hokanu127 Reviews

Boston Legal (2004–2008)

Why this show was ready to be canceled...

[4/10 · 1 December 2009]

I was a huge fan of this show when it started. All the way through the first two seasons the show was funny yet balanced. The character relationships were fun and compelling.

Unfortunately, character relationships began to take a back seat in the third season and instead the focus became more and more about political diatribes from week to week. The cases and their long monologues laced with poorly written and thinly veiled political attacks began to fill the episodes.

As a registered democrat I must say I was insulted week to week to see badly contrived reasons for giving Alan or Shirley an anti-Bush speech to cap off each episode. Everything became an excuse to go after Republicans. And of course Kelley and company willfully ignore the past failings of our own democrat leaders when it suits them. The closed-minded nature of the writing rarely presented an opposing viewpoint other than Denny, who was of course given the simplest or most bigoted possible reason for his views and then written off as being a buffoon. Brad was only slightly better, but even he was portrayed as a military-minded meat head. There was not a single reasonable conservative on the show. As a Democrat it made me feel dirty, I can't imagine how insulting it was to Conservatives or Libertarians.

The culmination of this appears in the 5th season episode "Mad Cows" in which the episode first turns Jerry's partnership review into a really badly disguised commentary on the need for diversity in the election (i.e. vote for Obama because he's black). Then it goes on to suggest that if you don't agree with a Democrat you are unsuitable to be friends with one (as demonstrated in Denny and Alan's fight). Only after Denny changes his mind and votes for Obama does Alan really re embrace him. The episode ends as we watch a slew of lawyers who we know are democrats go to the polls. It's nothing short of hack writing and it is degrading to the viewer.

The previous episodes have similar characteristics. Whether its showing some kid bravely stand up to vote for Obama and have his voice heard, or Alan suing the government because they did something he didn't like. It's all so self-righteous it becomes painful. I could no longer watch this show anymore. If you are going to show me a clearly biased viewpoint at least do me the courtesy of hiding it in good storytelling rather than insult my intelligence and make me feel cheap.

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

A Brilliant Achievement - The End of a Saga

[10/10 · 19 May 2005]

I cannot begin to express the sheer joy I had watching Revenge of the Sith. This film soars as an achievement in storytelling and as a bridge to the original Star Wars trilogy. As the opening scene blazed onto the screen I was riveted.

This film unlike both previous prequels does not suffer from the fatal flaw of bad pacing. The story is very good and told in a way that flows very well. The acting is good overall. Hayden Christensen is actually good to watch and his gradual transformation into Lord Vader is in my opinion entirely believable. The only flaw in that regard was the scene where he finally submits to Palpatine. The final moment where Anakin turns is underplayed and needed some work. But when Skywalker enters the Jedi Temple and wipes out the Jedi, it is sheer brilliance. Especially the scene where he prepares to kill the young padawan children. The true failure acting-wise is Natale Portman.I never felt she was particularly strong in the films, but in this one she simply does not do well. Her acting is either very underplayed or very overplayed. As she watches her husband fall to the dark side her reactions are not believable. The rest of the cast though is excellent, especially Ian McDiarmid who plays the Emperor in all his glory. Every scene with him in it is wonderful. The special effects were very good and all of them sold me for believability. Yoda was amazing. Overall the film worked on every level and was on par with the original trilogy as a part of the Saga.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

Interesting visuals that fail to make up for poor Storytelling.

[7/10 · 5 June 2004]

First off the VISUAL STYLE of this film was very artistic and dark. It went in a new direction that tossed aside the established world of wonder that Chris Columbus set us up with in the first two films. In some ways this is good, in others distracting and uncomfortable.

Visual effects aside THE STORY exposition presents many problems for this film. What we have come to see is the story of these teenagers and their conflicts, climaxes and resolutions. In this film their is little of that.

While Cuaran says that he wants to emphasize the feels of conflict inside these teenagers, he manages to gloss over it. From the onset of the film we begin with quick forced plot points given as fast as possible with no time to breathe. Sometimes its a good idea to stop and let the audience feel what is happening inside these people. That said, there was not enough exposition to cover the story. Cuaran touches on things and lets them die without embellishing on them at all. Columbus never let that happen. In this film we simply find no follow through. The film needed to be longer.

SPOILERS We start at the Dursleys and without any preamble we are introduced to Aunt Marge. We know nothing of the relationship between her and Harry and we know nothing about why he despises her. After he gets angry and blows her up, he flees into the night. Here we have no sense of why he is worried about what he has done. He wanders out and is taken by Knightbus to The Leaky Cauldron during this time he learns of Sirius Black. Good moments of time spent on Diagon Ally are tossed out, and after this it is off to Hogwarts. On the train we are introduced to the dementors and Professor Lupin, played by Thewlis who has a certain warmth to him that you attach to.

At Hogwarts we see Dumbledore again, this time of course played by Michael Gambon. Gambon has a certain batty and stern but humorous sense about him, but very much lacks any of the wistfulness that Harris brought to the part. Throughout the next forty or so minutes. The Hogwarts year passes by completely. This is far to short too cover all that needs to be covered before Harry meets Sirius at the end.

We are briefly introduced to Lupin's teaching methods and Harry's fear of the Dementors. The subject of Harry's parents and their connection to Lupin, Sirius and Pettigrew is barely touched. Harry's desire to go to Hogsmead is not well supported, as his permission slip requirements are not truly discussed in the beginning of the film. Harry plays Quidditch only once and falls off his broom which is destroyed. He gets the Marauder's Map from Fred and George. The map is well done but is hardly seen. He goes into town and McGonagall conveniently divulges the facts on Sirius and his relation to the Potters. This whole scene is forced and way too quick to really let it sink in.

