Brendan Brown
Stunt Coordinator
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2003
- Messages
- 220
...And Here's the rest.
Science Fiction
Crest of the Stars (Novice)
Adapted from a series of Japanese novels, Crest of the Stars tells of Jinto, the young son of a planetary governor. When the planet is annexed by the Genetically-Enhanced Ahb race, he is made into Ahb nobility and sent to an appropriate off-world education. Years later he meets his first Ahb a girl named Lafiel who is to lead him to his escort ship. Shortly after boarding, the United Mankind (a rival to the Ahb race) starts a war of aggression, with Jinto and Lafiel caught in the results. A very dialogue driven show, but filled with intrigue and adventure.
Pioneer has released this series in 4 volumes, and is currently releasing it's follow-up series 'Banner of the Stars'
Other
FLCL (Comedy, Action, Mecha, Science Fiction) (Advanced)
Living in the small Japanese town of Mabase, our grade-school hero, Naota, spends most of his time dealing with his overenthusiastic father (who works as a baker) and fending off the inappropriate advances of Mamimi, the girlfriend of his older brother (who's away in America playing baseball)
Until one day, after he is hit on the head with a guitar by a strange Scooter-riding woman named Haruko, horns start appearing where he was injured. Could they have anything to do with the new medical factory in town, which just happens to resemble a large steam iron?
Enter the bizarre world of FLCL (pronounced Fooly Cooly) the first anime created and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, who was Hikeaki Anno's right hand man on the revolutionary and controversial "Neon Genesis Evangelion" FLCL has been hailed internationally by those in the animation industry as one of the most important and brilliant pieces of animated art ever made, a near nonsensical narrative protects a core science-fiction story in a manner that would definitely appeal to those who love their animé to push boundaries.
Synch-Point is releasing it in three volumes, with an exclusive director's commentary, a great insert booklet and packaging, and video quality which is simply jaw-dropping.
Fantasy
El Hazard OVA (ONLY the first OVA, every other El Hazard series stinks on ice) (Novice)
Makoto Mizuhara and his friend, rival, and alcoholic High School teacher are transported to the magical world of El Hazard. However, the kingdom is in chaos, and for some reason Makoto looks very similar to the kidnapped PrinCESS Fatora...these 45 minute 7 episode OVA's are the original and pinnacle of the El Hazard Universe...a TV show and follow-up OVA are terrible...avoid them.
Pioneer has released it in a beautifully packaged set over three discs...the third disc is the aformentioned terrible OVA followup.
Movie Recommendations
Metropolis
-from the IMDB-
"Metropolis is a story of how important emotions are and how they separate humans from everything else. The movie follows a young boy, his uncle (a private investigator) The story is set in the far future where humans and robots live together, unfortunately not in harmony. Many robots are forced underground and are terminated for entering unauthorized areas, they are moreless servants to humankind. The plot starts to unfold as the boy meets a robot named Tima and they get in all kinds of trouble as the movie progresses. Never a dull moment when you've got a robot by your side."
Based on a comic by the Godfather of Japanese manga Osamu Tezuka (Astroboy) the retro character designs are juxtaposed on the modern CGI enhanced cityscape. It also supports a wonderful musical score. I was lucky to catch this in theatres.
This DVD is released through Columbia/Tristar Home Video and is one of the best sounding DVDs in my collection (and that's saying something)
End of Evangelion (Advanced)
When Evangelion ended its television run with its controversial final two episodes, there was an cry of outrage, some people even wrote death threats to Gainax and Hideaki Anno. A movie was announced that would replace the final two episodes on the Eva timeline...what resulted was a monkey's paw wish for fans. A few fanboy's dreams came true...but with the worst possible outcome. With a second act filled with hallucinatory, visceral, and mysterious imagery (including flashing some of the aforementioned death threats on the screen subliminally) End of Evangelion won a Japanese Academy award for "biggest public sensation" and Patrick Macias, author of 'Tokyoscope' argues End of Eva was artistically the most important anime film of the 90's
Manga put out a release of this film brimming with Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 tracks, there are issues with the way it's presented among some fans.
