Film Review: The Fall

A year-or-so back, I passed by a movie kiosk and this caught my eye. I was delighted to be able to acquire a copy when Block Buster closed (the ending of an era?). The premise seemed rather basic from the back of the box, but it is accurate: in a 1920's Los Angeles hospital, Alexandria, the child of a migrant worker meets an injured stunt-man, Roy, who begins to tell her the tale of heroes from a distant land who each seek vengeance upon the evil governor Odious. However, elements of the Roy's own life become apparent within the story and we begin to learn how he came to be in the hospital...

Stated simply, the film begs to be seen. The imagery and visuals conjured forth by director Tarsem lend themselves to a largely visual tale with, I would say, strong performances. Alexandria's story among the hospital residents meanders through interesting vignettes while the heroes' tale is where we are allowed to see the fantastic at work. The story itself also reveals a few surprises. Is it the most-complex story? Perhaps not, though I certainly found it engaging.

I GIVE IT 4.8 / 5

Film Review: Time Bandits

It's no secret; I a Terry Gilliam fan be. Brazil? One of the most-best films very much evar. His dark sense of humour and aesthetic intrigue and inspire. Time Bandits was a film that was a childhood favourite of my elder siblings, but we never seemed to have a copy around as I grew up. Needless to say, I went into the film with high expectations...




The premise: a young boy with a fascination in history is stifled by his TV-obsessed parents. However, in the middle of the night, a crew of dwarves bursts into his bedroom guns a-blazing and gets swept up in their adventure; they have stolen a map from their employer (The Supreme Being) and are intent upon exploiting this map to jump through holes and time-space and acquire riches. Nevertheless, The Supreme Being is in pursuit of the stolen map as well as others who might exploit the map for nefarious purposes...

Though my wife hated this film, I rather enjoyed it, especially upon its completion. This is to say, the film had very good aspects about it, but flaws as well. The humor and aesthetic crackle with Gilliam-style imagination (A Goode Thinge), but the films needlessly draws out and drags in some scenes. Also, I would have liked more character development, especially for the length of the film. Nevertheless, the ending held quite an unanticipated and delightful twist. Recommended if you are a Gilliam or Sci-Fi fan.

I GIVE IT 4.4 / 5

Quick (Film) Reviews from the Past

Instead of mustering forth any genuine effort, I dredged up a tonne of reviews from my old LiveJournal account. Quickly cursory reviews dating as far back as '05. I have a batch of full(er) reviews to follow this summer.

Idiocracy

Something about the imagery and sets really reminded me of a low-brow version of Brazil. Nevertheless, despite such a depressing premise (idiots have sex far more than smart people, causing a "dumbing down" of humanity over time), I actually enjoyed it. It was silly and vulgar, the latter by which I am not usually amused.

I GIVE IT 4.4 / 5

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Incredible, innovative film-making from director Michel Gondry. An original story: for a fee, a crew will come into your house and take away from you any unwanted memories. Great performances.

I GIVE IT 4.5 / 5

Little Miss Sunshine

A good story, but it kind of feels like I've seen this movie befor

e, y'know?; a detached family that comes together through the course of the film (think Royal Tannenbaums). Very good performances. Some goods laughs.

I GIVE IT 4.0 / 5

The Departed

An intriguing story; based on the Hong King film Internal Affairs. The whole film is just one big set of reflections between the police and the mob, and it's truly interesting to watch it all play out. The ending is rather abrupt though. The soundtrack is pretty awesome.

I GIVE IT 4.4 / 5

eXistenZ

Truly bizarre, yet creative, original organic imagery (think Matthew Barney's Cremaster Cycle). A pretty good score and decent directing as well (David Cronenberg). It's the same concept as The Matrix (like, what is real, man?), but it's expressed through playing a game as opposed to being manipulated by machines. Don't think too much about the plot; at least to me on one viewing nothing particularly leapt out at me of super-relevance. The acting is interesting, given that actors are acting as characters that are acting as well. THINK ABOUT IT.

