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Cinema AnimeThe Super Mario Bros. Movie: A Miracle Fan Film Presented by Illumination and Nintendo
This film earned over ¥100 billion worldwide and stands out as a heartfelt achievement in the fan film genre. Thanks to the close teamwork between Illumination Entertainment and Nintendo, a simple story filled with love for gaming becomes a magical, engaging experience in just 90 minutes. Its success shows the power of passionate, collaborative adaptation. The film focuses more on character charm and nostalgia than on critical perfection, sparking some debate. Still, seeing Mario's world on the big screen is an emotional experience that feels like a true love letter to youth, much like receiving a New Year's gift. -
Movie AmericaEverything Everywhere All at Once: A Multiverse Where Nihilism and the Affirmation of Love Collide.
This film was incredibly confusing, but that confusion is key to its main point. In a multiverse where nihilism and love intersect, emotional connection emerges as a powerful response to chaos. The story moves viewers from a laundromat to the farthest reaches of the universe. Director Daniels fully leans into strange and crude humor, creating a silly but touching sci-fi story that feels uniquely their own. The film Everything Everywhere All at Once is the 2023 Academy Award-winning Best Picture, directed by the duo known as “The Daniels,” Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. -
Cinema AnimeInside Out 2: Sequel to Pixar’s highest-grossing series.
Pixar's Inside Out 2 is a massive hit, setting the studio's all-time box office record. The film's success is rooted in its insightful depiction of adolescence through relatable characters and themes, resonating deeply with audiences. The theme is fascinating. Riley grows up and enters adolescence, a transition the film illustrates through her experiences with ice hockey. The rush of skating across the ice mirrors the emotional ups and downs of puberty. The new character, Worry, is particularly memorable, evoking memories of times spent overthinking and hesitating. The visuals are vibrant and beautiful. The music builds upon the first film's strengths while also evolving. The message that 'It's okay not to be perfect' really resonates. -
Movie AmericaTransformers: Dark of the Moon. “The Final Chapter of the Sam Trilogy.”
The visual effects and 3D presentation are impressive, but the film doesn't offer much new for those who have seen the earlier movies. Its complicated story and sudden ending make it feel repetitive instead of moving the series forward. -
Movie AmericaTransformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Offers even more spectacle than the first movie.
The second Transformers movie pushes Michael Bay's style even further, packing in more action and over-the-top moments than before. Early in the film, Megan Fox’s character Mikaela is shown in a shot that focuses on her as she leans against a motorcycle, emphasizing sexuality in a manner not typically expected from a family film based on children’s toys. Other scenes include a honey trap aimed at Sam, the return of the Transformers' "ball gag" from the previous film, dog mating jokes, the hip-shaking of the small Transformer "Wheely," and John Turturro's thong. These recurring crude gags make the film's comedic style distinct, though their appropriateness within the context of a family-targeted franchise may be questioned. -
Cinema AnimeYour Name: This is the work that brought director Makoto Shinkai worldwide fame.
Among Makoto Shinkai's works, which often feature tragic love stories, this film concludes with a happy ending, leaving the viewer with a sense of happiness. The promotional video led me to expect a gender-swap romantic comedy, but the film turned out to be a heartfelt coming-of-age love story. Still, it features the beautiful backgrounds Shinkai is known for, from rural scenery to city skyscrapers, pulling viewers into his world. As a result, this is a film crafted to appeal to a broad audience in the best sense, one that anyone can find moving and enjoyable. -
Cinema AnimeHow to Train Your Dragon (2010): A moving story of unlikely friendship and mutual trust between a boy and a dragon.
Hiccup, a frail boy from a Viking village, tries and fails to defeat the dragons attacking his home. Instead, he forms a close bond with the powerful Night Fury. By breaking Viking rules and befriending a dragon, Hiccup changes his own future and challenges his people's beliefs. The heartwarming bond between the protagonist Hiccup and the dragon (Toothless, known as Tooth in Japanese), and the tender connection between Hiccup and his strict father. In this film, the nonverbal Night Fury, Toothless, is captivating, with mannerisms reminiscent of a cat. -
Movie AustraliaPredestination: A time paradox where you can enjoy the payoff of brilliantly laid foreshadowing.
A Staggering Time Paradox Condensed into 97 Minutes. Many stories have tackled time paradoxes, but 'Predestination' truly stands out. In just 97 minutes, it packs in more surprises than the trailer lets on. It's best enjoyed if you go in knowing as little as possible. The film smoothly shifts from thoughtful human drama to a fast-paced series of events. Its mix of retro costumes, futuristic gadgets, and unique makeup gives it a look you won't forget. -
Cinema AnimeThe Boy and the Beast: The Bond Between Parent and Child Depicted by Director Mamoru Hosoda
At age 9, I lost my mother, rebelled against relatives, and eventually ran away to live alone. My solitary life changed when I met Kumatetsu, who was also alone, and together we grew. However, as the story progresses into young adulthood and approaches the climax, the transition feels too abrupt for me to follow, making it harder to stay connected to the narrative. Honestly, the encounter between the heroine and the protagonist's father felt rushed. -
Movie France AmericaThe Purge: Anarchy “A series that expands your worldview”
The new film cuts back on some of the annoying elements from the first movie, such as forced crises and weak defenses, but retains the Purge setting. This installment feels more expansive, and its satisfying ending makes it highly entertaining. The characters stand out: the deranged driver, the zealot woman, the mafia exploiting the Purge, and the rich treating it as a game. Sustained survival tension makes this an especially entertaining survival film.






