Chuunibyou demo koi ga Shitai! Ren Lite - Episode 1

中二病でも恋がしたい！戀 Lite: こたつむり
Chuunibyou demo koi ga Shitai! Ren Lite - Kotatsu Muri
Translation Special

View here: http://strawberryshortcake-extras.blogspot.com/2014/03/chuunibyou-demo-koi-ga-shitai-ren-lite.html

Kyoukai no Kanata Special - Episode 1

境界の彼方

Kyoukai no Kanata Screen Shot Special - Episode 1

View here: http://strawberryshortcake-extras.blogspot.com/2014/03/kyoukai-no-kanata-special-episode-1.html

Miyakawa-ke no Kuufuku

Image from: http://luckystar.wikia.com/wiki/Miyakawa-ke_no_Kufuku

Name: Miyakawa-ke no Kuufuku 宮河家の空腹

Spin off: Lucky Star
Status: Completed
Episode: 10
Release date (for eng subs): -


Summary:
This anime talks about the Miyakawa family (characters was shown in Lucky Star before). Their family only consist of an older sister, and a younger sister. Since the older sister always spends her money on her hobbies, they are usually poor. The short anime talks about their daily life.

Summary by: AngelaAgness


Personal Ratings: 3.5
Honestly, I think that this anime has a lot of flaws. Partly because it's not really a complete anime. But I think some of this flaws made the anime more appealing. 
Like the fact that the anime does not really have a main point. It's talking about random stuff, and also the newbie sounding seiyuu (voice actor). I think the newbie sounding seiyuu really makes the anime more innocent and balanced. Since the other seiyuus all sound very perfect.

I think this anime is just nice for those people without much patient, as each episodes are really short, and it only has 10 episode. Though, i really wished they make it into a longer series anime. 


Art Ratings: 5
Same as Lucky Star


Recommended for:
Gender: Female 
Age: 13 and above
My Ratings: PG

Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo

Image from: http://teguhcacoeluz.blogspot.sg/

Name: The Pet Girl of Sakurasou さくら荘のペットな彼女 Sakura-sou no Pet na Kanojo

Status: Completed
Episodes: 24
Release Date (for eng subs): -


Summary:
The school romantic comedy revolves around a second-year high school student named Sorata Kanda who lives in Sakurasou, the dormitory for problem children at Sorata's school. One day, Mashiro Shiina—a cute girl who happens to be also a cosmopolitan, brilliant artist—moves into Sakurasou.
Sorata thinks to himself that he should protect Mashiro from the weirdos at Sakurasou, but Mashiro has a surprising secret: she has no idea how to take care of herself. She gets lost if she goes out, and her room is a complete mess. Sorata's dorm mates designate him as the "master" of Mashiro, and thus, an ordinary boy and a brilliant girl must live like "a master and his pet." 

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/13759/Sakurasou_no_Pet_na_Kanojo
Summary source: ANN



Personal Ratings: 3.5
I think that this show has the proper balance between serious and comedy. 
Though the transactions between the two may be a little too fast some times. I also think that the 2nd half of the anime has more serious and sad parts to it, as compared to the first half of the anime where is there is more comedy. 

I've seen many anime of the same type of genre (leaving in dorms with weird people). And I think that what really made this anime stand out more within the same types of anime is the proper balance of serious and comedy. It does not only focus on comedy, but also more logical comedy. This really helps the views to relate to the anime, especially when they are talking about the different points of views of people with talents and people without.
The difference between the talented ones and the hard working ones. I think this part of the anime, which is probably the main message that the anime wants to convey to the viewers. 
Each and every character in the anime really plays a part in conveying the message. Which I really liked. Because the anime shows different point of views and the different situations. 
The last episode was so touching! Honestly thought that it would be a total happy ending. So I was really surprised when the ending was half sad and half happy. 

I find that the anime is kind of incomplete, because even though it's clear that the main character likes Shiina and Shiina likes the main character, it was never really liked finalized. 
Also find that there are some parts of the show that wasn't really needed. (especially the excessive undergarments).
I also thought that the change in Ryuunosuke was too sudden. Because the whole of the first part of the anime, he was never out of his room. But in the 2nd half of the anime, he was rarely not seen.

I'm hoping that there is a 2nd season for this show!!



Art Ratings: 3.5
I liked the art. Even though when you see it from far, it doesn't seem very nice (especially since the eyes are very edgy). But in the animation, it was really nice.



Recommended for:
Gender: Female
Age: 15 and above
My Ratings: PG-13

Ano Natsu de Matteru

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/11433/Ano_Natsu_de_Matteru

Name: Waiting in the Summer あの夏で待ってる Ano Natsu de Matteru

Status: Completed
Episode: 12
Release Date (for eng subs): -


Summary:
When a group of friends decide to make a movie over a long summer holiday, they end up learning a little about filmmaking and a lot more about each other and themselves. What begins as a simple way to avoid the summer doldrums quickly turns into something much more complex, intimate and revealing, as the maturing relationships between the members of the young cast take on new, and sometimes very unexpected, turns. 

