Psychoanalysis on the sexuality of weapons.

[Ronin Aquila]

Warning: The following essay may sound somewhat sexist to readers uninitiated to university film theory. Don't shoot the messenger, I just repeat what I heard in the lectures.

Film (or indeed, of any medium) psychoanalysis dictates that the gun, along with the sword, is very much a phallic symbol. The volume of masculine sexual potence (or more often the sexual insecurity/inadequacy needed to compensated) of the weilder is therefore directly poportionate to the length and the potence of the weapon weilded.

Take Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry, Vash the Stampede and Arcard of Hellsing for example. They are macho men amongst macho men, and therefore would have dispoportionately large pen... uh, I mean guns to symbolically indicate their masculine potence.

Even Ellen Ripley of the Alien Saga , being very much a maternal figure, is
endowed with a poportionately potent arsenal that facilitates her need to embody masculine virtues in order to rescue her surrogate child Newt from the clutches of the Alien Queen. Only by becoming a father figure can Ripley hope to dominate the insolent Mater Terribilis, who violates the order of nature by putting her maternal sexuality to destructive use.

Similarly, the structure of a swordsman's blade is also indicative of his social role as a parental figure. Himura Kenshin, for instance, would traditionally be an uncomprimising and forceful paternal figure, who would unforgivingly destory any threat to social order through his formidable sword. However, corresponding to the merciful nature of his Sakaba (reverse blade) sword, he is a warm, kind and nurturing maternal figure who will rather persuade than discipline.

Sylvester Stallone is an example of the so-called "compensator." Even in the Rambo Series, he is in the twighlight of his potent years, and therefore would hysterically flail his ridiculously oversized phallic weapon around, ejaculatively depleting it of its ammo upon all threats (IE, other males in the film) to his masculinity, in a comically pathetic attempt to emulate how potent he had once been.

The most sexist example of arsenal-sexuality in film would have to be in the death scene of the T-1000 in James Cameron's Terminator 2. Yes, the T-800 is beaten out of comission by the T-1000, yes, Sarah Conor has a shotgun that would have sent the T-1000, the disruptor of social order, to hell. But phallically endowed as she was, Sarah Conor is still but a woman, and it takes a man like the T-800, whose infinite potence is manifested in the Grenade Launcher , to deliver the final blow of justice. As the father figure, it is the T-800's, not Sarah Conor's, obligation to the narrative to restore order to society.This very un-James Cameron sexism is thankfully rare in today's Hollywood.

As the size of a phallic weapon is indicative of its weilder's masculinity, it regrettably also corresponds to his or her inability to be tender, loving and maternal. The T-800 of T2 , despite all his destructive potence, is incapable of crying in spite of understanding why people did so. Sarah Conor became a Mater Terribilis who cultivated only the hateful and destructive masculine side of her son upon neglecting her maternal side and adopting the masculine trait of destruction.

Ellen Ripley of the Alien Saga was masculinely rash and forceful in Aliens , so much as to rush into the midst of an impending thermonuclear explosion, and was only able to become the thoughtful and nurturing leader she was in Alien after forsaking the phallice in Alien 3.

This brings me to the main contention of the essay. Kirika-Chan and Mirelle therefore have the best of both worlds in terms of their sexuality as action heroines. Their ability to destory, and yet simultaneously posess the ability to love, nurture and forgive, is indicative in the small size of their firearms. Yes, they posess the masculine ability to kill and destroy; yet this does not blot out, and therefore redifine, the core of their being; feminine (and therefore, maternal) sexuality. This is doubly so for Chloe, whose light and compact throwing blades are pure in its simplicity and distance from the paternal institution of industrial technology, manifested in the complexity of a typical firearm.

Now we come to swordsmanship in Noir. Upon embracing the brutal nature of the True-Noir imposed upon her by Altena the Succubus, Kirika-Chan similarly forsakes the love of motherhood and adopts the brutality of the formidable claymore, or two-handed-sword, a weapon significantly more massive and intimidating than her compact pistol.

