Saturday, November 24, 2012

Go-Busters Mission 40 Images












Power Rangers Super Samurai - Evil Reborn - Episode Review

UPDATED 11/25/12
Thanks to Samuraicast: http://www.samuraicast.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=555
Summary:
 An injured Antonio wants to stop the fight between Deker and Jayden, but Mike and the girls go. Kevin tells them the team needs to be split up in case there is another attack. Jayden and Deker fight on horses. Kevin and Lauren have a lone chat. Lauren tells Kevin it is fine if he goes on his own. He says he knows she can handle herself but he is concerned about his Samurai duty. Lauren admits she never had a good friend. Kevin comes close and touches her shoulder, telling her she does now. They train in different rooms. Meanwhile in Japan forest stock footage land, Deker chases Jayden and they go after each other in a  fury of red and purple fire. 


Dayu feels something unsettling. It becomes night and the battle continues. Jayden gives Deker a deafening blow. The other three spot explosion from afar. Kevin is alone in the kitchen, Lauren tells Kevin she needs him to go after Jayden. Lauren is worried about her brother as well, telling Kevin that Jayden needs him more than she does. He leaves. Underneath the smile, she has a worried face. Jauden awakes unmorphed and in a ring of fire where Uramasa stands in the middle. He hears a laugh and the human Deker arises. This reminds me of a Simpsons quote where Bart says in the Easter fantasy story, "The explosion that didn't kill me, certainly killed my giant foe." The others arrive and try to reason with the two. Jayden tells Deker he is too tired to lift his sword.

Dayu is stopping Deker, the others can't see her but Deker can. Dayu goes to human form, she lets him go. Jayden stands up and leaves. Deker turns into his demon form and raises his sword. The others warn Jayden. Deker is hit in the back by Kevin, who has poked a hole through the ring with his water power. Deker goes back to human form. The other three pick up Jayden and walk out of there. The fire ring is completed once again. Deker says he is free and disintegrates into pieces. The curse being lifted. Dayu mourns Deker. Octoroo suggests Dayu playing her instrument to wake up Xandred.


Moogers raise up from the ground. Meanwhile it is daylight and Uramasa is still in the ground. The five are looking in different directions and are tired. Jayden thanks them. He apologizes about the secret. Uramasa disappears in pink-purple light. Antonio tends to Jii. I am surprised Antonio is not still injured. Lauren wants to ask Antonio about when Jayden was a kid, she wants to know what he was like. "Faith in the goodness of people." Antonio tells Lauren she is just as a good.


Giant Moogers attack and Lauren and Antonio call the zords. Jii calls the others. Jayden tells them he will be there soon. The four morph and fight Moogers on the streets. Antonio tells Lauren "Si Senorita." Jayden arrives and fights the Moogers unmorphed. Elsewhere, Dayu plays her Harmonium, seeing nothing else to live for. Mia senses Dayu and asks her why she is there.

Dayu and Mia fight. Mia strikes Dayu and she laughs. Dayu says she didn't defeat her, the Harmonium will release evil energy. A big black flurry comes out and she cackles. The other Rangers pay attention. The ship rocks on the super rising Sanzu River, Xandred finally rises to the Earth. The four Rangers reunite. Xandred thanks Dayu.

 
Review:
A very dark and great episode. I am surprised they kept Deker in human form when he is killed. The whole night scene with the fire ring was wonderfully done, reminds me of the production value of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The acting was a little of the same. I see Antonio is back to his 'Golden' catchphrase and broken Spanish. The Lauren and Antonio and Lauren and Kevin scenes were also great. So three more episodes left!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Poll Results: Battlizer/ Looking Forward/ Macy's Parade/Lauren

Do you think there will be 'Battlizer' of sorts for Megaforce season one? 
Yes
  88 (53%)
No
  20 (12%)
Maybe
  44 (26%)
Don't Know
  13 (7%)

What are you looking forward to the most?-2012-2013 
Kyouryuger
  122 (51%)
Megaforce
  121 (51%)
Go-Busters vs Gokaiger
  121 (51%)
Kamen Rider War Ultimatum
  100 (42%)

Power Rangers won't have a float at Macy's Parade again, what do you think?
They don't need a float
  69 (48%)
Dissapointing
  47 (33%)
I want a float!
  39 (27%)
Cool anyway
  30 (21%)

This year the Megaforce Rangers and 18 Red Rangers + White Ranger will be at Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, what do you think? 
Awesome
  113 (76%)
Look forward to it
  54 (36%)
Boring
  9 (6%)
Dumb
  14 (9%)

What do you think about Lauren the Red Samurai Ranger?
Awesome
  105 (60%)
Finally
  71 (41%)
Don't Know Yet
  27 (15%)
Cold
  16 (9%)
Boring
  20 (11%)
Bad
  13 (7%)

Thursday, November 22, 2012

INTRODUCING: EYESHINE

Hey folks, happy thanksgiving. Hope you all havve a good time enjoying your turkey and your family. Thank you for having me as a writer on the blog, and now I'd like give my thanks to some very special people that though some of you may heard of once or twice, but probably don't know very well.

