Archive for 2002
Nuff Said
I was so impressed with the small clawing cat icon of my “discontent” mood of my last post, a brief P.S. to illustrate my point:
“In New Mexico, Kaoru discovers the truth behind Project: Loop, ostensibly a study into the lengthening of the human lifespan. The project is in fact an entire artificial reality, existing solely within a massive computer system. The simulation is precise to the smallest detail, right down to the genetic makeup of each of its inhabitants. We then learn that the contents of the Ring and Rasen novels in fact occurred within this artificial reality, and not in the real world. Kaoru also discovers that he is actually a clone, the DNA provided courtesy of… the Takayama Ryuji character of the Loop world.”
Snowblind
There is something so primal with wrestling with a duvet. Trying to fit a double duvet around your body, feet and hands in a single chair is not a simple task. My duvet is here merely for warmth rather than the comfort I expected to be using it for. The whole Ring saga seemed to be on the wane as I counted down the days towards my death, and with finally being able to play Silent Hill 2, I was able to quantify my fear.
Aliens do not scare me, this is something I have mentioned before, but it goes far beyond that. Science does not scare me. I think even malevolence, if it can be explained, then there’s something fundamentally base about it. It harks back to my adage of “shit happens”, but should have an addendum of “as long as it’s logical” or something similar.
The mortality aspect scares me as well, or more precisely, the lack thereof does. The fact that Sadako (this is Ring territory, the protagonist that created das curs-ed video tape that has caused so much angst) came THROUGH the TV to kill her final victim (spoiler free!) lends to the suggestion that that is not her only trick. Run and she’ll be there. Try to kill her and she’ll just shrug it off. It’s that undeniable, otherwordly feeling about the scene and the character that has generated my fear. It’s akin to the fact that she’ll kill without remorse or reason, and there is literally nothing you can do about it. The inevitability of the fact, she may as well carry a scythe, a black cloak and an egg timer.
And this was made apparent only because I started playing Silent Hill 2. It is damn near the same as the original on the Playstation, albeit with higher res graphics and some damn foxy looking dynamic lighting. The fact is, you can run around with a plank of wood and beat the seven shades of hell out of anything you meet. The fact they die and will leave you alone gives you hope. If there was the same inevitability in SH2, it wouldn’t be a game, or if it was, it would be a game with a time limit.
So, to face my fears, I looked up the original Penny Arcade post on the American re-make of Ring which got me interested in the entire saga in the first place. They linked to a rather spectacular sight on the Ring and its mythos, which was the diamond in the rough I was searching for. I discovered the simple fact that science can whisk away all disbelief, small pox, forced will, genetic replication, it all just fades into a technicolour abyss of techno-jargon. The idea that a hermaphrodite with small pox who has spent 30 years down a well is going to come through my TV and kill me lacks the raw urban terror that a pissed off omnipresent witch does.
Silent Hill 2 rocks, no doubt about that, it’s tension is where it lies. The puzzles, well, of the one so far, it was far simpler than I expected. My journey back to the grey cityscape of Sheffield was blissfully uneventful, a languid journey across Britain with no strip searches, bag searches or train worker strikes. And so I sit here alone, wondering why exactly my computer made that crunchy noise and refused to read/write to the MBR….
Icicles Stretching / Bicycle Shoestring
I had trouble sleeping last night, moreso than usual. Being away from Rach for this amount of time has taken its toll on my sleeping quality and general ambient happiness, so I’m counting the seconds till I see her again. But beyond that, “Ring” was preying upon my mind. I said at the outset that it is one of those films which leaves an aftertaste, its strange however that this didn’t kick in until last night. The concept of the film was what stuck with me, and kept me from sleeping for the exact reason that my first indulgence of HP Lovecraft sent me to sleep. I pontificated that, if say the legend were true, after watching the video, a week later you die, then that would place me at January 1st at about 11pm (if anyone doesn’t hear from me past that date, you’ll know what happened). Unfortunately, I happen to be on my own in my flat at Sheffield that day, so god knows what will be running through my head on THAT night. I’ll probably intoxicate myself into a stupor and leave a dead-switch running on my computer, just in case.
I’m no stranger to being scared, I had my mind anally raped by “Oni”, a mediocre game which had a particularly interesting level (10 or 11 if I remember correctly) which shook me personally when on my own late at night. This train of thought was much different however, a sacred place where my mind conjured all manner of dark imagery to keep me from my slumber. That dark corner in my room was of special potency to my thoughts. The dub-fantastic of Evangelion thankfully, eventually lulled me to sleep. My mind still mixes with those images I conjured last night, my sleep will probably be as disjointed this night as well…
I have listened to and surface-researched the new System of a Down album I now own, and I think I’m fit to make a proper review. My initial comment on the album’s short tracks is backed up by the fact that these songs are apparent off-shoots from their seminal “Toxicity”. And while the album is truly excellent (much like all SOAD creations are), the stand out tracks really do, the rest sink into an obscurity of nu-metal. Tracks such as “Mr Jack”, “Bubbles”, “I-E-A-I-A-I-O”, “Fuck the System” and “Ego Brain” truly are a work of distinction with signature imagination and vigour. I don’t want to waffle too much with my usual lyrical impotency, so in a nutshell, buy it if you own a previous SOAD album, don’t rely on this as a yardstick to measure System of a Down on however.
