Reviews

It has been said that history is written by the winners. More so when a country such as the United States hangs on the edge of Civil War.

Since the dawn of the renaissance, governments around the world seem to think that stepping on the necks of their subjects who work to earn a paycheck is a great idea to keep the public in line.

Nothing can be further from the truth. Just look at Marie Antoinette. When her head went rolling for overtaxing her subjects and contracting the food supply it was no wonder why the people bit the hand that fed them.

The revolution helped free the people to be sure, and appointed new government officials who spoke for the populace. But as always, corruption was the ever lasting sliver left behind that festered the open wounds of hatred, defiance, lying, and silence.

Today's media outlets are beginning to see familiar signs of what France went through. Little by little the public outcry is reaching critical mass to a point that has never been seen before.

This film described at how desperation had set in among the working class or those who were deemed less than worthy by their own government body. Factions, organizations and tactical cells had sprung up to stop a madman who sat in the seat of power.

Kirsten Dunst played a remarkable war journalist whose patience, devotion and hard nosed reporting had started to burn out while a more younger photo journalist played by (Cailee Spaeny) only wanted to get the perfect shot while stuck in the middle of soldiers who gunned down just about anybody who was not part of their squad.

Alex Garland, who I thought did a brilliant job of directing captured the right amount of fear, uncertainty, insanity and confusion between characters. It was like watching the Killing Fields all over again but set in the middle of Washington DC.

It's a frightful glimpse of what could happen given enough time. Look at Capitol Hill. If a mob can overrun such a tightly knit and secured building like that, just imagine how far they will go next time. The cost of living is too high, taxation has taken its toll, food is becoming scarcer, and medical expenses outweigh everything else.

For blue collar workers of today, there is no freedom. No way of life, no relief from ever increasing bills or insurances or mortgages. So, when one is driven into a corner with no available options, then he, or she take up their weapon and settle it using the only way that they know how. Like their ancestors did.

I heard about this series starting in 2024 and felt it needed my review. Basically, this series is mind blowing. A station full of sound minded scientists are found possibly dead together in the middle of an open field of ice without clothes on. Jodie who plays a police chief must now unravel the mystery that surrounds her home town of Ennis.

When I said possibly dead, it just means there is more than meets the eye. For a strange symbol has come into the mix which holds a mysterious hold on everyone involved but, all started at the tsalal research station. It's meaning nobody can decipher. Not even the local indigenous people who live in Ennis can translate its purpose other than it pops up every now and then when it suits itself.

It's quite possible that the scientists might have unearthed something in the form of a very old genome. Perhaps it was the template to life before life even existed on this stagnant planet. Then again, it could be from an ancient tribe who kept deep secrets from the public eye. Or it could be both scenarios working into one another.

Whatever it could be, it doesn't stop Chief Danvers, (Foster) from doing her job with diligence and hard nosed investigating with the help of her estranged assistant Navarro (Kali Reis). Both butt heads now and then, but it helps them overcome adversity and difficult situations under pressure. They have really good chemistry much like an old series called Cagney and Lacey.

The series is also starting to get darker in each episode which I like. How this will turn out is anybody's guess. However, the ancient symbol involved in the story is becoming an obsession for me. I hope that more clues follow that will help explain what its purpose is since the local people have no idea what it all means.

It's a series that tests faith or beliefs in each character. Folk lore often holds a truth in some form or another. Yet, lore comes from the ancient world first. Is it a genome? Is it part of a ritual? Is it a sign of things to come? We'll see when more episodes come. I love this show.

Nimona. A unique life form of unprecedented mischief, fun, gregariously hyperactive on every level. Now, slam in a knight. A commoner who was recruited to become a hero in the eyes of his peers. Right up until his sword's hilt opens and kills his beloved queen in front of the whole kingdom.

A rather dubious plot if there ever was one. Bal as his friends liked to call him must now hunt him down and bring him in to face justice. Yet, it's not that simple when a creature of untold power tries to help him prove his innocence. The deal, she'll help him just as long as she gets to be his sidekick forever.

Sounds like a mix of both trouble and self discovery for both of them right? Well, you'd be half right. Nimona for all intense and purposes just wants to be normal around Bal and whoever else knows him, but in the middle is the director. A coach who helps train and gets eager knights ready from any signs of danger.

In the chaos of finding Bal and his new found friend they soon discover a secret plot that helped blame Bal for the queens death. Armed with this new information, Nimona and Bal race against time in order to bring down the hierarchy.

It is a fun thrill ride with great action, humor, betrayal, sadness and joy. A remarkable tale of good versus evil with all the trimmings. Whoever watches this will have a great time. Especially with Nimona as she dishes out unabated mischief using her cunning wit and crude humor.

Whatever type of creature she really is doesn't matter. Demon, ghoul, specter, or a higher form of life will become irrelevant once you watch her in action. I highly recommend this movie for ages of twelve and above. Some scary parts. But, all in all a roller coaster that will leave you wanting more.

For years there has been several versions about the rivalry between clan factions in the shinobi world. But I have to say that this series took me by surprise when I started watching it.

Starting from about four hundred and fifty years ago when the noble houses used ninja clans for intelligence gathering during the Tokugawa period the Iga nation were the ones who produced and trained highly skilled soldiers who could use stealth, skill and prowess while on a mission to retrieve intel or, to assassinate a target.

Ninjas were often feared both on the field and off. But, the samurai never looked upon them as total equals. By all rights they considered ninjas to be nothing more than a rowdy bunch of country hicks with no moral code or bushido code.

