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[personal profile] vovat
I've seen a few movies this week, and while there was only one that actually involved going somewhere to watch it, I'm sticking with that title.

Spirited Away - I'd been hearing for years about how awesome Miyazaki's films are, but this was my first time actually watching one. As a lover of fairy tales and mythology, I pretty much had to appreciate the style and creativity of this movie, which is based around a little girl getting stuck working at a bathhouse for spirits. I have to wonder how many of the creatures were original with this story, and how many were veterans of traditional Japanese folklore and mythology. I definitely intend to watch Miyazaki's other movies, but since [livejournal.com profile] bethje didn't care much for this one, I'll probably be watching them alone. How did I end up being married to a girl who doesn't like fantasy? {g}

Precious - Beth wanted to see this movie because she heard it was really disturbing, and it certainly didn't disappoint in that respect. The main character was raped by her father, abused by her mother, and eventually finds out she's HIV positive. I've heard some indications that it had an overall positive message, in that Precious made an effort to turn her life around, but the ending really isn't all that hopeful. Sure, she finally breaks away from her horrible mother; but she still has practically no money, two kids to take care of, and HIV. Still, the themes of seeking to better yourself through education and getting away from abusers are good ones. Can you believe that there are actually people on the IMDB board for this movie saying that the character isn't sympathetic because she's overweight? Yeah, if you were HIV positive and functionally illiterate with two kids born out of incest, I'm sure losing weight would be the first thing on YOUR mind, too. Morons.

The Corpse Bride - Eh, it was okay, but I was kind of hoping for better. It was cute, and I enjoyed the looks at the world of the dead, but I don't think the idea had enough flesh to it to carry a full-length movie. The plot dragged in spots, and the songs weren't at all memorable. Maybe Tim Burton's typical shtick is just becoming old hat. Yeah, I know this movie is a few years old, but has he done anything truly great since then? I mean, I liked his take on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory pretty well, but it really didn't hold a candle to the Gene Wilder version. I guess we'll have to see what he does with Wonderland.

Date: 2009-11-27 08:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] revme.livejournal.com
I love Miyazaki. He's pretty much my favorite director ever. Spirited Away is amazing -- probably next, check out Totoro and/or Kiki's Delivery Service. Though, really, just about everything is magnificent.

Date: 2009-11-27 08:52 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vovat.livejournal.com
Thanks for the recommendations. Totoro is the one with the cat-bus, isn't it?

Date: 2009-11-27 09:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] revme.livejournal.com
Indeed!

Date: 2009-11-27 11:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] poisonyoulove.livejournal.com
but has he done anything truly great since then?

Sweeney Todd! It's a matter of taste, though, as Tim Burton's typical shtick fits my taste perfectly. :)
Though I agree that Corpse Bride was rather light-weight and Gene Wilder makes a better Willy Wonka.

Date: 2009-11-27 11:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vovat.livejournal.com
I still haven't seen Sweeney Todd. Maybe I should. Tom Lehrer has said that Sondheim was his favorite songwriter, after all.

Date: 2009-11-28 12:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bethje.livejournal.com
Grrr. I don't like fantasy. Precious was the only one of those movies that didn't bore me. Grrr.

Date: 2009-11-28 02:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] rockinlibrarian.livejournal.com
Can you believe that there are actually people on the IMDB board for this movie saying that the character isn't sympathetic because she's overweight? Yeah, if you were HIV positive and functionally illiterate with two kids born out of incest, I'm sure losing weight would be the first thing on YOUR mind, too. Morons.

OMG and people wonder why there's such a body-image problem in our society! I really want to go and personally slap these people!

I also was underwhelmed by Corpse Bride. I think I might have liked it more if I just saw it cold, without having heard so many other people go on and on about how great it was first.

Date: 2009-11-28 07:56 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] bethje.livejournal.com
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0929632/board/nest/150788907

Read a few posts. It makes me violently angry.

Date: 2009-11-28 09:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ozma914.livejournal.com
Spirited Away blew me -- well -- away.

Date: 2009-12-01 04:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kevenn.livejournal.com
Spirited Away is still one of my favorite movies of all time, but I now actually love Ponyo even more. Ponyo comes out on DVD next week. You should totally see that one! :)

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