'The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of the Water' is a Madhouse of Fun

  

SpongeBob Squarepants has established itself as one of the funniest and most enjoyable cartoon properties ever.  It’s not as brilliant as The Simpsons or Looney Tunes, but if you get over the inherent annoyingness of the characters and the tone, you will realize that SpongeBob Squarepants is comedy gold – effectively using both absurdity and cleverness to be consistently hilarious.

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of the Water is exactly the quirky, fun madhouse one would expect from a SpongeBobmovie.  Its oddball plot centers on the disappearance of the secret recipe for the famous and beloved Krabby Patty; without it, SpongeBob is unable to make more of it.  When the residents of Bikini Bottom learned that there won’t be any more Krabby Patties, the town radically descended into Mad Max-level of post-apocalyptic anarchy.  As to be expected, it is up to SpongeBob and his friends to retrieve the missing secret recipe to return Bikini Bottom to its status quo.  Consequently, the search would even lead the gang to go to the surface.

There was actually nothing remarkable with its narrative; nevertheless, the gags, puns, and random silliness in the story’s flow fantastically worked.  I also liked the 3D transformation of the characters when they had to interact with the live-action surface world.  And Antonio Banderas hamming it up as Burger-Beard the Pirate resulted to an overall entertaining performance.

I understand that the eccentricity of SpongeBob is not for everyone.  But for those who learned to love the cartoon as it is, this movie is a slam dunk.

Read More

'Parasyte' Could Be the Best Anime Series of 2015

If the year ended today, Parasyte –the maxim– (yep, that’s how the complete title goes) would be my choice for “Best Anime Series of the Year” (its original run was from October 2014 to March 2015) in the 4th Bernels.  Of course, there’s still half of the year to go, and it is still possible for another 2015 anime series to impress me more, but Parasyte is so good that it would take something really mindblowing to knock it off its pedestal.

The premise is about strange worm-like parasites (its origin, whether alien or a form of bio-weapon, was not particularly determined) that mysteriously pop out around the world one night and begin to take over human hosts by getting into their brains.  The plot focuses on a geeky, awkward high school student named Shinichi Izumi.  A parasite fails in its attempt to get into Shinichi’s brain, and instead has to settle on burrowing inside his right arm.  The parasite takes over Shinichi’s right arm, adopts the name of “Migi” (Japanese for “right”), and develops a default symbiotic relationship with Shinichi.  Moreover, not only does a conscious Migi gains absolute control of the right arm, but it can also morph into any form – functioning body parts, blades, etc. – it wants.  To survive, Shinichi has no choice but to put up with Migi.  Over the story’s course, the two learn to rely on each other and gradually develop a strong bond.  Meanwhile, those parasites that succeed in taking over the brains of their targets lurk around to devour humans for food.  The media dub these occurrences as “Mincemeat Murders” while the authorities do their best to hide the real story behind these murders to prevent mass panic.  Shinichi feels obligated to do something about it, and by enlisting Migi’s cooperation, he takes it upon himself to fight off the parasite-infected humans while keeping his own condition a secret from the people around him.

Nowadays, I have a hard time connecting to most modern anime series, but Parasyte has the tone and quality of those old anime series I used to watch in the past that it effortlessly appealed to my liking.  The Parasyte manga actually ran from 1988 to 1995, but this is just the first time that it has been adapted into an anime series, so maybe that’s the reason why it seemingly has that “90’s-style anime” charm.  I found this anime series to be very entertaining and engrossing that I was able to marathon all of its 24 episodes in one day.

Parasyte isn’t perfect.  It does have worn-out anime tropes, some noticeably dumb and annoying character moments, and an unimpressive soundtrack.  But, aside from those few faults, this anime is terrific and well-crafted.  The storytelling is splendidly compelling; its thoughtful themes about humanity, natural order, inherent instincts, and the essence of monsters are well-articulated; the characters are well-written and well-developed; and the animation is beautiful, thorough, and flawlessly gives justice to the thrill, violence, emotion, and stakes of its narrative and action sequences.  It has the makings of a classic, and a worthy watch for every anime fan with good taste.

Read More

'Chappie' Suffers by Being Released in the Same Year as 'Ex Machina'

                                                                                       

I’ve just watched Ex Machina and Chappie back-to-back, and I think it’s appropriate to write about them in a single post, since, as the title implies, one movie suffers because of the existence of the other (or by watching them back-to-back). 

Ex Machina tells the story of Caleb, a programmer working for Bluebook (the Google in this story’s universe), who wins a company lottery to spend a week with Bluebook’s visionary CEO and founder, Nathan, in his uber-modern, secluded residence.  On Caleb’s arrival, Nathan reveals to him that his home doubles as his research facility and he has been secretly developing a humanoid robot with advanced AI named “Ava.”  Nathan solicits the participation of Caleb to conduct a Turing test on Ava to determine if she can pass off as human, which Caleb agrees to.  As Caleb continues to interact with the sensuous Ava, he wrestles with his growing feelings for her as well as the nagging suspicion that Nathan hasn’t been completely honest with him regarding the experiment.

Narrative-wise, the trailer of Ex Machina has unfortunately revealed enough details for someone watching the movie to predict almost every plot development and every plot twist, which diminished the suspense and surprise.  However, despite that, the narrative was consistently absorbing and intriguing.  The cast delivered compelling performances, and the dialogues were intellectually stimulating. 

In summary, Ex Machina is a superb, fresh, insightful, disturbing, and gripping science fiction psycho-thriller straight out of The Twilight Zone or Black Mirror.

        

Chappie is set on Johannesburg, South Africa wherein the police employ a state-of-the-art, armored robot force that they purchased from the weapons firm, Tetravaal.  Deon, a Tetravaal employee and the creator of the police robot units, develops an AI that can function the same way as the human mind.  Deon installed his AI on a damaged police robot unit intended to be disposed and it is reborn as “Chappie.”  As one would expect (it’s a familiar story), the rest of the movies sees Chappie struggling with his identity, being baffled and mimicking human behavior, and being eventually seen as a threat by mankind. 

While Ex Machina (rightfully) received acclaim from critics, Chappie, on the other hand, was brutally panned.  However, personally, I think it’s not that bad as its 30% Rotten Tomatoes rating suggests.  It does have its share of some genuinely entertaining and heartfelt moments.  But the story was generally untidy and uninteresting.  It felt like it was trying to be Short Circuit and District 5 and other things all at the same time.  Its tired but thoughtful message was lost in all that clutter

It can’t be helped to compare Ex Machina and Chappie.  Both movies tackled the same artificial intelligence premise, and both attempted to provide thought-provoking case studies on the implications of sentient, self-aware humanoid robots.  However, only Ex Machina succeeded in doing it in such a rich, engaging, and cerebral manner, that it simply can’t be helped but ruin Chappie, which is actually not a terrible film, for an audience who watched both movies within the same year. 

Read More

Insane Theory: Natalie Portman Is Going to Be the Next Thor

When it was announced last year, as part of Avengers NOW!, that a female will not only assume Thor’s powers and Mjolnir but his name as well, I wasn’t particularly sold on the whole idea.  I argued in a past post that “Thor” is much of a definitive male name as “Spider-Man”, and letting a female assume the “Thor” name will make as less sense as Carlie Cooper assuming the name of “Spider-Man.” 

But, now, eight Thor issues later (and a couple of appearances in other books), I found the character so likable that I’m prepared to overlook the problem with the character name’s gender semantics.  Of course, if this were Spider-Man, I would have been greatly pissed (and I was, when Otto Octavius became the Superior Spider-Man) of the status quo change even if everything was done compellingly.  I do am a Thor fan, but not as deeply as I am a Spidey fan to passionately mind it.

One of my favorite 2015 comic book moments so far

Hours ago (as of writing), it was finally revealed that this new Thor is Jane Foster, and the first thought that came to my mind is --
NATALIE PORTMAN SHOULD DEFINITELY BECOME THE NEXT THOR IN THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE!

Natalie Portman – who plays Jane Foster in the MCU – is a smart, brilliant, Oscar-winning actress (and one my most favorite actresses ever).  When the first Thor movie came out, an observation made by some critics was that Portman was overqualified to play the role of a mere “love-interest character” as Jane Foster (and going gaga for Chris Hemsworth’s abs).  There was an understandable bafflement with Marvel’s casting choice.  Now, think about it: what if an actress of Portman’s caliber was cast for Jane Foster because the plan all along was for her to inherit the mantle of Thor from Chris Hemsworth?  Crazy, unlikely theory, I know, but there’s also some sense in it. 

Moreover, back in 2013, while being interviewed for Thor: Dark World, Portman teased:

“There are definitely many strong women [in the MCU], but it will be exciting when there is a central female character which I think is coming – I have heard is coming…”

Was she merely referring to the Captain Marvel movie (this was long before an official announcement)?  Was it just a coincidence that it was her that announced of “hearing” such project in the works?  Or could it be that she was already aware of Marvel’s plans for her character?  Was she already in talks of becoming the next MCU’s Thor?   Very intriguing questions.    

