Hello Kitty’s Paradise (2003)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Alison

Hmmm. A tough assignment. “Review the first volume of Hello Kitty’s Paradise, a DVD containing eight short episodes of Hello Kittiness interspersed with educational quizzes.” Casting a hasty eye over the cover, I discovered that I might learn something about manners, sharing, and various other social niceties. I shuddered. Mark must really have it in for me. How was I going to survive this one? I knew I’d need help if I was to make it through alive, so … (read more)

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Hellsing (2002)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Deni

Vampires. Seems they’re everywhere at the moment, and what with three almost consecutive releases from Madman – Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, Vampire Princess Miyu and Hellsing – it got me to thinking. What is it exactly about vampires that gets the blood pumping? Freudian theory might have you believe that it has something to do with a subconscious association between sex and death and on some level this is certainly true enough. However, there is a little more to … (read more)

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Heroic Duo (2003)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Alison

Dead funky computer animation during the credit sequence promises that Heroic Duo will be one helluva film. The remaining 101 minutes delivers on that promise. A solid cast, tight direction, and production values through the roof work together to make a tense, intriguing film.

The story begins with Ekin Cheng essaying a tense cop investigating a colleague who claims to have been hypnotised, shortly before blowing his brains out. Cheng seeks out a jailed hypnotist, played by Leon Lai, for … (read more)

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His & Her Circumstances – DVD Collection (1998)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Andy

So what did Hideako Anno do after tramping around the Jungian collective unconscious with giant robots, angels and a bunch of emotionally traumatized adolescents that was Neon Genesis Evangelion??

An adapation of a high school romance manga.

Bwuh?

Yep, Anno adapted His & Her Circumstances, (or Kare Kano) with nary an existential crisis nor biblical armageddon in sight. His & Her Circumstances explores the relationship between two overachieving high school students. On paper this appears to be … (read more)

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Ichi the Killer (2001)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Alison

Remember the old architect sketch from Monty Python? A group of Masons offer a tender for an apartment building, and one of the architects presents designs for a slaughterhouse, justifying it thus: “This is not just a slaughterhouse. There’s no blood caked on the walls and flesh flying out of the windows incommoding passers-by with this one!”

That is so, so, not Ichi The Killer. There is blood caked on the walls. And the only reason there’s no … (read more)

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Infernal Affairs (2002)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Alison

Andrew Lau, director/cinematographer of this film, has previously brought us such classics as the Young And Dangerous series, and the special effects fest Stormriders. However, he should also be held responsible for films such as the confusing Bullets Of Love (which I can’t help thinking of as “Bullets Urve Lurrrrve”) and the utterly tosspottish Wesley’s Mysterious File, in which the only mystery was how such a respectable cast were persuaded to show their faces in such drivel.

So … (read more)

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Infinite Ryvius (1999)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Andy

Wearing its Neon Genesis Evangelion influences on both of its sleeves, Infinite Ryvius multiplies the number of kids, removes most of the giant robots and keeps the teenage angst simmering at about the same temperature.

Our nominal hero Kouji is a deadringer for Evangelion’s Shinji Ikari right down to the haircut and white short sleeve shirt. Unlike Shinji’s paternal issues, Kouji’s emotional problems come in the form of his younger brother, the rakishly handsome but moody Yuuki, who harbours … (read more)

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Initial D (2000)

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Posted on January 25, 2006 by Ian

Gentlemen, draw your swords… I mean start your engines.

While watching this, in many places, I got the impression that I was watching a Samurai film. Yes, cars have replaced the Katana, but the themes are still there. The honour and pride the combatants have in their skills and cars. The training of skills, the quest to become better than you were before. Revenge for past losses. And beating the tar out of your opponents.

A way of looking at … (read more)

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