Paprika (Japan, 2006)

Shamefully this didn’t get cinematic distribution in the UK but the buzz about it, and Satoshi Kon’s other films, such as Millennium Actress, made sure it was on my DVD rental list. However I was a bit disappointed; visually it is as stunning as the other films I’ve seen by him, but I found the [...]

Millennium Actress (Sennen joyû, Japan, 2001)

This movie flirts with postmodern frivolity but transcends it with a thoughtful, bitter-sweet meditation of memory, life and the impossibility of perfect love. Movies offer the illusion of the latter and the eponymous lead  spends her life seeking her Mr Right who she bumped into twice when a youth. By the end she realises that [...]

Only Yesterday (Omohide poro poro, 1991, Japan)

The only film I had seen by Isao Takahata was Grave of the Fireflies (1988), an astonishing depiction of post-war Japan. Only Yesterday is very different, a pastoral evocation of a second ‘coming of age’ of the 27 year old teacher who ‘takes’ her 10 year old self on holiday.  At the start, the cross-cutting [...]

Sky Blue (Korea, 2003)

Nicely set up with the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’ but developed it too little. Visuals were good but we’re used to that with anime; something more needed. (DVD)
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Princess Mononoke (Japan, 1997)

This was the first Miyazaki I saw and it didn’t grab me – in fact I didn’t finish it. Now a Miyazaki fan I watched it again and… it didn’t grab me. Interesting. (DVD)
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Bebop Cowboy: the Movie (Japan, 2001)

Great fun; great characters. Don’t know the TV series but do recommend the movie. (DVD)
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Appleseed (2004, Japan)

Some stunning animation and a fantastic scene where the protagonist witnesses the holographic death of her mother. Many imdb comments bemoan its lack of narrative originality; missing the point I think. Tells its story well. (DVD)
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Castle of Cagliostro, The (Japan, 1979)

Early Miyazaki and less interesting than later. Still, some great characters (the laconic hero and the female spy). Seems to be set in Monaco. (DVD) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079833/

Legend of the Overfiend (Japan, 1989)

If anyone doubted my last post re the essential difference between Japanese and western culture then this film nails my argument. Tentacle sex; demonic or Peeping Tom men… and what is going on? Doesn’t have the visual grandeur the best of anime (but it was straight to video) and is interesting as an insight (?) [...]

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence

Gobsmacking. Less action and more philosophy than the first Ghost film. The carnival parade is simply stunning. I missed Major Kusanagi but the ideas (what is going on takes a lot of thought) and visuals more than make up. The dog’s amazing (like the film). (DVD) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347246/