It’s been a while since we actually played this session. The campaign is building up to its conclusion. After liberating a city, we made a shady deal with some blue dragons to destroy one of our enemies. Hopefully that will work out and we will come out of this campaign heroes instead of “those guys that resurrected that ancient evil and doomed the world.”

Enjoy the quotes!

5) “I wish I lived in that dude’s body. That would be the life!” - Nelson

4) “I’m just going to throw the arrow in the air and let the magic do the rest.” - Paco

3) “You know what? Fuck you, you’re my stomach!” - Paco

2) “I say we throw decapitated heads at them from our safe place.” - Nelson

1) “The only thing more dangerous than us is Chuck Norris.” - Paco

If you think Paco and Nelson are the only funny ones in the group, you would be wrong. They are just the loudest and most absurd. But that does lead to some good quotes. Come back next time for the thrilling conclusion to our campaign!

I feel like I have to stand up for a film that has recently hit the theaters. Critics seem to hate it, kids seems to hate it. When I mentioned I have seen it, people assume that I thought it was bad even though they themselves haven’t seen it. It was a critical and financial failure, but I loved it. The movie is called Speed Racer, and its the first movie from the Wachowski brothers since the horrendous Matrix sequels.

Going in, I was excited to see a colorful cartoonish romp on the big screen. But I was worried, based on early reviews, that the script would be nonsensical and the action unintelligible. On the contrary. When the film began to roll, I was enthralled from the first minute to the last. It’s an incredible feat of film-making and storytelling. Yes, storytelling.

I won’t tell you with the details of the plot. I would, however, say that the story is too advanced for children. Most of them will not understand the twists, the character motivation, the corporate intrique. For what has been perceived as a kid’s film, the story and characters are very full and well-rounded. Motivations are clear and meaningful. The script builds up well to the intense action scenes and the film really balances them with the drama. Family and honor. Death and desire. It’s heady stuff for a candy-colored action extravaganza.

What’s great, is that it never plays like an action film. It essentially is a drama. The intense race scenes are excellent and fit well, but where the film really shines is making those races integral and meaningful to the plot. Nothing feels tacked on. It’s an amazing mix where everything fits perfectly together.

I think people are ignoring the script and focusing on the style. The style is great. Live-action anime. Just like you would imagine, visually, except buoyed even more by the deft direction and writing. I was emotionally invested in the characters and story the entire time, which made the race scenes that much better.

Watching this film in the theater was amazing. I felt like crying during the emotional family scenes. The acting is spot on, turning the cartoonish characters into real people. Emile Hirsch, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, and Christina Ricci all have the look and the talent to make characters with names like “Speed Racer” and “Pops Racer” and “Trixie” feel real. During the race scenes, I felt like jumping up and cheering. I cannot begin to imagine how the Wachowski’s created such a look and style, and did it without dispensing of the story and emotion.

I have raved about this film, and people think I’m crazy. The funny thing is, everyone who thinks I’m crazy hasn’t even seen it. Don’t dismiss this film. It is an advanced work made with considerable talent and heart. I think I know the reason it isn’t making any money and getting bad reviews. The story is far too advanced for young children. They won’t appreciate the intricacies and construction of the plot. And adults and critics are dismissing it because of the crazy visual style and the fact that it is based on an old kid’s cartoon.

Just give it a chance. It’s a film that deserves to be seen in the theater. I got swept up in the world and story the filmmakers created. From the brilliant setup to the amazing, invigorating ending. I can quite confidently say, knowing that I will be ridiculed, that it is by far the Wachowski brother’s best film to date.