Now here is a film that caught me by surprise. Wonderful Days, released in South Korea in 2003, is notable for being the most expensive Korean animated production ever made. Directed and written by Kim Moon-saeng, this futuristic sci-fi movie combines 2D animation with 3D CGI, similar to the Japanese film Appleseed, which would be released a year later. And while Wonderful Days may have been overshadowed by the other similar films released around this time, it still stands on its own and comes across as a very sleek, well-told, and compelling movie.

It is the year 2142, a bleak time where the world has been ravished by war and pollution. The last survivors have created a new home called Ecoban, a completely contained and shielded city that draws its energy source from the pollution of the earth. Unfortunately, society looks down on the inhabitants of Marr, using them as slaves for work and to keep the city running. When the pollution levels show signs of dropping, the government officials of Ecoban decide to sustain the pollution in order to uphold their prestigious city, even if it means wiping out the people of Marr.

One day, an intruder manages to break into Ecoban's main computer system, Delos, which prompts the response of the Ecoban security unit. Jay, a female officer, narrowly encounters the intruder in a standoff, but the mysterious man escapes. In the process, Jay manages to catch a glimpse of his face only to realize his identity. He is Shua, her former best friend, now a member of the Marrian resistance. Jay attempts to seek him out, traveling to the Marr wasteland outside the city walls to find out his true intentions. Shua's hope: to show her the blue sky. However, Cade, a stern security commander stands in their way as he will do anything to preserve the city of Ecoban.

The movie combines cyberpunk, drama, action, and romance all together and is quite affective too. The storyline may not be the most original plot out there, but it is still absorbing and even suspenseful at times. You really begin to feel for the characters when you learn of their difficult past which is revealed throughout the course of the movie. Also along for the ride is an assorted bunch of Marrian resistance fighters who are likeable and add some humor to the film. On the other hand, the movie's love story is very sad and moving.

In regards to the visuals... well, let's just say, I can see where the budget went. The traditional cell animation alone is superb, but add to that the gorgeous 3D rendered backgrounds, and the visuals are nothing short of amazing. Seriously, if the story doesn't do it for you, this fantastic blend of animation will surely keep you watching. Adding to this is the top-notch cinematography: the dramatic scenes are composed realistically while the action sequences are very striking and well choreographed.

Another big factor is the music score. This is the kind of score that will make you go out of your way to track down the soundtrack. Composed by Won Il, the music is such a wonderful mix that captures the visuals on screen and really unifies the film. I also must mention the amazing sound effects which make excellent use of the surround system. Sometimes movies that overuse the rear channels can be distracting, but in this case, it's really an experience of its own, especially when you have motorbikes hurtling by and bullets whizzing past your head!

There are several versions of this movie out there. Personally, I would recommend you check out the Original Director's Cut. This version of the movie is several minutes longer than the Korean theatrical version and international versions, and contains some dialog and scene changes. To be honest, most of the changes are actually quite subtle (longer shots here and there), but I found it to flow better and some scenes have a stronger impact in this version.

In conclusion, Wonderful Days is a very good movie. It is quite underrated and the story really deserves more credit than it's been given. This was a very ambitious project, over seven years in the making, and in my opinion, the film succeeds as a unique and touching piece of art. If you enjoy Korean cinema, I think you will really appreciate it. Fans of anime and sci-fi will also want to check out this impressive and beautiful movie.

Note: This will be a long post

In 2004, director Shinji Aramaki and producer Fumihiko Sori released Appleseed, a stunning achievement in 3D-anime. Based on Masamune Shirow's original manga, and with a new original storyline, this film was set after the third world war in a futuristic utopian city named Olympus. It told the story of an elite ES.W.A.T. soldier, Deunan Knute, and her comrade/boyfriend Briareos, a soldier who was injured in battle and survived as a cyborg. Together, they were tasked with recovering valuable data known as 'Appleseed' during a crisis involving the fate of genetically-engineered humans called Bioroids. Action, suspense, and high emotions followed as our heroes fought the odds to save not only the city, but the entire human race.

This film was remarkable for its thrilling plotline, spectacular action scenes, and wonderful CG-animated visuals. It was a huge success and by far one of the most impressive anime films I have ever seen. Two years later, a sequel was announced with Shinji Aramaki returning as director and John Woo joining the production as producer.

In Japan, October 2007, Appleseed Ex Machina was released.

Ex Machina is once again set in the futuristic utopia, Olympus. It is now 2133 and the city has rebuilt itself from the events in the first movie. Humans and Bioroids have continued living together, and Prime Minister Athena Areios is even proposing for all nations to merge their surveillance satellites with Olympus' to create a global communications network. However, the situation is actually far from perfect.

For one thing, there have been a series of unexplained terrorist outbreaks being carried out by cyborgs throughout the city. ES.W.A.T. is called to handle these attacks and Deunan and Briareos discover the cyborgs involved have been seemingly brainwashed. They manage to link the situation to a cyborg manufacturer known as Poseidon. However, more problems arise when a comrade soldier is also affected. Furthermore, when Olympus begins developing Bioroids with combat capabilities, Deunan is assigned to train a new soldier named Tereus. Add to that mob attacks breaking out across the city, and our heroes definitely have their work cut out for them.

