REVIEW: TOGETHER

4/5

'Til Death Do Us Part

102 Mins. Starring: Dave Franco, Alison Brie & Damon Herriman. Screenplay: Michael Shanks. Director: Michael Shanks. In: Theatres.

Scared of commitment? Then spending time with 'Together' will make your skin crawl. When Dave Franco ('21 Jump Street', 'Now You See Me', 'Night Shift') and Alison Brie ('GLOW', 'Scream 4', 'Promising Young Woman') wed, they became one of Hollywood's best young talent power couples. Now, for better or worse, they star together in Michael Shanks' (also serving as screenwriter) directorial debut. Joining hands in matrimony with a mysterious force for a body-horror, labour of love that strikes anxiety inducing themes of codependecy right at your nervous system. Now, that's a sticky situation to be in. Like falling through a forest into a cave surrounded by ominous bells with no phone service. Just whistles. So sweaty, you almost might not be able to come apart like held hands after a first date with sparks. But that's not mildew and that odor in your new home ain't mould. Do you smell a rat yet? Because the foreboding signs are everywhere, together.

Wannabe a betting man or woman when I say you'll be haunted by a Spice Girls single off their first album...and not because it's on vinyl? Coming a little closer and setting their spirits free, Brie and Franco have never been better. Not even in their first project together, 'The Rental' of Dave's directorial debut, to be frank. It's Shanks turn to get behind the camera and chair for his opening act, however. The 'Off The Air', 'The Wizard Of Aus', and 'The Slot' small-screen wonder could be the next Ari Aster, after this movie, if he keeps it together like this. Just like the indie film production and distributing company NEON, could be the bright new, electric start-up like A24, in all-caps. Especially if they keep making love stories like this and last year's 'Love Lies Bleeding' (also co-starring Franco). Out in the countryside this supernatural hit should scoop all the indie awards, darlings. Who knew a body horror could be so beautiful? Spiritual, not sensual. You'll more than shudder at the sex scene. This is the best explicit look of love since Japan's 'Romance Doll'. Don't be put off by the packaging.

Straining the skin and getting under it like Scarlett, this film will stay with you, to your core. All the way to a conclusion as satisyfing as the one of a wedded Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch as 'The Roses'. Oddly the two movies, both available to watch in Japan to begin this year, sharing similair themes of love and marriage. But no matter what Cumberbatch and Colman throw at each other from the kitchen, instead of roses, you'll be scare absolute straight here by the things that go LOOK in the night. With 'Weapons' grade unnerving disposition. It really is the era for new horrors, and this one will have you choking on the hair you hide behind (I wish) as your skin will feel worse than what you couldn't watch with '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple'. Brie's brilliant, but at times blind English teacher (they say love is) and Franco's lovesick, but stunted, wannabe musician without a driving license (um) called Tim (erm), act out all of love's twist and turns on one so bright it could burn you. Where no one, and everyone, is to blame. And what of a great Damon Herriman's ('The Bikeriders') concerned neighbour and teacher? I mean, this is a guy that played Charles Manson twice ('Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood', 'Mindhunter'). Contorting and fusing together like a rat-king, this eros in symposium will make purists and Plato proud. The origin and nature of together, forever. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Send Help', 'The Substance', 'Club Zero'.

REVIEW: THE ROSES

3.5/5

A Rose By Any Other Name

105 Mins. Starring: Benedict, Cumberbatch, Olivia Colman, Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, Sunita Mani, Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Demetriou, Zoë Chao & Allison Janney. Screenplay: Tony McNamara. Director: Jay Roach. On: Disney +.

Coming up, smelling of roses, despite the thorns of divorce, Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman are bloomin' marvellous as 'The Roses'. The great Brits' delightfully dark, disarming and charming chemistry, in this black comedy, is combustible from their very first electric moment in the kitchen, unaware that they're holding hands, that won't part, together. Reminding us of the 'Together' body-horror, love story, from real-life married couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, released in Japan this weekend, now you can also see 'The Roses' on Disney Plus in the Land of the Rising Sun. Benedict's architect can't stand the heat of an insufferable apartment planning dinner meeting, so he goes into the kitchen of Olivia's head of all chefs. She offers him a bite. He can't get enough of the taste. She tells him she's moving to California tomorrow. He suggest coming along. "We haven't even had sex yet", she protests. "Yes, but that's just minutes away", he replies. DAMN!

