Cayle’s Anime Review: “School Days”

SUMMARY

The anime follows Makoto Itou, a high school student who develops a crush on Kotonoha Katsura, a classmate who happens to ride the same train every day. With the help of his friend Sekai Saionji, he gathers the courage to ask her out. However, a dangerous love triangle between the three characters ensue.

REVIEW

Where do I begin?

At first, School Days seems to be your run-of-the-mill harem anime. However, it all goes downhill fast. School Days has one of the most controversial anime endings of all time. I will go into further detail later in the review.

School Days is a show that heavily relies on its idiot plot. Most of the characters on this show are either horrible people or very stupid. Makoto Itou is both. I get the fact that teenagers aren’t known for their rationality. However, Makoto is a selfish asshole who fucks anything that moves.

Sekai isn’t much better either thanks to her shitty personality. She’s easily the most manipulative character on the show aside from Makoto. The only character that had any redeeming qualities was Kotonoha. You really feel bad for her…until the end, that is.

In the process of writing this review, I struggled to think of any good things about this anime. Is School Days the worst anime of all time? The simple answer is…no. That honor goes to Pupa.

In all seriousness, the anime does have some redeeming qualities. I’ll give the anime credit for subverting the usual tropes that is prevalent in the harem genre. However, I wish it was better executed. Call it schadenfreude, but it is satisfying when Makoto gets his just deserts. These elements keep School Days from being a terrible anime.

OVERALL

Although it tries to be subversive, the show fails to live up to its potential thanks to its unlikable characters. If it wasn’t for its rather infamous ending, this show would be forgotten

SCORE: 4/10

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Cayle’s Anime Review: “FLCL”

SUMMARY

The show follows the adventures of 12-year-old Naota Nandaba. Aside from having a man-child for a father, his older brother’s ex-girlfriend hitting on him and the fact that he lives in a city that has a factory that is shaped like an iron, Naota’s life is rather…mundane. That is, until he encounters Haruko Haruhara…

REVIEW

To say that FLCL (or Fooly Cooly) is a unique show would be the understatement of the century. FLCL is a show that embraces its absurdity. The show manages to blend many visual styles (including the cut-out animation of South Park) while having its own style. If I had to compare the show’s visual style to another piece of media, I would compare it to Scott Pilgrim vs. the World for its absolute insanity. There is a debate amongst anime fans on whether FLCL has a plot or not. However, there is a plot that is hidden beneath the insanity of the show…

FLCL is a show that requires multiple viewings as it uses a lot of symbolism. At first glance, FLCL appears to be a random sequence of events. With repeated viewings, however, the themes of the show start to unravel. Repeated viewings should not be a problem since this show has only six episodes.  At its core, FLCL is a coming-of-age story, albeit a strange one. The series is essentially a metaphor for Naota’s transition from boy to man. However, the show has a surprisingly subtle message about not growing up too fast.

Another great aspect about this show is its soundtrack. Instead of the J-pop that is the standard in most anime series, the show’s soundtrack is performed by the Japanese alternative rock band The Pillows. I would describe the sound of the band as Oasis-meets-Radiohead. This soundtrack is the ultimate antidote to the usual anime soundtrack.

My one complaint with this show is the execution of its symbolism. While some of the metaphors are well executed, others are as subtle as a bass guitar to the head. Case in point, the innuendo…

OVERALL

FLCL is a show that aged like wine. It is a show that was tailored made for the Adult Swim generation. Although the show seems a bit chaotic at first with its erratic visuals and far-out sense of humor, the show does have a heart. FLCL is probably the strangest coming-of-age story of all time…

SCORE: 9/10

Cayle’s Top 10 Best Movies of 2017

Hello, welcome to my top ten list of 2017. These films are my personal favorites of the past year. There are a few guidelines for this list:

• I had to see them between January 1st and December 31^st of last year. However, I can’t see every movie that comes out. I’m sure that The Post and Call Me by Your Name are great films. However, I did not get to see them because they were not released in my city at the time.
• I had to see them in theaters. Sorry, VOD exclusives…
• They had to have a score of 9 or higher.

