SK8 the Infinity

SK8 the Infinity (2021)

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Reki, a high school sophomore and skater, is addicted to "S," a highly secret and dangerous downhill skateboarding race that takes place in an abandoned mine. The skaters are especially wild about the "beefs," or heated battles that erupt in the races. Reki takes Langa, a transfer student returning to Japan after studying abroad, to the mine where the races are held. Langa, who has no skateboarding experience, finds himself pulled into the world of "S". - IMDB

Reki and Langa are very relatable characters and it's easy to get invested in their story. Langa is also a bit of an oddity as he adapts his snowboarding experience to skateboarding, lending to incredible jumps and positions that earn him the title of Snow. There will be some hard lessons along the way, but in the end, "skating is fun" and something they can do anywhere - best of all when they are together. 

Skate-Leading Stars

Skate-Leading Stars (2020)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


I've tried twice to start this series now and haven't been able to make it past the third episode so far. The story feels very forced and agonizing, especially when compared to other series like Yuri!!! On Ice. Doesn't help itself with the comparisons any either when both are about figure skating, and both decide to feature a silver skater as the "unbeatable star" at the head of the pack. Kensei is both full of himself at the start of the series, but then appears to keep his better-than-you attitude even as he seems to have given up. The combination is even more grating than Yurio's arrogance and teenage attitude in Yuri!!! On Ice. It's hard not to draw comparisons, but compared or on it's own, so far it leaves a lot to be desired. I do still want to finish it, but have a feeling it's going to be a very long and bumpy road if that day ever comes.

Air Bud 1

Air Bud 1 (1997)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The first and original of the Air Bud movies. Buddy runs away from his abusive clown owner, finding an unlikely home with a boy who is displaced in a new home and missing his father. Their unlikely meeting and shared love for playing ball makes them the best of friends. Unfortunately, the spotlight also brings Buddy's previous owner back into play wanting to make a quick buck of the now-famous mascot. It's up to Buddy's new family, and their extended town family, to bring Buddy home.

Love Ice Rink

Love Ice Rink (Android)

My rating: 1.5 of 5 stars


I actually really enjoyed the story itself. It first drew my attention because of the theme as I've probably spent more time reading Yuri on Ice fanfiction than actual books this year. I played through with Hayato, and actually ended up liking his character despite his original brash and somewhat harsh portrayal. The game play, however, is severely lagged due to waiting time to earn each video gem on top of forced video time between each chapter often two each, and no other option to earn. The chapters are also significantly shorter, sometimes feeling like you barely get a few lines and then having more video time. I get they need the advertising for revenue, but there is such a thing as too much where it will negatively impact game play, and they've exceeded that point. While I'd be interested in seeing how the other character's stories would end, I'm far more likely to look up a walk-through online than to actually play through it again.

The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream

The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream (2008)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This time, the star skater is actually Zack, who's partner is out of commission following an accident on the ice during training. When Zack finds his new partner in Alex, who spends her time on the ice playing hockey with her brother. Alex used to dream of figure skating, so her family pushes her to take this chance on Zack, though Zack himself might develop some reservations as it becomes clear to him that he's a magnet for accidents and the last thing he wants is Alex getting hurt. Unfortunately those around him aren't so considerate and will stoop to just about anything, including using Alex's own fledgling emotions against her, to stop the pair from climbing to the top. Lucky for them, they have Jackie for their trainer, and Jackie doesn't know when to quit, even going so far as to teach the pair the same move that her parent's made famous and no one has ever been able to replicate since.

The Cutting Edge 2: Going for the Gold

The Cutting Edge 2: Going for the Gold (2006)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jackie is Kate and Doug's daughter, previously a star in singles and now switching to pairs due to an injury on the ice limiting her jumps. In her search for the right partner, she meets Alex, a professional skater of the type on wheels rather than blades. Like her parents, they fight as much as they get along, but they manage to make magic on the ice. While they don't try to the same move that made her parent's famous, they do up the stakes when it comes to pair jumps, Alex laying down the law that he's only doing triples, the very type of jump Jackie was told she would never do again as she left singles.

The Cutting Edge

The Cutting Edge (1992)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Kate has a bit of a chip on her shoulder, being the wealthy only child with her own private ice rink certainly hasn't helped with her sense of entitlement, nor has her previous success on the ice short of casting off all of her partners. Her unlikely salvation comes from past hockey star, Doug, who suffers a head injury in the previous Olympics and has permanent damage to his peripheral vision. Turned down by all the hockey coaches possible, learning to pair skate may be his only way back on the ice. Fortunately for Doug, he's not afraid to try to give as much as he gets, making for more than a few humorous encounters as well as some more cutting ones. In the end, it takes a lot of trust as they both finally decide what they want on and off the ice, performing a never before seen move their coach had created and they nearly may have killed each other trying to learn.

I, Tonya

I, Tonya (2017)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars


I didn't actually realize Tonya was from Portland until watching this. I knew of her, and heard of things as they happened with the Olympics and the entire scandal with Nancy Kerrigan. Beyond that, I suppose I was young enough at the time that not much else stuck. Certainly didn't know or realize the significance of her being the first woman to land a Triple Axel in competition. The story itself, I found interesting. The excessive cursing and the actions taken much of the time, I found disturbing. Overall, it's a troubling story that has more low points than high points.

Free: Dive to the Future

Free!: Dive to the Future (2018)

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars


Still like the characters and series, but I'm not sure yet what I think of the new cast. We meet yet another group of old swimming friends this time, though one, Ikuya, is being kept away deliberately by his new friend, Hiyori. Hiyori comes off as a little too controlling and condescending for my tastes. Of course this new addition is only on episode 5 so far, so who's to say what will happen before the end. Maybe he'll grow on me like Rin did. The new Iwatobi swimmers are also interesting. Glad to see the club didn't die outright when Mokoto and Haru left, despite two years of failed recruitment prior. There are so many interwoven connections going on here, that sometimes it seems like it would be difficult to keep track of everyone and everything.

