Review: Unfriended

Starring: Heather Sossaman, Matthew Bohrer, Courtney Halverson
Directed by: Leo Gabriadze
Language: English
Rating: R
Running Time: 83 minutes

I would like to admit that I didn't intend on seeing this movie at all. The premise seemed silly and for all I know it could be the same quality as Open Windows or something. So, what led me to this point of checking out this movie? The public opinion, of course. Usually their opinions cause me to roll my eyes, but I had to feed my skeptical feelings of this actually being good.


High school student Laura Barns took her own life after being bullied and harassed after a video of being drunk at a party is uploaded online. One year later, her closest friend Blaire Lily views the video of Laura's suicide and is soon interrupted by her boyfriend Mitch Roussel via Skype. They tease each other and joke around about losing their virginity together, until their classmates Jess, Ken, and Adam join them for a video chat. During their conversation, they notice a mystery extra person has joined their chat group under the screename "billie227". The group tries to get rid of the uninvited guest from their chat and suspect that it is another classmate named Val trying to prank them. They soon invite her to the group and decide to ignore the mysterious billie227, until some incriminating pictures of Val is posted on Jess's Facebook and their mystery guest begins to play a little game with them to expose the truth of Laura's death.

Going into this movie, I was skeptical and was waiting to cringe from the unlikable characters that horror movies like these are plagued with. Fortunately, this movie doesn't have that and that makes me really happy. I would like to think Leo Gabriadze maybe read my post or something, but that's clearly wishful thinking. I'm not saying that you're going to be on the characters' side or anything, because they're all unlikable except for Mitch as time goes on, but they're not annoyingly unlikable. These teenagers seem real and you can kinda tell how you're going to feel about them right from the start. I did care about their well being of at least most of the characters. I think the most intriguing thing about this movie is the way it is shot. Similar to Open Windows, it focuses on the action on Blaire's laptop screen. So, every time she checks her Facebook, looks up contacting the dead, or private messaging Mitch, we see it. Basically, the movie fuses found footage elements with a semi-first person point of view on a computer together in a unique way. I rather like this technique. It makes you feel like you're right there with Blaire in her bedroom, trying to figure out whether this is some sick prank, the dead is talking from the other side, or perhaps Laura isn't dead at all. With this slightly new perspective and the way the story unfolds really gets you involved with the supernatural presence playing with them. Whatever is going kept my eyes glued to the television and my brain tried to figure out what was going on. I also was internally hoping the conclusion wasn't some throwaway paranormal thing with a nonsense or convoluted explanation.


Returning back to the characters of this movie, there were a couple of useless classmates that didn't win me over completely. They didn't annoy me or anything, but specifically Ken felt pointless to me. I don't think he had much dialogue and he felt like a trope: that dorky, fat kid that people are friends with, but still make fun of. Yeah, that character. Adam and Val were borderline useless characters, but they did add a little bit to the story. I guess you can't have too much suspense with only 3-4 characters. Once the truth slowly revealed itself and things got more interesting, I did become a bit wary with the character deaths. They were either well executed with great suspense and camera technique or just plain odd and a bit ridiculous. Another thing I want to point out is that they didn't do much with Blaire's research on conversing with the dead. I don't know if it was completely necessary information or they could've left it on the cutting room floor, but the more I think about it, looking up such things does seem realistic. I can see someone copy Blaire's idea and use online sources like Google or Wikipedia to find out what the heck was going on, but I wish they did more with it. Since the sequel has been greenlit, maybe they'll delve into that more.

Unfriended is another addition to movies that are transforming the modern horror genre, which makes me happy. Although, I know that this movie can be hit or miss for some people, I did genuinely enjoy this cyber trip. The characters weren't obnoxious, it didn't turn into some Paranormal Activity stunt, and it hooked me right in when billie227 began to talk to our movie's group of friends. Seeing that there's a sequel in the works makes me both curious and worried. I feel like this movie should simply be a standalone, but I guess when you make over 10 times your budget back, it's hard to resist not expanding the lore. Hopefully, it doesn't get too crazy like the Paranormal Activity franchise and perhaps do something more innovative with this laptop perspective found footage gimmick.


Rating: 3.5/5

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Fair Shake Review: Captain America: Civil War

Captain America: Civil War (2016, USA)

Genre: Action/Blockbuster

I'd like to begin this review by addressing Marvel directly, so please excuse me; You guys at Marvel Studios, from the writers and directors, know how to make great, entertaining movies! Alright, now let me explain in detail to you actual readers of this article why I made that statement. The comparison of the Marvel and DC Universes have always been in contention for years and the cinematic worlds have become no different. Marvel has had far lead in this area for a while and the latest Zack Snyder Superman films were to be the springboard for DC's answer to Marvel's success. Thus when Batman vs Superman was announced, Marvel responded with the unveiling of Civil War coming to a theater near us. The Snyder approach kept the dark, mature motifs of DC comics, though at times it dragged the viewing experience down by showcasing it too overtly. Being able to see Dawn of Justice right before Captain America allowed me to begin the contrast in Marvel's methods in film-making.

