ikari1 Reviews

Attack on Titan (2013–2023)

A Greek Tragedy in form of Anime

[10/10 · 9 December 2023]

I watched the whole series show in a couple weeks. And it was a thrilling ride. A remarkable story, very reminiscent of a Greek tragedy.

In the beginning you feel it is another Japanese kaiju action anime, but you quickly realize it is so much more than that.

It's beautifully animated, has great character development and deals with human nature. Mind you it is not a child friendly one, it deals with war and death and the meaning of it all, which is a lot for even a teenager to consume.

Each episode makes you want to watch the next one, and the next one and then the next... It is simply that good.

No season disappoints, no episode disappoints. It is truly a perfect 10!

I've seen many anime over the years, and I can honestly say this is hands down the best adult one I have ever seen.

The Blacklist: Raymond Reddington (No. 00): Good Night (2023) Season 10, Episode 22

A rushed-off ending...

[5/10 · 13 September 2023]

Something must have happened with the writers and the producers of this series and this last episode in particular.

The editing and the script feel like the creators where undecided on how they would film this. They were tired and gave up.

The last season started somewhat ok, turned better, the previous episodes had some long-missed adrenaline, and then this... I can see what the writers tried to do, show that Red was going to do things in a "Frank Sinatra - My Way" style.

The episode is very low budget, Dembe has a few lines, Red is just there as a decor and the rest of the team are walking around the set aimlessly.

Red was a well written and well-acted character that some of us have been following for 10 years, there were so many mysteries behind him that could have been answered in this last episode, but sadly they were not.

Not only that, but recent story branches were completely abandoned, like what happened with his love interest? Or what about that famous bull he wanted to return to Spain? Was he ill, terminal maybe?

There are no surprises, or reflections, or any future, or any goodbyes whatsoever, no it seems the writers wanted to leave all that to our imagination and interpretation, but the way this was filmed is so bad and horrible, that feels like they left tons of filmed scenes in the bin, and they only left us with half an hour footage of people walking around.

This is an ending as bland as a coed's first try at cooking.

Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)

A Brutally Honest Review.

[5/10 · 28 March 2023]

I am a middle-aged male cinephile. I've seen my share of movies. This one made my fingers itch to write a review, halfway into the film. I managed to see the whole of it and oh boy I am pissed off! And let me tell you why.

There are some things that bother me but I will gladly give them a pass, like:

• The script is a deliberate mess, it is supposed to be, fine I get it!

• The style is like Kung Fu Hustle, with a hidden "serious" meaning. Sometimes silly, sometimes rude, sometimes even offensive to the eyes, mixed with some "forced" drama to make an impact, give a touch of superficial reasoning to the story. Sure, I can live with that.

But seven freaking Oscars?

• Editing, yes very well deserved!

• Costumes? Sure, whatever, why not?

• Music score? I don't know, the script is so out whack, that it needs a "specific" kind of music. So maybe this is it. They awarded the musicians an Oscar for their effor to watch this movie again and again and try to make music...
• Directing? Why? Was it because of bringing that weird idea of theirs to life, and for some well placed dolly shots? But if that is the case, then why didn't the Wachowskis win an Oscar for the Matrix and they had to settle for a mere Saturn Award? Why didn't Tarantino win one for Kill Bill? He had to be satisfied with a Golden Schmoes award for Trippiest Movie of the Year.

• Screenplay? Are we giving Awards to absurdity? Was the academy that impressed? The idea is, some call it "original", I call it "wacky", it is certainly "surreal", but "Oscar worthy"? I am at loss for words.

• Best motion picture! You gotta be kidding me! But I guess this is a given, since it got so many oscars from the other categories. It had the top "High Score" of the night, so they gave it the MVP Award. LOL!

And now for the cherry on top!

• Acting! What can you say about actors in a slapstick silly movie? They are fine I guess... But again are they Oscar worthy? No way!

Three Oscars for acting! For Best Female Lead, and both supporting actor and actress? Seriously? It makes no sense! I mean the script is so ridiculous that almost anyone could recite the lines and do the gestures and the funny faces. And even when the cast has a chance to connect with the audience, the script being so over the top surreal, deprives them of this opportunity and get lost again.

Please, the Oscars have become a joke. I have nothing against the actors, but did they deserve Oscars? No! Why? Because using the Academy's current logic Jamie Lee Curtis could have gotten an award for Halloween, Ke Huy Quan for Goonies, and Michelle Yeoh for Crouching Tiger, or even James Bond for all I care, it would make so much more sense than winning for their work in this production. Stephanie Hsu who was also nominated for best female support role, was the only one that brought some consistant acting skills to this movie.

