Blake Simons
@blakethinks.bsky.social
🎥 interview evangelist, programming @ LIFFF
✍ romance, japan, animation, queer, latam, at BFI, IndieWire, The Film Stage, ScreenAnarchy and more
Contact: blakesimons97(at)gmail(dot)com
https://muckrack.com/blakesimons
✍ romance, japan, animation, queer, latam, at BFI, IndieWire, The Film Stage, ScreenAnarchy and more
Contact: blakesimons97(at)gmail(dot)com
https://muckrack.com/blakesimons
Pinned
Blake Simons
@blakethinks.bsky.social
· May 27
Head-On: A Conversation with Takashi Miike
The genre auteur discusses queer subtexts, a changing industry, and winning a fight in one minute or less.
mubi.com
I spoke with Takashi Miike about an industry in flux, for MUBI Notebook mubi.com/en/notebook/...
Live. Die. Repeat. Animate.
As a fresh anime adaptation of ALL YOU NEED IS KILL crash-lands in US theaters from @gkids.com, I sat down with director Kenichiro Akimoto for @animag.bsky.social to discuss the many inspirations behind Studio 4°c's latest
www.animationmagazine.net/2026/01/all-...
As a fresh anime adaptation of ALL YOU NEED IS KILL crash-lands in US theaters from @gkids.com, I sat down with director Kenichiro Akimoto for @animag.bsky.social to discuss the many inspirations behind Studio 4°c's latest
www.animationmagazine.net/2026/01/all-...
'All You Need Is Kill' Director Kenichiro Akimoto Discusses His Acclaimed Animated Sci-Fi Feature | Animation Magazine
In a new interview, director Kenichiro Akimoto digs up the creative seeds of Studio 4°C’s acclaimed new feature 'All You Need Is Kill.'
www.animationmagazine.net
January 8, 2026 at 12:33 AM
Live. Die. Repeat. Animate.
As a fresh anime adaptation of ALL YOU NEED IS KILL crash-lands in US theaters from @gkids.com, I sat down with director Kenichiro Akimoto for @animag.bsky.social to discuss the many inspirations behind Studio 4°c's latest
www.animationmagazine.net/2026/01/all-...
As a fresh anime adaptation of ALL YOU NEED IS KILL crash-lands in US theaters from @gkids.com, I sat down with director Kenichiro Akimoto for @animag.bsky.social to discuss the many inspirations behind Studio 4°c's latest
www.animationmagazine.net/2026/01/all-...
Reposted by Blake Simons
okay come on lol
January 2, 2026 at 6:47 PM
okay come on lol
Reposted by Blake Simons
WEAPONS.
January 2, 2026 at 1:28 PM
WEAPONS.
Reposted by Blake Simons
Bad at the old self-promotion thing, aren't I. You've got a couple more days to preorder the deluxe edition: www.lostincult.co.uk/simogo
December 31, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Bad at the old self-promotion thing, aren't I. You've got a couple more days to preorder the deluxe edition: www.lostincult.co.uk/simogo
Reposted by Blake Simons
Part One of takes both celebratory and scabrous as I round up the wild cinematic year that was 2025.
Sub to that Substack if you like what you see here 👉 open.substack.com/pub/simonram...
Sub to that Substack if you like what you see here 👉 open.substack.com/pub/simonram...
December 31, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Part One of takes both celebratory and scabrous as I round up the wild cinematic year that was 2025.
Sub to that Substack if you like what you see here 👉 open.substack.com/pub/simonram...
Sub to that Substack if you like what you see here 👉 open.substack.com/pub/simonram...
Reposted by Blake Simons
Overheard someone in the theatre call it ‘Martin Supreme.’ Ireland, folks
December 31, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Overheard someone in the theatre call it ‘Martin Supreme.’ Ireland, folks
Reposted by Blake Simons
To celebrate the new year, here is Yugo Sakamoto being weird.
December 31, 2025 at 3:43 PM
To celebrate the new year, here is Yugo Sakamoto being weird.
Reposted by Blake Simons
Two Japanese fishermen were having a competition to see who could catch the most auspicious fish for New Years. It was a tai.
December 31, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Two Japanese fishermen were having a competition to see who could catch the most auspicious fish for New Years. It was a tai.
Hey friends, it's The End of 2025, and it's been quite a year. In the spirit of things, I'll join everyone in re-sharing and reflecting on my favourite articles and accomplishments of 2025. Let's take a Look Back: 🧵
December 31, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Hey friends, it's The End of 2025, and it's been quite a year. In the spirit of things, I'll join everyone in re-sharing and reflecting on my favourite articles and accomplishments of 2025. Let's take a Look Back: 🧵
Reposted by Blake Simons
First trailer for "Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia" anime series by Science Saru studio.
