ThePete.Com - Year X / PocketReviews.Net

IRON MAN (2008)

by ThePete 12:08 am 2008-05-02

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Dude–this is the kind of movie I had hoped for from last years Transformers. Lots of great effects and a story that didn’t make me feel like I was being treated like a moron. The fact that I enjoyed the hell out of this movie and didn’t feel like I had just been peed on in the process (like John Turturro in Transformers) I greeted like a miracle. Now, don’t get me wrong–this wasn’t some deep, thoughtful treatise on the evils of corporate greed and America throwing it’s weight around the planet in the interest of cash. To the movie’s credit, that was a theme, however.

Technically any good? Dude–to say the CGI was seamless is almost an understatement. Instinctively, I always look for that seam. I found it in one shot. A while after that, I gave up looking and just enjoyed the damn movie. The acting was pretty damn solid (amazing for a modern action/adventure movie) and the script was pretty faithful to the comic (though it did cherry-pick plot elements, but I didn’t mind). The only technical aspect I didn’t care for was how the script treats Iron Man’s personal assistant. She came off way too girl-next-doory for someone who would be in her position. When you’re the only woman in the movie, I’d appreciate a stronger acting choice than “Oh no! He might kill me!”

How did it leave me feeling? VERY entertained. Is the movie perfect? No. There was a rushed quality to the film that I think too many Hollywood movies have these days. Apparently characters never sleep, eat or go to the bathroom–or recognize the passage of time, the weather or take moments to breathe (or allow the audience to breathe). Such things, if done well, don’t have to slow down the movie, either. Also, I could go into the racism/ethnocentrism of this movie (Afghanis are portrayed as either evil thugs or innocent, simple but helpful martyrs) but I really think the movie’s message is more powerful than it’s lack of a depthful middle-eastern characters. The movie is about a guy taking responsibility for what he’s done. These days, anyone who does that in a movie or in real life is a hero in my book. Jon Favreau is my hero for making this movie with this message at this point in American history.

Final Rating? GSN - Go See Now - it’s summer action/adventure fun with a message. Bring the kids and teach them (and remind yourself) how much fun taking responsibility can be! (That will make more sense when you see the movie.)

by ThePete 12:08 am 2008-05-02 Now Playing, PocketReviews.Net | Tags Gwyneth Paltrow, Iron Man, Jeff Bridges, Jon Favreau, Marvel Comics, Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard | $ | Comments (0) »

SEA INSIDE (2004)

by ThePete 11:12 am 2008-03-20

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Incredibly so, yes. Finally, a movie that presents the other side of the argument.

Technically any good? The acting was definitely solid, Javier Bardem is always good and thankfully, he has yet to get boring to me. The story is solid and script entirely believable. The music is also impressive in a movie where it could have easily gone unnoticed. I think this would be a great double feature with “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” because both deal with the same type of setting (a quadriplegic man wrestles with survival). Unlike “Diving Bell” this movie takes a decidedly more “pro-choice” direction, but doesn’t leave out the other side. Like “Diving Bell,” this movie is also based on actual events.

How did it leave me feeling? VERY moved and with tears in my eyes. This film deals with a not-often-represented view that are generally contrary to popular opinion. Everyone says that life is the most important thing at all cost–if you’re living with pain or disease or a body that doesn’t move the way it used to, you are told that life is too precious to throw away. Is that the truth? Or is that just fear talking? This movie might help you decide. Either way, it’s got a great performance from Bardem and that alone makes it worth checking out. It also won the Oscar for best foreign language film for 2004.

Final Rating? SIYL - See If You Like - this movie is beautiful, poetic, emotional, tragic and triumphant. Some folks might not enjoy those dramatic swings.

I hate that word “triumphant” but I feel like it fits here.

by ThePete 11:12 am 2008-03-20 On Home Video, PocketReviews.Net | Tags Alejandro Amenábar, Javier Bardem | $ | Comments (0) »

KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU (1998)

by ThePete 3:54 pm 2008-03-12

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Yes, definitely positive. However, this isn’t entering my pantheon of brilliant British comedies any time soon.

