Dennis D. McDonald (ddmcd@ddmcd.com) consults from Alexandria Virginia. His services include writing & research, proposal development, and project management.

Hiroyuki Yamaga's "WINGS OF HONNEAMISE"

Hiroyuki Yamaga's "WINGS OF HONNEAMISE"

Dennis D. McDonald
Aircraft, War, Space Travel, Politics, Japanese, Exceptional, Drama, Anime, Animated, Steampunk

Movie review by Dennis D. McDonald

This epic 1987 anime feature film I recently discovered is streaming on iTunes. It’s an extraordinarily detailed and original “alternate history” tale about another world’s first spaceflight told against a background of politics, country rivalries, and (somewhat) alien technologies. The all-too-human characters are caught up in personal and philosophical conflicts set against monarchical governments that act all-too-recognizably imperious and militaristic.

Both the story and art are amazing. Technology and cultural details are exceptionally well done. This is a terrific "alternate history" story that really gets into the details of manipulating various historical and cultural themes.

If your only experience with this film is seeing a fuzzy VHS or poorly done DVD, you owe it to yourself to see it again. The iTunes purchase price of $9.99 is a steal compared with $90+ for the Blu-ray! My only complaint: the iTunes version is dubbed in English. English subtitles are present but I would have preferred to hear it in the original Japanese.

Review copyright (c) 2019 by Dennis D. McDonald

Dorota Kobiela & Hugh Welchman's "LOVING VINCENT"

Dorota Kobiela & Hugh Welchman's "LOVING VINCENT"
Jim Jarmusch's “THE DEAD DON'T DIE”

Jim Jarmusch's “THE DEAD DON'T DIE”