For this extra-long, spooky edition of Saturday Anime Night, first up is The Grudge 2 (2006), continuing our journey through the series from yesterday. A ghost girl continues to scare people to death. Boo! After that is Megazone 23 II (1986), since the first film was a hhit last week. It is one of the classic anime films from the old tape-trading days, one of the ones that made Western anime nerds into fans for life, with its pure cyberpunk anime a e s t h e t i c. It’s got guys on motorbikes, robots, explosions, big action scenes, and great animation the whole way through. It’s not spooky, but whatever, we’re still watching. After that, we’ll watch some actually scary anime: Devilman: The Birth (1987) and Devilman: Demon Bird (1990), a classic OVA about a guy who transforms into a literal demon. They are the best-regarded works of director Umanosuke Iida. The final film for the night is The Wolf House (2018), a Chilean animated surrealist tale of a girl who runs away from home and shacks up in a creepy house in the woods that turns out to be the base of a Nazi cult. Based on a true story, apparently. It is the only feature film to date of directors Cristobal Leon and Joaquin Cocina. This is the highest-rated animated horror film on Letterboxd; superb reviews across the board. Let’s give it a whirl.

We’ll start at 7PM EST on Hextube, right here: https://live.hexbear.net/c/movies

Be there, comrades!

Letterboxd:

• The Grudge 2: https://letterboxd.com/film/the-grudge-2/
• Megazone 23 II: https://letterboxd.com/film/megazone-23-ii/
• Devilman:The Birth: https://letterboxd.com/film/devilman-volume-1-the-birth/
• Devilman: Demon Bird: https://letterboxd.com/film/devilman-volume-2-demon-bird/
• The Wolf House: https://letterboxd.com/film/the-wolf-house/

Doesthedogdie.com links:

• The Grudge 2: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/17838
• Megazone 23 II: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0160521/parentalguide?ref_=tt_stry_pg
• Devilman: The Birth and Devilman: Demon Bird: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/21518 (this page covers both)
• Summit of the Gods: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/855078

CWs for The Grudge 2:

• Domestic violence.
• Animal abuse.
• Dead animal.
• Someone is burned alive.
• Broken bones.
• Death by falling.
• Death of child.
• Death of parent.
• Possession.
• Ghosts.
• Jump scares.
• Shower scene.
• Someone soils themselves.
• Vomiting.
• Mental institution scene.
• Needles.
• Hospital scene.
• Claustrophobia.
• Objectification of female characters.
• Sad ending.
• Drowning.
• Blood and gore.

CWs for Megazone 23 II:

• Nudity.
• Sex.
• Attempted sexual assault of woman, though barely anything happens before it is foiled.
• Blood and gore.
• Explosions.
• Obscene language in subtitles.
• Smoking.
• Jump scares.

CWs for Devilman: The Birth and Devilman: Demon Bird:

• Death of dog.
• Domestic violence.
• Drugs.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Deaths of animals.
• Death of pets.
• Bugs.
• Someone is physically restrained.
• Cutting of flesh.
• Someone is burned alive.
• Amputation.
• Squashed head.
• Genital trauma.
• Eye mutilation.
• Blood and gore.
• Death of parent.
• Possession.
• Demons.
• Shower scene.
• Hospital scene.
• Body dysmorphia.
• Violent mentally-ill person.
• Suicide.
• Flashing lights.
• Ableism.
• Nudity.
• Sad ending.
• Honking car horn.
• Someone is hit by a car.
• Gun violence.

CWs for The Wolf House:

• Stalking.
• Domestic violence.
• Gaslighting.
• Child abuse.
• Deaths of animals.
• Animal abuse.
• Cockroaches.
• Cannibalism.
• Squashed head.
• Finger and toe mutilation.
• Eye mutilation.
• Kidnapping.
• Vomiting.
• Body dysmorphia.
• Misophonia.
• Claustrophobia.
• Shaky cam.
• Flashing lights.
• Antisemitism.
• Sad ending.
• Blood and gore.

Links to movies:

• The Grudge 2: https://vimeo.com/865328446?share=copy
• Megazone 23 II: https://vimeo.com/878840284
• Devilman: The Birth: https://vimeo.com/878837852
• Devilman: Demon Bird and The Wolf House: Forthcoming. I have the files, but the most convenient way to upload it is to replace one of the earlier movies while a later movie is playing.