Technically any good? I think this show serves almost like a prototype for what Ali G. would eventually become and a sibling to the show The Office. This is a parody talk show (or chat show, as they’re called in the UK) where a somewhat moronic TV host, Alan Partridge (played by UK comedian Steve Coogan), fumbles his way through awkward interviews with fictional people. It’s a great character study–the acting is spot-on, the writing is strong (but not brilliant) and by the end of the six-episode series, I found myself strangely addicted to the character. Not in a crazy “let’s get married in a Vulcan wedding” sort of way–but in a “hey, it’s that Knowing Me show on, let’s watch!” kind of way.

How did it leave me feeling? Laughing really hard, actually. The series ends with a pretty hilarious twist and definitely left me wanting more. Which is good since there have been two other series (”seasons,” in Americanese). Though, luckily, the “loser with talk show” format was swapped out for a traditionally structured sequel series called “I’m Alan Partridge.” I’ll PokeRev this next week.

Final Rating? NFI - NetFlix It! Definitely worth a viewing for anyone who likes good solid comedy. A little embarrassing and awkward to watch at first, but you get used to it.

by ThePete 3:54 pm 2008-03-12 On Home Video, PocketReviews.Net | Tags Alan Partridge, Steve Coogan | $ | Comments (0) »

DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY (2007)

by ThePete 4:11 pm 2008-03-04

Positive Experience/Entertaining? I was definitely glad I saw it, let’s put it that way. Judging “positive” versus “negative” with movies like this is hard since the movie is so very depressing.

Technically any good? On a technical level, this film is AMAZING. The acting, the cinematography, the make up is astonishing. This film also manages to capture the emotional aspects of what happened to this man. The only problem I had with it was that I wanted to know more facts about the situation. Several single-sentence explanations of his condition are given to us over the span of the movie and never truly create a real picture of what was going on with him. I don’t need everything handed to me, but there were a lot of things I just didn’t get because the filmmaker decided that the answers were inferred strongly enough or that the audience didn’t need to know. Still, not knowing what was happening to the poor guy was very distracting.

How did it leave me feeling? Like no one’s life could get much worse than being entirely paralyzed, save for your left eye. It also reaffirmed my belief that assisted suicide should be 100% legal! If this ever happens to me and I decide I’m done trying, for god’s sake, let me go!

Final Rating? SIYL - See If You Like this kind of movie. I think this is an important film because it makes you think about life and suffering and what it’s all worth. On the other hand, I don’t want to recommend it to everyone because it really gets you to feel what Bauby went through–which was really horrible.

by ThePete 4:11 pm 2008-03-04 Now Playing, PocketReviews.Net | Tags Emmanuelle Seigner, Jean-Dominique Bauby, Julian Schnabel, Mathieu Amalric | $ | Comments (2) »

Mirai Shonen Konan - Conan, Boy in the Future (1978)

by ThePete 1:01 pm 2008-02-29

Clicking above to buy the
soundtrack to the series but
not the DVD. The DVD is un-
available in the US currently.:(

Positive Experience/Entertaining? This series was recommended to me by a friend who claimed it was “the best anime ever.” While I can’t say I fully agree, I can say this is definitely one of the best anime series ever. It’s truly amazing.

Technically any good? While made for kids, the director, one of Japan’s answers to Walt Disney, Hayao Miyazaki, has the ability to create a real feeling of danger. He’ll actually kill characters off, every once in a while, which is really surprising for a kids show. In fact, Miyazaki will put the 11 year-old lead character in incredibly dangerous, truly frightening moments and treat those moments with incredible realism for a show that I think is still perfectly safe for kids to watch. Yes, there are some typical anime and cultural cliches in this, but they are done well. The story keeps you guessing (for the most part) and is a total blast to watch even if you’re an adult.

How did it leave me feeling? Wishing for a sequel series! There’s just something about Conan’s “never say die” spirit that I find incredibly inspirational. There are three things I think people should know about this:

1) The direct translation of the title is actually “Future Boy Conan.” However, the series is about a boy in the future, not a time-traveling boy, as I assumed.

2) This show deals with a lot of black and white issues–sometimes blatantly so. The subtleties are in character, not in theme. In particular the evils of technology and the perfection of communism (!) probably would have gotten tiresome in anyone else’s hands but Miyazaki’s.

