The Anime Movie Podcast

On this episode, Cat and Joe kick off Ghibli June & July with a review and discussion of When Marnie Was There - the last animated film before Studio Ghibli halted production to restructure the company in the wake of Miyazaki's retirement (even though he technically came back later to direct yet another film!) and people feared it would be shutting down forever. Cat and Joe discuss how this movie would be better as a horror film, why they disagree with popular reviews of this movie, and what Studio Ghibli's interest in adapting British children's novels into anime is about.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review Psycho-Pass: The Movie, an extension of the Psycho-Pass series and a continuation of the stories and ideas explored in Seasons 1 & 2. In this movie, the 1984-meets-Minority-Report world is expanded beyond Japan, as they extend the social judgement system Sibyl to the nearby South East Asian Union in the year 2116, but all is not what it seems. We get a glimpse at the apocalyptic global situation, and are challenged to consider the benefits of a morally abhorrent system. The team discuss how it holds up compared to the series, what it adds or takes away from the canon, and what philosophy they would have liked it to explore more. The Psycho-Pass series is available to watch on Hulu.

On this episode, Cat and Joe welcome back guest host Vance Tucker to talk about another wild classic anime movie by Yoshiaki Kawajiri, based on the works of fantasy horror author Hideyuki Kikuchi. Demon City Shinjuku, released in Japan in 1988 and later in the US in 1994, is set in a distant future where there's one president of the world, amazing technology, very vague magic force-like powers, a lot exposition and demons about to pour out of the center of Tokyo to take it all over. Cat, Vance and Joe have a lot of questions about this truly ridiculous, but very fun film.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review Masaaki Yuasa's mind boggling directorial debut, Mind Game. This wildly experimental film mixes a variety of animation styles, and even throws in some live action. Since its release in 2004 it has developed a cult following, and has a whopping 100% on Rotten Tomatoes! In Yuasa's own words, "Instead of telling it serious and straight, I went for a look that was a bit wild and patchy. I think that Japanese animation fans today don't necessarily demand something that's so polished. You can throw different styles at them and they can still usually enjoy it."

On this episode Cat and Joe discuss, review, and describe their frequent shock at how incredibly bonkers this movie is. This bubbly film by Masaaki Yuasa explores the ways in which a young woman deals with grief, horrific loss, and moving on, with a quirky surfing-meets-firefighting rom com twist. Joe describes this episode as his favorite episode the team has recorded for the pod so far.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss the recently theatrically released, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, which enjoyed a $17.6 million opening weekend in the U.S. This is a prequel based off the original 2018 manga, and directed by the Jujutsu Kaisen series director, Sunghoo Park. It's a new angle on the Jujutsu warrior world and there's lots to discuss - How does the movie compare to the series? Is the new protagonist, Yuta, a more engaging hero than Itadori? Does this film work as a stand alone, or do you have to watch the series first? Give it a listen and find out where The AMP hosts stand on the Jujutsu world of cursed energy techniques and cursed spirits. Also available as a video podcast on the Anime Movie Podcast YouTube channel.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review one of their all-time favorite anime movies, and Satoshi Kon's directorial debut, ‘Perfect Blue'. This mind-bending psychological thriller is a beautiful and disturbing thinking piece that uses live-action tropes of disjointed editing and purposeful misdirection to keep you guessing and discussing the possibilities until the end.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review Isao Takahata's Pom Poko, an underrated Studio Ghibli film jam-packed with Japanese folklore, raccoon dogs and shapeshifting. The film explores the fight of the tanuki, also known as raccoon dogs, for their homeland in the face of encroaching modernism and housing developments. The AMP team discuss the significance of the folkloric aspects of this film, and weigh in on each other's personal theories about how and why the tanuki are able to do the incredible things they do with their testicles throughout this delightfully animated and well-crafted film.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review Studio Ghibli's 'The Secret World of Arrietty' based on the British children's novel The Borrowers by author Mary Norton. This is the directorial debut of former Ghibli animator Hiromasa Yonebayashi who later went on to co-found Studio Ponoc. Cat and Joe discuss how Yonebayashi successfully creates a believable yet hugely imaginative world of the tiny people who live in our walls and steal our stuff. They also discuss what they would do if they found Borrowers living in their own apartments, and what it would be like to live in a big scary world if you were only 4 inches tall.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review the shiny new Mamoru Hosoda film, Belle, a Beauty and the Beast re-imagining. Hosoda dives back into the world of digital reality and what it would be like if we were all to log in. Relevant as it is romantic, but also insanely confusing at times. Check out the movie in select theaters currently and come back and give the pod a listen.

This is the 52nd episode of the AMP, and we're going on hiatus. Thanks so much for listening - take some time to catch up on some of these films while we're gone! And look out for some special bonus episodes… Before they take a break, Cat and Joe discuss and review the 2019 film Promare, co-produced by Trigger and XFLAG, and directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi. This film has a LOT going on - mecha, action, historically and politically relevant themes, Greek mythology, super powers, sci-fi technology, some wild animation and a banging soundtrack. Totally worth a watch and of course, a listen! Available to stream on HBO Max, and available to rent or buy on Google Play, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Vudu and AppleTV.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review the 2018 anime film Okko's Inn by Kitarou Kousaka. This director has been heavily involved in many Studio Ghibli films, was an animator on Akira, and designed the original characters for the series Monster. This paranormal coming of age story has some Spirited Away meets Colorful vibes, which means Joe hates it, and Cat tries her best to defend it - and they both laugh a lot. Available to stream on Netflix and Hoopla, available to rent on Google Play, YouTube, Amazon Prime, Vudu and iTunes.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review the 2013 sci-fi fantasy film, Patema Inverted, directed by Yasuhiro Yoshiura. Cat brings up ideas about ‘otherness', ‘fear of the unknown' and social relativity, Joe brings up that this movie has some extremely confusing and problematic plot points. They both attempt to explain it with a diagram, with limited success, but found parts of this film to be very funny and fun to talk about. Available to buy-to-stream on AppleTV, YouTube, Amazon Prime & Google Play.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss, review and gush over this beautifully animated and incredibly charming vampire-meets-mermaid fairytale, Lu Over The Wall, directed by Masaaki Yuasa, of The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl fame. This film has a lot going on, and approaches a fantasy story in a small Japanese fishing village with great care and humor. You can't help but care deeply about the ensemble cast, and the music is *chef's kiss*. Listen to hear a healthy dose of joyful banter about why the team loved this movie, and go watch it! It's available to stream on Netflix.

On this episode, Cat and Joe welcome special guest and Lupin expert Blake Conklin, to discuss and review the absolutely charming action adventure film Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro. This film was Hayao Miyazaki's feature length directorial debut, and is the foundation for the events that lead to the founding of Studio Ghibli. All three agree that this is one of Miyazaki's greatest films, and over 40 years later, still holds up and still delights. Available to stream on Netflix.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review the ridiculous but surprisingly enjoyable 1986 short anime film ‘Call Me Tonight', about a young man with an unusual problem he suddenly develops. Every time he gets sexually aroused, he physically transforms into a giant monster, and he asks a girl who owns a phone sex line to help him. The result? A very 80s, very bizarre and entertaining, 29 minutes of teenage rom-com horror comedy worth talking about. Available to watch with subtitles on YouTube.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review the BRAND NEW and really quite delightful Netflix original Anime rom-com, ‘Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop' (2020), released 07/23/21. The team praises the film for having ample set up and payoff, a unique animation style and an undeniable over-all charm. The film is filled with haikus, and even Joe was into that. Joe even shows off some of his haiku knowledge, and they discuss whether or not 90 minutes really is the perfect length for a movie. Available to stream on Netflix.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review the Frankenstein-esq Digimon movie made from 3 Digimon featurettes directed by Mamoru Hosoda. This film was made to compete with the Pokemon franchise, and although it was never a feature length film in Japan, it can be considered Hosoda's directorial debut in America. The team discuss the oddities of trying to tie 3 very different stories together, and the even more bizarre addition of Angela Anaconda to the start of the film, and also everything that is really wonderful about it. Joe also talks about how this movie heavily influenced his taste in music, and how nostalgic it is to watch again.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review the utterly ridiculous but fun to watch Pokemon: The First Movie Mewtwo Strikes Back (1998). The team get nostalgic about the first generation or Pokemon, playing Pokemon on their Gameboys back in the day, and how Joe's trust issues started with Pokemon trades gone wrong. Joe flexes his vast Pokemon knowledge and explains why so many of the Pokemon and match ups in this movie make no sense, and they both point out and discuss several plot holes. And let's be honest, if you've seen this movie, you probably already know. Available to stream on Amazon Prime, and available to buy or rent on iTunes, YouTube, etc.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review the 1999 political drama (some say thriller, they disagree) Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade. The film focusses on an operative of a special unit in an alternate Post-WWII Japan occupied by Germany, and his PTSD after watching the suicide bombing of one of the young girls they call ‘Little Red Riding Hoods' who are part of a guerrilla terrorist group. The film begs the question - once a wolf, are you always a wolf? Can you leave the pack? And so many other wolf metaphors. Available to rent or stream (for a price) on Amazon Prime. This episode is also available as a video podcast on The Anime Movie Podcast YouTube channel.

