Movie Reviews

	Movie Reviews

Movies recently viewed:
Interest Rating

     Fruits Basket, anime & manga
+++ 3/5

If it were up to me, anime like this would be all of children's "cartoon" programming. The characters here are beautiful and awe inspiring. The Japanese create the most wonderful "classical" romantic "not romance" characters. Each of these characters are flawed, but they can be redeemed, and in Fruits Basket, they are redeemed. The means of their redemption is the fatally flawed Tooru Honda (Honda Tooru, most precisely).

Tooru's father died when she was three. Her mother died at the end of the last school year. She is entering second year HS. She is currently living in a tent and working as a cleaning lady. Her only consolation is her mother's picture, which she treats as a living symbol of her mother. She has almost nothing, but she has friends, and she is skilled in many ways. Her greatest skill is a boundless optimism and open frankness she inherited from her mother. Still, she is overly polite (in the Japanese sense) and naive. Life has beaten her down, but never broken her.

Tooru's life is about to change. She meets the Soumas on whose property she set up her tent. This house of Soumas includes three men--two in her HS and their older cousin. They need a housekeeper and cook. She needs a place to stay. They need much more that Tooru can uniquely provide. The Souma family is cursed by being living members of the Zodiac. They turn into the Zodiac animals, and this creates enormous problems for them and their families. Fruits Basket is ultimately the story of Tooru's redemption of the Soumas. The manga is complete and wonderful. The anime is very close to the manga until the last three episodes.

The only flaw in this anime is its departure from the manga. The Tooru of the anime is a slightly different character. The music is wonderful (and I do mean wonderful). The animation and artwork are about midgrade. It is typical anime style and that detracts slightly from the presentation.
By the way, the title comes from a children's game where each child gets a fruit for a name and is called into play. Tooru is always given the name riceball (which isn't a fruit), so she is never called during the game. The symbol of her strength and politeness is that she is content with being a riceball, different and unique, while everyone else is playing.

     Shikabane Hime
+++ 5/5

Corpse Princess (direct translation) is the best anime I have reviewed to date. It is a definite 5/5. From the opening music to the trailers, this is a piece of anime that any fan should see. The artwork is beautiful. The cinematography is outstanding. The story is poignant and beautiful. It is complex enough to be interesting and unpredictable. Action, adventure, romance, classic themes of love, betrayal--all typically Japanese.

The story is supernatural and fantastic (what else in there in anime). A contract priest is bound to a Shikabane Hime--a woman who has died, but has irresolvable attachments to earth. The purpose of the Shikabane Hime is to destroy other undead creatures called corpses. The Shikabane Hime must destroy 108 corpses to achieve heaven (very Buddhist theme).   The main story revolves around a high school aged orphan, Orii, who's adoptive father/brother is a contract priest. Orii sees his brother's Shikabane Hime, Makina, as a human and not simply as a tool. Orii is strangely and supernaturally affected himself--for some reason he keeps ending up in the middle of the fights against the corpses. I haven't seen the manga yet, but I look forward to it.

Everything about this anime makes it worth viewing. I hope there are others out there like this--I was impressed and I think I am hard to impress in this genre.

     Karin, Anime
++ 2/5

Chokotto Vampire (little vampire) is a fun and surprisingly poignant manga about an oddball high school vampire girl who just wants to live a normal life. It really is fantastic manga. The anime is fun but it doesn't live up to the manga. The anime adds an incompetent vampire hunter character into the mix and makes the anime open ended (the manga finishes). This changes the focus and balance of the story not significantly, but in ways that detract from the original premise.

The music and style of the anime make it worth a watch, but it doesn't have the reviewing quality or emotional punch of the manga. I rated it 2/5 because I think it is worth reviewing.

     Ah, My Goddess, Anime
++ 2/5

The quality of this Anime is very good. Not quite art, but much better than the norm. The storyline is tender, but there is no end (true of the Manga too) and I haven't found further than the second season.

The concept is a student accidentally calls the goddess hotline and gets a visit from a real goddess. His wish is for the goddess to stay with him forever. The results of granting this wish are really fun and crazy.

Not as slapstick as most Anime. The characters are typical in this genre--sometimes annoying, especially the main male.

     Chobits, Anime
++ 2/5

I'm looking for excellent Anime. I don't expect much of it to get above a 2/5 simply because of the media. The Chobits Manga is very good maybe a 4/5, but I'm not really rating Manga--yet.

