Greetings, and welcome to all, anime lovers! 💗

Saludos, y bienvenidos a todos, amantes del anime! 💗

Hello everyone, dear fellow anime lovers, I hope you are all doing well today, my Hive friends. This time, I have a lot to talk about... I think it's time to let out a little vent about an anime that I really liked, and that made me become more interested in anime... today I'll talk about: Food Wars! Or also known as Shokugeki no Soma, I swear that when I started it, I couldn't stop thinking about food... it's just not normal for a cooking anime to make you so hungry... this is the plot: a luxury chef school, Totsuki, but here forget about heroes and villains, here they fight with pans... the idea is to cook dishes that blow your mind, that make you feel things on your palate, from the first chapter, I was hooked on how original this is: cooking battles to the death combined with the drama of wanting to be the best! Crazy! I mean, how many times do you see a character like Soma Yukihira, a guy who has to prove everything and who loves cooking like crazy?

It's an emotional roller coaster, but made with incredible flour, fire, and determination... let's start from the base, Soma, our protagonist, who is a genius in the kitchen but sometimes a bit of an idiot, is not your typical anime hero... his goal is simple, but at the same time profound: he wants to prove that he cooks as well as or better than his father, break all the rules of traditional cooking, and all this in an environment where every dish is a war, he wants to reach the top of the academy, coming from the bottom. It's a super fresh, daring idea... you have this character who is always underestimated, willing to break all the rules, to change what it means to be a chef in a world where cooking is like a gladiatorial fight! But what really makes Food Wars another level is the intensity of the cooking battles. They are not simple contests with a bit of drama, no, they are competitions full of adrenaline!

Where the appearance of the dish and the technique are just as important as the flavor, that intense... I remember in one episode, every cut, every garnish, even the sizzle in the pan, all animated with such detail that you could almost smell and taste the food through the screen... the animation team really excelled, at least at first... The level of detail in how they prepare the food is breathtaking... from the shine of a perfect steak to the swirl of a sauce, every frame was a feast for the eyes! The passion and love they put into these scenes made me appreciate food in a whole new way.

Hola a todos, queridos compañeros amantes del anime, espero que todos se encuentren bien hoy, amigos de Hive. En esta ocasión, vengo con mucho que hablar.. creo que es el momento de desahogarme un poco con respecto a un anime que me gustaba mucho, y que me hizo interesarme más en el anime.. hoy les hablaré de:Food Wars! O también conocido como Shokugeki no Soma, les juro que cuando lo empecé, no paraba de pensar en comida.. es que no es normal un anime de cocina que te dé tanta hambre.. esta es la trama: una escuela de chefs de puro lujo, Totsuki, pero acá olvídate de héroes y villanos, acá se pelean con sartenes.. la onda es cocinar platos que te vuelen la cabeza, que te hagan sentir cosas en el paladar, desde el primer cap, quedé pegadísimo con lo original que es esto: ¡batallas de cocina a muerte combinadas con el drama de querer set el mejor! ¡Una locura! O sea, ¿cuántas veces ves a un personaje como Soma Yukihira, un tipo que tiene que demostrar todo y que ama la cocina con locura
Es una montaña rusa de emociones, pero hecha con harina, fuego y una determinación increíbles.. partamos de la base, Soma, nuestro prota, que es un crack en la cocina pero a veces un poco tonto, no es el típico héroe de anime.. su meta es simple, pero a la vez profunda: quiere demostrar que cocina igual o mejor que su padre, romper todas las reglas de la cocina tradicional, y todo esto en un ambiente donde cada plato es una guerra, quiere llegar hasta lo más algo de la academia, viniendo de abajo. Es una idea súper fresca, atrevida.. tienes a este personaje al que siempre subestiman dispuesto a reventar todas las normas, a cambiar lo que significa ser chef en un mundo donde la cocina, ¡es como una pelea de gladiadores! Pero lo que realmente hace que Food Wars sea otro nivel es la intensidad de las batallas de cocina. No son simples concursos con un poco de drama, no, son competencias a full adrenalina!
Donde la apariencia del plato y la técnica son tan importantes como el sabor, así de intenso.. Me acuerdo de que en un capítulo, cada corte, cada decoración, hasta el chisporroteo en la sartén, todo animado con un detalle que casi podías oler y saborear la comida a través de la pantalla.. el equipo de animación se lució, al menos al principio.. El nivel de detalle en cómo preparan la comida es impresionante.. desde el brillo de un filete perfecto hasta el remolino de una salsa, cada imagen era una fiesta para los ojos! La pasión y el cariño que le pusieron a estas escenas me hicieron apreciar la comida de una forma totalmente nueva.