That is until Hattori Hanzo arrived on the scene that changed all that. He alone with his own clan brought Japan into a new era at the side of Ieyasu Tokugawa during his reign and even went as far as to saving his life when the real enemy, the Fuma Ninja tried many times to assassinate the shogun.

This series has a lot to offer, great characters except for the lead. I found him to be too emotional for his own good. Yes, he is young, naive and quite often unstable when it comes to making a decision. Perhaps that was the way he was written in. Aside from Ittoki the background characters are excellent to watch and listen to.

It has a riveting story, plot, theme of the old world melded into the new era where science is being used to amplify ninja skills. This is where Kidou comes in as the head chief of the Kouga ninja who just so happens to be the same man who killed his own brother.

Shinobi no Ittoki has many twists, turns, action, humor, and fantastic fight scenes to make this a one of a kind series. If you can get past Ittoki's endless bouts of emotional distress then you will enjoy the series. Other than that, it's great family fun based on an old world tradition that has lasted for over five centuries.

In the last twenty years there has been about five stop-motion animation films but none of them can measure up to this one. Phil Tippet, the creator, director, puppeteer, producer, designer and set producer worked for the last thirty years to bring us this wonderful tale of good versus evil.

Set in a dystopian future man has fallen from grace by way of the ancient tower of Babylon of the past leaving the human race fighting each other without end. In the midst of the chaos two separate missions are set forth by a mysterious tyrant and uses drone like individuals which are lowered down to earth using a pod.

Upon landing, they must journey to designated spots and drop off and set a timebomb so that man can be wiped out entirely leaving the tyrant earth as his own. But if both fails the cycle begins again. Yet, one of them is caught by a psychotic surgeon who extracts a baby creature from his patients still living body through evisceration.

When the new born is delivered by a nurse to a gigantic door it opens to reveal a mystic being (possibly god) who has gone insane who then takes the newborn to his lair. Once home, his strange and cruel assistant helps him sacrifice the infant and grind the body into a platter of glittering particles which are tossed into a nearby energy portal and cast off into the unknown regions of space.

Upon arriving to its destination, the cycle of life begins again on a new world. This movie captivated me from start to finish with its horrific, gory and unsettling sequences which are not for the faint of heart. It may be a stop-motion film but the content is definitely not for children. Complicated shots through out with additional stop-motion activity sets this film apart from previous directors who created more light hearted stories.

Each character has smooth movement, almost lifelike in some respects. There are however four live action sequences that blends well into the story line. But, the rest will leave you spell bound and wanting more. The music was eerie, dark, evil, sometimes uplifting but embeds into your soul and glues to your bones and sends chills up your spine.

The detail, lighting, shadows, tones, architecture, and set designs were impeccable. Incredible vision to such a glorious tale of what it's like to be a god that has lost his reasoning. Or has he? I also enjoyed the nuances of alien shots along with the monoliths that helped create worlds using their own unknown forces. Phil Tippet in my view is a brilliant director who has a keen eye for intricate details. Nothing was left to chance.

I highly recommend this movie for stop motion fans all over the world or are now just entering the field to create a masterpiece of their own like this one. Mad god is simply the best example of a person's imagination brought to life. Not a film for those under 16.

It has been four years since the movie came out to show us the next stage of Riko and her party's steep descent into the Abyss. And now, the new season that is aired so far has not once disappointed me. I have been an avid fan of Made in Abyss since 2017 and I must say the story just gets better and better. New creatures, new terror and pulse stopping shot scenes which leaves the viewer stunned.

Since they cannot go back to the surface, their only option is to reach the bottom layer to hopefully catch up or at least find out if Riko's mother is still alive or in a worse case scenario, find out if she has been killed or has passed away. As the mystery grows in each layer so do they pose a greater threat.

In the movie we saw that Riko and her posse had reached the fifth layer where they all stumbled upon on what was one of the final human outposts. Yet, as luck would have it, the caretakers who still live there, turned out to be a despotic group of mad scientists bound and determined to know how a human ticks using barbaric means of evisceration. On top of that, Riko befriends a girl named Prushka who was once part of the mad men's experiments.

After Prushka's transformation that turned her into a white whistle, at the hands of her benefactors, Riko became her owner so that their journey can continue on within the sixth layer using a spherical diving bell. Yet as fate would have it, once they all reach that level they can no longer return to the surface to join their friends because of the extreme changes in the atmosphere which would kill them instantly.

Knowing this risk, Riko and her trusted companions Reg and. Nanachi decide to push on and see what the great mystery is about the most coveted pitfall ever discovered and what it really is. There are so many characters it's hard to keep up but that is what makes this series so special. You don't know what comes next, or what horrible creature lies in wait to do them harm. Such terror which can stop a man's pulse never bars Riko's way.

If you haven't watched this series yet, then I suggest you begin from the first episode of season one. Otherwise you will not be able to tell what is going on through the new season. I highly recommend this great anime to fans out there. Some might say that this looks like a childish program but, I can guarantee you this that it's nowhere near of such a genre. Be prepared, be ready to enjoy a wonder unlike anything you've ever watched before. You will not be disappointed. I would give it more stars but you can't get better than perfect.

This is a fantastic live action series based on the original anime. John Cho - Spike Spiegle (AKA) fearless who was part of an underground crime mafia group known as the syndicate. The action is fantastic, music is top notch, as well as the deep underlying stories of each character, which blends so well to the fast pace environments under protective shields that protect ordinary citizens from the vacuum of space.

Daniella Pineda who plays Valentine is as perky, ruthless, kick ass, and downright visceral when it comes to getting what she wants. Not to mention of becoming one of the most bad ass bounty hunters in the known galaxy or solar system. On top of that, there is also the captain of Bebop, Jet black played by Mustafa Shakir. Together, all three make the bebop famous as well as nostalgic for the devoted fans out there who keep this franchise alive and well.

