Assassination Classroom: An Appraisal, (And Why You Should Watch It)

A few days ago, I may have raised some eyebrows by placing a relatively obscure anime episode as my favorite TV episode of all time over several other acclaimed episodes, such as Breaking Bad's "Ozymandias". Today, I'll be reviewing Assassination Classroom (Japanese name: Ansatsu Kyoushitsu), a series which I have just finished watching for the second time.

I have to admit, the premise of this show is insanely ridiculous. However, I'll try my very best to explain it without being dismissed as a retard. The show is about a creature who looks like a yellow octopus, who blows up 70% of the moon and plans to do the same to the Earth in a year's time. However, insisting that "that would be no fun", he decides to teach Class 3-E in Kunugigaoka Junior High, a prestigious prep school where students are discriminated against for their grades. Oh, and I forgot to mention: this yellow octopus can move at a speed of Mach 20 (20 times the speed of sound in dry air), making him virtually impossible to kill, at first.

Surprisingly enough, this premise somehow works. The octopus, later named Korosensei (a pun on the Japanese word for unkillable, korosenai and sensei, meaning teacher) is, in my opinion, one of the most entertaining characters you'll ever see. Some reasons the series works as wonderfully well as it does include:

Korosensei  

This show would have never worked if the yellow octopus creature named Korosensei was an intense, menacing Big Bad. However, that is not a problem at all: from the very second he appears, he's a delight, casually taking attendance while students shoot at him with special bullets that are specially designed for him. One big conflict on the students' parts is that he is, well the best damn teacher they've ever had; he can create individual clones using his amazing speed, teaching each student in a method they'll understand best, and he miraculously raises their grades. He also goes to extreme lengths just to impart wisdom on his students (like going to a baseball game in New York, to advise a student named Sugino who'd given up on his dream). However, his biggest selling point is that he is absolutely hilarious; despite being someone who's nigh impossible to kill, he freaks out extremely easily, and it's always funny. For example:

http://www.youtube.com/v/isu_u0TqSIo?version=3&start=0&end=120&autoplay=0&hl=en_US&rel=0

However, I do believe his very best moments are the speeches he gives when he talks to his students; he has a genuine, heartwarming care for them. In fact, the only time he remotely seems like the "monster who destroyed the moon" is when any of his students are in danger. A lot of credit for the brilliance of this character has to go to Jun Fukuyama; his manic performance creates the perfect tone, and he is amazing throughout the entire series, whether he has to act like a badass, be a hilarious idiot who screws up constantly, or just be the outstanding teacher he always is. I think the best praise I can possibly give Korosensei is that I really wish that I had, or will have a teacher like him. Oh, and then there's his iconic laugh:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZUlv3lCYFU

Handles a Large Cast of Characters Incredibly Well

From the very beginning, this show had 30-plus characters counting just the students and their three teachers, due to the school environment. Many would think that this would result in a majority becoming caricatures or stereotypes, with only one or two being actually developed. However, that could not be further from the truth; each character is indeed distinct and unique, and while everyone does not get a limelight episode for character development, each of them does get a moment or two to shine. What's quite amazing is that in the backdrop of this great cast of characters, the main student trio of Nagisa Shiota, Karma Akabane, and Kaede Kayano can often be relegated to the background. Each person, as quite befitting for the assassination classroom, has their own role to play, and as time goes on, plays it incredibly well.

Compelling Character Arcs

Also, over the course of time, the characters are given some really well-handled character development. For example, Ryoma Terasaka, the class bully, goes from an aloof idiot who only cares about killing Korosensei, to a rather inspirational, well, idiot who gives some of the most rousing speeches in the series. Similarly, Karma Akabane goes from a sadistic arrogant genius to a person who genuinely believes in hard work and humility (although the sadism is expectedly still there), after going from 4th to 13th place in the first term final exams. In my opinion though, the character who develops the most is Korosensei, and in fact, I believe, he phrased it best: "How can I teach anyone if I myself didn't learn and grow every day?".

