The late film critic Roger Ebert once observed that ‘nine out of ten children’s movies are stupid, witless, and display contempt for their audiences, and that’s why kids hate them’, which seems terribly unfair but which is also probably true. … Continue reading CHIFF: Dragon Princess (2021)
If there wasn’t evidence all over the Internet to prove it, you would never believe Aurora’s Sunrise was real. This animated blend of drama and documentary relates the story of Aurora Mardiganian, a young Armenian woman who witnessed the murder of … Continue reading EEFF: Aurora’s Sunrise (2022)
Oh, it’s fine. Universal and Nintendo’s animated collaboration brings the venerable Super Mario Bros videogame series to cinemas for the first time since 1993’s abortive live-action effort starring Bob Hoskins. Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic (Teen Titans Go) the film presents a … Continue reading REVIEW: The Super Mario Bros Movie (2023)
Ne Zha was one of the surprise box office hits of 2019. A computer-animated feature by first-time director Yang Yu (aka Jiaozi), it broke box office records in its own country, managed to break into cinemas internationally, and has led to … Continue reading REVIEW: Ne Zha (2019)
Japan’s TMS Entertainment celebrates the 40th anniversary of its anime series Cat’s Eye with, somewhat surprisingly, a direct-to-streaming crossover with hit franchise Lupin III. It is a way to get anime enthusiasts watching Cat’s Eye I suppose, but at the same time it does … Continue reading REVIEW: Lupin the 3rd vs Cat’s Eye (2023)
The Walt Disney Animation Studio has been producing animated feature films since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937, and with a legacy that long – 61 films up to the end of 2022 – it is perhaps understandable that the … Continue reading REVIEW: Strange World (2022)
It is a rare thing for a film to impress and disappoint at the same time, but that is certainly the case with The Spine of Night. It is an independent animated fantasy directed by Philip Gelatt and Morgan Galen King. … Continue reading REVIEW: The Spine of Night (2021)
If there is a soulless opposite to the joyous creativity of Pixar’s early master works, it is- actually, it is probably still Cars, a seemingly cynical exercise in marketing toy cars to children. A close second, however, is likely to … Continue reading REVIEW: Lightyear (2022)
50 years on from its initial release, the half-forgotten short feature Maken Liner 0011 Henshin Seyo!! – directed by industry stalwart Takeshi Tamiya – might be showing its age. At the same time it has become an unexpected joy. While its … Continue reading REVIEW: Maken Liner 0011 Henshin Seyo!! (1972)
Masaaki Yuasa has spent the last five years aggressively building a reputation as one of Japan’s most inventive and entertaining anime filmmakers. While he earned a healthy cult following with his 2004 feature debut Mindgame, it is through recent hits … Continue reading SFF REVIEW: Inu-Oh (2021)
FictionMachine 