sam9s
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The Movies I Liked
- Thread starter vinay
- Start date
The Throne is a powerful royal-court tragedy brings the famous story of King Yeongjo, The director gives this story a very human face with a great deal of emotional depth. historical drama that delivers an insight into ancient Korean royal life and what happens to a son who is not interested in being the heir.
The Throne (2015)
Sado (original title)
2h 5min | Drama, History | 16 September 2015
The Throne (2015)
Sado (original title)
2h 5min | Drama, History | 16 September 2015
Oliver Stones Snowden, a quiet, crisply drawn portrait of the worlds most celebrated whistle-blower, belongs to a curious subgenre of movies about very recent historical events. less tense due to facts are already known.
Snowden (2016)
R | 2h 14min | Biography, Drama, Thriller | 16 September 2016
Snowden (2016)
R | 2h 14min | Biography, Drama, Thriller | 16 September 2016
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A TRUE STORY OF FAITH, DEVOTION AND UNDYING LOVE...
A beautiful, but extremely sad true story about a dog devoted to his owner.
Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)
G | 1h 33min | Drama, Family | 12 March 2010
A beautiful, but extremely sad true story about a dog devoted to his owner.
Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009)
G | 1h 33min | Drama, Family | 12 March 2010
sud98
Well-Known Member
War Dogs (2016) - IMDb
Loved this film about two twenty year olds who won a 300 million dollar pentagon contract.
Saw this movie with low expectations and was surprised with the twists esp. when its based on a true story.
Loved this film about two twenty year olds who won a 300 million dollar pentagon contract.
Saw this movie with low expectations and was surprised with the twists esp. when its based on a true story.
sud98
Well-Known Member
Suicide Squad (2016) - IMDb
See this movie only if you are a superhero junkie like me.
The movie has a great start, average middle and a bit stretched end.
While the movie was hyped for Jared Leto as Joker, to me he was very disappointing.
The eye catcher was definitely Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn with an outstanding performance.
The SFX are good in the initial scenes of the enchantress but not so good towards the end.
See this movie only if you are a superhero junkie like me.
The movie has a great start, average middle and a bit stretched end.
While the movie was hyped for Jared Leto as Joker, to me he was very disappointing.
The eye catcher was definitely Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn with an outstanding performance.
The SFX are good in the initial scenes of the enchantress but not so good towards the end.
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esanthosh
Well-Known Member
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
Based on a true story. Elle editor, Jean-Dominique Bauby wakes up in a hospital. He learns that his body is paralyzed. While his mind is working fine, he is unable to speak (though he thinks so). Only his eyes are open, but soon his right eye is sewn up, leaving his left eye as the only functioning part of the body.
While I had this for quite a while, reading the plot made me think it could be a depressing tear-jerker. Fortunately, it is anything but. This is similar to "Intouchables".
It is fascinating that even when the body is imprisoned by Locked-in syndrome, the mind of Jean-Do functions as any normal man's would. His humor, memories, imagination (a dinner, a dream about the empress) and free spirit are still able to create a rich inner life. A lot of the movie is covered from the first person perspective, which allows us to relate at least a tiny bit, to his condition. The rest of the movie examines life and relationships of Jean-Do.
(Also, read this after you watch the film)
Open Your Eyes (1997)
I watched "Vanilla Sky" way back when, but only now sat down to watch the original. I don't remember much of VS, so it is hard to compare (though reading some of the IMDB comments, it is safe to say VS is pretty close). This one was very good.
Based on a true story. Elle editor, Jean-Dominique Bauby wakes up in a hospital. He learns that his body is paralyzed. While his mind is working fine, he is unable to speak (though he thinks so). Only his eyes are open, but soon his right eye is sewn up, leaving his left eye as the only functioning part of the body.
While I had this for quite a while, reading the plot made me think it could be a depressing tear-jerker. Fortunately, it is anything but. This is similar to "Intouchables".
