The Giant Mechanical Man (film)

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For this week, I was trying really hard to write a new review.  My problem was I had no idea what to write.  There wasn't anything specific calling out to me.  So after spending way too much time debating and comparing, I picked The Giant Mechanical Man.  It didn't seem particularly interesting, but it had Jenna Fischer in it, and Netflix had guessed I would give it 4 stars.  So I took the gamble.

Janice, played by Jenna Fischer

The Giant Mechanical Man, directed by Lee Kirk, stars Jenna Fischer as Janice and Chris Messina as Tim.  Two 30-somethings trying to figure out how to fit in the world, if they do at all.  Tim is a street performer, trying to find a way to make a living from his one talent.  At her wits end, Tim's girlfriend leaves him, forcing Tim into a state of confusion and aimlessness.  Janice is trying to figure out where she can do any good for the world.  Fired from the temp agency she works at and evicted from her tiny city apartment, she is forced to stay in her sister's house.  The sister tries to set her up with a pompous author (Topher Grace). Tim and Janice, both down on their luck, get jobs at the zoo.  Soon a friendship begins budding and eventually blooms into a full romance.

Chris Messina as Tim

Good - This film was very enjoyable.  I actually was dreading watching this.  Based on the plot description, I was expecting a grown up version of Tiny Furniture.  Which I loathed.  Instead, I was treated to some great performances by Fichser and Messina.  They both were very charming and endearing, key traits you need in a movie like this.  It's the difference between the audience loving or hating you.  You really feel for them and want them to be happy, no matter what it takes.  Quite an acting feat.

Another really great trait about this film was the plot and direction.  Janice and Tim are both genuinely confused why people can be so callous and mean.  Kirk was really able to show that.  We see the world though Janice and Tim's eyes, as opposed to seeing something else, and thinking both of them are just overly sensitive.  We see how careless people can be with their words. The plot was rewarding in its ability to maintain some pleasant tension.  In a way, there are two stories going on, but both involve Janice and Tim.  It's fun and exciting to watch how things shake out for them.

Lastly, it's not explicitly said, but the filmed was shot on location in Detroit and Royal Oak.  So being the local Detroiter I am, it was fun trying to see where they were. 

Janice and Tim enjoying each other's company

Bad - For the mood I was in and the expectations I had beforehand, I was very pleasantly surprised with The Giant Mechanical Man.  I have nothing negative to say.

Working away at the (Royal Oak) zoo

Overall - I recommend this film.  It's fun, uplifting, hopeful and a really good date movie.  It is nothing ground breaking or award winning but is rewarding to watch.  The Giant Mechanical Man should be in your queue and watched at some point.  Soon, for you love birds celebrating Valentine's day!  4 out of 5 stars. 

Similar To - Juno, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, (500) Days of Summer, Garden State

Daydream Nation (film)

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Caroline

I decided to watch Daydream Nation because I wanted some light fare.  I wanted a film that fed into my need for nostalgia, as I reminisced of high school.  Also, it helped greatly that Kat Dennings was staring in this film.  She isn't the greatest of actresses but she always plays interesting roles and is very easy on the eyes.  So with all this, I went into Daydream Nation.  What I came out with was nothing to write home about.  Instead, I'll write to the Internet.

Daydream Nation follows Caroline (Kat Dennings) as she is has found herself in a new town and new school.  Having been exposed to so much more culture in her previous life in the city, Caroline feels she was suffocating mentally in her new local.  A moody teen unsure of what she truly wants, she uses her feminine wiles to ensnare her English teacher, Mr. Barry Anderson (Josh Lucas).  Put off and cautious at first, Anderson becomes more and more enveloped in his unspeakable affair, mining excitement and inspiration from it.  Concurrently, Thurston (Reece Thompson), finds himself dealing with more then he ever expected.  A recently deceased friend, stuck living in the quiet sleepy hometown of his and meeting Caroline all bring about a flurry of emotions that Thurston's adolescent mind is incapable of handling.  All this, mixed with a unending tire fire and a serial killer on the loose, make Daydream Nation a film with many conflicts that need to be resolved.

English Teacher Anderson

Good - I wasn't expecting much from this film going in and it was probably for the best.  I enjoyed the dialogue from Caroline best. She seemed like an interesting character with some depth.  Anderson and Thurston just came off is confused little boys, despite the differences in age.  They seemed weak and lost and didn't appeal to me at all.  On the other hand, that may have been the whole point.  Nonetheless, these characters did not resonate with me at all.
There were some amazing shots in the film was well, specifically the surreal moments used to convey flashbacks or distant locations.  It reminded me of Dreamhome.  It was gorgeous stuff.  But not enough to make up for the characters.
The story itself was okay.  There were many plot threads throughout the movie.  All of them were all tied nice and neatly together at the end too.  I felt that some parts dragged on a bit though.  Overall, I felt like Daydream Nation had elements from different stories all crammed into the same hour and a  half.

Thurston

Bad - I really wasn't drawn into this movie.  The story on paper seems like a sure fire it.  There is a great deal of development, both in terms of plot and characters.  I think the movie suffered from just bad acting.  Anderson seemed more lost and douchey then he needed to be.  And Thurston seemed so completely whiny that I was glad whenever something bad happened to him.  The characters made no indelible mark on me and for that the whole movie suffered.

Overall - I wasn't impressed by this movie.  I wasn't expecting much and got exactly that in return.  Kat Dennings did a great job in her role as Caroline and the plot really had some fun, interesting moments.  But the rest of the cast was weak enough that I didn't feel like I was rewarded for sitting through this picture.  I say pass on this film if given the chance to watch it.  2 out of 5 stars.

Similar To - Juno, American Beauty, Donnie Darko

Watch it on Netflix

Justice (Graphic Novel)

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Recently, I received the trade paperback of Justice from a close friend as a Christmas gift.  I wanted to read this book as soon as I was aware of it being out.  I am a big fan of Kingdom Come and Marvels and wanted the next work of Alex Ross to fill out my bookshelf.  I couldn't get a hold of this epic soon enough.

Justice is 12 part story set in the DC universe written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger, with Ross also doing the amazing art.  The story begins when many classic super villains are dreaming the same dream, seeing the Justice League fall short and the world ending from some unknown threat.  Convinced the Justice League will fail, the Legion of Doom comes together to save the world.  Sensing there is more to this plot besides a prophetic vision, the Justice League bands together, along with some unexpected allies, to find the truth and save the world from doom.

The Rouges Gallery

Like - First and foremost, the art is exemplary.  This was the main reason I wanted to read this.  Knowing Alex Ross was doing the art was enough reason for me to take the time to read this story.  After reading Kingdom Come and Marvels, I wanted to get my next fix.  Ross's art is on point here and I especially loved some of the characters armors and teaks that were made here and there.  Really just amazing stuff with great attention to detail.

The heroes, suited up for an unprecedented threat.

The next big thing I liked was the story itself.  Not caught up in continuity or trying to make things fit in the bigger picture, Ross and Krueger were able to really create a realistic and challenging story.  Having the villains band together for the greater good and doing a better job of pushing mankind forward then the Justice League ever did really shows not only how capable the villains are but also that the lines drawn between factions are drawn in sand, not stone. It was a very compelling experience, one where I found myself reading the whole book in one sitting.  The final chapter was a strong and fitting climax to a well written plot.

Green Lantern, Hal Jordon

Dislike - My only dislike was when I finished reading it.  I wanted more!!

Overall - I loved this book.  I felt that this story really took it's time and created a new universe on the back of the well known DC Universe that we are familiar with.  It was a challenging read, examining who really is the good guy and who is the bad guy.  The art is unparalleled.  I highly recommend reading this.  5 out to 5.  Thanks for this great book Megan!

Similar to: Kingdom Come, Marvels, Earth X trilogy

Shangri-la (anime)

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Kuniko's parent Momoko

Hi Everyone and Happy New Year!  To to kick off this new year, I am going to review Shangri-La, a 22 episode anime I watched on Hulu.  I had to dig a little deeper then usual through my recommendations to find this one.  But I was glad to have done so.  This was a high concept anime that really did it's homework and made for a very entertaining time.

Shangri-La follows Kuniko, a vibrant and charasmatic young girl.  As the heir to the Metel Age presidency, many eyes look to her, some for guidence, some for scrutiny.  Metal Age is a terrorist group in direct oppoistion to Atlas.  Atlas is a corportation in charge of rebuilding Tokyo in a new world based on a carbon market. A massive earthquake devistated the metropolis and shifted Japan's place in the global market.  Kuniko goes though a journey, along with friends, family, and peers joined together through unknonwn forces.  This may seem a little jumbled but hear me out.

