Blog of Matti Paalanen - Reviews, thoughts and frozen silence

I’ve watched a couple of episodes of Mad men and I have to say I’m sort of hooked. The series has nice rhythm, well written characters and interesting concept. As an added bonus, most of the female actors are incredibly beautiful, something a silly chap like myself can not overvalue! Not sure yet if the magic will hold or not, but so far so good. If you are looking for semi serious drama with nostalgia and sense of intrigue, you could go for Mad Men

Star Trek was originally created by Gene Roddenberry and it is one of the most important sci-fi classics in the media of film. Later many continuation series were produced that built on the same universe and from those series TNG is in my opinion the best. It is warm, mellow and hopeful. Unlike in Battlestar Galactica, humanity has managed to transcend into responsible and better beings and the series revolve around the concept of exploration and knowledge. Patrick Stewart manages to flesh out an exceptional character from captain Jean-Luc Picard - he has got to be one of the best leaders ever written. You could say that Picard is the series. He has the final call on most of the things and most often he makes decisions that allow situations to resolve without excessive violence or conflict.

Some would say TNG is too charming and easy going a series, and I’m ready to admit that, but to me, there’s nothing wrong in charming and easy. I enjoy the funny moments, small jokes, interaction between the characters and the way the crew works. There are so many exceptional moments in the series that it carries it over the occasional weak moments. Data, Worf and Picard make up the most enjoyable trio with the entity Q thrown into the mix. From those four such lively situations are made that I just can’t smile enough.

If you are into science fiction and enjoy easy going atmosphere, I recommend checking out TNG. There are some excellent episodes out there just waiting for you to watch them!

One word: cocksucker.

Deadwood updated the genre of Western into modern 2.0 version. It got a lot more grittier, raw and brutal. There’s mud, swearing, blood, pain and whores. There’s whisky, struggle for power, ideals and decency mixed with trauma caused by the hard times and world where everyone has to endure conflict and loss. If there’s one character that embodies that is Deadwood, it’s got be Al Swearengen played by marvelous Ian McShane.

Like with most of the HBO series, the level of production is top notch. Casting, scenery, the look and feel, dialogue, everything just works. Deadwood has divided the audience to those that hate it and those that love it. But at least it has the courage to take a leap into one direction and not succumb into boring middle that tries to bow towards everyone. Yes, there is a lot of swearing going on, and yes, the historical west probably wasn’t exactly like this, but hell, if it’s enjoyable and feels belieavable, I’m not complaining. After all, it’s not a documentary.

I’ve always been a fan of Aaron Sorkin. He manages to write excellent, fluid dialogue that has tight and enjoyable rhythm and it makes you think and smile. The West Wing is probably his best work so far and if I didn’t have the first seasons in my DVD closet, I’d be a hollow man.

With the series, Sorkin manages to paint a vivid image of the political intricacies going on at the top level of U.S. power struggle between democrats and republicans. Martin Sheen embodies the presidency with the character Josiah Bartlet in such a way, that if he would run for presidency, most likely most of the U.S. citizens would vote for him - Bartlet is written so well that he in many way defines the perfect president.

There are many excellent moments in the series, but I think it’s enough to say that there are no weak aspects in the production. The camera work, casting, scripting, directing, everything just works so damn well. The illusion of being there is unbroken throughout the series (although sadly the quality and vision drops quite a bit after 5th Season). If you don’t find politics too boring and would like to have some virtual look at the way things supposedly could work in the White House, you wouldn’t go wrong by picking up this series.

The thing about The West Wing is that after you have watched it for some time, the characters have become so real that you actually feel a sense of loss when you leave the series. And to me, that is the ultimate definition of a good series.

Some background information first: Nobuhiro Watsuki is the creator of a popular manga-series, that tells a tale of a lonely ronin, Kenshin, who lives his life traveling around in late 19th century Japan. Series is quite light-hearted, joyful and absolutely unrealistic, but there are bits and pieces there which occasionally raise deeper and more meaningful emotions and thoughts to the surface. The most remarkable of these pieces is sort of a flashback-storyline that tells us how Kenshin became what he is.

This background story of Kenshin’s past is brought to life in a remarkable way by Furuhashi Kazuhiro: This four-part anime is called Reminiscence and it tells a sad story of an orphan boy, who is thrown into a middle of the tumultous civil war, which razed across Japan in the middle of 19th century. Trained by masterful swordsman Kenshin tries to hold on to his ideals and believes that the world can be made a better place for everybody even though the way to the new world is laden with blood and corpses. So he joins the revolutionarists and lends his sword-arm to the leaders becoming one of the deadliest assassins world has seen. But no young mind can endure such a work, no matter how realistic the original reasons and hopes were, and slowly Kenshin is buried under responsibilities and guilt.

Through Kenshin we’re shown the cruelty and depth of political struggling. But the most mind-tearing part of the storyline is the relationship between Kenshin and a young woman. Shared silence and understanding can mend deep wounds and build bridges over chasms. But alas, nothing beautiful can last long in the middle of a raging storm. Love, even when shred to pieces, will endure, but it is painted with even deeper sadness than loneliness.

Thankfully all this is wrapped with Taku Iwasaki’s exceptional score. Music delivers us all there is to deliver and when the last 10 minutes of this masterpiece flow past our eyes and ears, it’s time to let go and let the tears flow.

I seriously can’t recommend this enough - 5/5

Haibane Renmei is an exceptional piece of animation. Created by Yoshitoshi Abe, this 13-episode long series takes the spectator on a mellow and emotional, dreamlike journey, devoid of violence, explosions and intense situations. Haibane Renmei is a story of guilt and forgiveness, of friendship and of reincarnation. Because there are many mysteries and questions tied to the story, I won’t tell you much about it, but the story revolves around countryside community, at time when there wasn’t any industry and people led quiet and serene lives. In the beginning storyline takes us through everyday situations where the relationships and characters are brought to life, but as the story heads for its ending the pace is quickened and we’re beset by mysteries and questions regarding the world, the people and the very basis of the story presented.

This series is a paramount example of the style of anime I personally enjoy the most. It is slow, introspective and flows like a good book or fable. The score plays a big part in the story and is very consistent with the basic atmosphere. Built with piano, percussions, harps and strings, it deepens many touching moments. Kou Ootani is one of my favourite composers and his work on the series soundtrack is truly worth mentioning.

A true masterpiece - 5/5