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While we know Christian Bale for his role as Batman, the actor has a diverse and versatile portfolio. From American Psycho to The Machinist, Bale is a multifaceted actor. But most importantly, he’s a jack of all trades.

This holds especially true with his stint as a voice actor involved in Studio Ghibli’s projects. With Miyazaki’s final project, Bale’s casting was nothing short of a tedious task.

Mahito in a still from the movie | Credit: Studio Ghibli

Gkids president David Jesteadt revealed the process behind Bale’s casting in The Boy and The Heron. The distribution company has previously worked with Ghibli on The Tale of the Princess Kaguya.

Jesteadt also sheds light on the secrecy regarding Miyazaki’s final film and how it came to fruition. This also boosted the film’s success in the long run.

Christian Bale was the topmost priority for The Boy...

The Boy and The Heron became a worldwide sensation at the time of its release. There were many characters in it, who caught fans’ attention, but the Great Uncle stood out for his headstrong beliefs and his domineering presence. The character wouldn’t have been nearly as convincing without Shohei Hino, the actor who played him in the film.

Mahito and the Great Uncle in The Boy and The Heron | Credits: Studio Ghibli

Unfortunately, Hino passed away on November 14th at the age of 75. While his performance as the Great Uncle undoubtedly left an indelible mark, it was not all he was known for. Hino had dabbled with everything from acting and music to theater and voice acting. Fans knew him from his different creative endeavors in life. There was no limit to his talents and he brought various characters and art forms to life with brilliance.

Shohei Hino Passes...

Ghibli films can be analyzed for hours, considering how each one of them is laden with meaning and symbolism. While there can be various interpretations of every theme portrayed, Hayao Miyazaki’s unwavering pro-environment and anti-war sentiments always seep through.

A still from Howl’s Moving Castle | Credits: Studio Ghibli

Films like Spirited Away and The Boy and The Heron have garnered attention from all over the world and even won the Academy Awards. However, Miyazaki has always been more focused on his craft than its reception. He once went out of his way to make sure one of his films wouldn’t do well in the United States. This Ghibli film was none other than the fantastical Howl’s Moving Castle.

Miyazaki Went the Extra Mile to Sabotage Howl’s Moving Castle’s Performance Overseas

Howl’s Moving Castle is based on a novel by Diana Wynne Jones. Fans of the novel often...

Disney is inspiring joy and wonder this holiday season with the release of A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus in collaboration with Academy Award winner Taika Waititi.

“For generations, Disney has been an ever-present part of the holiday season all over the world, and this short builds on the enduring connection that so many families have with Disney during this special time of year,” said Asad Ayaz, Chief Brand Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “We’re thrilled to collaborate with Taika Waititi on this timeless story of childhood friendship against the backdrop of this magical season.”

A Disney Holiday Short: The Boy & The Octopus follows the journey of a child who discovers a curious octopus attached to his head during a seaside vacation.

After returning home, the boy forms a true friendship with the octopus by introducing his new companion to his life on land – harnessing the power...

Jaume Collet-Serra’s Orphan introduced the world to modern horror icon Esther back in 2009 and Isabelle Fuhrman reprised the role for 2022 prequel Orphan: First Kill, and we haven’t seen the last of Esther just yet. Lionsgate has officially announced Orphan 3!

Variety exclusively reports, “The third film in the cult Orphan horror franchise has been officially green lit, with Isabelle Fuhrman — recently seen in Kevin Costner’s Horizon — returning to play her iconic role of Esther and Orphan: First Kill’s writer David Coggeshall (“The Family Plan”) and director William Brent Bell (“The Boy” franchise) also back behind the camera.”

Plot details for Orphan 3 are currently under wraps. Stay tuned for more.

Lionsgate is launching the project at the American Film Market this week.

Dark Castle Entertainment is the production label attached to Orphan 3.

“Dark Castle is excited to announce another terrifying chapter in the Orphan saga,...

The third film in the cult “Orphan” horror franchise has been officially green lit, with Isabelle Fuhrman — recently seen in Kevin Costner’s “Horizon” — returning to play her iconic role of Esther and “Orphan: First Kill’s” writer David Coggeshall (“The Family Plan”) and director William Brent Bell (“The Boy” franchise) also back behind the camera.

The feature — of which plot details are currently being kept under wraps — was announced by production banner Dark Castle Entertainment, with Lionsgate set to launch the project at the American Film Market this week.

“Dark Castle is excited to announce another terrifying chapter in the ‘Orphan’ saga,” said Norman Golightly, Co-CEO of Dark Castle Entertainment. “With the past success of the first two movies and another thrilling storyline, we are confident that ‘Orphan 3’ will be a must-see movie for both current fans of the franchise, and new fans alike.”

Dark Castle is producing...

