logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2023
2 m

Movie Review: The Boy and the Heron

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY
About this episode

The latest movie from Japanese anime icon Hayao Miyazaki is a beautiful fever dream that explores the themes of grief and loss in a fantastical setting.  

 

Read the Plugged In Review

 

If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

Up next
Nov 14
Movie Review: Now You See Me: Now You Don’t
‘Now You See Me: Now You Don’t’ brings back the magical Horsemen for a new abracadabra scheme—but it won’t be magical for everyone. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. 
2 m
Nov 13
TV Review: The Chosen Adventures
The Chosen Adventures is not Scripture. But for those who don’t mind a little talking sheep with a lot of strong life lessons, this show might be a nice fit for your family. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. 
1 m
Nov 12
SiYP: Parents Posting Good Parenting
Parents are posting happy pictures of their kids online in a new social media trend. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. 
1 m
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2020
Howl’s Moving Castle – Ghibli Rewatch
Howl’s Moving Castle is one Hayao Miyazaki’s most magical films and is beloved by many. Listen to hear us break down everything from this film in our latest installment of the Ghibli Rewatch podcast series, going through every Studio Ghibli movie chronologically in honor of the f ... Show More
1h 30m
Jul 2024
Princess Mononoke & Values
We are travelling back to Studio Ghibli to discuss the beloved Miyazaki film, Princess Mononoke! We use the wide spectrum of characters to discuss the concept of values. We explore how values are formed and also how values influence our choices.  Become a supporter of this podcas ... Show More
1h 43m
Apr 2017
Episode 37- Death Note - Anime & Live Action Film
It's podcast time! On our second Audience Appreciation April episode, Josh and Gavin are joined by Liam from Cloud City Cast. Tune in as we discuss the 2006 anime series "Death Note" and Netflix's upcoming live action movie adaptation. In the news, we talk about "Your Name" hitti ... Show More
1h 34m
Sep 2019
Spirited Away with David Rees
Humorist, David Rees, returns to Blank Check discuss one of the greatest animated films of all time, Spirited Away. Together they examine dream logic, Shrek, David Rees presents an important review of Spirited Away from Nigel Andrews at the Financial Times and plenty more!  Join ... Show More
2h 34m
Dec 2024
Hayao Miyazaki’s Magical Realms
<p>Margaret Talbot, writing in The New Yorker in 2005, <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2005/01/17/the-auteur-of-anime"><strong>recounted</strong></a> that when animators at Pixar got stuck on a project they’d file into a screening room to watch a film by Hayao Miyazak ... Show More
44m 43s
Nov 2019
The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness
On a special b-b-b-b-bonus episode, Griffin and David review the 2013 documentary that offers a rare look into the behind-the-scenes of Studio Ghibli. They also discuss Dilbert, HBO Max acquiring the exclusive streaming rights of the Studio Ghibli library and offer up their ranki ... Show More
1h 3m
Mar 2025
The Boy and The Heron: A Filmmaker's Legacy
Raymond is back from filming his movie! The guys get into The Boy and The Heron - Hayao Miyazaki's swan (heron?) song. Who will take over Studio Ghibli? Does more money make a better movie? Is this film a bigger metaphor for Miyazaki's retirement? They get into these questions an ... Show More
1h 41m
Mar 2017
Episode 33- Titan A.E & Samurai Jack
It's podcast time! On our second March to the Stars episode, Josh and Gavin discuss Fox's 2000 sci-fi film "Titan A.E.". We also give a spoiler filled recap of season 5 episode 1 of "Samurai Jack".  Plus, we rank our favorite animated sci-fi vehicles in the top 5. What did we thi ... Show More
1h 11m
Sep 2024
What is the best Meryl Streep film of all time?
We have a fantastic selection of new releases and nostalgia for you this week. First of all, we look at Meryl Streep’s best films and put it to you to pick one. The final result was almost too tight to call - around 52/48%, if that number sounds terribly familiar... We also look ... Show More
48m 21s
Nov 2022
The Nightmare Before Christmas with Michael Rianda
We’re wearing our Hot Topic sweatshirts and enunciating every dramatic syllable to pay tribute to one of the greatest animated films of all time - Tim Burton’s (but really Henry Selick’s) THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Academy Award-nominated animator and Blankie Michael Rianda ... Show More
2h 44m