Economists will always say anything preventing an economy from functioning is unsustainable though. Kinda moot point. Breaking news, dogs are dogs.

That being said, it's earnestly nice to see that you're so enthusiastic about stuff. Be nice if I could feel that kind of enthusiasm about anything.

Quote from: E on January 05, 2021, 03:51:39 AM

That being said, it's earnestly nice to see that you're so enthusiastic about stuff.

Yeah but it's anime

If big anime tiddies make Ian happy, then who am I to judge?

At the risk of continuously being labeled a Reddit Consooooomer, I've waited eight years for this movie and if there's one franchise that I truly connect with, it's this one, and this is the big finale for all of it. When watching Eva it's like looking into a mirror, I see a bit of myself in all of the main four characters. That can be both optimistic and also scary at the same time. These characters have positive qualities to them but their mistakes and how others treat them really tears them down and I can't help but notice the parallels with my own conflicts in life.

Hideaki Anno is a genius and after this final movie for the whole series I doubt I'm ever going to find a work of art as personal to me as Eva.

Quote from: E on January 05, 2021, 03:51:39 AM

That being said, it's earnestly nice to see that you're so enthusiastic about stuff. Be nice if I could feel that kind of enthusiasm about anything.

See, now I've just got this funny image of game of thrones season eight happening again. Except that the creator is known for trolling the fanbase. What better way to do that than tank a finale?

How would you feel if the entire movie was just a massive stream of visual and written vomit done on purpose for the sole point of driving home the series undertones that failed to establish the first time around?

We already got that the first time around in NGE lol.

Quote from: E on January 05, 2021, 11:52:36 PM

More I think about it, he could actually do that. "Hey ya'll waited eight years for this, what did I try to tell you people about not wasting your lives in escapism? Anyway, here's my worst work yet."

as i brought up before, i'll be okay if it's bad, because 3.0 was so hugely disappointing for me that i've found it particularly easy to keep my expectations in check, and even if it really is his worst work yet, that could serve as the perfect launchpad towards some kind of youtube video essay career, because i'm an opportunist like that i guess

the worst thing that the movie could turn out to be is boring, not bad, and the worst bad it could be is a bad that does not lend itself to analysis

i think we know these two possibilities are hardly possibilities at all, though

That just raises the interesting question of whether or not you can actually call something bad if it's intentionally bad.

Not to dissuade ya or anything, but do you figure you could pull off anything on youtube? Considering you have the algorithm RNGesus to deal with, or the fact that the platform's become another bloated economic shithole. You'd have to have some real cutting edge polish to get some traction going for yourself.

Quote from: E on January 06, 2021, 11:16:32 PM

That just raises the interesting question of whether or not you can actually call something bad if it's intentionally bad.

Not to dissuade ya or anything, but do you figure you could pull off anything on youtube? Considering you have the algorithm RNGesus to deal with, or the fact that the platform's become another bloated economic shithole. You'd have to have some real cutting edge polish to get some traction going for yourself.

the question of whether something intentionally bad can really be bad is a question of whether intent, and the execution of that specific intent, are the two most important factors when evaluating a work of art, which i think tends to undervalue a lot of other important facets to consider, such as whether the choice to make such an intentionally bad work of art was the best choice to begin with--was it a meaningful or intelligent choice? was it a contextually appropriate choice? would it have been better if they had just made something traditionally good instead?

there's also an ethical side to it. how much money was spent on it? how many man hours were wasted? there's many counterpoints to the old "but it's intentionally shitty" argument; the easiest to make, of course, is that bad is bad is bad is bad. if you make something bad, but you meant to anyway, then congratulations--you made something bad. for me, that does not automatically make it good. there has to be something else going on, like an ed wood tribute that successfully manages to capture that director's distinct lack of taste and style, while maybe shedding new light on the value of schlock cinema

as for the youtube thing, i've learned in life that if you tell yourself you're going to fail because of this or that from the outset, then you will, because it's a self-fulfilling prophecy, so i choose to roll the dice--i think my perspective on shit is unique enough that i could catch some viewers, because i'm basically a living hot take dispenser who has something to say about everything, and i can always start it out as more of a personal hobby early on

if it fails, it fails, but it's one of the few career paths in life that would allow me to put my one skill to constructive use, so i essentially have to try

