pfsombrero Reviews

Lupin III: Farewell to Nostradamus (1995)

An enjoyable surprise.

[8/10 · 19 September 2023]

"Lupin III farewell to Nostradamus" is the fifth movie dedicated to our beloved gentleman thief, successor of the movie "The Fuma conspiracy".

In this film, set in the late nineties, Lupin returns to wear his iconic red jacket, in an action-packed adventure.

Personally I found this film very enjoyable and compelling.

The drawings are of excellent quality, expressive and well made, they perfectly convey the emotions of the characters.

The plot is very linear, simple, but well told. Packed with eco-involving action scenes.

In this film we are presented with a classic Lupin, in search of money and riches, but always faithful to his principles. Maybe not as ruthless as in other situations, but the film maintains a rather adult tone.

I highly recommend this film to all fans and beyond. It doesn't have a very high rating and you don't expect much, but it personally surprised me positively.

Pleasant, action-packed and never predictable.

I conclude with a personal thought: I often read in the various reviews continuous comparisons to the film "Lupin III the Castle of Cagliostro", directed by the master of Japanese animation Hayao Miyazaki.

Personally I find it a wonderful movie and one of my absolute favorites, but it is not the right yardstick to judge the various Lupin III films and series.

Miyazaki is a great director, but it is well known that his Lupin is very different from that of Monkey Punch (creator of Lupin III). So I find it wrong to judge some films as bad, just because Lupin is not like in "the castle of Cagliostro"... which is beautiful, but 90% of the time Lupin is represented differently, as Miyazaki's is a personal interpretation of the director, approved by Monkey Punch, but not shared.

Thanks for your attention and enjoy your viewing.

Lupin III: Part 5 (2018)

The perfect Lupin III.

[9/10 · 16 September 2023]

Fifth television series starring our Lupin III.

This series was created to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the character. It takes place shortly after the events of the fourth series and is set mainly in France.

The series follows the drawing style of the previous one, Lupin shows off his blue jacket again and initially everything may seem very similar to the fourth series, but a few episodes are enough to understand that we are faced with something different.

The series follows a main plot divided into three parts, consisting of various episodes. All completed by filler episodes that reference the old Lupin series, his jackets and enemies from the past.

The series is extremely compelling, the characters are presented at their best. Lupin is definitely more similar to the original, a gentleman when needed and ruthless with his enemies. There is no shortage of violence and that's okay. The series is adult, sincere and direct. The characters act as expected and the comedy side is put aside. A total evolution from the previous series.

The episodes are intriguing and full of action and emotion, they keep you glued to the television and you could finish the series in just one day.

Being a series that celebrates fifty years of Lupin, there is no shortage of references to previous series and films, which make the most die-hard fans jump for joy and cry for happiness.

In fact, in addition to the three parts into which the main plot is divided, there are several self-contained episodes that pay homage to the previous series, showing Lupin with the green, red and pink jacket. The antagonists of the past and the style of the previous series.

To conclude, I personally rate this series as the best Lupin series made so far.

Beautiful, powerful, compelling, complete... capable of exciting, making people laugh and cry.

Lupin returns to being the character he should be and the adventures he faces are worthy of him.

If you are a big fan, then you will find it even more spectacular.

If I have to find a flaw in it, I'd say it's the filler episodes. They are appreciated by long-time fans and taken individually they are enjoyable, but I would have preferred to see these quotes inserted appropriately into the main plot. The idea is nice, but the episodes seem to be put there without a purpose, other than to lengthen the series.

But despite this it is absolutely valid and well made.

Worthy of Lupin III's fiftieth anniversary.

Good vision.

Lupin III (2015)

A timeless character.

[7/10 · 13 September 2023]

Fourth television series dedicated to our beloved Lupin III, who this time shows off a stylish blue jacket in an adventure set almost entirely in Italy, with some detours between San Marino, France and Japan.

After the flop of the third series, which ended in 1985, it took thirty years before seeing a Lupin television series again (except for the 2012 spin-off dedicated to Fujiko) and this series is exactly what we needed.

