The 'Supergirl'/'Flash' Crossover Is 2016 TV's Most Delightful Event So Far

I don’t do TV episode reviews/reactions, but I have to make an exception for Supergirl season 1 episode 18, entitled “Worlds Finest.”  It’s just that awesome.  In fact, so far, it’s probably the most delightful thing I’ve seen on TV this year – yes, even counting Sherlock: The Abominable Bride and Daredevil Season 2.

If nothing else the episode is the anti-Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  It’s gratifying, not disappointing.  It’s upbeat, not gloomy.  Most importantly, it’s overwhelmingly fun, not depressingly messy.  Actually, “Worlds Finest” is a likely reference to “World’s Finest”, a nickname for Batman and Superman as a duo (as well as the title of their first comic book series together).   Now, having Batman and Superman together in the big screen should have been a “World’s Finest”; instead, who would have thought that seeing Supergirl and Flash together in the small screen would turn out being more rewarding and thrilling than that.

'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' Is a Mess of Awesomeness

Coming to this movie, I know that it is strongly disliked by the critics.  But even without those bad reviews, right from the start, there were already elements of its production that made me worry.  No, casting Ben Affleck as Batman was not one of them.  The first red flag for me was the title.  I hated the annoyingly pretentious use of “v” instead of “vs.” Furthermore, putting “Dawn of Justice” as subtitle suggested that the script would heavily shoo-in elements that would set up the Justice League movie, potentially distracting the focus on what the movie should essentially be: Batman and Superman clashing.  Second, the trailers seemed to have revealed so much information about the plot already.

All in all, now that I’ve finally seen it, I find Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice convoluted, problematic, and messy.  My initial dislike for the implications of the title and trailers are justified.  However, I don’t reflect the brutality of the critics’ negative reception of it.   I don’t think it’s that awful.   It actually has terrific aspects as well.

First, let me discuss the negatives.  (By the way, there are going to be SPOILERS in this review.)

'Digimon Adventure tri.' Slightly Picks Up in 'Ketsui'

Ketsui (“Determination” in English), the second installment of the six-part Digimon Adventure tri. movie series, is unfortunately still as dawdling as Saikai (“Reunion”), the first movie.  However, it’s still an improvement – mostly thanks to its final ten minutes.

‘The Boy and the Beast’ Tells a Touching Tale About Learning and Loneliness

Bakemono no Ko – translated The Boy and the Beast in English – is a full-length anime feature about a runaway street orphan named Ren who stumbles into a secret magical world of beasts, wherein he is taken in by a bear-warrior named Kumatetsu to be his protégé and is renamed Kyuta.  Though the two of them frequently argue, they gradually develop a de facto father-and-son relationship and learn from each other.

With Studio Ghibli in an indefinite break from making movies, I’m delighted that The Boy and the Beast seems to serve as a statement that other Japanese studios are stepping up, that there won’t necessarily be a drought of fantastic anime films just because Ghibli’s gone.

Indeed, The Boy and the Beast is a very luscious, touching anime film.

Kobe Should Coach the Lakers (At Least, for a Season)

As the 2015-2016 regular season draws nearer to its close, Kobe Bryant is nearly at the end of his farewell tour.  But as I savor his last moments as an NBA player, I also can’t help but to muse on what his post-NBA player life will be like.

In some interviews, he has provided a glimpse of his plans after retirement.  He has said that, with now enough time in his hands, he wants to try stuff he has never done before, like skiing, surfing, and skydiving.  He has also declared he wants to focus on his company, Kobe Inc., and one of his projects is, by means of Kobe Studios, to tell others’ stories through movies, books, and other media.

Those are interesting pursuits.  But there are many who like it more for Kobe to take a non-player job in the NBA.  I personally prefer that he be an analyst, since I believe he has the intelligence and eloquence to be an interesting one.  But, for some years now, fans have spoken the sentiment that Kobe should give coaching a shot once he retires, since, even as a player, he has been observed many times to seemingly have an aptitude for coaching.  And considering the present situation of the Lakers now, this scenario is looking very preferable.

Thus, I propose that the Lakers replace Byron Scott with Kobe Bryant as head coach.  At least, for the 2016-2017 season.

Who Do I Want to Be President? Abraham Lincoln

The Philippine presidential election is about two months away, and I’m still pretty much undecided who I will vote for.  When I was recently asked who I want to be president, I answered jokingly, “Abraham Lincoln.”  I further explained that Lincoln is my most favorite president in history and I will probably vote for the one that I feel is closest to his essence (though none of these five presidentiables are marginally in the same level of Lincoln).

