All the latest Movieland investigations from detectives Dick japowski and Joey Arizona.
The Arizona Case Files
Three Identical Strangers (2018)
Documentary following the story of identical triplets separated at birth who discovered each other by accident.
It's hard to review a documentary, there are really only to criteria to judge them by; was it well put together, and was it an interesting story. The answer to both questions is yes.
First watch: 4 Doughnuts
The Ani-zona Case Files
Pom Poko (1994)
A colony of Raccoons decide to fight back after humans destroy more and more of the forests to build their own homes.
Most Studio Ghibli movies look similar to one another, if they're not by Hayeo Miyazaki they ape his style, but not those of Isao Takahata, he dapples in different styles from film to film. Here he even switches between styles during the movie, the raccoons flipping between realistic depictions to anthropomorphic to ultra simplistic.
Also unlike his stable mates his work plays out more like a novel with moving illustrations than a more traditional movie.
First watch: 3.5 Doughnuts
Dick Japowski's Japanese Journey
Mechanical Violator Hakaider (1995)
It's opposite world in this Japan. The overseer wearing white with the crimped hair and angel wings is the bad guy wanting to control his followers. The scary but handsome android with the chains and motorcycle is our free thinking hero. If he hears a bell tinkle, forget it bad guys I hope you're not to attached to that head?! A fun action movie with some great practical effects and stop motion. Available on YouTube.
First watch: 3. 5 out of 5 sushi rolls 🍥
Dick Japowski's Japanese Journey
The Golden Bat a.k.a. Ogon Bat (1966)
The tears of a daughter over a love for her father revive the heroic golden bat from his Egyptian tomb, and he's called to action to vanquish foes!
As seems to be customary in Japanese stories, the most disturbing looking character is actually our hero! Ogon bat is widely considered to be the original comic book superhero, dating back to the early thirties. That is pretty wild, predating American hero's Batman and Superman.
This is sixties fun that feels older in a good way. Sonny Chiba also stars as chief scientist. Available on YouTube.
First watch: 3 out of 5 sushi rolls 🍥
The Arizona Case Files
Time Trap (2017)
A group of archeology students go in search of their missing Professor, and discover a mysterious cave where time moves differently to the outside world.
It's low budget, the acting is teen drama level, and at times the audience is far ahead of the protagonists, but the concept's interesting enough to keep you on board.
First watch: 3 Doughnuts
Dick Japowski's VHS Chronicles
Quick Change (1990)
Bill Murray plays a clown with a plan to rob a bank. Finding his way out of the city is going to prove harder!
Remake of the 1985 French movie Hold Up, and the one time Murray tried his hand at directing this is gentle fun if somewhat lacking in story. Watching it this time made me miss Randy Quaid in movies as the loveable doofus.
Rewatch: 3 Doughnuts
The Ani-zona Case Files
Mirai (2018)
Oscar nominated anime from Mamoru Hosoda about a young boy who struggles to adjust to family life after the arrival of his baby sister. Kun is then taught of life lessons through a series of interactive visions/hallucinations involving members of his family, a future version of his sister, his mother as a young girl...the dog in human form.
Beautifully animated as ever, but not as interesting as some of Hosoda's other movies, I honestly started losing interest about halfway through.
First watch: 3 Sushi Rolls
Have you witnessed any of the movies we've investigated? What's the verdict? Let us know in the comments below, and stay safe citizens.