And then there's the famous "culinary orgasms" haha, those exaggerated reactions from the judges, with faces that I can't explain and descriptions of flavors that seem from another world... at first, I must admit that they shocked me a little, I thought, "look, you're supposed to enjoy food, not worship it like it's a god" .. but the more I watched the series, the more I realized that those scenes were a great way to show you how brutal a dish was, it's like the anime was shouting at you: "Hey, this isn't just food, it's an amazing experience!" .. and if you've ever tried something that blew your mind, you'll know what I'm talking about totally, although it has touches of echi, I consider that it wasn't just gratuitous fanservice...

As for the characters, from the first second, the rivalry between Soma and Erina is great, Erina, with that palate that seems from another planet and an elegance that kills you, represents the best of the academy Totsuki's super-refined way of cooking clashes head-on with Soma's more random and whatever-comes-out style, and that clash is an epic battle, not just of cooking, but of personalities... that tension is incredibly engaging, it's super human. I found myself rooting for both of them: Soma for how stubborn he is, and Erina for how calm she remains under pressure, and for her cold yet endearing personality.

Y hay hablar de los "orgasmos culinarios" famosos jaja, esas reacciones exageradísimas de los jueces, con unas caras que no te explico y unas descripciones de los sabores que parecen sacadas de otro mundo.. al principio, debo admitir que me chocaron un poco, pensaba, "a ver, se supone que uno disfruta la comida, no que la adore como si fuera un dios".. pero mientras más veía la serie, más pillaba que esas escenas eran una forma genial de mostrarte lo brutal que era un plato, es como si el anime te gritara: "¡Oye, esto no es solo comida, es una experiencia alucinante!".. y si alguna vez probaste algo que te voló la cabeza, sabrás de qué te hablo totalmente, aunque tiene toques de echi, considero que no era solo fanservice gratuito..
En cuanto a los personajes, desde el segundo uno, la rivalidad entre Soma y Erina es genial, Erina, con ese paladar que parece de otro planeta y una elegancia que te mata, representa lo más top de la academia Totsuki.. su forma de cocinar, súper refinada, choca de frente con el estilo más aleatorio y a lo que salga de Soma, y ese choque es una batalla épica, no solo de cocina, sino de personalidades.. esa tensión engancha un montón, es súper humana. Yo me encontré apoyando a los dos, a Soma por lo terco que es y a Erina por lo tranquila que se mantiene bajo presión, y por su personalidad fría y a la vez entrañable.

Talking a little about the secondary characters, and especially Megumi Tadokoro... her change from being a super shy and insecure girl to becoming a chef who puts her heart into it and trusts in herself, is one of the most beautiful things about the entire series, seeing her grow, learn and in the end improve a lot, made me think about how important it is to not give up and believe in yourself... it's those quiet moments, where you see the characters grow, that give weight to the story and make the battles, which are pure adrenaline, feel even closer, each rivalry, like the one with Aldini, or friendship... relationships between teacher and student is full of details, making the series much more than just cooking contests: it's a story about growing up, having ambition and being brave to go after your dreams. Now, here, that while the first three seasons of Food Wars! They had me glued to the screen with their incredible story, the brutal animation and that original way of seeing cooking, I have to be honest: the last seasons... they lowered the level in a disappointing way!

It was like when the series began to lose quality, it began to fall into the typical, into the same old thing... what before was a great mix of strategy, passion and creativity, became repetitive and, dare I say, boring! The story began to feel as if they were just following a pre-written script, instead of inventing new things in the kitchen... it was like watching an incredible work of art that, little by little, was becoming mediocre, a total disappointment considering how great the first seasons had been! And be careful, this drop in quality was not only in the story, the stories of the characters, which before surprised you and touched your heart, began to feel repetitive.

Some of the new characters they introduced in these last seasons seemed super flat, nothing like the great characters we met at the beginning... it's as if the series, in wanting to lengthen the story, had forgotten the magic that made the first seasons so special. I missed those times where each chapter promised you something new, a different cooking technique, an unexpected move or a twist that left you speechless... but everything went downhill.

