(Welcome to Ani-time Ani-where, a regular column dedicated to helping the uninitiated understand and appreciate the world of anime.)
It turns out 2020 is refusing to go, because the start of 2021 has been a bit of a mess. That being said, one of the beauties of the anime medium is how easily it can take you on a journey and immerse you in an entirely different world. Whether it’s a fantasy world where humanity hides behind useless walls and are hunted by man-eating Titans, or a sci-fi world where 14-year-olds get inside giant robots to fight against giant monsters, there is something for everyone — even those who simply want a good and heartwarming anime about the joys of camping.
We haven’t really covered that many slice-of-life shows in this column before, but that’s changing now, because we all could use a little escapism. Forget about giant mecha and superheroes, it’s time to grab your tent and sleeping bag, and set out to enjoy the marvelous landscapes of Japan in Laid-Back Camp.
This show does for camping in Japan’s outdoors what Lord of the Rings did for trekking through New Zealand. The show focuses on high-schooler Rin Shima, an introverted girl who loves to go camping alone, and the friendship that grows when she meets Nadeshiko Kagamihara, an energetic girl who joins an Outdoor Activities Club after discovering camping as a hobby. From there, the show doesn’t really evolve – it continues to do exactly what you think it’s going to do. It takes you on a journey to exciting new locations, teaches you a bit about camping, and makes you feel warm and cozy all-around.
Read More »
In no time at all, No Time to Die has set off a domino effect of release date reshuffles from Sony and Universal. Following yesterday’s delay of the Bond flick, the release dates for Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho, the Bob Odenkirk-starring Nobody, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the Tom Holland-starring Uncharted, and Jared Leto’s Morbius have all been reshuffled.
Read More »
Hello all, and welcome to your weekly recap of whatever wildness occurred on the latest episode of WandaVision. These are meant to be read after watching, so they will go deep into spoiler territory. You have been warned!
Read More »
It’s nothing short of a miracle that a revival of The Karate Kid franchise somehow ended up being more significant than a Funny or Die sketch. What’s even more impressive is that not only did Cobra Kai survive as one of YouTube Premium’s original programs, but it’s actually pretty damn good.
As the Cobra Kai Honest Trailer respectfully points out, instead of being a cheap nostalgia trip, this is a series that captures the spirit of the original Karate Kid franchise while also turning 1980s archetypes into full fledged characters with layers of complexity. Plus, it surprisingly delivers compelling story turns that keep things interesting, even if it’s all still a little melodramatic. Read More »
The Morning Watch is a recurring feature that highlights a handful of noteworthy videos from around the web. They could be video essays, fanmade productions, featurettes, short films, hilarious sketches, or just anything that has to do with our favorite movies and TV shows.
In this edition, watch The Office audition tapes featuring familiar faces like Seth Rogen, Bob Odenkirk, Kathryn Hahn, Patton Oswalt, and more auditioning for Michael Scott, Jim Halpert, Pam Beesly, and Dwight Schrute. Listen as John Ratzenberger breaks down his cameos throughout the films of Pixar Animation. And finally, hear how The Vast of Night builds tension through sound in a scene breakdown. Read More »
David, Devindra, and Jeff chat about WandaVision, The Dissident, and the last day of the Trump presidency. For the feature review, the cast is joined by Kendra James, producer of the Official Star Trek Podcast, to review One Night in Miami, the new film directed by Regina King.
Read More »
Want to see the new trailer for Superman & Lois? Why is the season premiere of The Flash being delayed? What Avengers: Endgame scene made Chris Evans emotional when he saw it with a crowd? What is Marvel’s Behind the Mask documentary on Disney+? What will happen to WandaVision as they get into more modern sitcoms? All that and more in this edition of Superhero Bits. Read More »
Michelle Pfeiffer will play Betty Ford, First Lady of the United States from 1974 to 1977, in Showtime’s The First Lady. The anthology series is described as “a revelatory reframing of American leadership, told through the lens of the women at the heart of the White House,” with season one focusing on Michelle Obama, Betty Ford, and Eleanor Roosevelt. Viola Davis is executive producing the show and will also appear as Michelle Obama, while The Undoing director Susanne Bier will helm the series.
Read More »
It’s déjà vu all over again. No Time to Die was one of the first blockbusters to be pushed back in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many thought the situation would be better by now, including MGM, who initially pushed the movie back to November 2020, only to delay it again to April 2021. Now the James Bond sequel has been given a fall release date again as the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the United States and many parts of the world. Read More »
Cool Posts From Around the Web:
Last week, word broke that Nicole Kidman would be playing the legendary Lucille Ball in the Aaron Sorkin movie Being the Ricardos, with Javier Bardem playing Ball’s husband and I Love Lucy co-star Desi Arnaz. The news was met with puzzlement, particularly regarding Kidman’s casting, with many voicing concerns that the actress was a poor match for Ball. But now someone who might be considered an expert on Lucille Ball – her daughter Lucie Arnaz – has weighed-in to defend Kidman’s casting.
Read More »
