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lordnimbo
Reviews
Jaianto robo: Girochin saigo no hi (1968)
The end of an era...
I accidentally tuned in on this episode, which was fortunate, since it was during the period that Microsoft was trying to destroy its Windows Media Center product by changing the TV-Guide source to one that has incorrect listings.
This episode contains the usual ridiculous dialogue translations, and giant monsters that need to be battled with by Giant Robot, but it also marks the end of the series, with the ultimate sacrifice by Giant Robot to save Johnny and the world.
I believe it is the only occurrence in the series, where Giant Robot disobeys Johnny's commands.
ALSO, since this episode (and the entire series) was produced in 1968, does that mean that all other subsequent animated (or otherwise) 'boy and his robot' movies/shows ripped-off 'this' ending ? Was Johnny Sokko (and his Giant Robot) a ground-breaking show ? (Copied by Hollywood, as they would do with all of the Kurasawa films)
Though it didn't occur, you can tell from the Narrator's final lines, that they kept open the possibility of a future series...
Breaking Bad: Gray Matter (2008)
Was Walter drinking Merlot ?
I was surprised to see Jessica Hecht (as Gretchen) in the 5th episode of the series. She always pops up unexpectedly in shows and film, and there's usually wine in the scene...
If Walt was drinking Merlot at the birthday party, could it have been an analogy to his relationship with Gretchen ?
I related this thought to a friend who had been watching the series since its first showing, and he stated that 'that' was the first thing that came to mind as well... Though its been 10 years since the ties to Merlot and her were originally presented, its one that sticks in my mind.
It would be interesting to find out 'who' setup the scene(s) at the party, and if it was Jessica's idea (or one of the other cast/director) to include that element.
I have yet to finish season '1', and have a long way to go to watch the entire series, but keep running across later episodes that are being broadcast (at friends homes) providing 'spoilers' of what's to come.
SPOILER ALERT: I inadvertently saw one of the final episodes, which included the betrayal by Gretchen regarding Walt's part in their companies beginning. I didn't see any wine in that scene...
Breaking Bad: Crazy Handful of Nothin' (2008)
A 'goof' or intentional ploy ?
I'm watching "Baking Bread" (I mean "Breaking Bad")for the first time (I have a lot of catching up to do), and agree that (so far) this show is almost flawless.
The mix of serious drama, with the insets of humor, keep you from being too overwhelmed and/or exhausted during each episode.
I've finished each one without any 'flaws' or 'unbelievable' plot holes diverting my attention from the ongoing story.
SPOILER ALERT: BUT, in 'this' episode (number '6'), I realized, after watching the whole thing, that Walt could not detonate the 1 'chunk' of Fulminated Mercury, without igniting the rest of the 1+ pounds that were in the bag.
If you view the MythBusters episode that dealt with this part of the show, it was proved that (at least for the 'powder' variant of the explosive) you couldn't get it to detonate by simply throwing it, but when it 'did' explode, the force would equal that shown in the episode, or even greater !
SO, was this a 'flaw' in the episode ? Or, was the '1 chunk' the only piece of the explosive Walt had, and the rest of the bag was indeed Meth ? If so, then 'that' would relate to the card game Walt had with Hank, where he bluffed having a 'Crazy Handful of Nothing'... Or, does the title of this episode refer to both events ?
The Big Bang Theory: The Agreement Dissection (2011)
The funniest episode so far
I believe this episode was not only the funniest of the series (so far) but the best written/executed. I watch it again and again when its re-broadcasted.
If you had watched the episodes leading up to 'this' one in sequence, you should have recognized the 'lead ins' to the jokes (i.e. the previous mention from Amy that she was working with monkey's and lung disease).
The scenes flow perfectly into each other, and while there are 2 main threads (scenes with Leonard and Pria, and those with Sheldon and Amy), they combine at the end for the hilarious finale (though only Sheldon is in both parts of the ending scenes, gluing them together).
The Sheldon and Amy character are always playing it 'straight' and serious, though the results are the funniest in the episode.
And, you have to believe that 'not all' of the parts with the monkey are CGI...
Titus (1999)
Caligula meets (Kenneth Branagh's) Hamlet
It took 2 nights (not sequential) to get through the entire film.
What stood out in my mind, was that it appeared to be a combination of the orgiastic scenes from Bob Guccione's "Caligula" and the 'period shifting' element from Kenneth Branagh's "Hamlet".
I have mixed feelings about it, ranging from the 'lowest' (vocalizing, out loud, pure disgust that someone spent money to make this film) to 'highs' (being impressed with certain actor's scenes that stood out, and should have been employed in a better film). I especially appreciated Harry Lennix's moments on screen, who's dialogue had the most 'character' and best portrayed the words spoken.
I'm not sure what the intention of the direction was, but feel that it was either just some San Francisco ("Frisco") Bay Area crap, which many other reviewers have also stated as being 'artsy' and 'high minded'. Or, that it was an attempt at allegory to display the decadence of the portrayed Roman period in relation to more contemporary times (again related to the "Frisco" culture). One should wonder what would result from a choice to give control of the nation, to the former mayor (Gavin Newsom).
