"Evangelion 2.22: You can (not) advance"

I bought the Blu-ray expecting great visuals... but the animation and details are beyond what I expected.  I think this will require multiple watchings to catch all the detail in each scene.  Some scenes are so detailed that I want to pause them because they flicker on the screen for a few moments before moving on.  The story does not disappoint.  Mari, the new Eva pilot, is thrown into the mix.  A new plot development involves Asuka.  Shinji seems to be more a more active person.  Gendo is still a cold jerk.  Frankly, the plot of the series and End of Evangleion DVDs is not very clear, at least to me.  The Rebuild of Evangelion movies are supposed to be more accessible.  I hope by the end of the fourth and final movie I will at least understand the Rebuild version of the story.  The dub version is very good.  Thumbs up for this movie and glorious HD.

Jane Eyre - Official Trailer

Just what I needed...another "Jane Eyre" movie!  This is not sarcastic!  I love all Jane Eyre movie/tv adaptations.  I really like the book too.  The only high school reading I liked.  It looks like it's not in wide release so I'll probably have to catch it on DVD.

"Kimi ni Todoke 2" ep 10

Sawako proclaims her feelings to Kazehaya again and Kazehaya reciprocates them (in a very public way).  The school festival concludes and we get to laugh at Pin again.  This is what we've all been waiting for!  I am sort of afraid of what will happen in the next episode.

"Kimi ni Todoke 2" ep 9

Sawako confesses through the partially open classroom door.

Kazehaya yanks the door open!  Yessss.

Finally, they understand each other (so sparkly).

Pin gives surprisingly good advice again.

Okay, this was the episode we've been waiting for.   Sawako lets the chips fall where they may by confessing to Kazehaya (about 10 times) and they hug!  Red-faced in each others arms, Joe ruins the moment by interrupting, so as to prolong the agony of waiting to see what happens next.  Go Sawako!

"Kimi ni Todoke 2" ep 8

Pin adds his two cents again.

Ryu gives Chizu a b-day pres and (gasp) smiles.

Kent bows out gracefully.

As she runs, I know the episode is about to end on a cliffhanger.

Another agonizing episode of slow realizations.  Sawako finally drops her fear and is going to confess...but is she really? Will this confession be another misunderstanding???  Aaaugh.  Also, I would not drink an herbal tea made from herbs from the school yard even if Sawako grew them.

宇多田ヒカル - Goodbye Happiness（Live Ver.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFkvLN9pt-k
The live version on youtube just posted!  DVD release of her WILD LIFE concert is going to be April 6, 2011!

"His and Her Circumstances"

I watched the stream of "His and Her Circumstances" on Hulu.  I enjoyed the series, even shedding a few tears during some episodes.  Miyazawa is a model student who is a model student just to be admired by others.  Arima is a model student to live up to his own pressures of being perfect due to his family circumstances.  The couple, their families, and their friends are the focus of this romance/comedy/drama.  I kind of have a thing for Arima now :p.  I recommend watching the series, but my two complaints are: 1) two episodes of the 26 are recaps! 2) some episodes are hardly animated, more like "Paddington Bear" shorts with the moving cut-outs, or simply shots of static pictures with lots of text next to them.  I guess Gainax (the animation company) is famous for it's artsy episodes (ala Evangelion where when the money runs out, they get creative with black and white and no animation).  But, besides that, the human stories are real and entertaining and the couple is so darn likeable. 

"Kimi ni Todoke 2" ep 7

Ryu uses bro-dar and asks Kazehaya if he confessed.

Kurumi puts in her surprising two cents.

Pin uses reverse psychology on Kazehaya,

Ryu is straight-up with Sawako.  (Love him :P)

Another agonizing episode of nudges and gradual tiny epiphanies.  Even Kent realizes some things.  Why am I starting to like Pin???  Hopefully, the school festival will lead to some steps forward for Sawako and Kazehaya. 

"Kimi ni Todoke 2" ep 6

Oh, the misunderstanding!

Chizu sets Sawako straight.

Sawako post crying jag.  

Pin, so oblivious and knowing at the same time.

Auggghhhh!  Kazehaya confesses to Sawako in front of her and a bunch of other people, but Sawako's understanding is so totally off the mark.  Kazehaya should have picked a better time, but it probably wouldn't have made much difference since Sawako has such low self esteem.  Here's hoping Chizu's little talk sets Sawako on the right path.  Such a long path it will be.  Oh, and I wonder what plan Kurumi and Kent are going to hatch together.

"Kimi ni Todoke 2" ep 5

Chizu is cute for the wedding.

Pin knows too much.

Kent is moving in...

Cliffhanger!

A ton of stuff happened in this episode!  Chizu gets a makeover for Tooru's wedding and it's a hit.  Ryu is agonizingly quiet about it.

Gotta give Pin credit for nailing Kazehaya exactly on his love life status and his unexpected encouragement.

Kent is infuriating as he encourages Sawako to drift away from Kazehaya.

Big cliffhanger where Kazehaya seems like he is going to make a move...but of course I won't hold my breath.