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Anime isn't a genre. It's a medium, one that's still fighting for mainstream acceptance in the West. Its hold on American audiences is stronger than ever, with Studio Ghibli blockbusters and franchises like "My Hero Academia" earning critical acclaim and global adoration. However, too many people still associate animation with children's viewing. While there are plenty of great anime films that parents can show to their kids, this attitude still leads to confusion. Not only is some anime emphatically not child-safe, but if you dismiss it as kids' stuff, you're missing out on some great movies.

If you've never watched an anime film before, rest assured that it's not all sailor uniforms and jiggly bits, just like how action movies aren't all gravelly-voiced men and sexy ladies. There's something for everyone, although we also confess that you're going to see a lot of Hayao Miyazaki and Mamoru Oshii here, and for good reasons.

The content available on most streaming services changes regularly, and Hulu is no exception. As such, having a handy guide for what to watch each month can be an invaluable resource. And so, without further ado, we present to you the 60 best movies on Hulu right now.

What can you expect from the Hulu catalog specifically? Well, for one, plenty of 20th Century productions, as well as films made under its specialty label, Searchlight Pictures. Ever since Disney bought Fox (which also gave the Mouse House a controlling share of Hulu), the streaming service has been the exclusive streaming destination for all 20th Century films. Hulu also has a pretty strong, albeit constantly revolving, selection of films from other studios, so there's plenty of good stuff to choose from. Given that HBO Max seems to be going through some turbulent times, Hulu currently seems to be the go-to place for...

July 5, 2013

Now You See Me

Director: Louis Leterrier

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Isla Fisher

Running time: 115 mins

Certificate: 12A

The Bling Ring

Director: Sofia Coppola

Starring: Emma Watson, Taissa Farmiga

Running time: 90 mins

Certificate: 15

Chasing Mavericks

Director: Michael Apted, Curtis Hanson

Starring: Gerard Butler, Jonny Weston

Running time: 116 mins

Certificate: PG

A Field in England

Director: Ben Wheatley

Starring: Julian Barratt, Michael Smiley

Running time: 90 mins

Certificate: 15

July 12, 2013

Monsters University

Director: Dan Scanlon

Starring: Billy Crystal, John Goodman

Running time: 110 mins

Certificate: U

Pacific Rim

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Starring: Idris Elba, Charlie Day

Running time: 131 mins

Certificate: 12A

Trap For Cinderella

Director: Iain Softley

Starring: Tuppence Middleton, Alexandra Roach

Running time: 100 mins

Certificate: 15

We Steal Secrets

Director: Alex Gibney

Starring: Julian Assange, Adrian Lamo

Running time: 130 mins

Certificate: 15

Akira (re-release)

Director: Katsuhiro Ohtomo

Starring: Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki

Running time: 119 mins

Certificate: 15

July 19, 2013

Breathe In

Director: Drake Doremus

Starring: Felicity Jones,...

Live-action Jaume Collet-Serra Akira Greenlight by Warner Bros., Garrett Hedlund possible lead. A live-action film adaptation of Katsuhiro Otomo‘s 1988 anime classic is moving forward with Jaume Collet-Serra in the director’s seat and Garrett Hedlund in the motorcycle seat of Kaneda, if he accepts the lead role. Jaume Collet-Serrs is now in charge of a “newly-budgeted $90 million movie about the leader of a biker gang whose best friend is infected with an unstoppable power.”

According to a recent article,

Warner Bros. has held the rights to the property since 2008 when it purchased them for seven figures…Hedlund comes with a leading man resume and much lower price tag. “Though no offer’s been made, insiders say it’s only a matter of time,” says Variety of his possible casting.

We previously wrote about the prospect of a live-action Akira film here: Live action Akira films are coming and about...

Bridesmaids (15)

(Paul Feig, 2011, Us) Kristen Wiig, Rose Byrne, Maya Rudolph, Jon Hamm, 125 mins.

Having recovered from the shocking revelation that women can be funny, rude, and entertaining in the absence of men, we can at last put the debates and Hangover comparisons this movie has prompted behind us now and just enjoy a satisfying prenuptial comedy. Led by Wiig's anxious maid of honour, it certainly matches male equivalents in the grossness stakes at times, but it also finds deeper, smarter ways to make us laugh.

Incendies (15)

(Denis Villeneuve, 2010, Can/Fra) Lubna Azabal, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Maxim Gaudette. 131 mins.

A mother's death sets her two children on an investigation into their personal and political history in this powerful mystery, set in an unnamed Middle Eastern country.

Countdown To Zero (Nc)

(Lucy Walker, 2010, Us) 89 mins.

Not got enough things to worry about? That's because you forgot about the threat of nuclear annihilation that still hangs over us.