Le Chevalier D'Eon (Anime)

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Hi Everyone! To start off, I know I promised to review the whole Red Riding series but, frankly, I watched it so long ago and I've been itching to move forward.  I did watch all three and I will say if you are looking for something dark and gritty with little hope or light, watch Red Riding.  It was done very real and felt very true to life.  Moving onto the next thing, I invested a lot of my time into Le Chevalier D'eon. At times, it was very interesting, but often I found I had to force myself to sit and watch this anime.  Let me explain way!

Lia's lifeless body

Actually before I explain my feelings, let me explain this anime.  Le Chevalier D'eon follows the very real personage of D'eon de Beaumont, a knight serving under the 18th century king of France, Louis XV.  The series starts with D'eon looking to avenge his twin sister Lia.  She was found floating downriver in a wooden coffin, the word 'Psalms' scrawled across the lid in blood.  Louis allows D'eon his quest so long as he also serves to help the country of France as well, as a spy across France's boarders.  What follows is a long road of treason, betrayal, and magic, that leads as far as Russia, only to come back to the king's doorstep.  D'eon and his fellow spies - Robin, Durand, and Teillagory - find themselves fighting against the undead and the possessed.  The group has a very unlikely aid in their battles though - Lia.  She is able to possess her twin brother and use her unique magic to defeat them effortlessly.  This still isn't enough for the group to overcome all that befalls them throughout their journey.

Good - This anime is unique in many ways.  First is the plot and setting.  I never imagine the Japanese would invest so much into exploring the past of the French.  It was nice to watch something not set in the far off lands of Japan.  Because to that, I feel the cultural aspects of France would be interesting to both countries.  What is new and strange to Japan would hold True of the U.S..  The story overall was pretty interesting too.  I may not have been a fan of the constant new missions, but they proved interesting and developed both the plot and character development.  The animation was good.  Unique compared to the overly cartoony and caricature style you usually see.  It helped add some realness to the series events. 

Maximilian Robespierre

Bad - So I didn't mind this series much but ultimately I felt like I wasted my time.  I never felt very invested in the series.  I was more obliged to watch it since I had started it.  Though I mentioned earlier above, I didn't mind the twists and turns, I felt that weren't helping with the main plot.  I think this anime could have been done more efficiently in 12 episodes and not 24.  Other would disagree the 24 was need to delve in the history and motivations of the players.  I think you could still have a heartfelt series in half the time though.  Another thing that turned me off about the series was the ending.  It was just flat out weird and felt like a let down.  Now, Le Chevalier D'eon has the unique challenge of trying to tie in historical events into his milestones, so I won't fully fault them.  Still 24 episodes, roughly 12 hours of my life, and I feel like that could have done better.

D'eon de Beaumont

Overall - I don't think you should spend time watching this anime.  Maybe if you knew the history for France more, or wanted to watch an anime set within a real historical framework, it might work.  Personally, I was drawn the occult aspects of the show and the political chess game  was interesting.  Ultimately though, none of that drew me in.  Watching any type of TV is meant for entertainment and fun.  I had neither through out the time I watched Le Chevalier D'eon. I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars. You could do worse watching this, but really you can easily do better. 

Review: Pontypool (film)

Pontypool was recommended to me while out drinking with friends, new and old.  After watching the mess that was In Dreams,  I wanted to watch something that was worth my time.  I went with Pontypool and I was quite impressed.

Stephan McHattie as Grant Mazzy

Lisa Houle as Sydney Briar

Pontypool follows Grant Mazzy, a shock jock out of his element.  For reasons not fully explained, his over-the-top nature has forced him to the rural and remote town of Pontypool.  On his way into the studio, a stranger comes to his car stammering "blood", and seemingly evaporates into the winter darkness.  Disturbed but not undeterred, he heads into the radio station.  There, he begins his normal cast, trying to wake up the sleepy town smothering him.  As the broadcast moves on, he slowly comes to realize that the townsfolk are being consumed by some unknown force.  As he and his crew try to piece things together, they realize they can't keep up.  Too much is happening and not enough clues are coming in.  Before long, they realize the most important thing to hold onto is not information, but their lives.

Likes - Pontypool was a surprisingly intelligent movie.  It didn't rush into it's subject like a sprinter.  It took it's time, allowing you to get used to the Canadian world you were a citizen of for an hour and a half.  We get to know Mazzy, his need to push the limits and the cost he paid for it.  We meet Sydney, has she is just trying to do her job and keep her tiny town moving forward.  We meet Laurel-Ann, a recently returned war vet and hero.  The plot takes it's time, going from a sleeping pup to raging beast.  It's a smart way to get you into the story without rushing too fast and turning you off.
Another great aspect I enjoyed about Pontypool was the blood, guts, and gore.  There was some in key parts in the later half of the film. Overall though, it wasn't much on that.  Hell, you don't see anyone get eaten even! Yet Pontypool manages to get under your skin, and it takes it's time to slither around.  You become concerned, then worried, then confused.  All without seeing a thing in the outside world.  As the radio crew is trying to piece together what's happening, so are you.  This is a masterful way of creating a tension that leads to terror, with nary a drop of blood spilled.

Georgina Reilly as Laurel-Ann Drummond

Dislikes - There isn't anything I can take away from this and say I didn't like it.  It was well acted and filmed well.  Plot is paramount in this film genre but the director, Bruce McDonald, still made the film visually interesting to watch.

Overall - I highly recommend this film, especially to horror and zombie film fans.  This was a great example of how far you can take a film using very little.  This is a memorable film and I dare say, this could even be influential, in both its subject matter and execution.  Personally, this is one I'll be talking about for months.  5 out of 5 stars.