Geek of Oz

Celeste and Jesse Forever, the latest film by Lee Toland Krieger, looks at what happens when a married couple separates but attempts to stay best friends. We’ve all had that conversation with an ex-partner at some stage with varying results. Whilst straddling comedy and drama, it’s an interesting perspective on modern relationships and the pressures of life. The film stars Andy Samberg as Jesse and Rashida Jones as Celeste. This is also the writing debut for Jones, who penned the screenplay. The two have a great chemistry on screen. The film continues the recent trend of having a quirky funny male partnered with a glamorous woman (for example Forgetting Sarah Marshall, The Break Up or Knocked Up ). Whilst I don’t have a problem with this, I just feel that films can lose a sense of realism if we don’t believe that these people could be an actual couple. The men are allowed to be average looking while the women are required to be super models. In fairness the film took longer than ...

Before delving into the review for this release, it seems pertinent to touch on the fact that this is the last work of the sadly departed Umanosuke Iida. From 1987 until his passing in 2010, Iida worked as the director on some of the most recognizable titles in the anime realm. Getting his start on the anime incarnation of Go Nagai's Devilman he then went on to direct Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team , Hellsing , Vandread and more recently Shangri-La and Towa No Quon .  Set in the not too distant future, people are born with fantastic gifts, abilities that allow them to do anything from communicating with animals to teleportation. Unfortunately, the world is now run by The Order, a clandestine organisation that use another organisation, Custos, hunt down the gifted youngsters known as "Attracters". Armed with an assortment of deadly cyborgs, The Order track down and capture, or kill, Attracters but they have to get through Quon first. Follow on after the j...

Hanabee wowed us with Dream Eater Merry and Toradora  and they're looking to do it again with their next round of releases being Arakawa Under the Bridge, Ef: A tale of Memories and Bodacious Space Pirates. All the details after the jump!

Although Avengers Initiative has been available for a while on iOs, it has only just made its way onto Android but from what we've been told, it was worth the wait. Having played the game on iPhone we can say that it is great fun, much like the highly successful Broken Blade series.  So, for fans of Marvel's Avengers or anyone looking for a new game on their Android, Avengers Initiative is definitely worth a play. Full details after the jump!

In breaking news, Beyond - Australia's Home of Pokemon - has announced that they will be release the 15th Pokemon film in 2013.  Check out the synopsis and a look at the all new Pokemon to be announced in Pokemon:  Kyurem vs. The Sword of Justice!

In our review of the Puella Magi Madoka Magica series, we called it "a series which is worthy of the praise, worthy of the awards and worthy of all future success which will undoubtedly follow" and follow they have. So much so that Madman and Aniplex of America have joined forces to release the feature films in Australian cinemas next month. Find out all of the details after the jump!

Skyfall is the perfect film to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bond Franchise. It takes Bond through a gruelling process of self reflection, which is compelling given emotional depth has never really been a hallmark of the character. This makes for fascinating viewing since it’s as if we are looking at the franchise as a whole through the eyes of Bond himself. In this latest instalment, MI6 is under attack and Bond’s loyalty to M is tested when the sins of her past come back to bite her. This is a fantastic film with fully realised characters and some of the richest cinematography the franchise has ever witnessed. Daniel Craig reprises his role as the iconic spy, continuing his impressive contribution. It’s no secret that Craig reinvigorated the series after Pierce Brosnan’s efforts gradually descended into farce. Daniel Craig’s Bond exudes a fierce intensity which offsets well against his arrogance and petulance. In Casino Royale , Craig was built like a small truck, brimm...

Thermae Romae is an ambitious film which has one of the most peculiar premises I have seen in a long time. Set in Ancient Rome (128 AD), we meet Lucius (Hiroshi Abe), a frustrated architect who wants to return Rome’s bathhouses to their former glory. Whilst taking a bath, Lucius is sucked through a small hole which transports him to a modern-day bath house in Japan. Amazed by the inventive aspects of Japan’s bathing culture, Lucius returns to Ancient Rome and becomes somewhat of a celebrity as he implements the modern day ideas in Rome. Whilst travelling back and forth, Lucius is assisted by an aspiring artist Mami (Aya Ueto) which results in a very funny and thoroughly entertaining film. I was immediately impressed by the production design of this film, directed by Hideki Takeuchi. The opening sequence shows Lucius and a friend making their way through crowded market places and intricate alleyways all of which invest in hundreds of extras on screen at any time. This gives the fil...

