Cool Anime

 

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COCOLORS-2017-Nice looking short Anime about inhabitants of three worlds living underground because of a flesh destroying germ in the air. The lead character Aki doesn't talk, he communicates through whistles. It's very well done but like a lot of Japanese story lines, it has a sad ending. The director Toshihisa Yokoshima was a former recluse.

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Anime Japan

 

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THE LITTLE PRINCE AND THE EIGHT HEADED DRAGON-1964-A strong, bullying little brat named Sasano beats up a tiger. He's very close to his mom. When she dies, he goes on a crying jag. His mom's spirit comes back briefly and gives him a red medallion. When his father won't give him a boat, he builds his own and sets out across the ocean to find his mother. Only a rabbit will go with him. After beating up a giant fish, the lord of the ocean helps him visit The Land of Night where his brother lives. After fighting and defeating The Fire God, a giant named Akahana joins them and they go to The Land of Light. They make a mess of things there and plunge the land into darkness. After being thrown out, he goes to The Land of The Morning Sun and meets The Little Princess, who Sasano thinks resembles his mom, and her pet mouse. He eventually fights and defeats the dragon, gets a message from mom and lives happily ever after. 

Great early '60's anime that's not only entertaining but influential. Director Yugo Serikawa later made other Anime features including CYBORG 009 and MAZINGER Z. 

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Riki Oh

 

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RIKI OH 2: CHILD OF DESTRUCTION-1990-Riki searches for his brother Nachi in this sequel. On his way to the city he's captured by Lord. Washizaki. Naichi is a healer who's worshipped as a god and used by Washizaki for his own diabolical means...until Naichi revolts. After some destruction and death, the brothers confront each other. Director Tetsu Dezaki also made part one as well as the anime THEY WERE ELEVEN. Both are based on a popular manga series,

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Anime Short

 

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NEGADON:THE MONSTER FROM MARS-2005-In the overpopulated world of 2025, the globalization of Mars is a success. However, a returning spaceship brings back a monster that proceeds to destroy everything. A professor haunted by the death of his only daughter uses a giant robot he created years ago to battle the creature and save Earth. Impressive computer-generated Japanese anime short (21 minutes) by Jun Awazu.

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Hey Cat!

 

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DARK CAT-1991-In this slight anime, 2 brothers Ryoi & Hyoi, are actually shape shifting cats battling their former master Jukokobu, a green faced demon at their high school. Tentacled monsters attack and two students are caught in the middle. Generally dissed by anime smarties because of it's dubbing, I kind of liked it. Director Iku Suzuki is also known for URUSEI YATSURA and RANMA ½.

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Anime Again

 

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BAOH-1989-Great science fiction-horror anime from Japan. Sumire, a 9 yr old girl with telekinesis being held captive by an evil group called Doress accidentally frees their prized experiment, a teenage boy named Ikuri who has fantastic strength and powers thanks to being implanted with BAOH, a parasitic worm that embeds itself in the host's brain. Writer Hirohiko Araki also created the very popular manga series “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure”.

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Anime

 

JUDGE-1991-Supernatural Japanese anime with a timid office worker Ohma who's really a demon that judges mankind's crimes. In "The Court of Ten Kings" he faces a "metaphysical" defense attorney when a weaselly corporate executive is accused of killing his rival. It's based on a manga and it seems like the first episode of a series that was never made. Director Hiroshi Negishi later made several “Tenchi Muyo” full length movies. 

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More Anime

CYBER CITY OEDO 808-1991-In the bleak future of 2088-three career criminals are used by the Cyber Police to fight crime in exchange for reduction in their sentences. They wear electronic collars on their necks so they can be controlled. This OVA series consists of three stories, each featuring one of the trio: Sengoku, a foul mouthed misanthrope, Gogol, a hacker with a Mohawk and the androgynous Benten. Their boss is police chief Hasagawa.

In the first story “Virtual Death”, Sengoku has to save 50 thousand people trapped in a city skyscraper after a computer has taken over. The second story “Psychic Trooper”, Gogol gets involved with his female ex-partner who hacked some information from a government computer and an experimental cyborg. In the third “Crimson Media”, Benten investigates the murder of three scientists and battles a female vampire.

This cult cyber-punk anime was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri soon after DEMON CITY SHINJUKU. It's often lamented by fans because no sequels were ever produced. 

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Demon Anime

DEMON CITY SHINJUKU-1988-The demon possessed Rebi Ra defeats the hero Genichirou and turns a portion of Tokyo, Shinjuku into a demon infested city. 10 years later the president of the world visits Tokyo and is attacked by a monster sent by Rebi Ra. The president's daughter Sayaka asks Genichirou's son Kyoka (a master in the art of Nempo) to accompany her to the demon city and stop Ra. At first he refuses but relents in time to save her from some would be rapists when she goes to the city alone. After tangling with two headed dog, some monsters and demons and getting help from Chibi, a street smart ass they meet Mephisto who seems to be against Ra although may have an ulterior motive. Later Kyoka takes on Rebi Ra and doesn't flare so well. Meanwhile Sayaka and Chibi search the haunted city for him and encounter demon kids. 

