Change Your Image
R_Nease
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Lists
An error has ocurred. Please try againReviews
Superman: The Animated Series: Target (1997)
This Was a Kids' Show???
Title of the review aside I thought this was a fantastic episode dealing with the mature topic of stalking and obsession in a Superman-ish way. Sure it ends in fisiticuffs between Supes and the villain but the real hero is Lois who works tirelessly to unmask the perpetrator behind increasingly unhinged and elaborate attempts on her life all while dealing with the psychological anguish of knowing a technologically sophisticated maniac is out there wishing her harm- the dream sequence in which a shadowy male attacker invades her apartment and launches her off her own balcony is particularly harrowing.
Oh yeah, and just because I will likely never have another forum to mention it my golly LL as drawn here and voiced by Dana Delaney is such a megababe. Wowza.
Superman: The Animated Series: Stolen Memories (1996)
An Insane AI Threatens Civilization! (Not ChatGPT)
Did the rousing denouement include Superman literally punching his way through a laser beam? Why yes, yea it did.
Superheroic goofiness aside this episode was a solid introduction of the malevolent robotic intelligence Brainiac with its penchant for destroying worlds and preserving their collected knowledge. And, as will happen every now and then, Superman and Lex Luthor's interests momentarily align in overcoming this existential threat although the seeds are clearly being sown for an even bigger conflict involving the two, and whatever remains of Brainiac's extraterrestrial tech, in the future.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Rise of Clovis (2014)
Anakin Unleashed
I'm usually not a huge fan of episodes heavy on politicking and plotting, but in this case the turgidity of the whole Banking Clan corruption storyline actually served as a really effective backdrop for the real centrepiece of the episode, Skywalker's final explosion into a jealous rage at seeing the insipid Clovis trying to put the moves, yet again, on his beloved Padmé.
"The Clone Wars" has featured many an epic battle, from star-fighter dogfights to lightsaber duels to gritty bounty hunter shoot 'em ups, but few have compared in passion and intensity with the bare-knuckle brawl between the Jedi "Chosen One" overcome by pain and jealousy and his (secret) wife's suitor. Kudos to the voice director and animators for bringing both that scene to gripping life, and also the heart-rending breakup sequence that followed.
8/10
The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)
Feel Good Film for Foodies, if Somewhat Contrived
I saw this last night with my wife and we both enjoyed it. At the very least we left the cinema with a healthy craving for and desire to explore both Indian and French cuisine, which should make restaurant owners happy!
There are many charming moments, and veteran actor Om Puri (you may remember having seen him as Abdullah in "The Ghost in the Darkness", among other places- with 256 screen acting credits to his name it is likely you've seen that bulbous nose somewhere!) steals nearly every scene he is in as the shrewd yet daft father figure who matches his wits against the highly-watchable Helen Mirren's imperious Madame Mallory, who runs the Michelin-rated joint across the street (the titular hundred feet away).
Less impressive were the younger leads, particularly Manish Dayal as aspiring chef and culinary savant Hassan. I never really bought his attraction to vivacious Charlotte Le Bon, and his uncanny resemblance to Enrique Iglesias c. 2002 made me expect him to break out in a rendition of "Hero" at any moment.
Director Lasse Hallstrom really knows how to shoot a movie, though, so the delightful long shots of the French countryside, juxtaposed with the extreme close-ups of tasty dishes, certainly serve up a visual feast.
To sum up, this feel-good fare is much like an order of fluffy crêpes: you'll be satisfied at the time, but later on you could be craving more substantial fare.