Badmovies.org Forum

UPDATE: Letter grades added

I missed doing a review for last month; I was busy getting ready to go back to school, and working on some other writing projects. These titles may not be new, but I figured they were worth checking out:

Gankutsuou: An anime version of the Count of Monte Cristo, only set in a future world that at the same time bears a striking resemblance to pre-revolutinary era France. A young aristocrat has his life saved by a mysterious Count, who he then invites home to meet the family...unfortunately, the Count's true motive is revenge. I decided to rent this after Cath recommended it in another thread, partly because it sounded interesting and partly because the company that made it, Gonzo, is also supposed to be making the Suspiria anime. After having watched a few episodes, I can safely say that if Suspiria is anything like this, then it's gonna be awesome. Part of what made Argento's movie so cool was his use of color and set design, and Gankutsuou's animation style uses both to incredible effect. Not much in the way of action, but highly recommended overall. A

Grrl Power: A trio of young girls, abandoned by their parents, earn a living by helping others with problems, and teach their clients a thing or two along the way. A one episode OVA, the show is directed mainly at young kids, with it's overly cartoony style (leaning more towards American animation than anime) and childlike tone. This is not to say that it cannot be enjoyed by adults, however. What made me decide to rent this is that it features a deaf character who communicates only by sign language, and having taken several ASL courses, I figured it would be cool to watch, which it was...except for the fact that ASL (American Sign Language) is vastly different than "JSL" (or Japanese Sign Language), so I still needed the subtitles (that is, those available in both sub and dub versions) to understand (then again, second languages tend to be use it or loose it, so I probably wouldnt be able to remember all that much ASL anyway). Worth checking out, in any event. C+

Excel Saga: This I caught on demand. Excel works for an alien ruler bent on taking over the earth, and is sent down to enslave the human race. Along the way she makes friends with an immigrant worker and a stray dog (NOT A CAT, despite how it may appear) who she is actually saving as an emergency meal should she require it. A bizzare comedy, fast paced and self referential to a fault (Excel's first mission is to kill the creator of the original manga on which the show is based), many of the jokes would probably resonate more with a japanese audience, though the english dub does get whatever laughs it can. B

lol I saw Excel Saga. MESSED UP! I thought the English acting was pretty good but the lead female was so loud it kinda hurt my ears - but switching to Japanese wasn't really an option since she talks so fast and the subtitles just fly by... heh

However the afro guy Nabeshin was legendary.

I bought the first Excel dvd and brought it to a group meeting; overall their consensus was the same as yours-that chick never shuts up. I pity the voice actress who has to play her; that has to hurt your throat, especially after the fifth or sixth take.

As a matter of fact, the English voice actress strained her vocal chords, which is why the actress changes halfway through the series!

I've heard good things about Excel Saga now, but it's hard to believe anything could be more hyper-paced and brilliantly insane than FLCL (also known as fooly cooly)