Geek of Oz

Episode 20! Stu and Billy are back at the flicks to check out The Red Turtle ! The Red Turtle is a 2016 French-Belgian-Japanese Animated film directed by Michael Dudok de Wit in his feature film debut. The film is a co-production between two animation studios, Wild Bunch and Studio Ghibli. The film tells the story of a man who washes up on a island populated only by turtles and crabs. His efforts to escape the island are inhibited by a huge red turtle, with him he battles and also bonds with. The film has no dialogue. As well as the film, Stu and I discuss what else we've been watching this week, and look over the latest in movie news. As always it would make our day if you could take a couple of minutes to rate and reviews us on iTunes or drop us some feedback below! Really keen to have your input in the show. Enjoy! -Billy                                      ...

I can't remember the last time an anime made me cry the way The Tale of the Princess Kaguya  did. It might be unorthodox to lead with that off the bat, and while it's not strictly speaking a selling point that a movie is able to cause Kleenex share prices to skyrocket, it's nonetheless a quality with Princess Kaguya . You should know going in, especially since this is a creation from the mind of Isao Takahata - the award-winning scribe who began his career with the soul-crushing depression-fest Grave of the Fireflies  - that The Tale of the Princess Kaguya  will, unless your cardiac region has recently been removed, make you cry. But given that it's an overly-heartwarming, growth of the protagonist tale that follows the eponymous princess from her birth, what else could you expect? The movie opens with an elderly bamboo cutter discovering a tiny child, dressed like a princess, inside a strange-looking bamboo stalk. He takes the little girl home to his wife, whe...

Thanks to our pals at Madman we've got some awesome anime to give away. The titles on offer include the following: The Cat Returns (Blu Ray) Princess Mononoke (Blu Ray) Psycho-Pass Collection 1 (1x DVD, 1x Blu Ray) Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne Collection 2 (DVD) Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Collection 2 (DVD) All you have to do is fill out the form below and you could win one of the titles listed above.  Don't forget, you can get yourself a bonus entry just by  following us on Twitter  or  liking us on Facebook! THIS COMPETITION HAS CLOSED  Entries close 11:59pm on Sunday 8th June 2014. Your details will not be used in any way other than for the delivery of your prize. Geek of Oz and Madman do not take any responsibility for the loss, damage or delay of/to prizes sent to winners (blame Australia Post for that one). The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered upon. One entry per person, subsequent entries will...

You'd be hard pressed to name a bad film from Studio Ghibli. Sure, some are better than others but I'd not dare say that they've ever made a bad  film. So needless to say, the review ahead is all but guaranteed to be a positive one. Films like My Neighbour Totoro and Ponyo are family favourites, light-hearted, beautiful and whimsical. They're the sort of films that most people think of when you mention Ghibli. Then there's Princess Mononoke. This film is incredibly emotive, powerful and proof that animation isn't just for kids. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the age recommendation for this film, M15+ is probably about right considering some of the scenes and themes in this incredible piece of cinema. During a press junket in 1999 in Toronto, Miyazaki himself admitted that the film is not intended for young children due to its depiction of violence before professing, however, that children are surrounded by it stating, "violence is innate in...

Welcome to the first installment in our all new column, "ASK MADMAN!". This column give YOU the opportunity to, well, ASK MADMAN the kind of things that you usually only get the chance to ask at conventions. Think of us as your proxy- Madman convention panel and ask away instead of waiting 12 months to get your question answered. In this volume YOU asked questions and Madman have responded. Follow on for news on Kill la Kill, J-Drama, Ghibli releases, merchandise and more! Madman's own Sylvester Ip, Daniel Chlebowczyk and Christian Were are on hand to answer your questions. Olly : Is there any chance of seeing a Madman Screening Room app for PS3, or something similar? Its great that Madman is streaming new shows, but it would be even better on a TV. Sly: We have considered apps for a number of platforms, but no plans currently to develop anything. You can actually already access the Screening Room via the PS3 browser, although we are aware that ...

Every day, from now until Christmas, the mad people at Madman will be announcing a new title for us to look forward to in the new year. Today's title announcement is.... #5 – THE WIND RISES Monday 16 December, 2013 – The Australian poster and trailer for the latest film from Studio Ghibli, THE WIND RISES, are now available. THE WIND RISES has been announced as the final directorial effort from Studio Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki. The film will release in Australian cinemas on February 27, 2014. At a press conference earlier this year in Tokyo, Miyazaki announced he would retire from filmmaking, THE WIND RISES being his final film. Miyazaki will continue at Studio Ghibli, focusing on other creative projects such as exhibits at the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo and manga projects. In a statement delivered at this press conference, Miyazaki commented “I know I've mentioned I'm retiring many times in the past, so I know that many of you might thin...

As a thank you to all of our supporters for getting us to 1,000 followers on Twitter , we're having our biggest anime giveaway EVER and there will be only 2 winners! That's right, only 2 winners so you could be walking away with an INSTANT anime collection thanks to anime powerhouse, Madman.  All you have to do is fill out the form below and you're in the running to score an instant anime collection on Blu Ray or DVD! Don't forget, you can get yourself a bonus entry just by  following us on Twitter  or  liking us on Facebook!  So, what's in the haul, you ask? Well, follow on after the jump to find out.

Madman confirms the acquisition of Hayao Miyazaki's final feature film, The Wind Rises ( 風立ちぬ).  Realistically, this announcement should come as no surprise. Of course we would be getting the film eventually but what is a surprise is the fact that Madman have not only acquired the rights, but also made the acquisition public while the film is still in Japanese cinemas. Australia's biggest anime company doesn't muck around! Follow on after the jump for Madman's official press release.