Anyway, here are my top ten films of 2017.

10.) Mother!

I’m still surprised that this film was green-lighted by a major studio for a wide release. This film is a nice antidote to the formulaic blockbusters that are released en-masse by Hollywood. Not only that, this film contains great performances by Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem. However, this film is not for the faint-hearted.

9.) Get Out

2017 was an interesting year for the horror genre. First, the recent adaptation of It is now the highest-grossing horror movie of all time and now, Get Out might be getting Oscar nominations.

Get Out is a clever satire that explores the idea of passive-aggressive racism. This film pushes the boundaries of what a horror film can do. Jordan Peele has the potential to be a great director.

I’m aware that I originally gave this film an eight out of ten. However, this film managed to grow on me. That’s the power of cinema for you…

8.) The Shape of Water

Guillermo del Toro once again knocks it out of the park with The Shape of Water. Although the film has a bit of a weird premise, the film manages to sell it thanks to its direction and screenwriting. The film has arguably one of the best ensemble casts of the year.

7.) Logan

Deadpool and this film are both game-changers for the superhero genre. Both films solidify the existence of the R-rated superhero movie, albeit in different ways. Logan shows that a comic book movie can have depth and range thanks to its direction by James Mangold. However, I’m afraid that this trend will not continue after the Fox-Disney merger is finalized.

Logan is a great finale for the characters of Wolverine and Charles Xavier respectively. Hugh Jackman gives the performance of his career in this film.

6.) Coco

This film is proof that Inside Out was not a fluke…Pixar is back, baby. This film shows why we loved Pixar in the first place thanks to its great storytelling and its heart. Speaking of the latter…

This is a film that almost made me cry thanks to its affirming themes of family and creativity.

5.) Your Name

I know that Your Name is technically a 2016 release. However, it did not get a wide release until April of this year. Living in the Midwest sucks sometimes…

Anyway, Your Name is a refreshing take on a tired science fiction trope (i.e. the “body swap” narrative). Throughout the duration of the film, you get to see how the relationship of the main characters grow due to their unique situation. The film is a visual spectacle thanks to its stunning animation and gorgeous backgrounds.

In my opinion, this is Makoto Shinkai’s best film to date. It’s a crying shame that The Boy and the Beast and this film were snubbed at the Oscars.

4.) Dunkirk

Dunkirk is pretty much Christopher Nolan’s Saving Private Ryan. Although it’s not as violent as the latter due to its PG-13 rating, it’s still an intense war film. You can feel the hopelessness of the situation thanks to Nolan’s direction. This film manages to combine the unconventional narratives of Nolan’s early films with the visuals of his later films.

The film is a great tribute to everybody involved in the Dunkirk evacuation.

3.) The Disaster Artist

While I was making this list, reports of James Franco’s sexual misconduct came to light. If these allegations are true, then James Franco is a piece of shit. However, this didn’t keep me from enjoying this film.

The Disaster Artist is surprisingly the most pro-artist film of the year aside from Coco. James Franco manages to humanize the otherwise enigmatic Tommy Wiseau. The Franco brothers manage to capture the odd friendship between Wiseau and Greg Sestero.

The Disaster Artist: it will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you question your reality.

2.) Baby Driver

For a while, Baby Driver was my favorite film of 2017. In fact, it was almost number one on this list. That’s how good this film was.

Edgar Wright has an impressive resume that consists of the likes of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Baby Driver contains all the best elements of a great Edgar Wright film: witty writing, great music, rapid-fast editing, and of course, genre-mashing.

1.) Blade Runner 2049

In my opinion, Blade Runner 2049 is one of the best sequels of all time. The original Blade Runner is arguably one of the most influential science fiction films of all time. Not only did this film managed to live up to the hype, it also managed to exceed all expectations. Blade Runner 2049 manages to expand on the themes of the original film. The film also manages to explore more of the world that was presented in the original.