It is fascinating that even when the body is imprisoned by Locked-in syndrome, the mind of Jean-Do functions as any normal man's would. His humor, memories, imagination (a dinner, a dream about the empress) and free spirit are still able to create a rich inner life. A lot of the movie is covered from the first person perspective, which allows us to relate at least a tiny bit, to his condition. The rest of the movie examines life and relationships of Jean-Do.
(Also, read this after you watch the film)
Open Your Eyes (1997)
I watched "Vanilla Sky" way back when, but only now sat down to watch the original. I don't remember much of VS, so it is hard to compare (though reading some of the IMDB comments, it is safe to say VS is pretty close). This one was very good.
sam9s
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The Magnificient Seven (2016) ... Directed by Antoine Fuqua I have seen so many of Antoine Fuqua movies and I have loved them all, The strange which also is the best part for his movies is almost all are typical hollywood movies, with all typical ingredients of a masala movie, (except maybe Training Day and Brooklyn's Finest, which also incidentally are my Best from Antoine Fuqua), BUT somehow he still manages to make them interesting and stand apart, with enough and correct emotions and action to satisfy even when critically watched.
Magnificent seven is no exception, story is blatantly straight with no twists or complexity, which is also true with the original version. In the 18th century mexco, a village is terrorized by an outlaw, and the villagers hire the protagonist (again mast performance by Denzel Washington) to save them, who in turns hire 6 others, and together they fight a gunshot battle to save the day ...simple ...
But again the way its made makes it very interesting, it has all the clichs of a western Movie, but still you love them, The final battle shootout is long and satisfying.
My only gripe was it could have been a little more gruesome, and hard hitting, like few of the old westerns are, none the less its a 7/10 for this one.
Magnificent seven is no exception, story is blatantly straight with no twists or complexity, which is also true with the original version. In the 18th century mexco, a village is terrorized by an outlaw, and the villagers hire the protagonist (again mast performance by Denzel Washington) to save them, who in turns hire 6 others, and together they fight a gunshot battle to save the day ...simple ...
But again the way its made makes it very interesting, it has all the clichs of a western Movie, but still you love them, The final battle shootout is long and satisfying.
My only gripe was it could have been a little more gruesome, and hard hitting, like few of the old westerns are, none the less its a 7/10 for this one.
In a Valley of Violence is slow moving terrific throwback to the spaghetti westerns of old and director Ti West's did good job. Good performances by Ethan Hawke, strong storytelling, mounting tension, Few scenes dog has made good performance with commands.
In a Valley of Violence (2016)
R | 1h 44min | Western | 21 October 2016
In a Valley of Violence (2016)
R | 1h 44min | Western | 21 October 2016
esanthosh
Well-Known Member
The Sea Inside (2004)
A few people on the 'Diving Bell' IMDB discussion board mentioned this film as something far better than 'Diving...'. Since this was directed by Alejandro Amenabar, I had no option, but to watch it today.
This is another true story involving a quadriplegic. But unlike "Intouchables" or "Diving Bell...", this one is sentimental and much different.
Ramon Sampedro had a diving accident and was left quadriplegic for 26 years. In Spain, it was illegal to assist suicide. He petitioned the lower and then higher courts in Spain to end his life. His case triggered a wide-spread debate, but nothing came off it. They even prepared a "Death with Dignity" bill in 2011, but it was never passed and euthanasia and assisted suicide still remain illegal in Spain.
This movie should be watched just for the excellent performance of Javier Bardem as Ramon. He relies on his facial expressions, movement of the head and voice to convey all he needs to. The supporting cast is, in general, really good. Rather than being an in-depth, dispassionate analysis of whether euthanasia should be allowed, this film is just about one person's view (of refusing to live a "life without dignity") even though he is loved and cared for by so many people.
After-read: About the Lawyer...
PS: Guzaarish (2010) may be "inspired" by this film. But, I don't watch Hindi movies and hence have no idea how it compares to this.