A Well-Paced Coming of Age Story

In spite of what its premise might indicate to some, Assassination Classroom is really more of a coming of age story, with a lot of comedy, and poignant life lessons. You learn to care and empathise with these students and these teachers; they go from misfits with extremely low self-esteem, to awesome assassins who also get better at their studies, and become good people in general. Koro Sensei is the one who gives most of these life lessons; whether it be to his students or a sniper, or his initially apathetic colleagues Karasuma and Irina (who's given a hilarious nickname which I will not spoil), he never gives up a chance to teach someone. What's miraculous is that the show never feels like it hammers its lessons home; it is conveyed in a tone that feels more natural than sentimental. In other words, we see a depiction of how awesome and productive a school environment can actually be, and how powerful the bond between a teacher and a student can be.

Brilliantly Natural Tonal Shifts 

Just like its main character (or perhaps, because of him), Assassination Classroom changes tones and emotions in a heartbeat. A sly comedic moment may become an inspirational life lesson for the students or it may simply be the set-up for the next dramatic story arc. Unbelievably, this show is one of the few I've seen which completely earns the tonal shifts, and never makes it feel disjointed or meaningless, although it possibly could have been at any point. Specifically speaking, the first season is rather light (although it ends with an incredible dramatic arc), and it is mostly very comedic and entertaining. Midway through the second and final season the show gradually becomes darker in tone, as some truths are revealed which are just as shocking to the viewer as it is to the characters. And then there's the ending; I've already revealed that the final two episodes of this show are among my favorite episodes of all time, and seriously speaking, the finale is one of the most satisfying ever. This show handles the changes in tone exceptionally well, and it's one of the biggest reasons why this show is one of my favorites of all time.

Three Dimensional Antagonists 


Unlike most anime, which seem determined to depict their villains as two-dimensional, heartless and irredeemable bastards, Assassination Classroom circumvents this problem by always showing and giving reasons for how these people became this way. It actually succeeds and makes the villains sympathetic in more ways than one. For example, although it is unanimously agreed that the students of the main campus are discriminating assholes due to their attitude towards Class 3-E, the show makes the point of explaining that the constant pressure and superiority complex that is enforced by the Principal, Gakuho Asano (pictured above) is the prime reason behind their attitude. The show actually doesn't romanticise assassins; they realistically show that assassins are not pawns who will kill any and everyone for money, and are people with real flaws and their own code. The fact that the show gives a lot of depth to its antagonists is one of the best reasons why it's rewatchable, and why finishing the show is such a rewarding experience to the viewer.

Verdict

As I've stated in the reasons above, this show is well worth your time. I haven't even delved into the other reasons why you should watch this show, such as the brilliant animation, the entertaining fight scenes, or the fantastic. The first seasons is brilliant, with every episode being entertaining and compelling in one way or the other, and you're guaranteed to laugh your guts out. The second season is just as amazing, but I do believe it hits the more complex and higher emotional heights. Even if anime isn't your thing (which was practically the case for me before I watched this show and Attack on Titan, another masterpiece), I do recommend this show wholeheartedly. It is one of the best shows I've ever seen, hands down.

Score for each season: 5/5 (First Season)
                                     5/5 (Second Season)
Overall score for the show: 10/10
Where to watch it: http://watchac2.com (I recommend the original Japanese with English subtitles, simply because of the fact that it sounds more natural and better than the English dub, and has better performances by the voice cast)

My Top Ten TV Episodes of All-Time

This is my list of the ten TV episodes that had the most impact on me; I should note that I haven't seen series like Six Feet Under, The Sopranos or Fargo. This list is just my honest opinion about the TV episodes and shows I've come to love the most.

*Note: Spoilers may be revealed, and when they are, will be highlighted in bold.




1) "Graduation Time"-Assassination Classroom (Season 2, Episode 24; Episode 46 of the show)


I was really reluctant at first to put this episode here, as I've only finished watching Assassination Classroom a few weeks ago. However, after giving it some time to settle in, I have come to a conclusion: this is, in my opinion, the greatest episode of TV I've seen till date.

Assassination Classroom is a show that I have really come to appreciate and love. I found the premise ridiculous, but after swallowing my pride and giving it a chance, it instantly won me over. This episode is the penultimate episode of the show, and one thing I found it has in common with my #2 favorite episode, is that it immediately starts the emotional rollercoaster from the very beginning. I won't spoil the episode, as this show deserves to be seen and experienced in its entirety (I will write a separate blog post later specifically about it). All I can say is the show itself is terrific, and this episode is the greatest example why. It is heartbreaking and gut-wrenching all the way through, and the execution of all the elements, from the voice acting, to the absolutely wonderful score, and the writing are flawless, and simply could not be done better.

