Osarunime

Back for good, with more Ghibli works!

2012-06-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

It feels good to be back! Up and running, another day (hopefully!) another post. Though it took longer then expected I'm back from educational death, in time to catch up with my cinematic activities. Missed it, craved for it and now I'm finally doing it.

My next post will be Howl's Moving Castle (2004) by Hayao Miyazaki. A fantasy-adventure adaptation from the acclaimed novel of the same name by British author Diana Wynne Jones.

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Blog Hiatus. Sorry guys...

2012-06-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

I think that the absence of blog posts is obvious. I won't be able to post for a while, not until the end of June that is. The Exams is taking a tole on my personal life so it seems. But I will be back...real soon.
In the mean time make sure to leave your feedback (if you care to mention anything) and subscribe and follow on Twitter / Facebook.

Paprika (2006), The everlasting dreams cutting through reality.

2012-06-03T13:44:00.000-07:00

Directed by: Satoshi Kon | Written by: Satoshi Kon, Seishi Minakami
Produced by: Madhouse Inc.

Awards

Best Visual Design; Chlotrudis Awards
Prêmio da Crítica - Critic's Awards; Fantasporto
Public's Choice Award; Montreal Festival of New Cinema
Feature Film Award - Animation; Newport Beach Film Festival

Genre

Science-Fiction, Thriller, Mistery

Paprika! Once a novel written by Yasutaka Tsutsui in 1993 became a late summer anime feature film sensation by the likes of Perfect Blue (1998) and -dare I say- a more colorful reminder of Inception (2010). Being Satoshi Kon's last known feature film before his unfortunate death, it holds Kon's years of experiment and expertise fully devoted in this dream filled eye candy.
Though generic at first Paprika (both the film and the character) catch up to it's true intention and develop a deeper sense of the collapsing dreams that overrun the psyche of many unfortunate victims.

Story

The DC mini, a small apparatus used to enter into someone else's dream when worn by both individuals, is used to explore the subconscious as a form of modern therapy. We follow the story of Paprika, an alias used by a Dr. Atsuko "At-chan" Chiba who illegally uses the said machines on patience below the radar to help it's progress. The opening of this movie is a dream of a particular psychatic patient Dectective Tonoshimi Konokawa who is haunted by the abrupt end of his dreams after chasing a mysterious figure which ends with his escape and the sight of the death of Konokawa's latest investigation min the middle of the chasing. That said scenario derails when the said invention is stolen and used by an unknown party for malicious reasons by accessing dreams without consent and taking over their state of mind in the process. The adventure that leads to the true intentions of Atsuko Chiba's peers and the exploitation of the fundamental difference of her dead-serious personality and her flamboyant dream excavation counterpart Paprika.

It may not have a particularly dept like Perfect Blue, but it did manage to entertain and prevail where it counted: the explanation of the subconscious on an understandable level. The experience witnessed by the dreams projected by the unknown terrorist in the minds of it's victims was quite a mouthful, the visuals and diversity of elements baffled me into understanding how the said victims lost their psyche and reasonably conduct in the blink of an eye. The parade of dreams controlled by one man is stunning and is hard to forget after watching this film.

However, as the story develop and more aspects of the "dream creator" where revealed , you did expect a sudden switch in style and feel knowing. Though the dream parade was enchanting and beautiful it lacked in variation and symbolism that,even when covered by the nightmares by the real terrorist, where still left unchanged. Unlike Detective Toshimi Konokawa's dream which took some turns and revelations as his character bloomed. When explored, it wen from sub-plot to absolute dream-breach as paprika's dream extase and his intertwined. I felt like they devoted more time to the signification of his dream, which was crucial for this detective nonetheless, than the collective pool of dreams that ran amok in this film even overthrowing reality itself.

Rating

8,7 - Absolute dream extacy!

Being one that has seen all of Satoshi Kon's Feature films (with a film list to tell about it), I can safely say that this -out of all his like-minded film- is the only one to literally break that tin line between reality and fantasy in a magical yet psychotic fashion keen to the eye. tough the lack of in dept signification of the many colorful, visually-enhanced elements that virtually danced on the screen in an orchestrated fashion. The time necessary for such adjustments is neglected or filled with unnecessary turmoil.

Well, that concludes this review and all of Satoshi Kon's films on this blog. Do comment below and leave feedback and visit the now completed film hub of Satoshi Kon.

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Why Dragon Ball GT was a mistake.

2012-05-28T13:12:00.000-07:00

Dragon Ball, the 1982 manga which stole the hearts of young readers around the world rocking the likes of Shonen manga in the process together with it's anime in 1986 and it's second part dubbed "Dragon ball Z" , undoubtedly the most famous adaptation, in 1989. As the manga ended after a good ten year run and the anime followed up a year later the first of many generations were devastated by the end of their trusted childhood saiyan causing a massive plea for a continuation . It is horrible -even heartbreaking- when a part of your dire childhood ends after such a long run, we all wan't more. But at what price? An ending isn't always the worst alternative.

Rumored to be the best manga ever made, Akira Toriyama struck gold when he unleashed dragon ball upon the world captivating many generation which still grows t'ill this day. It's testament goes as far as being an inspiration for the big 3 of shonen manga's: Naruto (Massashi Kishimoto), Bleach (Tite Kubo) and One piece ( Eiichiro Oda).

Being part of the late golden age generation, I was first accustomed to dragon ball z and its Ocean dub when it hit television here in 2001 long enough to remember the sudden transition to the Funimation dub , before dragon ball kai and it's chewed up dub. And before I knew what Dragon Ball GT was...

The Inevitable end

After 325 chapter the story was drawn to an end (pun not intended... at first). It may not have been the best and most fulfilling one but it was the perfect closure we needed; peace was restored for a long time Gohan was married and independent with a promising child and Goku found a new hero who is the reincarnated version of the most ruthless villain, the only one who effectively destroyed the earth!Thus a perfect hero in his second life, kind yet inexperienced and full of power. Though we had a hard time accepting that , Akira Toriyama ensured peace that seemed to last. But with the never ending requests coupled with the creators consent and Funimations opportunity to milk yet another franchise...

Let's face it: when you love something to the point of Nostalgia it becomes hard to admit that it had to end even if the ending was right and satisfying, people will want more at any cause even if it ruins the franchise and what it stood for.
We all know that secretly, the only thing fans wanted was to relive the experience even if forced to choose between moving on or a more plausible alternative. Well, this happens when people aren't careful for what they wish for... 64 episodes of filler.

Grand Tour... Seriously?

Every transition in dragon ball from dragon gang to Z warrior had it's traits. We all enjoyed the journey to find the dragon ball and the friendship and adventure which had Chinese element based on "The journey to the west" as we explored the universe and it's many enemies we had the occasional comical relief be it the odd names (Briefs, pilaf, Oolong) or the perverted hermit. A good writer knows when to sacrifice element for innovative features to ensure the good rating which leads to the following:
I think Akira Toriyama realized that you cannot mix two crucial elements while maintaining an exciting story.When the journey ended, Toriyama went another path and choose a more action orientated approach by implementing other worlds and life forms deeming earthlings too weak to spice it up he also indulged his character into the new found dimension. Drifting away from the trusty monkey king to powerful Saiyan Effectively differentiating the two parts of goku's life. Dragon ball GT however, went a different way...

The Goku in Gt feels like a desperate attempt to recreate the dragon ball journey on a galactic level

Although there was a debatable superior among the two parts, they where both acknowledged as great due to their respective properties. But what if you could take the best out of both? The answer is: you can't.
By introducing the black-star dragon balls (and pilaf for some reason I can't possibly understand) which turned Goku back into the child he was in the beginning of all saga's, giving him somewhat the same allure as in dragon ball. It is pretty obvious that that such convenience-with the exception of made up dragon ball scattering around the galaxy- did not have any significant impact on Goku or his surrounding. Not only did they have a start, they also had a "re-newed" hero to attrack long time fans. If not for that then why didn't they just keep Uub like intended? And (off-topic) for god's sake why is vegeta's hair flat ?!