Chloe, in her lifelong admiration for Kirika-Chan, attemts to emulate her in spite of her gentle and significantly more maternal nature. In adopting the role of the oppressive father, Kirika-Chan symbolically beats the insolent Chloe into submission through severing of her sword during their combat practice, as a chilling reminder of a mother's eternal inability to replace a father. Kirika-Chan's redemption in her return to feminity corresponds therefore to her reaquisition of her destructive yet comparatively maternal compact-pistol.

Till Next Time Take Care Of Yourselves And Each Other. :D

[Darklightz]

Love?Nurture?Forgive?

They're assassins!Cold-Blooded murderers!

If anything Chloe is the malicious one.

To me the small pistols are symbolist of simple quick death.It's meant to show the viewers how easy it is to kill.Especially how easy it is for Kirika to kill.

[Ronin Aquila]

Chloe is not so much malicious as completely and utterly obedient to the demon Altena. As shown more than adequately in Episode 12, she is more than capable of honor, compassion and justice. :)

Also, the Noir are not murderers. They are warriors. It is only Altena's hatred that warped their status to such disgrace, but was ultimately redeemed by Mirelle and Kirika-Chan.

The warriors of Noir carry on the legacy of heroes like William Wallace, Himura Kenshin and Wong Fei-Hong in their duty of cleansing the world of darkness.

[Darklightz]

Lol!Chloe only saves the guy to kill him herself!

And what's more Kirika and Mireille didn't know of Altena's existence when they started killing,so how is she responsible?

Vash and Himura try to repent their sins and would always avoid harming others.

Kirika and Mireille kill everyone in their way,period.

[Excession]

Ronin:

Very well put, thought out and presented in a most eloquent manner.

I agree with much of what you have said, and commend you for having done so even in the face of possible retribution from those who may be of the radical feminist persuasion.

The fact that you have applied this concept to Noir shows that you are not merely regurgitating what knowledge was imparted during a lecture, as your first comments suggest. Give yourself credit where it is rightly due!

It is very interesting that you mention the clash, or in the case of Noir, co-existence of both main characteristics of maternal and paternal instincts.

In anime, which involves a male lead, I have noticed that he is often bumbling, rather ineffectual and generally inept. Or at least views himself as being so, which affects how he acts and reacts in whatever the current situation may be. Throughout the series such male characters develop and begin to show slightly more 'manly' (though I hesitate to use the term, due the many unpleasant connotations attached to it [many of which can be laid squarely at the feet of radical feminism]) traits. He may become involved in an internal struggle against conditioning which runs contrary to the fundamentals of what it is to be 'male'. Such conditioning is often self-inflicted due to trauma experienced earlier in life (in the case of such anime scenarios).

In the ending, after the transition has occurred, the character is celebrated, or at the very least viewed as now having become a more whole and complete person. I for one think this is a wonderful thing, and very healthy indeed.
In far too many ways masculinity is demonized within our culture, whether it be due to misconceptions about what it really involves, or due to a blind dislike for that which is considered to be a key factor in what is commonly thought of (wrongly, might I add) as the violence and evil that is part of a man's nature.

The fact that Noir depicted female characters that displayed a certain degree of masculinity, as you mentioned, made it a very interesting piece. Had it not been handled correctly I can see the two lead characters turning out to be rather butch and nowhere near as feminine as they were.
Had that been the case the series would have been destroyed utterly, in my opinion. Neither, however, are they depicted as being so maternal and caring (not that those are bad qualities, just not well suited to an assassin) as to be rendered unable to kill - which is central to the story, of course.
All in all it was balanced very well, and the many slight shifts in the characters natures was handled gracefully, as your example with Kirika and Chloe proves. At no point did it come across as unnatural, rather a transition or stage in the characters own development.

Anyhow, I am rambling...again.

There is a lot we could learn from the depictions of qualities associated with both sexes in anime. It seems in many cases to be better handled and far healthier than the manner in which we depict and handle them in reality - at least in western society and culture.

NOTE: I am not saying that there is anything wrong with being feminine; there is not. Neither is there with being masculine, though that is oft-times overlooked due to the current manner in which our culture views it. A view that has been significantly altered by groups that practice blind and radical feminism.
That said, I consider females to be equals and support equal rights. I refer to the more extremist methodologies that have, sadly, blossomed in our society and had unfortunate effects.

