I’m not a huge fan of romantic movies; I’m a bloke for crying out loud!
But having said that, I’d heard a lot of good vibes about The Notebook so was quite looking forward to an evening with my wife and a movie that she would like.
And I’m glad to say The Notebook didn’t disappoint.
The only problem from a review point of view is how to tell you why it was so good without giving too much of the structure away. You’ll just have to trust me when I say that the clichéd premise of this movie (poor boy falls in love with rich girl during her summer break, parents don’t approve, blah, blah, blah.) doesn’t do the true story justice.
Sure, it is full of romantic movie clichés, but it’s a superbly acted, well thought out adaptation of Nicolas Sparks best selling novel.
So if you’re looking for a wonderfully filmed romantic tear jerker, The Notebook will fit the bill perfectly.
What Movie Am I #10
Ok, this is soooo easy, so only one clue....
The good guys want to use nuclear weapons to stop an asteroid from destroying earth.
The good guys want to use nuclear weapons to stop an asteroid from destroying earth.
News | Hero
Not a lot needs to be said here, except that the good people at Roadshow are releasing Hero to retail on May 5th.
A movie with Jet Li starring and with the backing of Quentin Tarantino?
C’mon, you’re as excited as me aren’t you?
A movie with Jet Li starring and with the backing of Quentin Tarantino?
C’mon, you’re as excited as me aren’t you?
DVD | Ten
Ok, first up a warning: If you want to be entertained don’t watch this DVD.
Ten isn’t about entertainment, it’s about watching, listening and learning. It’s a movie where you have to think. It’s a movie that only begins when it finishes and you and start to think about what you’ve just watched.
Essentially, it’s two cameras, one car, a woman driver and her passengers, and the conversations she engages them with. Starting and finishing with her somewhat demanding son.
People will get many different things from this movie.
For one, it’s a window into Iran, not clouded by the views of the American media.
It’s also a view into our own lives. If you watch carefully and really be honest, you’ll see your self at times, through the power-struggles, miss-communications, and communion that these conversations bring.
For me the biggest thrill was watching this articulate, strong woman, picking up strangers and engaging them – all in a country and culture that looks down on women.
Ten isn’t about entertainment, it’s about watching, listening and learning. It’s a movie where you have to think. It’s a movie that only begins when it finishes and you and start to think about what you’ve just watched.
Essentially, it’s two cameras, one car, a woman driver and her passengers, and the conversations she engages them with. Starting and finishing with her somewhat demanding son.
People will get many different things from this movie.
For one, it’s a window into Iran, not clouded by the views of the American media.
It’s also a view into our own lives. If you watch carefully and really be honest, you’ll see your self at times, through the power-struggles, miss-communications, and communion that these conversations bring.
For me the biggest thrill was watching this articulate, strong woman, picking up strangers and engaging them – all in a country and culture that looks down on women.
What Movie Am I #9
My hero is an orphan with a gift for math.
My title is a play on words that includes my main characters name.
Robin Williams earned an Oscar as my widowed psychologist.
My title is a play on words that includes my main characters name.
Robin Williams earned an Oscar as my widowed psychologist.
DVD | Collateral
From director Michael Mann, the genius that bought us Miami Vice, Heat and The Insider, comes a dark and compelling story of two men and one night.
Compulsively clean cabby Max (Jamie Foxx) is a man who choses to work the nightshift because it affords him better tips, but as we discover the reality is he’s hiding from his failures and his inability to pursue his dreams. He’s a man with no real backbone that’s found a comfortable groove and doesn’t have the initiative to get out.
Enter stage left Vincent (Tom Cruise), a wealthy, mature businessman. At least that’s what he wants to portray. But we know better than this.
This is Tom Cruise at his best. Still with a hint of his boyish charm, but still a convincing, cold killer. His plans for the night are vastly different from Max’s, but max is in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Vincent is a man with no morals, and won’t let anything, or anyone get in hi way. Max learns the hard way that Vincent isn’t worried about collateral damage. Not surprisingly, Max also discovers that he finds killing people to be repulsive.
But as the evening turns to night things start to change, the more Vincent pushes Max, the more Max grows. This is Max’s coming of age party; this is where the timid boy becomes a man.
As Vincent tries to justify his killing of people by reducing Max to being nothing more that a speck of dust in the vastness of the universe, something snaps into place. Will it push Max over the edge, or give him something to live for?