Here Lupin is told to us in a new way suited to modern times. In previous series, characterized by the large number of episodes, there were almost always stories that concluded during an episode and antagonists that appeared and were defeated in the same episode. Furthermore, the character of Lupin, over the years, had lost the noir tones of the first series and sometimes tended more towards comedy.

Instead, in the fourth series the narration has a modern style: first of all there are fewer episodes (26), in each there is a common thread that follows the main plot of the series and there are new characters who will be present in more episodes to help/ hinder our protagonist.

The character of Lupin returns to have a character closer to that of the first series. Less clumsy and blatantly good, more serious and less comedy. Determined to achieve his goals without too many scruples

This fourth series introduces the modern Lupine. Told with a fresh and new style, which revives the character making it compelling and current.

Furthermore, if you are Italian like me, you will appreciate the setting even more.

Obviously it is not without errors or boring and somewhat useless episodes, but despite this, it manages to attract new viewers and satisfy long-time fans.

Good vision.

Lupin III: Part III (1984–1985)

Mediocre.

[6/10 · 9 September 2023]

Third Lupin television series, as well as the second in terms of number of episodes, fifty.

This time our protagonist shows up with a flashy pink jacket and a style of drawings that is very different from the previous series.

After Lupin in the red jacket, the producers decided to make an attempt to renew the character, which although appreciable, did not end in the best way.

The third series of Lupin is remembered by fans as one of the least loved and best of the franchise and personally I am of the same opinion, for various reasons.

The series starts well, the new designs are interesting, the pink jacket is very beautiful and Lupin's adventures have a new and fresh spirit.

Nude scenes are often present and this adds a more adult and sexy touch to the series.

With a start like this, the premises were excellent and I was starting to believe that all the criticisms about this third series were unfounded, but I was wrong... Almost all the positive sides listed above disappear after less than ten episodes. The series begins to seem "affected by a degenerative disease", which episode after episode gradually worsens the drawings, characters and plot.

In my opinion, the drawings, for 80% of the series, are really ugly, crooked and poorly detailed. They almost seem more like caricatures of the various characters.

The characters are completely distorted and ruined. Lupin will almost become more "Robin Hood" rather than a thief. And we will practically never see him do anything bad.

The episodes will become increasingly childish and less engaging, with silly plots more suitable for children. We will almost never see anyone die and the nude scenes disappear completely.

All the good work done in the first ten episodes is completely destroyed to offer a product of poor quality, uninspired and in contradiction with the character of Lupin himself.

If you want, watch it and judge by yourself, but I doubt you will be too satisfied. Except for the first episodes, it doesn't have many positive sides and the flop of this series meant that no others were produced until 2012.

Last two things: the Japanese theme song is really very catchy and I personally find the pink jacket very beautiful (aesthetically).

Good vision.

Lupin III: Legend of the Gold of Babylon (1985)

Forgettable.

[5/10 · 3 September 2023]

First and only feature film where our beloved Lupin III wears his flamboyant pink Jacket.

"The Legend of the Gold of Babylon", the third Lupin movie, is the one that represents the third series of the famous gentleman thief in the cinema. Successor of the much better known and loved: "the castle of Cagliostro", still remains one of Lupin's least appreciated films. It was such a flop at the time that it convinced the producers not to redesign the pink jacket again. With some small exceptions in the future.

There isn't much to say about the film itself, the premises of the plot are good and at times the film is pleasant and manages to capture the viewer's attention.

Unfortunately, the flaws far outweigh the merits.

The drawings are not the most inspired, they refer to the style of the third series, but personally I find them mediocre and even a little crooked. The plot could be interesting, but it is badly told, messed up and difficult to follow sometimes; more serious moments alternate with extremely stupid moments. Action scenes alternate with scenes straight out of cartoons like "Tom & Jerry". Above all, as the movie progresses, more and more trivial elements are added, which confuse the whole thing even more.

Summing up: "the legend of the gold of Babylon" is certainly not a great movie. If you watch it without too many expectations, it might not disappoint you that much and still entertain you.

If you are a Lupin fan, I still recommend you to watch it, even if only for completeness. And because it's the only film where Lupine wears the pink jacket. But if you want to see a good movie, I advise you to choose another one.

Good vision.

Lupin the 3rd (1977–1980)

The quintessential Lupin series.