Jay Roach ('Trumbo', 'Bombshell', those groovy 'Austin Powers' films, baby!) knows a thing or two about making classic comedies with a terrific twist to the genre's plot. See, 'Meet The Parents', 'Dinner For Schmuks' and 'The Campaign'. But here, he really blends his two-pronged attack of storytelling and joke-making. Sticking a fork in, not one, but two classic kitchen scenes that literally throw everything at you...except the kitchen sink (but give it a half hour and some power tools). Even Ralph Fiennes doesn't have this on 'The Menu'. Remaking 'The War Of The Roses', Warren Adler's 1981 novel, aaand the 1989 movie starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and director Danny DeVito, Roach sets fire to everything in sight at an alarming clip. Two of the best of British, when it comes to thespians and pop culture celebrities, Colman and Cumberbatch seem like a cheeky match made in Hollywood heaven. Especially when you see the name of Olivia's seafood restaurant out in Cali'. But just wait until this couple's retreat turns into 'Send Help' and a therapist couch that takes more hits than Billy Crystal's analysing Robert De Niro.

Colman's cuisine is flying. Meanwhile, Benedict's dream of playing house have done more than hit rocks. And there goes the budget...not to mention, the best YouTube remix video since those 'Fockers' did it with Ben Stiller. Because The Internet never forgets. Olivia couldn't be happier with today's special, Cumberbatch, on the other hand, must be forced to eat humble pie, with a bitter pill. It's also hard for Olivia Colman's character to swallow how Benedict Cumberbatch's stay at home Dad has not only turned their two kids into the next Olympic athletes, but also alienated them from her. 'The Favourite', 'The Crown' and 'The Lost Daughter' actress, and 'The Imitation Game', 'Sherlock' and 'Doctor Strange' actor are amazing on their own, but together...they're dynamite. Trading barbs, physical put downs and more one up man and womanship over contract negotiations (yep...that contract) than the most classic of comedies. A scene with the great Allison Janney channelling Laura Dern in 'Marriage Story' has more bite than its bark, tied up in the corner, when she's let off the leash. The perfect (on paper) pair even have an Alexa like home help called Hal, who would probably even open the pod bay doors for one, if the other one was out of earshot. Who gets him in the divorce?

I give it a year...if they're lucky. In this epic ensemble that plays host to some all-stars at the last supper like dinner table on this picture's promotional poster. All appetizer, main course and dessert served on Tony McNamara's script ('The Favourite', 'Poor Things', 'Cruella') until the satisfying toast in conclusion. Andy Samberg, with some of the best lines, plays best friend to perfection, but it's the wonderful Kate McKinnon who really seduces you, like her offbeat talent always does. SNL misses both members of this husband and wife team. The Roses may need more than a therapist, but there's a doctor in the house. Who? The endearing Ncuti Gatwa ('Sex Education'). But it's Sunita Mani who steals the show, like she does in things like, Netflix's 'GLOW' and 'His & Hers'. Jamie Demetriou is as hilarious as he was in 'Fleabag', and Zoë Chao (Providence, Rhode Island's finest) is as crazy as she was in 'Nightbitch', especially when the pair try their hand at British banter. Winning the bread, this dream home that turns into a nightmare is something you can't separate yourself from. This is one rose that doesn't smell like poo-poo-ooh. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The War Of The Roses', 'The Five-Year Engagement', 'We Live In Time'.

TV REVIEW: THE BEATLES ANTHOLOGY

4/5

The Anthology Album

9 Episodes. Starring: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison & Ringo Starr. Create By: The Beatles. On: Disney +.

Get back to Disney Plus, if you want to spend more time with The Beatles. Mickey Mouse has given the Fab Four from Liverpool a lot of real estate in Disneyland over the last few years. Almost like the Marvel of superheroes, Star Wars and, cue the clouds, 'The Simpsons'. Now, if you thought Taylor had her era here, and from 'The Final Show' of 'The Eras Tour', to 'The End Of An Era' six-episode docuseries coming at the same time, the biggest musician since John, Paul, George and Ringo really does, wait until you see these lads. 'The Lord Of The Rings' director Peter Jackson's almost nine-hour 'Get Back' documentary, taking a look at the making of their landmark last album 'Let It Be', and their final show on the rooftops of downtown London started it all, saving us in our social isolation, coming out of COVID. But over the last few years, Disney Plus have also given us the remastered 'Let It Be' documentary, thanks again to Jackson, and the year that was, the 'Beatles '64' epic. 

