Posts Tagged ‘anime’
Masaaki Yuasa: Five Films Blu-ray Review: Time to Ride the Wave
The new box set is a treasure trove of content for Yuasa fans, and a great reminder of the impressive anime legacy he has crafted throughout his career.
Read MoreAkira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods Returns to the Big Screen for 10th Anniversary Theatrical Event on October 17 & 18
Featuring an extended film cut never before seen in U.S. theaters.
Read MoreThe House of the Lost on the Cape Blu-ray Review: House of Lost Time
Kawatsura has the technical chops to put together a warm, good-looking film, but his treatment of the story is simply too precious to deliver any kind of payoff for viewers.
Read MoreThe Deer King Movie Review: Beautiful, If Overly Complicated Fantasy
A fantasy anime following in the footsteps of Princess Mononoke that has many interesting parts… maybe too many.
Read MorePanda! Go Panda! Blu-ray Review: Proto Totoro Anime Film
Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki make the prototype for the Ghibli films that would rule anime filmmaking for decades afterward.
Read MoreChildren Who Chase Lost Voices Blu-ray Review: Fantasy Adventure about Loss
A departure from his usual urban sci-fi, Makoto Shinkai’s fantasy epic delves into a journey under the earth.
Read More5 Centimeters Per Second Blu-ray Review: A Story about Distance
Makoto Shinkai’s second feature length film is a sequence of related short stories exploring missed opportunities for romance.
Read MoreThe Place Promised in Our Early Days Blu-ray Review: Sci-Fi Sentimental Teenage Drama
Director Makoto Shinkai’s feature anime debut plays with themes he would later develop more fully in Your Name and Weathering With You.
Read MorePoupelle of Chimney Town Blu-ray Review: A Whole New World
While the film just doesn’t flow as well as it could, the world building and character development are done with enough finesse to make the project worth watching.
Read MoreCatwoman: Hunted 4K Ultra HD Review: DC Goes Anime
The plot lets Catwoman do what she does best: steal stuff.
Read MoreToei Animation Makes Special Announcement of New Dragon Ball Super Movie in 2022
The new release will be the second film based on “Dragon Ball Super,” the manga title and the anime series which launched in 2015.
Read MoreThe Legend of Hei Blu-ray Review: A Must-See For Animation Fans
The film moves seamlessly between character development and fast-paced action sequences.
Read MoreBartender (2006) Blu-ray Review: A Calming Aperitif of a Show
The 15th anniversary release of a slice of life anime all about the wondrous healing qualities of cocktails.
Read MoreWeathering with You (Limited Collector’s Edition) 4K Ultra HD Review: Prettier Colors, More Insight
This 4K limited edition of the anime film includes the film’s soundtrack and a fascinating feature-length making-of documentary.
Read MoreWeathering with You Blu-ray Review: Anime Girls Make the Rain Stop
The new blockbuster anime film by Your Name director Makoto Shinkai again pits teenage love against supernatural disaster.
Read MoreRide Your Wave Blu-ray Review: Touching Romance Becomes Ghost Story
Masaaki Yuasa’s latest feature about surfing, grief, and water controlling ghosts is touching and off-putting at once.
Read MoreSound! Euphonium: The Movie – Our Promise: A Brand New Day Blu-ray Review: One More Year of Music
A slice of life anime feature continuing the story of the Kitauji High School music club.
Read MorePromare Blu-ray Review: Hyper Kinetic Superhero Firefighters
Studio Trigger’s debut feature-length anime film is a high energy, colorful sci-fi confection.
Read MoreFLCL Progressive/Alternative Blu-ray Review: A Classic Badly Revived
A U.S. anime hit returns with a pair of mediocre sequel series that totally misunderstand the original’s appeal.
Read MoreMillennium Actress Blu-ray Review: Animated Japanese Film Fantasia
Satoshi Kon’s second anime feature film about an actress’ pursuit of a lost love intertwines fiction and reality.
Read MoreGenius Party & Genius Party Beyond Blu-ray Review: Dozen Odd Egg Japanese Animations
Twelve short films from veterans of the anime industry explore the limits of storytelling, animation, and sometimes the audience’s patience.
Read MoreThe Case of Hana & Alice Blu-ray Review: An Animated Slice of Life
GKIDS brings us this animated prequel to Shunji Iwai’s Hana & Alice which is a lovely, episodic, charming day in the life of a burgeoning friendship.
Read MoreNever-Ending Man: Hayao Miyazaki Blu-ray Review: Return of the King, or Don Quixote?
The legendary anime director emerges from retirement once again, with a documentary crew in tow exploring whether he’s still the master or just chasing an old man’s folly.
Read MoreA Silent Voice Blu-ray Review: Bully Redemption in a Subdued Tone
An animated drama about a school bully picking on a deaf girl tells a story quiet about redemption and consequences.
Read MorePerfect Blue (1997) Blu-ray Review: Anime Psychothriller Lives Again
Satoshi Kon’s animated psychological thriller is a mind-bending story of violence and personality crisis in the Japanese pop world.