"as a chilling reminder of a mother's eternal inability to replace a father. Kirika-Chan's redemption in her return to feminity" - Its true, one can never properly replace the other...

I commend Ronin's observations, and the way in which he presented the masuclinity shown as being acceptable (though of course I say that in context; killing is not acceptable unless very just cause is provided, and even then to be avoided if possible).

EDIT: Forgot to mention that series like Rambo do NOT exactly help the acceptance of masculinity, as they associate it with mass destruction, violence and crudity. :rolleyes:

[Takara]

In that case, Kirika and Mireille should use rifles. :lol:
Ronin:
>the Succubus, Kirika-Chan :lol:


>Dark: Chloe only saves the guy to kill him herself!
I agree with Ronin about episode 12.

Chloe saved the old man and then kills him only because it's her duty, and this is after she's given him the chance to tell her what he wanted. The honor, compassion and justice has to do with Chloe going out of her way to kill the second man, the one that the old man told her about. I think I remember that the second man had something to do with the reason the first man was killed.


>Kirika and Mireille kill everyone in their way,period.
They never killed anyone innocent. All of their targets were 'bad people.' Mireille said in one episode that neither the client nor the target were worthy but they took out the worst of the two.
Sometimes innocent people were hurt, as you can imagine the birthday-girl (Rosalie?) would be upon finding her father dead.

[Darklightz]

Correction,no innocents got in their way.They had accepted the job to kill the old man who helped the poor for example.

And who's to say all the Soldats members they killed were evil?After all,Even our heroes are part of Soldats in a fashion :)

Well it seems for some reason everyone sided with Ronin.I don't care but I'll stop arguing then since it seems futile to further elaborate.

[Ronin Aquila]

Further Amendment: The three trees were born into Soldats and therefore had no choice whatsoever in the begining to be associated with the said organisation/cult.

Fortunately, their warrior virtues has and still will prevent them from sucking innocents into their vortex of darkness. :)

[Takara]

>Correction, no innocents got in their way.
Damn, they sure were lucky. I guess they planned they're moves well.

>They had accepted the job to kill the old man who helped the poor for example.
Ex-KGB man assisted in the genocide of the ethnic... umm, i forgot. Anyway, systematic genocide was on his list of crimes. What hurts about this episode is that his motivation for committing those crimes was the murder of his family.

>And who's to say all the Soldats members they killed were evil?
They all had guns and they were all trying to kill them. :D

About the guns and swords... I'm trying to figure if there is any way for them to still be effective weapons and not be phallic.

[Excession]

They could have used little throwing knives like Chloe...they were hardly phalic.
Perhaps a sling?
Or even a crossbow, I suppose.
All the same, I think that the series worked best with guns and swords. :)

[Takara]

Oh didn't mean just Noir. I meant the whole Freud thing. By "them" I meant guns and swords.


About the guns and swords... I'm trying to figure if there is any way for them to still be effective weapons and not be phallic.

If it's not a long gun then what, maybe a square one (like a hand-held rocket launcher:lol: ). Isn't it just effective for the weapons to be long to keep distance.

Hey, why don't we have any main anime characters that use crossbows and bows and such? Gutts has his arm crossbow thing but has a sword, Rufi uses his arms, a lot of character fight without weapons...

[Ronin Aquila]

Oh dear.... :heh:

Freudian Cinematic theory regrettably defines any weapon that is:

A) Long
B) Hard
C) Punctures

... as a phallic symbol. :heh:

Poor rocket launcher and crossbow... :heh:

[Stalinist]

It's the attack of Freud...

[Ronin Aquila]

And his obsession with reaquiring the estranged mother figure in his life. :D :heh:

[Ronin Aquila]

Just learnt something even more sad in film theory on Thursday.

Not only does Freud define long hard objects as phallices, he also defines any vessel or containment (rooms, boxes, ships) as symbolic of the unterus. :heh:

Oh, deary me, the poor man has some issues. :heh:

[Serekith]

I think dear old Freud has gone just a bit too far with his film analysis theories.

By the way Ronin, you take film theory? Is it worth it? Because I have seriously been thinking of doing it.

[Ronin Aquila]

Before taking film theory three years ago, movies was just a passion.

