Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

Entertaining, fun and action-packed! The 12th Pokémon film titled “Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life” is one of Japan’s top box office hits and it is also a rare film to find four of the legendary Pokémon together in one film.  If you are a Pokémon fan, this film is definitely recommended!

Image courtesy of © 2011 Pokémon. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life

DURATION: 90 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Anamorphic Widescree (1:85:1), English Dolby Digital 5.1, English Dolby Digital 2.0, Subtitles: English Closed Captions

COMPANY: vizkids/Viz Media

RATED: All Ages

Release Date: February 1, 2011

Director: Kunihiko Yuyama

Screenplay: Hideki Sonoda

Original Concept: Junichi Masuda, Ken Sugimori, Satoshi Tajiri

Character Design: Kazuaki Moori, Kazumi Sato, Sayuri Ichiishi, Tokuhiro Matsubara, Toshiya Yamada

Art Director: Minoru akiba

Chief Animation Director: Kazuaki Moori, Kazumi Sato

Animation Production by Oriental Light and Magic

Featuring the following voice talent:

Dan Green as Damos

Evelyn Lantto as Sheena

Jason Griffith as Marcus

Tom Wayland as Arceus

Wayne Grayson as Kevin

Bella Hudson as Kiko

Bill Rodgers as Brock

Emily Bauer as Dawn

Emily Williams as Officer Jenny

Ikue Othani as Ash’s Pikachu

Jimmy Zoppi as James

Kayzie Rogers as Spiky-eared Pichu

Marc Thompson as Tapp

Michele Knotz as Jessie

Sarah Natochenny as Ash Ketchum

Tim Werenko as Kato

Tom Wayland as Heatran

Long ago, Arceus granted a fragment of its awesome power as the Jewel of Life to help Michina in the town’s hour of need, only to be betrayed when it was time that power to be returned. After so many years, Arceus is about to return to reclaim that stolen power – enraged, vengeful, and seemingly unstoppable!

Not even the combined might of Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina can stop Arceus from devastating all existence across multiple dimensions, but Ash and his companions, joining forces with their new friend Sheena, may have discovered the only way to redeem that ancient betrayal. Their journey will be both dangerous and uncertain: even if Ash and his friends can set an old wrong right again, will there be time to return the Jewel of Life before Arceus destroys everything and everyone they’ve ever known?

For over a decade, the popularity of Pokémon continues to go strong.

I can easily remember when I was in Japan before the film and TV series became popular in the U.S. and being questioned by a distributor if I have ever heard of Pokemon.  I wasn’t even familiar with the series at the time but suffice to say, the TV series, the films, the video games and merchandise continues to be a financial powerhouse worldwide and it shows no signs of decline.

Although a series created for kids, many grew up with the series and as a father who has a young son that is “Pokémon” addicted and as a reviewer who has pretty much followed the series and video games for a very long time, I always look forward to the release of the annual Pokémon films in Japan and the US.

In 2009, the 12th Pokémon was released in theaters.  Titled “Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl the Movie: Arceus: To the Conquering of Space-Time”, the film made over $50 million (USD) in the box office in Japan.

The film was retitled to “Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life” in the U.S. and aired on the Cartoon Network in the US in Nov. 2009.  The film is the third film in the “Diamond and Pearl” movie trilogy.  And now this film receives its DVD release as well as a simultaneous manga release in the US courtesy of Viz Media’s vizkids imprint.

“Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life” is directed by Kunihiko Yuyama (Kimagure Orange Road: Summer’s Beginning”, “Wedding Peach” and “Pokémon”) and features Ash and his friends Brock and Dawn arriving in the land of Michina.

A beautiful area that lush and green and a great place for the Pokémon to rest and play.  But one day, for some apparent reason, the legendary Pokémon Dialga, Palkia and Giratina begin attacking each other.  This is not supposed to be possible as these legendary Pokémon exist in different space and time but somehow, they are fighting each other in Michina.

Fortunately, Sheena, who has the power to communicate with the hearts of Pokémon is able to calm the three legendary Pokemon and realizes that there is trouble.  But when she sees Ash with Pikachu, she wonders if the prophecy of a young boy with a Pokémon that will come to save the day is actually them.  Confused about the situation, Sheena explains that the reason why the legendary Pokémon are there is because of another power legendary Pokémon named Arceus.

