6th-sage's movie Reviews on Newgrounds

[Mastermind]

I beg to differ.

You might have meant it intentionally, but you're being a sexist. As in, you're not being sexually equal. Not all women are walking tits with skimpy skirts. There are alot of women who are hired by men NOT because of their pretty face or whatever sexual attractions, but rather their own abilities. Women are just as capable as men, whether in business, medicine, or even the military. Heck, some walking tits and skimpy skirted women might even be MORE capable than the men in the military. That's being unfair by calling any women being involved in jobs or business nothing but a pair of walking tits. That's insulting them and demoting them, causing a major rift between men and women once again. I must say, when I saw this, I'm not very pleased.

The-Swain responds:

There were two main characters, one of whom was sexist and one of whom was offended by sexism. You immediately associate me, the artist, with the sexist character.

I don't normally say this, but you're an idiot.

[The Spirit of Halloween 2]

You asshole, why did you have to leave it hanging?

At the best part, too! Damn you! Now I'm going to have to wait another whole damn year for part 3 to come out. You know... I was expecting part 2 to come out like.. maybe less than 2 months after part 1, NOT A YEAR AFTER PART 1.

But lol, awesome shit. If only I didn't have to wait another damn year for
Part 3 to come out. Meh whatever, at least the graphical effects are tons better than the previous one, and lol at the "eyes in the dark" joke.

So, let's see..

Pros -

1. Nice graphics, and the drawings were quite creative, even though some people can see them as ripoffs from... AHEM. I believe you explained that last year already.

2. The plot is simple, but funny and effective, I like how you're teasing it a bit by doing some satirical humor and poking fun at artists for circling around those few points and their repitition.

3. The humor is great, I love the blockhead reference. You are a blockhead fan, aren't you? Did Swain voice for you, too? XD

4. Wow, no violence, which means this is practically good enough for a pg rating on Nickelodean (AHEM, INVADER ZIM, AHEM). But that's what I liked most. I hate the fact that a lot of animators rely on violence to get the crowd excited and have them watch. I'm so sick of that.

5. Kimbles is my favorite character. That little faggot's full of surprises.

Cons - dude... nothing's perfect, neither am I nor you.

1. No character history. Dude, you just randomly threw 3 characters in a flash and had them animated. You didn't explain why THOSE THREE were in there. Petey. Zim, I MEAN, Marco XD, as well as Kimbles. Why the hell were THEY working together and how did they get together? And I'm finding quite a bit of plot holes in there.

2. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, I WANT TO SEE PART 3 THIS YEAR AND NO WAIT ANOTHER DAMN YEAR FOR PART 3 TO COME OUT. I know it's hard to animate, but come on, there are literally hundreds of thousands (possibly millions of people) waiting for that animation to come out. If you drive us crazy, we will go in a frenzy. Never underestimate the power of fans in a frenzy XD.

3. The sound quality wasn't as good as I thought, but then again, you already admitted yourself that the sound quality wasn't too top notch.

4. You used the same freakin' intro again... this time with a spider. Dude, a joke's not funny if you make it the 2nd time.

5. Dude... you're REALLY fond of Nickelodean, aren't you? Riley sort of reminds me Timmy Turner's teacher Mr. Denzel Crocker from Fairly Odd Parents. Lol, don't rip characters off that network, or at least, don't let people think you're ripping them off.

squeakytoad responds:

Well, you never know. I don't want to say anything or make any promises about the future parts.
Animating is tough. Especially when there's a lot of demand, your personal life is overwhelming at the moment, and you have other ideas you want to create as well.

The intro thing is part of this saga. All of them have a similar intro but in a different situation. It sets up the mood and the general idea.

As you said, the lack of violence, I and many of my fans see as a positive thing.

Yep, I like Blockhead. And yes, I said in my author's comments and in the credits, Michael Swain did voice his own appearance.