Director Denis Villeneuve manages to pay homage to the visuals of the original film while giving them his own flair. Out of all the films that came out this year, Blade Runner 2049 has the best cinematography. I will riot if Roger Deakins does not win the Oscar for Best Cinematography.

While Ryan Gosling was great, Harrison Ford was even better. It’s his best role in recent memory.

Thanks for reading my top ten list! Have a happy new year!

Chris’ Top 10 Worst Movies Of 2017

Chris’ Top 10 Worst Movies Of 2017

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Even if a year is “Good,” there will always be a bad movie.

Now with that said, this list is all my opinion. What I think is “Bad,” doesn’t mean that you think it is. You may love it and I may have seen it in a totally different light than you. 

I also want to state there probably won’t be a bunch of the “Conventional” picks on here. I did not see the Emoji Movie. I mean, I could put that on here just by reputation alone but if I didn’t see it, it doesn’t count.

Now, are you ready? Because I think some of these will surprise you. Let’s begin.

10. Kong: Skull Island

Score: 3/10 (Skip It)

RT: 79%

When this film came out, I was excited. The previews made it look fun but the movie failed on so many levels. 

The action was eh. The characters were boring. The story was just there to fill up time. It was just a worthless film through and through.

At least John C. Reilly was good in it. He was essentially the only redeeming part after all.

9. Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets

Score: 4/10 (Redbox It)

RT: 53%

This film succeeds at being a visual spectacle and nothing else. The plot is interesting for a bit and then that becomes confusing and uninteresting after about 10 minutes.

One of the redeeming factors is that the main two characters are enjoyable for the first 5-10 minutes…. That’s about it. They also just drop off after awhile and become extremely stale.

The movie is pretty to look at. If you turn off the volume and just watch the film for it’s visuals, you’ll be fine. Other than that, there’s not much else there.

8. Atomic Blonde

Score: 4/10 (Skip It)

RT: 76%

For an action movie, this film is slow. Scenes just drag on and on. And then there’s the plot…. Oh man is it confusing.

Look, if I really payed attention to the movie, I’m sure I could’ve followed the story better but I just started zoning out after awhile. There’s just nothing here that’s really worth watching and even when’s there’s a good action scene, it’s followed up by another long talking sequence. *Sighs*

It’s really more boring than anything else. Maybe you’ll find some enjoyment from it but I surely didn’t.

7. Life

Score: 3/10 (Skip It)

RT: 66%

Did you forget about this movie? Because I did.

This film is just another boring movie. On top of that, the characters are just pointless. They’re there to die and nothing else. 

They don’t develop the crew well. The creature just becomes a knockoff alien from other Horror Space films. And the ending just makes you think there might be a sequel, even though I’m not sure if anyone would want one. It’s just bland and another forgettable movie.

6. The Mummy

Score: 4/10 (Skip It)

RT: 17%

I was more generous to this film than most critics. But that’s not saying much.

Look, it’s another confusing movie to follow. The characters are just there. And this film is supposed to setup the “Dark Universe” and it didn’t succeed at all.

I’ll give it this, Tom Cruise tried. That’s about it.

5. Ghost In The Shell

Score: 3/10 (Redbox It)

RT: 42%

I can’t tell you how badly I wanted this film to be good. Anime in America is slowly growing more popular and gaining more respect, and then this piece of shit movie comes out and sets back the anime industry another few years.

Okay, that might be exaggerating but this film didn’t help.

The movie is just all over the place. Characters just do things. Scarlett does something. The film tries bringing up provocative questions but it doesn’t have enough time to answer those like the anime does. It’s just another botched live action adaptation of an anime.

I’ll say this, I know it’s going to sound shallow, but Scarlett Johansen looks good throughout the movie. So there’s that.

