Next Club Meeting: April 20, 2024, at the Fountaindale Public Library in Bolingbrook from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

The Animatrix Network is an anime & manga fan club located in the Southwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. We usually meet on the third Saturday of each month (except when holidays or conventions coincide). The meetings are free and open to the public. Join us for a day filled with anime.

This site provides news, reviews, commentaries, and previews of the world of anime and everything it inspires, such as live-action films, comics, music, art, and other weird things to enjoy and contemplate.

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Behind the scenes Featurette of LEGO Batman


This spin-off of The Lego Movie (2014) centers on the character of Batman.

Monday, January 30, 2017

'Stranger Things' WINS at SAG Awards

[Source: LA Times] "Stranger Things" won the SAG Award for ensemble in a drama series, and David Harbour, who plays Chief Jim Hopper, delivered an impassioned speech about the importance of fighting for the disenfranchised. 

Read his speech in full below: 

This is unreal. I’m supposed to start talking. I’m sorry. I’m sick. 
 
On behalf of this fearless and talented cast, we would like to thank -- oh, it's so heavy -- Netflix, Shawn [Levy], Matt [Duffer], Ross [Duffer] and the amazing casting director Carmen Cuba
 
I would just like to say that in light of all that’s going on in the world today, it’s difficult to celebrate the already celebrated “Stranger Things,” but this award from you, who take your craft seriously and earnestly believe, like me, that great acting can change the world, is a call to arms from our fellow craftsmen and women to go deeper and through our art to battle against fear, self-centeredness and exclusivity of our predominantly narcissistic culture. And through our craft to cultivate a more empathetic and understanding society by revealing intimate truths that serve as a forceful reminder to folks that when they feel broken and afraid and tired, they are not alone. 
 
We are united, in that we are all human beings and we are all together on this horrible, painful, joyous, exciting and mysterious ride that is being alive. 
 
Now, as we act and the continuing narrative of “Stranger Things,” we 1983 Midwesterners will repel bullies. We will shelter freaks and outcasts, those who have no homes. We will get past the lies. We will hunt monsters. And when we are lost amidst the hypocrisy and the casual violence of certain individuals and institutions, we will, as per Chief Jim Hopper, punch some people in the face when they seek to destroy the meek and the disenfranchised and the marginalized. And we will do it all with soul, with heart, and with joy. 
 
We thank you for this responsibility. We thank you.

[Source: Yahoo!News] “Stranger Things” officially became an Emmy contender on Sunday night with its upset win for drama ensemble at the SAG Awards.

The 1980s-set sci-fi romp bested the night’s big winner, “The Crown,” in the category, along with such heavyweights as “Game of Thrones” and “Downtown Abbey” and another buzzy newcomer, “Westworld.”

Nowhere was the surprise of the victory more evident than on the wide-eyed face of “Stranger Things” star Winona Ryder as the group trundled on stage to collect the award. While star David Harbour read an impassioned “call to arms” for the artistic community, the four youthful co-stars of “Stranger Things” were jumping up and down and hugging one another.

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Duel - CGI 3D animation


Enjoy this awesome CGI 3D animated short created by 46 talented artists from 16 countries collaborated through the Artella platform to make 'DUEL' as the show opening short film for the 2016 CTN Animation Expo! Learn more about the virtual studio platform here: http://wwwArtella.com

Saturday, January 28, 2017

John Hurt passed away at the age of 77

JOHN HURT
(January 22, 1940 – January 25, 2017)
[Source: FoxNews] The Oscar-nominated actor Sir John Vincent Hurt has died. He was 77.

Hurt's agent Charles McDonald says the actor, who battled pancreatic cancer, died Friday in London.

The actor received Academy Award nominations for playing a heroin addict in "Midnight Express" and the tortured John Merrick in David Lynch's "The Elephant Man." Hurt had a career that spanned over 50 years in television, film and voice work.  He terrified audiences in "Alien," and spoofed that very same scene in "Spaceballs."