Seasons change, trends come and go, the world changes, but for this movie to be considered the best Hollywood has to offer right now, that is simply ludacrous and it tells you a lot about the state of the Arts in general.

Promoting this movie as the best of the best, it shows you how much Hollywood care about quality, which is not at all! It only cares about things like being "inclusive" and "open minded", and that's another reason why people don't watch movies in the theaters anymore. Why would a family of 3 paying tickets for this movie... They would feel ripped off, of their money and their time they could have spent elsewhere having actual fun, I do.

Concluding, I don't know how to rate this. A 5 out of 10 is the best I can do, just because the movie is supposed to be weird and it suceeds in that.

Kaleidoscope (2023)

What do people expect these days? This was a solid show!

[9/10 · 20 February 2023]

I don't get the hate Kaleidoscope is getting. People like to complain, don't they? It's like everyone who's watched the "Money Heist" believe they've become expert safe crackers now and judge this according to their "professional" opinion! Chill people, Kaleidoscope is a good show!

Performances were solid. Esposito and Courtney really shine. Paz Vega stunning as always. The characters are interesting, some likable, some not, but interesting, nonetheless.

The plot is wonderfully woven. There are a few points here and there that seem impossible, but it's a movie, it's ok. Personally, I watched it with the default episode order, and it just works. Loved how the conclusion unfolded in the last two last episodes.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)

Almost 40 years after the original one, this is a beautiful sequel!

[10/10 · 2 October 2022]

Sequels based on nostalgia are usually flops. Not his one! This is a success and one with a soul as well!

What I would like to add though, is that obviously people who have watched the originals and liked them, are going to find this one great.

For almost everyone else this is a fun family movie, with just a tiny bit of that secret sauce from the 80s.

Reading through critics reviews, once again I see why professional art reviewers are more than often failed artists. There are a lot of them who call this a shallow nostalgia money grab. This couldn't be farther from the truth.

The characters are likable, the script is a typical ghostbusters one, the mix of cgi and practical effects was a nice touch. Everything works.

It is a new movie, a new cast, new premise that builds on the prequels, and just the right amount of trip down the memory lane, to lift it up.

Beautiful and touching! Bravo to Jason Reitman, he did this justice!

Mortal Kombat (2021)

Didn't know Bill Maher was in this one

[5/10 · 10 May 2021]

Seriously now, Kung Lao is Bill Maher's long lost brother!

What a mess, I mean you have so many amazing martial artists and yet again you mess it all up, by hiring new comers, except the great Joe Taslim who portrays Sub Zero.

Nope, Scott Adkins was not good enough for you, or Iko Uwais, or even Michael Jai White, or any of the Gareth Evans crew... Marko Zaror? I guess not. So you had to resort to cgi fatalities. At least those were cool.

Just please for the next one, hire some people who can actually do justice to the fighting scenes and the legacy of the game.

Mediocre. Not bad, just do not expect to see Boyka quality action.

Meh...

The Witcher (2019– )

Good, not perfect, but it has potential

[7/10 · 29 December 2019]

Witcher as a hero is the typical Clint Eastwood "Man With No Name" type from those Sergio Leone Westerns. Cavill does look the part, but it feels like he is trying too much to act and voice the character, the performance just doesn't come effortlessly to him. Yen and Triss are both miscasted. Whether the producers like it or not, the game has set the bar very high regarding the look and feel of the witcher series. Both Yen and Triss look extremely smart, classy and stunning, and in the movie the girls look nothing like the part. The rest of the show, feels a lot like the game, especially the artistic direction and the sword-fighting. The cgi is pretty decent. All and all is a good effort, that satisfies Witcher fans, but I just hope it comes with a better package for season 2, because it won't be getting any new fans that easy, especially the ones that have not read the books or played the games. I want to believe that since the series acts like a prologue to the games, the characters will continue to evolve and quite possibly start to resemble the ones fans have gotten to know. Oh and maybe give the Witcher his 2nd sword back...

The Fate of the Furious (2017)

Good action flick for 15yos

[6/10 · 26 April 2017]

The action is fine (although it is a Transformers, Michael Bay kind of action), but that script, oh my god the script is so cheesy... This thing about cyber terrorism where everyone is a hacker, but no one uses a mouse on a computer, they all just type in front of a holographic screen with moving images from a Star Trek movie. It is just getting old. Enough with the "lets hack into a network of satellites in 10 seconds".

