All the latest Movieland investigations from detectives Dick japowski and Joey Arizona.
The Many Views of Detective Dick Japowski
Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
A young Sonic, (with the help of some magic rings) finds himself in our world where he befriends a small town cop and is pursued by the eggman Jim Carrey.
The best thing about this film is it got the children running around, claiming they were the fastest. They even wanted to play Sonic 2! The worst thing I can say was that it was ordinary. Jim Carrey was half in to it and I always find James Marsden likeable, but at this point the story is like a dozen others from recent years and probably won't be remembered. The stinger at the end will probably be enough to get your children to give it all the stars.. I mean rings!
First watch: 2.5 Doughnuts
Dick Japowski's Japanese journey
Death Ride to Osaka a.k.a. Girls of the White Orchid (1983)
Jennifer Jason-Leigh stars as an ambitious but naive aspiring singer who signs a fortune and glory contract to be a "performer" at a Tokyo club. Safe to say all that glitters isn't gold and might instead be coming off a Yakuzas gun! Trashy made for TV movie that if you watch at the right hour you might get some pleasure from. Available on Amazon prime
First watch: 3 out of 5 sushi rolls 🍥
The Ani-zona Case Files
Highlander: Search for Vengeance (2007)
An alternative take on the Highlander story directed by the man behind anime classics Ninja Scroll and Vampire Hunter D.
Colin MacLeod repeatedly tangles with a fellow immortal over the course of 2000 years, with the final showdown taking place in a dystopian New York.
The only Highlander sequel/spinoff that comes close to the originals brilliance.
Rewatch: 4 Sushi Rolls
Dick Japowski's Japanese Journey
Great Mazinger vs Getter Robo (1975)
A ufo space threat drops off a bastard of a war beast in the middle of Japan. One that feeds on metal. This doesn't bode well for all of the many robo teams in the area and they are forced to team up to try and vanquish this foe.
Vs more often than not means team up in Japan which always prove to be a good time when watching Japanese Seizure Robots!
First watch: 3.5 out of 5 sushi rolls 🍥
The Arizona Case Files
Fun and Fancy Free (1947)
Disney anthology introduced by Jiminy Cricket comprising of two stories. The first follows Bongo, a circus bear, who escapes for a life in the wild, but has none of the skills regular bears have. The second part is a Disney take on Jack and the Beanstalk, starring Mickey, Donald and Goofy. This section is also intercut with a live action sequence featuring ventriloquist Edgar Bergen.
Anthologies are generally hit and miss, with sections always varying in quality. That's certainly the case here, but Fun and Fancy Free is further dragged down by being a product of it's time. While the celebrity narration of Dinah Shore works on Bongo the Bear, it is also a story about an animal unable to function in his natural environment because of his life in captivity. Whereas Mickey and the Beanstalk is ruined by the Bergen sections, it completely destroys the flow of the story, and 'humor' isn't even groan worthy.
First watch: 2 Doughnuts
The Arizona Case Files
The Lovebirds (2020)
A couple on the brink of breakup have their evening spiral ludicrously out of control when their car in commandeered by a police office, who promptly murders the suspect he's chasing.
An average romcom adventure, although with two very likeable leads.
First watch: 3 Doughnuts
The Ani-zona Case Files
The Boy and the Beast (2015)
After his mother dies nine year old Ren runs away rather than live with his new guardians. While living on the streets of Tokyo he finds a hidden portal to the Beast Kingdom, where he becomes apprentice to a cantankerous warrior.
Mamoru Hosoda's Summer Wars is one of my all-time favourite anime movies, but I found his most recent effort disappointing. So I was pleased when TBaTB felt a lot like the movie I loved.
First watch: 4 Doughnuts
The Ani-zona Case Files
The Cat Returns (2002)
When a young girl saves the prince of the Cat Kingdom the king insists as reward she should marry his son. Not enamored with this plan she enlists the help of Baron and his friends so she might continue with her normal life.
A pseudo sequel to Whisper of the Heart, in which Baron was a fictional character, The Cat Returns is an easy watch that doesn't waste much time getting in to the bizarre adventure, and only lags ever so slightly in the middle.
Rewatch: 4 Doughnuts
Have you witnessed any of the movies we've investigated? What's the verdict? Let us know in the comments below, and stay safe cadets.
I watched THe Lovebirds and to be honest, it had a great potential. Unfortunately, they didn't manage to bring it up to its potential, but considering that it was a low-budget movie with no-name actors, it was quite okay... but, wouldn't have needed very much to become even better!
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