Category Archives: Movies & Multimedia

Deadpool and Wolverine

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I just went out to watch the Deadpool and Wolverine movie and I’ve got to say, I haven’t been this happy after a movie since Guardians and the Galaxy 3. It was an incredible movie that I fully enjoyed despite having never seen either of the two Deadpool movies or any of the X-Men movies.

The movie starts on Wade Wilson’s birthday after having given up his crime fighting career and has begun living the mundane life in trying to make something of himself. On that day, he is captured by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and is informed that his world is going to be destroyed. He wants to try and save his timeline from getting destroyed, but he can’t do it alone. He finds that the only person who can help him is Wolverine, so Wade hops throughout the multiverse to find a Wolverine. Together, they do their best to find a way home and save the world.

This movie was the best thing I’ve watched in a while. I haven’t felt so happy during and after watching it. I loved the jokes and fourth wall breaking that the Deadpool franchise is ultimately known for. I really laughed out loud in the theater with my friends as I watched, seeing the visual comedy and well timed cutscenes. There were also plenty of small, continued motifs that were sprinkled throughout the film that were fun to hear repeated. But while it was funny, the movie was also pretty heartfelt with some good character faults and issues. There were a lot of introspective scenes for both Deadpool and Wolverine which I found really interesting to see what they felt and how they overcame it all, even though they both could fight it off really easily. I really loved seeing how they came together and connected to each other, despite their disagreements and violent behaviors towards each other. 

Another thing about this movie was that the music choices were spectacular. It starred “Bye Bye Bye” from NSYNC, “Like a Prayer” by Madonna, and “You’re the One that I Want” from Grease; just to name a few. The music enhanced the movie so much more as it played throughout intense scenes. It made it feel so much cooler as it left me vibing and even feeling chills by the end. While the songs were fire, the awesome celebrity cameos this movie had were just as great. There were so many characters in this movie that allowed for even more fourth wall jokes and helped to keep the story entertaining. While they weren’t there for most of the movie, most were important to the plot and made the movie even more fun than if it were just Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman (who are amazing on their own too).

Overall, the Deadpool and Wolverine movie was amazing. Everything about it was really enjoyable, but it definitely earns its mature rating with some of the jokes told and body horror on screen. This movie had me hooked and really gave me a fun time, laughing along and smiling happily. This movie is great even for those who haven’t seen previous Marvel movies in the chronological timeline. I would definitely recommend this movie to comedy lovers who are old enough to understand the jokes and who are looking for a good time.

-Nicole R.

Why Didi was not that great

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I went to watch Didi in the theaters the day it released because I was extremely excited to watch a coming of age film that was centered around the Asian-American experience. However, I left feeling disappointed at the lack of emphasis in relationships.

The blurb for this movie on Letterboxd describes it as an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom. Not only did he not learn to skate, flirt, he barely had a relationship with his mom who wrapped the movie up with a monologue that felt like the director wanted to have as much as an impact as Everything Everywhere all at Once did, but it was so badly written I was in awe when I opened imdb to find that it had a higher Rotten Tomatoes score than Everything Everywhere all at Once, albeit, with a much lower watch rate.

With classic coming to age stories like The Perks of being a Wallflower, Dead Poets Society, and Lady Bird, they center around relationships with siblings, parents, teachers, or peers their age. Watching Didi, I felt like all the relationships were superficial and it barely hit the rubric not only in depth but in creativity. Sean Wang had a great product to work with: Asian-American coming to age about self identity with being ashamed of culture or something along those lines and maybe I subconsciously was hoping for something similar to the graphic novel American Born Chinese. Only a few movies and stories come to mind that are able to hit that rubric where it becomes a staple for American Asians and conjoin the community over this representation. Now, just because the cast is entirely Asian does not mean the focus of the story needs to be about the Asian American experience but the topic was touched once and then never brought up again which felt like a cheat in my opinion. I understand why people like this film but again, everything was so sped up and topics were brushed by without saying anything of value.

Solo Leveling

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Solo Leveling is an action anime based on a light novel. It has one season and a second season set to release in late 2024. Solo Leveling is set in a world threatened by monsters; the only people who can fight the monsters are people with magic called hunters. The story’s protagonist is Sung Jinwoo, who was born with barely any magic but gets a second awakening after dying in a dungeon. Thanks to his second awakening, Sung Jinwoo gets the ability to upgrade his stats such as his speed and strength and to gain other special abilities just like in a video game. As you continue to watch the show you get to see Sung Jinwoo gain more power and fight many powerful beasts.

