Categories
June 24th, 2021
VCR of Doom on YouTube
Anime Relations: Yami no Teio: Kyuuketsuki Dracula
I finally revitalized enough internal interest for the project I've been planning for years, and if you're interested in the oldschool anime scene I've taken my own special approach to the review methodology of my past blogging exercises (here and elsewhere) for a YouTube series. It's very infrequent, but two episodes on some hard-to-find anime are there, the latest being for Dracula (1980). Hope to see some of you along the way.
[url]https://youtu.be/bYyyLqLkBNM[/url]
[url]https://youtu.be/bYyyLqLkBNM[/url]
Posted by Mr_Panda | Jun 24, 2021 8:34 PM | 0 comments
May 4th, 2010
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #4 (The Hobbit)~
The Hobbit (1977)
===
The Hobbit is (hopefully this was obvious) based on a book by the same name by JRR Tolkien. And making exception for the necessary abridgment of the tale, and the artistic tastes of the producers, the spirit and plot of the story remains largely intact.
The artwork done on the Hobbit deserves the highest praise for the time period this movie was made. Even comparing it to other anime of the day, let alone animated works in the U.S., anyone should be able to appreciate the work put-in to making the beautiful backgrounds and excellent character designs. This is especially true if you compare this movie to its bastard brother out of the U.S., the 1978 animated adaption of Lord of the Rings (which overs up to Towers). Said work, which is not related to this one at all in terms of production, does not have many favorable comments on its artwork attempts. By today's standards, some people might complain because of the work's age. But I still enjoy the artwork in this film even today.
The voice acting of this movie is some of the best in anime history for works released in the pre-21st Century. That may be expected, given production of the film was initiated by a U.S. company, but in addition to avoiding the occasional quirks and perceived annoyances in English-dubbed anime, the voice cast assembled for the Hobbit are truly excellent. Orson Bean, Richard Boone, and John Huston all lent their talents to the effort. And characters, both large and small, are well-characterized and realistic.
A word on technical point: I have to express my disappointment with the most recent release of this movie that I ran across. Like other older anime that are brought back for release, it suffers from stereophilia. So at points, the dialogue (and consequently, the excellent voice acting) is overpowered by the background music. Therefore, I recommend finding an old VHS copy or looking online for a copy that doesn't have this problem. That being said, and as much as it served as an annoyance in this particular instance, the background music is also good. Many of the vocal portions are derived directly from the poetic verse of the book.
This movie was not rated in its U.S. release, however, it is clear that the movie's targeted audience is not your average smelly convention fanboy. Like most people who will have seen this film prior to reading this review, I first saw it as a kid. So like any adaption geared for kids, certain things that might entertain we older fans aren't in the film. This film has a rather unique way of displaying deaths, for instance. However, darker elements show through (how often do you see bodies strewn in the background in a kids movie?). And while it is a kids movie, I still like watching it from time to time.
I'll be honest: it's no Peter Jackson. If you go into it thinking you'll get a treatment similar to the recent LOTR trilogy, think again. But frankly, anyone going into the movie wanting to compare the two is being idiotic. This movie predates the trilogy by over 20 years, and was made during a period where anime was still in its growth stages. Topcraft, the Japanese company responsible for actually making the Hobbit, was later assimilated into Studio Ghibli. Perhaps, then, it is no surprise that the Hobbit ranks high on the quality scale. Does it hold-up against Sauron's Eye and the Fire's of Mount Doom? No, I suppose not. But you won't have to suffer-through five hours of WALKING, and you'll be treated to what may be one of the best anime movies of the 1970s.
===
The Hobbit is (hopefully this was obvious) based on a book by the same name by JRR Tolkien. And making exception for the necessary abridgment of the tale, and the artistic tastes of the producers, the spirit and plot of the story remains largely intact.
The artwork done on the Hobbit deserves the highest praise for the time period this movie was made. Even comparing it to other anime of the day, let alone animated works in the U.S., anyone should be able to appreciate the work put-in to making the beautiful backgrounds and excellent character designs. This is especially true if you compare this movie to its bastard brother out of the U.S., the 1978 animated adaption of Lord of the Rings (which overs up to Towers). Said work, which is not related to this one at all in terms of production, does not have many favorable comments on its artwork attempts. By today's standards, some people might complain because of the work's age. But I still enjoy the artwork in this film even today.