Marvel, being the more lighthearted (for a lack of a better word) of the two comic giants, in its cinematic universe revels in the spectacle of the superhero, while endearing you to the hero's own plights of the lifestyle. That's the main difference I can make between Marvel's M.O. from DC's. DC goes at length to delve into the struggles of the lifestyle that lead them to do spectacular feats. Both means tell wonderful stories, but Marvel has mastered making their means much more entertaining. Captain America: Civil War managed to balance character development, impressive action scenes, fleshing out themes and motivations, & grounding the supernatural with humor. These qualities are due to the fantastic work of the writers, who understand the voice of the each hero & storyline, and the directors, who aid in the pacing and framing of said story.

Civil War follows the events after Avengers: Age of Ultron, where in the Avengers are finally challenged to accept their accountability. The collateral damage from their heroics force the world leaders to ask for a leash to be put on the Avengers in order to prevent further unnecessary repercussions. This causes a split of ideologies in the group of heroes: one side believes that being under government control can lead to misuse of the Avengers strength and the other side agrees that being in check can stave off the death of innocent lives in the crossfire. The Captain, Scarlet Witch, & Falcon are of the former leaving Iron Man, Black Widow, Vision, and War Machine with the latter line of thinking. We see how this fissure of ideals puts stress upon the team morale especially after the meeting where the terms of agreement were to be signed get attacked by the Winter Soldier a.k.a. Captain's long lost friend, Bucky Barnes. This ropes in Black Panther as his father died in the incident and makes the Winter Soldier his main target while Cap tries to protect him, being not convinced his friend is the cause behind it all.

To keep this spoiler free, the journey to see how this disagreement all pans out brings out more development behind already known characters such as Iron Man and the Winter Soldier as well as newcomers like Black Panther and even Spiderman's introduction. Also seeing the interesting relationship Scarlet Witch & Vision share humanizes some of the most supernatural of the Avengers. The way the Russo Brothers balance the screen time amongst most of the team is rather masterful, yet almost calls into question why this is tagged under the Captain America side of the franchise. I can only rationalize that the Winter Soldier being one of the central parts of the plot warrants this film's title.

I can without a doubt recommend giving this movie a watch in theaters, IMAX optional. The world built by Marvel Studios will continue to lead the superhero market when it comes to live action movies for now. I might even dare to declare this my favorite Marvel movie to date. Being able to quickly get attached to the new characters and understand their motivations is accredited to the writers, Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely. They really came through with a feel good movie that also captured the ideological struggles of each team. And guys...don't worry...Spiderman is an excellent addition to movie and is superbly embodied by Tom Holland. Since I think I've given this movie enough praise now, do not delay to bring a friend and catch this marvelous movie!

Some Related Links:

Captain America: Civil War Trailer

SourceFedNerd's Spoiler Free Review

SourceFedNerd's Full Review

SourceFedNerd's 101 on the Winter Soldier

IGN's explanation of Black Panther

Mr. Sunday Movies' Civil War & BvS comparison

Quick Movie Review

The Final Girls (2015, USA) | Rating: 3.5/5
...not to be confused with Final Girl, which is a different sort of movie. This movie brings about the what ifs when it comes to movies like Friday the 13th...actually, it's exactly like that movie. Our main characters are watching a movie similar to Friday the 13th and mysteriously get trapped in said movie. They point out all of the tropes and cliches in these sorts of movies and use this knowledge to their advantage to escape. It also presents an opportunity for the final girls to meet one more time. I had no idea what to expect with this movie, but what I received was sheer entertainment and a few laughs. I think if you enjoy movies like Cabin in the Woods and Scream, you can appreciate the meta humor and satire of this movie.



Amy (2015, USA) | Rating: 5/5
Most people know the rise and fall of the late Amy Winehouse. They might not know all the details, but they know that she had troubles with drugs and alcohol. Most importantly, the general public knows how talented she was as an artist and performer. I never really got into her music further than radio play and a couple of music videos, but this Oscar winning documentary made me want to listen to her music more than I did when she was alive. I don't watch too many music biographies, but I'm happy I chose to watch this one on my own terms. It was simply heartbreaking to watch Ms. Winehouse's life fall apart in this downward spiral of abuse, whether between her father or coping mechanisms. Even though I knew the outcome of her story, I couldn't help but yell at the screen for her to get out of toxic relationships or to leave Amy alone. It just really broke my heart every time something bad came her way. It really made me feel like I've been a fan of hers for years, when I was just a casual standby who knew she had talent and substance abuse problems. In short, this is a fantastic documentary that constantly keeps the focus on Amy by using photographs, archival footage, live performances, and voice overs by the people close to her.



