Batman: Gotham By Gaslight (2018/Warner 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray)/Reset (2017/Well Go Blu-ray)/Tam Cam: The Untold Story (2016/MVD Visual DVD)/Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless: Complete Collection (2016/Season One)/Typhoon Noruda (2015/both Sentai Blu-rays)

4K Ultra HD Picture: A Picture: B+/B/B+/B+/A Sound: A/B/B+/B+/B Extras: B/C-/D/B*/A Main Programs: B/C+/B+/B+/B+

Based on the comic series of the same name from the creator of Hellboy, Mike Mignola, comes a R rated DC Animated Feature - Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018). Brilliantly putting Batman and his cast of characters in a Victorian era setting, the result is a steampunk vision of the Dark Knight that feels fresh and new. DC is calling this Elseworlds, which I'm hoping will be placing classic characters into unlikely and bizarre settings. We can just blame it on Flash for messing up the space time continuum again.

If only the folks at DC would make this into a live action feature... with the right director (Guillermo Del Toro?) attached, it could be very fresh and interesting... anyways back to this new animated film, which takes the character of Jack the Ripper and throws him into the mix, giving Batman a new foe (they have net in the comics before) to save Gotham from as many women are becoming victims.

Some actual Bat-Villains do make an appearance, however, including Selina Kyle/Catwoman (who fights Jack with her bullwhip), Hugo Strange, Harvey Dent, and Poison Ivy (whose character is underused here). Jim Gordon and Alfred also feature prominently as well, giving us a more Detective Batman than seen previously. The animation style is similar to the '90s Batman: The Animated Series with a cel-animated look, though it was likely animated digitally.

Overall, I liked this film a lot but I don't see why it was rated R. They totally could have went further with the violence or at least blood. Many scenes of The Ripper killing are cut short by cutting away and when a body is shown, it's from a distance. There's a few sexual innuendos but nothing that's pushing the envelope. I'm just saying, they had the rating and the license to get away with a lot more.

Presented in a 4K 2160p HEVC/H.265, HDR (10; Ultra HD Premium)-enhanced Ultra High Definition image, the presentation is stunning and clearer than the (also included) 1080p Blu-ray disc, however, not as jaw dropping as other 4K presentations I've seen in the past. The discs both have a 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio and a stunning DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) lossless 7.1 track neither of which disappoint are up to the high standards. There's only so much detail that can go into an animated film of this sort and I feel they could have gone further with some of the animation here... but if in keeping tradition to the Batman: The Animated Series style, the look achieves at least that.

Special Features (on the Blu-ray) include...

"Caped Fear: The First Elseworld" (featurette)

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight Audio Commentary with Executive Producer Bruce Timm, Director Sam Liu and Writer Jim Krieg as they provide details about scenes throughout.

A Sneak Peek at the next DC Universe Movie, Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay

From the DC Vault, Bonus Episodes - "Showdown" episode from Batman: The Animated Series and "Trials of the Demon!" episode from Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

Reset (2017) is a fun Japanese studio film that has the look and feel of an American Hollywood blockbuster. Winner of the 2017 Neuchstel International Fantastic Film Festival, the Jackie Chan produced film has plenty of cool visual effects and escapism to earn a recommendation. I could definitely see this getting remade in America in the near future as it centers around the hot topic of time travel.

A brilliant scientist (Yang), who can time travel and interact with different versions of her future self, finds a way to fight an evil organization whilst saving her kidnapped son. Directed by Noon Hong-Seung (The Target), the film stars starring Mi Yang, Wallace Huo, and King Shih-Chieh.

Presented in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.39:1 and a Japanese DTS-X 11.1 lossless track with English subs, both of which are up to Blu-ray standards and satisfying. The film definitely has some money behind it (and it's on the screen) as the production design is pretty impressive as are the cinematography and visual effects.

Special Features include a Trailer, plus Trailers for other Well Go releases.

If you're interested in Japanese Sci-Fi (and who isn't?), then check out Reset.

Veronica Ngo's Tam Cam: The Untold Story (2016) is a Vietnamese Cinderella fairy tale. Tam is a beautiful and kind girl is forced to work for her cruel step-mother and step-sister, but when the young Prince calls for a festival to find a bride (with the help of her Fairy Godfather Tam is able to attend the festival) the King's most trusted adviser is secretly a demon who is trying to become human (and takeover the throne). Tam must not only thwart her evil step-mother and step-sister, but can she and the Prince defeat a demon who want to turn their kingdom to chaos?

When the King was dying on his deathbed the Prince was advised to have a political marriage to ensure peace to the kingdom, but instead, he declares a festival for nobles and commoner a like in order to find himself a bride. Tam was a poor peasant girl forced to work by her step-mother and unable to attend the festival ...until her Fairy Godfather helped her. But even after marrying the Prince, Tam's step-mother and step-sister still continues to plot ways to steal her throne along with a demon trying to overthrow the Kingdom by causing war with boarding nations and tribes. Tam and her new husband must now work together to save their Kingdom and their love from falling into the hands of evil.

This was film was a retelling of the Cinderella story, it was like a mix of fantasy and fairy tale with Lord of the Rings CGI. In the traditional Vietnamese fairy tale, the main heroine Tam is constantly killed and thwarted by her evil step-sister Cam, but each time she is reincarnated to be reunited with her Prince. The movie was more like a story of good versus evil, and is a reflection of Vietnamese culture and politics ...the King (political leaders) may be virtuous, but those who work under him (everyone else working in the government) are corrupt and evil. In the end, only those who hold true to love, courage, virtue and sacrifice are able to defeat the demons and rewarded by the Gods.