Hablando un poco de los personajes secundarios, y sobre todo a Megumi Tadokoro.. su cambio, de ser una chica súper tímida e insegura a convertirse en una chef que le pone corazón y que confía en sí misma, es de lo más lindo de toda la serie, verla crecer, aprender y al final mejorar mucho, me hizo pensar en lo importante que es no rendirse y creer en uno mismo.. son esos momentos tranquilos, donde ves cómo crecen los personajes, los que le dan peso a la historia y hacen que las batallas, que son pura adrenalina, se sientan aún más cercanas, cada rivalidad, como la de Aldini, o amistad.. relaciónes entre maestro y alumno está llena de detalles, haciendo que la serie sea mucho más que solo concursos de cocina: es una historia sobre crecer, tener ambición y ser valiente para ir tras tus sueños. Ahora, aquí, que si bien las primeras tres temporadas de Food Wars! me tenían pegado a la pantalla con su historia increíble, la animación brutal y esa forma tan original de ver la cocina, tengo que ser sincero: las últimas temporadas... ¡bajaron el nivel de una manera decepcionante!
Fue como cuando la serie empezó a perder calidad, empezó caer en lo típico, en lo de siempre.. lo que antes era una mezcla genial de estrategia, pasión y creatividad, se volvió repetitivo y, me atrevo a decir, ¡aburrido! La historia empezó a sentirse como si solo estuvieran siguiendo un guion ya escrito, en vez de inventar cosas nuevas en la cocina.. era como ver una obra de arte increíble que, poco a poco, se iba volviendo mediocre, una decepción total pensando en lo geniales que habían sido las primeras temporadas! Y ojo, que esta bajada de calidad no fue solo en la historia, las historias de los personajes, que antes te sorprendían y te llegaban al corazón, empezaron a sentirse repetidas.
Algunos personajes nuevos que metieron en estas últimas temporadas parecían súper planos, nada que ver con los personajes geniales que conocimos al principio.. es como si la serie, por querer alargar la historia, se hubiera olvidado de la magia que hacía tan especiales las primeras temporadas, yo extrañaba esos tiempos donde cada capítulo te prometía algo nuevo, una técnica de cocina diferente, una movida inesperada o un giro que te dejaba con la boca abierta.. pero todo fue cayendo cuesta abajo.

Even though the second half is a bit weak, we can’t deny that Food Wars! was incredible, and that it earned a good reputation and recognition. The first seasons are a gem, they show you what happens when you put passion and creativity into something, they capture the vibe of a world where food isn’t just for filling your stomach, but is an art, a battlefield, and even a way of life. Speaking of good things, the music! The soundtrack deserves a separate applause, the openings and endings of the first and second seasons are very good! They take the series to another level, the music goes perfectly with what you see on screen, it gets your adrenaline going in battles and gives you a break in the quieter moments. Every rhythm, every note, seems to be thought out to the millimeter so that the scenes touch your heart.

The anime dares to break the mold and isn’t afraid of interesting topics, those little details are what make Food Wars! it feels so fresh.. thinking about everything I experienced with this series, I have to say that my expectations changed a lot.. at first, I was surprised by how strange it was, a cooking anime set in a super competitive school, where each dish was life or death, but as I watched the series, I fell in love with the characters, the art, and how they strive to be the best cooks. I laughed, I was surprised, and I even shed a few tears watching the dramas of each battle.. the series touches on something we all understand: that passion and creativity can turn even cooking, which is something simple, into something incredible.. it's a shame that the animation, the story, and the whole vibe will change.. so, if you like cooking stories, or if you like a good series that mixes laughter, drama, and a touch of madness, you can try to give it a chance, at least the first few seasons.. just be prepared for a ride of strong emotions, with moments of total joy and others of disappointment when the series deviates a bit in the later seasons.

My final grade? I give it a 7.5 out of 10, the first seasons are almost perfect, pure creativity and heart! But that the later seasons go down so much is a shame... it's like a dish that catches your eye, but in the end it lacks a little flavor, it's still delicious, but it doesn't leave its mark like before... in the end, Food Wars is more than a cooking anime, it's a celebration of ambition, creativity and not giving up until you are the best... whether you are a food expert or someone who has never thought of cooking as an art, this series can captivate you... it's a journey into the culinary world of Japan in a fun and entertaining way. And well... that's all for today, we'll see you in the next reviews, take care! Bye!

