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Laid Back Camp S2 E8

March 4th, 2021

It’s episode eight of Laid Back Camp! It means that before getting there, you would need to watch the seven episodes that came before it, and then this one. So if you haven’t done that already, I ask that you do, because there are spoilers in ‘them woods. So let us begin.

We are here. After two episodes that talk about it, and a previous episode of preparation, it is happening. Nadeshiko has taken on the role of Rin and transformed into a solo camper! It is a dream – she gets a great view of the town nearby, Fuji-San (Mount Fuji) is there, the bathroom is clean, and even though she can’t build a campfire on the grounds, it’s not too cold, and there is a designated area for cooking nearby. The site she’s staying at is occupied by one other tent; a father and his two children, Haruka and Hiroto (with Haruka complaining about the lack of wifi range). As part of Rin’s rules for solo camping, Nadeshiko decided she would do some “Outdoor Cooking Research”. In other words, she wants to see if she can make an even better meal for the gang when they meet up for another night of camping together.

Meanwhile, our substory for this episode revolves around Rin and Sakura, with nobody from the outdoor club and their little dog in view: Rin is going to her own solo camp, which includes a very well presented scene where she tries to cross a very shaky foot-bridge before turning back for the Hot Springs. Meanwhile, Sakura looks at buying some Game while at the Hot Spring she stayed in during the last episode (seeing whether to get Deer, Bear or Boar). When she looks at a recipe for Braised Bear Paw… Yeah, she goes for the Deer in the end. While at the Hot Spring with Rin, we witness our second judgemental cat of the series. A black and white Felix cat with a ‘paw’ on its muzzle staring inside, trying to hypnotise someone into opening the door for it while Rin sits in a vibrating armchair. However, when both Rin and Sakura realise that Nadeshiko hasn’t updated online (and is therefore out of range. Breaking one of Rin’s Rules), they decide to investigate.

Meanwhile, the children from the other tent are introduced sub-consciously to Secret Society: Blanket through Nadeshiko, as she decides to bake vegetables over hot coals while wrapped up. Curious, the children join her for the Baked Tomato, which worked out and leads to a scene were Nadeshiko borrows a little bit from the Old Witch in Snow White. They then try baked eggplant, baked potato and baked avocado, with the results appearing to get worse as it all progressed until the baked Sweet Potato changed the children’s lives forever in a moment. However, all came crashing down with an overbaked carrot. So the children learn from Nadeshiko, while Nadeshiko learns from them when it came to cooking some convenient store food that wasn’t curry cup ramen. Rin witnesses Nadeshiko’s experience and is relieved to find that she’s doing well and even making friends. In the car park, she gets spooked by Sakura, who has arrived for the same reason. At this moment, Sakura finds out how good Nadeshiko’s friends are. Particularly Rin. They go to see the night-scape view before having to hide when they’re nearly caught by Nadeshiko, who arrives on the same spot to take a selfie and send it to them. While Sakura and Rin are leaving to go home, they receive the selfie. Afterwards, Sakura offers to buy Rin some dinner, as a new social link is forged. Our episode ends with Nadeshiko setting up her sleeping bag on a park bench. Here, she stares at the night-scape of the nearby town.

The post-credits introduce us to a new mini-show. Along with Room Camp and Shima Shima Shima Rin, we now have Inu Inu Inuko-San, where Aoi fantasises about owning the Caribou-Kun that the girls all hugged a few episodes back. Especially after finding out that he can be bought. Dry responses and all. However, at 360,000 Yen (or roughly $36,000) – We’ll see if she gets one when Nadeshiko gets her flying tent. *wink*.

I thought this episode as very well handled, and I’m happy that they didn’t just copy a Rin Camp and replace her with Nadeshiko in the spot. Rin has her approach after all, and while having Nadeshiko do a Solo Camp where she is completely alone on site could be used, I’d say it’s too soon for her to be subjected to that scenario. The presence of the other campers was instrumental for settling the pink-haired extrovert into the habit of being able to do these things alone if need be. Unlike some previous episodes, there is little indication as to what the next episode will bring. Perhaps they will start to get the Sake Shop Town Camp prepared? Either way, I will see you there!
El Mariachi (1992)

March 1st, 2021

And so with Frevier Francais done and dusted, possibly until next year (or on the Wild Card), we begin what I will call El Mariachi March – or more specifically, Robert Rodriguez Month. This time, we will get hot and sunny weather in Western settings, numerous bars, several mistaken identities, various murder-inducing instruments, handsome men in black, and the beautiful women who fall for their dangerous existence. Let’s get started.