The 10 Freakiest Film & TV Dolls of All Time — From Chucky to M3GAN - Main Image

When people think of something scary for Halloween, usually they think up some kind of big scary monster or psychopath with a weapon; but there’s also some horror to be found from the exact opposite of big monsters—creepy little dolls.

The horror genre has had some very memorable creepy dolls for decades, and we take a look at some that are worth checking out for anyone looking to get spooked for the Halloween season.

Chucky (Child’s Play)

Probably responsible for a lot of trauma for millennials when it comes to dolls, Chucky made his debut in 1988’s Child’s Play. His origin is that Chucky was originally serial killer Charles Lee Ray who was dying in a toy store, and in a last-ditch effort committed some voodoo to transfer his consciousness into...

When the news of The Boy and The Heron’s release first came out, Hayao Miyazaki fans and film enthusiasts were equally excited to watch the spectacle in theaters. Without aggressive marketing, the film garnered a lot of attention as Miyazaki’s supposed last film. However, the hype didn’t translate well into the reception of the film. It got mixed reviews and some fans and critics even call it Miyazaki’s worst film so far.

Mahito | Credits: Studio Ghibli

The Boy and The Heron is undeniably flawed, but it’s far from the worst. As an experience, the film is definitely a visual delight and a must-watch. So what led to the negative reception and why the film deserves better than the poor ratings it received?

The General Discourse Around The Boy and The Heron

Having led Studio Ghibli for more than 30 years, Hayao Miyazaki has created numerous films...

From modern classics to iconic series, there are so many great mysteries to watch now that the latest murder at the Arconia has been solved.

It’s a wrap on yet another high-octane season of Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building!” The Emmy Award-winning murder-mystery comedy series starring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez aired its Season 4 finale on Tuesday, Oct. 29 as the lead crime-solving trio finally found who stunted stuntwoman Sazz’s further life and career ambitions. And as is tradition for the series, the season ended as it began: in carnage, as celebration turns to suspicion and a beloved Arconia fixture becomes the latest victim.

To paraphrase the one and only Charles Brazzos, when one murder door closes, another opens. There will be more cases to crack in future seasons of “Only Murders,” but while this case is closed, don’t let your detective instincts get rusty.

Hayao Miyazaki, the director responsible for many of our favorite anime films, is a one-of-a-kind visionary in the industry. His Studio Ghibli movies are in a league of their own with works like Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and My Neighbour Totoro, dominating the anime film genre. More recently, he directed The Boy and The Heron, a work inspired by his own life and the process of grieving his mother. His career is filled with great moments with little left to explore.

Hayao Miyazaki. [Credit: Oscars YouTube channel]

Studio Ghibli was awarded an honorary Palme d’Or at the Grand Théâtre Lumière in May 2024. Hayao Miyazaki’s son, Goro Miyazaki, accepted the award on behalf of the studio as its creative development head and had a few words to say on the meaning behind winning this and the future of Studio Ghibli. He essentially expressed his father’s thoughts that winning this...

In the world of animation and film, Studio Ghibli stands as an inspiration for creativity and artistry, producing films that have gone over and crossed the borders of animation with its core of humanity. At the heart of it is Hayao Miyazaki. With the support of the co-founders, the late Isao Takahata and Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli has reigned over the animated film genre for years. The three have built a legacy like no other in the animation industry.

Castle in the Sky. [Credit: Studio Ghibli]

The recent release of an exclusive collection of original image boards from Studio Ghibli’s iconic films has reignited conversations about the brilliance and beauty of Hayao Miyazaki. These image boards will capture the breathtaking visuals and detailed worlds of nature-filled films like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke. They undoubtedly highlight what Takahata was referring to when he said that Miyazaki’s genius was...

Toho Co., Ltd. has announced the acquisition of a 6.09% equity stake, purchasing 45 shares, in CoMix Wave Films, best known for producing the works of acclaimed director Makoto Shinkai.

This move is part of Toho’s broader strategy to enhance its animation capabilities, a key component of the company’s long-term “Toho Vision 2032” strategy. This strategy outlines the company’s vision for sustainable growth through international expansion and strengthened IP development.

CoMix Wave Films will continue its operations under the leadership of Chairman Noritaka Kawaguchi and President Tomohiro Tokunaga following the acquisition.

Through this partnership, Toho and CoMix Wave Films plan to optimize their production environments. This will also allow CoMix Wave Films to access Toho’s vast resources and distribution network.

Toho and CoMix Wave Films have collaborated, with the Japanese entertainment giant distributing films made by the studio ever since Garden of Words.

This development follows closely on the...

Studio Ghibli’s film The Boy and The Heron is available to rent and buy on digital from 16th September; on 4K Uhd, Blu-ray, and DVD from 23rd September; and with a limited edition Steelbook available from 7th October. To celebrate we are giving away a 4K Uhd set with some very cute merch including: Stackable Warawa figurines, Roly poly Heron + Warawara and Theatrical Quad to one lucky winner!