This weird supernatural anime was directed by Yoshiaki Kawajiri (NINJA SCROLL, VAMPIRE HUNTER D) and based on the manga by Hideyuki Kikuchi. Kawajiri had previously done WICKED CITY also from a comic by Kikuchi.

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Short Anime Catch Up

QUEEN EMERALDAS-1999-This is a spinoff of the popular Capt. Harlock anime series featuring his pirate ally Emeraldas who's more a wandering do-gooder than an actual pirate. She helps Hiroshi, a young boy who has lost his faith in humanity. If it sounds a little like GALAXY 999 it's because it all takes place in the some universe created by manga artist Leiji Matsumoto and Emeraldas is the sister of GALAXY's lead female character Maetel. This is a 60 min. OVA in two parts and very enjoyable. 


SOL BIANCA-1990-Japanese anime involving a group of female space pilots, their stolen space ship and a young stowaway who wants to rescue his mother from the evil villian Battros. There's a lot of action and soul searching and it spawned a sequel and a TV series.




BIOHUNTER-1997-Another anime, very weird and violent, about a vampire like virus that turns victims into powerful monsters. Not for everyone I guess but I liked it...

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More Stuff

RUNNING OUT OF TIME-1999-A dying criminal (Cantonese pop star Andy Lau) involves a cop (Ching Wan Lau) in a game of cat and mouse intent on getting revenge for his father against an organized crime syndicate. A little routine but still pretty good mainly thanks to the two leads. Director Johnny To (THE MISSION, HEROIC TRIO 2) made a sequel in 2001 featuring Wan’s character.



LEGEND OF THE DRUNKEN TIGER-1992-In the late 1890’s China, a fighter gets deadlier the more he drinks."The Drunken Fighter" legend has been done in many Kung-Fu dramas. The dubbing is bad but the fights are very good. Things get out of control when everyone joins together to battle foreign invaders (The US, Great Britain, Japan) but it’s still enjoyable. Director Robert Tai also made MAFIA VS. NINJA and FIST OF LEGEND 2.




ESCAFLOWNE-(2000)-This is a feature version of the popular Japanese TV anime. It’s actually more of a retelling with much darker overtones. Hitomi, an average high school student is transported to the fantasy world of Gaea where she helps survivors of “The Black Dragon” prepare for the final battle to save their world. There’s the usual love story, a lot of action but not much story. Still the animation is excellent as well as the music.

"You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you"-John Wooden

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Anime Strikes!

INUYASHA THE MOVIE: AFFECTION TOUCHING ACROSS TIME (2001) and INUYASHA: THE CASTLE BEYOND THE LOOKING GLASS (2002)-These two Japanese Animes are based on a popular animated TV series about a resurrected half demon’s attempt to become a full demon in Feudal Japan. Modern day school girl Kagome assists him in his search for the pieces of a shattered jewel he needs to complete his transformation. They are also helped by Shippo, a fox demon, Sango, a warrior looking for her brother (she also throws a mean boomerang), Miroku, a horny monk who has “cursed wind tunnel” in one of his hands and Myoga, a flea demon. These two movies continue their adventures from the series and also feature other characters from the show including Sesshomaru, Inuyashu’s deadly older brother. It helps if you are familiar with the TV show (which in turn is based on a Manga by Rumiko Takahashi who also created Ranma ½) but they are still enjoyable on their own.












NUYASHA-SWORDS OF AN HONORABLE RULER-2003-In the third OVA of these popular Anime series the half demon Inuyashu must team up with his demon brother to battle a demon connected with their late father. All the regular supporting characters are featured as well. If you are a fan of the series (which I am) you’ll like this.

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Anime Away!

NINJA SCROLL- JVC/Toho Co. Ltd.-1993- This is one of my favorite Japanese animes (is that redundant?), a violent action filled story set in feudal Japan. When a mysterious plague wipes out a village, a crack team of ninjas investigates. As they near the village the entire troop (save one) is slaughtered by Tessai, a rock hard monster that drinks blood and uses a double-edged ax like boomerang. The lone survivor is the tough and agile Kagero, a female ninja and poison taster who holds a special secret. The monster takes her prisoner and rapes her. She is rescued by Jubei, a roaming ninja. They escape when Tessai is called off by his prissy boss, Yurimaru. After Kagero makes her report (to the clan head who keeps having sex while she’s reporting) Jubei and Tessai go at it again. The ninja manages to get the monster to kill itself with it’s own weapon but it is only later on that we learn the truth. Anyone who has sex with Kagero dies!

