Sarca
@sarcasc.bsky.social
Senior mod https://www.anime-planet.com/
Contributing writer https://anime-atelier.com/
Credit maintainer https://anidb.net/
Art @sarcarush.bsky.social
Twitter https://x.com/sarca_sc
All links here: https://sarca-sc.newgrounds.com
Contributing writer https://anime-atelier.com/
Credit maintainer https://anidb.net/
Art @sarcarush.bsky.social
Twitter https://x.com/sarca_sc
All links here: https://sarca-sc.newgrounds.com
The Unknown Soldier (2017) directed by Aku Louhimies
I haven't read the novel or seen the other films, but I think it does struggle a bit with its anti-war themes until the end (war realism and human empathy aside). Great practical effects, cinematography, and editing though
I haven't read the novel or seen the other films, but I think it does struggle a bit with its anti-war themes until the end (war realism and human empathy aside). Great practical effects, cinematography, and editing though
August 18, 2025 at 5:29 AM
The Unknown Soldier (2017) directed by Aku Louhimies
I haven't read the novel or seen the other films, but I think it does struggle a bit with its anti-war themes until the end (war realism and human empathy aside). Great practical effects, cinematography, and editing though
I haven't read the novel or seen the other films, but I think it does struggle a bit with its anti-war themes until the end (war realism and human empathy aside). Great practical effects, cinematography, and editing though
The 12th Man (2017) directed by Harald Zwart
This tries to be like a psychological survival film more than a war drama account, but it doesn't quite dip too heavily into any particular inspiration in that regard, which I think is a downside to an otherwise lengthy but decent film
This tries to be like a psychological survival film more than a war drama account, but it doesn't quite dip too heavily into any particular inspiration in that regard, which I think is a downside to an otherwise lengthy but decent film
August 14, 2025 at 5:43 AM
The 12th Man (2017) directed by Harald Zwart
This tries to be like a psychological survival film more than a war drama account, but it doesn't quite dip too heavily into any particular inspiration in that regard, which I think is a downside to an otherwise lengthy but decent film
This tries to be like a psychological survival film more than a war drama account, but it doesn't quite dip too heavily into any particular inspiration in that regard, which I think is a downside to an otherwise lengthy but decent film
April 9th (2015) directed by Roni Ezra
War films often focus on the pointlessness of killing and hopelessness of certain events, and this movie definitely starts and ends on a couple of layers of hopelessness—Denmark had no real chance, and its government capitulated instantly
War films often focus on the pointlessness of killing and hopelessness of certain events, and this movie definitely starts and ends on a couple of layers of hopelessness—Denmark had no real chance, and its government capitulated instantly
August 11, 2025 at 5:54 AM
April 9th (2015) directed by Roni Ezra
War films often focus on the pointlessness of killing and hopelessness of certain events, and this movie definitely starts and ends on a couple of layers of hopelessness—Denmark had no real chance, and its government capitulated instantly
War films often focus on the pointlessness of killing and hopelessness of certain events, and this movie definitely starts and ends on a couple of layers of hopelessness—Denmark had no real chance, and its government capitulated instantly
Battle for Sevastopol (2015) directed by Sergei Mokritskiy Сергей Мокрицкий
Decently choreographed battles, but the screenplay swapping back and forth with Pavlichenko's pre- and peri-touring ambassadorship was a bad choice; and Mokritskiy can't secure any tonal consistency
Decently choreographed battles, but the screenplay swapping back and forth with Pavlichenko's pre- and peri-touring ambassadorship was a bad choice; and Mokritskiy can't secure any tonal consistency
August 9, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Battle for Sevastopol (2015) directed by Sergei Mokritskiy Сергей Мокрицкий
Decently choreographed battles, but the screenplay swapping back and forth with Pavlichenko's pre- and peri-touring ambassadorship was a bad choice; and Mokritskiy can't secure any tonal consistency
Decently choreographed battles, but the screenplay swapping back and forth with Pavlichenko's pre- and peri-touring ambassadorship was a bad choice; and Mokritskiy can't secure any tonal consistency
The Pitt Season 1 (2025)
I guess this show's biggest highlights are its intense, dramatic moments (especially as it gets into the "overtime" segment); but what leaves the most lasting impressions are its quiet and tender moments or bits of humor scattered throughout trauma
I guess this show's biggest highlights are its intense, dramatic moments (especially as it gets into the "overtime" segment); but what leaves the most lasting impressions are its quiet and tender moments or bits of humor scattered throughout trauma
August 6, 2025 at 6:09 AM
The Pitt Season 1 (2025)
I guess this show's biggest highlights are its intense, dramatic moments (especially as it gets into the "overtime" segment); but what leaves the most lasting impressions are its quiet and tender moments or bits of humor scattered throughout trauma
I guess this show's biggest highlights are its intense, dramatic moments (especially as it gets into the "overtime" segment); but what leaves the most lasting impressions are its quiet and tender moments or bits of humor scattered throughout trauma
Fires on the Plain (1959) directed by Kon Ichikawa 市川崑
I think the first third of the movie or so struggled to reel me in, but as it got into the second half it was a lot more gripping in its degradation of humanity in war.
