Posts by Melissa Moore32

casualotter21 said:I can back that up since it was actually the first anime I ever watched. And honestly? No regrets. It's an absolute classic to me.

MH was my first introduction to Hayao Miyazaki too, and after finishing it, I was just... well, wow.

The thing is, once you move on to other stuff—like his earlier films—you kind of realize the foundation was already there. You see that those themes existed all along, maybe even with a tighter plot, better atmosphere, and being about half an hour shorter.😁

Anyway... I'm just waiting for Spirited Away to drop on DVD so I can finally grab an officially licensed version to add to my collection, alongside the mountain of Divxev and Fansubbers I've got sitting around the house.😁

Carl Foster8 said:Kung Fu Panda 😁

Who even watched that?

🙏 🙏 🙏

Honestly, the best part was that scene where he gets beaten with those sticks... I was laughing my head off. 🤣

irontiger25 said:In my opinion, it doesn't quite hit the heights of Princess Mononoke, but it’s still miles ahead of most other stuff out there.
It’s just such a long way to go...

Princess Mononoke is probably one of the worst movies Hayao Miyazaki has ever made, at least when you look at the plot. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but it feels way too "Americanized" and commercialized for my taste.

I know, I know—it might not look that way at first glance because the animation and production quality are honestly top-tier. But if you actually sit down and compare it to his other work, you can tell it’s just not quite on that level. I guess it works fine as a gateway drug for newbies who haven't seen much and just need an introduction to the world of anime, but once you dig deeper, there are definitely better things out there to watch.

On the other hand, I guess you could argue that Spirited Away is easily one of his greatest hits. It definitely stands out as one of Hayao Miyazaki's most iconic works, right up there with Nausicaä and Totoro.

irontiger25 said:I guess we could talk about some of the more recent animated stuff coming out of Hollywood.

I haven't seen a single American animated movie that actually beats Spirited Away, and honestly, I doubt I ever will.

irontiger25 said:The characters they throw into this story are just incredibly fleshed out, and honestly, there are so many of them.

When it comes to the character lineup, we’ve basically got this massive crossover cast pulled from old Studio Ghibli classics, mixed in with various bits of Japanese mythology and just pure Hayao Miyazaki imagination.

irontiger25 said:Seriously, just go watch it. You won't regret it.

Definitely...👍

Wow....this is a movie I must have watched at least a hundred times back when I was a kid...(to be fair). 😁

I haven't actually sat down to watch it in probably ten years or more...it might actually be pretty good to revisit this one just to refresh my memory.

Is it just me, or is this blog totally broken right now??? 😕

What are you guys even talking about? What do you mean, Mulan or Aladdin?

Those have been sitting in video rental stores for years... unless maybe you're specifically talking about some new DVD release.

A I’m pretty sure Mulan is on DVD too, since I’ve got a decent DivX copy with American subtitles.

Richard Howard2 said:Are you telling me you're just too good for us mere Lord of the Rings fans now? 😉

Whatever...😎

Jeffrey Edwards18 said:I can see you're the type who prefers to figure things out on your own rather than letting some "authority figure" dictate how things should be.
(I mean, why hasn't anyone here jumped in to challenge your definitions of these terms, unlike when they went after mine?)

Honestly, I think it’s just because nobody has the energy to get into a massive blowout with Jang ever since that whole Lord of the Rings thread happened. 😂

Jeffrey Edwards18> So, say an odyssey or Star Trek are considered Sci-Fi, right? That seems pretty obvious to everyone, isn't it? And I assume it's also crystal clear to everyone exactly why they fall into that category, wouldn't you agree?

So now we’re onto this other term—"futurism." Honestly, I don't even know if that counts as an "official" genre, and I'm really not sure what it would even mean for a genre to have an "official existence" in the first place.
I’ve been using the term "futuristic films" for a long time now to describe a very specific niche. I'm talking about movies that focus on the director's personal vision of what's ahead—since, let’s be honest, nobody actually knows how the future is going to turn out—but where hyper-advanced technology isn't the main attraction. In fact, I usually mean the kind of films where that high-tech stuff isn't even the focal point, or might not even be present at all.

Yeah, I think that’s what you were getting at, and honestly, I’m kind of on board with that—setting aside the official definitions for a second.

