Like Crazy (film)

After watching The Parks of being a Wallflower, I was inspired to continue the trend of young love.  A friend recommended watching Like Crazy as a slight change of pace.  Despite falling into the young love category, it's was a darker and bittersweet tale. A sharp contrast to The Parks of Being a Wallflower.

Jacob

Like Crazy is about Jacob and Anna, two college students who find themselves falling head over heels for each other.  Anna is originally from England and is studying in the L.A. area.  Jacob and Anna begin a wonderful love affair.  In time, Anna has to head back to the U.K.  So madly in love, she stays past her visa time limit.  This seemingly innocent lapse of judgement follows the pair for the remainder of the film, as they struggle find a way to live with an ocean between them.  The love they first felt follows them everywhere they go and they struggle individually to find a way to live with such a huge part of themselves missing.

Good - Like Crazy was a tough film to watch.  By tough, I mean challenging, more so then being bad.    The love and adoration between Jacob and Anna is touching and charming.  At the beginning, the love they share gives you hope.  Seeing them struggle later to recapture that magic feels justified.  You are there with them when everything clicked in the beginning.  And you want them to get it back.  The challenge of the film is knowing how cruel reality can be.  Despite the effort, despite the patience, Jacob and Anna look to be on the losing side.  The reward of a fairy tale love just seems too far.
If this all sounds depressing, it is.  You have a heart! Watching Like Crazy was powerful in it's portrayal of blind young love meeting reality in head on.

Anna

Bad - It was tough to watch Like Crazy at times.  I felt there were a large number of scenes of seeing various couples just snuggling and general PDA.  I understand this was mostly likely to show the innocence and intimacy of the affection that was present.  Still, it got to be grating.  For a 90 minute movie, I feel about 20 minutes were scenes of Jacob and Anna being gushy, with no real dialouge or plot progression.  I hate that stuff in real life, so seeing it in a film that's meant to entertain was quite annoying.   Other then that, I can't find anything bad enough to write about.

Jennifer Lawrence shows up as Sam

Overall - I recommend this film but under certain conditions.  Don't expect to be uplifted after watching this film.  It doesn't have a happy ending, to say the least.  The way you listen to depressing music when you're down, Like Crazy is the film equivalent.  It is powerful but you need to make sure you handle this film responsibly.  3.5 out of 5 stars.

Similar To - The Pursuit of Happyness

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (film)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower had recently become available on Netflix.  A close friend had seen it in theaters and highly enjoyed it.  He had read the book many years ago, regaling how he literally couldn't put the book down and read the whole thing in one sitting.  The movie, he opined, was a very good adaptation, which was to be expected.  The author not only transcribed the screenplay but also directed the film.  This was as close as any project would get to be the original author's intended vision.  With all that on the plate, along with a darling Emma Watson, I decided to give it a go.  It took some time but I ended up quite enjoying this one. 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows Charlie.  Charlie has just entered the social hell that is High School.  Still reeling from the suicide of his best friend and his own struggle with depression, he sees high school as another punishment for existence.  He casually befriends Patrick, who in turn leads him to his stepsister Sam.  Charlie learns to navigate the world slowly, finding himself in taxing situations he is emotionally unprepared for.  It's a coming-of-age tale for those who are already broken to begin with.

Good - This was a both heartbreaking and heartwarming film.  We know Charlie is struggling right away. That he hasn't figured things out quite as fast as those around him.  And not because he is slow but because he is able to see the grander picture before most others.  Charlie has been dealt some crushing blows, all relatively close to each other.  Still, you root for him.  He hasn't given up.  He is trying and he puts himself out there.  That's more then I do now.   You come to admire him and the simple triumphs he has.  The movie follows his first year in high school and the plot mirrors that in a realistic way.  He has his first crush and then his first girlfriend later.  He goes to the Sadie Hawkins Dance.  He sees his new friends graduating.  It makes the film more true to life. 

I most enjoyed the end.  I was asking at points "So when does the good stuff start happening?" Maybe I didn't get the movie but that was how I felt.  Still, the movie got me to come around near the end.  Things were wonderfully put together.  The story quickly became very real but yet very hopeful too.

Bad - The movie was a bit slow going into it.  I was multitasking while I was watching to so I thought maybe I was simply being distracted.  Once I had finished up though, I still felt a disconnection.  The characters are quite unique and real but something was missing.  Near the end though, I felt much more into the movie and really enjoyed it.  If nothing else, just be prepared for a slightly slow start. 

The gang enjoying their final school day of the year

Overall - I enjoyed The Perks of Being a Wallflower.  It took a little time for it to build up but it came together quite well in the end.  The placing and foreshadowing were subtle and well placed.  I also enjoyed who the resolutions came about near the end, one after another.  It gave time for each climax to hit and land and settle before going on to the next one.  If you're feeling down or lost, I say this is the film for you.  It's honest and hopeful, insightful and inspiring, all in a delicate and raw voice. 4 out of 5 stars. 

Similar To: The Breakfast Club, Daydream Nation,

The Giant Mechanical Man (film)

Look it up on IMDB

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