Score: 7

"More extreme than Bill and Ted"

submission: lordofthematrixwars

date: November 2, 2005

Well, to start off, this movie is in the most collections I have ever seen in my life. The block had like fucking 6 things in it man.

Anyways, I thought you covered the basic storyline of almost every video game and movie ever made. The idea of making a flash movie including nearly every pop culture character on newgrounds was a pretty unique idea, and I thought you executed it quite well, too. I mean, it was a great movie, but it still had a few flaws.

The graphics were good. I was actually quite impressed with the drawings. But you didn't really have any animation. At all. I mean, there were bascially two different backrounds, and the only thing that really ever moved were the mouths, and uh... Peach ripping off her top. So you could've used a little bit of work in that category. The style was awesome. Keanu Reeves has always been a hero in everybodies hearts, and we've all wanted to see as many fad crossovers as possible in one movie. You managed to parody a good number of plot twists and character personalities, and I found myself recalling several characters in different movies and games that seemed oddly similar, despite the fact that the flash was only a few minutes long.

The sound was pretty good. I thought that the extreme music in the backround suited the mood quite well, especially one about Keanu. The voice acting was relatively smooth, and I seemed quite convinced that if this was a movie with real actors, it would get rave reviews for the wonderful acting. In other words, the voice had deep feeling to them. And by deep feeling, I mean no feeling at all. Of course, this was intended, in order for you to properly parody the crappiness of usual actors. It could've used some violence, and I don't often find myself saying something like that often on this website. Considering almost every flash is based around somebody getting their heads chopped off...

It was a good flash. Very entertaining, and I thought you pulled of the parody quite well. I hope that this movie doesn't slip under the radar into complete mediocrity, because I found myself laughing throughout most of the stupid storyline. Great work, I hope you make another excellent adventure involving Keanu.

-Canas-

Score: 10

"Quite metaphorical"

submission: Sinister Plan

date: October 31, 2005

I wasn't expecting a movie that had a bit of... "brains" put into to it, to be honest. It's not that often that I come across something that isn't mindless violence, or pointless porno. This was another one of those little gems that I was lucky enough to find, and I will be posting it in my topic about these sort of films. As it started, I wasn't sure what to think. I knew it was a metaphor for something, but it could be interpreted in so many ways. When he finally loaded into the van, I figured it had something to do with gaining a new identity. But I found out that I was incorrect almost immediately.

The idea that the army "steals heads" is quite the deep thought. Although many share the same sort of mentality, you managed to put it into an art form, or something that most will be able to understand. I noticed that the recruits never had smiles on their faces, meaning that they knew things were wrong, and they weren't going to pretend like the world was fine. When the army man issued them a new head, he also issued them new thoughts. Taking away any doubts about what he is to be doing in a far away land. All of his political views and feelings have been made to be the same as everybody elses, made to be what the government wants them to be, and I thought that this message was one of thought-provoking brilliance.

The graphics weren't bad. Obviously, i've seen a lot better on this website. But I couldn't draw as good as you, therefore I should give you some credit there. Your style was... brilliant. The metaphorical meaning was one that could only be figured out at the end, and it kept the viewer guessing and thinking throughout the whole movie.

Using "mainstream" music is usually a bad sign among newgrounds movies. Although I wouldn't consider R.E.M. THAT "mainstream" the fact that people know who they are can sometimes hurt the movie. But I personally have never heard the song before, therefore the next time I hear it I will immediately be reminded of this movie, as opposed to those who have heard it being reminded of something else. Their was a tad bit of violence, but it was merely a literally device used in the form of a moving picture.

All in all, this is one of the better movies i've viewed in a long while. You managed to give meaning to your flash, which is something most authors don't really care about. Thank you.

-Canas-

Score: 8

"Much stranger"

submission: Lost in shadows

date: October 31, 2005

I have already left a review for the movie previous to this one, if you haven't read it yet. And I found this one to be slightly better. Although they were... very similar. Almost, too similar, to be honest. But the changes made were enough to pass it off as a seperate movie, and if you contrast both of them it is easy to see that they are most certainly not the same.

The graphics were once again, quite eye-catching. I really enjoyed your animations, for the most part, and I found that they graphics were done well enough to actually make me feel a little bit creeped out. The "demons" could have been drawn better to look a little bit scarier, but I found that they were at least a little freaky looking. Just in time for halloween, I suppose. The style was great, as I mentioned in my other review. I really like how you combined a bit of David Firth-esque graphics and music to your own style to make a very unique flash. The walls changing colors and too look as if they were almost bleeding added a wonderful touch, and the black and white flashes were also done very well. The flickering in the characters eyes was something I have never seen before, and I really thought that added a lot to the flash.

The sound was a lot better than the previous one. I found that it fit the flash quite well, and really gave it a sort of ominous feel. It is always good to see a flash coincide well with it's music, and this one is a near perfect example of that. The violence wasn't much different from the other flash, but the idea of cutting an arm in half and eating one half of it in a corner still comes across as a liiiittle strange. Despite the fact that I already saw it in the other one.

