Networks Movie Reviews

The Severed Head Network DVD is a collection of short movies from directors all over the U.S.
There is a ton of talented independent filmmakers out there needing an outlet for their work. This DVD provided that outlet for some of those filmmakers.
I was inspired and impressed from beginning to end. This is a must see for any aspiring filmmaker or anyone that wants to see the future of cinema.

PICK THIS UP!!!!!!!

Anything Tenchi just plain rules! I myself love every series. This sho was not as well animated at the other 2 (Universe and the OAVS) but is still really good. I recomend this to people who dont just look for action. this show is all about the charicters (it still has action tho) buy it!

This is by far one of the best anime series. This OAV (direct to video) set started the Tenchi DVD universe. There are three different sets in the series Tenchi. First there is the Tenchi OAV (this), the Tenchi TV series (No Need for . . . titles), and then Tenchi in Tokyo. Follow these series are the three movies, however, THIS is the best of all of them. Also if you have seen Tenchi on Cartoon Network, this is the uncut version of it. There is brief nudity in this series.

The title, in English, means "No Need for Tenchi," however, anyone that knows the series knows that everyone needs Tenchi. The story starts when Ryoko (the best character out of the whole anime) is accidentally freed from the shrine that imprisoned her by Tenchi. Boy, does Tenchi regret that he did that for Ryoko decides to take revenge on Tenchi because it was Tenchi ancestor (grandfather) that impressed her in there 700 years ago (yes I said 700). Following Ryoko, other strange alien characters start to "fall" (and I do mean fall) into Tenchi's life.

The story arc was well done and neatly woven together. My only problem is that when the story ends, it doesn't seem complete. It seems like at the end of episode 13, the series is just getting warmed up and not ending. Nonetheless, I still give this series five stars because there are two other Tenchi series to watch, even though they are not a good or as well planed.

The OAV (or direct to video) was the first of the Tenchi series to be produced, not the TV shows as suggested elsewhere. It is by far the best of the three series produced. You'd think the authors of the series lacked imagination, in that they remade this story, three separate times. The second series, "Tenchi Universe", was dumbed down for younger kids to watch on tv, and I can understand that decision from a marketing point of view. Unfortunately, they remade it a third time, from the beginning again, as "Tenchi in Tokyo". The last series began in the future, and told a different origin story in flashback. This boxed set is the first story, and its the best told, plus it makes the most sense as a Science Fiction tale.

The story itself if rather simple, a young Tenchi gets overly curious, and mistakenly releases a 700 year old demon, who takes her original form, as a teenaged girl named Ryoko. Initially wanting revenge for her imprisonment, she begins a path of destruction. Tenchi manages to slow her down, and she takes an interest in him. Unfortunately for Tenchi, and planet Earth, her release has attracted a lot of intergalactic attention. In a short period of time, Tenchi has developed a collection of jealous females, who all want him for various purposes. Ryoko for carnal cravings, Ayeka because she thinks its political destiny, Washu because she wants to experiment on him and his hidden power, Mishoshi because she seems to have the blessings of his grandfather, Ryo-Ohki because it/she likes Tenchi, and Sasami because she thinks she'll grow up and marry him.

The story revolves around the zany antics of those competitors as they compete for Tenchi, but help each other when danger strikes. Tenchi has some action, but is not an action series it is essentially a comedy series. The main strength of Tenchi is the diversity of characters, and its unique view of the universe. You have teleporting space pirates, mega genius scientists, beings who rule the galaxy, and derive their power from giant trees. Every character is well developed, and featured in their own way.

This Box set is somewhat expensive, but does have some nice extras and is very well packaged. The quality of the DVDs is good. This is one of the few series, where the English speaking voice actors, clearly exceed their Japanese counterparts. There is additionally, a set of "No Need For Tenchi" graphic novels, for sale elsewhere on this site. The nice thing about those, is they pick up exactly where this series leaves off, and extend the Tenchi OAV world. Rumors persist of a follow-up to the OAV finally coming out of Japan, but it may be a while yet.