The anamorphically enhanced image and lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 mix could not possibly look or sound better in the DVD format, so I guess we might see a Blu-ray down the line. The only extra is a trailer, but this deserves more.

Tanaka-kun just can't help himself, he is always look for the most comfortable, warm place to fall asleep. In school or on the road, he would find the best place to take a nap, fortunately for him he is watched over and cared for by his best friend/the gentle giant Ohta. You would think falling sleep in the middle of the day would mean trouble, but instead his tendency toward unconsciousness has made Tanaka-kun even more popular. He soon finds himself surround by a close group of friends who helps and support him, which causes him more attention than he wants in school ...but he is too sleepy to care in Tanaka-kun Is Always Listless: Complete Collection (2016).

Tanaka-kun just wants to sleep, he wants to always take the path of least resistance and for no one to notice him so he can sleep in peace. He is watched over and cared for by his guardian angel/best friend Ohta, who literally carries him around from class to class respects Tanaka-kun and thinks that falling asleep anywhere is a sign of maturity. Is it more like a master and servant relationship or master and pet? Tanaka-kun gets disciple (self proclaimed) the cute pint-sized Miyano who wants to be more like him, followed by Echizen a faux delinquent (also self proclaimed) who sees Tanaka-kun as a rival and challenges him. Finally, there is Shiraishi the perfect class representative, who ends up falling in love with Tanaka-kun because she believes he sees past just her beauty. Everything seems perfect for Tanaka-kun our protagonist ...except than he just wants to be left alone so he can sleep.

This was a comedy anime making fun of high school drama and friends with odd quirks, it is filled with cute and pretty boy characters. The whole joke of the series is about a lazy protagonist and his friend, and somehow they become the school idols/mascot among their classmates.

*Extras include clean opening and closing animations, bonus anime shorts, promo and trailers, though a massive Premium Edition adds a ton more and is recommended for diehard fans of the show and genre.

Episodes include...

Tanaka-kun and Ohta-Kun - Tanaka-kun is watch over by his best friend/care taker/guardian angel Ohta-kun.

The Apprentice Application - Miyano wants to be Tanaka-kun's disciple because she small, cute and energetic, and Tanaka-kun's ability to fall asleep makes him seem cool and mature.

Gap Girl Echizen - Yankee wannabe Echizen challenges Tanaka-kun to a duel for stealing her beloved Miyano's attention, who also is Ohta-kun's childhood friend.

Shiraishi's Secret - Shiraishi is the little miss perfect class representative, but secretly she is the opposite behind closed doors, but when Tanaka-kun discovers her secret, she ends up falling for him.

Tanaka-kun's Routine - Tanaka-kun tries to remember what he is supposed to buy at the supermarket with Ohta, meanwhile Shiraishi thinks she is in love with Tanaka-kun.

Tanaka-kun with a Cold - Tanaka-kun catches a cold and Ohta nurses him back to health.

Tanaka-kun's Valentine - Tanaka-kun and Ohta-kun tries to figure out who gave them chocolates, turns out to be his own little sister, Rino ...who has a major brother complex.

Ohta-kun's Suffering - When Ohta gets injured, can Tanaka-kun survive without him?

Welcome to Wickey D's - Tanaka-kun and Ohta-kun goes out for some fast food and he meets Ohta-kun's little sister Saya.

Tanaka-kun's Summer - It's summer and it's time for swimming suits and pools, yukatas, summer festival and fireworks.

Tanaka-kun's Cultural Festival - It's time for the school festival and Tanaka-kun's class decides to put up a haunted house.

Tanaka-kun's Happiness - Will Shiraishi ever get the courage to confess her feelings to Tanaka-kun? Tanaka-kun doesn't realize it but his happiness is his friends always surrounding him.

Finally, we have Typhoon Noruda (2015). A great typhoon bears down on a school as they prepare for their school festival, and the students are suddenly forced to seek shelter. Just before the storm Azuma and Saijo at each other's necks fighting over baseball, but now they must work together to survive. But much more is going on because this typhoon isn't a natural storm, Azuma discovers a mysterious girl in the storm ...and what she and he does will save their world from tearing itself apart.

Azuma and Saijo were once best of friends until Azuma decided to quit the baseball team and now seems they are worst of friends and fighting all the time. When the typhoon hits, it soon becomes clear that they will have to set aside their differences. Azuma discovers a mysterious girl (Noruda) who tells him the world's future it at stake and the typhoon is at the center of it all. And now the fate of the world rest in the hands of a girl and 2 boys.

This was a very short (26 minutes) but beautiful anime. It is a story about friendship and encountering the unbelievable. And like most humans, it is only under the worst of conditions do we show our true colors and mettle.

Extras include the "Control Bear WONDER GARDEN" short animation film, talk event, Zadankai Interviews and trailers.

The 1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image transfers on both Sentai releases look great, but Typhoon is especially impressive and comes with rare, lossless DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 lossless mixes in English and better Japanese. However, Tanaka-kun offers Japanese-only DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 2.0 Stereo mixes on all of its episodes with Pro Logic-like surrounds and they tend to be a bit better throughout.

- Ricky Chiang & James Lockhart (Batman 4K, Reset)

https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/