Criminalist's Xanga

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Thu, 01 May 2008 05:06:22 GMT

I'm bringing Xanga back - drop a comment if you're with me!

Monday, April 10, 2006

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 11:23:16 GMT

Konnichi wa minasan!!!

Sorry for no updates recently, but I was quite busy but alas I will have at least 2 reviews to make for and I will post them this week. So by Sunday, we can be back to our scheduled program.

Monday, March 20, 2006

Mon, 20 Mar 2006 03:56:55 GMT

Konnichi wa, minasan!!!

I’m back and this time on time XD

But I’m glad to bring you a review this week. My week has been pretty good; of course there were a few bumps here and there. But nothing yours truly can’t handle. Its like Bruce Wayne’s father said, “Why do we fall? So we can learn to pick ourselves up”. I would really like to say thanks to everyone who is still here reading and following up on my reviews. It really means a lot to me. One thing is to stop by and never return but it’s the best when you return again and again to see if someone is still there… am I making sense? I think I’m confusing… but no matter. Here is this week’s review, I hope you enjoy it…

Boys Over Flowers (Hana Yori Dango)

By Yoko Kamio

High school life should just consist of just showing up, doing you schoolwork, and maybe making a friend or two, right? But for one girl, it’s just a bit more complicated. Imagine, being marked to be bullied by your entire school. Then the person who you thought was your friend turns out to be using you, while the guy you like is part of the group who put out the hit on you, And to top it all off, the leader of the group is in love with you. He’s willing to get you no matter what, but you just can’t stand him. This the main plot to Hana Yori Dango (roughly translated, Boys Over Flowers).

It all centers around a lower-class girl named Tsukushi Makino, who has recently transferred to the aristocratic and private Eitoku High School where only the wealthy and most prominent kids attend. Everyday Tsukushi witnesses the cruelty of the Flower Four, or, the F4. They are called this because they’re rich, gorgeous, and powerful. They literally rule over the entire academy (teachers and directors included). Tsukushi just wants to graduate without having anything to do with the other students, especially, the F4. However, Tsukushi's friend, Sakurako, accidentally gets into trouble with the F4, which caused Tsukushi to bravely stand up to them for her friend (something that has never happened before, mind you). This ends up badly for Tsukushi though, as she gets smacked with the infamous and scary F4 red tag (which basically calls for the entire students of the school to turn against her).

All the same, Tsukushi's strong will and character allows her to stand up to all the bullying and problems. She manages to remain in school and even decided to declare an all out war with the F4 rather than cowering from them. Intrigued by Tsukushi's daring spunk, the F4 were quite impressed and this also consequently catches the eye of Doumyouji Tsukasa- who's none other than the leader of F4. But as she continues her war against the F4, she finds herself falling for the member of the group who is the most mysterious, Rui Hanazawa. Everything then spins wildly out of control as the three start a very emotional and complex love triangle.

This series is so popular that it has been produced as a live action series, movie, and musical (yeah, a musical). The live action movie was made in China, with a very popular boy band called “Meteor Garden”. The musical was in anime form, it was pretty cute but it was way too short. As for the anime and the manga, they both are great and easy to follow, but the best one I have seen so far has to be the live action series. This drama stars Inoue Mao as Tsukushi, the very sweet and mysterious Rui Hanazawa is played by Shun Oguri, and the cute member of ARASHI, Jun Matsumoto as the cold-hearted but yet lost soul, Tsukasa. This series was great because every actor portrayed the realism of the manga. For example, when Tsukushi stands up for Tsukasa, you just want to cheer for her and say “YOU GO GIRL!!!”. But at the end of this very short series (which is the extremely sad part of it), you just want both of them to be happy. Also, the series ends quite differently than the manga and anime. Still, I hope they continue with it. I encourage you to discover the brilliance of this series. Journey into the world of realistic trials, friendships, the hardship of discovering true love, the games of life, and just overall greatness. This is one story you just can’t miss!

For Fans Of

Peach Girl, Love Hina, Chobits, Cardcaptor Sakura, and Paradise Kiss.