I GIVE IT 4.5 / 5

Thank You for Smoking

A startlingly original concept, a wonderful ride of a film. Great performances.

I GIVE IT 4.4 / 5

Marie Antoinette

I honestly thought that it was wonderfully directed (Sofia Coppola); the cinematography was very well-done as well. The acting is fairly good as well. Very little actually happened though, not that I minded so much; it was a good watch. MA doesn't exactly get portrayed as a saint, frivolously spending all of her time at parties and such, but you do get attached to her throughout the film, even though you know what's going to happen.

I GIVE IT 4.2 / 5

Garden State

A very believable, well-delivered people-story. Zach Braff gave a great performance, as did Natalie Portman and the

seemingly immortal Ian Holm. Kudos again to Braff for his phenominal job of writing and directing the film. The characters are all very real, like people you probably know, which makes them all the more likable. There's not much of a strong central plot, but the personality of and interaction between the characters pull the film along; the film does tend to get slow though when it focuses on Braff. So, overall, a semi-artsy character-driven slowish film, but very endearing and personal. I GIVE IT 4.4 / 5

An Anime Survey

First anime you remember watching as a child?

Can't exactly place the first, but I do believe it might have been the film The Fantastic Adventures of Unico. Also, Nickeldeon in the late 80s / early 90s had this show which consisted of anime adaptations of various fairly tales (The Musicians of Bremen, Twelve Dancing Princessess, etc.). Also also, I remember my older brother wouldn't let me watch Akira when his friend brought it over.

First anime you purchased?

That would be a VHS volume of Ranma 1/2 (containing episodes 59 and 60, if I'm not mistaken) from the local gaming / bookstore (Bookvilla, we miss you). Just picked it up randomly. Of course, this started a trend where I woud less-then-discerningly pick up VHS anime that seemed vaguely interested to me every now and then; some of the titles I picked up in this phase include BioHunter, Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals, and Wrath of the Ninja (The Yotoden Movie). Not that these are necessarily bad titles, but I'm pretty sure these are collecting dust in a closet at my Mom's house right now. However, during this time I also picked up the Yu Yu Hakusho movie, volume 1 of the Tenchi Muyo OVA (subbed, too) and Green Legend Ran, titles which I feel still hold up.

First anime series you watched and completed?

All the way through? This is tricky; even though I caught most of several series on Toonami (Dragon Ball Z, Gundam Wing, Robotech (Super Dimension Fortress Macross), and the rest), I believe I finished Tenchi Universe first. Back then, I regularly taped lots of shows from Toonami and actually finished several (The Big O, Outlaw Star and others).

In high school, we received an assignment to write thoroughly-researched paper around a problem/topic that was relevant to us. My paper was on how to accumulate more anime. This was back before I had discovered fan-subbing (I remember a friend showing me her copy of an Escaflowne VHS fansub) and BitTorrent on Teh InterWebs and my conclusion was basically look for Amazon or other internet retail deals, though taping stuff off TV also worked.

However, I still own some series I haven't finished; I just get side-tracked and lose momentum if it doesn't 100% hold my attention, even if it is a really good series.

Favorite female anime character?

Possibly the independent and observant Kino of Kino's Journey or, more likely, the sympathetic Okonogi Yuko (Yasako) of Dennou Coil.

Favorite male anime character?

One of the most intriguing protagonists I've ever seen is the selfish, sadistic and abusively manipulative Nogami Neuro of the anime/manga series Majin Tantei Nogami Neuro (Demon Detective Nogami Neruo), though the series itself has some shortcomings and I had yet to finish reading this yet-to-be-licensed series before OneManga was taken down. Otherwise, it's between Monkey D. Luffy of One Piece and Gash Bell of Golden Gash Bell!!, both of whom are similar characters, but, even though One Piece is the hands-down better series (though Gash Bell is good, too), I might like Gash 1% more than Luffy.

Most annoying anime character you have ever come across?