[8/10 · 31 August 2023]

Second television series of the most famous thief ever, certainly the best known and most representative of all. As well as the longest produced so far, with 155 episodes.

The second series is certainly the one that has been more successful and definitively affirmed the character of Lupin. Our protagonist is presented to us with a new and flamboyant look and his unforgettable red jacket.

From the beginning we notice some substantial differences with the previous series: here we have a globetrotting, adventurer Lupin. Almost every episode is set in a different country and we see Lupin meet all kinds of antagonists, from the simplest to the most imaginative.

It's a very adventure-focused series, unlike the first one, which was almost entirely set in Japan.

Another very important difference compared to the series with the green jacket is Lupin's character: if in the first series we had a noir, ruthless and unscrupulous Lupin; here we have a slightly more light-hearted protagonist. The tones of the series are much more cheerful and Lupin is much more heroic and forgiving. We will hardly see him kill someone... On the other hand, his typical determination will not be missing, which will lead him to never give up in order to reach his goal.

Obviously such a long series cannot be without flaws. In fact, the large number of episodes sometimes has a negative effect, as we will happen to see very beautiful and compelling episodes (for example those directed by Hayao Miyazaki) and decidedly bad, boring or completely meaningless episodes full of errors.

In conclusion: I personally find this series excellent and enjoyable. Rich in facets and capable of enthralling all types of spectators. Thanks also to his styles, different in each episode.

On the other hand, for lovers of Lupin in a green jacket this series could be more childish and sweetened.

That said, I highly recommend you to see it and enjoy it.

It will certainly take some time, but it will be worth it.

Good vision.

Lupin the Third (1971–1977)

The beginning of a timeless saga.

[8/10 · 2 July 2023]

Lupin in the Green Jacket is probably one of the most famous versions, although it is the shortest series of the gentleman thief. In this first series we see a Lupin with certainly more noir tones than in the following series.

Less kind-hearted and more determined to achieve his goals.

The merits of this series are many: first of all it was one of the first cartoons intended for a mainly adult audience, which made the character immediately loved, even outside Japan, there is a great attention to detail, both in terms of weapons and equipment, and for the plans put in place by Lupin and his gang. The characters are multifaceted and each episode has been crafted with care.

However, being the first television transposition of the Monkey Punch comic, some flaws are inevitable. One of the most relevant is the alternation of several people to direct the episodes (including Hayao Miyazaki). The episodes are all more than enjoyable, but sometimes there is a bit of inconsistency in the style and some are slower and less exciting.

In conclusion I add that: certainly compared to the most recent Lupin films and series, the first series can be slower and more particular, as we see a darker and less light-hearted protagonist, but if you love Lupin (or excellent animated series) , I advise you to retrieve this series and also watch it for what it represented.

Enjoy your vision.

Hitch (I) (2005)

A real surprise.

[7/10 · 28 April 2020]

On the advice of a trusted person, I decided to see Hitch for the first time. I didn't know about this film and more people were surprised by it. So, without idugi, I looked at it in one breath. Hitch is presented as a classic romantic comedy, an enjoyable film, without too many pretensions. But it doesn't take long to reveal itself, a pleasant surprise. The plot is simple and the characters are nice, even if a little too characterized. The film flows beautifully, and despite its simplicity, it proves to be well articulated and well structured. The scenes are clear and understandable, the jokes funny and the whole thing is very addictive. It is a film where you can immerse yourself and identify with some characters. Too bad for the quality of the photograph, you could do much better. Obviously I have to make an honorable mention to Will Smith, who leads this fun film as a protagonist. So, without saying anything else, I recommend you relax, put yourself in bed or on the sofa, wrap yourself in the blankets with your boyfriend or girlfriend and enjoy a cheerful evening. And if you don't have a special person to watch it with, well, take advantage of it, watch it and maybe you could get some advice. Hope this review is useful, goodbye.

The Garden of Words (2013)

Short but intense.

[7/10 · 9 January 2020]

After seeing "5cm per Second", I became a huge fan of Makoto Shinkai's filmography, viewing all his films accordingly. I must admit that I was once again struck by one of his works. "The Garden of Words" is a well-made medium-length film, with an exciting story and high-quality drawings; the plot is simple, but told with feeling. Very addictive. I recommend viewing it to all fans of the genre, fast and intense, suitable for everyone. Good vision.