3) This series is not available on DVD in the US. I don’t know why. Probably because of the handful of very scary scenes where Conan suffers physical violence. We Americans treat our kids too nicely, I think. Read more about Mirai Shonen Konan in its Wikipedia article.

Final Rating? FI - FIND IT! This show is a lot of fun and I think even the more cynical adult viewers will get sucked in after a few episodes.

by ThePete 1:01 pm 2008-02-29 Anime, PocketReviews.Net | Tags Future Boy Conan, Hayao Miyazaki | $ | Comments (0) »

SWEENEY TODD (2007)

by ThePete 1:26 pm 2008-02-27

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Yes, it was! Though it was very bloody, so be warned.

Technically any good? Over all the movie was a good adaption of the musical, I think. Only a few things really felt missing (like the opening “attend the tale of Sweeney Todd” bit, which wasn’t there) and of course, the talent. I think Johnny Depp and Mrs. Tim Burton are both fine actors, but I felt that neither were quite right for the parts or quite good enough in the singing-department. Maybe Bonham Carter, but she seemed like she was holding back. The acting was pretty awesome, however and the look of the film was SUPERB. I gasped at the final shot of the movie. I very rarely gasp.

How did it leave me feeling? Like this is Tim Burton’s best movie so far–and the one that best reflects his talents. I’ve always felt that his films had so much more potential than he’d let them reach. Save for Beatlejuice, I think Sweeney is the film that he let his darkness run free. Good for him–I hope his next film goes farther.

Final Rating? SIYL - See If You Like - while this is a musical, don’t think it’s some popcorn crap-fest–this movie is very bloody, disturbing and is a tragedy. If you like disturbing, bloody tragedies, then you’ll love this movie, I’d say.

by ThePete 1:26 pm 2008-02-27 On Home Video, PocketReviews.Net | Tags Johnny Depp, Stephen Sondheim, Tim Burton | $ | Comments (2) »

CAVEMAN’S VALENTINE

by ThePete 1:43 pm 2008-02-26

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Undeniably! This movie is a new addition to my top 20 movies of all time. I really loved this movie.

Technically any good? In nearly all movies there are things that I, personally, would have done differently. With this film none come to mind. The story, the script, the acting, the direction–all of them–are solid and impressive. In particular I was very moved by the film’s interpretation of what creativity feels like from inside the head of a creative person.

How did it leave me feeling? Stunned and enlightened. Oh and entertained, too. If only we could have more movies like this to enjoy.

Final Rating? STM - See This Movie - it will pry your skull open and climb in and I mean that in a good way!

by ThePete 1:43 pm 2008-02-26 On Home Video, PocketReviews.Net | Tags George Dawes Green, Kasi Lemmons, Samuel L. Jackson | $ | Comments (0) »

THERE WILL BE BLOOD (2007)

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2008-02-22

Positive Experience/Entertaining? HELL, YES. Wow, up until now I’ve really not liked Paul Thomas Anderson as a director, but this movie was positively Stanley-Kubrickesque.

Technically any good? WAS IT EVER. On every level this movie did impressive things with itself. First off, the story was perfectly solid–granted, it’s a little cliche, but it’s done really well. The script was INCREDIBLE with no dialogue for a goodly chunk of the movie. Then, the acting was equally incredible by all involved–Daniel Day Lewis is the Caucasian Javier Bardem. INSANELY good he was in this. In fact, it was his voice in the commercials that made me want to see this movie in the first place. The direction, while GREAT is evident–as in, this doesn’t feel like other movies. You sense a director’s hand in this simply because it’s so good. It’s kind of like that amazing view of a mountain or an ocean that makes you think you’re looking at God’s handiwork. Not to say that PTA is God–I’m just saying it feels like an artist made it. This can be both good and bad, depending on your point of view. Personally, I’ll take this kind of more obvious direction over any other kind any day.

Oh yeah and the music was great, too–minimal, for sure–but still great.

How did it leave me feeling? Stunned–I was really, really happy with this movie. Don’t let me over-hype it, though. I’m sure some people found this movie jarring, disturbing and depressing–I know I did–but that’s what art makes you do sometimes. This is the first movie I really wanted to see again in the theater.