The voice acting of this movie is some of the best in anime history for works released in the pre-21st Century. That may be expected, given production of the film was initiated by a U.S. company, but in addition to avoiding the occasional quirks and perceived annoyances in English-dubbed anime, the voice cast assembled for the Hobbit are truly excellent. Orson Bean, Richard Boone, and John Huston all lent their talents to the effort. And characters, both large and small, are well-characterized and realistic.
A word on technical point: I have to express my disappointment with the most recent release of this movie that I ran across. Like other older anime that are brought back for release, it suffers from stereophilia. So at points, the dialogue (and consequently, the excellent voice acting) is overpowered by the background music. Therefore, I recommend finding an old VHS copy or looking online for a copy that doesn't have this problem. That being said, and as much as it served as an annoyance in this particular instance, the background music is also good. Many of the vocal portions are derived directly from the poetic verse of the book.
This movie was not rated in its U.S. release, however, it is clear that the movie's targeted audience is not your average smelly convention fanboy. Like most people who will have seen this film prior to reading this review, I first saw it as a kid. So like any adaption geared for kids, certain things that might entertain we older fans aren't in the film. This film has a rather unique way of displaying deaths, for instance. However, darker elements show through (how often do you see bodies strewn in the background in a kids movie?). And while it is a kids movie, I still like watching it from time to time.
I'll be honest: it's no Peter Jackson. If you go into it thinking you'll get a treatment similar to the recent LOTR trilogy, think again. But frankly, anyone going into the movie wanting to compare the two is being idiotic. This movie predates the trilogy by over 20 years, and was made during a period where anime was still in its growth stages. Topcraft, the Japanese company responsible for actually making the Hobbit, was later assimilated into Studio Ghibli. Perhaps, then, it is no surprise that the Hobbit ranks high on the quality scale. Does it hold-up against Sauron's Eye and the Fire's of Mount Doom? No, I suppose not. But you won't have to suffer-through five hours of WALKING, and you'll be treated to what may be one of the best anime movies of the 1970s.
Posted by Mr_Panda | May 4, 2010 11:08 AM | 2 comments
April 1st, 2010
Mr. Panda's VCR of DOOM! (Index)
Anime Relations: 11-nin Iru!, Tokyo Vice, Gall Force 1: Eternal Story, Space Adventure Cobra, Big Wars: Kami Utsu Akaki Kouya ni, Yousei Florence
UPDATE 2020:
After many long years of procrastination, the first episode of Mr. Panda's VCR of DOOM was put up on YouTube using a whole new anime. Check it out and watch for future episodes, including potential redux on some of the blog entries!
https://youtu.be/-wZcX-0yY1s
~Mr. Panda's VCR of DOOM!
INDEX
So I've decided to start my own series of reviews, based on certain ideas of my own and kind-of utilizing a similar fundamental as that of the "Buried Treasure" article on ANN. Recently I've become enthralled with picking-up cheap VHS copies of older anime to add to my existing collection of VHS/DVDs. When I rewatched a copy of Big Wars, and decided to write a review for it, I decided to expand the idea into my own personal soap box. Also as a way to refine my crappy reviewing skills. I will be using this new series of mine to review whatever anime I happen to watch on the old VHS medium. You poor souls out there that have since discarded your VCRs will tremble at the awesome might and spell-binding fury of Mr. Panda's VCR OF DOOOOOOOM! reviews.
I've also decided to reformat this blog entry. I'm going to use it as an index for my series of reviews rather than piost individual entries. The review themselves can be viewed on the anime database or in a blog post, depending on the situation.
DON'T FORGET TO CLICK "HELPFUL"! I love an ego boost. ^_^
So for the first episode of this new saga, I take Big Wars and now begin.
