PCB TV Review: Sword Art Online

If you've ever played any kind of MMORPG game, you'll appreciate Sword Art Online, now available on Hulu. But even if you aren't familiar, Sword Art Online has something for you, if you can get past having to read subtitles and a Japanese flavor of soap opera anime.

I came across Sword Art Online while looking for something new on Hulu+. I do this from time to time, and have been quite impressed by shows like Misfits and Green Wing (both of which I highly recommend). This series is nothing like either of those, but I'm glad to see Hulu making some interesting suggestions.

There are many characters is this epic.

I'm not a big anime fan, although I've watched my share - Ghost in the Shell, Akira, My Neighbor Totoro, etc. Hulu now has quite a few anime series, but none of them really caught my eye until SAO. Maybe it's my love of Ghost in the Shell, or maybe I'm just drawn to stories about the blurring between technology, AI, and virtual reality. I also liked Caprica and Dollhouse, to give you some perspective.

The game designer lets the players
in on his little secret.

SAO is the story of Kirigaya Kazuto, who was a beta tester for the virtual reality massively multiplayer role playing game (VRMMORPG) Sword Art Online (SAO), and also a bit of a cheater. His online persona is Kirito. After the beta is complete, the game goes live to over 10,000 players, who are distressed to discover that the designer of the game, Kabaya Akihiko, has set things up in such a way that the players not only can't log out, but if they die in the game, their VR systems, called Nerve Gear, will send a microwave shock into their brains, effectively killing them. The challenge, then, is to beat the game in order to escape. Of course, nobody can remove the VR gear, as the first couple who have that happen die immediately upon the attempt.

Love blossoms in a VR world.

Kazuto, being a beta tester and a cheater (a beater, as he's later dubbed), has some advantages over all of the other players, and becomes crucial to their survival. He makes a lot of mistakes along the way, but is redeemed when he finds love with Asuna, real name Yuuki Asuna, one of the few players who uses their real world name for their player character. She too is quite powerful, and their love helps them through their trials in the virtual world.

It's really quite lovely, this VR world
of death.

There are some slight flaws in the story, one of which being how after years of being in the game, the players remain alive without eating. There is a quick explanation that addresses it somewhat, but it still bothered me that supposedly every player was put in a hospital and fed intravenously. Overall, though, the story plays well, and wisely skips time fairly often, although there may be other stories that could be told during the time jumps between episodes.

Would you know this was your sister?

Only the first two story arcs (Hulu calls them one season) are currently available. They lead to some interesting issues, not the least of which is Kirito's sister/cousin Kirigaya Suguha, or Leafa from the VR world. See, she ends up falling for Kirito, not knowing he is her brother/cousin. Talk about an avatar!

Another world from this epic tale.

Another interesting aspect of this series is its origin. I'm not familiar with ASCII Media Works, but apparently they hold a contest periodically, and this light novel, as it's called, was intended to be an entry. But the work was too long for the competition, so the author, Reki Kawahara, didn't submit it, and instead made it available for free under the pseudonym Fumio Kunori. He later won ASCII's contest with another work, Accel World, and now ASCII publishes it plus four volumes of SAO and some short stories. They are no longer available for free online.

It's weird that the only sexy images
are of Kazuto's sister/cousin.

There are a few other things which make watching a challenge besides the subtitles, which are done fairly well. First, in the anime style, there are a lot of weird over-reactions, and one wonders if the translations miss the mark, or if it's just a cultural difference. Speaking of that, there is definitely a cultural difference in the way the characters handle the social implications of this world. It's hard to tell, but it seems like Kazuto would be fine with dating his sister/cousin (who is actually his mother's sister's daughter - making them first cousins). Not sure if this is normal in Japanese culture, or if I'm misinterpreting the translation, but it does seem like they at least consider getting together.

Seriously, no other character is
presented like this in the series.
Maybe the author is working
out some inner demons?

There are two more volumes of the series written, but they have not been made into an anime series, and the producers don't appear to have plans to make them. Which is a shame, because the anime definitely is engrossing.

If you like anime, MMORPGs, or video games in general, and have access to Hulu, I recommend you take a look at Sword Art Online. I ripped through it in about a week, and really would watch more if there was any more to watch.

Sword Art Online - Vol.1 (DVD+CD+BOOKLET+NOVEL+BOX) [Japan LTD DVD] ANZB-6601

$45, Amazon.com (Japanese import; requires Region 2 playing ability)
Also available on Hulu+

6 out of 10 swords, for being subtitled and outside my cultural experience.