The Floating Castle is an epic period piece that focuses on a true story that is seemingly too insane to be true. Like a Japanese version of Frank Miller's 300, it tells the tale of a small army who take on against a far superior force, utilising the element of surprise and a whole tonne of nouse to battle against the odds. It’s the sixteenth century, and all-powerful warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi has conquered most of feudal Japan – with the exception of Oshi Castle. Known as the Floating Castle, it is commanded by Narita Nagachika, a popular but buffoonish samurai whose battle strategies are unusual to say the least. As Hideyoshi’s 20,000-strong army closes in, Nagachika’s 500 men prepare for the battle of their lives. An award-winning epic saga based on actual historical events - Japan Foundation

Thanks to our butt kicking pals at Univeral Pictures Australia, we have 10 in season double passes to see the the genre homage mish mash of the year, The Man With The Iron Fists. Due for release in Australian cinemas on December 6th 2012, The Man With the Iron Fists is the brainchild of Wu Tang co-creator RZA and director of Hostel Eli Roth. Add to that Quentin Tarantino as producer and you've got a film of undeniable pedigree. Check out our review if you need coercing or just follow on after the jump for all the details!

Afro Tanaka sounds like a weird title for a film, but it's the perfect title for a weird film. Based on a manga series of the same name by Masaharu Noritsuke, Afro Tanaka is a quirky film that manages to juggle off the wall manga inspired scenes and larger than life characters while still injecting some honest concerns held by young Japanese men. Bullied as a child for his long curly hair, the decidedly uncool Tanaka opts for an afro, convinced that it will turn his luck around. But several years and a series of poor decisions later, he’s 24, stuck in a crappy job, single and still a virgin. With a high school friend about to marry, the pressure is on for the hapless Tanaka to find a date and fulfill a childhood pact. The situation looks grim, but can his afro save the day? An enjoyably awkward comedy based on the popular manga series of the same name - Japan Foundation

There's no shortage of tsudere anime series out there. From Asuka in Evangelion to Haruhi in Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, we're all aware of the brash female lead who, by the end of the series, is making doe eyes at the male lead. Well, in no series has the female lead been quite as difficult as the young palm-top tiger, Taiga Aisaka. The title of Toradora! is derived from the names of the two main characters, Ryuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka. The name “Taiga” sounds like the English word “Tiger,” which in Japanese translates to “Tora.” “Ryuji” literally means “Son of Dragon” in Japanese, and “Dragon” in Japanese is pronounced “Doragon.” Using the first two syllables of each, and combining them together gives us “Toradora!” Due to his frightening appearance, Ryuji lives a rather unfortunate life. On the first day of his junior year of high school, he meets a strange girl named Taiga. She is better known as the Palm-top Tiger. Despite looking small and cute, she is e...

Tenchi: The Samurai Astronomer is a strange beast of incredible pedigree. Yojiro Takita may not be the biggest name director in Western circles, but his most successful film, Departures, has drawn critical and financial acclaim from all corners of the globe. No stranger to manga and novel adaptations, he has now set his sights on Tenchi which is based on the novel of the same name by Tow Ubukata, somewhat of a celebrity in his own right. As the writer of Fafner, Heroic Age and Mardock Scramble, Ubukata is best known for his work in science fiction and fantasy circles however this time, his story is far more grounded. Young samurai Santetsu is an avid astronomer with a passion for mathematical puzzles. So when he is asked to devise a new calendar – a task which involves charting the stars across the length and breadth of Japan – he throws himself into the project with gusto. However, the idea of a new calendar and the ideological change it could bring poses a threat to certai...

Bunny Drop, based on the manga and anime series of the same name by Yumi Unita, tells a tale which, while wildly left of centre, is able to be appreciated at its most basic level by anybody who has ever had to make a major change in their life for the good of another. At his grandfather’s funeral, 27-year-old Daikichi discovers a family member he never knew he had: six-year-old Rin, his late grandfather’s illegitimate daughter. Abandoned by her mother and left alone by her father’s death, little Rin has nowhere to go. When Daikichi takes pity on her and decides to take her under his wing, the sudden change for both of them brings Daikichi to understand what it takes to be a single parent. This award-winning heartwarmer features acclaimed child actor Mana Ashida - Japan Foundation Check out the full review after the jump!

Quite often, people shy away from venturing into new hobbies purely because of the reluctance to dive into the unknown. The same feeling applies to anime. Where do you start with an industry that is so well established? What if you don't have friends who collect? Well, the good people at Madman have made things easier by creating their "Yokoso" imprint which is an introduction to the world of anime through some of the biggest and most successful franchises.  Check out all of the details after the jump!