Set in the modern-day (1992), El Mariachi is “A Tale Of Two Guitar Cases”. You have the unnamed musician known as El Mariachi (played by Carlos Gallardo, who was also co-producer), who arrives in a small Mexican town with the dream of becoming a famous singer-guitarist like his father, grandfather, and great grandfathers. After receiving a free coconut upon entering, he believed his luck was good. At the same time, there is Azul (played by Reinol Martinez). A ruthless killer who had just escaped from jail. Much like El Mariachi, Azul also has a guitar case. Only in Azul’s case are numerous weapons, including a sub-machine gun. Azul’s goal is to get money owed to him by the Drug Lord known as Moco (played by Peter Marquardt). This goal leads to Azul beginning a killing spree, which, through mistaken identity, puts El Mariachi in great danger and puts him at the mercy of the lovely bar owner Domino (played by Consuelo Gómez).

Now to look at what is and isn’t a mistaken identity:

The acting is excellent for the budget, and I will get to that soon. While the Film borrows from spaghetti westerns in parts, Rodriguez needed people for the roles and didn’t look for everybody to “have the right kind of face”. Many of the actors and actresses are probably either family, friends, neighbours, classmates or civilians. The Prison-guards at the beginning of the Film were real guards, and that jail was theirs. But he edited the Film well enough to hide most of the weaknesses that could show them up as non-actors. The only actor with any experience appears to have been Carlos Gallardo (El Mariachi) – and with that considered, you begin to appreciate how well everybody else did, especially Consuelo Gómez as Domino, who had a lot of dialogue. Then there was Peter Marquardt as Moco, who said his lines phonetically, as he didn’t speak a lick of Spanish. Reinol Martinez (Azul) was studying to be Doctor while making this. If he followed through on that path, I wonder how many patients bring up this role.

The characters are their wants: El Mariachi wants to become a famous musician (but not like this), and he laments for the days when musicians were ‘gods’. Azul wants his money. Domino wants her security (and to be loved), and Moco needs to protect his business. We are less interested in what Domino’s favourite book is and more interested in how she handles this situation that we’re thrown into. She could be any bartender anywhere, and El could be any musician. It is that kind of fast-paced movie.

The story is purely plot-driven. But it is a good kind of plot-driven. The kind that makes sense and keeps your interest. It drives forward like a spaghetti western, as it follows a stranger (El Mariachi) who enters an unfamiliar town and gets caught up in a scenario that could have been avoided had he not worn black or carried a guitar case. Scene after scene, he makes the situation worse by staying and rescuing his belongings when he leaves them behind or loses them. Very much, he is in the wrong place at the wrong time, with some exceptions.

Now for the part that shines the brightest: The artistic approach, cinematography and special effects are incredible because of several details. Here they are: Not only was this Robert Rodriguez’s first Film, but he also did almost everything behind the scenes. He was the director, the co-producer (along with Carlos Gallardo), the writer, the editor, and the cinematographer. He would have played El Mariachi himself if he was not operating the camera (he said). The film budget was $7,225 (about $13,647 in 2021) and would have cost only $600 ($1,133 in 2021) if he didn’t have to pay for camera film. It is in the Guinness World Record for the lowest budget film to ever make a million dollars, and in this case, it is a triumph for “The little guy entering the world of cinema”. The Film was also surprisingly good at its presentation of gore and violence. The condoms full of fake blood worked out well.

The music is fascinating in its own way. Even though it is about a musician, we receive one song from him (recorded by a real Mariachi that Rodriguez put a tape-recorder beside during a performance). The other music is very energetic and driven by fast, congo-style drums, guitars and synth – or it is ambient (almost dream-like), which gives a different feel compared to the films that are to come later.

Would I recommend El Mariachi? Yes, I would. It was the beginning of what would become a very memorable Film Director in Robert Rodriguez, and it is one of the best low-budget action movies ever made (in my opinion). It is a must-watch for film students who need to know how to make a good film on a small budget (Watch the behind-the-scenes feature. It is very inspirational). Even after all this time, it still holds the energy and excitement that it intended to create. So, go and find it.

Acting: ***1/4 (***** for being 99% inexperienced actors)

Characters: ***1/4

Story: ***3/4

Art: ****3/4

Special Effects/CGI: ***1/4 (****3/4 considering the budget)

Music: ***

Cinematography: *****

Overall: ***3/4
Laid Back Camp S2 E7

February 25th, 2021

Once again, I will start this review by letting you know there are spoilers. If you haven’t been watching the show up to this point, I would recommend that you do before continuing.

Well, I was right about one thing – this episode was either going to be Nadeshiko going solo camping or preparing for said solo camp. And today, she chose to get prepared. Because while Laid Back Camp is a surprisingly laser-focused show, it is also a show that likes to slow down and take it easy by not being a drama. Why do I say it’s not a drama? Because drama is life with the Boring bits taking out – meaning Laid Back Camp could be ‘life’ hence, slice-of-life – all right, I’ll stop. The show’s not dull. Let us focus on the episode.