At the show’s beginning, the audience gets introduced to the main character who was given the nickname by his coworkers of the world’s weakest hunter. The first important thing we see the protagonist do is go into a dungeon with a group of other hunters. Very soon after, we discover that it was a double dungeon that had two dungeons, one of which was so dangerous that it killed almost every hunter that went into it including Jinwoo. What happens next is that he gets a reawakening and is given the ability to become more powerful through hard training. After discovering this we see Sung Jinwoo train hard each day until he becomes powerful to kill the beast who would’ve killed him instantly before. As we continue to watch the show we see Jinwoo become one of the most powerful characters we see in the show and watch him fight beasts such as knights and a three-headed dog.

Watching this show gave me a lot of fun. It had many qualities that fit my interests. These qualities include magical beasts, character development, and a powerful and likable main character. As I continued watching the show I gained more respect and started to understand the protagonist more and more. I also enjoyed the world-building the show provides. Getting to see how this world works was life-changing for me because of how bizarre and creative it is. The show also did a great job of showing how much Jinwoo changes throughout the show. For example, near the beginning, he fights some beasts he is no match to, but near the end, he runs into them again and doesn’t struggle to beat them. Therefore, Solo Leveling has many characteristics that people find fun and enjoyable.

Overall, Solo Leveling was a great piece of entertainment. After I finished an episode I immediately wanted to go to the next. It also had moments that had me on the edge of my seat making me wonder what was going to happen next. Once I finished the show it had me wishing season two would come quicker. I highly recommend this show to anyone even if they’re not familiar with the Anime genre. 

-Matthew R

Bungo Stray Dogs

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Bungo Stray Dogs, created by Kafka Asagiri and brought to life by the illustrations of Sango Harukawa, presents a bewitching narrative set against the backdrop of Yokohama. This anime film was released in March 2018. A third season aired between April and June 2019. A fourth season aired between January and March 2023. A fifth season aired from July to September 2023.

The story orbits around the Armed Detective Agency, a cadre of remarkable individuals endowed with extraordinary powers to unravel endless mysteries. At the forefront of it all is Atsushi Nakajima, leading the agency through a maze of mysteries and challenges, bravely facing each enigma and obstacle head-on.

The series contains elements of mystery, action, the supernatural, and even some humor interwoven seamlessly in a world where select individuals possess extraordinary abilities, known as “Gifted.”

As the tale unfolds, readers find themselves irresistibly drawn into a captivating world where every unexpected turn feels like a personal invitation to unravel the secrets alongside these characters. Choosing your favorite character is inevitable, like picking your favorite ice cream flavor. And let’s face it, there’s always that one character who’s not quite your cup of tea—a bit like that quirky neighbor you pretend to be busy when they knock on your door. Of course, my favorite characters are not my friends, so we fought over that sometimes. But it’s all in good fun.

The vivid streets of Yokohama pulse with life, mirroring the complexities of the individuals who roam its pathways. With each chapter, anticipation builds, urging readers to join the characters on their journey of discovery and adventure, where surprises lurk around every corner, just waiting to be uncovered.

A unique element of Bungo Stray Dogs is its incorporation of real-life literary figures as characters, such as Osamu Dazai and Ryunosuke Akutagawa, making the series stand out more. Harukawa’s artwork in the manga is gorgeous and a great inspiration for me as a student of anime art. The series excels in creating a storyline that keeps readers engaged, with each arc getting better each time. Whether you’re a mystery, action, or literature fan, Bungo Stray Dogs is a thrilling manga series full of surprises.

Just like many of my fellow anime lovers, I was utterly hooked on this series. Every Wednesday after school couldn’t come fast enough because that’s when my friends and I would huddle together to watch the latest episodes. It wasn’t just a show; it was our thing, our particular time to bond over something we all loved. We laughed, gasped, and shared in the excitement of each new plot twist. Those moments were some of the highlights of my week.

