summercomfort (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
summercomfort) wrote2002-11-24 01:30 am
summercomfort) wrote2002-11-24 01:30 am
"Reviews"
watched Citizen Kane) for hum, and LotR extended edition last night w/ Joanne, then had Miyazaki Marathon w/ 4 Miyazaki films. So yeah, reviews! (or rather, my random uneducated comments. Because, really, I didn't even take Film CompLit or anything)
Citizen Kane: no real need to say anything, b/c I'm sure everyone else have seen it before. It's nice to have movie that's actually trying to say something, to treat something seriously, as opposed to actionaction romanceromance. I need to watch it again (w/o frantic note-taking) to enjoy the subtlety and the craft.
Lord of the Rings, Special Edition:
If you liked the normal one, you have to see the extended one. Lots of character development was put back in. Most notably Frodo and Bilbo's father-son relationship, Boromir and Aragorn's ever-changing dynamic, esp. w/ Boromir's pride and Aragorn's distrust for humans, Legolas and Gimli's comaderie, Aragorn's concern for Arwen, Aragorn's conflicted angst thing about elves vs. man.... just overall, the fellowship seems much more cohesive. And many of the scenes take on new significance in context of the added scenes. There were lots of random glances, etc, that gain new potency The pace is slower and less action oriented, taking the time to dwell on background and character interaction rather than just actionactionaction. I want to spend a whole day going through the discs.
Castle of Cagliostro
I got there a little late, but since this is an overall lighthearted and entertaining movie, I caught on pretty quickly. Ppl were comparing Lupin to Spike, and I can sort of see where they're coming from. This movie is far more comical, however. None of the weird dream death angst of Cowboy Bebop. A decent watch if you feel like being entertained with a well-told (although often-told) story. no plot twists, lots of laughs. Really, just for vegetating hours, when you don't want something so bad you'd groan.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
the whole Messiah complex get on my nerves a little, but overall a good story. Portrays humans as evil, selfish, which I'm too idealistic to agree with. But yeah, I'm glad I saw that, b/c it's a Miyazaki classic, and it deserves to be so. Pretty complex plot! And good storytelling. Of course, some parts were a little confusing, but definitely Miyazaki and definitely good. The whole "nature good, man bad" thing is very clearly stated. The monsters are very cleverly designed. Heck, I just like his unique idea of a future world.
My Neighbor Totoro
Yes! Finally watched Totoro in its entirety. Cute! Heartwarming! and Totoro is irresistable! And their parents are *so nice*! And the feelings portrayed by the two kids were really realistic. I often identified with them, as in, I *knew* how they felt, because it just came through the screen. They're definitely children, but circumstances also makes them more mature. But they still have fun. It's much less a story than a "state of being." Life with all the charm and fantasy and worry and conflict and fear and determination. Getting lost, or losing something, and having faith.
Laputa: Castle in the Sky
Another "Nature good, technology bad" story with a princess, but much less so than Mononoke or Nausicaa. Less comedic than Lupin, it doesn't really do anything interesting until the very end, where there's some man trying to be god references, robots, nature, loyalty, decline of civilization, destruction, war. Again, good movie, well told and well executed, just not the best.
Citizen Kane: no real need to say anything, b/c I'm sure everyone else have seen it before. It's nice to have movie that's actually trying to say something, to treat something seriously, as opposed to actionaction romanceromance. I need to watch it again (w/o frantic note-taking) to enjoy the subtlety and the craft.
Lord of the Rings, Special Edition:
Castle of Cagliostro
I got there a little late, but since this is an overall lighthearted and entertaining movie, I caught on pretty quickly. Ppl were comparing Lupin to Spike, and I can sort of see where they're coming from. This movie is far more comical, however. None of the weird dream death angst of Cowboy Bebop. A decent watch if you feel like being entertained with a well-told (although often-told) story. no plot twists, lots of laughs. Really, just for vegetating hours, when you don't want something so bad you'd groan.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
the whole Messiah complex get on my nerves a little, but overall a good story. Portrays humans as evil, selfish, which I'm too idealistic to agree with. But yeah, I'm glad I saw that, b/c it's a Miyazaki classic, and it deserves to be so. Pretty complex plot! And good storytelling. Of course, some parts were a little confusing, but definitely Miyazaki and definitely good. The whole "nature good, man bad" thing is very clearly stated. The monsters are very cleverly designed. Heck, I just like his unique idea of a future world.
My Neighbor Totoro
Yes! Finally watched Totoro in its entirety. Cute! Heartwarming! and Totoro is irresistable! And their parents are *so nice*! And the feelings portrayed by the two kids were really realistic. I often identified with them, as in, I *knew* how they felt, because it just came through the screen. They're definitely children, but circumstances also makes them more mature. But they still have fun. It's much less a story than a "state of being." Life with all the charm and fantasy and worry and conflict and fear and determination. Getting lost, or losing something, and having faith.
Laputa: Castle in the Sky
Another "Nature good, technology bad" story with a princess, but much less so than Mononoke or Nausicaa. Less comedic than Lupin, it doesn't really do anything interesting until the very end, where there's some man trying to be god references, robots, nature, loyalty, decline of civilization, destruction, war. Again, good movie, well told and well executed, just not the best.
Mononoke Hime: Neutral
Miyazaki has shows both sides. The whole point is that both sides have no choice. The Wolves hate, and the humans hate. If one side was right and the other wrong, then the epic hero (because that's what Ashitaka is) would only fight on that side.
How are the lepers and the prostitutes going to get work and go on living if there is no Irontown? The Wolves care nothing for them. I mean they do have claim to the land, but that's pretty weak when you consider the lives of the Lepers.
The Movie is even more brilliant because there is no possibility for compromise, Irontown and The Deer Spirit are Mutually exclusive.
Progress is inevitable, and magic must die for progress. It's tragic, but I don't think he's trying to say that technology evil.
Maybe we have to decide which is evil...
From that perspective I'd have to agree w/ you, I chose The Wilds, Big Wolves and Magic over people and progress. (Though it's a hard decision)
Random Thoughts: I wonder what people in Japan chose.
Re: Mononoke Hime: Neutral
Nausicaa pursued a very similar theme. it is a world with "Wasteland", patches of forest with giant poisonous spores, guarded by giant insects that attack anyone who enters with steel weapons (guns, etc). The humans want to burn down/reclaim the wasteland, b/c the wasteland is spreading and killing villages.
SPOILERS
However, the wasteland is actually nature's way of cleansing the earth of the poisons of human industry. The spore plants absorb the poison from the earth, and then create clean sand that it deposits in an area under the forest. But humans don't understand that, so there is just this eternal conflict between mankind and nature. Both act in self-defense, clinging to their own perceptions.
Re: Mononoke Hime: Neutral
But I'll skip those arguments, because I still cannot decide.
I guess the only result of these two hours is more respect for Miyazaki.
Nausicaa sounds interesting.