He Named Me Malala (2014, Austria) | Rating: 4.5/5
I've learned of Malala Yousafzai's impact on the world through The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and online articles. What I knew going into this documentary was that she was a remarkable young lady with so much ambition and passion for change. I believe the documentary is based on or inspired by the book, I Am Malala, and does a great job of balancing the real young girl doing real young girl things and the passionate activist fighting for equality. The viewer gets to experience the day to day life with Malala and her family, her beginnings as an activist, her accomplishments after being shot and winning a Noble Peace Prize, and her ongoing goal for education. It was inspiring, informative, and entertaining. It doesn't bog you down with politics and terrorism, but does you inform you of what's happening in the world around us and Malala's journey around the world.



Minions (2015, USA) | Rating: 3/5
I don't know anyone who did not enjoy Despicable Me. It was a great movie and had such lovable characters with some great humor. Despicable Me 2 delved a little further with Gru's relationship with the girls and kept his struggle to be both a loving father figure and a notorious villain. Of course, the minions also brought comedy to both of these films and naturally, they needed to cash in on these yellow, overall wearing mascots. Honestly, I think the appeal of the minions was for the little kids and not the adults who bring them to the movie like the Despicable Me entries. I know some fans were upset about their origin story as it contradicts that they were a product of Gru. Nonetheless, I wasn't eager to see this in theaters or anything. For what it was, I can see the kiddies enjoying it and some adults getting a few chuckles here and there, but if you're a diehard fan or whatever with the main branch of the franchise, then you're not missing much if you do skip out on it.



We Are Still Here (2015, USA) | Rating: 3/5
I didn't know what to expect with this movie, when I picked it up from work. The blurbs on the cover made me skeptical of it being any good, but I was curious since it did sound interesting. While watching this horror flick, I remained skeptical yet curious as the story unfolded of this older couple moving into their new home after losing their child, then things got a little weird when some new friends arrived on the scene. Not long after their evening together, I was hooked into what was unfolding, which is good. I was almost worried that I was going to be bored and confused, then simply forget this movie like some I've skipped over for a quick review. It does follow some conventions and ideas of the 70s and 80s, but does offer a slightly modern take on these conventions. Thinking back on the elements presented in this film, there's some things that aren't really new to the genre, but the presentation was a little interesting and made me pleasantly surprised. I don't see everyone liking this film, because it does start off oddly, but it does give a somewhat satisfying conclusion. It has interesting ideas and presents what horror fans are familiar with a different packaging.


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Top 5 Recommended Music Videos

"Mr.Heartache" by SEKAI NO OWARI
With every PV release, I keep hoping this group gets more recognition because they really make some unique stuff! This PV shows even further how diverse this group can be. Some may know them for their more gloomy visuals or sound, but they also have this bizarre, upbeat side to them as well. This PV perfectly describes the group's sense of humor and natural chemistry, while they dance around in fruit, vegetable, and animal costumes or watch cartoons. Sure, the song is about dealing with a broken heart, but the lighthearted and real approach to it instantly puts a smile on your face, mending all wounds. It's really hard not to enjoy this PV completely.


[Insert PV Here]
"Nokoriga" by MORE
I never was much of a Sugar fan, but I did enjoy them live and their music is not that bad. Nonetheless, it was exciting to see another active (at the time) ex-Sugar member and, for me, Tomoyuki from 12012. The music does remind me of Sugar and Moran, which is a good thing in my opinion. It's a very jazz lounge rock sound that suits Loki's voice very well. The visuals aren't overly produced and mostly feature Loki interacting with a woman or flower petals. The shots of the whole band are just as interesting as you can really see them get into the music and move along as they play their respective instruments. It's gonna be difficult finding new music with such a band name as "MORE", but I am looking forward to more.



"DOPE" by BTS
Have I mentioned that BTS is truly killing the kpop scene lately? Well, they are! When this music video came out, I was super excited to see such a fun concept and even more fun of a song. The song gives each member a chance to show off their talents and gives us a glimpse of their personalities in each of their respective scenes. The costume concept with the pseudo-one take feeling with the camera really makes the video move along smoothly and makes it all the more interesting compared to the usual formulaic approach with some vague story and choreography laced in between. I do have to admit that the vibe I get from this video is very Block B and I mean that as a seriously good compliment. It's just nice to see the members let loose, show their passion through their delivery, and don't forget that ridiculously tight choreography.



"Oasis" by Crush feat. ZICO
If this was not your summer jam of last year or even one of your current jams, then you need to hop on board! This video utilizes location better than most Korean acts and makes you want to be there with Crush enjoying the beauty and space. He looks like he's feeling himself and admiring this beautiful lady from a far. I believe the chemistry without them being in the same shot. I even enjoy the indoor shot with the vibrant colors and beach set pieces. The song is easily enjoyable and has a very catchy chorus and bridge that makes you want to bop and sing along to. Even though ZICO has a "Keith Ape" moment, but somehow he pulls it off better than Keith Ape, he doesn't ruin the essence of this party track. Also, the brief appearance of Zion.T is very much welcomed. Looking forward to jamming to this in summer 2016!