Chobits is typical Anime--the quality of the artistry is not that great. It copies the Manga reasonably, and the storyline is the same. The Anime actually improves a little on the Manga story and theme.

Generally, this work is about a time when perscoms (personal computers) are designed to look and act like humans. A student gets his hands on a model that was thrown out in the garbage. The rest is a deep inspection of love--especially the potential for love between a human and an intelligent created device (perscom). Well done and tender, but what did you expect with a Manga from Tokyo Pop. This is a group of women who write Manga--wonderful Manga.

Fun, frothy, the main character gets old at first, but improves in later shows. Typical Anime style.

     Tales of Earthsea, Miyazaki
+++ 2/5

Taken right out of one of the Earthsea tales, this movie is kind of typical Miyazaki, but doesn't have the magic in it. The storyline is predictable while the characters are complex. Not much more to say about it. See it if you like Miyazaki, but it's not a Kiki.

     Midsummer Night's Dream
+++ 4/5

Excellent movie version of Shakespeare's play. The idea for the time and place are wonderful and creative. The major characters, except the Duke are perfect. The Duke can't act his way out of a paper bag and that is the only thing that pulls this movie from a 5/5 to a 4/5.

Otherwise, well executed, well directed, well done.

     Ocean Waves, Miyazaki
+ 2/5

Strange Japanese cultural TV movie. I think the overall theme is driven by the "big city/country" plus divorce/honor idea in Japanese culture. It is one of the flicks that the Japanese developed to try to get young people to marry and have children. The movie is interesting, the subtitles move too quickly and I need to see it again.

Basically about a transfer student with issues who is a great student, but causes problems in her class. The main character is a young man who tries to help her.

     Grave of the Fireflies, Miyazaki
+ 2/5

Pathetic and sad. Basically the story of the death of a young child through malnutrition during WWII in Japan. Considering at the time, the Japanese were murdering millions of children in Korea and China, the whole story does not ring true. It may be a true plot, but it is kind of like a terrorist complaining that his children are starving after he murders someone else's children.

Not a kids flick. Not persuasive. High level of propaganda. Needs some balance with the "comfort women" from Korea or the children of Shanghi.

     Porco Rosso, Miyazaki
++ 3/5

Fun movie all about flying and aircraft with a Circe, animagus theme. Porco Rosso is a pilot who was turned into a pig--we don't know how. We are not sure if he turns back at the end--it is implied. The character is cut fine and Fio, his friend and engineer, is a hard charging girl.

Not a kid's flick. Above typical anime. High quality and fun to watch.

     Quantum of Solace, Bond
+ 2/5

Bond is back and this is not really Bond. They kind of tried to make Bond like Bourne from the Bourne identity. Since this is the first Bond flick not cut from one of Ian Fleming's novels or stories, it isn't surprising it is kind of cut loose from its moorings. Interesting to watch, it won't be a favorite. The music is good. The bad boy bond is refreshing, but still not real--was Bond ever, and no Q--that's sad.

     The Dragon Hunters
+++ 3/5

Fun kid's flick. A little kitschy and cute. The kid is fun and the animation is great. The view of the world is really neat. This is a well done movie. It is a bit violent, scary, and dark for young children. I think I heard a damn in there somewhere. The message is okay and the story, though deficient is all right. Most kids will accept it. Most adults will enjoy it. The animation is better than most Pixar flicks and the characters are engaging. The movie tries a little too hard, but I still liked it and may watch it again.

Plot is about a little girl whose uncle's kingdom and the world is in jeopardy due to a dragon at the end of the world. The world is literally falling apart and flying, floating away. The little girl finds the great warrior Leon Chew and his friends: Gizmo and a strange dog creature. She enlists this group to find the dragon and defeat him. The story goes from there.

     Igor
++ 2/5

Okay flick. I'm not sure it could be made better, but it is contrived and strained. Story is about an Igor (mad scientist helper) who wants to make an evil invention. When his mad scientist dies, Igor can now invent. He makes a Frankenstein lady who is nice and wants to be an actress. The whole land is based on evil, so he wants the creature he made to be evil. The plot should be kind of obvious here and the end is also obvious. It is cute and predictable. It is definitely not for children. The story and jokes are adult and the whole story is dark. Typical modern child crap from kid TV. Don't let your children see this movie unless they are well grounded and mature.

