Preview | Movie | Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni Chikai

HIGURASHI NO NAKU KORO NI CHIKAI
Sequel to the Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni live action film, "Chikai" continues the story of the mysterious murder cases in a brand new cycle of time as new mysteries begin to unfold about the small town of Hinamizawa, the terrifying god Oyashiro-sama, and the horrors that befall Keiichi and his friends.

We are in the process of watching this film for the first time; the subbers are half-way through subbing the film and we have only been able to watch the first half, and will hopefully be able to complete the final chapters shortly. Our expectations are high; we like what we see so far!



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Review | Movie | Tokyo Godfathers

TOKYO GODFATHERS : While dumpster diving in Tokyo, three homeless people,
ex-cyclist Gin, transvestite Hana, and teenage runaway Miyuki, discover an
abandoned newborn baby. Hana is convinced it is a Christmas miracle, as she has
always wanted to be a mother, but could never be because she was born male.
Finally, Gin and Miyuki convince Hana that the child must be turned in, and Hana
concludes that, with their help, she will locate the baby's mother and find
out why she abandoned her child.

After becoming enthralled with anime masterpiece Millennium Actress, I decided to look into other Satoshi Kon creations, and happened upon Tokyo Godfathers. Though the simple storyline didn't quite capture me at first, Kon has once again amazed me with another incredible film.

The overall plot is a very simple one at that: Three homeless people find an abandoned baby and plot to turn it in. Adding onto the details, these homeless people have rather interesting backgrounds: Gin is a middle-aged alcoholic who worked as a professional cyclist in his youth, but thanks to "a get-rich-quick scheme" from a rival, he lost a race that would fund bills for his critically-ill daughter, who consequentially died, his wife following soon after. Next in line is Hana, a transvestite who worked as a performer at a gay bar, but fled after attacking a drunk customer for calling her an "old fart". The last, and perhaps the most mysterious of the quirky group, is Miyuki, a teenager afraid to return home. The details of why she is afraid to return are unclear at first, though before the spoilers come in, we do manage to collect that she stabbed her own father when her cat went missing, implying that Miyuki suspected her father got rid of her beloved cat Angel. Her father being a policeman, Miyuki fled out of shame, and possibly to escape severe punishment. The wacky threesome are a comedy troupe all on their own, and it doesn't take long for us to start laughing at their perks.

Being homeless, they make their livings through selling objects they find in the trash, and one night, as Christmas approaches, they stumble upon a newborn baby girl, wrapped in blankets and a key in its person, laying amongst the trash. Hana, overcome with delusions of being a mother, is thrilled, and calls it a "Christmas miracle", that God has brought her a child. Miyuki and Gin, however, try to convince Hana that the child does not belong to her and that it should be turned into the police, in which Hana revolts, telling them that if the mother wanted the child, she would not have abandoned in. After much pressure from Miyuki and Gin, Hana does at last come to terms with the fact that the baby needs its real mother, and decides that instead of merely turning the baby into the police, she will find the baby's mother on her own, so she can ask the mother face-to-face why she abandoned her baby. Using information found in a locker opened with the baby's key, the three set out across Tokyo searching for the parents of "Kiyoko" (a name Hana gave to the child), encountering many hilarious obstacles along the way.

I was extremely impressed at how much comedy and overall enjoyment could come out of such a simple storyline. I was hooked from the minute Hana took up Kiyoko, which is clearly not an unusual side effect from picking up a Satoshi Kon film. Hana is a blast to watch in the film for dishing out the humor at the perfect moments, though all-in-all they are truly The Three Stooges: Individually, they're funny, but together, they're hilarious, and together they make each other shine their brightest.

This film holds a PG-13 rating for "thematic elements, violent images, language and some sexual material", and the sexual material is probably derived from the slight nudity in the film (though this nudity is not depicted sexually.) We see a woman breastfeeding two children (breasts are obvious) and a woman attempts to breastfeed a child but the child does not (the woman's breast and nipple are evident, and furthermore taking up most of the screen.) A transvestite male asks another if his boyfriend died from AIDS. Characters curse throughout the movie, and a transvestite male is called several derogatory names (queer, homo, fa**ot, etc.) We hear a girl stabbed her father, and a woman attempts to commit suicide twice (once while holding a baby), and two homeless men are beaten up by a group of younger men. A man is shot (we later hear he survived) and the shooter hostages a teenage girl and a baby to get away.

