Crossing Paths

Description

A Chance Encounter Can Change Your Life Forever A cast of Hollywood's brightest young stars shines in this award-winning drama about finding yourself in the detours on the journey of life. Antonio Sabato Jr. stars as Jeremy, an irresponsible, womanizing college student. Neil McDonough (Band Of Brothers, Medical Investigation) costars as Brian, a hotshot salesman entering "the real adult world." A chance encounter at an intersection leaves both men secretly envious of each other's lives. Jeremy envies Brian's material success. Brian yearns for Jeremy's carefree, quota-free lifestyle. Both will discover that things are not what they seem as they follow the paths toward their futures. Amy Smart (Rat Race, Starsky & Hutch) appears as the girl Jeremy lost along the way.

Area 88, Vol. 2: A Lonely Crossing of Paths

Average customer rating:

Disappointing, yet very entertaining
Finally, a new Area 88 series

Area 88, Vol. 2: A Lonely Crossing of Paths
Starring: Area 88 TV
Manufacturer: Adv Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000ADKWK0
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Amazon.com

As the airborne drama Area 88 continues, the filmmakers begin to develop the main characters more fully. Ace fighter pilot Shin Kazama, who has "eyes like a wounded wolf," is shot down in battle and parachutes into a sandstorm. Wandering through the desert, he recalls how his friend Kanzaki had him shanghaied into the mercenary corps. Shin rarely communicates beyond flashing a thumbs-up sign, so flashbacks are the only way to learn anything about him. Photographer Makoto Shinjou remains at the base, taking pictures of Shin. They're joined by Kitri Parvaneh, a daredevil female pilot who asks such improbable questions as, "Do all Asian men have such mysterious eyes?" Kaoru Shintani's original manga was written decades ago, and his cold war-era story of a taciturn hero battling an unnamed foe feels dated. (Rated TV PG, suitable for ages 12 and older: violence, tobacco and alcohol use) --Charles Solomon

Description

Only the Strong Survive In every life there comes a moment when skill is pushed to the limit, when the only thing that stands in the path of death is the strength of the spirit and the shear will to survive. Out numbered and overpowered, Shin is forced to ditch his plane and parachute into the barren, unforgiving desert where he is haunted by memories of his past as he struggles to survive. Back on base a new pilot is turning heads, and she… yes, she… has the skill of an ace and the beauty to match. But Shin is oblivious to her obvious advances as he impatiently waits for his new plane to arrive. Amid thoughts of the life, and love, he left behind, Shin is confronted with the face of the friend who took it all away, and in the last place he would expect it, in the cockpit of the 747 barreling toward him through the clouds. Truly innovative animation and heart-pounding suspense transport you to a world where every breath could be your last. At area 88, there's no such thing as a normal day.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing, yet very entertaining.......2006-06-23

So I've been a big fan of Area 88 ever since the original anime came out in the 80's. It had a gripping plotline, superb character development, and great combat scenes. Too bad they made only one of the three volumes into a DVD.

I was extremely elated at the news that ADV films was going to remake Area 88. After I watched the entire series, I must admit that I was a little disappointed, but found it still very entertaining to watch, and that's the reason why I still give it a 4.

There were a couple of things about the new series that I did not like. First of all, the original series was rated MA, meaning it was meant for the mature viewers. The blood, violence, nudity, and language all added to the dark, desperate tone of the original series. However, with the new Area 88 series, the rating was a TVPG. Not even a TV PG-13. Wow, this change took a lot out from what I believe the original creator had intended. I felt like it was a watered-down version of the original series.

Secondly, the new series had new characters and left out some of the old characters from the original series. I actually liked the new characters a lot. They added a lot to the plot and discreetly revealed some key elements about the main character, Shin Kazama. However, the mere fact that some of the original characters were taken out infuriated me. They had contributed so much in terms of character development and unfolding of some of the mysteries in the story.

Having said that, I do not want to judge this series in comparison to the original series. Instead, I rate it on its own at 4.

I still recommend watching this anime. It's a great series.

Finally, a new Area 88 series.......2005-09-22

Area 88 (2005.)

INTRODUCTION:
In Japan over the years, a very popular manga series is Area 88. The series, based on a mercenary Air Force base in the middle east, has only grown in popularity over the years. In 1985, it inspired a three-part anime series. In 1991, it inspired a launch-era game for Nintendo's then new Super Nintendo video game system. I came to be aware of the series by playing the aforementioned game (it was called U.N. Squadron for its American release), and many years after playing it I learned that the series inspired the 1985 anime, which I promptly watched. Needless to say, it impressed me. And I was even more excited when I heard that in 2005, a NEW, twelve-episode series of Area 88 anime would be released! So, how is the new animated take on Kaoru Shintani's classic manga? Read on for my review of Area 88.