The story is handled well. The script is solid and it manages to successfully balance plot, action, and character development. Ex Machina takes things in a different direction than the first movie, but there's never a dull moment. The love story is also very good and effective, though overall not as striking as the powerful emotional plotline of the first movie. However, it's not really a criticism... This is a very competent script. I would just say first Appleseed was superior in terms of story and emotional depth.

On the other hand, the visuals here are unparalleled. The first movie managed to blend CG animation with traditional anime artwork to create a sleek 3D-rendered effect. Well, since then, this technology has come a long way. Here, it's nothing short of amazing. The characters are well animated and Deunan herself looks absolutely beautiful. Subtle movements are captured very well this time around, and emotions are conveyed so realistically. And of course, when the action scenes explode across the screen, it's simply breath-taking.

I am also very impressed with the voice acting. Ai Kobayashi returns as Deunan and she once again delivers an excellent performance. Jurota Kosugi is also back as the voice actor for Briareos. This time he has a much larger role and he really brings life and character to Briareos. Also, I think fans will be pleased that many familiar characters from the first film also make an appearance here. As far as the music goes, it is really well done and very dramatic in certain scenes. Once again, the score is composed by Tetsuya Takahashi who worked on the first Appleseed. It really helps to experience this in a theater, or at least with a good surround sound system.

There's a ton of action in this movie. From stylized gun battles to mid-air landmate fights, it will keep you on the edge of your seat for sure. Having Hong Kong director John Woo on board as producer no doubt helped out. Now, I am not sure exactly how much he was involved, but fans will appreciate the use of slow motion in the kinetic action scenes, and there's even a battle inside a cathedral. And yes, there are doves. I think most will agree that John Woo hasn't been up to his usual standards lately. Believe me, it's safe to say this is the best film John Woo has worked on in the past ten years.

In the end, this is one thrilling ride. Although the plot was not as moving as the first Appleseed, it doesn't necessarily reduce the entertainment factor. Ex Machina had a lot to live up to and the bottom line is: it delivers. Fans of this series will be satisfied. I know I was. Oh, and if you haven't, it's really required that you see the first movie before you watch this one in order to fully understand the characters and what's going on.

Appleseed Ex Machina was worth the wait. Believe the hype. This is a fantastic experience and a must-see for those who enjoyed the first film. If you like anime, especially the works of Masamune Shirow, this one is for you.

I hope you enjoyed my review.

Fumihiko Sori, producer of the 2004 hit Appleseed, is back this time as director and writer of his latest CG animated film. Released last summer in Japan, and inspired by Appleseed (as well as the other works of Masamune Shirow) this new film manages to combine spectacular visuals, Sori's unique script, and a good amount of action and suspense, all in one big-budget sci-fi epic, Vexille.

The year is 2077. Major advancements in robotic technology have been made and Japan is now the world leader in this field. However, when the progression of this technology includes developments in weapons and human body advancements, the U.N. proposes regulations to limit the technology. But Japan resists. And for the last decade, they've withdrawn from the U.N. and the entire country has been living in isolation. Japan even implements an electro-magnetic barrier around them, preventing all forms of communication. No one is allowed in or out. Yet, Japanese mega company Diawa Heavy Industries still manages to be the leading supplier of robotic technology, worldwide. When a meeting with a Diawa official and a group of politicians is set to take place on U.S. soil, it naturally draws attention.

Responding to a tip-off is Vexille, a young female soldier of SWORD-- an elite military unit assigned to suppress illegal robot technology. Led by Leon, the team arrives, meeting heavy opposition and finding the place has been hit by an act of terrorism. Furthermore, Saito, the Diawa official responsible, manages to get away from Vexille in quite an elaborate escape. Eventually, SWORD is assigned to infiltrate Japan and get to the bottom of Diawa's plans.

The story is very interesting. It's an original screenplay by Sori that is well thought out. The pacing is good and always keeps things moving. It begins like a straightforward sci-fi/militaristic action movie, but Sori soon introduces strong dramatic elements and even manages to invoke questions about humanity. An important aspect is that the story devotes time to develop the characters, so later on there is enough emotional grounding to be really affective at moments. I liked it a lot. There are also some political themes in the plotline and it was quite interesting to see how Sori depicts future Japan.

The CG animation is just incredible. It's similar to the look of Appleseed, but taken one step further. The visuals are gorgeous and make the film so impressive to look at. Environments are very detailed and realistic, mechs are creative and well-designed, but most of all, I like how the characters are rendered, maintaining a cool, slick anime look. There are also some really stylish action sequences which just add to the wow factor. Overall, this is a great technical accomplishment.

Another thing that's really good is the voice acting. Vexille is voiced by Kuroki Meisa, whom I've only seen in Chakushin Ari: Final. She does a great job bringing her character to life. The other standout is Yasuko Matsuyuki from the popular film Hula Girls, who does the voice for Maria, the rebel leader who Vexille meets later in the film. I did not realize it when I was watching, but the voice actor for Leon is apparently Shosuke Tanihara who was the detective in Ryuhei Kitamura's Sky High.

