Progressions and two American film adaptations of Japanese properties

[davetheanalyzer]

Still not progressing as much as I want on writing. I still get tempted by distractions and only get two or so pages down per day instead of the usual four or five. I looked up a few writing apps to see if they would help but not many appear compatible with Opera. I surmise I have to work harder with staying concentrated. I hope I can make posting chapters 19 and 20 at the end of next month, since editing chapters 21 and 22 might need a few more drafts. As always it’s hard to balance so many characters and find places to put in even little character moments. Also chapters 21 and 22 are now around 45 pages total. Kind of wild that the first draft was barely even 30 pages at first but it’s what happens when you try to edit and expand things.

Still haven’t socialized as much online. Did a bit more original posts and responses, but I have stayed with observing and merely reposting other people’s posts. That is good in some cases with issues other people know more about and have more standing to speak up on but it can cut in with talking with other people. A certain version of that I alluded to can be draining. As I said before, maybe once a day or every other day, I should talk to someone. That way, I can get used to talking with others and maybe roll with any mistakes I might make.

I saw two films this month. The first was Detective Pikachu. I was going to see it with my helper but she got sick and it was on its way out of theaters, so I saw it with Mom. We both enjoyed it, more than I expected. The CGI was still noticeable in places but the movie did well in immersing you in the world. I can see why critics wished there was more done with the worldbuilding, though I liked the story and it’s interesting to see some animated matters done in live action. Tim Goodman is a jaded person, who went away from his previous passion for Pokemon due to family tragedy. His warming up to Detective Pikachu and his tears during his low moments were very effectively played by Justice Smith. The titular Detective Pikachu is a snarking, quipping sort, who manages to remain charming during that. Even so, he manages to live up to the detective part of his name in the plot. Lucy is the ambitious reporter who wants to move above her station and can be quite forward but she works together with Tim to do the good they could. Psyduck is her partner and always has to keep his anxiety under control or he’d hurt somebody. He does take advantage of this threat to get a message from Detective Pukachu, but he seems to like the title character and is close to Lucy. Lt. Hideo Yoshida is a kind partner to Tim’s father who only becomes harsh when he wants to make clear his father is likely dead and to have Tim avoid the danger he is getting himself in by investigating.

The journey to investigate the mystery about what happened to Tim’s dad was interesting. I already kind of spoiled myself about certain twists, like Detective Pikachu being Tim’s dad all along, but there were others I kind of mixed up completely. I did fall for Roger Clifford the son was the culprit behind Tim’s dad and Mewtwo and the aggression-inducing gas in the Pokemon. I was interested in the underground Pokemon fighting ring where that gas was used – how the ringleader wanted to fulfill a grudge with Pikachu but was concerned for both Tim and his Charizard when Tim went into the ring. I suspected and liked that Mewtwo was good all along and helped Tim and his father in exchange for their kindness. I was surprised when Howard Clifford was revealed to be the villain and his possession of Mewtwo was a bit unnerving. I’m leery of his antagonistic motivation involving his disease/disability, with what it could say about wheelchair users. Still, I enjoyed it and that Tim and his father reconciled. Does Mr. Goodman remember what happened? I wonder what Pokemon Tim would have, since Pikachu seems to be still with his father. There are fan thoughts Tim could go back to that Cubone at the beginning and with his character development more easily persuade the Pokemon to become his partner. I’m not sure of that but it’s an interesting thought.

I also saw Godzilla King of the Monsters, a film that hyped me with their gorgeous trailers. Even with the not-so-good reviews, as a fan, I couldn’t resist watching it. There was a lot I liked about the film, but it made me go more “hmm” than I thought. It feels a very American movie, from the music to the story rhythm. Of course, it’s being made by Americans but having watched many Japanese Godzilla movies, including the Shin one, I’m used to those rhythms, so this movie is a bit off. For the human characters, they mightn’t be the most developed, but if they have to be barely-developed exposition machines, at least they are characters I like and are a bit less white and male (Well, it can more less white and male).

Madison is sort of the main character who despite the loss of her brother got, still likes the Titans. I like how she calls out her mother and steals the Titan tamer machine to avet he world. Emma is the kind of Monarch scientist and former environmentalist characters that thinks that humanity will doom the Earth, so will risk millions of lives to bring back “balance.” She has to be called out to realize her plan was iffy even if it didn’t go off the rails, and at least she catches on enough to sacrifice herself for the final battle. Mark Russel understandably wants all Titans killed with his son’s death but seems to be pragmatic about the situation in certain scenarios, like when he orders the sub/base not to shoot on an approaching Godzilla. Diane Foster is the leader of the G-Team and knows how to run a ship but she seems to know when to listen to other suggestions and is willing to go on the front lines with her team. I appreciate Dr. Serizawa got a more meaty role and he defended the Titans but doesn’t want innocent people getting hurt. I do like his respect for the monsters, though I wasn’t as thrilled about the sacrifice, though at least he had his moment with Godzilla. Wasn’t a fan of Dr. Graham getting eaten to provide him angst and to show the stakes. Dr. Ilene Chen and her family being hinted to be the equivalent of Mothra’s fairies could have led to some exotification. I don’t know if it still did, but at least we spent several minutes showing Dr. Ilene Chen being a person who is angry at Emma and gives her opinions. There are also Jackson Barnes and Lauren Griffin, who get even fewer character stuff but I like their determination during crises and loyalty toward each other.

I do enjoy some of the monster action, and I do like the original mammoth-gorilla monster being a rare mammalian monster, since I do like more distinct monsters. I did think King Ghidorah and Rodan’s roars didn’t sound much like their actual selves. I am kind of amused Rodan was so quick to switch sides, after being such a jerky ally to King Ghidorah. I sighed that Mothra died, again, but at least she’ll be back, it seems. I’m unsure of some of the story choices and politics, like again throwing nuclear weapons willy nilly and the casual use of the Oxygen Destroyer. An independent organization that doesn’t totally answer to the government also has its issues, especially when one of their members causes the chaos of the film. And I wish they dealt a bit more with the human and environment issue, to refute the “human=bad” equation, since films and TV series can go rather skewed on that issue. At least Monarch wanted to reintroduce Titans to the world carefully. I saw someone say there is always an issue with America taking on Godzilla and the film having primarily American military characters, with what led to the inspiration of Godzilla in the first place. I can see that perspective. In the end, it’s a film I didn’t enjoy as much as I thought, but I still liked it. Now to look forward to Godzilla vs. Kong, which is going to have the director of *checks notes* the live action Netflix Death Note hot mess. Hmm… (Yes, I know the director had a few films that got positive reviews but still…hmm).

Anyway, that’s all for now. I have a weird lump on my neck I have had checked out. Hopefully, it’s nothing. Until the end of July, see you!