Mary and the Witch’s Flower

broderic on February 4, 2018

Mary and the Witch’s Flower is the first film from some of the animators from Studio Ghibli after the chief anime director Hayao Miyazaki stopped making films. They had to do something. They did this.

The film is very similar to many of the Ghibli films you have watched. I’m not sure if that’s on purpose. It is based on an English children’s book which many of Ghibli films were: Arrietty, Howl’s, Marnie. This one’s based on a book called, “The Little Broomstick.” A story of a young girl finding herself in a magical world. Sounds familiar right? There is flying, too! And a broomstick and cat familiar! Studio Ghibli is alive!

Now if you think that it was a good idea to follow the Ghibli template, you will like this movie. Many Ghibli fans will be pleased. I was a little. But I wish to see more from my anime. I think Studio Ponoc, the film makers, have a bright future. They can stick with the tried and true, but I know that they have something in them to make an anime masterpiece.

Overall, I’ll watch most anime flicks that come to the States just because I want more of them to come to the States. You should, too. If this comes to a theatre near you, please watch it.

3 of 5 stars.

The Shape of Water

broderic on February 3, 2018

The Shape of Water feels like a referendum on the times we are living in. In particular, the antagonist feels like today’s man. Doing what he wants and not caring for anyone else like a Republican. No need for women. No need for workers. All American. No to fish men.

The Shape of Water secured tons of award nominations. I’m very doubtful that it deserves it. It’s decent, but the director has done better. I think it may win a few of those awards, but not the big one, Best Picture.

3 of 5 stars.

BrowserMetrics’s Air Pods

broderic on January 20, 2018

This past Christmas I was fortunate to hold the final number in our annual Kris Kriminal game. Apple AirPods had been revealed already so I stole ’em. Luckily, I ended up the night with them. Most likely the best Kris Kriminal present I had chanced into. So, with that, you know this review will be mostly positive.

Once they were officially mine, I opened the box, pulled them out of the charging case, put them in my ear, and pressed play. Music came through smoothly. I was mostly amazed that the pairing happened almost instantly. It wasn’t as quick as my description lets on, but it wasn’t a hassle. I didn’t even have to open the Blue Tooth settings to start the pairing. It just happened.

I really only tried it that night once and left them in my gift pile for the next few weeks. It wasn’t until the new year that I decided to put them to the test. I have kept them in my pocket for the last two weeks. I don’t use them every day, but I do pull them out once in a while to listen to Nogizaka jams during work. I am always in amazement that they fit in the ear just right and do fall out. Admittedly, I have not exercised with them in but they feel snug, never loose or ready to fall out. YMMV.

I love the carrying case. It fits in your pocket and also doubles as the charger. You can keep it forever in your pocket, ready to deploy at a moments notice.

My only problem so far is pairing with other devices. I believe you have to erase its knowledge of the previous device in order to add a new one. I think. I didn’t read the directions.

Anyhow, it’s pretty neat and should make up for the lack of input jack on the newer iPhones.

Best Films of 2017

broderic on January 1, 2018

No 5 star movies. Mainly 4 stars. Although, to be honest, Your Name should be five stars. And perhaps Jedi and Spiderman should be demoted to three. Beyond that I think most of these were pretty good. Surprising that there’s a few super hero movies here. Sadly, the state of the industry is such that only super hero movies are being made.

You should check out both Lady Bird and 20th Century Women on a double bill because they deserve to be seen back-to-back.

Blade Runner will again become a beloved classic. Thor: Ragnarok as well.

Here’s my list of the best films I saw in the theatre for the year 2017.

Lady Bird
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Spiderman: Homecoming
Thor: Ragnarok
Blade Runner 2049
Your Name
Get Out
Logan
20th Century Women

Lady Bird

broderic on December 30, 2017

Lately, I’ve come to really dig anything that Greta Gerwig, the writer and director of Lady Bird does. Completely loved 20th Century Women from earlier this year of which she plays a supporting role. She’s great in Frances Ha. She’s even better as an adorkable girl than the ultimate adorkable Zooey Deschannel. I really like her style.

