DVD Review Archives | Otaku No Culture

Unleashing Ne Zha on March 3rd while Jiang Recovers

Well GO USA Entertainment
Release Date: March 3, 2020

Fans of last year’s Chinese New Year spectacle, Ne Zha, will be in for a long wait to see part two. Jiang Ziya is delayed due to the fears of the coronavirus spreading in mainland China. Until this movie gets its proper premiere, all international screenings are also pre-empted.

At least for viewers abroad, they can take in the home video release of the film that started it all. The full review of Ne Zha can be found here and we can examine it in detail now for clues in where the second of the series in the Fengshen Cinematic Universe will go.

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Just Coz Dolittle Didn’t Do Well, It Doesn’t Mean DVD Sales will Dwindle & Deets

Image result for dolittle bluray 2020 — Preorder on Amazon USA now

Okay, bad joke, but for those fans of Robert Downey Jr. (who did excellent in Avengers: Endgame, Sherlock Holmes) who thought little of this Disney’s remake, it deserves a second chance on home video.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is bringing this film to on Digital March 24, 2020 and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand on April 7, 2020. From the luxury of home, and to understand the technology to realize the talking animals–which includes a hilarious always cold bear, an anxious gorilla, a lovable giraffe, a ferocious tiger–picking up this release guarantees no animals were harmed in this production.

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Summer Days with Coo Cannot Come Any Sooner

Perhaps the reason for the late home video release of Summer Days with Coo is to gauge international interest if a sequel can be made.

Summer Days with Coo Blu-ray Case Available now on Shout! Factory or Amazon

Winter’s grasp may well still be upon us in certain parts of the world, but thankfully, spending (or rather, watching) Summer Days with Coo (河童のクゥと夏休み) is an option.

This anime not only gives us a heartwarming comedy drama between Kōichi Uehara, a young boy having an awkward time in school, but also looks at the life of a kappa, nicknamed Coo, who is a stranger in a strange land. Unlike those prankster frog-like spirits of lore, these creatures are very friendly towards humans. They don’t hate them unless threatened. The cute character designs in this anime suggest they are simple country folk.

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Studio 4°C Genius Party is Happening Oct 15th! in North America

Although it took a long time for Studio 4°C Genius Party make it to North America, the wait was certainly worthwhile.

Genius Party Blu-ray Case — Available to purchase/preorder on Amazon

Shout! Factory & GKIDS
Release Date: Oct 15, 2019

Coming to home video in North America is Genius Party Volumes 1 & 2 (ジーニアス・パーティ) offered in one disc. Studio 4°C is behind this anthology series, and all twelve shorts are offered instead of the original Japanese editions where both were sold separately–originally released in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Anime fans who have yet to discover this bonanza will be thrilled to find many storytelling genres realized by top talents. The shorts I loved the most were the fantasy type works.

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Romulus & Remus: The First King … But Who’s the only King?

Genius Party By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Well GO USA
Release Date: Sept 24, 2019

Romulus and Remus, we know the legend about them, but have we ever seen a movie about the founding of Rome? Despite the debate over how this city truly developed (there’s another account concerning a lady named Roma), what this movie, The First King (Il primo re), by director Matteo Rovere offers is plenty of true grit. Filippo Gravino and Francesca Manieri co-wrote the screenplay with this filmmaker, and what I saw is the relationship of the two brothers as they struggle against a greater enemy–destiny–as who will ultimately be leader.

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The Future is Frightening in Kung Fu League

Genius Party — Available for purchase on Amazon

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Distributor:
Well GO USA

Release Date:
Sept 17, 2019

Be prepared, humble students of Kung Fu League (功夫联盟)! This film is an enjoyable silly romp where real life and fictional legends Wong Fei-Hung (Vincent Zhao, Once Upon a Time in China), Ip Man (Dennis To, Wu Dang), Chen Zhen (Danny Chan, Kung Fu Hustle) and Huo Yuan Jia (Andy On, Black Mask 2) are plucked out of time to help manhua artist Fei (Ashin, Lead vocalist of the Taiwanese rock band Mayday.) have the courage to ask Bao’er (Madina Memet) out for a date. He’s had a crush on her for the longest time but his insecurities get the better of him.