Busy month ahead but I should find time to see some films. INDEX
01. Perfect Blue (10.10.16)
Kon's films have dream like quality's to them but here we get one that feel like a dream. I love how the themes of identity mix in both artificial and introspective ways. The are some disturbing parts and the tent pole scene is very well done.
02. The Little Prince (14.10.16)
A delightful animated film. From top to toe it is fantastic. From the animation to the story and voice acting. It all comes together well and is one of the best growing up films around. Deep and truly delightful.
03. Borrowed Time [Short] (15.10.16)
Very well realized story of a man facing his past. Beautifully rendered and compiled with few lines of dialogue but they are very effective when they come. Though it is a sad film it feels right.
04. The Enforcer [Dirty Harry] (16.10.16)
Keeps the themes of the first two films, with a slight extension into woman's rights. It is a bit heavy handed and times and the action though dated is still ok. Nothing overly special about this one. Nice and simple plot and fairly well told.
05. Whiplash [Short] (17.10.16)
A strange short film, the is no ending as such just a tirade of insults. Nicely made and the sound is top notch. I think I will have to give the feature a go. This was just too short.
06. Paprika (22.10.16)
Yes again. Needed something awesome as I'm very damn tired. Still awesome from top to toe.
07. Shelter [Short] (23.10.16)
Its odd how much story you can fit into a small amount of time, even with little dialogue. This is also a music video and it works so damn well. Love the literal world building. From a sense of wonder to sadness and loss the short hits every note.
08. The Disappearance of Alice Creed (24.10.16)
Such things as too many twists? Loved the opening sequence and the film built on it nicely. Perhaps they tried to fit to much into a simple story. Still, I enjoyed it.
09. The Crow (26.10.16)
My 'Halloween' film for the year. So many great things going on here, from the imagery to the music and direction. Nice a simple plot but very well done. A few issues with his ability's and what he can do but it didn't diminish the film. Nice to see a non horror Halloween film.
10. Doctor Strange [Cinema] (31.10.16)
A sidestep for the Marvel universe. Loved the acting and visuals, the story was almost by the numbers but the were some very nice moments.
A slow month but a diverse one. Best of the month? The Little Prince by a hair.
Saturday, 1 October 2016
Wednesday, 14 September 2016
Back Behind the Lens
I went out and took some pictures
today.
Grains
Shocking right. But its the first time
in a long while I have gone out and done that for myself.
I didn’t get much to share but I did
take about a hundred shots which is more than I have mustered the
last few times. I hope this is me getting over this hill. I don't
know if I have had artist block or what but I don't take photos for
myself much. Heck it may have been years since I did it with any
regularity.
Is the a link to how I feel? No doubt
but what effects that. I have felt happier the last few weeks since
some pressures have lifted. They will come back down but I am going
to have a better foundation for them now.
Using Photoshop has felt better, less
of a chore. I now want to tweak my pictures and show them off.
Suppose I should grind through the lash few hundred of the wedding
photos.
Wild Flower
On another note I have blasted my way
through the first four Dresden Files books in the last five days.
They are great I may even do a review what I have caught back up.
Still on books I have three on my shelf
by my desk, all started and left untouched for months. I must sort
that out.
I will do a more general update blog in
the next week or two.
Saturday, 3 September 2016
So. Just How Good is - Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
It is a 13 part Anime from the winter
15/16 season by studio Deen. It is based on the Manga of the same
name, which I haven read. (Yet)
Don't ask me to try and read the title
out! I wont have a hope in hell. It has taken me a while to work my way
through it due to one reason or another. I didn’t even learn of it
until after the season had ended and some reviewers had rated it
above “Boku dake ga Inai Machi” (Erased) witch I loved.
Here is some rambling and random
thoughts on five and a half hours of Anime greatness.
First off the title, what dose it mean?
It directly translates to something like -
"Shōwa Era, Genroku Era, Comic
Storytelling, and Double Suicide"
witch sound more like a description
than a title. I prefer a more natural translated title to a direct
one and with this show we get -
“Showa and Genroku Era Lover's
Suicide Through Rakugo”
Much nicer. So what is Rakugo?