I should note that I rarely cry due to films, and even more rarely to TV episodes; this episode made me cry for a good while after it finished, and I wasn't ashamed at all. For this episode completely earns every emotional reaction you will have to it, and I simply could not ask for a better episode to conclude one of the best anime of all time. (note: This is because the series finale proper, while also excellent, is more of an epilogue). In my mind, there could not be a more perfect work of art.
**EDIT: Rewatching the series and the episode a second time solidified its position as my favorite episode even more. It had even more of an impact on me this time, unbelievably. I really can't recommend this show enough.

2) "Ozymandias"-Breaking Bad (Season 5, Episode 14; 61st episode of the show)


This is an astounding episode, and up till recently, was also my favourite episode of all time. However, that is not a slight at all towards it.

Breaking Bad ended its run acclaimed as one of the greatest drama series (if not the greatest) of all time, and I wholeheartedly agree. The show was so unique and thrilling, and most importantly, it is one of the few shows I know that realistically depicts the drastic changes people can go through given the right circumstances. Ozymandias is the third last episode of the final season, and to tell the truth, the entirety of it is a masterpiece. The emotions run high from the very beginning, as an important character meets his demise, which leads to Walt making another tragic decision that eventually affects the people he loves. This episode kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, and I literally had no idea what was going to happen next. Moira Walley Beckett's magnificent script deservedly won the Writing in A Drama Series Emmy, and for good reason, too. Bryan Cranston and Anna Gunn gave their best performances of the series on this show, and to me, that's really saying something. In fact, Walter's final phone call at the end of this episode contains the best acting in a TV series in my opinion. This was an exhilarating episode, and it is outstanding in every sense of the word.

3) "Remembrance of Courage Past"-Courage the Cowardly Dog (Season 4, Episode 13; penultimate episode of the show, although it really should have been the finale)

Courage the Cowardly Dog is one of my favorite shows of all time. It had quite the right mix of comedy, horror, and as can be seen in this masterpiece of an episode, the right amount of heart as well.
This is the second last episode of the show. While the show has had quite a few emotional episodes (the "Last of the Starmakers", which just missed this list, immediately comes to mind), this episode is probably the most emotional one of them all. It deals with Courage's backstory, specifically how he was found by Muriel after being "left" by his parents. The episode starts easily enough: Courage  has breakfast, with Eustace voicing his jealous disapproval as usual. However, he soon notices a "missing dogs" section at the back of the milk carton, causing him to have what TV Tropes would call, a Heroic B.S.O.D. We then flash back to his past and see his parents for the first time on the show. When Courage gets stuck to a gate after trying to catch a ball, they take him to a suspicious-looking veterinarian. Well, what happens next is heartbreaking: the vet, in order to prove an insane theory about how dogs can become super-beings by being shot to the moon, does just that to Courage's parents, in spite of Courage's desperate attempts to stop him. The scene of Courage crying while seeing his parents blasted off to space is one of the most tragic moments I've ever seen on a TV show: when he finally gets found by Muriel, the episode has enough emotional resonance that you can go from crying to smiling with Courage, which is quite an incredible feat. Courage also has a chance to prevent history from repeating itself with his second family and let me just say this: the final scene of this episode, could not be a more satisfying ending.

4) "Battle of the Bastards"-Game of Thrones (Season 6, Episode 9)

It was really a question of which Game of Thrones episode I would be placing on this list; the show is a masterpiece of modern TV, and I really had a hard time determining which episode would be in my top 10. This episode, though is my favorite of the series, for a few particular reasons. (*Note: Spoilers may follow*)
The episode, from the very beginning, has an epic feel to it. It starts with Daenerys finally coming back to Mereen, only to see it being attacked by the Masters, as well as the Sons of the Harpy. Her opening scene with Tyrion features some pretty good acting from Emilia Clarke, and Peter Dinklage. However, all of this almost gets overshadowed by her overwhelming victory over both sides, using her dragons to burn the Masters' fleet. This scene, pretty much like the rest of the episode, has amazing direction by Miguel Sapochnik, who helmed last season's masterpiece "Hardhome" (which I was tempted to put on this list as well). The fact that this is just the secondary storyline makes this episode more awesome.
But of course, the episode is about the battle between Jon Snow and Ramsay Bolton. The battle itself is a visceral, grand experience. I was practically on the edge of my seat the entire time, and what amplified the experience was Kit Harington's brilliant performance. His reaction to seeing a certain character get shot down by an arrow was intense, and harrowing, and he never gets overshadowed by the spectacle of the battle scenes, which was a difficult thing to pull off. Iwan Rheon was also brilliant and pulled off a magnificent swansong. The whole ensemble was great, with Liam Cunningham and Sophie Turner being other standouts. And then there's the ending: the final scene is amazing especially because of how chilling Turner manages to be, and I guiltily admit to cheering quite loudly as it happened. It's a spectacular episode, but you really have to see it .

