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ROTTERDAM: Elaine on this year's fest & Miyazaki's HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE!!!

Miyazaki by Shan	Jan 28th, 2005 07:15:31 AM
By far the most financially successful Japanese director out there. Creatively you can always debate for anyone but most people would say he's one of the top. Nice to see animation done traditionally, or closer to it than full computers is not dead despite what everyone keeps saying.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind by seniormoogle	Jan 28th, 2005 07:23:31 AM
Nausicaa is Miyazakis best. It captures my childhood, smelling of Vanilla Pudding, and dreams. Im excited to see it Howls though.
'Bum Fu' by Elwin	Jan 28th, 2005 07:33:59 AM
Unfortunately, our indie movie didn't get selected for this festival, but we tried anyway! www.b-pro.nl We have some clips online ;) The IFFR is great though, saw tons of excellent movies in the past. I mean; which festival shows a movie called ELECTRIC DRAGON 80.000 VOLTS and invites the director to answer questions from the audience! That's just great!
Mimi wo Sumaseba by Prometeo	Jan 28th, 2005 07:55:10 AM
By my standards, Miyazaki's best... although it's not actually by Miyazaki, it has all his heart, a wonderfull growing up story, some magical moments in an ordinary world and the most funny version of a John Denver song ever put on film (Concrete Road ^_~). A deliciously daily story. ^_^
Just seen 'Howl's Moving Castle'... by workshed	Jan 28th, 2005 08:14:29 AM
It's very long (almost two hours) and doesn't have the momentum of 'The Incredibles' or, for that matter, 'Spirited Away', but this, being Miyazaki, is a trippy visual feast that had me absorbed for it's entire length. 'Calucifer' (for it is his name) makes for one of the most endearing characters in a Miyazaki film so far, as is 'Turnip-Head'. There are several 'blow-your-brain' moments of animation and it all feels like a lot to take in in one viewing. It's consistently full of 'blink and you'll miss it' storytelling and younger children may find it hard to figure out what the hell is going on. As Miyazaki said though in a recent interview, this is a fairy story for 'sixty-year old little girls', and, in this aspect he is entirely successful. As for the animation - well, I'd say it's as beautiful as 'Bambi'. Right at the very top of the tree. I could feel the tears welling up at the sheer beauty of the worlds Miyazaki invites us to share. They reviewer is right in that some of the characters lack depth but by the end of the movie it didn't seem to matter too much as my brain was f*cked. Either way, an unmissable treat and if they can get the English dub right they could have a massive hit again a la 'Spirited Away'. Go see.
Twilight of the Rats by Sabster	Jan 28th, 2005 08:18:42 AM
I know that
it's been playing here for a while (france)... by no-no	Jan 28th, 2005 08:51:45 AM
...and it's the best Miyazaki so far(hopefully there'll be more?). It's just brilliant.
Weren't these same criticism directed at Spirited Away? by Drath	Jan 28th, 2005 08:52:36 AM
I'm surprised to hear Howl's Moving Castle plays slower and longer than Spirited Away because that movie was also criticized for having a slow pace at times and for being too long. I don't mean to sound defensive, just that all Miyazaki's films have had shortcomings that either stick with you or disappear because the whole is better than the sum of its parts. I look forward to seeing this (probably won't get released near me until the Fall), and I hope I'm not annoyed by any of these things. At least I probably won't mind the similarities to his other works, as that's one of the things I love about his films anyway.
Crackin' that whip by Miami Mofo	Jan 28th, 2005 09:12:24 AM
Sorry to hear that you're exhausted, Elaine. May I suggest pancakes for breakfast? The energy they provide will help you get through another whip cracking day. Quick question: Are you Harry's favourite festival reporter because you both have red hair? [Hi Sabs.] Last. ;~)
Just have to say by WizardX	Jan 28th, 2005 09:39:05 AM
Elaine is dead-on right. Rarely have I seen a review on AICN which so perfectly captured my own thoughts about a movie. It's pretty, but incomprehensible, and makes less sense as it goes on. (mainly because Miyazaki never stops to explain anything) Spirited could get away with its fairy tale spirit because you felt like there WERE rules to the world; you just don't know them. There was no such feeling with Howl, it seemed completely random. Also, what really saved Spirited Away from being dull was the wonderful head of steam it builds up, beginning at the point the stink demon arrives, and lasting nearly to the end of the picture. This never happens with Howl. Random events continue to occur until the end, and ultimately, all you can do is lookit de preety peectures because you sure aren't going to understand WHY everything's happening. ... Miyazaki is probably incapable of making a BAD movie, but I'd rank this as one of his lesser efforts.