Count on more 'Help!' to come from The Beatles original movies before we get the fabulous four ones from Sam Mendes starring Harris Dickinson, Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn and Barry Keoghan. Not to mention Saorise Ronan and 'Shogun's' Anna Sawai as Linda McCartney and Yoko Ono, respectively. A Starz Original on the streaming service even gives you McCartney's '3, 2, 1', with a little help from his legendary producer friend, Rick Rubin (The Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash's 'American Recordings'), but this is The Beatles 'Anthology' that you've been waiting for, created by the band itself. Nine episodes in the biographical docuseries like no other, not even Tay, Tay, gives us a backstage pass to the life and times and highs and lows of the greatest group of all-time. From studio creation to commercial success. Bowl cut to bohemian look. This Apple Corps series tells the tale of Beatlemania, from the scream of teens, to behind-the-scenes. All restored with love by Peter Jackson's Park Road Post.

The long and winding road of this eight-year band (that was it?!), that will last forever takes you through plenty of twists and turns through their eight day week. But all you need is to come together over the love. From coming to America, The Ed Sullivan Show and Shea Stadium, to causing uproar in Japan when they became the first band to play Tokyo's 1964 Olympic martial arts venue, the Nippon Budokan. Now a regular concert fixture in the city, this writer seeing Norah Jones and The Smashing Pumpkins there in just one-week, last September. But from The Cavern, to the Budokan, these Liverpool lads faced trouble in The Philippines when they didn't make a royal appointment for lunch. Frenzied fans full of tears are bound to break some hearts, and some thought that would be it for the Fab Four, but then 1967 came. And an outstanding output like nothing before, or since. After reloading the 'Revolver', they visited 'Sgt. Pepper's' on a 'Magical Mystery Tour', all whilst giving us 'The White Album' and taking a real trip on a 'Yellow Submarine', before they crossed 'Abbey Road' to 'Let It Be'. And now, a new ninth episode reunites Paul, Ringo and the late George as they try to make new music with old Lennon recordings. One that you can hear, added to the anthology, now and then. Always to return. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Beatles - Get Back', 'The Beatles - Let It Be', 'Beatles '64'

TV REVIEW: TAYLOR SWIFT - THE END OF AN ERA (The 6 Episode Docuseries)/THE ERAS TOUR-THE FINAL SHOW

4/5 ('The End Of An Era')

5/5 ('The Final Show')

Era Redefining

Swiftly, the word "era" has become Taylor's. Even though all of us, not this 40-year-old though, are using it always to describe our everyday life. "I'm in my cream cheese on bagels era." No, you're not, Jack, you're just having a nice breakfast. Enjoy it, whilst we run to work with toast hanging out our mouths. We're in our, "oh DAMN! I'm late again" era. Don't let it go cold for Instagram. Seriously though, Taylor Swift is redefining everything. Music, culture, the economy of some countries. From rerecording her own albums to take back ownership of her masters from the man. To performing all of these albums, or eras, in concert for the biggest tour the world has ever seen on a sold-out stage across the hemispheres. The star who was born to do this is our generations Elvis. And coming out of the cage of COVID, we've never seen a tour quite like this, thank you very much.

I missed it here in Tokyo, but I could still feel the atmosphere outside of the Giants Dome that held Taylor's version two years back. Not sure if I regretted not taking up the offer to digitally pay for tickets from the various X accounts that would be suspended a day later. Anyone in attendance knew they were the lucky ones, mind you. Even the Japanese government reassured the watching world that Taylor would be here just days after she watched her now fiancée Travis Kelce win the Superbowl with his Kansas City Chiefs, like the jerseys that adorned the crowd. If you missed out on a once in a lifetime experience (how does she follow this?), then Disney Plus already has you covered with the concert movie to go along with Miss Americana's 'Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions', behind-the-scenes look at her quarantining to create one of her deepest and best albums to date. But last Christmas, Disney also gifted us with the mammoth three-and-a-half-hour final show of The Era's Tour from Canada's Vancouver, BC.