A pesar de que la segunda mitad flojea un poco, no podemos negar que Food Wars! fue increíble, y que se ganó buena fama y reconocimiento.. las primeras temporadas son una joya, te muestran lo que pasa cuando le pones pasión y creatividad a algo, captan la onda de un mundo donde la comida no es solo para llenar la panza, sino que es un arte, un campo de batalla, y hasta un estilo de vida.. hablando de cosas buenas, ¡la música! La banda sonora se merece un aplauso aparte, los openings y endings de la primera temporada y segunda, son muy buenos! Te llevan la serie a otro nivel, la música va perfecta con lo que ves en pantalla, te sube la adrenalina en las batallas y te da un respiro en los momentos más tranquilos.. cada ritmo, cada nota, parece estar pensada al milímetro para que las escenas te lleguen al corazón..
El anime se anima a romper esquemas y no le tiene miedo a temas interesantes, esos detallitos son los que hacen que Food Wars! se sienta tan fresco.. pensando en todo lo que viví con esta serie, tengo que decir que mis expectativas cambiaron un montón.. al principio, me llamó la atención lo raro que era un anime de cocina en una escuela súper competitiva, donde cada plato era a vida o muerte, pero a medida que veía la serie, me enamoré de los personajes, del dibujo y de cómo buscan ser los mejores cocineros. Me reí, me sorprendí y hasta se me escapó alguna lágrima viendo los dramas de cada batalla.. la serie toca algo que todos entendemos: que la pasión y la creatividad pueden convertir hasta cocinar, que es algo simple, en algo increíble.. es una lástima que la animación, la historia y toda la vibra cambiará.. así que, si te gustan las historias de cocina, o si te va una buena serie que mezcle risa, drama y un toque de locura, puedes intentar darle una oportunidad, al menos a las primeras temporadas.. solo prepárate para un viaje de emociones fuertes, con momentos de alegría total y otros de bajón cuando la serie se desvía un poco en las últimas temporadas.
Mi nota final? Le doy un 7.5 de 10, las primeras temporadas son casi perfectas, pura creatividad y corazón! Pero que las últimas temporadas bajen tanto, es una pena.. es como un plato que te entra por los ojos, pero al final le falta un poco de sabor, sigue estando rico, pero ya no te marca como antes.. al final, Food Wars es más que un anime de cocina, es una fiesta de la ambición, la creatividad y de no rendirte hasta ser el mejor.. seas un experto en comida o alguien que nunca pensó en la cocina como arte, esta serie puede cautivarte.. es todo un viaje al mundo culinario de Japón de una manera divertida y entretenida. Y bueno.. eso es todo por hoy, nos veremos en las próximas reseñas, cuídense mucho! Byebye!

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I didn’t expect to fall in love with the Devil.😂

Honestly, when I first saw Lucifer pop up on Netflix, I ignored it. The name felt dark and I thought to myself “this movie is diabolical 😁. People were talking against it a lot. Some says it would make you lose your faith in God and introduce you to those dark kingdoms. I won't lie, I believed it and kept far away from this movie.

It was trending, some people watched it and said it was interesting but I already removed my mind from the thought of watching it.

After some months, I came across it again and this time noticed it. I decided to watch it and see what this movie is actually all about.

I thought it was going to be another stereotypical fantasy show full of demons, fire, and horror—something too far from reality. I found myself face-to-face with a character I never thought I’d relate to: Lucifer Morningstar, the Devil himself. I said to myself “ This Lucifer is so handsome, Does the devil really look like this?” 🥹

He was the opposite of what I imagined him to be.

Lucifer is not merely a movie about the ruler of Hell. It is a multi-layered, emotional, and in some parts, even hilarious story of pain, redemption, love, and forgiveness, as well as the journey to find a truth in a world that does not always provide it.

Lucifer is based on the life of Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis), the Devil, who gets bored with life at the throne of Hell. So he goes on vacation and comes to Los Angeles so he can live a bit. He establishes an expensive night club named Lux, goes out partying every night and indulges in life.

However, this is different when a murder occurs in front of his club. He gets in collaboration with LAPD detective Chloe Decker to assist in solving the case. A one-time affair becomes a full-time collaboration, as Lucifer gets hired as a civilian consultant of the police.

And now this: the Devil exercising his powers to punish wicked folks--in Hell, but in current-day L.A. It is that twist that got me hooked. But it was not the story that kept me watching.

The humor was the first impression that came to my mind. Lucifer is sarcastic, witty and has good one-liners. His British accent, dashing smirk and overly exaggerated personality were so entertaining. However, as the show progressed, I came to understand that something was more than what meets the eye.

Lucifer is suffering.

Beneath the flirting and the jokes is a very broken person, fighting rejections, guilt and the ultimate question: Am I lovable?

Every episode does not only involve a crime-solving mystery; it is a part of the personal story of Lucifer. He is doubtful of his identity. He fights with his past. He seeks meaning. and somehow, in all of this, he starts to change.

Every episode does not only present a mystery to solve regarding a crime but also is a part of Lucifer himself. He doubts who he is. He fights with his own past. He seeks meaning. and out of all this he starts to change.

