Hayao Miyazaki has been regarded as one of the greatest animation filmmakers of all time. The animator has worked on several Studio Ghibli films, which he co-founded in the 1980s. His films such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Princess Mononoke have all been regarded as some of the best anime films of all time.
Miyazaki came out of his retirement to create his final epic The Boy and the Heron. The film was released last year and won many accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. While the film has many Easter Eggs that reference other films by Miyazaki, one of the most important characters is reportedly inspired by the animator’s mentor.
The Boy And The Heron Has A Reference to Hayao Miyazaki’s Mentor Isao Takahata A still from Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron
Hayao Miyazaki had announced his retirement after...
Miyazaki came out of his retirement to create his final epic The Boy and the Heron. The film was released last year and won many accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. While the film has many Easter Eggs that reference other films by Miyazaki, one of the most important characters is reportedly inspired by the animator’s mentor.
The Boy And The Heron Has A Reference to Hayao Miyazaki’s Mentor Isao Takahata A still from Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron
Hayao Miyazaki had announced his retirement after...
- 5/13/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
Yuichi Sato's energetic flick “City Hunter” is loud, explosive, and in your face. Yet, it knows that, embracing it in a wildly entertaining experience. While many recent Netflix manga/anime adaptations have missed the mark, this movie does Tsukasa Hojo's source material justice, while taking a few creative liberties to tweak aspects for a modern audience. The film has garnered a positive reception from longtime fans of the “City Hunter” franchise, as well as newcomers, being highlighted as the definitive live-action adaptation next to the French version “Nicky Larson et le parfum de Cupidon” by Philippe Lacheau. It is funny to consider it took this long for Japan to adapt Hojo's work for non-animated media, with many prior renditions primarily coming from Hong Kong, the most famous being Wong Jing's “City Hunter” starring Jackie Chan.
If you like City Hunter, check our coverage of Netflix content by clicking...
If you like City Hunter, check our coverage of Netflix content by clicking...
- 5/9/2024
- by Sean Barry
- AsianMoviePulse
Koji Suzuki's novel "Ring" was first published in 1991, and no one could have guessed that the simple, tech-based ghost story would spawn a decades-long, worldwide media franchise that incorporates multiple movies, crossovers, comics, audio dramas, and video games. If one does a deep dive into the entire "Ring" series, one will uncover a massively complicated mythos that repeatedly peels back layers of reality to reveal an onion-like media metafiction that Marshall McLuhan would be proud of.
The premise of "Ring" is wicked and fun, and would have been all the more terrifying in 1991 when VHS was still in vogue. In the book, an investigative reporter named Asakawa finds a cursed video cassette of a surreal, 20-minute short film. At the end of the video, a captain informs him that he has seven days to live. Asakawa takes the threat seriously, as several teenage girls who watched the video have already died.
The premise of "Ring" is wicked and fun, and would have been all the more terrifying in 1991 when VHS was still in vogue. In the book, an investigative reporter named Asakawa finds a cursed video cassette of a surreal, 20-minute short film. At the end of the video, a captain informs him that he has seven days to live. Asakawa takes the threat seriously, as several teenage girls who watched the video have already died.
- 5/6/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Quality Assurance in Another World , an upcoming TV anime based on the isekai fantasy manga, has revealed six new cast members and the official theme song performers for the series, which will broadcast in Japan on Tokyo Broadcasting System, Mainichi Broadcasting System, and Bs-tbs on July 5, 2024. The series will also stream on Crunchyroll as part of the summer 2024 anime simulcast lineup. The new cast members include: Suzuki voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto (Toru Kaneko in Viral Hit ) Suzuki character visual Namiko voiced by Natsumi Murakami (Futaba Fukumoto in Slow Loop ) Namiko character visual Kuro-chan voiced by Kentaro Kumagai (Geordo in The Great Cleric ) Kuro-chan character visual President voiced by Kentaro Ito President character visual Sumida voiced by Kenichirou Matsuda (Thors in Vinland Saga ) Sumida character visual Kana voiced by Chiemi Tanaka (Rikka in The Little Lies We All Tell ) Kana character visual Liyuu performs the opening theme for the series,...
- 5/4/2024
- by Paul Chapman
- Crunchyroll
The latest City Hunter live-action film made its worldwide debut on Netflix on April 25, 2024, and actor Suzuki Ryohei’s portrayal of the Saeba Ryo in the film has captured the hearts of the audiences worldwide, with many praising him for the accurate depiction of the iconic character.
Turns out Suzuki went above and beyond to prepare for the role of Ryo Saeba in the film, with the aim of preserving the essence of the original manga while infusing the adaptation with realism and entertainment fit for a live-action film.
One of the most demanding aspects of the role for Suzuki was mastering the intricacies of firearm combat.
During filming, Suzuki tackled six types of firearms, practicing extensively with model guns to ensure seamless handling on set. But his dedication didn’t stop there. To truly understand the nuances of gun handling and recoil, Suzuki underwent four to five days of intensive training abroad,...
Turns out Suzuki went above and beyond to prepare for the role of Ryo Saeba in the film, with the aim of preserving the essence of the original manga while infusing the adaptation with realism and entertainment fit for a live-action film.
One of the most demanding aspects of the role for Suzuki was mastering the intricacies of firearm combat.
During filming, Suzuki tackled six types of firearms, practicing extensively with model guns to ensure seamless handling on set. But his dedication didn’t stop there. To truly understand the nuances of gun handling and recoil, Suzuki underwent four to five days of intensive training abroad,...
- 4/30/2024
- by Ami Nazru
- AnimeHunch
Floating Clouds.In the opening scene of Mikio Naruse’s Floating Clouds (1956), a group of repatriated Japanese civilians disembarks from a shabby boat. After two brief wide shots, Naruse cuts to a medium shot to introduce the film’s protagonist, Yukiko, singling her out from what is otherwise a crowd of anonymous faces. But the film’s screenplay elaborates on those who walk alongside Yukiko: Returnees from South Asia are getting off the ship. Among the crowd of women, which consists only of comfort women, geishas, nurses, typists, clerks and the like, there is also Kõda Yukiko, who is not outfitted with proper winter attire.“Comfort women” is a name given to women and girls forced into sexual slavery at the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army. According to Yoko Mizuki’s screenplay, some are present in the crowd, but it is impossible for the viewer to discern them. The...
- 4/25/2024
- MUBI
Next month, [Re:collection] Hit Song Cover Series feat. Voice Actors will debut its second album. The project does just what it says on the tin, bringing together renowned voice actors to sing classic J-pop tracks from across the decades. 30 voice actors assemble for this new album, and 13 of them will be performing their songs live at the beginning of 2025. Scheduled to take place January 19, 2025 at Tokyo's Zepp Haneda, the show will include performances from: Genki Okawa Jun Kasama Gakuto Kajiwara Shinichiro Kamio Takeru Kikuchi Daisuke Kishio Shogo Sakata Chiharu Sawashiro Ryota Suzuki Tomohito Takatsuka Kenji Nojima Yu Hayashi Arthur Lounsbery Related: Yoasobi Confirms Dates for New York City and Boston Concerts Powered by Crunchyroll Previews for the latest album are being released on the official [Re:collection] YouTube Channel , including this sample of 90s covers: Related: Pretty Series Franchise Announces Two Upcoming Live Events for 2024 The new album drops on May 29, and...
- 4/23/2024
- by Kara Dennison
- Crunchyroll
Studio Ghibli, the animation studio behind “My Neighbor Totoro” and the Oscar-winning animated feature “The Boy and the Heron,” is being awarded an Honorary Palme d’Or at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival. It marks the first time that the award will be given to a group.