A very long time ago, Michina used to be a ravaged land with no vegetation.  Because a man named Damos help save Arceus, the legendary Pokemon allowed Damos to use the Jewel of Life to bring prosperity to the land and make a ravaged, desert land to become full of vegetation, trees and life.  But both knew that when Arceus was fully-healed, Damos would return the Jewel of Life back to Arceus.

But instead of giving it back, for the fear that giving away the Jewel of Life would bring their land back to a ravaged time, Damos betrayed Arceus by not returning the Jewel of Life but taking advantage of Pokémon to unleash attacks that Arceus is unable to defend.  Betrayed by Damos, Arceus was sent into a rage and into a slumber, vowing to take revenge on humanity for their betrayal.

And because Arceus is back, it has altered time and space and thus all legendary Pokémon are together in one area.

But Sheena reveals that she is the ancestor to Damos and generations after Damos have vowed to make things right with Arceus once and for all and that is by returning to him the Jewel of Life.

When Arceus returns, his rage and hatred towards humanity continues but when Sheen goes to present him the Jewel of Life and tries to make peace with them, Arceus is further angered that humanity tried to lie by giving him a fake Jewel of Life and now he wants to unleash his anger.  Before he can do so, the three legendary Pokemon take on Arceus.

Meanwhile, Dialga transports Sheena, Ash and friends back to the past before Damos’ betrayal and to learn the truth of the betrayal of Arceus.

VIDEO :

“Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life” is presented in Anamorphic Widescreen (1:85:1) and I will say that because it is a film and because “Pokémon” is such a huge money-maker in Japan, you know there is not going to be any skimping on this film.  And I was right.  The film looks absolutely beautiful as they combine animation and these beautifully painted backgrounds.  The amount of detail to attain realism for the background art is fantastic and for the most part, this is a very vibrant film that  because it was released in 2009, I can only hope that it will be released on Blu-ray because I have no doubt in my mind, this is one film that would look great on HD.

But on DVD, “Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life” looks very impressive!

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life” is presented in English Dolby Digital 5.1 and English Dolby Digital 2.0.  Audio is well-done and because there is a good amount of action throughout the film, there is a good use of surround channels for blasts and various sound effects during the legendary Pokémon battles.

For those who are wondering if the original Japanese soundtrack is included, there is no Japanese soundtrack but only the English dub.  If you have been watching the “Pokémon” TV series for a long time, more than likely you are used to the English dub which is great!  But for those hoping to hear Rica Matsumoto as Satoshi (Ash), Yuji Ueda as Hikari (Dawn) or Yuji Ueda as Takeshi (Brock), you’re not going to find it on this DVD.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life” comes with no special features.

Entertaining, fun and action-packed! “Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life” is another exciting film featuring Ash and friends but this time around, you have the four legendary Pokemon all in battle!  That’s a storyline that you just don’t see at all and for many Pokémon fans, to have each of these legendary Pokémon in one film  is awesome!

The storyline does feature Ash, Dawn and Brock and you do see a little Pikachu action in this storyline but truthfully, the focus of the story is primarily showcasing the legendary Pokemon and the fact that you see Dialga, Palkia, Giratina and Arceus in one storyline and seeing these Pokemon against each other was quite a surprise because these Pokémon are not supposed to exist in the same time and space.  So, it was quite intriguing to see them fight (or nearly fight) each other.

As for parents who are considering buying this DVD for their child, there is really nothing violent about the storyline.  The main premise is “revenge” which Arceus wants because humans have wronged him and Ash and friends try all they can to stop him from hurting humans.  It’s a pretty straightforward story and although its hinted that Arceus killed of Damos and others for their treachery, it’s not presented in a way where the word “kill” or “dead” was used.  But other than that, there is nothing violent or scary about this manga and it is child-friendly.

As mentioned in the video quality section, the film looks absolutely vibrant and fantastic!  I would not be surprised if “Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life” receives a Blu-ray release because the film is not that old and the fact that it is a film and not the TV series, the film features higher production quality and it shows!  If there was one thing that I wished the DVD had and that would be special features.

