Mr. A's review of...Sherlock Holmes

The Story

After capturing Lord Blackwood, a practitioner of black magic, Detective Sherlock Holmes has become rather bored with life. Coupled with the marriage engagement of his partner Dr. Watson to his fiancee Mary Morstan, Holmes is absolutely inconsolable. That is until he catches word of Lord Blackwood's rise from the grave. Reinvigorated by the news, Holmes and Watson spring into action to once again solve the unsolvable mystery.

The Review
Action packed, gorgeous locations, and classic Arthur Conan Doyle style, this movie will grantee to entertain. Downey is brilliant as Holmes, though it is hard to understand what he's saying from time to time due to his accent. Jude Law portrays an excellent Watson. Unfortunately Rachel McAdams performance was...how shall I put this? Horrible in comparison. But overall, the film makes up for it.

The Verdict
As I said before, this is an incredible film. Even if you don't like mystery stories, this will entertain you thoroughly. The slow-motion scenes are used just enough for it to not lose it's cool factor. It's a bit hard to keep up with the sleuthing and gumshoeing, but it's all explained in the end so don't worry about it.

10/10

Well that's it. Now go plunk down $10 and go see this film.

Jaa mata,
Mr. A (Executive Gumshoe)

Otaku 5-0: Star Trek Audio Commentaries

Aloha everybody!

I am pleased to present to you the long-awaited audio commentary tracks for both Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan & Star Trek (2009)!

Now, we recommend that you listen to this commentary using the, "pause & play" method, first introduced in our Ghostbusters commentary track. Now, I do understand despite our best efforts, our commentary track, may not sync up perfectly with your DVD version of the film.

So, please enjoy the fruit of our labors. We hope that you, as always, have as much fun listening to this commentary as we did recording it.

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Executive Producer)

Show Notes
Star Trek Audio Commentaries

Recording Date: December 14, 2009
Running Times:
114 minutes (Star Trek II commentary track)
121 minutes (Star Trek commentary track)

Panelists - Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Commentary
Totoro (Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Maka (Otaku 5-0 Technical Director)
Jam (Contributor-at-Large)

Panelists - Star Trek (2009) Commentary
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Maka (Otaku 5-0 Technical Director)
Zell (Contributor-at-Large)
Jam (Contributor-at-Large)

Click here to download Star Trek II commentary track.

Click here to download Star Trek (2009) commentary track.

To better sync our commentary with your DVD version of the film, just follow the instructions below:

FIRST AND FOREMOST, download our audio commentary track to your computer or favorite mp3 player.

1) Load up your DVD, and proceed to the main menu:

This is the DVD main menu for Star Trek (2009).

2) Move the cursor, highlighting and selecting "Scene Selections".

3) Scroll through the corresponding menu, and highlight the 1st Scene with the cursor.

4) Play our audio commentary track, and pause it when prompted to do so.

5) Start the movie, and resume our commentary track when you see the Paramount Pictures logo (for both films) appear on screen.

Feedback is always accepted here at Otaku 5-0. It can be either posted on this site as a comment or sent via e-mail to Otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Otaku 5-0: Holiday Bonus Episode

Aloha everybody!

Even though the podcast is technically on hiatus until next month (January 18th), I did announce that we were going to produce audio commentaries for both Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan & Star Trek (2009). I am pleased to announce that we have completed recording both commentary tracks and they shall be posted to this website as soon as possible!

However, in the meantime, we have a special treat. Based on a suggestion from Jam (Contributor-in-Large), I decided to produce a special bonus episode with discussion on various holiday-themed topics in our trademark Otaku 5-0 style!

In closing, I and the staff of Otaku 5-0 would like to wish our audience a very happy holiday season!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Executive Producer)

WARNING! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content. Listener discretion is advised.



Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
Otaku 5-0: Holiday Bonus Episode

Recording Date: December 14, 2009
Running Time: 55 minutes

Moderator
Maka (Otaku 5-0 Technical Director)

Panelists
Totoro (Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Jam (Contributor-At-Large)

Format
1. Bad Christmas Melody (Jam, Maka & Totoro)

2. Lead-in (Totoro, Maka)

3. The Top 3... Dream Gifts

4. Favorite... Christmas Movie

5. Otaku 5-0 New Years Resolutions

6. X Reasons Why... Christmas Is Overrated

7. Lead-out (Maka)

Musical Notes
-Post-Disclaimer Theme: "Eyecatch" from Full Metal Panic!
-Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
-Interstitial Clips: "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances, "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger, "Subtitle" from Full Metal Panic!, "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto
-Ending Theme: "Honoruru, Hawaii" from Frank De Lima's Ethnicology 101

Feedback is always accepted here at Otaku 5-0. It can be either posted on this site as a comment or sent via e-mail to Otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Coming Soon...
Our audio commentaries for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan & Star Trek (2009)!

Mr. A's review of...Star Trek: The Motion Picture

Okay, before we begin, I'd like to state that I'm reviewing the director's edition of the film. Mostly because I have yet to find the original cut on DVD...if the thing even exists.