The studio was co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki in 1984 following the release of Miyazaki’s “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.”
“I am truly honored and delighted that the studio is awarded the Honorary Palme d’Or,” Suzuki said in a statement. “I would like to thank the Festival de Cannes from the bottom of my heart. Forty years ago, Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and I established Studio Ghibli with the desire to bring high-level, high-quality animation to children and adults of all ages. Today, our films are watched by people all over the world, and many visitors come to the Ghibli Museum,...
The studio was co-founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki in 1984 following the release of Miyazaki’s “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.”
“I am truly honored and delighted that the studio is awarded the Honorary Palme d’Or,” Suzuki said in a statement. “I would like to thank the Festival de Cannes from the bottom of my heart. Forty years ago, Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata and I established Studio Ghibli with the desire to bring high-level, high-quality animation to children and adults of all ages. Today, our films are watched by people all over the world, and many visitors come to the Ghibli Museum,...
- 4/17/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
The 2024 Oscars etched several milestones, and one in particular happened with great frequency: A lot of the night’s winners were first-timers.
Above and below the line talent on “Oppenheimer,” “Poor Things,” “Godzilla Minus One” and more earned their first Oscars ever, including Robert Downey Jr. and Christopher Nolan. Three countries — Japan, Ukraine and the United Kingdom also knocked out some first-time milestones.
Here’s a rundown of those earned their first Oscar at the ceremony.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Holdovers”), Best Supporting Actress-
Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s first Oscar kicked off the night.
Cord Jefferson accepts the Best Adapted Screenplay award for “American Fiction” at the 96th Annual Academy Awards (Credit Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Cord Jefferson (“American Fiction”), Best Adapted Screenplay
Best known for his TV writing, Jefferson accepted his first Oscar with a stirring speech calling on Hollywood...
Above and below the line talent on “Oppenheimer,” “Poor Things,” “Godzilla Minus One” and more earned their first Oscars ever, including Robert Downey Jr. and Christopher Nolan. Three countries — Japan, Ukraine and the United Kingdom also knocked out some first-time milestones.
Here’s a rundown of those earned their first Oscar at the ceremony.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Holdovers”), Best Supporting Actress-
Da’Vine Joy Randolph’s first Oscar kicked off the night.
Cord Jefferson accepts the Best Adapted Screenplay award for “American Fiction” at the 96th Annual Academy Awards (Credit Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Cord Jefferson (“American Fiction”), Best Adapted Screenplay
Best known for his TV writing, Jefferson accepted his first Oscar with a stirring speech calling on Hollywood...
- 3/12/2024
- by Andi Ortiz, Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
During a press conference conducted following The Boy And The Heron’s big win at the Oscars, Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli president, shed light on the unconventional marketing strategy adopted for the film.
In his address, Suzuki provided insight into the decision to not promote the film, attributing it to Miyazaki’s desire for a quiet release. Suzuki stated, “Hayao Miyazaki has dedicated his life to Studio Ghibli. It was his wish to release his last film quietly, without much fanfare.“
While acknowledging the challenges posed by the lack of publicity, Suzuki remained steadfast in his support for Miyazaki’s creative integrity.
“It was a nuisance for the people involved, but I certainly thought that Miyazaki’s hard work would gain their understanding. I didn’t want to put him in an environment where he had to do a lot of publicity,” he expressed.
Suzuki acknowledged that their intention was...
In his address, Suzuki provided insight into the decision to not promote the film, attributing it to Miyazaki’s desire for a quiet release. Suzuki stated, “Hayao Miyazaki has dedicated his life to Studio Ghibli. It was his wish to release his last film quietly, without much fanfare.“
While acknowledging the challenges posed by the lack of publicity, Suzuki remained steadfast in his support for Miyazaki’s creative integrity.
“It was a nuisance for the people involved, but I certainly thought that Miyazaki’s hard work would gain their understanding. I didn’t want to put him in an environment where he had to do a lot of publicity,” he expressed.
Suzuki acknowledged that their intention was...
- 3/11/2024
- by Ami Nazru
- AnimeHunch
Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most legendary and influential filmmakers of all time, especially in the medium of animation. Miyazaki recently won his second Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film thanks to his seminal work on his final film The Boy and the Heron. However, Miyazaki did not attend the prestigious ceremony.
Hayao Miyazaki (Source: Nhk World-Japan | YouTube)
Similarly, when Miyazaki won his first Oscar, almost two decades ago, he also did not arrive to accept the award. In a later interview, Miyazaki revealed the reason behind his absence from the awards ceremony. Here is what the acclaimed director had to say about not wanting to attend the Oscars and why he boycotted the event at the time.
Hayao Miyazaki Has Revealed the Reason for Boycotting Oscars During His First Win Hayao Miyazaki (Source: @ghibliusa | Instagram)
In 2003, Hayao Miyazaki was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated...
Hayao Miyazaki (Source: Nhk World-Japan | YouTube)
Similarly, when Miyazaki won his first Oscar, almost two decades ago, he also did not arrive to accept the award. In a later interview, Miyazaki revealed the reason behind his absence from the awards ceremony. Here is what the acclaimed director had to say about not wanting to attend the Oscars and why he boycotted the event at the time.
Hayao Miyazaki Has Revealed the Reason for Boycotting Oscars During His First Win Hayao Miyazaki (Source: @ghibliusa | Instagram)
In 2003, Hayao Miyazaki was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated...
- 3/11/2024
- by Pratik Handore
- FandomWire
Hayao Miyazaki received his second Academy Award on Sunday for his semi-autobiographical Japanese animated feature picture The Boy and the Heron. The movie, which is rumored to be the last work of renowned Japanese filmmaker Miyazaki, took home the Best Animated Feature Film Oscar at the 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.
Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron
Miyazaki’s Oscar triumph makes him the oldest filmmaker to win in the animated feature film category in 21 years. The Japanese anime film previously won a BAFTA and a Golden Globe, positioning it as a serious candidate for accolades. The semi-autobiographical picture, which takes place during World War Two, tells the story of a youngster who, after losing his mother, meets a mysterious speaking heron.
The Boy and the Heron faced out against Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Elemental, Nimona, and Robot Dreams, but emerged victorious. However, the creators of the...
Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron
Miyazaki’s Oscar triumph makes him the oldest filmmaker to win in the animated feature film category in 21 years. The Japanese anime film previously won a BAFTA and a Golden Globe, positioning it as a serious candidate for accolades. The semi-autobiographical picture, which takes place during World War Two, tells the story of a youngster who, after losing his mother, meets a mysterious speaking heron.
The Boy and the Heron faced out against Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Elemental, Nimona, and Robot Dreams, but emerged victorious. However, the creators of the...
- 3/11/2024
- by Tarun Kohli
- FandomWire
“The Boy and the Heron” director Hayao Miyazaki and producer Toshio Suzuki weren’t on hand to accept their Best Animated Feature Oscar Sunday night — the second for the Japanese animation master — but Suzuki issued a statement to press gathered backstage at the Academy Awards instead.
“We’re very honored to receive the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. We thank the Academy for the award,” Suzuki said in his statement. “I would also like to give my thanks to those who were involved in the production of this film and those who worked to distribute the film worldwide.”
Studio Ghibli’s chief operating officer Kiyofumi Nakajima appeared backstage to issue the statement via a translator, apologizing for Suzuki and Miyazaki’s absence, saying, “Please forgive them. They’re kind of up there in the age bracket.”