Final Rating? STM - SEE THIS MOVIE - FIVE STARS!!! Don’t wait for DVD! Go see it now!!

And once you’ve seen it, check out IDrinkYourMilkShake.com to see what other folks are saying about this movie.

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2008-02-22 Now Playing, PocketReviews.Net | Tags Daniel Day Lewis, I Drink Your Milkshake, Paul Thomas Anderson | $ | Comments (0) »

FULL METAL ALCHEMIST CONQUEROR OF SHAMBALLA (2006)

by ThePete 12:51 pm 2008-02-21

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Yes, but it wasn’t super memorable, sadly.

Technically any good? The animation is beautiful–it looks better than the series. The voice acting (I’m referring to the original Japanese, not the dubbed version) is as solid and brilliant as it was in the series, but sadly the story ends up being on the weak side. Sadly, just too many of the interesting story-arcs from the series have already been tied up, so the few things left to do aren’t quite enough to make this a worth-while follow-up.

How did it leave me feeling? Satisfied, but not overly so. Ultimately, it felt like a last grab at cash for the folks that made the series. Still worth seeing if you’re a fan of the series–just don’t expect your mind to be blown or anything.

Final Rating? NFI - NetFlix It - A bit too intense for little kids, remember, Japanese Animation is often NOT for children. This is NOT Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh–this is WAY better and much easier for us adults to enjoy, though I recommend the series if you’re looking for REALLY good story.

by ThePete 12:51 pm 2008-02-21 Anime, PocketReviews.Net | Tags Anime, Full Metal Alchemist | $ | Comments (0) »

FREEDOM (2007)

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2008-02-20

This Pocket Review is for the first 3 episodes of Freedom only.

Click above to buy
Freedom Vol. 1 or click
here for Vol. 2 from
Amazon.

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Definitely–this anime is from the guy who created Akira.

Technically any good? While filled with cliches, this anime manages to do cliches well. A lot of typical anime and narrative devices are used, like the teens and their hotrods, the lead character who is a grease-monkey but still awkward with the ladies, and a grand conspiracy that makes them wonder if the life they’ve been sold is really just a lie. See, we’ve seen it all before, but Otomo and friends are great story tellers and the animations is superb.

How did it leave me feeling? The first three episodes are all I’ve seen so far, but they do leave me wanting a LOT more–in a good way, too. I don’t understand how Bandai thinks they’ll make money releasing one episode per HD-DVD while charging $30 each for them. Too bad for them HD-DVD has lost the new-format-wars before the entire series could be released. Hopefully that means the rest of the series will be released on standard DVDs, with standard DVD prices.

Final Rating? RTV - Rent The Video - Not as groundbreaking as Akira was, but a sure bet if you’re looking for entertaining Japanese animation that is safe for most kids (just a bit of violence) and still fun for adults, too.

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2008-02-20 Anime, PocketReviews.Net | Tags Anime, Katsushiro Otomo | $ | Comments (0) »

DANCER UPSTAIRS (2002)

by ThePete 12:25 pm 2008-02-19

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Definitely entertaining, but quite a bit meandering.

Technically any good? This feels like it would be much better if it were re-written, making it a bit more streamline–and, sad to say, American. The movie has a lot of character, but most of that character doesn’t lead you anywhere story-wise. Half the time I was found myself wondering where it was all going. While things do come together by the end, you’re really left wondering what the movie was really about.

How did it leave me feeling? Satisfied for sure–it was almost a relief to see things come together as they do at the end. However, it’s obvious that most of this film is about character. Lucky for us, Javier Bardem is a great actor and does a great job.

Final Rating? RTV - Rent The Video - A great character study but would have been better in Spanish.

by ThePete 12:25 pm 2008-02-19 On Home Video, PocketReviews.Net | Tags Javier Bardem | $ | Comments (0) »

MICHAEL CLAYTON (2007)

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2008-02-15

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Without a doubt–while it ends a bit too happily for my tastes, I do feel that this is an important movie with an important message.

Technically any good? Solid acting, solid story, great (invisible) directing, and a plot that splits it’s time between comfortable predictability and believable and interesting twists all add up to a technically good film. What’s also nice is that I actually felt something for the characters–even the bad guys to a certain degree.