Now, if that wasn't enough, as a plus, the house of mouse has also given us another documentary to go along with Glen Weiss' great directed showstopper that's available in 4K and Dolby Atmos for all your home cinemas. Featuring, as a treat, the entire set of her album 'The Tortured Poet's Department', that we didn't get from the showgirl's previous set. But the real find for the fans is 'The End Of An Era', 'The 6 Episode Docuseries'. A backstage past to all the inner workings and planning that go into creating and crafting the biggest concert of all-time. Fondly featuring family and friends, this intimate and inspired doc also stars Gracie Abrams, Sabrina Carpenter, Florence Welch, Ed Sheeran, and of course, Travis. Around three quarter of an hour each, these episodes are epic, but they become something else when they introduce us to the cast and crew that Swift states she couldn't do without. Tears will be shed, like when Taylor was deeply affected by the attacks that happened in my hometown of Southport at a Taylor themed dance event for children. And we can't thank her enough for reaching out to meet the families. Purists will love the songwriting process. Fashionistas will say yes to the dress. Yet it's the Emmy worthy, standout episode for Marjorie that gets the most personal. An era to her own. World, welcome back to 'The Eras Tour'. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Taylor Swift - The Era's Tour (Taylor's Version)', 'Taylor Swift - Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions', 'Taylor Swift - Miss Americana'.

REVIEW: SEND HELP

4/5

Colleague's Retreat

115 Mins. Starring: Rachel McAdams, Dylan O'Brien, Edyll Ismail, Xavier Samuel, Chris Pang & Dennis Haysbert. Screenplay: Damian Shannon & Mark Swift. Director: Sam Raimi. In: Theaters. 

Help is on the way this weekend, even if it's not coming. Confused? You will be! 'The Help'. 'HELP!' by The Beatles. Nothing cries out quite like 'Send Help'. The new unconventional and uncensored, big black-comedy, horror hit, with severance satire, from deliciously dark director Sam Raimi. You may know the 'Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness' director for the early 2000's, Tobey Maguire 'Spider-Man' trilogy, like he doesn't know how to find Japan on the globe (peep the promotional video for this help's Japanese release), but we all know that 'Evil Dead' is Raimi territory. And in this survival of the fittest, off a cunningly sly and slick script from Damian Shannon and Mark Swift ('Freddy Vs. Jason', 'Friday The 13th'), if you thought spending a working week with a horrible boss was bad, imagine being stranded on a desert island with them. 

Dragging you to a different sort of hell, this Raimi movie, that will be the talk at the water-coolers come Monday morning, is one of this year's freshest and best. And we've barely left January, let alone the first quarter projections. Being passed up for a promised promotion, 'Spotlight', 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'Game Night' actress Rachel McAdams ('The Notebook', 'Disobedience', 'True Detective') needs to be more 'Mean Girl' than sensible shoes, when a new boss, that makes a 'Horrible' Colin Farrell look nice, comes into the office. 'The Maze Runner' lead Dylan O'Brien ('The Internship', 'Deepwater Horizon', 'Bumblebee') would rather perfect his golf swing than be the perfect manager. And that's just the best of his character flaws. Still, a work trip to Bangkok looks to turn the tide and reveal who really is a team player, one way or another. Or a 'Survivor' contestant, as an audition tape for that show goes office cubicle viral. And you thought sharing a toast point with your pet bird was bad...it is.

This movie will get you, get you, get you as the firing line stakes are raised in a plane crash straight out of Tom Hanks' 'Cast Away'. But washed ashore, with no Wilson in sight, these two conflicting co-workers need to get along and make nice, especially when Dylan won't be doing any maze running for a while. The odd couple must play island house on a film that has palm tree shades of everything from 'Misery' to 'The Cabin In The Woods'. O'Brien, ignorantly hilarious, like he was as a great guest star on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm', won't be mocking McAdams' survival skills, when he can barely carry water, let alone stand. And forget about chopping wood. Rachel is in her element, bringing home the bacon, and us, back to the star power we know her best for. On fire like the torch she carries as she lets her character's boorish and frumpy hair down. She has the balls. Dylan being the perfect foil for all this, as he fails to do anything apart from make our eyes roll. That is, until, he reveals more of his catalyst backstory as both characters reveal their dark depths and sides of themselves we didn't expect or see coming.

