Series #22: You Should Be Watching: Your Lie in April

Hey Gang!

 I've been spending a lot of time watching anime lately. For some reason, I have had a serious hankering for it. Probably because everything else in my life has been so serious for the past couple o months, I've wanted a light escape. I'm currently watching 4 series at the moment, but today I wanna talk about Your lie in April. If you haven't heard about this anime already, (where have you been?) and you've come to the right place.
 I'm going to list 5 reasons why you should be giving this anime a try.

My father says it's a mundane story, but sometimes that can be the best part. I think its a big part of its charm. An anime doesn't always have to have an outlandish plot line. There's nothing wrong with a slice of life anime occasionally. I thoroughly enjoy, the fact that I could have lived a couple of the episodes, that really appeals to me.

The character development is some of the best I've seen. I'm still working my way through the series, but it's the perfect mix of happy, romance and melancholy. As a band geek, I really wish there were more anime based on the actual performance of music with instruments, instead of so many that deal with the issue of being popular or not having any privacy or so forth and so on.

All great anime has some Tragedy in it. Its what drives the characters to do better, its what motivates your characters to want to be better. Tragedy sows the seeds of growth. Although the series has a few sad moments in it, it isn't all sad, there is enough plot implements of happiness, comedy, and a sprinkle of ridiculousness to stop it from being an anime you need to watch with a tissue box.

The music featured in the anime, and played by the protaganists is unbelievable. When Kaori unquestionably makes that performance piece her own? The musicians heart in me, sang. It was pure poetry. It's something I haven't seen, since Mickey in Revolutionary Girl Utena. I have the entire soundtrack for the series and the opening: Hikaru Nara is currently my ringtone.


 Tsubaki brings a lot of levity to the series,although it is a slice of life anime, It's not super boring, and it doesn't solely rely on being melancholy. I think she might be my 2nd favorite character.



Have you watched Your lie in April? Lets talk about it on Twitter!

Until Next Time,
Stay Woke,
Stay Nerdy,
~Spokhette!~

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Cinema #21: Dragonball Z: Resurrection F ( Spoilers )

Hey Gang!

 Today, I thought it would be fun to watch some anime, because I seriously missed it. So I popped in Resurrection F and here are some of my thoughts. I am currently still looking for new episodes of Dragon Ball Super. My dad showed me episode one and I was hooked.

- Why is Freiza a cocoon? I've never even heard of Sorbet, does he have ice cream powers? Plus, c'mon; a power ring? I thought this was Dragon Ball Z, not Captain Planet.

- Gohan is so cute as an adult, especially in his glasses. My first anime crush.

- Of all the bad guys in the Dragon Ball Z Pantheon why Freiza? It literally started raining Freiza parts.

- "If you're too rich, your children turn out to be jerks, or they start running night Clubs?: They were too funny.

- Freiza can really hold a grudge...

- Jaco is hilarious, and is the same voice actor as Sgt. Frog, which made him EVEN funnier.

- I absolutely loved Krillin as a cop, and the relationship he has with 18 is adorable.

- Why is Lord Bearus, so adorable. He is literally the destroyer of worlds, and he's just like mmmm. What is this delicious substance again? Oh yes, Cheese. Like Why is he the cutest thing ever? He's like two separate sides of the spectrum.

- I don't remember Roshi being such a Badass.... His Muscles have muscles....

- Jaco really sucks at his job. The earth is definitely NOT Saiyan free. 2 full Saiyans, 3 half Saiyans and 1 Quarter Saiyan. He would be so fired...

- I know that I'm a full adult now, because as I watch movies with lots of explosions and damages, the only thing I can think of is, Jeez, Who is going to pay for all this....

  No offense, but the bad guy is Freiza, now it has been a super long time since I've seen the very beginning of the series, but I just don't remember Freiza being this huge bad guy. I mean I know he put up a pretty big fight for Goku and the others, but that was like ages ago... With Goku and Vegeta being able to go Super Saiyan God, like I don't understand why he is the main villain. I just didn't think of him as that scary, if anything I thought that the Destroyer/ Majin Buu were the scariest enemies of the series.
 I just didn't see Freiza formidable enough to warrant an entire movie dedicated to defeating him. Plus, once Goku and Vegeta got there, it was literally no contest, no competition. Maybe I'm the only one thinking like this, but honestly, I felt like the rest of the movie was better than the fight between Vegeta/Goku and Freiza literally everything else kept my attention.

