CrisDaKing780

For the longest time, Power Rangers Samurai has always been one of my favorite shows as a kid, compared to other Ranger series, Samurai had an entirely different vibe that I really enjoyed, but now years later, I decided to watch the original version of Samurai, or shall I say the Super Sentai version, Samurai Sentai Shinkenger, and my god is it Peak Fiction! Not even sure if there's a better way to describe Shinkengers other than Peak. One of the first things that stood out to me was how much more emphasis Shinkenger puts on its samurai theme, perfectly integrating the overall culture of Japanese Samurai into the story that shapes the narrative wonderfully. The cast is very likable and play off each other nicely, feeling like a proper team that develops throughout the series and creates a deep bond with each other, with characters having a lot more depth to them than in Samurai. For me, the character development was definitely my favorite aspect of the series. Unlike Power Rangers Samurai, there aren't any silly one liners or filler characters that pad out time, which I greatly appreciate, plus a lot of the dramatic and over the top dialogue manages to be funny at the right times. Everything's taken more seriously with the story having more depth and maturity to it while also not being afraid to get dark at times, especially when it comes to character backstories. The fight choreography is incredible, showcasing both swordplay and creative martial arts. The villains, the Gedoshu, are not only intimidating but also visually striking and well designed. I also love how Shinkenger uses kanji as part of their powers and abilities, even the Zords are called Origami, which perfectly ties into the cultural theme. There's also plenty of content from outside the series, from TV specials, crossovers, and movie specials with other Super Sentai teams and even Kamen Rider. For me, Samurai Sentai Shinkenger takes everything I loved about Power Rangers Samurai and elevates it into something truly unforgettable, I feel nothing but pure love when watching this series.

Welp... summer's officially come to an end, and honestly, this was the perfect thing to watch. Summer Ghost is a story that explores the struggles of living, the weight of death, and everything in between. The Animation and Art were beautiful, perfectly conveying the themes and message of the film. It's something I can relate to, it's hard trying to find meaning in life when you're so unsure of things, you're future, what it is you want to do, you spend so much time looking for answers or solutions to things you have no control over, eventually losing yourself in the process, might even give up on the things you love most, leaving you feeling empty and broken. My point is that everyone's struggling and fighting a battle of their own, with some thinking to themselves "What's the point of living? Wouldn't it be easier if it all just ended?" But no matter how hard things get, that's never a reason to give up on life. Once we're gone, that's it, no continuation, no redos, just death and the regrets of the past, wondering, "What if I had done things differently?" At the end of the day, life won't always go as planned, but what matters is that you keep persevering, pushing forward, and enjoying life as much as you can. Make the most of it while you have the chance. In the end, Summer Ghost was a short watch, but a meaningful and beautiful way to close out the season. I highly recommend it, especially for anyone going through something in their life and in need of encouragement.

I decided to see an early screening of Caught Stealing just for the fun of seeing something new, and it ended up being a surprisingly great time. Austin Butler, along with the rest of the cast deliver a fantastic performance that really carries the film and stands out as one of it's strongest elements. Caught Stealing offers plenty of thrilling, over the top fun and action to be had while also striking a good balance between serious moments and comedic bits that keep the overall vibe feeling fresh. The grim, rundown city aesthetic paired with it's 90s vibe gives the film a distinct atmosphere that pulls you in, plus add in a surprising body count along with unpredictable twists and turns that'll keep you on your toes from start to finish. Overall, Caught Stealing is absolutely worth checking out if you're looking for a wild, entertaining time at the theater.