I experienced that as an audience.

We all put on masks, don t we? We all act like we are okay when we are not. We all question whether we are good, whether we are lovable, whether people actually see us as we are, or rather the way they would like to be.

The conflict of Lucifer was my reflection.

Such subtle, beautiful ways of dealing with big questions are one of the strongest aspects of Lucifer.

Lucifer is a person with the problem of guilt not only because he is the Devil, but also because of the opinions of people about him. Throughout his life, he has been accused of evil, when he never coerced anyone to sin. He simply penalized them. That iniquity consumes him.

It also reminded me about the frequency at which people are labeled in the real world- due to their history, due to their family, due to their errors. We wear those labels as chains. But Lucifer reminds us: you are not what people tell you are. You become what you want to be.

And there is Chloe- the love interest of Lucifer and a crime solving partner. She is kind, courageous and imperfect. She is not attracted to Lucifer at first sight. On the contrary, she looks through him. And he is terrified by it. What is real love? The type that sees through the performance and into your soul? That is the most frightful of all.

It was one of the best things about the show, to see their relationship develop, painfully, slowly, and beautifully. It was not in a hurry. It was not perfect. It was, however, genuine.

At some point I was laughing so much that I had to stop the episode.

And there were moments I felt bad, deeply—especially during episodes where Lucifer confronts his father, God, or struggles to make peace with himself.

One particular scene stuck with me. Lucifer is on his knees, broken, saying: "I am the Devil. And I just want to be... good."

That moment hit me like a punch in the chest. Because that’s all most of us want, right? To be better. To be enough. To be seen, not as our failures, but as someone trying.

This movie really got me thinking “What if the devil really wanted a chance to be good?” What if …….?

I was not left empty after I finished reading Lucifer as I normally do after reading a long series. I was stuffed. My mind was full. Emotional. Full of questions--and some answers, too, somehow.

Lucifer has taught me that redemption exists. The worst person can develop. Love will not make you whole, but it will look at you, and walk with you in the painful moments. Faith, forgiveness, and self-worth are not easy; however, they are worth the struggle.

And best of all it reminded me that when you think you have fallen too far it is not too late to get back.

You do not always need to be perfect. All you need to do is to tell the truth. With yourself. In the company of the people you love. With life.

Absolutely. In particular, when you are a person who has lost your way, lost your sense of self-worth, felt misunderstood. Lucifer is not a crime or fantasy show, it is a show about humanity in all its ugly and beautiful and painful glory.

You will laugh, cry, scream and think. And when it is finished you will look a bit differently at yourself. You may even get the strength to forgive yourself of things that you have been carrying around long enough.

And if the Devil can find his way back to the light… Maybe so can you.

Thumbnail is designed by me on pixelLab and other images are screenshot from the movie

Greetings, dear cinephiles of #CineTV. Today I bring you a film that perhaps many of you didn't like, but since I'm not the majority and I value the work (if it deserves it) of each director, today I'm here to talk to you about The Amateur. And well, maybe I'll tell you a little about what the film is about, but I won't give any spoilers.

I honestly don't understand why this film has been so criticized and has such a low rating on film sites like FilmAffinity and IMDb. I, for one, give it a full 5 stars, not only for the plot but also for Rami Malek's fabulous performance.

I remember seeing the film's trailer on TV, and I immediately wanted to see it, both because of the story and the main characters. However, when I saw it was about a hacker, I had doubts about Malek's performance, given that he had previously played a lead role in a series with a similar character, Mr. Robot.

But ever since the film began, I've noticed a huge difference between Remi's performance this year and the one he gave in Mr. Robot in 2015. Unfortunately, I can't help but wonder if the protagonist of a film or series will reprise the same role in a different one.

In Hollywood, there are a few actresses and actors who just can't play similar roles any other way. I've seen this happen often, but in the case of the Oscar winner, this small but important detail wasn't the case.

Besides him, I was very pleased to see him share the big screen with the legend of Laurence Fishburne and the divine, God-carved hunk of Jon Bernthal, who at almost 50 is as good as wine, only getting better as the years go by.

And aside from the acting, I liked the plot and the suspense that developed throughout the film. Director James Hawes, I think, did a great job, giving the film's hero a human touch, something that, to be honest, isn't often seen in movies.

That is, Hawes focuses on showing an ordinary man with a high intellect making mistakes in his mission after certain unpleasant and irreversible circumstances occur.

In this film, we see how a man is forced to seek revenge while maintaining his integrity at all times, taking desperate but well-planned measures to carry out his plan and bring justice to his loved one.

