scarlet478

SaiKano is a sad, sad series. And yet somehow uplifting by the end. The message of the series really sticks with you afterwards- it's that moving.

I love the characters the most- they're all so admirable in their own ways, and they each make their own sacrifices for the sake of someone special to them. That's what it's about; loving and trying to receive love, getting hurt in a confusing and quickly changing world but still struggling to go on despite these difficulties. I'll never forget a moment near the end that made me realize that the series started off in a vastly different world. It really brings home the irreversible effects of war, and the changes that the main characters have experienced.

This series is a good mix of pathos and cute moments (mostly courtesy of Chise) not to be missed. I haven't read the manga, but as a series alone, it is quite excellent.

Thunderpants is an...interesting movie, to put it mildly. I think if I was about ten years younger, I might have found it very entertaining. The key to this movie to just sit back and accept everything you see. The weird green theme (green for noxious gas, I'm thinking?), the fact that Patrick Smash could actually find some real-life applications to his unusual talents, etc...stopping to actually think about this movie will just make it a terrible experience. There really isn't some sort of hidden code to decipher or deep symbolism for the meaning of life. This is a children's movie. It's meant to just be enjoyed. And it has some good messages about believing in yourself, overcoming adversity and the power of friendship. Kudos to them.

But even as kids' movies go, it could have been better. I've seen worse, so in perspective it's not so horrible...just mediocre. The acting was okay, but sometimes the actors could have tried harder. The cinematography was decent; nothing earthshakingly brilliant. I don't even remember noticing the music. The costuming, though all rather greenish, was spiffy. The inventions were funny and cool, I must say that. And there were some funny visual gags in it. So this movie does have a few redeeming qualities, I guess.

I will admit that the only reason why I decided to watch this movie was because of Sean Biggerstaff. I was curious about what kind of real talent he had (his part in the Harry Potter movies was way too shallow to let anything show). Well, on that front, I was not disappointed. He, along with the rest of the cast, gave excellent performances. I felt that they were all very natural. And that's great, since the backbone of the film is more or less a series of character sketches. Without good acting, this film would have fallen flat on its face.

As far as plot and storyline goes, there really isn't any. But that doesn't bother me- sometimes instead of focusing on a story, I like to focus on moments. The Winter Guest is full of moments; many were melancholy, but there were a few amusing ones too, thanks to Tom and Sam. I came away from this film wanting to see it a second time.