Sep
24
Netflix #42 - Spirited Away - Suggested by Minh, Nicky, Brian, Steven, and The Infamous Dr. Para
I wanted to see this for such a long time since I’ve heard such amazing things about it everywhere. And look at all the people that recommended it! But I have to say that I was disappointed. The animation was spectacular, and the character designs were all incredible. But the story just did nothing for me. Maybe I was just expecting the wrong thing? But I thought there was going to be a grand magical adventure through new and exciting worlds! But instead, it all took place in a bathhouse. And not one of those sexy bathhouses either. Just a regular bathhouse. With lots of soap and water, and not much excitement. I did however adore the cute little soot-balls and if anyone happens to have one I could keep as a pet, I would be very grateful. Thanks.
Netflix #43 - Gone Baby Gone - Suggested by Nicky and Tam
This was a great movie. I’ve never seen anything with Casey Affleck in it before, but he was fantastic. As was Michelle Monaghan, who’s movies (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Mission Impossible 3, hopefully Eagle Eye!) I always seem to enjoy, even though I’m not sure how much of it has to do with her, because her roles are never anything ground-breaking, but I enjoy her nonetheless. Oh, and Amy Ryan totally deserved her Oscar nomination for this, because even though her character was less than savory, she really pulled it off. The story was a downer, but kept me guessing, and even though the ending was a mix of emotions, I was left satisfied. It’s definitely worth renting if you haven’t seen it!
Keep your recommendations coming!
September 24th, 2008 at 7:54 am
Spirited Away wasn’t awful, but it definitely wasn’t good. I totally agree with you. It was at times unpleasantly disturbing, slow as a tortoise in winter, and just plain dull. True, the animation was nice, but certainly not groundbreaking. I’m still not sure how I managed to sit through the whole thing. I saw it because of all the massive accolades it was getting from both press and friends. I still get finger-wagged for not liking it.
(does it totally discredit my animatory stance when I say I can’t wait for Bolt to hit theaters?)
September 24th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Mom, Nicolle and Tim all loved Gone Baby Gone. I was in the minority, hating it. Sorry! Everyone just seemed too scumy.
But I do agree that Casey Affleck was very good. He’s also excellent in The Assassination of Jesse James. I’m not a big fan of westerns but the acting in that movie made it worth watching.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Hmmm, well it’s definitely no Disney flick containing all the overtly pretty animation, morals, etc but something always draws me into the movie. Perhaps because I’m motivated to love things that are quirky (The Rocky Horror Picture Show is my favorite movie ever,) something about that movie just tugs at that borderline man child buried deep in me.
Anyway, for more recommendations, best things I’ve seen recently were Elizabeth: The Golden Age (my little gay circle is running around quoting that at ever turn) and Ms. Pettigrew Lives For A Day (hilarious, predictable but entertaining, and British!)
As for my pick for absurd, weird, but pretty and I totally enjoyed it and is probably an acquired taste, The Fall.
It was cool of you to take the rec into consideration though and I’ll toss anything that seems to come my way as I chug along.
Have a good one sir :).
September 24th, 2008 at 8:16 am
The Infamous Dr. Para: I love both of the Elizabeth movies, and The Fall is currently waitng for me at home. Hoepfully I’ll get a chance to watch it this weekend.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:39 am
You should check out the book Gone Baby Gone by Dennis Lehane. He has a whole series with those characters, and they’re very good. And to the person who thinks that everyone was too scummy - that’s the point. This is supposed to be a dirty, broken down part of town.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Michelle/Avitable: I always seem to have a love/hate relationship with movies with all nasty characters. Sometimes I can still enjoy it like Gone Baby Gone, and other times I absolutely hate it like Crash. I guess it just depends on the rest of the movie.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:51 am
Woohoo. I’m mentioned in a post. Wow.
