Audio Podcast: Season 6, Episode 10

Episode 102

Aloha everybody!

With days to go until Kawaii-kon 2011, the staff of The Otaku 5-0 Show has gathered for its customary "Pre-kon" discussion, where we give a quick rundown on guests, events and other stuff we are planning to do for the weekend. In addition, Maka re-joins the proceedings to give his review on his DVD Grab Bag pick, Martian Child.

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

~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 6.10

Recording Date: April 26, 2011
Running Time: 53 minutes

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

Format
1. Opening Bit: Ask Mr. 8-Ball

2. Lead-in (Jupiter, Totoro)

3. Pick/Phail of the Week

4. DVD Grab Bag VII, Part 2 (Continued)

Maka reviews Martian Child

5. A Serious Conversation About... Kawaii-kon 2011

6. Lead-out (Jupiter, Totoro)

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

Coming Soon...
Our 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 a comment on this blog!

Audio Podcast: Season 6, Episode 9

Episode 101

Aloha everybody!

While we are happy to make our triumphant return after our two-week hiatus, I regret to inform you that we have suffered through another recording malfunction. Apparently the last topic of this episode (originally a "Serious Conversation About..." segment) did not save properly after we had finished recording. However, the rest of the episode was saved intact! So, please accept our apologies in advance for the sudden jump into our end theme.

So sit back, relax and enjoy (most of 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 6.9

Recording Date: April 18, 2011
Running Time: 41 minutes

Panelists
Totoro (Executive Producer)
Mr. A (Executive Producer)
Jupiter (Executive Producer)

Format
1. Opening Bit: Ask Mr. 8-Ball

2. Lead-in (Totoro)

3. Pick/Phail of the Week

4. DVD Grab Bag VII, Part 2

Totoro reviews Shaolin Soccer
Mr. A reviews Little Women
Jupiter reviews The Pentagon Wars

5. Best Disney Movie Moment Ever!

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
-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...
Our next audio podcast episode!

Totoro's Review of... "Rango"

I proudly present to you the second film from this week's "Tuesday Double Feature" outing! I know this film is nearing the end of its theatrical run, but I wanted to ring on it anyway.

CAUTION! SPOILERS AHEAD!

The Story
Since I kinda liked how it worked for my "Hanna" review, I will post the film's premise (according to The Internet Movie Database):

Rango is an ordinary chameleon who accidentally winds up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West in desperate need of a new sheriff.

So, here's my question: "Did the film live up to that statement"?

The Review
On the acting front, while Johnny Depp does a splendid job in his nuanced performance as the protagonist lizard, the supporting cast (in particular Ned Beatty, Isla Fisher, Alfred Molina, Abigail Breslin, Stephen Root, Ray Winstone, Harry Dean Stanton & Timothy Olyphant in a HILARIOUS cameo) also turn in strong performances as their respective characters. However, I will present my Scene-Stealer Award to Bill Nighy for his delightfully devilish "Rattlesnake Jake".

Now, let me ring in on an issue cited by Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly in her review of this film. Basically, she says that the characters in the film are "Jar Jar Binks ugly". However, I must register a note of profound disagreement. Since this movie primarily takes place in the Mojave Desert, wouldn't it make sense to use animals that you would typically find there as a baseline for designing the characters? When you view the film through that prism, making Rango as a chameleon is an inspired choice, particularly because he represents not just the outsider, but "city folk" as a whole. Another reason to ponder: Don Knotts (in particular his Barney Fife character on, "The Andy Griffith Show") was an inspiration for the titular lizard's character design.

Now let's look at things from a production standpoint. Gore Verbinski (known primarily for the Pirates of the Caribbean movies) was an excellent choice to direct this film, mostly because he knows a thing or two about putting an interesting spin on a period film (the film's editor Craig Wood, also worked on the Pirates movies.) The film also has the added bonus of paying homage to a LOT of period films, in particular Clint Eastwood's Spaghetti Westerns, High Noon and in an interesting twist, Chinatown.

