MIB’s Top Ten Films of 2022

I seem to be falling behind everyone else with my viewing of the new releases with each successive year, in part to the fact I haven’t been to the cinema since February 2020 and the best stuff is streaming on services I don’t have. Plus I don’t get invited to (nor would I attend) film …

Movie Review – The Italian Job

The Italian Job UK (1969) Dir. Peter Collinson “You’re only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!” Now I’ve got that out of the way, it is time to find out if this classic crime caper has more to offer than one of the most iconic one-liners in cinema history. Given its legendary status and …

Anime Review – Fruits Basket: Prelude

Fruits Basket: Prelude Japan (2022) Dir. Yoshihide Ibata One of the most beloved manga series, Natsuki Takaya’s Fruits Basket revolves around schoolgirl Tohru Honda and the men of the cursed Soma family, who turn into animals from the Chinese zodiac when touched by members of the opposite gender. It has been adapted into an anime …

MIB’s Top Ten Anime of 2022 (UK)

It’s been another topsy-turvy year for anime in the UK as we come out of the post-pandemic era with more big changes occurring within the distribution sector. First, you may recall that in 2019 Funimation bought out Manga Entertainment, ending Manga’s 30 year run as the UK’s top anime distributor. In 2022, streaming giant Crunchyroll …

Blu-ray Review – The Working Class Goes To Heaven

The Working Class Goes To Heaven (Cert 15) 1 Disc Blu-ray (Distributor: Radiance Films) Running Time: 115 minutes approx. Release Date – January 2nd As so they should, since their fat cat bosses are already living in their own luxurious, obscenely funded ideal of paradise. We all need something nice to look forward to at …

MIB’s Top Ten Anime of 2022 (Japan)

They say there are only two things in life that are certain - death and taxes. They clearly overlooked anime because that is something which shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. 2022 was another year in which our Japanese friends scoured manga, light novels, computer games, or put their own pens to …

Movie Review – Airplane/Airplane II: The Sequel

Airplane/Airplane II: The Sequel US (1980/1982) Dirs. David & Jerry Zucker & Jim Abrahams/Ken Finkleman “Surely you can’t be serious? “I am serious. And don’t call me Shirley!” One of the most iconic lines from one of the most quotable films of all time. The one that started the spoof genre in earnest and set …

Blu-ray Review – Big Time Gambling Boss

Big Time Gambling Boss (Cert 15) 1 Disc Blu-ray (Distributor: Radiance Films) Running Time: 95 minutes approx. Release Date – January 2nd Honestly, if you can’t trust a corrupt Yakuza boss then who can you trust? That the Yakuza have a code of honour they must swear by and adhere to during their tenure is …

Movie Review – In Front Of Your Face

In Front Of Your Face (Dangsin-eolgul-apeseo) Korea (2021) Dir. Hong Sang-Soo Korea’s master of meta minimalism returns with another swift exercise of people talking about things whilst eating, drinking, and smoking. A reductive appraisal of his latest film to hit UK shores perhaps but as the title suggests, everything about Hong Sang-Soo is right there …

Movies Review – Back To The Future Trilogy

Back To The Future Trilogy US (1985-1990) Dir. Robert Zemeckis Disclosure - ITV ran all three BTTF films this week as part of its Christmas line-up which I hadn’t intended to watch, but you know how it goes. It’s been a while since I’d seen these films so I did revisit them, which I will …