Reviews by Kyle Ellis

Along with The Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me, Misery is one of the best adaptations of Stephen King's work. On its own terms too, it is a brilliant film with a wonderful atmosphere especially. The film looks very good, with the sets, costumes, locations and cinematography striking and suitably atmospheric. The screenplay is very fine, exploring themes such as fanatical devotion, artistic dilemmas and worthiness of commercial fiction without a psychological suspense context, while the story is always well paced and compelling.

Also outstanding is the direction of Rob Reiner. He adeptly exercises in chilling claustrophobia and allows a numerous numbers of genuine jolts. The acting is great, James Caan, Richard Farnsworth and Lauren Bacall are all great but the film belongs to Kathy Bates who is monstrously scary and deservedly won an Oscar for her brilliant performance.

Overall, Misery is a superb film and one of the best Stephen King adaptations. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Recently, I replied to a thread on the Rocko's Modern Life boards, and I was absolutely shocked to learn that there were those who considered this as Nick's worst. Sorry, I disagree completely. Avatar:The Last Airbender in my opinion doesn't deserve to be included down there with ChalkZone and Rocket Power, if anything this is one of Nick's best shows along with Rocko's Modern Life, Ren and Stimpy and Angry Beavers.

The concept may appear simple and basic on paper, but as the show progresses the storytelling is grander, more epic and perhaps even more powerful. The animation is excellent, the music is great, the writing is consistently strong and the stories are outstanding in my opinion. And the characters, heroes and villains, have depth to them and are very likable. Avatar:The Last Airbender also benefits from superb voice work.

In conclusion, this is a brilliant show and somewhat underestimated. 10/10 Bethany Cox

'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' sounded like it would be a great film from the get go. Although Quentin Tarantino's films have been spotty in recent years, his best work such as 'Reservoir Dogs' and especially 'Pulp Fiction' are masterpieces. The cast consists of many immensely talented actors. It looked great from the advertising and who cannot help resist that title. That it was one of the year's most positively received films further added to the interest.

Although it is not quite perfect, 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' to me was as great as hoped. One of Tarantino's best in direction, writing and as a film as an overall whole in recent years, towards the better end of his filmography and one of 2019's best films, its positive reception richly deserved. It is unmistakable Tarantino in a good way and a great representation of the cast, with many giving some of their best work in recent years.

Will start with the very, very few things that didn't quite come off for my tastes. Some of the pace, especially for a film as long as it was, could have tightened and not every scene felt necessary. Actually would have trimmed some or all of Sharon Tate in the cinema, regardless of how beguiling the production values and Margot Robbie's (that smile is a beauty) acting were.

Did think too that the Bruce Lee caricature and encounter were quite tasteless and anybody who was offended can't be blamed.

That sounds like a film worth a 7 or 8 out of 10. The good things though were so amazing and the film was in a different league to a lot of films released this year that to me awarding 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' either of those scores felt too low. It looks wonderful, dazzlingly shot with shots filled to the brim with atmosphere, stylishly edited with a lovingly recreated period. Tarantino directs with great confidence and his distinctive style is all over it. The music is used sparingly, but the music choices are very effective when used. Particularly so the quite sinister use of "Twelve Thirty" in a scene that already makes one feel unnerved.

Script has the hard-boiled edge necessary and has entertainment and intensity. A word of warning, there is a lot of profanity (am mentioning this because this is something that bothers people) but to me it didn't feel as gratuitous as feared. Some pacing issues aside, the story is often absorbing and is quite nostalgic and daring with expert melding of fact and fiction. A few great scenes are everything to do with the making of the western with Rick and the girl (fans of classic-era westerns will enjoy it, likewise anybody with super fond memories of episodic television), Cliff's truly chilling encounter at the Spahn Movie Ranch and the splendidly over the top (and extremely violent just to warn you) finale in true Tarantino style.

Found the characters to be interesting, with Rick and Cliff being quite meaty roles. The acting is exemplary, Leonardo DiCaprio is charisma and intensity personified and Brad Pitt, here the epitome of cool, has not been this good in years. Margot Robbie is absolutely radiant with a smile that lights up the screen. Bruce Dern, Damian Lewis and Al Pacino provide delicious support in small roles.

In conclusion, the odd pacing issue and one tasteless scene aside this was a great film. 9/10

Not that the first film was bad, because actually I still found it good, well-made fun for all its flaws. It's just that whereas the first X-Men film did feel like the beginning of a franchise that was yet to properly find its feet, it was found with X2. X2 isn't perfect either but still a very good film that is bigger and darker than the first and all the better for it. Again X2 is very well-made, with the dark visual style still maintained yet with a slightly grander look. The photography is beautiful and atmospheric, and the special effects are better here too, they were good in the first that they're slicker, bolder and eye-popping in the way that the first film didn't quite but almost did achieve. Whilst Michael Kamen's score in the first was fine, John Ottman's score here is an improvement being more in tune with the atmosphere and what's happening in the story.