Regardless of it being Marvel’s plan or not, it’s something I really want to see.  I know that Hemsworth is at his peak right now, but, seriously, a choice between him continuing as Thor or seeing the female Thor – as to be portrayed by Portman – being adapted into the big screen is a no contest.  The latter scenario is just much more exciting!   (Besides Hemsworth could still hang around, but, as with the comics, he is no longer the central character, and instead of wielding Mjolnir, he would have Jarnbjorn as weapon.)   

If Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster becoming Thor isn’t actually in the plot of Thor: Ragnarok, well, it should be.  Make it happen, Marvel!    

Read More

Ghibli Takes Its Leave by Leaving Us 'When Marnie Was There'

We all love Studio Ghibli.  We can always expect its movies to be of fantastic, delightful quality.  Whether it’s science fiction/fantasy or purely down-to-earth drama, a trademark Ghibli production is sure to have a heartfelt, amiable story with rich, thoughtful themes conveyed in beautiful, meticulous hand-drawn animation.  And When Marnie Was There is typical Ghibli.  It’s not as marvelous as its predecessors from last year – not as deep as The Wind Rises or as visually refreshing as The Tale of the Princess Kaguya – but it was still nonetheless a special, well-crafted film. 

The movie is based on a 1967 novel by Joan G. Robinson.  It tells the story of a young girl named Anna Sasaki who suffers from asthma and, presumably, melancholia as well.  She is sent by her foster mother to spend time with some relatives in the countryside of Kushiro so that the clean, seaside air and environment can improve her health and disposition.  One day, Anna finds herself charmed and drawn to the Marsh House – an old, deserted mansion that is accessible by foot during low tide.  In her first visit to the place, she sees the Marsh House in its dilapidated condition, but, the next time, it mysteriously takes a revitalized appearance and she meets the blonde girl that resides in it, Marnie.  Anna and Marnie become fast friends, and they secretly meet several times afterwards – having picnics and boat rides, intimate conversations, hand-in-hand walks by the coastline, and even a party in the Marsh House.  However, only Anna can see Marnie.  And whenever Marnie isn’t around, Anna sees the Marsh House just as everyone else sees it – abandoned and rundown. 

So who really is Marnie?  Is she a ghost?  Is she merely a figment of Anna’s unstable psyche?  What’s up with the Marsh House?  Is there a crack in the space-time continuum that allows the past and the present to interact?   Those are the underlying questions that the movie was raising all throughout.

The movie is pretty innocent and warm.  However, the mystery of Marnie really provided a subtly dark and eerie flavor to the story.  I was crazily half-expecting a “jump scare” or Twilight Zone-like twist happening sometime during its narrative.  It provided a tinge of excitement to an otherwise pleasant tone.     

The answer to the mystery (SPOILERS!) wasn’t really supernatural in nature.  Once enough clues have been revealed, it was easy to deduce who Marnie really is and why Anna knows her before the actual revelation is presented.  It requires a bit of soap opera-level of implausible coincidence to work, but it was still a satisfyingly appropriate plot twist.

When Marnie Was There is a lovely, well-made animated movie about friendship, healing, and finding a positive outlook in life.  By itself, this movie has enough reasons to be a must-watch.  But this movie also possesses some additional sentimental value if you are a Studio Ghibli fan.  The studio announced last year that it would take a temporary (hopefully) break from making movies.  Hence, this would be the last Ghibli film for a while, so it’s really worth seeing. 

Read More

Top 10 Fictional Mob Bosses

I know that there are probably better choices than some of my picks for this list.  The likes of Scarface’s Tony Montana and The Departed’s Frank Costello and The Soprano’s Tony Soprano are some of the noteworthy names that aren’t in this list.  There are just others, though less popular, that I found to be more enjoyable.  “Mob bosses”, for all purposes of this list, are characters that happen to be either actual heads of a crime organization or rightful heirs for the position – regardless of their alignment: good, bad, or in between.              

10.) JABBA THE HUTT

I don’t really care much for this ugly, sluggish alien, but I love Star Wars and he’s one of its important antagonists that I still think he’s qualified to get a spot in this list.   This despicable and powerful crime lord is depicted as greedy, ruthless, and derives pleasure from keeping slave girls, maintaining a gluttonous lifestyle, and watching others suffer a slow, terrifying death.   

  

9.) LIM ARYONG

 

I quite enjoy South Korea’s My Wife Is a Gangsterand My Wife Is a Gangster 3 (didn’t see the second one).  The movies aren’t really connected but do share the same premise: a romantic comedy that features a badass female mob boss.  Between the two movies’ respective protagonists, I’d go for MWIaG 3’s Lim Aryong than MWIaG’s Eun-jin.  MWIaG 3 having a better story (for me) helps.  The whole language barrier that Lim Aryong had to undergo also added more dynamic to her character and provided more memorable, funnier character moments.  Actress Shu Qi dictated amazing strength, presence, and grace when portraying her character and executing her action scenes that I can’t help but be quite dazzled.    

