By 1986, the world had only gotten so far as “Super Mario Bros.” on the Nintendo/Famicom, so Masami Hata’s “The Great Rescue of Princess Peach!” as a movie stretches as far as it can on very little source material. With the original NES game, they only gave you so much about the lore, and motivations of the villains, so the anime movie itself relies on a bizarre, anemic plot that, I can assume, is not at all canonical.
Tag Archives: Comedy
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
It’s been about thirty years since Nintendo allowed one of their IP’s to be translated in to a feature film, and now that video game movies have upped the ante in substance, the time is right for a return from the Mario Bros. Their mascot Super Mario makes his big screen return in a new animated feature from the studio that gave us the (ugh) Minions. In spite of that fact, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is really quite good, and dare I say one of the best video game movies ever made. As with most IP’s of Mario’s ilk, there was some ballyhoo around casting decisions made for his return, but “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” comes out looking quite shiny.
The End of the Squirrel (2022)
Death is inevitable. And it’s not too often we can stare it in the eyes and welcome it with open arms. “The End of the Squirrel” is a refreshing, kind of heartbreaking take on the zombie apocalypse, where everything goes wrong and its heroes simply… accept their fates, once and for all. They’ve done everything they could do, and now it’s a matter of how they go out.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
We are in desperate need of a fantasy movie renaissance, and I truly hope “Honor Among Thieves” is the one to lead the charge. It takes a true D&D fan to really know how to bring this universe to life and director John Francis Daly rises to the challenge brilliantly. “Honor Among Thieves” is one of the more refreshing genre pictures of 2023; it’s a movie that is filled with so much appeal for any audience. I dare say that it might even open the door to a new generation of players.
Every Bugs Bunny Ever: The Wacky Wabbit (1942)
2023 marks the 85th Anniversary of Bug Bunny’s first animated appearance in 1938’s “Porky’s Hare Hunt.” Debuting originally as Happy Rabbit, Bugs eventually became one of the most iconic animated characters of all time. In honor of the landmark anniversary, we’re discussing every animated appearance by Bugs Bunny. We’re big fans of Bugsy and we hope that you are, too.
Follow us on this massive journey where we discover and re-discover Every Bugs Bunny Ever.
The Wacky Wabbit (1942)
Directed by Bob Clampett
Written by Warren Foster
Music by Carl W. Stalling
Animation by Sid Sutherland
I have a great sentimental attachment to “The Wacky Wabbit” as it’s one of the many shorts I used to watch with my neighbor when I was nine. I remember the first time ever watching it on VHS, I was in hysterics, and watching it again today it’s still one of the funniest openers to a Bugs Bunny short I’ve ever seen. Let me tell you, it’s tough to impress a girl you like while you’re cackling over Bugs Bunny singing along with Elmer Fudd. This short really pops from the starting line with Bugs Bunny acting as both a foil to “Fat Elmer” Fudd, and a bit of a tormentor as well. Normally I’m not a fan of that set up, but here the comedy is just so good I can’t help but love it.
“Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies” Carries the Torch of the Classic Movie Well
Like it or not, “Grease” is now a universe, and it has its own extended timeline that begins with “Rise of the Pink Ladies” and ends with “Grease 2.” That’s not particularly bad thing, especially if you loved “Grease” as much as I do–even though I’ll never budge on “Grease 2.” I still consider that movie to be immensely awful. As for “Rise of the Pink Ladies,” it’s a very good prequel series. It’s flawed, sure, but at the end of the day, it might achieve its goal of bringing in a new generation of fans. The majority of “Grease” was spent mainly following around the T Birds and focusing on their struggles with rival gangs. Although the Pink Ladies are there a lot of the time, there isn’t real emphases on their whole group dynamic.
“Rise of the Pink Ladies” ventures to explore the origins of the female gang and why their members take the name so seriously.
Five Great Movie Series Fours
With “John Wick 4” smashing the box office the last weekend much to many’s surprise, there seems to be no stopping the epic hit man on a rampage action series. With Keanu Reeves returning to the titular role to much acclaim, I thought I’d list other movie series with Part Fours that are also very good. There aren’t many movie series with great Part Fours, but I narrowed down some of the best, I think.