TV Review: Power Rangers.

Release date: August 28th 1993 - present.

Story: When ever there is a major threat to Earth, a mysterious being/guardian recruits five teenagers with attitude in order to create a superhero team called the Power Rangers and save the world.

My thoughts: This is a really good show. It was a major hit when it first aired and it is still being shown to this very day. The show is an America version of a Japanese show called Super Sentai (with American actors replacing the Japanese actors). The show has been parodied a lot and is widely phrased. The show basically has the same plot. An evil being (either aliens, mutants, demons, or science gone wrong) has arrived on Earth and wants to take it over, a mysterious mentor (either an alien, a mystic being, or a human) recruits five teenagers, they become Power Rangers, they then fight a monster that the villain has created, they defeat the monster but it comes back to life and grows into a giant, the Power Rangers summon five giant robots named zords (which they pilot), the zords then combine into one large robot called a Megazord, it then fights the monster again and finally kills it, the villain is like "I'll get you next time!", and the heros celebrate. The show can be cheesy and sometimes odd, but it is enjoyable for all ages. I would recommend it for fans and non fans alike.

For further information check out Linkara's (of Atop the 4th wall fame) History of Power Rangers series on Youtube.

My score: Four stars.

TV Review: Stephen Fry in America

Release date: October 12th - November 16th 2008 (One series. Six episodes).

Story: Comedian, actor, and television host Stephen Fry travels through all fifty states of the U.S.A in a London taxi cab. Meeting loads of people, checking out major attractions, visiting cities, learning about the country's history, and having fun along the way.

My thoughts: This is arguably one of the greatest documentaries about America. Stephen Fry is always fun to watch and this is one of the reasons why I want to visit America. It was thanks to this show that Fry landed the job of hosting QI which aired the next month.

My score: Five stars.

Film Review: Duel

Release date: November 13th 1971.

Story: A middle aged traveling salesman is traveling through the Mojave desert when he encounters a large deasil tanker truck. He then passes it and continues on his way but then it begins to follow him. And it soon turns out that the driver of the truck is a psychopath and begins chasing the salesman with the intention of killing him.

My thoughts: This movie was the first feature length film that Steven Spielberg directed. I have mixed feelings about this film. On one hand I like the fact that you never see the driver of the truck (apart from his arms, shoes, and sometimes a silhouette) and that there is a real threat from a psycho driver that will not leave you alone. But on the other hand I find that this is slow at places. The climax is great when the salesman has finally had enough of the truck and (after a chase) lures it up a hill and causes it to drive off a cliff. It makes you feel like the truck driver deserves it. If you are a fan of driving and thriller films then I recommend this.

My score: Three stars.

Film Review: First Blood (Rambo)

Release date: October 22nd 1982.

Story: Sylvester Stallone stars as John Rambo. A Vietnam war veteran who arrives on foot at the town of Hope in the state of Washington. He is then picked up the town's sheriff and (after ignoring the sheriff's warnings to leave town) he is wrongfully arrested for being a drifter. When Rambo arrives at the police station, he is treated badly by the other police officers. This then causes him to have flash backs when he was in the Vietnam War and when he was being beaten up and tortured as a POW. He then over powers the police officers and gets away into the nearby forest with the policemen in pursuit. This then leads into a one man war as the police officers begin a man hunt for Rambo. And that Rambo is a highly trained killing machine that knows how to survive and to fight.

My thoughts: This is a classic action film. It had mixed reviews when it was first released yet I find it entertaining. Rambo is a cool character and you can understand his actions in the film. The policemen where completely out of character (including one who was hitting Rambo with his truncheon and later on was shooting at Rambo from a helicopter). Richard Crenna also makes a great performance as Colonel Sam Trautman who had trained Rambo and was also helping in trying to reasoning with him. And also getting angry at the sheriff for starting this whole thing in the first place. If you are a fan of action films then I would recommend this.

My score: Four stars.

Film Review: Grizzly

Release date: May 16th 1976.

Story: A American national park is getting ready for the annual tourist season. But things turn bad when a killer bear starts roaming the area.