For this Saturday Anime Night, it's a triple feature. First up is Megazone 23 (1985), one of the classic anime films from the old tape-trading days, one of the ones that made Western anime nerds into fans for life, with its pure cyberpunk anime a e s t h e t i c. It’s got guys on motorbikes, robots, explosions, big action scenes, and great animation the whole way through. The director is Noburo Ishiguro, who also did Macross: Do You Remember Love? (1984), as well as some of Legend of the Galactic Heroes (1988). After that, we’ll watch Doukyuusei: Classmates (2016), a gay romance based on the boys’-love manga of the same name. A preppy and a band kid end up in the same choir class and decide to start practicing together. Did I mention this movie is gay? Director is Shoko Nakamra, who has no other directing credits; nevertheless, she is one of the few women to helm an anime, which makes this stand out by default, even without considering its excellent reviews. Alright, we’ll check it out. The third and last film for the night is Summit of the Gods (2021), which, though French, is based on a manga and wears its Ghibli influences on its sleeves, so I will consider it honorary anime. A mountain climber goes missing while ascending Mt. Everest; a journalist starts climbing mountains himself to investigate the mystery. Superb reviews for this one; let’s check it out. So far, this is hands-down the best-known work of director Patrick Imbert.

We’ll start at 9PM EST on Hextube, right here: https://live.hexbear.net/c/movies

Be there, comrades!

Letterboxd:

• Megazone 23: https://letterboxd.com/film/megazone-23/
• Doukyuusei: Classmates: https://letterboxd.com/film/dou-kyu-sei-classmates/
• Summit of the Gods: https://letterboxd.com/film/the-summit-of-the-gods/

Doesthedogdie.com links:

• Megazone 23: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0160521/parentalguide?ref_=tt_stry_pg
• Doukyuusei: Classmates: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5526028/parentalguide?ref_=tt_stry_pg
• Summit of the Gods: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/855078

CWs for Megazone 23:

• Nudity.
• Sex.
• Attempted sexual assault of woman, though barely anything happens before it is foiled.
• Blood and gore.
• Explosions.
• Obscene language in subtitles.
• Smoking.
• Jump scares.

CWs for Doukyuusei: Classmates:

• Woogin’.
• Dudes making out with each other.
• Discussion of sex.
• Cartoon violence.
• Smoking.
• Alcohol abuse.

CWs for Summit of the Gods:

• Suicide.
• Death by falling.
• Death of child.
• Vertigo.

Links to movies:

• Megazone 23: https://vimeo.com/876536413
• Doukyuusei: Classmates: https://vimeo.com/876539448
• Summit of the Gods: Forthcoming. I have the file, but the most convenient way to upload it is to replace the first movie while the second movie is playing.

For this Sunday Slop Night, first up is Jean-Pierre Melville’s classic heist film Le Cercle Rouge (1970), which is often considered one of the best French movies of all time. A group of French thieves plot to steal some jewels; will they pull off the job? I guess we’ll find out. Everyone liked Melville’s Army of Shadows (1969), so this one seems like a safe bet. After that is Cheryl Dunye’s The Watermelon Woman (1996), allegedly the first feature film directed by an “out” black lesbian. It is a comedy about a black video store worker seeking to make a movie about a 1930s black actress; she finds love along the way. It has an extremely high rating on Letterboxd. Let’s give it a whirl.

We’ll start at 9PM EST on Hextube, right here: https://live.hexbear.net/c/movies

Be there, comrades!

Letterboxd:

• Le Cercle Rouge: https://letterboxd.com/film/le-cercle-rouge/
• The Watermelon Woman: https://letterboxd.com/film/the-watermelon-woman/

Doesthedogdie.com links:

• Le Cercle Rouge: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/49446
• The Watermelon Woman: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/21835

CWs for Le Cercle Rouge:

• Spiders.
• Snakes.
• Bugs.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Drug addiction.
• Shaving.
• Claustrophobia.
• Sad ending.
• Blood and gore.
• Gun violence.

CWs for The Watermelon Woman:

• Drug use.
• Shaky cam.
• N-word.
• Misgendering.
• Death of LGBT person.
• Ableism.
• Hate speech.
• Sex scene.
• Nudity.

