Tag: Top 5

Celebrating Spring Equinox with Five Animated Films

The best thing about Spring Equinox is not the longer days, but the times spent with family and friends, and there’s a few favourite films I like to watch too.

Spring Equinox at the Movie TheatreAs Spring Equinox is officially in full bloom, just what I want to view is not your regular fare. My recommendations better reflect the season than any spiritual aspect; my top five favorite animated works include more than just current movies. I have short films on this list too.

And so I’m not spending the entire time indoors, what can be viewed can be done in an evening while the afternoon is spent hunting for eggs. Unfortunately, no bunnies are on this list. For part of this Easter Sunday, I’ll be enjoying:

To Spring (1936)

Very few tales acknowledge Spring Equinox as passionately as this classic produced by Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising, and directed by William Hanna before forming his own studio. It’s a simple tale where gnomes are helping the world transition to the new season. But challenges are in store for them….

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Which Yule Movies Are Authentic, According To Tradition?

Not even I can fully answer that, but in what I present is a list of yule movies that honour the season rather than commercialise it.

Klaus, Yule Movie or Christmas?
Yule Movies – Klaus

After watching Red One, which went the wrong way with a great idea regarding an Icelandic holiday witch wanting revenge, I had to look for better films to cleanse the palette. To seek what others haven’t researched well enough meant deciding what works who are true to what Yule movies should represent. I feel in what’s key is that it has to be set in Northern Europe. Although they don’t have to be scary, that’s the secondary theme I’m going for.

Not every film can make the grade. As much as I’d love to include Winterstilte, that was a movie I didn’t really get into. As for other ancient figures from this region, there’s plenty to choose from! There’s Frau Perchta, who preys on innocent souls in the movie, The Twelve Days before Christmas, and curiously, there aren’t any more featuring her.

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Celebrating An Anime X-mas with GKIDS and Shout! Studios In This Look Back of 2024 Releases

We got more to mention since also checking out the GKIDS & Shout! Studios’ website for the latest info on what else to expect early in 2025.

Shout! Studios New Logo Anime X-mas

Shout! Studios and GKIDS have certainly kept busy with releasing some top hits this year, and in this roundup is a list of our favourites to consider for the gift-giving season. While some folks opt for an anime X-mas, others have their own traditions. Also, we got news about one wintery treat for next year.

We have also included reviews where possible, since they released earlier this year.

THE BOY AND THE HERON (4K) & REVIEW

The Boy and the Heron 4KStudio Ghibli’s latest release is Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal film to date! We’ve seen it on the big screen and to watch it again on the small screen with all the bonus material made me appreciate this movie more. For my original review, please check it out here.

There’s details that aren’t as well known, and what’s revealed here are featurettes to truly understand what went on.

This new release offers a 4K transfer with a superior color palette compared to previous works (which lacked an ultra-HD release), and it’s almost tempting for collectors like me to upgrade to the latest video format rather than keep them all. I began with region 2 DVDs, which I still own, and then blu-ray happened.

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Summer Nights at Otaku no Culture; A Best of and Going on Vacation This Week

Who’s ready for Summer? There’s plenty of past entertainment to enjoy as we take a break to recharge.

One Piece Summer VacationWith July now here, even we need to relax in preperation in what we expect to be a busy month! Fantasia Film Festival is coming up and we plan on covering it. We’re awaiting a response to our application and until then, we are still working on a list of top picks on what to see. Until then, we will be out enjoying the sun and try not to get a sunburn. Nobody wants that. We will resume posts next week. In the meantime, please enjoy this selection of best of past summer themed articles.

And we even have a Summertime Mixtape on YouTube too!

That 90s Christmas Special! A Top Five List of Cartoons To Tickle Your Funny Bone

From films to television, we offer a list of our favourite animated 90s Christmas Specials and films!

A Pinky and the Brain Christmas - 90s Christmas SpecialBefore the 21st century, not many animated yuletide themed works were made. Even in the theatrical front, there was lots of live-action material, but when all I craved were cartoons, there just wasn’t many to find at all. Sure there was Frosty Returns, and the obligatory Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Movie, but they weren’t memorable.  All I recall is that there were more televised 90s Christmas Specials than cinema scale. When I look back with the knowledge I have know, maybe the studios were waiting to hear back from what a new generation of kids said they liked.

Also, there’s the chance that all those fond cartoons from the 60s to 80s were getting sunsetted. As interest waned, and just what got played while the television station would have to change to keep with the time.

What I offer is a look at those ‘toons that were personal to me. And although The Nightmare Before Christmas (Amazon Link) is alone, perhaps there’s an obscure international flick to give Jack company! This work deserves to be a special entry.

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Top 5 Genre Picks Playing at the Vancouver International Film Festival

This year’s Vancouver International Film Festival is looking terrific with its variety of genre films that’s being offered!

Vancouver International Film Festival Logo 2019The Vancouver International Film Festival has started, and they’ve added more genre films to their programming! It’s terrific that there’s more representation, but to stay true to their mission, it’s not anything that looks good, but it’s visions that can show the best genre movies can represent from an artistic perspective.

There’s not enough to form a top ten picks out of the thirteen titles, so what I offer is my top five, beginning with:

The Boy and the Heron Japanese Poster

The Boy and the Heron

Spirited Away director Hayao Miyazaki returns from retirement with an enchanting swansong, the story of a young boy, Mahito, growing up in Japan during WWII, who must venture into a fantasy world in order to save his new stepmother.

For those unable to attend these film festival screenings, there’s no need to worry. This movie is making it’s theatrical debut December 8, 2023 and it’s sure to sell out!

  • 6:30 pm Fri Oct 06 Vancouver Playhouse
  • 12:00 pm Sat Oct 07 Vancouver Playhouse

Robot Dreams Picture StillRobot Dreams

Living a solitary existence in Manhattan, Dog is tired of being alone, and builds his own friend: Robot. Their friendship blooms while exploring 1980s New York. This enchanting 2D animation brims with love, loss, and friendship.

  • 6:00 pm Mon Oct 02 The Rio Theatre
  • 3:45 pm Sat Oct 07 International Village 9

The Animal Kingdom Picture StillThe Animal Kingdom

In a world where mysterious mutations are gradually evolving humans into animal hybrids in an unpredictable and frightening way, a father tries to protect his 16-year-old son who is starting to acquire beastly characteristics.

  • 9:00 pm Sun Oct 08 The Rio Theatre

No Poster Available ICON STANDARDBitten

Françoise wakes up from an ominous dream that seems to foreshadow her imminent death. Not wanting to waste a minute of her remaining time, she consults her crystal pendulum and convinces her best friend Delphine to attend a mysterious costume party.

  • 6:30 pm Fri Sep 29 The Cinematheque
  • 8:30 pm Wed Oct 04 Vancity Theatre

Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person Movie PosterHumanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person

Meet Sasha, the world’s most compassionate young vampire. Her family is at their wits’ end with her refusal to embrace their lethal traditions and threaten to cut her off–until she meets a brooding boy hoping to end his life, and strikes a unique deal.

  • 9:00 pm, Sat Sep 30, The Rio Theatre
  • 8:15 pm, Mon Oct 02, International Village 9