###
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #1~
Big Wars
Comments - So, yeah... this is where it all began... Basically the comments for
this entry are the introductory comments to this blog entry. :p
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #2~
Gall Force 1 - Eternal Story
Comments - I picked up all of Gall Force up to New Era quite randomly. Someone left a bunch of VHS tapes on a table at Zenkaikon 2009 for free. I simply walked up, asked if it was ok to take them, and walked-off with a bunch of anime tapes to add to my collection. DVD copies are scarce due to CPM going under (though my understanding is they've been hard to find for years now). Thus I have submitted a review for it for my VCR of Doom series. I'm not sure I particularly like my review as much as my one for Big Wars, but this series is as much a learning experience for me as it is about informing others. Besides, what do I care if people don't like my writing? :p If it's helpful for you, click it so!
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #3~
They Were 11
Comments - I actually have two copies of the VHS for They Were 11. Both were obtained from the same group of tapes that I got Gall Force from. Both of them are the same subtitled release with Japanese dialogue. I also own (somewhere) the DVD edition that contains the English dub. This is odd for me because with the exception of Gall Force and 11, I don't know of any VHS anime in my collection that are Jap w/sub. Unlike Gall Force though, I have seen the English dub of 11 and so it is incorporated into the review. Usually I wouldn't take the time to write two reviews in a day (especially when I'm still unsure of my own quality). But due to the association--and because I noticed there wasn't a single useful review for this excellent movie--I decided to make another addition to the VCR of Doom series. Even if you find my review incoherent or poorly-written, don't take that as an excuse to skip the movie. For Sci-Fi fans it is important, and for the average anime viewer it is an entertaining movie.
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #4~
The Hobbit (1977)
Comments - This is mostly a verbatim re-post of my original review for the Hobbit. Before I start my rant in this comment section, I've noticed that the DVD edition I own has several periods where the technical sound boost ruins the dialogue (especially right before the end of the movie). For once, I wholly support finding the VHS copy, or a version that doesn't include this stereo hack job. It was taken-down in the mass removal of titles from the database that did not conform to the "new guidelines." I and others argued strongly against the measure, but as usual mods will do what they want even when their decisions are clearly silly and illogical. For background, The Hobbit was an anime movie made by the Japanese studio TOPCRAFT. The movie was commissioned/produced by American company Rankin/Bass (R/B and Topcraft would form a long-term relationship that would bring many nostalgic works to American audiences. Think of the stop-motion Christmas specials we all know and love. ;D). For some reason, because it was "made for America," it doesn't deserve a place in the database (this is even more absurd when one takes into account the anime boom of the 90s was due to foreign investment and interest in anime; mostly American). Inexplicably, even stuff made in Polynesia is being admitted to the database, but The Hobbit isn't. Therefore I have added it to my VCR of Doom series in the form of a blogpost review. Please. Do take the time to pick-up this film if you haven't already.
EDIT: DVD rewatch shows either issue has been fixed on some points. HOWEVER: certain sound effects seem to have been removes all-together when compared to the older VHS copies. So I'm still suggesting that you find a good VHS copy for now.
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #5~
Space Adventure Cobra - The Movie
Comments - I was first introduced to Cobra at my University anime club. It had acquired a notorious reputation even before I started coming, as was then and now a method we at BUMAC use to indoctrinate new members into the otaku culture. Why? The version we originally had was what we refer to as the "bad sub" version. It featured such classic lines as "Burn you die!", "Go to planet, give love to sister!", and "The Passion is the bullet of his magic gun!" Routinely Cobra gets in about once a year (though its been lax this past one). I later went on to acquire good copies (sub and dub), and grew to appreciate Cobra beyond the MST viewings we usually put it through. Sure, I think the series is probably better in a sense, but the movie holds a special place in my heart, and I think that (next to Do You Remember Love), it may be one of the best 80s anime movies overall. Referencing my review, if you aren't a Sci-Fi or Oldies kind of fan, track-down the badsubs (you'll recognize them on sight by the constant spamming of what is presumably the fansubber's email address during explosions). Another addition to the VCR of Doom!
