now it is July 14, baby

Can I just say... Aang bending fire.

"I'm ... weak" says Naruto

My my, Naruto Shippūden is a treasure to behold. Not only a creative phenomenon but a classy one at that. The first episode is so amazing, Naruto and team frantically searching for Sasuke only to find he is way more powerful and just as resigned to his future as ever. Then we learn that is a flash forward. It takes 50 episodes to reach that moment, 50 fantastic episodes full of action, treason and more Naruto determination. He has come such a long way and in episode 51 when he finally finds Sasuke, he is treated like dirt by the one person he most wants to change. Sasuke is impressive and cold, bent on killing his brother and not caring one iota that Naruto and Sakura have spent the past three years looking for him. It was incredibly heart breaking. In the end, Sasuke left and Naruto collapses, an overwhelming grief stricken expression on his face, crying, claiming that he failed yet again to bring Sasuke back and that he is weak. A tear jerker of an episode and represents the calibre of anime that this show has become. I laugh at the dramatic moments, those slow moving camera movements that takes 10 minutes just to pan up to the face of the character you have been waiting to see, the cuts back and forth of the faces and his impact but in fact, I relish every second. My heart stutters with anticipation because it gets better and better.

getting caught up

Thanks to Netflix immediate watch and SciFi's Animonday, I have finally finished the anime I have been watching for a while

Tactics
A sub par story about a priest like man who destroys spirits and monsters. The climatic ending was not even enough to rank this average. Seriously, it was just on for noise.

Noein
A bit confusing near the end but a touching story of friendship and defying destiny. Some nice digital graphics to go along with it. I would recommend it for some good science fiction and character moments.

GunXSword
I love Netflix's Watch Now feature. I have had this on my list to watch for a while but have debated putting it in my queue because it is a lot of discs. The Watch Now feature allows me to watch it anytime and not six or seven episodes at a time. The premise of Gun Sword is mecha based and though I am not a mecha fan, the protagonist is a whole bunch of fun. From the creators of Cowboy Bebop, it did not have that epic feel but came pretty close. Van of the Dawn can control a big armor which stays in orbit around the planet until he calls for it which is often given that everyone seems to have their own armor. Van's sole purpose in life is to kill "The Claw", the man who murdered his fiance. Along for the ride is Wendy, an innocent yet determined girl bent on finding her brother and some others Van begrudgingly picks up along the way. It is mostly light with some okay fighting scenes. Again, a good recommendation for a well rounded series.

Next up: Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo and Mushishi some of the top rated anime available on Netflix's Watch Now.

Lex Luther finally comes to "Smallville"

I have to admit, I am a closet "Smallville" fan. Sometimes the plots get way too dramatic or silly but it is fun to watch a young Clark contend with his powers and use them for the greater good. The writers and creators of the show have really taken liberties with the story line but have still managed to bring in great characters like the Flash, Green Arrow, Lois, Jimmy, Perry White, Martian the Manhunter, and Supergirl. The relationship between Clark and Lex has been different from the start. They became friends, they have loved the same girl, they have become enemies, and they have lost their fathers. This most recent development was unexpected and has made the past few crazy years a thing of the past. The man known as Lex Luther has finally come to "Smallville" and his new sick and evil ways are a blessed anticipation for a show in its sixth season with renewal for a seventh. Let us hope that the whiny Lana is permantly out of the picture and Lois steps up to bat. It is going to be a fun ride.

say it isn't so

No Avatar until June 2008 in the USA. That's right, folks. At the NY Comic Con, the final trailer for the third and last season of Avatar: The Last Airbender informed that it will not air in the US until June 2008 even though Volume 3 of Book 3 DVD set will be released prior.

On a similar note, the live action movie release, directed by M. Night Shyamalan now titled The Last Airbender so as not to conflict with James Cameron's future release of Avatar, is set for July 2, 2010.

image album

For those of you who do not know, an image album is a prereleased album for a Japanese animated film which comprises musical sentiments the composer produces based on initial sketches of the film. In most cases, the music morphs into the official album but sometimes not. The image album for Howl's Moving Castle, in my opinion, is better than the official album but it is the opposite for Spirited Away. The release of Ponyo on a Cliff by the Sea is sometime this summer but the image album, but the incomparable Joe Hisaishi has already been compiled. Oh to get my hands on that abulm. There is a lengthy review over at GhibliWorld.com though. It is too bad we have to wait so long in the states.

http://www.ghibliworld.com/ponyo_image_album_review.html

soccer frenzy

How great is it to have soccer back in full swing.? With Beckham scoring his first MLS goal and the returning champs, the Houston Dynamo having an exciting opening home game against FC Dallas. I decided to drive to Houston this weekend to partake of the game, enjoying the residents stopped for bluebonnet pictures with their kinds on the way. It was a cloudless day and I had forgotten my sun screen. How lucky was I that they were giving away orange hats to the first 10,000 fans.? It still did not stop my arms from burning though. Though Onstad was hurt in the first ten minutes and the MLS rookie keeper let two slip by, the Dynamo came through in the end to tie 3 - 3. It was tremendously exciting and reminded me why I love the game in the first place. It is great that ESPN2 is showing double headers on Thursday, HDnet is showing games on Saturday, and Fox Soccer Channel is rounding it out even showing the CONCACAF cup. If you are not watching, dig in because it is the best game around these days.

the music of avatar

Yes, more Air Bender music news. A fantastic interview with Jeremy Zuckerman and Benjamin Wynn over at soundtrack.net. A must read for Avatar fans.

http://www.soundtrack.net/features/article/?id=252

do you mux?

My little brother showed me this very simple yet very cool site where you can make your own mix tape. You upload up to 12 songs, each having to be 10 MB or less. Then you have your own playlist from anywhere and the interface is so effective. While my brother's is funky and probably has taste, mine is soundtrack based. One of the best parts is to discover what others are listening to and maybe find a new favorite. Loads of fun and just so simple.