Tokyo Godfathers is inches from being slapstick in its comedy, and is a complete pleasure to watch from beginning to end. Anyone who enjoyed Kon's amazing Millennium Actress will not want to miss out on Tokyo Godfathers. I'll definitely be adding this DVD to my collection, and you may very well decide to add it to yours.

Overall Rating:
/ 5

Review | Movie | Kiki's Delivery Service

KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE : At the age 13, aspiring witches leave home to begin
their witch training in a different city. 13-year-old Kiki dreams of living her
new life in a peaceful city near the ocean, and sets off in search of her new
home. She finally discovers a perfect city called Koriko, but upon landing,
faces hardships that make her question if her search is really over. Soon after
her arrival, she is taken in by a kind baker named Osono, who offers Kiki
payment and a place to stay in exchange for her services at the bakery, and
"Kiki's Delivery Service" is launched.

Animation genius Hayao Miyazaki brings a new vision to witches in this charming 1989 children's movie about a 13-year-old girl born to a resident witch who makes healing potions for neighbors. Kiki, a witch-in-training, flies from home to find a use for her abilities as a witch, and finds new friends, a new home, and a new experience to write home about.

Kiki's idea of the fun of growing up is much different from a regular girl's; Kiki's dreams of her future are all written out. She dreams of flying away on the night of a full moon, on a broomstick she created herself, to a city by the ocean, to discover and develop her skill as an individual and as a witch. Hearing on the radio a full moon is set to appear that night, Kiki tells her parents that she's finally ready, and with her friends and family watching, Kiki flies off in search of the perfect city. With her cat sidekick Jiji feeding her cynical advice throughout her journey, Kiki's doubt ultimately comes into play, as she lands in what seems to be the perfect city, and encounters problems also immediately. On top of that, she is seen flying on her broomstick by a now fascinated boy named Tombo, who won't stop following her.

Kiki wanders the city feeling sorry for herself, wondering if there is even a place for her in the beautiful city after all. No sooner does she wonder, the co-owner of a nearby bakery is attempting to gain the attention of a customer who has left her baby's pacifier behind. The co-owner, Osono, is very pregnant, but attempts to run after the woman anyway. Seeing her chance to steps in, Kiki offers to return the pacifier, and the grateful woman watches in amazement as Kiki's flies the pacifier down to the woman, who later compliments Osono's "new delivery girl." A thought strikes the two, and Osono offers Kiki a place to stay in the bakery, as well as payment, in exchange for Kiki's delivery services.

Whether you decide to pick up the English dub or the Japanese dub, you're sure to find a great time in Kiki's Delivery Service. The English dub features such voices such as Kirsten Dunst, Debbie Reynolds and the late Phil Hartman, one of his last films before his death. The Japanese dub, just as spectacular, features anime regulars such as Minani Takayama, who has lent her voice to such series as Sailor Moon, Escaflowne, and Tsubasa: Tokyo Revelations. Another prominent Japanese voice actor is Kappei Yamaguchi, whose films credits are just as vast, playing the title character in InuYasha, Artemis in Sailor Moon, and, most notably, L Lawliet from the Death Note franchise. If you keep your ears open for both dubs, you're sure to hear other familiar voices, as well.

This movie is intended for children, so all material in this movie is suitable for all ages. This movie is overall a great family flick! Any young child is sure to get a kick out of the tiny Jiji and the roles he plays in Kiki's deliveries, including temporarily portraying a stuffed cat of his likeness in place of the toy missing in the woods, and ultimately befriending a large St. Bernard dog. The composition of the movie is excellent and is sure to keep you in tune with what's happening, not just with the film, but with Kiki, as she finds creative ways to deal with the struggles of having a job, becoming a teenager and finding her place in the world. Miyazaki never fails, and if you're a fan, you won't want to miss one of his greatest creations yet.

