Castle In The Sky

Apes Pick: Castle in the Sky



Why I Picked this Movie: So Beeps broke me into the anime world with Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind and from that point on I've been trying to get him to watch more anime with me. Especially the Studio Ghibli films. So I checked this one out from the local library and forced him to watch it! :)

Beeps:  I like this film.  Maybe it's the goofy way that James Van Der Beek sounds as the main character, but he sounds as if he was the right choice for the role.  I know that anime elitists are rolling their eyes right now... I can hear them saying to themselves, "I can't believe you didn't watch the film in its native language..."  Well believe it dorks.  The movie is a good mix in that it has some elements that are quite cute and some elements that are very exciting.  The typical Miyazaki film follows one of the two paths, but this one treads a line between them both and it really works for me.  4 Stars!

Apes: I don't think this is my favorite anime this far, but I did really enjoy it. I mean whats not to love about flying pirates, escaping the government, magical powers, and finding a mythical floating city? Actually now that I list all that out maybe it is my favorite anime. The characters are great! Some are always sweet and lovable while others are a bit rough around the edges, but they too some how grow on you. Most of the studio Ghibli films this is a coming of age story with love, adventure, and danger all while a young girl finds out about her families past and her heritage. I give this movie 4 stars for animation, character development, story line, adventure, and most importantly flying PIRATES! :)

Overall we give this movie 4 Stars

~Beeps and Apes

Princess Mononoke

Beeps Pick: Princess Mononoke



Why I picked this film:  Another day, another Studio Ghibli film.  I picked this one because Apes has gotten so into Miyazaki's films, I wanted to share with her, the first one that I had the pleasure of watching. 

Beeps:  As I mentioned above, this was the first Miyazaki film that I watched, and for that, it will always hold a very special place in my heart.  Unlike the majority of his other films, I would classify this as not for children, as it is quite graphic at times.  The movie starts off with a bang, as our young hero, Ashitaka shows his bravery as he does battle with a foul beast attacking his village.  There isn't much time in the beginning to develop a bond with the characters, that happens later in the film.  This is okay, it's just a little different.  I think the movie suffers a bit from its length, it runs 2 hours and 14 minutes, but could probably be clipped at around 2 hours, as the ending just seems to drag on forever.  It's not a bad movie though, and if you're looking for an animated movie that tells an epic story that's not futuristic, give this one a try, you'll probably like it.  4 Stars!


Apes:  As I'm sure its GLARINGLY obvious by now I really do LOVE Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. What they do with anime is truly art. However, I wasn't a die hard fan of this one. The story is very hug a tree, save the forest, and talking animals. Anyone who knows much about me knows I HATE talking animals. I'm not really sure why. Its probably some irrational childhood fear or some other deep seated issue. As always the art and animation are amazing, but its a little too drawn out and a little too we love nature for me. This definitely isn't a kids movie some of the graphics are gross and there is lots of blood and death. I'd watch it again and give it another shot but for now I give it 3 stars. (but seriously watch Totoro!)

Overall we give this film 3 1/2 Stars.

~Beeps and Apes

My Neighbor Totoro

Apes Pick: My Neighbor Totoro



Why I picked this film: Apes = Anime Dork! Is that a good enough reason? I've said it before thanks to Beeps I'm a huge anime dork and Studio Ghibli mark. So its now my mission to see all the films! Which means I'll be reviewing them all here! Plus it came back to the library so I checked it out! (Support your local library yo!)

Beeps:  This movie gets a free pass in my book.  I'll explain more later, but as Apes mentioned above, I have sparked her interest in anime and more specifically the films of Studio Ghibli.  If you've seen any of Miyazaki's other films you know that they typically involve a character who starts off a bit of a brat, and then matures over the course of the film.  This is somewhat true for this film, although in a completely different way.  On to that free pass.  My Neighbor Totoro has no real action to speak of, I mean theoretically it should be an extremely boring film.  Yet, there's an incomprehensible cuteness about the characters that make it too endearing to not like.  This movie would make an excellent choice for anyone interested in getting started with anime, or someone who wants a family friendly animated movie to enjoy.  Be advised there is a scene in which the 2 girls take a bath with their father, which seems odd in our culture, but is normal in Japanese culture.  This is the only scene that would be even remotely objectionable, and I really don't see it as a big deal.  Just mentioning it in case you decide to show it to your kids, or your neighbor's kids.  4 Stars!