A few people on the 'Diving Bell' IMDB discussion board mentioned this film as something far better than 'Diving...'. Since this was directed by Alejandro Amenabar, I had no option, but to watch it today.
This is another true story involving a quadriplegic. But unlike "Intouchables" or "Diving Bell...", this one is sentimental and much different.
Ramon Sampedro had a diving accident and was left quadriplegic for 26 years. In Spain, it was illegal to assist suicide. He petitioned the lower and then higher courts in Spain to end his life. His case triggered a wide-spread debate, but nothing came off it. They even prepared a "Death with Dignity" bill in 2011, but it was never passed and euthanasia and assisted suicide still remain illegal in Spain.
This movie should be watched just for the excellent performance of Javier Bardem as Ramon. He relies on his facial expressions, movement of the head and voice to convey all he needs to. The supporting cast is, in general, really good. Rather than being an in-depth, dispassionate analysis of whether euthanasia should be allowed, this film is just about one person's view (of refusing to live a "life without dignity") even though he is loved and cared for by so many people.
After-read: About the Lawyer...
PS: Guzaarish (2010) may be "inspired" by this film. But, I don't watch Hindi movies and hence have no idea how it compares to this.
esanthosh
Well-Known Member
I don't know if any of you watch animation movies. I thought I'll just mention some of the animation movies I watched this year (I just counted -- Total: 32, Re-watched: 7 
). (Aside: I also noticed that Kodi does not update Trakt properly if I re-watch an already watched film. Why is that?)
While I did watch a few American animations, I generally seem to prefer Japanese animations (or 'anime'). I have covered most of Studio Ghibli's material a few years ago and re-watched some of them this year. I was introduced to a few other directors besides Hayao Miyazaki this year, mostly thanks to 'Taste of Cinema' (or that site which sometimes has an unhealthy obsession with Scarlett Johansson movies
)
Satoshi Kon
If Hayao Miyazaki created films for children, Satoshi Kon created films for adults. Before succumbing to pancreatic cancer in 2010, Satoshi Kon directed 4 full-length films and a series, all of which I watched this year. (I did not watch 'Magnetic Rose'). While I am not sure if Satoshi Kon's films are for everybody, I can certainly say that they are vastly different from the conventional Disney animations (Hmmm... Zootopia!). This post is in the hope that at least one more person gives them a shot (liking or not liking is an individual's own call).
In order of my preference (variance within the set is small though!).
Perfect Blue (1997)
This is a psychological thriller about a pop singer who crosses over into acting. A recurrent theme in Satoshi Kon's work is the nature of reality - sometimes reality blurs into dreams and sometimes, it becomes really hard to differentiate between what is real and what isn't. While watching this, I was reminded of 'Black Swan'. Considering Darren Aronofsky wrote a eulogy for Satoshi Kon, it wouldn't be a stretch to think that 'Black Swan' borrows or pays homage to this film (at least one other person on the internet thinks so (though it must be said that you can kind of find confirmation for / agreement with ANY idea on the damn internet)). Before watching this, I never thought an animation could make me uncomfortable - some scenes in this film did (read: Not for Children).
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
In some ways, this is a conventional feel-good Christmas movie. However, it is also unconventional. The animation style differs a little bit from the other works of Kon. The main characters are three homeless people who find a child on Christmas eve and try to look for her parents. This is a good dramedy where we slowly come to know about the back story of each of these characters.
Millennium Actress (2001)
A documentary filmmaker tracks down an old actress who disappeared from the public eye while at the height of her fame. He gives her an old key and interviews her about her life. After this, this film becomes a strange journey with a very different way of story telling. Chiyoko's own story mixes up with the scenes from the various movies she was part of. Further, the interviewer and the cameraman also become part of the scenes.
