What does a crappy group project look like in movie form? One of the answers to this question could be Alita: Battle Angel. It seemed obvious to me that some of the crew working on this movie tried quite hard to make a good one, while some did not. It's a shame to see such excellent CGI animation wasted on a pretty slap-dash writing/directing job. The animators and half the cast seem to be the only ones who took things seriously. It doesn't help someone on the production just could not let Alita have normal-sized eyes. The only thing I don't like about the CGI is how hard they tried to recreate the Anime look with the main character. Her eyes never escaped the uncanny valley, and they completely overshadow the rest of the competent CGI. What's also distracting is how inconsistent the acting is across the cast. Half of the actors are trying their best, while half were just there for a pay cheque. Christoph Waltz never stopped looking awkward while holding that prop hamme...

Mike S here with another animated review!  This time, I check out " The Sky Crawlers " by Warner Bros... It's a world where war is run by corporations.  In Area 262, the young "kildren" pilot Yuichi Kannami becomes obsessed with the mystery behind his predecessor's disappearance- one that left his plane in pristine condition. He soon discovers that there's more to the eternally young "kildren", and the pilot known as "The Teacher" than he knew... or thought he knew... Based on Hiroshi Mori's novel, this is a very deep film.  Wrapped up in the "mystery" of who the "kildren" really are, are themes of life, death, rebirth, immortality, the never ceasing nature of war- and its role within society, and finding some hope despite knowing one's fate.  All of these threads serve to weave a wonderfully thought provoking and emotionally engaging story.  You're pulled along at an almost leisurely pace, bef...

The Animated Addict is back with a new review!  Today, we discuss one of Studio Ghibli's lesser known films- " The Tale of the Princess Kaguya ". A poor bamboo cutter finds a baby girl in the forest.  Taking her home, he and his wife raise her as their own.  As she grows to maturity, she begins to question her origins, and why she's here. Soon, she must make a choice when strange and marvelous beings come to take her home... This film is based on a very old Japanese story, and deals with a very mature and serious theme.  It deals with the difficulties of growing up and death.  It's a marvelous way of talking about the topic without being all up in your face.  It's entertaining, and flows smoothly and gently.  You can either think about the themes involved, and get emotionally invested- or you can just sit and watch a simple and relaxing movie. I enjoyed the characters.  They aren't super deep- but you can see how they reflect certain as...

Mike S here with a quick review of a Studio Ghibli classic by the master Hayao Miyazaki, " Spirited Away "... Chihiro and her parents are moving to a new town.  While en route, they come across a mysterious tunnel that leads to an abandoned train station.  Exploring further, they find a quiet, empty town... and unusually quite... empty town. As the sun sets, Chihiro finds herself in a world of spirits, witches, and danger as her parents disappear.  Can she save her parents and return to the human world before they trapped forever?

Normally, I would post my articles during the daylight hours... but the flu, combined with a mug of Neocitron precluded that this week- hence why I'm sitting here just after 3:00 am writing this... Sofie, a modest hat maker has caught the attention of the Witch of the Waste- who's jealous of her youth, and the fact that the infamous wizard Howl seems to be attracted to her... transforming Sofie into an old woman.  Thus begins Sofie's quest to break the curse, and the adventure of her life.. .

When it comes to anime, the first thing fans think of is generally Studio Ghibli.  2017's " Mary and the Witch's Flower " introduced the world to a possible new rival to the studio's spot in people's hearts. Having just moved in with her great-aunt, Mary follows a mysterious cat into the woods... where she discovers a flower that, according to local legend, only blooms every seven years. This year, the Witch's Flower has bloomed. Mary soon finds herself on a magical adventure to Endor College... where all is not as it seems, and darkness lurks behind it's hallowed walls...

In the 1980's, anime really hit North America, and became a massive part of it's pop culture- finding a home for many of Japan's mature storytelling (like " Akira " (1988), and it's more charming tales. " My Neighbor Totoro " falls into the latter. Satsuki and Mei have just moved into a new house near the hospital where their mother is recovering from an illness.  From the start, they knew that there was something unusual about the house, and the surrounding fields... but then Mei discovers Totoro... and their lives take a definite turn for the magical...

Shawn and Mike S have given me the gears for years about not being a fan of animation. Shawn loves the animated DC movies, and by now all of you should be familiar with Mike S's Animated Addict columns here in The Basement. Me? I have a hard time getting emotionally engaged in a story that's presented as a cartoon. Loved 'em as a kid, but not so much in the last 25 years or so. Cartoons leave me cold. However, that might be about to change.

Mike S here (again) bringing you another animated movie review!  This time, I'm travelling back to 1986, when " The Transformers: The Movie " was released. The Decepticons and Autobots have been waging war for years.  Just as things look bad for the Autobots, things get worse with the arrival of... Unicron- eater of planets.  It's up to the remaining Autobots to defeat Unicron and a new, improved Megatron!