That said, this coming of age tale of a Sacramento misfit is touching. It makes you realize how much you love your family even though you hate them all. It’s a good film and should win some awards coming up.

4 of 5 stars.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

broderic on December 27, 2017

Little did I know when I saw Star Wars: The Last Jedi the first night, that it would turn out to be such a divisive entry into the Star Wars filmology. I came out smiling throwing thumbs up to the next batch of folks in line. I went to sleep that night, then all things broke out over the weekend. I spent the next couple days watching the growing genre of YouTube rants against the film. It made me laugh and a little sad. Why did it come to this?

Admittedly, I know that there are flaws — space Leia, the casino planet, and that timeline, but it did give us the hero turn of Kylo Ren, Rey reaching out for the light saber, and that slow motion beginning to the throne room fight. Just one of the most amazing things they’ve done in the series. It had me gasping, then giggling and then shouting out in glee.

But still, space Leia?!

It’s changed up the story. It no longer follows the beats of the original series. It’s now gonna be surprise. And this entry was also surprising! Can Kylo Ren be redeemed? Or is he the worst? Who cares about the parents of Rey? I did until they just threw it into my face again. Yet, I loved it because who cares? It was the Shatner on SNL of Star Wars movies, “Get a life!” I’m looking forward to the next installment.

4 of 5 stars.

The Disaster Artist

broderic on December 21, 2017

I have never seen The Room, the movie that was the basis for The Disaster Artist. Maybe I should’ve because I didn’t understand how weird the movie was — The Room and not The Disaster Artist. That Tommy guy was freaky-deaky. I wonder how weird he was in the movie — The Room and not The Disaster Artist. I wonder if there really was a gay subtext to those dudes relationship. But it would be too weird to think of the brothers Franco in such as situation. Too weird. I don’t understand. Need to watch The Room except that was enough of it for a lifetime.

Not sure how that could be a cult hit — The Room and not The Disaster Artist.

It would be worth a watch — The Disaster Artist and not The Room.

3 of 5 stars.

Justice League

broderic on November 27, 2017

Justice League is not Batman v Superman. It’s better. It’s directed by Zak Snyder, and yet it isn’t. Justice League had a very low bar to make it over. It did. Low expectations made the movie bearable. Don’t believe the bad reviews. It is a perfectly cromulent superhero movie. It would be a low wattage Marvel film like the first two Thors, but as a DC film it is one of the better ones. Not too hard to beat out the others. Not too hard to be beat again by better DC films, if they come along.

It’s decent for a Holiday film. Watch it. And make mine Marvel!

3 of 5 stars.

Thor: Ragnarok

broderic on November 27, 2017

You’ll have fun watchingThor: Ragnarok. It’s a whole lot better than the previous incarnations of Thor in the movies. First of all, it’s not boring. Take a look at it’s kaleidoscope of colors. Second it’s got the fight of the century: Hulk v Thor. That was always a question for Marvel fans. Who would win? While Hulk is the strongest, Thor’s power is god-like and has not been completely tapped. I think Hulk’s strength hasn’t been maxed out, but his brutishness is known to be powerful. Third, everyone dies. Ragnarok is the death of the Norse gods and it does happen. Just be ready for it. Fourth, Valkyrie is cute and hot and should be in more Marvel shows. She should show up in the Defenders. Finally, it’s a Marvel film so there’s gonna be some fun to it.

You will enjoy it immensely. Watch it. And make mine Marvel!

4 of 5 stars.

The Foreigner

broderic on October 27, 2017

The Foreigner was advertised (if one had seen its commercial) as a vehicle for an old Jackie Chan to become the Chinese Liam Neeson — old man out for revenge on those who took his child. The reality is that it was a political action thriller about the Irish IRA.

Hunh?

Jackie Chan did kick butt, but it was mainly Pierce Brosnan trying to terrorize the U.K. for the sake of ancient Irish grudges.

HUNH.

All I’m trying to say is that it must’ve been a bait and switch on Jackie Chan, too.

Anyway. Meh. I’ve seen worst.

3 of 5 stars.