As prolific as ever, Hurt recently appeared alongside Natalie Portman in the Oscar-nominated film "Jackie" as a priest who consoles the recently widowed first lady. Hurt leaves behind a few production credits, including Joe Wright's "Darkest Hour, where Hurt plays Neville Chamberlain.

The Telegraph reported that he was awarded a knighthood in 2014.

"I like being Sir John. It works, doesn’t it? Or John,” the actor said. “The only thing that sticks in my craw is when people say ‘Mr Hurt’. I tell them it’s no longer correct."
Hurt considered life and death during an interview in 2015 while fighting cancer.

“I can’t say I worry about mortality, but it’s impossible to get to my age and not have a little contemplation of it,” Hurt said. “We’re all just passing time, and occupy our chair very briefly.”

The wiry Hurt brought gravitas to Alan Parker's 1978 film "Midnight Express," for which he received a supporting actor Oscar nomination (he lost to Christopher Walken for "The Deer Hunter") and an uneasy humor to Kane in Ridley Scott's "Alien," immortalized by his disturbing death scene, which Mel Brooks later poked fun at with Hurt's help in "Spaceballs."

"It was terribly sad today to learn of John Hurt's passing," Mel Brooks wrote on Twitter. "He was a truly magnificent talent."

Hurt is unrecognizable in perhaps his most memorable role as the lead in David Lynch's "The Elephant Man." He endured eight hours in the makeup chair daily to transform into John Merrick. The elaborate mask prohibited him from sleeping lying down or even eating while it was on. His would eat his last meal midmorning as the mask was being applied -- usually raw eggs mixed in orange juice -- and not again until after midnight.

"To be quite honest, the film was misery to make because of the physical problems, so if it's working I'm jumping for joy," Hurt said in a 1980 interview.  Hurt did score a lead actor Oscar nomination for the role, but lost out to Robert De Niro's performance in "Raging Bull."
Hurt was also a prolific voice actor, appearing as Hazel in the animated "Watership Down," and as Aragorn in Ralph Bakshi's "The Lord of the Rings." He also voiced The Horned King in "The Black Cauldron" and provided the narration for "Dogville."

In the "Harry Potter" films, Hurt played the wand-maker Mr. Ollivander. In recent years, he appeared in notable fare such as "Melancholia," "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy," "Only Lovers Left Alive" and "Snowpiercer."

"We're all just passing time, and occupy our chair very briefly," Hurt said in a 2015 interview while undergoing treatments for the early stage cancer.

As prolific as ever, Hurt recently appeared alongside his "V for Vendetta" co-star Natalie Portman in the Oscar-nominated film "Jackie" as a priest who consoles and advises the recently widowed first lady.

Hurt leaves behind a few in production credits, including Joe Wright's "Darkest Hour" which is listed as still filming. Hurt plays Neville Chamberlain in the film about Winston Churchill's charge against Hitler. Gary Oldman plays Churchill.


Friday, January 27, 2017

Anime Viewing Schedule for January 28, 2017

Saturday, January 28, 2017
Wood Dale Public Library
"Hurry, let's get to the first meeting of the New Year!"
Main Meeting Room, 10:15 am to 5:00 pm

10:15 - 11:05    Macross Delta 15-16
11:05 - 11:55    Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World 10-11
11:55 - 12:45    91 Days 3-4
12:45 - 1:35      Izetta: The Last Witch 7-8
1:35 - 2:05        Club Meeting / Announcements
2:05 - 3:20        Little Witch Academia (2017 TV series) eps 1-3

All anime presented are fan-subtitled unless otherwise noted.
 
Start watching the exciting new anime series: Izetta: The Last Witch and Little Witch Academia!
ANIME DESCRIPTIONS ARE BELOW

Thursday, January 26, 2017

D  E  T  E  N  T  I  O  N
Detention is a atmospheric horror game set in 1960s Taiwan under martial law. Incorporated religious elements based in Taiwanese/Chinese culture and mythology, the game provided players with unique graphics and gaming experience.