The script is even sharper here and with more depth, the humour and comic one-liners are witty and genuinely funny, they are not cheesy or out-of-place nor are they too much. There is a melancholic tone too that is dark and quite poignant and the romantic elements are sweet but never too soap-opera-ish. The story is where the darker and bigger terms most apply, apart from a couple of parts that could have slowed down and explained themselves more you are glued to your seat almost the entire time and emotionally connect with scenes and characters too. The assault on the White House sequence is exciting and a brilliant way to start the film, and it is true that the climax here puts the climax of the first in the shade, it's not contrived in the slightest and you are biting your nails. X2 does a great job mostly with the characters, where they are more complex and relatable.

Although once again Storm and Cyclops are underdeveloped, otherwise Wolverine is a gritty and identifiable anti-hero, and of the other characters Nightcrawler was most effective. Though once again credit is due for making Magneto much more than a stereotypical villain. X2 is very well played by the cast, with the standouts being Hugh Jackman's charismatic Wolverine, Ian McKellen's menacing Magneto with shades of melancholy, Alan Cumming's camp yet affecting Nightcrawler and Brian Cox who plays Stryker with relish without falling into cliché territory. Also good are Rebecca Romijin-Stamos who continues to be sexy and icy, and her transformation sequences are among the visual highlights of the film and Patrick Stewart still is cool and fun though his screen time should have been longer.

Only three cast members don't quite work, and they were James Marsden who's even stiffer than he was in the first(not helped by his character not been used as well as he could have been), Halle Berry who looks bored and Shawn Ashmore does look awkward at times. Other than a couple of rushed, under-explained parts, a couple of characters given short shrift and a couple of performances that didn't quite make the grade the film is a touch overlength, but the film on the whole is very good and lots of fun in its own right. It compares extremely favourably to the first film and manages to be better than it. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Not one of the best Superhero films but a long way from one of the worst. While with imperfections and better was to follow in the franchise, X-Men is a good film and a solid start though with a yet-to-properly-find-its-feet feel. X-Men is well-made, the special effects while not mind-blowing are great, the film was slickly shot and edited and the dark, moody visual style worked wonders. Michael Kamen's music score had those grand, mysterious, rousing and haunting qualities that really add a lot to the film's atmosphere. Apart from the odd cheesy moment the dialogue is smart and taut with some subtle humour that thankfully did not feel out of place, and Bryan Singer shows that he does know how to direct an action sequence, tell a good story and not let the special effects overwhelm everything, a solid directing job indeed. The story, while simple compared to what was to follow in the succeeding films, is compelling and doesn't try and take itself too seriously or like a joke. The character exposition was nicely done on the whole and doesn't drag things down too much, Cyclops, Storm and Toad are underdeveloped but Wolverine and especially Magneto(who actually has depth to him rather than being a clichéd villain) are interesting characters. The relationships between the characters were also believable, Wolverine and Rogue's was a standout. And the story didn't feel like it was second fiddle to the action sequences, which weren't big and bold as such but were tightly choreographed and performed with spirit and passion. Admittedly though the Statue of Liberty climax while strikingly filmed is on the silly side at times, but it was fun too. The cast are mostly very good, apart from a stiff James Marsden(he and Famke Janssen's chemistry was very bland), a monotone Tyler Mane and Halle Berry and Ray Park also felt a bit bland. Hugh Jackman however shows great charisma as the lead character Wolverine and has a powerful screen presence, Rebecca Romijin-Stamos is a sexy and icy Mystique, Anna Paquin did bring a feistiness to Rogue and Famke Janssen is fine. Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen promise much on paper, and both of them deliver, Stewart brings a cool, classy command to the screen as Professor X but even better is McKellen, who is certainly menacing but gives Magneto a sympathetic edge. To conclude, a good film and a solid start to the franchise. 7/10 Bethany Cox

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I’ve given this comic a hard time in my life.
Fanboy/girl love for a comic that I always believed to be overhyped.
I remember reading this when I was young, it was a dark contrast to Adam West and Batman ‘66 that I dearly loved.
I still love Adam West’s version of Batman, and after all these years I’ve made peace with Frank Millers Dark Knight Returns comic.

