Capsule Reviews: July 11th, 2008

Another slow week in movie watching. I considered writing a review of Hellboy 2 as a capsule review, but I'd rather do a full one instead. So please look forward to that.


Machine Girl (2008)
Directed by Noboru Iguchi
Starring: Asami, Honoka

There has been much hype in cult circles about this new mondo Japanese actioner. I'm happy to report that most of the hype is utterly justified. There's something for everybody here: decapitations, drill bra, ninjas, chainsaws, machine guns, yakuza, etc. I'm also glad to report that all of the females in the film are very strong types and the director seems to go so far as to turn certain conventions on their heads. What could easily been a typical rape scene is cut short by the female lead getting pissed and kicking the rapists asses. This is on the level of a Peter Jackson flick like Bad Taste or Dead Alive. Highly recommended.

Noah Soudrette


Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)
Directed by Yasuhiro Aoki, Futoshi Higashide, Toshiyuki Kubooka, Hiroshi Morioka, Shoujirou Nishimi
Starring: Kevin Conroy, David McCallum

For those unawares, Batman: Gotham Knight is an anthology film animated by some of Japan's "top" animators and written by numerous comic book writers such as Greg Rucka and Brian Azzarello. As you would expect from such a project, the final product is somewhat uneven in presentation. The animation on the whole is very high quality and your like or dislike of it will simply be personal preference. All the story threads do tie together loosely and the end product is very satisfying. Kevin Conroy returns from the Batman Animated and Justice League series to voice Batman here and his addition is very welcome, as well as that of David McCallum's as Alfred. The best story in the lot is the final one directed by Jong-Sik Nam and Madhouse studios, clearly attempting to pass themselves off as Yoshiaki Kawajiri. All in all, a great addition to the Batman universe.

Noah Soudrette

Capsule Reviews: The 4th of July Edition!

I'm kind of low on reviews this week. I got no submissions so I had to go it alone. That combined with working all week, I'm just glad to get these three out to you. I also think these three would make great entertainment for the whole family this weekend.


Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs, is the second straight to video film to be released since the TV shows cancellation back in 2003. The basic plot here is that the living embodiment of heaven comes through a dimensional gateway and tries to have sex with the entire universe. I know. It’s fucking weird. For those unfamiliar with the show, this is not the best jumping on point, but I can’t help that feeling most would like this entry. It’s a vast improvement over the previous film which, while entertaining for fans, still fell a little flat. If you’re looking for something bizarre and funny, look no further.

By Noah Soudrette

Tribute is a “rockumentary” directed by Kris Curry and Rich Fox and follows the lives and times of four different tribute bands. The bands that are shown here pay homage to KISS, Judas Priest, Queen, The Monkees, and the Beatles. The stories here a pretty much what you’d expect. They are all entertaining, while at the same time being sad, hilarious, pathetic, and heartbreaking. Highlights include two fan boys of the Queen and Priest groups, a black Paul Stanley impersonator, and a trip to the office supply closet Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens used to work in. On one hand, you have to like these guys for doing what they love. On the other hand, you kind of wish they’d just get a grip. Great stuff.

By Noah Soudrette

The Grand, written and directed by Zak Penn, is somewhat of a sister film to Penn’s earlier, Herzog centric mockumentary, Incident at Loch Ness. While this film follows the tenants of a mockumentary very loosely, and also employs a few high profile stars I don’t normally like (i.e. Woody Harrelson, Ray Romano), the film is still a highly entertaining comedy. There are a number of stand out performances here. Werner Herzog makes a great appearance as an insane German gambler. The other great character is portrayed by Chris Parnell, who is constantly spouting references to David Lynch’s Dune. If you’re looking for something different and a good laugh, you’ll like this.

By Noah Soudrette

New Friday Feature: Capsule Reviews!

Finally, my computer is back online and (a week late) I can introduce the new weekly feature, capsule reviews! I'm doing this in the hopes of making it more fun to visit this place regularly, since it can often take me a while to write a full review. If any of you would like to contribute capsule reviews, just let me know!