Rakugo is like a form of one man
storytelling/theatre. It reminds me of what Little Ronnie was famousfor. It is an old Japanese art of storytelling; preformed before a
audience with no assistance apart from a bell a candle and a fan. It
takes great acting skill in face a voice to pull it off. The are
hundreds of story's, mostly comic but some are love story's or even
horror.
The shows story is almost slice of
life but is more plot focused. The bulk of takes place in a flashback, starting pre war going
up to about the 60s. I think the present is some time in the 80s but
its hard to tell. The title gives better clues to when it is set. The
is a interesting set up in the present but the main focus is one the
past and the death of a Rakugo performer.
We learn of two children growing up as
apprentices to the art form. They bounce of each other as they grow
and most of the story is around how they effect and are effected by
the nature of the art. They upset the order of things and thus the
plot is driven into a sorry place. The story runs deep and in very
much character focused.
It is the people that makes this show
great. I feel like they are real. The is so much to every one of
them. not a mix of character traits but fleshed out people. The
animation and voice acting is on such a level it is hard to find
anything that can compare.
The Rakugo sets within the episodes are
what stand out the most. They are funny, tragic and even poignant.
though they are animated its like they don't need to be to work, the sheer force of acting behind the story makes it feel real. The is
are two that add in the visuals to a greater extent both to show oh
the person preforming is changing, one dying the other coming into
his own after so long.
There is a big barrier in a show like
this one, language. It can be a issue in most shows in the form of translation compatibility but here not only do the Rakugo story's need
to work in English but there is issues with the structure of the
society and the language of the world. Little things like roles to
strange things such as shoes and the world of geisha. It took a fair
bit of effort to keep up during the Rakugo performances and the intrigue was as hard to keep up with. It was worth it, as I have said
it is all about interactions and following them was essential.
The direction of the show was almost
formal but it was fitting with the times and nothing felt out of
place. The sound and music were brilliant and made the world come together.
I could go into so much about this
show, from gender issues to generation gaps and the place of the old
with the new. Not to even mention all of the subtle stuff. All I will
say is the is so much to love and is is present in such a way that
feels grown up and clever.
So just how good is "Shouwa Genroku
Rakugo Shinjuu"? Pretty damn good. It hasn't effected me like “Usagi
Drop” or put me on edge like “Boku dake” but as a whole it is excellent and very compelling. Cant Wait for season two.
The show is a work of art. No, it is
more like an art gallery. A building which is a masterpiece in its
own right that encompasses other great works. This show has all of
the right parts to make a beautiful whole. It is at the top of its
genera.
Thursday, 1 September 2016
2016 The Year of Films [September]
Summer is ending but the film watching is gearing up.
Link to the INDEX
01. Eastern Promises (02.09.16)
My first Cronenberg film, and what a good one it is. I did have the twist spoiled some months back but it didn't diminish the film any. Strong acting and direction make for a well told story.
02. Roujin-Z (09.09.16)
From two of the greats, Otomo and Kon is this strange film. Its very funny and very very odd. The dub leaves much to be desired and is poorly localised, some of the voice acting is weak. Love the art style its a bit all over the place but it fits with the sensibility's of the film.
03. Captain America - Civil War (10.09.16)
Still awesome, it makes logical sense and holds up. The are three very distinct acts and each are almost a film in there own right. The conflicts are what makes this film tic and it gets the interactions spot on.
04. Coraline (11.09.16)
Haunting and beautiful. A fantastic stop animation film and a well told story. Love How Coraline seems like real girl. Top to bottom a fantastic production.
05. Moongirl [short] (12.09.16)
A short by Laika, somewhat strange but a nice and fun ride if a bit simple, the ending made up for that though. Nice animation and direction, the boys voice-acting and dialogue was a bit much but Moongirls was spot on.
06. Brazil (14.09.16)
What if Monty Python did 1989? You get a wild ride and a damn good one. Love it from start to end, the music, the acting, the direction and the world. Its all great.
07. Home Sweet Home [short] (16.09.16)
Wow! Such a great film, so much packed into 9 minuets. The level of detail and art quality is top notch. How they anthropomorphising of the buildings was great and even though the were no dialogue it came across well. I felt sad for a house.
