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Animation Reviews: Casshern Sins written by: Aaron H. Bynum published: August 25th, 2010Review the anime 'Casshern Sins' (DVD Set #1). The sci-fi series works double-time to create a dreary and melancholic wasteland wrought with old school robot ultraviolence and an amnesiac lead character. However, 'Casshern Sins' is poorly written and struggles to focus on anything, much less adequately substantiate the suffering of its mopey protagonist. 'Casshern Sins' is a beautiful but very clumsy animation. Batman: Under the Red Hood written by: Michael Tanaka published: July 30th, 2010Review of 'Batman: Under the Red Hood' -- a brooding and emotional story about what happens when the best of intentions go wrong. When something tragic happens to the latest Robin, a new, darker chapter to the Batman's efforts is suddenly born. 'Under the Red Hood' observes the more direct, consequential, and confrontational aspect of the Dark Knight's exploits. The film is directed by Brandon Vietti. Teo: Cazador Intergalactico written by: Aaron H. Bynum published: July 12th, 2010Review of the Spain/Argentina animated film 'Teo: Cazador Intergalactico.' In the film, a young extraterrestrial with a penchant for exploration makes his way to Earth, and in doing so runs into a few helpful kids and a dangerous big game hunter. Directed by Sergio Bayo, 'Teo' is a charming and low-key feature production sporting incredible background art. 'Teo: Cazador Intergalactico' is distributed by Walking Shadows. Moonlight Mile written by: Eric Surrell published: July 2nd, 2010Review of the anime series 'Moonlight Mile.' A mix of space-race adventure and character humor, the 'Moonlight Mile' animation follows Goro and his pal Lost Man as they target their dream of reaching the moon. These two adventurers have very different ways of getting there, but their paths invariably cross along the way. As a series, perfection is the largest weakness viewers will come to find. Daria: The Complete Animated Series written by: Aaron H. Bynum published: June 30th, 2010Review of the animated series 'Daria,' via the complete series DVD Set release. For Daria Morgendorffer, sarcasm is her sharpest weapon against the ignorance and uneventfulness of modern suburbia. 'Daria' tracks the girl's righteous, monotone observations of the world at work, frequently offering viewers a glimpse of the relentless stupidity, greed, and narcissism in the microcosm we all know as high school. Kurokami: The Animation written by: Kimberly Morales published: June 18th, 2010Review for Part One of the anime series, 'Kurokami: The Animation.' In a world where everyone's lives are controlled by the measure of 'luck' they possess, there exist exactly three copies of one's self. Keita, a high school student, finds himself involved with a tough and mysterious girl named Kuro, who uses her incredible fighting experience to bring balance to people's tumultuous destinies. 'Kurokami' is highlighted by quality storytelling and fantastic fight scenes. Rin: Daughters of Mnemosyne written by: Eric Surrell published: May 19th, 2010Review of the Japanese OVA series 'Rin: Daughters of Mnemosyne.' The anime struggles mightily to balance it's obsession with torture, sex, and other forms of violence, with a potentially meaningful series concept. 'Rin: Daughters of Mnemosyne' is a sci-fi/mystery animation, following an immortal female detective and the twisted conspiracies she encounters. Strike Witches written by: Kimberly Morales published: May 7th, 2010Review for the animated series, 'Strike Witches.' It's a fanservice extravaganza of magical girls, aerial dogfights, and a severe lack of pants. The anime is set in an alternate 1939, where the 501st Joint Fighter Wing is the only defense against a mysterious enemy known as the Nueroi. Young girls with magical powers don the 'Striker Unit' in an effort to defeat them and thus, save the world. Generator Rex written by: Aaron H. Bynum published: April 16th, 2010Review of the new original TV series 'Generator Rex.' A flurry of teen action and sometimes melodrama, the cartoon is the latest in animated teenage heroism. The story of 'Generator Rex' about a fifteen-year-old with the power to materialize gadgets and weapons feels more than a bit inflated, but still delivers on the single element it promises: action. Soul Eater written by: Eric Surrell published: April 7th, 2010Review of the anime series 'Soul Eater,' Season One Part One. Following a band of youths attending a school for soul collecting, the anime falls in-between a number of action/adventure and comedy genres. The Japanese animation is good show featuring a reliable voice-over staff and excellent animation. The lack of decent background artwork and sometimes silly scriptwriting, however, can be easily ignored. |