Thoug it was "supervised" by Akira Toriyama it did not mean it was his work, the only thing memorable added to the mix that could be credited to him was the super saiyan 4 form which was beyond believe.
GT went to far and contradicted the original work by forcing important characters who settled down in the peaceful years to take up the mantel as earth protector once again. Not only does it feel cheap it also has consequences on your image of the said characters in the original work, like Trunks & Goten who I can't stand in GT and because of it cannot 'un-link' the image of the young duo in Dragon ball z and their unfortunate aftermath. It was ridiculously obvious that the younger generation was more interesting by the teenage life than battle, but due to the incomplete list of active Z- warriors and active saiyans left at the end of chapter 425 they had to improvise and make one dysfunctional group of fighters who were extra's for the only 2 characters who mattered, I don't even have to mention their names it is that obvious.

That is it... I may hit some nerves I may get some positive feedback, but I'm only describing the obvious. Do comment about your own view, It would be appreciated.

Also...

If you enjoyed this, you have no right to call the Garlic -and any other filler- bad

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Memories (1995), The segmented film.

2012-05-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

Directed by: Kôji Morimoto, Katsuhiro Otomo, Tensai Okamura | Written by: Satoshi Kon (segment 1),Katsuhiro Otomo
Produced by: Banday Visual Company, Studio 4°C, Shochiku, Kodamsha Co.

Awards

Ofuji Noburo Award; Mainichi Film Concours

Genre

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller

The collaboration of 4 Animation masters as suggested in the many trailers and posters isn't falls. The 1995 segmented film Memories forms an ensemble of 3 feature films mostly based on Otomo's manga short stories. There is no question that the quality and dept is admirable among other things, but does it work as an ensemble?

The film caught my interest particularly because of the collaboration of Satoshi Kon and Katsuhiro Otomo in the first segment "Magnetic Rose". Little did I know that he did not actually direct anything until his first work in 1998 leaving me displeased with the fact he only did the script Notes

But you cannot judge such segments based out of petty presumptuousness. A film directed by such artist behind , The Animatrix "Beyond" (2003), Wolf's Rain (2003) and not to mention Otomo's previous work Akira (1982/1988). With Koji Morimoto and Tensai Okamura's experience in the countless anime works they directed/wrote/animated, the ideal episode-like feature film was not far away and made with utmost quality and efficiency. But as a full film? "efficiency" becomes a debatable praise.

The story cannot be seen as a whole and therefore cannot be review as such, the three episodes share no connection nor do they have any continuation what so ever. Unlike The Animatrix and Batman: Gotham Knight (2008) which -like this movie- was a collective of anime studios and director including Madhouse.

Story [SPOILER]

Episode 1

Magnetic Rose

Directed by: Kôji Morimoto | Written by: Katsuhiro Otomo, Satoshi Kon (script)

A team of deep-space salvage freighter get a distress signal coming from the space graveyard, they are lead to an asteroid made solely by space scrap when our two protagonists the down to earth Heinz and nonchalant womanizer Miguel are send to trace the signal which leads them into the web of a noble Opera singer or what is left of her and her tragic life while dealing with haunting memories that defy reality in every way raising the question of that distress signal was real to begin with.

This was hands down the best episode and a potential undeveloped story which could have lead to a prolonged film. The dept and story have a tremendous impact which isn't replicated by the more easy going following episodes. Magnetic Rose set a league of it's own. The magnificent decor is paraded by it's clever 360° view which in turn stimulates the chaotic and frightening nature of particular scenes.

This episode is a film on it's own and it is a shame that it was left "unfinished" and squeezed with two other episodes. The highlight of this movie, but then again that might just be me.

Episode 2

Stink Bomb

Directed by: Tensai Okamura | Written by: Katsuhiro Otomo

Nobuo, an employee at a medical company who is bothered by a nasty flu is advice by colleagues to try the "experimental medicine" in the Chiefs office which he mistakes for cold pills . When he wakes up the next morning he is horrified by the sight of all the dead employees who died by mysterious causes. Nobuo who foolishly ignore the cause of these deaths is tasked by the headquarter to go to Tokyo with the medical samples and files unbeknownst to the headquarter that the medicine in his body made him a walking bio-weapon which spreads his body odor like poison gas.
The dark comedy is very present in this episode as you witness an epidemic caused by a dimwit everyday man which happened to take the wrong medical sample. Nobuo is in every sense the pinnacle of stupidity. It should strike every person as odd when every one near him suddenly dies, animals and humans alike. It should clear some confusion. Not with Nobuo I was struck between entertainment and frustration by the excessive stupidity brought forth by this man. I had a hard time digesting the fact that a man covered inside deadly gas fails to understand the true cause of it even when the military is blocking his path with their every move to hinder the virus.

Episode 3

Cannon Flodder

Directed | Written by: Katsuhiro Otomo

In a heavily walled city which contains canon at every corner and every few houses in order to fight an unknown city which is implied to be nonexistent.We witness young boy who wishes to become a cannon shooter unlike his father who is a cannon-loader.

The last and more random episode of the bunch. The animation style and feel of the overall episode is more western-like due to the rough thick lines and chaotic shading. The story itself is meaningless pleasantry portrayed in a linear fashion. The few shots after the enormous Red cannon which is central and symbolic to the city strength, are seen as craters in an empty wasteland which questions the very existence of this "moving city", an interesting concept in this short episode next to the animation style.

Rating
8,5 - Sci-Fi/ Fantasy entertainment pack
Though I enjoyed the bundle of episodes I'm still stupefied of the difference in quality between episodes. The collective rating is slightly down played by the episodes following "Magnetic Rose" which ended with a silent yet full-filling open ending. I'm well aware that the stories are based off the many short stories of Otomo which, without a doubt, is full of better alternatives to form a coherent pack of episode. I'd say it's a good time but the dept of every episode diminishes considerably due to the overwhelming performance of it's introductory episode. But opinions may vary, and so does taste. Comment bellow about your personal experience concerning this film

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Grave Of The Fireflies (1988), The World War tragedy

2012-05-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

Directed by: Isao Takahta | Written by: Isao Takahata, Akiyuki Nosaka (Novel)
Produced by: Studo Ghibli

Awards

Special Award; 31st Blue Ribbon Awards
Animation Feature Film (Animation Jury Award) | Rights of the Child Award; 3rd Chicago International Children's Festival

"It's hard to tell if Fireflies represents a veiled Hiroshima or not (nuclear fallout isn't even hinted at). But the story of the two kids is so tragic the details slip away." Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

The Animated War tragedy adaptation of the Naoki Prize winning novel by Akiyuki Nosaka Hotaru no Haka (1967). When the film launched in 1988 it was well received thrughout the 90's especially to the acclaimed Chicago Times critic Roger Ebert. It's obvious that this film earned it's place among the many films that stand out in the Ghibli Collection

Grave of the Fireflies is a true loss of words concerning the profound dept an Animation can deliver. Despite the fantasy filled animated adventure epics, Studio Ghibli reminds us that they can still deliver the much needed sentimental value in a respectable non-forced fashion. You are left with the sole thought that lingers in your mind far after the movie ends: what if that happened to me?

Story

The story starts at Sannomiya station at the end of Word War II in 1945 as we witness the last moments of a malnourished weak 14 year old boy sorted with the trash while his last possession is thrown away revealing ashes. That same object, an old fruit drops box is a recurring item in the film that will gradually bare sentimental value to the link between Seita (Tsutomi Tatsumi) and his 4 year old sister Setsuko (Ayano Shiraishi) who went from a stern but happy life to homeless and on their own after the fire bomb raids in 1945 by the hands of American Air crafts which is shown after the young man's death. Scenes that would seem unbearable for a boy that age are taken surprisingly well despite the fact that it would cause emotional breakdown in most cases. It is heavily implied in this film that he kept strong for his sister which he took care of most of the film making her his everyday concern and priority even after ration waved and the odds where against him.

