Latest Posts
Reviews, Features and Podcasts…
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Film Review – The Wind Rises (2013)
Astonishing to think nearly 10 years since Japanese animation maestro Hayao Miyazaki unearthed hiss swan song film, The Wind Rises. Studio Ghibli also went into hiatus after Miyazaki‘s announced ‘retirement’, a decade later you can’t keep a animation master at bay! The Wind Rises like many of Miyazaki’s previous films, it has a personal connection.…
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Film Review – Mary And The Witch’s Flower (2017)
No one can deny Studio Ghibli has opened the eyes of the Western world to the magic of Japanese Animation (Anime). With Ghibli as we know it slowly rising from their hiatus, there’s going to be a lot of young pretenders for the crown. Studio Ponoc is one of those studios with Mary And The…
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Film Review – When Marnie Was There
To many it’s a bittersweet ending to a animation powerhouse, When Marnie Was There is been billed as Studio Ghibli‘s final in-house production proving life does exist post Miyazaki and Takahata. But how long will the Studio be in hiatus,will we ever see them as we love them again? The Oscar nominated film directed by Hiromasa…
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Astroboy new film ,is it a Americanizing of a Kids iconic classic animation?
Late October 2009 In USA and January 2010 will see the release of the Animation of the classic Astroboy. This animation calssic was created by Osama Tezuka a way back in 1952 right through until 1968 and was called “Tetsuwan Atom” and it was a alot years later USA got the first english spoken version…
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Blu-ray Review – From Upon Poppy Hill (2011)
Teenagers in love Post World War Japan is the setting for the latest Studio Ghibli home release. With Hayao Miyazaki-San ready to hand over the reigns of Japan’s greatest ever to younger hands is Goro Miyazaki’s From Upon Poppy Hill a worthy application for his father’s crown? Set in 1963 Yokohama, From Upon Poppy…
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Blu-ray Review – Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Whilst many have attempted and failed to deliver a coming of age story with sincerity as well as the charm it seems the masters of animation Studio Ghibli seem to have found that winning formula. Once again they show the world how it’s done with broomsticks, talking cats, deliveries, growing pains and been independent, step…
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Blu-ray Review – My Neighbour Totoro (1988)
When you look at the history and worldwide reputation it’s had over the years, it’s hard to believe Studio Ghibli having a film open so badly in it’s native Japan.Hayao Miyazaki’s My Neighbour Totoro did suffer that poor opening but like a certain famous high street chain store ‘ this is no ordinary animation, this…
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DVD Review – Arrietty (2011)
When your part of a wonderful legacy and you’re looking to pass on the torch you always want to make sure whoever picks that torch up is worthy of doing so. Studio Ghibli the animation house Hayao Miyazaki & Isao Takahata built was always going to be a mammoth task for whatever new pretender stepped…
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Blu-ray Review – Grave Of The Fireflies (1988)
For years critics, cinephiles, so called experts have battled over the decades to give animation the right and respect it deserves to be judged on the same par as feature films. The right to say animation is not for just kids but for everyone, Japanese animation (or anime) has been a forerunner for many years…
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DVD Review: Whisper Of The Heart (Mimi wo sumaseba)
about 20 plus years ago I remember one lazy summer day, schools out for summer as usual nothing to do but I decided have a day watching tv. That morning I was awe struck at the beautifully drawn animated film that was appearing in front of me, a animation I was later to learn was…
Chronicles In Film 