For years I was wondering on when this classic series was going to go live action. And finally it came true. It's fast paced, with great fights, humor, gore in a few episodes, and highly charged for all of the extra bonus features such as locations, technology, as well as the razor ship flown by Spike. If any series has impressed me the most, it has to be Cowboy Bebop.

With that said, I've also learned that a few studios are beginning talks on whether or not one of the most famous animation movies will go to live action soon. Warner brothers in the past has brought us Titan, Bleach, Gintama and a few others to mention a few. The animation to go live action will be none other than -- AKIRA.

Ghost in the shell was a disaster mostly because the producers had their hands in the project and that most if not all of the characters were non-Japanese. What also made the film a flop was the fact that the main title sequence had none of the original soundtrack which was provided in the original movie by award winning composer Kenji Kawai.

Cowboy bebop however did its name proud of keeping to the original musical scope that the series was well known for. It set the pace for action, mystery, drama, or any emotional impact that was needed to keep the audiences riveted. I highly recommend this series to any and all fans of Cowboy bebop. You will not be disappointed in this galactic tale set against the backdrop of the universe.

This has turned into something quite interesting. Don't let the looks fool you. It is a dark anime in some respects. But also lighthearted in other ways. Boji, a deaf mute soon to be king becomes the brunt of people's troubles. Although boji looks weak, he is rather well educated in many other ways.

One of which, is sword play. Who in all respects, defeated his younger tyrannical brother Daida using the gentleman's approach by tapping spots on his body to signify a clean hit or mortal wound. Daida in his rage thinks it's cowardly and beat boji to a pulp. Thankfully his adoptive mother Hili healed his body when he was sleeping.

Among many of Boji's friends is an assassin who crawls across the ground and uses the shadows to keep hidden, But the assassin's best trait is when night falls only to become unbeatable. Yet through many trials and tribulations, Boji learns the hard way on what it means to be a king.

Aside from the daily proclivities of Boji's life, and during his father's last moments Boji was named king by his own father, but the appointment was capitulated by Hili. Not because of his inept ability, but more so because Boji's mother loves him deeply and does not want him to take such a burden on by himself.

Daida was then appointed in his place. This gave Boji a new lease on life and set out on a journey on behalf of his mother's wishes so he could gain more knowledge and experience. I have to say the story line is wonderful. Set in arthruian times, against a background of ill characters who want nothing more than topple the kingdom.

The music is topnotch, as are the voice actors. Great action sequences, with dark tones of betrayal, disloyalty, political strife, and a very mean king. He almost reflects king joffre in the game of thrones. But we'll see just how far he will go to prevent Boji from ever becoming king. Lots of emotional content, as well as the inevitable light at the end of the tunnel. Ten out of ten stars for this one.

Osama ranking may look simple in nature but the story more than makes up for its simplistic style of drawn sequences. Highly recommended.

For many, the hype for such stories like this often try to disassemble the human psyche. Since the internet was in full swing during the nineties, many closet directors wanted to make little clips such as the video in the movie so that the public can shake their heads and ask -- why?

Why go to so much trouble in creating a video which contains oddities such as the masked robot? To create strange noises so the viewer gets confused? Well for some it's a good way to hide a body as the film suggested.

This and other clues within the video tape so the protagonist remains fully aware that his investigation is going nowhere. During the early years of the 21st century, the dark web had crept in on the net. Inside of the web, many strange videos that could leave one wondering -- was that real? Or are they just jerking off?

It's pretty much both. If one could navigate the dark web properly, you would find horrifying clips beyond description but it's also dangerous to do so since the FBI had gotten involved and started shutting down questionable sites. Some of which were cleaned so well, that you could eat a steak off the sender's floor.

Broadcast intrusion is a lot like the dark web for its disturbing material content. A robot, mysterious deaths of three women, the sudden disappearance of Jame's sidekick who helped him, yet bolted once he was getting too close. It's as if she was protecting whoever made the videos painting her as an accomplice.

Then there's the so called real killer. Did he kill the women? Possibly. Maybe. Or - maybe not. Since James killed him after the confession only to run down a person on the road, which turned out to be another robot left unanswered questions. Like the suicide victim in the alley way, James will remain on the trail to the real answer, but not any time soon.

This is what the dark web is. It's full of loopholes, obstacles, puzzles, clues that lead nowhere. James may be smarter than some, but everyone knows that sociopaths and psychotics often have IQ'S that are up just a little higher than most. The killer, had that look on his face when James said, "we're going to do a video." Which made the so called killer smirk a bit. Telling the audience -- Hah, hook line and sinker. Just like the rest.

Broadcast has a lot of loopholes and open pages, but each page is to be written by James himself. If there is a deep conspiracy group out there, then there is definitely other hidden factions who work together to make the puzzle as difficult as possible to figure out. Hence, the odd videos, or broadcasts on the open web or dark web. It's all just a smoke screen to hide their real agendas.

Radical groups that stay in the closet until they're ready to expose themselves in the guise of strange characters like robots or faceless creatures are those who have absolutely nothing else better to do. Probably because they couldn't make it big on the silver screen or become a famed poet or author or some other form of entertainment. Or even an investigative reporter or archivist such as James who had real motives. Mysteries will remain the same no matter how far the FBI will go to stop them.

I like this film. It made me question the motives of the piracy signal that led James on a wild goose chase to nowhere. A few twists and turns here and there gave the movie some depth but without all of the needless existential proclivities that other films contained. Music was a nice touch for the near ending shot. Actors were on the ball with their own persona blended into their roles. Not a lot of action, but then again, talking about the net and video piracy laws are not that exciting to begin with.

