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Amazon Studios Greenlights Second Seasons of Original Kids Series Tumble Leaf, Creative Galaxy, Annedroids and Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street

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Amazon Studios today announced it has renewed second seasons of its current kids series: Creative Galaxy,Annedroids, Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street, and recent Annie Award winner Tumble Leaf. All four series will return exclusively to Prime Instant Video for Prime members to stream and enjoy as part of their membership. Amazon Original kids series are among the top kids titles across all of Prime Instant Video, with Creative Galaxy, Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street and Tumble Leaf delivering some of the most-streamed kids seasons on Amazon. These shows, along with Annedroids, have recently been honored by the Parents’ Choice Foundation.

Tumble Leaf, Creative Galaxy, Annedroids and Gortimer have all experienced a tremendous response from our customers and we’re excited to bring them back for another season,” saidTara Sorensen, Head of Kids Programming for Amazon Studios. “Working with such remarkably talented and impactful creators in both the preschool and kids six to 11 space, it’s exciting to see where the storylines and characters will take us for another season.”

Annecy International Festival and Annie award-winning series, Tumble Leaf was created by Drew Hodges (Saturday Night Live, Community) and executive produced by Hodges and Kelli Bixler (Saturday Night Live, The Roadents) of award-winning studio Bix Pix Entertainment. Created for preschool-aged children, each episode of the stop-motion world of Tumble Leaf follows Fig, a delightfully curious blue fox, and his best friend Stick, a quirky caterpillar, as they embark on a fun and nature-filled adventure, learning science through their natural play. The series features voice work from newcomers Christopher Downs as Fig, Brooke Wolloff as Maple, Zac McDowell as Hedge, Addie Zintel as Pine, and Alex Trugman as Ginkgo.

Creative Galaxy, from Out of the Blue Enterprises, with Angela C. Santomero (Blue’s Clues, Super Why! Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) serving as Creator and Executive Producer, andSamantha Freeman as Executive Producer, is a make-along, create-along art adventure series for preschool-aged children. The series, animated by 9 Story Entertainment, features Arty, an adorable alien artist, and Epiphany, his inspirational side-kick, on their adventures through the Creative Galaxy solving problems through art. To give kids and parents the real-life tools they need to recreate Arty’s experience, a live-action piece at the end of each animated episode takes families through the craft project Arty showcased in the galaxy. Creative Galaxy features vocal talent from Christian Distefano (PAW Patrol) as Arty, Kira Gelineau (Dear Viola) as Epiphany, and guest stars Samantha Bee (The Daily Show), Jason Jones (The Daily Show), Cloris Leachman (Malcolm In the Middle), Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills 90210) and Brooke Shields (Lipstick Jungle).

Annedroids, created by Emmy-nominated J.J. Johnson (Dino Dan) and Sinking Ship Entertainment, is a kids six to 11 live-action adventure series about Anne, a young female scientist, her human friends and their android assistants, and the amazing scientific discoveries they make while undertaking the biggest experiment of them all: growing up. The series spotlights, through trial and error, how science, technology, engineering, the arts and math (STEAM) can inspire children to do great things. Annedroids stars Addison Holley (Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood) as Anne, Adrianna Di Liello (Stage Fright) as her friend Shania, and Jadiel Dowlin as Nick. The series also features vocal talent from Millie Davis (Orphan Black) as Pal.

Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street, created by first-time writer David Anaxagoras and executive produced by Oscar winner Luke Matheny (God of Love), stars Sloane Morgan Siegel(Partners), Ashley Boettcher (Aliens in the Attic), Drew Justice (The Little Rascals Save the Day), and Robyn Lively (Saving Grace, Twin Peaks). The series, for kids six to 11, is a coming-of-age tale of friendship that centers around Gortimer (Siegel) and the bond with his two best friends Ranger (Justice) and Mel (Boettcher), as they chronicle their adventures on Normal Street—an ordinary suburban neighborhood that has a hint of something unexpected just beneath the surface. Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street is the first kids series to receive a greenlight from Amazon Studios’ open-door pilot submissions process. Anaxagoras, a preschool teacher, was one of many aspiring filmmakers and screenwriters who submitted their ideas for original series through AmazonStudios.com, and whose concept moved forward as a pilot that debuted on Amazon Instant Video in February 2014.

Prime members can now watch episodes from the first seasons of Tumble Leaf, Creative Galaxy, Annedroids and Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street as often as they would like with theAmazon Instant Video app for TVs, connected devices and mobile devices, or online at amazon.com/originals, at no additional cost to their membership. Customers who are not already a Prime member can sign up for a free trial at amazon.com/prime. Additionally, apps for Tumble Leaf and Annedroids, exclusively for Fire devices, are available to download for free at the Amazon App Store. Tumble Leaf, Creative Galaxy, Annedroids, and Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street are also available as part of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, the all-you-can-eat subscription service designed from the ground up for kids—FreeTime Unlimited is available exclusively on Amazon devices including Amazon Fire TV and Fire tablets, and a year-long subscription is included with every Fire HD Kids Edition.

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Review of “Good Bad Ugly”

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Director: Adhik Ravichandran 

Starring: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Das, Trisha, Simran

Genre: Action / Crime Drama

Rating: 4.5/5


“Good Bad Ugly” centers on Red Dragon (Ajith Kumar), a notorious gangster who chooses to surrender himself in the hopes of turning over a new leaf and reuniting with his estranged son. However, when unforeseen threats emerge, Red Dragon is forced to step back into the dangerous underworld to protect the only family he has left.

“Good Bad Ugly” plays to the strengths of Ajith Kumar, delivering a fan-pleasing portrayal of both his vintage villainy and his matured emotional depth. Ajith’s powerful screen presence, coupled with his iconic voice, shines against Arjun Das’s brooding and intense new-age antagonist, creating an electric old-school versus new-school dynamic. The nostalgic return of Simran is a clever nod to longtime fans, bringing heart and familiarity. Trisha brings a strong, grounded performance as the moral compass in Red Dragon’s life, helping move the emotional threads of the story. The film smartly balances action, comedy, and sentimental fan-service moments.

While the film delivers on fan expectations, its narrative could have benefited from tighter pacing and deeper character development for its supporting cast. Some plot conveniences and an overreliance on nostalgia may limit broader audience appeal beyond the fanbase. Certain dramatic beats felt rushed, leaving little time for emotional resonance to fully land.

The ambition to blend high-octane action with heavy emotional stakes sometimes leads to tonal inconsistencies. At moments, the shift from gritty underworld drama to lighter fan moments feels abrupt. Additionally, though Ajith Kumar’s effort to showcase his dancing skills is commendable and welcomed by fans, it slightly disrupts the otherwise darker tone the film establishes.

“Good Bad Ugly” is a tribute to Ajith Kumar’s enduring legacy, offering vintage thrills while teasing new dimensions to his craft. It’s a solid entertainer that successfully taps into fan nostalgia while hinting at an exciting evolution for AK. While not without its flaws, the film’s heart, energy, and performances make it a must-watch for fans and a compelling action-drama for broader audiences.

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Presence: A Horror Movie For People That Don’t Like Horror Movies

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In these uncertain times, you can’t beat a good old-fashioned horror movie. Unfortunately, Presence is not an old-fashioned horror movie. Yet, as I discovered, this is a good thing!

When I heard about the premise of this movie, I was intrigued. The stylishly subtle trailer was, appropriately, haunting.  And was that Lucy Liu? A haunted house movie from the perspective of the ghost? As a seasoned horror movie buff, I was all in!

Like the majority of people I missed the films brief theatrical release. Luckily I was able to catch it on streaming. Visually the film is easy to enjoy from your own home, as it’s rather cosy looking. I never thought I’d be describing a horror movie as ‘cosy’ looking but it’s true! This is not a James Wan type creepy, dusty, decrepit house harbouring a haunting. No, this is a 100 year old jewel toned, oak finished colonial style home. 

Despite this the story follows the beats we are all familiar with: troubled family of four move into a new house. The big deviation from the trope is we, the audience, are seeing events unfold from the POV of the ghost or presence. 

Director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven) chose to film the entire piece using a small (14mm) hand-held digital camera. Soderbergh himself acted as the ‘presence’ following the actors around. From the audiences perspective it is like watching the family through a barrier or pane of glass. Cleverly, windows and mirrors are hugely prominent and integral throughout.