The neat trend that I've seen at least is that "bad" art typically uses the fact that it's bad for shock value. Which makes it a pretty cheap gimmick with no substance other than to act like an advert for what it's trying to convey. It's telling rather than showing. Maybe that in itself qualifies it as perhaps not bad, but like you say, poor decision making process.

That's earnestly really good to hear from you Verb. Long time ago I was worried that some of the negative tendencies you fostered in mentality would trap you. Correction, your standpoint of looking at the negatives. Nothing wrong with weighing them, but I find that in too many people I've met, the negatives grab hold, and as you say, grant the self fulfilled prophecy.

That you're at least trying with something you're good at is also nice to hear. If we're gonna be here for a while, may as well try and do something we enjoy right? Don't give up on that.

The part where Third Impact starting up from Gendo's hand in Rei onwards was pretty good, but the actual Instrumentality sequence where Komm Susser Tod played was a bit more underwhelming; then again it's hard to find a song that'll parallel the scene better than one that was hand tailored just for it.

The part where Third Impact starting up from Gendo's hand in Rei onwards was pretty good, but the actual Instrumentality sequence where Komm Susser Tod played was a bit more underwhelming; then again it's hard to find a song that'll parallel the scene better than one that was hand tailored just for it.

I feel you, but for me, that's probably the part that made me shit bricks the most. There were so many parts that worked eerily well for me:

- Just before it all happens, did you catch how the final cymbal crash of the second-to-last song (the title track) plays the VERY moment Asuka says "no" to Shinji? That shit was some 10/10 accidental kino right there. Then, as soon as Shinji starts choking her out, we cut to the opening white noise of "Hurt," the despondent melodies to which I think juxtapose disturbingly well with the montage of crayon illustrations, emphasizing not only the loss of innocence, but taking that innocence and shooting it in the back of the head

- Lyrically, I think the first verse of the song goes along with the imagery very well, in that they seem to echo a lot of the conflicting thoughts that Shinji's having during the whole sequence. The lines, "Try to kill it all away/But I remember everything" are sung during a short series of flashing images of mostly positive memories that actually make Shinji happy (meeting Misato, seeing the Geofront for the first time, and getting to live in the company of somebody who cares about him). We can kinda see, then, without even needing the context of the film, that in spite of all his resentment, he's still able to recall those fleeting moments when he wasn't totally miserable, and that there's a weak yet growing part of him that wants to hang on to those memories. Also, note the picture of Shinji crying as a child pops up the moment the gentle and plucky instrumental break comes in.

- When Lilith!Rei first emerges from the sea, the words "Everyone I know goes away in the end" are sung, which I don't think could possibly have been more fitting—for me, that was definitely one of several little "holy fuck" syncs that made my heart skip a beat when I first heard it, and it doesn't even stop there. The iconic "YOU COULD HAVE IT ALL" chorus comes in the moment she cups her hands around the Black Moon and sprouts those giant wings and shit. That was too good.

- The second verse has my favorite sync-up. The song goes back to being quiet and gentle just as we're treated to some equally quiet and gentle imagery during the "tanging" scene, with the apparitions of Rei/Misato/etc. kissing and comforting the last remaining NERV employees before they inevitably die. This is where the coolest part for me happens: Maya is the last one in the room to die, so she gets the most touching death scene out of all the non-essential characters. In her last moments, while it looks like she's trying to type something, an image of Ritsuko shows up to embrace her, which is synced here with the most quiet and heart-wrenching lyric of the song: "Beneath the stains of time/The feelings disappear/You are someone else/I am still right here," while gradually zooming in on Maya's face, overcome with emotion. That shit gave me chills—How does it fit SO well?