I give it eight out of ten stars. Wonderfully shot, good locations, and a well thought out script.

Denis Villeneuve is now one of my favorite directors since Blade Runner 2049. His earlier works were more experiments rather than telling a story, but has such incredible insight towards a goal of achieving the perfect shot. Dune was one of those films. Since 1984, there has been talk about revamping Frank Herbert's opera classic but not one Hollywood director wanted to take on such a precocious project because of the source material.

Frank Herbert was always a lot like J. R. R. Tolkien in many respects for giving the reader very complex scenarios that unfold one piece at a time. It made it nearly impossible for David Lynch to follow but tried his best to keep his version true to the letter except the producers who got involved often made changes to the film so that the audience could make heads or tails of it. Because of that fact, David's attempt fell short and confused the viewer rather than awe inspire them which made him hate the end result.

After much debate with the writer's guild, Denis was given his chance to come up with a solution and did just that by keeping to the source material with every producer out of the loop. The cast was magnificent. All who were involved delivered wonderful performances to keep the emotional aspect intact, which is what Lynch wanted in the first place rather than eye candy. Yet the cinematography was brilliantly executed with beautiful sequence shots of home-world ships landing or taking off. Or the high-liners parked in orbit which resemble the worms on arakis in frozen form.

The music was top notch as was the locations in Jordan, US, and Canada. Each scene was breathtaking to the last as well as the hand to hand combat between the atreites house warriors and the Sardukar terror troops. Denis kept the story authentic from the first frame to the last and I am so eager to see the second installment once it has wrapped up. Dune in itself was meant to be a two to three part tale in the first place, which is what David Lynch asked for but never got the green light because of budget talks.

Like Lord of the rings, Peter Jackson was at the end of his rope before New Line Cinema agreed to pick up the tab for the three movie segment that paid off nearly five times over its foretold goal and won an astonishing seventeen academy awards for his troubles making it the only fantasy film ever to do it. But Denis Villeneuve will someday create and bring home such wins once he has achieved his ultimate goal and place his name beside William Wyler, James Cameron and Peter Jackson. Dune will still live on as the best space opera since Star Wars.

Hopefully, Denis will think about 2001. Perhaps a bolder approach to the Arthur C. Clarke's vision needs a new perspective.

For many dystopian cyberpunk genres, zone 414 is a classic example of how not to involve androids. Cyborgs, robots, androids and other forms of machine humanoids has been overdone many times. Since the eighties, with Jean Claude Van Damme in Cyborg the idea of humans living with machines has become a cliche.

Guy pearce who plays the detective in search for a missing daughter to a tycoon who invented zone 414 for filthy elitists is truly an unworthy story line. I was however impressed that such a low budget film that the director used a keen eye in giving us a believable environment where high tech meets old school smarts.

Another factor, is that some of the dialogue was very simple in nature. Not a lot of intellectual jargon that helps propel each character's role play to a higher status. Also very diminutive extra characters that seemed out of place with a few quirky eye shots or random glances from street pedestrians who watch each character as if they're meant not to be there.

Rather than the continued critique, I can say that zone 414 is not - - all that. The director is heading in the right direction with his vision and talented architectural design of the film, which will help his career later on with a more involved script and original story. Just call this an experiment. Nothing more.

When I first watched Bob Ross for the very first time, I was only eleven years old. It was a Saturday afternoon and I was ready to see what new magical painting he was going to create. Naturally, I was astounded with an oceanic scene somewhere off the coast of a deserted island.

Before Bob, however there was William Alexander. A brash, high strung, but excitable painter who's talent lies in the use of his knife and his almighty two inch brush. At first I couldn't tell who was the better painter. Was it the soft spoken Bob whose elements included a gentle approach to design a painting in twenty eight minutes? Or, was it the loud spoken German officer type who lashes at his canvass with a strong stroke to create strong sentinel mountains nestled in a green valley?

To tell the truth, they were both magnificent painters in their own right. But, when Bob took over the reigns under the Kowalski's tutelage it was then that I learned how to paint my own way. After watching the documentary I felt that the more I listened to how Bob's name got dragged under the bus, the more I began to dislike the Kowalski's.

Here was a company who was supposed to work with Bob under a veil of trust. Instead, it became a money making machine. Just like that other guy. What was his name again.... oh yeah, that ex-president. Dump. I mean trump. At first it's as always the first time when meeting someone with a large smile and fake intentions. The kowalski's demonstrated that when they first met Bob and wanted to see how far his talent could enrich and line their pockets.

Things go smoothly in the first couple of years. Then in increments, start to unravel. When Bob was taken ill, it would be the kowalski's chance to circle like vultures. Biding their time when Bob finally leaves his mortal coil and with the help of Bob's brother signs over all rights to the kowalski's leaving nothing behind for son Steve who should have been the only sole beneficiary to the estate.

It is so sad to see such filthy business practices used in what supposed to be a non-political, non-governmental environment where Bob brought happiness to those who needed it the most. People with true down to earth problems facing incredible and sometimes life threatening odds and to be healed from all of it in just twenty eight minutes using a two inch brush.

The kowalski's banked on that using his life giving nature. His soft spoken voice and quite often a friendly smile to warm a person's heart in what could be described as darker times. I found this documentary very uplifting for the use of in depth material, video shots, guest shots, and investigative reporting. What became a world wide phenomenon with just a brush stroke also became a monumental failure under the guise of friendship from the kowalski's. Maybe at first that's all it was when Bob and Annette met.

