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Post by The Lucky C on Feb 8, 2007 22:48:57 GMT -1
have either of you seen the Happiness of the Katakuris? Insane film.
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Post by Travis on Feb 9, 2007 11:04:00 GMT -1
A horror/comedy/musical?? Sounds like my sort of thing! Cheers for the tip, luckyc, it's now on my rental list. I've got a stockpile of Ghibli to get through now though.... Nausicaa Porco Rosso Laputa Whisper Of The Heart Only Yesterday and My Neighbours The Yamada's ......all on my bookshelves. Should keep me busy, Neko!! have either of you seen the Happiness of the Katakuris? Insane film.
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Post by Neko Bazu on Feb 9, 2007 11:27:00 GMT -1
Yeah, I reckon you'll be there for a while Trav I should have reviews for a couple of anime series before too long; I'm up to episode 10 of 13 in one and 8 of 24 in another; I'll hopefully get at least one of them done this weekend
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Post by Travis on Feb 9, 2007 11:32:35 GMT -1
Nice to escape the vivid images of reality, eh??
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Post by Neko Bazu on Feb 9, 2007 11:35:12 GMT -1
Reality is moreso an escape from the bright colours of anime for me Made a j-rock/j-pop CD for a guy at work ('j' being 'Japanese'), and he listened to it last night... Bit of a culture shock for him! ;D Their music's a touch more cheerful than ours, as you might have noticed by now Trav
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Post by Travis on Feb 9, 2007 11:45:42 GMT -1
Indeed so, Neko. The only Japanese music I own is by the 5,6,7,8's which is terrific stuff. Although I do recall a Scottish band called Bis, who made a name for themselves during the Britpop era, becoming the first unsigned band ever to make the top 40; they never really made it here but were HUGE in Japan. They seemingly invented the genre 'cartoon punk' (songs included, Kandy Pop, Sweet Shop Avengerz, Secret Vampire and Kill Yr Boyfriend!!!) and I must confess I thought that they were great. I've seen them a few times live. To give you an idea..... www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjw0CLXUPk0A bit like an indie Fast Food Rockers!! ;D Reality is moreso an escape from the bright colours of anime for me Made a j-rock/j-pop CD for a guy at work ('j' being 'Japanese'), and he listened to it last night... Bit of a culture shock for him! ;D Their music's a touch more cheerful than ours, as you might have noticed by now Trav
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Post by Travis on Feb 17, 2007 16:16:20 GMT -1
have either of you seen the Happiness of the Katakuris? Insane film. I've got it off my rental list, I may just watch it tonight! PS. Kiki's Delivery Service on C4, Monday morning!
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Post by Travis on Feb 21, 2007 13:56:04 GMT -1
THE HAPPINESS OF THE KATAKURIS
Part black comedy, part musical that embraces suicide, accidental death, zombies and claymation, this is the sort of film which is never going to be mass produced by the Hollywood machine.
The Katakuri family buy a large property in the mountains to pursue a dream of opening a guest house. The only problem is that the plans for the new road that will run by the property have still to be implemented and passing trade is very slow. When the first guest does finally check-in, and promptly commits suicide, the family, fearing the publicity will kill their dream decide to dispose of the body themselves......
Okay, so at times the narrative makes little or no sense, and you can get the impression that the makers of 'Endurance' have been given an art grant to really go mad. However the enthusiasm and conviction in the performances, the originality, audacity and madness of the premise, the dancing, the visuals and the direction all transcend the film's flaws and make for an essential viewing experience.
It won't be to everybody's tastes, but you really should try it.....you may just love it!!