Jumping from one entertainment medium to another, some XBox games I am looking to buy are coming out soon (and finally give me a valid reason for owning the behemoth of a machine). Having already obtained a copy of Silent Hill 2 for Christmas, my reason for buying an XBox is complete (Dead or Alive 3, Jet Set Radio Future and SH2 are the games I lusted after). Splinter Cell is a game of numerous plaudits, but suits my play style with it’s apparent Hitman 2 approach to play, sans the “fun” of dressing as other people. It certainly looks spectacular as far as graphics are concerned; the first of the new generation of games using full dynamic lighting. According to reviews, (which ordinarily I would not trust, however, buying an XBox game is a large-ish investment) the game is relatively well thought out, so should play much like I expect it to.
The second, and probably most anticipated game on my Wanted List is the hyped Dead or Alive Extreme Volleyball, and yes, this is sexual advertising at its most potent, but I am a huge fan of the Dead or Alive series (having played the original “Zero G Breasts” game in the arcades), so anything that I can lay my hands on within the franchise is all right with me. Not much to say really upon this game, the merit will obviously lie in its graphical appeal rather than the secondary “game” aspect…
Third, and final game in the collection is Tecmo’s “other” game of the title “Fatal Frame”. With anime style characters, and a slight twist on the survival horror genre, pioneered by the doberman flinging original “Resident Evil”; Fatal Frame looks a good game, and is one I’ve been vigilant on for a while now.
Beyond other mindless banter, this sexually undertoned review post is finished. My sister arrives tomorrow. I’ve been praying ever harder for an apocalypse.
Opalescent, decadent beings from an aeon dead epoch
The title is the undeniable thing that I take from having just read my first HP Lovecraft story: “Mountains of Madness”. Far from the grotesque and gritty world I expected, like some of the best horror that I have experienced, it left me thinking, unlike some of the best horror I have encountered, it does not scare me.
I have heard many things about Lovecraft’s work, that it places humanity and the world in general at the centre of a turbulent and vast universe that we have no true conception of. And this is relatively true, with the story apparently the beginning of the fabled Cthulu mythos, no less than three unknown races are mentioned within the pages of this 130 page short story.
It is unfortunate that the story is told the way it is, from the analytical mind of a geologist as a way of stopping further expeditions to the Antarctic (southern ice fields) after his ill-fated one. The tale reads far more like Arthur C. Clarke’s “Rendezvous with Rama” story. The races mentioned are vicious in their nature and grotesque in their appearance, but they are ultimately alien beings from the cosmos that we currently spin through. This is unfortunate, as aliens do not scare me the same way that extra-planar beings would. The creatures are viewed more as extravagant explorers/creators which are caught up in an interstellar war (of the Mi-Go and spawn of Cthulu). The way a creature reacts, be that its base instinct or through a semblance of intelligence does not scare me, a malevolent, evil omnipresent presence scares me. Aliens can be explained away as a different form of life, creatures of the night cannot, or are more readily explained by other means.
It is certainly a story which has made me think, however, in a different way as to which I was lured into his writings. His lyrical style is unique, though dense and opaque at times, and his overuse of phrases and words can become something of an annoyance, though overall I am looking forward to the thoughtfulness and imagination of his future works.
As far as Christmas goes (that old shtick), it was a blast. Got some DVD’s, Silent Hill 2 for my XBox (another game in my repertoire, and one I have been lusting after for far too long) and some other bits and pieces (manicure set, electric toothbrush), all most fun. The day has waxed and waned with little event worthy of note. My mind at the minute drifts to the nature of truth and lies and the flimsy fabric which separates the two, however, I’ll be damned if I’m going to speak about that at this late hour.
Merry, Happy, Christmas…. Or something
So yeah, I’m not going to do the whole bah humbug thing because I like Christmas, and at the minute I am in an especially good mood. Another way to start this DJ entry was a possible “So I return to the computer, fuck the typos”, but that seemed a bit harsh to start a Christmas DJ entry on. If you haven’t been wished a Merry <insert celebration> then have one from me, Hannukah, whatever, have a good one.
I have just finished watching the Japanese version of “Ring”, a film I’ve been looking forward to seeing for a while now (pretty much since the US version was mentioned by the veritable Penny Arcade). Surprised to see it in HMV, I picked myself up a copy on DVD (along with a couple of other items, later for a discussion on those). I really wanted to start this entry with a tirade composing primarily of “Watch Ring. Watch Ring. Watch Ring”, but, it doesn’t warrant that much of a recommendation, albeit being quite seminal (if I can use that adjective in that grammatical sense).
I like good horror as a genre of entertainment; the medium spanning whatever is appropriate, books, films etc. I like horror because it evokes an emotion, and only good horror can do this. Very few films can evoke emotion, mainly because the emotion will be a personalised, monogrammed if you will, for the specific person. Horror tries to transcend this personalisation and present terror to the audience. Ring does not present terror, but is more of a slow burner on afterthought. This is not a bad thing, in fact, quite the opposite, I like films which stay with me beyond the running time. However, that is all Ring does, the film itself is lacklustre in it’s horror depiction. On the other hand, Ring delivers inspiration by the pail load. Being modern without being cheesy, and suitably creepy, Ring is tension, not schlock, horror (an attribute of which I am most pleased).