What is shown as story can be depicted as a stream of events that deteriorate as Seita tries to nourish and protect her 4 year old sister after her mother died in the aforementioned air raid, attacks which happened frequently throughout the movie incensing fear in an already struggling civilization. It can only be described as disturbing when a a boy witness the gruesome incident first hand carrying it in his heart shielded from her innocent sister. The bravery shown by this young boy was encouraging and was the main fuel of this movie. Despite the little character development and the fact that most of the story line was substituted with emotional imagery. You can still connect to some extent to the hardship through the well written screenplay and tragedy in general.

It is refreshing angle from the usual soldier-driven war tragedies were civilians are pestered by opposing forces or were the movie is seen from a battalion's perspective pushing its people to the background as recurring characters for emotive credibility. Soldiers were mentioned and implied in his movie but it did just fine without dragging the unconditional loss of their many men in front of the screen as a pity method. I liked that...

Rating

8,9 - Emotional dept with epic proportions

I can proudly admit that this is the most emotional awakening Anime film I've ever seen. It even gave Millennium Actress, a film I so dearly admire, a run for it's money. Even as apathetic person I am couldn't shake the image of the well projected reality that is war time, seeing myself in the same unbarable situation.

If you are looking for a well portrayed "cry-fest", do not pass off this one. Comment below and share feedback as always.

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Also...

I have extra's that came with the dvd (Character art,interviews,etc.), I intend to upload them this week. Stay tuned for more.

"Ohayo" (Good Morning) a NHK short film by Satoshi Kon

2012-05-16T14:12:00.000-07:00

Ohayo (オハヨウ), Ani-Kuri 15

Ani-Kuri 15 where 15 Short Films that ran on the japanese tv channel Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai (NHK) 3 seasons long as fillers between programs. I was able to retrieve the last one made by satoshi Kon in 2008. For those who saw it on Twitter/Facebook/Google+ keep sharing!

Paprika

2006

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*Also I will review Paprika AFTER I finish one or two other Films.

Comment below !

Tokyo Godfathers (2003), A strange winter story.

2012-05-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

Directed by: Satoshi Kon, Shogo Furuya (Co-directed) | Written by: Satoshi Kon, Keiko Nobumoto

Award(s)

Best Animated Film; Mainichi Film Awards
Audience Award | Best Asian Film; Neuchâtel International Fantasy Film Festival
Best Animated Feature Film | Orient Express Award - Special Mention; Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival

"Although apt for family consumption, Tokyo Godfathers still keeps one of the director's obsessions: psychologically worn-out female characters, on the brink of despair, even though here the disturbed spirit is not one of the main characters." - Luis Canau (Translated by Carla Graça), Cinedie Asia

The 2003 film that premiered at the Big Apple Anime Festival (BAAF), which marked it's last festival held as of yet, Tokyo Godfathers is a cozy turn of the reality-mashing flicks driven by fantasy and Romance or straight criminal paranoia. It's a strange holiday story that won't end up in bed time stories as most heroes aren't homeless, burned out,running away and hiding emotional scars while trying to return a baby they found in the garbage...

I have got to admit that I was expecting something mind blowing around every corner being it hallucinations or a play within a play. It wasn't that much saddening as exciting to see this film enlist in a new direction after two successful films. After all, I got the impression Satoshi Kon has a nag for interesting stories that do not necessarily contain the same elements. Despite this they are still some traces that bend toward excessive daydreaming.

Story

When a Washed out alcoholic, A homosexual cross-dresser and a runaway tomboyish girl find a dumped baby with a note during a garbage search the day before Christmas. They are split between reporting it to the police or personally returning the child to it's parents or having to live with the fact that the baby's parent will be a cross-dresser who longs for a child. It is obvious to say that they chose the latter.

The comical side of the story defined by the strange group dynamic surfaced every now and then were entertaining. But I couldn't shake the fact that the ones paying for transportation fees are unhoused without any means of income (seriously, even I couldn't pay for the trips they made...).

I also had a major problem with the plot structure of this film. Despite the great middle and unexpected ending it still felt like I was thrown into a movie that started 20 minutes ago It did not share it's predecessors strong plot structure and flawless introductions. The abrut start of the movie which felt like a considerable loss in story development. If it wasn't for the quick development later on and the subtitle character development along the way it would have stuck as a slightly incomplete plot.
As I said before the group dynamic between the 3 individuals drove the story brought adventure together with the events that occurred in this film, filling each others short coming and gradually solving each others issues. The diversity of personality, preferences and moral conduct is dysfunctional which causes 3 close friends to spice up the most normal journey turning Tokyo over the top in the most hysterical situations.

Though this movie wasn't as fantasy indulged as it's predecessors, there was still some hints of it in flash backs and in terms of making a point. I think the influence of Keiko Nobumoto Screenplay writer of such works as Cowboy Bebop the Movie: Knockin' on Heaven's Door (2001), Macross Plus (1994/1995) and the anime/manga Wolf's Rain (2003/2004) had a positive outcome on this movie.

Rating
8,5 - An uncanny Tokyo drama
As much as I loved this movie I could not shake the feeling that the lead of this movie could have been improved. Despite that this movie is unlike any drama-adventure I've seen before containing classic anime characteristics while maintaining a steady story. Might not be Satoshi Kon's best work, But it still is one of his greatest. Comment and send feedback about your personal rating.

M.

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Osarunime.com is officially up!

2012-05-13T03:43:00.000-07:00

Awww yes.

If you read my previous post , I mentioned getting a custom domain at the end of April. Well that got delayed... However, I finally finalized the transaction! Brought to you by Godaddy!

Osarunime.com is here! Supposedly it will redirect my old URL to www.osarunime.com together with osarunime.com in 24 hours. Again, for the few that visit my blog regularly; make sure to comment and share! Like on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

Also...

Tokyo Godfathers

Expect the 2004 film by Satoshi Kon later this day. Visit the Satoshi Kon film hub or subscribe to be informed.

Comment Away!

Making Of Tokyo Godfathers 2003 [video inside post]

2012-05-09T06:18:00.000-07:00

Directed by: Satoshi Kon, Shogo Furuya (co-directed) | Written by: Satoshi Kon, Keiko Nobumoto
A preview of the 2003 film directed and written by the late Satoshi Kon I'm about to review. The 20 minute video has essential information on the production of this film and it's voice actors.
The video comes with the DVD, it has Japanese audio and Subtitles at choice (though I only uploaded the English one at this time). Tokyo Godfathers was released on the 28th of November in 2003 distributed by Destination Films.

*I was planning on releasing this Yesterday but I had some subtitles problems... Well, three unknown programs later fixed it.

Leave comments below!

Steam Boy (2004), Otomo's Steam Punk bravery

2012-05-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

Directed by: Katsuhiro Otomo | Written by: Sadayuki Murai, Katsuhiro Otomo
Produced by: Sunrise

Award(s)

Best Animated Feature Film; 37th Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival

"The movie has intriguing ideas about human lives ruled by machines, which is why the technology in "Steamboy" seems promising. Otomo has reportedly been working on the film for 10 years, drawing countless animation cels by hand and also using computer resources; why, with all the effort he put into the film's construction, did he neglect to go anywhere interesting with the plot? - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Steam Boy, the result of my irresponsible negligence of curfew (to quote a few) and my obsession with 10-11 PM blockbusters. One movie which is embedded in my childhood as the one reminder that cartoon violence is indeed real... in japan. The joint screenplay of both Akira fame writer/director Katsuhiro Otomo & Sadayuki Murai, known for his excellent screenplay in Satoshi Kon-directed films, is remarkably blank though...