Paprika (2006)
This is the last film directed by Satoshi Kon. There is a new invention called DC Mini, which allows people to enter other people's dreams. One of them goes missing and chaos ensues - reality and dreams (nightmares) get mixed up. Sort of like 'Inception', but very different. Though I liked it, I didn't find it as satisfying as the rest of Satoshi Kon's films.
_______________________
Rest... in another post later.
). (Aside: I also noticed that Kodi does not update Trakt properly if I re-watch an already watched film. Why is that?)While I did watch a few American animations, I generally seem to prefer Japanese animations (or 'anime'). I have covered most of Studio Ghibli's material a few years ago and re-watched some of them this year. I was introduced to a few other directors besides Hayao Miyazaki this year, mostly thanks to 'Taste of Cinema' (or that site which sometimes has an unhealthy obsession with Scarlett Johansson movies
)Satoshi Kon
If Hayao Miyazaki created films for children, Satoshi Kon created films for adults. Before succumbing to pancreatic cancer in 2010, Satoshi Kon directed 4 full-length films and a series, all of which I watched this year. (I did not watch 'Magnetic Rose'). While I am not sure if Satoshi Kon's films are for everybody, I can certainly say that they are vastly different from the conventional Disney animations (Hmmm... Zootopia!). This post is in the hope that at least one more person gives them a shot (liking or not liking is an individual's own call).
In order of my preference (variance within the set is small though!).
Perfect Blue (1997)
This is a psychological thriller about a pop singer who crosses over into acting. A recurrent theme in Satoshi Kon's work is the nature of reality - sometimes reality blurs into dreams and sometimes, it becomes really hard to differentiate between what is real and what isn't. While watching this, I was reminded of 'Black Swan'. Considering Darren Aronofsky wrote a eulogy for Satoshi Kon, it wouldn't be a stretch to think that 'Black Swan' borrows or pays homage to this film (at least one other person on the internet thinks so (though it must be said that you can kind of find confirmation for / agreement with ANY idea on the damn internet)). Before watching this, I never thought an animation could make me uncomfortable - some scenes in this film did (read: Not for Children).
Tokyo Godfathers (2003)
In some ways, this is a conventional feel-good Christmas movie. However, it is also unconventional. The animation style differs a little bit from the other works of Kon. The main characters are three homeless people who find a child on Christmas eve and try to look for her parents. This is a good dramedy where we slowly come to know about the back story of each of these characters.
Millennium Actress (2001)
A documentary filmmaker tracks down an old actress who disappeared from the public eye while at the height of her fame. He gives her an old key and interviews her about her life. After this, this film becomes a strange journey with a very different way of story telling. Chiyoko's own story mixes up with the scenes from the various movies she was part of. Further, the interviewer and the cameraman also become part of the scenes.
Paprika (2006)
This is the last film directed by Satoshi Kon. There is a new invention called DC Mini, which allows people to enter other people's dreams. One of them goes missing and chaos ensues - reality and dreams (nightmares) get mixed up. Sort of like 'Inception', but very different. Though I liked it, I didn't find it as satisfying as the rest of Satoshi Kon's films.
_______________________
Rest... in another post later.
Before watch this movie intentionally watched second time..due to not remember.1960's,The Magnificent Seven. But Still not watched Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (1954)..will review later. If time permits.
Its Combination of third movie Dir:Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington work together. This time Antoine Fuqua takes remake of classic 1960 Western (which itself was a take on Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (1954)) good strategy with action packed and cinematography is good missed stylish shooting of western style.there is no story grip of emotional depth no mutual understand with village peoples. compare to 1960's movies. Even Though modifies some scenes looks good for current scenario. Overall good for western fans.
The Magnificent Seven (2016)
PG-13 | 2h 13min | Action, Adventure, Western | 23 September 2016
Its Combination of third movie Dir:Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington work together. This time Antoine Fuqua takes remake of classic 1960 Western (which itself was a take on Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai (1954)) good strategy with action packed and cinematography is good missed stylish shooting of western style.there is no story grip of emotional depth no mutual understand with village peoples. compare to 1960's movies. Even Though modifies some scenes looks good for current scenario. Overall good for western fans.
