Billy “RockOutWhatever” Joe

The big question I have after watching Castlevania is: have I ever seen a better animated TV show? It's gripping, funny, beautifully animated, superbly voiced, (maybe the best voice acting in an Animated film/series since Ninja Scroll) moving, witty, exiting and damn well gory! After I watched season 1 (4 episodes) I craved more. After watching season 2 (8 episodes) I still craved more but felt satisfied with the 12 episodes as a whole. The pacing of the quite fantastic storyline is perfect. The extremely likeable characters grow and develop naturally. Nothing feels rushed, no wasted scenes. There is a true balance to this fantastical tale as it unfolds. There are many aspects to why Castlevania is a classic already (in my eyes) but one dazzling, shining light that just about outshines the other remarkable aspects of the show is; the characters. From the sublimely voiced Trevor Belmont (Richard Armitage) and his small band of travelling companions; Sypha and Alucard (both are absolute quality and the banter between the trio of them is cynical and so very British) through to the majestically voiced; Dracula - (Graham McTavish) who is as good a villain as I have ever seen in a film or show. All characters - and there are many - have a part to play. I especially liked Isaac and Carmilla but there is such a vast collection of memorable characters. It's hard to dislike any. In answering my own question from earlier, have I? Well as an animated show goes I believe it is the best I've seen. In recent times I very much enjoyed 'Attack on Titan' but this is a level above. It's wittier, sharper, much more full of life and depth. Then I thought back; Angel Cop. Cyber City. Ghost in the Shell. Dominion Tank Police. Well, to me Castlevania is as good in it's way as each of them, probably better. So I compare it to now to the great animated films, such as: Akira. Fist of the North Star. Patlabor 1/2. Ninja Scroll. Sword of the Stranger. And yes, still, I place it up there with the greats. Hats off to everyone involved in Castlevania. You've created a real masterpiece of animation. Bravo!

Dark, warped, emotional, beautiful and deeply tragic. The first third of the film is manic, difficult to get to grips with what's actually going on. Then it clicks - you understand what's happening and it's absolutely shocking. Irréversible becomes extremely dark in the middle, almost impossible to watch. In-fact, it's one of the most barbaric, wicked scenes I've ever witnessed in Cinema. It creeps up on you and hits you right in the eye's. As visually stunning and down right exiting as the film is during the frankly insane opening - followed by the slow, drawn out scene of abject evil - it's the calmer, much more serene final third of the film that excels it. You realise it's a story about mistakes and how fragile life can be. As you see the time before the tragic incident - what these people are really like - it becomes quite heartbreaking. The final two scenes will stick with me forever. On a side note I've heard the film uses a sound frequency that unsettles the audience, causes anxiety and such. I personally never felt this while watching and in truth, I don't believe the film needed it to make an impact. A film that polarises opinion, and I understand why, yet I am on the side of those who believe it's a masterpiece of cinema. Truly a film not forgotten easily.