I still think this comic is overhyped, but after recently re-reading and updating an older copy, I’ve found some love in my heart for this version of Batman.
Well, the art for me.. it’s not my taste.
I’m a Jim Lee guy, Lee Bermejo, Greg Capullo and Brian Bollard kinda fella.
I’m not saying it’s awful just not my taste.
Now, Anyone that Remembers the transitions Batman has made will know the history of this book and it’s significance to comics and I won’t ever disrespect that, we as Batman fans of today owe Miller a lot in that respect.
The talking tv heads nearly killed me, all put in randomly!
It just slays me to see so many talking damn heads!
My refreshed view is this is one great Batman comic.
The Joker/Batman dynamic can’t be faulted.
It truly showed their sticky relationship come to a sour end, and it works beautifully.
The end fight between Joker and Batman is probably one of my favourite battles between them of all time.
Do I think this comic is a masterpiece like so many people say?
No, but I understand why they say it being in the era of Neal Adams and Millers Dark Knight Returns and Burtons films.
Miller lay the foundation for complex comics to come to life and have real issues.
Two Faces scarring.
Batman guilt over not killing Joker.
It’s a real crunch of emotion.
But I don’t think it’s a masterpiece because of the drawings and I can’t forgive how ugly Batman looks walking out of the damn tank.
It’s just awful.
There isn’t much else I can say except for personal praise and criticism of this comic which I am sure has been said before.
I’ll never be Millers no 1 fan, but I sure as hell do respect what he’s done for the medium of comics and I thank him for that.
The com itself is alright, few snippets of interview, covers in the back.
Paper is glossy but not to thick.
It’s a recommended comic, if nothing else for the history that was brought from it. I still thinks it’s overhyped, but I still would place it in my top 10 favourite Batman stories.
Read, enjoy, learn Batman’s history.

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When I saw Cammy from SF II at a second-hand store, I thought it looked so similar that it had to be of Bukiya quality, and I'm a
Tekken fan, so I bought Christie.
I wanted Alisa and Xiao Yu as my favorite, so I bought it just for reference, but when the
product arrived and I saw the package, I thought I couldn't expect
much from it, so I took it out of the box and looked at the main unit. A
few days after decorating, I had time, so I looked carefully and
this is amazing!
The face structure is incomplete!
In addition to the mouth, the nose is realistic, and the eyelid is properly painted on the unevenness of the eyes.
Not only her face, but also her chainmail-like leg outfit and the red clear parts on her wrists
.
I'm thinking of getting the whole series.
The reason for the -1 star rating was because there were burrs left on my hair. I will post the photos later

Height: 5’4”
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue

Powers and Abilities

The sexy Anna Williams is a character that was first introduced in the original Tekken game. Portrayed in the series as the younger sister of Nina Williams, Anna is a highly-trained assassin who was trained in mixed martial arts from a very young age. Reluctantly following in the footsteps of her family (who are also assassins), Anna maintains a strong sense of sibling rivalry with her sister, Nina, who is their father’s favorite. Feeling neglected, Anna enters the first Tekken tournament in order to have revenge against her sister. Things don’t go according to plan, however, leading to an even greater sense of rivalry and hatred between the two sisters throughout the Tekken series.

Anna Williams is a powerful figure in the series renowned for her Aikido and Koppojutsu fighting techniques. Possessing a number of signature moves, Anna is incredibly gifted in the realm of crouch-based attacks, sweeps, as well as counters. With her excellent range and mobility, Anna is also great for offensive maneuvers, as the ferocity of her attacks are capable of pressuring and overwhelming less-experienced gamers with relative ease. In spite of these fighting skills, Anna Williams is incredibly difficult to master as her moves and defensive postures take considerable time and effort to learn. As such, she is best-suited for more advanced players.

Personality and Appearance

Despite her history as a trained assassin, Anna Williams maintains an incredibly playful and extroverted personality. And while she maintains a great level of disdain for her sister, Nina, Anna occasionally shows reservations about their ensuing rivalry, hoping that their relationship can eventually be sorted out. This indicates that Anna also possesses a loving and hopeful spirit underneath her tough exterior. In spite of this, it is important to note that Anna’s feelings toward other opponents are quite different, as she is known to openly taunt and laugh at their shortcomings in tournaments. And while she is usually quite dominant in the ring, Anna is also extremely flirtatious and seductive towards men, using her beauty (and curves) to distract opponents from her more deadly abilities.

In regard to her physical attributes and appearance, Anna Williams is an exceptionally hot and sexy character. Appearing (predominantly) in her satin dresses, Anna is renowned for her brown hair, lovely blue eyes, and her seductive demeanor. And while she is relatively short (standing approximately 5’4” tall), she possesses an incredibly curvaceous figure that is highlighted nicely by her form-fitting attire. With her large breasts, wide hips, long legs, and cleavage-bearing tops, Anna Williams is certainly one of the sexiest Tekken characters to have appeared in the series’ long history.