Collateral is a movie that starts out slow, but draws you in and finishes at breakneck speed. It’s dark and moody and extremely graphic in places. But it’s also stylish and beautifully filmed.
All in all one of the most dynamic thrillers of the year.
Compulsively clean cabby Max (Jamie Foxx) is a man who choses to work the nightshift because it affords him better tips, but as we discover the reality is he’s hiding from his failures and his inability to pursue his dreams. He’s a man with no real backbone that’s found a comfortable groove and doesn’t have the initiative to get out.
Enter stage left Vincent (Tom Cruise), a wealthy, mature businessman. At least that’s what he wants to portray. But we know better than this.
This is Tom Cruise at his best. Still with a hint of his boyish charm, but still a convincing, cold killer. His plans for the night are vastly different from Max’s, but max is in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Vincent is a man with no morals, and won’t let anything, or anyone get in hi way. Max learns the hard way that Vincent isn’t worried about collateral damage. Not surprisingly, Max also discovers that he finds killing people to be repulsive.
But as the evening turns to night things start to change, the more Vincent pushes Max, the more Max grows. This is Max’s coming of age party; this is where the timid boy becomes a man.
As Vincent tries to justify his killing of people by reducing Max to being nothing more that a speck of dust in the vastness of the universe, something snaps into place. Will it push Max over the edge, or give him something to live for?
Collateral is a movie that starts out slow, but draws you in and finishes at breakneck speed. It’s dark and moody and extremely graphic in places. But it’s also stylish and beautifully filmed.
All in all one of the most dynamic thrillers of the year.
DVD | The Cat Returns
From the studio that bought us the Academy Award winning Spirited Away comes another fanciful and warm story for the entire family.
Featuring the voice talents of Anne Hathaway, Cary Elwes and Tim Curry, The Cat Returns is the story of Haru, an accident prone school girl who saves a cat from being run over by a truck.
Little did she know that this cat was a royal cat from the cat kingdom.
In return the cat King wants to reward her, but after meeting her decides that she should marry the prince, even if she doesn’t want to.
Haru must enlist the help of the Cat Bureau or her stay in the Cat Kingdom will become permanent as she slowly changes into a cat.
With an overriding theme of unconditional love and a message to never forget who you are this is an inspirational as well as magically fun filled story.
Another reason that good anime doesn’t need battling robots, ninjas or vampires to succeed!
Featuring the voice talents of Anne Hathaway, Cary Elwes and Tim Curry, The Cat Returns is the story of Haru, an accident prone school girl who saves a cat from being run over by a truck.
Little did she know that this cat was a royal cat from the cat kingdom.
In return the cat King wants to reward her, but after meeting her decides that she should marry the prince, even if she doesn’t want to.
Haru must enlist the help of the Cat Bureau or her stay in the Cat Kingdom will become permanent as she slowly changes into a cat.
With an overriding theme of unconditional love and a message to never forget who you are this is an inspirational as well as magically fun filled story.
Another reason that good anime doesn’t need battling robots, ninjas or vampires to succeed!
What Movie Am I #8
I am a classic movie.
Set in World War II, I am the story of an unusal Allied Tactic.
Lee Marvin and Ernest Botgaine are my men in chanrge.
Charles Bronson says "Killin' generals could get to be a habit with me"
My favourite number is 12.
Set in World War II, I am the story of an unusal Allied Tactic.
Lee Marvin and Ernest Botgaine are my men in chanrge.
Charles Bronson says "Killin' generals could get to be a habit with me"
My favourite number is 12.
DVD | Khakee
My very limited knowledge of Bollywood equated to an understanding that every second scene had to be a very camp musical/dance scene.
So when I got sent Khakee, an Indian action movie I wasn’t sure what to expect!
For an action movie things got down to business pretty much straight away, and there wasn’t any dancing in sight! But then after letting my guard down, and enjoying the movie, about a quarter of the way through, a girl enters the scene. Cue fantasy dance scene.
Though I couldn’t really see the relevance to the rest of the movie, this scene and the two others placed through the movie didn’t detract from the action too much.
In the end it was a very pleasing action movie, if some what cheesy (and funny) in places, with the writers or director throwing in every cliché action movie scene! But the plot was solid and the action kept you glued. There was even a surprising twist or two.
So if you’ve avoided Bollywood because of the dancing, give Khakee a go.
So when I got sent Khakee, an Indian action movie I wasn’t sure what to expect!
For an action movie things got down to business pretty much straight away, and there wasn’t any dancing in sight! But then after letting my guard down, and enjoying the movie, about a quarter of the way through, a girl enters the scene. Cue fantasy dance scene.
Though I couldn’t really see the relevance to the rest of the movie, this scene and the two others placed through the movie didn’t detract from the action too much.
In the end it was a very pleasing action movie, if some what cheesy (and funny) in places, with the writers or director throwing in every cliché action movie scene! But the plot was solid and the action kept you glued. There was even a surprising twist or two.
So if you’ve avoided Bollywood because of the dancing, give Khakee a go.
DVD | Bondi Tsunami
This looked like it was going to be a funny movie. 3 Japanese surfers on a road trip in Australia, the trailer was soooo promising.
Sadly the DVD turned out to be an insomniacs guaranteed sleep remedy.
But to be fair, I can see where the humour was supposed to be, and I’m sure it is a cult comedy classic in Japan, but I think something got lost in the translation. Either that or I’ve lost my sense of humour.
Who knows.
Sadly the DVD turned out to be an insomniacs guaranteed sleep remedy.
But to be fair, I can see where the humour was supposed to be, and I’m sure it is a cult comedy classic in Japan, but I think something got lost in the translation. Either that or I’ve lost my sense of humour.
Who knows.
What Movie Am I #7
"Hate put me in prisom, Love's gonna bust me out."
My title characters story inspired a Bod Dylan song.
Denzel Washington got an Oscar nomination for playing me.
I am the story of a prize fighter accused of murder.
I am based on the autobiography of Rubin Carter.
My title characters story inspired a Bod Dylan song.
Denzel Washington got an Oscar nomination for playing me.
I am the story of a prize fighter accused of murder.
I am based on the autobiography of Rubin Carter.
CD | Strong Tower
On my first listen, I was more disappointed with Strong Tower than I was Sea of faces, but then after a couple of listens it grew on me. [more]
PS2 | Metal Gear Solid 3
Back in the days of the original Playstation there was a game called Metal Gear Solid. It introduced us to a different way of playing games; by using cunning and stealth rather than the standard gung-ho-guns-blazing approach.
But then came the X-Box, and Sam Fischer made him self known, there was a new king of the stealth. [more]
But then came the X-Box, and Sam Fischer made him self known, there was a new king of the stealth. [more]
News | A Very Long Engagement
According to DVD Answers, Warner Home Video (Australia) are going to be releasing A Very Long Engagement on DVD on June 8th!
A Very Long Engagement is a movie I’ve been wanting to see for some time, ever since seeing the trailer and raving about it in only my 3rd post on this blog.
Of course I missed it at the movies, as it had a very limited release in NZ. Now I’m hoping that the NZ release is close to or the same as Australia’s June 8th, which incidentally is a full month before the US release date.
Romance and War, what more could you want in a movie?
A Very Long Engagement is a movie I’ve been wanting to see for some time, ever since seeing the trailer and raving about it in only my 3rd post on this blog.
Of course I missed it at the movies, as it had a very limited release in NZ. Now I’m hoping that the NZ release is close to or the same as Australia’s June 8th, which incidentally is a full month before the US release date.
Romance and War, what more could you want in a movie?
DVD | The Weather Underground
What happens when some of the biggest peaceful protests ever fail to influence a government and stop an un-just war?
The protesters splinter and radical groups are born.
The Weather Underground was one such group, born in a time of unrest and distrust, The Weather Underground sought to overthrow the government through civil unrest and a non-lethal bombing campaign.
So what caused a peaceful student group to splinter and reform into a violent terror organization?
The Vietnam War.
With the media beaming in colour images of a war no one wanted or understood into living rooms around the US, with US casualties growing and an increasing number of atrocities being forced on innocent people by the US military, it was little wonder that people wanted to affect change.
The Weather Underground is a documentary that takes us back to the late 60’s and into the 70’s and tracks the passage of the Weather Underground, from it’s student days to the late 70s when it’s leaders, sick of hiding, gave themselves up.
It’s a fascinating documentary that mixes news reports from the time, with recent interviews with the main players. It’s both disturbing and compelling at the same time, and makes you wonder if anything could happen to trigger something like it again.
The protesters splinter and radical groups are born.
The Weather Underground was one such group, born in a time of unrest and distrust, The Weather Underground sought to overthrow the government through civil unrest and a non-lethal bombing campaign.