There was a time during my childhood when I primarily enjoyed reading biographical and historical books – especially when it comes to wartimes (in fact, back then, I was more interested and familiar with world history than Philippine history, which was what was being taught at school); this was a time when I still had a naïve, romanticized perspective on war.  During these readings, I found myself drawn to the presidents of the United States of America – again, particularly to the presidents that served during times when the country was engaged in any form of war.  I have a volume of books on US presidents until Bush, Sr. which my parents bought from the “late” MV Doulos (a bookstore-ship that visited our city twice during my childhood; will write a tribute to it sometime in the future), and I read them thoroughly.  Among the US presidents, I became deeply fascinated with Abraham Lincoln, who served during one of my most “favorite” wars in history (again, I was a kid with a naïve, romanticized perspective on war), the American Civil War.

As I read more and more about Lincoln – in articles, books, passages, etc. – my fondness and admiration grew.  Thus, I’ve been an Abraham Lincoln fan since I was young (for the record, my second most favorite US president is Thomas Jefferson, for being an all-around genius).  In fact, a decade ago, 16-year-old me already wrote an essay (a sloppy one) on Abraham Lincoln, in which I called him “The Best President of America.”  In this new essay, I will not only be reiterating the details I had stated in that previous essay, but furthermore, I will also explain why the 16^th President of the United States is my benchmark for what a president of a country should basically be.

'The Lobster' Is a Weird Metaphor

Though The Lobster debuted in the Cannes and has already been released in some European countries in 2015, I will count it as a 2016 film since it has only been widely released this year.

The movie is set in a near dystopian future in which singles are sent to a Hotel, and is required to fall in love and find a romantic partner during their stay within 45 days.  Additional days are rewarded to them by hunting down Loners, singles who refuse to stay in the Hotel and are against romantic coupling, dwelling in the nearby woods.  If they fail to find a partner once their time is up, they are transformed into animals.

The story centers on David (Colin Farrell), a man whose wife recently left him for another man, as he attempts to survive in this macabre culture.  Mild spoilers: the title of the movie is “The Lobster” because David prefers to be turned into a lobster if he fails to find a partner.

'Top Cat Begins' Doesn't Deserve to Be Canon

When I learned that Mexico made a Top Cat 3D animated movie, I was intrigued and perplexed.  Intrigued because Top Cat is one of my most favorite Hanna-Barbera cartoons, and its titular character is one of my most favorite fictional cats.  And perplexed because… Mexico?  Furthermore, looking into it, I learned that it’s not even the first Top Cat movie from Mexico (the first one was back in 2011).  Wow.  Maybe Top Cat has become such a giant pop culture hit in Mexico that a local studio was compelled to license and produce its own movie based on the property… twice!

Don Gato: El Inicio de la Pandilla (translated “Top Cat: The Start of the Gang” in English) – the movie’s original title in Spanish – was first released in Mexican theaters last 2015.  But it’s only this year that the movie is released in English, which has been titled Top Cat Begins.  The movie, if you haven’t guessed it already, tells the story of how Top Cat and his gang came together.

Why ‘Mr. Bean’ Is a Work of Comedy Genius

Mr. Bean is one of my most favorite TV series of all time.  Next to the Blackadder series, it is the best small screen production (best big screen production is, of course, The Lion King) that Rowan Atkinson has involved himself in.

It only has 14 (or 15, depending on how they are presented) episodes made between 1990 and 1995.  But I only got to see them when a local channel, ABC 5, re-aired them (which even as a kid, I already recognized are far superior to the movie) after the first movie’s release (1997).  Because there were only a few of them, ABC 5 ran the episodes over and over again during its block.  Thus, I was able to see these episodes many times over during that time.  But no matter how many times I had seen them already, the show had me laughing so hard.  Maybe it was so because, as a 90’s kid, I had simple tastes.  But the thing is, aside from the Looney Tunes, I can’t remember considering anything else funnier than Mr. Bean back then.

I watched Mr. Bean again as a teen.  The popularity of the Mr. Bean animated series – which was fun in its own right – led Disney Channel to re-run the original live-action series.  During that time, it made me chuckle, but I was no longer laughing aloud like I used to.  It’s not really because I had developed “sophisticated tastes” then and didn’t think of it as funny and amusing anymore.  I still did.  It was probably because I had seen the episodes so many times before as a kid that I had grown “numb” to it.  Fried chicken is delicious, but eat one too many, and you probably won’t find eating it as pleasurable as the first time.

Recently, I decided to binge all episodes of Mr. Bean – something I’ve never done before.  Going into it, I did my best to condition myself as if I’m watching the series for the first time with a critiquing eye.  And you know what?  I enjoyed myself immensely; I laughed my pants off.  I rediscovered what great comedy this show really has, and why the 90’s kid me loved it.  And no, it’s not only because I had undeveloped tastes for entertainment back then.  Choosing to watch it in a fresh perspective, Mr. Bean genuinely stands out as comedy gold.