My thoughts: This is basically a killer animal on the loose movie made after the success of Jaws. The bear in question was around eleven feet tall but in the movie (although the movie says that it was fifteen feet tall. And the poster states that it was eighteen feet tall). And that when filming it, the crew were behind a small green string with a ticking timer nearby (this was to make the bear believe that it was an electric wire. The bear had previously been living behind a electric fence before being rented for the filming). There was going to be a sequel but only a few scenes were filmed (including a scene were the bear rampages through a rock concert) until it was abandoned. This is a great movie and if you are a fan of Jaws, then I would give this a watch.

My score: Five stars.

Film Review: Arachnophobia

Release date: July 18th 1990.

Story: A deadly tarantula has smuggled itself inside a crate in South American and travels to a small town in the USA. Where it makes its home in a barn, seeks out a mate, and spawns hundreds of hybrid spiders that are let loose on the town. It is up to the town's new doctor, some scientists, and a bug exterminator to save the day. Will they be able to do it in time? Watch the movie and find out.

My thoughts: The idea that a swam of spiders invading your home is frightening itself. But the fact that these spiders are a hybrid of a common house spider and a South American tarantula is even more scary. The main protagonist is a doctor who moves to the town to become its new doctor. Only to learn that the old doctor is refusing to retire. And when the deaths start happening, the townsfolk begin blaming the new doctor. Which is the only part of the film that I didn't like. Still it is a good movie and suitable for anyone who is a fan of horror/comedy movies.

My score: Three stars.

Film Review: My Bloody Valentine

Release date: February 11th 1981 (US release). February 13th 1981 (Canadian release)

Story: The inhabitants of a small mining town are getting ready for Valentine's day. But are warned not to as many years ago a derange miner went on a killing spree due to the fact that several supervisors had attended the celebrations and were not around to prevent a major gas explosion which trapped several miners. But the people ignore the warnings and proceed with the celebrations. But they should have listened because the derange miner has returned from the dead and is resume the killings.

My thoughts: This movie is great. The effects are great and the design of the killer is unique. There is a remake of this that was released in 2009 but it isn't as good as the original. If you are a fan of slasher killer movies then give this a watch. But I would recommend the uncut special edition DVD and Blue Ray as they restored many scenes that were cut from the original release. I sadly got the heavily edited version.

My score: Four stars.   

Film Review: The Prowler (a.k.a Rosemary's Killer).

Release date: October 9th 1981.

Story: During the second world war, a woman named Rosemary Chatham writes a dear John letter to her boyfriend serving in the US army. Breaking up with him because he is away too long. So the boyfriend ends up going crazy and (after returning from service in 1945) seeks out his ex at a Graduation ceremony. And kills her and her new boyfriend with a pitchfork. Many years later the same school is getting ready for a Graduation ceremony (the first in many years). But soon things turn nasty when the same killer returns from the grave and starts killing people.

My thoughts: This movie was released when slasher killer movies were popular. This movie is cool but it does drag on. And when at the end when we find out who the killer is, there isn't really any answer to how the person is connected to the killer and why he has continuing the killings (unless I had missed it). On the other hand the effects are cool and the killer's design is impressive.

My score: Four stars.

Anime Review: Black Butler

Release date: October 3rd 2006 -November 15th 2014 (Japanese release). January 11th 2011 - November 15th 2014 (English dub release. I may be wrong). Three seasons, nine OVA's, and two movies (one animated and the other live action).

Story: Thirteen year old Ceil Phantomhive leads a aristocratic life as the head of the Phantomhive household in Victorian era England. He is known as the Queen's guard dog and is asked to help solve various crimes all throughout the country. And he is never without his trusty butler Sebastian Michaelis. But what everybody doesn't know is that Sebastian is in fact a demon in human form who was summoned by Ceil in order to help him with his own business. Which is to hunt down and get revenge on those who have killed his parents and nearly killed him. And when it is over, Ceil's soul is Sebastian's as part of their agreement.

My thoughts: This is a great anime. The first season was good, the second season was bad, and the third season was again good. The characters have their ups and downs. Ceil acts like a spoiled little brat and the other employers at the Phantomhive household are walking disaster zones. But they do help out at times. There are times when the show gets dark (season two especially) but the comedy manages to balances it. If you are an anime fan then I would recommend checking this out.

My score: Four stars.

Film Review: The Poseidon Adventure (2005).

Release date: 2005 (TV movie).

Story: A two episode tv remake of the Poseidon Adventure.

