SS culture september 18, 2002 the other press Stealing Harvard is a Cinematic Classic. Trevor Hargreaves OP Contributor Jason Lee and Tor Green A film like Stealing Harvard comes along perhaps once in a lifetime. There have only been a few films in the history of cinema that can even come close to comparing to the touch- ing narrative and masterful plot of this film. Directed by ex- Kid In The Hall Bruce McCulloch, the movie exudes genius from the first frame and maintains its momentum through to the last sentence of dia- logue. This film is very likely to become an instant classic and secure Mr. McCulloch’s place, as one of cinema's all-time great directors. The story is a tale of woe so disturb- ing that I find myself getting emotion- al just trying to describe it. Jason Lee Anime Review Nick Hogg OP Contributor r Pee eee eee ee eee ee a ae iets ae esd Dai-Guard: Hostile takeover Released by ADV Films Running time 125 minutes Release date 09/17/02 © page 12 ad spent considerable amounts Originally aired in 1999 in Japan, with the usual 26 episodes, Xebec money making sure this show looked sharp. With great video transfer, the DVD looks clean and is complimented by vibrant colours with no cross colouration. The audio was mixed in the original two channel Japanese and in a two chan- nel English version; both versions are what one would expect from a television stereo mix. But despite the fact it’s a stereo mix, it never sound- ed flat, although with most ADV/ DVD the English voice track was quieter than the Japanese one. The DVD menu was easy to navigate, but was unimpressive with a simple gray background with yellow text and a video box. As for the extra, we get the clean open and close anima- tions, along with 39 production sketches. Nothing amazing, but with (Chasing Amy) gives an utterly breath- taking performance as a_ newly engaged man set to buy his first house with his fiancée. This dream receives a tragic blow when he is reminded of a long-ago promise to put his niece (Tammy Blanchard) through college. She needs $30,000 to begin a new life far from the trailer park she grew up in. I was awe-struck by the complexi- ty of inner conflict taking place within Mr. Lee’s character as he tried to find a way to get the money. He turns to his best friend for advice. This role is played by the mighty thespian Tom Green. So engaging was Mr. Green's performance that I was sitting on the absolute edge of my seat. At this point in the film our two protagonists realise that their only option is to turn to crime and attempt to steal the $30,000. A series of hilarious heist attempts unfold, ranging from break- five episodes on one DVD, the extras aren't as much of a concern. of Taking place in the year 2030, 12 years have passed since the fighting has ceased with creatures of an unknown origin called heterodynes. These creatures would rain down mindless destitution, and the only means of defense was a robot operat- ed by three people called Dai- Guard. Since the fighting stopped, the army has sold the robot to the 21st Century Security Company, a private company, which uses the giant robot as a promotional tool. So basically we have the world’s only line of defense run by accountants. Then right on cue we have the first heterodyne in 12 years appearing to destroy stuff and liven up the plot. This prompts our more guts than brains “hero” Akagai, to jump into action, against the standing compa- ny orders. Now heterodyne isn’t his and-enters and hold-ups to bank rob- beries. Not since Citizen Kane has a story unfolded in such a meticulous and well-crafted manner. I will force myself to stop here so that I don’t give away too many of the precious plot details, but rest assured, dear reader, everything works out in the end. This movie is guaranteed an Oscar nomination this year and is sure to win. Am I serious, you ask? Hell no...it has Tom Green in it! Is it worth watching? Yes, but it’s a definite rental, and make sure you are consuming alcohol at the time. There is some- thing about fart jokes being infinitely more humorous after six beers. Jama fan of both main actors and had a good laugh several times during the film. And with a comedy, what more can you ask for? only problem, he’s got to convince his coworkers to partake in his cor- porate disobedience. This series is shaping up to be an entertaining one, especially if you've worked in an office and experienced that whole cost-cutting environ- ment. I really think the people at Xebec must have had some bad cor- porate jobs before they started mak- ing anime, because it has an interest- ing degree of “office humour”. By the time I finished the fifth episode, I was enjoying the small tributes to Evangelion, in the form of the look of the various heterodynes, and I expect to see more of that in the future. Worth a watch, it was good blend of classic giant robot action with the consequences of classic robot action. I will never view destruction in the same way again.