So what caused a peaceful student group to splinter and reform into a violent terror organization?
The Vietnam War.
With the media beaming in colour images of a war no one wanted or understood into living rooms around the US, with US casualties growing and an increasing number of atrocities being forced on innocent people by the US military, it was little wonder that people wanted to affect change.
The Weather Underground is a documentary that takes us back to the late 60’s and into the 70’s and tracks the passage of the Weather Underground, from it’s student days to the late 70s when it’s leaders, sick of hiding, gave themselves up.
It’s a fascinating documentary that mixes news reports from the time, with recent interviews with the main players. It’s both disturbing and compelling at the same time, and makes you wonder if anything could happen to trigger something like it again.
DVD | Parasite Dolls
Parasite Dolls is an interesting 3 part anime. Set in a dark futuristic Mega-Tokyo, this is a sinister and brooding story.
In a world where android robots, known as boomers, are more perfect than humans, finding the truth from the lies was never going to be easy.
Each episode deals with an increasing aversion to these boomers by real people. Fuelled somewhat by the tendency for some boomers to short circuit and cause harm to humans, but weather this is being done intentionally by through re-programming is not clearly shown.
As with any anime, if you’re not used to the different styles of story telling, it will be hard to get into, and this more than any previous anime that I have seen, is definitely not for the kids (this is reflected in its R16 rating).
Now without ruining the story too much, this is an action packed, sexually fuelled police conspiracy story. Once you get into it, it’s a great ride, if somewhat disturbing in places.
Now I’m probably the only one that thinks this, but after watching Parasite Dolls, I couldn’t help but think of Fight Club and if there was any influence. This may of course simply be because of the apocalyptic way the series ends.
All in all, if you want some anime that is definitely on the edge, and for adult audiences, this is for you.
But if you do get to see this, try and also look past the visual and obvious story line and look at the subtle message being portrayed: Beauty is only skin deep; and it’s what’s on the inside that matters, and this applies to both boomers and humans.
In a world where android robots, known as boomers, are more perfect than humans, finding the truth from the lies was never going to be easy.
Each episode deals with an increasing aversion to these boomers by real people. Fuelled somewhat by the tendency for some boomers to short circuit and cause harm to humans, but weather this is being done intentionally by through re-programming is not clearly shown.
As with any anime, if you’re not used to the different styles of story telling, it will be hard to get into, and this more than any previous anime that I have seen, is definitely not for the kids (this is reflected in its R16 rating).
Now without ruining the story too much, this is an action packed, sexually fuelled police conspiracy story. Once you get into it, it’s a great ride, if somewhat disturbing in places.
Now I’m probably the only one that thinks this, but after watching Parasite Dolls, I couldn’t help but think of Fight Club and if there was any influence. This may of course simply be because of the apocalyptic way the series ends.
All in all, if you want some anime that is definitely on the edge, and for adult audiences, this is for you.
But if you do get to see this, try and also look past the visual and obvious story line and look at the subtle message being portrayed: Beauty is only skin deep; and it’s what’s on the inside that matters, and this applies to both boomers and humans.
Movie | Constantine
Ok, so I haven’t been to the movies for some time, and my main love for movies has been directed through DVDs. But every once in a while there comes a movie that you think ‘I HAVE to see this at the movies’.
Constantine was one such movie. I had planned to see it over Easter, but then got a nasty little virus and spent a week or so in bed.
So finally on the weekend I got to see it. Let me tell you, it was worth the wait and it will definitely be on my must have DVD list when it gets released later in the year.
I think Constantine is probably going to be the most spiritually significant movies of the year, at least from my humble Christian perspective it is.
Some Christians will agree with me, such as Mike Furches, but in true Christian tradition, there will be plenty who do not agree with me, Annabelle Robertson clearly wouldn’t, but then reading her summing up, I wonder if we saw the same movie.
I’ll be honest and say that there is a lot of stuff in this movie that isn’t good from a Christian world view, but for me the overriding theme was one that each of us is born with the promise of salvation, and the cost is simple belief. The problem with John Constantine is that he’s already been to Hell, and is doing all he can to bargain his way into Heaven through doing good deeds, and expelling demons back to hell.
But as is clearly stated in one scene, that the only way to Heaven is by faith in God, and faith by definition is belief without proof. A powerful Christian message indeed.
But spiritual messages aside, is the movie any good?
