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cyranoThe films we're going to cover here are a bit different; there may be some whiplash, so make sure you're wearing protective gear. Don't worry, the second one is pretty short.
The first film has had a rough and interesting history. Nina Paley, the creator of "Sita Sings the Blues", ran afoul of the complicated copyright laws in the US and in foreign markets with her use of songs by 1920s jazz singer Annette Hanshaw. It's available under Creative Commons in a lot of different places including Netflix. I was given this film years ago and have finally gotten to see it. I may be hit for taking so long.
The animation is simple cut out style, like South Park but more elegant and involved. The storyline is a retelling of the Ramayana paired with a more abbreviated modern storyline that runs parallel. Neither went exactly where I expected, both were very satisfying.
The Hanshaw musical numbers were complementary and fun to watch; her... habit, schtick, whatever... of letting us know at the end of each song that she was finished by telling us "That's all!" was a little annoying but led to one of the funniest bits in the show. The more traditional music, updated with a dance beat, is relaxing and invigorating at the same time. The three narrators who work their way through the film chaotically explaining the goings on were delightful and amusing, although in my copy their volume was a bit low and so I missed a bit of it. I may watch again with headphones just for that.
This is a charming film, right down to the intermission, although there is a bit just after the intermission where the tone changes dramatically. I admit that I was a little disappointed when the second act didn't follow that lead. As it is, the bit ends up being a little disturbing (in an effective way), a little jarring, but nearly works in my mind.
All in all, four wags.
And I also saw the latest Godzilla film that I know of (2014), the American production with Juliette Binoche and that guy from Breaking Bad. I went into it with some trepidation, having heard mixed reviews, but one strain was that this was a return to the original film and less the kaiju that features monster on monster action. And they were right. This film is... majestic, I guess is a good word, and I confess to delightedly shouting "He's come to save us!" at one point.
Three wags and just a little childish glee.
The first film has had a rough and interesting history. Nina Paley, the creator of "Sita Sings the Blues", ran afoul of the complicated copyright laws in the US and in foreign markets with her use of songs by 1920s jazz singer Annette Hanshaw. It's available under Creative Commons in a lot of different places including Netflix. I was given this film years ago and have finally gotten to see it. I may be hit for taking so long.
The animation is simple cut out style, like South Park but more elegant and involved. The storyline is a retelling of the Ramayana paired with a more abbreviated modern storyline that runs parallel. Neither went exactly where I expected, both were very satisfying.
The Hanshaw musical numbers were complementary and fun to watch; her... habit, schtick, whatever... of letting us know at the end of each song that she was finished by telling us "That's all!" was a little annoying but led to one of the funniest bits in the show. The more traditional music, updated with a dance beat, is relaxing and invigorating at the same time. The three narrators who work their way through the film chaotically explaining the goings on were delightful and amusing, although in my copy their volume was a bit low and so I missed a bit of it. I may watch again with headphones just for that.
This is a charming film, right down to the intermission, although there is a bit just after the intermission where the tone changes dramatically. I admit that I was a little disappointed when the second act didn't follow that lead. As it is, the bit ends up being a little disturbing (in an effective way), a little jarring, but nearly works in my mind.
All in all, four wags.
And I also saw the latest Godzilla film that I know of (2014), the American production with Juliette Binoche and that guy from Breaking Bad. I went into it with some trepidation, having heard mixed reviews, but one strain was that this was a return to the original film and less the kaiju that features monster on monster action. And they were right. This film is... majestic, I guess is a good word, and I confess to delightedly shouting "He's come to save us!" at one point.
Three wags and just a little childish glee.