The critically-acclaimed film was the first new work from Hayao Miyazaki in ten years, following his 2013 feature, The Wind Rises, and was a decade in the making. The beautiful, hand-drawn, original story was written and directed by Miyazaki. Produced by Studio Ghibli co-founder Toshio Suzuki, the film features a musical score from Miyazaki’s long-time collaborator Joe Hisaishi. The theme song for the film “Spinning Globe” was written and performed by global J-pop superstar Kenshi Yonezu.

The English language dubbed version...

Hayao Miyazaki’s unique outlook towards filmmaking has helped him become a 2-time Oscar winner. From the hand-drawn frames to the personal touches every single film of his gets, there is a step-by-step process of understanding and appreciating Studio Ghibli films. Once they make a place in the fans’ hearts, there is no room for their departure.

Howl’s Moving Castle | Credit: Studio Ghibli

The depiction of people in his movies is extraordinary with how they all seem so realistic and individualistic. They all have a sense of belonging and even their moral standings are depicted in such a way that regardless of their species, they all seem human and flawed. Such is the magic of a Ghibli movie, having everyone simply sit back, relax, and enjoy tales that are crafted with care.

Hayao Miyazaki’s Opinion on American Movies

During an interview with Kotaku, Hayao Miyazaki talked about American filmmaking...

Before highlighting 40 films confirmed to be arriving in theaters this fall that you should have on your radar, we turn our attention to the festival-bound films either without distribution nor a confirmed fall release date. Looking over Venice, Toronto, the New York Film Festival, and other selections, we’ve rounded up 20 we can’t wait to see over the next few weeks.

Find our 20 most-anticipated festival premieres below and return for our reviews, as well as news if some of these hit theaters this fall.

2073 (Asif Kapadia; Venice)

Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Asif Kapadia returns with what appears to be his most ambitious feature yet. Billed as a documentary thriller set in a dystopia 50 years into the future, 2073 borrows inspiration from Chris Marker’s La Jetée, in which a time-traveler attempted to save humanity after an apocalyptic World War III. The Oscar-winning director, primarily known for capturing intimate portraits of sports...

Your Name Box Office (China): Finally Crosses $100 Million Mark ( Photo Credit – YouTube )

The Japanese anime movie Your Name has finally achieved a remarkable feat at the Chinese box office after being re-released there. Directed by Makoto Shinkai, it now shares a record with The Boy and the Heron and his other creation, Suzume. The movie collected winning numbers on its second weekend in China, pushing it to cross the milestone. Keep scrolling for more.

Makoto Shinkai is reportedly considered one of Japan’s most commercially successful directors. His movies are almost always met with positive reviews. His first debut feature film was The Place Promised in Our Early Days, released in 2004. The movie that we are discussing in this article was originally released in 2016 and was produced by CoMix Wave Films. The movie received numerous accolades, and according to reports, a live-action movie is in development.

Your Name by...

Content warning: This article contains references to sexual assault. Spoilers for "The Boys" season 4 also follow.

"The Boy" season 4 episode 6 "Dirty Business" has proven to be one of the show's most controversial, even for a program that thrives on trampling good taste into the dust. In it, our everyman lead Hughie (Jack Quaid) went undercover to investigate the Batman-esque super detective Tek Knight. Disguised head to toe as the supe Webweaver, Hughie wound up tied down in Tek Knight's sex dungeon and tortured; his captors think it's just kinky fun, but for Hughie, it's actually painful — he tries to opt out but doesn't know what Webweaver's safe word is.

The show seemed to be handling this decently; Hughie broke down and his girlfriend, Annie (Erin Moriarty) offered him a comforting shoulder. Then show creator Eric Kripke spoiled the mood in an interview with Variety. Writer Jennifer Maas echoed most fan...

In the world of anime, Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli unarguably holds an incredibly strong presence, having expanded its portfolio among the likes of fan-favorite projects like The Boy and the Heron and Howl’s Moving Castle. That said, what if this respective studio worked on taming animated projects for the Stranger Things and Harry Potter franchises?

A still from Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke. | Credit: Toho Co., Ltd.

Obviously, that sounds like a sweet sight to behold for all those anime fans out there. And, as it turns out, it just might be a pretty cool thing to witness. This comes after a fan account for the studio shared a series of concept art for J. K. Rowling’s tremendously beloved saga, followed by the fan artist sharing her own animated perspective on The Duffer Brothers’ iconic horror saga.

Fan Artist’s Anime Perspective of Stranger Things is Giving Studio...

Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.

Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!