Tenchi muyo is a great anime, but with some nudity kids might want to be sheltered from. I recommend this hilarious viewing to any otaku, old or new! Watch it today!

Network, as a film is a very important one. It's themes are potent, it's script terrific and it's acting impeccable. Is there flaws in Network? Well, not really. Network, if I have ever seen a film is a very good one. AFI ranked Network at number 66- a good ranking for a film so rarely brought up when discussing the topic, Network deserves to be higher up, in my opinion than movies that have no business being on that list. Peter Finch's Howard Beale is a character never to be forgotten- he is a bomb who has exploded, and represents every man today. Everybody is a time bomb, waiting to go off- and most never do. Howard Beale did, and it was Peter Finch's finest hour. It was also, his last. After a career laced with small films and b-movies, Howard Beale died after Network, and left a performance not to be forgotten. Robert Duvall played the token psycho, as usual. Not unlike his character in M*A*S*H, Duvall was calm and collected, but manipulative and domineering, and ultimatley the villain of the piece. Network that is, not M*A*S*H. Unlike M*A*S*H however, Duvall's insanity is never quite revealed. Dunaway plays an ice queen- as usual. Only different this time. In her other films, she is most frequently unafraid of relationship and quite content with telling a guy to back off, not in Network. In Network, she's an overworked backstabber, who, much like Duvall's character manipulates and uses people to the point it makes the user shout out for her to stop. I like to compare this character with Vivien Leigh's poignant Scarlett O'Hara, because like Diana (Dunaway in the movie), Scarlett used people to get her way. Lastly, an old school William Holden and little known actress Beatric Straight play the couple with the marriage on the rocks. We never really learn where this is going due to Holden struggling to keep working, and worrying little with Straight and his family. He cares only, like many other characters about the money. Unlike the other TV officials, Holden also cares about his friend, Howard Beale and what will become of him after the network spits finishes chewing him and spits him out. It makes Holden as sick as us when Beale is exploded by the psychotic TV officials. Network's story is, as mentioned a very potent one, and it is just as important today in our media crazed society. The acting is very well done, especially by the five main cast members. Upon it's year of release, in 1966, Network won four Academy Awards- for Bets Actor (Peter Finch), Best Actress (Faye Dunaway), Best Supporting Actress (Beatrice Straight) and Best Screenplay (Paddy Chayefsky). It deserved all it's award, and in my opinion, Best Picture over the corwd pleaser Rocky. Network remains a very important satire, even today and it sure to please everyone who watches it. It's one of my favorites.

This film is more important than ever now, considering the corporate usurpation almost all of our media. The film is loaded with poweful performances. Watch it. It will change the way you view things.

Most of these reviews talk about how much TV has become just like "UBS" of "Network". This is most obviously true. I believe the media today sacrafices a journalist caught lying on occasion just to cover up the fact that they all lie. But the bigger message in this film is that the media or "UBS" specifically has become a mirror of the world; that we should see how false the WORLD has become when we see this film not just how false telivision is. The most telling scene is not discussed in these reviews--the one where Howard Beale is taken to the Network head who tells him in god-like tones that there are no more nation states; there is no more democracy; that all those concepts are just that--concepts that have had their day and that the new nature; the new over-power is money and it's ebbs and flows and that all morality and ethics stand in its shadow. More than what tv has become this film is about what WE'VE become as individuals in this society.

What's confusing and also intriguing about this unmentioned theme in the film is that once Howard "sees the light"; once he believes that god has spoken to him by way of the Network Head [Ned Beaty], he brings "God's" message to the show which the network head refuses to cancel even when it, because of its now sobering, depressing, rather than merely angry, message, begins to drop in the ratigs. Why would the chief exec allow this to happen if he truely believed in the bottom line he preached to Howard Beale? This satire is so tightly written that I believe there's a good answer here. maybe another reviewer can provide the answer amongst his or her review. Great film.

