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Anime ● Review: Watari-kun’s ****** Is About to Collapse
Nothing interesting despite the premise. Looks good enough but it just drags on and on. It’s just 26 tiresome episodes of a guy who is unable to be decisive, allowing things to be more complicated than they need to be.
Jan 54 min read


Film ● Review: Shin Ultraman
Similar style to Shin Godzilla (2016) but goes further with the satire and comedy. Nicely shot and edited.
Dec 30, 20253 min read


Film ● Review: Dark Star
Low-budget indie film notwithstanding, the film is decently produced. The satirical ideas are there but not enough laughs.
Dec 8, 20252 min read


Anime ● Review: Dan Da Dan
Entertaining series. Some visual elements are a bit jarring but generally well-produced. It is funny, but can be funnier. Tries a little too hard to be edgy. Grounded by the friendship between the two lead characters.
Nov 24, 20255 min read


Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
Starship Troopers was first published as a two-part serial before being released as a novel in 1959. Written by Robert A. Heinlein, himself a navy veteran, this military sci-fi coming-of-age story covers Johnnie Rico’s basic training and early career in Mobile Infantry (M.I.). This review will make a few comparisons with the 1997 film directed by Paul Verhoeven with the screenplay written by Edward Neumeier. Is the film faithful to the book? More Yes than No. Like most if n
Nov 21, 20255 min read


Drama Review: The Consultant
If you like the novel, then don’t expect too much. Christoph Waltz carries the show but the corporate and office satire and black comedy are missing. One wonders whether the writer understands or appreciates the source material.
Nov 15, 20255 min read


Anime Review: Police in a Pod
Drama-comedy about a rookie cop learning the ropes. Has good balance between being half-realistic and being comical. Solidly produced.
Oct 28, 20254 min read


Anime ● Review: Crossing Time
A 12-episode slice-of-life series of three-minute vignettes. The writing can be better, but it’s not that bad if one doesn’t mind risking half an hour.
Oct 23, 20252 min read


The Colour of Magic by Terry Pratchett
Even for those who are not fans of fantasy, Pratchett’s easily accessible style and clever comedy make his novels a real pleasure to read.
Oct 20, 20255 min read


Film Review: Out of the Dark (1995)
A little different from Stephen Chow’s other titles but a solid horror comedy. Visually dark with effective use of sets/locations.
Oct 18, 20253 min read


Anime Review: Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?
Boy and his mother in an online fantasy game. Crude but not as superficial as one may expect. Fails to reach its potential as both the comedy and themes can go further. But motherhood is lifted up and celebrated.
Oct 15, 20254 min read


Anime Review: Sakamoto Days (Part 2)
Nothing spectacular but continues to be a well-produced and fun show with ridiculous action.
Oct 5, 20253 min read


Film Review: PTU (2003)
Hong Kong police noir film with key moments of black comedy: A fatso cop loses his gun and asks his friend in PTU not to report it. Nicely shot and edited. A modern classic.
Sep 24, 20253 min read


Animation Review: Love, Death + Robots (Volume 3)
Mostly looks good. Doesn’t try as hard as Volume 1, which is a good thing, but nothing great apart from “Bad Travelling” and “Jibaro”.
Sep 7, 20256 min read


Film Review: BigBug
Nicely shot and edited. Looks good. It is amusing with good performances, but the plot is too stagnant and fails to capitalize on the opportunity for some dark and offbeat humor.
Sep 5, 20254 min read


Film ● Review: Blasted (2022)
Looks good enough with solid performances. But the initial pacing is too slow and the comedy falls flat.
Aug 29, 20253 min read


Film Review: The Menu (2022)
Excellent black comedy horror that satirizes fine dining. Nicely shot with good performances.
Aug 15, 20253 min read


Film Review: The Chinese Feast
Solid production and performances. Nicely shot. Thoroughly entertaining and funny film on cooking and the hospitality industry.
Jul 30, 20253 min read


Manga Review: Yotsuba&! #1 by Azuma Kiyohiko
This series follows five-year-old Yotsuba and her father as they settle into their new home. Simple and innocent slice-of-life comedy. Nicely drawn.
Jul 15, 20252 min read


The Consultant by Bentley Little
Relatable corporate satire and dark comedy. Twisted and entertaining.
Jun 3, 20253 min read


Anime Review: Jujutsu Kaisen
High school student gets dragged into a war between sorcerers. Plot-driven and fast-paced action-packed dark fantasy. Solid production.
May 26, 20256 min read
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