I think the first third of the movie or so struggled to reel me in, but as it got into the second half it was a lot more gripping in its degradation of humanity in war.
August 2, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Fires on the Plain (1959) directed by Kon Ichikawa 市川崑
I think the first third of the movie or so struggled to reel me in, but as it got into the second half it was a lot more gripping in its degradation of humanity in war.
I think the first third of the movie or so struggled to reel me in, but as it got into the second half it was a lot more gripping in its degradation of humanity in war.
City of Life and Death (2009) directed by Lu Chuan 陆川
July 16, 2025 at 8:10 AM
City of Life and Death (2009) directed by Lu Chuan 陆川
Tobruk (2008) directed by Václav Marhoul
An interesting reinterpretation of an American Civil War novel set instead in WW2 Africa, but the direction and screenplay don't evoke a whole lot from the story it wants to tell very often.
It's ok.
An interesting reinterpretation of an American Civil War novel set instead in WW2 Africa, but the direction and screenplay don't evoke a whole lot from the story it wants to tell very often.
It's ok.
July 16, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Tobruk (2008) directed by Václav Marhoul
An interesting reinterpretation of an American Civil War novel set instead in WW2 Africa, but the direction and screenplay don't evoke a whole lot from the story it wants to tell very often.
It's ok.
An interesting reinterpretation of an American Civil War novel set instead in WW2 Africa, but the direction and screenplay don't evoke a whole lot from the story it wants to tell very often.
It's ok.
Superman (2025) directed by James Gunn
Script felt kind of weak as far as dialogue choices at times but Gunn's aspirations with this character and universe show through. The camera work with the flying and fighting sequences was surprisingly engaging and not annoying
Script felt kind of weak as far as dialogue choices at times but Gunn's aspirations with this character and universe show through. The camera work with the flying and fighting sequences was surprisingly engaging and not annoying
July 16, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Superman (2025) directed by James Gunn
Script felt kind of weak as far as dialogue choices at times but Gunn's aspirations with this character and universe show through. The camera work with the flying and fighting sequences was surprisingly engaging and not annoying
Script felt kind of weak as far as dialogue choices at times but Gunn's aspirations with this character and universe show through. The camera work with the flying and fighting sequences was surprisingly engaging and not annoying
Pig (2021) directed by Michael Sarnoski
An emotional rollercoaster. Patrick Scola's cinematography and the performances were especially great, I was not expecting this movie to be as "soft" or "kind" (?) as it was in its dramatic approach
An emotional rollercoaster. Patrick Scola's cinematography and the performances were especially great, I was not expecting this movie to be as "soft" or "kind" (?) as it was in its dramatic approach
May 31, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Pig (2021) directed by Michael Sarnoski
An emotional rollercoaster. Patrick Scola's cinematography and the performances were especially great, I was not expecting this movie to be as "soft" or "kind" (?) as it was in its dramatic approach
An emotional rollercoaster. Patrick Scola's cinematography and the performances were especially great, I was not expecting this movie to be as "soft" or "kind" (?) as it was in its dramatic approach
Thunderbolts* (2025) directed by Jake Schrier
A movie about outcasts and objectively terrible or (if only) immoral people that takes time to allow sympathetic understanding of them as "people"—good, bad, and ugly. Crazy what really homing in on general themes can do
A movie about outcasts and objectively terrible or (if only) immoral people that takes time to allow sympathetic understanding of them as "people"—good, bad, and ugly. Crazy what really homing in on general themes can do
May 10, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Thunderbolts* (2025) directed by Jake Schrier
A movie about outcasts and objectively terrible or (if only) immoral people that takes time to allow sympathetic understanding of them as "people"—good, bad, and ugly. Crazy what really homing in on general themes can do
A movie about outcasts and objectively terrible or (if only) immoral people that takes time to allow sympathetic understanding of them as "people"—good, bad, and ugly. Crazy what really homing in on general themes can do
Days of Glory (2006) directed by Rachid Bouchareb
I've seen the at-home, post-WW2 anti-colonial efforts of the Algerians in Pontecorvo's Battle for Algieres; but I'm glad I saw a movie that speaks to a different element of (French) colonialism than subjugation of peoples
I've seen the at-home, post-WW2 anti-colonial efforts of the Algerians in Pontecorvo's Battle for Algieres; but I'm glad I saw a movie that speaks to a different element of (French) colonialism than subjugation of peoples