Network, as a film is a very important one. It's themes are potent, it's script terrific and it's acting impeccable. Is there flaws in Network? Well, not really. Network, if I have ever seen a film is a very good one. AFI ranked Network at number 66- a good ranking for a film so rarely brought up when discussing the topic, Network deserves to be higher up, in my opinion than movies that have no business being on that list. Peter Finch's Howard Beale is a character never to be forgotten- he is a bomb who has exploded, and represents every man today. Everybody is a time bomb, waiting to go off- and most never do. Howard Beale did, and it was Peter Finch's finest hour. It was also, his last. After a career laced with small films and b-movies, Howard Beale died after Network, and left a performance not to be forgotten. Robert Duvall played the token psycho, as usual. Not unlike his character in M*A*S*H, Duvall was calm and collected, but manipulative and domineering, and ultimatley the villain of the piece. Network that is, not M*A*S*H. Unlike M*A*S*H however, Duvall's insanity is never quite revealed. Dunaway plays an ice queen- as usual. Only different this time. In her other films, she is most frequently unafraid of relationship and quite content with telling a guy to back off, not in Network. In Network, she's an overworked backstabber, who, much like Duvall's character manipulates and uses people to the point it makes the user shout out for her to stop. I like to compare this character with Vivien Leigh's poignant Scarlett O'Hara, because like Diana (Dunaway in the movie), Scarlett used people to get her way. Lastly, an old school William Holden and little known actress Beatric Straight play the couple with the marriage on the rocks. We never really learn where this is going due to Holden struggling to keep working, and worrying little with Straight and his family. He cares only, like many other characters about the money. Unlike the other TV officials, Holden also cares about his friend, Howard Beale and what will become of him after the network spits finishes chewing him and spits him out. It makes Holden as sick as us when Beale is exploded by the psychotic TV officials. Network's story is, as mentioned a very potent one, and it is just as important today in our media crazed society. The acting is very well done, especially by the five main cast members. Upon it's year of release, in 1966, Network won four Academy Awards- for Bets Actor (Peter Finch), Best Actress (Faye Dunaway), Best Supporting Actress (Beatrice Straight) and Best Screenplay (Paddy Chayefsky). It deserved all it's award, and in my opinion, Best Picture over the corwd pleaser Rocky. Network remains a very important satire, even today and it sure to please everyone who watches it. It's one of my favorites.

This film is more important than ever now, considering the corporate usurpation almost all of our media. The film is loaded with poweful performances. Watch it. It will change the way you view things.

Most of these reviews talk about how much TV has become just like "UBS" of "Network". This is most obviously true. I believe the media today sacrafices a journalist caught lying on occasion just to cover up the fact that they all lie. But the bigger message in this film is that the media or "UBS" specifically has become a mirror of the world; that we should see how false the WORLD has become when we see this film not just how false telivision is. The most telling scene is not discussed in these reviews--the one where Howard Beale is taken to the Network head who tells him in god-like tones that there are no more nation states; there is no more democracy; that all those concepts are just that--concepts that have had their day and that the new nature; the new over-power is money and it's ebbs and flows and that all morality and ethics stand in its shadow. More than what tv has become this film is about what WE'VE become as individuals in this society.

What's confusing and also intriguing about this unmentioned theme in the film is that once Howard "sees the light"; once he believes that god has spoken to him by way of the Network Head [Ned Beaty], he brings "God's" message to the show which the network head refuses to cancel even when it, because of its now sobering, depressing, rather than merely angry, message, begins to drop in the ratigs. Why would the chief exec allow this to happen if he truely believed in the bottom line he preached to Howard Beale? This satire is so tightly written that I believe there's a good answer here. maybe another reviewer can provide the answer amongst his or her review. Great film.

