Only Yesterday Review

 Only Yesterday is a film that truly embodies the spirit of life and how dreams can change or stay the same form childhood. Taeko, a 27 year old woman, lives in Tokyo and decides to go out into the countryside to work as a field worker. Along the way she starts to reminisce about her life as a little girl and starts to question if she completed her dream since childhood.

The story is great and the use of imagery and animation has the style of what we love about Studio Ghibli. The animation is so nice and crisp and I love the watercolors that were used for the past and then the heavy, darker, colors for the present (1982). Also with the past dream sequences, some of the scenes seem half finished, making it more of a dream than reality and shows how life can past by in a blur.

The music is absolutely amazing and it sets the mood for each scene. When the music is not playing its at pivitol moments in time when I am on my seat to hear and to see what happens next. The music helps the mood and brings out such great emotions that also inhances the performance of the characters and actors.

Speaking of which, the voice actors in the movie is also great and one can tell they are invested in the story and really bring each character to life. Daisy Ridley and Dev Patel were amazing and gave such great emotion to the characters and the other characters as well, especially the flashbacks to Taeko as a little girl.

Overall I give this movie a 9/10. A must see if your a fan of Studio Ghibli and this story, for me, hits home to me on a personal level and what a story to have to celebrate 25 years of amazing storytelling. Dreams can be a reality. Take chances and have heart and you will see it come true. Anime Rules!!!

Lenni Reviews: "Bane" by Amelia C. Gormley

                                                                        (Image Source)

I must have said a dozen or so times in my tenure as a book reviewer here that I'm going to be writing a review for you guys for the second book in a series without having read the first one. Well, surprise! Bane is the sequel to Strain, which I have indeed read! I happened upon it in one of my free ebook newsletters so when I saw this book in my review box, I snatched it up.

Bane follows the further adventures of Rhys Cooper, a man with a strange immunity to the virus which has ravaged the planet. The virus has three strains that do three different things: infect you with a disease called Rot, turn you into a monster called a revenant, or a super-human they call Juggernauts (or Jugs for short). Scientists in the Clean Zone have caught wind of Rhys' immunity and asked him to be a test subject for a possible vaccine but his partner; Darius Murrel, and the rest of Delta Company don't trust the government. It is the same government that developed this virus, had the Jugs fight for them, then banished them from society.

While as steamy (read: smutty) as the first book, Bane focuses more on the twisted story of trying to find a cure and a safe place for uninfected people and the Jugs they fear. With the virus in the book is so virulent, transmission and risk of another outbreak is a constant concern. The tension surrounding a possible vaccine, how it will effect the balance in the word, and whether or not it will even work, was the most riveting part for me, and I look forward to a sequel if Gormley has one in the works.

As for the M/M romance aspect of it, Rhys and Darius are pretty well established as a couple. The main romantic conflict comes from characters introduced in a different book; Nico Fernandez and Zach Houtman. Nico is a Jug and Zach is one of the doctors working with Rhys on a cure. Kept apart for a decade by Nico's infection, they are thrown together again. Their possible reconciliation is the backdrop to a well built, post-apocalyptic landscape.

To sum it all up, Gormley has sharp world building skills and a red hot pen for her erotic portions of her books. If you like your M/M romance with a sci-fi bent, Bane is a welcome addition.

---

“If you like Lenni’s reviews; she also has her own writing posted at www.atthequillsmercy.com”

Lenni Reviews: "Evac" by Michael Murphy

                                                                      (Image Source)

"Evac" is the story of a war veteran named Benjamin - Benji for short. While on assignment in Afghanistan, Benji loses his entire unit; including his partner, Blade. While his body mended, his mind is fractured; as he suffers from debilitating PTSD flashbacks. Finding it nearly impossible to reconnect as a civilian, Benji claws for any sort of release from his mental pain; participating in ever more dangerous activities until finally ending up on a bridge ready to end it all. It is here where he meets Nick, a young man on the same bridge for the same reason. The two men find common ground and give each other hope for a better future.

"Evac" is a quick but powerful story. Even at under 200 pages, I found myself both empathizing with Benji and enraged at the utter incompetence of the people around him. With such tragedy, it is very gratifying for him and Nick to get together with their much deserved happy ending. But what a ride getting there! Random sexual encounters, a brief stint at a BDSM club, picking bar fights; Benji hits all the self-destructive marks before  he meets Nick and is set on a more balanced path. Yup, I said BDSM club. And Michael Murphy doesn't flinch a bit in his depictions of the lifestyle and all the smutty encounters, so count this among the "mature audiences only" books.

And in case you're all wondering: "Lenni? What's with all the naughty LGBT books!?" Well, to be perfectly honest, I think more of these books should be reviewed on sites like ours and - I freely admit - I made myself a complete pest at the Dreamspinner Press booth at BEA this year. I have a LOT of books from them and I'm hell bent on reviewing as many as possible. Expect more of these in the future.