I read the book that Avitable mentioned first, in French though, long story. Anyway, the movie missed out on so much that in the book made more sense and the book was way more graphic and disturbing than the movie I thought, but I think considering movies always have to cut so much they did a pretty good job without completely destroying the story and managed to keep it fairly clear. I thought Casey Affleck was brilliant. Glad you enjoyed it.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Casey Affleck is yummy. The intelligent Affleck; the one who doesn’t look and act like a Frat Boy.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:43 am
I’m trying not to foam at the mouth here, but Spirited Away was *amazing*. I will admit to several of the criticisms here and that it may be an acquired taste, but I stand by my assessment of its greatness.
Miyazaki’s films are beautifully animated (the flying sequences in Kiki’s Delivery Service and Porco Roso stand out as well as most of Spirited Away) and they generally deal with themes of personal growth of the main characters. The most significant criticism that I will admit is fully accurate is that his movies can be a little slow.
Craig: Ordinary bath house? How many bath houses do you know with Frog attendants? Give “The Cat Returns” a try. It is a great representation of his work and it moves a little more quickly.
Gone Baby Gone was fantastic. I still can’t believe it actually made me develop some respect for Ben (because, like Bossy, I think he is a total frat boy). I highly recommend Shutter Island, it’s a great book.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:47 am
I have to disagree with Spirited Away. I thought it was one of the best animated films I’ve ever seen. The fact that Chihiro solves all her problems with kindness and respect and never once resorts to screaming, whining or violence is a testiment to Miyazaki’s skills as a writer and an artist.
However, if you’d like something a bit more magical then you simply HAVE to see Howl’s Moving Castle. I loved that one as much.
Now if we can get Miyazaki’s new film that opened in Japan this July sometime before 2015 then I’ll be a happy camper.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:50 am
I’ve always had the unpopular opinion that Miyazaki’s films are overblown and very trite.
I can relate it to a comic book opinion. I have friends who will buy a comic book because of the artist, even if the story is pedantic. I don’t care as much about the art as long as I can tell what’s going on. If it has a good story, I’d enjoy it.
It’s the same way with animation for me, and I have yet to find anything redeeming in Miyazaki’s work.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:52 am
John: I hate to spoil things, but The Cat Returns wasn’t Miyazaki. It was done by one of his proteges, Hiroyuki Morita.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Howard: D’oh! I stand corrected! Still a good movie and worth seeing. I love your point about Chihiro. I will also second your recommendation of Howl’s Moving Castle.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I’m willing to give Howl’s Moving Castle a try. But, um, does, like, anything happen during it?
September 24th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Avitable: I’m with you on that one, bro. One of my designers here at work and I were saying the exact same thing — we have friends that are *so* into Miyazaki that they think the work is worthy before they even warm the seat of the theater (or couch, as the case may be).
September 24th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Dave S: Did you seriously just use the word “bro”?
September 24th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Uh, yeah. Sorry. I almost used “dude” — but “bro” just kinda ended up coming out of my fingers…
September 24th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Well, Dave S, at least you didn’t say “brahe”.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Totally unrelated to this post but whats the site where you associate grapics to your email so that when you post comments on blogs it puts up your pic? I’ve used it before but now i cant remember where to go for the life of me.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:32 am
GoKitty: Gravatar, maybe? That’s what I use.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Do I sense some “bromance” going on? I say “dude” all the time.
I also feel a need to say that while I have a great love and respect for his work, I do judge each piece on its own merit. I’m the first to admit that Kiki’s Delivery service is very boring and that My Neighbor Totoro has some slow points too.
Craig: Yes, things happen in Howl’s. You could try Nausicaa Valley of the Wind or Princess Mononoke, but I don’t think they are as accessible as Howl’s.
GoKitty: Aww, don’t change, Hello Kitty is great.
September 24th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Woah! TWO movies I recommended! Good job.
I liked Howl’s Moving Castle as well, but it was more… linear than Spirited Away… but I guess you like that.