SteamBoy is an animated Steam-punk by the book spiced up by anime violence and Katsuhiro Otomo's radical touch which bears similarities to it's predecessor Metropolis in terms of chaos and the characters inept ability to cope with it in times of need and plot twists, which isn't necessarily a positive thing.

Premise

The story of a young impulsive boy James Ray Steam (Anne Suzuki) with gifted knowledge about steam-technology on a genius scale is hunted down by strange men after receiving a package from his presumed deceased father in an accident. The boy find himself caught in a conflict as he finds out the package is the most advanced energy source in the fictional 19th century. Which is in fact, the story in a nutshell. This movie fails to show a significant amount of debt and logic; you are left puzzled with the character's decisions and state of mind. Especially James' father and grandfather who are in conflict with each other. You are expected to draw your excitement out of the countless well animated and thought through escape scenes in the beginning of the movie and the Epic outcome & background battles, did I mention the top-notch quality already?

I was gradually disappointed when the flaws from it's 2001 successors where taken over instead of discarded for deeper plot and build-up. After watching both movies I was overwhelmed by indecision as to the movie actually ended properly and weather I enjoyed it or mildly liked it. You'd think that screenplay brought forth by the same mind of the well received stories of Perfect blue (1998) & Millennium Actress (2001) would have the means to get the job done with the help of Katsuhiro Otomo no-less, Or is that too much to ask?

Despite all that, I still enjoyed the film. The escape scenes where well thought, the enormous scale of this film could only be described as breath-taking mixed with the insane visuals, the character design was corny yet fitting. The revelation of the secret that started with one Steamball, an immense steam source was well planned and captivating despite the fact that it floated on a somewhat flat story. For what it counts, You could really feel the 19th century which was well portrayed.

Rating

7,9 - Imperfect steam-punk story
This movie is something I'll remember from my childhood for it's creative concept and sharp-visuals. But the blank going-nowhere plot (which I did not mind back then) drags this animated wonder down with it. I still urges anyone to see this movie because despite it's flaws, It's still a good time If you do not over think it... or think logically in general.
If you did see it, feel free to comment and leave your thoughts

M.

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Ponyo on the cliff (2008), The not so credibly sea adventure.

2012-05-04T13:32:00.000-07:00

Directed | Written by: Hayao Miyazaki
Produced by: Studio Ghibli

Awards

Best Composer; 3rd Asian Film Awards
Animation Of The Year - Best Film Score; 32nd Japanese Academy Prize
Ofuji Noburo Award; 63rd Mainichi Film Concours
Future Film Festival Digital Award - Special Mention |Mimmo Rotella Foundation Award; 65th Venice Film Festival

""Gake no Ue no Ponyo (Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea)," exceeds even "Totoro" in simplicity, with a core target audience about as old as its hero — 5. This is not to say that those who have mastered hiragana (or the alphabet) will be bored, as long as they leave their expectations for the usual Miyazaki film at the door."- Mark Shilling, The Japan Times

The surprising turn of the Ghibli-signed animated Epics filled with young heroes and brave tales to joyful eye-popping adventure was quite well-received in 2008 among critics and younger audiences. Ponyo sure came unexpected to the core-fans of the Miyazaki titles, well at least the female role is present.

The joyful successor of films like Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind (1984) The award showered Princess Mononoke (1999) ,the Oscar winning Spirited Away (2001), The oscar nominated Howls Moving Castle (2004) all spawned from Hayao Miyazaki's mind does not fail to please an audience. However, even if it became Anime of the year at the prestigious Japanese Academy Awards in 2009 I still think it failed to reach that level we are all acquainted to.

Despite the aforementioned reflection on this film. I would like to clarify the fact that this isn't a bad film. Better yet I was quite fond of it and the clear and vivid visuals are the greatest I've ever seen in terms of simplistic shading, it is hard to loose interest with the waves dancing on the screen with a constant tone of blue. There is nothing wrong with this movie...except for it's lowered target demography which tends to downplay potential story and credible conscientious choices. Keep in mind that I am way to old for this movie, I wish I would have known before hand, should've taken the hint from the trailer...

Story

When a humanoid goldfish like creature escapes from some kind of magical captivity cast upon her and her many dozen siblings by her father , wizard Fujimoto (Jôji Tokoro) to strand on seashore were her life is saved from dehydration by a 5 year old boy Sôsuke (Hiroki Doi).
Realizing the dangerous of human explore to little Ponyo and the consequences of it Fujimoto takes her back suppressing the human DNA she was exposed to which is making her human while unleashing a concentrated power deep beneath the sea that will awaken the next Devonian age with her second break-out attempt and her successful change to a human toddler.
The magical bond between a two beings to young to be determined as love is the center of this film and the core that drives this stories and it's lush visuals. It strikes me as impressive how complicated choices are dealt with such care and simplicity without undermining the estimated intelligent of it's viewers unlike western animation. Like when Sôsuke has to either truly "love" her and make her fully human or leaving her to become sea foam. The destruction and flood of the planet is very present and lively drawn (Fun fact: Hayao Miyazaki himself took the task of drawing the waves in this film. Worked out quite good believe me).

However, when the serious intentions of the movies are downplayed to fit the demographic expectation it took the dramatic punch out of it. I am always used to fully developed content from blood to full-blown heroism, this movie however, does not share these qualities. Sure, I enjoyed the adventures and the amazing escape when the flood was unleashed both underwater and above water (mostly underwater...that was magical). But the overall importance was lost when the pure-hearted decision was milked ad pushed to the foreground too many times. That is all good and sweet for children but it pushed so many amazing things to the background like the kind protective independent mom and the father at sea stuck with many other boots on unknown sea right after he failed to make it to see his family <--- interesting stuff right there, didn't become that interesting in my opinion.

Rating
7,5 - Children's sea adventure
This rating might be unfair mainly because I far exceed the expected age for this movie. But I still think that this movie is good and that a younger audience will fully enjoy it and so will a more sentimental one. The visuals and character are truly great especially the bold mother and her crazy driving skills. But, -and i can't say it enough- it still doesn't reach the Hayao Miyazaki standards that captivated me at an amazing rate.I'm pretty sure that my past self would have rated this 8,9 though. But right now, I don't think I will watch it again...so soon. Will you?

M.

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Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984), The un-credited Ghibli breakthrough

2012-04-29T19:36:00.000-07:00

Directed | Written by: Hayao Miyazaki
Produced by: Toei Animation

Awards

Best Short Film; Fantafestival
Reader's Choice Awards; Kinema Junpo Awards
Ofuji Noburo Award; Mainichi Film Concours
Anime Of The Year; 7th Anual Animage Anime Grand Prix

"The smaller lines are no longer blurry or gray but thin like hairs and jet black. Details pop out where there previously weren't any, especially in the meticulously painted forest backgrounds and immense aeroplanes. And when you watch closely you can actually spot signs of the animation craftsmanship itself. "-Ard Vijn, TwitchFilm

The movie considered as the building stone of Studio Ghibli based of Hayao Miyazaki's own early 7 volumes of the same name. The story of Nausicaä is one enchanting story to remember and to captivate. A fantasy filled epic that stood for the beginning of an amazing animation studio.

Nausicaä is a pleasant mix of kindness, complex (but very comprehensible) morals and physical conflicts. Attributes shared by great works like Princess Mononoke (1999) , Metropolis (2001) and many more. The tale of Nausicaä (Sumi Shimamoto) are enchanting and rich with adventure and compassion.

Story

The story takes place in a time that can only be described as a world build from the remnants of a former one. there is a constant reminder of the overall pollution which is slowly taking ground and wittering vegetation and civilization alike while making the air unbreakable (It is noted in the movie itself that breathing the air would rot your longs in minutes.) known as "the sea of decay". The general struggle to prevent the hostile eradication of biodiversity and humanity with it. Our protagonist Nausicaä, the - kind-hearted -bright and brave beyond reason- girl who is princess of a peaceful village living in the valley of the wind stands in the middle of the mystery of the sea of decay and it's grotesque dangerous creatures and the meddling of outside forces. Al-thought the emphasize of the concerns of the sea gradually decreases it is still relevant and a major importance to the story.