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Music Review: Bon Jovi "What About Now" CD

If there was ever a band who's motto should be "Who cares what the critics say!" it is New Jersey's native sons Bon Jovi.

The band has been making music and touring the world since the hair band dominated MTV hey day of pop metal.  The thing is... Bon Jovi some how survived that period of music and risen above it by continually selling millions of records worldwide.

Since 2000 the band has released 6 studio albums that have sold 31 million units.  That's not albums from the 80's like "Slippery When Wet" and "New Jersey" I'm talking 6 albums since the start of the new millennium!!  That is a number that cannot be denied and yet... the critics never give this band their due.

Since 1995 Rolling Stone Magazine has given every Bon Jovi album 3 stars!!  That would be equivalent to a 6 out of 10 or 60%... a failing grade for every Bon Jovi album since 1995.  Come on Rolling Stone!  These guys are better than that.  Bruce Springsteen gets a 5 star review every time he releases an album and yet these guys only merit a 3... every time!  I don't think the critics at Rolling Stone magazine even listen to new Bon Jovi CDs they just stamp it with 3 stars and send it on it's way and that is not fair because this band has released some amazing music.

According to my personal rating scale of "10 out of 10"... 2000's "Crush" and 2005's "Have A Nice Day" are both 10's and 2009's "The Circle" is close behind with a 9 out of 10.  So how does the band fair with the follow-up to 2009's "The Circle?"

Well it's been 3 1/2 years and nothing much has changed in the Bon Jovi songwriting camp.  Most of the tracks on the just released "What About Now" still have the predictable "working man succeeding" lyrics and the song titles follow suit as well: "Because We Can," "Army Of One" "Thick As Thieves" and "The Fighter" just to name a few.

But just because the themes are once again familiar doesn't mean it's bad and there are definitely some standout tracks on "What About Now" that need to be heard.

Songs like "That's What The Water Made Me," "What's Left Of Me," and "With These Two Hands" all co-written with singer/songwriter Billy Falcon are fantastic and JBJ might want to start using Falcon's songwriting talents more often.

"What About Now" is definitely not the best Bon Jovi album in recent years but with 15 songs to choose from you can definitely find enough pleasure among the retreads.

Drumroll please... 7 out of 10 drumsticks!!!

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Roundup: DC Comics Springtime Products

It's less than one month until the highly anticipated Man of Steel flies into a theater near you! If you're like me and you can't wait, maybe these recently released DC properties will hold you over.

Superman Unbound is the latest film from DC Animated. It's based upon Geoff Johns' 2008 storyarc "Superman Brainiac." Together, Supergirl and Superman must defeat the evil Brainiac, save Earth, and uncover secrets about their homeworld, Krypton. From the first minute to the last, Superman Unbound is action packed and the animation looks great!

For the kids, you might want to check out the all-new Lego Batman: The Movie - DC Superheroes Unite!  Lego-fied versions of Batman, Robin, Superman, Cyborg, the Flash, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern team up to prevent Lex Luthor and the Joker from destroying the Lego world!Based on the best-selling Lego Batman 2 - DC Superheroes Unite video game, this movie mixes action, humor, and the magic of Legos into a fun ride for the whole family.

For those of you with summer reading lists, you might want to add a few of these DC titles.

Cool off this summer with Aquaman Vol. 2: The Others! This perfect beach book continues Aquaman and Mera's adventures from the New 52 as they battle Black Manta and other deadly foes.

Also, check out both Batman Beyond: 10,000 Clowns and Justice League Beyond: Konstriction. Set in the futuristic Beyond universe both of these titles bring back the action and characters from the Batman Beyond animated series.

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Blu-Ray DVD Review: "Cloud Atlas"

"Cloud Atlas" is one of those movies that took me by surprise.

I thought it would be the kind of movie that you pop in the DVD player while you're doing other things: paying bills, catching up on e-mails or wrapping a birthday present.

And then...

After about 20 minutes I was totally hooked into the ever changing story lines, time periods and characters.

Just when I would really start getting into the story unfolding on screen... I was transported to another location, and then another and then another.  By the time I was back to the original story that had intrigued me I had a million loose ends in my head and I couldn't wait to see how they all came together.