I guess I’m just a little bothered by how you're framing this whole "futurism" thing. It feels a bit off to me. Out. What does anyone even mean when they say Sci-Fi, really? I guess I don't really know what to make of this yet. Maybe I'm just overthinking it, but I feel like there's more to the story here than what we're seeing on the surface. I'll probably have more thoughts once things settle down, but for now, I'm just sitting here wondering if anyone else feels this same sense of uncertainty.I don't know, something about it just doesn't sit right with me.

Even I find myself saying, I guess:

I still wouldn't go so far as to lump futurism under the umbrella of Sci-Fi. Personally, I see futurism as its own thing—a separate, equal genre that sits right alongside Sci-Fi rather than being tucked inside it.

Basically, you're trying to tell me that Sci-Fi and "futurism" aren't actually two different things, but rather that one just falls under the umbrella of the other. I guess that's how you see it, anyway.

Look, you said that was your own personal classification, and honestly, that’s fine. But you can't exactly expect everyone else to just fall in line and accept it, no matter how logical or sound you think it is. That’s really all there is to it.

Jeffrey Edwards18> Whenever I talk about futurism or movies that feel futuristic, my mind immediately jumps straight to Mad Max. For me, that’s the quintessential example of what a futuristic film should be. Honestly, I wouldn't even call it Sci-Fi; it feels a bit silly to label it "science fiction" when there isn't much "science" or "fiction" involved. I mean, how can you claim it's "scientific" when gas and bullets have become these rare luxuries, and everyone is just killing each other with basic rifles? And how can it be "fantasy" when we're all living in a world where the planet could realistically end up looking like Mad Max at any given moment?

Concept Dystopia. That’s all I can think about lately. It feels like we're constantly circling the drain, staring down the barrel of some dark, broken version of the future where everything we value just... evaporates. I don't know, maybe I'm just being cynical, but it feels like we're living through the opening credits of a bleak sci-fi flick. Every time I turn on the news, it feels less like reality and more like a script written by someone who hates humanity. I guess it's easy to get lost in that mindset, but it's getting harder to ignore. I guess you just don't get it. It clearly means nothing to you. 😉

Look, I get it... I know dystopia isn't technically its own genre, it's more like a lens or a setting. But let’s be real—it almost always relies on those specific tropes and elements that you typically find sitting right inside the Sci-Fi genre anyway.

Look, instead of calling movies like Metro, MMax, and stuff like that "futurism," you could just call them dystopias. It’s simpler. I guess you could say it's a "minor mistake," but still.

Jeffrey Edwards18> I’m suggesting the moderators open up a new thread dedicated specifically to "film theory" and just move this whole discussion over there.

Why don't you just open it yourself?😉 Nobody is going to take the bait. 😁

Jeffrey Edwards18>Yeah. I’ve got a phone bill to pay. That's why I try to avoid replies that require thirty minutes of typing.

Pro tip: save the page to your hard drive, read it properly offline, and then write your reply in Word. 😉

Jeffrey Edwards18> "I honestly don't know if there are any 'official' classifications out there, and if there are, what they actually are or how their 'official' definitions go."

I just have a gut feeling about certain things. I feel like you can't just lump everything into one bucket—Star Wars, 2001: A space odyssey, Blade Runner, Metropolis, Star Trek, Mad Max..."

Okay... this isn't really about the main topic and please don't take this as a personal attack, but this kind of thing is exactly what bugs me.

You say "you feel certain things"... sorry man, but posts like that give off the impression that you think you're somehow above everyone else just because you operate on your own little system.

It sort of... comes off as arrogant, even though I'm not saying you are intentionally being that way... I haven't read enough of your stuff to have a definitive opinion.

Just watch out for those little nuances, okay?

Jeffrey Edwards18> It's just that I've never really cared much for other people's authority. I'd rather "impose" my views on others than have others "impose" theirs on me.

And there it is..."like Usagi Mihoshi making fun of having big eyes." 😂

@Richard Hernandez13

The voice of reason. 👍 Thanks for the definitions, first and foremost.

Yeah, I pretty much have to agree with what Richard Hernandez13 wrote here.

Though I don't really get why people are attacking him so much just because he has his own way of categorizing things.

As long as he expresses himself, how others interpret him or whether they agree is really his problem.

There is some logic to what he's saying, but the downside is that he keeps contradicting himself here and there, at least from my perspective.

I know this is probably going to kick off another endless cycle of arguments over what actually counts as Sci-Fi and all that nonsense, but I really need you to walk me through your classification logic.

I have a hunch about where you're coming from, but my understanding of the genre feels a bit fuzzy on certain points.