     Omohide Poro Poro (Only Yesterday), Miyazaki
+++ 5/5

Another wow flick. Unfortunately this is only in subtitles and you better have your clicker ready to stop the action, some of the subtitles come way too fast.

Perfect anime piece. It really could not be done as effectively in real or CGI. This work follows a Tokyo woman, Taeko, who is going on vacation in the country to work on her brother-in-law's farm. Unfortunately, she takes along the memories of her fifth grade self. She did not have a very pleasant fifth grade, but that is not the way you will view this movie. It is an astounding cultural and life piece that anyone will associate with. Who didn't have problems understanding dividing fractions or not wanting to finish their school lunch. Taeko's problems are accentuated by her culture, family, and her fifth grade perceptions--the producer just lets us experience and understand her pain. We see how her fifth grade crippled her current but gentle self and we see how her fifth grade self may help redeem her.

Omohide Poro Poro is a must see for anime fans, but a should see for everyone.

     A Whisper of the Heart, Miyazaki
+++ 5/5

Wow! This is one of the best movies ever made. The fact that it is anime should not keep anyone from seeing it. Another coming of age story, but this is very realistically depicted. It is likely one of the best place studies of Tokyo Japan ever done. The depiction of daily Japanese life is delightful.
The heroine is a junior high school girl in her last year and studying for HS. She reads everything all the time (you have to love a character like that). She meets a young man who is studying to make violins. He knows what he wants to do and be, while she has no idea, even why she is studying for anything. He inspires her to use her writing skills--she does and decides that is what she wants to aspire to in life. Beautiful characters, beautiful depictions, realistic animation. This is a wonderful movie.

     Spirited Away, Miyazaki
+++ 5/5

This is one of the best movies ever made. The fact that it is anime and is filled with fantasy should not keep anyone from seeing it. It is likely the best movie from a Japanese coming of age perspective--any kid could take a beautiful lesson from the heroine who learns how to be successful, save her parents, and her friends.

     Much ado about Nothing
+++ 4-5/5

Fun, fun, fun...this is just a fun movie. The acting is great and probably the only time Kenue Reaves ever really acted. It is great from the first to the last--a great interpretation of Shakespeare and the play. What else can you say. The only reason I gave it less than a 5 is Denzel Washington and Reaves are just not as good as the rest of the actors and Beatrice is just a little too intense. Playful touching and well done.

     Heidi, Disney
+++ 3/5

This is not Spyri's Heidi and that makes it very disappointing. On the other hand, if you take this as a separate artistic concept copying the basic Heidi theme--it's not bad. The actress who plays Heidi is the best in the movie. She overshadows Robards and Seymour. The director was obviously great with children, but the screenplay lacks strength and good dialog. Robards is either miscast or misplays his role--he has nothing to love and you wonder why Heidi keeps trying. Seymour just lost it--she plays a forgettable Rottenmeijer. Herr Sessaman likewise is almost hateful. The only reason to see this film is to see Noely Thornton masterfully play Heidi--the kid is cute and she is fantastic in the role. Its an okay kid's flick, but not for the really younger crowd: Grandma dies, Heidi's parents die, Grandfather is scary, Clara is conniving, Rottenmeijer is mean, Tinnet isn't. Plus the Disney crowd did their best to keep God out of it. There are places in the movie where you are screaming--why is Heidi praying to a star, why isn't she asking Grandfather to pray at the meals, why doesn't the Grandmother pray, why is the Grandmother's gift to Heidi some stinky book about the mountains instead of the book of illustrated parables that leads to her and her Grandfather's redemption. You get my point.

     Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
+++ 5/5

This is really a fantastic movie and definitely not recommended for the artistically challenged. If it didn't do well in the general marketplace it was not because of the acting--the acting is unbelievable without too much speaking to gum it up. It wasn't because of the character development--that is finely done. Probably the most memorable characters in a modern movie. The story is poignant and well developed. There is a little deus ex, but hey for a movie, you need some sometimes. In all a fun, well made, well written comedy that is not laugh out loud.

Ratings

     0/5 Not worth the time or the money

     1/5 Reasonable, issues, would not re-view, will not reference

     2/5 Good, good show, would not re-view, would reference

     3/5 Great, good show, not classic, might re-view, will reference

     4/5 Fantastic, great show, approaching classic, will re-view/reference

     5/5 Incredible, fantastic show, timely or classic, will re-view/reference

Interest

     + - Interesting

     ++ - Very interesting

     +++ - Can't put it down

     - - Not interesting

     -- - Very not interesting

Hit Counter

Movies recently viewed:	Interest	Rating
Fruits Basket, anime & manga	+++	3/5
If it were up to me, anime like this would be all of children's "cartoon" programming. The characters here are beautiful and awe inspiring. The Japanese create the most wonderful "classical" romantic "not romance" characters. Each of these characters are flawed, but they can be redeemed, and in Fruits Basket, they are redeemed. The means of their redemption is the fatally flawed Tooru Honda (Honda Tooru, most precisely). Tooru's father died when she was three. Her mother died at the end of the last school year. She is entering second year HS. She is currently living in a tent and working as a cleaning lady. Her only consolation is her mother's picture, which she treats as a living symbol of her mother. She has almost nothing, but she has friends, and she is skilled in many ways. Her greatest skill is a boundless optimism and open frankness she inherited from her mother. Still, she is overly polite (in the Japanese sense) and naive. Life has beaten her down, but never broken her. Tooru's life is about to change. She meets the Soumas on whose property she set up her tent. This house of Soumas includes three men--two in her HS and their older cousin. They need a housekeeper and cook. She needs a place to stay. They need much more that Tooru can uniquely provide. The Souma family is cursed by being living members of the Zodiac. They turn into the Zodiac animals, and this creates enormous problems for them and their families. Fruits Basket is ultimately the story of Tooru's redemption of the Soumas. The manga is complete and wonderful. The anime is very close to the manga until the last three episodes. The only flaw in this anime is its departure from the manga. The Tooru of the anime is a slightly different character. The music is wonderful (and I do mean wonderful). The animation and artwork are about midgrade. It is typical anime style and that detracts slightly from the presentation. By the way, the title comes from a children's game where each child gets a fruit for a name and is called into play. Tooru is always given the name riceball (which isn't a fruit), so she is never called during the game. The symbol of her strength and politeness is that she is content with being a riceball, different and unique, while everyone else is playing.

Shikabane Hime	+++	5/5
Corpse Princess (direct translation) is the best anime I have reviewed to date. It is a definite 5/5. From the opening music to the trailers, this is a piece of anime that any fan should see. The artwork is beautiful. The cinematography is outstanding. The story is poignant and beautiful. It is complex enough to be interesting and unpredictable. Action, adventure, romance, classic themes of love, betrayal--all typically Japanese. The story is supernatural and fantastic (what else in there in anime). A contract priest is bound to a Shikabane Hime--a woman who has died, but has irresolvable attachments to earth. The purpose of the Shikabane Hime is to destroy other undead creatures called corpses. The Shikabane Hime must destroy 108 corpses to achieve heaven (very Buddhist theme). The main story revolves around a high school aged orphan, Orii, who's adoptive father/brother is a contract priest. Orii sees his brother's Shikabane Hime, Makina, as a human and not simply as a tool. Orii is strangely and supernaturally affected himself--for some reason he keeps ending up in the middle of the fights against the corpses. I haven't seen the manga yet, but I look forward to it. Everything about this anime makes it worth viewing. I hope there are others out there like this--I was impressed and I think I am hard to impress in this genre.

Karin, Anime	++	2/5
Chokotto Vampire (little vampire) is a fun and surprisingly poignant manga about an oddball high school vampire girl who just wants to live a normal life. It really is fantastic manga. The anime is fun but it doesn't live up to the manga. The anime adds an incompetent vampire hunter character into the mix and makes the anime open ended (the manga finishes). This changes the focus and balance of the story not significantly, but in ways that detract from the original premise. The music and style of the anime make it worth a watch, but it doesn't have the reviewing quality or emotional punch of the manga. I rated it 2/5 because I think it is worth reviewing.

Ah, My Goddess, Anime	++	2/5
The quality of this Anime is very good. Not quite art, but much better than the norm. The storyline is tender, but there is no end (true of the Manga too) and I haven't found further than the second season. The concept is a student accidentally calls the goddess hotline and gets a visit from a real goddess. His wish is for the goddess to stay with him forever. The results of granting this wish are really fun and crazy. Not as slapstick as most Anime. The characters are typical in this genre--sometimes annoying, especially the main male.