"Bad" by INFINITE
As much as I love this group, their music has been a bit hit and miss for me lately, which is a little depressing as a casual fan. When this video came out, I was ecstatic! It felt like another growth spurt for the group and showed an elevated dark side to them. They've had dark concepts before, but this suited their style more than certain tracks previously. I enjoyed the polished, subtle dark, and abstract imagery. There's so much to look at and makes me want to look at more to see all that effort they put into these set pieces. The song has a very catchy chorus and has a lot of dimension in the melody and vocal arrangement. Sure, it's not the best song the group has put out in all their years, but it's a breath of fresh air for me compared to some of their more recent stuff around that time.

Review: Labyrinth

Starring: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly

Director: Jim Henson

Rating: PG

Run time: 1 hour 41 minutes

Genre: Fantasy

Jim Henson. Terry Jones. George Lucas. Brian Froud. David Bowie.

If these names don't make you giddy with geeky joy, you, my dear reader, had a very different childhood than I did. Jim Henson is best known for wondrous creations like The Dark Crystal, The Muppets and Fraggle Rock. Terry Jones is a comedian, screenwriter and actor known for being part of Monty Python. George Lucas is the creator of Star Wars as well as multiple other franchises. Brian Froud is an artist known for creating elaborate fantasy creatures such as those in The Dark Crystal. David Bowie was an actor and fantastic musician. These people combined created one of the most influential movies of my childhood. This is the movie that ignited my intense love for fantasy.

'A selfish 16-year old girl is given 13 hours to solve a labyrinth and rescue her baby brother when her wish for him to be taken away is granted by the Goblin King.' [Source: IMDB]

Sarah is a typical teenage girl. Her parents divorced with her father remarrying and providing her with a baby brother. She retreats into her books and desire to be an actress like her mother. It's no surprise that she dislikes her stepmother and resents being used as a babysitter for her little brother. When she's left home to tend to the crying child, Sarah begins to tell Toby the story of the Goblin King. This tactic doesn't work out very well so she calls on the goblins for help. Little did she know that the Goblin King would respond to her very request....

Jareth, The King of the Goblins, takes the baby to his kingdom. He urges Sarah to forget the baby and go back to her childish things. She inists on having her brother returned to her. Jareth decides to give her a chance to solve the Labyrinth in thirteen hours. If she can accomplish this task, he'll return her brother to her. If not, the baby will become part of Jareth's kingdom. As Sarah sets off to find her way through the labyrinth, she meets a myriad of creatures that will either help or hinder her along the way. Hoggle, a dwarf, is one of the first she meets and somewhat befriends. He's a coward, afraid of Jareth, but willing to help her for a price. There are other creatures in the Labyrinth that are willing to either help or hinder her along the way.

How much is Sarah willing to endure to get Toby back? Her path isn't an easy one with obstacles popping up along the way. There is more to this journey than just Sarah. Jareth's motives aren't particularly clear. Why did he take the baby? Was it for Sarah's own sake or something more? He seems to be a character that's longing to be loved. Despite being the Goblin King, Jareth gazes longingly toward Sarah and follows her quest through his crystal ball. It's often that he sets the obstacles in her path to see if she'll stumble and falter. Who wouldn't be charmed by someone who has given you exactly what you've asked for?

The musical aspects of Labyrinth are fun and heartbreaking at times. David Bowie has always been a spectacular performer. This film comes as no exception to the depths of his talents. Whether he's singing to a crying baby or belting out a heartbreaking ballad, he's an intriguing character that captures your attention. I found myself wanting to know more about him and his motivations. Why was he alone? Handsome, talented, the king of his own kingdom and yet...alone in the crowd. He didn't seem cruel to his people. The goblins didn't appear to be lacking anything they needed. 

Sadly, you don't get any backstory on his character. This is ultimately Sarah's story. The ballroom sequence is beautifully costumed and produced. It only furthers my questions on Jareth's realm. Where were all these people while she was going through the Labyrinth? Sarah doesn't encounter any of them except in the ballroom. Is this all a dream? Or is it real? I'd lean toward the latter since Jareth is quite capable of magic. Conjuring up an enchanting ball for a girl who loves fairy stories is no huge task.

Another example of interesting set design comes from a unique room in Jareth's castle. There are stairs that go to nowhere, stairs that are upside down and endless passageways. This room is inspired by Dutch artist, M.C. Escher. Jim Henson was inspired by the artist's work. Henson wanted to explore what the viewer would see as reality or imagination. It's a scene that is as iconic as the ballroom scene was for me. Shouldn't all castles have Escher rooms? It would be quite thrilling for adventure seekers!

There's a common theme running through the film. Sarah often repeats the phrase 'it's not fair' as she faces the obstacles around her. In her mind, nothing is fair whether it's a trick played on her by a goblin changing marks she's left to find her way or Jareth throwing her a curve ball. The transition from childhood to being a young adult is often filled with things that we believe aren't fair or just. Yet, that's simply the way life is. Sarah learns this lesson through her encounters in the labyrinth. Life isn't fair and we'll have to work harder in order to come through the roadblocks ahead of us.

