STRANGE LOG: Anybody Out There?

Hey, how about this eh? A whole new Strange Log, ZUH?! Okay, okay, yeah I know I've been wanting for new articles for a while, I'm a busy (very lazy) man who has a lot going on (actually who's just too tired and unmotivated to do anything aside from play video games after work). Okay, all that honesty aside let's chat about a few things, and boy do we have things to chat about...kinda, let's dig in after the break.

Let's start with what's going on in Hollywood and the current circumstances therein, seeing as how I've been working towards becoming a screenwriter/director the current writer's strike puts a damper on a lot of things, I've always said Unions are the scourage of the workplace as it gives the idea that the employee needs the employer more than the other way around, but in this case the current writer's and actors strike there is quite a bit on the table. What? Well, Hollywood is now suggesting using actors for a day and then replacing them with AI-generated people (ie, using someone's likeness) and NOT paying for the privilege. Is that not insanity. The major part is Hollywood can do this with green screens and CGI so the actor's gripe is actually legitimate this go around. This isn't a petty squabble about money this is about the very future of the business and with actors aging and technology marching on (what with de-aging and using unused footage from movies before...looking directly at you "Sky Captain and The World Of Tomorrow"...starring Laurence Olivier my ass...). So in regards to using AI to officially replace actors I'm in very strong support of the actors, that's assuming the information I have on this issue is correct.

That being said Hollywood has been a sore spot for me for a VERY long time and has left a horrid taste in my mouth since the MeToo Movement with this it seems like Hollywood producers and executives are looking to save money rather than make money and that sounds like the 2 should be synonymous but they're very different things. Hollywood could have been making money hand over fist if they weren't so Hellbent on "representation", "diversity", "going woke" and all that doesn't contribute too much to the issue at hand...but the slew of scandals actors have gotten into, what with Ezra Miller literally kidnapping someone, Jonathan Majors alleged assault, Jussie Smollett, Kevin Spacey and the like it'd make sense for Executives to want to create something they can control 100% without any problems or risks of scandals. The end results of this will be interesting, to say the least. With the rise of AI the people who'll be making bank will be the programmers. After all, if a Producer could just toss a few words into a mixer, a few vague plot points, and a few characters and get an instant script that'll just need a few tweaks they'd be crazy not to take that deal...Not saying I'm on their side just saying if these guys are trying to save money they'll need to hear why paying someone to do it rather than having a computer do it for free is a good idea. I'll be watching this one but long story short my disdain for Hollywood continues to grow.

On a lighter note...feels weird to say that about this specific topic but nonetheless, it's time for "MORTAL KOMBAT"! As much as I complained about the franchise rebooting itself in the middle of a reboot I was nonetheless interested to see where the series went from where it did. Where we last left off Liu Kang became a God when Raiden merged his soul with his managed to kill Shang Tsung, take Kronika's place, and literally become the only being in existence thus giving him license to recreate the entire universe as he saw fit (it's hinted that Kronika is above The Elder Gods as she's considered a Titan). Now that the trailers are out for "Mortal Kombat 1" as it's being called we're getting a glimpse of Liu Kang's world and thus far I have no clue who the ultimate villain is going to be (hopefully not Shang Tsung). Rumors are saying Onaga is coming back and I'd LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to see that as Raiden's amulet has to have any resolution and he has yet to be referenced in the new and current timelines, and considering there are many who really liked Onaga he's long overdue for a comeback.

Her Fatality is simply making people look at her...YEESH!

Speaking of "long overdue for a comeback", there is a character whose name popped up on the roster list that I'm hoping is real and that's Reiko. Reiko has yet to make an appearance in either timeline as well and giving him a long overdue updated look and making him menacing and badass as he should be is a MAJOR plus for me, assuming he actually is in the game (then again knowing them they'll just take a massive dump on him just like every other appearance he's had not including MK4...which actually made him look cool). Characters returning are Tanya (for some reason...), Rain, Li Mei, and fan-favorite Kenshi. Not sure how I feel about the Kameo-Fighter system and Darrius being available there (Darrius of all people...not Hotaru or literally anyone else not named Kobra) BUT hey, Takeda is back and this was a character I actually thought was quite unique and interesting. Granted I adored Cassie...but that was more aesthetically, Erron Black was a welcomed new character and I'm sensing Netherrealm might be skittish on introducing new characters considering they've relied on the same characters for YEARS and just recently started introducing new ones. Hell, the last game that featured an entirely new cast of characters was "Deadly Alliance". I was excited to see where the stories of Kotal Khan and Cassie would go but alas...

That being said, now that "Mortal Kombat 1" is officially announced we have the first Kombat Pack, and WOW talk about a stacked card, Omni-Man, Ermac, Quan Chi, Peacemaker and motherf*ckin' Homelander coming out the gate swinging. Hopefully, Netherrealm hasn't turned their backs entirely on horror characters but this is a stacked card, to say the least (minus Peacemaker, no one gives a sh*t about Peacemaker). Am I going to play this Mortal Kombat? No. Am I going to watch the cinematic story mode and give a full review? Yes. Here's looking forward to Sept 19th.

This is a seriously violet crew and is John Cena voicing Peacemaker because John Cena in a "Mortal Kombat" game is seriously fire.