08. The Prestige (17.09.16)
The is much that could be said about this film. From the nature of good and bad to the art of preforming and just how far do you stretch believability? This is going to become one of the greats, it has a very interesting plot told in a very non liner way but it makes sense and the twists are unexpected. Awesome.
09. Appleseed (18.09.16)
By the writer of Ghost in the Shell, and is shows. An interesting take on post humanism and robotics. Very 80s in style but it works.
10. Unbreakable (19.09.16)
A very well made film and a interesting take on the whole comic book hero idea. Its the ending that turns this film into a very very awesome one. A look into the mind of a villain. I love how low key it is how normal everything seems, even the acts of heroism are small scale.
11. American Psycho (23.09.16)
Wow, all over the place and very damn crazy. I don't know what to make of it. Its a awesome ride but not one I felt like I was awake for.
12. Ghost in the Shell- SAC - Solid State Society (24.09.16)
Very compelling story. Mostly well told a bit too much tell instead of show bit it works. It felt like the two previous series. The music is fantastic. The themes and plot is so good I may do a blog on it.
13 Ghost in the Shell - Arise - OVA 1 Ghost Pain (25.09.16)
Interesting. A re-imagining of the origin of section 9. Not sure about the younger looking Major or how much she shows but its off to a strong start. Feels like ghost in the Shell so far.
14 Ghost in the Shell - Arise - OVA 2 Ghost Wispers (25.09.16)
The team is coming together. Nice continuation of the wider plot with the memory virus. I like how one or two of the other members have a bit more to them now. Its clicking together in all the right ways. Like most GitS it talk heavy but it works.
I had hoped to watch more this month, but al least the were some very very good films. The Prestige was the best but there were no stinkers.
Link to the INDEX
01. Eastern Promises (02.09.16)
My first Cronenberg film, and what a good one it is. I did have the twist spoiled some months back but it didn't diminish the film any. Strong acting and direction make for a well told story.
02. Roujin-Z (09.09.16)
From two of the greats, Otomo and Kon is this strange film. Its very funny and very very odd. The dub leaves much to be desired and is poorly localised, some of the voice acting is weak. Love the art style its a bit all over the place but it fits with the sensibility's of the film.
03. Captain America - Civil War (10.09.16)
Still awesome, it makes logical sense and holds up. The are three very distinct acts and each are almost a film in there own right. The conflicts are what makes this film tic and it gets the interactions spot on.
04. Coraline (11.09.16)
Haunting and beautiful. A fantastic stop animation film and a well told story. Love How Coraline seems like real girl. Top to bottom a fantastic production.
05. Moongirl [short] (12.09.16)
A short by Laika, somewhat strange but a nice and fun ride if a bit simple, the ending made up for that though. Nice animation and direction, the boys voice-acting and dialogue was a bit much but Moongirls was spot on.
06. Brazil (14.09.16)
What if Monty Python did 1989? You get a wild ride and a damn good one. Love it from start to end, the music, the acting, the direction and the world. Its all great.
07. Home Sweet Home [short] (16.09.16)
Wow! Such a great film, so much packed into 9 minuets. The level of detail and art quality is top notch. How they anthropomorphising of the buildings was great and even though the were no dialogue it came across well. I felt sad for a house.
08. The Prestige (17.09.16)
The is much that could be said about this film. From the nature of good and bad to the art of preforming and just how far do you stretch believability? This is going to become one of the greats, it has a very interesting plot told in a very non liner way but it makes sense and the twists are unexpected. Awesome.
09. Appleseed (18.09.16)
By the writer of Ghost in the Shell, and is shows. An interesting take on post humanism and robotics. Very 80s in style but it works.
10. Unbreakable (19.09.16)
A very well made film and a interesting take on the whole comic book hero idea. Its the ending that turns this film into a very very awesome one. A look into the mind of a villain. I love how low key it is how normal everything seems, even the acts of heroism are small scale.
11. American Psycho (23.09.16)
Wow, all over the place and very damn crazy. I don't know what to make of it. Its a awesome ride but not one I felt like I was awake for.
12. Ghost in the Shell- SAC - Solid State Society (24.09.16)
Very compelling story. Mostly well told a bit too much tell instead of show bit it works. It felt like the two previous series. The music is fantastic. The themes and plot is so good I may do a blog on it.