I know that I’m going to get some flak for this, but it might be Ikari Shinji. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that he has an incredibly huge burden to bear, but his whining and reluctance gets to point where I want to say “Man up, Shinji! People are counting on you!”

Best ‘bad guy’ you’ve seen in anime?

This technically falls under the jurisdiction of manga at this time, but, currently, it’s the sadistic and two-faced “Wet Hair” Caribou of One Piece. Villainous, that guy.

What mecha would you love to pilot?

Let's go with Big-O.

Which anime ‘world’ would you like to be a part of?

As much as I love One Piece and would love a devil-fruit ability, I’d be scared of constant pirate massacres…

Name an anime that went way above your expectations?

Both One Piece and FullMetal Alchemist were shows about which I had heard some buzz and started watching on a whim. As an anime, I feel FullMetal Alchemist functions better, as it maintained its high quality of animation and story throughout, whereas the OP anime fluctuates in quality (due to the need for filler material).Oh, also Dennou Coil was a great show. Also also, Monster is quite amazing, though I feel its slower pace works better in the manga sometimes and sometimes an especially action-filled or dramatic chapter works better in the anime.

Name an anime that was bitterly disappointing?

Again, hearing some buzz, I started watching Burst Angel on a whim. I believe I made it through five or six episodes before I gave up. Total crap show. Way too dependent on fan-service, of which I’m no fan.

Name the most obscure/ ‘unpopular’ anime you’ve seen?

Kaiba was a show that interested me based on its art-style. The plot’s not super-original, but for a twelve episode run, I feel it held its ground. I’m also somewhat surprised more people haven’t heard of Monster (the manga, especially).

Favorite anime theme song?

Though I haven’t seen the series, “Give a Reason” by Megumi Hayashibara for Slayers NEXT caught my ear many, many years ago. Also, “Two of Me in My Heart” for Haunted Junction. Yes, the J-Pop of the 90’s.

Favorite Anime at the moment?

Unfortunately, being short of time and great of laziness, I haven’t been consistently watching any anime in a long time…

Do you read manga as well?

Yes; One Piece nigh-religiously so.

What is your favorite manga?

Again, One Piece, though I have yet to finish Monster.

What anime are you currently watching for the first time?

As said above, I haven’t been watching anything really. However, as of last spring, I had started watching Darker than Black.

What is one anime that everyone should see?

While I consider many of Miyazaki’s works to be fairly accessible, I feel that Spirited Away to be perhaps the best.

Film Review: Interstella 5555: 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem (2003)

It's been a few years since I'd seen the first four segments and I'd skimmed the synopsis; my expectations weren't too terribly high. Leiji Matsumoto's previous works I'd seen included the film adaptations Galaxy Express 999 and Adieu Galaxy Express 999. Haven't seen those in a while and would like to revisit those. In any case...

The plot is somewhat original, if not a bit far-fetched. Premise: Alien Pop band is kidnapped from their home planet, disguised as human and set-up to gain fame by an eeevil publicity agent. A distress signal goes out and an alien superhero answers the call to rescue the captured band.

I don't intend to spoil much more. It was okay; neither terribly exciting, moving or boring. A short run time of 68 minutes. The animation during "Aerodynamic" and "Superheroes" was impressive. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a fan of Daft Punk's Discovery album or Leiji Matsumoto. Again, I wouldn't say there was anything bad about it. Personally, I prefer the album, as watching the plot and action had a hard time really holding my interest.

I GIVE IT
3.9 / 5

Album Review: Discovery (Daft Punk, 2001)

I'd heard a few tracks years back ("One More Time", "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger") and they stuck with me, but I'd never gotten around to the whole album. I'd also seen a small portion of the film based on the album, Interstella 5555. I hadn't had very much experience in the house genre, so I wasn't entirely sure as to what to expect, but perhaps something along the line of a heavy beat with vocals and looped samples.

1. "One More Time" - Upbeat good-feeling dance anthem with looped instrumental samples. Highly enjoyable.


