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Post by dreggnog on May 4, 2011 22:48:30 GMT
Kangaroo Jack. Loved it when I was little. Still think the story is kinda clever even if the humor's gotten a little dumb. Was shocked to see it get 8% positive reviews on rottentomatoes. I assumed it was at least considered mediocre.
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Post by dreggnog on May 19, 2011 18:03:33 GMT
Chobits
Got a Best Buy gift card recently and had heard that a Chobits box set had come out. I'd liked what I heard about the series and enjoyed what little I had read of the manga, so when I saw the set I bought it immediately. I just now finished, and knew I would have to write a detailed review.
Well, first off, the theme song is terrible. The end theme is also terrible in the first half and excellent in the second. They chose a very appropriate time to switch over as well. The animation was solid and I really had no problems with it. The music was okay. I generally liked the background music and disliked whenever songs would pop up. Sometimes the next episode previews were very funny but I oftentimes skipped them to avoid spoilers. Well, that's it for the simple stuff.
The first thing I loved about the show was it's main character, who I thought was done very well. I liked him less with time, and as other characters became my favorites (mainly Shinbo and the kid with glasses), but I never disliked him, dumb as he oftentimes was. I felt immediately disappointed with Chi. In the manga she appeared much more beautiful (coming from a person who oftentimes hates manga art and consideres it ugly), but I didn't blame them for not being able to match that. However, I was also disappointed with her voice. I expected "Chi" to be said much more shortly and cutely. Shinbo's first appearance was excellent. Here was a character who didn't particularly need to be all that awesome and was anyway. So those were my initial impressions.
The first 10 episodes were silly, light, dopey, and humorous. I enjoyed them, but wasn't feeling like I got my money's worth. Then came episode 11, the horror themed episode. Halarious. Freaking halarious. I felt like I was watching an old episode of South Park again, (South Park being TVs funniest how to me) the kind of episode where crazy random funny sh*t happens and just keeps on happening. Episode 12 was also good. Like 11, it seperated itself from all the others by having a different theme, this time RPG game. I was hoping this was the way the show was headed, with new and interesting concepts each episode. So Episode 13, which was a completely generic episode of the series, was very disappointing. But once I saw Episdoe 14, I understood why they had done that.
Episode 14 was the episode where everything changed. The show took on a darker, deeper, more serious tone that I very much liked. Again, I was hoping that this was the way things would be from now on. I got what I wanted. Sortof. This part of the series was the best. A lot of new, important, and well done themes were set up that I much appreciated. (This is where my review gets SLIGHTLY spoilerish.) It seems like a lot of new paths were opened up that were to potentially change the obvious ending of Main Character falls in love with and gets with Robot Girl. I saw several of these path that I wanted to be taken.
Unfortaunitly, these path one by one all get shut down over time.
(Slightly MORE spoilerish, this may be more for people who have seen the show and already developed an opinion like me) Chi is a computer. At the outset of the series we learn that all she has is a simple learining program and the ability to say "chi" (cute right?). That simple learning program seems to be the main drive of the show, at least the way I saw it. It was what I focused on the most.
When the MC does something, Chi does it. Chi's learning program is all about imitation. When the MC wipes his brow, Chi does it too. There is no sweat on Chi's brow. She does it because she thinks she is supposed to. She is built to imitate. Chi sees exercises, Chi exercises. Chi sees rolling around on the ground, Chi rolls around on the ground. Chi sees love, Chi loves. ...Wait, that last one doesn't quite make sense does it?
Apparantly to the show it does. For the most part, I was against the whole thing. It all seemed so fake. Computers don't love. Perhaps they think they can because they imitate love. Monkey see, Monkey do. If my master can do it, I can too. This learned imitation of love isn't real. That's a fact. But is programmed love real? I would say not, the show unfortaunitly seems to say yes.
There was one thing that made me like the whole idea. At first, the main character worries about Chi's physical health, but not her emotional health. But Chi . . . Chi gets worried when the MC is sad or upset. Where did she learn to do that? The MC certainly didn't teach her to worry. It must be natural. Natural emotions are real. Natural love is real.
(Even MORE spoilerish) But late in the show it seems that Chi was actually programmed to find love. Programs aren't natural. To me, that's just the same as the learning program. Fake and wrong. The show touches on these themes heavily, how it is wrong and different to love a machine. Honestly, I wish they had ran with that. Seemed like a good message. To much focus on technoligy ruining society and social interaction and all that. Good idea.
But they dropped the ball for me. Since they went with Chi and MC together afterall, I wish they had made it seem like a mistake that hurts other people. That could have been disturbing, even chilling. Because Chi would always return that love, being the little copycat that she is. But I don't believe she would really be returning anything actually real.
The only way this MIGHT have worked for me is if they had gone Velviteen Rabbit and had Chi's love LITERALLY make her real, made her flesh and blood instead of a computer. But to me, she's still just that little computer imitator copycat she was in episode 1. Nothing has changed that for me.