Mikuni

Good - So my above description may seem all over the place.  Really though, it is a testament to how much was packed into the series.  Without much belaboring or long explanations, Shangri-La is able to create a complex world similiar to our own.  One controlled by limited resoucres and global markets.  A world run by corporations and military powers.  It took me some time to full understand what was driving the groups Metal Age and Atlas, but I figured things out eventually.  And I enjoyed the process.  It was fun and it paid off with the story and character development.  I still had some trouble following the global buying and selling of the stocks, but I've never watched any show or movie that made the Stock Exchange mor exciting the Shangri-La.
Another great aspect of this show was the character development.  Following not only Kuniko but Mikuni and many others, you could see real growth.  Chacracters weren't being rewarded for who they were but more who they were becoming.  It made me feel really attached to the whole cast and made me excited to watch each new episode.
Lastly, anyone whose watched enough anime knows that some of the best series can be crippled by a week ending.  Shangri-Laa does not suffer this.  In fact, it was one of the best series endings I've watched

Detestable Ryoko Naruse

Bad - There is nothing bad about this series.  The only challenge, as I would label it, is this is a series that can be tough to crack at the beginning.  It can be hard to understand how things fit and what is actually happening.  Trust me though, if you stick with it, the pay off is worth it.

Overall - I loved this series.  This was smart and even felt very real considering how true-to-life the concerns were.  The characters were all great - heroes you loved and villains you loathed.  A great flow of mystery and plot.  All of this capped off by a truly solid ending.  5 out of 5 stars.  Watch this anime as soon as you can.

Similar - Full Metal Alchemist, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Future Diary

Watch it on Hulu for free!

Guilty Crown (anime)

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Shu gazing off in class

With the holiday approaching, I've found myself with some extra time.  My tv rotation also was lined up for an anime.  So I decided to try a longer anime series since I had plenty of time for it.  Guilty Crown was a title consistently recommended to me on Hulu for a long time. So with that, I went with Guilty Crown for my Christmas break.  Well worth it my friends!

Guilty Crown follows Shu Ouma.  A quiet shy boy who longs to be anyone else.  While hidden away in a run down part of town, he comes across Inori, the lead singer of Egoist.  Inori unexpectedly is part of the terrorist group knonwn as Funeral Parlor.  Funeral Parlor fights the powers that be to get back to a state of order, run by the people of Japan.  Ever since the "Lost Christmas" event 10 years prior, Japan is now under the watchful eye of the world court and is a semi dictatorship.  Shu, through unintentional circumstances, gains access to the Void Genome.  The Void Genome allows it's owner to use "the Power of Kings", the ability to use Voids.  Voids are physical constructs built from the hearts and desires of someone. It seems like Guilty Crown is all over the board but the series explains all of this in it's own time while still showing Shu struggle and grow in a world tittering on the edge of obliteration.

Inori is ready for action

Good - Guilty Crown took some time but in the end, I was really glad I watched it. The whole Void system really is unique.  It made every possible person have some sort of relevance within the show.  The evolution of Voids also allowed for new and more interesting situations to arise.
Guilty Crown did 2 things completely right.  The first of which was a solid plot.  There were times I may have been confused or lost, but the writers took note of every smile and knowing glance.  They explained all of the important stuff by the end of it all, even giving a pretty solid ending.  Something that rarely happens.  It was clear what Gai was fighting for and why Inori was so smitten by Shu.  We learned well enough why Shu called his mother Haruka instead of Mom.  Nothing was forgotten or left out.  More so, everything came together beautifully in the end, cohesively and organically.
The other thing done right was the characterizations.  Without using a heavy hand, you had a good idea what was motivating everyone in the large cast of characters.  You also saw how everyone reacted differently to the world falling into chaos.  Guilty Crown did an amazing job of following multiple paths of people and yet never felt like it was trying hard to do so.  

Funeral Parlor

Bad - I think the series followed Neon Genesis trends a bit too much.  The series seemed repetitive and unoriginal in the first half.  Shy kid gains god-like power and has to handle being in the spotlight suddenly. So the first half of the series was tough to watch.  Still, the series pays off the patient.  The second half totally made up for it.

Worthwhile? - I think this show is totally worthwhile.  I didn't think it was going to pay off but the series really ramps things up near the end.  All the story threads laid out meticulously all come together to a strong end where everything falls in place.  The story never felt forced or too wild, even for bringing the world to an end. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.  I totally did at least! 

Gai Tsutsugami, lead of Funeral Parlor

Simliar To - Neon Genesis Evangelion, The Future Diary, Linebarrels of Iron

The Adventures of Tintin (Film)

Click the poster for IMDB 

So, it was late at night and I was in the mood to watch a movie before bed.  A common ritual that helps me slowly clear out my Netflix queue and helps get me relaxed before bed.  While trying to find a suitable title, I saw The Adventures of Tintin had become an instant play option.  Feeling in the mood for something light, I went for this one.  I figured I would watch half now and half later.  I ended up staying up and losing sleep so I could watch this surprisingly fun action romp!