The Magnificent Seven (2016)
PG-13 | 2h 13min | Action, Adventure, Western | 23 September 2016
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LIFE-OR-DEATH SURVIVAL BEGINS...
Train to Busan delivered extremely exciting and spectacular zombies thriller story move as fast as train speed also add in some emotional scenes. The ending was especially well-done and effective, although a little predictable. Overall, good story, solid acting, great ending,
Train to Busan (2016)
Busanhaeng (original title)
Not Rated | 1h 58min | Action, Drama, Horror | 20 July 2016 (South Korea)
Train to Busan delivered extremely exciting and spectacular zombies thriller story move as fast as train speed also add in some emotional scenes. The ending was especially well-done and effective, although a little predictable. Overall, good story, solid acting, great ending,
Train to Busan (2016)
Busanhaeng (original title)
Not Rated | 1h 58min | Action, Drama, Horror | 20 July 2016 (South Korea)
esanthosh
Well-Known Member
Part 2 of Animation movies I watched and liked this year (Order by Director, descending order of preference)
Mamoru Hosada
Wolf Children (2012)
"Hana falls in love with a fellow student, who is a werewolf. He dies in an accident and Hana has to raise her two wolf children on her own". I read this plotline and didn't think it would be that good. Luckily, my expectations were misplaced. Hana's love story occupies a small initial portion of the film. This is all about the struggles of a single parent to raise two special children - a hyperactive girl and a fragile son. She also has to keep their identity as half wolves a secret from everybody. But it isn't that easy. She decides to move from the city to a lonely village house in a terrible condition to help keep the secret easier. She also works very hard to grow her own vegetables. These form some of the fantastic parts of the movie - sentimental, yet in a way, uplifting too. Later when the children grow up, the film touches on the issue of identity - how they explore and determine which half of their personality they should embrace - wolf or human? I agree that it is a bit sentimental, but it is also very good
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
A high school student accidentally acquires the power to travel back in time by jumping. At first, she uses these little leaps for the silliest of reasons (the fun part). With time, she becomes responsible and tries to set things right (the serious part). The fun part is a light-hearted, joyous ride. The 'serious' part, especially the end, seems to be the decisive split between giving a great rating and a slightly lowered rating.
Summer Wars (2009)
The plot outline is nothing new - An interconnected virtual world (Oz) is taken over by a rogue program which needs to be stopped before it wrecks havoc on the real world on a massive scale. My problem is that it becomes predictable - we know that there is a very high probability that the 'good team' is going to win. Though I did not like it as much as the other two, it was watchable because it sets the geeks right in the middle of a large family (family drama is more interesting). Moreover, it has one fantastic character - a 90-year-old grandmother.
Others
Persepolis (2007)
This is an animation based on the biography of Marjane Satrapi. She actually wrote her autobiography as a graphic novel in French. As far as I've read, the animation style closely follows the style of the graphic novels and it is very different from the traditional animation styles. While I liked it very much, many comments led me to believe that the long Graphic novel is far superior and the film omits too many details.
Marji is a child growing up in a modern Iran family during the time of Iranian revolution. We see the revolution and the aftermath of the regime change on her family and herself. She becomes a dissenting voice and is packed off to Vienna for her own safety. It is as much a depiction of her (depressed) life as a commentary on Iran. No wonder it had adverse reactions in Iran. It is charming at times (buying heavy metal music) and emotional in others (Anoush, roaming in Vienna, her depression). A must watch!
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
It is a Wes Anderson film - even if it is a stop-motion animated adaptation of a children's book. If you are familiar with and/or like Wes Anderson's quirky filmography, you are not going to be disappointed. I am cussin' sure of it.