Overall Rating:
/ 5

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Review | Movie | Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni Live Action

HIGURASHI NO NAKU KORO NI LIVE ACTION : Keiichi Maebara transfers to the small, peaceful town of Hinamizawa, where he befriends four girls in his class; Rena, Rika, Mion and Satoko. His new friends tell him all about the town, including the town's fearsome guardian god Oyashiro-sama, and its fury over any who dare enter its shrine. Keiichi is doubtful of the god's supposed wrath at first, but when he enters Oyashiro-sama's forbidden shrine, he becomes wrapped up in the town's horrible secret, and falls victim to the god's deadly curse.

I haven't yet gotten around to watching the Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni anime, which I probably should have watched prior to seeing the film. I've read so much about the series (including spoilers), I almost feel like it's unnecessary. The highly anticipated live action film of the popular horror series became a little less than highly anticipated once reviews and clips began to roll around. Fans went into an uproar over several missing key points of the original series; specifically, over Mion's twin sister Shion failing to appear in the film. Upon hearing Mion has become an only child for the film, it was boycotted by many. Shion's not the only character to be booted from the script. Such characters as Hanyu, Satoshi (who is merely referenced), and the rest of Mion's powerful family are nowhere to be seen.

We'll begin with the compliments. The film successfully captures the quaint atmosphere of the village of Hinamizawa. Word of Keiichi's arrival, and actions, get around quickly. You can feel the peace of the endless summer in the scenery welcomed to the movie, and yet as beautiful as it is, it maintains the wry, eerie gut feeling of the evil going on behind the scenes in the town.

A perfect blend of special effects are used to keep us tuned in. Nothing over the top, and not too little. Just enough to illustrate Keiichi's mental state of panic and chaos, and the Hinamizawa ladies' simple yet boisterous derangement. The overall set-up of the film gives excellent vibes to fit a horror film, giving off a strange sense of entrapment and peril, and not just for Keiichi, but for the viewer. There were times when I just had to hit pause and run to my kitchen for a refreshment of comfort to remind myself that it's Keiichi trapped, not me. That, to me, was one of the most exciting parts of seeing this film.

Now, onto the criticism: American actors and Japanese actors are very different, because they act in different manners, so it's often hard to tell who could be called a bad actor; An actor considered completely stale in Japan could be extraordinary to an American viewer. Despite that, Keiichi's actor could read as unengaged completely. His temper tantrums appear staged and many of his lines are given as if he is reading off of a script from far away. It's hard to watch him next to our sociopathic village girls, who are nicely fitting for their roles (though their triumphant laughter could have been more psychotic), except when they're diluted by Keiichi's bland disposition. Several Higurashi fans who have gotten a chance to see the film have noted that the producers could have landed a better actor for such a tough role.

I've read up on key points in the original anime series, and many of them could have served the film quite well, but alas, were left out. This may have been an attempt to transition out of Higurashi's typically chaotic atmosphere into a calmer, more psychological feel. Many would agree that due to the great reception the series received for the riotous blood carnival delivered to audiences, the film would hardly live up to its name when placed next to the anime, making the live action adaption seem tepid.

I think it may even be best to start this film before starting the series. A mind oblivious to the original anime may find this film quite enjoyable for its mind games, and can later look to the series for the pandemonium fans have come to expect from any adaption of the hit dojin.

Overall Rating:
/ 5

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Wheel of Fortune (opening theme)

Review | Movie | The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME : Makoto Konno is a typical high schooler
who spends most of her free time playing baseball with her friends Chiaki and
Kousuke. On a day when nothing seems to go her way and everything leads to
disaster, she has an encounter with a mysterious man in the science lab of
school, and is suddenly endowed with the ability to leap through time. As she
goes back to various points in her week to fix the problems she runs into, she
begins to realize the terrible adverse effects that amount from her alteration
of time.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time was very recently released on DVD in America, and was shown on several college campuses across the United States. Upon discovering an advertisement on an anime website about the movie, I decided to have a sit-down and watch the film.

Even though it was not a big box office smash, through kudos from viewers and film critics, "Toki o Kakeru Shōjo" soon soared to large heights and did considerably well thereafter, despite not being advertised as much as other 2006 anime features.

The movie begins simply and paces simply, but once Makoto's run-in with a shadowed figure in the science lab sends her flying onto a strange nutshell, the time debate begins. Makoto's most trusted adult figure appears to be her aunt Kazuko, who instead of brushing off Makoto's time-leaping dilemma, actually becomes the one who suggests Makoto's experience was a genuine journey through the fabrics of time. At first Makoto thinks this impossible and denounces it, but once she begins to take literal leaps that would otherwise severely injure her, she discovers she can really travel to any time she wants. And how do you reckon a tardy, accident-prone girl with bad grades use a time-bending power?