Watching "Cloud Atlas" is kind of like switching your TV remote control between "Breaking Bad," "Battlestar Galactica," "Mad Men" and the "Walking Dead" and watching them all at once.

"Cloud Atlas" was based on the novel by David Mitchell and was written and directed by Tom Tykwer (Run Lola Run) and "The Wachowskis" (Matrix Trilogy) though I can't imagine reading the script and being able to make heads or tails of all the characters.

Is it difficult to keep all the ever changing characters straight... yes.  Is it fun to try... YES!

The movie looks stunning on Blu-Ray and features include:

- Everything is Connected
- The Impossible Adaptation
- The Essence of Acting
- Spaceships, Slaves and Sextets
- The Bold Science Fiction Of Cloud Atlas
- Eternal Recurrence: Love, Life and Longing in Cloud Atlas

The work put into the making of this film is ambitious to say the least and although the end results are not 100% thoroughly satisfying it is a journey that film lovers will enjoy taking.

Drumroll please... 6.5 drumsticks out of 10!!!

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PCB Comedy Review: Pete Holmes: "Nice Try, The Devil"

If you don't know comedian Pete Holmes, you are missing out. His newest comedy album, Pete Holmes: Nice Try, The Devil, is a tour de force of his dirty but nice comedy style. Recorded for Comedy Central, listening to this show is just fantastic. Holmes is quick, jovial, and really seems to be enjoying his time on stage. In a word, this show is McDonald's. Listen or watch and you'll know what I mean.

Recorded in Austin, TX, at The Moody Theater, Holmes waxes weird on the single life, fearing the rapture, hopefully making his bed, and why you shouldn't drop a dog. My favorite bit, I think, was the video game character going to the doctor. I can only imagine how he looked on stage, but listening was still uproarious.

Holmes is definitely a visual comedian as well as a great wordsmith, if you have the chance to see the Comedy Central special or get your hands on his DVD/CD combo pack, be sure to pick that one. For me, though, the show still came through pretty well in the audio.

9 out of 10 headphones

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Concert Review: Of Montreal Live at The Cedar Cultural Center

Put on some dancing shoes and those skin-tight pants you got down at the thrift store and get ready to let your freak flag fly at full mast because Of Montreal shows are all about getting groovy, happy, and down-right weird.  Having seen the Athens-based Indie Rock outfit's set at Lollapalooza in '09 I had a good idea of the chaos and stage antics that would ensue last night at The Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis... or so I thought. 

The show opened with a set from the appropriately dancey Indie Rock band Wild Moccasins.  It's not always necessary to include the opening act in these things, but this energetic 5-peice group set the tone for what would soon become a fantastic night full of surprises.  Co-led by a mesmerizing female vocalist/keyboardist with an attitude and a male vocalist/guitarist who bares an incredible resembelence to David Byrne both musically and physically, Wild Moccasins puts on a fun show and seems to be a very promising musical act.

It's hard to put into words some of the things that happened during Of Montreal's set.  By the time front man Kevin Barnes started riding a "horse" through the crowd while singing a selection from what is now a very vast original catalog I knew that this would be more than just a show... It was a circus,  a theatrical freak show, a magnificent party tailored precisely to the likings of those who are weird enough to be Of Montreal fans in the first place. The eccentric and energetic band-members, witty and colorful background projections, props and confetti, appearances of bizarre mythical creatures and characters, and often risque theatrics created an atmosphere in which there is nothing left to do but dance, laugh, and try to wrap your brain around what is going on on stage.

Of Montreal's set bounced nicely around their 12-record catalog; some notable selections were "Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse," "I Was Never Young," a rare cover of "I Shot The Sheriff," "She's a Rejecter," and "Oslo in the Summertime." After nearly an hour and a half of nonstop grooves and chaos, the show came to an end.

As I walked over a mess of confetti, popped balloons, and feathers towards the exit, I excitedly questioned my friend who had just seen Of Montreal for the 6th time.  I was fascinated to find out that each show is quite different than the last; the recurring characters, theatrics, props, set list, all of it changes night to night.  I felt as though I had just discovered some secret place where everyone's weird and no one cares, and all I want to do now is go back!

So, in a nutshell... If any of this sounds interesting to you or if you are an Of Montreal fan but haven't seen them live, I highly recommend going to the next show you can.  They will be continuing their tour of the U.S. until mid-July. 