Read MoreLiz and the Blue Bird Blu-ray Review: Take a Flyer on This Moving Anime Film
Close friends face the end of high school and differing plans for the future.
Read MoreMaquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms Blu-ray Review: Anime at Its Finest
Veteran scriptwriter Mari Okada makes a dazzling directorial debut.
Read MoreLu Over the Wall Blu-ray Review: Manic Dream Pixie Mermaid
The story is a bit simple, but the animation really shines.
Read MoreLu Over the Wall Blu-ray Review: Vampire Mermaids Warm the Heart
A boy befriends a mermaid, and director Masaaki Yuasa reigns in his anarchic animation style…for a little while.
Read MoreMaquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms Blu-ray Review: Emotional, Poignant Fantasy Epic
This visually arresting fantasy story of a mother and son that pulls at the heartstrings (and the tear ducts).
Read MoreMetropolis (2001) Blu-ray Review: Visually Opulent, Narratively Dormant Adaptation
Inspired by Osamu Tezuka’s manga and Fritz Lang’s movie, this anime has style in excess…but lacks a cohesive story.
Read MoreMind Game (2004) Blu-ray Review: Endlessly Confusing, Endlessly Fascinating
Masaaki Yuasa’s debut animated feature is a kaleidoscope of images and scenes that, miraculously, make a coherent (if confusing) film.
Read MoreBatman Ninja Blu-ray Review: East Meets West
Japanese anime creators play in the DC sandbox.
Read MoreThe Flight of Dragons (1982) Blu-ray Review: Colonel Potter vs Darth Vader?
The Warner Archive Collection clears the runway for this neglected Rankin-Bass animated fantasy.
Read MoreBig Fish & Begonia Movie Review: Visually Sumptuous
Despite its issues with its story, this is a stunningly animated feature from China.
Read MoreNapping Princess Blu-ray Review: Don’t Sleep on This
Veteran anime writer/director Kenji Kamiyama successfully launches a delightful new property.
Read MoreFathom Events and GKIDS Present Howl’s Moving Castle
It is a testament to the wonder of the film that I caught Howl’s Moving Castle on Blu-ray a few weeks ago but was still enthralled to watch it again.
Read MoreFathom Events and GKIDS Present Spirited Away
Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning animated classic is a delight on the big screen.
Read MoreIn This Corner of the World Movie Review: Daily Life in Wartime
A personal perspective on war is shown in this anime about a daydreaming house-wife’s life in Japan in WWII.
Read MoreYu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side Of Dimensions Blu-ray Review: An Excellent Addition to the Franchise
Yugi must save the world but can he do it without the help of the Pharaoh?
Read MoreYour Name Movie Review: Bodies Swapped, Heartstrings Tugged
The top Japanese box-office draw of 2016, Your Name is a modern anime of uncommon quality, both visually and in storytelling.
Read MoreGhost in the Shell (1995) Limited Steelbook Blu-ray Review: Philosophical Animated Noir with Boobs
Terrifically stylized anime asks deep questions about technology we’re still trying to answer today.
Read MoreTwilight Time Presents: Dramatic Epics from Time (and Even Space!)
An infinite number of stars. Six movies. Positively no refunds.
Read MoreTokyo ESP: The Complete Series Blu-ray Review: Battle of The Minds
Psychics battle each other in this anime series where the villains are just as compelling as its heroes.
Read MoreEvangelion 3.33: You Can (Not) Redo DVD Review: Giant Robots with Daddy Issues
The third in the remake/reboot movies series, Evangelion 3.33 takes the story in completely new directions.
Read MoreAttack on Titan: The Movies: Part 1 & Part 2 Review: Anime-Inspired Cinematic Insanity
A two-part adaptation of the anime series, these movies deviate from the original, but keep the crazy spirit intact.
Read MoreDragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ Movie Review: An Entertaining Anime Adventure
“What a pathetic ending.” – Beerus. He has a point.
Read MoreThe Kingdom of Dreams and Madness DVD Review: The Glorious End of an Era
Documentary shines a spotlight on the legendary animation Studio Ghibli and its visionary co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki.
Read MoreBook Review: Voltron: From Days of Long Ago, A 30th Anniversary Celebration by Brian Smith
If you love Voltron, you’ll love this book.
Read MoreBooks Review: Starting Point: 1979-1996 and Turning Point: 1997-2008 by Hayao Miyazaki: Unique Memoirs from an Animation Genius
Starting Point and Turning Point memoirs provide insight into the work and life of Spirited Away director Hayao Miyazaki
Read MoreFrom Up on Poppy Hill Blu-ray Review: The Son Also Rises
Miyazaki Jr. proves to be an adept director on his second attempt.
Read MoreRobotech 2-Movie Collection DVD Review: The Shadow Chronicles Collector’s Edition and Love Live Alive: A Robotech Sequel and A Long, Long Clip Show
For an audience interested in an entertaining experience, I can’t imagine a duller time.
Read MorePokemon the Movie: Black & White DVD Review: One of the Better Entries in the Franchise
Needs more Team Rocket instead of two versions of the same thing.
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