Hnilmik's movie Reviews on Newgrounds

[42 Boxes ACT 1]

12 minutes just for ACT I out of how many...?

I feel weird for reviewing this 'cause of my involvement in this, but why not.

First off, I love how everything looks and this is definitely above and beyond your typical sprite movie, as far as animation goes with the mouth and limb movements. It's your kind of thing~ I recall the script for this being ENORMOUS and I worried about this being a drag to listen to. In certain spots, it was, but in others, you definitely got a great cast to make this move by faster than expected~

For something with lines and recordings from maybe years ago (I know some members of the cast have been improving over the years, causing a difference in presented skill), the performances as a whole weren't as bad as I was expecting! My only issue is really with the sound quality. Try getting the volumes of the voice actors to be on the same level or at least louder than the background music, for some of the VA's.

With the entire script written out and recorded for already, it's kinda hard to incorporate the writing feedback for future acts, but if you're still planning on a series, try condensing the best material into shorter episodes instead of trying to cram everything in. That way, the series will be easier to release and follow, instead of giving up after a 1 hour pilot.

Mutteo responds:

Yes, i have had a lot of problems with the audio quality. Even when I tried to amplify the sound, some spots were buried in the music. Eventually I'll figure something out.

People have mentioned to me about the script dragging at times, I tend to have te habit of making things longer than they should be.

On questimate, I believe there is another 16 minutes left of 42 Boxes to make. It's hard for me to make tiny episodes, but I know my biggest concern is the fram limit. Most likely I might have to move some scenes to the credits, and also possibly cutting something, mostly the anchorman, since i figure that was my original problem with the flash.

I'll have to work something out.

[How 2 Make a Ngs Username]

::looks at her username::

...I'm in the "WTF, how the hell do we pronounce that mess of letters?!" category, where a chunk of our usernames are usually our real names backwards or our faces spontaneously mashed against the keyboard.

I totally wish I had this tutorial when coming up with my username, but alas...

LewToons responds:

haha i wonderd how to pronounce ur name

[Flintlock Pt 1]

You're getting better!

I wish I knew how to solve your file size issue, but I will say that sound is the biggest issue in this one. Aside from volume levels being off for the dialogue (some characters, like Julian, were quieter than others), it was unusual to hear efforts and reaction noises but no sound effects, especially when characters got hit in the face or were reacting to their environment. Too much walla/additional voices detracted from what was going on (I heard more people than I saw).

I'm not sure if mixing all the audio into one file first would help the file size problem, since it depends on how easy it is to animate to for the animator, but if you can convey the environment in a radioplay, it can very easily be translated into visual. More important sounds, like dialogue and meaningful SFX, ought to be a bit louder and easier to discern from the background sounds. You know how people can forgive bad visual quality on YouTube but will cringe and ignore video with bad sound quality? It's like that. Right now, the visuals are alright, but the sound is what's detracting from your work. If you're using Audacity, I'll warn you now that mixing with it isn't hard and not too bad if you know how, but it SUCKS at adjusting volume levels (which leads to me using Wavepad in combination with Audacity sometimes).

As a whole, look into what's causing that file size problem. Things got really interesting just as it ended and though it makes me want to see more, I'm still getting an incomplete vibe (when I know better). If you need some help with some mixing and SFX, I can help ya out too~

Kreid responds:

Thanks a lot!
The file size issue is really a letdown for this, but yeah, I will improve the audio too!

[The Tale of Mr. Carter]

;_; Noo! Not the poor little boy!

Nice writing (I dig the story) and it was presented creepy-like enough~ Neato ending. I have to say though, it came off as too Christmas for a Halloween entry. The voice acting could've been, for lack of better words, more interesting and varied to make the most of the chilling script.

XD That, and I usually associate music from Amelie to general happy or at the most, contemplation instead of happy-to-OMGWHYDIDTHATHAPPEN-OHGOD-WH YDIDYOUUNHAPPYTHINGSWITHTHISTERROR.

Still, for what it is, not bad~

SamuriFerret responds:

Thanks very much!

[Metal Gear: Codec moments]

WRAPPED IN BLACK!!

XD I saw this on dA too! These were just hilarious! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE how these codec moments were pulled off~ There were some moments where I wish the voice acting had a bit more commitment to match how close the voices are to the original, but for the most part, I can tell you guys had a lot of fun doing this 'cause I had just as much fun watching this!

Out of all of these funny moments, my favorite one was where they started screaming each other's names~ THEN RAIDEN.

ScottFalco responds:

lol yeah we got outta hand sometimes, these were improv

[The Single Seat Scramble]

Har har har Ness and Lucas~

If you don't win that competition, whoever beat you better be good since I found this pretty entertaining~ Very cute concept and I like how you handled the changing perspectives between the two characters.

Sure, this was made with less time compared to Overprotective and it shows, but for what it is, it's effective~

Sikes responds:

Yeah, it was a bit rushed, but the stuff that has won in the past hasn't been too impressive so I'm hoping that I can win. :P

Yeah, it was actually the first time that I messed with masking and stuff, and I liked it so much that I decided to use it a few more times in the flash. I wish I would have had a bit more time to put into the ending. I had a few other endings I had considered first (my favorite would have involved a cameo by Toon Link) but I started to realize I didn't have the time for it.

[resident evil chronicles]

Duuuuuuddeee~~

I have to agree with everyone else: What you have is pretty darned good for a first flash but it's short! See? Now you're making us want more! I especially like how fast paced and action-y this feels~ You're making me wish I recorded more takes to match that! BigK did a great job with his acting too~ It's been great working on this~

Can't wait for the next one!

shiguy-master responds:

The truth is that the file I lengthen and touch myself that the chapter divides 1 in 2 parts, anyhow I am grateful that allas recorded your voice, but I need that you order me the co-author's request to give you credit, for which when I give him in co-author a mistake goes out for me and not that happens, anyhow I am going to make the second part(report) with what I have, and improve her a bit and mas talks.

Thank you

[FPS Series Pilot]

For what it is~

XD For a short pilot, I found it very amusing... Especially TK and his incomprehensible-ness. I kept replaying the flash to see if I could understand his string of numbers and to hear his li'l ditty after shooting his buddies. I also liked The Restroom Door~ My only critique is I had trouble reading the text on the bottom of the screen because it's white and tiny on a light-colored background. Perhaps the frame ought to be bigger?

Gunstar-X responds:

Lol. Ya, I'll prolly write down his whole lil dialogue in a bit. Also, bit of lil joke, TK = Team Killer.

Sorry about the text. I really should've made that bigger and easier to read. Prolly coulda been longer, but I already had that whole situation burned into my head and didn't feel like adding anything else. But ya, if this becomes a series, it'll be lots longer and have lots more internet humor and FPS satire thrown in.

On a side note, the numbers are completely random, no inside joke are any kind of reference in them. Although the last thing he says about Rhubarb was a slight nod to Portal.