If you are new to anime and manga, the adventure begins in Bungo Stray Dogs. This series isn’t just another story; it’s like finding a treasure chest with mysteries waiting to be unraveled. When you think you’ve cracked the case, another one just as mysterious awaits you and beckons you deeper into its spellbinding narrative.

The great news is that Bungo Stray Dogs is available at the Mission Viejo Library. So grab your siblings, friends, or anyone who shares a love for anime and dive into the world of Bungo Stray Dogs. Trust me, it’s an experience you won’t regret. You’ll be satisfied whether you’re turning the book’s pages or watching the series.

Happy Anime!
Bella H.

Movie Review: 10 Things I Hate About You

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  • SPOILERS AHEAD

10 Things I Hate About You is a teen romance film that is a modern adaptation of Shakespeare The Taming of the Shrew. It takes place in the late 1990s at an American high school, following Cameron James, a new student played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt. A guide takes him around the school, explaining the different cliques and how they work in the high school hierarchy. Cameron then sees Bianca Stratford, which then kick-starts the conflict of the movie. Bianca, a sophmore, is not allowed to date unless her outspoken, feminist older sister, Kat, does.

Cameron then goes on a journey to find somebody to date Kat, who everybody thinks of as a shrew, a bad-tempered or aggressively assertive woman. They enlist the help of a narcissistic, student model Joey, who is attempting to court Bianca, to find somebody for Kat. They pick infamous bad boy Patrick Verona. The rest of the movie follows Patrick trying to woe Kat, while also getting bribes from Joey and information about Kat from Cameron.

Joey bribes Patrick with more money to take Kat to prom, but she is still angry with him for rejecting to kiss her when she was drunk. In response, he organizes an elaborate celebration with a marching band and embarrassing himself to ask her out. Kat reveals to Bianca her past with Joey and why she is trying to protect Bianca from him. Bianca listens to her sister’s side , but is angry at her for not allowing her to make her own decisions. Kat sees how much this affects her sister so she then agrees to go to prom with Patrick to allow Bianca to go. 

Bianca decides to go with Cameron, instead of Joey. This angers Joey and he reveals the arrangement between Patrick, leaving Kat heartbroken. Patrick surprises her with a guitar to apologize and her father allows for her to attend her dream school, Sarah Lawrence. 

Overall I would give this movie a 9/10! It is a beautifully done rom-com and great adaptation. Even though Patrick is being bribed, we can tell throughout the movie he feels guilt for it and even tries to give the money back at some points. It is a little bit sad because we know his alternative motives , but aside from that, I think it’s beautiful in the ways Patrick tries to charm her. He does this by learning her favorite bands, respecting her battle for autonomy, thoughtful dates, and embarrassing proposals of love. I think it really speaks to how his understanding of her deepens throughout the movie as he gets to know her. I can emphasize with Kats complete rejection of conformity that allows for her to have a clear understanding of herself and how this could demonize her to other people.

I enjoy how they explore Bianca’s character, and that even if she presents more girly, it is clear she is not completely naive and clueless. She understands Joey’s intentions and gains revenge for her sister by beating him up at the end of the movie. I think the position the father has put them in makes for an interesting plot, but is completely unfair and causes unnecessary tension between her and her sister. I think it speaks to the prejudice women have faced in attempts to assert themselves in society. 

I believe some of the cliques in this movie to be harmful and stereotypical, but I believe the can be looked past in remembering Shakespearean dramatics, the time period the movie was made, and for plot continuation. 

I would recommend this movie to those who are looking for a strong women protagonist, a heartwarming rom-com, or a look into 90s teenage life. 

10 Things I Hate About You is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Fall Media Recommendations:

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With students coming into schedules full of history, math, and science, we’re coming into the fall months with so much to do. Making plans once you’re an upperclassman can be hard, with college applications right around the corner, and some of us just want some good shows, books, movies, or podcasts to relax to. This is a list of my personal favorites, with a quick overview of what each of them are about!

The Good Place:

The Good Place is a comedic coming of age show on Netflix that follows the stories of four people who have just died and gone to the afterlife. The main character, Eleanor Shellstrop, is put into “The Good Place”, signifiying that she lived a good life as a good person, but she panics. Eleanor doesn’t belong in the Good Place, and she needs to find out why she’s there. With the friends she makes there, they go through trial after trial in an attempt to figure out the secret to the placement of humans in the afterlife.

