2007
Noah’s Barks pages covering things relating to the year 2007.
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Rebuild of Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone
The original ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ was a well-paced, impressively animated, and affecting story. But, hear me out: what if they made it again, except it wasn’t those things? I am (not) impressed. (Includes ‘Beautiful World’) (read more)
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Macross F: Close Encounter – Deculture Edition (Yak Deculture version)
An explanation of my MyAnimeList rating for this extended cut of the first episode of ‘Macross Frontier,’ the ‘Yak Deculture’ version. (read more)
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No Country for Old Men
No Country for Old Men is the Coen bros. in typical and top form. That is, it’s a thriller of misfortunes that goes without their usual childish snickering at the audience and ironic, blasé mockery of tropes. When it’s at its best, the thrills here are unparalleled. When it’s not, the film is running on… (read more)
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The Chemical Brothers – “B-Sides Volume 1”
For a compilation, B-Sides Volume 1 is sequenced professionally well and is extra incentive to pick this up. It plays like a lost Chemical Brothers album, and fortunately, it’s a good one—for the most part. Some typical (albeit typically competent) by-the-books beats make up these selections, such as “H.I.A.,” “Let Me in Mate,” and “Prescription… (read more)
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There Will Be Blood
There Will Be Blood is fantastic but can’t shake the feeling of wasted potential. The setting is underutilized and could’ve expanded on Daniel Day-Lewis’s character, grounding him in a historical realism. John D. Rockefeller is a controversial figure this could open up an easy parallel and commentary on the business and era, but this corrupted… (read more)
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Death Proof
Death Proof shows a tragic shame when the moment Quentin Tarantino decides to carry a film only with his usually reputable dialogue that his writing is at its absolute worst. The young girls’ sassy shtick gets annoying quickly, and it feels like they just want to hear themselves talk (about nothing). The self-obsession is grating… (read more)
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Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor
Perpetual down-on-his-luck loser Kaiji finds himself forced to survive deadly games of chance for the amusement of the competitors’ wealthy, vindictive creditors. (Includes season 2) (read more)
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Grinderman – “Grinderman”
Nick Cave was 50 years old when he released Grinderman, a desperate bid at recapturing his youth with unsubtle noise-rock-by-numbers freakouts such as “No Pussy Blues.” It’s a midlife crisis if I’ve ever seen one, like an old man popping Viagra because he doesn’t want to come to terms with the fact he no longer… (read more)
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Baroness – “Red Album”
As the cover of Red Album suggests, Baroness are unusually elegant for a stoner metal band. The guitars often have a very clear sound to them. The riffs are catchy and powerful as they march and stomp along in unison. They don’t overdo it with the progressive elements and add just enough to make each… (read more)
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The Smashing Pumpkins – “Zeitgeist” (2007)
Zeitgeist is more of a disappointment than “bad,” if that makes sense. It’s disappointing because The Smashing Pumpkins have seemingly completely abandoned their layered, psychedelic sound. I liked Machina II, but Zeitgeist comes off as mostly standard modern alternative rock. The things that keep it above that are Corgan’s distinctive voice and excellent guitar playing,… (read more)