The Verdict
This film was a joy for me to watch from start to finish. While it will prove to be a great visual spectacle for younger audiences, only longtime film fans will truly appreciate the comedic value of this film. Looks like I have another solid contender to my "Fantastic Four of 2011".

10/10

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Totoro's Review Of... "Hanna"

In the short span that I have been reviewing movies, I have established a very helpful principle: When confronted with writing reviews for two or more films, write the film you find most difficult to talk about first.

As part of my "Tuesday Double Feature" outings, I decided to see this film along with "Rango".

And so, here goes nothing...

CAUTION: SPOILERS AHEAD!

The Story
The film's straightforward premise, as stated on The Internet Movie Database, sums up the proceedings quite well:

A 16-year-old who was raised by her father to be the perfect assassin is dispatched on a mission across Europe, tracked by a ruthless intelligence agent and her operatives.

The only question left to answer is: How well did the film live up to this statement? Read on to find out...

The Review
On the whole, I'd say the film did an excellent job delivering on its premise. The coming-of-age drama/action-revenge thriller elements were held in tenuous balance from almost the very start of the film. While the action sequences are kinetic and well-staged, the heart of this film is in observing Hanna's own journey from a state of childhood to adulthood, made more difficult due to her prolonged isolation. While sitting in the theater, I was able to draw a quick parallel between this movie and Plato's famed Allegory of the Cave.

From an acting point of view, the cast turn in solid performances. My customary Scene-Stealer Award goes to Tom Hollander, who plays the quirky second-fiddle to the movie's villain (played to perfection by Cate Blanchett), Ms. Ronan does an equally perfect (but no less difficult) job in portraying the young protagonist. I must also give special recognition to the film's director-editor team of Joe Wright (in only his 4th feature directing gig) and Paul Tothill (both previously worked on Pride & Prejudice and Atonement) who were largely successful in balancing the fast, frenetic action sequences with the slow, deliberate pace of Hanna's journey of self-discovery.

The Verdict
This film affected me for a while after leaving the theater. I spent the commute home wondering where I should start. My mind also started drawing a further parallel between Hanna and hardened combat veterans returning/adjusting to civilian life, who no doubt experience the same general feelings of isolation and culture shock. After quite a bit of introspection, I wholeheartedly conclude that this film is a solid contender for my "Fantastic Four of 2011".

9/10

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

We're still on hiatus, but...

Aloha everybody!

As we enter the last week of our hiatus, let me do some housekeeping procedures...

First, I am pleased to announce that Yoda from the original Star Wars trilogy (you know, the BETTER one) has edged out a victory over Doctor Who as the audience favorite to win a last-character-standing cage fight!

Second, I would like to inform all our fans that I will be once again heading to the cinema for my next "Tuesday Double Feature" outing. So stay tuned for my reviews for both "Hanna" & "Rango"!

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Totoro's Review Of... "The Hunt For Red October"

Since my fellow Executive Producer Mr. A has started posting reviews to older films, I have decided to add my two cents by reviewing the now-classic 1990 film The Hunt For Red October, starring Sean Connery & Alec Baldwin.

Here is my review...

CAUTION! SPOILERS AHEAD!

The Story
The year is 1984. Sean Connery (Goldfinger, Murder On The Orient Express) stars as Marko Ramius, a veteran Soviet submarine commander assigned to Red October, his country's newest underwater ballistic missile platform. The ship is also equipped with a magneto-hydrodynamic "caterpillar" drive, rendering it virtually undetectable to enemy sonar. Ramius then murders the ship's political commissar and, after replacing the ship's mission orders and briefing the crew, activates the silent drive and sets a direct course for the American coastline. Before setting to sea, Ramius dispatches a letter stating that he and his officers intend to defect to the United States.

Meanwhile, CIA analyst Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) has recently arrived to Washington with intelligence photos of Red October. However while briefing Vice Admiral James Greer (James Earl Jones) at CIA Headquarters, he is told that the ship has already put out to sea. He then visits Skip Tyler (Jeffrey Jones), a Naval Academy instructor and consultant, and learns of the existence of ship's caterpillar drive. Later, at a briefing with National Security Advisor Jeffrey Pelt (Richard Jordan), Ryan voices the theory that Ramius might be attempting to defect. Pelt then sends Ryan on a mission to make contact with Ramius and learn his true intentions.

