posted February 24, 2014 11:37 PM              

My son watches PBS, and some good little shows like Pingu and Trotro. I do actually feel that Disney contributes to asinine female stereotypes a lot of the time, and that irks me. So we don't watch it.

Otherwise, the only comic you'll ever find me reading is this one.

posted February 25, 2014 02:44 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Lexxigramer:
I guess that makes me a freak to most.
And I don't care if it does.

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Generally only tweens make a big deal about things like that, no one else (I'd hope) would be likely to give you a hard time over that. Well, maybe guys like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HD-88a7msKI

posted February 26, 2014 11:50 PM            

I stopped keeping up with it years ago and can't believe I missed a Cthulhu 3-parter! I'm definitely hunting those eps down later.

It's been awhile since I saw that review so I may clarify or expand on something later. I can't watch it this instant because YT is being wonky at the moment.

ETA: I'll add that Clubhouses was the very first ep I saw, would've been late 98/early 99 (I might've even caught it the first time it aired). High schoolers loved it and I was urged to watch it, and living in a loveless home of divorced parents who were utter jerks, Dad a player and Mom who once had a really bad news guy show up for awhile (at least he didn't try to bond with me) I really related to Stan dealing with his 'rents divorce. Laughter was a cure I needed, and it helped me feel validated for a lot of what I was feeling that adults tried to brush under the carpet while lying about how they helped kids. And so it was instant love...I kept up with the show for years. I'll still watch it today but I normally don't go out of my way to watch it anymore.

posted March 04, 2014 10:15 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by PixieJane:
RWBY

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I finally got to watching some of it last night (to where they survive the forest and form teams). So far I don't think it was made purely to sell video games (though I'm sure one is in the works). It superficially reminded me of Harry Potter and perhaps just trying to tell a good story using a successful formula as others have (though the "Potter formula" is older than Harry Potter but wasn't as successful, heck it's even present somewhat in Buffy the Vampire Slayer only outside of a special school for the supernatural, high school not withstanding).

For example, this woman reminds me of McGonagall after the kids defeat the troll in the girl's restroom (scolding with also awarding points, and also just the general demeanor & attitude) with just a hint of Snape thrown in (when he scolded Ron & Harry for stealing the magic car and crashing into the whomping willow) while the headmaster there reminds me of Dumbledore. Don't be confused by the looks, the UK actually comes the closest to showing real people that doesn't require special effects and tons of money on "artists" to touch them up whereas in anime (and this one is no exception) people pretty much look like they're "played" by the Sidhe (tall, beautiful and eternally young humans known for their haunting beauty--and also their skill at dancing, weapons, etc, which a lot of anime can't help but remind me of). Therefore McGonagall is a blonde (even if, like many anime school marms, with hair bun and glasses) and headmaster pretty much looks like a tall, thin teenager himself (just more dignity befitting the sidhe who are much older than they appear) but has the amused patience & affected scatterbrained goodwill of Dumbledore. The scene I'm referring to starts here:
http://youtu.be/-sGiE10zNQM?t=6m30s

And then after they go on a flying machine to a special school similar to the wizard train, at least I couldn't help but think of it. Ditto on making a big production of entering the school. Her first real friend (not including her sister) reminded me a bit of Ron in how he acted for reasons I don't want to take up space explaining (plus a super competent girl starts helping him and liking him while trying not to get exasperated like Hermione did Ron), and a mishap of "dust" reminded me of similar mishaps with wands. And more, like when one killed a giant snake with its own fang (like Potter with the basilisk).

posted March 04, 2014 04:41 PM            

Has anyone seen the series yet? Its done by the same studio that did Gurren Lagann and as such follows the same art style. So I guess that's a plus.

posted March 04, 2014 10:15 PM            

But thought I'd ask about this. Several minutes ago I showed a good friend some AMVs and we had a different interpretation of this scene starting here (lasts about 3-4 seconds):
http://youtu.be/o-MLtz97uyk?t=3m22s

She wondered what they were talking about and I don't even recognize the characters let alone the show. But what I found interesting is that she assumed the first one had been talking when the other interrupted rudely, and as part of saying why she points out how the first speaker lowered her head slightly as if being scolded or slightly bullied. I personally never saw it that way, I thought the other just added something in (and may have been singing instead of talking) and that the first speaker was interested in what the 2nd speaker said (thus focusing on her) rather than somehow cowed.