10/10 Freak Flags

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"Legend Of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses": Interview with Jason Michael Paul, executive producer

I recently had the pleasure of talking with The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses executive producer Jason Michael Paul. For those unaware, The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses is a live performance of music from the various Zelda video games. A video game symphony? Video game music as art? You bet. Ever since the release of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Nintendo has seen the Zelda franchise have music that rivals that of any feature film. Making that music is all the more challenging when you consider that much of it has to score an experience that is different for every player.

And this is why, I believe, this symphonic tour has been so successful. The multi-city tour in 2011-12 was a huge success, largely due, I believe, to the experience players of the game have had: this wasn't just a score to a movie. It was a score to their lives. At least, their lives as Link, the hero of the Zelda universe.

Here, then, is my interview with Jason Michael Paul about the return of The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses to Los Angeles coinciding with 2013's E3.

PCBEliot: Tell me about your role as executive producer of this Zelda symphony.

Jason Michael Paul: I created the first video game music concert in 2004 with the Dear Friends: Music from Final Fantasy concert. I had a relationship with Nintendo, and when the 25th anniversary of Zelda came around, since I was responsible for the whole concept of a video game music symphony, I was in their minds, so they came to me to see if I'd be interested.

PCBEliot: What originally inspired you to put video game music in front of a live audience?

JMP: Basically, I saw a niche, a need, a hole to be filled where video game music hadn't been experienced in this way before. I had the relationship with Square Enix at that time, and the concept was just exciting to me, to provide this experience with live orchestral music and video.

And this production is exciting for gamers because it's more or less a retelling of the stories of Legend of Zelda through the visuals and the music.

PCBEliot: Do you think the audience is more apt to be excited about these concerts because of the fact that, since they know the music from playing the game, it feels to them more like it's a musical score from their lives, in a way?

JMP: Oh yes, definitely. Not only that, but since the franchise is now over 27 years old, we have up to three generations of fans of Zelda coming to see shows, and these are families who have all experienced Zelda in their own way. This music is a big part of their lives, and the older crowd wants to share that with their children and even their grandchildren.

And it's not just Zelda fans or even video game music fans. We have people coming who are just interested in pop-culture, and even folks who have subscriptions to the symphony who are discovering this music when they wouldn't have encountered it otherwise.

PCBEliot: That's interesting. Do you then get feedback from non-Zelda fans after they've seen the concerts?

JMP: Definitely. We try to present the music not just in a symphonic format, but, along with the visuals, give the audience the experience of the story of Zelda so that they can see how it all fits together. I've definitely had people who've seen the show say they were turned on to Zelda games because of the concert.

PCBEliot: Tell me a little about the performers you use for these concerts.

JMP: We work with the symphonic orchestras in each city. These are highly skilled musicians who can learn and perfect the score with just a couple of rehearsals just a few days before each performance. It's been great working with such great performers in each of the cities from our tour.

PCBEliot: Will fans of the very first Zelda games hear music from those original games?

JMP: We definitely go all the way back, and in many cities we've already been to, like L.A., Montreal, Atlanta, we'll be including music from Skyward Sword as well. But yes, we're definitely taking what was once MIDI music from the original games and translating it into beautiful orchestral music as well.

PCBEliot: Do you have any other video game music performances planned?

JMP: Absolutely. In 2006, we did a series called Play: A Video Game Symphony, and that one doesn't focus on any one franchise, it covers a lot of different games. We're rebranding it right now, it's going to be called rePlay, and it's going to be an amazing night of music, I'm really excited about it.

PCBEliot: Okay, I have to ask, are you a Zelda fan, and if so, what is your favorite game in the series?

JMP: Definitely a Zelda fan. My favorite, more because I worked so closely with the creative team, is Skyward Sword. I produced the orchestral companion CD to the game, and it's dear to my heart because I feel like I actually contributed to the game.

PCBEliot: I appreciate your talking with me, and I look forward to seeing the show in L.A. in June.

JMP: Absolutely. Thank you so much for your time.


The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses will be playing at The Greek Theatre on June 12, and tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. More information about the rePlay Symphony can be found at www.replay-symphony.com

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DANCESCAPE LA by Marques Wayne

The fifteenth production of Dancescape LA presented by Cheshire Moon Productions was an exciting and inspiring event benefiting the arts programs in the local Los Angeles community.  The event, hosted by So You Think You Can Dance champion Chehon Wespi-Tschopp was held at the intimate Club Nokia in downtown's LA Live complex.  The cozy setting was appropriate for what felt like a mutually supportive, family event.  The dancers and choreographers of the various performances were clearly fans of each other and with good reason.