Rating: 5/5

Four Spring Movie Reviews (2016)

Allegiant (2016)

Genre: Action/Sci-Fi

With so many teen book adaptations, there has been an interesting trend of the series declining in interest. In my opinion, although studios continue to release each book into film, I feel the hype wanes much quicker than they have as in the Harry Potter and Twilight days. Series like Hunger Games, Maze Runner, and Divergent seem to have a dwindling audience as they continue. Despite the trend, I have become invested in seeing the Divergent series to the end.

Allegiant being the third of four (though I thought this was a trilogy), takes the story in a very interesting direction. It picks up where we left off with Insurgent and slowly unveils the world that lies behind the walls of Chicago. We finally get to see just what kind of damage was done to the Earth, but also the advancement of the society that survived to rebuild humanity. It handles the often explored themes of how much should be sacrificed for the future of mankind and when to consider something a lost cause. The acting isn't too bad and up to par with the preceding movies. I feel the movies have gotten better with the CGI as they've gone on and this is no exception. Therefore even if the general interest in the series has died down, I'd say if you've liked it so far, give it a watch.

Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016)

Genre: Comedy

When it was announced that Barbershop was coming back, I was excited with a slight side of skepticism. I always loved the franchise (I also include Beauty Shop), but after so long it seemed like an easy money grab due to nostalgia factor bringing butts to seats. Also, seeing so many new names being added to the brand was worrisome, namely Nicki Minaj. Yet, knowing everyone involved have had success in the comedy and/or acting scene gave me enough security to see the film.

Barbershop has always been a fun series with little sprinkles of social commentary included, yet this addition makes it the focal point. As Calvin's Barbershop is based in Chicago, they took advantage of it to comment on the gang violence currently plaguing the city as it does many inner city areas. Other topics that come along with the shop talk include double standards in gender, racial inequalities, and even the role of politicians in local affairs. All of this is squeezed into many laughs delivered between the slew of comedians and even a possible love affair between the trio of rappers turned actors (Common, Eve, & Nicki Minaj). I honestly was completely satisfied with the movie and highly recommend this movie to anyone looking for a good comedy with a message.

Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Genre: Action/Drama

DC live action films have always garnered inconsistent reception. Yet, it is the era of the superheroes and many are on the lookout for each peak and addition to the cinematic universes. BvS is no exception, yet I was just hoping it would be better than the divisive Man of Steel (me being on the unfavorable side of the argument). The Marvel movies definitely have the leg up in the reception department, so I was hoping that this could set up DC's catch up season.

One difference that many have noted between the DC and Marvel movies is humor. BvS is a certain demonstration of that contrast as it is a very dramatic story. Batman's introduction and integration into Zack Snyder's universe is very well done as it's as gritty and realistic as Man of Steel. The movie also succeeds at quickly laying down the groundwork to introduce a Justice League as well as the pivotal member, Wonder Woman. Lex Luthor, played by Jesse Eisenberg, was a nice villain as the maniacal genius as he is in the comics. My only gripe is the way some of the dream sequences play out and how stiff some of the fight choreography is. Overall, I have to say that it was a good movie...not great...but worth seeing if you want to prepare for the DC films to come. Plus, it's better than Man of Steel!

The Jungle Book (2016)

Genre: Family

"Oh, Disney...why are you making live action versions of all your cartoons?" I'm sure that's what all crossed our minds when this movie began being advertised. I was curious to see how this would turn out, though, since this would be a very CG heavy experience. Also, it has many big names cast on the bill doing the voice acting. Thus, the family wanted to go check it out for my younger brother's sake and I figured I'd tag along.

To be honest, this movie ended up being really great. The CG was very well done and managed to make the animals' speech very natural. The young Mowgli was performed greatly by Neel Sethi and story stayed intact. You still get the fan favorite music numbers and their placement doesn't feel groan-worthy when they are about to come in either. When I realized it was Jon Favreau directing the film, it all made sense that it ended up a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The only thing I can see being unlikable about this movie is Christopher Walken's "You-oo-oo-oo" during his song. I'm can say I was pleased by this retelling of this beloved story, so it's okay, Disney, I forgive your money loving ways. I highly recommend this remade classic to anyone who love family films!

Top 5 Recommended Music Videos

"FAIRY DUST" by AKi
As much as I love AKi and he's been my favorite from SID since day one, I was a little skeptical about him going solo, but he's proven himself more and more with each release. This second PV release gives me a little more confidence and excitement compared to his debut "FREAK SHOW". It does give me a slight J influenced vibe in styling, but the overall appearance mixes the persona I know from his time in SID and a separate solo entity. I love the mix of studio, glamour shots, and vague storytelling. It has a good balance of polish, vintage, and indie in its respectful scenes. The song is also super catchy and it looks like AKi had a lot of fun filming this with his band buddies.



"QUALIA" by Arlequin
If you've known me for a long time, you know that I love indies jrock and I still do. I still check out new talent and this is one I picked up last year...I think. I'm not sure if I've shared them before, but this PV shows how much this band has grown in such a short amount of time. It's a very mature sounding song with a great bassline and vulnerable vocal delivery by Aki. Like most indies bands, the PV doesn't display a big budget in the least, but I enjoy the visuals provided to show off the emotional vulnerability with Aki and the mystery lady while also giving us glimpses of the band's chemistry, especially around the breakdown. This is definitely a great step in the right direction for the band and I'm looking forward to so much more!



