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enrico_okami
Reviews
One Piece (2023)
Wish I could erase my One Piece memories for this live action
I'm a big fan of the One Piece anime. Still following it because it's amazing and it isn't finished yet.
When the news was released about this live action I was worried. When I saw the trailer it felt like my worries were getting confirmed although the production quality seemed good.
I'm now 4 episodes in, and I have some mixed feelings about the show. The good news is that the further I watched it, the more I'm enjoying it. Yet I was surprised by the overly good reception of it, since there were a few things bothering me.
Although it isn't as bad as other live actions I still found the acting lacking and dull at times. But it seems to be improving in later episodes. Some characters move and nod their head too much while talking, which for me is a sign of bad acting skills. Up till now I thought Buggy has been represented best.
Another thing which was bothering me is the quality of costumes. A lot of it looks like cheap versions of what it should be. And everything looks too clean, even the sets. For example I expect a bit of dirt on the clothes or colors to have faded to make it look more realistic / movie like.
All in all it feels like they spend a lot of production value in one area, but saved it in other places. CGI is good, but the action and animation needs to be more snappy and elevated to the level of 2023. I always said Pirates of the Caribbean is what live action One Piece should've been. I actually thought they stole the idea from One Piece.
Noticing all these things I help but wonder how people that don't know anything about One Piece could enjoy this show. But I remember the first time I saw the anime, it wasn't the flashy action I now get to see that got me hooked, but rather the feel of an open world and sense of adventure that kept me craving for more. I'm not able to sense it anymore since I know the story too well, but I hope all the people new to the world of One Piece will.
The First Slam Dunk (2022)
Please continue Inoue
This is a message to the creator of Slam Dunk and director of this movie (they happen to be one and the same).
Please let there be a second Slam Dunk. There can even be a third, fourth and fifth. I see so much potential in stories and events that haven't been told yet.
In my younger days I have binged a lot of anime. I've seen a lot, but Slam Dunk is my number 1 for all the right reasons. The drama, comedy and action is amazing even if you don't like sports. It was the series that inspired a nation. Often I wished the series could be recreated with better animation and graphics. This movie shows how great that could be, but I'm glad this movie tells part of the story that could have only been read from the manga as the anime series stops where the manga doesn't.
It was the only manga I ever read since I loved the series so much that I wanted to see more of it. The team of Shohoku is the fictional high school version of Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls. This movie has saved the last dance for a very long time. But in my opinion it doesn't need to stop here. There is room to extend this to a series of movies that can even go beyond what has been given in the manga.
Takehiko Inoue, you have given us so much already. It would be selfish to ask for more, but it could keep the spirit of Slam Dunk alive for many more generations. If I was allowed, I would love to help with storylines and ideas :)
Sankuchuari -seiiki- (2023)
I've seen sumo in Tokyo.
I've been to Tokyo and have seen sumo wrestling twice. Of course the show is dramatized and it's showing us an angle from someone that doesn't want to follow nor is interested in the etiquette that comes with sumo wrestling, thus giving people unfamiliar with the sport and culture more insight.
I loved the acting and the fights looked very real, like I've witnessed in Japan. There were some moments I could say: "Hey I've seen that!" which is always fun, but I love how I'm now able to see what happens in the training camps and close to the ring. The first season covers the start of a career in sumo, with some emotionally heavy themes. This show needs a second season, I'm hooked.
Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Looks too much like a game
Saw the movie in 3d high frame rate. As the first avatar the 3D is very well done. But I'm definitely not a fan of the high frame rate. I knew this beforehand but still gave it a shot since I wanted to experience the movie how the director intended to show it.
The high frame rate makes the scenes look like a game and a lot less like a movie. Also some camera movements feel too gamy. Usually the wide shots with a quick zoom-in do that. Not a fan of it.
Not all the scenes are in high frame rate. I definitely liked those better. Unfortunately you can also notice the difference between HFR and non-HFR in the grading (colors) of the movie. The HFR scenes seem like showing too much contrast.
Other then disliking the HFR I think it was a great movie. Specially if you appreciate the visually stunning world that has been created. The movie became more pleasant the moment the water world was introduced. It also pulled away my attention from the game like feeling a bit. I also liked the story although a bit thin. It's more about the experience and about family. I wish James Cameron would remove the gamy feeling of the movie for the upcoming sequels because I'm definitely still a fan of Avatar!
West Side Story (2021)
I can't believe it
I haven't seen the original movie, but I do recognize some of the songs as they were partially reason why the original was such a success.
I don't like musicals so the movie started great for being a musical, until they gradually started singing more. The more they sang the worse it got. Cinematography wise the movie is great and has a lot of production quality we can expect from Spielberg.
But even me not seeing the original suspects this is just a shameful copy/remake in Spielberg 4k quality. To be honest I wish there were new songs and less theatrics.