I think I would have more easily been able to suspend my disbelief reading the manga. Heck, in Persona 3 I got a massive crush on the cyborg Aigis, and teared up when she said I love you. I guess I just don't suspend my disbelief for animation as well as manga or games. It felt like some of the themes brought up in the wonderful middle episodes were thrown away or ignored.
Still, it's not as though I didn't like the show, though I bet I made it sound that way. It was cute and funny and had good themes. I just would have rather seen things go a different way. I kinda wanted to see the MC get with Yumi, and Chi tries to interfere somehow. Could have been sad if something tragic happened. Or see the MC get with Chi against all logic and everyones protests, and see it make him ill, maybe slightly crazy. Which all sounds like I expected too much from such a cutesy show, but the middle episodes had enough depth to set me up for disappointment.
But hey, cute show. Funny. Interesting. Halarious horror episode. Unexpected level of quality for some characters. And I liked how much the MC talked to himself. Overall, I give it:
Score: 7/10
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Post by Redemption on May 21, 2011 6:39:53 GMT
I Saw the Devil
Was really psyched to see this, they cut some mean trailers for it. And it was pretty brutal for a thirller. The film never really reached any level of greatness though. I was hoping it would be more like Old Boy, but it feels like its just leading into one action scene after another really. The story isn't overly compelling. But the action is good. Byung-hun Lee is a complete bad-ass in it. I'll be interested to see him in other films. He was in the Good, The Bad, the weird aswell. Some great action in that too.
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Post by alx on May 21, 2011 21:34:30 GMT
I know that a Korean Western just doesn't sound right but believe me, it's actually a pretty good film... And the title proves that there is still truth in advertising
Should you have the chance to see the Good, the Bad and the Weird then give it a watch
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Post by Toadkiller Dog on May 22, 2011 9:16:21 GMT
The Devil's Backbone
Had been meaning to see this for quite some time, was certainly not disappointed. Though the name of the film is kind of...out of nowhere.
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Post by dreggnog on May 22, 2011 13:19:56 GMT
Bought Lost Season 5. Have always watched the show on dvd. Put off this one for a long time because I've heard so many bad things about the last two seasons, but I watched the first disc and it was great. The first two episodes were two of the better of the series for me. I didn't like the third one Jughead (despite it being high on IGN's list) but I was half-asleep by then and may rewatch it. Overall though, if this is the trend for the season then I'm happy. I guess I'm lucky to actually like the off island stuff. Everyone's just so desperate and confused. It's like even though they're off the island they have to be even more in survival mode than ever.
Lost is my favorite non-animated TV series.
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Post by Toadkiller Dog on May 23, 2011 5:18:42 GMT
Speaking of tv series...
Ever since I recently got Netflix I've been watching the SHIT out of Twin Peaks. That's my personal favorite tv series.
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Post by Redemption on May 23, 2011 9:12:57 GMT
I know that a Korean Western just doesn't sound right but believe me, it's actually a pretty good film... And the title proves that there is still truth in advertising Should you have the chance to see the Good, the Bad and the Weird then give it a watch Oh, i've seen the Good the Bad the weird aswell. The film is brilliant, with some crazy stylized action sequences. I'd be interested to see how he holds in a non-action flick. Hell, i might even rent the GI Joe film since he (and Joe Gordon Levitt) is in it. Bought Lost Season 5. Have always watched the show on dvd. Put off this one for a long time because I've heard so many bad things about the last two seasons, but I watched the first disc and it was great. The first two episodes were two of the better of the series for me. I didn't like the third one Jughead (despite it being high on IGN's list) but I was half-asleep by then and may rewatch it. Overall though, if this is the trend for the season then I'm happy. I guess I'm lucky to actually like the off island stuff. Everyone's just so desperate and confused. It's like even though they're off the island they have to be even more in survival mode than ever. Lost is my favorite non-animated TV series. I think lost gets a lot of crap it doesn't deserve. Some people say that it lost its way after season 3, but the series just became more focused on reaching the fixed points they had for the story. That said, i think lost fans can be a bit biased. I've seen alot of people have there minds made up about a episode when they know what character its centered around. (Desmond episodes tend to be a favorite of mine, Kate's tend to be the ones i hate) I'd be prepared to follow up season 5 with season 6 straight away. It has a crazy finale.
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Post by dreggnog on May 23, 2011 11:42:05 GMT
^ I've seen the finale. I felt like I had to see it when it aired. I hated the cork in the island, thought the Jack and Locke stuff was okay, and loved the Jack and his father scene. So it seemed okay. Will probably seem better once I've seen everything backing it up. I think that reading occasional spoilers has actually helped me enjoy what I'm watching now. It certainly helped me prepare for seeing a certain dead person this season. I hope all that was vague and unspoilery enough.
Yeah, I wouldn't say that Lost is underrated, since many many people became diehard fans of it, but my taste seems to be different than some other people. Right now I would put the seasons best to least at: 2, 4, 5, 1, 3. Once I finish the series I'll hit the Lost thread.
