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JH_Kalashnikov
Reviews
Economics U$A (1985)
Economics USA sets the bar for excellence!
Speaking as a seasoned otaku, Economics U$A is a powerful, provocative, controversial and mind-altering anime experience. In this inspirational story of love and sacrifice, war and personal loss and gut-wrenching and thought-provoking action, Economics U$A sets a bar few have come close to equaling and none have dared to surpass.
Enter David Schoumacher, our dashing protagonist. A seasoned news correspondent by day and an elite assassin-for-hire by night, Schoumacher fights to save a world that doesn't know him as he tries to overcome his personal demons, including the loss of his family. His assistant, Dr. Richard T. Gille, is a brilliant economist, opera singer, weapons designer and computer system expert who never leaves his office that is filled with television screens detailing everything from the stock market to international political crises.
Together, Schoemacher and Gille fight the evils of the world. From Paris to Moscow, every episode is a nail-biting thriller, complete with cliffhangers. In-Fla-Tion, the mastermind behind every human tragedy since the beginning of the last century, is their arch-villain. His goal: worldwide financial meltdown! Will Schoemacher and Gille stop him in time before it's too late?
This is an anime of such high standing as Cory in the House, Shrek, Bee Movie, Johnny Test, King of the Hill and Bob Villa's This Old House. Do yourself a favor and watch this legendary anime, you will not be disappointed!
Code Monkeys (2007)
"Code Monkeys" Is Simply Put: HILARIOUS
G4 finally gets a show that has my attention! "Code Monkeys" raises the bar for great laughs, imaginative writing and, above all, enjoyable viewing.
How does it possess everything I said? Well I'm not going to spoil anything for you. This show has to be seen to be believed.
The animation of the show is an excellent homage to the days of 8-bit video games along with some very funny lines such as references to Apple Computers and "Ishtar."
The characters make the show slide along even better. Dave is our main character. A pot-head with some serious visions for what makes a good game. Too bad his idea for "E.T."...whoops, almost gave away the plot of the second episode...
You will beg for more than a half-hour show, believe me. It's addicting, very addicting TV watching.
This show is just starting out and I hope it lasts for a very long time. Long live "Code Monkeys"!
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
An Excellent War Film.
Stanley Kubrick, the master director behind such masterpieces as "2001: A Space Odyssey", "A Clockwork Orange" and "The Shining" comes out with an M-16 and a full case of ammunition for this classic war film, "Full Metal Jacket." Shot entirely in England and with a roster of A-List actors, you get a senses-shattering look at the Vietnam War during the bloody Tet Offensive. This film delivers what it says: "The Best War Film Ever Made" and that tag line certainly describes it well. Matthew Modine's Private Joker is both comical and adds humor to this mix but as well as emotional depth and how one is truly altered by war. Vincent D'Onofrio's Oscar-worthy portrayal as the loving-turned-maniacal Private Pyle focuses on the way war recreates people is a chilling reminder to what happened over three decades ago. Of course one can not forget R. Lee Ermey's best film role as Lieutenant Gunnery Sargeant Hartman as the no-nonsense drill officer.
The screenplay, written by Kubrick, Michael Herr and Gustav Hasford and based off of Herr's memories in Vietnam as well as Hasford's novel "The Short-Timers", is comprised of three "chapters": The Marines boot camp on Parris Island, the Marines first experiences in Vietnam and the disturbing yet suspenseful ending in the ruined city of Hue. A lot of people compare the three chapters in the film and say that the first chapter is the best and the other two pale in comparison. I completely disagree. I think the film balances the action and tragedy of all three parts and carefully molds all of them into one great film.
All in all, a terrific motion picture experience and one experience you will never forget. Indeed if you want to make a war film, THIS is how to make one.
This film doesn't glamorize war in any way compared to other war films in any shape, form or fashion whatsoever. A definite MUST SEE.
P.S. Stay tuned during the closing credits (or should I say opening since this film, like many Kubrick pictures, put all the credits at the end) to catch the Rolling Stones playing "Paint It Black."
Friday the 13th (1980)
An Excellent Start For A Series of Never-Ending Films
Where would I start to describe the sheer genius of the original 1980 "Friday the 13th?" The well-written script by the god Victor Miller (some lines were rewritten by future "Friday the 13th Part 2" writer Ron Kurz)? The thoughtful direction of one of the masters of horror Sean S. Cunningham? The wonderful and deadly character of Pamela Voorhees played by the great Betsy Palmer? OK basically to make this all sum up into one single line for easy reading is this: THIS IS ONE HELL OF A FILM! The cast is great. The special make-up effects by the legendary Tom Savini is great. The villain is great. Heck, the whole thing is great. Ignore all the bad critical reaction this film and all its sequels received, watch it anyway! It's a good 'guilty pleasure' to have and I certainly don't mind. Watch it, I know you will love just as much as me and every other "Friday the 13th" fan! I give "Friday the 13th" 5 decapitated evil mother's heads, out of 5.
A true slasher film classic!
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)
An American Classic of Bad Cinema
First I saw "Reefer Madness." It was bad, but great.
Then I saw "Plan 9 From Outer Space." Horrible, but enjoyable.
After that I saw "Robot Monster." Awful and yet spectacular.
Finally, I saw "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" Wow, how can you make a lame plot for a screenplay worse? By making a low budget film out of it. And that's just what Joseph Levine thought when he released this film onto an unsuspecting Earth. Now I ask you, is this indeed the WORST film of all time? My opinion: NO. In my translation of the meaning "bad film" means "unbearable, unwatchable and disposable." Not "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians." This film is a landmark in the American motion picture industry. The makers of this film actually had the guts to create and release this film. Now that takes some serious talent! Let's not forget the actors either. Surprisingly the acting isn't nearly as bad as it's made out to be (people confuse the 'acting' with the 'plot.'). The children, the Martians and even Santa Claus make one heck of an impression on a shoe-string budget film like this (don't forget that weird professor Albert Einstein wannabe). Above all, clever a production design really create a fine sense of cheesiness. Now, how about a brand new DVD 'Special Cheesy Edition' of "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians?"
"Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" is a rare and satisfying little gem of a film that broke, no, shattered all the rules of making a "good and enjoyable" movie. Now if only the bad films we get nowadays would be as bad as this one. Then they would actually be deemed "enjoyable."
I give "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians" 5 frozen-stiff elves zapped by Voldar, out of 5.
A true cinematic cult classic.
Ed, Edd n Eddy (1999)
Best modern cartoon ever made.
I'll admit it, I'm an adult who enjoys watching cartoons and there is nothing more rewarding than tuning into "Ed, Edd, n' Eddy!" The writing is amazing, the animation is superb and the voice acting is both ingenious and downright hilarious. Danny Antonucci is a sheer genius that deserves to be up in the league with Chuck Jones and Tex Avery. If they made an "Ed, Edd, 'n' Eddy" movie, that would be even better.
The characters in the show are wonderfully drawn and described in the show, all with unique quirks and deeply-thought out dialog. If you're going to watch a cartoon, watch this one. Cartoon Network is going downhill and eventually the Ed's will be canceled, but the memories will never die.