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Devastated by the inability to properly use his hands after a gruesome car accident, headstrong neurosurgeon Steven Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) finds a possible solution in Nepal, where a order of monks are tapping into mystical powers and preparing for a ruinous strike from a roguish former student. DOCTOR STRANGE should be celebrated as one of the more original visions of super heroics on film if not for the straight up fact that it follows the standard, now tiresome Marvel movie formula. Yet another origin story with an arrogantly smart and sarcastic white male who has a major setback, slowly become nicer and more powerful with outside guidance, has a flirty relationship with a white female in a throwaway subplot, and saves the world from a villain destined to die. It even offers up a scene where Strange mocks and compares a stoic guy's one word name to famous pop culture artists like Beyonce, thus leading to an obvious gag later on where the mocked one is merrily listening to a pop song amid ancient decorum. Though Marvel fatigue is sitting in my heart and I was further dismayed by the poor handling of hand-to-hand magic battles, the film is still an entertaining ride with a plethora of audacious flourishes not seen in the average blockbuster. The special effects are mindbogglingly fantastic, from the surreal mind trips to the dimensional rejiggering of gravity and mass to the finale where the importance of time is graphically fought over. I also heavily applauded the deviations director Scott Derrickson and his co-writers brought to the story, such as the creation of a mirror world in order to have big mystic exchanges without harming real people and buildings, the romantic angle not leading to a happy ending, and especially how the flexible maneuvers and hypocritical nature of the film's top heroes brings about harsh ramifications. The film ultimately tides you over thanks to its magical theatrics and the breadcrumbs of future films but it will forever remain as just another serviceably good entry in the pantheon of Marvel movies.
FINAL REVIEW: 3 / 5
Though Veteran's Day would best be served to celebrate the living and the fallen who fought for our freedom, I like many thousands of people instead spent the day trying to locate Nintendo's NES Classic Edition. One of the hottest products this holiday season, it was destined to be sold out come the end of the day but all of us were thrown off by the severe lack of supply across the nation and online. Alas, my early trip to Target was for naught as I was #15 in line when my local brick-and-mortar store only possessed 12 boxed copies. I'm pretty chill about my predicament, as I expect to snag one once Nintendo gets their act together and flood the market by January next year, but I have to contend with a lot of salt being thrown online and egregious scalpers plaguing eBay and Amazon.
The clear successful gamble of this product has caused many video game fans to ponder what Nintendo will do next. Most people and myself agree that a SNES Classic Edition is the natural course of action, followed close behind with a Nintendo 64 version and/or an upgraded NES Edition. Since we have plenty of time to dream one up before Nintendo continues their "license to print money" aspirations and make it a true reality, I decided to come up with my interpretation of the machine. As with the game quota in the NES Classic, I will choose only 30 video games, all of whom were released in North America and only ones that would plausibly be bundled in.
1. ActRaiser
We kick things off with the system's most underrated game. New players can enjoy playing God on the ground and in the sky with this part platformer, part simulation gem.
2. Breath of Fire
The first of several (!) RPGs on this list. Though I vastly prefer the sequel also on the SNES, I can guess that Capcom would rather shine the light on its unsung role-playing series with the original iteration. Hopefully, they fix it up and give it a better translation.
3. Contra III: The Alien Wars
Since Super C is on the NES Classic, why not have the Contra series continue holding it spot and fill it with its most acclaimed work. Filled with awesome action sequences and giant bosses, this is a sure-fire bet. However, the overhead levels will have new players squirming in their couches.
4. Donkey Kong Country
Rare couldn't add this classic on to their Xbox One exclusive Rare Replay due to Nintendo's ownership of the Donkey Kong character. What better way to stick to them then to release the 1994 platforming masterpiece.
5. Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
Looking to keep the streak going and have another featured trilogy be included, Nintendo would logically have DKC's much improved upon sequel.
6. Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!
Sadly, due to the obligations of featuring a trilogy, this black sheep of the DKC franchise would also have to be programmed in. Dixie is always great but no one, and I mean no one, loves Kiddy Kong.
7. Earthbound
Oh boy, what a rush it will be if this makes it on the real list. The internet will be aflame and fanboys will be more overjoyed than when it was released on the Wii U Virtual Console. They would still complain about the lack of Mother 3 though. Anyway, Nintendo has been desperately trying to push this magnum opus on to the public ever since its less than stellar reception in 1994. What better way to have it the most human hands imaginable than including it on the SNES Classic.
8. F-Zero
It's sadly dormant today but this futuristic racing game with its Mode 7 graphics revolutionized console gaming and made the title a worthy pick among the first five of the SNES launch.
9. Final Fantasy II
Oh yes, I'm going with this pick under its awful original North American name. Actually the forth entry of the series, this game may not be the very best among the FF titles released on the SNES but it is still popular among gamers and would easily fill the spot the original Final Fantasy has.
10. Final Fight 2
Capcom better include this specific beat-em-up title on to the list. The first Final Fight sold helluva lot more on the SNES but was rightfully lambasted for its lack of 2 Player Mode and the inability to play as Guy. The first console-only sequel fixed the former problem and helped keep the legacy of Mike Haggar and his crime-busting antics.
11. Gradius III
Another one of the First Five. Never played it personally but I know it has a lot of admirers. Plus, its history as one of the original launch titles and the inclusion of Gradius on the NES Classic makes this pick a wise choice.