Overall, if you or your child (or if you are an adult fan) loves the Pokémon series whether on TV series, collectors cards or video games, I definitely recommend “Pokémon: Arceus and the Jewel of Life”!

 

Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon welcome twins

Congratulations to Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon! Mariah Carey gave birth to a pair of twins on the day of the couple’s anniversary.

According to the news, Carey delivered the twins on Saturday at 12:07 p.m. EST in Los Angeles. Carey’s rep, Cindi Berger, told the Associated Press that the baby girl was born first, weighing 5 lbs., 3 oz., and was 18 inches long; her brother was next, at 5 lbs. 6 oz., and was 19 inches.

 

Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart and Billboard 200 Album Chart (Top 10 Singles and Albums in the USA): Katy Perry continues to take the #1 spot for singles and Adele takes #1 for the album charts (Issue Date: May 7, 2011)

The following are the top 10 songs in the United States from the Billboard Hot 100 Music Charts:

NOTE: Katy Perry takes the #1 spot, Adele takes the #2, The Black Eyed Peas takes #3

BUY THESE SINGLES:

1. Katy Perry feat. Kanye West – E.T.
2. Adele – Rolling in the Deep
3. The Black Eyed Peas – Just Can’t Get Enough
4. Rihanna – S&M
5. Jerimih feat. 50 Cent – Down On Me
6. Bruno Mars – The Lazy Song
7. Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull – On the Floor
8. Chris Brown – Look at Me Now
9. Ke$ha – Blow
10. Cee Lo – F**k  You (Forget You)

The following are the top 10 albums in America from the Billboard 200 Album Charts:

NOTE: Adele takes the #1 spot, Glee: The Music Presents the Warblers takes #2, Foo Fighters takes #3

Purchase the #1 Album in the USA:

1. Adele – 21
2. Glee: The Music Presents the Warblers
3. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
4. Lemonade Mouth Soundtrack
5. Britney Spears – Femme Fatale
6. Alison Krauss + Union Station – Paper Airplane
7. Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More
8. Paul Simon – So Beautiful or So What
9. Chris Brown – F.A.M.E.
10. Justin Bieber – Never Say Never: The Remixes

 

Disque En France (Top 10 Singles & Albums in France): Mylene Farmer stays at the #1 spot for singles and Colonel Reyel takes the #1 spot for albums (April 24, 2011)

The following top 10 charts are from Disque En France Singles Charts:

NOTE: Mylene Farmer takes the #1 spot, The Black Eyed Peas at #2 and Colonel Reyel at #3

1. Mylene Farmer – Bleu noir
2. The Black Eyed Peas – Just cant get enough
3. Colonel Reyel – Celui
4. INNA – Sun is Up
5. Enrique Iglesias – Tonight (I’m F***in you)/Tonight (I’m Loving you)
6. Lady GaGa – Born This Way
7. Fico Gary – Le Meme Que Moi
8. Nadia Ali – Rapture
9. Magic System – Ambiance a lafricaine
10. Alexandra Stan – Mr. Saxobeat

The following top 10 charts are from Disque En France Album Charts:

NOTE: Colonel Reyel takes the #1 spot, Hugh Laurie takes #2 and Nolwenn Leroy takes #3.

1. Colonel Reyel – Au Rapport
2. Hugh Laurie – Let Them Talk
3. Nolwenn Leroy – Bretonne
4. Adele – 21
5. Les Enfoires – 2010 la crise de nerfs
6. ZAZ – Zaz
7. Johnny Hallyday – Jamais seul
8. Amaury Vassili – Cantero
9. Shakira – Sale el sol
10. Sexion Dassaut – Les Chronicles du 75, en attendant lapogee

 

Charlie Sheen’s new letter to Chuck Lorre

Charlie Sheen still seems pissed off about being canned from the TV show that made him very rich! The actor wrote a new letter to “Two and a Half Men” creator and executive producer Chuck Lorre which was shared with TMZ.

Here is an excerpt of the letter:

MY fans may tune in for a minute, but at the end of the day, no one cares about your feeble show without me. Shame on you. Not even a phone call to the man that put you on the map. The man that put 500 million dollars in your pockets … A-hole pussy loser. Put on the gloves you low-rent, nut-less sociopath; I’ll beat your chicken shit soul in a court room into a state of gratitude. A state of surrender … Newsflash; they are planning on voting you off the AA island. Even those clowns have no room for you anymore. Wow, I’m sure your children are SO PROUD of you. You can teach ‘em how to be a stupid bitch.

