Without getting into spoilers for anyone who hasn't seen the final episode of Lost yet, I found it moving and enjoyable. It ended in a way that seemed to me to accord with the earliest episodes, to the extent that it's easy to suppose the writers always had this in mind. I'm amazed by how many people didn't get it, or failed to appreciate it for what it was!

What came through most strongly was that it was all about the characters - the writers evidently really cared about them and it showed. I thought this deeply romantic ending was a gift for us fans and entirely appropriate.

There were definitely some problems with the middle seasons of the show, introducing threads that didn't really go anywhere, with all the mysterious tangents and subplots that made the show really compelling also making it a bit infuriating at times! Still, I'm grateful they didn't try to explain absolutely everything and in the process gut what had happened before (Twin Peaks, anyone?)

Much was explained in the timejumping Season Five (one of the best, and the most fun, in my opinion), with the final Season devoted to the distant past and the present. Possible spoiler: Season Six started how I thought the show would end - with the original Oceanic Flight 815 flying straight over the island.

In the end, the characters and their journeys were what ultimately mattered to me about Lost, though all the other aspects were very enjoyable! Few shows have resolved so well, though Six Feet Under remains one of the very best. This ending to Lost was beautiful and heartfelt, with epic and spiritual undertones throughout.

While it all made perfect sense to me, if you've already seen the final episode (and therefore won't mind spoilers), the following writeups provide some interesting insights:

'Lost' finale recap, part one: And In The End... by Jeff Jensen

‘Lost’ Finale Explained: Answering the Unanswered Questions by Kofi Outlaw

Lost Finale Explained Well! by a Writer from Bad Robot

Lostpedia - the Lost Encyclopedia

Labels: Lost, TV

These days I don't get to conventions very often, but on Saturday I decided to check out Doujicon 4. One reason I like this trader and artist based comics convention is that it combines the local Western comics and manga/anime scenes better than any other. Also, it's small :).

 Best of all, the good people at OzTAKU have just released the OzTAKU Subsequence anthology, a compilation of manga tales from local (and some overseas artists), including the complete 16 page Moth & Tanuki story, Night of the Mothbots. I think it's one of my better efforts, and tells a substantial story that works as a standalone (so a good place to start).

The anthology itself is fantastic. Edited by Robet Eiva, it is in a digest-sized format familiar to manga readers (and pleasantly reminiscent of the underrated Xuan Xuan). With a catchy cover from Hollow Fields star Madeleine Rosca, it's full of fascinating stories in a wide variety of manga-related styles, along with short interviews. I really like this book - hope it gets the wide circulation it deserves!
Otherwise, I greatly enjoyed catching up with so many local comickers, new and old - talking to all these artists and writers, and picking up a stack of new books, is what I really enjoy at conventions. What really amazes (and pleases) me is just how many local female comics artists and writers were there - it's a good sign about the nature of our comics/manga scene here in Australia! I was knocked out by quite a few people's art, including getting to see some original pages (always a treat).

I'm feeling enthusiastic about the future of comic-making in Australia - it's never been more exciting!

Labels: Comic anthologies, Doujicon, Moth and Tanuki, OzTAKU, OzTAKU Subsequence

Last night's Vampire Weekend show at Festival Hall was fantastic. Making full use of almost every song from their two albums, this was a tight and solid lineup in full flight - I was amazed at the tempo they maintained and just how much these songs rocked live.

I know a lot of people have compared their sound to Paul Simon's "Graceland" but I don't hear that particularly - the melodic guitar fills and deft keyboard orchestrations are pulling the sound in some other, more Summery, direction. The props were minimal and based on the covers of the two albums, but aspects of the sound and approach deployed by this accomplished four piece for me recalled the artrock of Talking Heads (who I saw on the "Speaking in Tongues" tour many years ago) - which isn't say they sounded like them, just something in the confidence and consistency of the performance.

I have to mention the support band Cloud Control, who were really impressive. Again, a solid four-on-the-floor lineup that really knew how to play together, drawing most of their energy from the male/female vocal harmonies and tight rhythm section, supported by the vocalists' keys and guitars. There was something in their sound that put a pleasant involuntary shiver up my spine - which is high praise and something I haven't experienced in a live band in many a long year. They opened by pointing out that The Beatles once played this very venue!

At least three of their songs were familiar to me from Triple J (pretty much the only station I listen to these days). I find it sad that a lot of people my age aren't interested in new music - I mean, I value the old stuff, but I wouldn't want to never hear anything else!

Festival Hall was exactly as I remembered - a fairly intimate venue with terrible seats and boomy acoustics, but visibility is okay as long as people don't stand on their seats. It's almost a few decades since I was last there, but it's unchanged. Oh, and the kids in the row in front of us were wasted - I don't know what on!

I had been complaining when Vampire Weekend were here last time that they didn't play any underage shows, but this show at Festival Hall made them available to more of their very appreciative audience. A great set of strong songs from a band with wit and considerable musical chops!

Another review of the same show.

Labels: music