So today, Aoi and Chiaki are taking a break after their little misadventure at the last camp trip, and Ena’s taking it easy as well, mostly sticking to conversations with Rin and Nadeshiko, the main focus of today’s episode. With the rest of the Outdoors Club at work, and everybody’s jobs taking them away from their meetings, Nadeshiko begins to miss Camping. She recalls the New Years Stayover at her Grandmother’s House that she would like to try solo camping. So she does what every sane human being does when they want to do something: ask a friend who knows something about what you’re aiming to do (if you have one). Rin takes the opportunity to give Nadeshiko bullet points. Everything she needs to do before she steps out the door on that fateful day with everything on her back. Rin’s ‘Camp Course’ becomes interesting because we are learning along with Nadeshiko. So if we ever camp in real life, we can follow the same rules.

Meanwhile, in the Teacher Facility, Toba-Sensei is looking at Sake on her phone. She finds the one she had in the last episode and sets up a later episode in the season (perhaps). The hiking club advisor tells her that there is a campsite in that Sake shop’s town that doesn’t get too cold in winter – So the Club might go there later.

As part of the rules, Nadeshiko tells her family about the solo camp. Including her sister, Sakura, who reacts to it in a very amusing manner. Then she puts the application called ‘Find My Family’ on Nadeshiko’s phone. After this, we experience Laid Back Camp’s answer to the Rocky Montage, as Nadeshiko gets everything together for her trip. This montage includes the first time we have ever seen Nadeshiko and Toba-Sensei in a classroom setting together. We then see Nadeshiko get ready to leave the house before the sun rises.

We enter the second half of our episode from here. This time we see more of Rin while also paying attention to Nadeshiko avoiding temptation (Other food that isn’t what Sakura recommended for her to try). Rin has also decided to go out for the weekend. More specifically, Akasawa-shuku, a post station for Shinto worshippers traveling to Mount Minobu and Shichimen. She sightsees a little before going to a Hot Spring. Here, she runs into Sakura, who is also out alone, leading to some amusing moments and scenes that develop her as both the watchful older sister and a fan of Moped’s Journey. Which I think is this show presenting Kino’s Journey as a reality TV Programme.

This episode was not as frantic as the last one – but I still found it quietly delightful, enjoyable and funny. In particular for Rin and Sakura’s scenes and the moment when Nadeshio finally gets to eat. Now to wait and see how Nadeshiko copes on her own.
Ernest and Celestine (2012)

February 22nd, 2021

Finally, we end our Février Francais (French February) with another animated feature that I stumbled across while looking through some old magazines. Upon looking at a few screenshots and the trailer, that was enough to merit a purchase. Here is Ernest & Celestine.

Based on the children’s book series of the same name by Belgian writer (and artist), Gabrielle Vincent, Ernest and Celestine happens in a nostalgic french fantasy world where Bears live like humans on the surface and mice live in an underground city. Our Tale revolves around two characters: Ernest, a bear who lives on the outskirts of town and tries to feed himself by busking as a one-man-band. And Celestine, a mouse pup living at (what looks like) an orphanage, as a student for the largest industry in this movie – Dentistry. Her job is simple – collect bear teeth and not get caught. Because in this film, teeth are a form of currency. They are ‘life’ for the Mice because, without them, they starve, and their top jobs are dentists. On the first night in this journey, Celestine tries to rob a bear cub of a baby tooth (because “the mouse fairy” is the tooth fairy in this film), only to nearly get caught and fall into the bin outside and have a pile of trash placed on top, trapping her. The next morning, Ernest is looking for food. Anything he could eat. He lifts the trash pile to find Celestine, and much like any hungry Bear decides that she’ll make a good meal. But when Celestine wakes up and negotiates with him, the rest of the film becomes a collection of favours and an unlikely friendship between partners in crime.

Now to determine the teeth and the marshmallows in this flick:

The Art Style and animation are incredible. A spectacle, within the context of it as an animated film rather than the book. I was not aware that this was a children’s book series (There’s only so much french material you can witness as a child outside of French-speaking countries in a pre-internet age). But based on what I’ve seen of the books, it appears the film captured the essence of them beautifully, even if the character design choices allowed the animators to work more quickly and efficiently. The film uses much fewer frames per second compared to a lot of other animated features. But with this, you get a whole lot of oomph. Lots of smacks and bangs in the physical comedy. The kind of movement that would be too dangerous to replicate in real life. Present in an episode or movie of Lupin The Third or Tom and Jerry. The linework is minimalist, with lines usually not connecting, which allows them to be fluid in movement. The colouring-in is all watercolours or gouache and in what I could best describe as a combination between french children’s cartoons and old-school anime from the ’70s and ’80s, with a pinch of Isao Takahata’s film My Neighbours The Yamadas. And you know what? I love it. I absolutely love it.

The voice acting is excellent, with every voice matching every design. Much like my experience of April and The Extraordinary World, I only saw this in French with English subtitles. There is an English voiceover of Ernest and Celestine, but again, probably in the blu-ray release. They got Forrest Whitaker to voice Ernest, which was bound to be great.

The Characters, especially Ernest and Celestine themselves, are very likeable and well told. They are more developed in the books, but we receive an excellent display of who they are within the seventy-six minutes that they occupy our screen. Their wants are simple – they are hungry, lonely, and desire to live off their art, and in this sense, we see something lovely and relatable.