Rating

Manga Anime Live Action Series Live Action Movie Musical Anime

CCC CCC CCCC CC CC

Well everyone, I hope you enjoyed this week’s review. Next week’s review will involve motorcycles and a real cute relationship of opposites. So tune in next week and you’ll find out for yourself. Also, feel free to visit my Myspace.com site and leave feedback. I love all that stuff…. Till next time this is Criminalist saying, Life is full of choices, so make the right one today and that way tomorrow, you’ll be glad you did.

Sunday, March 12, 2006

Sun, 12 Mar 2006 08:24:45 GMT

WOW... It’s been sooo long since I have been here,

First off, I would like to say that I'm working for a different company, I'm no longer at the bank but at a nice cute office place with nice people and bosses who just ask you to finished you work before you go home which is great (feel free to email me there: rosa.lopez@cityofchicago.org). Also I get my cute little area where I can decorate to my choosing (as long as it not demeaning to others). Now my desk has pictures of my family and friends as well as anime stuff, like my wallpaper and screensaver too. Another cool thing, my baby brother went to Marine boot camp and on March 10, he officially became a marine (I’m so proud of him!!). My mom became a US citizen on Feb. 14 (Valentine’s Day no less, and also the day I got my new job too) I just got back together with my friends who I haven’t been with in, like, forever. Together, we form the famous (or infamous) TEAM ACE. The team consists of 5 people (Left to Right: the goofy artist, Tony; the adorable kitty-girl Josie; the opinionated wild, Danny; the webmaster genius, Johnny; my eccentric little sister, Serena; and of course, yours truly) we formed this team back in 1999 or so (maybe earlier). But I’m still very into my animes and mangas. But lets back to why we are here for, the reviews and updates. I will try my best to bring a review every week. But if I can't make it, my sister or one of my Team Ace buds will bring it to you. I'm really sorry but with so much happening I just got lazy. I lost sight of my fave part of my weekly routine, my reviews. At least now everything has gone back to it original schedule. Next week, I will continue the rest of the reviews. As for the raffle, I will postpone that to maybe May or so, and change the prize too. I will let you know when, but without further a due; here is the review I left of at…

Red River

By Chie Shinohara

Imagine, if you will, being pulled into the past, not knowing Anyone there, not understanding what they are telling you. Meanwhile your trying to fight for you life because the person who summoned you to that point and time needs your blood as a sacrifice to make her son ruler of an ancient city. During the chase, you run into the most handsome person you ever meet, and this individual saves you by passing you as his lover. Now that sounds just like a movie, but it’s actually the manga named "Red River".

I fell for this story because you just want to be in the main characters shoes. The story is about Yuri, a modern-day teen, and Prince Kail, a young warrior and sorcerer, who were thrown together when Queen Nakia drew Yuri across time and space into the ancient Hittite Empire. But Nakia’s plan failed when Kail passed Yuri off as his concubine. That’s were everything starts to get complicated for Yuri.

She yearns to go back home but every time she’s close, the Queen prevents her from doing so. In the middle we have Kail, who wants Yuri to return home and be happy but he also is in love with her and wants her to stay with him forever. This story is abundant in love and decision. In the story lines, Yuri gets labeled as the Goddess Ishtar. Why? Because she recognizes certain things that are common for her in everyday Japan but in ancient times it’s considered unusual. In one occasion, she is taken hostage by another kingdom. During her captivity, she notices the treatment of injured and sick prisoner. To her shock, they are living in really bad conditions. She teaches the people in the kingdom to treat the sick by caring for them instead of just leaving there to die.

Chie Shinohara is an exquisite storyteller. As soon as you start the first book, you’re hooked. She makes the story feel like you’re in that situation at the moment. The art is very clean and not to crowded like some other mangas. I recommend this series just for the story alone. When you read about the love that is forming between Kail and Yuri, and all the other men that fall for this young goddess as well. This manga will bring lot emotions out. So pick this one fast, cause its very rare to find.

For fans of

From Far Away, Windaria, Hana Yori Dango, Kare First Love, Peach Girl, and anything with pharaohs and ancient civilization.

