Bezman's movie Reviews on Newgrounds

[A Lockwork Orange]

The droogs are at it again...

aspects (rated from ----- to +++++)
=====================================

++: the tank near the pre-loader was rather cool.

++: the graphics were fairly decent at the start.

-: I couldn't understand the voices. Only make out the occassional word.

+++: the end came as a surprise

--: I just snorted and smiled for a moment. Didn't laugh.

---: Wouldn't be amusing at all a 2nd time.

overall
=========

Enh, you get credit for surprising me there and getting me to snort.

It is the cheapest kinda laugh though - the 'laugh it's so bad' laugh. Also, I didn't actually laugh.

AubergineLock responds:

Oh. Well alright if you say so.

[The Ultimate Showdown]

I've watched it around 4 times.

aspects (rated from ----- to +++++)
=====================================

++++: catchy lyrics, in a non-annoying way.
+++: generally great tune.
++++: just the impressive number of cameos and folk fighting

--: simple gfx

++: fast enough pace to have lots of visual info going on

----: It doesn't make me laugh.

++: It makes me smile, on occassion.

overall
=========

I think a lot of folk get a kick out of recognising fighters in the bg and all the more trivial folk. Me, I don't know who Mr. Rogers is, nor a bunch of others.

But I enjoyed it for its fast action, catchy lyrics and funky tempo.

[Final Fantasy A+]

Not great on repeated viewings.

aspects (rated from ----- to +++++)
=====================================

++: intro music at start

+++: joke at start re: save slots

+++: the pointers introducing each character.

+++: Characters very expressive, with some anime cliches.

++++: The idea of representing schoolwork as FF battles

-: could have more jokes packed in

+++: Minature characters fit well with the battle scene

+++ the fonts used resembe FF's quite closely.

+: bgs in Bahamut battle are lovely

-: there's not much detail there to catch on repeated viewings.

+: I study Japanese, so it's nice to see how many words I can catch.

overall
=========

I enjoyed it the first time I watched it, but seeing it again now wasn't as enjoyable.

It's just a fairly straight-forward thing. Not really the style to encourage the repeated viewings.

[Rumble X]

Too many stick-fights on NG.

Aspects (rated from ----- to +++++)
==========================

----: A fair few seconds of music plays when the movie loads.

-: crappy shape-tween for 'replay' button.

+: Music changes at a good point

+++: all motion is fluid

-: enemies could react more to punches. Exaggerate stuff. It's an animation.

+++: slow motion trails are cool

--: no story
-: Ending feels sudden.
-: sticks are a little stubby (short and fat)

Overall
==============

It shows you can obviously animate a quality fight scene. To be honest, there are so many of these, they need to be mega-awesome to entertain me.

I enjoyed this to some extent, but maybe with some story put in (even at the level of Xiao xiao - stick man enters building, you see the enemies, he's got to beat them. It's still a story, even though no words are spoken or anything.) it'd rock.

In any case, tell your friend he obviously has talent and should keep at it.

Stay funky,
- Bez

[Square - 2]

Some inventive patterns.

Aspects (rated from ----- to +++++)
=========================

++: I liked the concept
+++: I liked the part where the little red square traces the outline of the larger ones in a zig-zag.

--: I don't like it so much when they get skeared.

+++: It moves fast.
++++: Moves to beat.
+++: A lot of patterns

--: Very short.
-: patterns could be prettier
-: I don't like the way you have the colours pop up for one tiny bit, then never explor the use of colour again.

overall
=======

An interesting piece of animated minimalism. An interesting concept, if only to explore what can be done with squares.

Many more patterns could be done, some more interesting, but this should really be seen as an exploratory piece.

[Fred the Notable Monkey]

For the record, I'm an inclusionist.

+++
----------------------------
Nice graphics.

Interesting point raised.

Okay lip synching.

The joke with the NDS amused me.

The characters seem interesting, with personalities.

Really a site? That's interesting...

---
---------

Is it your own site? That seems a bit egotistic to me...

No. Wikipedia isn't the reason why 90% of artists give up their dreams.

I wanted to check the info. I couldn't easily find out if the platypus character did in fact have his own page. I still wonder. If so, that'd be interesting...

Fred's face could be more expressive.

-
---------

Fred's voice seemed slightly whiny. I don't like him as a character.

overall
-------------

Nice flash. I'm an 'inclusionist' personally (learnt that word from the review down below), but don't really think it's a big deal. I mean it's just a site.

Flash entertained, but I'd like links to the Platypus thing if it exists. Also, the link to the Fred the Monkey part of Wikipedia should be labelled as such.

JKR responds:

The Clydex the Platypus entry did indeed exist (not made by me I can tell you that) for quite a good bit of time. They recently deleted it due to being angry about this cartoon and the opinions I was sharing. Ah well, tis apart of life. I don't expect them to feature things that speak poorly of them.
Anyway, thanks for the detailed review. Sorry you don't like Fred much, but glad you got some enjoyment out of it anyway. I'll keep working on the characters and make them better. For the record, I did not mean Wikipedia was the reason 90% of artists give up, but that rejection in the form Wikipedia is USING is what causes them to leave behind their dreams. It happens everyday sadly.

["24 seconds" episode 1]

Amusing

The first time I saw this, I cracked up. I was expecting something much faster-paced, but the fact that it's almost leisurely and the doctor gets cut off mid-sentence...

brilliant cliff-hanger.

Folk look barely human. Animation minimal. Music fits really well. Speech is all understandable.

I think maybe the series would have been better if you'd released just one episode each day, over a week. I would've well enjoyed that and if you mentioned your plan to update regularly, I would've come back often and enjoyed the crazy ride more.

["24 Seconds" episode 4]

Best episode yet.

Your pre-loaders are terrible. They seem to give no indication of how much is loaded. Lazy-ass. You could've used the NG pre-loader.

The font you used is nice. The 'episode X' - verdana? - doesn't suit it though. (Maybe just colour should be changed? I'm not sure.)

Intro is nice.

Action here was a lot faster. No pauses between speech. Quack! A little bit of animation. This is more like it!

Credits were amusing. But I don't think it's right to diss viewers.

I didn't laugh as much when watching this, but I'm gonna chuckle occassionally, just thinking about the fact someone made the whole series...

Btw, how many episodes are there? 5 or 6?