On this episode... one of them loves it - one of them isn't so into it! And they hash it out as they discuss and review the wild and whacky adventure-packed space racing movie, Redline (2009). This film wows with some very cool stylistic animation and character designs, some stellar sound design and pumping soundtrack. It is the feature directorial debut for Takeshi Koike. Available to purchase or rent on Amazon Prime, Google Play and YouTube, and it's free to stream on Tubi and Vudu.

On this special bonus episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review the very popular Season 1 of Demon Slayer, as well as the recent Demon Slayer movie, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train (2020). The AMP team got to see this one in an actual theater with actual popcorn and everything, which was a very exciting post-quarantine treat. Demon Slayer: Mugen Train became the first non-American film to top an annual box office, becoming the highest grossing movie of 2020. It was released outside of Japan in the spring of 2021, and has since replaced Your Name (Makoto Shinkai, 2016) as the highest grossing anime movie of all time, and is also the highest grossing Japanese film ever made. The film acts as a direct sequel to the first season, so Cat and Joe discuss the important parts of the series that lead up to the events that take place in the film, and they also make predictions for Season 2, set to be released in October 2021. This special bonus episode is also available as a video podcast - search YouTube for The Anime Movie Podcast to watch! The series is available to stream on Netflix. The film is streaming exclusively on Funimation, though it's also available for digital purchase from YouTube, Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play & Vudu. It may also still be possible to watch in theaters if you're listening in the Summer of 2021!

On this last episode of Ghibli June, Cat and Joe discuss and review Hayao Miyazaki's Princess Mononoke with special guest, Tierney Hamilton, Cat's older sister who introduced her to anime in her childhood and who also happens to be taking a Ghibli course as part of her PhD. Tierney offers lots of cultural and historical context, while Cat and Joe bring some fun (albeit less informed) insights of their own to the table. Available to stream on HBO Max, and available to purchase on Amazon.

In the 3rd installment of Ghibli June, Cat and Joe discuss and review the relentless, neo-realist war drama, Grave of the Fireflies, directed by Isao Takahata. This is a film that made Cat so deeply sad when she first watched it 12 years ago, that she swore she would never watch it again, but she did anyway, and a second viewing gave her some fresh perspective that she shares here. This film even gets some major feels out of Joe, and they discuss why this film is so important, why everyone should watch it, and how it beautifully humanizes the statistics and lost details of WWII history in Japan. (And how Joe can't help but cope with how deeply tragic this film is without a healthy dose of self-protective humor.) Available to rent or buy on iTunes and Vudu, and available to purchase on DVD.

On this installment of Ghibli June, Cat and Joe revisit a well-known film that caused quite a lot of controversy the first time they watched it together: Hayao Miyazaki's Academy Award winning feature film, Spirited Away. How could this well-loved film be so controversial you ask? What kind of fire could it ignite in these podcasters' bellies? Listen to hear some hot takes on this feud, with special guest Vance Tucker bringing his insights and diplomacy in equal measure. Cat's sister Tierney Hamilton also calls in for a fun special appearance. Available to stream on HBO Max. The two articles from the Roger Ebert website Cat mentions are here: https://www.rogerebert.com/far-flung-correspondents/chihiros-journey-analyzing-spirited-away And here: https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-spirited-away-2002

On this episode, Cat and Joe kick off Ghibli June with the film that started it all… Hayao Miyazaki's Laputa: Castle In The Sky. This was the first official film released by the then unknown Studio Ghibli back in 1986, and the AMP team discusses the ways in which this film ties together later Miyazaki works, and hints at a Miyazaki-verse. Available to stream on HBO Max, and available to purchase on DVD wherever anime is sold.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review BLAME! A Netflix original anime movie that takes place in a far off future where mankind pushed to the brink of extinction due to a highly sophisticated computer virus. In fully-automated cities, this virus has caused the world's technology to malfunction, wiping off nearly all life on the planet. However, a mysterious hero arrives who may be the key to humanity's only chance of survival. BLAME! had received mixed reviews from critics when it came out, but will Cat and Joe feel differently? Will they be swept up in the tale of a far off dystopian future? Only one way to find out...(by listening to the episode). BLAME! is available to stream on Netflix (duh).