The Cottage (2008)
Directed by Paul Andrew Williams
Starring: Andy Serkis, Doug Bradley, Jennifer Ellison

The Cottage is a fun and lighthearted British horror comedy in the vein of Severance. The film follows two brothers, one of whom is played by Andy Serkis, whose kidnapping plot goes all wrong when a deformed hillbilly shows up and the blood starts to fly. The comedy is a bit broad so the film does feel like it’s trying a bit too hard at times, and the slasher doesn’t show up till after the halfway mark. Still, there’s plenty of laughs and gore to be found here, as well as a few inventive plays on famous slasher movie caveats. Top that off with a cameo by Doug Bradley, and you have a solid horror comedy that should supply you with an hour and a half of good times. It’s definitely worth a watch.

Submitted by Noah Soudrette


Blood: The Last Vampire (2000)
Directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo
Starring: Youki Kudoh, Saemi Nakamura, Joe Romersa

Blood: The Last Vampire is apparently exceptional for being the first Production I.G. film to use all CGI animation. This is a good thing, because it certainly isn’t exceptional in any other department. While there are a few thrilling action moments, the plot is a generic vampire on vampire violence tale. Saya, our heroic vampire, dressed in a Japanese school girl outfit, boringly kills a few vampire-like monsters on a military base for forty minutes. By reading that last sentence, you’ve pretty much seen the movie. Oh and there’s a shitty attempt to tack on some kind of social commentary at the end. It’s dreck, but visually arresting dreck.

Submitted by Noah Soudrette


Dylan Moran: Monster (2004)
Directed by Michael Matheson
Starring Dylan Moran

Dylan Moran: Monster, is a stand up special, filmed in Dublin, featuring the ultra hilarious verbal stylings of Dylan Moran of Black Books fame. If you’ve seen Black Books I can guarantee you will enjoy this performance. Dylan’s real life personality isn’t that far from Bernard Black, and his witticism and unique word combinations are truly unique. He spends most of his time pointing out the absurdities of trying to be something your not in life. This is basically what other comics do, but Dylan is simply funnier. This is a real classic comedy performance, in my book.

Submitted by Noah Soudrette


Uncle Buck (1989)
Directed by John Hughes
Starring: John Candy, Macaulay Culkin

I just watched Uncle Buck for like I don't know, probably the 20th time in my life, and let me tell you, this movie is just as good today as it was back in 1989. So now I'm thinking about how much I enjoy this movie, and how much I've enjoyed John Hughes' writing, producing, and directing over my life. As a Writer/Director/Producer he has put out 4 movies that are very important to me and my generation’s popular culture: The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, and finally the delightful Uncle Buck. To this day I want a giant breakfast birthday, but despite 19 years of birthdays since this movie came out, still no giant stack of pancakes for me.

Submitted by Jesse Stevens


Fantastic Four (2005)
Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
Directed by Tim Story
Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans

These two FF films are good stuff. I wouldn't go so far as to put them into my comic book movie top three, but they are a good time all around as far as I am concerned. Solid stories, overall interesting (or as interesting as the FF can be) characters, and just a good F/X time. Both these screen plays are written by the excellent Mark Frost, (co-creator of Twin Peaks as well as writer of several excellent books) so they don't let you down plot-wise. If you are looking for some films to warm you up for this summers comic book smack down, or maybe just some fun popcorn flicks, then look no further than the FF's at your local video establishment. Ironfury Commands It!

Submitted by Jesse Stevens

Techincal Difficulties

Well, I had been planning to introduce a new weekly feature here on the blog and it was due to roll out yesterday. However, my main computer, with the appropriate writings on it, is currently in the shop. Hopefully, I'll get it back soon and resume regular posting. Damn you Atkins!

Stan Winston, R.I.P.

Stan Winston

1946 - 2008