Naturally, this is all working out quite well. All of Makoto's accidents are instantly fixed, and she is not above hooking her guy friends Chiaki and Kousuke up with girls who watch them from afar. She doesn't mind bragging a little about it to her aunt, either. Her aunt's speculation, however, turns out to be a true one: You can't just one piece of the timeline; if one thing changes, everything changes. Makoto soon realizes this the hard way; to avoid her cooking accident, she switched with a classmate who ended up having the accident instead of her, and this earned her classmate school bullies that mocked him for destroying the kitchen. The next problem? The battered boy wants his revenge, beginning with the girl who made him switch with her in class.

Her relationships with her school friends are tested, and some sparks even fly, but Makoto is determined to fix everything. Despite her attempts, a wrench is thrown in by her new discovery: She can only leap for a certain amount of times before her ability goes away forever.

This movie tells a great story and pulls its weight at a great pace. Makoto's comedy turns to drama as time unfolds itself and Makoto begins to question the source of her ability. The reviews were definitely correct about this one, and the awards were well deserved.

Parents should feel fine about showing this to their kids, although it doesn't contain elements that may interest very young kids. This may be a movie for the middle schoolers of your family and older.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is beautifully put together and plays out the fable of how every drug has its side effect in a lively, humorous and touching way. This one is unquestionably going to my anime collection, and I think it'll make a great addition to yours, too.

Overall Rating:
/ 5

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Review | Movie | My Neighbor Totoro

MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO : 10-year-old Satsuki and 4-year-old Mei move into a new house with their father to be closer to their sick mother being treated in a
nearby hospital. There's plenty of room at their new house to explore in the
woods, and when Mei's exploring sends her tumbling into the home of a large tree
spirit called Totoro, Satsuki and Mei immediately befriend the large rabbit-like
creature.

Miyazaki's at it again with this children's masterpiece that has been properly recognized with several awards. This film is quite well known, depending on how deeply the person you ask is in the anime loop. I've met some, however, that didn't watch anime at all that loved My Neighbor Totoro, one not even being a fan of animation at all and still calling it "one of the greatest movies of all time." After pausing to enjoy this short but engaging film, I can't argue with that.

If you stop by the movie store to pick up the English dub, keep your ears open for the voices of the Fanning sisters Dakota and Elle, dubbing for Satsuki and Mei. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled as well for cameo appearances by the soot gremlins we've come to love from the nationally acclaimed Miyazaki hit Spirited Away; though they're not a labor force this time, there's as much curiosity from this film's characters as there was in Spirited Away. No one can seem to take their eyes off the big flying balls of soot for some strange reason!

Soon afterwards, while Satsuki's at school, Mei begins to wander her new backyard following a trail of dropped acorns. Finally, once it's become clear who - or what - had been dropping the acorns, Mei finds herself underneath the trunk of a tree, napping on the stomach of a colossal rabbit-like tree spirit. The sleepy, large-mouthed rabbit, after being mistaken by Mei for a giant soot gremlin, roars his name to the girl, and the adventure begins.

Does the image of Totoro seem nostalgic? If you've seen any other Miyazaki creations, you may remember Studio Ghibli's brief credit at the beginning of the film, which sports the outline of a large Totoro accompanied by the Studio Ghibli logo. If you ever wondered what that strange bunny was, you'll at last get to see him in action in this classic 1988 anime that kids will love.

No questionable material is found in this movie, so I encourage everyone to take 70 minutes to sit down and enjoy the charming tale of the tree spirits that befriend two small girls. In almost all of Miyazaki's films, nature and its relations play a major part, such as the war over the protection of a large forest in Princess Mononoke, and the haunting consequences of man destroying the planet in the futuristic story of Nausicaa Of The Valley Of The Wind.

If you enjoyed the similar tale of Pom Poko, another Studio Ghibli creation, you won't want to miss this fantastic movie.