Alas, I admit my work isn't perfect. What I can improve I try to improve in the future (once an episodes made, it's done- I can't fix it- I can only hope for better in the future). And what I can't improve, I make sure I make fun of.
Animators should learn to laugh at themselves and their mistakes. Some guys get to bitter when someone points out the similarity between their characters and characters from shows they've never seen (I have to admit, myself, I was awful irritated when I found out there was a bit of resemblance between Kimbles and that character from Invader Zim). Some animators get upset when people mock the quality of their animation, their ideas, or their humor.
Why not laugh with those people? People will get bored laughing.
Bitter reviewers will also feel pretty stupid writing massive flaming comments about something that's already been addressed, admitted, and even joked about.

Thanks for the review, man. Keep watching.

[Wings of Favor Opening]

Put a damn preloader. Lol.

Damn that scared me half to death. I was waiting for it to load, meanwhile check out some other submissions, and suddenly earshattering music banged out of the computer and made me fall off the chair in shock.

The graphics are fine, anime styled and above average, but definitely not the best. The motion wasn't too fluent and it was a bit tweaky. It looks absolutely 2d. Some shading should do the trick.

About the anime series, care to explain a bit about that? I have to say that the opening intro aroused my interest.

~I gave it an 8/10, and 4 stars. Hope it's saved. (I took off most of the points because there was no freaking preloader.)

merit44 responds:

Sorry about the loud sound, I know this will not justify it, but I wanted to make sure you were awake when you started to view the submission. Adrenaline is a good thing! Anyway, I will work on the motion in the future for that is my own personal grip as well. The series itself in general is about a young girl who has to pay for her father's mistakes and try to earn her life back. This is very loose, but I don't want to truely give the story away for it will be better explained in the anime short that is in the works.

[Castle III part C]

I've got a lot to state...

First, I'd like to say that I've watched Castle III Part A through D already, and I'm making an overall review on the entire series. This is by far the most outstanding stick-figure flash piece I've ever seen, graphic-wise or storyline. I've never made a flash in my life, so maybe you may disagree with me on some minor points.

Graphics: 9/10

Setting Graphics - AMAZING. I can't imagine how long it took you to draw the wastelands, castles, city, helicopter inside, etc. When I saw the architecture on the castle that you made, I was awed. When comparing this to Castle I and Castle II, it was like comparing gold to shit. (No offense).

Characters - This is the part when I think you may disagree with me most. I understand that in the beginning of the "Castle" series, you used stick figures to start off as a novice. It may be that you also decide to use stick figures as a trademark style for your series that you decided not to change it. Yet, I seriously feel that you are not doing such a great masterpiece justice. If I were you, I'd make the characters a bit more... anime. Or you could look up Logfish's animations. Yet, you did make the eyes full of expression. You did that right at least.

Storyline: 10

Plot: Flawless. I love how you made this so... suspenseful and unpredictable, yet with foreshadows and hints. The escape was highly remniscent of Lord of the Rings - Fellowship of the Ring. I also love how you actually let the soldiers fight well. In most flash movies, like madness or Bunnykill, the army or horde is just slaughtered meat. It annoys me.

Suspense - Not one second where you made me bored. Especially part B when no action came yet. It just made me crave for something, with so much tension, yet nothing happening yet.

Character - Vague. Extremely ambiguous. You didn't really give the character a "DISTINCT" personality. But I also liked the fact that the protagonists aren't overly dominant.

Sound - 8
Music - Pretty good, but some sound track sounds a bit scratchy or not in line with the action. But overall, amazingly effective.

Voice acting - Eh... not bad, but could've been better. The best voice-actors I know are involved in the "Xin" Flash series. Omahdon is the best male voice actor I know so far, and Sakura is the best female voice actor. You can look them up if you want.

Humor - 0 ... No need for explanations?

Overall, a fantastic piece. I look forward to Castle IV.

I have a few statements to ask.

1. Etrius I believe cannot be dead. A story that kills off the main character before the main story begins can't result well. You gave him special powers, I think you mean for him to use it.

