It’s 1930s America, and as Amsterdam’s opening text enlightens us, most of the events we’re about to see are true. Well, that’s a better indicator of historical accuracy than director David O’Russell 1970s-set American Hustle, which only admitted to some of its content being legit. Either way, historical accuracy is used similarly in both films as a precursor to outline their screwball plots. It frames the story, but only as a necessary background.
Continue reading “Review: Amsterdam”Animal Crossing Autumn Roasts: K.K. Slider as Bob Dylan
It’s a known, recorded fact that the grooviest pooch to grace the Animal Crossing series is based on Animal Crossing sound designer Kazumi Tokata. But that doesn’t mean that there weren’t other influences involved in the creation of the K dog, who Animal Crossing Wiki describe as a ‘hippie-style travelling musician’. As the canine’s trophy in Super Smash Bros. Brawl informs us, ‘he can play music from all genres’. His oeuvre includes such diverse tunes as ‘K.K Folk’, ‘K.K. Rock’ and ‘K.K. Country’. Remind you of anybody?
Continue reading “Animal Crossing Autumn Roasts: K.K. Slider as Bob Dylan”Minimalist Moments: Airplane!
After Dr Rumack (Leslie Nielsen in his first comedic role) has just successfully stabilised a plane, a female passenger (Lee Bryant, who suggested that the gag should become increasingly ludicrous) gets stressed and is told to calm down by an air hostess, who shakes the passenger’s chair and shouts at her to get a hold of herself. Standard procedure. Nothing out of the ordinary. It’s hard work being an air hostess at the best of times. Thankfully, a fellow passenger comes along to relieve her of her duties, and proceeds to shake the passenger and slap her in the face. Not standard procedure. Kind of out of the ordinary. Romack arrives and relieves this passenger of his duties, and starts to shake the woman and slap her again. A nun appears behind and informs him that he has an urgent phone call, at which point he dutifully leaves, but not before giving the women another hard slap on the face (apparently this second slap wasn’t rehearsed. Ouch).
Continue reading “Minimalist Moments: Airplane!”Super Mario Bros. Movie Teaser Trailer – Thoughts and Reactions
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the recently released teaser for the upcoming Super Mario Bros. Movie; I’d already heard plenty of thoughts – mostly negative – about Chris Pratt’s casting as the titular red-hatted plumber, but not a lot else. The fact that Twitter’s greatest concern following its release centred around the dude’s backside – or lack thereof – was certainly intriguing. IGN even posted a poll about viewer’s reactions, where possible answers including ‘I am upset’, ‘I am very upset’, ‘Representation is good’ and ‘I feel nothing’.
Continue reading “Super Mario Bros. Movie Teaser Trailer – Thoughts and Reactions”Blade Runner 2049 at 5: Defying the ‘Chosen One’ Trope
They’re special. They have a destiny. They’re going to through some tough times across their narrative arcs. Ultimately, however, you know they’re going to succeed and prosper. Because they’re ‘chosen’.
Continue reading “Blade Runner 2049 at 5: Defying the ‘Chosen One’ Trope”