     

8.) YAMAGUCHI “YANKUMI” KUMIKO

Though she’s a Yakuza Ojou (boss/princess), Yankumi is more excited to be a teacher.  She carefully keeps her identity secret from her students and co-teachers, and will only display her proficiency in combat whenever her students are in trouble. 

Yankumi is actually one of my most favorite female characters in fiction.  However, though her Yakuza background helps in making her an interesting character, she’s actually not much of a mob boss, so she’s not rated any higher.

7.) VICIOUS

Vicious is the main antagonist of Cowboy Bebop.  At first, he was a mere foot soldier for the Red Dragon syndicate, but he overthrew its leadership to become its boss.  If his rival, Spike, is a great gunslinger, he, on the other hand, is an incredible swordsman (though he didn’t make my list on fictional swordsmen).  He is merciless and ambitious, and won’t hesitate to kill whoever is on his way.  

    

6.) THE VENTRILOQUIST & SCARFACE

Oswald Cobblepot a.k.a. the Penguin is the more popular Batman-villain mob boss, but I find Arnold Wesker a.k.a. the Ventriloquist and his puppet/alter ego, Scarface, significantly more fascinating.  Suffering from schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder, the usual timid Wesker projects his sociopathic, cunning, and criminal personality to Scarface, his gangster puppet.  However, for Wesker, he delusionally considers himself as a mere docile minion who has no choice but to obey Scarface’s biddings.  The Ventriloquist/Scarface is definitely one of Batman’s most underrated and most unique villains.    

    

5.) TSUNAYOSHI SAWADA

Tsunayoshi Sawada, or Tsuna for short, is the main protagonist of the delightfully wacky mafia-themed manga/anime, Katekyo! Hitman Reborn.  Despite being just a junior high student, Tsuna found himself the rightful tenth boss of the most powerful mafia famiglia in the world, the Vongola Famiglia.  He is understandably unwilling to have anything to do with the mafia, but he is forced to embrace the role of the Vongola Tenth in order to protect his friends and the world.

Tsuna started off as cowardly, inept, and clumsy.  But with the guidance and training of his tutor, Reborn (a legendary hitman that has been mysteriously transformed into a baby), as well as the mafia conflicts that he’s thrown in because of his Vongola title, Tsuna is developed into becoming an accomplished mafia boss and a courageous, strong-willed individual. 

4.) THE KINGPIN

In the Marvel Universe, Wilson Fisk a.k.a. the Kingpin is considered to be the most powerful crime boss of New York City.  For most of Fisk’s character history, he is seen as a high-profile public figure whose criminal nature was known to all; however, he was so efficiently careful in making sure that none of his criminal enterprises could be traced to him that the law found it impossible to send him to prison (at the present, however, he’s no longer concerned in being subtle, and is even a wanted fugitive, after the Superior Spider-Man outed him).  His appearance is that of a “fat man”, but his bulk is actually mostly muscle instead of lard.  That’s why he’s not only a criminal mastermind but is also very dangerous to engage in physical combat.       

3.) BALALAIKA

In an anime such as Black Lagoon that is full of badass characters, I find Balalaika as the most awesomely badass.  Her real name is Sofiya Pavlovena but no one dares to utter it in her presence.  She is the boss of Hotel Moscow, the Russian mafia based on Roanapur (a fictional city found in southeast Thailand that serves as a criminal hub) and one of the regular clients of the Lagoon Company (the anime’s main protagonists, a merceneray/pirate/smuggling firm). 

A former Army captain of the elite Vozdushno-Desantnye Vojska (the Russian Airborne Troops), Balalaika proved to be a tough combatant and a brilliant strategist during the hellish Soviet War in Afghanistan, earning the deepest respect and fiercest loyalty of his troops.  When she became a mafia boss, these same soldiers became her subordinates and enforcers in Hotel Moscow.  Thus, being made up of former elite soldiers, Hotel Moscow operates with efficient military precision and discipline, making them the strongest and most successful crime organization in the region.    

2.) & 1.) MICHAEL & VITO CORLEONE

The Godfather and The Godfather Part II (I don’t hate the third installment as much as most, but I have to admit that it was significantly inferior) are not only two of the greatest movies of all time, but they also served as the ultimate depiction of mob culture (in fact, I read once that not only did its romanticized depiction shape our pop culture awareness of mob culture, but it also compelled real-life mobsters – who were merely barbaric thugs at that point – to imitate the stylishness and class portrayed in the films).  Thus, it’s not a surprise that the definitive mob bosses in fiction are the titular Godfathers – Vito Corleone and, his son and successor, Michael Corleone – and the holders of the top two spots in this list.