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review a sci-fi coming-of-age movie chock full o' penguins, mystery, and dentist visits... that knows no rules. Penguin Highway is a fun and bizarre detour about a young precocious boy obsessed with research and a woman several years his senior who seems to be tied to some unusual happenings. This film was aptly described as 'Stranger Things in the daytime' by Variety magazine, and is directed by Hiroyasu Ishida, based on the 2010 novel by Tomihiko Morimi (who also wrote the novel 'The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl', reviewed in episode 10). The team have a lot to say about it. Available to stream on Amazon Prime, and can also be purchased to view on YouTube, Apple TV and Vudu, amongst others.

On this episode, Cat and Joe wrap up Katsuhiro Otomo’s Memories anthology with the third, final and shortest film in the canon, Cannon Fodder, directed by Otomo himself. The AMP team gets low-key philosophical exploring this bleak war-focused dystopian future short through discussing Carl Schmitt’s ideas of using a common enemy to wield political power and Michel Foucault’s ideas about the all-seeing panopticon as a metaphor for control and discipline in modern society. Cat and Joe have a final discussion about Memories as a whole and what connects these three films as a cohesive collection, and give their final AMP numbers both for Cannon Fodder, and for the entire Memories anthology. Memories is available for purchase on DVD and Blu-Ray wherever anime is sold, and you can also stream it on Tubi and Amazon Prime in certain regions.

On this episode, Cat and Joe continue to discuss the 3-Part anthology 'Memories' based on the mangas by Katsuhiro Otomo, of Akira fame. This time, the team look at the second film in the anthology called 'Stink Bomb', about an under-the-weather Mr. Bean-type protagonist who accidentally takes an experimental medication at the lab where he works, and subsequently deals with the escalating chaos that ensues. This sci-fi slapstick thriller is directed by Tensai Okamura (Cowboy Bebop: The Movie [Director], Ghost In The Shell [Animation Dept])and it boasts a largely ska soundtrack, some beautiful animation, and some unexpected delights. For the second time in a row, Cat and Joe completely agree on their final AMP scores for this fun, yet dark, short. Available to purchase on DVD / Blu-Ray from Amazon and wherever anime is sold. Available to stream on Tubi, and Amazon Prime with a subscription (but only in certain regions).

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review the first feature in the three film anthology, Memories, based on mangas by Katsuhiro Otomo. As the opening film in the series, Magnetic Rose, screenplay written by AMP favorite director Satoshi Kon, does not disappoint. Cat drops a lot of literary references, and Joe cannot stop gushing about how much he loves this AI anxiety meets paranormal activity movie. With a running time of only 45 minutes, this masterpiece wastes no time being absolutely awesome. Available to stream on Tubi and Amazon Prime in certain regions. Also available on DVD / Blu-Ray from Amazon and a few other places where anime is sold - in 2021 an English dub also became available. It's well worth seeking out!

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review Masahiro Andô's 2007 samurai action film 'Sword Of The Stranger', about a wandering foreign master swordsman attempting to thwart the evil plans of a Chinese super-fighting cult. Cat and Joe discuss the very cool weapons and fight scenes this film has to offer, and they also discuss their views on seeking immortality and how exoticism and racism ruin a good time. Director Masahiro Andô has a huge number of credits as an animator and key animator on well-known films and anime series but is not a prolific film director, so this film is a bit of divergent role for him. It's a fun hacking-slashing romp. Available to stream for a price on Amazon Prime, or with a subscription to Funimation or Crunchyroll, and available on DVD wherever anime is sold.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review Rintaro’s 2001 cult classic sci-fi-meets-1920s-Art-Deco film, Metropolis. A blast from the past, and a blast from the future, this film is based on the 1949 manga of the same name, illustrated by Osama Tezuka (of AstroBoy fame), who very VERY loosely based his manga on the 1927 German expressionist sci-fi drama film by Fritz Lang (also of the same name). The connection is very tenuous, but still, it annoyed the Germans enough for them to rename it ’Robotic Angel’ when the manga was released there. So, close enough? Available to purchase on DVD / Blu-Ray wherever Anime is sold.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review Satoshi Kon’s Millennium Actress. They talk about meet cutes that don’t make any sense, what it means to be in love, and what you should and should not keep from your exes. This is one of the very rare occasions when the AMP team agree on their final AMP score… listen to find out what it is! Available to stream on Amazon Prime, also available to purchase and then stream on YouTube and iTunes among others. DVD and Blu-Ray available anywhere anime is sold.