4. Geostorm

Score: 3/10 (Skip It)

RT: 12%

This film is so stupid that I’m pretty sure I lost brain cells watching this thing.

I thought this movie would be like The Day After Tomorrow. Something that’s not great but at least semi entertaining enough to enjoy. Yeah….

The problem is that it has way too much science mumble jumble going on for it to be interesting. The action is short lived and it’s not that entertaining either.

If it has one thing going for it, it’s that Gerard Butler seems to be having fun. That’s about it.

3. The Circle

Score: 2/10 (Skip It)

RT: 16%

You’d think Tom Hanks and Emma Watson could make this movie interesting. But nope.

A lot of the issues with the films in this Top 10 list come down to the plot being boring/forgettable. Honestly, I forgot this movie existed until I saw someone mention it the other day. I mean, that’s sad.

There are no redeeming factors here. Tom Hanks tries a little and Emma Watson seems to put some effort forth than him but that’s about it. Everything else is long, drawn out, and uninteresting. Just don’t waste your time with this one.

2. Alien: Covenant

Score: 4/10 (Redbox It)

RT: 71%

This film is painful to watch. 

This was supposed to be a sequel to Prometheus but they brought back only one of the characters from that. (Which, I mean, they could only bring back two but they didn’t bring back the one that mattered.) Also here are too many characters and the plot tries to be something more than what it is.

Micheal Fassbender is fun throughout this movie but everything else is just wasted potential. There was no point to this film, except for one thing, and that never needed to be explained. 

Just fuck this movie.

1. Beauty And The Beast

Score: 4/10 (Redbox It)

RT: 70%

I started to hate this film more and more over time.

This was so unnecessary. The singing isn’t very good. The CGI is bleh looking. And the acting is so so. I mean, how do you take an Oscar nominated film from 1991 and fuck it up? How?

Emma Watson is the lead here and the biggest question is why? She’s not a good singer. She’s not that good of an actor. And she’s British, in a French setting. What were they thinking? 

Okay the French setting isn’t really an issue but still this film just misses on every mark it tried to set. There really wasn’t anything original done too it either. It’s not like they set out and tried to recreate the movie. They just copied scenes and music from the animated feature. So what was the point of making a live action film then? Oh right, money.

There are some decent live action movies. I mean, The Jungle Book was pretty solid. But Beauty And The Beast wasn’t. It didn’t even come close to living up to the original and it’s a shame that kids are going to grow up with this version instead of the much superior one from ’91. Just sickening.

And that’s my list. If you disagree or think I left another off, let me know in the comments below. I’ll be sure to tell you my thoughts about that particular movie, if I’ve seen it and why it didn’t make the cut.

Other than that, there might be one more small list here coming out soon. If not, this will be the official wrap up of 2017.

As usual, thanks for reading!

Chris’ Top 12 Best Movies Of 2017

Chris’ Top 12 Best Movies Of 2017

(For more, visit our Facebook page Brotherhood Of Okay Reviews and hit that Like button)

We have arrived to the end of the year! And, honestly, it was pretty solid year as a whole.

Now, I didn’t get to see as many films as last year. Last year I came in at a staggering 82 movies and this year, 53. 

The hardest part about seeing a lot of these films is their scheduling. A lot of the “Oscar bait” movies come out all at once and it makes it really difficult to see them all. So, a lot of those probably won’t make this list.

Now, lastly, this is my list. I rank these films based on what kind of impact they left on me and how much replay value they hold. 

You may say “Chris, you gave that movie a low score.” And I’ll say “Yeah but I liked it/it grew on me.” And vice versa.

I’ve been doing these lists for the past 3 years now, I think I have a good grasp on this. So let’s get into this.

RT (Rotten Tomatoes)

12. Mother!

Score: 8/10 (Pay The 8)

RT: 71%

Mother is one of those films that will not appeal to everyone. Hell, I struggled a bit getting through it but then I realized what it was all about and my mind totally changed my mind.

