We haven't had a good movie night here on Japanator Theater in a while, so I figured what the heck: after hearing us talk about it a bit on this weeks podcast, why not share a bit more about Mamoru Oshii's 2008 anime feature film, The Sky Crawlers.

The film, based off of the novel of the same name, chooses an alternative historical setting of Europe pitting rivaling factions to settle their intense fighting in the air, piloting fighter planes and setting up Production I.G.'s (and Oshii's, for that matter) signature CGI for intense dogfights and crazy camera angles, keeping things very kinetic and fluid throughout the entire film. Some key things to look out for while watching this movie is the way characters react to one another, as well as the obvious withholding of key information to plot details. Don't worry though: by the time the film concludes (and perhaps even after the credits if you wait long enough...), the somewhat vague details and twists will be clear, with plenty of time to spare for you to recuperate from your blown mind, no less.

Thanks to the website Crackle, whom supports by distribution (as well as the amazing miracle that is Hulu), you may watch this wonderful little gem completely free and legal; all you have to do is bear with a few commercials now and again.

Your movie tonight is The Sky Crawlers. This version of the film has been subtitled, and it runs almost exactly at two hours of screen time. So please, sit back, relax, and don't forget to discuss your thoughts on the film below.