March 24, 2025 at 5:41 AM
Days of Glory (2006) directed by Rachid Bouchareb
I've seen the at-home, post-WW2 anti-colonial efforts of the Algerians in Pontecorvo's Battle for Algieres; but I'm glad I saw a movie that speaks to a different element of (French) colonialism than subjugation of peoples
I've seen the at-home, post-WW2 anti-colonial efforts of the Algerians in Pontecorvo's Battle for Algieres; but I'm glad I saw a movie that speaks to a different element of (French) colonialism than subjugation of peoples
Azaad (2025) directed by Abhishek Kapoor
Lackluster romance and an entirely one-note narrative that doesn't develop into anything more interesting, but the actors have likeable performances and the songs are fun
Lackluster romance and an entirely one-note narrative that doesn't develop into anything more interesting, but the actors have likeable performances and the songs are fun
March 20, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Azaad (2025) directed by Abhishek Kapoor
Lackluster romance and an entirely one-note narrative that doesn't develop into anything more interesting, but the actors have likeable performances and the songs are fun
Lackluster romance and an entirely one-note narrative that doesn't develop into anything more interesting, but the actors have likeable performances and the songs are fun
Straight into Darkness (2004) directed by Jeff Burr
Burr is so full of himself and this movie is so flawed from its screenplay to sometimes its acting, I quite honestly think it might be my new favorite movie ever
What the fuck
Burr is so full of himself and this movie is so flawed from its screenplay to sometimes its acting, I quite honestly think it might be my new favorite movie ever
What the fuck
March 17, 2025 at 6:10 AM
Straight into Darkness (2004) directed by Jeff Burr
Burr is so full of himself and this movie is so flawed from its screenplay to sometimes its acting, I quite honestly think it might be my new favorite movie ever
What the fuck
Burr is so full of himself and this movie is so flawed from its screenplay to sometimes its acting, I quite honestly think it might be my new favorite movie ever
What the fuck
Downfall (2004) directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel
A film that "humanizes" evil is not one that endorses or reinforces it; but rather one that shows "evil" through its lenses, on its own terms to a point, and exposes its cowardice, depravity, and desperation
A film that "humanizes" evil is not one that endorses or reinforces it; but rather one that shows "evil" through its lenses, on its own terms to a point, and exposes its cowardice, depravity, and desperation
March 17, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Downfall (2004) directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel
A film that "humanizes" evil is not one that endorses or reinforces it; but rather one that shows "evil" through its lenses, on its own terms to a point, and exposes its cowardice, depravity, and desperation
A film that "humanizes" evil is not one that endorses or reinforces it; but rather one that shows "evil" through its lenses, on its own terms to a point, and exposes its cowardice, depravity, and desperation
Last Breath (2025) directed by Alex Parkinson
It's a fine dramatization of Chris Lemons' story, though maybe a bit... clean? Ian Seabrook and Aaron Keating, the underwater director of photography and gaffer (respectively), really stole the show
It's a fine dramatization of Chris Lemons' story, though maybe a bit... clean? Ian Seabrook and Aaron Keating, the underwater director of photography and gaffer (respectively), really stole the show
March 13, 2025 at 4:49 AM
Last Breath (2025) directed by Alex Parkinson
It's a fine dramatization of Chris Lemons' story, though maybe a bit... clean? Ian Seabrook and Aaron Keating, the underwater director of photography and gaffer (respectively), really stole the show
It's a fine dramatization of Chris Lemons' story, though maybe a bit... clean? Ian Seabrook and Aaron Keating, the underwater director of photography and gaffer (respectively), really stole the show
Feast of Amrita (2023) directed by Saku Sakamoto 坂本サク
On a technical level, a big upgrade of several departments in Sakamoto's animation approach. It's also just downright a lot more ambitious; and more narratively consistent, or focused, in its sort-of non-linearity
On a technical level, a big upgrade of several departments in Sakamoto's animation approach. It's also just downright a lot more ambitious; and more narratively consistent, or focused, in its sort-of non-linearity
March 12, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Feast of Amrita (2023) directed by Saku Sakamoto 坂本サク
On a technical level, a big upgrade of several departments in Sakamoto's animation approach. It's also just downright a lot more ambitious; and more narratively consistent, or focused, in its sort-of non-linearity
On a technical level, a big upgrade of several departments in Sakamoto's animation approach. It's also just downright a lot more ambitious; and more narratively consistent, or focused, in its sort-of non-linearity
