cartoons/anime

  • The Adventures of Tintin 3D BR — Not being very familiar with the story of Tintin, other than knowing it was an old European comic, which I could recognize what Tintin looked like, I didn’t have many expectations of this film, as many of its would be critics did. I was excited that Simon Pegg and Nick Frost were involved, as well as Edgar Wright, because these three have made some amazing movies together. Well, I wasn’t expecting what I saw. This movie was AMAZING!!! The animation is incredible. I can’t even believe how animated, and yet lifelike everything looked. It was like watching a live action movie at parts, but with animation over top or something. It’s hard to describe. The story was excellent, and the adventure that Tintin goes on was full of intrigue and mystery. Lots of action! Again, the animation was beautiful. The 3D was stunning. This is certainly one of the best 3D movies that I have seen so far; I am so happy to have this in my collection. I can’t wait to watch it again!!!
  • Aladdin BR — This was one of my most favorite Disney movies growing up, as the story is filled with wonder, merriment, and magic; and the humor is excellent. Add many typically amazing musical number peppered throughout, mix it with an old-school beautifully animated fairy tale, and what you have is a true Disney classic. I had to get this on blu-ray, because who knows when Disney will pull it into the vault, and my desire to have it in my collection would only, most certainly, grow exponentially.
  • Alice In Wonderland BR — A true Disney classic, Alice in wonderland is a journey through a seemingly drug fueled nightmare of sorts, where Alice goes on an unforgettable journey “down the rabbit hole”. She holds her wonder, and has a magical adventure; one that would likely scare the shit out of anyone else. The result is a classic movie that is interesting, and beautiful to watch.
  • Beauty and the Beast 3D BR — A Disney classic updated in HD and rendered in 3D? Sign me up! The transfer is awesome, and the depth of the 3D is excellent. While the story still isn’t my favorite Disney story, it is a great movie nonetheless. This is an excellent addition to my 3D library, and one that I can’t wait to watch again. What they did with this movie with regards to the 3D rendering, gives me hope that in the near future, Disney will look back into their catalog, and “upconvert” many more classics into excellent 3D formats like this one.
  • Big Hero 6 3D BR — This is a true example of Disney’s greed; I had to import this from Hong Kong, in order to get it on 3D blu ray. Much like Frozen and Maleficent, this was not released on 3D blu ray in the states, unlike everywhere else in the world for some strange reason. Regardless, I am glad that I imported it, because it is a great movie, and the 3D is excellent, and should not be missed. This is a little typical of a Disney movie, in that it really plucks hard on those heart strings, and deals with death, loss, and the need to overcome adversity. There are several moments that will make you tear up along the way, but it is certainly worth it, as it is a very well made, well written, and well executed movie.
  • The Book Of Life 3D BR — A gorgeous tale of two men vying for the same woman, each with different ways to woo, the stakes are upped when the queen of the dead, and the ruler of the underworld make a wager to see who can get the girl. A little bit of interference on the ruler of the underworld’s part, and the take takes a different turn. The story is great, and the movie itself, is nothing short of breathtakingly beautiful. With the 3D, this movie is a must see, and it is a gorgeously animated film, which almost looks like a very detailed stop motion film. I haven’t seen any animation like this before, and it is not to be missed.
  • Brave 3D BR — When I saw this advertised, I knew I would love it. Low and behold; when I saw it in the theater, I was more than pleased at the movie they made. The story is a great take on the whole “princess” story, except that this princess wants to change her fate; she doesn’t want to just be married off and do as she is told. The result, takes her on a journey, which tests her relationship with her mother, and lends for a great lesson about duty and whatnot. I loved the use of Scottish actors, and the scenery is insanely gorgeous. I remember several years ago seeing some Pixar thing about how difficult hair was to animate properly, and judging by Merida’s lovely locks, they have clearly resolved that issue. The whole movie has a warm feeling, is a great story, and the characters are very lovable. This should definitely be a Disney movie that people love for years to come. Additionally, the 3D aspect of this film is top notch. The striking visuals are gorgeous on 3D, and the depth is impressive. Must own on 3D.