On this episode, Cat and Joe welcome back special guest Vance Tucker to discuss and review one of the first anime films Vance ever accidentally saw, and boy howdy it really stuck with him. There’s a big sexual trauma trigger warning on this episode, which would be difficult to avoid when talking about this film, so if this is something that is sensitive for you, please skip this episode. Cat and Joe like to deal with things that make them deeply uncomfortable with humor, so if that’s not a big trigger warning for you - this episode is absolutely hilarious, and sometimes a little upsetting, but the AMP team tries to soften the blow. Available to watch on YouTube, and available to purchase on Amazon on DVD and Blu-Ray.

On this episode, Cat and Joe wrap up one whole month of Mamoru Hosoda films by reviewing their agreed favorite of his cannon, the 2009 hit Summer Wars. The AMP team discusses the way this film explores the ideas of social media, reliance on technology and the concepts of literal and figurative avatars, plus the way family relationships and generational differences shape the way we understand the world. Highly recommended! Available to stream on Vudu, and available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD wherever anime is sold.

On this delightful episode, Cat and Joe debate whether Mamoru Hosoda’s 2018 coming of age film Mirai’s more whimsical elements are the product of a magical garden or the wildly creative imagination of a young boy named Jun. This film explores the meaning and experience of learning about the world for the first time, and both Cat and Joe share some pretty funny, touching and sometimes savage childhood stories of their own. Mirai is available to stream on Netflix, and for purchase on Amazon Prime and iTunes. It's also available to purchase on DVD & Blu-Ray wherever anime is sold.

On this Mamoru Hosoda March episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review The Boy And The Beast (2015), written and directed by Hosoda. The AMP team dives deep into the themes of father figures, coming of age, the darkness of the soul, and apprenticeship in this action adventure fantasy film about a boy who finds himself straddling two worlds and figuring out how to belong in either of them. There is debate a plenty and the final AMP numbers from Cat and Joe are VERY different. Listen to find out why!

Mamoru Hosoda March continues! On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review Hosoda's slice-of-life-meets-fantasy 2012 film 'Wolf Children'. The AMP team quizzes each other about what they would do if they were dating someone who divulged they were a werewolf, and if THEY were the wolf-person, how they would break it to their unsuspecting partners. And of course, they talk lots and lots about the movie. They delight in the humor, drama and touching nature of this beautifully animated and well-paced Hosoda masterpiece. Available to stream for a fee on iTunes and Fandango Now. Available on blu-ray / DVD wherever anime is sold.

All March long, Cat and Joe will be discussing Mamoru Hosoda movies, starting with a review of the popular time traveling teen dramedy, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. Friend of the pod Vance Tucker, joins in on the discussion. The AMP team have a HUGE running debate about one specific part of this film and Vance steps in as both mediator and counselor, and brings up some great points of his own. Miraculously, there are some concessions! And a surprising unprecedented AMP cranking. Available on DVD wherever Anime is sold, and also available for purchase from multiple streaming platforms, including iTunes, AppleTV, Amazon Prime, YouTube and Vudu.

On this episode, Cat and Joe wrap up Makoto Shinkai February by discussing and reviewing his earliest feature length film, The Place Promised In Our Early Days, set in a post-war alternative timeline where Japan is enduring a precarious cold war with Russia. Cat and Joe discuss how this foundational film influences a lot of Shinkai's later successes, and how so many of his recognizable Shinkai-isms started right here. Listen to find out why the AMP team thinks they should steal this movie's concept, re-write it and sell it back to Hollywood for millions of dollars as a live action Marvel-style cinematic blockbuster. Available to stream with a CrunchyRoll subscription, available to watch for free on the Anime PH Facebook page or on YouTube, and available to purchase on DVD and Blu-Ray from Amazon.

It's February, which means love is in the air! And of course, so is deep seated loneliness. And how better to celebrate the coming and going of Valentine's Day 2021 than to talk about Makoto Shinkai's most recent film of hopeless young love and extraordinary natural disaster: Weathering With You (2019). On this episode, not only do Cat and Joe discuss some fun movie trivia, but also how everyone in this movie should go to jail, whether or not this lives up to the amazingly successful 'Your Name' whose shadow it cannot avoid, and what would really happen if it rained for three years straight. Available to watch on DVD and Blu-Ray wherever anime is sold, and available to stream on HBO Max with a subscription, or on Amazon Prime (for a price).