It's there that Malek shows us his more human "Robot" side, more in tune with his emotions and feelings, making mistakes along the way but giving his best in each attempt and improving as the film progresses. It was in these moments that I noticed the stark difference between the two characters, who are similar yet different, thanks to Remi's masterful performance.

On the other hand, I can't help but mention the fact that "Control" played an extremely important role in many ways in this film. The suspenseful plot makes you think everything is against the protagonist, but then everything turns upside down when you have no idea who's really in control.

The truth is, I really liked this film, so much so that I watched it alone at first, and today I just watched it with my parents, and guess what? They loved it too. For me, it was a unique plot, with unique characters played brilliantly.

In the case of Jon Bernthal, although his appearance was quite brief, his character stood out impressively, like a super-sexy bad boy. So, for the excellent performances, a very well-developed plot, and the well-crafted suspense, I give him his well-deserved praise:

✨ ¡Finalmente abrí mi álbum de JUJUTSU KAISEN! ✨

Como mencioné en una publicación anterior, conseguí un álbum con sobres de figuritas de JUJUTSU KAISEN, y sinceramente estaba muy ansiosa e impaciente por abrirlo para descubrir cuales son las figuritas que me tocarían, recordando momentos del anime.

Les comentaré que en este proceso me divertí muchísimo, fue una experiencia tan divertida como caótica. La emoción de abrir cada sobre fue única, aunque debo admitir que se volvió un poco tediosa en cierto punto... POR QUE ERAN MUCHÍSIMAS FIGURITAS, y claro... algunas repetidas empezaron en acumularse demasiado rápido. Pero incluso eso formó parte de la diversión.

Cada imagen que salía me hacía recordar momentos divertidos del anime, e incluso momentos emocionales (Ya se deben imaginar a que personaje me refiero sin hacer spoilers). Fue como revivir gran parte del anime.

Lo mejor de todo esto es que pude compartir este momento tan divertido con una persona muy especial para mí♥. Abrimos los sobres juntos, con una buena pizza de acompañamiento (COMO CORRESPONDE) y muchísimas risas y bromas sobre el anime de por medio. Definitivamente fue una noche perfecta.

Y para terminar... ME SALIÓ UN PREMIO SORPRESA!!!!!! Aún no sé exactamente que es (Puede ser algún poster o souvenir), pero lo descubriré en los próximos días. Por supuesto, les compartiré ese momento en una próxima publicación. Recomiendo mucho estas actividades, ya que no solo consiste en coleccionar, este tipo de situaciones te permite conectar con el anime de una forma diferente... y es mucho mejor si lo haces con una persona que aprecias muchísimo y entiende tus gustos por completo♥

Without Edit

Translated and formatted with Chat GPT

Hello, cinema fans. We continue with more science fiction and action movies featuring dystopian worlds and post-apocalyptic futures. This time, I'll talk about a film that not many people will know about, and with good reason, given how unpopular it was at the time. Even I can say that I hadn't considered reviewing it until I came across its name recently and remembered seeing it once in my life. This is one of those failed attempts to imitate the unmistakable style of Mad Max by showing us a chaotic, dark, and desert world. Directed by the Hughes brothers, this film stars Denzel Washington, Harry Oldman, and Mila Kunis. It's one of those films that you would only watch if you're a big fan of Denzel.

Plot

The film begins by showing us what appears to be a forest at night and the body of a person lying on the ground with a weapon and a hairless cat slowly approaching. Then we see another person in the distance, camouflaged with a bow and arrow, aiming at the cat until he releases the arrow and strikes it. Then we see the man grabbing the dead body of the cat to take it away to eat later. On the way, we see our mysterious protagonist encounter a woman lying on the ground asking for help right in front of a tunnel with her damaged shopping cart. He approaches her, but doesn't move until she screams that she has smelled the looters hiding in the surrounding area. They are armed, but with only a huge knife—I don't know if it's a sword or a machete—our protagonist kills them all in an instant. Such is the dark, desolate, and dangerous world in which he lives.

Trailer & Review

Here is the trailer for the film:

I'm not a huge fan of Denzel Washington's work as an actor in action movies, but I must admit that there are quite a few that I remember seeing and that have fascinated me. While it's true that when it comes down to it, drama may be his greatest strength, there's no denying that when it comes to action, we get to see a very special side of Denzel. Among the many science fiction and action films related to dystopian and post-apocalyptic worlds that exist today, only a few have managed to stand out above the rest due to their impact, production value, and narrative and historical quality. To mention just a few of those I have brought you previously, there are The Matrix, Mad Max: Fury Road, and Terminator. However, The Book of Eli is more like the failed attempt by another director (in this case, two brothers) to imitate George Miller's iconic work from the 1980s. That is why its moderate box office success was possibly only due to its technical and visual aspects, which is not bad.

