The Boy and the Beast

And this week's Friday night movie has been..... Bakemono no Ko (The Boy and the Beast)!

Original image located here. Accessed 27th April 2018

Like the world and his dog, I have been impressed with the works of Mamoru Hosoda (The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. Summer Wars and Wolf Children). So i was keen on seeing his latest work.

I feel that the strength of this movie lies in the idea of family that Hosoda has utilized previously: This is about a child & his father and how two broken souls end up becoming strong together. It's about how, as an adult, children often become a reflection of one's self. Okay, sure there are some moments that seem forced and rambly, but there are some great ideas at work here and some creativity and Hosoda's hand still seems potent enough.

To be honest I feel this is the least of Hosoda's work - but somehow, the least stills feels like the best someone else could come up with. And that's nothing to be ashamed of.

The Red Pill

And this week's Friday night movie has been..... The Red Pill!

Original image located here. Accessed 20th April 2018

Yes, it's THAT movie. A movie which, it seems, watching it and talking about it is asking for trouble. But hey, I'm a glutton for punishment,

Okay, seriously, this was an eye-opener to say the least. I learned some of the legitimate points the MRAs are getting across and how they aren't getting heard. Personally, I often thought that MRAs were the type of 'being entitled' people but seeing some of the points brought up in this documentary is calling that into question.
And so it would seem that getting past the hate and misogyny that colours the public perception of the MRAs and it's revealed there are some genuine concerns. But then again, as with any movement, the obnoxious people are loud to the point where the sensible people are drowned out.

Mind you, it was disappointing that some of the uglier side of the MRAs is never brought up but seeing how that perception is the one everyone is familiar with, perhaps that shouldn't be surprising. But i am disappointed that the various topics don't receive both sides of the argument - because, as stated above, these are legit points and should not be met with a wall of apathy / drowning out by shouting / the ever-reliable Us vs Them mentality.

Still, if the success of a documentary is to challenge previously-held beliefs than this one succeeds to that end.

Ready Player One

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Ready Player One!

Original image located here. Accessed 13th April 2018

In a way i was dreading this movie: if the trailer was anything to go by, I was expecting it to be 'Pop Culture Reference: The Movie'. But thankfully that was not the case.

It may be kinda shallow but in terms of a rollicking adventure this does it's job. Being the geek that i am was able to pick a large number of the anime/gaming/movie references so clearly this is a movie that knows it's audience. Still, the action sequences are superb and the battle for the fortress at the climax is........jaw-dropping to say the least.
So yeah, a movie that genuinely surprised me by being kinda cool.
Oh and i-R0k is awesome.