In the statement, Suzuki also attributed his and Miyazaki’s age to why...
“We’re very honored to receive the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. We thank the Academy for the award,” Suzuki said in his statement. “I would also like to give my thanks to those who were involved in the production of this film and those who worked to distribute the film worldwide.”
Studio Ghibli’s chief operating officer Kiyofumi Nakajima appeared backstage to issue the statement via a translator, apologizing for Suzuki and Miyazaki’s absence, saying, “Please forgive them. They’re kind of up there in the age bracket.”
In the statement, Suzuki also attributed his and Miyazaki’s age to why...
- 3/11/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Studio Ghibli, like Western counterparts Disney, Pixar and the UK’s Aardman, is one of the most important animation studios in movie history. Since its first feature film, “Castle in the Sky” in 1986, Studio Ghibli has delivered two dozen thought-provoking tales beautifully rendered in a unique brand of animation. To date, its output has racked up have a lucky seven Oscar bids for Best Animated Feature.
“Spirited Away” was the first Studio Ghibli movie to break into the Academy Awards conversation and did so with aplomb in 2003. It won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature (Miyazaki the recipient) over “Ice Age,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,” and “Treasure Planet.”
In 2006, Miyazaki was again nominated — this time for “Howl’s Moving Castle” alongside “Corpse Bride” and “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” with the latter movie, an Aardman creation, reigning victorious.
Miyazaki and Suzuki were the nominees...
“Spirited Away” was the first Studio Ghibli movie to break into the Academy Awards conversation and did so with aplomb in 2003. It won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature (Miyazaki the recipient) over “Ice Age,” “Lilo & Stitch,” “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,” and “Treasure Planet.”
In 2006, Miyazaki was again nominated — this time for “Howl’s Moving Castle” alongside “Corpse Bride” and “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit,” with the latter movie, an Aardman creation, reigning victorious.
Miyazaki and Suzuki were the nominees...
- 2/16/2024
- by Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
It is tempting to paint Damo Suzuki, the singer for legendary krautrock band Can, as some sort of musical shaman. And frankly, the video footage that exists of him makes it easy to do so. There is a film by Peter Przygodda that captures the German group at Cologne’s Sporthalle in 1972. At one point, a man arrives on stage to juggle three umbrellas — each a different color — and while a spotlight shines on the entertainer, Suzuki has the most magnetic presence in the room. Dressed in all red, he...
- 2/12/2024
- by Joshua Minsoo Kim
- Rollingstone.com
Damo Suzuki, who fronted the pioneering krautrock group Can at its peak, has died at age 74. His death was confirmed on Saturday afternoon via Can’s Instagram channel. No cause was given.
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of our wonderful friend Damo Suzuki, yesterday, Friday 9th February 2024,” the message on Can’s account said. “His boundless creative energy has touched so many over the whole world, not just with Can, but also with his all continent spanning Network Tour. Damo’s kind soul and cheeky smile will be forever missed. He will be joining Michael, Jaki and Holger for a fantastic jam!”
Can founding members Jaki Liebezeit, Holger Czukay, as well as guitarist Michael Karoli have all preceded Suzuki in death.
Born Kenji Suzuki in Tokyo, the singer left Japan as a teenager. In 1970, he was spotted playing as a street musician in...
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of our wonderful friend Damo Suzuki, yesterday, Friday 9th February 2024,” the message on Can’s account said. “His boundless creative energy has touched so many over the whole world, not just with Can, but also with his all continent spanning Network Tour. Damo’s kind soul and cheeky smile will be forever missed. He will be joining Michael, Jaki and Holger for a fantastic jam!”
Can founding members Jaki Liebezeit, Holger Czukay, as well as guitarist Michael Karoli have all preceded Suzuki in death.
Born Kenji Suzuki in Tokyo, the singer left Japan as a teenager. In 1970, he was spotted playing as a street musician in...
- 2/10/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Damo Suzuki, the pioneering vocalist who served as the lead singer of Can from 1970 through 1973, has died. He was 74 years old.
Best remembered for helming the mic for Can through some of their most popular releases — including 1971’s Tago Mago, 1972’s Ege Bamyası, and 1973’s Future Days — Suzuki had an innovative and inimitable approach to singing, often improvising parts sung in a variety of languages (a blend he referred to as “the language of the Stone Age”).
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of our wonderful friend Damo Suzuki, yesterday, Friday 9th February 2024,” a statement posted by Can on Instagram read. “His boundless creative energy has touched so many over the whole world, not just with Can, but also with his all continent spanning Network Tour. Damo’s kind soul and cheeky smile will be forever missed.”
Born on January 16th, 1950, in Kobe, Japan,...
Best remembered for helming the mic for Can through some of their most popular releases — including 1971’s Tago Mago, 1972’s Ege Bamyası, and 1973’s Future Days — Suzuki had an innovative and inimitable approach to singing, often improvising parts sung in a variety of languages (a blend he referred to as “the language of the Stone Age”).
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of our wonderful friend Damo Suzuki, yesterday, Friday 9th February 2024,” a statement posted by Can on Instagram read. “His boundless creative energy has touched so many over the whole world, not just with Can, but also with his all continent spanning Network Tour. Damo’s kind soul and cheeky smile will be forever missed.”
Born on January 16th, 1950, in Kobe, Japan,...
- 2/10/2024
- by Jo Vito
- Consequence - Music
Damo Suzuki, the Japanese singer who served as vocalist for the krautrock legends Can, has died at the age of 74.
The German band announced Suzuki’s death on social media Saturday; while cause of death wasn’t provided, Suzuki had been battling colon cancer for a decade, and revealed in a 2022 documentary that he was previously given a 10-percent chance of survival.
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of our wonderful friend Damo Suzuki, yesterday, Friday 9th February 2024,” Can said in a statement. “His...
The German band announced Suzuki’s death on social media Saturday; while cause of death wasn’t provided, Suzuki had been battling colon cancer for a decade, and revealed in a 2022 documentary that he was previously given a 10-percent chance of survival.
“It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of our wonderful friend Damo Suzuki, yesterday, Friday 9th February 2024,” Can said in a statement. “His...
- 2/10/2024
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
"The exchanges between Mahito and the heron... they really reflected my usual sort of conversations with Miyazaki." GKids has released a promo featurette video for Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy and the Heron. It features Studio Ghibli co-founder / producer Toshio Suzuki answering a few interview questions and discussing life with Hayao Miyazaki, working with Studio Ghibli, his thoughts on hand-drawn animation's relevance nowadays, and everything else. Miyazaki's new film The Boy and the Heron has been playing in theaters since December and is nominated for Best Animated Feature at the upcoming Academy Awards. "A young boy named Mahito yearning for his mother ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead. There, death comes to an end, and life finds a new beginning. A semi-autobiographical fantasy about life, death, and creation, [and] in tribute to friendship." With an original score by Joe Hisaishi, heard in the background of this video.
- 2/9/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Netflix has revealed that its Japanese slate for the year ahead includes three films and a seven new and returning series.
The features include Drawing Closer by Takahiro Miki, a director well-known for romantic dramas such as Love Me, Love Me Not and Your Eyes Tell. It follows a young man with a terminal illness who falls for a woman who is also living on borrowed time. The cast is led by Ren Nagase and Natsuki Deguchi.
It is based on a best-selling novel by Ao Morita and is scripted by Tomoko Yoshida, whose collaborations with Miki go back to...
The features include Drawing Closer by Takahiro Miki, a director well-known for romantic dramas such as Love Me, Love Me Not and Your Eyes Tell. It follows a young man with a terminal illness who falls for a woman who is also living on borrowed time. The cast is led by Ren Nagase and Natsuki Deguchi.