BTW, didn't we have that one thread titled "Mom, what even is Sci-Fi?" once upon a time? 🤔

Kevin Morales65> Has anyone seen Porco Rosso? It might be my favorite.

A cynical pig...🙄...is a bit out of character for Miyazaki.

The animation is great, sure, but the movie still feels like one of the weaker entries in Miyazaki's filmography.

Kevin Morales65> They say it takes place somewhere in the islands off the Gulf Coast in the early 1900s.

The Gulf Coast, to be more precise. 😉

And we see that same vibe used in Kiki's Delivery Service.

Kevin Morales65> Jin-Roh was really impressive to me. Great story and amazing execution.

Jin-Roh is excellent... it's just a shame there are other films out there that hit you so hard that Jin-Roh doesn't feel like much after watching them.

The animation is top-tier, though. 👍

Kevin Morales65> Metropolis was a halfway successful project for me. Visually, the CGI felt a bit forced (especially at the end), but overall, it's definitely one of my favorites in the collection.

It's crazy how everyone complains about the CGI. That was literally the whole point—blending classic Tezukin designs with modern tech.

Anyway, watched Nausicaä tonight... on DVD this time. (Shout out to slyrider16 for lending me the disc 🙏).

I don't really feel like writing a ton since there's been so much talk about this film already, but I'll just say this is arguably one of Miyazaki's best movies ever. 🙏

Kevin Morales65> Among the first series that really stood out to me were the old robots (Mazinger, Grandizer, Getter Robot... in the main Go Nagai stuff)

Well, obviously... everyone from the old school geeks about Go Nagai. 😁

They were showing "Shin Getto VS Neo Getto!" at the local AMC today.

My favorite comments were things like:

"Did anyone actually count the explosions?"

or

"Here's something that could never be a live-action movie because of these pyrotechnics." 😁

P.S.

slyrider16, I hope you made it through to the end and had fun. 👍

I was actually just wondering today, "Man, where the hell is slyrider16?" I haven't seen any of his posts in at least a month. 😉

slyrider16 > Akira really isn't dragged out or slow. Personally, I’m not even much of a cyberpunk fan—I haven't even read Neuromancer—but that movie is honestly a beautifully flawed masterpiece. It reminds me a bit of the movie A.I. There are segments that are absolutely incredible, and then there are parts that are just straight-up failures, but I guess the core message of the film is what pushes it into that top-tier territory.

I mean, look, the core idea works, but I honestly feel like the movie could really use a shot of adrenaline to pick up the pace. It starts feeling a bit exhausting for me, and it happens pretty fast. I find myself just sitting there waiting for something—anything—to actually happen, but then nothing does. Just when you think the plot is finally gaining some momentum, it grinds to a halt again. It’s just this constant cycle of starting and stopping, and it gets tedious.

I don't know, maybe it's just my impression. *shrugs*

By the way, why does it feel like you compare every single animated movie to A.I.? 😁

Quote: slyrider16 > Honestly, once you get to that ending, it’s hard to even call this a cyberpunk movie anymore. It feels more like it's about the human race as a whole and the paths we might eventually take. I wouldn't say it's groundbreakingly original, but the execution is pretty solid. (I know, I'm doing it again with the A.I. comparison, but the message there was handled in such an incredibly original way.)

We could probably get ourselves sucked into a debate right now similar to that whole "Is Star Wars actually Sci-Fi?" argument.

It’s a cyberpunk setting, if you can even call it that... though honestly, it feels more like "punk" than anything else. 😁 So, cyberpunk.

I mean, Americans are usually known for being pretty straightforward, but when it comes to these filmmakers, they tend to play a different game. On the surface, a movie might look like one thing entirely, but once you actually dig into the subtext, there's something completely different going on underneath. It's almost like they hide the real message right under your nose.

slyrider16> At the end of the day, what’s really going to stick with me regarding Akira is those tiny, fleeting moments—just quick shots or sequences that are so incredibly beautiful, I honestly find myself wanting to make a remake just so I could keep those exact frames exactly as they are. (Like that one part where you see two guys in a hallway, then suddenly it's pitch black, and the next shot shows their bodies smeared all over the walls and ceiling. Or that rabbit disintegrating... man, it's just stunning.)

I mean, Otomo is just a master of detail. He really obsesses over every little thing. Honestly, I don't think I've ever seen a single movie he worked on that didn't have those layers of tiny details that just make everything feel so much more real.