I’m out here with my fans every night. The message is crystal clear.

 

K-ON!: Volume 1 (a J!-ENT Anime Blu-ray Disc Review)

The immensely popular “K-ON!” anime series has arrived to the US and its on Blu-ray. While the features of the Blu-ray release may be limiting to some, I’m going to say that this series is one of the most entertaining anime TV series that I have watched in a long time and I’m so happy that it’s finally out in the US.  After watching this first volume of “K-ON!”,  I can now understand why this series has become a pop culture phenomenon not only in Japan but worldwide. It’s awesome and I can’t wait for volume 2!

Images courtesy of ©Kakifly/Houbunshua/Sakura High Band. All Rights Reserved.

 

TITLE: K-ON!: Volume 1

DURATION: Episodes 1-4 (100 Minutes)

 

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (1:78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen), Dolby Digital, Audio: Japanese 2.0 and English 2.0, Subtitles: English

RATED: Suggested 13 and Up

 

COMPANY: TBS Animation/Bandai Entertainment

 

RELEASE DATE: April 26, 2011

 

Originally Created by kakifly

 

Directed by Naoko Yamada

Series Composition by Reiko Yoshida

Screenplay by Jukki Hanada, Katsuhiko Muramoto, Reiko Yoshida

Music by Hajime Hyakkoku

Character Design by Yukiko Horiguchi

Art Director: Seiki Tamura

Chief Animation Director: Yukiko Horiguchi

Animation Production: Kyoto Animation

Production: TBS

 

Featuring the voices of:

 

Aki Toyosaki/Stephanie Sheh as Yui Hirasawa

Asami Sanada/Karen Strassman as Sawako Yamanaka

Ayana Taketatsu/Christine Marie Cabanos as Azusa Nakano

Chika Fujitō/Laura Bailey as Nodoka Manabe

Madoka Yonezawa/Xanthe Huynh as Ui Hirasawa

Minako Kotobuki/Shelby Lindley as Tsumugi Kotobuki

Satomi Satou/Cassandra Lee as Ritsu Tainaka

Yōko Hikasa/Cristina Vee as Mio Akiyama

When Yui Hirasawa enters high school, she wants to join a club but can’t decide which one is right for her. Fortunately, the Light Music Club is desperate to find another member or else they’ll be disbanded! With the enticement of delicious snacks and assurances that no musical experience is necessary, Yui joins up, becoming the guitarist in this all-girl high school rock band. Together with Mio Akiyama on bass, Tsumugi Kotobuki on keyboard, and Ritsu Tainaka on drums, they’re going to rock the school and someday make it to the Budokan! Now, if only they can just put down the snacks long enough to practice…

“K-ON!”, it happens to be one of the hottest anime series in Japan that has not only dominated in the TV ratings but also on Japan’s Oricon music charts!

The series has been a phenomenon as it has attracted fans all over the world, those who want to cosplay as the characters, those who want to sing like the characters and those who want to play the music of the characters.  Just one look on YouTube and you can see how passionate people are for this series!

“K-ON!” began as a four-panel comic strip written and illustrated by kakifly and the manga would then be serialized in Houbunsha’s seinen manga magazine “Manga Time Kirara” between May 2007-October 2010.  In April 2011, the manga was relaunched on both “Manga Time Kirara” and Houbunsha’s magazine “Manga Time Kirara Carat” with two separate storylines.

The popularity of the manga series led to a 13-episode anime TV series which aired in Japan on April-June 2009, an OVA episode in Jan. 2010 and a 26-episode second season titled “K-ON!!” which aired in Japan from April through Sept. 2010 and a new OVA released in March 2011.

The series would also lead to a Sony PSP music rhythm video game and now fans in Japan are awaiting for the film adaptation set for Dec. 3, 2011.

As for fans in the United States, there has been high anticipation for its anime release and now the first season will be released in separate volumes courtesy of Bandai Entertainment.  With the first volume (featuring episodes 1-4) being released on Blu-ray and DVD in April 2011.