13 Ghost in the Shell - Arise - OVA 1 Ghost Pain (25.09.16)
Interesting. A re-imagining of the origin of section 9. Not sure about the younger looking Major or how much she shows but its off to a strong start. Feels like ghost in the Shell so far.
14 Ghost in the Shell - Arise - OVA 2 Ghost Wispers (25.09.16)
The team is coming together. Nice continuation of the wider plot with the memory virus. I like how one or two of the other members have a bit more to them now. Its clicking together in all the right ways. Like most GitS it talk heavy but it works.
I had hoped to watch more this month, but al least the were some very very good films. The Prestige was the best but there were no stinkers.
Monday, 29 August 2016
27 Years
It's been a nice and relaxing day to round off a crazy month. From being Ill with my Asthma playing up to going away with Cadets for a week and the faff that was getting back early to attend my sisters wedding. I may be a bit drained in strength and mentally. It's been a fun on for the most part.
Catherine's wedding day went well, nice and relaxed with some very nice moments. I have over 700 pictures of it to sort through as well as a half hour of film but that wont be to bad. although I don't know Greg all that well he was great and I wish both of them the best.
My parents birthdays came and went as well and they both seem happy and they were very proud at the wedding.
My breathing on the other hand has been far from great, just in the last few months I have gone trough three inhalers. My core strength is still great but I have felt very bad a times especially at night. I'm almost out of my current one, must get a new one this week.
Some random stuff.
I have come across a fantastic new Manga. It is in WSJ and the have been only 4 issues so far but it is great and had a tonne of potential. Its 'The Promised Neverland' A story of a small house of orphans who live happy with their 'Mum'. The are some very things stiff hidden on the surface and it soon takes a dark turn. The best thing is how the two main children talk and reason things trough. It is very well written and even got me with a jump scare.
Films have been slow this month but I knew they would be. I have stared going through Kubrick's library of films starting with ones I haven't seen before. The others this month for the most part have been bloody good. I should get a fair few in over the next week or so.
But I have a lot to work on. Over 1600 pictures from camp as well as the 700 or so from the wedding will mean I have a lot of photoshop work ahead. Then the is all the special bits to do such as the two mess photos and so on.
On the musical side of things I have been listening to a lot of Epica and now have all of the studio albums. I'm still not a fan of the male vocals but the other parts are just too good. I love how they can make me feel, the energy behind them is palpable.
Well this is close to the end of my birthday, its not been much of a special one but a relaxing one. Here's to another year on this small rock.
Catherine's wedding day went well, nice and relaxed with some very nice moments. I have over 700 pictures of it to sort through as well as a half hour of film but that wont be to bad. although I don't know Greg all that well he was great and I wish both of them the best.
My parents birthdays came and went as well and they both seem happy and they were very proud at the wedding.
My breathing on the other hand has been far from great, just in the last few months I have gone trough three inhalers. My core strength is still great but I have felt very bad a times especially at night. I'm almost out of my current one, must get a new one this week.
Some random stuff.
I have come across a fantastic new Manga. It is in WSJ and the have been only 4 issues so far but it is great and had a tonne of potential. Its 'The Promised Neverland' A story of a small house of orphans who live happy with their 'Mum'. The are some very things stiff hidden on the surface and it soon takes a dark turn. The best thing is how the two main children talk and reason things trough. It is very well written and even got me with a jump scare.
Films have been slow this month but I knew they would be. I have stared going through Kubrick's library of films starting with ones I haven't seen before. The others this month for the most part have been bloody good. I should get a fair few in over the next week or so.
But I have a lot to work on. Over 1600 pictures from camp as well as the 700 or so from the wedding will mean I have a lot of photoshop work ahead. Then the is all the special bits to do such as the two mess photos and so on.
On the musical side of things I have been listening to a lot of Epica and now have all of the studio albums. I'm still not a fan of the male vocals but the other parts are just too good. I love how they can make me feel, the energy behind them is palpable.
Well this is close to the end of my birthday, its not been much of a special one but a relaxing one. Here's to another year on this small rock.
Monday, 1 August 2016
2016 The Year of Films [August]
It could be a slow month but I hope I can see a fair few good films.
