Fog and Crimes: Series 1

Very good with a few reservations
The highs: Luca Barbareschi totally looks the part as Soneri and lends his unique flair to the role. He is a gifted and versatile actor who's as comfortable displaying the typical masculinity expected of an inspector as he is showing his softer side (although not very often). The Po river area and Ferrara are mysterious and magic, almost ethereal, and really add to the series' atmosphere. The script is captivating and holds your attention throughout each episode. This series also does a great job at capturing the rich Italian culture (the food, general habits and customs, mentality, sense of humor, etc.) and has the added merit of exploring some of Italy's social problems. The sense of humor, which is always in good taste and well-timed, brings a sense of balance to the story. Soneri's humanity in dealing with criminals and suspects is also refreshing and touching, as he often tries to relate to them in a way that goes beyond his role as a cop. Ultimately, Soneri's many-sided and...

More please!...
After Maigret, Brunetti, Montalbano and (yes!) Coliandro, MHZ Networks is bringing us Inspector Franco Soneri, in Ferrara near the Po (province of Emilia-Romagna, between Bologna and Venice). Soneri is just as good a detective as his colleagues, and his investigations are just as interesting (he is better-looking too). There is no bad language, no gratuitous violence (no machine guns!), and no obvious sex although there is some romantic interest and love-making (artistically blurred in the bed scene). You can allow your children to watch it, especially if they are learning Italian. The picture quality (at least on my TV) is not quite as good as that of the Brunetti DVDs and, except in the fourth episode, there are not many views of Ferrara (look for the massive castle and moats of the Este family; also the cathedral). The next series (six episodes on 3 DVDs) will be available from Amazon at the end of September. I am looking forward to it, and I hope it gives us more views of...

EXCELLENT POLICE SERIES
Without the usual rampant violence that appears in many of the recent cop shows this Italian police series rises above and simply shows the complete dedication and non-stop investigation by a detective who is both charming and dramatic. He latches on to a case and does not quit until he has succeeded. P.S. The English subtitles are quite satisfactory

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Strike Witches - Complete First Season (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Very fun, very much rewatchable, and kinda funny.
Strike Witches is a story based on Earth(Naturally) about a group of witches known as the Strike Witches that defend their planet/homes from a mysterous enemy called the Neuroi.

The focus is on a young girl called Yoshika Miyafuji, an average normal girl who one day learns of her fathers past and is drawn into the conflict with the Neuroi, she comes accross as a somewhat shy girl but at the same time she has the detirmation to help others around her and better herself, and as shown in this series she demonstrates this by showing courage and conviction in the face of the enemy.

This is mostly a slice of life story centering on the various girls that serve in the Strike Witches, that also contains some drama and some mild character conflict between the battles, and the team bonding that occurs during them.

Initially one might look at the cover thinking that this series is perverted, it can be but it simply isn't the direction the show takes, the...

charming
This is a very sweet, charming anime with some solid action. It is NOT porn despite what the other review says.. there IS some fan service and some yuri undertones. If that's something that bothers you, this probably isn't the anime for you.

Experienced anime fans will love it
While it has many of the trappings of a typical light fanservice title, strike witches has more spark than you would think. Varied and memorable characters, quality design elements (the series if derived from a collection of figurines produced by a popular designer where elements of classic WWII aircraft are blended with kawaii teen girls), a decent storyline and good pacing. If you enjoyed "Sky girls" this series is, IMHO, better. Strike witches is on my short list of series which deserve more recognition than they get.

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Olly Olly Oxen Free

Okay/Goofy movie, but...
This was an okay/goofy/fanasty movie, but it was not very well made. I only bought it to add to my Katharine Hepburn collection. It made me sad to watch one of my favorite actresses stoop to the level of this movie. Kids might get a kick out of it, but Hepburn fans will probably experience the sadness I felt.

A movie for all ages
This is essentially a children's movie, but it will delight anyone at any age. The only adult on screen is Katharine Hepburn in a fantastic performance at the end of a stellar career. The story is an engaging one in which a 8-year-old boy and his friend attempt to fly a hot air balloon that had belonged to his granfather, in honour of his birthday. I highly recommend this little-known film for all viewers.

Olly Olly Oxen Free - a little known Katherine Hepburn film you should see
Katherine Hepburn and her supporting cast especially the two boys, are superb. She is the perfect actressi
in a perfect for her amazing talents.

The balloon adventure will carry you away, as it di me, I believe! The Musical score is wonderfuland captures and underscores everything in a charming manner.

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Somewhere in London

A must-have for any respectable rock fan of the 21st Century
This is how rock concerts should be - genuine music and adequate visual effects that do not distract.

Marillion have changed quite a bit from the early 80's. Some fans jumped ship as Steve Hogarth replaced the departed Fish. I like the vibe of both versions of Marillion. To be honest,I could not imagine the Fish-fronted Marillion in 2008 - so both Fish and Marillion gained from the separation. So what's Marillion's music like in 2008? Genuine, adventurous, atmospheric, intelligent rock music with touches of everything else. Actually, it's quite difficult to describe Marillion - but the closest you can get is a combination of Radiohead and Coldplay, still better.