5) "Remedial Chaos Theory"- Community (Season 3, Episode 4)


Ah, Community. One of the most underrated sitcoms ever, but in my opinion, one of the very best. It had compelling characters, unconventional yet hilarious humor, and is just a simply flat out entertaining show about people you grow to care about.
"Remedial Chaos Theory" involves Abed and Troy throwing a housewarming party. When they order pizza, everyone is too lazy to get up, so Jeff decides to flip a die in order to decide. As Abed repeatedly warns him, he inadvertently creates six different timelines, each time with a different person going to get pizza, with hilarity ensuing each time. There's a method to this madness; the repetition  works, and we get a fascinating character study, along with their dynamics being keenly explored in this episode. Of course, my favorite timeline is the one where Troy gets the pizza (pictured above); it results in a pretty depressing, yet darkly funny "Dark Timeline" where the group decides to become evil and steal back their lives. This episode is the very best example of quintessential Community; it is funny, heartwarming and simply not quite like any other comedy on TV.

6) "The One with the Prom Video"- Friends (Season 2, Episode 14)

Friends is acclaimed as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, and if that statement included only the first five seasons, I'd agree in a heartbeat. I enjoy watching it, but I must admit that it did steadily decline as time went on, like most sitcoms tend to.
However, this episode came at a time when Friends was genuinely excellent and at the top of its form. This episode basically has two plotlines: one where Chandler and Joey get into a fight over a gold bracelet Joey got him (which led to an extremely funny scene with Matthew Perry and the couch pillows), and Ross trying to get Rachel back, who is still mad at him for making a list about her flaws and good qualities. Monica then manages to find a video detailing her and Rachel's prom night, which brings us to a great flashback to the 80s, full with bad make up and hairstyles. This flashback actually made sense to me in context to the story, as it would be perfectly reasonable to assume that sadsack Ross Geller would be head over heels for Rachel even then. During the tape, Rachel sees that Ross was ready to take her to prom if her date didn't show up; David Schwimmer's heartbreaking look when he sees she left is amazing, and you genuinely feel horrible for the guy. This episode concludes with one of the most iconic moments in the history of the series; Rachel embracing and kissing Ross. Although this episode may not seem like much because I doubt my writing has done justice to it, it truly is something special.

7) "Child Abduction Is Not Funny"-South Park (Season 6, Episode 17)


In spite of its rather ironic title, this may be the funniest episode of South Park I've seen. In classic style, the show takes a serious issue, inserts some extremely clever and often politically incorrect humor, and brutally satirizes it and makes it hilarious. The issue satirized in this episode is the rather overblown news-reporting of child abductions by news channels, and how the idiotic parents of South Park increasingly grow more paranoid by believing everything they see on the news.

While this is very funny, most of the humor comes from Mr. Kim, the owner of the "City" Wok restaurant, who, because of his Chinese heritage, gets entrusted to build a wall to keep outsiders out, and how Mongolians (yes, Mongolians) repeatedly thwart him. His various attempts at getting back at them hilariously backfiring on him is quite the sight to see. It is rather telling that the most sensible thing said in the entire episode comes from the mouth of a freaking child abductor, who points out the hypocrisy of the news channels for rarely the reporting positive things people do for other people and for exaggerating the negative; all this before he tries to abduct Tweek. That is how crazy this episode is. It's a brilliant piece of satire, and the best episode done by the show during an amazing run.

