d_syboy Reviews

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)

Speaking from the Heart

[9 July 2023]

A great movie by James Gunn, where he, an artist, speaks from the heart, seamlessly also fitting into the MCU and the GOTG movies... in an era where many movies and comics and art in general is often made for the sake of being made whilst not having much of a voice... Always play from the heart!

I will say that the first 20-25% of the movie felt a bit wack, poor shots, editing and storytelling. I plan on watching it again though. The final end credit scene didn't really land as well.

The overall music- the theme music parts were great, but the pop music selection felt like it missed at least 15% of the time (and there were ALOT of songs).

Some of the CGI wasn't the best but that's just because the bar keeps being raised every few years... I think its the way soft shadow gradients are sort of added to composite the layer of a character in at times, is too obvious.

Love the parts where there was no CGI. No big deal though as the ambition prevails.

Grimcutty (2022)

genius message

[11 January 2023]

I resonated so hard with Grimcutty (2022) by @johnwilliamross . You are a genius. Loved the filmmaking, the flow, the monster design and the effects of it. That ending scene with the protag meditating with Grimcutty doing some anime run in the background, in slow mo...

As someone that can hardly have conversation with parents before it becomes a heated debate that ends in a minute... its so relatable. Asian parents....

This movie is so deep in a way. Parents are in a way killing their kids; killing what they cold be, killing their liberty, their ability to express. ... constantly getting yelled at, etc. Especially If there is never compassion, its like constantly being attacked with negative energy by the parents. There are so many 'brain dead' (in a way) kids that are just so oppressed by their parents...

I can see this movie solving problems between children and their parents... The movie effectively conveys it's message, and i rate it as genius in that regard. We really have to listen to one another and not get so angry; only then we can have some real conversations. I wish my parents could watch this movie but i know they never will, they never really watch any movies as a matter of fact unfortunately. I will definitely be changing my approach to having conversations with people because if it gets to heated of a debate then we know Grimcutty is gonna kill or rather "attack" someone, metaphorically.

I say 'effectively convey it's message' but many people on the internet (reddit) it seems have failed to understand this movie and hate on it. An irony in a way.

Shiddat (2021)

the heart will go on...

[31 July 2022]

Amazing music like that of titanic and avatar, approaching them at the least.

Superb acting, charming cast.

Really waited for the end scene to revert back to the guy in the air plane for him to stop dreaming and go down those hatches to the wheel... and then even during the credits, any moment now, the credits will start rewinding, I kept saying this to my wife... I tell her there will be a part 2: This movie was Infinity War, and part 2 will be End Game; hence the "avenger idiot" reference....

A theme of 'practicality/realistic' is prominent, and it takes that one to the grave. It's the kind of ending that we (as a society) need, honestly and unfortunately.

Lots of good themes here and there. Very well fore shadowing done smart.

Kajillionaire (2020)

Draws you in to watch the whole thing unfortunately.

[18 October 2020]

Decent start and interesting story until the second half or so where it goes down hill. The directing is bad in quite a lot of parts including the first half, but the story just goes to complete wack. Please storyboard your movies. Acting is fine, it's just the directing isn't quite there and with a story that isn't mastered.

This movie isn't entertainment. And with poor directing, etc. it is impossible to tell the story with all the hardcore messages you hoped to convey.

Crazy About You (2019)

Dope film

[1 October 2020]

Great cast that you instantly feel attached to. The way the eye is directed is pretty solid, good editing, directing, & good camera work. Great story, music, SFX, dialogue, Aussie lingo. I've been looking to travel around my location more, and this inspires me in many ways for sure.

Weathering with You (2019)

Not quite my tempo

[29 May 2020]

It's great that there is diversity in personalities; in that people like it, and others don't. I have many art friends that like his films, but I don't. And that's fine. If anything, society needs even more diversity.

The music feels like it was winged, isn't truly mastered for the best music. The film style focus on it's sound effects and visual aesthetics, which doesn't even compare to ghibli's sound design or miyazaki flow/storyboards/directing. The characters live a life of having almost unrealistic expectations when it comes to romances. (Watch Comet (2014)) Not to mention uninteresting or cheap dialogue

The quality of animation isn't that much different from higher end anime episodes + inconsistency. The eyes aren't drawn very well and are inconsistent. It is overrated in a way that many other great films are missed out from being given a spotlight to be watched instead; films that may become hidden gems. Perhaps the spot light effect is just from the lack of Ghibli films (imagine if there was a new Ghibli film every year or 2...)

Want to see a great animation film you don't know of? Princess Arete (by Studio4C) (this just came out of dvd in recent years) Nasu: Summer in Andalusia ( and it's sequel) ( i even have a video on hidden gems)

Princess Arete (2001)

Thought I was watching a 2020 film; how did I miss this masterpiece.

[5 April 2020]

Amazing art style, very ghibli-like, and also miyazaki-like in terms of story and metaphors. The director and producer have worked with Hayao Miyazaki and I'm sure many others in the team have.

Definitely "swept under the rug". This film is a hidden gem. One that is up there with the ghibli giants.

For most viewers these days it could be hard to get through this film due to the slow pacing (yet your attention/curiosity is maintained!), not much music used, not your crisp 2K resolution HD video production like Ponyo, The Wind Rises, etc.(; this is more like older Ghibli movies and 'shows'... because it is 2001! not 2020!) The animation and its techniques are great, "ghibli" backgrounds are great. Doesn't have that Joe Hisashi music touch, but is great as it is; it's quiet moments aren't dull.

I hope people spread this film, as the message is important perhaps more so now than ever.

A magical film.

Free Dance (2016)

Beautiful and artistic piece of art

[19 November 2019]

Has that vibe of being a timeless piece / transcends time, so anyone can watch it.

great dance choreography, like super well done. lots of WOW moments, like why haven't I seen such moves before?

Great music. really really good music from all the spread of genres in it.