Thursday, March 31, 2011

Totoro's Review Of... "The King's Speech"


Recently I had the privilege of seeing "The King's Speech", which was recently honored with four Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director (Tom Hooper), Best Actor (Colin Firth) & Best Original Screenplay (David Seidler).

And here is my review...

(CAUTION! SPOILERS AHEAD!)

The Story
Colin Firth plays Albert, Duke of York (second son of King George V of the United Kingdom), who has spent his entire life in the shadow of his elder brother Edward, Prince of Wales (Guy Pearce). However, Albert has thus been able to live free of any expectation of ascending the throne, which may be a blessing in disguise due to his severe stutter. But occasionally Albert is called upon to perform royal duties on behalf of his father, which include public speaking engagements (the opening scene of the film involves Albert giving the closing address of the 1925 British Empire Exposition at Wembley Stadium, a speech carried abroad via the new technological marvel of radio.)

The speech goes so poorly that Albert's wife Elizabeth, Duchess of York (Helena Bonham Carter) seeks aid in managing her husband's stutter. Eventually she meets speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), who agrees to take Albert on as a patient. Soon after starting treatment, George V (Michael Gambon) dies and Edward assumes the throne as King Edward VIII. However, Edward soon abdicates after a prolonged crisis, leaving Albert (now King George VI) the task of ruling (and later uniting) a nation now at war with Nazi Germany. With Logue's help, the King successfully gives the first of many speeches that would help galvanize the country through what would become known as the Second World War. As a result of their experiences, the King and Logue strike up a close friendship which would last for the rest of their lives.

The Review
This film was a joy to watch from start to finish. From an acting standpoint, Colin Firth gives a perfectly nuanced performance as Albert/King George VI. While Geoffrey Rush gave an equally superior turn as Lionel Logue, I was pleasantly surprised with Helena Bonham Carter's performance as the Duchess of York/Queen Elizabeth. I must also give special distinction to Timothy Spall for his performance as Winston Churchill. Director Tom Hooper, who previously on my radar screen due to his work on the John Adams mini-series, scores big points with me for his confined, incisive shooting style. The film is beautifully shot by cinematographer Danny Cohen with a visual palette that perfectly captures the gritty opulence of Depression-Era London.

The Verdict
I can understand the viewpoint of those who labeled this film as a bit TOO conventional for its own good. It certainly seems like a story an Oscar voter would love, in that it pushed all the right emotional buttons. However I thoroughly enjoyed the film in spite of these flaws, and recommend it not just to film fans, but students of history. I will also state that this film serves as an excellent companion piece to The Queen, since they both convey the tone of a monarch (and monarchy) in crisis.

9/10

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Audio Podcast: Season 6, Episode 8

Episode 100 out of 100

Aloha everybody!

I am proud to present to you our 100th total episode! After 2+ years in production, we have achieved the 2nd noteworthy milestone since its creation (the first being our Laura Bailey interview.)

For this installment, we not only bring back a DVD Grab Bag (last used in our Season 4 Finale episode) but we also showcase a new topic, Cage Fight!

So sit back, relax and enjoy our 100th total offering!

Program Note: In celebration of recording our 100th overall episode, The Otaku 5-0 Show will be on a two-week hiatus. We will be back into production on April 18th!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

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



Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 6.8

Recording Date: March 28, 2011
Running Time: 70 Minutes

Panelists
Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Maka (Producer)
Peeps (Producer)

1. Lead-in (Mr. A, Totoro)

2. Pick/Phail of the Week

3. DVD Grab Bag VII, Part 1

Maka selects Martian Child
Jupiter selects The Pentagon Wars
Mr. A selects Little Women
Totoro selects Shaolin Soccer

4. Cage Match I: Sci-Fi Action Movie Characters

5. Topic From The Past - Great Debate: Final Fantasy or The Legend of Zelda (Episode 2.14)

6. Lead-out (Totoro, Mr. A)

Musical Notes
-Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
-Interstitial Clips: "DVD Grab Bag Theme" (vocals by Jam), "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances, "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto
-Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess!

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show. Please send us an e-mail to us at otaku50podcast@gmail.com OR post a comment on this blog!

Coming Soon...
Non-podcast content, including new feature articles from Mr. A & Totoro!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Audio Podcast: Season 6, Episode 7

Episode 99 out of 100

Aloha everybody!

I am pleased to present the next episode of our audio podcast, featuring new installments of Moviematic 5-0 & How We Would Have Done It.

Joining us on the panel tonight are special guests (and Kawaii-kon Co-Administrators) Kekumanshoyu & DJ Buma!

Sit back, relax and enjoy another week of entertainment-themed discussion!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

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




Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 6.7

Recording Date: March 23, 2011
Running Time: 98 minutes

Panelists
Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Maka (Producer)
Peeps (Producer)

Special Guests
DJ Buma & Kekumanshoyu

Format
1. Lead-in (Jupiter, Mr. A, Totoro)

2. Pick/Phail of the Week

3. Moviematic 5-0 XI: The Pitch - "Swagger"

4. How We Would Have Done It: Battle: Los Angeles

5. Kawaii-kon Interview Segment with DJ Buma & Kekumanshoyu

6. Moviematic 5-0 XI: The Return

7. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes
-Post-Disclaimer/Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
-Interstitial Clips: "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger, "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances
-Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Coming Soon...
Our 100th Podcast Episode!