(left to right: Polo Yazaki, Johnny Yong Bosch, Maurice Salmin, Crystal Mesina)
As some of you may know, Johnny Yong Bosch, after leaving power rangers, became an anime voice actor, and a rocker. But what is this band that he is a member of? well, as stated in the eyeshine panel at PMC3, after having financial problems, Johnny had to make a decission with one of his last possessions (a guitar): play it or sell it. Of course he chose to play it. eventually he met drummer Maurice Salmin, and became the "Lennon/McCartney" of modern rock (though this was still sort of in their "Lennon/Sutcliff" stage). Much like how the Beatles were originally called the Quarrymen, Eyeshine were originally called "Partly cloudy", but then decided the name was stupid. After watching an episode of "Crocodile Hunter", having the late Steve Irwin talk about looking for a crocodile's eyeshine at night, they decided, that should be their new name.

The band mainly consisted of four members, who changed at various points, leading to Johnny with lead vocals/rhythm guitar, Maurice on drums/backup vocals, Crystal Mesina on bass, and Eddie Colmenares on lead guitar. At that point, they've performed at many anime conventions, at PMC1, and released their 4th LP album "Tone of Echoes" (the first three being "How About That", "Red Stripes and White Lights" and "My Paper Kingdom"). In their whole career they did a number of music videos, including "Our Whole Lives Tonight", directed by my good friend, Jason Narvy.

Sometime after losing the first Gimme The Gig competition in 2011, Eddie left the band, and was replaced by their sub guitarist, Masataka "Polo" Yazaki. Eddie then joined another band, and on occasion comes to the band's regular venue to perform, and give friendly support to the band. At that point, Eyeshine were at their best. The music blended so perfectly, and teamwork was just phenomenal. Now, i'm not saying that they were worse before or after, but to ever fan, there is one era in a band's carreer that they find most savoury, and for me, that was it. At that point, they finished their acoustic album "Afterglow", and started working on their 5th LP "Revolution Airwaves". After being reinvited to Gimme The Gig II in 2012, the band scored an amazing victory in the finals, granting them a chance to perform a music video for their song "Stratosphere" under the direction of Don Was. Sadly, this led to the dark age of the band.

Sometime after the competition, Crystal tragically left the band due to family and financial reasons. without a bassist, they had to work around gigs they've already booked by doing accoustic instead of full electric. Luckily, while searching for a replacement, Eyeshine's sister band, Service Interuption lended them their bass player, Zack Duncan. Thanks to Zack's help, they were able to perform to their fullest, even in PMC3, and from the fans' reaction (which I was a part of), they did not disappoint. before the actual concert at PMC, they had a panel with Q/A and music in the background. the next day there was an accoustinc Q/A where they answered in song form, but sadly i can't come because it was a gold event and and a communication error made me short one guest pass. but here's the the basic panel:
Recently, they've been able to find a perminant bassist in Ginny Eck. who joined the band sometime between PMC3 and Sept 5th. Now that the band is complete again, they are trying to rock out harder than they ever could, including a 2nd accoustic album, 2 new music videos "Consuming Fire", and "Broken and Abused", and a special surpise that I promised Johnny I wouldn't tell, but stay tuned for it when it comes. They still play at 2nd St. Jazz club every first Wednesday of the month (the next being Dec. 5th)
How I came aquanted with the band? Well, as some of you may know, Jason Narvy is a friend of mine, and both of us are huge Shakespeare buffs. On my 19th birthday, he got to hang out while he was playing a comedy version of hamlet (which if you really think about it, is a comedy....tragic...but a comedy). but right before he left home to pack for Chicago, he told me to check out the band. Of course I did, and was exited to find johnny was in it. I didn't put too much focus on them just yet but it was kinda cool that my favorite ranger was a rocker. But then last October, I was attending the opening of a toku art museum, and heard a band performing outside. I was surprised to hear it was the band that featured my hero from age 3. After the show, we got to chat for a bit, which was awesome. Afterwards, I started going to gigs, and I was even recognised as the "fedora guy" (long story).....anyways, a whole year has passed, and Johnny and Maurice are now good friends of mine. Looking back, it's funny when your classmates pretend to be friends with rangers, and then you become actual friends with one....and your all-time favorite no less. Granted, I don't go to gigs because he's a ranger....I do it because he's part of an awesome band, and i see a lot of friends rocking out with me. In fact when I watch PR episodes with him in them, it's hard to believe that guy in the show is a personal aquaintance.
Eyeshine is a local LA band, and aren't signed by a label. Not many people know them, but millions of PR and anime fans have heard of them through Johnny's wikipedia, PMC, anime conventions, youtube, or happen to have friends who already listen to them. You can check the band out on youtuble, eyeshine.net, like them on facebook, or follow on twitter, and follow their adventures on their documentary series "Eyeshine Experience". And if they happen to perform in your home town, like Tampa FL last weekend, for example, be sure to check them out.
 

Power Rangers Megaforce and 19 Red Rangers (Including LAUREN) at the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade


Thanks to SabanPRClips:
Check out his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/jamie.abbott.315

I saw it on NBC but I don't have HD so I missed a couple of them, including the female Red Samurai Ranger LAUREN! They didn't have the White Ranger, they replaced him with LAUREN! So awesome! They had even 20 Red Rangers.




 Took me a while but I did this. Let me now if I got any wrong. Zeo and Dino Thunder did a flip and switched places during the performance. I didn't personally see Mystic Force but I saw a red foot and arm moving around on the corner of the screen so it had to him.






 Eh, Robo Knight? Wow, he wasn't spotted on the televised version but apparently he was in the parade. This is a surprise they made a meet-and-greet version of the costume, he doesn't look too 'dumb down' but it doesn't look quite as bulky or shiny as the costume we know from the show.

From Instagram:
Notice Lauren's boots, they looked damaged and are missing the black stripe.

http://www.megaforcecast.com/
RangerCrew/Fury Diamond's new MegaforceCast.com website has pictures of the rehersal:



 Time Force suit without belt and with Megaforce helmet.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Power Rangers Megaforce in New York


The 20 Red Rangers and Megaforce Blue, Black, Yellow and Pink practice their routine for tomorrow's Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, thanks to Power Rangers Facebook page.

Like the Samurai Rangers before them, the Megaforce Rangers debut at the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade!


No that is not a Power Ranger helmet they are holding, that is a turkey!








Sunday, November 18, 2012

Power Rangers Super Samurai - The Great Duel - Episode Review

Pictures thanks to Samuraicast.com
 
Exposition sequence first and then 'Previously on Power Rangers' scenes run. Antonio catches up with Jayden and Jayden wants him to go to Lauren. Antonio goes for breakfast and comes back to find Jayden gone. Opening Credits.

 Jayden bumps into Deker in the forest, they talk the same old story over again. Jayden decides to 'finish this' and they fight with their swords. They morph and continue to fight.  Lauren practices on her own with the Light Zord as the others watch. 

Jii tells them to spar with her. Mike volunteers, being smart-alecky and the gang tells him to not challenge her like he did to Jaydne. Mike says that she is not Jayden. She bascially kicks his butt. She asks who is next and the others volunteer Kevin. Octoroo uses half his life force to power up a monster. Commercial Break.

Jii finds Jayden fighting Deker in the forest. Mike tells Lauren all her training wouldn't prepare her for Mia's cooking. Lauren surprises the gang by enjoying Mia's food. Jii comes to Jayden's  aid, telling him to stop and Deker uses this to his advantage, Jii gets hurt, Jayden and Jii get knocked down a cliff by Deker and they land near water. Deker rolls away. They leave because of a Nighlok signal.

Antonio bumps into the monster and fights it. He gets beat up. The others arrive and morph. Lauren kicks butt. Jii tells Jayden that he is proud of him and they reflect on when he was little. Jii tells Jayden that if he needs to fight Deker, then fight Deker but not for the wrong reasons. Commercial Break. The others get beat up. Lauren goes to super mode. The monster grows so the Rangers call their zords.

 They destroy the monster but it surprises them with a third life he got from Octoroo. They form the Gigazord and defeat him. Antonio is hurt and the gang come to his aid in a comedic way. When Jii arrives, they all go to him and drop Antonio. 

Jii tells them about Jayden. Jayden is confronted by Deker on a horse. Jayden calls his horse and fights Deker. To Be Continued.

Review:
Sorry, because of personal reasons I couldn't put up the review yesterday. But thanks to Nickelodeon that they repeat the episode at 8am. I didn't like that they skipped the part when the female Red Ranger shoots big Moogers with the Bullzooka but oh well. It was a good ep, it feels incomplete because it is just one part of more. Also, why doesn't Jii have a full name?! Also the Japanese gave the female Red Ranger her own morphing sequence, why didn't Lauren get one? Lauren gets two clips in the opening sequence, why not a measly morphing sequence? The comedic scene of Antonio was weird since Bulk and Spike were missing, that is two episodes they are absent for. I guess they won't appear until the finale.