2. "Aerodynamic" - Synthesizer-driven with a heavy-funky bass line.


3. "Digital Love" - I found the pop lyrics and style a little annoying at first, but then I just went with it and enjoyed the warm-happy feeling.
   


4. "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" - Extremely catchy rhythm and flow.


5. "Crescendolls" - At first listen, cacophony, but the rhythm and loops clicked into placed on the second listen; a bit repetitive, but interesting.


6. "Nightvision"- At first listen, slow and boring, but in future listenings, its brevity served to clean the audio palette before the next track.


7. "Superheroes" - The initial drum roll was confusing, but it takes off with a pounding bass line and the drone of the vocal loops which give way to a rising and falling synth line (WITH A SPACEY FEEL *WOOSH*) and eventually fades in an abrupt manner.


8. "High Life" - Very much like track 5, but less confusing, more danceable.
   


9. "Something About Us" - A vocal track in the style of track 6, but smoother and funkier.
   


10. "Voyager" - Light synth loop over slower, driving bass and beat; serious in tone.
    


11. "Veridis Quo" - Similar to previous track with more intricate pipe-organ synth; moar srsly.


12. "Short Circuit" - A little irritating synth loop with drum machine; better on second listen.


13. "Face to Face" - I didn't really pay attention to this one at first, but on second listen, sounded better with cool loops, but indifferent about vocals. I actually really like this one.
    


14. "Too Long" - Wasn't impressed with track first time through, rather repetitive, so-so vocals; of course it grew on me second time through with its pulse.

On first listen, only the first four tracks stuck with me, but like most, it's gotten better over time. The dance feel pulls you through it time and time again. I really like this album and I'm looking forward to Interstella 5555.

I GIVE IT
4.4 / 5

Album Review: Invisible Touch (Genesis, 1986)

I approached this album with no prior Genesis experience other than the association of Phil Collins with "soft rock", though I did have an appreciation of Peter Gabriel through So and Us. In short, I anticipated some form of mild, Gabriel-influenced progressive rock.

1. "Invisible Touch" - Needless to say, the upbeat 80's-style pop energy of the opening title track exploded in my face and knocked me over, enjoyably so.



2. "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight" -The second track was much more what I had originally anticipated for the album (a slower, more ambient feel), though with strong emotional vocals.



3. "Land of Confusion" - This caught me off guard, as I'd been somewhat familiar with the cover version of this track by Disturbed and hadn't realized Genesis had originally done it. Angry and upbeat in tone and feel.



4. "In Too Deep" - This track was the type of soft rock I had associated with Collins. Somewhat cheesy, but not terrible.



5. "Anything She Does" - The 80's-style energetic opening here was not a charming as with the first track, though the energy of the rest of the song (and the refrain especially) grew on me.



6. "Domino" - The two-part nature of this extended track was more of what I had expected in terms of progressive rock. Ambient (a glowing feel) in part one ("In the Glow of the Night"), with part two ("The Last Domino") becoming driving and heavy, successfully heightening the nightmare imagery of the lyrics. I love that part two slows down and echoes the same ending as in part one.



7. "Throwing it All Away" - Another soft rock track in the style of Collins, though better than track 4.



8. "The Brazilian" - A great progressive rock instrumental, mechanical and industrial in sound that marches forward, building to the guitar line that sings out as the album starts to fade.

At first listen, the album faded between memorable and blurry, though overall, it was interesting. However, I found myself returning to the album and replaying it with great frequency, adapting to it very quickly. It blends 80's pop, soft rock and progressive rock into, what feels to me, as a unique and memorable blend. Of course, I felt the need to check out the music video for "Land of Confusion", which features extensive use of crafted latex puppets to caricature political and pop-culture figures of the era; although I admire the amount of technical work put into the video, I feel it somewhat tones down the anger of the song with satire, though there are some really cool moments. I now count Invisible Touch among my favourites.

I GIVE IT
4.7 / 5