The characters have no real spunk behind them, they just appear, because they have to. The motives of the villain are silly and unclear, the villains henchmen are targets for shooting practice. The last couple FF movies were much much better in terms of story, still over the top action, but they had some feeling.

This one is just a flick for children, it's slow motion fx, big "really big" explosions, lots of good quality cgi, and fitting for a kids movie not a drop of blood.

I give it a 6, because the production and the action are great, and I like the fact that some big Hollywood names appeared in it. But it is more like a 5.7, oh did I mention that the acting sucks as well?

Undisputed 4: Boyka (2016 Video)

Even my Girlfriend liked it!

[10/10 · 26 April 2017]

This is by far the best Boyka movie, although when I saw the trailer, I thought, "corny... they bring a woman into Boyka's life so he can play the prince in a white horse".

But it's not that at all, the script is actually good! I am telling you even my girlfriend loves this movie. Because Boyka is a man of principle in this movie, he's got feelings.

The direction is proper, the martial arts are stunning as always, the fights are a pleasure to watch. Adkins delivers a good performance.

What's not to like about this movie? Great action, direction, script and a great character! This movie is solid.

Lets hope that somehow they could turn up with a Hollywood full budget Boyka movie next, with Adkins at long last getting his shot at becoming an A list action hero.

The Visit (I) (2015)

"Mediocrely weird"

[5/10 · 27 January 2017]

M.N.S. has managed to create a film that is superior to his previous film and vastly inferior to his first ones.

There is the typical MNS twist, which comes after a somewhat "boring climax", but after that the movie goes downhill, using cheap tricks to scare and "disgust" the audience...

The last few scenes make you say, "what did I just watch?".

Lots of people liked it and this is what intrigued me to watch the movie. The trailer looked promising as well... But...

Don't get me wrong it's not an awful horror movie, but it's no Exorcist... It is just mediocrely weird.

The Expendables 3 (2014)

Mediocre...

[5/10 · 5 August 2014]

The first one was interesting seeing old big names on screen. The second one had the Chuck Norris jokes and van Damme doing his signature kicks. This one?... This one has a lot of "kaboom and badawoom"... Which is why, I guess, it is an all right movie.

Unfortunately none of the big names do anything interesting on-screen. If you're expecting to see Wesley Snipes do Blade stuff, or Jet Li some amazing kung fu, nope! you will be disappointed...

Mel Gibson is great, but he's got a tiny part. The only fun is provided by Antonio Banderas.

As for the new actors... who cares!

The problem with the Expendables movies is that the more big names are on the credits their on screen time has to be shared with others and it breaks down to just a few moments each.

I do not understand how they missed the point again!

The Raid 2 (2014)

it toped my list of the best martial arts film

[10/10 · 22 June 2014]

it seems that every few years comes a movie that "looks so realistic" that blows away our expectations. this is one of this movies. ong bak, undisputed 2-3, this one... wow... i had not enjoyed seeing bad guys get what they deserve for such a long time! the direction is great, the camera angles, the framing, the pace! as for the action, better than 99% of Hollywood films. the acting is also top notch, (acting in a martial arts film? yes it is that good!) even the script is good! one warning though the violence is bloody... too bloody for a lot of people's taste, but what would you expect? I am speechless, this is a martial arts gem, it is even better than the first one!

Trilogia II: I skoni tou hronou (2008)

Truly theatrical and poetic

[10/10 · 1 March 2013]

I was not ever really attracted to Theo Agelopoulos work, until I saw this film. I actually decided to watch it because of the appearance of great international actors in it. Oh well, this movie is like watching an elaborate theatrical stage production. It really feels like you are in the theater, it does not feel like a movie. It has that stage drama vibe. Mesmerizing. You will definitely also love the cinematography on this one. I am not joking when I say that you can actually freeze frame and print screen every frame on this movie! The colors and the perspective, the light and shadows, the objects, everything is like a moving painting. I got no idea what kind of genius is required to do so, but Agelopoulos has done it! The story is easy to follow, but as you expect from a European production is very delicate and presented with flashbacks and allegories.

If you are a person who likes Hollywood movies, then I suggest you skip this. If you are in to European cinema, then this movie is for you. And if you are interested in Art, painting, mesmerizing visual images and theater, then you should really should watch this movie!