2. Is Dr. Romanov in league with the "evil" general?

3. You ARE going to make a Castle IV, right?

4. How the heck do you think of these amazing stories?

Get-lost responds:

Thanks alot for this review, it's great :)

1. I can't say this. We don't know yet.

2. Same. We'll wait and find out.

3. Yes - I'd be ashamed of myself leaving a story hanging like part D ends.

4. My friend and I have had many interesting discussions regarding the story. We come up with new ideas constantly. It's great to have two brains creating the Castle series.

[Farewell Illwillpress]

All right... I have much to say

First, before I state anything. I would like to make 2 things clear. I neither like or dislike illwillpress, nor do I claim to make any rude gestures or extravagant praises towards your work, but I do wish to express my thoughts as you did clearly in this flash. I respect your freedom to submit what you will, but I hope you have dignity to respect what I have to say.

1. I do believe that from the first moment you made the flash, you did not actually think that illwillpress (or Johnathon Mathers) is dead. In fact, you know that he is not dead, but you deliberately made this flash anyway. Why? Because I don't find eulogies to be a thing of humor, especially if you made this so somber like this. If you clearly and firmly stated that it's... I dunno a "joke" at the end at the last second, it would've skyrocketed the scores immediately.

2. I think you should've made this Farewell "Johnathon whatever his name is".

3. To make things more convincing, you should've added the state of death, the exact time, minute, and seconds (well... not THAT exact), and you should've added proof.

4. Instead of just floating pictures, I think you can add a few animations to it.

5. I neither find this to be abusive nor appraising. I find it so hilarious that I nearly laughed my head off, because the rumour was stomped out ages ago, and people still fall for it. I'm not laughing because of how stupid this flash is, but the viewers' gullibility. This is a stroke of genius, actually, but also pretty pathetic.

6. I neither enjoyed or disliked this film, but if you want to make something, I would appreciate honesty, even if it's a last-second statement. I understand that America's a free country, and so are most countries, with the exception of Communist Russia or something, but if we all go around blabbering lies the world would be in more chaos than now. I don't think we need that do we?

Thank you for your time in making this flash. I hope to see more of your work. As I reviewed politely, if you make a response, I also hope that you answer politely in the same way. Or you could throw insults and profane language at me, but as you are not illwillpress and you dislike him, are you going to sink so low as him?

Again, I neither like or dislike illwillpress. I am merely expressing an opinion. Don't shoot me.

tcygvbjh responds:

a three headed rolf

[StarCraft: Alliance]

Constructive Review -

All right, let's hit the pros and cons.

Pros.

1. Graphics - You've improved immensely since your first one - the Reconnoiter, and it shows that you've worked hard. The 3d effects are implausible, and I must say, it's incredible. You show a lot of talent in these drawings, and as for Starcraft Flashes, yours remain unparalleled in the world of flash.

2. Story - I LOVE your story, where you keep twisting, and turning and turning, from once enemies to alliances. The plot was well made and kept an organized line of suspense. It definetely aroused my curiosity, and I'd have enjoyed it even if you made it into a novel and not a flash. Great work.

3. Style - Excellent, excellent, and MORE excellent. Unique, unrivaled, and exquisite. I was amazed by how you chose to make the story and drawings to what you thought they were though acquainted with starcraft in a sense, and you used the sounds from the Starcraft like the way they were.

4. Grammar and Spelling - You are, sadly, the best speller and most grammatically correct author on this portal. You'd be amazed how little grammar errors you have compared to many even top-notched authors. I salute you general.

Cons -

Unfortunately, nothing is perfect, and I must point out your weaknesses (little as they are), in hopes of your improvement next time. Do not let it disintegrate your confidence, but be modest as to accept them, for no man is perfect, and you're no exception.