Since we're on the topic of games lemme tell you all since my previous article I all but said I'd spread my butt-cheeks for Atlus and it looks like they're taking me up on that offer with a new game coming out sometime next year titled "Metaphor: Re Fantazio". What this game is about is anyone's guess BUT it looks VERY different from The SMT and Persona series, whilst maintaining the same good ol' turn-based combat system that I love and adore. The game looks absolutely BONKERS and the designs are flawless and the fact that it boasts to be from the creators of "Personas 3,4 and 5" is (in the words of Samuel L. Jackson) "That's all you had to say! I will be adding this to my list of games I'm looking forward to and I cannot wait to check this thing out. Atlus is quickly becoming my go-to company to feed my JRPG kick, that is of course until I complete my gaming PC and I can replay Xenosaga...

Take all of my "Yes!" double it and add more "Yes." with a side of "Hell yeah!"

HEY dig that transition, yes, I'm completing my nerd cycle and building a PC. I'm starting with a Ryzen 7 5800 Series and moving to a 3060 Graphics Card. I'm not looking to build a monster but I'm looking to build something that'll keep me from having to buy a new console because unless they invent a holo-deck I am NOT buying a new console! A MAJOR plus is that with a gaming PC I can jump back into wrestling games, I've been a HUGE, HUGE fan of wrestling games and ever since PS3 allowed me to import my own music for my wrestlers I have been...well...a bit spoiled and considering PS4 removed this feature in favor of Spotify I have been off of wrestling games for a good long while...but no longer because with a PC I can manipulate source files and the like. With AEW throwing its name in the hat when it comes to wrestling games, boasting Matt Hardy, Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, and Jon Moxley I'd be very interested to see what they have to offer. But I digress all in due time my friends.

Moving right along I've been reading a lot of manga, trying to get my hands on all the greatest hits, and essentially piloting manga to see if I wanna check out the anime. Thus far I've found there are some quite enjoyable, I'm currently checking out "The Eminence In Shadow", which I'm torn on but I'm enjoying it the more I think about it, I am however still lost and whether or not this is supposed to be a comedy or at the very least somewhat comedic. "Call Of The Night" is great, I'm really enjoying the down-to-earth vibe of it, and like the pitiful degenerate that I am, I am reading A LOT of love stories, namely "My Dress Up Darling", "The Danger's In My Heart" and "Uzaki-Chan Wants To Hang Out" but I digress. I've been wanting to watch more anime but lately, I've been finding it hard to watch anything as there aren't many kid-friendly anime out there, and while I do watch "My Hero Academia" around my son, I'd like to be able to watch a lot more. Am I the only one who hates how animes are being sold now? What the hell is up with this Season One Part One crap?! They can't release Season One in its entirety? Hence why I'm trying to not engage in series that are ongoing, granted I got in on "My Hero Academia" early enough and now I'm only watching the series on DVD, not on any streaming service but for everything else like "Spy X Family" and a few others I'd much rather wait until the series is complete before I consume.

Is the law on our side if I say "Aye." ?

Let's dive into something else, while I'm continuously grossed out by Hollywood I have not forsaken the idea of a film or any sort of video production, that being said what currently has my attention is the genre of Unfiction and Analog Horror. I'm interested in making my own Unfiction project and I have a few ideas in mind but all of this requires time and money, which I have in abundance. And while money may or may not be a factor I'd very much like to compensate people for their time as I have many ideas that are quite involved that I'd feel ill of asking for people IF I wasn't able to supply them with anything other than something for their highlight reel. I completed an Unfiction project not too long ago, how it's doing is anyone's guess but the fact of the matter is I did do it and finish it, and released it. My main issue is how I'm going to move forward with any ideas I have regarding any future projects. Money is my biggest hurdle to clear and believe me I'd LOVE nothing more than to shoot my ideas for cheap BUT there's the small factor of compensation and the ideas I have require a lot of time and for the amount of time they take I'd need dedication. The Youtube series filmed has taught me a great deal and if nothing at all, NEEDING reliable people and relying on yourself as much as possible, but for these projects, I'd very much like to direct and take a more behind-the-scenes role and for that I need dedication and I can't get that for free. We'll see what shakes down.

Another aspect behind this is that no one's watching. The cynic in me has to admit that despite my efforts, my Youtube series has gone largely unnoticed and this isn't due to lack of promotion, this is due to lack of I don't know what. I have yet to receive any criticism on if the series is good or bad or whatever and granted I'm taking the series too seriously, it's an homage to Internet lore and me putting my skills as a film school graduate to the test, it's not to be cinematic or anything just for fun after all I never considered myself an actor, acting is just a talent I have but not anything I wanna be professionally, I wanna be behind the scenes. But I digress, not having a way to plug and get my work exposure is also the next MAJOR issue as I have no way to grant my actors exposure or anything simply because all my other work has fallen into the void. This isn't me being cynical this is just me being honest and ultimately that's the thing that hurts the most, is that I've been doing this for years and those videos have been available for years and have yet to be discovered by anyone or viewed by anyone. But I digress.

That being said (and I use that phrase a lot) I'm closing this Strange Log out with hopefully a positive note, I've got some MAJOR business coming this December that I won't spill on this blog just yet but here's a GIF of me waiting for said business in December, catch you guys later.