There is nothing that I don't like about this trailer. The visuals, the sound, the cast and the sheer proportions! Oz the Great and Powerful is possibly my most anticipated film of 2013. Follow on after the jump for the all new trailer!

Based on the manga and anime series of the same name, the Rurouni Kenshin film tells the story of Kenshin, a young samurai who was once renowned for his deadly skill. However, after the fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Kenshin vows never to kill again. Rurouni Kenshin was a resounding success when released in Japan and now it is a success in Australia. In a massive coup for the Japanese Film Festival , they have completely sold out their first screening and will be holding second screenings in Sydney and Melbourne on the very same day!  Get in quick and secure your tickets because if history repeats itself, they won't last long! Rurouni Kenshin is screening in Sydney on the 21st of November and in Melbourne on the 5th of December.

The clips just keep coming, ammunition and otherwise. In this latest clip we get a glimpse at some of the gameplay that promises to make Hitman Absolution the best and most immersive incarnation of the franchise to date. Check out the clip after the jump!

With less than a week until the release of the latest instalment in the phenomenally successful HITMAN series we get a look at the ICA file for Agent 47, the original HITMAN. Check out the all new clip and details on how to join the HITMAN community after the jump!

Sure, everybody knows Buffy the Vampire Slayer but it wasn't until The Avengers hit screens the households everywhere became aware of the name "Joss Whedon". A fan favourite and almost religious figure to his flock of Whedonites, he is responsible for a handful of series that have achieved cult status in subversive circles yet never managed to achieve mainstream success. While Buffy was a resounding success, Angel floundered and then came what is quite possibly one of the greatest sci-fi series of all time - Firefly. Unfortunately, Dollhouse seems to have fallen into the same trap, a fantastic series which shows a tonne of promise although was cancelled after only two seasons. Check out the full review after the jump!

While we lucky Aussies have managed to catch Reel Anime 2012 (we all did, right?), our friends across the ditch are yet to revel in the glory! Well, in just under a month anime fans in New Zealand get their chance. Check out all the details after the jump and check out our reviews by clicking on the films title!

Reminiscent of Audition by Takasii Miike , Helter Skelter   is a thrilling insight into the insanity of living in the public eye, a fact that seems to resonate with the films director and lead actress. Dangerously beautiful superstar Lilico has the world at her feet. She also has a secret: she owes her entire ‘perfect’ body to plastic surgery. When a naturally gorgeous new talent arrives on the scene, Lilico’s reign is threatened – but this is just a precursor to a more sinister threat which could see Lilico spiral out of control. Directed by fashion photographer Mika Ninagawa, Helter Skelter is an unsettling, discordant visual feast that lays bare the perversion and pathology of beauty - Japan Foundation

Dragon Ball Z fans are spoiled for choice at the moment. At almost the exact same time, Madman released their super (saiyan) Dragon Ball Z Complete Collection while Bandai Namco Partners have just released Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD Collection, encapsulating the original Budokai from PSOne and Budokai 3 from PS2. Players are able to engage in battles of epic proportions while in control of their favourite DBZ characters. Kamehameha to your hearts content with two fighting games that hold up pretty darn well, even by todays standards. Check out the full review after the jump!

Whenever a convention comes around you just know that Madman will be turning up with a handful of new acquisitions and their recent visit to Brisbane Supanova is no exception. Having wrapped up not more than 24 hours ago, the Madman crew have announced their full line up which includes a total of EIGHT new acquisitions and the confirmation of Hellsing Ultimate finally seeing completion. Check out the full line up after the jump and prepare to get excited!

Having worked in a comic shop, a video store and a hip hope record store, I feel that I am perfectly primed to review The Man with the Iron Fists (TMWTIF). A star studded affair from the ground up, TMWTIF has Quentin Tarantino producing while Wu Tang Clan co-founder RZA directs and co-writes the screenplay with Cabin Fever and Hostel director, Eli Roth. Add to this a cast which includes Lucy Liu, Korean-American stalwart Rick Yune, up and comer Jamie Chung and our very own scene stealer Russell Crowe and you have the makings of a rather special ode to kung fu. Welcome to the 36 chambers. 

Much to the chagrin and/or delight of geeks worldwide, Paramount Pictures and Michael Bay have confirmed details of the next installment in the phenomenally successful Hasbro franchise. While no massive revelations are involved in the press release, a surprising cast member is named as the new front man of the series while Australia's own REBEL WILSON gets a nod! Check out the official press release after the jump!