The Story
A cloud of unknown origin and destructive power is slowly making it's way to Earth. The only ship within range just so happens to be a newly-refit USS Enterprise (boy, that happens a lot, doesn't it?) James T. Kirk, who between the TV series and the movie became head of Starfleet Operations, uses this emergency to get back the center seat of his beloved ship. Kirk must find a way to defeat the ominous V'ger while dealing with past friends, tensions between the crew, and the reality that, though they have been through many adventures together, this new Enterprise is nothing like the past love he once knew.

The Review
Though by no means the visual Goliath that J.J. Abrams' Star Trek film was, this movie does have it's moments. Getting to see the crew again is a definite high point for Trek fans and the additions of Willard Decker and Ilia (prototypes for William Riker and Deana Troi) bring something new to the table. The director's edition moves some things around and adds a few new visual moments (most notably the space-walk towards the end of the film). I personally like the director's cut better than the original, though I know a few who would disagree.

The Verdict
Anyone who isn't a die-hard Trek fan will be bored out of their minds (Jupiter, I'm looking at you...) but Trekkies and Trekkers alike will enjoy at least most of this film. The costumes have been generally looked down upon, but I think it's an interesting departure from the colorful uniforms in the original series. Acting is top-notch seeing as how the actors have been playing these characters for years. Though not exactly aging gracefully, this film is still a classic in my mind. 7/10

There you go. I figured you guys could whet your appetite on this while waiting for our Star Trek double-feature.

Jaa mata,
Mr. A (Commander, USS Otaku 5-0)

Otaku 5-0 Season 3 Finale & Bonus Topic!

Aloha everybody!

Another leg of this journey has come to an end... I am proud & humbled to present to you the finale episode of Otaku 5-0's 3rd season!

Now, the finale episode is originally recorded as a single entity. However, I later decided to split the footage into two portions - 1)the episode itself, which contains a majority of the topic discussion, and 2) a clip containing a single topic (A Serious Conversation About... Movies In 2010) which proved to be of sufficient length to be its own entity.

WARNING! Nostalgia Ahead!

Now, I know it's important to plan for the future (and we certainly have a LOT of stuff planned for next season), but to me it's just as important to remember how things have gotten to where they are. There's an old saying which reads, "Treat every day as if it's your last." When you think about it, every episode we have recorded UNTIL NOW has been a finale in itself, because you can never be sure if we're ever going to record another one. Life certainly has a bad habit of throwing some mean-spirited lemons, and all we can do is try to make the best lemonade we can.

Now don't get me wrong... I am thankful we have made it this far (as of the recording date of this episode, Otaku 5-0 has been in existence 1 year, 3 months and 25 days), and I also am grateful that the core staff (myself, Jupiter & Mr. A) is still in place, with no intentions of slowing down. But you never know what the future may hold.

In closing, let me take a moment to thank my fellow Otaku 5-0 staffers and special guests for their professionalism, our families for their support (including my own), but most especially...

YOU - OUR GROWING AUDIENCE...
For taking time out of your daily lives to hang out with us for a little while.

Until next season,
~Totoro (Executive Producer)

Part 1 (Finale Episode)

WARNING! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content. Listener discretion is advised.



Click here to download episode.

Part 2 (Bonus Topic)

WARNING! Portions of this podcast contain mature language and adult content. Listener discretion is advised.



Click here to download bonus topic.

Show Notes
Otaku 5-0: Episode 3.16 & Bonus Topic

Recording Date: November 30, 2009
Running Times:
64 minutes (Finale Episode)
51 minutes (Bonus Topic)

Moderator
Totoro (Executive Producer)

Panelists
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Neko-X (Senior Producer)
Jam (Contributor-at-Large)
Maka (Otaku 5-0 Technical Director)

Special Guest
DJ Buma, Lord of the Butishake (Assistant Kawaii-kon Technical Director)

Format
1. Random Chatter: A Singing Deer Head

2. Straight From The Cookie (Totoro)

3. Lead-in (Totoro)

4. Taking Stock
- Something we'd like to do during the hiatus

5. Hawaii Video Gaming League & Kawaii-kon Announcements (Neko-X & DJ Buma)

6. DVD Grab Bag IV, Part 2 (Continued)

Neko-X reviews Castle In The Sky

7. Random Chatter: Discussion of The Twilight Saga: New Moon

8. Best Family Guy Moment Ever!

9. Lead-out (Totoro)

Special Bonus Topic: A Serious Conversation About... Movies in 2010

Musical Notes

Finale Episode

-Post-Disclaimer Theme: "Gato's Theme" from Chrono Trigger
-Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
-Interstitial Clips: "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances, "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Subtitle" from Revolutionary Girl Utena
-Ending Theme: "Surfin Bird" from The Trashmen

Bonus Topic
-Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
-Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Feedback is always accepted here at Otaku 5-0. It can be either posted on this site as a comment or sent via e-mail to Otaku50podcast@gmail.com

Coming Soon...
Our audio commentaries for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan & Star Trek (2009)