The 32 pieces presented ranged from mellow modern dance to hard-edged hip-hop an each performance was more awesome than the last.  In a pool full of outstanding performances it's hard to pick standouts, but the large group numbers like "Golgeler" choreographed by Seda Aybay, Yusuf Nasir's "CollectiveUth" and Miguel Zarate's theatrical "Super Nova Barbie's Dead" all have to be commended for their scope and complexity.

Some of the more intimate performances like choreographer Julia Franzese's emotional tour de force "I Dreamed A Dream", diminutive soloist Sophia Lucia's gorgeous "Dreamcatcher" and the sexy, dynamic duet by Ashleigh and Ryan Di Lello to Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" were just as awe inspiring.

I spoke to Dancescape founder Jamie Gregor about the evolution of the event since its inception in 2004 and she talked about how the show has grown from the small show with only ten pieces (three of which she was featured in herself), to the more inclusive and diverse spectacle it is today.  Dancescape XV features over 150 dancers and choreographers from various backgrounds and styles.  She said that when selecting acts for the show she looks for diversity and uniqueness and, of course, invites back popular acts and colleagues she has worked with in the past.

Besides the host, there were other dancers that had been featured on So You Think You Can Dance and also acts from MTV's America's Best Dance Crew like 8 Flavahs, a quintet of pint sized girls that brought the crowd to their feet with a high-energy hip-hop infused performance to songs by Beyonce and Lil' Wayne and Gregor herself was featured in one performance, Denise Leitner's fluid and layered "Passage."  The final and most elaborate performance of the night was Christopher "Pharside" Jennings and Krystal Meraz's "The Black Parade" which featured over 40 dancers with black and red face paint and some of the most intricate and complex choreography I have seen in quite some time, (Think: Rhythm Nation meets The Wu-Tang Clan).

The entire night was filled with one great performance followed by another and 100% of the proceeds go to a wonderful cause.  Looking at the young artists within the show itself it's easy to see why the arts programs in our local schools are so important.  Gregor discussed how she grew up in Pittsburgh in a school district that was fortunate enough to have a broad artistic community and she wanted to help bring those same opportunities to children here in Los Angeles.  She is a dancer, so the events she produces focus on dance, but the funds raised support all arts and music programs in local schools.  Additionally, this year, the non-profit is partnering with the Los Angeles Leadership Academy to pilot a dance education program called Dancescape Ed that will bring artists from the Dancescape community into the classroom.



Photos by R.J. Corby

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Movie Poster: The Raid 2

The Raid 2 takes a page from the recent Evil Dead remake playbook with this probably 100% accurate poster.

And start getting excited for this awesome sequel.....NOW!

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Available This Week: "A Good Day To Die Hard" via Digital HD

The fifth movie in the Die Hard franchise arrives on Blu-Ray and DVD on June 4th but if you can't wait that long you can get it tomorrow May 14th via "Early" Digital HD release.

"A Good Day To Die Hard" will be available through Amazon.com and most other "Instant Video" outlets.

Bruce Willis' iconic character John McClane is off to Russia to team up with his estranged son to thwart bad guys abroad!  What could be more fun!!!

Don't be the last person on your block to "Die Hard" get it tomorrow!

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Drink Review: All Natural Body Armor SuperDrink

All Natural Body Armor SuperDrink sounds like something out of a video game, but I can assure you that it's real.

I selected the Raspberry Blueberry Goji flavor, not because of the lavender hue, but because of the tantalizing  prospects of the flavor explosion dancing on my tongue. I wasn't sure what a Goji was, but a quick Google showed that it's alternate (and much cooler) name is Wolfberry, which sounds absolutely fantastic.

The initial taste has what I can only describe as an "Energy Drink taste." Sort of like Red Bull and Monster's carbonated energy kick. The next taste was a mix of the Raspberry Blueberry Goji flavor which melded into a mellower iced tea type taste on the palette.

I could definitely see myself cracking open one of these bad boys after a rigorous workout (if I actually worked out).

The side of the bottle says that it contains 10% Coconut Water along with the following nutrient blends:

1. Hydration Blend - Forget your Bananas and metals, with 620mg of Potassium, 60mg of Magnesium, and 10mg of Zinc to quench the thirst of your cells!