The Boy 4K Uhd from Scream Factory

The Boy comes to life on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray on September 3 via Scream Factory. The 2016 horror film is presented in 4K from the original elements with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

William Brent Bell directs from a script by Stacey Menear. Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans, Jim Norton, Diana Hardcastle, Ben Robson, Jett Klyne, and James Russell star.

Special features include: a new commentary by film critics Julia Cunningham and Emily Higgins; new interviews with Bell, Menear, cinematographer Daniel Pearl, doll designer Todd Masters, and doll handler Tannis Hegan; and the trailer.

Village of the Damned 4K Uhd from Scream Factory

Beware the children when Village of the Damned...

Anime Expo 2024 served up another packed weekend of news and excitement, and we've got an overview of all the major announcements that were made! From more on the new Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt anime to Trigun Stargaze , another look at Solo Leveling season 2 and beyond, let's take a look back as the dust still settles from the July 4 weekend festivities. New Anime Projects and Continuations We learned a lot about some upcoming series and the future of existing shows, like the "final phase" of Trigun Stampede and the long-awaited third season of Fire Force . Trigun Stampede “Final Phase” Revealed as Trigun Stargaze Atsushi Nishigori, CloverWorks Reunite for Grotesque Anime Film Blue Exorcist -Beyond the Snow Saga- Anime Reveals New Trailer, -The Blue Night Saga- Announced for January 2025 Link Click Donghua Reveals New Bridon Arc Trailer, Release Date Black Butler -Emerald Witch Arc- Anime Announced, Crunchyroll to Stream Dr. Stone Science...

The ward of Shibuya in Tokyo, Japan, recently held an exhibition in honor of Jujutsu Kaisen and Gege Akutami. The mangaka themselves were present for the exhibition, and they made some very interesting revelations about the manga series and the franchise as a whole. These revelations have come as a big shock to all the Jujutsu Kaisen fans.

Jujutsu Kaisen | Mappa Studios

Most of these revelations were regarding the characters that have been a part of the series since the beginning and helped in the overall development of the franchise. One such character is the fan-favorite Toji Fushiguro, the infamous sorcerer killer. Toji was one of the most important characters in the series, and he certainly proved his worth.

While the character has bid adieu to the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, he is still loved and appreciated by fans, and Akutami’s disclosure about the real-life inspiration behind the character...

Over the last decade, it seems like sports anime has scored more points in the anime fandom, quickly rising through the leaderboards and becoming more popular. While tracking how much a fandom "likes" something is difficult through social media, one metric can help show how popular an anime is: box office takings. Two of the latest sports anime films in Japanese theaters, The First Slam Dunk and Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle , have done huge numbers and currently rank as the 13th and 35th highest-grossing films of all time in Japan (not just anime), respectively. While both were already generational-defining series getting long-awaited canon sequels with huge built-in audiences, these are the first sports anime films to pass 10 billion yen in Japanese theaters ever. And that's partially by design. The First Slam Dunk and Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle both were massively helped by the anime films that preceded their releases. In...

Hayao Miyazaki is undoubtedly a master at his craft. Being the only director to win Academy Awards twice for anime films, his works stand out exceptionally and the care he puts into them shows through and through. The level of care and attention to detail put into a Ghibli movie is what makes it so special. Each film stands out and the way that they do proves that the things in one man’s mind are only a fraction of a vast unexplored territory.

Spirited Away | Credit: Studio Ghibli

The world is a mixture of many genres and mediums through which media and entertainment can be perceived. Animation, live-action, literature, and much more. The variety is endless and the availability, at times limited. Seeing his own understanding, Miyazaki had a unique perspective to why Hollywood movies lack an element anime films don’t.

Tranquility in Emptiness – Hayao Miyazaki’s Ma...

Penn Badgley goes from stalker to stalked in Ariana Grande’s music video, “the boy is mine.”

The You star and producer portrays the mayor of a city similar to New York, as it fights to end its growing rat problem by rounding up the local street cats and releasing them all at once to take down the rodents. Grande plays a city resident, obsessed with Badgley’s Max, creating a love potion to make him fall for her.

About halfway through the six-minute video, Grande is seen making and then wearing a Catwoman costume as she makes her way through the city to Max’s apartment. She uses her cat claws to carve a round hole in his window that she uses to enter his place.

When he’s startled to see her on his bed, he tries to run for it, but she grabs him by the leg...

So it’s been long established that the Summer season is the “go-to” release time for animated features (along with the year-end holidays). Kids are out of school and parents need an air-conditioned refuge for the whole family. This season has begun at the multiplex with a fully CGI’d version of the “funny papers” feline, and we’ll soon get an ’emotional” reunion with a Pixar sequel and another visit from Gru and his minions. Ah, but “in between” we’re getting treated to something special and somewhat unique as it’s not part of a franchise, rather it’s based on an acclaimed graphic novel. Plus it’s done in the “classic” animation style, often referred to as 2D, much like the “hand-drawn” shorts and features (and TV shows) of the past. Oh, and it’s an Oscar nominee…from last year. Yes, it was one of the...