8/10
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Post by The Lucky C on Feb 21, 2007 17:14:23 GMT -1
THE HAPPINESS OF THE KATAKURIS Part black comedy, part musical that embraces suicide, accidental death, zombies and claymation, this is the sort of film which is never going to be mass produced by the Hollywood machine. The Katakuri family buy a large property in the mountains to pursue a dream of opening a guest house. The only problem is that the plans for the new road that will run by the property have still to be implemented and passing trade is very slow. When the first guest does finally check-in, and promptly commits suicide, the family, fearing the publicity will kill their dream decide to dispose of the body themselves...... Okay, so at times the narrative makes little or no sense, and you can get the impression that the makers of 'Endurance' have been given an art grant to really go mad. However the enthusiasm and conviction in the performances, the originality, audacity and madness of the premise, the dancing, the visuals and the direction all transcend the film's flaws and make for an essential viewing experience. It won't be to everybody's tastes, but you really should try it.....you may just love it!! 8/10 told you it was a good one!
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Post by Travis on Feb 21, 2007 17:39:58 GMT -1
Almost forgot, Lucky C, an exalt for the recommendation! THE HAPPINESS OF THE KATAKURIS Part black comedy, part musical that embraces suicide, accidental death, zombies and claymation, this is the sort of film which is never going to be mass produced by the Hollywood machine. The Katakuri family buy a large property in the mountains to pursue a dream of opening a guest house. The only problem is that the plans for the new road that will run by the property have still to be implemented and passing trade is very slow. When the first guest does finally check-in, and promptly commits suicide, the family, fearing the publicity will kill their dream decide to dispose of the body themselves...... Okay, so at times the narrative makes little or no sense, and you can get the impression that the makers of 'Endurance' have been given an art grant to really go mad. However the enthusiasm and conviction in the performances, the originality, audacity and madness of the premise, the dancing, the visuals and the direction all transcend the film's flaws and make for an essential viewing experience. It won't be to everybody's tastes, but you really should try it.....you may just love it!! 8/10 told you it was a good one!
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Post by Travis on Feb 22, 2007 11:29:52 GMT -1
LAPUTA : CASTLE IN THE SKY
One of Studio Ghibli's earliest epics, Laputa tells the story of Pazu, a young boy who's life is changed when a beautiful young girl, Sheeta, quite literally falls out of the sky. Around her neck, she has a special crystal, a relic of the ancient levitation stones that kept ancient cities floating in the air. Aided by Pazu, she races against pirates and government agents, each with their own selfish agendas, in search of Laputa, the last of the fabled castles in the sky.
Very much in the mould of a rip-roaring adventure, Laputa features some terrific set pieces, most specifically the early chase sequences, and although it sags just a little in the middle where the action is air borne, the final 30 minutes redeems any minor quibbles.
In common with many of the Ghibli features I've seen, the writers have not only created appealing leads, but have also succeeded in introducing a hugely memorable supporting character(s). Like the scarecrow in Howl's Moving Castle, the 'Catbus' in Totoro, the robots in Laputa make a lasting impression.
Another hugely engaging Ghibli production.
8/10
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Post by Neko Bazu on Feb 22, 2007 11:53:13 GMT -1
Yay! You finally watched it!
Most definitely my favourite ;D
Out of curiosity, Trav, how many of the 'underlying messages' in the films have really struck you? They all - with the possible exception of Howl's Moving castle, which was based on an English book anyway - carry very big moral points, but some are clearer than others. Many people completely miss it in Spirited Away, for instance, whereas Princess Mononoke is fairly obvious.
