Movie Monday: Hancock

This week for Movie Monday I’m covering an often forgotten film. It’s Hancock!

Plot Synopsis: John Hancock is an alcoholic American who possesses superpowers, including flight, invulnerability, and superhuman strength. Whilst performing superhero-like acts in Los Angeles, he is often ridiculed and hated by the public for his drunken and careless acts, and becomes enraged when referred to as an “asshole”. Hancock rescues Ray Embrey, a public relations specialist, from an oncoming train, which he irrationally derails to save Ray. Thankful and seeing him as a career opportunity, Ray offers to help improve Hancock’s public image…

Plot: The plot is pretty okay for the first half, but after that it gets completely ruined. Honestly the only noteworthy things about this movie isn’t the plot, which is why it’s such a poorly rated film and often forgotten.

Casting: The casting is okay, with Will Smith as John Hancock being our star and titular character. That being said the rest of the cast is only okay, so it definitely didn’t help the ratings or memorability.

Cinematography: This is probably the sole redeeming feature of this movie, but even that wasn’t enough to save the film from being completely terrible in most peoples mind.

Music: I don’t remember much, except for a particular song that plays which I never found entertaining personally.

Overall: Skip this, otherwise you’ll be wanting some brain bleach to wipe this from your memory.

For those who like: Comedy AND Drama, Superheroes, Will Smith, Decent Cinematography.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.

Anime Sunday: Divine Gate Episode 01 Impressions

This week for Anime Sunday I’m taking a look at a new series that I’ve been told is based off a popular, in Japan, mobile game. It’s Divine Gate!

Plot Synopsis: Some years ago a gate opened up that changed the world and now people manifest super powers, they are called Adapters, and creatures once thought to be just myth are now residing on earth. On one rainy day, an Adapter attacks the passengers on a tram.

Plot: That’s the best plot synopsis I could make on short notice, but it also is fairly accurate. Does that mean the series makes sense to me? Hell no, I’m just as confused about what’s going on after watching this first episode, which provides very few answers to questions.  That being said Divine Gate is based off a mobile game, I wasn’t expecting much out of it in the first place.

Characters: Aoto seems to be a broody jerk, and while he probably has his reasons, I also don’t really have any reason for me to try to understand which is another thing that this show failed at. If I can’t at least understand the main character just a little bit, then I don’t have much interest in it. Midori and Akane, which despite his name is actually a male, are much more interesting, and more upbeat. This Arthur character seems to be a shady sort as well.

Art: I despise obvious use of 3DCG in Animation if it looks out of place, and the use of it in Divine Gate is one such case. The rest of the animation is okay, but honestly that 3DCG use is so blatant and obvious that it jars the viewer.

Music: It’s decent, but I’ve heard much better.

Overall: I have no interest in continuing with this series, so I’m not going to continue watching it.

Sensate Saturday: Area D Inou Ryouiki by Nanatsuki Kyouichi

This week for Sensate Saturday I’m covering a less well known series. It’s Area D Inou Ryouiki by Nanatsuki Kyouichi!

Plot Synopsis: The “prison survival action” story is set after the sudden emergence of special powers in certain pockets of humanity. To deal with these so-called “Altered,” a mysterious remote island prison named “Area D” was built.

Plot: The plot is pretty freaking serious and pretty gory as well. It definitely fits the Horror genre in my opinion, although more for shock factor than anything else. I won’t spoil it but I’ll just say that in the first chapter I nearly gagged.

Characters: Jin is the main character, and he’s a pretty bad ass guy. The rest of the cast is great, although Ida is my favorite of the bunch.

Art: The art in this series fits it perfectly. It’s definitely not something for kids.

Overall: If you can stand the gore, it’s pretty good.

For those who like: Action, Violence, Gore, Drama, Excellent Plot, Fantastic Cast of Characters, Great Artwork.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.

Anime Sunday: The Rolling Girls

This week for Anime Sunday I’m covering a series that I watched recently and enjoyed quite immensely. It’s The Rolling Girls!

Plot Synopsis: 10 years after the end of the “Great Tokyo War” that rocked Japan, most of the country’s political and economic elites mysteriously vanished. As a result, the country split up into the original 10 prefectures that soon became independent city-states that competed with each other. Many vigilantes who fought in the aforementioned war became hired as the “Best” (mosa), representing their prefectures in territorial disputes. Their supporters, the “Rest” (mob), work to support them while maintaining the peace within their respective prefectures.

After a prolonged battle leads her friend to become seriously injured, a rookie Rest named Nozomi decides to travel around Japan on her motorcycle with her new friends, fulfilling requests for Maccha Green while they seek to grow stronger and search for special heart-shaped jewels.

Plot: The plot’s not serious, but that’s okay this is a feel good series and it really doesn’t have to have a super serious plot to do what it’s supposed to do.  I do enjoy the plot, as it does have a few plot twists, but for the most part I just like the warm fuzzies it gave me.

Characters: Nozomi is pretty headstrong for a girl who goes up against super powered Best’s, but that’s okay because she has Gumption and is a pretty good main lead. The rest of the cast is also great, though I connect with Ai the most personally.

Art: The artwork for this series is just great, and is one of two reasons I started watching it in the first place. It’s flashy and detailed and just all around awesome.

Music: The other reason I started watching the series is the musical track because it’s just as great as the artwork.

Overall: If you want a feel good series that has a less than serious plot, watch this.

For those who like: Feel Good Series, Great Cast of Characters, Good Plot, Fantastic Artwork, Excellent Music.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above, but how can you hate all that together?

Anime Sunday: Coppelion

This week for Anime Sunday I’m covering Coppelion!

Plot Synopsis: In 2016, a catastrophe occurs after a nuclear meltdown from the nearby Odaiba nuclear power plant contaminates Tokyo, forcing the government to order its citizens to evacuate. 20 years later, Tokyo has become a ghost town due to the high levels of radiation which the government has banned entry for anyone. When a distress signal is received from Tokyo, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force dispatches 3 teenage girls from the Dispatch 3rd Special Force Coppelion, who comprise the “Healthcare Team”. Due to genetic engineering, the Coppelions are immune to radiation while also possessing special skills. Thus the Coppelions journey to the ruined capital to find survivors.

Plot: Well that sure sucks for Tokyo, but honestly this series has a very dark plot at times. Although it does have it’s lighthearted moments. I enjoyed the plot quite a bit, but I won’t go into the why as it’ll spoil too much.

Characters: Out of the main female trio Aoi is probably my favorite, because she isn’t that special. She has no special enhancements like Ibara’s super strength or Taeko’s enhanced senses (think a Tineye from Mistborn). This makes her the most human of the lead characters and I really enjoy that. The rest of the cast is great, but no more can be said without going into spoiler territory.

Art: The artwork is great, I love it.

Music: The music is also amazing, particularly the opening theme by Angela.

Overall: If you want a great Post-Apocalyptic series to watch, watch this one.

For those who like: Post-Apocalyptic, Kick Ass Female Leads, Great Cast of Characters, Amazing Artwork, Fantastic Musical Score.

Not for those who don’t like: Any of the above.