Tintin and Haddock trying to think of their next move

The Adventures of Tintin follows well known journalist Tintin and his resourceful dog Snowy as they are haphazardly involved in an unexpected adventure.  An innocent purchase of a vintage model ship leads Tintin to have his flat ransacked and his life threatened.  Being the investigating reporter he is, Tintin had to get to the truth of the matter.  This leads him to the the trail of a man named Sakharine.  Sakharine is out trying to find clues to a kings ransom in treasure.  While in pursuit of both Sakharine and the truth, Tintin makes a new friend in the drunkard named Haddock.  Together, they try to outwit and outrun Sakharine whenever they can.

Likes - I wasn't entirely sure what to expect with this film.  I knew it had a long history in the comic world but I had no clue what Tintin was about.  When I began this movie, the very first thing that struck me was the animation.  I had never seen anything so lifelike and fluid. It took sometime to get past the sheer depth of realness of this film.  The way bodies moved, cars rolled by, and fog settled on the streets, it was all done so realistically.  Tintin, if nothing else will amaze you on how gorgeous it is.

Once the shine and glen has worn off the animation, you will see Steven Spielberg has crafted a fun, humorous, and action packed adventure.  The scenes on the boat where Tintin and Haddock first meet are great. The scene later on in Begghar was superb.  The pacing and density of the action scenes amazed me how they transitioned so well from one character to another.  It left me throughly impressed. The dialog is great as well.  There is a slickness that you usually get with a Bond film. 

Look it up on Wikipedia

Dislikes - There were no dislikes with this film.  None at all.

Overall - I was blown away how good this movie was.  As I stated earlier, I stayed up to watch this film.  I was so invested and excited with it I had  to see it all the way through.  For adventure fans, Indiana Jones fans, Comic or animation fans...really anyone. you will really enjoy this great movie.  I give it 5 out of 5 stars folks!
And even better news! The sequel looks like it's coming sooner then expected. Score!

Similar To - Any Indiana Jones film

Review: Bernie (film)

Check out the Wiki Link Here

Marjorie Nugent (Shirley MacLaine)

Hi everyone! It's been a spell since I last wrote anything.  I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Mine was really good.  It only got better since I had extra time to read comics and watch movies! Bernie was one recommended to me by my friend Lee.  That, along with the fact Jack Black was in it only made me more anxious to watch it.  It was recently available as instant stream on Netflix.  I seized the opportunity and decided to finally see what this story was about.

Bernie follows Bernie, a local mortician in a small town.  Bernie seemingly came out of nowhere.  He had an amazing knack for connecting to people, taking the time to show people someone still cared.  In the small town of Carthage TX, it didn't take long to gain a revered reputation of being a kind man.  One such lady he came across was Majorie Nugent.  Marjorie was known for her cruel, mean streak.  No one had any desire to be near her in any capacity. At the death of her husband, Bernie began an interesting relationship with Marjorie.  A relationship no one had the bravery, or some might say stupidity, to initiate. A relationship which would lead to her untimely death.

McConaughey being douche-y. 

Likes - Bernie plays off as a mockumentray.  The majority of the film is based on interviews of the local townsfolk.  I haven't confirmed if they are true towns' members but they do an amazing enough job that I was convinced they were.   Jack Black does a great job playing the unique character of Bernie. Bernie is very much not the typical Jack Black role, but still, is something Black can easily handle. Bernie was a man willing to help anyone in any capacity, sometimes to his own detriment.
Matthew McConaughey also did a great job of playing Danny Buck, the D.A. trying to convict Bernie of this crime, a very unenviable task.  The town was so in love with Bernie, no one would be willing to hold him to any crime he committed.
Ultimately, the story is the real star.  This was such a strange story and knowing it was true only adds to the weight.

Click here for the IMDB Link

Dislikes - I would have liked to seen more of Black, but thats only because I love him so much.  I felt that the lack of screen time for him was a great choice of restraint and ultimately serves the story.

Bernie (Jack Black) being the kind man he naturally is.

Overall - I really enjoyed this film.  As a Jack Black fan and as a movie fan, this was very unique and interesting tale.  I am glad I didn't see it in theatre because I don't think it would be worth the ticket price.  Still, it was worth seeing and I may even watch it again soon.  For those looking for something quirky and not entirely deep, this is a great find.  A great way to spend a Sunday evening even.  I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

Similar too: Stranger then Fiction, Louie