XjokerX's movie Reviews on Newgrounds

[HOTM 3 Part B]

Well done

While you fear that this series may go unrecognized on the Newgrounds community, you should not let that discourage you. A lot of very talent authors here are subverted by whatever trendy bits hit the scene at any given time. Never mind the fact that the Fulps must protect their financial interests within this site and have to promote the subsequent series accordingly. Trust me- I've yet to see S.A.M.V. hit front page when it's deserved and earned more recognition that some other more popular series. Episode 4: Fear scored higher and recieved better reviews than the last Waterman, and they were submitted within a weeks span. While SAMV took portal awards, Waterman scored front page. Never fear- if your art, talent, and story progress succintly, then you'll surely gain the noteriety you so richly deserve. That said- let's move onto the movie review.
Graphics- improved greatly. Color seperation and definition far superior to previous works, as is the writing itself. Dialogue was a step above previous epsiodes/examples in structure and wit. Much more congruent to the action. Very well tied together.
Art work is improving on an exponential scale- figures were much more defined, right amount of shading, and good color scheme. Pacing was well done and punclines were delivered on time and in the right context. The crown jewel in the series thus far. I'm still wanting a Jesus T-shirt though.

Bobert-Rob responds:

Yeah, I won't really be expecting a front page or anything anytime soon, though sometimes I wonder... in any case, thanks for the great review! I really enjoy a good review... and expect things to get even better in part C!

[DBZ - Stick Saga 4 (OLD)]

Pity

While I can only fathom your reasons for leaving the "stick" genre- I will say that it's a transition mourned. In the 5 plus years of visiting NG, I've watched everything from the introduction of Xiao-Xiao to the Brutality seriess to this brilliant rendering of the DBZ universe.
You've more than "filled" in this world- your art work has subtly becomed more detailed and I only hope to see further submissions by you in different films- I hope you find greener pastures. God knows stick art work, especially FBF treats such as this, does not always find a willing audience. And yet this is so much more than the average DBZ or Stick tribute/parody. Everything you did for this submission was incredible. The high definition menu to the detailing on character expression.
The timing here was near flawless- you've hit upon the right combination of elements and chronoligical/delivery timing that is bar none. No, Par none. As always I feel cheated for a story I enjoyed being cut short- yet this is what builds a legacy. Look at Iron Claw's Kung Fu series... Indeed, I hope that though this story goes unfinished that it is not the end of your submissons to this website. Best of luck, a most heartfelt so long.
~Ed

darkiceweb responds:

Thank you ever so much....this is a good review not cos its positive..but becuase he explained why he voted....

[Drink your Milk]

True Genuis

I cannot help but gush over this film- it's brilliant. I've worked with several animators in the past and this is simply awe inspiring for it's wit, the art, and impression on the genre. Ne~ an original idea. Combining various metriculated lines of humor and closing with a standing ovation to our most "achieved" artists. I don't ask how you funded this project- I only hope that it was selling Pot...holders...made of hemp...
That said, let me congratulate you on an awesome film. I'm an admitted "newgrounds-potato." With the long hours spent on research and writing, I've got little time to get into t.v. during my smoke breaks. As of late, and recognize that this is generally a down "season" for Flash, there's been little added to the Portal of any major interest. While certain "quickee" artists get a brief high point, the more recognized and dedicated artists are perhaps only a third of their way through one project or another. Crunched for time and nothing less you've still produced a film that makes it into my favorite's list. Bravo. Good show.
~Ed

[Merry Melony ep.1]

American Gothic~Tres Magnicient~

At last! A superior piece to the renassiance of American McGee's Wonderland! The Escher and Salvador Dali-esque scenes were of the finest quality- I'll admit to zooming in during my third time watching this and looking at your lines in better detail. A most breath taking cross genre use of lighting, shadow, and depth for this illusory world the title character has made for herself.
Highpoints include the the obvious metaphor of her profile drawn on the overpass with "Remember" was a good piece of visual rhetoric...however what you may not realize is that crack in the pavement along the foreground where Melony enters is what breathes life into the scene. The use of subdued pastels with such well defined lines is what pushes the story. It makes it compelling above similar pieces due to the fact that it is not so "over the top." Using brighter, more "piqued" tones would only add a cartoony campishness to this that would simply ruin it.
How can I congratulate you on a stunning success? This piece harkons to me in the way that old thrillers do. The inversion of a "trigger" sound (i.e. sirens, static, flashing bits of other subconscious information) is particularly nice as it has become a moniker for these kinds of thrillers since before Silent Hill. Truly awesome. Great Work. I have only the highest expectations of this series.
I also write for Jason Dix's series S.A.M.V. here on NewGrounds. While of a different genre altogether, you both share similar artistic styles and unique, although macabre, humors that leach through the art. Powerful piece, best of luck.
~Ed

[The Performance Artist]

Quasi-intellectual Kudos

Ineed you hit the nail on the head. So much of performance artistry is inhabited by overblown attention hounds. Simply pissed off by having missed out on the "high art" styles that hit their peak during the "Lost Generation." And they never realize that the leaders like Kerouac, Ginesberg, and Ferlinghetti they all worship, admitted that their "beat nonconformity" was only a "a more pronnounced bleating of so much impotence." Bravo- a just stab in the eyes of Maplethorpe wannabes.

