Scream Bloody Entertainment

A new and altogether different screen excitement!!!

A young woman on the run stops at a motel to spend the night, but as the night unfolds she learns more and more about the motel proprietor and his dangerous obsession with his mother.

- top-notch dialogue
- beautifully dark atmosphere
- well-written storyline
- some really outstanding and unexpected twists
- excellent performances from the cast
- memorable scenes and lines of dialogue
- brilliant directing
- unerving and disturbing finale
- haunting score

- a few plot points could have used some polishing
- slightly too much exposition

- moderate violence and gore
- moderate scares and frightening scenes
- low nudity and sexual themes
- low profanity

- if a police officer is being suspicious of you, act suspiciously
- no one comes to the Bates Motel anymore
- maybe it's a good idea to lock your door before taking a shower
- Norman Bates takes mother issues to a whole new level
- not harming a fly will totally prove your innocence

When it comes to genre-defining movies, it really doesn't get much better than Alfred Hithcock's well-known and rightfully loved Psycho. Everything from the unnerving score and the dark atmosphere to the shocking scenes and memorable moments makes Psycho an undeniable classic and a horror thriller like few others before and after it. Add in Anthony Perkins' outstanding performance, the all-around well-written script and Hitchcock's brilliant directing and you've got an arguably flawless achievement in filmmaking.

horror meter: 5 motherly stars (out of 5)

Kei-chan. Keita.

Year: 2010
Number of episodes: 12 (aprox. 25 min per episode)
Genre: Comedy, Ecchi, Romance

Fact is wherever there’s anime, there’s almost always some sort of fan service to be had as well. Ecchi series have been around for quite some time now and with every new show there also seems to be a continuous rise in the explicit material that is allowed to be shown on television, much to the delight of many otakus out there. One such show that pushes the boundaries is Kiss x Sis, an ecchi anime that attempts to blend perversion and comedy while also throwing some incest in the mix. Oh joy.

Kiss x Sis focuses on male protagonist Suminoe Keita and the shenanigans pulled on him by his two older twin sisters – or stepsisters, to be more accurate. The story takes place during Keita’s last year in middle school as he struggles with his final exams while also trying to resist (‘deal with’ would be the more accurate term, actually) his sisters’ often perverted advances towards him. Obscene things happen, comedy ensues, and so on and so forth.

Most episodes adopt a casual pace and narrative typical of many other ecchi anime – not much happens plot-wise for the most part. Of course, there are some episodes that are an exception to the rule, though unfortunately in this case that’s not a good thing. Kiss x Sis does well in the ecchi and comedy departments, delivering some truly borderline hentai moments and successfully mixing in humour whenever the need arises. Surprisingly enough, the episodes that focus more on this aspect and disregard plot development are the ones that are the most enjoyable out of the lot.



As mentioned earlier, things don’t work too well when the anime goes for a more plot-oriented episode. Keita’s preparation for his upcoming exams makes for a useful plot point at first, delivering some good laughs as the sisters go about their usual sneaky ways in trying to intervene with Keita’s study hours both to support him and—perhaps more importantly—to get closer to him. Unfortunately, as the series progresses, a continually increasing focus is given to the more dramatic side of the story, which does not work at all simply because there’s no character development there to support it and also due to the fact that there’s a lack of compatibility between the comedy slash ecchi side and the serious side of the show.

There are moments when Kiss x Sis finds greatness and in turn delivers solid entertainment filled with humour and fan service that at times will leave you wondering just how far this anime is willing to go in that respect, but ultimately the series is brought down by its unnecessary need to inject drama into the whole affair. Those looking for ecchi and some entertainment will certainly not go wrong with Kiss x Sis, but then again, there are plenty other shows out there that offer more in pretty much every department.

I was vacationing abroad during the week featured in this episode, so unfortunately there was not much movie viewing done. Next episode should prove to be more fruitful when it comes to the amount of films watched, but until then, this is all I’ve got.

Tuesday

Election (1999) - 8/10
Going into Election, I was hoping for a good comedy, but I never expected the film to turn out to be as good as it did, ending up ranking among my favourite movies of the genre. I believe that what really makes this film such an effective genre exercise are the well-rounded characters paired with some great performances from the cast. Matthew Broderick is truly at the top of his game in this one, delivering his lines perfectly with genius comedic timing. Reese Witherspoon and Chris Klein also shine in their roles, making the most out of every opportunity they are given. The script is also quite impressive and works well as a whole, providing no significant faults whatsoever. A lot of credit goes the directing and editing department as well, with director Alexander Payne managing to squeeze as much humour as possible out of every scene. I don’t have much else to say about this movie – I definitely recommend it to anyone who’s looking for an enjoyable comedy that’s sure to deliver laughs without opting for immature or dumb humour. This is the first time I’ve seen Election, but it certainly won’t be the last as I already look forward to revisiting it again.

