Form and content align in the uniquely conceived and delightfully offbeat supernatural adventure “Ghost Cat Anzu.” For a movie about a reality where mortals and otherworldly spirits coexist on the same plane, the filmmakers decided to compound the flesh-and-bone realism of live action cinema and animation’s fantastical qualities. While the plot takes some jarring turns, its impish tone stays consistent throughout, making for a wildly enjoyable (if a bit perplexing) Japanese animated effort on its own wavelength.
Shot first with actors whose voices were also captured on location, this adaptation of Takashi Imashiro’s mid-2000s manga of the same name (written by screenwriter Shinji Imaoka) necessitated two directors. Nobuhiro Yamashita was in charge of staging the interactions between the cast to capture their subtle expressions. Then that footage served as the basis for the rotoscoped animation directed by Yôko Kuno with artists drawing over each frame to transform...
Shot first with actors whose voices were also captured on location, this adaptation of Takashi Imashiro’s mid-2000s manga of the same name (written by screenwriter Shinji Imaoka) necessitated two directors. Nobuhiro Yamashita was in charge of staging the interactions between the cast to capture their subtle expressions. Then that footage served as the basis for the rotoscoped animation directed by Yôko Kuno with artists drawing over each frame to transform...
- 6/22/2024
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Variety Film + TV
Ghost Cat Anzu is an intriguing conceptualization for an animated film, existing in a realm similar to Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away yet also standing as its antithesis.
This French-Japanese co-production from Miyu Productions and Shin-Ei Animation based on the manga by Takashi Imashiro is one of the most eccentric pieces of animation I’ve encountered in a long time — in both good and bad ways. It’s good because of the innovative techniques and methods employed by directors Yôko Kuno and Nobuhiro Yamashita, who take bold experimental leaps. However, it’s also bad because Shinji Imaoka’s script meanders for nearly an hour before reaching the film’s true core, demanding a lot of patience from the viewer without providing much substance in return.
The story begins with Karin (voiced by Noa Goto) and her father Tetsuya (Munetaka Aoki) arriving at the Sousei-Ji temple, where her widowed grandfather resides.
This French-Japanese co-production from Miyu Productions and Shin-Ei Animation based on the manga by Takashi Imashiro is one of the most eccentric pieces of animation I’ve encountered in a long time — in both good and bad ways. It’s good because of the innovative techniques and methods employed by directors Yôko Kuno and Nobuhiro Yamashita, who take bold experimental leaps. However, it’s also bad because Shinji Imaoka’s script meanders for nearly an hour before reaching the film’s true core, demanding a lot of patience from the viewer without providing much substance in return.
The story begins with Karin (voiced by Noa Goto) and her father Tetsuya (Munetaka Aoki) arriving at the Sousei-Ji temple, where her widowed grandfather resides.
- 5/21/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Organizers of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the world’s oldest and most important animation festival, revealed Thursday that all the big U.S. studio animation players will be in attendance this year to preview some of their most exciting upcoming titles.
Annecy has long been a launch point for global and indie animation, but over the past several years, it has become an increasingly important platform for big studios as well. This year, that trend continues and, indeed, ramps up.
Illumination will continue a popular tradition by hosting a special screening of “Despicable Me 4” in Annecy. The three previous “Despicable” films and the “Minions: The Rise of Gru” spinoff all screened at Annecy, several of them making their world premieres there.
Disney will host sneak peeks of its 2024 animated feature releases: Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2.” Paramount Pictures and Hasbro...
Annecy has long been a launch point for global and indie animation, but over the past several years, it has become an increasingly important platform for big studios as well. This year, that trend continues and, indeed, ramps up.
Illumination will continue a popular tradition by hosting a special screening of “Despicable Me 4” in Annecy. The three previous “Despicable” films and the “Minions: The Rise of Gru” spinoff all screened at Annecy, several of them making their world premieres there.