Links to movies:

• Le Cercle Rouge: https://vimeo.com/852226260
• The Watermelon Woman: https://vimeo.com/852805736

For this Saturday Anime Night, first up is Swan Lake (1981), based on the classic fairy tale and featuring a score straight from Tchaikovsky’s ballet. Get ready for some high melodrama. This is supposed to be a good version, and the track record for these Toei fairy tale films has been great, so let’s check it out. Director is Kimio Yabuki, who also did Puss ‘n Boots (1969), which kicked ass. After that is Stormy Night (2005), from renowned auteur Gisaburo Sugii (Night on the Galactic Railroad). which is about a goat and wolf who become friends. Will their bond overcome their natural enmity? I guess we’ll find out. This one has an awesome aesthetic.

We’ll start at 9PM EST on Hextube, right here: https://live.hexbear.net/c/movies

Be there, comrades!

Letterboxd:

• Swan Lake: https://letterboxd.com/film/swan-lake-1981/
• Stormy Night: https://letterboxd.com/film/stormy-night/

Doesthedogdie.com links:

• Swan Lake: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/1030221
• Stormy Night: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0498465/parentalguide?ref_=tt_stry_pg

CWs for Swan Lake:

• Suicide.
• Character deaths.
• Natural bodies of water.
• Interspecies romance.

CWs for Stormy Night:

• Blood and gore.
• Deaths of animals.
• Death of parent.
• Carnism.

Links to movies:

• Swan Lake: https://vimeo.com/852226260
• Stormy Night: https://vimeo.com/852805736

For this Friday Movie Night, first up is The Host (2006), from renowned auteur Bong Joon-ho (Parasite, Snowpiercer) about a tentacled creature that preys on idiot humans who keep polluting its water. After that is Train to Busan (2016), which is about a zombie apocalypse, but on a train Despite the generic-sounding premise, it has an excellent rating on Letterboxd, so we’re watching it. It is by far the best-known film of its director, Yeon Sang-ho.

We’ll start at 9PM EST on Hextube, right here: https://live.hexbear.net/c/movies

Be there, comrades!

Letterboxd:

• The Host: https://letterboxd.com/film/the-host/
• Train to Busan: https://letterboxd.com/film/train-to-busan/

Doesthedogdie.com links:

• The Host: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/21645
• Train to Busan: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/12411

CWs for The Host:

• Deaths of animals.
• Spiders.
• Bugs.
• Stalking.
• Child abuse.
• Gaslighting.
• Abusive parents.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Lobotomy.
• A character is forcibly drugged.
• Someone is physically restrained.
• Squashed heads.
• Torture.
• Eye mutilation.
• Broken bones.
• Someone falls down stairs.
• Someone falls to their death.
• Someone struggles to breathe.
• Death of child.
• Death of parent.
• Kidnapping.
• Jump scares.
• Vomiting.
• Monster eating people.
• Peeing in pants.
• Spitting.
• Audio gore.
• Needles.
• Hospital scene.
• Anxiety attacks.
• Suicide.
• Violent mentally-ill person.
• Claustrophobia.
• Misophonia.
• Shaky cam.
• Fat jokes.
• Ableism.
• Homelessness.
• Sad ending.
• Car crash.
• Honking horn.
• Drowning.
• Blood and gore.
• Gun violence.

CWs for Train to Busan:

• Deaths of animals.
• Child abandonment.
• Someone is physically restrained.
• Someone is crushed to death.
• Head squashing.
• Choking.
• Eye mutilation.
• Cannibalism.
• Body horror.
• Gore.
• Broken bones.
• Finger mutilation.
• Someone falls to their death.
• Seizures.
• Someone struggles to breathe.
• Deaths of children.
• Suicide.
• Death of parent.
• Jump scares.
• Natural bodies of water.
• Zombies eating people.
• Audio gore.
• Anxiety attacks.
• Claustrophobia.
• Misophonia.
• Sudden loud noises.
• Shaky cam.
• Flashing lights.
• Babies.
• Ableism.
• Homelessness.
• Sad ending.
• Car crash.
• Someone is hit by a car.
• Blood.

Links to movies:

• The Host: https://vimeo.com/852226260
• Train to Busan: https://vimeo.com/852805736

This is a special Tuesday edition of Anime Night by popular demand, following on from the A-ko 1&2 night we did back in June. It’s the legendary inexplicably-superpowered schoolgirl OVAs Project A-ko 3 (1988) and Project A-ko 4 (1989)! They are pretty much Chicks Rock: The Movies. 3 has been remastered, but 4 will have to settle for a VHS rip.