Humanity's last hope... rests on a high power machine gun

A rag-tag team of people fight for survival after a deadly virus is released in the nearby area.

- nails the grindhouse style and then some more
- thoroughly entertaining and highly enjoyable
- awesome soundtrack
- cheesy in a good way
- solid gore and make-up design
- well-paced and impressively put together
- some really memorable scenes

- weak dialogue
- a few underwhelming moments
- too many characters

- high violence and gore
- low scares and frightening scenes
- moderate nudity and sexual themes
- high profanity

- a lot can be done with a numb hand
- stripping and go-go dancing are not the same thing
- not all men approve of lesbians
- losing a leg isn't such a bad thing after all
- never stick your head out of cover
- El Wray never misses

Robert Rodriguez's Planet Terror is a fun and thoroughly enjoyable throwback to old exploitation films, boasting an outstanding visual style, impressive special effects and sound design, and plenty of memorable scenes and lines of dialogue. The whole thing is also accompanied by a great soundtrack and enough humourous moments to satisfy viewers. Then again, the dialogue often comes off as weak, irrelevant of whether that's done intentionally or not, and the amount of characters could have been trimmed down a little as well, but ultimately, Planet Terror delivers where it matters and that makes it a ride well worth taking.

horror meter: 4 go-go stars (out of 5)

“America is my country and Paris is my hometown.” – Gertrude Stein

In spite of being known as more of a grounded filmmaker, Woody Allen brings fantasy into play in his newest directorial effort, the magical Midnight in Paris. Much like Manhattan or the more recent Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Midnight in Paris is both a love story and a love letter dedicated to a particular urban setting; that being Paris this time around, of course. A filmmaker that treats the surroundings he places a story in with as much respect as he does the story itself isn’t an everyday find, and that is perhaps why Allen’s works are as captivating as they are, and this film is certainly not an exception.

The past and the present collide in Midnight in Paris as an American tourist bumps into the famous dead during the Parisian night life. Owen Wilson plays Gil, a Hollywood screenwriter who is on vacation in Paris along with his fiancée and her parents. Contrary to his future wife and soon-to-be parents in law, Gil has little regard for material possession and instead of roaming the shops of Paris spends his days exploring the city and its vast culture, which in turn provides him with the inspiration needed to complete his first novel.


An aimless midnight walk around the streets of Paris transports Gil to the twenties—his very own Golden Age—as he is picked up by an antique car while resting at the steps of a church. He gets to meet his literary heroes, Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Gertrude Stein, among others. As usual, Woody Allen channels his persona through the protagonist, making the interactions between Gil and the characters he meets all the more intriguing and credible.

Few movies, if any, have managed to capture the beauty and character of Paris as well as Midnight in Paris has, painting a vivid and memorable image of the French capital as the fascinated Gil wanders its streets both during the day and especially during the night. As a matter of fact, the film opens up with a series of shots depicting various places around the city while a lovely and fittingly evocative tune is played in the background – there’s excellent cinematography at play here.


Technically speaking, Midnight in Paris is a time travel movie. Every night as the clock strikes twelve Gil is somehow sent back to the past. Woody Allen doesn’t bother detailing the causes and particularities of this ‘supernatural happening,’ and that’s quite all right. Time manipulation is not used as a gimmick in the film, but rather as a plot device—a well-crafted one at that—and nothing else.

There’s a charming aura of humour surrounding Midnight in Paris. Gil’s adventures are as funny as they are peculiar, and there are plenty of memorable moments to be had throughout the variety of situations that arise. The Ernest Hemingway character in particular delivered some pretty amusing lines and noteworthy quotes – credit goes to Corey Stoll for his outstanding performance in the role. Not all attempts at humour hit the mark, but most missteps are easily forgivable when looking at the big picture.


There are some really impressive performances to be had among the all-star cast of the movie. As mentioned earlier, Corey Stoll really shines, but Kathy Bates as Gertrude Stein, Michael Sheen as a pseudo-intellectual friend of Gil’s fiancée, and Tom Hiddleston and Alison Pill as the Fitzgerald couple aren’t far behind either. Owen Wilson works well in the leading role, though despite his fitting portrayal of the Woody Allen character, he’s not much different from his usual self. Other notable actors include Rachel McAdams as Gil’s soon-to-be wife, Marion Cotillard as a sensational 20s mistress and part love interest, and Adrien Brody as the rhinoceros-obsessed Salvador Dalí.

In a nutshell, Midnight in Paris is a magical picture, a whimsical journey, an interesting piece of both romance and romanticism, and, last but not least, a beautiful ode to the city of Paris. There are many faces to this film, but all of them have something to say and most do it very well. They say home is where the heart is, and amongst the dim streetlights of night-time Paris Woody Allen has certainly rekindled his heart.