Rush (I) (2013)

Great

[8/10 · 21 May 2019]

With this film, Ron Howard confirms to be a really good director, faithfully and involvingly narrating the automotive rivalry between James Hunt and Niki Lauda. An excellent film, well done, able to transmit a lot of suspense and the scenes on the track are of good quality. The choice of actors was also excellent. I highly recommend this movie, especially to car racing fans. Enjoy it and see you at the next review.

Stan & Ollie (2018)

Beautiful...

[8/10 · 19 May 2019]

Initially I had some doubts about this film, very curious to see it, but I was afraid it would be boring. But I can happily say that I was wrong. Engaging, interesting, accurate, but above all really fun. A perfect atmosphere, so as to make it seem like you are reliving the true works of the two comedians. Actors chosen to perfection to interpret the two protagonists, who give "a soul" to the film. So, I highly recommend this movie to everyone, able to do: both laugh and move. Many greetings and see you at the next review.

Batman & Robin (1997)

What a crap!

[3/10 · 18 May 2019]

OMG! How is it possible?! How can you make such crap and call yourself a director ?! How?! ! This: "Movie", if this can be defined, is an offense to Batman and to the cinema itself. Ugly, stupid, horrible, childish, shoddy, full of errors, completely distorted and insignificant characters, ridiculous customs, useless antagonists, terrible script, silly plot, banal and depressing jokes, perhaps suitable for children no older than three years, more like to an advertisement for two-hour toys, rather than a movie. All the work done by Tim Burton in the first two chapters of the saga to elevate the character of Batman, is completely destroyed by Joel Schumacher, making him suffer a devastating involution. If you are a Batman fan or just have good taste, don't watch this movie at all! There are hundreds of better ways to lose two hours, by: fixing a white wall to converse with a stone. I still recommend, don't look at this garbage, trust me ...

Batman Forever (1995)

Very bad...

[5/10 · 17 May 2019]

Unfortunately Tim Burton decides to leave the role of director, passing the baton to Joel Schumacher, who in two hours of movie manages to destroy all the work done by his predecessor; starting the cinematic decline of the Batman character. Schumacher abandons the dark and dark tones used by Tim Burton, proposing a Batman that is less complex and less attached to the past, which after all more faithfully follows the classic comic strip. But the problems of this film are quite different: the scenography used by Tim Burton was beautiful, here Schumacher opts for a digital, which also for 1995 could be considered horrendous, the plot is rather banal, the script is terrible and disgusting, the Lighting during the scenes is ridiculous, the special effects bad and Val Kilmer is perhaps the most annoyed Batman I've ever seen. Almost nothing is used by the performances of Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey, who, however good, do not help save this poor film. I do not recommend this film to anyone, especially to fans of films directed by Tim Burton. A movie too childish and full of errors, which will touch the bottom in its sequel: Batman & Robin, but of the latter we will talk about in a future review.

Many Greetings.

Batman Returns (1992)

Good job Tim Burton!

[7/10 · 17 May 2019]

I must congratulate Tim Burton for managing a truly high level sequel. After the success of: Batman (1989), it was not easy to propose a film that could stand comparison with such an important predecessor, but Tim Burton succeeded, bringing to the screen a much more serious Batman, with even darker tones , intriguing and engaging. The style of Burton, as for the first film, adapts perfectly to the character of the dark knight. Set design and soundtrack are excellent and the performances, by antagonists, by Danny DeVito and Michelle Pfeiffer: unforgettable. So, I recommend this movie to all Batman and cine-comics fans. Greetings and see you at the next review.

Batman (1989)

"Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?"

