An Autumn Afternoon (Japan: Sanma no aji), 1962. Directed by Yasujiro Ozu. Starring Chishu Ryu, Shima Iwashita, Keiji Sada and Mariko Okada. SYNOPSIS: An aging widower arranges a marriage for his only daughter. An Autumn Afternoon tells the story of Hirayama (Chishu Ryu), an older man, who has three children. His eldest son, Koichi, is married. […]

As part of the BFI’s Studio Ghibli Season, Oliver Davis revisits The Cat Returns… “But look at how they walk,” she squirmed, uncomfortably, at the cats awkwardly moving forward on their hind legs. “It’s creepy. I don’t wanna watch anymore.” And so, about 20 minutes in, we switched over. She was right, you know. The […]

As part of the BFI’s Studio Ghibli Season, Simon Columb reviews My Neighbours the Yamadas …  Rather than the bold and bright animation of Pom Poko, Isao Takahata’s My Neighbours the Yamadas is a collection of short stories celebrating family. Indeed, the anime style of Studio Ghibli is considered a defining element of the studio […]

As part of the BFI’s Studio Ghibli Season, Tori Brazier reviews Howl’s Moving Castle… Howl’s Moving Castle, originally released in Japan in 2004 and nominated for the Best Animated Feature Academy Award in 2006 after worldwide distribution, is recognised as one of the most successful Japanese films in history. After Studio Ghibli’s huge international triumph […]

As part of the BFI’s Studio Ghibli Season, Simon Columb reviews Kiki’s Delivery Service… A broom, a black cat and black gown; all that’s missing for Kiki is a pointy hat. Miyazaki’s fifth film (and third for Studio Ghibli) adapts a novel of the same name by Eiko Kadono, but still fits neatly into the […]

As part of the BFI’s Studio Ghibli Season, Jackson Ball reviews Spirited Away… In one of the more terrifying cases of time passing in the blink of an eye, it has been nearly thirteen years since Spirited Away’s initial release. Often billed as Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece, the film has broken some impressive monetary records in […]

As part of the BFI’s Studio Ghibli Season, Simon Columb reviews Pom Poko… “Testicles play an important role in tanuki mythology” writes Colin Odell and Michelle Le Blanc when discussing Pom Poko. Directed by Isao Takahata, this is a far call from the deeply serious war story of Grave of the Fireflies. Rather than humans, […]

Back in September, Magic Mike and 21 Jump Street star Channing Tatum stated that he’d like to join Fox’s X-Men universe in the role of the Cajun card-throwing mutant Gambit, with longtime X-Men producer Lauren Shuler Donner subsequently stating that she is “dying” to do a Gambit movie with Tatum in the role. Well, it […]

As part of the BFI’s Studio Ghibli Season, Simon Columb reviews My Neighbor Totoro… Totoro is the symbol of Studio Ghibli. The smiley, grey beast began life as part of a double-bill with Grave of the Fireflies because financiers didn’t believe My Neighbor Totoro alone would make money. By screening the cute and cuddly My […]

A look at the development and current status of the Gears of War movie… Back in 2006 Microsoft and Epic Games unleashed the brutal and bloody third-person action shooter Gears of War on Xbox 360. Set on a post-apocalyptic Earth-like planet called Sera, players take on the roles of COG (Coalition of Ordered Governments) soldiers […]