A long over due return has been announced for Sailor Moon fans everywhere. Many of us have been aware of the delayed reboot "Sailor Moon: Crystal", which will begin airing July 5th of this year, but more recently it has been brought to our attention that VIZ has obtained the rights to the English version of this classic.
Many of us grew up with the dub by DIC, but VIZ will be completely re-dubbing the old classic in a new uncut format. We will get to see a more accurate translation with no missing episodes, no censored content and no renamed characters. I am personally excited to see a dubbed version of the final season of the series that never made it to us loyal fans in the first run. VIZ also plans to release freshly dubbed versions of all three movies as well as the TV specials that accompanied the later seasons of the show in Japan. I'm thrilled at the notion of getting to see "Ami's First Love" in a format other than a fan-sub.
Beginning this Monday, May 19th, VIZ's newly subtitled version of the series will be available on Hulu. They plan to release two episodes every Monday and later this year episodes of the dub should be available as well. Later down the road Blue Ray and dvd releases are planed, and will be in half series box sets. So depending on how they package the movies and specials we're going to be looking at, at least ten box sets to get the entire original series. Start saving your money now Moonies.
I guess I should put a disclaimer on this saying that this tribute probably won't qualify as an "ultimate" one. I'm sure there are better tributes online for the man in the face paint, but I felt the need to write my own and I'm too tired to think of an original title for it.
But it's not the title we're focusing on, right? We're here for a man named James Hellwig, an Ultimate
Warrior, who passed away yesterday at age 54.
54.
It seems like the Warrior has been gorilla slamming people into oblivion since the dawn of time, and it seems so incomprehensible to me that he was only 54 when he died. It's the new middle age and far too young to say goodbye. If it were the only farewell I had to make I probably wouldn't be writing this.
Since websites are so 2000's and Facebook is a fad that will die soon, the good people at BZ85 decided to extend our reach to Tumblr in a desperate attempt to fend off intellectual property death for another week or two.
So why not check us out on Tumblr? It's fast, responsive, and easier to connect with our fans. All three of them! Follow us today, because if it's not sexy we don't eat.
I've been a Pokemon fan since it's American debut back in 1998. Over the years, one thing has pretty much stayed true in my love for the game. Water types are usually my favorites. Now don't get me wrong I have favorites across all of the types, I just tend to favor the water type above all else.
So I am presenting to you my "Top Ten Favorite Water Type Pokemon!"
A few quick notes:
My choices are mostly based on the overall look of the Pokemon, but I have used each of these in battle as well. I've never been big on stats. I just use what I like and make it work, and in the long run these are my personal favorites of the lot.
Also I will only be using one Pokemon from any given evolution chain.
Golduck: a duck Pokemon. You can never go wrong with first generation Pokemon. I loved my Psyduck because of its character in the anime, but I do like its evolved form a bit more. It trades in its cute pudginess for a sleeker, more battle ready look.
* Rain Dance - Water (only if it has Swift Swim as it's ability)
* Zen Headbutt - Psychic (if it doesn't have Swift Swim as it's ability)
Milotic: a tender Pokemon. A Pokemon that you have to put some work into, but is well rewarding in the end. I've had my butt handed to me by this Pokemon a number of times. With a proper move set it can be a real pain to go up against.
My choice of moves for X & Y:
Aqua Ring - Water
Aqua Tail - Water
Ice Beam - Ice
Twister - Dragon
Sharpedo: a brutal Pokemon. I was very iffy about this Pokemon, but it actually served me very well in my Emerald game. I am a trainer that usually relies on attacks only and this one fits that role perfectly. It's also the Pokemon that started my love of Dark type Pokemon and moves as well.
My choice moves for X & Y:
Crunch - Dark
Skull Bash - Normal
Surf - Water
Earthquake - Ground
Mudkip: a mud fish Pokemon. Okay, after its internet insanity who doesn't love Mudkip? I'm not a fan of its evolution, but on its own it is just adorable. I want to hug it, and I have a plushie so I can!
My choice moves for X & Y:
Hydro Pump - Water
Dig - Ground
Scald - Water
Sludge Wave - Poison
Blastoise: a shellfish Pokemon. My original partner, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. I was a water type fan from day one with Squirtle at my side. It was a long journey but I kept my little turtle pal with me and watched it turn into this armored shelled bad ass. It's new mega form was a pretty nice treat as well.
My choice moves for X & Y:
Hydro Cannon - Water
Bulldoze - Ground
Dark Pulse - Dark
Focus Blast - Fighting
Froakie: a bubble frog Pokemon. It was really hard for me to make my starter choice for X, so I went with my instincts and stuck with a water type. I'm glad I did. I love my Froakie, which is now a Greninja. Its first form is still my favorite though. It's so cute! I also love that this little guy was Ash's first Kalos region Pokemon and it's evolved form will be seen in the new Smash Bros game on 3DS and Wii U!
