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Reviews
Performance: King Lear (1998)
Don't bother.
Having had to watch this production several times for Year 12 English (like a few others commenting here), I have been over its every detail, and can still find very little redeeming qualities. Eyre clearly delves into the ideas revolving around family and betrayal, but disregards what many would call the most important themes of the play (including the role of the divine and the monarchy). This serves to turn what should be a striking and thought-provoking play into a daytime drama.
This isn't helped by the acting. Much of the cast overacts and no one seems to understand the concept of being quietly angry - the excessive shouting will unfailingly give you a headache (which completely ruins the part in the last scene where Rhys as Edgar starts screaming in emotional agony, an otherwise moving moment). Ironically, in the storm scene (which is meant to be moving and a turning point for the characters) not one word can be understood over the weather.
The boring sets are no doubt there for some form of visual symbolism, but all they really do is detract from the film. They give the sense of watching something that is trying too hard not to be a play but at the same time trying just as hard not to be a movie, which leaves the set design looking sloppy and haphazard.
The two brothers do well enough, but the sisters are entirely mis-directed in a confusing display of violently changing emotion, so that a real sense of character can't be established. Timothy West and David Burke are excellent, Ian Holm has his moments amongst the shouting, and Michael Bryant is a good Fool if you can get over the initial shock of him being about the same age as Lear (although perhaps this is a shallow criticism). But on the whole, you would be much better seeking out a different version to watch (try the Russian one).
Hagane no renkinjutsushi (2003)
Absolutely Brilliant In Every Way
*possible light spoilers!* In a forbidden alchemic experiment to attempt to bring back their dead mother, Edward lost an arm and a leg, and Alphonse lost his entire body, and would have died if Edward hadn't secured his soul to a suit of armour. The two Elric brothers set off to find the philosophers stone in order to regain what they lost, aided and opposed by various individuals and groups along the way.
If I could give this anime my own star rating, it would be about one million out of ten! Full Metal Alchemist is one of my all time favourite shows (not just animes); the story lines, drawing, voice acting and soundtrack are all fantastic. But most notable are the characters, particularly the contrast between the two brothers: the strong, determined and short-tempered alchemic prodigy Edward, against the sweet, naive Alphonse who puts others before himself. The supporting characters, both major (such as the arrogant, driven Roy Mustang, my personal favourite, and Winry, the brothers' machinery-obsessed childhood friend) and minor (like Rose, Marco and Barry the Chopper), are perfectly realised, and the host of evil beings they face are scary indeed.
As well as watching the entire Japanese series, I have also seen some of the English versions of episodes. The dub is extremely good, particularly in comparison with other recent efforts. Some of the voices are even improved, such as (in my opinion) Roy. I prefer the anime over the manga, but I don't think it really matters which version of the anime you watch, as little has been changed.
I would recommend FMA to anyone over the age of 12, mainly because they would get more out of it, and because the themes are sometimes a bit dark (there are significant character deaths as well). FMA perfectly balances humour and adventure with the more adult issues of war, politics and revenge, allowing viewers of differing ages and interests to interpret it as they wish.
Amazing Grace (2006)
a beautiful and moving movie
Amazing Grace is a fantastic biopic of William Wilberforce, a parliamentarian who campaigned for the abolishment of the slave trade in Britain. The acting is superb, particularly by Cumberbatch, Sewell and, of course, Gruffudd, and the script stays close to historical fact, making it easier to trust and enjoy without worrying about being fed mis-information.
One of the more prominent issues to do with the film's reception is the complaint that it doesn't show much of the perspective of the black slaves. This may be true, but this criticism is missing the point; the movie is about using the law positively, the constant struggle for equality, and the life of one man who dared to stand up for others less fortunate than himself. The fact that he was white and British is a fact, not a statement.
I found Amazing Grace to be truly inspiring, and would recommend it to those over the age of about 15- it isn't that it isn't appropriate, more that the subject matter is less likely to interest younger viewers.
Ôran kôkô hosutobu (2006)
Fantastically Entertaining Teen Anime
This is by far one of the most enjoyable animes i've seen in a long time. Following the popular idea of a girl having to pretend to be a guy at school, the show follows Haruhi, a 'commoner' at an elite school for the rich and powerful. After breaking an expensive vase, she must pay off the debt by working as a host in a club created to entertain girls. However, to do this, she must keep up the pretence that she is a guy. The plot lines are hilarious, with moments of sadness or sweetness thrown in. There are a few taboo-ish themes, like homosexuality, incest and rape, but they are dealt with in a non-confrontational manner, so it is unlikely a conservative viewer would be particularly offended by anything.
Particularly of note are the characters and their development throughout the series as we learn more about them. In the club is the 'Lord', Tamaki, a perceptive, empathetic leader who often comes across as a bit of an idiot (but there is more to him than meets the eye); Hikaru and Kaoru, the mischievous, incestuous twins who use their closeness to appeal to girls; Kyoya, the money-minded, enigmatic shadow-lord; Hunny, the loli-shota obsessed with sweets, and his loyal friend Mori, a silent, stoic type. Haruhi herself is bookish and immune to the charms of the guys, yet becomes entangled in a (very light) love-triangle, which is vaguely resolved by the end of the series. It's easy to relate to and fall in love with all of the characters, and OHSHC is one of the rare shows where you find yourself caring about every character, not just a few.
I would recommend OHSHC to anyone above the age of 13. It seems like a show aimed more at girls, but I gave it to my brother to watch and he loved it. I haven't read the manga (yet), so I can't compare; also, I hear that there will soon be an American-dub version released. As American dubs are notorious for their censorship, i have no idea how that might change the show (probably for the worse), so i'd recommend going and watching the original Japanese version with subtitles: the voice acting is pitch-perfect!