Rupert Evans and Ewan Horrocks will lead the cast of a new four-part limited series, “Truth & Conviction,” to be distributed by “Sound of Freedom” producer Angel Studios. Based on a true story, the series follows Helmuth Hübener, a teenager who led a resistance group with his two friends during World War II in Hamburg, Germany.

Evans will play Erwin Mussener, the SS Agent. He is intent on hunting down Helmuth, a young resistance fighter, who will be played by Horrocks. Ferdinand McKay and Daf Thomas also join the cast as Helmuth’s friends and fellow resisters Karl Schnibbe and Rudi Wobbe.

Horrocks has appeared in Netflix’s British drama series “The Last Kingdom,” which ran from 2015 until 2022. Evans has portrayed Malcom in horror film “The Boy,” and appeared in Amazon Prime Video’s “The Man in the High Castle,” which explores what the world might look like had the...

When Hayao Miyazaki’s long-awaited and supposed swansong The Boy and the Heron opened at No. 1 at the North American box office last December with a record-breaking $12.8 million tally, it was not only the first original anime title to achieve such a feat, but it was the biggest ever opening for U.S. distributor Gkids. It kickstarted what would be a whirlwind few months for the now 16-year-old company as it took the Studio Ghibli film, (which had opened the Toronto Film Festival in September) to an enormous $46.7 million box office gross (more than double their initial projections) in North America and, later a Best Animation win at the Oscars.

“It was the right film for the right time,” says Gkids president Dave Jesteadt. “The Boy and the Heron was Miyazaki’s first film in 10 years, and I think that a normal concern would have been if audiences had forgotten him,...

Anime is bigger than ever. With dedicated streaming services such as Crunchyroll enjoying a meteoric rise, rivals Netflix and Prime Video getting in on the action with their own dedicated selection, and even Disney – the arbiter of western animation – now boasting a growing number of exclusive anime series on Disney+, the availability and popularity of Japanese animation has never been greater.

Yet it's in film where anime has enjoyed the biggest boom, with the likes of Your Name and Miss Hokusai heralding a new era of excellence in animation, adding to a canon of definitive works such as Akira and My Neighbour Totoro. But with decades of brilliance to choose from, getting started on anime – or just choosing what to watch for movie night – can be daunting.

We've plucked out the best of the best to get you started, with a selection that highlights the medium's rich diversity of genres and styles,...

The trailer of season 4 of The Boys saw many surprises, including a return from Black Noir. The iconic character was killed at the end of season 3 by the Homelander for not telling him about his father. However, the new season sees the silent, masked hero returning to fight Billy the Butcher and the gang in an action-packed scene.

The trailer sees a hand-to-hand combat between Butcher and Black Noir at an office. While fans were excited to see Black Noir returning, they were greeted with an appearance from Gen V’s Asa Germann, who plays Sam Riordan. This sparked a fan theory that Riordan would don the Black Noir suit in the upcoming season.

The Boys Creator Confirmed Black Noir Actor Would Be Returning For A New Role Nathan Mitchell as Black Noir in The Boys

The third season of the Amazon Prime Video series The Boys explored the perpetually silent superhero of the Seven,...

Studio Ghibli founder Hayao Miyazaki is 83; because of this and his own past flirtations with retirement, some morbid critics are a bit too eager to look at how each new Miyazaki film would serve as his career capstone.

I'm going to keep such thoughts to a minimum, but Miyazaki's latest film, 2023's "The Boy and the Heron", couldn't have been made by anyone but a man aware he's aging. Set in Japan during World War II, the movie centers on young Mahito, who must reckon with the loss of his mother as he falls into a Lewis Carroll-style fantasy world held together by its elderly creator.

"The Boy and the Heron" won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars earlier this year (which it totally deserved). If you haven't seen it yet, don't fret. U.S. distributor GKids has announced the home media release date for the film — including a Blu-ray release date.

What a pleasure it is to see Kiyoshi Kurosawa in his Hong Sangsoo period. The typically prolific filmmaker is having an especially verdant 2024: his medium-length Chime debuted at Berlinale to strong notices; Serpent’s Path, a remake of his 1998 feature, opens in France this June; and September 27 brings the Japanese release of a new horror feature, Cloud. Ahead of this, there’s a 30-second preview and two posters.

As previously reported, Cloud stars The Boy and the Heron‘s Masaki Suda as Ryosuke Yoshii, “an enigmatic young man who tries to make money by reselling shrewdly obtained goods on the internet under the pseudonym ‘Ratel.'” Kurosawa expanded upon this by saying,

“In the obscure corners of modern-day Japan, violent incidents sometimes occur for seemingly no reason whatsoever. When the causes are investigated, it becomes apparent that a system of sorts exists through which petty grudges and frustrations are accumulated...