But before talking about that, I want to first mention what this movie is about. As you read above, we will be watching a mysterious man traveling through the desert and dark world in which we find ourselves from the beginning. This man is looking to head north to what was once the United States. On the way, he heads to a small, unpleasant town where he searches for resources such as water, energy, and food. However, he encounters a band of highway killers whom he saw committing atrocious acts in the distance before arriving here. As expected, he has problems with these people, which will lead him to have more problems with the leader of this group and this entire place. This is how we will see our protagonist try to escape from these armed killers as he heads north to deliver a mysterious book that we are all surely familiar with. In this world, there is no light, only darkness and clouds in the sky all the time. This is due to a nuclear catastrophe that occurred in this world thirty years ago.

There are several things I don't like about this movie, such as its story, which I feel lacks a little more context. What we know about this world and how it ended up this way is limited to what we hear from the protagonist. We don't know much about his past, nor about what caused the massive nuclear explosion. Although, it's true that it's not hard to imagine the reason with so many wars going on in the world. But what I understand least is the reason for putting the Bible at the center of everything. And mind you, I'm not saying that I'm against this, but I don't want to say anything about it either, so as not to get into any religious issues. I'll just say that using this famous book as the origin of the end is both ironic and absurd in a way. Just imagine if the world tried to destroy every existing copy of the Bible in the world and this ended in a nuclear catastrophe. But hey, while some may see some sense in this, I personally am not entirely convinced.

Another detail worth mentioning, which is both remarkable and ironic, is the actions of the protagonist himself. With his habit of reading the Bible every day and all that, he ends up killing a lot of people along the way (he's like one of those "messengers of God", but with the ability to kill anyone without remorse). Of course, I understand that it's an action movie and that without this it wouldn't make sense. Also, with Denzel Washington in the lead role, we can't imagine anything other than him decapitating people left and right. But it's funny that the guy who recites biblical texts spends his time killing people. Anyway, I won't say anything more about this, really, let the irony speak for itself. Another detail about the protagonist is the way he makes certain decisions that don't make much sense in the end. And speaking of the end, the third act is another thing that doesn't quite convince me, like most of the things I've already mentioned about this movie. The "plot twist" we see at the end only reinforces the irony I mentioned at the beginning of all this.

On the other hand, let's talk a little about the villain or antagonist of this film, who is played by Gary Oldman, an actor who I assume has very good acting talent. However, in this film, that talent is not fully appreciated. I don't deny that his attempt at playing an evil and obsessive leader seeking total control works well at first, but there are certain moments when I'm not entirely convinced, especially the ending they give him. And it's normal when you think about his obsession with that "mystery" book he's been searching for all this time. In the end, this obsession becomes a strong dependency for him that causes him to make decisions that take away everything he has been building up to this point. His case can serve as a clear example of how the great fall by themselves, but nothing more. There are also other details in the film that caught my attention, such as the theme of cannibals and how people detect them in this world.

Last but not least, let's talk about the technical and visual aspects of this film. It can be said that this is the only redeeming feature, as from the beginning we notice a level of quality and production style that is quite attractive. The way the cameras move, the shots they take, the fight and shooting scenes have both a cold and bloody tone and a very well-done level of quality. The dark color palette, the shadow-filled settings, and the Western style that characterizes this type of dystopian film are also details to take into account. There is also the makeup and the use of practical effects and computer-generated effects, which, incidentally, are few and far between. The most notable feature could be a long action sequence in this film that appears to have been shot in a single take, something that is not often seen in films of this type. The sound effects and soundtrack are also quite remarkable. In short, with all this in mind, if you're just looking for raw action in a dystopian world starring Denzel Washington, then you can watch this movie.

Personally, I give it a 7/10 rating in terms of the action and science fiction genre.

Tell me, have you seen the movie yet? What did you think of it? You can leave me your answer in a comment.

Dime, ¿ya has visto la película? ¿Qué te ha parecido? Puedes dejarme tu respuesta en un comentario.

All the best.

By: Nattosheru.

Reviewing my movie apps, to see one that caught my attention from the first minute, I came across Echo Valley. I am one of those people who like movies a lot, but I have some tips that I apply when I start watching a movie, example: if I don't have any reference of the movie, the first thing I see is who are its main protagonists, if any of them is known to me and I love their performance, I stay watching it; if it has a striking title and intrigues me, I stay and if its cover image makes me click, I also stay, this one had all these tips.