[Faust - Episode 1]

Well done!

When I originally saw and reviewed Faust ep.0,I did not have high hopes for the series- teh south park style with the mixed "Hellsing" references were more than a bit off for the story. However, Now that I see what you're doing withe actual series I am more than delighted. I've always been of the opinion that good literacy is not a predominate feature of NG users by and large. So, when a piece such as this comes out, it is iportant to laud the arrival of something that bears witness to true, "high" art.

[Save Our Souls]

Thank you...

While Holocaust (ne WWII material) here on Newgrounds concentrates on satirizing the atrocities and figureheads of the second world war- rarely do we find something as simple and moving as this.
As one of the few jewish members of the NG community and as someoen who is old enough to have known Holocaust survivors, I thank you for your attempt at contemplating the simple barbarism of the situation. While many might would criticize using the clock/lock relationship as a locums for your story- I'd like to point out the following:
1) The clocks and Locks represent that particular genre's motiff- it would only be natural to have those caricatures enact the story. The simple fact that we don't see a Pube Muppet Hitler or a B Churchill is what sets the trend- this is a serious piece and the characters reflect that theme. Just because a clock/lock represents a human figure does not reduce the valueof the piece- look at Maus for example in how a "natural" relationship can be used in acting out the conflict between Jews and the Nazi regime.
2) Clocks have place in the NG community- however, their exclusion/alienation on the site due in part to some bad films, in-fighting, and anti-clock sentiment has created a social stigma over "clock films." I think the majority of people who rate ths movie poorly, and besides those of obvious anti-clock angst, are offset by the fact that this is not "zany" and random. Quite the contrary...besides the Holocaust imagery- the piece reflects in part some of the recent troubles for the clock crew- the afore mentioned infighting for example between clocks and locks. Furthermore, it exemplifies how clock films are all together lumped together as worthless crap unless sporting superior graphics and/or popular culture. How, what was a phenom in amongst the mythos of NG culture, one prankster created a whole generation of artists. And how, despite contributing more "high rated" films than any other NG faction (i.e. Star syndicate), they have been ostrocized for their style of animation.

This is a touching rendition of equating popular subculture to one of the darkest hours in human existence. Thank you.

[Banned Down South]

very well done

However I wonder about Carnage's wallpaper on his computer being a picture of my friend and his two kids from... "Urban Paintball."

PureCarnage responds:

Yeah, I wondered the same damn thing... that's still my current wall paper... lol, too funny. Thanks for the review.

[Foamy's Rant IV]

Running out of steam?

I've never seen you respond to the reviews of your films but I sincerely hope you take the general "ho-hum" concensus this around as a little motivational aid.
The past several Neurotically Yours have shown an overall drop in scores. This is primarily the direct result of "staleness" that has come into the series. While Amitty Toaster certainly did very well, it's off beat- off track story is what merited the high score.
This latest "submission" is a simple rehashing of your other Atkins rant. Even Foamy's voice suggests a litle bit of...melancholy..I swear I expected him to say, "*sigh*, ok..i'm angry...fatkins...blah..." There comes a time when you've gotta take series in new directions Neutrotically Yours has become such a series. The most recent tired, spineless episodes have been for a major wanting. I applaude your success, I've seen a lot of Foamy shirts out there...but for the love of god. Stop talking AT your audience and start entertaining us with the witty, in-your-face intellectually driven dialogue we deserve.

[Gamer Elite: Episode 3]

The Bobblehead master returns!

Well not that many other NG artists use the bobblehead style, but whatever. Again, excellent animation friend, but you need to pick up your pacing a bit more.
I'm not saing to ditch dialogue in favor of action, quite the contrary, but work on your delivery. Speed up the exchanges and time your jokes better-- the scene with X relating to a 3D environment could have been done a lot quicker-- hanging us on for a longer delivery makes the joke old by the time you get to your punchline.
You've developed some interesting villians for this series, don't deny them equal character development--push your thesis/conflict! Allow all your characters the freedom to move and develop-- don't restrict them to their alloted roles.
By your responses to my reviews in the past, you've always lent a kind ear to my comments. I, as fan of the style, do not want to see this become another Waterman or John's Arm. Take a look at Jason Dix's series S.A.M.V. for some good examples of rapid fire, natural dialogue. But I'm biased, I'm now co-writing for that series. Even so, look up my aim or e-mail in my profile. It's been a pleasure seeing this latest installment and hope to see Part Four in the near future.
~xJokerx

MetalMaverick responds:

Thanks for the review Joker. I always appreciate the critisizm and do intend to continue to make improvements to the series as time rolls on.