We’ll start at 9PM EST on Hextube, right here: https://live.hexbear.net/c/movies

Be there, comrades!

Letterboxd:

• Project A-ko 3: https://letterboxd.com/film/project-a-ko-3-cinderella-rhapsody/
• Project A-ko 4: https://letterboxd.com/film/project-a-ko-4-final/

Doesthedogdie.com links:

• Look, I'm just gonna link the page for the first one, since all of them feature similar stuff: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/886553

CWs:

• “Man in a dress” jokes. The aliens look like men who dress as women. The characters barely acknowledge this fact directly, but the depiction is still problematic.
• Bugs.
• Stalking.
• Mention of sexual assault (but no depiction).
• Someone struggles to breathe.
• Kidnapping.
• Bath scene.
• Flashing lights.
• Plane crash.
• Gun violence.
• Nuclear explosion.
• Objectification of female characters.
• Panty shots of high-school-aged girls.

Links to movies:

• Project A-ko 3: https://vimeo.com/852226260
• Project A-ko 4: https://vimeo.com/852805736

For this Sunday Slop Night, first up is Oppenheimer (2023), the latest cinematic megahit from Christopher Nolan, in theatres now – or, should I say, on Hextube. The camrip I have is acceptable quality, so we’re watching it. The one caveat is that there is a watermark that migrates around the frame for the whole movie. Whatever, it adds to the slop aesthetic. After that is French Claymation comedy-drama My Life as a Zucchini (2016), about a foster child who finds a new home following the death of his mother. He meets other children, and laughs and tears ensue. Cool visual style for this one, and rave reviews everywhere, so we’re watching it.

We’ll start at 9PM EST on Hextube, right here: https://live.hexbear.net/c/movies

Be there, comrades!

Letterboxd:

• Oppenheimer: https://letterboxd.com/film/oppenheimer-2023/
• My Life as a Zucchini: https://letterboxd.com/film/my-life-as-a-zucchini/

Doesthedogdie.com links:

• Oppenheimer: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/1031479
• My Life as a Zucchini: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/16686

CWs for Oppenheimer:

• Child abandonment.
• Stalking.
• Gaslighting.
• Smoking.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Suicide.
• Drug abuse.
• Someone is held underwater.
• Someone is burned alive.
• Drowning.
• Body horror.
• Asphyxiation.
• Unconsciousness.
• Deaths of children.
• Drug overdose.
• Cheating.
• Natural bodies of water.
• Jump scares.
• Spitting.
• Vomiting.
• Needles.
• Mental illness.
• PTSD.
• Self-harm.
• Hallucinations.
• Crying baby.
• Sudden loud noises.
• Flashing lights.
• Obscene language.
• Shaky cam.
• Someone is watched without their knowledge.
• Babies.
• Antisemitism.
• Sex scenes. Pretty tame, from what I can tell.
• Nudity.
• Male character ridiculed for crying.
• Sad ending.
• Nuclear explosion.
• Blood and gore.

CWs for My Life as a Zucchini:

• Child abuse.
• Abusive parents.
• Domestic violence.
• Alcohol abuse.
• Drug addiction.
• Implied (but not depicted) sexual assault in child’s backstory.
• Someone falls to their death.
• Someone falls down stairs.
• Death of parent.
• Destruction of child’s toy.
• Shower scene.
• Spitting.
• Bed wetting.
• Vomiting.
• Copaganda.
• Suicidal ideation.
• Suicide.
• Abuse of autistic person.
• PTSD.
• Flashing lights.
• Babies.
• Childbirth.
• Ableism.
• Fat jokes.
• Discussion (but not depiction) of sex acts.
• Incest.
• Nudity.

Links to movies:

• Oppenheimer: https://vimeo.com/851969806
• My Life as a Zucchini: https://vimeo.com/851970719

For this Saturday Anime Night, first up is Toei’s The Little Mermaid (1975), adapted from the Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. A mermaid gives up her voice to pursue a human prince. Surely she will live happily ever after, right? I guess we’ll find out. We are inching ever-closer toward seeing every anime feature film released before 1980; there are not that many left. After that is A Letter to Momo (2011), from director Hiroyuki Okiura (Jin-Roh), concerning a preteen girl who befriends a trio of goblins to cope with her dad’s death. Hijinks ensue. Looks pretty cool, and reviews everywhere are great, so let’s give it a whirl.