EDIT: Finished Season 5. Loved the first two thirds. Heavily disliked the last five episodes. Jack's plan ticked me off quite a bit and doesn't bode well for my opinion of season 6, I'll still watch it at some point though.
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Post by Lolli on May 25, 2011 10:45:50 GMT
Orphan. It was one of those films which you don't expect to be good. At first I thought it was going to be riddled with cheap scares and lame cliches, but I really enjoyed it. There's a surprising twist in the plot and the young female lead manages to play her role very well. It's more of a thriller than a horror, but it did the job.
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Post by dreggnog on May 28, 2011 22:36:09 GMT
The Shawshank Redemption. Very good movie. I still prefer The Shining as far as SK movies go, but this was about as well done as could be asked for. Watching it made me feel human for the first time in days. (Sorry, odd thing to say.)
9/10
BTW, on a humorous note, I watched this as a VHS tape on a big HDTV. VHS tapes look less pretty, but they feel a little more real somehow.
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Post by Redemption on May 29, 2011 10:28:36 GMT
Incendies
Its not a true story, but sometimes you see one of these films with all those with the crazy hard to watch scenario's and you think that there is always some element of truth behind the fiction. Some great performances in this, and i won't say that i followed it 100% of the time. some nice music to it as well. Need to remember to look it up.
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Post by Redemption on Jun 9, 2011 12:43:01 GMT
Watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt1 tonight.
I've been disappointed with the series since the forth film, but they seem to have progressively gotten worse. I don't know why they kept David Yates around for 4 films, he shouldn't have been offered a second film after he mangled Order of the Phoenix, then they gave him a second chance with Half Blood Prince. I think Deathly Hallows pt1 does turn it around, only slightly. I spent half the film explaining to my Dad what was happening in the film. I don't think i'd have had a clue if i didn't read the books. I can't really fault the acting or the scenery, the main problem has to have been in the editing or the script. I've held off seeing the film until now because it was being split in two parts. But i'm not really looking forward to it anymore. I get the feeling they are going to ruin the scenes i'm looking forward to most by rewriting the scene or omitting them completely.
also saw X-men First Class last week. Can't really say as much about it, but it was an enjoyable film, alot of fun. But i wish the last 20 minutes played out differently. Felt kind of like they rushed things so we look at it and go 'oh, so thats how things came to be' instead of leading into it. I really could have done without the last 2 minutes if nothing else. Fun brainless film, exactly what you want from a Xmen film.
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Post by Blackdog on Jun 23, 2011 18:02:34 GMT
Seen a few films lately
The Invisible Man (1933) - Great special effects for the time. And a suitablly creepy and insane Griffin played by Claude Rains
Frankenstein (1931) - Sent chills down my spine hearing the good Doctor cry It's alive! Boris Karloff wow.
Bride of Frankenstein (1935) - Not as good as the first one abd not nearly enough of the Bride and the strange little people seemed out of place but still shows why classic horror is the best. And good on Boris Karloff with his now speaking role.
Megamind - Not the greatest film I've seen and a little similar in tone to the Incredibles but was still a very enjoyable movie. Will Ferrel did a great job with the voice casting as it wasn't until the end of the movie I realised it was him.
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Post by dreggnog on Jun 26, 2011 5:07:39 GMT
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows pt. 1
Hated the book, so I suppose most would think me stupid for thinking I'd like the movie. Well, I disliked the sixth book and still liked the sixth movie, so that gave me hope. Plus it was the same director, and I'd also thought the fifth film was at least adequate. But nope, I hated the style and general mood. I can't imagine any child watching this movie. It wasn't as dark as the fourth film (by far the darkest, can't imagine what the people were thinking who said the fifth film was darker, that movie was a spongebob cartoon by comparision), but it still felt all gloom and doom, and I will never think that that's what Harry Potter was supposed to be about at any part. It's why I disliked the last two books, the fourth movie, and to a large extent this one. Darkness isn't the same as seriousness or maturity. In fact, hearing Moody talking about goblin piss and seeing an emphasis on action scenes early on made me feel as though this film was LESS mature than it's predecesers.
I did like parts. The Hagrid's bike and resturant action sequences were okay. Luna (my favorite in the books) had a couple of good lines, and Drako was my favorite character in this one (I loved the way Harry took his wand and he barely fought, he's such a sad character). I also loved the sequence with the radio callout out the dead over different scenery, and liked Harry and Hermoine dancing.
But any movie where I can pick out the good parts is a movie where the good parts were surrounded by crap. Harry Potter started out as something high quality for children that adults could enjoy and became something low quality for adults that... honestly, I can't imagine any child enjoying this movie, or this book, and in my personal opinion just because the Goblet of Fire movie didn't have guns doesn't make it less dark than The Dark Knight.
Score: 5/10
In my opinion HP films best to worst: 2, 1, 6, 5, 3, 7, 4.
It was better than Goblet of Fire. A little. That's hardly a compliment. I don't think I'm going to watch the last movie. I'm not sure my heart could take it.
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