"Rushiddo Dream" by DADAROMA
Aside from Pentagon and NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST, I've been really into this band lately. Their sound is something I didn't expect from them upon first glance, but I feel like this little ramble of "newer" visual kei bands is more suited for a separate post or something. Much like the previous PV above, this was a major growth in quality and depth for the band and it made my heart flutter with excitement. It has a very passionate and haunting sound from the musical to the vocal arrangements. I love watching each member lose themselves in the music while Yoshiatsu belts out his soul to the world. The visuals are very polished, haunting, and subtly elegant. The story with Yoshiatsu and the child are very intriguing and the atmosphere is very immersive for this song. Definitely check this one out if you're new to DADAROMA!



"JAJAJA" by YDG feat. Dynamic Duo & Crush
After watching Show Me the Money 3, which I swear I haven't forgotten, I've been trying to listen to at least a little more of YDG's music every time he pops up in my feed. This is one music video I'm happy I've checked out. This smooth, classy track brings maturity and sophistication to the Korean hip-hop genre to break up all the aggression and trap rap. It still manages to show YDG's fun charm and mixes elements of jazz and R&B while have a charming and subtle sensual rap delivery. Dynamic Duo definitely elevates the class level of this song and video as well as contribute to YDG's story, while Crush channels Zion.T and molds into the saxophone jazz style of the melody. It's a real treat for the eyes and ears for sure.



"ah-ah" by TEEN TOP
It feels like forever since I've genuinely enjoyed a song from these guys, let alone a music video. The boys have definitely grown up a little since their "Super Luv" days, but they still retain that cute, young charm from those debut days. The song is sweet, fun, and charming and shows off their vocal abilities very well. I'm truly impressed by some of the range these guys have in the singing department. The video does hurt my eyes a little with the pastels and whites, but the overly contrast and bright colors in the darker areas are a nice break. I enjoy both sides though. It fits the fun, party atmosphere, while being a fresh, cute, and flirty video. They definitely look like they're having fun. Also, that fancy footwork! Omg~

Three Mini Album Reviews

GO - Krizz Kaliko

Genre: R&B/Hip Hop/Alternative Rap

Krizz Kaliko from the Strange Music camp is a monument on the label as his versatile talents aid everyone in multiple ways. It's one reason why most people can't envision Tech N9ne without Krizz by his side, whether by adding a verse or singing a hit chorus. This creative mind also always brought his well-rounded style to each of his past albums while continuing to push his limits with every one. So I was heavily anticipating this current project, especially because he was going to focus his efforts more on his singing vocals and more live instrumentation.

Kaliko presents a introspective journey through funk, R&B, pop, and hip hop tracks that detail his means to escape depression and finally facing his problems head on. The singles do well to demonstrate the album's range with the danceable "Talk Up on It" and the melancholy "Stop the World". Other tracks that I found to become favorites include "Logged Off", "Orangutan", & "Happyish". Yet, I must recommend that anybody who loves R&B give this whole album a listen.

Far From Familiar - Sylvan LaCue

Genre: Hip Hop

My introduction to Sylvan LaCue was as QuESt on the album Searching Sylvan which made a fan with his passion, story, and craft over many styles of hip hop. After that album, he took a small break to regroup and rebrand by starting his own crew with Wise Up and dropping his moniker for his government name. Following that, he dropped an EP called Evangeline dedicated to his current love interest who helped him during his changes. This showed Sylvan was ready to come back with full force.

Far From Familiar still shows the great craftsmanship Sylvan became known for. We pick up following his story right where he left off, bringing life after the success of the previous album. He chronicles over production similar to modern trap beats then switch to singing something 808's and Heartbreaks-esque leading to a sound akin to Because the Internet's experimental moments. Sylvan clearly emotes lyrically and each track's atmosphere making tracks like "Fall From Grace", "Studio City", & "Crosswinds" so great. Thus, I must recommend this project to fans of Logic, Kanye West, & Kendrick Lamar.

Twenty88 - Twenty88

Genre: R&B/Rap

Now being a fan of one half of the newly formed duo Twenty88, I got interested through Jhene Aiko's teasing of a new project on social media. I soon realized that it would be a collaboration project with Big Sean, who I've always saw as a subpar rapper that has slowly improved over time. Once it released, I was surprised it was first on TIDAL before finally becoming available everywhere else. That delayed my listen to this project, since I dropped my subscription after my free trial expired. (Thank you, Yeezus!) Yet, I still got informed that this EP was coupled with a short film,"Out of Love", on the website, so I hoped I'd soon get to experience it.