Grown Ups (I) (2010)

Great comedy, definitely underrated

[10/10 · 9 October 2011]

This is one of those movies about catching up with old friends, and watching the effects all these pasted and some time wasted years had on each other. The laughs are plenty, the acting is perfect for a comedy, the women look hot (really hot), and the men vulnerable and true. The script is just right and the gags have not gone overboard. With the exception of sandler and hayek, every other snl star on this movie has been filming comedy flops for a long time, so when i decided to see the movie was only because i wanted to watch a feel good comedy, and my expectations were not that high. What can I say? I was pleasantly surprised, this movie delivers, it is a sweet little comedy, that you can watch with your other half.

House M.D. (2004–2012)

One exceptional drama series in every way. Simply brilliant!

[10/10 · 24 May 2011]

House MD is one of not so many exceptional drama series in every way. It features great acting and the writing is top notch. Every episode deals with deep questions on how society works and the choices people make, on every episode. It is not superficial like silly sitcoms or trendy drama series, or violent like most of almost every other show on TV. It is also very different from your typical medical drama, since it mixes mystery, suspense and solid medical, but rare cases (cases are actually researched from medical journals by a team of medical advisers). It is a show about an exceptional person trying to fit in, in our far from perfect society. It is about a rebel, a person with integrity and principle. Simply put, a thinking person's show. Wish there were more honest shows like House MD on TV.

House M.D.: Moving On (2011) Season 7, Episode 23

The title says it all 'Moving On'

[10/10 · 24 May 2011]

To really understand this episode you need to watch the whole season. The ending is really an ending only House could provide. Every season everybody tells House off. They ask him to deal with his pain, they all act like their are perfect and he is weird self destructive and mad. The truth is he lives with pain every day and he is saving lives at the same time. Well in this episode he really smiles in front of everyones hypocritical faces.

I don't know what you will think, my 2 cents of advice is watch it, and judge for yourselves. A great ending for this season and the writers have to work hard with the next one to find a proper story line to continue this wonderful story.

Clash of the Titans (2010)

What an Awful Movie and a huge waste of talent!

[3/10 · 11 July 2010]

OK, let me put it like this, on a scale of 1-10.

Atmosphere 6 Acting 5 Story 2 Direction 3 Characters 2 Music 2

I did actually sleep in the middle of the movie. The crowd actually booed at the end. It is not a Greek thing, I mean Troy was loosely based on Homer's actual text, but it was a strong movie. This one, is a joke!

The acting? Non existent, fake, the dialogs cheesy, great actors had nothing to say and no screen time.

The music? Do not expect to listen anything from the trailer, the music is boooring, no theme or anything like that. An orchestra playing something like "va va vooom, voom vava voom". The story? Hahaha the story was, how can I say it... Well let me say, it had great potential... But... It was a joke!

Omg, I got no good things to say about this movie simply put IT WAS Awful!

This is one movie that could actually be submitted as Mystery Science Theater episode!

Let the Game Begin (2010)

This movie ain't gonna spoil anyone's game...

[5/10 · 5 May 2010]

Well it is a good low budget effort, but it lacks any real direction. There are some good ideas in there, but the movie is really mediocre. The trailer has you expecting more, but the movie is actually a let down.

As for the Game, it has a bit of the basic theory based on the Mystery and Style school. It has some dramatization of the most famous openers, palm reading, and a few really old gambits. Zan makes a very brief appearance, but he does not contribute much, if at all...

I was eagerly awaiting for this movie to come out, and I got very disappointed. In a way, it also portrays pick up artists like deceivers that are unable to find love. Which is weird, because up till the middle part of the movie, everything seems to move nicely forward and there is some excitement as the hero learns about the game rules. But from that point on the movie just slumbers to a really not interesting story, where the pick up artists are also portrayed just as petty womanizers.

I believe the Game is still safe, 99% of the current dating technology is still hidden from the publics eyes.

Ninja (2009)

Good Action Flick, better than Ninja Assassin

[8/10 · 21 April 2010]

General: Good B movie. Acting: Very Mediocre. Storyline: Typical.

Direction: Actually pretty decent! I believe Florentine deserves to move higher in Hollywood. He makes some great action flicks with a very limited budget. Watch Undisputed II as well, even better than Ninja.

Action: The BEST. This movie has great fight scenes, better than most of the big budget movies out there. The choreography is also well directed, which means you can actually appreciate every Japanese Ju Jitsu movement in this movie.

Conclusion: A cool flick to watch with guys. It's not bad at all. Give it a chance, if you want to see an above the average martial arts action film, with good direction and great (Ong Bak style, no wires and CGI) fight scenes, just please do not watch it for the acting.