But then, when millions of dollars falls into her lap, she did what any other monetary greed infested monger does. She goes for more. And for more. And - for more. Until she no longer sees Bob as a close friend but just a symbolic dollar sign attached to his good name. When that happened, she became her own worst enemy.

Perhaps someday she'll look back to see what she missed the most. For now, all she can do is soak up more money at the expense of Bob's son Steve who never once saw a single red cent from the estate. It makes one mad to watch how bad it got even after Bob's death. Which is probably why the kowalski's failed to do the interview to at least try to clear their name. At least in such a way as to lessen the guilt ridden pain they continue to wallow in.

Pharmaceutical companies along with the vatican are the two most corrupt institutions on the planet. Scientists who develop so called cures are actually a stop gap measure. Jason Momoa is a man who sees this corruption at its core and decides to put an end to it once and for all for the loss of his wife.

When a family loses a loved one, what happens? Depression sets in, financial distress because of how these companies charge beyond what is humanly capable as described by the congress-woman at the first part of the film. Many who watch this movie can relate such a notion.

Every character was well acted, and roles assigned were thought out wonderfully. You can feel the stress in jason's role as a father, and husband who only wants to save his wife using a new drug but was pulled from the market for reasons unknown. Most likely, the pulled drug Sparrow as it was called worked too well for patients.

This would give the company reason to discontinue its use because of its ability to either curb cancer or cure it altogether, because if it did... then the pharm companies would lose billions in the process. This film gives a unique insight to the inner workings process where scientists can come up with cure but later are shelved because they work.

The real agenda to such a company is... We don't cure people's illness's we sustain them. How do you think the military gets their payroll? It's a trillion dollar a year business to sustain rather than cure. And Sweet girl is a remarkable achievement to show us how bad it really is with such a corrupt institution.

Ruroni Kenshin. Possibly one of the greatest anime turned to live action film.

It's a tragic tale of war, love, friendship and betrayal. A lone wolf who is known as Kenshin Himura was called the 100 man killer or battosai because of his incredible skills as a swordsman. Part of the story falls loosely upon a single man whose skill was set apart from other mere mortal men. Much like Hattori Hanzo who was the right hand of Ieyasu Tokugawa during the early edo period before the Shogun's death in 1616 AD.

Since then, many more shoguns sat on the throne of japan trying to usher in a new era of peace, but between the shoguns and the common man stood disgruntled ex-samurai who have had enough of the strict military regime. Many rebellions began to take back their lands, titles and more often than not their livelihood. Yet as with all wars there comes a few special individuals that settle the score in mere seconds. Call in Battosai.

His life began when he took the life of a single man that was part of the Shinsengumi or special police for the recent shogun. But what he did not know is how his life would soon change because of that fateful day with the last thrust of his sword. I found this story quite riveting on all levels. The showmanship of wielding the most sharpest blade and handling it like the sword is part of his soul to facing multiple enemies from all sides.

You have to keep up, the display of sword fights is breath taking with speed, control, and quite often bloody as hell. Each character holds their own role solidly and provides a great tale with a mix of darkness, madness, and insanity. The edo period was considered to be the harshest turning point of the century before America stuck their nose into their affairs when they introduced the power of gunpowder.

After 1867 the edo period was lost. Thus carried in the industrial age along with many changes to their lives that propelled them to become one of the superpowers of today. History, locations, wardrobe, music and effects were done brilliantly to allow us a glimpse of the past that was once on the brink of damnation. Takeru Satoh who played Kenshin was absolutely flawless as the often quiet and soft voiced warrior who slices, dices and Julienne's his opponents to steaming piles of sushi.

He fit the role perfectly. A man on a mission only to stop himself from killing ever again once the war was over. Make sure you have enough popcorn when you watch this masterpiece of martial skill. You won't be disappointed. But you have to watch this one first in order to watch the rest of the live action movies to understand it better.

It's 1969. A time where all could unite under many cultural flags as well as come together for one single purpose. To stop the Vietnam war. Peace and love is what transpired there when many musical groups bashed out tunes to lash against their government for going into an unwinnable war and unjustified war.

Now push ahead thirty years. Woodstock 99. People from around the world heard about it. The talk of the town. The idealism of bringing unity once more for the common good. Instead, Woodstock became witness to a barbaric display of riots, unsavory sexual misconduct, and plenty of brawls to stain the very same fields from 1969 with a carpet of blood.

Some believe that for every generation born displays erroneous attitudes along with it. That much was the case for Woodstock. Youths with absolutely no idea as to what they want or need to push against the establishment. What they wanted in place of global peace was another grand stage where they could listen to their favorite groups while engaging in useless pit fights, or moshing as they say to vent some of their so called pent up frustrations.

Woodstock became a laughing stock around the world when they saw on the news of what went on. Barbarism on another level. A generation X type of scenario where music meant nothing but to promote even more violence. Even the musical groups had no real agenda or even lyrics to match their anger against the governments. I felt so ashamed watching this gross display of inhumane anarchy that it does seem to me, that our world has finally hit rock bottom.

What was left, was nothing but bloody victims of fights, sexual misconduct, very lax security, low resources for the public who showed up such as overfilled latrines, low water, and even a sparse medical unit that could only tend to thirty people at the most. It was poorly planned, poorly executed, and above all... poorly promoted. There was no message... it was just another money grab for over the top promoters who only have a grade seven education. At best.

In my view, there will never be another Woodstock since 1969's successful turnout. Because today, there is no message. No real subject of debate or enough information to assert itself to the youths who have no beliefs. All they have are themselves who don't even value life on a meaningful scale. It's all about the violence, drugs, weapons, war, boot-camp, sex, game-boys, and loose women who don't give a damn on who they wake up next to.