What more to say? The characters are credible and the oh-so cliché barrier of good and evil is left to the imaginations of it's viewer. An aspect I also found in Princess Mononoke, most wrong doings and violent act are made out of self-preservation or an act of good for its own party. From ideas to invade a peaceful village to burning the sea of decay without knowing its consequences; either way from their perspective it was the logic thing in such times. Though you might not sympathize with it, you can still find the hint of reason behind it.

Rating
9,5 - A captivating Fantasy-epic!
I loved this movie from beginning to end. Even when the few quiet scenes kicked in I could not help but to be pulled back in by the following scenes and plot structure. The visuals are stunning and authentically cel animated enhancing the drawn manga by it's director magnificently. This animated film is a reminder of a great time of animation and innovative features. I can honestly say that I feel bad for the generation that doesn't know about the existence of such animated genius

And with this I finally end this post, and apologize for the delay.

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Delayed...

2012-04-28T16:53:00.000-07:00

I Seriously hoped to post Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind this saturday but I failed to do so. I'm already working on the post right now and I should be done by Sunday. Please stay tuned by frequently visiting the Hayao Miyazaki Film Hub or Subscribe.
Also, Expect more Hayao Miyazaki films these few weeks.

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Akira (1988), Cyber Punk mayhem.

2012-04-22T22:07:00.000-07:00

Directed by: Katsuhiro Otomo | Written by: Katsuhiro Otomo, Izo Hashimoto
Produced by: TMS entertainment Ltd.

Awards

Silver Scream Award; 3rd Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival

"What makes it work is the astounding animation, 160,000 cells worth. The detail is exceptionally realistic, fluid and multidimensional, suggesting both a futuristic world and ancient quests. Otomoto's neon-lit Neo-Tokyo is a marvel of post-apocalyptic tension and desires. "Akira" is equally astounding for its color design, whether in the brightness of Neo-Tokyo, the damp darkness of its underground or the steely edge of its scientific outposts and military hardware. It's a complete world sprung from Otomoto's pen and imagination, and realized in 327 colors." - Richard Harrington, Washington Post

During the successful manga that met its end in 1990 after 6 successful volumes, an anime adaptation was made directed and written in 1988. Now I know what you're thinking: An Anime adaptation Directed and written by the same artist? What could go wrong? Well nothing, until you realize that he crammed almost 2 volumes worth of story into two hours with additional plot structure worth two more volumes... The franchise that heavily influenced modern science fiction and had the media impact of an atomic bomb in it's time ladies and gentlemen. A great manga. But is it a great movie?

The story of Akira is a well known one which tells the story of a post apocalyptic neo-tokyo set near the ruin's of the original Tokyo which was destroyed in an explosion 32 years ago during world war III. You live the moments of Kaneda the leader of the biker gang "capsule" and his frustrated best friend Tetsuo before an unfortunate bike accident caused by a supernatural events which is the first of mysteries to cause a raft between kaneda and Tetsuo who grows insane with his awakened powers after the accident due to a military proof which could potentially revive Akira, the man hinted to be behind World War III. As good and overwhelming as that story was in the manga. Yes, It is still the very same movie that shook the anime fandom in the 90's and inspired many more like minded artist and I do acknowledge this movie and it's director as brilliant, but the filtering between the manga and anime was rather thin maybe due to a short coming of material leaving only the feel to entertain its viewers into a state of constant interest due to this animated wonder and the cyber-punk gore that has been shown to it's fullest which was quite nice. Yet not for me.
The visuals are stunning for it's time and well made, exactly like the manga if I may add with the exception of shading. Neo-tokyo was captured beautifully enhancing the negative feel and desolated mood. I was constantly amazed by the futuristic view this work possessed, especially in the beginning of the movie during the gang battles that seemed familiar somehow. Despite the few changes to the story it turned out to be a good time and a well made adaptation.Until the complications kicked in....

The main issue of this movie is that Katsuhiro Otomo was fully aware that he had to bring his unfinished work into the picture to all it's glory even if it meant bringing some elements that would only work with the continuation of the next volumes which he altered in the process,but in vain.
The battles felt rushed and half the times I was thrown off by all the explosions that formed the final battles which needed to be stretched to at least an hour. I seriously wondered what happened after major building exploded and antagonists faces were taken over with surprise and fear, every time I had to pick of after the said events, it also felt like the story had to do the same . I sincerely tried to enjoy this movie and I did when the story kicked in but I was annoyed by the constant attempts of the military units to stop Tetsuo to the point that the city had to suffer under it. Wouldn't it have been better if the movie was split into two individual parts to give it some breading space? The subtle but brutal violence is an Akira trademark that -if done well- expresses the sense of realism and dystopian taste that can worsen anytime to a full scale war, which was ruined...

The other thing that suffered because of aforementioned aspects was character development which wasn't gradually delivered as the word "development" suggest but placed out of convenience. The movie didn't have a lot of time to meddle inside the soft spots to create a lasting sense of understanding and compassion nor did the two volumes this was based on. The repercussions of this are huge. Not only is there low to none credibility of their friendship (unless if you read the manga) but their is also no urge to understand the struggle that goes through this movie.
If only the characters where as nice as the way they were intended too.You only saw the brave Kaneda leader of the capsule gang, a true failure of a womanizer against the frustrated Tetsuo which inferiority towards his best friend fueled his insanity. Great personalities that could have been greater, to bad.

Click to enlarge

Rating
7,0 - Post-Apocalyptic nutshell

Yes a 7, I may get a lot of hate for this but I got my reasons!Despite the innovative and the -in its time- groundbreaking story it did not succeed to bring it's full potential to the big screen.Given the fact that the manga adaptation was directed and written by no other than it's creator . You are left wondering if this movie stood a chance as the animated equal of a well-drawn cyber punk epic. My guess is that he should've waited after the 5th volume to make this animation. What do you think? Did you like the movie? Please leave your impressions below.

This animated film is not suited for children due to excessive violence, please remember that.

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Millennium Actress (2001), An animation within a play.

2012-04-20T18:15:00.000-07:00

Directed by: Satoshi Kon | Written by: Sadayuki Murai
Produced by Madhouse Inc.

Awards

Best Animation Film & Fantassia Ground-Breaker Award; 5th Fant-Asia Film Festival
Ofuji Noburo Award; 56th Mainichi Film Awards
Orient Express Award; 34thSitges - Catalonian International Film Festival

"The film's matter-of-fact, realistic animation style makes a fitting contrast to the topsy-turvy nature of its narration. Though the moments of drama have an inescapable corniness, as a piece of visual legerdemain as well as a rumination on the place movies have in our personal and collective subconscious, "Millennium Actress" fascinatingly goes where films have not often gone before." - Kenneth Turan, Los Angelese Times

Millennium Actress (Sennen Joyū), the second work of the late Satoshi Kon which takes a turn from the illusion-indulged thriller violence to a fictional biography based on the life of real veteran actress Setsuko Hara. The movie that sets out to be a biography of an old secluded former actress rapidly turns into a vivid adventure filled with passion and drama as old memories are remembered and portrayed with the use of her early movie scenes as memory-recollection medium's. This brilliant display of "a play in a play" meant to set you of guard from the beginning truly is a Satoshi Kon signed feature.

When long time fan Genya Tachibana (Shôzô Îzuka) and his young jovial cameraman set off to document the aged former actress Chiyoko Fujiwara (Miyoko Shôji), they find themselves reliving more than an old star's biography/Filmography. Chiyoko's love for film was at start a mere mascaraed for her love for a mysterious activist she fell in love with. The story entrusts us with the delicate story of how her feelings and stubbornness kept her searching for this man for decades in a time of national oppression and war in 1930-1940.