Rating

Manga

CCCC

Well, That’s it for this week. Next week, I will continue the updates for the month of March. The first is the story of a regular girl who happens to be in the one of the elites schools in Japan, but while she tries so hard not be noticed by the other spoiled rich kids, she is put in a triangle of love, loyalty and self-respect. I would like to thank my sister and my friend, Johnny for their help on this weeks review (maybe they will write one soon for you guys). Till next time, this is Criminalist saying, if you ever find yourself in a different place where nothing looks like it’s suppose to, you are in the wrong bathroom, my friend.

Thursday, November 24, 2005

Thu, 24 Nov 2005 02:42:26 GMT

Hey Everyone and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

In the spirit of thanks, I would like to thank every single person who stop by and read one or all my reviews. I really feel honored. Also, I would like to thank all of my friends who have been patient with me, and been giving me the support I need. And lastly, to my secret helpers who always give me extra back up or two, thanks a bunch!!! Now enough of this yammering, here is this week’s review:

Alchino

By Kouyu Shurei

Imagine being able to be granted any wish you want? Money? Love? Anything your heart desires, but what's in exchange is something more important than what you want. That is the main idea behind the new Japanese gothic manga, Alichino.

Alichino is about angels--well, sort of. In the manga, there exist beautiful, mythical creatures called Alichino. These beings have the ability to grant the wishes of those in need. Needless to say, this has caused them to be seen as heavenly beings and humans, because of it, often seek them out. However, it turns out granted wishes do not come without a price. In reality, Alichino are attracted to feelings of misery and sadness. Thus, they actively hunt for people in need because of the strong feelings of unhappiness and despair that radiate from them. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. Things get much darker when the price for a granted wish is finally revealed. Overall, I found the Alichino to be a unique and refreshing departure from the usual host of demons and vampires that dominate the gothic-fantasy genre.

At the heart of the story is a young man named Tsugiri, who not only knows the true nature of the Alichino, but also has some kind of mysterious connection with them. In fact, despite the fact he hates these creatures, Tsugiri finds himself constantly surrounded by them. Complicating things further, Tsugiri can't remember much of his past, which just may hold the key to understanding his connection with the Alichino. The author, Kouyu Shurei, does an excellent job pacing the story so it remains highly addictive as the truth is revealed little by little.

Another thing I liked about the story is the fact Shurei spends a lot of time exploring the grey area that exists between good and evil. To this extent, a lot of the characters tend to be cast in shades of grey rather than being purely good or purely evil. For example, the alchino that is with Tsuguri, Myobi. She is not only there to protect him but also holds a major key in his past that can transform Tsuguri's future. It is this exploration of the boundary between good and evil that adds yet another interesting aspect to the story, as well as giving the cast of characters a nice level of depth and complexity. All of this adds up to one thing: Alichino is a must buy manga. Alichino is one of the best gothic-fantasy manga available today.

For fans of

Vampire Princess Miyu, Mermaid Scar, Priest, Clover, King Of Hell, and ShutterBox

Rating

Manga

CCCC

Well, That’s it for this week. Next week, is my last review of the year. Starting Dec. 7, I will be giving my top 10 in movies, mangas, anime, and music (Asian, American, all mixed) to finish the year. Also I will be raffling off a manga set of Magic Knights Rayearth by CLAMP on Dec. 21, so be on the look out. Next week’s review will involve my top manga of the year, Red River. This manga is not as popular as Naruto or Bleach but it’s an awesome story, involving romance, betrayal, murder and ancient Egypt and Babylonia. So tune in next week, and this Criminalist saying… give thanks for all the happy things in your life, especially free pumpkin pie (YUM!!). Ja mata!!!

Friday, November 18, 2005

Fri, 18 Nov 2005 03:08:12 GMT

Konnichi wa, Mina!!!

Hey everyone sorry for the delay. This time it's not my fault (I cross my heart and all that). See the situation is there was a leak in my apartment causing some wires inside the wall to fry. So my cable wire (which provides my wondrous internet hookup) had to be temporarily disconnected. But thankfully, now that's over and I'm back. Since I missed last week's review, I posted it this week. So enjoy and I'll see you next Wednesday.

Cowboy Bebop

By Hajime Yatate

Cowboy Bebop is one of those series that takes a relatively tired concept and manages to breathe new life into it. In this case, the formula is a small band of bounty hunters, tooling around in their quirky space ship, headed up by a slick gunslinger with a mysterious past--I think just about every anime fan has seen at least something like that. But through some stylish directing, not-quite-formula characters, an interesting setting, a mix of off-beat humor and drama, and a whole lot of very cool music, Cowboy Bebop manages to be both good classic space-adventure and refreshingly original.