If you watch this film, be prepared to understand the real concept of deviant and debauched behavior under no rules or guidelines. One out of ten stars. Not for the documentary itself, but for the people who are in it.

An experiment. Designed by, James McDonald Vicary. The experiment, Subliminal Messaging. It was once proven in 1957, by Vicary that a human can be susceptible to a message buried within media such as a newspaper or on film. One such experiment was done in a theater during a box office opening with one single frame removed from the reel and replaced with an ad that displayed popcorn, or soda.

That fraction of a second had a few dozen people leave their seats to go purchase items at the concession stand even while the film was still rolling. From a moralistic point of view the government halted all such practices during the seventies and placed a law later in congress to ban it completely.

The mysterious Benedict Society lays down a floor plan to stop a mad man using children as his spies. I found this to be an uplifting series because it reminds us of how bad our government have become over the years of constant abuse of their power.

From news media to private corporations that harness less than idealistic viewpoints in order to keep the populace under a constant malignant domain of sleep using all means to make the status quo. To stop people from thinking critically or using their natural born talents to question those in power.

Violence, murder, embezzlement, fraud, weapons dealing, drugs and all of the negative aspects of being human is pumped out through the social devices to steer people away from thinking. The mysterious Benedict Society offers a brilliant alternative as we watch how four brilliant children who uses their natural born talents help to bring down Mr. Curtain. The man behind the scheme.

It's a fun ride, with wonderful attachments of educational motivations to thinking up new ways using physics, chemistry, mathematics, and so much more to plow into the minds of our youths today. It also can be a starting point where the imagination can run free without the constraints of back room deals from filthy politicians who spearhead their own agendas.

From a very old ad who stated, A mind is a terrible thing to waste. It was once believed that our world could overcome the darkness, but with new acidic leaders who think of nothing but themselves, it has become a world without true intent. It has become stagnant, and more often than not, laced with desecration against the very people they were sworn to protect.

The Benedict Society offers great incentives. Good actors, music scores, effects, story and theme. An incredible tale of overcoming the fear, paranoia, courage, and friendship. I highly recommend this to all families around the world. It's uplifting, great fun and above all intelligent.

When you want an anime that has just about everything, this is the one. From last season we all got to see Tohru rise to a position of being totally in love with Kobayashi who is her boss and housemate.

Now in the second season, the rise keeps on going. A new dragon Illulu has shown her true colors since her ancient past has finally been set behind her so she can move on. IN the middle is still Fafnir, Quetzacoatl, and Kanna and finally Elma who make up this wonderfully fun anime.

A group of great characters, music, humor, and Saikawa who is completely head over heels for Kanna. This series offers it all along with a moral message in each episode. A message that hopefully drills into the young minds of today who seem to have lost something on their path of life.

Kobayashi's No Maid Dragon is quite popular during these times along with another fantastic series called, That time I was reincarnated as a Slime, which is now in its second season. Between the two there isn't enough fun to be had in just half an hour. You want more.

I give the second season ten out of ten, simply because I enjoy its lighthearted approach to every day problems. You will too. Have fun.

Riverdance. Once aired on the Irish competition during the nineties and it became the most phenomenal stage show in history. Both Jean Butler and Micheal Flatly rose to stardom overnight after their seven minute performance which turned into a global success wowing audiences for the next ten years paving the way for new stage acts.

Riverdance the animated movie captured the essence with mysterious lands of magic graced with deer creatures who supposedly were the originators of the mystic dance routine in order to keep the waters flowing. It was a culmination between folk lore and legend. What made the film more desirable was that the original composer, Bill Whelan oversaw the music through out, and it was top notch.

It is a great ride through the eyes Keegan. A boy tasked of continuing to keep watch over the rivers with the help of friends, family, music and dance. All of which continues to this day in Ireland on a more present day level, but on stage around the world.

I highly recommend this movie to anyone who is a fan of Riverdance. It has become part of our culture, history and fables with the help of two people who started it all on stage in front of a captivated audience in 1994. Thanks to them along with the dance troupe this film allows us to let our imaginations flow more freely to keep darkness at bay. A wonderful addition to the franchise. Ten out of ten stars.

Hunter x Hunter. A marvelous story about a young boy who vowed to become a Hunter just like his father. Tasked with learning skills on both the mental and physical levels, Gon Freeces travels the world in hopes of finding his father who abandoned him at a young age.

After meeting Killua Zoldyk who is an assassin in his own right joins Gon on his quest. They soon become best friends and discover new adventures which leads them to mysterious places, along with even more risky roads of dangerous people along the way. Hunter x Hunter captivates the viewer in every episode.

Emotions run high during the arc stories especially during the Chimera ant arc. Episode 135 being the most potent of them all for some tense scenes that pulls on the human condition.

The music is top notch through out. Action is above normal expectations, as well as learning about the mystic ideals of Nen, which is the interpretation of Chi that resides in any human being. I thoroughly enjoyed this series from the first episode to the last where Gon finally meets his father Ging Freeces.

Beyond the obvious plot, I loved every character as well. From Netero, Knov, Morel, Mito and the entire Zoldyk family who are about as psychotic as the bush family line. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree as they say. Between fights of bravery, despair, joy, sadness and anger, anyone who watches this series can relate to each character on some level.

Whether they are a fighter or simply a worker. Hunter x Hunter will continue to blaze a trail for those who dare to dream and hope for a brighter future. A word of warning concerning episode 135. Keep a box of tissues handy. You will need it. It was considered to be one of the finest episodes of the entire series.