I apologize if this turns into a review of the series, but this is more a response to it currently being in the "Essential DVD" Anime section. Some good points of this series are its animation and general production quality, which both seem above par for a TV show. However, I never found that I could identify, or sympathize with any of the characters. I don't even like most of them. There seems to be no middle ground, either their too cruel or too nice, too aloof, or too outgoing. The plot is the same, convoluted to a point that if you miss an episode or two, whole groups of characters have changed sides and you will essentially have no idea what is going on. In all honesty, if you have the resources, see Gundam X which was released after GW in Japan(not yet released in US). Having seen the first twelve episodes, it has a plot that understands its limitations, and allows you to focus more on a few pilots and the main characters. Versus 5 pilots and who knows how many others in GW. Lots of characters and a complex plot are not bad, but I think GW is too confused in later episodes, trying too hard to impress the viewer, both with its outlandish plot and numerous upgrades to the mobile suits. Check out professional reviews of this show before you start buying this series. Basically, if the other 44 episodes aren't good enough, the first five shouldn't be "essential."

The first volume of Gundam Wing starts by giving us a summary of the political situation between the Earth government and the Colonies of outer space. From there we are treated to the entry of the Gundam Pilots, who begin their all-out war against the Oz military oganization (which is hiding itself inside of the Earthsphere Alliance government). But since the Gundam pilots don't know each other, and a series of developments have arguably the best pilot (Heero Yuy) meet the daughter of the Vice Foreign Minister, and lose his Gundam to the enemy, let's just say that the first episode starts with a bang.

From there the series continues to give us more info about the personality and fighting style of each of the pilots. We also continue to get to know ace Oz pilot Zechs Marquise (and some of the people he considers friends and enemies). The last episode of the DVD treats us to a major revelatoin about the past of Relena Peacecraft (the Foreign Minister's daughter), and shows beyond any doubt (just in case we had any), that Oz is in fact evil.

From this first DVD you might get the impression that this show is going to fall into the old trap of having our heroes fight, get beat up, grow in resolve, and win. But giving up on this series after the first few epiodes would be a very big mistake indeed. In the next volume comes the first major plot twist. And let's just say that it can be mighty hard to figure out who your enemy is when the world situation keeps changing. This DVD is worth seeing for the end of the first episode alone (a true classic), but rest assured that this show gets much better later on. If you're a Gundam fan, definitely check this one out. If you're a Gundam Wing fan, what are you waiting for? Buy it now!

Honestly,there is nothing like this anywhere in the world.It combines action,good voice acting deep characters,and yes,romance.But don't get me wrong, there's no kissing or junk like that.The characters are very deep.Not like with most shows where you figure out each charater in 5 seconds.The action is excellent and makes you come back for more.I'd reccomend it to kids 10 and up for violence and a complicated story.

Usally, I'm the guy that watches the Godfather, Scarface, Hard Boiled, and New Jack City style movies, but after watching the Tenchi series on Toonami, and enjoyed them(Except for Tenchi in Tokyo).

I brought the movie, and see what it was all about. Just like the Series(except for Tenchi in Tokyo) it didn't dissapoint, and the storyline is just genius. The story is very moving, and it also has comedy in it, as always; and it kept my eyes glued to the TV to screene until the end.

I havent seene the last 2 movies, but I'm sure I'll see them real soon. So if you love the Tenchi series, you should have this by now. If you love anime, and don't have this, go check this out, and the 3 Series.

peace

Out of all the three Tenchi films, this is my favorite. Though it seems to borrow it's plot from Back to the Future, the movie is touching, while being frantic at times. There's enough action here to please those who liked the fights in the first two Tenchi series, and there's quite a bit of emotionally charged scenes as well.
The Sci-Fi elements of the movie are abundant too, even though the majority of this film takes place in 1971. The tone of the movie is more serious than the comical hijinks of the Tenchi Universe series, but the familiar cast of characters still retain their trademark personalities. Aeka still acts a bit snobbish, Ryoko still is a sarcastic woman who sometimes needs some anger management classes, Sasami and Ryo-Oki are still as cute as buttons, Kiyone still gets fed up with Mihoshi, Washu's #1-scientist-in-the-world ego is still intact, and Mihoshi STILL is a clumsy ditz. One thing's different though; Nobuyuki strangely wasn't a [deviate] as a teenager. What happened here? >:)