Cowboy Bebop is an extremely character oriented series that revolves around two bounty hunters, Spike and Jet. Spike is a lanky gunslinger with a dangerous past and some killer martial arts moves. He tends to be rather presumptuous and aggressive, which often lands him in some pretty dangerous situations. Luckily for him, Jet is there to watch his back. Laid-back but tough, Jet is a rough-sounding ex-cop with a bionic arm. He seems to be almost a perennial father figure to Spike, and is often the more rational of the two. During their adventures in space, they come across a few more companions. The first is Ein, a lovable mutt with supposedly advance intelligence. He doesn't contribute a whole lot to the series, but looks absolutely adorable trying to run around in zero gravity. The next is Faye Valentine, the hottie in hot pants who seems to be rather prominently featured on most of the box covers. She's both tough and fragile, with a very impulsive attitude and unconstrained demeanor. She enters the series as a layered character with a hidden past, and is slowly peeled back until she comes to grips with who she is. And finally, there's Ed, a young girl with extraordinary computer skills and hacking ability. Out of all the characters, Ed is definitely my favorite because of her utterly outlandish personality and happy-go-lucky attitude.

Contrasting the angst and drama of the character-oriented episodes are some episodes with no relation to the main story lines. These range from the lightweight and silly to downright bizarre, but all are quite entertaining in their own right. My personal favorites include the episodes focusing on Ed, which were often as impetuous and humorous as Ed herself. There was also a neat Aliens-style episode in which a mysterious organism plagues the crew of the Bebop, or a very surreal story in which Spike takes on a twisted assassin with super-human abilities. There are too many of these episodes to list, and some may be seen as filler at first. Personally, I thought they went a long way in boosting my enjoyment of this series. Worth at least a chance from almost any anime fan, and is almost guaranteed to be loved by fans of stylish action and sci-fi, as well those into not-too-serious space adventure and way-too-serious space adventure. Maybe soon, we can actually see a live-action movie.

For fans of

Tenchi Muyo, City Hunter, Project A-ko, and any type of anime that has to do with space and money hungry heros.

Rating

Anime

CCCC

I hope you guys enjoyed it. For next week, I will dedicate the review to little sister’s newest manga find. It’s called Alichino, a gothic tale of angels that turn into demons, well not literally, but tune in and find out what I mean. So come by next week (hopefully no more water leaks). This is Criminalist saying... life is never full of surprises; it’s just full of inconvenient bullshit.... Ja Mata!!!!

Thursday, October 27, 2005

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 03:39:44 GMT

Konnichi wa, minasan and...HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Well, sorry to say I have no fascinating stories this week but I will tell you what I will be for Halloween. I’m going to be Mizuho Kazami from the series Onegai Sensei but I won’t be a teacher like the anime but a doctor version, and I will be giving out Pocky instead of your usual chocolate and lollipops. So stop by my work (see previous post to find out where location is) and I will give you a treat. Now without further delay, this week’s review:

Cutey Honey

By Go Nagai

A mysterious organization named the Panther Claw is out and terrorizing the citizens of Tokyo. The police are having their fair share of problems with the criminals and are confused even further when a beautiful vigilante comes to save the day. She is the warrior of the love and justice! Cutey Honey!

Cutey Honey is among the better-known anime titles, primarily for its main character. However, the story behind Cutey Honey is actually very interesting. Created by Go Nagai, reputed for incorporating suggestive elements into his works, the original Cutey Honey can be considered the precursor to the "Magical Girl" anime and manga genre, being the first featuring a female character able to transform and fight the forces of evil.

The story focuses around Honey Kisaragi, who had thought she was normal until her "father" revealed to her that she was in fact an android with the capability to reshape her body in any number of ways. From that day on, Honey fights against forces that would want her secret power for themselves. Along side her are many various characters from a charming mysterious seems-to-know-more-than-usual reporter named Seiji Hayami to an overexgared and horny grampa named Danbei Hayami (Yes, Seiji and Danbei have a connection but you have to figure it out for your self)

The original Cutey Honey series (targeted as a shounen or boy-oriented series) ran for 25 episodes but was canceled when the Japanese public criticized its content (It was too explicit). There are some things even the Japanese don't like to see on television. In 1992, an updated OAV version of the story came out. We see it here as New Cutey Honey.