My choice moves for X & Y:
Scald - Water
Bounce - Flying
Smack Down - Rock
U-Turn - Bug
Oshawott: a sea otter Pokemon. Yet another adorably hug worthy starter Pokemon. I'm such a sucker for these cuties. Though at times it looks like an evil little clown, overall Oshawott won my love quickly. I love its little ninja action self when it uses razor shell in the anime.
My choice moves for X & Y
Razor Shell - Water
Revenge - Fighting
X-Scissor - Bug
Blizzard - Ice
Spheal: a clap Pokemon. Of all the round squishy Pokemon, Spheal is my favorite butterball. This little creature just makes me smile. Though I do like Sealeo as well, its final form kinda freaks me out, so very rarely would I let this little guy evolve. I would rather keep it cute and squishy for all time!
My choice moves for X & Y:
Sheer Cold - Ice
Surf - Water
Earthquake - Ground
Ice Ball - Ice
Piplup: a penguin Pokemon. Of all the Pokemon toys I own, this little lovable penguin makes up the majority. It is probably my favorite of all the starters. Diamond and Pearl were my true return to the Pokemon world after a long break, and I was excited to have Piplup by my side. To this day my copy of Pearl has the most hours logged into it, and my little penguin played a large role in that.
My choice moves for X & Y:
Water Pledge - Water
Drill Peck- Flying
Brick Break - Fighting
Ice Beam - Ice
Vaporeon: a bubble jet Pokemon. If you know me at all you knew this was coming. Vaporeon is not only my favorite water type Pokemon, but it is my favorite of all of the existing Pokemon so far. You can bet money that if I am given an Eevee it will become a Vaporeon as soon as I feel the time is right. It has been a staple in my team from the very beginning and will always have a spot there. I only wish there was more merchandise out there for this one.
My choice moves for X & Y:
Surf - Water
Ice Beam - Ice
Toxic - Poison
Bite - Dark
And there we have my personal top ten favorite water type Pokemon. There will be more lists in the future, but for now I'll leave you with this.....
I delayed writing this. I didn't want to write this.
I'm still going through my news feed on Facebook and sharing all of the wonderful posts dedicated to the memory of Harold Ramis. I still feel a sting every time I like another picture, another editorial, and another testimonial of just how important he was to the entertainment community.
If you grew up in the 1980's you knew his work. If you were as obsessed with his work as I am, you know everything he had a hand in. He will always be remembered for his catalog of comedy blockbusters, but like so many others, I will always remember Harold Ramis as Dr. Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters.
Ghostbusters is the greatest movie ever made. I say that with absolutely no hesitation or reservations. I saw Ghostbusters before I could even comprehend movies, and I've watched it so many times that I can literally quote it forwards and backwards. I've never lost interest in it or been bored by it. The jokes still have the same impact, the ghost still look just as cool, and I still watch it with the same kind of awe and wonder as I did when I was a child.
Ghostbusters has influenced my life more than anything else I've ever experienced. I mean that. It has influenced my personality, my writing style, and more than anything, it has fueled my belief in the paranormal. Anyone that knows me knows that I have a fascination with the paranormal that borders on obsession. It all began with those cool guys in the gray uniforms, who saved the day with their fantastic proton packs while cruising around in the insanely awesome Ecto One. Watching Ghostbusters 1 and 2 made me want to become what we would now call a ghost hunter. Unfortunately, the technology isn't quite there yet to actually bust them. Still, there is nothing more that I would rather do than chase ghosts. I thank Ghostbusters for expanding my horizons.
And I owe Harold Ramis for the gift he gave me. Once upon a time I just loved his movies without ever actually attaching him to them. As I grew older and became more cognizant of the inner workings of films, I began to appreciate Ramis more. He wasn't just Egon, after all. He was a fantastic actor, writer, and director. His films truly defined a generation, and they're still leaps and bounds ahead of the tripe that Hollywood puts out yearly. His humor, wit, and self reflection were prominent in his films, and it's that personal touch that I'll remember Harold Ramis for the most.
His influence on me extended far past his professional work. I never met the man, but I felt like he was a part of the family. I never had much family, and the heroes that filled the silver screen were always closer to me than anyone I shared blood with.
I never thought I would have to write this, or share why this hurts so much in a public way. I assumed he would never die, but if he did I was positive it would be so far into the future that I wouldn't be doing this kind of stuff anymore.
But here I am with tears welling up as I have to speak my peace about the immortal Harold Ramis. I feel like a child who has just learned about death for the first time, and it brings back those kind of awful feelings that I discovered when my mother passed away. I wish I could think of the right words to say to convey how important his loss is for me, but the poetic farewell I want to write is lost in a sea of memories and emotions.
I will miss Harold Ramis. He was a true talent, a legend, and a personal hero of mine. I only hope that there is something on the other side, and maybe some day I can speak to him in death the way I always wanted to in life.
God bless you, Harold Ramis. Thank you for everything you've done for me.
