Howl's Moving Castle is an animated film by Hayao Miyazaki loosely based on a novel by Diana Wynne Jones. I'm not sure if I would classify it as "anime," exactly--the character style is distinctly Japanese, but the setting is European and the "physics of representation" are more consistent and realistic than in the mainstream manga-influenced anime you see on T.V. In any event, the characters and story are superb, the magic and fantasy elements are economical and wonderfully familiar-yet-strange, and the music is good too. It's nice to see a children's movie that contains no trace of Hollywood's signature media self-referentiality and movie star hype. Best of all, there's no Rascal fucking Flatts or Bare Naked Ladies in the soundtrack.
RATING: 90%
(Image from www.xjaymanx.com.)
Rascal is kind of a funny name for a pig but who in their right mind would name their child "Flatts"?
ReplyDeleteAlso, a hot Japanese student accosted me in Starve Easy. I couldn't think of a single food (other than maple syrup) that would be a Canadian gift for her to send home to Osaka. Ketchup chips maybe?
ReplyDeleteThat cheese that tastes like a decomposing cow's anus couldn't possibly get any worse on the long trip across the Pacific.
ReplyDeleteAlso, dulse. Japs like seaweed, but I wonder if they have it over there.
i want to watch this movie but im afraid there wont be enough tentacle rape for me
ReplyDeleteMore of a plant-rape guy myself. Alien rape OK, demon-rape so-so, monster-rape whatevs.
ReplyDeleteNo sex w/ foreigners, though. That shit causes HIV.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great movie. I wasn't expecting Billy Crystal or Christian Bale.
ReplyDeleteThe hopping broom was funny. I like Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke better, though. Did anybody see his new one?
ReplyDeleteHey Glenn, do you remember when we went to see this with Mike D in Tallahassee. Ah memories. I saw the new one, and I guess I'll review it and shit.
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