1. Voice-Acting - I appreciate how you tried to act out nearly every character and that you tried your best, but seriously, all voices sound nearly the same, except you sort of made the protoss a bit more distinguished. Find more voice actors. I'd be happy to help if need be, since I have done lip-sync and acting in real life. I'm a versatile voice-actor, too, and if you have any need of me, contact me at my email.

2. Characters - Oh come on, you only imployed characters from starcraft original. What the hell happened to brood wars? No Dark Templars? Not even medics? You need a female character, too, since your audience isn't all male. Female heroes are required in all good shows, and it would be greatly appreciated by the female audience if you do. Valkaries, Medics, etc. Don't be a sexist, (not that think you are ^_^). More additions and units are expected. Oh, and lurkers. If the zergs really ARE making a beast, they'd have to defned it, too. lurkers are a MUST, and I am really curious to how you are going to portray lurkers, one of my favorite zerg units. What happened to goliaths, too? And VULTURES? Add them all, and I'll be a happy man, though I'm happy enough already. :P

3. You're making the protagonists overly dominant. In other words, the good guys are too strong. You only make the bad guys suffer deaths, but I haven't seen the good guys lose ANY soldiers. I hate stories where the good guys always whips the bad guy's asses without any real struggle. I suppose you do have struggles, since the units are injured in the battle, but keep it balanced.

4. Humor - No offense, seriously. I mean no insult, but... your humor's corny. "Humor's just not thing Jones," as said by a marine. (sound familiar)? I gave you a 6 for trying, but seriously, work on that.

5. The framing has PROBLEMS. DAMN IT. I HATE THIS. Every time I "jump" from one scene to another, it would pause for about 3 seconds before moving on to the next scene, and my computer is FAST. Over 3 gigahertz, actually, and my internet connection is the fastest of my friends. And sometimes, it loads up to like... 40%, and stops loading. I dunno, maybe it's not your problem, and if it isn't, I'm sorry. I'm just pointing it out.

Overall, a satisfactory episode, and I wish to see more of this series. Also, as I said, if you need more voice actors, I'd be glad to suffice for your needs. i enjoyed all your episodes, and this is by far my favorite one. Good work, and keep it up. I await your next production.

LogFish responds:

What kind of git would I be if I didn't reply ASAP to such a good review! Thanks about all the good points, that's cool :) I'm a bit pissed about the grammatical errors, but since I'm on dialup it takes forever to upload the movies. Hard to notice your own typos! I fixed a couple before it got to NG.

The voicing - I didn't intend to do everything myself this time - my friend came over on friday to do voice acting, and we ended up watching tv and drinking instead! I couldn't be bothered sitting on it for any longer, I'd already sat on it for half a week. Thanks for the offer of voicing - I may take you up on it :)

Characters - the next episode'll satisfy that - if I put everything in straight away it would be kinda boring in later episodes. The lack of females is largely due to the lack of voice talent - but my girlfriend wants to show some interest so said she'd do one so I might put one in the next episode if it's plot-relevant. I've got plenty of ideas for the other units, and they've all got their places to be in the grand scheme, so they'll be around at some point heh.

Likewise about the terrans kicking arse all the time - that may change too, I don't want to give that away but it's done now heh.

The scene thing is funky isn't it? That's kindof my fault for trying to keep the file so small I suppose, heh. Since it came out less than 5meg maybe I should've redone it - but it took forever to do it like that. The scene select is within the 'widescreen' symbol I used in every scene. The buttons in there didn't want to skip to scenes for some reason though, so I had to add up the frames from all the scenes to get them to go to the right place (went up to 10200 or something). I think the movie plays itself before deciding where that frame number is, or something stupid. Funny though yours runs so slow - my computer is a dead pig and after one slow click it's all quick as a 'flash' again. I assumed faster computers would be sweet with it, else I would've done something! I don't think the loading thing has anything to do with me though - I just use the NG preloader, maybe NG was having issues or something.

Thanks for that really impressive review - the best I've ever got probably! I wonder how my response measures up length-wise heh.

