A Hard Day's Night Review

A Hard Day's Night

1964

Director: Richard lester

There’s no doubt The Beatles is the most influential band of all time. From 1962 to 1969 they created what’s often considered as the best music of all time. In 1964, the Beatlemania was at it highest, it was during this year that A Hard Day’s Night came out. The film, originally intended as a star-vehicle for the fab four is a surprisingly funny journey through a day in the life of the band, filled with hilarious moments and charismatic performances.

The film follows the British group during two days as they travel from Liverpool to London for a TV show performance and find themselves in the craziest of situations. With them is their manager, the director of the TV show and Paul’s “villain, a real mixer” grandfather. During the course of the film we see The Beatles running away from their screaming fans, partying in a hotel, performing their most of the songs from the soundtrack and even running away from the police during a hilarious chase sequence.

The movie, shot in a mockumentary style borrows heavily from the Marx brothers’ brand of comedy and shows The Beatles being as zany and anarchists as the famous brothers . They’re not the greatest actors in the world and can’t be really compared to Groucho or Chico for example, but for first time actors, they all do a great job with it their dialogue, though their Liverpool accent is sometimes hard to understand. John being the most natural of them, he’s surprisingly good with slapstick comedy and I think that if he had acted more he could’ve become a great comedic actor. George is the stiffest of them, he seems rather nervous most of the time, but this actually helps his scenes and gives it an air of deadpan.

The influence the film had is undeniable. Though not technically perfect by any means, the film uses quick cuts and zooms in a way that hadn’t really been done up to that point and it helps the pacing of the dialogue. The editing of the scenes according to the pacing of the songs also predates music videos by a few years. Modern mockumentaries shot in cinema verité style such as This is Spinal Tap, Naked Brothers Band and even Borat owe their existence to A Hard Day’s Night.

There’s not a dull moment in Hard Day’s Night, every scene is full of charism. There are so many memorable scenes that are just fall the chair hilarious, such as the interviews with the band members or when George ends up working as a fashion consultant for a TV station, but the best of them all is the aforementioned chase between the cops and the band near the end of the film to the sound of “Can’t Buy Me Love”.

Perhaps the best thing about A Hard Day’s Night is that it still is watchable, it doesn’t feel dated at all and it never gets old, even after multiple views and that’s what makes it such a great film.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time review

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

2010

Director: Mike Newell

The Prince of Persia series has a special place in my heart as one of the most involving, deep and just plain fun series of games I’ve played (Warrior Within being my favorite) so when I heard that a movie based on the first game of the Sand of Times series was being made I was naturally worried. Expectations were low considering previous video game adaptations and producer Bruckheimer claiming it’d be “the new Pirates of the Caribbean”. Now that I’ve seen the movie I can safely say that this is one of the most functional video game adaptations made so far, if only in terms of perfectly capturing the style of the games.

The story follows Prince Dastan, played by former gay cowboy Jake Gyllenhaall, who is tricked alongside his brothers to attack the sacred city of Alamut and steal the dagger of time. Soon, he finds himself framed for the death of his father and must escape with Tamina, the Princess of Alamut. During his adventure, he discovers that the dagger allows its possessor to reverse time for a minute and that someone in his own family has deceived him to take over of the dagger which combined with the sandglass can go back to any point in time to become the king of the Persian Empire.

At this point, anyone who has ever played the original Sands of Time game is probably saying “wait what?” There’s no Vizier, no Farah, no Maharajah, no sand monsters and the dagger doesn’t have the Time-slowdown or Sand bomb powers which is disappointing. I’ve always thought the Sands of Time story was a perfect fit for the screen, it had tension, romance adventure, drama, it was short and it wasn’t complicated for anyone to follow so it’s beyond me why it was changed so much. While the story in the film subtly keeps some aspects from the game it has changed into a cluttered, convoluted and boring mess.

