The First Slam Dunk (2023)

The First Slam Dunk is an anime film based on the Slam Dunk manga series and is currently the fifth highest-grossing anime film of all time.

The film is directed by the manga artist himself, Takehiko Inoue, and it's safe to say this is his directorial debut. The film bounces back and forth between the modern time where the players are in the championship and the backstory for each of the different players. This is a typical trope for anime audiences but something vastly different for American sports audiences. We're used to the team going through multiple games to get to the end. It's a breath of fresh air if you're not an anime fan.

I saw the dubbed even though the advertisement said it was subtitled in English. It was the only showing for the afternoon so I didn't complain. The main character is Ryota Miyagi a troubled youth point guard. He's not tall and has a tragic backstory. He's voiced by Paul Castro Jr. who you might remember from The Skeleton Twins, he also voices Freminet from Genshin Impact. Two other Genshin voice actors are in the film, David Cui Cui voices Idrisi, but in this film, he plays Toki Kuwata. Luis Bermudez voices Luocheng but in this film, he plays Takashima.

The animation is vastly different from the anime as it has really been brought into the modern era of stylized computer graphics. The story is really top-tier for a sports film and it has typical anime-isms which can throw you out of the film for a second. I would recommend this film to anime fans or sports enthusiasts. B+

Comments

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is directed by Jon Favreau , known for Iron Man and Chef , with much of the story influence clearly coming from Dave Filoni , known for Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Ahsoka . Unfortunately, the film falls into the same “and then” style of storytelling that hurts many modern franchise films, where scenes feel stitched together without enough meaningful progression. Entire stretches of the movie, particularly long sequences involving Grogu wandering through a forest, feel padded and lacking purpose. Instead of building momentum, the film drifts from moment to moment without ever creating a compelling central narrative. Pedro Pascal , known for The Last of Us and Narcos , once again plays the Mandalorian, though his presence feels strangely limited. It is difficult not to notice how often the character appears disconnected physically and vocally, giving the impression that Pascal himself may not have been involved in large portions of the performa...

In the Grey (2026)

In the Grey is written and directed by Guy Ritchie , known for Snatch and The Gentlemen , and the film carries all the style and personality audiences expect from him. The dialogue is sharp, the pacing is confident, and the story constantly moves with a sense of swagger that keeps it entertaining throughout. Ritchie once again proves he knows how to make even familiar action setups feel fresh through his direction and character work. Eiza González , known for Baby Driver and Ambulance , plays the beautiful and manipulative lawyer role perfectly. She brings confidence and charisma to every scene, balancing charm with danger in a way that fits naturally into Ritchie’s world. Beyond just looking the part, she fully commits to the character’s aggressive personality and ends up being one of the film’s strongest presences. Henry Cavill , known for Man of Steel and The Witcher , delivers another very likable performance. His natural charm works extremely well here, especially in the fil...

Lee Cronin's The Mummy (2026)

Lee Cronin's The Mummy is directed by surprise-surprise Lee Cronin , best known for Evil Dead Rise , and his style is immediately recognizable. The film plays less like a traditional Mummy story and more like a modern possession horror with a different skin. It often feels like a “what if Evil Dead involved a mummy,” leaning heavily into familiar genre beats rather than carving out something distinct. The tone prioritizes intensity and shock, with a focus on gore over sustained dread, which keeps it engaging in moments but limits its ability to build true horror. Jack Reynor , known for Midsommar and Sing Street , plays the father figure at the center of the chaos. His performance is solid and grounded, fitting well within the expectations of the genre. He brings a level of sincerity that helps anchor the film, even as the story follows a fairly predictable path. His arc plays out in a way that will feel familiar to anyone who has seen possession films like The Exorcist , but ...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog