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Gracepoint (2014)
Broadchurch is Better
Gracepoint doesn't quite work for me. I was stunned by Broadchurch when I first watched it. Even though Gracepoint has almost exactly the same script, it lacks all of the magic that makes its British counterpart so good.
One of the things I noticed immediately is the show has that typical crime drama mood and lighting. Part of the reason I like Broadchurch so much is the beautiful lighting and cinematography that casts a stark contrast to the story line. It is evident in the setting alone how catastrophic of an event this is for the town. Gracepoint doesn't do that, which is disappointing.
The show also lacks the little bits of humor that many of the British actors (Olivia Colman and Jonathan Bailey especially) brought to the show. Yes, it's a very serious show, but those tiny moments of humor were what allowed me to fall in love with their characters so quickly. I never really felt attached to the characters in Gracepoint. I think this is partly due to the fact that the acting just isn't as good. To be fair, Broadchurch pulled in some of the best actors in Great Britain and it is hard to match that.
On a more personal level, it took me a while to get used to David Tennant's American accent. It's not bad (although he certainly doesn't rival Hugh Laurie's abilities); it is just distracting with how used I am to his Scottish (or British) drawl. Even so, I was glad they brought him in for the role. Tennant somehow manages to make Carver feel like a very different character, even with such a similar script, and that was fascinating to watch. He didn't show the same emotional underbelly as Hardy, however, and it took away from the character's likability (which does take a while to build in the original series). Even Tennant's character feels like a flattened version of his Broadchurch double.
Overall, I'd say it is a decent series. It isn't any worse than many other crime dramas you can watch on television here in the United States, it just doesn't live up to its fantastic source material.
Shigatsu wa kimi no uso (2014)
I Enjoyed It
This show originally peaked my interest because I myself am a musician and I had yet to see and anime about that particular part of a student's life. I'm sure there are more out there.
This one is very good. The entire time I was watching, I was caught between scoffing at how over the top the characters' emotions are and needing to watch five more episodes. About every single one ends with a cliff hanger, so don't start this one if you aren't prepared to be watching for a while.
I will admit a few scenes brought me to tears. I identify with the stress performances can bring to individual and this show outlines it perfectly. It also has a lot of great character moments, the force that really drives the plot.
It's sappy, it's cute, it's sad - what more could I ask for from an anime?
Much Ado About Nothing (2011)
Excellent in Every Aspect
I absolutely love Much Ado About Nothing, it is one of my favorite Shakespeare works, and this cast does it so well. Both David Tennant and Catherine Tate play their parts perfectly. They bring great cynicism and sarcasm, over the top humor, and some very touching moments, all in one package. David and Catherine not only do this well individually, but even more so when they play off of each other. While the two are clearly the stars of the show, the other actors definitely don't disappoint. I'm particularly fond of Elliot Levey as Don John. He does a great job of bringing that character's mischievous qualities to life. Modern clothing and some creative diversions from the script might not please some Shakespeare fans, but I personally found it to really add to the humor of the show. All of my favorite scenes are so much more entertaining because of what happens off script. I definitely recommend purchasing this from Digital Theatre.
The Road to El Dorado (2000)
Fun Movie
El Dorado isn't going to tug at your heart strings, but I thought the film was very entertaining from beginning to end. Migel and Tulio are unique characters and very lovable. I also liked the inclusion of some more adult themes, like the relationship between Tulio and Chel. The animation is great, very fluid with the inclusion of some computer graphic elements. I wish more animated films now-a-days had that kind of animation. The soundtrack is also very good. The musical numbers weren't especially memorable, but they didn't detract from the story and the instrumental music by Hans Zimmer and John Powell is fantastic. Overall, I would say The Road to El Dorado is a very underrated film.
Broadchurch (2013)
What A Beautiful Series
David Tennant (who brought me to the series) is wonderful in this; he's a stone faced, easily annoyed and fragile. You don't like Alec Hardy at the beginning of the series, with his insistent shunning of Ellie Miller's kindness. But as we learn more about him, we begin to understand the frown, and begin to see him open up a little bit to Miller.
I loved how evenly the story focuses on each set of characters, allowing each to thrive and develop and arise suspicion. Everyone becomes and important part of the series; the grieving family, Miller's family, the reporters, the shop owner that runs the paper business. We grow to know and care about each person (and suspect them!). The show takes it's time telling it's story and that makes it all the more interesting.
I loved that Broadchurch didn't play out like a normal one, but more like each series was a good mystery novel. The episodes ran together as one fluid story, which to me is much better than the "one mystery per episode" standard I'm used to seeing with crime dramas.
The final thing that really struck me was how beautiful Broadchurch is. The footage itself is gorgeous, showing off the setting with each shot. Ólafur Arnalds composed a haunting soundtrack that I have now downloaded and listen to regularly. When watching the American version of this show, I realized how important of an element this is to the tone of the show. The beautiful camera work and soft colors provide the startling context that no - this is a calm, quiet little town. There shouldn't be a boy murdered here.
This show has everything it needs to make me forget I'm sitting in front of a television; great acting, a riveting story line, well written scripts, and beautiful music and visuals. Broadchurch gets an A+ in my book.
House M.D. (2004)
It's Lupus!
Normally when I watch a series, I mildly enjoy it and wander through the series mindlessly, particularly with sitcoms. On very rare occasions, a show will pop up that I enjoy the main actor so much I follow him around for a couple years. This happened with House.
Hugh Laurie plays the part so perfectly and does this incredible thing where you absolutely hate him and love him at the same time. You want him to be happy, but you also can't help but feel like he deserves some of the things he goes through.
The thing that impressed me the most about House is the fact that House stays House from the first episode of season one to the last one of season eight. His personality doesn't waiver for one second, and that's a feat in and of itself.
While all of the medical jargon wasn't necessarily accurate and they had a habit of people coughing up blood in almost every episode, I did find it far more fascinating than any of the crime dramas that pop up. That might just be my personal opinion. It did get old the last couple of seasons though. "It's lupus!"
Probably the best part of the whole show was House and Wilson's relationship. All of my favorite moments surround their crazy shenanigans. Like the chickens. Ah, the chickens...
The worst part is when it's over. You are depressed for a few days. You know a show is good when it does that to you. I wholeheartedly recommend you go watch House.
Hotaru no haka (1988)
So Many Tears
I don't cry when I watch movies. Very rarely when I watch something will a tear spring up, and it usually only lasts a second. The final half hour of this film tears were streaming down my face. It's so good at pulling on your heart strings. You love the characters, you're there with them, so watching both of them fail to carry on, especially after all the older brother has done, hurts. That being said, I recommend this film to anyone and everyone. It is one of the most amazing anti-war films I've ever seen and it impacts you even more so because it's animated in the gentle Studio Ghibli art style. A beautiful film, something I was sad to find isn't more openly distributed. I was luckily able to find it at an awesome library in town.