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #6~
A Journey Through Fairyland (Yousei Florence)
Comments - I again have the honor of being the first to review an anime on MAL. One of my childhood movies. As might be expected, I wasn't familiar with the concept of "anime" and thus did not appreicate it until much later. I managed to pick-up my own copy at a flea market a couple of weeks back. To my dismay, the condition of the tape was very bad. At least three ro four sections cut out entirely for minutes at a time. This would have been less annoying had it been near the end--when the story, long finished--is drawn out by continual music playing. I absolutely LOVE the final animated sequence as the credits roll, but it is overdue and is muchly blocked by the english credits themselves. It makes me wonder that, had this been a darker and non-children feature, a fairy orgy wouldn't have served as a better focus for the ending sequence. Oh, well, it is what it is. Enjoy the review!
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #7~
Tokyo Vice (Tokyo Project)
Comments- This thing was still shrink-wrapped when I bought it. I finally broke the seal for a club viewing during out summer meetings. Sub-with-Jap dialogue was fine with me, though the DVD release contains an English dialogue and is still available from several online retailers. I hope to pick it up myself at a convention on the cheap sooner or later. As you'll see within, Media Blasters had a knack for licensing mass amounts of anime that you would never know about if you never bothered to watch their previews on the tapes. This one part OVA caught me completely surprised. I'm glad I got the chance to see it, especially since the DVD price at retail would prevent me from ever picking it up. Though I dare say that will drop in not too long a time. I've decided to adjust the format of my reviews once again, and this time have a list form--summary, if you will--of critiques and reasons one should still watch the reviewed work. Enjoy!
After many long years of procrastination, the first episode of Mr. Panda's VCR of DOOM was put up on YouTube using a whole new anime. Check it out and watch for future episodes, including potential redux on some of the blog entries!
https://youtu.be/-wZcX-0yY1s
~Mr. Panda's VCR of DOOM!
INDEX
So I've decided to start my own series of reviews, based on certain ideas of my own and kind-of utilizing a similar fundamental as that of the "Buried Treasure" article on ANN. Recently I've become enthralled with picking-up cheap VHS copies of older anime to add to my existing collection of VHS/DVDs. When I rewatched a copy of Big Wars, and decided to write a review for it, I decided to expand the idea into my own personal soap box. Also as a way to refine my crappy reviewing skills. I will be using this new series of mine to review whatever anime I happen to watch on the old VHS medium. You poor souls out there that have since discarded your VCRs will tremble at the awesome might and spell-binding fury of Mr. Panda's VCR OF DOOOOOOOM! reviews.
I've also decided to reformat this blog entry. I'm going to use it as an index for my series of reviews rather than piost individual entries. The review themselves can be viewed on the anime database or in a blog post, depending on the situation.
DON'T FORGET TO CLICK "HELPFUL"! I love an ego boost. ^_^
So for the first episode of this new saga, I take Big Wars and now begin.
###
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #1~
Big Wars
Comments - So, yeah... this is where it all began... Basically the comments for
this entry are the introductory comments to this blog entry. :p
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #2~
Gall Force 1 - Eternal Story
Comments - I picked up all of Gall Force up to New Era quite randomly. Someone left a bunch of VHS tapes on a table at Zenkaikon 2009 for free. I simply walked up, asked if it was ok to take them, and walked-off with a bunch of anime tapes to add to my collection. DVD copies are scarce due to CPM going under (though my understanding is they've been hard to find for years now). Thus I have submitted a review for it for my VCR of Doom series. I'm not sure I particularly like my review as much as my one for Big Wars, but this series is as much a learning experience for me as it is about informing others. Besides, what do I care if people don't like my writing? :p If it's helpful for you, click it so!
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #3~
They Were 11
Comments - I actually have two copies of the VHS for They Were 11. Both were obtained from the same group of tapes that I got Gall Force from. Both of them are the same subtitled release with Japanese dialogue. I also own (somewhere) the DVD edition that contains the English dub. This is odd for me because with the exception of Gall Force and 11, I don't know of any VHS anime in my collection that are Jap w/sub. Unlike Gall Force though, I have seen the English dub of 11 and so it is incorporated into the review. Usually I wouldn't take the time to write two reviews in a day (especially when I'm still unsure of my own quality). But due to the association--and because I noticed there wasn't a single useful review for this excellent movie--I decided to make another addition to the VCR of Doom series. Even if you find my review incoherent or poorly-written, don't take that as an excuse to skip the movie. For Sci-Fi fans it is important, and for the average anime viewer it is an entertaining movie.