Jubei is pressed into service (with blackmail & poison) by Dakuwan, an old monk with a big hat and a staff who is a spy for the government. Eventually they kind of team up with Kagero to fight a resurrected dark lord, Gemma (who Jubei killed once already!) and his 8 Devils Of Kimon. Along with Tessai, they include a woman with living tattoos who sheds her skin to escape and a Charles Laugton look hunchback whose hump is wasp hive!

This is one kick ass anime with action, great direction, violence and of course tragedy. And it’s not for children. The blood letting and monster rape scene are pretty graphic. The screenwriter/ director of SCROLL, Yoshiaki Kawajiri also made the must see epics DEMON CITY SHINJUKU, A WIND CALLED AMNESIA, and WICKED CITY, as well as LENSMEN, based on the American sci-fi series by E.E. “Doc” Smith.

I Like Things In Threes Apparently...

BORN TO KILL-1947-Interesting low budget film noir with Lawrence Tierney in a standout performance as a psycho killer. He becomes involved with a divorced socialite (Claire Trevor) after he murders his girlfriend and her new lover.

Tierney winds up marrying her rich half sister (Audrey Long) and no one ends up happy. Elisha Cook Jr. is his friend who unsuccessfully tries to keep him in check. Walter Slezak is a private detective investigating the double murders. Also with Phillip Terry and Esther Howard.

This was the 6th feature by director Robert Wise (who died 2005) and it’s violent and dark but Tierney really carries the film despite the fact that he’s not the hero. It’s based on the novel “Deadlier Than The Male” by James Gunn. Tierney, who made THE DEVIL THUMBS A RIDE the same year later had headline making clashes with law and wound up in many Z movie productions before having a mini-comeback in RESERVOIR DOGS.



ROUJIN Z-1991-Scientists create an experimental robotic bed designed to take care of sickly bed-ridden old people. Their human guinea pig test run goes awry however and the robot bed goes on an uncontrollable rampage. A young nurse recruits several “dirty old men” patients to help stop the mayhem. This anime from AKIRA creator Katsuhiro Otomo is a funny (and sometimes deranged) satire on aging and care of the aged. Satoshi Kon who later directed PERFECT BLUE did work on it too.



DICK TRACY-1937-This is the first film adaptation of Chester Gould’s famous comic strip detective. It’s actually a 15-chapter serial that was later condensed and re-released as a feature in the early ‘40’s. Ralph Byrd isn’t bad as the square jawed detective, trying to find out who’s behind “The Spider Murders” but most of the “classic” supporting characters from the strip are left out. He’s assisted by Fred Hamilton as Steve Lockwood, Smiley Burnette as Mike McGurk, Kay Hughes as Gwen Andrews and Lee Van Atta as Junior.



The villainous Spider (who’s identity is kept secret till the final chapter) keeps Dick busy trying kill him, blow up bridges and even turning Tracy’s own brother against him and into a hypnotized slave! Like most serials it’s very far fetched and some of the acting is very bad. Former silent matinee idol Francis X Bushman appears as Chief Anderson. John Picorri is the hunchbacked mad scientist Moloch and Byron Foulger, Ray Bancroft and William Hopper also have roles.

Two more serials followed: DICK TRACY RETURNS and DICK TRACY’S G-MEN (both with Byrd, a busy character actor in other films until is untimely death in 1951 after filming a Dick Tracy TV series).

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Early Kubrick, Later Price and Anime!

KILLER’S KISS-1955-Before KILLER’S KISS Stanley Kubrick had made only one other feature (his other efforts were all shorts). His first film FEAR & DESIRE in 1953 is never seen. Some say Kubrick destroyed the negative because he hated it. Bootleg copies do exist however. KK was also rarely shown until the 1990’s when it played in revival theaters and now can even be seen on TCM (the greatest TV movie station in the world!) occasionally.

Jamie Smith (a TV actor with very few film credits) is Davy Gordon, a washed up boxer who gets involved with Gloria (Irene Kane who also used the name Chris Chase), a dancer and kind of mistress to her sleazy thug boss (top billed Frank Silvera; also in FEAR & DESIRE). The acting and script aren’t that great and the sound and editing are kind of choppy but Kubrick puts his mark on several scenes including a flashback featuring a ballerina and a finale that takes place in a warehouse full of mannequins.

Frank Silvera had an interesting career. He was a black actor born in Jamaica but raised in New York. He occasionally played Latinos and even white characters in movies and TV. He was also a producer and director and was once nominated for a Tony. He died in 1970, a victim of a freak electrocution accident.

A year later Kubrick would make THE KILLING, then PATHS OF GLORY. In 1960 Kirk Douglas would hire him to complete SPARTACUS (replacing Anthony Mann) and well, you know the rest of the story!