OVERVIEW:
Area 88 tells a story of a mercenary Air Force base in the middle-eastern kingdom of Aslan, a kingdom torn apart by a bloody civil war. Pilots from all over the world have enlisted to serve at Area 88 and fight in this civil war - A young middle eastern prince trying to toughen himself up, a former Vietnam combat pilot, and even an airline pilot trainee who was tricked into enlisting by his so-called friend. There are only four ways to get out of Area 88 alive - serve for three years, pay a one-point-five million dollar breach of contract fee, desert the base successfully, or be killed in action. With these mercenary missions being the only way these soldiers can earn the money to go home, they fly frequent missions, day in and day out alike. And the conflict is only growing...

REVIEW:
I am, for the most part, satisfied with this new, twenty-first century take on Area 88. However, in a lot of ways, I actually preferred the older 1985 anime take on the series (of which, sadly, only the first of three parts ever got a DVD release.) Let me clear up that this is a REMAKE of the older series, not a continuation of it. Now, onto my critique. Where this series succeeds is in serving up some of the finest animated aerial action around. The series uses REAL plane types and weapon types, and with the well-developed characters, it's believable. It's a serious series, so if you're looking for a fantasy-oriented series and/or one with lots of comic relief, look elsewhere. This series consists of twelve episodes, while the older series consisted of three extended-length episodes. I really can't say which series is better, the old one or the new one, but if you're a fan of aerial combat, check out both series. The new series isn't the leaps-and-bounds improvement over the earlier series I was hoping for, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great series in its own right.

DVD:
The DVD has bonus features, but I wish there had been more episodes on the DVD. The price range for this DVD is all over the place (I've seen it anywhere from $20-$30.) At the suggested retail price, another episode would have been nice - I would have sacrificed the bonus features for one more episode. In my opinion, the DVD is a little too pricey, but if you like this sort of thing, it's worth buying.

OVERALL:
Final verdict? If you want the best, most realistic aerial combat anime series around, Area 88 will fit the bill nicely. It's great to see that Kaoru Shintani's series is still doing well, even after all these years. And this new anime series breathes new life into an old franchise. I strongly recommend this series.

Vol. 2-Area 88 a Lonely Crossing of Paths

Average customer rating:

Finally, a new Area 88 anime!

Vol. 2-Area 88 a Lonely Crossing of Paths
Starring: Area 88
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( V ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000CIXG2O
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Customer Reviews:

Finally, a new Area 88 anime!.......2006-04-20

Area 88 (2005.)

INTRODUCTION:
In Japan over the years, a very popular manga series is Area 88. The series, based on a mercenary Air Force base in the middle east, has only grown in popularity over the years. In 1985, it inspired a three-part anime series. In 1991, it inspired a launch-era game for Nintendo's then new Super Nintendo video game system. I came to be aware of the series by playing the aforementioned game (it was called U.N. Squadron for its American release), and many years after playing it I learned that the series inspired the 1985 anime, which I promptly watched. Needless to say, it impressed me. And I was even more excited when I heard that in 2005, a NEW, twelve-episode series of Area 88 anime would be released! So, how is the new animated take on Kaoru Shintani's classic manga? Read on for my review of Area 88.

OVERVIEW:
Area 88 tells a story of a mercenary Air Force base in the middle-eastern kingdom of Aslan, a kingdom torn apart by a bloody civil war. Pilots from all over the world have enlisted to serve at Area 88 and fight in this civil war - A young middle eastern prince trying to toughen himself up, a former Vietnam combat pilot, and even an airline pilot trainee who was tricked into enlisting by his so-called friend. There are only four ways to get out of Area 88 alive - serve for three years, pay a one-point-five million dollar breach of contract fee, desert the base successfully, or be killed in action. With these mercenary missions being the only way these soldiers can earn the money to go home, they fly frequent missions, day in and day out alike. And the conflict is only growing...

REVIEW:
I am, for the most part, satisfied with this new, twenty-first century take on Area 88. However, in a lot of ways, I actually preferred the older 1985 anime take on the series (of which, sadly, only the first of three parts ever got a DVD release.) Let me clear up that this is a REMAKE of the older series, not a continuation of it. Now, onto my critique. Where this series succeeds is in serving up some of the finest animated aerial action around. The series uses REAL plane types and weapon types, and with the well-developed characters, it's believable. It's a serious series, so if you're looking for a fantasy-oriented series and/or one with lots of comic relief, look elsewhere. This series consists of twelve episodes, while the older series consisted of three extended-length episodes. I really can't say which series is better, the old one or the new one, but if you're a fan of aerial combat, check out both series. The new series isn't the leaps-and-bounds improvement over the earlier series I was hoping for, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great series in its own right.

DVD:
The DVD has bonus features, but I wish there had been more episodes on the DVD. The price range for this DVD is all over the place (I've seen it anywhere from $20-$30.) At the suggested retail price, another episode would have been nice - I would have sacrificed the bonus features for one more episode. In my opinion, the DVD is a little too pricey (some TV shows' season sets cost the same price!), but if you like this sort of thing, it's worth buying.

OVERALL:
Final verdict? If you want the best, most realistic aerial combat anime series around, Area 88 will fit the bill nicely. It's great to see that Kaoru Shintani's series is still doing well, even after all these years. And this new anime series breathes new life into an old franchise. I strongly recommend this series.

DVD:

DVD

DVD