My thoughts: This tv movie came out just a year before the 2006 version. But this time the ship doesn't get capsized by a rogue wave but by a terrorist bomb. Everything else is basically the same really.

My score: Three stars.

Film Review: Poseidon

Release date: May 6th 2006 (Tribeca film festival release). May 12th 2006 (US release).

Story: A modern remake of the Poseidon Adventure. A cruise ship is capsized by a giant tidal wave and a handful of survivors have to make their way upwards to the bottom of the ship in order to escape.

My thoughts: This is a good remake. It basically does the same things like the original but changes some things. Like in the original we just see the people in the ballroom as the ship capsizes. But in this we see how everywhere on ship is effected. It is a basic remake and if you like remakes then check it out.

My score: Three stars.

Film Review: Troll Hunter

Release date: October 29th 2010 (original release). June 10th 2011 (US release)

Story: A group of Norwegian students decide to make a documentary about a suspected bear poacher named Hans. But they soon discover that the things that Hans is hunting are not bears but something else...

My thoughts: This is one of the few great found footage movies out there. The characters are standard and the effects are good. The way the trolls look and act are amazing. And that the idea of there being a secret organisation in Norway that contains trolls so that they won't wonder outside their inhabited areas is interesting. Many of the old legends about trolls are present in the film as well. That they turn to stone (or explode) if they encounter sunlight, that they can smell the blood of a Christian, and that some live under bridges (as in one case where Hans tries to lure one out by placing three goats on the bridge). This movie is really good and I hope to see sequels or a remake of this in the future. I highly recommend this movie in either its original language or in the English dub.

My score: Five stars.

Film Review: The hunt for Red October

Release date: March 2nd 1990.

Story: A Soviet submarine captain (played by Sean Connery) leaves Russia on his state of the art submarine (named the Red October) and sails towards the USA with his crew. When the Americans get wind of this, they begin to question the captain's methods. Is he deflecting to the United States or is he about to fire nuclear missiles at them and start a world war? One guy (played by Alec Baldwin) believes that he is deflecting while others believe the latter. Can Alec Baldwin's character managed to convince his co workers and the US government while the Red October tries to avoid being destroyed by other Soviet submarines? Watch the movie and find out.

My thoughts: A good movie. The character's are ok and the action is also ok. I would liked to have a bit more suspense but what we got is ok.

My score: Three stars. 

TV Review: The Two Ronnies

Release date: April 10th 1971 - December 25th 1987 (12 series. 93 episodes).

Story: A sketch show starring Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett.

My thoughts: This is a really good show. It is a real classic that everyone will like. From the characters, the sketches, Corbett's monologs, Barker's wordplay-based sketches, a special guest star would would either sing, dance, or act in their own sketches, their serials (four starring Piggy Malone and his assistant Charley Farley. Their best known characters), and their big musical finals to end each show. If you haven't seen it before, I would highly recommend it (some of the jokes and sketches are dated and can be offensive).

My score: Five stars.

My top ten favourite Scooby Doo Monsters

No 10: The Ice Cream Ghosts.

Series: The Scooby Doo Show.

Episode: The Ghost of the Bad Humour Man.

Story: The Mystery Machine crashes into a ice cream factory and (while trying to fix it) the gang encounter three ghosts that are haunting the place. Looks like they have stumbled across another mystery.

My thoughts: The idea of three ghosts that are made out of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry ice cream is a weird but the show managed to pull it off. These ghost look like the green ghosts from a previous series.

No 9: The Ghost of Geronimo.

Series: Scooby Doo! Where are you?!

Episode: Decoy for a Dognapper.

Story: Dogs have being kidnapped from a dog show. So Scooby Doo and the gang decide to look into it. But they come across the ghost of Geronimo who is warning them to stay away from a old abandoned native American village.

My thoughts: There are only three downsides to this character. The first one is when we first saw him, we know that he is a criminal instead of a ghost. The second one is that he was defeated way too easily (being chased by Scooby Doo and the other dogs and then climbs a pole). Then the third one is that his motive isn't that serious. He was kidnapping dogs so that only his dog would win the show (instead of selling them off somewhere). But it is a great look for a Scooby Doo monster.

No 8: Charlie the Robot.

Series: Scooby Doo! Where are you?!