That time came and I must say that their synergy is actually very apparent throughout the project. Their past collabs together (and love songs in general) have always seem to bring some decent songs out of Sean and I have to admit this gave me 7 out of 8. Plus the addition of Big Sean I feel probably aided the more diverse production which helped Jhene not get too stuck in one sound. The short film, which is set to a medley of 6 of the songs, presented a simple, but interesting watch following the artists living as a famous couple in an alternate sci-fi world. To conclude, I can recommend a listen to those who dig mainstream hip hop love songs. Oh, and favorites on this include "On the Way", "Push it", & "Talk Show".

Review: The Forest

Starring: Natalie Dormer, Taylor Kinney, Yukiyoshi Ozawa
Directed by: Jason Zada
Language: English, Japanese
Country: USA
Runtime: 93 minutes
Rating: PG-13

The Forest is a film that was potentially doomed from its conception. The tale is based around a very real place, Aokigahara Forest, located at the base of Mount Fuji in Japan. This forest is known as a destination for people wanting to commit suicide. As many interested in Japanese culture will know, suicide is a very serious problem in Japan. It's not all visual kei, cute Lolita girls or strange game shows. Setting a horror movie in such a place is highly distasteful because it seems to be making light of the suicide epidemic. The forest is thought to be haunted by yurei, the angry spirits of those who've died in it's midst. The mystery and supernatural forces wrapped in the folklore of such a place leads a plethora of possible plot points. However, those potential stories need to be respectful of the culture and everything that comes with it.

Another problem The Forest faced was being lumped into the white washing of Hollywood. The lead actors are both Caucasian playing Caucasian characters. Some felt that the movie should have been about Asian characters exploring an Asian landscape and societal issue. However, this is a film about a foreign woman going to look for her equally foreign sister who happens to be living and working in Japan. The main characters weren't written to be Asian in the first place. 

'A woman goes into Japan's Suicide Forest to find her twin sister, and confronts supernatural terror.' [Source: IMDB]

Let's put aside the controversy that The Forest has been plagued by. The cast should be relatively sound. Natalie Dormer is quite popular for her work in The Tudors, Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games. Taylor Kinney is The Vampire Diaries, Zero Dark Thirty and Chicago Fire. Both have a relatively strong fan base that should have drawn in quite a few viewers despite the controversy. If nothing else, there would have been people who'd want to watch just to see what everyone was complaining about. 

The film opens with Sara receiving a phone call that her sister has been reported missing after a class trip to Mount Fuji. Jess, Sara's identical twin, was living and working in Japan as an English teacher. After discussing it with her husband and receiving a second phone call, Sara decides to travel alone to Japan in order to search for her sister. It was believed that Jess went into Aokigahara to commit

suicide. Once she arrives in Japan, Sara learns that the locals are reluctant to let her go into the forest. She meets Aiden, a reporter who has clearance to go into the forest with the help of Michi, a forest ranger. The trio sets out into the forest to look for Jess with the forewarning from Michi that the forest can play tricks on the mind.

This is where the film begins to fail. The scriptwriters began by trying to develop Sara into a character with real personality by giving us some time following her before she reaches the forest. Any of this development was cast aside once she reaches Aokigahara. Natalie Dormer tries her best to breathe life into Sara and by extension, Jess. Sadly, the other twin wasn't given any real screen time except in flashbacks. What was Jess' motivation? Why would she want to commit suicide? We're shown that she's on anxiety medication, but what person living abroad for the first time wouldn't be facing a bit of anxiety?

Aiden is also given no real time to develop as a character. Here is this mysterious reporter who frequently goes into the forest. What's his motivations? Is he hiding a sinister secret? Are the real

monsters human instead of yurei? The writers seem to have forgotten that he even needs a better personality. We're just expected to ignore the lack of personality as they get deeper in the forest.

Rather than developing a psychological horror, the filmmakers choose to use jumpy moments that don't result in any scares. The landscape itself could have led to quite a few intense moments. If you've ever been out in a dense forest at night, you're aware of how difficult it is to find your way. Disorientation, confusion and the sheer darkness would be enough to lead to horrifying moments. Add the additional psychological terror of knowing that every bump in the night could be the ghosts the locals believe in. Sadly, the writers didn't take these factors into consideration even after the director visited the real Aokigahara.

In the end, we're left to wonder why Jess would have gone into the forest in the first place. Was she suicidal? Why didn't Sara know what her twin's state of mind was? One could assume that they were on speaking terms despite the 6000 mile difference. It's not that hard to skype, call, email or text. If the bond between the sisters been elaborated on, the motivations would have driven the plot further along. The writing would have to be stronger for this to be possible. Instead, we get a thin plot with the usual jumpy moments thrown in to try to make the teenage audience happy. It's rather sad that this one couldn't grow past the controversy and be a strong film. The only real highlight is Natalie Dormer.