Greenwood high school, located in a remote mountainous area, two students found themselves trapped and vulnerable. The place they once knew has changed in unsettling ways, haunted by evil creatures. To escape, they must explore the mysterious campus filled with ominous objects and puzzles. How will they survive in this ever threatening environment? Could they return to safety in one piece?

Set in a fictitious world in the 1960s Taiwan under martial law, Detention, the story-driven atmospheric horror incorporated East Asian elements rarely used in games. Taoism, Buddhism, Chinese mythology, the game draws on local Taiwanese cultural references to tell an unique and terrifying story.
In this 2D atmospheric horror side-scroller, players navigate the main characters in a classic point and click fashion to explore a high school where evil encroaches. While hiding from the rampaging monsters, you are to find items to interact with in the otherworldly rooms. And as more mysteries unveiled, the dark past of a cursed school will finally surface.
  • 2D atmospheric horror with spine-chilling atmosphere.
  • Immersive gameplay and puzzle solving experience
  • Unique Taiwanese/Eastern cultural references.
  • Original sound tracks, fusing Electronic, Lo-Fi, and Rock with traditional Asian instruments.
  • Unique and appealing graphics.
  • Multiple language support. (Including English, Chinese)
  • Mac, Windows and Linux support
“Like so many crashing waves, every facet of Detention moves in one harmonious lockstep towards an unavoidable tragedy, drowning out the world around you.”
9/10 – Rely On Horror

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

English dub trailer for Russian Film: 'Guardians'

G  U  A  R  D  A  N  S
During the Cold War, a secret organization "Patriot" has created a squad of superheroes, which included participants from various Soviet republics. For years, the heroes had to hide their identity, but in hard times, they again take the case.

Release Date: February 23, 2017

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

First club meeting of the New Year!

 A N I M A T R I X   N E T W O R K
Let's go! It's the first meeting of the new year!

Wood Dale Public Library
520 N. Wood Dale Road
Wood Dale, IL  60191
Main Meeting Room
Saturday, January 28, 2017
10:15 AM - 5:00 PM
 

Our next club meeting will be at the Wood Dale Public Library
Main Meeting Room (on your far right as you enter the front doors), 
from 10:15 AM to 5:00 PM 
(until the library closes).

There is public transportation available. 
A Metra train-stop is located within walking distance. 

Please note: If you are driving, please park your car 
on the south side of the building (not the front) in order to 
make room for other library patrons.
 
A Viewing Schedule will be posted soon.
 
Hope to see you all there!

(Click below for maps

Monday, January 23, 2017

And the title for STAR WARS VIII is...

Disney has finally announced the official title for Rian Johnson‘s Star Wars: Episode 8. The Force Awakens sequel will be titled Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

Episode 8 is Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Lucasfilm released the following statement:
We have the greatest fans in this or any other galaxy. In appreciation of the fans, we wanted them to be the first to know the title of the next chapter in the Skywalker saga: STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI. THE LAST JEDI is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski. STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is scheduled for release December 15, 2017.
Here's how this new title looks in line with the other live-action Star Wars film releases:
  • Episode I: The Phantom Menace
  • Episode II: Attack of the Clones
  • Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
  • Episode IV: A New Hope
  • Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
  • Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
  • Episode VII: The Force Awakens
  • Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
The title seems to obviously in reference of Luke Skywalker, who Rey finds on Ach-To at the end of The Force Awakens. Rey exhibits force sensitives and abilities but the title suggests she is not yet a Jedi. So if she did have Jedi training as a young kid, she never passed the padawan stage, which should be obvious.
The full Star Wars: The Last Jedi teaser poster can be seen below.

Sunday, January 22, 2017

New Anime from China

"A visage of artistic violence. 
A Ballet of Death..."

This Chinese Animation is entitled "Fog Hill of the Five Elements," which contains one of the most incredible fight scenes ever made.