Are you a fan of Dragonball Z? Did you think Freiza was a fair shake Villain? Lets talk about anime on Twitter!!

Until Next Time,
Stay Woke,
Stay Nerdy,
~Spokhette!~

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Series #21: 6 Favorite Fictional Mothers

Hey Gang!

 With Mother's Day coming up on Sunday, I thought it would be a great time to talk about my favorite fictional mothers. As you well know, I watch a lot of television, a lot of movies and read a lot of books.These mediums are full of moms that deserve a shining light. Since I will be spending the actual day doting on the real mothers in my life. I thought I would use this post to highlight some of my favorite fictional ones.

 - Margaret (Adventure Time): Now I'm sure you're looking at me with a weird expression, because his mom is a dog. Yes, She is, however the title says fictional mothers, NOT human. Don't underestimate his mom, she was a complete badass. She weilds a crossbow, and helps her husband run a detective agency, while pregnant! Just watch the episode "Joshua and Margaret Investigations" if you don't believe me!

- Chi Chi (Dragonball z): I'm pretty biased, but She is definitely one of the best moms for giving us Gohan. *My 1st anime crush* However, she still takes pretty good care of Gohan, Goten and Goku, and still has time to hang out with her friend Bulma from time to Time. Although she can be seen as a tightly-bound, as long as she is with family she is happy.



- Bulma (DragonBall Z): I loved Bulma when she was younger. She was strong, and headfast, she was determined that she could do it, and wouldn't hear anything otherwise. As she got older and started dating Vegeta, She simmers down...slightly, but as seen in Resurrection F, She's still pretty much a firecracker. She is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure her family and friends are safe, and she's a bad ass scientist/inventor.

- Cass Hamada (Big Hero 6 H.M.): Now, I know that she isn't actually a mother, but more of a mother figure, but she definitely deserves an honorable mention. It is absolutely clear that she loves her genius nephews and only wants whats best for them. Especially, when she goes to bail them out of prison, first cuddling them, and asking if they are ok, before lecturing them about how much they scared and worried her. Plus, she is so supportive, and is a cat mom. That makes her A-OK in my book.

- Motormouth Maybelle (Hairspray): Played by Queen Latifah, the mother of Seaweed. She is not only a fierce protector of her own children, but of others as well, she leads the fight for racial integration, and gives the children shelter when they need it. She also stands up for her own rights at the studio.

- Cookie Lyon (Empire): If you guys aren't watching Empire, seriously, where have you been? Cookie would do anything for her children and she pretty much has. She is an incredibly strong woman and a serious force to be reckoned with. She belongs on this list, because she is a rare form of a black mother that defies stereotypes.



 I just wanted to take a second to wish all great mothers out there a Happy Mother's Day, and also shoot a great huge THANKS FOR PUTTING UP WITH MY CRAZINESS MOM, to my mother, because without her I would be lost, and you all should be so lucky to have a mother like mine. If there are any fictional moms you feel deserve to be on the list or honorable mentioned. Please leave the in a comment below, or in a tweet on Twitter.

I hope your Mother's Day is great, especially if you are a mother! So shouts to you Melificent. Hope it's Grand!

Until Next Time,
Stay Woke,
Stay Nerdy,
~Spokhette!~

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The Day My Heart Bled Purple.

Hey Gang!

 On April 21st, Prince Roger Nelson Passed away. Musician, Activist and role model for all, a clear flag for all to be themselves. I grew up listening to Prince, my father, my grandmother, we were all big Prince fans. When the news broke, I just couldn't believe it, my heart wept. A legend, an Icon had been taken away, again! Whoever is up there, has a cruel sense of humor. You took Prince, David Bowie and Alan Rickman, but yet you leave us with Donald Trump? What fresh hell is this?
 Prince was a beacon for any child that needed a guiding light. He transcended genres, genders and race, and yet was still able to show activism for any community that needed it. A virtuoso of all instruments. Prince Nelson Rogers was legendary and there will never be another.