This movie is very different from the norm, but I think that’s what gives it, it’s charm. I may not watch this film a thousand times but it’s one that I’m willing to visit a few times over.

11. The Greatest Showman

Score: 6/10 (Redbox It)

RT: 53%

I love the soundtrack….

Look, this is my guilty pleasure movie. I know there are problems but I just enjoy the dancing sequences and the music too much. I even bought the soundtrack man. I rarely do that for any film.

The plot is messy, the characters aren’t developed well, and there’s a lot of made up Hollywood magic but it’s still a fun movie to watch.

10. Thor: Ragnarok

Score: 8/10 (Pay The 8)

RT: 92%

I think this could be higher on the list but I’m scared that the comedy might be too much.

Thor is fun, entertaining, and very funny but I’m not sure if all of the jokes would land the same way like they did the first time. That’s my biggest concern. But it was still a great time at the theater.

9. Get Out 

Score: 7/10 (Pay The 8)

RT: 100%

I think I didn’t appreciate this movie as much as I should have.

Get Out has great commentary, good jokes, and a fun thriller side to it. I don’t think it’s perfect but it’s a movie I’m willing to revisit.

8. Wonder Woman

Score: 8/10 (Pay The 8)

RT: 92%

DC did something…right?

Wonder Woman is a fantastic character and I’m glad they didn’t mess this film up. It tells a great origin story and it’s inspirational for girls all over.

Yes, there are problems with the movie but a lot of it is overlooked because how good Wonder Woman is as a character and I think that’s the most important part here. That and DC did something right for once.

7. It Comes At Night

Score: 8/10 (Pay The 8)

RT: 86%

So many audience members left this movie disappointed but I didn’t. 

I think if you saw this film in theaters the first time and was disappointed, you should go back and try it again. Because, now that you know how everything plays out, you might enjoy it more.

I think there’s a lot more hidden in this film than the typical scary movie everyone was expecting. I blame the trailers for decieving the audience for this one but do try it again. It may surprise you.

6. Dunkirk

Score: 10/10 (Blu-Ray It)

RT: 93%

I hope this film isn’t just a “Theater only” type of movie.

Dunkirk is just beautiful to watch. Yes the characters lack a bit but it’s a movie that is gorgeous to watch. The only thing that I worry about is will translate to the home theater experience?

Either way, it’s still a tremendous film.

5. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Score: 8/10 (Pay The 8)

RT: 94%

Spider-man is my favorite Marvel hero and thank God Marvel got him back.

I never hated the other Spider-man actors but Tom Holland is so much more superior to them. He embellishes everything Andrew and Toby did for the character. 

Yes, there are a lot of jokes in this film too, but I think the main difference is how good Micheal Keaton is as a villain. He helps set this movie apart from so many others in the Marvel franchisees. Him and Tom just sell this film and it’s just great to see a full and complete Peter Parker as opposed to just half a one.

4. Guardians Of The Galaxy 2

Score: 6/10 (Pay The 8)

RT: 82%

See? I told you my score doesn’t always matter.

I’ve come around on this movie. I still have issues with it but Guardians Of The Galaxy just hits to close to home with me. The cast is so likable. The team is so adorable. And the action is always a ton of fun.

Both Guardian movies are in the top 5 of my Marvel Rankings list, so it makes sense that this film is right up here towards the top.

3. Baby Driver

Score: 10/10 (Blu-Ray It)

RT: 97%

This movie is beautiful on so many levels…. Except you Kevin Spacey. You piece of shit.

Look I’m not going to hate a film because of what someone did off screen. It’s sad but it doesn’t mean I still can’t enjoy a movie because of one person because there were a lot of other people who worked on this film who aren’t trash and they deserve respect.

Now the film itself is just awesome. If you love car chases and good characters, unlike The Fast And The Furious franchise, you’ll love this movie instantly. I’m sure it has flaws but you won’t have time to really think about them because there’s will always be something going on.