With "Avengers: Endgame" behind us and Chris Evans having retired from the Marvel Cinematic Universe until further notice, we can all agree that "Captain America: The First Avenger" is the best Steve Rogers solo film, right? From its character work to its action sequences and a rousing score by the legendary Alan Silvestri, director Joe Johnston's WWII adventure is a top-tier MCU movie. While it may lack the visceral melees that the Russo Brothers brought to its sequels, "The First Avenger" delivers more than enough whiz-bang thrills and Brooklyn attitude to make up the difference (that and its politics are much less confused than those of "The Winter Soldier").

Johnston's superhero picture also boasts what is still one of the McU's most distinguished casts, pairing Evans with Hayley Atwell, Tommy Lee Jones, Sebastian Stan, Hugo Weaving, Stanley Tucci, Toby Jones, and Dominic Cooper. Even Natalie Dormer, David Bradley,...

by Cláudio Alves

NAUSICAÄ Of The Valley Of The Wind (1984) is the only Miyazaki film ever screened at Cannes.

In 1997, to mark the occasion of its 50th edition, the Cannes Film Festival awarded a special Palme des Palmes to Ingmar Bergman. Afterward, and since 2002, it has also attributed the Honorary Palme d'Or to film artists in honor of their esteemed careers. Until now, the prize has gone to directors, producers and actors such as Catherine Deneuve, Manoel de Oliveira, and Agnès Varda, among many others. This year, however, the festival will award its first Palme d'Or to animated cinema and a group rather than an individual. The honoree is Studio Ghibli, cofounded by Hayao Miyazaki, Toshio Suzuki, and the dear departed Isao Takahata. This comes after The Boy and the Heron won the studio its second Oscar and breaks with American dominance over these Honorary awards in the past few years.

Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning anime The Boy and the Heron floated to an easy second-weekend win at China’s theatrical box office, earning $12.8 million from Friday to Sunday, according to data from Artisan Gateway. The Studio Ghibli blockbuster has now earned $93.8 million in China, with local ticketing app Maoyan projecting that it will soon sail past the $100 million mark.

Miyazaki has previously suggested that The Boy and the Heron will be his last feature — but the 82-year-old anime legend has publicly retired twice before, only to eventually return to his drawing table. In any case, Studio Ghibli will continue to be a presence at China’s multiplexes. The fabled company has been steadily rereleasing Miyazaki’s back catalog over recent years. Next up is Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), scheduled for wide release in the country on April 30. Jack Ma’s Alibaba Pictures is also at work on creating an immersive Studio Ghibli exhibition in Shanghai.

Part two of “Chucky” Season 3 is underway, with last night’s midseason premiere kicking off Chucky’s continued bid for the White House while dealing with a new aging affliction. The midseason premiere also delivered on series creator Don Mancini’s tease of a Chucky vs M3GAN showdown, just not in the way you’d expect.

In “Death Becomes Her,” Chucky (voiced by Brad Dourif) wallows over his mortality (when he’s not murdering people), which includes moping about in bed or watching TV. His channel surfing leads him to a string of killer doll horror movies playing, and Chucky’s commentary on his potential rivals will leave you in stitches.

The first film Chucky flips through is 2016’s The Boy, featuring the creepy but prim doll Brahms. After a brief scene of Brahms being cared for by his mother, Chucky dismisses this particular rival with “what a fucking joke.

While the match between Karasuno and Nekoma is a fierce one, Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle has entered into a box office battle with a tough opponent – Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron . The two films are now neck and neck on the Japanese all-time box office charts, with The Boy and the Heron just slightly above Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle at 58th and 60th place respectively. As of April 7, Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle has brought in 9.267 billion yen (US$61.75 million) on the back of 6.48 million tickets sold. This makes the Haikyu!! Final the 60th highest-grossing film of all time in Japan, just slightly above Arrietty at 9.26 billion yen. For The Boy and the Heron , as of April 7, the Academy Award-winning feature has made 9.3 billion yen (US$64.99 million) in Japan. This brings it to 58th place on the all-time charts, sharing the spot with 2018’s Code Blue: The Movie , thus eliminating the 59th spot.

The Hamilton Jewish Film Festival is looking for another cinema to host its event after the Playhouse Cinema pulled its venue rental over “security and safety concerns” amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.

The film festival was to have run from April 7 to 9 in Hamilton, Ontario at the Playhouse Cinema until the movie theater took the decision to backtrack on those plans.

“After receiving numerous security and safety related emails, phone calls, and social media messages, the Playhouse Cinema reached a difficult decision to postpone the Hamilton Jewish Federation’s venue rental. On Saturday, March 16, our decision to postpone this venue rental was reached amid security and safety concerns at this particularly sensitive time,” the Playhouse Cinema said in a statement.

