Full Metal Panic - DVD Series (Disks 1-7)

There is much about this series that I like. From a sci-fi perspective the Arm Slaves are flat out cool. The technology of the Doddona submarine is very cool.

The aspect of the plot that screams Japanime is that the heros are 16 year olds and completely incharge of this special section of Mithril. The value of the Doddona is likely in the Billions and the captain is a 16 year old struggling with hormones. I doubt that one seriously, but suspending reality is what this storyline is all about. The only young character who has credibility is Soske and that only because he was a child when he was taken in by a small band of gorilla fighters in a place that is somewhat reminiscent of Afghanistan.

The characters are okay except for Soske and Kanami, they are hilarious to watch as they do their dance around each other. They are completely clueless initially how to relate to one another. But they do develop a much closer relationship as the story progresses. By the end Kanami was showing signs of maturity.

The villain Garrin technically should have died at the conclusion of disk 6; but I guess they couldn't bring themselves to do it. Thus the maniac lives to torture Mithril another day literally. Though the less than believeable the final combat scene between Soske and Garrin was interesting. [SPOILER: Thankfully Garrin is finally a goner for good strapped into a 300-ton explosion sinking into the depths of the ocean.]

This anime adventure however is not for the kids. There is cartoon violence and strongly suggestive images toward the end of the series episodes (between 19-24) .

The DVD is easy to navigate and the piracy warnings are a regular riot and well worth listening to again. I wish more movies did this style of warning. Then I wouldn't hate the darn redundant warnings. The nice thing about the DVD is that you can skip the opening sequence straight into the story which is nice since the opening sequence default is the riske sort. The production images in the special features section aren't too bad with the exception of disk 7 which includes the questionable images of Kanami as "conscience" of the Doddona.

Night at the Museum - 4-Star Family Flick

Though I would not rate this movie as a 5-star classic by any stretch; Night at the Museum it is worthwhile family entertainment. It is a movie with heart at times and a message for fathers and sons. And additionally, it has a nice message for us all that we can never win if we give up at the first hurdle in the race.

The story is one that I think I will have to look into getting an unabridged version to listen to sometime in the near future as I am certain much of the charm that was present in the film will be more evident in the author's original words rather than the screenwriter's.

The move had many note-worthy actors and a few scenes too. Especially if you have a passel full of dino-lovers in your crew. There is even an obligatory nod to the classic Jurassic Park scene where the T-Rex is chasing the Jeep. As well as, the Genghis Khan therapy session which was somewhat trite but still I had to laugh.

Ben Stiller is not at the top of my actors list. He has routinely been in rather "B" rated comedies. This movie however is not one of those.

Owen Wilson was Owen Wilson and as usual he was entertaining as Jed. I am glad they gave him a few more scenes that the original cameo he was slated to play.

Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt was more in line with the old Robin that we all used to love before he climbed into the Bird Cage days.

Dick Van Dyke was fair though he really didn't have that much on screen time. Though this was the first film that I can recall in which Dick played a villain.

Micky Rooney is looking very old these days but he was quite humorous in his role as the cantankerous Gus.

Well worth renting and watching with the kids, mine are 2,5 & 7 and they all enjoyed it.

Why should you bother to read...

First, I preview at least fifteen movies a month.

Second, I think most movie reviews are biased at best and second rate.

Third, I have standards that the MPAA doesn't.

Fourth, I love movies.

Fifth, I will even watch some of those oldies and review them.

Sixth, I have a unique rating method (well at least I am unique therefore it must be also)... ;)

Seventh, I have a sense of humor. Not something to over look when a large number of movies are really comedies. Seriously, they are evrn some you thought were serious dramas.