Free: Eternal Summer

Free!: Eternal Summer (2014)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


We meet another old classmate, this time one of Rin's friends. Iwatobi and Samezuka swim teams definitely have a unique relationship, but that seems to make the competitions even better. It's good to see Rin and the rest of Iwatobi's team, especially Haru, usually back on track. Haru does seem to be struggling more than the others with the whole college/career idea, but he's got good friends to help him figure it out. Really, there was only one direction for him to go with his attitude and the way he's drawn to the water. Kinda hard to believe he ever tried to stop in the first place.

Free

Free! (2013)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Rin really confused me for a long time. He's an interesting character, and much more complex than Haru, though Haru seems to be the thread that ties everyone together in a lot of ways, despite the outward appearance of swimming being that tie. Almost thought Rin was transferring back to Iwatobi after that last relay, which would have been kind of perfect. I guess they can't really compete as easily if their on the same team in the future, though it's nice to see those friendships mended.

Yuri!!! On Ice: Welcome to the Madness Side Story

Yuri!!! On Ice: Welcome to the Madness Side Story by Kubo Mitsuro

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This came out with one of the DVD releases and is beautiful. It goes behind the scenes to how Welcome to the Madness came to be as well as Yuri's reaction to the Victuuri EX skate and how Otabek got dragged in to the show. It's not original in the sense that it doesn't expand beyond the current official story line at all, but it provides enough new content to the EX and events between the end of the Final and the EX that it's a wonderful piece all the fans seem to be enjoying.

Yuri!!! on Ice

Yuri!!! on Ice (2016)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this series. The the animation style shows typical to many others (exaggerated long limbs in dancing/skating moves for example), the overall choreography and references used are based on actual routines and skating abilities, giving the story a bit of realism in all the animation. On top of that is the hilarious array of characters. Each one brings something new to the line up, and the combination is hard to resist. Considering I haven't been able to get the music out of my head for a week, I'd say it definitely is catchy.

Ready to Run

Ready To Run (2000)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was a direct to TV movie done by the Disney Channel that I hadn't heard of until recently. Of course, being about horses, I had to check it out. Some of the pieces are reminiscent of the movie Racing Stripes, which is another hilarious racing comedy. As a bonus, is it definitely kid friendly as my 3 year old got a kick out of watching this with me today. There's just the right mix of real life with unbelievable to make it hilarious and enjoyable. Not the best acting or filming job out there (predictable for it's release form), but still fun.

Big Windup

Big Windup (2007)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


It's not exactly a high draw-in series. It focuses more on drama and the actual training/playing of the game, baseball. If you enjoy baseball, then you'll enjoy the series once you start getting interested more in the character dynamics. It's hard not to like seeing a team of strangers really come together to support each other and become friends as well as good players. Get behind that, and you'll enjoy the series despite the slow pace.

Grudge Match

Grudge Match (2013)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Reminds me of Rocky, only not as entertaining. Two boxing champions grudgingly come out of retirement for a final rematch. They'll teach everyone a thing or two about the sport and what sportsmanship really means. Overall, can't say that it really did much to keep my focus or draw me in to the story. Honestly not even really sure how we ended up watching it.

Something To Talk About

Something To Talk About (1995)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Grace is more than a little forgetful and has a bit of a mean streak when she learns her husband has been cheating on her. Shockingly, it seems to run in the family as her father seems to have the same bad habit. It is little surprise then that she ends up lashing out at her family as she struggles to determine just what society and her own pride will allow her to do in this situation. It's never easy to break a family, though it can seem very easy to tear it down when everyone is determined to beat the other in the next competition. The jumping competitions and riding lessons are a nice break pulling the family back together while everything else seems determined to pull it apart.

Wild Horse, Wild Ride

Wild Horse, Wild Ride (2011)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was nothing like what I expected it to be. Given to me as another "horse movie" for my collection, I was surprised to find this is more of a documentary. After the wild mustang round up, volunteer trainers have 100 days to work with their randomly drawn animal before competing in a Mustang Makeover competition. At the end of the competition, all of the mustangs go up for adoption. Even the trainers must bid against the general public if they wish to have a shot at keeping their equine companions. While I admire the variations in training exercises, and it is highly impressive how far these animals can come in a mere 100 days, I also find it rather sad that the trainers must part with the animals at the end of the exercise even when they clearly have formed a strong bond that they wish to keep with the animals. That risk alone could be heart breaking for some trainers, though I imagine it is still joyful if they have the assurance of the animal going to a good home. Overall it is a fun and enlightening documentary to watch, especially if you also happen to love both horses and riding yourself.

Let It Ride

Let It Ride (1989)

My rating: 1 of 5 stars


Being set at the horse races, this film was given to me due to my love of horses. Sadly, it falls greatly short. The horses are mentioned or shown only in passing as the main focus is on one man's desperate gamble at the betting windows. Not only does he start off gambling after just promising his wife that he never would again, he then continues to "risk it all" in one adventure after another until by some miracle he has one every race of the day. This is a highly unlikely and irresponsible lifestyle that in my mind sends a bad message to viewers despite some attempts to make it obvious how "down and out" or unusual the main character may be. Falls very short of any family values or true fun.

Breeder's Cup Classic

Breeder's Cup Classic (2013)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Mucho Macho Man was one of the top 3 favorites, so it was good to see him win. I kind of wish Paynter could have had a better come back after his return story. Still, it was a thrilling ending for horse racing fans with a classic photo finish. Game On Dude was expected to be a top contender as well. Can't say he really delivered with 9th place.