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Post by Travis on Feb 23, 2007 12:53:16 GMT -1
Hmmm, quite a question Neko. So far I've seen Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Grave of the Fireflies, Kiki's Delivery Service, Laputa, Whisper of the Heart, Totoro, Laputa, Princess Mononoke, and The Cat Returns; the rest I now own and are queued for future viewing pleasure. So I'm about two-thirds of the way through. But from my sketchy memory quite a few themes and morality codes spring to mind. Although most obvious in Mononoke, an environmental ethos underlies all of the the stories, albeit in a more oblique manner. For example, the family flee the city for country life in Totoro; in Whisper of the Heart, Shizuku writes a song about the loss of green space in her neighbourhood; and in Kiki's Delivery Service, Kiki has to leave her friendly rural idyll to work in a less forgiving urban environment. Technological progress at the cost of the environment, and in terms of it's impact on community is certainly frowned upon. Miyazaki especially, seems to exaltedly regard the female of the species. It is heroines rather than heroes that dominate the Ghibli back catalogue of stories. Of the films Miyazaki wrote, only in Laputa, and Mononoke do males share top billing, and even then, their inferiority to the female is clear; in Laputa, Sheeta is the mystical girl who falls from the heavens, Pazu although half of a team, is still very much in her awe; while in Mononoke, the girl is not only esteemed the title of Princess, but it is she who educates Ashitaka, opening his eyes to the environmental degradation around him. Elsewhere girls dominate the stories of Miyazaki, and in all cases are seemingly portrayed as beautiful, innocent, almost flawless beings. These girls love their families, are faithful friends, intelligent, thoughtful and moralistic. Only a slight tendancy to be feisty, and at times obstinate, a symptom of their relative immaturity is sometimes touched upon as a slight, if still endearing fault. The regard in which the girls are held also extends to another one of the concurrent themes of the films, that of flying. Nearly every film features at least one flying sequence (a reflection of Miyazaki's obsession with it), however, whereas the boys and the adults in the films often achieve flight through technology, the girls are able to do so in a more innate, naturalistic, or spiritual manner; Sheeta floats, the children in Totoro use the kitten bus, Kiki has her broom, San summons a giant bird, Chihiro rides a dragon (albeit, a transformed Haku). Animals play an important role too, often playing key roles in the stories, and held up as trustworthy figures. Cats especially hold high regard (The Cat Returns, Kiki's Delivery Service, Whisper of the Heart), and are credited not only as being faithful companions, but sound judges of character. The theme of greed and its implications also run through Laputa, Mononoke, and Spirited Away. Destruction is the direct consequence in the first two films, while the direct punishment of the parents (being turned in pigs) is at the crux of Chihiro's quest. The importance of friendship, love and trust, as well as that of the family unit are obvious themes, an explanation of which I don't need to bore you with. There are more themes, I'm sure, but I'd need a little more thinking time, and besides, I'm sure you don't need another paragraph or ten to get through. ......Hope you made it to the end. Yay! You finally watched it! Most definitely my favourite ;D Out of curiosity, Trav, how many of the 'underlying messages' in the films have really struck you? They all - with the possible exception of Howl's Moving castle, which was based on an English book anyway - carry very big moral points, but some are clearer than others. Many people completely miss it in Spirited Away, for instance, whereas Princess Mononoke is fairly obvious.
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Post by Neko Bazu on Feb 23, 2007 13:24:18 GMT -1
Very well-observed indeed, Trav! I think that's one point I appreciate about Japanese animated films versus those produced in the west, especially Hollywood and Disney - while I won't deny that they do contain morals for children, they're basically glossed over or just summed up in a speech at some point ("I shouldn't have lied like that..." etc). The morals almost seem like an afterthought. Ghibli (and to a very large extent, most other Japanese animation firms) tend to base the whole story around the morals, and make them an intricate part of it. They don't throw them in your face in a patronising way (think of your classic hero stood like a colossus atop a mountain, lecturing his followers), but they're at least obvious enough to get people, especially children, thinking, which in turn leads them to the deeper, more subtle morals. One that really struck me as being obscure but effective in its own way once you realise it was the 'masked man' in Spirited Away - he who turns into the horrible black blob that creates gold. The way I see it, he's a repesentation of people as a whole around us. When he's introduced, he has no personality to speak of - think of the first time you meet someone who later becomes a friend. As he is exposed to others, though, his persona changes according to what they do and what they want. When he is exposed to greedy characters, he in turn becomes very greedy and careless. When he's exposed to nicer characters, he becomes notably more pleasant (compare his "GIVE ME MORE!!!" fat blob attitude to that when Chihiro visits Yuu-Baba's sister). I took that as an indication of the way we can influence - and are influenced by - others. (Long ramble expanding that point edited out for the sake of saving time ) Another thing that's literally just occured to me is the vast contrast in family views between Ghibli and Disney. As best I recall, there are - at most - five Disney films where the main characters' parents are both alive and survive the entire film (or at least avoid major 'family unit' tragedies) - for instance: Aladdin - orphan Lion King - Mufasa dies Bambi - obvious one Lady and the Tramp - the lead male dog is abandoned by his owners Cinderella - mother already dead and so on. Lovely and morbid on Disney's part! The Ghibli films, as you said, tend to emphasise the idea of a happy family unit - yes, there are tragedies sometimes, but for the majority of cases, families are portrayed in a pleasant light. I know which of the two I prefer
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Post by Travis on Feb 23, 2007 13:35:50 GMT -1
I need to re-watch Spirited Away actually, Neko. I vaguely remember the character you mention, though it's probably a couple of years since I've seen it. I'm saving it up as the finale to my Ghibli season, I've still got Nausicaa, Porco Rosso, Pom Poko, My Neighbours The Yamadas and Only Yesterday to watch. I'll provide my thought on the (unsurprisingly) fantastic 'Whisper Of The Heart' later on......
