liam-quane Reviews

My Hero Academia: Specter (2024) Season 7, Episode 2

That's why this series is The GOAT

[10/10 · 28 May 2024]

If younger people want to know what it was like to watch Naruto Shippuden when it was airing, this is it.

Only My Hero Academia has managed to surpass it on its own, learning from the lessons Naruto's creator imparted based on his own regrets.

No other show could have brought in American characters and not had them stand out apart from the story like a sore thumb in the worst way. But My Hero Academia beats the odds by taking these characters and enveloping them in the show by force. America has done a lot of bad things to Japan, and the consequences of those actions are shown in this episode, but what makes this stand out is the lack of malice.

The episode opens with the characters breaking political. Individualism into nothing. That in itself does more than almost every other show does. Like Naruto, MHA shrinks the board and asks the audience to take note of their place on it while also ageing the characters in a subtle way, both visually and behaviorally.

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead: Akira of the Dead (2023) Season 1, Episode 1

Beat single-episodd pilot in half a decade.

[10/10 · 28 July 2023]

Zom 100 is like of Mirror's Edge and Dead Island 2 had an anime baby. And the pilot is absolutely perfect. From the incredible animation, to the vibrant soundtrack, to the spectacular voice acting to the hilariously poignant writing, Zom 100 really delivers in every sense of the word. Every individual who worked on this show deserves paid vacations and a raise because they are really bringing it with this show. It has the feeling of a bigger budget animated movie than a single show and that says so much about the effort that has gone into this anime. Please, if you have the time or the money please just watch this Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead.

My Hero Academia: Deku vs. Class A (2023) Season 6, Episode 23

There should be an international holiday celebrating this show

[10/10 · 27 March 2023]

If you've seen the episode then you don't need this review.

But if you haven't. Watch My Hero Academia. If you have more episodes to watch before this one then watch them first.

Thanks to the genius writing, the spectacular direction, the invigorating soundtrack, unique character design, the emotional acting and every other incredible aspect of filmmaking My Hero Academia has successfully taken its places as both the peak of animated storytelling and the peak of superhero fiction.

So please, please, please READ IT! WATCH IT! IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT FORMAT IT IS IN, JUST GET MY HERO ACADEMIA INTO YOUR BRAINBALLS!

Jumpers for Goalposts (2022)

A Sweet Short Film

[10/10 · 23 March 2023]

Jumpers for Goalposts is a heartfelt and down-to-Earth short film written and directed by Thomas Elliot Griffiths. The slice-of-life story follows estranged father, Chris (Michael Newstead) and his son, Danny (Luca Donnelly) as they work to come to terms with the dramatic life changes that have found them. The film exhibits a strong sense of control in front and behind the camera as Griffiths' solid directorial eye keeps the focus on the emotional core of the story. The father and son work well together. Their performances are sensitive and understated which serves the grounded material perfectly. Coming in at 15 minutes in length, the film is longer than the average short, but smart editing choices keep the film flowing at a speedy pace and left me satisfied with the time spent in this well-crafted piece.

Catchers (2022 Podcast Series)

Loved every second

[10/10 · 20 March 2023]

I've listened to a number of audio-only stories and every time I have I have been able to get fully immersed in them for too long. Now that I've listened to Catchers, I can say that this record has been shattered and I finished the whole thing in one sitting. Catchers is an intergenerational horror tale that delivers on both scares and shocks all carried by terrific writing, Ben Rock's impressive direction and the presence of the stellar cast each member of which giving an impactful performance. It can be called a mash up of Cloverfield, Stephen King's The Mist and Alan Wake.

The story follows Blair, a trainee "Dog Catcher" who spends her first night on the job after they take refuge in a secluded farm house to help an unfortunate family fend off a pack of unrecognisable creatures as they try and force their way into the family's home. The series pushes the listening experience up to another level with its incredible diegetic sound design. The story takes place in a number of locations and the world itself plays a role in the storytelling as much as the dialogue with the each new location being met with a change in atmospheric sound effect that elevate the story from an audiobook narration into a fully realised world. As this is a podcast, there quite a number of episodes with 8 episodes making up the total, especially for someone with the attention span of a wind-chime caught in a hurricane like me but thanks to the strong character dynamics and the fantastic pace the show never dips for a second.

As this is an audible exclusive it shouldn't come as a surprise that it is mixed to the highest quality possible and is well worth the price of admission to horror fans and SFF fans alike. It feels like a classic "creature of the week" story pulled into the modern day with its layers of social commentary that highlights the issues that come with corporate deregulation, the dangers of messing with nature and the new trend of political individualism that encourages people to harbour a deep-seated distrust of those outside of their own political and collective folds. Catchers is an engaging horror mystery with feisty characters, biting social commentary and is a welcome addition to a this updated format of audio storytelling.

My Hero Academia: Hellish Hell (2023) Season 6, Episode 14

Once again My Hero Academia shows you why it's the best.

[10/10 · 14 January 2023]

As the headline implies , we are living through a golden age of anime. My Hero Academia showcases levels of maturity and honesty that allows it to surpass its peers as a shining beacon of storytelling. Conflict does not come without consequences as much as modern media franchises like to show, heroes and their fans need to be dragged back down to earth and this is an incredible example of a responsible show doing exactly that with grace and skill. The characters we have come to know and love have themselves grown to an amazing degree in almost-real time, and this episode only goes to showcase just how beneficial such character work is to a story. 10/10.

My Hero Academia: The Unforgiven (2021) Season 5, Episode 18

Still Got It!

[10/10 · 16 August 2021]

After 110 episodes My Hero is still a storytelling phenom! Emotional and visceral action with consequences laid bare for all to witness. A masterpiece of programming in every way.

My Hero Academia: Let it Flow! School Festival! (2020) Season 4, Episode 23

What art is all about.

[10/10 · 17 May 2020]

This episode was an absolute joy-filled thrill, so much work clearly went into making it a place of respite for every viewer to find solace in. Shown for the first time in the west during a time of global stress. Not only did the students of UA need this festival, the world did too. Oh and the song Hero Too slaps so hard that every new born baby on Earth started crying. :~D

Skyline (2010)

A complete successful independence

[10/10 · 26 November 2010]

Absolutely amazing film with just a $10.500.000 budget from the directors themselves. It shows what people can do if they just put their minds and passion to it. The effects were mind blowing, the acting was good and story: shocking and fresh, this is a film that shouldn't be questioned by anyone who felt no adventure or fantasy of this sci-fi thriller.

The Strauss brothers are clearly a dedicated, talented and close team whose filmmaking skills hung in the balance with this film. However I can safely say whom ever did not enjoy any part of this film clearly has no imagination and has no belief in storytelling.

***** A complete recommendation

L.Q