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005)

FFVII: ACC one of the best CGI movies that have ever been released

[10/10 · 21 July 2009]

This review is for the Blue Ray Complete version. For those who do not know, it is a director's cut released in 2009 three years after the original's release.

What can I say. If you are a fan of the Saga, you will be amazed and touched. If you just want to see a good sci-fi flick, then this is it.

This new Complete version is easy to watch for anyone that has no experience with the FF franchise (the original movie was not that friendly).

The new introduced animation, not only is spectacular and clearly shows the advancements that took place in 3 years of production from 2005 to 2009. It looks, sounds and feels amazing.

The action is non stop, and the story is solid and raises questions about environmental issues and the nature of humans.

This is a great release that you should be proud to own.

Ong Bak 2 (2008)

Best Martial Arts Movie By Far!

[10/10 · 13 April 2009]

As a martial artist and a movie goer I must say this film is a martial arts EPIC! There is not a cheesy aspect in this movie (martial arts movie).

Tony Jaa proves to be a great artist. He is not only the most accomplished martial artist, that graced the screen, since Bruce Lee, but a very good director as well.

What can I say about this movie? Choreography? Martial Arts Styles? Realism? Skills and acrobatics? Camera angles that allow you to actually observe the moves? Good story line? It has it all!

I cannot describe it! It certainly is not a family movie, but one of the best action movies ever produced and certainly, and this is just my humble opinion, the greatest martial arts movie ever.

Amazing, simply amazing!

Mamma Mia! (2008)

Meryl Strip makes this an amazing experience!

[10/10 · 31 October 2008]

OK typical story... Did not really want to see this film, I was kinda forced to watch it. And I did...

I'm not an Abba fan, I do not like silly musicals, but this is... WOW!

What can I say... Meryl Strip, this is a film about Meryl Strip.

She made it her own. Everything fades away when she is acting. She is probably the best drama actress of the 20th century and she dances and sings like a child with a voice comparable to the best of the best out there! But because she is a damn good actress she can act the songs as well, and that takes them to a new level of quality.

Just watch it, and when she sings The Winner Takes it All, you will be amazed! Simply amazed.

This is a great family, romantic movie, filmed in beautiful landscapes, but Meryl Strip makes this an amazing -and I repeat- amazing experience! Highly recommended!

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

what's wrong with society these days?

[3/10 · 10 February 2008]

Sorry for being so harsh, but what is so special about this movie? Yes I will agree that the cinematography, performances, direction, all great. But why, dear god WHY all the splatter? This is a disgusting film... If I wanted to watch a splatter flick I would rent a zombie massacre movie! I don't know maybe I'm just getting old, but this movie was sick! John Rambo seemed like a walk in the park compared to this one. All this hype and no one who was in the room, liked it.People started booing at the end!!!

This movie is a very expensive horror flick with a very simple story line and mediocre music. Maybe the musical was better I do not know, never seen it, but the movie certainly upsets the stomach and offers no comedy, or action, or the feeling about revenge you get from, lets say, Count Montechristo. It is plain bad. Shame because everyone did a great job, but the script and all the explicit violence was too much for the 300 in the theater where I watched the movie. No one liked it, except for some "emo" kids... Bad!

Over the Top (1987)

"The world meets nobody halfway."

[9/10 · 5 July 2006]

This is a quite good heartwarming movie. In this movie Stallone plays a man who has separated from his wife. She is on her deathbed and she asks him to visit their son and get to know each other. Together they go into a trip to visit the kids mother and we watch them as their relationship develops. He is a man that has realized the fact that leaving his wife and son behind was a sign of weakness and tries to mend the bad he has done to his son. The arm-wrestling competition element in this movie is just the icing in a Rocky type of movie. The message of this 80's action drama is that "The world meets nobody halfway.", which is so true, as most adults already know. We make mistakes and problems will always arise, but we just have to keep on pushing forward. Believe it or not this is a family movie! And a good one I might add.

The Animatrix (2003)

This compilation does not reveal anything! Big marketing lie!

[5/10 · 19 August 2005]

I watched this DVD at a friends place and one thing is for sure: I will not be buying it! A few different stories, that give only minimal clues to what happened before the first matrix.

The marketing department of warner bros, certainly made a terrific effort boosting the sales of this title. The truth is that this title is an amalgamation of totally different stories one to another, based on the Matrix setting.

Do not expect to watch any revelations. Just great graphics...

A great concept, that unfortunately has no real script to support it. Rent it and see for yourselves if you got some free time to watch cartoons :(

Poor...