The clear and sharp color were slightly polished and uplifted from it's predecessor Perfect Blue becoming -in my humble opinion- more keen to the eye which could be joyful and quite dark undertoned in dramatic entries.The Shadows are soft implementing the clear shading I so admire in this Animated Film.

Chiyoko's life told through her various scenes and character incarnations

The movie didn't have a wide variety of main characters but many recurring ones that cleverly substituted unknown antagonists in her film scenes to form the row of collage-like memories such as the man with the scar that hunts down the mysterious activist throughout the film . The characters that it did posses (even if they had very little character development) were the ones I LOVED. Not once did I think that Genya or his easy-going cameraman where an annoyance or in the way of a particular film scene of the actress' past, on the contrary they filled the position of spectators and main duo of this film, the ones that where in her plays and in Genya's case: the one that played a roles in her film scene-memories he watched and cried to. Genya's interrest and respect for Chiyoko is also explained and exploited and comes together in this -what can only be described as- satisfying closure.

Click to enlarge

Rating
9,8 - True Drama!

I loved this movie from beginning t'ill the last frame. The moving story and misfortunes in her lives illustrated by her own film scenes is a a clever concept in which her life is shown true fragments of her best moments and career. Every scene has its feel and moment that has been carefully portrayed through well written screenplay. I can only hope others enjoy it as much as I did even after the movie ended. Do comment if you saw this movie already and if you liked it as much as I did.

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Yea , something went wrong...

2012-04-18T06:48:00.000-07:00

My computer died on me a few days ago, apparently my over charged hard drive wasn't able to support my near-death motherboard. Well that's fixed (...hopefully). Sorry for the Inconvenience. I will review a Satoshi Kon movie soon!
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Metropolis (2001), the fictional future of many pasts

2012-04-12T10:08:00.000-07:00

Directed by: Rintaro | Written by: Katsuhiro Otomo
Produced by: Madhouse

Award(s)

Best Animation Film - 2nd Place; 5th Fant-Asia Film Festival
(None out of 3 Nominations)

"Playing like a candy-colored hybrid of Fritz Lang's film of the same name and Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis borrows its plot liberally from numerous legendary sci-fi sources (despite the fact that the original manga was released in 1945, certain cinematic aspects can't help but appearing overly familiar), all the while dazzling viewers on the same cutting-edge visual level as suchanime classics as Akira and Ghost in the Shell. "-JASON BUCHANAN, Rovi (Allmovie)

Fritz Lang and Osamu Tezuka

The 2001 adaptation of the 1949 manga of the same name by no other than the godfather of manga himself, Osamu Tezuka which in turn is inspired on the innovative 1927 silent film Metropolis by Fritz Lang. This movie shows it's worth as a piece written by the man behind the acclaimed cyber-punk manga Akira.
The filtering process from genius silent film and sci-fi predecessor to many great films in hollywood's golden age of cinema to a memorable manga brought forth by one of it's pioneers and all time legends who also claimed that he based his work of a single still image of its name sake is a remarkable homage,marvelous and a debate starter of preferences between the above-mentioned works .Be that as it may, the name and premise of this movie spans generations of great minds and great screenplay.

Now I admit that I never saw the original motion picture, therefore not being able to discuss which version is undeniably better. But I can however, compliment this films stunning visuals and accurate recreation of Tezuka's art style while enhancing the monumental posture that is Metropolis and its heaven-reaching tower.I'd also state that the film and animated film both posses an element of originality of it's own cancelling the thoughts that this movie is a copy or a cheap homage. It is not...

This movie is a colorful blend of animation and futuristic technology while preserving aspects of the presumed year the manga was made, probably due to the accurate adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's work (with the exception of some character changes).
While the animated feature and character development fair well in this movie, some turns of events do not and linger in my mind even after I finished this movie...twice.
For example:

The japanese Detective Ban Shinsaku (Kôsei Tomita) who -together with his nephew Kenichi (Kei Kobayashi)- is the main protagonist who came to metropolis to arrest Dr. Laughton for the crime of human Organ-trafficking. Due to unfortunate events they find themselve separated: The detective with it's robot guide (with a serial number as name I won't even try to write that...) and Kenichi with the Tima (unbeknownst to both of them that she is a robot made for a destructive purpose). Logic has it that the detective will search for his lost nephew who could be dead for all he knows.Well...he does not. While he shows faint signs of concern he does not search thoroughly for his nephew to the point that 5 minutes inward in the movie you can see him eat a hot dog like their is no problem in the world. It's an insignificant flaw but it does raise some moral questions.
There is an escape scene where Kenichi has to run away and hide with Tima for safety while being shot at repeatedly. It isn't exactly news that antagonists are horrible at aiming. But to miss 5 shots at two people standing still? That's pushing it... I know that it would have crippled the chasing scene and important turn of events but he could've at least scraped him.

The turn of events and cruel human-to-robot violence fuel the main thoughts that robots are abused and misunderstood as one of it's biggest enigma struggle to understand that she is not human and is destined for great destruction. That concept is constantly pulled back and forth in terms of importance in the movie it didn't quite stick, it was a mere reminder of interaction between humans and the machines much like The Animatrix portrayed but less impressive. They should have worked on it more is what I'm getting at. Some bonds like the detective and his appointed robot partner where hardly credible and forced. I often found myself not believing them.
The kind-hearted kenichi finds a fitting place in this turmoil and creates strong bonds with them and Tima in particular. The chemistry between the two said characters is portrayed as strong and emotional and plays an important role near the end. It is a shame that that bond wasn't exploited more to maximize the emotional and moral impact at the end of the film.

Rating

7,5 - Futuristic thrill !

The first animation film that taught me that not all movies are for children. I still cherish this childhood memory that screened at midnight on my old TV. The dept and visuals of this film are a mixture of Osamu tezuka particular characteristics and Fritz Langs original picture. It is not the greatest movie but it still deserves some respect and attention.

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It's happening! I'm finally there!

2012-04-11T05:22:00.000-07:00

As I round up my last and definitive template and design changes. I'm finally ready to make the next step and get my own domain hopefully by the end of the month!

For the few of you who regularly visit my blog (which I appreciate ) have noticed the ridiculous amount of changes since I started this. Well that's over with! Right now i'm starting to work on more reviews and a few entries on my own... they beter be done before osarunime.com launches ^^

HUBS

You might've/might not have noticed the few banners below certain posts. I'm still working on it just so I can categories content faster as this blog grows
List (so far):

That's about it for now, make sure to comment and show your input and/or appreciation of what I've been doing so far!

Perfect Blue (1998), an anime psycho-thriller

2012-04-08T06:23:00.000-07:00

Directed by: Satoshi Kon | Written by: Sadayuki Murai, Yoshikazu Takeuchi (novel)
Produced by: Madhouse

Awards

Best Animation Feature; 2nd B-Movie Film Festival
Best Asian Film; 1st Fant-Asia Film Festival
Best Film - Animation; 17th Fantasporto

"The film is inundated with frightening and sordid imagery. I would definitely categorize it as a horror film complete with vicious stabbings, a naive female victim being stalked and hunted, and a staged rape scene that is downright chilling. Don't be fooled into taking your kids to see this one just because they like Power Rangers. This one will be rated R and deservedly so." - ATHAN BEZAITIS, Filmcritic

Perfect Blue (パーフェクトブルー Pāfekuto Burū), Satoshi Kon's first Film as a director which was screened in 1997 at the FantAsia International Film Festival. The exceptional and reality-twisted story is one of the first in the -by then improved- Satoshi Kon films like it's acclaimed and highly acknowledged like-minded successor madhouse marvel Paprika in 2006. The story takes you through the life of a young girl Mima (Junko Iwao) who goes from Japanese Pop-idol to become an actress as her life and reality spirals downwards shattering the common sense of reality and dragging it down with it emphasizing the events throughout the movie.