Overall Rating:
/ 5

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Review | Movie | Honey and Clover Live Action

HONEY AND CLOVER LIVE ACTION : Live action adaption of the
popular anime series. Yuta Takemoto, Shinobu Morita and Takumi Mayama are three college men who live in the same apartment complex within walking distance of the art college they all attend. When their teacher, Shuji Hanamoto,
returns from out of town with his cousin's daughter Hagumi, the tiny college
girl 'Hagu', through her cultivating artwork and exceptional kindness,
begins to change lives of the people around her.

I began watching this shortly after finishing the second season of the anime, I was lucky to find it after it was licensed on CrunchyRoll. It was amusing to see the actors they cast in the roles. Though Hagu isn't short enough to be made fun of like she was in the anime, she was still fun to watch.

This live action remake is definitely one that the Honey and Clover fans should be sure to check out. The film does not cover the second season, however, instead ending at the same place the first season did. As far as Takemoto's self-discovery, I was a little disappointed to discover that during his sleep time at the temple, he did not encounter any eccentric builders itching for a decent meal. One of the highlights of the series for me were the temple restoration workers commending Takemoto's fierce cooking skills and being grateful enough to call him one of their own. Instead, all Takemoto encounters before gloomily riding away is one lone construction worker who barely talks to him and dismisses him as a "pest." He shows up later offering Takemoto a ride in his truck, but that's about all we're able to get out of these cheerful, happy-go-lucky characters that sweetened the load in the anime.

In the end, we do get a couple gut-busting cameo roles from the unusually-named gallery owners Mario and Luigi Fujiwara, who never cease to wear shirts that boast their abdomens and pants that cling to whatever figure they may have had before the pounds packed on. They are as entertaining to watch as their hilarious take on Japanese introductory bowing when they meet visitors of their art show.

I think this movie is absolutely fine for kids to watch as far as content, and if they're able to pick up on the story, I think it's a great watch. The only content that may be concerning is the fact that nude statues are shown several times (as the movie takes place at an art school), and a man flashes his middle finger at a camera, though this is done from a distance and can hardly be made out. I'll definitely be rewatching this movie in the near future. Honey and Clover fans should enjoy this one very much. I'm very impressed.

Overall Rating:
/ 5

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Review | Movie | Panda Go Panda

PANDA! GO PANDA! : When her grandmother and primary caregiver
goes out of town, 7-year-old Mimiko lives alone in her small town and gets two
unlikely visitors to her little house: A huge panda and his tiny son. Mimiko
befriends the two and they become Mama, Papa and Son, and have adventures big and small, from circuses to picnics.

One of the only animes I've seen with no objectionable material for young children, Panda! Go Panda! is yet another fantastic creation by the renowned Hayao Miyazaki, known best for his stunning storyboards and hit films which bring in awards like moths to a flame. One of his earliest works is "Panda Kopanda", which is definitely one to bring homes to the kids.

The only thing there is to worry about from Panda! Go Panda! is the lovable Papa Panda's pipe which he later coats with his signature use of "nice" and commenting on how "tobacco is nice, too." He is never, however, shown to be under any influence by it. Papa Panda commonly calls things he enjoys or approves of nice. Children will adore this huge panda and his tiny son, and should get a great treat out of his large, toothy grins, reminiscent of the large rabbit-like tree spirit from Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro.

The films is put into two different parts, Panda! Go Panda! Family and Panda! Go Panda! Rainy Day Circus. Rainy Day Circus is the continuation of the first film (not so much a sequel as it is a second half), and in this film we meet a small runaway baby tiger who has fled the circus and is discovered in Baby Panda's bed. The young tiger is immediately befriended with open arms by the family, which because if its inclusion of a gigantic, over-eating panda accidentally scares away two circus staff members who come to Mimiko's house looking for "Tiny the Tiger". This somewhat disappoints Mimiko, who wanted to invite "her first burglars" to join them for dinner.

Mimiko and her animal companions are always smiling, even after heavy rain floods their house and drives them to the second level of Mimiko's house. Papa Panda's only comment on the sheeted rain is the fact that "rain is very good for bamboo." And bamboo is nice!

Panda! Go Panda is a charming and adorable watch that will thrill children, and even adults, looking for a heavy dose of something warm and fuzzy, so don't miss Miyazaki's clever sugar-coated panda family that will leave you shouting "Go Panda!"

Overall Rating:
/ 5

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