To get back on point, "Evac" packs a quick emotional punch with good pacing and development in a small package. Benji's unflinching honestly and pain to tug at your heart even if the book hits all the sorta cliche romantic tropes. But, they're cliche for a reason; it's how romances work. If you're looking for a quick and smutty romance with a happily ever after, "Evac" will do ya well.

Star Wars Episode 6: The Return of The Jedi Review

After rescuing Han Solo from the palace of Jabba the Hutt, the rebels attempt to destroy the second Death Star, while Luke struggles to make Vader return from the dark side of the Force.

Race For Your Life, SkyBlew (Review)

It's been a while since I did a geek who do music review. However SkyBlew is back with a brand new EP entitled "Race For Your Life, SkyBlew." After a listening to the album twice I can say he has done it again. SkyBlew just keeps getting better and better with each release. This guy truly has the Hip-Hop I've been craving. His music has not pigeonhole himself as a geek rapper. Instead of going that route he just gives you himself. In a world of music where many play characters for sells. SkyBlew gives you authenticity in his music and you feel it.

The album is great lyrically, production wise, with a few concept songs that make references to pop culture of the past. Songs like "Spirit Detective 2" which is a brilliant nod to the anime "Yu Yu Hakusho" makes references to the show but maintains the theme of the song. The song is about a man who won't give into demons and will continue to be a solider of light. It's clever tracks like "Spirit Detective 2", "Dwayne Wayne"  and "Picture That" that will have you take notice if you haven't to SkyBlew.

I have to say that is truly is a great album. But in the world music it's not just the artist alone. The people behind the production job is to compliment the talent of the artist. "Race For Your Life, SkyBlew" has fantastic production from producers Scottie King who owns it on my favorite track of the album "Picture That." I love this beat it's sounds soulful but at the same time like I'm going into a RPG town. Scottie King lends his talents to other tracks and it's home run each time. SkyBlew also continues his collaboration with Backdraft (see SkyBlew his album Journey in 1st Person for more) and you can hear the chemistry when great lyrics mix with great beats. Backdraft and SkyBlew fit like a glove and when you hear the production on the song "The Ballad of Patience" you will see why I say that. Don't wait for me to tell you check it out. Other producers such as U'Nquie Music, DJ Reimi and Englewood all do fantastic on the tracks their production is featured on.

Overall if you looking for music that is authentic with positive vibes and great lyrics and production. "Race For Your Life, SkyBlew" is the album for you. 16 tracks and I didn't skip on track. Great album and a must listen too if you like music with substance.

Rating - A+

Stand Out Tracks
Flowers PT. 2
Spirit Detective 2
The Ballad of Patience
Dwayne Wayne

We Are Robin Vol 1: The Vigilante Business Review

Spinning out of the pages of BATMAN! The teenagers of Gotham City have adopted the "R" and made it their own. A new Robin? No, hundreds of new Robins! The Boy Wonder has inspired a movement in Gotham, where different people of all creeds, colors, genders and religions have donned the "R" insignia to combat crime. But will this clean up the city...or make more trouble than it's worth?

We Are Robin has done something I was waiting to see for a while. This comic book has manage to show how Batman & Robin have become a symbol of change and hope in Gotham. As explained in the synopsis above a group of teenagers inspired by Batman take it upon themselves to take crime head on. These young teens adopt the symbol of his sidekick Robin by wearing Robin colors and his symbol. The main protagonist Duke Thomas who readers can meet for the first time in Batman Eternal.

Duke parents have been missing after an attack from The Joker. He has been in and out of foster homes and different school due to his behavior. Right from the beginning I was immerse in the world. We usually see Gotham from the perspective of our heroes like Batman and The Bat Family. However We Are Robin depicts Gotham from the perspective of the people. We see how poverty, broken homes and violence spreads all over Gotham. Gotham is truly a place you don't want to live. We Are Robin uses the living condition of Duke and the other Robin's to show why Gotham needs saving. It's a city that doesn't just need Batman but needs ordinary citizens to step up even that means using your fist.

The main key element that makes We Are Robin such a good read is the characters. Each Robin was presented with an introduction, backstory and a glimpse of their everyday life when they are not trying to save the day. I found myself not being able to put it down as each Robin's backstory was presented or a glimpse into their lives. This great use of characterization and development will have you turning the page after another. This is clearly an origin story for a group DC Comics hopes will be a driving force in a few years. Since this is a origin story the young Robin's are learning the ropes from someone who I won't spoil. Like any hero story in comics, mistakes are made and lives are loss. Duke and the others make decisions that have consequences and I love the cliffhanger ending that leads into The Robin Wars. 

Overall We Are Robin is a great read. The story has interested characters, the setting is dark and gritty and the art style is great. If you want a story about the citizens of Gotham and a more in depth look at the city. We Are Robin is the book you should read.

Final Grade 9.0/10  

Prison School Review

There was a time when the Hachimitsu Private Academy was a revered and elite all-girls' boarding school on the outskirts of Tokyo but a recent policy revision is allowing boys into the student body. On his first day, Kiyoshi Fujino discovers that he's one of only five boys enrolled at the school. Completely overwhelmed by the thousands of girls on campus, the few boys find that their situation is less than ideal.