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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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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 