Author: Ed Sum

I'm a freelance videographer and entertainment journalist (Absolute Underground Magazine, Two Hungry Blokes, and Otaku no Culture) with a wide range of interests. From archaeology to popular culture to paranormal studies, there's no stone unturned. Digging for the past and embracing "The Future" is my mantra.

Supernatural Mayhem Unleashed: DAN DA DAN: Evil Eye Delivers An Excellent Intro of Season 2!

Dan da Dan Movie Poster Evil EyePlease check local listings for screenings near you

DAN DA DAN: Evil Eye is a movie version of the first three episodes of season two of the television series and not every theatre chain advertised this. Thankfully, I knew and it helps define what I knew is coming. Overall, it’s a welcome continuation for those craving that continuation following last episode’s cliffhanger. The wait was not long for me, as I just finished watching the home video release of season one from Shout! Studios.

Had this release targeted a theatrical run, I’m sure more effort would have gone into creating a better experience. Otherwise, what I knew from the broadcast version might have been amped up a lot more. Here, Momo Ayase (Shion Wakayama) continues to be the girl in charge as she and Ken “Okarun” Takakura (Natsuki Hanae) deal with aliens, ghosts, and other strange goings-on in town.

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Beyond the Spectrum: The Colors Within Unveils a Picture of Self-Discovery

The Colors Within is a heartwarming “Iyashikei” anime that explores self-discovery and communication through the journey of a young girl. Despite being unsure of herself, what she learns can teach viewers too.

The Colors Within Blu-ray release
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

GKIDS & Shout! Studios

When I’m a fan of Science Suru’s films, especially when dealing with fantasy, The Colors Within is a change of pace. This sentimental work directed by Naoko Yamada (A Silent Voice, Liz, and the Blue Bird) and writer Reiko Yoshida differs significantly from this studio’s other works. While some similarity exists with Lu Over the Wall and Inu-Oh on the surface level, because music is central in both works, the narrative arcs are very different.

Their latest home video release is for fans who enjoy slice of life moments. The bit of magic used here concerns Totsuko Higurashi (Sayu Suzukawa), a high school student, who sees other people’s auras. I use this description over simply saying colors, because the difference between reading auras and seeing varied tones is negligible.

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Who Is The Dream Hacker When Reality Gets Screwed?

“Dream Hacker” is an action thriller that explores a shared subconscious mind and dream technology, raising intriguing questions about sentience and the collision of waking and sleeping worlds, though some plot points and character explanations remain perplexing.

One Tree EntertainmentOne Tree Entertainment
Spoiler Alert

When the world the subconscious mind exists in is a shared environment, the concepts the movie Dream Hacker offers are right up my alley! I’ve been looking at works which explore this concept and readers can expect a few more reviews. When neuroscientist Jennifer Connelly (Molly Hanson) enters this realm and realizes the technology can also be used to enter the minds of others, her colleagues want to know more!

When this film is made up of two plots, this film isn’t just another action thriller. A significant plot point occurs when the protagonist accidentally enters the mind of Candy (Hannaj Bang Bendz), leading to problematic ramifications despite Jen’s good intentions to help her escape real-life problems. Also, when part of Jen’s technology includes a program named Adam (Luke J I Smith) to help her navigate this realm, I like to know how he upgraded itself.

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You Just Gotta Bebop to KPop Demon Hunters’ Epic Showdown

In South Korea, the all girl singing sensation simply known as KPop Demon Hunters have to deal with demons not only within themselves but also with the demons-in-disguise, The Saja Boys! Just who wins out depends on who you ask….

kpop demon hunters movie poster Now Streaming on Netflix
Spoiler Alert

When the tokusatsu genre becomes predictable, blending it with other narrative styles is necessary to keep things fresh—and that’s where KPop Demon Hunters excels. This film is an enjoyable mix of Sailor Moon and Rock and Rule, with a splash of satire that hits the mark. However, one overused trope still lingers: why must every Asian superheroine have impossibly long legs? Ever since CLAMP popularized the look, I’ve hoped for more body diversity.

In another respect, this movie also stands out for its hilarious take on the behind-the-scenes world of K-pop. It’s a musical showdown between the girl group Huntrix—Rumi, Mira, and Zoey (Park Sooyoung, Lee Suhyun, and Sandara Park)—and the newly arrived Saja Boys. Though the trailer gives a lot away, it’s no surprise they’re demons in disguise. Their leader, Jinu (Ahn Hyo-seop), is planning to help his king return to the material world and harvest souls. But despite his devotion to this ancient evil, there’s something conflicted about him.

Similarly, Rumi struggles to connect with her guardian, much like Jinu wrestles with his own isolation. As the faces of their respective teams, Rumi finds support among her bandmates, while Jinu remains emotionally cut off—his silence only deepening the weight of his mission. This shared loneliness sets the stage for a connection neither of them expects.

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Updates on What the Astronots Are Up To

Until a feature length film finally gets off the ground (pardoning the pun), the short film AstroNots is ready to launch on streaming platforms.

AstroNots keyart theatrical posterAstroNots is finally landing after playing at twenty more film festivals worldwide! Anyone who has not seen this hilarious short film at their local event or Fantasia Film Festival 2024 can now stream it through Film Shortage, beginning June 23, 2025. When I interviewed the creative team last year, producer Andrew Seaton said they want to make a feature film length version of this film. Although not much has progressed since, he confirmed writers Adam Dunn and Aaron Glenane are working hard on putting a script together.

He said, “We are excited about the prospect of taking these characters and their unique dynamic even further. What we love is that we have an odd couple road-trip movie, set in space. Something truly hilarious and unique.”

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When Venturing Into the Wonderwoods, The Dangers Are Real!

Come join Angelo Into the Wonderwoods where imagination and reality intertwines. This coming of age fantasy is certainly different than visiting Wonderland!

Into the Wonderwoods Movie PosterShout! Studios
Coming to Digital This Week

After a long run at various film festivals, Into the Wonderwoods, is headed to streaming and the coming of age story about Angelo (Dario Hardouin Spurio in the original and Kristen McGuire for the dub) is rather wild. After getting “accidentally” left behind at a rest stop, this kid has to find his way to grandmother’s house and I definitely had a certain “Over the River and Through the Woods” song stuck in my head afterwards.

Fortunately, the family is on the last leg of their long road trip, so he can probably find his own way there. However, when they do not notice he’s not in the car, in the real world, to know what the parents are like is very unsettling.

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