If you know anything about Ring, the Japanese or American version: blah blah, cursed video tape, week to live, reporter stupidly watches tape, time limit etc. The deliverance of this story is where Ring (Ringu in Japanese) excels. The story is relatively enthralling without being tacked on, and the ending is truly sublime, twisting and moulding what we thought was the story beforehand. The visuals are harsh and focused, the video itself being especially creepy, especially after watching the movie. Perhaps to my fault, as I am now a salivating fan of the film, Ring 2 looked especially good.
So to summarise this convoluted trail where I dash between invoked emotions, Ring is tepid as film, but supreme as a set piece.
Harking back to the genesis of my post, also managed to pick up a couple of Albums: System of a Down / Steal This Album and Disturbed’s new album (whose name eludes me). The SOAD album was a surprise, and on a precursory listen, it proves to be more of the same as Toxicity was, not necessarily a bad thing. However, this theme is carried through with the Disturbed album as well, proving to be a near carbon copy of their first album with the lead singer attempting to, well, sing at the final track. Saying this, Disturbed are good at what they do, and provide melodic, if not cacaphonic tracks which are enhanced by an earth quaking bass line. This is “mosh pit” material and teeny boppers will lap this up. The SOAD album begins with rapid fire tracks, the first 4-5 tracks barely scratching the 3 minute mark, the lyrics are distorted, but hint at politics and dissension and could well prove to be just as intelligent as their previous works.
I also picked up a copy of the first two X/1999 volumes, in an attempt to see if the original CLAMP manga proves better fare in its final days than the otherwise seminal TV series. Kamui is brash, Fuuma looks younger along with Sorata, Arashi has had a brush with a hair stylist (pun not consciously intended), Hinoto looks relatively evil, while the Statsuki (the character formerly known as Beast Girl) has breasts the consistency of cones and a far prettier face (your own mind can be made up as to whether these are good things).
An eventful day all round then. Looks like it’ll be a grey Christmas, just like the ones I remember….
Mortis
Tick tock, Christmas approaches, or Hannukah, whatever your religion or upbringing dictates that you celebrate. I was gleefully black flagged at Manchester Airport when travelling home, when I actually got to the airport of course. The Arriva trains company which would ordinarily take me to Manchester airport decided to go on strike, which is most helpful at Christmas as my taxi driver from Manchester Picadilly to the airport informed me. Perhaps I look like a terrorist, but I’ve got used to the body searches, young, unhappy, annoyed indicates possible threat to airline security. So after a body search, I got a bag search and told my miniature cracker-borne screwdrivers could not be taken onto the plane, however my garrotte style chains could. Hmmm. After drug checking my phone, having the soles of my shoes inspected (not necessarily in that order) I was off for a fun filled afternoon in the airport departure lounge. Nothing but fluorescent lights and commerce to carry me onto my plane. I did pick up eight Duracells for £2.54 so wasn’t a COMPLETE waste of time.
My home may have changed aesthetically, (and if i have to correct one more word because of this crappy keyboard the word will be staying mispelled) but the spirit of home still remains. That is, pointless bitching, apathy, repression; these are all the things I am subject to when at home. Thankfully it is only a week, and the stifling boredom should pass once I have something to do. My current book (Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson) is of no solace due to it’s inherent lack of anything exciting; mind you, being 978 pages long, excitement can’t really come in the first 200 pages now can it?
I have laid off the computer up until now, so a full oooh, two days without a computer? Maybe less. Managed to reinstate the fine art of doing fuck all except sugaring: that skill of eating junk food that you wouldn’t rightfully buy with your own money and becoming so high and yet so without anything to do. I’m glad I didn’t bring my laptop because I would just become frustrated with that. My creativity has not so much spiked, but revealed to me for what it is. When I have the tools and the medium to convey and store my ideas, I have none of the mental buildup that I have here, the ideas and notions and concepts all flow onto whatever is handy, my computer, a pad of paper, all ready for near instantaneous implementation. Hear I do not have this luxury, this place just seems to suck the life right out of me…
Have managed to watch “From Hell” with Jonny Depp and Heather Graham. HG gives a performance fit for a cardboard cutout, while Jonny Depp proves remarkably malleable. The death scenes become rather gruesome towards the end, and would have had me in my usual spew-worthy state had I not been sending text messages to my delectable Rachel during it. Strange after having recently seen Harry Potter with Robby Coltrane being in the film (“Hagrid is a police officer?”) and also seen Ian Holmes (“Bilbo’s there!”), the revelation is far more amusing if you think of the characters in that context. The film almost left a sour taste in my mouth until the very end when it made up spectacularly, not as good as an apocalypse (as I bandy for at every opportunity), but something that fitted more with the story and characters overall.
My lust for writing about my recent experiences has waned now, so for now I bid adieu.
