Comments | osprey_archer: A Few More Movie Reviews

osprey_archer

A Few More Movie Reviews

Jan 16, 2014 00:01

And now for three movies that are most quite different! From Up On Poppy Hill is a gentle, picturesque period piece about Japan in 1963, which focuses on the first post-World War II cohort’s coming of age. It is perhaps the only animated film I’ve seen that has no magical elements, but there’s a gentle, nostalgic glow about the story and the ( Read more... )

animation, studio ghibli, movies

Comments 8

samgrass January 16 2014, 05:22:20 UTC

From Up On Poppy Hill sounds absolutely lovely -- I might have to check it out.

osprey_archer January 16 2014, 14:46:04 UTC

It's a very feel-good movie. I hope you enjoy it.

asakiyume January 17 2014, 03:01:12 UTC

Oh how wonderful that you saw Up on Poppy Hill! We saw that recently and very much liked it (though some of the key elements of the slightly melodramatic part of the plotline were murky to me). The main character was one of those indefatigable Japanese heroines who really just WORK SO HARD, they both inspire and intimidate me.

If you'd like another really gentle, but really memorable and **nice** animated film from Studio Ghibli, I highly recommend Only Yesterday

osprey_archer January 17 2014, 03:05:58 UTC

I found the inclusion of the melodramatic plotline a bit puzzling in itself, but maybe they felt they needed some kind of conflict to make the story go. And yes, exactly that about Umi!

I've been on a Studio Ghibli kick - I just saw Whisper of the Heart today - so I'll definitely put Only Yesterday on my list.

Thread 6

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osprey_archer January 17 2014, 23:31:32 UTC

It seemed to me that he was either contemplating suicide or faking suicide at the end because of the bridge: he's standing in the middle of the bridge, and he throws his cap - a cap which he already said had special meaning to him - as if he means to go after it. Why do that if he was just going to deliberately disappear ( ... )

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osprey_archer January 18 2014, 21:32:22 UTC

Yes, I think there's something of the "Argh, foiled again!" about Frank in the bridge scene. He keeps trying to commit suicide, but people just won't let him.

What would Frank do in the story? I think the story would give more closure to both Kate and to readers if Frank is in it, but it might be difficult to do it well.