On this episode, Cat and Joe continue to explore February, the month of love, by talking about another Makoto Shinkai film. Children Who Chase Lost Voices went out of print in 2019, and is now a very difficult film to find indeed! But Cat found it, and boy do she and Joe have a lot to say about it. Shinkai's longest film to-date, this action adventure fantasy film strays from some of his usual themes and Cat and Joe discuss the strong Miyazaki influences, Shinkai's exploration into ideas of the after life and how you would need a lawyer present if you ever actually got the chance to make a wish. They also discuss the similarities between this film and The Avengers, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Indiana Jones, Steins;Gate, Nausicaa of The Valley of the Wind, and many more. Be careful what you wish for, folks!

This episode kicks off a whole month of Makoto Shinkai movies! Cat and Joe start the month of Cupid and heart-shaped boxes, with the forlorn love story of The Garden of Words. Both Cat and Joe are left breathless by the extraordinarily beautiful animation of this rainy day film that doesn't outstay its welcome - coming in at only 46 minutes long. While this film offers poetry, nostalgia and some sentimental themes, it never quite tips over into sappiness. Cat and Joe also offer some hot takes which DRASTICALLY change the meaning of the film with a couple of fun conspiracy theories. Available to watch on Netflix, CrunchyRoll and Vudu.

On this episode, Cat and Joe wrap up Ghibli January with special guest, David Faggiani, discussing Hayao Miyazaki's 1992 love letter to old Hollywood with classic anime absurdist elements, Porco Rosso! We talk about the historical context of this film taking place between WWI and WWII with the rise of fascism looming in the background, how incredibly enjoyable and underrated this movie is, why Miyazaki made Porco Rosso a pig and why so many of his films focus on air travel. Available to stream on HBO Max and Amazon Prime (for a price), available on Netflix outside of the U.S., and also available on Blu-Ray and DVD everywhere anime is sold, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Best Buy. David lives in London, UK. He is the regular host (with rotating guests) of The EscapeGoat Podcast, a discussion podcast about most things but mainly pop culture, flaws and all. Available on iTunes, Spotify and also on his Libsyn site. Check it out here: https://escapegoatpodcast.libsyn.com/

It's still Ghibli January! On this episode Cat and Joe discuss the Studio Ghibli classic, My Neighbor Totoro. This film about a young girl who discovers a mystical, magical world where strange creatures exist took the world by storm since its release in 1988. It is the Studio Ghibli logo, and has the studio's most recognizable character by far. Totoro merch is everywhere! Available for streaming on HBO Max.

On this episode, Ghibli January continues! Cat and Joe discuss and review Hayao Miyazaki's 1989 classic Kiki's Delivery Service, a coming of age tale about a young witch living in a fictitious European town, in an alternate timeline where WWI & WWII never happened. Find out why Joe loved this movie, and why the Concerned Women for America boycotted it and why they were so hecking concerned. Available for streaming on HBO Max.

Welcome to Ghibli January! All month long we'll be reviewing Studio Ghibli films. On this Episode, Cat and Joe kick things off by discussing Howl's Moving Castle. One of Miyazaki's classic films, this movie follows the adventures of Sophie, a woman who has a chance encounter with the powerful wizard, Howl, and ends up In the center of a magical plot. There are curses, witches, and a castle that...well...moves. Available for streaming on HBO Max.

On this episode, Cat and Joe wrap up their 2020 Anime movie viewings by discussing and reviewing the award winning, top-anime-movie-list-making 2010 film, Colorful. Based on the 1998 novel of the same name by celebrated female author Eto Mori, this film explores a very 'It's a Wonderful Life' thematic story line, through the eyes of a misanthropic teen. It misses the mark completely for Joe, and Cat explains why she doesn't hate it, but how it could have made life look a little more believably 'colorful'. Available to rent or buy on Vudu and iTunes. Available to watch for free on YouTube with English subs. Available on Blu-Ray & DVD from Amazon.

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review Satoshi Kon's dark yet miracle-filled unconventional Christmas film, Tokyo Godfathers, released in 2003. Listen in while they discuss the adventures of Hana, Gin, and Miyuki and their search for an abandoned baby's parents. Streaming for free on Crackle, available for renting on Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Google Play

On this episode, Cat and Joe discuss and review the undeniably delightful and adorable Miyazaki classic, Ponyo... Along with some hot takes including a discussion on atrocious parenting, how Ponyo could easily be re-edited as a horror film, how the wizard of the sea banged the goddess of the sea, and how much Joe WANTS to bang the goddess of the sea.