Fate/Zero Impression 2

As I carry on with the series, I can’t help myself from looking up the original novels. After finishing all 4 volumes of novels, I definitely know more the world that the entire story is based on. I’m also able to see something in the anime series that I think can be improved.

Maybe because of the limitation of the length of each episode, ( a standard anime episode is 24~28mins long) some of the actions of the characters seem a little awkward and odd, without explanations of the reasons and motives, which are mostly  discussed very carefully in the novel. In my own screenplay writing, I tried to make the actions of the character more reasonable by inserting voiceovers, and arranging more obvious clues. One other thing is that, may also be caused by the limitation of episode length, some of the plots are skipped or shortened. This makes the plot seems less continuous. Some scenes that reveal important backgrounds or characters of the main characters certainly require more detailed description.

Some other good points are also found by combing the novel with the anime series. I find that the use of BGM (background music) in the anime series very engaging. The tension during fight scenes, the horror when revealing Conspiracy, strong twists in the story, the mood for such scenes are generally well settled up with a great collection of background music.

Another highlight is the flashbacks. Short flashbacks that are only seconds long can quickly introduce the background of a character. For example, Servant Lancer, Diarmuid’s history was quickly revealed in his master’s dream: getting betrayed by the king he serves to. And later this flashback ironically corresponds with the second betrayal of his master. There are also long flashbacks. Episode 18 and 19 are completely flashbacks of the childhood of main character Kiritsugu Emiya. Very detailed description of his tragic childhood perfectly explains the origin of his childish dream: bringing the world absolute peace. And it also completely changes my view on his cold-blood and Inhumanness that shows in previous episodes.

Fate/Zero Impression 1

The Fate series have a huge name in ACG area. As the prequel novel of Fate Stay Night, Fate/ Zero gains much fame over the years (the four volumes are published in 2006~2007). It draws my attention when the novel gets animated in fall 2011. 

When I began with the 1st episode, the surprisingly huge backgrounds excess me. It's very clear that the animated series are made basically to the old fans of the original Fate Stay Night. Without completely getting the direction of the main storyline, the 1st episode stills draws me a clear picture of the characteristics of several important characters: Kiritsugu Emiya, the main character, feels guilty for the happiness of family he's having because of his dream of bringing absolute peace to the world; Kirei Kotomine, the man who fails to relate to things around him, joining the war of magicians completely by order; Kariya Matō, the man who runs away his evil family, but soon forces back to face his destiny to save people he loves. By giving distinct characteristics but not fully introducing their backgrounds, I personally think it’s a successful method to draw people’s interest, while at the same time generates mystery and tension between characters.

Story on the side, the artwork of Fate/Zero is one of the tops among anime works produced recently. High quality on the screen, combined with the outstanding performance of the voice actors gives a remarkable impression to me on first sight. The back and forth among characters are reasonable and easy to follow. It helps the new audiences like me know the relationship between characters, without looking up the original stories.

Conflict and Character Development in Episode 101 of The Wire

David Simon did a outstanding job at establishing the characters at the very beginning of his show, The Wire. Each character shows strong traits and unique personalities. There are lots of conflicts and comparisons between different characters at the early stages of the very first episode.

The show starts with one of the main characters, McArdle (McNulty), interrogating a witness of a murder. The conversation between to exactly opposite characters, a grown-up cop and a local teen gangster, gives a strong contrast. During the talk, McArdle reveals sense of logic, patience and responsibility by asking questions revolving the case very calmly, using long sentences, and trying to connect to the witness. On the other hand, when the witness reply those questions, he tends to answer in short phrases and avoids emotional contact, which shows unsecure and tension. This scene ends at a very interesting point: where the witness says, “Got to. This America, man.” This is the answer to why they let Snot be in their game. But furthermore this implies one of the themes of the show: the ugliness and complications of unspoken rules and deals under table that’s been going on in the US.

Another scene that gathers most of the characters and conflicts is the court. D'Angelo is being charged with crime of murder. Stringer Bell is sitting in the end of the gallery. McArdle joins in and sits one roll behind him. Here David Simon arranged several elements to show Stringer Bell's importance. When the first witness is identifying the murderer, a shot of the witness of looking over to Stringer is taken very quickly, implying there are unknown things done to this case. When McArdle leans over to Stringer and notices the insulting picture with the word" fuck you detective" on his legal pad. This scene tells a lot about Stringer. Apparently he holds great confidence of saving D'Angelo against the legal system and the situation is fully under control. Later this is proven that the second witness obviously lied. After the judgment, as McArdle walks out angrily and meets detective Barlow, who is swearing to his phone, there is another strong contrast. Detective McArdle is obviously responsible and caring by showing up in the case that's not relavent to him, while Detective Barlow, who's actually in charge of this case, still unwares that his case just got turned. The comparison between Mcardle and Barlow clearly shows the mixation of the elite and Scallywags in American legal systems.