Three years later, it is a way of life.

Tv, Movies (and of course anime) have become, if anything, more fun to watch because you are able to analyse their socio-cultural contexts and see something old from a completely new and fresh angle every time.

Plus, more importantly, if you want to write and create deep social anime like Evangelion, Ruroni Kenshin and Noir in the future, taking this course is a must, for it teaches you what the public wants and what makes its soul tick.

If scriptwriting is what you wish, taking a double major in literature is a must too. :kawaii:

3200th post!! Woo Hoo!!

[hGh]

Hmm, that actually sounds fun and interesting, I'll put that down and consider it as an option for the future - studing film that is :D
Especially the theories about what makes people, so to speak, "tick".

Ain't too keen on the literature part of the thing tho :p

[Ronin Aquila]

Congratulations. You have just taken the first step into a larger world. :)

[tekblade]

very interesting :D

[Ronin Aquila]

For more details please visit your friendly local University/College. :p

[Takara]

Indeed, really thinking about what you see (movies, art, adverisement) or read is very good thing. Analysis and symbolism is sometimes taken overboard though…

[Ronin Aquila]

Makes you feel all the more smarter, and happier, as a result though. :kawaii:

[Serekith]

Film and literature huh? Actually that'd be a great combination for me. Either i'll do this or something to do with international issues and/or history.

Movies appeal to me more, and that is where my passion lies, but work is a little harder to get into in this area.

Well so far I've had a very enjoyable taste of film analysis thanks to a certain English teacher of mine. Whom by the way I managed to get hooked on Evangelion. He's watched the series over five times now (that's more than me), and he still can't get over it. Now he's been eagerly anticipating the movies, as am I.

[Ronin Aquila]

I hail thee for thy successful conversion quest. ;)

[Foxxe]

gun = penis

[Serekith]

:lol:

Well, maybe in James Bond it might apply.

[Ronin Aquila]

Well, judging by the regularity of "combat" that he has initiated, its surprising his weapon is not shooting blanks yet. :lol:

[Serekith]

:lol:

Well it is James Bond. He'll be still going strong twelve actors down the track, and a hundred years after his humble beginnings in Dr No. Unless of course those MGM producers succeed and James Bond becomes an American! How horrible! (no offense to American's. I'm just saying that contrary to what some stupid producers might think, James Bond should remain a British secret agent.

Anyhow, back to Noir (or at least something Noirish), if the weapons are symbolic, and indeed even phallic, then to what degree would it be for Kirika, because she seems to use quite a variety of weapons, at least in what I've seen so far.

[Ronin Aquila]

Meaning her sexuality is very fluid, capable of flowing from mater benevolus to mater terribilis almost instantaneously. ;)

[Serekith]

Ah

[Ronin Aquila]

Thankfully, she is now fully and truly a mater benevolis. :kawaii: And just imagine the adorable little girl she will have in the future...

.... having them in a photo together would be like having two Kirika-Chans at once!! :kawaii: :kawaii: :kawaii:

[Serekith]

But then that would mean there would be a father for this little daughter of Kirika. Do you really want someone else taking Kirika-chan?

[Ronin Aquila]

Not as long as:

(A) I'm allowed to have pleasantly platonic converstaions with her over a cup of coffee in a Park Cafe on a sunny day, with Kirika-Chan 2 playing in the background jungle gym. :kawaii:

(B) I'm allowed to play with her and/or Kirika-Chan 2 once in a while. :kawaii:

(C) I can get a huggy-huggies from both Kirka-Chans once in a while. :kawaii:

I love Kirika-Chan (and her probable daughter), that is indisputable. However, I'm not that possessive, her happiness is the most important matter. :)

My somewhat disturbing threats concerning those who threaten her well being are to protect her from sadness and harm. If another man can give her the love and care that will allow her to live happily to her last days, then my blessings to him. ;)

However, I admit that it would be very nice to be Kirika-Chan's Hubby and Kirika-Chan 2's Daddy. :kawaii:

[Serekith]

I'm sure it would. ;)

[Andrew D]

Just wondering... are there any NON-phallic weapons?

