I know I am a bit late on covering Alice in Borderlands, but I loved it so much I needed to talk about it. Alice in Borderlands is the live-action isakai series that you didn’t know you needed in your life. If you haven’t seen it, I urge you to add it to your list. It may be a bit cheesy, and the CGI is rough, but it is such an epic narrative that it doesn’t matter.
Irasu and his friends find themselves in a deserted Tokyo. As they travel through the empty streets of the town they once called home, they find themselves trapped in a deadly game. To survive, they must win a series of games where failure isn’t an option. Those who lose or run out of time die. It’s a similar concept to Squid Games, but this series came out first. Can Irasu and his friends find out who is behind the games before it is too late? Will they ever be able to return to their normal lives?
Both seasons are well done, with the second season being a narrative roller coaster that kept me on edge. The suspense in this season is killer despite the overpowered plot armor the main characters seem to carry.
The games are so much fun to watch, each getting more intense than the last. It does get a bit predictable, but I didn’t care because I was having so much fun. This show is graphic, so viewer discretion is advised.
The series uses the violence and stakes of the games to make important criticisms of the stagnation in human life. Each protagonist had moments in their past before the game where they wasted their lives or weren’t living to their potential. It was only when they no longer have control of their lives that they begin to reflect on their lives. For some, it is too late. They die without having the chance to make any real changes. Others, like Arisu, begin to experience personal growth as they begin to see life in a new light.
I loved Irasu as a protagonist. He isn’t a generic stoic that can be common in the genre. Instead, he is a flawed man whose resolve is constantly shaken by events in the game. As he spends more time in the games, Isaru never gets comfortable with the harsh world around him. There are times when the events will break him, and he will struggle to act when necessary. It is very cool to see a hero who is capable, but not perfect. It creates the perfect amount of tension for a series like this to work.
But as much as I love this series, it isn’t perfect. This series has a problem with its pacing. Towards the end of the series, it certainly feels drawn out. There are also times when this series will get a bit preachy about life and humanity, but it never gets so bad that I turned it off. Despite its flaws, I will be returning to this series.
Go watch this series! You might figure out the mystery ahead of time, and the special effects might look cheesy, but the story and action are so good that it won’t matter. The series is in Japanese with multiple dubbing available. While I always recommend watching media in their original language, the English dubbing is great. You can stream Alice in Borderlands on Netflix
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Legend of Vox Machina Season 2 Review
The second season of The Legend of Vox Machina has finally wrapped up, and the adventure is more epic than the last. If you are a fan of fantasy, you’ve already finished this series. For those who aren’t fans of fantasy, go stream it now! Do not be intimidated by its setting, theme, or even the fact that it is based on Dungeons and Dragons. This is a great story regardless of its themes. I am astounded at how a tabletop game became this epic story. I will be here for the whole adventure and recommend you do the same.
Dragons have invaded Iman, bringing death and destruction to its citizens. It is up to Vox Machina to collect the Vestiges and save Tal’Dorei from the Chroma Conclave. Does this band of misfits have what it takes to become the heroes Tal’Dorei needs?
What is left to say about this series? The animation is fantastic and has some of the best-choreographed action I have seen in animation. The voice acting is expectedly amazing. The cast gives their best performances yet, and I recommend you watch this series for the fantastic storytelling that comes from it.
For those who haven’t seen this show, it gets violent and crude, but I couldn’t have it any other way. The best part of this series is how user-friendly it is. You don’t have to know anything about fantasy, Dungeons & Dragons, or Critical Role. Prior knowledge may help you pick up an easter egg or joke, but it isn’t crucial to your enjoyment. I love that this series is so accessible because it brings such a misunderstood genre to a general audience without sacrificing what makes it so good in the first place. I need more people to nerd out with.
These two seasons of The Legend of Vox Machina have cemented this series as a staple in the fantasy genre. It has a terrific adventure with real stakes and character growth. I love that even though I know what is going to happen, I am still on the edge of my seat, fearful of the outcome. I love that Vox Machina starts as this selfish band of misfits without any real purpose or direction. They are even hesitant when they are first called to action because they weren’t hero’s then. I love watching them face their many trials and learn from them, slowly stepping into their roles as heroes. They are still flawed and will constantly encounter situations where that look bleak, making this fantastic storytelling.
If you haven’t started watching The Legend of Vox Machina, now is a great time to start. This is a fantastic story that you shouldn’t miss out on. You can stream both seasons now on Amazon if you have a Prime Membership.
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Series Review: Red Rose (2022)
I wanted to like Red Rose. It had a strong start with its terrific soundtrack, decent actors, and interesting concept. Unfortunately, the novelty wears off, and the series overstays its welcome. If you were interested in watching this series, I would hold off. It’s not as good and deep as it pretends to be.
