All These (Lost) Buffalo Kids Need is a Home….

If you’re a fan of the trilogy of films that make up Tad the Explorer, then you’ll love Buffalo Kids too!

Buffalo Kids Movie PosterAvailable on HBO Max

Movie directors Juan Galocha and Pedro Solís García must enjoy developing action comedies. After becoming a fan with the Tad the Explorer films, I had to check out their latest, Buffalo Kids. I reviewed the third of that archaeological comedy and can spot the similarity. Instead of getting crazy with the silly antics from a certain comic relief character, this latest is mature. Here, the tale is concerned about a trio of kids attempting to survive the wild west!

Mary (Mia Pérez Ullod and Alisha Weir in the dub) is quite the spunky youth, and I suspect what’s not told is that she and older brother Tom (Jaume Solà / Conor MacNeill) lost their parents. They are the latest Irish immigrants set to arrive in New York, and when their uncle doesn’t show up, the young girl thinks it’s best to go find him! It’s tough to not like this film. The performance by Weir is great! She sells the exuberance needed to make me adore this child. And as for her big brother, Tom, he’s supposed to be the voice of reason. MacNeill does an equally commendable job to say they’re quite natural in these roles.

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In Dragonkeeper, Why Is There Only One Protector?

Part of the charm in Dragonkeeper is because of Ping. She’s a character whom some may associate with Ray from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Dragonkeeper DVD Case
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

Shout! Studios

Ping (Lucía Pérez) is the Dragonkeeper, and if she’s to help Danzi (Mario Gas), an elder oriental dragon, she better learn how to train the next generation too! That’s because someone asked her to deliver an egg to a magical pool so it can hatch. As for whether this baby will bond to the human, that’d be saying too much.

Although the choice to have mostly European voices instead of Chinese for this production is very unusual, all I had to do was imagine Michelle Yeoh and James Hong’s voice over what’s heard. Technically, the British/Australian casting isn’t out of place when considering who wrote the book. Carole Wilkinson is an Australian whose series did quite well when it was released down under. I suspect the producers wanted to keep this flavour.

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What Does A Robot Dreams of is not Necessarily Life, Love and Happiness

Yoda would certainly mince the words around after watching this surreal look at the relationships of animal-kind and machine in Robot Dreams.

Robot Dreams Movie PosterSpoiler Alert

In Robot Dreams, a dog’s best friend is not a man. Instead, it’s in what can be made out of mechanical parts and the hope that parting is not sweet sorrow. In this anthropomorphic world, this canine (simply known as Dog) has no friends. I had questions regarding why this is so. There’s no backstory. My guess is that this mutt is a loner.

And after building Robot, life doesn’t seem as bleak. They hold hands and do things people dating would do, like go dancing in the park. There are even some questionable occasions which made me think he ordered a mail-order bride. It may be answered in the graphic novel this film is based on, but as I haven’t read it, I’ll have to find out!

From a technical perspective, this animation is really well done and as for what the artists had in mind for some sequences, I assume dog has fetishes that’s thankfully been edited out.

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Want A Bloody Valentine? Vampus Horror Tales Are Here!

I wouldn’t call these tales presented in Vampus Horror Tales exceptional, but they do poke at what makes this upcoming day uniquely red.

Vampus Horror TalesUNCORK’D ENTERTAINMENT
ON DEMAND AND DIGITAL, FEB 14, 2023

Although Mr. Fettes (Saturnino García) is not a household name, I’m sure Latino fandom will love him! He’s not like Narciso Ibañez Serrador yet, but I’m sure the movie Vampus Horror Tales will help this gravedigger get some recognition. This actor gives his all to the role, and honestly, I loved these interludes a lot more.

This modestly budgeted horror anthology features other strange pathos going on, but to show why this cemetery custodian is tops, we have to wait to witness how he introduces each tale by the stroke of his own hand.

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[Fantasia 2021] Great Laughs are in Store in Ghosting Gloria

This film answers a lingering question I’ve always had when concerning ghosts. Are all spirits hyper-aware of a living person’s misery because they too suffered?

Ghosting Gloria Movie PosterComing to Pantaya Streaming Service on Roku

Usually, ghosting someone means cutting off contact with a person with no explanation at all. It’s an idea which gets reversed somewhat in the paranormal rom-com Ghosting Gloria, and it’s hilarious to redefine what the term means. Also, it’s terrific to get a ghost story that’s not about the scares either. The rights to this movie has been acquired by FilmSharks to distribute and remake says a lot. I’m rarely a fan of the latter and my guess is that the studio wants more special effects than what’s featured. 

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Soccer Fans in Canada Can Rejoice to the Video Release of Underdogs

Underdogs_2013_animated_film_posterBy Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Underappreciated in North America but loved elsewhere, Underdogs is a fun computer animated adventure about, what else, the little guy getting the love that he and his friends richly deserves. This tale has a lot of similarity to DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story and if I have to choose which is better, my vote is for the former. In theory, various video releases have been available for a while now, but when looking at release schedules, it’s been pushed back or is not fully out in North America. It’s available through Anchor Bay in the States, and in Canada, according to Tribute.ca, it’s set to hit shelves September 6, 2016 and the long wait is finally over. This movie originally released in 2013 in Argentina. It’s Spanish title is Metegol.

Many releases have come out since then, including a UK one, and to finally get a local release is welcomed. While many a name is changed, no further edits is implied. Amadeo is now Jake, and his love for foozball sets up a bigger game, football (soccer). His rival, Grosso (Ace) returns to their little hometown to take over. When they were kids, these two did not quite see eye-to-eye; one went on to greater things (to become a champion) and the other remained and his life went nowhere (Amadeo). Their dispute happened over a simple game of foosball, and Grosso’s desire for revenge shows how inflated his ego is. Even though he’s loved by the media, there’s a darker desire which shows how ugly he truly is. Some of that still gets conveyed in the translation, but there’s a nuance which always gets lost in the voice direction.

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