[Mecha Duel]

Not bad at all

Red and Blue must've been millionaires to be able to afford those mecha robots and live in a house of their own! (They're rich right...? I hope they won't go homeless or something :P, that'll be terrible... over a silly game ^_^) Are you going to make a sequel? (Green vs Yellow)

StephenRedmond responds:

Y'know, I never really thought about how they could afford the mechs... I guess you're right, they must be rich! :P

Err, it doesn't look like I'll be making a sequel, no. I'll definately be doing more animation, but in future it'll probably be more story-based. I just had to get this out of my system first. :P

[Negative 001 - The Call]

How can I vote fairly? It deserves more than a 10

however... there are several things that should be noticed.

The characters looked absolute 2-d, and papercut... shading should do the trick. The sounds were okay... and I guess considering that you've gotten awards that you should know this would probably make the front page. But anyway, good job. Are you going to make this into a series?

Gear-Zero responds:

Yes

[The Little Girl]

a constructive review (if you bother to read it)

Pros and cons -

A. Pros

1. Graphics - incredible, tinted with a bit of gothism (if you call it that, since you used nothing but black, grey, white, and a bit of red). The pictures were well draw, as well as the backgrounds. The perspective art was also used in a good sense, , but could use some improvements.... so I gave it a 9/10.

2. Style - Unique style, greatly enhanced, and unparalleled. There's nothing like an improvised spooky story used, though I personally think it should be for children of all ages. However, it's matchless and unrivaled, thus a 10.

3. Sound - I like the music, and the audio was quite nice as well as the special effects. However, sometimes the narrator couldn't keep up, and the words flashed faster/slower than the voice acting. But overall, a passing, decent, nice score.

4. Interactivity - there was not one second in the movie that made me bored. I was glued to the story entirely, and it added a sense of suspense. Pretty cool.

5. Storyline - ah yes, the best part of the movie - the story. Most portals have implausible graphics and music, but lack story, but you have everything used well. The story itself presented a special star that glows and stands out in this flash movie. That's why I enjoyed it so much.

Cons -

Unfortunately, nothing is perfect. Wherever there are strengths, there are weaknesses. Be humble as to accept them, but do not let it disintegrate your self confidence.

1. It looked a bit like a pop-up book, and you didn't really use "color", but I guess you can't say that's much of a weakness, more like a suggestion I'm giving you.

2. Perspective art - yes, needs huge improvement. Things from far- away sometimes look like they have no distance.
Shading - you need a bit more shading on the girl, and more on
other stuff as well.

3. Expressionless - the people's faces were expressionless, or little less than that. If you want people to have more expression, instead of just tears and frowns and smiles, you should add more stuff, like creases, changing shapes of eyebrows, more along the lines of better character design.

Overall, a fantastic piece. I can't say much more, or you'll kill me. Can't wait for your next production.

crookedsixpence responds:

I've read it, and it's one of the best and most helpful critiques I've received. We disagree on some minor points because a little of the style is the trademark style of "Childrin R Skary" but you raise a lot of valid points, and they are all things I'll consider for the next one. Thank you!

[HALF LIFE2 - Blow Me Away]

Pros and Cons

Pro -

1. Graphics - 10/10, there are authentically little people who can match your skills in drawing, shading, and coloring. You have unparalleled skills in these viewpoint/perspective art.

2. Sound - Clear sounds, builds suspense at the right time, and AWESOME song.

3. Style - This was taken from a great game, a game that I personally enjoyed. The plot was also taken from the game, and I guess it fits. I admire your depictions of this game.

Cons -

1. Frames are SLOW AS HELL. They didn't go so smoothly, and they keep "jumping", trying setting your frames in a longer time period or at least keep it smooth.

2. File was incredibly large, it took a while to load.

Other than that, it's cool. I await your next production.

Hen7 responds:

im very sorry about the Frames problem, its work pretty good on my computer.
i hope you know it, but when you press Q you can change the movie quality.

and of course, ty very much for that score ^_^