Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction Review

In the underground Diamond Domain, where many Carbink live, the Mythical Pokemon Diancie serves as ruler. The Heart Diamond that sustains the land is beginning to fall apart, and Diancie is not yet strong enough to create a new one. While seeking help from the Legendary Pokemon Xerneas, Diancie encounters a group of thieves who want to take control of it's diamond-producing power- and who awaken the Legendary Pokemon Yveltal from its cocoon in the process!

I will be the first to admit I haven't watch Pokemon in along time. It's just one of those things I just grew out of. When I sat down to watch the new movie I must admit I was hit with nostaglia. e movie starts off with the introduction of Diancie. You get a background on her and her Poke friends and the environment. As always trouble is brewing and some evil human is trying to use Pokemon for their own plans. As usual it's up to Ash and his friends to save the day. If you're use to the Pokemon setup there will be nothing new under the sun with this film. However I will say that the Pokemon in this film were awesome. Pokemon is at it's best when the storyline focuses on the legendary Pokemon. This film focuses on the legendary Pokemon Xerneas who has the power to restore life to heart diamond that Diancie needs to save her domain. However standing in their path is the Pokemon of destruction Yveltal.  Yveltal in ancient times stole all the life force from the Kalos Region.  Ash and his friends must protect Diancie and the world, while fending off Team Rocket and a gang of thieves trying to use Diancie to make diamonds.

Pokemon Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction doesn't really add to much to the Pokemon lore. The film follows the basic format you're use to seeing in a Pokemon medium. The visual are enhanced a bit giving it a really polish look compared to the XY tv show. The action is improved and the music production is enjoyable. I grinned like a child when I heard the original Pokemon theme in the opening scene. If you're a Pokemon fan you will enjoy this film it has action, legendary Pokemon and some pretty funny moments with Team Rocket. My only grip with  the film is some of the pacing and character development on supporting characters. I felt it wasn't flushed out enough for me to care for them. Also why is Team Rocket still after Pikachu? It' s been decades I think that plot has run it's course. Overall this film knows who it' s for and that is for Pokemon fans. Check it out if you're fan.

Final Grade C+/7.5

Legend of Korra Book Four: Balance Blu-ray Release

After 10 years, 2 avatars, and a slew of exciting characters the incredible franchise that started with a young air bender named Aang, is coming to an end. Korra beat Amon, she connected the human and spirit world, and stopped  The Red Lotus from ending the line of the Avatar. Book 4 is her most turbulent journey yet.

Book 4: Balance is the perfect ending to this epic series. Zaheer's poison took a toll on Korra both physically and mentally. She is haunted by the image of herself in the Avatar state while she was under the control of the poison. The season begins 3 years later, on the day Team Avatar, Korra, Asami, Bolin and Mako, are meant to finally reunite. When her father arrives without her however, they discover Korra has been missing for months. She has begun a journey of self realization. She meets an old friend of Aang's who helps her extract the final remnants of the poison just in time to face Kuvira, the metal bender who after the fall of the earth queen is conquering the Earth Kingdom.

The original series, Avatar: The Last Airbender, has the most vibrant group of memorable characters and Korra follows suit. The dynamic of this Team Avatar is reminiscent of the original crew. Bolin is the funny guy who is always has your back in a fight and a joke ready for a tough day. Asami who although she is not a bender, is a technological genius who can hold her own in a fight against any bender. Mako the cool under pressure muscle with impeccable instincts, except with women. They are just the start. Book Four beautifully ties up story lines of characters that appear throughout the series. For example, Asami's father Hiroshi returns. Before Book 4, we last saw Hiroshi being arrested for supporting Amon, now he helps Asami engineer a weapon to level the playing field during the final battle.

There are hours of bonus features. They include commentaries on each episode by the creators, actors, producers and animators. They open your eyes to the complexities of creating a master piece like The Legend of Korra. There are moments they cherish, that perhaps the audience missed watching the series for the first time, or visual cues they may have glossed over. Next they include a recording of the last ever New York Comic Con Panel. Each of actor explain what a personal and profound effect the series has had on their lives. It a comprehensive look at the making of this incredible journey.

For Avatar fans this Blu-ray release is a must have.

The Anime Encyclopedia, 3rd Revised Edition Review

It’s been 7 years since the last edition and a lot has changed in Japanese Animation since then. Bandai pulled out of the American DVD market; Aniplex went to court over Kiba; Anime Sols and Daisuki tried to move the locus of power away from America and back to Japan; piracy and torrenting became hot-button issues; anime experimented with stereoscopic vision (Cyborg 009), crowd-funding (Kick-Heart), cellphone distribution (Today’s Aska Show) and “4D” cinema events (Hatsune Miku Live Party). Meanwhile, anime's sense of its own history continued not only to reframe the past, with the rediscovery of A Mole’s Adventure, but also to fret about the future, with the retirement of Hayao Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli).

If you ever wanted to know a lot of about anime series, ova and films this is the book for you. Often called The Anime Bible, The Anime Encyclopedia has seen it's 3rd revision. The revision updates from the very beginning of anime to the year 2013. Yes otakus your favorite shows like Sword Art Online and Highschool of The Dead are included in this revision. This entry not only gives the full synopsis and details of anime ranging from A to Z. It also gives you thematic entries covering various genre's from Hentai to sports anime and more. This section is great because it gives a history on each genre and how it started in anime. In addition each anime hyperlinks for those with tablets to get more information on the animation. I found this encyclopedia very useful when it came to old school anime. If you're like me and love the old school anime it's a great tool to look up titles you may have missed. The book is insightful, very detail and packs a punch. 

Final Grade A+/9.5