8) "Homer's Phobia"- The Simpsons (Season 8, Episode 15)


There's been so much love for The Simpsons and such in-depth analysis of it over the years, I really don't feel like my writing will contribute anything at all. However, I will make an effort. It's an incredible show, and quite easily one of the all-time great animated series (although I prefer anime like Dragon Ball or Assassination Classroom over it).
This episode tackles the issue of homophobia, and it does it extremely well; Homer meets a gay man named John, and bonds with him, and invites him to spend time with his family. In fact, Homer thinks he's quite a swell guy before finding out his sexuality (which, as hilariously pointed out by Marge, was too obvious to ignore). Homer's prejudice against John is subtly portrayed not as hatred, but something different from what he had always been accustomed to. He disapproves of Bart acting"gay" like John, and his paranoia grows. Homer's skewed sense of masculinity can be seen as one of the main reasons, and it is pretty realistic for the status quo at the time. The episode's ending, with Homer coming to accept John again, is really good when you see that the show is preaching an anti-homophobia message, and is urging the audience to do the same. The fact that The Simpsons tackled this subject at a time when barely any other show, let alone an animated one, wouldn't touch it with a ten feet pole, and tackled it as excellently as it did, is the reason why it's on my top ten TV episodes.

9) "eps1.8_m1rr0r1ng.qt"- Mr. Robot (Season 1, Episode 9)



Mr. Robot is one of the best shows on TV out there today. It fully deserved all of its nominations for the 2016 Emmys, and I'd say it deserved even more. This episode, when Elliot finally realizes his inner demons and an ugly truth about himself, is a brilliant episode. I can't say much about the show or its episode, cause I would hate to spoil the experience for those who didn't watch it, but I will say that you will be shocked and amazed.
Rami Malek and Christian Slater both gave amazing performances in this episode. This episode was greatly written and directed, and in spite of its shocking twist, it is amazing that it feels natural instead of a slight cop-out. The particular montage where certain events from past episodes are depicted from another point of view is the main highlight of the episode. The scene between Elliot and Mr. Robot in the graveyard features some of the best direction done last year, and it had a thrilling, unpredictable nature from start to finish. If you haven't seen this show yet, I highly recommend that you do. It is well worth your time.

10) "Final Atonement"- Dragon Ball Z (Episode 237)


I grew up watching Dragon Ball Z. It is arguably the best anime I've ever seen, and one of the few that have left quite a profound impact on me. It's an iconic show that fully deserves its reputation.
The main reason why I ranked this episode so low is because DBZ doesn't exactly work on an episode to episode basis; your whole focus is on the arcs and the villains as a whole, instead of individual episodes. However, the reason this episode is my favorite is that it works excellently well within its limitations and, because this episode provides some of the most poignant character development I've ever seen. Prince Vegeta, the peripheral anti-hero of the series, who antagonizes the main characters when he's not fighting like a badass alongside them, and (had sold his soul to surpass Goku), sacrifices himself to blow up the seemingly invincible Majin Buu, because the love he had come to have for his family had not been erased from his mind. What really gets to me are the moments before his noble act: his conversations with Piccolo about meeting Goku in the afterlife, and when he finally hugs his son, only to knock him out so that he couldn't stop his act. This episode was just beautifully written and animated, and proved to many detractors that DBZ wasn't just one mindless action sequence after another.

Ikiru (1952) Review

I saw Ikiru ("To Live") twice over the last 3 days. It was such an outwardly powerful viewing the first time, I simply had to view it again in order to fully understand the underlying message Akira Kurosawa conveyed. It was an equally compelling experience on rewatch, and I think I may understand it enough to do it justice through my writing.

The film is about Kanji Watanabe (Takashi Shimura), a bureaucrat who seems completely detached from the world due to his work. He has been a widower for 20 years, and he has been trapped in his job for 30 years. His son and daughter- in -law are more interested in his retirement bonus and pension, and his misery is compounded more when he finds out that he has stomach cancer. He decides to spend the time he has left, to live his unlived life. He tries to do this in the beginning by spending time in a Japanese nightclub with an eccentric and empathetic novelist (Yūnosuke Itō), but he eventually finds out this is not the solution. While he is there, he sings "Gondolo na Uta", a song about the briefness of life. This specific scene is incredible, and is a great reason to watch the film.

Kanji also decides to bond with his co-worker, Toyo Odagiri, in order to find out the secret behind her joy for life. His constant going out with her leads to misunderstandings with his family, which causes his son and daughter in law to rebuff him. Kanji finally discovers a reason to live, when he decides to build a children's park in a heavily-polluted cesspool.