And while the story is disappointing, what kept me in awe most of the time and what makes this movie good for me is how they perfectly capture the style and feel of the games. The prince is acrobatic, running across walls, engaging in impressive parkour sequences, climbing ridiculously high structures, jumping from ledge to ledge and fighting with his trademark double blades (from Warrior Within). Persia looks exactly like it did in The Two Thrones and Alamut borrows heavily from Azad in the first game. The lighting is fantastic and it adds a lot to the setting, though sometimes everything looks a bit too yellow. The music is also atmospheric, relying mostly on sitar tunes and Arabic corals with drum-based beats for the action sequences. The CGI though, looks very bland and almost archaic, especially the last sand storm that nearly devastates the city.

While Jake Gyllenghaal is certainly not the right man for the role, he at least looks the part and plays it well considering it’s not the most demanding role. Gemma Arterton, who plays the Prince’s love interest, Tamina on the other hand is rather robotic in her performance and seems bored to death for the most part, this hurts any little chemistry they had. Ben Kingsley is functionally sinister and honestly, but he also seems bored as hell, this being another one of his “fuck it, I already have an Oscar” performances. The real jewel in the cast is Alfred Molina as the obligatory comic relief character Sheik a tax-hating entrepreneur who is easily the best addition the filmmakers made to the story.

I can’t say it’s the best video game adaptation, I still think Mortal Kombat combined perfectly the heart and style of the video games to make a good movie. Here the impressive style makes up for the uninspired story obviously aimed to the Disney/Pirates fanbase. It is not a terrible movie and it’s certainly one of the better video game adaptations, but there’s not enough substance to make it worth watching a second time, or even pay to see it.

Rebuild of Evangelion 2.0: You Can (not) Advance review

Rebuild of Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (not) Advance

Director: Kazuya Tsurumaki/Hideaki Anno

Year: 2009

Neon Genesis Evangelion is one of those rare series that go beyond the realm of animation to become a pop culture phenomenon. Its dark storyline, flashy action and likeable characters have gained it millions of fans since it first came out back in 1995. So it’s no surprise that Gainax, the original creators of the franchise decided to remake it as a movie series 10 years after The End of Evangelion, the last movie based on the franchise was first released. This movie series not only allows Gainax to make some more money out of its cash-cow but also introduce the franchise to newcomers as well as reminding fans what they love about it.

Rebuild 2.0 is the second movie in the new series and picks up directly where the first one left off. It covers episodes 8 through 19 of the original series and though it struggles to contain all the material plus the new scenes and characters, the end result is a great combination of both old and new.

The first half hour is the one that suffers the most from the too-much-shit-happening-in-too-little-time syndrome as it introduces both Asuka and franchise newcomer Mari Makinami. I felt very disappointed during this part of the movie as I found myself struggling to make heads or tail out of all the things going on. The pacing suffered; things were over before you knew it and the action, though great looking simply did not satisfy. Not only had that but the characters failed to develop in any significant way.

Thankfully though, after the introductions are over and the first couple of angels attack things pick up. The movie becomes more story-centered from that point onward. We get to see the characters we know and love (or hate) albeit with some new traits. For example, Asuka and Rei seem more aware of their feelings for Shinji and both actually try to learn to cook for him, something that would’ve been unimaginable in the original series. This new changes to the characters are welcomed as they don’t take anything away from what everyone liked about them, quite the contrary actually, it makes them more human.

The same can’t be said of Mari however, as she just comes and goes randomly from the story and didn’t have a crucial role until the final scene and even then it just felt random and misplaced. This is disappointing because it feels as she was added only to have another hot girl character to cash in from, but she’s rather interesting and I hope her character is further developed in the sequels.

Needles to say, this movie contains the same dramatic tension we’re used to see in anything related to Evangelion. The last 15 minutes or so include some of the best and weirdest moments in the franchise’s history. The battle against Unit 03 (which is no longer piloted by Touji) is also one of the most tension-filled moments in the whole movie; the fact that it’s piloted by a new person also helps to make it even more emotional.

In my review for the first Rebuild movie I said that Evangelion never looked better. Well, with Rebuild 2.0 the animation has reached new highs. Everything looks absolutely mesmerizing. The use of CGI combined with traditional animation gives it a unique look that makes it feel more modern without losing the classic Eva touch. The reworked angels, created almost entirely out of CGI look and feel more menacing than ever before. This is just simply the best looking anime movie created so far.