Hell yes. For one you don’t have to wait more than a minute to get your first fright, and it’s from this point on that you know you chose the right movie to come to. Sure, as with any movie, the plot does slow down some times, but the action, frights and characters are all good. The special effects are amazing, as is Francis Lawrence’s vision of hell.
It’s a movie that in this post-matrix world, Keanu Reeves was made for. His deadpan acting (some might say lack of acting) is perfect for his character and all of the other actors suit their roles too.
Sure it’s not a perfect movie, and as usual there are plot holes, but it is great entertainment, especially for those of us that like to spend most of the movie on the edge of our seats.
A word of advice, if you are able to catch this at the movies (it’s season is almost over) apparently there’s a final scene after the credits, so don’t be like me and leave, but stay and see it.
Constantine was one such movie. I had planned to see it over Easter, but then got a nasty little virus and spent a week or so in bed.
So finally on the weekend I got to see it. Let me tell you, it was worth the wait and it will definitely be on my must have DVD list when it gets released later in the year.
I think Constantine is probably going to be the most spiritually significant movies of the year, at least from my humble Christian perspective it is.
Some Christians will agree with me, such as Mike Furches, but in true Christian tradition, there will be plenty who do not agree with me, Annabelle Robertson clearly wouldn’t, but then reading her summing up, I wonder if we saw the same movie.
I’ll be honest and say that there is a lot of stuff in this movie that isn’t good from a Christian world view, but for me the overriding theme was one that each of us is born with the promise of salvation, and the cost is simple belief. The problem with John Constantine is that he’s already been to Hell, and is doing all he can to bargain his way into Heaven through doing good deeds, and expelling demons back to hell.
But as is clearly stated in one scene, that the only way to Heaven is by faith in God, and faith by definition is belief without proof. A powerful Christian message indeed.
But spiritual messages aside, is the movie any good?
Hell yes. For one you don’t have to wait more than a minute to get your first fright, and it’s from this point on that you know you chose the right movie to come to. Sure, as with any movie, the plot does slow down some times, but the action, frights and characters are all good. The special effects are amazing, as is Francis Lawrence’s vision of hell.
It’s a movie that in this post-matrix world, Keanu Reeves was made for. His deadpan acting (some might say lack of acting) is perfect for his character and all of the other actors suit their roles too.
Sure it’s not a perfect movie, and as usual there are plot holes, but it is great entertainment, especially for those of us that like to spend most of the movie on the edge of our seats.
A word of advice, if you are able to catch this at the movies (it’s season is almost over) apparently there’s a final scene after the credits, so don’t be like me and leave, but stay and see it.
X-Box | Brothers in Arms
Brothers in Arms was I game that I had been quite excited about for some time, so naturally I was initially disappointed. [more]
DVD | Mezzo: Shell 1
Japanese anime is curious stuff. Confusing at times, but always engaging in some peculiar way.
The basic premise of Mezzo is a trio who call themselves the DSA, and who hire themselves out for all types of dangerous work. They tend to live on the edge, not only of danger but also poverty as they live in a leaking old bus.
The head of DSA is an ex-Cop with a penchant for noodles, the technical brains is Harada, an interesting guy who builds androids in his pare time. The brawn, and in true Japanese style, the beauty of the team is Mikura, a pink haired girl who handles the guns and the fighting.
The story line is rather sparse – it’s more action orientated fare – with each episode basically being stand alone. That is with the exception of episode five which mirrors episode 4, but from Mikura’s point of view, where there paths accidentally keep merging.
The only other point that seems to gel the episodes together is a mysterious sniper who seems intent, but inept at taking out the head of DSA. Maybe this story line will come to fruition in later episodes.
All in all it’s a blend of Disney with a heap of Matrix style action, and Japanese humour – the type of humour you’re not sure weather it’s intentional or not.
The basic premise of Mezzo is a trio who call themselves the DSA, and who hire themselves out for all types of dangerous work. They tend to live on the edge, not only of danger but also poverty as they live in a leaking old bus.
The head of DSA is an ex-Cop with a penchant for noodles, the technical brains is Harada, an interesting guy who builds androids in his pare time. The brawn, and in true Japanese style, the beauty of the team is Mikura, a pink haired girl who handles the guns and the fighting.
The story line is rather sparse – it’s more action orientated fare – with each episode basically being stand alone. That is with the exception of episode five which mirrors episode 4, but from Mikura’s point of view, where there paths accidentally keep merging.
