I saw a movie the other day on TCM called Only Yesterday. It's an animated Japanese movie. The closest description I can think of is coming of age, but it's really like no movie I've ever seen.
The animation is a realistic style for the most part, but makes excellent use of the freedom availble in animation to show emotions via brief, unrealistic scenes.
I thought the movie was good until the very end (during the credits). At that point it jumped to great.
Certain movies turn on a major, life-changing realization by the main character. This movie depicts that better than any movie I've ever seen. Every single thing that's happened in the movie suddenly and visibly acts on the main character, and the decision she makes is absolutely believable.
Plus, I realized that the Japanese version of "Some say love/it is a river" is better than the english.
I highly recommend this movie for anyone in a contemplative mood. Watch the subtitled version. Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
It's one of Takahata's better movies, IMO.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
I saw it, too, Dag. It was really amazing, and I definitely agree about the ending. I watched the whole thing, and, until the end, I was thinking, "Well, that was ok, but he's no Miyazaki."
And then the credits...wow. I was overwhelmed.
And then watching the movie over again, with the ending in mind.
For what it's worth, I don't think there is a dubbed version.
Oh, and I watched Pom Poko, which came on immediately afterward. I don't think it was nearly as good--much more heavy-handed.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
quote:And then watching the movie over again, with the ending in mind.
I haven't gotten to do that yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
quote:For what it's worth, I don't think there is a dubbed version.
Excellent. I wasn't sure, but it's a standard piece of advice when discussing Japanese movies.
quote:Oh, and I watched Pom Poko, which came on immediately afterward. I don't think it was nearly as good--much more heavy-handed.
We don't watch movies where the racoons are good guys in our house.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
You have an anti-raccoon bias, eh? Understandable.
Anyway, you really didn't miss much.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Ironically, Netflix has Pom Poko but not Only Yesterday.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Darn little rabid terrorists are taking over, even the movie selection at Netflix.
Just 'cause they're cute doesn't mean I don't know what they're up to.
Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :
There's some big Raccoons! Posted by theCrowsWife (Member # 8302) on :
Strange. I just talked to my dad and he happened to see this movie on TCM, too. He strongly recommended it to me. Unfortunately, my favorite video place doesn't have it, which means that it's highly unlikely that anyone else in town does either. I guess I'll have to wait until I visit my dad to see it, as he said he would be buying it.
--Mel
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
They're not really raccoons. They're not even that closely related to raccoons, they just happen to look like them. I watched Whisper of the Heart, AKA Mimi o Sumaseba, and I liked that. I didn't get a chance to see Only Yesterday.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
quote:Originally posted by rivka: Ironically, Netflix has Pom Poko but not Only Yesterday.
I think this may be because it's not released on DVD yet--at least, not according to IMDb, anyway. Amazon seems to agree that it hasn't been released yet.
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
It hasn't. Neither has Whisper of the Heart. I'd thought Pom Poko hadn't, but it must have, I guess.
Posted by lem (Member # 6914) on :
The impulse to make a dobbie is almost unbearable. Must...resist...the...temptation. Thank goodness this is a family friendly site and I respect the host.
*Runs off to other thread*
Posted by Taalcon (Member # 839) on :
Only Yesterday, Whisper of the Heart, and Totoro, I think, are in the next wave of Ghibli films to be released by Disney. Oh, and probably Howl, too.
Posted by oolung (Member # 8995) on :
I think Miyazaki is one of the best directors ever. What I love in hos movies is that while they are perfectly good for children of any age to watch, they are also so wise and moving that you can never still watch them as a grown up and have a great time. A rare thing.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Eve and I decided that the little girl version of Taeko reminded us of Ramona Quimby, both in looks and actions.
I was misled by this page into thinking it was available on DVD for the U.S. region.
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
Apparently they aren't actually planning on releasing Only Yesterday at this point. Though it being well recieved on TCM will probably push it into being released.
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
I hope so.
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
Me, too. Until then, I'm just gonna leave it on my tivo. Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
*turns green with envy*
Posted by Megan (Member # 5290) on :
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