You've got some talent, kid. It's not often that I ever see a half decent movie series come out of anybody below the age of 17 or 18, nevermind a pretty damned good one. Just make sure that all your ideas remain as original as they are, and you might just end up becoming a big success on this site. You have a lot of competition, but I think you've got what it takes. Great flash, perfect style, unique sound, and overall just plain awesome. Fantastic work, I look foward to seeing your next bit.

Score: 7

"Unexpected"

submission: Lost in the darkness

date: October 31, 2005

I was forced to watch this movie for the sole reason that you just submitted the "sequel" to it today. And to be honest, I was plesently surprised by the result. This is not the kind of work I was expecting from one so young, and I suppose stereotypes are meant to be broken.

The graphics were quite... unique. Although the weren't particularily amazing, I found that the were relatively pleasing to the eyes. There was a tad bit of laziness animating the characters movements, since his legs were really... just stumps. But that could be just your style. (or course, David Firth doesn't have the best drawings either, anyways). The style was breathtaking. The way you used the sharp and scratchy backround was pretty cool, and the painting was also quite interesting.

The sound fit almost perfectly. Although i'm sure there is a better song out there for this flash movie, I found that the one you used did quite well. The music suited the mood, to an extent. The violence in your film was also unexpected, yet very unique. When the character ate the hand, I was quite disturbed. But also somewhat amused, in an evil manical way.

You did a good job on this flash, and i'm a little bummed out that it may not get the attention it deserves. After your sequel falls off the Top 50, you may get a review every week. It's quite depressing, really. But know that those who managed to view your work were quite impressed. I look foward to viewing and reviewing your other movie, which i'll get to right now.

-Canas-

Score: 6

"Ah, Ryan"

submission: Chronicles of Chaos4

date: October 31, 2005

Just a warning; As one of the top reviewers on this site, (currently ranked 69th :o) i'll just have to warn you that this review may be quite... lengthy. Although some of the other people who have more reviews than me don't leave even a THIRD as much in their reviews, I chose to actually make an attempt at putting as much effort into my reviews as I can, so that the author can appreciate the fact that their movie served a purpose to somebody. Instead of the usual "dude dat sucked yo" review or "kool dude", etc.

The graphics were an improvement on your usual graphics. Obviously you are getting better, and I thought your attempts at characters that aren't sticks weren't in vain. The style, obviously, was quite cool. I loved the added touch with Wade, and the whole deal about Tom crying. I'll be sure to email Wade with a link to this movie, so he may watch it himself.

The sound was good, but you could've obviously used some sound effects, (and maybe a voice or to, :o). Listening to music is fine, but it would make the flash a lot better if I could hear the cracking of a few skulls. The violence was, expected. As all of your flashes contain a fair amount of psychotic killing and shooting, I wasn't at all surprised. Of course, a little gore couldn't hurt your flash either.

Well, you're getting better. I've said it several times, and it's still true. I don't know what you're working on now, but I look foward to seeing it. A lot of people like to see Halo flashes, and if you made another one you might get a better score. Although, with the Halo fanboys comes the Halo haters, and it will get voted down upon by a few select douchebags. Anyways, keep submitting stuff. I need to boost my author reponse rate, :)

-Canas-

Score: 7

"Charming"

submission: Pencilmation #2

date: October 31, 2005

It has always been a pleasure of mine on newgrounds to view movies that are different. It gets a bit annoying when everything is practically the same, and this movie was an nice change from all of that. It was quite an interesting idea to use "pencilmation" as an flash movie, and you managed to do a fine job on it.

The graphics were quite well done. The time it must have took to animate the frames as deep as you did was probably immense, and the effort put in to the flash was uncanny. Your style is one to be envied by other users. I don't think anybody else could be able to pull of a flash like this. And that is what makes your flash so unique and different.

But the sounds were quite, well, boring. Most of the little soundbytes were overused to the extent that they sounded similar to something i've heard on a multitude of cartoon shows. The music fit well, but I had a pretty big quarrel with it. I found myself drifting in and out of sleep while watching, and I think it was because of how slow paced and blan the music was. Although done undoubtably well, I just couldn't put up with it.

I remember watching your original movie a long time ago, and it got a lot of praise. It even sat atop the top 50 for a while, and that was something that didn't make me happy. I left a negative review for that film, for the same reason I left a mediocre one here. It was just too slow, so it will go unappreciated on newgrounds. A site that exists for the sole purpose of enhancing kids ADD and ADHD. You did a great job, make no mistake about it, but it was just a tad bit boring.

-Canas-

Score: 9

"Jewtacular!"

submission: Trevor Weinstein

date: October 29, 2005

Wow, what an epic film. This is probably the single greatest movie I have seen in a good week or so, and that's saying something. From the moment I saw the title, I instantly thought "jewish", and everything came together from that point on. The story was just fucking weird, and I loved every moment of it.

The graphics were pretty sweet. It ran rather smootly, and it was drawn quite well. I couldn't recall exactly what they reminded me of, but I have seen some movies quite similar to this one. Your style was nothing short of brilliance. Following the story of a Jewish penguin who gets in a ski accident and is nursed to health by a mammoth woman as they drink Old Spice and talk of times past? Awesome dude. The whole storyline was something of sheer ingeniusness that really matched my style and what I like to watch.