How did it leave me feeling? Like my opinions on big business and corruption were reinforced. :) It also left me feeling like I had a very satisfying movie-watching experience.

Final Rating? STM - See This Movie - it’s like a less complicated Syriana and almost as important a movie.

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2008-02-15 On Home Video, PocketReviews.Net | Tags George Clooney, Tilda Swinton, Tom Wilkinson, Tony Gilroy | $ | Comments (0) »

CLOVERFIELD (2008)

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2008-01-28

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Gah! No! What a mess–this movie was just marginally more interesting than Signs, which in itself was an invasion story following the most boring people around. At lease Cloverfield took place in New York City.

Technically any good? Hard to say. If you call Godzilla shot by an unfunny idiot who also happens to be the worst videographer in the world a good move, it’s technically great. But I don’t. What’s even more annoying is that the shaky-as-hell camera work doesn’t allow for any of the actors to really do anything beyond making vaguely interesting choices when reacting to other characters dying. There is no character development and the premise of following around rich white kids while a disaster surrounds them is as trite and boring as it is in Pearl Harbor. MANHATTAN IS BEING DESTROYED AND WE’RE FOLLOWING THESE STUPID, WHITE 20-SOMETHINGS!! WHY!?!? AT LEAST give us cut aways to other footage like the news or other morons with cameras.

So, weak story, no chance for decent acting and at this point, who cares about the FX (which weren’t used enough to be all that impressive).

How did it leave me feeling? Convinced JJ Abrams and his brood should not be allowed to make movies or TV shows any more. What happens when you take a Godzilla movie and remove all of the interesting bits? You get Cloverfield. What happens when you take a giant monster movie and only show the monster sparingly? You get a monster movie that isn’t a monster movie. You get Cloverfield.

Final Rating? DNS - Do Not See - If you’re looking for cheesy, bad movie fun, there are more than twenty Godzilla films on DVD that will meet your needs more effectively than this movie does.

For more of my opinion on Cloverfield go here:

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2008-01-28 Now Playing, PocketReviews.Net | Tags JJ Abrams | $ | Comments (0) »

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN (2007)

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2007-12-21

Positive Experience/Entertaining? If you like incredibly well-made movies, YES. While not entirely fulfilling generally speaking, the film makes up for it in the “just damn good, otherwise” department.

Technically any good? While the script does sneak in a few contrivances and conveniences, over all I found the film a joy to watch, mainly because all of the lead characters seemed smarter than me. I’m not some brainiac, but most characters in movies these days are dumb as posts, so, I thank the script for being so smart. The acting was AMAZING. EFFING JAVIER BARDEM!!! MAN!!! But honestly, everyone was spot-on in this movie. From the wife to the lead (Josh Brolin) to the supporting lead (Tommy Lee Jones) to, of course, EFFING JAVIER BARDEM!!! The Coen Brothers have finally made a film that you could call a spiritual sequel to Blood Simple. You’re lucky this is a Pocket Review because there’s not a whole lot more that should be said about this film aside from the answer to the next question.

How did it leave me feeling? TENSE! Not only did I have a massive burp to release after the credits rolled, but for hours afterward, I kept sighing to release the tension the film built up in me. While the film is not perfect, you WILL be on the edge of your seat. OK, one last question and there’s seriously nothing else that needs to be said about this movie in a review:

Final Rating? GSN - GO SEE NOW. You will thank me for it.

EFFING JAVIER BARDEM!!

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2007-12-21 Now Playing, PocketReviews.Net | Tags Javier Bardem | $ | Comments (0) »

ENRON: THE SMARTEST MEN IN THE ROOM

by ThePete 3:36 pm 2007-12-19

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Definitely so. We all need to see this movie so we can learn how not to run a business. Also, we need to see this movie so we can look for stupid choices being made in the corporations we work for.

Technically any good? While we don’t get much of the other side, I’m not sure there is much of one. Enron fell apart for a reason. This film presents what those reasons are likely to have been. I’m not sure what the other side of the argument was–maybe that Enron CEO Ken Lay was really just blowing in the wind of Jeffrey Skilling’s hot air? That’s certainly what the film suggests, even if it doesn’t explore it as much as it probably could have.