__________________________________________________
Rather than club the rest into this already long post, I will post it separately (I try to keep it at brain's working memory limits. I am already one over!)
Mamoru Hosada
Wolf Children (2012)
"Hana falls in love with a fellow student, who is a werewolf. He dies in an accident and Hana has to raise her two wolf children on her own". I read this plotline and didn't think it would be that good. Luckily, my expectations were misplaced. Hana's love story occupies a small initial portion of the film. This is all about the struggles of a single parent to raise two special children - a hyperactive girl and a fragile son. She also has to keep their identity as half wolves a secret from everybody. But it isn't that easy. She decides to move from the city to a lonely village house in a terrible condition to help keep the secret easier. She also works very hard to grow her own vegetables. These form some of the fantastic parts of the movie - sentimental, yet in a way, uplifting too. Later when the children grow up, the film touches on the issue of identity - how they explore and determine which half of their personality they should embrace - wolf or human? I agree that it is a bit sentimental, but it is also very good
The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)
A high school student accidentally acquires the power to travel back in time by jumping. At first, she uses these little leaps for the silliest of reasons (the fun part). With time, she becomes responsible and tries to set things right (the serious part). The fun part is a light-hearted, joyous ride. The 'serious' part, especially the end, seems to be the decisive split between giving a great rating and a slightly lowered rating.
Summer Wars (2009)
The plot outline is nothing new - An interconnected virtual world (Oz) is taken over by a rogue program which needs to be stopped before it wrecks havoc on the real world on a massive scale. My problem is that it becomes predictable - we know that there is a very high probability that the 'good team' is going to win. Though I did not like it as much as the other two, it was watchable because it sets the geeks right in the middle of a large family (family drama is more interesting). Moreover, it has one fantastic character - a 90-year-old grandmother.
Others
Persepolis (2007)
This is an animation based on the biography of Marjane Satrapi. She actually wrote her autobiography as a graphic novel in French. As far as I've read, the animation style closely follows the style of the graphic novels and it is very different from the traditional animation styles. While I liked it very much, many comments led me to believe that the long Graphic novel is far superior and the film omits too many details.
Marji is a child growing up in a modern Iran family during the time of Iranian revolution. We see the revolution and the aftermath of the regime change on her family and herself. She becomes a dissenting voice and is packed off to Vienna for her own safety. It is as much a depiction of her (depressed) life as a commentary on Iran. No wonder it had adverse reactions in Iran. It is charming at times (buying heavy metal music) and emotional in others (Anoush, roaming in Vienna, her depression). A must watch!
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
It is a Wes Anderson film - even if it is a stop-motion animated adaptation of a children's book. If you are familiar with and/or like Wes Anderson's quirky filmography, you are not going to be disappointed. I am cussin' sure of it.
__________________________________________________
Rather than club the rest into this already long post, I will post it separately (I try to keep it at brain's working memory limits. I am already one over!
)
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WOw..you have great patience to watch animation movies...:clapping:
esanthosh
Well-Known Member
The last part of my animation posts.
Isao Takahata
While Studio Ghibli is invariably associated with Hayao Miyazaki, there are other directors as well. If fantasy and protection of the environment are the strong suits of Miyazaki, realism is a strong suit of Isao Takahata.
If you haven't watched already, you must start with Grave of the Fireflies (1988) (or that film which converts (some) people from "Animation? Meh!" to "Wow! Animation can even make me cry / very emotional").
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
I was actually very hesitant to watch this film (despite knowing that this will be Takahata's last film). At the outset, I knew this is a folktale and then I looked up at the running time. 137 mins? :sad:. I also admit that whenever I paused it, I wondered if there was enough story to fit the remaining time.