“K-ON!” is a play on the Japanese word “keiongaku” (light music) and the series follows four high school students of Sakuragaoka Girl’s High School who are members of the “keiongaku” club.  The four characters featured thus far in the series are Yui Hirasawa, a naive and clumsy student entering high school who is not entirely sure what she wants to do in terms of extracurricular activities.  While she tries to figure out what she wants to do, two other students, Ritsu Tainaka and Mio Akiyama join the keiongaku club to find out that most of the members have graduated and the only way they can keep the club open is if they have four members.

Because Ritsu plays the drums and Mio plays the bass guitar, they hope they can find other musicians and form a band.

Fortunately, a new member joins the group, Tsumugi Kobobuki, a student from a wealthy family who plays a Korg Triton Extreme 76-key keyboard.  Now all they need is one member.

While Yui is trying to think of activities to do, she sees a flyer for the keiongaku club and in her mind, she remembers light music as something she did when she was young student in elementary school and so she joins.  Meanwhile, the other three members are happy because with a fourth member, the club will stay alive but also the fact that maybe Yui is a guitarist and now, they can start their own band.

But Yui is not a musician and if anything, what she loves about the club is the ability to eat desserts and drink tea with the other members but when the three members perform in front of her, she becomes inspired and wants to be a member of the club and be part of the band.

The first four episodes features the startup of the new Keiongaku club, how the new members try to help Yui become a guitarist and how the four members become friends.

“K-ON!: Vol. 1″ features the following characters:

• Yui Hirasawa- Yui is a naive and clumsy student who likes to sleep, eat and go shopping.  But when she joins the Keiongaku club, she becomes the group’s newest member and the band’s guitarist.  She tries to learn how to play a Heritage Cherry Sunburst Gibson Les Paul standard electric guitar.
• Ritsu Tainaka – The most vocal person of the Keiongaku club.  She is a drummer that plays a yellow Rick Marotta Signature Yamaha hipgig drum kit and always upbeat, energetic, sarcastic and often always playing jokes on her good friend Mio.  Sometimes she can get in the nerves of the other members but she is the most determined in wanting to make sure the club exists and that they form a band.
• Mio Akiyama - The levelheaded person of the group and the smartest student among the four.  She plays a Fender Jazz Bass.  She originally was planning to join the literary club but her friend Ritsu tore up her applications and made her join the Keiongaku club.  Although a person who knows quite a bit about music, she is also quite shy and is easy to scare.  She can’t take anything that deals with anything scary, ghosts, blood, injuries or anything macabre.
• Tsumugi Kotobuki - The daughter of a very wealthy family.  Known as “Mugi”, she plays a Korg Triton Extreme keyboard and is a piano prodigy.  She is known for her blonde hair and thick eyebrows.  Because her father owns a variety of businesses including a maid cafe, she often brings desserts to the club meetings.

OTHER CHARACTERS:

• Ui Hirasawa – Yui’s younger sister who tends to get Yui out of a jam.  Unlike Yui, Ui is more responsible and mature and takes care of her older sister.
• Nodoka Manabe - Yui’s childhood friend and confidant.  Smart and intelligent, despite how Yui is at times, Nodoka always supports her.

VIDEO:

“K-ON!” is an anime series that is stylishly created but also features beautifully painted art backgrounds.  Presented in 1080p High Definition (1:78:1 anamorphic widescreen), one thing that I love to see when it comes to anime series is the attention to detail when covering a modern setting.

A lot of TV series tend to not make the backgrounds of a city landscape so detailed and tend to put a lot of recycled trees, dirt and sky but “K-ON!”, is not one of those anime series.  There are scenes and also still images of natural settings that are beautifully painted and added to the series.  There is detail for the instruments, for the desserts and I felt that with each episode, aside from the practice room and the wideshot image of their school, there was always something new being featured in terms of location.  So, the color palette of the series is full of color and nothing is stale or seemed regurgitated.

With that being said, the colors are a bit saturated and uber-vibrant but for an anime TV series, for the many decades I have watched Japanese animation, for anime series that are set in a modern Tokyo setting, I prefer anime series that focused on the smallest things such as what is tacked on a pinboard, posters in a room, the manga and books on Yui’s bookshelf, I prefer those small details rather than a vibrant close up of a character but with backgrounds that are stale, static and boring.

