Comments on: The Best Films of All Time http://nicolathinks.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/the-best-films-of-all-time/ I Review Things. Harshly. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:58:07 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Canadian Cinephile http://nicolathinks.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/the-best-films-of-all-time/#comment-131 Canadian Cinephile Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:32:10 +0000 http://nicolathinks.wordpress.com/?p=96#comment-131 Yep, Grave of the Fireflies is a Ghibli. It's by Isao Takahata, who also did My Neighbors the Yamadas and Pom Poko. I think he's every bit as good as Miyazaki in some ways. Anyways, Grave of the Fireflies is honestly as powerful a movie as Schindler's List. If you don't cry during the last few frames, you're not human. Agreed on the performances in Schindler's List. They've actually still stayed with me and that was a movie that made me a Liam Neeson fan for life. I also remember being fascinated with Spielberg's whole idea of the "red dress" and its significance on this sea of black and white. It's maybe the only historical motion picture I can handle from Spielberg, as his other efforts just aren't that good and always seem to overreach. I WILL watch it soon and review it with fresh eyes. Now, in terms of other Studio Ghibli films, I'd say go with: Porco Rosso (a very interesting, adult movie that seems ridiculous but somehow works) Only Yesterday (this is another Takahata film and it's an interesting one, very dramatic and straightforward...doesn't feel like it should be animated but it is...it's unique) Kiki's Delivery Service (just plain fun) Along with Ghibli, I would say that you need to look into Satoshi Kon. He is, for my money, one of the best filmmakers in anime going at the moment. Check out Tokyo Godfathers and Millennium Actress. I have reviews up on my site for both films. See them. Incidentally, Miyazaki also has a new one out, 2008's Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. I haven't seen it yet, but am looking for a copy. I'll let you know how it goes. :) Yep, Grave of the Fireflies is a Ghibli. It’s by Isao Takahata, who also did My Neighbors the Yamadas and Pom Poko. I think he’s every bit as good as Miyazaki in some ways. Anyways, Grave of the Fireflies is honestly as powerful a movie as Schindler’s List. If you don’t cry during the last few frames, you’re not human.

Agreed on the performances in Schindler’s List. They’ve actually still stayed with me and that was a movie that made me a Liam Neeson fan for life. I also remember being fascinated with Spielberg’s whole idea of the “red dress” and its significance on this sea of black and white. It’s maybe the only historical motion picture I can handle from Spielberg, as his other efforts just aren’t that good and always seem to overreach. I WILL watch it soon and review it with fresh eyes.

Now, in terms of other Studio Ghibli films, I’d say go with:

Porco Rosso (a very interesting, adult movie that seems ridiculous but somehow works)

Only Yesterday (this is another Takahata film and it’s an interesting one, very dramatic and straightforward…doesn’t feel like it should be animated but it is…it’s unique)

Kiki’s Delivery Service (just plain fun)

Along with Ghibli, I would say that you need to look into Satoshi Kon. He is, for my money, one of the best filmmakers in anime going at the moment. Check out Tokyo Godfathers and Millennium Actress. I have reviews up on my site for both films. See them.

Incidentally, Miyazaki also has a new one out, 2008’s Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea. I haven’t seen it yet, but am looking for a copy. I’ll let you know how it goes.

:)

]]> By: Nicola http://nicolathinks.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/the-best-films-of-all-time/#comment-127 Nicola Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:30:29 +0000 http://nicolathinks.wordpress.com/?p=96#comment-127 Ah, thanks. Schindler's List must have made a massive impression on you if you saw it when you were so young! I remember watching 'The Basketball Diaries' when I was only 12 (for Leonardo DiCaprio, you know. *roll eyes*) and I was put off drugs for life. That film really stayed with me; I am just disgusted by drugs - never tried them, or cigerettes, and I do not drink either. I think Schindler's List may be worth another viewing through the eyes of an adult? I think if you watch it through the eyes of a film-maker, it becomes easier to watch. Yes, the topic is tough, but it's such a beautifully made film. And the performances? Wow. Just wow. There's a scene where Fiennes says 'Look at me,' and he looks straight into the camera for a few seconds. I was terrified. As to Miyazaki - I've seen 'Spirited Away', 'Princess Mononoke', 'My Neighbour Toroto', 'Nausicaa: The Valley of the Wind' and 'Howl's Moving Castle'. What others would you recommend in particular? I have to select carefully because of lack of funds! ;) Grave of the Fireflys (or a title like that; precision eludes me) has been recommended to me. I don't think it is Miyazaki, but it's from Studio Ghibli. I agree about The Fifth Element. Creativity wise it's really quite stunning, but it also has a lot of standard Hollywood clichés thrown in. But it's so entertaining, I forgive it. Just this once, mind! Ah, thanks. Schindler’s List must have made a massive impression on you if you saw it when you were so young! I remember watching ‘The Basketball Diaries’ when I was only 12 (for Leonardo DiCaprio, you know. *roll eyes*) and I was put off drugs for life. That film really stayed with me; I am just disgusted by drugs – never tried them, or cigerettes, and I do not drink either.

I think Schindler’s List may be worth another viewing through the eyes of an adult? I think if you watch it through the eyes of a film-maker, it becomes easier to watch. Yes, the topic is tough, but it’s such a beautifully made film. And the performances? Wow. Just wow. There’s a scene where Fiennes says ‘Look at me,’ and he looks straight into the camera for a few seconds. I was terrified.

As to Miyazaki – I’ve seen ‘Spirited Away’, ‘Princess Mononoke’, ‘My Neighbour Toroto’, ‘Nausicaa: The Valley of the Wind’ and ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’. What others would you recommend in particular? I have to select carefully because of lack of funds! ;) Grave of the Fireflys (or a title like that; precision eludes me) has been recommended to me. I don’t think it is Miyazaki, but it’s from Studio Ghibli.

I agree about The Fifth Element. Creativity wise it’s really quite stunning, but it also has a lot of standard Hollywood clichés thrown in. But it’s so entertaining, I forgive it. Just this once, mind!

]]> By: Canadian Cinephile http://nicolathinks.wordpress.com/2008/12/04/the-best-films-of-all-time/#comment-125 Canadian Cinephile Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:50:49 +0000 http://nicolathinks.wordpress.com/?p=96#comment-125 Cool list. I like it because it's a little different and not in the least bit pretentious. Always good to see Miyazaki films on a list like this. Spirited Away was pretty close to making my Top 15, actually. I love that movie; it's so rich and colourful and full of life. Love, Actually is a tradition in our home for romantic moments. It's kind of a Christmas movie, too, so it serves many purposes. I love it, though. You already know my thoughts on Atonement. ;) Aaaand Besson's Fifth Element is just flat-out fun. Also lots of colour and action going on there, a really creative sci-fi/action/thriller. Schindler's List is also very good. Very tough to watch. I have it sitting here, but I've only seen it once since its original theatrical run when my parents dragged me to it as a young teenager. Very powerful. Cool list. I like it because it’s a little different and not in the least bit pretentious.

Always good to see Miyazaki films on a list like this. Spirited Away was pretty close to making my Top 15, actually. I love that movie; it’s so rich and colourful and full of life.

Love, Actually is a tradition in our home for romantic moments. It’s kind of a Christmas movie, too, so it serves many purposes. I love it, though.

You already know my thoughts on Atonement. ;)

Aaaand Besson’s Fifth Element is just flat-out fun. Also lots of colour and action going on there, a really creative sci-fi/action/thriller.

Schindler’s List is also very good. Very tough to watch. I have it sitting here, but I’ve only seen it once since its original theatrical run when my parents dragged me to it as a young teenager. Very powerful.

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