Twilight of the rats, eh, Sabs? by Elaine	Jan 28th, 2005 10:05:51 AM
Heh. I like that. Very appropriate. Yes, I'll have to add a few snacks to the already substantial supply I promised you a while ago. (Which reminds me: where did you get the Billy Boyd photo that accompanied the present? It's gorgeous. So gorgeous I'm keeping it under my pillow when I go to bed at night. So, er, hannon le for that, too!) ** Miami: Sadly, pancakes for breakfast is not an option, but I assure you I'll have a few spinach-and-cheese crepes for second breakfast or elevensies next time I find myself in Lantaren/Het Venster (one of the festival venues). They usually restore me to my whip-cracking might. As for Harry liking me because of my red hair, why yes, it's all part of the Great Redhead Conspiracy. Although Harry, being Head Geek and all, is obviously a better redder than I. Alas. ** Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to watch some films...
good and bad by darth sars	Jan 28th, 2005 10:19:16 AM
i thought princess mononoke was pretty darn good, but when i saw spirited away couldn't help but wonder when it was going to end... soooooooo slow at times
Porco Rosso by HOUSTON500	Jan 28th, 2005 10:55:30 AM
Miyazaki has never made a better movie than Porco, the very thought of it fills me with delight, and everyone i've shown it to says they love it but found it frustrating that Porco's curse was never explained. My opinion is that its this sort of stuff that makes Miyazaki so special, his stories are epic events rather than sagas. Nausicaa, Laputa and Porco all have huge backstories that are never explained and the audience never find out why the mother is in hospital in My Neighbour Totoro. Myazaki obviously doesn't think the audience needs to know, and I feel it makes his movies a richer experience. Likewise, Lucas explaining the force and how R2 and C3PO were made just ruined it, because he felt the audience needed to know that shit, when really it was this sort of stuff that ruined the SW prequels. Discuss motherfuckers.
AICN is on fire! by CurryIce	Jan 28th, 2005 12:06:31 PM
whow, so many great news on AICN, thx to Sundance and now Rotterdam. oh and btw, great review, Elaine!
Enjoy your spinach-and-kaas crepes, Elaine! by Sabster	Jan 28th, 2005 12:18:05 PM
Btw, do you eat them stacked or separately? :~) [Hi Miami] *** Where did I get the Pippin picture? From a secret place that also had a Boromir one, which is even gorgeouser [and no, you can
Yes, Miami is right about the pancakes Elayne by morGoth	Jan 28th, 2005 12:41:50 PM

Secret society by Gristle	Jan 28th, 2005 01:51:23 PM
Who are you people that keep saying hello to each other?
Strangely enough, it was my pronuniaction of Gotterdammerung tha by mortsleam	Jan 28th, 2005 02:08:58 PM
Unfortunately, I can't sing, or dance, but darn it, I can pronounce Gotterdammerung in a convincing English accent. Hiya, morGoth, Miami, Sabs and Elaine! Very nice opening salvo, Mistress. I'll still see Howl's Moving Castle when or if it ever makes its way to my fair city. It sounds to me to be about in the same league as Laputo: Castle in the Sky. Very beautiful but ultimately uninvolving and somewhat confusing. And yes, Miyazaki does love his abrupt endings. But as you say, the worst Miyazaki is better than almost all other animation. I seem to recall a conversation some time ago about imagining a Miyazaki version of the Silmarillion. I still think it would be a tremendous idea, as long as he allows Alan Lee and John Howe (and maybe even Ted Nasmith) to do some design work. Billy Bob Thornton as Thingol! Can
Hello Gristle by mortsleam	Jan 28th, 2005 02:12:13 PM
Don't ask questions you do not wish to know the answers to.
Regarding Porco by NNNOOO!!!	Jan 28th, 2005 02:13:47 PM
Marco's curse is pretty evident: he did it to himself out of disgust for humanity. That's the point of the story. He's not searching for a cure-- he has to be shown that there's a reason to turn back. God I love this movie.
Yes indeedy Mr. Mort... by Skyway Moaters	Jan 28th, 2005 03:49:48 PM
... if ever there was a case of "be careful what you ask for; you don't want to know" Gristle's inquiry cernly DO fit de profile! Well done my Odobenate friend. Wink wink, nudge nudge, say no MORE! * How do Mistress! I see your festival reviewing skills are once again being honed to their preternatural speed typing, 'super-keen-edginess' once more. What we've come to expect, and no mistake! Keep up the good work M'lady. * Namarie, Trubba Not.