The only other point that seems to gel the episodes together is a mysterious sniper who seems intent, but inept at taking out the head of DSA. Maybe this story line will come to fruition in later episodes.
All in all it’s a blend of Disney with a heap of Matrix style action, and Japanese humour – the type of humour you’re not sure weather it’s intentional or not.
DVD | In My Father’s Den
I’d have to agree with the critics on this one. It is the best New Zealand film I’ve ever seen.
It’s the story of Paul, a prize winning war journalist who returns to a remote New Zealand town for the funeral of his father. Scared from his life experiences and weary from travelling so much, he doesn’t think much of himself.
But 16 year old Celia sees in him a world that she can escape to. A place to run and seek solace. Of course this relationship can only lead to trouble, and it does.
In My Father’s Den moves at a leisurely pace and is often frustrating. But it is a film that is ultimately rewarding, with an ending that you’ll never see coming.
It’s a movie that shows what it’s like to live in a small town, and the resentment held for those who left and made something of their lives.
It’s about the struggles of finding your own identity, and discovering that who you set out to be isn’t always who you become.
Beautifully filmed and wonderfully acted, this is a movie that will leave a lasting impression.
It’s the story of Paul, a prize winning war journalist who returns to a remote New Zealand town for the funeral of his father. Scared from his life experiences and weary from travelling so much, he doesn’t think much of himself.
But 16 year old Celia sees in him a world that she can escape to. A place to run and seek solace. Of course this relationship can only lead to trouble, and it does.
In My Father’s Den moves at a leisurely pace and is often frustrating. But it is a film that is ultimately rewarding, with an ending that you’ll never see coming.
It’s a movie that shows what it’s like to live in a small town, and the resentment held for those who left and made something of their lives.
It’s about the struggles of finding your own identity, and discovering that who you set out to be isn’t always who you become.
Beautifully filmed and wonderfully acted, this is a movie that will leave a lasting impression.
DVD | Paparazzi
Paparazzi is a revenge movie about movie stars and the paparazzi.
When rising star Bo Laramie hits the big time and becomes an A-list star, he soon discovers that not only has he sacrificed his own privacy, but also that of his family.
Whilst trying to be nice to the paparazzi, and asking them not to take pictures of his young son, he gets duped into a staged confrontation, and becomes an even bigger fish for the paparazzi.
It all comes to a head one night when the paparazzi cause Bo to have a motor accident that puts both his wife and son in hospital.
Their incessant hounding of him causes Bo to break, and he sets out for revenge.
While the plot may be slightly self-serving and semi predictable, it does make for a great action/thriller, and in the end manages to make you wonder why you were cheering for Bo.
There are also some great cameos by Mel Gibson, Chris Rock and Matthew McConaughey.
When rising star Bo Laramie hits the big time and becomes an A-list star, he soon discovers that not only has he sacrificed his own privacy, but also that of his family.
Whilst trying to be nice to the paparazzi, and asking them not to take pictures of his young son, he gets duped into a staged confrontation, and becomes an even bigger fish for the paparazzi.
It all comes to a head one night when the paparazzi cause Bo to have a motor accident that puts both his wife and son in hospital.
Their incessant hounding of him causes Bo to break, and he sets out for revenge.
While the plot may be slightly self-serving and semi predictable, it does make for a great action/thriller, and in the end manages to make you wonder why you were cheering for Bo.
There are also some great cameos by Mel Gibson, Chris Rock and Matthew McConaughey.
DVD | Paranoia Agent
Volume 1 of Satoshi Kon’s Paranoi Agent is subtitled Enter Lil’ Slugger, and in essence sounds more like an introduction to the series rather than any serious anime.
But it’s not. If anything the 4 episodes contained on this first DVD are way to few, and by the end of episode 4 you’re gasping for more, though initially you’re not sure why.
Each episode deals with a different character, but are all linked through a continuous story line, and as the title suggests, the main subject matter is paranoia. In the first episode it’s the fear and immense pressure felt by the designer of a hit TV character, who has to come up with another animated gem, in the second episode it’s a popular student who has to deal with becoming an outcast and placing his paranoia on the new kid in school.
Each episode has a slightly different feel, but all have a dark sinister side, and the question at the end is not only who is Lil’ Slugger, but is he a menace or messiah?