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show. Please send us an e-mail to us at otaku50podcast@gmail.com OR post a comment on this blog!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Audio Podcast: Season 6, Episode 6

Episode 98 out of 100

Aloha everybody!

As our staff gathers for another week of entertainment-related topic discussion, I would like to thank both Kekumanshoyu & DJ Buma for including us at the Kawaii-kon booth for this year's Honolulu Festival. Jupiter's Totoro costume (which won the award for Best Craftsmanship at last year's kon) was a HUGE hit with the audience!

Show some respect! You are in the presence of a forest God!

And now, some house-keeping announcements:

1) I have closed our "mobile gaming poll" with Cartridge-based games holding a strong 7-2 lead over App-based gaming.
2) I would like to send a special shout-out to Smylex, who recently let us know that he is unharmed following the recent natural disaster in Japan.
3) I am somewhat displeased to announce that have been forced to REMOVE a topic from this week's episode. The prospective topic was an installment of "Duel to the Death", pitting Bruce Lee against Jet Li. While there was a fair amount of passionate discussion, the topic itself was just too one-sided to make it interesting. However, we decided to save the footage in its entirety and may include it on a future episode. As a result of this deletion, this episode will not feature our customary "Exodia!" cheer.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the fruit of our labors!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

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



Click here to download episode.


Show Notes
The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 6.6

Recording Date: March 14, 2011
Running Time: 53 Minutes

Panelists
Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Maka (Producer)
Jam (Producer)
Peeps (Producer)

Format
1. Opening Bit: A Word From Our Sponsor (Mr. A, Jam)

2. Lead-in (Totoro)

3. Pick/Phail of the Week

4. Favorite & Least Favorite... Musical

5. X Reasons Why... Last-Minute Cosplaying Should NOT Be Done

Musical Notes
-Post-Disclaimer Theme: "Gato's Theme" from Chrono Trigger
-Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
-Interstitial Clips: "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger
-Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Coming Soon...
The next audio podcast episode, featuring the return of DVD Grab Bag & The Gauntlet!

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show. Please send us an e-mail to us at otaku50podcast@gmail.com OR post a comment on this blog!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Audio Podcast: Season 6, Episode 5

Episode 97 out of 100

Aloha everybody!

In the final installment of The Otaku 5-0 Show's "Bumper Family Pack", we present to you our next regular audio podcast episode, featuring fresh editions of, "Best Moment Ever!" and "A Serious Conversation About..."

This episode also features our first "Writing Phail!", in that we could not agree on the episode's final topic. So, we decided to include the first-ever "Random Chatter" segment, which basically was all of us just talking with each other for no less than fifteen minutes.

However, on a personal note I would like to state that, in my humble opinion this episode was one of the best that we have done so far. The level of passion in our discussions was quite high, and I was proud to be a part of it.

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

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



Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 6.5

Recording Date: March 7, 2011
Running Time: 83 minutes

Panelists
Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Maka (Producer)
Jam (Producer)
Peeps (Producer)
Gypsy (Producer)

Format
1. Opening Bit: A Word From Our Sponsor

2. Lead-in (Mr. A)

3. Pick/Phail of the Week

4. Best Power Rangers Moment Ever!

5. A Serious Conversation About... Entertainment That Messes With Your Head

6. Random Chatter I (All)

7. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes
-Post-Disclaimer Theme: "Gato's Theme" from Chrono Trigger
-Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
-Interstitial Clips: "Catch (boon)" from Ah! My Goddess, "Pre-Title" from His & Her Circumstances, "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger
-Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Coming Soon...
The next audio podcast episode!

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show. Please send us an e-mail to us at otaku50podcast@gmail.com OR post on our message boards OR post a comment on this blog!

The Otaku 5-0 (Trivia) Show!

Episode 96 out of 100

Aloha everybody!

I am pleased to present the 2nd part of The Otaku 5-0 Show's "Bumper Family Pack"!

But first, some backstory:

A few weeks ago, Mr. A was telling us about an impromptu trivia game that he and Smylex would play with their mutual friends called, "Movies, Music and TV". We then decided to modify this idea and record a special bonus episode of our show featuring us playing the game.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the fruit of our labors!



Click here to download episode.

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Show Notes
The Otaku 5-0 (Trivia) Show!

Recording Date: March 7, 2011
Running Time: 51 minutes

Panelists
Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Maka (Producer)
Jam (Producer)
Gypsy (Producer)

Format
1. Lead-in (Mr. A)

2. The Otaku 5-0 (Trivia) Show!

3. Tie-breaker round: Jupiter & Maka

4. Lead-out (Totoro)

Musical Notes
-Opening Theme: "Scarlet of the Campus" from Revolutionary Girl Utena
-Ending Theme: "One-Winged Angel" from Final Fantasy VII

Coming Soon...
Part 3 of The Otaku 5-0 Show's Bumper Family Pack!

