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Reviews
Gankutsu-ô (2004)
Gorgeous in all respects of the word.
Initially, what attracted me to Gankutsuou, was the idea of an Anime version of Alexandre Dumas' "Le Comte de Monte Cristo," but upon seeing the previews, I fell in love with the whole concept. The art, to say the least, is breathtaking, if not revolutionary; to that, the animation is flawless as well - one can only guess at the expense that went into creating such a visual marvel. While Gankutsuou doesn't follow Dumas' story as religiously as some would have it, what is important is that Dumas' intent in the story was held sacred. All too often is Edmond Dantes portrayed as being right in his quest, a true hero; nothing could be farther from the truth. Dumas' Dantes was a Satanic Hero like no other, if only perhaps Heathcliff from Bronte's "Wuthering Heights." Cruel, malicious, and bloodthirsty, Dantes is one with whom the audience is meant to sympathize and pity, while at the same time despise passionately. We can understand his motives, even support them, though we know innately we shouldn't condone them; Dantes is, in his truest nature, the incarnation of both ultimate love and ultimate hate, and was Dumas' tool to show that there is little difference betwixt the two. Gankutsuou stays true to this endeavor of Dumas' in all ways. The Count is everything he was in the novel - to both men and women, he held an (for lack of a better term) erotic visage about himself, something men wanted to aspire to, and women fell to. Frigid, calculating, with a gift to bend the wills of others, Dantes proved that one who has nothing to lose, yet does not allow himself to sink into depression (but rather finding purpose for your life) and thus has no fear of death or repercussions at all, is the most alluring; people are drawn to such darkness, such demonic power. But the beauty of this story doesn't stop simply at the creation of the ultimate sinister character - to create such a character is simple; what Dumas did, and Gankutsuou respected and embellished upon, was that despite the obvious horrific nature of the character, his reasons for being so are understandable. Aristotle said that one cannot create a truly tragic character without establishing fear and sympathy within the audience first; without Catharces, tragedy has no impact. While watching the story of Gankutsuou unfold, we begin to wonder if we, too, aren't capable of such atrocities, especially if under similar conditions. In our society, we sympathize with, if not often condone secretly, crimes of passion; but to what extent can we stretch out sympathy? Perhaps revenge of this nature is too extreme, that the Count is wrong in his hellish plans; but if we were betrayed by our best friend in so horrible a manner, who can say that, given the opportunity, we would not do the same, if not worse? Sympathy we have for Edmond's position; but fear becomes the all-consuming emotion we have while watching this, as we come to realize the extent of the atrocities we ourselves are capable of, given the chance and motive for them. For any Anime fan, or for any fan of cartoons or Dumas' works, Gankutsuou is by far one of the most astounding pieces you will ever see: true to the nature of the book like no other screenplay has been, and breathtaking in its visual nature, and musical score (opening theme not withstanding), Gankutsuou is a must-see, a beautiful testament to the power of hope and love, as well as an unmatched plunge into the darkest parts of the human soul.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Perhaps the Perfect Movie
In every way, this film is an affirmation of faith; not simply religious faith, but faith of any kind. In no other way has a film of such simple storytelling been so well received nor powerful. At the same time, there is a measure of realism here not seen many other highly-praised movies.
The Godfather, The Return of the King, The Seven Samurai; all incredible movies, but the one flaw residing over all three is this: In very little ways are the protagonists in these true-to-life. A Mafia Don, a would-be King, warriors of old - they are larger than life; they have a quality to them that raises them above all others - and the films, thus, retain a quality in the realm of the fantastic that sully the realism they wish to portray.
The Shawshank Redemption is not in the like. Not one of the characters could be called "larger than life;" in no way are any of the characters "good" or "evil" - the boundary is so grayed that it no longer exists; they're simply human, with sins, hopes, loves, and fears. In a way no other film has ever been able to, Shawshank perfectly reflects a story of humanity and hope. It comes to be that we do not begin to see these people as characters, but begin to think as they do, to become them.
If you really want to see a film of limitless power and beauty, a film that you truly become delved into, with characters that you feel perfect sympathy and empathy towards, The Shawshank Redemption is it.
Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998)
The Best Scooby Movie ever.
Out of all the Scooby movies that have been made over the years (including the two live action ones), Zombie Island is by far the best; the characters are older, the plot line is much more sophisticated than previous attempts, is even a little scary, and by far LOOKS the best (even though it was a direct-to-video movie, it has the quality of a major motion picture, a big plus). Although Scooby and Shaggy haven't changed much, Fred, Velma, and especially Daphne were revamped - Velma is still calculating, but suspicious to a fault; Fred takes shotgun to Daphne as the leader, and "is in denial," about supernatural things; Daphne is no longer just the pretty face of the group, she's also intelligent, brave, completely independent, and the undisputed leader. Had Hanna Barbera and Warner Bros. actually kept up with this kind of material, Scooby would still be alive and kicking more so than it is; but, alas, they copped out for the "bad guy wearing a mask" routine, reverting the characters back to their original archetypes. Maybe someday someone will recreate the show using the characters and basic events, but for now, Zombie Island remains the absolute pinnacle of the Scooby World.