- There's one part towards the very end of the track that I wish synced up a little better. "Hurt" closes off with three absolutely ear-splitting guitar chords before leaving us with almost a minute's worth of a terrifying drone. The chords play a couple seconds after Unit-01 chomps Gendo's head off, which is unfortunate. If only the chords played the moment the bite happens. That said, I do think the drone that plays during the remainder of the Instrumentality sequence fits pretty magically. It certainly doesn't replace "Komm, süßer Tod," by any means, but I think its nightmarishly desolate sound does effectively manage to capture the atmosphere of a world being reduced to a soulless wasteland in a matter of seconds.

But all of this is just bullshit and projection, of course, although it's still fun. In an alternate reality, I'd like to think if Trent Reznor actually scored something Evangelion-related, it would be the best shit in the world.

A state of emergency has been declared in the Tokyo area of Japan. Theaters have not been ordered to shutdown but are told to now operate at limited capacity (not specified how limited) and are to close at 8PM until February 7th. No announcement by Toho or Toei yet on pushing back the release. This will surely affect the release of 3.333 but will only delay Shin's original midnight release. Presale tickets for Shin are still expected to go out January 13th, giving us an idea of the total runtime of the movie.

Keep in mind, this only affects the Tokyo area, the rest of Japan should still be able to have their midnight release of Shin and late night viewings of 3.333.

🙏

In other news, 3.333 released today. There’s has been several new information regarding this new cut of Eva Q:

>WILLE logo is clearly visible on the downed ship in Lilith’s Chamber.
>Unit 02’s beast mode code is now “Back Code Three Seven”.
>The dialogue between Asuka and Rei Q in the Mark 09 is cut short; Asuka doesn’t ask “Who are you?!”
>The lighting in the room Gendo and Fuyutsuki are in is different and the room is more clearly visible.
>The shoulder wings growing out of Eva 13 are changed from red to purple.

And most importantly: A NEW UPDATED NEXT TIME PREVIEW, I’ll post more in a bit, on my phone.

NINE DAYS

9 is for Eva Mark 09, also known as the Adam's Vessel. I love the grim reaper design it evolves into near the end of the movie.

big sad

this poster got a new addition, though:



"Together, we will overcome."

heartwarming sentiment, and i'm a patient guy, but honestly, streaming services exist, guys

SPECULATION:

Apple’s product page has One Last Kiss available on March 3 which would put it at Wednesday just like before when it was supposed to release January 27th, four days after the premiere. That could put the theatrical release at February 27th, and the state of emergency in Japan ends February 7th. While it could just be a placeholder date, it’s still possible.

Keep in mind other movies and anime movies are still screening at this time. Khara alone made the decision to delay the movie again, and the Japanese fan base is getting angry on Twitter. There will be increased pressure to release this film as soon as possible.

I got a game for you Verb and anyone else who wants to participate. I’ll be counting up from when it was delayed and you place your bets on when we get an announcement on a new date.

If your answer is five days or more out from when we actually get news you win nothing. If it’s four to one day out I’ll give you a small but noticeable prize. If you’re right on the money I’ll import you the Japanese BD whenever it releases. Only one person can win that one obviously.

The frustration is more from the fact that other movies are airing and coming out, so it feels like Anno and Co. are just morally grandstanding, especially when they’ve already had their own private screening of the movie and comes across as excluding others who have waited eight years for closure.

Quote from: E on January 14, 2021, 02:42:49 PM

I know people are stupid and all, but I struggle to fathom being angry enough at a pushed back launch date to bitch about it on twitter or whatever other garbage is out there.

Here I am waiting the fifty or so odd years to get my closure and ya don't see me bitching too much on stalled due dates. I guess I can understand the frustration. Still. Pretty easy to rationalize that they'll get to watch it at some point, unless somebody's getting antsy that they won't make it through corona.