Seriously, look at this guy... he’s just showing off now. My God, the level of detail in his drawings—it feels like it would be physically impossible for a normal human being to pull that off.

slyrider16> Look, Adam Wright56, you're gonna have to convince me to head back to MAMA again. Honestly, I miss you guys, and I’m such an idiot because I just can't seem to stay away. Just a total fool, I guess.

Hmm... yeah, sorry I haven't really kept you in the loop. It’s not like there was much of a lineup this year, anyway. I mean, there were some fun little things here and there, but nothing that truly felt "special." To be honest, I barely even showed up to the screenings.

Anyway, I’m bummed you missed the Trash night with Go Nagai, but don't sweat it—there'll be more of those.

You should definitely try to make it tomorrow, though... it should be pretty awesome. I doubt I'll be able to show up because I've got some stuff to take care of in Chicago, but I did promise I might swing by for the first 20 minutes or so of the screening. Apparently, they're prepping something special. 😉

Oh, and it would probably be worth stopping by the weekend after that, too, since they're showing those giant robots again. 😁

P. S.

I managed to get my hands on a scanned version of the Nausicaä manga. 😁

Jamie Sanchez48> Great, I was actually worried I’d be crucified here :-)

Nah... *waves hand dismissively*

Jamie Sanchez48> I watch them on TV; there's an episode airing every single day...

What TV station???

Jamie Sanchez48> Oh, you reminded me, I'm going to check tomorrow if I can even find that for sale.

Man, I have no clue.

It's probably floating around somewhere on the internet for download, but I'm not positive. As for buying it, I don't think it's really available.

From what I know, it's actually the film that closes out the festival at Cannes.

Jamie Sanchez48> Anyway, I know you've written about this before, but would you be up for listing, say, 10 "must-see" anime films?

Hmm... yeah, I suppose I could, but the question is what exactly you mean by "must-see."

Because I could easily list 10 films that had massive historical significance to the anime industry but aren't actually that great to sit through, or I could give you 10 films that are genuinely worth watching and won't disappoint, even if they didn't necessarily change the face of art forever.

But alright, I'll put together a few things that are truly worth your time... from one perspective or another.

So, you've seen Akira, Ghost in the Shell, and Memories... nice. 👍 That's already three solid picks... though the first two carry much more weight.

Next, just watch anything from Studio Ghibli—specifically, anything where Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata have their names on it.

I'd especially highlight:

"Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind" — the first film Miyazaki did for Studio Ghibli, with Takahata joining in as producer. (By the way, you'll see those two paired up quite often).

"My Neighbor Totoro" — Even though it's geared more toward kids, it serves as a textbook example of how to direct that kind of film. People often call it Miyazaki's "cute" movie.

"Spirited Away" — There isn't much left to say about this one. It hasn't shown up to a festival without walking away with the top prize, including an Oscar at the last ceremony.

The easiest way to describe it is basically "Alice in Wonderland, but the Miyazaki way."

"Grave of the Fireflies" — A cult classic by the author and director Isao Takahata. One of the best anti-war dramas ever made. You might want to keep a box of tissues handy when you watch this one. 😉

"My Neighbors the Yamadas" — Takahata's take on the life of a typical, modern, five-person family in the US. While it might not be among the most famous anime films, it's definitely worth a look. It's entertaining, and honestly, we can all see ourselves in it a little bit. 👍

Look, this is basically my personal shortlist from Ghibli. Obviously, you really should sit down and watch everything they've done, from Laputa all the way to Mononoke Hime. To be honest, I don't think I've ever come across one of their films that I actually disliked.

If you want to dig deeper into more info on Ghibli films, you can find it here: www.nausicaa.net

Let's get this show on the road...

"Arcadia of my Youth"—it’s easily one of Leiji Matsumoto's cult classics, and honestly, probably his best work. That being said, it's definitely not for everyone. I guess some people find it way too drawn out or just plain boring, but that's just how it goes.

Personally, I dig it because the atmosphere really works in tandem with the film's core message and its overall vision. It’s just one of those things where you have a hundred different people, all with their own quirks. A hundred women, two hundred breasts... that kind of thing.😁

"Metropolis" was actually based on Tezuka's manga of the same name, which obviously draws its inspiration from Lang's "Metropolis."
The script was written by Katsuhiro Otomo, while Rintaro handled the directing—he's the guy who frequently directs Matsumoto's films.