[8/10 · 16 May 2019]

As I am a huge Tim Burton fan, I certainly could not refrain from reviewing this movie. I fell in love with it since I was a child and I still consider it the best movie about Batman. To date it has been a bit forgotten, after the release of the Christopher Nolan trilogy, but despite being dated, it still remains a great film. Tim Burton re-proposes the character of Batman in a darker style than the classic version, with a more severe character, a character much more complex and attached to the past, which works perfectly and gives the film something more. The music of Danny Elfman is absolutely apt and the scenery is impressive and suggestive. Michael Keaton turns out to be great in the role of Bruce Wayne / Batman and Jack Nicholson's interpretation of the Joker is, in my opinion, still the best on the big screen, simply masterful. Certainly it is not a perfect movie, looking at it today you can see the limitations of special effects and photography, but this will certainly not spoil your vision. I therefore advise all cine-comics lovers, who have not yet seen it, to recover it. Many greetings and see you at the next review.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Best movie ever... Trust me

[10/10 · 16 May 2019]

A few days ago, after a long time, I reviewed "The Shawshank Redemption", so I decided it was time to write my review. It may seem easy to review this film, defining it: beautiful or wonderful, but the truth is that they would not be quite exhaustive compliments. "The Shawshank Redemption" is "The Movie"; perfect from every point of view, the highest point that cinema can ever reach; raw, realistic, powerful, exciting! The plot is absolutely engaging and intriguing, keeping the viewer anxious until the end, making him experience unparalleled emotions, as if he were experiencing those of the characters themselves. The setting of the prison is masterly and completely immerses those who are watching the film. Not to mention the soundtrack, simply imposing. The presence of actors like: Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, puts the exclamation mark on this masterpiece allowing it to go down in history. So in conclusion I can not help but define this film as, perhaps, the best ever; and for those who had not yet looked at it ... Well, I think it's time to recover it, because you can't talk about cinema without having ever seen it. Greetings to all and see you at the next review.

5 Centimeters per Second (2007)

A beautiful love story...

[7/10 · 15 May 2019]

Long last! Finally "5 Centimeters Per Second" has arrived at the cinema, here in Italy. I was very curious to see this anime since I learned about it. I was pleasantly surprised by this film, full of deep emotions and feelings; an engaging love story, well told without mistakes or smears. Technically it is well done, the plot is consistent and the drawings and animations are really nice to see. The choice to divide it into 3 connected episodes is also appreciable, creating a continuous crescendo that keeps the spectator in suspense until the end. I recommend watching this film to all fans of anime and Japanese cinema. For those who are instead a neophyte of the topic, I suggest instead to make a small culture of anime, to fully enjoy the vision of the film. Many greetings and see you at the next review.

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019)

Disappointed

[5/10 · 11 May 2019]

Hello everyone; as a huge Pokemon fan I certainly couldn't miss watching this movie, but unfortunately I have to say that I was somewhat disappointed. I didn't have huge expectations for this film, but I was sure it would be enjoyable and nice. For the first half it respected my expectations, but the problems arise in the second half, where the film has a real involution, becoming confused and forced. Generally this film is simply useless and adds nothing to the Pokemon universe; on the contrary, it ruins the debut of their first live Action. In conclusion, if you are a Pokemon fan, I suggest you see it only for the nostalgia factor, but I believe that, like me, you will be disappointed.

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

Simply Wonderful

[9/10 · 6 November 2018]

"My Neighbor Totoro" movie of 1988, directed by "Hayao Miyazaki" and produced by "Studio Ghibli"; as well as a symbol of the aforementioned animation studio. Well, I have to say that this movie is really special; looks like a "little story", nothing too much architected (also seen the short duration), but soon reveals a set of great emotions. It is an "innocent" and "carefree" movie, suitable for everyone, colorful and very funny, but with interludes full of emotions. Finally ... what to say, if not to: go there to see if you were lost. Greetings and see you next review.

A.C.A.B. - All Cops Are Bastards (2012)

Not Bad...

[7/10 · 6 November 2018]

ACAB is an Italian movie of 2012, based on real events and directed by Stefano Sollima; of great impact and with excellent characters. ACAB deals with issues often overlooked or uncomfortable, such as: the abuse of power by law enforcement and the difficult working conditions of the "celerini" (police riot police unit), especially from an emotional point of view. The movie is enriched by actors such as: Pierfrancesco Favino and Marco Giallini, good action scenes and themes dealt with efficiently. But there are some significant flaws: the audio sector is quite poor and does not allow you to listen to all the dialogues in the best way (all aggravated by the fact that the actors speak using the dialect), in addition the script is not "the best" and in the plot there is no real antagonist. All in all, it remains a good movie, above all for being a product of Italian cinema. Goodbye and see you next review...

