Wallstreet 2 : Money never sleeps.

Reviewed by kuro-hime




SUMMARY :

The film is set 23 years after the first film, in June 2008,[1] and Gordon Gekko has just been released from prison. Despite his initial attempts to warn Wall Street of the forthcoming economic downturn and stock market crash, no one in the financial world believes him due to his conviction for financial crimes. Gekko decides to re-focus his attention on rebuilding his relationship with his estranged daughter, Winnie. Due to their time apart, and the fact that Winnie blames Gekko for her brother Rudy's suicide, she avoids any contact with him. At the same time, the mentor of young Wall Street trader Jacob unexpectedly dies, and Jacob suspects his hedge fund manager of being involved in the death. Jacob, who is Winnie's fiancé, seeks revenge and agrees to Gekko's offer of help, in return for which Jacob agrees to help Gekko with Winnie.

(~adapted from wikipedia~)


REVIEW :

This is one interesting movie.

The plot to this movie is quite simple, not too complicating. However, I did wish it was more dramatic.

There are some moments when they were speaking too wallstreet money broker stuff that I don't understand BUT somehow, you still kinda get what's going on. I find that pretty interesting.

I like how it's about money, capitalism and greed. Yes, greed. But that's not too surprising since it's Gordon Gekko's catchphrase or something like that.
It makes you think. Is greed good? (pun intended. It's Gekko's new book) Does money make the world go round? Or is there something more like family and time?

Oh, the cinemagraphy is good too. I'm really intrigued by the way the camera moved and created the effects it created.

This movie was good BUT it did lack one thing. Intensity.

IF it had more intensity, it would have been great!

Anyway, the cast was wonderful! They were all so talented and they really portrayed the character well. I love the cast!
This is Shia LaBeouf movie that shows that he is all grown up. He's no longer that goofy kid anymore. He is serious and really did good job here.
Michael Douglas was great too(like usual). Carey Mulligan and Susan Sarandon were no pushovers either. GREAT JOB to all the actors and actresses.

Nice movie, it's worth your time. But you have to think a little and it lacks some intensity.

Overall, I rate it 8 out of 10. A nice movie but nothing more UNLESS, you're into money and business!
And yes, money never sleeps.

Kuroshitsuji 2

Reviewed by JuliaAerides

Kuroshitsuji II is set one year and three months after the conclusion of the original series. In the continuation, Kuroshitsuji II introduces our antagonist Alois Trancy and his (demon) butler Claude Faustus. Despite much speculation about 'Monoshitsuji', the second season reunites Ciel Phantomhive with much of its original cast.

A word though before I begin. The second season is purely by fans for fans = fan service and a lot of it. The opening featuring a (naked)young boy crawling out of the bed of an(naked) old man should tell you enough. There is also a busty maid who somehow or another in the plot is required to rip her own clothes to produce weapon she hid in her cleavage.

So the season begin with us wondering how the hell did Ciel return alive (in a suitcase nonetheless) It gets sticky when Alois can Ciel cross paths. For some strange and perverted reason Alois is after Ciel. Well, saying "I want to be One with you" should creep people out and Ciel definitely is.

A few "brilliant" new twist things get complicated. By now, all the main character personality seemed to have made a 180 turn. Things are made worse when the plot is not fully explained causing general confusion in its audience. If I hadn't watched Season 1 I would definitely trashed and dropped this season.

Season 2 still retain the same quality of its animation. Wonderful OP and ED but if you're looking for an intelligent, well-made plot well you'd have to look elsewhere.

Rating: C+



~Additional review by kuro-hime~


Hmm...how do I say this? This anime really dissappointed me.

It's still plotless. Ugh..fine. It has a plot. Claude and Sebastian fight for Ciel is considered as a plot, if you want to. But to me, if that's a plot then, this is a sad, sad pathetic plot.

The character development sucked. The new characters aren't exactly awesome either...but surprise, they brought back the original characters. Unfortunately, their comeback sucks.
There was almost zero character development. I wonder why.

In season 1, the characters were the reason we kept watching. They were dark, mysterious and interesting. However, in this season, they were a bit out of character, lame and crappy.

Great. The plot sucks and so are the characters. So what is the redeeming factor??

Hmm...the art? Yea, the art is pretty good. HECK, the art is awesome. So if you want to just enjoy the visual art without any plot or character development, this is the show FOR YOU!!

Even the music sucks. Honestly, the OP and the ED was VERY forgettable! The background music weren't solid either.

The plot twist and surprises were NOT surprising to me. I kinda already expected it.
So for the ending, I kinda saw it coming and NO, it was a terrible ending.

I don't know why fangirls cried but I found it HORRIBLE. And no, I don't think Ciel and Sebastian should be together forever...
It also didn't help that the anime was FILLED with fanservice most of the time.

So, what I think of Kuroshitsuji season 2?

It is terrible. Thank god, it lasted 12 episodes. And please, NO SEASON 3!!
It's like some terrible fanfiction come alive in an anime and NO, I do not like fanfictions that much either.

However, I did think that if kuroshitsuji season 2 was trying to sell black nail polish, they did absolutely well. I have the sudden urge to paint my nails black all of a sudden after watching the last episode.

I rate it 3 out of 10.

I do not recommend it unless you are a HUGE fan of this series.