In the last fifteen years, movies have gone from bad to worse. During the seventies, the public was introduced to a twisted film called Salo. A very dark, adult oriented story about a villa set in world war 2, which was used by the Italian elite to use, sodomize and engage in various sex acts with underage kids.

A serbian film is just as bad although there were no scenes that used excrement or urine to any degree. However, the unsettling shot of a porn star watching a baby delivery and then having the new born hazed by a hired sadist was by far the worst compliment to film... ever. This russian made porn-gore shouldn't have been released.

Yet the russian government prides itself on self-expressionism through art, but the movie was not art. It was just a cheap way for the director to release his pent up sadistic nature onto film rather than doing it himself. Scene after scene was nothing more than a bridged compilation towards the star who was slowly losing his mind inside the world of the adult genre.

I cannot rate this film at all. There was no story, no theme other than it being a representation of snuff and nothing more. The main character looked as if he was actually going crazy to do each shot allowing his sadistic nature to surface than being a regular porn star which earned him a reputation as being the best in the industry.

... Pornography today has become the mainstream for fans all over the world, but in the deepest levels of the internet there are worse examples of porn that is still being released to this day. Snuff, necrophilia, infant hazing, beast sex, and so on. This kind of porn should not be allowed even in the mainstream of cinema because it can damage the regular joe who enjoys a blue movie or soft porn.

A serbian film in not the type of movie that should not be watched... by anyone. Since then a plethora of such films has surfaced, which contain elements of the darkest nature. This movie is helping desensitize the human condition on so many levels it's scary. If you are to watch this utterly demonized film, do so at your own risk. This is not for the faint of heart. You have been warned.

For the past fifteen years I have watched all of the CSI episodes and found that adding 'A' listers to the acting roster was a successful move. However, in CSI Cyber it lacked an insurmountable level of depth. When CSI first appeared on national television starring William Petersen, I was amazed at the incredible forensic details that was described in every episode.

Using with what they had to uncover serial killers to domestic disputes, which lead to murder and also mixing the lives of each character's past gave CSI that much needed edge so that the audience could relate to each story line. It helped raise the bar about what humanity was all about in every case with a few heated debates on why people do the things they do.

CSI Cyber, had a few top actors such as Ted Danson, Patricia Arquette, Peter Macnicol and a few others. Yet, the new faces had no emotion to speak of when they delivered their lines. It's as if they tried too hard in the attempt of bringing forth humanism in their roles. What ever acting schools use has no bearing on the actor's abilities on-screen. I see and hear no attempt of opening new doors for the home audience with the series because it only uses Cyber attacking as the main basis of the series. Too much of it becomes monotonous.

The writing is absolute garbage with very simplistic epitaphs, anagrams, quaint dialogue that only tenth graders can understand and no complex soliloquies to further enhance a human's ability to articulate whether watching or participating in each episode. I first saw Patricia Arquette in her first big role as Alabama Whiteman opposite Christian Slater in the Ultra-violent film "True Romance" that was directed by Tony Scott and written by Quinten Tarantino.

Her incredible performance could be felt as her character evolved from a meek and pretty southern belle, to a hands on partner who would do anything for her one and only Clarence Worley (Christian Slater). It was a riveting movie that had elements of violence, humor, despair, sadness, joy and betrayal. Key players that were cast as extras also showed incredible promise later on with their own movies or television series which propelled their careers even further.

Still, in CSI Cyber, I saw none of that from Patricia's role as Avery Ryan. She portrayed something plastic, no emotions to speak of, no hard core fighting spirit one is supposed to have when agents hunt down their targets. But, to be fair it's not all her fault. It's the directors. Since the new age of technology has appeared, it has been one disaster episode after another that tells the tales of hackers, rogues, and other forms of would be anarchists, which has become last year's fad.

Computers have been around since the fifties, but using such a device is so remote these days that criminals of the old world, or old school don't pay attention long enough to be intrigued. Anthony Zuiker, the creator for the CSI series has given us incredible years of CSI magic from Las Vegas to New York and Miami. But what most people do not crave the most, is that DC city itself has become the most uninteresting location on the planet and mixed with computers as the only source of domestic and world wide attacks is nothing new.

Nobody cares for DC anymore. No one wants to listen to politicians. No one wants anything to do with senators or three letter organizations that try to bring down the next so called terrorist. All the home audience is interested in, is watching older episodes of CSI that helped shape and mold the human condition into something more. Thanks to William Petersen, David Caruso, Laurence Fishburne, Gary Sinese,and Ted Danson as well as Liev Schreiber. Characters we can all relate to.

I am sorry to say that CSI Cyber was the straw that broke the camel's back. It should not have been created. Anthony Zuiker dropped the ball with this one, and it hopefully taught him, that not all programs like CSI can be updated to something people are already adapted to as a beginner or a Black hat criminal.

Siberia is what a person would call the last bastion of a human attempt to understand what the human condition really means. Abel Ferrara who directed this film gave us a concept of what would happen to an individual if he or she decided to live in the most remote regions in an unforgiving country. Willem Dafoe played such a man whose past life was marred with bad memories that seemed to squeeze into his concept of reality.

Each scene from start to finish were riddled with allegorical statements on whether or not he should have stayed back in america to move on with his life, or stay in Siberia to experience more of what his dream like visions had to offer. Each character had a life of its own permeating with his flashes of either horror, or joy, sadness and regret, which he abhorred the most.

What was most constant was that Abel described on how every character seemed to cohesively interact with one another as if by instinct. That no matter how trivial or complicated a vision would get, Dafoe's character seemed to allow every person a say in his quest or that they somehow needed to express their own opinion in various ways to help his understanding on why he needs to move on with his life rather than sink even further into madness.