Directed by Naoko Yamada & Abel Gongora.
Character designer & Animation director : Kenichi Yoshida.
Based on the manga by Tomato Soup.
Coming in July 2026.
Full video >> www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqB3...
Directed by Naoko Yamada & Abel Gongora.
Character designer & Animation director : Kenichi Yoshida.
Based on the manga by Tomato Soup.
Coming in July 2026.
Full video >> www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqB3...
December 27, 2025 at 11:20 AM
First trailer for "Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia" anime series by Science Saru studio.
Directed by Naoko Yamada & Abel Gongora.
Character designer & Animation director : Kenichi Yoshida.
Based on the manga by Tomato Soup.
Coming in July 2026.
Full video >> www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqB3...
Directed by Naoko Yamada & Abel Gongora.
Character designer & Animation director : Kenichi Yoshida.
Based on the manga by Tomato Soup.
Coming in July 2026.
Full video >> www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqB3...
Reposted by Blake Simons
The full line-up for the V-Cinema focus program I curated for the International Film Festival Rotterdam is up now:
iffr.com/en/iffr/2026...
Miike, Kurosawa, Aoyama, Takashi Ishii and lots of films that have never been shown in a theater before. Plus the full Crime Hunter trilogy!
iffr.com/en/iffr/2026...
Miike, Kurosawa, Aoyama, Takashi Ishii and lots of films that have never been shown in a theater before. Plus the full Crime Hunter trilogy!
Focus: V-cinema Archives - IFFR EN
Japan’s direct-to-video phenomenon V-Cinema emerged in the late 1980s and left a lasting mark in contemporary film culture. The V-Cinema production model responded to the rise of video rental, by prod...
iffr.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:34 AM
The full line-up for the V-Cinema focus program I curated for the International Film Festival Rotterdam is up now:
iffr.com/en/iffr/2026...
Miike, Kurosawa, Aoyama, Takashi Ishii and lots of films that have never been shown in a theater before. Plus the full Crime Hunter trilogy!
iffr.com/en/iffr/2026...
Miike, Kurosawa, Aoyama, Takashi Ishii and lots of films that have never been shown in a theater before. Plus the full Crime Hunter trilogy!
Reposted by Blake Simons
Reposted by Blake Simons
Reposted by Blake Simons
rewatching Godzilla vs Biollante via the 4K disc and i've got a hot take as someone who was raised on kaiju films
i think
godzilla vs biollante might actually just be *the* best versus film in the entire series. flat out.
i think
godzilla vs biollante might actually just be *the* best versus film in the entire series. flat out.
December 12, 2025 at 9:44 PM
rewatching Godzilla vs Biollante via the 4K disc and i've got a hot take as someone who was raised on kaiju films
i think
godzilla vs biollante might actually just be *the* best versus film in the entire series. flat out.
i think
godzilla vs biollante might actually just be *the* best versus film in the entire series. flat out.
Reposted by Blake Simons
Since Polygon is leaving it out of the headline: Epic Games partnered with The Game Awards to put money into the pocket of a bigot who uses her wealth to further the genocide of trans people through lawsuits and legislation. Every 'free' game gives money directly to JKR, and they are complicit.
Epic Games partnered with The Game Awards to give away this week's free game on the Epic Games Store.
Hogwarts Legacy is now at the right price: $0
Epic Games partnered with The Game Awards to give away this week's free game on the Epic Games Store.
www.polygon.com
December 13, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Since Polygon is leaving it out of the headline: Epic Games partnered with The Game Awards to put money into the pocket of a bigot who uses her wealth to further the genocide of trans people through lawsuits and legislation. Every 'free' game gives money directly to JKR, and they are complicit.
Reposted by Blake Simons
The Japanese film director Harada Masato (原田真人) died on December 8 at the age of 76. He made hit films like Climber's High as well as art films like Kamikaze Taxi. He appears as an actor in The Last Samurai.
www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainmen...
www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainmen...
原田真人さん死去 76歳 映画監督 「クライマーズ・ハイ」「燃えよ剣」「ヘルドッグス」 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex 芸能
「クライマーズ・ハイ」など社会派の作品で知られる映画監督の原田真人（はらだ・まさと）さんが8日死去した。76歳。静岡県出身。葬儀は近親者で行う。後日、お別れ…
www.sponichi.co.jp
December 13, 2025 at 1:41 AM
The Japanese film director Harada Masato (原田真人) died on December 8 at the age of 76. He made hit films like Climber's High as well as art films like Kamikaze Taxi. He appears as an actor in The Last Samurai.
www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainmen...
www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainmen...