On top of that, the animation style is quite different compared to other Studio Ghibli films or even Takahata's earlier work (Compare: Grave of the Fireflies vs Kaguya)
Actually, the first half (not by time, but by events) is pretty fast - starting from the bamboo cutter finding a hand sized baby inside a bamboo, the baby growing up fast like a 'little bamboo' and becoming friends with others and so on. The father decides that the girl should be a princess and moves them to a palace in the city. There she is instructed to be a 'proper' princess. Up until this point, I think most people would easily sit through.
This is where it starts to drag a bit. Not that these things do not matter from the story perspective, but I'd have shortened the running time by 15-20 mins from this point. The word of Kaguya's beauty spreads. There are suitors from high places arriving to ask for her hand in marriage. Kaguya still craves for the simple village life and doesn't want to be a prized possession of some elite. She sets each of them on an impossible task. Then... I should stop typing and you should watch instead.
Kaguya is a fantastic animation with some really great visual sequences. But, the pacing makes it suitable only for the patient and those who are willing to allow a little rope for a film to take you anywhere it wants.
Only Yesterday (1991)
A regular office worker in Tokyo travels to the countryside during her break ... and that's the whole story. The film alternates between her childhood memories (which are the best part) and the present (which is realistic). Unlike most animes, which often objectify and titillate, the heroine is not a 'pretty' one. Even the voice acting (in Japanese. I never watch with English soundtrack) sounds 'normal'. It sure is a little preachy about the greatness of simple rural life. However, it also has a simplicity, an Ozu kind of simplicity, which makes it good to watch. It may not appeal to all though!
Makoto Shinkai
5 Centimeters Per Second (2007) and The Garden of Words (2013)
I actually don't like these films very much. To me, they are very much in the category of "Good, but..... not that good". They are actually romantic films which are not hugely different (predictable, a bit cheesy etc., etc.,). I rarely like romantic films (unlike they are different like "My Sassy Girl" or "A moment to Remember").
These are actually very short films. '5cm' clocks at 63 mins and 'Garden' at just 46 minutes. Yet they both felt longer than their running times.
Still, they find a place in this thread. Why?
Only during two instances this year, I wished I had a bigger screen to take in all the gorgeousness on the screen. One was during 'Baraka' and the other was during '5 cm'. One IMDB thread summed it up best - "Eye porn". Makoto Shinkai and his team have mastered the art of composing incredibly detailed, fantastic images based on real life Tokyo locations.
Please See:
to compare the actual locations and the animated representations.
Isao Takahata
While Studio Ghibli is invariably associated with Hayao Miyazaki, there are other directors as well. If fantasy and protection of the environment are the strong suits of Miyazaki, realism is a strong suit of Isao Takahata.
If you haven't watched already, you must start with Grave of the Fireflies (1988) (or that film which converts (some) people from "Animation? Meh!" to "Wow! Animation can even make me cry / very emotional").
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
I was actually very hesitant to watch this film (despite knowing that this will be Takahata's last film). At the outset, I knew this is a folktale and then I looked up at the running time. 137 mins? :sad:. I also admit that whenever I paused it, I wondered if there was enough story to fit the remaining time.
On top of that, the animation style is quite different compared to other Studio Ghibli films or even Takahata's earlier work (Compare: Grave of the Fireflies vs Kaguya)
Actually, the first half (not by time, but by events) is pretty fast - starting from the bamboo cutter finding a hand sized baby inside a bamboo, the baby growing up fast like a 'little bamboo' and becoming friends with others and so on. The father decides that the girl should be a princess and moves them to a palace in the city. There she is instructed to be a 'proper' princess. Up until this point, I think most people would easily sit through.
This is where it starts to drag a bit. Not that these things do not matter from the story perspective, but I'd have shortened the running time by 15-20 mins from this point. The word of Kaguya's beauty spreads. There are suitors from high places arriving to ask for her hand in marriage. Kaguya still craves for the simple village life and doesn't want to be a prized possession of some elite. She sets each of them on an impossible task. Then... I should stop typing and you should watch instead.
