Mmmm, The Simpsons Movie, with Sprinkles.

"See our family. Feel better about yours!"

After 18 years in the works, Homer, Bart, Marge, Lisa and Maggie have made it to the big screen. Then they made it back to the small screen in a perfectly cromulent DVD! We, at the UTLC, have just got in a few new copies of the Simpson's Movie and they will be on our shelves in January.

This animated feature length film allows the television family to do it up right and really get into some trouble. The script was written and rewritten approximately 100 times. So, typical to the Simpsons, there are multiple story lines that converge and separate in a split moment. Homer's acquisition of a pig brings ecological disaster to Springfield. The disaster is so catastrophic that it attracts the attention of newly elected President Arnold Schwarzenneger. Through the insane meddling of President Ahhnold's Head of the EPA Russ Cargill (voiced by long-time Simpson's guest, Albert Brooks -- remember Hank Scorpio?), Springfield is covered by a giant glass dome, trapping the entire populace inside. As the future of Springfield is held in the balance, Homer pursues a path of redemption, forgiveness from Marge, the reunion of his fractured family and the ever-encompassing search for a tasty donut. Written and directed by members of the shows very early crew, the Simpsons Movie hearkens back to its better written beginnings. The whole movie is fan-te- tiddly-diddly- astic and so funny you will "make Bart in your pants."

ed. -P

New Anime

TLC is getting much more Anime-ted!

New to our collection are some of the latest and bestest Japanese animation. These titles are NOT intended for children but are to be enjoyed by those 16 or older.

Afro Samurai: starring the voice talent of Samuel Jackson and Ron Perhlman.

Afro Samurai is a true treat for fans of series like Cowboy Bebop. (DV823) Its hardcore imagery and unapologetic storyline tell about a lone Samurai completely obsessed with killing the man who murdered his father. Each of the five episodes explore a portion of the Samurai's past while he travels through present obstacles to meet his future -- a mad gunslinger named Justice bent on remaining "number one." This is the first series created by Takashi Okasaki

Our two disc version includes ultra-violent images and a graphic sex scene, Rated R, this series is very highly recommended, although the second, Special Features disc is far from special, it includes the usual interviews and half thought out "behind the scenes featurettes," it can be ignored completely.


Paprika: The Newest feature-length Anime from Satoshi Kon, the director of "Millennium Actress," (DV408) "Perfect Blue," (DV4819) and "Tokyo Godfathers" (DV586)

Lush, beautiful and well animated, this long awaited new film is an amazing journey into the interior dreamscape of the mind and the fear of conformity inherent in the human experience.

Paprika is the name of the alter-go of Dr. Chiba Atsuko, a psychoanalyst who has "freed" Paprika from her own psyche to interpret dreams and heal those in mental anguish. With the help of a special new tool invented by the over-weight, child-like Dr. Tokita Kohsaku, the doctors are able to become a part of and record the dreams of their patients.

Dr. Chiba and her crew are in a race against time when they find the same, insane dream invading and killing everyone in the research hospital and the surrounding city. It is up to the phantastic Paprika to stop the invasion before everyone's dreams are co-opted and taken over by a deluded madman. Highly entertaining and gorgeous to watch, this is yet another gem by director Satoshi Kon. Check out the website at http://www.sonyclassics.com/paprika/.


Perfect Blue (DV4819)

The less wrote about Perfect Blue the better -- not because its bad, its not -- Perfect Blue is one of the best Anime's ever released, it is a taut, psychological thriller which should be experienced instead of summarized. Think of Perfect Blue in this manner: it is a bloody Alfred Hitchcock film in Anime form. The movie will keep you guessing, with its broken plot line and complex story, until the shocking denouement.

Directed by Satoshi Kon, this addition to the TLC completes our Kon collection.







Tekkonkinreet (DV4822): Arias' First Feature

Nothing but opinion by Phoenix: I began watching Anime before I hit double digits but, at the time, there was very little available in VHS rental stores. Somehow I got a copy of Akira (DV163) and watching it, I remember the feeling of my brain pulsing from having to evolve to the new storyline, rapid fire imagery, and convoluted hyper-plot. Even today I am not sure I understand Tetsuo's final transformation as much as I have allowed myself to get used to it. Akira was a true watershed for a lot of animation fans, it even inspired rising filmmakers to change the modern American action genre to take on a more of an Anime feel. Tekkonkinkreet (DV4822) brought me back to the first time I saw Akira, the plot and animation style new and familiar at the same time, your eyes dart around the screen as the brain tries in vain to connect all the visual symbols with the plot and the character's motivations they support.

The story is about two very territorial street urchins named Black and White who constantly protect their blocks from the Yakuza and other petty criminals. Black, the eldest, is dealing with his own inner demon, while the younger, childish White shares a strange, mystical connection to Black and the entire city around them. A very evil Alien entity slides in through the compromised Yakuza in order to take the island community over for their own nefarious, extraterrestrial plans. Black and White are the only ones who can stop this force, actually they seem to be the only ones who even care to rage against the changing machine. This almost common plot (for Anime that is) is laid over a much deeper metaphorical and allegorical subplot with vivid symbolic imagery that permeates each frame.

While Akira might be considered existential adolescence exploding into pure malice, Tekkonkinkreet is a personal, Fruedian exploration into the deep forces (located in humanity and the environment) that balance our life and how that exploration is in constant opposition to humanity's need for stability and "concreteness." Tekkonkinkreet can be watched over and over again, each viewing opening up a deeper level of understanding as well as creating room for analysis and dialogue amongst its viewers.

I have been frevently waiting for director Michael Arias' first feature, with his chapter in Animatrix (VH11281) titled Beyond, anyone can see that the future of Anime lies with him. Beyond was creative and beautiful, a high peak in Animatrix that has started the Arias mythology. Arias' procrastination and inability to meet deadlines coupled with an unhealthy obsession with his protagonist -- the cat-hunting Yoko, made the producers of Animatrix afraid Arias' chapter would not be delivered on time. Luckily, it was and Beyond went way beyond what anyone could have expected. Michael Arias will be the next Miyao, who is the "Japanese Disney," only Arias will be his own voice, evolving the genre in ways that are exciting by bringing in a whole new animation philosophy of spiritual connectedness with the environment and the objects that make it up. Michael Arias' films will be considered instant classics, as is, in my opinion, Tekkonkinkreet. Get in on the ground floor now and enjoy his films and career as they both unfold.

Bleach: The TV Series

Probably the most kid friendly title on this list Bleach is a very fun, and at times hilarious, action series. Roughly, it is about a very vain, spoiled young man whose strange talent to see and help dead people leads him to Rukia, a beautiful and fierce member of the enigmatic Soul Society. She becomes an ignored guide on the journey to realize his ultimate destiny of becoming the best Soul Reaper ever!

Fun and very addictive, the TLC copy includes the first five episodes of the series.

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (DV4632) and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (DV 4696)

This franchise has attained a cult status to rival Akira and if you haven't seen Innocence yet, it is past time for you to plug in to this cinematic mainframe. The sequel is superior in its technical form than its predecessor, seamlessly combining the CGI with hand animated sequences. Some of the more interesting parts involve first person viewpoints through enclosed spaces. So much detail is found in this film that you will have to watch Innocence numerous times to get it all. Showing off some of the most amazing animation to date, Innocence is one of those rare sequels that leaves its first movie way behind.

Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is a TV series based on the movies. Although the Animation is nothing like Innocence, it is still more than what is usually seen on Japanese television. Some of the CGI looks clumsy but the storylines and action sequences make up for the smaller budget. This DVD has the first five episodes of the series. Also, the TLC is still expecting the first Ghost in the Shell movie to come in at any point. Be on the look out for that in the coming months.

Cowboy Bepop: The Movie (DV4821) and Samurai Champloo

Ending our list of Anime titles is something old and new from already legendary director Shinichiro Watanabe. Watanabe has, in just a decade, become the most influential animator working on either side of the Pacific. His first television series, Cowboy Bebop (the TLC has Cowboy Bebop: The Best Sessions (DV823), six episodes picked by Watanabe and Fans), has inspired many English and Japanese copy cats. A Watanabe original is the best though, his loose animation style, enigmatic anti-heroes and blend of Western and Eastern sensibilities always make for fun.

Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is Watanabe's first film and, obviously, an off shoot of the same titled television series. The movie expands story lines from the series to give us a deeper look at the mysterious past of Spike. Through Spike's dysfunctional space family of bounty hunters, the investigation and attempted capture of a drug addicted smuggler, and Faye's always well-timed betrayal and loyal return, the tale unwraps its plot like a multiple gifts nested one in another. My own criticism of this film, when I watched it back in 2001, is that there is not enough space ship battles. Other than that minor issue, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is a fun and touching nod to a great television series . Watanabe's newest series, Samurai Champloo, makes Cowboy Bebop look simply quaint in comparison. Evolving and refining his technique to another level, Watanabe gives us an incredibly animated, highly stylized program. Samurai Champloo is more graphic than Cowboy Bebop, it even was aired after midnight in Japan to keep complaints and censors at bay.
Samurai Champloo's wraparound story is not very important in the face of the moment by moment interactions with stupid bounty hunters and stubborn villagers that the two master swordsman and their ultra-feminine keeper constantly get stuck in. Watanabe perfectly balances hilarity with face-slapping action sequences in Samurai Champloo, it is a must see for fans of Watanabe and anyone interested in animation.

Keep looking on the shelf and checking your TLC Movie Blog, because there is more fantastic Anime to come!!!

Do you have any suggestions for titles you would like to see? Leave us comment down below!

Email: tlcmovieblog@gmail.com
written by Phoenix -- so he is to blame.