Tales from Earthsea (2006)

A Little Disappointed

[5/10 · 1 November 2018]

It was a long time since I was going to see this, today I finally found the desire and the time to watch it. "Tales from Earthsea" is an animated movie of 2006, directed by Gorô Miyazaki and realized by the legendary: "Studio Ghibli".

Despite these excellent premises, the movie has disappointed me; the drawings, the animations and the settings are as always at the top. The real problem of this movie, in my opinion, is the plot: developed with not much effort, containing characters in-depth, tortuous and difficult to follow. I think this movie is not a complete failure, but compared to the others of the Studio Ghibli does not stand comparison. I still recommend it to fans of the genre. Goodbye and see you next review.

Lupin III: The Castle of Cagliostro (1979)

Another Myazaki's masterpiece...

[9/10 · 29 October 2018]

Personally I love the character of Lupin III, I love the TV series and all his films, but I must say that my absolute favorite is: "Lupine III - The Castle of Cagliostro". Animated movie of 1979 directed by the "master" Hayao Myazaki. In this film, Lupin III is grappling with the mystery of the castle of Cagliostro, amid great treasures and exciting intrigues. This movie is truly magnificent in almost all its aspects; the plot is compelling, the characters are amazing, the drawings are beautiful and a breathtaking soundtrack. As always in his movies, Myazaki, manages to create masterpieces able to excite and "immerse" in full viewer. Without making "spoiler" I tell you to watch it and enjoy it. Goodbye and see you next review ...

El Alamein - The Line of Fire (2002)

Good Historical movie...

[8/10 · 29 October 2018]

"El Alamein - The Line of Fire"; war movie of 2002, directed by Enzo Monteleone and based on the true testimonies of the Italian veterans of the Africa campaign, during the Second World War. The movie shows the various aspects of trench life, with which, the soldiers of the division: "Pavia" had to "fight", such as: hunger, thirst, heat, lack of reinforcements and ammunition, the sense of abandonment and frustration. One aspect that I really appreciated in this movie is the fact that the plot focuses on the lives of soldiers and not on fascism and its politics. However, there are some flaws about special effects and some combat scenes, but all in all they are negligible errors. This movie is great for those who are passionate about history and for those who do not know the story of Italian soldiers during the Africa campaign. I recommend you look at it, see you and see you next review.

Porco Rosso (1992)

"Studio Ghibli", I love you...

[9/10 · 27 October 2018]

Porco Rosso is an animated movie, released in 1992 and in my opinion is one of the nicest and "adventurous" of the "Studio Ghibli". The plot, set in Italy (which I greatly appreciated by good Italian), speaks of: Marco Pagot, a seaplane pilot with the appearance of an anthropomorphic pig, who fights pirates of the sky and opposes fascism. At first glance it may seem like a senseless movie, but I assure you it is a small masterpiece. Fun, sentimental, "deep" and intelligent, surrounded by wonderful characters and beautiful designs; in addition, the movie is a beautiful metaphor between communism and fascism. So without adding anything else and without making "spoilers", I suggest you look at it as soon as you get the chance. Hello everyone and see you at the next review ...

The Happytime Murders (2018)

It's not funny...

[3/10 · 27 October 2018]

Ok ... once I saw the trailer for this movie, I decided that I absolutely had to go and see it at the cinema. I went there and I can say that this film is simply one of the biggest crap I've ever seen in my life ... this "comic" movie, it's NEVER funny; he tries and tries again with some of the ugliest and most banal jokes that exist. In addition, the whole movie is surrounded by insignificant characters and "leans" to a trivial plot. Of course, there are many films with a trivial plot that are still beautiful, but what makes them so, is all that is around the plot (characters, joke, special effects, settings and so on ...), But in this movie the plot is surrounded by the absolute "nothing". I would like to tell you to go and see, to make you understand what they mean by what I wrote, but this movie is so bad that it would be money thrown away. I greet you and see you at the next review ...