The DVD comes with a nice supply of extras, though most of them are just text-based info pages and facts. The main menu is sluggish, because Pioneer decided to make every selectable item animated. But thats just a minor gripe. There are two versions of the movie present here; The english and Japanese versions. The English dub's actors are mostly good, except for a few parts where their lines felt stressed(Like when Sasami exclaims that she's put one of the power generators in place, a little too giddy-like). The japanese version's actors are superb, as usual.
I didn't like the movie's music; Christopher Franke's 'Hollywood' inspired score was a bit cheesy and sounded like bad MIDI in parts. I missed the orchestral feel of the TV series' music.
The animation was a bit better than Tenchi Universe's, so it looked okay.
The only thing that made me feel uncomfortable during the film was the strange similarities to Back to the Future; Washu even mentioned the whole Time Paradox thing if Tenchi ever encountered his mother! I almost expected Washu to send Tenchi and the gang in a time-travelling car! But nonetheless, this movie is a great film to show anyone new to anime,or Tenchi fans, or anime fans in general, or even regular movie watchers.

Three words: Buy anything that says "Tenchi" or "Tenchi Muyo!" on it. period.Ok. that was 11 woeds but hey, who's counting?

This movie is amazing! I love the animation. The storyline does move a little fast, but thats ok! I really love it and would watch it anytime.

This was a great movie, anyone who hasn't seened it is missing everything. If you don't know anything about Tenchi though you may not understand it becuase it's a sequal. I LOVED Meyuka the daughter of tenchi even though she did some things that shouldn't be seen to young kids but maybe to teens because their isn't any bad detailed things.
See ya!
Daniela

Mayuka is engaging, pretty, and hides a dangerous secret. She says Tenchi is her father, but is she telling the truth? And what does Yosho have to do with the demoness Yuzuriha? And most importantly, if Mayuka IS Tenchi's daughter, then who is her mother?

You won't think of the Tenchi universe the same way again after you see this movie!

For those of you who don't know, alongside the standard Dragonball Z series, 13 movies, 2 specials, and 1 OVA/OAV were released. Most of these were strictly for entertainment, as there is no way most of them could possibly have taken place. Also, none of them are very long (they are about the same length as 2-3 standard episodes.) Read on for my review of the first movie - Dead Zone.

TIME: This movie occurs before Dragonball Z begins, probably a year before Raditz arrived.

PLOT: Here's the basic story. A power-hungry demon named Garlic Jr. is the son of a demon who attempted to become guardian of the earth, but the current guardian did not allow it. To get revenge on the world, he obtains the Dragonballs and makes himself immortal (since Gohan was wearing his Dragonball hat at this time, henchmen kidnapped him.) This is the ONLY time in all of Dragonball/Z/GT someone SUCCESSFULLY makes an immortality wish. Goku goes to Garlic Jr's castle with the hopes of rescuing his son, while his worst enemy (at the time,) Piccolo, is also going to the castle to get revenge on the henchmen that attacked him.

OFFICIAL?: This film could never have taken place, because the Z-crew already knows Gohan here, but they meet him for the first time in the Raditz saga. Likewise, Goku was surprised to see Gohan's hidden power in the Raditz saga, despite the fact that he uses it in this film. Because the film could never have happened, the Garlic Jr. saga of the actual series could also never have happened.

There you have it - the first Dragonball Z film. This was done by Pioneer, so the English dub actors are different than the ones you hear in the later TV episodes. Likewise, these DVDs have more extras than the modern DBZ DVDs, but not much. These films are good overall, but for the most part only die-hard Dragonball Z fans will get a kick out of them. I would actually consider holding off on buying this - it should be redubbed and rereleased soon - hopefully with more extras. I hope you enjoyed this review. If you did, please click the "YES" button below.