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/11433/Ano_Natsu_de_Matteru
Summary Source: Sentai Filmworks 


Personal Ratings: 3.5
Since this anime has the word "ano", I keep thinking that it was the same producers that made this made Anohana. Though there is a little resemblance in the art and animation, there was almost no connection. Even so, throughout the whole anime, I kept comparing it with anohana. Even though, they are both really different genre. 
In the middle, I actually preferred Anohana more, because it more realistic and less confusing. But in the end, this anime really shocked me with the ending scene. I think anime is more fun and colourful as compared to the more mature and sad anohana. But strangely, I kind of like sad shows. So I really liked the ending for this anime. 
I think the relationship issues between the character is really similar to Anohana. Really sad and complicated kind.  

I think this anime is really filled with a lot of colours. (not the literal meaning). There is a lot of emotions, and pretty much most of the time, the anime was filled with joy. 
I thought the start of the anime really really unique. I think it really helped pull the whole anime together, because they really captured the viewers from their starting few episode. Loved the ending part, where they really made the Man In Black (MIB) thing happen when fighting with the alien machines. I think that idea was really unique and cute. Especially loved the fact that they had actually gave us the whole idea about the MIB thing, but still made us think that that wasn't going to happen. So when MIB really did appear, it really made the whole scene exciting. 
I also liked the way the relationships had gone, especially nearing the end, where even though the characters couldn't really be with the one they truly liked, they still found happiness. I also really liked the part where they showed all the relationship issues. (all the crying and all their feelings being hurt.) I think it was really well portrayed. 

Although I felt that most of the parts in this anime was good, I felt that some ideas were a little too abstract, as compared to the more normal stuff which was the main issue on hand. I also felt that some things were too "colourful". It kind of made the whole anime a little overwhelming at some point, but was luckily toned down by the beginning and ending. It was also a sad thing that they didn't really show much about their high school life, but more of the filming and the summer holidays.
I also had my doubts when the main character was so plain, as compared to the other characters in the show. But I guess that was what had made him stand out the most within the group. (of course, together with the main girl). 


Art Ratings: 3
Really cute art. Love the animation. But I find that they draw the characters really rounded (especially the hair). And I didn't really like some of the hair colour they used.


Recommended for:
Gender: Female
Age: 15 and above
My Ratings: PG-13

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Image from: http://teaser-trailer.com/movie/hobbit-2/

Name: The Hobbit: the Desolation of Smaug

Sequel: The Hobbit: The Battle of the 5 Armies

Prequel: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Release Date (in Singapore): 12 December 2013

Watched on: 14 December 2013

Summary:

The dwarves, along with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey, continue their quest to reclaim Erebor, their homeland, from Smaug. Bilbo Baggins is in possession of a mysterious and magical ring.

Summary from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1170358/

Personal Ratings: 3

I find that for this part, there was almost no emphasis on the main characters. The show was really flat. I'm not sure why, but I feel that the climax for this show was not really showed properly. So when you look back at the show as a whole, you would feel like there was no climax.

For me, the thing that I really liked about this movie was the elfs. I love the way they fought. Really swift and composed. Loved the way they fought using the bows and arrows. Also kind of liked the humor they put into the show. I think it's funny how the dwarves keeps getting captured.

There were some really dry parts, and some that really got me really tensed. But I think the reason why this movie still feels kind of boring is because of the length. It was really loooong. Like it almost hit 3 hrs.

Recommended for:

Gender: Male & Female

Age: 13 and above

Ratings: PG-13

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Image from: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/hunger-games-catching-fire-poster-393446

Name: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Prequel: Hunger Games
Release Date (in Singapore): 21 November 2013
Watched on: 13 December 2013


Summary:

The continuation of the first movie, Hunger Games. Where they show the new life of Katniss and Peeta, who had won the hunger games. However, they were forced to fight again, among the previous winners.

Summary by: AngelaAgness


Personal Ratings: 3

I really liked Jennifer's acting here alot. I thought that the way they spread the movie over was really weird, and there seem to be not much of a climax. Instead of seeing this movie as one movie on it's own, it seems to be relying a lot on the next few parts to come, unlike the first movie (Hunger Games), where it can be watched as a movie on it's own. 

I feel that, similar to the first movie, the part where the games start there are always a few unknown people who were in the game and died without us knowing about how they actually died. I don't really like that. I feel that each and every character participating in the game is important, especially since they actually bothered to show they 'talents' before the game started. It seems to me like they places way too much time in the front few parts (about all the random events and what not), other than the main point of this movie. 

I still love the random dress's effects. Even though it's mainly the same concept as the first movie, I still think it's really pretty :3. I actually liked how they linked this games with what happened in the first game, like about Katniess shooting the arrow into the view room during the talent showcase time.   

Cannot wait for the next parts to come.