The story and the themes have various factors. How the relationship between the bears and the mice is strained by the tales they tell each other. Along with the prejudices they hold in the process. We can also argue the possible class system, with the high and mighty bears being above the mice trying to survive. Another story told is one about Artists. Artists surviving in a world that wants them to be anything but what they’re striving to do. Both Ernest and Celestine are the equivalent of an artist community coming together to accomplish something that the world needs but perhaps doesn’t realize yet.

The Music by Vincent Courtois is closer to being easy-listening for children while being adorable enough to be embraced by an adult who is a child at heart, rather than music to go beyond the story it’s telling. So you might work along to it as a Homework Edit, but you have to love it to play it while out of the house – and trust me when I say that it is doable. It’s very French and an endearing listen.

Would I recommend Ernest and Celestine? Absolutely! It’s beautiful to look at, it’s funny, it’s well written, charming, and can be watched by anybody, even though it is a children’s film. It may also do for you what it did for me – allow me to find another author/illustrator to draw inspiration from, in this case, Gabrielle Vincent, the original author of the books. I got the Ernest & Celestine Christmas Book on kindle because of this film, and I hope to share it with my niece when she herself starts to read. So go watch it for yourself. It’ll be worth it.

Art Style: *****

Animation: *****

Voice Acting: ****1/2

Characters: ****1/2

Story: ****

Music: ****

Themes: ****

Overall: ****1/2
Laid Back Camp S2 E6

February 18th, 2021

Well here we are folks, more or less at the half way mark for the second season – if you haven’t seen the entire first half, I would recommend watching all of it first, because ahead of us are many spoilers. Now with that disclaimer out of the way, let us continue.

This episode continues on from where our adventure began last week; Chiaki, Aoi and Ena decide to do a Winter Camp trip without Rin and Nadeshiko, who are both at work. Within the opening minutes, Chiaki reveals the set-up that the Caribou clerk suggested as an alternative to a Hammock, and it is…a camping chair with a smaller version of the camping chair to use as a type of footstool. Along the way they witness hobbyists playing with remote control aeroplanes, and a woman camping with her dog (a corgi called Choko..as in Ochoko, the cup you drink Sake from, because the woman’s family runs a Sake Shop). However shortly afterwards, problems arise. When finishing up a group selfie and sending it to Rin as Chiaki’s way to be cheeky, the girls all find out that their phone batteries are dangerously low, as the weather appears to be colder due to being at a higher altitude than when they did the Christmas Camp.

While she doesn’t go camping with them, Rin plays a very important role in this episode, especially when we consider what is to come. While cleaning her camping gear (which includes how she uses drain cleaner to cleanse her “donation box” of soot), she receives the group selfie, which leads her to practically google Lake Yamanaka for weather information…

At -2’C at 4:30pm, it was only going to get colder, it seems (in fact, if Christmas Camp was 600 metres and this Camp was 1000 metres above sea level, you will be talking about a difference of 4.5’C compared to the Christmas Camp. Then you consider the time. Christmas Camp was at night, but this is happening in the mid-to-late afternoon). Subconsciously, I’m taken back to one of the early episodes of season one when I see scenes like this. When they were testing cardboard boxes and tinfoil on a summer sleeping bag. Even the music starts to suggest the danger they were in – not in a “Jaws is coming” approach, but more a “We’re out of our depth and need to act now” fashion. So they prepare quickly, as Chiaki travels to a nearby shop to get supplies, including hand warmers and cardboard (to go under the sleeping bags), while Ena and Aoi get firewood to start the hotpot that will hopefully warm them up before they get into the sleeping bags in the tent to keep the heat in.

After Aoi and Ena experience a nightmare scenario, they are rescued by the Sake shop owner with the dog, whom they met earlier in the episode. It is here we see how campers really prepare for a sub-zero night: A tipi style tent with a wood burner (complete with a small chimney), and their own hotpot being prepared with ramen noodles, ready for sharing. After this, Chiaki gets back and wonder where everyone went, before being called over and joining everyone.

Soon, the second nightmare scenario happens. Not for the girls, but for the girls’ advisor Minami Toba – Miss Chug herself, who searches frantically for the girls and calling their names. Before finding their tents abandoned and experiencing the scare that Rin had with Nadeshiko in a throwback to the very first episode of the show. Toba gently scolds the girls for going to this location without telling her, and does it while keeping her cool. After the small lecture, in which the girls learn from their mistakes and Toba apologises for not asking where they were going first, we find out that Toba and the Sake shop family might actually know each other..or at least have something to connect them…lets be honest, this is not very surprising. So everybody stays for hotpot and ramen, Toba and the woman’s father (the hobbyist with the toy aeroplane) get plastered, and then they pile into Toba’s car while in their sleeping bags until morning…Her car’s engine ran the whole night. Then we see the girls get out to see the sunrise. The end-credits look like a collection of photos they took while having breakfast, which Rin happily receives, and is then thanked for warning Toba. It is in the post-credits where we finally see Nadeshiko tonight, and she possibly sets up the next episode by telling Rin she’s going to give a solo camp a try.

