jmaarsman Reviews

Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)

Nothing Like It

[10/10 · 12 November 2008]

I have been to cult films, I have been to great grand openings of everything from movies to books to games to this and that. If there is an opening, I will go to it. This movie... this entire experience, it was like nothing I've ever been to in my life.

People are asking whether or not this type of movie will gain 'cult' status, but the fact of the matter is... it already has. To quote Darren: "I'm standing up here, and I see that seventy percent of you are in costume, and the others are saying 'Damnit, why didn't I dress up?'." Dressing up isn't all that makes a cult, the fans are. The fact of the matter is, this movie has a rabid, feasting fanbase that would gladly hog-tie and grapple you to the movie just so that you have the experience of seeing it.

Those who say that this movie is crap, that it doesn't have an audience, and that the music is (my personal favorite) 'atonal', either weren't watching, listening or paying any attention to it at all. This movie is worth far more than anything I've seen in theatres for years. It is easily the most unique experience of my life.

I'd rather see something completely unique, even if it's offensive, gritty, shot with hand-held camera and staring sock puppets than watch anymore of the 'wannabe' good movies that have been coming out. These 'Masterpieces' that people consider to be SO amazing have nothing on a movie like this. This movie is untouchable, it is completely beyond all words.

Everything about this movie has a unique touch that is completely noticeable in absolutely every scene and song. It is an insult to creativity and artistry that a movie such as this should be shoved into only seven cities and outcasting all those who want to watch it so badly.

Myself and two friends drove down from Canada to watch it in Seattle, and we weren't the only ones, and some of the people at our showing were from Texas. This movie will surpass any movie this year through the years, simply because of the fans.

Do NOT miss watching this movie. If you can watch it, even if the theatre is three or four hours away... DO IT. Go in costume, shriek and have the best time of your life.

The Dark Knight (2008)

A Few Fatal Flaws

[6/10 · 21 July 2008]

There's no questioning that this movie is quite spectacular for the most part. Heath Ledger's Joker was one of the most spectacular characters I've ever seen on screen... unfortunately, that's about all I have to say good about it. For the most part, any scene that has him in it is amazing, but everything else just... loses it's shine.

In all honesty, I didn't like Batman Begins, I thought it was overrated and had the largest plot hole in the history of the world (a machine that can instantly vaporize water without vaporizing the water puddles on the street, let alone making humans explode or making metal hot), and I found the same sort of flaw within the Dark Knight. These movies take themselves so painfully seriously, and I give it to them, they're amazing in that seriousness. There's almost no 'comic book' residue until two face comes around. Then, all of a sudden, we're supposed to remember that this is, in fact, a comic book movie, and that the man can run around with open wounds, no medication and function normally. No, this doesn't work for me.

There were far too many loose ends. Yes, it was a decent movie. On first glance, it's brilliant, but the second that you actually think about things (such as the fact that Batman threw the mafia boss off a third story balcony, breaking/shattering his legs, and then the guy was walking around the very next day). It's overrated. It's good, but it's overrated.

I'm not much in the form of caring if I get flamed for this review, but this is my honest opinion. It's good, it really is, but it's not a 'Masterpiece'. It's a movie... but it's not the best movie. It didn't entertain me father than the first half, and that means that it failed where a movie is supposed to succeed: entertaining.

Happily N'Ever After (2006)

Story... Here Story!

[1/10 · 6 January 2007]

Well, I saw this in the theatre at the late night showing, when all the other theatres had about thirty to forty people in their grasps, and I thought it was a pretty pitiful sight that my mate and I were the only ones to enter into its depths. Upon the beginning of the story, it opens with what has to be the most cliché, and completely useless entry-point I've ever seen in my entire life. Unfortunately, the movie only dropped from there. The Narration was boring and the characters were useless. There were no facial expressions within the narration and I've seen better plots in movies written twenty years ago based on evil tomatoes.

The cast on this movie is amazing, but none of their talent, the stuff that makes them their own, was used at all. The main characters, with the exception of Rick the Dishwasher, have only ten lines within the entire movie, and the clothes that all of them wear aren't what would normally befit a child's movie (The Stepmother's Dress). The animation was close to terrible, having skipped and jumped at odd times in the film, as though the character was just magically from one spot to another. If you 'must' go see this movie, the only character I suggest watching is the Prince, as he's the only one with even a little bit of said 'character'. What could have been a great film, with an awesome plot line, became a pathetic excuse for a flop.

In my humble opinion: Don't Bother.

Invader ZIM (2001–2006)

Sometimes Dark Chocolate is Best

[10/10 · 21 December 2006]

The first time I ever watched this show, I was literally forced, as I was under the delusion that this was some twisted, terrible form of anime. Fortunately for me, I was shocked and amazed with the fact that it was completely original to the styles that have been 'gracing' the television industry since I started watching it. Either being taken over by anime or such terrible things as puppets and terribly CGI'd creatures running around, this was a breath of fresh air.

However, I, like many people who have watched this show and found it to be both immensely dark and amusing, as well as disturbing. I found it a bit difficult to watch at first (especially seeing as how the first episode I watched as "Dark Harvest"), but I soon figured out the humor in it all, as well as the ideas behind it. This television show is a brutal mauling of many different children's shows currently on air, a satire that most children wouldn't have recognized. My niece (2) and nephew (7) are both in love with this television show, whenever they come over, they ask me to play it, which leads me to believe that it can't be too terrible for children.

Like most things in the world, Zim is either an acquired taste, or love at first site. I don't particularly like some shows out there because they are too cheerful and/or stupid, such as Spongebob Squarepants, and for mirrored reason, Zim has a tendency not to be liked by those that would rather watch Rugrats or such. The innocence of most Nik-toons is lost on this television show, replaced by the insanity that the people, and children, who are fans of the darker, more insane parts of life would probably enjoy.