Gohan is kidnapped by the menacing Garlic Jr because he wants revenge from Kami over his father Garlic's death. Goku, Piccolo, Gohan and Krillin join the fight as Garlic Jr opens the dead zone to suck KAmi's tower in it. action highlights include when Goku knocks one of Jr's henchmen with his powerpole into a domebuilding then blows it up, where Gohan crys out and knocks Garlic Jr. in and where Piccolo fights a henchmen. purely for fans, others would find it corny. uncut version is better

this isn an awesome movie! i think that it is definetley worth your money! first of all it is actually a dragonball movie because it takes place years before dragonballz started. the plot is very good and is sort of a prequel to the series itself so if you see this the series will make a lot more sense thatn if you dont see it. its about a greedy evil demon that wants immortality to get revenge on the people who trapped his father away. it has a great musical score and great animation.i think this is my favorite movie so far....

For those of you who don't know, alongside the standard Dragonball Z series, 13 movies, 2 specials, and 1 OVA/OAV were released. Most of these were strictly for entertainment, as there is no way most of them could possibly have taken place. Also, none of them are very long (they are about the same length as 2-3 standard episodes.) Read on for my review of The Tree Of Might, the third Dragonball Z movie.

SETTING: This movie occurs shortly after the battle with Nappa and Vegeta, but before the crew goes to Namek.

STORY: It's a peaceful time on Earth. Some members of the Z crew have taken a camping trip. Yamcha has purchased a new air cruiser. Everything's going well until a probe crashes in the forest and sets everything ablaze. Using the Dragon Balls, the forest is restored, but this is only the beginning of the trouble. The senders of the probe arrive on Earth, and plant a seed which creates a tree that drains the life force out of the planet. Before long, peace on earth is shattered, and the Z Fighters become engaged in their planet's ultimate decisive battle.

DID IT HAPPPEN?: This film could never have occured. After the Saiyan Saga but before the Namek Saga is the only time it could have happened, but Piccolo is alive, so that completely voids the film. Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu should also be dead. Likewise, Taurus (Turless in the dubbed version) is a Saiyan, and there aren't supposed to be any surviving full-blooded Saiyans other than Goku and Vegeta. Why he looks so similar to Goku is also never explained (I've read numerous explanations on various websites.) Another problem is that Gohan can't control himself in the transformed state, but he managed partial control of it in the fight with Vegeta. And of course, there was not an intreval of this long between the two sagas.

WORTHWHILE?: Of the first three Dragonball Z movies, this one is by far the weakest. The animation quality isn't up to that of the second film (released earlier originally), and the plot is just plain boring (it's a typical "villain wants to destroy the planet and be the strongest man in the universe" thing.) This one's for DIE-HARD DRAGONBALL Z FANS ONLY.

MISC.: Unlike the newer DVDs, this one actually has quite a few extras. However, the dubbed version has the OLD voice crew, which I consider inferior to the new one. Also, some scenes are mistranslated (Japanese is a VERY DIFFICULT language to translate, so some of this is forgivable.)

OVERALL: For die-hard fans of the series only.

The movie followed along the Dragonball Z theme. Evil does wants to destroy earth. Goku and friends fights ever one falls even Goku but he doesn't stay down. Goku saves the day. The movie is good don't get me wrong I just wished there was more fighting.

Goku and friends battle it out against the evil Turlis whose the 2nd brother of Goku(his first is Raditz in the series). Turlis grows the tree of might that will detroy the world, Turlis eats the fruit and he is buffer and stronger then ever. great action with Goku, Tien, Piccolo, Gohan, Yamch, Chotzu and Krillin trying to save earth from the evil clutches of Turlis and theres a cool fight against Monkey Gohan and Goku. hold on