The background and animated visuals are stunning and true to the Madhouse quality in the 90's, It is clear and pleasant to the eyes while accentuating certain feelings of a scenes by clever use of lighting and reflections while maintaining an animated sense of reality.
Satoshi Kon was not afraid to remind his faithful audience that this is in fact a fantasy-thriller. The gruesome stabbings and unpleasant nudity is to be taken seriously and is a considerable change from the silent beginning of the movie, beginning with a frightening accurate websites that practically follows her every move.
Mima's state of mind deteriorates to the point of paranoia which is cleverly portrayed as her growing role in the thriller TV Show shares the presumed same symptoms as her mixing real life experiences with her acted character's persona while dealing with her imaginary Idol self" which constantly haunts her. It is mind-blowing how the line between reality and delusion becomes non-existent to the point of psychological disorientation, what might be real could easily be a dream or her acting performance. This is the mind of a person who lost herself and is clinging on to her sense of desperate reality.

Be that as it may, the film's scenario had it's flaws: considering the fact that a few important individuals where brutally slaughtered you'd think that panic and fear would be a factor, well you thought wrong. It took two murder and a bomb injury (in front of a dozen witnesses) to strike some level of awareness that Mima could be in danger especially as one of these cases is the screenplay writer of the TV show she debuted in. It didn't necessarily affect the viewing experience but it did linger in the deepest depths of my mind... the whole time.

Rating:
**** A psychotic thrill!
The transition between reality and fantasy was sublime despite the forced entry in the psychotic aspects. The limits of the human mind are exploited and re-invented by this movie as the psycho-driven fantasy are accompanied by fragments of reality and moral understanding. the A truly great start as director for the late Satoshi Kon.

This movie is rated R due to violence and nudity, keep that in mind.

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Spirited Away (2001), Re-written post

2012-04-03T20:55:00.000-07:00

Directed & Written by: Hayao Miyazaki

Produced by: Studio Ghibli

Awards

Best Animated Feature; 75th Academy Award (oscars) , Critics Choice Award - Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards, National Board of Review, USA (NBR Award) & Online Film Critics Society Awards
Golden Bear (Best Film); Berlin International Film Award
Silver Scream Award; Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival
Annie; Annie Awards

Outstanding Achievement in an Animated Theatrical Feature
Outstanding Directing in an Animated Feature Production
Outstanding Music in an Animated Feature Production
Outstanding Writing in an Animated Feature Production

Best Film & Best Song; Japanese Academy Prize
Best Film; Blue Ribbon Awards, Durban International Film Festival, Mainichi Film Concours & Nikkan Sports Film Awards
Special Combination "For artistic contribution to the field of animation"; Boston Society Of film Critics
Audience Award - Best Film; Cambridge Film Festival
Cinekid Film Award; Cinekid
Best Animated Film; Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards, Mainichi Film Concours & New York Film Critics Circle Awards
Best Foreign-Language Film; Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards
Best Animation; Florida Film Critics Circle Awards & Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
Best Animation/Family; Golden Trailer Awards
Best Asian Film; Hong Kong Film Awards
Reader's Choice Award - Best Film; Kinema Junpo Awards
Best Director & Best Music Score; Mainichi Film Concours
Best Animated Film; Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards
Best Narrative Feature (Audience Award); San Francisco International Film Festival
Best Motion Picture, Animated or Mixed Media; (Golden) Satellite Award
Special Mention; Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival

*And THAT'S the last Award. Can you believe this ? I had to group some awards in certain categories to make a descent list!

The 2001 animation indulged in fantasy-adventure that can only be produced by the illustrious minds of the Japanese animation industry (just being real people...). What started as a girl moving to another home ends in a nightmare-ish situation filled with ghosts, monsters and an old hag off a witch caused by a simple detour by a father who seriously needs to get a GPS. Chichiro (voiced by Rumi Hiiragi) is forced to surpass her fear and find a way to return to the human world and save her parents.A movie that captivated me when I was young and still does when I re-watched it.

: The so-called "Japanese Walt Disney".

As a movie brought to us by the man who gave us My Neighbor Totoro and the nationally praised Princess Mononoke, it was already deemed watch-worthy before it even hit theater. So when the first scene rolled and million of viewer had their eyes glued to the colorful animation full of expectation and excitement, It was decided...A movie that lives up to its hype has a richer viewing experience. Yes Hayao Miyazaki did it again, at the age of 60 he was still able to prove us that his craftsmanship hasn't rusted. The diversity of spirit and magical creatures where not only interesting on their own but also a great asset on their own as Chichiro tries to find her way true beings she never thought existed (I think some of them actually eat humans...who knows?). But i wouldn't praise a man for the collective work of a well oiled animation team now would I?

Bringing us to the story of this film. The story of a young innocent yet faint-hearted girl who just happened to have a father that took a turn estranged from the main road and could not control his curiosity as he ended in-front of an old building which eventually lead him to an abandoned town which was surprisingly filled with a king's meal, which he and his wife ate....let me just momentarily interrupt this review by asking you: who does that?Eating food that's just lying there? Well they shouldn't of had that's for sure. Luckily Chichiro was too gullible t do so saving her from a curse that launched this small adventure driven by curiosity to a child's nightmare driven by the bizarre and colorful.
A once weak and courage-less girl is forced to face reality and pull herself out of a bad dream with the help of a young spirit boy who supposedly met her before named Haku and a few other people she meets and sadly also an old greedy witch named Yubaba (lit Bath crone), the owner of the hot baths that has the power to keep her and human by making her sign a work contract which changes her name from "Chichiro" to "Sen" (hence the Japanese title) a name that almost made me forgot her real name throughout the movie. A great concept by using the power of names.

That's how Yubaba controls you. By stealing your name. So hold on to that card. Keep it hidden. And while you're here, you must call yourself "Sen."
-Haku

The metamorphosis from the faint-hearted and slightly annoying (in my opinion) Chichiro to the Strong and responsible Sen is well animated and well portrayed. Going as far to confront spirits that legitimately freaked me out earning the respect of the spirits,Customers and workers alike. Towards the end of the movie you'll realize that Chichiro wouldn't be able to do half what "Sen" was able to. The determination to free herself and her parents above all surprised me, mainly because as the story unfolded it was cast aside temporarily as she grew accustomed to her entourage willing to help her new-found friends. A kind of 'anime-cliché' tough, but I was fine with it.

Image taken from Ganool.com

Rating:
Spiritual enchanting!
I was blinded by the diversity in elements and thoughtful planing that went into this HAND DRAWN animation. Hayao Miyazaki emerged as my favorite animation director/Writer bringing with him all that is good in animation. I couldn't help but draw forth my inner-child (corny I know) and let him enjoy it twice as much as I did. It would be foolish to pass on this animation.Now if you'll excuse me, Hayao Miyazaki's filmography is waiting for me.

M.
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* I already wrote this, read the original here

A Cartoon Network homage, what went wrong?

2012-04-02T04:54:00.000-07:00

We'll miss you....

I vividly remember how I enthusiastically set myself in-front of a TV who had known better days at the early years of the 21st century to watch Edd Ed n' Eddy in the morning, even going as far as to copy their mischief and greedy habits. It was always sad to depart from this cartoon heaven as the last episodes of Tom & Jerry played; the classic animations of a cunning mouse and his impulsive dimwitted counterpart facing off in the most comic events that spanned a life time, I was amazed how my father (who was 50 at the time if I may ad) sat with me to watch the few memories of his childhood. Just look at the above picture, you cannot possibly deny the fact that these 80's and 90's marvels have not kept you company in deer times ?

The ingenious comic tales that was looney tunes during lunch, the ridiculous yet entertaining stories of a dog scared of his own shadow and the wacky races at which no one knew who won the tournament. And who could forget the crazy bedrock family and it's Futuristic counterpart and it's delirious moments? Those where the days you can remember and tell the next generation in a proud voice as you reminisce the diverse cartoons spanning your childhood and decades before of animation craftsmanship and say; "My childhood shows where the best,they don't make them like that anymore". Perhaps you may even admit that your only interest in history back then was because of Time Squad...

