenario may be different, this movie is an excellent example of how a director is able to apply his style to something outside of his usual genre.
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