The Magnus Archives:

The Magnus Archives is an fictional horror podcast/audio drama following the main character, Jonathan Sims, as he navigates being thrown into a new supernatural, terrifying reality. Appointed Head Archivist of the Magnus Institute, he begins to digitize years worth of statements concerning the esoteric and weird, falling down a rabbit hole of the ones that seems to be too real, the ones that won’t record on his laptop. I would recommend this podcast to anyone who does not have the time to sit down and watch a show, as it can be consumed during a workout, while cleaning, etc. and still manages to immerse you in the universe.

Suits:

Suits is a drama on Netflix following main characters Mike Ross and Harvey Specter, the former of whom is a talented speaker with a photographic memory and the latter a bigshot lawyer in one of the most successful firms in the world. After Mike convinces Harvey to hire him despite his lack of formal training as a lawyer, the show follows their journey as they attempt to hide Mike’s secret from the rest of the firm, introducting funny, heartfelt characters and relationships along the way. I love this show, and it’s easy to binge a season or two at a time, as it serves as good background noise to any activity.

Inside Job:

Inside Job is an animated adult comedy show on Netflix, taking place in a world where almost every conspiracy theory we’ve ever thought of is true and is fabricated by something called the shadow government. We follow main characters Reagan Ridley, an antisocial scientist, and Brett Hand, an anxious, popular people pleaser, as they deal with the issues that arise when the safety and fate of the shadow government is at risk, forming a friendship along the way and getting us, the audience to feel for these 2D characters on our screen. I would recommend this show to anyone who wants a bit of a laugh while also not looking for pure comedy, as there are serious aspects of the show that balance the comedic timing of statements and jokes perfectly.

Even though we’ve started school, everyone deserves a few days of lounging, engaging in some new interests, and taking a break. Hopefully this list had some recommendations that you liked and will help you relax in the new semester of school amidst all of the chaos!

Tanvi G.

The Good Place and Suits are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. 

Movie Review: I Saw the TV Glow

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NO SPOILERS

If you’re queer, misunderstood, struggling with self identity and expression, or feeling lost in general, then you have to watch I Saw the TV Glow. This movie focuses on identity and the horror of never truly accepting yourself. To live a life that does not belong to you is the worst fear of all and this movie depicts that fear perfectly. The soundtrack has the best lineup including Phoebe Bridgers, Alex G, and Yeule.

I Saw the TV Glow might be one of the best movies about queer identity I have ever watched. Similar with movies like Inception, Holes, and XXX, Jane Schoenbrun keeps their fans engaged with extremely meticulous detailing in each scene. I love how they do not revise their work to make it digestible for a better IMDb or Letterboxd score and stay true to the story that they want to tell. You will not like this movie if you are not prepared to face yourself and question who you are.

Owen meets Maddy, a teenager completely obsessed with the tv show The Pink Opaque. The adolescents bond between their obsession with the show despite Owen’s strict father disallowing him from staying up to watch the show on cable. The Pink Opaque features two girls who are deeply connected telepathically. Owen sleeps over at Maddy’s house to watch The Pink Opaque, when Maddy tells him about disillusioned her world seems to her and how she knows that he can feel it too. Maddy wants Owen to join her and escape the trapped reality they both feel confined in.

I Saw the TV Glow was the most euphoric movie experience I have ever had.

A Quiet Place–Movie Summary & Review:

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SPOILERS AHEAD!!

A Quiet Place is a movie which is set in the future where the population of the world has dwindled to an unknown number. Strange creatures have inhabited the earth and hunt people (and animals) by sound. Any sound from dropping a blender to stepping on a leaf will be heard by the aliens and will result in death. The name A Quiet Place is drawn from the need to be quiet and not utter a single noise. This movie is about the Abbott family’s silent life in the countryside of New York. The family consists of Lee (father), Evelyn (mother), Reagan (deaf daughter), Marcus (son), Beau (son), and a newborn baby (son). Since one of the children is deaf, the family communicates with sign language.

The opening scene of this movie is of the Abbott family traveling to a nearby pharmacy to get medicine for Marcus. During this scene, the youngest child Beau finds a toy rocket with batteries. Lee takes away the toy but soon after when the parents walk out of the store, Reagan hands the toy to Beau (who secretly grabs the batteries too). Later, as the family is traveling back home, Beau turns on the toy which makes a loud noise. Seconds later, the strange creature kills the young boy in front of everyone’s eyes.