The Transformers: The Movie (1986)
The world's longest music video
Okay, I've got nothing against animated films. In fact, I often prefer animated films to live action ones. Not this time. Not by a long LONG shot. Nearly all the comments I hear from people is that this film is awesome; well, lemme tell you something, I rented this film from the library, and I'm glad it was free 'cause otherwise, I'd've kicked myself for paying for it. Bad doesn't begin to describe it. Frankly, it's pretty lousy animation to begin with; yes, it was good for American things at the time, but let's take a look at two other movies (with far better stories, thank you) - Akira and Castle in the Sky. Both were made about the same time, maybe a year later, maybe a year earlier. Either way, this doesn't even COMPARE to some things of the time animation-wise. Next, the plot: good plot - definitely helps to have seen the series or have been familiar at least with the characters, but a good plot nonetheless. However, HORRIBLE execution. Anyone who hates Disney movies for being too musical and for kids, yet likes this movie, REALLY needs to sit down with this one again and watch it. The music is basically just thrown in randomly, often overbearingly, and don't even START on that damn dancing sequence. Also, one of the characters gets blown to bits... and then put back together and he's fine. WHAT IS THAT!? KILL HIM OFF, FOR GOD'S SAKE! The fact is, there are a ton of plot holes, inconsistencies, characters thrown in for who knows what, and finally, we end up with 2 hours of incredibly bad animated film. Frankly, the thing that makes most people crazy for this movie is that it's the film version of the show - that's it! It strives on fanbase, and is most arguably no where NEAR one of the best films ever made; it may be famous, but it is far from good.
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
The Best of the Muppets, the Best of Dickens
Okay, not every movie can be like this, especially not every rendition of A Christmas Carol. A Muppets' Christmas Carol to me is the perfect version of this story. It encompasses everything that's wonderful about the original story - it's heartwarming, the characters are truly alive in all forms, and the message is as clear as day: Keep the True Meaning of Christmas with you always, to love your friends and family, and never let them go. Definitely the best Muppets movie ever, and just a beautiful movie as a whole, both visually and in story. Every year my family and I gather 'round the TV in our living room, just like we did when I was little, and we pop in the old VHS I got when I was eight. It's definitely a classic in my book, and ranks up there with A Christmas Story as one of the most amazing Christmas movies ever made.
A Goofy Movie (1995)
A definite classic in entertainment
A Goofy Movie has everything you could ask for in just fun times. I remember, when I was a kid, everybody was crazy for this movie, myself included. While it isn't the best artistic or literary piece of cinema, you have to remember one thing - it wasn't meant to be! There's really two field of film - pure entertainment, and actual storytelling. It isn't really fair to judge this on the same level as, say, LOTR, but then again it wasn't meant to be an earthshaking tour de force of filmdom like its Disney Masterpiece counterparts.
Anyway, if you want just a good movie to sit down and watch, either with your younger siblings, your parents, girlfriend/boyfriend, or even just to remember what it was like to be a kid, this is perfect for it. Goofy's one of the most lovable characters in cartoon history, and this movie is just an irresistible family classic.
Rabu Hina (2000)
On its own, good, but does the comic no justice
What can I say, I'm a writer. Don't get me wrong, I love Love Hina; it's quickly become one of favorites - but in comic form. Like I said, the show is respectable, but taking a 14-volume comic and turning into a 26 to 36 episode TV show really doesn't work for me. Ken Akamatsu's writing is incredible - each chapter is religiously 18 pages long, save for about 5 here and there, and his style is such that each of those chapters could easily be turned into a 23 minute TV episode. Admitadly, you could probably cut out a good portion of volumes 10 through 14, considering that the comic started to lose it around there, but that still leaves over 100 chapters available, meaning there could have easily been over 100 episodes. I love anime, but my one complaint with most is that they are too short. Most animes are about 26 episodes; this, most of the time, leaves very little room for character and story development as it should be (this isn't the case with a select few, like Cowboy Bebop and Trigun); this especially applies for shows based on comics, where the characters develop slowly over time, and you enjoy every minute of it.
I still recommend seeing the show, but I also, even more strongly, recommend reading the comics; the show's for laughs, the comics are for everything else.