Let me think... whips might not be phallic, but there's all the S&M connotations... the Chakram (made famous by Xena would probably be interpreted as the feminine version of a phallic weapon... hmm, maybe an axe?

[Ronin Aquila]

Quite Right, Mr D, for the circular Chakram is reminiscent of the feminine reproductive opening. :heh:

And do remeber that the head of the axe is attached to a long hard handle. ;)

[Ronin Aquila]

Come to think about it.

Sylvester Stallones GGGGNNNNAAAARRRRRRR!! scream when he fires his huge machine gun is very reminiscent of a man's orgasmic screams as he ejaculates, is it not? :D :p

[Serekith]

Ack! :eek: You're putting images in my head! (shudders)

[Ronin Aquila]

Well, at least he is duly compensated for his sexual incompetency with that big phallic weapon of his. And of course he has to scream poportionately loud duriing orgasm (IE. Firing the weapon) to do his "extension" justice. :p

[Serekith]

:lol:

[Ronin Aquila]

No wonder it looks painful for him, with that growl of his, conisdering that he has to deplete so much ammo in so little time. :lol:

[Serekith]

Heh heh!

It just occured to me that Conan The Barbarian (even though I only ever saw half of it), is just one huge pile of phallicness. I mean, what was that thing that they said in the beginning? Something about him not being able to trust neither man nor beast nor woman, only his sword. That big, long, hard, pointy, sword. Like rambo, that movie is just saturated in phallicness.

[Ronin Aquila]

Precisely so. :D

Though the proclamation of Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones) in the film that the flesh that weilds the steel is stronger holds equally true in today's boardrooms and bedrooms as it did back in the battlefields of the Hyborian Age. ;)

[Ronin Aquila]

By the way.

If you don't own Conan The Barbarian on DVD, don't run, sprint to your nearest DVD shop and buy it now. ;)

If you don't own a DVD Player, Conan is a reason to. ;)

[Serekith]

I didn't even know it was on DVD.

Sprinting will depend on what the extras are like.

So. What are the extras like?

[hGh]

Hmm, speking of Stallone, wonder what hidden sexual meaning can be observed in Rocky. Prolly something to do with beeing the alpha male and all :p

[Ronin Aquila]

Originally posted by Serekith
I didn't even know it was on DVD.

Sprinting will depend on what the extras are like.

So. What are the extras like?

Here We Go:

A very amusing and relevant commentary of Director John Milius and Arnold Himself Commenting on the action, film making process, and most importantly of all, moral symbolisms of the film.

A Documentary called "Conan Unchained." Very entertaining retrospect on the process of Conan's production, release and success. Contains the entertaining comment that reviwers burned this movie as "Star Wars Made By A Psychopath" whereas Milius wanted a tragedy that commented on the horrors of violence.

Picture Gallery

Outtakes.

Hope This Helps. ;)

Now I want my Noir DVDs with interviews of Kuwashima Houko, Kirika-Chan's voice!! :kawaii: :kawaii: :kawaii:

[Serekith]

Now I want my Noir DVDs with interviews of Kuwashima Houko, Kirika-Chan's voice!!

Hell yeah! But somehow the only extras I see being on the DVDs would be a few trailers and maybe some character descriptions. Still, it's Noir! On DVD! Here!

I just wonder when it'll be coming out. Might only be next year.

Anyhow, those Conan extras sound interesting. Now all I need is the cash. And I still need to finish getting Gasaraki!

[Ronin Aquila]

One advice:

Watch Conan with a tender and sensitive heart as opposed to a macho one and you'll appreciate its heartbreaking beauty and tragedy more. :kawaii:

[Serekith]

Will do.

[Excession]

Originally posted by Ronin Aquila
One advice:

Watch Conan with a tender and sensitive heart as opposed to a macho one and you'll appreciate its heartbreaking beauty and tragedy more. :kawaii:

Does having read the book count?
Because I did that and approached it with, if not a tender heart, at least an open mind.
It was, when read from the right perspective, an essay in the tragedy of violence, though for that I'd sooner turn to the Kenshin OAV (*sniffs* I cried).

[Ronin Aquila]

Well, novelist Robert E Howard's original novels are more Macho than director John Milius' humane treatment of the mighty Cimmerian.