Disney will host sneak peeks of its 2024 animated feature releases: Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana 2.” Paramount Pictures and Hasbro...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Reportedly a hotbed of paranormal activity, New York's Shanley Hotel is a former bordello that now plays host to a mere 35 guest rooms, many of which are oftentimes filled by would-be ghost hunters who are tempted by the allure of potential encounters with the many spirits that allegedy roam the premises. One look at the hotel's website and it's clear that owner Sal Nicosia embraces his building's status as a haunted hotel, drawing guests in with promises of a night filled with creaky floorboards, strange noises and possibly even ghost sightings.
So, is the Shanley truly haunted? While we can of course never know for sure, paranormal investigator Stephen Barcelo caught something pretty interesting on film earlier this year, which seems to support Nicosia's claims that his hotel is filled up with more than just paying guests.
As reported by The Examiner, It was back in January that Barcelo investigated the hotel,...
So, is the Shanley truly haunted? While we can of course never know for sure, paranormal investigator Stephen Barcelo caught something pretty interesting on film earlier this year, which seems to support Nicosia's claims that his hotel is filled up with more than just paying guests.
As reported by The Examiner, It was back in January that Barcelo investigated the hotel,...
- 11/25/2013
- by John Squires
- FEARnet
Sometimes it's fun to watch an older film and tease out an early example of such-and-such a visual or narrative trope, whether it's to get a sense of how far we've come or to admire how far a particular director was ahead of their time. The trouble with Kiyohiko Ushihara's Ghost Cat and the Mysterious Shamisen is it doesn't offer much beyond the chance to play amateur detective. It's an intriguing history lesson, reasonably well-made and with some standout moments of aesthetic or technical flair, but the cast don't make too much of an impression and even for an early horror film, made in a simpler era, it's neither that tense nor especially frightening.Seijiro is a shamisen player, a fledgling professional lucky enough to have...
- 11/24/2011
- Screen Anarchy
Earlier this year I reviewed Ghost Cat, a family friendly ghost story starring a young Ellen Page. It was cheesy and a very tame brand of horror; the supernatural element being the only thing that even allows it to qualify. Still the film was goofy and pretty fun in the end. Since I got a kick out of the friendly ghost cat saving the day, I decided to check out another family friendly ghost film starring an even younger Ellen Page, I Downloaded a Ghost. Once again we are given a friendly ghost who with the help of Page’s character helps track down the true criminals. The effects are pretty horrible, but in a campy way and it’s easy enough to not take much seriously and just have fun with the film.
- 1/10/2010
- by Kelsey Zukowski
- HorrorYearbook
Curious to know what frightful films and devilish discs will be available to view in the privacy of your own digital dungeon this week? Fango's got you covered.
Below the jump you'll find the full list of titles arriving in-stores this Tuesday, September 22, 2009 in our weekly version of the famous Fangoria Chopping List. There's a good bounty to be had, so start making your own chopping list now!
Note: Clickable links lead to Amazon.com
Albino Farm
An Ozark Mountain town - with a century-old history of religious fanaticism - inadvertently creates a modern sadistic society of in-bred misfits who prey on stray travelers. Four young college students - lured into exploring the legend of the Albino Farm - uncover its disturbing past while enduring a night of horrors.
Autopsy Of The Dead
In 1968, the Dead walked...
Now the Dead will talk.
Board up the windows and doors! More than...
Below the jump you'll find the full list of titles arriving in-stores this Tuesday, September 22, 2009 in our weekly version of the famous Fangoria Chopping List. There's a good bounty to be had, so start making your own chopping list now!
Note: Clickable links lead to Amazon.com
Albino Farm
An Ozark Mountain town - with a century-old history of religious fanaticism - inadvertently creates a modern sadistic society of in-bred misfits who prey on stray travelers. Four young college students - lured into exploring the legend of the Albino Farm - uncover its disturbing past while enduring a night of horrors.
Autopsy Of The Dead
In 1968, the Dead walked...
Now the Dead will talk.
Board up the windows and doors! More than...