President Obama's State of the Union

On January 24, 2012, President of United States Obama delivered his latest State of the Union (SOTU) speech to Congress. It heavily brings up the major problems that currently go on in United States: tax code, job opportunities, energy and education etc. He brings up the irrationality of current tax system and expresses his strong attitude on adjusting tax rate for upper class. For job opportunities Obama speaks about his expectation for more large international companies to bring back their overseas product lines and encourages hiring more American workers. In particular, the president calls to Congress to prevent a drastic increase in student loan interest rates, extend the tuition tax credit, double the number of work-study jobs available to students and so on.

The style of the speech is surprisingly personal and less formal considering the importance and status. More than once President Obama addressed himself personally and mentions stories from his own family. Instead of classical style of stating and reporting, Obama tends to use phrases such as “bring the bill to me desk tomorrow and I will sign it right away”, “bring me the layout and I will sign it right away”. Such form of language can bring the audience closer to the speaker. To back up his ideas he also uses examples with people’s actual names which can relate to the mid class audience more and creates a sense of encouragement.

Overall I think this is a great speech. His style is amiable to the audience and at the same time serious when addressing the problems of United States. He statement is clear and logically easy to follow. However, despite the success of the speech, the points brought up in the speech are correct but not novel. This is generally a summery of the statements that Obama has been addressed in the past few years. And based on the limited effect of the actions that have been taken, I stand pessimistic about Obama’s future in this election year.

Tiger in the Rough Precis

After Nov. 27^th –when Tiger Woods caused the car crash, which clearly involves his furious wife, Tiger Woods faced the greatest drop of public reputation to a nonpolitical figure. And since that all the clues and hidden happenings in his past are revealed.

The great fall is mainly from the contrast between the surface that Tiger Woods has been keeping for so long and the true face that’s hidden beneath it. Throughout his entire career Tiger almost never present any behaviour that shows his interior. He is unknowable to the news media that covers him, and virtually to the rest of golfers on the tour. His responses are robotically correct and non-threatening yet meaningless for the public, his tracks are hardly found during and after tournaments. His image is designed to be a charming, non-controversial figure with no interior.

After the car crash, scandals and rumours from his past begin to float up to the public’s eyes. The cover of his formalistic marriage blows off along with the car crash; extramarital sex addiction has driven most his tales; his contact with Anthony Galea, a doctor outside US who is charged to be involved in illegal drug smuggling, has become more and more suspicious. Tiger Woods has lost his credibility to the public. A downward track in the future seems to be obvious. This might or might not affect his further achievement in professional golf, but for sure like how his mask has fell apart, his brilliant image is gone permanently.

Intro: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Series	The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Genre(s)	Comedy, Science fiction novel
Publisher	Pan Books
Publication date	12 October 1979

I finally caught up with this magnificent piece over the break. Just as all the fame I've heard, this book is a blockbuster that blows away all the boundaries in my head. The genius of Douglas Adams flows all around, reaches the most serious stuff about universe and sticks it to the tiniest thing in daily life and somehow it works. Everything seems so random and nothing near meaningful. But suddenly all the fragments merge together and form a perfect puzzle. Just by reading it is like joining an uninhibited carnival. I strongly recommend this book to everyone that hasn't read it.

P.s 4 books and a movie left. Way to go~

The Death of Qaddafi

Several days ago the news of the death of Qaddafi is released.Qaddafi was definitely one of the most erratic and stubborn leaders in the world. His ridiculous dressing style and messed-up speech has made him a international joke. During his years, Libya didn't even have a feasible government system. “This is my country!” he roared as he shook his fist and pounded the lectern. Even though with such guilt to his country,“Muammar is not a president to quit his post. Muammar is the leader of the revolution until the end of time!”(New York Times) Qaddafi was extremely stubborn to his position. For several time he refused to exile abroad, which directly caused his death. It takes very long time for a person to climb up to the stage of claiming himself as a "god"; but sometimes it takes only one second for a "god" to fall to a lousy ant. After forty years of dissolute excesses, His sudden shameful death "marks an end to the first phase of the Libyan revolution. "(SENATOR JOHN McCAIN) according to Washington D.C.

It's true that the long and crazy authoritarian of Qaddafi has eventually come to an end. But is a bright future of Libyans promised? With the collapse of the Qaddafi power, Libya is left with no complete government system and huge war damage all across the country. Even without Qaddafi, this country is still faced with serious problems, such as war of secession and anarchy. "There have also been discouraging reports about the treatment of migrant workers, and of infighting within the National Transitional Council."(New York Times)Will the rebel's governance be responsible for the recovery? Will the Libyans' benefits be put as the first order? Nothing can be guaranteed so far. I hope this time Libyans can work together with one heart and rebuild a new country with true democracy.