We've already said too much. We don't want to spoil the tide of violence and destruction coming in like an amazing monsoon of blood, guts and wild boar and gore. Popped eyes, scalped domes, tuna fish on the cheek, you'll be grossed out in shock and awe by it all, as Sam works his dark, disgusting magic. But that's nothing on the human horrors on dark display here. Straight out a Stephen King play novel. Edgar Wright, who directed his (or Richard Bachman's) book 'The Running Man', which finally crosses the line in Japanese cinemas, this weekend, has a message for 'Send Help', too. He loves it, calling Sam Raimi the "master of mischief." Other people are involved, too. Even though this 'Help' could work as a thrilling psychological play, minus the physical violence. Australian actress Edyll Ismail is the beautiful and kind fiancée, O'Brien's boss doesn't deserve, and 'Frankenstein's' Xavier Samuel, with braces, and 'Crazy Rich Asians' star Chris Pang are the kind of friends from work that would be fake to your face, all whilst having a gossip dagger behind their backs. Yet, higher up, the 'Major League' great Dennis Haysbert ('24', 'The Dark Tower', 'Sin City: A Dame To Kill For') deserves more than to just be here to smell a finger. Still, 'Send Help' is the end of the shift respite you've been screaming for. Hit send on making this your next movie destination for the perfect weekend getaway. Happy to help. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Cast Away', 'Misery', 'The Cabin In The Woods'.

REVIEW: THE RUNNING MAN

3.5/5

Running With The Night

133 Mins. Starring: Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Katy O'Brian, Sean Hayes, Colman Domingo & Josh Brolin. Screenplay: Michael Bacall & Edgar Wright. Director: Edgar Wright. In: Theatres.

RUN! After watching 'The Running Man', the Netflix hit 'Hit Man', and the American football, 'Mrs. Doubtfire' like, comedy 'Chad Powers' on Hulu and Disney Plus, it's clear to see (although you can't really see him), that Glen Powell is Hollywood's new master of disguise. Playing priests, business men, and any other hick the Hollywood heartthrob can get his hands on. But it's not like this handsome Dan needs to hide his face, or the 'Twisters', 'Anyone But You' and 'Top Gun: Maverick' star's body of work. Even here, in Japan, when he went shirtless, someone in the audience gave the thumbs up to his partner...it was the husband's thumb. Powell would even be the next face of Tom Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible' franchise...if his Mum would only let him do the stunts. C'mon, Mom, the man was made to wear masks. There's enough on hand, here though, in his new star vehicle 'The Running Man'. Based on the faster than a speeding bullet novel by Richard Bachman (you might know him better as Stephen King) and the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, that with an Easter Egg here, is right on the money.

Glen gives this movie, and his latest Hollywood run, all he's got. A blue-collar Carhartt, assembly line worker who just wants to provide for his wife (a wonderful Jayme Lawson of 'The Batman' and 'Sinners' fame) and sick daughter. There's a whole host (with 'Will & Grace's' Sean Hayes, quiff bouffant) of game shows Glen Powell's Ben Richards could try his humiliated hand at, but the one that pays out the most is, 'The Running Man'. And it has nothing to do with the famous Bobby Brown dance. That's not its prerogative. Ben could win a billion dollars, be set for life, and he only has to work for a month. Sounds like a lay-up line milk run, right?! Well, not when there's a price on his head and a bounty of hired goon hunter killers on his tail. And you thought, like Quentin Tarantino, that 'The Hunger Games' was bad. Running up more hills than a kid from 'Stranger Things' in a coma, listening to Kate Bush, everyone with a smartphone in sight can cash in on turning Richards in, to boot. Will he live? Tune in and find out. But what really makes a killing is the hits to reality TV and smartphones (not to mention this day and age of deepfakes), in this science fiction satirical action given to us by 'The Cornetto Trilogy's' own, Edgar Wright ('Last Night In Soho').

Executive produced by human horror maestro, Stephen King himself, who better than the 'Baby Driver' energy of Edgar to deliver this epic? Especially now he has a real action man to pose and play with. Wright even takes a shade swipe at Netflix for giving the game away when it came to 'The World's End'. Speaking of spoilers, one of the coolest characters is the "back at ya", grenade kicking, masked leader of the hunters. We shouldn't reveal who he is, just in case, but it's a nice surprise. Even though this cult favourite elicits more "okays", than "oooh's", he still scene steals. And that's pretty hard when you have the poster boy power of Powell lighting everyone up, from apartment breaks ("Y") to running through the night more than Lionel Richie, in a commanding performance. This movie isn't the biggest hit, man, but that doesn't matter. And like that aforementioned Richard Linklater film, it's different to what you expected it would be. And that's what makes it Rotten Tomato fresh. Despite the mixed reviews and the fact that it was a box office bomb. But who really makes a billion dollars these days?