“K-ON!” is one of those series where those little things matter and for me, those attention to small details enhanced my appreciation for the series.

AUDIO:

If there was a weak side of this Blu-ray release, I’m sure the audiophiles might be a bit cranky that the soundtrack is not Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD MA.  What you get is an English and Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack.  What surprised me is the fact that even with the work for the English dub version, there was no change to make it a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack or to increase the bitrate for Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD MA.   But for a Blu-ray release, those who expect lossless audio are going to fret about it, while those who have been waiting for this series to come out to the U.S. will be perfectly fine with the Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack.

Personally, I chose to have my receiver play the anime series with stereo on all channels for a more immersive soundscape.  But nevertheless, with the awesome music featured in the series, it would have been wonderful to hear that music via uncompressed lossless.

As for the voice acting, I am a bit biased to the Japanese voice acting but I did watch the series also with the English dub soundtrack and for the most part, the voice acting will appeal to both fans who prefer one over the other.

Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“K-ON!: Volume 1″ comes with the following special features:

• Interview with Stephanie Sheh – (10:21) English dub voice actress Stephanie Sheh talks about her character, how she got the part, if she is like her character and more!
• Trailers – Bandai Entertainment trailers

I personally have been waiting for “K-ON!” to be released in the U.S.

I have heard so much about the series and even when I cover the weekly Japanese music sales charts for J!-ENT, I can’t help but notice how many times K-ON! has dominated the charts and even beating popular artists in single and album sales.  Personally, I have never seen an anime series have this much success musically and I couldn’t figure it out until I watched “K-ON!” for the very first time!

The music is awesome!  The characters are entertaining.  The animation and art backgrounds were very good and for the most part, it has been a long time, possibly since “Azumanga Daioh” in which I really enjoyed a gakusei anime series (student anime series – focused on a school setting).

I have seen music-based anime series, from the long running “Hummingbird” idol pop anime series to an anime series like “NANA”.  But while “NANA” had its flair for the dramatic and also featured a more young adult theme, “K-ON!” is a series that attracts people of all ages.  It captures the youth of one wanting to become a band, to be part of the band and to fit in.

In Japan, you can watch variety TV shows such as “Gakkou e Ikou” (Let’s go to School) or films such as “Linda Linda Linda” and there are many young people who want to play music.  While here in the West, there are shows and events that spotlight this, in Japan, its a bit more magnified because these storylines are brought to television, film and manga.  There are constant music auditions throughout Japan featuring many young teenagers who want to make it and these auditions are featured on television.  Especially female students who create a rock band.

“K-ON!” captures that essence of those female students wanting to create a rock band and the series gives life to those characters and while keeping the stories fun and light-hearted, I was very impressed with how music is integrated into the series.  From the instruments featured, the focus on chord progression and hand/finger movements.  While there is an anime series such as “La corda d’oro ~primo passo~” that does focus on intricacies of instruments and focuses more on classical music, the show is more magical in a sense that a fairy gives the protagonist the power to play the violin.

In “K-ON!”, the anime series keeps things real.  Students having to deal with homework, the realization of the expense of  the cost of a guitar, the amount of practice it comes to learning an instrument but also capturing youth and everyday life and interests and eventually showing the progression of these individuals being a band and playing good music.

And speaking of the music, “K-ON!” features awesome music!  The ending theme “Don’t Say ‘Lazy’” is a wonderful song with awesome guitar playing and if you look on YouTube, you can see guys and girls, including some individuals who are pretty hardcore in playing “K-ON!” music.  It’s catchy, enjoyable and I can understand now why the soundtracks, the singles have dominated the Japanese music charts.  A lot of care went into the planning of this series and its music and it shows!  And I also have to say that the animation for the ending theme of “Don’t Say ‘Lazy’” is stylish and very cool to watch! Often at times, I forward through the ending theme but in this case, I always look forward to it.

As for the Blu-ray release, I know the more hardcore technical Blu-ray reviewers will probably be a bit more unforgiving to “K-ON!” and its saturated colors and lack of a lossless soundtrack and there will be some who may be critical that there are only four episodes on this Blu-ray release, but I enjoyed this anime series so much that I know I am a bit more forgiving than other reviewers.

