Waz up peeps? Yeah, I'm so cool like that... =P

I've been hanging out a bit at the Elf Only Inn forums, and there's been a couple threads where I wrote a lot, and I thought "That'd be perfect for my blog." So I'm copying and pasting a small bit of my opinions on The Matrix Reloaded, then The Simpsons and Futurama. If anything seems out of context, go to the forums and check it out. I can point you to the right threads if you need some help.

First, The Matrix Reloaded...
OK. I finally got around to seeing the movie today. The short version: I liked it. I could've read up all I could about the story before hand, but as we know that would've been a bit much, so I went with the intentions of enjoying the special effects and trying to understand the plot while I was there. And generally, I liked both.

Now that I was finally able to read this thread without being hella confused, I'm going to make several small points referring to what's already been mentioned. Those not interested can move on to the next reply.

I could've dealt with the love/rave scene, except it went on for too damn long. It's uncomfortable enough to watch a Hollywood sex scene (especially in that kind of movie) with family present, but to make it go slow-motion, interpersed with dancing? Yeesh... :-P

The cause/effect talk with Frenchy there was also too long. Certainly wasn't expecting a full-frontal shot of the orgasm girl (even if it was in code).

The Architect's speech: This one was OK to be too long as it was an important plot point. But the guy used too many big words. It's one thing to be trying to understand another level of the whole "what the Matrix really is" thing, but doing that while constantly referring to a thesaurus was too much work for my brain at that point. Maybe subsequent viewings will help...or at least a transcript.

It's been mentioned about what Neo/the One really is (program, clone, etc.). From what I gathered (and I'm running on only one viewing, mind you), is that the One is the result of the fundamental flaw that the Architect mentioned. It sounded to me that everything goes according to the machines' plan, when one person every few generations or so winds up with latent potential (by virtue of the remainder, or whatever) and through a series of events becomes the One. The machines are aware of this phenomenon, prepare for it, and yada yada yada system reboot or whatever.

I, too, was slightly disappointed in the "Burly Brawl" scene (Neo vs. multi-Smiths). It was supposed to be some great feat where I was supposed to forget there was only one or two real people (not counting stuntmen) in the scene. It didn't help that the agents, including Smith, all kinda look alike anyway, so they could've had just 100 agents beat up on Neo and I wouldn't have noticed - not the point, I know. Plus there was the "virtual dummy" effect, made worse by bullettime. It reminds me of Spider-Man...I was disappointed that he was CGI half the time. I wanted to see a real person web-sling, dammit! If I wanted to see a cartoon do it, I would've watched a cartoon. Yeah, his arms might've been ripped out of his sockets, but that's not the point! But I digress...

While I applaud the Wachowski brothers on breaking the story-telling barriers by fleshing out the story through other media, I don't want to have to go through all that extra work to learn all that other information! Is it revolutionary story-telling...or just great marketing? (Like Warner Bros. won't be making enough money from the movies...)

And Simpsons, Futurama...
I'm not entirely sure what happened, but it's either Fox cancelled Futurama outright, or they simply haven't ordered any new episodes. Due to all the sports events and whatever else, Fox still has a backlog of several episodes, which they can show as "new" until they run out. Then...well, I don't know what then, but it'll be a very sad day.
:(

Always bugged me to wait all day Sunday for Futurama, only to turn it on to be pre-empted by either a late running football game, baseball, or even (*dry heaves*) NASCAR.

I love the Simpsons, but I'd have to agree with the consensus that the later years have not been quality years. You're right, there have been a couple gems here and there. Problem one: they've become too self-aware. They know they've been on the air a long time, and have a huge fan base, and now they're just pandering (is that the word I want?) to said audience. It irked me the last couple episodes where Marge has explicitly said they've been married for 10 years, but elements of the show have suggested they know it's been longer. (ie. The 305th "Everything's Back to Normal" Barbeque) Anyone else disturbed by the fact that Maggie should be almost out of high school by now?
Problem 2: their ideas have gotten repetative. This last season (I think) Marge has altered her body twice (muscling up, and getting a boob job). Plus I can't even count how many times Homer and Marge's marriage has been on the rocks.

I agree with Sketch...Futurama is a better show. The Simpsons is a better satire, I think, but no other show has MOVED me like Futurama. For example: Leela discovers her parents, the 7-leaf clover, Fry ingests the worms which enhance his body and mind, and last week's, with the space-bee honey.


So yay. Peace out, yo.
posted by Tim at 2:00 AM