Link to the INDEX
01. The Princess Bride (01.08.16)
Wow, wasn't sure what to expect but it was great. Very funny physical acting and great performances all around. Loved the premise and the execution was sublime. Love the specific falseness of it.
02. Warcraft (05.08.16)
The first half hour is kind of unsteady but it settles into one hell of a film. It needed to be a bit slower even some narration just to set things up clearer. Overall a very valiant attempt at a film this huge and though only Lord of the Rings pulls everything off this is not so far off.
03. Batman - The Killing Joke (06.08.16)
Could perhaps even should have been awesome, beyond any of the other Batman films. Two thing let it down. The animation ranges from cheep looking to just plain bad. The extra half hour at the beginning didn't add to the film it just mixed up the tone. Even 15 min of Joker backstory would have made the film more focused.
04. Beautiful Nightmares [Short] (10.08.16)
A student film and it shows in places. The is some dodgy performances and too broad a focus for a half hour long film. It had a cool central idea and technically it was good. Some very nice moments in there to enjoy.
05. Big Trouble in Little China (12.08.16)
My opinion changed often wile watching. At first it felt just like a generic if a bit odd action film of its time. Then I though bad acting was going to bring it down. This was as I was getting a feeling it would be awesome as a spoof. Then in descended into comedy and satire and became genius. Mental but a great film. I think...
06. Mad Max - Fury Road (13.08.16)
Still Awesome. That is all!
07. Dr. Strangelove [Kubrick] (28.08.16)
A very very good film, from the acting to the script and direction. It is a full formula for a perfect film. The are some very strange aspects to the film which no doubt have deep meanings but the larger plot was well told and very funny.
08. The Killing [Kubrick] (29.08.16)
A crime drama that is old in style but feels modern in execution. It is told in a non liner fashion and the plot ties together nicely. The plot though simple is well shown and the ending is great. I can see how this has inspired many more films.
09. The Kinematograph [Short] (30.08.16)
A very stylised animated short about a inventor and his wife. Though very predictable the story is well told and some of the direction is fantastic.
10. Voices of a Distant Star [Short] (31.08.16)
A very beautiful OVA about a young couple separated by a war. The sense of time that passes and the gulf of space between them is shown in such a way it feels overwhelming. Very interesting animation and some very high quality art.
A very interesting month only one re-watch and only the one anime film.
Link to the INDEX
01. The Princess Bride (01.08.16)
Wow, wasn't sure what to expect but it was great. Very funny physical acting and great performances all around. Loved the premise and the execution was sublime. Love the specific falseness of it.
02. Warcraft (05.08.16)
The first half hour is kind of unsteady but it settles into one hell of a film. It needed to be a bit slower even some narration just to set things up clearer. Overall a very valiant attempt at a film this huge and though only Lord of the Rings pulls everything off this is not so far off.
03. Batman - The Killing Joke (06.08.16)
Could perhaps even should have been awesome, beyond any of the other Batman films. Two thing let it down. The animation ranges from cheep looking to just plain bad. The extra half hour at the beginning didn't add to the film it just mixed up the tone. Even 15 min of Joker backstory would have made the film more focused.
04. Beautiful Nightmares [Short] (10.08.16)
A student film and it shows in places. The is some dodgy performances and too broad a focus for a half hour long film. It had a cool central idea and technically it was good. Some very nice moments in there to enjoy.
05. Big Trouble in Little China (12.08.16)
My opinion changed often wile watching. At first it felt just like a generic if a bit odd action film of its time. Then I though bad acting was going to bring it down. This was as I was getting a feeling it would be awesome as a spoof. Then in descended into comedy and satire and became genius. Mental but a great film. I think...
06. Mad Max - Fury Road (13.08.16)
Still Awesome. That is all!
07. Dr. Strangelove [Kubrick] (28.08.16)
A very very good film, from the acting to the script and direction. It is a full formula for a perfect film. The are some very strange aspects to the film which no doubt have deep meanings but the larger plot was well told and very funny.
08. The Killing [Kubrick] (29.08.16)
A crime drama that is old in style but feels modern in execution. It is told in a non liner fashion and the plot ties together nicely. The plot though simple is well shown and the ending is great. I can see how this has inspired many more films.
