The Garden of Words
(2013) TV-14 46 minutes
Watched on Netflix 11/23/2019 (version was dubbed not subtitled)
This is a slow, but charming very beautifully animated movie.
The primary theme of this anime, finding your true self, where you belong, where you need to be, is applicable to most people. However the way this theme is presented would probably not be acceptable to most Westerners. In having a 15 year old boy fall in love with an older (late twenties) woman who turns out to be a teacher (not in a class he attends) at his school many would find this anime problematic.
The Garden of Words is a short movie, which flows slowly but not in a "check the time" kind of way. The animation is beautiful, the soundtrack languid and peaceful. It has the usual chipper upbeat (typical for anime) music to accompany the closing credits. Stay through the credits as there is a stinger about 1 minute from the close of the credits. This short scene does tie up a few loose ends left by the final (before closing credits) moments of the movie. Again, the plot thread mentioned above is continued.
I would recommend this movie for anyone (older teens and adults) who enjoys anime.
Friday, November 22, 2019
The Mandalorian
As of 11/22/19 = 3 episodes
Season to encompass 9 episodes
The story is so well-written, I can see the expression of Mandalorian in spite of that helmet. I know that Disney money is involved, but I am extremely impressed by the sets, costume and effects on this streaming series.
While Episode 4 of The Mandalorian certainly wasn't the best of the ones shown thus far, I did enjoy the homage to films, Magnificent Seven and Shane. I think that Episode 4 was basically a "bridge" episode to get us from the introduction theme and characters to the explanation and resolution in the remaining 5 episodes. Maybe The Mandalorian was written as a single script and then divided up.
As of 11/22/19 = 3 episodes
Season to encompass 9 episodes
The story is so well-written, I can see the expression of Mandalorian in spite of that helmet. I know that Disney money is involved, but I am extremely impressed by the sets, costume and effects on this streaming series.
While Episode 4 of The Mandalorian certainly wasn't the best of the ones shown thus far, I did enjoy the homage to films, Magnificent Seven and Shane. I think that Episode 4 was basically a "bridge" episode to get us from the introduction theme and characters to the explanation and resolution in the remaining 5 episodes. Maybe The Mandalorian was written as a single script and then divided up.
Wednesday, November 13, 2019
Doctor Sleep
R rated
2 hr 33 min.
Watched in theater November 13, 2019
I have not read either The Shining or Doctor Sleep. I just watched Doctor Sleep at a theater. It was a very entertaining, scary but still very few jump scares. My cat has learned how to scare me (am not telling how), so when I spend money on a movie and popcorn I would prefer more thought go into it than that of a wacky cat. The acting, writing, cinematography, even CGI, everything is all extremely watchable. The movie did not seem like a 2 hour 33 minute movie, everything flowed quickly, every conversation interesting.
R rated
2 hr 33 min.
Watched in theater November 13, 2019
I have not read either The Shining or Doctor Sleep. I just watched Doctor Sleep at a theater. It was a very entertaining, scary but still very few jump scares. My cat has learned how to scare me (am not telling how), so when I spend money on a movie and popcorn I would prefer more thought go into it than that of a wacky cat. The acting, writing, cinematography, even CGI, everything is all extremely watchable. The movie did not seem like a 2 hour 33 minute movie, everything flowed quickly, every conversation interesting.
Sunday, October 6, 2019
Joker
R
(not yet seen)
(My comment made to Jeremy Jahns video posted 10/06/2019 concerning Joker Theories)
The discussion of did this really happen concerning events/memories in Joker give me headaches (as do discussion about paradoxes in time travel). I have not seen this film, but have deliberately ventured into spoilers. I will see this film when the static dies down for its craft, acting, cinematography and writing. Events like those in this movie require me "to immunize" myself with tiny spoiler-ific doses of violence and despair so that I can go the movie and come out without needing any drugs more potent than caffeine.
This is one of the best, most coherent discussions on this movie that I have seen or heard as of this comment. Panel does its part to distribute some sanity and thought into a world with some clueless people who are angry at a movie that they may not have even seen and who are also ignorant of the nature of movies, Movies reflect, not create, reality.
The violence (aside from the puppy in John Wick 1 and the eye of an opponent in John Wick 3) in the John Wick series is at comic book level. I cannot understand how anyone who has seen Joker could posit that the film glorifies violence. Perhaps these people are afraid that this movie excuses violence. Actually with Arthur Fleck being so unlikeable and repellant no matter what his mental condition may be, glorification seems doubtful. I have heard some reviewers hypothesize that Arthur Fleck is hallucinating much of the "Joker"scenes. I think Joker will require multiple viewings where I can pause, ff and rerun scenes before I go along with that theory.