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show. Please send us an e-mail to us at otaku50podcast@gmail.com OR post on our message boards OR post a comment on this blog!

Audio Podcast: Season 6, Episode 4

Episode 95 out of 100

Aloha everybody!

Let us start by making a few house-keeping announcements regarding our two previous polls:

- Captain Jack Sparrow quickly disarmed The Dread Pirate Roberts in their final tie-breaker duel, scoring 5 hits against 2.
- Robots scared Aliens back into the dark reaches of space with a 6-0 unanimous victory!

Okay, I am now proud to present to you the first episode of what I like to call, "The Otaku 5-0 Show Bumper Family Pack", which are three audio podcast episodes (you read that right... THREE) that we recorded in a single day in order to get us back up to speed!

After last week's Recording Phail! myself, Jupiter, Mr A and Peeps got together to record a replacement episode using the exact same topic lineup.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the first part of, "The Otaku 5-0 Show's Bumper Family Pack!"

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)



Click here to download episode.

Show Notes
The Otaku 5-0 Show's Audio Podcast: Episode 6.4

Recording Date: March 7, 2011
Running Time: 59 minutes

Panelists
Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Peeps (Producer)

Format
1. Opening Bit: A Word From Our Sponsor (Mr. A)

2. Lead-in (Jupiter)

3. Pick/Phail of the Week

4. Please Produce This...

5. Mobile Gaming Great Debate: Cartridge-based vs. App-based?

6. Fill In The Blank - "Triscuit"

7. Lead-out (All)

Musical Notes
-Opening Theme: "Kefka's Theme" from Final Fantasy VI
-Interstitial Clips: "I'll Do It Right!" from Naruto, "Frog's Theme" from Chrono Trigger, "Subtitle" from Full Metal Panic!
-Ending Theme: "Breach of Contract" from Ah! My Goddess

Coming Soon...
Part 2 of The Otaku 5-0 Show's Bumper Family Pack!

Feedback is always accepted here at The Otaku 5-0 Show. Please send us an e-mail to us at otaku50podcast@gmail.com OR post on our message boards OR post a comment on this blog!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Mr. A's review of.....Inception


The Story
Extraction: The act of stealing information from a target's subconscious.
Inception: The art of implanting a potentially life-changing idea into a target's mind.

Cobb and Arthur are two of the best Extraction artists in the world, using their talents for high-risk, high-gain corporate espionage.
After flubbing their biggest Extraction yet, Mr. Saito, the target of Cobb's last Extraction job, forces them to perform Inception on the newly appointed CEO of a rival energy company in exchange for Cobb's freedom.
The implanted idea is simple enough: break up the company and sell everything off so that Saito and his company are allowed to thrive.
Simple enough, but with the law and former employers hot in his trail, Cobb must assemble his crack team and do the job before his horribly checkered past catches up to him.
With death looming around every corner and the armies of the subconscious closing in, can Cobb and his team get the job done or will they get stuck in limbo and dream forever?

The Review
The overall plot is actually really simple, just an old fashioned con-man/robbery film (in the styles of The Italian Job, Ocean's 11, etc.), but what Nolan does with the idea is what really gets you.
The concept of people going into your dreams and stealing or implanting information is disturbing in and of itself, but being so deep into the dreamscape that you don't know what reality is anymore is truly frightening.
One of the more interesting concepts Nolan uses is the "dream within a dream," traveling into someone's dream, and then going into someone else's dream while in that first dream. It can throw you for a loop sometimes, but once you get the hang of things it's pretty easy to navigate.
On a lighter note, the acting in this film is top-notch with major shout-outs going to Leo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Cillian Murphy.
The graphics are INSANE, though most of them are used in the first and third acts of the film.
Music plays an interesting element in the story with the majority of the "kicks" (the act of waking someone up from a dream) being signaled by a musical trigger.

The Verdict
Right up in my top 20 films to see before you die, Inception is worth getting on Blu-Ray.
There's plenty of action on hand to get you out of the slower, story-driven parts and more than enough story to keep you guessing 'till the end.
HOWEVER! This is not a "popcorn film" by any means. If you're gonna watch this you HAVE to be focused on nothing BUT this film.
As a friendly note, if you find Inception to be right up your alley, go check out a film called Paprika, one of Nolan's influences for this movie.

9.5/10






So yeah, I sould be getting back to those movies I picked up from Diamondhead Video so look forward to some old-school movie reviews in the future.

Jaa mata,
Mr. A (executive producer, head architect)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

No New Episode This Week, But...

Aloha everybody!

I regret to inform you that we are unable to upload a new episode of our podcast this week due to technical difficulties. But in the meantime I would like to take the opportunity to issue a personal statement regarding concern expressed over a comment made by Mr. A on our last podcast episode, equating Barnes & Noble to, "a Filipino library."

After discussions amongst the staff, we would like to issue an apology to anyone offended by that statement. We at The Otaku 5-0 Show have always sought a light-hearted approach to our weekly discussions, but there are times when things can go too far.

We do hope that you - our audience - will continue to support us when we return with new content starting next week. Once again, we offer our profound apologies.

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Executive Producer)