Reposted by Blake Simons
Hideaki Anno just announced via the khara website that Gainax is officially dead and gone as a corporate entity as of December 10th: www.khara.co.jp/2025/12/11/2...
「株式会社ガイナックス」について
2025年12月10日の官報掲載にありますように、アニメーション制作スタジオだった「株式会社ガイナックス」の破産整理が終わり、法人として消滅し、その42年弱の歴史を終えました。 創設期から20年以上籍を置き、今日まで株主として関わっていたものとして誠に残念な最後ですが、静かに受け止めています。 まず、2019年、当時の代表取締役社長巻智博氏の逮捕を受け、弊社と共にガイナックス社の再建、後に整...
www.khara.co.jp
December 11, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Hideaki Anno just announced via the khara website that Gainax is officially dead and gone as a corporate entity as of December 10th: www.khara.co.jp/2025/12/11/2...
Reposted by Blake Simons
NO OTHER CHOICE
December 9, 2025 at 6:16 PM
NO OTHER CHOICE
Reposted by Blake Simons
We're delighted to announce the launch of the Outskirts Film Podcast, a bi-monthly podcast about cult movies, experimental film, popular cinema, and everything in between and at the peripheries.
Rate, subscribe & follow us wherever you get your podcasts.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Rate, subscribe & follow us wherever you get your podcasts.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
December 8, 2025 at 3:34 PM
We're delighted to announce the launch of the Outskirts Film Podcast, a bi-monthly podcast about cult movies, experimental film, popular cinema, and everything in between and at the peripheries.
Rate, subscribe & follow us wherever you get your podcasts.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Rate, subscribe & follow us wherever you get your podcasts.
www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...
The positive reception of this film has made me feel nuts
Animation: LITTLE AMELIE OR THE CHARACTER OF RAIN. Runner-up: KPOP DEMON HUNTERS #LAFCA
December 7, 2025 at 8:17 PM
The positive reception of this film has made me feel nuts
Reposted by Blake Simons
Awards and lists that pull exclusively from the same pool of 30 films that sent out fyc screeners are completely useless and might as well be compiled by distributors and their PR firms.
Always very appreciative of folks who say “wow! I’ve never heard of so many of these!” (positive) Because those are people who actually are curious and interested in culture. Occupational hazard is I don’t get to say that too much with movie lists and it makes me sad!
Year-end critics’ lists exist for people to fight over, so I’m happy when people complain about them. But the complaint I will never get is, “I’ve never heard of most of these movies/albums/shows.” Yes, and? Why be mad about learning about stuff you didn’t know before from the news?
December 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Awards and lists that pull exclusively from the same pool of 30 films that sent out fyc screeners are completely useless and might as well be compiled by distributors and their PR firms.
Reposted by Blake Simons
All characters were played by men (or boys).
December 3, 2025 at 11:32 AM
All characters were played by men (or boys).
For my final interview from this year's Tokyo TIFF, I spoke with Ken Kawai, a CODA and director of quietly riotous dramedy THE CHATTERBOXES, about the importance of balancing perspectives, accessibility in subtitling, and the infuence of Italian greats
screenanarchy.com/2025/12/toky...
screenanarchy.com/2025/12/toky...
Tokyo 2025 Interview: THE CHATTERBOXES Director Ken Kawai Discusses Crafting Humor From Language Barriers
A rising CODA director discusses his charming dramedy of communication errors.
screenanarchy.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:12 PM
For my final interview from this year's Tokyo TIFF, I spoke with Ken Kawai, a CODA and director of quietly riotous dramedy THE CHATTERBOXES, about the importance of balancing perspectives, accessibility in subtitling, and the infuence of Italian greats
screenanarchy.com/2025/12/toky...
screenanarchy.com/2025/12/toky...
Reposted by Blake Simons
And there we have it. After 22 years, the record for the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film of all time is beaten!
Kokuho has had unprecedented success, growing weekly for over a month, earning incredible word of mouth, for what is ostensibly a 3-hour dense drama about an outdated art form
Kokuho has had unprecedented success, growing weekly for over a month, earning incredible word of mouth, for what is ostensibly a 3-hour dense drama about an outdated art form
映画「国宝」実写日本映画の興行収入で歴代1位に、22年ぶり新記録 「踊る2」超え
https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/649441?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social
#国宝
https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/649441?utm_source=bluesky&utm_medium=social
#国宝
November 25, 2025 at 4:50 AM
And there we have it. After 22 years, the record for the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film of all time is beaten!
Kokuho has had unprecedented success, growing weekly for over a month, earning incredible word of mouth, for what is ostensibly a 3-hour dense drama about an outdated art form
Kokuho has had unprecedented success, growing weekly for over a month, earning incredible word of mouth, for what is ostensibly a 3-hour dense drama about an outdated art form