Since first hearing about Ni No Kuni, we've been excited. When I say "we", I mean the all encompassing realm of anime fandom. When speaking of anime studios, there is none more widely recognisable than Studio Ghibli. When speaking of Japanese Role Playing Games (JRPG), before Final Fantasy there was Dragon Quest by LEVEL-5 Inc, a series famous for being co-created by Dragonball's Akira Toriyama. If you're thinking that there is no possible way that this game could be anything short of spectacular, you'd be right.

  Since the announcement of Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, we have been eagerly anticipating its release. A collaboration between esteemed Japanese gaming company LEVEL-5 and THE Studio Ghibli just set the scene for what is bound to be one of the most spellbinding games in recent times. Add to that a score from long-time Studio Ghibli collaborator Joe Hisashi and you have an undeniable pedigree which is made of pure sunshine and happiness. Follow on after the jump for a very special video of Mr Joe Hisashi talking about his involvement in the project!

Full of nostalgia and Studio Ghibli's trademark charm, From Up on Poppy Hill is a look back to a simpler time.  Having left audiences delighted during Madman's REEL ANIME festival, From Up on Poppy Hill is back and screening with a full US voice over. This is the perfect opportunity for younger audiences to enjoy what us grown ups have already had the chance to. Utterly beautiful, From Up on Poppy Hill is a standout choice for school holiday viewing!

If you know absolutely anything about Japanese animation you will surely have heard of Studio Ghibli. Purveyors of such fine films as Spirited Away , My Neighbour Totoro and Princess Mononoke , Studio Ghibli are often described as "Disney of the East" which is in my opinion an understatement. "Set in Yokohama, From Up On Poppy Hill is a high school love story that take place in the year before the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics. As the country begins to pick itself up from the devastation of the Second World War, the new generation struggles to move towards a prosperous future whilst trying not to lose the essence of their past. The film's rich and vibrant animation captures the entrancing beauty of Yokohama's harbour and lush surrounding hillsides and, with a soundtrack that draws inspiration from the finest music of the time, perfectly captures the thrills of young romance and the hope of a new dawn." The release of any new Studio Ghibli film is ca...

It must be difficult to organise an impressive line up of November releases following the TONNE of great releases in October, but Madman have taken a damn good stab at it. Sure, there may not the gigantic box sets that we're getting in October but what we do get is a handful of new series, old series and a couple of fan favourite Ghibli films on Blu Ray. So, no, November isn't as big as October but there's still plenty of goodness on the horizon. Check out all of the releases after the jump!

REEL ANIME is a film festival unlike any other. While showcasing some of the biggest and best new release anime films, it isn't just for us geeks! Sure, me and my geeky kinfolk are guaranteed to squee but this years line up has something for everyone.  In previous years we have seen smash hits REDLINE and Evangelion 2.0 but this years line up is even better. Check out the full press release after the jump!

After Madman's anime panel at Sydney Supanova on Sunday, we reported on plans for the return of Reel Anime. Now, many people out there wouldn't believe me, and rightfully so. After all, I was the guy who said that Green Lantern was going to be AWESOME!  However, in this case, I was on the money! REEL ANIME is back in 2012 and it looks better than ever! The great thing about REEL ANIME, particularly this years line up, is that it has the potential to introduce an all new audience to anime which breaks those vicious stereotypes that claim that Japanese animation is full of giant robots, yellow electric rats and all things perverse. This year will show that anime can be something beautiful, both visually and in terms of substance.  Check out the official press release after the jump!

As one of Supanova's major sponsors, Madman always turns up with the goods and a handful of announcements but this year they turned it up to 11. Sure, they had their obligatory announcements but they also announced the films that we can expect to see at this years Reel Anime and let me give you a hot tip, this years will be even bigger, and better, than 2010! Check out all of the details after the jump!

Studio Ghibli has been described as Disney of the East but let's face facts... Ghibli rules! Australia's leading anime distributor, Madman , is bringing us more and more Ghibli all the time! To celebrate the release of the newest Ghibli title, Arrietty, Geek Of Oz and Madman are giving you the chance to win a copy of Arrietty , Ponyo AND Howl's Moving Castle on your choice of Blu Ray or DVD.  Follow on after the jump for your chance to win!

We all know that Arrietty is coming, right? One of Ghibli's biggest releases in recent times is to be released by Madman on May 23rd. Arrietty was beautiful to see at the cinema  but I can't wait to see it on Blu Ray, the opportunity to sit at home and pore over every minute detail of Ghibli's always beautiful artwork. Any and every Ghibli release gives cause for celebration. Madman have announced everything that you need to know about their release including the basic storyline, UK voice over line up and of course, the price. Check out the official press release after the jump!

I don't know what it is about the month of May that seems so underwhelming. Perhaps it has something to do with its placement. Its certainly not the beginning of the year but doesn't quite make it halfway. Plus, there aren't even any public holidays that spring to mind. It lacks certainty,  even its name makes it sound like a half baked effort; "I may!" Most noticeably, however, is the distinct lack of letters. What self respecting month has only 3 letters to its name? Sure, size isn't everything but I hear that November and December are much more popular with the ladies, April and June. Luckily for we anime geeks, Madman has a veritable swathe of anime being released to get us through the uncertainty, insecurity and undoubted self loathing that is the month of May. Find out what's on its way in May after the jump!

*COMPETITION CLOSED and the WINNERS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED* Just in time for Christmas and with great thanks to our friends at Madman, we have two Arrietty prize packs to give away each containing 1x copy of Howl's Moving Castle on DVD and 1x In-season double pass to see Arrietty!  The film is only showing at certain cinemas so make sure that theres one close to you by checking the Madman website. If you're quite sure if it is worth the effort, I can assure you that it is. If you're still not sure, check out my review from last month. For your chance to win, follow on after the jump!