[ANIMATION] Haunted Hotel (2025)

It says, from minds behind Rick and Morty, but honestly I find it not needed, it only serves as advertisement to attract attention of those who might have watched Rick and Morty, but in how many cases when something is said to be done by someone who did this and this we rely too much on that information and in many cases expect something similar, but to me who actually watched both I'd say it's not a good publicity.

Rick and Morty to me is like a bad a*id trip. Haunted Hotel has a bit of the unexpected vibe to it too, but it's a pretty tame show, I'd even call it cute.

Telling the story of Catherine who inherited a haunted hotel from her brother, whose ghost still lives in it, She and her two kids move in. her son is a pretty average teenage boy, but her daughter actually dabbles in magic. Oh yeah let's not forget the demon Abaddon locked in a boy's body that the brother found in the woods. The story throws you right into action. It's basically ironic horror.

It's colorful and fun. It has some famiy conflicts going on, but interestingly always involving something paranormal as means to show it or solve it.

Was surprised to find so much fanart on Tumblr and it was all about Abaddon, I agree, he is special. And a pretty interesting character, his antics are funny. It's great that the entire family has something distinctive about them.

I'm usually pretty skeptical about things that are "Netflix Original", but this time I zoomed through the show in no time and it was pretty fine. It doesn't pretend to be something bigger than it is. Just a small show to have a little bit of good time.

[ANIMATION] KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

Damn that was such an enjoyable, fast and easy watch. I haven't felt like this in a long time, no wonder the hype is so high. There is no fancy storyline, everything is simple and relatable, plus it came out among the ever growing hype over kpop during these years. 

We always had girls fighting demons, I mean look at Sailor Moon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and others. But each generation had its own perks, right?

Here we have a half-demon girl Rumi and her teammates Mira and Zoye who bear the important burden of demon hunters, each generation chooses three girls to send the message and seal the barrier and slay demons. Pretty easy setting.

And then we have Jinu who has a plan how to take over demon hunters, not by force but by tactic, this is why Saja Boys, a demon boy group appeared and topped the charts. Charming many fans to their side.

But girls can't fight openly and always fall short one step behind.

Rumi's insecurities as a half-demon are also used against her, but when the most critical moment came it was her who reversed the situation.

I kinda like the idea that the girl processed it herself when her half-demon nature was exposed to her teammates, they surely cared for her and wouldn't harm her, but the betrayal was real. This is why they united again and became stronger than ever.

I also like the double-sided meaning you can apply to this movie which showcases the idol power over people, that it can be used for good or for something bad. Which is also an ongoing topic among fans, because there are a lot of rational and just supportive fans, but any fandom has a toxiv group to a varying degree.

Story would not be a story without a bit of romance and the fruit won't be so tasty if it does not have a bit of forbidden taste. Since Rumi and Jinu are on different sides.

I honestly liked the ending when Jinu could finally do something good. I'm sure a lot of people weeped for him and wish for a sequel when Rumi saves the guy. Honestly I'd watched a sequel or something, but I hope they won't start milking it too much and ruin the initial intention.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, this movie would not do without the MVP - DERPY!!!!

If you have a character who is so loved you're already successful. Because this precious creature is so cute. I know it is from Korean folklore, but Derpy and Sussy with his little hat!

It's a bit of a tangent but I watched a "how it's made" type of video on YT how those hats are made, I was always curios! And it's woven from horse hair omg! It's all handmade and so much work with all the gluing and stiffing and heating and shaping and painting. Crazy amount of work and skill goes into making one.

It's fun how we're all united and find Derpy so precious that we want more of him and will not allow anything to happen to this lovely creature.

8/10 would recommend anyone who haven't watched it yet, but I'm sure I'm late to the whole party, it feels like this swept the world.

[Animation] Wyrd Sisters (1997)

When Duke Felmet murders King Verence and takes over the small country of Lancre on the Discworld, three witches are involuntarily tasked with protecting the king's baby son.

Wyrd Sisters is the animated version of Terry Pratchett's book which goes by the same title and is the sixth book in his Discworld cycle.

I confess, I think I never read a book by him. Or maybe I have (I know that in my childhood we got a lot of popular books read, but that memory is hazy). Pratchett stays a big name in the fantasy world.

This animation doesn't look the best (although it stands out, meaning you won't mix it with something else, I suppose?), but I swear, the dialogues and voice acting is what made it work for me. Especially the play on words etc. And the characters are very distinctive, not because they look different, but it's how they act. The drunk Nanny omg.

I know the Discworld is very massive and basically doesn't follow the singular plotline in which case the books can be read as stand-alones. And I'm aware that the animation may be the adaptation that does not follow the book to a t.

But I'm super glad I stumbled upon this by accident and gave it a chance. I won't set flags by saying - I will try reading Pratchett. Maybe I should, after all it promises a better read than a lot of trashy stuff I feed my brain.