It’s a really solid mix of that classic Tezukin character design and modern CGI animation. I know some people are throwing shade at that choice, but personally? I actually thought it worked quite well.

Honestly, this is easily the best anime movie I’ve ever seen.

"Perfect Blue" is the debut from director Satoshi Kon. It’s a psychological thriller that doubles as a sharp critique of pop culture here in the USA.

"Wings of Honneamise"—that film from Studio GAINAX. It’s basically a drama about a guy trying to become the world's first astronaut. I know people are split on it; some swear it’s one of the best films ever made, while others think it's just a dragged-out drama filled with philosophical nonsense that doesn't actually go anywhere. Personally? I think it's alright. It's okay. 👍

Basically, we're talking about a movie that had a massive influence on how things turned out. Anime. You could honestly argue that it deserves to be treated as its own distinct art movement. If nothing else, that alone makes it worth checking out.

Let’s move on to some pure entertainment now...😁

"Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust"... hehe, yeah, this one actually hits the spot. 👍 So, there’s this movie about a half-vampire who gets hired to rescue some rich guy's daughter after she gets snatched by vampires. It's a pretty standard setup, I guess, but the whole concept is interesting enough to chew on. 😁

The atmosphere is just incredible—it’s got that perfect gothic vibe, tons of action, and the fight scenes are seriously impressive.

Since this is an American co-production, the movie is in English, but I have to say, the voice acting is actually really solid.

So, regarding "Cowboy Bebop: Knockin' on Heaven's Door"—it's that movie that actually takes place right in the middle of the series, specifically tucked between episodes 22 and 23.

Even though this stands on its own and there aren't any major plot spoilers, it’s still not exactly ideal if you haven't seen the original series first. *shrugs*

There’s plenty of action, the animation is solid, and man, that soundtrack is absolutely incredible.

Total garbage.

Well, here we go. We’ve finally reached this point.

If you're looking for some absolute trash, I’d suggest checking out "Ninja Scroll." Look, the artistic value is basically a negative ten, but man, the movie itself is legendary. The action hits that sweet spot of being right up there with the best trash ninja flicks out there, and honestly, even the plot isn't half bad.

Look, I guess we could say that’s a decent enough place to start.

There are definitely some good ones out there, but honestly, there are way more bad ones. 😁 There are a ton of movies, but I honestly don't feel like sitting here and listing every single one of them right now.

Jamie Sanchez48> Finally watched Akira.
A little disappointed.

I’ve said it a thousand times, but I’ll say it again: Akira is BOOOORING!!11111111111one

I mean... I guess you have to give Otomo credit for a solid story, the setting, and the concept, but it doesn't really matter when the movie is just stretched out and slow.

Honestly, unless you're some kind of total freak who lives for cyberpunk, there's really only one reason to watch Akira... and that's the animation.

You could turn yourself upside down, but you aren't going to find animation this good and detailed anywhere else—especially considering it's an '88 release and a complete cell, without even a tiny bit of CGI.

As for the plot? You probably need to read the manga for that. *shrugs*

Anyways, if you didn't happen to dig Akira, maybe check out "Memories"... it's three standalone SF stories by Katsuhiro Otomo, and two of those three were directed by Koji Morimoto and Okamura Tensai.

If you want, I can send over the review I wrote for that masterpiece.

Jamie Sanchez48> By the way, I watch "Stand Alone Complex" every now and then. They turned a cult classic into a cartoon series for kids...

I've had GitS sitting at home for ages and I just... I CANNOT... force myself to sit through the whole thing.

I even tried reading the manga, but I gave up on that too... 🙄

I don't know, the animation is okay to me, even if it has that certain sterility that a lot of modern series suffer from... the music is killer, the story is fine, it's all that classic Masamune Shirow stuff, but I just can't get through all 26 episodes. 👎

Oh yeah, and you shouldn't mix up the GitS movie and the SAC series; they are two completely different worlds.

Now I'm just waiting for a decent version of Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence to pop up.

slycrane94 said:Melissa Moore32

I've got him. 😁

Seriously, slycrane94... please just ship it to me from Sweden. Maybe it’ll actually show up right when I finally retire and have enough free time to revisit all those old classics. 😁

slycrane94 said:I guess I should just come out and say it: I actually like my sister more. 😁

To be honest, I feel the same way, though I think Sitlesica gave a much better performance.

