Top Tens...The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

Honestly who doesnt love top ten countdowns? i know i do. so i deicided im going to share some top tens with all my beloved classmates and everyone out in cyberspace. none of these are in any specific order, and their numerical position on the lists will not reflect on how i feel on the movies. personall i think a complex opinion can not be summed up in to a single digit or a set of stars. dont like it? then you can send me an email about it, and then stick your head in to a bucket of pirahna fish. i would love some feedback on these reviews; it doesnt matter if you agree or disagree, its just nice to know im not the only fly on the web.

TOP TEN ANIMATED FILMS...underplayed, underrated, underexposed, take some time away from your generic disney claptrap and sink your pupils in to these babies.

10: The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)

Bandai (makers of Gundam, Kinnikuman, Keroro Gunsou, and Power Rangers) have steered away from their usual action based entertainment to bring a sweet story of love, friendship, and time travel. Makato Konno is a high school girl who realizes after falling off her bike, that she has the ability to travel back in time and relive old experiences. at first, she uses her newfound gift for her own purposes (such as hogging a karaoke room), but then tries to help people in the present by interfering with their past; this only leads to more trouble.

the story is overall heartwarming and at times confusing. theres a wonderful little twist in the end and leaves you begging for more. the animation is refreshing because it is all hand drawn and not all cgi, bringing us back to a simpler time when animations was a craft, and took than thrity days to make. the only complaint i can seem to muster is the late release in to america. the film was released in japan in the summer of 2006, and here we all are in chilly 2009 with a dvd that costs $30. its a crime! but the price is worth it, so go out and get this dvd today!

59 FOOT TETSUJIN 28 ROBOT COMPLETED!

It's alive! Or just finished, at least. The 59-foot robot for "Tetsujin 28" in Japan is finally complete, and recently had its opening ceremony in Kobe's Wakamatsu Park. The robot was erected in honor of Mitsuteru Yokoyama's manga and anime work as well as the city's reconstruction following a 1995 earthquake. The "life-size" robot weighs 50 tons, and unlike the temporary "Gundam" statue (now gone), this one will be there forever -- at least until Gojira comes back into town.







-TONY

KIRSTEN DUNST X MURAKAMI

Takashi Murakami is at it once again. After welcoming Kanye West to the good life with the personalized cover art for his "Graduation" LP, the world renowned Japanese artist is delving deeper into the "Pop Life," which is a special exhibition at Britain's Tate Modern.

Working in conjunction with Hollywood director McG (Charlie's Angles series and Terminator Salvation), Murakami helmed a short film dubbed, Akihabara Majokko Princess. The project is yet another chapter in Murakami's popular short film art series, which has previously included Louis Vuitton, Inochi and Mr. West. For this go round he's working with an unlikely Hollywood actress, Kirsten Dunst.

-TONY