 |
 |
 |
Ga Rei Zero
Anime Review by Brian Cirulnick
 I was expecting yet another "cute girls fight demons" dull-as-dirt, stupid anime, and I've seen it all before. Was I ever in for a shock when all the protagonists are killed at the end of the first episode. Ok, major spoiler there, but I want to emphasize just how original, different, dark, and stupefyingly awesome Ga Rei Zero is.
It's awesome in a way I never imagined. I mean, oh yeah, girls are fighting demons with swords while wearing short skirts. But that's just the sideline to the real action, which turns out to be inner family politics, greed, lust for power, and the green-eyed monster of envy. And when it all starts to fall apart, this anime walks into dark places where most TV, movies or even novels dare to tread. It's got the finest script for a TV series I've seen in a long time, and at a nice short run of 13 episodes, the pacing is so tight that it just doesn't let up. Read More...
Golgo 13
Anime Review by John Martone
 You may have heard of Duke Togo, the legendary sniper for hire. The again, if you haven't heard of him, maybe your parents have. The reason for this is that Golgo 13 is the longest running manga still in publication. A man who has had stories published as early as 1968, this assassin gives James Bond a run for his money in so many, many ways.
Here's what you need to know. Duke Togo is the sniper for hire, Golgo 13. If someone gets shot in an otherwise improbable, borderline impossible manner, Golgo 13 did it. Practice has proven that if you are not dead, it is because Golgo 13 doesn't need/want to kill you.
Read More...
Ultraviolet: Code 044
Anime Review by Brian Cirulnick
 I'm sure you've seen the live-action Ultra Violet. I mean it's either on TBS or Syfy, like, every 2 weeks. The stylish but ultimately empty film starring Milla Jovovich was created by writer/director Kurt Wimmer as a kind of gun-fu sequel to Equilibrium. And why the heck am I writing about this film here?
Because there's now an ANIME VERSION... Yes, UltraViolet the anime SERIES is available for viewing on Crackle, and we need to say that it's just as stylish and empty as the original. It's 12 episodes of bloodthirsty fun. You would have figured that any movie that used guns, kung-fu and swordplay as much as Ultra Violet would have *of course* inspired an anime series, perhaps the only surprise here is that it took so long (rights issues?). Read More...
Eden of the East: King of Eden
Anime Review by Brian Cirulnick
 If you enjoyed the TV series Eden of the East (I know I did), then you'll be happy to learn that the movie "King of Eden" hits the ground running into familiar territory, as it takes Saki all of five minutes to lose her luggage (again!) and it turns out that Takizawa has lost his memory (again!). After that however, things start to get topsy-turvey as Mr. Outside's Game is getting close to the end.
Several players we've never seen before are introduced, and I was surprised that Juiz got a much larger role in the film. In fact, considering she's supposed to be a computer, I was also surprised at how rude she is to a particular player. However, this is explained later on, as it turns out there's a different Juiz for each player! Read More...
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Hello Kitty Mug I have no mouth so I must drink! Preferably green tea. It's healthy and tastes great (when prepared properly). I mean, don't you want to be downing your favorite beverage out of Hello Kitty's head?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
Red Hot Chili Samurai
Manga Review
by Brian Cirulnick
I used to watch US Nippon Communications Network, way back when I was much younger, which I think came on channel 31 UHF (remember UHF?), and it was a Japanese group that bought time on the station to present Japanese language programs (mostly for the large Japanese population living in Fort Lee NJ at that time)...
Aside from a wonderful drama about a police detective and his three daughters (that I can't remember the name of), there was a program called "Lord Mito" (Mito Komon) which was your standard Samurai drama with a twist; Lord Mitsukuni of Mito, uncle of the Shogun, travels incognito, dressed as a commoner, and helps those oppressed by corrupt officials and evil landowners, in the end of each episode, revealing who and what he his, while his entourage hacks and slashes their way to victory. The show has over 1000 episodes and is the longest running Japanese TV drama in history, so it's no surprise that there are many copycat variants of this successful formula. Read More...
The Art Trucks of Japan
Japanese Culture Book Review by Brian Cirulnick
 Dekotora is a popular Japanese subculture, sort of like "Hot Rodding" in the USA. Dekotora is about decorating your truck or van. Some have many lights and other stuff stuck onto them like 'art cars' while others in more recent times have wildly ornate fiberglass body kits that make an ordinary minivan look like something out of Gundam.
The art trucks of Japan made their debut in the 1975 smash hit Truck Yaro!, roaring onto the big screen to wow Japanese moviegoers. Decorated with banks of flashing lights, lengths of aluminum piping, and sheets of shining steel, these vehicles were brash, colorful and unapologetic. Read More...
Manga Guide to the Universe
Manga
Book Review
by Brian Cirulnick
 The universe is big. Really, really, big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you might think it's a long walk to the local comic-book store, but that's just peanuts compared to the universe...
Ok, Douglas Adams is probably turning over in his grave and his estate is probably preparing, at this very moment, to sue the stuffing out of me, but I just couldn't help myself. Read More...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
