a dash of spice

during the long weekend, i was able to watch a few movies, one of the most notable is Paprika. long before the movie Inception has been incepted, Satoshi Kon (of Perfect Blue, and Tokyo Godfathers fame) has created an animated film which delves on dream sharing as a way to treat psychiatric patients. then the plot thickens, and the film gets fantastically frightening. it becomes a mix between Inception and Ghost in the Shell. people cannot differentiate reality from dreams, and ends up with the dream world literally invading the real world. and it is Paprika's job to stop the mayhem.

Paprika reminds me of Motoko Kusanagi, who plays Ghost in the Shell's stoic heroine, but on a more perky level. the film is an overall treat, with visuals and plot that greatly complement one another. some scenes are a bit suggestive, though, and there is mild nudity (PG/R rating?)which are still tastefully rendered and melded in the storyline.

after watching Paprika, i'm sure you'll be researching more of Satoshi Kon's works. i'd recommend Tokyo Godfathers (which made a cameo in Paprika, by the way!) if you do not want to be disturbed by Perfect Blue.

the hidden otaku

my interest in Japanese culture started when i was in grade 5. this was the start of the anime-hype (remember "tagalized" anime on local TV).  i was thrilled, when we got cable, that Japanese channels aired anime as seen in Japan (yes original audio, without subtitles) and i was able to view lesser known, but nonetheless good, anime that never made it in the Philippines. and of course most of these were uncensored (not a hentai fan, though). i even watched Oh! Tokyo from a locally produced channel, which features sites and restos in Japan (cringe much!).

i cringe now when i admit that i watched Sailor Moon and Yuu Yuu Hakusho, but never for Ranma 1/2, Peter Pan (by Saban, yes, it's an anime!), Trapp Family Singers! Yes, i'm proud to admit that my taste in anime has improved. i don't watch all anime, but "feel" or screen them first because i don't have the time to watch all of them now with a 5-y.o. son in tow. generally, i take the animation style, story line, dialogue, humor, into consideration in watching anime, so not all of them pass my standards. i'm behind with the anime-world, the last anime i watched that was worthy of my time was Soul Eater, which i enjoyed immensely. before that was Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood, which was definitely better than the first series.

Soul Eater

Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood

also i have let my love for this genre of cartoons/art to permeate my son's world through Hayao Miyazaki's films, namely Tonari no Totoro, and Ponyo. my son just loves Ponyo (and so do i!) probably because he can relate to the age of the protagonist, Sosuke. Miyazaki's films are my first pick when it comes to kiddie films, minus Mononoke Hime for its violence, but can be watched later on as it instills good values about the environment :)

Tonari no Totoro

Ponyo and Sosuke

i hope the Japanese get to make more interesting anime, rather than the usual fighting/tournament types which are so a decade ago. for now, i shall look for more classics for my son to watch :)