Noah Patel70> What is wrong with people regarding Kill Bill? Honestly, it’s easily one of the best samurai-style films of the 21st century. It hits all the marks for what makes a solid movie: the story is actually original, the script is tight, and the cast is top-tier. Plus, the soundtrack is incredible. You’ve got this whole mix of big-name American stars, and let's be real—it's bloody as hell with some seriously well-designed fight choreography. It just works.

Look, I never actually said the movie was bad. That’s just a conclusion you decided to jump to on your own.

To call this one of the greatest samurai films of the 21st century is just plain nonsense, and honestly, it's exactly what CNN was trying to point out.

Noah Patel70>Zatoichi is just another one of those remakes based on some crappy Japanese movie from the late seventies that absolutely nobody on this forum has actually even watched.

I guess you could say the exact same thing about KB. 🙂

Noah Patel70 > It looks like Takeshi Kitano just ran out of cash, so he decided to water down his storytelling just to squeeze money out of us clueless cinephiles. Honestly, it’s nothing but pure commercialism.

And I’ll say it again... what exactly is the problem here?

At least they actually tried to build a real story here—something with actual substance and drama. Honestly, it’s got more going on than Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, which basically just takes a revenge motive and leans on it until the credits roll. I’m not saying the movie is bad because of that; far from it. But please, let’s stop acting like Kill Bill is some peak achievement of originality or screenwriting genius. It isn't. It’s just decent action with some katanas, nothing more.

Look, besides that, I’ve already mentioned how stupid it is to even try comparing those two movies, but when people keep nitpicking my wording like this, I feel like I actually have to address it.

Noah Patel70 > maybe check out the Sundance Film Festival if you actually want to have some kind of standard to measure things by.

You’re going to have to walk me through what that acronym actually stands for. I really hope it doesn't mean what I think it means...

CNN > Yeah, I am. But as far as I know, that isn't even a Takeshi Kitano film. He's just acting in it.

I guess that's just how you're choosing to watch his movies, then. *shrugs*

CNN > Hey, listen, if you happen to have any Kitano movies on DivX or video files, maybe we could work something out, hmm...

I don't actually have anything... though I guess that depends on what I've already sent your way. 🤔

I guess I usually just watch most of those movies and then delete them... I only end up keeping the ones that are actually high-quality encodes and stuff I feel like I could actually sit through again.

Finally, I’ve managed to carve out some actual free time to sit down and write a quick review. It’s about time, too, because from what I can see, this thread has already drifted completely off course...🙂

The first time I saw this, I was watching it on a single DivX disc, and it even had that Hong Kong subtitle track—not like there’s a ton of dialogue anyway, but still. What can I say? I absolutely loved it. I remember making myself a promise: if this movie ever hit theaters here in the States, especially during one of those times when everyone was actually talking about it, I’d be there. I just wanted to see if I could actually soak up the real atmosphere of the film for once.

Days have been flying by and I still haven't managed to make it to the theater... but I finally managed to snag a beautiful DVD rip spread across two discs with AC3 audio. I'll admit, it’s definitely not the same experience as seeing it on a big screen at the AMC, but it's more than enough to get the full vibe of the movie. I decided to give it another watch tonight, and since I had some downtime, I figured, why not?

Well, I guess we might as well start complaining...

I’ve always been a big fan of Takeshi Kitano’s work, so I haven't really seen anything of his that I didn't enjoy. Honestly, I doubt this one would be any different.

The movie feels a bit sluggish at times, but honestly, there’s just a whole pile of other issues dragging the entire thing down.

First off, it’s the sound—specifically the sound design and the score. Honestly, during my first watch, I was so completely mesmerized by the audio that I barely even noticed if I was watching samurai or office workers. By the second time around, since I already knew the plot, I didn't give the story a second thought at all; I just let myself get lost in this incredible visual and acoustic experience. And man, you notice so many tiny details when you aren't bracing yourself for a major plot point. Like how Zatoichi’s ear twitches whenever he’s listening intently, or the way flower petals drift through the air, or even how blood slides off a katana (okay, maybe that last one is a bit more obvious, but you get what I mean).

I see that Otprilike is tearing into the muse in this film, claiming there's practically none to be found. 😕 I honestly can’t get behind this statement. Look, I’ll admit the whole movie isn't some non-stop musical, but when they do decide to lean into those musical numbers, they execute them perfectly. And don't even get me started on how the soundtrack fits the atmosphere—like that one scene where it’s pouring rain? The music choice was spot on. Plus, I think the overall selection of songs is actually pretty diverse.