Though the convoluted first half-hour, addition of new characters and overall complexity of the plot might turn away any new fans gained with the first movie, Rebuild 2.0 still contains all the drama, action, tension and emotion we’ve come to expect, this is Evangelion alright.

Note: This review was written based on the 2.22 DVD version of the film, I have no idea of what differences in story or pacing there are between it and the original theatrical version.

Movie Review: Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

Director: Gary Marshall

Year: 2010

In the vein of movies like Love Actually and He’s Just Not That Into You comes Valentine’s Day. The latest romantic comedy from Gary Marshall, director of, among other things, Pretty Woman. And just like those two, this movie features a huge star-studded ensemble cast, but unlike them, all the stories featured don’t work nearly as well and in the end it just feels like a convoluted mess.

The plot is hard to describe given the unusual structure of the movie, but the film is centered around several couples during Valentine’s Day. You get to see how they fall in love with one another, breaking up only to get together at the end…the usual stuff. And just like Love Actually, the stories are not only about beautiful people in their 20s; it also features a few of stories about young couples.

The movie’s biggest problem is that it doesn’t give the characters enough development and it struggles to fit every story into its 125 minutes run. Sometimes the characters disappear completely for a long time and just when you’ve completely forgotten about them, they reappear out of nowhere. There’s a nice sense of connection between each of the stories though. But even that can’t save it from being messy.

It doesn’t help that it is extremely predictable too, not one of the plot twists at the end is not seen coming way before it happens. Moreover, it has a bunch of romantic movies clichés, which wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, had they been well executed, but so many in such a little time can get tiresome. You’ve got the usual friends who don’t realize they love each other until the end of the movie, the kid in love with his teacher, the cheerleader and the jock, guy misunderstanding phone call, etc.

The cast is filled with stars, not one of the roles (even the supporting ones) features an unrecognizable face. The problem is that not one of them is really into it; they’re all there waiting to finish their lines so they can get paid. The result is a bunch of robotic performances, especially from Taylor Lautner, who’s just there smiling and making millions of fangirls faint in the process…but not acting. There are a few moments of enjoyment, mostly provided by George Lopez in his role as Ashton Kutcher’s immigrant co-worker. Other big stars in the movie are Jessica Biel, incredibly miscast as a woman without a date on valentine’s, like I’m supposed to believe that Jessica Biel of all people can’t find a date on Valentine’s; Jamie Foxx as the token black guy, Eric Dane as an aging football star and his grey’s Anatomy co-star Patrick Dempsey as a doctor cheating on his wife, among others.

Valentine’s Day had a potential, with such a big cast it could’ve been a great doppelganger to Love Actually, but sadly it fails at being nearly as romantic or funny as that movie, and in the end nothing works quite the way it should, and that’s disappointing.

Top 10 J-rock/J-pop albums of the decade. (2000-2009)

As some of you know, I’m a big music fan, and have an obscene collection of music, especially Japanese music. So now, I’m going to share with you what I think are the top 10 best albums of J-rock and pop of the last decade. I hope you enjoy it.

10. Album: Planet of the Dope
Artist: Dope Headz
Year: 2002

The band formed by former X Japan members Heath (Bass) and Pata (Guitar) and ex hide with Spread beaver member I.N.A (Computer & Percussion) makes a comeback with a new singer (Shame) for their second outing and the result is much better than their mediocre first album. Yes there are a couple of songs of debatable quality (namely the title track) but the end result is good enough to grant it a spot on the list.


Best songs: Plastic Smile, Reincarnation, With.

9. Album: Ruined Kingdom
Artist: Hizaki Grace Project.
Year: 2007

Guitarrist Hizaki is now best known as the lead guitarist for the band Versailles, but before that he had his own solo project with a few other musicians who came from other popular bands such as Moi Dix Mois. This album, composed of a few new tracks and live renditions of songs from his previous albums is hard and features amazing guitar solos that only Hizaki can make.


Best songs: Hover Mind (Live), Ruined Kingdom, Distorted Thought.