Below is a longer clip from the movie:

Saturday, January 21, 2017

First trailer for 'My Pet Dinosaur'

MY PET DINOSAUR
[Source: SyfyWire] A new film looking to find the sweet spot between modern classics like E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and the Pixar formula has arrived. Want a first look at My Pet Dinosaur? The film focuses on a boy who finds a dinosaur that's growing at an exponential rate in a small town where a military experiment has gone awry. As the dinosaur gets bigger and the military leaders look to track it down, we'll (probably) all learn some valuable lessons. Along with E.T., the live-action film looks to evoke the vibe of everything from Pete's Dragon to The Iron Giant. It’s directed by Emmy winner Matt Drummond (Dinosaur Island), and the cast includes Jordan Dulieu, Annabel Wolfe, Christopher Gabardi and Tiriel Mora.

Friday, January 20, 2017

Redband Trailer for 'Logan'

L  O  G  A  N
[Source: SyfyWire] Ahead of the movie’s release in less than two months, 20th Century Fox has unleashed a new full-length trailer for director James Mangold’s Wolverine sequel, Logan.

The movie sees the return of Hugh Jackman as the Adamantium-clawed mutant for the ninth (including cameos) and final time (unless Ryan Reynolds manages to convince him to return for the upcoming Deadpool 2) and Sir Patrick Stewart as an aging Charles Xavier.

Based on Marvel’s highly popular Old Man Logan comics, the R-rated comic book movie is set in 2029, where mutants are a dying breed due to a virus, Logan’s healing powers are failing and Professor X is losing his memories. If that wasn't bad enough, there's also a shadowy government organization called Transigen that's snatching young mutants and turning them into deadly weapons.

That’s where X-23 (Dafne Keen) comes in.

The new trailer revolves around the young female version of Wolverine named Laura Kinney, who's a feral little thing. I have to say I had some amazing chills when I saw Logan and her fight side by side in the trailer below. Also, how cool is that Meta bit with that X-Men comic? VERY cool!! Here's the official synopsis:

In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X in a hide out on the Mexican border. But Logan's attempts to hide from the world and his legacy are up-ended when a young mutant arrives, being pursued by dark forces.

The cast also includes Boyd Holbrook as Donald Pierce, the leader of a team of mutant-hatin' cyborgs called the Reavers, Stephen Merchant as Caliban and Richard E. Grant as Dr. Zander Rice, the main villain of the piece and the creator of X-23.

Logan will open in theaters on March 3.

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Sneak Peek at new film: 'iBoy'

iBOY Tom is an average teenager whose world is turned on its head when a violent encounter with local thugs leaves fragments of his shattered smartphone embedded in his brain. He wakes from a coma to discover that returning to normal teenage life is impossible because he has developed a strange set of superpowers. With these new powers he sets out to seek revenge on the gang, who also assaulted his best friend Lucy.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Hilarious New Marvel Parody focuses on Thor

[Source: SyfyWire] Details for the Blu-ray release of Doctor Strange have been revealed, and among the many bonus features included with the film will be a sequel to "Team Thor," the hysterical short film that premiered last summer at Comic-Con.
JOIN TEAM THOR!
In case you missed it, "Team Thor" was directed by Taika Waititi on a day off from directing this November's Thor: Ragnarok. It purported to show us what the God of Thunder (Chris Hemsworth) was up to while he sat out the events of Captain America: Civil War, which included traveling to Australia and moving in with a rather nerdy roommate named Darryl, visiting schoolchildren, hanging with Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and trying fruitlessly to get a phone call through to Tony Stark. Here's the piece:

We would easily vote for "Team Thor" as one of the best movies Marvel has ever made, so the fact that we're getting a sequel is just wonderful news. It would be terrific if they spun these off into their own mini-MCU while they're at it.

As for the rest of the Doctor Strange Blu-ray, it'll be packed with all kinds of other exciting bonuses, including five behind-the-scenes featurettes, five deleted scenes, outtakes, a gag reel, audio commentary from director Scott Derrickson and an exclusive look at the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that will include peeks at Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War, according to Marvel's promotional spiel.