Ninja Scroll (Not for children)
The first animé I ever watched, it's shocking and graphical nature is matched only by its sense of style, direction, and mythology. Jubei is a wandering samurai, who get's mixed up in a plan hatched by the 'eight devils of kimon' to take over Japan from the newly established Tokugawa government.
This is one of Manga's first DVD's and is not too bad for it's age, presented in 4:3, which may or may not be the film's OAR
Patlabor 2
One of the rare cases of a sequel far outstripping it's theatrical and television successor. Patlabor 2 is an audacious and slightly creepy military thriller. In the near future, giant robots (called Labors) exist, but for realistic heavy construction purposes, of course with new technology comes new crimes, and there exists a Mobile Labor police force. Goto is the chief of a Labor police division, that get's embroiled in a complex tale of politics and revenge. Has a great score by Kenji Kawai.
Manga has released a serviceable non-anamorphic widescreen disc
Wings of Honneamise
Studio Gainax started out as a few college students, an 8-millimeter camera, and a moderate drawing ability. After doing a few short films for Sci-Fi conventions, they wrote a script for a sci-fi epic called "Wings of Honneamise" and sent it to Bandai. Bandai, in a moment of 80's Japan bubble economy, gave them an unprecedented 8 million dollars to produce it. Wings of Honneamise is a very sedately paced story of a world similar to our own, and a nation's first steps into space, through the eyes of unlikely astronaut and chronic underachiever Shiro Ladatt. It's conspicuous lack of space battles or heavy action, lead to a failure in the box office, but has been recognized as a great film, and a turning point in the artistry of Animé.
Unfortunately the domestic release by Manga has the most despicable image quality imaginable.
Spirited Away
Almost forgot about this flat out wonderful animated film by the international master of animation Hayao Miyazaki. I was lucky enough to catch this in the theatre and it was one of the most magical cinematic experiances of my life. the dub's pretty good too, featuring Daveigh Chase ('The Ring,' 'Donnie Darko,' 'Lilo & Stitch') as Chihiro/Sen.
The upcoming DVD promises to be excellent
Oh my, my hands are sore now
Science Fiction
Crest of the Stars (Novice)
Adapted from a series of Japanese novels, Crest of the Stars tells of Jinto, the young son of a planetary governor. When the planet is annexed by the Genetically-Enhanced Ahb race, he is made into Ahb nobility and sent to an appropriate off-world education. Years later he meets his first Ahb a girl named Lafiel who is to lead him to his escort ship. Shortly after boarding, the United Mankind (a rival to the Ahb race) starts a war of aggression, with Jinto and Lafiel caught in the results. A very dialogue driven show, but filled with intrigue and adventure.
Pioneer has released this series in 4 volumes, and is currently releasing it's follow-up series 'Banner of the Stars'
Other
FLCL (Comedy, Action, Mecha, Science Fiction) (Advanced)
Living in the small Japanese town of Mabase, our grade-school hero, Naota, spends most of his time dealing with his overenthusiastic father (who works as a baker) and fending off the inappropriate advances of Mamimi, the girlfriend of his older brother (who's away in America playing baseball)
Until one day, after he is hit on the head with a guitar by a strange Scooter-riding woman named Haruko, horns start appearing where he was injured. Could they have anything to do with the new medical factory in town, which just happens to resemble a large steam iron?
Enter the bizarre world of FLCL (pronounced Fooly Cooly) the first anime created and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, who was Hikeaki Anno's right hand man on the revolutionary and controversial "Neon Genesis Evangelion" FLCL has been hailed internationally by those in the animation industry as one of the most important and brilliant pieces of animated art ever made, a near nonsensical narrative protects a core science-fiction story in a manner that would definitely appeal to those who love their animé to push boundaries.
Synch-Point is releasing it in three volumes, with an exclusive director's commentary, a great insert booklet and packaging, and video quality which is simply jaw-dropping.