Whatever happened to your omlaught printing skills, my dear mort by Sabster	Jan 28th, 2005 05:19:58 PM
And my teutonic mind boggles at the notion of pronouncing G
Uh oh... by Sabster	Jan 28th, 2005 05:46:43 PM
I just looked him up on imdb.com, and now I know why I
I could lie and say the umlauts disappeared when I posted and bl by mortsleam	Jan 28th, 2005 05:48:33 PM
But the truth is I was in a hurry and couldn't find the "insert umlaut" function. Please pardon my hideous errant punctuation, Sabs, I'm getting it removed on Tuesday. By the way, that was "G
Aw, morty, you know I was just kidding you with the Umlaute, don by Sabster	Jan 28th, 2005 06:19:59 PM
I was dead serious about the Heidi aversion though. *** Great, now I have not only the mental picture of a fairly big sea mammal but also that of Colonel Pickerung enunciating G
hey, if we're gonna play "junior high school" and tell all our i by eraser_x	Jan 28th, 2005 06:40:51 PM
Yo, Sabs, can you honestly tell me you forgot? Forgot the magnetism of Robin Zander, or the charisma of Rick Nielsen?
hi elaine, good to read your review again by eraser_x	Jan 28th, 2005 06:41:43 PM
Since when do you go bowling?
morGoth by eraser_x	Jan 28th, 2005 06:42:32 PM
I'm tellin' ya, mor, if this girl can't smell your qualifications, then who needs her, right?
remember, Mort, by eraser_x	Jan 28th, 2005 06:43:11 PM
You don't talk to her. You use your face. You use your body. You use everything. I mean .. just send out this vibe. Women do respond. I mean, something happens.
Sabster... by morGoth	Jan 28th, 2005 06:45:17 PM
...actually, if I may slightly change Morty Baby's order, I'd start with Kiki's Delivery Service first. I just think it'd go over with you better as an introduction to M's work. But then, why not go straight to Spirited Away, I sez! ** Gotterdammerangit Walrus, I was going to mention that reference when i posted earlier but I plumb forgot it! Gah! The one time...THE ONE TIME...and I blow it. Thus, I depart with no life and nappy haid hung low.
And, Skyway, by eraser_x	Jan 28th, 2005 06:46:15 PM
Learn it. Know it. Live it.
Doah! SCOW find me now! by morGoth	Jan 28th, 2005 06:46:31 PM
I meant "GotterdammerDANGIT," of course! Sheesh...
eraser_x... by morGoth	Jan 28th, 2005 06:47:52 PM
...o yes, she's whiffed ALL of the qualifications...especially... The Whip!
just gettin' into the spirit, since people are vandalizing this by eraser_x	Jan 28th, 2005 06:48:34 PM
Go Miyazaki, woo woo!! ;-)
Oh yes Mr. eraser bloak... by Skyway Moaters	Jan 28th, 2005 08:55:53 PM
... youve fell in with a nasty lot in this here talkit back rite enuff. But no trubba...
Elaine you are a marvel by elanor	Jan 28th, 2005 09:28:38 PM
As busy and tired as you are, and still you produce this superbly written review as well as a snappy and stylish introduction, oozing with personality. Woo hoo! You GO! I think you may be an Maia in disguise.*I'm taking notes this year.*Hullo mellyn. Happy weekend.
That's precisely the kind of review I like to see more of in reg by Kiyone	Jan 29th, 2005 07:06:09 PM
I mean, SPIRITED AWAY was an enjoyable-enough, if overlong and unfocused, children's film I just never could quite into on the level that the critics did because whatever the intangible element in that film was which they were collectively splooging over just missed me completely, and the more "Six stars out of five"-type reviews I read of the film, the less I could enjoy the film for what it was. But I think Miyazaki peaked with the underappreciated KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, which was done before he started taking himself too seriously as an auteur and national treasure, and, as a result, there just aren't the layers of pretentious, artsy subtext, just a straightforward, unambiguous tale of a young girl trying to establish herself and fit in in an unfamiliar city, which is exactly the kind of children's film I can get into.
Now that the green-eyed Mistress' new review has been posted, I by Miami Mofo	Jan 31st, 2005 10:06:29 AM
LAST! ;~)
Wow! Congrats on the LAST... by morGoth	Jan 31st, 2005 05:00:10 PM
...Miami. Man, I wonder what it feels like to be...LAST!
I for one think you are selling "Spirited Away" way short Kiyone by Skyway Moaters	Feb 1st, 2005 11:33:54 AM
Are you certain you aren't confusing "pretentious, artsy subtext" with cultural iconography unfamiliar to your idiom?
I concur, Moats by mortsleam	Feb 2nd, 2005 03:43:36 PM
I for one thought the unfamiliar cultural iconography was a fascinating layer that made the movie even more enjoyable. It didn't make a lick of sense to me (much like certain deeply laid histories in certain non-trilogy three-in-one movies) but it helped to make the movie feel deeper and richer somehow. "Deeply laid" is fast becoming one of my favorite phrases, he says to know one in particular.

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ROTTERDAM: Elaine on this year's fest & Miyazaki's HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE!!!

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