Kurosawa's films usually had Japanese virtues; however, with this film, he shows his protagonist face the amazing odds against him, and he finally decides to rebel against the norm. Kanji's journey to accomplish one notable achievement in his life, is one of the most inspiring journeys I have ever seen. 

The final scene of the film is instantly iconic, as Kanji sings "Gondolo no Uta" once again. I have to admit, I completely lost it while watching this scene. It is an amazing achievement of cinematography, Kurosawa's direction, and Takashi Shimura's performance. 

That also brings me to the most praiseworthy aspect of the film: the acting. Takashi Shimura gives one of the greatest performances of all time, (and certainly his best), with his heartbreaking and simultaneously inspirational depiction of the dying man. Shimura is always fully invested with his character, and makes his whole journey throughout the film an amazing one, from the stoic bureaucrat to the depressed and dying man, and finally to the man who is content with his life. The smaller supporting performances, such as Yusunuke Ito's performance as the Novelist, and Miki Odagiri's performance as Toyo Odagiri, are also wonderful, and work wonders to amplify the atmosphere of the film. 

Ikiru is quite simply, a masterpiece of film making and acting. It is emotionally harrowing, inspirational and heartbreaking at the same time. In the words of the great critic, Roger Ebert, it is one of the few films that changes who you are as a person after you see it. It is one of the best films I have ever seen, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. 

Score: 5/5

In Bruges (2008) Film Review

In Bruges, starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes, is one of the best comedy films I've ever seen. When it comes to black comedy, I'd put it right up there with Kubrick's masterpiece Dr Strangelove, which is one of my all-time favorite films.

The plot essentially goes like this: two hitmen, Ray (Colin Farrell) and Ken (Brendan Gleeson) are given a job to kill a priest. Ray, the rookie of the two, successfully manages to do so, but accidentally takes out a little boy in the process as well. So, they are told to go to Bruges, Belgium until their boss Harry (Ralph Fiennes) gives them a call. Ken is very interested in the abundance of historical sites Bruges has to offer, and he really wants to see and admire the small city's architecture and museums. Ray, completely hates the experience and idea of being in Bruges, and has no problems expressing this view loudly and repeatedly. He remains in the same manic mood until he meets a really attractive Belgian "actress" Chloe (Clemense Poesy), and he gets a date with her the next night. Ken agrees to let him go, on the condition that they go sightseeing in the morning and the afternoon. Ray eventually finds out his new friend's real job, and manages to offend an American dwarf actor (Joey Prentice, even though I thought it was Peter Dinklage for most of the film). Harry finally gives a call two days later to Ken, and Ken's refusal to obey this specific order sets in motion a series of tragic events that would ruin the whole film.

That being said, this film is maniacally depressing and hilarious, often in the same scene. One of the best examples I can give of this is when Ken and Ray talk about unnecessary casualties while doing their assignments. Ken talks about a lollipop man who tried to defend his brother, while Ray finds out several flaws in the story and the circumstances. In the same scene, Ken nearly breaks down crying, due to his guilt from killing the little boy. Martin McDonagh did an excellent job with the screenplay, turning it into a comic masterpiece and a compelling character study at the same time.

I can't praise the acting enough in this film. Colin Farrell is amazing in his performance, and showed stronger, hidden depths to his acting ability. He is hilarious, manic, yet also heartbreaking. I really felt his grief throughout the whole film, and I couldn't stop laughing at his antics either. Brendan Gleeson gave a simply outstanding performance, being funny and tragic, albeit in a more understated way than Farrell. Gleeson makes Ken a truly likable character we can feel for, and in my honest opinion, Farrell and Gleeson both deserved Best Actor Oscar nominations, with either of them being wholly deserving of the prize.

Ralph Fiennes is excellent as the villain of the film. He shows Harry as someone who is insane, yet with a sense of principles and honor he follows till the end. In the beginning, when he was a voice in the phone, he is profane and riotous. He has such amazing chemistry with his co-stars (they all do, in fact), and he just simply works. Every line that comes out of his mouth is pure comedic gold, and he deserved a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination, even though it rightfully went to Heath Ledger.