And I miss fantasy as a genre. I always feel that I'm not really lucky with it, the epic fantasy I mean, since I've read book and reviewed some that had fantasy elements (meaning I don't pick up books that will make me feel close to what I want to see in epic fantasy), also I miss the type of fantasy that has magic and spells and all types of creatures and lots of it. And immersive colorful world that will not be heavy, more exciting. I wish too much ahaha

[MOVIE] Aladdin (1992)

The song "A whole new world" stuck in my head in the evening, so I re-watched Aladdin.

A classic. Unlike the live adaptations I can re-watch the old animation from time to time. Especially when now everything is almost UHD and you can enjoy such a good quality. I admit I haven't even watched the live adaptation of Aladdin, just visually that looks as abomination and after the Oscars and what Will Smith did I'm just "nah dude". Even if previously I was okay with him (after roles like in Men in Black or Independence Day)..

I must say I miss Robin Williams' voice overs. He could create many characters as a single person. Genie gives this one so much humor.

But one I also appreciate a lot here is Gilbert Gottfried aka the voice of Iago. Hysterical.

I don't remember what my impression was as a kid - maybe wow~. But as an adult I appreciate how beautiful the animation is, how action-packed the sequences are, how everything is concise. There is also a good message about embracing who you are, doing the right thing. Aladdin a good-hearted fellow.

This is what irritates me in live adaptations in general, they try to twist things to be different, but instead twist the logic or characters' motivation, so the overall feeling and meaning are lost. While these stories should be as simple as possible. Simple and educational almost.

Anyway, what funny is after I watched that song stopped haunting me ahaha

[Animation] Over the Garden Wall (2014)

Two half-brothers, Wirt and Greg, travel through the mysterious forest called the Unknown trying to find their way home and encounter some fantastical and unexpected things on their journey.

Interestingly I did not vibe with it when I first tried to watch it.

This just proves that there shouold be right time for what I read and watch.

With the right mood I could follow along with Wirt's overthinking and spontaneous Greg.

This journey not only allowed the two of them to see some wonderful and unexpected things, but also for Wirt to face his attitude towards Gregory. It is actually quite direct with how it portrays the relationship, the inability to communicate or expect a kid to do things you want them to with precision. And maybe some of the problems that arise are not the fault of a young kid who is always acting impulsively on-the-spot, but actually come from yourself and some of your imperfections.

Also the overall visuals are great. Especially for those who love Autumn.

So on my second try I realized that it's a great watch.

RATE: 10/10.

10th Anniversary Stop Motion Short

[Donghua] Slay The Gods. Season 1

Beats me why YT decided to recommend Chinese animation / donghua, but nevertheless I watched Slay The Gods ep1-15 almost in one seating. And what can I say? The idea behind it is weird, but animation is like an extensive game ad, because the animation models remind me a lot of all the Chinese games, plus this is so action jampacked that it's insane. It feels like I go from one action scene to another without a stop. Plus let's be honest, some of editing and transitions are done beautifully and it looks very cool. Action itself leaves you with no time to think, it's like I live in sfx and slowmo and ignore that some of the story feels coppy, lacks depth and background story. All in all great experience. I decided to check out other ones that are available when I have time + mood.

Storyline: Little Lin Qiye gazing at the night sky suddenly found himself gazing at a mysterious figure that looked back, that was Michael. Small Qiye's became blind, but not blind in a common sense, he actually could see everything through his mental sense, but he did not open his eyes. He lives in Daxia, which is now surrounded by mysterious fog, because of his experience he spent time in a mental institution, but to live a normal life and survive he refused to admit that any mythical creatures exist and bury the secret of seeing them deep down. That he dreams the same dream, knocking on the same door with a sign God's Asylum. Then one evening coming across some dangerous creatures his call was answered and he awakened his power as diety proxy.

I honestly have no idea where the God's aylum idea came from, after all it felt weird that basically MMC has this thing in his head? Anyway, no one see it, it's like inside his consciousness. But he's just a teen and no he finds out that each room has someone with "issues" like the goddess Nyx, then helping her will allow him to get more and more powers. Like why these gods are in asylum number one.

But the rest of the story is okay. We have this mysterious fog and mythical creatures and gods, all except Chinese ones for some reason. We also have an organization of Night Watchers who control the outbreak of monsters. They are people who can use forbidden ruins, more like some cool item that can grant them powers, but not all can have them, only talented ones I guess who awaken this stuff. There is of course a villain organization, a bunch of God Church lunatics that worship three most vile gods there are, they also target Qiye, because he's a diety proxy, which is a step above others. Plus he can help gods and gain their powers, which is even cooler. Very overpowered MMC, but how else he will deal with others.

[Animation] Alice in Wonderland (1981)

Since watching Sleeping Beauty (Disney) offline, for some reason YT seems to find the joy of recommending animation relentlessly. Although thanks for recommending Soviet cartoons as well, since they're too much fun. And they're more.. how to say, crazier? But at least they were not bound by the idea of being "pretty", I'd say a bit crazy even in terms of what was animated. And also Alice is more of a just a girl, instead of a beauty~. No really, it's always so much fun to watch.

If one wants a version with Eng. subs a video can be found [here]. The one below comes from official channel, but they don't provide Eng subs, but the quality is better and the sound is so crisp.

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3