Two of the most touching scenes in Conan include:

1) Conan has just returned from the brink of death, and explores how it feels to live once more through the practice of his sword, to the heartbreakingly gentle and melodic theme "Recovery."

2) Valeria's cremation, in which Conan tenderly bades his love farewell, but not shedding a tear. However , Subotai, his long time friend, wept for him. For as he told Akiro the wizard "A Cimmerian Will Not Cry, So I'll Cry For Him." :bawling: Truly one of the most touching gestures of real friendship in cinema.

And Excession, I wholeheartedly agree. The Kenshin OVAs (and of course, Noir) are equally wonderful essays on the tragedy of violence.

Come here Kirika-Chan, let Ronin-Onichan give you a big hug. :kawaii: There there, don't cry. :kawaii:

[Serekith]

Ah yes, the Kenshin OVAs. You're talking about Trust & Betrayal right? So tragic!

Which reminds me, I must see the rest of Noir!

[Ronin Aquila]

You're in for the ride of your anime-watching life. ;)

It combines the best aspects of Ruroni Kenshin: Memories, The Godfather, John Woo's "The Killer" and Gladiator to form an intense, tragic and violent yet tender, noble and humane tale of the triumph of the warrior spirit. :kawaii:

[Excession]

Yep, it even comes with a toaster.

[Ronin Aquila]

And a free small soda at the movies. :kawaii:

[Serekith]

Woohoo! A toaster and soda!

[Ronin Aquila]

Not to mention your own Altena Effigy. Bash it all day long!! :kawaii:

[Serekith]

Who's Altena?

On second thoughts don't tell me. I suppose if I don't know who this Altena person is, I must really need to watch more Noir.

I'll get to it soon enough. But now, Gasaraki volumes 5 & 6 here I come! Just bought them yesterday.

Oh yeah, I saw the Conan DVDs in the store as well, lots of copies actually. But I also saw Enemy At The Gates which I had been searching for on DVD ever since it was available to rent, so I had to get that. And then that, along with the Gasaraki DVDs bankrupted my entire wallet! Seriously, I only have 25 cents left.

I don't think I've ever had that little money, except maybe when I was five. Conan will have to wait unfortunately.

[Ronin Aquila]

You're missing out on a classic-of-classics, the only dignified fantasy movie before Fellowship Of The Ring, mate. :kawaii:

[Serekith]

Don't worry, I'll get it soon enough. :)

Oh, and if you didn't already know, they are making a sequel to Conan as we speak. Arnold will reprise his role, and they haven't decided on who will be playing Conan's adoptive son, but there are rumours that Vin Diesel has expressed interest in the part.

For a review of the script head to IGN filmforce.

It looks pretty good to me, and I shall eagerly anticipate its release, along with the possibly certified Jurassic Park IV! :D

[Ronin Aquila]

Let's hope ol' Speilberg hops on the director horse again cos damn, Joe Johnston can't direct for #@$%!! :heh:

[Schizm]

Weren't you bad-mouthing Speilberg in some other thread?

[Ronin Aquila]

Oh for crying out loud....

I was ranting that John Woo was criticised for doing the same thing as Speilberg did: In other words: Show the horrors of war in a graphic manner. And yet Mr Woo did not get the recognition that Mr Speilberg did. That is all. :(

[Schizm]

And you can't figure out why?

It doesn't take an idiot to do so :)

[Ronin Aquila]

Because Hollywood Film Critics are a bunch of bigoted, racist old dinosaurs. :)

[Schizm]

You're views aren't getting much support in your other rant thread, nor will they here :D

[hGh]

But who takes film critics seriously anyway, I don't. I usually go by review sites on the internet by authors who share my preferences in things

[Serekith]

Originally posted by Ronin Aquila
Let's hope ol' Speilberg hops on the director horse again cos damn, Joe Johnston can't direct for #@$%!! :heh:

Well, although Jurassic Park III certainly was crap, and usually the director is the one that gets the blame, because it is ultimately their responsibility, it wasn't entirely Johnston's fault in this case. You see, it was the script writers that really brought the movie down. Not only were they pretty crappy writers, but they couldn't decide on anything properly either. They were drastically changing the story half way through filming, and if I can remember correctly, William H Macy really blasted them for being so unreliable and such. You see, in my opinion, what you should never ever do when writing a movie is to get a whole bunch of writers (and crap ones at that), and have them write a heap of different scenes, and try and string them together into what somewhat resembles a story. This unfortunately is what happened to JP3. Now although Joe wasn't directly responsible for the bad story, I cannot forgive him for being the kind of director that doesn't make sure they are working with a good story, because it is the directors responsibility to make sure EVERYTHING in the movie works and works well, instead of just being handed a flimsy script and trying to make the most of what you've got.

