Netflix

I recently got Netfilx. Not because it seemed like the most amazing thing ever, but because the first month was free and I had a little time off to watch some TV (this being back in February when we had Reading Week at college). After the free month, the subscription was renewed, because well, they have some good programing.

Netflix isn't the place you go for all the new releases and action packed jems, but for older TV shows, foreign films, independent movies, and documentaries, it has a good fledgling database. Without Netflix I never would have checked out Jekyll, a BBC program that takes a new spin on the old theories behind the original book, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde; Soap, a satirical and comical show that makes fun of soap themes and storylines; finished the first season of Community, a show about a ragtag team of community college students who join a study group; or watched strange but interesting movies like TIMER and Dragon Hunters. Hell, I even learned a few things by watching Terry Jones: Medieval Lives.

On the anime side, I've also been watching Soul Eater and trying to work my ways towards watching Hell Girl. They also have one of my favourite anime series, Seirei no Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit to watch. A anime that has sadly been neglected by many.

I don't think Netflix is for everyone. If you like new releases and need to be on top of Hollywood's A game, going through Shaw or MTS for your movie needs might be a better idea. But for me, I like how I can catch up on the oldies and watch indie films on the go. It's a cheaper way to get your movie and TV fix.

Supernatural Episode 1 Overview - Spoilers Ahoy

After a long summer break, Supernatural is back and kicking ass - for the most part.

When we last saw the Winchester boys, Dean was moving in with Lisa and Ben, and Sam had jumped into Hell's black vortex with their brother from another mother Adam; Sam magically popping out of Hell before the credits roll, peering into Lisa's house like a jilted lover - alive.

One year later Dean is still playing house, trying to fit into Lisa and Ben's normal life. Sam on the other hand has joined up with not so dead grandpa Samuel and Sam and Dean's supposed cousins.

In the first episode, Dean is struggling with visions of Lisa's death and his urges to hunt and have a normal family at the same time. Lisa and him have a few heart to hearts when Dean has an emotional breakdown - she tells him the past year had been the best year of her life, you know, besides the drinking, the mental freaks, Dean's battle with depression, his search to find Sam, and the scare that demons might attack at any moment. Good times.

Episode 1 really is a starter, showing the distance between the two brothers and their fight to live with what they have. When Sam comes back, there is a short hug reunion, Dean not trusting of Sam, and Sam being shady towards his older brother. The rest of the episode follows Dean introduction to Samuel and the cousins, him being distrustful of them and then resenting Sam when he finds out the Sam had been out of Hell for a good year (no mention of Adam), and never bothered to say hi. Oh, and good old yellow eyes and some supernatural creatures make an appearance as well.

I found the whole Sam not telling Dean about his resurrection for one year stupid. Sure, Dean wanted a white picket fence life, but at the cost of losing Sam? No. I also wish they had made Lisa a more integral part of season 5 as well, and not just a perfect supporter of Dean to be used for some lameass drama in season 6 (overview of episode 2 will delve into this more).

In all, I liked the first episode, but didn't love it. It was missing the jokes and the love between Sam and Dean that fueled previous seasons. Like Dean in season 5, season 6 episode 1, seemed a little dead inside.

Supernatural the Animation

I love Supernatural. I love anime. Supernatural + anime = mind explosion. The news has been around for awhile that Supernatural would get some animated love, but there have only been some sketches and nothing else. Thankfully Warner Bros released a trailer: http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/supernatural/#/animeTop Look to the right and you'll find it. Or look below.



The animation is slick and the trailer even has a Japanese cover of Kansas's Carry On Wayward Son (which is slightly hokey, gotta admit). It's odd to hear Dean & Sam with Japanese voices, but if the rumor mill is true, Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki will be dubbing the first two episodes. Awesome.

Dreams do come true.