Height: Unknown
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Brown

Powers and Abilities

The lovely Asuka Kazama is a female character that made her first appearance in Tekken 5. Depicted in the series as the cousin of Jin Kazama (and niece of Jun Kazama), Asuka underwent extensive training in the Kazama martial arts from a young age, learning primarily from her doting father. Upon reaching adulthood, Asuka’s life was turned upside down, however, as she learned that her father had been hospitalized after been savagely attacked by an unknown man. After learning that the individual was planning to fight in the “King of Iron Fist Tournament,” Asuka entered the tournament herself, but was later disappointed when she found out that the attacker, Feng Wei, was nowhere to be found; thus, prompting Asuka to continue in her quest for justice.

Throughout the Tekken series, Asuka Kazama is an incredibly strong character renowned for her utilization of the Kazama-style martial arts. Although she is mostly a defensive character in the series, Asuka possesses a number of reversal moves and counters that allow her to inflict tremendous damage via well-timed punches, kicks, elbow-attacks, and headbutts. She is also well-suited for long-range attacks due to her long legs and height. Taken together, she is highly-capable of both withstanding attacks and making short-work of her enemies. She is also well-suited for gamers of all skill levels (including beginners) as her moves are relatively straightforward and easy to learn.

Personality and Appearance

Asuka Kazama can be best-described as a tomboyish character that is extremely tough and always ready for a fight. Her toughness, however, has also led Asuka to develop a brash and arrogant attitude towards others. Her over-confidence, in turn, often gets her into some sticky situations, while simultaneously making her the target of ridicule and scorn by others (who dislike her overall attitude and demeanor). In spite of these shortcomings, Asuka is incredibly devoted and loyal to her ideals, and rarely strays from what she believes is the right thing to do.

In regard to her overall appearance, Asuka Kazama is an exceptionally hot and sexy woman, and is renowned for her short brown hair and beautiful brown eyes. Although relatively short in the series (when compared to other characters), Asuka possesses extremely long legs that are both well-muscled and toned (adding substantially to her overall sex appeal). Likewise, she is quite curvaceous, possessing wide hips and a large bust that is a aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. Combined with her pretty face and form-fitting attire (that often reveals a great deal of cleavage), Asuka Kazama is certainly worthy of inclusion in our current list, as few characters are capable of matching her extreme beauty.

Height: 5’7”
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown

Powers and Abilities

The lovely Jun Kazama is a female character that made her first appearance in the hit video game, Tekken 2. Portrayed as the mother of Jin Kazama, Jun works as a wildlife surveillance officer for the conservation group known as the WWWC. Growing up on the island of Yakushima, Jun was taught martial arts from a young age, and even managed to develop a strong number of psychic abilities. She would later move to Tokyo, where her supernatural powers continued to grow unabated. While there, she was introduced to a man named, Kazuya Mishima, whom she fell in love with. Although Kazuya was later killed during a tournament battle, Jun later learned she was pregnant, giving birth to Kazuya’s son only a few months later. After disappearing once more to Yakushima, Jun dedicates her life to instructing her son in the Kazama-style martial arts in honor of his father, and to prepare him for evil days ahead.

Jun Kazama is an exceptionally gifted fighter that utilizes Kazama-style martial arts into her fighting style. Jun is a well-balanced figure in the Tekken series, and utilizes a number of offensive and defensive strategies when in combat. She is also well-versed in changing up her attacking style, which adds a great deal of unpredictability to her overall attacks. And while her counter moves are extremely limited, the ferocity of her attacks make her an incredibly powerful opponent who is capable of subduing her enemies with ease. In spite of this, she is best-suited for intermediate to advanced players as her moves are extremely technical and difficult to master.

Personality and Appearance

Jun Kazama can be best-described as a mysterious character, as very little is understood about her overall personality. From what has been shown, however, Jun maintains an extremely tranquil and quiet demeanor, and displays a clear love for both animals and nature (hence her job as a wildlife officer). She also appears to be quite loyal and dedicated to her loved ones, as she is determined in the series to shower her son, Jin, with love and to instruct him in the ways of Kazama-style martial arts.

Regarding her physical beauty, Jun Kazama is an exceptionally sexy character in Tekken. She is renowned for being one of the tallest females in the series, and maintains shoulder-length black hair and sparkling brown eyes. And while she is extremely modest in her choice of attire (wearing functional clothing that emphasizes her “pure” character), this modestly only adds to her sex appeal and charm. Combined with her slim/athletic build, long legs, pretty face, and moderate bust, Jun Kazama is easily one of the sexiest Tekken characters to have appeared in the series.