Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Daily Dose of Awesome: 1960's Batman

Yes, you read that correctly.  I know to a lot of comic fans, Batman is serious business and they look at this series with shame, preferring the dark and gritty version that is more common today.  While I like that incarnation as much as anyone, that doesn't mean that this one isn't valid.

The show's glorious.  It revels in its comic book roots and aims to deliver a good viewing experience.  Is it goofy? Oh hell yes! That's what makes it so fun to watch.

People try to claim that the series nearly killed comics (on the contrary, it gave the characters a lot of mainstream exposure that introduced non-comic readers to these great characters and giving them a new found level of popularity), but really, it didn't do any harm.  Comics back then were written in a similar style, so you can't really say it's unfaithful.  It takes some potshots, having Commissioner Gordon be rather incompetent and having Batman's deductive methods become rather bizarre (not to mention his oddly specific gadgets that pull him out of any situation), but its clearly all in good fun.

That's the keyword here, fun.  I defy you to sit through an episode of this show and not crack a smile at least once.  It's not possible.

I highly recommend checking it out.  It's a fun trip down nostalgia lane and my roommate and I never get tired of watching it.





 



                                                     




                                                     

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Steins;Gate

Episode 1: Turning Point

Episode 2: Time Travel Paranoia

Episode 3: Parallel World Paranoia

Episode 4: Interpreter Rendezvous

Episode 5: Starmine Rendezvous

Episode 6: Butterfly Effect's Divergence

Episode 7: Divergence Singularity

Episode 8: Chaos Theory Homeostasis I

Episode 9: Chaos Theory Homeostasis II

Episode 10: Chaos Theory Homeostasis III

Episode 11: Dogma in Event Horizon

Episode 12: Dogma in Ergosphere

Episode 13: Metaphysics Necrosis

Episode 14: Physically Necrosis

Episode 15: Missing Link Necrosis

Episode 16: Sacrificial Necrosis

Episode 17: Made in Complex

Episode 18: Fractal Androgynous

Episode 19: Endless Apoptosis

Episode 20: Finalize Apoptosis

Episode 21: Paradox Meltdown

Episode 22: Being Meltdown

Episode 23: Open the Steins Gate

Episode 24: Achievement Point











Pros

- Fantastic characters

- Not only are the characters themselves great, but the dynamics are so well done that they become the backbone of the show.  Episodes that barely advance the plot are still entertaining because the characters play off each other so well.

- As a result of the aforementioned points, the emotional moments resonate a lot more.  You connect with them and feel their anguish as they go through their respective ordeals.  Okarin, in particular, stands out as someone who you feel for, though Mayuri, Kurisu, and Suzuha are also strong contenders on that front as well.

- The show successfully runs the emotional gamut.  It can be funny, sad, heartfelt, and tragic with no mood whiplash or sense of inconsistency.



Cons

- The plot has a tendency to start and stop. Some episodes don't really advance the plot at all.

- As the show involves time travel, some issues do come up.  By and large, it follows its own rules, but there are hiccups and headscratchers here and there.  Okarin also goes about things in a very roundabout fashion when he really didn't need to.



Overall

This was a solid show.  When it wants to pull your heartstrings, it does an amazing job.  The characters are great and incredibly empathetic.  While they are a major strength, they do manage to make the show's actual plot something of an afterthought.  I do feel like there are elements that could have been fleshed out a bit more, but we do get enough.  I still liked it quite a bit and recommend checking it out.  This is also a show that lends itself to a rewatch as you can go back and try to look for new details that you may have missed the first time around.






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Daily Dose of Awesome: 7 Year Old Reviews 1st Issue of Post-Reboot Justice League




It's been a while since the reboot, but this is still pretty adorable.

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Happy Easter!





And, of course, a happy Passover as well.

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Daily Dose of Awesome: Novelty Neckties

I always figured that my fashion sense leaned more towards the casual.  I was never a fan of formal wear and only donned it when it was absolutely necessary.  Lately though, I've had a change of heart.  You could chalk it up to all the Frasier and How I Met Your Mother reruns, but those merely planted the seed.  It was only when I saw all the awesome ties that were available that the idea of "suiting up" really started to appeal to me.  They have all sorts of novelty ties that cater to one's interests.  They have superhero ties, ties with cartoon characters, sports franchise ties, I even saw a couple of ties with religious imagery on them.  Not only does it make for a more unique look compared to the basic monochrome or striped tie, but it gives the wearer incentive to go through the trouble.  They can show off their interests while still being impeccably well dressed.  I have some affiliate links below to give you a broad sample, but if these aren't what you're looking for, I would suggest you browse around as there are all sorts of cool ties out there.




Wednesday, April 1, 2015