What I really appreciate about this is how the music never feels forced. It doesn't try too hard to tell you how to feel, which is such a massive problem with so many movies these days. You see it all the time now—where the score just hammers you over the head. Think about films like The Matrix Reloaded, Captain Mifune, or even Kill Bill; the music works with the scene rather than fighting against it.

Cop> I saw it for the first time at the Sundance Film Festival, and honestly, I was a little disappointed... I just couldn't quite wrap my head around how he kept messing with all those different genres: you've got samurai stuff, action, musicals, comedy?! I don't know, maybe I just didn't get it.

I don't know... I didn't really get that impression myself. *shrugs*

I’ve sat through quite a few Takeshi Kitano movies, and while it's true he's never really ventured into territory like this before, I guess I've just become accustomed to his work always finding some way to catch me off guard. Honestly, the musical elements actually worked surprisingly well for me in this one.

Then again, I guess all I’ve really been watching over the last few years is Japanese cinema, so I’m rarely surprised by what they put out. Plus, I've always had a soft spot for musicals. 😁

Cop> I read somewhere that "Zatoichi" is basically the Japanese version of "Kill Bill." I mean, I guess there’s some truth to that comparison, but you’d really have to break down specific scenes to prove it. We can talk about it once enough people actually go out and see the movie to create a bit of a critical mass.

I don't really agree with this, though I get why Kill Bill is the first thing that comes to mind. If they actually had enough elements to justify the comparison, then sure, maybe I'd see it.

I don't know, to me Kill Bill feels more like a big joke and an hommage to Hong Kong action flicks, whereas Zatoichi is something else entirely, even if they use similar elements to get their point across.

On a quick side note... I have this friend who absolutely hates Kill Bill because she claims Quentin Tarantino just ripped off every single idea from one movie that hardly anyone has ever seen. Every single time she tried watching it in a theater, someone would tell her exactly what was going to happen and spoil the whole thing for her. 😂

I realize this has nothing to do with the debate, but let's try to wake up CNN a little bit. 😁

CNN> So far I've watched two Kitano films (Hana-bi and some bizarre comedy about a guy who wants to screw himself which becomes the foundation for the weirdest possible adventures

dude, did I not give you Battle Royale??? 😕

Don't tell me you haven't seen it yet. 🙂

CNN> tons of flashbacks woven into the story so much that you first wonder if it's happening now or in the past, a lot of slow and... stylized scenes (though I'm not sure if that's the right word; maybe "ceremonially wrapped" would be better), sudden and totally unexpected bursts of violence or perhaps bizarrely childish humor....

That’s exactly what I love about his movies... Hana-bi is probably the best example of that. My only gripe is that sometimes he really knows how to stretch things out... which was definitely the case with Zatoichi. Honestly... if I hadn't glanced at my watch here and there, I probably would've thought the movie lasted 4 hours instead of 2.

CNN> The music is its own thing though: when people start tilling the field in rhythm and creating music with their hoes, I almost started laughing out loud. Not because the scene was stupid, but because it was just delightfully bizarre.

The hoe scenes might actually be my favorite part of all, partly because they're so well synced, unlike, say, the house-building scenes where there's way too much noise.

They weren't funny to me, but they did bring a smile to my face... in a good way. 🙂

Noah Patel70> BTW.
The movie is commercial and bad (which is probably why it ended up in theaters).....

Wow... coming from someone who seems to love Kill Bill, that statement sounds a bit ridiculous to me.

Commercial... so what? You can't live on art alone, but the film is still unique and artsy enough that you wouldn't just label it pure commercialism.

Anyway, that's just my take on it, I guess.

Noah Patel70> These fights are just silly and naive

o_O

Honestly, for a movie like this, the action is exactly what you'd expect. I mean, what were you actually looking for? A gritty, realistic depiction of a blind guy taking on twenty dudes at once?

Look... the whole point of the movie isn't really the combat... The action scenes are just there so the audience doesn't pass out between the musical numbers. 😁

the only good parts are the bishonen, the sister acting as a geisha, and their subplot...

Well, yeah... that's pretty much the only actual story in the whole thing. 🙂

I guess it's not like anyone actually cares about Shinkuichi gambling his life away all day, or the fact that the locals are being shaken down by gangs...

I absolutely love this movie... honestly, along with Get Over It, it’s easily my favorite teen comedy ever.

I can't quite put my finger on why, but it just doesn't feel as sleazy as most other movies in this genre.