2. Coco

Score: 9/10 (Blu-Ray It)

RT: 96%

I sat alone with a bunch of kids surrounding me and I cried…. I’m surprised the cops didn’t come and take me away.

Coco isn’t the best Pixar film but it has a strong case for being in the top 5. The movie has a great message about family, finding yourself, and it’s so creative. 

When Pixar puts their minds too it, they can create phenomenal films with ease. It’s just a shame they have titles like Monster’s University, Brave, Cars 2, and The Good Dinosaur in their lineup. I guess you can’t be perfect all the time though.

1. The Disaster Artist

Score: 10/10 (Blu-Ray It)

RT: 93%

This film is just beyond amazing.

I don’t know if there’s a point where I wasn’t laughing during this movie. I don’t know if there was a point where it wasn’t good. Everything about it just felt perfect…. Okay there was a few things but they were very minor.

This film works on so many levels. Even if you haven’t seen The Room or know anything about it, I think you’ll still get a kick out of this movie. Tommy Wiseau is a person that’s way out there that you can’t get enough of watching him. Even when he’s being a douche.

The acting is great. The comedy is great. The directing is great. If this movie isn’t nominated for Best Picture, then fuck the Oscars. I’m not saying it needs to win but it definitely deserves the nomination.

And that’s my list. I think my Top (However many) Worst movies will be more interesting than this one.

I know there was a ton of “Super Hero” films on here but in all honesty, they were good and they really left an impact. Sure, there are probably a ton of other films that are actually “Better” but I just haven’t had the time to see them or they weren’t in my area. So take that as you will.

But that’s all I have for now. I honestly can’t wait to do my worst list. I think I’m going to create some controversy with that. Or maybe not. You’ll just have to find out.

Cayle’s Anime Review: “Erased”

SUMMARY

Satoru Fujinuma is a 29-year-old pizza delivery driver with the gift of “revival”, which is the ability to go back into time to prevent accidents. After he is framed for the murder of his mother, Sachiko, Satoru uses his “revival” ability to stop the murder. However, he is transported all the way back to this childhood. He uses this opportunity to prevent the murders of his mother and a childhood friend.

REVIEW

The reason I decided to check out this anime is because of its use of a time loop narrative. I have always been a fan of media featuring time loops whether it’s Groundhog Day or Edge of Tomorrow (which in turn is based on a light novel entitled All You Need is Kill, which was then adapted into a manga by Takeshi Obata, better known as the creator of Death Note). A lot of science fiction anime such as The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and Steins; Gate make use of a time loop narrative. Some of the more highbrow critics would dismiss the time loop as a simple plot device. However, I see it as potential for character development. Erased is no exception.

Erased is a show that focuses on character development. While the show does have some sort of a time loop, Erased only uses it whenever its convenient for the plot. Otherwise, the show is a murder mystery with a science fiction element. In the series, you get to see the friendship between Satoru and Kayo. Before I go on any further, I must acknowledge the elephant in the room. The series does make it clear that he is a 29-year-old man in a 10-year-old’s body. I must stress that it is only a friendship, nothing more.

The supporting characters felt like ordinary children aside from Kenya. Kenya is the most precocious out of all of Satoru’s childhood friends. I felt he was a great character that deserved more development. However, my favorite character is Satoru’s mother Sachiko. She is a headstrong character who would do anything for her son. Sachiko might be one of my favorite mother characters in anime along with Hana from Wolf Children.

Another great thing about this anime is its art direction. Erased has a great atmosphere throughout its duration thanks to its winter setting. Its visuals are beautiful to look at. Aside from a great opening, its animation is solid.

However, there are a few elements that keep Erased from being a great show. For starters, I was able to figure out who the murderer is halfway through the series. When the villain is finally revealed, the payoff isn’t as strong as it wants to be. Second, the villain felt like a generic one.

OVERALL

Despite its weak ending and generic villain, Erased is a solid anime series thanks to its likable characters and engaging story.

SCORE: 8/10