At around the same time, Captain Viktor Tupolev (Stellan Skarsgård), a former student of Ramius and commanding officer of the Soviet submarine Konavalov receives word of Ramius' defection and decides to pursue and destroy Red October. Meanwhile, Ryan ends up aboard the USS Dallas, commanded by Captain Bart Mancuso (Scott Glenn), who has been pursuing Red October shortly after leaving port. Ryan ends up convincing Captain Mancuso to hear Ramius out, and devises a plan to safely recover Ramius, the other defecting officers, and Red October.

...Will Ryan's plan succeed? You'll have to watch the movie to find out. For those of you who already have, you know the answer.

The Review
This film would later go on to be a huge box office success, earning a worldwide total of $200 million during its theatrical run. The movie remains a classic example of the action-espionage genre, and became the first film in what would be known as the "Jack Ryan trilogy" which also include Patriot Games (1992) & Clear & Present Danger (1994). A later, less successful attempt to reboot the franchise resulted in the 2002 film The Sum of All Fears, with Ben Affleck as Jack Ryan.

While the entire cast (including Sam Neill as Red October 1st Officer Vasili Borodin & Tim Curry as Red October Medical Officer Dr. Yevgeniy Petrov) turn in stellar performances, the movie's Scene-Stealer Award belongs to Courtney B. Vance, who played USS Dallas Sonar Technician Ronald "Jonesey" Jones. Credit must also be given to the film's director, John McTiernan (Die Hard) and its co-editors Dennis Virkler (The Fugitive) & John Wright (Speed) for its taut pacing and clear narrative structure. Additionally, Director of Photography Jan De Bont (who would go on to direct Twister & The Haunting) deserves special recognition for developing the various interior lighting schemes for the three submarines in the film - Red October (Blue), Dallas (Red) and Konavalov (Green).

The Verdict
Despite diverging from Tom Clancy's novel in several areas (the order of key events was changed, the presence of the Royal Navy in the book was significantly scaled back, and Red October's silent drive is a pump-jet system in the novel as opposed to the magneto-hydrodynamic system seen in the film), the fact that this film still retains a 95% "Fresh" rating on RottenTomatoes.com is a testament to its enduring popularity. Additionally, the film would later win an Academy Award for Best Sound Editing.

In closing, if you're interested in seeing what has become one of the most beloved action/espionage/thriller movies of the past two decades, then look no further. I wholeheartedly recommend this film.

10/10

Mahalo,
Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Totoro's Review Of... "Source Code"

Earlier, I stated that I recently resurrected my "Tuesday Double Feature" movie outings, and as such I finally got around to seeing two films that have been on my radar for a while: this film and "Source Code", starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga & Jeffrey Wright.

Here is my review...

CAUTION! SPOILERS AHEAD!

The Story
Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Captain Colter Stevens, a decorated Army helicopter pilot who suddenly wakes up on a commuter train approaching downtown Chicago inhabiting someone else's body. Stevens learns via a trip to the restroom that he is in the body of teacher, Sean Fentress. Also on the train is Christina Warren (Michelle Monaghan), who knows Stevens as Fentress. Before he can figure out what's going on, the train blows up, possibly killing everyone aboard.

Steven then wakes up, now strapped inside a capsule at an undisclosed military facility, greeted through a computer screen by Captain Colleen Goodwin (Vera Farmiga). Stevens then learns that he is part of a government project called Source Code, headed by Dr. Rutledge (Jeffrey Wright) which allows someone to inhabit another person's body for a short time (in this case, eight minutes). Goodwin then tells Stevens that his mission is to locate the bomb and identify the bomber before he can strike again. So, Stevens is sent back to the train for another eight-minute interval after being told that he cannot stop or fail, lest more people die.