This episode is a particular stand-out because it is the first time any of our characters were in real peril – not for a lack of punctuality or lack of gas canisters to make breakfast with – But the fact that the girls could have gotten very sick, and possibly die due to being ill-prepared for such a drop in temperature (as Toba said, it could have caused an incident). I also love how above and beyond Toba goes to save or protect them after Rin gives her a heads up on where they were camping (Because minus fifteen degrees centigrade is no joke). It also stands out because of how many times Chiaki’s glasses got steamed up. Anyway, we’ll see if Nadeshiko’s solo camp is happening next week, or whether she’s just preparing for it, and I’ll see you there.
The Intouchables (2011)

February 15th, 2021

I was originally going to write about a different film tonight. However after much thought I decided to write about a film that I had not seen before (and could be gone from Amazon Prime before I got the chance to check it out). Another reason is because the originally intended film might be more suitable for a different list. One that involves chase scenes and getaways drivers, perhaps. After seeing Two films about extraordinary worlds, let’s do one set in the real world for a change (Which in itself is extraordinary). I had heard about this film for a while, but hadn’t gotten around to it. So here we are…as boring as this introduction was this time. This is The Intouchables (or Untouchable the UK).

Set in Paris, France, in the modern day (2011) our story revolves around two characters from completely different backgrounds: First you have Philippe (played by François Cluzet), a millionaire who is quadriplegic and paralysed from the neck down. As a millionaire, he has money. Lots of money. A nice Courtyard House in the middle of the city that opens out onto the street with beautiful sports cars, expensive paintings, and top-notch staff capable of meeting (nearly) all of his needs. He has seemingly everything…except he can’t move around freely and enjoy it. Then on the other side you have Driss (played by Omar Sy. You might remember him as Remington from Micmacs, Barry from Jurassic World or Lupin on Netflix), a man who had just gotten out of prison, is living on benefits, and as a black sheep on the family, is no longer welcome in his own home. He goes for the Job Interview of being Phillipe’s caretaker – but he wasn’t looking for the job. He only wanted a signature from Philippe to say that he applied for the job and was then rejected. To say the least, due to his brutal honesty and suggestible physical strength, Philippe noticed how different he was to everybody else applying for the role, and told him to come back for his signature the next day. When Driss returns, he is given a tour of the house, and then introduced to what would become his new home. Complete with his own bath to wash in peace (For good reason). And so, officially, begins the odd friendship of Philippe and Driss, as well as the transformation of Driss the ex-con to Driss the Carer.

Now to look at what brings this film together.

The acting is absolutely exquisite, especially from Omar Sy, who provides us with, quite literally, the performance that made him a star. Within his unorthodox style and rough demeanour is a highly charming and charismatic character who adapts well and grows up as the film progresses. Then with François Cluzet, considering he barely moves throughout the film and occasionally gets carried around, he is excellent as the dry-humoured and slightly stoic millionaire who knows what really matters to him. The acting from everyone else was very good, even though we aren’t that focused on them.

The characters, in particular Philippe and Driss, are brilliant. While Driss’ sense of humour goes over Philippe’s head at first, they grow to know what to expect from each other. I also found the supporting characters to be quite underrated, in particular Philippe’s staff. They might not get as much screen time, but their scenes carry some weight.

The Story and its themes are, to say the least, up for debate, and perhaps this shaves half a star off being perfect, because it’s a very grey area. Everyone is going to focus on something and see things based on their own perception of both the world and the film in general. Some folk would have gone into this film expecting a sincere biography, while others go in acknowledging the evident creative license. I personally saw a film that sought out the overall soul and spirit rather than the absolute truth of this journey. That it was inspired by two real people and their friendship, and it was more interested in telling a story about that and the struggles of these characters on a comparatively dramatic level, with some very good humour along the way (In other words, make us feel sad in the moment, but don’t make us uncomfortable. This isn’t Magnolia after all). To very loosely quote Bill Gates, Work is about opportunity no matter where it all begins. Driss received an opportunity, and we see the story of him growing into someone more than he was. Some could argue that it doesn’t even scratch the surface of what it’s like to be someone’s carer, and that the actual carer figures in the film are brushed aside in favour of this fish-out-of-water story. But all I can say is that it is a well written story regardless of this. It’s meant to be a comedy. Don’t take it too seriously.