Kaguya is a fantastic animation with some really great visual sequences. But, the pacing makes it suitable only for the patient and those who are willing to allow a little rope for a film to take you anywhere it wants.
Only Yesterday (1991)
A regular office worker in Tokyo travels to the countryside during her break ... and that's the whole story
. The film alternates between her childhood memories (which are the best part) and the present (which is realistic). Unlike most animes, which often objectify and titillate, the heroine is not a 'pretty' one. Even the voice acting (in Japanese. I never watch with English soundtrack) sounds 'normal'. It sure is a little preachy about the greatness of simple rural life. However, it also has a simplicity, an Ozu kind of simplicity, which makes it good to watch. It may not appeal to all though!Makoto Shinkai
5 Centimeters Per Second (2007) and The Garden of Words (2013)
I actually don't like these films very much. To me, they are very much in the category of "Good, but..... not that good". They are actually romantic films which are not hugely different (predictable, a bit cheesy etc., etc.,). I rarely like romantic films (unlike they are different like "My Sassy Girl" or "A moment to Remember").
These are actually very short films. '5cm' clocks at 63 mins and 'Garden' at just 46 minutes. Yet they both felt longer than their running times.
Still, they find a place in this thread. Why?
Only during two instances this year, I wished I had a bigger screen to take in all the gorgeousness on the screen. One was during 'Baraka' and the other was during '5 cm'. One IMDB thread summed it up best - "Eye porn". Makoto Shinkai and his team have mastered the art of composing incredibly detailed, fantastic images based on real life Tokyo locations.
Please See:
to compare the actual locations and the animated representations.
esanthosh
Well-Known Member
Why patience? I don't think you need a different mindset to like animation movies. They are just a different medium of story-telling. Why treat them any different from our live action movies?
Of course, if you are talking 'patience', I have learned from the school of Tarkovsky and Bela Tarr. If I can handle watching Satantango in one day, I probably can handle anything
. That said... anybody here familiar with Lav Diaz? His documentaries are short, but movies are really, really, really looooong
Why patience? I don't think you need a different mindset to like animation movies. They are just a different medium of story-telling. Why treat them any different from our live action movies?
Of course, if you are talking 'patience', I have learned from the school of Tarkovsky and Bela Tarr. If I can handle watching Satantango in one day, I probably can handle anything
That said... anybody here familiar with Lav Diaz? His documentaries are short, but movies are really, really, really looooong
If you mostly like animation no need for patience your mind will set.
For me its very difficult to watch in home...If theater no escape...watched some movies.
Thanks for suggesting...Just added Satantango in download list...will review later.
Ooops..Lav Diaz made more movies mostly Black&White..If time permits go by descending order.
esanthosh
Well-Known Member
If by "mostly", you mean the number of animation movies, usually it is not so. This year, the % of animation movies is a little higher (32 / 102) apart from 8 animation/anime series covering 25 seasons in all
My selection filter is rather weak. I criss-cross between 1920's silent film to a horror movie to the latest avenger movie to Ingmar Bergman film to animation to a thriller to a comedy to french new extreme movie to a 1970's exploitation movie to Yasujiro Ozu film to a documentary. Not sure if many would watch Martyrs (a second time) and Hachi-ko back-to-back. So, as long as I have the time and the mood to watch a movie, my mind is all set!
If by "mostly", you mean the number of animation movies, usually it is not so. This year, the % of animation movies is a little higher (32 / 102) apart from 8 animation/anime series covering 25 seasons in all
My selection filter is rather weak. I criss-cross between 1920's silent film to a horror movie to the latest avenger movie to Ingmar Bergman film to animation to a thriller to a comedy to french new extreme movie to a 1970's exploitation movie to Yasujiro Ozu film to a documentary. Not sure if many would watch Martyrs (a second time) and Hachi-ko back-to-back. So, as long as I have the time and the mood to watch a movie, my mind is all set!
Good...I mostly avoid Black&White,Animation,Documentary & Comedy...
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