Siberia to me is a unique film. Filled with emotions on different levels, with nudity which all humans experience in dreams, and nouveau like captures that we try to comprehend as fantastical elements. Dreams are never the same. They tend to twist, bind, release and startle the dreamer to the point of jolting themselves awake but can never remember what the dream actually was.

Aside from Siberia, another movie The Cell starring Jennifer Lopez, this film came close to that but without all of the ritzy sets, and lavish costumes. Siberia was meant to be harsh, rugged, visceral as well as creating an abundance of uncertainty. I give it seven out of ten stars for creativity, locations, theme and original concept. On the downside, even though it was entertaining to see what would happen next, the film had me lose grip on the story.

There was no objective to Dafoe's character. Did he leave Siberia? Did he stay further on? Would there be closure to his past rather than staring up into a grey stormy sky at the end? No one would know. Maybe that's what Abel was pushing for but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth that there was nothing except a possible decision on Dafoe's character to go home or stay and rebuild the backwoods tavern again.for those lonely neighbours who come by using dogsleds.

This is what happens when an amature screen writer comes up with. Nothing but a jock filled, foul mouthed, grand stand, mosh pit kind of film. Bruce has really let his standards drop as of late. It doesn't take a genius to write sentences and replace important words with the four letter ones as a means of being lazy. Most of the film had some action to keep an interest, and the only thing that was even remotely satisfying was the cro room.

Aside from the obvious the characters needed a whole lot of work when they presented their lines.In the first ten minutes I couldn't stand the loud obnoxious speeches of the old haggard soldiers trying to compare war stories with one another. If I didn't know better, that the screen writer was someone sent overseas and came home deciding to write something other than what he experienced in another country. Except he chose to use the Sci-ci trope.

This was a bad movie. A bad investment. What surprised me though was when they first made their hump into hyperspace. The scene where bruce was sitting in front of a very dirty, and scratched up port window. Who the hell made the choice of keeping such trashy appearances? On an angle shot it looked like it was what everyone else was thinking.... nothing but polymer plastic.

The sets were down right shabby and on any other ship I have seen of past sci-fi flicks, that the pipes were held in place using bracket hooks. I have to give this one out of ten stars mainly for the theme of the film. The plot has been overdone on so many levels in other movies as well as giving a thumbs down for both bruce and thomas jane. Their roles did not fit their profiles, and neither of them looked like they were happy to be in the role.

Truly, a sad day for sci-fi.

I have watched many anime series, and movies but nothing as original as this. Containing some of the best creatures ever thought up it gives this gem a worthy note that the writer went full out to amaze anyone who watches it. Riko, and her two travelling companions Nanachi, and Reg dive deep into what is called the Abyss.

Descending over fifteen thousand meters they meet and fight against impossible odds as they face off creatures unlike any other found in existence. Cruel, brutal animals who have no moral code except how to survive in such harsh environments. Riko herself gets wounded a couple of times, but despite the sheer horror that the creatures exude daily, she fights on to descend even further in order to find her mother.

Reg being a part of the group is a machine. Highly skilled in the arts of combat, but vulnerable when it comes to experiencing emotions especially when it comes to his furry companion Nanachi who was once part an experiment gone horribly wrong in the deepest levels of the abyss. Their goal is closer than ever before, and each of them are set to face their ultimate challenge yet... Layer six where no creature or human can ever return from.

It is a thrill ride for fans all over the world. It has received many awards and recognition as being the most original entertaining anime since Spirited Away. The fantasy music sets the mood in various ways as darkness or light encompasses the venturing entourage. High spirits, sadness, despair, danger lurks in all corners of the abyss but leaves one at the edge of their seat when watching this fantastic tale.

Made in abyss is both a family show and a learning tool to show us hope, and experience humanity in its most basic forms. I highly recommend this movie and series to anyone who wants to watch a rare quality story. I am very much looking forward to see season 2 when they get to the last level inside of, The Abyss.

Normally a documentary film often leaves out specific shots that include violent excerpts. Not this film. This Docu-film did not hold back a single frame where captured news reels, images or even live action was shown in its entirety. The movie's premise, is to show anyone, that violence not only in america is on the rise, but globally like a fast moving virus.

It is a visceral display of true crime, with serial killers which range from Ted Bundy, John Wayne Gacy, and Sirhan Sirhan who was responsible for killing Robert Kennedy after the assassination of John F. Kennedy a few years before. Through the decades crime evolved from not just an impulse for money or power, but it created a movement within certain individuals who wanted recognition, or witnesses to their heinous acts of blood shed.

Going from an innocent bystander, to becoming a full blown killer the next, says that not all of america is safe. Since the Manson murders, serial killing has become a fad, or a trend and this movie shows it through the eyes and testimonies of people who either was a surviving victim, or from those who watched on the sidelines during a police negotiation.

It has blood, brief gore, RAW violent footage from archive reels with no actors, or sets, or editing, or paid bystanders. It is all real as it happens. News used to be without boundaries where a viewer can watch it as it unfolds. Not now a days since the media has become somewhat of an entertainment business with no real story to tell unless it has something to do with the corrupt governments. But even then, most of what people see now, is harshly edited and allows only what the state governor appoints or the white house indicates as news.

This is the difference between hard core news reporting from fifty years ago and todays blemished stylized reporting with loose facts which are twisted beyond all comprehension. Be amazed by what you see. Be disgusted, be curious, and above all, be critical in your opinions on how our governments try to hide truth behind fiction.