Jessica Straus Movies
Created by Keiko Nobumoto (Cowboy Bebop), the half-hour Wolf's Rain was, like many another Japanese anime series, set in a post-apocalyptic future. This time around, the human characters lived in domed cities, surrounded by a devastated world. Meanwhile, the Earth's surviving wolves, presumed extinct for two centuries, had managed to disguise themselves as humans to survive. The plotline focused on four young humanized wolves, each named for a part of the wolf "makeup": Kiba (Fang), Tsume (Claw), Hige (Whisker) and Toboe (Howl). Inspired by the vision of Flower Maiden Cheza and spurred on by the scent of the Lunar Flowers, the quartet set out to find the legendary "wolf paradise" of Rakunan. There was only one hitch -- if and when the wolves finally located Rakunan, the world would come to an end! First telecast in Japan on January 6, 2003, Wolf's Rain consisted of 26 episodes, plus four OAV episodes -- produced exclusively for home video -- which wrapped up the story. The entire series made its American debut courtesy of Cartoon Network on April 24, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Yong Bosch, Crispin Freeman, (more)
- 1989
Donny (Steve Burington) is a shy, slow-witted young man who likes to wander alone through the woods. Unfortunately, Donny's life has been nothing but trouble. His abusive, alcoholic mother kicked him out long ago, and he is constantly harassed by a trio of burly bikers who delight in bullying him and knocking him around. The only one who treats Donny well is Mrs. Martins (Naomi Sherwood), a kindly old woman who lets him live in the shed behind her house in return for odd jobs. One day, Donny meets Jenny (Jessica Straus), a young girl with a leg brace whose life has also been tempestuous, and they begin an awkward romance despite the disapproval of everyone around them. When Donny's mom insists on a visit, she informs him that not only is he the product of incest, but she's going to sell him for 1,500 dollars to a mysterious man from Mississippi. Donny goes berserk and decapitates her, which leads to a number of his tormentors being dispatched via pitchfork, crucifix, Christmas lights, and a gas stove. The entire town is outraged, and Donny is chased out into the woods by a violent mob bent on murdering the confused young killer. Only Jenny still believes in him, though her love will not be enough to save his life. ~ Fred Beldin, All Movie Guide