It is based on a best-selling novel by Ao Morita and is scripted by Tomoko Yoshida, whose collaborations with Miki go back to...
- 2/8/2024
- ScreenDaily
The love of self and the love of others are deeply intertwined, according to everyone from ancient philosophers to “Drag Race” host Ru Paul. We must be anchored in a solid space of self-love in order to let someone else into our lives. On its surface, this is the key tenet of Daishi Matsunaga’s “Egoist” (ergo its title). But that sentiment serves instead to highlight how this maudlin Japanese drama about a gay man in his 30s coping with love and loss, rarely moves beyond the readymade platitudes that litter its well-meaning narrative.
Based on the late Makoto Takayama’s autobiographical novel of the same name, “Egoist” follows Saitô Kôsuke (Ryohei Suzuki), a magazine editor whose picture-perfect life includes an immaculately designed condo, a quick-paced job surrounded by fashion and photography, a closet full of beautiful designer clothes and a coterie of gay male friends with whom he handily gets along.
Based on the late Makoto Takayama’s autobiographical novel of the same name, “Egoist” follows Saitô Kôsuke (Ryohei Suzuki), a magazine editor whose picture-perfect life includes an immaculately designed condo, a quick-paced job surrounded by fashion and photography, a closet full of beautiful designer clothes and a coterie of gay male friends with whom he handily gets along.
- 1/13/2024
- by Manuel Betancourt
- Variety Film + TV
Gareth Edwards’ visionary masterpiece, Godzilla, reinvented the saga of the iconic monster for a Western audience and acted as the foundation of Legendary Studios’ Monsterverse, a tribute to Toho’s classic Daikaiju epics. At the center of the franchise’s Titan-human correlation, the organization ‘Monarch’ was introduced, which initially served the purpose of introducing, researching, and explaining the Titan-related affairs to characters in-universe and, in the process, to the audience as well. However, soon enough, the narrative choice throughout the following stories made Monarch kind of redundant, with its usefulness being limited to only serving as an exposition device. This aspect gradually became so ludicrous that the characters in the movies acknowledged the fact through meta-jokes.
The recently ended Monsterverse series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters changed the equation by tracing back to the origin of the organization, linking it with a post-World War II geopolitical scenario, and doubling down on...
The recently ended Monsterverse series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters changed the equation by tracing back to the origin of the organization, linking it with a post-World War II geopolitical scenario, and doubling down on...
- 1/12/2024
- by Siddhartha Das
- Film Fugitives
Updated with producer statement: Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron captured the Golden Globe on Sunday for Best Motion Picture – Animated, adding to its award momentum in recent weeks.
The producers of the film did not travel to Los Angeles, so the trophy was accepted on their behalf during the ceremony. Later, producer and Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki posted a message on X, formerly Twitter.
“Since the beginning of the year,” he wrote in part, “Japan has been hit by a series of tragic earthquakes and accidents. When I hear the reports of many people still waiting for rescue in the disaster areas, I am filled with a sense of despair. In such a situation, I hope the bright news of winning an award can bring a smile to everyone’s face, even if only a little.”
Related: Golden Globes 2024 Winners Photos: Lily Gladstone, Cillian Murphy, Justine Triet,...
The producers of the film did not travel to Los Angeles, so the trophy was accepted on their behalf during the ceremony. Later, producer and Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki posted a message on X, formerly Twitter.
“Since the beginning of the year,” he wrote in part, “Japan has been hit by a series of tragic earthquakes and accidents. When I hear the reports of many people still waiting for rescue in the disaster areas, I am filled with a sense of despair. In such a situation, I hope the bright news of winning an award can bring a smile to everyone’s face, even if only a little.”
Related: Golden Globes 2024 Winners Photos: Lily Gladstone, Cillian Murphy, Justine Triet,...
- 1/8/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
It has been observed time and again how important the balance between the narrative correlation of human-monster elements really is to make any monster-oriented story work well, and Apple TV+’s Monsterverse series Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has gained traction by duly exemplifying that. In the penultimate episode of the first season, the series once again doubles down on the narrative balance as we get to see Lee Shaw in a new light, especially through his relationship with Keiko’s son, Hiroshi.
In the previous episode, it was revealed that in the past timeline, after the power shift in Monarch, the military-minded Lieutenant Hatch had started calling the shots and brought the organization to the verge of being decommissioned by discrediting the scientific endeavors of Bill and Keiko. To counter Hatch’s report, Shaw instructed Bill and Keiko to chart out a Titan map, which led to Bill’s speculation...
In the previous episode, it was revealed that in the past timeline, after the power shift in Monarch, the military-minded Lieutenant Hatch had started calling the shots and brought the organization to the verge of being decommissioned by discrediting the scientific endeavors of Bill and Keiko. To counter Hatch’s report, Shaw instructed Bill and Keiko to chart out a Titan map, which led to Bill’s speculation...
- 1/7/2024
- by Siddhartha Das
- Film Fugitives
Wyatt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ episode 9 (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)
Apple TV+’s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters episode eight ended with a gut-wrenching cliffhanger that saw Cate, May, and Lee tumbling through a rift. Episode nine, the season’s penultimate, keeps us hanging about their fate and instead opens with a flashback to a Monarch test site in Kansas, 1962, and a young Hiroshi being babysat by Lee Shaw (Wyatt Russell) and Bill Randa (Anders Holm).
Scratch that…it’s actually Bill who’s pulled babysitting duty for the day as Lee is about to make history by traveling into a rift via a specially constructed ship. Before leaving, Lee loans Hiroshi his pocketknife to hold onto until he returns.
Bill and Lee have grown close to Hiroshi, and Lee compliments Bill on the job he’s doing raising the boy. Lee thinks Keiko would be proud.
General Puckett...
Apple TV+’s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters episode eight ended with a gut-wrenching cliffhanger that saw Cate, May, and Lee tumbling through a rift. Episode nine, the season’s penultimate, keeps us hanging about their fate and instead opens with a flashback to a Monarch test site in Kansas, 1962, and a young Hiroshi being babysat by Lee Shaw (Wyatt Russell) and Bill Randa (Anders Holm).
Scratch that…it’s actually Bill who’s pulled babysitting duty for the day as Lee is about to make history by traveling into a rift via a specially constructed ship. Before leaving, Lee loans Hiroshi his pocketknife to hold onto until he returns.
Bill and Lee have grown close to Hiroshi, and Lee compliments Bill on the job he’s doing raising the boy. Lee thinks Keiko would be proud.
General Puckett...
- 1/5/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Time might heal wounds of the past, but it is up to us to decide whether to let the hurt dictate our actions, misguide us, or to move beyond it and use it as a positive influence. The death of his Monarch colleague and old flame, Dr. Keiko Miura had affected Shaw’s perspective towards the entire Titan tracking ordeal of the shadowy organization, and as the last episode has shown, he is ready to take drastic measures to atone for her loss. Previously, the renegade team of Monarch operatives led by Shaw and Duvall seized Monarch’s Alaskan outpost, and the team destroyed the Titan Frost Vark and a Hollow Earth gateway by detonating charges around them. Shaw’s seemingly villainous turn was an unpredictable development, but the eighth episode, Birthright, adds much more emotional heft, which in some ways explains his actions in a new light.
On the other hand,...
On the other hand,...
- 12/29/2023
- by Siddhartha Das
- Film Fugitives
Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week — and since we’re off next week, you get an extra item!