Rating: 2.5/5

Quick Movie Review

The Perfect Guy (2015, USA) | Rating: 3/5
Much like No Good Deed, this movie seemed very cliched and nothing new for black cinema. I wasn't all that interested in seeing this movie in theaters and the only reason I would want to would be to stare into Michael Ealy's beautiful, light colored eyes. Despite my boss spoiling a somewhat major plot point, I surprisingly enjoyed myself more than No Good Deed; granted that the movie overall wasn't anything astounding in the least. Nonetheless, it wasn't a terrible movie or anything. Things are quite predictable for the most part, minus that little spoiler, but things with Ealy's character almost goes from zero to a hundred like The Boy Next Door, but less laughable. Don't know if it's bias or not as Ryan Guzman was great eye candy, but Michael Ealy's experience shines a little brighter than Guzman's Noah character. I just believe him as more of a threat in comparison, in other words. The movie was an entertaining experience and did what The Boy Next Door wish it did as of tone and concept. I would probably put this on the same enjoyment level as another obsessive Idris Elba movie, Obsessed, which had its flaws and cliches, but was still fairly enjoyable.



Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse (2015, USA) | Rating: 3/5
I'm not sure if I watched this before or after Cooties, but here's another comical zombie apocalypse movie. Although, I believe this one made it to the theater; I vaguely remember seeing the poster for it here. It wasn't anything I was anxious to see on the silver screen, so obviously I waited for the DVD release as it didn't look all that spectacular. Watching it at home proved my expectations...for the most part. It is quite silly, but it does have some laughs despite some of the perverted humor either fell flat or was overdone. I liked the main character and his romantic interest as they fight through the zombies and keeps his duties as a scout. I can see not a lot of people enjoying as much as say Zombieland, but I liked it more than another certain zombie comedy I will review later. In short comparison, I enjoyed Cooties more as it delivered more successful laughs than this one, but this movie wasn't terrible with its content or comedy.



Goodnight Mommy (2014, Austria) | Rating: 4/5
Looking at the cover of this movie, I thought this would be some cheesy straight to video American horror flick, but surprisingly it ended up being a surprisingly chilling Austrian flick. When I pick up these random horror movies at work and expect a funny time with a bad or cheesy movie, it makes me happy when they end up being remarkably good. When you go into this movie, don't be fooled by the trailer and think you're going to be immediately scared out of your skin or anything. No, this is a suspense builder that'll keep you thinking what's going on with these twins and their mother who may be someone else entirely. Throughout the movie, I tried to predict the conclusion of this, which in this case was a fun ordeal. Sometimes it can be just a fun thing to do to keep a bad movie (or show) exciting, but I genuinely was curious to know what the hell was happening. The twins were very convincing and I felt every bit of pain and struggle they experienced with each other and their mother. The cinematography is stunning and the story definitely keeps you on edge with the help of visual and audio atmosphere. The conclusion will either surprise you or mock you, but I felt a mix of surprise and a little sadness (in a good way). I definitely recommend this film for those who need a little foreign suspense in their life or those who simply enjoy that chilling feeling of the uncertain.



War Room (2015, USA) | Rating: 3.5/5
It's another rare religious movie moment! Yeah, I still don't watch too many of these, but this one is one I'm happy I took the time in seeing. I didn't know what to expect with this one, but I ended up enjoying it quite a lot. I even claimed that it's one of the best religious movies I've seen, out of the small handful. It does have a bit of cliched Tyler Perry-esque broken relationship story, but the part of the story that deals with Elizabeth and Miss Clara are the scenes that shine the most for me. Seeing these two women interact and learn from each other brings a smile to my face. Thinking about it now, I do recognize the flaws in this movie and it seems like this is a common thing that occurs in these Christian films. Elizabeth's marriage problems and Tony's relationship with his daughter seemed very contrived and not very well executed. The humor is a bit hit or miss, but at least the writer(s)' attempt to keep the jokes somewhat realistic as Elizabeth feels like someone I could meet in the real world. Also the end segment with Miss Clara's "call to arms" prayer kinda made me a bit...uncomfortable. I'm all about the power of prayer and everything, but it seemed like too much. It didn't feel natural I suppose. I understood what they were going for, but it just went a little overboard. Lastly, the conclusion of the Jordan family's story really stretches reality, but tries not to make it happy happy. Honestly, if you treat this like the better Tyler Perry movies and don't think too deeply on the marriage situation and focus on the message the movie tries to convey, I think it was a successful and even inspiring film.



A Hard Day (2014, South Korea) | Rating: 4/5
If you've been here for a while, you've noticed I've watched quite a few Korean action films and I tend to have high expectations of the content. Of course, like any genre, it can be hit and miss. With such an inconsistent track record in my selection, I guess my expectations have lowered over time a little, but for the most part, South Korea tends to deliver some good quality action films. Watching this movie, I didn't know what direction it would go, but the end result was definitely positive. Our main character Go Geon-soo has some charming, anti-hero personality traits. You like him enough to root for him against the enemy, but you dislike him a little for his unethical police habits that make him a bit untrustworthy at times. There was plenty of action in this cat and mouse chase and a surprise mixture of humor that kept me even more entertained. I never seen humor like this incorporated in a South Korean action film, so that made me very happy. Sometimes, South Korea, you don't have to be so serious with your action flicks.


If there's something you want me to review (or want a more in depth review of the movies above or previous ones), check out this post on how you can submit requests.