Miscellaneous Movie Musings

[Alex]

Porco Rosso is also in my top 2 (mood changes it from day to day) with Spirited Away battling for supremacy.

[Not Afraid]

Totoro is pretty high up there for me. It makes me smile.

[Not Afraid]

I saw The Constant Gardner last night. Hmmmm. Not a great film at all, but it's always nice to see a bit of Ralph.

[Ponine]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

I saw The Constant Gardner last night. Hmmmm. Not a great film at all, but it's always nice to see a bit of Ralph.

soooooooooooooooo depressing in my book.

(yeah, I know that wasnt a very intellectual response.)

I watched Keeping Up With the Steins this weekend.
Meh.. could have had more filler. I loved Grandpa, and any issues I had with the fild were redeemed when Neil Diamond sang.

[Alex]

Wow, I had to go back and read my MousePlanet review to remember what I thought of Keeping Up with the Steins. Turns out I didn't much care for it.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by Chernabog

Wow... Those are my bottom two Studio Ghibli films. Actually, I really really hate Music of the Heart -- the only redeeming thing was the Engrish singing of "Country Roads" that I used to sing at top volume, which would drive my roommate nuts.

Contly load! Take me home! To the prace! I berong!

Besides that, oh my god I have never seen a more boring or pointless anime in my life. What about it did you find good, I'm curious?

Porco Rosso was cute, but it would have been better

Spoiler:

if the plot went in the direction of explaining the pig issue.

I saw it, and sorta went... wha? That's it?!? Meh.

My favorite is still Princess Mononoke, with Spirited Away a very close second.

Hmm, I loved Spirited Away, but Princess Mononoke came across as bloated, despite being visually stimulating. And the story in Howl's Moving Castle, again - visually stunning - was better served by the book.

What I loved about Music of the Heart was the simplicity of the story, the simple and lovely friendship/romance, the clock. It was a realist based Ghibli film that contains element of the fantastical, which was a nice change from some of their other films. It just moved me. And I adored the song, as well.

[libraryvixen]

I plan on taking B to see "August Rush" tomorrow. She loves Freddie Highmore. Personally... if she wants to see AR over Fred Claus or our TiVoed High School Musical 2, then it's totally fair game!

[innerSpaceman]

Wow, and I was so disappointed in the "Howl" book. At least after seeing the movie. Don't know how I would have reacted had it been the other way around.

I dont' find Princess Mononoke overblown either. It's one of my absolute faves. It's very self-serious, but I'm glad it doesn't take a mocking tone. Most other Miyazaki films have a lighter touch. But I really like this one for playing it straight.

[Ponine]

Originally Posted by Alex

Wow, I had to go back and read my MousePlanet review to remember what I thought of Keeping Up with the Steins. Turns out I didn't much care for it.

If you are considering taking your kids, it does earn the PG-13 rating with the nudity mentioned above, some very mild sexuality, some cursing (though none that really stuck with me), and a scene in which a bunch of 13-year-olds do something that won't be legal for another eight years.

THAT paragraph alone, cracked me up. And I agree. I know they cursed, because my son said, they didnt "bleep" him! Well, no, dear, not in movies.
But I had no idea what they said.

And truly, I agree, the film wrapped up in a hurry. A slam bang to the end. But I did rewind to hear Mr. Diamond a second time.

[Ponine]

Amazing Grace

I went into this movie not expecting much, I was pleasantly suprised.
I never knew much about abolition of the slaqve trade in Europe, and really, I still dont.
Nor do I know much about parliment.

Regardless, I loved these men, I wanted to know how their story ended.
Ioan Grufford, what a nice change from the Fantastic Four. Having never seen Horation Hornblower, I was not aware of his talents.

Benedict Cumberbatch, I have never seen him, I want to see more. I want to know more about his character.... I could go on.

Youssou N'Dour, didnt say much, but impressed me none the less.

Michael Gambon, Toby Jones, Ciaran Hinds, Rufus Sewell, and Albert Finney all turned in performances worthy of their stations.

Being a fan of historical fiction, I wanted to know more, and I wish I had seen more of these men, and known where they truly stood.

The costumes were beautiful. Elegent, and understated as they should have been for the time. The scenes were dressed beautifully.

And the very end... a good bagpiper is worth their weight in gold.