The Review
Based on what I wrote in the previous section, this movie seems like a LOT to digest. But strangely, its Groundhog Day-meets-Die Hard premise has proven to be both interesting and entertaining to see play out. All the principal actors in the cast turn in fine performances (with my customary Scene-Stealer Award presented to Jeffrey Wright as Dr. Rutledge.) The film itself, directed by Duncan Jones (in only his second feature-length directing gig, after Moon) & edited by Paul Hirsch (Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back) is taut and well-paced, a crucial part of any action film but especially of THIS film, since it has an added "time-travel" element.

The Verdict
Considering the initial positive response to this film, I had understandably high expectations going into the theater. However, the only weakness that I could see in the film was its ending, which felt too "sunshine & rainbows" for my taste.

Otherwise, I am pleased to report that the film met my expectations, I cannot declare that it will have the same long-term effect as Groundhog Day or Inception, which was my #2 favorite film last year. My initial disappointment aside, I enjoyed the film, and would still recommend it to people based on its premise alone.

8/10

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator, Executive Producer)

Totoro's Review Of... "Paul"

I am an avid fan of the cinema, but in this economy I don't get the chance to go out and see movies as often as I'd like. But recently, in an attempt to further expand my cinematic horizons, I decided to resurrect my "Tuesday Double Feature" outings. So I, along with Zyconis went to the theaters to see both this film and, "Source Code", which I will review later.

So, away we go...

CAUTION! SPOILERS AHEAD!

The Story
Graeme Willy (Simon Pegg) & Clive Gollings (Nick Frost) star as two British Sci-Fi/Comic Book/UFO geeks vacationing in America (the film starts out with them attending the the geek mecca known as the San Diego's Comic Con where they meet their idol, famed Sci-Fi author Adam Shadowchild, played to mysophobic perfection by Jeffrey Tambor.) The pair then rent an RV and travel to various sites of extraterrestrial importance, including the famous the Black Mailbox outside Area 51. During this road trip they meet Paul, a foul-mouthed, happy-go-lucky alien who has been stranded on Earth for decades. Paul has found a way to return home, but needs a ride to the rendezvous point. So, Graeme & Willy agree to help Paul in achieving this goal and meet some very peculiar characters along the way.

The Review
Pegg & Frost (who also co-wrote the screenplay) have given us a film that only fellow Sci-Fi/Comic Book/UFO nerds could truly appreciate. The film is filled with NUMEROUS references to classic Sci-Fi movies of the past, most notably the Steven Spielberg film E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, with even the Maestro himself putting in a (voice-only) cameo.

While Pegg & Frost put in fine performances as transmutations of themselves, it is the supporting roles, and in particular Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen) who make this film so enjoyable, with Jason Bateman, SNL's Bill Hader, Joe Lo Truglio, Jane Lynch, Blythe Danner & Sigourney Weaver rounding out a hilarious supporting cast. Rogen's characterization of the happy-go-lucky alien fit in perfectly with the movie's light-hearted tone. Kristen Wiig (also of SNL fame) receives the film's Scene-Stealer Award for her hilarious performance as a devout Christian with an eye defect (Yes, you read that right.)

The film, directed by Greg Motolla (Superbad, Adventureland) and edited by Chris Dickens (Hot Fuzz, Slumdog Millionaire) is deftly-paced, with just the right blend of over-the-top action and comedy to keep things interesting. But however, a word to the wise: The film's "R" rating is well-deserved, given the sheer amount of profanity heard during the proceedings. So, I'd advise you leave the kids at home for this one.

The Verdict
I had fairly high expectations walking into the theater, given my enjoyment of the two previous Pegg & Frost movies, Shaun of the Dead & Hot Fuzz. This film met my expectations, but sadly did not exceed them. However, Pegg & Frost have given us a film that, while more accessible to mainstream audiences than their previous efforts, still contain the absurd, geeky qualities that made me enjoy their work in the first place. As a result, this film will keep me pleasantly occupied while I look forward to the third (and final) film in their "Blood & Ice Cream" Trilogy.

8.5/10

Mahalo,
~Totoro (Creator/Executive Producer)