Fast forwarding to months later, the mother is weeks from giving birth to a new baby. After the movie shows the Abbott’s typical life on the farm, Evelyn is days from childbirth. A series of events (stepping on a nail and dropping a picture) leads Evelyn to accidentally attract an alien to their farm. This happens all the while her water breaks. Unfortunately, Lee (the father) is gone with his son fishing while this happens. When he and his son get back, they quickly discover that Evelyn is having trouble giving birth. So, they create a distraction so that the mother can give birth. A couple of scenes later, the kids are being hunted down by a creature and the father sacrifices his life to save them. The movie ends with the rest of the family finding a way to kill the aliens.

Usually, I hate watching horror movies with jumpscares and scary moments. However, this movie was not scary at all. I found that it was entertaining to watch since the characters are very likable. The concept of having to live in silence was also provoking to think about. Overall, I would recommend this movie to those who want to watch something both interesting and suspenseful. 

A Quiet Place is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library.

Movie Review: Coraline

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The movie Coraline was written by Henry Selick, who also directed the film. The story is based on the novel by Neil Gaiman in honor of his five year old who enjoyed scary stories. This is one of my favorite movies, as it’s a stop-motion animated film, which gives it a unique and detailed visual style. The animation is super detailed and visually stunning, while the plot keeps you hooked with its eerie and imaginative twists. Its definitely a movie both kids and adults can enjoy for its strong characters and captivating storyline.

The movie follows a young girl named Coraline who discovers a parallel world that appears to be a better version of her own life, but it hides dark secrets. Coraline must use her courage to navigate through this journey and save herself and her loved ones. Additionally, the strong, and brave Coraline serves as an inspiring role model as she has the courage to fight for her loved ones, persevered through the tough battles and overcame all the challenges that came her way.

Coraline also has many conspiracy theories that add an extra layer of mystery. It invites the viewers to think more deeply about the plot and look for more hidden clues, enriching the movie-watching experience. So when you watch the movie, watch out for some of these hidden clues to apply back to the conspiracy theories.

  • The well
  • The first few seconds of movie
  • The Taffy
  • Lightning Hand
  • Framed silhouettes of the other children
  • The cat at the end

Overall, Coraline is a remarkable film that blends horror and fantasy and creates an imaginative and enjoyable movie for all ages. It always kept me on the edge of my seat and was very exciting to watch. I loved all the hidden clues; it made it even more enjoyable and allowed me to almost be involved in the movie. I would highly recommend this movie to everyone, even though it is very difficult to get ahold of.

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare Movie Vs. Written Play Review  

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Watching Julius Caesar as a film versus reading it as a written play is a strikingly different experience. The visual of the movie brings Shakespeare’s words to life in vivid detail, allowing for a more immersive and dramatic interpretation of the story. The magnificent settings, costumes, and performances add layers of depth and emotion that may come across more strongly than the written form of the story on paper. Some of the texts are difficult to understand on paper if you aren’t reading them together with a teacher to explain them to you. 

However, there is a unique power to reading the original text of Julius Caesar in its written form. By engaging with the paper play, readers can analyze and interpret the language more closely, uncovering nuances in Shakespeare’s words that can be easily overlooked in a film adaptation. The ability to imagine the scenes and characters based solely on textual descriptions allows for a more personal and intimate connection to the story, fostering individual interpretations and insights that may differ from those presented on screen.

In comparing Julius Caesar as a movie and a written play, it becomes clear that each medium offers distinct advantages and charms. While the film captivates with its visual splendor and dramatic impact, the written play invites readers to delve deeper into Shakespeare’s poetic genius and explore their perceptions of this timeless tragedy. Both versions complement each other beautifully, providing audiences with rich opportunities to discover and appreciate one of Shakespeare’s most iconic works. I prefer the written play that we read in class. By reading it, I can imagine the whole story in my mind, making it a lot more fun. Whatever your choices, you’ll find that Shakespeare’s writing is brilliant, and we can appreciate the story no matter the medium. 

Happy Choices!

Bella H.

Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. Movie versions are available here. The play can also be downloaded for free from Libby.