09. The Kinematograph [Short] (30.08.16)
A very stylised animated short about a inventor and his wife. Though very predictable the story is well told and some of the direction is fantastic.
10. Voices of a Distant Star [Short] (31.08.16)
A very beautiful OVA about a young couple separated by a war. The sense of time that passes and the gulf of space between them is shown in such a way it feels overwhelming. Very interesting animation and some very high quality art.
A very interesting month only one re-watch and only the one anime film.
Wednesday, 6 July 2016
2016 The Year of Films [July]
July... More films!
Link to the film INDEX
01. 6:45 a.m. SUN 31 August 2014 [Short] (06.07.16)
Very well realised. What ever it is. Very strange but compelling short film with some haunting music and very detailed art. Something deeper behind it but I don't see what.
02. Rain Town [Short] (06.07.16)
Powerful in a small package. Loved it to bits, the style and tone makes for a film with a tone of heart. Lovely little story of a robot and underlying themes of loneliness and even depression. No vocals needed here, the story shone through just pay attention.
03. Way back to the Sea [Short] (07.07.16)
Sad little story, child helping out a creature and in the end letting it go. Very cool art work, a very deliberate sketched style. Nice music and a very nicely done p.o.v sequence.
04. Silent Hill (08.07.16)
Just a few little grumbles here and there but overall a solid film. Some of the dialogues is bad, as are the cg critters. Odd plot and even odder ending but the film did make sense. Loved the flashback exposition part and the little girl was good.
05. Mission Impossible 2 (09.07.16)
That hair!!! Very stylish but in strange ways, but that is what happens when the director is Ang Lee. Not the most compelling plot or anything but it works a a frame to gets some sneaking followed by far too much action. Nice film just forgettable.
06. Garuda [Short] (10.07.16)
Fighting and dancing, in film they are almost the same. Some films have too much choreography in the fights and it is a waltz. Here we have to friends set at each other in what we see to be a fight to the death and it could be one sided. Loved this short film the animation and music is superb and the story telling is very effective.
07. Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (11.07.16)
Still great, only the third time I've seen it and the first in Japanese. Love how it takes time and makes it feel strange and compelling. As you would expect behind the simple plot is deeper thoughts on the nature of life and the sole post singularity. More CG than I remembered and it is used to great effect.
08.There Will Come Soft Rains [Short] (12.07.16)
Based on a short story by Ray Bradbury this is a Soviet animated production. Dark and depressing as suits the setting of post nuclear apocalypse. Very stark and at times creepy, it tells a simple take of a world that ended but the robot wasn't aware.
09. Batman - Mask of the Phantasm (15.07.16)
I have very vague memories of seeing this once before on TV and I may have mixed it with 'Batman of the future'. A good look at Bruce Wayne rather than just Batman, the plot though simple was nicely laid out. I love the 90s style Batman aesthetic and the music was great. Top film.
10. Leon (16.07.16)
A little bit creepy but a bloody good film. Funny at times and touching at others. Very well acted by the three mains, they bring everyone to life. Solid action and direction. New York looks old.
11. Rambo 2 (17.07.16)
Suffers from trying to top the first, the is a very good basic plot hidden under the dumb action and over the top patriotism. The end lays the US rhetoric on a bit to thick and it looses the message it should have. A good watch though.
12. Lights Out [Short] (18.07.16)
A very short live action horror film, and damn is it scary. Nice and simple in its set up and execution but very effective in building up a sense of terror.
13. Metropolis (25.07.16)
The animated one from 2001. Very strange in many ways but so good. The music stands out by far and not just in the climax it is great all the way through. The design is odd, the people are a western design but the rest of the art seems very anime. As you would expect the are many stand out shots and small set pieces and the plot is strange.
14. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (27.07.16)
Better narrative through line than I remembered. It ties together well and the ending was very well set up. Very funny and the are some very good shots and direction. Still one of the greats.
15. Blade (29.07.16)
Some good, some bad and some dumb. Very of its time with a mix of good and bad story telling as well as dodgy cg. I felt like they could have gone furtherer at times with the plot, some things just happened because they needed to.
16. THX 1138 (30.07.16)
A very compelling film. Very well shot and the feeling that runs throughout it well maintained by both the acting and the sound design. I'm not sure I can recount the plot or story to anyone but its was a very cool look at the future of society.