After finishing High School, Roche, and her friends are excited for what should be the best summer of their lives. It was supposed to be a summer of partying, sex, and fun before they all split up for university. But fate has other plans for these teens. Roch’s life gets turned upside down when she downloads the mysterious app, Red Rose. At first, it seems like a benevolent force that promises Roch a better life. But the app has ulterior motives, and Roch finds that her life is out of her hands. Red Rose isolates her from her friends, stalks her, and terrorizes her relentlessly. There is no escape from Red Rose, and the virus is spreading. Will the teens be able to put an end to this sinister app?
The acting is fine for the most part, but I felt like some of the leads didn’t have the charisma to make the series work. The story was fine, but it gets more and more convoluted the deeper you get into the series. This series wastes too much time on filler, pointless plot hooks, and painfully obvious red herrings instead of getting to the point. This series wastes so much time on filler that I honestly forgot what it was supposed to be about. This could have been a better series if they didn’t drag it out so long.
The first few episodes had so much promise. The soundtrack was fantastic, the lead was great, and the story was solid. They still had issues with the pacing, but I was willing to forgive it because the rest was good enough. It was a decent thriller until the tonal shifts. Unfortunately, this series turns into a generic action thriller with no real direction.
I can’t recommend this series because it just becomes a generic jumbled mess of a series. It becomes so bland that I struggle to find more to say about this series. I would say hold off, but if you can’t, you can stream it on Netflix.
Image By Eleven Film & British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) – Screenshot of a frame in an episode, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=72846422
Series Review: Wolf Pack (2023)
I haven’t been too impressed with Paramount’s original content, and Wolf Pack did little to change that. This series is a poorly-written supernatural drama about werewolves that won’t leave much of an impression. While it may have moments that keep it from being terrible, it isn’t good enough to recommend.
Wildfires threaten the lives of a generic small town. As the smoke and flames creep ever closer, something sinister lurks in its shadows. Werewolves exist in our world, and while some may be harmless, some use the fires to come for blood. The series focuses on a pair of unremarkable teens who get turned into werewolves. As they struggle to control their powers, they seek answers. But where will they start?
This series isn’t great. The writing is terrible. The actors may be doing their best, but their best is mediocre. The only good thing about this series is its suspense. I loved the scenes where the teens are facing the unknown. There is a real sense of uncertainty about the fate of these teens as they attempt to hide from an unknown hunter. I know they will survive, but it was easy to get lost in the moment as the poorly rendered whatever stalked them from a distance. As bad as the acting got, I am impressed with how well the kids acted in these scenes. It wasn’t enough to earn a recommendation, but I would be curious to see how they do in better horror.
I don’t have much to say about this series because it didn’t leave an impression on me. It wasn’t bad enough to hate, but it isn’t good enough to recommend. Wolf Pack exists as a lazy attempt to rebuild the werewolf mythos. The characters are generic and flat, the story isn’t good, and everything looks ugly. I would be fine if this were some campy fun series about werewolves, but it isn’t. I got so bored that I had to fight the urge to fast forward. New episodes of this series come out weekly, but the first three episodes did little to make me want to finish. I might do so if curiosity strikes, but I doubt it will get any better.
You can stream Wolf Pack on Paramont+, but I wouldn’t bother. There are better shows about werewolves you could be watching instead. Oh and if you are thinking of watching this series for Sarah Michelle Gellar, she’s barely in it.
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Series Review: Chainsaw Man (2022)
I understand that I am a little late on this review, but I enjoyed this anime enough to recommend it. If you are looking for a new anime to get into, go stream Chainsaw Man on Hulu.
Denji was a normal kid, burdened by the crippling debt that he inherited from his father. He works it off by doing all the odd jobs and hunting devils. Denji and Pochita, a chainsaw demon dog he befriends, live on the scraps left after each payment. Denji’s life changes when he is sacrificed by the gang he owes money to. In order to save Denji, Pochita gives Denji his heart. Denji now has the power to turn his body parts into chainsaws. Denji gets recruited to serve with the Public Safety Devil Hunters to keep Japan safe from devils. With his new power and job, Denji can live the life he’s always dreamed of. A life with three meals a day, jelly on toast, and boobs.