The Art, special effects and Musical aspect are a bit more in the background than the story and characters. Much of what we see is set in the real world, and any set designs were created immaculately, so I can’t say too much about art or special effects, other than they bring us into a real world setting very well. The cinematography was very good. Not overly noticeable for a visually artistic quality – It simply tells the story – and sometimes that’s the sign that you got a really good cinematographer…and this was really good. The music gets five stars from me because it’s not only beautiful, but I like how it is used as part of the story. To create connection between Philippe and Driss. You have Philippe introducing opera and classical music to Driss, to which Driss knows some of it through television advertisements and old cartoons (leading to some great connections between the various medias), then you have Driss introducing him to some of the music he likes, and gets (nearly) everybody dancing. In fact, some of the most beautiful moments in the film heavily involved the music – in particular Nina Simone’s Feeling Good in a pivotal scene on the film where both men return to a common fear in order to overcome it.

Would I recommend Untouchable? Yes I would. Take into consideration that this film has been remade four times in the last ten years in different countries and languages, including an American version starring Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston, called The Upside. From a (slightly) biographical standpoint, I do think this contains a lot of artistic licence (Because it ticks all of the boxes that make a good, basic story), but from an entertainment and feel-good standpoint, this is a very good film. The interactions between Driss and Philippe were both fun and beautiful, with a sense of humour that causes both sides to enjoy their company. And we can laugh with them. People have compared this movie to Driving Miss Daisy, and have complained that to set such a story in the modern day isn’t appropriate. But I say “Look…these were real people. Those were their ethnicities in real life and in story, and these were decisions that human beings made in order to get by.” Because regardless of backgrounds and who pays who for services – people are alive to enrich each other.

Acting: *****

Characters: ****3/4

Story: ****1/2

Art: ****

CGI/Special Effects: ****

Music: *****

Cinematography: ****1/2

Overall: ****1/2
Laid Back Camp S2 E5

February 11th, 2021

We’re nearing the halfway mark of this season, and much has happened up to this point. If you haven’t seen the previous four episodes before watching this episode, I say watch them first then watch this one and then come back. Because there are spoilers ahead. Let’s get started.

So to quote Chiaki for this week; “Nothing beats camping while other people are working…”. We have a stand-out episode here because both Rin and Nadeshiko are occupied with work; Rin at the Bookshop and Nadeshiko at the Soba Shop that hired her last week (She’s getting used to it, so we’ll give her peace until next time). Today it’s all about the other three; Chiaki, Aoi and Ena (Sadly, no Chikuwa…but it is cold outside after all). They decide to spend a weekend together by going sight-seeing around Lake Yamanaka (The southeasternmost of the Fuji Five Lakes) with a Bus Day-Ticket (at ¥1500 each) before going to the Campsite. Along the way, they stop off at a bigger version of Caribou (complete with its big, cuddly mascot Caribou-kun), their time in the shop gave us a throwback to Season One, when Chiaki decides to get a plastic bowl, rather than wood. Because while wooden bowls aren’t great for hot food, they’re great for hot-house plants (…It now houses a Cactus). Then we’re given the effect of an episode in this season; Aoi gets her Camping chair while Chiaki looks at getting a hammock. We’re then left with a cliffhanger, as the Shopkeeper suggests pairing a hammock with another bit of camping equipment. Chiaki liked it so much…but we don’t know what it is yet. They then go to the Hotspring and then go grocery shopping, where they pick up ingredients suggested by Nadeshiko for a Hot Pot, then they go to the campsite. In the post-credits, we are given what could be first episode of the next season Room Camp – only it’s called Shima Shima Shima Rin, which gives us, easily, the most black humoured joke in the entire show (so far).

Laid Back Camp episodes usually have at least a few things going wrong, and this episode in particular has plenty of them. Well, not necessarily things going wrong, but more along the lines of a trip not reaching a maximum potential – a reality, rather than a dream. The girls see plenty throughout the day, but the location of their campsite meant there were fewer options than they realised…and in the end, isn’t that part of what makes a Slice Of Life in the first place?

In the next episode I predict that at least half of the story will continue where this trip left off, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Rin and Nadeshiko get more screen time.

Oh, and today’s foodie moment was soft serve ice cream.
April and The Extraordinary World (2016)

February 8th, 2021

Fevier Francais continues, as well as any mentions of Extraordinary Worlds and the presence of Jacque Tardi somehow in a feature film. What strikes me is the fact that this is labelled a children’s film on Amazon Prime. They are wrong. Very, very wrong. This is definitely a family film. There are just too many multi-layered jokes along with historical conundrum mixed into the general absurdity, never mind visuals that aren’t normally associated with your average Disney movie (such as anatomically correct cats…you’ll see what I mean). I can also tell you that this is the second film to include Adele Blanc-Sec – however her appearance is that of an easter egg. Her comic form (rather than her movie form) is present, along with our dear Pterodactyl present in the opening credits . So in a Where’s Wally/Waldo/Alfred Hitchcock fashion, feel free to see if you can spot her. Until then – this is April and The Extraordinary World (or April and The Fake World if you’re translating from French).