The Hamilton Jewish Film Festival, presented in part by the Hamilton Jewish Federation, on its website said the event “will continue at a new date and location,” with plans to be announced in the future.

Following the animated film's Academy Award win on Sunday, March 10 for Best Animated Feature, Gkids made good on its initial promise to rush Hayao Miyazaki's The Boy And The Heron anime film back to U.S. theaters. New and exclusive bonus content has been included to draw people who have seen the film previously back to theaters along with those who have yet to see the film following the award. You can see a new trailer for the screenings—which are scheduled to kick off on March 22, 2024—below. Related: Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron Wins Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film Return screenings will include an introduction from the film’s composer Joe Hisaishi, and a recorded drawing session with supervising animator Takeshi Honda. The screenings will also be held in the original Japanese with subtitles and in English-dubbed form, depending on the theater. More information...

Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature last night in Los Angeles, marking a second Oscar win for legendary Japanese animator and director Hayao Miyazaki, as well as Studio Ghibli. The studio’s latest anime film faced a tough competition, but won, adding an Oscar to the Golden Globe and the BAFTA it had already won earlier this year.

The nominees at last night’s ceremony were as follows:

The Boy and the Heron – Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki Elemental – Peter Sohn and Denise Ream Nimona – Nick Bruno, Troy Quane, Karen Ryan, and Julie Zackary Robot Dreams – Pablo Berger, Ibon Cormenzana, Ignasi Estapé, and Sandra Tapia Díaz Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Amy Pascal

With Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse winning the Annie Award for 2023, it was expected that The Boy and the Heron...

It was a good night out for UK and Ireland talent at the 2024 Academy Awards.

UK-born Nolan’s Oppenheimer sweep is a victory of sorts for the UK, although the film is a US production, produced by the UK’s Emma Thomas. The film enabled a key triumph for Ireland, with its lead Cillian Murphy being the first Irish-born actor to win a best actor prize at the awards, with Murphy beaming in his acceptance speech: “I’m a very, very proud Irish man standing here tonight.”

Another first for the UK was a win in the international feature film...

Since making his film debut in 1979, one of Japan’s most inventive filmmakers, Hayao Miyazaki, has gained significant recognition. He had a major influence on the animation industry after founding Studio Ghibli in 1985, and he was just nominated for an Oscar in the animated feature category for his film The Boy and the Heron.

The Boy and the Heron (2023)

In 2003, he won a competitive Oscar for Best Animated Movie for his film Spirited Away. The Boy and the Heron just made history as the first non-English and anime film to win the Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film.

The Boy and the Heron is widely regarded as one of Miyazaki’s best works, receiving praise from both fans and reviewers and winning awards in a variety of categories. However, Studio Ghibli had a lot of issues in creating the masterpiece and they even put the fate of the movie...

Hayao Miyazaki received his second Academy Award on Sunday for his semi-autobiographical Japanese animated feature picture The Boy and the Heron. The movie, which is rumored to be the last work of renowned Japanese filmmaker Miyazaki, took home the Best Animated Feature Film Oscar at the 96th Academy Awards in Los Angeles.

Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron

Miyazaki’s Oscar triumph makes him the oldest filmmaker to win in the animated feature film category in 21 years. The Japanese anime film previously won a BAFTA and a Golden Globe, positioning it as a serious candidate for accolades. The semi-autobiographical picture, which takes place during World War Two, tells the story of a youngster who, after losing his mother, meets a mysterious speaking heron.

The Boy and the Heron faced out against Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Elemental, Nimona, and Robot Dreams, but emerged victorious. However, the creators of the...

Last year Sony and Marvel studios produced a brilliant animated superhero flick revolving around the fan-favorite MCU character Spidey. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson was in the hype as fans were certain that the movie would hold the Golden Statue at the 2024 Oscars.

Shameik Moore. Image: Gage Skidmore/Cc

However, legendary Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki was in the contest and fought the hard battle and the voters eventually favored Miyazaki’s 2023 masterpiece The Boy and the Heron. However, the actor and musician, Shameik Moore was not happy with the Spider-Verse snub.

Shameik Moore Was Unhappy Losing The Best Animated Feature To The Boy and the Heron Shameik Moore in Dope

Shameik Moore who voiced Miles Morales in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse had a hard time losing the Best Animated Feature to Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron.

Photo: Emma McIntyre Despite two historic strikes, shifting release schedules, and the ongoing risk of coronavirus, Hollywood had a lot to celebrate at tonight’s 96th Academy Awards. If there was a message to take away from this year’s awards season, it’s that 2023 was a very good year for movies.