Five shorts and each as compelling as a feature film. Its been a good month with some interesting films. Six of the films were re-watches and only 4 new ones. Best of the Month? Leon.
Link to the film INDEX
01. 6:45 a.m. SUN 31 August 2014 [Short] (06.07.16)
Very well realised. What ever it is. Very strange but compelling short film with some haunting music and very detailed art. Something deeper behind it but I don't see what.
02. Rain Town [Short] (06.07.16)
Powerful in a small package. Loved it to bits, the style and tone makes for a film with a tone of heart. Lovely little story of a robot and underlying themes of loneliness and even depression. No vocals needed here, the story shone through just pay attention.
03. Way back to the Sea [Short] (07.07.16)
Sad little story, child helping out a creature and in the end letting it go. Very cool art work, a very deliberate sketched style. Nice music and a very nicely done p.o.v sequence.
04. Silent Hill (08.07.16)
Just a few little grumbles here and there but overall a solid film. Some of the dialogues is bad, as are the cg critters. Odd plot and even odder ending but the film did make sense. Loved the flashback exposition part and the little girl was good.
05. Mission Impossible 2 (09.07.16)
That hair!!! Very stylish but in strange ways, but that is what happens when the director is Ang Lee. Not the most compelling plot or anything but it works a a frame to gets some sneaking followed by far too much action. Nice film just forgettable.
06. Garuda [Short] (10.07.16)
Fighting and dancing, in film they are almost the same. Some films have too much choreography in the fights and it is a waltz. Here we have to friends set at each other in what we see to be a fight to the death and it could be one sided. Loved this short film the animation and music is superb and the story telling is very effective.
07. Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (11.07.16)
Still great, only the third time I've seen it and the first in Japanese. Love how it takes time and makes it feel strange and compelling. As you would expect behind the simple plot is deeper thoughts on the nature of life and the sole post singularity. More CG than I remembered and it is used to great effect.
08.There Will Come Soft Rains [Short] (12.07.16)
Based on a short story by Ray Bradbury this is a Soviet animated production. Dark and depressing as suits the setting of post nuclear apocalypse. Very stark and at times creepy, it tells a simple take of a world that ended but the robot wasn't aware.
09. Batman - Mask of the Phantasm (15.07.16)
I have very vague memories of seeing this once before on TV and I may have mixed it with 'Batman of the future'. A good look at Bruce Wayne rather than just Batman, the plot though simple was nicely laid out. I love the 90s style Batman aesthetic and the music was great. Top film.
10. Leon (16.07.16)
A little bit creepy but a bloody good film. Funny at times and touching at others. Very well acted by the three mains, they bring everyone to life. Solid action and direction. New York looks old.
11. Rambo 2 (17.07.16)
Suffers from trying to top the first, the is a very good basic plot hidden under the dumb action and over the top patriotism. The end lays the US rhetoric on a bit to thick and it looses the message it should have. A good watch though.
12. Lights Out [Short] (18.07.16)
A very short live action horror film, and damn is it scary. Nice and simple in its set up and execution but very effective in building up a sense of terror.
13. Metropolis (25.07.16)
The animated one from 2001. Very strange in many ways but so good. The music stands out by far and not just in the climax it is great all the way through. The design is odd, the people are a western design but the rest of the art seems very anime. As you would expect the are many stand out shots and small set pieces and the plot is strange.
14. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (27.07.16)
Better narrative through line than I remembered. It ties together well and the ending was very well set up. Very funny and the are some very good shots and direction. Still one of the greats.
15. Blade (29.07.16)
Some good, some bad and some dumb. Very of its time with a mix of good and bad story telling as well as dodgy cg. I felt like they could have gone furtherer at times with the plot, some things just happened because they needed to.
16. THX 1138 (30.07.16)
A very compelling film. Very well shot and the feeling that runs throughout it well maintained by both the acting and the sound design. I'm not sure I can recount the plot or story to anyone but its was a very cool look at the future of society.
Five shorts and each as compelling as a feature film. Its been a good month with some interesting films. Six of the films were re-watches and only 4 new ones. Best of the Month? Leon.
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