The first thing I saw, was that it starred the actress Julianne Moore, which gives me indications that the movie is going to be good, at least interesting, because this actress has played some very good roles in all the movies she has participated, is my personal opinion and this was no exception; on the other hand, its title Echo Valley, indicated to me mystery, maybe suspense and they are one of the characteristics that I love in a movie and finally the cover image, more or less gave me a taste of what to expect, so I stayed watching it and from the first minute I connected with it. ..

The film tells you about what a mother can be capable of for a daughter, about the love that can be professed for that daughter, even if that daughter doesn't deserve it, as we're going to see as the film progresses. Up to that point, we think that this is another film, which shows us the love of a mother for a daughter and we may think that it is one more that goes along that line ..., but it is not quite so, that is the beginning of the plot, drama, mystery and intrigue, where we see present apart from filial love, betrayal, violence, even a murder, where our protagonist will be immersed in a sea of confusion from which she must get out by her own means.

But at the same time, it will force her to prove how far she can go to save and recover herself. The ending left me with my mouth open, as it unravels everything that really happened between scenes. So much so, that you can't believe the twist and turn the plot takes, placing the bad guys where they belong and leaving you wondering how she could have come up with all that, and leaving you wondering how bad vices can make people, how evil and cold they can be no matter who they hurt along the way, even their own mother.

In the end, the lesson I got from this movie is that children should learn to set limits from the beginning, because later it is difficult to contain those monsters that we create, wanting to remove from their path every stone that comes their way, making everything easier for them without the slightest effort on their part. So if you want to be surprised, I recommend you watch this one. Greetings, friends!

Español

Revisando mis aplicaciones de películas, para ver alguna que llamara mi atención desde el primer minuto, me topé con Valles del Eco. Soy de las personas que le gustan mucho las películas, pero tengo unos tips que aplico al empezar a ver una película, ejemplo: si no tengo alguna referencia de la película, lo primero que veo es quienes son sus protagonistas principales, si alguno de ellos es conocido por mí y me encanta su actuación, me quedo viéndola; si tiene un título llamativo y me intriga, me quedo y si su imagen de portada me hace clic, también me quedo, esta tuvo todos estos tips.

Lo primero que vi, era que era protagonizada por la actriz Julianne Moore, que me da indicios de que la película va a ser buena, por lo menos interesante, pues esta actriz ha protagonizado unos papeles muy buenos en todas las películas que ha participado, es mi opinión personal y esta no fue la excepción; por otra parte, su título Valle del Eco, me indico misterio, tal vez suspenso y son una de las características que me encantan en una película y finalmente la imagen de portada, más o menos me dio un abreboca de lo que podía esperar, así que me quede viéndola y desde el primer minuto conecte con ella...

La película te habla de lo que puede ser capaz una madre por una hija, por el amor que puede profesarse por esa hija, aunque esa hija no se lo merezca, cómo vamos a ir viendo a medida que la película vaya avanzando. Hasta allí, pensamos que se trata de otra película, que nos indica el amor de madre por una hija y podemos pensar que es una más que se va por esa línea..., pero no es así del todo, ese es el comienzo de la trama, del drama, del misterio y de la intriga, donde se ve presente aparte del amor filial, la traición, la violencia, incluso un asesinato, donde nuestra protagonista se va a ver inmersa en un mar de confusión del cual debe salir por sus propios medios.

Pero que a la vez, la va a orillar a probarse hasta donde puede ella llegar para salvarse y recuperarse ella misma. El final me dejó con la boca abierta, pues se va desenmarañando todo lo que realmente pasó entre escena y escena. Tanto así, que no puedes creer el vuelco y el revés que da la trama, ubicando a los malos donde deben estar y te deja preguntándote ¿cómo se le pudo ocurrir todo aquello?, y te deja pensando todo lo malo que llevan los vicios a las personas, los malvados y fríos que pueden llegar a ser sin importarles a quienes dañen en el camino, así sea a su propia madre.

Al final, la enseñanza que obtuve de esta película, es que a los hijos se les debe aprender a poner límites desde un inicio, porque luego es difícil de contener a esos monstruos que creamos, al querer quitarles de su camino toda piedra que se le atraviese, facilitándole todo sin el menor esfuerzo de parte de ellos. Así es que si quieres llevarte una sorpresa, te recomiendo ver esta. ¡Saludos, amigos!