One Plot Change Would Have Turned 'Harry Potter' into a Masterpiece

Overall, I have fondness for the Harry Potter franchise.  I grew up with the books and enjoyed them; I also find the film adaptations delightful.  However, it has some aspects that I didn’t like.  I also think it’s overrated; I believe that Harry Potter isn’t as great as many people think.  Yes, it made my top 10 list for best fantasy literature, but it only did because I removed science fantasy books in the consideration.

Don’t mistake that I hated Harry Potter.  To be clear with this, let me reiterate: I enjoyed Harry Potter.   It’s not bad literature at all.  It definitely has much more strong points over the flaws I have issues with.  It’s just that I think several other fantasy titles are better.   For example, I think Artemis Fowl is better.

Let me just put it this way: many people think Harry Potter is a “ten out of ten.”  I don’t agree; in my opinion, it’s just 7/10.  Still good, but not perfect.

But I think one change in how the story went would have made it extremely brilliant.  And that is, if Neville Longbottom had been the true Chosen One, and not Harry Potter!

I Want 'The Muppets' to Be Renewed

There’s a sizable amount of hate going on for Disney/ABC’s attempt to make The Muppets relevant on TV again.   Thus, it’s understandable why the recently concluded first season of the new show – titled simply as The Muppets – didn’t do well with the ratings and there’s a good chance it won’t be renewed for a new season.

Why the prevalent hate?  Well, many associate The Muppets with wholesome, family-friendly entertainment.  But in The Muppets – probably in an attempt to be fresh – the humor and themes are somewhat edgier – more adult-oriented.  It’s not exactly blatantly racy or crude, but it’s something one won’t comfortably rate as “G”.  And that’s why it’s a turn off for them.

But here’s the thing:  I don’t think The Muppets is primarily meant for children anyway.  I think its intended audience are those who grew up on The Muppets, who are adults now, fully capable of handling more “mature” stuff.  Besides, I think the supposedly inappropriate jokes still have enough subtlety in them to go over the heads of juvenile audiences, and only those with enough maturity in their brains will get their naughtiness.

With Such a Quirky Premise, 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' Should Have Been More

I was fairly interested of watching Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  I’ve never read the book written by Seth Grahame-Smith on which the movie is based on, but I’ve been aware of its existence, found the premise amusing, and been curious of its plot.  But since I’m not really compelled to seek, buy, and read the novel, watching the movie adaptation is a favorable alternative to know the story.

Moreover, I like Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which is another “mash-up” property conceived by Seth Grahame-Smith.  I find the kooky reinvention of my most favorite American president as a vampire hunter extremely appealing.  Also, the action sequences are exciting.  Thus, though the movie isn’t necessarily good, I still pretty much enjoyed it.  

So coming into Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, I’m simply expecting to get the same thing I had with Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: a dumb but quirky, entertaining movie.

The (Late) 4th Bernel Zone Awards for Big Screen & Small Screen

Welcome to the 4^th Bernel Zone Awards for Big Screen & Small Screen – this blog’s traditional, informal awards for the previous year’s film and TV.  This is kind of late since, in the past, I did this during February and before the Oscars.  Anyway, it has only been a few days after the 88^th Academy Awards, so there’s still a lot of Oscars talk going around.  And for that, this Bernels is still somewhat timely…

Best Movie Hero: Mark Watney (The Martian)

In my review for the film, I compared Watney to Spider-Man (Peter Parker; need to point this out because various versions of Spider-Men are around at the present), one of my all-time favorite fictional characters ever.  Thus, it comes to no surprise why I get to love this character.   Watney maintains Spidey-like tenacity, courage, optimism, penchant for wisecracks, and level-headed cleverness even when facing an impossible obstacle.

Runners-up: Harry Hart a.k.a. Galahad (Kingsman: The Secret Service), Poe Dameron (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Scott Lang a.k.a. Ant-Man (Ant-Man)

Best TV Hero: The Flash (The Flash)

Here’s another character that I had compared to Spider-Man; I described the first impression of Barry Allen to me during the pilot as “Peter Parker-esque.”  He had lost most of that kind of charm during the series’ progression – especially the witty quips – but he is as lovable and interesting nonetheless.  The Flash is my most favorite TV show of 2015, and the characterization of its titular character is one of the main reasons why.  Wally West (“Timmverse”, comics) is still my most favorite Flash, but this Grant Gustin-portrayed version of Barry Allen is catching up fast.

Runners-up: The Twelfth Doctor (Dr. Who), Saitama (One-Punch Man), Matt Murdock a.k.a. Daredevil (Daredevil)