I remember renting it from a local video store back in the day... I really wasn't expecting much, but it actually blew me away.

The main reason I picked it up was because that kid from 3rd Rock from the Sun is in it—Joseph Gordon-Levitt, I think...🤔, he usually goes by three names... but the rest of the cast was great too.

And Julia Stiles... well, she's just naturally suited for these kinds of roles. 👍 It's a shame, though, because now this has become her whole thing, and she's probably going to have to work incredibly hard to land a more substantial role that isn't just another teen comedy.

Looking at her recent stuff, I see she's in some new flick, maybe something like Prince and Me 🤔... or something along those lines...

Anyways, I think I might give it another watch if I can find someone who has it on DivX. 👍

Best scene ever... when the high school band performs You're Just Too Good To Be True. 🙏 It’s not quite like something out of The Deer Hunter, but I don't really care. 😁

hollowseal33 said:Hey, did anyone catch Alias last week? I'm dying to know how she actually survived that fall!! 🙂

I watched it...👍

You're asking how she survived? It's pretty simple, really.

We all know that CIA agents—and similar intelligence agencies—are basically trained to survive falls from heights way greater than 10 meters.

In all honesty, the training starts when they're just kids; they start dropping them from high chairs onto the floor, and the ones who walk away without a scratch move on, while the ones left with visible brain damage get recruited. Because, hey, who wouldn't want to live their entire life incognito, constantly looking over their shoulder because the agency they work for might kill everyone they care about up to their third cousin?

Anyways, the real training kicks in once those future female CIA agents head to school and hit gym class.

Every school seems to have at least one PE teacher who is secretly an undercover agent. Even if his gym shorts don't cover nearly enough, he's there quietly overseeing the advanced conditioning of these future agents without them ever realizing it.

To make a long story short, by the time they finish high school, all these future female CIA agents are basically certified to land on their backs from heights of up to 5 meters without much issue, though they probably don't even realize they've been trained for it.

It isn't until they actually join the CIA that the training ramps up for anything over 5 meters. That's when they finally get in on the loop.

Basically, it's just a TV show... there wouldn't be a sequel if the heroine died from a fall, even though according to every law of physics, she totally should have.

The thing is, in this series, I'm always baffled by how much every agent—even the bad guys—seems to value human life. God forbid someone shoots someone else in the head... noooo... that would just be too inhumane.

Gerald Alvarez> Maybe I should have posted this on TV, but since it's here, whatever.

In moments like these, I honestly just need to check GNN to reach my conclusions. 😁

GNN> Uuuh, I have no clue because I missed that part of the movie. All I know is: when military helicopters are chasing Godzilla, she can barely outrun them, but then she just swats them down later without breaking a sweat. Forty-five minutes later, Godzilla can't even catch one soggy New York taxi.
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<cut>
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A Frenchman would probably just bomb New York with nukes! Right away!

Total joke. 🤣

Anyway, the only real Godzilla movie was that old Japanese one. Back then, things actually made sense... I mean, it was the '50s, the Cold War was heating up, nuclear testing was happening all over the Pacific, and the whole idea of a radioactive lizard the size of a skyscraper felt somewhat plausible to people living in Japan.

That movie was a genuine disaster flick—maybe even a horror movie, if you think about it.

This modern stuff? It's a circus. Just like GNN said... the military caused more damage than anything else. And the movie itself feels like it's trying to say, "Steven Spielberg isn't the only one who can make a giant monster movie"... big deal, he did it first. 🙂

Back in the good old days, Godzilla would level all of Tokyo, scrap with two other radioactive monsters, and finally gnash her teeth against the top of Tokyo Tower. 😁 Sure, they were cheap productions and Godzilla was basically an oversized puppet, but hey, back then, who really cared? *shrugs* It didn't matter. All that mattered was watching Godzilla stomp through Japanese cities and crush everything in her path. 😁 (Writing this actually reminded me of some parts from those 20th Century Boys... that hell of a manga... especially the Godzilla bit.)

And what kind of idiot sets the story in New York City? I mean, NEW YORK CITY, of all places. As if there aren't enough massive cities on the West Coast of the US... 🙄...No, Godzilla should have swum across the entire American continent, under Hell, because obviously if she tried going through the Panama Canal, they would have spotted her (or would they 😉), and then she arrives in New York City... what was she looking for, a musical???

'But on a brighter note', there is an excellent animated series with the same name. I think it aired on Channel A maybe 4 or 5 years ago (wow... has it really been that long?).