The film starts off in 1870, then in 1931 and then it jumps to 1941. All of it in Paris. Our story revolves around Avril Franklin (or April Franklin), her family of scientists (Pops, Paul and Annette), and their highly intelligent talking felix cat called Darwin. In this film’s world, Napoleon III attempts to get Pops’ father Gustav to create mutated and invulnerable super-soldiers to aid the french in defeating the Prussians (The Frano-Prussian War was starting the next day). The only results they received were 2 highly intelligent Komodo Dragons. Frightened, Napoleon tries to kill them with his handgun. Leading to an explosion in the lab, killing everyone inside. Napoleon III’s son becomes Napoleon IV, and rather than participate in the Anglo-Zulu War (which got him killed in real life) he signs a peace treaty with the Prussians and secures the Bonaparte dynasty within France. After this, Scientists, including Einstein and Fermi, end up disappearing. Billions of trees are cut down over time. France declares war on Canada to obtain more trees and charcoal, and any remaining scientists are ordered to serve the French Empire by modernising their weapons. Meanwhile, the Franklins attempt to create a serum that gives everlasting life and invulnerability for humans, animals and plants. But they were unable to test the serum before Inspector Gaspar Pizoni (who looks a lot like Inspector Albert Caponi from Adele Blanc-Sec) shows up to arrest them. A chase happens, April and Darwin become separated from her family (who may or may not be dead), we fast forward to 1941, and this is when the real adventure begins.

Now to discuss any qualities that could be everlasting and invulnerable:

The Art Style goes back to what I said in the opening paragraph. In The Extraordinary Adventures Of Adele Blanc-Sec we get Jacques Tardi’s story and characters done in live action. Here, we get Tardi’s art style brought to life through animation. The kind he uses for his Comic Books…and it’s very distinct. You know by looking at it, this is Tardi…and it’s beautiful. The main colour throughout the movie is Grey, and every colour compliments or blends into said grey with some highlight scenes.

The animation has a great accent, and very much moves the way you would expect a Tardi comic would look in animation. If you’re looking for something along the lines of Disney or Ghibli or Shinkai, this isn’t up there among them. But where it might fall in that standard, it makes itself up by creating the animations necessary for the best reactions. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and had a good laugh at the physically humorous tone.

The Voice Acting in French is excellent, and I’m sad to acknowledge that I’m not likely going to hear the English dub of the film any time soon (not available on DVD or Amazon Prime Video, but is available on Blu-Ray, which I didn’t get)…because the casting on that side looks tremendous! And after I watched the trailer for the english one…I’m a little jealous of anybody who finds it, if I’m honest. Anyway, April is voiced by Marion Cotillard (Making yet another appearance in my reviews from over the last month), and Darwin is voiced by french musician Philippe Katerine. Every voice fits every character designs well.

The characters are great. Definitive cartoon characters brought to life and are full of life in general. April is an excellent central character, and her cynicism is part of her charm. Darwin is a bit of a show stealer, because everyone likes a talking cat.

The story is great fun, and provides a lot to think about. It is always moving, but knowing when to stop and smell the engine oil. The amount of imagination that went into creating this Steampunk Dystopia was well put together, and more or less transformed Paris into a nightmare that could be found throughout several countries within the nineteenth and twentieth century…all within Paris. War and environmentalism is are key themes throughout the film, with both being turned up to eleven here without scarring children for life (I’m looking at you Watership Down!). The goal of the heroes is to bring the world back to what it was before war destroyed everything and science was used to advance it. Even though it’s technically a fairy tale, there is sadly truth to the fact that some of the advancement of modern technology and medicine was originally tested or designed for war. Which will make some of us look at our phones and then go “…meh”.

The music by Valentin Hadjadj is absolutely epic. Some of it sounds like it would belong in a Marvel movie, others a Spielberg movie, others a Tim Burton movie (more specifically, Danny Elfman’s scores for Burton’s batman and Batman: The Animated Series), and yet it is all very fitting for every scene of a French Animated Steampunk Dytopian Comedy. The song ‘Les molécules de l’amour’ (sung by Claire Tillier) provides something that wouldn’t normally be associated with a Steampunk Dystopia…a hint of Folk music. Which, when I think about it, is pretty awesome. Consider Joan Baez’s music; powerfully lyrical, yet performed with a whimsical, other-worldly instrumental…In a world where all of the trees are cut down and smog pretty much replaces breathable air, do we normally associate earthy music with it? Probably not. But that’s provided that here.

Would I recommend April And The Extraordinary World? Yes, you bet your bottom dollar that I will. The fact that this film made a ten million dollar loss at the box office is criminal. It’s as good as most Disney and Anime that you’ll see out there and it is pumped to the brim with good quality imagination, heart and visual presentation.

Art Style: ****3/4

Animation: ****1/2

Voice Acting: ****3/4

Characters: ****1/2

Story: ****1/2

Music: ****3/4

Themes: ****1/2

Overall: ****1/2
Bald and Bankrupt (YouTube)

February 5th, 2021

https://www.youtube.com/c/baldandbankrupt/featured

I came across this YouTube channel while I was researching countries where it possibly snows for 5 months of the year…actually now that I think about it, it was because this guy went to Chernobyl with a local who still lives on the verge of the radiation zone (and survives on Buckwheat and vodka in a house with no electricity or running water). But this is besides the point – What we have here is one of the most unique channels that you will ever find on the internet. This is Bald and Bankrupt.