Cutey Honey Flash (Cutey Honey F is more common nickname for this series) is a retake of the original story with an intent to make it shoujo (girl-oriented), turning Honey from a well-endowed secretary android into a school-age human girl and adding both more romantic potential into the series as well as conflicts more typical of the genre that the original inspired, actually replacing Sailor Moon (which finished just before Cutey Honey F began) as the show to watch.

Cutey Honey grips you with action that simply explodes up on the screen; all the sequences have a craziness and spontaneity to them that makes it enjoyable to watch unfold. The eccentric atmosphere is accompanied with upbeat, toe-tapping music and Koda Kumi’s renditions of Cutie Honey Intro (Onegai Honey) for the recent released Live-action movie featuring Erika Satoh as Honey is pure gold.

Although, with the high standard for “craziness” that Cutey Honey makes for itself after the first episode is unfortunately not sustained near the end. This might be attributed to the different animation directors, regardless of this fact; Cutey Honey didn’t end with the “BANG” it began with. This was definitely an impressive piece of work that managed to get a huge grin on my face in the end. If you are one of those people who love “randomness” or you need some big-booby, butt-kicking action, then Cutey Honey has got a little something for everybody. Who knows, you might have the urge to be the next warrior of Love and Justice!

For fans of

Sailor Moon, Tenchi Muyo, Ranma 1/2, Fruits Basket, and Inuyasha

Rating

Anime

CCCC

That’s all for now, my wonderful fans. Next week I will review my best friend’s favorite anime and one of mine too, its about space bounty hunters, and a cute but weird kid named Ed. So tune in next week to find out what I’m talking about till then this Criminalist saying… Chicks in skimpy outfits look the best when they are kicking ass. Ja Mata!!!

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Wed, 19 Oct 2005 04:10:21 GMT

Konnichi wa, Mina!!!

Well after a long vacation (well deserved I may add) I'm back to our ORIGINAL scheduled program. Every Wednesday (this time I will stick to it) I will put up a review. My birthday is this Thursday, October 20th. I will be a quarter of a century old.... man that's old. But if you wish to drop me a wish or say “Hi!!” email me. So without further ado, here is this week's review:

Full Metal Alchemist

By Hiromu Arakawa

Humankind cannot gain anything without giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal worth is lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange.

The story begins 1910 in a humble village called Rosembool. Two young brothers, Edward and Alphonse Elric, are the two sons of a highly skilled alchemist. Although their father is absent through most of their childhood, they discover his books and develop their own transmutation skills. When their mother dies of a terrible illness, they decide to dive deep into taboo territory and attempt to bring her back to life: one of the few things that are forbidden by law and nature. The cost of their mistake is high. Edward loses one arm and leg during the ritual, and Alphonse's soul is trapped in a giant suit of armor. Now, the two brothers wander the earth in an attempt to discover artifacts that they can use to restore their original bodies.

Although the theme in this anime are hardly new, they are not what fans usually expect from this particular type. Above all, this is a story of redemption and dangerous scientific aspirations. The two brothers, like doctor Frankenstein, decide to play God when they are unhappy with the fate that life has handed them. There is something greater to life than simply the correct physical elements, though, and there are consequences to be paid when humanity tries to manufacture life.

The system of alchemy itself is interesting and well constructed. It is little more than magic, of course, but the implications of this system are different than most fantasy magic systems. In other series, magic is a gift that is offered to special characters. The danger of the magic comes with lack of control, whether it's an inability to control the magic or to be responsible with the power that has been offered. Here, the emphasis is different. The power that Ed and Al can wield is nearly limitless, but each bit of power needs to have an equivalent sacrifice. As in life, it's easy to make small sacrifices in order to gain what we want: consider our entire system of financial exchange. The story has also been designed well. Like any power, Alchemy can be used for good or evil, and can be offered truthfully or behind a veil of lies. Already, Fullmetal Alchemist is willing to grapple with issues of how we regard religion and science, which is a tall order for a Shounen series. The animation lives up to the quality of the storytelling, with cinematic backdrops, and smoothly in depth characters.