  • Castle In The Sky BR — Another anime masterpiece by Miyazaki, with a little girl protagonist, along with her male companion, looking for a mystical castle in the sky. Beautiful animation, and great story, definitely worth owning this one.
  • The Croods 3D BR — Based on the previews, this looked so stupid and hokey, which makes for another great example of marketing gone horribly wrong. What it is instead, is a heartwarming tale of one family trying to make it in a hostile world, by not doing anything different or unknown, when that’s the only thing that will actually save them in the end. The story is funny and touching, and the animation is gorgeous. I still can’t believe how much better this was than I was expecting; someone should really start hiring marketing people that know how to market great movies like this to wider audiences!! Glad to have finally seen this, and now to have it in my 3D collection.
  • Despicable Me 3D BR — It’s so fluffy I could die!!! This movie is so ridiculously cute and down right hilarious; Steve Carrell is a comedic genius! I love the take of the super villain having a heart of gold; the story is just amazing. The visuals are lush, and this story will bring more than a couple of tears to your eye. I am glad I finally got this one on 3D blu ray; it’s a real treat that I am sure to watch over and over again! I love this movie!
  • Despicable Me 2 3D BR — It’s hard to rank this any lower than the first film, seeing as it was also incredibly good, so I may reevaluate that at some point. There were a lot of expectations on my part going into this movie, because of how much I loved the first one, and honestly they met and mostly exceeded them. They did a great job of tying in Gru with the girls, and lots of fun with the minions as well. I did feel that the story was a bit more forced than the first one; only because of how incredible the first movie was, as a stand alone, this movie was magnificent. The 3D was amazing, however; they keep upping the ante with it!
  • Epic 3D BR — I wanted to see this when it came out, but never got around to it until it was on HBO, and I decided to give a shot. I ended up liking it so much, that I had to pick it up on 3D blu ray, as I could tell the animation would lend for an amazing 3D experience. Glad to have finally gotten around to giving this great little movie the chance it deserved!
  • Family Guy: Stewie, the Untold Story — Touted as the true story about Stewie Griffin, this movie plays like a very long episode of the show. Stewie has a near death experience, and it motivates him to take control of his lift and find out more about where he came from, and where he is going. Full of great cultural references (there is even a Thundercats one in there, classic!), and great dark humor, this movie is sure to be fun for anyone that loves the Family Guy. The only thing that disappointed me, is that he wasn’t gay after all… or was he? Either way, it is fun to watch.
  • Fern Gully BR — I probably watched this 30 times or so when I was a kid, and I remember loving this movie so much. The music is ridiculous, and the story is practically the same as Avatar. The movie transfer to blu ray isn’t the best, but it is a great bit of nostalgia that I certainly enjoy having in my blu ray collection.
  • Finding Nemo 3D BR — Before I saw this, I heard a ton of hype about it, which usually turns out to be a bad indicator for me, but not this time, my friends. This movie is visually stunning, beautiful to watch, and terribly funny. Very, very funny. I am still laughing. Dory is my favorite… She is certainly the best character in the movie. This is one of those movies that lends perfectly to the 3D format. The 3D is nothing short of stunning; I am so happy that they re-released this on 3D blu ray, because it is a show piece for any 3D home presentation. A great movie gets a great 3D treatment; what’s not to love?
  • Frozen 3D BR — “Let it go! Let it go!! Can’t hold it back anymore! Let it go! Let it go! Turn away and slam the door!!”. The story of the Ice Queen retold into a heartwarming tale of two sisters dealing with one icy issue is a film that really took me by surprise. I am usually a skeptic of anything that is this hyped, but Frozen lives up to the hype; it is not only a great story, but the animation, music, and the 3D were all amazing. Disney did something interesting in this one too; they made it more about the queen and the princess than about some prince there to save them from themselves. I love that they even joked, “you can’t marry a man you just met today”, in the film. Overall, while I did love this movie, and the songs are stuck in my head, I couldn’t help but compare it to Tangled, which for me, was just a little bit better (don’t hate me Frozen lovers! I do love it!!).
