★★★★★ For decades now, I have heard nothing but praise—and warning—about a devastating little masterpiece called Grave of the Fireflies. Now, it comes to gorgeous steelbook format from GKids and Shout! Studios. Directed by Studio Ghibli co-creator Isao Takahata, nothing could have prepared me for the total devastation that awaits. Mere minutes into the runtime, … Continue reading Blu-Ray Film Review: Grave of the Fireflies
Tribeca 2025: Dog of God
★★★★ Latvian animation definitely has a specific type of flavor—though relatively new to Western audiences, last year, Flow won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. At 2022's Tribeca Film Festival, underrated adult gem My Love Affair with Marriage unexpectedly became one of my favorite movies of the year. 2025's Tribeca brings another Latvian oddity along … Continue reading Tribeca 2025: Dog of God
Blu-Ray Film Review: The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie
★★★★★ In the aftermath of WB’s chaotic mishandling of Coyote vs. Acme, the first full-length Looney Tunes animated theatrical movie quietly released. Distributed by Ketchup Entertainment, this gem was sadly overlooked when it hit theaters earlier this year. Now, it comes to Blu-Ray in all its colorful, over-the-top silly glory. As someone who grew up … Continue reading Blu-Ray Film Review: The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie
Film Review: Sneaks
(Written by Intern, Miranda Zampogna) ★ Sneaks, an animated feature directed by Rob Edwards and Christopher Jenkins, cobbles together an impressive cast. Among the sequined collection of stars, Anthony Mackie and Martin Lawrence voice anthropomorphic sneakers in this Toy Story-esque tale. Audiences trek alongside Edson, a high school basketball player, who wins a pair of … Continue reading Film Review: Sneaks
Film Review: Night of the Zoopocalypse
★★★★ Rarely does an animated family film come along claiming to be from the mind of Clive Barker, but here we are! Serving as splendid gateway horror for the entire family, Night of the Zoopocalypse brings monster mayhem to the colorful world of Colepepper’s Zoo. When I was a young lad, movies such as Gremlins, … Continue reading Film Review: Night of the Zoopocalypse
Film Review: Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
★★★★★ Wallace & Gromit's most unforgettable nemesis returns in the aptly-titled Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. For the uninitiated, Aardman Animation's gold standard continues in this delightfully nostalgic, immaculately constructed stop-motion delight. Since the 90s, the human-and-dog duo have brought a unique brand of British humor to their hijinks. I will never forget watching … Continue reading Film Review: Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Film Review: Memoir of a Snail
★★★★★ Unless hailing from major animation studios such as Pixar or Dreamworks, rarely do emotionally devastating, deeply moving films from skilled animators receive the attention they so rightly deserve. Wendell & Wild, Perfect Blue, My Life as a Zucchini, and My Love Affair with Marriage are just a few that fall into this sprawling tapestry … Continue reading Film Review: Memoir of a Snail
Film Review: The Boy and the Heron 4K
★★★★ Despite capturing a gorgeous visual aesthetic, the first time I watched the newest Oscar-winning feature from acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki, I had a hard time following its largely symbolic exploration of grief through a magical realism lens. Upon subsequent viewings, The Boy and the Heron has evolved before my eyes into a breathtaking tapestry … Continue reading Film Review: The Boy and the Heron 4K
TV Review: Terminator Zero
Was anyone really clamoring for an anime iteration of James Cameron's iconic Terminator franchise? After the box office misfires of its most recent series entries, there's no telling what fans truly want. Terminator: Dark Fate was the best since T2: Judgement Day, yet barely anyone showed up to watch it in theatres. Why not let … Continue reading TV Review: Terminator Zero
Fantasia 2024: Sunburnt Unicorn
★★★★ A surprisingly effective coming-of-age desert fable, Sunburnt Unicorn depicts a harsh landscape of cartoonish creatures... and endless sand. Animation continues to be a fascinating medium in which creators can house important lessons without feeling too preachy. In this case, writer/director Nick Johnson hones in on messages of compassion and kindness, fueled by a son's … Continue reading Fantasia 2024: Sunburnt Unicorn