- 9/20/2009
- by no-reply@fangoria.com (James Zahn)
- Fangoria
Ellen Page was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar in 2008 for her title role in Juno. Back in 2003 Ellen Page starred in a Canadian made-for-tv movie called Ghost Cat that aired in the Us on Animal Planet. That film would have long since been forgotten about if Page hadn't gone on to be somebody. Now her past is coming back to haunt her with a DVD release of her family-friendly supernatural feline flick.
Ellen Page stars as a 14-year-old moving into a new house with her widower dad. The house is owned by old Mrs. Ashboro, a retired librarian, who lives with them until she dies of stroke. The following day her cat, Margaret, dies of a broken heart. Supernatural strangeness begins to occur and all paws point in the direction of the ghost of Margaret. The cat's spirit appears to have returned to help the teenage girl protect herself...
Ellen Page stars as a 14-year-old moving into a new house with her widower dad. The house is owned by old Mrs. Ashboro, a retired librarian, who lives with them until she dies of stroke. The following day her cat, Margaret, dies of a broken heart. Supernatural strangeness begins to occur and all paws point in the direction of the ghost of Margaret. The cat's spirit appears to have returned to help the teenage girl protect herself...
- 8/30/2009
- by Foywonder
- DreadCentral.com
First of all, Ghost Cat is not meant to be a scary movie at all. Well it is rated PG so what do you expect? The only horror element present is the images of the paranormal. However, the only ghost is a cat and it’s a friendly ghost at that. If there is any evil present throughout the film it’s of the selfish and greedy people who cause conflict and the need for this ghost cat to be there in the first place.
- 8/25/2009
- by Kelsey Zukowski
- HorrorYearbook
Here are the new MPAA ratings from Bulletin No: 2067. Below you will see a rating for Ultimate Watchmen, which is a Warner Home Video release and my assumption is this is the home video version that will include both the Watchmen Director's Cut as well as the integrated Tales of the Black Freighter animated sequences. In last week's ratings update the Watchmen Director's Cut also received an R rating. Update: A second note is apparently in order since Some have asked about the Sucker Punch rating in this week's bulletin. No, this is not Zack Snyder's Sucker Punch it is a film for Grindstone Entertainment Group, but unfortunately I don't have any additional details. Bring It On: Fight To The Finish Rated PG-13 For some language and innuendo. Christmas Story Rated PG For mild thematic elements and brief smoking. Descendants Rated R For violence and disturbing images. Double Identity Rated R For some violence.
- 4/29/2009
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
MPAA ratings: April 29, 2009. The following feature-length motion pictures have been reviewed and rated by the Classification and Rating Administration pursuant to the Motion Picture Classification and Rating program. Each of the designated ratings is defined as follows under the Motion Picture Classification and Rating program.
G -- General Audiences. All ages admitted.
PG -- Parental Guidance Suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
PG -13 --Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
R -- Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Nc-17 -- No One 17 And Under Admitted.
Film Distributor Reason Rating Bring It On: Fight to the Finish
Universal Studios Home Entertainment LLC
Rated for some language and innuendo.
PG-13 Christmas Story
Lightning Media
Rated for mild thematic elements and brief smoking.
PG Descendants
Ghosthouse Underground
Rated for violence and disturbing images.
R
Double Identity
John Charter Productions, Inc. - [Production Co.]
Rated for some violence.
G -- General Audiences. All ages admitted.
PG -- Parental Guidance Suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
PG -13 --Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
R -- Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Nc-17 -- No One 17 And Under Admitted.
Film Distributor Reason Rating Bring It On: Fight to the Finish
Universal Studios Home Entertainment LLC
Rated for some language and innuendo.
PG-13 Christmas Story
Lightning Media
Rated for mild thematic elements and brief smoking.
PG Descendants
Ghosthouse Underground
Rated for violence and disturbing images.
R
Double Identity
John Charter Productions, Inc. - [Production Co.]
Rated for some violence.
- 4/29/2009
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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