Ghoulies Plushes from Toynk
Who among us hasn’t wanted to cuddle with the Ghoulies? Your dream can come true in the end, thanks to Toynk.
Summon 14″ plush toys of Fish Ghoulie, Cat Ghoulie, and Rat Ghoulie for $30 each. They’re currently eligible for a Buy 3, Get 1 Free deal.
Creature from the Black Lagoon Figure from Super 7
Creature from the Black Lagoon is joining Super7’s Super Cyborg line of “x-ray” toys next month for $125. Shipping is free with the code WINTER79.
The 11″ action figure features three removable panels that expose the anatomy of Gillman’s head, arm, and torso. It has seven points of articulation.
Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week — and since we’re off next week, you get an extra item!
Ghoulies Plushes from Toynk
Who among us hasn’t wanted to cuddle with the Ghoulies? Your dream can come true in the end, thanks to Toynk.
Summon 14″ plush toys of Fish Ghoulie, Cat Ghoulie, and Rat Ghoulie for $30 each. They’re currently eligible for a Buy 3, Get 1 Free deal.
Creature from the Black Lagoon Figure from Super 7
Creature from the Black Lagoon is joining Super7’s Super Cyborg line of “x-ray” toys next month for $125. Shipping is free with the code WINTER79.
The 11″ action figure features three removable panels that expose the anatomy of Gillman’s head, arm, and torso. It has seven points of articulation.
- 12/22/2023
- by Alex DiVincenzo
- bloody-disgusting.com
So far, Kentaro’s old flame, the genius techie May Hewitt, stuck out like a sore thumb amidst all the Randa-Shaw Titan shenanigans in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, an issue that was promptly rectified in the seventh episode of the series. Along with a due exploration of May’s past the seventh episode highlighted a rather shocking turn of events, which will make viewers re-assess Shaw and his team of Monarch rebels in a new light.
In the previous episode, the past timeline revealed a unique gamma-ray mimicking device created by Dr. Suzuki, which was used to lure Godzilla into Hateruma, aka ‘Monster Island’—allowing Bill, Keiko, and Shaw another chance to have a close encounter with the king of the monsters. However, Shaw’s growing feelings for Keiko resulted in him temporarily abandoning his post in Monarch, which resulted in a change in leadership as the military of the...
In the previous episode, the past timeline revealed a unique gamma-ray mimicking device created by Dr. Suzuki, which was used to lure Godzilla into Hateruma, aka ‘Monster Island’—allowing Bill, Keiko, and Shaw another chance to have a close encounter with the king of the monsters. However, Shaw’s growing feelings for Keiko resulted in him temporarily abandoning his post in Monarch, which resulted in a change in leadership as the military of the...
- 12/22/2023
- by Siddhartha Das
- Film Fugitives
As an interconnected franchise, Legendary’s MonsterVerse is going to complete a decade in the pop culture landscape by next year, with a humble collection of five movies and two series, and the major connecting thread in its world-building, obviously aside from the primeval Titans, is the organization ‘Monarch’ itself. Despite being the central overseer of all Titan-related affairs, the role of the organization was largely undermined, and without a definitive direction, it was reduced to a generic plot device. Things took a better turn after Monarch: Legacy of Monsters added a strong foundation to the origin and gradual transformation of the titular organization, rooted in the human-monster relationship, which acts as a brilliant contemporary political commentary at the same time.
So far, through the course of six episodes, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has established a number of in-universe links and acknowledged its indebtedness to the existing Kaiju lore of...
So far, through the course of six episodes, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters has established a number of in-universe links and acknowledged its indebtedness to the existing Kaiju lore of...
- 12/19/2023
- by Siddhartha Das
- Film Fugitives
Every new feature film from Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki might be the last. Not because the master of animation is now in his 80s, but because for the last couple of decades he's developed a habit of announcing his retirement each time he finishes a movie. His fellow Ghibli co-founder and longtime producing partner Toshio Suzuki recently told Total Film, "I actually believed that [2013's 'The Wind Rises'] was going to be his last film. That he wasn't coming back, that he would retire..."
Fortunately, Suzuki was wrong, and Miyazaki's new film "The Boy and the Heron" has been gladly welcomed by North American fans in its theatrical debut. The animated fantasy adventure landed the top spot at the box office on Friday, grossing $5.56 million, including $2.39 million from Thursday previews. With Friday's numbers in, "The Boy and the Heron" is on track for an opening weekend in the range of $10-11 million, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Fortunately, Suzuki was wrong, and Miyazaki's new film "The Boy and the Heron" has been gladly welcomed by North American fans in its theatrical debut. The animated fantasy adventure landed the top spot at the box office on Friday, grossing $5.56 million, including $2.39 million from Thursday previews. With Friday's numbers in, "The Boy and the Heron" is on track for an opening weekend in the range of $10-11 million, per The Hollywood Reporter.
- 12/9/2023
- by Hannah Shaw-Williams
- Slash Film
‘I’m really serious this time!’: have Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli made their final masterpiece?
The veteran animation genius has said he’s retiring – but as he’s changed his mind before, should anyone take his word for it? We travel to Ghibli HQ in Tokyo to find out what’s going on
When Hayao Miyazaki, the world’s greatest living animator, approached his longtime producer Toshio Suzuki in July 2016 and told him that he wanted to make another film, Suzuki was not enthusiastic. “I said: ‘Absolutely not. This is a bad idea,’” Suzuki recalls. He had his reasons. “I’ve seen many, many great directors, who feel that they can make one more great film and most of the time they fail. I didn’t want to see him go down that road.”
Besides, Miyazaki had supposedly already made his final film. Three years previously, following the release of his highly acclaimed The Wind Rises, Miyazaki told a packed press conference in Tokyo that...
When Hayao Miyazaki, the world’s greatest living animator, approached his longtime producer Toshio Suzuki in July 2016 and told him that he wanted to make another film, Suzuki was not enthusiastic. “I said: ‘Absolutely not. This is a bad idea,’” Suzuki recalls. He had his reasons. “I’ve seen many, many great directors, who feel that they can make one more great film and most of the time they fail. I didn’t want to see him go down that road.”
Besides, Miyazaki had supposedly already made his final film. Three years previously, following the release of his highly acclaimed The Wind Rises, Miyazaki told a packed press conference in Tokyo that...
- 12/9/2023
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
Spoilers for "The Boy and the Heron" follow.
Hayao Miyazaki refuses to stop. After threatening to call it quits several times over the years, he broke his 2013 retirement by releasing the 2023 film "The Boy and the Heron." His latest movie may not be his last anymore, but it still serves as the perfect goodbye from one of the greatest animators of all time, and the perfect summary of his body of work.
"The Boy and the Heron" is a semi-biographical story inspired by Miyazaki's own upbringing — as well as his professional relationship with decades-long collaborators Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki. Initial reviews for the film praised Miyazaki for combining a personal story with a fantasy adventure. Indeed, the film is so personal that Miyazaki changed the story after Takahata passed away in 2018. Just as the film reaching theaters has a different story than initially thought by Miyazaki, it also has...
Hayao Miyazaki refuses to stop. After threatening to call it quits several times over the years, he broke his 2013 retirement by releasing the 2023 film "The Boy and the Heron." His latest movie may not be his last anymore, but it still serves as the perfect goodbye from one of the greatest animators of all time, and the perfect summary of his body of work.
"The Boy and the Heron" is a semi-biographical story inspired by Miyazaki's own upbringing — as well as his professional relationship with decades-long collaborators Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki. Initial reviews for the film praised Miyazaki for combining a personal story with a fantasy adventure. Indeed, the film is so personal that Miyazaki changed the story after Takahata passed away in 2018. Just as the film reaching theaters has a different story than initially thought by Miyazaki, it also has...