Massive news for Evangelion fans and anime fans in general. Madman, Australia's premier anime distributor, are bringing an Evangelion Exhibition to our shores in 2013. Although there has been no information to suggest this fact, it could be speculated that the exhibitions release may coincide with a local release of Evangelion 3.0. Check out all the detail after the jump.

 I t's a good time to be a Pokemon fan. I remember back in the day, during my last few years of High School, the only way to get your hands on Pokemon in the home entertainment form was to buy VHS after VHS or tape it off Cheez TV on Channel 10 (Aussie geeks know what I'm saying!). Nowadays, you can get a quarter of the entire Pokemon story in one awesome package. The Pokemon Hoenn Collection Book collects Ash and Pikachu's adventures in the Hoenn region through the Pokemon Advanced series. These series encompass Advanced, Advanced Challenge and Advanced Battle. With 16 discs, 133 episodes and over 48 hours of viewing, it's a package that Pokefans will surely drool over. Check out the full review after the jump!

Last month we reviewed ONE PIECE PIRATE WARRIORS and declared that while it may be a rather repetitive button masher, we loved it!  Today, to make that previous statement all the more sweet, Namco Bandai have today announced that they have released the GRAND LINE EDITION exclusively available for download on the Playstation network. Check out all of the details after the jump!

It seems only fitting that our first review of the 16th Japanese Film Festival, presented by the Japan Foundation, belongs to one of our favourite franchises, K-ON! (けいおん!) Long term followers of Geek Of Oz will have undoubtedly come across our overwhelming and unbridled love for the gals from Sakuragaoka Girl's High School and their shenanigans through season one and season two of the series as released locally by Madman . Five-piece girl band HO-KAGO TEA TIME have been together all throughout high school, and now it’s time to graduate. Ready to let their hair down and celebrate, they start planning a graduation trip - destination London! The band’s overseas debut is a whirlwind mix of gigs, adventures and comic mishaps, packed with K-ON style laughs, music and – of course – tea. Based on the wildly popular TV anime series, this is one for K-ON fans young and old. - Japan Foundation Check out the full review after the jump!

Warners have made some massive headway in terms of furthering the DC brand both on the screen and in terms of video games. Not only has ARROW premiered to become one of the highest rating shows on CW but news at hand states that Warner's have managed to secure the rights to use the Man of Steel in a rumoured Justice League film! So, without further ado, we present you with a behind the scenes look at the upcoming Injustice: Gods Among Us , a fighting game like no other from the people behind the absolute classic, Mortal Kombat.

It seems as though we geeks are in the grip of Dragon Ball Z FEVER! Well, if there were such a thing, we'd be in it. Last month saw the release of Madman's COMPLETE Dragon Ball Z Kai collection and next month they re-release the first Dragon Ball Z movies . But, to tide you over in the meantime, Namco Bandai Partners have re-released two absolute fan favourite Dragon Ball Z games but this time in glorious high definition. Dragon Ball is one of the most successful manga franchises of all time and it's easy to see why. Memorable characters, awesome stories and epic action all combine to make Dragon Ball a series for anime fans everywhere. Check out all the release details after the jump!

In 20 years or so, "extreme" sports have gone from being entertainment for the teen fringe of society to a multi billion dollar industry where sponsorship dominates, proving that it has finally hit the mainstream. Welcome to Nitro Circus 3D. Nitro Circus, lead by the charismatic man-child Travis Pastrana, are a rag tag team of adrenalin junkies who appear to live for the moment, putting their life on the line for the thrill of it and your entertainment. In the beginning, there were the Crusty Demons of Dirt, a bunch of freestyle motocross riders who almost began as outlaws, the bad boys of the sport and the trailblazers of the FMX scene. Soon after came the X-Games which reigned in these bad boys and gave them an international stage on which to impress. So soon after, when the extreme had become profitable, MTV's Jackass took it to another level and showed that people are willing to pay good money to see other people do stupid things, stupid things that get them hurt...

Supernatural, the award winning series from US powerhouse The CW, has spawned a number of spin offs including novels, comic books and now an anime series. The anime offshoot covers a handful of stories from the first two seasons, re-imagining episodes suck as "Roadkill" and "The Devil's Trap", while also creating all new stories which not only expand upon the stories of the main characters, the Winchester's, but also those of some well known secondary characters. With stories from the original series and animation from the all but faultless studio Madhouse, Supernatural: The Anime Series should be a great tie in to a great TV series. Check out the full review after the jump!