2. Protection Blend - Polphenols, catechins, EGCG, Fiber, and Bioflavonoids (a distant cousin of the Autobots) work together to protect your body and kick ass!

3. Vitamin Blend: A, C, E, and B Complex (a Freudian diagnosis) boost your Vitamin levels to MAX!

4.  Recovery Blend: Make like Skrillex playing Warcraft III and drop the base! Folic and Amino Acids, along with their bro, t-Carnitine, allow you to recover after your workout!

I'm not sure what any of that means, but it sounds healthy!

With only 70 Calories per serving and 2 servings per bottle, you can share with your spottin' bro. But you won't want to!

Protect & Restore with the Raspberry Blueberry Goji (Wolfberry) All Natural Body Armor SuperDrink with 10% Coconut Water!

I can feel the burn with 7 out of 10 crunches!

Visit DrinkBodyArmor.com for more info!

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Is Your Favorite Show Canceled?

No bells and whistles for this post.  This is all bad news.  Lots of shows hit the chopping block this week.  Did one of your favorites meet the grim reaper?

Here are the shows as of Friday evening, that have been canceled:

ABC:

Body of Proof
Malibu Country
Red Widow
Happy Endings (BASTARDS!) (May be headed for USA?)

Good news?  Revenge, Grey's Anatomy and Nashville among the shows renewed.

CBS:

CSI: NY
Golden Boy
Made In Jersey
Partners
Rules of Engagement
Vegas

Good News?  Elementary and The Good Wife plus How I Met Your Mother all returning.

FOX:

Ben and Kate
The Cleveland Show (Unofficially)
The Mob Doctor
Touch

Good news?  Raising Hope, Glee (through season 6), and Bob's Burgers among returning shows.

NBC (Updated @7pm):

Smash has been canceled.

1600 Penn
Deception
Go On
Guys With Kids
The New Normal
Up All Night
Whitney

Good News?  Parenthood and Community!

The CW:

90210
Cult

Good News:  Supernatural, Vampire Diaries, Hart of Dixie, and The Carrie Diaries all returning.  Oh and Arrow and Beauty and the Beast.

It was a blood bath if you ask me.  Especially in terms of sitcoms.  I am still shocked that The New Normal and Go On were canceled.  I really yearn for the days when shows were allowed to build audiences.

Other victims announced include Southland over on TNT.  But ABC has officially picked up Agents of SHIELD!

More updates as we get them.

Thanks to TVLine for the info!

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Mixed Kebab DVD Review

Mixed Kebab is a truly interesting, engaging, and often moving love story about a gay Muslim man who falls in love with a cute Belgian man just before meeting the woman that’s been arranged to be his wife. It’s about family and family relations as much as it’s a love story. And the film is much more intense and serious than its DVD cover might lead one to believe.

In a bit of opening narration, Ibrahim (Cem Akkanat) – or, Bram, as he calls himself – introduces himself as a gay Turkish Muslim. It’s the only narration in the film. Bram has a decent job, and sells a little cocaine on the side. A marriage has been arranged for him by his family, and interestingly, the marriage is to be within the family, as he’s supposed to marry his cousin Elif. (Is that a normal occurrence within Muslim families? I don’t know.)

His younger brother, Furkan (Lukas De Wolf), is a teenage malcontent who harasses the local grocer, skips school and steals from the local diner. And he lashes out as his brother too, sensing that he’s different. Furkan calls him out at a family gathering, after Bram has told their parents about Furkan skipping school. The family seems disappointed in Furkan, but when the police show up asking for him, no one from the family tells them anything.  I like that a lot - that they may have their problems, but they stick together against any outside force. That makes what happens later all the more painful.

Bram’s father’s friend tells him he’s heard rumors about Bram. Interestingly, neither man comes right and names the rumor. It’s like it can’t even be directly spoken.

Marina (Karlijn Sileghem) runs the diner, and her son Kevin (Simon Van Buyten) works there. Bram becomes friends with him, and is clearly attracted to him. And when Bram is going to Turkey to meet the girl he’s to marry, he asks Kevin to come along, saying he needs the support of a good friend. At the hotel, the desk clerk assumes the two men will want separate rooms.

The only element of this film that feels a bit contrived is that Elif’s boyfriend works in the hotel where they stay, and that he just walks into Bram’s room in the morning and snaps photos of them. Granted, he calls “housekeeping” before entering. But then when he sees the two men asleep in bed, he somehow recognizes one as Elif’s fiancé (presumably from a photo that Elif has shown him), and takes photos with his phone. (Or does he just take photos of all men in bed?)

