*This blog post was started on April 20, 2022.
I have a lot of things on my plate, but there is a sense of relief after getting past my latest unemployment hearing. Money was a stressing factor, but everything seems to be in order. Hopefully, the wise judge (He understood that whatever I was writing was satirical) will rule in my favor, and to Marine Bank's credit, there was only one lie on their side (My branch never had monthly one-on-one coaching.).
It was acknowledged that they (or at least the branch manager) knew I was writing my blog at work, so that may clear me over two counts of misconduct. I brought up my case that they fired me because I stated my opinion when it was requested in the annual review. The best revelation that came from this was that the actual inciting incident which led to my unwarranted termination was revealed. So, revenge is the new thought consuming my mind.
Am I going to be a better person than the person who wanted my job? We will wait until I get the ruling.
Otherwise, Ebertfest costing $200 is not cool. It is fair if you are going to every movie, but Marine Bank has made it so that I do not get the luxury. $20 a ticket is fair for a 35 mm movie showing, but my $90 fee for 4-days of Wizard World in 2019 included the chance to see Fred Durst's film "The Fan" (starring John Travolta and Devon Sawa). After the "Gothika" DVD included the music video for Limp Bizkit's "Behind Blues Eyes" as a special feature, Durst's cinematic involvement must be stopped.
The six hundred dollars I am fighting for would make life easier, be it my medical bills or car insurance, but it turns out that my debt will not be that bad. If I can somehow get my podcast, "NinetyForChill.com: The #Podcast" sponsored, all would be right with the world. If anyone has any suggestions on how my podcast can earn me $100 a week, let me know with an email to russthebus07@gmail.com.
If there is any frustration right now when it comes to my podcast, it is that I have no time for a guest this week, nor the time to binge a bunch of movies from "Ally's Accessories Shop on Etsy's Trash Feature Revue". Here is to hoping that I will meet someone at "Ghost World" who will want to chat. Anyone know where I can a press pass?
It makes me wonder, does NinetyForChill.com make me a journalist? I am making as much money as one. After revisiting "Speed Grapher", I know photos are not going make that extra money. But, this anime series does suggest that there is a lot of trouble that can be had, provided you are rescuing an abused heiress. Gods know that I thrive with trouble.
Speed Grapher: Episodes 5 - 8
*This blog post was resumed on April 21, 2022.
I will be up front, haste seems to be dominating my life. There is a need for immediate answers to problems that may be able to wait. My intent was to review the first four episodes, but life got in the way for the podcast, thus, my immediate memory of the finer details was lost. Returning to them seemed redundant, thus I chose to move forward.
Even now, I want my mind to be clear when I review this series. AEW Dynamite will wait, but since Fite.TV decided to disable VPNs to watch it commercial fee, my life is running behind. Things will not be order till I watch it, so pardon me if the series does not receive the respect, but more importantly the understanding that is so desperately deserves.
And that attitude proves I did some research to know that this Gonzo title is not as beloved as "Welcome to the NHK" or "Hellsing". To that end, shame on the so called anime fans.
After defeating the rubber Euphoric assassin/ballet dancer, heiress Kaguya Tennozu and Euphoric photographer Tatsumi Saiga are on the run. It is a greater challenge that Saiga anticipated since Kaguya has never gotten to experience the little things in her life. She is confused by about everything be it the deliciousness a cup of instant ramen or how to behave on a subway. This is all due to her mother Shinsen and her right hand man, Mr. Suitengu, resorting to keeping her locked away in the corporate tower.
Shinsen hates the beauty that her daughter has become while Suitengu seems sympathetic toward Kaguya's plight despite his exceptionally cold demeanor. But that does not excuse him for using his goddess to amuse the hedonists at the Roppongi Club. All of the key politicians, businessmen, and celebrities of Japan seem to belong to this club despite the immense membership fees. Failure to meet the clubs demands results in forfeiture of all assets usually via death by "suicide" to fulfill a the life insurance policy that accompanies club membership.
Some lucky few can serve the club and avoid the debt. They are the Euphorics, those blessed by the Goddess's kiss to unlock the true potential of their passion. Their services are needed to recapture Kaguya because fate seemed to allow Saiga that blessing. Now, whenever Saiga takes a picture with any camera, the focus of the shot will explode providing him the power to capture the life in the frame.
Saiga's neighbor Bob has arranged it so the two can hide at a drag bar ran by his "sister" David. As for Suitengu's cronies, they are escorting Madame Kaganei to face off with him. She is a Euphoric whose obsession and need for diamonds has allowed her to turn her body into the hardest substance in the natural world while being translucent. But, she has significant debt to the club, so she might have her own reasons to take Kaguya as her own hostage. Of course if she fails with either plan, Suitengu has a teeth-polishing obsessed Euphoric on standby.
"Speed Grapher" has been a divisive series. My best friend who has definitely lived through some wild and traumatic times enjoyed the envelopes that the story pushed while Ally of Ally's Accessories Shop found it to be too disturbing. Perhaps as schizophrenic or as a sheltered, god-fearing Midwestern woman, the concept of a conspiracy to sexualize and abuse a teenage girl while claiming it to be the victim's own imagination is everything she ever feared.
Some critics think that the themes are solely for shock. I feel that by the end of the series, it all pays off in a socialist's dream with some jabs at George W. Usually, three episodes is the most that I like to watch when I ask to "Imagine this was on VHS", but I am amused how the episodes tend to play out like "Highlander: The Series". Lets give our protagonist an hour to defeat the latest gimmicked bad guy and move on. "Speed Grapher" is an improvement on this formula because it has an overarching plot.
A lot of anime series start out like this, but then tend to fall into filler episodes until the director realizes that he has to work towards a conclusion. This is not as epic as "Evangelion", but I cannot recall this series ever falling into just having fan service episodes. By Volume 3, most of the shock efforts are subdued and it is just about Saiga and Kaguya's efforts to be happy in a world where money determines everything.
When bringing up "Evangelion", I will acknowledge the animation is not up to that standard. The style is far more unique than most series, but it does not look as sharp and vivid as "Hellsing" or many series from the early noughties. It depends on how you like your anime when it comes to the style. Do you want it to feel more like a manga or loud like "Dragon Ball Z"? My preference is towards the prior, especially when the narrative has a noir vibe.
"Speed Grapher" is definitely a grown up anime, so I can see the lack and care for universal appeal can turn off your casual fans of the genre. It is a narrative that wants to push the envelope by attacking your fears and urges, not just rely on nudity and violence. The dark art and casual animation fits the story perfectly.
This is a series for those who want an independent film vibe. As an aspiring, traumatized artist, "Speed Grapher" is perfect entertainment. Here's hoping you are living the naive peaceful life instead.
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