Half way in the movie I'm still thinking this is a good movie for a musical. But you lost me when you want me to believe she went to bed with someone who she just met right after learning he killed her brother!
I love your work Spielberg, but I think you were thinking too much about the $ with this one. That's putting it nicely, because I think you were high on meth to be honest. Still love you Spielberg. You made Jurassic Park, so I can't hate.
Sing (2016)
The gorillas gave me a lump in my throat
This movie is great family fun. I didn't think much of it at first, but I've seen this movie now more then once. First time not as an experienced father and the the second time as a more experience father that has a son of 7+ years old. There was a moment I almost burst in tears.
Can't wait to see Sing 2 now.
Mr. Robot (2015)
Life changing
When I started watching this series it immediately connected with me. Many years ago I've written some notes to someday write about vengeance on the top 1% of the top 1%. It's a really cool idea for a series.
There has gone much attention to the hackings and technical details which is really appreciated by a technical person like me.
One day I hope to write a book entertainingly containing the life lessons I've learned by experience to pass along to my children and their children. Something they can look back to and learn from, start from and evolve from.
I hope the creator of this series also had such premise and saw this as his life work. From reading other reviews it seems to have impacted and touched many lives.
Mr. Robot contains many details which resonate with my own ideas and thoughts. I like how it goes into the topics of social awkwardness, self identity and the meaning of happiness. It's the combination of great storytelling, philosophy and filmography put together into a grandiose work of art.
I can write a lot more about the many details I appreciate, but you have to experience this for yourself. I can't help but feel excited and amazed that someone was able to create this.
Joker (2019)
Loving this movie means understanding life
Every once in a while a movie comes along that takes away all of your creative ambitions as it has been put together so perfect, so smart, visually outstanding and performed excellently that you feel there is no point creating anything else. It can't be topped.
This movie is a piece of art. To appreciate this movie to that extend you'll need to have an experienced soul that understands human emotion beyond any grey area.
It's awesome how the creators play with this knowledge. Even when you think something is off it will make sense at some point.
This movie makes the Joker origin story absolutely believable for me. I love how it plays and how well it blends with some of the original Batman storylines.
There is much more to appreciate, but I wont say anything else.
The Last Dance (2020)
These men can die in peace
Of course I don't want these legends to leave this world yet as I hope that I can shake the hands of these living legends some day. Even though I realize that may never happen xD These men have written something in history that is so extraordinary, cool and awesome that I can only say we are fortunate that they are still amongst us to tell their story... :'(
At the time the Bulls started their last dance I was still an ignorant kid that loved to play basketbal outside with his friends almost every day in the city of Amsterdam. The legend of Jordan and the Bulls definitely reached my city, but I never got to follow the league and their fight.
Later in life I got to see some highlights, read some of their personal stories and be amazed. But this series "The Last Dance" is something else!
I'm only 4 episodes in and hope the rest will be as good. I'm so amazed by the cinematic footage they were able to capture back then. And the way they tell their story brings you so close to their greatness and personal battles as one can wish.
There are too many words I need to write down to explain how great and inspiring Michael Jordan and his team is which is something I should leave out of this review. But I feel that this documentary captures exactly that!
A human being can aspire to be great. A man that is great can fight to become the best. But even the best men have to hope they can leave behind something legendary. Through willpower, motivation, rivalry, inspiration, passion and very hard work Michael Jordan and the Bulls did just that. They can feel content with what they achieved in history! Now that this documentary tells their story so well, their legacy is well preserved for generations to come. These men can die in peace.
Jurassic Park (1993)
If you're obsessed with this movie, we could be friends
As you can expect from Steven Spielberg, he's in it for the magic. Movie magic! With dino's!
This movie has made a deep impact on my childhood and is probably the only reason why I was obsessed with dino's. I even bought the T-Rex toy from the movie and still got it as one of my prized possessions.
This movies has been on repeat once I owned the VHS and it's a movie you'll keep watching for the rest of your life... In more healthy frequency :)
Jurassic park is iconic for my generation and generations to come on a level that whenever I meet a JP enthusiast I feel like we instantly resonate on a deep level.
Alhambeura Goongjeonui Chooeok (2018)
Fun, but no need for a second season
This is a series where they show you something amazing and explain its mystery little by little.
It's about a super realistic Augmented Reality game. It's fun, but there is a problem.
I'm a technical person myself and I understand they want to keep it mysterious and interesting, but throughout the series I was continually making comments like: A programmer wouldn't do this, this isn't correct, why don't you check the servers, debug your program, ...
But the worst part is that the series often violates the logic they created themselves. The first season ended with an open ending leaving many questions unanswered. I wouldn't want to go through a whole second season just to see the unanswered questions answered, since I feel they messed up the "mystery logic" too much.
I would want to see a satisfying ending in the form of a movie tho.