But... What went wrong?

The perfect mix of cartoon flavors I so admired was due to be replaced by newer and more profitable "shows". I still remember the day that they removed Looney Tunes, The authentic remnants of a great animation period for others I can't even remember anymore. Weren't the old yet comically refreshed toons not good enough anymore? What about the like-minded children in that period that instantaneously spoke of "that one episode" they saw yesterday to their friends on the school yard every morning? It's funny how we accept change and then reject it after remembering what we had was better. I can't believe I was looking forward to those new shows at the time...

As time changes It went from "Cartoons are funny, they entertain you!" to the latest "Cartoons are cool,kids ! they can be funny in a dull way though! As long as it's new!". A seemingly normal theme that the new cartoon Network wears like a mantel of commercialized animation which goes in against everything it once stood for back in 1989. The fact is that Today's CN is a new kid on the block that still has much to learn from it's elder.

But then again years have past, I probably outgrow most of it and I certainly know now that what Dexter did in his surprisingly large Laboratory was not actual Math, or science for that matter.... But Still, I am proud to say that I watched all these 90's and decades of animated joy.
I thank you Old- Cartoon Network, for an awesome childhood.

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Why You no Facebook?

2012-04-01T13:34:00.000-07:00

I have been working on a Facebook page for the past month now trying to find a way to widen my traffic socially...which is failing due to my poor advertising skills. So I will take the direct aproach

So I took the opportunity to inform you guys that there is a like box at the top of the page (just like the one below) just click it and maaaybe share it to people interested and that would help a lot. The page was meant for people sharing the same interest as I to post interesting animations and films I might have missed (also there is a request page on here so fire away) and would love to watch.

The page is free to anyone with great interest in animation films
For people who want to post their ideas and favorite films on the page!
And people who are interested of course.

Interested?

<= One Click that's it! You know you want to : ).

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Mamoru Hosoda & Satoko Okudera next great work?

2012-04-01T05:33:00.000-07:00

The Wolf Children Ame and Yuki (2012)

"Hana is a 19 year old student who falls in a "fairy-tale like" love with a 'wolf man', over the course of the 13 year story Hana gives birth to two children - older sister Yuki, and younger brother Ame or 'Snow and Rain'. At first the family quietly lives in city trying to hide their wolf heritage, but when the 'wolf man' suddenly dies Hana makes the decision to move to a rural town, far from their previous city life."

-Via AnimeNewsNetwork

As Mentioned In my previous post made by the same award winning director-writer duo who -to my surprise- have practically received the same core distinctions with both The Girl Who Leapt Through Time and it's successor Summer Wars which being 'Animation of the year' at the Japanese academy prize, Mainichi Film Awards and the Tokya Anime Award at the Tokyo Intenational Anime fair. I would like to specify that The Japanese Academy Award is one of the greatest national distinctions for both movies and animation films alike.

The same man who directed such works as Digiman Adventure and who was in charge of key animation for Dragon Ball Z before that and who became a great acknowledged director after joining Madhouse Studios which resulted in the first of the two - soon to be 3 - movies with the aid Satoko Okudera's , a respected screenplay writer for both live-action and animated films. The notion of the Mainichi Film Concours and the Japanese Academy Awards aren't strange to her after winning in the category of 'Best Screenplay' with"Ohikkoshi (moving)" in 1993 and "Gakkō no Kaidan" in 1995 (Mainichi Film Concours and Japanese Academy Awards respectively) and her more recent film "Kaidan" was well received at the 29th Yokohama Film Festival and received a festival price for -yes,you might've guessed it- 'Best Screenplay'.
The result of a familiar collaboration of capable directors and writors is always astonishing as two minds are always better then one. Just like the ingenious Takeshi Obata & Tsugumi Ohba well known for the widely acclaimed psychologic manga Death Note.

Expectation
***

Although I am absolutely sure that this will make a great movie for a younger demography, I still can't shake the feeling that it won't triumph it's predecessor in terms of dept and credibility. I will still watch it tough. Even though the wolf-children and the romantic concept isn't that appealing to me...

The Wolf Children Ame and Yuki ( Ōkami Kodomo no Ame to Yuki) will be released on the 21th of July this year in Japan.

*Did you know?

that Mamoru Hosoda was commissioned by Ghibli Studio in 2004 (prior to his career at Madhouse) to direct the award winning film "Howl's Moving Castle" ? Which he accepted but left during early stages of production forcing Hayao Miyazaki out of his retirement.
that Mamoru Hosoda Established 'Studio Chizu', a small anime studio that will co-produce along Madhouse Studios for this film?

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the girl who leapt through time (2006),and through a slow paced plot.

2012-03-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

Directed by: Mamoru Hosoda | Written by: Satoko Okudera, Yasutaka Tsutsui (novel)
Produced by: Madhouse
Awards

Best Animation Film; 30th Japanese Academy Prize & 61st Mainichi Film Awards
Special Award; Hochi Film Awards
Feature Film: Special Edition; International Animation Film Festival (Annecy 2008)
BeTV Award; Brussels International Animation Festival (Anima 2008)
Best Animated Feature Film; Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival
Animation Of The Year; 6th Tokyo Anime Award
Best Performance in a Voice-Over Role - Young Actress; Young Artist Award
Golden Dragon Award; OACC 2008 (china)
Best Media; 2007 Seiun Award

Instead of the usual manic anime approach, the film is rich and observant in the manner of the great Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away") and his Studio Ghibli colleagues Isao Takahata ("Only Yesterday") and Yoshifumi Kondou ("Whisper of the Heart"). -TY BURR, Boston Globe

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (時をかける少女 Toki o Kakeru Shōjo), the predecessor of the highly acclaimed Summer Wars, made by the same talented madhouse-driven duo who have proven their worth after winning 'Best Animation Feature' at the Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival and 'Animation Of The Year' at the Tokyo Anime Award, Mainichi Film Awards and the Japanese Academy Prize no-less with both movies. Which makes me wonder if the upcoming summer movie The Wolf Children Ame and Yuki will be the third in a seemingly perfect record of Award nominations .

When assertive high school girl Makoto Konno (Riisa Naka) is thrown off her feet (literally) by a "mysterious man" in her school science room, she discovers she can "time leap" when an unfortunate incident occures that should've been her last bike ride. The story proceed to elaborate on the young girls interest after mastering her sometime clumsy landings in the recent past while re-evaluating the direct and in-direct consequences of her selfish acts. The premise of the movie is great and enchanting, the movie plays itself in a loop of events that goes over a few days of time-leaping without dramatically overreacting consequences made by a young girl in the spur of the moment unlike 'The butterfly effect'. The endless versions of the few scenes that where unimportant gradually elevate to key elements of her excessive time leaping. The simple problems and joys of an innocent teenager are greatly accentuated and pushed forward (which is a little to emotional at times).

Despite the aforementioned story and craftsmanship that was pored into this work, I was slightly disappointing in the visuals of the characters who were poorly drawn which fell flat against the more detailed background and objects unlike its successor which fared much better in that category. It came closer to the Short Film "Naked Youth" by Kojiro Shishido than to a professionally animated feature. The story takes longer than it need to get to the core of the movie, The time leap is mostly a playful feature in the beginning of the movie. I was left wondering multiple times what the true problem was and if the movie had the dept and magic it was praised for. The ending and last 30 minutes where worth most of the preparations and stretched emotional moments. Also; the voice actor's cries were far from being life-like and kind of alienated me in terms of emotional situations.

Rating:
***+ Leap through greatness! While facing obstacles...
The shift between harmless time leaps to chronological importance of the people you harm around you. It is a shame that it took a few empty scenes to fully develop later one (making it lose half a star) which makes me disagree the quoted statement by Ty Bur of the Boston Globe who compared this to the likes of Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away. It might have been as observant but sadly, not as rich as it could have been...

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