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Fainaru fantajî IV (1991)
The first true Final Fantasy
In 1991, a little known company gaming company known as Square(soft) in Japan released the fourth segment of it's Final Fantasy series. Little did they know (or maybe they did) where it would lead them.
I would call Final Fantasy IV the "sleeper hit" of the series. It was considered by the few who got their hands on it back in the early 90's their "favorite video game ever". It had rave reviews, and started to garner a cult-like rpg gamer following. And of course, in every aspect, it deserved it.
Hironobu Sakaguchi did a wonderful job in giving depth, for what can be disputed as the first time, to a video game rpg character. The main character of this video game "Cecil" starts out as a "bad guy" with a conscience. Of course, this may be considered cliche nowadays, but back in 1991, it was quite revolutionary. Cecil's predicament, although it may not be original, is a moving one.
Cecil, the dark knight, is the captain of the Red Wings, the Kingdom of Baron's "air force". His story starts with the war mongering of his liege in search for the all-powerful Crystals, which's purposes are shrouded in mystery. After a battle in the mage town of Mysidia, Cecil, torn between his duty and his guilt, confronts his King asking him why he is on this blood-thirsty conquest, and he is promptly banished from the Kingdom on an errand with his Dragoon friend Kain, to make up for this mistake. One must ask, will Cecil ever stand up to his liege and confront his inner demons? Here is where this epic adventure begins.
Following this neat intro, we are introduced to a vast array of different characters that Cecil encounters in his quest; to name a few, Rosa, Rydia, Yang, Palom, Porom, Tellah, and the first of the famous "Cid" characters in the Final Fantasy series. There is a HUGE world to explore (for a 1991 rpg) with many different terrains (even the moon), many different and interesting antagonists (Golbez, the Four fiends), and a mass of evil monsters to be destroyed.
Nubuo Uematsu shines with his inspiring music in this game. This was his first opportunity to show his composing skills and develop a full and rich soundtrack. I was amazed, when this game first came out, at how "orchestrated" a video game can sound...It is no surprise now that Nubuo is now a highly acclaimed composer, both in and out of video game music. If you are a fan, give this soundtrack a listen...These are his roots.
All in all, I give Final Fantasy IV a very biased 5 stars...Although it is reasonably disputed that Final Fantasy 6 and 7 are better overall games, this one will hold a place in my heart. It was the funder of 6...it shaped the things to come.
The Snowman (1982)
The underdog of animated Christmas
I love this film.
I first saw it when I was around four years old, on my first remembered Christmas in the early 80's. I was enchanted, to say the least. There is no dialogue; there is no need. The feelings conveyed in this majestic piece of animation spark something in my heart, and overwhelm me to this day...
From the first moment the Snowman comes alive, and the fun-filled sneaking around the boy's house while his parents are asleep, to the flying scene where my heart skips a beat, with the only voice heard in the movie, in "Walking on the Air", sung by a young choirboy, conveying the mystical spirit of Winter and the Holiday season.
In this scene, the animation is stupendous, and for a short time, it goes "3d" and impressively convinces us all we are flying around in a sort of "pastel world". I, being an animator myself, give the most likely small studio of animators 10 stars for accomplishing so much with such a simple medium like (colored pencil or pastel).
The song, "Walking on the Air" is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. It's haunting tune is unforgetable.
All in all, when the boy visits Santa Clause, dances with other Snowmen (and Snowwomen too it seems), I feel like a little kid again, at age four, being shown the wonders that can be expressed by human spirit... ...only to be dashed with tears of sadness when the Snowman melts the next morning. It was my first remembered feeling of loss, and is a message that I carry with me to this day. So I wholeheartedly give this movie 10 stars.
Groundhog Day (1993)
Groundhog is the underdog
If I was on some committee, with some award to give, for one of the most enjoyable movies of all time...Groundhog day would take the cake. It is a movie that somehow made me laugh and cry within seconds, and it made want to change things about myself that I never even knew existed until I looked at the life Phil Connors lead. This is a movie I would show to people I love, hoping to share all I feel about it with them. Bill Murray is a genius...as is Harold Ramis. How could this great movie be so underappreciated? The entire concept of this movie is one of the most unique I have ever encountered. But I guess that is how it goes...I for one, am glad I didn't miss it.
The Karate Kid (1984)
No wonder everyone loved it
The Karate Kid is the best...around, and 20 years later, it should not be forgotten. This movie is all about details and symbols, it's not just about fighting the bad guys and getting the girl. It is about a young teenager looking for an easy way out, blaming everything bad that happens to him on everyone else. It's about him finding a friend the last place he would expect, who shows him that to conquer what he fears in the outside world, he has to grow up and learn discipline, put aside the petty back and forth fighting and really stand up for himself.
The seemingly unorthadox way Daniel Laruso learns Karate is wonderful, Mr. Miyagi was a great character whose actor, Pat Morita, should have won an oscar for, and all he put into his role; (the back story about the wife and the internment camp), which inspires Daniel to really find himself, and learn a valuable lesson about life, how to accept that bad things happen, and that he has to learn to balance everything out...not just physically...like the crane kick...once you learn balance, "no can defense". What a great metaphor...but anyway, this is just my take on things...No matter how you take it, I hope you enjoy it, and take the time to let this sleeper hit find it's own place in your life.