I'm so sad that he's passed, but I'm happy, if he's happy. Besides, he could be booking stadiums in another dimension.

Rest In Power Prince.

Until Next Time,
Stay Awake,
Stay Nerdy,
~ Spokhette!~

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Cinema #20: Huntsman: Winter's War (Spoilers)

 I finally got the chance to see Winter's War! I've been wanting to see this movie since the very first teaser trailer was released! I was supposed to go with a huge group of friends however, all but one bailed. So it was pretty much just me, Alex and my Friend Lauren. Spoiler alert, Not only are there spoilers, but I flipping loved this movie! I automatically added it to my dvd list.

- So Ravena killed her Father? During a chess match...Why was she rubbing her foot against his leg. Gross. 

- Freya, the younger sister gets pregnant, and Ravenna says the lover won't accept her. He later kills the baby. I honestly was shocked that the lover did it, but Ravenna was probably pulling the strings.

- When I started watching all of the trailers, I seriously thought it was going to be a battle of good and evil. Freya vs. Ravenna, but neither of them are good. Freya murders, plunders and kidnaps children from neighboring towns. 

- Love is a sin her Freya's kingdom, she honors loyalty above all. 

- I never learned the name of the owl that follows the characters around.

- I love that Eric and Sarah, get together, and I love that Sarah proposes, that by putting on that necklace, She is marrying him. 

- The battle of the Huntsman versus Eric and Sarah, really gave a new meaning to fighting for your love. 

- Freya wants to free every child, but doesn't she know she is doing more harm than good? Tal never grew out of the ice marks, she left on his face. 

- The Mirror, caused others to commit suicide, is that what was happening with Snow White? Is that why she ordered the mirror to be buried in Sanctuary?  

- Can we talk about how beautiful Sanctuary was? All the grass covered animals, and the faeries... Like it was glorious. 

- The ice wall showed both Eric and Sarah two different images. How awful must that be? To be held captive by a queen that hates love for 7 years. Freya is no different than Ravenna. I was really upset, that she was so cruel. I was hoping it was going to be like the White and Red Queen of Alice in Wonderland. 

- One thing I never understood, was why didn't Freya understand that she was just giving other mother's the same grief she was experiencing. 

- There were so many different creatures in this movie. The Goblins with gold tipped bodies were pretty cool. I love that Sarah missed his heart, her way of telling him, that she still loved him. 

- Wonder what Freya will hear now that she has the mirror? Dude, her sister is liquid gold!!! She's been trapped in the mirror since her battle with Snow White. 

- She just let Ravenna come out of the mirror and take over. Ugh, did she forget whose kingdom this was? No love for Freya, Ravenna would kill everything and everyone to stay beautiful. She's like the embodiment of Self-esteem issues. 

- I love that the Huntsman stood up for each other. There seemed to be many huntsman that had feelings for each other.

- Ravenna's killing her sisters children, twice now.  That is so fucked up, so much for sisterly love. She literally stabbed her in the back. 

- Maybe Love truly does Conquer all.  All those children, free to go home to no one...

-I'm a little irked, that they kept Ravenna alive, I'm holding out hope, that Freya froze her wound, and will turn over a new leaf. 

I absolutely loved this movie, I would suggest it to anyone that enjoys a good fantasy. Have you seen The Huntsman: Winter's War? Lets talk about it on twitter! 

Until Next Time,

Stay Nerdy,

~Spokhette!~

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United I stand: Boycotting Asian WhiteWashing in Film and Cinema

Hey Gang!