So what is it exactly? Well, it’s a vlog channel that was created in 2018 by Benjamin Rich, a presumably bald and bankrupt english-man (I doubt he’s bankrupt anymore) from Brighton who has a long history of travelling throughout his life (and is also the author of “The Burning Edge” Travelling Through Irradiated Belarus” under the pen name Arthur Chichester). Rich goes where google maps fears to tread. He functions primarily within the former USSR, but his journeys have also taken him to India, Mexico, Cuba, Burma, Bolivia, Albania and Armenia, among others. He gets buses, trains, taxis, planes and rental cars to travel around. He meets the locals (Both straight-forward and eccentric), goes to their homes, goes to their shops, stays in their hotels, and enjoys what ever food and alcohol might be available, offered or served. His fluent language skills (along with the subtitles) really bring us along for the ride, and has become a minor celebrity within the former USSR, as teenagers have approached him for an autograph or a selfie in the streets.

I find his videos to be very informative and interesting. And while his video titles are designed to be eye catching or borderline clickbait (such as “The Cuba they don’t want you to see” or “Eating Cow Brains with Albanians” or “Avoid This Man In Mexico”), regardless of what they’re called, you finish watching them with a broader scope of the world, whether it be through a history lesson or the exploration of abandoned buildings or watching Rich having fun and getting plastered with the locals – either way, his approach is very neutral and respectful (With some exceptions, such as accidentally using a certain word in Chechnya that didn’t go down well. Like us, he never stops learning).

It’s also a blessing that he is still able to do what he does, as a survivor of double pneumonia that was triggered by COVID-19 back in July, which left his channel quiet for about 3 months. But he got back on track eventually.

So, I would highly recommend his channel. Very interesting, fun, and informative.
Laid Back Camp S2 E4

February 4th, 2021

It’s Thursday! You know what that means. It means if you haven’t seen the last three episodes of Laid Back Camp, plus this one. I would recommend spending the next ninety minutes watching them, and then returning, because here we have spoilers. You have been warned. But if you have seen them already, welcome! This is episode four.

We start with what looks like a five minute long episode of Room Camp (excluding the show’s intro); Chiaki, Aoi and Nadeshiko are back in the narrow clubroom, where Aoi gives Nadeshiko a recap on what she did on New Years Eve. Nadeshiko does the same, and they both bring up what Rin was doing, based on Nadeshiko’s time with her, and the photos she posted. Meanwhile, Chiaki guzzles the snacks everybody brought back as souvenirs (Behaviour we normally associate with Nadeshiko, but obviously not this time). They then start experimenting with a new Tarp Tent that Chiaki bought for 6000 Yen, but then realise that she forgot to bring poles, so Nadeshiko filled in the role, before both sides finally came to their senses. From here on, we receive the goal of the episode: The girls start talking about how they are going to spend the money they earned during the winter holiday. For Aoi, a chair like Rin’s, for Chiaki, a Hammock, and for Nadeshiko…the vintage night light that she has been wanting to buy since Season One…however she won’t receive her pay check until the following week.

Rin and Ena’s presence is minimal this week. They’re in the school library, and Ena mentions that she spent her money on a Doggy Tent for Chikuwa (With the poor attempts by Rin to look disinterested). We also see Minami Toba (Miss Chug) being appreciated for her work with the Girls by receiving some of the souvenirs (and a note) at her desk.

We also experience a very interesting moment with Nadeshiko, which involves her running to the train station in Minobu, and then waiting there (all while pondering on what to eat with the gang later). In the last episode, Rin mentions how much she appreciates aloneness/loneliness through her group camps…and here, Nadeshiko is truly alone for the first time in the show (with nothing to do but to wait for the train). Having never done a solo camp before, it becomes an opportunity to choose growth…and be more like Rin for a change. After this, she starts looking for a new job within the Minobu area (however they all appear to be in Kofu). It manages to touch on a very real world problem – that sometimes the work will not be there, and any possible positions have fierce competition. Despite the lack of success by this point, Nadeshiko starts to research what she needs to make Solo Winter Camping a reality.

Nadeshiko’s older sister, Sakura, ends up being the character who drives the story forward in this episode. From her problem being the lack of disposable hand warmers, to helping Nadeshiko find work in Minobu. In the process, Nadeshiko repays the favour by buying her reusable hand warmers (which is seen in the credits), it was a great sequence that allows the sunrise to happen with the ending theme playing.

The animation was especially humorous in this episode – in particular reactions and facial expressions from both Chiaki and Nadeshiko.

In general, this episode was enjoyable with more focus on the little things that will create the traction towards the Summer Camp-Out that may or may not include Nadeshiko’s childhood friend Ayano Toki.