But the jewel of it all (besides the movie itself) has to be "Team Thor 2." The whole package will hit digital HD on Feb. 14 and arrive on 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, and VOD on Feb. 28.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Your Name. Is Coming To Theaters April 7th!

Separated By Distance
Connected By Fate
- - y o u r   n a m e - -
Makoto Shinkai's latest masterpiece, Your Name. has quickly risen as one of the top anime films in the world. Award winning and under consideration for an Oscar, this number-one film is finally coming to North American theaters on April 7th, presented in both Japanese with English subtitles and English dub.

This release will also include the newly dubbed English soundtrack recorded by the Japanese band, Radwimps—which has not been debuted in any previous theatrical release!


Mitsuha and Taki are complete strangers living separate lives until they suddenly switch places. Mitsuha wakes up in Taki's body, and he in hers. This occurrence happens randomly, and they must adjust their lives around each other. Yet, somehow, it works. They build a connection by leaving notes for one another until they wish to finally meet. But something stronger than distance may keep them apart.

Monday, January 16, 2017

Tangled TV Series

TANGLED: The SERIES
In the earliest days of Disney’s fairy tale films, the princesses didn’t have to do much besides look beautiful and get rescued. Starting with Beauty and the Beast in 1991, effort has been made to make those princesses more than just pretty. Belle was an intelligent reader who saved the Beast’s life in the end. Aladdin’s Jasmine refused to get married until she was in love. Mulan saved all of China with her wit and bravery. And in 2010, Rapunzel was as active in her own escape as Flynn Rider/Eugene, the thief who took her on adventures outside of the tower where she had lived all her life in Tangled.

Tangled took the familiar story of Rapunzel and turned it into an exciting adventure where both Rapunzel and Eugene were essentially equals. He was her guide to the outside world, but she frequently saved and protected him – from drowning, an angry pub full of rogues, and Mother Gothel, the woman she thought was her mother. At the end of the film, they both saved each other, with Rapunzel using the magic inside her to heal Eugene’s wounds, and Eugene cutting Rapunzel’s hair short so that Gothel wouldn’t try to keep the princess locked up anymore. The moment her hair was cut, it turned brown and the magic moved from her hair to her tears.

Well, Disney is not done with Tangled. A new series is coming to Disney Channel, called Tangled: The Series. Before that however, there will be a made-for-TV sequel. Watch the trailer for Tangled: Before Ever After.

The animation looks significantly different from the film, but that is not the only change. Magically, Rapunzel’s long blonde locks return. And this time, it appears as though no knife or scissors will be able to cut through it. This could make Rapunzel a target for those who would use her magic for their own purposes, as Mother Gothel did. Not to mention that 70 feet of hair is not all that easy to take care of. 

The title Before Ever After is likely a reference to the short film Tangled Ever After, which was released in 2012, playing before Beauty and the Beast 3D. If this new movie takes place before the short film, then it is during Rapunzel and Eugene’s engagement, because Tangled Ever After took place at their wedding. It is important to note that in the short film, Rapunzel’s hair is short and brown. So whatever causes her hair to grow in Tangled: Before Ever After, it looks likely she will lose it again by the time the movie ends.

Returning to voice Rapunzel and Eugene are Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi. Joining them is a new character, Cassandra, played by Broadway actress Eden Espinosa.

Tangled: Before Ever After will air on Disney Channel in March, with Tangled: The Series beginning soon after.

Sunday, January 15, 2017

John Wick – ‘Symphony of Violence’ Supercut

John Wick: Chapter 2
In Theaters February 10, 2017
In this next chapter following the 2014 hit, legendary hitman John Wick [Keanu Reeves] is forced back out of retirement by a former associate plotting to seize control of a shadowy international assassins’ guild. Bound by a blood oath to help him, John travels to Rome where he squares off against some of the world’s deadliest killers.

Starring Keanu Reeves, Common, Riccardo Scamarcio, Laurence Fishburne, Ruby Rose, Bridget Moynahan, Lance Reddick, Franco Nero, with John Leguizamo, and Ian McShane.