The presence mainly follows and tries to interact with the daughter of the family, Chloe (Callina Liang), who has recently suffered the trauma of her best friend dying suddenly. Through Soderbergh’s experimental filming, we feel the dysphoria and frustration the ‘ghost’ is feeling at trying to affect the world around it, particularly during the anxiety-inducing final scene!

However, in what could be yet another mismarketing of a film, the trailer promised to be the ‘scariest movie you will see this year’ and ‘terrifying’; instead, they delivered this subversive, character-driven, family drama. If you are expecting jump scares and dramatic music stings, this is not your movie. I could understand if someone was disappointed that the only seemingly scary thing is the mother’s and son’s relationship, right up until the gut-punch of the final scene. 

Presence is definitely a slow burn, tension building until the final scene, and the unveiling of the ‘presence’ giving us a new understanding of the whole story. The ending is disturbing and stays with you as you re-analyse earlier scenes. 

My one complaint is that the character Ryan (West Mulholland) with his Chesney Hawkes hair, perhaps needed more subtlety. The rest of the cast was completely solid and believable as a family with so many unspoken issues. 

I wouldn’t recommend this film for everybody but maybe be as so bold to say it’s a horror movie for people that don’t like horror movies. It’s well-lit and cerebral with realistically flawed characters.

Presence is available to stream.

Three and a half stars.

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Anime Review: Fog Hill of the Five Elements (Wu Shan Wu Xing)

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Genre: Action, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Historical
Runtime: Each episode runs approximately 20-30 minutes
Director: Lin Hun (also the Creator)
Studio: Samsara Animation Studio
Main Voice Actors (Chinese Cast):Liu Zhi Shi as Wen Ren Yu Xuan Zhou Qi as Shen Nong Fang Yuan as Xuan


Overview

Fog Hill of the Five Elements is a breathtaking Chinese anime (donghua) that merges traditional Chinese ink-painting aesthetics with high-intensity martial arts action. Created and directed by Lin Hun, this series delivers a spellbinding visual experience that rivals, and in many ways surpasses, mainstream Japanese anime. Produced by Samsara Animation Studio, the anime is a labor of love, known for its hand-drawn animation and meticulous detail.

Set in a mythological world where elemental beasts roam free, the series follows the Five Elemental Envoys tasked with protecting humanity. The story focuses on Wen Ren Yu Xuan, the Fire Envoy, whose actions set off a chain of events threatening the delicate balance between humans and beasts. The tale is steeped in Chinese folklore and myth, weaving a complex narrative of duty, power, and sacrifice.

Without question, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is one of the most visually stunning animated series in recent memory. The blend of traditional Chinese ink wash painting with modern dynamic action scenes is masterful. Every frame looks like a moving scroll painting, with fluid character movements and kinetic fight choreography that puts many mainstream series to shame.

The characters are deeply tied to traditional archetypes found in Chinese legends but are fleshed out with emotional depth and conflict. Voice acting by Liu Zhi Shi, Zhou Qi, and Fang Yuan brings authenticity and gravitas to their respective roles. The dialogue is steeped in poetic language, enhancing the mythic feel of the story.

The soundtrack complements the epic visuals with traditional Chinese instrumentation mixed with modern elements. The sound design heightens the impact of every battle and emotional moment.


Rating: 9/10

Fog Hill of the Five Elements earns a 9 out of 10 for its groundbreaking animation style, deep mythological storytelling, and heart-pounding action. The only downside is its limited number of episodes and slow release schedule, which leaves fans craving more.


Pros

  • Unparalleled hand-drawn animation
  • Unique art direction inspired by traditional Chinese painting
  • Rich mythological lore
  • Epic fight choreography

Cons

  • Sparse episode release
  • Story pacing can be uneven at times

Final Verdict 9/10

If you’re an anime enthusiast or a fan of animation artistry, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is a must-watch. Its fusion of stunning visuals, martial arts action, and mythological storytelling makes it one of the standout titles in modern animation. Whether you’re into Japanese anime or Chinese donghua, this series deserves a spot on your watchlist.

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