Studio Ghibli movies can only be described as a warm cozy blanket of pure love and nostalgia. It’s no wonder they’ve captured millions of hearts over the years, drawing immense popularity globally. And thus, being associated with one such film might be a dream come true for many actors.

Believe it or not, to get their slice of the pie, many Oscar-nominated Hollywood actors jumped to lend their voices to the English version of these movies when given the opportunity, including Matt Damon and Christian Bale. Thus, here is a list of some actors who have ventured over into the Ghibli universe, and you’d definitely be surprised to see some of the names in here!

1. Christian Bale

Christian Bale as Wizard Howl in Howl’s Moving Castle

Yes, one of the biggest Hollywood actors, Christian Bale found himself falling head over heels for the magical world of Studio Ghibli after watching Spirited Away.

Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and The Heron has been on a roll since its release and has been making news for a long time. The series has earned the applause of critics and fans calling it one of the best anime movies ever created by Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli in their careers as anime movie makers.

The Boy and the Heron

The Boy and The Heron tells the tale of Mahito Maki, a young soldier in the Pacific War, who, following the death of his mother, finds an abandoned tower close to his new home and ventures into a magical realm inhabited by a talking grey heron. The Boy and the Heron was theatrically released in Japan on July 14, 2023, by Toho, and it has taken the anime industry by storm.

And now, the movie has added another star to its collection of awards and medals as The Boy and the Heron...

The animated category seemed at first glance to be wide open, with Hayao Miyazaki’s critically acclaimed film The Boy and The Heron leading the pack by only the tiniest of margins. Miyazaki faced strong competition on home turf from the local entry Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, the latest and only the second stop-motion in the popular franchise from Bristol’s much-loved Aardman Animations.

Both films were up against the might of Hollywood, in the shape of Pixar’s not-much-loved family film Elemental , which premiered at Cannes, and Sony’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, believed to be the most likely winner, furthering the studio’s commitment to cutting-edge animation and proving an unlikely franchise of its own with is use of myriad styles to reflect the kaleidoscopic nature of the multiverse.

That Miyazaki won bodes well for the Japanese auteur’s Oscar chances, ending an 18-year streak of...

“And the BAFTA goes to… Oppenheimer” Those words were on BAFTA Film Awards ceremony presenters’ lips a total of seven times in London on Sunday at the ceremony, hosted by Scottish actor David Tennant (Doctor Who, Inside Man) at the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in the British capital.

Those included the lips of Michael J. Fox, who unveiled the best film award for Oppenheimer after coming on stage to a huge welcome and standing ovation.

The wins for Oppenheimer included the best actor award for Cillian Murphy, best supporting actor nod for Robert Downey Jr., director award for Christopher Nolan and best film, for Nolan and other members of the film team. The two BAFTAs for Nolan mean that third time was the charm for the big-name British export who had previously never won a British Academy award.

Meanwhile, Downey’s award came 31 years after he won a...

The nominations for the 2024 Oscars are finally here, and we have the full list for you to see!

Early this morning (January 23), the Academy Awards nominations were announced and there are some big fan favorites listed.

The 96th Oscars will take place on Sunday, March 10, 2024, live on ABC and will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.

The 56-year-old Jimmy Kimmel Live! host has taken on duties on three previous occasions: in 2017, 2018, and most recently, in 2023.

Head inside to see the full list of Oscar nominees…

2024 Oscar Nominations:

Best Picture

Barbie

Maestro

Past Lives

Poor Things

Oppenheimer

The Holdovers

American Fiction

Anatomy of a Fall

The Zone of Interest

Killers of the Flower Moon

Best Actress

Emma Stone, ‘Poor Things’

Carey Mulligan, ‘Maestro’

Lily Gladstone, ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’

Annette Bening, ‘Nyad’

Sandra Huller, ‘Anatomy of a Fall’

Best Actor

Cillian Murphy, ‘Oppenheimer’

Paul Giamatti, ‘The Holdovers’

Bradley Cooper, ‘Maestro’

Colman Domingo,...

A funny thing happened on the way to the presumed two-horse awards-season race between 2023 toon feature juggernauts. Netflix’s Nimona picked a fight today with Gkids’ Hayao Miyazaki hit The Boy and the Heron and Sony’s global smash Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, scoring a leading nine Annie Awards nominations. The others managed seven noms apiece.

All three are up for the marquee Best Feature prize along with Toho’s anime Suzume, which also landed seven Annie noms, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem from Paramount and Nickelodeon Film, which got six.

Notably missing from the top toon feature race is Disney/Pixar’s Elemental, which also scooped six nominations from Asifa-Hollywood. Meanwhile, Universal/Illumination The Super Mario Bros. Movie — the No. 2 film of 2023, which plumbed $1.36 billion worldwide — was clogged up with just a single Annie nom for Jack Black’s voice work as the villainous Bowser.

With all...