There are several scenes where Lupin and Harry are for some reason walking though the grounds and Harry expresses his need to learn the Patronus Charm. After one session however he has it down. He also sees Pettigrew on the map well ahead of the scene in the Shak and it makes the ending less interesting. Hagrid only has one class that we see, the Buckbeak scene. After this Buckbeak is sentenced. At no time do we really see Hagrid distraught like we have in the past. So you never truly care for the Hippogriff. Twelawny's class is only seen twice and each time not much is revealed. She never makes the predictions she should that set her up as a mystic and later a fraud. As we leave Buckbeak's supposed execution Sirius in dog form drags Ron and his rat off under the Williow. Here comes a quick anti-climactic scene where Sirius reveals himself and Lupin comes in to stop him, realizes who he is and embraces him. Of course at no point did they establish the friendship of Lupin and Black. Then Snape pops in for no apparent reason and tries to stop the lot of them. They stop snape reveal the rat and Harry decides spare him. Lupin is then transformed into a werewolf. Sirius shouts to ask if he has taken his potion. Of course we know nothing about any potion because this part between Snape and Lupin, which would also serve to explain why Snape was there, is completely left out. Pettigrew then gets away, Sirius chase Lupin off and Harry follows.

There is a scene which is the dementors flocking down on Harry and Sirius, and then Harry thinks his father sends a Patronus charm to aid them. He awakes in the castle and Dumbledore indicates that Hermione must use a Timeturner to help them aid Buckbeak and Sirius, which they then do. At the end of the film Harry speaks briefly to Lupin, where instead of providing any explanation as to the map, or Pettigrew, he says he is proud of Harry and must leave the school. Then Harry goes down and receives his Firebolt. This is the same one that plays an important point in the book. However, Cuaran left out all of Christmas at Hogwarts and the Firebolt and its importance. Instead it is used to end the film with Harry flying into the air and a freeze frame of his smiling face fading to black.

I hate to rant on a film, but this lacked any sense of a climax. In parts there was little to indicate true conflict or resolution and no explanation of key elements of the story. The directing loses its vision early on. It is funny yes, but a series of Ron's jokes and Hermione's right hooks don't make up for a serious breach of storytelling. My overall score is 4/10.

Bicentennial Man (1999)

A good well-paced touching movie

[10/10 · 13 February 2004]

This movie surprised me. Having been a fan of Issac Asimov for many years I thought that this adaptation with Chris Columbus at the helm would be terrible. I was wrong. Some may complain that this movie is too long and slow, but I would wager that their attention spans are somewhat lacking. If you are looking for a high action movie with robots then you have come to the wrong place. If you are looking for a sci-fi based romantic comedy about the personal growth of one man...er robot, then this is the movie. The comedy was well written and well played, appropriately placed in each moment. AS for the character of Andrew(Robin Williams), though he is supposed to be a robot you really connect with his character and sense his growth over time. Unlike A.I. his character learns and grows and has real not fabricated emotional attachments. I give this movie an 8 or 9. Very good.

The Other Side of Heaven (2001)

Another attempt by Mormons to Proselytize, this time with help from Disney.

[1/10 · 1 September 2003]

Unfortunately, it seems that our friends from the LDS church are using the Corporate Giant Disney to try to proselytize upon others. This is their latest attempt to appeal to real Christianity by portraying their field missionaries as here to help, rather than bent on world conversion. (And I might add that they are not real Christians, compare the tenants) This film was steeped in touchy moments that act to enforce the mormon-fed ideal that they are all perfect people that lead perfect lives and are in the perfect faith. Propaganda is written all over this one. There are a few laughs and many moments that LDS members should find enchanting however the film held little in the sense of real substance. The fact that it will inevitably lead people to take interest in the mormon church is disturbing, considering the lack of enthusiasm presented by Disney towards the actual Christian faith. If you are LDS have at this movie, otherwise seriously consider yourself before being taken in by a propoganda film such as this.

The Music Man (2003 TV Movie)

Very Well Done

[16 February 2003]

This was a very well done movie version of the hit musical. Though it was different from the '62 Robert Preston version it still had it's own personal charm. Matthew Broderick was convincing as Prof. Hill and Kristin Chenoweth was a lovely Marian. The Music was superb and the acting fun and enjoyable. The set looked actually realistic, which is an improvement from most Disney headed Musicals and the costumes and people were all pretty convincing. The dancing was fun but not overdone. The only problem I had is that I felt the music could have been more exciting and entrancing like the Preston Version. This one was a little more low key in terms of the Music experience. Overall I'd give it a 8/10.

Spider-Man (2002)

Very well done, superb.

[3 June 2002]

This movie was very well done, as to be expected from a director like Sam Raimi. The plot of the film stuck fairly well to the established Spiderman story, while adding in a few necessary and worthwhile details. Most notably the engrained web-slinger. The self-discovery made by Parker to introduce the slinger was certainly worth the change from the original story. The casting for this film was overall excellent. Each actor did a superb job of portraying his/her character and came off genuinely believable. The Goblin character was truly wonderful. Dafoe does a beautiful job of separating Osborn from the Goblin, and then bringing it all together in the end. Of course Maguire is a perfect Parker, combining the physicality of the role with the emotional aspect necessary for the inside of Peter's life. The special effects were very well integrated, taking the approach of enhancing the film not saving it. There were points when you couldn't tell where the real world stopped and the computers began. One of the greatest parts of the film was the sound-track. Once again, Elfman delivers a perfectly suited superhero theme to tie the film together. The symphonic overtones combined with the choral background give a felling not dissimilar to that of Batman, yet are in a league of their own. They really shape the felling of the film and give it an edge from the very start of the opening titles. Overall I would give this film an eight out of ten, very well done.