How did it leave me feeling? Depressed, but educated. What is particularly weird is that this film, the DVD and the extras on the DVD were all produced before Ken Lay’s death. As a result, there is a sense that there is still hope for justice in the case. Ironic, since after Lay’s death, after being found guilty but before sentencing, he had his guilty verdict revoked or reverted or something like that–basically, he’s been made unguilty. This happens to people who die before they are sentenced.

Final Rating? GSN - Go See Now–for irony’s sake. In the end, Lay got away with it.

by ThePete 3:36 pm 2007-12-19 On Home Video, PocketReviews.Net | Tags Alex Gibney, Enron, Ken Lay | $ | Comments (0) »

GOLDEN COMPASS (2007)

by ThePete 11:38 am 2007-12-17

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Certain aspects of the movie were fun and enjoyable, but ultimately, I wouldn’t recommend it for anything but a rental. Seeing it on the big screen is probably better for the experience, but the rest of the movie falls rather flat, so I think it evens out in the end.

Technically any good? CG FX were AMAZING. Seriously, I was surprised at how little trouble I had with the CG animation itself. Sadly, that’s where the amazing ends. The lead actress was really solid and while Daniel Craig was great as Lord Azriel (sp?), he was hardly in the movie. Everyone else was a big “meh,” ranging from Sam Elliot’s always cool/solid/enjoyable/but-getting-boring performance to Nicole Kidman’s laughable “I’m EVIL” routine. Story felt like a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book without the choices. There was no real story development–we are whisked from one plot point to the next, to the next and suddenly, this lab in the arctic is exploding. Not sure why, or how, or what it all means because no one stops and questions even when what is going on makes little sense (why did she have to take the ice bridge over the chasm instead of flying??).

How did it leave me feeling? Really disappointed. I went into this movie very excited and happy to see it. So, this was not me predicting a sucky movie–I wanted to like it. As for the Christians who wanted to boycott this film due to it being based on a book by an Atheist? As an Atheist, I can tell you–this movie was actually pretty Christiany, in my opinion. Personally, I think you should boycott it because it was rushed, flat and not very good.

Final Rating? RTB - Read The Book. I’ve heard the book is excellent–and you don’t even have to wait for the sequels. They’re already out. Plus you don’t have any crappy acting from Nicole Kidman to deal with (Hey, Nic, if you’re reading this–real evil isn’t worn on your sleeve!)

by ThePete 11:38 am 2007-12-17 On Home Video, PocketReviews.Net | $ | Comments (0) »

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA RAZOR (2007)

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2007-12-05

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Definitely, but then, most of BSG 2k is great stuff.

Technically any good? I have tiny misgivings with the title and script, but over all, everything was really very solid. Acting was a little flat from the new lead, but I think that might have been her choice. Not sure. Everyone else, the script and the direction and FX were all what you’d expect from a 45 minute episode of BSG 2k, but twice as long. The tiny issue I had with the title isn’t worth mentioning and the tiny issue with the script is about where Razor falls in the flow of the BSG series. The events take place somewhere around season 2 but we’re waiting for season 4 to begin. Sadly, there are no references in Razor to anything that happens after season 2 making me feel like it was bringing nothing new to the table.

How did it leave me feeling? Hey, it’s Battlestar Galactica–the series rarely leaves me feeling bad and this 90 minute movie didn’t either.

Final Rating? If you’re into BSG? GSN - Go See Now. Even though there are better episodes, this is still really good storytelling.

Click the poster image above to pick this DVD up from Amazon. It’s the “Unrated Extended Edition”–whatever the heck that means. I saw the one that was on TV, not this one. By the look of it, you get an extra 11 minutes with the DVD over the aired cut which was 90 minutes.

by ThePete 12:00 pm 2007-12-05 On Home Video, PocketReviews.Net | $ | Comments (0) »

BEOWULF (2007)

by ThePete 2:30 pm 2007-11-19

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Definitely entertaining–which is good because I kind of expected it to suck.