  • Gnomeo and Juliet 3D BR — I was so surprised by this movie. We watched it at a friend’s house one night in 3D, and we all agreed that it was way cuter, smarter, and funnier than we thought it would be. This is yet another case of a movie that was poorly marketed, and as such, most people that would like it probably never saw it. I am so glad that I gave it a chance, because the 3D is lush, the story is very cute, and the Shakespeare references are hilarious and peppered throughout. Also, the Elton John music is delightful, and overall, it is a wonderful little movie that I almost missed out on.
  • Home 3D BR — I will admit that I was a bit curious, but reluctant to see this at first, because it seemed like a strange premise for a movie; invasion of an alien race, where the main character’s mother is missing, and she sort of teams up with one of the aliens to help find her. However, when I watched it, it had enough surprise plot elements that it was very entertaining, and the humor was great throughout. Great kids movie, where the whole “good feeling” permeates the movie, and ends with a smile. The 3D was great as well. Cute movie.
  • Hotel Transylvania 3D BR — A really cute movie about a dad trying to protect his daughter from the evils of the big scary world; only he is Dracula, and she is a vampire, and he creates this hotel for monsters to protect her from evil humans trying to kill all of them. It is a pretty predictable story overall, but it is enjoyable, and the 3D is top notch. The story has just enough humor and puns to make anyone with a sense of humor chuckle at least once, and the movie is fun overall.
  • Howl’s Moving Castle BR — Definitely one of the weirdest movies I have ever seen. This is the story of Howl, a wizard who befriends a shop girl, who is the victim of a spell from the evil Witch Of the Waste. Sophie then joins Howl in his magical moving castle for an adventure to find a cure for the spell. The result is creepy, interesting, and the animation is gorgeous.
  • How to Train Your Dragon 3D BR — While I’ll admit, I strangely didn’t love this as much as I was hoping the first time I saw it, it was very cute, and the “acceptance even though you are different” story never gets old to me (and this one is a great one). After seeing it again, I have NO IDEA why I didn’t love this movie; it is FANTASTIC!!! I LOVED this movie the second time, and I am so glad I watched it again!!! Amazing movie!!! This has several tear jerker moments in it, and the visuals are stunning; the dragon is one of the cutest things ever. If anyone wants to come over and watch a 3D movie, I will ALWAYS be ready to watch this one!!
  • The Incredibles BR — Whoa. Sit back and enjoy, for you will be entertained, is all need to say. You will laugh, you will be enthralled, you may even want to kick some butt. I must say that this is one of the most interesting premises for a movie, and it is executed perfectly. There are few cartoons that I could watch over and over, but I believe that this one could be one of them. I absolutely love the comic book hero aspect of a movie (as you know, I am big fan of that stuff), and the animation is incredible. I was trying not to use that word to describe this movie, but I guess I did. And it is accurate. This movie is, well, incredible.
  • Kung Fu Panda 3D BR — I can’t believe how much this movie took me by surprise. I thought it would be stupid and cheesy, and instead, it was well written and hilarious. The story is the typical “you can overcome what you were born with, so long as you believe in yourself”, but overall it is well told, and enjoyable to watch. Additionally, the animation is beautiful, and the characters are all lovable and fun. I also LOVE that they had a red panda as the kung fu master… those of you that know me, know that I adore those cute little things!! The 3D transfer to blu ray was excellent as well; a must add to any 3D lover’s collection!
  • Kung Fu Panda 2 3D BR — While the 3D imaging is AMAZING (seriously, some of the best that I have seen thus far, hands down), the story is just a little muddled, and the overall effect is just too much going on. While the first film was fun and light, this one is bogged down by too much emphasis on too many back stories. Overall, it is an enjoyable movie that is a MUST watch in 3D; the stunning visual makes up for any lacking story line.
  • The Last Unicorn BR — I saw this at a party where I met a really good friend, and we knew we would be friends because of our mutual love of this movie. Turns out, it was true. This movie honestly isn’t very well made, the story isn’t anything to write home about, but it is enchanting, and is definitely a peice of nostalgia from my childhood. I am glad I picked it up on DVD. “Now that I’m a woman…. everything has changed.” It certainly has unicorn, it certainly has.
  • Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole 3D BR — I saw this in the theater in 3D, and it was amazing. It’s based on a series of children’s books, and the story is one of hope and determination. The visuals are stunning, and the owls are beautiful. There are some breathtakingly beautiful scenes in this movie that come alive in 3D; but make no mistake, it’s also amazing in 2D! A great film for adults and kids alike!
  • The Lego Movie 3D BR — “Everything is awesome! Everything is cool when you’re part of a team! I could sing this song all day!!”. This movie is so much fun, and it so beautiful, that it is impossible not to love it. For this being the first time they made a Lego movie, they really nailed it. The story follows an ordinary guy, Emmett, who ends up finding a special part that fulfills a prophecy, which makes him the special “savior” of the Lego universe. The adventure is massive, and the story is funny, heart warming, and well, awesome! I love that they used several known characters like Batman in the movie, which made it even more fun and relate-able. I felt like this movie was made with all ages in mind, as there is plenty of humor that is there for adult viewers. The 3D aspect of this movie is INSANE. This is right up there with Avatar as far as I am concerned; this is what you show people when they have doubts about whether or not 3D matters. You almost feel like you are watching actual Legos the entire movie; which some of it is stop motion and other parts are CGI, but you really can’t tell one from the other. Overall, I was hoping that I would like this movie, and I am glad that I went ahead and bought it, because I LOVED it. I can’t wait to watch it again!
  • Lilo and Stitch BR — So Stitch is probably one of the cutest things I have ever seen. I have 2 Stitch stuffed animals, seriously. The movie is also all about being accepted despite being different, family being very important, as well as sticking together no matter what. Those are awesome messages to send to children, through the vehicle of really, really cute aliens. CUTE! The blu ray is actually a two movie set that includes a second Stitch movie, Stitch Has a Glitch, which I confess, I have never seen.
  • The Lion King 3D BR — Touted as the greatest animated film of all time, this Disney classic has been converted to 3D for blu ray release. The transfer is impressive, and the 3D is deep and rich. The colors are brilliant, and the movie is a feast for the eyes. While this isn’t my favorite Disney story (so I guess not the greatest animated film of all time, at least not for me), it’s a great one, and one that I am glad to have in 3D. I’m glad that I picked this one up, and added it to my home library.
  • The Little Mermaid 3D BR — I probably know more of this movie than I should. With that being said, the songs are fantastic, the story is wonderful, and the movie is beautiful to watch. This was such a big part of my childhood, how I could resist owning it? I am glad that they decided to do a conversion of this film into 3D for the blu-ray release, because it takes an already wonderful film and makes it that much more amazing. The 3D conversion is wonderful, and I loved it; it was like seeing the movie for the first time, which was magical!
  • The Lorax 3D BR — How could I possibly NOT love a movie about a little fuzzy orange creature with a giant mustache that is a protector of nature and “speaks for the trees”? I thought this movie was super cute, and the animation is hands down, breath taking. I love the story, and the visuals are impressive. The Lorax is funny, and the message is great; treat the environment well! Very enjoyable, and a great addition to my 3D collection.
  • Megamind 3D BR — I am such a sucker for a superhero themed movie, and this one really delivers. They look at Megamind, a super villain, and what it would be like if the villain actually wins; needless to say, it’s interesting! It’s definitely one of those, “everyone learns a lesson, and comes together in the end”, but it’s cute, and very, very funny. The 3D is spectacular!
  • Monsters Vs. Aliens 3D BR — In the same vein as the Incredibles, this sci-fi cartoon is full of action and sci-fi fueled laughs. The story follows Susan, who is renamed Ginormica by the government after being struck by a meteorite and growing 50 feet. Then, her and some other “monsters” being held by the government are tasked to respond to an alien threat. The result is a cute movie full of funny lines and beautiful animation. Fun for the whole family!
  • Mulan BR — If there is one thing I love, it is a strong woman… They always can save the day, and maybe we should let them more often… ah hemm… Okay, this movie is really fun. The songs are FANTASTIC… maybe that is why it was the first Disney movie I bought on DVD. “My name is Mulan…”, yes it is girlfriend. The blu ray is actually a two movie set, with Mulan II included; which I confess, I have never seen.