Also, not only was there a lack of involvement by Spielburg and Crichton, but I believe David Koepp wasn't involved either, nor did John Williams coem back to write a new fantastic score, and the old music was just recycled for this one, along with a few unmemorable tracks.

Stephen actually said that he wants Johnston for the next one as well, but Johnston said that he didn't want to do another one. And although Stephen doesn't want to direct again either, I think he still might because for one thing he seems really excited about this new story, which he says is really really good, and it should have been the third one. And also, if he doesn't get any director, he may decide to return from the sheer desire to work once again on the masterpiece dinosaur saga.

But who takes film critics seriously anyway, I don't. I usually go by review sites on the internet by authors who share my preferences in things

Exactly. One must remember that while reviews are often interesting and can serve as good guidelines, they are still someone else's opinion, no matter how unbiased they claim or are supposed to be. Because that's what reviews are essentially, an opinion or opinions, backed by supporting evidence. Personally I like reviews, and I write them all the time as well, but ultimately your own opinion of a movie is what counts the most.

Anyways, sorry for this long rantish thing post, but it's about Jurassic Park (somewhat) so I have an obligation to discuss it. :D

[Ronin Aquila]

Please note: The politics present within the following post are not necessarily reflective of that of the writer's, but that of Film theorists at large.

A side point I would like to make on the physiology of the Autobots and the Decepticons of The Transformers.

From season one, the phallic nature of the Decepticons are reflected through their largely militaristic (Fighter Jets), Industrial (Constructicons), capitalistic (Tape recorders) and of course, the gun (Megatron). All symbols of a society made stagnant through cold patriarchy and profit.

Even moreso phallic is the nature of the Decepticon's conduct. Their penetrative assault of firepower and brute force upon humanity's natural resources and energy is akin to the act of rape, an analogy moreso disquieteningly refelcted in Megatron; who himself is a gun, the very embodiment of oppression, terror, masculinity and rape itself.

The Autobots, however, are very much nurturing symbols of a society deticated to joy and progress, as reflected in the carefree sports cars of Sunstreak and Jazz, the ever vigilant Vans and Ambulances of Ironhide and Ratchet, to the symbol of social provision, the truck that is Optimus Prime.

As opposed to the phallic nature of the Decepticons, the chamberlike Structure of the Autobot vehicles are reflective of the maternal space of the womb; the source of the nurturing yet potent love and compassion that comes from the maternal figure. The selfless love and sacrifice Autobots show further accentuates their maternal nature.

Finally, the very Matrix of leadership passed from Optimus to Magnus, Magnus to Rodimus is itself the ultimate analogy of the nurturing womb: A chamber in which the light of love, compassion and wisdom of generations and ages that have come to pass is gathered and grown.

Unleashed, the maternal love and compassion of the matrix brings halt to hatred and suffering, allowing rebirth and new life.

Thus ends my rantings for the evening.

Take Care, Brothers And Sisters. :kawaii:

[Serekith]

Who was Magnus again? I remember Optimus (of course), and I remember Rodimus, but I can't recall who Magnus is.

Anyhow, I guess that does fit transformers. However, I think I'll just look at it as Decepticons = badguys= military, and Autobots = goodguys = civilian. ;)

Not to say that the other interpretation is not without merit. ;) :)

[Ronin Aquila]

Originally posted by Serekith
Who was Magnus again? I remember Optimus (of course), and I remember Rodimus, but I can't recall who Magnus is.



Ultra Magnus was the leader elected by the dying Optimus Prime in the Transformers Movie.