In Bruges is a film that I find absolutely flawless, and it is a real delight to watch. However, if you're easily offended and/or depressed, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to you to watch. There is severe swearing throughout the film, with graphic violence tied between. It is still a brilliant film that deserves to be watched.

Score: 5/5

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind Review

.

..........Wow.

Minutes after finishing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I was truly lost on how to comprehend it. I was truly blown away by the acting, the screenplay, the scope; it is a film which is hard to understand, but once you do, you'll love it.

The movie is about a couple, Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) and Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet) who believe they are meeting for the first time on a train to Montauk. Let me just put it simply: it is NOT the first time they've met. They've met before, they've been in love, and they broke up, and they both decided  to go through a heartbreaking procedure, erasing their memories of each other. As Clementine meet each other again, she does get an eerie sense of deja vu; howeer, they both laugh it off.

Most of the film takes place in Joel's mind; during the course of the film, he begins to change his mind about changing his mind, and he tries to hide Clementine in parts of his conscious where she didn't exist before. These memories include embarrassing parts of his childhood, experiences of bullying, and places they've never been to before. While his memories have been erased of her, a profound part of his still creates his feelings for her, leaving him in a truly confused state.

Flashbacks show why they didn't work out as a couple in the first place. Clementine was an extrovert, showing that quality by being exceedingly impulsive and adventurous; Joel could not have been any different from her. Both Carrey's and Winslet's portrayals work wonderfully together, creating a dynamic that is impossible not to watch, and they have chemistry that is impossible not to admire. However, just like any real-life couple, they do have their petty arguments, and these leads to their break-up, sparking the events of the film.

In real time, Stan (Mark Ruffalo)  and Patrick (Elijah Wood), the company's erasers, work to erase Joel's memories. They both get wasted, and struggle with Joel's unexpected resistance to the procedure. It doesn't help that they get wasted, and Stan ends up calling his girlfriend Mary (also their co-worker, played by Kirsten Dunst). Patrick on the other hand, leaves to visit his girlfriend, who as irony decides, is Clementine. Patrick, using his knowledge of Joel's memories, tries to seduce Clementine by imitating him. Joel, in his mind, struggles not to get Clementine erased, as they embark through various memories. This is the "science fiction" section of the movie, and it is easy to see why. Joel's resistance leads Stan to call his boss, Dr Howard Mierzwiak, (Tom Wilkinson), for help. Some unexpected plot twists and drama drive the rest of the film, which eventually leads Mary to leak the company's confidential files to all the clients whose memories have been erased, including Joel and Clementine.

They are both confused when they listen to these tapes; Joel is shocked and hurt at what Clementine said about him, (she felt as if he changed her into a person she despised), and Clementine feels the same way (Joel basically stopped short of calling her a slut). Regardless, they decide to give their relationship another go, and the film therefore ends on a happy note.

This film, is amazing, and it continues to astound me even as I write about it. Jim Carrey once again proves his dramatic acting chops, and he is excellent in a thankless role, showing depth and ability which I never would've expected, as I am accustomed to seeing his dumber comedies. Kate Winslet, in an Oscar-nominated performance, is also brilliant, masterfully showing why Joel (and the viewers, in the process), would fall in love with her performance. The most lauded aspect of the film is the screenplay, brilliantly written by the talent Charlie Kufman, who won a much deserved Oscar for it. The technical aspects also provide a smooth transition for the plot, and the direction by Michael Gondry also managed to dazzle me, as it avoids the head-ache inducing direction of Inception. While the film is a masterpiece, I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, as its philosophical themes require a certain maturity on the viewer's part.

Score: 5/5.

Edward Scissorhands Review

 Edward Scissorhands, in my opinion, is one of Tim Burton's finest films. It stars Johnny Depp in one of his first film performances, and he gives perhaps his greatest performance.

The story basically goes like this: it's about a young man named Edward, who just happens to have scissors for hands. His creator (whom he refers to as his father), was a lonely genius who wanted to build himself a son. Before getting to finish his project, he has a heart attack, and he dies. So now Edward is left by himself, as an oddity in a mansion many in the neighborhood believe to be haunted.

A cosmetics saleswoman from Avon named Peg Boggs one day decides to go up to this mansion. The mansion, despite being darkly gloomy in a gothic-sort of way, does not bog down her enthusiasm. Upon meeting Edward for the first time, Peg realizes that he is actually a gentle and sensitive person, who doesn't mean any harm to any one. So, she decides to take him home to her family, who are all pretty tolerant. Her husband and son are actually pretty kind and respectful towards him, but it is when the daughter Kim enters the film, is when the story really starts to unfold.