  • My Neighbor Totoro BR — Gorgeous, and probably one of Miyazaki fans most adored, I really enjoyed this movie, but for some reason, it doesn’t resonate as well as Miyazaki’s other animated tales. That being said, I had to pick this up on blu ray, as the visuals are lush, and the animation is incredibly gorgeous. The story is a bit too simplistic, which is probably why it loses one star for me, but the wonder and delight in this film can be appreciated by anyone. This would be a great movie for little kids.
  • Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind BR — A captivatingly beautiful Miyazaki film that is probably one of the best Anime films I have ever seen. I love his stories, and how he sneaks pertinent issues into strange story lines with very strange characters. This one follows Princess Nausicaa, who is seeking to help rid the world of the danger the toxic jungle poses. She has a way with the insects that threaten the very lives of the remaining people of earth. Within the film, you get messages about hope, peace, treating the environment well, and being kind. It is a great story, and a beautiful film to watch.
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D BR — Visually stunning, captivating, and entertaining. The songs are wonderful, and you will learn each one. The story is unique, and really takes a dark look at Christmas. It also goes to show that sometimes good intentions come from the wrong place, and as such, can backfire. I still can’t believe this is stop-motion, it is a real visual treat. Getting this on 3D blu ray was a no-brainer; this type of movie lends beautifully to the 3D format, and this is no exception.
  • Penguins: The Movie 3D BR — While I have never actually seen any of the Madagascar movies, when I saw the previews for this spin off featuring just the penguins, I really wanted to see it. It was very funny, had a ton of really great jokes and humor throughout, and works really good as a kids movie that is perfectly enjoyable for kids and adults alike. The 3D element of the movie really sold it for me as well, because it was very well done.
  • Ponyo BR — Miyazaki is a master of animation, and Ponyo is no exception. Being his first masterpiece to be released on Blu Ray in the US, the stakes were high for this little movie, and I have to say, it lives up to the expectation I had for it. While the story isn’t my favorite Miyazaki story (seeing as it is an adaptation of the Hans Cristian Andersen tale about the Little Mermaid), the visuals are lush, and breath taking in HD. I am thrilled that he makes movies so wonderful that capture the imagination and allow it to soar; and this film’s release has me hopeful that more Miyazaki masterpieces will be coming out on Blu ray in the near future as well!
  • The Prince Of Egypt — I saw this movie 2 times on the same day in the theater. Yes, I did, you wanna fight about it? Anyways… it is seriously one of the best movies I have ever seen, it is one of my favorite movies, and the songs in it are so chill-inducing. The story of Moses is so interesting anyways, and done through the magic of animation, it only gets better. Just buy this on DVD. that is all that you need to do.
  • Princess Mononoke BR — Not necessarily my favorite Miyazaki movie, but it is brilliant nonetheless. I have always loved this film, since I saw it so long ago (back in college), and I was glad to be recently reacquainted with it. The story is a little dark, and can be quite gruesome at times, but it is wonderful nonetheless. And, it has a message. AND Claire Danes is the voice of Mononoke! How great is that?!
  • Puss In Boots 3D BR — Such a cute movie. The humor is great, there are several places that are laugh out loud funny. Puss was always my favorite character in the Shrek movies, so I am glad to see him get a full length film of his very own. The story is a bit clunky in parts (it was a little too much story and plot for the movie), and overall, it was a little long; but that being said, it was great, and only a little editing would have made it that much better. The 3D is stunning as well; a must have for the 3D fan!
  • Rio 3D BR — I thought this movie was going to be really stupid for some reason, and I am glad I turned out to be wrong. It is a beautifully made movie about some very eye poppingly pretty birds on an adventure in Rio, and there’s even a lot of great, fun dance music too; what’s not to love? The story is cute, and the animation is gorgeous… did I mention that? Being that it was in 3D, it is honestly a no-brainer that I picked this up to add to our 3D blu ray collection.