And I’m so glad you liked GBG, as it is def amazing. How did you feel about the ending?! What would you have done?! (I ask everyone that question after they see it).
And yeah, Amy Ryan was spectacular!
September 24th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Nicky: I think I would have left the child where she was. I think any psychological damage caused by that could have been more easily fixed (a little therapy with parents who could afford it) than what would ultimately happen to the child living in her home environment. Probably the morally “wrong” answer.
September 24th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I didn’t think Spirited Away was all that great, but it was still really charming for what it was. While on animation, you should check out Millennium Actress; it’s a bit surreal but a really emotional retelling of an actress’ career from start to finish. It’s definitely one of my favorite animated movies.
September 24th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Dave S: Yes! that was it. thanks!
I’m not particularly a fan of anime. Not that I dislike it but I’ve had minimal exposure to it. I did enjoy Spirited Away but I also felt like I missed something from all the reviews and good press it got. I think the only anime I’ve really liked was Vampire Hunter D. Does liking the Matthew Sweet video’s count as anime?
September 24th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
GoKitty: I’m not sure. But I sure hope Britney Spears’ “Break the Ice” video counts because I loved that video!
September 24th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
I kinda agree about Spirited Away, The story was great up until the end when everything just kinda wrapped itself up in two minutes. I hate it when movies do that lazy ending crap.
But I recommend Oldboy, the best movie I’ve seen since No Country for Old Men.
September 24th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
YAY! A Britney Spears comment from Craig!! I’m happy.
BUT Craig, why didn’t you answer me?!
WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?!
September 24th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I thought the acting in Gone Baby Gone was great, but that ending! Sheesh. Pure Hollywood contrivance.
September 24th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Sorry Nicky! Such a hard choice, but I would have taken her back to her mom. You?
September 24th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I saw Spirited Away a few years ago. I don’t recall much of the movie, so I suppose it did not have a great impact on me. I seem to recall that I may have been distracted while watching it, so I may not have given it a fair chance.
I would like to recommend Manhunter (1986) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manhunter_(film) . It is based on the Thomas Harris novel Red Dragon. I think it is a great psychological thriller. My favorite thing about it is the emotive music. It is best to temporarily forget about all the popular Hanibal Lector movies and books, and focus on appreciating this movie in its own context for the story it tells and the emotions it conveys. I liked it much better than the more recent remake called Red Dragon. I liked the William Peterson character much better than the Ed Norton character. I think that Norton came off as too twerpy in that roll. If you need further persuasion I have a blog post planned about this movie that will highlight the music.
September 24th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Yeah, I would have taken her back too. I love the inclusion of the last scene (where Casey Affleck is asked to babysit) cause it makes those of us who say she belongs with her real mom to think it through more.
So I’m thinking we sort of have similar movie taste…
September 28th, 2008 at 6:07 am
yeah my love of Spirited Away was sort of the same as Dr. Para, and yes im a fan of rocky Horror.
Like i have been suggesting: Death at a Funeral is hilarious, British humor that is at the top of its game.
Rat Race, another really funny movie and it keeps getting better each time I watch it.
If you are looking for some blood and guts that isn’t that intense, as in Saw or any other torture porn flick, for Halloween I highly recommend Sweeney Todd. Great adaption of the musical, you will be laughing as you are cringing.
If you want no blood and guts for Halloween, then stick to Rocky Horror Picture Show. Transexuals, aliens, Fey Rey, and lips whirled together for a twisted time at the movies.
If you are looking for a basic drama go with There Will Be Blood. Ending is a bit weird, but never the less great movie.
BTW you might have seen Casey as one of the, Molloy Brothers, in the Ocean’s trilogy, which is also a good three nights at the moves, although the 2nd one kinda sucks. lol
October 7th, 2008 at 5:21 am
[…] were you expecting the same fanfare Dr. Para? Because you’re not getting it. I’ve already reviewed one of your recommendations and I only did it for ScottieC because he kept crying that I never watched any of his […]