Fantasy
El Hazard OVA (ONLY the first OVA, every other El Hazard series stinks on ice) (Novice)
Makoto Mizuhara and his friend, rival, and alcoholic High School teacher are transported to the magical world of El Hazard. However, the kingdom is in chaos, and for some reason Makoto looks very similar to the kidnapped PrinCESS Fatora...these 45 minute 7 episode OVA's are the original and pinnacle of the El Hazard Universe...a TV show and follow-up OVA are terrible...avoid them.
Pioneer has released it in a beautifully packaged set over three discs...the third disc is the aformentioned terrible OVA followup.
Movie Recommendations
Metropolis
-from the IMDB-
"Metropolis is a story of how important emotions are and how they separate humans from everything else. The movie follows a young boy, his uncle (a private investigator) The story is set in the far future where humans and robots live together, unfortunately not in harmony. Many robots are forced underground and are terminated for entering unauthorized areas, they are moreless servants to humankind. The plot starts to unfold as the boy meets a robot named Tima and they get in all kinds of trouble as the movie progresses. Never a dull moment when you've got a robot by your side."
Based on a comic by the Godfather of Japanese manga Osamu Tezuka (Astroboy) the retro character designs are juxtaposed on the modern CGI enhanced cityscape. It also supports a wonderful musical score. I was lucky to catch this in theatres.
This DVD is released through Columbia/Tristar Home Video and is one of the best sounding DVDs in my collection (and that's saying something)
End of Evangelion (Advanced)
When Evangelion ended its television run with its controversial final two episodes, there was an cry of outrage, some people even wrote death threats to Gainax and Hideaki Anno. A movie was announced that would replace the final two episodes on the Eva timeline...what resulted was a monkey's paw wish for fans. A few fanboy's dreams came true...but with the worst possible outcome. With a second act filled with hallucinatory, visceral, and mysterious imagery (including flashing some of the aforementioned death threats on the screen subliminally) End of Evangelion won a Japanese Academy award for "biggest public sensation" and Patrick Macias, author of 'Tokyoscope' argues End of Eva was artistically the most important anime film of the 90's
Manga put out a release of this film brimming with Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 tracks, there are issues with the way it's presented among some fans.
Ninja Scroll (Not for children)
The first animé I ever watched, it's shocking and graphical nature is matched only by its sense of style, direction, and mythology. Jubei is a wandering samurai, who get's mixed up in a plan hatched by the 'eight devils of kimon' to take over Japan from the newly established Tokugawa government.
This is one of Manga's first DVD's and is not too bad for it's age, presented in 4:3, which may or may not be the film's OAR
Patlabor 2
One of the rare cases of a sequel far outstripping it's theatrical and television successor. Patlabor 2 is an audacious and slightly creepy military thriller. In the near future, giant robots (called Labors) exist, but for realistic heavy construction purposes, of course with new technology comes new crimes, and there exists a Mobile Labor police force. Goto is the chief of a Labor police division, that get's embroiled in a complex tale of politics and revenge. Has a great score by Kenji Kawai.
Manga has released a serviceable non-anamorphic widescreen disc
Wings of Honneamise
Studio Gainax started out as a few college students, an 8-millimeter camera, and a moderate drawing ability. After doing a few short films for Sci-Fi conventions, they wrote a script for a sci-fi epic called "Wings of Honneamise" and sent it to Bandai. Bandai, in a moment of 80's Japan bubble economy, gave them an unprecedented 8 million dollars to produce it. Wings of Honneamise is a very sedately paced story of a world similar to our own, and a nation's first steps into space, through the eyes of unlikely astronaut and chronic underachiever Shiro Ladatt. It's conspicuous lack of space battles or heavy action, lead to a failure in the box office, but has been recognized as a great film, and a turning point in the artistry of Animé.
Unfortunately the domestic release by Manga has the most despicable image quality imaginable.
Spirited Away
Almost forgot about this flat out wonderful animated film by the international master of animation Hayao Miyazaki. I was lucky enough to catch this in the theatre and it was one of the most magical cinematic experiances of my life. the dub's pretty good too, featuring Daveigh Chase ('The Ring,' 'Donnie Darko,' 'Lilo & Stitch') as Chihiro/Sen.
The upcoming DVD promises to be excellent
Oh my, my hands are sore now