Whilst Paranoia Agent was a struggle to watch at times, it is well worth the effort, and will have you hooked by the end of the DVD. The thing I really love about anime, is that you never know exactly what you’re gonna get, but you know it’s going to be different! From a Western perspective, the Japanese seem to have a very different, somewhat whacked view on life, and this is reflected in most anime, and the cool thing is, the more you allow your self to reflect on other cultures, the more diverse and interesting you become.
But it’s not. If anything the 4 episodes contained on this first DVD are way to few, and by the end of episode 4 you’re gasping for more, though initially you’re not sure why.
Each episode deals with a different character, but are all linked through a continuous story line, and as the title suggests, the main subject matter is paranoia. In the first episode it’s the fear and immense pressure felt by the designer of a hit TV character, who has to come up with another animated gem, in the second episode it’s a popular student who has to deal with becoming an outcast and placing his paranoia on the new kid in school.
Each episode has a slightly different feel, but all have a dark sinister side, and the question at the end is not only who is Lil’ Slugger, but is he a menace or messiah?
Whilst Paranoia Agent was a struggle to watch at times, it is well worth the effort, and will have you hooked by the end of the DVD. The thing I really love about anime, is that you never know exactly what you’re gonna get, but you know it’s going to be different! From a Western perspective, the Japanese seem to have a very different, somewhat whacked view on life, and this is reflected in most anime, and the cool thing is, the more you allow your self to reflect on other cultures, the more diverse and interesting you become.
Pieces of April
This is an interesting movie. Interesting in that it’s not your normal sit-back-and-enjoy Hollywood movie. Though that is what I was expecting, and was probably what I needed; a decent comedy to lift my spirits.
What I got instead was a kind of neurotic road trip.
Katie Holmes plays April, the eldest daughter of a very dysfunctional family. It seems she did the only sensible thing and left home as soon as she could. In the process she made herself the black sheep of the family. In all fairness, she could have been the black sheep before she left, who knows.
But any way, her mum now has cancer, and her time is coming to an end, and to try and make amends, April decides to cook a special Thanksgiving dinner and invite the family.
Most of the humour (if you can call it that) comes from April’s attempts to cook – the main problem being that her oven has broken down, and living in a run down apartment building she has to try and find neighbours who will help.
The film has two main points of focus for me – the best being how April, who has just moved to this building is forced to meet some of her neighbours and discover that there are people who actually care – even if they are few compared to that whacko’s in the same building, and in the end manages to bring them together and show them love in return.
The second point of focus is April’s family, and how a strong and apparently one time loving mother, has become bitter, controlling and unloving due to the blight of cancer. The biggest highlight of the movie is Oliver Platt’s role as the husband/father who tries to put a positive light on his eldest daughter despite the barrage of negativity from the youngest daughter and mother. Even the son seems to want to smooth things a little, but then his very dysfunctional relationship with his mother seems to win out every time.
This is a peculiar movie that shows how to be a terrible mother, but also shows, if somewhat too fleetingly, that all things can be redeemed if everyone is prepared to give some one the chance.
Slow and tedious at times, but an interesting start for a conversation.
What I got instead was a kind of neurotic road trip.
Katie Holmes plays April, the eldest daughter of a very dysfunctional family. It seems she did the only sensible thing and left home as soon as she could. In the process she made herself the black sheep of the family. In all fairness, she could have been the black sheep before she left, who knows.
But any way, her mum now has cancer, and her time is coming to an end, and to try and make amends, April decides to cook a special Thanksgiving dinner and invite the family.
Most of the humour (if you can call it that) comes from April’s attempts to cook – the main problem being that her oven has broken down, and living in a run down apartment building she has to try and find neighbours who will help.
The film has two main points of focus for me – the best being how April, who has just moved to this building is forced to meet some of her neighbours and discover that there are people who actually care – even if they are few compared to that whacko’s in the same building, and in the end manages to bring them together and show them love in return.
The second point of focus is April’s family, and how a strong and apparently one time loving mother, has become bitter, controlling and unloving due to the blight of cancer. The biggest highlight of the movie is Oliver Platt’s role as the husband/father who tries to put a positive light on his eldest daughter despite the barrage of negativity from the youngest daughter and mother. Even the son seems to want to smooth things a little, but then his very dysfunctional relationship with his mother seems to win out every time.
This is a peculiar movie that shows how to be a terrible mother, but also shows, if somewhat too fleetingly, that all things can be redeemed if everyone is prepared to give some one the chance.
Slow and tedious at times, but an interesting start for a conversation.
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