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Post by Travis on Feb 24, 2007 18:53:09 GMT -1
Another post, another wonderful Ghibli production...... C'est la vie!!!!! WHISPER OF THE HEART This is the film that marked Ghibli's first departure from the worlds of fantasy and fairy tales, and it proves to be unqualified triumph. In essence, a domestic love story, set in the suburbs and the classroom, it is the story of bookworm and budding writer, Shizuku. Wholly committed to reading, Shizuku is shocked to find that every book that she's checked out of the school library has been previously read by the same boy. Desperately curious to know the identity of the potential soulmate, she is devastated to learn that it is the same boy who has annoyed her so on several recent occasions. However, as fate has it, she and Seiji are brought together and love blossoms, only Seiji is offered the opportunity to pursue his dream of making violins in Italy.... As always, brilliantly drawn, this production is undoubtedly one of the most emotionally involving in the Ghibli cannon (behind maybe only 'Grave of the Fireflies'), and adds significant resonance to John Denver's 'Country Road'. Engaging throughout and only (slightly) let down by a trite finale. Bring on 'Only Yesterday'!!! 9/10
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Post by The Lucky C on Feb 25, 2007 11:37:05 GMT -1
Fianlly got round to watching Howls Moving Castle last night... whilst I wouldn't say it was as good as Spirited Away (although I think of that as an animated masterpiece which would be difficult to top), I thought it was still a very enjoyable piece and another strong entry from Studio Ghibli
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Post by Neko Bazu on Feb 26, 2007 8:39:13 GMT -1
Fianlly got round to watching Howls Moving Castle last night... whilst I wouldn't say it was as good as Spirited Away (although I think of that as an animated masterpiece which would be difficult to top), I thought it was still a very enjoyable piece and another strong entry from Studio Ghibli I think the only thing that may have held Ghibli back on that front was that it was originally a book written by an English author - so it's not their usual approach to begin with, isn't quite their usual style, and they'd have been restricted somewhat because they kept as faithfully close to the original work as they reasonably could. Despite that, though, it's still well worth watching!
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Post by Travis on Feb 26, 2007 12:11:10 GMT -1
I wouldn't put it down in the Spirited Away class either, I did find the narrative a little incoherent at times. As good as it is, it's probably one my least favourites amongst the Ghibli films that I've seen so far. Fianlly got round to watching Howls Moving Castle last night... whilst I wouldn't say it was as good as Spirited Away (although I think of that as an animated masterpiece which would be difficult to top), I thought it was still a very enjoyable piece and another strong entry from Studio Ghibli
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Post by The Lucky C on Feb 26, 2007 12:18:53 GMT -1
I wouldn't put it down in the Spirited Away class either, I did find the narrative a little incoherent at times. As good as it is, it's probably one my least favourites amongst the Ghibli films that I've seen so far. Fianlly got round to watching Howls Moving Castle last night... whilst I wouldn't say it was as good as Spirited Away (although I think of that as an animated masterpiece which would be difficult to top), I thought it was still a very enjoyable piece and another strong entry from Studio Ghibli i think that one of the problems with it was that in the beginning scenes, the film tended to focus on Sophie when it would have been better to give us more of an idea on Howl's much more interesting story.
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