Change Your Image
Pfeutz
Reviews
Cartoon Sushi (1997)
Not all bad, there were a few gems!
While I agree that quite a few of the shorts here were a little too over-the-top, I remember this series fondly because of the handful of great ones. The funniest, in my opinion was "Science Facts: Broccoli has an IQ of 10". I'd buy a DVD for the broccoli shorts alone. I also enjoyed "Ultracity 6060: Fast Driver", which poked fun at Speed Racer and other Americanized anime, as well as "The Champ in: Snapper Bob", which was based on a radio show, "Call Me Fishmael", "Telekinesis" (levitating cows!), "Killing Heinz" (great music), and, oh yeah, can't forget "Fishbar: Evil babies in Colorado"! Cartoon Sushi also spawned its own spin off series in "Celebrity Deathmatch". It's too bad there aren't more outlets for short animation. I miss Cartoon Sushi and Liquid TV!
Zombie Beach Party (2003)
Better than you might think from the cover.
I bought this on DVD for my roommate as a joke gift, but after watching it the joke was on me. If you are a fan of comic books, this flick deserves a look. The main characters are larger-than-life celebrity heroes and who eat, drink, and sleep with their wrestling masks on and have to fend off autograph-hounds when they go for smokes. The story is minimal (Zombie King wants to take over the world) but each of the heroes has a past with at least one of the antagonists, adding a feeling of depth to the story world. The fight scenes are fun, if you go along with the idea that pro-wrestling moves are the best way to subdue an opponent. The music, mostly surf music by the Tijuana Bibles, carries the action very well. All-in-all, surprisingly entertaining. Just goes to show that low-budget movies can work, if done right. Also props for a cameo by Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart of WWF fame as the butt-kicking local sheriff.
Firehouse (1973)
Par performance for Richard Roundtree
Richard Roundtree gives an emotional performance as a dedicated black firefighter who is a fish out of water in an all-white firehouse. His character does not beat around the bush when it comes to confronting his co-workers about the race issue. If you like Richard Roundtree, you will enjoy this film.
Akira (1988)
Not a terrible film, but over-hyped.
For many Americans, Akira was the first piece of anime they had experienced. Like any first time, of course it had magnified impact. However, most folks who have seen a variety of anime start to realize that anime is just like anything else, 90 percent of it is crap. Viewing Akira in this light, I would say that Akira is above average for anime, but not as revolutionary as some have suggested. Like many anime, it was based on a manga series, which had much more depth, and probably a more coherent story. As with any foreign film, you have to be aware that the origin of the film can color your judgement.