Overall, if you want a fun, entertaining anime series with cool characters, awesome music, “K-ON!” is a wonderful series thus far. I can’t wait for volume 2!

 

LAUREN ALAINA, JAMES DURBIN, JACOB LUSK, SCOTTY MCCREERY AND HALEY REINHART ARE THE TOP 5 FINALISTS ON “AMERICAN IDOL”

CASEY ABRAMS IS ELIMINATED FROM THE COMPETITION

TOP 5 PERFORM SONGS FROM “NOW AND THEN”

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, LIVE ON FOX

Performances by Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull

and Lady Antebellum on Next Results Show Thursday, May 5

MERICAN IDOL: Final 5: Clockwise from top L: James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery and Hayley Reinhart. CR: Michael Becker / FOX.

Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery and Haley Reinhart are this season’s AMERICAN IDOL Top 5 finalists after Casey Abrams was eliminated on tonight’s show. On Wednesday’s performance show, the Top 6 performed the songs of legendary singer/songwriter Carole King, and Abrams, 20, from Wilmette, IL, sang “Hi De Ho.” Tonight’s episode also featured performances by Season Nine IDOL finalist Crystal Bowersox and Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/producer Bruno Mars.

On Wednesday, May 4 (8:00-9:30 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), the Top 5 finalists – Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery and Haley Reinhart – return to the IDOL stage to perform songs from “now and then” – one current song and one from the 1960s.

Tune in the following night, Thursday, May 5 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), to the live results show to find out who will make it to the Top 4. In addition, IDOL judge and global superstar Jennifer Lopez will perform “On The Floor” with rapper Pitbull, and country music sensation Lady Antebellum will sing their latest song. “On The Floor,” the first single off Lopez’s new album, “Love?” (available in stores May 3), is currently No. 1 in 17 countries.

Fans can view the official profiles for each of the finalists at www.americanidol.com/contestants. Keep up with the latest AMERICAN IDOL news on the AMERICAN IDOL Facebook page at www.facebook.com/americanidol. And be sure to check out the official AMERICAN IDOL Twitter for the scoop straight from the IDOL set (@americanidol).

Emmy Award-winning AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, President, Big Red 2 Entertainment. AMERICAN IDOL has been No. 1 among Adults 18-49 for the past seven consecutive seasons and currently ranks as the No. 1 television show of the 2010-11 season.

Visit americanidol.com for additional information regarding AMERICAN IDOL voting, as well as exclusive videos, interviews and photos, as well as special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.

 

The Royal Wedding

For those of you who missed the the royal wedding, here are videos courtesy of CNN:

 

GARY BUSEY DIVES INTO PIRANHA 3DD

Gary Busey is on board for PIRANHA 3DD now in production in Wilmington, NC.

As more potential fish bait, Busey joins the other cast members announced
earlier this week including Danielle Panabaker (THE CRAZIES), Matt Bush
(ADVENTURELAND), Chris Zylka (THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN), David Koechner
(ANCHORMAN), Meagan Tandy (UNSTOPPABLE) and others.

PIRANHA 3DD shows its teeth in theatres nationwide on November 23, 2011.
The feast is on this Thanksgiving!

About The Weinstein Company
The Weinstein Company (TWC) was created by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the
brothers who founded Miramax Films Corporation in 1979.  TWC is a
multi-media company that officially launched on October 1, 2005.  Dimension
Films, the genre label that was founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, is also
included under the TWC banner.

During the Weinsteins’ tenure at Miramax Films, the company released some of
the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful independent
feature films which received 249 Academy Award® nominations and won 60
Oscars®, and have generated billions of dollars in worldwide box office
receipts and billions more in home video sales.   In its history, Dimension
Films has released some of the most successful franchises including Scream,
Spy Kids and Scary Movie.

 

VIZ MEDIA OFFERS SUMMER ANIME ACTION WITH NEW MAY AND JUNE DVD RELEASES

San Francisco, CA, April 28, 2011 – VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), one of the entertainment industry’s most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, has announced an array of upcoming new anime DVD releases scheduled for May and June 2011.