Both are smart, calculating, and intimidating dons.  Both are vengeful and ruthless when necessary.  Both love their family and value loyalty and respect greatly.  Both have strong charisma.  Both are awesome.  But Vito edges Michael a bit in my eyes.  Al Pacino’s portrayal of Michael was terrific, but Marlon Brando’s portrayal of Vito was incredibly magnetic.  Moreover, Vito’s character development during his younger years (as portrayed by Robert De Niro) was a bit more compelling.

Read More

Mayweather Might Not Have Out-Fought Pacquiao, but He Absolutely Out-Boxed Him

As a Filipino and a PacMan fan, of course, I rooted for Manny Pacquiao.  But let me be objective here.  As far as the performance on the ring is concerned, Floyd Mayweather beat him fair and square. 

People who wanted to witness an exciting, full-on brawl is frustrated by how Mayweather refused to engage Pacquiao in a slugfest by constantly running away and clinching (hugging).  They thought of his style as dull and cowardly – or even a form of “cheating.”   However, what was displayed was actually boxing savvy. 

It is a misconception to equate boxing with brawling.  Mayweather’s “running” and “hugging” is within the parameters of the sport of boxing and he smartly used it to negate Pacquiao’s “slugger” advantage.  He ran away to avoid turning the fight into a slugfest, something he can’t win and doesn’t need to win; and clinched (hugged) whenever Pacquiao was gaining momentum.  Meanwhile, he collected points by connecting careful, well-picked shots out of Pacquiao’s initiated assaults.  It might be unsatisfying and boring to watch, but that was simply a perfect execution of smart, efficient, clinical boxing.  In spite of Pacquiao being the more active fighter, Mayweather’s style allowed him to dictate the pace and to land the cleaner punches.

I’ve always thought that it’s unlikely for Pacquiao to beat Mayweather via score cards (especially since he could be favored by the judges).  That’s why I believed that Manny could only win if he knocked Mayweather out – or, at least, knocked him down several times – and that his best gameplan was to go for broke and seek the knock out win as soon as possible.  If this had been the actual plan by Pacquiao’s corner all along, I never felt it during the match.  Yes, Pacquiao was the more aggressive fighter, as usual, but I never felt that he dominated.  

Pacquiao is definitely the better – or, some might even say, the only – fighter in that match.  That is something that can’t be denied.  However, by incorporating the exploitation of the flaws of the sport to his technique, Mayweather has made himself the superior boxer.  Mayweather knows that he doesn’t need to out-fight Pacquiao to win.  He just needs to out-box him.  Sorry to say, that’s exactly what happened.      

Miscellaneous musings:

• All that said, still, it would be nice if boxing rules are revised to penalize too much running and hugging.
• The Compubox stats had surprising results.  Mayweather having more punches landed and better accuracy is not really a shocker, but also having more total punches thrown?  Possibly true, but really hard to believe. 
• Manny Pacquiao is still the People’s Champion.  It was apparent from the crowd’s reaction.  He lost the so-called “Fight of the Century” but he will never lose the love and respect of the people.
• No matter the result, as long as Pacquiao does his best to glorify God, he is the winner in a more important matter. 
• Just as he promised during Pacquiao’s latest guesting in Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Jimmy really dressed up like Justin Bieber when he walked with Pacquiao into the ring.  Cracked me up.      
• I know Jamie Foxx can sing (he even won an Oscar by portraying rhythm and blues legend Ray Charles in Ray), but his singing of the American national anthem was hilariously awful.  The accompanying organ was just as bad.     
• I feel a mix of amusement and irritation by all the sour-graping in my Facebook news feed.  Understandable, but I wish for a little bit of classiness.
• It was said that Pacquiao was denied by the Nevada Athletic Association to take anti-inflammatory drug for his shoulder injury prior the fight.  Hence, Pacquiao was not in 100% condition.  Shame.  Could have had an opposite outcome if Pacquiao wasn’t injured, or was allowed some painkillers for the injury.    
• In an alternate universe, Pacquiao catches up with Mayweather’s running, corners him completely, and sends him falling to the canvass after a hard left hook.  Referee counts to ten.  Manny wins by knockout.  Immediately, the date of Manny’s return to the Philippines is declared as a special non-working national holiday to honor him.  Filipinos around the world are euphoric for weeks.
• There’s no reason for Mayweather to give Pacquiao a rematch.  But I wish there will be one.

Read More