He too was a truck, abeleit a futuristic one. Turned out to be unworthy as he was blown to bits by Galvatron and therefore allowed the matrix to fall into his hands.

Fortunately, Hot Rod wrestled the Matrix from Galvatron, became Rodimus Prime and defeated Unicron. :)

Also,

Come to think about it, the Dinobots further emphasise the Autobots' affinity to the warmth of the family for:

1) Dinosaurs are living beings as opposed to military objects.

2) Kids love dinosaurs. :D

[Serekith]

Also, paleontologists are now considering dinosaurs as some of the most nurturing parents in the animal kingdom, both past and present.

Also, I never actually saw the transformers movie. I saw the season with Rodimus Prime and all though. Unicron was cool. :)

[Ronin Aquila]

Also, I said it before but I'll say it again. ;)

The Return Of Optimus Prime is easily the most touching and powerful (if not downright) influential 2 episodes of anime ever made.

In an era torn apart by racism, war, hate and the terror of AIDS, the Hate Plague of the Season 3 finale struck a chilling chord with the audience of the 1980's. :(

Rather than fight hatred with hatred, Optimus Prime bathed the universe in a nurturing light of wisdom, love and compassion that poured out of the Matrix, redeeming all life, even granting Galvatron a respect for peace. :bawling: :kawaii:

Such was the power of love and tolerance shown in those 2 episodes that its effects echoed throughout anime to this day, in series such as Blue Seed , Fruits Basket and To Heart.

Hence my undying love and respect for Optimus Prime: The definitive paragon of heroism, anime or otherwise. :kawaii:

[Serekith]

Yeah, Optimus was the best. :)

I think I had the toy when I was seven or something. :confused: :)

I really liked the combo ones though, they were cool. Like Predator, and Abonimus, and Superion, and etc. :D

[Ronin Aquila]

Devastator is the first and the best though. :p

Hmm, might give Kirika-Chan a constructicon set for Christmas... :kawaii:

[Serekith]

Good idea. :D :kawaii:

[Ronin Aquila]

Aren't I always full of good ideas? :p :kawaii:

[Serekith]

Actually, I wouldn't really know... :confused:

Anyhow, it seems we are both at the Noir forum at the same time, unless you disappear by the time I post this. ;)

[Ronin Aquila]

We shall see. :p

[Serekith]

Yes, we shall. :lol:

[Ronin Aquila]

Still haven't disappeared. :D

[Serekith]

Apparently not! :)

[Ronin Aquila]

I'm invincible!! Invincible!! YknowhaImsayin? :D :p :kawaii:

[Ronin Aquila]

I've returned:

And I've given my Darling Kirika-Chan her promised constructicon set for her birthday!! :kawaii:

[Schizm]

It seems we have another ZeroFactor on our hands. Let's hope Ronin recieves the same fate as he did :)

[Serekith]

Construction set? Is it TOMY's big big builder's construction set! THe one where you put it together and what do you get? A big big loader construction set!

At least, that's how I think it goes... :p

[Ronin Aquila]

Nah, it is the classic 84 version, with original green coloring, and combines into the coolest Decepticon of all (aside from Megatron) : Devastator!! :kawaii:

[Serekith]

OMG! Cool! I used to have the Predator and Abominus combos, btu I lost them .:(

[Ronin Aquila]

And just to show how much I love her, I will also give her an original Optimus Prime: The Epitome of the Maternally Nurturing yet Paternally Protective Weapon. :kawaii:

[Serekith]

There could not be a more suitable transformer for sweet little Kirika.

[Ronin Aquila]

Of course, there would also be a sweet ol' Bumblebee keychain on the side. ;)

[Serekith]

Naturally .;)

[Schizm]

Please Serekith, don't encourage him........

Particularly since you live in the same city as me http://www.jamezbrown.com/mysmilies/contrib/ruinkai/FIREdevil.gif

[Serekith]

Of course, of course. I probably should stay on your good side then.

But then again, I'm probably the one you should be afraid of. ;) Mwuahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Laugh with me! Ahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaa!

(sigh)

Evilness can be so exhausting.

[Schizm]

Somehow, I doubt that :rolleyes:

[Serekith]

So do I, my friend, so do I.

Ok, I know that made no sense, but, er, look over there!