New DVD releases in May include the latest from VIZ Media’s top selling anime properties, POKÉMON and VAMPIRE KNIGHT GUILTY.  Two brand new series, HERO: 108 and KEKKAISHI, will make their long-awaited debut on DVD in June in addition to the latest box set installment of BLEACH.

May Anime Releases:

POKÉMON DP GALACTIC BATTLES Volumes 3 & 4 · Rated “A” for All Ages · MSRP: $14.97 U.S. each / $21.99 CAN each · Available May 10th

POKÉMON DP GALACTIC BATTLES GIFT SET 2 · Rated “A” for All Ages · MSRP: $24.92 U.S. / $35.99 CAN · Available May 10th
Ash and his friends are headed to Sinnoh’s snow country, where the weather is the least of their challenges. Dawn and her Pokémon face hard decisions about their future as a team. Ash faces a hard battle against Gym Leader Candice and her mighty Abomasnow – but even if he wins, he’ll still have to beat his rival Paul, who’s determined to avenge a bitter loss from the past. To top it all off, our heroes face a ground-shaking calamity when the Legendary Pokémon Regigigas awakes in Snowpoint Temple! Get ready for more rivals, more revelations, and more adventures!

POKÉMON DP GALATIC BATTLES GIFT SET contains Volumes 3 & 4 in a collector’s box.

For more information POKÉMON and other VIZ Kids titles please visit www.VIZ.com/pokemon/.

VAMPIRE KNIGHT GUILTY Volume 2 · Rated “T+” for Older Teens ·
MSRP: $19.97 U.S. / $28.99 CAN · Available May 17th
Continually haunted by visions of blood, Yuki is determined to discover the secrets of her past, but Kaname repeatedly evades her questions. Zero confronts Kaname at the Moon Dormitory, and the two end up fighting. Then Kaname advances his relationship with Yuki to an entirely new level, which has the members of the Night Class in a bit of a tizzy. But Yuki’s dreams only intensify – will her past be forced into the light at last?  Includes Episodes 5-8.

For more information on VAMPIRE KNIGHT, please visit: www.ShojoBeat.com

June Anime Releases:

HERO: 108 SEASON 1, Volume 1 · Not Rated ·
MSRP: $14.97 U.S. / $21.99 CAN · Available June 14th
Long ago, the animals and humans of Hidden Kingdom lived together in harmony. But when the wicked trickster HighRoller turned the animals against the humans, chaos erupted! Now, the rebel force known as Big Green – led by ApeTrully and Lin Chung of First Squad – must battle to bring peace to the land. Episodes 1-6.

For more information on HERO: 108, please visit www.viz.com or www.vizkids.com.

KEKKAISHI DVD BOX SET Volume 1 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens ·
MSRP: $49.95 U.S. / $71.99 CAN · Available June 21st
Yoshimori Sumimura is a 14-year-old student at Karasumori School. Following in the tradition that’s come down through the generations, he is the twenty-second Kekkaishi of the Sumimura clan. But he’s constantly fighting with his rival, Tokine Yukimura – his childhood friend and also a Kekkaishi – about who is the rightful heir to the magical barrier arts. Protecting people from danger while growing stronger, Yoshimori will battle the forces of evil again tonight!  The 3-disc set includes Episodes 1-13.

For more information on KEKKAISHI or other Shonen Sunday series, please visit www.ShonenSunday.com.

BLEACH UNCUT DVD BOX SET Volume 9 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens ·
MSRP: $49.95 U.S. / $71.99 CAN · Available June 21st
In the perpetual night and white sand world of Hueco Mundo, Ichigo and the others fight their way to Las Noches, the stronghold of former Soul Reaper captain Sosuke Aizen, where Orihime is being held. In the depths of Las Noches, Rukia encounters Espada Number Nine, Aaroniero Arruruerie, who removes his mask to reveal a very familiar face – could he really be former Squad Three Lieutenant Kaien Shiba? The 3-disc set contains Episodes 146-156.

More information on BLEACH is available at Bleach.viz.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga (graphic novel) publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and South Africa and is a global ex-Asia licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including the popular monthly manga anthology SHONEN JUMP magazine, graphic novels, and DVDs, and develops, markets, licenses, and distributes animated entertainment for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; Phone (415) 546-7073; Fax (415) 546-7086; and website at www.VIZ.com.

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