Chobits, Anime	++	2/5
I'm looking for excellent Anime. I don't expect much of it to get above a 2/5 simply because of the media. The Chobits Manga is very good maybe a 4/5, but I'm not really rating Manga--yet. Chobits is typical Anime--the quality of the artistry is not that great. It copies the Manga reasonably, and the storyline is the same. The Anime actually improves a little on the Manga story and theme. Generally, this work is about a time when perscoms (personal computers) are designed to look and act like humans. A student gets his hands on a model that was thrown out in the garbage. The rest is a deep inspection of love--especially the potential for love between a human and an intelligent created device (perscom). Well done and tender, but what did you expect with a Manga from Tokyo Pop. This is a group of women who write Manga--wonderful Manga. Fun, frothy, the main character gets old at first, but improves in later shows. Typical Anime style.

Tales of Earthsea, Miyazaki	+++	2/5
Taken right out of one of the Earthsea tales, this movie is kind of typical Miyazaki, but doesn't have the magic in it. The storyline is predictable while the characters are complex. Not much more to say about it. See it if you like Miyazaki, but it's not a Kiki.

Midsummer Night's Dream	+++	4/5
Excellent movie version of Shakespeare's play. The idea for the time and place are wonderful and creative. The major characters, except the Duke are perfect. The Duke can't act his way out of a paper bag and that is the only thing that pulls this movie from a 5/5 to a 4/5. Otherwise, well executed, well directed, well done.

Ocean Waves, Miyazaki	+	2/5
Strange Japanese cultural TV movie. I think the overall theme is driven by the "big city/country" plus divorce/honor idea in Japanese culture. It is one of the flicks that the Japanese developed to try to get young people to marry and have children. The movie is interesting, the subtitles move too quickly and I need to see it again. Basically about a transfer student with issues who is a great student, but causes problems in her class. The main character is a young man who tries to help her.

Grave of the Fireflies, Miyazaki	+	2/5
Pathetic and sad. Basically the story of the death of a young child through malnutrition during WWII in Japan. Considering at the time, the Japanese were murdering millions of children in Korea and China, the whole story does not ring true. It may be a true plot, but it is kind of like a terrorist complaining that his children are starving after he murders someone else's children. Not a kids flick. Not persuasive. High level of propaganda. Needs some balance with the "comfort women" from Korea or the children of Shanghi.

Porco Rosso, Miyazaki	++	3/5
Fun movie all about flying and aircraft with a Circe, animagus theme. Porco Rosso is a pilot who was turned into a pig--we don't know how. We are not sure if he turns back at the end--it is implied. The character is cut fine and Fio, his friend and engineer, is a hard charging girl. Not a kid's flick. Above typical anime. High quality and fun to watch.

Quantum of Solace, Bond	+	2/5
Bond is back and this is not really Bond. They kind of tried to make Bond like Bourne from the Bourne identity. Since this is the first Bond flick not cut from one of Ian Fleming's novels or stories, it isn't surprising it is kind of cut loose from its moorings. Interesting to watch, it won't be a favorite. The music is good. The bad boy bond is refreshing, but still not real--was Bond ever, and no Q--that's sad.

The Dragon Hunters	+++	3/5
Fun kid's flick. A little kitschy and cute. The kid is fun and the animation is great. The view of the world is really neat. This is a well done movie. It is a bit violent, scary, and dark for young children. I think I heard a damn in there somewhere. The message is okay and the story, though deficient is all right. Most kids will accept it. Most adults will enjoy it. The animation is better than most Pixar flicks and the characters are engaging. The movie tries a little too hard, but I still liked it and may watch it again. Plot is about a little girl whose uncle's kingdom and the world is in jeopardy due to a dragon at the end of the world. The world is literally falling apart and flying, floating away. The little girl finds the great warrior Leon Chew and his friends: Gizmo and a strange dog creature. She enlists this group to find the dragon and defeat him. The story goes from there.

Igor	++	2/5
Okay flick. I'm not sure it could be made better, but it is contrived and strained. Story is about an Igor (mad scientist helper) who wants to make an evil invention. When his mad scientist dies, Igor can now invent. He makes a Frankenstein lady who is nice and wants to be an actress. The whole land is based on evil, so he wants the creature he made to be evil. The plot should be kind of obvious here and the end is also obvious. It is cute and predictable. It is definitely not for children. The story and jokes are adult and the whole story is dark. Typical modern child crap from kid TV. Don't let your children see this movie unless they are well grounded and mature.