 Let me Preface this by stating that I am not Asian, because someone will undoubtedly comment about this later. However, as a Black Woman in America, I can see why the Asian community is so angry with Marvel. Not only are they about to ruin one of the few characters that have any sense of Asian representation, but then you have the opportunity to right a story line that cannot be descried as anything other than an oppressive orientalist narrative, and they chose not to. Iron Fist was created in a time when racism was prevalent, when it was okay, to think of others as your lesser, as long as you were white. It was okay to write stories that painted other races as monsters, thieves, lesser thans. Sure, we can create a story that pits a rich white boy in the mountains of Asian Glory, one stone that has more history, more respect of, more humanity than the Child who wrote him. Lets send a rich white boy into respectable Asian culture, and have him trample all over it. Lets send him in to show those silly Asians that as a white man he can best them at everything that THEY created. Its a story that needs a serious re-telling.
 With Paramount destroying Ghost in a Shell, by creating a movie that cant be described as anything other than Scarlett Johanson in Yellowface, Doctor Strange, seems to be suffering the same fate. As much as I enjoy, going to see Marvel movies; as a Blogger and as a comic book fan. I will not be attending, buying or watching Dr. Strange, Netflix assisted Ironfist, or Paramount's Ghost In The Shell. In solidarity with the Asian community.
 We need to stand together, we need to unite, and when people roll their eyes as they read this and reply, "Oh, there are more important things to be concerned with, let me just inform you, that everything is Connected. Comic Books, Films, Media, they all carry and shape our worlds' narrative, and if this how we are portrayed and how they choose to protray other to us, how will we ever be seen as equal? When they choose to portray us in a negative light, or even worse to completely erase us from the narrative all together?
 United we stand and divided we fall, I hope you will join me by boycotting Hollywood's white washing of Asian culture. If you are interested in more information about Whitewashing, Check out the Feeds of the following:
- @jontsuei
- @rachelkuo
- @Loudlysilent
- @Nerdsofcolor

Until Next Time
 Stay United,
 Stay Woke,
 Stay Nerdy,

~Spokhette!~

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Comics Roundup #24 Spoilers

Hey Gang!

 I've been using slow time at work to catch up on my continually growing stack of comics. I've completely caught up on Silk and have started reading Mockingbird. I have to admit that I am loving how female-centric Silk is becoming. Silk, Spider-woman, Mockingbird, and Black Cat, all in one series? What more could you ask for as a woman who loves comics in this day and age? Especially with Berganza still in office, and Dc's Rebirth about to get underway. It was like Marvel was throwing me a life jacket. And then they took it away when they cast Dr. Strange and Iron Fist, but that's an article for another day.

  This series is different from the original one I read. Silk a double agent? I love that JJJ has a nickname for her, and Analog works so well, considering she was in a bunker for 10 years. If JJJ loves Silk, imagine how hard it will be for her to cultivate a "bad" Rep? Spidey's been around since 1962 and JJ still thinks he's a bad guy. What could the goblin king be injecting his knights with? Also, can we talk about mister ghost person, that is sending Silk tips to Cindy? Who else could know her secret identity? Is Smokie dude, friend or foe? He does look super bad ass though.
 - Oh Snap! Peter's concerned Silk works for the other team...
- I knew Shrike was up to no good. I had no idea who he was and with that ponytail, I knew he couldn't be trusted. Now thanks to him, she's part Goblin. Now she's after Black Cat with increased power, but glad she stopped to give Shrike a good butt-kicking.
- I absolutely love that the whole time Shrike was trying to lay doubt about Silk to Black Cat, it only made her suspicious of him.
- I think it's super sweet that Jay Jay's showing concern for Cindy, it makes my heart swell.
- I definitely need to read up on Black Cat, She's a bad ass in this. She came through and wiped that gang out in seconds...
- These six issues definitely set everything up for the upcoming Spider-women special coming up. I'm looking forward to it slightly. I still don't like Spider-Gwen.
 I only had one issue of Mocking Bird and it wasn't as long as I thought it was. It included a preview of Black Widow, which was cool, but not very conducive to telling me more about Mockingbird like I expected it to. I loved all the little details in this comic. The Adorable SD Black Widow mug, The Tardis Coffee container.
 It was such a change of events! What kind of Son kills his mom? I knew there was something fishy about that guy, as soon as he graced the pages, and she started speaking about patterns. I knew he was up to no good. I wonder if she really is psychic, How does Wilma fit into this? Did she help her become an academic, or pull her away from that path? Does she help her "psychic" feels grow? This issue didn't really introduce too much about her, but it did a really good job of getting me intrigued. I definitely want to continue reading the series.

 Have you guys been reading any comics lately? Are you fans of Silk or Mockingbird? Tell me about it on Twitter, I  would love to fangirl over awesome characters with you guys.

Until Next Time,
 Stay Nerdy Gang,
~Spokhette!~

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