No matter what kind of anime you normally like, Fullmetal Alchemist is a pretty safe bet. It has richly developed characters, dark and interesting themes as well as stunning animation. This anime has storyline that even a non-anime fan can appreciate. This a true treasure to have in your collection. The series its self is not to long only having 52 episodes to its series. The latest new is the first movie has just been releases in Japan this summer. As an anime junkie that I am, I will also put the word out when the movie releases here in the states…(or if I can get online too). There is also talk about a second movie but no specifics have been confirmed. So, don’t let this series get away, you will regret it my friend.

For fans of

If you like movies of any kind, this for you… unless you never seen a movie then… its still for you

Rating

Anime Manga

CCCC CCCC

Next time, I will be reviewing my ALLTIME favorite anime. It involves a cute young female who fights evil in many disguises. Her name is Honey Kisaragi, and if you want to meet her tune in next week. So till then this is Criminalist saying...Never attempt anything you can’t handle, it can cost your life. Ja Mata!!!

Monday, October 03, 2005

Mon, 03 Oct 2005 11:50:35 GMT

Konnichi wa, Everyone!!!

Welcome back to this week's review. I really apologize for my late review (WOW déjà vu!) Anyway I had a super busy week and also I’m working at a new place. I’m (actually after training I will be) a drive-up teller at Corus Bank (on Halsted, Lincoln, and Fullerton right across De Paul University), so cheer for me, stop by and open account or say Hi! But enough of my annoying chatter and excuses here is this weeks review:

Naruto

By Masashi Kishimoto

Twelve years ago, a demon fox with nine tails appeared. His tail was powerful enough to cause mountains to crumble and tidal waves to form with only a swing. The Shinobis fought long and hard to contain the demon until one Shinobi, Fourth Hokage sacrificed his life to seal it.

Fast forward to the present, Naruto is the mischievous orphan of Konoha (Hidden Leaf Village) who dreams that one day the people of the village will acknowledge him and that he will become as well respected as village's 4 Hokage (leaders). Now, however, Naruto does whatever he can to drum up attention but mostly incurs their wrath rather than compassion. Only his teacher, Iruka, shows him kindness - which is somewhat ironic because Naruto is his worst student and in danger of failing his Academy graduation exam for the third (and final) time.

On the day of Naruto’s graduation, Mizuki contrives a plot to steal the Hokage's Scroll of Seals, which includes several forbidden ninja techniques. That plot requires Naruto to break in and steal the Scroll and give it to him. When the villagers learn that Naruto has taken the scroll, Iruka goes after him and finds himself in the middle of the plot, where it looks as if Mizuki will take Iruka’s life to get his hands on the Scroll. Luckily Naruto has mastered one of the forbidden techniques and can use it to not only defeat Mizuki but also graduate from the academy.

Soon, Naruto is well on his way to becoming a full-fledged ninja. And because ninja work in teams, Naruto finds himself partnered with the girl he has a crush on, Sakura, and the boy she has a crush on, Sasuke. He and Sasuke soon become rivals and their sensei, Kakashi, must go to great lengths to teach his young Genin the value of teamwork.

The characters are a delight to watch as they struggle with being shinobi in this super competitive and highly dangerous environment. They deal with everyday concerns like unrequited love, lack of self-confidence, broken families, over-demanding parents, and wanting to feel accepted for who they are. The more you learn about the characters, the more you come to like them and want to know more. I love the series not only because of the action and psychology, but it also explains how ninjas or shinobi are able to perform magical techniques. They speak of mixing different energies inside the body like chakra, as well as cultural icons such as the nine-tailed fox.

The only downside to this series, it’s the same as Inuyasha, it has more than 150+ episodes, and two movies (One is already out, the second is still in theather in Japan, and a third one is being produced as you read this). But it’s worth to watch in the same. I loved this series because it has action and love story all in this action mix. I would also reviewed the manga but I have to admit this is one of the mangas I avoided to continue reading. The art is all over and it hard to keep up. I read 2 volumes and I stopped, it reminded me of a bad comic book I read once… I don’t remember the name but it was bad. If you chose to get the manga, get ready to make room in your shelf there are more than 20 books to the series and more are expected. But I suggest stick with the anime its easier to understand and actually easier to the eyes.