Toy Story 3

Reviewed by kuro-hime



SUMMARY :

Andy is now 17 years old and preparing to go off to college, intending to put most of his toys in the attic (except for Woody, whom he initially plans to take with him). While he apparently hasn't played with his toys for some years, he still cares about mother's suggestion to donate the toys, other than Woody, to the local daycare, but then follows a lead, planted by Woody, to find Bonnie, the daughter of a family friend, whom he realises will look after his childhood playthings. When Bonnie finds Woody in the box as well, Andy shows great reluctance to pass on his favorite toy, but ultimately relents, allowing the toys to stay together in an environment where they'll be loved and played with. He spends a while playing with Bonnie and the toys one last time before departing for college.

(~adapted from wikipedia~)


REVIEW :

This movie is simply brilliant. I understand why this movie took 10 years to make.
Being a fan of Toy Story, my expectation of this movie was REALLY high and guess what, it did NOT dissappoint me at all.

The art of this movie was fantastic. It's much better compared to the last two movies.

The story plot is actually quite simple and yet it works so well. I like how this movie is about friendship, courage and most of all, growing up and moving on.

But at some moments, while watching this movie, you think to yourself, what's the whole deal? They're just T.O.Y. TOYS! And then you think again, you do love your toys and totally hated it when your mother threw them out eventhough you knew that you don't play with them anymore!

The great thing about this movie is it is about TOYS and yet it is so much more than that.

This movie can be watched by all age group and you will be in awe when it ends. However, I feel that Toy Story 3 is for older kids because sometimes, it gets a little intense and dark.
Anyhow, everyone will enjoy the jokes in Toy Story 3.

I don't know how to explain it but this movie is magical.

And maybe even more to me because I'm around Andy's age and that I grew up with Toy Story.

Even the soundtrack and background music for this movie was GOOD. I really enjoyed the I've got a friend in me spanish version.

To me, it was a trip back memory lane and yet a peep into the future.

Even if you have never watch the first two movies, you will still find this movie highly enjoyable.
This movie is funny, sad and touching all at the same time. This is a MUST watch movie.
You will enjoy it, trust me.

Who knew toy's had stories and it's so good too?!

I rate it 10 out 10. Yes, it's perfect.

Kyo Kara Maoh!

Reviewed by JuliaAerides



Kyo Kara Maoh! takes place in an alternate world that Yuri Shibuya travels to by coming in contact with water. There are many nations in the alternate world,however, the plot centers around Shin Makoku. The people of the kingdom are Mazoku and have the ability to use Majutsu which they can control with Maryoku.

The story begins when Yuri, a 15 year old buy gets flushed down a toilet head first and discovers the other side of it. With his black hair & eyes, he is dubbed the new king of Shin Makoku. There he begins a journey of hilarity & adventure where being slapped in the face means proposing for marriage and picking up a fallen butter knife means accepting a duel.

Yuri sets out to adjust to his new lifestyle while creating a more unified world where demons and humans are in constant conflict with each other. While much of Yuri’s time is spent in Shin Makoku, Yuri goes back and forth from present Japan to this world via contact with water.

Though light hearted, Kyo Kara Maoh does have its serious moments with the role of politics, war, and racism. With humans and Mazoku showing prejudice to each other, much of the arguments end up in conflict, though the fighting is rather tame and it leaves a lot to be desired. The hand-to-hand combat in particular is boring, and sword fighting scenes reduced to black sceen with blue or red swipes...which is to say non-existent.

The usage of maryoku and Majutsu however fares better and the animation is given an exceptional boost in quality. But the magic itself is absurd, offering some ridiculous uses such as lighting striking the roof of a house only to write the kanji for the word “justice” or a humanoid monster created from mud and rock although there are occasional display of "beautiful" use of magic in the form of water dragons.

Kyo Kara Maoh is an interesting show with lively characters, a fun premise, and a lot going for it. Sure you'll feel the episodes drag as the pacing dips and jokes are rehashed, however, the fact remains that the show's a blast at the beginning and at the end. I would recomend this show if you're looking for something easy going after watching an intense anime.

Verdict: B

Additional Review by kuro-hime

This anime is actually quite terrible. It doesn't really have a proper plot and the idea of someone going through the two worlds by water is quite interesting but the anime made it looked ridiculous.
I mean, the main character, Yuri(which is a japanese name for girls) was flushed down the toilet and that was how he entered the Shin Makoku world. Yes, that's a WTF moment.

Then, it doesn't help that Yuri got engaged to another guy, named Wolstram because he dropped his cutlery. Yea, another WTF moment.
So in a way, I don't get what this anime is so popular.

Some says that it's because of the HOT guys there. I'm looking at them and I find them plain. The characters have nothing attractive in their attitude.
I would have like Wolstram if he didn't walk around in a pink night gown. Once again, WTF.

I find Yuri and Wolstram relationship disgusting. They're engaged but it's obvious Yuri doesn't like him. Since Yuri is a wimp, he does nothing about it. Whereas Wolstram is possesive and clingy towards Yuri, which is disgusting.
WTF.

It also doesn't help that all the other characters seem to be background characters.

Anyhow, there's zero action in this anime. Drama? Maybe there is but because I watch too many dramas in my life, it seems like there was no drama.
But I have to admit that the art for this anime is brillant. It has very clean lines and it's very clear.

Yes, the comedy in this anime is also lame. I feel stupid when I watch this show. It's not even funny...unless half your brain died.

The whole thing was just crappy. From the plot down to the jokes. It was all crappy.

Do this anime offers anything good? Hmm...let me think. My answer is NO.

It has too many WTF moments for me and it was just lame.

When I watched this anime, I felt like my life force is being sucked out of me and that I'm getting dumber by the second. Yes, it was that horrible.

So I rate it 3 out of 10. My advice, don't bother watching it.