Though other reviewers have stated that 'this' is the worst film they've ever seen, I know that there are many more that would exceed it in that category. I would rate it as being alongside "War Horse", though I spent most of my time viewing 'that' film 'laughing out loud' at its absurdity, as apposed to 'cringing' at the bad elements of this one.
The best thing I can say about the movie, is that the DVD quality was exceptional, which along with the modern upscaling of my Blu Ray player and LED television, presented an HD-like picture quality with beautiful color and clarity.
Simple Men (1992)
Hal Hartley's Magnum Opus
I could have sworn that I had already written a review of this, my favorite Hal Hartley film, but apparently have not.
I first watched the film when it was broadcast on the New York PBS station in the early 1990's, and had recorded it (using the high-tech method of the time, with a VCR). When I initiated my hosting of "Weird Movie Night" as a recurring event for my friends and coworkers, 'this' was the first film shown. Like myself, most of the viewers were shocked, having never seen anything like it before. A film where the dialog is as much of the effect as the visual portion. Some of the viewers writhed and yelled out in pain, others laughed at specific scenes (I always laugh at the parts when "Stu the bus driver", I mean 'the sheriff' talks about his relationship issues).
I feel that this is Hal's most 'intelligent' film, with the scenes, script, and background music all syncing up perfectly. It is not a film to watch just to let your mind 'blank' and be fed without question, but makes 'you' think and analyze what you're watching. If that's not the viewing experience you're looking for, one can always rent/download "Die Hard 3".
For those who feel that the film is 'unreal' regarding the character portrayals, I'd counter that they are 'more real' than those shown in the standard Hollywood-released films, which either 'smooth out' their character's personalities, or push them to the extreme. This film doesn't try to make the characters or their interactions 'perfect', but shows them as they are, and what occurs when different personalities are placed together.
Some reviewers state that the film had no meaning or resolution, but I find it (at least at the end) to be very obvious. So I don't spoil it for those who haven't viewed the film yet, or figured out the ending, I'll just suggest that you look at the older brother's coat and think about what 'he' is about to do, just before his final decision.
If you are a fan of Hal Hartley, and want to raise your children with an appreciation of his type/genre of film, obtain the 2 DVD sets of "The Adventures of Pete and Pete" (seasons 1 and 2) which were filmed around the same time period as "Simple Men", and have at least 2 actors from the film in at least 1 episode (not difficult to pick them out).
The Great Wall of Iron (1989)
A great documentary, now more important to watch...
I had seen this 5-part series on TV almost 20 years ago, and still remember much of it.
It provides a background to the Red Armed Forces of China, as well as some history (distant and recent as per the time of the filming).
The filmmaker had unprecedented access to each branch of their forces, revealing much about such a secret and mysterious (to the 'west') entity (much like North Korea still is).
With China today evolving into a contemporary super power, you can see how prescient the subject matter of the film was, and with China's financial rising, you can extrapolate how much more their armed forces must have evolved...
If only it were available for viewing today...
Pearl Harbor (2001)
A Film that will live in infamy !!
I'm sure that 'summary' has been used many times before to comment on this movie... I was dragged to see (during it's actual run time in the theaters) it by a naive girl. Being a history buff, who has studied the war in great detail (including the attack on Perl Harbor, and the Doolittle raid on Japan), I sat through the entire film with either the look of in-credulousness on my face, or in a fit of laughter (which would have appeared to be inappropriate for any other film dealing with these subjects. Having been born on Long Island, and visited the Mitchell Field area many times (just south of Roosevelt Field where Lindberg took off from) I began my laughing fits at the site of California hills and a modern garbage incinerator in the opening moments of the movie. The fits continued right through to the end of the film, where the 'fighter jocks' suddenly were able to fly B25's off of carrier decks, and had somehow gotten Browning machine guns installed in the nose (which wasn't implemented for another 2 years) and flew the planes like strafing fighters... Granted, almost all of the John Wayne films of the time were not much more than propaganda for the cause, but you wouldn't see anyone switching from PT boats to steering a battleship overnight either.. There should be an award for stupidity in motion pictures (though they might have to instill a 5-trophy limit for Mr. Bay) or institute a law prosecuting the lowering of intelligence of the American people through motion pictures...
The Consultant (1983)
A View of early technology-based crime
I last watched the series over 20 years ago (PBS broadcast), and was intrigued in the plot, which illustrated a technique that was not dissimilar to those used in real life to defraud the banking industry. I had read of many different 'scams' which had occurred in the early days of computing (no security existed, since there were so few computers, and the 'security thru obscurity' method was the only safe-keeper). If you had 'any' knowledge at all about a system, and the process used by a firm (and 'physical' access to boot) the opportunity to manipulate the system for profit was not difficult.
The added 'twist' to this series is what raises it above one which just deals with the identification of the 'scam', and presents the main character as a darker and more cunning person than you'd first realize.
Most will find it 'dated', seeing the 'green-bar' paper and the techniques used (they bring back lots of memories for me, though I don't remember seeing any punch cards in the film).
I'm hoping the series will appear on DVD, but feel that younger viewers may not appreciate the concept of the plot as those who lived during that period, and were involved in the early days of computer technology (and how it was implemented in business).