Recommended for:
Gender: Male & Female
Age: 13 and above
Ratings: PG-13

Ender's Game

Image from: http://www.impawards.com/2013/enders_game_ver20.html

Name: Ender's Game

Release Date (in Singapore): 7 November 2013
Date Watched: 24 November 2013


Summary:
The Earth was ravaged by the Formics, an alien race seemingly determined to destroy humanity. Seventy years later, the people of Earth remain banded together to prevent their own annihilation from this technologically superior alien species. Ender Wiggin, a quiet but brilliant boy, may become the savior of the human race. He is separated from his beloved sister and his terrifying brother and brought to battle school in orbit around earth. He will be tested and honed into an empathetic killer who begins to despise what he does as he learns to fight in hopes of saving Earth and his family.

Summary by: CrystalSinger45, Jesse Daniels, strouda56
Summary from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1731141/plotsummary


Personal Ratings: 3
I find this show a lot better than Hunger Games 1. But I prefer the way Hunger Games planned out their time allocations for each part of the movie. I find that this movie does not seem to have a proper climax. 

I kinda liked the movie, it was unique in the normal way. in the sense that their judgments from the higher ups are kind of different from what I'm used to be facing. Honestly, there are times in the movie where I could have never thought that the main character would be able to get out of the bad situation. I liked how the main character was worried over hurting people. Instead of other people being all judgmental about him, they took his side, which was something different from most books.  

I liked how they slowly showed the progress he had while trying to win people over to his side. But I feel that there was not enough time and emphasis on the actual strategic scenes. They also should have showed more obvious signs of the aliens trying to communicate with Ender throughout the movie. I just felt that the end of the movie came really soon, where else some parts of the movie just seem to be a little to draggy. I think for the last part, after Ender was told that he actually won the war and that was not a test, should have been a little longer, especially when portraying his emotions (before he decided to talk to the aliens).


Recommended for:
Gender: Female & Male
Age: 13 and above
Ratings: PG

Captain Philips

Image from: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/64581

Name: Captain Philips

Date Released (in Singapore): 14 November 2013
Date Watched: 16 November 2013


Summary:
This movie is about captain Philips and the pirates. He got captured by the Somali pirates while trying to save the rest of his crew. It shows how he was treated by the Somali's pirates, and how he got rescued.

Summary by: AngelaAgness


Personal Ratings: 2.5
Honestly, there was nothing much about this movie that struck, very much, to me as unique or entertaining. It was mostly as I expected, maybe a little lower. 
Though, the most interesting part for me would be how the ships operates, and how the navy take cares of situations like this. Since I have no idea, and have never seem much (in movies or animation), about proper operations in big ships. I honestly thought that there would be more men on board such a huge ship. I liked the part about how they try to lose the pirates that were just about to board the cargo ship.

I thought that Philips in the show would be a lot more.... (efficient..?) Like I thought there is always meaning behind his actions, but from the show, there were quite a lot of actions in which he had done that didn't seem to be helping him escape (were quite redundant if I must say). I thought that he would slowly gain a little of their trust, and talk them out a little. The last part was also a bit of a question mark. Was he actually sad for the three people that were killed? or was he so happy that he got out of the situation? I also didn't like how the camera shakes a lot. I don't really get why they have to shake the camera so much. Even though I know it's to show how intense the scene is, but honestly, with that much shaking, I cannot actually tell what was going on in those scenes.


Recommended for:
Gender: Male & Female
Age: 13 and above
Ratings: PG

Ookiku Furikabutte 2

Image from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/7720/Ookiku_Furikabutte:_Natsu_no_Taikai_Hen

Name: Ookiku Furikabutte Natsu no Taikaihen おおきく振りかぶって　〜夏の大会編〜
Prequel: Ookiku Furikabutte

Status: Completed
Episode: 13
Release Date (for eng subs): -


Summary:
Picking up where the original series left off, Ren Mihashi, the ace pitcher of the newly-formed Nishiura High School baseball team, and his teammates face the Sakitama High School team in the next round of the High School Baseball Invitational Tournament as they aim to play in the finals at legendary Hanshin Koushien Stadium.

Summary from: http://myanimelist.net/anime/7720/Ookiku_Furikabutte:_Natsu_no_Taikai_Hen
Summary Source: ANN


Personal Ratings: 3

I found this season a whole lot better than the previous season. There is more progress in each episodes, and unlike the previous season, they emphasis more on the parts that are relevant. It really made the whole show go a lot faster, and seem less draggy. 

Still a unique anime. I'm hoping there would be a 3rd season for this anime because it seemed like it ended without a proper ending. 

I think I really liked this season because it properly shows the problems of each player. Seems more in depth than the first season, whereby they just choose to show specific strategies on each team. Still love all the characters in this show. If they have a 3rd season, I'm hoping that they would show more of the individual training, especially for the main three people.

Art Ratings: 3

I really like the colours they used for this anime. Drawing is not that fantastic, but really works with the colours and the personality. 

Recommended for:
Gender: Male & Female
Age: 13 and above
My Ratings: PG