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Reviews
Supai Famirî (2022)
Delightful characters, wholesome situation
This is such a wonderful break from so much of the shonen anime I've been watching, a lot of great stuff out there, but it gets kind of dark. The antics of the mysterious Forger family, each of them with a secret of their own, is just delightful to watch and incredibly wholesome. One of the most charming and funniest shows I've seen in a long time. If you don't fall in love with Anya, who is one of the best depictions of a little girl I've seen, you don't have a heart. The other characters are wonderful too. I especially love Yor's ferocity, particularly when it comes to her daughter. A wonderful depiction of a somewhat screwed up family. If you want to be charmed, this is it.
Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019)
Exciting beautifully done show with a big heart
Working my way through Season 1 and love this show. Not just the standard shonen but Tanjiro is not just a conflicted hero, he's a just really sweet, upstanding guy who's not always sure of his skills. Animation is breathtaking and the characters are unique and riveting. What makes a different for me with this show is that the demons are portrayed as individuals and when they expire you can see what they might have been like when they were first taken and turned. You can feel empathy for a demon child who plays with her ball, or demon who is terrified of the head demon.....you know they are evil and they have to be destroyed but you also understand that the evil originated from somewhere and that these were regular people before they were turned. It's melancholy, bittersweet and brilliantly done. My only problem is the one guy who can't stop crying and y'all know who I mean, but maybe he turns out okay. Just a great show about being loyal, staying true against all evil, and doing the right thing. You won't be bored.
Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders (1996)
Nearly laughed myself into a gall bladder attack
You have to see the Mystery Science Theater 3000 version of this gem. The whole movie is quite bizarre but the episode where Merlin gives a spell book to a store? "reviewer" (it's unclear to me what this nasty character actually does besides destroy hardware stores with the might of his prose) is priceless and with the MST3k quips is truly one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Even on repeat viewings, I just howl at this. The actor is marvelous, so completely over the top & really committed to the role. He mined the material harder then the Gold Rush of 1849. I never thought that roasting a small furry creature could send me into gales of laughter, but it has to be seen to be believed. Truly THE BEST of MST3K. And yes.....Clorets might cure that Dragon Breath.
High Noon (1952)
Very over-rated, plot does not make sense, bleak & depressing
I just watched High Noon for the first time in several decades. Never cared for it but thought I'd give it a fresh look. It's just highly over-rated, unrealistic in its depiction & very depressing. John Wayne thought the movie was un-American. Not sure I'd used that term, but I understand what he meant and I agree. Americans are not a bunch of cowards who wouldn't stand up for their own town. To be specific:
1. I can't believe that Marshall Kane could not find one man who would stick with him in this fight. This is a frontier Western town of men used to handling guns. Even some of the women probably could. It's just not realistic that no one would back up Kane. In fact, it's a silly and insulting idea about American communities. Maybe John Wayne's term WAS right.
2. The villains are no big whoop. There are only 4 of them. None look particularly menacing and Frank Miller is a BIG let down when he arrives. I'd at least expect a Jack Palance. Hell, I'd take a gun and fight these guys, lol. Even 1 man who was good with a gun might stand a reasonable chance with these 4. Not menacing.
3. Grace Kelly is simply awful. As an actress and as a character. If I married a woman and had her leave me an hour later when I was gonna be in the fight of my life...I'd get an annulment. Frankly, I don't see what he'd see in Kelly as opposed to the totally hot and classy Katy Jurado, who would DEFINITELY stand by her man. Can't stand Kelly's Quaker act, it just seems stupid and short-sighted. People have to fight for freedom & to live a certain way, if you don't fight, the bad guys automatically win.
4. The acting is just not compelling here including Cooper, who does not look well. Quite wooden.
I honestly can't recommend these depressing movie that has such a negative view of American communities. Watch Tombstone instead.
Juwanna Mann (2002)
Charming, funny movie - actually kind of sweet, worth a watch
We all know it's not Shakespeare but I caught this on cable and was surprised at how sweet this movie was. Nothing mean or nasty about it. Egotistic star basketball player finally learns the meaning of team work and true love. Movie has good performances, is funny, sweet, has good messages and I LOVE Jamal's aunt - such a nice relationship there. Also good to see some women's basketball actually taken a bit seriously. This might be a good movie for older kids in sports to learn about being a team player, as long as they can handle some of the inevitable risque jokes.
The Magicians (2015)
Enjoyable show, sad to see it end
I've been watching since Season 1, and this cast has become a family. Some irritate you - ALICE - and others are just a delight - Margo, Elliot. I love the cleverness, the imagination, the obvious deep connections the characters have to each other, the use of magic. I also would have preferred less profanity as much of it was just gratuitous. Unfortunately the show became ever more convoluted in plotting, too many characters, especially in the last season. It became hard to follow and each extra plotline watered down the effect of the rest. Some of the romantic pairings I could not believe either especially Margo & Josh....never in a million years, LOL. I will miss this group of really talented friends, it's hard to find something like this.
Dispatches from Elsewhere (2020)
Fascinating, well told and ultimately touching series. WELL DONE!
I think this series could become a cult classic. Really well done, excellently acted with great actors like Richard E. Grant (a favorite of mine). It's in the sci-fi genre and centers around a "game" that members of the public are mysteriously recruited to play. During the course of the game, the 4 main participants learn about each other & themselves while they try to solve the central mystery. Is it a game? It is an Illuminati ritual? Is it a scam? Each character comes at it from their own unique perspective & experiences and you can really place yourself within these characters and feel for & with them. VERY VERY WELL DONE. I highly recommend.