I liked this anime quite a bit. The art style and animation are interesting, the concept is neat, and the story is fun. There is a bit of shameless fan service, and the tone does get a bit silly, but the story is good enough that it doesn’t matter. What I liked most about this anime is that the protagonist isn’t the traditional hero who is overly good with an unbeatable sense of justice. Denji chooses to join the Public Safety Devil Hunters because he gets to live a better life. He has a warm place to sleep, all the food he can eat, and for the first time in his life, people treat him nicely. There are some very interesting moments where Denji will doubt his humanity or selfishness, but he always does what’s right. Denji is slowly learning to be heroic even if his motives aren’t as righteous as his colleagues. It is also interesting to have the point of view of someone who has never had anything. What he values, his reactions to new experiences, and the way he finds motivation is a refreshing take on the protagonist.
The first season is on Hulu and I believe it does a great job of introducing the series. You get a good sense of the world and what drives it, a taste of the big bad and his powers, the stakes involved, and its cast of interesting characters. It reminds me a lot of suicide squad and I am interested to see where this series will take me. In the meantime, I think I will attempt to catch up with the manga.
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Series Review: Poker Face (2023)
Poker Face is Peacock’s new quirky crime detective drama that you should be watching if you are a fan of the genre. This creative and fun take on the genre is sure to put a smile on your face. If you have Peacock, Poker Face should be on your watch list.
Charlie starts as a waitress at a Las Vegas Casino with no prospects, but she is content with where her life is. Charlie has the superhuman ability to sense when people are lying to her. Unfortunately, her gift gets her in a lot of trouble. Despite trying to lay low, her caring nature won’t let her leave things alone. Her life changes when her abilities help her uncover the casino’s dark secret. Follow Charlie as she runs for her life and solves more mysteries along the way.
Charlie is an amazing character, and I recommend this series just to experience Natasha Lyonn’e delightful performance. She is quirky, funny, and smart despite her looks. I dare you to hate Charlie after the first episode. I have no doubts that Lyonne has the charisma to make this series work.
What sets this series apart is its structure. Each episode starts by showing you the murder. The audience knows what happened, but the fun comes from watching Charlie put the pieces together. What makes Charlie such a great character is that she isn’t perfect. She fumbles and makes mistakes, but her instincts will eventually get her the answers she needs. It makes for a refreshing take on this classic genre that I have been enjoying thoroughly.
The series only has four episodes out at the moment, with a new episode releasing Thursdays. If you don’t have Peacock, I recommend you wait for the whole series to release so that you can binge it on the trial. So far, this series is worth the trial. The acting is solid, and the mysteries are well done. If you are looking for a fun, quirky crime drama that will make you laugh and keep you on the edge of your seat, go stream Poker Face on Peacock!
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Series Review: Hunters Season 2
I want to give a shoutout to Cathrine for her kind words and the coffee! I appreciate your support. You don’t know how much your kind words meant to me. Thank you so much! I’m here wishing you the best.
I enjoyed the first season of Hunters but was disappointed by how it ended. I was so disappointed by its conclusion that I was considering not returning for the second season. This season was fine, but I didn’t think it was worth the effort. It feels too drawn out and without any real direction. It may not be a terrible show, but it does leave a lot to be desired. If you are curious about this series or need a proper conclusion, I suggest you throw it in the background so you can skip all the boring bits.
Hunters is a series about a group of people who come together to hunt down Nazis who went into hiding. The justice is too slow so the Hunters are taking justice into their own hands.
I found this season more convoluted than the last with less action. The action it did have isn’t exciting. This season felt like it lacked direction as it struggled to pad its run time with a boring backstory and intrapersonal conflict. There are a lot of stories added to this season that felt out of place even within the narrative. Some characters were devastatingly underutilized, while others overstayed their welcome. Nothing stood out this time, and I found myself struggling not to fast forward.
My issue with this season is that it doesn’t have a proper villain. The first season with its faults had a proper force fighting against the hunters. Here, the heroes only seem to fight themselves, and it gets tiresome. I get that the point was to have an incompetent villain, but when they are this incompetent, what is the point? This season turns an interesting concept into another generic action thriller, but one that isn’t very fun.
I wasn’t a fan of this series and have already forgotten what happens in it. It may not be the worst, but with so much better content out there, it is better to hold off until you have absolutely nothing to watch. If you do end up watching this series, I suggest you keep the remote handy to skip over all the boring bits. For those interested, check it out on Amazon.
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Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre (2023) – Series Review
I haven’t been a fan of horror anthologies. I do not like the inconsistency, nor have I found one that can tell a decent horror story within its short format. Since watching Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre, this opinion has shifted. If you like creepy narratives and don’t mind it being in anime, you should give this series a try.
Each episode focuses on a single story or theme. Some of the stories do connect, but they exist pretty independently. If you return to this series after a break, you won’t be lost or need to rewatch episodes to understand what is happening. Some episodes are better than others, but they never got so bad that I was ready to skip them. You will want to finish this series at least once for the experience, then rewatch your favorites afterward. Although there are some inconsistencies in the quality of the narrative, they are small enough that they don’t matter.