Technically any good? As you can tell from the posters and trailers, the CG FX are incredible. However, I felt that they kind of fell short. There was still no real emotion in the faces and there were only moments where I felt that certain shots could have been mistaken for actual photos. I kept flashing back to supermarionation (Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlett and even Abe Lincoln in Disneyland’s Hall of Presidents), to be honest. However, I was still able to enjoy the movie. The script was cool, dialog good (though unfortunate at times) and the story was updated in interesting ways, compared to the original poem, but I think there were some odd choices that made me seriously question the execution of the plot. There were comic relief moments that seemed contrived and stupid and there was an over-all lack of character development that left me with thrills but nothing to leave the theater with.

How did it leave me feeling? Excited, but realizing that the best reason to see Beowulf is for the spectacle. So, see this on the big screen if you’re ever going to see it at all and preferably see it in an IMAX theater in 3-D to make sure you get the full effect of the spectacle.

Final Rating? SIYL - See If You Like - though this is NOT a kids’ cartoon! There is serious violence and (effectively) a lot of nudity for a PG-13 film–between the nudity and violence I have to admit that I’ve seen much tamer R-movies than this PG-13er.

by ThePete 2:30 pm 2007-11-19 Now Playing, PocketReviews.Net | $ | Comments (0) »

WANTED (2008)

by ThePete 6:00 am 2007-11-13

Positive Experience/Entertaining? HOLY CRAP, no. I don’t think you could pack more lame-ass unoriginal cliches into a trailer than they did.

Technically any good? The stunts and FX look overblown and stupid as hell. When will filmmakers realize that pushing the limits into the realm of science fiction is simply too far? Acting-wise? Love the cast, but puh-leeze. This has “did it for the paycheck” written all over it. Angelina Jolie as the hot “Obi-Wan Kenobi” who “knew” James McAvoy’s “father.” Yes, that’s right, it’s ANOTHER GOD DAMN FATHER-SON MOVIE! FOR CRYING OUT LOUD WE’VE HAD TWO FRAKKING THOUSAND YEARS OF FATHER-SON STORIES! LETS MOVE THE HELL ON!! HOLY CHRIST–LITERALLY! Based on the trailer, this movie looks like it was written by a 13 year-old.

How did it leave me feeling? Like taking Angelina Jolie off my list of movie-crushes. Why does she keep staring in these CRAPFESTS??? PLEASE, Angelina, I’ll write something good for you–or–just be in better movies. Either that, or I’m going to have to stop telling people I think you’re hot and a good actress. Because you could be Hepburn and Bergman rolled into one and THESE CRAPPY MOVIES WILL STILL SUCK.

Final Rating? DNS - Do Not See when it comes out on March 28, 2008. But you can see the Wanted trailer at Yahoo and make up your own mind.

by ThePete 6:00 am 2007-11-13 PocketReviews.Net, Preemptive Strikes | $ | Comments (0) »

WELCOME TO THE NHK (2006) (aka NHK ようろしく)

by ThePete 2:30 pm 2007-11-02

OK, first off, I have no idea why the US distributors used that image on the cover–it’s NOT in the series. That character is in the series, but she is never seen in that outfit (though she is seen naked). That’s blatant false advertising. Just an FYI for anyone thinking about clicking on the image and buying it from Amazon (which I heartily encourage!).

Positive Experience/Entertaining? Definitely enjoyable. While the premise wouldn’t normally attract me, the production values and writing definitely makes this a worthwhile anime to watch.

Technically any good? Definitely. The animation quality is strong, character designs distinct (as in, you can tell them apart) and the Japanese voice acting is pretty awesome. The story is generally spot-on, with the “exciting” episode in the middle of the series very much out of place with the rest of the series. The music is good, but gets VERY repetitive. They didn’t change the bumper music once in the entire series and the incidental music made me want to kill myself every time the lead character was depressed–which is like most of the series!

How did it leave me feeling? Satisfied for sure, but I think the show could have been stronger. I felt that the main angle of the series (the “conspiracy”) disappears after a while and only returns toward the end when it’s necessary for the plot to resolve. I also can’t help but wonder if this should have just been a live action sitcom. Then again, if it had been, I’d have never seen it since live action Japanese TV never makes it to the US (why is that??).

Final Rating? SIYL - See If You Like shows about loser guys trying to break out of their introverted shells with the help of cute girls who have mysterious (and depressing) secrets.

by ThePete 2:30 pm 2007-11-02 Anime, PocketReviews.Net | $ | Comments (0) »