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Batman: Gotham Knight (2008)
Animation DVD Review
Very much like the groundbreaking "The Animatrix", Batman: Gotham Knight is a series of six interlocking animated segments that take place in the "Batman Universe", and is meant to tie in with the live action films "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight".
 And very much like The Animatrix, this DVD is all anime, all the time. No expense was spared to make this one of the best-looking Batman animated films *ever* (seriously, the production value and look of this is jaw-droppingly astounding). In each segment, the Japanese director was free to stylize Batman as he saw fit, so you are treated to a wide array of anime interpretations of the venerable Dark Knight.
The good news for fanboys is that Kevin Conroy voices Batman for ALL the segments, as, for most of us at this point, Kevin *is* The Batman, as he has played the role longer than any other actor. Bruce Timm, who helmed the original Batman The Animated Series, is in as Producer/Director, as is writer Alan Burnett, so, we're guaranteed a good time.
Batman Gotham Knight is a fresh and exciting new entry into the Batman mythos, bridging the two most recent Batman theatrical movies starring Christian Bale, and spinning out of a 40-year history in animation with this pinnacle of perfection, Batman.. animated.. apparently with no bounds on budget.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, July 2008
Dragonlance (2008)
Animation DVD Review
The first novel in the celebrated Dragonlance fantasy series was written way back in 1984. It's about time the thing got to the screen. It took a combination of old fashioned cartoon animation and state-of-the-art computer graphics to bring this New York Times best-seller to your DVD player. Here is Dragons of the Autumn Twilight in all its glory.
 Journey to a far-away time in the far-off land of Krynn. Here, the stuff they role-play in Dungeons and Dragons are amazingly real. Warrior elves live among the trees, and really hate it when humans show up. An evil god schemes to subjugate all life with her dragons, and dragon-like minions.
Can the gods of goodness intervene? They might not want to. They're still miffed at humanity for taking them for granted.
Enter Tanis Half-Elven and his posse. Can they find the courage they need to save the world? It's a battle of swords, magic and wits in this lively adaptation. Grand adventure awaits. The quest begins.
Reviewed by Lawrence Sufrin, April 2008
Complete Superman Cartoons: Diamond Anniversary Edition (1941)
Animation DVD Review
The greatest "anime" cartoons ever made in American were the role model for everything anime that came after. Produced by Max and Dave Fleischer in the 30's and 40's, these Superman cartoons represent the pinnacle of the golden age of animation and look like nothing else, even after all these years. The attention to detail is astounding. All seventeen animation masterpieces are included on this single DVD in the best possible quality.
 While a few of these occasionally turn up on TV, they were faded scratchy prints. These are fully restored (as much as possible given the age). The DVD includes a bonus Fleischer short, "Play Safe," plus information about the restoration process, three choices of sound, complete history, synopsis, and credits. Pay particular attention to "Mechanical Monsters", which inspired the flying robots in Laputa. At a mere ten bucks, this disc is a steal at any price!
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, December 2003
Bambi Meets Godzilla (1969)
Animation DVD Review
Everyone knows the joke, but have you actually ever seen the film? It's quite possibly the funniest one-joke film ever made, although, I guarantee you'll be in hysterics just reading the credits. Where would we be without Marv Newland? This videotape offers more off beat animation classics including Betty Boop in "Crazy Town" and Max Fleisher's "Small Fry," so this is not an entire tape of crudely animated films by amateur animation fans. Like the title animated short, every film included on this tape is a guaranteed classic — you're not likely to be the same after you've viewed them all.
 If you are a student of animation or just a fan, the films included on this tape showcase just how far you can go with a limited budget, lots of creativity and an extremely bizarre sense of humor. It inspires me to go out and make my own films. Perhaps you'll feel that way as well after you view Bambi Meets Godzilla. I mean, just think of the possible sequels, what with Barney and those darn Teletubbies running around perverting our youth.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, April 2002
The Last Unicorn (1982)
Animation DVD Review
We've been waiting a long, long time for this to come out on DVD! Successfully combining clunky-looking Rankin-Bass character designs with graceful Matsumoto-esque anime characters, this powerhouse of a film stays true to the original novel, and gives us something more with the magnificent voice-acting talents of Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Alan Arkin and Tammy Grimes.
 The score is phenomenal and sucks you deeply into the movie. Animated by the same studio that would also eventually give us the quintessential Miyazaki masterpieces, it's a tour-de-force that's enjoyable by both kids and adults alike. The Last Unicorn was easily the best film of the Rankin-Bass studio, and (if you've never seen it yet), the haunting images will stay in your heart forever.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, May 2004
The Iron Giant (1999)
Animation DVD Review
This is the finest anime film never made in Japan. It's not cheezy, it's not just for kids, it doesn't preach, and it doesn't have any stupid songs. It's a good, honest movie with a solid script, refreshingly intelligent dialog and likeable characters. You'd have to look far and wide to find a better animated-film made on this side of the planet. A loving attention to detail allows computer animation and traditional cel-work to be smoothly combined in this film, which gives the giant robot of the title a real mechanical feel particularly when he transforms (like a swiss-army knife!).
 Regardless, you'll see the familar touches that render this to be essentially "Gigantor The Movie", except that it takes place in the "Cold War Hysteria" of the 1950's where things like "Duck and Cover" were a reality. In fact, the older you are, the more likely you are to get half the jokes in the film!
Overall, the anime influence is apparent, and yet, there's an impressive amount of originality, particularly in the humorous sequences where Hogarth must hide the independent bits-of-'bot that are all scurrying to get back to the head to rebuild the Giant after an unfortunate run-in with a locomotive. This sequence, made all the more hilarious due to the mother (voiced by Jennifer Aniston) and federal agent snooping around, is critical to the overall plot, as you'll see later in the film — it's not just "thrown-in" for comedy, as is often seen in films like this from other American animation studios. This ability to blend the comedy into the film in a way not usually seen makes this a prime example of how to tell a good story — it's just really an excellent movie. Watch it once and you'll treasure it forever.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, September 2002
The Art of Finding Nemo (2003)
Animation Book Review
If you're interested in a "real" behind-the-scenes look at the making of a animated movie (in this case a clever and amazing Pixar animated movie), or are into cartoon design, want insight into what's being done or want to get into the field yourself, then look no further. The Art of Finding Nemo celebrates the talent at Pixar, featuring concept and character sketches, storyboards, and lighting studies in a huge spectrum of media. Unlike many so-called "making of" books, this one contains zero stills from the final film. Instead, the reader is treated to actual making-of art, from napkin drawings to elaborate conceptual pastels.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, September 2003
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