The sound was nearly perfect. Despite the lack of actual sound effects, I thought that the music was perfect, and the voice acting was very crisp and believable. I don't know how this is possible but the voice actually sounded.... jewish. The little bit of violence there was in the flash was quite humorous. As a Canadian, the idea of beating people with a hockey stick is something that crosses my mind on a daily basis, therefore I could really relate to it.

I couldn't help but laugh at almost every aspect of this film. The whole incorperation of the Trevor being jewish just made the thing so much more funny. I'm not a racist, or anything, I just find the stereotypes about the jewish people to be much more hilarious than any other religion. The fact that Trevor wore glasses was a subtle yet very hilarious little aspect of the flash. Old Spice ain't a bad cologne, and the idea of becoming intoxicated off of cologne makes me want to projectile vomit. All in all, brilliant fucking flash. And it'll now make it's home with about 60 other flashes in my favourites list.

-Canas-

Score: 6

"Could've improved"

submission: FR - Halloween Special

date: October 29, 2005

The flash wasn't too bad, but it wasn't that great either. I was actually very impressed by the graphics at first. They were drawn quite flawlessly. But other aspects of the movie just didn't quite live up to the rest.

The graphics, as I mentioned before, were pretty fucking good. It had a clean, and crisp look to it. And I loved the cartoon style. Despite the cartoon feel, there was a bit of realism incorperated into the character design, and I felt that your animation is really your strong point. The style of the flash was good. Nothing gets me in the mood for candy more than a good Halloween flash, plus it makes newgrounds a lot more interesting to view seasonal stuff as opposed to the usual blood and gore.

The sound was very poor. I could hardly hear what the voice actors were saying half the time, and if I tried to turn up the volume, the scratchiness killed my ears. Most of the dialogue was very poorly written, and the acting didn't really have enough flair to make me believe it was something more than a mediocre flash movie as opposed to a satirical representation of the late teen lifestyle. The music fit well, and I felt that the sound effects were also pretty good. But that was probably the only good thing about the audio. Violence, on the other hand, was there. Although not plentiful, it was enough to appeal to my sadistic nature. But I couldn't help but feel that it was only including for the sole purpose of having violence in the film.

It was a good effort, and it really had it's ups and downs. The graphics were great, plus some of the humor was alright. But the sound was this flashes main weakness, and I felt that with a little more effort you probably could've made an improvement on the audio. Anyways, solid job. Just not executed extremely well.

-Canas-

Score: 8

"Gangster shit"

submission: Left Behind

date: October 29, 2005

Haha, that was pretty cool. I've seen several flashes focusing on music videos, but this one may end up standing out in my memory. It was a very interesting song, and I can't say that i'd actually heard of it before. But i'm sure you weren't counting on it. It's obvious that you chose a song that you really like, because it shows in the effort put into this.

The graphics were good, but i've seen a lot better. The drawings were done quite well, but sometimes it felt as if the backround was moving rather jerkily. Plus the animation was decent, and it didn't really have a whole lot of realism to it. Your style is pretty unique, and I always find myself saying so about the flashes I watch. You picked one gangster ass song, and you did a brilliant job of encorperating the lyrics with the flash. The combination actually made it feel as if it were the actual music video, assuming you didn't just steal the ideas from what was their actual music video.

The sound, as I said before, was gangster. I mean, two guys rapping about random shit, it was pretty cool. I don't know if you got a bunch of reviews saying how "gay" rap is or not, but these people have got to appreciate the rhyme scheme the artists made. There was a bit of violence, but I didn't see any heads flying. It wouldn't have suited the flash anyways.

All in all, great work. You managed to make a music video for a very abstract song, and the flash worked perfectly. It added great humor with the lyrics, and to see the words carried out into pictures was cool. Fantastic work.

-Canas-

Score: 7

"Haha, well"

submission: interwebnet

date: October 29, 2005

A flash with a message, something that isn't really rarely found on this website. And of course, this wasn't an exception. I found that I could actually see how the main points would work somewhat well, despite the fact that it was clearly only for satirical purposes anyways.

The graphics were practically non-existant. A backround or two, plus a couple frames of mouths moving. Although what you DID have drawn could have been interpreted as either lazy or unique, and well, I thought it was unique. Your style was pretty cool. I mean, it's the internet folks. Anybody that makes a flash about the internet is instantly cool in my books.

The sound got a tad bit annoying. There were parts where you were yelling into your mic, and despite how clear it was to understand, it made my ears bleed. Of course, that could've just been a technique used to get your message across, and trust me. I got it. I gave you a few points for violence because, well, my ears bled. So it was kind of violent in a sense.

You managed to create a mildly entertaining flash about something silly like the internet. And I approve. I am also quite glad that this got accepted into a collection, because most of these movies just disappear forever. I couldn't help but laugh at most of the movie, and I thought it was pretty well done and worth my time. Nice work man.

-Canas-