For fans of

Inuyasha, Ninja Gaiden, Ninja Scroll, basically anything with Ninjas.

Rating

Anime Manga

CCC CC

Next time, I will be reviewing Full Metal Alchemist. It’s an awesome series even people who have never seen anime love it. So till then this is Criminalist saying... Ninjitsu is an exquisite technique as Nicholas Cage is to his children naming abilities. Ja Mata!!!

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Sun, 25 Sep 2005 07:52:43 GMT

Konnichi wa, Everyone!!!

Welcome back to this week's review. I really apologize for my late review but I will start updating every Sunday from now on. I know this is not a good thing but it's more convenient for me since I’m working. But enough of that, this week I was going to review Naruto but there has been a change of plans. This week I’m going to review the most hyped movie there has ever been in the video game and anime industry…Final Fantasy VII (7): Advent Children. So here is my review:

Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children

Directed by Tetsuya Nomura (square Enix)

This is based of the original square soft (the name square enix had at first) game, Final Fantasy 7. This game is the grand daddy of all 3D games; this started the revolution of game play and also made a lot of teenagers and parents all fired up for very different reasons. In the game an evil corporation called Shinra Inc. has found a way to mine "Materia", the life energy of the earth, to control the universe. Fortunately, a resistance organization known as AVALANCHE has vowed to put an end to Shinra's destructive practices. The story focuses on Cloud, an ex-soldier of Shinra, who teams up with AVALANCHE, and along the way encounters some very mysterious and powerful allies who help him fight against the deadly creatures Shinra has created to protect its empire. But in order to enjoy this movie it’s okay that you never played the game (if you haven’t I put a curse on you… naw just kidding, or am I?) But the movie, takes place two years after the events in the game. A disease called ‘Geostigma’ is spreading through the planet. Guilt-ridden and haunted by his past, ex-SOLDIER Cloud Strife has decided to live a secluded, solitary life away from his friends. Tifa Lockheart's bar, the Seventh Heaven, serves as an orphanage for children stricken with Geostigma. Here, Tifa keeps an eye on Barret's six-year-old daughter, Marlene, while Barret searches the planet for an alternative energy source to the fossil fuel, Mako. One day, Cloud receives a phone call from the former Shinra, Inc. president, Rufus, asking him for protection from a mysterious man named Kadaj. Kadaj, in the meantime, along with his brothers Loz and Yazoo, are searching for their "mother", and seem to believe that Cloud knows where to find her. Meanwhile, Vincent Valentine has been wandering the planet gathering information on Kadaj's scheme, and Cloud and his friends must come together again to fight these new enemies. The visuals are extraordinary as well is the story. The music is the best and of course you get to see the ultimate battle of good vs. evil. I can't be to descriptive because a lot of people might not understand the movie yet cause they have not played it or heard of it (again where in the world have you been?)

Okay so this movie isn’t due out here in America just yet (it was suppose to but it never did) but thanks to the great people on the Internet, its out on bit torrent. Problem though is that if you don’t have the codec or the player to play it, the file won’t work. Also its only available subbed. But no need to cry and pout, I have taken the liberty of taking a couple of screenshots. Also I have linked the title above to the main webpage. But if you want the torrent still click here. So I’m sorry to my many fans (I have fans LOL) for the delay but when you see these pics you’ll know why. Also the screenshots I took try to tell most of the story, but the ending is left out, if you want shots of the ending and a full review with every detail there is, email me and I'll gladly hand them over. ^_^ (Also you can come over and see it at my place, everyone is invited, trust me, you'll be glad you did)

For fans of

ALL THE FINAL FANTASY GAMES!!! And also people who love anime and video games, which is basically everyone.

Rating

This movie gets a 10!!! Its graphic, the music, the story, everything is perfect.

Next time, I will go back to the regular scheduled program. Since this week’s review got moved, Naruto will be up for next week. So till then this Criminalist saying… Cloud Strife is my future husband and everyone is invited to the wedding. Ja mata!!!