The neighbors of this family are basically gossipy and bored middle-aged housewives, who are surprisingly rather curious and interested in Edward. He happens to have many talents which excite them, including cutting bushes in a fantastic shape, cutting their pets' hair, and also cutting the hair of the ladies themselves. Later in the film though, they are not as respective of him.

Edward also has to deal with several conflicted feelings; he feels grateful towards Peg, and he falls in love with her daughter, but he has problems expressing either of them. His obvious interest in Kim leads to several altercations and misunderstandings with Kim's douchebag of a boyfriend Jim (Anthony Michael Hall, playing strongly against type), one incident in particular ending Edward up in questioning with the police. All of the actors are in extremely fine form; Winona Ryder is great in the role of Kim, bringing the much needed charm which makes us understand what draws Edward to her; Dianne Wiest as Peg also gives a great performance, showing kindness and empathy, and later regret and guilt in an amazing manner.

But the best performance of all is given by Depp; he is so subtle and emotionally honest, that he makes Edward likable, sympathetic and watchable all at once. Depp actually doesn't have that many lines, which just enhances the power of the mystery of the man. This is the movie which established Johnny Depp as a leading man, and it's really easy to see why.

This is a great movie, and I basically loved everything about it. On the other hand, I was a bit let down by the ending, which I felt could have been far more powerful and satisfactory. The movie is still brilliant, and it is a must watch.

Score : 4.5/5

The Station Agent Movie Review

The Station Agent is a 2003 comedy-drama about  3 people who learn to share their insecurities with each other, as they learn to truly embrace their flaws as the qualities that make them unique. They become friends, and it is a truly moving experience. 

The main character of the film is the dwarf Finbar McBride (played by Peter Dinklage in his breakout performance). He thinks his life is fully set for him: he works at a model train shop with his only friend Henry. He is an introvert; people tend to treat him differently wherever he goes, and it is something that really irks him. He shuns all types of socializing and has gotten used to the way people treat him. But then, Henry literally drops dead one day in the store, and Fin learns that his friend left him some land at a train depot in the rural area of Newfoundland, New Jersey. Fin decides to move there immediately, seeking a life of solitude. However, an enthusiastic Cuban- American named Joe (played brilliantly by Bobby Canavale) decides to befriend Fin due to his own loneliness in the secluded area. Joe is extroverted and open to a fault and seems incapable of being rejected. Fin's life consists of mainly walking around, watching trains, and frequenting grocery stores and libraries where he still gets treated differently. On one of his walks back home, he ends being almost run over twice by a woman named Olivia (played by Patricia Clarkson). These scenes would have been comedic in almost every other film, but in this one, it actually serves the story. As it turns out, Olivia is an artist mourning the death of her son who died too young. The three form a strong friendship which gets threatened by some unexpected circumstances. Fin also meets two other people: a librarian named Emily (Michelle Williams), who is immediately drawn to him; and Cleo, a young girl who shares his interest in trains. She is curious about Fin's physical condition, and he also doesn't mind answering her questions about it. With Emily, Fin realizes that not all other humans are as judgmental as the ones he's become accustomed to and that friendship and romance may actually be possible for him.

The film moves at a slow pace, jut like life. However, it works masterfully; every actor is able to show an amazing transition from the beginning to the end of the film. The film mainly has conversations that move the plot along, as the characters reveal more about themselves to each other. Peter Dinklage is excellent in the film, and it really is no wonder to me why he was discovered for this film. He leads the film better than most actors and actually elevates the film. Patricia Clarkson is also extremely good with her subtle performance and helps drive the plot well with Dinklage. Bobby Canavale plays Joe as eagerness and enthusiasm personified, and he does an excellent job with a role which might have been played easily in an over-the-top manner. 

The Station Agent is an excellent film about these 3 people. It runs for only 90 minutes, which gives us all the sense that we were only allowed to see into these characters' lives for a brief period. As I watched people, I didn't feel like watching actors perform, but rather, real people go along with their lives. To me, that is a remarkable achievement. I definitely recommend this film for everyone.

Score: 4.5/5