I'm wondering if this can be explained in that I have a lot more air & fire in my chart and have always been assertive around other assertive people (and generally try to understand others and reach agreements when necessary that everyone can live with) whereas she has a lot of water and grew up quiet and bullied (heck, even as an adult I stood up to obnoxious people jerking her around, and would've done it even more if she hadn't stopped me). If you want then take a look at those few seconds and say what you think is going on and if it's a friendly or competitive (or even bullying) act and what in your chart and/or upbringing might've shaped your view.

posted March 18, 2014 08:40 PM            

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZWLpxTfnB8

posted March 18, 2014 10:25 PM            

I've seen some epic fight scenes on Kim Possible, and it's a comedy. Swords were rarely used, however. Though outside the realm of cartoons they are known for swashbucklers, from Zorro to Pirates of the Caribbean.

But I must say I've been blown away by the sheer creativity of the weapons in RWBY (even if many of them would REQUIRE supernatural abilities to wield at all, let alone effectively, even if they could be reproduced). Here's a quick summary (gives the name of the character followed by name of weapon, save the last two, it only names the character):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkyqiV_3aI8

One example is the Crescent Rose:
http://rwby.wikia.com/wiki/Crescent_Rose

And the CR in action (takes about a minute before she pulls it out):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYW2GmHB5xs

posted March 19, 2014 12:57 AM            

RWBY is better but suffers from the same issues. Plus... (and this is just a personal bias and preference interms of fight scenes) as outwordly as some fight scenes can get in most animations, I do like a sense of familiarity with them. Interms of the scene that I posted, the "Katana" provides that sense of familiarity.

I LOVE the Katana! There is just something elegant about that sword in the most simplistic and effective way. I personally find slashing swords to be more elegant (like the Katana, or the Scimitar) as opposed to the more bludgeoning heavy types (like the long or Broadsword) or the stabbing types (like the Rapier.)

posted April 13, 2014 10:16 PM            

Now I'll add that I'm liking RWBY but season 2 coming out in July will make it or break it for me depending on where they take it. It's important for me to be able to care about the characters or I just can't get into it no matter how awesome it may otherwise be. I also like how it doesn't take itself too seriously, just sit back and enjoy a little down time.

posted April 13, 2014 10:46 PM            

Even to this day people who are really into cartoons (adult or not) Disney flicks, Star Wars, Trekkies, or Anime tend to really creep me out.

posted April 14, 2014 02:42 PM              

I don't think Anime was even invented when I was a kid (1970's).

posted April 14, 2014 11:48 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Jo B:
I don't think Anime was even invented when I was a kid (1970's)

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It was around, including in the English speaking world. Speed Racer, I believe, was a big one. But I expect most girls gave that one a pass (I found it incredibly boring when I saw some eps on dvd and pretty sure I would've as a little girl--though as a fan of Jem back when I was little I'm not judging anyone harshly who liked Speed Racer ).

quote:

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Originally posted by Jo B:
Disney's always had that air of "twee-ness" and sickly sweetness for me

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I wonder what you'd have thought of Wizards of Waverly Place? I mean up to the movie where the Jalex (Justin + his sister Alex ship, that is relationship/romance) got so strong even the executives could no longer ignore it (as it was being talked about by reviewers) and reined in the writers who I'm sure were in a contest to see how much crap they could get past the radar. While more implied (but sometimes with the subtlety of a sledgehammer) I doubt any story made brother-sister incest relationships more popular since VC Andrews. 'Course Alex Russo was such a smart mouth, snarky troublemaker anyway that upset a lot of parents (along with other crap they got past the radar until the executives finally noticed).

posted April 15, 2014 10:36 AM            

I laughed so loud everyone is looking at me right now lol. Thanks cappy, I've been feeling like Ms Grumpy Pants for the last 2 days.

posted April 15, 2014 12:11 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by I'm so cappy:
My pleasure
But who cares about the wife when we have a husband!

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