Aragne: Sign of Vermillion (2018) directed by Saku Sakamoto 坂本サク
This movie's biggest weakness is that that CG models are very noticeable and have no expressions/emotions, and a screenplay that feels like it tries to juggle a little too much too quickly
This movie's biggest weakness is that that CG models are very noticeable and have no expressions/emotions, and a screenplay that feels like it tries to juggle a little too much too quickly
March 11, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Aragne: Sign of Vermillion (2018) directed by Saku Sakamoto 坂本サク
This movie's biggest weakness is that that CG models are very noticeable and have no expressions/emotions, and a screenplay that feels like it tries to juggle a little too much too quickly
This movie's biggest weakness is that that CG models are very noticeable and have no expressions/emotions, and a screenplay that feels like it tries to juggle a little too much too quickly
Clannad (2007) directed by Osamu Dezaki 出﨑統
A lackluster attempt at making a standalone film based on a visual novel, but still has enough heart to make it, at the very least, interesting
A lackluster attempt at making a standalone film based on a visual novel, but still has enough heart to make it, at the very least, interesting
March 11, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Clannad (2007) directed by Osamu Dezaki 出﨑統
A lackluster attempt at making a standalone film based on a visual novel, but still has enough heart to make it, at the very least, interesting
A lackluster attempt at making a standalone film based on a visual novel, but still has enough heart to make it, at the very least, interesting
Air (2005) directed by Osamu Dezaki 出﨑統
An incredibly good example of taking a visual novel and condensing a portion of its contents into a single feature-length film that retains both expression and narrative cohesiveness.
An incredibly good example of taking a visual novel and condensing a portion of its contents into a single feature-length film that retains both expression and narrative cohesiveness.
March 11, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Air (2005) directed by Osamu Dezaki 出﨑統
An incredibly good example of taking a visual novel and condensing a portion of its contents into a single feature-length film that retains both expression and narrative cohesiveness.
An incredibly good example of taking a visual novel and condensing a portion of its contents into a single feature-length film that retains both expression and narrative cohesiveness.
Monogatari Series Second Season #02 (Nekomonogatari White #02) storyboard
Hiroko Kazui 数井浩子
C126d: Kazui + minor Shinbo touches
C127a: Kazui
C461-C464: Kazui
Hiroko Kazui 数井浩子
C126d: Kazui + minor Shinbo touches
C127a: Kazui
C461-C464: Kazui
March 9, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Monogatari Series Second Season #02 (Nekomonogatari White #02) storyboard
Hiroko Kazui 数井浩子
C126d: Kazui + minor Shinbo touches
C127a: Kazui
C461-C464: Kazui
Hiroko Kazui 数井浩子
C126d: Kazui + minor Shinbo touches
C127a: Kazui
C461-C464: Kazui
When Trumpets Fade (1998) directed by John Irvin
Interesting to follow a selfish, "POS" American protagonist; but against the backdrop of a battle with "little to no strategic value" and American generals aimlessly sending men to their graves, yeah why not
Interesting to follow a selfish, "POS" American protagonist; but against the backdrop of a battle with "little to no strategic value" and American generals aimlessly sending men to their graves, yeah why not
March 7, 2025 at 10:41 PM
When Trumpets Fade (1998) directed by John Irvin
Interesting to follow a selfish, "POS" American protagonist; but against the backdrop of a battle with "little to no strategic value" and American generals aimlessly sending men to their graves, yeah why not
Interesting to follow a selfish, "POS" American protagonist; but against the backdrop of a battle with "little to no strategic value" and American generals aimlessly sending men to their graves, yeah why not
The Monkey (2025) directed by Osgood Perkins
No
No
March 5, 2025 at 4:33 AM
The Monkey (2025) directed by Osgood Perkins
No
No
Emitaï (1971) directed by Ousmane Sembène
My first Senegalese movie and one in a native language at that (Wolof) about French colonialism and the local indifference between Nazi collaborator Marshal Pétain's rule and Charles de Gaulle's in treatment of the Jola
My first Senegalese movie and one in a native language at that (Wolof) about French colonialism and the local indifference between Nazi collaborator Marshal Pétain's rule and Charles de Gaulle's in treatment of the Jola
March 2, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Emitaï (1971) directed by Ousmane Sembène
My first Senegalese movie and one in a native language at that (Wolof) about French colonialism and the local indifference between Nazi collaborator Marshal Pétain's rule and Charles de Gaulle's in treatment of the Jola
My first Senegalese movie and one in a native language at that (Wolof) about French colonialism and the local indifference between Nazi collaborator Marshal Pétain's rule and Charles de Gaulle's in treatment of the Jola