- 12/8/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
This article contains spoilers for "The Boy and the Heron."
As a prolific director and one of the co-founders of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki has become one of the biggest names in animation around the world, possibly the best-known name outside of Walt Disney himself. But it's easy to forget about the other names behind Studio Ghibli.
Studio Ghibli was founded by Miyazaki, fellow director Isao Takahata, and producer Toshio Suzuki in 1985. By that point, the two directors had already spent 20 years working together. First, they worked on the financially disappointing yet hugely influential "The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun," as well as on Nippon Animation shows like "Heidi, Girl of the Alps," and "3000 Leagues in Search of Mother." It is a partnership that created a powerhouse in animation, and one that is at the heart of Miyazaki's latest (but no longer last) movie, "The Boy and the Heron.
As a prolific director and one of the co-founders of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki has become one of the biggest names in animation around the world, possibly the best-known name outside of Walt Disney himself. But it's easy to forget about the other names behind Studio Ghibli.
Studio Ghibli was founded by Miyazaki, fellow director Isao Takahata, and producer Toshio Suzuki in 1985. By that point, the two directors had already spent 20 years working together. First, they worked on the financially disappointing yet hugely influential "The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun," as well as on Nippon Animation shows like "Heidi, Girl of the Alps," and "3000 Leagues in Search of Mother." It is a partnership that created a powerhouse in animation, and one that is at the heart of Miyazaki's latest (but no longer last) movie, "The Boy and the Heron.
- 12/8/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
In a recent interview with IndieWire, Michael Sinterniklaas, the voice director of Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy And The Heron English dub revealed that he was initially skeptical about casting Robert Pattinson as Heron, as it was a role that was complicated and nuanced.
Despite recognizing Pattinson as a fine actor, Sinterniklaas felt that there was nothing in his body of work to suggest he could tackle such a challenging role.
However, Pattinson quickly dispelled any doubts during a visit to the studio in Los Angeles. Sinterniklaas recounted the moment when Pattinson confidently approached him, saying, “Ok, I’ve been thinking about this role and I recorded some stuff. Do you want to hear it?” Pattinson then played recordings from the Memos app on his iPhone, revealing a voice that perfectly captured the essence of the character.
This greatly impressed Sinterniklaas.
“Oh, bingo, you’ve already got the character,” the director exclaimed.
Despite recognizing Pattinson as a fine actor, Sinterniklaas felt that there was nothing in his body of work to suggest he could tackle such a challenging role.
However, Pattinson quickly dispelled any doubts during a visit to the studio in Los Angeles. Sinterniklaas recounted the moment when Pattinson confidently approached him, saying, “Ok, I’ve been thinking about this role and I recorded some stuff. Do you want to hear it?” Pattinson then played recordings from the Memos app on his iPhone, revealing a voice that perfectly captured the essence of the character.
This greatly impressed Sinterniklaas.
“Oh, bingo, you’ve already got the character,” the director exclaimed.
- 12/8/2023
- by Ami Nazru
- AnimeHunch
When Hayao Miyazaki pitched “The Boy and the Heron” to Studio Ghibli co-founder/producer Toshio Suzuki in 2016, he asked permission to make the story about himself. This took Suzuki — his friend of nearly 40 years at the time — by surprise; the legendary anime director isn’t known for getting so personal. And yet this aligned perfectly with the notion that Ghibli films are devoted to reliving memories.
“I agree that it is Miyazaki’s most personal film because he actually told me,” Suzuki told IndieWire over Zoom through an interpreter. Not only is “The Boy and the Heron” inspired by Miyazaki’s childhood (he endured the firebombing of Japan during World War II and his father was director of the family’s aircraft manufacturing factory), but also his career at Ghibli with his two closest friends: the late studio co-founder/director Isao Takahata (“Grave of the Fireflies”) and Suzuki.
“Miyazaki is...
“I agree that it is Miyazaki’s most personal film because he actually told me,” Suzuki told IndieWire over Zoom through an interpreter. Not only is “The Boy and the Heron” inspired by Miyazaki’s childhood (he endured the firebombing of Japan during World War II and his father was director of the family’s aircraft manufacturing factory), but also his career at Ghibli with his two closest friends: the late studio co-founder/director Isao Takahata (“Grave of the Fireflies”) and Suzuki.
“Miyazaki is...
- 11/22/2023
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
The much-anticipated anime adaptation of “The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse” is finally on the horizon. Following the gripping saga of “The Seven Deadly Sins,” this sequel introduces us to a new chapter in Britannia’s mystical world.
The anime, produced by Telecom Animation Film, promises to be a visual treat. Directed by Maki Odaira with character designs by Youichi Takada, the series is set to captivate fans with its vibrant animation style. Adding to the excitement, Kohta Yamamoto’s musical composition, alongside Hiroyuki Sawano, ensures an auditory spectacle with an impactful main theme.
At the heart of this anime is the tale of Percival, a young boy whose life transforms after a chance encounter with a mysterious knight. Unveiling a shocking secret, Percival realizes his destiny as one of the prophesied Four Knights, destined to destroy the world. Alongside Lancelot, son of the Seven Sins member Ban,...
The anime, produced by Telecom Animation Film, promises to be a visual treat. Directed by Maki Odaira with character designs by Youichi Takada, the series is set to captivate fans with its vibrant animation style. Adding to the excitement, Kohta Yamamoto’s musical composition, alongside Hiroyuki Sawano, ensures an auditory spectacle with an impactful main theme.
At the heart of this anime is the tale of Percival, a young boy whose life transforms after a chance encounter with a mysterious knight. Unveiling a shocking secret, Percival realizes his destiny as one of the prophesied Four Knights, destined to destroy the world. Alongside Lancelot, son of the Seven Sins member Ban,...
- 11/20/2023
- by Hrvoje Milakovic
- Fiction Horizon
Clockwise from left: The Departed (Warner Bros.), True Lies (20th Century Studios), Some Like It Hot (United Artists), 12 Monkeys (Universal)Graphic: The A.V. Club
Of all the challenges in the moviemaking universe, redoing a beloved foreign film for an American audience would seem pretty low on the list. You already...
Of all the challenges in the moviemaking universe, redoing a beloved foreign film for an American audience would seem pretty low on the list. You already...
- 11/2/2023
- by Ian Spelling
- avclub.com
Gkids has released the new English language trailer for Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron.” Both the original Japanese and English language versions premiere in nationwide theaters on Dec. 8, following special preview engagements in New York and Los Angeles beginning on Nov. 22.
The trailer features a first look at vocal performances from Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Willem Dafoe, Karen Fukuhara, Mark Hamill, Robert Pattinson and Florence Pugh. The English-language dub was made in alignment with the SAG-AFTRA Foreign Dubbing Agreement.
The animated feature from Studio Ghibli was written and directed by Miyazaki, produced by Toshio Suzuki and features a musical score from Joe Hisaishi, a longtime collaborator of Miyazaki. Kenshi Yonezu wrote and performed the film’s theme song “Spinning Globe.” Miyazaki and Suzuki were co-founders of Studio Ghibli.
“The Boy and the Heron” first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 7.
See the full trailer below.
The trailer features a first look at vocal performances from Christian Bale, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan, Willem Dafoe, Karen Fukuhara, Mark Hamill, Robert Pattinson and Florence Pugh. The English-language dub was made in alignment with the SAG-AFTRA Foreign Dubbing Agreement.