8. Album: Singles –Junk Story-
Artist: hide/hide with Spread Beaver
Year: 2002

I gave this a little thought before including it on the list, since the late great hide died in 1998 and most of the songs in this compilation came out in the 90s. However it includes two new previously unreleased songs and several songs that only came out in single format before, such as the single versions of Eyes Love You and 50% & 50%. And what can I say? It’s hide, every single one of his songs is amazing, and a compilation of his best should not be excluded from this list. If you don’t know hide, then this is the best place to start.


Best songs: Pink Spider, Rocket Dive, In Motion, Junk Story, Eyes Love You, Goodbye.

7. Album: Vampire Ecstasy
Artist: Aural Vampire
Year: 2004

Vampire Ecstasy is one of the few dance albums I actually like. The tunes are catchy as hell and the voice of Exo-chika, however computer-manipulated is awesome.

Best Songs: Freeeze!!, Terror Vixen, Crimson Tyrant.

6. Album: Desert Rain
Artist: Heath
Year: 2006


Yet another X JAPAN-related album (a hint to the first spot maybe?). Heath is the incredibly underrated bassist of X Japan (whom you might recognize for the song Meykiuu no lovers from Detective Conan) and he has made three albums that have been overlooked by almost everyone but hardcore fans. Desert Rain was the only one released the past decades and is every bit as good as the other two. Heath experiments as much as hide used to do with his music, and the end result is a great album that deserves to be heard by more people.


Best songs: Blueberry Murder, The Live, Eagle Sniper

5. Album: G∞VER
Artist: High and Mighty Color
Year: 2005


Well look at that, an artist people here might actually have heard about! HaMC is recognized for having performed the songs for the animes Gundam Seed Destiny and Bleach. And both of those songs (Pride and Ichirin no hana) are on this album for better or worse (worse in my case since both songs are incredibly average). Still, this album is awesome to listen to, and makes you wonder why in the hell their quality declined more and more after it.


Best Songs: Run Run Run, Naked, Over

4. Album: Magnya Carta
Artist: An Café
Year: 2006

Probably the most recognized artist on the list. An Café’s trademark bubblegum rock and oshare key looks have become popular among young people all over the world. But beyond that there’s actually some great music. Sure it’s not awe inspiring or epic as, say, X JAPAN, Zi:Kill or Luna Sea, but it’s a little piece of feel good-catchy tunes. And Magnya Carta is the best of their 4 albums with some of the band’s classics such as Maple Gunman and Smile Ichiban Ii Onna.


Best songs: Smile Ichiban Ii Onna, Jikoai Shugisha no Mijuku na Akuma, Pipopapo Telepathy

3. Album: Vulgar
Artist: Dir En Grey
Year: 2003
The album that saw the change of Dir en Grey’s style from the usual visual key stuff to metal is a success in every way, some songs I could do without (*cough* Audience Killer Loop*cough*). But overall is an impressive album and Dir en Grey’s best until Uroboroswas released in 08, the reason Uroboros is not on the list though, is because this is the one that introduced me to this great band and it has a special place in my heart because of that.


Best songs: The III D Empire, New Age Culture, Ashita Muki Koufuku Komaeminaki Myounichi

2. Album: Noble: The Vampire Chronicles
Artist: Versailles
Year: 2008


Even though I like the song Shout & Bites from their 2007 release Lyrical Sympathy more than all the songs in Noble, this is a much stronger album overall. The sense of connection between songs is what makes them great and there are not any weak songs. It could’ve been perfect if Shout & Bites was included in it.


Best songs: Second Fear -Another Descendant-, Zombie, The Revenant Choir

1. Album: The Last Live
Artist: X JAPAN
Year: 2001


Quite simply, the finest live album ever made. It’s also bittersweet because it’s the last performance of the band with hide. This amazing 3-disk package makes you feel like you’re actually in the concert and it’s probably the only live album I’ve listened to that is capable of recreating the experience of being there during X Japan’s final concert (at least until their 2007 reunion anyway). The only low point is the price, which can go over 100$ in some places, but it’s absolutely worth it.


Best Songs: Rusty Nail (Live), Weekend (Live), Scars (Live), Kurenai (Live), Endless Rain (Live).


Thanks for reading. If you notice any mistakes on the dates/names or anything else please lt me know.