We’ll start at 9PM EST on Hextube, right here: https://live.hexbear.net/c/movies

Be there, comrades!

Letterboxd:

• The Little Mermaid: https://letterboxd.com/film/hans-christian-andersens-the-little-mermaid/
• A Letter to Momo: https://letterboxd.com/film/a-letter-to-momo/

Doesthedogdie.com links:

• The Little Mermaid: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/11971
• A Letter to Momo: Sorry, nothing on DTDD or IMDB. The movie is rated PG.

CWs for The Little Mermaid:

• Deaths of dogs.
• Nude mermaids throughout the movie, but their chests are drawn in a vague Barbie-doll way whenever their hair doesn’t cover them.
• Suicide.
• Blood.
• Sad ending.
• Death of child.

CWs for A Letter to Momo:

• Death of parent.
• Depression.
• Cartoon violence and mischief.
• Farting.

Links to movies:

• The Little Mermaid: https://vimeo.com/851969806
• A Letter to Momo: https://vimeo.com/851970719

This is a second, special Monday edition of Anime Night by popular demand, following on from the A-ko 1&2 night we did back in June. It’s the legendary inexplicably-superpowered schoolgirl OVAs Project A-ko 3 (1988) and Project A-ko 4 (1989)! They are pretty much Chicks Rock: The Movies. 3 has been remastered, but 4 will have to settle for a VHS rip.

We’ll start at 9PM EST on Hextube, right here: https://live.hexbear.net/c/movies

Be there, comrades!

Letterboxd:

• Project A-ko 3: https://letterboxd.com/film/project-a-ko-3-cinderella-rhapsody/
• Project A-ko 4: https://letterboxd.com/film/project-a-ko-4-final/

Doesthedogdie.com links:

• Look, I'm just gonna link the page for the first one, since all of them feature similar stuff: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/886553

CWs:

• “Man in a dress” jokes. The aliens look like men who dress as women. The characters barely acknowledge this fact directly, but the depiction is still problematic.
• Bugs.
• Stalking.
• Mention of sexual assault (but no depiction).
• Someone struggles to breathe.
• Kidnapping.
• Bath scene.
• Flashing lights.
• Plane crash.
• Gun violence.
• Nuclear explosion.
• Objectification of female characters.
• Panty shots of high-school-aged girls.

Links to movies:

• Project A-ko 3: https://vimeo.com/815920769
• Project A-ko 4: https://vimeo.com/824571386

For this Saturday Anime Night, first up is Ghibli alumnus Isao Takahata’s Gauche the Cellist (1982), about a cello player who sucks at his job, and some talking animals that won’t leave him alone. Will he learn not to suck? I guess we’ll find out. After that is Summer Days with Coo (2007), concerning a boy who discovers a kappa and then tries to keep him as a pet. Think ET but with a kappa. Looks pretty cool, and reviews everywhere are great. The director is Keiichi Hara, who also did Colorful (2010), and the Crayon Shin-chan movie we watched.

We’ll start at 9PM EST on Hextube, right here: https://live.hexbear.net/c/movies

Be there, comrades!

Letterboxd:

• Gauche the Cellist: https://letterboxd.com/film/gauche-the-cellist/
• Summer Days with Coo: https://letterboxd.com/film/summer-days-with-coo/

Doesthedogdie.com links:

• Gauche the Cellist: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/993099
• Summer Days with Coo: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/11438

CWs for Gauche the Cellist:

• Cartoon violence.
• Animal abuse.
• Spiders.
• Bugs.
• Drug use.
• Flashing lights.

CWs for Summer Days with Coo:

• Deaths of dog.
• Deaths of animals.
• Animal abuse.
• Dead animals.
• Bugs.
• Gaslighting.
• Someone is buried alive.
• Amputation.
• Death of parent.
• Kidnapping.
• Suicidal ideation.
• Suicide attempt.
• Anxiety attacks.
• Crying child.
• Kappa genitals.
• Someone is hit by a car.
• Blood and gore.

Links to movies:

• Gauche the Cellist: https://vimeo.com/847607151
• Summer Days with Coo: https://vimeo.com/847603537