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
The first ripple in a tidal wave of "The Human Jesus" films
First of all, let me say that, while controversial, this film brings a whole new light to the character of Jesus in Christian mythology. In the Christian belief, God sends down his son, or in some understandings IS his "son," to repent for the sins of man; however, many believe that he did this also to understand the strange creatures of his realm whom call themselves "Man." God, being perfect, never new pain, loss, happiness, or even love as we do. Perhaps in order to understand his followers better - really figure out what makes us tick and why exactly we we have such a hard time following the Righteous Path. This is just what this film suggests.
As Jesus, the Messaiah, is being crucified, The Dark Prince comes to see him as an Angel of the Lord. He, for some time, convinces him that he is not God's only Son, and that he need only wish it, and he would be permitted to live a contented, simple, life with those around him. This, when released, caused an uproar in the Christian community. Jesus was the Son of Man - how could he be tempted so? Because that's just it; he was the Son of Man, and human himself. For the first time ever, God new what it was to fear, to dream, even love like His disciples do. God as imperfect is perhaps a much more mature and sophisticated view than the perfect, infallible being of yore; the prospect of happiness, even for a short time, was enough to tempt even the most powerful of beings - a thought that really stirs in your mind for a moment. God is perfect, he feels no fear, no anguish, yet also no true love or friendship - he is, for all intents and purposes, a child, really - a simple being with no true character or personality. Yet he experienced something great: the realization of human emotions and desires; the uncertainty of a child who needs his mother, a young man unsure who long he will live and if he will be happy in the time he is alive.
The film presents and interesting idea: that given his experiences, the pleasure and pain he felt as a human, would he actually learn fear as well? Fear that he would no longer be among the Tangible; that he would no longer be able to taste the sweetness of an apple; that he would no longer know the warmth of a friend's touch; that he would never again smell the clean air after a rain; or that he would no longer feel the mother's love he'd never before known. Given all that, wouldn't he, like the rest of us, become fearful that he would lose these blessings, never to again know the joy and sorrow they bring? Wouldn't he be tempted, even in the slightest, to throw everything to the wind, even the salvation he'd promised his people, just to feel these things for a little longer, no matter how short the time? This film presents a new way of seeing God and Jesus - as a being who came into existence and created All as a child, yet through his hardships and joys, matured into a complex, thoughtful adult.
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
Arguably one of the best Biblical films ever
First, or at least most recognizably, there was The Ten Commandments. The one problem with that film? Although Biblically accurate, it seems to follow too closely to the myth of the Exodus. This leads people to forget that these aren't just historical figures; these were real people with emotions and internal strife. In that, it fails as a story. But where The Ten Commandments fails, The Prince of Egypt succeeds. Prince of Egypt, while on the surface seems little more than another Disney rip-off to those who haven't seen it, is actually much more mature than its look gives.
The first, and most important, difference between this film and Heston's film: the role of God and religion. In Ten Commandments, Moses is a harder man, more religiously devout; thus, the film emphasizes the struggle of Moses, the religious figure. Prince of Egypt, however, gives God little more than a bit role. Although still important to the story, He-Who-Is-I-Am is more detached from the rest of the plot than in previous renditions. The reason? Prince of Egypt takes a different turn than the classical view of "Moses as The Great Prophet," and looks more at "Moses as The Man."
Throughout his whole ordeal, Moses is unsure of himself, even at times loathing of himself for the pain he's caused to both the Hebrews and to the Egyptians. He's, at first, a goof-off, never taking anything, or anyone save for his father, seriously. Later, he's plagued with self-doubt and remorse for what he's done to his Jewish brethren. Even his quest has very little religious undertones - one can see that mostly he does as Jehovah commands in order to reconcile for his past. And through it all, he is tormented that he has to fight his beloved brother, and best friend, in order to set their world right.
This story, while perhaps not as religiously powerful as its Heston predecessor, is without a doubt, its spiritual superior. It reminds us that these were real people, with real emotions, dreams, and vices; in doing so, it leaves us with perhaps more respect and understanding of them than any sermon or preachy, Biblically-correct film ever could. A definite must-see for everyone of all ages, especially together.
Tenkû no shiro Rapyuta (1986)
Absolutely Amazing
I know Anime. I've been into it long before it became a national phenomenon; i loved Ranma before most people knew what Dragonball Z even was. And just so you know I'm not bragging about my, let me say this: out of all the animes I've seen, Castle in the Sky is by far one of the best. It's obvious people say Spirited Away is the best, but I really disagree. Most people only know that movie because it one an Acedmy Award; this isn't an exaggeration - I've shown Princess Mononoke and Castle in the Sky to people who'd only ever seen Spirited Away, and they agree that the latter two are the superior of the three. Personally, I'd never thought that anything could compare to Princess Mononoke, until I finally saw Castle in the Sky. I still think that the prior is the better of the two, but Castle in the Sky is easily on par with it; in many ways, Castle has major elements that Mononoke was missing. In either case, if you've only seen Spirited Away, and think that that is Miyazaki's best film, be prepared to have your earth shaken.