Apes: This movie gives me such a sweet, cuddly, warm, and fuzzy feel just thinking about it! Theres not a lot of dialog, no action, nothing crazy, but I honestly feel like I could watch this movie OVER AND OVER! Its just a peaceful film and such an adventure into child like imagination! I almost want to have kids just so I can share this with them ALMOST! The animation as always is great, the story is cotton candy sweet, and I'm now some how in love with Totoro! Its simple, peaceful, and wonderful! Check it out! I give it 4 1/2 stars for the emotion it makes you feel while watching it and the way saying Totoro will now and forever make me smile!

Overall we give this film 4 1/2 Stars

~Beeps and Apes

Kiki's Delivery Service

Apes Pick: Kiki's Delivery Service



Why I Picked this Film: When Beeps says I've been on an Anime kick he means it! I don't really know what happened, but I'm in love with Studio Ghibli. Now I'm on a mission to watch all of the Ghibli films! So for that reason I picked KiKi's Delivery Service.

Beeps:  I have seen this film before, but as I sat here and watched this, I couldn't help but question if I had or not.  I literally spent half the movie wondering if I had seen it, and after watching it again, I know why I had selective amnesia.  The movie suffers from a lack of caring,  there really isn't much about the film that makes me want to care about it.  I can deal with a movie that lacks excitement if the movie is cute such as (My Neighbor Totoro) or if the movie is thought provoking in some other way.  This film isn't all that cute, although it tries, and really isn't thought provoking at all.  Do yourself a favor and watch some of Miyazaki's other movies first, and if you're a hardcore fan then throw this turd into your DVD player.  1 and 1/2 stars! 


Apes: I'm really glad this wasn't my first Studio Ghibli film or I probably wouldn't be as addicted as I am. The idea behind all of Miyazaki's films is similar, but this one some how falls short. The stories are generally coming of age tales of young women who have to rely on a friend or mentor while they find their inner strength. This film however, is a let down. Its long winded, has needless characters, no real climax, and while you do care about the characters you don't really feel as though the main character Kiki has learned anything through her time alone. Plus, What a crappy witch if all she can do is fly - and how is she supposed to learn in her year away from home if she isn't around other witches? I just don't get it. I feel like there are HUGE plot holes and cohesion issues. I give it 2 stars and that is just for the amazing animation and feel of the art!

Overall we give this movie 2 stars

~Beeps and Apes

Akira

Why I chose this movie:  I selected this movie because Apes is starting to get seriously into anime.  Why not force her to watch the quintessential anime flick.  Not to mention the fact that Hollywood is creating a live action version of this film soon.

Beeps:  This film was my first introduction into anime.  This film should be nobody's first anime film.  The plot is shall I say, simply complex.  It's really not a difficult plot, but minor details within the plot get so complex, I still don't think I fully understand what I witnessed.  The problem with the film is that it stems from a 2,100+ page manga.  You cannot compress something that large into a two hour film and have it work out just fine, and I feel that it is the only real flaw of the movie.  I would love to see this re-done in animation form, stretched out into many hours and with a proper treatment from the source material.  This movie puts me in a reflective state and I can draw deeper thoughts from the characters and their traits within the movie.  As far as the animation goes, it is quite simply flawless.  This movie is from 1988 and it is finally starting to show a bit of that age, but make no mistakes, it is some of the best animation that you will ever see.  4 Stars!

Apes: Okay, so I'm a huge anime nerd... It's cool I know this, but this movie was totally not what I expected. Not only did I not care about the characters, but I didn't have a clue what was going on. I need more why or how in a movie. This movie just gives you a vague over view with random motorcycle chases and no real plot. Ehhhh not for me. The animation is well done and relatively flawless especially for the age of the film, but other than that I just wasn't very interested!  I give it 2 stars but purely for the beauty in the animation.

Overall we give it 3 Stars.

~Beeps and Apes