I have not yet seen Joker. I agree that I would like to see more of an arc (or descent) for the main character of a movie. Whether Joker is a canonical prequel to the DC character of the Joker or just a living symbol for the director's viewpoint of society, it does not matter. What is the point of seeing the early life of a character without some sort of an evolution. Internet talk (always a source both for imagination and negativity) indicates that there may be a Joker 2 in development.
R
(not yet seen)
(My comment made to Jeremy Jahns video posted 10/06/2019 concerning Joker Theories)
The discussion of did this really happen concerning events/memories in Joker give me headaches (as do discussion about paradoxes in time travel). I have not seen this film, but have deliberately ventured into spoilers. I will see this film when the static dies down for its craft, acting, cinematography and writing. Events like those in this movie require me "to immunize" myself with tiny spoiler-ific doses of violence and despair so that I can go the movie and come out without needing any drugs more potent than caffeine.
This is one of the best, most coherent discussions on this movie that I have seen or heard as of this comment. Panel does its part to distribute some sanity and thought into a world with some clueless people who are angry at a movie that they may not have even seen and who are also ignorant of the nature of movies, Movies reflect, not create, reality.
The violence (aside from the puppy in John Wick 1 and the eye of an opponent in John Wick 3) in the John Wick series is at comic book level. I cannot understand how anyone who has seen Joker could posit that the film glorifies violence. Perhaps these people are afraid that this movie excuses violence. Actually with Arthur Fleck being so unlikeable and repellant no matter what his mental condition may be, glorification seems doubtful. I have heard some reviewers hypothesize that Arthur Fleck is hallucinating much of the "Joker"scenes. I think Joker will require multiple viewings where I can pause, ff and rerun scenes before I go along with that theory.
I have not yet seen Joker. I agree that I would like to see more of an arc (or descent) for the main character of a movie. Whether Joker is a canonical prequel to the DC character of the Joker or just a living symbol for the director's viewpoint of society, it does not matter. What is the point of seeing the early life of a character without some sort of an evolution. Internet talk (always a source both for imagination and negativity) indicates that there may be a Joker 2 in development.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
Ad Astra
PG-13 -- 2 hrs. 04 min.
(2019)
Watched in the theater 09/22/2019
This movie is paced quite slowly, I liked (not loved) it. I agree with the panel, many interesting plot threads were shown and quickly dropped.Ruth Negga played a character that should have gotten her own movie. Donald Sutherland was great, but they wrote him out way too soon. The lawlessness on the moon was intriguing, but never explained. Brad Pitt's character had a decent arc. As for any message to take away from this film, maybe it is just a simple one. What we are here and now is what we will be there and then? Just find a big screen in a theater with a superior sound system, settle back and enjoy the 2 hours and a few minutes while comfortably in your seat munching your popcorn.
I liked the movie. However, my friend in I were part of an audience of 6 in a theater with a 260 seat capacity. I am guessing no box office records for this movie. Actually it is too bad, this movie should be seen on a theater screen with high quality sound.
AD ASTRA is latin for "to the stars"
PG-13 -- 2 hrs. 04 min.
(2019)
Watched in the theater 09/22/2019
This movie is paced quite slowly, I liked (not loved) it. I agree with the panel, many interesting plot threads were shown and quickly dropped.Ruth Negga played a character that should have gotten her own movie. Donald Sutherland was great, but they wrote him out way too soon. The lawlessness on the moon was intriguing, but never explained. Brad Pitt's character had a decent arc. As for any message to take away from this film, maybe it is just a simple one. What we are here and now is what we will be there and then? Just find a big screen in a theater with a superior sound system, settle back and enjoy the 2 hours and a few minutes while comfortably in your seat munching your popcorn.
I liked the movie. However, my friend in I were part of an audience of 6 in a theater with a 260 seat capacity. I am guessing no box office records for this movie. Actually it is too bad, this movie should be seen on a theater screen with high quality sound.
AD ASTRA is latin for "to the stars"
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Friday, September 6, 2019
The Fanatic - Hilariocity Review - Chris Stuckmann----09/06/2019
this movie offends on so many levels, with its pointless violence, ridiculous acting, shameless (music video) plug, crude portrait of mental illness, incoherent plot structure and incompetent direction. However its biggest failure is masquerading as a movie. And that rant is from someone who has only seen a trailer and this video. I am going to have to find and watch The Room (not ROOM) to cleanse my film palate. Chris Stuckmann's talent alone kept me watching this entire video. Thanks?❤️
So sad, Travolta, Durst (and Redbox?) could not even make a movie that is laughably bad. Actually the only way to save this movie, would be to edit it down to maybe 15-20 minutes and make this an anthology film with different segments about the levels/kinds of fandom. Not sure if Travolta should be the "fan" in each segment, maybe trade off among all the actors (depending on their skill level) each getting a chance to be a fan in a particular scenario.
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