The animated feature from Studio Ghibli was written and directed by Miyazaki, produced by Toshio Suzuki and features a musical score from Joe Hisaishi, a longtime collaborator of Miyazaki. Kenshi Yonezu wrote and performed the film’s theme song “Spinning Globe.” Miyazaki and Suzuki were co-founders of Studio Ghibli.
“The Boy and the Heron” first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 7.
See the full trailer below.
- 10/30/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay, Caroline Brew and Jaden Thompson
- Variety Film + TV
Welcome to this week’s review of Aew Dynamite: Title Tuesday, which was broadcast live from the Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, Missouri. We’ve just got Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and Taz on commentary this week, so let’s get into the review!
Match #1: Roh World & Njpw Strong Openweight Title Match – Eddie Kingston def. Minoru Suzuki The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Suzuki invited Kingston to chop him. Kingston took the straps down and he and Suzuki exchanged chops to the chest, blistering one another! Suzuki blasted Kingston with a forearm, knocking him to the mat and stunning him. Kingston fired himself up and plastered Suzuki with a stiff chop. He followed up with rapid, machine gun style chops to Suzuki’s chest. Kingston backed Suzuki into the corner with more chops. After a Northern Lights Bomb, Kingston grabbed the pin on Suzuki and retained the title!
Match #1: Roh World & Njpw Strong Openweight Title Match – Eddie Kingston def. Minoru Suzuki The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Suzuki invited Kingston to chop him. Kingston took the straps down and he and Suzuki exchanged chops to the chest, blistering one another! Suzuki blasted Kingston with a forearm, knocking him to the mat and stunning him. Kingston fired himself up and plastered Suzuki with a stiff chop. He followed up with rapid, machine gun style chops to Suzuki’s chest. Kingston backed Suzuki into the corner with more chops. After a Northern Lights Bomb, Kingston grabbed the pin on Suzuki and retained the title!
- 10/12/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Hayao Miyazaki just won't stop. The animation maestro has retired then unretired so many times it is just silly now, with his latest movie "The Boy and the Heron" being released in Japan with no trailers and being billed as his last goodbye — until it was revealed he was already throwing around ideas for his next project. "He's thinking about this next project every day, and I can't stop him -- in fact, I've given up," studio co-founder and long-time producer Toshio Suzuki recently said in an interview with French outlet Liberation.
But while the idea of more Miyazaki is exciting, what's somewhat troubling is the future Studio Ghibli is headed toward. After all, this is the greatest animation studio in the world, responsible for all-time classics like "Kiki's Delivery Service" (which ended up on our list of 100 best movies ever) and "Princess Kaguya," and which gifted us Totoro and tanuki testicle transformations.
But while the idea of more Miyazaki is exciting, what's somewhat troubling is the future Studio Ghibli is headed toward. After all, this is the greatest animation studio in the world, responsible for all-time classics like "Kiki's Delivery Service" (which ended up on our list of 100 best movies ever) and "Princess Kaguya," and which gifted us Totoro and tanuki testicle transformations.
- 10/10/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Welcome to this week’s review of Aew’s latest television show, Collision, which brings wrestling back to Saturday nights! We’ve got the commentary team of Nigel McGuiness and Kevin Kelly calling the action, so let’s get into the review!
Match #1: Ladder Match – Andrade El Idolo def. Buddy Matthews The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Julia Hart tried to distract Andrade from the apron, but he wouldn’t shift his focus off a charging Buddy Matthews. Buddy and Andrade began to exchange lefts and rights. Andrade El Idolo connected with a moonsault off a ladder outside the ring and down onto Buddy Matthews. Andrade set up several ladders in the ring. Buddy rallied back, blasting Andrade with several stiff kicks. Andrade tried for the three amigos suplexes, but Buddy blocked the third suplex. Buddy rushed toward Andrade, but Andrade countered by hip tossing Buddy into the ladder.
Match #1: Ladder Match – Andrade El Idolo def. Buddy Matthews The following is courtesy of allelitewrestling.com:
Julia Hart tried to distract Andrade from the apron, but he wouldn’t shift his focus off a charging Buddy Matthews. Buddy and Andrade began to exchange lefts and rights. Andrade El Idolo connected with a moonsault off a ladder outside the ring and down onto Buddy Matthews. Andrade set up several ladders in the ring. Buddy rallied back, blasting Andrade with several stiff kicks. Andrade tried for the three amigos suplexes, but Buddy blocked the third suplex. Buddy rushed toward Andrade, but Andrade countered by hip tossing Buddy into the ladder.
- 8/1/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Acclaimed anime director Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film, The Boy And The Heron (aka How Do You Live?), hit Japanese theatres on Friday, July 14 with no advance publicity apart from a title and a poster.
The move was a deliberate ploy by Studio Ghibli head Toshio Suzuki to encourage audiences to see Miyazaki’s first film in a decade without preconceptions. “A poster and a title – that’s all we got when we were children. I enjoyed trying to imagine what a movie was about, and I wanted to bring that feeling back,” Suzuki told Japanese broadcaster Nhk.
ComScore reported a $13.2M opening weekend for the film, distributed by Toho, with IMAX saying it set a new three-day opening record with $1.7M from 44 screens.
Reactions from Japan-based critics, none of which were offered advance screenings, are mixed but mostly favourable.
Anime News Network gave the film an ‘A’ rating overall,...
The move was a deliberate ploy by Studio Ghibli head Toshio Suzuki to encourage audiences to see Miyazaki’s first film in a decade without preconceptions. “A poster and a title – that’s all we got when we were children. I enjoyed trying to imagine what a movie was about, and I wanted to bring that feeling back,” Suzuki told Japanese broadcaster Nhk.
ComScore reported a $13.2M opening weekend for the film, distributed by Toho, with IMAX saying it set a new three-day opening record with $1.7M from 44 screens.
Reactions from Japan-based critics, none of which were offered advance screenings, are mixed but mostly favourable.
Anime News Network gave the film an ‘A’ rating overall,...
- 7/17/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Gkids has acquired North American rights to Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron, the Japanese maestro’s latest feature which Toho is releasing today in Japan as Kimitachi wa Do Ikiruka (How Do You Live?). The Boy and the Heron is now the official international title. This all-rights deal marks a continuation of Gkids’ long-standing relationship with the Miyazaki co-founded Studio Ghibli; Gkids will release the original story written and directed by Miyazaki theatrically laster this year.
Little has been revealed about the film from Oscar-winner Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder and Academy Award laureate Toshio Suzuki. It features a musical score from Miyazaki’s long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi.
The hand-drawn, animated feature is Miyazaki’s first film in 10 years, and is expected to be his last. In an unprecedented decision by Studio Ghibli, no images, trailers, synopses, advertisements, or other information about the movie have...
Little has been revealed about the film from Oscar-winner Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder and Academy Award laureate Toshio Suzuki. It features a musical score from Miyazaki’s long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi.
The hand-drawn, animated feature is Miyazaki’s first film in 10 years, and is expected to be his last. In an unprecedented decision by Studio Ghibli, no images, trailers, synopses, advertisements, or other information about the movie have...
- 7/14/2023
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Hayao Miyazaki’s highly anticipated film will be distributed in North America later this year, Gkids has announced.
The producer and distributor of award-winning animation has announced the acquisition of Oscar winner Miyazaki’s first film in 10 years, since 2013’s “The Wind Rises.” Originally titled “How Do You Live?” in Japan, Miyazaki’s feature will be known as “The Boy and the Heron” in the U.S.