This man. No, not me, Powell. Amongst a whole host of famous faces and ones making their own name. Wright reunites with 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The World' screenwriter Michael Bacall ('21' and '22 Jump Street') and another Michael, in 'Scott Pilgrim' himself, Michael Cera (a surprise that really shouldn't have been spoilt in the opening credits), having a whole host of 'Home Alone' fun in his super soaked, with tears of laughter, booby trapped house. There's also a brief, but brilliant, and somewhat beautiful, turn from the great William H. Macy who has been ace acting with aplomb recently (see the 'Train Dreams' he should have been nominated for on Netflix...sorry, Edgar). 'CODA's' Emilia Jones, 'All American' British actor Daniel Ezra and 'Love Lies Bleeding' talent Katy O'Brian ('Twisters', 'Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning'), also make their mark, but it's the greats that have the most glorious time. Especially the forever flamboyant Colman Domingo's ('Rustin', 'Sing Sing', 'The Color Purple') gaudy and great host of proceedings. And the Thanos villainous Josh Brolin, continuing his latest mean streak after 'Weapons' and the 'Knives Out' mystery 'Wake Up Dead Man'. We hope this one doesn't die out in this film's wake, because Glen Powell has what it takes to run this Hollywood game all the way to the bank. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'The Running Man (1987)', 'Hit Man', 'The Hunger Games'

ANIME REVIEW: CAT'S EYE

4/5

Catwomen

12 Episodes. Starring: Alexis Tipton, Masato Kamiya, Mitsuko Asatani & Toshiro Fuji. Screenplay: Hayashi Moribaith. Director: Yoshifumi Sueda. On: Hulu & Disney +.

The cats are out the bag again. From 1981 to 1985, when this writer was born (feel old yet? Because I sure do), manga writer and illustrator Tsukasa Hojo's 'CAT'S♥EYE' was serialized in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine. The manga concerned three sisters, Hitomi, Rui and Ai (here voiced by Alexis Tipton, Masato Kamiya and Mitsuko Asatani), who worked in a local coffee shop, but moonlighted as a trio of catsuit wearing thieves who stole all the art back, 'Monuments Men' meets 'Robin Hood' style, from the corrupt men who took it from the original artist, without so much as an Instagram credit, their dearly departed father. Smartphones and other modern gadgets bring these three French inspired Hepburn's up to date, but this is still as 80s (hello, Tim Burton era 'Batman' grappling hooks) as all the 'Akira's' and 'Ghost In The Shell's' it shared shelves with. And now, after years of science-fiction anime movies, this crime caper finally gets the amazing adaptation it deserves on Hulu and Disney Plus.

Investigated at the same time as those super sleuthing members of the 'SpyXFamily', 'Cat's Eye' looks more to the mature crowd with a dozen delightfully engrossing episodes. But subscriber, beware no more. There is not a trace of misogyny in this throwback animation that feels as fresh as an 80s redux, maintaining its vintage aesthetic. These feminist fashionistas are back in style and showing you more substance to their life and crimes. But their backstory is about as self-explanatory as the fact that Anya likes peanuts. Even if the kinetic plot takes you all over the place and Tokyo (and my new Yokohama home) via fast and furious cool car chases and amazing action heading to an island in the sun. The only one out of sorts, might be Hitomi's detective boyfriend (voiced by Toshiro Fuji). But we'll just blame being a star-crossed lover, with manga hearts in his eyes, for an otherwise outstanding and compelling, just like the real relationship he partners up with, character.

You see, this city hunter (who could just as easily find himself in that anime of the same name), hasn't got a clue to being wise to these sister's act. Even though the big-three cat burglars, with a calling card Paul Allen would be proud of, use the same logo and colour scheme for the coffee shop they work in...also called 'Cat's Eye'. Only the same shop this detective inhabits daily, as part of the furniture, for that damn, good coffee. I mean there's three of them for crying out loud. And this week may be setsubun in Japan, but I don't see many masks, like everywhere outside of the land of the rising sun, post-COVID. Pretty, but dumb, this pretty dumb detective has other street smarts and as my Dad always says, without this plot point it W.M.A.S (wouldn't make a story). And what a great one this is, directed by Yoshifumi Sueda and scripted by Hayashi Moribaith with original due diligence. All the way down to the meows of the terrific theme from My Hero Academia' composer Yuki Hayashi. Especially with the GoPro like eye's perspective of the classy closing credits. Catnip for fans of felines and old school Japanese anime art. When it comes to 80s nuanced nostalgia, these cats have the cream. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Thieving: 'Arsene Lupin The Third', 'Holmes In Kyoto', 'City Hunter'.