This all adds up to one great experience. The intriguing plot, well-developed characters, superb animation... Am I forgetting anything? Ah, the music, of course. All I can say is that the choices are really fitting and the score is great. In fact, any complaints I have about this movie are relatively minor. Actually, the only thing I wished is that the film was just a little longer so more time could have been spent developing some of the plot points even further. Also, the question that keeps being asked is: is this better or worse than Appleseed? Well, my answer is, neither. Both are great movies and each has their own unique qualities.

Overall, Vexille is a very enjoyable film. If you like a solid sci-fi story with great characters, the works of Masamune Shirow, or Japanese animation in general, then I recommend you check out this movie.

I hope you enjoyed my review.

I'll see what I can pull together for my next review... I have a feeling Deunan will be in it (hint, hint)

Hi everybody, it's been ages since my last blog update. But I'm still here and all is well, especially since the holidays are coming and there's just one week of school left before the break. I can't wait.

So let's see, what should I talk about?

Seen any good movies lately? I recently got around to seeing Aaron Kwok's new movie, C+ Detective.

It's directed by the Pang brothers, and for all of you who don't know, they're the guys behind Bangkok Dangerous and The Eye.

In this film, Aaron Kwok plays Tam, a private detective who begins searching for a woman after an old friend claims she is trying to kill him. But since this is a Pang brothers' film, it isn't just going to be any ordinary detective story. Things get messy real quickly when Tam begins coming across dead bodies and several near-death experiences himself. This is not a fun movie, but with its spooky atmosphere, frequent plot twists, and another solid performance by Aaron Kwok, this is one of the best Pang brothers films I've seen in a long time.

Now onto video games. I am going through Valkyrie Profile 2 for the first time and all I can say is, Wow! I'm only a couple hours in so far, but I can safely say Square-Enix has done an amazing job. The characters are very interesting and the story is really well done, but most of all I love how the battle system is designed. It's complex and lots of strategy is involved, but at the same time, it's very innovative and fun. Also, I must comment on how wonderful the graphics and music are. This is yet another quality RPG from Square-Enix, and I just wish I had gotten around to it sooner.

And finally, I have to say ever since it was announced back in September, I have been eagerly awaiting any news on the new Parasite Eve game. Basically, the big question is whether or not it will actually come to consoles? Or are we gonna be stuck with a mobile cell phone game? Come on Square, this series deserves more than that! *sigh* I guess all we can do is wait... But in the meantime, I just posted a review for PE II. Check it out.

Now it's late and I am tired. Good night!

So I picked up Tomb Raider Anniversary and it's been keeping me busy for most of the weekend. To sum up my impressions... I am having a great time with it. I can't even remember the last time I played the original Tomb Raider, so this one feels very refreshing.

If you've played TR: Legend, you'll already be familiar with the updated controls. Lara moves more stylishly than ever and she's even got some new abilities than in Legend. She can now perch on top of columns as well as go into a refined slow mo targeting move when an enemy charges at her. This time around, the game focuses primarily on the exploration and puzzle solving aspects of the original game, unlike Legend where there was a lot of combat. But it's good... While the puzzles aren't too difficult, they're more involved than the ones in Legend, and still a good challenge. Also, the graphics are really excellent and those cool interactive cut scenes are back too.

So I definitely recommend this game to revisit where the series began. Even if you played through the original, it's still worth checking out for all the new detail and much smoother gameplay. It's longer than Legend and there's plenty of rewards to unlock as well. Plus, it's a bargain at only $20 (at BestBuy). I'm just glad to see the ps2 is still getting awesome games.

Until next time... watch out for raptors.

Wow, it's been forever since I've updated this thing... And that was mostly because of school and real life and everything else forcing me to take a break from GS. But I'm still here. And I'm still gaming. Plus, now that school is finally coming to an end for the summer (just 2 more weeks!), I'll actually have some more free time again.

Anyway, I've been trying to get up to date on some of the manga that's been falling off of my bookshelf. Some of it includes:

Shakugan no Shana: Based off of a Japanese light novel and a popular anime show about a female warrior or "Flame Haze" who must protect a boy named Yuji from monstrous Denizens trying to steal energy from humans. It kinda reminded me of Bleach a little. The manga version starts out introducing the universe and the battle in the alternate realm with a lot of explanations, but it looks like it will pick up in later volumes.

Gundam Seed Destiny: Also based on a TV show, this one is a continuation of Gundam Seed and it's about two warring forces in the future and the Orb, a neutral union, caught right in the middle. The manga condenses some of the plot, but there's still plenty of action and great characters. Volume 3 is already out.

Phantom: Relatively new manga about K, a Mech Pilot in Neo-Seoul who is trying to eradicate a shadowy organization from the city until a series of unfortunate events causes K to join forces and question their true intentions. Although it may not be the most original story, it caught me off guard and is quite an intense ride. Volume 2 is out now.

And I can't forget Bleach which has an equally great anime show. You can't go wrong with this one.

Well, that's all for now... maybe I'll review some more when I get a chance. I'll be around.