Episode: Foul play at Funland.

Story: The gang arrive at a seemingly deserted theme park but then discover that it is running all by itself. When they investigate, they run into Charlie the robot who is running loose around the park. Just who is he and what is he up to?

My thoughts: Charlie is one of a few monsters in the whole run of Scooby Doo that turns out to be real. He has a cool design and I like the way that nothing stops him.

No 7: The 10.000 volt ghost.

Series: The Scooby Doo show.

Episode: Watt a shocking ghost.

Story: The gang have run out of fuel when they encounter a ghost made out of pure electricity which is haunting a nearby town of Winterhaven. So the gang decides to investigate.

My thoughts: It's a ghost made out of electricity. How awesome is that?!

No 6: The Demon Shark.

Series: The Scooby Doo show.

Episode: There's a Demon Shark in the Foggy Dark.

Story: A million year old humanoid shark is revived from a solid block of ice and goes on the rampage. But it is interested in some priceless pearls for some reason.

My thoughts: The design of this monster is amazing. Although it is strange how it got out of a solid block of ice instantly (I know that it is a criminal in a suit and it might be fake ice. but still).

No 5: The Space Kook.

Series: Scooby Doo! Where are you?!

Episode: The Spooky Space Kook.

Story: While trying to find some fuel for the Mystery Machine, the gang come across a abandoned airfield where a ghostly alien is seen wondering around.

My thoughts: This is one of the most recognisable monsters in the Scooby Doo franchise. Due to its design and it's laugh like cry.

No 4: The Phantom/Ghost.

Series: Scooby Doo! Where are you?!

Episode: Hassle in the castle.

Story: After getting lost in a fog, the gang arrive at Haunted Isle. Where they come across an unearthly ghost that haunts a abandoned castle.

My thoughts: This is a recognisable design for a ghost (a sheet with eye holes in it). Yet the lengths the criminal went to make this ghost believable is quite amazing.

No 3: The Green Ghosts.

Series: Scooby Doo! Where are you?!

Episode: A night of fright is no delight.

Story: Scooby Doo is included in a will of a millionaire who has recently past away. But the will states that he and some other people have to spend the night at a haunted house before they can have their share of the fortune. But things are not that easy when two ghosts show up.

My thoughts: These ghosts started off as shadows but then later on reveal themselves as green ghosts. Their designs are great and they are one of the most recognisable monsters in the show.

No 2: The Creeper.

Series: Scooby Doo! Where are you?!

Episode: Jeepers! It's the Creeper!

Story: After finding an injured bank guard on the side of the road, the gang decide to investigate the true identity of the ghoulish bank robber.

My thoughts: The Creeper is another recognisable Scooby Doo monster. From his looks to the fact that he only says his name (like a Pokémon). I haven't seen this episode yet but I found out about it in the game Scooby Doo Night of a 1000 frights PS2 game.

No 1: Captain Cutler's Ghost.

Series: Scooby Doo! Where are you?!

Episode: A clue for Scooby Doo.

Story: While partying at the beach, Scooby Doo and the gang encounter the ghost wearing a glowing old deep sea diver's suit. With this and the news of several yachts disappearing, looks like there's a mystery to solve.

My thoughts: This is my favourite Scooby Doo monster of all time. From his design to his inhuman moan. If I was ever going to go to a costume party, I would dress up as this ghost. 

Anime Review: One Piece Gold

Release date: July 15th 2016 (Abu Dhabi premiere release). July 23rd 2016 (Japanese release). January 10th 2017 (English dub release).

Story: The Straw hat pirates have reached Gran Tesoro. A massive six mile long ship which is one massive casino (a sort of Las Vegas but times ten). Once on board, they are given the five star treatment and begin to enjoy their time. But soon they realise that there is something sinister afoot when they loose all of their winnings and are forced into slavery by the ship's captain and ruler. Will they be able to defeat him and rescue the other slaves as well? Watch the film and find out.

My thoughts: This is a good anime film. Although it starts abruptly with the crew already arriving at Gran Tesoro (I don't know if they have heard of the place in something else and had set sail to it at the end). The villain is your standard anime villain with the ability to control gold and there are cameos of characters that have appeared in the anime. Anyways this is a great anime film and I would recommend it for all anime fans.

My score: Four stars.