12. Kirby's Dream Land 3
I bet Nintendo will be a massive troll and have this Kirby game make the cut instead of Kirby Super Star. It's fine by itself and has 2 Player Mode but again, it's no Kirby Super Star.
13. The Legend of the Mystical Ninja
My dark horse pick, this game was one of those titles you and your friends had a lot fun renting out all the time but never owning a copy. It's very hard but Goemon really deserves some attention.
14. The Legend of Zelda: A Link To The Past
Nothing really needs to be said.
15. Mega Man X
The Blue Bomber was going through some tough times on the dying NES but this spin-off game was a huge shot of adrenaline to the franchise. One of the most replayable games of all time and featuring one of the very best gaming soundtracks.
16. Pilotwings
Ugh. Another pick simply just for historical sake. I've never been personally keen on this flight simulator game nor its Nintendo 64 sequel.
17. Secret of Mana
I think Square will continue to troll the hardcore gamers and have this be one of their picks instead of more popular RPG fare. Regardless, this real-time action RPG is a heavy hitter and an artfully made classic.
18. Sim City
Four for four with the First Five SNES games. It might have to be cleared through EA but the Nintendo developed version of the classic city simulator game is a worthy inclusion.
19. Star Fox
Good Luck! We already have a shoot-em-up game on the lsit but not the one that really made the system stand out. This blew a lot of minds at the time thanks to its 3D Super FX graphics.
20. Street Fighter II Turbo
I will forever have the Sega Genesis' Special Championship Edition firmly attached to my heart but then and now, I will always have to say that this updated version of the mega-successful fighting game is the best one from the Fourth Generation.
21. Super Castlevania IV
The only good SNES Castlevania to come to the States in this specific era of gaming. The dark production design, unique usage of Simon Belmont's whip and the Mode 7 graphics help make this a big hit.
22. Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts
Many new players will loathe the experience of playing the NES version of Ghosts 'n Goblins on the NES Classic. If Capcom retains a spot for this series, they can immediately change hearts and minds with this upgraded take. It's still incredibly hard though.
23. Super Mario Kart
Out of all of these games here, this is the very one that will have the casuals come out in full force for. The perfect party game and the best reason to own a SNES Classic.
24. Super Mario World
This is a no brainer. It helped sell the Super Nintendo when it originally came out due to its then advanced graphics and music and the sheer fact that it was packed in with every console.
25. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Much to the detriment of video game journalist and noted hater Jeff Gerstmann, the infamous sequel to Super Mario World is an easy pick to be included. Now newer generations can see and hear why everyone hates Baby Mario with a passion!
26. Super Metroid
Samus does not receive a lot of love anymore from Nintendo nowadays but everyone should have a chance to play her finest hour in gaming.
27. Super Punch-Out!!
Swap out the original Punch-Out!! for its graphically superior sequel. Makes perfect sense.
28. Super R-Type
Not well known at all today but Super R-Type is a classic shoot-em-up and a big SNES title to get in the early days of the system.
29. Tetris Attack
The lack of Tetris on the NES Classic had a lot of people perplexed. Hoping to make up for the snub and fill in the gap left by Dr. Mario, I can see Nintendo including this fun puzzle game. Too bad it has absolutely nothing to do with the game of Tetris and is actually Panel de Pon, aka the first game of the Puzzle League series.
30. Uniracers
And we end with the most joyous and exhilarating racing game on the SNES. Trust me, you and your friends will be going crazy for these insanely fast and stunt friendly unicycles.
O-ei Katsushika has to contend with the various misadventures she and her father, the legendary artist Hokusai, get into in order to make commissions and find some semblance of joy and inspiration amid the hubbub of 1800's Edo. MISS HOKUSAI is a breezy anime film that actively wants you to kick off your shoes and take in the carefree demeanor and camaraderie of ancient artists. It is told through a series of vignettes, constantly fading in and out from each one, which makes the sheer fact that this was adapted from a manga even more obvious. All of the short stories are well supervised by Keiichi Hara, whose extensive background as an anime television director is a double-edged sword to the film, and colorfully put together by anime powerhouse Production I.G, who gets to have a couple of moments to show off such as an impressively fluid tracking shot and a few surreal sequences done in different animated styles. The movie also clearly wants to shed some light on O-ei, showing her emotionally difficult relationship with her father, both in a personal and professional sense, while also bringing to light the unique artistry she herself envisioned and put to paper. The unconventional narrative structure and lack of urgency may be a bit odd to handle but there are some unfortunate creative choices that really hurt the picture. Several pieces of the musical score are supplied with electric guitars, which just doesn't work at all in the context of this period dramedy. More egregiously, however, is the ending, as it feels like it comes out of nowhere with no proper build, only to then have O-ei come back out and verbally explain what happened in her latter life, only to then give some historic insight through some ending credits, and then finally concluding with a harsh cut to modern times. To make matters worse, the current theatrical release was given a bad translation by a British company, as the English subtitles are riddled with typos, poor sentences, "u"s in words that don't have them, and substituting "sensei" with "maestro". Best to see it once it comes to video as by then you'll have a fine foreign film with better subtitling and proper time to chill out.
FINAL REVIEW: 3 / 5