There is a lot to like about this series. The voice acting is great, the animation fits the tone, and the stories are creepy. The animation may not be for everyone, but the stories are creepy enough that it won’t matter. A few of the episodes had my heart racing from how genuinely creepy they got. I doubt it will give you nightmares, but I can appreciate a good story when I see one. This series is a great collection of ghost stories, and I love how contained they are within this format.
If you are a fan of horror, anime, or both, add this series to your watchlist. There aren’t cheap jumpscares or overdone gore for a cheap fright, just well-told stories that you can stream on Netflix.
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The Legend of Vox Machina Season 2 – Initial Thoughts
With the debut of The Legend of Vox Machina’s second season, I can’t help but remain excited for the fantastic adventure it will be. The season is off to a great start as it sets up the new villains and tells a narrative so captivating, I am impatient for next week. If you haven’t watched the first season, now is a great time to start.
An enclave of dragons has attacked Emon, destroying the newly found home for our group of misfits. Now it is up to Vox Machina to care for the refugees and find a way to save the world from dragons. Can this band of ne’er-do-wells step up and become the heroes the world needs, or will they be another blood stain on dragon scales?
I have said this before, The Legend of Vox Machina is a great series for those who know nothing about fantasy or dungeons and dragons. While the series is heavy with easter eggs for fans of Critical Role and Dungeons and Dragons, knowledge of either isn’t required to enjoy the story. Even if you aren’t a fan of fantasy, I dare you not to like this story.
The voice acting is as amazing as you’d expect from a cast of this caliber, the art is beautiful, and the story will keep you on the edge of your seat. I have seen the campaign that this series is based on, and despite knowing how everything ends, my heart still races when Vox Machina faces danger. This is just a testament to the scale of how epic this series can get. The action is well-choreographed, the stakes are well-established, and the heroes are imperfect enough that the danger is still palpable. The series does a fantastic job at making you fall in love with a group of assholes that begin to find their call to heroism, and they reluctantly take the call.
If you haven’t seen this series, it is a great time to start. I must warn you, this series is graphic. It is full of nudity, profanity, and gore. Viewer discursion is advised. That aside, it tells a fantastic story for an adventure that I am sure will be amazing. I am excited for what is to come, and you should be too. You can stream it on Amazon if you have a Prime membership.
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Series Review: That 90s Show
I was a huge fan of That 70’s Show when it was out, and I’ve rewatched it a few times already. I was excited when That 90’s Show was announced because I thought we were getting a proper reboot. I spent a lot of effort avoiding all the news and rewatching the original series because I didn’t want this review to be affected by nostalgia. Unfortunately, this series makes it impossible to separate nostalgia from my critique because it is a carbon copy of the original. I don’t know who this series was made for, but it wasn’t for me.
The series is about Eric and Dona’s daughter, Leia, and her summer in Point Place, Wisconsin. Leia is an awkward nerd who on her latest visit to Wisconsin, has made her first group of friends. The series focuses on the adventures she has that summer.
The adventures Leia has are pretty much the same ones they had in the original, only slightly modernized to fit the 90’s aesthetic. You get the same story beats, jokes, and even characters but with a lot less of the charm. This series might have been better if I hadn’t watched the original.
I foolishly expected this to be a continuation of the narrative we got in That 70’s Show. I was expecting an adult gang that has grown from their experiences and has to deal with a more modern canvas of issues. The original cast does appear, but only for short cameos where they exist as jokes for a quick laugh. They have learned nothing and added nothing to the story.
The cast is great, and they give a fantastic performance, but the writing holds them back. You get the same group of characters, story beats, and even jokes that have only been slightly adapted to fight the 90s aesthetic. I would have preferred this to be its own show that didn’t have to constantly rely on the nostalgia of the original for it to be entertaining.
My biggest issue with this series is how overbearing the live audience tracks are. The constant laughter and reactions get old and distracting instantly. There are scenes where the audience laughs after every single line of dialogue. I get that it was a callback to the original series, but it just highlights how painfully unfunny this series can be.
That said, this series isn’t terrible. When it tried to do its own thing, it earned its laughs. There are even some nice character moments. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough of these moments to save this series for me. More often than not, I found myself bored by the characters, story lines, and jokes.
If you are a fan of the original series, I don’t think it’s worth it. It is okay, but it is trapped repeating the same thing in a lesser package. If you haven’t seen the original series, there are funnier sitcoms worth more of your time. I wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it, but it is on Netflix if you need it.
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