Elif (Gamze Tazim) is beautiful, by the way. And when she and Bram meet, it’s kind of awkward between them, but also kind of sweet, which is nice. A lesser film would have made her awful in some way right off the bat. Elif bribes their chaperone to leave (although with Bram’s money), so that they can really get to know each other.

Meanwhile Furkan is falling in with a religious group, and channeling his feelings of anger and resentment into that activity. He still harasses that same grocer, but now with a religious zeal rather than just simple teenage anger.

There are lots of interesting cultural details in this film. For example, when Elif and Bram go to the hotel, Elif is informed that she’s not allowed in Bram’s room by the bartender, who then actually goes on to call her a whore. Good luck getting a tip, buddy. And when Yusuf, Elif’s boyfriend, shows her the photos, she tells him that doesn’t change a thing, that she’s still going to marry Bram. An interesting choice, but she is simply eager to get out of her small town.

Yusuf then sends the photos to Bram’s family. The scene where his family confronts him is intense. You feel some anger toward his family, but then almost immediately the film makes you feel sympathy for them as well, when the father is shunned by his friends, and his mother is refused service at local markets. I like that the film doesn’t allow you to consider anyone simply a villain (apart, perhaps, from some minor characters). Life is complicated and messy, and this film doesn’t dish out any easy answers. In fact, the film becomes more intense as it goes on.

This film has a very strong cast, particularly Cem Akkanat as Bram. Mixed Kebab was written and directed by Guy Lee Thys.

Special Features

The DVD has a few special features. The main one is “Interviews,” which has actor Cem Akkanat and director Guy Lee Thys talking about their experience in Cannes. Cem talks about how the film is a love story, and how his family is completely supportive of the film. Guy talks a bit about being surprised that gay bashing has increased. Surprisingly, both interviews are in English.

The special features also include a music video and the film’s trailer.

Mixed Kebab was released on April 23, 2013 through TLA Releasing.

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Movie Review: The Great Gatsby

Baz Lurhmann’s The Great Gatsby, based on the classic novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is a spectacular movie experience. Full of energy, color, and music, the film begins with the protagonist, Nick Carraway, narrating the events that led him to need professional help for alcoholism and depression. Much like the intro to Lurhmann’s award-winning Moulin Rouge, the despondent main character reflects back on how hopeful and full of wonder he was when he first arrived to an exciting new city to chase his dreams. And, like Christian in Moulin Rouge, Nick is quickly enchanted by the nightlife, glamorous parties, and beautiful people only to quickly find that the glitter is merely covering up a hidden darkness.

It’s the early 1920’s in New York City, and the only person Nick knows in the big city is his cousin Daisy. Her rich husband indulges in booze, cigars, and women while Daisy suffers with a sad smile and charming wit. Nick soon receives an invitation to a party at his new neighbor’s exquisite, castle-like mansion. Nick happens to live in the run down shack next to the mysterious J. Gatsby. The two quickly become friends, and Nick is allowed into Gatsby’s world. Gatsby confides in him and tells him the secrets of his past--secrets that involve Daisy.

While the film began with a roar, pacing became problematic towards the end. Scenes that should have the audience at the edge of their seats just dragged on. Perhaps it is the effect of such a flashy start, to be let down once things slow down. Perhaps that is just what Lurhmann wanted, so you could relate to Nick’s realization that this new magical world he discovered would ultimately lead to a disappointing and drab existence, where shallow people and loud parties were just distractions from the emptiness that this kind of lifestyle left behind.

Overall, I enjoyed the experience. The 3D effect gave the movie a pop-up story book feel to it, which lent itself well to the narrative of a too-good-to-be-true vision that Gatsby fully believed would come to be. The costumes, settings, and cinematography were gorgeous and well-stylized. The music, which is an ever-present part of Lurhmann’s films, gave the film a special kind of energy that draws the audience in to feel like they are part of the festivities. While all of the performances were great, Carey Mulligan really shined as Daisy. While her character's personality was at times over the top, her heartbreak was subtle and honest.

The Great Gatsby opens May 10th.

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Movie Trailer: Gravity

I feel like the presence of Clooney and Bullock is going to hurt this movie more than help it but it does look great.

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