Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

broderic on April 6, 2016

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is the type of film you get when you believe super heroes should be gritty. While not and bad as reviewers say, it’s only bad because they know that by liking The Dark Knight, that this is what they deserve. Thanks, Christopher Nolan!

Is Zack Snyder the second most hated director in Hollywood after Michael Bay? Maybe. He’s made a few movies that rub people the wrong way, but needless to say he makes movies which regular shmoes like. I think he needs some mental help though. His is a too cynical take on life. Dark. Grim. Dank. Dour. That’s all I can say of his style. There is no light in his world.

It’s a tale which tries to set up the DC Cinematic Universe. I’m not a DC fan, so I could care less.

Make mine Marvel.

3 of 5 stars.

10 Cloverfield Lane

broderic on April 6, 2016

10 Cloverfield Lane was several movies in one.

It started out like a horror film — the tortured, imprisoned girl. Is her captor a savior or someone else quite menacing?

Then it turned into a slice of life in the bomb shelter. What to do when the world has collapsed?

Then it returned to horror. Dear god, this guy really is crazy and he did imprison and kill some other girls. I’d rather go out into the mist.

Finally, it became a science fiction film where she had to defeat alien invaders. ALIEN INVADERS! Like a crazy War of the Worlds.

It was alright. A good experiment, but one you quite soon forget. I started this two weeks ago and had to finish it up because I need to talk about Batman and Superman.

3 of 5 stars.

Only Yesterday

broderic on March 21, 2016

I’m getting lucky, and they are showing lots of anime feature films in my area. The Charles has an anime night program going. Yet, the latest anime I saw there, Only Yesterday, wasn’t part of the bill. It’s a special repertory release from GKids. It’s an old Studio Ghibli film from the early 90s.

Directed by Isao Takahata, Only Yesterday tells the tale of Taeko an OL on vacation in the country helping to farm because she likes it. She’s drags herself out there and the heavy baggage of her childhood. She brings her younger self along trying to explore the mystery of her life. How did she get to be who she was? It’s a very interesting story. Not one that gets animated, but like many anime it does. I love that there is an animation community that wants to use the form to tell plenty of different stories.

This is an awkward piece. I must quote my favorite, “Beause I am neither Japanese, fourteen years old, nor a girl.” It’s not really aimed at my tastes even though I like shojo manga. The pace was too slow and the introspection too much for me. I do give props to a fine film if you were its intended audience.

3 of 5 stars.

The Boy and The Beast

broderic on March 21, 2016

I’m trying to watch any anime film showing in the state. I caught The Boy and The Beast at one of the fancier cinemas in the suburbs. It was the dubbed version. Nothing wrong with an English dub. It’s just I think we lose the nuance in the switch of voice actors from Japanese to English.

This one is a Mamoru Hosoda joint. He’s the latest up and coming feature length anime director to be touted as a Studio Ghibli replacement. He’s not bad. I’ve enjoyed several of his anime features, but he just doesn’t spark me as interesting. He’s no Kon, but then who is.

3 of 5 stars.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

broderic on March 19, 2016

Tina Fey in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot reminded me of the soul searching woman of Wild. Fey’s character looking for fresh start, wanting to throw the old self out, heads to Afghanistan as a foreign correspondent. She is looking for a new her, because what she was already was not cutting it. She has to find it out in dangerous country. That is exactly like Reese Witherspoon in Wild.

Afghanistan. The war there is unmemorable. We have forgotten. And it looks as if those covering wanted to forget why they were there: parties, drugs, sex, and rock’n’roll ruled their lives in the land of danger. Into this world, the journalists need to make a news story. They have to make war their business. They want to show the world the war, but no one cares. No one cares.

It’s another one of those movies that come and go then get show on FXX. Not interesting at all, but not terrible. Tina Fey looking to broaden her horizon.

3 of 5 stars.

The Witch

broderic on March 11, 2016

The horror in The Witch permeates every scene. It’s not like a slasher flick wherein the antagonist shows up off and on to butcher everyone. This one plays psychologically. It’s inside your head until it isn’t. It never lets you know safety. It’s always dangerous.

The antagonists, the witch, is real. She nibbles around the family farm before striking, then you know true fright.

The Witch is about a family of New England settlers who exile themselves from the safety of the village. They find themselves on the outskirts of the wilderness plagued by evil of the New Country. This takes place several decades before Salem and let’s you know that the madness was real. And you will all know how real it was.

I watched this during the day, but later that night, I woke up to a bright full moon flooding my room with pale moonlight. Then I thought about the witch and wish I hadn’t.

3 of 5 stars.

I want to treasure the spare moments and live leisurely

broderic on March 11, 2016

Because Naachan is so adorable. Because WakaRei. Because Yuttan seems so devious. Because Kanarin has a part. Because Inoue/Marika pairing.

This song is some kind of sweetness. I’m also fascinated this sub-unit of Nogizaka46. The members who are singing had another song, Hoka no Hoshi Kara . It’s not as sweet, but it is just as nice.

*sigh*

Nogis making me kookoo.