Starting with 'Anoraknophobia' in 2001, the band finally started to spark again following two disappointing albums. 'Marbles' released in 2004, is a masterpiece - the songs 'The invisible man,' 'Neverland' and 'Angelina' to name but a few, are real gems. 'Somewhere else' released in 2007 got mixed...

Discover Marillion and Here's How. Any rock fan should have this release!
If you don't know Marillion, you're not alone. But you're missing out.
If you remember them, but haven't checked them out lately, you're in for a huge surprise.

Drawing comparisons with Pink Floyd, Radiohead, Coldplay, Keane, Crowded House and other varied artists, nothing seems quite satisfactory in defining this highly emotional and dynamic rock outfit. I discovered them over 20 years ago with their former frontman, and in the last 2 years have rediscovered the amazing back catalogue with the charismatic Steve "h" Hogarth at the front mic.

Whether you remember Marillion from the 80's heyday or have never heard of them, take a small risk and order this disc post-haste. The best concert video the band has ever put out, it boasts excellent production values, an excellent performance and a great introductory setlist. I've probably watched my copy at least 30/40 times, and the depth of the tracks and the intensity of the performances is up there with the best...

A lesson in independence
Few bands have achieved a status where they pretty much can do whatever they want, just taking its fans in consideration, without submitting themselves to contracts with record companies. Marillion is on this road for quite a long time now and its releases are as constant as they are superb.

Somewhere in London is a celebration of independence, where the band was able to fill 2 DVDs with material that may not be relevant to "the market", but it is relevant and eagerly anticipated by the fanbase.

DVD1 is a mix between two nights at the Forum, giving preference to the latest album back then (Somewhere Else). It is quite a contrversial album among the fanbase, with some love/hate reactions, but as far as the songs present on this DVD go, the band raised the bar with incredible live versions, with highlights being Somewhere Else and The Other Half.

For the rest of DVD1, quite an...

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In the Footsteps of Vivaldi

Ah Vivaldi...
A good thorough exposition of this brilliant composer....and the efforts of the library and researchers in Venice to preserve his works. I appreciated all the fine details of his life and the culture in Venice when he was present.





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Celibidache Conducts Bruckner: Symphony No. 4

The best Fourth
Celibidache is one of the best directors in playing Anton Bruckner. His reading of the Fourth Symphony is accurate, meditative, majestic. Other directors can interpret either Bruckner, but in a hurry. With Celibidache, Bruckner is as it should be: unhurried, infinite. With this Fourth Symphony there are few who are close to the height of the director, as Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic in his recording for EMI in 1971, or Karl Bohm with Vienna Philharmonic recording for Decca in 1973.

critque
Bruckner is, or can be, a tedious composer who repeats passages for no reason known to those who listen. His symphonies are long and are soemtimes slowly presented to the point of tension. Celibidache is interesting to observe as he milks measures for content that, after having been repeated in rehearsals over and over again, seem to have little, if any, audio effect to anyone else. He is a master of knowing the music. Bruckner is one composer who brass players should adore. Frankly, the brass effects are the most compelling and most interesting and without them there would be no need to sit through the works.



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Marvel Anime: Blade - Complete Series

This series was way better than X-Men or Iron Man
I have watched both the X-Men series and Iron Man series and I really thought this one was the best of the three. I thought X-Men series had no action at all and should not even been called X-Men series. It was more of them just standing/sitting around and talking about their enemies and who is behind all of this events happening. If they weren't doing that than they would be standing/sitting around and playing mind games with each other. The "actually fighting" would last about 30 seconds or so for each show. Not an action pack series at all. Iron Man was much better than X-Men, but not as good as Blade.

What makes Blade better than the other two series? It has the right storyline, action, and characters mix all in one. In every show, you will get to see Blade "actually fighting" and he is kicking butt at it. He also knows how to fight and talk at the same time. Amazing!

The series has rememberable characters and are used well to make a great story. They really...

awesome anime
The Japanese have out did themselves. Blade the anime is a great one. Too bad its only 12 episodes. Wish they made more.

DVD Review: "Blade" Anime Series
I've never been a big fan of Marvel Comics. I don't read any of their titles on a regular basis. I enjoy all the movies, but fancy myself more of a DC guy. The Marvel characters I gravitate towards seem to be the anti-heroes and darker ones like Ghost Rider, the Punisher, and Blade.

I like all the Blade films and the short-lived TV series. What's not to like about watching a half-vampire / half-human who uses his namesake to eradicate the evil bloodsuckers of the world? Now we get to enjoy an anime version of the vampire hunter's adventures thanks to Marvel and Japan's Madhouse.

The "Blade" Anime Series includes all 12 episodes on 2 DVDs. The show takes off when Eric Brooks, known in the vampire world as Blade, goes on the hunt for Deacon Frost. Frost is a rare four-fanged fiend that killed Brooks' mother. Blade partners up with several interesting characters in his quest for vengeance. He even runs into Wolverine in one of the episodes.
The animation for...

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