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #4~
The Hobbit (1977)
Comments - This is mostly a verbatim re-post of my original review for the Hobbit. Before I start my rant in this comment section, I've noticed that the DVD edition I own has several periods where the technical sound boost ruins the dialogue (especially right before the end of the movie). For once, I wholly support finding the VHS copy, or a version that doesn't include this stereo hack job. It was taken-down in the mass removal of titles from the database that did not conform to the "new guidelines." I and others argued strongly against the measure, but as usual mods will do what they want even when their decisions are clearly silly and illogical. For background, The Hobbit was an anime movie made by the Japanese studio TOPCRAFT. The movie was commissioned/produced by American company Rankin/Bass (R/B and Topcraft would form a long-term relationship that would bring many nostalgic works to American audiences. Think of the stop-motion Christmas specials we all know and love. ;D). For some reason, because it was "made for America," it doesn't deserve a place in the database (this is even more absurd when one takes into account the anime boom of the 90s was due to foreign investment and interest in anime; mostly American). Inexplicably, even stuff made in Polynesia is being admitted to the database, but The Hobbit isn't. Therefore I have added it to my VCR of Doom series in the form of a blogpost review. Please. Do take the time to pick-up this film if you haven't already.
EDIT: DVD rewatch shows either issue has been fixed on some points. HOWEVER: certain sound effects seem to have been removes all-together when compared to the older VHS copies. So I'm still suggesting that you find a good VHS copy for now.
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #5~
Space Adventure Cobra - The Movie
Comments - I was first introduced to Cobra at my University anime club. It had acquired a notorious reputation even before I started coming, as was then and now a method we at BUMAC use to indoctrinate new members into the otaku culture. Why? The version we originally had was what we refer to as the "bad sub" version. It featured such classic lines as "Burn you die!", "Go to planet, give love to sister!", and "The Passion is the bullet of his magic gun!" Routinely Cobra gets in about once a year (though its been lax this past one). I later went on to acquire good copies (sub and dub), and grew to appreciate Cobra beyond the MST viewings we usually put it through. Sure, I think the series is probably better in a sense, but the movie holds a special place in my heart, and I think that (next to Do You Remember Love), it may be one of the best 80s anime movies overall. Referencing my review, if you aren't a Sci-Fi or Oldies kind of fan, track-down the badsubs (you'll recognize them on sight by the constant spamming of what is presumably the fansubber's email address during explosions). Another addition to the VCR of Doom!
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #6~
A Journey Through Fairyland (Yousei Florence)
Comments - I again have the honor of being the first to review an anime on MAL. One of my childhood movies. As might be expected, I wasn't familiar with the concept of "anime" and thus did not appreicate it until much later. I managed to pick-up my own copy at a flea market a couple of weeks back. To my dismay, the condition of the tape was very bad. At least three ro four sections cut out entirely for minutes at a time. This would have been less annoying had it been near the end--when the story, long finished--is drawn out by continual music playing. I absolutely LOVE the final animated sequence as the credits roll, but it is overdue and is muchly blocked by the english credits themselves. It makes me wonder that, had this been a darker and non-children feature, a fairy orgy wouldn't have served as a better focus for the ending sequence. Oh, well, it is what it is. Enjoy the review!
~Mr. Panda's VCR of Doom: #7~
Tokyo Vice (Tokyo Project)
Comments- This thing was still shrink-wrapped when I bought it. I finally broke the seal for a club viewing during out summer meetings. Sub-with-Jap dialogue was fine with me, though the DVD release contains an English dialogue and is still available from several online retailers. I hope to pick it up myself at a convention on the cheap sooner or later. As you'll see within, Media Blasters had a knack for licensing mass amounts of anime that you would never know about if you never bothered to watch their previews on the tapes. This one part OVA caught me completely surprised. I'm glad I got the chance to see it, especially since the DVD price at retail would prevent me from ever picking it up. Though I dare say that will drop in not too long a time. I've decided to adjust the format of my reviews once again, and this time have a list form--summary, if you will--of critiques and reasons one should still watch the reviewed work. Enjoy!
Posted by Mr_Panda | Apr 1, 2010 1:53 AM | 0 comments