Miyazaki is the co-founder of animation house Studio Ghibli. “The Boy and the Heron” is written and directed by Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki. The film is an original story inspired by Yoshino Genzaburo’s 1937 story about a young boy who comes of age while living with his uncle after the death of his father. Miyazaki is dedicating the film to his own grandson.
Longtime collaborator Joe Hisaishi is behind the film’s score. Gkids will release “The Boy...
The producer and distributor of award-winning animation has announced the acquisition of Oscar winner Miyazaki’s first film in 10 years, since 2013’s “The Wind Rises.” Originally titled “How Do You Live?” in Japan, Miyazaki’s feature will be known as “The Boy and the Heron” in the U.S.
Miyazaki is the co-founder of animation house Studio Ghibli. “The Boy and the Heron” is written and directed by Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki. The film is an original story inspired by Yoshino Genzaburo’s 1937 story about a young boy who comes of age while living with his uncle after the death of his father. Miyazaki is dedicating the film to his own grandson.
Longtime collaborator Joe Hisaishi is behind the film’s score. Gkids will release “The Boy...
- 7/14/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Studio Ghibli, the iconic Japanese animation studio, will maintain a cloud of secrecy for as long as possible around “How Do You Live,” the final film from maestro Miyazaki Hayao.
Studio Ghibli Sets New Film, ‘How Do You Live,’ From Hayao Miyazaki
The new movie is scheduled to arrive in theaters in Japan on July 14, but Studio Ghibli and its partners will do away with pre-release advertising and advanced information. To date it has released only a single enigmatic poster of a bird.
In a long interview with Bungei Shunju magazine now available on YouTube, Studio Ghibli president and producer Suzuki Toshio explained the unusual strategy as a ploy to whet the appetites of fans. They have been denied a new film by Miyazaki film since the 2013 “The Wind Rises.”
“They’ll want to see for themselves what the film is about,” Suzuki said. “And to do that, they’ll have to go a theater.
Studio Ghibli Sets New Film, ‘How Do You Live,’ From Hayao Miyazaki
The new movie is scheduled to arrive in theaters in Japan on July 14, but Studio Ghibli and its partners will do away with pre-release advertising and advanced information. To date it has released only a single enigmatic poster of a bird.
In a long interview with Bungei Shunju magazine now available on YouTube, Studio Ghibli president and producer Suzuki Toshio explained the unusual strategy as a ploy to whet the appetites of fans. They have been denied a new film by Miyazaki film since the 2013 “The Wind Rises.”
“They’ll want to see for themselves what the film is about,” Suzuki said. “And to do that, they’ll have to go a theater.
- 6/5/2023
- by Mark Schilling
- Variety Film + TV
Japan’s Studio Ghibli says it will release no trailer and no promotional materials whatsoever ahead of the release of Hayao Miyazaki’s final film, The Boy and the Heron (Japanese title: Kimitachi wa Do Ikiruka, which translates How Do You Live).
The forthcoming film, which opens in Japan on July 14, is easily the most anticipated movie coming to Japanese theaters in years — and exceedingly little is known about it. (U.S. and international release dates for the film have not yet been set.)
Ghibli previously described the film as “a grand fantasy” loosely inspired by Japanese author Genzaburo Yoshino’s 1937 novel How Do You Live?, a coming-of-age story about the emotional and philosophical development of a young boy after the death of his father. And the studio released one inscrutable poster for the film in December (see it below), but it has said nothing else about the movie since — no plot summary,...
The forthcoming film, which opens in Japan on July 14, is easily the most anticipated movie coming to Japanese theaters in years — and exceedingly little is known about it. (U.S. and international release dates for the film have not yet been set.)
Ghibli previously described the film as “a grand fantasy” loosely inspired by Japanese author Genzaburo Yoshino’s 1937 novel How Do You Live?, a coming-of-age story about the emotional and philosophical development of a young boy after the death of his father. And the studio released one inscrutable poster for the film in December (see it below), but it has said nothing else about the movie since — no plot summary,...
- 6/5/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Lost Chapter of Snow: Passion (1985).The opening shot of Shinji Sômai’s Lost Chapter of Snow: Passion (1985) is 14 minutes long, probing an oneiric palace of artifice. The camera surveys a miniaturized series of homes that represent different stages in the life of an orphan, marching from storybook mistreatment meted out by her foster family, to a questionable attachment to an unorthodox—though caring—father figure, who relieves the toil foisted upon her. The snow globe ambiance provides a sandbox for Sômai’s storied formalism, the camera and the set engaged in a symbiotic give-and-take, filling in blanks when one or the other is totally spent. Events occur at an unsteady clip; years are skipped over with little more than a panning motion. But then, this climate of impressionistic memory is ruptured: a smash cut reintroduces Iori (Yuki Saito), now a perilously carefree teenager, suspended over the all-too-real pavement as she...
- 5/5/2023
- MUBI
Not many directors start out with a voice wholly their own, but Katsuhito Ishii's “Promise of August” is a strikingly unique debut from one of Japan's more singular auteurs. It has its fair share of freshman missteps, and there's an unpolished quality to the plotting and performances, but it establishes itself from the opening frame as an off-kilter comedy with a genuine point of view; a confident beginning to a decades-long career.
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on Terracotta
Released three years before Ishii's first feature, “Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl,” it clocks in at only fifty minutes. It this sense, it feels like a novella from a young writer, focused more on creating a mood and documenting the oddities of human behavior than telling a complete story. The threadbare narrative follows three young women as they search the countryside for a weed crop promised by a “marijuana...
Buy This Title
on Terracotta
Released three years before Ishii's first feature, “Shark Skin Man and Peach Hip Girl,” it clocks in at only fifty minutes. It this sense, it feels like a novella from a young writer, focused more on creating a mood and documenting the oddities of human behavior than telling a complete story. The threadbare narrative follows three young women as they search the countryside for a weed crop promised by a “marijuana...
- 5/3/2023
- by Henry McKeand
- AsianMoviePulse
The more people get better acquainted with the Japanese language, and the more they study cinema based on local texts from the past, the more some of the preconceptions of the previous years are discarded. That Ozu is the most “genuine” Japanese filmmaker was probably the first one, but the dispeling has been continuing. William Carroll, in his book about Seijun Suzuki, also moves towards the same rethinking direction, starting with the “theorem” of “I make films that make no sense and no money” that has been defying Suzuki for decades.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Carroll does not stop there though, essentially presenting the first complete account of Suzuki as a filmmaker, which, inevitably, also deals with the history of Nikkatsu and of Japanese cinema in general. As such, the book begins with his biography and his first steps as a filmmaker, as...
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Carroll does not stop there though, essentially presenting the first complete account of Suzuki as a filmmaker, which, inevitably, also deals with the history of Nikkatsu and of Japanese cinema in general. As such, the book begins with his biography and his first steps as a filmmaker, as...
- 2/15/2023
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
By the second half of the 1960s, it was obvious that the relationship between director Seijun Suzuki and production company Nikkatsu was more than just a little strained. After years of yakuza-flicks and B-movies, Suzuki had proven with works such as “Youth of the Beast” he was fed up sticking to genre conventions as well as the rules enforced by his employer of what a certain movie has to be, what the story has to be like and essentially playing second fiddle to whatever the main feature his work was supposed to prepare the audience for. Having repeatedly violated that agreement, Suzuki was given another opportunity, resulting in “Carmen from Kawachi”, a B-movie based on themes from Georges Bizet. While the story has certain aspects following the conventions of B-movies, its style and images often transcend its origin, making it a very interesting precursor to Suzuki’s “Branded to Kill...
- 2/5/2023
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
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