Omohide Poro Poro (Only Yesterday), Miyazaki	+++	5/5
Another wow flick. Unfortunately this is only in subtitles and you better have your clicker ready to stop the action, some of the subtitles come way too fast. Perfect anime piece. It really could not be done as effectively in real or CGI. This work follows a Tokyo woman, Taeko, who is going on vacation in the country to work on her brother-in-law's farm. Unfortunately, she takes along the memories of her fifth grade self. She did not have a very pleasant fifth grade, but that is not the way you will view this movie. It is an astounding cultural and life piece that anyone will associate with. Who didn't have problems understanding dividing fractions or not wanting to finish their school lunch. Taeko's problems are accentuated by her culture, family, and her fifth grade perceptions--the producer just lets us experience and understand her pain. We see how her fifth grade crippled her current but gentle self and we see how her fifth grade self may help redeem her. Omohide Poro Poro is a must see for anime fans, but a should see for everyone.

A Whisper of the Heart, Miyazaki	+++	5/5
Wow! This is one of the best movies ever made. The fact that it is anime should not keep anyone from seeing it. Another coming of age story, but this is very realistically depicted. It is likely one of the best place studies of Tokyo Japan ever done. The depiction of daily Japanese life is delightful. The heroine is a junior high school girl in her last year and studying for HS. She reads everything all the time (you have to love a character like that). She meets a young man who is studying to make violins. He knows what he wants to do and be, while she has no idea, even why she is studying for anything. He inspires her to use her writing skills--she does and decides that is what she wants to aspire to in life. Beautiful characters, beautiful depictions, realistic animation. This is a wonderful movie.

Spirited Away, Miyazaki	+++	5/5
This is one of the best movies ever made. The fact that it is anime and is filled with fantasy should not keep anyone from seeing it. It is likely the best movie from a Japanese coming of age perspective--any kid could take a beautiful lesson from the heroine who learns how to be successful, save her parents, and her friends.

Much ado about Nothing	+++	4-5/5
Fun, fun, fun...this is just a fun movie. The acting is great and probably the only time Kenue Reaves ever really acted. It is great from the first to the last--a great interpretation of Shakespeare and the play. What else can you say. The only reason I gave it less than a 5 is Denzel Washington and Reaves are just not as good as the rest of the actors and Beatrice is just a little too intense. Playful touching and well done.

Heidi, Disney	+++	3/5
This is not Spyri's Heidi and that makes it very disappointing. On the other hand, if you take this as a separate artistic concept copying the basic Heidi theme--it's not bad. The actress who plays Heidi is the best in the movie. She overshadows Robards and Seymour. The director was obviously great with children, but the screenplay lacks strength and good dialog. Robards is either miscast or misplays his role--he has nothing to love and you wonder why Heidi keeps trying. Seymour just lost it--she plays a forgettable Rottenmeijer. Herr Sessaman likewise is almost hateful. The only reason to see this film is to see Noely Thornton masterfully play Heidi--the kid is cute and she is fantastic in the role. Its an okay kid's flick, but not for the really younger crowd: Grandma dies, Heidi's parents die, Grandfather is scary, Clara is conniving, Rottenmeijer is mean, Tinnet isn't. Plus the Disney crowd did their best to keep God out of it. There are places in the movie where you are screaming--why is Heidi praying to a star, why isn't she asking Grandfather to pray at the meals, why doesn't the Grandmother pray, why is the Grandmother's gift to Heidi some stinky book about the mountains instead of the book of illustrated parables that leads to her and her Grandfather's redemption. You get my point.

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day	+++	5/5
This is really a fantastic movie and definitely not recommended for the artistically challenged. If it didn't do well in the general marketplace it was not because of the acting--the acting is unbelievable without too much speaking to gum it up. It wasn't because of the character development--that is finely done. Probably the most memorable characters in a modern movie. The story is poignant and well developed. There is a little deus ex, but hey for a movie, you need some sometimes. In all a fun, well made, well written comedy that is not laugh out loud.

Ratings
0/5 Not worth the time or the money
1/5 Reasonable, issues, would not re-view, will not reference
2/5 Good, good show, would not re-view, would reference
3/5 Great, good show, not classic, might re-view, will reference
4/5 Fantastic, great show, approaching classic, will re-view/reference
5/5 Incredible, fantastic show, timely or classic, will re-view/reference

Interest
+ - Interesting
++ - Very interesting
+++ - Can't put it down
- - Not interesting
-- - Very not interesting