I’ll be heading off overseas to university at the end of this week, and heck knows what awaits me at the other end of the road, so I’m really not sure how active I’ll be able to be on the blog during the following weeks. Nevertheless, I’m hoping things will work out one way or another.

Friday

Bad Teacher (2011) - 5/10
As much as I enjoyed Bad Teacher, I couldn’t help but feel like it was just another comedy that, despite having its moments here and there, ultimately ends up being rather forgettable as a whole. The plot is relatively interesting and there’s definitely some laughter to be had, but overall, it just wasn’t enough to make for a memorable experience. I was however quite impressed by Cameron Diaz’s performance and it was really refreshing to see her play something other than the ‘dumb blonde’ role. The rest of the cast did a fairly good job as well, with Lucy Punch, Jason Segel and Phyllis Smith being among the more notable ones. I’ve been looking forward to more of Justin Timberlake acting after his winning performance in last year’s The Social Network, but he did not get the chance to do much here, with his most noteworthy moment being a deeply awkward sex scene which I still fail to grasp the purpose of. All in all, there’s not much to take away from Bad Teacher, but for what it’s worth, it’s a decent comedy to pass the time with if there’s nothing else to do.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) - 8/10
Once Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 hit the theatres, I wasted no time and went to check it out as fast as I could. Ever since seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, I’ve been really looking forward to the second part, more so because the first one didn’t deliver much of a satisfying conclusion and left me wanting more. Fortunately, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 delivered the perfect closure I wanted from this franchise, and it definitely felt like an excellent, no holds barred film. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint really gave their best in this one, and so did the rest of the cast – there were no weak links in terms of acting. The movie also looked great, boasting top-notch visual effects and cinematography. Speaking of visuals, the 3D was actually really well done, but it ultimately didn’t bring much to the table and the film would have been just as effective without it. Plot-wise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 felt to me like the most fluid and well-written one out of the entire series of films, which is quite a feat considering that everything had to be tied together and no plot points needed be left out. It is indeed sad to see the Harry Potter series of films come to an end, but I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better finale and I’m sure most other fans will be just as pleased with this movie.

Sunday

A Good Year (2006) - 7/10
Few movies are as charming and enjoyable as A Good Year, a lovely blend of romance, comedy and drama that seems to hit all the right marks. This film is quite a departure from Ridley Scott’s usual work, but the same first-rate quality filmmaking marking the rest of his movies can be found here as well. Russell Crowe was solid in the leading role, and the rest of the cast delivered good performances as well. The plot was thoroughly interesting and there’s a really distinct atmosphere that the movie manages to evoke, painting a vivid image of rural France in contrast with a busy and crowded urban London. The romance subplot really blended in well within the rest of the storyline and Ridley Scott impressively managed to maintain a good balance between all elements of the plot. To sum it up, I really enjoyed A Good Year and, despite being far from Ridley Scott’s best work, it’s a movie well worth checking out.

When it comes to the video game industry, one doesn’t need to look too far to come across an inventive and ambitious indie project, though a true gem such as Limbo isn’t an everyday find either.

Putting you in the shoes of a nameless young boy stuck in a desolate world painted with a grim palette of black and white, Limbo has you wandering through forests all the way to mechanical landscapes, solving puzzles and escaping dangers as you go along. There’s no music accompanying you throughout your adventure – sound is only generated by the uneasy ambiance, the young protagonist’s prying footsteps and your occasional mishaps which mostly end up being fatal.

Speaking of fatality, there’s a lot of dying involved in Limbo. Every new puzzle is built around the concept of trial and error, with many of them taking on the mask of unpredictability and dangers only revealing themselves when it’s already too late, forcing you to restart the checkpoint and try again until you realise what to do and how to avoid certain death. The inevitable death sequences that result are both brutal and spectacular. At certain points you’ll feel like jumping down that cliff or getting close to that spider just to see what might happen.

Spiders. Limbo may turn out to be a nightmare as much for an arachnophobe as it is for its helpless protagonist. There’s a particularly memorable segment involving you trying to avoid the deadly clutches—or should I say those icky icky legs that can make a person curl up in a corner and cry—of a relatively gigantic spider. It’s not pretty, and neither is your little hero’s demise at the hands of it if you make a wrong move.

When it comes to visuals, gameplay, and atmosphere, Limbo really shines. However, there are a few moments where the puzzles become a tad frustrating, particularly towards the end, and there’s also a lack of change in the environment at that point that diminishes the experience, if only a bit. There’s no doubt that the chapters taking place in the forest are a little more inventive and overall enjoyable than those set in a more mechanical environment, which debuts in the latter half of the game.

Such flaws, however, pale in comparison to what the rest of the game has to offer, and Limbo definitely deserves praise for its creativity and originality. There’s nothing quite like it out there at the moment, which in itself is an achievement worth noting.


* Limbo is available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC