HEY IDIOTS

Yep, you:

~ Dorky couple making out on the subway.

~The guy with the cell phone that's playing crap-jams super loud out of his cell phone.

~Fucker saving multiple seats at the movie theatre with just an article of clothing.

~Sales asshole calling my stupid office job and then trying to sell me something when I have neither the want nor the authority to purchase anything.

~Dumb-fuck textin' n' walkin' all slow ass down the sidewalk.

~Boring jerks.

~Slutty bartender girls at Applebee's.

OH LORD, WE DON'T TAKE THAT SHIT

Roller coaster couple of weeks, to be certain.  We have ascertained that certain things suck, while other things are awesome.

~Things That Suck, And Verily~

Working (see also, "Almost getting fired")

Doin' shit you don't wanna do

Almost dying (more on that later from Mr. Hood)

Being a long-haired hippie

40Loko

~The Things of Awesome~

The Nic Cage version of The Wicker Man

Looking like you got punched in the face (again, I bow in Mr. Hood's direction)

Books about Michael Jordan

Eastern European weirdos that cut hair at a barbershop that exclusively plays dub reggae

The "Boombox" video

40Loko

~~~

HE'S NOT YOUR FRIEND, HE'S OURS! IF SOMEBODY'S GOING TO KILL HIM, IT SHOULD BE US!

Spring break is upon me, and while I have a lot of piled up school work I need to get to, I’ve decided to make sure I get in at least two substantial posts to Yo Stevie. Here’s the first. It’s about that dirtbaggiest of films, Katsuhiro Otomo’s 1988 animated classic, Akira.

For those of you who don’t know Akira, it’s a cyberpunk anime about the end of the world (oh those Japanese and their obsession with the apocalypse). It involves teenage motorcycle gangs, government conspiracies, and beings who can end existence with their minds.

Hmmm, what to say about this movie…oh, I know, it’s totally fucking awesome. But that’s nothing new, Kanye did pretty much remake the film for the “Stronger” video after all, and regardless of your stance on the rapper (I’m totally for him) I think we can all agree that he knows what’s up. But I’m not really interested in telling you how good Akira is. Google the film and you’ll find a thousand fan boyish run-ons about it. But I’m going to write about it, because this is a film that latches onto your brain and can’t be easily shook. So here are some thoughts that have been bouncing around my head since the last time I saw the cyberpunk masterpiece:


i. Kaneda

Kaneda, Akira’s hero, isn’t much of one. But he’s not the typical anti-hero either. Yeah, he’s the bad ass leader of The Capsules, the motorcycle gang at the center of the film, but his behavior isn’t as affected as the typical anti-hero we’re used to in so many films, books, and comics. Kaneda could care less about being cool, or mysterious, or anything, he just wants to do what he wants. And that’s what makes him awesome. He ends up saving the world, but rarely does the protector of the planet, come off as such a repellant dick.

Just look at his relationship with Tetsuo, the gang member Kaneda has to stop from using his psychokinetic powers to destroy the world. Kaneda cares for him like a brother, but it’s key that he sees him as a little brother, even though they are the same age. There’s a love there, but really it’s just another opportunity for Kaneda to establish superiority. You almost get the feeling, that it’s more important to him to defeat Tetsuo, and maintain his position over him, than to save the planet. Things are similar with Kei, the only girl member of the rebel group. Kaneda saves her time and time again, but it’s clear he’s only coming to her rescue in the hopes that he’ll eventually get to see her without her clothes on. It’s not that he’s heartless, it’s just that with Kaneda, his interests come before others.

Out of context, this probably sounds shitty, but it isn’t. It works perfectly with the films attitude. You do shit because its cool and because you have to. If you end up being a hero along the way, then so be it.

ii. The Animation

I can’t think of another animated film, made traditionally or with computers, that looks better than Akira. That’s impressive, especially when you consider that the film is turns 22 this year. You see crazy stuff in animated films all the time, especially in anime, but few if any pack the visceral punch of Otomo’s film.

From the characters to the machines, there’s a sense of detail that just isn’t in present in other animated movies. Clothes ruffle in the wind, individual bricks fall from crumbling buildings, singular tendons are visible when limbs explode. To some, it might be a bit much, but it shows the care put into the film, the obsessive need to render everything, to give a cartoon a sense of reality, regardless of how absurd or fantastical the film is.

The movement throughout the film also looks incredibly realistic. Cars and motorcycles actually seem to interact with the pavement beneath them and the characters move like people really do. It’s almost as if they whole thing were rotoscoped. It’s still a cartoonish of course, but there’s enough of a hint of reality for it to look believable. Like when Kaneda leaps off the back of a bike to save Tetsuo from the Clowns. He jumps from the bike, and hit’s the ground sprinting, nearly spilling but somehow keeping his feet. I’ve never seen someone leap from the back of a motorcycle and not fall, but I doubt it looks the same, but its done in such a way that it looks real.

But really, there’s probably no better animated touch than the light trails that follow the motorcycles as they tear through Neo Tokyo. It’s a simple stylized effect, but it’s haunting, one of the images from the film guaranteed to stick in anyone’s head.

iii. The Fashion

I want to dress like one of the Capsules. No lie. Pretty much everyone in the gang has kick-ass style (well, not Tetsuo, but he’s a vessel of destruction, he’s got other things to worry about). An ’80s touch is readily apparent in all the outfits (the film is a product of its time), but there’s also a classic bent to them as well. Think cyber punk meets the yacht club.

The clothes are casual and sharp at the same time. The most classic styles have an air of nonchalance to them, and that’s true of the best outfits in Akira. I wish gang members dressed like this in America, with sharp lapelled blazers, floppy polos, and well fitted jeans and slacks. Oh and the shoes! I’ve never been a fan of the slip on, but when they look like this, how can you not like them.


iv. Gangs

Not much to say about this one other than we started one because of the film. Otomo just makes them look so cool. You could say Akira is our bible. DB4L

***

Akira, not just a great anime, but a great film. If you haven’t seen it, Netflix or better yet, buy it. Immediately.

SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION (PART 87 IN A RECURRING SERIES)

Despite my noticeable absence from the halls of Yo Stevie these past few weeks, I have done some writing. Here’s a blog post I wrote for our friends over at The Beat of Young Los Angeles on House, one of two truly dirtbag movies I’ve seen this year, the other being Akira. More on that one later.

Now for your enjoyment a scene from House:

MISSIONARY DISCOGRAPHY

Too many gin and tonics.  Too little sleep.  My brain plays this song over and over:

Across 110th Street - Bobby Wo...

So things aren't all bad. 

New York is stuck in that shitty zone between winter and spring, and even though I hate when people complain about (or even talk about) the weather, well...I'm complaining about the weather.  Everything just feels like it needs a kick in the ass right now.

~ ~ ~

In shameless self-promoting news, go read my report from the front lines of ridiculous kids playing in ridiculous bands, over at Anthem.  Shout out to Kid Bueno!!!!