  • Rise of The Guardians 3D BR — The premise is very cute; Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, The Sandman, and the Tooth Fairy protect children, and guard them against evil through their wonder and belief in something magical. This is threatened when Pitch Black AKA the Boogeyman threatens to make children stop believing, which therein harms the Guardians. The Man in The Moon chooses Jack Frost to help them recapture that wonder and belief, and the result is a great action movie rife with wonder, imagination, and heart. The animation is gorgeous, and the story is never hokey, even though it is about these characters. This is a great children’s film that any adult could appreciate as well. The 3D is top notch.
  • Shrek 2 3D BR — Probably one of the only sequels to a good movie that is even better than the first! Puss-in-boots is probably one of the best things ever. He is like chocolate cake for every meal. Love Puss-in-boots. Love him. The extras on this DVD include a Far Far Away Idol contest, which is pretty funny. I would like to have seen more with that though, they don’t even get to sing the whole song. Oh well. I still love this movie, it is very, very funny.
  • The Secret of NIMH BR — I haven’t seen this in probably twenty years, but it was one of my most favorite movies when I was a kid. I love the adventurous story, and I remember it being really scary as well. I had to snag this on blu ray once I saw it on sale. Nostalgia FTW!
  • The Secret World of Arrietty BR — Miyazaki beautifully tells the story of the Borrowers, in the way only he can. It’s a journey of friendship, wonder, and beauty; the animation, as always, is outstanding!
  • Spirited Away BR — I remember the first time I saw this movie, and I couldn’t help but think it was an exercise in pure insanity, but looking back in retrospect, it was I who was insane; this movie is sheer and utter genius. The animation is breath taking, and the story is very well developed and executed. I have become a huge Miyazaki fan, and this is like the cherry on top of an already delicious sundae. I highly recommend this film to anyone that has doubts about liking cartoons or anime; it may change your mind. Go with Chihuro to the bathhouse, won’t you? Yes!
  • The Tale of The Princess Kaguya 3D BR — I haven’t seen anything like this before. It is a very different, but beautiful take on animation, that is very rough and simple, but more delicate and fragile as a result. The story is about a princess that is found growing in a stalk of bamboo, and an adoptive father and mother that do everything to provide for their new-found daughter. They elevate her to princess status, and try to provide everything they can for her. Overall, the story is simple, yet interesting, and plays on tradition and culture that really highlights the challenges of tradition on young women. The animation is the real star, where the simplicity is beautiful and flawed, but purposeful and well executed. The film was a very nice surprise, that is has been embraced by critics, and was even nominated for best animated film of the year.
  • Tangled 3D BR — As soon as I saw this, I knew I’d have to get it on 3D blu ray. This movie was marketed so poorly by Disney, that I am sure most people did what I did, and avoided it for a while. Luckily, I rented it, and I saw how amazing this movie really is; it is right up there with the other Disney classics like Little Mermaid and Aladdin! Seriously! It’s a musical too! You wouldn’t have gotten that from the previews at all! This also shows how far animation has come; it is beautiful! I am so glad I gave this movie the shot it deserved.
  • Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit — I can’t even imagine how long it took to make this movie; and the patience! The story is great, the writing is witty (watch out though, tons of sexual references, hope the kids don’t catch on!), and it is often hilarious. Great fun!
  • Wall*E — Crazy cute movie about little cute robots. Not much in the way of dialogue for most of it, but it was gorgeous to watch.
  • Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic BR — rating pending
  • Who Framed Roger Rabbit? BR — I remember when this movie first came out, it was heralded because of the mixture between real life and cartoon imagery. I remember seeing this and really loving the movie; even though it does have a bit more of an adult theme to it. The movie was a favorite of mine when I was a kid; I even had it on VHS. Glad to have this one on blu ray, finally!
  • Wreck It Ralph 3D BR — I was expecting to LOVE this movie, and while I did really, really like it, I didn’t love it for some reason. I thought there was a lot of nostalgia for those that grew up loving video games like myself, but I wish there would have been more of that, to be honest. After a second viewing, I did like it a lot more, and I am glad that I own it, because it is a great movie, after all. The story is cute, the characters are cute, and the animation is beautiful. Lots of humor throughout, and a lot of humor that will soar over children’s heads that is aimed squarely at adults. I thought the 3D was fantastic, as it should have been, and it makes for a great 3D movie experience. I highly recommend it!