DR. GOLDFOOT AND THE BIKINI MACHINE-1965-This dated and dumb take-off is kind of like an off-shoot of AIP’s long running “Beach Movies” but is really only worth watching because of Vincent Price’s fun performance as the top billed villain. He’s invented an army of bikini-clad robots and sends one (Susan Hart) to seduce and marry a rich dork (Dwayne Hickman). His stupid assistant Igor (familiar and annoying 60’s character actor Jack Mullaney) ruins many of his other plans (and scenes!). Frankie Avalon is a secret agent who tries to help. Fred Clark plays his grouchy boss/uncle. Despite a lot of silliness and car chases Price, in smoking jacket and Abdullah The Butcher type slippers manages to be entertaining enough to save the whole thing. The Supremes do the theme song!

Director Norman Taurog’s career started in 1920! He directed most of Elvis’ ‘60’s movies. Price made WAR-GODS OF THE DEEP (also with Hart) the same year and starred in a worse sequel in 1966 DR. GOLDFOOT AND THE GIRL BOMBS (directed by Mario Bava!




ESCAFLOWNE-(2000)-This is a feature version of the popular Japanese TV anime. It’s actually more of a retelling with much darker overtones. Hitomi, an average high school student is transported to the fantasy world of Gaea where she helps survivors of “The Black Dragon” prepare for the final battle to save their world. There’s the usual love story, a lot of action but not much story. Still the animation is excellent as well as the music.

Thanks for reading!

Have To Keep Them Short Tonight...

ROCK REVOLUTION-1986-This strange compilation brings together several videos and live concert footage of bands circa the late ‘70’s –earlier ‘80’s. The live footage has The Clash doing “I’m So Bored With The USA” and “London’s Burning”, Ian Dury (“Sex, Drugs & Rock & Roll” and “What A Waste”), The Jam (“In The City”) and The Sex Pistols (“Anarchy In The UK). There are also some videos thrown in by The Talking Heads (“Once In A Lifetime”), Hello Sailor (“Son Of Sam”), Lena Lovich (“Number One”), Graham Parker (“Protection”) and The Ramones with the uncensored version of “Psychotherapy”. I got this way back when for like 7 dollars at a now defunct bargain store. It’s only around 30 mins. but it’s a great time capsule.




PSYCHO DIVER-1995-Kuroiwa is the title character a guy who can "dive" into a person's brain. After another Diver is killed trying to help a mysterious woman it's up to Kuroiwa to figure out what's going on. A great but violently graphic story that's based on a novel.

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Quickies of all kinds!

Ha! I was just watching an episode of the old quiz show I'VE GOT A SECRET. It was on for many years begining in the early 50's. The episode I just saw was from the early '60's toward the end of it's run. Steve Allen was the host and the "celebrity" panel they had was usually the same four people. There was Bill Cullen, a well known TV game show host who emceed morning game shows into the 1980's, Bess Myerson, a former Miss America who later became pals with future NYC mayor Ed Koch and was prosecuted by NY state for some shady dealings I forget the details of (she was aquitted though), Henry Morgan, a mostly dead on humorist who seemed to take delight in making audiences not like him and a woman named Betsy Palmer who apparently was a very popular stage actress but who I only knew for one thing. She played Jason's mother in the original FRIDAY THE 13th and is on the receiving end of one of the most famous decapitations in film history! Freaky!

UNDISCOVERED TOMB-2002-Two mercenary type adventurers help a Professor (Yoko Shimada) hunt for the secret of some eternal life pills. Along the way they pick up two mysterious men and a young guide. They encounter a vicious but clownish local tribe, plant people, a giant snake and a living statue. There’s a lot of fighting and it seems to be influenced by Jackie Chan’s ARMOUR OF GOD.

AMSTERDAM CONNECTION-(1978)-This is a typical cheap matial arts movie from the late '70's. Much of the fighting is pretty lame and the dubbing is atrocious but the climax is done well. The plot involves drug running, a dealer posing as a movie producer and selling the would be actresses into prostitution and double crosses. It features Bolo Yeung (in bad sunglasses) and Yuen Biao. The music resembles the Rocky theme "Gotta Fly Now" and part of Pink Floyd's "Have A Cigar" is used!

INUYASHU-SWORDS OF AN HONORABLE RULER-2003-In the third OVA of this popular Anime series the half demon Inuyashu must team up with his demon brother to battle a demon connected with their late father. All the regular supporting characters are featured as well. If you are a fan of the series (which I am) you’ll like this.

THE BIG NOISE-1944-A late period Laurel & Hardy comedy from Fox that’s not very good. The team plays a pair of phony detectives who are hired by an inventor (Arthur Space) to guard the super bomb he’s invented. Little Bobby Blake (the future TV star and murder suspect) is the little brat who causes much of the trouble. Director Mal St. Clair helmed many of the team’s later work.

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